Moonshine and Valentine Episode 3 Recap
> Moonshine and Valentine Recap
The Mode magazine, where Pipi works, seeks a lucrative story, with their focus landing on Tushan Qianhua, an alluring, exceptionally beautiful woman who is a modern independent figure with assets valued in the hundreds of millions. She runs a successful beauty and skincare business, is single, and comes from a prominent family, yet has maintained a clean record without a single scandal for years.
Rumors suggest a mysterious man resides in her secluded home, but his identity remains unknown to the public. What most don't realize is that Qianhua is a noble member of the Fox Clan, and the mysterious man is her Priest, Jingting, a man she has loved for a thousand years. The challenging task of interviewing Qianhua falls to Wang Xuan. Full of arrogance and self-importance, Wang Xuan attempts to deceive Qianhua by using the fake name Zhang Nan.
However, Qianhua mercilessly exposes her deceit, scolding her for her lack of intellect and attacking her for her malicious heart. When Wang Xuan, posing as a loyal customer, asks about the unique charm of Qianhua’s brand, Qianhua notes Wang Xuan isn't wearing any of their products. She then highlights the extensive animal testing involved in the production of Wang Xuan's lipstick, describing the suffering of mice, rabbits, and monkeys sacrificed for her "not-so-pretty face."
Qianhua then reveals Wang Xuan's real name, confirming her identity was investigated in advance. As a parting gesture, Qianhua has her assistant, Liu Ran, give Wang Xuan a new, animal-experiment-free lipstick, sarcastically telling her to take her "carcass" with her as she leaves. Humiliated and seething, Wang Xuan forces a smile and rushes out, brushing past Xiu Xian at the door. Xiu Xian, sent by Lord Helan, delivers an ancient map of the Fox Clan's territories to Qianhua.
Qianhua explains that the ancient texts Jingting gave her contain a language long lost, making them impossible to decipher alone. She needs the map to seek out ancient elders who have lived as hermits for thousands of years, as they might be the only ones left in the entire Fox Clan capable of understanding these texts. Xiu Xian expresses doubt about the elders' continued existence.
Qianhua tells him to inform the Priest that she will complete the task within his requested timeframe, then adds disdainfully that for future communications, Jingting should send "the other one," because he is "quieter." Xiu Xian accepts her preference with a hint of amusement. Back at the office, Wang Xuan vents her frustration, calling Qianhua a "psycho." Realizing Qianhua is an impossible target, the team decides to shift their focus to the mysterious man, Jingting.
Wang Xuan volunteers to pursue the interview, but her colleagues point out she’s already been exposed and blacklisted. The task then falls to Pipi. Late at night, Pipi perches in a tree, struggling to capture photos of her elusive subject. The person she's trying to photograph, Jingting, is already standing below, observing her peculiar movements. Jingting calls out to her.
Weakened by the lingering pain and nausea from seeing his true eyes the previous day, Pipi loses her balance and collapses into Jingting's arms. Jingting carefully places the unconscious Pipi on a bed and gently coaxes her to eat an apple. As she drifts in and out of consciousness, a familiar dream flickers: a young boy, holding an apple, enticing a girl to eat it. Soon after, Pipi regains full consciousness, her pain and discomfort having vanished.
Pipi later wanders into the courtyard and finds Jingting lying in a chair, bathed in moonlight. She watches him, musing aloud about his handsome features but noting he is blind. Jingting, having been awake, surprises her by asking how long she plans to talk. Startled, Pipi asks why he’s lying there, and he explains he’s "taking a moon bath."
He clarifies that he suffers from "day blindness," meaning he cannot see during the day, with his vision only returning after dusk. Pipi dismisses it as nonsense but thanks him for saving her. Jingting invites her to join him, suggesting the moon can help one forget their troubles. Pipi hesitantly lies down and finds it surprisingly true.
Jingting then shares that he began moonbathing when he was very young, with a beautiful girl who accompanied him when he couldn’t see at all. By the time his sight returned, she was gone. Pipi, unaware of her past connection to him, asks why they didn't add each other on WeChat. Jingting then muses that looking at the moon is like seeing into one's inner self, explaining that astrologically, the sun represents objective consciousness while the moon reflects the subconscious.
The next morning, Pipi wakes up to find Qianhua by her side. Qianhua explains that Jingting, concerned Pipi wouldn't have suitable clothes for work, asked her to bring some, as she is his only female friend. Qianhua presents Pipi with a selection of expensive, elegant dresses, which Pipi finds completely unsuitable for her personal style. Qianhua also hands Pipi a VIP invitation to an antique auction from Jingting, leaving Pipi confused.
Later, Pipi arrives at her news agency for a meeting. The auction is deemed a significant event, as it marks a rare public appearance for both Jingting and Qianhua. Wang Xuan, eager for the assignment, is confident she will be chosen. However, the leader unexpectedly assigns Pipi to the task. Wang Xuan is furious, arguing that a mere intern is not qualified.
After her persistent arguments, the leader compromises, allowing both of them to attend and work together, which still leaves Wang Xuan deeply displeased. Meanwhile, Jingting is determined to acquire a non-sale item at the auction: the Pearl of Charm. In the car, he reiterates to Xiu Xian the story of how Huiyan died during a war centuries ago and how the Pearl vanished. He insists that now that its whereabouts are confirmed, it must be retrieved.
Xiu Xian, accustomed to these repeated laments, listens as Jingting's grief over losing Huiyan resurfaces. Jingting confirms he can sense the Pearl's energy. They discuss the auction house's high security, and they decide to proceed with their plan to retrieve the Pearl that night, only to be interrupted by a security guard telling them to move their illegally parked car.
Unaware of Jialin's plans to study abroad, Pipi is engrossed in fantasies about their future, even printing out a US visa application that she cannot understand due to her limited English. Meanwhile, Jialin continues his frequent visits to Tian Xin's rehearsal room, leading their classmates to mistakenly believe they are a couple. Tian Xin secretly yearns for a deeper relationship with Jialin, but when she inadvertently sees Pipi’s visa application, she faces a painful dilemma.
Choosing friendship over love, she prioritizes her bond with Pipi and politely declines Jialin’s dinner invitation that night. Jialin, learning of Pipi's visa research, feels conflicted; he sees Pipi as a future virtuous wife but now longs for a soulmate. Later, Tian Xin agrees to translate the visa documents for Pipi and again makes an excuse to avoid dining alone with Jialin. Working tirelessly, Qianhua delves into ancient texts.
She reports to Jingting over the phone that she intends to travel north to search for old Fox Clan members who might be able to decipher the long-lost languages. As she finishes her call, a cold voice from behind asks, "For a thousand years, you've been a. . . How do they call it now? A spare tire. How does that feel?" Qianhua turns to face Zhao Song, and they exchange cold smiles as he provocatively adds, "When will you come to the North? You shall be warmly welcomed."
