My Mowgli Boy Episode 9 Recap
> My Mowgli Boy Recap
Tang Cheng was walking to the bus stop when Lu Ziyue followed. Tang Cheng turned, telling him that despite their recent cooperation, she did not want him to pursue a relationship with her. Lu Ziyue clarified that he was actually running to catch the No. 45 bus, which goes to his home. Tang Cheng, embarrassed, apologized for her misunderstanding.
Lu Ziyue then pointed out a romantic line on the bus stop billboard that read the same forwards and backward: "You are the joy in my youth. The youth I like is you." He then asked Tang Cheng if she had ever truly loved someone, suggesting she might have been "crossed in love" because she seemed hesitant to find a stable boyfriend.
Tang Cheng found this notion sexist, arguing that men who avoid commitment are seen as romantic, while women are seen as emotionally damaged. She described Lu Ziyue as a gentleman, albeit a bit old-fashioned like Sheldon. She stated that her life's priority was friends, especially Ling Xi, not love. Lu Ziyue mentioned Zheng Li's disappointed expression from earlier, but Tang Cheng admitted she did not understand why.
Back at home, Ling Xi pondered Zheng Li's expression towards Bai Yiling, perplexed as to why Zheng Li seemed so angry that day. Mowgli, meanwhile, was concerned about getting an ID card. He explained that he had lived with Grandpa Ranger and a teacher in the forest, and after the teacher left when Mowgli finished junior high, he never learned how to apply for one.
Ling Xi stressed that an ID card was crucial for urban life, like a "factory setting" or "proof of existence." Mowgli then curiously asked if Lu Ziyue had one, prompting Ling Xi to tease him about having a crush. Mowgli asserted he was a "straight man," a term he learned from "barrage" (online comments), and Ling Xi told him to watch fewer idol dramas.
Mowgli then speculated that Tang Cheng and Lu Ziyue were a couple, citing their high five at the public security bureau. Ling Xi dismissed this, but Mowgli pressed on, insisting Zheng Li and Bai Yiling must be a couple, noting how Zheng Li's gaze lingered on Bai Yiling for three seconds and how they both "glowed" when looking at each other.
Ling Xi reacted explosively, vehemently denying it and declaring that if Zheng Li were with anyone, it would be her. Mowgli, confused, asked if she wasn't with him. Ling Xi retorted that their "relationship" was merely an "emergency public relations gimmick" and completely fake. Upset, she stormed off to her room. Ling Xi then messaged Tang Cheng, lamenting her behavior with Zheng Li and wondering if she had gone too far.
Tang Cheng, thinking that Zheng Li had never actually loved Ling Xi, decided against telling her the harsh truth, fearing it would crush Ling Xi's budding hopes. Meanwhile, Mowgli felt hurt by Ling Xi's deceit and decided to leave. He used his phone to figure out a complicated route to Lu Ziyue's house, involving multiple subway transfers and a long walk. The next morning, he left early, hoping to say goodbye to Ling Xi, but she was not home.
Ling Xi had gone to Chi Xu's house, taking responsibility for the damage she and Mowgli caused and having new furniture delivered to replace what was broken. She made it clear to Chi Xu that Bai Yiling was not involved. Ling Yu, on the other hand, was preparing to propose to Gao Jie. He called her to arrange a dinner for the following evening, promising a gift and an apology, but Gao Jie later brought several friends to the restaurant.
Mowgli eventually arrived at Lu Ziyue's home, asking to be taken in. Lu Ziyue's parents warmly welcomed him, but after hearing Lu Ziyue had been sighing and now brought a male friend home, they mistakenly assumed Mowgli and Lu Ziyue were romantically involved. They probed Mowgli about his family and "quarrel" with Ling Xi, asking if his family approved of him "visiting" male friends.
Mowgli mentioned Ling Xi, saying he wanted to ignore her and that he once "had a girlfriend but lost her," leading his parents to assume he was referring to Lu Ziyue. Embarrassed, Lu Ziyue led Mowgli upstairs to escape his parents' questions.
Upstairs, Mowgli expressed his confusion, asking if actions like knowing a person's preferred steak doneness, cooking it a specific way, taking photos together, making a heart sign, expressing a liking for being together, changing clothes, washing hair, or even sharing a bed, always signified love. Lu Ziyue consistently answered that these actions did not necessarily mean love. Mowgli was deeply upset by Ling Xi's "deception," believing that statements made publicly should be true.
Lu Ziyue explained that Ling Xi merely needed his help, trying to lessen the impact. Mowgli lamented the complexity of humans compared to animals, wishing for simple, straightforward expressions of emotion. Lu Ziyue explained that human language, a product of evolution, inherently included "deception and lies," making words not always true. He advised Mowgli to acknowledge his pain, likening it to pulling out an arrow, and assured him that the wound would eventually heal.
Lu Ziyue admitted he too struggled with an unforgettable past love, wanting neither to burden her nor to completely forget. They both agreed that "women are hard to understand" and bonded over their shared status as "single from mother's womb" over bowls of fermented glutinous rice balls. Back at her apartment, Ling Xi realized Mowgli was gone when she couldn't find him to help open a bottle.
She called him, learning he was at Lu Ziyue's house and had no intention of returning that night. Ling Xi hung up in frustration but then picked up Mowgli's iPad, seeing it was full of forest videos. Feeling regretful for neglecting him, she called Lu Ziyue, asking him to make sure Mowgli had a thick quilt to keep warm and to encourage him to eat vegetables and fruits, as he usually preferred meat.
Lu Ziyue promised to take care of him. Mowgli, unable to sleep, looked out at the night sky, feeling lost. Meanwhile, Ling Yu was at a restaurant, where Gao Jie arrived with several female friends. She publicly stated her desire for everyone to witness her happiness, hinting at a proposal. Under pressure from the crowd and Gao Jie’s friends, Ling Yu knelt and presented the engagement ring.
Gao Jie initially refused, demanding he kiss her hand, then her foot, to prove his commitment. Ling Xi, passing by and witnessing this humiliating display, intervened, calling it a "monkey show" and questioning Ling Yu’s dignity. She asked if he truly loved Gao Jie. Ling Yu, however, insisted he was proposing out of love. Ling Xi accused him of being "hypocritical" and a "liar," telling him he was deceiving himself about why he wanted to marry Gao Jie.
Ling Xi left the scene, and Mowgli appeared behind her. They smiled at each other, suggesting a reconciliation. Later, Ling Xi redecorated the living room in a forest-style, even setting up a tent to evoke the feeling of a forest for Mowgli. She apologized for deceiving and using him. Mowgli accepted her apology, stating that he would not return to the forest until his problems were resolved.
The next morning, Mowgli monopolized the bathroom, making Ling Xi regret converting another toilet into a closet, and then prepared a lavish breakfast. However, he defiantly refused to share any of it with Ling Xi, claiming all the ingredients were leftovers he brought from Lu Ziyue's home, and she was not entitled to them. Separately, Zheng Li and Bai Yiling went to a business meeting with a client.
Zheng Li discussed contract modifications, including logo exposure duration and oral broadcast frequency. He advised Bai Yiling that "Mr. Chen" was an "open" and "hard to deal with" individual who had recently returned from abroad, urging her to prioritize her personal safety and hide behind him if necessary, as "personal security is more important" than the contract.
Upon arriving, they discovered "Mr. Chen" was actually Ms. Chen, an older woman with a "charming" figure who immediately showed excessive enthusiasm for Zheng Li. Ms. Chen flattered Zheng Li, praising his youth and talent, touching his arm, and offering advice on career and finding a "mature, steady woman who is helpful to your career." She attempted to feed him longan fruit. To escape her persistent advances, Zheng Li subtly signaled Bai Yiling, who then "deliberately" pushed him into the nearby swimming pool, leaving him drenched and disheveled.
