Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Episode 23 Recap
> Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Recap
Gu Chuan and Jiang Xiaoning were inspecting a construction site where Jiang Xiaoning had diligently kept notes and ensured the project was on schedule for early completion. Gu Chuan noticed her familiarity with the site, to which Jiang Xiaoning admitted she had been secretly visiting, even on weekends, finding a profound sense of accomplishment in watching something being built from nothing.
She expressed gratitude, acknowledging Gu Chuan for the opportunities that helped her learn and grow, although he insisted she earned them herself. As they left the site, signaling the end of work, Jiang Xiaoning's demeanor shifted, playfully asserting that Gu Chuan was now her boyfriend, not her boss. She pressed him about the mechanics of his mechanical heart, learning that his heart rate increases when he experiences strong emotions, which then causes an electric discharge.
Gu Chuan explained that excessive discharge could damage his heart, but reassured her it would be fine in three months. Jiang Xiaoning playfully vowed to avoid "stimulating" him during this period, though she still welcomed holding hands. Gu Chuan then revealed a profound aspect of his past, stating that he had held her hands ten years ago and confessed that without meeting her, he might have ended his life after winning the Jin An Award.
Jiang Xiaoning firmly forbade him from speaking such thoughts, emphasizing that meeting him had given her a new goal in life: to be with him. At dinner, Gu Chuan generously treated Jiang Xiaoning to a meal, a gesture she found endearing, remarking on his newfound willingness to express affection.
Jiang Xiaoning shared a cherished childhood memory of her father celebrating her mother's birthday, which always involved a family dinner at a fancy restaurant with a piano player, inspiring her to want to learn piano herself. She then lightheartedly mused about her hands being better suited for manual labor, to which Gu Chuan quickly retorted they were also meant for holding his.
Jiang Xiaoning teased him about becoming a smooth talker despite his ten-year dating hiatus, which he admitted was due to online research. Gu Chuan then questioned if Jiang Xiaoning didn't like him enough because she couldn't feel the electric discharges when they held hands or hugged. Jiang Xiaoning playfully retorted that he was simply "thick-skinned" and that she could definitely feel his affection.
She urged him to control his emotions to protect his heart, learning that his mechanical heart also required charging, with a 20% backup power automatically activating if it ran out. Gu Chuan also mentioned that his was not the only mechanical heart in the world, but it wasn't widely used due to its imperfections and side effects.
Jiang Xiaoning promised to be obedient and never make him angry, but Gu Chuan joked that his mechanical heart was quite handy in helping him control his emotions, warning her not to excite him again. Jiang Xiaoning cherished the time after work, as it allowed Gu Chuan to simply be her boyfriend, free from their professional roles.
She admitted she had never fantasized about an office romance, instead envisioning a relationship with a smart, knowledgeable university upperclassman, to which Gu Chuan confidently asserted he surpassed any such ideal. Their tender moment was interrupted when Jiang Xiaoning’s aunt spotted them arriving home. Flustered, Jiang Xiaoning quickly pulled her hand from Gu Chuan’s, but her aunt, already noticing their closeness, engaged Gu Chuan in conversation.
The aunt praised Gu Chuan for dropping Jiang Xiaoning off, extended an invitation for dinner, and deftly obtained his contact information, citing her role as Jiang Xiaoning’s only guardian since her parents passed away. As soon as Gu Chuan left, Jiang Xiaoning’s aunt confronted her, asking if she was "bold enough to date without telling her." Jiang Xiaoning readily admitted her relationship with Gu Chuan, expressing how much she liked him and confirming that they were indeed together.
Her aunt, though initially surprised, acknowledged Gu Chuan’s exceptional qualities despite their age difference, to which Jiang Xiaoning stated she didn't mind because she deeply loved him. While at work, Gu Chuan received a call from Jiang Xiaoning’s aunt, who, claiming to be near his company, invited him to lunch to get to know him better. During their meal, she directly inquired about his educational background, which Gu Chuan confirmed included a double Master's degree from a UK university.
She then asked about his parents, learning they were university professors who now lived abroad, and about his properties, which were located in various upscale areas. The aunt, increasingly puzzled by his excellent background, questioned why such an accomplished man had not been dating. Gu Chuan admitted he had dated before but had been experiencing some health issues in recent years.
Upon hearing this, and confirming there was a possibility his condition might not be curable, Jiang Xiaoning's aunt’s demeanor abruptly changed. Feigning an urgent family matter, she cut the lunch short and quickly departed, leaving Gu Chuan alone. Xu Cheng Ran, after a brief, playful argument with Zhao Yan where he dramatically declared his "illness of not being able to live without her," discovered she was looking for a new apartment.
He immediately insisted on accompanying her to see a real estate agent, proclaiming he was also looking for a place and that "today was the day." The agent showed them a spacious two-bedroom apartment, perfect for a couple, which Xu Cheng Ran eagerly affirmed, despite Zhao Yan's protests that she would be living alone.
Xu Cheng Ran tried to convince her that the large space was suitable for friends and family visits, even subtly bribing the agent to reduce the rent. The agent then disclosed that the apartment was a "haunted house" where someone had died, which was why the rent was so low. To mitigate this, the agent suggested that a man living there would "suppress the misfortune." Xu Cheng Ran quickly offered his services, irritating Zhao Yan with his glibness.
Despite her annoyance, Zhao Yan challenged him to help her move the next day, which he enthusiastically accepted. Later, Xu Cheng Ran called Gu Chuan, excitedly sharing the progress in his relationship with Zhao Yan, boasting that she had asked him to view apartments with her and predicting he would soon get married. He gloated about no longer needing to live in a hotel, believing Zhao Yan was beginning to need his companionship and protection.
After Gu Chuan replied to him with a text saying "I miss you a little," Xu Cheng Ran mockingly commented on Gu Chuan's rapid romantic progress, then declared he knew what he needed to do next. Upon Jiang Xiaoning’s return home from work, her aunt immediately confronted her, sternly ordering her to break up with Gu Chuan, claiming the pair were incompatible and that she was merely fulfilling her responsibility to Jiang Xiaoning’s deceased parents by ensuring her happiness.
Jiang Xiaoning, distressed, questioned her aunt’s sudden change of heart, reminding her that she had liked Gu Chuan before. The aunt then revealed she had spoken to Gu Chuan, expressing concern over his poor health and fearing that Jiang Xiaoning might end up becoming his "personal nanny" if they stayed together.
Jiang Xiaoning adamantly refused to break up with him, promising to explain things later, but her aunt remained firm, dismissing any explanations and insisting on an immediate breakup before storming off to bed. The next day at work, Jiang Xiaoning struggled with Gu Chuan's silence about his meeting with her aunt, contemplating whether she should bring it up herself. Gu Chuan, seemingly oblivious or intentionally avoiding the topic, only suggested they take a walk together instead of mentioning the encounter.
After finishing the move, Zhao Yan was surprised to discover that Xu Cheng Ran had brought all his belongings and boldly claimed the second bedroom for himself, declaring they would share the living room and kitchen. Zhao Yan, annoyed by his presumptuousness, questioned why a wealthy man like him would choose to co-rent. Xu Cheng Ran defended his choice, claiming to be a thrifty and economical young man who disliked wasteful living.
He insisted that sharing the apartment would save money, provide companionship, and that his presence would "suppress the misfortune," ensuring her safety and his happiness. Though initially hesitant and annoyed by his glib answer about his "fleeting" affection, Zhao Yan, after some thought, eventually agreed to his cohabitation, teasing him that "a little bit" of liking was enough and that he still had to catch up to Gu Chuan’s level.
Zhao Yan then revealed to Xu Cheng Ran that she already knew about Gu Chuan and Jiang Xiaoning's relationship, joking that she was the last to find out. Gu Chuan and Jiang Xiaoning visited her family's old residence, which had become a tourist attraction since being tragically destroyed by fire. Jiang Xiaoning remarked on how much the area had changed, sharing her childhood memories of the beautiful garden with a swing her father built, where she spent her summer breaks.
She expressed her unwavering determination to work hard, save money, and rebuild the house herself, as it was her father's dream to design a home that would unite their family. Gu Chuan offered to help, but Jiang Xiaoning, while appreciative, felt it was her sole responsibility, especially given his financial contributions to their shared meals; she wanted to maintain a sense of equality in their relationship to love him with confidence.
As night fell, they strolled through a park, where Jiang Xiaoning found the current days with Gu Chuan almost dreamlike. Seeing Kongming Lanterns, they purchased one. Gu Chuan drew their likenesses with a heart in the middle on the lantern before they released it into the night sky, embracing each other as it floated away. Back home, Jiang Xiaoning's aunt was still awake, her disapproval evident.
She scolded Jiang Xiaoning for not listening, insisting that she wanted her to break up with Gu Chuan for her own good. Jiang Xiaoning calmly asserted her maturity and ability to distinguish right from wrong, emphasizing that she had grown up and still cared for her aunt despite her new independence. She then revealed that Gu Chuan had taken her to visit her old house that day, confirming he was kind to her.
Her aunt conceded that Gu Chuan was indeed good, but reiterated her concern about his health. Jiang Xiaoning then disclosed the true reason for Gu Chuan’s condition: he was the older brother who had been injured saving her ten years ago. This revelation stunned her aunt into silence, leaving her speechless and unable to voice any further objections.
Gu Chuan, who was present, simply reassured Jiang Xiaoning not to worry, while Jiang Xiaoning expressed her profound luck in meeting him and her determination to make her aunt understand how much he deserved her love. Despite his mechanical heart indicating "charging completed," Gu Chuan felt persistent discomfort. Xu Cheng Ran's phone buzzed with an alert from a friend-locating app that he had installed. Zhao Yan recognized it and inquired about it.
Xu Cheng Ran, seeing the notification, immediately called Gu Chuan, asking if he was alright. Though Gu Chuan calmly assured him he was fine, Xu Cheng Ran's worried expression betrayed his concern, especially after recalling a past conversation with Jiang Xiaoning's aunt where he admitted to having health issues that might not be curable. Zhao Yan also inquired about Gu Chuan, and Xu Cheng Ran, attempting to appear nonchalant, simply stated that Gu Chuan claimed to be fine and that she shouldn't worry.
