My Eternal Star Episode 18 Recap
> My Eternal Star Recap
Feeling remorseful for standing up Zhao Muran, Lin Xiaodi waited for him downstairs. Zhao Muran, who had just finished a press conference and a subsequent gathering, arrived slightly drunk. He gently noted the evening chill and offered her his jacket, and shared that although he was in a terrible mood, seeing her made him feel better. Lin Xiaodi, feeling overwhelmed by his constant tolerance, urged him to express anger or even punch her.
Zhao Muran, however, simply stated that as childhood friends, he naturally tolerated her. He then probed her feelings, asking how it felt to confess to Lu Yuheng and if she truly liked him. Lin Xiaodi confirmed her affection for Lu Yuheng, which visibly saddened Zhao Muran. Gently, she advised him to seek his own happiness, explaining that the person meant for him was not her.
Zhao Muran, trying to appear unaffected, claimed that as a celebrity, countless girls existed for him and she should not feel guilty. He suggested she date Lu Yuheng, predicting that his eccentric temper would eventually lead her back to him. Lin Xiaodi reiterated her genuine feelings for Lu Yuheng, causing Zhao Muran to ask her not to "pour salt on his wound" as he was already heartbroken. When Lin Xiaodi offered to help, he declined, stating he had a date.
As Lin Xiaodi expressed disbelief, Tianyin arrived, calling out to Zhao Muran and apologizing for her lateness, thus confirming his "date." Observing Tianyin's evident concern for Zhao Muran, Lin Xiaodi, feeling a sense of quiet comfort, excused herself and left. Once alone, Zhao Muran confessed to Tianyin that he had truly lost Lin Xiaodi and felt as though he had lost everything. Tianyin comforted him, reassuring him that she would always be there for him.
Lu Yuheng later presented Lin Xiaodi with a list of five "relationship modes" he had meticulously prepared: Mutual-Respect, Making-a-Scene, Raising-a-Child, Lovey-Dovey, and Friend Mode. Lin Xiaodi found the "Raising-a-Child Mode," which Lu Yuheng described as treating one's partner with boundless love, care, and tolerance like a child, amusing. When asked to choose, Lin Xiaodi said any mode was fine, asking for his preference.
Lu Yuheng, admitting he was nervous as it was his first relationship, reiterated his willingness to accommodate her. Lin Xiaodi, also new to romance, suggested they simply continue their interactions as they always had, without needing to change, as she appreciated him just the way he was. Lu Yuheng readily agreed, expressing his anticipation for their future together, a sentiment Lin Xiaodi reciprocated.
Lin Xiaodi, Han Ruibing, and Yang Fan celebrated the successful completion of "Star Studio's" first major order, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their mysterious client. To their astonishment, it was Mr. Ding, accompanied by Director Bai. Lin Xiaodi introduced Yang Fan as the tailor and Han Ruibing as the marketing and operations lead. Director Bai initially voiced skepticism about working with such a young team. However, Mr. Ding quickly countered that youth offered "infinite potential."
Upon reviewing the garments, which elegantly incorporated master Jiang Aihua's embroidery with proper authorization, Mr. Ding was thoroughly impressed. He praised how Lin Xiaodi's design harmonized perfectly with Jiang Aihua's exquisite embroidery, complemented by Yang Fan's precise tailoring and Han Ruibing's effective promotional strategies. He declared that their trio had "exceeded his expectations completely." Even the notoriously critical Director Bai conceded the work was "exquisite indeed."
Mr. Ding revealed the order had been a test of their capabilities, affirming his trust in Lin Xiaodi. He then invited her to showcase her designs at an upcoming traditional culture fashion exhibition he was organizing. Lin Xiaodi, expressing gratitude, accepted, though she mentioned another ongoing order. Mr. Ding assured her there was ample time and promised to confirm the exact schedule later. Director Bai subtly advised Lin Xiaodi not to disappoint Mr. Ding, implying his considerable support.
Lin Xiaodi pledged that her team would prove their worth. Han Ruibing, observing Lin Xiaodi and Lu Yuheng's hesitant relationship progress, became impatient. She advised Lin Xiaodi to put on her "wildest, most uninhibited clothes" and "wall-slam" Lu Yuheng when he was least expecting it, delivering a bold line. Lin Xiaodi, misunderstanding "wild" to mean "wild masculine," appeared before Lu Yuheng in a shirt, tie, jacket, and a fake mustache. She dramatically declared, "Go ahead and scream.
No one will save you even if you scream. I will take you down today. Am I wild enough?" Lu Yuheng, finding her antics amusing, gave her three minutes to change and return to normal. Lin Xiaodi, misinterpreting his reaction as shyness, silently congratulated herself, believing Han Ruibing's plan was effective. However, when she attempted to deliver the prescribed line—"I alone can give you enough sense of security.
Tell those brats to stay away from you"—she comically mixed it up, proclaiming, "Lu Yuheng, I alone can provide you with enough brats. Tell your sense of security to stay away from you!" Lu Yuheng pointed out her mistake, and a deeply embarrassed Lin Xiaodi quickly fled his room. Later, listening to a recording of her botched lines, she agonized over her "humiliating" mistake.
Still mortified by her failed attempt, Lin Xiaodi tried to avoid Lu Yuheng, immersing herself in design work. Lu Yuheng, however, confronted her, asking if she was intentionally avoiding him. She denied it, claiming she was simply busy. He then insisted she take his measurements for the team uniform immediately. After she complied, Lin Xiaodi suggested measuring the rest of the team at the studio the next day.
Lu Yuheng, with a possessive tone, declared that from that moment on, she was "only allowed to take his measurements." He then playfully referenced her earlier "wild" attempt, offering to "cater to her liking" if she truly desired a "wilder relationship." Lin Xiaodi quickly blamed Han Ruibing for the idea, acknowledging that both she and Lu Yuheng seemed to be manipulated by Han Ruibing and Liu Yan.
She reiterated her commitment to finding a suitable relationship dynamic for them and asked for his patience. Lu Yuheng then leaned in and gently kissed her forehead. Separately, Han Ruibing was upset, tearfully confiding in Liu Yan that her parents were getting a divorce after she suggested it during one of their arguments. She expressed her sadness that her life wasn't as perfect as a fairy tale.
Liu Yan comforted her, saying that no one has a completely perfect life and that she was fortunate to have her parents' love. He affectionately reassured her that he could be anything she wanted him to be—a "handsome thug," a "bossy CEO," or her "little boy"—her "Little Monster" who would always accommodate her needs. Later, despite Liu Yan being tired from training and almost missing dinner, Han Ruibing insisted he join her for a meal.
She then proposed they go on a trip, even overseas, to test their compatibility, citing advice from a "love manual" and Lu Yuheng's promise of a team break after the city qualifiers. Liu Yan initially tried to delay the trip, citing the upcoming city qualifiers, but Han Ruibing insisted. Liu Yan, witnessing the burgeoning romance between Lu Yuheng and Lin Xiaodi, hesitantly asked Han Ruibing if it was time to end their "fake relationship."
Han Ruibing, clearly displeased, firmly refused his suggestion. Feeling disheartened, Liu Yan confessed that he believed their differences were too profound for them to be truly compatible. Han Ruibing vehemently rejected this notion. Just at that moment, Shao Hai and his crew arrived, seeking to stir up trouble. Han Ruibing immediately shielded Liu Yan behind her and swiftly fended off the provocateurs with surprising combat skills, leaving the other members of Team Eternity astonished by her prowess.
Meanwhile, Zhao Muran was struggling to revive his acting career. He called several directors, including Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li, offering to take on even supporting roles, but was met with polite rejections and excuses of busy schedules. Frustrated, he wondered if they had forgotten how they used to seek him out. He then called Tianyin, asking her to try and get him a script for Director Meng's period drama, specifically telling her not to inform Zhao Jinxuan.
Zhao Jinxuan approached Lu Yuheng with an offer to invest in Team Eternity, acknowledging their financial difficulties while preparing for competition. Lu Yuheng, wary of Zhao Jinxuan's relation to Zhao Muran, questioned his true intentions. Zhao Jinxuan asserted he was a businessman focused solely on commercial profits, predicting substantial returns from Team Eternity, and clarifying that he had no intention of pushing Lu Yuheng into the entertainment industry.
He highlighted the team's "huge funding pressure" and appealed to Lu Yuheng's responsibility towards his team members. Lu Yuheng, noting Zhao Jinxuan's detailed knowledge of his situation, demanded to know the "additional conditions" for this investment. Zhao Jinxuan, pleased with Lu Yuheng's shrewdness, revealed his "small request": he wanted Lu Yuheng to "stage an act" with him to motivate his younger cousin, Zhao Muran, who he described as "hard to handle" and lacking ambition, to focus on his career.
He pointed out the dual benefit: a busy Zhao Muran would mean "one less love rival" for Lu Yuheng. Lu Yuheng agreed to help Zhao Muran but imposed his own strict conditions: no commercial performances, advertisements, promotions, or involvement in the entertainment industry, all of which had to be legally binding in their contract. Zhao Jinxuan readily accepted. Lin Xiaodi visited Sunny Orphanage, introducing herself to the director and offering to make clothes for the children.
The director observed Lin Xiaodi's familiar demeanor and asked if she had lived there before. Lin Xiaodi confirmed she had, explaining she was adopted as a very young child and subsequently moved overseas. Recognizing Lin Xiaodi's passion for Hanfu, the director recalled a little girl who shared the same love for traditional clothing, who was adopted and taken abroad. She confirmed it was indeed Lin Xiaodi.
The director then asked if Lin Xiaodi remembered a specific boy, her constant companion at the orphanage who always shared his treats and toys and loved playing on the swing with her. She recounted how heartbroken the boy was when Lin Xiaodi left, falling ill and becoming withdrawn, always waiting for her return and never giving up his search for her over the years. Lin Xiaodi was stunned by this revelation, asking, "He's waiting for me?"
The director confirmed he had indeed been searching for her for many years. Shortly after, the director called Lu Yuheng (it was on the phone), informing him that his "Little Star"—the girl he had tirelessly searched for—had "appeared" and was currently at the orphanage, urging him to come quickly. Lu Yuheng hesitated, explaining he now had a girlfriend and felt it inappropriate to meet her.
However, the director pressed him, emphasizing his 15-year search and describing the girl as very kind. She then revealed the girl had changed her name and was now called "Lin Xiaodi," having recently returned from overseas. Lu Yuheng was left in stunned silence upon hearing her name.
