Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Episode 20 Recap
> Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Recap
Building on recent revelations about the car accident that affected both his and Jiang Xiaoning's families ten years prior, Gu Chuan pursued a new lead, arriving at Guang'an Hutong No. 189, where he encountered Chen Ao. Gu Chuan, feigning recognition, acted as if he had dealings with Chen Ao's twin brother, Chen Yun, from ten years ago. Chen Ao confirmed that Chen Yun was indeed his brother but stated he had died long ago.
Despite this, Chen Ao, eager for money, offered to handle whatever business Gu Chuan had originally intended for his brother. Gu Chuan's ploy succeeded, unaware that Assistant Liu, acting under Director Xu's father's orders, was tracking Chen Ao and capturing their every move. Gu Chuan later informed Xu Cheng Ran about his meeting with Chen Ao.
Xu Cheng Ran immediately sensed danger, noting the significant coincidence of Chen Ao having a twin brother, Chen Yun, who was involved in the car accident that affected Gu Chuan and Jiang Xiaoning's family ten years prior. He urged Gu Chuan to let him accompany him for their next meeting. Gu Chuan attempted to call Chen Ao, but the calls went unanswered, suggesting Chen Ao was deliberately avoiding him. Meanwhile, Assistant Liu reported Gu Chuan's visit to Director Xu's father.
Acting preemptively, Director Xu's father ordered Assistant Liu to "take care of" Chen Ao, ensuring he "would not show up ever again." Assistant Liu drugged Chen Ao, knocking him unconscious before disposing of him in the river. Earlier in the day, Jiang Xiaoning requested leave from Gu Chuan, explaining she had plans with friends and wouldn't be able to drive him home. Though Gu Chuan outwardly accepted, he secretly followed her.
He observed Jiang Xiaoning meeting Chen Chen, and their intimate conversation left Gu Chuan feeling upset and unable to focus on work. Jiang Xiaoning brought Chen Chen to Zhao Yan's house for dinner. Chen Chen explained his desire for independence, wanting to work and experience life despite his family's wealth. He then revealed his recent heartbreak, having been dumped.
Sensing Chen Chen's growing interest in Jiang Xiaoning, Zhao Yan cleverly suggested he take a group photo and post it online as a "demonstration of his determination" to his family. Chen Chen eagerly agreed, taking a picture of the three of them and posting it on social media. This photo infuriated Xu Cheng Ran and Gu Chuan.
Xu Cheng Ran immediately showed the post to Gu Chuan, identifying Chen Chen as the "pretty boy" he had mentioned earlier and questioning his casual heart gesture with both Jiang Xiaoning and Zhao Yan. Xu Cheng Ran urged Gu Chuan to confess his feelings to Jiang Xiaoning, reminding him of his recent admission of affection for her and warning that he couldn't afford to sit idly by.
Gu Chuan hesitated, citing his medical condition and his fear of rejection leading to a difficult situation if he became "a waste of space" after they were together. Xu Cheng Ran dismissed his excuses, declaring that it would be a true humiliation if a "wimpy kid" like Chen Chen got to Jiang Xiaoning first. He vehemently pushed Gu Chuan to act quickly to get Chen Chen out of the picture.
Under Xu Cheng Ran's persistent encouragement, he and Gu Chuan went to Zhao Yan's apartment building. Xu Cheng Ran disguised himself as a food delivery person, calling himself "Super Invincible Conquering Palms," to infiltrate the apartment and gather intelligence. Zhao Yan, recognizing him despite the disguise, played along, letting him in. Gu Chuan, waiting below, was pleased to see Chen Chen leaving. He then went upstairs, using the excuse of looking for Xu Cheng Ran.
To his surprise, he found Xu Cheng Ran cowering under a table, having been beaten by Zhao Yan during what Jiang Xiaoning vaguely described as a "cosplay game." Fearing Zhao Yan's formidable combat skills, Gu Chuan hastily made his excuses about having "design drafts to revise" and fled, with Xu Cheng Ran scrambling to follow him out.
Xu Cheng Ran later complained that Gu Chuan nearly abandoned him, but Gu Chuan feigned innocence and even suggested that Xu Cheng Ran should have enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time with Zhao Yan. Jiang Xiaoning again approached Gu Chuan for leave, explaining she needed to attend an evening cram school to complete her credits for her graduation certificate and degree.
She casually mentioned that Chen Chen could send her home if classes ended late on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This seemingly innocent remark immediately piqued Gu Chuan's concern. Feigning a desire to reconnect with a "classroom feeling" after years in the commercial world, Gu Chuan declared his intention to enroll in the same cram school, ostensibly to "evaluate its standards."
In class, Gu Chuan sat next to Jiang Xiaoning, while Chen Chen, despite being late, repeatedly tried to pass notes to Jiang Xiaoning. Gu Chuan intercepted the notes, leading to a disruption that caught the teacher's attention. When challenged, Gu Chuan flawlessly answered complex questions about spatial sequence and green building elements, impressing the entire class. As a result, Chen Chen was asked to leave for his disruptive behavior. However, Chen Chen waited outside for Jiang Xiaoning after class.
Gu Chuan, observing Chen Chen's persistent efforts, sent Jiang Xiaoning away briefly to get water and confronted Chen Chen. He told Chen Chen to stop bothering Jiang Xiaoning. Chen Chen, undeterred, boldly confessed his deep affection for Jiang Xiaoning, asserting that he knew her better than Gu Chuan and suggesting that she might one day be his. Gu Chuan was left uneasy by Chen Chen's direct and hostile challenge.
From then on, Gu Chuan insisted on taking Jiang Xiaoning to her cram school, though he himself was barred from entering the classroom by the lecturer, who joked that Gu Chuan, a renowned designer, was "there to show off." Inside the classroom, Chen Chen subtly inquired about Gu Chuan's feelings for Jiang Xiaoning. Jiang Xiaoning admitted she had confessed to Gu Chuan before but was rejected, believing her chances were over.
Chen Chen, noticing Gu Chuan still waiting outside, decided to help her by provoking Gu Chuan. After class, Chen Chen deliberately suggested a late-night hotpot meal in front of Gu Chuan. Gu Chuan initially declined, but Chen Chen's persistent invitation to Jiang Xiaoning about eating hotpot, directly challenging Gu Chuan, fueled Gu Chuan's competitive spirit, and he ultimately agreed.
At the hotpot restaurant, Jiang Xiaoning expressed concern for Gu Chuan's inability to handle spicy food, but Gu Chuan, fixated on Chen Chen's taunts, insisted he was fine. The two men engaged in a silent, fiery contest, consuming increasingly spicy food until their faces were flushed, both enduring the discomfort. When Gu Chuan's watch alarm sounded, he used it as an excuse to retreat to the restroom.
Immediately, Chen Chen frantically called for water, revealing his underlying concern for Gu Chuan's health despite their rivalry. Jiang Xiaoning, equally worried, watched as Chen Chen explained his actions, hinting that this challenge was a deliberate attempt to push Gu Chuan and Jiang Xiaoning together. Their dramatic hotpot competition was abruptly interrupted by a power outage at the restaurant.
Upon returning home, Gu Chuan immediately drank large amounts of water to quell the lingering spice, but he messaged Jiang Xiaoning, assuring her that he was completely fine and was heading to bed. Jiang Xiaoning, knowing him well, messaged back, expressing her deep concern and apologizing for making him wait and endure the spicy hotpot. Gu Chuan reassured her it was his own fault for being "gluttonous" and jokingly promised she wouldn't see "awful" Chen Chen again.
Jiang Xiaoning, still processing the evening, mused that if not for the power outage, they would have had a clear winner in their "spicy eating contest." Gu Chuan skillfully avoided discussing the power outage, and as they bid each other goodnight, both felt a subtle shift in their emotions.
