Mysterious Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Mysterious Love Synopsis
Quirky and spirited stage actress Ruan Nianchu unexpectedly crosses paths with the handsome and intelligent yet aloof Li Teng. In a moment of crisis, Li Teng rescues Ruan Nianchu from danger, and mutual affection begins to blossom. However, their lives follow different paths, leading to their separation.
Five years later, a chance reunion disrupts Ruan Nianchu’s peaceful life. As their feelings quickly reignite, they face numerous obstacles. After overcoming repeated misunderstandings and crises, Li Teng and Ruan Nianchu choose to stand together against all odds, ultimately exposing the villain’s schemes and returning to a life of ordinary happiness.
Mysterious Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Ruan Nianchu, a spirited stage actress, wept profusely during a play rehearsal at the Morninglight Troupe. Her male co-star, frustrated, couldn't understand her intense emotion, as the script clearly stated the male protagonist was only faking his death. He admonished her for not sticking to the script. Ruan Nianchu, wiping her tears, retorted that his acting wasn't convincing enough, which the actor took as an insult, further infuriating him.
Sensing the tension, Ruan Nianchu proposed ending the rehearsal, and the troupe head, Mr. Zhao, concurred, dismissing everyone. Ruan Nianchu's deep emotion stemmed from reliving a memory of her first love, a man named Lee, from when she was twenty. As everyone dispersed, she gazed out the window, reflecting that as an actress, she portrays others' joys and sorrows, and she firmly believes that if an ending isn't good, then it simply isn't the true ending yet.
Her contemplation was interrupted by Dai Jie, who arrived with a bouquet. They moved to a cafe, where Dai Jie, a finance professional, mentioned he saw her "single again" social media post and was clearly interested. However, Ruan Nianchu promptly recommended her best friend, Qiao Yufei, to him, even sending him Qiao Yufei's WeChat contact. Dai Jie was taken aback, confused as he believed he was on a blind date with Ruan Nianchu.
Before he could press further, Ruan Nianchu spotted a figure outside strikingly similar to Lee. Without a word of farewell, she rushed into the rain after him. The pursuit was futile; the man was not Lee. Yet, Ruan Nianchu remained steadfast in her conviction that Lee was still alive. Later, Qiao Yufei arrived at Ruan Nianchu's home, complaining that the constant stream of blind dates Ruan Nianchu arranged for her was overwhelming.
Qiao Yufei then announced her decision to become an online novelist, prioritizing her creative endeavors over inheriting her family's wealth. She handed Ruan Nianchu her manuscript for a novel titled "Ruan Nianjiu," which Ruan Nianchu was shocked to discover was a fictionalized account of her own life. The story detailed the protagonist's experience five years prior as a university senior in Tai City, where she was bullied by an actress named Li Hongyan.
One evening, the protagonist accidentally stumbled upon a gangster's transaction and was thrown into the ocean. Unable to swim, she was rescued by the heroic male lead, Lee. Qiao Yufei expressed envy for Ruan Nianchu's dramatic love story. Qiao Yufei's narrative evoked painful memories for Ruan Nianchu of that year, when Lee had saved her from a near-assault.
Qiao Yufei admitted she hadn't conceived an ending for her novel, recalling Ruan Nianchu had once said the hero sacrificed himself for the heroine. Ruan Nianchu sarcastically suggested the heroine would then lead a mundane nine-to-five life. Qiao Yufei, however, saw through her pretense, pointing out that if Ruan Nianchu truly believed that, she wouldn't so carefully tend to a pot of forget-me-nots, whose flower language is "please don't forget me."
Qiao Yufei then directly asked if Ruan Nianchu still missed Lee. Determined to save her wilting forget-me-not, Ruan Nianchu sought help from Mr. Zhao, who promised to revive it. He then informed her that their play, "Li Ke Chu Lian," would have to be postponed because the signed actress, Li Xiaoyan, was now too busy. Concerned about the troupe's reputation, Ruan Nianchu insisted on finding her.
Mr. Zhao, revealing he was the chairman of Li Xiaoyan's fan club, gave Ruan Nianchu her location. Ruan Nianchu arrived at a brand's celebration party where Li Xiaoyan was renewing a contract but was stopped for lacking an invitation. She called Qiao Yufei, revealing that Li Xiaoyan was the same Li Hongyan who had caused her to fall into the water five years ago.
Despite her personal dislike for Li Xiaoyan, Qiao Yufei agreed to help, separating personal feelings from professional duties. Once inside, Ruan Nianchu approached Li Xiaoyan, who feigned ignorance and instructed security to remove the "strange person." In a bold move, Ruan Nianchu seized a microphone and, with a camera on her, launched into effusive praise for Li Xiaoyan.
She then sensationally announced that Li Xiaoyan, to support the theater market, had agreed to a low-paying role in the play "Li Ke Chu Lian," publicly forcing her hand. Trapped, Li Xiaoyan forced a smile, took the microphone, and briefly played along. Afterwards, she coolly told Ruan Nianchu she'd never seen the contract and that her agent handled such matters, implying she had no intention of performing.
As Li Xiaoyan prepared to leave, she called for "Mr. Li" to take her home. Ruan Nianchu saw the man and cried out, "Lee! It's you!" Li Xiaoyan, surprised, asked the man, Li Teng, if they knew each other. Li Teng looked coldly at Ruan Nianchu and stated, "Miss, you have the wrong person." When she insisted, he advised her to drink less. Li Xiaoyan interjected that his name was Li Teng. Undeterred, Ruan Nianchu produced the contract.
In response, Li Xiaoyan nonchalantly tossed it into the swimming pool, taunting Ruan Nianchu about whether she had learned to swim. Driven by desperation, Ruan Nianchu declared she would retrieve the contract if it meant Li Xiaoyan would participate, a challenge Li Xiaoyan accepted. Ruan Nianchu then jumped into the pool and retrieved the soaked document. Li Xiaoyan, feigning surprise that she was only joking, then promised to honor her word.
Later, an excited Mr. Zhao called Ruan Nianchu, confirming that Li Xiaoyan had agreed to perform. He relayed Li Xiaoyan's bizarre lie that they had a "good chat" and "swam together happily," praising Ruan Nianchu's incredible skill. A vivid flashback reveals a memory from five years prior. To save Ruan Nianchu from his men, Lee pretended to assault her. Underneath a blanket, he was secretly doing push-ups while she feigned distress.
After his men, told not to touch "Lee's woman," left, Lee also departed. Back in the present, Ruan Nianchu was lost in thought when Li Teng's car pulled up. Her heart quickened with hope, but the sight of Li Xiaoyan in the back seat extinguished it.
Inside the car, Li Xiaoyan commented on Li Teng's sharp vision for recognizing Ruan Nianchu in the dark and hinted at her desire to sit in his front passenger seat, a known aversion of his. Li Teng curtly dismissed her, stating he didn't discuss personal matters during work. When she threatened to change security teams, he simply told her to do as she pleased. Meanwhile, Mr. Zhao, while repotting Ruan Nianchu's forget-me-not, discovered a small, coin-shaped USB drive.
Intrigued, he plugged it into his phone, but seeing no change, he assumed it was broken and tucked it into his wallet. Ruan Nianchu recounted her encounter with Li Teng to Qiao Yufei, who, applying online novel logic, theorized he must have been reborn, time-traveled, or have amnesia. Ruan Nianchu dismissed these fantasies, declaring her intent to start a new life. As they chatted, her mother sent a WeChat contact for another blind date.
The username, "0714," struck Ruan Nianchu with a sense of familiarity, reminding her of numbers she had seen on Lee's belongings five years ago. Donning a red dress, Ruan Nianchu arrived at the designated meeting place. Upon seeing the person waiting, she was stunned, for her blind date was none other than Li Teng.
Episode 2 Recap
Following up on their blind date, Ruan Nianchu was surprised to find Li Teng waiting for her. She initially apologized, believing she was in the wrong place, but Li Teng confirmed he was indeed her date. During their conversation, Ruan Nianchu was relieved to learn from Li Teng that his relationship with Li Xiaoyan was strictly professional.
However, when she asked if he had ever heard of a man named "Lee," Li Teng became annoyed, stating he was not a substitute for anyone. He then inquired about her WeChat name, "0714," to which she replied that it was also the day she met Lee. This further irritated Li Teng, who reiterated his point and warned her against trying to find a past lover's shadow in him.
As Li Teng drove Ruan Nianchu home, she initially tried to sit in the back seat, but he insisted she sit in the front, physically lifting her into the passenger seat when she refused. In the car, she admitted to being on the blind date to appease her mother. Before getting out, Ruan Nianchu deliberately left her cushion in the car and invited Li Teng for a return meal.
He declined, citing security work for an art exhibition the next day, but then provided her with the event's location and time, subtly inviting her to come. After he drove off without watching her go inside, she muttered her disappointment. Ruan Nianchu's parents, who had been secretly observing from their window, were thrilled to see her being driven home, calling it a "historical breakthrough" for her dating life.
Later, Ruan Nianchu received a WeChat message from Li Teng with a picture of the cushion she had left in his car. Delighted by the contact, she replied, offering to treat him to a meal. Though Li Teng declined, he immediately followed up by sending her the location and time for the art exhibition. Ruan Nianchu arrived at the exhibition and encountered Li Xiaoyan, who condescendingly assumed Ruan Nianchu was there to hound her about a rehearsal.
Li Xiaoyan’s attitude shifted to irritation when she saw Ruan Nianchu being personally welcomed by Li Teng's staff. Inside, Ruan Nianchu was introduced to Li Teng's security team—the serious Liu Xiaowei, the action-oriented Shitou, and the overly enthusiastic He Hu, who immediately addressed her as "Mrs. Li." A flustered Ruan Nianchu quickly denied the title, but they laughingly dismissed her protest as shyness.
After Li Teng gave a speech about the exhibition's security, he was intercepted by Li Xiaoyan, who feigned a chance encounter and asked to retrieve a powder compact she claimed to have left in his car. Ruan Nianchu, overhearing this, was privately amused. Li Teng coldly told Li Xiaoyan they had no reason to meet outside of work, then walked over to Ruan Nianchu and returned her cushion in front of the seething actress.
Infuriated, Li Xiaoyan accused Ruan Nianchu of using tricks to land a rich man. Li Teng immediately corrected her, declaring, "I'm the one pursuing Ruan Nianchu," before taking Ruan Nianchu's hand and leading her away, leaving Li Xiaoyan stunned. Li Teng took Ruan Nianchu to a beach, where she proposed they try dating, reasoning that since they didn't dislike each other, it would be a good start.
Li Teng correctly perceived her true motive was to test if he was "Lee," but he agreed to her proposal. Meanwhile, Ruan Nianchu's friend, Qiao Yufei, was struggling to park her car when a handsome man named Jiang Hao kindly helped her. Before she could get his contact information, he rushed off to take an important call. Later, Qiao Yufei excitedly told Ruan Nianchu about her "Prince Charming."
She was shocked to learn that Ruan Nianchu, who had avoided romance for five years, had not only started dating Li Teng after one meeting but had also been the one to suggest it. Ruan Nianchu confessed her goal was to confirm if he was Lee.
As a self-proclaimed expert, Qiao Yufei suggested several methods: bringing up old memories, which Ruan Nianchu said had already failed; getting a DNA sample, which was impractical; and finally, looking for physical marks like scars. This triggered a memory for Ruan Nianchu of Lee having an injury on his waist that she had personally bandaged.
Simultaneously, one of Li Teng's subordinates reported that the leader of the criminal organization they were tracking was a man named Daen, the son of the boss killed in an explosion five years ago. They also discussed a coin containing a chip with a locator, which everyone had believed was destroyed in the same explosion. The signal had been briefly triggered from Ruan Nianchu's theater troupe, leading them to conclude she had unintentionally brought it back from Tai City.
Recognizing the danger, Li Teng resolved to retrieve the coin before Daen could discover its location. At home, Ruan Nianchu was carefully applying makeup for her date when Li Teng called, telling her to be downstairs in ten minutes and not to bother with makeup. Protesting that she needed it to face people, she quickly finished and rushed down. She was surprised to find Li Teng with a little girl named Xingxing. Seeing them together, Ruan Nianchu blurted out, "Is this your daughter?"
Episode 3 Recap
After deciding to leave Ruan Nianchu once he obtains the chip, Li Teng’s colleague questions if he truly intends to never reconcile with her. Li Teng affirms that he is Li Teng, not Lee, and that he will depart after his mission is complete. Despite having thought about Ruan Nianchu for five years and being meticulous about his appearance for their first meeting, he is resolute in not disrupting her life any further.
Li Teng arrives at the amusement park with Jiang Xingxing, his colleague Jiang Hao's daughter. Jiang Xingxing immediately shows a strong attachment to Li Teng, calling him "Brother Li Teng" while addressing Ruan Nianchu as "Auntie Ruan." She insists on sitting next to Li Teng, declaring that she is a princess and he is her prince, who cannot have a girlfriend.
When Ruan Nianchu explains that a new prince will appear when she grows up, and Li Teng will seem "old and fat," Jiang Xingxing adamantly refutes it. Later, she asks Li Teng to take photos of her with a kitten-ear filter but refuses to photograph Ruan Nianchu, claiming her pose is "out of fashion." Later, after subtly asking Li Teng about tattoos, Ruan Nianchu "accidentally" spills water on his shirt, apologizing profusely.
The act allows her to see a scar on his abdomen, confirming her suspicion. Aware of her intentions, Li Teng teases her, suggesting they get a hotel room so she can "take her time" looking at his body. Ruan Nianchu is flustered and objects, stating that she minds such a suggestion. His casual demeanor contrasts sharply with her memory of Lee, making her even more determined to make him admit his identity himself.
At the park, Jiang Xingxing begins to cry upon seeing Ruan Nianchu's best friend, Qiao Yufei, wearing an identical "Ice Princess" dress, wailing that there can't be two in the world. The commotion leads to a reunion. Ruan Nianchu teases Qiao Yufei about her recent crush on a "parking lot prince charming" while having Dai Jie around. Qiao Yufei clarifies that Dai Jie is now her "male best friend" and exclusive photographer due to his excellent skills.
Qiao Yufei then warns Ruan Nianchu about the difficulties of being a stepmother, which Ruan Nianchu dismisses by explaining the situation. Ruan Nianchu confides in her friend that while she has confirmed Li Teng is the man who saved her, he has changed since they first met. A shooting game ensues, with Ruan Nianchu, Li Teng, and Jiang Xingxing competing against Qiao Yufei and Dai Jie for a snow doll that Jiang Xingxing covets.
During the competition, Ruan Nianchu convinces a reluctant Jiang Xingxing to call her "sister" instead of "auntie." As Li Teng begins to teach her how to shoot, the familiar posture and instructions trigger Ruan Nianchu's memories of Lee teaching her five years ago—an incident where the gun's recoil caused her to touch his wound. The resurfaced memory solidifies her resolve. Li Teng patiently guides her hands, instructing her to aim and pull the trigger.
After leaving the park, Li Teng carries the sleeping Jiang Xingxing to Jiang Hao's home. He turns down Jiang Hao's dinner invitation but mentions that he will bring Ruan Nianchu over on the weekend to teach Jiang Xingxing how to play the keyboard. In the car, Ruan Nianchu confronts him, asking how he knew she could play the piano and accusing him of constantly scheming. She directly asks why he refuses to admit he is Lee.
Li Teng counters by asking if she has remained single for five years because she is still thinking of Lee, a question she leaves unanswered. Li Teng then drives her to a hospital, where they observe a woman, He Lihua, restrained and crying out for someone named "Xia Fei." Li Teng respectfully calls her "sister-in-law." A doctor explains her unstable condition.
Li Teng reveals to Ruan Nianchu that Xia Fei was Jiang Xingxing's biological father, a comrade who was killed in action. The shock caused his wife, He Lihua, to have a mental breakdown, to the point where she doesn't even remember giving birth to her daughter. He explains that on a past visit, He Lihua had a moment of calm when she saw Jiang Xingxing and hummed a song Xia Fei used to sing to her.
This inspired Xingxing to learn the song on the piano for her mother. Understanding his true intentions, Ruan Nianchu agrees to teach Jiang Xingxing and keep the family's situation a secret. She also realizes Li Teng's reluctance to admit his past stems from a fear that she could suffer a similar tragic fate to He Lihua. Grateful for his return to her life, she bids him goodnight.
Moments later, Li Teng receives a text from Jiang Hao about the ongoing mission for the chip. Li Teng replies that the search must now include not only the Morninglight Troupe but also Ruan Nianchu's home. The next day, Li Teng visits Ruan Nianchu's home and meets her parents. After he formally introduces himself, sharing details about his age, hometown, and security company, her parents go to the kitchen to prepare fruit.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Teng scans the living room and spots a jar of game coins. He inspects it but doesn't find the chip. Just then, Ruan Nianchu emerges from the bathroom and is shocked to see him there. Li Teng calmly reminds her that he told her the previous night he would come to pick her up.
Episode 4 Recap
Two years ago, Li Teng received a message indicating that the Daen organization was aware he was still alive. Jiang Hao cautioned Li Teng that they were not yet prepared, and if he were to approach Ruan Nianchu, she would be in danger. This forced Li Teng to keep his distance, his deep affection for her expressed only through his watchful gaze from afar.
One morning, Ruan Nianchu was startled to discover Li Teng in her living room, having been let in by her mother. Feeling embarrassed about her appearance, she protested her mother’s decision, but her mother defended Li Teng, who explained he was there to pick her up to retrieve her keyboard from the troupe.
As they headed out, Ruan Nianchu remarked that she didn't feel like his girlfriend, prompting Li Teng to playfully suggest she remember to settle the "car fare" at the end of the month. Ruan Nianchu drifted off to sleep in the car, and Li Teng watched her. Upon arriving at the Xiwei Troupe, Ruan Nianchu expressed dismay that Li Teng had parked directly outside.
Her colleagues quickly noticed the distinctive vehicle, recognizing it as Li Xiaoyan's car, and began to excitedly speculate about a "bossy president love triangle" involving Ruan Nianchu, Li Xiaoyan, and Li Teng. Ruan Nianchu went to the warehouse to retrieve her electronic keyboard, while Li Teng, hoping to find the chip, also entered the office area. Ruan Nianchu's colleagues followed Li Teng into the office.
After locating her electronic keyboard, Ruan Nianchu emerged from the warehouse to find Li Teng warmly conversing with the troupe director, Mr. Zhao, and her co-workers. Mr. Zhao enthusiastically invited Li Teng to join them for a hot pot lunch. During the meal, Li Teng shared that his first encounter with Ruan Nianchu was an accident. Mr. Zhao then brought up Ruan Nianchu's forget-me-not plant, noting its recent revival, which he attributed to the "magic of love."
He mentioned that Ruan Nianchu had carefully preserved the flowers, which she had brought back from Tai City five years prior. Ruan Nianchu tried to claim the flowers were from a neighbor, Lady Axin, but Li Teng recalled her thanking him for them. Realizing its significance, Li Teng requested to take the plant. Mr. Zhao playfully highlighted the connection between them, pointing out how the name of their new play, "Li Ke Chu Lian," contained Li Teng's surname.
Li Teng then asked to review the script. Feeling flustered, Ruan Nianchu quickly departed. After taking the forget-me-not plant, Li Teng and Jiang Hao meticulously searched it for the hidden chip. Jiang Hao asked if Li Teng planned to end his relationship with Ruan Nianchu once the chip was found. Li Teng confirmed this, explaining that he could not allow another tragedy like those involving He Lihua and her daughter Xia Xingxing to occur.
He felt that leaving Ruan Nianchu was the only way to ensure her safety. Jiang Hao surmised that Li Teng might be planning a return to Tai City. Despite their diligent search, they failed to locate the chip within the plant. Jiang Hao optimistically remarked that this was a favorable development, as it would extend the time Li Teng and Ruan Nianchu spent together.
Shortly after, Li Teng received a text message from Ruan Nianchu inviting him to Qiao Yufei's birthday celebration. Hoping for a lead on the chip, he promptly accepted. Separately, Qiao Yufei confided in Ruan Nianchu about her desire for Jiang Hao, her "parking Prince Charming," to attend her birthday party. She also lamented that her crown had been broken at the amusement park.
Concurrently, Xingxing informed Li Teng and Jiang Hao that a "bad aunt" at the amusement park had damaged her princess crown. Hearing this, Jiang Hao promised to buy her a new one. While attempting to purchase a "custom Icy Princess crown" for Xingxing, Jiang Hao serendipitously encountered Qiao Yufei, who had just acquired the very last one.
Thrilled to see her "parking Prince Charming," Qiao Yufei offered him the crown if he would give her his WeChat ID and attend her birthday party. However, just as they were finalizing the arrangement, Jiang Hao received an urgent phone call and had to leave immediately, so the exchange never happened. Jiang Hao was unable to attend Qiao Yufei's birthday party because Xingxing had developed a fever. At the party, the guests played Truth or Dare.
When Ruan Nianchu lost a round, her friends dared her to kiss Li Teng. To avoid the situation, she chose the alternative penalty of drinking three glasses. Seeing her reluctance, Li Teng stepped forward and drank the shots for her. The gesture created an awkward atmosphere, as Li Teng was clearly not prepared for a kiss. Unbeknownst to them, someone in an adjacent private room was secretly observing them.
Deeply disappointed by Jiang Hao's absence, Qiao Yufei lingered at her party long after everyone else had left, hoping he might still appear. Heavily intoxicated, she tearfully expressed her dismay at being stood up, lamenting that she didn't even wear the special crown she had purchased. She advised Ruan Nianchu against taking relationships too seriously, lest she experience similar heartbreak.
The following day was the premiere of the play "Li Ke Chu Lian," and Ruan Nianchu reminded Qiao Yufei to attend. After dropping off Qiao Yufei, Ruan Nianchu and Li Teng walked home together. Li Teng asked Ruan Nianchu about her perspective on relationships. She expressed her disagreement with Qiao Yufei's jaded view, asserting that love necessitates genuine seriousness. In turn, she asked Li Teng what type of woman he liked.
He simply stated he liked "a girl who likes to laugh." Ruan Nianchu, however, was direct, telling him that she liked men "like him." As Li Teng tenderly reached to brush a strand of hair from her face, the atmosphere grew intimate, and he leaned in, seemingly about to kiss her.
Episode 5 Recap
Ruan Nianchu desperately ran, trying to escape from an attacker who pursued her. She pleaded with him to let her go, warning him that she belonged to Li Teng. The man dismissed her warning, questioning if she truly believed she was Li Teng's woman just because he had slept with her. As he lunged at Ruan Nianchu, Li Teng arrived, stepping on the assailant's hand and demanding to know which hand he had used to grab her.
Furious, the attacker accused Li Teng of betraying their long-standing bond for a woman. After subduing the man, Li Teng found Ruan Nianchu and urged her not to move, claiming she was in a minefield and would die if she lifted her foot. When she expressed fear, he instructed her to keep her foot firmly planted. Ruan Nianchu complained her foot was getting numb and suggested he find a stone to hold her place, but he was only teasing her.
He revealed the truth: they were being watched, and her only chance of survival was to stay with him, as the entire jungle was Tuva's territory, filled with roadblocks and constantly patrolled by drones. Li Teng then gently fixed her disheveled hair. Li Teng did not kiss Ruan Nianchu after taking her home, his mind in turmoil.
He decided that leaving her was the only way to protect her, determined to prevent any tragic outcomes like those that befell Xia Xingxing and He Lihua. Meanwhile, backstage at the Morninglight Troupe, Qiao Yufei visited Ruan Nianchu, vowing to find her "parking lot prince charming," Jiang Hao, no matter where he was. Ruan Nianchu confided in Qiao Yufei about Li Teng suddenly stopping their kiss the previous night.
Qiao Yufei bluntly wondered if Li Teng might be gay, a notion Ruan Nianchu quickly dismissed, though she admitted he seemed burdened whenever they were together. Qiao Yufei then offered Ruan Nianchu a step-by-step plan for their next date to test his interest: create a romantic atmosphere, initiate subtle physical contact, gaze at him with affection, and finally, close her eyes naturally.
Preoccupied with thoughts of Ruan Nianchu, Li Teng confirmed his decision to separate from her in a phone call with Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao couldn't attend Ruan Nianchu's performance because he was home caring for a sick Xingxing, who was upset about a previously unfulfilled promise for a crown. Jiang Hao promised to buy her one after she took her medicine.
He then asked Li Teng if he truly intended to end things with Ruan Nianchu once he retrieved the coin from the theater, and Li Teng reaffirmed that it was for her protection. At the theater, Li Teng approached the troupe leader, Mr. Zhao, asking for an item hidden in a forget-me-not pot.
As Mr. Zhao retrieved a silver coin, a mysterious woman who had also infiltrated the office caused him to fumble and drop it, seizing the opportunity to surreptitiously swap the real coin with a fake one. After Ruan Nianchu's play, "Li Ke Chu Lian," concluded successfully, Li Teng received the swapped, fake coin from Mr. Zhao.
After the performance, Li Xiaoyan confronted Ruan Nianchu backstage but was put in her place by a sharp exchange involving Li Teng and Qiao Yufei. Li Teng made it clear to Li Xiaoyan they would not work together again. Seeing the tension, Li Teng suggested he and Ruan Nianchu celebrate the successful show. Qiao Yufei, declining to be a "third wheel," left to find her "prince charming."
Li Teng then took Ruan Nianchu to a special place, explaining that he was grateful to Li Xiaoyan, as her difficult demands five years ago led to their first meeting in Tai City. They arrived at a snack street Ruan Nianchu had mentioned back then, and Li Teng's excellent memory impressed her. Following Qiao Yufei's advice for a potential kiss, Ruan Nianchu refused to eat pungent foods like stinky tofu and durian pancakes.
When her attempts at casual physical contact failed, she changed tactics and asked Li Teng to teach her self-defense for her own peace of mind, as she often rehearsed late. Elsewhere, after arranging for Xingxing's care, Jiang Hao left to buy the promised crown. At the same time, Qiao Yufei was at a hotel trying to find him, and the two narrowly missed crossing paths. Later, Li Teng led Ruan Nianchu to his practice spot to teach her self-defense.
He demonstrated a move, embracing her to show her how to exert force to escape. The close contact made Ruan Nianchu incredibly nervous, and when it was her turn to practice by hugging him, Li Teng also felt a hint of nervousness. Despite the perfect atmosphere, he controlled himself and did not kiss her. As they stood up, Ruan Nianchu tentatively asked Li Teng if he had wanted to kiss her the previous night. Before she could finish, Li Teng, unable to hold back any longer, pulled her close and kissed her deeply.
Episode 6 Recap
Washa sat drinking alone, her thoughts on her next move now that she possessed the coin. A flashback to five years prior in Tai City revealed Washa confronting Ruan Nianchu, accusing her of being a mole responsible for their disrupted transactions. Li Teng stepped in to protect Ruan Nianchu, firmly stating he would discipline his own woman. Unfazed, Washa provocatively expressed a desire to take Ruan Nianchu away, but another man intervened, advising Washa against quarreling with an outsider.
In the present, Li Teng sent the coin he had received for deciphering, his mind replaying the intimate kiss he shared with Ruan Nianchu. Meanwhile, Ruan Nianchu and Qiao Yufei were at a beauty salon. Qiao Yufei noted Ruan Nianchu's evident happiness, humorously lamenting her own continued search for her "parking lot prince." When Qiao Yufei playfully questioned the extent of their intimacy, Ruan Nianchu blushingly insisted Li Teng had only taught her some self-defense techniques.
Jiang Hao approached Li Teng, mistakenly believing he had broken up with Ruan Nianchu and asking how she had reacted. Li Teng remained evasive. Jiang Hao then volunteered for the dangerous mission to the heavily guarded Daen base in Tai City once the coin was deciphered, suggesting Li Teng use the time to win Ruan Nianchu back. Li Teng cryptically explained that only "the dead" with a new identity could enter the base, hinting at his own past as "Lee."
Relieved to learn they hadn't broken up, Jiang Hao was still met with Li Teng's uncertainty about their relationship's future. Upon discovering the coin was a fake, Li Teng immediately contacted an old acquaintance. That acquaintance was Washa. Receiving Li Teng's call, she feigned surprise at his urgency to meet and promised to send the details.
Simultaneously, Ruan Nianchu received a call from a "reporter" named Li Wen from Huawen News, who praised her performance and requested an immediate interview at a hotel. Excited, Ruan Nianchu agreed. Qiao Yufei, uneasy about the hotel venue, insisted on accompanying her for safety. While waiting at the hotel, Ruan Nianchu grew anxious over Li Teng's silence. Encouraged by Qiao Yufei to be proactive, she texted him, receiving a brief reply that he was busy.
Moments later, Qiao Yufei spotted Li Teng entering the same hotel. Sensing a setup, she convinced Ruan Nianchu to follow him to room 902. Inside, a provocatively dressed Washa awaited Li Teng. He immediately demanded the real coin. Washa playfully deflected, stating her only interest was in him. She confessed to stealing the coin five years ago after a transaction, placing it in Ruan Nianchu's flowerpot to frame her.
Washa revealed she had created the identical fake, implying deep knowledge of its secrets, and boasted that the Daen organization would value her information more than the coin itself. She then declared her entire scheme was never about the transaction, but solely about him. Having pieced together the deception, Ruan Nianchu burst in. Washa, unfazed, mockingly addressed her as "Reporter Li Wen," confirming her role in the scheme. Ruan Nianchu defiantly stated that Washa's ploys would not succeed.
After Washa left, Qiao Yufei warned Li Teng never to betray Ruan Nianchu's trust. Li Teng, grateful for Ruan Nianchu's faith in him, still wished to shield her from the coin's dangerous complexities. Determined to learn more, Ruan Nianchu questioned Mr. Zhao, the troupe leader. He eventually revealed that on premiere night, Li Teng had retrieved an item from him, which was connected to a "Thunderbolt chip" and had previously attracted a thief to his office.
Qiao Yufei tried to connect the dots between the coin, Li Teng, Washa, and their shared past. Deciding to get answers from Li Teng's close associate, she arranged to meet Jiang Hao, planning to get him drunk. Upon his arrival, Qiao Yufei was ecstatic to realize he was her "parking lot prince." She ordered a massive amount of alcohol, but her interrogation quickly devolved into a personal fact-finding mission, learning his name, age, marital status, and position at Hyntai Security.
The evening ended with a completely inebriated Qiao Yufei, whom Ruan Nianchu entrusted to a bewildered Jiang Hao to take home. That night, Li Teng told Ruan Nianchu he had work to do and would pick her up the next day, leaving her to puzzle over the coin's mystery. Meanwhile, Washa confirmed to an accomplice that while her hotel setup had failed to expose Ruan Nianchu, her goal was to plant a seed of discord between the couple.
The next morning, Qiao Yufei awoke from a dream of kissing Jiang Hao to find his daughter, Xingxing, staring at her. Xingxing immediately called her "vicious aunt" and accused her of using a hangover as a ploy to pursue her father. Qiao Yufei boldly declared she was indeed interested in Jiang Hao.
Later, Jiang Hao, perhaps fearing he would hold her back, gently rejected Qiao Yufei, telling her she was a wonderful person who deserved someone more suitable and shouldn't waste her time on him, leaving her feeling as if she'd been dumped. While Li Teng was driving Ruan Nianchu to work, she pressed him again about the coin, its connection to the past, and why he needed it so badly. Li Teng's demeanor shifted drastically.
He became intensely agitated, sternly warning her to stop investigating and emphatically stating that the coin had nothing to do with her. His harsh tone left Ruan Nianchu visibly shaken and silent.
Episode 7 Recap
The episode revisits a past incident where Ruan Nianchu jumped into a pool to retrieve a contract. While Li Teng appeared indifferent to the commotion, he was deeply concerned and secretly signaled Jiang Hao to rescue her. The next day, Ruan Nianchu gets out of Li Teng’s car with a cold expression, and her colleague Shiqi notices the apparent tension between them.
Their conversation is interrupted by a provocative call from Washa, who offers to reveal what she and Li Teng discussed if Ruan Nianchu meets her alone. Intrigued, Ruan Nianchu asks Shiqi to request leave for her and sends a message to Li Teng, asking him to meet her at the same location. At the dock, Ruan Nianchu, despite her fear of water, confronts Washa.
Washa presents a small coin, claiming it is the sole reason Li Teng re-approached Ruan Nianchu after five years. She reveals that the coin contains a chip whose positioning system was activated when Li Teng first contacted her. Washa taunts Ruan Nianchu, calling her a possessive burden and asserting that she doesn’t truly know the new Li Teng, who is different from the man she knew five years ago. Ruan Nianchu retorts that she trusts Li Teng to explain everything.
As their argument escalates, Li Teng and Jiang Hao arrive with reinforcements. Seeing the odds turn against her, Washa jumps into the water and escapes. Ruan Nianchu confronts Li Teng with the coin, asking if he only approached her for it. His evasive apology for involving her, rather than a direct answer, devastates her. Heartbroken by his lack of transparency, she returns the coin and ends their relationship.
Ruan Nianchu seeks solace with Qiao Yufei, unable to stop her tears as she is flooded with memories of Li Teng. She explains to Qiao Yufei that the breakup was necessary because Li Teng never trusted her enough to share his plans, which is not the relationship she waited five years for. Qiao Yufei supports her decision. Meanwhile, a distraught Li Teng takes out his frustration on a punching bag.
Jiang Hao reminds him that their fallen comrades would not want to see him so dejected. Regaining his focus, Li Teng instructs Jiang Hao to give the chip to He Hu and retrieve all the transaction data within it. He then recalls his arduous recovery three years ago from severe muscle atrophy after a ship explosion, a process fueled only by his sheer willpower. Jiang Hao interrupts his thoughts by showing him Qiao Yufei’s social media post about moving on.
Li Teng immediately decides to pick up a drunk Ruan Nianchu. He persuades a hesitant Jiang Hao to accompany him, questioning if he plans to stay single forever just because his daughter, Xingxing, dislikes any woman he gets close to. They find Ruan Nianchu and Qiao Yufei passed out in a private room. Li Teng tenderly caresses Ruan Nianchu's face, who instinctively leans against him. Just then, Qiao Yufei wakes up and vomits.
Li Teng instructs Jiang Hao to take Qiao Yufei home. Though intoxicated, Ruan Nianchu tries to maintain her distance, officially informing Li Teng that she was the one who dumped him. Overwhelmed by emotion, Li Teng pulls her into a forceful kiss. The next morning, Qiao Yufei wakes up at Jiang Hao's house and tries to sneak out.
Jiang Hao invites her for breakfast, during which Xingxing bluntly tells Qiao Yufei that her father is an "innocent guy" and asks her not to use such methods to stay at their house again. Determined to start fresh, Ruan Nianchu heads out for work but is hailed by a taxi driver. Alarmed, she realizes he is intentionally driving her to a secluded area.
The driver attempts to assault her, but she fights back using the self-defense techniques Li Teng had taught her. At the hospital, Qiao Yufei is relieved to find Ruan Nianchu only has minor injuries. She reaffirms her resolve to pursue Jiang Hao. A police officer informs them the driver was a paid offender, making Qiao Yufei worry that someone is deliberately targeting Ruan Nianchu.
When Qiao Yufei informs Li Teng of the assault, he becomes enraged and vows to eliminate all threats in the city before he has to leave. He is intercepted by Qiao Yufei, who is looking to hire a bodyguard for Ruan Nianchu. Li Teng proposes a deal: he will act as Ruan Nianchu's bodyguard if Qiao Yufei hires Jiang Hao as her own.
With the agreement made, Li Teng goes to Ruan Nianchu, who is shocked to learn he is her new bodyguard. She attempts to cancel the contract, but Li Teng skillfully explains that she would face a hefty penalty of 1. 5 million for terminating the premium security package without cause. Defeated, Ruan Nianchu resigns herself to his protection.
Episode 8 Recap
Two years ago, a distraught Ruan Nianchu, plagued by hallucinations, walked into the sea, only to be stopped by Qiao Yufei. Ruan Nianchu has never forgotten Lee, but all traces of him have vanished from Tai City. In the present, Li Teng informs Ruan Nianchu that he is now her bodyguard, shocking her. She calls Qiao Yufei for an explanation, but Yufei feigns a bad connection and hangs up to avoid telling the truth.
Later, Li Teng accompanies Nianchu to the supermarket and confidently selects her shampoo, remarking that he is familiar with her scent, which makes her blush. To provoke Li Teng, Ruan Nianchu agrees to a series of blind dates arranged by her colleague, Shiqi. Unable to change her mind, Li Teng gives her a self-defense taser disguised as a lipstick and discreetly follows her. Meanwhile, Qiao Yufei is openly infatuated with her new bodyguard, Jiang Hao.
During a self-defense lesson, she clings to him, much to the amusement of his colleagues. Jiang Hao has his team send Washa's location, the Ferry Bar, to Li Teng. After shadowing Nianchu's dates, Li Teng and his men go to the bar, only to learn that Washa has just left and is also being pursued by the police. Washa contacts a man named Daen, offering information on a valuable coin in exchange for the elimination of Ruan Nianchu.
Li Teng's presence sabotages all three of Nianchu's blind dates. The first man leaves upon learning Li Teng is her ex-boyfriend and current bodyguard, and the next two are similarly intimidated. Ruan Nianchu is left frustrated, feeling she has been played, as her plan to make Li Teng jealous has backfired. Later, they run into Jiang Hao's daughter, Xingxing, who asks Nianchu for a piano lesson.
The music triggers a flashback for Li Teng to a mission five years ago, where his comrades recorded their wishes. He remembers Xingxing's father wishing to return home safely to his wife and newborn child. Elsewhere, Qiao Yufei visits Jiang Hao's home, but Xingxing is unhappy about her father being Yufei's bodyguard and tries to "buy him back" with her lucky money and toys. Seeing Li Teng and Ruan Nianchu outside, her parents insist he join them for dinner.
At the table, Li Teng charms her parents and arranges to take them out for another meal the following week. After dinner, while Li Teng washes the dishes, Nianchu learns her troupe has been invited to the Bian City Drama Festival. Her mother, sensing the tension between them, urges Nianchu to apologize to Li Teng. In the kitchen, Nianchu confronts Li Teng, asking when he will stop following her.
He replies that he will stop when she is no longer angry, wanting only to keep her safe. Frustrated by his evasive answers, especially when she asks if he would have returned to her life without the incident with the coin, Ruan Nianchu fires him.
Episode 9 Recap
Ruan Nianchu has been haunted by the same recurring dream for over three years, always set in the same place. She confides in a therapist that she can't imagine whether "Lee," the subject of her constant dreams, is alive or dead. The therapist reassures her that these dreams and persistent sadness are typical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and advises her to revisit places from her past to cope. A friend offers to accompany Ruan Nianchu to Tai City.
Later, while out, Ruan Nianchu instinctively rushes toward a man who strongly resembles Lee, calling out his name, only to realize her mistake and apologize. Li Teng, appearing troubled, reflects on Xia Fei's funeral from three years prior, a somber memory during which Xia Fei's wife was inconsolable. He visits Xia Fei's wife, offering her water and asking if she resented Xia Fei for his frequent absences.
She admits to past conflicts but asserts that she never regretted their fated meeting. She then suggests to Li Teng that a certain girl is his own fate, urging him not to run from it. When Li Teng asks if she would still choose Xia Fei if she could start over, she steadfastly replies yes, stating that meeting him was the best thing that ever happened in her life. This conversation appears to give Li Teng a profound realization.
The next morning, Li Teng attempts to reconcile with Ruan Nianchu, offering her a lift to the Morninglight Troupe and presenting her with a gift as he explicitly asks her to be his girlfriend. Ruan Nianchu, still annoyed, rejects the ride, revealing she's already called a cab, and questions his decision-making process, suggesting he should consult her before making plans or even before kissing her.
Despite her protests, Li Teng charmingly asserts that she loves him, which she admits, and he reciprocates. Later, Ruan Nianchu's rehearsal is interrupted when Mr. Zhao, the troupe leader, formally introduces a new art director, Chen Guozhi, whom Ruan Nianchu recognizes from college. Chen Guozhi announces that he will lead the troupe to the Bian City Drama Festival, with preparations beginning immediately by traveling to Bian City the following day.
To celebrate, Mr. Zhao invites everyone to dinner, and Li Teng joins them. Qiao Yufei confides in a doctor about her conflicting feelings for Jiang Hao, whose daughter, Jiang Xingxing, she dislikes. The doctor advises her to embrace Jiang Hao wholly, including his daughter, if she truly loves him. Inspired, Qiao Yufei declares her intention to "deal with" Jiang Xingxing. At the celebratory dinner, the atmosphere grows tense as Li Teng and Chen Guozhi subtly compete for Ruan Nianchu's attention.
Li Teng highlights his long-standing support for the troupe, implying a prior claim, while Chen Guozhi compliments Ruan Nianchu's past performances. Overwhelmed, Ruan Nianchu retreats to the restroom to call Qiao Yufei, complaining that Li Teng is following her everywhere and preventing her from talking to Chen Guozhi. Qiao Yufei advises Ruan Nianchu to use the situation to test Li Teng's commitment and avoid being too easily won over.
Meanwhile, Li Teng calls Jiang Hao to inform him of the trip to Bian City. Overhearing, Jiang Xingxing insists on going with her father. Qiao Yufei then arrives at Jiang Hao's doorstep and attempts to win Xingxing's favor with toys and snacks, but Xingxing defiantly rejects her attempts to be "bought over." Despite this, Qiao Yufei secures permission from Jiang Hao to join the trip, using her "kid" as a convenient excuse.
On the day of departure, Chen Guozhi offers Ruan Nianchu breakfast, which Li Teng conspicuously intercepts. In front of the troupe, Chen Guozhi directly asks Ruan Nianchu about her relationship with Li Teng, prompting Li Teng to interject and declare himself her boyfriend. To diffuse the tension, Ruan Nianchu quickly claims he is her "ex-boyfriend," causing a stir. Mr. Zhao thanks Li Teng for providing the car for their journey.
The rivalry continues as Li Teng prevents Chen Guozhi from sitting next to Ruan Nianchu. Upon arriving in Bian City, the group is impressed by the luxurious mansion that Chen Guozhi personally paid for. A troupe member comments on the escalating "triangle love show." During room assignments, Qiao Yufei volunteers to share a room with Jiang Xingxing, and to everyone's surprise, Jiang Xingxing agrees, seemingly with her own intentions.
The other girls decide to share the double rooms, with Ruan Nianchu rooming with her friend Shiqi to facilitate rehearsal. This leaves Jiang Hao, Li Teng, and Chen Guozhi assigned to a triple room. Shiqi playfully teases Ruan Nianchu about the love triangle, presenting her with a metaphorical choice between the "hot tea" from the gentle Chen Guozhi and the "icy water" from the intense Li Teng. Ruan Nianchu chides her for gossiping and urges her to focus on rehearsal.
Later, the tension in the men's shared room becomes palpable for Jiang Hao, who excuses himself for fresh air. When Chen Guozhi attempts to follow, Li Teng blocks his path, sternly warning him to stay in the room and asserting that Ruan Nianchu is "his girl." Undeterred, Chen Guozhi counters that he is becoming increasingly interested in Ruan Nianchu, escalating their rivalry.
Episode 10 Recap
Li Teng and Jiang Hao convened to discuss the sudden appearance of Ruan Nianchu's senior schoolmate, Chen Guozhi. Jiang Hao noted that Chen's timing was suspiciously coincidental and his purpose—clearly targeting Ruan Nianchu—was unusual. They pondered if Chen was sent by Washa, who had been quiet since Tuva’s death five years ago. However, Jiang Hao believed someone else was pulling the strings: Daen, the son of the Boss who also died in the explosion five years prior.
If Chen was Daen's envoy, it meant they likely knew Ruan Nianchu possessed the coin. Their conversation was interrupted by Ruan Nianchu, who arrived to get her script. Meanwhile, Qiao Yufei tried to tell Jiang Xingxing a bedtime story she wrote about Snow White's stepmother. However, Xingxing became frightened, believing Qiao Yufei was trying to scare her with a story about a "bad queen." After comforting his daughter, Jiang Hao spoke with Qiao Yufei privately.
He explained that between caring for Xingxing and dealing with Li Teng's situation, he was overwhelmed and had no desire for a relationship, advising her not to waste her time. Qiao Yufei insisted that Ruan Nianchu could handle Li Teng while she handled Xingxing, leaving him free to fall in love with her. Despite Jiang Hao’s doubts about her capabilities, Qiao Yufei argued that her own spoiled upbringing made her the perfect person to prevent Xingxing from becoming the same.
She promised to establish a harmonious relationship with Xingxing within three days, or she would give up, imploring him for a chance. Later, Jiang Hao was subtly impressed when Qiao Yufei thoughtfully ordered child-friendly mosquito repellent for Xingxing. Elsewhere, Chen Guozhi discussed the script with Ruan Nianchu, suggesting her big-city upbringing might prevent her from grasping the "toughness" of the rural protagonist. He proposed a trip to the old town to help her connect with the character.
Unbeknownst to them, Li Teng observed their interaction from a distance. The next morning, Qiao Yufei complained about Ruan Nianchu's loud snoring and early vocal exercises. Chen Guozhi prepared a lavish breakfast, earning praise for his culinary skills. After the meal, the troupe leader assigned the day's tasks, and Chen announced he would take Ruan Nianchu to the old town that afternoon to deepen her character portrayal for an upcoming festival.
Separately, Qiao Yufei convinced a reluctant Xingxing to go on an outing with her after revealing she had Jiang Hao's permission. Jiang Hao informed Li Teng that their contact, He Hu, had uncovered suspicious information: a year ago, Chen Guozhi accumulated massive gambling debts overseas but recently paid them all off at once, claiming the initial loss was from a film investment. Li Teng, sensing Daen's involvement, felt confident that "the craftiest fox can't escape the skilled hunter."
During their old town excursion, Chen Guozhi taught Ruan Nianchu pottery, explaining that one must experience a craft to portray it authentically. He then steered the conversation to his interest in ancient coins, asking her to keep an eye out for any unique pieces. Ruan Nianchu replied that while she wasn't a collector, her father was, and she might buy him some commemorative coins. At that moment, Li Teng appeared, interjecting that art requires concentration.
He skillfully took over, helping Ruan Nianchu with her pottery and whispering that she was the first girl he had ever taught. Back at their villa, Qiao Yufei grew tired of taking photos for a critical Xingxing. Ruan Nianchu teased Qiao Yufei for having a masochistic streak, pursuing the challenging father and daughter. Qiao Yufei retorted that Ruan Nianchu was no better, using Chen Guozhi to provoke Li Teng.
Ruan Nianchu admitted she liked Li Teng but was frustrated by his secrecy and lack of trust regarding the coin. She confessed to using the situation to teach him a lesson, but also noted that Chen Guozhi seemed more complex than she first thought. At Xingxing's request for a smoothie, Chen suggested they all go to an arcade. There, Qiao Yufei won a claw machine competition against a young boy to get a rabbit doll for Xingxing.
In a quiet corner, a shadowy figure threatened Chen's life if he didn't secure the coin quickly, sending him into a panic. Just then, Li Teng deliberately tossed a silver coin into a game machine. A distraught Chen demanded he retrieve it, but Li Teng coolly asked if the coin was a fake. Realizing she had been used as a pawn, Ruan Nianchu confronted Li Teng. Feeling like a betrayed fool, she refused to listen to his explanation.
She swiftly used a self-defense move he had taught her, declared she wanted nothing more to do with him, and stormed back to her room. Li Teng followed, pleading with her to open the door so he could explain. Inside, however, an unseen assailant had covered Ruan Nianchu's mouth, silencing her just as he called her name.
Episode 11 Recap
Ruan Nianchu, unable to sleep, expresses her longing for home. She tells Li Teng about her ideal evening on her balcony, enjoying watermelon and stargazing with her mother amidst the scent of flowers, or playing the piano while her mother sings. Li Teng, lying on the floor, listens to her descriptions and eventually drifts off to sleep as she talks. The scene shifts dramatically as Li Teng breaks down a door to find a man strangling Ruan Nianchu.
He demands the man release her while trying to de-escalate the situation. In desperation, Ruan Nianchu grabs a pen from the table and stabs her attacker, forcing him to let go. Li Teng quickly subdues him, but Vasha, hidden nearby, aims a crossbow bolt at Ruan Nianchu. Li Teng spots the threat and shoves Ruan Nianchu out of the way just in time. The attacker uses the distraction to escape.
Following the attack, Li Teng urgently calls Jiang Hao, asking him to watch Chen Guozhi and rent him a car. Jiang Hao expresses concern about Li Teng's plan to go to Tai City, but Li Teng avoids a direct answer. Subsequently, Jiang Hao entrusts his daughter, Jiang Xingxing, to Qiao Yufei's care, instructing her to take Xingxing back to the villa before dark.
Eager to win the little girl's affection, Qiao Yufei asks Xingxing if she is better and prettier than the other women her father has known. As he leaves, Jiang Hao asks his daughter which flavor of smoothie she wants. Meanwhile, Li Teng tells a shaken Ruan Nianchu that he will explain everything and takes her to a special place. Elsewhere, Vasha is frustrated by the failed attempt on Ruan Nianchu's life.
She confronts the hired attacker, warning him not to harm Li Teng. The man dismisses her concerns and reveals he placed a locator on Ruan Nianchu's backpack, assuring Vasha that their target cannot escape. Li Teng drives Ruan Nianchu to a lavender field. She thanks him for saving her life, and he replies that it's his duty as her boyfriend. He then uses his tie to blindfold her before revealing the surprise.
When he removes it, Ruan Nianchu is overjoyed by the sight of the vast flower field. There, Li Teng formally introduces himself, detailing his past, including his undercover work in the Tuva Group. He confesses that he initially approached her only for the coin containing the group's transaction records. He explains that his subsequent coldness stemmed from a desire to protect her from the dangers of his life, not wanting her to become a second He Lihua.
After revealing everything, he asks Ruan Nianchu if she has feelings for him, promising to disappear from her life forever if she says no. In response, Ruan Nianchu agrees they should try again. Li Teng embraces her, declaring she is his girl, and they share a kiss in the lavender field. As they are about to leave, the attacker reappears, demanding the coin and threatening to kill Li Teng.
While engaging the man in a fight, Li Teng secretly passes the car keys to Ruan Nianchu. During the struggle, the attacker stabs Li Teng in the side. Panicked, Ruan Nianchu gets in the car but is unable to start it. Thinking quickly, she grabs a stun gun and incapacitates the attacker. Wounded, Li Teng quickly covers his injury with his jacket to hide it from her.
Back in the city, Jiang Xingxing suddenly collapses after drinking a mango smoothie, sending Qiao Yufei into a panic as she realizes the girl is having a severe allergic reaction. Stranded in the countryside, Ruan Nianchu tells Li Teng that the car is broken and their phones have no signal. Despite his injury, Li Teng urges her to help him up so they can leave on foot.
Episode 12 Recap
Five years ago, at a family dinner with his mentor, the Master, and his wife, Lihua, Jiang Hao joined them in celebrating their impending parenthood. Inspired by Lihua's fondness for stars, the Master decided to name their unborn child Xingxing. Soon to depart on a mission, he shared his deep anticipation for Xingxing's arrival, promising to return swiftly to greet their new baby. Tragically, he never came back from that mission.
Later, Qiao Yufei was consumed by guilt after Jiang Xingxing suffered an allergic reaction. The attending doctor, mistakenly believing Qiao Yufei was Xingxing's mother, sternly admonished her for not knowing about the child's mango allergy. Xingxing, however, bravely defended Qiao Yufei, taking the blame and insisting the doctor scold her instead. Realizing his mistake, the doctor apologized, but Qiao Yufei then surprisingly declared that she would be Xingxing's mother sooner or later, a statement that clearly flustered Jiang Hao.
Battling injuries, Li Teng and Ruan Nianchu struggled through the rain. When Ruan Nianchu's phone finally got a signal, she immediately called Jiang Hao, but the connection was quickly lost. Alarmed, Jiang Hao, after ensuring Xingxing was safe with Qiao Yufei, quickly set out with Shitou to find them. Xingxing had urged her father to go, wanting him to rescue Li Teng, and Qiao Yufei reassured Jiang Hao that she would stay with Xingxing.
Ruan Nianchu managed to locate a mountain guard’s house, where she and Li Teng took shelter from the rain. Li Teng, full of remorse, apologized for inadvertently dragging Ruan Nianchu into the dangerous world of Daen, stating his desire for her to live a peaceful life and remain unharmed. He confessed that after five years, he had feared he would never see her again, lamenting that their timing had been fatally flawed.
Ruan Nianchu, however, reassured him that she was not angry, expressing her wish that they face any future challenges together. Li Teng, in turn, promised not to keep secrets from her again. Exhausted and injured, Li Teng soon drifted off to sleep. Meanwhile, Jiang Hao, recalling Li Teng’s previous interest in travel guides for Bian City, particularly a page about Forget-me-Nots, used this clue to track their location. He eventually found their abandoned vehicle, confirming they couldn't be far.
Back in the mountain guard’s house, Li Teng was shivering from the cold, and Ruan Nianchu selflessly used her body to warm him through the night. The next morning, Li Teng felt significantly better, joking that any injury would heal with her by his side. Although Li Teng suggested finding a clinic, Ruan Nianchu insisted they return to Bian City for her play, reminding him of his past support for her career.
Li Teng agreed, urging her not to be late. They managed to hitch a ride on a three-wheeled transporter heading to Bian City. Along the way, Li Teng called Jiang Hao to confirm their safety, mentioning their phones were nearly dead and they were rushing to the performance. Jiang Hao assured him that he had arranged for their car to be towed. Li Teng, despite his injury, insisted on attending the show first, planning only a simple wound treatment beforehand.
The transporter driver jovially commented on Li Teng’s "wife," playfully suggesting he "kidnapped" her in Yun City. Upon arrival, Li Teng had his wounds briefly attended to before taking a seat in the auditorium to watch Ruan Nianchu's play, "Return under the Moon Over The Hill." Jiang Xingxing, accompanied by Qiao Yufei, also arrived, eager to see the performance. Ruan Nianchu’s portrayal garnered immense applause from the audience.
However, shortly after the show, Li Teng, weakened by his injuries, collapsed backstage. Ruan Nianchu and the rest of the crew quickly rushed him to the hospital. Ruan Nianchu was deeply moved, realizing the immense pain he had endured just to ensure her peace of mind during the performance. At the hospital, Jiang Hao revealed the extent of Li Teng's devotion, explaining that Li Teng had waited for her for nearly five years, making sacrifices beyond imagination.
He recounted how Li Teng had been in a vegetative coma for three years following an explosion in Tai City, and upon waking, his first words were "Where is Ruan Nianchu?" Jiang Hao added that Li Teng had spent years looking at her photos and reading her social media. Overwhelmed, Ruan Nianchu wept.
Li Teng, now awake, playfully tried to comfort her by joking that his two scars, one old and one new, now resembled "artificial fishing lines," meaning he wouldn't need to exercise anymore. A few days later, Ruan Nianchu visited Li Teng, bringing him homemade soup. Li Teng, teasing her, asked if his "probationary period" was over. Just as he began to move closer, Jiang Hao entered, causing an awkward pause.
Jiang Hao, feeling like an intruder, quickly delivered an update: Chen Guozhi's tracking signal had briefly reappeared in Yun City before vanishing, likely destroyed. He also identified Duan Kun, an individual dispatched by Daen, as the man who had been threatening Ruan Nianchu. Li Teng stressed the urgency of cracking the chip, knowing Daen would not relent. After Jiang Hao left, Li Teng had Ruan Nianchu clean the soup from her clothes in his bathroom.
After she had showered, Li Teng intimately offered to blow-dry her hair, remarking on how much he liked its scent, as it made him feel her constant presence. In the confined space, a palpable intimacy grew between them, and they soon moved to the bedroom together.
Episode 13 Recap
As the helicopter prepared for Ruan Nianchu's escort back to Yun City, she and Li Teng shared an intimate conversation after their recent ordeal. Ruan Nianchu playfully asked Li Teng what he saw in her, before cheekily admitting she admired his physique—his pectorals, abdominal muscles, and long legs—enough to keep her entertained for a decade.
When she turned the question back to him, Li Teng confessed he didn't know the reason, only that he simply liked her and would prove his feelings through actions. Ruan Nianchu then made him promise to grant her three requests, the details of which she would reveal later. Later, Li Teng dropped Ruan Nianchu off at home.
Her casual "thank you" sparked a playful warning from Li Teng, who declared that if she ever thanked him again, he wouldn't let her return home next time. As they bantered, Li Teng received news that the chip had been successfully decoded. Ruan Nianchu, fearing for his safety, pleaded with him to hand the chip over to the police instead of going to Tai City.
Li Teng asked what she would do if he went, and she tearfully promised to wait for him, no matter how long. Moved, Li Teng agreed, deciding to give the chip to the police. He then confessed that when he first met her five years ago, she was like a firefly in the dark, and he only wanted to protect her.
But now, she had changed him, making him want to embrace that light and walk hand-in-hand with her in the sunshine. Touched by his rare vulnerability, Ruan Nianchu was left speechless. Li Teng vowed that if his life was long, he would love her to death, and if it was short, he would make it up to her in their next life.
True to his word, Li Teng promptly handed the decoded chip over to the police, with his subordinates remarking that he now seemed fearless with Ruan Nianchu by his side. Afterward, Jiang Hao announced that Li Teng was treating the company to a celebratory night at the AT Club, but Li Teng declined, stating he had more important matters to attend to. Meanwhile, Li Teng assigned the formidable Shitou to be Ruan Nianchu's personal bodyguard.
At Jiang Hao's home, his daughter, Xingxing, eagerly invited Qiao Yufei to the party, and Qiao Yufei, hoping to impress Jiang Hao, happily accepted. Puzzled by Li Teng's absence from the party, Ruan Nianchu returned home to find her parents joyfully cutting traditional double happiness paper characters. Li Teng was already there. To her surprise, her open-minded parents expressed their approval for a "trial marriage," suggesting she and Li Teng live together to see if they were compatible.
Ruan Nianchu pulled Li Teng into her bedroom to discuss the sudden development. Li Teng explained that with Daen still a threat, living together was the best way to protect her, though he also admitted his selfish desire to be closer. He playfully reminded her that since they had already been intimate, he assumed she had considered marrying him. Ruan Nianchu retorted that marriage was a significant decision that required careful thought, especially since they had only recently reconciled.
Li Teng assured her he wasn't pressuring her and that once he committed to someone, he would never let go unless he died. Ruan Nianchu teasingly told him to be more confident, praising him as a great catch. Their tender moment was briefly interrupted when her mother brought in fruit, quickly retreating after realizing the timing. At the AT Club, Jiang Hao was captivated by Qiao Yufei.
Their moment was interrupted by a woman named Qian, who hinted at a past connection with him. Xingxing innocently introduced Qiao Yufei as "Daddy's girlfriend," delighting Qiao Yufei and irritating Qian. Provoked, Qiao Yufei challenged Qian to a dance-off but soon felt outmaneuvered and left the club in embarrassment. Jiang Hao's friends urged him to follow her.
Outside, a drunk Qiao Yufei poured her heart out to Jiang Hao, confessing that despite her experience with dating, she had inexplicably fallen hard for him and didn't know how to win his affection. Moved by her raw honesty, Jiang Hao kissed her, admitting that he liked her too and apologizing for making her wait. Just as the moment reached its romantic peak, Qiao Yufei vomited on him.
In a separate scene, Duan Kun warned Washa not to defy Daen for Li Teng's sake. Protective of "Lee" (Li Teng), Washa was furious with Duan Kun for acting against him and offered to kill "that woman" (Ruan Nianchu) to spare Li Teng from Daen's wrath. Duan Kun clarified that Daen was the one who wanted Li Teng dead and revealed that because Li Teng had given the chip to the police, Daen was now personally coming to Yun City.
Washa dismissed Duan Kun's request for a meeting, stating the powerful Daen was untraceable. A flashback revealed a younger Duan Kun confessing his feelings for Washa, who rejected him, stating she disliked losers. Back in their respective homes, Ruan Nianchu's parents felt the quietness of the house, admitting they were already unaccustomed to their daughter's absence. In their new home, Li Teng, wearing an apron, tried to wake a sleepy Ruan Nianchu.
He gave her two choices: get up for breakfast, or he would join her in bed. She immediately sat up, calling him a rogue. Their playful morning was interrupted by a call from Jiang Hao, informing Li Teng that their mentor's wife, He Lihua, had suffered a relapse. Li Teng rushed to the hospital to find a highly agitated He Lihua walking towards the rooftop, searching for her late husband.
He tried to calm her by saying her husband, Xia Fei, was back, but she grew more distressed, convinced everyone was lying to her. As the tense scene unfolded, a doctor in a white coat observed them from a distance.
Episode 14 Recap
Picking up from the hospital rooftop, Tuoli approaches He Lihua, who is in a state of mental distress. Mistaking him for the deceased Xia Fei, she is overjoyed when he presents her with a bouquet of Baby's Breath. She embraces him, believing Xia Fei has returned, which de-escalates the crisis. Afterward, a doctor informs Li Teng and Ruan Nianchu that He Lihua's episode was likely triggered by a sudden mental stimulation and assures them that ward security will be tightened.
Just as the doctor leaves, Tuoli appears and greets Ruan Nianchu, surprising both her and Li Teng with his presence. Later, Ruan Nianchu, Tuoli, and Li Teng share a meal. Tuoli, now nearly nineteen, confides in Ruan Nianchu that she was his first-ever friend. Li Teng, sensing the nature of Tuoli's admiration for Ruan Nianchu, repeatedly puts his arm around her, subtly asserting his role as her boyfriend.
On the way home, Ruan Nianchu remarks on Li Teng's unusually overt displays of affection. Li Teng explains that Tuoli has a crush on her, a revelation that startles Ruan Nianchu. Her mind flashes back to their time in Tai City, where a young Tuoli, after she helped him, declared his intention to marry her when he grew up. Ruan Nianchu had dismissed it as a childhood fantasy, but unbeknownst to her, Li Teng had overheard the conversation.
She insists it was just a joke, but Li Teng warns her to keep her distance from Tuoli. Ruan Nianchu finds Li Teng's jealousy childish but is secretly pleased by how much he cares. At the company, Jiang Hao learns that Tuoli was the nursing assistant who saved Mrs. Xia and remarks on Li Teng's complicated romantic life. Li Teng, in turn, congratulates Jiang Hao on his new relationship with Qiao Yufei, advising him to cherish it.
Jiang Hao admits he doesn't know how to tell Qiao Yufei about Xingxing. Li Teng counsels him that a genuine relationship requires complete honesty, which prompts Jiang Hao to joke that Ruan Nianchu must have taught him that. Tuoli visits Ruan Nianchu at the theatre, where she gently reminds him to call her "sister." He asks for her help in adopting a stray cat he rescued, as his nursing assistant apartment doesn't allow pets. Ruan Nianchu happily agrees.
Tuoli then expresses his feeling that he, along with others, was merely a chess piece in Li Teng's past operations and that Li Teng may not consider him important. Their conversation is cut short when Li Teng arrives. Upon seeing the cat from Tuoli, Li Teng becomes upset, telling Ruan Nianchu he cannot accept this specific cat. Ruan Nianchu is left confused by his strong reaction and the apparent friction between him and Tuoli.
Meanwhile, Jiang Hao and Qiao Yufei take Xingxing on an outing, where Jiang Hao's attempt to explain Xingxing's parentage is interrupted by the girl herself. Later, despite his initial disapproval, Li Teng helps Ruan Nianchu set up a space for the cat. When Ruan Nianchu playfully names it "Jealous Li," Li Teng pins her down, telling her she is naive.
He reveals that Tuoli does not see her as a sister and that he discovered Tuoli’s true feelings years ago in Tai City. A surprised Ruan Nianchu suggests talking to Tuoli, but Li Teng insists that he will be the one to handle it. After putting Xingxing to bed, Jiang Hao finally confesses to Qiao Yufei. He explains that Xingxing is not his biological daughter but his master's child.
To legally adopt and care for her after her mother, Mrs. Xia, developed mental health issues, he entered into a paper marriage with Mrs. Xia, an arrangement that must last until Xingxing is an adult. To his relief, Qiao Yufei accepts this without hesitation, stating that a marriage certificate is just paper and all she wants is to be with him. Moved, Jiang Hao declares his love, and they share a passionate kiss.
Episode 15 Recap
One year prior, Jiang Hao and Li Teng visited He Lihua at the hospital, bringing along Xingxing. Xingxing was unaware that He Lihua was her biological mother, and He Lihua, due to her mental condition, also did not recognize the girl as her daughter. Despite this, a natural, blood-like bond formed between them. Jiang Hao had never disclosed the truth to Xingxing, instead raising her as his own beloved daughter.
Jiang Hao's conversation with Qiao Yufei about Xingxing's true parentage was overheard by the girl, who was hiding in the room, leaving her deeply saddened. The next morning, Ruan Nianchu woke to find Li Teng preparing breakfast, who lovingly told her that life would only get happier after they married.
Their tender moment was interrupted by an overseas call to Li Teng from Chen Guozhi, who warned him that a man named Daen had arrived in Yun City to target Ruan Nianchu. Daen's goal was to make Li Teng suffer by destroying everyone important to him. Before Chen Guozhi could plead for his life, he was killed by his ruthless captor, who is revealed to be Tuoli operating under the alias Daen.
Later, Ruan Nianchu proposed a plan to use herself as bait to draw out Daen. Li Teng initially refused, asserting he would never allow her to be in danger. However, Ruan Nianchu, expressing her fear of him disappearing again or having to wait another five years, convinced Li Teng to agree to her plan on his terms. He explained that she would move to a hotel the next morning, where he and the police would set a trap.
Unbeknownst to them, Tuoli had planted a listening device on their pet cat and overheard their entire strategy. Deciding to play along with their "bait" plan, Tuoli began making his own preparations. Li Teng dispatched his men to take Ruan Nianchu to a separate location while he gathered his closest comrades for a special moment. With his trusted brothers holding lighters, he explained they were there to witness his proposal.
Kneeling, Li Teng professed that Ruan Nianchu was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and that his commitment to her would never waver. He presented a diamond ring and asked her to marry him. Overwhelmed, Ruan Nianchu accepted, telling him she didn't care for a grand wedding or a honeymoon; her second wish was for them to live a long, safe life together. Li Teng promised her this and placed the engagement ring on her finger.
The tender proposal was cut short by the alarming news of Xingxing’s disappearance. Xingxing had gone to the hospital to find her mother, He Lihua, and encountered Tuoli, who feigned helpfulness and offered to take her to her mother. After a fruitless city-wide search, Tuoli called Ruan Nianchu to inform them that Xingxing was at the hospital. The group rushed there, where Xingxing revealed she had figured out the truth about her parentage.
She planned to play the song "Farewell" for He Lihua’s birthday the next day and asked Jiang Hao to accompany her. With an important mission scheduled, Jiang Hao promised he and everyone else would join her as soon as it was over. Following the plan, Ruan Nianchu checked into a hotel, where Tuoli's subordinates were already in position. Simultaneously, Tuoli helped Xingxing decorate for He Lihua’s birthday party. Washa entered the hotel, tailed by Tuoli’s men.
Inside the room, Washa drew her gun to kill Ruan Nianchu, only to discover Jiang Hao disguised in her place. Jiang Hao quickly subdued Washa, holding a dagger to her throat. At the birthday celebration, Ruan Nianchu joined He Lihua, who was delighted by the decorations. In a moment of lucidity, He Lihua confided in Ruan Nianchu, admitting she never blamed Master Xia for his sacrifice, as he was doing what was right.
Through their conversation, Ruan Nianchu realized He Lihua had known all along that Master Xia had died. Back at the hotel, Washa managed to overpower Jiang Hao, stabbing him severely and leaving him unconscious. Duan Kun entered and tried to pull Washa away, but she fiercely insisted on killing Ruan Nianchu herself. Duan Kun told her that her suffering stemmed from her mistakes and that killing Ruan Nianchu would not make Li Teng love her.
As Duan Kun escorted Washa out, they were intercepted by Li Teng and his men. Washa and Duan Kun were apprehended. Washa confessed her seven years of love for Li Teng, stating that this chapter was now over. As Duan Kun was led away, he cryptically told Li Teng, "This is only the beginning," leaving him perplexed. Meanwhile, Jiang Hao was rushed to the hospital.
At the party, Tuoli laced He Lihua's birthday cake with sleeping pills, causing everyone to fall unconscious. When Li Teng called Ruan Nianchu's phone, Tuoli answered, casually admitting what he'd done and expressing disappointment that Li Teng hadn't figured out his identity sooner. Tuoli revealed that after the explosion years ago, he had left, attended medical school, and struggled to find companionship until he met Ruan Nianchu, who was his first real friend.
Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
In a flashback, a destitute Tuoli is shown on the streets, where he fiercely protects a drawing of Ruan Nianchu from bullies who insult her image. In the present, Xingxing is distraught over Jiang Hao's grave injury but clings to the hope that he will keep his promise to return. A distressed Qiao Yufei urges Li Teng to find Ruan Nianchu, fearing she could also be harmed.
He Hu reports that all hospital surveillance lines have been cut, making it impossible to trace Nianchu. Moments later, a doctor delivers the devastating news: Jiang Hao suffered complications during surgery and resuscitation efforts failed. Qiao Yufei collapses in shock, and Xingxing sobs, unable to accept her father’s death. Maintaining a composed demeanor, Li Teng assures Qiao Yufei that he will handle Jiang Hao’s funeral and avenge his death, but insists she must first take care of herself and Xingxing.
He then instructs his men to escort them home and enhance the security around the Qiao residence before meeting at his house to devise their next steps. Tuoli contacts Li Teng, revealing that he has been monitoring them and asserting that the safety of Li Teng’s people is entirely at his discretion, as he initiated this "game."
He gives Li Teng one hour to bring his three brothers to a designated dilapidated building, threatening Ruan Nianchu’s life and warning against any trickery. Li Teng’s brothers, determined to avenge Jiang Hao and rescue Ruan Nianchu, readily prepare to go with him. Tuoli guides them to the location via phone, where they find Ruan Nianchu held captive. Tuoli has dressed Ruan Nianchu in a wedding gown, mockingly asking Li Teng if they look well-matched.
He reveals that a bomb’s timer started the moment Li Teng saw Nianchu. Tuoli then presents Li Teng with an impossible choice: save Ruan Nianchu by killing his three brothers, or save his brothers and watch her be blown to pieces. Li Teng attempts to negotiate, offering a backup of a crucial chip in exchange for everyone's release, but Tuoli refuses, declaring there is no third option. This sparks a fierce argument among Li Teng’s brothers.
He Hu states his unwavering loyalty, refusing to betray Li Teng. Another brother, Shitou, questions sacrificing themselves for "someone else's woman," prompting the third brother to remind him of a bodyguard's duty to protect a client at any cost. Meanwhile, Tuoli tells Ruan Nianchu his painful history: as Daen’s son, he was cast out at age ten to survive in other gangs, a family tradition. He felt like an abandoned child until meeting her gave him hope.
He claims to detest his family's business and only ever wanted to be with her, but realized he needed immense power to do so. He expresses resentment towards Li Teng for ruining his life twice. As Tuoli becomes agitated, the real Li Teng suddenly appears beside Ruan Nianchu. It is revealed that the "Li Teng" on the monitor with the brothers is Jiang Hao in disguise, part of an elaborate "dark chess" strategy pre-arranged with the police.
Jiang Hao’s death was a ruse. Furious upon realizing the deception, Tuoli attacks Li Teng with a hidden needle. Li Teng and Tuoli engage in a fierce struggle. During the fight, Li Teng confronts Tuoli, stating that his so-called love is merely selfish desire, whereas his own reluctance to fully embrace his love for Ruan Nianchu stemmed from a fear of dragging her into darkness. Li Teng eventually subdues Tuoli.
With only two minutes remaining, Li Teng works to free Ruan Nianchu, explaining the chair has a gravity sensor connected to a bomb; any movement would trigger it. He urges her to trust him as he dismantles the device, guided by real-time instructions from Captain Yang. To their relief, the bomb is a fake. Li Teng explains he located her because he had Captain Yang install a GPS tracker in her engagement ring.
Ruan Nianchu playfully teases him about his "scheming" nature. Meanwhile, Qiao Yufei, heartbroken over Jiang Hao's supposed death, drives to the place where they first met and cries in her car. Jiang Hao appears at her window, apologizes softly, and says he missed her. Overwhelmed, they embrace. Tuoli is apprehended, and all evidence against him is handed to the police. He attempted suicide after waking but was stopped.
Duan Kun and Washa are also arrested for attempted murder and face lengthy prison sentences. With the threats neutralized, Li Teng goes to the Xiwei Troupe to pick up Ruan Nianchu, who is already in her wedding gown. Due to heavy traffic, Li Teng takes her to the wedding on his motorcycle.
On the way, he expresses profound gratitude to her for completing his life and being a light in his darkness, telling her he is incredibly fortunate to have her love. The wedding is set for July 14th, but their delayed arrival makes Ruan Nianchu’s parents anxious. At the venue, Xingxing makes Jiang Hao pinky-swear never to lie to her again. Finally, Li Teng and Ruan Nianchu arrive.
Before proceeding, Ruan Nianchu playfully insists Li Teng grant her "third wish" before they marry. Over her mother's objections, Li Teng readily agrees. Ruan Nianchu’s wish is for him to promise her three more wishes. Li Teng immediately accepts, vowing to listen to her for the rest of his life. Overjoyed, Ruan Nianchu kisses him, and they embrace amidst cheers from friends and family.
