My Mowgli Boy Episode 22 Recap
> My Mowgli Boy Recap
Lu Ziyue meets with Zheng Li, complaining about sneezing and hot ears, wondering if someone is talking about him behind his back. Zheng Li quickly identifies the subject as Tang Cheng and asks about the progress of their relationship.
Lu Ziyue admits they are "still in the same place," explaining that Tang Cheng had "gotten on his family's nerves outright" during a recent visit, causing his mother to take up sword practice, which makes him and his father fear being "stabbed into a sieve at any moment."
He describes his relationship with Tang Cheng as being close yet distant, like "looking at flowers in a fog or the moon in the water," and comparing himself to a turtle in a jar, an easy prey for a fast-moving hunter. Zheng Li jokes that they "both have cataract" and shares his own romantic difficulties, finding himself pursuing a "prey that I can never catch." Recognizing their similar plights, they acknowledge being "birds of a feather."
Zheng Li then turns to a more serious matter: he has seen the online videos regarding Ling Xi and believes she "has been taken advantage of." He is determined to "restore the truth for her" and find the culprit, even if it means "diving into the Mariana Trench." Ling Xi reflects on Aunt Lei's statement that she would not understand the feelings of a pet owner.
She calls Mowgli to her room, who hesitates, fearing she might "square accounts after the autumn harvest" for an incident the previous day where she pushed him towards Aunt Lei. Ling Xi assures him she is not angry and asks him to "dress up as a cat" to help her experience Aunt Lei's feelings.
Mowgli questions the effectiveness of this method, asserting that "pet is the wrong word," and that animals should be equal to humans, not merely exist "to please human beings." He criticizes practices like shaving, dyeing hair, or declawing pets, contrasting them with the "peaceful coexistence" and mutual respect he experienced with animal friends in the forest. Ling Xi finds his words inspiring, feeling a "vague inspiration" about Aunt Lei's emotions.
With no home of their own, Ling Xi and Mowgli are now staying at Tang Cheng's apartment. Later that night, Mowgli hears "two people" entering their shared apartment and notes they "took off their clothes" and were "breathing heavily," implying Tang Cheng brought someone home. Ling Xi quickly silences him. Mowgli then innocently suggests turning on the "air-con" as Tang Cheng is asleep, which Ling Xi briefly misinterprets as a romantic advance.
The next day, Mowgli takes a strenuous porter job at a construction site to support Ling Xi, affirming he will "stick it out however hard or tiring it is" for his girlfriend. He impresses the foreman with his sharp vision and ability to quickly locate a specific No.2301 two-drawer cabinet, demonstrating that "people in love are full of energy." Mowgli is told he will be paid "more pay for more work."
Unable to afford her mortgage after losing her job, Ling Xi is forced to sell her house and car. Though reluctant to part with the place holding many memories, she finds buyers quickly, easing her immediate financial stress. Meanwhile, Ling Xi posts a public apology to Aunt Lei on Weibo.
Amy, Zheng Li's assistant, observes Ling Xi's significant change in character, noting she is no longer a "tigress" and has become more gentle and understanding, effectively ending Amy's role as an "informer" to Ling Xi. Lu Ziyue visits Tang Cheng, bringing her breakfast, and eagerly shares that he and Zheng Li have "teamed up" to help Ling Xi.
He describes their elaborate plan to expose the "fraudsters" who "see nothing but money," detailing steps like volunteering to "take the bait," confirming the culprits' identities and locations, and identifying any accomplices. He praises Zheng Li as a "Prince of Programming." As he recounts this, a man runs out of Tang Cheng's apartment, startling Lu Ziyue. Tang Cheng calmly explains the man is "a friend who stayed overnight" and "slept on the floor" because he was "too drunk."
She adds that while nothing happened that night, it does not mean "nothing will happen between us later on." A heartbroken Lu Ziyue asks if she would continue this lifestyle if they were to marry. Tang Cheng firmly states that "it is impossible for us to get married" and she is not ready to "settle down so early" or "change so much for another person."
Devastated, Lu Ziyue reflects on their fundamental differences, recalling his mother's words that they are incompatible like different mahjong tiles ("I'm a Character tile, while you are a Bamboo tile"). He acknowledges his past efforts to change for her, like attending jazz dance classes and watching makeup tutorials, were futile. He concludes her "insistence is the last straw that broke the camel's back" and proposes they break up, declaring that "Love is not compromise, it is freedom."
Tang Cheng, initially feigning indifference, breathes a sigh of relief, thinking "I'm free!" The "plagiarism busters" are apprehended by the police, and Ling Xi confirms her willingness to cooperate. Learning that Zheng Li was behind the effort, she goes to his office to thank him. She waits for over an hour, falling asleep on the floor by the elevator. After his meeting, Zheng Li wakes her up.
Embarrassed by her "unsightly" appearance, Ling Xi thanks him, and they agree to revert to their "24K pure-gold brother and sister" relationship, with Ling Xi promising not to pursue him anymore. As she leaves, she sees Bai Yiling and jokingly wishes her and Zheng Li happiness before heading off to meet Zheng's father. Zheng's father is warm and supportive towards Ling Xi, praising her integrity for selling her assets to compensate buyers.
In contrast, Ling Xi's own father remains cold and distant, refusing Zheng's father's suggestion to reconcile with his daughter, stubbornly stating, "I'm her father. Why should I give in first?" Bai Yiling returns to work early, canceling her vacation. She avoids discussing past events with Zheng Li, stating she has "synced them up with Amy" regarding upcoming meeting procedures. Ling Yu and Chu Shi meet for a meal.
Chu Shi notices he's unhappy and suggests meditation, but Ling Yu spots Zheng's father passing by, abruptly leaving a note to meet her later. Chu Shi informs Ling Yu that Lu Ziyue is "in the past tense" and her new goal is "to find another Chinese husband."
She outlines her criteria: he must be "born and bred in China," "must know how to cook Chinese dishes," and most importantly, "must not be a workaholic," but rather someone who "loves his family, takes care of his wife and is there to see his little baby grow up as a good daddy and a good husband."
Ling Yu notes that these qualities are "the exact opposite" of him, to which Chu Shi reassures him she "will not cling to you." Later, during their drive, Chu Shi's parents unexpectedly video call, unaware she is in China. Ling Yu cleverly pretends to be a "Korean classmate" and claims they are "on the way back" from a "school camping trip." He successfully convinces them until Chu Shi inadvertently exclaims about "Qingpu strawberries," exposing her location and angering her parents.
Ling Xi, with Mowgli's assistance, works tirelessly on a marketing plan for Aunt Lei. She develops a concept that transforms Aunt Lei's story with her cat into a book, chronicling their journey of companionship. Ling Xi explains that true affection between pets and humans is about mutual "companionship," emphasizing that "they accompany us."
She narrates the story from the cat's perspective, conveying a message of enduring presence even after departure: "If I go away one day, I'm not leaving; I'll be in existence in another way instead. I am by your side. You can find me in the white clouds, in the shade of trees and in the winter wind." Aunt Lei is deeply moved by this heartfelt gesture and finally forgives Ling Xi and her cat.
Ling Xi joyfully declares she can now be "a salted fish without any dreams," grateful for Mowgli's presence. Ling Xi and Mowgli, feeling content with each other, relax. Mowgli assures Ling Xi she "don't have to do anything now," and he will "do everything" for her. Ling Xi spots her old apartment from afar, now occupied, and wistfully describes its new tenants as "winners of life."
Unbeknownst to her, Bai Yiling has rented that very apartment, which she describes as an "ultra-luxury three-bedroom house." Struggling with the expensive rent, Bai Yiling makes numerous calls to friends like Li, Wenwen, and Mr. Meng, hoping to find a suitable roommate. However, she faces challenges; one friend has a family with a golden retriever, which the landlord prohibits, while others offer too little for rent.
Bai Yiling laments her "poor and picky" situation, acknowledging the world's fairness where "some people suddenly become rich, and some suddenly poor." She resolves to carefully plan her "way forward" to avoid repeating past mistakes.
