I Am The Years You Are The Stars Episode 2 Recap
> I Am The Years You Are The Stars Recap
Dao Ruifeng, Qing'ai Group's third-generation designer, was preparing for his individual fashion show debut, drawing numerous media outlets. However, the designs were actually Jiang Baiju's work, who preferred to remain out of sight, letting Dao Ruifeng act as a figurehead. Jin Xiaoyu successfully infiltrated the Qing'ai Building backstage by joining a charity volunteer team. A colleague, aware of Jin Xiaoyu's rare disease, engaged her in conversation.
Jin Xiaoyu confirmed her terminal illness and short lifespan, even jokingly asking for them to attend her funeral. As night fell, the countdown to the fashion show began, but uninvited guests arrived. Qian Tu, Qian Cheng's elder brother, unexpectedly appeared, causing Qian Cheng significant distress. Qian Cheng realized his brother's earlier travel posts on social media were a deliberate distraction to disrupt his plans.
Dao Ruifeng also expressed frustration with Qian Cheng, but then saw his own "nemesis," Xue Wanwan, approaching. Terrified, Dao Ruifeng nervously chugged a glass of wine. Dao Ruifeng knew Xue Wanwan would never allow Qin Rong to be the finale model. With no diamond ring provided by sponsors, he contemplated proposing to Xue Wanwan as a last resort. Jiang Baiju, maintaining his composure while snacking, advised them to remain calm.
He then orchestrated a plan: Qian Cheng would lead security to intercept Xue Wanwan, while Dao Ruifeng would engage Qian Tu with a group of female guests. Jiang Baiju explained that Dao Ruifeng was ineffective against Xue Wanwan due to their shared history, and Qian Cheng, while ruthless with others, hesitated against his own brother. Qian Tu, however, was highly concerned with the family's reputation, making him vulnerable to public embarrassment. Their strategy was to act shamelessly. The plan worked.
Dao Ruifeng introduced Qian Tu to a group of admiring women, presenting him as a wealthy, single big shot in the tourism industry, which effectively distracted Qian Tu. Meanwhile, Qian Cheng confronted Xue Wanwan, who accused them of being liars and stealing an invitation. Qian Cheng warned her to cooperate or face consequences. Despite the chaos, the fashion show was able to proceed. Jiang Baiju, pleased with the outcome, spotted a familiar figure on the surveillance monitors.
Jin Xiaoyu, believing she was getting closer to the truth, found herself trapped in a stalled elevator, isolated and helpless. After a long wait, the elevator finally resumed, bringing her to Jiang Baiju's office, a space filled with intriguing fashion designs. Jiang Baiju, observing her from the shadows, suddenly experienced a bodily mutation. Upon seeing him, Jin Xiaoyu, recognizing him as her savior, embraced him instinctively. Strangely, the physical contact with Jin Xiaoyu halted Jiang Baiju's mutation.
Jin Xiaoyu told Jiang Baiju about her terminal rare disease and her limited time, expressing her strong desire to live for her family. She recounted witnessing his apparent death and resurrection, firmly believing he held the key to her survival. Jiang Baiju agreed to her plea, but on one condition. When asked why she wasn't afraid of him, she reasoned he would have already killed her if he intended to. Qian Cheng and Dao Ruifeng discussed Jin Xiaoyu.
Qian Cheng suspected she was a dangerous individual, adhering to his 'better kill by mistake than let go' principle. Dao Ruifeng, however, expressed concern for Jin Xiaoyu's safety, noting Jiang Baiju's unusual decision to keep her around and his plan to investigate her alone. Dao Ruifeng also lamented that Dao Lan had immediately retreated after the fashion show, dumping all responsibilities concerning Jiang Baiju onto Qian Cheng.
They decided to conduct their own investigation, believing that if Jin Xiaoyu had hidden support, a dangerous situation would reveal them. Later that night, Jin Xiaoyu led Jiang Baiju to the morgue to see Gao Guofu's body. Jiang Baiju's calm demeanor in front of the deceased puzzled Jin Xiaoyu. She noted that Gao Guofu's blackened fingernails suggested poisoning, not a typical drowning, and his body's unusual elasticity made him seem alive.
Her professional observation indicated he had taken some drug before dying. Jiang Baiju confirmed that Gao Guofu had indeed consumed a "specific drug" sold on the darknet, a substance rumored to cure all ailments and grant immense physical strength. Jiang Baiju explained that his condition for helping Jin Xiaoyu was to investigate the source of this drug. He believed that by understanding its origins and obtaining its formula, he could develop a cure for terminal illnesses, including hers.
Jin Xiaoyu, elated, urged him to act quickly, but he cautioned her about the unpredictable timeline. Just as Jiang Baiju was leaving, two mysterious figures (Qian Cheng and Dao Ruifeng) appeared. Jiang Baiju quickly returned, safely escorting Jin Xiaoyu away. Before parting, he gave her his phone number, instructing her to use it only in emergencies, as he wouldn't answer otherwise.
Later, at the hospital, Jin Xiaoyu discussed the transfer of a child for organ donation from Zuo'an Hospital with a colleague, who recounted unsettling rumors about the hospital's dark history of human experimentation. Jiang Baiju, suffering a nosebleed from his earlier mutation, came to the hospital for a check-up. Jin Xiaoyu agreed to accompany him to pick up the transferred child in exchange for her silence about his condition.
Simultaneously, police investigators visited the morgue, thanking Jin Xiaoyu's master and her for their critical report on Gao Guofu's body, which prevented crucial evidence from being cremated. Jiang Baiju was found reading a Thai poem, "Phra Aphai Mani," from a book Dao Ruifeng recognized as his grandmother's, borrowed by Jiang Baiju forty years prior. Dao Ruifeng then confronted Jiang Baiju about Jin Xiaoyu, expressing his discomfort with her.
Jiang Baiju questioned Dao Ruifeng and Qian Cheng's recent actions towards Jin Xiaoyu, and although Qian Cheng attempted to blame Dao Ruifeng, Jiang Baiju sent Qian Cheng home to be with his family, emphasizing his desire to keep them out of trouble. However, Dao Ruifeng and Qian Cheng insisted they needed to know more as the situation escalated. Pressed for answers, Jiang Baiju revealed the reason he kept Jin Xiaoyu alive: she possesses the unique ability to inhibit his midnight mutations.
