My Girlfriend Episode 17 Recap
> My Girlfriend Recap
Ding Xiaorou returns home from the hospital, feeling very happy. She discovers that Chi Xin has consumed all the beer in her refrigerator. Tong Liang's show, "Go ahead, youth," has seen a significant drop in ratings. His Director admonished him, stating that the ratings had dropped by another 0. 2 and that sponsors would pull out if the trend continued.
Tong Liang promised to reverse the decline, but the Director suggested he learn from Chi Xin, emphasizing that Chi Xin's abilities were superior and that being humble would prevent such a decline. Tong Liang sarcastically agreed with the Director, though he secretly resented being compared to Chi Xin.
Chi Xin then arrived for his meeting with the Director, ironically asking if he was there to discuss his program being taken over, as was the case last time the Director invited him to sit. The Director changed the subject to Zheng Ze, whose true identity as a rich second-generation heir had been revealed. Tong Liang, still present, taunted Chi Xin for not having uncovered this information earlier, implying Chi Xin’s show's ratings suffered as a result.
Chi Xin retorted, but the Director quickly ended their argument, sending Tong Liang out of the office. The Director then proposed to Chi Xin that they capitalize on Zheng Ze's fame by having him and Ding Xiaorou film a special episode, perhaps a "honeymoon" or "sweet" segment, likening it to a real-life Cinderella story to boost ratings. Chi Xin firmly rejected the idea, stating it didn’t fit his program’s format and was "nonsense."
Meanwhile, Zhen Zheng, disguised as a cleaner, secretly listened to Tong Liang’s team discussing how to poach Zheng Ze and Ding Xiaorou for their show. They noted Zheng Ze's new identity as the "Crown Prince of Swire Group" would bring high ratings, especially if they could also get Ding Xiaorou, who they referred to as the "Curse girl" and "secret weapon" from the "next group." They were worried it wouldn't be easy to invite such wealthy individuals.
Lucy brought Zheng Ze to review a new window design at a street store. Zheng Ze immediately recognized it as Ding Xiaorou’s work. Lucy, however, falsely claimed credit, insisting she and her assistants had worked on it since six in the morning because Ding Xiaorou was sick. Zheng Ze, seeing through her lie, declared that if her "theory" was true, she had "lost the face of our store" and stormed off.
Tong Liang then went to the Director, making a strong case for inviting Ding Xiaorou and Zheng Ze to "Go ahead, youth." He used flattering language, praising the Director's "profound strategy," "resourcefulness," and "big psychological pattern," and explained that Ding Xiaorou, the "Curse girl," and Zheng Ze, the "Crown Prince," would ensure soaring ratings and sponsorship. He asked the Director to obtain their contact information from Chi Xin, as his team couldn't "sneak around" to get it.
Just then, Chi Xin entered, interrupting, and declared that no one was allowed to poach his show's guests. He revealed that after their last program, Ding Xiaorou had suffered greatly, with many people targeting her "Curse" image, culminating in a stalker attacking her just yesterday. Chi Xin insisted they should stop exploiting this concept.
Though Tong Liang accused him of hypocrisy, reminding him he was the one who initially found the "Curse Girl," Chi Xin admitted his initial mistake but refused to "make mistakes again," stating he would rather quit than fail to protect his guests. Convinced by Chi Xin's sincerity and the severity of the situation, the Director decided against Tong Liang’s proposal. Later, Tong Liang confronted Chi Xin, expressing his suspicion about Chi Xin's unusual concern for Ding Xiaorou.
He questioned how Chi Xin knew about Ding Xiaorou being splashed with coffee, kidnapped, and targeted, implying a secret relationship. Chi Xin warned Tong Liang against spreading rumors, challenging him to compete on program quality rather than gossip, and told him not to act like a "whiny woman." Zhen Zheng informed Chi Xin that Zheng Ze was the Crown Prince of Swire Group, valued at billions, asking if Chi Xin felt pressured, which he denied.
Since Ding Xiaorou had been avoiding Zheng Ze, he sent her a text message, asking her to meet him that afternoon at two o'clock. When Ding Xiaorou arrived, Zheng Ze led her to their former middle school. He shared a "little secret" from eight years ago, when his introverted and sensitive high school self, with busy entrepreneurial parents, found solace in "One Piece" comics. He recounted being caught by a strict teacher, Proud Zhu, for drawing on the school blackboard.
His punishment was to stand outside holding a bucket of water until another student vandalized the board. Ding Xiaorou, recognizing the story, remarked on Proud Zhu's "inhuman order" and Zheng Ze's compliance. Observing him drenched in the rain, Ding Xiaorou, then a younger student, intervened by taking the chalk from him and scribbling on the blackboard, thus ending his punishment. Zheng Ze affectionately referred to her as "the little four-eyes" he remembered from that day.
Zheng Ze then led Ding Xiaorou into their old classroom, where a beautiful rainbow made of her photos, arranged in a heart shape, was displayed on the blackboard. He confessed his feelings, recalling her first appearance in the rain eight years ago and his enduring memory of her smile. He expressed gratitude for their reunion and his desire to cherish their "fate."
Zheng Ze admitted that his previous on-air confession was not scripted but came from his true feelings, and his actions for her were not due to any "couple agreement." He referenced her saying that "everyone is a window" and that if one shines, others will notice. Ding Xiaorou was deeply moved, thanking him for his silent efforts. Overwhelmed and confused, she asked for time to think.
Zheng Ze understood, giving her space and asking her only to treat him as a friend and stop avoiding him. Ding Xiaorou later confided in SA Yi and He Mingzhu about Zheng Ze's "second confession." Both friends were ecstatic, calling it "destined fate." SA Yi recalled the high school incident, noting Zheng Ze's changed appearance and personality since then (he used to wear glasses). He Mingzhu, embodying "the heart of the post-90s old aunt," was particularly touched.
They urged Ding Xiaorou to accept him, but she admitted feeling scared despite being moved, attributing it to the trauma of over thirty past failed confessions. SA Yi supported Ding Xiaorou's decision to take time to think, calling it "responsible," while He Mingzhu, worried about missing the opportunity, advised her not to be "too calm," emphasizing Zheng Ze's exceptional qualities, and stating "you'll miss this opportunity." Chi Xin’s house was finally repaired.
He went to Ding Xiaorou's apartment to pack his belongings, finding it still messy. Unexpectedly, Ding Xiaorou's mother arrived. She mistook Chi Xin for a thief, taking his picture and posting it on her social media (WeChat Moments), threatening to report him if she didn't reply to comments within five minutes. Ding Xiaorou, seeing her mother's post, panicked and rushed home, texting Chi Xin to try and appease her.
Chi Xin attempted to explain that he was just a neighbor whose pipes had burst, causing a temporary, paid stay. However, her mother refused to believe him, insisting they were illegally cohabiting and asking what kind of propriety this was.
When Ding Xiaorou arrived, she tried to clarify, but her mother was enraged, scolding her loudly for making friends with "shady people" and for appearing on television as the "Curse girl," which had led to neighborhood gossip, including questions about her being "dumped thirty times." Ding Xiaorou's mother also belittled her career as a "window designer." Chi Xin interjected, taking full responsibility, admitting that he was the one who encouraged Ding Xiaorou to appear on his TV program.
This only fueled Ding's Mother's fury further. She called Chi Xin "terrible" and accused Ding Xiaorou of being "sold out and still helping count the money," before forcibly throwing Chi Xin out of the apartment.
