My Mowgli Boy Episode 23 Recap
> My Mowgli Boy Recap
Mowgli gently pulls Ling Xi's quilt, waking her as he prepares to leave. When Ling Xi asks where he's going, Mowgli claims he's off to see Lu Ziyue to study and learn. Ling Xi accepts his explanation and bids him goodbye. As Mowgli steps out, he encounters Bai Yiling, who has arrived to see Ling Xi. Mowgli directs her inside. Ling Xi immediately apologizes to Bai Yiling for her previous drunken behavior in the elevator, asking for forgiveness.
Bai Yiling assures her it's in the past and reveals her true purpose: she wants to find a roommate. She offers an incredibly tempting deal, suggesting they co-rent her apartment at an ultra-low price, with her covering all utilities, cleaning, sharing food, and even giving Ling Xi the master bedroom while Mowgli takes the second bedroom. Ling Xi, sensing something is amiss, presses Bai Yiling, asking if she’s encountered difficulties, perhaps with work or even bad P2P loans.
Bai Yiling admits that managing everything alone—work, housing, and daily life—has become overwhelming, realizing how much pressure she’s been under. Ling Xi views this as Bai Yiling’s “trough period,” encouraging her to embrace and enjoy this phase, as it provides a contrast that makes future success more meaningful. She advises Bai Yiling to relish her personal space, reminding her that such freedom might disappear if she remarries. Inspired by Ling Xi’s optimistic perspective, Bai Yiling agrees that it makes sense.
Ling Xi then tells her that while it’s good to enjoy this period, she must also find a way to get out of it, not stay forever. Ling Xi, feeling sleepy, lies down on the sofa, inviting Bai Yiling to make herself at home. Reflecting on Ling Xi's words, Bai Yiling later tries to "enjoy loneliness and hardship," though a chipped tooth from a snack and its expensive repair cost reminds her of the financial strain.
Meanwhile, Mowgli is seen doing strenuous manual labor at a construction site. Later, when Ling Xi questions Mowgli about where he gets the money to buy her so many snacks, he explains he wants to find his place and help them escape poverty. Ling Xi accepts his explanation, and Mowgli departs. Lu Ziyue is despondent after his breakup with Tang Cheng. Tang Cheng, equally restless, texts Ling Xi late at night, wanting to chat.
Ling Xi, however, dismisses her with a text message, stating, "No chatting. Saves electricity." The next morning, Tang Cheng frantically searches for her socks, complaining about the messy house. She discovers an old organizing list from Lu Ziyue, which makes her momentarily sentimental. Seeing Ling Xi still sprawled on the sofa, Tang Cheng scolds her for her laziness, comparing her to a "paralyzed" Stephen Hawking and jokingly threatening to break her legs.
Ling Xi, unperturbed, simply tells her to "take the trouble to do that." Tang Cheng further laments Mowgli's habit of buying snacks for Ling Xi instead of contributing more to living expenses. Ling Xi, hearing Tang Cheng's angry outburst, mutters to herself if Tang Cheng has been jilted. Tang Cheng arrives late for a meeting at her law firm. Her colleagues comment on her tardiness, and she appears distracted throughout, her mind filled with images of Lu Ziyue.
When asked for suggestions on a new consultation platform, she gives a vague response, prompting her boss to move on. Later, at the gym, Tang Cheng witnesses a male coach inappropriately touching a female client. She intervenes, calling him a "scumbag coach." The coach recognizes Tang Cheng and reveals that Lu Ziyue had once punched him for her, demanding compensation. Tang Cheng is shocked by this revelation but proudly claims Lu Ziyue as her boyfriend.
She passionately reprimands the coach, threatening to call the police and initiate legal action. Faced with her unwavering resolve, the coach eventually apologizes. The grateful client thanks Tang Cheng and expresses admiration for her strength and for having a protective boyfriend, which leaves Tang Cheng momentarily thoughtful. Ling Yu accompanies Gao Jie as she tries on wedding dresses. Gao Jie excitedly discusses their wedding photo-shooting tour and honeymoon destinations, but Ling Yu is preoccupied, constantly checking his phone.
He receives a call from Chu Shi, who tearfully informs him that her parents are sending people to escort her back home and she has to say goodbye. Stunned, Ling Yu quickly leaves the bridal shop, leaving a bewildered Gao Jie behind. Coincidentally, Tang Cheng's parents are close friends with Chu Shi's parents. Tang Cheng is tasked with driving Chu Shi to the airport.
In the car, Chu Shi video calls her parents, desperately trying to persuade them to let her stay in China. She highlights China's safety, delicious food, rich culture, and the environmental organization she's involved with, where she's made true friends. Her parents, however, are firm in their decision, citing safety concerns and dismissing her friends as manipulative. Just as Chu Shi is at a loss, Ling Yu arrives, instructing her to cry louder to appeal to her parents' soft spot.
Chu Shi follows his advice, and her parents, moved by her tears, reluctantly agree to let her stay temporarily, provided she finds a guardian. Seeing Ling Yu arrive, Tang Cheng realizes Chu Shi is safe and takes the opportunity to head to her office, having received a message from Mr. Hou to take over a case from Lu Ziyue. At the office, Tang Cheng, dressed up, expects to see Lu Ziyue for the case handover.
Mr. Hou, however, tells her that Lu Ziyue has already left, only leaving the case files. Disappointed, Tang Cheng asks if Lu Ziyue left any other message. Mr. Hou mentions Lu Ziyue suggesting they have dinner sometime. Tang Cheng then asks Mr. Hou to relay her own message to Lu Ziyue, inviting him to dinner so they can talk. Later, looking at a photo of them on her phone, Tang Cheng wonders sadly if Lu Ziyue misses her at all.
Ling Yu drops Chu Shi off at Tang Cheng's apartment, giving her a stack of cash and instructing her to give it to Ling Xi, assuring her that everything will be handled. Outside, Chu Shi finds Mowgli about to discard a used battery. She stops him, explaining that toxic items like lithium batteries (containing dimethyl sulfate, diethyl carbonate, and ethylene carbonate) must be properly sorted for recycling to prevent environmental pollution and harm to animals.
Mowgli is impressed, and when he learns Chu Shi is part of an environmental organization, he expresses a strong desire to join. They realize they both know Lu Ziyue, marveling at the small world. Mowgli, having a key, lets Chu Shi into the apartment. Ling Xi, still on the sofa, is initially confused about Chu Shi's presence, but Mowgli introduces her as Tang Cheng's friend. Chu Shi hands Ling Xi the money from Ling Yu, calling it "rent."
Ling Xi, delighted by the unexpected cash, readily accepts Chu Shi's stay. When Tang Cheng returns, she is aghast to find Ling Xi, Mowgli, and Chu Shi coexisting peacefully. Exasperated, she shouts that her home is not a "pig farm" and already has too many "freeloaders." Tang Cheng vehemently rejects Chu Shi's offers to help with chores or even sleep in a sleeping bag, and Ling Xi refuses to give up her beloved sofa.
When Chu Shi insists she has already paid rent, Ling Xi clarifies that the money was given to her. Tang Cheng, noticing the apartment is warm and that Ling Xi mentions Chu Shi paid the electricity bill, reluctantly allows Chu Shi to stay for the night, but orders her to move out by morning. The next day, after Tang Cheng leaves for work, Chu Shi brings Ling Yu into the apartment.
Ling Xi is startled to see her brother but invites him to sit. The siblings exchange their usual jabs, but Ling Xi is surprised by Ling Yu's unusually cheerful demeanor, wondering if he's taken "smiling half-step epilepsy pills." Ling Yu explains he's just in a good mood from being in a "kind social circle."
He offers Ling Xi a substantial amount of money for her to enroll in an MBA course she's interested in, under the condition that Ling Xi helps Chu Shi stay at Tang Cheng's place. Ling Xi, after confirming she can repay him later with an IOU, accepts the money and agrees to help Chu Shi.
Ling Xi then expresses her curiosity about how Ling Yu and Chu Shi, two seemingly incompatible people, came to know each other, but Ling Yu quickly leaves, citing other commitments. Chu Shi, witnessing their interaction, mistakenly believes they have a very affectionate sibling relationship and wishes she had an older brother. Ling Xi laughs, calling it a "huge misunderstanding" and offering to teach Chu Shi some practical idioms.
