I Cannot Hug You Season 2 Episode 14 Recap
> I Cannot Hug You Season 2 Recap
Xin Ba was startled to see Shi Huan sitting up from the sofa. He nervously inquired when Shi Huan had woken up and what he might have heard. Shi Huan calmly replied that he hadn't heard anything, though Xin Ba remained suspicious. In truth, Shi Huan had overheard everything Xin Ba had said on the phone, including his agreement to exchange a ring for Jiang Zhihao's elimination.
Later, Xin Ba became curious about Cui Junhe's repeated visits to a private club. After a guard informed him that only the owner could enter without permission, Xin Ba cleverly distracted the guard and slipped inside. The club's interior was unsettlingly solemn, like a chapel. Xin Ba discovered a hidden mechanism in a flower column, which opened a secret door.
Inside, he found Cheng Meiyou lying in a chamber, recognizing her from a photo he had seen in Cui Junhe's office. He quickly hid when he heard footsteps. Cui Junhe entered, speaking softly to Cheng Meiyou, telling her this might be his last visit and hoping she would have a wonderful life upon waking, but without him in it, so he could find absolution. He then placed a ring on her hand before departing.
Xin Ba emerged from his hiding spot, observing the ring on Cheng Meiyou's finger. Li Lanxi visited Jiang Zhihao, still deeply concerned about Professor Chen Minke. She acknowledged her family's acceptance of his relationship with Li Shiya but advised him to set clear boundaries. Her main worry, however, was Professor Chen Minke's recent release from prison, especially since he had previously targeted only Li Shiya during the NL Cosmetics experiments. She suspected this was linked to Li Shiya's recent troubles.
As she was occupied with a dissertation conference, Li Lanxi asked Jiang Zhihao to personally investigate Professor Chen Minke. Jiang Zhihao agreed to visit him when he found time. Meanwhile, Cui Junhe was at Professor Chen Minke's home, where the professor expressed profound gratitude for Cui Junhe securing his release. Cui Junhe clarified that he helped because Professor Chen still held value to him. He then questioned Professor Chen Minke about the vampire research study he had led.
After Cui Junhe revealed he was a vampire, Professor Chen Minke recounted that the study was initiated ten years prior by NL's President, Yu Ze, a human-vampire hybrid seeking a cure for his short lifespan. The project stalled until they discovered a list of advanced vampires, particularly a family with exceptionally powerful genes capable of curing diseases and even reviving the dead.
Cui Junhe then directly confirmed that Li Shiya was this individual, possessing unique high-ranked vampire genes and inherited healing abilities found in no other normal vampire. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Professor Chen Minke nervously checked the monitor and saw Jiang Zhihao outside. When no one answered, Jiang Zhihao called Professor Chen Minke's phone, leaving a voicemail stating he had something important to discuss. Hearing Jiang Zhihao's message, Cui Junhe's expression hardened.
Professor Chen Minke, visibly distraught, tried to stab Cui Junhe with a pen. Cui Junhe swiftly grabbed Professor Chen Minke by the throat, draining his energy. He mockingly declared himself the high-ranked vampire Professor Chen Minke had researched, asserting that such wicked individuals deserved to die by a vampire's hand, and that a high-ranking vampire's kill would leave no trace. Professor Chen Minke collapsed, wide-eyed in terror, while Cui Junhe instructed Junxiu to clean up the scene.
Around this time, Li Shiya and Jiang Zhihao discussed the goldfish incident. Li Shiya gently brought up his sadness when the goldfish she gave him died, as it was his first time caring for a living creature. Jiang Zhihao admitted that his inexperience and germaphobia at the time prevented him from knowing how to care for it, and the sudden loss had deeply affected him. He vowed never to experience such a loss again.
Li Shiya comforted him and even half-heartedly suggested getting another goldfish, but quickly realized it would be too painful. Jiang Zhihao then asked Li Shiya to temporarily move back in with her parents. When she questioned if this was due to his emotional state, he clarified that he had a crucial investigation to undertake and prioritized her safety, promising she could return once he resolved the issue. He then offered to take her home.
Professor Chen Minke's body was discovered, prompting speculation among bystanders. When Jiang Zhihao arrived at the scene, police informed him Professor Chen Minke was the victim, and he was subsequently taken in for questioning. Meanwhile, Li Shiya, unable to reach Jiang Zhihao, left him a playful yet frustrated voicemail and was later contacted by the police. The autopsy report concluded Professor Chen Minke died of natural causes, showing no signs of acute illness or abnormalities in his organs.
Jiang Zhihao was cleared and released, after which he called Li Shiya, reassuring her and suggesting they talk more once they were both home and rested. During a rehearsal, Xin Ba grew irritated by Shi Huan's constant distraction. He confronted Shi Huan backstage, demanding to know what was wrong and threatening to quit if he couldn't take their upcoming concert seriously. Shi Huan, exasperated, declared he would quit.
Xin Ba questioned Shi Huan's sudden emotional distance, pointing out his unresponsiveness and refusal to share a car. Shi Huan then directly challenged Xin Ba, revealing he had overheard Xin Ba's phone call about trying to kill Jiang Zhihao. He expressed profound disappointment, having always believed Xin Ba, despite his flaws, was a good person and a friend. Xin Ba, unrepentant, declared that he would always get what he wanted.
Shi Huan warned him that such actions would ruin his future, even if he avoided legal punishment. Xin Ba coldly told Shi Huan not to meddle in his affairs. Realizing the full extent of Xin Ba's intentions, Shi Huan declared he had been deceived, then angrily punched Xin Ba and stormed off. Xin Ba complained about his idol face being hit. As Xin Ba left backstage, he found Jiang Zhihao waiting.
Jiang Zhihao informed him about Professor Chen Minke's death, expressing suspicion that it was not natural despite the official report. He then questioned Xin Ba about why Professor Chen Minke had specifically targeted Li Shiya, asking if she possessed any unique traits compared to other high-ranked vampires. Jiang Zhihao admitted he had many questions and needed Xin Ba's cooperation.
However, Xin Ba, revealing his deep-seated resentment, sharply refused, stating he had no interest in standing on the same side as Jiang Zhihao, whom he saw as the always-victorious hero, while he himself was relegated to a mere extra. Still plagued by doubts about Professor Chen Minke's supposed natural death, Jiang Zhihao decided to investigate on his own. He reviewed security footage and found several suspicious license plates in the underground parking garage.
After contacting a car owner, he accessed surveillance footage that showed Junxiu. Recalling Li Shiya's earlier mention of Junxiu being a vampire, Jiang Zhihao's suspicions deepened, leading him to question Cui Junhe's true identity. As he contemplated these disturbing revelations at home, reflecting on how easily one could be deceived by the hidden darkness of another's world, Cui Junhe unexpectedly arrived at his door, claiming he was just passing by and wanted to visit.
Jiang Zhihao, though wary, invited him in. Inside, after exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Zhihao initiated a conversation about a story he was writing, seeking inspiration. He recounted a tale about a group of pirates who, tired of their sea travels, discovered a prosperous, well-guarded land. A young, skilled pirate among them coveted a valuable pearl held by a married couple.
He befriended them, but one night, when he tried to take the pearl, he was discovered by the wife's younger sister, whom he then killed and buried. Later, while the wife was away, her husband found the corpse in the garden, comprehending the grim truth just as the pirate appeared behind him. Jiang Zhihao paused, asking Cui Junhe how he thought the story should logically end.
Cui Junhe chillingly suggested that the pirate would either threaten the husband, take the pearl, and then kill him, or the husband would feign ignorance, hand over the pearl, and save his own life. He posited that this reflected the world's natural order, where the weak are prey to the strong, and there is no absolute justice.
Jiang Zhihao acknowledged his point but stated it wasn't the ending he desired, to which Cui Junhe replied that life and stories were different. As Cui Junhe rose to leave, he reiterated his invitation for Jiang Zhihao to dine at his house. After Cui Junhe departed, Jiang Zhihao felt as though he had just seen off the greatest danger in his life. He realized this threat was likely directed not at him, but at Li Shiya, and pondered how he could possibly contend with such a formidable opponent.
