My True Friend Episode 25 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
After enduring numerous setbacks, Dr. Li, heartbroken, attempted to take his own life with a knife. Shao Pengcheng bravely intervened, disarming him and subduing him. Lawyer Wu then arrived, addressing Dr. Li as "Husband." Dr. Li, in turn, expressed his regret to her, saying, "Wu Qing, I'm wrong. Don't leave me. I can't live without you." Lawyer Wu promised not to leave him again and urged him to go to the hospital.
Shao Pengcheng then realized his arm had been cut during the struggle to save Zhen Zhen. Zhen Zhen, seeing his injury, asked if he was hurt, but he assured her he was fine. Jing Ran arrived and apologized to Zhen Zhen for not coming sooner, saying he should have come earlier. Zhen Zhen reassured him she was okay and turned to check on Shao Pengcheng. The Agency Manager then arrived, also worried about Zhen Zhen.
Jing Ran then suggested that Assistant Mu take Shao Pengcheng to the hospital, as Shao Pengcheng was injured and Zhen Zhen had also been through a lot, and offered to take her home. Zhen Zhen thanked Shao Pengcheng for his actions, and he responded that it was "what I should do."
Assistant Mu then called Shao Pengcheng's father, informing him that Shao Pengcheng had suffered a minor injury while protecting Zhen Zhen from Dr. Li, who had become emotional and tried to harm himself during a house dispute. Shao's father instructed Assistant Mu to bring Shao Pengcheng home so a doctor could attend to him there. Jing Ran brought Zhen Zhen back to his place, offering her his bedroom to sleep in while he took the sofa.
He expressed how worried he was when he couldn't find her earlier, and she apologized for not checking her phone while dealing with Dr. Li. Zhen Zhen then reflected on Shao Pengcheng's unexpected heroism, admitting, "I've always thought that Shao Pengcheng was a child who couldn't grow up. I didn't think he would save me in a dangerous situation today. I think he's quite responsible."
Jing Ran then asked her to promise not to let him be unable to find her again, before suggesting she quit her current job. He explained that her work environment was complicated and dangerous, citing the day's events, and asked if she could instead work at his office so he could see her every day and take care of her. Zhen Zhen, however, explained that she enjoyed her job and felt responsible to her clients.
Unexpectedly, Jing Ran then produced a diamond ring, knelt down, and proposed, saying he had been prepared since Italy and couldn't wait any longer. He pleaded, "Give me a chance. Let me take care of you. Protect you. I believe I can. Nobody will do this better than me. Please allow me, will you?"
Zhen Zhen was momentarily stunned, then stood up and told him that she was sorry, her mind was in a mess, and all she wanted was to go home and be alone. Shao Pengcheng's father, upon learning of his injury, came to his room. He told Shao Pengcheng that his injury wasn't too serious and brought him cold medicine, advising him to drink warm milk before bed as his mother used to do.
Shao Pengcheng, however, pointed out that milk would undo the medicine's effect and playfully noted that his father only gave him half a glass of milk, unlike his mother's full glass. His father admitted he'd spilled half while heating it. Shao's father then mentioned Assistant Mu told him Shao Pengcheng was hurt protecting Zhen Zhen. Shao Pengcheng downplayed it, saying it was natural to protect a female coworker in danger.
His father remarked that Zhen Zhen was a good girl, citing her involvement in the Italy partnership negotiations and helping Jing Ran buy a house, but also called her "too kind" and easily tricked. Shao Pengcheng then shifted the conversation, proposing that partners should complement each other to create space for growth.
He tried to present his market research and new ideas on rental housing for young people, but his father cut him off, telling him it was late, he was injured, and they would talk another day. This left Shao Pengcheng feeling a little disappointed. Meanwhile, at her home, Zhen Zhen lay in bed, her mind replaying Jing Ran's proposal and his comments about her job, causing her to feel agitated.
She then sent a text message to Shao Pengcheng, asking if he was okay and if his wound was dressed. The next day, Jing Ran visited Love & Family to meet with Shao Pengcheng's father. As Assistant Mu ushered Jing Ran in, Shao Pengcheng also arrived. His father, the Chairman, announced the good news: Jing Ran had accepted their offer to be the interior designer for their new building.
The Chairman then instructed Shao Pengcheng to apologize to Jing Ran for any past "unhappy encounters," but Jing Ran quickly interjected that no apology was necessary. Shao Pengcheng then attempted to discuss his new ideas based on market research, arguing that blindly investing in new housing projects was ill-advised and that the rental market, especially "youth apartments," held significant promise.
His father dismissed his ideas, questioning his experience and telling him to discuss it another time as he was in a serious business meeting with Jing Ran. Shao Pengcheng insisted, pointing out that the government was trying to curb housing prices and that their current strategy was risky. He urged his father to review his detailed report.
Shao's father grew increasingly displeased, reminding Shao Pengcheng to find another time to report and to mind his manners while he was discussing business with Jing Ran. Jing Ran then politely excused himself, explaining that he had unfinished business in Italy and also wanted to finalize house purchase and decoration plans with his girlfriend, meaning he would need to confirm his official start date later.
The Chairman reassured Jing Ran that the company would be ready whenever he was, and offered assistance with anything he might need in Shanghai, remarking, "We will be as good as a family soon." After Jing Ran left, Shao's father angrily confronted Shao Pengcheng, accusing him of intentionally causing trouble and embarrassing him in front of Jing Ran, especially after he had worked hard to secure Jing Ran as their designer.
Shao Pengcheng defended himself, insisting he was "only telling the truth" about the housing market and criticizing his father's "sucking up" to Jing Ran. He argued that the company's current strategy was "extremely risky" because they weren't as strong as their competitors and needed to find a niche market, a concept he learned studying abroad. Shao's father dismissed his ideas as unworkable in China and accused him of being "stuck in the clouds" instead of doing practical work.
Frustrated, Shao Pengcheng retorted that his father never bothered to look at his work and always dismissed his explanations. He defiantly left his report on the desk, declaring, "Read it or not. Throw it out of the window for all I care!" As Shao Pengcheng stormed out, his father angrily told him to "stop making trouble for me!" Shao Pengcheng shot back that his father always saw him as incapable, and if he wouldn't listen, then to "forget it!"
After Shao Pengcheng's departure, his father hesitated for a moment before picking up the planning document his son had left on the table. The next day at the Garden branch, employees buzzed about Shao Pengcheng's heroism, praising him for saving Dr. Li and Zhen Zhen. The Agency Manager, Zeng, said he would ask headquarters for an award for Shao Pengcheng and order a commemorative banner for the office.
When Shao Pengcheng arrived, Zhen Zhen checked on his wound and presented him with breakfast, advising him to eat light. Meili then tried to pry into Zhen Zhen's private life, asking if Jing Ran had taken her back to his hotel room and "comforted her well." To shield Zhen Zhen from the intrusive questions, Xi Shan pulled her away for coffee, which turned into an ice cream break.
As they ate, Xi Shan shared her thoughts, acknowledging Jing Ran's qualities but suggesting he might not be the right match for Zhen Zhen. Zhen Zhen revealed her conflict, stating that Jing Ran wanted her to quit her job and become a stay-at-home wife, which she was reluctant to do. She explained, "I just think nobody belongs to anyone else.
Even if we were getting married, and we were going to have children, I still think I should have a job. You need something you enjoy doing. Otherwise, your life will be so boring." She feared giving up her job and old life if she chose Jing Ran, but losing him if she prioritized her career.
Xi Shan then outright told Zhen Zhen that Shao Pengcheng liked her and was very good to her, which Zhen Zhen quickly dismissed as "not a joke." Just then, Shao Pengcheng appeared and jokingly asked what they were doing sneaking out for ice cream. Zhen Zhen reminded him he was wounded and couldn't have ice cream, so he insisted she come with him to get a burger, pulling her along to a store.
While Zhen Zhen was paying, Shao Pengcheng spotted a "poached egg" ring and playfully put it on her finger, telling her to keep it as a reminder to bring him breakfast every morning. Lawyer Wu and Dr. Li visited the Garden branch to apologize to Aunt Bai, Jing Ran, and Zhen Zhen.
Dr. Li tearfully confessed his "unforgivable mistake" of swindling the deposit and attempting suicide, thanking Shao Pengcheng and Zhen Zhen for saving his life and giving him a second chance. Lawyer Wu then offered to sell the house at a discounted price or refund the deposit if they still had doubts. Agency Manager Zeng intervened, acknowledging the many issues with the deal, including the near-fatal incident, and apologized for the office's "sloppy job."
He then advised them that the house itself was good and not haunted, and that Dr. Li and Lawyer Wu were sincerely trying to make amends. He further offered to waive the realtor's fee to help close the deal, reiterating their client-first approach. Jing Ran stated that he respected his mother's decision, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable living in the house after all that had happened.
Meili then tried to persuade Aunt Bai, framing the turbulent deal as a sign of the house being on "a land of fortune" and imagining Jing Ran and Zhen Zhen living there happily with children. Aunt Bai, seemingly swayed by the apologies and Meili's encouraging words, acknowledged that Lawyer Wu and Dr. Li showed sincerity. She then turned to Jing Ran and asked what he thought about the house.
Jing Ran told her that if she was comfortable and could accept it, then they should buy it. With some hesitation, Aunt Bai agreed to buy the house, remarking that since Zhen Zhen and Jing Ran liked it so much, they would buy it. She then told Dr. Li to "be good to Lawyer Wu for the rest of your life." Shao Pengcheng, observing the scene, remained quiet and deep in thought.
Zhen Zhen visited Aunt Bai's home and once again apologized for the house incident. Jing Ran tried to take responsibility, but Aunt Bai dismissed them both, stating that "it's over. And it ended well." She then subtly criticized Zhen Zhen, saying she was "young and inexperienced in society" and hoped she had learned her lesson.
Aunt Bai instructed Zhen Zhen to "run it by me first" for any future decisions, emphasizing her greater experience and that her advice was for Zhen Zhen's own good. Zhen Zhen assured her she would remember the lesson. Jing Ran intervened to shift the conversation, and Aunt Bai then announced her desire to meet Zhen Zhen's parents as soon as possible to set a wedding date.
She asked Zhen Zhen to arrange a meeting, either in Shanghai or by having her and Jing Ran travel to meet them. Zhen Zhen hesitated, feeling it was "going too fast" and admitted she hadn't discussed it with her parents yet. Aunt Bai, however, dismissed her concerns, insisting that she and Jing Ran made a good couple and that marriage was a natural next step, adding, "Let's put it on the agenda, okay?"
