My True Friend Episode 7 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Luo Zuer enjoyed a street food meal with a real estate agent, remarking on its deliciousness. The agent explained that he usually ate sparingly because he was saving to buy a house, a challenging endeavor even for a real estate agent given the high prices. Impressed by his dedication, Luo Zuer unexpectedly offered him the opportunity to find her a top-floor international-style residence, effectively taking her business away from Shao Pengcheng.
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng later joined Bai Auntie and Jing Ran for dinner. Jing Ran thanked them for frequently visiting his mother in his absence, a gesture Cheng Zhenzhen appreciated, while Shao Pengcheng observed with a disdainful look. Bai Auntie offered Cheng Zhenzhen Jing Ran’s favorite fried crab, but Shao Pengcheng quickly claimed it, citing its unhealthy fat and salt content, and proceeded to eat it himself, praising its deliciousness.
He then playfully suggested that if Bai Auntie moved to Italy, she would only have a foreign daughter-in-law's cooking, a remark aimed at stirring trouble for Cheng Zhenzhen. Bai Auntie, however, firmly declared that she had already decided with Jing Ran that her future daughter-in-law must be Chinese, much to Jing Ran’s slight embarrassment. Cheng Zhenzhen, relieved, smiled triumphantly at Shao Pengcheng. Cheng Zhenzhen assured them she would find a buyer for Bai Auntie's house quickly.
Shao Pengcheng added that they had already identified a suitable family, the Yangs, who needed a school district house. Cheng Zhenzhen interjected, noting the Yangs found the house too expensive, leading Shao Pengcheng to ask when they had said that. Bai Auntie encouraged Shao Pengcheng to explain the Yangs’ situation, so he detailed their primary need for a school district and a larger home.
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng then took Mr. and Mrs. Yang and their son, Ivan, to view Bai Auntie’s house. Cheng Zhenzhen highlighted the property’s privacy but cautioned that it might be lonely for children due to a lack of playmates. Mrs. Yang admired the garden and the house’s layout, particularly how it allowed them to entertain guests without disturbing Ivan. Cheng Zhenzhen, however, pointed out that the house was over three million yuan above their budget.
Bai Auntie offered Ivan snacks, observing that he reminded her of a young Jing Ran. While they spoke, Ivan deliberately broke a ceramic model that Jing Ran had made as a child. Mrs. Yang quickly apologized and urged Ivan to do the same. Jing Ran downplayed the incident, saying it was just a model, and Mr. Yang offered to pay for the damage.
Despite their apologies and continued interest, Bai Auntie firmly stated her house was not suitable for their family and suggested they look elsewhere. Back at the Garden Store, Mr. and Mrs. Yang complained to Shao Pengcheng about Bai Auntie's refusal, feeling she had overreacted to a minor incident. Mrs. Yang reiterated their strong desire for the house, believing its school district would give Ivan a competitive edge.
Shao Pengcheng tried to explain the sentimental value of the broken model to the Yangs. Cheng Zhenzhen, however, believed Bai Auntie’s refusal stemmed from deeper reasons than just the broken model. She then advised the Yangs to reconsider the purchase due to the significant financial strain a 30-year mortgage would place on them. Mrs. Yang dismissed her concerns, arguing that a few tens of thousands were easily spent on children’s extracurriculars.
Shao Pengcheng intervened to calm the situation, promising to communicate with Bai Auntie and relay any updates. After the Yangs left, Zeng Huimin scolded Cheng Zhenzhen for her unsolicited advice, reminding her that agents should help clients buy what they want, not dictate their life choices. Cheng Zhenzhen maintained her focus was on the clients' well-being, reiterating that the house was beyond their means, and resolved to find them a more suitable property.
Zeng Huimin then issued a stern warning to both Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng: if they failed to close a deal soon, they would be fired. Later, Jin Dazhong and his mistress Feifei entered the Garden Store. Hao Meili, recognizing a lucrative opportunity, quickly introduced herself. Feifei, after correcting Hao Meili about her marital status, expressed interest in a house, though a school district was not her priority.
Hao Meili immediately thought of Bai Auntie's property, praising its suitability for a successful person like Jin Dazhong. She flirted with him, implying a celebratory meal after the purchase. Feifei was very impressed with the house, finding it far superior to smaller apartments they had seen, and spoke excitedly about having a baby and living there as a family of three.
Sensing Hao Meili's attempt to steal their client, Shao Pengcheng urged Cheng Zhenzhen to call the Yangs back to Bai Auntie's house. Both agent teams arrived at Bai Auntie's simultaneously. Bai Auntie confronted Shao Pengcheng for bringing the Yangs back after her clear refusal. Shao Pengcheng tried to persuade her, downplaying Ivan's previous act, and pointed to Jin Dazhong and Feifei, suggesting she would be "disgusted" to sell to them.
Hao Meili quickly defended her clients, stressing their genuine interest and financial capability, and reminded Bai Auntie that the ultimate decision was hers. Bai Auntie then revealed her true reason for not selling to the Yangs: Ivan did not like her house. She confessed that she had witnessed Ivan deliberately breaking the ceramic model. When Mrs. Yang started to scold her son, Bai Auntie quickly intervened, comforting Ivan and admonishing his parents.
She explained that their approach to parenting, focused on expensive school districts and tutoring, ignored Ivan's true desires. Bai Auntie shared her own regret, noting that Ivan's quiet demeanor reminded her of Jing Ran as a child—outwardly obedient but inwardly distant. She urged the Yangs not to repeat her mistakes and to prioritize their son's happiness. The Yangs, offended by her words, left in anger.
Back at the office, Shao Pengcheng complained to Zeng Huimin about the failed sale, attributing it to the child’s dislike of the house and Bai Auntie’s subsequent refusal. Cheng Zhenzhen, brushing off Shao Pengcheng's grumbling, announced her intention to find a better fit for the Yangs and called Mrs. Yang on the phone, advising her against making a house purchase out of spite. She had found a new listing near a basketball court.
Shao Pengcheng refused to accompany her, feigning a stomach ache, earning him Cheng Zhenzhen’s accusation of laziness. Zeng Huimin reiterated her warning to Shao Pengcheng that both he and Cheng Zhenzhen would be fired if they did not secure a successful deal by the end of the month. Cheng Zhenzhen proceeded alone with the Yangs to the new property in the Yang Alley school district.
While showing them the master and child bedrooms, Mr. Yang expressed disappointment that the school district wasn't as prestigious as Huaishu. Ivan, captivated by the basketball court below, asked if he could play with the children. Cheng Zhenzhen encouraged him to express his feelings, but Mrs. Yang downplayed his interest, claiming he was intelligent and preferred less active pursuits. Eventually, Mrs. Yang allowed Ivan to play for a short while.
Cheng Zhenzhen observed Ivan’s quiet nature and subtly suggested to Mrs. Yang that Ivan's mental well-being should be prioritized. Shao Pengcheng, having arrived, reinforced Cheng Zhenzhen's advice. The Yangs reacted angrily, calling the agents unqualified to give parenting advice and accusing them of implying Ivan had mental health issues. Cheng Zhenzhen clarified her intention was only to advocate for Ivan’s mental health and happiness.
Ivan then bravely told his parents he preferred the new houses because of the basketball court and the children, stating he felt lonely at Bai Auntie's house. He even started speaking English with a girl named Cindy on the court. However, Mr. Yang dismissed Ivan's newfound happiness, claiming that a carefree childhood would hinder his future competitiveness. He declared they would not buy the house and insulted Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng as "lower-class people" before leaving.
Shao Pengcheng stopped Mr. Yang’s car, challenging his definition of love and reiterating that character and a loving relationship were more important than academic achievements. He expressed his dismay at how the Yangs treated Cheng Zhenzhen, who offered advice from the heart without personal gain. Later that night, Shao Pengcheng found a despondent Cheng Zhenzhen staring at a cake in a bakery window.
He gently teased her, comparing her to a cat staring longingly at unreachable food, and apologized for his earlier insensitivity. Cheng Zhenzhen, unwilling to spend money on the expensive cake, led him to a cheaper boba tea shop. During their conversation, Cheng Zhenzhen noticed Shao Pengcheng’s missing watch and deduced he had pawned it to fund Bai Auntie’s house renovation.
Shao Pengcheng admitted it, explaining that he wanted to understand the complex emotions of missing someone, a bittersweet feeling of joy and pain. Cheng Zhenzhen was surprised by his profound reflection and asked who he was missing, sensing his own emotional pain. Shao Pengcheng revealed that his mother, the only person who truly understood him, had passed away three years prior.
He spoke of his strained relationship with his father, who was consumed by business and attempted to control every aspect of his life, a control Shao Pengcheng deeply resented. He then asked Cheng Zhenzhen why she admired Jing Ran, whom he perceived as emotionless. Cheng Zhenzhen defended Jing Ran, calling him "noble," and recounted their first meeting in college. During her graduation dance performance, her classmates played a prank, hiding her shoes. She danced barefoot, injuring her foot.
Jing Ran, four years her senior, found her upset, bandaged her cut, and gifted her a pair of white athletic shoes. He left shortly after, and she never had a chance to properly thank him. Shao Pengcheng remarked that she had loved him unrequitedly for years, but Cheng Zhenzhen hinted that Jing Ran might have been aware of her.
Meanwhile, Jing Ran and Bai Auntie were shopping when they saw Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen at a cold drink stand, laughing and appearing close. Bai Auntie assumed they were dating, expressing a mix of pity and admiration, and asked Jing Ran if he liked girls like Cheng Zhenzhen. Jing Ran quickly replied that Cheng Zhenzhen had nothing to do with him.
