I Cannot Hug You Recap, Plot, Synopsis
I Cannot Hug You Synopsis
Li Shiya needs to maintain life relying on touch with others, Jiang Zhihao is a man with a mysophobia problem who hates touching people.
One’s life depends on touch, the other can not stand a touch, such a pair of men and women, what kind of chemistry will they bring?
I Cannot Hug You Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Vampires, once creatures of fear, have evolved and integrated into human society. They no longer consume blood but instead absorb "life force" from humans through physical contact to survive, a method far more secretive and less harmful. While humans touch to experience intimacy, maintain emotional stability, and confirm love, vampires touch solely to subsist. Li Shiya is one such vampire.
She is an arrogant girl with a beautiful appearance that gives her confidence, and she tends to carry herself with an air of superiority. However, those who get to know her discover she is also a fun-loving girl. She boasts that her beauty has always guaranteed successful "hunts."
One day, while shopping at a bookstore, she mistakenly believes a clerk wants her autograph due to her charm, only to realize the clerk was merely requesting her signature for a credit card transaction. Embarrassed, she quickly flees. Outside the bookstore, she accidentally collides with Jiang Zhihao, a fastidious, extremely sensitive, and somewhat introverted man with severe mysophobia, who dislikes contact with any living creature.
As their hands brush while picking up fallen books, Li Shiya is struck by an unprecedented, alluring energy from Jiang Zhihao, realizing he "tastes too good." Compelled by this intoxicating energy, Li Shiya discreetly follows Jiang Zhihao. However, Jiang Zhihao quickly notices and confronts her, accusing her of being a "pervert stalker." He sternly warns her never to follow him again, threatening to label her a "pervert stalker for the rest of her life" if she persists.
Li Shiya tries to explain that she only followed him because he "tasted really good" and it was their first meeting. Jiang Zhihao dismisses her, leaving her speechless and unable to defend herself. Li Shiya's decision to run away from home stems from a deep conflict with her father, Li Shanghao, a traditional and rigid vampire who owns a horse stable.
While her mother, proud older sister Li Lanxi, and naughty and disobedient younger celebrity brother Xin Ba are cherished, Li Shiya views her father as overly controlling. He only permits his children to absorb just enough energy for survival, often questioning how much energy they've consumed and whom they've contacted. Li Shiya, however, yearns for the "freedom" to "hunt" for more flavorful energy. Their arguments escalate, with Li Shiya asserting, "We are vampires, not slaves.
I want to hunt, to have something more tasty," while her father accuses her of attempting to "expose our identity to the whole world." He grounds her for three months, prompting her to declare, "I only live once. I can't be trapped in a horse stable forever," and ultimately, to leave. Shortly after Li Shiya moves into her new apartment, her older sister Li Lanxi visits.
Li Lanxi tells her that their father acknowledges Li Shiya's successful escape but warns her that if she dares to return to the horse stable, "he can break your legs." Li Lanxi also earnestly advises Li Shiya to "think about it carefully" and to "not randomly touch anyone," stressing the importance of protecting their identity as vampires living among humans.
Li Shiya complains that everyone treats her like a troublemaker just because she desires better-tasting energy, to which Li Lanxi retorts that she won't encourage a "food addict" like her. Later, while unpacking a mountain of deliveries from Xin Ba, Li Shiya discovers one package is for unit 301, the apartment next door. Intending to be a good neighbor, she takes it over. Coincidentally, Jiang Zhihao lives next door.
He immediately recognizes her voice and accuses her once again of being a "Miss Stalker," suggesting she has followed him to his home and threatening to call the police. Li Shiya tries to explain that she just moved into unit 302 and was merely delivering his package, showing him the package addressed to him at unit 301.
Unmoved, Jiang Zhihao simply tells her to "put it at the door" and refuses to open it, maintaining his belief that she is a stalker. Frustrated, Li Shiya later meets Xin Ba at a restaurant. She recounts the day's events, expressing her anger at Jiang Zhihao for calling her a stalker. She decides to keep his package, planning to give him a taste of his own medicine when he comes looking for it.
During their meal, Xin Ba subtly "hunts" by shaking hands with his fans to absorb their life force. Li Shiya reflects on the "super rejuvenating" sensation of touching Jiang Zhihao, admitting it "felt pretty good." After a tiring day of work as a model, Li Shiya is drained. Her manager brings her food, but she finds it unappealing. She longs for the "very delicious snack" that is Jiang Zhihao's energy, even fantasizing about apologizing to him just for a handshake.
She internally notes that while vampires can starve for a few days, a week without absorbing human energy can be dangerous. Li Shiya, still fixated on Jiang Zhihao, dismisses other foods. That night, fueled by alcohol to relieve stress, Li Shiya returns home. Driven by a desperate craving for Jiang Zhihao's energy and frustration from his earlier rejections, she pounds on his door, loudly proclaiming, "I'm a stalker and a pervert! Come out!"
When Jiang Zhihao finally opens the door, a drunken Li Shiya blurts out, "Let me touch you, just once," before collapsing at his feet. Jiang Zhihao, recoiling in disgust and wearing gloves, drags her unconscious body into his apartment.
Episode 2 Recap
Li Shiya awoke, disoriented, to find herself in Jiang Zhihao's apartment, lying on a floor covered in newspapers. She questioned how she got there, and Jiang Zhihao informed her it was his home, explaining he brought her in because her drunken state outside his door would attract unwanted attention and contamination. He immediately warned her not to touch his floor, fearing the "staphylococcus aureus" from her hands.
Li Shiya, realizing he might have germophobia, deliberately touched several items around the room. Jiang Zhihao followed her, meticulously cleaning every surface she made contact with. Before leaving, Li Shiya provocatively touched Jiang Zhihao's chest, then quickly retreated to her own apartment. Afterward, Jiang Zhihao donned gloves and masks, thoroughly sanitizing his entire living space. Later, Li Shiya sought advice from her sister, Li Lanxi, about how to cure severe germophobia.
Li Lanxi explained that it's a mental disorder, a type of obsessive-compulsive behavior, not a disease with a radical cure. It requires the individual's own willpower to overcome. Annoyed by her sister's lecture, Li Shiya made an excuse about feeding pigeons and quickly left. On her way home, Jiang Zhihao confronted her, accusing her of stalking him and monitoring his workplace, threatening to call the police if she continued.
Jiang Zhihao's repeated accusations made Li Shiya suspect there might be a real stalker targeting him. Curious, she canceled her work for the next day, determined to investigate. Jiang Zhihao, for his part, was tormented by nightmares of Li Shiya touching him. The next day, at a book publishing company, Jiang Zhihao was unknowingly followed by a girl wearing a black baseball cap. As they entered the elevator, the cap-wearing girl attempted to act, but Li Shiya suddenly intervened.
Li Shiya recognized the girl as a fellow vampire and quickly deduced her intentions. The two women, both seeing Jiang Zhihao as potential prey, engaged in a heated argument. Li Shiya asserted her claim over Jiang Zhihao, warning the other girl not to interfere, but the argument was broken up by a staff member. Li Shiya later went to a bookstore, hoping to find information on treating germophobia, despite her sister's earlier skepticism about a cure.
There, she encountered Jiang Zhihao again, with the cap-wearing girl still tailing him. The cap-wearing girl made another attempt to approach Jiang Zhihao, but Li Shiya once more blocked her, exposing her as the actual stalker. The cap-wearing girl, startled, broke free from Li Shiya's grasp and fled the bookstore. Walking home, Li Shiya was elated, believing she had cleared her name in Jiang Zhihao's eyes. However, his attitude toward her remained largely unchanged.
Feeling desperate, Li Shiya suddenly blurted out to Jiang Zhihao, "I like you!" The confession seemed to halt time, and Jiang Zhihao stumbled backward in shock. Taking courage, Li Shiya further confessed that she had liked him since their first meeting, explaining her urge to touch him. Jiang Zhihao, overwhelmed and calling her crazy, turned and fled, leaving Li Shiya alone and frustrated, lamenting that she would die of hunger.
Back in his apartment, Jiang Zhihao struggled to focus, haunted by Li Shiya's confession. He even dreamed of her standing by his bed, waking up in a fright. Meanwhile, the vampire organization headquarters sent out an urgent notice regarding a series of missing vampires, instructing local sheriffs, including Li Lanxi, to investigate and secure the vampire population in their areas. Separately, at Li Shiya's modeling agency, a major endorsement opportunity was announced, leading to competitive tensions among the agents.
Li Shiya's recent good performance was highlighted, and her manager, Qingran, defended her against jealous colleagues. Li Shiya also spoke to her mother on the phone, reassuring her that she was doing well, even better than at home, and expressed annoyance at her father's continued insistence on keeping hunting records. Still, she felt the pangs of hunger, lamenting that nothing was going well.
Later, as Li Shiya stepped out to take out the trash, she found Jiang Zhihao waiting at her door. He hesitantly asked to retrieve a package that had been mistakenly delivered to her. Li Shiya, mimicking his previous cold demeanor, playfully refused to come out or reveal herself fully, accusing him of taking revenge.
Jiang Zhihao explained the package contained a rare, sold-out children's book, "Travels of Pipo," which was very important to him, and he offered to buy it back. Li Shiya agreed to return the book but on one condition: Jiang Zhihao must go on a date with her every week. When he questioned why, she reiterated her feelings, making it clear that she wanted to date him.
Episode 3 Recap
The lingering memories of Li Shiya's overly affectionate words gave Jiang Zhihao goosebumps. He instinctively reached for his disinfectant, hoping to calm himself by cleaning his room. To retrieve his cherished fairy tale book from Li Shiya, Jiang Zhihao reluctantly agreed to go on a date with her. They went to the cinema to watch a horror movie. Ever the germaphobe, Jiang Zhihao meticulously spread his personal blanket over the seat, wary of bacteria.
Li Shiya found no opportunity to touch him during the entire two-hour film. Still determined, she insisted they go to a restaurant afterward, despite Jiang Zhihao's reluctance. At the restaurant, Li Shiya feigned being too hot and removed her jacket, hoping to impress Jiang Zhihao with her physique. He, however, remained unmoved. He advised her to keep her jacket on, citing the air conditioner and the potential spread of 10,000 salivary droplets at 140 kph if she sneezed.
During their conversation, Jiang Zhihao revealed he was a novelist, while Li Shiya proudly stated she was a model, even the cover model for the latest "Hello?" magazine. Jiang Zhihao responded with a dismissive comment, "No wonder you are that idle." Li Shiya, frustrated that she still hadn't touched him, resolved to try her last tactic. On their way home, Li Shiya pretended to twist her ankle and asked Jiang Zhihao for help, hoping he would hold her hand.
Instead, Jiang Zhihao offered to call an ambulance, earning him the label "coldblooded and heartless evil demon." Li Shiya quickly recovered, insisting she was fine. Jiang Zhihao then candidly told her that he knew nothing about relationships and that she shouldn't waste her time on him, urging her to find a more suitable person. Li Shiya, however, firmly declared that she only wanted Jiang Zhihao and no one else.
The conversation grew awkward, but before it could escalate further, Jiang Zhihao was startled by a cockroach on her bench and fled in a panic. Back home, Li Shiya photographed the contents of his fairy tale book. She then called Jiang Zhihao, explaining her new system: for every date they had, she would send him two pages of the book, requiring six dates to get all twelve pages. She even offered to send them faster if he initiated a date.
Jiang Zhihao vehemently protested, stating, "Who allowed you do to this? I am against what you are doing!" Li Shiya ignored his objections, announcing her intention to cure his germophobia. Jiang Zhihao was left speechless, but as he pondered her words and reflected on his own past, his initial icy demeanor began to waver. Meanwhile, Li Shiya's manager excitedly told her about a potential overseas shoot for Yakesi perfume, which Li Shiya eagerly accepted.
They needed new photos, including couple shots. When the manager suggested her brother, Xin Ba, Li Shiya declined, wanting to avoid rumors that she was using his popularity. Li Shiya then revealed she had someone else in mind, planning to "kill two birds with one stone." Later, Jiang Zhihao, restless from not knowing the next part of the story, received a call from an unknown number, which turned out to be Li Shiya.
She instructed him to meet her on Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock for the next page, explicitly stating, "I need you." He found it difficult but she assured him it wouldn't take long. After saving her number under the name "Stalker," he reluctantly agreed. Jiang Zhihao arrived at Li Shiya's modeling agency. After Li Shiya finished her solo shots, she informed Jiang Zhihao that he was to be her partner for the upcoming couple's photoshoot.
Jiang Zhihao was outraged, asking, "Li Shiya, are you crazy? Why do I have to comply with your ridiculous demand?" Li Shiya pleaded, emphasizing the shoot's importance to her career and using his book as leverage, promising not to touch him. Jiang Zhihao, having no other choice, reluctantly agreed to participate. During the photoshoot, Jiang Zhihao was visibly uncomfortable, feeling that the studio was "full of germs!"
Li Shiya tried to reassure him, advising him to relax and think of happy thoughts to make the unpleasant moment pass quickly. As the shoot progressed, Li Shiya, weakened from several days without "energy," accidentally hit Jiang Zhihao during a pose, murmuring about being hungry for "fried chicken." On the walk home in the rain, Jiang Zhihao, holding an umbrella with Li Shiya, could no longer contain his anger.
He harshly criticized her recklessness, saying she seemed like "that type of woman," pointing out her revealing clothing and her habit of touching others without permission. Li Shiya defiantly embraced the label, declaring that since high school, her nickname had been the "Queen of Sexiness," and that physical contact was integral to her dating style. She confessed, "I indeed have such an illness and I am already beyond a cure!" Jiang Zhihao, disgusted, concluded, "I had a misjudgment.
You really are not all that special," and walked away, leaving her alone in the rain. Crying at home later, Li Shiya reflected on his words, believing he was wrong, and asserting her "limitless potential" when it came to securing her "food." Soon after, Li Shiya's brother, Xin Ba, and his friend, Shihuan, arrived unannounced. Xin Ba teased her about reading children's books. Li Shiya, weakened from five days without living energy, asked Shihuan for help.
Xin Ba playfully called Shihuan his "emergency food ration." Li Shiya took Shihuan's hand to absorb energy, causing him to faint from the excessive drain. Xin Ba reassured Li Shiya, explaining that it was common for Shihuan, as their "reserve food," to faint, jokingly adding that it helped him stay fit. Jiang Zhihao, in the adjacent apartment, was disturbed by the commotion.
Xin Ba, after putting Shihuan on the sofa, drunkenly wondered if he and Li Shiya looked like a newlywed couple who had just put their child to sleep, then declared he would marry her.
Episode 4 Recap
Li Shiya's guest, Xin Ba, made a seemingly serious declaration about not liking anyone but her, which Li Shiya initially took to be earnest. However, Xin Ba, after briefly insisting on his seriousness and telling her she wasn't a casual woman, immediately backtracked and claimed he was just kidding. Annoyed, Li Shiya headed to the bathroom. Meanwhile, in the adjacent apartment, Jiang Zhihao struggled to focus on his writing due to the increasingly loud noise from Li Shiya's place.
He sent Li Shiya a WeChat message noting how noisy it was. When Li Shiya was in the bathroom, Xin Ba, pretending his phone battery was dead, asked for her phone password, which was her birthday. He then used her phone to send a rather inappropriate message to "Fried Chicken," which was Jiang Zhihao. Jiang Zhihao later saw the strange message on his phone.
Unable to concentrate further, Jiang Zhihao left his room for a quiet spot in the community park. Just as he settled into a pavilion, a small dog climbed onto his bench. Jiang Zhihao’s intense fear of animals, coupled with his germaphobia, made him extremely uneasy. He thought about Li Shiya's past advice to focus on happy thoughts when upset. Later that night, Li Shiya saw Xin Ba and Shihuan off.
She apologized to Shihuan for the evening and warned Xin Ba not to bring Shihuan with him next time. Before leaving, Xin Ba confessed to Li Shiya that he had seen a message from "Fried Chicken" on her phone and had secretly replied. He jokingly warned her not to "fool around" with "Fried Chicken." As Xin Ba and Shihuan walked downstairs, Xin Ba bumped into Jiang Zhihao.
Jiang Zhihao gave Xin Ba a look of intense disgust, which Xin Ba misinterpreted as an anti-fan's anger, wondering if he would be cyberbullied on Weibo and realizing Jiang Zhihao lived on the same floor as Li Shiya. Meanwhile, Li Lanxi, a security officer for the vampire family, issued a yellow warning due to several recent vampire disappearances, suspecting an organized operation. The couple photos from Li Shiya's recent cover shoot had been developed.
Li Shiya and her manager, Qingran, reviewed them. Qingran praised the photos, remarking that Jiang Zhihao's ascetic aura made Li Shiya look "more sexy," and suggested more collaborations with him. Li Shiya decided to keep some of the photos for herself and then went to Jiang Zhihao’s door to give him some for his memories. Despite Jiang Zhihao’s protests and claims that he didn’t need them, he eventually took the envelope.
Once home, Jiang Zhihao, "fully armed" with his precautions, carefully opened the envelope. As he looked at the elegant and beautiful Li Shiya in the photos, he unexpectedly muttered, "This is too sexy." Feeling flustered and swallowing hard, he quickly put the photos away in a drawer, not daring to look again. Li Shiya later met with her sister, Li Lanxi, who expressed concern for her safety given the recent vampire disappearances and suggested she move back home.
Li Shiya declined, confessing that she had no feelings for anyone else but was intensely interested in Jiang Zhihao. Li Lanxi was shocked, pointing out Jiang Zhihao's severe germaphobia and his aversion to human contact, calling it a foolish decision for a vampire like Li Shiya. However, seeing her sister's distress, Li Lanxi agreed to help, mentioning that she had researched cognitive-behavioral therapy, a method that involves reverse thinking and exposing the individual to what they fear most.
Late one evening, Li Shiya, eating watermelon, waited outside Jiang Zhihao’s door. Using the storybook as leverage, she persuaded him to come out. She took him to the zoo, explaining that it was part of her plan to cure his germaphobia by exposing him to situations he usually avoided, helping him see the "entire forest instead of just one tree." Despite his visible discomfort, Jiang Zhihao reluctantly accompanied her through the zoo and even fed an alpaca with gloved hands.
Seeing that her sister's method seemed to be having an effect, Li Shiya employed a more extreme tactic. She led Jiang Zhihao to a room full of rabbits, praising their cuteness and urging him to touch them. When he refused, she explained that sometimes it's necessary to force someone into their worst nightmare to make them face it head-on. She then closed the door and blocked it with her body.
Jiang Zhihao, panicking, desperately tried to get out, eventually pushing past her and in doing so, touched her hand. Li Shiya realized he had made physical contact. As they left the zoo, Jiang Zhihao angrily confronted Li Shiya, calling her actions "murder" and demanding to know why she subjected him to such an ordeal. Li Shiya, however, was beaming, pointing out that he had touched her hand, which was his first physical contact with her.
As they argued, a little girl suddenly ran up and hugged Jiang Zhihao’s leg. Jiang Zhihao immediately asked Li Shiya if she had brought the child as another one of her schemes. Li Shiya denied it and quickly went to make an announcement to find the girl's mother.
Left alone with the crying child, who repeatedly called for her "Mommy," Jiang Zhihao struggled with the prolonged physical contact but seemed deeply affected by her cries, appearing to recall memories of his own childhood and mother. Li Shiya returned with the girl’s mother, observing with satisfaction Jiang Zhihao's unexpected compassion and gradual step towards overcoming his phobia.
That night, on their way home, Jiang Zhihao, still puzzled, asked Li Shiya why an "excellent girl" like her would focus so much effort on an "ordinary person" like him, an author. Li Shiya gently replied that in her eyes, he was not ordinary at all. She reiterated the sentiment he had expressed earlier, "Some things may seem worthless to others, but for some people, they are priceless," adding, "In my eyes, you are not ordinary.
You are worth being cherished." She then told him that if he didn't like her methods, he could simply come to her next time he wanted to read the storybook. Later, Jiang Zhihao, reflecting on the day, read from the storybook about a flute that cried because people touched it with dirty hands and tossed it around. The butterfly, harmonica, and drum invited the flute to join them on a trip.
Jiang Zhihao repeated Li Shiya's words, "There are some things that are worthless to others, but for some people, they are priceless. To me, you are priceless," as if finally understanding.
Episode 5 Recap
Li Lanxi severely reprimanded Li Shiya, reminding her that she had previously warned against using extreme "flood therapy" on Jiang Zhihao without being a professional. Li Lanxi emphasized that such methods could lead to Jiang Zhihao rejecting further treatment if his psychological trauma was mishandled. She clarified that the cause of germaphobia varies, but for Jiang Zhihao, it might stem from being controlled by an "other self."
To truly help him heal from his obsessive-compulsive disorder, Li Lanxi advised Li Shiya to get closer to him gradually. After a photoshoot, the director gifted Li Shiya a goldfish that had been used as a prop. Li Shiya, who had never owned a pet, was initially hesitant. The director assured her that goldfish were easy to care for and that having a small pet could help relieve stress and uplift one's mood.
Remembering Jiang Zhihao's need for mood regulation, Li Shiya decided to give the goldfish to him as a present. Jiang Zhihao, initially resistant, tried to return the fish, but Li Shiya (on the phone) insisted it would be good for his mental health and that she would check on it. Li Shiya's agent, Qingran, had successfully secured her a spot in the final selection for NL, a prestigious beauty cosmetics company's spokesperson. Vampire disappearance incidents had become increasingly severe.
Concerned about Li Shiya's safety, Simba, who was abroad, was unable to reach her by phone. He decided to skip a very important awards ceremony, booking a flight immediately to return home. Standing downstairs at Li Shiya's house, Simba finally got through to Li Shiya (on the phone). He didn't tell her he had flown back, content as long as she was safe.
Jiang Zhihao, who had a water tank primarily for air humidity, now found it serving a new purpose for the goldfish. Though he had never cared for a pet before and initially struggled with the fish's habits, he soon bought books on fishkeeping, reading about its dietary quirks and care. Through caring for this new friend, Jiang Zhihao's solitary nature began to soften.
Li Shiya noticed a significant change when she saw Jiang Zhihao's WeChat avatar had become a picture of the goldfish. He even started proactively messaging her about the fish's well-being, bringing a growing smile to Li Shiya's face. Encouraged by his progress, Li Shiya invited Jiang Zhihao to the beach for a relaxing trip.
However, his immediate concern was returning early enough to feed the goldfish, as he had learned from his books that they needed to be fed twice a day. Li Shiya reassured him they would leave in the morning and return before nightfall. Li Shiya hoped the trip to the sea would provide an opportunity to get closer to Jiang Zhihao and fulfill her desires.
While Jiang Zhihao pondered the unusual idea of traveling to the beach, feeling a sense of safety when it came to Li Shiya, their plans were abruptly interrupted by a phone call from his stepmother. She called to remind him about his father's death anniversary the following month, expecting him to attend to fulfill his duties as a son. The call immediately dampened Jiang Zhihao's spirits, and all of Li Shiya's recent efforts seemed to crumble.
Jiang Zhihao told Li Shiya that he was no longer going anywhere and that he wanted to end their relationship, stating that she had appeared wanting to change him but would never succeed. He told her to stop bothering him. Heartbroken, Li Shiya went to the beach alone, walking through the shallow water. She reflected on Jiang Zhihao's rejection, contemplating if her sister had been right about his inherent resistance to change.
Later, Qingran went to NL's headquarters to further Li Shiya's candidacy. There, she unexpectedly encountered the company's vice president, Yu Ze, whom she recognized as her former senior from school, having not seen him for many years. They met privately, where Qingran’s past feelings for Yu Ze were evident as she nervously talked about her "low blood sugar," a habit he remembered and even offered her candy for, just like in their student days.
Qingran admitted she had heard rumors of his death after he disappeared from school. Yu Ze assured her he was healthy and expressed his happiness at seeing her after dealing with many recent upsetting issues. Later, as Li Shiya was still at the NL office, dreaming of becoming a model, she received a phone call from Jiang Zhihao. With a trembling voice, he delivered the devastating news: the goldfish had died. Li Shiya rushed to his side, finding him distressed.
She offered to take him out, and despite his initial reluctance, she persuaded him to drink a glass of alcohol, suggesting it could help him relax and confront his emotions. After just one drink, Jiang Zhihao became heavily intoxicated. As Li Shiya observed him in his defenseless state, she contemplated her desire to touch him, ultimately deciding to allow herself only a brief touch.
Drunk, Jiang Zhihao began to reveal his deepest sorrows, secrets he had suppressed for over twenty years. He spoke of his parents' divorce when he was eight, his mother leaving him with his father, and the subsequent psychological torment from his stepmother, who told him his mother left because he was "lazy and dirty." This led him to compulsively clean himself, believing it would bring his mother back. He became isolated, avoiding classmates for fear of contamination.
In his last year of elementary school, his father died, and even then, he couldn't stop cleaning his hands, hating himself for it. He expressed his profound wish to stop living this way. Li Shiya helped a still-intoxicated Jiang Zhihao back to his home. She now understood his profound trauma and felt immense pity for him. After some internal debate about whether to take advantage of his vulnerable state, she gently reached out and touched his cheek, whispering an apology.
Episode 6 Recap
Li Shiya brought a drunk and unconscious Jiang Zhihao home. As she got him inside, she reflected on finally understanding his secret and felt sympathy for him. Despite her desire for his energy, she debated taking advantage of his vulnerable state. She ultimately decided to allow herself a brief touch, apologizing to him mentally, and gently caressed his face. In his unconscious state, Jiang Zhihao softly murmured, "Don't leave me."
Qingran sought psychological consultation from Li Shiya's sister, Li Lanxi, her first time for such a session. Li Lanxi reassured her about confidentiality. Qingran revealed she had been suffering from insomnia and recurring dreams. She explained that in high school, she had a strong crush on a senior student, Yu Ze, who suddenly dropped out of school and left without explanation.
Though she had eventually moved past the pain and the recurring dreams of his farewell, his recent reappearance had resurfaced those old feelings and triggered her insomnia again. Li Lanxi explained that seeing Yu Ze had reawakened her past regrets, and letting go of them was the key to recovery. She prescribed short-term, non-addictive sleep medication and advised Qingran to take one tablet daily, offering further assistance if needed.
The morning after his drunken night, Jiang Zhihao received a text message from Li Shiya stating, "I really enjoyed myself last night," which bewildered him. He also discovered she had sent him the final two chapters of "Travels of Pipo," a book she had previously guarded. He agonized over what might have transpired between them that night, feeling an intense awkwardness and confusion, especially given her sudden generosity with the book chapters.
For days, he fretted over avoiding her, constantly wondering if something significant had occurred to prompt her unexpected actions, yet he couldn't bring himself to ask her directly. Li Shiya confided in her sister, Li Lanxi, that she had discovered the root cause of Jiang Zhihao's germaphobia lay in his family background.
Despite Li Lanxi’s teasing about Li Shiya's previous interaction with a drunk Jiang Zhihao, Li Shiya admitted to a brief, guilt-ridden touch, defending it by emphasizing his sad story and his desire to change. Li Shiya explained her plan: she believed that by helping him confront his childhood psychological trauma, specifically by arranging a meeting with his estranged mother, the situation could be resolved.
Li Lanxi challenged Li Shiya about her intentions beyond just treating Jiang Zhihao, questioning if she was "dating" him. This made Li Shiya deeply reflect, realizing she hadn't considered what would happen after curing his germaphobia. She pondered whether her pursuit of Jiang Zhihao was solely for his vital energy or if deeper feelings were developing, acknowledging that dating involved mutual affection.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhihao continued to avoid her, fleeing abruptly when she tried to check on him, leaving Li Shiya feeling confused and awkward. Li Shiya, after some effort, obtained the email address of Jiang Zhihao's mother from the editorial department, excited about this new channel of communication.
Watching a child happily interact with his mother, Li Shiya reflected on Jiang Zhihao’s solitary life and her inability to fully grasp his deep-seated loneliness, having always been surrounded by love and companionship herself. She wondered if his reluctance to seek out his mother stemmed from a fear of rejection, questioning her own motives as a "huntress" who was developing empathy for her prey.
Jiang Zhihao, still plagued by the events of his drunken night, gathered the courage to visit Li Shiya's home, but hesitated at her doorstep, unable to ring the bell. Just as he decided to leave, Li Shiya arrived. She immediately assumed he was there to thank her for his care after he passed out, lightly teasing him about his low alcohol tolerance. Jiang Zhihao, flustered, did express his thanks for her care that night.
However, when Li Shiya pressed him for the reason, he awkwardly pivoted, instead thanking her for sending him the additional pages of "Travels of Pipo." Li Shiya cryptically replied that he shouldn't thank her, as she had also received something "precious" from him. This comment visibly unnerved Jiang Zhihao, who recoiled, clutching his clothes and wondering what she meant.
After he left, Li Shiya mused that her joke might have been too much, but affirmed that she truly had gained something valuable from him. Li Shiya was disappointed that Jiang Zhihao's mother hadn't replied to her email, even though she had read it. Discussing this with Li Lanxi, her sister suggested the mother simply didn't want to meet him, citing the complexities of divorce and the mother's abandonment.
However, Li Shiya passionately argued that the child was innocent and deserved to see his mother, refusing to give up. She reiterated her commitment to helping Jiang Zhihao, driven by the unique, warm energy she felt from him, resolved to make him "hers." Li Shiya's persistence eventually bore fruit when Jiang Zhihao's mother finally replied to her email.
Li Shiya then excitedly visited Jiang Zhihao late one night to inform him that she would take him somewhere special on Sunday, promising a surprise related to "Travels of Pipo." On Sunday, Jiang Zhihao, still wary and confused about their previous interaction, reluctantly followed Li Shiya to a restaurant. Despite his aversion to meeting strangers and his questions about her intentions, Li Shiya led him inside. There, he was stunned to find his mother, whom he hadn't seen in years.
His initial reaction was to turn and flee, but Li Shiya blocked his path, urging him to confront his feelings and reminding him of his deep longing for his mother. Jiang Zhihao's mother then requested to speak with him privately, and Li Shiya left them to talk, though not without apprehension about the outcome. His mother, tearfully, expressed her regret and the immense guilt she had carried since leaving him.
She explained that she had left to find her own freedom from a lonely marriage with his work-obsessed father, and because she feared her own resentment would harm him. She admitted she had considered refusing Li Shiya's request for them to meet, believing she had no right to be his mother after abandoning him. However, Li Shiya's words—that a family member should offer help, not pain—deeply moved her and convinced her to come.
With profound emotion, she confessed to Jiang Zhihao that she had loved him every minute of every second since she left, even though it was late to say so. Witnessing his mother's heartfelt confession, the emotional barriers Jiang Zhihao had built over two decades began to crumble. He had long believed himself unloved and destined for solitude, unable to reciprocate affection because he felt inherently unlikable.
In that moment, he realized his mother had never truly abandoned him, and that Li Shiya had consistently stood by him, offering help and support. This revelation started to fill a void in his heart, making him feel less alone. Afterwards, Li Shiya and Jiang Zhihao stood on a bridge, gazing at each other, as if a new chapter in their lives, perhaps a beautiful connection, had just begun.
Episode 7 Recap
On the bridge, Jiang Zhihao looked at Li Shiya, asking why she always got involved in other people's affairs. Li Shiya apologized for acting impulsively, explaining that she believed meeting his mother would help improve his condition and asked if his mother had said anything hurtful. Zhihao replied that his mother had said some surprising things. He recalled his mother asking about his relationship with Li Shiya, to which he had replied that they were just neighbors.
His mother, however, had commented that Li Shiya was a good girl, stating that Li Shiya liked him very much, and advised Zhihao to cherish sincere people who are willing to give so much for the person they love. Li Shiya then exclaimed that it was the first time she had seen him smile in such a long time.
Zhihao thanked her, revealing that he had always known where his mother lived but lacked the courage to visit, fearing abandonment and being insignificant to her. He admitted that day he finally realized he not only missed his mother but also a sense of being loved, and thanked Li Shiya for helping him. Deeply touched, Li Shiya then, with a hopeful tone, wondered if he had completely recovered now that he had resolved things with his mother.
She reached out to touch him, but Zhihao instinctively flinched, asking what was wrong and muttering about germs. He even took out disinfectant to thoroughly clean the spot she touched. Li Shiya protested, reminding him that he had seen his mother, which she thought would cure him. Zhihao explained that a long-held habit couldn't be changed so easily.
Feeling frustrated that her efforts hadn't yielded the desired change, Li Shiya lamented that there were only two pages left of the storybook. Later, Zhihao thanked Li Shiya, expressing a desire to make changes in his life because of her. Although still frustrated, Li Shiya then unexpectedly declared that she would not be returning the storybook. When Zhihao questioned her, she insisted she wouldn't return it and suggested they discuss it another time.
Li Shiya internally reasoned that if she returned the book, she would lose any reason to continue seeing him. Back home, Jiang Zhihao, needing the final chapters for his work, messaged Li Shiya but received no reply. He found himself uncharacteristically anxious, constantly checking his phone and calling her, but her phone was off. A neighbor informed him that Li Shiya had moved out a few days ago, further adding to his concern.
Unbeknownst to Zhihao, Li Shiya was participating in a closed-door training camp on an uninhabited island, where there was no cellular signal, and communication was only possible via walkie-talkies. Worried about her safety, Zhihao grew increasingly agitated at home, his thoughts consumed by Li Shiya as he looked at photos of them together. The NL training camp was an intense competition to select the annual spokesperson. Li Shiya partnered with Chen Qing for a photoshoot.
The photographer requested them to hold hands, but Chen Qing, instead, put her arm around Li Shiya's shoulder. Li Shiya found this contact unsettling, knowing that female artists, due to prolonged dieting, had weak physiques and would easily faint if they absorbed her "living energy." Indeed, Chen Qing soon fainted. Other female artists immediately began to gossip, speculating that Li Shiya was responsible and accusing her of doing anything to win the endorsement.
Li Shiya confronted them, reminding them to have basic respect for competitors and asserting that her life was bright, unlike their dark, envious lives. The next morning, the final day of the training, another artist deliberately sowed discord by telling Chen Qing that Li Shiya had already been internally selected as the endorser, urging Chen Qing to figure out how to defeat her.
Meanwhile, Li Shiya went for a run alone in the island's forest, where she was ambushed by a masked man in a uniform. He drugged her, took a small amount of her blood, and left her unconscious. Chen Qing later found the unconscious Li Shiya but, driven by the pressure of the competition and the lure of victory, chose not to help her.
Instead, she lied to the others, claiming that Li Shiya had given up and left the island on her own. When NL company called Li Shiya's manager, Qingran, to inform her of Shiya's supposed withdrawal, Qingran refused to believe it, insisting that Li Shiya was not irresponsible and something must have happened to her on the island. Shortly after, Jiang Zhihao called Qingran.
He introduced himself, explaining he couldn't reach Li Shiya to retrieve some borrowed books and worried she might have run off with them. Qingran, surprised by his reason for calling, informed him that she didn't know Shiya's exact whereabouts but confirmed she had gone for training on an island and that everyone else had returned except for her. Alarmed, Jiang Zhihao rushed to the dock late at night.
The boatman initially refused to take him to the island, citing the late hour and darkness. Desperate to find Li Shiya, Zhihao offered all his valuables, including an expensive watch and a significant sum of money, stressing Li Shiya's importance to him. Persuaded by the generous offer, the boatman reluctantly agreed.
Xin Ba and Shihuan arrived at the dock a step too late, unable to find a boat, and were left on the bridge, anxiously looking at the dark island and worrying about Li Shiya's safety. On the boat, Jiang Zhihao discovered a walkie-talkie left behind by the models. He tried to call out and, miraculously, connected with Li Shiya.
He asked for her location, and she directed him to find her along the northeast seaside, expressing her relief and fear, having thought she was going to die. Jiang Zhihao quickly located Li Shiya. Overwhelmed by the danger she had faced and his own burgeoning emotions, he tightly embraced her and kissed her.
Episode 8 Recap
After their passionate kiss on the beach, Jiang Zhihao and Li Shiya talked heart-to-heart. Jiang Zhihao finally accepted Li Shiya's previous confession, expressing his desire for their future meetings to be solely about them, not the fairy tale. He wanted them to eat, watch movies, and go to the zoo together, activities he previously disliked but now enjoyed because of her. He asked Li Shiya to see him and date him, independent of the storybook.
Li Shiya, experiencing her first kiss, was surprised by the feeling and the sudden shift to them becoming a couple. Prolonged contact with Li Shiya, however, left Jiang Zhihao feeling a bit exhausted. Sitting by the fire, Zhihao confessed his bewilderment, asking why a girl like her would be attracted to someone with his flaws and lack of romantic experience.
Li Shiya explained that people she is destined to love "glow," making them recognizable in a crowd, and his light was so dazzling she couldn't look away. She told him he was "glowing" at that moment. Zhihao also commented that he had seen few stars before, but this place had many bright ones, implicitly reflecting his new perspective. The next morning, Li Shiya and Jiang Zhihao returned to shore on the fishing boat.
Shiya was surprised the boatman came back, and Zhihao revealed he had given him two credit cards to find her, though he assured her he wasn't bankrupt. Meanwhile, Simba and Shihuan had been waiting all night, Shihuan clearly exhausted. Upon their arrival, Jiang Zhihao and Simba immediately started arguing. Shihuan fainted from exhaustion, causing Simba to quickly leave with him, but not before warning Zhihao that their argument wasn't over and would continue at Li Shiya's house.
While this was happening, Xu Qingran, who had been worried sick about Li Shiya's disappearance, had cried herself to sleep and fainted. She woke up at the home of Yu Ze, the Vice President of NL Cosmetics and her former senior, who had brought her there to stay the night. Yu Ze reassured her that Shiya had been found and promised to deal with the irresponsible team who left her on the island, acknowledging Shiya was an endorser candidate.
Qingran explained her close relationship with Li Shiya, saying they met in college, and she had been Shiya's manager ever since, making them both best friends and co-workers. Yu Ze, who had earlier stated that he dislikes others invading his privacy and that no one had ever stayed in his house since he moved out at seventeen, told Qingran that she was not a stranger and her presence made him happy.
Using his authority, Yu Ze later ensured that Li Shiya became the endorser for NL's cosmetics, despite her having fainted and missed the final selection round. Elsewhere, Simba discussed his concerns about the mysterious man who attacked Shiya and about Shiya's relationship with Zhihao. He questioned why Shiya, who only treated men as "hunts," seemed to treat Zhihao differently. Qingran, upon receiving the good news, called Shiya, who apologized for missing the last round.
Qingran reassured her, and Shiya recounted being followed by a man with a unique scent before fainting, an incident Shiya suspected was orchestrated by competitors, and which Qingran promised to take notice of. Elated by the news of Li Shiya's endorsement, Qingran immediately called Yu Ze to thank him. She subtly asked if, as Li Shiya's manager, she would have more opportunities to meet him for work at the company.
Yu Ze initially stated that he had no interest in meeting Li Shiya's manager for work matters. However, he quickly reversed, saying that he personally wanted to see "her", Xu Qingran, and invited her to dinner that evening, which Qingran happily accepted. Li Shiya and Jiang Zhihao then went on their first formal date. Zhihao seemed to be still processing the rapid shift in their relationship, having gone from acquaintances to a couple overnight and still not fully adapted.
He expressed happiness at seeing Shiya simply for who she was, not just because of the storybook. He confessed that while he was trying to change his aversion to dating and being with people, it would take time and he would likely make mistakes, admitting his mysophobia had not changed. Li Shiya found his honesty endearing and assured him she wouldn't mind.
However, Zhihao later clarified that his earlier words were said without careful thought, suggesting they should take their physical relationship slowly. Li Shiya, undeterred, insisted she wanted physical contact and tried various methods to touch him, which caused Zhihao considerable discomfort and pain. She argued that if he remained fearful, he would never progress, and that physical contact was a natural part of dating.
Zhihao, however, questioned its importance, believing that love could be felt between two people even without physical touch. Late that night, Simba arrived at Li Shiya's house, bringing a large portrait of himself with him, which he intended to hang so she would see his "handsome face" first thing every morning. He warned her not to go out alone, offering to accompany her, and asked about the man who had attacked her on the island.
Shiya explained she hadn't seen his face but remembered his unique scent. Simba then turned to his real concern: Li Shiya's relationship with Jiang Zhihao, whom he referred to as "fried chicken." He reminded her of the dangers of vampires falling in love with humans, citing issues like draining energy and the short lifespan of their offspring. Li Shiya, to Simba's great relief, firmly stated that she knew these rules and had no romantic feelings for Zhihao.
She insisted he was merely her "food," a chosen target she intended to "hunt down" and nothing more. Simba, hearing that she could differentiate love from food, finally relaxed, happy that she wouldn't fall for a human. Meanwhile, Jiang Zhihao, who had been listening from his adjacent apartment, found their late-night conversation about "food" quite peculiar. Overwhelmed by hunger, Li Shiya decided she could no longer wait.
Recalling Simba's previous advice to be proactive and use "effective and speedy tricks"—like subtly revealing skin to enchant the other party—she texted Jiang Zhihao, then arrived at his door, dressed provocatively. She told him she had just taken a bath and was "really clean" before entering. She then attempted various poses and actions, including spilling a drink, hoping to entice physical contact. Zhihao, however, was more concerned with his clean house.
While there, Shiya noticed Zhihao's extensive book collection and asked about the type of novels he wrote, realizing she didn't even know this basic detail about him. She then found a magazine featuring an interview with herself in Zhihao's house, which he admitted to buying out of curiosity to learn more about her. This confession caused a strange "shuddering" in Shiya's heart, making her momentarily forget her "hunt" and question her actions.
Realizing her current strategy wasn't working, she shifted tactics, telling Zhihao that since he was curious about her, she was willing to share anything he wanted to know about her to "get even closer."
Episode 9 Recap
Li Shiya, after taking off her clothes and exposing her shoulders, attempted to entice Jiang Zhihao, suggesting they could get closer. Jiang Zhihao, however, quickly dismissed her, stating he understood enough and was tired, asking her to leave his room. The next morning, Jiang Zhihao sat alone in the park, pondering why fairy tale princes and princesses always had to embrace and kiss.
He questioned if love truly needed such physical proof or if a loving heart was sufficient, observing a couple nearby and gaining some understanding. Meanwhile, Li Shiya reflected on her approach to their relationship, admitting she had not considered Jiang Zhihao's feelings. She then realized that Jiang Zhihao's hesitation likely stemmed from his mysophobia, and he might be waiting for her to help him overcome it, feeling she had been selfish and misunderstood him.
Jiang Zhihao then sent Li Shiya a text message asking to meet because he had something to tell her. Panicked that he wanted to break up, Li Shiya quickly went to meet him. When they met in a light drizzle, Li Shiya, fearing the worst, loudly interrupted Jiang Zhihao, declaring that she absolutely would not break up with him.
Jiang Zhihao, with a faint smile, then put on white gloves and bravely took Li Shiya's hand, and they walked together in the rain. He apologized for his words from the previous night, clarifying he didn't find her "dirty" or "unpleasant" but admitted he couldn't quickly accept another person's body heat. He promised to work hard to change and asked Li Shiya to wait for him.
Despite the gloves preventing direct physical contact, Li Shiya felt a profound sense of ease. Meanwhile, Xin Ba and Shi Huan were stuck in traffic in their RV. Shi Huan noticed Jiang Zhihao and Li Shiya walking hand-in-hand, and Xin Ba, initially curious about what Shi Huan was looking at, was shocked to see them. Qingran and Yu Ze sat by the sea, sharing drinks and intimate conversation.
Yu Ze expressed his disbelief at drinking by the sea with a senior from high school he once admired, thinking he was dreaming.
Qingran reciprocated, sharing her affection for the spot and recounting a sad story from a novel about a dragon that, after millions of years alone, lived in the darkest and coldest place, then mistook a lighthouse's warning for a call from its kind, only to return to the ocean floor in anger and hatred when it realized its perpetual solitude.
Qingran reflected that the feeling of hope followed by emptiness is the most painful, and Yu Ze agreed that people in dark worlds cling to even tiny specks of light. Qingran then told Yu Ze that despite his wealth, big house, and success, he didn't appear happy. She observed that his smiles seemed fake, and his preferences for sad songs and stories suggested an underlying unhappiness, especially given his avoidance of past topics.
Yu Ze silently listened, then suggested they leave. Jiang Zhihao called Li Shiya to tell her he was waiting for her at the bookstore, reassuring her to take her time since she was stuck in traffic. While waiting, Jiang Zhihao overheard two women disparaging Li Shiya, calling her annoying, disgusting for being close to Xin Ba, and even ugly.
Jiang Zhihao immediately defended her, proclaiming Li Shiya was very pretty, prettier than both of them, causing the women to remark that he was handsome but a little crazy. When Li Shiya arrived, she teased him about waiting for her and watching her, which he denied, insisting he was just looking at books. They then went to the supermarket.
As they shopped, Li Shiya light-heartedly challenged Jiang Zhihao to allow her to carry the groceries so they could walk hand-in-hand, and he agreed. She expressed how magical it felt to hold his hand, making her especially happy. Jiang Zhihao, feeling similarly, then confessed his desire to consult a psychologist. He explained that he wanted to change, as Li Shiya had always been the one making an effort.
Li Shiya immediately offered to introduce him to her older sister, Li Lanxi, an excellent psychiatrist. Li Lanxi, Li Shiya's sister, was actively investigating the disappearance of Xiao Can. She informed someone on the phone that she had identified the last footage of Xiao Can before she entered an alleyway and was awaiting comparison results for vehicles entering and exiting the area.
While watching the news, she learned that Li Shiya, despite voluntarily withdrawing from a competition, had miraculously become NL Company's new annual endorser. Soon after, Li Lanxi visited NL Company and confronted a representative with evidence that a suspicious delivery vehicle belonged to their company. The representative confirmed the vehicle's ownership but claimed the driver had been fired three months prior due to issues with alcohol, gambling, and violent tendencies.
He further stated that the driver, out of revenge, had stolen a vehicle full of medicines, and a police report had already been filed. The representative suggested their combined efforts might be more successful in finding him. Li Lanxi, with no immediate leads, promised to work hard. Xin Ba arrived at Li Shiya's apartment and deliberately knocked on Jiang Zhihao's door, feigning knocking on the wrong door, before heading to Li Shiya's.
Li Shiya welcomed him, asking why he hadn't informed her of his visit and why he wasn't wearing a mask to avoid paparazzi. Xin Ba explained he was on vacation and wanted them, along with Shi Huan, to go on a three-day, two-night trip. Li Shiya then tried to reassure Xin Ba that Jiang Zhihao was just "food," and she wasn't seriously in love with him, only using him as a source of energy.
Xin Ba, relieved, reminded her that vampires shouldn't fall in love with their food. Jiang Zhihao, overhearing their conversation from his apartment, then knocked on Li Shiya's door, feigning a need to borrow vinegar. Xin Ba emerged from Li Shiya's apartment, acknowledging Jiang Zhihao as Li Shiya's boyfriend and stating he wouldn't disturb them, implying a challenge before leaving.
Jiang Zhihao, still outside, asked Li Shiya why she called him Simba, and she explained he was a popular idol group leader whose messy hair earned him the nickname. Jiang Zhihao declined to come in, and Li Shiya offered him the vinegar. He was left wondering if Xin Ba and Li Shiya were truly "just friends." The next morning, Xin Ba visited Jiang Zhihao, seemingly to return an album, and suggested they go for a walk.
During their walk, Xin Ba claimed he and Li Shiya were like family, having known each other since childhood, and that he had introduced Jiang Zhihao to her before. Jiang Zhihao, who dislikes listening to music, rejected Xin Ba's suggestion to listen to his songs. At a music store, Xin Ba noticed Jiang Zhihao trying to buy his album and teased him about it, accusing him of stealing his heart and mimicking his poses.
Jiang Zhihao dismissed it, saying he picked it up by the roadside, then questioned if idols like Xin Ba were so idle. Xin Ba retorted, asking if writers were equally idle, and asked about Li Shiya. Learning she was out for a photoshoot, Xin Ba then threatened to enter her apartment to "surprise" her, claiming his closeness to Li Shiya meant he knew her password, implying a level of intimacy Jiang Zhihao hadn't reached.
Jiang Zhihao argued that lovers don't necessarily need to know each other's passwords, but Xin Ba insisted their bond was "closer than lovers." Xin Ba then blackmailed Jiang Zhihao with a cute childhood photo of Li Shiya in a bathing suit, offering it if Jiang Zhihao would "play" with him, leading them to a bar.
At the brightly lit bar, Xin Ba officially issued a challenge to Jiang Zhihao, then interrogated Jiang Zhihao about his wealth and past relationships, claiming Li Shiya was only dating him out of curiosity and was not seriously interested in a romantic relationship. He tried to touch Jiang Zhihao, who recoiled, stating he didn't want to be touched.
Xin Ba then asserted that Li Shiya was not someone who wanted a serious romantic relationship and that the people close to her would always remain close. Jiang Zhihao firmly declared Li Shiya as his girlfriend and that their relationship was his business, advising Xin Ba to focus on himself. Xin Ba then left, but not without a final cheeky remark. Feeling the pressure, Jiang Zhihao later sat outside his home, waiting for Li Shiya. When she arrived, he immediately asked her to introduce him to her sister, hoping to quickly cure his mysophobia.
Episode 10 Recap
Jiang Zhihao, expressing his eagerness to change quickly, approached Li Shiya for treatment with her sister, Li Lanxi. Li Shiya, initially hesitant about the appointment, reassured him that the first session is always the hardest. At Li Lanxi’s clinic, Li Shiya introduced Jiang Zhihao as her boyfriend to her sister.
Li Lanxi then pulled Li Shiya aside, questioning why she brought him and referring to Li Shiya's previous "hunting" activities, before Li Shiya clarified that Jiang Zhihao himself requested the consultation for his germaphobia. Li Lanxi formally introduced herself to Jiang Zhihao and asked Li Shiya to leave for a private session. During their talk, Jiang Zhihao overcame his initial fear of seeking treatment.
Li Lanxi stressed that mental disorders require strong willpower and motivation beyond just medication, and Jiang Zhihao affirmed his strong determination to change. They agreed to commence official treatment the following week. On their way home, Jiang Zhihao told Li Shiya that he would bravely face his psychological illness and that she only needed to quietly stay by his side as he slowly recovered. Meanwhile, Yu Ze and Qing Ran revisited their old school, playing basketball and reminiscing.
Qing Ran remarked that while the school had aged, the students had all grown up. She vividly recalled various memories, including Yu Ze seeing her punished for being late, giving him flowers during a speech, and his habit of studying in a specific corner of the library. She also remembered him giving her a candy when he dropped out and again on their current visit. Qing Ran insisted that despite changes, Yu Ze would always be the same to her.
Yu Ze, appearing somewhat melancholic, shared his dream: to live until thirty, sell his company, and travel the world with the person he loves. As he spoke, they exchanged glances, revealing a unique emotion, and he acknowledged life's mishaps but also its surprises. Li Lanxi later received a phone call from Lin Cheng, a representative from NL Drug Company. Lin Cheng informed her that Chen Ke, the dismissed truck driver Li Lanxi was investigating, had been found by the police.
However, police reports indicated Chen Ke was shot dead three days prior, likely by loan sharks, though evidence was still pending. This news left Li Lanxi's investigation into the missing vampires at another dead end, as Chen Ke's past records showed no history of kidnapping, making his motives for abducting vampires without ransom unclear, which was a point of concern for Lin Cheng. Later, Li Shiya secured free tickets to an amusement park and invited Jiang Zhihao.
He was initially reluctant due to his discomfort with crowds. However, upon learning that Xin Ba would also be joining Li Shiya, a jealous Jiang Zhihao bit the bullet and changed his mind, stating he couldn't let her go alone. At the park, Xin Ba, playfully disguised in a Lion King costume, surprised Li Shiya, and they were joined by Shihuan. They all acquired headbands and rode the carousel, where Xin Ba and Li Shiya reminisced about childhood memories.
Jiang Zhihao, however, declined to ride, stating he disliked such attractions and encouraged them to enjoy themselves. After the rides, while sitting at a table, all four chatted, and Xin Ba and Li Shiya, as childhood sweethearts, shared many common childhood stories, particularly about a high school field trip. Feeling like an outsider and uncomfortable, Jiang Zhihao excused himself to the restroom to avoid awkwardness, followed shortly by Xin Ba.
Shihuan, observing the situation, suggested to Li Shiya that Jiang Zhihao seemed awkward with strangers and was likely forcing himself, but noted his sincere desire to be with her and encouraged her to check on him so he wouldn't be sad. In the restroom, Xin Ba confronted Jiang Zhihao, accusing him of making Li Shiya unhappy by not participating and questioning his suitability for her due to his germaphobia and inability to engage in physical contact.
Xin Ba boasted that he could provide Li Shiya with the physical closeness she desired, hinting that Jiang Zhihao didn't fully understand the situation. Jiang Zhihao retorted that it was none of Xin Ba's concern. Shihuan informed Li Shiya that Jiang Zhihao wanted some private time with her, and Li Shiya proactively found Jiang Zhihao. He suggested they go to a quieter place, leading them into a haunted house.
Inside, Li Shiya apologized for getting overly excited at the park and making him feel isolated. Unable to bear Xin Ba's provocations any longer, Jiang Zhihao, bravely overcoming his germaphobia, removed his gloves and held Li Shiya's hand. He expressed regret for not being a "normal" person capable of doing all the things she liked, but confessed his selfish desire to remain with her.
As he leaned in to kiss her, a haunted house prop suddenly activated, startling them both and causing them to flee screaming. Shortly after, Xin Ba called Li Shiya, informing her that he and Shihuan had been discovered by fans, causing a commotion. He warned her that news of her being with him had spread online and advised her to be careful, as fans often misunderstood their close relationship and some of his fans already hated her.
Consequently, they decided to leave the amusement park. As they walked away from the park, a fan, maliciously retaliating, threw something at Li Shiya, but Jiang Zhihao quickly shielded her with his body, getting dirty. Jiang Zhihao apologized for not taking better care of her, thanked her for everything, and proposed they return to the amusement park alone another time. Later that night, a joyful Li Shiya was on a magazine cover photoshoot.
The director instructed her to fall backward into water, with an arrogant male model named Chen Yang designated to catch her. During the first take, Chen Yang failed, and Li Shiya fell into the water. Despite being cold, she insisted she was fine. For the retake, as Li Shiya fell again, Chen Yang remained uncooperative and hesitated. However, before she could hit the water, a handsome man in a suit suddenly appeared and caught her hand. This mysterious man's identity was extraordinary.
Episode 11 Recap
Late one night during a photoshoot, Li Shiya narrowly avoided falling into the water for a second time after a male model intentionally failed to cooperate. A tall, handsome man in a suit, Cui Junhe, swiftly pulled Li Shiya to safety, introducing himself. Recognizing him as another vampire upon their handshake, Li Shiya was surprised by his powerful demeanor.
Cui Junhe promptly summoned the director, asserting his authority to replace the uncooperative model, stating he had the power to stop filming if needed. The director, surprised, noted that Editor Cui rarely visited film sets. As Cui Junhe departed, he cryptically remarked to himself that he would see Li Shiya very soon. Afterward, Li Shiya asked Qingran about the influential man.
Qingran explained that Cui Junhe was currently the most renowned magazine editor, remarking that he was considered handsome, though Li Shiya merely found him "all right" and had initially thought he was a model. Qingran advised Li Shiya to cultivate a relationship with him for future opportunities. That night, Li Shiya dreamt of Jiang Zhihao, calling him "Fried Chicken" and expressing her hunger to touch him.
As their faces drew closer, she woke up, disturbed to have such a dream at her age. The next morning, she visited Jiang Zhihao's home, where he had prepared breakfast. When she touched his hand, he mistook her swift withdrawal as a sign of her discomfort. He reassured her, mentioning he was much better now and asked if she truly liked physical contact.
Though Li Shiya initially denied it, stating she only liked it because he was special, Jiang Zhihao sincerely offered to try and do whatever she wanted. Li Shiya, flustered, replied that simply holding hands was enough and he shouldn't force himself.
Jiang Zhihao agreed to just hold hands, but Li Shiya later chastised herself for wasting a chance for deeper contact, lamenting that despite holding hands being sufficient for energy, she felt a pang of disappointment, realizing she secretly yearned for a kiss. She reflected on how there had been no progress since their interrupted kiss.
Later, Jiang Zhihao, planning for a new series novel, invited Li Shiya to accompany him on a trip to a place where he conceptualizes his work, clarifying that it would just be the two of them and that she shouldn't worry, as they had agreed to only hold hands. Li Shiya found herself disappointed by his reassurance, wondering what she was truly hoping for.
Meanwhile, Xin Ba, grounded after the amusement park incident, managed to secretly meet Li Shiya in his car. He expressed his anxiety about his upcoming album's MV, which included a kissing scene with an actress, fearing his fans' reaction, recalling how they had targeted Li Shiya previously. Curious, Li Shiya asked Xin Ba what it felt like for a vampire to kiss a human.
Xin Ba suspected she wanted to kiss "that man," which Li Shiya denied, asserting it was just curiosity. Xin Ba explained that vampires absorb energy through physical contact, whether hands or lips, but kissing offers a smaller surface area, making it inefficient for energy intake. He concluded that holding hands was sufficient. This discussion led Li Shiya to have an internal conflict, questioning if she could truly be with a human and comparing him to food she couldn't kiss.
Later, Xin Ba found her and, noticing her flushed face, asked if she felt unwell, which caused her to internally question if she was truly developing feelings for "Fried Chicken" and if she could be with him, as it felt like loving food she couldn't eat. In his therapy session, Jiang Zhihao demonstrated significant progress to Li Lanxi, successfully holding garbage for 30 minutes, a task he was instructed not to wash his hands after.
Li Lanxi encouraged him, assuring him it wouldn't cause illness. She also inquired about his relationship with Li Shiya, specifically regarding skin contact. Jiang Zhihao confirmed they only held hands. Li Lanxi further advised him that his resistance to touch seemed less like germaphobia and more like an unfamiliarity from prolonged isolation. To truly accept Li Shiya, she suggested he needed to actively train his immunity to interacting with others.
Inspired by this, when the editor for his new novel called, expecting to communicate via email due to Jiang Zhihao's reclusive nature, Jiang Zhihao bravely invited him to his home. Upon the editor's arrival, it was revealed to be Cui Junhe. While Jiang Zhihao and Cui Junhe discussed their collaboration inside, Li Shiya arrived, intending to accept Jiang Zhihao's invitation for the trip. She was shocked to see Cui Junhe in Jiang Zhihao's home, immediately sensing an ominous feeling.
Jiang Zhihao, in the middle of work, asked her to leave for a while. Li Shiya lingered outside the door, worried about the vampire in Jiang Zhihao's home, especially considering Jiang Zhihao's unique "taste." After Cui Junhe left, Li Shiya went back inside, and Jiang Zhihao explained that Cui Junhe was his new editor and would be assisting him closely, thus visiting often.
Jiang Zhihao also shared that he was trying to interact more with people, inspired by Li Lanxi's advice and Li Shiya's consistent efforts. He reconfirmed their trip for next week. Li Shiya, still concerned, wondered how to intervene without revealing Cui Junhe's true nature. After their meeting, Cui Junhe left. As he shook Jiang Zhihao's hand goodbye, he too felt a noticeable jolt from Jiang Zhihao's potent life energy.
Before leaving, Cui Junhe asked about Li Shiya, to which Jiang Zhihao proudly introduced her as his girlfriend, stating that Li Shiya was the first woman he had opened his heart to and was very unique. Cui Junhe commented that they were a great match. Li Shiya then confronted Cui Junhe, warning him that Jiang Zhihao was a germaphobe and challenging Cui Junhe to find other "prey."
Cui Junhe found her protective behavior intriguing and asked if she had feelings for Jiang Zhihao. Li Shiya vehemently denied this, saying it was impossible. Cui Junhe, amused, called her a naive child and stated that her possessiveness only made Jiang Zhihao more interesting. When Li Shiya pressed him to find another target, Cui Junhe declared that Jiang Zhihao was "also my type." Li Shiya was internally confused, questioning how a vampire could target someone of the same gender.
Later, she sought out Xin Ba, asking him if vampires ever hunted the same sex. Xin Ba replied that it only happened if there were no other choices. Li Shiya then confessed her frustration, likening Jiang Zhihao to a "lunchbox" she painstakingly prepared but was unwilling to share. Xin Ba teased her, calling her a "little kid."
Frustrated, Li Shiya considered breaking up with Jiang Zhihao, feeling he had no "awareness of being a prey" if she couldn't absorb energy from him. As Li Shiya prepared to leave the area to find food, Jiang Zhihao unexpectedly appeared, having finished his work. Li Shiya attempted to hug him but he quickly recoiled, still sensitive to touch, though she claimed she was only joking.
They decided to go for fried chicken, a choice Li Shiya made while musing if Jiang Zhihao's "taste" had made all other "food" seem dull. Entering the elevator, Jiang Zhihao, despite his germaphobia, joined her. The elevator suddenly malfunctioned and the lights went out, trapping them inside after business hours. Li Shiya, terrified and dizzy from six days without sustenance, crouched in a corner. Jiang Zhihao, noticing her distress, offered her his coat.
Li Shiya, however, thought about her vampire nature making her immune to cold. She then blurted out that she was starving because he wouldn't let her touch him. Although Jiang Zhihao didn't fully comprehend her meaning, he compassionately removed his gloves and offered his bare hands to her. Li Shiya, though ravenous, hesitated, fearing that touching him would cause him to faint, especially in the germ-filled, broken elevator.
She decided against it, telling him she wouldn't touch him because her hands were not washed. Seeing her fear, Jiang Zhihao asked if she was scared. Li Shiya admitted she was, and despite the bad things that kept happening, she confessed, "Maybe. . . I. . . really. . . like you." She then fainted.
Episode 12 Recap
Li Shiya awoke in the hospital after fainting from extreme hunger. Jiang Zhihao was there, and she told him to go home and wash up, not to worry about her. Xin Ba then arrived and expressed his shock at Li Shiya fainting due to hunger. He pulled Jiang Zhihao out of the room, scolding him for not taking better care of Li Shiya.
Jiang Zhihao explained he hadn't known she had been dieting for days, despite them having eaten out two days prior. Xin Ba warned Jiang Zhihao that if Li Shiya were ever put in danger again, he would not let him off. After Xin Ba left, Li Shiya reassured Jiang Zhihao not to feel guilty, saying it was her own choice not to eat.
Jiang Zhihao, in turn, told her that he did not like her being like that and expressed a strong desire to know more about her, including what she ate and her mood. He admitted that he had never had a romantic relationship before and hadn't wanted to get to know other people, but now he strongly desired to take care of her, which made Li Shiya's heart pound.
Upon her discharge, Xin Ba called Li Shiya, meticulously instructing her to take care of her health and adding, "After eating, stop getting entangled with human beings." Li Shiya, feeling embarrassed about the reason for her hospitalization, soon saw an unexpected sight at a crossroads. Cui Junhe was reaching out to touch Jiang Zhihao’s hair. Li Shiya immediately hung up on Xin Ba and rushed forward, pushing Cui Junhe’s arm away and positioning herself protectively in front of Jiang Zhihao.
Cui Junhe explained he was only trying to remove a leaf from Jiang Zhihao’s hair, but quickly conceded, telling Li Shiya to remove it herself since she was Jiang Zhihao's girlfriend, before departing with a promise to see them next time. Li Shiya questioned Jiang Zhihao about how often he met Cui Junhe. Jiang Zhihao explained it was infrequent, only happening because his new books had been published, and Cui Junhe was helping him get resources.
Jiang Zhihao also told her that he felt Cui Junhe was not a bad person, even mentioning that he had given him some detergent. Li Shiya, despite her sarcasm about Cui Junhe catering to Jiang Zhihao's interests, warned Jiang Zhihao to be vigilant towards strangers, fearing some might have ulterior motives.
Jiang Zhihao responded that he used to view people negatively, which made him afraid to interact, but after meeting Li Shiya, he realized some people could be genuinely kind, and he wanted to try to connect with them. Li Shiya then became distressed, realizing she had encouraged him to lower his guard, and worried about what might happen if he were to be hurt because of her.
As Jiang Zhihao walked ahead, Li Shiya quickly followed him, but she slipped and accidentally hugged him from behind. Mortified, she apologized, explaining her slip, then quickly fled. She internally noted that a "syndrome" seemed to be emerging. Back home, Li Shiya immediately called her sister, Li Lanxi, for an explanation. Li Lanxi told her that the syndrome she was experiencing was called estrus, a state all animals, including humans, experience.
However, its manifestation in vampires is tens of times stronger than in humans. Li Lanxi explained that if Li Shiya liked someone, this instinct would awaken, causing her to want to touch them and become very excited. Li Lanxi then playfully asked if Li Shiya finally liked Xin Ba, but Li Shiya quickly dismissed the idea and hung up, still deeply troubled and questioning if her state was due to a kiss she had on the island.
She tried to calm herself, dismissing the idea as nonsense. Later, Jiang Zhihao texted Li Shiya, inviting her to his home to watch a movie. Li Shiya agreed, despite her internal struggle. As they sat on the sofa, the close proximity to Jiang Zhihao triggered her symptoms again.
She tried to appear normal and even stated she loved horror movies as long as there were no ghosts, while internally trying to convince herself it was just a coincidence and not the syndrome. As they reminisced about their first date and how magical it was that they ended up together, Li Shiya's thoughts drifted to how Jiang Zhihao was once merely her prey, but now her feelings had changed.
Jiang Zhihao noticed her unease, asking if she was unwell, but before he could switch off the lights, Li Shiya's "estrus" symptoms became uncontrollable. She impulsively turned and pushed Jiang Zhihao onto the sofa. Stunned and terrified, Jiang Zhihao lay beneath her, while Li Shiya, regaining some composure, hastily announced she was unwell and fled his home once more. Back at her own home, she vowed to understand what this strange syndrome was.
Meanwhile, at work, Jiang Zhihao found himself unable to concentrate, his mind replaying the events of the previous night. He realized he could have struggled free from Li Shiya, but for some reason, he hadn't, pondering if his sensitivity to touch was diminishing. Cui Junhe then texted him, suggesting they meet to discuss the book and get some fresh air. They met at a school playground, sitting on a bench and watching children play.
Cui Junhe expressed how coming to the school brought back forgotten memories. He had already read Jiang Zhihao's initial draft and was deeply impressed by the portrayal of a forgotten and hurt character who became a murderer, rationalizing his acts. Cui Junhe particularly praised Jiang Zhihao's description of loneliness, saying it allowed him to see himself. Jiang Zhihao, in turn, confessed that he too had a dark past, which enabled him to write such a story.
Cui Junhe felt that they could become friends due to their shared deep experiences. The next morning, Jiang Zhihao arrived at Li Shiya’s home, having received two VIP tickets to an art gallery from his publisher, and invited her to join him. Li Shiya, having woken up from a vivid dream about Jiang Zhihao and still grappling with her uncontrollable urges, initially refused with an excuse, fearing she would lose control again.
However, when Jiang Zhihao mentioned he would then invite Cui Junhe instead, Li Shiya quickly changed her mind, reluctantly agreeing to go to prevent them from being alone. At the crowded art exhibition, Li Shiya kept her distance from Jiang Zhihao, trying to avoid any physical contact, but also kept an eye on Cui Junhe. Jiang Zhihao called her over to walk with them, trying to engage her in viewing his favorite calligrapher's work.
Li Shiya, repeatedly wanting to touch Jiang Zhihao, made an excuse to examine the material of a display, while internally telling herself to endure her urges. Cui Junhe, observing her behavior, seemed to notice her peculiar distraction. After a while, Jiang Zhihao excused himself to buy drinks, leaving Li Shiya and Cui Junhe alone. Cui Junhe immediately challenged Li Shiya, questioning what kind of bodily contact could happen between men and warning her to find another "prey."
He bluntly stated that Jiang Zhihao was alluring and he was not interested in sharing his prey. Li Shiya insisted she wasn't interested in his hunt, but Cui Junhe, revealing he was aware of her situation, further provoked her by mentioning her previous fainting from starvation in the elevator and her current inability to stop herself from touching Jiang Zhihao, calling it an "estrus towards a human." Li Shiya, however, denied it, declaring, "Estrus? What nonsense are you saying? !
I just like the taste of my prey." Cui Junhe found the messed-up scene interesting and warned her to resolve her urges soon, or he would do it himself. Li Shiya countered by accusing him of being the person who followed her on the island and was now "using" Jiang Zhihao, recognizing a unique, unreleased perfume on him. She suspected him of being behind the recent disappearances of vampires.
Cui Junhe vehemently denied stalking her or being involved in the missing vampire cases, reiterating his intrigue in Jiang Zhihao. He explained that the perfume was a test fragrance given to him by NL Cosmetics after a photoshoot. When Jiang Zhihao returned with drinks, the tense conversation ceased. As Cui Junhe left, he told Jiang Zhihao to take care of his health, a remark that confused Li Shiya.
In a separate development, an associate reported to Yu Ze, the Vice President of NL Cosmetics, that a "lethal mistake" had occurred. The associate, who had been on the island, realized Li Shiya had smelled the unique, unreleased perfume on him, and later called him asking about the list of people who had received the perfume. The associate expressed fear that this clue could lead them to Yu Ze and offered to turn himself in to protect him.
Yu Ze, who seemed to be in a hurry, offered his associate money to leave, stating that he himself didn't have much time. Yu Ze then visited a restrained vampire named Xiao Can, who was being held captive. He angrily scolding the guards for her ill-treatment and ordered them to untie her, feigning concern and denying any initial intention for her to suffer.
Xiao Can, however, saw through his act, accusing him of switching tactics from "bad guy" to "good guy." She requested a quick death, but Yu Ze insisted she must live. He needed her alive to fulfill his plans, even though she refused to give him a mysterious name list he desperately sought.
Yu Ze then changed his approach, telling Xiao Can she could live like a normal person in that facility, free to do anything except contact the outside world, and even offered his own energy for her to feed on, claiming it was an act of kindness from someone "about to die." Li Shiya continued to avoid Jiang Zhihao, even when he came to her house to walk to the bookstore together.
She confided in a friend via phone about her ongoing struggles with the "estrus" syndrome, admitting she couldn't look at Jiang Zhihao directly or stop herself from wanting to touch him. Her friend, also a vampire, understood the syndrome and advised Li Shiya to first clarify her true feelings for Jiang Zhihao: was it love or merely treating him as prey?
The friend then offered a unique solution to control the urges: singing a children's song from the heart, which she claimed worked effectively. Later, when Jiang Zhihao tried to check on Li Shiya again, she panicked as her heart pounded, pushing him away and claiming to be fine but just tired, before rushing off and attempting to calm herself by singing a children's song.
Soon after, Xin Ba called Li Shiya, informing her about an upcoming vampire ballroom party at Dream Bar, to which only vampires in the entertainment world were invited. Despite Li Shiya's reluctance and confusion, Xin Ba insisted she attend, suggesting it would help her clear her mind from her "wild imaginations" due to being too close to humans. He even threatened to abduct her if she refused, stating he must take her. Xin Ba then made plans to attend the party, asking his assistant, Shà Huà n, to lie to their manager about his absence by saying he was pregnant.
Episode 13 Recap
Jiang Zhihao lay in bed, confused and troubled by Li Shiya's sudden coldness and avoidance. He pondered whether she was annoyed with him. Earlier, his phone calls to her couldn't get through, and he worried she might have changed her mind about him. His thoughts were interrupted by Xin Ba, who knocked on his door.
Xin Ba, feigning a friendly visit, subtly informed Jiang Zhihao about an upcoming entertainment industry party at Dream Bar, mentioning that he and Li Shiya had already agreed to attend together. He invited Jiang Zhihao, implying that Li Shiya's recent quiet demeanor and her failure to mention the party were serious, subtly pushing Jiang Zhihao to attend.
Xin Ba's true intention was to lure Jiang Zhihao, a human, into the vampire-filled bar as a dangerous trap, as the attendees would all be vampires. Later, amidst heavy rain, Xin Ba arrived at Li Shiya's residence to pick her up. Li Shiya, dressed in a stunning strapless gown that revealed her shoulders, with her long hair flowing, descended the steps like a fairy, captivating Xin Ba who stood dazed at the bottom.
In the car, Li Shiya stated her intention to only stay for a short while, but Xin Ba hoped she would find it interesting. She also mentioned that Shihuan would pick her up later. When Xin Ba questioned her casual way of ordering Shihuan around and the longevity of their unique relationship, Li Shiya affirmed that despite their different races, their feelings were real and would last forever.
Meanwhile, Yu Ze visited Xiao Can, whom he had held captive for a long time. His assistant confirmed that Xiao Can was locked away from sunlight and outsiders, though at least not tortured. Xiao Can confronted Yu Ze, questioning why he kept her imprisoned, neither killing nor releasing her, yet granting her every wish. She also probed how he identified vampires without her list, suspecting betrayal within her organization.
Yu Ze apologized for her captivity, explaining he couldn't release her but didn't want her to die, offering to fulfill all her desires except freedom. Frustrated, Xiao Can physically attacked Yu Ze, quickly grabbing his throat. Yu Ze showed immense pain but did not resist, which surprised her. She demanded to know why. Yu Ze then revealed that he was a hybrid of human and vampire, a being not meant to exist, whose lifespan was limited to thirty years.
At twenty-seven, he had little time left. He explained that he provided her with energy because he wished for her to live, as he did not want anyone, human or vampire, to suffer a pitiful existence like his own. Xin Ba and Li Shiya arrived at Dream Bar. While they were seated, Xin Ba confronted Li Shiya, urging her to stop seeing Jiang Zhihao.
He reminded her that he had initially encouraged her to hunt him, but now she seemed too obsessed. He emphasized that despite mingling with humans, vampires were a different race and she shouldn't be assimilated by them. Li Shiya quietly acknowledged his words. Around this time, Jiang Zhihao, a germaphobe, truly arrived at Dream Bar alone. To come to such a noisy place for the person he loved showed how much he had sacrificed and changed for Li Shiya.
Xin Ba, feigning surprise, remarked on Jiang Zhihao's presence, knowing his germaphobic nature. Xin Ba then deliberately took Li Shiya into a private room to ensure Jiang Zhihao would miss seeing her, before excusing himself and sending Jiang Zhihao on a futile search, saying she might be in some corner having a good time. Xin Ba led Li Shiya to a private room where other vampires were drinking.
One vampire discussed her casual relationship with a human, whom she treated merely as food for energy, planning to discard him once bored. Hearing this, Li Shiya felt deeply unsettled, as her relationship with Jiang Zhihao felt like more than just a hunt; it might be love. She stepped out, internally questioning why she was upset.
She reminded herself that it was proper for a vampire to have such thoughts, and that her initial intent with Jiang Zhihao was to treat him as food, but realized she was becoming too human-like and needed to wake up. Unaware of Li Shiya's inner turmoil, Jiang Zhihao, still searching for her, mistakenly approached another female vampire, thinking it was Li Shiya.
He realized his error and accidentally touched her hands, which led the female vampire to discover his human identity. Unable to find Li Shiya, Jiang Zhihao drank heavily at the bar. The female vampire he had encountered earlier took advantage of his intoxicated state and led him away to a private room. Shihuan also arrived at the bar, having been asked by Li Shiya to pick her up later. He noticed Jiang Zhihao being led away.
Li Shiya, growing bored, decided to leave and met Shihuan on the stairs. Shihuan, surprised to see her, asked if she wasn't with her boyfriend, revealing that Jiang Zhihao was also there. Li Shiya, realizing the danger, rushed to find Jiang Zhihao. She found him in the private room with the female vampire. Li Shiya asserted her claim over Jiang Zhihao, telling the other vampire not to touch him.
The female vampire mocked Li Shiya's possessiveness, pointing out that Li Shiya was also a vampire and should not pretend otherwise, adding that whoever hunted him was the same, as he was merely prey. Li Shiya then woke up the heavily intoxicated Jiang Zhihao. Confused, Jiang Zhihao questioned why Li Shiya had been avoiding his calls and wondered if she was tired of him, or what he was to her.
Li Shiya apologized for making him uneasy and for him having to come to such a dangerous place. She confessed her deep affection for him, saying, "Zhihao, I like you. I like you a lot." Xin Ba, observing from behind the door, looked heartbroken by their sweet confession. Jiang Zhihao was then taken back to Li Shiya's house, and the two spent the night sleeping in the same bed.
Shihuan helped take a very drunk Jiang Zhihao back to Li Shiya's house. Shihuan then met Xin Ba, who was infuriated, physically punishing Shihuan and accusing him of ordering him around like a driver and for allowing bad things to happen. Xin Ba expressed his frustration at being unable to understand the complicated relationship between Li Shiya and Jiang Zhihao.
The next morning, Jiang Zhihao woke up at Li Shiya's house, still hazy from the night before, recalling snippets of his confession and her words. Li Shiya awkwardly explained that she hadn't done anything inappropriate while he was unconscious, having controlled herself to protect him. However, she couldn't tell him that her avoidance was due to her vampire estrus period, which made her afraid to get close to him, so she had to make up a casual excuse.
When Jiang Zhihao asked if her confession of liking him was true, she confirmed it. Jiang Zhihao was relieved, having worried she had stopped loving him. Li Shiya apologized for making him uneasy, explaining that she had avoided him to keep a distance, citing a book that suggested it built affection in couples. Jiang Zhihao dismissed the idea of needing such a strategy, emphasizing her constant attractiveness to him. Li Shiya, feeling courageous, leaned in and kissed him tenderly.
Episode 14 Recap
Jiang Zhihao and Li Shiya embarked on a trip, with Zhihao intending to take Shiya to a secluded valley near his childhood home, a place he believed perfect for lovers. For this special occasion, Zhihao, who rarely drove and didn't even have a license, bought a car to be Shiya's driver.
When Zhihao finally presented the car, Shiya was surprised and questioned his impulsive purchase, but Zhihao simply stated it was no big deal, as he wanted to go out with her from then on. Despite Shiya's concerns about his lack of a license and insurance, Zhihao confidently assured her to trust him. Their journey quickly proved Shiya's worries were justified, as Zhihao's terrible driving had her constantly directing him, enduring a bumpy and uncomfortable ride.
Upon their arrival, Zhihao woke a sleeping Shiya, announcing they had reached their destination. As they settled into the house, Li Shiya noted its cleanliness but wondered about the landlord, since they hadn't registered. Jiang Zhihao explained that the house was his, inherited from his father, and had been left unused because he disliked bugs. He then suggested a stroll before nightfall, leading her down a small path to a stream he frequented with his parents as a child.
He admitted he wasn't always a germaphobe, developing the habit after his parents' divorce. Shiya joked about him needing disinfectant now, finding it hard to imagine him playing by a stream. She also shared that her parents were stricter with her compared to her other siblings, including a younger brother named Xiangyang, because she was naughtier.
At the stream, Shiya enjoyed the clean water, feeling a fleeting sense of déjà vu, but she dismissed it, and they returned to the house as it began to rain. Meanwhile, at the company's practice room, Xin Ba was meticulously preparing a surprise for Li Shiya. Frustrated that Shiya wasn't answering his calls, he asked Shihuan to pick her up and confirm her location with Qingran, as he needed to finish preparations.
Shihuan returned later without Shiya, fabricating a story about her being busy with work. Xin Ba, though disappointed, rationalized that Shiya was dedicated to her career. He revealed that he was celebrating his "birthday"—the day he met Shiya, which he considered his rebirth day, as he didn't know his true birthdate. He showed Shihuan the lavishly decorated venue, regretting that Shiya wouldn't see it, despite Shihuan offering to sing him a birthday song, which Xin Ba humorously declined.
Elsewhere, Yu Ze and his driver were stopped by a distressed woman searching for her eight-year-old son, who had gone missing in the area, wearing yellow rain boots. The driver identified her as a vampire. Yu Ze and his driver denied seeing the boy, and the driver handed the woman a thick wad of money to send her away.
Later, the driver asked Yu Ze if he knew who the woman was, to which Yu Ze replied, "The son of that woman," confirming his prior knowledge. Back at his research facility, Yu Ze inquired about the progress of his experiment. Professor Chen explained that the research would conclude once they acquired the name list of vampires with special genes.
Yu Ze expressed concern about the fate of these research subjects, but the professor dismissed his worries, stating that sacrifices were necessary for human progress, likening it to animal testing. Yu Ze confessed his guilt, acknowledging that many vampires had died because of him and expressing anger that a child had been used.
The professor reminded Yu Ze that he initiated the project and that his hands were already stained, promising that once the name list was obtained, Yu Ze could do as he pleased with the subjects. Yu Ze then went to visit Xiaocan, the imprisoned vampire. After several meetings, Xiaocan had gradually let down her guard with Yu Ze, who was the first person to ever care for her.
In exchange, Xiaocan revealed to Yu Ze a person with special genes who might be able to help him. After sharing this, Xiaocan snatched the handgun from Yu Ze's driver's waist, intending to commit suicide, believing that having betrayed her own kind, her organization would not let her live, and she could only atone by death.
Fortunately, Yu Ze quickly snatched the gun back and then arranged for her travel documents and enough money to send her abroad to save her life. Back at the house, Li Shiya stood by the window, deep in thought, as Jiang Zhihao emerged from the shower. Zhihao, feeling vulnerable, asked Shiya why she chose him, admitting his many shortcomings and his inability to be a "normal" partner, wondering if she was truly happy.
Li Shiya assured him of her happiness, praising his handsomeness, maturity, and thoughtful nature, and confessing that her feelings for him were a unique and new experience. Zhihao told her she was precious to him, having opened up his isolated world. He expressed a deep desire to be closer to her but feared losing her because he cherished her so much. Shiya reassured him that with him, "everything is fine."
As they drew closer, a phone rang, interrupting their intimate moment. It was Li Lanxi calling, who was Li Shiya's sister. Zhihao answered the phone, but quickly tried to dismiss her, promising to call her back. Zhihao then suggested they go to sleep, offering Shiya the upstairs room while he took the sofa. Li Shiya internally chided herself for her "dirty" thoughts. Zhihao later muttered about Lanxi's inconvenient timing.
When Shiya finally spoke to Lanxi on the phone, her sister revealed that one of the previously missing vampires had been found dead, cautioning Shiya to be careful and not go out alone, implying a dangerous psychopath was at large. Later, Li Shiya, while out for an early morning run, was on the phone with Qingran, discussing her recent weight gain and jokingly calling her "comfortably off after having a boyfriend."
Qingran expressed a desire to visit Shiya to deliver cookies. The call dropped as a black-clad man covered Li Shiya's mouth and nose, causing her to faint. She was then carried into a car. It was revealed that Yu Ze was behind the abduction, having learned of Li Shiya's special genes from Xiaocan. Li Shiya was taken to a laboratory, her life now in grave danger.
Episode 15 Recap
A police car arrived at NL Cosmetics, and plainclothes officers entered the building. Yu Ze, preparing to leave, encountered them. The police were investigating several disappearance cases they suspected might be connected to NL Cosmetics. Yu Ze calmly assured the officers of his company's strong reputation, stating it was upright and open, and pledged full cooperation to demonstrate their trustworthiness.
Shortly after, Yu Ze spoke with his assistant, who apologized for the police attention despite careful handling of a previous situation. Yu Ze instructed the assistant to leave the country and assume a new identity once the current matter was resolved. On his way home, Yu Ze received a call from Qingran.
She had made some cookies, originally for Li Shiya, but since Li Shiya was trying to lose weight and couldn't be reached, Qingran offered to bring them to Yu Ze, along with some other items she had for him. Yu Ze agreed and invited her to his house. Meanwhile, Jiang Zhihao stood at Li Shiya's door.
He reflected on his commitment to overcome his germaphobia and embrace the kind of interaction Li Shiya desired, acknowledging it was his first time truly liking someone. He rang the doorbell and called out her name, but no one answered. Unbeknownst to them, Li Shiya was trapped in a secluded laboratory, her limbs bound to a bed.
Professor Chen, who had previously worked with Yu Ze, had captured her, aiming to use her unique genes to develop a way for vampire-human hybrids to live as long as normal humans. He instructed his assistant to ensure her survival, noting her unique qualities compared to previous test subjects.
Professor Chen taunted Li Shiya, telling her that her screams were futile, merely laughing at her cries, and that she was his last crucial subject for a project he had dedicated years to, planning to cut her open for research data. Qingran arrived at Yu Ze's home with cookies, which he surprisingly enjoyed. During their conversation, she mentioned her mother died giving birth to her.
Qingran also brought a box of his belongings from a school locker, items he had left behind when he transferred, including a notebook, a photo album, and his old basketball uniform. Yu Ze explained he left them because they were too important, fearing they would make his future seem miserable by comparison. Qingran then reminisced about a boy wearing yellow rain boots during a heavy rainstorm.
Seeing Yu Ze's emotional reaction, Qingran affirmed her belief in the good person he was, recounting his acts of kindness towards homeless elders and a sick shopkeeper's son. Yu Ze, however, felt he was not as good as she perceived, believing her affection was for an idealized image from the past. He was full of guilt over his past actions, and though he clearly liked Qingran, his lifespan and crimes made him afraid to accept her love.
Qingran confessed her past feelings for him, which Yu Ze acknowledged. As Qingran began to express her current feelings, Yu Ze gently cut her off, thanking her for remembering his past self and insisting on walking her home. Before parting ways, Qingran handed him a piece of candy.
Later, alone in his home, Yu Ze cried in the dark, reflecting on his life, admitting his many mistakes and concluding that his desire to live had been too greedy, despite the love he had unexpectedly received. Overcome by guilt, Yu Ze informed his assistant that he was ending the experiments.
He ordered his assistant to cease all killings, disband NL Cosmetics, provide generous severance packages or overseas relocation for employees, and release all captive vampires from the secret laboratory, stating that the laboratory's location was a secret unknown to them. His assistant protested, but Yu Ze remained firm, declaring it his final, non-negotiable command. At a photoshoot, the crew grew increasingly frustrated by Li Shiya's absence and inability to be reached, realizing she was truly missing.
An anxious Qingran first called Simba and Jiang Zhihao, but neither knew where Li Shiya was. Qingran then spoke with Li Shiya's manager about her disappearance, and during this call, she recalled that Li Shiya's phone call had abruptly ended while she was jogging. She immediately reported Li Shiya missing to the police.
Xin Ba also received news of Li Shiya's disappearance and, distraught, abandoned his upcoming performance, asking his manager Shi Huan to cover for him, so he could search for her. Jiang Zhihao was already out searching, asking passersby if they had seen Li Shiya. Xin Ba later met Jiang Zhihao at his home, apologizing for past events, and confessed his own deep feelings for Li Shiya.
He urged Jiang Zhihao that if he found her first, he must hold her hand, as it was an intimacy only Jiang Zhihao could offer her. They agreed to split up and continue the search. Meanwhile, Yu Ze's assistant informed him that Professor Chen, unwilling to accept the termination of research, had taken Li Shiya and privately fled, intending to continue his research elsewhere.
Professor Chen brought Li Shiya to a secluded laboratory in the suburbs, where he continued to torment her, telling her that the future of humanity depended on her. He contemplated where to begin his dissection, even praising her delicate features while intending to disfigure her, noting that she would soon become a specimen.
Jiang Zhihao, driving alone to search, relied on a special couple phone case Li Shiya had bought; it had a small star that lit up when their phones were within a certain range. Using this hint and questioning local shopkeepers about secluded areas, Jiang Zhihao called Xin Ba, urging him and others to hurry. He learned about an abandoned parking lot owned by an eccentric, rarely-seen professor, described by locals as a "pervert," which solidified Jiang Zhihao's suspicions.
Just as Professor Chen prepared to make the first incision on Li Shiya's face, Jiang Zhihao burst into the laboratory, shouting for him to release her. A fierce struggle ensued, with Professor Chen vowing to kill them both. Jiang Zhihao managed to overpower Professor Chen, knocking him unconscious. He then rushed to Li Shiya, who was terrified, believing she was about to die. Jiang Zhihao embraced her, promising he would never leave her side.
Simultaneously, vampire prosecutor Li Lanxi, having tracked Yu Ze to his remote location through superior's position tracking, confronted him. She identified herself as from Security Management and arrested him for the murder and kidnapping of innocent vampires for research, crimes that had severely impacted both human and vampire societies and violated the laws of the vampire world.
Yu Ze, knowing his time was limited and unable to escape, admitted his inability to atone for his sins, stating it was his fault. He made a final request to Li Lanxi: if anyone, specifically Qingran, inquired about him, she should not be told the truth of his actions, so that he could remain a good person in her memory, because he had done many bad things to live.
Li Lanxi acknowledged she was aware of Qingran's past affection for him, as Qingran had once consulted her about a senior who dropped out of school. Yu Ze then said "Goodbye" to Li Lanxi, then drew a gun from his bosom and took his own life.
He died with Qingran's candy still clutched in his hand, his final thoughts drifting to Qingran and his unexpressed love for her, feeling he had no right to love her, believing he could finally leave, even though he couldn't bear to. He was recalling their memories, from their first meeting to the candy that was a token of their farewell, a sweet love that couldn't continue due to unfair fate.
Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
Yu Ze, pursued by Li Lanxi, the security officer of the vampire family, took his own life. With his death, the vampire disappearance cases came to an end. Li Lanxi later went to send off Qingran, a vampire who Yu Ze had arranged to live abroad. Qingran had been severely tortured but never disclosed the list of other vampires, something Li Lanxi thanked her for, noting it saved many others from misfortune.
Qingran inquired about Yu Ze's condition in prison, and Li Lanxi revealed that he had committed suicide right in front of her. She also mentioned that Yu Ze had requested her to lie to outsiders about his death to spare those who loved him from grief. Qingran, though shocked, acknowledged that this might be his best ending, despite her belief that he wasn't inherently evil, but rather driven by a desperate will to survive.
She reflected on how, despite her own difficult past, Yu Ze's struggle had taught her to find a reason to live, no matter how challenging life seemed. Meanwhile, Li Shiya woke up in the hospital. Li Lanxi visited her, advising her to get discharged soon to avoid suspicion from human doctors. Jiang Zhihao, arriving at Li Shiya's bedside, handled her discharge documents.
He gently asked if she was still in pain and if she wanted to talk about the unusual kidnapping. He assured her he would believe and protect her regardless. Li Shiya, noticing his disheveled appearance, commented on his usual germaphobia. Jiang Zhihao dismissed it, saying he was so focused on her that he had forgotten about his own discomfort.
Despite Li Shiya feeling unattractive, Jiang Zhihao tenderly told her she was beautiful and kissed her forehead, solidifying their bond after the ordeal. Elsewhere, Xin Ba was alone, lost in memories of his lonely childhood. He recalled being frequently adopted and then returned, branded as "weird" because of incidents related to his vampire nature, such as accidentally killing a family dog.
Feeling troubled and downcast, he called Li Shiya, who had just been discharged from the hospital with Jiang Zhihao still by her side, suggesting a sudden vacation for the three of them—himself, Li Shiya, and Shihuan—to relax. Li Shiya, considering Xin Ba as family, quickly agreed. Upon learning that Xin Ba had called, Jiang Zhihao grew agitated and demanded that Li Shiya refuse the invitation.
He believed Xin Ba's feelings for her extended beyond friendship, accusing Li Shiya of being naive to think "nothing ever happens between friends." Li Shiya, in turn, defended her stance, arguing that if nothing happened between her and Jiang Zhihao as lovers, then certainly nothing would happen between friends. Jiang Zhihao felt his feelings were dismissed, suggesting she didn't truly like him.
Li Shiya was left in tears, questioning the depth of Jiang Zhihao's affection for her and feeling a growing distance between them. The next day, Xin Ba took Li Shiya not for a fun outing, but to the church where they first met as children. He vividly recalled every detail of their initial encounter when Li Shiya was seven, including how she had named him "Simba" because his hair resembled a lion's mane, giving him a lion keychain.
He cherished that day, considering it his true "birthday" because her presence had made him feel saved, no longer alone, and part of a family. Li Shiya acknowledged the magical nature of their meeting, noting his transformation from a skinny child to a popular idol. Xin Ba then directly asked if she liked him.
When she affirmed her affection, emphasizing their family-like bond and his status as her dearest friend, Xin Ba confessed that he had never, not even for a second, thought of her as merely a friend. He admitted to constantly wanting a special place in her heart, resisting his true feelings for years and maintaining a cheerful facade because he feared that revealing his love would make her awkward and distant.
He clarified that his feelings for her were not those of a friend, but of a lover. He even questioned why she would choose a human like Jiang Zhihao over him, implying he should have "stolen her away." Overwhelmed, Li Shiya felt Xin Ba's confession was a joke and quickly apologized, stating she couldn't accept his affection before hastily leaving. Heartbroken, Xin Ba isolated himself at home, ignoring all calls and messages.
Worried, Shihuan went to Xin Ba's house, finding him in despair and offering comfort. Meanwhile, Jiang Zhihao sat at home, regretting his earlier argument with Li Shiya. The doorbell rang, and it was Li Shiya, who had come to apologize for their misunderstanding. Without a word, Jiang Zhihao pulled her inside and kissed her passionately, confessing his overwhelming love for her and apologizing for not expressing it adequately before.
Their reconciliation was a powerful affirmation that their arguments stemmed not from a lack of love, but from their deep care for each other. Later, Shihuan met Li Shiya for drinks. He first checked on her relationship with Jiang Zhihao and whether her estrus issue had resolved, which Li Shiya confirmed was manageable due to frequent physical contact with Jiang Zhihao.
Shihuan then explained to Li Shiya that Xin Ba, who he saw as an outstanding and warm person, had always presented a smiling, perfect image for her, meticulously hiding his deep pain and dark side. He believed Xin Ba did this out of fear that Li Shiya, his friend, would abandon him if she saw his vulnerabilities. Li Shiya struggled with this revelation, feeling she had unknowingly caused Xin Ba long-term pain.
Shihuan asked if she had considered accepting Xin Ba's romantic feelings to restore their previous dynamic. Li Shiya firmly stated that Jiang Zhihao was the only one she loved, and that while Xin Ba was her best friend and like family, her feelings for him were not romantic and would never change. Shihuan understood, concluding that continuing a friendship would only cause Xin Ba more suffering, and promised to support Xin Ba as he hopefully moved on.
As Li Shiya walked home, Jiang Zhihao was waiting for her, hoping to bump into her. Li Shiya told him she had come to a realization: no matter what challenges they faced or who might oppose them, they were meant to be together. Jiang Zhihao, delighted by her words, agreed, and they decided to go to the beach.
Li Shiya reflected on her nature as a vampire, how touch was traditionally for absorbing energy, but now, her touch with Jiang Zhihao was driven by love. She embraced her identity as a vampire in love with a human, anticipating judgment but believing her wonderful love story had just begun. At that moment, Jiang Zhihao received an anonymous text message on his phone: "Li Shiya is not a human, but a vampire."
