Love Scenery Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Love Scenery Synopsis
Liang Chen and Lu Jing devote themselves to their respective fields, using their professionalism to inspire and guide those who love them.
Liang Chen, who uses music to express “the best, the truest and the most beautiful”, is dedicated to bringing good music to listeners.
Lu Jing, who is passionate about computer and big data research, has been highly recognized by the big data academic community through his research on human’s various complex behaviors, psychological information and other massive data.
With his solid professionalism, Lu Jing positively influences the students around him and contributes to social data research.
Two strangers who are originally far from each other meet because of big data, and in the journey of pursuing their dreams, they keep getting closer to trust each other and harvest their own “good time” together.
By coincidence, they both participate in a research project of a psychological research institution – about human emergency response under a stressful environment.
Their physical and psychological reactions to the complex and diverse environments of the digital world are invaluable data samples.
In the “cloud collaboration” full of laughter and rewards, Liang Chen feels the fighting spirit and courage in Lu Jing, which makes her face the bottleneck of her career with the same persistence and determination.
Love Scenery Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The 26th Annual Golden Cicada Awards ceremony was underway, with intense competition for the "Best Female Artist" and "Artist of the Year" awards. Liang Chen and Meng Lan Zhi were both nominated for these two major honors, a rare occurrence as no artist had ever won both since the inception of the awards. When Liang Chen was announced as the winner of "Best Female Artist," a voice backstage teasingly congratulated her on winning the "consolation prize."
Liang Chen gracefully accepted the award, thanking her fans and her manager, Ms. Qing, and light-heartedly mentioned she would have reimbursed her fans' transportation if she hadn't won. As she was speaking, news broke, shocking the audience: photos of her boyfriend, Yue Yu Xun, with Meng Lan Zhi had been leaked.
Meanwhile, in a separate high-stakes gaming competition, a skilled player named Lu Jing was navigating treacherous virtual territory, succeeding in his mission just as the awards ceremony was about to announce the "Artist of the Year." The scandal continued to unfold as Liang Chen's team reacted with dismay. Her assistant, Yuan Ke Ke, worried about the impact on Liang Chen's upcoming album.
Despite the distraction, the ceremony proceeded, and Liang Chen was announced as the winner of "Artist of the Year," securing a historic "grand slam" by winning both major awards. Lu Jing, who had been following the ceremony during his game, celebrated her win with his friends.
In her second acceptance speech, Liang Chen, alluding to the recent news, powerfully stated she was grateful to her fans for giving her "what I desire" and thanked "a certain person for taking away what I don't need." Her fans, including Lu Jing and his gaming friends, were thrilled by her assertiveness. After the ceremony, Liang Chen encountered a young, high-achieving fan upset about not getting first place in the city-wide exams and offered her comforting words.
Later, Liang Chen's team discussed the leaked photos, confirming Yue Yu Xun's betrayal and noting he had likely used Liang Chen for fame. Ms. Qing suggested a "cold treatment" approach, advising against a public response to avoid sensationalism and keep the focus on Liang Chen's career. The news spread quickly, reaching Lu Jing, who remarked to his friends that Yue Yu Xun was never good enough for Liang Chen.
Liang Chen had a difficult phone call with Yue Yu Xun, who asked her to issue a statement claiming they had already broken up. She refused, declaring that "trash should stay in the trash can" and vowing not to date for the rest of the year. Overwhelmed, she tried to book a flight but, finding none, decided to drive overnight.
Meanwhile, Lu Jing had driven through the night to check on her, leaving quickly after receiving confirmation from a contact that she was alright. Amidst the personal turmoil, Liang Chen's song "Downwind" unexpectedly surged in popularity. Yuan Ke Ke explained it was because Herman, a famous esports streamer, played the song after completing a record-breaking "Beautiful Soul" game live stream on the night of the awards.
The song became an unofficial anthem for both success and failure in the game, resonating widely with players. This led Core Technology, the developers of "Beautiful Soul," to offer Liang Chen a role as their project ambassador, promoting healthy gaming and collaborating with streamers. Unfamiliar with gaming, Liang Chen felt unsure, but Ms. Qing suggested she ask her friend, Sun Bin Yu, for help. Liang Chen, using the in-game name "Little Orange," attempted to play "Beautiful Soul" but struggled immensely.
She sought help from a fellow player named "Taro," unaware that this was Lu Jing's alternate account. Seeing her frustration, Lu Jing humorously advised her to minimize the game window and play her own song "Downwind" for luck; while the song played, he single-handedly dispatched the enemies for her. In a separate incident, Lu Jing's friend Liu'er mischievously changed Lu Jing's in-game name to "Happy Bootlicker Lu Jing," leaving him stuck with it due to system maintenance.
Still struggling with the game and unable to reach Taro, Liang Chen visited Sun Bin Yu, who was preparing to leave for a film shoot. Seeing her desperation, he offered to find a "master" to help her, promising to connect her with a "dark horse" player from the world ladder tournament, agreeing to keep her identity a secret.
Episode 2 Recap
In the wake of a public scandal involving her now ex-boyfriend, popular singer Liang Chen is encouraged by her friend Taro to play the online game "Beautiful Soul." As Taro is leaving for a month-long spiritual retreat, he asks his university-student friend, Lu Jing, to guide Liang Chen in the game. Lu Jing correctly guesses the friend is a complete novice but is persuaded to help by the offer of a limited-edition Iron Man figure.
Taro then informs Liang Chen, but she becomes suspicious when she sees the guide's bizarre WeChat username, "Happy Bootlicker, Lu Jing," asking Taro if he's some kind of "desperate guy." Taro reassures her that Lu Jing is just a well-behaved student, and intrigued, Liang Chen adds him. In his dorm, Lu Jing's friends are amused that he is guiding a girl.
One friend warns that a novice player will be his "nightmare" and ruin his gaming stats, recounting his own negative experience. Confident in his abilities, Lu Jing dismisses the warning and makes a bet with them: if his performance suffers because of her, he will grant them one request. Liang Chen joins Lu Jing's voice chat room using a voice changer.
Her inexperience is immediately apparent; she is terrified of the in-game robots and admits to having been eliminated six times in just half an hour. During a tense escape in a subsequent attempt, Lu Jing instructs her to use a smoke bomb to obscure the enemies' vision. However, Liang Chen mistakenly throws a live explosive that kills Lu Jing instantly. His friends burst into laughter over his demise at the hands of his own teammate. Liang Chen apologizes profusely.
Lu Jing's internet briefly disconnects, leading Liang Chen to worry that he has abandoned her due to her poor skills. However, Lu Jing remains committed to his promise to Taro. His friends later speculate that the girl he's guiding might be a man using a voice changer, especially since her WeChat profile is empty. Meanwhile, Liang Chen is struggling with a creative block.
She tells her manager, Mr. Zhou, that none of the songs proposed for her new album give her the right "feeling" and that she needs a breakthrough. At his university, Lu Jing attends a lecture on artificial intelligence to find inspiration. His friend then informs him that he has signed them up as a team for a data mining competition.
Later, Lu Jing's friends call in their bet, forcing him to "pay the price" by performing in public at the Faculty of Music. Coincidentally, Liang Chen has also gone there, her old alma mater, hoping to find musical inspiration. As Lu Jing is forced to perform, he plays Symphony No. 35 in D major on the violin.
Hearing the familiar melody, Liang Chen is stunned, recognizing it as the exact piece that inspired one of her own hit songs, "You Have Me," and is moved by how beautifully it is played.
Episode 3 Recap
Liang Chen arrives at Nanze University seeking inspiration for her music composition, as she has recently felt stuck. As she approaches the music hall, Professor Qin calls out to her. After exchanging greetings, Professor Qin invites her to his office. There, Mr. Luo, the league secretary, enthusiastically approaches them, congratulating Liang Chen on her recent win of two Golden Cicada Awards and calling her the "pride of the university."
He insists on taking a photo with her for publicity, remarking on her "devotion to her alma mater." Liang Chen, despite the interruption, politely declines an evening invitation from Mr. Luo, stating she has prior engagements. The news of Liang Chen's presence at Nanze University quickly spreads across campus. Students excitedly rush towards the music academy. Despite his friends' urgings, Lu Jing feigns indifference, announcing he would rather go to the library and even walking in the wrong direction.
When his friends call him out, he playfully insists he enjoys taking a longer route, unable to hide his true intention to see Liang Chen. As his friends dash ahead, Lu Jing struggles to keep up, nearly spilling boiling water on himself in his haste. Meanwhile, Liang Chen is inside her vehicle. As her car drives past, she and Lu Jing have a brief moment of eye contact.
Lu Jing, ecstatic from the brief glance, excitedly tells his friend that Liang Chen looked at him, claiming that if "rounded up," it's "almost the same as her having talked to me." His friend, Ke Ke, playfully disputes this. Later, Lu Jing asks Ke Ke about the meaning of multiple '1's in a text message, and Ke Ke explains it signifies strong agreement or approval. That night, back at home, Liang Chen finds herself in a creative rut.
To clear her head, she attempts to play a game called "Perfect Soul," but despite consulting a quick guide, she struggles immensely, frustrated that "even a chicken pecking at a keyboard could play better." She then tries another game, singing "Downwind" to an opponent, only to fail yet again. Venting her frustration to her online friend, she laments her consistently poor performance despite having good gear like a "legendary AKB48," which her friend corrects to "AK47."
Her friend mockingly asks if she doesn't "know herself" how bad she is, but then offers to take her online in ten minutes to "experience the fun of setting off fireworks." Liang Chen notes that he seems to be in a good mood. Lu Jing logs into the game with Liang Chen. Due to a slip of Lu Jing's finger, two random players join their session. Lu Jing quickly takes charge, assigning roles and pairing himself with Liang Chen.
As they begin "Mission One: Search for the entrance to the tomb," the two new players recognize Lu Jing as "Herman," a renowned gaming streamer and "sniper god," excitedly requesting a photo with him. Liang Chen recognizes the name "Herman" and asks if he is the player who famously covered her song "Downwind." He confirms it, prompting her to ask if he is a fan of the singer Liang Chen, which he cheekily confirms.
Lu Jing instructs the two fans to head towards the camp, where there are fewer robots, while he and Liang Chen take the opposite, more dangerous route. Along the way, Liang Chen playfully asks why he likes the singer Liang Chen, listing her outstanding qualities. Lu Jing deflects by pointing out a group of robots.
She then inquires about their mission, learning they need to retrieve the "Mayan Energy Stone" from the robots to prevent them from creating powerful weapons and threatening Earth. Liang Chen enthusiastically embraces the task of "saving the planet." As they continue, Lu Jing drives a vehicle. He generously collects a high-level backpack, suit, and a powerful "airdrop gun" for her, items he claims he does not need himself.
Liang Chen is impressed by his expertise, remarking that he is "favored by god" for finding such rare gear. Trusting him completely, she accepts his offer to showcase his "jungle drift skill." However, Lu Jing's reckless driving scares Liang Chen, who repeatedly urges him to slow down. He assures her he is "taking you flying" before spectacularly crashing the vehicle, which he claims is a "skillful brake."
During the game, he playfully argues with his real-life roommate, referring to him as his "insolent son." Upon finding the tomb, Lu Jing boasts about his guidance, while Liang Chen humorously attributes their success to a "rookie's good luck." For "Mission Two: Get the Mayan Energy Stone," Lu Jing sends the two other players ahead, insisting he can handle blocking the incoming robots alone, even as Liang Chen expresses concern.
He later doubles back to provide Liang Chen with extra bullets and smoke grenades, accidentally handing her a flash grenade first. He then provides her with "private tutoring," explaining how to discern enemy positions in thick fog by watching his shots and listening for their movements. When Liang Chen asks why his fans didn't react to his impressive moves, he explains he forgot to press the voice chat button.
She humorously compares her situation to a math student who scored 20 points suddenly receiving private tutoring from a renowned mathematician. Lu Jing then reveals he graduated years ago and teases her, claiming her gaming skills are no better than an "elementary student." They then discover a "music formation" within the tomb: five large bells representing a pentatonic scale, with a stone tablet providing the musical score. Liang Chen, a professional singer, takes the lead.
While Lu Jing provides cover, she successfully hits the bells in the correct sequence, completing the musical puzzle and Mission Two. Finally, for "Mission Three: Return the Mayan Energy Stone," they are transported to a breathtaking location. Lu Jing explains that the energy stone belongs to the universe, and returning it automatically triggers a meteor shower. Liang Chen is overjoyed to see the beautiful display, which Lu Jing confirms are the "fireworks" he promised.
She quickly takes photos to commemorate this "historic moment," declaring herself "the future sniper goddess," despite her "zero achievement." As the game session concludes, Lu Jing bids Liang Chen goodnight, calling her "Little Box." Liang Chen, confused, wonders why a "Supreme Master" would choose such a "creepy nickname." Meanwhile, Lu Jing's friends are frustrated by a poor network connection, unable to watch a live stream. Elsewhere, Director He and an actress, Ms. Ma, discuss their challenging filming conditions.
Episode 4 Recap
Upon arriving at the studio for her show, Liang Chen is warned by her assistant, Yuan Ke Ke, that Meng Lan Zhi will also be there. Ke Ke urges Liang Chen to be prepared in case they cross paths. Meanwhile, in a university dorm, Lu Jing’s friends discuss Liang Chen, an alumnus of their university.
One friend excitedly talks about sleeping on every bed in their building, which was formerly the music academy’s girls' dormitory, hoping to absorb some of Liang Chen’s "magical aura." Lu Jing jokingly tells him he would just gain weight instead. At the filming set, Liang Chen's friend Ding Jiayun is waiting for her. Her ex-boyfriend, Yue Yu Xun, confronts her, begging for help after his show was cancelled.
He shamelessly tries to reconcile, blaming Meng Lan Zhi for seducing him while he was drunk. Unbeknownst to him, Meng Lan Zhi overhears his accusations from outside the makeup room, leading to a heated public argument between them. Afterwards, Ding Jiayun sternly warns Yue Yu Xun to stay away from Liang Chen, threatening further action if he continues to harass her. After filming concludes, Ding Jiayun invites Liang Chen to dinner at the Corridor Bridge Restaurant.
Coincidentally, Lu Jing is also dining there with his grandparents. From a distance, Lu Jing spots Liang Chen, his crush. During their meal, Lu Jing’s grandparents urge him to find a girlfriend. In her own conversation with Ding Jiayun, Liang Chen happens to mention that she also plays the game "Beautiful Soul" and is being guided by a highly skilled expert, which she finds very enjoyable. As Liang Chen is leaving the restaurant, she realizes she has lost an earring.
Lu Jing finds the earring near the restroom and returns it to her assistant. Hearing Lu Jing’s voice, Liang Chen finds it remarkably familiar, but due to the pouring rain and Ding Jiayun’s umbrella blocking her view, she doesn't see his face as she gets into the car. That evening, Liang Chen plays "Beautiful Soul" while Lu Jing live-streams as his gaming persona, "Herman."
During the stream, Lu Jing playfully teases Liang Chen, calling her "Little Box" for her lack of skill. Determined to prove him wrong, she follows his in-game advice—crouching to reduce recoil, holding her breath to steady the aim, and lowering the muzzle—and successfully makes a difficult shot. Afterwards, they chat, and Lu Jing mentions that her voice reminds him of someone he met earlier that day. They soon discover they both attend Nanze University.
Lu Jing then invites her to an escape room mission in the game. Armed with only a large metal spoon, Liang Chen jokes about digging a tunnel like in "The Shawshank Redemption." They use the spoon to uncover a hidden chip and must solve a binary addition puzzle to proceed. Lu Jing guides her past patrolling robots by navigating through their blind spots.
At one point, he jumps from a high platform, and when Liang Chen hesitates, he playfully threatens to shoot her. After she jumps, he lets her fall, explaining that catching her would have caused her to lose health points in the game. During an intense robot attack, Liang Chen panics and cries for help just as Lu Jing's grandmother enters his room. He quickly claims the shouting is from a movie about "pigs being slaughtered."
After the danger passes, Liang Chen reveals she recorded a video of their gameplay, teasing Lu Jing for his "snake-like" movements and calling him a jerk for not saving her earlier.
Episode 5 Recap
While playing an online game, Lu Jing and his teammate found themselves in a dangerous situation, nearly getting eliminated. His teammate chided him for not hiding, to which Lu Jing playfully responded that they should "live or die together." This prompted his teammate to tease Lu Jing, saying he was acting just as he did when he was "chasing" her, leading to a playful argument about who pursued whom.
As they navigated the game, they encountered an "air wall," a programming flaw blocking their path. After finding a hole, Lu Jing's teammate suggested he crawl through it "like a dog," which Lu Jing initially resisted before giving in. His teammate mused that if he had listened earlier, they would have already completed the task, concluding it must be a bug in the new map.
Lu Jing, who had briefly thought he'd discovered a new strategy, decided to log off for the night as he had class the next day. Separately, Liang Chen was on a film set struggling with a kiss scene. The director, Director He, repeatedly called "cut," pointing out that she was not using the agreed-upon "fake it" technique. Liang Chen apologized to her co-star, Ms. Ma, claiming she couldn't control herself.
Director He then jokingly asked if the intimate scene was enough for her, and when he offered to add more, Liang Chen eagerly accepted. Meanwhile, on campus, students approached Lu Jing to ask if he would perform the violin at the upcoming university anniversary celebration, especially since they heard Liang Chen might attend. Lu Jing refused. A student then asked Lu Jing to be her escort for the event, but he politely declined.
When she questioned his interest in Liang Chen, citing his large collection of her albums, Lu Jing dismissed it by comparing his appreciation for Liang Chen to his interest in Tesla. Later, in class, Lu Jing was stopped from leaving early by the notoriously strict head of the department, nicknamed "Three-Nos Professor Liu." Asked why he was attending a class outside his major, Lu Jing claimed he was simply keeping the student next to him company.
In her recording studio, Liang Chen, wanting to try a new musical direction, presented a song she had written spontaneously the previous night. The track incorporated electronic music elements, a departure from her usual style. Her team found it upbeat and interesting, and Liang Chen admitted she was still in the exploratory stage with this new genre.
Her friend, Ding Jiayun, then arrived and invited her to a private music party the following day, mentioning that many popular bands, including the Salted Fish Band, would be performing. Liang Chen, a fan of the band, happily agreed. At the same time, Liu Shun, who works at a TV station, called Lu Jing to invite him to the same music party.
Lu Jing was hesitant, claiming he didn't dance, but Liu Shun persuaded him by reminding him of a past favor—giving him a special edition Liang Chen album. Lu Jing reluctantly agreed. On their way to the venue, Liu Shun politely declined flowers from a child, explaining his pollen allergy. At the exclusive masquerade party, Ding Jiayun and Lu Jing both coincidentally chose angel masks. The party's atmosphere was different from what Liang Chen had expected.
She initially asked for orange juice but was encouraged to try some wine instead. Ding Jiayun stepped away to take a call, and during his absence, his white shirt was accidentally splashed with a drink, forcing him to leave to find a change of clothes. Left alone, Liang Chen became increasingly inebriated and ordered the "strongest liquor."
As the Salted Fish Band performed, a very drunk Liang Chen mistook Lu Jing, who was wearing the identical angel mask, for Ding Jiayun. After Lu Jing handed her another drink, she realized her mistake, muttering to herself that Ding Jiayun would never have done that. Lu Jing noted her intoxication and caught her as she stumbled, warning her that he wouldn't always be there to catch her and that next time she might fall right into his arms.
As he began to escort her out, Ding Jiayun returned and pulled Liang Chen away. Later that night, a tipsy Liang Chen took a photo in her dressing mirror and posted it to her social media. The next morning, Lu Jing saw a notification for the post, but the image failed to load, making him wonder if he had imagined it.
In reality, Liang Chen had woken up, realized she had forgotten to set the post's privacy settings, and immediately deleted it. Her friend Ke Ke later asked why she took down the photo, but Liang Chen explained it was a drunken mistake. When Ke Ke teased her about going to the party alone with Ding Jiayun, Liang Chen denied any romantic involvement, insisting she went for the Salted Fish Band and that she and Ding Jiayun are just ordinary friends.
Back in the game "Beautiful Soul," Lu Jing played with his friend, who asked why he was still helping the challenging player they called the "crazy Box Spirit"—the same one who had accidentally eliminated herself in a previous match. Lu Jing explained that a friend had asked him to, and he found that playing with her made the game more interesting and difficult. His friend joked that this "nerdy" dedication was why he was single.
When his friend asked for the "Box Spirit's" gamer ID to try playing with her, Lu Jing refused, claiming his friend couldn't handle the challenge and that he preferred to do it himself, leading his friend to tease that Lu Jing couldn't bear to let her go. Later, while in Shanghai for a work trip, Liang Chen found herself in a hot, poorly ventilated elevator.
She called Lu Jing to tell him she would be busy with work and might not have time to play games for the next few days. On the other end of the line, Lu Jing simply told his "Little Box" to focus on her work.
Episode 6 Recap
Liang Chen arrives in Shanghai for a work trip and settles into her hotel. Meanwhile, Lu Jing's friends, Zhou Zhou, Zhu Guang, and Gu Fei Ming, see him rushing off, claiming he needs to do research. Later, they find him uncharacteristically engrossed in his phone, and he explains that his work is done and that "Spirit Box," his in-game partner Liang Chen, is busy. He eventually agrees to play a game with them after he finishes his homework.
Liang Chen's manager, Ms Qing, reviews the program rundown with her, confirming she is scheduled as the opening act. Tired of performing her hit song "Unstoppable" repeatedly, Liang Chen expresses a desire to change it. Ms Qing is supportive and offers to negotiate with the organizers, but Liang Chen has not yet decided on a replacement song. Later, while gaming, Lu Jing complains that routine tasks with his friends are boring.
As they try to acquire high-tier equipment from a virtual "Little Box," he jokingly offers to sacrifice his friend's "20 years of single life" for better luck. They end up with a skirt, which Lu Jing notes wouldn't suit his tall in-game character. At the same time, Liang Chen asks her assistant, Ke Ke, for song suggestions. Seeking inspiration, she decides to ask her fan, Lu Jing, what song he would most like to hear her sing.
Lu Jing replies that while he likes all her songs, he would choose a new one for the sense of anticipation it creates. His response sparks an idea, and Liang Chen decides to adapt one of her existing songs. Wanting to thank him for his in-game guidance, Liang Chen asks Lu Jing for his address to send a gift.
He playfully suggests she might need to send him a villa and provides his address: Nanze University, Zone A, Garden of Repose, Block 8. Liang Chen is astonished, revealing that she also used to live there, in Block 8, back when it was a girls' dormitory. She takes him on a virtual tour, reminiscing about her old room, 417, and her desk, where she discovers motivational words she had written on the wall years ago.
When she asks about his roommates, he mentions Ma Shan Shan, who happens to be Liang Chen's former college roommate. Lu Jing is taken aback by the series of magical coincidences. Soon after, a video of Liang Chen's rehearsal of the adapted song is leaked online, causing a massive uproar. Critics pan the rock-style arrangement as "messy" and ill-suited for her voice, accusing her of "insulting rock."
Ms Qing urgently informs Liang Chen of the backlash but assures her she will handle the online situation and support her decision. Jia Yun, a fellow performer, also calls. While he claims her adaptation is "not bad," he advises her to ignore the negative comments but strongly suggests she perform the original version, deeming the timing for such a significant change "not mature." A disheartened Liang Chen asks her team to leave so she can be alone.
Sensing her low spirits, Lu Jing sends a comforting message, advising her to either resolve her problems or temporarily set them aside. Pressured by the production team for a final decision, Liang Chen ultimately chooses to perform the original song. While her team is relieved, Ms Qing admits to feeling a subtle sense of loss.
Liang Chen confesses to Lu Jing that she feels she overestimated herself, but he reassures her, praising her bravery for attempting something new and reminding her that change takes time. He tells her the performance was "good" and invites her to dinner after her recording. Later, Lu Jing shows his friends two tickets he acquired for Liang Chen's birthday fan meet on November 7th, forgetting it clashes with a Data Mining Competition.
His friends playfully threaten to make him study for final exams alone if he skips the competition. Shortly after, Ke Ke accidentally changes the wallpaper on a phone she thinks is Liang Chen's, leading to the discovery that Liang Chen has Jia Yun's phone. When his assistant, Zhu Guang, retrieves it, Liang Chen casually asks for Jia Yun's birthday, which Zhu Guang confirms is December 24th.
During a game, Lu Jing's friends discuss whether setting a girl's birthday as a phone password implies romantic interest. When directly asked if someone used his birthday as a password, Lu Jing evasively claims it was a friend's situation. Just then, Jia Yun arrives and urges Liang Chen to leave with him. Suddenly feeling unwell, Liang Chen apologizes and departs alone, declining Jia Yun's offer of a ride to the hospital.
Witnessing this, Lu Jing abruptly quits the game, announcing he is going to play basketball, leaving his friends bewildered. After finding the basketball courts occupied, Lu Jing ends up in a one-on-one "bullfight" with Gu Fei Ming. Meanwhile, Ke Ke warns Liang Chen about eating unhealthy snacks. Liang Chen messages Lu Jing, who says he will be available in ten minutes. Later, suffering from a stomach ache, she is surprised by Jia Yun, who arrives with porridge and medicine.
She thanks him, and he leaves after urging her to rest. Liang Chen then wonders to Ke Ke if she might have unintentionally given Jia Yun the wrong idea. Lu Jing texts, apologizing for being busy, and sends an elaborate meteorological analysis predicting an 83% chance of a rainstorm in Shanghai, which Liang Chen finds perplexing. She clarifies that she has another work commitment and will be returning the next afternoon.
Episode 7 Recap
Concerned about Liang Chen's return trip from Shanghai, Lu Jing analyzes weather data and predicts an 83% chance of a storm for the coming week. Liang Chen, however, isn't planning to stay that long; despite a PR event keeping her busy until the next afternoon, she intends to head back immediately after. Meanwhile, Lu Jing is eating crayfish with his friends when he gets a text from Liang Chen asking if he's home.
In a hurry to leave, Lu Jing concedes defeat to his friend in a crayfish-peeling race. He has his own two plates packed to go, treats his friends to two new plates on his tab, and tells them to eat their fill, which prompts them to order three more. Once home, Liang Chen goes online to play a game with Lu Jing.
He initiates the interaction by "selling" her a white dress in the game for one yuan, a gesture she appreciates. They dive into the game, displaying initial teamwork and excitement. However, their progress is abruptly halted when they are defeated by a bazooka. Liang Chen playfully teases Lu Jing about his past live stream failures, suggesting he frequently "throws" games. Lu Jing jokingly attributes their loss to eating too much crayfish.
He then offers to treat Liang Chen to crayfish sometime, but she politely declines, citing the effort involved and the late hour. This refusal leaves Lu Jing feeling disappointed, prompting him to secretly search for her real-life location, which he pinpoints as Nanze University, Dormitory A, 8A-417. On a film set in the mountains, the crew enjoys a barbecue party funded by Director He. Sun Binyu, praised for his performance, is rewarded with a pork knuckle.
Learning that co-star Ma Shanshan sprained her foot, he brings her the pork knuckle, conveying the crew's well wishes. However, Ma Shanshan politely declines and closes the door, despite his insistence that it would be good for her foot. Later, Sun Binyu expresses his strong desire to collaborate with Ma Shanshan on a romantic comedy, referring to her as his "hard disk goddess" and mentioning his "ten terabytes" collection of her work, a comment Ma Shanshan unfortunately overhears.
Ding Jiayun declines an invitation from Ms. Lan Yao, with his assistant noting he would have agreed if the invitation came from Liang Chen. He then meets Liang Chen at a jewelry store, asking for her help to select a birthday gift for his mother. He subtly mentions that his mother's birthday, November 7, is the same as Liang Chen's, which eases her initial reluctance.
Liang Chen suggests a jade piece, believing it suits his mother's temperament and is good for her health. Ding Jiayun accepts her advice, confident his mother will love the gift. As Lu Jing and Zhou Zhou prepare to depart for a competition in Guangzhou, Zhou Zhou playfully suggests Lu Jing find a girlfriend to take his intense focus off him.
At the airport, they learn only one economy class seat is left, so Zhou Zhou accepts a complimentary upgrade to first class. Aboard the plane, Lu Jing goes to the first-class cabin to get his earphones from Zhou Zhou and is stunned to find Liang Chen seated there.
His mind races, connecting the dots: his gaming partner "Little Box" mentioned a business trip to Guangzhou, and Liang Chen had said she would be busy during the day but free to play games at night. Seeing her on this very flight, Lu Jing realizes that Liang Chen must be "Little Box".
Episode 8 Recap
After signing in for a computer contest with his friend Zhou Zhou, Lu Jing spots a barbecue shop offering a Box Spirit doll as a prize for finishing a plate of roasted durians within a set time. Despite finding the durian repulsive, Lu Jing forces himself to eat it for the doll. Failing to finish in time, he resorts to acting cute to charm the staff into giving him the prize.
Observing his efforts, Zhou Zhou teases him, suggesting Lu Jing is in love and has come to Guangzhou for an online dating meetup. Meanwhile, Liang Chen encounters her cold and distant former friend, Ma Shanshan, at a television studio. When Ma Shanshan's assistant asks for Liang Chen's autograph, Ma Shanshan coldly dismisses the request, claiming they aren't familiar with each other.
Shortly after, Sun Binyu, who had followed Ma Shanshan to Guangzhou after discovering she'd left her previous location, arrives at the taping as a "lucky audience member." The host challenges a volunteer to princess-carry Ma Shanshan for ten squats. After an awkward silence with no volunteers, Sun Binyu steps up. He struggles immensely, even tearing his pants, but completes the challenge.
Ma Shanshan remains indifferent, leaving without a word and later ignoring his calls, even as he explains he snuck away from his own film set to see her. Back at his hotel, Lu Jing sends Liang Chen a picture of the Box Spirit doll, remarking on its resemblance to her.
Zhou Zhou peeks at his phone and teases him about "Little Box," his gaming partner, prompting Lu Jing to admit he knows nothing about her, not even her name or age. Lu Jing then has Liang Chen's assistant, He Ye, retrieve a package for him, which contains a rare, non-for-sale promotional album signed by Liang Chen. This sparks a realization in Lu Jing: only the singer, her staff, or someone very close to her would have such an item.
He connects this with the fact that "Little Box's" location has mirrored Liang Chen's, from Shanghai to Guangzhou. Convinced they are the same person, he messages her directly asking who she really is, leaving her flustered. To deflect his questions, Liang Chen suggests they play their game, "Beautiful Soul." They both head to internet cafes; Lu Jing sits in the main hall, and Liang Chen, after failing to secure a private room, finds a corner seat nearby.
In the game, Liang Chen, unaware of his identity, praises her partner, "Herman," for his skill and cute personality. Lu Jing downplays the compliments and even sings a few lines of her song to her over voice chat. Their game is suddenly interrupted when the voice of a delivery person shouting an order for "fish-flavored shredded pork rice" echoes through both of their headsets, revealing they are in the same cafe.
Episode 9 Recap
Following up on hearing a delivery person's voice over their game chat, both Lu Jing and Liang Chen realize they are in the same cybercafe. The delivery person loudly seeks the owner of a Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork Rice order, causing a chaotic scene. Liang Chen, using her online alias "Noob", tries to hide, feeling embarrassed by the messy environment and her appearance.
Lu Jing, who had to switch cafes due to a power outage, spots her and feels more certain that she is Liang Chen. After a brief and awkward exchange about her upcoming birthday fan meeting, Lu Jing directly asks if she is the celebrity he suspects her to be. Before Lu Jing can get an answer, he and his classmate Zhou Zhou are called for their "Deep Sea Big Data" presentation at a university competition.
Having drawn the last slot, Lu Jing is disappointed they will miss Liang Chen's birthday event. While anxiously waiting backstage, they struggle with their overfitted model. A woman, who is actually Liang Chen in disguise, notices their problem and advises them to reduce the training iterations. Impressed, they ask for more details, and she agrees to connect on WeChat after they do her a favor.
Meanwhile, at her birthday event in Guangzhou, Liang Chen is visibly nervous and unsuccessfully tries to change the show's schedule. Lu Jing manages to get into the fan meeting by fabricating a story about his girlfriend being inside. During a lucky draw, the first number called is 187—Lu Jing's ticket number—but he is still stuck outside and misses the call.
Liang Chen then draws a new number, 88, and Lu Jing, who holds the winning ticket, finally gets to join her on stage. He wishes her a happy birthday and expresses his excitement. During the Q&A, a fan's voice sounds strikingly familiar to Liang Chen. When asked about her favorite streamer, she names "Herman" from the game "Beautiful Soul."
Before she can investigate the familiar voice, the event is interrupted by the surprise appearance of her close friend, Ding Jia Yun. He wishes her a happy birthday and reveals that he often plays the game with her. Feeling dejected and jealous, Lu Jing abruptly leaves. Later that night, Lu Jing mistakenly sends Liang Chen an online message as his gamer persona, wishing her a happy birthday, but quickly retracts it.
This causes Liang Chen to worry her identity as "Noob" has been discovered. While Lu Jing sulks in a cybercafe, Liang Chen attends a birthday dinner with Ding Jia Yun. Afterward, she messages Lu Jing (as Noob) that she's busy. Later, she asks if he's free to play, casually mentioning she might team up with her boss, Ding Jia Yun, a skilled player.
Seeing this, Lu Jing becomes furious, declares he won't play with her anymore, and logs off, leaving Liang Chen to realize she has upset him. Still dejected at a subsequent award ceremony, Lu Jing remains withdrawn. Meanwhile, Liang Chen, wanting to apologize, asks her friend Ke Ke for advice on a unique in-game gift. During their conversation, Liang Chen admits she's been playing with "Herman," and Ke Ke reveals that Herman is Lu Jing.
Ke Ke suggests a newly released, rare backpack. While Liang Chen struggles to obtain it, Lu Jing complains to Zhou Zhou about "Noob" playing with another man, with Zhou Zhou pointing out his obvious jealousy. Wanting to reconcile, Lu Jing messages Liang Chen that he has a gift for her. They meet in-game, and Lu Jing presents her with a rare piece of equipment, admitting he bought it.
Just then, Ding Jia Yun arrives at Liang Chen's apartment to retrieve a coat. Lu Jing overhears Jia Yun's voice on the chat mentioning the coat. Mistakenly believing Liang Chen is with another man, Lu Jing becomes enraged and abruptly disconnects. Liang Chen is left confused by his sudden departure, while Zhou Zhou teases the furious Lu Jing that he should just forgive his "distinguished guest."
Episode 10 Recap
Lu Jing is momentarily stunned into silence when he hears Little Box's real voice over the game, as she forgot to use her voice changer. He immediately recognizes it as Liang Chen's. As she continues speaking, revealing she also graduated from Nanze University and even giving her old dorm address, Lu Jing's suspicion solidifies into certainty. He finally responds, claiming a bad connection to hide his shock. Relieved he doesn't sound angry, Liang Chen asks to play again.
Back in his room, his roommate Liu Er reminds Lu Jing of his vow to be a "dog" if he ever played with her again. Lu Jing promptly barks twice, stunning Liu Er. During their next game, Lu Jing is noticeably distracted, now knowing he is playing with Liang Chen. He plays poorly and ends the session early, claiming he has other commitments.
When Liang Chen asks why he stood her up the previous night, he apologizes, explaining it was for a friend he couldn't refuse. Alone later, Lu Jing is filled with regret over his past harsh treatment of "Little Box," lamenting what he has done to Liang Chen. Upon learning the university anniversary celebration is that Saturday, Lu Jing asks who was chosen for the flower presentation role he had previously rejected. Discovering it's Gu Fei Ming, he is dismayed.
He immediately finds Gu Fei Ming and asks him to give up the role of presenting flowers to Liang Chen. Despite Lu Jing's plea, Gu Fei Ming playfully and firmly rejects the request, stating the matter is non-negotiable. Meanwhile, Liang Chen juggles a demanding schedule but insists on an early recording session to ensure she is free for the university event. Her assistant asks if she has managed to get Gu Fei Ming to swap roles with Lu Jing.
Liang Chen confidently smiles, implying she can handle the situation. Elsewhere, Lu Jing confirms with Gu Fei Ming that he will be at the rehearsal, stressing the importance of the event. On the day of the rehearsal, Liang Chen arrives at Nanze University to a crowd of excited fans. While settling into her prep room, she secretly texts Lu Jing as "Little Box," telling him she's at the hall.
He offers to pick her up, but when she admits she hasn't arrived yet, he playfully calls her a "liar." As planned, when it's time for the flower presentation segment of the rehearsal, Gu Fei Ming fakes a sudden, severe stomachache and rushes off stage. The director, Mr. Luo, looks for a replacement, and Lu Jing immediately volunteers. Qi Qi then approaches Lu Jing, confirming that he will now be the one presenting the flowers to Liang Chen while she assists by giving out souvenirs.
Episode 11 Recap
To secure the chance to present flowers to Liang Chen at the university homecoming, Lu Jing strikes a deal with Gu Fei Ming. Knowing Gu Fei Ming is avoiding playing games with his crush, Qi Qi, for fear of exposing his mediocre skills, Lu Jing offers to play on his behalf. A desperate Gu Fei Ming agrees, trading his on-stage spot for Lu Jing's help. Playing as Gu Fei Ming, Lu Jing's impressive skills stun Qi Qi.
However, his performance is so good that Gu Fei Ming panics, worrying he won't be able to live up to the new standard. To rectify this, Lu Jing comically eliminates himself in-game. The next day, Liang Chen tells her assistant, Ke Ke, that she is done with gaming. When Herman (Lu Jing's online persona) messages her to play, she lies about injuring her hand.
He then invites her to watch his livestream; she reluctantly agrees and is caught by Ke Ke, who teases her for being dishonest. Later, Ke Ke asks if Liang Chen's former classmate and fellow celebrity, Ma Shan Shan, will be attending the homecoming. This sparks a flashback to their younger days when they were close friends who vowed to support each other's dreams of becoming a top singer and producer.
As the homecoming event begins, Lu Jing’s friends meticulously style his hair, dubbing him the "Takeshi Kaneshiro of Nanze University." Meanwhile, Liang Chen is anxious before her performance, looking for the boy she recognizes. During a pre-show photo session, Lu Jing approaches her for a picture while holding a box doll. Liang Chen remarks that the doll looks familiar.
Seeing he's lightly dressed, she asks if he is cold, to which he confidently replies he isn't, as he is "full of vigour." Later, on stage after Liang Chen's performance, Gu Fei Ming fakes a stomach ache, allowing Lu Jing to take his place. Instead of flowers, Lu Jing presents Liang Chen with the doll, explaining that the real roses weren't ready.
The sound of his voice strikes Liang Chen as incredibly familiar, making her suspect he is Herman, but he is hurried off stage before she can confirm. Afterwards, Ke Ke gushes about the handsome student and playfully accuses a flustered Liang Chen of having a crush. As they leave, Liang Chen slips on the slick floor. Lu Jing rushes to her side to see if she is hurt. She reassures him she is fine and quickly gets into her car.
Episode 12 Recap
As Liang Chen concluded her song, Qi Qi and Lu Jing stepped onto the stage to present her with flowers. While receiving the origami bouquet, Liang Chen’s hand brushed against Lu Jing's, and she noted how hot his hand was. Lu Jing explained it was due to his "boiling blood." As she instinctively pulled back, the flowers fell. When they both bent down to retrieve them, Liang Chen accidentally touched his hand again.
Later, Qi Qi praised Liang Chen's performance and her cute outfit, and a friend noted the origami flowers were a thoughtful gift, likely chosen because of Liang Chen's pollen allergy. After the event, Liang Chen left the restroom to find Lu Jing waiting for her. Though she tried to avoid him, Lu Jing stepped forward and draped a scarf around her neck, advising her to keep warm.
After Liang Chen departed, Qi Qi asked Lu Jing to teach her how to fold the paper roses, and he agreed to send her a tutorial video. Holding the paper roses, a pleased Liang Chen was being driven off campus when she spotted a drunk Ma Shanshan. Liang Chen decided to take her home.
During the ride, her thoughts drifted to a past performance where Ma Shanshan failed to show up, forcing Liang Chen to perform alone and seemingly abandoning their shared musical dream. Meanwhile, Lu Jing discovered an anonymous post on the university forum from his friend, "Baby Da Yan," who had forgotten to hide their IP address. The post requested memes of a male celebrity, prompting Lu Jing's other friends to tease the poster.
Frustrated with her own poor gaming skills in "Beautiful Soul" and finding Lu Jing offline, Liang Chen decided to create a secondary account to practice on her own. The next day, Ding Jiayun gave Sun Binyu a ride home from the airport. In their building's elevator, they encountered Lu Jing, who declined Ding Jiayun’s invitation to hang out.
In his apartment, Ding Jiayun told Sun Binyu that he had realized their neighbor, Lu Jing, was the gaming master playing with Liang Chen. Later, Ma Shanshan visited Ding Jiayun's place and asked about Lu Jing. After Ding Jiayun confirmed he was a university student, he began planning a welcome-back dinner for Director He, intending to invite Liang Chen and Ma Shanshan.
Struggling with the game on her new account, Liang Chen messaged Lu Jing for help, claiming it was for work. He agreed, and during their game, he offered to teach her "step by step." Suddenly, their neighbor Sun Binyu burst into Lu Jing’s apartment, accusing him of flirting. He angrily contrasted Lu Jing’s current patience with how Lu Jing had abandoned him for being a bad player, accusing him of giving a girl special treatment.
Hearing the commotion, Lu Jing's grandmother mistakenly thought they were fighting over the same girl. Sun Binyu called Lu Jing outrageously flirty, a trait he claimed was learned from Director He. Lu Jing ended the argument, telling Sun Binyu not to reveal that he knows Liang Chen's true identity. Later, Liang Chen called Ma Shanshan to retrieve earphones she’d left in her car, and Ma Shanshan agreed to bring them over. Just then, Lu Jing appeared at Liang Chen's door.
Anxious for him to leave before Ma Shanshan arrived, Liang Chen rushed him out, packing some skewers for him to take. As he was leaving, Lu Jing mentioned he knew Ma Shanshan from a past film project and invited Liang Chen to a dinner party at his house the next evening. Immediately after he left, Ma Shanshan arrived, leading to a brief, awkward encounter between her and Lu Jing at the door before Liang Chen welcomed her inside.
Episode 13 Recap
Sun Binyu hosts a dinner party at his home, inviting Liang Chen, Ding Jiayun, and Director He. Lu Jing, who lives nearby, makes several trips to Sun Binyu’s home under various pretexts—borrowing vinegar, garlic, and even a pan—to see Liang Chen. During his visits, he observes the comfortable dynamic between Liang Chen and Ding Jiayun, who has cooked the entire meal and receives high praise from the guests.
Later that evening, as Liang Chen and Ding Jiayun prepare to leave together, Lu Jing, who is heading downstairs to throw out the trash, sees them. Noting that she is not dressed warmly, he takes off his own coat and puts it around her shoulders. He then makes a pointed comment that she should wear more, as she is "not as strong and healthy as young people," before walking away.
The next day, a distracted Lu Jing plays chess with Sun Binyu, subtly steering the conversation toward Liang Chen and Ding Jiayun. He asks why a singer and an actor would be so close, prompting Sun Binyu to suggest they might have romantic feelings for each other. Shortly after, Liang Chen arrives to return the coat Lu Jing lent her, surprised to find him there.
Lu Jing accepts the coat and teases her, questioning the "strong wind" that made the gesture necessary and referencing her earlier joke about wanting a "big hug." He remarks that she is "pretty and sweet-voiced," and when she dismisses his words as a joke, he coolly retorts that he tends to take things seriously, causing her to blush. As Liang Chen leaves, Lu Jing offers to walk her downstairs, using his trash as an excuse.
In the elevator, he notices her staring at the alarm button and correctly guesses that she is fantasizing about the elevator malfunctioning. When he points it out, she defensively asks if she should be staring at him instead, to which he calmly replies, "Sure," leaving her flustered. Meanwhile, Liang Chen needs a partner for an upcoming live stream promotion for "Beautiful Soul." Her manager, Liu Yiqing, contacts the popular gamer "Herman," who is Lu Jing's public alias.
Unbeknownst to them, Lu Jing is also "Taro," the expert gamer who has been training Liang Chen's in-game avatar. Initially, Lu Jing refuses the offer. He confides in his roommate that he is waiting for Liang Chen to become desperate enough to beg him. After the rejection, Liang Chen laments to Sun Binyu. Ding Jiayun then learns of her predicament and calls to offer his help. Just as Liang Chen is about to accept, a call comes through from "Herman." Lu Jing has changed his mind and agrees to the collaboration, securing his spot as her partner.
Episode 14 Recap
After learning Ding Jiayun was trying to arrange a partner for Liang Chen's live stream, Lu Jing, under his online persona Herman, contacted Liang Chen's manager and agreed to participate. He amusedly thought that the idea of anyone else teaming up with her was just a dream. Meanwhile, Liang Chen prepared for the stream in a specially arranged room, learning her teammate would be sitting right next to her, though only she would be visible on camera.
Elsewhere, Lu Jing, who had previously feigned unavailability, eagerly watched Liang Chen's pre-stream preparations on his tablet, remarking that a lot can change in a month. When Liang Chen and Lu Jing (as Herman) met for the broadcast, he immediately put her at ease, promising to cooperate fully. During the stream, the commentator, Liu Shun, guided the audience.
Liang Chen expressed concern about using her personal gaming account, fearing her fans would recognize it, a point Lu Jing playfully teased her about. As they played, their in-game chemistry was undeniable. Lu Jing guided the impulsive Liang Chen, humorously describing her hasty actions as a "strategic retreat" and providing her with a submachine gun, dubbing her the "King of Close Combat." They successfully navigated the mission's challenges, with Lu Jing reassuringly telling her not to worry.
Impressed by his skill, Liang Chen admired his shooting technique and expressed a desire to learn, to which he offered to teach her sometime. Viewers, observing their interactions, commented on their "flirting," noting they looked like "love birds." After the successful stream, the event organizer, Mr. Lin, congratulated Liang Chen and Herman on the high viewership. Liang Chen revealed that Herman was a junior from her university, a coincidence that surprised Mr. Lin, given their natural teamwork.
Lu Jing mused that it felt as if they had been teaming up every day. Mr. Lin then invited everyone to an after-party. Lu Jing subtly asked Liang Chen if she would attend, and despite her busy schedule, she decided to go, saying she wanted to relax. Later, Liu Yiqing confided in Liang Chen that she felt Herman looked at her in a strangely familiar way, but Liang Chen dismissed it.
Separately, Sun Binyu complained about Lu Jing's "shameless" shortcut to meeting his idol. He then attempted to play a game with Ma Shanshan, who reluctantly agreed to one match on the condition that if her score was higher, he would stop bothering her. During their game, Sun Binyu was quickly eliminated, while Ma Shanshan efficiently defeated her opponents. She ended the game early, confident in her victory after having meticulously counted her 26 kills out of 50.
A surprised Sun Binyu later discovered Ma Shanshan had blocked him, a move he found charismatic. At the after-party, Lu Jing complimented Liang Chen's gaming skills, calling her "a gifted player." Ding Jiayun arrived and was warmly welcomed by Mr. Lin, who acknowledged Ding's role in recommending Liang Chen. Ding affirmed her suitability and praised her performance during the live stream.
During the celebration, Lu Jing approached Mr. Lin, declining payment for his participation and instead asking for a "Little Fire Dragon," a rare, discontinued in-game item. Lu Jing explained it wasn't for himself but for a "noob player" so she could have fun. Mr. Lin expressed concern that the item, which attracts enemy fire, was risky for a novice, but Lu Jing assured him that this player was almost always with him and he would handle any threats.
Liang Chen, who overheard the conversation, quietly excused herself. Later, in the corridor, Lu Jing pointed out that a button on the back of Liang Chen's top had come undone and helped her fasten it. Just then, Ding Jiayun approached, expressing concern about the cold and draping his jacket over her shoulders. As the party concluded, Ding Jiayun invited Liang Chen to a movie premiere that weekend, but she declined due to a recording session.
As they were leaving, Lu Jing casually asked Liang Chen where she lived. When she replied "Bocui Tianchen," he claimed it was on his way and asked for a ride, which she agreed to. Lu Jing's assistant, watching them leave, noted to himself that Liang Chen's home was in the opposite direction of their actual destination. Once in the car, Lu Jing playfully feigned helplessness and asked Liang Chen to buckle his seatbelt for him.
She teased him about it but obliged. After he was dropped off, he thought to himself, "You cold-hearted woman. You keep trampling on my sincere heart. I'll never forgive you." Elsewhere, Ding Jiayun was drinking with a friend who recounted the day's stream, revealing that Ding's own neighbor, Lu Jing, was Liang Chen's partner, referring to him as a "little wolf dog." When asked directly if he liked Liang Chen, Ding Jiayun admitted that he did, shocking his friend.
Later, Lu Jing messaged Liang Chen to "get online," and she quickly agreed to meet him. He playfully asked if she had anything to say to him, and when she said no, he began talking about the "Little Fire Dragon" item. She said she'd love to have one but knew they were discontinued. Frustrated by her obliviousness to his earlier gesture, Lu Jing thought, "I should have strangled you with the seatbelt today."
As she prepared to leave, he stopped her and presented her with the Little Fire Dragon. Holding the cute item, she finally understood and asked, "You were waiting all night for this, weren't you?"
Episode 15 Recap
Following their livestream, as Liang Chen prepares to log off, Lu Jing stops her. He presents her with the rare in-game item he acquired, then playfully teases her, suggesting she waited all night for him. He directly confronts her about her online persona, "Little Box." Despite her attempts to deny it, Lu Jing insists he knows the truth, prompting a flustered Liang Chen to abruptly shut down her computer.
Eager to meet Liang Chen in person, Lu Jing immediately contacts Sun Binyu. He dramatically claims he needs Liang Chen's address because her house is "on fire" and he must "save" her. Sun Binyu, initially hesitant to betray a friend's privacy, demands a "benefit" for the information but eventually relents, providing the address. Sun Binyu then jokes that Lu Jing might be going to start a fire rather than put one out. Lu Jing soon arrives at Liang Chen's apartment.
He first calls her, teasingly mentioning that a "fresh meat set meal" he ordered for her should be arriving. Moments later, he is at her doorstep, introducing himself with his online ID, "Lu Lu Xiu." A surprised Liang Chen questions his unexpected presence. Lu Jing expresses his desire to get to know her again and confronts her about her online identity.
After she feigns ignorance, Lu Jing reveals his long-held affection for her, admitting he was overjoyed when he discovered that "Little Box" was her. Flustered, Liang Chen tries to send him off. Before they head downstairs, Liang Chen notices Lu Jing isn't wearing a coat and thoughtfully drapes her own scarf around him. Unbeknownst to them, Ding Jiayun sits in his car nearby, dejectedly observing Lu Jing and Liang Chen depart together, with Lu Jing now wearing her scarf.
Shortly after, Sun Binyu calls Lu Jing, curious about the burgeoning relationship. Lu Jing confidently asserts his feelings for Liang Chen, suggesting his "male lead's halo" will ensure their success, much to Sun Binyu's frustration. Meanwhile, at school, Gu Feiming, his arm in a sling, restlessly watches Lu Jing and his roommates play basketball, feeling sidelined by his injury. Qi Qi approaches him, inquiring about his hand and when they can resume their online missions.
To avoid her, Gu Feiming continues to feign severe pain, even squatting down and claiming the injury affects his whole body. He privately admits to himself that his excuses are wearing thin. Later, Lu Jing contacts Liang Chen, playfully feigning annoyance because she replied late and had just complimented another man, Liu Maoyan. He humorously demands a crawfish meal as compensation.
After some lighthearted banter, during which he falsely claims to be at her doorstep, they agree to meet the following day. Separately, Sun Binyu enthusiastically announces a hot pot party at his house to celebrate the first snow. He is disappointed when most of his friends, including Liang Chen, stand him up, seemingly prioritizing their romantic engagements. Only Ding Jiayun shows up, and the two commiserate about being the "single guys" left to enjoy the hot pot alone.
Sun Binyu reveals he even prepared a non-spicy soup base specifically for Liang Chen, despite her absence. On their date, Lu Jing arrives at Liang Chen's grandparents' house with a box of lemons. He joins them for a meal of dumplings and tea eggs, where her grandparents commend his helpfulness and cutting skills, joking that they will now be able to enjoy the blessings of having a grandson.
Lu Jing later tells Liang Chen he knew crayfish were out of season but used it as an excuse because he wanted to see her, musing on the romantic significance of the first snow for couples. Afterward, they go ice skating. Lu Jing assists Liang Chen with her skates and, after playfully pretending to be a novice, reveals his skill on the ice.
As the date concludes, Lu Jing asks about her availability for future meetings, but she cites work commitments. He admits that even though they are still together, he is already looking forward to their next encounter. Back at Sun Binyu's apartment, as the snow continues to fall, he and Ding Jiayun finish their meal. Sun Binyu laments their friends' absence, labeling it a classic case of prioritizing romance over friendship. After they finish eating, Ding Jiayun kindly offers to help Sun Binyu with the dishes.
Episode 16 Recap
After Lu Jing arrives at Liang Chen's apartment, she chides him for informally using her full name. Noticing Lu Jing's cough, Liang Chen grows concerned, warning him about getting sick and suggesting a hospital visit. Lu Jing dismisses the idea, citing hospital crowds and his worry that she might be recognized. He accepts some hot water from her, and when she asks about medicine, he says he doesn't have any, suggesting ginger tea might help.
Liang Chen immediately offers to make some. Liang Chen goes to her neighbor Taro's apartment to borrow ginger, where she unexpectedly finds Ding Jiayun. After explaining she needs to make ginger tea for an unwell friend, Ding Jiayun insists on preparing it himself. He later delivers the tea to Liang Chen's apartment, claiming he made it and urging her to leave with him since Lu Jing should be fine after drinking it.
Seeing this, Lu Jing suddenly feigns dizziness and a worsening cough. A concerned Liang Chen tells Ding Jiayun to go home first while she stays to care for Lu Jing. Before leaving, Ding Jiayun reluctantly hands the tea to Liang Chen. Later, while refilling Lu Jing's cup, Liang Chen notices a birthday gift on the table with wishes for "Xiao Jing" and realizes it's Lu Jing's 22nd birthday. She wishes him a happy birthday, bringing a smile to his face.
That night, both Liang Chen and Lu Jing fall asleep holding the scarves they had given each other. The next morning, Liang Chen’s assistant wakes her well past noon, reminding her of an afternoon recording. The assistant teases her for sleeping with the scarf, but Liang Chen tells her to mind her own business, her voice sounding unusually rough. Meanwhile, Lu Jing celebrates his birthday with his roommates.
The celebration is interrupted by a call from his friend Liu Shun, who needs help with a faulty program Lu Jing designed. On his way to help, Lu Jing briefly runs into Qi Qi at a restaurant. His friends later tease him for missing the opportunity with a "decent girl" like her in favor of his online romance.
They then reveal that Qi Qi has been taking care of Gu Fei Ming, who, they heard, intentionally made himself sick by taking a cold shower just to get her attention. At the hospital, Gu Fei Ming is discharged, having successfully used his self-induced illness to spend time with Qi Qi. Later, Liang Chen stops by a cafe, her throat feeling dry. She is surprised to see Lu Jing and playfully wonders if he came just for her.
Lu Jing approaches, admitting he was waiting for her before clarifying he was there to fix a program for someone. Her assistant teases her for blushing and fiddling with her hair. Soon after, Ding Jiayun arrives for their scheduled meeting to discuss an event script. During their discussion, Lu Jing flirts with Liang Chen, distracting her and making her blush. Her throat troubles her, and she begins to cough. Liang Chen's coughing worsens during her recording session.
Ding Jiayun expresses concern and suggests postponing, but she insists on finishing. Afterward, he advises her to see a doctor and has her assistant, Liu Yiqing, take her to the hospital. The doctor diagnoses her with vocal cord polyps, explaining the serious dilemma: forgoing surgery carries a risk of cancer, but surgery could permanently alter her voice. Liang Chen tries to downplay the diagnosis to her friend, claiming she just needs rest.
However, Ding Jiayun, having spoken with the doctor, confronts her with the truth, insisting that surgery is necessary due to the high cancer risk for a singer. Liang Chen voices her fear of her voice changing, but he tries to reassure her. Alone, she researches the surgery and confirms her fears.
She attempts to console herself with alternative career paths like songwriting or dancing and even feels a moment of relief after her voice sounds better during a prank call, but a hospital text message brings her back to the reality of needing surgery. Feeling overwhelmed, Liang Chen makes a series of calls, asking people if they would come to her "farewell concert." Her parents, distracted by a massage, don't hear her properly, and Taro sleepily declines.
Finally, she calls Lu Jing. He answers instantly, saying he was waiting for her. When she asks if he will come to her concert, he agrees immediately, no questions asked. She tells him to start heading over, and he replies that he is already on his way.
Episode 17 Recap
Liang Chen called Lu Jing, inviting him to a "concert." Without hesitation, Lu Jing agreed and immediately left his home. Meanwhile, Liang Chen’s agent, Ms. Qing, having just finished a long night of work with her, tried to call Liang Chen but found her phone was off. Worried, Ms. Qing contacted Ding Jiayun, who was also unable to reach Liang Chen and grew concerned. He agreed to meet with Ms. Qing to discuss the situation.
At their meeting, Ms. Qing informed Ding Jiayun that Liang Chen had been diagnosed with vocal cord polyps. She expressed deep anxiety, noting that Liang Chen’s composed facade was all the more worrying. Elsewhere, Lu Jing arrived at a KTV room, where Liang Chen revealed her "concert" was an exclusive performance just for him.
Calling it the most special concert of her life, she dedicated her songs to her sole audience member, thanking him for being there to witness such an important moment. After several songs, however, Liang Chen broke down. When Lu Jing asked what was wrong, she tearfully confessed that a doctor had recommended surgery for her polyps. She admitted she was terrified of potentially never being able to sing again and wanted to avoid the operation at all costs.
Lu Jing comforted her, assuring her that everything would be alright. Later, as Lu Jing was walking Liang Chen home, Ding Jiayun intercepted them. He criticized Lu Jing for keeping Liang Chen out in the cold, stressing that as a singer, her health is paramount. Lu Jing retorted that he was about to take her home before Ding Jiayun’s interruption. Liang Chen sent Lu Jing away, thanking him and explaining she needed to speak with Ding Jiayun privately.
Alone with her, Ding Jiayun revealed Ms. Qing had told him everything. He gently chided Liang Chen for pretending to be strong and reminded her that her career would be over if she lost her voice. Liang Chen apologized for having her phone off, claiming the battery had died. Ding Jiayun reassured her they would find a solution for her voice before he left.
The next day, Lu Jing was engrossed in reading medical articles about vocal cord surgery and recovery when his friends found him. They jokingly wondered if he was planning a career change into medicine. Later, Lu Jing ran into Gu Fei Ming, who, comically wrapped in bandages, proudly announced he and Qi Qi were officially a couple, crediting Lu Jing for his success.
When he asked Lu Jing to buy him a celebratory soy milk, Lu Jing dismissed his exaggerated injuries and left. His friends, convinced he was off to meet his mysterious online friend, followed him, speculating that the friend might be a man, which would explain Lu Jing’s secrecy and the use of a voice changer. Meanwhile, Liang Chen told Ms. Qing she preferred conservative treatment over surgery, believing she could recover over time.
Ms. Qing firmly disagreed, arguing that a singer's constant voice use makes conservative treatment insufficient and warned of potential complications if the condition worsened. Taking decisive action, she canceled Liang Chen's singing classes, the movie theme song recording, and all other commercial activities, prioritizing Liang Chen's health above all else. She instructed a reluctant Liang Chen to rest at home and not to overthink things. Lu Jing’s concern for Liang Chen deepened.
His uncle saw him buying a large amount of groceries and teased him about being rejected in love, but when he casually mentioned that Liang Chen was sick, Lu Jing immediately rushed to his grandmother’s house. He initially claimed a sick actor neighbor needed soup, but his astute grandmother quickly saw through the lie, deducing he was trying to help a girl.
Upon learning it was her "future granddaughter-in-law" who was ill, she lovingly helped him prepare a nutritious radish and monk fruit soup and other side dishes for Liang Chen's recovery. Lu Jing arrived at Liang Chen’s apartment with the homemade food. He found her assistant, Ke Ke, there and promptly asked her to leave so he could be alone with Liang Chen.
He presented her with the "lunch made with love," urging her to eat the soup that was good for her throat. When Liang Chen noticed a cut on his hand, Lu Jing claimed his dog, Lu Bao Bei, had bitten him. After she bandaged it for him, he playfully feigned pain, and she saw through his exaggeration. Afterwards, Lu Jing sought out Liang Chen's neighbor, Ms. Ma, a former music major.
Despite Ms. Ma's attempts to avoid him, Lu Jing persistently questioned her about Liang Chen’s condition. He clumsily described the symptoms until Ms. Ma correctly identified them as vocal cord polyps, confirming Lu Jing's fears about how devastated Liang Chen must be.
Episode 18 Recap
Liang Chen welcomed Lu Jing into her home, leading him to her dedicated workspace where she typically composed music. While Lu Jing explored, Liang Chen took a call from Ding Jiayun, who offered to connect her with his uncle, a leading otolaryngologist. He explained that he had already shown his uncle her medical records and that a new treatment plan had been developed.
When Liang Chen inquired if surgery was part of the plan, Ding Jiayun admitted it might be a possibility, prompting her to say she needed more time to consider. Lu Jing then noticed a Foster's violin, a handmade UK instrument, and remarked that he owned an identical one, revealing he could play all of Liang Chen's songs. Intrigued, Liang Chen asked him to play.
Lu Jing agreed, but only if she promised to grant him one condition, which he would reveal later. As he began to play, Liang Chen recognized the melody, recalling that she had heard someone playing it at her school. Lu Jing admitted it was him, adding that he had seen her in her car that day and recognized her immediately.
After some playful teasing, he began the song again, and Liang Chen, captivated by the music, joined in with her violin, confirming her suspicion about his identity. After their impromptu duet, Lu Jing reminded Liang Chen of her promise and revealed his condition: that she must accept medical treatment. Liang Chen confessed her fear of the procedure.
Lu Jing gently persuaded her, questioning if her voice would remain the same at thirty or forty regardless, and asking if she would stop singing then. Liang Chen asserted she would sing as long as she lived. Lu Jing emphasized that while her voice's qualities might evolve with age, her strength and technique would only grow stronger, concluding that any change would merely result in a different tone or singing technique.
His words, and his desire to hear her sing many more songs, convinced her. Later that night, Liang Chen called Ding Jiayun, informing him of her decision to proceed with the treatment and asking him to contact his uncle. During this time, Lu Jing's friends playfully confronted him about his all-night absence. Teasing him about his 'net friend,' they revealed they knew she was a student from their school.
Hinting at their awareness of his budding romance with Liang Chen, they promised to keep it a secret. Separately, Liang Chen was seen with a minor injury. After tending to her wound, a group of fellow students saw her and insisted on escorting her to class, commenting that Lu Jing was not being thoughtful for letting her walk alone while injured. Liang Chen later met Ding Jiayun for her 3 PM doctor's appointment.
She explained her change of heart regarding potential surgery, echoing Lu Jing's sentiment that her voice would naturally change with age anyway, but her skills and techniques would only improve, declaring herself a "roly-poly" not easily defeated. At the clinic, Ding Jiayun's uncle examined Liang Chen and delivered wonderful news: surgery was not necessary.
He explained that her initial diagnosis seemed severe due to inflammation and hemorrhage from vocal overuse, but the inflammation had since healed and the swelling was gone. Noting her polyps were not large, he prescribed medication combined with nebulization, predicting a high chance of complete recovery. Overwhelmed with joy, Liang Chen profusely thanked him, promising to adhere to his advice about vocal care.
Still brimming with happiness, Liang Chen was visited by her friend Ma Shanshan, who had brought old duck soup, a favorite of Liang Chen's from a campus eatery. Ma Shanshan expressed her relief, having heard from a mutual friend about Liang Chen's vocal cord issue. In the comfort of her friend's presence, Liang Chen's suppressed fears finally surfaced. She confessed her terror upon receiving the initial diagnosis, believing she might never sing again and questioning her purpose if she couldn't.
Ma Shanshan embraced her, and Liang Chen wept, finally releasing her pent-up anxiety. Meanwhile, having received a message from Liang Chen, Lu Jing rushed to find her, fearing the worst news from her appointment. He frantically convinced a gate guard to open a locked gate, claiming his "girlfriend was in danger." Upon finding Liang Chen, he anxiously asked about her well-being. Liang Chen playfully tricked him, feigning despair by saying the doctor confirmed she could no longer sing.
Lu Jing, visibly distraught, tried to comfort her. Liang Chen then revealed it was a prank and she didn't need surgery. Though initially annoyed at her deception, Lu Jing accepted her apology. He then boldly asked if he could court her, to which Liang Chen replied it depended on his performance. After she playfully rejected his attempts to hold her hand, he clarified he only meant to ask if he could walk her home, which she happily accepted.
On the way, Liang Chen thanked Lu Jing for his support, admitting his presence had kept her from overthinking and helped her overcome her fears. She shared that the experience felt like recovering something lost and had solidified her decision to "start over again," meaning she would now only sing songs she truly loved. Before they said goodnight, Lu Jing asked if he was part of her future plans.
In a separate scene, Ma Shanshan, who came from a musical family and had excelled in various instruments, was featured on a television show. When the host asked why she chose acting over music, she gave a stellar drum performance before declaring it her "last musical performance," demonstrating her full commitment to her now-successful career as a comedic actress.
Back home, Liang Chen watched "The Journey of Music Lovers," a popular music program, and pondered her chances of winning if she participated. Her manager advised against it, concerned about the risk to her reputation and the fact her voice hadn't fully recovered. Reviewing a schedule of jobs that didn't require much vocal use, Liang Chen expressed her disinterest and reiterated her desire to only do music-related work.
She revealed her strong desire to join "The Journey of Music Lovers" and try rock music. Her manager reminded her of the negative public feedback on a previously leaked rock rehearsal video and reiterated the company's recommendation against a style change, urging her to reconsider. However, Liang Chen was firm in her decision, and her manager agreed to handle the communication with the agency.
Episode 19 Recap
Determined to change her musical style, Liang Chen informed her company of her decision to sing rock music and participate in "The Journey of Music Lovers", despite her throat not being fully recovered. She later met with the show's director, Ma, explaining that she had hit a creative roadblock and desperately wanted to break through to rediscover her initial passion for music. Director Ma agreed to consider her for the competition.
Soon after, Ma Shanshan visited Liang Chen, bringing a souvenir from a school event Liang Chen had missed. Their conversation turned to "The Journey of Music Lovers", and Liang Chen invited Ma Shanshan to join her band, reminiscing about their unfinished college song. However, Ma Shanshan tearfully declined, explaining that she could no longer engage with music. It constantly reminded her of a painful past relationship with Lin Qi, making every note an unbearable trigger for traumatic memories.
Meanwhile, Liu Yiqing informed Liang Chen that rival singer Meng Lan Zhi also intended to compete on "The Journey of Music Lovers". Liu Yiqing suspected Meng Lan Zhi had heard about Liang Chen’s plans and was deliberately creating a rivalry for publicity, a tactic Liang Chen found tiresome. Concerned about troubling online news he had seen, Lu Jing invited Liang Chen to watch the sunset by the lake.
Their meeting was secretly photographed by a reporter, but Ding Jiayun, who had been tipped off that Liang Chen was being targeted, swiftly intervened and confiscated the reporter's memory card. That evening, both Ding Jiayun and Liu Yiqing warned Liang Chen to consider the severe consequences of her relationship being exposed, emphasizing the immense pressure and disruption it would inflict upon Lu Jing, who was still a student.
The next morning, the situation escalated as malicious rumors spread online, accusing Liang Chen of having inappropriate relationships with multiple men. Her friend, actor Sun Binyu, was mobbed by reporters after his residential area was leaked. He called Liang Chen, joking about the unintended boost to his fame but warning her that the smear campaign was clearly orchestrated.
Liang Chen’s team moved to contain the damage, preparing a public statement and suspecting Meng Lan Zhi was behind the rumors in a desperate bid to secure her spot on the music show. Troubled, Liang Chen went to Lu Jing's campus and watched him from a distance. She saw him preoccupied, unable to reach her as her phone was off, and then venting to his friend He Ye about a trivial argument with his ex-girlfriend.
Witnessing his normal student life, Liang Chen tearfully resolved that she couldn't ruin it for him. Displaced by the reporters, Sun Binyu sought refuge at Ma Shanshan's home, complaining about how he had become collateral damage in the scandal. In a separate incident, Gu Fei Ming was hospitalized with a sprained ankle and a dislocated arm after falling from a tree while putting up decorations to win back Qi Qi.
She rushed to his side, and despite scolding him for his foolishness, she appeared to forgive him. Spurred by Sun Binyu’s plight, Ma Shanshan went to Liang Chen’s apartment to cook for her and offer support. She gently cut off Liang Chen’s attempts to explain the rumors, reassuring her that she knew they were false. Shortly after, Liang Chen's agency issued a formal statement condemning the fabricated stories and reserving the right to take legal action, urging the public not to spread the misinformation.
Episode 20 Recap
Liang Chen, feeling sorry for the trouble caused by the recent online rumors, hosted Ding Jiayun and Sun Binyu for dinner. Ding Jiayun noticed that Liang Chen was avoiding Lu Jing. The next day, the online rumors intensified as Meng Lan Zhi smeared Ding Jiayun and Liang Chen's relationship. Lu Jing, having not slept all night, decided to confront Liang Chen but learned that Ding Jiayun intended to hold a press conference with her.
At the Zijing Club, Ding Jiayun revealed his plan to Liang Chen: the best solution to the crisis was to publicly announce their relationship. Liang Chen refused, not wanting to drag him into her problems. As Ding Jiayun persisted, Lu Jing suddenly appeared, pulling Liang Chen away. Lu Jing boldly confessed his love to Liang Chen, and she was finally moved and accepted him.
Meanwhile, at the press conference, Ding Jiayun clarified to reporters that he and Liang Chen were just friends. Later, Lu Jing walked Liang Chen home and couldn't resist kissing her again. Back at his dorm, Lu Jing's roommates gossiped about him, and Lu Jing told them he had a girlfriend, but they didn't believe him.
Liang Chen ran into Meng Lan Zhi, who boasted about securing a spot in an upcoming competition, while Liang Chen revealed she had also secured a spot. Gu Fei Ming intentionally showed off his relationship in front of Lu Jing, only to be retorted by Lu Jing. Director Ma recommended Lin Qi, Ma Shan Shan's ex-boyfriend, to Liang Chen, but Liang Chen gave him a cold reception. Ding Jiayun invited Liang Chen to his birthday party, and she accepted. Learning that Liang Chen was going to Sun Binyu's house for dinner that night, Lu Jing also went.
Episode 21 Recap
Lu Jing arrived at Sun Binyu's house, where Liang Chen and Sun Binyu were discussing a birthday gift for Ding Jiayun, whose birthday falls on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Lu Jing noted that Christmas Eve would be the first festival he and Liang Chen celebrate together, but Liang Chen felt she must attend Ding Jiayun's party. Lu Jing offered to help her pick a gift, playfully suggesting a tortoise for longevity.
Sun Binyu, observing their closeness, saw them holding hands and realized they were a couple. Overwhelmed by their public display of affection, he told them to take their happiness elsewhere and escorted them out of his house. After being expelled from Sun Binyu's home, Lu Jing suggested they go to the movies, an idea Liang Chen readily accepted. She felt a bit nervous in the crowd, which Lu Jing found charming.
During the movie, Lu Jing tried to entertain her by playfully offering to dance. When Liang Chen commented on how cute an actor, Liu Maoyan, was, Lu Jing cheekily asked if she found him cute as well, reminding her of when she said he resembled the actor. Later, Liang Chen admitted she felt a bit down, lamenting that she would be spending Christmas Eve alone while others were with their partners.
Lu Jing suggested she could leave Ding Jiayun's party early, but she refused to inconvenience her friend. He then offered to pick her up after the party, assuring her that he didn't mind waiting, no matter how late. Sun Binyu arrived at Ma Shanshan's home, bringing her a home-cooked meal and urging her to stop eating unhealthy takeout.
He then shared his frustration about Liang Chen falling in love, explaining it had upset him so much he skipped dinner to seek solace with Ma Shanshan. He speculated that Liang Chen's new boyfriend might be Ding Jiayun, but Ma Shanshan dismissed this, saying Ding Jiayun isn't Liang Chen's type. Capitalizing on the moment, Sun Binyu attempted to impress Ma Shanshan, highlighting his good looks, culinary skills, successful career, and single status, proudly declaring himself a "treasure."
Ma Shanshan, clearly unimpressed, asked him to leave. Liang Chen arrived at Ding Jiayun's birthday celebration and presented him with a gift. He expressed gratitude for her presence, revealing that he had told the other guests the party was cancelled so they could be alone. They started eating, and when it came to the cake, Ding Jiayun reassured Liang Chen that it was low-sugar. He told her he was glad she came, as otherwise, his birthday would have been lonely.
He then quoted a romantic line, "The moon in the sea is the moon in the sky; the person before my eyes is the person in my heart." He revealed he had admired her for a long time, silently observing her musical journey, and had long wished to confess his feelings. Finally, Ding Jiayun confessed, "Liang Chen, I like you." Liang Chen, however, gently rejected him, expressing gratitude but stating that she was already in love with someone else.
Ding Jiayun respected her decision. Lu Jing arrived to pick up Liang Chen. He gave her an apple, telling her he wanted to be the first to give her one on Christmas Eve, which is why he arrived early despite the cold. They decided to take a stroll together. As they walked, Liang Chen spontaneously sang "Jingle Bells," expressing a desire to be like the street performers who can sing their hearts out.
Lu Jing then approached a street performer, borrowed his guitar, and let Liang Chen sing. Her performance drew attention, with onlookers recognizing her voice. Afterward, Lu Jing gifted her a "Box Spirit" doll that sings a song he recorded. Liang Chen was surprised, and Lu Jing revealed he installed a "mechanical heart" inside it.
Despite jokingly telling him his own singing was awful, she expressed her love for the gift, and Lu Jing playfully hinted for a different kind of thanks. The next day, discussions turned to Liang Chen's upcoming music competition. Her assistant advised against listening to Lu Jing's "tone-deaf" singing, fearing it might affect her judgment as her first song choice wasn't finalized. Liang Chen, however, assured her that she had already chosen a song.
The competition features formidable opponents like Wendy, a talented young singer-dancer, and veteran vocalists Tong Shiqin and Lisa. Despite the stiff competition, Director Ma approved Liang Chen's choice to perform a rock version of "Unstoppable," acknowledging it was risky but fresh and innovative, and promising her the full support of the production team. Later, her assistant showed her the negative online reactions, with many calling her a "girl-next-door" who shouldn't attempt rock.
Liang Chen remained unfazed, optimistically believing that since expectations were low, even an average performance would be a pleasant surprise. She emphasized her desire to simply sing what she truly wants. Back at Nanze University, a large banner appeared, humorously proclaiming "Congratulations to our student Lu Jing on escaping singlehood." His roommate, He Ye, proudly took credit for the prank.
When Liang Chen's assistant saw the viral post about the banner, she realized that Lu Jing, the junior, was Liang Chen's boyfriend. Shortly after, Sun Binyu called Liang Chen, having also seen the banner. He sarcastically offered to light fireworks to celebrate their high-profile romance and lightheartedly demanded a million yuan for his role as their matchmaker, before settling for a dinner treat. Liang Chen agreed to treat him that very night. Later, Liang Chen confided in her manager, Ms. Qing, that she was in a relationship with Lu Jing and asked if the trending news would cause any complications.
Episode 22 Recap
Following the trending topic about their relationship, Lu Jing's roommates apologize for putting up the banner, explaining they only did it to help him "uphold his dignity" against a rival. Lu Jing playfully refuses to forgive them unless his "girlfriend agrees," and before they can process this, he rushes off to meet Liang Chen. Liang Chen discusses the matter with her manager, who teases her about the relationship before reassuring her that the lighthearted topic won't cause any real trouble.
Liang Chen also informs Lu Jing that Sun Binyu, upon learning about them, has insisted they treat him to dinner. Later, Sun Binyu visits Liang Chen, feigning interest in reminiscing about college. His true intention is to gather information about Ma Shanshan, whom he has feelings for, admitting he waited outside her house all Christmas Eve to no avail. Liang Chen shows him photos but forbids questions.
Upon seeing a photo of Ma Shanshan's ex-boyfriend, Lin Qi, Sun Binyu becomes agitated, disparaging Lin Qi's appearance and height. However, he quickly convinces himself that a sophisticated woman like Ma Shanshan would naturally prefer a talented and sophisticated man like himself. As Liang Chen prepares for the first round of "The Journey of Music Lovers," a staff member advises her against her risky choice of singing rock music.
Before the show, Liang Chen reassures a nervous Lu Jing that she is calm. Lu Jing hopes she draws a later performance slot, explaining it allows more time to observe opponents and leave a stronger impression. The host introduces the two challengers: Meng Lan Zhi, a "queen of reinvention," and Liang Chen. Fans cheer enthusiastically, with Lu Jing joining in until his roommate reminds him to maintain his usual composed persona.
During the draw, Meng Lan Zhi, claiming to be extremely nervous, persuades Liang Chen to swap their drawn numbers. Liang Chen, stating the order makes no difference, agrees. This results in Liang Chen, who originally drew the final slot, performing first. On stage, her performance is nearly derailed by a sudden microphone malfunction. Thinking quickly, she delivers a dazzling guitar solo, turning the technical glitch into an impressive display of skill that saves her act.
Afterward, a proud Lu Jing calls to tell her the performance was "perfect." The results are announced: Liang Chen advances, while Meng Lan Zhi is graciously eliminated. After her successful performance, which becomes a top trending topic online, Lu Jing enthusiastically suggests a celebration party. Director Ma praises her "spectacular" show, and Liang Chen asks why he approved her controversial song choice. He reveals his niece, Ma Shanshan, had shown him a video of Liang Chen singing rock in university.
He then asks Liang Chen to help counsel Ma Shanshan, whose temperament has changed. Liang Chen agrees and invites Ma Shanshan to her party, held at Sun Binyu's apartment. The next morning, Lu Jing surprises Liang Chen to personally take her to the party after breakfast. At the gathering, Lu Jing formally introduces himself to Ma Shanshan as Liang Chen's boyfriend. When Ding Jiayun arrives, he and Lu Jing end up in the kitchen.
There, Ding Jiayun gives Lu Jing advice on Liang Chen's culinary preferences, such as her dislike for cilantro and spicy food, as a way of passing the torch. Lu Jing promises to take good care of her, and with a simple "That's good," Ding Jiayun signals his acceptance. Meanwhile, Sun Binyu, sent on an errand to buy sesame seeds, stops by to see Lu Jing's grandparents.
He reveals that their grandson has brought his girlfriend over for a meal, delighting the elderly couple, who had thought Lu Jing was joking about having a girlfriend and immediately decide to go see her for themselves.
Episode 23 Recap
Sun Binyu, aware of Lu Jing's grandparents' desire for him to have a girlfriend, intentionally let them know that their future granddaughter-in-law was having a meal at his place. They showed up at Sun Binyu's door pretending to "borrow rice" and brought soy milk as well. They were impressed by Liang Chen and her beauty. Grandma Lu offered them food from their home and urged Lu Jing to bring Liang Chen home to meet them soon.
Grandpa Lu emphasized the importance of not procrastinating. While cleaning up after the meal, Jia Yun suggested Sun Binyu still had feelings for Liang Chen, which he denied. As Jia Yun left, a girl approached Lu Jing, asking about his new girlfriend and questioning her place in his heart after knowing him for so long. Sun Binyu later recounted that Lu Jing rejected her.
Later that evening, Lu Jing invited Liang Chen and Sun Binyu to play the online game "Beautiful Soul" with his cousin, Lu Xiangchen. He introduced Liang Chen to his cousin as his "sister-in-law". Lu Xiangchen eagerly asked when Lu Jing would bring Liang Chen home to meet their Uncle and Aunt. Sun Binyu informed Liang Chen about the girl who had approached Lu Jing earlier that day, questioning their relationship.
Lu Jing admitted he told the girl she had no place in his heart. During the game, Lu Jing and Liang Chen openly displayed their affection, which annoyed Sun Binyu. Lu Jing told Liang Chen he missed her and didn't want to be apart, and they playfully called each other "Chen Chen" and "little kid". Lu Jing gave all his in-game items to Liang Chen.
When Sun Binyu jokingly threatened to pursue Lu Jing, Liang Chen interjected, stating she would not agree even if Lu Jing did. Lu Jing met with his professor, who inquired about his plans for studying abroad. Lu Jing confirmed he had received his "letter of admission" and was expected to go overseas the following year. While waiting for takeout, Lu Jing taught Liang Chen how to play computer games.
He sat her on his lap to "teach you by grabbing your hand" and demonstrate how to "handle recoil." Later, news broke that musician Lin Qi was engaged to his long-time manager. Ma Shanshan was deeply affected and cried. Shortly after, Liang Chen received a call from Sun Binyu, who told her Ma Shanshan was drunk and he couldn't handle her alone. Liang Chen arrived at Sun Binyu's apartment and found Ma Shanshan intoxicated.
Sun Binyu explained that he had been called by a bar waiter. While Liang Chen was tending to Ma Shanshan, Lu Jing's grandparents arrived at Sun Binyu's apartment again. Grandma Lu asked Lu Jing why he hadn't answered his father's calls, revealing his father wanted to discuss his "matter of studying abroad next year." Overhearing this, Liang Chen was shocked and hurt. She confronted Lu Jing about not telling her about his overseas study plans. Even Sun Binyu expressed surprise, noting that he knew about Lu Jing's plans. Hurt by his secrecy, Liang Chen walked away, visibly distressed and appeared to have not slept well.
Episode 24 Recap
Still reeling from the revelation that Lu Jing was hiding his study abroad plans, Liang Chen is in a foul mood. Lu Jing, who has been waiting outside her apartment all night and even fell while chasing her car, watches from a distance as she struggles through a band rehearsal, making frequent mistakes. Her assistant, Ke Ke, notes she is unwell, but when she mentions Lu Jing is waiting, a preoccupied Liang Chen dismisses him, stating she needs to work.
Overhearing this, Lu Jing quietly leaves so as not to disturb her. Later, a frantic Sun Binyu calls Liang Chen, telling her Lu Jing's grandmother is worried because he hasn't been home since the previous night and his phone is off. During the call, Sun Binyu reveals that Lu Jing had already decided not to study abroad and didn't tell her because he felt it wasn't a big deal.
Alarmed, Liang Chen rushes out to find him, only to discover him waiting for her downstairs. She confronts him, her phone having died. Apologizing for giving him the cold shoulder, she admits she was wrong after reflecting for two days. However, she is still upset that he would make such a life-altering decision without her, questioning his trust in their relationship's ability to withstand distance. She tells him to go home and reflect on his actions.
Lu Jing, distressed, runs on the university basketball court for hours. His roommates, worried he might collapse, mistakenly conclude that his heartbreak is over Gu Fei Ming. They storm Gu Fei Ming’s room and confront him, demanding he choose between his girlfriend "Qi Qi" and Lu Jing. After the comical misunderstanding is cleared up and they realize Gu Fei Ming is not the gamer "Little Box," they decide to call the real one.
Using a power bank to charge Lu Jing's phone, they find the contact "Box Spirit" and call it, only to hear Lu Jing's own phone ring. In a last-ditch effort, they call Lu Jing's girlfriend. Meanwhile, Ma Shanshan visits Liang Chen to thank her for her help. The two have a heart-to-heart, where Ma Shanshan suggests Liang Chen might be happier with a more mature, stable man.
Liang Chen disagrees, explaining she cherishes being with an "immature boy" who loves her wholeheartedly and with whom she can grow. Just then, she receives the call from Lu Jing's roommates, who frantically explain his situation and urge her to come to the basketball court. Upon her arrival, Lu Jing's roommates are stunned to realize his girlfriend is the famous singer Liang Chen. She finds Lu Jing shivering in the cold and they finally talk.
Lu Jing explains his decision not to go abroad was carefully considered: he wants to stay for his aging grandparents, believes the domestic tech industry offers great opportunities, and most importantly, he wants to be with her. Liang Chen clarifies that her anger stemmed not from his decision, but from being the last to know, which made her fear she was ruining his future. They both apologize for their immaturity and lack of communication.
They promise to face the future together, with Liang Chen accepting the challenges of her career and Lu Jing vowing to support her through it all. Their tender moment is interrupted by Lu Jing's roommates, who enthusiastically list his virtues to Liang Chen, calling him a "treasure" and even attempting a "fist-swallowing" trick he supposedly taught them. As Liang Chen leaves, Lu Jing insists on walking her home.
Separately, Ma Shanshan calls Sun Binyu to treat him to dinner as a thank you. After the meal, he playfully suggests they dine and dash, and they run out of the restaurant, leaving Ma Shanshan shocked and angry. He soon reveals he had already paid the bill, teasing her about resorting to violence before offering to take her for hotpot since she barely ate.
Episode 25 Recap
Following Lu Jing's return to Liang Chen's side, he tries to take her out for hot pot, but she sends him home, claiming she feels unwell. Back in his dorm, Lu Jing finds his roommates slacking off during exam week. They jokingly ask him for advice on pursuing famous celebrities, prompting a motivational speech from him about self-improvement.
Meanwhile, Liang Chen receives a call from a friend who, after inquiring about Ma Shan Shan's recent breakup, asks how things are with Lu Jing, to which Liang Chen replies that their relationship is going well. Elsewhere, Gu Fei Ming desperately asks Lu Jing for help with a game. He admits he has been posing as "Box Spirit," Lu Jing's gaming alias, to impress a girl named Qi Qi, and is now on the verge of being exposed.
Lu Jing refuses to play for him, stating his girlfriend would be upset, and advises Gu Fei Ming to either cheat or confess the truth. Nearby, Lu Jing overhears his other roommates, Zhou Zhou and Liu Er, whispering about their past misunderstanding where they wrongly believed Gu Fei Ming was Box Spirit. When Lu Jing confronts them, they rebel against his strict dorm rules, complaining about his regimen of early mornings, exercise, and long study hours.
They threaten to leak a photo of him and Liang Chen unless he complies with their demands, which include washing all their dirty socks and taking them to Liang Chen's upcoming performance. Left with no choice, Lu Jing takes a large bag of socks to Liang Chen's apartment. She initially refuses to let him use her washing machine but relents after his dramatic pleading, and he agrees to bring his roommates to her show.
At the venue, Liang Chen's assistant, Yuan Ke Ke, leads the roommates to prime seats. While they marvel at their view, Ke Ke privately remarks to Liang Chen on how cute and transparently excited the boys are. During the show, Ke Ke recognizes Lu Jing as the famous gamer "Herman" and asks for his autograph, telling him how lucky Liang Chen is. She then promises the roommates she will arrange autographs and a group photo with Liang Chen.
After the performance, the roommates are disappointed that Liang Chen didn't get first place, but Lu Jing explains it is a strategy to lay low before winning the championship. Since Liang Chen left early to avoid fans, Lu Jing takes his roommates to a restaurant where she is waiting for them. At the restaurant, the roommates have Liang Chen sign their T-shirts with humorous personalized messages, and Lu Jing gets his shirt signed as well.
They then gather for a group photo, with Lu Jing taking the picture. Later, Lu Jing arrives at Liang Chen's home disguised as a delivery driver, joking that he needs a side job. Sensing she is upset, he offers to buy her favorite buns from a popular shop with a notoriously long line. After waiting for over two hours, he returns with the food, only for Liang Chen to accuse him of using her for artistic inspiration for a play.
Lu Jing assures her he already knows her story, which only angers her more. She tells him to leave, expressing regret for taking him to the concert, which he slept through. Soon after, a news report announces that Liang Chen's ex-boyfriend, Lin Qi, is getting married. That night, Lu Jing gets a call from a bar to pick up a heavily intoxicated Liang Chen.
She has an emotional breakdown, lamenting her inability to feel genuine joy or laugh despite making others happy for a living. She confesses her feelings of numbness, her lost dreams, and her belief that everyone, including her best friend, is mocking her. She challenges Lu Jing to laugh at her before he gently takes her home. The next morning, Liang Chen asks if he thinks she's a joke.
He lightly dismisses her drunken words as "nonsense" and promises to always be there for her, more reliable than any delivery service. That evening, he visits again to inform her that he will be busy preparing for a big data competition and won't be able to see her as often, cheekily telling her not to miss him too much.
Episode 26 Recap
Lu Jing informed Liang Chen about his upcoming schedule, explaining he would be busy preparing for a big data competition and might not be able to visit her frequently. He humorously advised her not to miss him too much. Liang Chen countered that she also had a competition the following week and wouldn't have time to miss him.
They decided to make a bet: whoever gave in first and secretly went to see the other, or contacted them via call, WeChat, or video call, would lose. Lu Jing declared that if he won, Liang Chen would travel with him, and if she won, he would travel with her, making it clear he intended to be the ultimate winner.
After a playful toast, Lu Jing hugged Liang Chen before leaving, reminding her that she could admit defeat early if she missed him. Meanwhile, Liang Chen faced a significant challenge for her competition. Her manager, Ms. Qing, expressed concern after learning Liang Chen had decided to change her song at the last minute. Liang Chen explained that she and another artist, Wendy, had chosen the same song, and she let Wendy have it due to the artist's busy schedule.
With only three days left, Ms. Qing was concerned about the time needed to adapt and rehearse a new song, particularly "First Dance of Winter," which Liang Chen had always wanted to adapt. Despite the tight deadline, Liang Chen insisted on attempting the difficult adaptation. Her team noted the song’s layered and complex composition made it particularly challenging to modify without losing its essence.
Liang Chen, however, was determined to expand the vocal range and utilize rock and roll elements to maximize the song's live performance potential, viewing the difficulty as a challenge she wanted to overcome. Separately, Zhou Zhou was struggling with his big data self-study, particularly the complex random forest algorithm. He complained to Lu Jing about the lack of time and the difficulty, admitting he didn't even grasp basic algorithms like linear regression or support vector machines.
Lu Jing advised him to spend more time studying foundational algorithms and modifying pseudocode. Frustrated, Zhou Zhou snapped at Lu Jing, accusing him of making it sound easy and demanding direct solutions. However, later, Zhou Zhou approached Lu Jing, acknowledging his expertise, and asked for help with his support vector machine algorithm, which was running with a high error rate.
Lu Jing quickly identified a specific line of code as the problem, impressing Zhou Zhou, who then sent Lu Jing to get drinks while he fixed his code, smoothing over their earlier friction. Liang Chen's determination to adapt "First Dance of Winter" led to a heated argument with Ms. Qing.
Ms. Qing expressed her frustration at being unable to find an arranger on such short notice and urged Liang Chen to choose a safer song to ensure success in the competition. Ms. Qing warned that a failed performance could end Liang Chen's entire singing career and ruin the efforts of her company and team. Liang Chen, however, firmly stated that she had considered all consequences and would bear them herself.
She accused Ms. Qing of neglecting her feelings and her desire to finally live according to her own will. Liang Chen passionately declared that she was on the show to push her limits and couldn't face herself, let alone the audience, if she chose a "safe" song. Feeling disrespected, Ms. Qing angrily stated she would no longer interfere with Liang Chen’s decisions and walked out. During this intense period, Sun Binyu accompanied Ma Shanshan to Liang Chen's practice room.
Upon arrival, they found Lu Jing already with Liang Chen, having brought her a comforting bowl of chicken soup with a hidden message on the container affirming his support for their ongoing bet. Liang Chen, still grappling with her song, asked Ma Shanshan to review her adaptation, feeling something was missing. However, the music visibly distressed Ma Shanshan, who became flustered and quickly left the room, followed by a concerned Sun Binyu.
Despite her initial distress, Ma Shanshan decided to confront her past for Liang Chen's sake. She returned to the practice room with a new arrangement, admitting it was hastily done. The team was impressed by her work. Ma Shanshan explained that the song's latter half, with its continuous high notes, demanded exceptional vocal control and sustained power, making it a high-risk performance. Despite this, she expressed confidence in Liang Chen’s ability.
Liang Chen attempted to sing the newly arranged song, but despite her efforts, she struggled with the extremely high notes, finding she couldn't hit them. Her team suggested lowering the key, but Liang Chen refused, unwilling to compromise Ma Shanshan's brilliant arrangement. She believed the issue lay with her vocal placement and was determined to keep trying. On the day of the competition, everyone was on edge.
Lu Jing, unable to reach Liang Chen by phone, grew increasingly concerned after her assistant, Ke Ke, confirmed Liang Chen should have been home. Backstage, the production crew rushed to prepare, as the show was minutes away and Liang Chen had yet to arrive. Finally, after a tense wait, Liang Chen was announced, and the audience erupted in cheers. She stepped onto the stage, ready to perform.
Episode 27 Recap
Following her performance, Liang Chen was first congratulated by a jubilant Ke Ke, whom she thanked for her constant support. She then embraced Liu Yiqing, thanking her for believing in her and acknowledging that her performance had fulfilled Liu Yiqing's dream for their song as well. Turning to Ma Shanshan, Liang Chen apologized profusely for giving up on their musical partnership, expressing deep regret.
Ma Shanshan, in turn, blamed herself for abandoning their shared dream, leaving Liang Chen to persevere alone. Liang Chen reassured her that while the past couldn't be changed, they could start over with their music now, promising that everything would improve. Later, Liang Chen embraced Lu Jing. A flashback to the night before the competition revealed Lu Jing jumping into cold water to retrieve Liang Chen's music sheets, refusing to let her give up on her dream.
He encouraged her by comparing her perseverance in gaming to Edison's relentless experiments, urging her not to surrender and reminding her that unlike software, life offers no reinstallation after quitting. Back in the present, Liang Chen confessed she had lied about her gaming resilience, admitting she had rebooted eight times, not six, but credited Lu Jing for giving her the strength to continue.
Lu Jing playfully teased her for winning the competition despite her bet that she would lose to him. Separately, seeing Ma Shanshan's happy mood after Liang Chen's victory, Sun Binyu offered her a ride home, which she accepted to his delight. Before their trip, Ke Ke urged Liang Chen to pack a "sexy dress" for her date with Lu Jing.
Liang Chen dismissed the idea, insisting her relationship with Lu Jing was "pure," but then privately debated which outfit to choose. Lu Jing called, saying he was thinking of her and wanted to see her immediately. They then embarked on a night tour of their university campus, where Liang Chen showed him her old classroom and the back-row seat where she used to nap during her "An Introduction to Art" class, exhausted from writing songs all night.
As they walked through the woods by the lake, Liang Chen playfully asked if their late-night stroll felt clandestine, and they decided to continue their walk away from the main road. During their walk, they stumbled upon Gu Fei Ming desperately trying to appease an angry Qi Qi.
She listed their incompatibilities: her love for Beethoven versus his for folk performances, her appreciation for Van Gogh versus his for Shin Chan, and her admiration for writer Sanmao, whom he mistook for a military figure. Qi Qi declared the distance between them too great, but Gu Fei Ming cited Lu Jing and Liang Chen as an example of an unlikely couple that works.
He then confessed that he had lied about being sick to get out of the game, blaming Lu Jing for playing too well and forcing his hand. At that moment, Lu Jing and Liang Chen revealed themselves, startling Gu Fei Ming. He wondered aloud if he was hallucinating, and after Lu Jing commented that Gu Fei Ming was cute, Liang Chen retorted that he was "stupid, not cute."
Soon after, Gu Fei Ming's friends found him, encouraging him not to despair over Qi Qi and offering to take him to the hospital. Lu Jing and Liang Chen traveled to their getaway destination, where Lu Jing playfully remarked that their comfortable bed was "not as good as you." Meanwhile, Sun Binyu took Ma Shanshan on a picnic, noting that it was the first time she had worn makeup for a private outing with him.
He then played a pre-recorded confession of his admiration for her, pretending it was the radio, which she dismissed as silly. Despite a forecast for a sunny day, a sudden downpour interrupted their picnic. Sun Binyu rushed to pack up, getting soaked while ensuring Ma Shanshan was sheltered in the car. He brushed off her concern, flexing his muscles to show his resilience.
Ma Shanshan then tenderly removed a piece of paper from his hair, and as they prepared to leave, she reached over to fasten his seatbelt for him. Later, Lu Jing and Liang Chen decided to draw each other's portraits. Lu Jing playfully demanded three kisses to boost his "energy" and inspiration, promising to become as good as Van Gogh, and Liang Chen obliged. However, her "impressionistic" portrait of him featured a square face.
In turn, Lu Jing's drawing of her was equally unflattering, depicting her with a large, square face, and they both burst out laughing. That night in their hotel room, Liang Chen debated which outfit to wear, wondering whether Lu Jing would prefer a "pure" or a "sexy" look. As she finished brushing her teeth, Lu Jing entered the room and commented on her pleasant scent, making her nervous.
Episode 28 Recap
Liang Chen, full of anticipation for her first night with Lu Jing, found herself flustered by his presence. However, Lu Jing only gave her a good-night kiss on the forehead before moving to the sofa to sleep, leaving a disappointed Liang Chen to question her own attractiveness. Lu Jing, recalling how Liang Chen was nearly recognized by a fan earlier that day, decided it was best to cancel their subsequent travel plans to protect her privacy.
Meanwhile, Sun Binyu, sick with a fever after being caught in the rain, received a visit from Ma Shanshan. Delighted, he feigned helplessness to prolong her stay. After she prepared porridge for him, she teased him for pretending to be too weak to eat, reminding him that despite his feigned weakness, his hands were perfectly fine. Later, Lu Jing surprised Liang Chen with a romantic sunset dinner in their hotel room.
He expressed regret that they were confined to the hotel because of her fame, but she reassured him that she enjoyed the convenience. That night, just as Liang Chen thought her attempts at seduction had failed, Lu Jing pulled her in for a passionate kiss. The next morning, Liang Chen playfully requested a more memorable "morning kiss," and Lu Jing promised to make her day unforgettable.
The mood was broken by an urgent call from her manager, Liu Yiqing, revealing that photos of them holding hands had been leaked. Worried about the impact on Liang Chen’s career transition, Liu Yiqing urged her to return home. Lu Jing, overhearing the call, immediately suggested they cut the trip short. He comforted a worried Liang Chen, revealing that he had known her online identity, Little Box, all along and was prepared to face any challenge by her side.
Upon their return, the situation escalated. More photos were leaked, Lu Jing’s identity was exposed, and fans began searching for their address. While discussing the crisis with her colleague Jia Yun, Liang Chen received a call informing her that Lu Jing's grandmother was injured after being aggressively questioned by people looking for them. Racked with guilt, Liang Chen rushed to the hospital with Lu Jing.
There, his grandparents were remarkably understanding, reassuring a tearful Liang Chen that it wasn't her fault. They urged her not to be affected by gossip, warmly telling her she was already part of the family. Back home, Liang Chen told Lu Jing she was no longer afraid and wanted to make their relationship public so they could be together openly.
Despite Lu Jing’s concerns about the potential harm to her or his family, he agreed to her wish, and they decided to face the future together. Preparing for their live broadcast to address the public, both were nervous, as was their team. Lu Jing started by playfully introducing himself as "Liang Chen's Lu Jing." Going off-script, Liang Chen shared her heartfelt feelings, calling him a warm, talented man she wanted to spend her life with.
Lu Jing, in turn, acknowledged he was still a student but vowed to grow stronger to cherish and protect her. To the team's surprise and relief, the live comments were flooded with positive messages. Liu Yiqing lightheartedly scolded them for going off-script and showing off their love. Elsewhere, others, including a disbelieving Qi Qi, saw the news of their announcement. Inspired by the broadcast, Sun Binyu resolved to confess his feelings to Ma Shanshan.
However, when he faced her, he lost his nerve. His grand confession turned into a fumbled thank you for her care when he was sick. When she asked why he was so concerned about her, he only managed to say, "Because I want to be good to you."
Episode 29 Recap
Returning home after publicly announcing their relationship, Liang Chen found her parents waiting for her. Her mother immediately confronted her, expressing disapproval that Liang Chen would go public without informing them first. She recounted the embarrassment of having neighbors ask them about the news, which had been a hot topic online.
Liang Chen, claiming exhaustion from work, tried to escape to her room while secretly messaging Lu Jing, warning him that her parents were there and to be on "Level 1 Precaution." Her mother continued to voice her objections, asserting that she and her father would not agree to Liang Chen dating a younger man, questioning their reliability. Despite Liang Chen's warning, Lu Jing, who hadn't seen the message, arrived at the door.
He politely introduced himself and presented gifts, even offering to help in the kitchen. Though Liang Chen's father was initially dismissive, Lu Jing's charm and high emotional intelligence quickly won her parents over. He humbly downplayed his own appearance while smoothly complimenting Liang Chen’s mother, noting that Liang Chen’s beauty must be inherited from her. To her mother’s surprise, he also revealed that Liang Chen was his first love.
During dinner, he impressed her father by taking notes to learn his special braised pork belly recipe, explaining that he wanted to cook it for Liang Chen. He listened intently as her father shared his philosophy that cooking with love is the secret ingredient. By the end of the meal, Liang Chen's mother had completely warmed up to him, even chiding Liang Chen for her "holey" outfit and urging her to dress more femininely.
As they left, Lu Jing confidently noted to Liang Chen that her parents must like him, given how they kept filling his plate with food. Meanwhile, Sun Binyu invited Ma Shanshan to his play's premiere. Though she initially declined due to work, he saved a ticket for her, and she eventually attended. At the theater, she was approached by Sun Binyu's ex-girlfriend, Yu Ke, who recognized her as a fan.
After the show, Sun Binyu found Ma Shanshan and, worried she might be upset about Yu Ke, rushed to explain that their past relationship was long over and that he was only waiting for her. Ma Shanshan, amused, assured him she wasn't angry or concerned. Sun Binyu then eagerly invited her out for late-night kebabs, and she agreed. At the kebab shop, Sun Binyu tried to gauge Ma Shanshan's feelings by asking if she liked his performance.
She confirmed that she did, but when he tried to extrapolate that to mean she liked him, she deflected the question by offering him food. Later, in a more intimate moment, Ma Shanshan asked Sun Binyu to help dry her hair. When he teased her about its short length, she asked him to grow his hair longer, explaining, "Because I want to like you a little more."
The next day, Sun Binyu saw an online interview with Lin Qi, Ma Shanshan's university ex-boyfriend. Lin Qi spoke highly of her talent, reminisced about their collaboration, and publicly encouraged her to resume her music career, stating her talent shouldn't be wasted. Worried, Sun Binyu rushed to Ma Shanshan's home and found her deeply distressed. She repeatedly shouted at him to leave and not to bother her again, refusing to explain what was wrong.
Despite his pleas to stay and help, she continued to push him away. He eventually relented, telling her not to strain her voice before leaving. Later, Sun Binyu was seen at a food stall, lost in thought and unable to decide between two types of buns.
Episode 30 Recap
Following his successful meeting with Liang Chen's parents, Lu Jing is in the middle of a livestream when Liang Chen unexpectedly calls in, startling him. She playfully questions why he hadn't replied to her messages, while his viewers buzz with excitement. Asserting his affection, Lu Jing tells Liang Chen she'd miss his presence if he wasn't there to tuck her in at night, then abruptly signs off to take care of her.
Later, Liang Chen's friend Ma Shan Shan visits, noticing a burning smell from a cooking mishap. She reveals a more serious matter: a song Liang Chen wrote is identical to a hit released three months later by a singer named Lin Qi, presenting evidence of what she calls blatant plagiarism. Ma Shan Shan urges Liang Chen to move past this painful incident and focus on her future.
Overwhelmed by her poor cooking skills, Liang Chen asks Lu Jing to teach her. Shortly after, Lu Jing's grandmother arrives with an array of health supplements, including Loquat tea and Donkey-hide gelatin, all intended for her "grandson's wife," openly expressing her desire for Liang Chen to join their family. For her final competition, Liang Chen lets Lu Jing choose her song. He suggests "You Have Me," a choice that surprises others for its simplicity.
Liang Chen, however, insists the song holds a special significance for her. Lu Jing and his father, Mr. Lu, attend the competition. On stage, Liang Chen dedicates the song to the most special person in her life, stating she sang it simply because Lu Jing loves it, and secures second place. Afterward, she rushes to Lu Jing, hugging him and declaring her love. In her excitement, she kisses him, only to realize Mr. Lu is standing right there.
Flustered, Liang Chen introduces herself. Mr. Lu, in good spirits, playfully teases her, asking why she was calling him 'Uncle' when her on-stage declaration had practically been an admission of her role as a daughter-in-law. He then proudly takes photos of the couple to send to Lu Jing's mother.
During their ride home, Liang Chen confesses her anxiety about his esteemed, academic family disapproving of their relationship, comically fearing they might offer her money or challenge her with advanced math problems to make her leave. Lu Jing reassures her that her beauty and talent have already won his parents over, humorously adding that he would help her cheat on any math test.
To celebrate, Lu Jing buys several cakes, including one symbolizing "first place," praising her second-place finish as a huge achievement against veteran singers. He then proudly shows her his own first-place award from an international big data competition and transfers all his prize money to her, stating that all his income must be given to her. In return, Liang Chen playfully gives him some pocket money, promising an increase for good behavior.
Sometime later, Liang Chen returns from an overseas trip, eagerly looking for Lu Jing at the airport despite having told him not to come. She spots him and runs for a hug, only to discover he is there with his father to pick up his mother. Mr. Lu sends the young couple home, assuring them there will be plenty of opportunities for the families to meet. Later, both families share a harmonious meal. Lu Jing observes the scene and playfully remarks that the current balance would soon shift to all six parents united against him and Liang Chen.
Episode 31 (Ending) Recap
During a family gathering at Liang Chen's house, where both Lu Jing's and Liang Chen's families were present, a harmonious atmosphere filled the air. Lu Jing's mother advised Liang Chen to be more accommodating to Lu Jing as he was younger, while Liang Chen's mother urged Lu Jing to take good care of Liang Chen. After dinner, Lu Jing's mother discreetly gave Liang Chen a personal gift, emphasizing the importance of cherishing each other.
She confessed that Lu Jing, having been raised by his grandparents, could be spoiled, but Liang Chen reassured her that Lu Jing was a good person and promised to stay by his side. The families decided to take commemorative photos of the historic meeting. Later, Lu Jing correctly guessed his mother had given Liang Chen a secret gift, recalling a childhood incident where his mother gave a girl a Mathematical Olympiad set, causing her to never speak to him again.
When Liang Chen asked about his graduation, Lu Jing eagerly invited her to attend. Soon after, Lu Jing graduated from Nanze University. During his graduation ceremony speech, he expressed gratitude to his university, teachers, and classmates. Liang Chen came to see him as promised, and they went to Lover's Leap to take photos, a tradition for graduating couples. Lu Jing liked the idea of printing the photos to let them age and yellow over time for a sentimental feel.
Inspired by a novel, he suggested writing something on the back. Liang Chen playfully penned a short verse: "Lover's tree at the Lover's Leap, You and me under the lover's tree, A photo together in front of the tree, Oh, how much joy it brings." Later, Sun Binyu, Lu Jing, and Liang Chen gathered at Liang Chen's home for hotpot. Their plans were interrupted by Ma Shanshan, who arrived to ask Liang Chen to look after her cat, Ma Hua.
Ma Shanshan meticulously explained the cat's complex feeding schedule, which a flustered Sun Binyu tried to jot down with a marker he proudly carried for autographs. After Ma Shanshan left, Lu Jing and Liang Chen mischievously told Sun Binyu that she was immigrating and had a flight that evening. Panicked, Sun Binyu rushed out and found Ma Shanshan waiting for a cab. He confessed his feelings, pleading with her not to go.
Touched, Ma Shanshan accepted his confession and clarified she would only be gone for a week, prompting an ecstatic Sun Binyu to declare his love and promise to wait for her. Following his graduation, Lu Jing went abroad for a six-month exchange program. As his birthday approached, Liang Chen called to ask if her gift had arrived. Lu Jing, who was on his flight back, revealed he was returning early to celebrate with her.
However, the plane encountered severe turbulence and briefly vanished from radar, causing Liang Chen immense worry as she was unable to contact him. During the perilous flight, Lu Jing confided in a fellow passenger, vowing to make Liang Chen happy for the rest of her life if they landed safely. He asked the passenger to relay a message to her if he didn't make it, but the man insisted Lu Jing must tell her himself. Miraculously, the plane landed safely.
Overwhelmed with relief and the realization of life's uncertainty, Lu Jing proposed to Liang Chen right at the airport, and she joyfully accepted. Later, while celebrating their engagement and his birthday, Liang Chen asked Lu Jing if he had been scared on the plane. He brushed it off, but she soon discovered a will he had secretly written during the flight.
The note read: "If this is my life journey's end, I only wish you peace and joy throughout your life. There's a cycle of life, and there's love in another life. My dear, I love you. See you in the next life." Reading this, Liang Chen was moved to tears by the depth of his love and fear. Subsequently, during Liang Chen's concert, her friends gathered backstage and watched a broadcast of the China Film Awards.
They saw a clip of Liang Chen's acceptance speech for an award she won. Sun Binyu then complained that she was unfairly labeled a "supporting actress" for a film she had worked extremely hard on, enduring harsh conditions and injuries. As they watched, the Best Supporting Actress award was announced, and to everyone's surprise, the winner was Ma Shanshan. Upon seeing this, Ma Shanshan, who was also backstage, rejected the award, declaring she would "fly free" instead.
Sun Binyu wholeheartedly supported her decision. Shortly after, Liang Chen brought a nervous Ma Shanshan onto the concert stage, introducing her as a talented friend singing for the first time in years. Encouraged by Liang Chen, the crowd chanted Ma Shanshan's name, their cheers eventually shifting to Liang Chen as the two friends stood together.
