Meet Yourself Episode 1 Recap, Plot

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Living in a big city, traffic jams are the norm. To avoid the evening rush hour, Xu Hongdou always chooses to leave early and head straight to the hotel where she works. For years, she has consistently cared for her clients with great attention. It is precisely this impeccable meticulousness that has allowed her to climb step by step to the position of Manager of the Housekeeping Department, and she may soon become the Deputy Director.

When work is busy, Xu Hongdou has no time to deal with anything else—like her father’s birthday, which she only remembers when her eldest sister sends a video. Xu Hongdou softens her tone and lowers her stance to wish him a happy birthday. Her family on the other end of the call beams with joy, but even so, the conversation ends after a few brief exchanges.

A colleague introduced a friend’s younger sister to Xu Hongdou, hoping she could help and look after the girl, and even subtly encouraged a closer relationship. But Xu Hongdou is entirely focused on work and has no interest in developing a random relationship. Seeing things heading in an awkward direction, she makes an excuse to leave and reminds the girl to eat less greasy food and drink less water before departing.

Xu Hongdou’s best friend Chen Nanxing visits her and finds that all the food in her fridge has expired. To Xu Hongdou, half a year seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. Chen Nanxing sometimes wonders why people live so wearily—rushing from place to place, collapsing into bed after work, and never daring to use precious spare time for love. Even Xu Hongdou’s last relationship ended in a breakup.

The two of them discuss this profound question late into the night but arrive at no conclusion. The next day, Chen Nanxing goes to the hospital for a checkup and is diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis hits like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, completely shattering her hopes for the future. Xu Hongdou returns home, unable to eat, and breaks down in tears at the table.

In the days that follow, Xu Hongdou continues to live like a cog in a clock, moving from home to the hotel to the hospital. Her life shifts from two points to three, and for the first time, she experiences the unpredictability of life and death up close. Although Chen Nanxing always pretends to be relaxed in front of her, Xu Hongdou knows her friend is just trying to prevent her from feeling sad.

This only makes her grief more uncontrollable. One day, Chen Nanxing reaches the end of her life. After attending the funeral and comforting the family, Xu Hongdou throws herself into work like a form of revenge, entering a period of physical and emotional numbness until she collapses from exhaustion and ends up in the hospital. That night, Xu Hongdou opens the voice messages Chen Nanxing left for her. Message after message forms a farewell, plain but heartfelt.

Even while suffering the worst pain, Chen Nanxing still considered Xu Hongdou’s feelings. Chen Nanxing regrets not enjoying life earlier and never confessing to the boy she liked. Because she felt her life was too full of compromises, she urged Xu Hongdou to see the beautiful world on her behalf. Whether it’s breathtaking scenery or delicious food, she hoped Xu Hongdou could experience it for her—so there would be no regrets.

When the final message ends, Xu Hongdou orders Chen Nanxing’s favorite meat roll. But the savory flavor only tastes bitter. Unlike a clock that can have its gears replaced, Xu Hongdou has no extra gears to swap. So she begins to consider stopping altogether—perhaps it’s time to try a different lifestyle. After much deliberation, Xu Hongdou writes and submits her resignation to the hotel, telling her family a white lie that she is taking paid leave.

Her parents and eldest sister are not suspicious and are curious about how she plans to spend her valuable vacation. Xu Hongdou browses travel destinations online and finally selects the scenic paradise of Dali in Yunnan, far from the big city, hoping this trip will bring her surprises and change.

Episode 2 Recap

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