My True Friend Episode 42 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Shao Pengcheng visited his father in the hospital, who felt his mind and body were deteriorating from staying in bed. Shao Pengcheng offered to take him on more walks, but his father preferred to discuss the Great Love City project, expressing a lack of complete assurance in his son's handling of things.
Shao Pengcheng then excitedly shared his comprehensive plan: instead of constructing new buildings, they would lease eight or nine existing small buildings, each with over twenty rooms, and renovate them according to standardized designs created by Jing Ran. He emphasized ensuring functionality and quality, alongside supporting services, predicting an instant success once the initial two hundred-plus apartments were ready. His father was impressed, acknowledging his son's insightful ideas.
He then returned Shao Pengcheng's car keys, believing having his car back would make his work more convenient. Overjoyed, Shao Pengcheng received the keys. His father then produced a bank card, explaining it contained over five million yuan, saved for Shao Pengcheng by his mother since his childhood, intending it as capital for the project. He urged Shao Pengcheng to come to him if he faced any difficulties.
Deeply moved, Shao Pengcheng returned the card, stating he would handle financial matters himself and that his father’s well-being was all he needed to overcome any challenge. His father, touched, thanked him and agreed to hold onto the card. Meanwhile, Xiao Ning arrived with new red shoes for Luo Zuer, who immediately criticized them as ugly but put them on. Spotting a nearby Western restaurant, Luo Zuer suggested they eat there, her treat.
As they walked, the new shoes began to rub Luo Zuer's heels, leaving them chafed. She complained and asked Xiao Ning to piggyback her, which he initially found inappropriate but eventually agreed to, promising to buy her a more comfortable pair of shoes at the restaurant. While on his back, Luo Zuer thanked him, acknowledging that unlike her other friends, he came to her aid without hesitation.
She wondered if she was too spoiled, but Xiao Ning reassured her, calling her "pure and loyal" and saying that a man should be willing to compromise for a woman's temperament. Unbeknownst to them, Xi Shan had followed Xiao Ning and was watching from a distance, her heart breaking and tears streaming down her face as she witnessed their intimacy, seeing that Xiao Ning had lied just to deliver shoes to Luo Zuer.
Later, at the Western restaurant, Luo Zuer expressed her gratitude to Xiao Ning, noting how caring he was, always appearing when she needed him. Xiao Ning mentioned transferring his recent pay into his investment portfolio, which Luo Zuer found impressive, remarking on his reliability. At the Garden store, Jing Ran was diligently working on restoration designs for Mr. Zhong's Republic-era house, confident that his efforts would eventually be useful, even if the house couldn't become youth apartments.
He conveyed to Cheng Zhenzhen that he wanted to fulfill Mr. Zhong's long-held wish and that helping others with meaningful projects made him happy. He now understood that buildings were more than just cold structures; they held warmth and human emotions. Cheng Zhenzhen inquired about Jing Ran's mother, Aunt Bai, and Jing Ran mentioned his mother missed Cheng Zhenzhen, considered her family, and wished her to visit.
Separately, Mu Yunping arrived at Zeng Hui Min’s home with their son, Mu Mu, and a bouquet of flowers, explaining that the nanny was off and suggesting they spend the weekend together as a family. Zeng Hui Min initially ignored him, leading Mu Mu inside and offering him a small sip of Coke. Mu Yunping attempted to apologize, but Zeng Hui Min confronted him, expressing her strong disapproval of his actions.
She couldn't condone him compromising his principles for personal gain and allowing Shao Pengcheng’s project efforts to be fraudulently stolen, especially by joining a rival company. Mu Yunping tried to calm her down, suggesting they not argue in front of their child. Mu Mu, noticing the "Love & Family" logo on Zeng Hui Min’s uniform, innocently asked if she worked there and mentioned how much he liked "Older Sister Zhen Zhen and Big Brother Cheng."
He then asked Zeng Hui Min to take him to Fantawild Amusement Park, lamenting that his father never kept his promises. Zeng Hui Min agreed to take Mu Mu, and they headed to the amusement park. At the amusement park, Mu Yunping, feeling unwell after a ride, continued to seek Zeng Hui Min's forgiveness, asking what he needed to do to make her happy.
Zeng Hui Min, after some thought, informed him that she had decided to stay at Hong Shi not because she condoned his actions, but to supervise him and prevent him from becoming further lost in an environment full of temptations. Overjoyed, Mu Yunping grasped her hand, promising to listen to everything she said, assuring her he would not let her down, and vowing to cherish their relationship.
Later, Shao Pengcheng was called back to the office by Cheng Zhenzhen, receiving an encouraging remark from his father about his newfound maturity as he left the hospital. At the Garden store, Cheng Zhenzhen showed him a reply to their online post. The message, from a "Peter Yu" in Seattle, claimed that the dog in the posted paintings matched one in a painting in his grandmother's bedroom.
Shao Pengcheng quickly deduced that Peter Yu was likely an American-born Chinese with a Chinese surname, hinting at a connection to Miss Chen's family. He immediately called the provided Seattle number. Peter Yu confirmed that his grandmother, whose maiden name was Chen and who later became Mrs. Yu after marriage, had brought the painting from China to the US decades ago.
Excited, Shao Pengcheng asked if her full name was Chen Bi Jun and if she was the model for the painting. Peter Yu, in turn, inquired about the promised reward. Shao Pengcheng assured him they would fulfill any reasonable request but first asked for a photo of the painting for confirmation.
He shared his strong belief with Cheng Zhenzhen that Peter Yu’s grandmother was indeed the Miss Chen whom Mr. Zhong believed to be deceased, attributing the misunderstanding to limited communication in the 1990s. When Peter Yu sent the photo, Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen excitedly confirmed it was the correct painting and embraced. Shao Pengcheng promptly called Peter Yu back, offering him Bulls-colored Jordan 11 sneakers and NBA Finals tickets, which delighted Peter Yu.
Shao Pengcheng then requested more details about the painting's history. That evening, Shao Pengcheng drove Cheng Zhenzhen home. He reflected on their first meeting, recalling how they had quarreled in the rain while he was driving this very car, marveling at how fate had brought them together after so many challenges.
As Cheng Zhenzhen prepared to go inside, Shao Pengcheng asked her to stay a little longer to listen to just one song, emphasizing that being with her dispelled his exhaustion from the day. She agreed to stay for one song. Meanwhile, Xiao Ning, returning home to find Xi Shan missing, repeatedly called her without success. He then called Cheng Zhenzhen, who also didn't know Xi Shan’s whereabouts, asking if they had fought again.
Xi Shan was at a restaurant, drinking alone and crying, receiving kind advice from the owner to drink less. Eventually, the restaurant owner's wife called Xiao Ning, informing him that Xi Shan was drunk there, prompting him to rush to pick her up.
