Moonshine and Valentine Episode 8 Recap
> Moonshine and Valentine Recap
One hundred years ago, Helan Jingting abandoned his family and his responsibilities as Right Priest for Huiyan, venturing into the human world with Kuanyong to find her. As Qingmu's son, Zhao Song harbored deep resentment for Helan Jingting, especially because he himself was not favored. Qianhua, who was deeply in love with Helan Jingting, requested an audience with Lord Qingmu, expressing her willingness to go to the Southern Fox Clan to persuade Helan Jingting to return.
She argued that she was still engaged to him, making her the most suitable person to intervene. Zhao Song, overhearing this, quickly proposed to Lord Qingmu that he lead troops to eradicate Helan Jingting and his rebel followers, considering them weak and ready for a decisive blow.
However, Lord Qingmu rejected this, stating that fratricide was undesirable and that since the Tushan gens, a strong supporter of the Fox Clan and engaged to Helan Jingting, offered to intervene, their offer should be accepted. Zhao Song persisted, but Lord Qingmu firmly told him to stop, then turned to Qianhua, urging her to proceed. Later, Lord Qingmu asked Zhao Song if he thought there was any chance of reconciliation with Helan Jingting.
Zhao Song confirmed that Helan Jingting, referred to as Xi, remained the same, repeatedly refusing to meet with Qingmu, suggesting he did not desire to mend their father-son relationship as Qingmu did. Qingmu sighed, admitting he had indulged Helan Jingting too much, and decided to let him be. Zhao Song then cautiously suggested that the Chief Priest's successor position be reconsidered.
When asked what he meant, Zhao Song pointed out that Helan Jingting had lived among humans for so long and neglected Fox Clan affairs, making him unsuitable for the position. Lord Qingmu conceded that given the current situation, Zhao Song was indeed more suitable to lead the clan. However, he noted Helan Jingting's high prestige within the Southern Fox Clan and expressed a desire to speak with him again.
Zhao Song vehemently argued that Helan Jingting's long entanglement with a human woman and his leading the Southern Fox Clan to closer ties with humanity posed a danger, but Lord Qingmu cut him off, asserting that Helan Jingting was still his son and would change. He insisted he would talk to him. Zhao Song then revealed that he had given away his Pearl of Charm to Qianhua, the eldest daughter of the Tushan gens.
He explained that Qianhua had agreed to it willingly and that they were in love, planning to visit Lord Qingmu soon. As Qianhua tenderly bandaged Helan Jingting’s wound, she felt his deep sorrow and leaned her head on his shoulder, seeking a moment of closeness. This intimate scene was witnessed by Zhao Song, whose fury erupted, causing a city-wide power outage. Meanwhile, Tian Xin was preparing for her long-anticipated performance.
Her friend talked to her about Helan Jingting and Miss Guan, hoping their relationship would go well. Tian Xin was distracted and told her friend she was hungry and might wait at the cafe. Her friend expressed concern for Pipi after what happened last night and planned to bring her to cheer for Tian Xin. Tian Xin then spoke with Jialin, asking if he would have stayed with Pipi if she hadn't been in the picture.
Jialin mused that he and Pipi had little in common and weren't compatible. Tian Xin dismissed her original question as "nothing important." Pipi, preparing to visit Tian Xin, heard her mother pressuring her about her future with Jialin, urging her to grasp the opportunity to secure such a rare and promising man. At the venue, Jialin arrived with flowers for Tian Xin’s performance. Pipi also arrived and complimented the beautiful flowers.
Pipi, still consumed by guilt, asked Tian Xin about her relationship with the man who had pestered her the previous night, revealing she had seen Tian Xin and Helan Jingting dining together on a rooftop. Tian Xin explained he was someone she met through work, and her chief editor had asked her to interview him about the Fox Clan and his heart, a story Pipi might not believe.
Pipi confessed that recent strange events had annoyed her, and she was considering resigning to prepare for a potential move to America with Jialin. She wondered if Jialin would take her with him. The performance began and concluded successfully. Moments later, the entire city was plunged into darkness as the power went out. Tian Xin was dismayed, her camera failing. The power outage also startled Wang Xuan, who had been camping outside Qianhua’s residence for days, observing her.
The sudden power cut and strange aura further disoriented her, turning her once proud and bright demeanor into a nervous and disheveled state as she continued her erratic photography. Her chief editor, noticing her increasingly odd behavior, instructed an assistant to keep an eye on her, concerned she might cause more trouble. Wang Xuan insisted the story she was working on now was far more interesting than gossip, claiming it would be a world-shaking scoop.
At their apartment, Kuanyong was working on his computer with Xiu Xian patiently waiting nearby. After the power went out, Kuanyong stared at the black screen, lost in thought. Xiu Xian, growing impatient, suggested they go out for dinner, even offering to go to a different restaurant. Kuanyong refused, stating he wasn't hungry and that some things, like eating, could be done alone.
Xiu Xian confronted him, reminding him of a childhood promise, but Kuanyong dismissed it as "nonsense" and walked away. Regretting his words, Kuanyong grabbed a flashlight and went to Xiaoju’s cafe, hoping to find Xiu Xian. He found Xiaoju alone by candlelight. Xiaoju was surprised to see Kuanyong without Xiu Xian, given they were inseparable.
She was also surprised when Kuanyong ordered a meat sandwich, noting that if Xiu Xian had been with him, she wouldn't have known how to prepare meat without electricity. Kuanyong confessed to Xiaoju that he was not a vegetarian and had only pretended to be one since childhood due to circumstances. He recounted how he and Xiu Xian grew up in a strict Fox-breeding house, an orphanage where children had to work and eat all their food or face punishment.
Xiu Xian, a picky eater, refused to eat vegetables, so Kuanyong ate Xiu Xian's vegetables and gave him his own meat, all while maintaining the lie that he only ate vegetables, to protect Xiu Xian's pride and ensure he ate enough. Xiaoju was deeply moved, realizing Kuanyong had been vegetarian for hundreds of years for Xiu Xian.
Meanwhile, Xiu Xian, having run three blocks to buy a vegetarian salad for Kuanyong, returned to their dark, empty apartment and found no trace of Kuanyong. Zhao Song approached Qianhua, offering to lend her the Order Letter she needed to meet the Northern Fox Clan elders, stating there were no conditions, much to Qianhua's surprise. He explained that the Northern Fox Clan was conservative and suspicious, and the Order Letter alone wouldn't be enough.
He offered to accompany her to help navigate the difficulties, but insisted that to ensure the elders believed she was "one of us," she needed to wear his Pearl of Charm, thereby becoming recognized as the Left Priest's lover. Qianhua agreed to set out during the next new moon, but Zhao Song urged no rush, citing the elders' bad temper and their ongoing conflicts with the Southern Fox Clan. He emphasized the importance of their belief in her status.
Pipi came to see Jialin in person. Jialin informed her that the delivery service had lost his Master's degree certificate and he needed to fly to America tomorrow to resubmit it within the week. Pipi, already emotional, told Jialin she had resigned from her job, implying her desire to be with him and go to America. Jialin, caught off guard, struggled to respond fully. Later, Tian Xin called Jialin to discuss their trip to America.
Jialin told her he was busy with department teachers and suggested they talk after he returned. Tian Xin made Jialin promise to tell Pipi the truth about their relationship upon his return, as she no longer wanted to hide it. Jialin then called Pipi, telling her he was on campus and had family matters to attend to that evening, subtly avoiding her.
