Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Episode 7 Recap
> Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Recap
Gu Chuan, observing Jiang Xiaoning as she worked on a model, found it to be too rough with incorrect dimensions and proportions, despite her belief that her measurements were precise. He emphasized the critical importance of accuracy in the construction industry, likening it to life safety, and instructed her to redo the model, promising to learn from him. As they left the studio, Gu Chuan offered to drive Jiang Xiaoning home.
However, they soon found themselves trapped in a malfunctioning elevator, with both believing their presence was the cause. Jiang Xiaoning, lamenting her perpetual bad luck, felt she was burdening Gu Chuan. Gu Chuan, however, shared Festinger's theory, explaining that while 10% of life's events are beyond control, the remaining 90% depend on one's reaction and mindset. He assured her that bad things happen to everyone, even outstanding people, and advised against letting bad luck drag others down.
Their conversation deepened as they discussed their definitions of happiness. Jiang Xiaoning reminisced about childhood joy from princess dresses and current happiness from earning enough for next month's living expenses. She shared that her aunt, after a back injury, found true happiness in good health. Gu Chuan, in turn, revealed his ambition to win the Jin An Award, after which he intended to retire from the industry.
Jiang Xiaoning strongly protested his plan, insisting he was too talented to quit and that she needed to continue learning from him as his assistant. Gu Chuan eventually conceded. When the elevator doors finally opened, Gu Chuan carried Jiang Xiaoning out. As she offered him a hand, Gu Chuan experienced a flash of a familiar memory of a child's hand, feeling a profound sense of recognition from the warmth of her palm.
During the car ride, Gu Chuan inquired about the meaning of architectural design. Jiang Xiaoning shared that her late father, an architect who designed ordinary residential buildings, often took her to see his work. She realized he created homes for many people, which to her, was the true significance of architectural design.
She then revealed that both her parents passed away when she was fourteen and that she rarely spoke of it because she wanted to prove her worth independently, not be pitied. Gu Chuan affirmed that she had indeed achieved that.
Upon arriving at her destination, Jiang Xiaoning sincerely thanked Gu Chuan for his words in the elevator, admitting she no longer found bad luck as bothersome and intended to adjust her mindset as per Festinger's theory, again reminding him not to retire. Shortly after, Gu Chuan experienced sudden chest pain and breathing difficulties.
He called his doctor, who, with an excited tone, immediately concluded that Gu Chuan had met someone he was romantically interested in, attributing the recent instability of his mechanical heart's data to this encounter. Gu Chuan, while seemingly hesitant, asked if there was a way to stabilize his data if he truly had found such a person.
The doctor, after a brief jest, became serious, emphasizing that life is short and that Gu Chuan's mechanical heart was for living, not just surviving. He promised to dedicate his full effort to modifying Gu Chuan's heart, offering a glimmer of hope. Gu Chuan, grateful, noted that everyone else wanted him to live, but he himself did not. Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaoning and Zhao Yan celebrated finishing painting the kitchen, which only cost them a few hundred yuan.
Zhao Yan then inquired about Xu Cheng Ran, a partner at Gu Chuan’s company. She warned Jiang Xiaoning to stay away from him, asserting he was a "playboy" and not a good person, citing her "scumbag radar" which never failed her, even if it was installed because of her own ex-boyfriend. Jiang Xiaoning, however, found Xu Cheng Ran to be rather nice. Zhao Yan then playfully suggested that Jiang Xiaoning's boss, Gu Chuan, could help "stimulate her female hormones."
Jiang Xiaoning swiftly shut down the idea, seeing Gu Chuan as a "swan" and herself as a "toad" and refusing to entertain such thoughts. Zhao Yan clarified that while having a crush or falling in love isn't wrong, the issue arises when one complains or self-pities if things don't work out. She believed that for someone like Gu Chuan, even if hurt, it would be worth it, as he could transform her life "from a girl to a woman."
Jiang Xiaoning reminded Zhao Yan that she had previously said loving a good person was worth the pain, to which Zhao Yan quickly specified she was referring to Gu Chuan, not Xu Cheng Ran. The following day, a haggard Xu Cheng Ran approached Jiang Xiaoning, pleading with her to help him reconcile with Zhao Yan, claiming he couldn't eat or sleep because Zhao Yan wouldn't respond to him.
Despite Jiang Xiaoning's initial reluctance to meddle in their affairs, Xu Cheng Ran's earnestness and promises to treat Zhao Yan well swayed her. Jiang Xiaoning arranged for them to meet at a food stall that evening. Overjoyed, Xu Cheng Ran declared Jiang Xiaoning one of his best friends and vowed to protect her if Gu Chuan ever mistreated her. He also asked if his display of despair had moved her, to which she admitted it had.
Around the same time, Gu Chuan's parents, having decided to travel abroad again, were seen off by Su Manlin. Gu Chuan's mother confided in Su Manlin about her son's long-standing loneliness and social isolation, expressing worry about his well-being. She revealed that Gu Chuan had finally found a girl he liked, his assistant Jiang Xiaoning, and believed he liked her more than he realized.
She asked Su Manlin and Xu Cheng Ran, as Gu Chuan's friends, to quietly look after them and let the relationship unfold naturally. Su Manlin agreed, though a flicker of jealousy crossed her face upon hearing Jiang Xiaoning's name. Back at Gu Chuan's home, Jiang Xiaoning arrived carrying food, sent by a colleague who reported Gu Chuan wasn't answering calls and his fridge was empty.
Though Gu Chuan initially seemed annoyed by her unexpected arrival, they quickly resumed working on the model. Gu Chuan, still critical, pointed out several remaining rough spots, giving her a passing grade of 60, but acknowledged it was an improvement. Jiang Xiaoning, reflecting on his feedback, admitted she was more focused today, implying her previous efforts lacked sufficient seriousness.
Later, at the food stall, Zhao Yan confronted Xu Cheng Ran, annoyed that he had used Jiang Xiaoning to arrange their meeting. She accused him of being a typical playboy who would disappear after a fling, devoid of responsibility. Xu Cheng Ran countered by professing genuine love for her, promising to get to know her better. Zhao Yan remained unimpressed, criticizing him for pursuing her best friend and calling him a "bastard."
Xu Cheng Ran tried to provoke her by suggesting she was afraid of falling for him, which Zhao Yan dismissed. Despite their heated exchange, Xu Cheng Ran remained persistent, even asking for her address and place of work, vowing to win her over. Zhao Yan, amused by his audacity, finally warned him one last time not to harass Jiang Xiaoning again. Xu Cheng Ran quickly changed tack, saying he liked Zhao Yan and would "harass" her instead.
Zhao Yan then made him pay the bill before leaving, satisfied that he was "immune to her tactics" and a suitable challenge. Back at Gu Chuan's, just after he gave Jiang Xiaoning her model grade, Zhao Yan called Jiang Xiaoning, angrily declaring, "You're dead to me!" Jiang Xiaoning, startled, immediately rushed home, inadvertently leaving her notebook behind on Gu Chuan's sofa. The next day, Jiang Xiaoning successfully reconciled with Zhao Yan, bringing her favorite barbeque and drinks.
Zhao Yan, though still calling her a "traitor," eventually softened, accepting Jiang Xiaoning's apologies and explanation that Xu Cheng Ran had seemed sincere. Zhao Yan reiterated her view that men who claim to like someone without knowing them are typical "playboys" who will quickly move on to others. Jiang Xiaoning, however, argued that Zhao Yan was too rigid in her views, believing it wasn't wrong for someone to be attracted and want to get to know her.
Zhao Yan reaffirmed her stance, citing her understanding of human nature and preference for a less complicated life, warning Jiang Xiaoning against falling for someone easily and giving her all. When Jiang Xiaoning reminded her that she had said loving a good person was worth the pain, Zhao Yan quickly clarified that she meant Gu Chuan, not Xu Cheng Ran, as the worthy recipient of such devotion.
Later, Xu Cheng Ran, drunk and disoriented from lack of sleep due to thinking about Zhao Yan, arrived at Gu Chuan's place and passed out on the sofa. Gu Chuan inadvertently discovered Jiang Xiaoning's forgotten notebook in the sofa cushions and, with a mix of curiosity and hesitation, opened it. Soon after, Tang Xu arrived at Gu Chuan's place. Gu Chuan, annoyed, told Tang Xu to take Xu Cheng Ran away.
Meanwhile, Tang Xu drove to the hospital to pick up Jiang Xiaoning's aunt and grandmother. Jiang Xiaoning's aunt, upon seeing Tang Xu, was critical of him driving them and spending money, despite Jiang Xiaoning explaining that Tang Xu came early to help because she feared she couldn't manage her aunt's and grandmother's health alone. Tang Xu then drove them to a temporary apartment Jiang Xiaoning had rented.
The aunt was surprised it wasn't their usual neighborhood and seemed suspicious, but Jiang Xiaoning promised to explain the situation once they were settled. Upon entering the apartment, the aunt initially seemed pleased with how neat it was. However, her expression abruptly turned serious when she noticed photographs of Tang Xu and Jiang Xiaoning's father displayed in the study.
