My True Friend Episode 17 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Fu Xiao Ning helped a very drunk Luo Zu'er, who demanded more beer and tried to prevent him from leaving. He promised to get her more wine, then left her to rush home. He found Xi Shan asleep and gently woke her. Fu Xiao Ning launched into a long, detailed explanation for his late return, claiming he was with a client, helping calculate taxes and payments, missed the last train, and had to walk all the way home.
Xi Shan, however, was not convinced. She remarked that Fu Xiao Ning's habit of fabricating long, detailed stories was a tell-tale sign of his lies. More damningly, she pointed out the unmistakable scent of Miss Luo’s expensive perfume on him, stating it had arrived even before he walked through the door.
Xi Shan slapped him firmly, then Fu Xiao Ning vehemently denied any wrongdoing with Luo Zu'er, explaining she was upset after a breakup and he was just trying to comfort her. He insisted he didn't mention it earlier to avoid making Xi Shan "over-sensitive," and clarified that he only sells houses, not his body. Xi Shan tearfully expressed her distrust, believing that if he lied once, he would lie again.
Fu Xiao Ning swore there wouldn't be a second time, reiterating that his actions were for their future, but Xi Shan retorted, "If there isn't an 'us,' what's the point?" When Xi Shan tried to leave the apartment, Fu Xiao Ning stopped her, worried about her safety late at night, and she reluctantly stayed. Meanwhile, in Rome, Jing Ran arrived early at Cheng Zhenzhen's hotel room with breakfast.
He noticed her struggling to pack her luggage and offered to help, insisting she eat breakfast first while he handled the packing. After finishing the task, Jing Ran walked over to Cheng Zhenzhen, embraced her, and asked her to be his girlfriend. She happily accepted his proposal. He then told her to wait for his return. On a flight to Italy, Shao Pengcheng was distracted by a crying child.
After contemplating an upgrade he couldn't take, he began to compare himself to Jing Ran by listing their attributes on a piece of paper. He noted his own youth at 25 compared to Jing Ran, whom he estimated to be over 30, and his height of 184cm, which he believed was taller than Jing Ran's. For occupation and income, he could only write "to be determined" and "to be increased," feeling a pang of embarrassment.
A woman sitting next to him, who had observed his calculations, interjected, stating that "the left one" (Jing Ran) was definitely better. She described Jing Ran as a mature, stable 30-year-old designer, akin to a "standard character design for the male lead in love novels." She then pointed out Shao Pengcheng's vague "to be determined" occupation and income, suggesting he was too embarrassed to write them down. Shao Pengcheng was visibly disheartened by her blunt assessment and crumpled the paper.
At the Italian airport, Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen prepared for her departure. As Jing Ran went to get a luggage cart, Shao Pengcheng sent a message to Zhenzhen asking her to wait, but her phone was off. Unbeknownst to all of them, Shao Pengcheng walked past Zhenzhen and Jing Ran in the airport terminal, their paths crossing briefly. Shao Pengcheng then went directly to Aunt Bai's house, expecting to find Zhenzhen there.
Aunt Bai, beaming with excitement, informed him that Zhenzhen had already returned to China, having been personally escorted to the airport by Jing Ran. She then delivered what she considered even better news: Jing Ran and Zhenzhen were officially dating. Aunt Bai further revealed that Jing Ran planned to conclude his affairs in Italy and return home to propose to Zhenzhen.
She gushed about making Shao Pengcheng his favorite dishes, but he stood frozen, unable to speak, his mind reeling from the news. Back at the airport, Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen shared a tender, reluctant farewell embrace. He urged her to take care of herself and Aunt Bai. Cheng Zhenzhen, tearfully, walked towards the boarding gate, repeatedly looking back at Jing Ran. He rushed forward to give her one last hug before she finally entered the passage.
Upon returning home, Jing Ran found Shao Pengcheng waiting. Jing Ran immediately informed Shao Pengcheng that Zhenzhen had accepted his offer to be his girlfriend. Shao Pengcheng countered that they were not a suitable match. Jing Ran shot back, questioning how a "second generation rich kid who idles about" could understand Zhenzhen's dreams.
Shao Pengcheng asserted that Zhenzhen, regarding love, was still a "little girl immersed in a fantasy" but would eventually grow up and comprehend the distinction between dreams and reality. Jing Ran confidently declared his faith in being able to provide Zhenzhen with the life she desired, whether in dreams or reality. He then warned Shao Pengcheng to maintain a distance from Zhenzhen once he returned to China. Shao Pengcheng left the house in disappointment.
Aunt Bai, having witnessed the exchange, initially expressed sympathy for Shao Pengcheng and even suggested his compatibility with Zhenzhen if Jing Ran wasn't her son. However, she then expressed her concern to Jing Ran about Shao Pengcheng's persistence. She urged Jing Ran to return to China quickly and propose to Zhenzhen, fearing potential complications. Jing Ran reassured her, expressing his confidence in his relationship with Zhenzhen and promising to return in two months.
At the Love & Home office, colleagues wondered about Shao Pengcheng's continued absence, noting his phone was still off. The manager was furious about him missing work without notice. A family arrived to sign a contract, and Cheng Zhenzhen, having just returned, stepped in to handle the client in Shao Pengcheng's place, despite not being in uniform. She presented the contract for a house whose remodeling she and Shao Pengcheng had co-designed.
The female client's parents immediately raised concerns that only the groom's name (Tian Gang) was on the deed, especially since the couple was not yet legally married. Zhenzhen suggested adding the bride's name (Yu Qianqian) to protect both their rights. This, however, prompted the groom's parents to argue that they had contributed more to the down payment and questioned why the authority should be equal. They expressed anxieties about potential divorce and losing their investment.
The bride's parents retorted, highlighting their daughter's higher income. A heated argument quickly erupted between the two families. Zhenzhen intervened, calming them down, acknowledging their sacrifices and love for their children. She proposed an innovative solution: listing all six names (the couple and their four parents) on the property deed, along with each individual's contribution. Although initially hesitant, fearing it appeared as though they were already preparing for divorce, Zhenzhen persuaded them.
She argued that having all six names would symbolize their collective hope and commitment, serving as a powerful reminder to cherish their marriage through difficult times. She also urged the parents to let go and allow their children to forge their own happy life. Convinced, the families agreed to the six-name arrangement and signed the contract.
Afterward, Cheng Zhenzhen called Shao Pengcheng, relaying the manager's anger and warning him that he would be fired if he didn't return to work immediately. Shao Pengcheng gave a vague excuse about having other commitments. Later, Luo Zu'er arrived at the Love & Home office, asking Fu Xiao Ning to take her house hunting. He agreed, emphasizing it was part of his job. Xi Shan watched, visibly distressed, and quietly wept at her desk.
Her colleague, Mei Li, tried to console her with unsolicited advice on independence and beauty, even offering eye cream. Xi Shan ignored Mei Li's advice. Fu Xiao Ning and Luo Zu'er went to a neighborhood, distributing flyers. Luo Zu'er was impressed by Fu Xiao Ning's diligent work ethic and his strong rapport with residents, including a time he helped an elderly resident fix a leaky pipe.
Luo Zu'er took a selfie with Fu Xiao Ning and insisted he post it on his WeChat Moments with the caption "Beautiful scenery, beautiful people." He posted it but quickly deleted it. Despite the swift deletion, Xi Shan saw the photo of Luo Zu'er and Fu Xiao Ning on WeChat, confirming her worst fears, and she rushed out of the office in tears.
