My True Friend Episode 29 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Troubled by the Tian family's situation, Shao Pengcheng called Cheng Zhenzhen, suggesting they meet for a night snack to discuss how to help them. Cheng Zhenzhen declined, explaining she was at Aunt Bai's house, "mending her mistake" after the previous day's incident. When Shao Pengcheng offered to pick her up, Cheng Zhenzhen informed him that Jing Ran would take her home. At Jing Ran's home, Cheng Zhenzhen helped in the kitchen.
Jing Ran offered to assist, but Aunt Bai intervened, remarking that Cheng Zhenzhen did not know how to cook and took over. Later, Aunt Bai acknowledged Cheng Zhenzhen's presence, despite the late hour, as a sign of her care for Jing Ran and the family. Cheng Zhenzhen apologized for being preoccupied the day before, explaining she had to attend to an urgent client matter. Aunt Bai emphasized that for women, their own family should be prioritized over clients.
Cheng Zhenzhen then shared the details of the Tian family's predicament: Mrs. Tian had fallen, was in the ICU, and Mr. Tian wanted to sell their house to cover medical expenses, but his wife, Yu Qianqian, disagreed. Initially, Aunt Bai criticized Yu Qianqian for her refusal, stressing that a life was at stake. However, Cheng Zhenzhen clarified that Yu Qianqian was pregnant, and the house had been purchased with pooled funds from six people, including Yu Qianqian's parents.
Yu Qianqian feared that selling the house would mean her child would have to grow up in a rented home. Hearing this, Aunt Bai paused, then remarked on the difficulties faced by such families, advising Cheng Zhenzhen to appreciate her own circumstances, living in a large house with a reliable boyfriend and a loving mother-in-law, suggesting her life was perfect. Cheng Zhenzhen's mood became exceptionally complex.
Jing Ran quickly interjected, mentioning his work commitments for the next day and asking Cheng Zhenzhen to accompany Aunt Bai to her doctor's appointment. Cheng Zhenzhen readily agreed to make the necessary arrangements. Despite Aunt Bai's attempts to persuade her to stay overnight, mentioning a prepared guest room, Cheng Zhenzhen insisted on leaving, and Jing Ran drove her home.
During the drive, Jing Ran apologized for his mother's recent sensitivity and urged Cheng Zhenzhen not to take her words to heart, explaining his mother might be feeling lonely as he had been busy with work since his return. Cheng Zhenzhen reassured him, stating she understood and was trying her best to manage both her work and care for Aunt Bai.
Jing Ran suggested she consider a simpler life as a "little woman" enjoying an easy existence, implying she should become a full-time wife. Cheng Zhenzhen firmly rejected the idea, asserting her desire to pursue her career and asking for more time. After Jing Ran dropped her off and returned home, he found Aunt Bai looking at an old family photograph, shedding tears. She reflected on her past with Jing Ran's father, lamenting how short their time together had felt.
She wondered why young people nowadays viewed things differently, not understanding the regret that comes with losing loved ones, and questioning if she was in the wrong, stating she just wanted Jing Ran to have more time with Cheng Zhenzhen. Jing Ran, realizing his mother's heartfelt intentions, was moved to tears. The following morning, Shao Pengcheng called Cheng Zhenzhen with good news: Mrs. Tian had regained consciousness and was being moved from the ICU to a regular ward.
Cheng Zhenzhen expressed her joy and immediately agreed to go to the hospital with him. At Mrs. Tian's bedside, Mr. Tian was about to send a message to Yu Qianqian, informing her they would not sell the house. However, a nurse delivered somber news, stating Mrs. Tian's condition remained serious, and she would require long-term care even after discharge, prompting Mr. Tian to pause his message.
Meanwhile, Hao Meili was on the phone, reassuring a potential buyer that the Tian family's townhouse was a straightforward sale, despite its complex ownership, as the owners were united in their urgent need for cash to save a life. Upon Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng's arrival, Mrs. Tian, though weak, clearly stated her wishes, asking them to record her words.
She firmly declared her opposition to selling the house, unwilling for the family to deplete all their savings on her, leaving nothing for her children. She also mentioned Yu Qianqian was "in a bad spot." Mrs. Tian stressed that any signature or seal for the sale would be invalid without her consent and insisted that if she did not survive, the recording should be played for Yu Qianqian, as her son, Mr. Tian, could be impulsive.
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng assured her they understood her stance as an owner and would honor her wishes. Back at the office, Cheng Zhenzhen expressed concern about how Mrs. Tian's medical expenses would be covered without selling the house, but Shao Pengcheng remained optimistic that a solution would be found. He explained that with Mrs. Tian's refusal, the house could not legally be sold. Shortly after, Mr. Tian called Shao Pengcheng, distraught.
He revealed that Hao Meili had found a buyer, and his insistence on selling had led to a heated argument with Yu Qianqian, who then threatened divorce and ran away. Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng immediately suspected Yu Qianqian might be considering an abortion and rushed to find her. Simultaneously, Aunt Bai called Cheng Zhenzhen for their hospital appointment, but her calls went unanswered. Frustrated, Aunt Bai left a voicemail, telling Cheng Zhenzhen she would go to the hospital alone.
At the hospital, a doctor advised Yu Qianqian, who was seeking an abortion, to carefully reconsider. The doctor noted Yu Qianqian's age of 29 and warned that the procedure could affect future pregnancies, as she would be considered an "elderly mother" the following year. Yu Qianqian, however, insisted on proceeding, but was told there was no availability for the next two days.
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng arrived at the hospital, inquiring about Yu Qianqian at the reception, only to learn she had just left after her consultation regarding an abortion. Meanwhile, Aunt Bai, waiting for her own appointment, spotted Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng rushing by. She called out Cheng Zhenzhen's name excitedly, but Cheng Zhenzhen, preoccupied, did not hear her. Aunt Bai grew angrier, expressing her annoyance and questioning Cheng Zhenzhen's behavior.
Cheng Zhenzhen, suspecting Yu Qianqian might have sought out a smaller clinic due to the hospital's lack of immediate availability, quickly messaged Mr. Tian to meet them at a nearby clinic. They found Yu Qianqian at a small clinic, lying on the operating table, prepared for an abortion. When a nurse offered anesthesia, Yu Qianqian, crying, refused, saying she wanted to "be with my baby on its last journey." Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng burst into the room.
Shao Pengcheng played Mrs. Tian's recorded message for Yu Qianqian. Hearing her mother-in-law's voice, expressing love and prioritizing the children's future over her own life, Yu Qianqian broke down in tears, overwhelmed with guilt. She confessed her fears of financial hardship, losing her job, struggling alone, and her child growing up in a rented house, admitting she was a coward.
Just then, Mr. Tian arrived and rushed to comfort Yu Qianqian, promising that everything would be alright and neither she nor the baby would suffer. Trusting his words, Yu Qianqian decided to sell the house for Mrs. Tian's treatment. As they embraced, expressing their love for each other and their family, Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng discreetly left the room.
Later, at the hospital, Yu Qianqian's parents expressed remorse for their previous stance and agreed to sell the house, emphasizing Mrs. Tian's treatment as their top priority. However, Shao Pengcheng awkwardly explained that the sale remained impossible because Mrs. Tian, as one of the owners, still firmly opposed it, and legally, any transaction without her valid consent would not be binding.
Mr. Tian, concerned about the escalating hospital bills, apologized to Yu Qianqian, fearing their child might be born in a rented home. Yu Qianqian reassured him that saving Mrs. Tian was worth any sacrifice. Shao Pengcheng advised them not to rush the sale and suggested waiting a few days, hoping a "solution for both sides" could be found.
Back home, Aunt Bai angrily confronted Jing Ran, showing him her phone as proof that Cheng Zhenzhen had ignored her numerous calls and messages. She accused Cheng Zhenzhen of either forgetting her phone or intentionally avoiding her, especially after seeing her with Shao Pengcheng at the hospital where Cheng Zhenzhen had again ignored her.
Jing Ran tried to calm his mother, suggesting Cheng Zhenzhen might have forgotten her phone or simply not heard her, and that she and Shao Pengcheng were likely handling work matters. Aunt Bai dismissed his explanations, insisting she was not blind. She demanded Jing Ran call Cheng Zhenzhen immediately to explain herself and firmly instructed him to make Cheng Zhenzhen resign from her job and return home to focus on family as soon as possible.
Jing Ran promised to call Cheng Zhenzhen to address her concerns. Outside the hospital, Cheng Zhenzhen asked Shao Pengcheng about his "solution for both sides." Shao Pengcheng unveiled his plan: to make the Tian family the inaugural clients of their company's "youth apartment" project. His idea was for the agency to purchase the Tian family's townhouse and then rent it back to them, allowing them to retain their homeownership status while providing the necessary funds for Mrs. Tian's treatment.
Cheng Zhenzhen praised the innovative idea but expressed skepticism about convincing the company chairman, as it went beyond their usual scope of services. Shao Pengcheng acknowledged the difficulty but insisted it was worth attempting. As they discussed, Jing Ran's car arrived. He calmly told Cheng Zhenzhen that the store manager had informed him she was at the hospital, prompting him to come pick her up for dinner.
Cheng Zhenzhen, unsuspicious, bid goodbye to Shao Pengcheng and got into Jing Ran's car. Shao Pengcheng watched them drive away, a sense of dejection evident in his expression. Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen drove in silence.
