I Am The Years You Are The Stars Episode 3 Recap
> I Am The Years You Are The Stars Recap
Jiang Baiju informed his close associates, Qian Cheng and another associate, that Jin Xiaoyu could suppress his mutation during the Zi Shi hour. Upon learning this, Qian Cheng grew even more suspicious. He questioned how, after years of searching for a cure, someone capable of stopping Jiang Baiju's mutation could suddenly appear—and so coincidentally, on that particular bus. Qian Cheng suspected Xiaoyu had external backing and might be linked to the mechanic from the bus incident.
Despite these concerns, Jiang Baiju was pleased to have found a way to control his mutation. He instructed Qian Cheng and his associate not to interfere further, asking them to focus on finding clues about the hospital instead, as he did not wish for them to get into trouble on his account. Qian Cheng, feeling punished by this directive, stormed off in frustration. Jiang Baiju then reprimanded his associate for enabling Qian Cheng's impulsive actions.
Later, the associate found Qian Cheng, who was cynical about his role. The associate reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty, stating that he wished to serve as Jiang Baiju's guardian. Dismissing this as overly sentimental, Qian Cheng sarcastically offered to take him to see a doctor. Following this, Jiang Baiju inquired about Qian Cheng's mental state. His associate reported that Qian Cheng had suffered a relapse on his way to the hospital and was uncooperative with his treatment.
Chief Fan, Qian Cheng's doctor, stated that Qian Cheng was withholding information and unwilling to cooperate, noting that his increased desire for control and feelings of persecution would lead him to "eliminate the intruder," implying a potential threat to Jin Xiaoyu. Jiang Baiju acknowledged the stress Qian Cheng felt from constantly watching over them. Later, Jiang Baiju was offered "situational reenactment therapy" to revisit his past.
He asked if a significant "she" from his memories would be part of the recreation. He revealed he had not contacted her in years, and unlike his friends, he never received postcards from her, hinting at a deep longing. However, Chief Fan informed Jiang Baiju's associate that Jiang Baiju was completely uninterested in the therapy, rendering it meaningless due to his lack of cooperation.
Chief Fan observed that Jiang Baiju had entered a "defensive state," characterized by increased stress, refusal to communicate, and subconscious provocative behavior—a condition not seen in many years. He questioned if there had been any recent significant changes in Jiang Baiju's life, such as a new influential figure. Xiaoyu was summoned to Qing'ai Building by Jiang Baiju, only to discover he wanted her to watch an old comedy film with him. He challenged her to watch the film without laughing.
Xiaoyu found herself unable to resist the humor of Stephen Chow's film and burst into laughter. She flirtatiously commented that Jiang Baiju was more handsome than the movie and playfully asked if he had ever dated, to which he replied, "No, because of health issues." She then teased that he might be an alien, unable to experience normal human activities.
Jiang Baiju shared that while Stephen Chow always appeared happy on screen, he was not so in private, a sentiment Xiaoyu also sensed. When asked which movie she would choose to live in forever, she picked "Roman Holiday." Jiang Baiju then mused about the frightening prospect of living a repetitive life, concluding that "the best thing at the end of life is to cease to exist and be forgotten."
As Jiang Baiju finally allowed himself a laugh, he felt a sudden tightness in his chest. He quickly grasped Xiaoyu's hand, which allowed him to genuinely laugh without worry. He recalled a previous instance when watching a comedy film with a foreign family; as they all laughed heartily, he had experienced chest tightness and a suffocating, uncontrollable discomfort, indicating a past struggle with his condition during moments of strong emotion. That night, Xiaoyu stayed with Jiang Baiju as he worked.
He told her she could leave around 1 AM, and she teasingly accused him of grabbing her feet while she slept. He admitted he felt "more secure" with her nearby. She also handed him her medical records, which he promised to review. After a brief, playful exchange about alien medical practices, Jiang Baiju offered her a stack of cash as "overtime pay." This time, however, Xiaoyu indicated she wanted "something else" instead of money.
She instinctively reached out and held his hand, prompting him to turn and face her. He reiterated, "I can only give you money. I really can't give you anything else." Overwhelmed, Xiaoyu quickly left, her heart pounding. Jiang Baiju was equally affected; his own heart raced, and his body grew hot, forcing him to immerse himself in cold water to regain his composure. Xiaoyu hurried from Qing'ai Building to the hospital to pick up her best friend, Cheng Weilan.
Upon entering, she was stopped by a mother and her daughter—the same little girl Xiaoyu had saved on the bus. The mother profusely thanked Xiaoyu. The little girl then unexpectedly revealed that the "madman" (Gao Guofu) had only started to act out after the man who saved them (Jiang Baiju) told him they should cooperate. Xiaoyu was deeply unsettled by this revelation. Before she could fully process the information, Cheng Weilan arrived.
Cheng Weilan enthusiastically showed Xiaoyu a picture of Lin Nuoyan, the new spokesperson for their charity association and the head of a private lab specializing in tissue engineering. She openly admired him as her idol. As they prepared to leave, they became trapped in a malfunctioning elevator. When they managed to pry open the doors, they found themselves on a dark and unfamiliar level, which Xiaoyu deduced was the third basement of the hospital.
They found a locked door, prompting Xiaoyu to climb into an adjacent archive room to bypass it. There, she unexpectedly discovered medical records similar to her own. After quickly photographing the files, Xiaoyu pushed open a door and accidentally struck Lin Nuoyan on the head as he walked past. After settling his medical expenses, the quick-witted Xiaoyu asked for his contact information for potential follow-ups, ostensibly for Cheng Weilan. Lin Nuoyan provided his contact to both of them.
Xiaoyu later met Lin Nuoyan at the morgue, where he had come to respectfully send off deceased body donors after their research use. Xiaoyu, who worked there as a mortuary makeup artist, jokingly offered her own body to his lab after she died. Recalling that Cheng Weilan had mentioned Xiaoyu's rare disease, Lin Nuoyan expressed concern and offered her a free full-body checkup at his lab, also seeing it as an opportunity for his students to study a "new case."
He then prompted her to consider any other wishes she might have, suggesting she make a "last wish list." Taking this idea to heart, Xiaoyu's list included one particular wish: to go on a date with Jiang Baiju. She presented this idea to him, offering to pay. Jiang Baiju, who rarely went out, was hesitant but ultimately succumbed to her playful insistence, especially when she mentioned her limited time left.
He agreed to the date, though privately viewing the outing as an opportunity to test Xiaoyu, as he still harbored suspicions. In a separate conversation, Qian Cheng strongly opposed Jiang Baiju's planned date with Xiaoyu. He suspected it was a trap, possibly for kidnapping or a swindle, and cautioned Jiang Baiju against going. Jiang Baiju, however, calmly explained his reasoning: he intentionally agreed because Qingtang Department Store, their chosen location, was his company's subsidiary, allowing him to monitor her actions.
He also expressed a belief that even if Xiaoyu was involved with the "special drug" group, she was likely being coerced. Elsewhere, Xiaoyu excitedly confided in someone on the phone, likely Cheng Weilan, about her belief that the "handsome guy" who saved her was an alien and that the bus accident was not accidental. She declared her intent to uncover his true identity.
