My Heart Episode 8 Recap
> My Heart Recap
After the storm, the orphanage roof was quickly repaired, and thankfully, there was no danger. As Lu Qingqing wiped Nangong Yixin's face, Xiaoyi, still shaken by recent events, came crying to Nangong Yixin, begging him not to leave and insisting on sleeping with him. Nangong Yixin comforted the boy, assuring him, "Don't cry, Xiaoyi. I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere." Lu Qingqing then suggested they bring Xiaoyi back to Lilu Villa with them.
Wanqing, present at the orphanage, expressed concern, believing Xiaoyi was too naughty and that Lu Qingqing and Nangong Yixin, being young themselves, couldn't properly care for him. However, Lu Qingqing confidently stated, "Don't worry. You can count on me," with Nangong Yixin adding, "We can handle this. Don't worry." Xiaoyi enthusiastically agreed, wanting to share a room with both Lu Qingqing and Nangong Yixin.
Upon arriving at Nangong Yixin's residence, Xiaoyi immediately declared Lu Qingqing the "hostess" of the house, which she playfully accepted, saying, "I'm the hostess here these days." After Lu Qingqing put Xiaoyi to sleep, she learned the tragic story of his past from Nangong Yixin. Xiaoyi's parents had been killed by rampant magic forces, who were seeking the magic girl and the magic power stone. Nangong Yixin had rescued the young boy, who had been hiding in a box.
After the rescue, Xiaoyi suffered from a high fever for three consecutive days and then spent half a year traumatized, unable to speak, and trembling at the slightest encounter. Nangong Yixin explained that Doctor Wu attributed this to witnessing his parents' death, and he also credited Wanqing for greatly assisting with Xiaoyi's recovery by taking over the Ci Kindergarten. Lu Qingqing expressed deep pity for Xiaoyi, lamenting how such a young boy had to endure so much hatred.
She questioned why the magic forces were in No Magic Valley and why they killed indiscriminately, asserting that she would tell her father, Lu Hongzhu, to manage them better upon her return. Nangong Yixin then revealed to a shocked Lu Qingqing that these very magic forces were dispatched by her own father, who was searching for the magic power stone and the magic girl.
He dismissively added that she didn't need to know such details, but Lu Qingqing, undeterred, declared, "There is nothing I can't do by myself," regarding her intention to do something for Xiaoyi. The next morning, Xiaoyi, who had been practicing with Nangong Yixin, was eager to go to the bazaar, and Lu Qingqing agreed to take him, joking that Nangong Yixin's wealth would ensure neither of them would get lost.
At the bazaar, they initiated a race, with the loser promising to buy dinner. A vendor mistakenly assumed Lu Qingqing and Nangong Yixin were Xiaoyi's parents, complimenting their good looks. Xiaoyi playfully told Lu Qingqing that being recognized as his mother was her "blessing" due to his intelligence and cuteness, prompting Lu Qingqing to remark on his narcissism, which she attributed to Nangong Yixin. Xiaoyi then spotted some liquor, desiring to buy it for Wanqing.
The vendor, at Nangong Yixin's subtle signal, refused, stating it was for adults and children were not allowed to drink. Lu Qingqing playfully teased Nangong Yixin about his own past drunken behavior, hinting at unspoken incidents, which sparked Xiaoyi's curiosity about what they were hiding. Nangong Yixin graciously accepted his loss in the race, treating Lu Qingqing and Xiaoyi to a delightful meal. Afterward, the trio enjoyed a peaceful picnic and lay on the grass.
As Lu Qingqing drifted off to sleep, Nangong Yixin playfully tickled her face with a foxtail, an act that secretly amused Xiaoyi, who was only pretending to be asleep. Nangong Yixin later left for an errand, entrusting Lu Qingqing with Xiaoyi's care. Lu Qingqing promised to handle it. Later, when Xiaoyi complained of hunger, Lu Qingqing cooked a meal for him. However, shortly after eating, Xiaoyi developed a severe stomachache and a fever.
Nangong Yixin returned and immediately rushed Xiaoyi to Doctor Wu. Doctor Wu diagnosed it as indigestion, assuring them it was not serious and could be cured with two doses of medicine. Lu Qingqing, distraught, blamed herself, believing her cooking was responsible for Xiaoyi's illness, but Doctor Wu kindly reassured her, "You don't need to blame yourself." He then felt a strange sense of familiarity with Lu Qingqing and asked her name.
Back at Lilu Villa, Xiaoyi, upon waking, found the medicine too bitter to take. Lu Qingqing gently coaxed him, offering him a candy with the promise that it would make the bitterness disappear. Watching her tenderly care for Xiaoyi, Nangong Yixin was deeply touched, his eyes filled with growing affection for her. Later that night, while trying to get Xiaoyi to sleep, Lu Qingqing herself drifted off.
Seeing this, Nangong Yixin gently carried her to her room, tucked her into bed, and watched her with a soft gaze, pondering how someone who struggled to care for herself constantly thought of others. Meanwhile, Xiaoyi, now alone, claimed he wasn't afraid to sleep by himself, but had stayed up to ensure Lu Qingqing wasn't scared. The next day, when Lu Qingqing went to pick up Xiaoyi's medicine, she noticed a patient leaving Doctor Wu's clinic with a distressed expression.
Upon inquiry, Doctor Wu explained that the patient was a farmer bitten by a snake, and he lacked the specific antidote, Chonglou, needed for treatment. As his clinic was constantly busy, he couldn't leave to gather the herb himself. Lu Qingqing, undeterred by the danger, immediately volunteered to retrieve it, assuring Doctor Wu of her agility and asking for the herb's specific location and characteristics on Huanggong Mountain.
When Wanqing heard that Xiaoyi was sick, she rushed to see him, worried that Nangong Yixin and Lu Qingqing were too young to properly care for him. Sikong Ying, seeing her distress, insisted on accompanying her after arranging for the orphanage to be looked after. During their journey, a sudden downpour made the path slippery, causing Wanqing to fall and injure herself. Sikong Ying sustained injuries while protecting her.
As she tended to his wounds, Wanqing inadvertently revealed a hidden scar on her shoulder/neck, which Sikong Ying noticed, though she quickly covered it without explanation. Despite her own injury, Wanqing was insistent on reaching Xiaoyi quickly. Lu Qingqing successfully retrieved the Chonglou and delivered it to Doctor Wu, expressing her joy at being able to help others with her own abilities, despite lacking magic power herself. Doctor Wu thanked her profusely, offering his help in return.
As she departed, Doctor Wu observed that Lu Qingqing's smile bore a striking resemblance to that of the magic girl. Upon arriving at Lilu Villa, Wanqing immediately confronted Lu Qingqing, scolding her for failing to properly care for Xiaoyi and demanding to take him back to the orphanage. However, Xiaoyi clung to Lu Qingqing, defending her by acknowledging her initial clumsiness but highlighting her sincere efforts and daily improvement.
He also mentioned that Lu Qingqing had brought him fruit after his medicine. Nangong Yixin further supported Lu Qingqing, revealing that she had even burned her hand while cooking for Xiaoyi, a detail she hadn't mentioned. Lu Qingqing herself, though apologetic, pleaded for another chance to prove her care. Convinced by their arguments, Wanqing, feeling a little emotional, apologized and reluctantly departed with Sikong Ying.
Sikong Ying then approached Nangong Yixin with urgency, pointing out that Lu Qingqing showed no intention of leaving, despite their agreed-upon deadline. He revealed his suspicion that Nangong Yixin had helped Lu Qingqing escape, which Nangong Yixin implicitly confirmed. Sikong Ying sternly warned that Lu Qingqing's escape from an arranged marriage, especially as the Crown Princess, would severely compromise her standing in Qiyuan Continent.
He further cautioned Nangong Yixin that this situation would worsen his already strained relationship with Lu Hongzhu and the Empress, making his position more precarious. To underscore the gravity, he revealed that Lu Hongzhu had punished Lu Qingqing's servant, Baihe, and her guards for her disappearance. Nangong Yixin, realizing the implications, promised to send Lu Qingqing back "as soon as possible."
Nangong Yixin then gently broached the subject with Lu Qingqing, reminding her that the agreed-upon deadline had passed and it was time for her to return. However, Lu Qingqing expressed a strong desire to stay, cherishing the fun and good food she had experienced, and the friendships she had made with Wanqing and Xiaoyi. She even hoped to bring Baihe to No Magic Valley to live happily together.
Nangong Yixin reminded her of her status as Crown Princess and the repercussions of her escape, but Lu Qingqing asserted she had made arrangements to prevent anyone from being implicated, having even sedated Baihe and told no one of her location. Their conversation was interrupted by Wanqing, who had discovered Lu Qingqing's escape.
Wanqing questioned if Lu Qingqing feared punishment, but Lu Qingqing defiantly stated that her marriage should be her own decision and that one must fight for what they believe in, rather than regretting not trying. That night, Lu Qingqing brought Nangong Yixin some homemade red bean crisp. Despite his initial coldness and claim of disinterest, he tried it and surprisingly praised its taste, which made Lu Qingqing happy.
She then kissed him on the cheek, causing him to feel a strange chill. When Lu Qingqing suggested staying longer, he coldly told her not to bother him as he was reading. Disappointed, Lu Qingqing left, but not before reminding him to eat more. Left alone, Nangong Yixin, though clearly saddened by his own harshness, resolved to "end it all" himself. True to his word, Nangong Yixin secretly penned a letter to Lu Hongzhu, revealing Lu Qingqing's location.
Enraged by the news, Lu Hongzhu immediately gathered his men and set off for No Magic Valley, with Lu Yunxi accompanying him to help persuade her sister. Upon their arrival, Lu Qingqing was defiant, refusing to leave the place she had grown to love. Wanqing stepped forward to plead on Lu Qingqing's behalf, suggesting she be allowed to stay a few more days.
However, Lu Hongzhu harshly rebuked Wanqing, calling her an "uncivilized woman from No Magic Valley" and warning her not to interfere with how he disciplined his daughter. Lu Qingqing, angered by her father's treatment of her friends, confronted him. It was then that Lu Hongzhu revealed Baihe and her other servants had been punished for her disappearance. Distraught by the news that her friends were suffering because of her actions, Lu Qingqing reluctantly agreed to return.
Although Lu Qingqing had agreed to return, she insisted on waiting for Nangong Yixin to say goodbye, pleading with Lu Yunxi to grant her this final request. After waiting for some time, Nangong Yixin finally emerged from hiding. Lu Hongzhu thanked Nangong Yixin for revealing Lu Qingqing's whereabouts, confirming Nangong Yixin's actions. A heartbroken Lu Qingqing confronted Nangong Yixin, accusing him of betrayal. He coldly retorted that her notion of them being friends was "all in your head!"
and declared that he needed no friends other than Sikong Ying, especially not a "troublemaker" like her. He brutally told her not to seek him out again in No Magic Valley, reminding her of her status as the Crown Princess and future Empress, and highlighting the disparity between their worlds. Nangong Yixin's harsh words were intended to sever their connection, leaving Lu Qingqing devastated.
Watching Nangong Yixin's retreating figure, Lu Qingqing was overcome with sorrow, remaining sullen and silent during the journey back. Observing her despondent state, Lu Yunxi quietly wondered about the true nature of the relationship between her sister and Nangong Yixin.
