My True Friend Episode 41 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Xi Shan called Xiao Ning to dinner after making chicken soup. Xiao Ning praised her, noting her hard work. Hesitantly, Xiao Ning brought up taking Luo Zu'er to see Shao Pengcheng's house. Xi Shan said she understood, as long as he treated Luo Zu'er like a regular client, especially since Shao Pengcheng needed money to help "Great Love City".
Xiao Ning then mentioned Luo Zu'er didn't know that to buy a house in Shanghai, one needed a purchase indicator, which she lacked. Xi Shan considered Luo Zu'er clueless and thought she was just playing with Xiao Ning. Xiao Ning clarified that Luo Zu'er indeed wanted to find someone to enter into a fake marriage with to purchase the house, and then divorce.
Xi Shan immediately suspected the fake marriage idea was Xiao Ning's, since Luo Zu'er was unaware of purchase indicators. Xiao Ning admitted he thought it wasn't a bad idea, as many people bought houses that way, and contracts could be drawn to clarify responsibilities. Xi Shan firmly declared she didn't care what Luo Zu'er intended, but Xiao Ning could not get involved or sign any such contract.
She reminded him they had just made up and she didn't want to argue again. She urged him to stay away from exploiting policy loopholes, calling such schemes unreliable. Seeing Xi Shan's firm attitude, Xiao Ning perfunctorily claimed he had dropped the idea, stating he only wanted the intermediation fee and hadn't meant to get deeply involved. Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen returned to the Garden store and were surprised to find Jing Ran had moved his office there.
Jing Ran explained it was for convenience and to better communicate with everyone. He expressed his desire to participate in the "Great Love City" project because he found it meaningful, and assured them they shouldn't feel burdened by his help. Cheng Zhenzhen updated Jing Ran, explaining they had found a Republic-era building they hoped to rent long-term, re-design, and renovate into separate units.
She showed him pictures and asked if restoring the apartments would be difficult, but added that the main problem was Mr. Zhong, the owner, had not yet agreed to rent the house. Later that night, Xiao Ning was seen texting Luo Zu'er. Luo Zu'er's message pressed him for a decision on the fake marriage, calling him a "drag." Xiao Ning replied, agreeing to the fake marriage but demanding she keep it a secret.
While Xiao Ning was momentarily away, Xi Shan checked his phone and saw these messages. Distraught, she murmured to herself, questioning if this was still the Xiao Ning she knew and admitting her own naivety. The next day, Xiao Ning excitedly took Xi Shan to view a small apartment he had found through a client.
He enthusiastically described how they could furnish it, imagining it as their own home in Shanghai, with a beautiful city view from the 23rd floor, all made possible if he closed Luo Zu'er's case and earned enough for the down payment. Xi Shan, still reeling from discovering his secret, asked him directly if he was implying that if he completed Luo Zu'er's case, he would have enough for the down payment.
She reiterated that she did not oppose him handling Luo Zu'er's case through normal channels, and would be happy for his commission and for Shao Pengcheng to benefit. However, she adamantly stated that if he resorted to "crooked practice or the likes" for the money, she would absolutely disagree. The following morning, Jing Ran arrived at Mr. Zhong's house alone to examine the property and consider restoration plans, taking photos of the exterior.
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng soon joined him, surprised to see he had come by himself, as Mr. Zhong was known to be reclusive. Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen called out to Mr. Zhong, introducing themselves from Love & Family. They mentioned seeing his paintings, "Lady and The Dog" and "Puppy Qiu Qiu," in the library, and expressed their desire to hear the stories behind them and about the woman depicted, promising not to discuss renting the house.
Mr. Zhong eventually opened the door, scolding them for making noise. Cheng Zhenzhen offered him some daily medication she brought. Shao Pengcheng offered to fix anything in the house, producing his toolbox. Mr. Zhong was suspicious, accusing them of trying to be kind for ulterior motives. He initially told them to leave. Cheng Zhenzhen repeated their promise not to mention the lease, and Shao Pengcheng emphasized they only wished to hear the story.
Shao Pengcheng then introduced Jing Ran as a renowned designer with expertise in Republic-era architecture. Jing Ran also offered his assistance, stating he was there to observe, learn, and help with repairs. Convinced by their earnestness and renewed promise, Mr. Zhong allowed them inside. Inside, Cheng Zhenzhen placed the medication in a cabinet. Jing Ran asked to look around the house, and Mr. Zhong agreed. Shao Pengcheng offered to inspect for repairs with his toolbox.
Shao Pengcheng observed that every room contained paintings of the same girl and puppy, and asked Mr. Zhong to share the story behind them. Mr. Zhong confirmed Shao Pengcheng's observation and began his story, describing a dream he had in his youth. At sixteen, he was an apprentice in Mr. Chen's pharmaceutical factory. Later, he worked in a pharmacy store where he first met Mr. Chen's daughter, Chen Bi Jun, whom he considered the most beautiful girl.
He recounted a moment where she found him drawing, praised his work, and took a drawing despite his offer to create a better one, promising they would meet daily. Mr. Zhong explained how he, a poor apprentice, became friends with the wealthy Miss Chen, though he secretly felt he was unworthy of her. Her presence inspired him to pursue his passion for painting. He described Mr. Chen as a prominent businessman and philanthropist who established scholarships for underprivileged students.
Encouraged by Miss Chen, Mr. Zhong passed the entrance exam for Shanghai's Art School, feeling as though he had found a ladder to success. He dedicated himself to his studies, determined to make himself worthy of Miss Chen. Before his graduation, Miss Chen's family moved to Hong Kong and then to the United States. Mr. Zhong was devastated, feeling he had lost his spirit. He continued his studies, fueled by the hope of her return, which sustained him.
After the founding of the PRC, he continued his art education, drawing daily. He frequently painted Miss Chen and the puppy, fearing he would forget her face. He meticulously captured her every expression and smile, both on canvas and in his heart. Cheng Zhenzhen asked if he ever reunited with Miss Chen. Mr. Zhong replied that he couldn't connect with her in the 1950s and 60s due to external restrictions. He focused on his painting, which gained recognition.
In the early 1980s, after property rights reform, he used his earnings to quickly purchase this house, the former home of Miss Chen's family. He wanted to preserve it for them, hoping they would return and find their home and him still waiting. Cheng Zhenzhen was deeply moved by his story, quoting a poem about enduring love: "In the old days, horses and carriages were slow, missives came from far away. A lifetime was but enough to love one person."
Mr. Zhong then shared the tragic conclusion. In the 1990s, when external connections were restored, he received devastating news: Miss Chen's entire family perished in a shipwreck while sailing from Hong Kong to the United States. He was utterly broken, unable to cope. He tried to force himself to paint, believing it would help him overcome his grief, but when he picked up his brush, he found himself unable to create anything. He realized his artistic journey was over.
He explained that a once-renowned painter had simply vanished from the art world. Now, he guarded the house like the guards of the Imperial tombs, fearful that if its appearance changed, Miss Chen's spirit wouldn't be able to find her way back, or find him. Jing Ran expressed his profound admiration for Mr. Zhong's perseverance, stating that architecture embodies an era's spirit, and the people and objects within a house define its soul.
He assured Mr. Zhong of his ability to restore the house to its original state as it existed in his memories. Shao Pengcheng added that such a house, with its beautiful story, deserved to be preserved forever. Mr. Zhong stated that the house would remain vivid in his memory until his death, and he wished for his spirit and Miss Chen's to reunite within it.
Shao Pengcheng clarified that they intended neither to rent nor buy, but simply to restore the house for him. However, Mr. Zhong gently declined, saying he was old and had no more desires in life, and preferred not to relive those memories. Luo Zu'er's shoe heel suddenly broke while she was walking down the street. She called various friends, but none were available to bring her new shoes. She then decided to call Xiao Ning.
Xiao Ning, who was with Xi Shan at the time, answered the phone. Luo Zu'er immediately told him about her broken shoe and demanded he bring her a size 36 pair right away, promising to text the address. Xiao Ning agreed, telling her he would be there as fast as he could. Xiao Ning then lied to Xi Shan, claiming it was an old client who wanted to see a house immediately.
When Xi Shan offered to accompany him, he insisted it wasn't a "sure thing" and asked her to return to the office to follow up on other cases, saying they were shorthanded. Xi Shan agreed to go back to the office but, still suspicious, hailed a taxi and secretly followed Xiao Ning. She watched as he went into a women's shoe store and asked a salesperson for high heels, specifying they were for a "friend."
