Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Episode 34 Recap
> Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Recap
Following her attempt to contact Qing Zi in the previous episode, Jiang Xiaoning learned from her that Gu Chuan's mechanical heart had automatically activated Safe Mode. Qing Zi explained that in this mode, Gu Chuan would be unable to feel any emotions, essentially becoming "a vegetable who can still talk and walk," though it would extend his life.
When Jiang Xiaoning asked how long he could survive, Qing Zi stated that previous cases hadn't lasted more than a year, but urged her not to give up hope for new solutions. Jiang Xiaoning found this prospect cruel, seeing it as a "death notice," but Qing Zi clarified that the mode was intended to give patients time to say goodbye to the world before they suddenly leave.
Later, a message from Gu Chuan, inquiring about her grandma's check-up and offering to pick them up, completely overwhelmed Jiang Xiaoning, causing her to break down in tears by the river. During a meal, Tang Xu questioned his father, Tang Zheng Cheng, about the feeling of taking illicit money, asking if it was "fun" or if there were "lingering fears."
Tang Zheng Cheng admitted to intense regret and guilt, stating he would never take a dime again if given another chance. However, Tang Xu dismissed his father's experience, suggesting that the regret only came from being caught, and provocatively wondered aloud how "fun" it would be to follow in his footsteps. This exchange made Tang Zheng Cheng suspicious, prompting him to ask if his son was hiding anything.
Unable to shake his unease, Tang Zheng Cheng later made an unexpected visit to Xu Guoxiang's office, where Assistant Liu attempted to block his entry. Inside, Tang Zheng Cheng confronted Xu Guoxiang, demanding what was owed to him for the decade he spent in prison, reminding Xu Guoxiang of their ten-year-old promise to take care of his family.
Xu Guoxiang initially feigned a welcome, asserting he had fulfilled his part by raising Tang Xu and providing him with the best life and an executive position. Tang Zheng Cheng countered, accusing Xu Guoxiang of mistreating Tang Xu and causing him much hardship.
When Xu Guoxiang grew dismissive, Tang Zheng Cheng explicitly recalled Xu Guoxiang's pledge to support his wife and son, including funding his son’s education and making him a shareholder, if Tang Zheng Cheng took the fall for a project.
Xu Guoxiang then chillingly revealed his manipulative nature, showing Tang Zheng Cheng transaction records that indicated Tang Xu had been involved in dubious financial activities, claiming Tang Xu had been a "disappointment" but that he had tolerated it because he was Tang Zheng Cheng's son. He implied these records could lead to "decades of imprisonment."
Realizing Xu Guoxiang had been using his son as leverage, Tang Zheng Cheng exploded in fury, accusing Xu Guoxiang of being a scumbag and threatening to fight him if he harmed Tang Xu. Xu Guoxiang, undeterred, ordered Assistant Liu to forcibly remove the enraged Tang Zheng Cheng from his office. Upon arriving at Gu Chuan's house, Jiang Xiaoning immediately embraced him, expressing how much she had missed him and wondering why he hadn't replied to her earlier message.
Gu Chuan explained he missed her so much that words couldn't express it, then shifted the conversation to her grandma's health. He prepared a meal for Jiang Xiaoning, who noted his continued care, even though his face remained expressionless. As they ate, Jiang Xiaoning observed that Safe Mode seemed fully activated, asking if "it was going to end like this." She pleaded with Gu Chuan to stop trying to change his condition, stating that his current state was "good enough."
After dinner, Gu Chuan suggested a walk and led Jiang Xiaoning to the bookstore where they first met, asking if she remembered the place. He then tried to recreate their initial encounter, even recalling their conversation when he gave her a book and how she insisted on paying or copying it. Jiang Xiaoning grew visibly emotional, tearing up as she relived the memories.
Gu Chuan continued, reminding her of another past moment when he held her hand crossing the street and shared his philosophy about persevering. Jiang Xiaoning, distressed, urged him to stop reminiscing. Gu Chuan questioned why she wouldn't want to recall their beautiful past, suggesting that repeated attempts might help him "deactivate the safe mode." Jiang Xiaoning then revealed she already knew about his condition because she had secretly met with Qing Zi.
Tang Zheng Cheng confronted Tang Xu, angrily demanding to know why he had embezzled public funds, reminding him of his own ten-year imprisonment for similar actions and warning him against a criminal path. Tang Xu calmly explained that he had not embezzled public funds, but rather had taken "dirty money" that Xu Guoxiang had been laundering through a company set up in Tang Xu’s name.
Realizing this was Xu Guoxiang's own doing, Tang Zheng Cheng declared it was "karma" and understood that the transaction records Xu Guoxiang showed him earlier were now useless as leverage against him. Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaoning confessed to Gu Chuan that she had met with Qing Zi and knew about his condition, pleading with him to stop trying to force himself out of Safe Mode.
She expressed her fear of any harm coming to him, stating she just wanted him to be safe. Gu Chuan despairingly questioned if "safe" meant waiting for death, lamenting that he didn't want to live like a machine, devoid of happiness, pain, or the ability to love or be loved. He found it most unbearable that he could no longer love her, even feeling her warmth but nothing in his heart.
Jiang Xiaoning, understanding his anguish, still urged him to fight for more time, not just for themselves but for his parents, Xu Cheng Ran, and their colleagues from Chuan Studio. Gu Chuan reassured her that his heart was fine and there would be no more electric discharges. Xu Cheng Ran's press conference for the Reindeer Group's new fiscal year public welfare plan began, with Xu Guoxiang and Zhao Yan present in the audience.
Xu Cheng Ran, as CEO, declared that the announcement was not just for the upcoming year but a comprehensive plan for the next decade, emphasizing their serious commitment to charity. Board members expressed immediate concern about his potentially rash statements given the live broadcast. Xu Cheng Ran then elaborated on the company's journey from Dongjiang Real Estate to its current status, crediting their supporters and reaffirming the group's dedication to societal contribution.
He then publicly pledged that the Reindeer Group would donate "4 percent" of its annual income to charities every year. This declaration caused a stir among the board members, who knew the written plan specified only "0. 5 percent." Xu Guoxiang attempted to subtly correct Xu Cheng Ran, reminding him of the "0. 5 percent" figure.
However, Xu Cheng Ran defiantly insisted, "No. It's 4 percent," holding up the detailed donation plan as proof and reiterating the group's firm commitment to fulfilling its promise. His decision greatly angered the board members, who voiced their concerns about the huge investment and its impact on shareholders. Xu Cheng Ran calmly asserted that he had fully considered their feelings and that his announcement at the press conference was his final stance.
He presented them with an ultimatum: if they accepted his terms, he would continue as CEO to "clean up their mess"; if not, they could immediately dismiss him and retract his public statements. To solidify his position, Xu Cheng Ran then produced copies of the company's past ledgers, revealing that all previous charitable donations were "fake accounts," and challenged the directors on whether they could sleep well knowing this. He claimed his actions were an "atonement" for their past misdeeds.
Outside the meeting room, Zhao Yan observed Xu Cheng Ran's resolute and "willful" demeanor, finding it quite admirable. The board members, now cornered, wondered how to handle the situation, acknowledging that Xu Cheng Ran had effectively taken all the moral high ground. While Jiang Xiaoning and Chen Dong were inspecting a construction site, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to design plans for lakeside buildings due to humidity, a sudden danger emerged. Two steel pipes plummeted from above.
Jiang Xiaoning instinctively pushed Chen Dong out of the way but was struck herself. Gu Chuan rushed to the hospital. Chen Dong informed him that Jiang Xiaoning had pushed him to safety but was injured herself. Gu Chuan found Jiang Xiaoning awake and reassured her that she was not seriously hurt, urging her to rest. However, despite seeing her injured, he felt no emotional pain, confirming his "vegetable-like" state.
Unable to bear this lack of feeling, Gu Chuan immediately called Qing Zi. He asked if there was a way to exit Safe Mode and return to Normal Mode. Qing Zi explained that while initial settings could be restored, it would only alter the software, not the underlying hardware issue, and would drastically reduce his life expectancy from potentially a year to only a month.
Despite this dire warning and Qing Zi's attempts to confirm his understanding, Gu Chuan unequivocally decided to proceed, stating that even a shortened life was better than living "like now," which he considered "not different from being dead." Gu Chuan helped Jiang Xiaoning prepare for her upcoming final examinations. Jiang Xiaoning confessed her anxiety, explaining that getting a degree was crucial to becoming a designer and she couldn't afford to fail, especially after her recent hospitalization left her unprepared.
To ease her tension, Gu Chuan promised to grant her "any wish" if she relaxed and answered the questions well. This motivated Jiang Xiaoning, and Gu Chuan suggested she stay at his place for the night, as it was close to the exam venue and he could drive her there. Jiang Xiaoning observed that despite being in Safe Mode, he still showed concern for her.
Gu Chuan logically stated it was not an emotional response, but Jiang Xiaoning affirmed that any form of his care made her happy. The next morning, Jiang Xiaoning woke to a delicious breakfast prepared by Gu Chuan. She enthusiastically ate, expressing her appreciation for his efforts, before Gu Chuan personally drove her to the exam site, offering words of encouragement as she departed.
Moments after she left, Gu Chuan received a call and immediately headed to the charging room to meet Qing Zi. Qing Zi made a final, desperate attempt to dissuade him from restoring to Normal Mode, warning him that it was tantamount to "suicide" and would drastically shorten his remaining life. However, Gu Chuan was resolute, stating he had made up his mind and instructed her to begin the process.
