Pretty Man Episode 5 Recap
> Pretty Man Recap
Qiao Anhao slowly awoke after receiving an IV, opening her eyes to see Lu Jinnian waiting by her bedside. Though she struggled to sit up, Lu Jinnian, fearing her discomfort, continuously poured her hot water. Blushing, Qiao Anhao drank it all, finishing more than half a bucket, which amused the nurses. The nurses also noted she had overdosed on medicine.
Later, Qiao Anhao's aunt visited, assuring her that Lin Qianqian's scheme had been handled by the Qiao family, and Lin Qianqian's parents were sending her overseas. The aunt comforted Qiao Anhao, telling her to rest and promising no one would hurt her again. That night, Lu Jinnian called Qiao Anhao, but she seemed to answer briefly before becoming distracted as her aunt entered the room, leading Lu Jinnian to wonder if she was still keeping her distance from him.
After her aunt left, Qiao Anhao tried to call Lu Jinnian back, but his phone was already powered off. The next day, Lu Jinnian and Jia Mu discussed their university plans. Lu Jinnian expressed his desire to attend Rong Hai University, where his mother had studied. Jia Mu was undecided, caught between his parents' wishes for him to intern in China or study abroad for show.
Qiao Anhao joined them, stating her preference for a university close to home so she could visit her uncle and aunt frequently. Jia Mu suggested Qing Shui University, but Qiao Anhao secretly planned to study hard and get into Rong Hai to be with Lu Jinnian. During their conversation, Qiao Anhao offered Lu Jinnian her juice. Seeing this, Jia Mu wanted some too, but Lu Jinnian quickly drank it all, despite his severe allergy to fruit acid.
He later had to go to the hospital alone, where his doctor warned him that he could die if he consumed any more. Undeterred, Qiao Anhao looked at Rong Hai University's high score requirements and resolved to work harder, murmuring, "For Lu Jin Nian, you can. Good luck!" Time flew by, and soon Lu Jinnian, Jia Mu, and Qiao Anhao faced graduation. After the college entrance exams, the friends gathered for a celebratory meal.
An Yi, who was still in school, noticed Lu Jinnian seemed unusually quiet and sullen and asked why he wasn't eating, and why he wasn't applying to Rong Hai despite his good grades. Lu Jinnian explained he had applied to Qing Shui University.
Jia Mu was perplexed, asking why Lu Jinnian changed his mind, especially since Lu Jinnian had previously wanted to go to Rong Hai because his mother studied there, and Qiao Anhao and Jia Mu had both chosen Rong Hai so they could stay together. Unbeknownst to Jia Mu, Lu Jinnian had applied to Qing Shui University because he mistakenly thought Qiao Anhao would apply there. Lu Jinnian simply stated it was "heaven's will."
Unbeknownst to them, Lu Jinnian had attempted to change his application back to Rong Hai, but the teacher informed him that the form had already been given to Director Sun and if it was sent to the Education Bureau, it would be too late. Later, Han Ruchu was informed by her maid that Director Sun had successfully prevented Lu Jinnian from changing his university application, ensuring he would be far from Jia Mu and Qiao Anhao.
Han Ruchu instructed her maid to give Director Sun money to keep his silence. Qiao Anhao later asked Lu Jinnian to a movie to relieve exam stress, and he readily agreed. After the movie, Lu Jinnian walked Qiao Anhao home. On their way, Qiao Anhao asked him why he chose Qing Shui University when they had all intended to go to Rong Hai. Lu Jinnian explained that Qing Shui was closer to home, making travel more convenient.
Qiao Anhao regretted listening to Jia Mu's initial suggestion for her to consider Qing Shui. As they parted ways, Qiao Anhao shyly asked Lu Jinnian to teach her basketball during the summer, and they agreed to meet at the school courtyard the next day. This interaction was witnessed by Qiao Anhao's aunt, who immediately confronted Lu Jinnian after Qiao Anhao left.
The aunt accused him of liking Qiao Anhao and warned him to stay away, asserting he wasn't good enough for her. She brutally insulted his background, calling him "the son of a mistress" and claiming his mother had become a prostitute.
Lu Jinnian, deeply hurt, tried to defend his mother and demanded an apology, but the aunt continued, saying that Qiao Anhao and Jia Mu were "meant to be" and from the same world, while Lu Jinnian, "even if you work for 100 years, you'll never reach her world." She declared that not all humans are born equal and told him to "know his limit."
Devastated and enraged, Lu Jinnian left without another word, the aunt's harsh words echoing in his mind, making him wonder if Qiao Anhao thought the same way. The next day, Qiao Anhao eagerly waited at the school courtyard, ready to confess her feelings to Lu Jinnian. Unbeknownst to her, Lu Jinnian had already packed his belongings, given his pet fish named Wish to a friend at a cafe, instructing them on its care and to remember he would return.
He then threw away his phone's SIM card and left. Qiao Anhao waited for hours, trying to call him, but his phone was off. Jia Mu, Qiao Anhao, and An Yi began searching for him. On the phone, Qiao Anhao worried something might have happened, but An Yi's suggestion of a car accident or illness was quickly dismissed by Qiao Anhao, who insisted Lu Jinnian was fine.
They went to his room, but a roommate informed them that Lu Jinnian had left early that morning and he didn't know where. Meanwhile, Han Ruchu's maid confirmed to her that Lu Jinnian had traveled to Qing Shui City alone yesterday afternoon, prompting Han Ruchu to remark that her plans had not disappointed her. Jia Mu later asked his mother if she had spoken to Lu Jinnian, but Han Ruchu denied any contact.
Lost in her thoughts, Qiao Anhao desperately sketched Lu Jinnian's portrait, longing for his return. In Qing Shui City, Lu Jinnian applied for a waiter position at a restaurant. The boss, Sister Yi, noted his arrogant demeanor but decided to give him a trial. His first customer, an older woman, flirted with him, and when he rebuffed her, she falsely accused him of groping her, leading to a confrontation with her male companion.
Sister Yi intervened, resolving the dispute by paying for the damage, but then harshly scolded Lu Jinnian. She told him that in the service industry, he needed to be pleasant, not carry a "long face," and reminded him he was just a part-time worker, not a "young master."
When Lu Jinnian tried to explain it wasn't his fault, Sister Yi lectured him on societal inequality, stating some are born with privilege while others struggle their whole lives, and "unfairness is the reality of this society." She gave him one more chance, warning him to adapt or leave.
Lu Jinnian offered to pay for the damage incurred himself, but Sister Yi stopped him, telling him he was too young and that "a man needs to be capable enough before he can be arrogant." She warned that his sharp edges and arrogance would lead to a tragic fall. Lu Jinnian listened to her words, deeply affected by both the aunt's and Sister Yi's harsh lessons on his place in the world, resolving to become capable.
