I Cannot Hug You Season 2 Episode 13 Recap
> I Cannot Hug You Season 2 Recap
Li Shiya opened the door to find Qingran standing outside. Qingran explained that Simba's group was having a concert and she had specifically come to deliver Li Shiya a ticket for it. Li Shiya quickly took the ticket and urged Qingran to leave. Qingran, however, noticed Li Shiya's flushed face and unusual behavior, immediately understanding the situation.
With a mischievous smile, Qingran departed, saying she wouldn't disturb them anymore and reminded Li Shiya to attend the launch of the new album. Inside her room, Li Shiya shared her feelings with Jiang Zhihao, expressing sadness that her relationship with Simba could no longer return to its former state. She felt she had lost her most precious friend in this life. Jiang Zhihao, feeling a sense of guilt, comforted her.
He acknowledged that his presence might be difficult for Simba, but he sincerely hoped Simba could still remain Li Shiya's friend. Li Shiya suggested they wait and see how things unfolded, also considering if she had work on the concert day. Simba went to the Li family study alone, searching the bookshelves for Li Shanghao's special ring.
He recalled a childhood memory of Li Shanghao hiding the ring in a specific book, a moment when he and a young girl had discussed if the ring made her look like a bride, and remembered an adult's stern voice telling them to get out. Simba quickly located the book he remembered and, just as he suspected, found the ring hidden within its hollowed-out pages. As he was about to leave, Li Shanghao and his wife returned.
Simba, startled, greeted them, claiming he had been there for a while to visit. He quickly made an excuse about an afternoon recording and hurried off, leaving the couple unsuspecting. Later, Cheng Meiyou invited Cui Junhe to watch a movie, even offering to treat him with her internship salary. Cui Junhe, however, scoffed at the idea of watching a movie, claiming he wasn't idle, to which Cheng Meiyou playfully responded, "Yes."
During the film, Cheng Meiyou cried profusely, finding the story moving. Cui Junhe was annoyed, pointing out she had wiped her tears and nasal discharge on his expensive clothes. Cheng Meiyou then remarked on how much she resembled the female lead, a perception Cui Junhe sarcastically dismissed by offering to buy her house more mirrors. She lamented how pitiful the male lead, Leon, was, dying for a little girl, and how much suffering there was in life.
Cui Junhe coldly countered that only those who haven't experienced real suffering would say that. Cheng Meiyou acknowledged her smooth life until she met him, considering him a "huge obstacle." She likened him to Sisyphus's rock, which she resolved to chip away at daily, instead of going around him because she didn't want to be without him. She then seriously asked Cui Junhe if he had a "rock in his heart."
Though he didn't answer directly, Cheng Meiyou pressed on, revealing she knew about an old news story, now erased, concerning a car accident he was involved in where a girl died. She deduced that he was the one who suppressed the information and that this girl was the "rock in his heart." Cui Junhe responded curtly, telling her it was none of her business, clearly displeased by her insight into his vulnerability.
At the dance studio, Shihuan watched Simba train relentlessly. Concerned, he stopped him, reminding Simba that his manager had already said he had practiced enough and warned him of potential injury if he continued. Simba responded dejectedly, explaining he had no choice but to push himself, fearing that if he stopped, no one would like him anymore.
He expressed worries that fans, who liked the "bright and amicable" image his company created, would abandon him if they discovered his true identity as a non-human, or if he aged or gained weight. He felt that the "real him" would never be liked. Shihuan passionately disagreed, telling Simba he was underestimating human emotion.
He insisted that while few, there were people who would genuinely like the real Simba, the person off-stage, and who would remember his efforts and stand by him no matter if he became fat or old. Simba listened, paused, and then left without a word. Later, Jiang Zhihao unexpectedly encountered Simba, who was wearing sunglasses, in a bookstore. Simba was holding one of Jiang Zhihao's best-selling novels. Simba initially feigned disinterest, claiming he was just browsing.
However, he soon admitted to having read the book, not out of enjoyment for novels, but to understand what made humans so appealing and why he might have lost Li Shiya to Jiang Zhihao. He conceded that Jiang Zhihao possessed literary talent but felt it was "not enough for Shiya to fall in love with a writer like you."
Jiang Zhihao then revealed that Li Shiya had never read his books, neither before nor after they began their relationship, implying she might not even enjoy reading. Simba was surprised, yet still expressed frustration, asking if Li Shiya's affection for Jiang Zhihao had nothing to do with his literary achievements, suggesting he lost to Jiang Zhihao in other, unseen aspects.
Jiang Zhihao responded that every person has unique shining qualities, and that there are countless, often inexplicable, reasons why people fall in love, and those in love rarely question why. Simba then met with Cui Junhe, presenting him with the ring. Cui Junhe's eyes lit up at the sight of it. Simba stated his condition: he would only hand over the ring if Cui Junhe eliminated Jiang Zhihao, reiterating that Cui Junhe must not harm Li Shiya.
Cui Junhe, unfazed, challenged Simba to give him the ring immediately if he truly trusted him. After a moment of hesitation, Simba handed over the ring. Cui Junhe, now holding the coveted item, displayed a satisfied smile. Jiang Zhihao had ordered numerous female items online as a birthday gift for Li Shiya, but she was unavailable for her birthday due to work.
He called her, only to learn from her manager that she was on a photoshoot and had another advertising shoot the next day. Jiang Zhihao got the address and waited until late that night for her to finish work. Li Shiya expressed her exhaustion from continuous shoots and her longing for her bed.
Jiang Zhihao reminded her it was her birthday, which she had almost forgotten, mentioning her vampire custom of rarely celebrating birthdays as blowing candles was believed to shorten their lifespan. He revealed he had prepared a gift, hoping to always be by her side for future birthdays. Although her birthday was almost over, Li Shiya decided she wanted to celebrate. She asked Jiang Zhihao for a match, which he had on hand.
She lit the match, made a wish, and blew it out. Then, she spontaneously took Jiang Zhihao's hand, surprising him. She explained her birthday wish was to hold hands with the person she loved for the duration of a traffic light. Jiang Zhihao, deeply moved, wished her a happy birthday, and Li Shiya replied that she was very happy.
As they walked, Jiang Zhihao suddenly grew suspicious, noticing a mysterious car that seemed to be following them, having taken the same route. He voiced his concern to Li Shiya, wondering if it was a stalker. Li Shiya became nervous. Jiang Zhihao asked about any special vampire abilities or legends.
Li Shiya recalled ancient magical legends among her clan, such as resurrection, energy transfer, and eternal youth, which were told as bedtime stories to vampire children, but she admitted her father had never spoken of them. She reassured Jiang Zhihao that she wasn't afraid as long as he protected her. Jiang Zhihao, in turn, expressed his fear as a human that he might not always be able to protect her adequately, wishing he could be stronger.
Li Shiya called him the best boyfriend in the world, and they decided to head home together. Later, Cui Junhe called Simba to inform him about a prestigious opportunity: the magazine's 20th-anniversary event had hired an excellent photographer for a week-long shoot in France. Cui Junhe explained he had replaced the original person due to dissatisfaction and was offering this significant chance for fame to Simba. Simba, however, was not interested.
He coldly pointed out that Cui Junhe typically sought revenge when offended and expected favors in return. He refused the offer, stating his sole desire was for Cui Junhe to eliminate Jiang Zhihao, wanting no further entanglements. Simba reminded Cui Junhe that they were merely using each other, not trusted friends. Cui Junhe chuckled, calling himself "too assuming." After hanging up, Simba was lost in thought. He then heard a movement behind him. Turning around, he saw Shihuan sitting up on the sofa, looking at him with a complex expression. A surprised Simba asked, "Why are you here?"
