My Dear GuardianĀ Episode 25 Recap
> My Dear GuardianĀ Recap
After getting off work, Zhang Yichi called Chen Mengzhen, who was at her store. He invited her and her son, Xiao Jun, to dinner that weekend, revealing his intention to introduce them to his parents and declare Chen Mengzhen as the woman he loves. Chen Mengzhen, though a little shy, accepted.
Later, Xiao Jun told his mother that Zhang Yichi might not be athletic but possessed a brilliant mind, suggesting that a clever husband would save her a lot of trouble. Chen Mengzhen expressed her happiness that Xiao Jun thought about her well-being, promising to strive for a happy life. Meanwhile, Xia Chu read a letter from Liu Ran.
Liu Ran expressed regret for swallowing pesticide but found peace in lifeās simple joys, like the gentle breeze and flower scents, ultimately stating she had no regrets and thanking Xia Chu for prolonging her life. Xia Chu reflected on the heavy burden of doctors, who must remain strong in the face of defeat and sorrow. After reading the letter, Xia Chu sent a message to Liang Muze, informing him of Liu Ran's passing.
Upon Liang Muze's return to the military camp from a mission, Captain Rao Zhi of the City Security Bureau had a device delivered to him. Liang Muze carefully crafted a wool felt object and embedded the device inside it. After completing this, he saw Xia Chuās message, informing him of Liu Ran's passing. Liang Muze's arm was still weak, requiring further medical checks, which he agreed to attend that afternoon.
Liang Shaoxue, Liang Muze's cousin, eagerly sought out Tian Yong upon his return, having known he was back through a peculiar "tarot card" prediction (which she later admitted was just overheard conversation). She also inquired about Liang Muze's injury. Liang Muze, who Tian Yong addressed as "Commander," commented on his cousin's eccentric behavior, which Tian Yong agreed was often incomprehensible to their family.
Liang Muze initially thought Tian Yong and Liang Shaoxue were incompatible due to Tian Yong's dedication to ancient poetry. However, Tian Yong suggested that language was the most insignificant form of communication among young people. Liang Shaoxue stayed with Tian Yong, who had returned from a dangerous mission. When asked about its danger, Tian Yong denied it, prompting Liang Shaoxue to call him a liar, pointing out Liang Muze hadn't been injured in ages.
She then asked what it felt like to have killed, and Tian Yong responded with a line from an ancient poem. Liang Shaoxue confessed to Tian Yong that she had been diligently reading the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" he gave her while he was away, a difficult feat for someone her age.
She explained she has a condition that makes it impossible for her to concentrate for more than five minutes, causing her to get lost easily and even fall asleep mid-conversation. She referred to this as "adult mild brain dysfunction," a condition she linked to childhood ADHD. Despite these challenges, she persisted in memorizing poems for him. Tian Yong, misinterpreting her intentions, handed her an hourglass, suggesting she use it to time her five-minute concentration periods to improve her efficiency.
Liang Shaoxue was disappointed, attempting to coax a kiss from him by asking him to play a romantic song and look into her eyes. Instead, Tian Yong broke down, crying and calling for his mother. After Tian Yong composed himself, he revealed he was an orphan who grew up in a children's home, with no memory of his parents. He said the hourglass and the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" were the only memories he had left of them.
He admitted to hating them but also yearning to dream of them, even though he never saw their faces clearly and always woke up crying. Liang Shaoxue confided that she shared a similar experience, not as an orphan, but rarely seeing her busy parents, whom she felt didn't want to see her. She revealed she was sexually assaulted at thirteen, after which she and her mother moved to the US.
She felt like a "tumor" to her parents, a constant reminder of their failures, and that she had ruined their marriage. To make them pay attention, she deliberately wore bizarre clothes and makeup, wanting them to hate her so much they couldnāt ignore her. She explained she adopted a parrot to cope, finding joy in confronting the world with its companionship.
She told Tian Yong she had intended to reveal these painful truths after a kiss, but his emotional story compelled her to speak sooner. Tian Yong, his eyes filled with tenderness, comforted her in silence. Separately, Zhuo Ran was heard discussing a plan to kidnap Xia Chu, aiming to teach Liang Muze a lesson and force Xia Guang Yuan to cooperate, believing it would be an easy task given his previous groundwork.
Zhuo Ran then called Xia Chu, insisting she meet him at a Japanese restaurant opposite her hospital. At the hospital, Liang Muze arrived, looking for Xia Chu, only to be told by Zhang Yichi that she was on leave. Zhang Yichi offered Liang Muze a ride. Liang Muze, initially intending to visit Chen Mengzhen and Xiao Jun, was informed by Zhang Yichi that he was taking them to meet his parents that evening.
Zhang Yichi assured Liang Muze that he would take full responsibility for Chen Mengzhen and her son, stating he would "go all the way" with her. He also asked Liang Muze to ensure their safety. Xia Chu reluctantly met Zhuo Ran at the restaurant. Zhuo Ran spoke of their past and future, and his plans to return to her life after his current affairs concluded.
Xia Chu confronted him about planting a listening device in Liang Muze's home and his knowledge of her living there, accusing him of lying. Zhuo Ran admitted to tracking her multiple times to make up for their lost eight years, but refused to apologize. When Liang Muze called, Zhuo Ran snatched Xia Chu's phone, answered, and tried to provoke her by suggesting Liang Muze would react negatively.
Xia Chu quickly retrieved her phone, telling Liang Muze her location before he hung up. She firmly told Zhuo Ran he had disrespected her and his reactions were irrelevant. She asserted that she had moved on, built a fulfilling life, and was not a "lovesick damsel." She explicitly stated, "As for Liang Muze, I love him," and made it clear that even if things didnāt work out with Liang Muze, she would not return to Zhuo Ran.
She declared her past complete and her feelings her own to decide. Just then, Liang Muze arrived to pick her up. Zhuo Ran tried to stop them, mentioning her favorite eel rice hadn't arrived, but Xia Chu stated she no longer liked it and told him to let go. Zhuo Ran eventually released her, saying, "In that case, let everything return to normal." As Liang Muze led Xia Chu away, she noticed his silence and assumed he was angry.
She explained that she met Zhuo Ran to gain closure and help him move on, as he was someone she had once loved and she wanted a clear goodbye. Liang Muze remained silent until Xia Chu, overwhelmed by grief for Liu Ran and frustration with Liang Muze, squatted on the ground, refusing to move. She tearfully described her agony over Liu Ran's death, despite a successful lung transplant, due to infection, leaving doctors helpless.
She expressed the exhaustion of being a doctor and the emotional toll of everything happening simultaneously. Liang Muze, softening, comforted her and, despite his own injuries, picked her up and carried her on his back. Xia Chu, noticing his stubble and cold red ears, felt a gentle affection. Meanwhile, Mi Gu received a call from Zhuo Ran, who summoned her to a hotel. Mi Gu expressed her strong disdain for their relationship, refusing to be treated like a mere servant.
Zhuo Ran responded with a philosophical quote: "Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future." Despite her protests, Mi Gu eventually went to the hotel, where she found a drunken Zhuo Ran in the dark. She sarcastically recounted her experience at a recent party, describing beautiful and intelligent people sipping expensive wine and discussing social justice, yet completely out of touch with real life, unwilling to leave their exclusive social bubble. She concluded by calling them "exquisite and snobbish."
