I Am The Years You Are The Stars Episode 22 Recap
> I Am The Years You Are The Stars Recap
Qian Tu found Jiang Baiju embroidering to stabilize his emotions and relieve stress. Qian Tu, observing Jiang Baiju's "exquisite" embroidery, then revealed "big news": the hospital in the photo had been located. Jiang Baiju immediately felt a sharp pain in his chest and urged Qian Tu to take him there at once.
Upon arriving at the dilapidated compound, Qian Tu, acting as a potential developer, told a security guard they were introduced by "Mr. Hu" to see the site for a factory expansion. The guard confirmed that twenty years ago, this place was indeed the prestigious Third Affiliated Hospital of the Central Hospital, a bustling hub for specialists and patients from across the nation. He remarked how desolate it was now.
As Jiang Baiju observed the flowers in the courtyard, his chest pain intensified, causing him to collapse. The security guard, noticing his frailty, advised them to leave, mentioning a local rumor that "weak people" who visit the site are prone to developing a disease characterized by "red spots." Later, Jiang Baiju asked Qian Tu to arrange a radiation test for the hospital, believing that the object he had been searching for was located there.
He explained that when he first encountered the stone, it was in the Shenlong Snow Mountain, and he thought it was buried by an avalanche. But it had made its way to the city. Jiang Baiju elaborated that the stone emitted intense radiation, and its minerals might be responsible for the "red spots" disease the guard mentioned. Qian Tu found the request for a radiation test challenging but agreed.
They also discussed the former hospital president, who died in prison, and his missing family, whom many patients were still seeking. Xiaoyu, having seen the photo of the mysterious flowers, realized they were familiar. She immediately called Jiang Baiju, asking him to meet her at the funeral home. Jiang Baiju and Qian Tu were on their way back when he received the call; Qian Tu jokingly remarked on Jiang Baiju finding time for romance amid the chaos.
At the funeral home, Xiaoyu informed them that she had sent people to protect Lin Nuoyan, leading to the discovery of a stalker, Zhao Shan, who escaped. Jiang Baiju had found the photo of the flowers in Zhao Shan's hideout. Xiaoyu confirmed that the flowers she had, which were from seeds Lin Nuoyan had given her and had just bloomed a couple of days prior, were identical to those in the picture.
Jiang Baiju told Xiaoyu he would speak with Lin Nuoyan about the situation. Qian Tu agreed to find radiation detection equipment after visiting Qian Cheng, while Jiang Baiju cautioned him to stay safe given the surveillance from the underground pharmacy and the Peng and Xue families. Later, Jiang Baiju and Xiaoyu returned home to the sound of music. Inside, they found Dao Lan, William's second uncle.
Dao Lan introduced himself to Xiaoyu as "William's second uncle" and his "favorite guardian," prompting Jiang Baiju to playfully correct him, stating Dao Lan was only William's favorite "child" when William was five. Dao Lan then announced that William had "run away." Jiang Baiju, though not surprised, was astonished to learn that Wei Lan, his friend, had helped William escape. Dao Lan further revealed that William had bought a plane ticket to America.
Later that night, Xiaoyu noticed Jiang Baiju's hands trembling despite his calm demeanor, recognizing his nervousness. They discussed Lin Nuoyan, and Xiaoyu revealed she had already texted him, learning that the flowers came from his experimental field, which was overseen by President Zhang of Central Medical University. She had arranged for them to visit the field the next afternoon.
Jiang Baiju praised her initiative, and Xiaoyu explained she took action because Lin Nuoyan's feelings for her made it awkward for Jiang Baiju to ask. She playfully called Jiang Baiju a "troublemaker," reflecting on how love can be complicated despite modern desires for "chill relationships," but she still wanted to "bother" him more.
Xiaoyu then shared her deepest hope: if Lin Nuoyan succeeded in finding the meteorite and reverting Jiang Baiju to an ordinary man, she wished that after her death, he would live a simple life and experience a natural death in old age. Jiang Baiju assured her that even as an ordinary person, he would never find anyone like her, and promised to meticulously live out the years she wouldn't have.
Xiaoyu, with emotion, covered his mouth and expressed her desire for them to accompany and care for each other while she was alive. However, if she were gone, she implored him to promise he would pursue his own passions. Jiang Baiju tenderly replied that he only loved her. Xiaoyu then reciprocated, declaring her profound love for him. She joked about wanting to propose to him but that she had already "won" by saying "I love you" first.
Recalling her past rejection of his proposal, she now affirmed she "couldn't refuse" him, expressing happiness that he was becoming more understanding, which eased her nervousness. They then shared an intimate kiss under the moonlight. Lin Nuoyan brought Xiaoyu and Jiang Baiju to the flower seed experimental field. Xiaoyu asked Lin Nuoyan about the origin of the flowers.
Lin Nuoyan explained that his laboratory was privately funded by Eternal Life Technology, an American biotechnology company that manufactured medicinal products and medical devices. Years ago, this company partnered with Central University on a "tissue regeneration project," establishing a specialized laboratory where Lin Nuoyan was appointed as director. However, due to the project's highly confidential nature, he wasn't privy to all its details.
He clarified that the flowers in question belonged to a different project, for which President Zhang was solely responsible, and that President Zhang maintained a large field of experimental flowers whose location was confidential. Jiang Baiju then presented the photo found in Zhao Shan’s hideout. He explained that the man in the photo was a wanted criminal, a former doctor who fled twenty years ago after an illegal medical incident.
Jiang Baiju revealed that the flowers in the photo exhibited abnormal growth because their seeds had been exposed to "mutagenic radiation" from a meteorite. This fugitive had been using the meteorite to create medicine and conduct experiments on innocent patients, including Bella. Jiang Baiju asserted that if these flowers were indeed associated with President Zhang, then the meteorite must be with him, implying his involvement.
Lin Nuoyan, visibly agitated, vehemently denied any wrongdoing by President Zhang, calling him a respected scholar, medical scientist, and his former university teacher, whom he knew better than anyone. He insisted that President Zhang could not possibly harm anyone. Jiang Baiju calmly urged Lin Nuoyan to prioritize Bella's life over his teacher's reputation, suggesting that Lin Nuoyan's panic stemmed from already knowing the truth.
After a moment, Lin Nuoyan composed himself and suddenly remembered seeing the person from the photo in President Zhang's office. That night, Lin Nuoyan, Jiang Baiju, and Xiaoyu went to President Zhang's office. Xiaoyu stood guard while Jiang Baiju and Lin Nuoyan entered. Inside, they found a notebook with a group photo.
Jiang Baiju identified one of the individuals as Zhao Shan, and from other photos of doctoral and undergraduate students, they confirmed that Zhao Shan had indeed been President Zhang's student twenty years prior. As they prepared to leave, they heard President Zhang calling for help. Rushing to the source of the cries, they found Zhao Shan attacking President Zhang. Lin Nuoyan quickly intervened, rescuing President Zhang. However, during the commotion, Xiaoyu began to bleed from her nose.
Zhao Shan then attempted to attack Xiaoyu, but Jiang Baiju shielded her, sustaining an injury from the blade. Wounded, Jiang Baiju interrogated Zhao Shan, who identified Jiang Baiju as the "undead man" and confirmed that the meteorite was located in the former hospital, on the same floor as the flowerbed, protected by a containment device requiring special suits. Zhao Shan admitted to attacking President Zhang because the latter had become suspicious and intended to call the police.
Lin Nuoyan urged Xiaoyu to call an ambulance for Jiang Baiju, but Jiang Baiju, aware of his "special circumstances," insisted that President Zhang, who had suffered a spleen injury, needed immediate medical attention. Lin Nuoyan then instructed Xiaoyu to keep the events confidential and to guard Zhao Shan. Lin Nuoyan then left Jiang Baiju and Xiaoyu, who proceeded to the secret base where the meteorite was housed.
Upon seeing it, Jiang Baiju revealed he had first encountered the meteorite eighty years ago on the Yunnan snow mountain, and it was originally larger. He explained that he had acquired "unknown substances" from it that granted him immortality, making him impervious to aging or harm. Now, after living for a hundred years and feeling weary of his prolonged existence, he intended to return these substances to the meteorite, hoping to understand their true nature and potentially relinquish his immortality.
He sensed the substance within his heart wanting to reunite with the meteorite. Lin Nuoyan warned them that the anti-radiation device, once activated, would trigger a building-wide alarm in ten seconds, leading to the police seizing the meteorite. He cautioned Jiang Baiju that returning the substance could result in his death or other unpredictable consequences, as defying natural laws came with a price. Lin Nuoyan then left them to make their decision, reminding them not to remove their protective suits.
Xiaoyu then moved to wait for Jiang Baiju. Left alone, Xiaoyu lamented the possibility of Jiang Baiju dying before her, accepting it as the consequence of defying nature. She then dreamt aloud of them both living to a hundred and dying together. She tenderly confessed that her already short life felt even shorter after meeting him, as he had fulfilled all her dreams—being "handsome, rich, long-legged, old," and having "lived a long life."
She promised that if he died, she would immediately follow him and marry him after making him "beautiful." Jiang Baiju, promising to marry her, agreed to proceed quickly before the meteorite disappeared. Jiang Baiju then passionately kissed Xiaoyu before moving towards the meteorite. Later that night, Qian Tu was driving alone on a desolate road when his car suddenly malfunctioned. As he stepped out to inspect it, a motorcycle unexpectedly sped towards him.
The rider struck Qian Tu brutally from behind with a stick, sending him crashing painfully to the ground. The assailant dismounted and relentlessly continued to beat Qian Tu with the weapon. Qian Tu fought to resist, but his body was overwhelmed by agonizing pain.
