Mr. Fighting Episode 9 Recap
> Mr. Fighting Recap
Hao Zeyu couldn't resist the temptation of lamb skewers, but as he stared at the food, he hesitated. At that moment, Fu Zi's dad saw him about to eat barbecue and became furious. Startled, Hao Zeyu agreed to go back with him. Since Hao Zeyu hadn't brought his wallet, he called Fu Zi's dad "Father" to get him to pay the ¥35 bill. Fu Zi's dad then asked if Hao Zeyu’s own father knew he casually called others "father."
Hao Zeyu replied that his father was not in the same space as them, implying he had passed away, and asked if Fu Zi's dad could ask his father if he minded if they met one day. Hao Zeyu revealed that he was an orphan, living alone, and said that it was good his family had passed away because they would have died from anger seeing him live like a loser.
Hearing this, Fu Zi's dad softened and agreed to keep their meeting a secret from Fu Zi, so she wouldn't start "messing around" again. He also offered Hao Zeyu to eat with him there every evening if Hao Zeyu promised to hide it from Fu Zi. Hao Zeyu took one skewer, chewed it for a long time, enjoying the taste, but then spit it out, as he had planned.
On the ride home, Fu Zi was asleep, exhausted from helping Hao Zeyu diet. She explained to her dad that she had been starving herself with Hao Zeyu, and she felt sleepy when she was hungry. Her dad commented that her online "Weight-Losing Juice Recipe" didn't seem to be working, as Hao Zeyu hadn't lost weight and was just drinking juice for days.
Fu Zi defended her method, citing good online reviews, but her dad insisted that humans need grain and the best way to lose weight is to eat less, attributing her lack of understanding to "heredity." Hao Zeyu, feeling guilty for having eaten and for lying to Fu Zi, promptly forced himself to throw up the single bite of lamb skewer he had consumed, then immediately did several push-ups.
He admitted he felt sick because it had been so long since he last ate meat. His imaginary inner voice reminded him that he was not sick but felt guilty towards Fu Zi, who worked hard for him, even making him soy milk to diet. The voice questioned what Fu Zi would do if Hao Zeyu couldn't become famous and feed himself, adding that in his field, pain does not always lead to gain.
To help Hao Zeyu burn calories and improve his mood, Fu Zi took him to a shopping mall. Hao Zeyu complained, preferring to walk outside rather than be tempted by food in the mall. Fu Zi retorted that it was too cold outside for her, saying he had "thick skin" while she was "fragile." She then revealed her new "happy weight loss" strategy: if you're happy, you lose weight. Hao Zeyu questioned why she hadn't lost weight then.
She ignored him and led him to a dancing machine. Hao Zeyu initially refused, calling it a children's game, but Fu Zi insisted. While dancing, a group of children challenged them, wanting to practice. Hao Zeyu mocked them, but then challenged them to a competition. Seeing how skilled the children were, Fu Zi worried Hao Zeyu would lose. Hao Zeyu then tricked Fu Zi into joining him, claiming he couldn't do a duo dance alone.
He used an analogy about making bets with God, saying he had just bet that if he won this game, he would successfully lose weight. Fu Zi, hearing this, joined him on the machine, and they had a lot of fun dancing together. That night, Fu Zi fell asleep on the sofa. Hao Zeyu, seeing this, quietly slipped away to the barbecue stall.
He didn't order any food, opting to just smell the aroma, reminding himself that as an actor, he had to bear such sacrifices. Fu Zi's dad arrived and started counseling Hao Zeyu. Just then, Fu Zi herself rushed in, glared at Hao Zeyu, then sat down and ordered several skewers for herself. Hao Zeyu watched, drooling, as Fu Zi and her dad ate.
On the drive home, Fu Zi lectured her dad for tempting Hao Zeyu with barbecue, worried it would ruin Hao Zeyu's resolve. Her dad dismissed her concerns, saying an occasional meal wouldn't hurt and no one gets fat from one meal. He criticized Fu Zi for tormenting Hao Zeyu by not letting him eat, calling it "abuse." Fu Zi insisted they had to try to get Hao Zeyu slim enough for Director Peng's film.
Her dad revealed that Director Peng was simply fooling them, and even if Hao Zeyu lost weight, he wouldn't get the role. But Fu Zi, ever hopeful, argued that they had to try and do their best. The next day, Fu Zi put up photos of male actors who had lost significant weight for their roles on Hao Zeyu's wall, hoping to inspire him. She explained that these actors endured great suffering to achieve the best performance.
She then told Hao Zeyu that Niu Meili was too busy to manage him because Teng Dan's illness was rapidly worsening. Fu Zi urged Hao Zeyu to put aside his resentment and send Teng Dan a message for the New Year. She reminded him that they were like family and he shouldn't abandon her. Hao Zeyu adamantly refused, saying Teng Dan had abandoned him and thrown away his handmade sweater like a rag.
He confessed that his determination to lose weight was partly driven by a desire for Teng Dan to regret her actions. Fu Zi became furious, accusing Hao Zeyu of not pursuing his acting career out of love but out of hatred, which was why he hadn't succeeded. Hao Zeyu retorted, saying Fu Zi couldn't understand his experiences.
He angrily declared that from then on, they would only discuss work over the phone, and she no longer needed to come to his home or act as his "nanny." Hurt and betrayed, Fu Zi quietly left. Hao Zeyu, alone, immediately regretted his words. Fu Zi went to Niu Meili's house, crying and stuffing herself with snacks. She complained about Hao Zeyu and her dad, feeling unappreciated.
Niu Meili comforted her, explaining that the world is complicated, and even kindness can inadvertently cause hurt. Niu Meili assured Fu Zi that Hao Zeyu had already forgiven her, but he couldn't forgive himself. She compared him to a stray dog that shows its belly in trust, only to be taken for a vaccination, hating the pain even though it's for its own good.
As the New Year approached, Hao Zeyu bought ham sausages to feed the stray dogs in his complex, feeling remorse for hurting Fu Zi. He reflected on his ten years in Beijing, contemplating leaving the city. However, he decided that before he left, he wanted to prove one last time that he could be a good actor.
He found Director Peng and, without asking for a role, recited lines from the script perfectly, simply stating that he loved acting, and then walked away. Fu Zi wandered the streets aimlessly, while Hao Zeyu continued his diet, now alone. On New Year's Eve, Fu Zi's dad received a lot of provisions from Gu Dapeng, who planned to spend the holiday alone.
Niu Meili was returning to her hometown, and Hao Zeyu was alone at home, having said goodbye to his friends. After distributing red packets to the neighborhood children, Fu Zi's dad gave one to Fu Zi. Noticing her preoccupation, he encouraged her to call Hao Zeyu to sort things out or invite him for New Year's dinner. Fu Zi hesitated, feeling she was always the one making the effort.
After thinking it over, she eventually took some dumplings her dad had made and knocked on Hao Zeyu's door, wishing him a Happy New Year. Hao Zeyu, eating a simple diet meal, greeted her coldly. Fu Zi pushed her way in, her heart sinking at the sight of his meager New Year's dinner. She apologized for their argument, urged him to let go of his anger, and explained she brought the dumplings because they had made too many.
