Moonshine and Valentine Episode 19 Recap
> Moonshine and Valentine Recap
Helan Jingting was resolute in his commitment to Pipi, determined to break the recurring cycle where every incarnation of Huiyan met her end in his arms. This time, he refused to let regret linger, vowing to embrace Pipi for all eternity. Pipi, her heart fluttering, held Jingting’s hand as they headed to her home. Jingting was taking Xiu Xian and Kuanyong along to meet Pipi’s parents and propose marriage.
Earlier that day, Xiu Xian and Kuanyong, having binge-watched countless family dramas, prepared lavish gifts like real estate deeds and jewelry, intending to bribe Pipi’s supposedly greedy mother-in-law. Pipi, flustered by the sight of the elaborate gifts, quickly stopped them. Instead, they simply bought some apples and went home. In the dimly lit living room, everyone sat uncomfortably. Pipi’s mother chewed on an apple Jingting brought, her eyes full of suspicion.
Xiu Xian and Kuanyong sat stiffly, their backs straight, offering forty-five-degree model-like smiles. Jingting’s anxious demeanor only heightened Pipi’s mother’s wariness. Breaking the silence, Jingting forthrightly proposed to Pipi in front of her parents. Pipi’s mother, usually pragmatic, considered her daughter’s future. She expressed concern about a man Pipi had only recently met, fearing he might abandon her or not be the steadfast support Pipi needed.
Jingting, however, earnestly reaffirmed that becoming Pipi’s lifelong pillar of support would be his greatest joy. Pipi’s mother found his answer satisfactory but, out of caution, suggested they get engaged first to allow more time to understand each other. This decision both astonished and moved Pipi, realizing her seemingly materialistic mother genuinely cared for her family’s happiness above all else.
Meanwhile, reporter Wang Xuan was jostled to the ground by a throng of competitors while trying to get a scoop on popular actress Wu Xinru, who was allegedly involved in an insider trading scandal with her ex-husband, Liu Changming. Zhao Song helped Wang Xuan up, questioning the value of the Wu Xinru story.
He suggested she wait at Wu Xinru’s hotel room door, as he lived on the same floor, and offered his room card for her to leave it there before 7 AM. Wang Xuan, intrigued, told him she was interested in him. Later, Wang Xuan met Zhao Song at a rooftop restaurant. She initially stated she only accepted his invitation because her afternoon interview had gone well.
Zhao Song, however, gently persuaded her to stay, offering a gift and admitting his habit of making unilateral decisions, but promising to seek her opinion next time. He confessed to being an orphan who had always had to rely on himself, much like Wang Xuan who struggled to succeed in a harsh world. He noted their shared experience of having to be tough to survive. Wang Xuan, touched by his words, toasted him, acknowledging the world’s cruelty.
As Zhao Song walked a tipsy Wang Xuan back to her hotel, he carefully put her to bed and then left to get another room, respecting her boundaries. This act of chivalry completely won Wang Xuan over.
The next morning, she gave Zhao Song the recording pen from their dinner and a collection of incriminating photos, revealing her creed as a reporter was "to achieve the goal by any means necessary," but admitting there were now "some things" she wanted to protect. Zhao Song reassured her he meant no harm and instructed her to eat breakfast, implying she would understand everything once she got to her office.
Wang Xuan then called her editor, emailing a new article for the front page, presumably the scoop she had been pursuing. Later, at the cafe where Pipi worked, Tao Jialin appeared. He apologized for coming to her workplace, having heard she was working late hours. Pipi, in turn, apologized for her mother borrowing money from him, promising to repay it.
Jialin expressed concern about Pipi’s new boyfriend, recalling an earlier incident at a nightclub, and admitted his relationship with Tian Xin had deteriorated after they went to America. Pipi, however, confirmed her new boyfriend was "very good" and asked Jialin if he hated her. He said no. When he asked if she still liked him, Pipi, after a moment, recalled a childhood letter he wrote to her.
She admitted that while she had once fantasized about him proposing, she could no longer imagine that scene and "supposed" she didn’t like him anymore. When Jialin asked if she loved her new boyfriend, Pipi unequivocally stated, "I love him." Jialin, defeated, suggested they remain friends, but Pipi said she needed time to think and had to return to work. As she left, Jialin offered to do anything to make amends.
At the same time, Wang Xuan received a package—a USB drive. Intrigued, she opened it, her eyes widening with surprise and glee. Finding herself alone, she quickly transmitted the contents. Reflecting on her journey, Pipi realized that losing her past relationship with Jialin had led to greater gains, making her braver, more independent, and more sincere. She had become a better person, and consequently, met a better person. She acknowledged Jialin, even if their friendship couldn't continue.
