Cry Me A River of Stars Episode 4 Recap
> Cry Me A River of Stars Recap
Li A Fan visited Tao Junran's mansion, bringing two peaches with her, intending to swear an oath of brotherhood with him. However, Tao Junran’s guards initially tried to turn her away, mistaking her intentions. When Tao Junran finally appeared, he coldly rejected her gesture. He stated that in his years in the capital, he had seen many people attempt to cling to those in power under the guise of gratitude.
He emphasized the difference in their statuses and suggested they keep their distance to avoid misunderstandings. A disappointed Li A Fan left, feeling that Tao Junran was "ice-faced" and "petty." Tao Junran, however, felt a twinge of unease after seeing her depart. Back at her Springtime Pleasure Boat, Li A Fan faced another challenge as her employees decided to leave. They complained about the lack of income and the constant troubles surrounding the boat.
Despite Li A Fan's earnest attempts to motivate them with promises of future expansion and positions as boat owners, calling them her family, her words failed to sway them, and they ultimately left. This setback made Li A Fan realize she needed to learn from more successful businesses. Determined, Li A Fan disguised herself as a young man named Ran and sought employment at the renowned Fortune Pleasure Boat. She successfully secured a position as a kitchen helper.
While working, she was impressed by the boat's lavish decorations, ornate furnishings, and advanced methods of preserving fruit with ice. She introduced herself to Zhuo Jiqing, the zither player. Later, a peculiar male guest demanded that San Yue Mei, a dancer, hit him. When San Yue Mei hesitated, Li A Fan intervened, suggesting that Zhuo Jiqing, as a man, would be a more suitable choice. Zhuo Jiqing, to Li A Fan's surprise, eagerly complied.
To show her appreciation, Li A Fan later made Zhuo Jiqing a rice cake. During their conversation, Zhuo Jiqing revealed he had a rhinopolyp, which prevented him from eating spicy food, and that he tended to touch his nose when troubled. He also confessed a liking for San Yue Mei, albeit feeling she was "out of his league." Li A Fan offered to help him, advising him that quiet men, like Lord Tao, were often favored by women.
Soon after, the Fortune Pleasure Boat's manager, who had earlier expressed her vulnerability to Li A Fan (as Ran), invited Ran to her room for drinks, hinting at a desire for intimacy. Li A Fan, uncomfortable, feigned an "unspoken ailment" to politely decline, just as a servant announced Tao Junran's arrival. Tao Junran had indeed come to inspect the Fortune Pleasure Boat. He specifically requested "Ran" to serve him.
Recognizing Li A Fan despite her disguise, Tao Junran directly questioned her presence, warning her to leave the boat by morning or face exposure to the manager. Li A Fan insisted she was merely there to learn about business operations and denied any "underhanded tactics." Later, Li A Fan returned to Tao Junran's room to deliver midnight snacks.
She had also written a love letter for Zhuo Jiqing to confess his feelings to San Yue Mei, and the letter, placed under a tea cup, was mistakenly given to Li A Fan by a nervous Zhuo Jiqing, ending up on the snack tray she delivered to Tao Junran. Unbeknownst to her, while delivering the snacks, she overheard Tao Junran speaking privately with San Yue Mei.
They were discussing "Azurelanders" and the suspicion that Li A Fan's presence was a "test" to confirm the existence of their secret base, and that "Lian Qi is still alive." Li A Fan, misinterpreting the conversation as evidence of a secret affair, panicked.
To cover the true nature of his conversation with San Yue Mei, Tao Junran quickly fabricated a story upon seeing Li A Fan, claiming that San Yue Mei and Cao Qing, a guard who had just entered, were star-crossed lovers whose parents disapproved, forcing them to meet discreetly in his room. Li A Fan left, feeling awkward but relieved. After Li A Fan departed, Tao Junran found the love letter under the snack tray she had delivered.
He mistakenly believed it was from her, unaware of the mix-up orchestrated by Zhuo Jiqing and herself. He then clarified to San Yue Mei that the elaborate lie was a necessary cover for her new assignment: to join the Springtime Pleasure Boat and monitor Li A Fan, whom he considered their most significant "bait" for Lian Qi.
Meanwhile, a heartbroken Zhuo Jiqing, having overheard Tao Junran's fabricated story about San Yue Mei and Cao Qing, lamented that no "light was lit for him." Seeing his despair, Li A Fan finally revealed her true identity as the owner of Springtime Pleasure Boat and invited him to join her. Zhuo Jiqing was shocked to discover Ran was a woman, exclaiming, "I saw you as a brother, but you're a woman! You liar!" Nevertheless, he agreed to join her.
At the modest Springtime Pleasure Boat, Li A Fan presented him with a contract, and Zhuo Jiqing put his fingerprint on it. She immediately tasked him with recruiting new dancers for the boat, handing him a signboard to carry through the market. Soon after, Tao Junran arrived at the Springtime Pleasure Boat with San Yue Mei, officially recommending her as a dancer. Li A Fan, initially hesitant due to her boat's humble finances, began negotiations with San Yue Mei.
San Yue Mei demanded 300 taels per month, which Li A Fan declared her small boat could not afford. After San Yue Mei suggested 100 taels, Li A Fan humorously retorted, "Why don't you sell my boat?" before offering 30 taels. To Li A Fan's surprise, San Yue Mei accepted the lower offer.
With San Yue Mei and Zhuo Jiqing now part of the crew, the Springtime Pleasure Boat began to attract more attention, with many people flocking to see the renowned Miss San Yue Mei.
