I Am The Years You Are The Stars Episode 15 Recap
> I Am The Years You Are The Stars Recap
Before a scheduled gathering, Qian Cheng met Lin Nuoyan, who was at the company to discuss the anniversary celebration with President Zhang. Qian Cheng inquired if Lin Nuoyan had a girlfriend, to which Lin Nuoyan replied he had a crush who already had a boyfriend, reportedly an employee of Qian Cheng's company. Qian Cheng jokingly offered to fire the boyfriend.
Qian Cheng then gave Lin Nuoyan a VIP card to a restaurant, claiming it was a gift sponsored by his elder brother, Mr. Da Qian, to thank him. Qian Cheng requested two favors from Lin Nuoyan: to post about the restaurant on his Moments and to not reveal that Qian Cheng was the one who gave him the invitation. Lin Nuoyan readily agreed, promising to post it that evening.
As anticipated by Qian Cheng, Xiaoyu arrived at the restaurant with Lin Nuoyan. Qian Cheng observed Xiaoyu nervously looking into the dining area. Inside, two waiters were openly admiring Yang Xue'er's beauty and her companion, an unfamiliar man they assumed was her boyfriend. They speculated he must be important, given that two Qing'ai Group bosses were with him, and commented on the high good looks of wealthy individuals.
Witnessing Yang Xue'er's intimate demeanor with Jiang Baiju, and overhearing the waiters' remarks, further deepened Xiaoyu's distress. Xiaoyu confessed to Lin Nuoyan that she felt she shouldn't have come, believing it was self-inflicted humiliation. She expressed her profound sadness, reflecting on her impending death and the feeling that she was no longer unique to Jiang Baiju.
She lamented that she was neither the one with whom he had promised "life and death" nor the one destined to spend a long life with him, noting that he hadn't even told her about such things. Despite her understanding, she was still hurt. Lin Nuoyan gently placed a hand on her shoulder, reiterating his promise to try his best to cure her, to which Xiaoyu replied, "I trust you."
Qian Cheng's impatient voice suddenly cut through, telling Xiaoyu and Lin Nuoyan that they were blocking the path. Jiang Baiju, accompanied by Dao Ruifeng and an assistant named William, was visible. Lin Nuoyan's demeanor changed upon seeing Jiang Baiju, and the atmosphere grew tense. Xiaoyu attempted to explain the situation to Jiang Baiju, but he remained cold-faced, stating it was chilly outside and he had company matters to attend to, and that they could discuss it at home, before leaving.
After the encounter, Lin Nuoyan thanked Qian Cheng for the VIP card. Qian Cheng brought up Jiang Baiju, confirming that he was indeed Xiaoyu's boyfriend, a fact Lin Nuoyan had already suspected after seeing them together previously. Lin Nuoyan admitted that despite knowing Xiaoyu had a boyfriend, he still found her likable and comfortable to be around, and that over time, one would inevitably fall for her.
Qian Cheng, expressing his dislike for troublemakers, suggested that since Xiaoyu didn't have long to live, Lin Nuoyan should take over caring for her. Lin Nuoyan stated he didn't agree with most of Qian Cheng's reasoning but affirmed his genuine desire to care for Xiaoyu for the rest of her life, however brief, confident he could do so. He stressed, however, that it must be Xiaoyu's willing choice.
He then issued a stern warning to Qian Cheng: "Jin Xiaoyu is the girl I like. Don't bully her." On the way back, Yang Xue'er pressed Dao Ruifeng about Jiang Baiju, asking if he was truly Dao Ruifeng's assistant and if the girl she saw at the door was his ex-girlfriend. Dao Ruifeng, after confirming that Xiaoyu would likely become an ex after that evening, cautioned Yang Xue'er about the consequences of associating with the wrong people.
Yang Xue'er challenged Dao Ruifeng's assumption that Jiang Baiju liked girls, attributing it to Qian Cheng's influence. Dao Ruifeng then issued a more serious warning, stating that Jiang Baiju was far more dangerous than she perceived and that he did not belong to their world, similar to other artists but uniquely so. He advised her not to waste her time on him or create unnecessary problems. Yang Xue'er teased Dao Ruifeng, calling him a "charming playboy."
Dao Ruifeng then invited her to be his dance partner for the anniversary celebration. Yang Xue'er declined, citing the potential trouble with Mrs. Xue and the widely known relationship between Dao Ruifeng and Xue Wanwan, whom she identified as his "Achilles' heel." Dao Ruifeng remarked that Yang Xue'er was "deeply hidden."
Returning home, Xiaoyu attempted to clarify the situation, explaining that Qian Cheng had orchestrated the restaurant encounter, and she had only gone there with Lin Nuoyan, using his VIP card, because she believed Jiang Baiju was dining alone with Yang Xue'er. Jiang Baiju, however, focused on her wearing a stylish dress and Lin Nuoyan's jacket at such an expensive restaurant, declaring it a "date," despite Xiaoyu's protests.
He accused her of deliberately falling into Qian Cheng's trap and then involving another man to provoke his jealousy. Xiaoyu countered that she was merely following him for work, as handling the artist invitation issues was too complex for the inexperienced William and other young staff. Jiang Baiju surprisingly expressed happiness at experiencing the "normal man's problem" of a jealous girlfriend.
Xiaoyu then admitted her jealousy, not of Yang Xue'er's beauty or wealth, but of her longer lifespan, wishing she could spend more time with him. Jiang Baiju urged her not to dwell on her short life, reminding her he had known this from the start and had lived alone for a century. Xiaoyu grimly predicted he would kill himself after her death, also bringing up an unrevealed agreement he had with Mrs. Dao.
The argument escalated, culminating in Xiaoyu declaring, "Jiang Baiju, let's break up." The following morning, Xiaoyu and Jiang Baiju found themselves in a deadlock at the doorway, neither willing to concede. At Qing'ai Group, Jiang Baiju was too consumed by his emotions to focus on work, instead taking his frustration out on some fabric. Dao Ruifeng observed Qian Cheng, who was resting on a couch, and mentioned Jiang Baiju hadn't resorted to self-harm this time.
Qian Cheng admitted he couldn't resist meddling in Jiang Baiju and Xiaoyu's relationship, also to find material for his novel. Dao Ruifeng explained that their argument, though initiated by Qian Cheng's actions, was not fundamentally "about" Qian Cheng; rather, "all saboteurs dig from the original cracks." He concluded that this dispute might actually be beneficial, forcing Jiang Baiju and Xiaoyu to confront the true underlying issues in their relationship.
Qian Tu confronted Qian Cheng about his sudden return home, to which Qian Cheng replied he was simply visiting family and that Jiang Baiju was heartbroken. Qian Tu, angered yet somewhat amused by Qian Cheng's deliberate sabotage of Jiang Baiju and Xiaoyu's relationship, playfully threatened to beat his younger brother if he wasn't related. He highlighted Xiaoyu's terminal illness and short life expectancy, emphasizing that she had finally found happiness with a boyfriend, only for Qian Cheng to ruin it.
Qian Cheng retorted that Xiaoyu should not be in Jiang Baiju's world, deeming her "destructive" despite her brief remaining life, and pointing out that Lin Nuoyan, a "fine man," also liked her and would be a better match. Qian Tu, surprised that Qian Cheng, who usually looked down on Jiang Baiju, was now meddling in his romantic life, reminded his brother that arguments, while sometimes leading to breakups, could also deepen a couple's bond.
Qian Cheng, however, firmly believed that Jiang Baiju and Xiaoyu's relationship was beyond repair, describing them as "water and fire." Later, as Xiaoyu diligently worked on an embalming practice, Lin Nuoyan visited. She shared her master's teachings, explaining that her profession was "the greatest deed" and that by imagining the deceased person standing before her, she ensured her actions were always for their good, thus maintaining a clear conscience.
She revealed that, contrary to being an atheist, she firmly believed in an afterlife and the existence of souls. Intrigued, Lin Nuoyan invited her to hot pot. During their meal, a melancholic Xiaoyu confided in Lin Nuoyan about her recent argument with her boyfriend. Lin Nuoyan then preemptively confessed, "I like you, Xiaoyu."
He admitted that while he hoped her arguments with Jiang Baiju might lead her to leave him and be with him, his deeper wish was for her genuine happiness, even if it meant she wasn't with him. He reflected on his past self-pride and how seeing her sadness shifted his perspective, making him understand the essence of love. He lightened the mood by joking that his heartfelt confession was partly thanks to his English literature degree.
He articulated his belief in straightforwardness in love and fair competition as long as no one was married. He offered to end their friendship if his feelings caused her distress, an offer Xiaoyu playfully but firmly rejected, especially while enjoying hot pot. They then agreed to maintain boundaries and focus their future conversations on professional matters. Still unable to shake his concern for Xiaoyu, Jiang Baiju followed her to the restaurant.
As he watched her congenial interaction with Lin Nuoyan from a distance, a sharp pain shot through his chest. His initial anger and frustration gradually gave way to a profound realization. He confided in Xiao Cheng that he and Xiaoyu were not ordinary people, and their relationship was inherently difficult.
He observed that Lin Nuoyan and Xiaoyu seemed to understand each other perfectly, with no generational gap, and noted Lin Nuoyan's admiration for Xiaoyu's appearance, character, work, and even her volunteer spirit. Despite Xiao Cheng's insistence that Xiaoyu loved Jiang Baiju, Jiang Baiju, drawing on his centuries of observing human relationships, concluded that Xiaoyu, being young, merely had a "liking" for him, typical of how young people are drawn to what is "different"—but he believed this was not true love. He seemed to grasp that Lin Nuoyan could potentially offer Xiaoyu a happiness and normalcy he couldn't.
