Moonshine and Valentine Episode 2 Recap
> Moonshine and Valentine Recap
Pipi decided to buy a birthday gift for her boyfriend, Jialin, visiting a store where he frequently shopped. Despite the prices being far beyond her budget, she believed Jialin deserved the best. She found a simple white shirt that would nearly drain her savings but was determined to buy it. While struggling to determine Jialin's size, Pipi was surprised to see Helan Jingting, the blind man she had recently encountered.
The store assistant noted that Helan Jingting's build was similar to Pipi's description of Jialin and suggested he try on the shirt. Though initially hesitant, Pipi accepted his offer. As she helped him with the buttons, she fumbled and fastened them incorrectly. Helan Jingting then asked what kind of person Jialin was to receive such a thoughtful and expensive gift. Pipi enthusiastically described her boyfriend as an excellent person, superior to her in every way.
When Pipi attempted to pay, her cards were declined. She asked for a discount or an installment plan, but the assistant suggested she withdraw cash from a nearby ATM. As Pipi left to get the money, Helan Jingting intervened and purchased all available sizes of the white shirt for himself.
When Pipi returned and found out, she tried to repay him for what she thought was one shirt, explaining that it was a birthday present for her very important boyfriend and that she wanted to buy it herself as a token of her sincere feelings. Helan Jingting then revealed the store was now completely out of stock. Furious, Pipi yelled at him. He calmly reminded her not to shout at a blind man, as it could damage his hearing.
When he asked for her name, she retorted with a phrase that sounds like "None of your business" in Chinese. Amused, Helan Jingting deduced her surname was Guan. Pipi corrected him, stating her full name was Guan Pipi, and commented on four-character names. He then clarified his own name, Helan Jingting, explaining that Helan is a compound surname.
Pipi followed him outside to apologize for her outburst and pleaded with him to sell her one of the shirts, explaining that Jialin was going abroad soon. Helan Jingting coldly pulled his hand away, asking if he knew her. In her distress, Pipi accidentally knocked off his dark glasses. She was mesmerized by his unusual, solid blue eyes, which lacked whites. A memory flashed in her mind of a handsome young man with similar eyes holding an apple.
Helan Jingting quickly retrieved his glasses and left abruptly. Later, Xiu Xian brought new glasses to Helan Jingting’s residence, advising him to always wear them outside to prevent humans from being harmed by his eyes. Helan Jingting revealed that Pipi had seen his eyes and was likely feeling unwell as a result.
He had Xiu Xian prepare an apple infused with his blood to cure her, but then decided to delay its delivery, wanting to let her "suffer a little more." Xiu Xian later remarked to Kuanyong that Helan Jingting was acting childishly, but Kuanyong noted it was understandable, as it was the first time he had been jealous in a thousand years. The next morning, Pipi was visibly ill, vomiting repeatedly at work.
During a meeting about potential stories, Pipi's colleagues speculated about the mysterious president of Ceil Group, Qian Hua, who had recently purchased a luxurious villa reportedly inhabited by a man. While they theorized about secret lovers or family drama, Pipi suggested Qian Hua might simply be providing a home for a close friend. Her boss, Qing Tan, found the idea interesting. Pipi later met her friend Xiaoju at a coffee shop.
Xiu Xian and Kuanyong arrived, finding Pipi looking very unwell. Introducing Kuanyong as a doctor, they offered her the medicated apple, claiming it could instantly cure her. Suspicious after taking many ineffective medicines, Pipi mistook them for pyramid scheme salespeople. She refused the apple, stating she disliked them. Whispering to Xiaoju that the men were strange friends of the "weirdo from yesterday," she asked her friend for cover and slipped away, leaving the apple behind.
Despite her worsening pain, Pipi attended Jialin's birthday dinner, bringing only a jar of her mother's homemade broad-bean sauce. Jialin's parents, who clearly favored another guest, Tian Xin, gave Pipi a cold reception. When Tian Xin arrived with an expensive bottle of wine, the atmosphere brightened instantly. During dinner, Jialin's mother lavishly praised Tian Xin's accomplishments and connections, subtly belittling Pipi. Jialin's attempts to defend Pipi were dismissed.
After Jialin blew out his birthday candles, Tian Xin discreetly gave Pipi the expensive shirt she had bought, allowing Pipi to present it to Jialin as her own gift. Jialin accepted it with a smile, maintaining a harmonious facade. As the party ended, Tian Xin left, and Jialin's mother urged him to see her off.
Outside, Tian Xin clarified to Jialin that the shirt was Pipi's idea and that she had only helped deliver it, advising him to go back to Pipi. Meanwhile, Pipi, overwhelmed by her illness, rushed to the bathroom. Hearing this, Jialin's mother worried Pipi might stay overnight and pressed Jialin to make sure she left. Though reluctant, Jialin complied. Understanding the situation, Pipi insisted she was fine and left alone, taking a bus home.
The episode concluded with a narration on the nature of gifts: they are tangible expressions of feelings too difficult to convey. While a gift helps the recipient understand the giver’s intentions, the recipient might not realize its true meaning at the moment, only to discover much later that they had completely missed the sentiment behind it.
