My Deepest Dream Episode 3 Recap
> My Deepest Dream Recap
As Wu Yu rode his motorcycle, his mind was plagued by flashbacks of his sister, Wu Miao. He vividly recalled her 20th birthday on November 5, 2021, and her excited question about a present. He also remembered Wu Miao pointing out a Red-naped tern on the cruise ship, asking what kind of bird it was, shortly before her tragic death.
Tan Jiao rushed home, relieved to find her brother, Hao, safe at her family's Spice and Fragrance shop, diligently peeling garlic. Hao reminded her that she was the one who had sent him there. Zhou Xiaoyu, a friend of Tan Jiao's, commented on Tan Jiao's mother's generosity for still babysitting for her ex-husband's new wife and even assigning Hao chores.
Tan Jiao quickly corrected her, explaining that her parents had an amicable divorce and her mother had no issues with Hao's mother, urging Zhou Xiaoyu not to view her mother with a "mundane mindset." After checking the area, Wu Yu confirmed that the Red-naped tern they had seen earlier had left and there was nothing suspicious. While at the shop, Hao innocently asked Wu Yu if he was Tan Jiao's boyfriend, interpreting Wu Yu's silence as confirmation.
Hao then playfully revealed some of Tan Jiao's personal habits, like grinding her teeth and snoring in her sleep, which greatly embarrassed her. Tan Jiao quickly sent Hao to the kitchen. Inside, Tan Jiao explained to Wu Yu and Zhou Xiaoyu that the Red-naped tern remained the only clue to her own disappearance for a year, and she suspected the note that lured her out the previous night was also connected to the bird's controller.
She wondered if Officer Shen Shiyan was investigating the case but doubted he would share information due to confidentiality. Zhou Xiaoyu suggested Tan Jiao try to get information from him, but Tan Jiao dismissed the idea, claiming she was just a "lowly writer" and couldn't handle it. At that moment, Shen Shiyan arrived, sent by his mother to deliver mushrooms and jelly ear to Tan Jiao's mother.
Wu Yu "accidentally" bumped into Shen Shiyan, leading to a lighthearted accusation of assaulting an officer, to which Wu Yu apologized. Tan Jiao informed Shen Shiyan her mother was out. Hao, still present, called Shen Shiyan "brother-in-law" and inadvertently revealed that Tan Jiao and Shen Shiyan had previously been on a blind date. Seizing the awkward moment, Wu Yu deliberately took Tan Jiao's hand, which further unsettled Shen Shiyan. Tan Jiao quickly tried to silence Hao.
As Shen Shiyan prepared to leave, Tan Jiao stopped him, stating she had new information. She recounted hearing the kidnapper say that "boys were troublesome, girls were better with less resistance," a significant detail as only boys had been reported missing. She also pointed out that the kidnapper's shoes had fresh coir peat, used for gardening, suggesting he might be a park gardener.
Shen Shiyan confirmed the police had noticed this detail and had investigated all gardeners in the east side of Dali without success. He concluded that ransom was likely not the motive, as the kidnapper had never contacted the families, and speculated that the kidnapper might be planning his next move soon. Wu Yu encouraged Tan Jiao to trust the police. Shen Shiyan thanked them and asked them to contact him with any further clues.
Just as Shen Shiyan was leaving, Tan Jiao's mother returned. She greeted him warmly and tried to insist he stay for a meal, but he politely declined. She then turned her attention to Wu Yu, welcoming him. However, Tan Jiao interjected, saying they had other plans. Her mother, understanding they needed their own space, allowed them to leave. Outside, Tan Jiao and Hao played on a swing. Hao innocently told Wu Yu that Tan Jiao had been staring at him.
Tan Jiao denied it and apologized for Hao's behavior. She then questioned Wu Yu about how he found her shop. Wu Yu simply replied, "I have superpowers," a statement Hao disbelieved. Wu Yu advised Tan Jiao to avoid going out alone and gave her his WeChat contact. Tan Jiao then asked why he seemed so different from when they met on the cruise ship. When Wu Yu remained silent, she didn't press further.
Recalling Wu Miao, Tan Jiao suggested they bring Wu Yu's sister along for their next meeting. Before she could finish, Wu Yu abruptly cut her off, stating, "We're here. I should get going," and left, leaving Tan Jiao puzzled. As Wu Yu rode his motorcycle back, he was again lost in flashbacks of Wu Miao's birthday. Meanwhile, Tan Jiao was secretly investigating Wu Yu online, wondering how a talented engineering doctorate holder could end up as a mechanic.
Her brother, Hao, teased her, suggesting she was in love with Wu Yu. Tan Jiao sent Hao to bed, warning him about bad guys. Online, she found someone named "Bald Hound" who knew Wu Yu and messaged him, pretending to need academic help from Wu Yu to subtly ask for his address. Elsewhere, Tan Jiao's friend, Zhou Xiaoyu, was at the auto repair shop where Wu Yu worked.
A mechanic there, referring to a damaged car, commented on its basic interior and the owner's "boring" taste. Zhou Xiaoyu, claiming to be an important "critic" for Wu Yu, requested the cheapest repair option, asking for it urgently without extra charge. As Tan Jiao continued her search, a Red-naped tern perched on a nearby branch, silently observing her room. The next morning, Tan Jiao woke up to find Hao missing. She immediately called her mother, who, preoccupied, quickly dismissed her.
Tan Jiao then noticed a black feather on her balcony. Recognizing it as a Red-naped tern feather, similar to the one connected to the kidnapping cases, she realized Hao might be in danger. She rushed to the repair shop to find Wu Yu, who looked up just as a Red-naped tern flew overhead. Without hesitation, Tan Jiao insisted on accompanying him, declaring, "But he is my brother." The two quickly set off on Wu Yu's motorcycle to search for Hao.
Following the direction the Red-naped tern had flown, they arrived at a wooden house in the forest. Using his heightened senses, Wu Yu detected a child's shoe about a kilometer away. He told Tan Jiao it was a yellow canvas shoe, which she instantly recognized as Hao's. Peering closer, they saw the kidnapper inside, the same man from the park, now holding a modified hunting rifle. Tan Jiao frantically asked about Hao, struggling to see clearly.
Wu Yu proposed going in, but Tan Jiao, wary of the armed kidnapper, urged him to call the police. Wu Yu, however, didn't wait. As he moved, Tan Jiao called Shen Shiyan. They watched as the kidnapper yelled at the children inside to "stay still" and "stop crying." After the kidnapper briefly stepped out, Wu Yu and Tan Jiao seized the opportunity to sneak into the house. Inside, they found several boys tied up.
Wu Yu noticed that Hao was not among them and speculated he might have escaped. Just as they were about to free the children, a Red-naped tern flew back, its cries alerting the kidnapper. The kidnapper stormed back in and engaged Wu Yu in a fierce struggle. Their fight spilled outside, where Wu Yu was caught in a chokehold. Thinking quickly, Tan Jiao threw one of her slippers, hitting the kidnapper and momentarily distracting him.
This allowed Wu Yu to break free, but he accidentally tumbled down a steep slope, losing consciousness. In his dream-like state, he relived the scene on the cruise ship, instinctively reaching out to protect Wu Miao, only to awaken in a fright, realizing no one was there. Wu Yu awoke in a hospital bed, injured, with Tan Jiao by his side.
She informed him that Hao was safe; it had been a false alarm that inadvertently led them to the kidnapper's hideout. She explained that Shen Shiyan's team had arrived promptly after his fall, rescuing her and the children, and were now pursuing the kidnapper. Deeply grateful, Wu Yu instinctively took Tan Jiao's hand to thank her, causing her heart to race.
Tan Jiao quickly composed herself, chastising him for being unconscious for half a day, though relieved it was just a scrape on his head. She tenderly helped him drink water, then playfully reminded him that her slipper "saved the day." Noting his hunger, a flustered Tan Jiao excused herself to find him some food. Outside, she scolded Hao for sneaking out to buy "Trendy Drumsticks" and messaged Zhuang Yu, asking her to bring some clothes to the hospital.
Tan Jiao returned with noodles and personally fed Wu Yu. When Tan Jiao's nose felt stuffy, Wu Yu surprisingly used a nasal spray on her, causing her to sneeze. As she was remarking how much better she felt, Zhuang Yu arrived. Peeking through the hospital curtain, Zhuang Yu initially thought she was interrupting an intimate moment. However, when she pulled the curtain fully open, she realized she had misjudged the situation, much to Tan Jiao's embarrassment.
Zhuang Yu jokingly teased Tan Jiao about the rapid progress of her "novel." Tan Jiao reassured her she was fine, and Zhuang Yu, after some playful banter, went to pay the bill. Shortly after, a Red-naped tern flew to Wu Yu's hospital window, delivering a note. As Wu Yu was reading it, Tan Jiao entered the room. He quickly pocketed the note. Tan Jiao remarked on their productive day and expressed optimism about solving the mystery.
Wu Yu, however, suddenly adopted a cold demeanor and firmly told her to stay away from the investigation. Confused and hurt, Tan Jiao questioned his abrupt change, accusing him of having a "split personality," especially after their effective collaboration. Wu Yu stated that her perception of them as friends was "wishful thinking" and that he would not drag her into the "unknown and dangerous dark hole" of his affairs.
He thanked her for her care and told her to stay out of his business. Distraught, Tan Jiao called out his name as he left. Wu Yu's internal thoughts revealed the true reason for his harshness: the note warned him to "stop investigating before you lose what's most precious." Having met Tan Jiao, she had become the most important person to him, and he refused to let her fall into danger. He acknowledged his fear of losing more. Later, some of Wu Yu's mechanic friends found some information they believed might be helpful to his investigation.
