My True Friend Episode 30 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Shao Pengcheng deliberately drives past Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen, reminding her not to forget to buy him breakfast tomorrow morning, to which Cheng Zhenzhen immediately retorts, asking if he cannot buy it himself. Although displeased, Jing Ran stays silent until Shao Pengcheng leaves. He then tells Cheng Zhenzhen to check her phone, revealing his mother had called her all afternoon without a response and later saw her with Shao Pengcheng at the hospital.
Cheng Zhenzhen, hitting her head in frustration, realizes she forgot her appointment with Aunt Bai, fearing Aunt Bai's anger. She explains that she was not intentional; she was preoccupied searching for Yu Qianqian and helping Mr. Tian with their urgent situation, fearing Yu Qianqian would make a rash decision and have an abortion. She emphasizes it was a critical situation that she had to resolve.
Jing Ran points out that even if she was busy, she should have informed his mother in advance to prevent worry. Cheng Zhenzhen promises it will not happen again and asks Jing Ran to explain the situation to Aunt Bai for her. Jing Ran parks the car downstairs and accompanies Cheng Zhenzhen home. He tells her he misses their time in Italy when they were fully devoted to each other, but feels something has changed since they returned.
He then asks if she truly loves him or if she loves the idealized Jing Ran she has imagined. Cheng Zhenzhen believes he is the same person, but Jing Ran insists the imagined version of him might be perfect, while the real him has imperfections. Cheng Zhenzhen reassures him that he is very good. Jing Ran admits their relationship is not what he imagined since returning to China, and Cheng Zhenzhen expresses uncertainty about becoming the girl he likes.
He assures her she does not need to change, as he likes her just the way she is. He acknowledges they will face problems but believes they can overcome them together. He reveals he gave up his work in Italy to build a family with her in China, declaring his love and willingness to change for the person he loves. He also promises he will never make her a stay-at-home housewife.
Despite Jing Ran's heartfelt confession, Cheng Zhenzhen hesitates, asking for more time to think things through. Jing Ran agrees to wait, comforting her with a gentle touch. As they approach the apartment, Jing Ran mentions that his mother is a little angry and advises Cheng Zhenzhen to explain things clearly. Aunt Bai is waiting at the door. Jing Ran greets her, but Cheng Zhenzhen, nervous and silent, dares not speak.
Aunt Bai then questions Cheng Zhenzhen about being too busy to answer her calls and messages, offering to cook if she is tired. Cheng Zhenzhen is too nervous to speak. Aunt Bai, seeing her hesitation, invites her to stay the night, saying there are many rooms available if she is too tired to go home. The next morning, Cheng Zhenzhen wakes up to a table laden with dishes prepared by Aunt Bai.
Aunt Bai explains that Jing Ran had already left for work, instructing her not to disturb Cheng Zhenzhen, who had worked hard the previous day. She proudly declares she woke up at 6 AM to make the elaborate breakfast, emphasizing the importance of cooking with color, fragrance, and taste as a woman of the house, for her son and for Cheng Zhenzhen. She asks Cheng Zhenzhen if she can cook, and then gently advises her to learn slowly.
Aunt Bai corrects Cheng Zhenzhen on how to properly use a napkin, demonstrating how a lady should cultivate proper demeanor. She then hands Cheng Zhenzhen an old interview magazine of Jing Ran, encouraging her to read it while she goes to prepare another dish, sea cucumber, to provide a "five-star housewife" service.
Cheng Zhenzhen reads Jing Ran's interview in the magazine, where he describes his ideal wife as someone who does not need to bear any life stress, can be a happy "little bird" by his side, and whom he would shield from all hardships. These words make her reflect on their conversation from the previous night, particularly Jing Ran's question about whether she loved him or the imagined version of him, making her question her feelings.
When Aunt Bai returns with the sea cucumber, she sees Cheng Zhenzhen lost in thought. She sits down, commenting on Jing Ran's high standards from the magazine, which she believes creates pressure. She praises Cheng Zhenzhen's positive traits but suggests she still falls short of Jing Ran's ideal.
Expressing her regret at not having a daughter, Aunt Bai states she considers Cheng Zhenzhen like her own and wishes to impart her life experience to her, hoping for her and Jing Ran's blissful marriage. Cheng Zhenzhen mentions Jing Ran never told her about such standards.
Aunt Bai, speaking openly as family, then directly proposes that Cheng Zhenzhen resign from her job, arguing that it consumes too much of her time and energy, limiting her time with Jing Ran and potentially diminishing their feelings. She suggests that after resigning, Cheng Zhenzhen should enroll in a lady cultivation class to learn various skills like cooking, flower arrangement, languages, and even horse riding or tennis, promising to help her become as remarkable as Jing Ran.
Unable to listen further, Cheng Zhenzhen interjects, stating she has a client appointment and needs to leave, suggesting they discuss the topic later. Aunt Bai's expression tightens, but she packs the freshly made dishes into a container for Cheng Zhenzhen to eat later and insists she take Jing Ran's interview magazine, urging her to read it carefully and not dismiss her advice. Cheng Zhenzhen thanks her and leaves. Aunt Bai then mutters that she spoke for nothing.
Back at the office, Cheng Zhenzhen sits silently, feeling down. Shao Pengcheng notices the magazine and picks it up. Cheng Zhenzhen anticipates his teasing, explaining her low mood after Aunt Bai's morning lecture. Shao Pengcheng agrees that Jing Ran's high standards for a partner and Aunt Bai's picky nature are to be expected, but playfully suggests Cheng Zhenzhen's "problem" is not transforming from a realtor into an outstanding future daughter-in-law.
Cheng Zhenzhen, agreeing, feels she is no match for Jing Ran's outstanding qualities and considers herself a "bug" in his life that needs fixing. Shao Pengcheng dismisses her self-pity, urging her to focus on meaningful work, reminding her that Yu Qianqian's family is waiting for them. He then reveals his strategy for their situation and asks for her help, playfully asserting his generosity in sharing important tasks.
Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen then meet with Chairman Shao to propose their "Youth Apartment Project," with Tian's family's house as the first client. Despite initial objections from Director Mu Yunping, who emphasizes the deep-rooted Chinese cultural preference for homeownership, Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen present a compelling case, arguing that younger generations now prioritize career development and broader life experiences before settling down to buy a house.
Recognizing the urgency of the client's situation, Chairman Shao bypasses the need for a board meeting and directly approves their request. The company will provide the capital for the house purchase. Cheng Zhenzhen is visibly excited and profusely thanks the Chairman, unaware of Shao Pengcheng's close relationship with him.
Chairman Shao instructs Special Assistant Mu to guide them on the specific details and to prepare a report for the stockholders at the next board meeting for a broader rollout of the project. While arguing with Xiao Ning about their demanding work schedule and Xiao Ning's refusal to grant her a simple request, Xi Shan, distracted, rides her bicycle into an Audi car, scratching its door.
The furious car owner confronts them, insulting them as "grubby agents" who cause traffic, and demands payment for his imported car paint. Xiao Ning tries to apologize but stands up to the insults. Just then, Luo Zuer drives by. Recognizing the car as merely an Audi A8, which she claims her housekeepers drive, she criticizes the owner for bullying others over "stinky money" and offers to pay for the damage, asking for the price.
Luo Zuer takes Xiao Ning and Xi Shan to a high-end restaurant. Xiao Ning thanks Luo Zuer and offers to repay her, but Luo Zuer dismisses it, stating that discussing money harms friendships and that she and Xiao Ning are good friends. She proudly presents lamb steaks specially imported from New Zealand and prepared with three sauces, urging them to enjoy.
Xi Shan, unaccustomed to Western dining, struggles with her cutlery and accidentally spills food on her clothes, feeling embarrassed, and stands up to go to the restroom. After returning from the restroom, Xi Shan accidentally drinks the finger bowl water, mistaking it for orange juice.
Luo Zuer dismisses the waiter's apology, reassures a mortified Xi Shan that such mistakes are common, and jokes that the water tasted good, while Xi Shan shrugs it off, stating that after hitting a million-yuan car, drinking the wrong water is nothing. Luo Zuer then invites them shopping, and Xiao Ning readily agrees. Xi Shan, however, declines, citing a client meeting and then a headache.
Luo Zuer insists, reminding them she is a VIP client with a large deposit, and promises them commission if they find her desired house. Despite Xiao Ning urging her, Xi Shan still refuses and leaves. Luo Zuer then takes Xiao Ning shopping with her. Luo Zuer buys various clothes, including some that she thinks would look good on Shao Pengcheng.
Xiao Ning tries to update Luo Zuer on the lack of available townhouses in her preferred neighborhood, but Luo Zuer dismisses the work talk, stating they are there to shop. She asks a sales assistant about new models and picks out several shirts, commenting that a particular one would look "pretty good" on Shao Pengcheng, causing Xiao Ning to feel uneasy. Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng then go to the hospital to persuade Tian's mother to sell the house.
Tian's mother adamantly refuses, wanting to leave the house to her future grandchild and fearing her medical expenses will deplete the family's savings. She insists her son already recorded her refusal. Cheng Zhenzhen begins to share good news, but Tian's mother, feeling weak, dismisses the possibility. Then, Yu Qianqian reveals she is two months pregnant. This news delights Tian's mother.
Cheng Zhenzhen emphasizes that Tian's mother needs to recover to help care for her grandchild, reminding her that the baby will need her care. Tian's mother, initially feeling useless, is comforted by Tian Gang and Yu Qianqian, who assure her they will live well and prioritize her recovery over the house, wanting her to babysit. Shao Pengcheng then reveals the "good news" of the youth apartment project, explaining that he and Cheng Zhenzhen had already secured Chairman Shao's approval.
The company will buy Tian's family's house and lease it back to them at the lowest rent, with preferential and discounted buyback rights if they later wish to repurchase it. Tian Gang and Yu Qianqian confirm the details, excited that they can remain in their home, free from fickle landlords or fluctuating rents, and have the option to buy it back.
Tian's mother, deeply touched, expresses profound gratitude, saying Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen have saved both their families and are their benefactors. Shao Pengcheng then officially asks if they are all willing to become Love & Family's first long-term tenants, to which they enthusiastically agree.
