My Lonely Planet Episode 5 Recap
> My Lonely Planet Recap
Miao Yu had a premonition of failure before his marriage proposal. Two days before, he dreamt of Li Zhizhi drifting further away from him, first walking, then running, and finally flying, leaving behind only a high heel covered in diamonds. While Miao Yu pondered the dream's meaning, Wang Chen commented that the high heel in his dream was ugly.
Seeing Wang Chen's injured hand, a result of her strenuous effort to resist transforming into Coffee and coming to his proposal, softened Miao Yu's heart. He then asked her to apply a cold compress followed by a hot compress. Earlier, Miao Yu had imagined a future conversation with Li Zhizhi where she would read in their big house, Coffee would play beside her, and he would be the one to provide for them.
Meanwhile, Qin Sirui's mother, who was meant to meet Wang Chen, had deliberately arrived late and quickly expressed her disapproval of Wang Chen, deeming her unsuitable. Unbeknownst to Wang Chen at the time, Qin Sirui's mother was actually observing them from afar. Wang Chen later received a call from Ling Sansan, who discovered a social media post showing Qin Sirui's mother covertly observing them from a distance on multiple occasions, wearing different outfits.
Ling Sansan expressed concern over the mother's persistent interference, but Wang Chen told her she was not worried, affirming that as long as Qin Sirui liked her, love was a matter between just two people. Despite the challenges, Qin Sirui had earlier reassured Wang Chen over the phone that his mother's opinions did not represent his own feelings, making Wang Chen happy.
At Miao Yu's company, his colleagues excitedly prepared decorations to celebrate his presumed successful proposal, only to learn from a restaurant call that it had failed, partly due to another girl's presence. They hurriedly dismantled everything before Miao Yu arrived. Miao Yu, noticing their awkwardness and the half-removed decorations, quickly concocted a story about a "friend's" failed proposal, urging everyone to get back to work. Later, Li Zhizhi messaged Miao Yu, apologizing for the previous night.
She expressed a desire to enjoy more free and independent time with him and subtly suggested he needed to resolve his "other entanglements." Miao Yu then sought advice from his colleagues, Ken and Luo Li, presenting his situation as if it were a "friend's" dilemma. Ken and Luo Li praised Li Zhizhi's maturity for not rushing into marriage and her tolerance for his "personal reasons," concluding that she must truly love him.
Their advice led Miao Yu to decide that his "friend" (himself) should maintain distance from his "personal reason" (Wang Chen). Miao Yu met with a lawyer, Ms. Zhao, who informed him that his position at his company, Walnut, was on the hazard due to investment agreements, lack of veto power, and valuation adjustment, noting that founders are often ousted. As they spoke, Wang Chen, in Coffee form, arrived at the restaurant.
Miao Yu instinctively put his hand on her head, startling Ms. Zhao, who asked if Wang Chen was his girlfriend. Both Miao Yu and Wang Chen denied it. Ms. Zhao excused herself. Wang Chen wanted to play in the ball pit, but Miao Yu refused to consult with Dr. Bi Guan, a doctor Ling Sansan had mentioned might help them understand their condition. Miao Yu was concerned about his company's image if word got out that its CEO was "ill."
Wang Chen argued that he prioritized work over feelings. Miao Yu retorted that Wang Chen reminded him they needed to keep their distance, citing their confidentiality agreement and his need not to disappoint Li Zhizhi. He insisted that any future communication should be through messages, not phone calls or meetings. Despite their argument, they ended up playfully fighting in the ball pit, until a staff member reminded them it was for children.
Later, Wang Chen and Qin Sirui shared lunch at her apartment. Qin Sirui apologized again for his mother’s behavior and even brought three portions of food, one for Wang Chen's cat, Lady Meow, explaining he had learned to make cat food. He also suggested visiting her parents to reassure them, but Wang Chen preferred not to rush. At the same time, Miao Yu was called away for urgent work.
Li Zhizhi, who had come to pick him up after work, offered to take Coffee for his check-up and return him home, while she went to dinner with friends. Miao Yu agreed, appreciating her support. After Coffee's check-up, Li Zhizhi briefly left him outside the pet shop to buy throat medicine. When she returned, Coffee was gone. Distraught, she called Miao Yu, apologizing but also mentioning her dinner plans with friends.
Miao Yu, understanding her commitment, told her to go to her dinner, while he would search for Coffee himself. Miao Yu frantically searched for Coffee, calling his name and even mistaking another dog for his own. Exhausted and despondent, he found himself unable to move, sitting on a bench, experiencing what he described as "Lady Meow's characteristics" – a state of cat-like immobility when unhappy.
He called Wang Chen, asking for help, but she was not in Coffee form and could not "feel" him. She suggested printing posters to increase the chances of finding him. Miao Yu then asked her how to make "Lady Meow" (himself) cheer up. Wang Chen, interpreting his plea, began to pet him, explaining that this usually makes her cat happy.
Miao Yu felt better and thanked her, then confessed his deep fear of never seeing Coffee again, emphasizing how crucial Coffee was to him. Miao Yu recounted how he and Coffee first met because of a business card. He recalled a difficult time when he was desperately seeking investment for Walnut. Other investors, like Mr. Lin, made him drink excessively and mocked his sincerity.
However, a kind gentleman, Mr. He, appreciated Miao Yu's honesty and gave him his business card, telling him to call. Drunk and unsteady, Miao Yu stumbled out, keenly aware of the card's potential to save Walnut, but he accidentally dropped it. At that critical moment, Coffee appeared, retrieved the business card, and brought it back to him. Miao Yu waited with Coffee by the roadside for a long time, but Coffee's owner never came, so Miao Yu adopted him.
He stressed that without Coffee, Walnut would not exist, and neither would he. Coffee was like family to him. Wang Chen agreed, acknowledging that her own cat, Lady Meow, was also like family, and expressed gratitude for their presence in their lives. She mused about how wonderful it would be if people could always be as they were at their first meeting, without deception or disappointment. As Miao Yu spoke, Wang Chen transformed into Coffee.
She could sense Coffee's experience: running on fallen leaves in a moist forest, hearing many cars, and recognizing a congested road she regularly walked Coffee on. She then caught the distinct smell of asphalt, realizing it was coming from the road repair near Miao Yu’s building, confirming Coffee was heading home. She urged Miao Yu to go home. Rushing back, Miao Yu found Coffee waiting at the door.
He was overwhelmed with relief but also angry that Coffee had run off so far. He scolded the dog before embracing him. Marveling at Coffee's ability to find his way back, Miao Yu concluded that Coffee must have missed him dearly. He then told Wang Chen that he couldn't maintain distance from her anymore, because without her, he wouldn’t have found Coffee. Wang Chen playfully responded by asking if he was now treating her like a guide dog. Their shared moment with Coffee at the door was filled with a natural warmth.
