Remembrance of Things Past Episode 8 Recap
> Remembrance of Things Past Recap
Upon returning to work shortly after minimally invasive surgery, Qiao Xichen found her peaceful life disrupted by the unexpected arrival of her demanding uncle and aunt. Despite her discomfort, she patiently catered to their every whim, prioritizing her parents' wishes. The couple's visit was for her uncle to get an examination at You Hao Hospital, as a recent check-up indicated liver issues, possibly related to heavy drinking.
They insisted on seeing a renowned specialist, Dr. Zhang, whose appointments were notoriously hard to secure. This left Qiao Xichen sleepless for several nights, waking early to queue, which left her exhausted at work. During a meeting, the R&D department criticized the quality of coffee beans Qiao Xichen had sourced for a new product, giving her two weeks to find a high-quality replacement. Observing her fatigue, Jian Yifan discreetly offered support.
He overheard Qiao Xichen discussing her struggle to book the hospital appointment and found an excuse to suggest they go to the hospital together, claiming he also had an appointment there. Once at the hospital, Jian Yifan offered to get the registration for her, insisting she rest in the car due to the long queues. Qiao Xichen, misinterpreting his concern as a need for privacy for his own appointment, reluctantly agreed and fell asleep in the car.
Though Dr. Zhang's appointment was indeed fully booked, Jian Yifan successfully secured a consultation with Dr. Liu Yan, a well-regarded attending physician and Dr. Zhang's mentee. Relieved, Qiao Xichen profusely thanked him, praising his efficiency. Encouraged by his actions and their growing closeness, she boldly asked Jian Yifan if he liked her. To her surprise, he openly confessed his feelings, explaining he had intended a more romantic proposal but this spontaneous moment seemed to override his plans.
He declared his belief that she was the right person for him and asked if she felt the same. Overwhelmed by the sudden intensity, Qiao Xichen, making an excuse about feeling carsick, quickly fled, later regretting her cowardice when confiding in Xu Yan over the phone. Meanwhile, Ji Nanjia received a frantic call from her mother and rushed back to her hometown.
She learned that her 52-year-old aunt, Lin Li Fang, was determined to undergo artificial insemination to have another child, a decision that had become the talk of their conservative small town.
Ji Nanjia's uncle desperately sought her help to dissuade her aunt, explaining how Lin Li Fang had been profoundly changed by the loss of their only daughter, Hu Jingjing, now spending her days staring out the window, even asking if she could die before him because she couldn't imagine living alone. He lamented that a child, even without expectations of elderly care, represents a "longing" for parents, and he was at a loss.
Ji Nanjia understood her aunt's need for a new "spiritual pillar" to prevent a complete breakdown. Ji Nanjia inquired with her uncle about any unusual behavior from Hu Jingjing before her death. Her uncle recalled that Hu Jingjing always spoke to her mother, reporting only good news and rarely expressing her true emotions.
He was surprised when Ji Nanjia revealed that Hu Jingjing had not, in fact, borrowed 20,000 yuan from her for her aunt's cholecystitis surgery three years prior, as Hu Jingjing had claimed. Ji Nanjia denied lending her any money, realizing Hu Jingjing had lied. This prompted Ji Nanjia to press further, asking if her uncle had noticed any "off" behavior from Jingjing. Her uncle again said he only knew what his wife told him: that Jingjing was fine.
Ji Nanjia then disclosed that after Jingjing's passing, she learned her cousin had suffered from depression. Her uncle was aghast, associating depression with a "mental disorder" and refusing to believe it, citing Jingjing's "outgoing" nature. Ji Nanjia clarified that depression is a psychological condition, not psychosis, and can be triggered by sudden stress or long-repressed emotions. Ji Nanjia's mother later explained that their family, especially the elder siblings, always supported Lin Li Fang as the youngest.
Knowing Ji Nanjia was in Beijing and financially secure, Jingjing, too proud to directly ask her cousin for money to help her parents, invented the story. She had, in fact, been secretly supporting her parents for years, funding her aunt's surgery, their new house, and various family expenses, which explained her apparent frugality and inability to save money. Ji Nanjia was heartbroken and regretful for not having paid closer attention to her cousin's struggles.
Meanwhile, Shen Zichang impulsively proposed to Xu Yan while they were watching a wedding video. Xu Yan, feigning annoyance, jokingly kicked him out, but secretly felt flustered. After talking to Qiao Xichen, who advised her to consider Shen Zichang's quirky nature and her own desire for marriage, Xu Yan decided to give him another chance. The next morning, Qiao Xichen called Shen Zichang, offering encouragement.
Inspired, Shen Zichang went to buy a diamond ring and meticulously decorated his room for a romantic surprise proposal. However, in an unexpected twist, he hid the ring in a box containing 101 chocolates, leading to a prolonged search. Despite the comical chaos, Shen Zichang eventually found the ring, delivering a heartfelt speech about how meeting Xu Yan was the culmination of his life's luck. Xu Yan, though initially flustered and claiming she wasn't ready, ultimately accepted his proposal.
They then planned to visit his parents to discuss wedding arrangements. Shen Zichang's parents were initially delighted by the news. However, when Xu Yan mentioned her desire for a wedding home and suggested both families contribute to the down payment, Shen's mother reacted furiously. She refused to provide any funds and insisted that the couple live with them in their existing two-bedroom apartment. She gave them an ultimatum: either marry and live with them, or break up.
Xu Yan was incensed by Shen's mother's domineering attitude and further frustrated by Shen Zichang's passive agreement, which led to a bitter argument between the couple. Unable to return home due to her extended family's presence, Qiao Xichen checked into a budget hotel. There, she shockingly discovered a hidden camera in her room and immediately called the police. Jian Yifan, having been alerted, rushed to the police station.
His swift concern deeply moved Qiao Xichen, who, overcoming her earlier hesitation, confessed her feelings to him, solidifying their romantic relationship. Jian Yifan then offered to accompany her home to face her relatives and take responsibility for any trouble they had caused. However, Qiao Xichen, wanting to spare her parents from feeling guilty, insisted on keeping their relationship a secret for the time being, playfully telling Jian Yifan they could officially start dating after "one hour."
Qiao Xichen's benevolent intentions towards her relatives were not reciprocated. Her uncle and aunt escalated their unreasonable demands, culminating in them unilaterally throwing Qiao Xichen's cat, Gou Dan, out of the apartment. This act was the final straw for Qiao Xichen, who, in a fit of rage, confronted them.
Even Qiao Xichen's father, who had previously tried to maintain peace, was enraged by his brother's disrespectful actions and fiercely defended his daughter, chastising his brother for plaguing Qiao Xichen, especially her early morning efforts to book the specialist's appointment. The entire family then went downstairs to search for Gou Dan. Finding the lost cat in the bushes, Qiao Xichen was overcome with joy, realizing the profound and selfless love her parents held for her.
Simultaneously, at her hometown, Ji Nanjia's aunt, Lin Li Fang, in the midst of another argument with her husband about wanting a baby, was told by her furious husband that "Jingjing was crazy, and so are you." Shocked, Lin Li Fang pressed him for an explanation. Her husband, trying to backtrack, eventually revealed that Ji Nanjia had told him about Hu Jingjing's depression. Lin Li Fang was left stunned, finally understanding the tragic truth behind her daughter's death.
