Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Episode 21 Recap
> Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Recap
Gu Chuan offered to drive Jiang Xiaoning to cram school, but their plans were interrupted when Su Manlin urgently informed Gu Chuan of a heated dispute at the art gallery construction site between Chargehand Pan and Chen Dong, where they almost came to blows. Su Manlin suggested they go together to address the escalating conflict and the workers' threat to stop work.
Jiang Xiaoning offered to drive them, but Su Manlin curtly dismissed her, stating she couldn't be of any help, prompting Jiang Xiaoning to leave. Gu Chuan, however, expressed concern for Jiang Xiaoning and asked her to call if anything happened, which Su Manlin questioned.
At the construction site, Gu Chuan found Chargehand Pan and Chen Dong in a heated argument over the poor construction quality of the wall and accusations of negligence and perfunctory work, with arguments about incorrect design drawings. Gu Chuan sternly intervened, instructing Chen Dong to submit inspection reports to Su Manlin for communication and warning Chargehand Pan that any issues affecting construction or schedule would be handled strictly according to the contract.
He then issued a firm warning, forbidding any future physical altercations with his staff, stating that repeat offenses would be dealt with more severely. Before leaving, Gu Chuan told Su Manlin to return alone, implying he had other plans. Su Manlin, observing Gu Chuan's recent changes, wondered if his actions would make him angry, but Chen Chen confidently asserted that it would only prove Gu Chuan's affection for Jiang Xiaoning, advising Su Manlin not to hold back on "stimulating" him.
Later, at the cram school, Chen Chen teased Jiang Xiaoning, suggesting that Gu Chuan might be "scared" and that Jiang Xiaoning had "really fallen in love" with her boss, a notion Jiang Xiaoning playfully brushed off. Despite the late hour, Gu Chuan surprised Jiang Xiaoning by arriving in his car to pick her up. Gu Chuan drove Jiang Xiaoning to a mysterious location, calling it a "very important project" for her future, and instructed her to enter alone.
Inside, Jiang Xiaoning initially found nothing, then was surrounded by light projections of Gu Chuan's heartfelt messages. The messages expressed his gratitude for the beautiful days she brought, noted that "all encounters are long-awaited reunions," praised her beautiful smile, and declared her appearance "like a rainbow that brings colors into my monochromatic life." He confessed that being with her made everything happy and thanked her for her courage, realizing their mutual feelings the moment she first confessed.
The messages culminated with the confession that because of her, his heart had been beating busily, and he hoped to bring her happiness, stating "Jiang Xiaoning, I like you." Overwhelmed, Jiang Xiaoning questioned if she was dreaming. Gu Chuan then appeared, physically present, and reiterated, "Jiang Xiaoning, I like you." However, he added a caveat: "Although I like you a lot, I can't be with you right now."
He asked her to wait three months and if she would blame him if they still couldn't be together after that period. Jiang Xiaoning readily agreed to wait, "no matter for how long," and promised not to blame him, stating it was the most beautiful moment of her life to have her feelings reciprocated. Gu Chuan experienced a "comfortably tingly" sensation when Jiang Xiaoning touched him.
They playfully discussed their driving arrangements, with Gu Chuan insisting on driving her outside of work hours. Gu Chuan then suggested maintaining some distance since their relationship wasn't "officially together," leading to a humorous exchange about it being the "weirdest confession." They bid each other goodnight, teasingly unable to leave each other's presence. In the days that followed, both Jiang Xiaoning and Gu Chuan reveled in their newfound happiness.
Jiang Xiaoning was seen at home, seemingly lost in joyful thought, while Gu Chuan also appeared content. They each looked at a doll, a quiet symbol of their affection. Their relationship then transitioned into a secret office romance. However, Su Manlin soon discovered their hidden affection when she observed Jiang Xiaoning and Gu Chuan holding hands discreetly under a desk, igniting a visible spark of anger in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Director Xu expressed his great satisfaction with Tang Xu's successful management of the branch company, praising his efforts and announcing his intention to recommend Tang Xu's transfer back to the main company for more significant roles. Their conversation then shifted to Tang Zheng Cheng's impending release from prison.
Tang Xu confirmed his father's release "in a few days" and outlined his plan to fulfill his filial obligations by arranging his father's life, despite admitting his deep hatred and despise for him, to prevent others from criticizing Director Xu for not having "taught me well."
Director Xu advised Tang Xu to cultivate tolerance and avoid being "so cruel," even offering his driver to pick up Tang Zheng Cheng and promising to visit when he had time, which Tang Xu agreed to. Tang Xu later met Jiang Xiaoning for a meal, showering her with kindness by ordering an abundance of food to "recharge" her for her upcoming exam.
Jiang Xiaoning expressed her gratitude, and they discussed her grandmother and aunt, for whom Tang Xu had brought gifts. Jiang Xiaoning then brought up Tang Zheng Cheng's release, confirming it with Tang Xu and expressing her desire to finally speak with him about past events, as he had refused to see her during his imprisonment. She asked Tang Xu for assistance, agreeing to wait until Tang Zheng Cheng had settled back into life outside.
Jiang Xiaoning also shared her plan to move back into her old apartment, which she had already cleaned, so Tang Zheng Cheng could return to his own home. Tang Xu suggested she cancel her lease and stay in the apartment he had rented for his father, citing the financial impracticality of breaking her current lease early, but Jiang Xiaoning firmly insisted on returning to her original home, believing it's what Tang Zheng Cheng would prefer.
Jiang Xiaoning requested a half-day off from Gu Chuan to move back to her old apartment. Gu Chuan immediately offered to help, playfully declaring himself her "leisure friend." However, when Chen Chen arrived, he also asserted his role as a "leisure friend" and claimed credit for helping Gu Chuan and Jiang Xiaoning's relationship progress so quickly. A lighthearted argument ensued between Gu Chuan and Chen Chen about who was more unnecessary, as Jiang Xiaoning had already arranged movers.
Chen Chen then revealed he was moving to another city and was there to say his goodbyes, attempting to embrace Jiang Xiaoning. Gu Chuan promptly intercepted the embrace, hugging Chen Chen instead. Before leaving, Chen Chen advised Gu Chuan to treat Jiang Xiaoning well, emphasizing that without his "assist," their relationship wouldn't have advanced so swiftly, and urged Gu Chuan to express his feelings openly. Gu Chuan simply dismissed Chen Chen as "too young" to understand such matters.
Tang Xu maintained a visibly cold and distant demeanor as he picked up Tang Zheng Cheng from prison. Upon arriving at their home, Tang Zheng Cheng observed that nothing had changed. Tang Xu, acting like a stranger, handed his father a credit card with no password and pointed out where the utility cards were kept.
Tang Zheng Cheng attempted to engage him, asking if he was still angry, but Tang Xu vehemently denied any anger, stating they were merely "strangers who are biologically related." He callously remarked that his father should be content with having an apartment and a credit card provided. Tang Xu then explicitly stated he was busy and Tang Zheng Cheng should not contact him "except for emergencies."
He added that the only way to "make things up" would be to "not let me see you" and "stop causing trouble to my life." Despite Tang Zheng Cheng's earnest attempts to keep him for a conversation or dinner, Tang Xu adamantly refused, declaring he had no time.
Tang Zheng Cheng desperately apologized, admitting "It's all my fault," but Tang Xu, in a burst of raw emotion, declared that he had sworn never to forgive his father since the day he went to jail and his mother tragically jumped off the building. He handed his father a piece of paper with his phone number, sternly warning him not to call unless it was an emergency.
Late one evening, Jiang Xiaoning was still working at the office, poring over complex architectural documents, when Gu Chuan arrived, questioning why she was still there and hadn't replied to his messages. She explained she had been too busy to hear her phone. Noticing her struggles with the documents, Gu Chuan offered to help, explaining he would be bored if she didn't leave. He leaned close, embracing her as he patiently explained the difficult concepts.
Shortly after, Tang Xu arrived downstairs, waiting. When Jiang Xiaoning appeared, he called out to her and invited her to get food. However, Jiang Xiaoning, seemingly aware of Gu Chuan's presence, quickly declined, stating she needed to send her boss home first, leaving Tang Xu visibly disappointed. In the car, Jiang Xiaoning pressed Gu Chuan again about the "three months" waiting period, expressing her impatience and belief that true love requires honest expression.
Gu Chuan initially hesitated, suggesting they discuss it later, but Jiang Xiaoning insisted she could accept anything he told her. Later, Xu Cheng Ran strongly advised Gu Chuan against revealing his mechanical heart to Jiang Xiaoning. He worried Gu Chuan was "blinded by love" and that if the secret got out, it would label Gu Chuan as a "weirdo," making normal life impossible.
Gu Chuan, however, remained resolute, explaining he couldn't bear Jiang Xiaoning's questioning expression and and was convinced she would understand, much to Xu Cheng Ran's frustration, who felt Gu Chuan was no longer the person he knew. The next day, Gu Chuan met Jiang Xiaoning for lunch, promising to answer all her questions about the three-month wait. As Jiang Xiaoning pressed him again about the reason, Gu Chuan began to explain it was "a long story."
Before he could elaborate, a passerby accidentally bumped into him, causing his mechanical watch to fly off. Gu Chuan immediately clutched his chest, grimacing in intense pain as a "Charging interrupted" message appeared on his system. Despite his obvious discomfort and pale face, Gu Chuan quickly insisted he was fine, stating he needed to go home and would call her later, rushing away without allowing Jiang Xiaoning to assist or take him to a hospital.
As Gu Chuan left, Jiang Xiaoning noticed the fallen mechanical watch on the ground. She picked it up, observed its peculiar numbers, and a profound realization dawned on her as she watched his retreating figure.
