My Eternal Star Episode 9 Recap
> My Eternal Star Recap
Zhao Muran was present at Lu Yuheng's house, and Lin Xiaodi found the two men's behavior strange as she went to prepare noodles. Lu Yuheng confronted Zhao Muran about his actions. Zhao Muran pressed Lu Yuheng about the pervasive online news attacking Lin Xiaodi, noting Lin Xiaodi's apparent ignorance. Lu Yuheng confirmed he was intentionally keeping it from her, claiming he was protecting her to avoid trouble at his home.
Zhao Muran countered that he was the only one who could truly protect Lin Xiaodi, revealing his company was actively working to suppress negative comments. Lu Yuheng scoffed, reminding Zhao Muran that he was the source of all Lin Xiaodi's problems and that his absence was her greatest protection.
Zhao Muran then probed if Lu Yuheng had feelings for Lin Xiaodi, to which Lu Yuheng retorted that his feelings were not Zhao Muran's concern, only that Lin Xiaodi would not leave his house. Preoccupied by their serious conversation, Lin Xiaodi accidentally cut her hand while chopping vegetables. Both men rushed to her side, vying to attend to her wound.
Amused, Lin Xiaodi laughed, remarking that the scene resembled a romantic drama where she was the female lead caught between two men. Both men simultaneously called her an idiot, dismissed her injury as minor, and told her to bandage it herself and "get her head straight." Lin Xiaodi was left bewildered, expecting them to compete for the chance to bandage her hand.
During dinner, Lin Xiaodi diligently served Lu Yuheng, prompting a jealous Zhao Muran to try and gain her attention by claiming he needed vitamins and more greens. Lu Yuheng thwarted his attempts by piling vegetables onto Zhao Muran's plate.
Han Ruibing and Liu Yan were already present in the house when Han Ruibing recounted to Lin Xiaodi how Zhao Jinxuan, Zhao Muran's cousin, attempted to extract information about Lin Xiaodi from her to locate Zhao Muran, but she cleverly rebuffed him. Shortly after, the doorbell rang, and it was Zhao Jinxuan himself, having tracked Han Ruibing. Lu Yuheng gave Zhao Jinxuan a frosty reception, refusing him entry and declaring his house's "guest capacity is full."
Zhao Jinxuan stated his intention to take Zhao Muran. Lu Yuheng allowed Zhao Muran to leave but warned Zhao Jinxuan against future visits. Han Ruibing, observing Zhao Jinxuan's interaction with Lu Yuheng, speculated Zhao Jinxuan might be interested in Lu Yuheng.
After Zhao Jinxuan escorted Zhao Muran out, Han Ruibing subtly probed Lin Xiaodi about the online criticisms, realizing Lu Yuheng had successfully shielded her from the negative news since Lin Xiaodi was completely unaware and found her innocent answers strange. Leaving, Han Ruibing found Liu Yan waiting for her, feeling touched by his gesture. Liu Yan offered her a ride on his bicycle, which he playfully called his "car."
Han Ruibing took the lead, and they spotted a shooting star, prompting Han Ruibing to quickly make a wish. Simultaneously, Lu Yuheng contemplated whether he should reveal the truth about the online negativity to Lin Xiaodi. He asked her what she would do if she became famous with millions of fans, even if some of them were hateful and derogatory.
Lin Xiaodi confidently stated she would be thrilled and unfazed by such negativity, as it was merely online talk that couldn't cause real harm, comparing it to a conversation separated by a pane of glass. She proclaimed her unwavering dedication to her dreams. Lu Yuheng then questioned her "insistence on Hanfu," suggesting that without it and live streaming, she could avoid the problems she faced.
Lin Xiaodi, in turn, asked him why he chose e-sports when his looks could make him a superstar. She explained that being a professional e-sports player was his lifelong dream, just as Hanfu was "the light in my world," driven by pure passion and steadfast persistence. Later, Lin Xiaodi, from the balcony, also saw a shooting star and excitedly called Lu Yuheng to join her. Lu Yuheng, initially uninterested, was drawn out by Lin Xiaodi's persistence.
She then drew a "little star" on the fogged glass, which instantly triggered a profound memory in Lu Yuheng, reminding him of a "little star" from his childhood orphanage. He pressed her about who taught her, but Lin Xiaodi playfully evaded, challenging him to "bravely take this step" and come out to her. He did not come out at that time. Later still, Lin Xiaodi again called him to see a shooting star and repeated her challenge.
When he finally did step out, she nearly stumbled, leading to an unexpectedly close and awkward moment between them. Afterward, Lu Yuheng reflected on his previous reluctance to step out and his past memory. At the design department, Mr. Ding Yuan arrived, emphasizing the critical importance of the next season's design. Bai Wei presented the anonymous design drafts for his review. Ding Yuan selected three impressive designs, two of which belonged to Bai Wei.
When asked about the third, Lin Xiaodi hesitantly admitted it was hers, explaining that she had previous design ideas and adapted them to the current theme. Impressed, Ding Yuan praised her innate talent, affirming he "didn't look at the wrong person." He instructed Bai Wei to prioritize Lin Xiaodi's training and ensure she participated in the next season's fashion design.
Driven by her inability to accept Lin Xiaodi's closeness to Lu Yuheng, Su Nian orchestrated Lin Xiaodi's downfall by alerting reporters. Simultaneously, Zhao Muran's cousin, Zhao Jinxuan, arranged a meeting with a director for Zhao Muran to discuss a period drama role. However, a news alert on Zhao Muran's phone about Lin Xiaodi being swarmed by reporters caused him to abandon the meeting and rush to her aid.
Reporters barraged Lin Xiaodi with questions about her relationships with Zhao Muran and Lu Yuheng, and challenged her sincerity in promoting traditional Chinese culture given her recent return from overseas. Overwhelmed, Lin Xiaodi struggled to respond. Zhao Muran arrived, apologized for his delay, and publicly declared, "Lin Xiaodi is indeed my girlfriend." He asked the media to respect their privacy, stating he wanted to protect her from harm.
Shortly after, Lu Yuheng, having been informed by his team about Lin Xiaodi's situation, also arrived. Zhao Muran, noticing Lu Yuheng, immediately clarified to the reporters that "Whiz Lu is actually my girlfriend's brother. They're siblings," and prompted Lu Yuheng to corroborate this. Faced with the unexpected declaration and the media's probing, Lu Yuheng reluctantly confirmed, asserting, "If anyone hurts my sister, I won't spare them."
Lin Xiaodi was visibly heartbroken by Lu Yuheng's public declaration of her as merely his sister. Zhao Muran then announced he would hold a press conference at his company's new movie premiere next month to address all questions, and escorted a distraught Lin Xiaodi away, promising to protect her. A dejected Lu Yuheng returned home, having watched Zhao Muran take Lin Xiaodi away.
Liu Yan observed Lu Yuheng's uncharacteristic timidity and deduced his deep feelings for Lin Xiaodi, questioning why he publicly referred to her as his sister and offered to help him win her back. Lu Yuheng, however, stated he could not stop Lin Xiaodi if she wished to leave and requested to be left alone, to which Liu Yan warned that if he continued to "spend more quiet time alone, she'll be gone quietly too."
Meanwhile, Zhao Muran welcomed Lin Xiaodi to a prepared room at his house, assuring her it was her home for as long as she needed. Later, Zhao Muran attempted to soothe Lin Xiaodi, explaining that his public declaration was solely "to protect her" and that he would clarify the situation when the time was right. However, Lin Xiaodi was deeply distressed, crying and questioning why Lu Yuheng called her his sister and lied to her.
She felt unworthy if he believed she could not face challenges with him. Zhao Muran comforted her, promising unwavering protection and honesty. Lin Xiaodi, still overwhelmed, asked why she cared so intensely about Lu Yuheng's words. Zhao Muran dismissed her feelings as an "emotional illusion" stemming from living under the same roof for too long and insisted that once she calmed down, she would realize he was "the best for her."
He advised her to move out and leave Lu Yuheng to end her sadness. Han Ruibing called Lin Xiaodi, urging her not to give up on Lu Yuheng and hinting at his profound care for her. Lin Xiaodi, however, expressed uncertainty about returning to Lu Yuheng's place, stating she might not go back. Zhao Muran quickly intervened, taking the phone from Lin Xiaodi and scolding Han Ruibing for meddling.
