Remembrance of Things Past Episode 7 Recap
> Remembrance of Things Past Recap
After a thorough examination by the doctor, it was confirmed that what Hu Jingjing commonly referred to as "vitamins" was actually Paroxetine, an antidepressant, indicating a moderate to severe level of depression. The attending physician, Dr. Zhao, expressed relief after repeatedly confirming Ji Nanjia's physical and mental health.
He handed her the medical report and reiterated that if she still desired to have children, she should prepare soon, as conceiving would become increasingly difficult with age, suggesting it would be ideal to get pregnant within the next two years. Her two best friends, Qiao Xichen and Xu Yan, could hardly believe that someone as optimistic as Hu Jingjing could suffer from depression. They began sorting through Jingjing's belongings again, hoping to find her medical records for more clues.
Qiao Xichen recalled that Jingjing had a crush on Gao Tianyang, the basketball club president, during college, often watching him play from the sidelines. However, Qiao Xichen was unaware that Jingjing's true affection was for Lin Rui. Now, Xu Yan discovered a necklace Jingjing had intended to give Lin Rui among her possessions. Out of consideration for Qiao Xichen, Xu Yan discreetly tucked the necklace into her pocket.
Later, at home, she carefully examined the chain, which featured a key and a small lock. Jingjing had saved money for a long time to buy it as a birthday gift for Lin Rui, but sadly, she never managed to give it to him. Meanwhile, Lin Rui's product proposal was found to involve plagiarism of a foreign product, leading to his defeat against Qiao Xichen in the competition and likely costing him the group leader position.
Despite Qiao Xichen's performance being somewhat underwhelming during the presentation, Jian Yifan found her proposal to be innovative and excellent, thus deserving adoption. When Lin Rui inquired about the new product development, Jian Yifan explained that he would not tolerate plagiarism, referencing a popular foreign brand, Sanders Coffee, that used a similar concept. He warned Lin Rui that shortcuts could lead one astray. Qiao Xichen accepted the project, grateful for Jian Yifan’s trust.
The R&D department promptly commenced work on the new project. Ou Yang approached Ji Nanjia for assistance, and after much persistence, he finally convinced her to take on the task, despite her initial reluctance due to previous negative experiences with Yann Coffee. That evening, Lin Rui met up with old friends. Seeing their professional achievements while he, an overseas elite, felt he had accomplished nothing, he used laughter to mask his embarrassment.
After the gathering, Lin Rui sought out Qiao Xichen. Qiao Xichen had just seen Xu Yan off, so they went to a nearby coffee shop. Lin Rui expressed his regret for the past and his current dejection. Qiao Xichen responded with grace, offering him comfort and letting go of the past.
She reminded him that she had grown up and that love was no longer her entire life, having many important people and things she cared about, even though her new life had its share of sadness, like Jingjing’s passing. She encouraged him to grow up too and find his own new life. It was unclear if they would become friends, but for now, they were colleagues.
Later, due to the company's existing Fu Ping persimmons unexpectedly spoiling, Ji Nanjia urgently needed to find an alternative. Fortunately, Ou Yang appeared just in time. He drove Ji Nanjia to a familiar vendor's stall, where his "Uncle Wei" sold Zhang Fang Mopan persimmons, successfully resolving the crisis. Ji Nanjia, impressed by Ou Yang's resourcefulness, offered him a ride to the team-building hotel. There, she coincidentally encountered Qiao Xichen.
At the hotel, Qiao Xichen and Ou Yang managed to persuade Ji Nanjia to stay and relax. With Xu Yan also joining Qiao Xichen, the four of them gathered around a table to play mahjong. As evening approached and the company team-building activities were about to begin, Qiao Xichen found Shen Zichang before going to help Ou Yang host the event.
She explained to him the real reason behind Xu Yan's past "overspending" on overseas purchases – Xu Yan was actually buying a pair of shoes for Shen Zichang, who couldn't afford them, hoping to reconcile the two. Shen Zichang was surprised and apologized, and they made up. Jiang Hao, representing the company's senior management, arrived at the team-building site. After a brief speech, he departed, but saw Ji Nanjia downstairs and decided to confide in her about his unhappy marriage.
Ji Nanjia, as his ex-girlfriend, was unimpressed by his lamentations. She asserted that his career success stemmed largely from his wife's family help, and there was no need for him to act as if he had been wronged after gaining power. She advised him that if there were marital problems, he should seek solutions and be fair. Ou Yang, who had been hiding nearby, overheard their conversation and couldn't resist asking Ji Nanjia about their breakup.
Perhaps emboldened by a few drinks, Ji Nanjia revealed that she had cervical cancer five years prior and was the one who initiated the breakup to spare him the burden. She explained that she didn't want him to waste five years, as neither of them could guarantee their feelings wouldn't change. Ou Yang was deeply moved, realizing Ji Nanjia was far stronger and more admirable than he had imagined.
She asked him not to tell Qiao Xichen or their friends about her past with Jiang Hao or her illness. The team-building activities continued with enthusiasm. Qiao Xichen and Lin Rui teamed up and won their game. Jian Yifan, observing from a distance, appeared displeased and retreated to the lobby to reflect. Qiao Xichen noticed Jian Yifan's strange behavior and was about to offer comfort when Lin Rui called her away.
Finding a moment alone, Lin Rui, once again, mustered the courage to confess his feelings and asked Qiao Xichen to restart their relationship, promising he would never leave her again. Later, Xu Yan recounted the story of the lock necklace to Ji Nanjia.
She revealed that Jingjing’s true affection was for Lin Rui, not Gao Tianyang, and that Jingjing had often helped Lin Rui with various tasks after his breakup with Qiao Xichen, even taking his parents on tours around Beijing. Both Ji Nanjia and Xu Yan became enraged, realizing that Lin Rui had been exploiting Jingjing's feelings and treating her as a backup. They decided to confront him, regardless of Qiao Xichen's presence.
Lin Rui attempted to defend himself, claiming he faced many difficulties abroad and Jingjing, as a friend, merely helped him care for his family and handle social engagements in China. He even shockingly suggested that Jingjing's suicide might be related to him not reciprocating her feelings, not solely his fault. Lin Rui’s brazen excuses infuriated everyone, especially Qiao Xichen, who was deeply hurt by his callous remarks.
Jian Yifan, who had witnessed the entire scene from the doorway, quickly called Qiao Xichen away, but she collapsed, overwhelmed by grief and exhaustion. She was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with acute appendicitis. After the doctor explained that chronic appendicitis can be problematic and the appendix has no other function, Qiao Xichen, tired of constant pain, decided to have it removed.
