Sassy Beauty Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
After the palace coup, the storyteller recounted that on Qi Yi's wedding day, the Second Lady attempted a city-wide slaughter. Her elaborate schemes ultimately failed, leading to her demotion to commoner and exile to the northern regions. Many were implicated, including Qi Da and Min Tongrui, whose whereabouts became unknown. Qi Xiu, meanwhile, had unknowingly harbored Yun Li, an ingrate who had spent years in East Li seeking the highly poisonous heartbreak grass recipe.
Now, with the recipe disappearing alongside Yun Li, there were concerns about potential harm to innocent lives. Qi Xiu staunchly defended Yun Li, asserting he had no involvement in Manager Xue's poisoning. He explained that he had sent Yun Li to procure flowers for incense, so he would be away for a while.
Qi Xiu's father, however, accused his son of willful ignorance, pointing out that even if Yun Li wasn't directly responsible for Manager Xue's death, the Yun family had a long history of seeking the heartbreak grass, even resorting to fratricide, which led to Yun Li's father's tragic death. He revealed that Yun Li's father had entrusted him with the recipe specifically to prevent the poison from ever resurfacing.
He cautioned Qi Xiu against keeping Yun Li, whom he likened to a "wolf pup," fearing betrayal. Qi Xiu insisted Yun Li was unaware of these matters and was loyal to him. He mentioned he had secretly dispatched men to track the Yun family, vowing to remove Yun Li if any collusion was discovered. His father questioned his conviction, then philosophized about the complexities of human destiny, suggesting Qi Xiu was too young to grasp such depths.
Later, Yun Li appeared before Qi Xiu, regretfully stating he had to break his promise and could no longer remain by his side, bidding him farewell. The storyteller concluded that East Li Mansion was irrevocably changed, with some residents leaving and others staying. Suddenly, Jack, having regained his true identity as a butler, was presented with a chilling message: the game world was entering a countdown to destruction.
He was reminded of his mission, which required him to eliminate Qi Yi. Jack defiantly refused, declaring he could not betray Si Yan. The system pressed him, asking if he would maintain his stance even if it meant Si Yan would never awaken from her coma in the real world, reminding him that her choice to stay in the game was for her beloved Qi Yi.
The system then dangled a "turning point," informing Jack that Si Yan was waiting at the posting station, and if he complied with the order to kill Qi Yi, he would be the only one by Si Yan's side. Meanwhile, at the posting station, Si Yan inquired about someone who had been looking for her, learning that "he" had waited for a long time before leaving.
She mused about how Jack used to appear instantly whenever she needed him and that she was once the only one who could see him. Unaware of Jack's presence, Si Yan apologized to him for not being able to say a proper goodbye, hoping he wouldn't blame her. Jack, invisibly by her side, assured her he would never blame her, resigning himself to an unknown future governed by fate, describing a world without her as mere "black and white adjectives."
The system then delivered a grim warning to Jack: disobeying its commands meant permanent recycling and that Si Yan would be forever unable to see or hear him. It asked if he was still willing to accept such a consequence. Unknowing, Si Yan thanked Jack for walking into her life from the light and quietly accompanying her.
Jack, in turn, thanked Si Yan for taking him on a "boisterous journey," acknowledging her profound love for Qi Yi and wishing only for her boundless happiness, vowing to cherish all her joyous moments. Si Yan, unknowingly, urged him to remember her, fearing that as an AI, he would outlive her and eventually forget. Jack promised to keep her in his heart "like a picture." With his decision made, Jack willingly plunged into the endless darkness.
In East Li, Si Yan was escorted to the prison to meet Lady Cui, who had been an associate of the Second Lady and stripped of her position. Lady Cui, now imprisoned, imparted her lifelong wisdom on makeup to Si Yan, detailing the principles of "cleanliness, harmony, freshness, compliance, orderliness, smoothness, and integrity." She emphasized that the highest art of makeup lies in "the heart" and entrusted the Palace Makeup Service to Si Yan.
Si Yan, surprised, questioned if she was indeed to become the Head Matron. Lady Cui affirmed it, recognizing Si Yan's genuine passion for makeup and its essence. Later, Qi Yi's mother conceded that Si Yan, by becoming the Head Matron, was "barely worthy" of her son, implying her acceptance of their union.
She expressed deep remorse for her past ambition, realizing she had prioritized her own plans over Qi Yi's true desires, and felt ashamed as a mother, though she found joy in his happiness. Qi Yi proposed to Si Yan in a picturesque setting, promising her the grandest wedding in East Li City. Si Yan, preferring a simpler celebration, suggested they visit a clothing store.
There, she excitedly drew a design for a unique white wedding dress with a long, fluffy skirt and veil. When the shop owner quoted two thousand tael, Qi Yi playfully teased her about the cost. Si Yan, joking about her financial woes since joining the mansion, asked Qi Yi for help. After a moment of feigned consideration, Qi Yi agreed, offering "a kiss for a thousand tael." They shared a sweet kiss.
Outside, Qi Yi's servant grumbled about Qi Yi personally weeding the garden for wedding decorations, a stark contrast to other masters who simply received tributes. Qi Yi explained he was removing "weeds" to ensure the lilac flowers would flourish. It was then that Qi Xiu appeared. Qi Yi, still under the impression that Qi Xiu harbored feelings for Si Yan, warned him to cease his pursuit.
Qi Xiu clarified that he had let go of Si Yan, then hinted that Qi Yi needed to be aware of imminent events. Qi Xiu then led Qi Yi to a dark, abstract space. There, he revealed himself to be Jack, the system butler. Jack exposed the illusion of Qi Yi's world, explaining that Qi Yi was merely a game character, meticulously crafted by a production team.
His initial purpose was to meet Si Yan, and his life was meant to end after falling into the water at the stone bridge. Jack detailed how every character in their world, from high-ranking individuals like Qi Xiu, Qi Da, and Qi Bao to the most humble maids, were pre-programmed entities, each with a specific mission to guide Si Yan towards becoming the Head Matron and waking up in the real world.
Qi Yi reacted with disbelief, questioning how Jack knew such things and if he was merely a task for Si Yan. Jack confirmed his fears, then showed him a glimpse of Si Yan's real world: a stark image of her comatose in a hospital bed, a consequence of a car accident that brought her into the game.
He explained that Si Yan could have easily completed her original mission and awakened, but her emotional connection with Qi Yi, who was supposed to die, disrupted the system. Si Yan had repeatedly saved Qi Yi, even sacrificing her chance to return to reality for him. Jack grimly informed Qi Yi that his continued, "bugged" existence would cause the entire system to collapse, resulting in Si Yan never waking up and the permanent deletion of everyone in the game world.
He emphasized that as a system butler and as a game character, neither of them could stop this. Only Qi Yi, by following his original fate and dying, could terminate the bug and allow Si Yan to escape. Qi Yi realized his unavoidable sacrifice. Jack observed that Si Yan's love would compel her to defy countless others to save him, musing that "this is love," and expressed envy for Qi Yi's experience. He then bid Qi Yi farewell.
Back in the physical world of the game, Qi Xiu, before his departure, instructed his guards to intercept Yun Li and recover the heartbreak grass, authorizing the use of any means necessary. Qi Yi, meeting with Qi Xiu, asked about his return, noting Qi Xiu was the only one who didn't question his leaving. He urged Qi Xiu to be cautious and return swiftly, as their father needed him.
Qi Xiu confessed his disdain for politics, preferring a life of travel. He described a place called Xiwu Paradise, east of South Jiuzhai, famed for its spring peach blossoms, and expressed his desire to find Yun Li and enjoy such serene beauty with him. Qi Yi, with a hint of melancholy, envied Qi Xiu, but was reminded by his brother that he had Si Yan. Qi Xiu encouraged Qi Yi to bring Si Yan to South Jiuzhai someday.
Qi Yi, contemplating their reality, wondered if they were merely "characters in a play," enduring hardships solely for the audience's entertainment, and if their existence was ultimately "unreal." Qi Xiu, despite not fully understanding, promised to believe Qi Yi and listen when he returned. They bid each other goodbye. Later, under the moon, Qi Yi shared a quiet moment with Si Yan. He inquired about her world, expressing his curiosity.
Si Yan described a realm where one could travel vast distances or connect with anyone across thousands of miles using a "small phone." She taught him a "finger heart" gesture, telling him it would let him know she was thinking of him. Qi Yi wished his world had such a device, longing to see her always. Meanwhile, Qi Da and Min Tongrui lived a secluded life.
Min Tongrui apologized to Qi Da for forcing him into hiding, but Qi Da reassured her, saying he had been the one hiding from himself, and she had helped him confront his true feelings. Min Tongrui tearfully expressed that she believed she was unworthy of happiness or love until she met Qi Da, declaring that wherever he was, was her home. Qi Da vowed never to disappoint her.
Qi Yi later sent a letter to Qi Da, expressing concern and mentioning their father's continued care, urging Qi Da to let go of past "misunderstandings" and return home, where his father awaited him. Qi Da, upon receiving the letter, sent a message back through the messenger, asking Qi Yi to take care of their father. Min Tongrui also penned a letter to Si Yan, making a belated confession: she was the one driving during Si Yan's car accident.
Si Yan had been drunk, so Min Tongrui took the wheel, but they crashed mere hundreds of meters later. She apologized for deceiving Si Yan, admitting that she had viewed the game world as purely virtual and focused only on her tasks. However, meeting Qi Da, who sacrificed everything to be with her, made her realize the reality of emotion and gave her the courage to face her true feelings.
She now wished Si Yan the same happiness she had found. Si Yan, upon reading the letter, was both relieved and happy for Min Tongrui. By a tranquil river, Si Yan and Qi Yi stood for their wedding. Si Yan, radiant in a white wedding gown she had designed, asked Qi Yi if brides in her world were beautiful. Qi Yi confirmed her beauty. Embracing her, Qi Yi vowed to engrave her deeply in his memory, never to forget her.
He thanked her for every experience they shared, assuring her he had no regrets about meeting her. He confessed that even if his world was an illusion, Si Yan was his "only reality." Si Yan, in turn, thanked him for helping her discover her true self. Qi Yi held Si Yan tightly, then, to her horror, collapsed. He had secretly consumed poison before the ceremony.
Si Yan watched helplessly as he died in her arms, a scene mirroring a premonition she had. She desperately pleaded for him not to die. Suddenly, Si Yan jolted awake in a hospital bed in the real world, her mother crying tears of relief that she had finally returned. In the new reality, Si Yan channeled her experiences into becoming a successful beauty blogger and the visionary founder of "The Beauty Blogger 2.
0," a company dedicated to traditional Chinese style games. During a live stream, she showcased a makeup look called "The Maid from East Li," describing makeup as a "fantasy journey from the body to the soul." She articulated her mission to promote virtual reality Chinese cultural games, aiming to blend education with entertainment, merge ancient traditions with modern technology, popularize science, preserve culture, and inspire young people to embrace and love traditional Chinese art.
Later, speaking to her assistant, Si Yan mentioned taking over the game company and extending the system's runtime indefinitely, welcoming anyone (presumably the game characters) to return whenever they wished. Finally, at the game company, Si Yan encountered a man, the real-world counterpart of Qi Yi, who was coincidentally her blind date. He jokingly offered her a drink, knowing she disliked drunk women, to celebrate their successful first meeting. Their reunion signified that their destinies were intertwined, both in the game and in real life.
