My Lonely Planet Episode 2 Recap
> My Lonely Planet Recap
Wang Chen, compelled by an inexplicable urge, clung tightly to Miao Yu in the middle of the street. She found herself driven to seek him out whenever a pink light enveloped her, obeying his every command with an almost dog-like devotion, only wishing to nestle into his embrace.
Witnessing this scene, Li Zhizhi, Miao Yu's girlfriend, calmly mistook Wang Chen for a mistress and gracefully departed in a taxi, telling Miao Yu not to worry as she wouldn't "punch a mistress." Miao Yu struggled to detach Wang Chen, frustrated by her persistence. He desperately called out to Li Zhizhi, but she was already gone, leaving him disheartened. As he sat dejectedly on the curb, the mysterious pink light reappeared around him.
He also noticed his dog, Coffee, was behaving unusually, adding to the chaotic scene. Disturbed by her own erratic behavior, Wang Chen hurried to Ling Sansan's restaurant, seeking answers. Ling Sansan, who offered tarot card readings as a side business, initially suggested Wang Chen's troubles might stem from a past relationship. Wang Chen quickly dismissed this idea, joking that Sansan must have secretly reconnected with an ex.
Ling Sansan then brought up the WTF666 comet, explaining its mysterious cosmic power could cause unpredictable changes in the world, far beyond a simple breakup. When Sansan tried to sell her an expensive "comet customized lucky mascot," Wang Chen, ever the skeptic, refused, leading Sansan to jokingly accuse her of not loving her anymore. Later, Wang Chen returned, even more perplexed, pushing Sansan for another divination.
Sansan, noticing Wang Chen's altered demeanor, teased her about being "Miss Celebrity" (referring to her "Lady Ugly" online persona). Wang Chen recounted her strange compulsion to go to Miao Yu's home. She expressed her strong dislike for Miao Yu, emphasizing he had a girlfriend and was annoying. Instead, she found solace and easy conversation with her handsome "deliveryman," with whom she felt no awkwardness.
Sansan's tarot reading for Wang Chen's love life surprisingly revealed a "doggy" card, leading Sansan to declare, "You'll have a dog," and remarking that Wang Chen now acted "just like a dog." The next morning, Wang Chen woke at 5:30 AM with an unfamiliar burst of energy, joining a group of neighborhood women, including Aunt Liu, for an enthusiastic session of square dancing.
Aunt Liu, surprised by Wang Chen's newfound outgoing personality, mentioned that she used to think Wang Chen had autism because she was so quiet. Suddenly experiencing severe leg pain, Wang Chen rushed to the hospital. However, the doctor found no physical issues, dismissing her symptoms as an attempt to get a sick leave note. Infuriated by the accusation, Wang Chen forcefully demonstrated her leg's pain, startling the doctor, who then suggested she see a psychologist.
Storming out, Wang Chen’s mood quickly shifted. Seeing the bright sunlight, she suddenly wanted to go picnicking. Then, spotting a familiar coat, she excitedly decided to return it to her "deliveryman." She arrived at the restaurant, Rinascite, and was greeted by Luca, an employee with surprisingly good Chinese. Wang Chen asked for the "deliveryman," but Luca informed her they didn't offer delivery service. Just then, Ray (Qin Sirui), the owner, appeared.
Wang Chen realized that Ray, the "deliveryman," was also the boss. Ray explained that her orders went directly to his personal number from the restaurant's initial promotional flyers, and he couldn't refuse a direct text. Wang Chen returned his coat, and they introduced themselves. Ray then invited her to share lunch and try a new dish.
During their meal, Wang Chen learned the restaurant's name, "Rinascite," meant "rebirth" in Italian, reflecting Ray's experience studying in Italy and his menu inspired by Renaissance art. She observed that her previous takeout prices were significantly discounted, realizing Ray had been giving her special treatment. She offered insightful feedback on a new dish, suggesting the rose honey overpowered the strawberry. Ray acknowledged her point, and they shared a toast to "Por Una Cabeza," a song whose name few recognized.
Wang Chen felt a comfortable and natural connection with the gentle and gentlemanly Ray. Meanwhile, Miao Yu woke up confused and disoriented, startled to realize it was already noon – his first time being late for work. At Walnut's headquarters, he was confronted by Mr. He, an investor, about the drastic drop in sales following Wang Chen's scathing live broadcast.
Miao Yu, bringing his dog Coffee into the meeting, calmly dismissed Mr. He, assuring him that every problem had a solution. He confidently declared his plan: acquisition. Miao Yu's team was strategizing how to counter the negative public opinion from "Lady Ugly" (Wang Chen's viral persona). Miao Yu suggested either collaborating with her or, if she refused, simply acquiring her company. This way, they could leverage her popularity while demonstrating Walnut's generosity.
Simultaneously, at Wang Chen's shop, her assistant celebrated a surge in sales due to influencer Coli's recommendation, with new dresses selling out rapidly and many pre-orders (twenty-seven, to be exact). However, Wang Chen expressed concern about a shortage of imported fabric, refusing to compromise her design integrity by using substitutes. She believed good fabric "breathed" and was integral to her creations, a sentiment her assistant dismissed as "poor, but still proud."
Later, Miao Yu texted Li Zhizhi a happy birthday message, and she replied, asking him to book dinner. When his employee found Wang Chen's contact, Miao Yu decided to call her himself. Wang Chen, having returned to her more introverted self, initially rejected the call from Miao Yu, who identified himself as Walnut's CEO. She was annoyed and accidentally damaged her work.
In a sudden shift, the pink light reappeared around her, and she found herself happily calling Miao Yu back, insisting on an immediate meeting. Miao Yu, surprised by her sudden change of heart, agreed to meet her at 5 PM at the aquarium, having been influenced by seeing a colleague's fish tank. At the aquarium, Miao Yu met Wang Chen, trying to clarify that he had a girlfriend and Wang Chen shouldn't have "non-marital thoughts" about him.
Wang Chen, however, seemed to ignore his warnings, showing an unusual compulsion to stay close to him and playfully asking for a "big fish." When Miao Yu, influenced by his own cat-like desires, then inquired if she wanted a "shark," she surprisingly denied it, yet her overall behavior still indicated a strange obedience towards him. He then presented her with acquisition contracts. Without a second glance, Wang Chen eagerly signed them, stating she would do "anything to make him happy."
Just then, Miao Yu received a call from Li Zhizhi, who had arrived for her birthday dinner. He quickly departed, leaving Wang Chen. Back at her shop, the pink glow faded, and Wang Chen realized the gravity of her impulsive actions: she had signed away her company. Enraged, she tracked Miao Yu down to the restaurant where he was having dinner with Li Zhizhi. Wang Chen burst in, accusing Miao Yu of bullying her.
Li Zhizhi, recognizing Wang Chen as "Lady Ugly," was shocked and mistakenly thought Wang Chen was a stalker harassing Miao Yu. Li Zhizhi, fed up, once again left the scene. Wang Chen's anger escalated into a physical altercation with Miao Yu, and they were both taken to the police station. At the station, the officer, mistaking them for a bickering couple, tried to mediate their "lovers' quarrel." He made them sign forms and, to ensure reconciliation, ordered them to hug.
Wang Chen, still furious, protested the forced embrace but eventually complied under the threat of calling their parents. Once released into the night, Wang Chen, her pink glow gone and back to her normal self, apologized to Miao Yu for ruining his date and for her uncontrolled actions. She broke down, lamenting her misfortune: her struggling fashion brand was finally noticed by an influencer, only for her to become "Lady Ugly" and the subject of viral memes.
Miao Yu, in an attempt to comfort her, mentioned the acquisition, inadvertently triggering her pink light once more. Wang Chen's frustration immediately shifted, accusing Miao Yu of being the source of her problems. She tearfully recounted her inexplicable dog-like behaviors: her persistent leg pain, her uncanny ability to always find him, her compulsion to pick up empty bottles, and finally asking him if he knew any designer who woke up at 5:30 AM to square dance.
Miao Yu, observing Wang Chen's dog-like traits, whispered "Coffee" into her ear. To his surprise, she instinctively responded. This sparked a realization in Miao Yu about his own recent cat-like behaviors, such as sleeping until noon, which Wang Chen confirmed. Convinced something was profoundly wrong, they agreed to visit the city hospital the next morning.
At the hospital, after describing their symptoms – Wang Chen's hyperactivity and desire to "nuzzle," Miao Yu's lethargy and compulsive cleaning – the doctor, finding their case perplexing, referred them to the psychiatric ward. Recalling the strange events surrounding the comet and the odd pet shop employee with the pet snake, they decided to return to the pet hospital.
There, they observed the same employee exhibiting fluid, snake-like movements, confirming their fears: they weren't crazy; the comet had somehow infused people with animal characteristics. They then found Dr. Bi, a specialist, also displaying twitchy, rabbit-like behavior, alongside other individuals like Mengmeng, who raised a hamster, and Wang Zi, an actor who now resembled a frog. It became clear that many people were experiencing these bizarre animalistic transformations.
