I Cannot Hug You Episode 6 Recap
> I Cannot Hug You 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.
