Love in Time Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Love in Time Synopsis
Living in the same apartment, He Zhengyu, a cold and aloof lawyer from 2022, and Chen Jialan, a passionate journalist from 2021, are "forced" to become roommates due to a mysterious time-space overlap.
Faced with these sudden visitors from another time, two completely different people go from mutual annoyance to gradually adapting to their nightly 46-minute "cohabitation." During their limited time together, they take advantage of the temporal fusion, pulling off clever "golden finger" maneuvers by exploiting the time gap.
As they navigate this extraordinary situation, the two grow closer in their tightly bound, time-limited companionship—and slowly, feelings begin to blossom between them.
Love in Time Recap
Episode 1 Recap
On January 7, 2022, the divorce case between actress Wu Jirong and her husband Jiang Shenghao commenced. Wu Jirong was represented by He Zhengyu, a lawyer renowned for his undefeated record. During the trial, He Zhengyu presented CCTV footage from November 10 and 11, 2021, showing Jiang Shenghao's ex-girlfriend, Chen Kexin, entering and leaving his apartment. He Zhengyu also produced a signed testimony from Chen Kexin, confirming she had been with Jiang Shenghao intimately that night.
Jiang Shenghao vehemently denied the claims, accusing Chen Kexin of perjury and pleading with Wu Jirong to believe him. Distressed, Wu Jirong suddenly declared she was withdrawing her accusation, insisting the evidence was fabricated. Noting her severe mental stress, He Zhengyu requested a temporary adjournment. Outside the courthouse, Wu Jirong's team declined all interviews. Later that evening, He Zhengyu walked alone, perplexed by Wu Jirong's change of heart.
An ambulance briefly caught his attention, and moments later, a paper crane landed at his feet. Seeing no one around, He Zhengyu picked it up and kept it. The case's fallout quickly impacted He Zhengyu's career. At a meeting at Fengyu Law Firm, partner Sun Defeng informed him that over a dozen clients were terminating their contracts. He Zhengyu offered to suspend his work, but Sun Defeng suggested he take a break and hand over his cases.
When He Zhengyu's colleague, Zhou Dajun, protested that 90% of their clients came for He Zhengyu, Sun Defeng silenced him. Citing Wu Jirong's admission in court, Sun Defeng accused He Zhengyu of providing perjured testimony. Despite his denial, the partners unanimously agreed his "improper behavior" and "arrogant personality" had damaged the firm. He Zhengyu was removed from the partnership, ordered to vacate his firm-provided apartment, and bear all losses, realizing Sun Defeng was seizing his interests.
Now renting a dilapidated apartment, He Zhengyu pointed out numerous flaws to the landlord, from potential formaldehyde to a broken sofa and a non-soundproof window, but the landlord dismissed his complaints. Too tired to clean, He Zhengyu decided to sleep on the shabby sofa, placing the paper crane on a display stand. As he fell asleep, the paper crane began to glow. Later that night, He Zhengyu awoke disoriented.
He drank an expired beverage from the fridge and then discovered that items in the bathroom, such as his mouthwash, were not his own and had also long expired. Attributing his confusion to alcohol, he cautiously investigated a sound from the bathroom. As he approached what looked like a person, he suddenly fell into the bathtub, and the room's layout seemed to shift around him. The perjury scandal escalated, with negative news online and protestors throwing eggs at his building.
He Zhengyu refused to move, telling Zhou Dajun he would not be intimidated. While playing an online game, He Zhengyu compared his determination to the game he and Zhou Dajun had played for fourteen years, arguing that if he wouldn't quit a game, he certainly wouldn't quit this case. He recalled his university speech about lawyers making the world better and grew frustrated by his inability to contact Wu Jirong.
That night, a vision of a disheveled woman appeared, speaking of enduring pain in a marriage for her husband's reputation. He Zhengyu again dismissed the realistic apparition as an alcohol-induced hallucination. Meanwhile, Jiang Shenghao gushed to a female friend about a woman he was in love with, claiming he knew she was his future wife from the moment he saw her.
He revealed the woman was public figure Chen Jialan and announced his intention to marry her, asking his friend to be a bridesmaid. Later, He Zhengyu went to see Wu Jirong but found Jiang Shenghao causing a disturbance outside, demanding she come home. He Zhengyu intervened, warning Jiang Shenghao he would uncover how he had threatened Wu Jirong into retracting her testimony.
Wu Jirong's agent, Anwen, thanked He Zhengyu but refused to let him see his client, insisting she was resting. He Zhengyu argued that Jiang Shenghao was clearly manipulating her, but Anwen dismissed it as speculation. Back in his apartment, He Zhengyu decided to sleep early to avoid more "ghosts," only to wake in terror, finding the same mysterious woman from his visions lying in bed beside him. Separately, at the iNEWS office, editor Chen Jialan welcomed new interns.
She confided in a colleague her ambition to be a field reporter like her idol, Mu Shiming. The atmosphere tensed when the editor-in-chief, Ms. Wen, arrived and chided the staff for their lack of impactful stories. During a briefing, Ms. Wen astutely deduced that a seemingly minor fire at a glass factory posed a city-wide threat due to a potential dust leak from damaged vacuum systems. With other reporters unavailable, Chen Jialan volunteered for the assignment.
Reporting live from the factory, Chen Jialan warned that despite the fire being controlled, the vast amount of glass dust created a high risk of explosion. As she finished her report, a large explosion occurred behind her. Later that night, while reviewing her footage, Chen Jialan looked at a photo of her and her father, reaffirming her goal to become a great reporter and win a prestigious news award.
Episode 2 Recap
Chen Jialan awoke with a scream, finding herself inexplicably holding a strange man in her arms. She bolted from the room and, seeing a bottle of wine on the table, assumed the intruder had brought it. Calming herself, fury ignited within her as she wielded the wine bottle, demanding the man emerge. Yet, as she flung the door open, her surroundings inexplicably shifted, and the man vanished into thin air.
Convinced he had encountered a ghost, He Zhengyu sought answers from his landlord. Meanwhile, in 2021, Chen Jialan, also believing she had a ghostly encounter, approached the same landlord. When He Zhengyu recounted his experience, describing a woman "neither human nor ghost" with long hair who had appeared on him, pressing his hand and touching his face, the landlord initially dismissed it.
However, as He Zhengyu detailed the woman's appearance – in her early twenties, skinny, not short, and fair-skinned – the landlord grew visibly nervous. He hastily claimed the house was being rented for the first time, only to He Zhengyu, and that he had installed a top-tier Class C lock. Recognizing He Zhengyu as a well-known lawyer from television, the landlord accused him of fabricating the story to get cheaper rent.
Despite He Zhengyu's insistence, the landlord abruptly excused himself to meet a new tenant, leaving He Zhengyu certain he was lying. Another evening, after cautiously searching her apartment with a frying pan and finding nothing, Chen Jialan began her routine. Suddenly, the man reappeared. He Zhengyu, seeing Chen Jialan again, was equally startled. In their first direct confrontation, Chen Jialan furiously accused him of not only being in her home but also sleeping in her bed and using her shower.
He Zhengyu calmly replied, "I did move in directly." As Chen Jialan threatened him, he attempted to call the police, only to find no signal. Identifying herself as a reporter, Chen Jialan threatened to expose him for unlawful intrusion. He Zhengyu, revealing he was a lawyer, countered by quoting the Criminal Law regarding illegal entry and warned that he could press charges for intentional bodily harm if she continued her aggression.
Both fervently declared the apartment was theirs, each brandishing their rental contracts. They compared their contracts, which had identical landlord signatures and content, differing only in the lessee, signing date, and rent. Chen Jialan's was dated July 26, 2021, while He Zhengyu's was January 13, 2022. He Zhengyu deduced that the greedy landlord had re-rented the apartment to her for the following year during his current lease, and she was complicit due to the low rent.
Chen Jialan insisted the house was hers at that moment and showed him her phone, which displayed the date September 16, 2021. After He Zhengyu pointed out that phone times are synchronized with the network and cannot be altered, she tried to prove her ownership by pointing to her personal belongings: a photo with her father, a doll, and a youth championship trophy. Her confusion mounted, however, as she then noticed unfamiliar boxes and appliances she hadn't seen before.
Seeing this, He Zhengyu began to suspect she had psychogenic amnesia, a cognitive disorder stemming from trauma causing selective memory loss. He theorized she was living in a state where she believed it was still four months prior, citing a past case where his client with the same condition killed her ex-husband, mistakenly believing he was having an affair when they were already divorced.
He offered to introduce her to a psychiatrist, but the insulted Chen Jialan retorted, "Then why hasn't he cured you?" To resolve their dispute, He Zhengyu led Chen Jialan to a downstairs neighbor, an elderly man, for a third-party judgment. The man recognized Chen Jialan as "the young lady upstairs" but noted he hadn't seen her in a long time and asked if she had moved back.
Chen Jialan, insisting she had always lived there, then inquired about the elderly woman who had recently scolded her about hallway hygiene. The man stated that the woman had gone to her hometown last month and had not yet returned. This contradiction left Chen Jialan bewildered. As she, still unwilling to give up, tried to pull He Zhengyu to find the property management for further proof, she suddenly dissipated into thin air right before his eyes.
He Zhengyu rushed back to the apartment and confirmed that all of her personal belongings had vanished. Meanwhile, Chen Jialan, now back in her own timeline, encountered the very elderly woman the neighbor claimed was away, who again chided her about keeping the hallway clean. Back in his own time, He Zhengyu researched "psychogenic amnesia," which led him to the concept of "time-space overlap."
He learned it could be occasional (caused by magnetic field changes) or continuous (occurring at specific locations due to a wormhole-like effect), with the latter having clear inducing mechanisms and rules. Noting the time 10:06 PM, he realized this phenomenon also explained her surprising strength. He concluded that continuous time-space overlap was the only logical explanation and that he would merge with her every night at the same time.
During one such overlap, he found his apartment transformed into a massive trash heap. He desperately called out for Chen Jialan but found the apartment empty. He discovered her diary, with entries that abruptly stopped on September 6, four months prior, and a photograph of a little girl whose face seemed oddly familiar.
At exactly 10:52 PM, the apartment and all the mess miraculously reverted to his clean version, leading him to realize items from the other time period could not be brought over. The next day, He Zhengyu explained his discoveries to his friend, Zhou Dajun, who initially scoffed at the idea. He Zhengyu presented it as a scientific theory, explaining how their two timelines merged nightly from 10:06 PM to 10:52 PM, mixing their belongings and bemoaning Chen Jialan's extreme messiness.
Still skeptical, Zhou Dajun searched Chen Jialan's name and was stunned to find a photo of her with He Zhengyu at their law firm, dated September 18, four months ago. He Zhengyu then recalled the incident, noting she had stepped on his shoe that day. Suddenly, Zhou Dajun experienced two conflicting versions of that same memory appearing in his mind, a phenomenon he found terrifying. That evening, at 10:06 PM, He Zhengyu prepared for the overlap.
Chen Jialan materialized, still enraged, accusing him of breaking her lock and blocking her keyhole, then feigning amnesia. In frustration, she threw his phone. He Zhengyu calmly explained that time isn't linear but can overlap, showing her a video he had recorded at 10:05 PM which captured the entire apartment transforming as the overlap began. She watched in shock as the impossible unfolded.
He Zhengyu explained that she hadn't appeared the previous night, and he had used the opportunity to carefully observe the phenomenon, confirming neither of them was mentally ill. He reiterated that the overlap occurred daily from 10:06 PM to 10:52 PM. He asserted that although their apartments merged, the resulting space was unequivocally his, as it existed in his 2022 timeline, not her 2021. This, he explained, was why she was unable to open the door during the overlap. Chen Jialan finally began to grasp the concept, acknowledging that people from 2021 couldn't enter the merged apartment, a fact He Zhengyu used to solidify his claim of ownership.
Episode 3 Recap
In a convenience store that only opened in October 2022, Jialan enthusiastically ordered a variety of food items. She soon discovered her phone had no signal, which He Zhengyu explained was because it was 2022 and her phone bill was unpaid. Despite his offer to pay, Jialan, a journalist, insisted on using cash, emphasizing the importance of being prepared. As she paid, He Zhengyu commented on her affinity for Doraemon, which was on all her belongings.
Now convinced of the time travel, Jialan cited the "Javier incident" she'd seen on TikTok and expressed excitement about confirming the time-space overlap. She declared her intention to report the "cool" phenomenon, but He Zhengyu dismissed her, telling her not to be embarrassing. He explained that his own memories update constantly, citing a fight he'd had with the 2021 Jialan earlier that day—an encounter only possible due to the overlap.
Recognizing him as the man she had earlier mistaken for a pervert, Jialan decided she wanted to interview him. The winter air was cold, and Jialan shivered in her shorts. He Zhengyu pointed out her inappropriate attire and offered her his coat. Jialan explained that her earlier aggression was because she had mistaken him for a pervert. Showing her the bruise she'd given him, He Zhengyu sarcastically threatened a lawsuit.
As they argued, two bystanders watched, curious if a fight would break out. Noticing it was 10:47 PM and Jialan would disappear in five minutes, He Zhengyu pulled her under his coat to shield her from the suddenly falling rain. In the warmth and proximity, he became flustered and told her to go back. Jialan then vanished, leaving his coat to fall to the ground. He Zhengyu picked it up, feeling an unexpected sense of loss.
Later, He Zhengyu received a call from a distraught Wu Jirong, who tearfully apologized for getting him into trouble before abruptly hanging up. The next day, He Zhengyu and his associate, Zhou Dajun, waited outside Jirong's apartment. After spotting her brother, Wu Anwen, they followed his car to a nursing home, where they found Jirong. He Zhengyu tried to comfort her by reminiscing about her first movie and Best New Artist Award, but Jirong expressed fear of being forgotten.
When he gently questioned her about withdrawing her lawsuit against her husband, Jiang Shenghao, she broke down, blaming herself for everything. Wu Anwen intervened, revealing to a shocked He Zhengyu that Jirong was suffering from severe depression. He explained that Jirong had sacrificed immensely for Jiang Shenghao, who repeatedly hurt her, and that his recent public post disavowing ex-girlfriends had been a major trigger. Wu Anwen then lamented Jirong’s marriage, wishing he could turn back time.
In 2021, Jialan, an intern reporter for iNEWS, was covering a landslide. While her colleague Liu wanted a standard report, Jialan suspected a man-made cause after researching the local geology. She persuaded Liu to hike to the site, where she found evidence of human excavation and irrigation canals for ornamental plants, confirming her theory. There, she interviewed a man she assumed was a local, only to discover he was Mu Shiming, a renowned journalist and her idol.
Mu praised her journalistic instincts but gently critiqued her for revealing her conclusions prematurely to an interviewee. He later recognized her name, mentioning that her editor, Wen Yiru, often praised her work, and encouraged her. That evening, Jialan tidied her messy apartment in anticipation of the 10:06 PM overlap. He Zhengyu appeared on time and, seeing the clean room, joked that she had moved out.
To foster peace, they agreed on rules for their 46 minutes together: no using the bed or bathroom, no touching each other's belongings, and minimal interaction. Jialan added a fourth rule—no violence—and again apologized for their first encounter. The conversation soured when she accused him of only representing wealthy clients. He Zhengyu, defending his integrity, offered to show her a thank-you letter from an elderly client in his closet.
As he opened it, a pile of Jialan’s clothes tumbled out, staining his new shirt. Furious, he called her room a "dump" and declared he was moving out the next day, vowing to never see her again. He immediately called Zhou Dajun to arrange the move. While packing, He Zhengyu found a photo of Jialan with a man he recognized as Jiang Shenghao, nicknamed "Rat," leading him to assume they were childhood friends.
He then found a social media post from Jialan dated September 24, 2021, congratulating "Rat" and his fiancée, who she believed would be the happiest bride. Realizing this was Jiang Shenghao and Jirong, and connecting it to Wu Anwen's wish to turn back time, He Zhengyu saw an opportunity. He called off the move. Meanwhile, Jialan was celebrating a successful report with her colleagues when Jiang Shenghao called her away for an urgent, "life-long matter."
She met him at a venue he was preparing for his proposal to Jirong, complete with a photo wall of their memories, and he asked for her help. That night, He Zhengyu finalized his new plan: first, get along with Jialan, and second, ask her to help him meet the Jirong from four months prior. As the clock struck 10:06 PM, he braced for her arrival, and Jialan materialized directly in his arms.
Episode 4 Recap
He Zhengyu, despite his earlier claim he would move out, reappeared at the apartment, much to Jialan's annoyance. She accused him of not keeping his word, but he insisted that although they exist in different timelines, the apartment is also her home, and she has the right to live as she chooses. He then suggested their cohabitation was in an "adjustment period," which Jialan quickly corrected to "roommates."
To mend fences, He Zhengyu invited her to an "informal dinner," which turned out to be an extravagant Western meal. Suspicious of his motives, Jialan rejected the meal and challenged him to prepare Liuzhou river snails rice noodle for her, adding a fried egg and a chicken claw to the request, knowing he had never tried it before. He Zhengyu reluctantly took on the task, visibly disgusted by the odor of the noodles but trying to act unaffected.
After he finished his meal, he excused himself to the study, where he spotted a photo of Jiang Shenghao on Jialan's computer. He feigned curiosity, and Jialan proudly revealed that Jiang Shenghao was married to her good friend, Wu Jirong, confirming his proposal was successful. Seeking to gather more information, He Zhengyu slyly commented on the high divorce rates among those who marry quickly, which angered Jialan, who fiercely defended her friend and ordered him to leave.
Meanwhile, at the iNEWS office, the team discussed the case of the Li brothers, Li Zili and Li Ziqiang, against Fei's Company. Li Ziqiang claimed he was severely beaten during a forced demolition, presenting a hospital report for a comminuted fracture. Jialan, however, expressed doubts, revealing she discovered that Li Zili and his construction team were fired "before" the demolition, suggesting there was more to the story.
While her colleagues questioned her lack of evidence, her editor-in-chief and Mu Shiming praised her journalistic intuition. Mu Shiming, known for working alone, announced he would partner with Jialan to investigate the connection, sparking surprise and gossip among their colleagues. Later, He Zhengyu and a colleague located Chen Kexin, a key witness in Jiang Shenghao's case. Chen Kexin claimed Jiang Shenghao was a "jerk" who was with her but refused to divorce Wu Jirong.
However, when asked to testify in court, she grew evasive, excused herself to the restroom, and escaped with the help of the café staff. He Zhengyu remained unfazed, deducing her escape was proof she was hiding something crucial to the case. Back home, He Zhengyu found Jialan furiously practicing mixed martial arts to vent her frustrations. Hoping to get her to arrange a meeting with Wu Jirong, he took her out for cake, suggesting sweets could improve her mood.
Jialan recounted how her colleagues had disparaged a cake she made for them, despite her having treated them to dinner. She revealed she had left the dinner early at Jiang Shenghao’s request, which instantly piqued He Zhengyu's interest. He tried to extract more information, but Jialan refused to gossip about her best friend. As Jialan spoke about the importance of genuine friendships, He Zhengyu awkwardly tried to wipe cream from her face.
The next day, Jialan learned that He Zhengyu was the attorney representing Fei's Company at their press conference. Just before the event, He Zhengyu experienced a sudden, painful memory update. He composed himself and took the stage, asserting that he would secure victory for his client. The Li brothers dramatically interrupted, accusing Fei's Company of assault and presenting a report as proof of a "tenth-degree disability." He Zhengyu calmly dismissed them, threatening legal action for defamation.
Jialan then challenged him, asking if he pursued "justice" or "victory for wealthy clients." He retorted that justice has no universal standard and that as a lawyer, he upholds the justice defined by law, before criticizing her for violating journalistic objectivity. Mu Shiming intervened, arguing that true journalism requires the courage to speak for the vulnerable. Outside, Mu Shiming warned Jialan to be wary of He Zhengyu, who in turn questioned the professionalism of iNEWS.
That evening, a furious Jialan confronted He Zhengyu about the press conference. He showed her on his phone that Fei's Company had won the lawsuit, preserving his undefeated record. Still unconvinced, Jialan declared the result was not the truth and vowed to investigate it herself. A flashback to 2021 reveals she had previously investigated the case, secretly following He Zhengyu only to discover he was also investigating the Li brothers.
They reluctantly teamed up, with He Zhengyu advising her on how to go undercover. They covertly recorded Li Zili confessing his scheme: he had his brother deliberately break his own arm to frame Fei's Company for money. He Zhengyu later explained that the forensic report showed two fractures in the same place, strongly suggesting a self-inflicted injury. This revelation shocked Jialan, who gained a new respect for his undefeated record and intelligence.
Back in 2022, while playing video games with Zhou Dajun, He Zhengyu suffered another painful memory update, which revealed to him that Jialan had been with him during the 2021 investigation. He lamented their strained relationship, wondering which version of him she disliked more, but remained determined to get her help in meeting Wu Jirong. That night, he waited for Jialan to return, but she deliberately stayed out late to avoid him.
A final flashback to 2021 shows Jialan's joyous reaction to Jiang Shenghao's proposal and her first meeting with Wu Jirong, where she promised to protect her new friend. Watching this happy memory, the 2022 He Zhengyu cynically remarked that the "happiness" was more like a "nightmare" and vowed that Jialan would eventually have to come to him for help.
Episode 5 Recap
The scheme of the Li brothers was publicly exposed, revealing that they had been manipulating public sympathy. The news spread rapidly, and Jialan was congratulated by her colleagues for securing the exclusive story. Jialan, however, found herself puzzled by the constant tension between Mu Shiming and He Zhengyu, who had known each other for many years.
Mu Shiming explained that his father, a law professor, naturally expected him to become a lawyer after graduation, but he knew he lacked both the talent and the interest for it. He Zhengyu, on the other hand, was determined to become a top lawyer and was exceptionally talented, making him seem like the ideal son in his father's eyes, while Mu Shiming felt like an unfilial one. After his confession, Mu Shiming downed his drink and promptly passed out.
Unsure of his address, Jialan had no choice but to take him back to her apartment. Mu Shiming woke up at 10:02 PM. Panicked, Jialan made an excuse that she needed to write a report and urged him to leave. However, after leaving, Mu Shiming returned for his forgotten phone. At exactly 10:06 PM, the apartment transformed, and He Zhengyu appeared in the kitchen, where an elaborate meal was now on the table.
Jialan awkwardly claimed she had prepared it for Mu Shiming. Annoyed, He Zhengyu deliberately made noise in the bathroom to get Mu Shiming's attention. When confronted, He Zhengyu threatened to reveal his presence, knowing Mu Shiming would assume they were living together. He used this leverage to blackmail Jialan into arranging a meeting with Wu Jirong from her time. Left with no choice, Jialan reluctantly agreed.
Once Mu Shiming had gone, Jialan immediately rescinded her promise, stating she wouldn't be blackmailed. Following advice on how to win over a woman, He Zhengyu tried to appease her by offering junk food, telling a terrible joke, and suggesting they share their deepest secrets, but Jialan was unimpressed. The next day, He Zhengyu again tried to visit Wu Jirong at the nursing home but was blocked by her brother, Wu Anwen.
He managed to leave a note for her with a nurse. Meanwhile, Li Ziqiang and other residents facing eviction began protesting again. Despite her colleagues' skepticism, Jialan investigated. Li Ziqiang revealed that Fei's Company had tried to force them into unfair agreements, offering less than half the promised compensation, and had even resorted to violence. He confessed that he had resorted to faking a more severe injury to extort money, driven by desperation over his wife’s urgent need for surgery.
Their only goal was to receive fair compensation, but they felt hopeless against a formidable lawyer like He Zhengyu. That evening, Jialan confronted He Zhengyu, calling him cold-blooded for helping Fei's Company. He Zhengyu defended himself, stating his duty as a lawyer is to his client, and proposed a bet: if he wins the case, she must help him meet Wu Jirong; if he loses, he will leave her apartment for good.
At a press conference, He Zhengyu, representing Fei's Company, made a shocking announcement: an internal investigation had revealed major violations by the demolition company they had hired, and Fei's was now suing them. Jialan, in attendance, was left speechless. Having won the bet, He Zhengyu learned from his contact that Jiang Shenghao was constantly drinking and trying to see Wu Jirong, while Chen Kexin was still missing. Jialan sought advice from her colleague Piaopiao about her dilemma.
Piaopiao reasoned that a proud and arrogant man like her friend wouldn't try to steal his friend's fiancée, especially after knowing her for over a decade, and that his intentions were likely pure. Convinced, Jialan decided to honor the bet. That night, however, she missed the 10:06 PM overlap because Mu Shiming had a sudden stomachache, and she had to rush out to buy him medicine.
She found herself locked out of her own apartment, while a worried He Zhengyu was trapped inside, both aware of the missed opportunity. The following evening, they finally met. He Zhengyu was pleased when Jialan agreed to arrange the meeting with Wu Jirong. In a good mood, he offered to fix a flickering light bulb. While standing on a stool, he lost his balance and fell, accidentally pinning Jialan underneath him. He then jokingly pretended to be electrocuted, but Jialan, unamused, told him to stop his antics.
Episode 6 Recap
Jialan, startled by their closeness, pushed He Zhengyu away, jokingly claiming she was electrocuted while fixing a light fixture. When she teased him about being hurt, he apologized, citing the "comradeship" they formed while handling Li Ziqiang's case. Curious, Jialan asked about Li Ziqiang's family. He Zhengyu then took her to a noodle shop they both frequented and showed her Li Ziqiang’s wife, now recovered from surgery thanks to the demolition funds, running a barbecue stall outside.
He also mentioned that Li Zili had become a delivery rider, just as Li Zili himself entered the shop. He Zhengyu instinctively pulled Jialan into an embrace, hiding his own face so Li Zili wouldn't see them together. After Li Zili left, He Zhengyu paid for their meal, explaining that Jialan's 2021 money was useless in his 2022 timeline. He stated that he doesn't disturb former clients after a case is closed, as it was simply his duty.
Impressed, Jialan admitted she had misjudged him, acknowledging his surprising good qualities. To understand him better, Jialan initiated a rapid-fire Q&A, asking if he loved his profession, cleanliness, and red wine, before trying to trick him by asking if he loved Jirong. He Zhengyu saw through her ploy, firmly stating that Jirong was his good friend's fiancée and that he felt no romantic or ambiguous feelings for her.
As he continued speaking, the time-space overlap ended, and He Zhengyu suddenly vanished, leaving Jialan alone. In 2021, Jialan went with Jiang Shenghao to a luxurious villa he had purchased and decorated for Jirong, a secret he asked Jialan to keep. Jialan invited Jirong to her apartment that evening to learn how to make desserts. However, Jirong later called to cancel, leaving Jialan disappointed.
Jialan then received a thank-you letter from Li Ziqiang and was moved to tears, but her emotions were cut short when He Zhengyu from the future appeared. Unfazed by Jirong's cancellation, he explained that as a lawyer, he was used to receiving all kinds of letters and wasn't easily moved. Forgetting it was now four months in the future and near freezing, Jialan went out to buy ingredients.
He Zhengyu followed, draping his jacket over her and wrapping her in a scarf while chiding her about the cold. Distracted by the moment, neither saw an approaching motorcycle, which struck Jialan and scraped her ankle. A concerned He Zhengyu took her to a pharmacy, treating the wound and buying her a lollipop. There, he took a call from his parents, telling them he couldn't come home for Chinese New Year due to a case.
As the call ended, he vanished again, warning Jialan that their time was up. Before the wedding, Jiang Shenghao was photographed with an ex-girlfriend, sparking cheating rumors. He explained to Jirong and her brother, Wu Anwen, that it was a setup. Wu Anwen demanded he sign a prenuptial agreement stipulating that if he cheated, he would forfeit all marital assets. Jiang Shenghao refused, arguing their love couldn't be quantified by money, and Jirong supported his decision, trusting him completely.
Later that night, at exactly 10:06 PM, Jirong arrived unexpectedly at Jialan's home. She was surprised to see He Zhengyu in pajamas, leading Jialan to falsely claim they were hers from a "buy one, get one free" deal. He Zhengyu pulled Jialan aside, warning her not to interfere with his important conversation with Jirong.
He then urged Jirong to reconsider the marriage, pointing out she barely knew Jiang Shenghao's background or his history as a philanderer, even naming an ex, Chen Kexin. Furious, Jialan pulled him away, accusing him of trying to ruin the marriage. To prove his point, He Zhengyu showed her a news article from the future detailing Jirong's divorce from Jiang Shenghao over infidelity. Jialan refused to believe it.
Jirong left, declining He Zhengyu’s offer for a ride and insisting Jiang Shenghao would take her. Distraught, Jialan later confronted and physically assaulted Jiang Shenghao, calling him a "bastard." However, He Zhengyu (from 2022) then informed her that Jiang Shenghao had not cheated. Jirong had messaged him from a nursing home, explaining it was all a misunderstanding and that she wanted to spend Chinese New Year with Jiang Shenghao to reconcile.
Filled with regret, Jialan said she owed Jiang Shenghao a big hug as an apology. Hearing this, He Zhengyu spontaneously hugged her, leaving both of them confused by his involuntary action. At the 2021 wedding rehearsal, Jialan's heart raced upon seeing He Zhengyu, but she reminded herself this was the cold, "old" version, not her future roommate.
Paired with him by matching corsages, she offered a handshake of reconciliation, which he coldly rejected, stating their only connection was through their friends. When he offered his legal services, she retorted that he wasn't her target client and cheekily asked for a discount, which he flatly denied. Feeling awkward over their height difference, Jialan switched partners. Shortly after, the wedding director had to take an urgent call and asked He Zhengyu to temporarily lead the rehearsal, referring to him as a brother to Jirong.
Episode 7 Recap
At the wedding rehearsal, Wu Jirong's brother and manager, Wu Anwen, fields calls from brand clients demanding to terminate their contracts, arguing that her new married status no longer aligns with their brand image. Unfazed, Wu Jirong explains that she understands their business considerations and is ready to take a break from work to embrace a new life, ideally as a homemaker.
Wu Anwen argues that marriage and career are not mutually exclusive and insists she have Jiang Shenghao sign a prenuptial agreement for her protection. Wu Jirong dismisses the idea, affirming that she is marrying for love, not money or status. Though worried, Wu Anwen respects her choice but still urges her to secure the agreement. Meanwhile, Chen Jialan, Wu Jirong's close friend, goes to the groom's room to check on Jiang Shenghao before the group photo.
She is startled to find He Zhengyu there, leading to an awkward moment of mistaken identity. Emerging from the bathroom, Jiang Shenghao playfully teases them about their intense eye contact and deliberately pairs them up for the photo. During the shoot, Chen Jialan stumbles and falls. Later, Wu Anwen takes Jiang Shenghao aside and warns him to always treat his sister well and never harm her, or he would face consequences.
Jiang Shenghao sincerely promises to cherish Wu Jirong, expressing gratitude for the chance to take over protecting her. On New Year's Eve 2022, as He Zhengyu prepares to launch his law firm, he receives a frantic call from Wu Anwen that something has happened to Wu Jirong. He rushes to Jiang Shenghao's home, arriving just as an ambulance is leaving.
A distraught Wu Anwen confronts him, blaming him for bringing Wu Jirong back and believing her death could have been avoided. Moments later, the police escort Jiang Shenghao away. That evening, back at his office, He Zhengyu reveals to a bewildered Chen Jialan that Wu Jirong died just four months after her wedding. Jialan struggles to accept the news, having just seen her friend so happy.
He Zhengyu explains that in the original timeline, Jiang Shenghao's ex-girlfriend, Chen Kexin, crashed the wedding, publicly shaming Wu Jirong as a homewrecker. The scandal turned the wedding into a laughingstock, leading to Wu Jirong developing depression and ultimately drowning in a swimming pool, with Jiang Shenghao becoming the prime suspect in her murder. Back in 2021, on the day of the wedding, a determined Chen Jialan resolves to protect Wu Jirong's happiness.
Joking about the uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, she enlists He Zhengyu to help guard the entrances. She stations herself at one door while he watches another, agreeing that if He Zhengyu sees Chen Kexin, his only obligation is to notify her immediately. When Chen Kexin arrives, He Zhengyu lets her pass and simply informs Jialan. Jialan intercepts Chen Kexin inside, and during their struggle, Kexin's wine glass shatters, attracting attention.
Wu Anwen and He Zhengyu intervene, with Anwen sternly warning Chen Kexin of severe consequences if she causes trouble. He Zhengyu then introduces himself as Wu Jirong's friend and a lawyer, advising Kexin to stay away. Unfazed, she flirtatiously asks if he is single. In 2022, while being questioned by the police about Wu Jirong's death, He Zhengyu experiences a familiar headache. He learns that Wu Anwen also visited Wu Jirong the night she died, a detail Anwen hadn't mentioned.
According to Wu Anwen's statement, he went to persuade Wu Jirong to come home for the New Year, but she refused. He left around 2 AM, a fact confirmed by surveillance, and she even sent him a message at 2:30 AM. He also told police that Wu Jirong had repeatedly insisted to him that Jiang Shenghao had not been unfaithful. Returning home, a frustrated Chen Jialan laments that her efforts in 2021 failed to change Wu Jirong's fate.
He Zhengyu consoles her, pointing out that her intervention prevented the wedding from becoming a public scandal, with news reports being positive and only mentioning a minor "side story" involving Chen Kexin. This proves that small changes can trigger a butterfly effect, even if the core elements—Jiang Shenghao's infidelity with Chen Kexin, their impending divorce, and Wu Jirong's death—remain unchanged. Still convinced Chen Kexin is the key, Jialan vows to continue trying to alter the past.
During their conversation, Jialan asks why he hugged her. He Zhengyu states bluntly that he was simply following her own advice that a hug is the best apology, adding that he is too busy for romance and she is not his type. Embarrassed, Jialan feigns a stomachache to escape. She later attempts to save face by declaring she is an adult, didn't take the hug seriously, and warns him not to develop feelings for her.
Shortly after, Wu Anwen calls He Zhengyu to report that Jiang Shenghao has been released due to insufficient evidence, invoking the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." Wu Anwen then hires He Zhengyu to be his lawyer for the case. He Zhengyu accepts and commits to finding Chen Kexin, believing she is crucial to uncovering the truth and getting justice for Wu Jirong.
Later, his law firm partner, Dajun, urges him to take a lucrative divorce case to help with their finances, but He Zhengyu resists, focused on the far more critical case of Wu Jirong's death.
Episode 8 Recap
Zhou Dajun secured a significant case and urged He Zhengyu to meet with a Mr. Wu. Although He Zhengyu wanted to focus on investigating the mysterious circumstances surrounding Jirong, financial pressures compelled him to attend the meeting. Mr. Wu, who openly admitted to his philandering, sought to divorce his wife and leave her with nothing. He revealed that his girlfriend was three months pregnant and he no longer wanted custody of his two children.
A man of integrity, He Zhengyu immediately refused the case. He corrected Mr. Wu, stating that forcing a wife to leave with nothing is not legally valid and emphasized the social value of a woman's labor within the family. He Zhengyu pointed out that while Mr. Wu would retain his social status and resources post-divorce, his wife would face the immense challenge of re-entering society.
Calling Mr. Wu an "honest villain," he sarcastically praised him as a brilliant businessman who was "not a human." He concluded with a free suggestion: Mr. Wu should compensate his wife, pay child support, and use the saved legal fees to "get his brain checked." He Zhengyu later expressed his distaste for such clients and reflected that his interactions with Jialan were making him more humane.
He Zhengyu successfully located Chen Kexin's address, only to find his rival, Sun Defeng, already there. Sun Defeng claimed Chen Kexin was not present, leading He Zhengyu to deduce that she must be hiding a significant secret or was under duress, as Sun Defeng would not be searching for her otherwise. He resolved to find her before Sun Defeng could.
In a flashback to four months prior, Chen Kexin had proactively sought out He Zhengyu, reminding him they had met at Jiang Shenghao's wedding and asking him to send a lawyer's letter to someone who was harassing her. He Zhengyu coldly advised her to go to any law firm or simply call the police. Subsequently, Chen Kexin complained to Jialan for not giving her He Zhengyu's contact information and accused Jialan of liking He Zhengyu herself.
Declaring He Zhengyu a "rare quality resource," Chen Kexin expressed her determination. Jialan then proposed a deal: if Chen Kexin stopped pursuing Jiang Shenghao, Jialan would help her connect with He Zhengyu. Chen Kexin agreed, vowing she wouldn't care about "ten Jiang Shenghaos" if she succeeded with He Zhengyu, but would return to Jiang Shenghao if she failed. Later, Jialan found He Zhengyu searching for information on Chen Kexin, whose last social media update was two weeks prior.
Jialan playfully accused him of being distracted by a beauty. After he denied any interest, Jialan proposed a new plan to save Jirong: they should matchmake the 2021 He Zhengyu with Chen Kexin. Her logic was that if Chen Kexin had a new romantic target, she would stop bothering Jiang Shenghao, thereby saving his marriage to Jirong and, ultimately, Jirong's life. He Zhengyu initially scoffed at the idea, questioning Jialan's logic and feeling he was being sacrificed.
However, Jialan passionately argued they must try every method to save Jirong. He Zhengyu reluctantly agreed, though he doubted his younger self would be interested in Chen Kexin's type. To understand He Zhengyu's romantic preferences, Jialan conducted an informal "interview" during a time-space fusion. He revealed he had no favorite food, preferred the color blue, liked long-haired women around 1. 68m tall, and was drawn to independent personalities who could be a bit absent-minded but were serious about their work.
He also favored natural makeup. Jialan mentally noted the mismatch with Chen Kexin, appearing slightly relieved. In 2021, Chen Kexin's attempts to woo He Zhengyu were relentless. After a formal interview He Zhengyu gave regarding the Lanyou Technology case, Chen Kexin "coincidentally" appeared at a cafe he was at, ordering champagne and attempting to join him. He Zhengyu coldly rejected her, stating he had no feelings for her and demanding she not appear before him again.
Afterward, Chen Kexin complained to Jialan about his lack of romanticism, to which Jialan added that he was cold, sharp-tongued, and arrogant, before encouraging her not to give up, reminding her of their deal. Under Jialan's influence, Chen Kexin engineered numerous "accidental" encounters with the 2021 He Zhengyu. Her persistence escalated when she appeared at his law firm and loudly declared her feelings for him.
Furious, He Zhengyu confronted her, threatening to sue her for harassment and demanding to know who leaked his schedule. When Chen Kexin inadvertently implicated Jialan by defending her "good intentions," He Zhengyu's anger shifted. He later approached Jialan at the firm, but before he could confront her, Chen Kexin arrived and complained that Jialan still hadn't arranged the promised dinner with He Zhengyu. Caught, Jialan pledged to arrange it for the following night.
Meanwhile, the 2022 He Zhengyu had been investigating Chen Kexin's past, discovering social media posts of luxury items beyond her means and overlapping timelines in her past relationships, leading him to suspect her of relationship fraud. However, he lacked concrete evidence and a willing plaintiff. With no better immediate option, he agreed to Jialan's new plan: he, the 2022 He Zhengyu, would impersonate his 2021 self for a "date" with Chen Kexin at Jialan's home.
That evening, Chen Kexin arrived blindfolded at Jialan's apartment for the "surprise." He Zhengyu, having prepared a candlelight dinner, played the part of his past self, apologizing for his previous coldness and inviting her to "re-meet." He Zhengyu performed his role with surprising enthusiasm, causing Jialan to feel a pang of jealousy as she watched them. He even dismissed Jialan, telling her to leave them alone. Later, he informed Jialan that Chen Kexin had agreed to stop bothering Jiang Shenghao.
While relieved, Jialan was unsettled, wondering what "sacrifice" He Zhengyu had made. The next day, Chen Kexin visited Jialan at work with a gift, thanking her profusely for the introduction and affectionately referring to He Zhengyu by his first name. Troubled by this, Jialan began drinking heavily. During the time-space overlaps, she was plagued by visions of Chen Kexin and He Zhengyu flirting. As she drank herself into a stupor, the annoying 2021 version of He Zhengyu briefly appeared.
At 10:06 PM, the 2022 He Zhengyu found a drunken Jialan amidst a mess. When he scolded her, she belligerently complained that she didn't want to see him and Chen Kexin in a relationship during their fusions.
Episode 9 Recap
Jialan wakes up to find He Zhengyu and immediately complains, establishing a new rule: he is not allowed to date other women, specifically Chen Kexin, during time-space overlaps. Amused, He Zhengyu dismisses her concerns as nonsensical, explaining that he has already dealt with the situation. He reveals that when Chen Kexin visited his office with a gift, he confronted her with evidence of suspicious financial transfers.
He implied these transactions constituted romance fraud, warning her that her reputation would be ruined if it was exposed that she was dating multiple men at once, making it difficult for her to find a wealthy husband in the future. Hearing that he didn't have to "sacrifice himself," Jialan is relieved, and He Zhengyu clarifies that Chen Kexin is not his type.
Pleased that Chen Kexin has agreed to stay away from Jiang Shenghao, Jialan retrieves the macarons Chen Kexin had given her. Finding two boxes, He Zhengyu says they were a supermarket promotion. Jialan playfully suggests he eat the 2021 box and she eat the 2022 one to avoid gaining weight. However, He Zhengyu cautions her not to celebrate yet, theorizing that the problem might be Jiang Shenghao's infidelity itself, not the specific person he is unfaithful with.
He advises Jialan to focus on helping her friend rather than getting involved in Chen Kexin's affairs. Jialan agrees with his reasoning, a rare occurrence that surprises He Zhengyu. She resolves to teach Jiang Shenghao how to manage his marriage to prevent a future divorce. The next morning, Jialan arrives at Jiang Shenghao's home with a stack of books on maintaining a happy marriage, urging the couple to read them.
As she leaves, she receives a message from the 2021 He Zhengyu, demanding to know how she obtained his personal information. Annoyed by his persistence, Jialan deletes his contact information. Just then, Jiang Shenghao offers her a ride. Upon learning he is headed to a charity banquet, Jialan recalls the prevalence of women seeking wealthy partners at such events and decides to accompany him to prevent any trouble, jokingly claiming she is going to "find a rich boyfriend" herself.
At the banquet, she acts as Jiang Shenghao's overzealous bodyguard, fending off any women who approach and irritating him in the process. Her behavior culminates in other attendees calling her "auntie" and telling her she doesn't belong there. Despite her efforts, Jialan is horrified to discover an online scandal implicating her as Jiang Shenghao's mistress. During a time-space overlap, she furiously tells He Zhengyu about the false accusations.
He calmly adjusts her collar and suggests the problem lies with Jiang Shenghao's inherent habits, not a single event. Uncharacteristically, He Zhengyu apologizes for not considering her feelings, which surprises her. Jialan confesses that she has struggled to control her emotions since learning of Jirong's fate. He Zhengyu reassures her this is a normal reaction and recommends a "stress reduction center," offering a discount if she uses his name.
That night, Jialan has a vivid dream in which she asks He Zhengyu why he hugged her, and he replies, "Because I love you." She wakes up confused as to why she is dreaming of him. Seeking advice, Jialan tells her colleague, Piaopiao, about dreaming of a man she claims to hate. Piaopiao correctly deduces she is in love, explaining that her dislike is a way to mask her true feelings.
After reflecting on a montage of her past interactions with He Zhengyu, Jialan realizes Piaopiao is right and admits to herself that she has "a little" feeling for him. To quash the online rumors, Jiang Shenghao and Jirong have a meal with Jialan and post a group photo online. As Jialan reaffirms her commitment to saving Jirong, the 2021 He Zhengyu unexpectedly arrives.
Jialan makes an excuse to leave, but he follows her, demanding to know how she acquired his personal details. As she deflects, He Zhengyu takes a phone call. Jialan overhears him telling someone to go to the stress reduction center on Huaibei Road and to mention his name for a discount, making her realize his earlier kindness was just a business tactic. That night, Jialan gives the 2022 He Zhengyu the cold shoulder, leaving him baffled.
His assistant, Zhou Dajun, suggests that He Zhengyu's frustration proves he cares for her. Their conversation is interrupted by a call from Wu Anwen, who reports that Jiang Shenghao is heading to the airport. They pursue and intercept Jiang Shenghao, where Wu Anwen accuses him of killing Jirong to cover up his affair and attempting to flee. Jiang Shenghao vehemently denies this, insisting he was visiting his sick grandmother after reconciling with Jirong.
He then confronts Wu Anwen, questioning how Chen Kexin found his apartment and who orchestrated the online smear campaign against him, strongly implying Wu Anwen's involvement. He Zhengyu intervenes and tells Jiang Shenghao to leave. Meanwhile, Jialan discovers Wu Anwen's contact information in Chen Kexin's phone, revealing their connection. As she leaves her apartment to tell He Zhengyu, she is confronted by the 2021 He Zhengyu and Zhou Dajun, who have come to demand answers about his leaked information.
Jialan flees, and they give chase. Elsewhere, the 2022 He Zhengyu finds himself in an unfamiliar location. He is startled to see his old car, which he had sold long ago. His confusion turns to shock when he sees a shop sign advertising a grand opening on "October 12, 2021," making him realize he has traveled back in time.
Episode 10 Recap
In 2021, Chen Jialan, seeking to evade He Zhengyu, hid in her friend Manman's coffee shop, but he still managed to find her. He Zhengyu angrily accused Jialan of sharing his WeChat contact with Chen Kexin, which led to his harassment. He then confronted Jialan about her relationship with Sun Defeng, his partner at Fengyu Law Firm, and demanded to know how she had obtained his personal information.
Jialan denied knowing Sun Defeng and insisted He Zhengyu had inadvertently revealed the information himself. As their argument escalated, Manman intervened, telling He Zhengyu the shop was closing and asking him to leave. In 2022, He Zhengyu observed Chen Jialan conducting a street interview with a young girl. He was captivated by Jialan's gentle and professional demeanor. After the interview, He Zhengyu approached Jialan, who mistook him for his past self.
She told him she had coincidentally witnessed Chen Kexin and Wu Anwen meeting, though she did not know what they discussed. This led He Zhengyu to determine that Wu Anwen required further investigation. Later that night, at 10:06 PM, the He Zhengyu from 2022 appeared in Chen Jialan's apartment in 2021. He led her to the back balcony, revealing that the balcony was a portal to 2021, just as the front door led to 2022.
Jialan was thrilled, realizing they could use this to investigate the past and save Jirong. He Zhengyu’s primary concern was seeing Jirong, who was still alive in 2021, and they immediately left to visit her. Upon seeing Jirong, an emotional He Zhengyu embraced her, urging her to take good care of herself. To explain his intense reaction, Jialan impulsively announced to Jirong and her partner that she and He Zhengyu were officially a couple.
As the time overlap was ending, Jialan pulled He Zhengyu away. On their way back, she apologized for the fabricated announcement, which He Zhengyu agreed was the best way to handle the awkward situation. Back in 2022, the now-roommates discussed the Lanyou Technology case. He Zhengyu’s firm had obtained new evidence: chat records between a man named Fan Ke and his former colleague, Wang. Jialan, who had also interviewed Fan Ke, suspected Wang's chat records were a deliberately set trap.
He Zhengyu confirmed her suspicions, revealing the case was a "butterfly effect" from a different prior case. He then asked Jialan to go back in time to warn his 2021 self about their partner, Sun Defeng, whom he now knew to be untrustworthy. Doubting his stubborn past self would believe her, He Zhengyu suggested she invite the 2021 He Zhengyu to their apartment to meet his future self as definitive proof.
Following the plan, Jialan approached the 2021 He Zhengyu, warning him about the evidence from Wang and the threat from Sun Defeng. She invited him to her apartment, promising an explanation. He arrived, skeptical and recording the encounter for his own evidence. However, at 10:06 PM, the time-space overlap failed to occur. Furious, the 2021 He Zhengyu accused Jialan of manipulating him for exclusive news on the Lanyou case.
Before leaving, he conceded that her warning about Wang's evidence seemed valid, though he remained suspicious of her motives. Later, the 2022 He Zhengyu and Jialan discussed the failed overlap. He Zhengyu deduced that two versions of himself could not exist in the same time-space, as it would violate the conservation of mass. The realization that the overlaps might cease left Jialan distraught, fearing her growing feelings for him would be for nothing.
He Zhengyu internally realized he was more worried about not seeing Jialan again than about saving Jirong. Jialan confessed that if she had known time travel was so unreliable, she would have told him her feelings directly. Sometime later, the 2022 He Zhengyu went to Jialan's company looking for her, where a colleague referred to her as "Mr. Mu's girlfriend." He Zhengyu was shocked when he confronted Mu Shiming, who confirmed that Jialan was waiting for him, implying a relationship.
That night, Jialan rushed home and went to the back balcony, where He Zhengyu was waiting. Distressed from her day, she directly asked him about his true feelings for her. He Zhengyu responded by kissing her, but she pushed him away and demanded a verbal answer. He told her about his visit to her company, revealing that in the 2022 he had seen, she was Mu Shiming's girlfriend.
Jialan vehemently denied this, reiterating that she only saw Mu Shiming as a senior and an idol. He Zhengyu logically pointed out that Mu Shiming had the "perfect timing and place" to win her over. Jialan, while admitting his analysis was plausible, concluded that due to the butterfly effect, the future he witnessed was not set in stone.
Episode 11 Recap
The police make progress in their investigation into the woman's fall from a building, identifying both an online loan company and an underground debt collection agency. Mu Shiming assigns Jialan to follow up on the case, handing her a list of debtors. Jialan is shocked to find Wu Anwen's name on it. Later, Jialan secretly follows Wu Anwen and is surprised to run into the 2021 He Zhengyu.
When the 2022 He Zhengyu's memory is updated with this information, he becomes concerned for Jialan's safety and time-travels to 2021. Meanwhile, the 2021 Jialan and He Zhengyu follow Wu Anwen under a bridge, where they witness him being cornered by debt collectors. He Zhengyu points out that the collectors are simply trying to extort Wu Anwen by threatening to expose the debt and damage his sister Jirong's career.
Moments later, the He Zhengyu from 2022 appears and rushes toward Jialan, only to vanish after a few steps. Back in 2022, He Zhengyu receives a call from Wu Anwen, who has been summoned for questioning by the police. Jialan then has a realization: the 2021 and 2022 versions of He Zhengyu cannot exist in the same space at the same time, or the temporal fusion will collapse. In 2021, He Zhengyu confronts Wu Anwen about his debt.
Wu Anwen is evasive but eventually admits he owes over two million yuan. He Zhengyu instructs him to come to his office the next day, where he gives him a bank card with 2. 6 million yuan—all the cash he could gather—in exchange for an IOU. Shortly after leaving, Wu Anwen receives a call from Sun Defeng, a rival lawyer who witnessed the transaction. Wu Anwen dismissively tells him that his business with his brother is a private matter.
In 2022, Wu Anwen admits to the police that he quarreled with Jirong over his gambling debts, which actually totaled over eight million yuan, but he denies any involvement in her death. That evening, Jialan and He Zhengyu exchange the information they've gathered. Jialan presses He Zhengyu about the hug he gave her, but he deflects by offering to take her to dinner. Dissatisfied, Jialan leaves.
Later, He Zhengyu tries to explain himself, claiming he is "obsessed" with her because she is "handsome, rich and successful," but Jialan dismisses his reasoning as "unreasonable" and leaves again. Zhou Dajun, while staking out Wu Anwen's home, finds a matchbox from an exclusive spa in the trash. He Zhengyu recognizes it from Chen Kexin's social media, where she posts about visiting every Saturday. The two rush to the spa but are denied entry as it is for women only.
Realizing they need help, He Zhengyu leaves a message at home for Jialan, asking her to dress up and meet him there. Jialan arrives elegantly dressed, and He Zhengyu is momentarily captivated. Jialan expects a compliment, but is disappointed when he quickly explains he needs her to go inside the spa to investigate Chen Kexin. Despite her disappointment, she agrees to help. Inside, Jialan finds Chen Kexin's room and hides in a cabinet.
She is nearly discovered when Chen Kexin complains about the smell of "cheap perfume." At that critical moment, Jialan is pulled back to 2021. She immediately sends a message confirming Chen Kexin's presence, updating the 2022 He Zhengyu's memory. With this confirmation, He Zhengyu and Dajun devise a plan: Dajun calls the spa pretending to have scratched Chen Kexin's car, luring her outside.
Once Chen Kexin emerges, He Zhengyu confronts her, warning her that Wu Anwen is a suspect in Jirong's death and he is now Wu Anwen's lawyer. Armed with information from Chen Kexin, He Zhengyu confronts Wu Anwen. He lays out a narrative: Wu Anwen, deep in gambling debt, conspired with Chen Kexin to sabotage Jirong's marriage, hoping to force her back into the entertainment industry to be his "money tree."
He suggests that when Jirong discovered the plot, she fell into a depression, and that a text message from Wu Anwen stopped her from confessing everything to her husband right before she died. Wu Anwen furiously denies the accusations, but He Zhengyu reveals that Chen Kexin has agreed to testify and urges him to surrender. Later, Chen Kexin complains to Dajun about her situation.
She confesses she conspired with Wu Anwen to frame Jiang Shenghao for an affair in exchange for half of the large sum of money Wu Anwen expected to get after Jirong's divorce. She laments that the plan failed, Jirong died, and now she faces years in prison for fraud, blackmail, and defamation, having only received a small deposit.
Episode 12 Recap
To keep Zhou Dajun occupied, Chen Kexin feigned menstrual pain and made several requests, including asking him to purchase sanitary napkins and prepare a drink with brown sugar and peeled ginger. While Zhou Dajun was busy in the kitchen, Chen Kexin slipped out of the apartment, leaving the door ajar. Meanwhile, a worried He Zhengyu tried to visit Chen Kexin but was stopped by hotel staff, who claimed she had already checked out.
Finding the apartment door unlocked, he entered and confronted Zhou Dajun for losing her. He dismissed Zhou Dajun's excuses and urged him to help in the search. Chen Kexin met with Wu Anwen, urgently demanding the money he had promised, explaining that He Zhengyu had found her and she needed to leave immediately.
Wu Anwen revealed that Jirong had left hundreds of thousands of yuan in a home safe, which piqued Chen Kexin's interest, and she pressed him to retrieve it. During their drive, an uneasy Chen Kexin discreetly shared her live location with Zhou Dajun. He Zhengyu noticed her location had been static for forty minutes at an abandoned car factory and realized something was wrong. They rushed to the site, only to find police already there.
The officers confirmed a kidnapping had occurred and asked He Zhengyu and Zhou Dajun, who identified themselves as Chen Kexin's friends, to cooperate with the investigation. Wu Anwen was taken into custody, and He Zhengyu was told he would have to wait until morning for updates. That evening, Jialan followed He Zhengyu’s message to visit the 2022 convenience store for a surprise.
A staff member handed her a box, explaining a gentleman had left it for her and paid for her to receive a lollipop on every visit. Initially hoping for a confession, Jialan was slightly let down to find only a lollipop inside but still cherished the thoughtful gesture. She waited for He Zhengyu, but he never appeared before the time-space overlap ended. Unbeknownst to the disappointed Jialan, He Zhengyu arrived at the store just as she vanished.
He Zhengyu later explained to Jialan that he was held up at the police station while Wu Anwen was being processed, causing him to miss their meeting. Believing there was no time to waste, He Zhengyu formally confessed his feelings, telling her his actions were driven by genuine affection. Relieved, Jialan accepted. He admitted he was still learning but felt their limited time together made every moment precious.
They acknowledged each other as boyfriend and girlfriend just as the time-space overlap separated them. During his interrogation, Wu Anwen initially claimed he only meant to scare Chen Kexin, denying any intent to harm her and trying to discredit her as a "swindler." However, he eventually confessed his true motives. With Jirong's impending marriage and retirement cutting off his sole income as her agent, he felt desperate.
He admitted to orchestrating a scheme with Chen Kexin to frame Jiang Shenghao for infidelity, aiming to exploit their pre-nuptial agreement. This, he hoped, would free Jirong from a marriage he opposed and simultaneously solve his own gambling debts, which totaled over eight million yuan. On the night of January 6, 2022, Jirong discovered chat logs on a computer, exposing her brother's conspiracy. During their confrontation, she assured Wu Anwen she didn't blame him, recalling his past sacrifices for her.
Despite this, he aggressively pressured her to leave the "philandering" Jiang Shenghao. In the ensuing struggle, Wu Anwen accidentally pushed her down the stairs. Seeing she wasn't breathing, he panicked and fled. He later received a call from Jiang Shenghao, who had found Jirong's body in the swimming pool. Wu Anwen was consumed by regret, realizing that if he had called for help, his sister might have survived.
While the 2022 Wu Anwen was apprehended, Jialan remained wary of his 2021 counterpart. She visited Jiang Shenghao at his company, cautioning him against entrusting Wu Anwen with any significant projects or finances, citing her suspicion about his sudden, drastic transformation into an ordinary employee. Jiang Shenghao assured her he was being careful, noting that Wu Anwen had already declined small real estate projects, preferring to start with simpler tasks.
Unbeknownst to them, Jirong overheard their conversation and felt a sense of unease. Later, she urged Wu Anwen to be more discreet and diligent at work for her sake, and he, maintaining his facade, promised not to disappoint her. He Zhengyu traveled to 2021 to confront Wu Anwen about his remaining six-million-yuan gambling debt.
He warned him the truth was bound to come out and urged him to confess to Jirong, who he believed was the only one who could truly help. Granting him one day to do so, He Zhengyu cautioned that further delay would lead to worse consequences. Afterward, He Zhengyu found Jialan as she finished a live news report on a stabbing incident. As soon as they met, they shared a long embrace.
He praised her composed broadcast, and they began to walk, savoring the feeling of being together as a couple. When it started raining heavily, He Zhengyu insisted on buying an umbrella from a nearby store so she could get home safely after the time-space overlap. As Jialan waited anxiously, she grew worried by his long absence, fearing he had disappeared. To her immense relief, He Zhengyu reappeared, and they rushed into each other’s arms, embracing tightly in the downpour.
Episode 13 Recap
Fearing the time-space overlap had ended prematurely, He Zhengyu frantically searched for Jialan. When he found her, he rushed to embrace her in the pouring rain. Jialan reassured him that she had clarified things with Mu Shiming, who would only ever be her teacher, and that her heart belonged to He Zhengyu. She envisioned a future where she would ring his doorbell in 2022 and bring him breakfast.
The next morning, however, He Zhengyu was woken not by Jialan but by his landlord demanding the overdue rent. Meanwhile, in 2021, Jialan encountered Mu Shiming, who returned her forgotten umbrella. Despite noting He Zhengyu’s bad temper, Mu Shiming praised his integrity and offered his blessing for their relationship before Jialan hurried off to the Lanyou case hearing. During the Lanyou case trial, both parties agreed to a reconciliation.
Afterwards, He Zhengyu advised the Lanyou representative against using deceptive tactics, only for the representative to clarify that his employee, Wang, had approached him with the incriminating chat history. He Zhengyu later explained to his paralegal that he had brokered the deal by convincing the well-funded but technologically lagging Lanyou to invest in the more advanced but underfunded Fan Ke. His paralegal remarked that He Zhengyu had evolved from a ruthless legal machine into a more humane lawyer.
He Zhengyu dismissed the label, stating his only goal was to uphold justice. Internally, he recalled Sun Defeng's earlier warnings and realized his boss had intended to manipulate him. Later in 2021, He Zhengyu received a bewildering call from Mu Shiming, who congratulated him on his relationship with Jialan, insisting he had seen them together. Though He Zhengyu denied it, Mu Shiming warned him not to mistreat his disciple.
Shortly after, Wu Anwen arrived, confessing he still had a six-million-yuan debt. He explained that he had used the two million He Zhengyu lent him to buy stocks, which had nearly doubled, but he still had a massive shortfall. With his sister Jirong having retired and him being jobless, Wu Anwen pleaded for a month and a half to resolve the debt, promising to confess everything to Jirong if he failed.
He Zhengyu, who privately knew of Wu Anwen's gambling records, reluctantly agreed. As he left, Wu Anwen cryptically told He Zhengyu to prepare to meet his future self. In 2022, a memory update prompted He Zhengyu to visit Wu Anwen in prison. He questioned why, if the two million had been invested in stocks, the debt wasn't cleared after four months.
Wu Anwen confessed that in early December 2021, he met old gambling friends who lured him to an illicit casino in a suburban villa, where he lost everything, including the money from selling his stocks. That night, He Zhengyu shared this with Jialan, proposing a plan: in 2021, they would monitor Wu Anwen, report the illegal casino to the police, and get him arrested for gambling. This would prevent him from interfering in Jirong's life and avert her eventual death.
Jialan agreed, and they decided to go out for noodles. As they were about to leave, He Zhengyu’s headache signaled that his past self was at the 2021 apartment door. Knowing his own persistence, he deduced his past self would check the back balcony. Jialan went to stall him, claiming the fresh air was nice. The 2021 He Zhengyu directly asked if his future self was inside.
Jialan playfully challenged him to enter through the front door and see for himself. He searched the apartment but found no one. Jialan teased that he was looking for an excuse to stay because he liked her, which he denied before leaving. The next day, the 2021 He Zhengyu confronted Jialan at her workplace, producing a photo of her and his 2022 self that Jirong had sent him.
He declared that he now believed in the time-space overlap and demanded a full explanation. Jialan, exasperated, was saved by a timely call from her editor, Ms. Wen. Following this, Jialan explained the rules of the time-space overlap to the 2021 He Zhengyu. She revealed that their apartments merge for forty-six minutes nightly and warned that the two versions of him could not meet without causing the continuum to collapse.
Per the 2022 He Zhengyu's instructions, she assured him their relationship was "fine." The 2021 He Zhengyu scoffed at the idea of being attracted to her and wondered aloud why his future self would live in such a remote "slum" before leaving. That evening, Jialan discussed the situation with the 2022 He Zhengyu. He confirmed she should tell his past self about the overlap and their relationship but conceal Wu Anwen's entire predicament.
He feared his impulsive past self would confront Wu Anwen and derail their plan to have him arrested in December. He reassured her that they, in the present, would be the ones to save Jirong. Jialan then grew wistful, wondering about her own 2022 self and fearing they might never meet if the overlap ended. To ease her worries, He Zhengyu went to her company, iNEWS. He was shocked to learn from a receptionist that no Chen Jialan worked there.
Ms. Wen then appeared and delivered devastating news: on January 7th, Jialan was the victim of a hit-and-run accident and had been in a coma ever since. Horrified, He Zhengyu rushed back. Seeing his distress, Jialan anxiously asked what he had learned about her future self. Overcome with the fear of losing her, He Zhengyu embraced her tightly, but his fear became reality as she immediately faded away in his arms.
Learning that Mu Shiming had been caring for Jialan, He Zhengyu rushed to the hospital. He found her lying unconscious, and a guilt-ridden Mu Shiming confessed he felt responsible for sending her on the late-night assignment to a remote area. He questioned He Zhengyu's month-long absence while his girlfriend was in a coma. After leaving the hospital, He Zhengyu visited the site of Jialan's accident. He recalled the date—January 7th, the same night as Jirong's divorce trial. A memory flooded back, and he realized with horror that he had witnessed the crash that night and had even picked up a paper crane she dropped at the scene.
Episode 14 Recap
He Zhengyu confronted Wu Anwen, revealing he had visited Jialan in the hospital and found her still in a coma. Wu Anwen confessed, admitting he was the one who hit Chen Jialan. He explained that on the night of Jirong's divorce case, he and Jirong were driving home when a heated argument erupted.
Jirong accused him of conspiring with Chen Kexin to frame Jiang Shenghao for infidelity, a scheme designed to force a divorce so Wu Anwen could seize a portion of the Jiang family's assets to cover his gambling debts. Wu Anwen admitted in a monologue that the photos were indeed his setup. Amidst their furious exchange, their car struck something. Wu Anwen dismissed it as an illusion, claiming it was too dark and unsafe to investigate.
Despite Jirong's insistence on checking, he drove away from the scene, hoping for a lucky escape. The next day, Wu Anwen saw an investigation notice and realized he had hit a person. Jirong, distraught, urged him to turn himself in immediately. However, Wu Anwen refused, arguing that since no traffic cameras captured their vehicle, his confession would needlessly implicate Jirong, a public figure, and ruin her career.
He promised to concoct an alibi for her and then surrender in a few days, appealing to their sibling bond and expressing false remorse for having wronged her. Jirong, desperate, briefly considered calling the police but ultimately chose to trust her brother’s vow. As the promised days passed, Wu Anwen still hadn't surrendered. A heartbroken Jirong confronted him, revealing the victim was Chen Jialan, a fact Jiang Shenghao had told her, with the accident's time and place matching perfectly.
Wu Anwen denied it, speculating it was a coincidence or a setup. Jirong tearfully described Jialan’s critical condition, comatose for days with an uncertain future, and insisted he face the consequences, offering to help repay his debts. Wu Anwen continued to make excuses, claiming his creditors would harass her if he went to jail. Overwhelmed by his cowardice, Jirong declared she would go to the police herself.
In a desperate attempt to stop her, Wu Anwen grabbed her, and in the ensuing struggle, he accidentally pushed her from the high-rise building. Overcome with guilt, he later lamented to Zhengyu that he had caused his only sister's death and deserved to die. Meanwhile, He Zhengyu planned to prevent Jialan's car accident by ensuring she did not pass through the specific intersection on the night of January 7, 2022.
He decided against revealing the truth to Jialan, fearing it would cause her immense fear. When Jialan arrived, He Zhengyu fabricated a story to explain her future, claiming that in four months, she would voluntarily become a foreign correspondent in Africa, a destiny fitting her ambition to emulate the renowned journalist Oriana Fallaci. Jialan, finding this consistent with her aspirations, accepted it, noting it also explained why her access card had been demagnetized, signifying a change in her status.
Later, they discussed a paper crane. Jialan confirmed she had always kept hers in the same spot. He Zhengyu explained that in January 2022, he found a paper crane she had lost and, after moving into the apartment, unknowingly placed it in the exact same location. Jialan, intrigued, asked if the crane was the secret behind their overlapping timelines. He Zhengyu couldn't confirm it was the secret to the phenomenon itself, but he was certain the crane had connected them.
Delighted, Jialan suggested they celebrate by going kart racing to win a stuffed toy, a prize she had previously failed to win. At the kart racing track, He Zhengyu encouraged Jialan, prioritizing her happiness. Jialan emerged as a co-champion, but there was only one stuffed toy prize. When a couple approached, explaining it was the girlfriend's birthday, Jialan graciously gave them the toy, accepting two discount coupons instead.
He Zhengyu then excused himself and, realizing time was short to use a claw machine, quickly bought a small stuffed toy from the owner. He returned and presented it to Jialan, reiterating his commitment to fulfilling his promises. Touched, Jialan leaned in to kiss him, but at that moment, He Zhengyu vanished. In 2021, Jialan, still suspicious about the Africa story, asked her editor, Ms. Wen, about new foreign correspondent positions.
Ms. Wen stated that the company's overseas operations were shrinking and there would be no new assignments, especially to Africa, for at least two years. This contradiction deepened Jialan's suspicion. She then asked a colleague, Nana, why an employee card would be demagnetized, learning it typically happens when someone is no longer an employee. This intensified her concern about her future and why He Zhengyu was hiding the truth.
In 2022, He Zhengyu was reading to the comatose Jialan when Jiang Shenghao arrived. He criticized Zhengyu’s choice of book, claiming Jialan preferred children's stories and asserting his own deeper understanding of her. The argument escalated as Jiang Shenghao furiously confronted Zhengyu for acting as Wu Anwen's defense lawyer. Zhengyu defended his professional responsibility, stating that even suspects have rights and his role was to ensure legal fairness.
Consumed by grief, Jiang Shenghao dismissed the argument and ordered him out of the room. That evening, during the time overlap, Jialan pressed He Zhengyu about the Africa assignment. He vaguely attributed the discrepancy to the "butterfly effect." Suspecting he was hiding something, Jialan declared her intention to go to her workplace in 2022 to find the truth herself. As she ate, He Zhengyu stepped away to secretly call his 2021 self.
He urgently relayed the grim details: Jirong's death, Wu Anwen's arrest, and his own disbarment. He explained that Wu Anwen had gambled away all his money again in early December and implored his past self to report the gambling ring to the police at that time, believing it could prevent the entire tragedy. As he finished his plea, he turned to find Jialan had vanished.
Meanwhile, Jialan had gone downstairs, where a neighbor mistook her for the "Miss Chen who used to live upstairs," casually mentioning the young woman had been in a car accident a few days ago. Learning the truth about her future, a devastated Jialan wandered the streets alone. Seeing a police officer triggered a painful memory of her father, also a police officer, who died in the line of duty in 2013.
In a flashback, her gravely injured father urged her to be brave and live a happy life so he would have no regrets. Back in the present, clutching a photo of her and her father, Jialan vowed to live well and be happy. She realized the time-space overlap must have started on January 13, 2022, after her accident, which explained He Zhengyu's presence. She reaffirmed her commitment to bravely live every day to the fullest.
Episode 15 Recap
He Zhengyu anxiously waited at home for Jialan to appear during their time-space overlap. She arrived beautifully dressed, explaining her desire to be remembered in various styles since their time together was limited to these overlaps, with the rest sustained by memory. He Zhengyu, sensing her unusual demeanor, pressed her about her whereabouts the previous night. Jialan diverted the conversation, excitedly trying on new clothes she had bought.
She confessed that since her father's passing, she had lived frugally, and her career as a journalist rarely allowed for such indulgence. Now, she wanted to seize the present, doing what she wanted with the person she cherished most. Though uneasy, He Zhengyu joined in, taking numerous photos of her. Jialan then shared a childhood wish to go ice skating, a dream her father discouraged out of concern for her safety.
Determined to fulfill her "must-do list," He Zhengyu took her to the skating rink. As they glided across the ice, Jialan felt an exhilarating sense of freedom. He Zhengyu noted her natural talent, which she attributed to past experience with roller skating. While they cherished their joyful moments, the reality of their situation was stark: once the overlap ended, the 2021 Jialan was left gazing at an empty rink, a reminder of their fleeting connection.
Back in 2021, He Zhengyu confronted Wu Anwen about the investment account he had funded. Wu Anwen admitted to having gambled away all the stock money in early December. To prevent further recklessness, He Zhengyu proposed a joint management agreement for the account. After some hesitation, Wu Anwen agreed to the terms, which included shared password control, ensuring the account could only be accessed when both were present.
Later, Wu Anwen was heard on the phone adamantly declining an invitation to a poker game, stating he had quit gambling for good. Concurrently, Jialan presented a well-researched pitch at the news department about the declining credibility of news in the age of self-media. Recognizing the project's complexity, she humbly requested her editor assign it as a collaborative team effort, believing this would maximize its potential to become impactful news. Her editor commended her for her selflessness and foresight.
Later, Jialan excitedly had He Zhengyu buy a lottery ticket with numbers she claimed to have seen on his computer from the future. She vividly described her plans for the 10-million-yuan prize: renovating her grandmother's B&B, settling Wu Anwen's debts, sponsoring a child's education, and buying gifts for all their friends, including a house for him.
She then playfully asserted that meeting him was the greatest prize she had ever won, and urged that they live and love to the fullest, as time was more precious than money. He Zhengyu, realizing her cheerful facade was a front, gently confronted her. Jialan confessed she knew her time was short. He Zhengyu then revealed the full truth: she was not dying, but in a coma following a car accident on January 7, 2022.
He explained that Wu Anwen had accidentally hit her during a heated argument with Wu Jirong on their way home from the divorce court hearing. He suggested these intertwined events were a destined opportunity for them to alter their fate. As fireworks lit up the sky, Jialan recalled watching them with her father. He Zhengyu lovingly recreated the memory by carrying her on his back, promising they would change their destiny and watch fireworks together every year.
The next day, Jialan discovered that none of the lottery numbers matched, causing her to panic that fate was unchangeable. He Zhengyu tried to comfort her, suggesting the overlap couldn't be used for financial gain, comparing it to Doraemon's gadgets being for life enrichment, not profit. Jialan, however, was convinced this proved that past events were immutable, which explained their previous failures to help Jirong.
He Zhengyu disagreed, reminding her of the positive changes they had already made and urging her not to give up. Soon after, Jiang Shenghao called Jialan to witness him signing a "loyalty agreement," promising all his assets to Jirong if he were ever unfaithful. Jialan was stunned, fearing this was another sign that fate was reverting to its original course. Jiang Shenghao explained he was signing it voluntarily as a testament of his love, citing Wu Anwen's recent positive changes.
Despite Jialan's warnings, he signed the agreement, insisting she also sign as a witness. During their next overlap, a distraught Jialan presented the loyalty agreement and the failed lottery ticket as definitive proof that their efforts were futile. Drawing on the pain of losing her father, she explained that she couldn't bear for He Zhengyu to waste his life waiting for someone in a coma, and she broke up with him.
He Zhengyu vehemently refused to accept it, arguing she couldn't make such a unilateral decision and that they had to face their challenges together. Later, after a difficult day at his struggling law firm, He Zhengyu went to Jirong's house, where Jialan was staying. He confronted her again, reiterating that he would never break up with her. Jialan dismissed his persistence as childish, urging him to accept reality and live his own life in 2022.
He countered that he couldn't live without her and challenged her certainty about their unchangeable fate. Jialan pressed him for a guarantee that their actions would work, which he admitted he couldn't provide, but reaffirmed his unwavering commitment. Pushing him away, Jialan told him to respect her decision but promised that if fate truly did change, she would be the first one to find him.
Episode 16 Recap
In 2021, Jialan prepares to leave Jirong’s home, expressing gratitude for her stay. When Jirong questions her about He Zhengyu, Jialan insists they had a peaceful breakup and will not reconcile. Meanwhile, He Zhengyu and his colleague discuss their rival, Sun Defeng, who tried to frame him. He Zhengyu remains calm, stating that since they know Sun Defeng’s tactics, they should adopt a wait-and-see approach to avoid unintended consequences.
Later, Wu Anwen invites He Zhengyu to lunch, where he brings up the marriage agreement He Zhengyu drafted for Jiang Shenghao. Wu Anwen probes for details about the infidelity clause, which stipulates that a cheating spouse must leave with nothing. He Zhengyu confirms the clause applies to both parties and that evidence can be legally obtained, but advises Wu Anwen to offer blessings to the newlyweds. Wu Anwen’s pointed questions make He Zhengyu suspicious, and he decides to follow him.
At her workplace, Jialan is praised by her superior, Liu. Afterward, she spots Chen Kexin and, suspecting she is still colluding with Wu Anwen, decides to follow her. Her suspicions are confirmed when Wu Anwen and Chen Kexin meet. He Zhengyu, who was also tailing Wu Anwen, has his cover blown and confronts the pair. Chen Kexin quickly claims she and Wu Anwen are in a relationship, putting He Zhengyu on the defensive.
Just as Wu Anwen questions He Zhengyu for following him, Jialan appears, improvising that He Zhengyu was waiting for her on a date. To make their act more convincing, Jialan suggests to Wu Anwen and Chen Kexin that the four of them should go to the hot springs together sometime. After Wu Anwen and Chen Kexin depart, Jialan explains she followed Chen Kexin because she anticipated Wu Anwen would scheme against Jiang Shenghao.
She reveals she took a photo of the pair together to send to Jirong, thereby neutralizing any future accusations from Wu Anwen. The conversation then turns to her breakup with the 2022 He Zhengyu. She tells the 2021 He Zhengyu that she ended things because she learned of her grim fate and felt she had no future to offer. He argues that people in love should face adversity together.
When Jialan asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend to keep up appearances for their friends, he refuses, telling her to ask his 2022 counterpart to play the part. Following a time-fusion event, the 2022 He Zhengyu's memory updates. He messages his 2021 self to locate Jialan. The 2021 He Zhengyu then deliberately stalls Jialan, allowing his future self to intercept her. The 2022 He Zhengyu pleads for another chance to change their fate, and a hesitant Jialan agrees.
He takes her to the hospital where her 2022 self is in a coma, explaining that her physical proximity causes fluctuations on the ECG monitor. They test this theory: as Jialan approaches the bed, the monitor spikes, but she retreats in fear of causing a time-space collapse, and the readings normalize. Though the attempt fails, He Zhengyu vows not to give up.
Later, a worried Jialan travels to 2022 to check on the hospitalized version of herself, finding He Zhengyu absent and his phone off. She calls Jirong for his address. Back in 2021, Jialan goes to He Zhengyu's apartment to ask about his future self's whereabouts, but the 2021 He Zhengyu is dismissive. In another 2021 scene, Wu Anwen and Chen Kexin have dinner with Jirong and Jiang Shenghao, who sincerely offer their blessings, solidifying the fake relationship.
Afterward, Chen Kexin demands payment from Wu Anwen, who claims he is broke. In 2022, He Zhengyu finally appears, surprising Jialan. He explains he was on a business trip, taking extra cases to pay for her medical expenses, believing it is his responsibility, not Mu Shiming's. Jialan chastises him for acting unilaterally. He Zhengyu retorts that since she unilaterally ended their relationship, he can unilaterally decide to pay her bills.
He then leads her into a new home he has prepared as a surprise. It is filled with paintings he created, depicting their shared future: her recovery, their dates, a wedding in Santorini, the birth of their child, and growing old together. Deeply moved, Jialan calls it a fairy tale. He Zhengyu challenges her to paint her own version of the future if she doesn't believe in his, leaving her to ponder if a future together is truly possible.
Episode 17 Recap
In 2022, amidst a severe storm, He Zhengyu arrived at a hospital, but Jialan was nowhere to be seen. A nurse approached him, handing over a blank sheet of paper and explaining that a lady had asked her to deliver it. He Zhengyu, puzzled, asked if the woman left a message, but the nurse confirmed there was none.
Back in 2021, Jiang Shenghao was about to leave his home to bring clothes to his wife, Jirong, who had just undergone surgery for acute appendicitis. He paused when he found Jialan looking distressed. Staying behind, he correctly speculated her sadness was about He Zhengyu. Jialan, initially denying it, eventually broke down, admitting her heartbreak. She confessed that despite not wanting He Zhengyu to leave, she felt compelled to push him away.
Jiang Shenghao, whom Jialan affectionately calls "Haozi" (Rat), comforted her, emphasizing that relationships are a matter of willingness, not obligation. He then reminded her that he had arranged for breakfast to be prepared for her before he left to see Jirong. The next morning, Jialan felt unwell, suffering from a fever after crying all night and getting caught in the rain.
A housemaid reminded her to eat the breakfast Jiang Shenghao had arranged, but Jialan was too sick and drifted back to sleep. At work, Mu Shiming grew concerned by Jialan's unusual absence and, unable to reach her, called He Zhengyu to ask about her. That evening, He Zhengyu arrived at Jialan's home, calling out to her. He let himself in, bringing medicine and porridge, and noted how haggard she looked.
He explained that he knew she was sick because Mu Shiming had called him from four months in the future, informing him of her absence. He then presented her with the blank paper she had left for him, reinterpreting it not as a sign of "no future," but as representing "infinite possibilities" for them. He playfully insisted she owed him countless hand-holds, hugs, and kisses.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by the arrival of a drunk Jiang Shenghao, escorted home by his brother-in-law, Wu Anwen. After Wu Anwen left, Jialan was disappointed to find He Zhengyu had vanished, only for him to reappear moments later. This He Zhengyu, the version from 2022, declared that they were inseparable and that he would visit her in 2021 every day, even if she didn't seek him out in 2022.
They shared a tender kiss, and he warned that if he stayed too long, he would be forcibly "bounced back" to his room in 2022. Meanwhile, Wu Anwen had seen the silhouette of a couple kissing on the curtain and, assuming it was Jiang Shenghao with another woman, went upstairs to investigate. He mistakenly entered Jialan's room and found her alone before checking on Jiang Shenghao, who was passed out in his own room.
Suspicious, Wu Anwen later met with a lawyer, Sun Defeng, proposing they "join hands against He Zhengyu." He accused He Zhengyu of conspiring with Jiang Shenghao to undermine Jirong and seize control of their law firm, describing him as greedy and manipulative. Sun Defeng, however, stated that He Zhengyu had a clean record and he had no leverage against him. Later, Jialan moved to a new house with Jiang Shenghao's help.
She gave him a polite, friendly hug to thank him, which was secretly photographed by paparazzi. The photographers planned to frame the picture as a scandalous affair. Afterward, He Zhengyu and Jialan spent a joyful evening together, playing a "synchronicity test" game to prove their bond, correctly guessing each other's admirable qualities like "smart" and "brave." The next day, Jialan bought flowers to visit Jirong in the hospital.
The paparazzi followed her, misinterpreting her stated purpose of visiting a "female friend" as "the mistress goes to see the wife." At the hospital, after Jirong expressed her happiness that Jialan and He Zhengyu had reconciled, Jialan was horrified to see a news headline on a phone: "A-lister's husband passionately kisses mistress while she is sick." Jialan quickly explained to Jirong that the man in the photo was He Zhengyu, not Jiang Shenghao, and that the story was fabricated.
Just then, Wu Anwen entered and furiously accused Jialan of setting Jiang Shenghao up and leaking the story. Jirong, trying to mediate, called He Zhengyu, who denied having been with Jialan the previous night. Believing He Zhengyu, Wu Anwen proposed they check the residential CCTV footage to prove He Zhengyu was never there. After the call, 2022 He Zhengyu realized the gravity of the situation upon seeing the news.
Concurrently, 2021 Jialan found 2021 He Zhengyu, desperately asking him to help clear Jiang Shenghao's name by admitting he was the man in the photo. He Zhengyu initially refused, arguing that public opinion would just see it as the wealthy Jiang family using him as a scapegoat. Jialan pleaded, explaining that she and his future self had already tried to alter fate—they prevented Jiang Shenghao's original affair, only for the scandal to shift onto her.
She warned that if they failed, Jirong would still divorce Jiang Shenghao and his future self would remain in a coma. Though He Zhengyu initially stated their relationship wasn't strong enough for such a burden, Jialan's desperate plea and the realization that Jirong's life was at stake moved him. After she left, he considered her words and decided to help, motivated by his desire to prevent Jirong's death.
Meanwhile, Jialan's editor, Ms. Wen, called to warn her away from the office, which was swarmed by media and Jirong's fans, vowing to sue the rumor-mongers. In the hospital room, Jiang Shenghao vehemently denied the affair, insisting the man in the photo was He Zhengyu. Wu Anwen countered, stating that He Zhengyu had already denied being there and falsely claimed that Jialan herself had confessed.
Episode 18 Recap
Photos of Chen Jialan and He Zhengyu were quickly circulated online. Jiang Shenghao called Chen Jialan, having been misled by Wu Anwen into believing she had admitted the man in the photo was Jiang Shenghao himself. Chen Jialan clarified it was indeed her and He Zhengyu, explaining that Wu Anwen was deliberately creating confusion to manipulate Wu Jirong. Troubled by Wu Jirong's distrust, Jiang Shenghao expressed his stress, and Chen Jialan promised to resolve the misunderstanding quickly.
Realizing they were being tracked by paparazzi, Chen Jialan insisted she and He Zhengyu leave together. She explained that during a time-space overlap, the He Zhengyu in 2022 would worry if she went missing, as his memories would update in real-time based on her experiences. Annoyed at being treated like a "moving hard disk," He Zhengyu nonetheless accepted their strange reality and took her to his home for safety.
He offered her new slippers and showed her around, instructing her not to enter his private bedroom. When the He Zhengyu from 2022 appeared, a distraught Chen Jialan burst into tears, overwhelmed by the entire ordeal. He Zhengyu comforted her and immediately reassured her that he had already found evidence to prove her innocence. He Zhengyu revealed he had found crucial evidence: a neighbor's surveillance camera had recorded him climbing over the villa's side wall.
Though the video was blurry, it clearly showed him carrying the same lunchbox that appeared in Wu Anwen's misleading video, definitively proving his presence. However, since the homeowner was away, the footage would only be available in three days. Chen Jialan, accustomed to online attacks, calmly accepted the delay, stating that He Zhengyu's presence was all that mattered. They spent the evening enjoying their time together, playing games like darts.
As night progressed, He Zhengyu, despite his mysophobia, offered her his bed so she could sleep comfortably, while he took the sofa. In 2022, He Zhengyu reflected on the past four months. He knew that although the kissing photo incident was eventually clarified, Jiang Shenghao and Wu Jirong still divorced. He wrestled with the unsettling thought that perhaps the future could not be changed.
Looking at the unconscious Chen Jialan in a hospital bed, He Zhengyu felt helpless, desperately pleading for her to wake up and tell him that fate could indeed be altered. Meanwhile, Wu Anwen actively sowed discord, trying to convince his sister, Wu Jirong, that Chen Jialan was a manipulative "green tea" girl who was taking advantage of Jiang Shenghao.
He showed Wu Jirong photos, insinuating that Chen Jialan's relationship with Jiang Shenghao was inappropriate and that she coveted the Jiang family's wealth. Though Wu Jirong initially defended Chen Jialan, Wu Anwen's persistent accusations planted seeds of doubt. Later, Wu Jirong confronted Jiang Shenghao, questioning if their half-year relationship could compare to his decade-long bond with Chen Jialan.
She admitted feeling he prioritized Chen Jialan, especially after he allowed her to stay at their home without consultation and heeded her advice to be wary of Wu Anwen. Their argument escalated until they agreed to take time apart to cool down. Back in 2021, He Zhengyu found Chen Jialan awake late at night, troubled by online comments. He offered her his business card, explaining he could gather evidence for a lawsuit against the cyberbullies.
After detailing his expensive services, he advised her against suing, suggesting that the truth would emerge in three days and the very people slandering her would then rush to her defense. Chen Jialan was amused by his unconventional comfort. He again insisted she take his bed while he slept on the sofa.
Later, He Zhengyu met with Chen Kexin, bluntly stating he knew her relationship with Wu Anwen was fake and presenting photo evidence of their plot to frame Jiang Shenghao, urging her to reveal the truth. Chen Jialan was soon swarmed by reporters and fans questioning her relationship with Jiang Shenghao and Wu Jirong. Frustrated, she accused them of being manipulated and spreading malicious rumors without seeking the truth.
At the same time, Mu Shiming, Wu Jirong's other brother-in-law, launched a news segment condemning cyber violence. He analyzed how fan culture can lead to collective attacks on perceived threats to their idols, often disregarding facts, and called for a healthier online environment. Through their combined efforts, the narrative began to shift. During a time-space overlap, a proud He Zhengyu praised Chen Jialan's success in turning the tide.
To celebrate, they went for barbecue and, upon noticing paparazzi, decided to start a live stream. They acted like a sweet, loving couple, feeding each other and toasting with viewers, captivating the reporters and thwarting their attempts to find dirt. Chen Jialan was invited to an online live stream to discuss cyber violence, but it was a trap set by Wu Anwen.
The host presented photos and used a height discrepancy argument to suggest the man in the kissing photo was Jiang Shenghao, not He Zhengyu. As Chen Jialan tried to leave, He Zhengyu intervened. He provided the neighbor's surveillance footage, proving he was the man who had climbed into the house. He stood next to Chen Jialan on camera to disprove the height claims.
He then played a recording from Chen Kexin, which exposed Wu Anwen's scheme to frame Jiang Shenghao for infidelity to force a massive divorce settlement. He Zhengyu concluded by announcing himself as Chen Jialan's lawyer and declared his intent to sue for stalking and defamation. Shortly after, a panicked Chen Kexin called He Zhengyu for help, as Wu Anwen had found her. Furious at her betrayal, Wu Anwen confronted her. He Zhengyu and Chen Jialan arrived to intervene.
As He Zhengyu rushed to a screaming Chen Kexin, a deranged Wu Anwen turned on Chen Jialan. He grabbed a vase and lunged at her, but his sister, Wu Jirong, appeared just in time, pleading with him to stop and reminding him she didn't want to lose her only remaining family.
Episode 19 Recap
At 10:20 PM, He Zhengyu arrives to rescue the injured Jialan. After a check-up, she awakens, not severely hurt, and jokes that he nearly had to meet her at the funeral parlor. His deep concern for her is evident, but their reunion is cut short as the time-space overlap ends, and he vanishes before her eyes. Shortly after, Jirong pleads with Jialan to forgive her brother, Wu Anwen.
Out of consideration for Jirong, Jialan is initially inclined to drop the matter. However, the He Zhengyu from 2021, who is also present, insists that Wu Anwen must face legal consequences for trespassing, threatening Chen Kexin's safety, and intentionally injuring Jialan. Realizing this is a crucial opportunity to change the future, Jialan changes her mind and declares her firm intention to press charges.
When Jirong questions his harsh stance, He Zhengyu reveals a shocking truth: Wu Anwen has accumulated a gambling debt of eight million yuan. He explains that Wu Anwen orchestrated the entire cheating scandal involving Jiang Shenghao to force a divorce, hoping to get money from Jirong to pay his debts.
Wu Anwen initially tried to involve Chen Kexin, but after being thwarted by He Zhengyu and Jialan, he framed Jialan out of spite, bribing paparazzi and streamers to incite a cyberbullying campaign against her. He Zhengyu stresses that only legal intervention can stop his downward spiral. At the detention center, Wu Anwen mistakes a visiting lawyer for his sister, Jirong, and has an emotional breakdown, frantically begging for her forgiveness.
However, when the real Jirong arrives with her lawyer, she confronts him about his gambling relapse and the eight-million-yuan debt. Accusing him of orchestrating the scheme to profit from her divorce, she reminds him of a previous three-million-yuan debt she had covered and his broken promise to quit gambling. Understanding that forgiveness would only enable him, Jirong confirms her decision to press charges. In 2022, He Zhengyu’s memories update, making him believe he has successfully saved everyone.
When the doorbell rings, he rushes to answer, expecting Jialan, but finds Jirong alive and well. Overjoyed, he believes they have changed the future, only for Jirong to deliver devastating news: Jialan died three months ago. A confused He Zhengyu races to the hospital, where a nurse confirms that Chen Jialan, a reporter, was killed in a hit-and-run accident three months prior, and the perpetrator was never found. To confirm the details, He Zhengyu goes to the police station.
The accident report shows the crash occurred at the same location, Jiudianliang Road, but the date of death was earlier than in the previous timeline: December 12, 2021. The report notes the only camera at the scene was broken and there were no witnesses. Later, He Zhengyu joins Jiang Shenghao at Jialan's grave. Jiang Shenghao reveals that he and Jirong have divorced, a decision she made due to the conflicts caused by Wu Anwen.
He bleakly concludes that some things, like life and death, are simply fate. Back in 2021, a worried Jialan realizes the 2022 He Zhengyu has not appeared. After missing the time-space overlap, she pulls the 2021 He Zhengyu with her to 2022. There, she calls Zhou Dajun, who confirms He Zhengyu has been unreachable all day. Meanwhile, a worried Jirong, also unable to contact He Zhengyu, encounters the 2021 He Zhengyu on the street.
Overcome with relief to see her alive, he embraces her tightly. Jialan, also happy to see Jirong safe, hides to avoid startling her. Concerned by He Zhengyu's emotional state, Jirong attributes it to grief over Jialan's death and urges him to see a psychologist. After she leaves, Jialan and He Zhengyu deduce that while they saved Jirong, the continued time-space overlap means their own fates are still unresolved.
Jialan introduces the concept of entropy, wondering if He Zhengyu is the "consumed energy" sacrificed to create the "entropy decrease" in Jirong's destiny. One morning in 2022, He Zhengyu and Jiang Shenghao wake up in their car after a night of heavy drinking at Jialan's grave. He Zhengyu's memories update again, this time with a conversation between Jialan and the 2021 He Zhengyu.
In the memory, a tearful Jialan professes her love, saying he is the only true love she's had since her parents died. She heartbreakingly states that if one of them must lose their energy for the timeline to change, she hopes it is her. She reasons that her death is more "cost-effective," as she was already in a coma, whereas he is healthy and vibrant.
Later, He Zhengyu encounters Sun Defeng at the prison and learns he is now Wu Anwen's lawyer, confirming their law firm partnership has dissolved. A suspicion forms in He Zhengyu's mind: while Wu Anwen was in custody at the time of Jialan's accident, Sun Defeng was free. If the two were already colluding back then, Sun Defeng might be connected to Jialan's death.
Episode 20 Recap
He Zhengyu and Jialan waited for 10:06 PM. He Zhengyu asked Jialan if she often played the sync-testing game from the video with her 2022 self. Jialan replied that their sync wasn't good enough. He Zhengyu then noted that the answer didn't matter; the fact that his 2022 self was willing to spend time playing such an unreasonable game with her proved how much he cared for her. Jialan acknowledged this. As 10:06 PM arrived, Jialan sensed He Zhengyu's presence.
Just as she stood up, He Zhengyu appeared, embracing her shoulders and letting her lean against him. He Zhengyu promised Jialan he would never give up on her, regardless of how entropy changed. He reminded her that they had already altered Jirong's fate, and therefore, they could change Jialan's fate as well. Comparing their efforts to Sisyphus, he stressed that even if they failed, they would simply try again.
He further explained, quoting Schrödinger, that life lives on "negative entropy," and the meaning of life lies in the continuous battle against entropy increase. He emphasized that like Sisyphus, who always believed in the next attempt despite not knowing how many times he would roll the rock, Jialan should also believe. He Zhengyu encouraged her to believe that they could transform 46 minutes into 24 hours and that a positive outcome would eventually materialize, regardless of the time it took.
Jialan accepted this, declaring her readiness to "roll the rock." He Zhengyu then invited Jialan to the balcony to set off fireworks he had prepared. As they lit them, Jialan remarked on their beauty and how they reminded her of childhood. She asked He Zhengyy if wishes made to fireworks could come true like those made to meteors, to which he affirmed, stating they were both burning substances.
Jialan noted a change in He Zhengyu, observing that he no longer considered her foolish. He Zhengyu admitted this was because he had fallen in love with her. Jialan then wondered if he would be willing to do foolish things with her. Secretly, Jialan wished for her unused luck to be given to He Zhengyu.
When He Zhengyu asked about her wish, Jialan revealed she had wished to see him every day, that their ending would change, and that she would knock on his door while he waited for her. He Zhengyu then informed Jialan about the current situation: Wu Anwen was still in jail, but Jialan would still be involved in a hit-and-run car accident at the same location, with the perpetrator and vehicle still unfound.
He revealed that her accident date had been advanced from January 7 to December 12, leaving her with less than a month. With this grim update, He Zhengyu faded away, leaving Jialan alone on the empty balcony, feeling a profound sense of loneliness and helplessness. Sometime later, the 2022 He Zhengyu was gripped by a splitting headache. He recalled a text message from Jialan four months prior.
In it, Jialan urged him not to look for her, to forget her, and to live his own life well. She asserted that while life was about fighting entropy increase, entropy decrease inevitably led to an increase, a truth no one could alter. Citing Jirong's case as proof, she insisted that someone having to leave was a destined outcome, and that she, who was originally comatose with no future, was the best choice.
She expressed her regret but also her contentment because of him, hoping he would live a better life. Despite her words, He Zhengyu was left wondering how he could live well without her and had no idea where she had gone. He pressed his colleague, Mu Shiming, about Jialan’s whereabouts; Mu Shiming revealed she had only sent a leave request via WeChat that morning, and He Zhengyu instructed him to report immediately if she made contact.
Mu Shiming then informed He Zhengyu about a new case: Zhang Xiaojiang, a female employee of Gao's Group, had been sexually harassed and forced to drink by her boss, Gao Ming, then maliciously fired. She had sought public help online, generating significant discussion, and had now approached their law firm, requesting He Zhengyu to be her lawyer.
He Zhengyu acknowledged the difficulty of collecting evidence in such cases, especially with vague legal definitions, and noted the public's divided opinion, with some sympathizing with Zhang Xiaojiang and others believing it was a dispute over money. He instructed Mu Shiming to meet Zhang Xiaojiang to gather full details, inquire if she had immediately reported to the police, and document all available evidence before he decided to take the case. His thoughts, however, remained with Jialan's disappearance.
Later that night, the 2022 He Zhengyu, after much contemplation, realized Jialan might have gone to her grandmother's house in Changjia. Knowing he only had 46 minutes of interaction time and couldn't make it there himself, he called his 2021 self. The 2021 He Zhengyu agreed to go immediately, requesting the address.
The 2022 He Zhengyu warned him not to mention entropy to Jialan and threatened not to forgive him if she went missing again, leading to a brief argument where the 2021 He Zhengyu blamed him for Jialan's disappearance. The 2022 He Zhengyu quickly ended the dispute, urging his past self to go and drive safely.
As heavy rain, thunder, and lightning enveloped the area, the 2022 He Zhengyu, sitting in his apartment, found himself unable to rest easy, especially after attempting to call Jialan and finding her phone off. News reports on TV highlighted severe rainstorms in Changjia, with warnings of high rainfall, mudslides, and road closures, intensifying his worry. The next morning, the 2021 He Zhengyu finally arrived at Jialan's grandmother's house in Changjia.
He was relieved when Jialan’s grandmother recognized him as Jialan's lawyer and boyfriend, confirming he was in the right place. However, his relief was short-lived as her grandmother, in distress, informed him that Jialan had gone to visit her parents' grave the previous afternoon and had not returned, nor could she be reached by phone.
As a police officer tried to calm Jialan's grandmother, explaining that mountain roads were dangerous after the rain and a rescue team was already deployed, He Zhengyu immediately inquired about the cemetery's exact location. Despite the officer's warnings about flash floods and mudslides, He Zhengyu insisted on joining the search, revealing his past experience with field rescue and the Blue Sky Rescue Team. The officer, convinced by his expertise, provided him with equipment.
Before leaving, He Zhengyu assured Jialan's grandmother he would bring Jialan back safely. After a determined search, he finally found someone who confirmed seeing Jialan helping them pack their tent and directed him further into the area. He Zhengyu found Jialan, whose ankle was sprained from helping pack tents. He offered her his jacket and, without waiting for her consent, swiftly picked her up, carrying her on his back.
He chastised her for limping and causing worry, reminding her that her grandmother was undoubtedly frantic. Upon returning to her grandmother’s house, He Zhengyu took charge, applying ice to Jialan's sprained ankle and tending to a scratch on his own arm that she had noticed, chiding her for not even knowing how to properly care for a wound.
He Zhengyu confronted Jialan about her habit of disappearing and putting herself in danger, accusing her of planning to worry everyone before her self-sacrifice. Jialan reiterated her belief that since Jirong's fate was now stable and everyone else was fine, she, as the one who was originally comatose, was the best candidate for sacrifice, citing the entropy principle that a decrease in one area necessitates an increase elsewhere.
He Zhengyu vehemently disagreed, questioning if her sacrifice was truly for love or merely self-serving emotion, and criticizing her for not considering how her disappearance would affect her almost 70-year-old grandmother. He stressed that the "He Zhengyu four months later" would not agree with her choice. He then declared that all three of them would face whatever happened together and gave Jialan two options: return with him or he would stay with her. Jialan conceded.
He Zhengyu internally pondered his own heightened anxiety and uncharacteristic emotional state regarding Jialan. During dinner, Jialan's grandmother served their favorite dishes. He Zhengyu playfully told her grandmother that Jialan was mad at him and had run away after a fight. Jialan quickly denied they were a couple, but her grandmother, convinced by He Zhengyu's facade, advised Jialan on the importance of communication in relationships and not to casually talk about breaking up.
Their conversation was interrupted by loud crying from outside. They rushed out to find Zhang Xiaojiang's grandmother, who recognized Jialan as a journalist and begged for help for her granddaughter, Zhang Xiaojiang, who had been harassed and nearly raped by her boss, Gao Ming. Zhang Xiaojiang had been taken in by police for questioning after Gao Ming retaliated by accusing her of defamation.
He Zhengyu calmly explained that this was a routine summons, not an arrest, but confirmed she would be arrested if evidence of defamation emerged. Jialan expressed solidarity with Zhang Xiaojiang's courage. He Zhengyu then revealed that Zhang Xiaojiang had already approached him to be her lawyer, noting the coincidence of them being neighbors. He explained the case's complexities, including public skepticism about how a drunk woman could escape.
Jialan vehemently defended Zhang Xiaojiang, asserting that resistance was natural and that as a journalist, she would always lean towards believing women in such situations. He Zhengyu proposed they return to Shanghai together to help, emphasizing the urgency, and Jialan immediately agreed to pack. Before leaving for Shanghai, Jialan's grandmother reiterated her advice for Jialan to get along with He Zhengyu.
Jialan, in turn, handed her grandmother a bank card and a friend's contact information, urging her to call them if she couldn't be reached. Jialan’s grandmother then entrusted Jialan's care to He Zhengyu, asking him to look after and cherish her, which he promised to do. Back in Shanghai, they went directly to meet Zhang Xiaojiang.
Over a meal, Zhang Xiaojiang recounted the harrowing details: her boss, Gao Ming, had forced her to drink excessively, sexually harassed her in the car, and then assaulted her in her apartment. She recalled fighting back, kicking him until he stopped. He Zhengyu informed her that the available surveillance footage was unfavorable, showing only her being drunk and Gao Ming helping her upstairs, with no evidence of the assaults in the car or her home.
This left Zhang Xiaojiang fearing imprisonment despite being the victim. Jialan, having experienced cyber violence herself, praised Zhang Xiaojiang's bravery and asserted that justice would prevail. Jialan subsequently presented the case to her editor, Ms. Wen, and colleagues. While a colleague, Piaopiao, expressed concerns about the topic's volatility, Jialan affirmed her desire to pursue the story, not for its popularity but due to the unsettling online trend of blaming victims.
Jialan passionately argued that victims should not be held to an impossible standard of "flawlessness" and that public opinion should not become a "moral court." She criticized the media's polarization into irresponsible clickbait and overly cautious observers. Jialan asserted that a journalist's fundamental duty was to uncover the truth, irrespective of potential plot twists. Convinced by Jialan's powerful argument, Ms. Wen fully supported the investigation and assigned the case to her.
Episode 21 Recap
One evening, 2021 He Zhengyu called Jialan, using the lie that her grandmother had suddenly arrived in Shanghai to lure her home before the time-space overlap. Jialan, seeing through the ruse, initially resisted, but hurried back after He Zhengyu claimed her grandmother was already inside and might be frightened by the strange phenomenon. Upon arriving, she found only 2022 He Zhengyu and realized they had colluded with her grandmother to trick her.
As a furious Jialan stormed out, 2021 He Zhengyu confronted her. He emotionally described the pain of his future self, a once-proud man who refuses to give up on the woman who has rejected him three times, simply because he loves her so much. He pleaded with her to stop tormenting him. Moved, Jialan wiped her tears and went back inside. Inside, 2022 He Zhengyu shared critical information with his past self and Jialan.
He revealed that in his timeline, the case of Zhang Xiaojiang led to him being framed for assaulting her boss, Gao Ming. The scandal got him fired from his firm and forced him to move into the apartment early on December 12, the same day Jialan had her car crash. He explained that Zhang Xiaojiang's case ultimately went nowhere, leading him to believe the entire sequence of events, including Jialan's crash, was a deliberate setup and not an accident.
He voiced a strong suspicion that rival lawyer Sun Defeng was involved, describing their situation as a "closed loop" from which they cannot escape. Despite the grim forecast, 2021 He Zhengyu chose to face the challenge, declaring that Jialan's safety was more important than his reputation. Initially, to avoid the setup, 2021 He Zhengyu refused to represent Zhang Xiaojiang when she called with a tip that Gao Ming's driver had suddenly resigned.
Shortly after, He Zhengyu learned that Wu Anwen had been officially arrested. He and Jialan visited Wu Anwen's sister, Jirong, finding her remarkably calm. Jirong asked them to witness her signing divorce papers with Jiang Shenghao. Despite his and Jialan's pleas for her to reconsider, Jirong remained resolute, stating she had accepted her path and would stand by her brother, regardless of his crimes.
Jialan later discovered that the desperate Zhang Xiaojiang had been approached by Sun Defeng, who guaranteed he could win her case. Jialan confronted 2021 He Zhengyu, blaming his refusal for pushing Zhang toward the suspicious lawyer. Aware that Jialan was intentionally trying to persuade him, and recalling his future self's warning about Sun Defeng, He Zhengyu's reluctance began to fade. He officially took the case after Zhang Xiaojiang called him directly, stating that he was the lawyer she trusted most.
On He Zhengyu's birthday, Jialan declined an invitation from his 2021 self, citing work on Zhang's case. He Zhengyu canceled his restaurant reservation and told them to give the birthday cake away. At the apartment, Jialan prepared a surprise cake for 2022 He Zhengyu. During the overlap, he found her hiding outside and brought her in for a tender celebration.
As she made a wish, he kissed her, revealing his own wish was for her to live life to the fullest without fear. He lamented the simple daily routines they could never share and promised to fulfill all her wishes so they would have no regrets. Jialan tearfully agreed, acknowledging their connection was filled with both joy and sorrow, and vowing to cherish their time.
The investigation began with 2021 He Zhengyu confronting Gao Ming’s former driver of ten years, Meng Jianguo. The driver was evasive, insisting Zhang Xiaojiang was the liar and claiming he quit to spend more time with his daughter. Later, He Zhengyu, Jialan, and Zhang Xiaojiang concluded Meng was likely paid hush money.
Their case was strengthened by footage from a neighbor’s smart doorbell that corroborated Zhang's account of the incident, and by the realization that her viral social media post had been professionally ghostwritten. In a separate development, the actress Jirong gave her first public interview since her comeback, confirming her divorce. She clarified the decision was her own, expressed gratitude for her marriage to Jiang Shenghao, and stated she had no regrets.
During another overlap, 2022 He Zhengyu and Jialan shared a romantic evening on a rooftop. As they walked home, Jialan admired a wedding dress, reminding her of a painting he once made of them getting married in Santorini. The episode ends on a sinister note, as the antagonist, Gao Ming, is shown in a car being addressed as "Boss Gao." He makes a call, instructing a subordinate to investigate his own former driver, Meng Jianguo, revealing he is actively manipulating events from the shadows.
Episode 22 Recap
Gao Ming is enraged upon seeing a surveillance video related to Zhang Xiaojiang's case circulating widely online, having garnered 100,000 shares. He furiously instructs his legal department to immediately hire public relations, paid posters, and media to cover it up and remove the trending topic before noon. Shortly after, Gao Ming receives a call from Sun Defeng, who warns him that Zhang Xiaojiang alone isn't capable of putting him in such a difficult position.
Sun Defeng then reveals that Zhang Xiaojiang's lawyer, He Zhengyu, is the true orchestrator behind the video's release. In 2021, He Zhengyu calls Chen Jialan, praising her speed in spreading the news, which Jialan attributes to the video footage He Zhengyu provided. He Zhengyu then asks her to meet him at a bridal shop. He urges her to try on a wedding dress, which she notes is the expensive one from the shop's window, costing over 20,000 yuan.
While Jialan tries on the dress, He Zhengyu looks at suits for himself, joking that he prefers a looser, grey one for its lower price. A sales assistant observes He Zhengyu's melancholic demeanor and constant sighing while looking at Jialan in the wedding dress, believing he is deeply in love but speculating that he might be seriously ill. Afterwards, He Zhengyu takes Jialan to a restaurant where he has ordered an extravagant meal.
He presents her with a beautiful necklace as a "return gift" for her birthday present to him, emphasizing that a wedding dress isn't complete without accessories. During dinner, Gao Ming unexpectedly approaches He Zhengyu and Jialan, feigning a chance encounter. Gao Ming praises He Zhengyu's legal prowess, offering him a high-paying legal advisory position with company shares after Zhang Xiaojiang's case concludes in an attempt to bribe him.
He Zhengyu recognizes this as a corrupt offer and warns Gao Ming that his words could be used as evidence of bribery. Unfazed, Gao Ming escalates his threats by revealing his detailed knowledge of He Zhengyu's parents—their professions as professors and their home address, explicitly stating he has sent a friend to "take care" of them. As He Zhengyu reacts with anger, Jialan quickly intervenes with a warning.
This triggers He Zhengyu's memory of a future event he knows will happen in four months: he will be detained for seven days for assaulting Gao Ming, leading to his expulsion from Fengyu Law Firm. The memory calms He Zhengyu, who immediately calls his mother to warn her not to open the door to strangers.
He Zhengyu then confronts Gao Ming, calmly listing the potential criminal charges he could face, and dismisses Gao Ming and the paparazzi accompanying him, declaring their next meeting will be in court. Later that evening, Jialan, dressed in the wedding gown, meets He Zhengyu from 2022 in a room he has transformed to evoke the romantic atmosphere of Santorini. He Zhengyu asks Jialan if she is willing to be the heroine in his paintings, to which she tearfully agrees.
While taking wedding photos, Jialan hesitantly confesses that "the other you," referring to 2021 He Zhengyu, also seems to like her. He Zhengyu from 2022 reveals he was aware of his past self's feelings and explains that both versions of him are fundamentally the same person. However, Jialan maintains that for her, they are distinct.
During this moment, He Zhengyu receives a call from Zhou Dajun, who informs him that the address for Meng Jianguo was incorrect as he moved four months ago, but his new address has been found. Meanwhile, Jialan shows 2021 He Zhengyu an alarming video posted online. In the video, Zhang Hui, an accountant from Fengyu Law Firm, publicly accuses He Zhengyu of accepting a 500,000 yuan bribe from Gao Ming to silence Zhang Xiaojiang.
He Zhengyu immediately suspects Sun Defeng is behind this fabrication. Later, He Zhengyu discusses the accusation with a frantic Zhou Dajun. After an initial search for cash in his office, He Zhengyu finds a deposit of 500,000 yuan in his bank account. Jialan calls 2021 He Zhengyu to check on him. He explains that the card with the 500,000 yuan was a rarely used, firm-issued one with no notification service, so he was unaware of the transfer.
The remitter was Meng Jianguo, Gao Ming's former driver. He Zhengyu theorizes that Sun Defeng, knowing personal details about him, orchestrated the scheme with Gao Ming and Zhang Hui to get him disbarred. He acknowledges that Meng Jianguo is the key and that they must rely on his future self from 2022 to find a breakthrough. Jialan reassures him of her unconditional trust.
Meanwhile, 2022 He Zhengyu learns from Zhou Dajun that Meng Jianguo recently purchased a luxurious apartment with cash, indicating he did more for Gao Ming than just hide dashcam footage. 2022 He Zhengyu begins strategizing, instructing Zhou Dajun to investigate Gao Ming's schedule for a "natural" encounter. Crucially, He Zhengyu also meets with Zhang Xiaojiang, who expresses unwavering faith in him, believing he has been framed and vowing to face the enemy together.
During a time-space overlap, 2021 He Zhengyu deduces that Sun Defeng and Gao Ming collaborated to frame him. 2022 He Zhengyu confirms this, revealing that Zhang Hui and Sun Defeng are secretly a couple and her betrayal was out of loyalty, not for money. He adds that in the future, they announced their engagement but their relationship soured. In 2022, He Zhengyu executes his plan at a hotel where Gao Ming has a meeting.
He approaches Meng Jianguo, pretending to be interested in buying his old house, and subtly provokes him by mentioning that Zhang Xiaojiang has found a key witness. When Gao Ming arrives, He Zhengyu feigns surprise and sets up Meng Jianguo and Zhou Dajun to discuss the house, excusing himself.
Gao Ming and his secretary confront Meng Jianguo, who protests his loyalty by reminding Gao Ming how he followed his instructions to frame Zhang Xiaojiang and transfer money to He Zhengyu, and gave him the dashcam immediately. Zhou Dajun, who has been covertly recording their conversation, steps in and reveals the recording. He Zhengyu then reappears and pressures Meng Jianguo, forcing him to choose between being Gao Ming's accomplice or a repentant witness.
Meng Jianguo confesses that Gao Ming's car had a three-way dashcam that recorded both audio and video of the assault on Zhang Xiaojiang, which is why Gao Ming paid him so much, and admits a backup exists. The news of this breakthrough is conveyed to 2021 He Zhengyu and Jialan. Jialan is thrilled that the dashcam video will prove Gao Ming's guilt and clear Zhang Xiaojiang's name, confirming she has recorded and backed up the footage.
However, 2022 He Zhengyu cautions that this 2022 evidence cannot be used to resolve the 2021 bribery accusation against him, as it would cause complications. He urges them to find another solution for the 2021 problem and to inform Zhang Xiaojiang about the crucial new evidence.
Episode 23 Recap
As time swiftly passed, Jialan tightly embraced He Zhengyu, her body trembling. He Zhengyu struggled to control his emotions, holding Jialan’s hand firmly and promising her that nothing bad would happen. He Zhengyu returned to his law firm but found his office door locked. Sun Defeng approached, feigning concern, to inform He Zhengyu that the Lawyers Association had received evidence from a man named Meng Jianguo, reportedly Gao Ming's driver.
This evidence suggested He Zhengyu had conspired with and solicited bribes from Gao Ming. Consequently, the Lawyers Association had issued a notice to investigate him, and his office was sealed. He Zhengyu questioned why Sun Defeng received the notice before he did. Sun Defeng then pointed out the widespread online denouncements against He Zhengyu, claiming the firm had issued an official statement supporting him, but implied that He Zhengyu had hired posters to manipulate public opinion.
Accusing him of harming the firm, which was losing clients, Sun Defeng urged He Zhengyu to take a long leave. He Zhengyu retorted that ninety percent of the firm’s clients were there because of him and asserted his right to retrieve his personal belongings before leaving. Later, a call from the Fuxing Lawyers Association officially confirmed the investigation, while negative online comments mounted.
After He Zhengyu’s departure, Zhang Hui returned to Fengyu Law Firm, making He Zhengyu suspect she and Sun Defeng were confident he couldn't find evidence of their collusion. Jialan, hearing this, proposed sowing discord between them. He Zhengyu, realizing Jialan intended to confront Sun Defeng because of his situation, had his assistant Dajun investigate Sun Defeng's vehicles for any unusual activity since December 12 of the previous year.
While Dajun found nothing on Sun Defeng's cars, he discovered Zhang Hui's car had its front bumper replaced on December 14. Meanwhile, Jialan, disguised as a delivery person, arrived at the law firm with ninety-nine roses. She loudly announced they were a gift from Sun Defeng to Zhang Hui, wishing them everlasting love. Zhang Hui and the arriving Sun Defeng both frantically denied any romantic involvement.
Jialan accused them of framing He Zhengyu and mockingly questioned if they planned to announce their relationship now. Sun Defeng threatened a defamation lawsuit, but Jialan warned them that fabricating evidence carries severe legal consequences and their conspiracy would fail. In 2022, He Zhengyu contacted Sun Defeng, revealing that Jialan was not dead. He showed Sun Defeng a video of himself and Jialan at a high point in Fuxing.
Sun Defeng scoffed at the "pieced-together video," but He Zhengyu then revealed he knew Sun Defeng had hit Jialan with Zhang Hui's car on the night of December 12 of the previous year and possessed the car's maintenance record. He offered Sun Defeng a chance to confess and return to how things used to be.
Sun Defeng, thinking He Zhengyu was insane, was told to meet He Zhengyu at his home at 10 PM to witness the truth, with a threat of calling the police if he didn't appear. That night, at 10:06 PM, He Zhengyu brought Sun Defeng to his apartment. As the time-space overlap began, Sun Defeng was transported to 2021 and saw a news report from December 11, 2021, leaving him completely disoriented.
Still in 2021, He Zhengyu demanded Sun Defeng reveal the truth of how Jialan died, emphasizing it was his last chance to save her. Terrified, Sun Defeng confessed. He explained that on December 11, 2021, Jialan had exposed his and Zhang Hui’s relationship at the law firm. This led to an argument where Zhang Hui, feeling used, demanded he make their relationship public.
Fearing this would confirm they had framed He Zhengyu, Sun Defeng decided to confront Jialan the next day. Believing Jialan had bugged him, he arranged for two thugs to be present. However, Jialan, skilled in martial arts, fought them off and escaped. To his shock, she returned for a pair of glasses, which he assumed contained a hidden camera. Desperate to stop her, he chased her in his car and deliberately ran her over.
Upon hearing this, He Zhengyu (2022) was distraught. At the last moment of the time-space overlap, Jialan (2021) and He Zhengyu (2022) rushed back to their respective apartments, catching a brief glimpse of each other before the overlap ended. The next morning, December 12, 2021, was Jialan's last day. She woke up, said a silent farewell to her father, and thought of He Zhengyu, telling him in her mind, "I love you. Forget me."
Later, Sun Defeng called to arrange a meeting at 9:30 PM. Jialan agreed, wanting to understand the full story, and packed the glasses she believed had a camera into her bag. He Zhengyu (2021) was waiting for Jialan, insisting on spending the day with her. He followed her everywhere, refusing to let her go to her scheduled meeting with Sun Defeng.
As they argued, He Zhengyu (2021) admitted his past arrogance, explaining he focused obsessively on work to prove his worth to Sun Defeng. At that moment, reporters swarmed them, questioning He Zhengyu about the bribery rumors. Jialan bravely defended him, publicly exposing Sun Defeng and Zhang Hui as the ones who framed him. Meanwhile, He Zhengyu (2022) went to meet Sun Defeng (2021) in Jialan's place.
He confronted Sun Defeng about the frame-up and for pushing Zhang Hui to take the fall. He offered Sun Defeng a chance at redemption, stating he would drop the charges if Sun Defeng changed his ways. Sun Defeng appeared to relent, and the two men made peace. On the night of December 12, 2021, He Zhengyu (2021) suddenly experienced a splitting headache.
In a daze, he saw an image of his future self (2022 He Zhengyu) and was instantly flooded with all of his future memories. A strange intuition guided him to an unfinished building at 206 Changfeng Street, Jiudianliang Road—a place he now remembered as the location of his own future death. Witnessing his distress, Jialan realized that the He Zhengyu from 2022 had made contact with him.
She rushed home, knowing there were only 22 hours left until 10:06 PM the next day, when He Zhengyu (2022) would appear on her sofa. Alone in her apartment, she desperately called out for He Zhengyu (2021) to appear, crying that she couldn't endure his games any longer.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
After a distressing night, Jialan awakens to find He Zhengyu by her bedside and is shocked by his presence. She desperately asks what happened, but he can only confirm his knowledge of the abandoned car factory and Sun Defeng's involvement, admitting he is unaware of what transpired after the other He Zhengyu left with Sun Defeng. He apologizes and offers to make her breakfast, including her favorite river snails rice noodles.
He also suggests they watch "La La Land," but the overwhelmed Jialan asks him to leave, unable to reconcile the connection between him and the man she lost. Understanding her need for space, He Zhengyu departs, urging her to call if she needs anything. Meanwhile, He Zhengyu confronts a terrified Sun Defeng at his law firm.
He accuses Sun Defeng of setting a trap and demands he publicly confess the truth, pointedly asking how there could be "two of me" at the same time. After He Zhengyu leaves, a shaken Sun Defeng, convinced the real He Zhengyu would never be so compliant, orders his staff to intercept him. In a separate, more intense confrontation, He Zhengyu reveals the full truth, telling Sun Defeng, "That stone you hit me with hurt a lot."
He explains that while he survived the attack, the He Zhengyu from the future died, and he has now absorbed all of his memories. The revelation causes Sun Defeng to break down, hysterically denying he is a murderer. Learning the devastating truth about the other He Zhengyu’s fate, Jialan locks herself in her apartment. Worried, He Zhengyu has food delivered, including her favorite river snails rice noodles, but she refuses to open the door.
He tries to explain that because he possesses all of the other He Zhengyu's memories, the man she knew is not truly gone. Jialan tearfully rejects this, insisting that in her heart, they are two different people and that he is not her He Zhengyu. Unable to persuade her, He Zhengyu brings her grandmother to the apartment. Alarmed by Jialan's gaunt appearance, Grandma coaxes her to eat some homemade porridge.
She then shares a story about Jialan’s late grandfather, who had told her that while grieving is necessary, she must not let sadness consume her. He wanted her to cry it out, then live fully so he could rest in peace. Moved by her grandmother's words, Jialan tearfully promises to live well. Later, as she rests against He Zhengyu’s shoulder, he reassures her that he will always be there for her, reminding her that her happiness is his.
Jialan wakes up and, finding comfort in his presence, promises to pull herself together. Life gradually finds a new rhythm. Jialan returns to her work as a journalist, and He Zhengyu resumes his legal career, now taking on cases of all sizes. His colleagues notice a significant transformation; his formerly cold demeanor has been replaced with warmth and friendliness, which he acknowledges by saying, "That was before."
He learns that Sun Defeng is suffering from severe mental health issues and has disappeared with Zhang Hui. Meanwhile, Gao Ming has been arrested for sexual assault, a victory Zhang Xiaojiang wants to celebrate with everyone on New Year's Eve. That evening, the group gathers at Manman Cafe. Jialan arrives late from work but seems to be in better spirits.
During the celebration, He Zhengyu thoughtfully offers her a hair tie, and friends remark on his change, noting he's become much more approachable. As the countdown to midnight begins, fireworks light up the sky, welcoming the New Year. He Zhengyu then gives Jialan a New Year's gift: a video from the other He Zhengyu’s phone. In the recording, the other He Zhengyu reveals he had already made a choice—if one of them had to disappear, it would be him.
Overcome with emotion, Jialan cries. He Zhengyu gently comforts her, pointing out that she has also changed. They playfully reminisce about their past, clearing up old misunderstandings: he reveals that his answers to the "ideal type" questions were always describing her, and he clarifies that he missed their meeting after the bet not because he lost, but because he was buying medicine for Mu Shiming.
After they agree to keep a respectful distance from others, including Wu Jirong, Jialan looks at him with newfound acceptance and asks, "Is it really you?" He reaffirms his presence, promising to always be by her side before embracing her, a hug she warmly returns. In the aftermath, Wu Anwen is sentenced to a year in prison for assault. He sends a message urging Wu Jirong not to divorce Jiang Shenghao, but she decides to handle her marriage herself.
She meets with Jiang Shenghao, who respects her decision to divorce but vows to win her back honorably. Holding hands on January 7th, 2022, He Zhengyu and Jialan reflect on how they triumphed over fate together. Jialan shares her renewed commitment as a journalist to be an objective "speaker" of truth. Later, while recording a video together, He Zhengyu, sporting a new hairstyle, looks at Jialan and asks, "Chen Jialan, will you marry me?" With a radiant smile, she replies, "Yes."
