My Eternal Star Episode 19 Recap
> My Eternal Star Recap
Lin Xiaodi found herself at the swings of an old orphanage, a place that triggered memories of her childhood with a boy she called Heng. A wave of guilt washed over her as she realized how long she had forgotten him. Just then, Lu Yuheng appeared, holding a matching star necklace. Recognition dawned on Lin Xiaodi: her childhood Heng was none other than Lu Yuheng.
He declared that he had finally found her, his Little Star, after searching for fifteen years, only to discover she was right by his side. They had once made a promise that if she still liked him after fifteen years, he would marry her. Lu Yuheng expressed his immense relief that Lin Xiaodi was both the girl he loved and his long-lost Little Star. After their reunion, Lu Yuheng became incredibly affectionate, much to Lin Xiaodi's bashfulness.
As she prepared breakfast in the kitchen, he clung to her from behind, moving with her every step. He fed her fruit and they exchanged kisses on the cheek. Lin Xiaodi, flustered by his constant attention, told him she couldn't cook with him distracting her. Lu Yuheng, unwilling to let go, suggested she stop cooking altogether.
Meanwhile, Tianyin was deeply concerned about Zhao Muran's dispirited state and offered to move in to care for him, urging him to move on from Lin Xiaodi. Zhao Muran, however, defended Lin Xiaodi, asserting she was not to blame for his current predicament. Exasperated, Tianyin felt compelled to express her true feelings, stating she couldn't bear to see someone she cherished so deeply be hurt by another woman.
She confessed that she had loved him for many years, a love no less intense than his for Lin Xiaodi, and that it pained her deeply every time he suffered for Lin Xiaodi. Zhao Muran dismissed her emotional outburst, suggesting they talk once she had calmed down. Tianyin, however, stood firm, declaring she never saw him as a brother and explicitly told him she loved him. Despite Zhao Muran’s attempt to pacify her and suggest she stay, Tianyin left, heartbroken.
At Lin Xiaodi's home, Han Ruibing arrived, visibly upset. She expressed envy over Lin Xiaodi and Lu Yuheng's smooth relationship, lamenting her own struggles with Liu Yan, who constantly avoided her suggestions for travel. Lin Xiaodi, having heard from Lu Yuheng, revealed that Liu Yan's grandmother was unwell and residing in a nursing home, possibly explaining his reluctance to travel. Yang Fan echoed this sentiment, adding that men often prefer not to burden their girlfriends with their troubles.
This prompted Han Ruibing to seek out Liu Yan's grandmother herself. Han Ruibing visited Liu Yan's grandmother at the nursing home and spent the afternoon caring for her, endearing herself to both the elderly woman and the staff.
When a nurse approached to collect overdue fees, Han Ruibing proactively paid a full year's worth and arranged for a premium 24-hour caregiver, replacing the grandmother's daily necessities with expensive new items, all paid for with her own "little stash" of New Year gift money. Later, Liu Yan arrived with the intention of paying the quarterly fees, only to be informed by the nurse that Han Ruibing had already taken care of everything.
Confronting Han Ruibing, Liu Yan accused her of humiliating him. He explained that since his parents died when he was four, his ailing grandmother was his only family, and he worked tirelessly to provide for her. He highlighted the vast financial disparity between them, noting that her casual spending exceeded his half-year's living expenses, and passionately stated his refusal to accept financial help, especially from the woman he loved.
Han Ruibing, hurt by his accusations, clarified her intentions, stating she only wanted to help ease his burden, not to diminish his pride. She revealed she had been imagining a future where they would live together and care for his grandmother. Growing increasingly angry, she criticized his self-pity and inferiority complex, calling him a "hypocritical, self-abasing coward" who lacked backbone, unlike Lu Yuheng whom she admired for his strength.
She concluded by telling him she would not tolerate his self-abasement and would only speak to him once he had truly understood her perspective. Liu Yan then offered her a bank card, explaining it wouldn't cover the full amount but he would pay the rest in installments. Han Ruibing, still furious, rejected the card, demanding the full sum upfront. Han Ruibing, now deeply distressed, confided in Lin Xiaodi, sobbing over Liu Yan's accusations.
Lin Xiaodi comforted her, explaining that Liu Yan's financial struggles regarding his grandmother's care were immense, so much so that he had even refused assistance from Lu Yuheng, only accepting it under duress and providing an IOU. Lin Xiaodi suggested that while Han Ruibing's intentions were pure, her effortless resolution of his long-standing problem likely wounded his pride and self-esteem.
As they spoke, Lu Yuheng, eager for some private time with Lin Xiaodi, called Liu Yan on the phone, urging him to collect Han Ruibing. Liu Yan, however, replied that he was not in a state to face her. Sensing Liu Yan's low spirits, Lu Yuheng advised him to rest and only return to the studio when he felt better, hanging up before Liu Yan could object.
Later, Lu Yuheng, frustrated by the interruptions, resumed his affectionate advances towards Lin Xiaodi, embracing her tightly as she cleaned. He reiterated his fear of being far from her and his desire to constantly be by her side. As they shared a kiss, the doorbell rang. Lin Xiaodi assumed it was Han Ruibing, thinking she had forgotten something, but Lu Yuheng jokingly tried to stop her, suggesting they shouldn't let Han Ruibing and Liu Yan disrupt their peace. Despite his playful protests, Lin Xiaodi went to open the door, with Lu Yuheng still clinging to her, only to find her parents standing outside.
