Sniper Butterfly Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Sniper Butterfly Synopsis
When Cen Jin was at the lowest point in her life, she received a plea for help from Li Wu, a rural teenager she had once sponsored. Moved by Li Wu's self-reliance, she decided to bring the orphaned and nearly dropout boy to Haishi for schooling.
With Li Wu's companionship, Cen Jin overcame the struggles of her divorce, returned to the workplace, and became a well-known curator.
Meanwhile, Li Wu cherished the learning environment Cen Jin had created for him, studied diligently, and eventually got admitted to his dream university.
In college, Li Wu gradually realized his feelings for Cen Jin, which she became aware of. Knowing the weight and complexity of these emotions, Cen Jin remained silent. Heartbroken by her lack of response, Li Wu left for a distant place, and the two went their separate ways.
Six years later, Li Wu, now a successful professional, returned to Haishi and reunited with Cen Jin through work. Though he avoided mentioning the past, his love for her remained unchanged. With Li Wu's sincerity and courage, Cen Jin finally chose to honestly reciprocate his feelings.
Sniper Butterfly Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Cen Jin, a partner at Shengcan, was preparing for an upcoming environmental art exhibition. On her way to a meeting with the collaborating company, Tongchen Technology, she was on the phone, mentioning how she had pulled two all-nighters but was accustomed to it in their line of work. She expected to catch up on sleep once the proposal was approved and reminded the person on the other end not to stress, as their talent was sufficient.
During the call, she briefly saw a man in traffic who reminded her of an old friend but dismissed the thought as she hurried to the company. Upon entering the meeting room, Cen Jin was surprised to find that Tongchen Technology's representative was Li Wu, a young man she had once sponsored.
She composed herself and began her presentation for the "Earth at the Critical Point Environmental Art Exhibition," explaining that its core theme was "bond"—the bond between Earth and humanity, and among all living things. She elaborated that humans and nature are interconnected, not isolated, and that all living beings are interdependent, a connection often forgotten. After her presentation, Li Wu questioned whether a few images would adequately convey the concept of "bond."
Cen Jin clarified they would use multi-media presentations, interactive experiences, and physical exhibits to create a richer understanding. Li Wu then asked for Cen Jin's personal interpretation of the word. She described "bond" as the connection and entanglement between lives, an inseparable responsibility and tie, like a kite held by a string—as long as the string remains unbroken, the bond exists.
Li Wu subtly challenged this, asking if such ties would disappear if the string were cut, either by circumstances or intentionally, and how intangible feelings could be confirmed. Shengcan's Ms. Shen intervened, smoothing over the moment, and Li Wu stated that with a long period of cooperation ahead, they would have ample opportunity to explore the topic further. After the meeting, Cen Jin went to the restroom.
Seeing herself in the mirror, her thoughts drifted back years to Yunfeng Village when she and her then-husband, Wu Fu, first met Li Wu, who was then a shy boy. Emerging from the restroom, she encountered Li Wu by the elevators. After a moment of silence, Li Wu remarked that a "bond" could be love or hate, but never indifference. He then added that she had not contacted him once in all those years, implying a deep, unresolved past.
That evening, Ms. Shen hosted a dinner for Li Wu and Cheng Rui from Tongchen, informing them that Cen Jin would be the main point of contact for their project. She praised Cen Jin's capabilities, mentioning her successful work on Bingdian Technology's promotions. During the meal, Li Wu and Cheng Rui sampled signature dishes like yellow croaker with rice cake and goose liver lotus root sandwich. After dinner, Cheng Rui drove Li Wu home.
Ms. Shen created a WeChat group for the four of them. While in the car, Li Wu borrowed Cheng Rui's phone and scrolled through Cen Jin's social media, noticing a man named Dr. Lu in her photos. Meanwhile, Ms. Shen also hinted to Cen Jin about her relationship with Dr. Lu, asking why she didn't call him to pick her up. The scene then shifted to a flashback, several years earlier.
Cen Jin was in the midst of divorcing Wu Fu when she received a call from Li Wu, using a borrowed phone. He introduced himself as the student from Yunfeng Village whom her father, Mr. Cen, had sponsored. He explained that his grandfather had passed away a year ago, and his uncle had forced him to drop out of school and work in a mine, causing him to miss the college entrance exam.
He desperately wanted to resume his studies but his aunt and uncle refused, stating he must work to earn money. Li Wu confessed he had initially called Wu Fu, who, after informing him that he and Cen Jin had separated, had given him Cen Jin's contact information. Upset, Cen Jin immediately called Wu Fu, confronting him for pushing Li Wu's situation onto her.
Wu Fu coldly retorted that the sponsorship had been her father's initiative, and since they were no longer together, he had no obligation to continue. He dismissed Li Wu's plight, describing such children as those who "voluntarily give up the exam to work" and then "find the work too hard," returning pitifully to ask for help. He cynically added that human relationships, in his view, were merely "contracts that can be terminated anytime," suggesting their marriage was no different.
Cen Jin, furious at his harshness and mercenary perspective, hung up. Determined to help, Cen Jin drove to Yunfeng Village. She inquired about Mayor Yan Changsheng, the former village head involved in the sponsorship, only to learn he had been promoted to mayor and was no longer in the village. She was then assisted by Cheng Lixue, a reserve cadre who asked Cen Jin to simply call her Cheng.
Cheng Lixue confirmed Li Wu's situation, revealing that after his grandfather's death, his uncle had indeed sent him to work at a mine. She expressed sorrow for the intelligent and hardworking boy whose promising future was derailed by his uncle. Cen Jin also learned that her sponsorship funds, intended for Li Wu, were no longer reaching him. They arrived at Li Wu's aunt's house to find his uncle verbally and physically assaulting Li Wu for attempting to leave.
Cen Jin intervened, pulling Li Wu away from his uncle. Li Wu confirmed that his uncle had taken all the sponsorship money. Cen Jin confronted the uncle, offering to cover all of Li Wu's future tuition fees, an extra year of preparatory study and his entire college education, stating that his good foundation would ensure he excelled and would bring a greater return to the family in the long run.
However, the uncle flatly refused, asserting that Li Wu was an adult and must contribute to the family's income, declaring that Li Wu had "no such fate" to attend college. Frustrated and angered by his stubbornness, Cen Jin stepped outside for air. Cheng Lixue advised Cen Jin that village family matters were complex and, despite appearances, Li Wu's aunt and uncle were still his family.
Given the late hour, the heavy rain, and unsafe roads due to ongoing construction, Cheng Lixue arranged for Cen Jin to stay overnight in a temporary school dorm. She reassured Cen Jin that hot water was available and offered to provide anything else needed before returning to the village committee. Later that night, the village experienced a power outage during the rain.
Li Wu, having secretly saved some pocket money, arrived at Cen Jin's dorm with candles and mosquito coils he had purchased, concerned she would be inconvenienced. Cen Jin invited him in. She asked why he had sought her out. Li Wu explained his desire to continue his studies to repay those who had been kind to him and to escape the mountain. He admitted he didn't have a clear plan but felt compelled to explore every possibility.
Cen Jin asked if he believed in fate; Li Wu replied no, and Cen Jin echoed his sentiment, stating she only believed in herself. She encouraged him to maintain his belief, asserting that "as long as one doesn't give up on oneself, there's always a way to solve problems." As Li Wu prepared to leave, he noticed that the dorm room's door lacked a latch. Concerned for her safety, he offered to stand outside and guard the door for her.
Episode 2 Recap
The next morning, Secretary Cheng woke Cen Jin to inform her that Li Wu had stood outside her door all night, claiming the lock was broken. Secretary Cheng had briefly gone to the village committee office, only to find Li Wu gone upon his return. He learned Li Wu's uncle had taken him away, intending to force him to work at the mine, and was likely already on the way.
Cen Jin immediately accompanied Secretary Cheng to Li Wu's aunt's house, where a heated argument was already underway, with Li Wu's uncle trying to force him to go to work. Seeing Li Wu's resolute refusal, Cen Jin stepped forward and declared her intention to take Li Wu to Yi City to study and attend college.
She stated that the previously provided funds not used for his education would no longer be pursued and even offered a one-time payment equivalent to what Li Wu would earn working for a year. The uncle, deeming the amount too low, demanded 50,000 yuan, claiming he needed to renovate his house.
In response, Cen Jin threatened to call her lawyer to investigate his illegal appropriation of Li Wu's assets and educational funds, forcing the boy to drop out of school, and depriving him of his free will. She added that the police could also get involved. Faced with this threat, the uncle reluctantly agreed to accept 30,000 yuan. Cen Jin then asked Secretary Cheng to bring other village officials to witness the agreement.
As Cen Jin helped Li Wu pack his belongings, she realized she hadn't explicitly asked for his consent. She formally asked if he was willing to return to Yi City with her to study. Li Wu, deeply grateful, promised to repay her. Cen Jin, joking about charging interest, clarified that he could repay her with his college entrance exam results.
As they were about to leave, Li Wu's aunt hurried to the car and discreetly handed Li Wu some crumpled money, urging him to study hard in the city and never return to Yunfeng Village. Li Wu requested a few minutes to visit one more place. He ran to his grandfather's tombstone, bowed respectfully, and recalled his grandfather's wishes for him to study, gain knowledge, and leave the mountains.
This reinforced his determination to depart the village and pursue a new life. When he returned to the car, Cen Jin had fallen asleep. He stood outside the car door, shielding her from the sun. Cen Jin awoke several hours later, surprised to realize she had slept for so long while Li Wu had quietly stood outside the entire time. She asked why he hadn't woken her or gotten into the unlocked car.
He explained his shoes were muddy, but Cen Jin assured him it was fine. As he got in, she noticed dirt on his forehead and wiped it off for him. Later that evening, upon arriving back in Yi City, Cen Jin realized they hadn't eaten. Li Wu, too shy to voice his hunger, remained silent. Cen Jin bought some bread from a convenience store for them. Just then, Cen Jin's mother called.
She revealed that she had visited Wu Fu's house earlier and found no sign of Cen Jin's belongings, demanding to know why they were living apart. Stepping out of the car for privacy, Cen Jin admitted that she and Wu Fu were getting a divorce, which Wu Fu had initiated. Her mother was furious that Cen Jin was involving herself with Li Wu's affairs when her own life was in turmoil.
Cen Jin, agitated, retorted that her father had initiated the sponsorship in the first place, and she couldn't ignore Li Wu's plight. Her mother accused Cen Jin of blaming them and of keeping her separation secret, preventing them from intervening. Exasperated, Cen Jin conceded it was all her fault but insisted that she would handle everything herself. In the car, Li Wu overheard the entire tense conversation.
Having argued with her mother, Cen Jin couldn't send Li Wu to her parents' house as planned, so she brought him to her own apartment. She ordered takeout, including fried chicken, and encouraged Li Wu to eat. During the meal, she explained her plan to get him into the best high school in Yi City but stressed that his own opinion was most important. Li Wu replied that just being able to go to school was good enough.
Cen Jin then set a condition: he must aim high and get into a top-tier (211) university. She also apologized for her emotional outburst on the phone, assuring him her harsh words weren't directed at him. She then asked his age and suggested he call her "sister" from now on, to which he hesitantly agreed.
Cen Jin showed Li Wu to the spare bedroom, explaining the bedding was on the bed and the wardrobe was empty for his use, promising to clear out a few boxes of her things soon. She then showed him the main bathroom, clarifying it would be his as her bedroom had an en-suite. She told him not to feel awkward, as he would move into a dorm once school arrangements were finalized.
Later that night, exhausted, Cen Jin texted her friend Chun Chang, informing her that she had brought the sponsored student back from Yunfeng. Chun Chang called back immediately, surprised and jokingly asking if this was a way to get back at Wu Fu. Cen Jin admitted she had acted impulsively, angered by Wu Fu's indifferent attitude. She explained her original plan to have Li Wu stay with her parents was now impossible after their argument.
Chun Chang suggested he could stay with Cen Jin for a few days until school started and he could move into a dorm. The call was cut short when Chun Chang's mother began pressuring her about a blind date with a man named Yang Hao. Later, Cen Jin heard Li Wu in the living room and found him suffering from diarrhea. She gave him some stomach medicine.
She also handed him a fresh towel, noticing he hadn't dried himself properly after a shower. The next morning, Li Wu greeted Cen Jin as "Sister." She asked if his stomach felt better, and he confirmed it did, admitting he had simply eaten too much the previous night. Apologizing for not showing him sooner, Cen Jin demonstrated how to convert the sofa into a bed.
She offered him porridge to settle his stomach, and Li Wu mentioned he often cooked and could make breakfast. Cen Jin agreed, telling him the kitchen was well-equipped. As they ate, she complimented his beautiful eyes, asking if he got them from his mother. Li Wu quietly replied that he didn't remember his mother and had no photos of her. Cen Jin apologized, but he assured her it was fine.
She told him he could talk to her about any difficulties, like family. Still feeling a bit unwell, Cen Jin decided to go out for some fruit. After she left, she spotted Wu Fu with an unfamiliar woman entering a restaurant. She followed them in and sat at a nearby table. Making her presence known, she listened as Wu Fu claimed the woman was a client and they were discussing a project.
The woman asked Cen Jin if she was on vacation, having not seen her at their company. Cen Jin sarcastically questioned why only the two of them were at a "work" lunch. Wu Fu defensively asked her to stop being sarcastic. Cen Jin simply stated she wanted to eat. During the tense meal, she told Wu Fu to focus on his client.
He retorted that his work didn't need her interference, to which Cen Jin replied that if he had said so earlier, they wouldn't have ended up working at the same company. The awkwardness prompted the woman to excuse herself, claiming she had a meeting. Cen Jin then told Wu Fu she had lost her appetite, left him with the bill, and walked out.
Episode 3 Recap
Cen Jin prepared to leave the restaurant, but Wu Fu quickly followed her, questioning her behavior and urging her not to let her emotions affect their business dealings, particularly offending a client. He criticized her, telling her to stop living in a bubble and reminding her that the world doesn't revolve around her. Upset, Cen Jin asked why he was so hurtful, bringing up her recent poor health and their continuous arguments despite their long relationship since college.
Wu Fu interrupted, acknowledging his pain from losing their child but swiftly shifting to his own exhaustion. He claimed that their marriage, where he felt he was never good enough and constantly had to manage her and her parents' emotions, had left him fed up and unable to continue. He expressed regret for not having left her sooner, believing he wouldn't have lost the child if he had, concluding there was no point in reconciliation.
Cen Jin walked home alone, dispirited. On the way, a cyclist accidentally bumped into her, scattering the fruit she was carrying across the ground, a poignant reflection of her shattered marriage. She arrived home feeling numb. Soon after, her father, Mr. Cen, arrived, bringing steamed dumplings from Cen Jin's mother and other food for Li Wu.
He advised Li Wu to eat while the food was hot and provided him with study materials, encouraging him to practice when he had time. Mr. Cen then took Cen Jin aside to discuss Li Wu's studies and her own marital issues. He informed her that he had arranged for Li Wu to enroll in Mr. Qi's prestigious repeat-year program in Yi City, which boasted the best educational resources and would assist with transfer procedures, including obtaining his student record.
Mr. Cen noted that since Li Wu had already graduated from high school, the process would be simpler, and he asked Cen Jin to take Li Wu to the school the day after tomorrow so he could get accustomed to the environment, emphasizing the importance of not delaying his studies if he proved capable. He also gently reminded Cen Jin to prioritize her health, especially with her return to work imminent.
Cen Jin then confided in her father that she and Wu Fu were likely heading for a divorce. She explained that she now realized their problems were deep-seated and long-standing, only becoming evident after the loss of their child. Wu Fu’s accumulated resentment had erupted, culminating in his desire for a divorce. Cen Jin admitted her struggle to accept a future without him, feeling lost and unsure of what to do.
Mr. Cen offered his wisdom, explaining that all marriages face conflicts and that happiness is a result of mutual effort, acceptance of differences, and a shared commitment to move forward. He asked Cen Jin if she still wished to continue her marriage with Wu Fu. Tearfully, she responded that Wu Fu had already asked for a divorce, leaving her with no choice.
Mr. Cen acknowledged that he could not solve her marital problems, as it was a decision for both parties. However, he urged her not to doubt herself, stating that just as one can change an unsatisfying job or end a painful marriage, the important thing is the courage to choose and to take responsibility for that choice.
He encouraged her to try and work things out if there was a possibility, but if not, there was no need for prolonged mutual suffering. He advised her to consider the decision carefully, as divorce is not a minor matter, and reassured her that no matter the outcome, her mother and he would always be there for her. Before leaving, Mr. Cen suggested that Li Wu stay at their house for tutoring, given the current inconvenience.
However, Cen Jin declined, citing her mother's ongoing anger and the fact that Li Wu would soon be moving into the school dormitory anyway. Mr. Cen then reminded her to call her mother, assuring her that despite her mother's sometimes harsh words, she meant well and only worried about Cen Jin's well-being. The narrative then fast-forwarded to 2024.
At Shengcan company, Cen Jin presented their refined proposal, emphasizing the slogan "The Future Has Arrived," which she believed resonated with their brand concept. However, Li Wu, now a client, immediately raised questions. He inquired if the field research data was based on outdated online statistics, suggesting it might compromise the proposal's feasibility. Cen Jin clarified that the data, particularly concerning nursing homes, was derived from recent on-site visits conducted by their team.
Li Wu then pressed further, asking if the product's full applicability could be adequately demonstrated with such limited data scenarios. Cen Jin assured him that, given sufficient time, they would expand the data demonstration beyond single scenarios like nursing homes. Cheng Rui, another client, expressed overall satisfaction with the proposal, acknowledging the tight deadline, but suggested further refinements. Li Wu then interjected, proposing that they highlight "computing power" as the core of their system.
Cen Jin countered that such technical terms were generally unfamiliar to users and would not effectively grab immediate attention in advertising. Cheng Rui ultimately concluded the discussion, agreeing to proceed with the current plan and anticipating the next version, effectively curtailing further debate. Later that day, on their way home, Li Wu accidentally "tapped" Cen Jin’s WeChat profile. Cen Jin, noticing the notification, responded in their project group chat.
Soon after, Cen Jin received a call from her friend Chun Chang, who invited her for dinner and suggested she try new items at her shop. Cen Jin, currently working late, cited exhaustion and lack of time. When Chun Chang inquired who was keeping her so busy, Cen Jin revealed it was Li Wu, a partner at their client's AI environmental technology company.
Chun Chang immediately suspected that Li Wu was deliberately trying to get close to Cen Jin and offered to come over. Cen Jin, overwhelmed, dismissed the idea, stating she had no energy for such thoughts and simply wanted to finish her work. Chun Chang agreed to call back later to "gossip" when Cen Jin was free. The next morning, Li Wu convened a meeting at nine o'clock.
His assistant grumbled about the early start, noting that Li Wu had a lab visit at eleven and his colleague had an afternoon meeting, making the morning their only available slot. The assistant jokingly remarked on Li Wu's "heartlessness" and ordered coffee for everyone, paid for by Li Wu. Cen Jin acknowledged the challenging schedule, stating it was normal for project work.
As Cen Jin concluded her presentation and prepared for the contract signing, Yi, another partner from Tongchen, abruptly entered the room, interrupting the meeting. Cen Jin, sensing potential complications, instructed her assistant, Lu Tong, to return to Shengcan while she remained to follow up. Yi questioned the necessity of hiring a professional planner and investing in system upgrades and promotion, arguing that their current system was sufficient for market demand and that funds were tight.
Li Wu countered that he had long envisioned improvements to their system, believing that an upgrade would secure a larger market, as technology and business were interdependent. Yi remained unconvinced, asserting that new and advanced technology did not necessarily equate to market demand. An assistant then escorted Cen Jin to Li Wu's office to wait. There, Cen Jin noticed the pen she had once given him on his desk and numerous old startup photos in a display case.
When Li Wu returned, Cen Jin attempted to inquire about the photos, complimenting his achievements. However, he quickly put them away, preventing her from seeing the small, hidden photos of them together on the back of each frame. Cen Jin then expressed her concern to Li Wu, asking if he harbored any resentment towards her, fearing her presence was hindering the project's progress, and even offering to step down if necessary.
Li Wu dismissed her concerns, telling her she was overthinking things. He added philosophically that effort doesn't always guarantee a return, implying some things were beyond their control. Back at Shengcan, Cen Jin explained her concerns to Shen, the general manager, feeling that her involvement might be an obstacle. Shen, adhering to the company's motto of "always look on the bright side," reassured Cen Jin.
She suggested that since her own previous project had just concluded, she could take over as the lead for the Tongchen project, with Cen Jin providing support, thereby ensuring their efforts would not be wasted. Just then, an assistant excitedly announced that Tongchen had sent the contract and it was ready for signing, pending legal approval. Shen, noting Cen Jin's earlier "worrying over nothing," told her to get back to work.
She then confirmed the contract looked fine and expressed gratitude to Tongchen's representative, confirming Shengcan was ready to sign. Li Wu, having finished his system debugging, rushed into the meeting room with anticipation. He was visibly crestfallen to find Cen Jin absent, as Shen informed him that she would be taking full charge of the project moving forward. They exchanged pleasantries about future cooperation. After the contract signing, Li Wu, having consumed alcohol, waited downstairs for Cen Jin.
Cen Jin was dropped off at her building by a man, whom she briefly thanked before he drove off. Li Wu then confronted her, questioning why she was there. He challenged her withdrawal from the project and accused her of always making decisions to leave or stay without consulting him, asserting she was "still the same after so many years," unilaterally deciding everything and never giving others a chance.
Cen Jin, noting he was drunk, urged him to go home and discuss work when he was sober. Li Wu pressed on, asking if she truly didn't want to see him. He expressed his frustration that he, as the project leader, was not consulted about the change in responsibility, asking if he was "that insignificant." He then forcefully kissed Cen Jin, who struggled to break free. She reiterated that they should talk about work when he was sober.
Li Wu, hurt, then commented that she "hasn't been lonely these past years" and that he expected a different answer, implying his past actions and their shared history had had no effect on her. Sleepless that night, Li Wu's thoughts drifted back eight years to his initial enrollment.
Cen Jin, having helped him gather his test papers (initially advising him to only bring high scores but then telling him to bring all, good or bad, for authenticity), escorted him to Yingcai High School. On the way, she prepared him for the interview with Mr. Qi, a renowned math teacher and Olympiad champion trainer. She advised him to be confident and suggested that, to make a good impression, he should tell Mr. Qi that he "really liked math."
Upon meeting Mr. Qi, Cen Jin introduced Li Wu, flattering Mr. Qi about his reputation. Mr. Qi acknowledged Li Wu's situation, assuring them that despite lacking NCEE scores (a rare but not unheard-of situation), his past grades ensured admission to Yingcai High School's top-ranked repeat-year program.
He explained that students were typically assigned to either the "Rocket Class" or "Talent Class" based on NCEE results, but Li Wu would take a placement test the following Monday after completing admission and dormitory procedures. Mr. Qi asked if Li Wu, having missed school due to work, would be able to keep up. Li Wu pledged to try his best.
When Mr. Qi inquired about his math, Li Wu initially said "average" but then, remembering Cen Jin's advice, confidently added that he "really liked math" and "would work hard." Cen Jin playfully scolded him for being reticent with her earlier. She then decided to take him shopping for clothes, explaining that she wanted him to avoid unnecessary attention or comments due to his attire at school, considering it a welcome gift.
At the clothing store, Cen Jin helped Li Wu pick out basic outfits, despite his initial reluctance, and he constantly glanced at the price tags, feeling embarrassed by his perceived lack of money, a detail Cen Jin seemed to overlook. While Li Wu was trying on clothes, Cen Jin took a call from Chun Chang, who asked about her parents. Cen Jin said they had calmed down, but she still felt "hurt."
Chun Chang offered to treat her to dinner as a comfort, and Cen Jin agreed to bring Li Wu. The shop assistant helped Li Wu try on clothes, praising how "trendy" he looked in a new outfit Cen Jin had picked. Cen Jin then suggested buying shoes, and Li Wu, who wore size 44, tried on a size 43 offered by the assistant due to stock issues.
When it didn't fit, Cen Jin arranged for the correct size to be shipped later and paid for the clothes, telling Li Wu to wear his new shirt for now. Later, they met Chun Chang for dinner. Chun Chang immediately complimented Li Wu's handsome appearance, introducing herself and inviting him to call her "Chun Chang."
She then asked Cen Jin how she was doing, jokingly wondering if she'd been too upset to eat or sleep, and Cen Jin assured her she was fine. Chun Chang advised Cen Jin to eat more to improve her immunity. Chun Chang offered Cen Jin a lawyer friend's contact, which Cen Jin declined, stating she could handle her current situation.
Chun Chang then asked Cen Jin about her mother's recent visit, and Cen Jin revealed it was for another matchmaking attempt for Chun Chang, who expressed her fear of marriage, jokingly calling Cen Jin her "warning example." Chun Chang continued to tease Li Wu, admiring his blushing face, saying he was "cute" and "a feast for the eyes." Suddenly, Li Wu's face turned very red. Cen Jin and Chun Chang quickly realized he was unwell after seeing him eat crab. They immediately called for the bill and rushed Li Wu to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a seafood allergy, fortunately caught in time before serious complications.
Episode 4 Recap
Li Wu was rushed to the hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to seafood. Cen Jin was visibly upset, expressing her frustration that Li Wu had tolerated feeling unwell without saying anything, just as he had remained silent about shoes that didn't fit. She felt she had to constantly guess his thoughts.
Chun Chang intervened, pulling Cen Jin away to get the medicine, and suggested that Li Wu's reticence likely stemmed from being unaccustomed to such care and feeling cautious in a new, unfamiliar environment after leaving his hometown. After retrieving the medication, Cen Jin spoke to Li Wu, assuring him that her care was not a burden.
She explained that with school starting soon and her returning to work, she might be busy, so she hoped he would adapt quickly to his new life and school environment. Li Wu, in turn, promised to communicate his needs directly from then on. While accompanying Li Wu to the restroom, Cen Jin spotted Bian Xinran at the gynecology clinic, discussing early pregnancy with a doctor. As Bian Xinran exited, Cen Jin instinctively hid, and Li Wu protectively shielded her.
Later that evening, Cen Jin gave Li Wu an old smartphone so he could contact her easily. She patiently taught him how to use it, demonstrating with a call to her phone, which she then answered in her bedroom. She apologized for her earlier anger, but Li Wu assured her he wasn't upset. The next day, Cen Jin drove Li Wu to school and transferred two thousand yuan to him for living expenses.
Despite Li Wu’s embarrassment, Cen Jin insisted he shouldn't be too frugal and should occasionally treat himself to better meals. After helping him settle into his dorm, Cen Jin took Li Wu to the cafeteria. She mentioned joining the school's parents' group for uniform customization details, which made Li Wu a little uncomfortable due to their small age gap. Cen Jin playfully threatened to add Mr. Cen to the group, which they both found amusing.
Once Li Wu's enrollment was complete, Cen Jin left for her errands. Li Wu returned to his dorm and met his three roommates: Cheng Rui and Ran Feichi, who were in Class Three, and Lin Honglang, who was in Class Four. He learned that Class One was the prestigious "Rocket Class," filled with top students, a class Li Wu aspired to join. However, after his placement exam, he was assigned to Class Three.
Cen Jin comforted him, reminding him that after a year of absence from school, getting into Class Three was a significant achievement, and he shouldn't put too much pressure on himself. Before leaving, Cen Jin gave Li Wu an electronic watch, realizing he would need one for class and exams. She also tasked him with gaining five kilograms.
Li Wu later messaged Cen Jin on WeChat, updating her on his first day, and Cen Jin informed him she would be returning to work the following day. Upon her return to work, Cen Jin discovered that Wu Fu had been promoted to director, a position that had previously been equal to hers. She learned that he had leveraged her sick leave and their marital status to secure the promotion.
Overhearing colleagues discuss how Cen Jin's initial resources and her father's connections had contributed to Wu Fu's rapid career advancement, Cen Jin was taken aback. Wu Fu, however, was eager to finalize their divorce. They met at a coffee shop, where Wu Fu outlined the divorce settlement details. Cen Jin questioned his urgency, but Wu Fu avoided mentioning Bian Xinran's pregnancy, and Cen Jin chose not to expose him.
Wu Fu expressed his own frustrations, stating that the relationship had exhausted him and that his accomplishments were constantly overshadowed by his connection to her, as he sought more than just her approval. Cen Jin remained pensive when he asked if she had been happy recently, and he left after asking her to respond to the agreement as soon as possible. The narrative then fast-forwarded to 2024. Cen Jin's parents were visiting, helping with dinner.
Her mother casually mentioned that Li Wu had visited them recently, having just returned from abroad and being busy with a startup with friends – news Cen Jin had never heard from Li Wu himself. Her mother also pressed Cen Jin about her marital status, encouraging her to spend more time with Dr. Lu, a neurologist whom her mother highly regarded. Cen Jin promised to consider it, albeit hesitantly.
Meanwhile, Lao Yi had persuaded Li Wu to attend a social gathering. Afterward, Cheng Rui offered to drive Li Wu home, but Li Wu declined and instead took a taxi directly to Cen Jin's house.
Episode 5 Recap
Cen Jin heard persistent ringing at her door and through the peephole, saw a heavily intoxicated Li Wu. She opened the door, and he hugged her. Sighing, she gently helped him remove his thick coat and went to get him some water. Unexpectedly, Li Wu pulled her into his embrace, pressing her onto the sofa and passionately kissing her. Cen Jin struggled briefly but eventually yielded to the sudden intimacy.
Moments later, Li Wu stopped, his eyes full of a complex emotion, and confessed to Cen Jin, "Sister, I really hate you. . ." He then remembered a time eight years prior, during his first college holiday. His roommates had gone home, leaving him unsure where to go. Cen Jin called him, telling him to pack up and come out, as she was waiting at his school's front gate to pick him up.
Li Wu, surprised and delighted, rushed out and joined her. In the car, Cen Jin asked about his studies and his new roommates, to which Li Wu replied that everything was going well. She emphasized that he must tell her if anything at school upset him, adding that he was very lucky to have her. Cen Jin asked him to choose a restaurant, suggesting he pick something he had always wanted to eat since childhood.
Li Wu admitted he was terrible at choosing and asked for her help. At the restaurant, Cen Jin expressed surprise at his choice of restaurant style and praised his good taste, promising they could visit often. Noticing Li Wu seemed hesitant about the food, she asked if he didn't like it. She then ordered a Sprite for him, clarifying to the waiter that only her "brother" was drinking it.
As they were heading home, Chun Chang called Cen Jin, reporting that she had spotted Wu Fu with another woman and was currently following them. Cen Jin immediately instructed Li Wu to go home, promising to text him the home passcode. Li Wu offered to accompany her, but Cen Jin firmly refused, stating that the matter had nothing to do with him and she needed to handle it herself.
Cen Jin met up with Chun Chang and soon located Wu Fu and Bian Xinran dining intimately by a window in a restaurant. The sight brought tears to Cen Jin's eyes as she remembered a sweet anniversary celebration with Wu Fu two years ago, where he had thanked her for marrying him. To create a diversion, Cen Jin called to report illegal parking blocking a fire lane.
Li Wu then appeared beside her, suggesting that if it were him, he would "rip the two of them apart," rather than just drinking. He offered his help, boasting about his fighting skills and stating, "I've got backup." Li Wu then used his phone to record a video of Wu Fu and Bian Xinran before pulling a distraught Cen Jin away. That night, Chun Chang stayed over, sharing drinks with Cen Jin.
Chun Chang encouraged Cen Jin to express her anger, calling Wu Fu "trash" and urging her to stop dwelling on him and embrace a new life. Cen Jin, feeling foolish for believing in true love, admitted she couldn't cry. The next morning, Li Wu prepared millet porridge for Cen Jin's hangover, explaining that his aunt used to make it for his uncle when he drank too much. Cen Jin asked about his uncle's drinking habits and if he caused trouble.
Li Wu recounted how his uncle would sometimes anger others outside, leading them to their home. When asked if he was bullied, Li Wu stated he would "fight back," explaining that enduring such treatment caused pain not just physically, but emotionally as well. Cen Jin commented on his "feisty" nature. Taking inspiration from Li Wu's words, Cen Jin resolved not to silently endure Wu Fu's baseless accusations anymore.
She went to the house she co-owned with Wu Fu, who was already there, claiming it was still his home. Ignoring his protests, Cen Jin began filming the interior. She found evidence of Bian Xinran's presence, including a fully furnished nursery. When Wu Fu tried to snatch her phone, Cen Jin warned him that her lawyer had already recorded everything. Wu Fu swore he hadn't betrayed their relationship before it broke down and expressed his desire to move forward.
Cen Jin furiously countered, pointing out that he had already moved another woman into their marital home and even had a child before their divorce was finalized, calling him "shameless" and "fake." She accused him of betraying their relationship and then pretending to be the victim, making her feel guilty for losing their baby while he secretly started a new family.
Cen Jin then presented her terms for a new divorce agreement: Wu Fu must "walk away empty-handed" or face a lawsuit that would ruin his reputation. She demanded he repay her mortgage contributions for their Pearl River house, stating she no longer wanted the property because it felt "dirty." Upon returning home, Cen Jin found Li Wu waiting outside. She urged him to go inside and wash his face, asking why he'd waited for her in the heat.
She then changed the smart lock password to "160903," that day's date, ensuring only she and Li Wu knew the new code. She informed him that she would be busy in the coming days and that he should go home by himself if she couldn't pick him up on weekends. Li Wu awoke in a Wuxing Hotel room and called the front desk to inquire who had booked it.
He was told that Cen Jin had booked the room for him. The receptionist also mentioned that Cen Jin's ID had been left at the front desk. Li Wu took the ID, stating he would return it to her. He then asked if Cen Jin had brought him to the hotel last night, which the staff couldn't confirm as they weren't on duty. Li Wu seemed to recall his drunken kiss with Cen Jin and felt a sense of regret.
Back at work, Cen Jin was informed that Shengcan Company needed her and Ms. Shen's original IDs for a company information change. Realizing she had left her ID at the Wuxing Hotel, she called the front desk, who told her that Li Wu had already taken it, claiming he would return it to her. Annoyed, Cen Jin explained she couldn't contact Li Wu directly and asked the hotel staff to retrieve it and mail it to her.
The hotel then called Li Wu, relaying Cen Jin's request, but Li Wu insisted he would deliver it personally and told the hotel not to interfere. Li Wu then messaged Cen Jin, telling her to pick up her ID when she was free. Cen Jin replied, asking him to just mail it. Li Wu responded with a message saying, "Sister, I really hate you." Cen Jin then texted back, demanding he explain why he hated her.
That evening, Cen Jin began gathering some of Li Wu's old items that he had left at her home, planning to return them to him. A flashback to 2016 showed Cen Jin celebrating with Chun Chang after her divorce was finalized and she had abruptly resigned from her job. Chun Chang lauded Cen Jin's efficiency, remarking how in just three days, she had "tore that scumbag apart," made him "walk away empty-handed," and quit her "lousy job."
Chun Chang declared Cen Jin was now "Niuhulu Jin," congratulating her on her rebirth. Cen Jin, however, felt there was nothing to celebrate about being divorced and unemployed in middle age. During their meal, Cen Jin received a message from Li Wu saying he had received his school uniform. She immediately asked if he had tried it on and if it fit, requesting that his roommate take a photo for her.
Chun Chang, curious, peeked at the photo and exclaimed how handsome Li Wu was. She praised his "natural beauty," contrasting it with the handsome guys Cen Jin might see at bars.
Episode 6 Recap
Cen Jin had dinner at her parents' house, where her divorce was now an open secret. Her father urged her to eat properly, noting that her mother had spent the entire afternoon simmering a special soup for her. Cen Jin enthusiastically ate a large bowl, praising its deliciousness. Though her mother appeared somewhat displeased and retired to her room, her scolding remarks masked deep heartache for her daughter.
Cen Jin followed, complimenting her mother's hair, and asked her not to be angry. Her mother confirmed Cen Jin's decision to divorce, then chided her for not listening to her earlier warnings about Wu Fu's unreliable character and narrow-mindedness. She lamented Cen Jin's suffering and the wasted years, admitting it made her furious to see her daughter go through such a loss.
Cen Jin's mother then asserted that since the decision was made, Cen Jin needed to settle everything clearly with Wu Fu, and she would find a good lawyer to help manage the process, preventing Cen Jin from being "smart one moment and confused the next." Later, her father, acting as a mediator, checked if Cen Jin had talked everything out with her mother, admitting he had been prepared to humbly apologize.
Cen Jin commented on her mother being naggy, but her father insisted her mother was just worried. Cen Jin then confessed that she had quit her job that day. Her father accepted this, acknowledging that working together would be difficult given the circumstances. Cen Jin expressed feeling like a failure, as if years had been wasted, and she had achieved nothing.
Her father dismissed this, reminding her that helping Li Wu get into school was a significant good deed that would earn her a big mark in her karma book. Cen Jin explained that she had asked her boss to choose between her and Wu Fu, and the boss chose Wu Fu, making her feel inferior.
Her father clarified that Wu Fu had just been promoted to director and managed many projects, while Cen Jin had just returned from a long leave and needed to restart many things. He assured her that the boss's decision was normal due to business considerations and didn't mean Wu Fu was superior. He believed Cen Jin, being smart, would understand this. Cen Jin agreed but admitted everything felt too real, and her life before seemed too easy.
Her father advised her to enjoy happiness when it comes and to believe that if things don't go as planned, it means Heaven has other arrangements for her, not that she did anything wrong. He reaffirmed that in his eyes, she would always be the best, and Cen Jin thanked him. The next day, Cen Jin went to the office to pack her belongings.
Her team members, saddened to see her leave, presented her with a bouquet of Daylilies (Wangyoucao), explaining that the flowers symbolized new beginnings and were meant to suit her current situation. Cen Jin was touched by their gesture. Shortly after, she received a text message from Wu Fu, confirming he was ready to sign the divorce agreement and asking her to set a time.
Cen Jin replied, suggesting they meet at 2 PM on Saturday at a café on Qingping Road. On the day of the holiday, Li Wu informed Cen Jin via text that he had his monthly exams on Thursday and Friday and was still finishing them that afternoon with math and physics. Cen Jin, surprised by the late notice, confirmed she would pick him up that evening for the weekend.
When they arrived home, Cen Jin tried to encourage Li Wu to relax by suggesting he play on the computer or watch TV, but he preferred to read. She gently insisted he should use these leisure activities since he never had before, asking if he preferred variety shows or anime. Li Wu remained agreeable, saying he was fine with anything.
Cen Jin chose a variety show called "The Hunger Games Dinner," thinking he would like it, and later offered him fruit. Despite her efforts, Li Wu remained quite reserved and indecisive. During dinner, Cen Jin observed that Li Wu looked somewhat thin. She inquired about his meal card expenses, learning he had only spent 326 yuan in three weeks. Upset, she asked if he was eating just plain rice or only drinking soup.
Li Wu claimed to eat normally and that his ledger was at school. Cen Jin expressed her displeasure, stating she didn't need him to save money for her and that his meager spending made it look like she was mistreating him, especially since he ate more in her presence but then seemed to starve at school. She emphasized that eating well is crucial for self-care, especially for a growing boy with a heavy study load who needs energy.
When Li Wu pointed out that she also ate little, Cen Jin clarified that her appetite was different and she always ate until full. She then challenged him, after intentionally overeating to prove a point, demanding he switch from spending 300 yuan every three weeks to 300 yuan every week. Despite Li Wu's protest that he didn't need that much, she firmly instructed him to make an effort to use the full amount.
After lunch, Cen Jin left to sign the divorce agreement with Wu Fu, instructing Li Wu to keep an eye on the doorbell for a cleaning lady she had hired. At the cafe, Wu Fu was well-prepared with the agreement, and they agreed he would take leave on Monday morning for the paperwork. He complimented her appearance, to which Cen Jin responded that she was beautiful every day.
Wu Fu quickly brought up the house, promising to give her the payment as soon as the transfer was complete. Cen Jin retorted, noting his eagerness. He explained he didn't want to owe her money, reminding her that the house choice was for her happiness and he had even repaid renovation costs. Cen Jin dismissed his words, calling him too sensitive, a sentiment he returned.
Wu Fu then claimed that reaching this point was not his intention, which Cen Jin found unnecessary. She asked him not to bring up past happiness or previous actions done for her sake, stating they were simply different people and should part with dignity. When Wu Fu asked about her future plans, Cen Jin declared she would open her own advertising company, making them future competitors. She preferred creative work over tormenting others and looked forward to competing with him.
Later, Wu Fu called Cen Jin, offering to return some of her items, including gifts, that were still in his car. Cen Jin, however, simply told him she didn't want them and he should throw them away. Relieved to finally be done with the prolonged marital struggle, Cen Jin found a serene, shady spot in a park to relax. Meanwhile, Wu Fu arrived at Cen Jin’s home to drop off her belongings, where Li Wu answered the door.
Wu Fu was surprised to see him, learning that Ms. Cen had helped Li Wu transfer to study there and that he lived on campus. Wu Fu, intending to return the items to Cen Jin, asked if she was home, to which Li Wu replied she was out and he didn't know her whereabouts. Wu Fu handed Li Wu a box, asking him to give it to Cen Jin.
Wu Fu then remarked that Li Wu had grown taller, and Li Wu assertively stated he was now taller than Wu Fu. Wu Fu, interpreting Li Wu's unfriendly gaze as resentment for ending his financial support, began to explain that they had no obligation to Li Wu and described Cen Jin as idealistic and kind but vulnerable.
Li Wu interrupted, accusing Wu Fu of bullying Cen Jin due to her idealism and kindness, his unfriendly gaze stemming from having witnessed Wu Fu's infidelity. Wu Fu then questioned what Cen Jin had told him, but Li Wu clarified that she had not mentioned Wu Fu at all; however, Li Wu stated he knew everything Wu Fu had done. Wu Fu scoffed, finding it "impressive" that a child was now standing up for Cen Jin.
Li Wu countered that he was "not a kid anymore" and challenged Wu Fu to "try" him. Wu Fu threatened to tell Cen Jin about Li Wu's defiant behavior, but Li Wu responded that while he was afraid, he wanted Wu Fu to know his stance even more. After Wu Fu left, Li Wu received a birthday notification for Cen Jin from a store's membership program. He used his pocket money to order a small mango-flavored cake as a surprise.
When Cen Jin returned home, she first found Li Wu studying in the dark, trying to save electricity, and told him off for it. Then, seeing the box Wu Fu had left, she immediately took it outside to dispose of it, instructing Li Wu not to open the door for Wu Fu ever again. As she was about to find something to eat, Li Wu presented the birthday cake.
Cen Jin was surprised, then explained that she often filled out membership forms with random personal information, and her actual birthday in August (specifically August 2nd) had long passed. However, touched by his thoughtful gesture, she declared they would celebrate it as her birthday. While eating the cake, which was her favorite mango flavor (as Li Wu knew from a list she'd written), Cen Jin prompted him for a birthday wish.
Li Wu wished her to "be happier and happier," to which she affectionately replied, "Didn't love you for nothing." The next day at school, the teacher announced the monthly exam results. Li Wu scored 97 in physics, placing him first in their class and comparable to students in the "rocket class," much to the teacher's exasperation with the other students. His classmates joked that his name, Li Wu, which sounds like "physics" reversed in Chinese, proved his natural talent.
When the overall school rankings were posted, Li Wu found his rank was seventy-eighth. He appeared utterly despaired, much to his classmates' confusion. Cheng Rui teased him for being "dramatic" and a "green tea bitch" about his score, reminding him that the top thirty were all "monsters" from the rocket class and that seventy-eighth was already an excellent achievement, urging him to be content.
Meanwhile, Cen Jin, having finalized her divorce, thoroughly tidied her room and adorned it with fresh flowers. She then captured the moment in a photo and posted it on Moments with the caption, "Starting today, I'm a free person, embracing a new life." Later, back in his dorm, Li Wu's roommate asked him to help with some problems, suggesting they exchange WeChat IDs to make it easier to connect next time.
Another roommate expressed doubt that Li Wu even used WeChat, given his unsocial nature, but Li Wu confirmed he did. His roommates, surprised he hadn't added them, insisted on scanning his QR code. Upon seeing his WeChat contact list, which contained only Cen Jin, they immediately accused him of being in an online romance. Li Wu quickly clarified that she was his sister.
They then pressed him to show them her photos on her "Moments," but Li Wu seemed hesitant, even unfamiliar with the term. As they continued to tease him about having a "little secret," Li Wu quickly offered to explain the homework questions, trying to divert their attention. On his phone, Cen Jin's Moments post was visible, announcing her new freedom and embrace of a new life.
Episode 7 Recap
After a period of emotional recovery, Cen Jin decided it was time to move forward. She visited Chun Chang, who was working at a KTV, and they discussed future plans. Cen Jin revealed that she had already been contacted by two headhunters, one of whom offered her a director position at a promising creative company. However, she wanted to take a few more days to relax before fully committing to job searching.
Chun Chang suggested they go to a concert, but Cen Jin preferred a quiet break. During their conversation, Cen Jin suddenly remembered that Li Wu's first monthly exam results should have been released. Concerned that he hadn't mentioned them, possibly due to poor performance, she discreetly texted his teacher, Mr. Qi, asking for his detailed scores so she could better understand his situation and help him if needed. Meanwhile, Li Wu had just returned to his dorm after class.
His three roommates were animatedly discussing girls, but Li Wu remained withdrawn. His mood shifted dramatically when he received a message from Cen Jin, inviting him to meet outside school. He eagerly rushed out to see her. When they met, Cen Jin's serious demeanor made Li Wu uneasy, as he worried she had found out about Wu Fu's earlier visit. Cen Jin then asked about his exam results.
Relieved, Li Wu pulled out his report card, which showed excellent grades in all subjects. Despite his impressive performance, Li Wu expressed disappointment at not placing in the top thirty. Cen Jin reassured him, advising him not to put too much pressure on himself so early in his academic journey. She asked to keep his report card to paste into her life journal as a record of his first successful exam, and Li Wu readily agreed.
Cen Jin then apologized for her recent emotional instability, expressing concern that it might have affected him. Li Wu brushed it off, telling her that he was an adult now and asked her not to treat him like a child anymore. Cen Jin accepted this. As she drove him back to school, she also gave him some lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk, a treat from her parents, and the new pair of shoes she had exchanged for him.
Li Wu was delighted, immediately trying them on in his dorm. Cen Jin, upon returning home, carefully pasted Li Wu's report card into her journal. After a bit more rest, Cen Jin began her job applications. Leveraging her significant influence in the industry, she easily passed an interview with AusStar, a company whose award-winning, creative, and compelling advertisements resonated with her. She appreciated their youthful concept and the extensive creative freedom given to employees.
They agreed she would start after the upcoming holiday. Exiting the company, Cen Jin excitedly shared the good news with her parents, Chun Chang, and Li Wu, all of whom were genuinely happy for her. As the school holiday approached, Li Wu received a call from his aunt. She had injured her back while farming, and with his uncle away for work, she needed help harvesting the tea leaves in Yunfeng Village.
Li Wu immediately messaged Cen Jin, informing her that he would be going back to his village to help his aunt for the holiday. The next morning, Li Wu was preparing to take a bus when Cen Jin, concerned for his well-being, offered to drive him. When they arrived in Yunfeng Village, they found his aunt already working in the tea fields. Li Wu immediately joined her, and Cen Jin followed.
Li Wu patiently demonstrated how to pick tea by gently removing the "core of the leaf" with his index finger and thumb, emphasizing not to use nails. Cen Jin soon realized the task was more difficult than it appeared. She took a moment to rest, snapping photos of Li Wu as he wiped sweat from his brow, capturing a beautiful scene of the handsome young man amidst the green terraced fields.
His aunt advised Cen Jin to rest on a nearby bench, explaining that tea picking was not an easy skill to learn, and offered her some washed pears. Years later, in 2024, Li Wu was in a restaurant discussing a business collaboration with Shen Yiyang. Their conversation was interrupted by Chun Chang, who was caught in a public dispute with two men accusing her of infidelity.
Chun Chang, appearing indifferent, offered a half-hearted apology, claiming she couldn't choose between them, and then, as the men left, insisted one of them pay the bill since she hadn't consumed anything. After the men departed, Li Wu greeted Chun Chang and introduced her to Shen Yiyang. As Chun Chang reached out to shake hands, she accidentally knocked over a wine glass, spilling red wine on Shen Yiyang. She profusely apologized and offered to pay for dry cleaning.
Shen Yiyang casually dismissed it, remarking that witnessing the "good show" balanced things out. Chun Chang, still wanting to connect, suggested they exchange WeChat IDs, mentioning her bar called Chang. However, Shen Yiyang offered her a QR payment code instead, stating he preferred not to add strangers on WeChat, and told her to decide the amount for the cleaning.
Meanwhile, Cen Jin drove to Li Wu's company to collect her ID card and asked Cheng Rui to help find Li Wu to return it. Cheng Rui immediately called Li Wu, but he didn't answer as he was out for a meeting with Cheng Rui's uncle. Cheng Rui invited Cen Jin upstairs to Li Wu's office to wait, suggesting they could catch up since they hadn't had a proper chat in a long time.
In Li Wu's office, Cen Jin noticed insomnia medication on his desk. Cheng Rui explained that Li Wu had developed insomnia and migraines since moving to the US for his studies. He recounted how Li Wu had struggled initially, becoming withdrawn and losing weight. Even after recovering, Li Wu had pushed himself relentlessly, studying and working like crazy, even through COVID, and publishing multiple articles in top journals in a short period.
He had also started interning and co-founding their company while still in college, often sleeping less than three hours a day. Cheng Rui expressed deep concern that Li Wu's stubborn refusal to rest and his reliance on level-2 painkillers could lead to a collapse, and he implored Cen Jin to speak with him, believing Li Wu would listen to her.
Alarmed by this information, Cen Jin immediately returned to her company, Shengcan, and consulted her boss, Ms. Jun, about methods for treating insomnia. Ms. Jun recommended Dr. Lu, a neurology expert. Cen Jin then met with Li Wu at a cafe, where he returned her ID card. When Cen Jin appeared hesitant, Li Wu preemptively dismissed her earlier apology regarding her emotional instability, telling her he didn't take her 'drunk words' seriously and she shouldn't dwell on them.
Cen Jin, however, then took the opportunity to formally apologize for how she had handled things years ago, acknowledging that while she didn't regret her decision as he had to leave, she might have chosen a better approach. Li Wu responded by asking what she had to apologize for since her decision was necessary.
Cen Jin reiterated that his chronic headaches and insomnia were serious and harmful, not minor issues, and offered to introduce him to the excellent neurologist she knew. Li Wu asked if she was genuinely concerned about him, and she confirmed it. He then pointed out that she had not contacted him once during the worst years of the pandemic in the US, only to express concern for his health now.
Cen Jin acknowledged his past suffering, reiterated that she wouldn't defend her past actions, but insisted she couldn't stand by now that she could help. She asked if they could reconcile, expressing her desire to move past the awkwardness. Li Wu replied that without even having each other on WeChat, they were strangers, making reconciliation a moot point. Cen Jin then offered to add him on WeChat.
Just then, Li Wu received a call from a colleague reminding him of a video conference starting in ten minutes. He quickly departed, telling Cen Jin he had work to do and to remember to accept his WeChat request.
Episode 8 Recap
In 2016, Cen Jin arrived at her new company to begin her role as creative director. She was greeted by designer Lu Tong, who expressed admiration for Cen Jin's past work and enthusiastically gave her a tour of the office, highlighting its flexible working hours and amenities like a treadmill and coffee area designed to foster creativity. The general manager then called an immediate creative meeting, formally introducing Cen Jin to the team.
He announced that the company had secured the festive advertising project for Ren Food Group. Given Cen Jin's successful work on their Mid-Autumn new product advertisement last year, she was once again entrusted with leading this significant project, a responsibility she readily accepted. After Cen Jin settled into her new workspace, Li Fei, the Creative Team A leader, sent her all the project materials.
He made it clear that he had previously been in charge of Ren Group's projects and felt slighted by Cen Jin's sudden arrival, feeling his credit had been taken. He pointedly asked her to help revise some unsatisfactory ad slogans, stating he would "look forward to it." Lu Tong advised Cen Jin to disregard Li Fei's attitude, explaining that he was arrogant but admired strength, and his demeanor would change once he recognized her capabilities.
Cen Jin, however, found straightforward people easier to deal with. Later that evening, Li Wu sent Cen Jin a message, asking how she was adapting to her new environment. Noticing he was imitating her conversational style, Cen Jin playfully sent a screenshot as proof. Li Wu was delighted to discover that Cen Jin used a photo of him in his school uniform as her phone's lock screen.
Their conversation continued with Li Wu admitting his struggles with English speaking and listening for an upcoming monthly exam. Cen Jin promised to recommend her favorite English story the following day. Keeping her word, Cen Jin later sent Li Wu a copy of "Andersen's Fairy Tales - The Ugly Duckling," which she described as her "listening practice tool," and he began reading it.
Years later, in 2024, Li Wu was intensely exercising at the gym when Cen Jin sent him a friend request, which he immediately accepted. Cen Jin then proposed that they see a neurologist together the next day. Meanwhile, Shen Yiyang happened to pass by Chang bar and, remembering Chun Chang's previous mention of her establishment, decided to buy some flowers from an elderly vendor outside.
As he attempted to pay with a QR code, Chun Chang stepped in, explaining that the code was linked to the vendor's son, and insisted on paying with cash herself. Just then, Shen Yiyang's colleagues spotted him and tried to persuade him to join them for more drinks. Unwilling to go, Shen Yiyang politely declined, citing an early meeting.
Chun Chang, observing his predicament, cleverly pretended to be his girlfriend, introduced herself, and declared that she wouldn't allow him to drink more. His colleagues, somewhat abashed, departed. Left alone with Shen Yiyang, Chun Chang again asked for his WeChat, and this time, he finally agreed. She then invited him into her bar for a drink, but Shen Yiyang reiterated his need to go home and rest for his important work meeting the next morning.
His repeated refusal only intensified Chun Chang's competitive determination. The next morning, Li Wu, who had spent the night sleeping in his car outside Cen Jin's building, received a phone call from Cen Jin. She informed him that their hospital appointment had been moved up.
He quickly explained that he had lent his car to Cheng Rui, but Cen Jin offered to pick him up from his hotel around nine o'clock, giving Li Wu just enough time to rush back to his hotel, shower, and get ready. At the neurology department, Dr. Lu greeted them. He mentioned that Cen Jin had already informed him about Li Wu's condition but emphasized the need for further tests to formulate a treatment plan.
Li Wu explained that his migraines had been intermittent for four to five years and that previous medications were mainly painkillers. Dr. Lu instructed Li Wu to send photos of his past medications and informed him that an MRI would also be necessary. Dr. Lu then offered to personally take them to schedule the MRI, noting that he wasn't busy and they could get the results the same day.
However, Li Wu, seemingly not wanting Dr. Lu to appear overly attentive in front of Cen Jin, quickly took the paperwork, politely declining the doctor's help and assuring him they could handle it themselves. Cen Jin echoed Li Wu's sentiment, thanking Dr. Lu and urging him to return to his duties. As they left, Li Wu inquired about Cen Jin's weekend plans, to which she replied she would be visiting her parents.
That weekend, Li Wu surprised Cen Jin by arriving at her parents' house ahead of her. It was his first reunion with them since going abroad. He announced his intention to settle in Yi City and visit them frequently, much to Cen Jin's father's delight. Cen Jin's mother, concerned about his current living situation, then asked Cen Jin to help Li Wu find a rental since he was still staying in a hotel.
Cen Jin took Li Wu to view several properties, none of which he found satisfactory. Finally, the agent recalled a new, unlisted property that happened to be directly across from Cen Jin's own apartment. Li Wu feigned initial reluctance, but Cen Jin encouraged him to sign if he liked it. Once Cen Jin had gone home, Li Wu thanked the agent for his part in the act. The following day, Li Wu moved into his new apartment.
Chun Chang was at Cen Jin's place, having tea, and they speculated about Li Wu's true intentions. Just then, Li Wu knocked on Cen Jin's door, explaining that his car was under traffic restrictions and he needed to borrow her car to buy furniture for his new place. Chun Chang immediately told Cen Jin to accompany him, offering to take care of Cen Jin's laundry for her.
Later, while shopping for a mattress, Li Wu asked Cen Jin about the brand of the mattress he had slept on at her home years ago, recalling it as the most comfortable sleep he'd ever had. Cen Jin, however, couldn't remember. As they reached the mall's top floor, they saw a "Roman Holiday" poster outside the cinema. Li Wu reminded Cen Jin that they had watched the film together when she was helping him with English.
Cen Jin observed that many things had changed over time. Li Wu, however, insisted that some core aspects remained constant, affirming that she had always been the most important person to him. He then confessed that his past declarations of hatred were mere words spoken out of fear and that he now understood her intentions were always for his good, providing him with everything he desired, including the opportunity to explore the broader world. Cen Jin was deeply touched, realizing that Li Wu finally understood her original intentions and sacrifices. That evening, both Cen Jin and Li Wu separately rewatched "Roman Holiday."
Episode 9 Recap
As night fell after evening study, Cheng Rui had not yet returned to the dorm. His roommates worried, remembering Cheng Rui’s phone being confiscated at the start of school and a recent incident where he was caught trying to steal a sports card from the teacher’s office. If caught again, he faced expulsion.
When they heard the dormitory administrator approaching for a surprise check, Li Wu immediately jumped onto Cheng Rui’s empty bed to cover for him, leaving his own bed empty. The administrator recorded Li Wu as absent for the night. Afterward, his roommates praised Li Wu for his loyalty, to which Li Wu explained he acted quickly to prevent Cheng Rui from being expelled.
The next morning, Mr. Qi called Cen Jin, informing her that Li Wu had not returned to school all night. Cen Jin, concerned, rushed to the school. She found Li Wu in Mr. Qi’s office, attempting to explain his absence. Li Wu subtly gestured for Cen Jin to corroborate his lie, implying he had gone home and Cen Jin, having worked late, wouldn't have known he had left for school that morning.
Cen Jin, however, called Li Wu into the hallway for a private conversation, where he confessed to covering for his roommate due to a "special situation." Cen Jin expressed her disappointment, reminding him that his primary goal in Yi City was to study, and that school was not the time to prioritize misguided loyalty to friends. She sternly told him she could not take his college exams for him. Despite her seriousness, Li Wu found comfort in her concern.
Cen Jin then revealed the truth to Mr. Qi, explaining that Li Wu had covered for a roommate. She suggested transferring Li Wu to a different dorm, expressing concern that having just come from the mountains, many things were new and potentially tempting, and that his environment and peers could significantly influence him, which would be detrimental to his crucial college entrance exams.
Mr. Qi acknowledged her worries but believed Li Wu was a sensible student with clear goals who wouldn't be easily swayed. He also felt that excessive restrictions might backfire with students today, but assured her he would pay closer attention to Li Wu and guide him appropriately. Later, Mr. Qi privately reprimanded Cheng Rui. Back in class, Cheng Rui was furious.
He confronted Li Wu, accusing him of feigning loyalty by covering for him only to turn around and report him to the teacher. Li Wu tried to explain, but Cheng Rui refused to listen, believing Li Wu was also trying to get his dorm changed. Soon after, Cheng Rui's father arrived at school, compounding Cheng Rui’s embarrassment. Li Wu felt deeply wronged by the accusation. That weekend, Cen Jin picked up Li Wu to take him home.
Li Wu remained unusually quiet throughout the drive. When Cen Jin asked about his exam results, he responded vaguely. Pressed further, Li Wu mentioned that she had told Mr. Qi about the dorm incident. Cen Jin grew frustrated, feeling her good intentions were misunderstood, but Li Wu countered that his roommates were his friends and he didn't want to jeopardize their relationships. Disheartened, Cen Jin went to Chun Chang’s house to unwind.
Li Wu, worried, called her repeatedly, but Cen Jin intentionally ignored his calls. Eventually, Chun Chang messaged Li Wu, assuring him that Cen Jin was fine. That night, Li Wu studied tirelessly and left a note for Cen Jin before returning to school the next morning, promising to study hard and never upset her again. During PE class, Li Wu and a few other boys were sent to the equipment room to retrieve volleyballs.
There, a male student, later revealed in dialogue to be Fatty Zhang, began throwing volleyballs at Li Wu, with others joining in. Li Wu silently endured the bullying. Just then, Tao Wanwen, a girl from the Rocket Class and one of Mr. Qi's top students, entered the room, demanding to know what they were doing and threatening to report them. The boys quickly dispersed.
Tao Wanwen then approached Li Wu, explaining that she felt partially responsible for his ostracism because Cheng Rui’s overnight absence was actually to help her with college applications. Later, Tao Wanwen privately confronted Cheng Rui about his behavior. She urged him to explain his overnight absence to his father and Mr. Qi instead of letting Li Wu take the blame.
She then revealed a significant detail to Cheng Rui: Mr. Qi had inadvertently mentioned Li Wu's situation to her, and it was the first time Cheng Rui learned that Li Wu's parents and grandfather had passed away, and that Cen Jin was not his biological sister but the daughter of his benefactor.
Tao Wanwen chastised Cheng Rui for his "big ego" and for being used as a pawn by Fatty Zhang, who was pretending to defend him while actually venting his own anger. She tried to convince Cheng Rui to apologize to Li Wu, but Cheng Rui, unwilling to lose face, refused. Meanwhile, Cen Jin quickly adapted to her new company, AusStar.
Her boss informed her that Bei'ao Motors was opening a public tender for the promotion of a new car model and tasked Cen Jin with securing the collaboration. Cen Jin, recalling a contact at Bei'ao, assured her boss she would try her best. The following weekend, Li Wu was unable to contact Cen Jin as he hadn't brought his phone. Cen Jin, attending a mandatory work dinner designated by her boss, couldn't pick him up from school.
Li Wu waited at the school gate until dark, eventually returning to the school dorms when the security guard prepared to lock up. Cen Jin met with Manager Chen of Bei'ao Motors. Manager Chen noted that Bei'ao typically chose promotional companies from its existing supplier network, which AusStar was not a part of.
He also mentioned that several top industry firms, including Yiwen Creative Dream, were competing for the project, making it difficult for AusStar to even pass the initial qualification review. Cen Jin, however, highlighted AusStar's advantages as a new company with strong business capability, a vibrant team, excellent creativity, execution, and cost-effectiveness. She explained that their application for supplier registration had already been submitted and met Bei'ao's requirements.
Impressed by Cen Jin's presentation and their past acquaintance, Manager Chen agreed to give AusStar a chance to participate in the pitch if they could finalize their supplier registration documents within two weeks, acknowledging that the final selection would be based purely on merit.
Later, while still dealing with work matters, Cen Jin received a call from Mr. Qi, who informed her that Li Wu had been running a fever of 39 degrees Celsius for two days, and that medicine hadn't helped. Cen Jin immediately rushed to the school, picked up a shivering Li Wu from his dorm (giving him a jacket she grabbed from his room), and took him to the hospital. At the registration desk, a man tried to cut in line.
Cen Jin politely pointed out that others were waiting, but the man retorted aggressively. Li Wu, despite his fever, stepped forward to confront the man, who then sheepishly returned to the end of the line. Cen Jin chided Li Wu for being reckless while sick but was secretly touched by his protectiveness. She then called her work to request half a day off to stay with Li Wu.
As Cen Jin went to buy food, Li Wu sent her a WeChat message apologizing for his earlier behavior. Cen Jin, not truly angry, soon returned with congee, shredded chicken noodles, and wontons. She encouraged him to eat so he could recover quickly. Li Wu, relieved, asked if she was still mad at him, to which she replied that she had already answered him on WeChat. Cen Jin then helped him with the food, encouraging him to eat well.
Episode 10 Recap
In a past event, Li Wu was in the utility room getting water, having placed his freshly cleaned sneakers nearby. Gao Yiqiang, a student who had previously bullied Li Wu, entered the room, commenting on how clean and seemingly expensive the shoes looked, questioning if they were "fake" or acquired through "shady means." Gao Yiqiang then picked up Li Wu's sneakers and deliberately threw them on the ground. When Li Wu refused to pick them up, a physical altercation ensued.
Cheng Rui, who had bought snacks intending to apologize to Li Wu, rushed to the utility room after hearing about the fight. Gao Yiqiang tried to claim he was fighting on Cheng Rui's behalf, but Cheng Rui knew it was just an excuse. He intervened, telling Gao Yiqiang not to use him as a shield and that any issues were between him and Li Wu.
The school administrator arrived to break up the fight, leading to all four students and their parents being called in. During the meeting with the teacher, Gao Yiqiang's mother sharply denied her son's involvement. However, Mr. Qi, the teacher, revealed that his investigation showed both Zhang Jiaqi and Gao Yiqiang had been consistently bullying Li Wu for the past two weeks.
Cen Jin, Li Wu’s older sister, was shocked and upset, realizing Li Wu had never mentioned being bullied at school. When Zhang Jiaqi's mother tried to deflect blame by questioning Li Wu's family background, Cen Jin firmly stated that since the incident had occurred, they should conduct a medical examination for Li Wu's injuries and review the security camera footage. Zhang Jiaqi's mother, realizing she was in the wrong, backed down.
Unable to contain her anger, Cen Jin took Li Wu to his classroom, introduced herself to his classmates, and warned them that she would not tolerate anyone bullying her brother again, threatening police involvement if it happened. Afterward, Cen Jin apologized to Mr. Qi for her emotional outburst, explaining how difficult Li Wu's life had been and that she was truly sorry he had endured so much silently.
She vouched for Li Wu, assuring Mr. Qi that he was a good, hardworking, and obedient student. Following these events, Li Wu's academic performance significantly improved, reaching second in his class and forty-third in his grade. Cheng Rui, along with two other friends, apologized to Li Wu for their past misunderstandings and for causing him trouble. They acknowledged that they had spoken up for Li Wu during the teacher's investigation.
To show their sincerity, Cheng Rui insisted on treating Li Wu and their friends to a celebratory meal outside school, telling Li Wu to pick whatever he wanted to eat, even expensive seafood. Li Wu, feeling happy, said he was fine with anything, and they eagerly set off. Years later, in 2024, Lin Xue started her internship at Tongchen Company.
Li Wu introduced her to Yi, the head of financing and risk assessment, and Cheng Rui, the CEO, explaining that Lin Xue was his junior from Penn and possessed strong technical skills. Yi mentioned that he was close to finalizing a contract with Mr. Qin, a potential investor, and scheduled a dinner for that evening, requiring both Li Wu and Cheng Rui to attend.
He emphasized focusing on the "future industry development prospects" and "return on investment" rather than technical details, aiming to "seal the deal" that night. He instructed Li Wu to lead the conversation, with himself and Cheng Rui providing support. At the dinner, Yi introduced Lin Xue to Mr. Qin as Li Wu's talented junior from Penn, brought along to learn from him. Mr. Qin complimented the company's "talents."
Yi then encouraged Lin Xue to toast Mr. Qin, implying multiple drinks by saying a "toast is three cups." Li Wu, seeing this, subtly intervened by sending Lin Xue to the kitchen to "nudge the kitchen" for the dishes.
While Lin Xue was away, Li Wu attempted to highlight Tongchen's technical advantages, but Mr. Qin appeared uninterested, emphasizing that profitability and immediate returns were more important than focusing solely on technological innovation and R&D costs, which could affect "overall return rate." Li Wu argued that continuous technological innovation was a "guarantee for our future" against fierce competition. Yi and Cheng Rui quickly sided with Mr. Qin, agreeing that securing immediate profits was paramount.
They all toasted to a "win-win cooperation." Meanwhile, Cen Jin had dinner with Dr. Lu to express her gratitude. Dr. Lu remarked that she shouldn't be so formal, recalling a previous occasion when he was stood up due to her work, leaving him hungry in traffic on a rainy day, and even causing him to take on an extra patient. He also mentioned participating in a free clinic where he received a handmade gift from a young girl he helped.
They found common ground in their shared pursuit of career fulfillment, acknowledging that finding a supportive and understanding partner was challenging, but finding joy in their work made up for other imperfections in life. Dr. Lu, having brought fresh strawberries from his trip, insisted on delivering some to Cen Jin's apartment, as he had too many. After the dinner, Li Wu, Cheng Rui, and Yi saw Mr. Qin off.
Li Wu then voiced his concerns to Yi, stating that Mr. Qin's "development philosophy" didn't align with Tongchen's long-term vision and that he "might not be the right investor" for them, suggesting they continue looking for other investors. Yi dismissed Li Wu's concerns, stressing that securing investment was the immediate priority, comparing it to "not shopping for clothes." He asserted that funds were crucial for the company's expansion and "speeding up commercialization" was the most practical choice.
Cheng Rui intervened to prevent further argument, suggesting they discuss it at work the next day since they had all been drinking. He offered Li Wu a ride home with him while their driver took Yi. Li Wu, left to ponder their differing views, absorbed Cheng Rui's neutral perspective, which acknowledged both ideals and reality. Later, Li Wu and Cen Jin happened to arrive at their apartment building on the same elevator.
Dr. Lu, who was helping Cen Jin carry the large box of strawberries, recognized Li Wu from their previous encounter at the hospital. Cen Jin introduced Li Wu as her brother. Li Wu, noticing Dr. Lu's presence and the smell of alcohol, asked Cen Jin why she was returning with him. Dr. Lu explained that Cen Jin had invited him to dinner and he was simply helping her with the fruit.
Li Wu also noticed that Dr. Lu lived in the apartment directly opposite Cen Jin's, which Cen Jin confirmed, explaining she had helped him find it. Dr. Lu then informed Li Wu that his medical test results were ready and invited him for a follow-up consultation next Monday, or offered to send the report if he was busy. Li Wu appeared hesitant and said he would "see what I can do" regarding his schedule.
At Cen Jin's apartment, Dr. Lu suggested making jam to use up the large quantity of strawberries, fearing they would spoil in the refrigerator. Cen Jin admitted she didn't know how to make jam, so Dr. Lu offered to help, assuring her it wasn't too late in the evening. As Dr. Lu expertly prepared the jam, he explained the importance of controlling the heat and constant stirring, describing it as a "training your patience" process.
He reflected on how he had grown more patient over the years, contrasting it with his younger self who would have simply bought jam from a store. Cen Jin also tried her hand at stirring. Dr. Lu, observing Cen Jin and Li Wu's close relationship, inquired if they had known each other for a long time. Meanwhile, from his apartment's peephole, Li Wu watched Cen Jin’s door, wondering why Dr. Lu was taking so long to leave.
After Dr. Lu finally finished the jam, he instructed Cen Jin to refrigerate it once it cooled. Later, Li Wu called Dr. Lu, asking him to accompany him for his follow-up consultation on Monday morning, to which Dr. Lu agreed to go with him before heading to work.
As Cen Jin saw Dr. Lu off at the elevator, Li Wu, mistakenly believing they were leaving together again, rushed out of his apartment, only to collide with Cen Jin, who explained she was just escorting Dr. Lu. Li Wu then quickly concocted an excuse, asking to borrow some purified water, and followed Cen Jin into her apartment.
Upon seeing the freshly made jam on the table, Li Wu, knowing Cen Jin preferred "sour flavors," asked if she would enjoy something so sweet. Cen Jin responded that it tasted "fine" and explained that Dr. Lu had made it. Sensing his presence was unwelcome, Li Wu eventually left. Meanwhile, Chun Chang attended a camping trip with Shen Yiyang's group.
She introduced herself as a co-owner of a bar with a friend, offering the group a free private room for their activities and drinks at cost. She then directly asked Shen Yiyang if he was single, which his friends enthusiastically confirmed for him. Her second question was why he hadn't accepted her WeChat friend request. Amid playful teasing from their friends, who called Shen Yiyang "pretentious," he finally accepted her request.
Later that night, as they prepared for bed, Shen Yiyang, noticing Chun Chang's "too thin" tent, suggested they swap because "the wind is strong at night" and he was afraid her tent might "get blown away." Chun Chang accepted. Still not feeling sleepy, Shen Yiyang sat outside his tent, browsing Chun Chang's Moments on his phone. When she approached him with a drink, asking if he was still awake, he quickly closed his phone, saying he was just boiling water and about to sleep.
Episode 11 Recap
On Monday, Cen Jin accompanied Li Wu for his follow-up consultation with Dr. Lu. Dr. Lu explained that Li Wu's migraines were due to an unclosed foramen ovale, a condition common in about a quarter of adults, although it increases the risk of migraine attacks by 2. 5 times for those affected. He clarified that some people never experience symptoms congenitally, but an attack could be triggered by external stimuli or trauma.
Li Wu confirmed that previous doctors had also advised rest. Cen Jin inquired about other treatment options, to which Dr. Lu mentioned surgery as a possibility but noted it's usually avoided unless necessary. He recommended focusing on medication and significant lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, avoiding late nights, and maintaining emotional stability. Cen Jin diligently recorded these instructions on her phone, which Li Wu secretly appreciated.
Dr. Lu then invited Cen Jin to an archery club event on Saturday. Li Wu, eager to spend more time with Cen Jin, quickly declared his keen interest in archery, claiming he had always wanted to learn but never had the chance. Dr. Lu happily agreed to let him join. After leaving the hospital with the prescribed medicine, Cen Jin insisted on finding a pill organizer for Li Wu, concerned he might forget his doses.
She eventually located a pharmacy but had to rush to work, instructing Li Wu to buy the organizer and take a taxi home. The story then flashed back to 2016. Cen Jin, as the creative director at AusStar, was overseeing the creative discussions for Bei'ao Motors' G-series advertising campaign.
She was dissatisfied with the two existing internal proposals, and noted that the most popular approach currently was by Wu Fu, the creative director from Yiwen Creative Dream, who had an impressive reputation, having won a One Show award for his self-produced sign language ad. She urged her team to refine their ideas, aiming for something truly innovative.
Later that evening, Cen Jin returned home delighted to see Li Wu's improved academic transcript, showing he had advanced over thirty ranks and was close to the top thirty. She tried to engage him in a discussion about work, asking what features he, as a man, would prioritize in an off-road vehicle, only to remember he had never driven.
To spark new ideas, Cen Jin took Li Wu to a Low-Carbon Lifestyle Expo, specifically to experience an AI simulation game, explaining that she didn't want her creativity to be "trapped by cars." She led Li Wu to a 3D browser exhibit while she went to play a large floor piano with a little girl. The girl's mother, Shen Yun, filmed Cen Jin and her daughter happily playing and later shared the video with Cen Jin, adding her on WeChat.
Li Wu, after his experience, was deeply impressed by the extensive applications of artificial intelligence in areas like environmental protection, data collection, and resource preservation, concluding that AI truly had the potential to transform human lifestyles. This realization inspired Cen Jin, shifting her focus from pure technology to how automobiles enhance people's lives. The following day at work, Cen Jin proposed developing a micro-film drama commercial.
However, her assistant informed her that Bei'ao Motors seemed to be giving AusStar the runaround, suggesting they might have a pre-selected partner. It was rumored that Wu Fu, the creative director from Yiwen Creative Dream, had been seen frequently with Bei'ao's Mr. Chen, indicating a cozy relationship that threatened to block AusStar's entry. Cen Jin asked if there were alternative channels to secure an opportunity.
The assistant recalled that Shen Yun, the head of external communications for Bei'ao and a director-level executive with special approval rights, was the ultimate decision-maker. Cen Jin was surprised to recognize Shen Yun as the "mom" she had met at the expo. Cen Jin deliberately approached Shen Yun at a coffee shop. She introduced herself as the creative director of AusStar, explaining their bid for the G-series marketing project.
Shen Yun acknowledged that Cen Jin's approach was "going over the chain of command" but admitted she had heard of Cen Jin's name from previous projects. However, she knew nothing about AusStar. Despite this, Shen Yun offered to help AusStar get qualified as a vendor, but firmly stated that there would be no favoritism during the actual pitch, which would prioritize the best creative proposal.
Cen Jin expressed her gratitude, understanding that merely getting an entry ticket was a significant step. On the day of the pitch, Wu Fu presented his marketing plan first, emphasizing detailed car performance and reliability to create a "driving-life, fully in control" brand image tailored for middle-aged men. Mr. Chen appeared confident in Wu Fu's presentation. Then, Cen Jin presented AusStar's proposal, themed "Light of Dawn, Master the Extraordinary."
Her approach focused on humanistic appeal, even mentioning Yunfeng Village, and aimed to make the audience connect emotionally with the product through visual enjoyment. An attendee questioned if the video would come across as a tourism promotion centered on poverty alleviation rather than the car, asking why an unfamiliar remote mountainous area like Yunfeng Village was chosen. Cen Jin explained that she had conducted a field study there and that her parents sponsored students in the village.
She highlighted Yunfeng Village's natural environment and challenging road conditions as ideal for showcasing the G-series' multi-terrain adaptation system. She argued that a high-performance off-road vehicle offers not just convenience but also a deeper sense of culture, sentiment, and self-realization that profoundly changes lives and touches the heart. She reassured them that 90% of the video footage would directly or indirectly relate to the G-series, ensuring potential consumers would fully grasp its superior performance.
Shen Yun concluded the meeting, stating that the company would deliberate before making a decision. Later that weekend, Li Wu, thinking Cen Jin was still busy working overtime, called Cheng Rui to confirm plans to stay with him in the dorms. However, upon returning home to collect his change of clothes, he found Cen Jin had prepared hotpot. She explained that her busy period had concluded. Li Wu quickly messaged Cheng Rui, canceling their plans.
During dinner, Cen Jin received news that AusStar had won the Bei'ao Motors project, triumphing over Wu Fu. Overjoyed, she celebrated it as her first independent project success at her new company. Cen Jin informed Li Wu that the ad would be filmed in Yunfeng Village and asked him for recommendations for beautiful locations.
Li Wu suggested the winding mountain road behind his grandfather's old house, which led to Qinglian Peak, offering spectacular sunrises and, on clear days, a breathtaking sea of clouds. He described the unpaved path, the terraced fields, the pristine mountain springs where fruits could be chilled, and the river teeming with small fish and crabs that he and his childhood friends would catch and fry.
Cen Jin was delighted by his descriptions and asked him to sketch out the locations, as they eagerly discussed their vision. In 2017, a year after the successful pitch, Cen Jin's professional abilities earned her significant recognition and trust at AusStar. Her boss offered her several complimentary tickets to a popular stand-up comedy show. Cen Jin, considering Li Wu's limited social activities, took two tickets with the intention of taking him.
That weekend, she called Li Wu, who was at a bus stop returning home from school. She suggested he get off at the Jiu Li Tower stop near her company. As Li Wu disembarked, he noticed an AusStar promotional video playing on a large screen, featuring Cen Jin. Watching her, he reminisced about their first encounter in Yunfeng Village and her consistent kindness and support, realizing that the "most beautiful sister" had stirred profound romantic feelings within him. They then headed to a restaurant Cen Jin had booked nearby to celebrate.
Episode 12 Recap
On a weekend, Cen Jin took Li Wu to an archery appointment with Mr. Lu. Claiming it was his first time, Li Wu asked Cen Jin for instructions on how to pull the bow. Cen Jin patiently guided him through the proper technique, demonstrating how to position the arrow, relax his shoulders, engage his back muscles, and keep his head straight with his thumb pointed at the target.
Despite saying it was his first time, Li Wu displayed impressive accuracy, hitting the target repeatedly, which subtly stoked Mr. Lu's jealousy as Cen Jin watched Li Wu with clear appreciation. During the session, Mr. Lu remarked on his new compound bow, mentioning he typically used a recurve bow and asked Cen Jin to teach him how to use the compound bow.
Suddenly, Cen Jin received a phone call about an urgent situation on a film set, requiring her immediate return to the company. She declined Li Wu's offer to drive her, explaining that the industrial park was nearby and she would take a taxi. After Cen Jin departed, Mr. Lu and Li Wu quickly wrapped up their archery session. Mr. Lu then extended an invitation to Li Wu for dinner at a restaurant he claimed was Cen Jin's favorite.
At the restaurant, Mr. Lu ordered several dishes, asserting they were Cen Jin's preferred choices, including their signature Osmanthus drink and eggplant casserole. However, Li Wu contradicted him, stating that Cen Jin did not like eggplant and that he always used to eat it for her when they dined together. Mr. Lu, unfazed, countered by theorizing that people's tastes change over time, much like how the body's cells completely renew every six to seven years.
The two continued their verbal sparring, neither willing to yield. Back at the company, Cen Jin efficiently resolved the unexpected issue. Seeing that her colleagues had been working overtime for several days, she sent them home to rest, choosing to stay behind to handle the remaining tasks herself. After her colleagues left, a fire alarm suddenly blared. Cen Jin quickly grabbed her laptop and hurried out.
As she descended the stairs, one of her new shoes, which she had specially ordered through a reseller and was wearing for the very first time, slipped off and fell into a narrow gap between the second and third-floor stairs and a window. With no time to retrieve it, Cen Jin continued barefoot to the building's entrance.
There, a security guard informed her that it was merely a routine fire safety self-check, and a notice had been posted days prior, which she had missed, as it was her first day working there. While Cen Jin waited at the entrance, Li Wu arrived to pick her up, concerned that she might struggle to find a taxi late at night. Cen Jin explained the false alarm and her predicament, expressing her reluctance to abandon her precious new shoe.
Li Wu offered his shoes for her to rest her bare feet, and to pass the time while they waited for the inspection to conclude, he suggested a mini-game his classmate had developed. Once the all-clear was given, Li Wu went back into the building and successfully retrieved her shoe from the tight spot on the second floor. Upon returning to their residential complex, they encountered another problem: Li Wu's digital lock was malfunctioning.
After contacting customer service, he learned that a technician wouldn't be available until the next day. He then asked Cen Jin if he could stay at her place for the night, to which she agreed. As they approached her door, Cen Jin entered the password, "160903," the exact date of her divorce, a code known only to her and Li Wu.
Inside, Cen Jin offered Li Wu her largest pajamas, to which he playfully remarked that he thought they might belong to another man. Cen Jin promptly retorted that her father did not live with her, so there were no other men's pajamas. Li Wu went to his old room, finding it exactly as he remembered. Opening a drawer, he discovered his school-day diary and a puzzle they had completed together.
Cen Jin entered, bringing him a buckwheat pillow, and mentioned she had forgotten to clear out these old items. Li Wu gently stopped her from doing so. Cen Jin then sternly warned him that if he misbehaved, she would make him leave, emphasizing that she believed he could find somewhere else to sleep if truly pressed.
She explained that while she didn't feel it was necessary to deliberately remove old items or change the door password, the past was indeed the past, and she had moved on. She advised him to prioritize his health, live well, and focus on his work, to which Li Wu acknowledged with understanding. Later that night, both lay awake, unable to sleep.
Li Wu picked up his diary and found a small photo of Cen Jin tucked inside, prompting his thoughts to drift back to New Year's Eve in 2016. During that New Year's Eve in 2016, Li Wu was diligently studying late into the night. Cen Jin brought him several one-inch photos for various forms he needed to fill out. He discreetly kept one, tucking it into his pencil case.
Cen Jin returned to his room with some fruit, observed him spinning his pen, and expressed a desire to try it herself. As she rummaged through his pencil case, Li Wu, fearing she would discover the hidden photo, quickly retrieved it, feigning a need for an eraser. At the stroke of midnight, Li Wu found Cen Jin asleep on the living room sofa. She awoke to the New Year's countdown on television, and they exchanged "Happy New Year" wishes.
Cen Jin explained to Li Wu that how one spends New Year's Eve sets the tone for the entire coming year, urging him to be happy. She then pulled him to watch the fireworks display outside. Recalling their very first photograph together in Yunfeng Village, Cen Jin sent him the image from her phone.
A year after Li Wu had been brought from Yunfeng Village, Cen Jin proposed taking another photograph together, believing it would bring good fortune for the new year. Despite some initial nervousness, Li Wu agreed, and they captured another cherished moment. On another New Year's Eve, Cen Jin took Li Wu to a stand-up comedy show. During the audience Q&A segment, Cen Jin submitted a note asking for advice on what to do if her younger brother didn't smile.
The comedian, reading the note aloud, light-heartedly teased the "little brother" in the audience. Li Wu, realizing the question was about him, visibly blushed and avoided making eye contact, while the comedian jokingly suggested that to be joyful, the "little brother" should primarily avoid being with the person who asked the question. A few days later, Cen Jin celebrated Li Wu's birthday. During the wish-making segment, Cen Jin urged him to make a wish.
When she asked what he wished for, Li Wu replied that he wasn't supposed to say it, prompting Cen Jin to playfully tease him about never having blown out birthday candles. Li Wu then stated his wish: "I wish you everything good." Dissatisfied with his selfless wish, Cen Jin insisted that he make a wish for himself, reiterating that birthday wishes should be personal. She then asked him if he believed in fate.
After a period of thought, Li Wu simply thanked her, which prompted Cen Jin to challenge him, asking if he could say anything other than "thank you" or "sorry." He affirmed that he could but remained silent. Cen Jin then presented him with a birthday gift, expressing her hope that he would like it. They proceeded to cut the cake together; Cen Jin asked him to cut only half. Li Wu took the knife from her, sliced the cake, and offered her the first piece.
Episode 13 Recap
Li Wu gazed at a New Year photo of himself and Cen Jin, a smile gracing both their faces, and was transported back in time. The sound of his alarm brought him back to his office, where he resumed work. Meanwhile, Cen Jin woke up, experiencing a slight cold and sneezed repeatedly. Just then, Dr. Lu called, inviting her to their usual restaurant to try some seasonal spring vegetables like Malantou and Tianqi.
Cen Jin, feeling unwell and dizzy, declined, explaining she thought she had caught a viral cold but had already prepared medicine. Dr. Lu urged her to eat something before taking it. Concerned, Dr. Lu bought some food and headed to Cen Jin's apartment. In the building's lobby, he encountered Mrs. Cen, who was carrying two bags of oranges. Mrs. Cen explained one was for Cen Jin and the other for Li Wu, noting they lived "door to door."
Dr. Lu, curious about their relationship, subtly inquired if Li Wu was Cen Jin's cousin. Mrs. Cen clarified that Li Wu was not a biological relative. She recounted how Cen Jin's uncle met Li Wu during a countryside excursion activity. After some unfortunate changes in Li Wu's family, Cen Jin "did a good deed" by bringing him to Yi City to study, and over time, they became like siblings.
Mrs. Cen added that Li Wu had studied abroad after being recommended by his school as a sophomore, but was now back and running his own company, and that both she and Cen Jin's father were very fond of him. Realizing she was late for a beauty appointment, Mrs. Cen asked Dr. Lu to deliver the oranges to Cen Jin. Upon entering Cen Jin's apartment, Dr. Lu noticed Li Wu's clothes and questioned Cen Jin about them.
Cen Jin explained that Li Wu had stayed over the previous night because his door lock was broken. Dr. Lu then revisited the topic of her relationship with Li Wu, admitting he found their dynamic perplexing, sometimes distant, other times perfectly in sync. He stated he wanted to understand to avoid any "miscommunication." Cen Jin simply responded that they were not biological siblings.
At his company, Tongchen, Li Wu was dissatisfied with engineer Chenyang's temporary solution to a system vulnerability, which involved "hard-coding" and merely suppressing the issue rather than resolving it. Li Wu pointed out that this approach would only make the problem more complex and demanded a deeper modification, questioning if Chenyang could take responsibility for a temporary fix. Chenyang, acknowledging Li Wu as the boss, agreed to follow his lead.
Soon after, Yi presented Li Wu with Mr. Qin's investment contract, which had been legally reviewed and deemed fine. Yi was eager to sign it quickly once Cheng Rui returned. However, Li Wu expressed his continued discomfort with Mr. Qin's terms, reminding Yi of their initial vision for Tongchen: to constantly pursue advanced technology and make a name for themselves in the industry.
Yi dismissed this as idealism, arguing that advanced technology required more funding and that rapid commercialization was the most efficient path, especially with the AI industry booming and "hot money" pouring in. Li Wu conceded that he wasn't purely idealistic but maintained that technology was their foundation. He highlighted Mr. Qin's interference with their development plans and the harsh profit conditions.
They agreed to postpone the discussion until Cheng Rui's return, as Li Wu was called away to deal with a runtime vulnerability. Meanwhile, Cen Jin learned about Rumeng company's new aromatherapy line, which claimed to aid sleep. Shen Yun, a colleague, informed her that the products only came with English instructions and their efficacy hadn't been verified. Despite this, Cen Jin was intrigued and volunteered to take one home, to which Shen Yun commended her dedication.
Later that evening, Li Wu, leaving work late, encountered Cen Jin at her doorstep. He confessed he hadn't eaten due to overtime and, with his stomach bothering him and no takeout in sight, asked if she could make him some noodles, promising to leave immediately afterward. Cen Jin invited him in. Inside, Li Wu noticed numerous aromatherapy products and inquired about their purpose. Cen Jin explained they were for an advertising campaign, focusing on sleep aid.
Knowing Li Wu suffered from insomnia, she suggested he try them, instructing him to place one by his bed and add essential oil. She also offered to download a sleep monitoring app for him. Li Wu agreed to try but pointed out that a week's trial would be "too small a sample size" for meaningful analysis. Cen Jin playfully teased him about his scientific mindset. He promised to compile a trial report.
She then inquired about his recent sleep, headaches, and medication adherence, to which he replied his sleep was "a bit better than before." Cen Jin reminded him of his upcoming follow-up appointment. Noticing Cen Jin struggling to translate the English product manual on her computer, Li Wu offered his assistance. As Cen Jin prepared the noodles, Li Wu, immersed in translating, eventually dozed off at the table, seemingly lulled to sleep by the aromatherapy.
Cen Jin, upon seeing him asleep, mused that the product "works pretty well" and the project was "definitely doable." The narrative then shifted back to 2017. Li Wu, having just completed his final exams, eagerly called Cen Jin to share the news, feeling confident about his performance. Cen Jin told him she would pick him up when he returned to school for his report card.
Upon returning home, a minor mishap occurred when Li Wu emerged from the bathroom shirtless, having mistakenly grabbed the wrong clothes after showering. He was flustered to find Cen Jin also walking out of her bedroom. He quickly retreated, dropping his towel in his haste. Cen Jin later reassured her friend Chun Chang on the phone that it was just Li Wu, not another man, playfully dismissing Chun Chang's cheeky inquiry about Li Wu's physique.
Cen Jin then called out to Li Wu, asking him to come out once dressed and mentioning his forgotten towel. When he reappeared, Cen Jin handed him the towel, which promptly slipped from her grasp and fell. As they both bent down to retrieve it, their eyes met, creating a moment of awkward intimacy. Cen Jin inquired about his holiday plans, offering to take him to her parents' place if he was busy, but Li Wu declined.
She advised him to dress warmly to avoid catching a cold. Li Wu then expressed a desire to visit Yunfeng Village. Cen Jin drove him there. Since his uncle had returned to the village, Li Wu chose not to visit his aunt, and instead, they went directly to his grandfather's grave to pay respects. As Li Wu kowtowed, Cen Jin gently removed some dry grass from his hair. While descending the mountain, dusk quickly fell.
A weasel darted out, startling Cen Jin and leaving her visibly shaken. Li Wu quickly pulled out his flashlight and held her close, instructing her not to stray more than ten centimeters from him as they made their way down. Cen Jin reflected on a previous visit when Li Wu had returned alone, asking if he wasn't afraid. He simply stated he wasn't, as his grandfather was there.
They paused to admire the starry night sky, a beauty Cen Jin hadn't noticed before, to which Li Wu mused, "maybe they were hidden before." Cen Jin then declared, "Let's go home for the Chinese New Year." Back at school, Ms. Xu congratulated Li Wu on achieving first place in his final exams, noting his remarkable improvement since joining the school.
She proposed placing him in the "Rocket Class" next semester for a final push towards university, after advising him to work on his English listening during the holidays. Cen Jin, present with Li Wu, was overjoyed, calling it a recognition of his potential to enter a top university. Li Wu, however, humbly stated he had "just missed the top 30 in the school by only one place." Cen Jin insisted his achievement was impressive.
Mrs. Cen, however, interjected, urging them to discuss happier topics during the New Year, not scores. Cen Jin, amused, insisted Li Wu's success was indeed happy news. Mrs. Cen then criticized Cen Jin's oddly shaped dumplings, comparing them unfavorably to Li Wu's perfectly made ones. Cen Jin playfully argued that "once it's in your stomach, it's the same," a sentiment Li Wu echoed.
Mrs. Cen jokingly told Li Wu not to favor his sister, describing Cen Jin's strong-willed nature as unbearable, though Li Wu defended her, calling it a positive trait. During the New Year's Eve dinner, Mr. Cen offered Li Wu a drink, but Mrs. Cen quickly intervened, reminding them of the upcoming NCEE and telling Cen Jin to pour juice instead of hard liquor. Cen Jin humorously lamented her diminishing status in the family.
Cen Jin then led the New Year greetings, wishing her parents well, jokingly asking her mother for invincibility at the card table and her father for improved drinking capacity, before demanding red envelopes. She received one. She then prompted Li Wu to offer his greetings, advising him that "the sweeter your words, the thicker the red envelope."
Li Wu wished Mr. and Mrs. Cen a Happy Chinese New Year, good health, and safety, and was rewarded with a noticeably thicker red envelope than Cen Jin's. Cen Jin playfully protested the disparity, but Mrs. Cen asserted her right to give as she pleased. Li Wu initially tried to decline the red envelope, but both Mr. and Mrs. Cen and Cen Jin insisted he take the traditional Chinese New Year offering.
Finally, Mr. Cen encouraged Li Wu to confide in Cen Jin about any difficulties he might face in his studies or life. He expressed his wish for Li Wu to study hard, get into a good university, and always feel welcome to celebrate holidays with them in Yi City, like a true family. They then raised their glasses in a toast, and Mrs. Cen urged everyone to enjoy the dumplings, with Cen Jin proudly declaring hers would be delicious.
Episode 14 Recap
Shen Yiyang arrived at the Chang bar, waiting for someone. Chun Chang, surprised by his presence, playfully asked if he was waiting for her, noting she hadn't seen him in days. Shortly after, a worker, Paopao, arrived, explaining his delay was due to car restrictions and public transport. He asked for a tape measure, reminding Chun Chang about her plan to clear out a private room for new furniture.
Chun Chang led them upstairs, only to find the room filled with items that needed to be moved to the storage room. While helping move boxes, Shen Yiyang reached for a tape measure and accidentally brushed Chun Chang's hand. She immediately leaned in, seemingly attempting to kiss him. Shen Yiyang initially hesitated, causing Chun Chang to turn away. He then pulled her back, and they shared a passionate kiss.
Paopao unexpectedly walked in on them, telling them to carry on and that he would leave the remaining setup to them. Meanwhile, Shen Yiyang called Li Wu, checking on his financing plans. Li Wu explained he was unsatisfied with the current investor, finding them unprofessional, and intended to persuade his partner to seek alternatives. Shen Yiyang, attending an industry summit in Jiandong, offered to introduce Li Wu to a senior friend who now specializes in AI environmental project investments.
Li Wu readily agreed to a meeting that afternoon. During the meeting, the investor was impressed with Li Wu's detailed data, forward-thinking perspective, and clear plans, acknowledging his remarkable vision for someone so young. The investor also mentioned that his firm was exploring other startups, Li Wu's competitors, and urged him to accelerate R&D to expedite the investment process. Shen Yiyang sensed the investor's satisfaction, but when Li Wu tried to express his gratitude, Shen Yiyang stopped him.
He clarified that his help stemmed from genuinely believing in Li Wu's project concept and wanting it to gain wider recognition, as well as their mutual connection through Cheng Rui. Shen Yiyang then suggested they share a meal. However, Shen Yiyang glanced at his phone, saw an unsent message to Chun Chang, and realized he needed to rush to the bar.
Li Wu, meanwhile, politely declined the meal, stating he had another appointment, promising to eat with Shen Yiyang another time. Shen Yiyang rushed to the Chang bar. Chun Chang, who had been waiting for two hours, was still upset despite his apologies and explanations about the unsent message. To make amends, Shen Yiyang offered to take her out to eat, and Chun Chang, playfully agreeing to "eat something expensive," accepted.
Li Wu went to his follow-up consultation with Dr. Lu alone, as Cen Jin was in a meeting. He reported that his headaches had significantly improved since taking the medication, allowing him to sleep late without pain, though he sometimes felt drowsy during the day. Dr. Lu confirmed sleepiness was a common side effect but advised him to continue the medication, as its benefits outweighed the minor side effects.
He then adjusted the dosage and asked Li Wu to report any changes. Dr. Lu then suggested that Li Wu consider seeing a therapist, explaining that while he could provide medical treatment, psychological issues required a specialist. He subtly hinted that Cen Jin had reached out, hoping Li Wu would recover quickly so they could both "put down the burden" and return to "their own lives."
Li Wu became visibly upset, demanding to know what "burden" Dr. Lu was referring to and what Cen Jin had told him. Dr. Lu maintained that Cen Jin hadn't said much, but his clear understanding was that she simply wished for Li Wu's well-being. Annoyed, Li Wu curtly thanked the doctor, stating that his relationship with Cen Jin was "none of his concern," and left.
Later, Cen Jin sent a message inquiring about his follow-up results, but Li Wu chose not to respond. Back at her office, Cen Jin was in a meeting discussing the development of aromatherapy for sleep, focusing on how emotion, scent, and a sense of safety are interconnected.
Colleagues shared personal anecdotes, from the comforting scent of a grandmother's osmanthus hair oil to the soothing sway of an old green train resembling an "iron cradle," and the familiar smell of a partner. Cen Jin mentioned that she gave the new diffuser to her brother, and he fell asleep in the time it took to cook noodles. During the meeting, Cen Jin sent another message to Li Wu, asking about the diffuser's effect, but again, received no reply.
Later, her colleague, Mr. Yi, brought supper for the team. Another colleague seemed distressed, complaining that Li Wu was too "particular" about work and that sometimes "finishing is more important than perfection" when deadlines are tight. Mr. Yi agreed, praising his colleague's practical approach and noting his impressive background from Fudan and Stanford, implying he was undervalued. The colleague, pleased by the recognition, promised to work harder.
Back at his company, Li Wu, looking pained and recalling Dr. Lu's words and Cen Jin's unanswered messages, angrily turned off all his medication reminders. Chun Chang began a live stream, sharing communication tips for couples. She advised that when someone asks, "What are you doing?" their underlying message is "I miss you."
She cautioned against mundane replies like "I'm working" or "Going to eat," suggesting instead a response like, "I'm eating something really good, wish we could eat together," to keep the conversation flowing. She emphasized that if a person simply replies "Nothing much," they likely have low emotional intelligence and should be "crossed off the list." While she was live streaming, Shen Yiyang sent her a message asking, "What are you doing?"
Chun Chang, still on stream, replied, "Replying to your message," adding that his response was "dry." He then asked her, "What about you?" to which she responded, "Nothing much," then immediately reacted to her own advice, deeming such a reply a sign of low EQ. Shen Yiyang inquired if she was live streaming, and she confirmed, asking him to help boost her popularity. He simply stated he doesn't watch live streams.
Later, at the bar, Chun Chang was busy with customers and enlisted Shen Yiyang's help, jokingly stating she would deduct the time from his agreed "72 hours" of compensation for standing her up earlier. He playfully noted the precise "4 hours and 28 minutes." After the rush, Shen Yiyang thanked Chun Chang for the day, acknowledging he owed her a favor.
When Chun Chang reiterated the deduction from the "72 hours," Shen Yiyang clarified that the help he provided was a separate favor, not part of the previously agreed compensation. He then offered to take her out to eat, assuring her this meal also wouldn't count towards the 72 hours, and she happily agreed.
That evening, as Cen Jin stepped out of the elevator after work, she found Li Wu struggling at his apartment door, his face contorted in pain from a headache. She asked for his door code, discovering it was the same as hers, and helped him inside. Searching for his medication, she couldn't find it. Li Wu admitted he had left it at the office.
Cen Jin grew angry, scolding him for neglecting his health, but he insisted he could manage alone. Still worried, Cen Jin remembered a headache-relieving massage technique she had saved on her phone. Despite Li Wu's initial reluctance, she insisted on massaging the acupoints on the back of his neck. As she worked, Li Wu asked why she had saved such notes, and she replied that she sometimes suffered from headaches too.
He then inquired if his headaches were always this severe, and she explained that while not always this bad, the recent overtime had worsened them. Li Wu gradually grew sleepy. Cen Jin prepared to slip away quietly, but he suddenly grabbed her hand, asking her to stay until he fell asleep. He lay on his bed, and Cen Jin, sitting on the sofa, unexpectedly drifted off to sleep before him.
Watching Cen Jin sleep, Li Wu’s thoughts drifted back to his high school days. He remembered an incident where they were cooking fried eggs with tomatoes at home. Cen Jin, attempting to fry eggs, caused a sudden flare-up of flames from the oil. Li Wu instinctively shielded her, his heart pounding in his chest, then took over the cooking. Cen Jin praised his cooking, declaring her holiday blissful.
Later that night, after a shower, Cen Jin asked Li Wu to retrieve her pink hair-drying cap from the balcony. When he brought it, he saw her wet hair clinging to her chest, and his heart raced with an unfamiliar flutter. He felt flustered, trying to suppress his thoughts.
Cen Jin invited him to watch TV with her, but he, feeling awkward, quickly excused himself, saying he needed to shower and return to school the next day, despite it being before the official start of the semester. Cen Jin questioned his early return, and he explained that Ms. Xu had asked him to come back to process his transfer to the Rocket Class.
He also expressed concern about keeping up with the fast-paced curriculum and his decision not to return home on weekends for a while. Cen Jin understood, offering to pick him up if he decided to come home. Soon after, Mr. Qi welcomed Li Wu to the Rocket Class, emphasizing the rigorous learning environment and top-tier teachers.
He noted Li Wu’s exceptional transfer, highlighting his rapid academic improvement and how his single-subject scores had already surpassed some existing Rocket Class students, urging everyone to maintain their effort. Li Wu was assigned a seat behind Tao Wanwen. Days later, after the monthly exam, Li Wu showed further improvement, rising to the twenty-third position in his grade.
Episode 15 Recap
Cen Jin recently completed an advertisement, and her boss was very satisfied with it, even predicting that she would win an award. Cen Jin took this opportunity to request a few days off, explaining that Li Wu's National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) was approaching, and she wanted to make some preparations. Her boss readily agreed and took over the remaining work. Later, Chun Chang accompanied Cen Jin to the supermarket.
Chun Chang observed that Li Wu had rarely returned home since the new semester began, likely dedicating himself entirely to NCEE preparation. Cen Jin then selected an expensive fountain pen as an NCEE gift for Li Wu. Although Chun Chang worried Li Wu might be hesitant to accept such a costly gift, Cen Jin believed that NCEE was a significant life event and required a meaningful present.
She wrote a message to Li Wu with the pen, encouraging him to write his new chapter in life boldly and assuring him of her unwavering support. Soon after, the NCEE concluded. As Li Wu exited the exam hall, he saw Cen Jin waiting for him, feeling a deep sense of relief and connection, as if seeing a loved one. When Cen Jin asked about his performance, Li Wu, with a smile, expressed confidence that he had done well.
His friends, Cheng Rui and Tao Wanwen, approached to greet Cen Jin, with Cheng Rui complimenting her beauty and saying she was easy to spot in the crowd. Cheng Rui also pointed out that Tao Wanwen had a "top-student face" and always seemed to stay on the right track, noting a similar temperament between Tao Wanwen and Cen Jin. Li Wu confirmed that Tao Wanwen, a classmate from his Rocket Class, had provided him with significant help in his studies.
As they left, Cen Jin playfully told Li Wu that he used to be "the most difficult person" she had ever dealt with, but now he was her "perfect, 100-point little brother"—tall, handsome, obedient, and academically excellent. The days following the exam felt dreamlike to Li Wu. The next morning, Cen Jin prepared a variety of foods, filling Li Wu with happiness.
Cen Jin suggested he take a few days off, but Li Wu replied that his company was busy with the trial run of a new system. Meanwhile, Chun Chang, who livestreamed daily, noticed a devoted fan actively following her channel. She decided to send gifts to her top five supporters and asked them to provide their addresses. Unbeknownst to her, Shen Yiyang was one of these ardent followers.
One morning, Cheng Rui, who had stayed overnight at Shen Yiyang's place after working late, discovered Shen Yiyang secretly browsing a livestream on his phone and giving gifts. Cheng Rui teased him for being a "top supporter" while criticizing him for not being more ambitious, prompting Shen Yiyang to quickly reclaim his phone. Two days later, Shen Yiyang received Chun Chang's gift: a small, delicate comb and a heartfelt card that read, "Stray Cat. A hairbrush as a gift.
May it help you smooth out a beautiful life." He casually placed the gift in his car's glove compartment. During dinner at her parents' house, Cen Jin's mother inquired about her relationship with Dr. Lu. Cen Jin reassured her mother that things were progressing smoothly and expressed a desire for their relationship to develop naturally, without rushing.
However, her mother disregarded this, immediately sending a text message to Dr. Lu, inviting him to dinner at Cen Jin's home that coming Saturday. Later, as Cen Jin was about to leave, her mother handed her some purple crystals, which she had purchased from a health and wellness group, claiming they possessed sleep-inducing properties and could improve a home's magnetic field.
Cen Jin, remembering a previous incident where a similar product from the same group was exposed as a scam, expressed her skepticism. Her mother, nevertheless, insisted that Cen Jin take them home. Cen Jin took the crystals and, upon returning to her apartment, went to Li Wu's door. Li Wu, having just showered, opened the door wrapped in only a towel, causing Cen Jin to feel embarrassed.
She quickly gave him the crystals, explaining they were from her mother to help with sleep, then promptly retreated to her own apartment. At Tongchen company, excitement filled the air as the first round of testing for their new model successfully passed. Yi suggested celebrating with a team dinner at a barbecue restaurant downstairs. However, Li Wu wanted to go home early and offered to pay for everyone's meal instead.
Around the same time, Chun Chang called her mother, planning a visit to Cheng City. Her mother, however, informed her that she, Mr. Zhang, and Yuan were about to embark on a trip that Mr. Zhang had planned as a surprise "to Cheng City". Although her mother offered to cancel their trip, Chun Chang insisted she shouldn't, stating she would visit another day. She then instructed her taxi driver to turn back, abandoning her trip.
That evening, Shen Yiyang found Chun Chang at her bar, looking downcast. He offered a listening ear, though Chun Chang didn't elaborate much, just that she felt disappointment when her expectations fell flat, wishing she hadn't canceled her camping trip with Xiao Jun and others to go home. To lift her spirits, Shen Yiyang produced a portable star projector, allowing them to experience a starry night indoors.
Feeling comforted by the gesture, Chun Chang asked Shen Yiyang if he would always watch the stars with her, to which he agreed. Later, Li Wu was working in Shen Yiyang's lab, where he had successfully completed his model. To express his gratitude, Li Wu offered to treat Shen Yiyang to dinner. Shen Yiyang, noting he wasn't hungry after a late lunch, suggested they go for a drink instead, recommending a lounge bar owned by a friend.
As they arrived at Chang Bar, they found Cen Jin already there. Cen Jin recognized Shen Yiyang from a previous encounter, expressing surprise that he and Chun Chang were close friends. Shen Yiyang casually mentioned the bar was owned by "a friend." Chun Chang, realizing Shen Yiyang was referring to her, then invited the group to sit down, offering to open a bottle from her "private stash" since Li Wu was visiting.
Cen Jin, noticing a draft, thoughtfully asked Li Wu to sit in a different spot. That night, as Cen Jin prepared for bed, Li Wu knocked on her door. He explained that he couldn't sleep in his own apartment and consistently found restful sleep at her place, requesting to stay the night, even offering to sleep on the sofa and leave early in the morning.
Cen Jin allowed him in and, thinking of her mother's gift, placed the purple crystals on the table to aid his sleep. Li Wu gently corrected her, saying it wasn't the crystals but the "familiar environment" of her home that truly helped him sleep. Feeling a rush of unease, Cen Jin accidentally bumped the table while preparing to return to her room, causing a glass bottle to crash to the floor.
Reacting instantly, Li Wu carefully lifted Cen Jin and carried her to the dining area to prevent her from stepping on the broken glass, then proceeded to clean up the shards himself. Recognizing the growing intimacy and his underlying intentions, Cen Jin, once the glass was cleared, told Li Wu they needed to maintain a distance, reminding him of their past agreement to move forward. Li Wu, however, responded by questioning why they had separated in the first place, prompting Cen Jin to firmly tell him it was time for him to sleep.
Episode 16 Recap
Li Wu woke up again at Cen Jin's house. As he was preparing breakfast, he suddenly heard the door lock opening, accompanied by Cen Jin's mother's voice. Li Wu quickly hid in the bedroom. Cen Jin's mother had arrived earlier than expected, wanting to check what groceries were needed. She also brought gifts of rice, eggs, and flaxseed oil from an insurance company.
Upon hearing that Dr. Lu was coming for dinner, Li Wu emerged from the bedroom, claiming he had come to borrow a power strip. Cen Jin's mother didn't think much of it and informed Cen Jin that Dr. Lu was invited for dinner on Saturday. Cen Jin's mother had struggled with the digital lock, complaining about the small characters, to which Cen Jin promised to get a face recognition lock by Double 11.
Li Wu offered to help Cen Jin's mother prepare for the meal, and she, surprised to see him still there, heartily agreed, even suggesting he "vet" Dr. Lu. Meanwhile, Shen Yiyang was preparing for a business trip. The night before, he went to Chang bar where Chun Chang was entertaining guests. He stepped in and drank heavily on her behalf. Afterwards, back in the lounge, he told her about his upcoming trip.
Chun Chang, sensing his growing affection, leaned in to kiss him, but found he had already fallen asleep. Earlier, customers at the bar had teased Chun Chang, implying Shen Yiyang was her "boss," to which she simply stated he was her "friend." Chun Chang had also asked Shen Yiyang if his earlier gesture of drinking for her was "claiming territory." He had simply replied, "What do you think?"
On Saturday, Cen Jin's mother and Li Wu arrived at Cen Jin's home early to prepare for the dinner. Cen Jin's mother asked Li Wu, who was around 25 or 26, if he had a girlfriend and advised him to be more proactive. Li Wu expressed concern that being too pushy might backfire. When asked what kind of girl he liked, he said he preferred "pretty ones." Cen Jin's mother offered to help him with matchmaking if he found someone.
Cen Jin, who was washing vegetables nearby and listening to their conversation, subtly turned down the water flow. Cen Jin's mother then asked Cen Jin about the ribs she bought, reminding her to use the clay pot and wash it thoroughly. Dr. Lu arrived with gifts: a Phalaenopsis for Cen Jin and imported honey for her and her mother, suggesting it could improve sleep. Cen Jin's mother immediately urged Cen Jin to sit with Dr. Lu.
When Cen Jin went to the fridge for mineral water, Li Wu preempted her, opening it to reveal strawberry jam. He remarked that Cen Jin didn't eat sweet things and it might spoil, implying to Dr. Lu that Cen Jin had neglected it. Cen Jin, slightly embarrassed, corrected him and told him not to touch her belongings. Dr. Lu then mentioned he had brought a special wine, but Cen Jin couldn't find the corkscrew.
She easily opened Li Wu's digital lock next door to borrow one, a detail Dr. Lu noticed, hinting at the close familiarity between them. During dinner, Cen Jin accidentally spilled hot soup on her hand. Li Wu quickly helped her wipe it, while Dr. Lu promptly offered burn medicine. Cen Jin's mother praised Dr. Lu's thoughtfulness and, at the same time, lamented Cen Jin's clumsiness with housework.
Dr. Lu, however, suggested it wasn't an issue, as they could simply hire a cleaner, remarking that "living together is always about both people." During dinner, Li Wu casually reminded Cen Jin that Dr. Lu was allergic to shrimp, making Cen Jin apologize for not remembering. Dr. Lu then proposed a toast to Cen Jin's mother, inviting them to his new housewarming party next month, which Cen Jin's mother readily accepted.
Cen Jin then cautioned Li Wu not to drink as he was on medication. He explained it was for weakened immunity due to recent overtime, and that his condition had improved. Later, Cen Jin walked Dr. Lu to the entrance of the residential complex. Dr. Lu, despite initially planning to wait until after Cen Jin met his parents, unexpectedly asked her how she felt about him and if he met her expectations.
Cen Jin responded that she found him "really nice." Dr. Lu elaborated that he also thought highly of her, believing their hobbies, careers, families, and values were all "compatible." He suggested they could take their time to get to know each other better. Cen Jin was taken aback by his suddenness. Dr. Lu then asked if she was willing for their relationship to "move a step further."
Cen Jin, feeling she needed more time, admitted that while she always felt "comfortable and safe" with him, she required additional time to consider. Dr. Lu accepted this, asking her to inform him as soon as she made up her mind. He then urged her to go upstairs quickly, as it was getting cold, reminding her that his driver would arrive shortly. Upon returning home, Cen Jin found Li Wu had already tidied the dining table.
She noticed his medication was untouched and questioned why he wasn't taking care of himself. Li Wu confessed that he didn't actually need any medication, but had used his insomnia as an excuse to get closer to her. He challenged her, asking if she would still care about him if his "headache was gone" and if she had taken him back "because of guilt."
He declared that she didn't need to feel guilty and could frankly say if she wanted to "cut him out as a problem," though he admitted he didn't want that "problem to disappear." He anticipated her calling him "immature" and "unwilling to accept it," but asserted he was "not a child anymore."
He then revealed that in the half-year after they had separated, he dreamt of her every single night, simultaneously fearing and longing for those dreams, which led to him staying awake for entire nights. A school psychologist had told him that "time will solve everything" and "time will fade everything away," but for him, "time does not work."
He had realized that "letting go of you was futile," so he "tried his hardest" to gain "the qualification to stand in front of you." Cen Jin interjected, recalling their "consensus" that she wanted to move forward and his "duty" was to help her do so. Li Wu questioned if it was "just duty" and asked if she would have come closer if he hadn't used that excuse.
He admitted he "lied to you" and felt "ashamed," but he "just can't help but approach you." He knew what he was doing and pressed Cen Jin, asking if she could truly guarantee it was "just duty" and that she was "just treating me as a younger brother." Overwhelmed, Cen Jin simply told him it was too late and she needed to sleep, advising him to return to his own room.
Despite returning to their respective bedrooms, separated only by a wall, neither of them could sleep. In 2017, after the NCEE concluded, several top universities, including Yanbei, University of Science and Technology, Jiaotong, and Fudan, called Cen Jin to inquire about Li Wu's application intentions. Cen Jin experienced a feeling of "pride" from being a "parent of a top student." She immediately called Li Wu to invite him to dinner to discuss his choices.
He hadn't finalized anything, noting that many schools had contacted him but he hadn't decided on any. He asked Cen Jin about her own university experience, and she told him she attended Yijiang University in Yi City, boasting that her journalism faculty was the best. She mentioned that Yijiang University had even offered him early enrollment after his third mock exam, but he had chosen to focus on the NCEE.
Cen Jin then encouraged Li Wu to aim for more prestigious universities like Yanbei or Huaqing, emphasizing that Huaqing's physics department was the best in the country and would allow him to meet more accomplished people. Li Wu expressed reluctance to move too far from home. Cen Jin reminded him that everyone grows up and eventually moves away, teasing him, "You're not reluctant to leave me, right?"
She reassured him that leaving for college didn't mean he wouldn't return, and that his exceptional performance deserved a broader platform for growth. She even offered to connect him with a friend who was a teacher at Huaqing if he was interested in physics, but Li Wu politely declined the offer for now. During this dinner, Cen Jin also noticed Li Wu reacting to something he ate, asking "What's wrong with you? You're allergic to it?"
He then wiped his hands. Cen Jin assured him he still had over twenty days to consider his options. That night, Li Wu, unable to sleep, stared at Cen Jin's photo. The next day, at noon, the NCEE scores were released. Li Wu eagerly logged onto his computer to check, finding he scored an impressive 718, exceeding everyone's expectations.
He immediately sent a screenshot to Cen Jin, who rushed out of her bedroom and hugged him tightly, while he awkwardly patted her back. He also called his father to share the good news. Later, Cen Jin's mother visited Cen Jin and inquired about Li Wu's university plans. Cen Jin confirmed that even Huaqing University would be a secure option for him.
Cen Jin's mother stated that Li Wu's academic journey was well underway, and now it was time for Cen Jin to focus on her own "life matters," implicitly criticizing Cen Jin's housekeeping skills by praising Li Wu for his abilities. When Cen Jin suggested that being single was perfectly fine, her mother strongly disagreed, asking who would be there for her when she was old.
Cen Jin's mother mentioned that Cen Jin's third aunt frequently brought up potential suitors, including those who had never been married, and suggested Cen Jin should meet some of them. Cen Jin countered by saying she felt "very fulfilled" by her job, which brought her money, a sense of achievement, and a comfortable life where she only had to focus on doing her work well.
Her mother insisted she "socialize more" and "meet more people," even comparing her to a college classmate who had a happy life. Cen Jin, trying to end the conversation, said she had to go to work and jokingly reminded her mother about her afternoon mahjong game. Cen Jin then told Li Wu that she would likely be home late for dinner, but her mother interjected, saying she would cook for herself and Li Wu.
As Cen Jin left for work, she booked a ride for her mother. Later, Li Wu received a call from Cheng Rui. Their classmate, Wen, had gone missing. Her parents were frantic because Wen had unilaterally applied to Yanbei University's Journalism program and other journalism programs in different provinces, then disappeared without a trace, leaving her room clean and her phone turned off.
Cheng Rui told Li Wu that Wen had messaged him, informing him she was in Yan City and warning him not to tell her family, threatening to cut ties and disappear further if he did. Cheng Rui asked Li Wu to accompany him to Yan City to find her. Li Wu tried to call Cen Jin but couldn't reach her, so he sent her a text message saying, "Sister, Cheng Rui and I are going to Yan City. We'll be back soon. Don't worry." Cen Jin later tried to call Li Wu back, but his phone was off.
Episode 17 Recap
Cen Jin made repeated calls to Li Wu but couldn't reach him. Upon returning home, she saw university application books on the table. Li Wu eventually called back, explaining that his phone died while on the train and he immediately charged it and called her as soon as he got off. He told her he was already in Yan City with Cheng Rui, stating that Cheng Rui had a private matter that he needed to keep secret.
Cen Jin advised him to be careful and didn't press further. Li Wu and Cheng Rui located Tao Wanwen at a hotel. Cheng Rui informed Tao Wanwen that her family was in a state of chaos over her disappearance. Tao Wanwen admitted she expected this, having left a note saying she couldn't tolerate the injustice at home any longer.
She clarified that her decision to apply to Yanbei Medical College was a long-held dream since junior high, despite her family's different plans for her. She realized her own desires were more important than the "bright future" adults envisioned. She also revealed that she had confided in her uncle, who promised to keep her whereabouts a secret from her parents to prevent them from forcing her to change her application.
She then asked Li Wu if he had made his university decision. Since Li Wu was still undecided and had scores high enough for Huaqing University, which was also in Yan City, Tao Wanwen decided to take him to experience the Huaqing campus firsthand. While visiting Huaqing, Tao Wanwen was visibly excited, taking photos and expressing how reassured she felt after touring Yanbei Medical College, hoping the visit would help Li Wu feel the same about Huaqing.
However, Li Wu appeared less enthusiastic. Meanwhile, Cen Jin met Chun Chang for drinks, planning a trip with Li Wu and seeking recommendations for beach destinations like Phuket or Fiji. She wondered if Li Wu knew how to swim. Mid-conversation, Cen Jin unexpectedly received a 100,000 yuan transfer. Immediately after, Li Wu sent a message informing her that he had applied to Yijiang University's Computer Science department and had already submitted his application. Cen Jin rushed home.
Upon arriving home, Cen Jin found Li Wu sitting quietly and expressed her anger that he had made such a major decision without consulting her. Li Wu explained that Yijiang University had offered him a full scholarship, including tuition and fees waived, along with a 100,000 yuan "school choice fee." They also promised guaranteed admission to graduate school, with the possibility of going straight to a PhD.
He also mentioned that a professor had already contacted him to discuss his preferred research direction. Li Wu emphasized his desire to stay in Yi City to become independent quickly and repay the Cen family's support. He further clarified that he had thoroughly researched Yijiang University's Computer Science department, particularly its early involvement in artificial intelligence, its award-winning AI behavioral learning models, and its excellent faculty in that field, which aligned with his interests.
Cen Jin, frustrated, accused him of sacrificing a better future at Huaqing for a small amount of money and urged him to go to Mr. Qi to try to reverse his decision. Li Wu firmly stated he was serious and not being impulsive, asserting that he was old enough to make his own choices and that his decision wasn't solely about money. He reminded Cen Jin that she had once told him he could write his own life.
Feeling hurt and believing Li Wu still saw her as an outsider because he wouldn't share his true reasons, Cen Jin told him to leave, saying no one wanted to control him. Li Wu, with little to say, went to his room to pack. He left a detailed ledger on the study table, documenting every expense Cen Jin had incurred for him over the past year, including the 30,000 yuan she gave to his uncle.
He expressed uncertainty if the 100,000 yuan was enough but promised to find a way to repay any remaining balance. In the living room, Cen Jin, visibly upset, tore up a poster of Fiji. Li Wu, though feeling some guilt, affirmed he didn't regret his choice. He bowed to Cen Jin, thanking her for her care over the past year, and then left the house.
Cheng Rui called Li Wu, informing him that their class group chat was "exploding" with discussions about his decision to abandon Huaqing for Yijiang University. Tao Wanwen, who was also on the call, defended Li Wu, stating that choosing a school was his personal decision and had nothing to do with others. Cheng Rui expressed concern about Li Wu's living situation and Cen Jin's anger, but Li Wu assured him he was fine.
Meanwhile, Cen Jin, at home, looked through her diary, which contained records of Li Wu's past academic achievements, including his NCEE score. She then gave the diary to Mr. Qi, asking him to pass it on to Li Wu. The next day at school, Mr. Qi gave Li Wu the diary, mentioning he had heard about his decision to apply to Yijiang University.
Later, Cen Jin inquired about Li Wu's living situation, and he informed her he was staying at Cheng Rui's place. Cen Jin, still in low spirits, went to her mother's house for dinner. Her mother asked about Li Wu's university application. Cen Jin, with a tone of regret, informed her that he had applied to Yijiang University.
Her mother, however, thought it was a good decision, believing that as long as he chose a school he liked, his efforts weren't wasted. She also reminded Cen Jin that she wasn't Li Wu's biological sister and couldn't look after him forever. Cen Jin's father, having already received a message from Li Wu about his choice, advised Cen Jin to consider Li Wu's perspective.
He explained that Li Wu was sensitive and sensible, feeling deeply indebted for the help he received, and was eager to become independent to achieve an equal footing in their relationship. He also suggested Cen Jin accept the 100,000 yuan, as refusing it would make Li Wu uncomfortable. Cheng Rui introduced Li Wu to his uncle, Shen Yiyang, an environmental researcher.
Shen Yiyang offered Li Wu free accommodation in a dormitory near his institute that he rarely used, thanks to Cheng Rui's connection. He also mentioned that his institute was looking for interns, providing an opportunity for Li Wu to earn some pocket money. Li Wu was very grateful. Li Wu offered to pay market-rate rent and send money via WeChat, but Shen Yiyang declined, only asking him to cover the utilities.
With a place to live and a job, Li Wu felt settled. Knowing Cen Jin's birthday was approaching, Li Wu asked Cheng Rui for gift suggestions. Cheng Rui contacted Tao Wanwen, who sent several product links, though Li Wu still struggled to identify Cen Jin's preferred brands. On Cen Jin's birthday, Li Wu secretly visited her house, placing a gift of new cosmetics in the bathroom.
Unwilling to enter the house, he wished her "Happy Birthday, Sister" from outside the door. Later that evening, as it began to rain, Cen Jin habitually called out for Li Wu to close the bedroom window before remembering he was no longer living there. When she went to wash her hands in the bathroom, she discovered the new cosmetics, realizing Li Wu had been there, and soon after received a birthday text message from him.
The next day, Li Wu went to Cen Jin's company to apologize in person, also informing her that he would be working part-time at the milk tea shop next door. Cen Jin chastised him for giving up Huaqing for mere pocket money, and for buying an expensive birthday gift he couldn't afford. She suggested he buy books or a tablet instead.
Li Wu, acknowledging her concern, apologized again and clarified that his decision to attend Yijiang University was not impulsive but a well-researched choice. He reiterated the university's strengths in artificial intelligence and its excellent faculty in computer science, a field he was genuinely interested in. He admitted he hadn't told her earlier because he was afraid she wouldn't approve and he didn't want to owe her any more.
He emphasized that he could now pursue his desired major at his preferred university and support himself. Cen Jin questioned why he had kept his plans secret while she was helping him with his college applications. Li Wu explained he felt he could never repay her kindness and if he had discussed his choices, she would have prioritized his "future," whereas he wanted to pursue his own path.
He clarified that he never considered her an outsider and only wanted to start doing things for her because she was so important to him. Cen Jin remained skeptical about his part-time work and reminded him that university was a new chapter, urging him not to regret his choices. Li Wu assured her he would not. Seeing that Li Wu genuinely understood her intentions, Cen Jin invited him to come home with her.
As they walked, Li Wu revealed he had obtained his driver's license and offered to drive if she was ever tired. Cen Jin playfully commented on his newfound independence but then declined, stating her car had plate restrictions. Li Wu confessed that while he could handle most things, "handling a sister's anger" was still beyond him.
Episode 18 Recap
Cen Jin accompanied Li Wu to his university enrollment. He met his roommates, Xu Shuo from Suzhou and Zhong Wenxuan. While Li Wu was independently tidying his bed, another parent praised his self-sufficiency, asking Cen Jin how she taught him. Cen Jin, beaming with pride, explained that she never explicitly taught him; he had always been excellent and sensible, even taking care of household chores.
Li Wu mentioned that Cheng Rui would arrive later, as Tao Wanwen's parents were looking for him. Cen Jin noted the strong connection between Li Wu and Cheng Rui, sharing the same high school dorm and now attending the same university, both having chosen the same major. Cen Jin soon returned home for work. Li Wu and Cheng Rui explored the campus, capturing photos of various landmarks to send to Cen Jin, sharing their initial excitement.
Cen Jin texted Li Wu, expressing her hope that he would "run freely" at this "new crossroads" without her guidance. Li Wu thanked her and promised to become independent as soon as possible. Later, on Li Wu's birthday, Cen Jin came to Yijiang University with a gift. During their dinner, Cen Jin asked about his university life.
Li Wu shared that he was managing his courses well and had joined a new project with a professor, keeping him very busy even during the New Year holiday. He also mentioned joining a bridge club, to which Cen Jin playfully teased him about having "a twenty-year-old face and a forty-year-old heart," wishing him a "Happy 30th birthday."
Li Wu informed her that Cheng Rui had already given his gift and was in Yan City for an internship, hence couldn't join their celebration. Cen Jin was very pleased to hear about Li Wu's fulfilling life. At AusStar, Cen Jin's team was brainstorming advertising proposals. A colleague presented an innovative idea for a large-scale contact lens art installation, incorporating acrylic materials, visual interaction, and virtual reality technology to encourage self-exploration.
However, Ted expressed concerns about its practicality and client acceptance, causing the team to feel disheartened. Cen Jin encouraged them not to be discouraged, reminding them that they'd faced rejections before and assured them that an optimal solution would be found if they continued to refine their approach.
That evening, Li Wu returned to Cen Jin's house to prepare for his part-time job at the milk tea shop the next day, explaining it was more convenient from there and that he'd manage his studies. While Cen Jin was working late on the proposal, Li Wu thoughtfully brought her a glass of water. Overwhelmed with happiness, Cen Jin gazed at him for a few moments, remarking on how beautiful his eyes were.
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she declared him her "muse of inspiration." She quickly drafted a concept about emotions showing through eyes and shared it with her team, who immediately recognized its potential, with one suggesting to refine it to focus on "love." The following day, Li Wu skillfully drove Cen Jin to her destination, earning her commendation for his improving driving. That evening, as strong winds blew, Cen Jin went to Li Wu's room to close the window.
While doing so, she accidentally knocked over some items on his table, revealing a diary filled with her name. She confronted Li Wu, who, without hesitation, directly confessed his feelings, stating he had liked her for a long time. Cen Jin immediately rejected him, insisting that he couldn't like her. She explained that he was too young, at only twenty-one, to distinguish between liking and gratitude, suggesting he was merely acting on impulse.
She further clarified that her initial decision to take him in and support his studies was not solely for him, but also for herself, as his arrival had provided spiritual support and distracted her from her difficult divorce. She stressed their relationship was strictly familial, like an elder sister and younger brother, and urged him to clarify his emotions. Li Wu, however, firmly asserted his adulthood and clear understanding of his feelings.
Cen Jin then told him she wouldn't accept his feelings. In response, Li Wu declared that he would continue to like her for his entire life, vowing never to marry or seek another girlfriend, promising only to silently accompany her without bothering her. Cen Jin dismissed his words as youthful immaturity, stating that with time he would change his mind.
Li Wu retorted that he would also grow and become someone she could rely on, but Cen Jin expressed that she couldn't wait. She apologized if her actions had ever misled him, denying any intention to. Li Wu, hurt, asked if she was trying to distance herself from him just because of his confession. Distressed, Cen Jin confided in her friend, Chun Chang.
Chun Chang, playfully remarking on Li Wu's "ambitious" nature, noted that it was natural for a young adult like him to be attracted to an outstanding woman like Cen Jin, who was beautiful, wealthy, and supportive. However, Cen Jin firmly stated that she only saw Li Wu as a younger brother and their bond was purely familial, not romantic.
Chun Chang then suggested that Li Wu's feelings might simply be a case of "hormones acting up," predicting that he would likely change his mind after encountering other attractive senior or junior students at Yijiang University. The news of Li Wu's part-time job at the Meete Store, a milk tea shop located directly beneath AusStar, quickly circulated among Cen Jin's young female colleagues. Charmed by his handsome appearance, they deliberately placed orders for him to deliver to their office.
During a meeting announced by Ted, Li Wu delivered the milk tea, and Cen Jin's colleagues openly admired him and tried to get his contact information, while Cen Jin feigned ignorance. Later, a power outage on their floor forced Cen Jin to relocate her team meeting downstairs to the very same milk tea shop. There, while Cheng Rui was animatedly recounting how he helped Tao Wanwen reconcile with her family, Li Wu remained distracted and unresponsive.
One of Cen Jin's colleagues, noticing Li Wu's good physique, openly suggested he pursue modeling and offered her assistance, causing an awkward silence between Li Wu and Cen Jin. Afterwards, Cen Jin texted Li Wu, asking him to meet her outside. She urged him to quit his job, arguing that the twenty-kilometer commute would interfere with his studies, and that the nature of the work was beneath him.
Li Wu defended his decision, stating he only worked one day a week and it didn't impact his academics, emphasizing his desire for independence. Cen Jin offered to transfer 100,000 yuan back to him, instructing him to focus on his studies. However, Li Wu, hurt by her previous attempts to distance herself, questioned why she was still interfering and declared he would no longer appear before her.
He then cycled away in a flurry of emotions, leaving a bewildered Cheng Rui struggling to keep up. When Cheng Rui finally caught him, he found Li Wu on the verge of tears, confessing that he had messed up by telling Cen Jin he liked her, only to be denied "the right to like her" and told she no longer wanted to see him. Cheng Rui's attempt to suggest liking someone else was met with a resolute refusal.
Days passed without any contact between Cen Jin and Li Wu. While Li Wu was in class, Cheng Rui noted that Tao Wanwen was slow to reply, implying a quiet period for them all. Suddenly, Chun Chang called Li Wu, informing him that Cen Jin had fallen down the stairs at work and was now recovering at home from a bone fracture.
Concerned, Li Wu immediately asked Cheng Rui to handle his belongings and arrange leave from school, then rushed to Cen Jin's house. Cen Jin, who had been discussing her predicament with Chun Chang, was reluctant for Li Wu to care for her, given their strained relationship, and also wished to keep the accident from her parents.
Chun Chang, who needed to return to her store, insisted that Li Wu was the "best choice" to care for her, citing his strength, handsome appearance, genuine care, and his immediate rush back after her call. She left Li Wu in charge, instructing him to take care of his sister. Despite Cen Jin's discomfort, she reluctantly accepted the arrangement.
Li Wu immediately focused on her well-being, gently elevating her injured foot, explaining that it would improve blood circulation and prevent swelling, drawing on his extensive experience caring for his grandfather, who also had mobility issues. Cen Jin was surprised by his knowledge. Afterward, he sat silently by her bed, offering water or food, which she declined, leaving him unsure of what else to do.
Episode 19 Recap
Li Wu dedicated himself to caring for Cen Jin, preparing multiple dishes for each meal, even though she couldn't eat much. When Cen Jin needed to use the restroom, she asked for her crutches, but Li Wu insisted on carrying her, gently placing her on the toilet. He then waited outside the bathroom door, standing at a distance when she asked him to move further away.
While waiting, Li Wu saw a message on Cen Jin's phone from Chun Chang, asking how younger brother (referring to Li Wu) was doing and if she (Chun Chang) needed to come over. He replied using his own phone, assuring Chun Chang that Cen Jin was asleep and he was handling everything well, so Chun Chang could focus on her own matters. Chun Chang responded that she would visit in a few days.
After helping Cen Jin back to bed, Li Wu stayed in her room until she was ready to sleep, but not before Cen Jin playfully chided him to give her a heads-up next time he picked her up, asking if he used to carry his grandfather like that. Li Wu, smiling, retorted that the situations were different because she was a girl. Li Wu later researched bone fracture recovery online and decided chicken soup would be beneficial.
He prepared a batch for Cen Jin. After drinking the soup, Cen Jin wanted to nap and suggested Li Wu go to his own room. However, Li Wu insisted he wasn't sleepy and wanted to read by her bed, promising not to disturb her. As he read, he picked up a book about overcoming timidity. He drew the curtains when she found the sunlight too bright. As she rested, Li Wu found himself staring at her.
He then openly complimented her beauty, leaving Cen Jin unsure how to respond. Suddenly, Cen Jin's father arrived, bringing food and fruits. Cen Jin had not been home for several days. He expressed his frustration that Cen Jin had hidden her injury from the family, emphasizing that a broken bone takes 100 days to heal. He proposed she return home to be cared for. Cen Jin, however, didn't want to trouble her busy father, especially since her mother was abroad.
Li Wu quickly intervened, reassuring Cen Jin's father that he had experience caring for his own grandfather and would take good care of Cen Jin, as she had always cared for him. Cen Jin added that she could manage, and Chun Chang would also visit. She also worried about her father's bad back. Cen Jin's father eventually agreed but made her promise to call him immediately if anything happened.
Before leaving, Cen Jin's father praised Li Wu's ambition, particularly his plan to pursue a direct PhD and his dedication to his interests, concluding with the saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way." Li Wu thanked Cen Jin's father, addressing him as "Teacher Cen." Later, while Cen Jin was washing her face in the bathroom, she accidentally knocked a bottle of eye cream behind the door and fell while trying to pick it up.
Li Wu rushed in and picked her up. As he held her close, he felt an urge to kiss her. Just then, Cen Jin's father returned for his keys, having forgotten them earlier. Panicked, Cen Jin quickly told Li Wu to hide and turned on the faucet to pretend she was showering. She then explained to her father that Li Wu had gone to the convenience store.
After her father retrieved his keys and departed, Cen Jin told Li Wu to leave the bathroom. She also confronted him about buying her expensive eye cream, which she said was not worth it given his tireless work, declaring she would keep it as a "bad present example." A month passed, and Cen Jin had largely recovered and could move around freely.
Li Wu continued his diligent care, preparing a sumptuous breakfast and even packing lunch for her to heat up later. As he prepared to leave for school, Cen Jin playfully brought up a past "spirited" comment he made about not coming when she called. Li Wu explained that Chun Chang had called him this time, prompting Cen Jin to tease him, asking if he wouldn't come if "she" called directly.
He playfully dodged her question, and Cen Jin told him to go to school. At work, Cen Jin received an update in a company group chat about a new promotional project for Bei'ao Motors, with a new person in charge named Manager Song. She immediately messaged Shen Yun to inquire about the changes. Meanwhile, at school, the campus beauty was organizing an exchange lecture.
Cheng Rui, keen to approach her but too shy to sign up alone, persuaded Li Wu to join as a volunteer. Li Wu initially hesitated, citing his responsibility to care for Cen Jin, but Cheng Rui eventually convinced him by stating it was a rare opportunity to get close to the department beauty and promised not to delay Li Wu. Chun Chang later visited Cen Jin and remarked on how tidy her home had become since Li Wu moved in.
As Li Wu went to cook, Chun Chang asked Cen Jin if she found him appealing, given their constant proximity. Cen Jin admitted to feeling conflicted, enjoying his care but struggling to accept his feelings beyond a brother-sister relationship. She expressed that she didn't want to fall out with Li Wu or become strangers.
Chun Chang suggested that Cen Jin might care for him more than she realized and advised her to try dating him, even if only to help him move on if it didn't work out. That night, Cen Jin sent Li Wu a message asking if he still liked her. He promptly confirmed that he did. Cen Jin then initiated a voice call, asking him to listen carefully and not get agitated.
She explained that she couldn't accept anything beyond a brother-sister relationship for now. While she was honored by his affection and found that he stroked her ego, she highlighted the practical obstacles: their different life stages (school vs. career), disparate social circles, a significant age gap that could lead to a "generation gap," and the difficulty of explaining their relationship to her parents.
She mentioned friends who had younger boyfriends for casual, stress-free fun, but questioned if Li Wu, a proud individual, could accept such an arrangement, adding that not addressing these issues openly would do him more harm than good. She also confessed she wasn't ready for a new relationship after her failed marriage and that emotions could be more complicated than he imagined. Li Wu interrupted, declaring he didn't care and was confident he could overcome any challenges.
Cen Jin countered that it wasn't solely up to them, urging him to experience the wider world and meet other excellent people before making a decision, as she didn't want to be "the cage that confines him." Li Wu insisted that no one would be better than her. Cen Jin suggested they not "jump to conclusions" and give each other time.
She proposed that if, by the same time next year, he still liked her and she hadn't found anyone else, they could reconsider. Li Wu happily agreed. Cen Jin thanked him for his care and told him to pack his belongings and return to school after her cast was removed, so as not to disrupt his studies. Li Wu agreed to return after her cast was off and bid her goodnight.
A moment later, he asked if he could still continue to like her. Cen Jin replied, "Suit yourself." Li Wu then vowed to love her until his dying day and no one else. Cen Jin teasingly called him "good job." He then boldly asked if she could stop treating him "only" as her younger brother and instead treat him as "a man."
Cen Jin responded by telling him, "Sleep early, young man," implying she still saw the age difference between them. The next morning, Cen Jin messaged Li Wu, asking him to come to her room and how he had slept. Li Wu confessed he hadn't slept at all, his face beaming uncontrollably. Cen Jin warned him to control his expression, worrying about her parents finding out, but Li Wu couldn't help but smile. When Cen Jin needed to brush her teeth, Li Wu offered to carry her to the bathroom.
Episode 20 Recap
After Cen Jin fully recovered and returned to work, a colleague eagerly welcomed her back and inquired about her leg. Cen Jin confirmed she was much better. The colleague then shared news about Shen Yun, explaining that her ex-husband had caused a scene at Bei'ao Motors while fighting for child custody, leading to Ms. Shen's resignation. This incident provided an opportunity for some higher-ups, who were already dissatisfied with her, to replace her.
The colleague expressed concern about the future of their work with Bei'ao, noting Ms. Shen was the most professional and efficient client they had worked with. Cen Jin, however, suggested they shouldn't discuss Ms. Shen's private matters and should focus on their work. Later, during a meeting, Cen Jin was informed that her lunch had been placed on her desk. While her colleagues assumed she had secretly ordered takeout, Cen Jin knew it was Li Wu who had prepared it.
She discovered a delicious meal of four dishes and a soup, which drew envious glances from her coworkers. Cen Jin snapped a photo and texted Li Wu to thank him. He replied that since her leg wasn't fully healed, she needed good nutrition, and he intended to keep preparing her meals for a while. He reminded her to bring the lunchbox and utensils home after work. Back home, Cen Jin tried to convince Li Wu to stop cooking for her.
She acknowledged that his meals were delicious and made her happy, but stressed that his primary focus should be his studies, not being a chef. She pointed out his demanding schedule with a research project, classes, and a part-time job, and expressed concern about him overworking himself. She reassured him that she was completely fine now and he could move back to his dorm. Li Wu, however, challenged her by recalling her earlier request to treat him like a man.
As Cen Jin tried to leave, Li Wu stopped her, proposing a "date" in exchange for moving back to school immediately. He suggested they attend a stargazing camping event organized by his advisor that weekend. Cen Jin, realizing he wouldn't agree to move back unconditionally, reluctantly agreed, deciding to view it as a chance to get some fresh air.
Li Wu, feeling confident, told her not to worry about anything as he would plan the whole event, then announced he was off. On Friday, Cheng Rui tried to invite Li Wu and Shen Yiyang to dinner, complaining about how difficult it was to get them together. Li Wu, seeing a text from Cen Jin asking about their plans for the weekend camping trip, quickly declined Cheng Rui's invitation, saying he had other plans, and rushed off.
Shen Yiyang was left to dine with a bewildered Cheng Rui. As Cen Jin was talking to her boss, Ted, about hiring more staff, Li Wu unexpectedly appeared. He immediately confronted Cen Jin, grabbing her arm and demanding to know what he meant to her, asking if she liked Ted, after seeing Ted gently adjusting her hair.
Cen Jin told him to let go, as her ankle hurt, and chastised him for his rude and childish impulsiveness, explaining that Ted was her boss. She asserted that she could never like Ted, nor he her, offering to call him to prove it. Cen Jin further criticized Li Wu for being so rash without understanding the situation, asking why he was questioning her when they weren't even officially together. Feeling exhausted, she told him to go home.
However, Li Wu refused to leave. He expressed his desperation, admitting he should have kissed her long ago, regardless of the consequences. He confessed his unwavering love for her, unable to bear merely watching her from a distance. He declared that even if she didn't like him or never wanted to see him again, he would always love her. Overwhelmed by his sincerity, Cen Jin leaned in and kissed him.
After the kiss, she asked him if he was truly ready to move forward with their relationship, giving him an out if he had any doubts. Later that evening, back at her apartment, Cen Jin found herself feeling awkward with Li Wu. She initially considered sending him back to the dorm but then realized it was Friday, meaning he didn't have to return until the weekend was over.
Breaking the silence, Cen Jin revealed her past, recounting her smooth college romance and marriage to Wu Fu, a relationship she believed was her ideal peaceful life until a betrayal shattered her world and her faith in love. She confessed that Li Wu's sudden appearance in her life was like a bomb, reigniting her spirit and bringing her a happiness she hadn't felt in a very long time.
No longer wanting to deny her feelings, Cen Jin formally asked Li Wu if he would be willing to be in a relationship with her as boyfriend and girlfriend. Overjoyed, Li Wu enthusiastically agreed, embracing her tightly and telling her how long he had waited for that moment. Cen Jin playfully teased him, remarking on how handsome and cute he looked, a realization she was only just having.
Unable to sleep that night, Li Wu texted Cen Jin, asking if she was awake. He confirmed their new status as boyfriend and girlfriend. Cen Jin teased him in return, calling him a "fool." He continued to text, saying he missed her and asking to meet in the living room despite being only a few meters apart. When Cen Jin came out, she playfully accused him of teleporting. Li Wu explained he just wanted to hug her longer.
They shared another kiss, and Li Wu, wanting to pursue further intimacy, tried to move closer to Cen Jin's room. Cen Jin, however, firmly pushed him away, telling her "silly boy" to go to bed, reminding him of their camping trip the next day and urging him to sleep. The next day, during their stargazing camping trip, they had to cross a small river. Concerned about Cen Jin's healing ankle, Li Wu carried her across, much to Cheng Rui's amazement.
Cheng Rui immediately questioned when they became a couple, to which Li Wu happily replied, "Last night." Shen Yiyang called Cheng Rui to help, but Cheng Rui continued to joke about Li Wu's quick romantic progress, even teasing Shen Yiyang about finding an "aunt" (wife of his mother's younger brother) since Li Wu was now dating. Shen Yiyang, in turn, chided Cheng Rui for being nosy and told him to get to work.
That evening, while walking, Cen Jin was enchanted by fireflies and took a picture. Li Wu mentioned there were likely more by the stream, but Cen Jin hesitated to go near the water. As she prepared for bed, she noticed a shadow leaving something outside her tent. Upon opening it, she found a glass jar filled with fireflies, a thoughtful gift from Li Wu. Later, at work, Cen Jin met with Shen Yun.
Cen Jin thanked Ms. Shen for her concern, recalling how Shen Yun had been instrumental in AusStar's long-term partnership with Bei'ao. She expressed her desire to continue their effective collaboration and inquired about Shen Yun's plans. Shen Yun explained that as her position at Bei'ao became higher, her autonomy diminished. Feeling restricted and no longer wanting to be just an executor, she took her ex-husband's public scandal as an opportunity to leave Bei'ao without regret.
She informed Cen Jin that she had started her own business and sought Cen Jin to join her as a partner, acknowledging Cen Jin's strong abilities and good character. Cen Jin admired Shen Yun's courage to embark on her own venture but admitted she hadn't yet reached that level of resolve.
Shen Yun acknowledged Cen Jin's concerns about choosing the right platform for growth but assured her that her company's doors were always open and she would offer Cen Jin the maximum freedom and decision-making power if she chose to join. Later that weekend, Cen Jin and Li Wu had their official date. Over dinner, Cen Jin asked Li Wu why he liked her and if he had ever considered dating an older woman when he was younger.
Li Wu, smiling, said that before he met her, he hadn't thought about anything like that. When Cen Jin playfully pressed him for a proper answer and asked if it was because she was pretty, Li Wu simply smiled and affirmed that his girlfriend was indeed very pretty. Cen Jin, pleased, gave him a piece of food as a reward.
Episode 21 Recap
Tao Wanwen arrived at Yijiang University to visit Cheng Rui, lamenting that she was already on break while he still had a month of school. As they spoke, Liu Ying, the "belle of the course," approached Cheng Rui and cheerfully invited him to dinner on Saturday. Cheng Rui happily accepted, much to Tao Wanwen's visible displeasure. Just then, Li Wu arrived.
Tao Wanwen, appearing defiant, handed Li Wu a ticket to a city orchestra concert, giving him a meaningful look, which he promptly accepted. After Tao Wanwen departed, Cheng Rui questioned Li Wu, suspecting he and Tao Wanwen were secretly communicating. Li Wu, in turn, teased Cheng Rui about his infatuation with Liu Ying, stating he had only accepted the ticket to save Tao Wanwen embarrassment. Cheng Rui, rendered speechless and frustrated, snatched the concert ticket from Li Wu.
Meanwhile, AusStar company was preparing to film a contact lens commercial, but the scheduled model had an eye infection and couldn't participate. Cen Jin instructed her team to find a good-looking university student online. When Li Wu arrived to deliver milk tea, Cen Jin immediately decided he would fill in as the model. During makeup, Cen Jin repeatedly came over to guide him, and each time Li Wu saw her, he couldn't help but smile.
As Li Wu was changing, Cen Jin came to the fitting room door to urge him to hurry. Li Wu, in a moment of impulse, pulled Cen Jin into the fitting room and kissed her passionately. Later, during the actual shoot, the director asked Li Wu to convey deep affection with his eyes. With Cen Jin standing by the director, Li Wu gazed directly at her, his eyes brimming with love, resulting in a perfect shot on the first take.
On Saturday, Cheng Rui had dinner with Liu Ying, but his mind was elsewhere, constantly thinking about Tao Wanwen and texting her distractedly. Liu Ying began to inquire if Li Wu had a girlfriend, but Cheng Rui, too preoccupied to listen, grabbed his bag and rushed out of the restaurant. He arrived at the theater entrance to find Tao Wanwen, who hadn't yet gone in.
Cheng Rui, misinterpreting the situation, quickly apologized, assuming Tao Wanwen was upset because Li Wu had stood her up. Tao Wanwen, finding Cheng Rui incredibly oblivious, clarified that she had no romantic feelings for Li Wu; she had simply had an extra ticket and invited Li Wu because he was a reliable option. They then decided to enter the concert together. At an industry networking event, Cen Jin encountered Wu Fu.
AusStar had recently secured a cosmetics order, with the initial proposal surprisingly provided by Wu Fu. Wu Fu provocatively accused Cen Jin of plagiarism. Cen Jin, upon learning the original concept was his, retorted that the work was "cheap, inside and out," and that she would "never put that case in my portfolio." Later, Cen Jin met with her boss, Ted, to discuss replacing the proposal.
Ted explained that the initial draft came from the client, and the company had no choice but to follow it. Cen Jin expressed her belief that the company should prioritize creativity, but Ted interrupted, emphasizing that all creativity must be executable and that "what you call old-fashioned might be the safest and most reliable solution in the client's eyes."
He subtly implied Cen Jin was overstepping, telling her not to "get bogged down in details" and not to "run on ideals alone." He admitted to both liking and fearing people like her. Feeling disheartened, Cen Jin returned home and immediately embraced Li Wu. She earnestly advised him to focus on his studies and not rush into the workforce, fearing he would be "eaten alive" by societal pressures and face unavoidable compromises.
Li Wu, however, expressed his desire to start working early so he could protect her and eventually marry her. Touched by his sincerity, Cen Jin finally managed a small smile. Li Wu then helped her to the sofa to rest and went to the kitchen to prepare hangover soup. Later, Cen Jin met with Chun Chang for a meal. When Chun Chang asked about her relationship with Li Wu, Cen Jin's expression softened with affection.
Chun Chang suggested Li Wu move in with her, but Cen Jin insisted he should prioritize his studies. Cen Jin then confided in Chun Chang about her work conflict with Wu Fu, revealing her intention to establish her own MCN company, one that would prioritize creativity, unlike her current role where she felt like "a tiny gear" that was "replaceable any day." She felt Wu Fu was not wrong in saying she had no "worries about the future."
Chun Chang voiced her support, but Cen Jin decided against immediate action, opting instead to first build up her professional network and discuss her plans with a former colleague who had successfully started her own business. That evening, Cen Jin video-called Li Wu, who rushed out of the library to answer. While they chatted, Liu Ying approached Li Wu, but he immediately told her he was on a video call with his girlfriend.
After Liu Ying left, Cen Jin abruptly hung up. Li Wu texted her, playfully guessing she was jealous. Back in his dorm, Li Wu scrolled through their chat, a wide smile spreading across his face. His roommates noticed his lovestruck demeanor and pressed him about his girlfriend. He revealed it was the "Sister" who had helped him enroll, which immediately sparked their curiosity about dating an older woman. Li Wu, however, skillfully deflected their questions, citing a need to read.
A few days later, Li Wu's research paper was approved, an uncommon achievement for a freshman. Cheng Rui proposed a celebration with their roommates. Shortly after, the department director summoned Li Wu to his office. The director informed Li Wu that the university had two full scholarship exchange spots to the University of Pennsylvania in the US. Given Li Wu's outstanding academic performance and upcoming journal publication, the department wanted to recommend him.
Li Wu was pleased but inquired about the program's duration and the possibility of returning home midway. The director explained it was a two-year program starting at the beginning of his sophomore year, and that returning mid-program would be administratively complicated due to visa regulations. The director encouraged him to embrace the opportunity to broaden his horizons and asked him to discuss it with his family and provide an answer soon.
At work, Cen Jin presented a new creative concept to Ted, arguing that merely following trends would eventually lead to stagnation. Ted reiterated the client's desire for a conservative and reliable approach. Unable to sway him, Cen Jin left the office feeling dejected. Upon returning home, she found Li Wu asleep on the sofa. She gently woke him and laid in his arms, expressing her distress over a disagreement with her boss and the possibility of becoming jobless.
Li Wu, surmising she already had a plan, assured her of his unwavering support, whatever she decided. He considered sharing the news about the exchange program but chose to remain silent, sensing her current emotional state. He was trying to protect her from more worries, but unbeknownst to him, Cheng Rui had already sent a message to Li Wu about the Penn exchange program.
Episode 22 Recap
After receiving news of an exchange student opportunity, Li Wu contemplated the offer while his friend Cheng Rui arrived at their dorm. Cheng Rui, excited, showed off a new phone he bought for Tao Wanwen, explaining her old high school phone constantly ran out of battery and the new one would facilitate video calls once he was in the United States.
He also shared that his mother had already applied for US schools on his behalf, and with Li Wu's exchange spot, they wouldn't have to go alone. Li Wu decided to tell Cen Jin that evening and sent her a text message asking if she was free for dinner. At work, Cen Jin couldn't hide her smile as she responded, catching the attention of her colleagues who teased her about having good news.
That evening, Cen Jin returned home to find Li Wu had prepared a lavish meal. She wondered if there was something special to celebrate, noting how many of her favorite dishes he had made. Li Wu explained he wanted to make up for missing her birthday last year and insisted on celebrating it this year. He had even thoughtfully removed an ingredient from her food that she disliked.
Cen Jin, pleased, playfully demanded a birthday gift and began secretly browsing tourist destinations on her phone, imagining future trips with Li Wu. However, their happy planning was interrupted by a phone call to Cen Jin from Dean Zhang, Li Wu's university dean. The dean informed her that Li Wu had decided to decline the exchange student offer to Penn and urged her to persuade him otherwise. Disturbed by the news, Cen Jin confided in her friend Chun Chang.
Cen Jin felt that Li Wu's decision mirrored his choice to change his college preference for her in the past, and she worried she was now hindering his future and preventing him from experiencing a wider world. She believed his life should encompass more than just love. Chun Chang, however, suggested Cen Jin was overthinking things. She reminded Cen Jin that everyone must choose their own path and questioned if Li Wu might willingly forgo the "bigger world" for love.
Chun Chang advised Cen Jin to discuss it directly with Li Wu. Still conflicted, Cen Jin visited her parents, but couldn't bring herself to mention Li Wu's exchange opportunity or her dilemma. Her father mentioned how much livelier the house felt when she visited and expressed how pleased he was that she could finally relax after completing her various tasks and seeing Li Wu settled in college.
The next day, Li Wu came home to find a job application from a US company laid out on the table. Cen Jin, confronting him, asked why he hadn't told her about giving up the exchange program, especially since she had heard it from his dean. Li Wu admitted he never intended to go, explaining his fear of a two-year separation and the potential changes it might bring.
Cen Jin expressed her hurt that he didn't trust her enough to discuss such an important decision. She reassured him that she wouldn't change her feelings for him and that his future was paramount. Cen Jin then revealed her own plan: she had contacted a friend working in a renowned advertising agency, Shixiang, in the US for a job referral, and her application was already submitted.
This company was located in New York, only a two-hour drive from Penn in Philadelphia, where Li Wu's exchange program was located. Li Wu's face lit up with joy, and he thanked Cen Jin for including him in her future plans. They began discussing their future living arrangements and looking for apartments near their respective locations. The couple then started making preparations for their move abroad.
Cen Jin advised Li Wu to pack minimal clothing and purchase basic prescription medicines, noting that many medications in the US require a prescription and can be expensive. She also planned to find a reliable housekeeper for her parents, as they would be away for nearly a year and couldn't rely solely on Chun Chang. Li Wu agreed to all her suggestions. Cen Jin finalized her resignation and savored her newfound freedom.
She decided to surprise Li Wu by visiting him at Yida University to experience a day in his student life. They attended classes together, sitting side-by-side in the front row, and later watched him play basketball in the gym. Cen Jin felt a nostalgic sense of ease, as if she were a student again. As they left the university, Li Wu pulled Cen Jin along, rushing to catch a bus.
Cen Jin was puzzled by his haste, but Li Wu explained it was his routine to get home before her. On the bus, a female classmate, Liu Ying, mistook Cen Jin for a teacher. Li Wu, with evident pride, introduced Cen Jin as his girlfriend. Cen Jin felt a surge of pride, realizing that Liu Ying, the "school beauty," clearly had feelings for Li Wu, but he had chosen her.
Liu Ying playfully commented on Li Wu's "trendy" choice of an older girlfriend and joked about finding a boyfriend like him by "waiting" at a middle school. Li Wu quickly interjected, claiming he was the one who "snagged" Cen Jin first. Back home, Cen Jin's warm feelings persisted, and Li Wu, teasing her, asked for the "reward" she had promised earlier. They spent a loving night together.
After Li Wu had fallen asleep, Cen Jin, gazing at his peaceful, young face, pulled out her phone and quietly took a photo, cherishing the moment. The following day, Li Wu submitted his final lab data, thanking Shen Yiyang for his guidance during the internship.
Shen Yiyang congratulated him and advised him to thrive in the US, expressing regret that he couldn't attend Cen Jin's birthday party, which Li Wu had cancelled because her birthday would occur after they left for the US. Li Wu then met with Cheng Rui and Tao Wanwen for a meal. Cheng Rui tried to open a drink for Tao Wanwen, who playfully criticized his "service level."
As they bickered good-naturedly, Cheng Rui expressed his excitement about joining them in the US after passing his TOEFL exams, envisioning them "traveling the world side by side." However, Tao Wanwen "rained on his parade" by pointing out that the schools his mother had selected for him in Los Angeles were nearly 4000 kilometers away from Li Wu's location in Philadelphia, a five to six-hour flight.
Cheng Rui reacted defensively, accusing her of "stabbing him in the heart" and "tearing him down," leading to more playful arguing while Li Wu quietly enjoyed their company. As the day for their departure neared, the planned birthday party for Cen Jin couldn't take place. Li Wu decided to send the party supplies to Chun Chang's bar, knowing she could use them for her own events.
Cen Jin also asked Chun Chang to regularly check on her parents during their absence. Chun Chang affectionately agreed, treating Cen Jin's parents as her own, and jokingly hinted that she might unexpectedly "pop up in the US" herself. As Cen Jin and Li Wu left the bar, Cen Jin informed him of a change in her work plans: her US company required her to start work earlier than anticipated, disrupting their initial arrangement to meet after he had settled.
She asked him to continue his preparations. Li Wu, undeterred, brightly envisioned their future in the US. He planned to quickly obtain a US driver's license and purchase a cheap used car, allowing him to drive to New York to visit her on weekends. He excitedly listed iconic landmarks they could explore together, such as Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and various art museums, in addition to trying all the delicious food.
Episode 23 Recap
Li Wu was busy packing his clothes and offered to help Cen Jin with hers, but she preferred to sort her things herself. As Cen Jin entered the room, Li Wu accidentally bumped her handbag, causing a contract to fall out. He picked it up and saw it was a "Partner Equity Agreement" for a company between Cen Jin and Shen Yun. Li Wu questioned Cen Jin, who then confessed that she never intended to go abroad.
She admitted to staging the whole situation because she worried he would give up another valuable opportunity for her sake. Li Wu was furious, having envisioned their life in America and even rented a place. He told Cen Jin that he didn't care about opportunities; he only wanted to be with her every moment. Cen Jin tried to explain that going abroad didn't mean they were breaking up, and their bond would remain strong even with distance.
She argued that if she hadn't been so independent, he would still be in Yunfeng Village. Frustrated that Li Wu couldn't understand her intentions, she impulsively suggested they break up. Li Wu was heartbroken and pleaded with her not to, insisting he belonged to her and wouldn't regret their relationship. Cen Jin, however, confessed her regret, believing their relationship should make them better, not turn him into an irrational child.
Despite his desperate pleas, Cen Jin went into the bedroom and locked the door, leaving Li Wu devastated outside. That night, Li Wu heard the door close and found a note from Cen Jin. She stated she was staying at Chun Chang’s house for a few days and would only return after he had left for abroad. At Chun Chang's, Cen Jin became withdrawn, spending her time between work and sleep with little conversation.
Worried about her friend, Chun Chang decided to cheer Cen Jin up by throwing a birthday party using the supplies Li Wu had already prepared. Cen Jin reluctantly agreed to attend, not wanting to disappoint Chun Chang. Cheng Rui and Tao Wanwen also came to the bar. Cheng Rui tried to relay Li Wu's birthday wishes, but Chun Chang quickly interrupted him, not wanting to upset Cen Jin.
Cen Jin sadly remarked that Li Wu always seemed to miss her birthdays. Cheng Rui and Tao Wanwen bickered while working a part-time job. When a man nearby complained about the noise, Cheng Rui, accustomed to Li Wu's presence, mistakenly addressed the man as Li Wu, only to suddenly realize Li Wu had already left for America. After Li Wu had left for the United States, Cen Jin returned home. She found his presence in every corner of the house.
In Li Wu's room, she discovered notes they had made together and a handwritten birthday card from him, which brought her to tears once more. Cen Jin and Shen Yun focused on setting up their new company office. As Cen Jin drove home after decorating, she saw a beauty advertisement featuring Li Wu playing on a large electronic screen outside a shopping mall, making her feel profoundly empty. The year is now 2024.
Li Wu, off work, watched a stand-up comedy show alone. The memory of Cen Jin taking him to his first show dampened his current enjoyment. Meanwhile, Shen Yiyang drove a tipsy Chun Chang home. Chun Chang flirted with him, and during their conversation, Shen Yiyang accidentally spilled his milk tea. While he was disposing of the trash, Chun Chang noticed a greeting card she had once sent in his car, realizing that Shen Yiyang had been secretly attentive to her.
Their emotions surged, leading them to Chun Chang's apartment where they became intimate. The next morning, Shen Yiyang left early for the office due to a "yellow alert," leaving a breakfast and a note for Chun Chang. She humorously concluded that he was playing "hard to get." Cen Jin attended a meeting at Shengcan company to review an advertising proposal for a dating app.
The copy, which talked about "the scent of love," deeply resonated with her, reminding her of Li Wu. She realized that her past connection with him wasn't born out of duty or kindness but true love. After the meeting, it was raining heavily, and her colleagues suggested going for hotpot. Cen Jin declined, stating she had something to do at home.
As she drove, she attempted to call Li Wu to share her feelings, but her phone's mobile network was interrupted, making her unreachable. Concerned when he couldn't reach her, Li Wu called a colleague, Lu Tong, who informed him Cen Jin had left a meeting on Shaping Road, mentioning the heavy rain and that only Litang Road was open. Li Wu immediately set off to find her.
Cen Jin pulled over, waiting for assistance as the rain intensified and the wind blew her umbrella away. Just then, Li Wu appeared, picked up her umbrella, and brought it back to her. Overcome with emotion, Cen Jin rushed into his arms. Afterwards, they returned home together.
Episode 24 Recap
Dr. Lu, unable to reach Cen Jin, went to her home. In the underground garage, he saw Li Wu walking Cen Jin back to the apartment, with Cen Jin wrapped in Li Wu's jacket. Dr. Lu immediately understood the situation. Once inside, Li Wu insisted on drying Cen Jin's hair, worried she might catch a cold. Seeing his pensive expression, Cen Jin asked if he had something to say.
Li Wu apologized for his past actions, admitting it was wrong to use his health to manipulate her and selfishly try to keep her. He stated that she has the right to like anyone, and he wouldn't interfere. He promised that he would only silently accompany her and never love anyone else. Cen Jin interrupted him, suggesting they get back together. Li Wu was confused, feeling he had no boundaries and would return anytime she beckoned.
Cen Jin explained that her decision might be selfish, but she realized she couldn't ignore his presence and couldn't move forward alone. She confessed her feelings for him and asked if he still wanted to be with her. Li Wu, though overjoyed, also felt distressed, puzzled by his lack of boundaries around her. Cen Jin playfully told him to blame her for not beckoning sooner.
Li Wu then finished his earlier thought, asserting that even if she chose someone else, he would only like her for the rest of his life, never marrying or having another girlfriend, but also never disturbing her. Cen Jin jokingly called his heartfelt confession a "settlement fee." The two then spent a sweet night together. The next day, Cen Jin visited the archery range, where Dr. Lu was practicing.
He noted her improved performance and changed technique, suggesting she no longer overthinks her shots. Cen Jin reflected on how she initially learned archery to find a "sense of order" and a clear goal, but recently realized that letting go of thoughts and following her heart led to better results. Dr. Lu acknowledged her new understanding, comparing it to a difficult choice between two directions where the path not taken turns out to be fruitful, regretting his own late realization.
Cen Jin then shared her purpose for visiting, saying she wanted to talk about them. Dr. Lu, however, already knew her intentions. He revealed that he was leaving soon for further training at Xiehe Hospital, a move that aligned with his career goals for more clinical exposure, and had already signed the papers. They both agreed to remain friends, with Cen Jin wishing him a smooth promotion.
Later, during a discussion meeting between Shengcan and Tongchen companies, Li Wu unexpectedly attended, sitting beside Cen Jin. Under the table, he held her hand, ignoring her text message telling him to be mindful. After the meeting, they went to a restaurant they used to frequent. Cen Jin ordered a few of Li Wu's favorite dishes.
The restaurant owner recognized Li Wu, recalling that he used to come often with Cen Jin and had gone on a "study tour in Africa," jokingly asking why he hadn't gotten darker. Li Wu confirmed he was back, playing along with the "African study tour" cover story. Meanwhile, a colleague gossiped with Chun Chang about Shen Yiyang, speculating if something had happened between them after he sent her home.
The colleague mentioned that Xiao Jun had heard Shen Yiyang had a previous relationship that "didn't work out in the end" and had avoided romantic involvement since, until recently seeing him "intimate" with Chun Chang. Shen Yiyang then arrived at the bar, overhearing Chun Chang's response to the rumors.
Chun Chang, aware he was listening, stated she wasn't the type to "stick to one tree" in a relationship and found the "ambiguous and teasing" phase the most interesting part of love, rather than being officially together. Her colleague urged her not to lie to herself. The following day at work, Cen Jin sported a popular couple's keychain.
Shen Yun immediately noticed it and teased Cen Jin, asking who her new boyfriend was and accusing her of having a good mood that made her appreciate the weather. Cen Jin remained coy, but Shen Yun, familiar with the brand from previous work, insisted on knowing. Cen Jin later spoke to Li Wu on the phone, asking when he had changed her keychain. He admitted to doing it the previous night without her noticing.
She playfully called it childish, but he argued it made them feel closer. Chun Chang later encountered Shen Yiyang while buying king crabs. She pressed him, asking why he had been "ignoring" her and not contacting her, wondering if she had upset him. She confronted him about his "awkward" behavior, stating that intimacy between adults is "quite common" and she wasn't asking him to be responsible.
Shen Yiyang, however, replied that "this kind of thing" was "precious" to him, not just "normal." Li Wu and Cen Jin began living together. One morning, Li Wu prepared an elaborate breakfast for Cen Jin and asked her to get his coffee. On the counter, Cen Jin found a gift. Li Wu revealed it was for their one-month anniversary.
Cen Jin expressed her happiness but told him he didn't need to constantly provide surprises, calling them "hidden surprises" that were nice but not necessary, as he himself was already the greatest gift. He also mentioned he would be going on a business trip soon and had prepared two days' worth of meals for her in advance. Suddenly, they heard Cen Jin's mother, Mrs. Chen, at the door.
Panicked, Li Wu quickly dumped his breakfast, hid the gift, and rushed to hide in the bedroom. Mrs. Chen entered, bringing some clothes Cen Jin had left at home, and insisted on putting them in the bedroom. Cen Jin desperately tried to intervene, claiming her room was too messy, but her mother persisted. In the bedroom, Cen Jin couldn't immediately find Li Wu, but then discovered him crammed into the closet.
Startled, she was pulled in by Li Wu for a kiss. In the living room, Mrs. Chen asked Cen Jin for a clay pot to make spare rib soup. Cen Jin, flustered, helped her. Mrs. Chen commented on the low air conditioning and Cen Jin's oversized shirt, noticing a missing button, which Cen Jin realized Li Wu had pulled off during their earlier kiss.
Cen Jin tried to get her mother to leave by claiming a colleague was coming over to discuss work. Mrs. Chen, however, planned to stay in Cen Jin's room. Cen Jin clarified that the colleague was coming to "their" home, forcing Mrs. Chen to agree to leave. Before doing so, Mrs. Chen went to the bathroom to wash her hands, where she found men's face wash.
She then questioned Cen Jin about her relationship with Dr. Lu, noting Cen Jin's unconvincing answer and the two sets of plates and chopsticks in the sink from breakfast. Realizing her mother was onto them, Cen Jin's mom sarcastically wished her well with her "ordinary colleague" and departed. Once she was gone, Li Wu emerged from the closet, jokingly asking if Cen Jin had enough corn, and saying the experience was "thrilling."
Cen Jin apologized for the hiding, explaining that her mother had always treated Li Wu like a son and would not accept their relationship, especially given the age difference. She then scolded him for his "ant-like moving" of personal belongings, which had already made her mother suspicious, and told him to pack up his things immediately before his business trip.
After Li Wu left for his business trip, Cen Jin met with Chun Chang, who observed that Cen Jin looked "much healthier," clearly "nourished" by love. Cen Jin then discovered an "Exclusive Puppy" app on her phone, which stated it would find "hidden surprises" in her life every day. She realized Li Wu had installed it when he borrowed her phone earlier that morning.
Chun Chang, amused by Li Wu's cleverness in dating, wondered what kind of surprise the app would bring. Cen Jin briefly fantasized that the surprise might be Li Wu waiting for her at home, before Chun Chang reminded her that he was on a business trip.
Episode 25 Recap
The AI environmental summit attracted numerous influential figures from the industry, and Tongchen Technology felt deeply honored to participate. Its CTO, Li Wu, delivered a compelling speech, welcoming top experts, entrepreneurs, and scholars to the AI-themed conference. He shared insights on technological innovation, research, and market applications in artificial intelligence, expressing how much he had personally gained from the discussions.
His colleagues, Cheng Rui and Yi, were impressed that Tongchen was present at such a prestigious event, noting the many distinguished individuals they usually only encountered in academic journals. Yi even mentioned that Li Wu’s former Penn supervisor was there, hoping for an introduction that might lead to future collaborations. After his presentation, Li Wu approached his former supervisor, Professor Liu, and attempted to invite him to dinner. However, Professor Liu was busy with a meeting.
Instead, he inquired about a technical issue they had previously discussed, which Li Wu confirmed was resolved, with their new system successfully completing initial testing and now undergoing environmental simulations. Li Wu also mentioned they were close to securing their Series B funding. Professor Liu cautioned Li Wu against being too eager for quick success in running a company, advising him to be patient and humble.
Li Wu expressed concern about fierce competition, naming companies like Kejun and Leiyin, fearing they would be eliminated if they didn’t accelerate their pace. Professor Liu, however, asserted that sometimes "slow is fast" and reiterated the importance of humility. He then invited Li Wu to a roundtable forum he would be moderating the day after tomorrow, suggesting it as a learning opportunity. Accepting the invitation meant delaying his return home.
As Li Wu messaged Cen Jin to inform her of the change in plans, she suddenly appeared behind him, having secretly attended his speech, which she found quite handsome. During the post-conference networking, Cheng Rui was delighted to spot Tao Wanwen. He eagerly asked when she had returned, to which she replied that she arrived that morning.
She explained that her company had assigned her to lead a new journal project in Yi City, and she had deliberately kept it a secret to surprise him, despite his playful reminder that he was her "lawful husband." Cheng Rui was overjoyed, realizing their long-distance relationship could finally end, though Tao Wanwen reminded him to keep the news quiet until she received official confirmation. That evening, Cen Jin and Li Wu strolled through the city.
Cen Jin asked about the inspiration behind his "CloudMap" system. Li Wu explained that its name reflected his desire to bring the clean, beautiful environment of Yunfeng Village, where he grew up, to more people. Despite a tough childhood there, he cherished many beautiful memories of the village’s natural beauty, including the sounds of insects, tree shadows, sunsets, and even meeting Cen Jin. These memories had sustained him through difficult times.
Cen Jin acknowledged his aspirations, noting that he was already achieving some of his goals. She also inquired about a mysterious app he had installed on her phone. Li Wu revealed he had custom-built it to send her prompts based on her needs, with his own app receiving corresponding notifications, essentially turning surprises into subtle "little helps" throughout her life.
He even programmed it to run for a hundred years, assuring her it was exclusively for her, to which she affectionately responded that she felt the same way about him. Discussing his future, Li Wu shared his ambition to achieve career stability by thirty so he could "deserve to be with her." Cen Jin playfully likened his grand plans to an investor pitch, advising him not to put undue pressure on himself as life is unpredictable.
Li Wu, however, insisted on his firm goals, then steered the conversation back to their present, suggesting they enjoy their shopping and date. Later, Cen Jin received a wedding invitation from a former client. She initially planned to just send a gift, anticipating the presence of her ex-husband, Wu Fu, and his current wife. Li Wu playfully offered to accompany her.
However, the client called, vehemently insisting Cen Jin attend, attributing her own career advancements to Cen Jin's past help and even calling her a "lucky star." She promised to arrange a "networking table" with valuable resources, ultimately guilt-tripping Cen Jin into reluctantly agreeing, with a condition that no special arrangements be made. Meanwhile, as Chun Chang’s father’s death anniversary approached, her mother, who had been staying with her in Yi City, abruptly announced she was leaving the next morning.
Yuan, Mr. Zhang’s son, had gotten into a school fight, and her mother felt compelled to handle it discreetly as Mr. Zhang was away on a business trip. Chun Chang was furious, accusing her mother of consistently prioritizing her step-brother and Mr. Zhang, and questioning why her father’s death anniversary always coincided with an emergency.
She confronted her mother about her perceived neglect and emotional distance since her father's passing, particularly at dinner when her mother served lotus root pork soup—a dish Chun Chang despised, yet her mother routinely prepared it for Yuan. Overwhelmed with anger, Chun Chang stormed out. Seeking solace, Chun Chang went to her favorite restaurant and ordered an excessive amount of food, consuming it rapidly to numb her pain. Shen Yiyang happened to be at the same restaurant and observed her.
He tried to get her to slow down and drink some water, but Chun Chang continued eating until she collapsed from severe stomach cramps. Shen Yiyang rushed her to the hospital. Upon waking, Chun Chang explained her history of overeating, stemming from her mother's past neglect of her preferences.
She tearfully recounted her mother's hasty departure to deal with Yuan's school fight, abandoning her father's upcoming death anniversary, and her resentment at how easily her mother seemed to have moved on. Shen Yiyang gently offered comfort, suggesting that her mother might not have forgotten, but rather was "afraid to face" the painful reality of her father's passing, a process he acknowledged would be incredibly difficult for anyone.
He concluded that if her mother truly didn't care, she wouldn't have made the effort to visit Yi City at all. Exhausted, Chun Chang simply stated she wanted to sleep, and Shen Yiyang let her rest. After Chun Chang was discharged from the hospital, she saw her mother off at the train station. Her mother worried about her daughter's health, urging her to eat well and avoid late nights.
Once her mother departed, Chun Chang called Shen Yiyang and asked him to accompany her somewhere. Together, they visited her father's grave, where they found fresh flowers and incense. Chun Chang realized that her mother had indeed come to pay her respects alone before leaving, which brought a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. She leaned her head on Shen Yiyang's shoulder, seeking comfort.
Concurrently, Li Wu worked tirelessly on technical preparations for a crucial inspection that would determine their Series B investment. Cheng Rui emphasized the need for a flawless demonstration. Yi, however, expressed a surprisingly calm demeanor, offering Li Wu his "confidence" and leaving him to handle the final preparations alone. The inspection proceeded smoothly, and Mr. Guo expressed satisfaction, eagerly anticipating a successful collaboration. After the investors left, Cheng Rui sighed with relief, feeling a great weight lifted.
Li Wu confirmed their success, announcing that they had secured the Series B investment. To celebrate, he declared that everyone would receive bonuses and enjoy a celebratory dinner, a pronouncement met with enthusiastic cheers from the excited employees. On the day of the wedding, Cen Jin arrived at the venue alone. Soon after, Wu Fu appeared with his new wife, Bian Xinran, both dressed to impress.
Wu Fu approached Cen Jin, ostensibly to greet her, but subtly flaunted his newfound happiness and even offered to introduce her to a potential boyfriend, which Cen Jin politely dismissed. Suddenly, Bian Xinran, claiming to have tripped in her heels, deliberately splashed red wine in Cen Jin's direction.
Just as the wine was about to hit, Li Wu, who had arrived early after completing his work, swiftly appeared and pulled Cen Jin to his side, causing the wine to spill harmlessly on the floor. With Bian Xinran embarrassed and Wu Fu looking displeased, Li Wu formally introduced himself as Cen Jin’s boyfriend. Their former colleagues, witnessing the scene, were impressed and cast envious glances at Cen Jin and her handsome young boyfriend.
The bride, Feng Jiao, then approached, apologizing for the incident but expressing delight that Cen Jin had brought her partner, which Li Wu reciprocated with warm congratulations to the newlyweds. Li Wu later revealed he had asked Chun Chang for Cen Jin's location. Meanwhile, back at Chang's bar, a camping group gathered. A friend observed Chun Chang’s gloomy mood and hinted that Shen Yiyang was returning to Yi City that afternoon.
Chun Chang’s business partner, curious about Shen Yiyang’s absence, questioned Chun Chang about the situation. Chun Chang expressed her frustration with Shen Yiyang's "hot and cold" behavior, alternating between care and disappearance, leaving her in the dark about his schedule. Her partner suggested Chun Chang must have upset him, prompting Chun Chang to recall her earlier "ambiguity theory" about relationships—that the "push-and-pull stage" is the most interesting, and a relationship becomes less exciting once it's "serious."
To her horror, her partner then pointed out that Shen Yiyang had been standing behind them the whole time, overhearing their entire conversation. Shen Yiyang then left the bar with a colleague. Later, Chun Chang went to the train station to pick up Shen Yiyang. Inside the car, she handed him a bag of first-aid items and mosquito repellent, explaining her worry over his frequent, accident-prone mountain sampling trips, a detail she learned from Xiao Jun.
Shen Yiyang, noticing her concern and the scratches on his arm, initially downplayed the need for the items but accepted them. Chun Chang then nervously tried to apologize and clarify her "ambiguity theory" comments from the bar, fearing a misunderstanding. Shen Yiyang, however, interrupted her mid-sentence. Looking at her intently, he proposed, "Let's have a serious relationship." Elsewhere, Cen Jin’s mother was practicing square dancing with her friends.
When a friend asked if Cen Jin had a boyfriend, her mother replied that Cen Jin was "getting to know a guy," a polite and refined neurologist from the Central Hospital. She stressed that she wouldn't interfere with her daughter's dating life. The friend, impressed by the match, mentioned she had a lawyer nephew returning from overseas whom she had hoped to introduce to Cen Jin, concluding it was simply "bad timing."
Shortly after, as the dancing resumed, Cen Jin’s mother scrolled through her phone and saw a photo on her Moments feed of Cen Jin holding hands with Li Wu at the wedding. This revelation contradicted what she had just told her friends.
Episode 26 Recap
Cen Jin's colleagues playfully tease her after seeing photos on social media of her holding hands with a man at a wedding. They press her for details, speculating about his identity and commenting on his handsome appearance, but Cen Jin quickly dismisses them, urging them to focus on work. Later, Cen Jin's mother shows the same photo to Cen Jin's father, believing the man is Li Wu, though her husband isn't so sure.
She expresses her concern over their apparent relationship. She then visits Cen Jin's apartment, where she encounters Li Wu returning home early from a meeting. He assists her in opening Cen Jin's door, knowing the password, which Cen Jin's mother finds rather suspicious given he had "moved away" and implies it suggests they are too close. After dropping off some food for Cen Jin, her mother asks to see Li Wu's apartment across the hall.
While inside, she spots a white shirt with a missing button on his sofa and recognizes it as the one Cen Jin had worn at home a few days prior. Li Wu calmly explains that it is a common, basic work shirt that many people own, easily leading to such coincidences. When Cen Jin arrives home from work, she playfully greets Li Wu at his door.
However, Cen Jin’s mother suddenly appears and calls her daughter back into her own apartment for dinner. During the meal, Cen Jin’s mother explicitly states her strong disapproval of the relationship, citing their significant age difference and differing upbringings as major future obstacles. Cen Jin defends her choices, asserting that as adults, they have the right to date and will address any problems as they arise.
Her mother, still frustrated, brings up Lu Weiyan, questioning why Cen Jin didn't disclose his training program. Cen Jin, irritated by her mother's continued meddling, retorts that love isn't solely about compatibility. In a fit of anger, her mother takes away the food, leaving Cen Jin still hungry.
Back at her own home, Cen Jin's mother vents her fury to Cen Jin's father, reiterating her absolute opposition to Cen Jin and Li Wu's relationship, deeming it inappropriate given Li Wu's past connection to their family. Cen Jin's father attempts to defuse the tension, suggesting that Cen Jin, as an adult, should be trusted to make her own decisions and that the situation might not be as dire as her mother perceives.
However, his attempts only fuel her suspicion that he knew about the relationship all along. She instructs him to remain on her side and not to "tip off" their daughter, declaring her intention to quash the relationship immediately. Later that evening, Li Wu calls Cen Jin from his balcony, expressing concern about her mother's anger.
Cen Jin reassures him that her mother's harsh words are not truly malicious, as she has a "sharp tongue but a soft heart," and that she will eventually calm down. Li Wu, however, worries that his perceived immaturity might be a source of her mother's concern and promises to become more mature.
Cen Jin dismisses his worries, telling him that she finds him mature for his age and jokes that if he matures further, he'll be "overcooked," and that they will face any challenges together. At Tongchen, Li Wu leads a meeting, pushing his team to quickly resolve issues and complete system refinements, including focused training and sectional tests, as they approach a critical investment phase. Afterward, Zhang Chenyang, the technical team leader, visits Li Wu to announce his resignation.
Despite Li Wu's efforts to retain him, emphasizing Zhang Chenyang's indispensable expertise and the company's current staff shortage, Zhang Chenyang remains firm, citing a lack of capability for the role. Li Wu, reminding him of his contractual one-month notice period and the need for a proper handover of confidential work, is met with Zhang Chenyang’s complete indifference.
Cheng Rui, learning of Zhang Chenyang’s sudden departure, expresses concern about how Li Wu will manage, noting the suspicious timing and speculating that Zhang Chenyang has already found another job. Li Wu acknowledges the immense pressure but asserts that they are in the final stretch and cannot afford any mistakes, relying on the impending investment from Yuanshi Capital to alleviate their financial strain. Cheng Rui vows to handle all logistical support so Li Wu can concentrate on the technical aspects.
Meanwhile, Cen Jin meets her father for dinner and candidly explains her relationship with Li Wu. She reveals they dated previously, before Li Wu went abroad, but she broke up with him when she discovered he was secretly considering giving up his study abroad exchange program for her, a decision that deeply hurt him.
Cen Jin confesses that she has always been in love with Li Wu, and his unwavering sincerity and passion provide her with a profound sense of security, qualities she has not found in other men, including Lu Weiyan. Relieved by his daughter's genuine happiness and clear conviction, Cen Jin's father expresses his support and promises to be her "strongest backup."
He takes on the task of winning over Cen Jin's mother, acknowledging her stubbornness, especially remembering the past "Wu Fu incident," but affirming his commitment to patiently "overcome rigidity with flexibility" to gain her acceptance. Cen Jin returns home to find her mother, with luggage, soaking her feet in the living room, a clear sign of her intention to move in and wage a "protracted war" against her daughter’s relationship.
Her mother even watches a video about the challenges of age-gap relationships online. Cen Jin, seeing through her mother’s thinly veiled intentions to monitor her, retreats to her bedroom. Later, Li Wu calls her from downstairs, just having returned from working late, expressing how much he misses her and requesting a brief meeting. Believing her mother is asleep, Cen Jin cautiously slips out of her apartment.
They share a tender hug and kiss in the hallway before Li Wu persuades her to spend the night at his place. The next morning, Cen Jin attempts to leave Li Wu's apartment before her mother wakes up. Li Wu playfully tries to keep her for a few more minutes, and when Cen Jin asks about his chronic headaches, he jokes that she is his "medicine" and that they have not returned since their reunion.
After a quick goodbye, Cen Jin stealthily returns home, only to find her mother already awake. Cen Jin quickly improvises, claiming she has just returned from a morning run, a habit her mother notes she was previously unaware of, before rushing off to prepare for work. At the office, Li Wu learns that Zhang Chenyang is absent without explanation.
Cheng Rui then shows Li Wu a video of Kejun Company's product launch, which shockingly showcases technology identical to Tongchen's core system. Simultaneously, Yi sends a message announcing his withdrawal of shares from Tongchen due to "divergence in management." Li Wu and Cheng Rui realize they have been betrayed by both Yi and Zhang Chenyang, who conspired to steal their technology.
They consult a lawyer, who advises them that without a completed patent application, a lawsuit for infringement would be a difficult and prolonged battle, potentially lasting several years (one to two years minimum, possibly three to five), and would drain their resources. The lawyer also strongly advises against a public statement, especially during their crucial financing stage, as it could backfire catastrophically.
Compounding their problems, Mr. Guo of Yuanshi Capital calls Li Wu to confirm the withdrawal of their investment from Tongchen, though he assures them they will not be held accountable. Cheng Rui suggests asking his uncle, Shen Yiyang, for help, but Li Wu declines, stating that Shen Yiyang has already assisted them extensively, and they must find their own solution.
Episode 27 Recap
Cen Jin is completely absorbed in the sweetness of her romance, a fact her colleague Shen Yun picks up on immediately. While the rest of the office is drained by a difficult client’s constant feedback, Cen Jin remains radiant. To hide her relationship from her mother, who has been staying at her apartment to check on her, Cen Jin even resorts to altering the time display on her computer to fake working late.
Shen Yun, whose own life is a cycle of stress involving teacher group messages and her child’s exams, notes the contrast and encourages Cen Jin to cherish this period of romance before life becomes more complicated. Meanwhile, Li Wu is grappling with a corporate crisis. He spends an entire afternoon waiting at Xingguang Technology for a meeting with a high-level executive that never materializes. Because of this, he arrives late for his dinner date with Cen Jin.
To make amends, he enlists a young flower girl to deliver a bouquet to her with an apology. Over steak, Cen Jin fondly recalls how Li Wu didn't even know how to use a knife and fork when he first arrived in Yi City, but Li Wu is too preoccupied with work thoughts to fully listen.
Cen Jin assumes he is worried about her mother’s disapproval and assures him that as long as they stay firm, her mother will eventually be moved. During the date, Li Wu receives a call from Shen Yiyang. Shen Yiyang has been trying to facilitate a connection with several environmental companies, but most have already finalized their projects for the coming year.
Only Kejun expressed interest, but Li Wu remains steadfast, declaring they will never accept a cent from a company that betrayed them. On the walk home, Cen Jin notices Li Wu’s palms are sweating and asks if the company is in trouble. Li Wu dismisses it as a minor bug he can handle. Their intimate moment is interrupted when they spot Cen Jin's mother about to leave the building.
They dive into the elevator to hide, and Cen Jin eventually sends Li Wu to take the stairs to avoid being caught. As Li Wu struggles to find new investment, Chun Chang continues her daily dating advice livestreams. Shen Yiyang surprises her by showing her a photograph of a small asteroid he recently discovered. He explains that the observation data has been submitted and confirmed by the International Astronomical Union.
He tells her that after four more return cycles, he will gain the naming rights and intends to name the star after her. This grand gesture leaves Chun Chang deeply moved and full of expectation for their future. The situation at Tongchen grows dire as the financial officer informs Li Wu that the company barely has enough money to cover next month's payroll. In response, Li Wu sells his car to raise funds.
He soon discovers that his co-founder, Cheng Rui, has been hospitalized for alcohol poisoning after trying to win over investors through excessive drinking. At the hospital, Li Wu watches from the hallway as Tao Wanwen, Cheng Rui's fiancée, offers Cheng Rui her family's one million yuan house down payment to save the company. Cheng Rui refuses to take it, promising to find another way.
Seeing his friend's sacrifice, Li Wu leaves a message for Cheng Rui to focus on recovery and decides to reach out to Kejun for a meeting. Cen Jin, who has long sensed the gravity of the situation, takes Li Wu on a late-night drive she calls an elopement. When she confronts him about the news of Lao Yi joining Kejun, Li Wu finally confesses the truth.
He admits his fear that failing would mean he no longer has the right to provide her with happiness. Cen Jin reassures him that her happiness is not an attachment to his career success. She urges him not to abandon his principles or accept unreasonable demands for her sake, as such a sacrifice would only create resentment in their relationship later on. Li Wu eventually meets Lao Yi at a hotel restaurant.
He humbles himself completely, downing several punishment drinks to appease the man. Lao Yi, relishing the sight of Li Wu’s apparent defeat, offers to have Kejun buy out the 30% share in Tongchen as an investment in his technology. Li Wu plays the part of a desperate man with no options left, letting Lao Yi gloat over how the tables have turned.
After the meal, Cheng Rui rushes to the hotel, having snuck out of the hospital while Tao Wanwen was away. He is furious that Li Wu met with Lao Yi, but Li Wu reveals his true plan. He plays back a recording of Lao Yi discussing technical secrets with Kejun’s higher-ups. This, combined with the records of Zhang Chenyang accessing the intranet to download the algorithm, provides enough evidence to sue for trade secret infringement.
The apparent surrender was merely a ruse to gather the necessary proof. When a designated driver arrives to take them home, the two men realize they have both sold their vehicles to pay their staff. Li Wu eventually makes it back to the apartment building, stumbling drunk to Cen Jin’s door. He initially tries to head to his own place upon remembering her mother is there, but the door opens before he can retreat. Despite her mother's presence, Cen Jin insists on bringing the intoxicated Li Wu inside to care for him, refusing to let her mother's disapproval stand in the way.
Episode 28 Recap
After waking up from his drunken stupor, Li Wu finds Cen Jin in the living room, carefully preparing soup for him. The warm gesture fills him with a sense of comfort, though he immediately worries that her mother might be upset by her staying. Cen Jin reassures him that her mother, realizing she couldn't force them apart and was angry about her staying, has already packed her things and returned home.
As he tastes the soup, Li Wu jokingly notes it is far too sweet, but Cen Jin admits she simply wanted to give him something sweet to eat despite her lack of culinary talent. She encourages him to stay relaxed, telling him that being with him makes her life feel emotionally full and rich, regardless of the hardships they face. Li Wu is deeply moved, knowing that without her constant encouragement, he would never have survived the recent turmoil.
The business side of things remains a struggle as Li Wu and Cheng Rui continue to meet with investment firms only to be met with repeated rejections. While Cheng Rui begins to grumble about the difficulty of finding a new partner, Li Wu maintains a remarkably calm and enlightened mindset. This change in attitude does not go unnoticed by Cheng Rui, who teases that Li Wu has clearly been guided by a wise person—Cen Jin.
Their spirits are lifted when Shen Yiyang calls with a crucial lead: the Yi City Environmental Protection Bureau is opening a bidding process for a targeted environmental project. He has already recommended Tongchen’s CloudMap system, believing the institute finds it innovative and full of potential. Back at the office, Tao Wanwen arrives to conduct an interview that will help Tongchen gain wider public recognition.
To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, Cheng Rui insists that Li Wu handle the interview while he plays the role of the attentive host, providing Tao Wanwen with an overwhelming abundance of snacks that leaves the other female colleagues in the office envious. Meanwhile, Chun Chang rejects her mother’s request to attend a cousin’s wedding, planning instead to go camping and stargazing with Shen Yiyang. However, a sudden downpour ruins their outdoor plans.
Seeing her disappointment, Shen Yiyang brings the camping experience indoors, using a star projector to create a romantic atmosphere in the living room. Just as they are sharing an intimate moment in their tent, Chun Chang’s mother unexpectedly returns home. The two scrambled to hide the camping gear before the mother began a polite but pointed interrogation into Shen Yiyang’s background and family business.
Despite Chun Chang's attempts to deflect, Shen Yiyang politely answered, but Chun Chang quickly sent him home when the rain stopped, preventing her mother from asking more questions. At Shengcan, a new challenge arises when the firm takes on a jewelry promotion project for a heritage brand looking to launch a younger subline.
While others worry that a failure could damage the prestige of the main line, Cen Jin sees it as a rare opportunity for creative freedom and takes the lead. At home, she and Li Wu spend their nights working side-by-side, a scene that nostalgically mirrors the time when she used to supervise his high school homework.
Things finally take a turn for the better at Tongchen as well; their bidding materials are submitted, and the legal case against Lao Yi has officially been filed. Cheng Rui suggests a celebratory drink, but both Li Wu and Shen Yiyang decline, having prior dates. Left alone, Cheng Rui jokingly calls them disloyal before immediately calling Tao Wanwen to go look at engagement rings.
Relieved by the company's progress, Li Wu and Cen Jin spend a relaxing evening together, walking through the city. During their stroll, they stop at a newly opened bakery where they participate in a promotional activity. They take a Polaroid photo together, and in a moment of spontaneous affection, Li Wu kisses Cen Jin’s hair as the camera flashes.
Li Wu playfully pays for the treats just so he can keep the romantic photo for himself, telling her he is simply putting his own desires first as she had taught him. Later, Chun Chang takes her mother out to dinner, where she is once again pressured about marriage. Her mother argues that women lose their value as they age, unlike men who become more desirable with maturity.
Chun Chang pushes back against these outdated views, asserting her independence and career, and even reminding her mother of her lack of involvement in her upbringing. Though they argue, Chun Chang later feels a familiar sense of guilt for the recurring conflict. Good news continues to arrive as Tongchen passes the initial screening for the bureau’s project, ranking first among the bidders. Tao Wanwen also reveals that her interview has attracted interest from Xinshang Venture Capital, a top-tier investment firm.
With the second round of bidding involving a formal presentation, Cheng Rui insists Li Wu take the stage since the system is his brainchild and he understands the technology best. Tao Wanwen points out that Li Wu needs to upgrade his appearance to ensure a strong first impression. Cen Jin takes Li Wu shopping and carefully selects a trendy, sophisticated suit for him.
On the day of the presentation, Li Wu’s sharp new look and confident delivery immediately draw the attention of everyone in the room. After the successful meeting, Li Wu and Cheng Rui both rush to report the good news to their respective partners. Back at Tongchen, Cheng Rui excitedly tells Li Wu to check his WeChat Moments.
Cen Jin has finally made their relationship official, posting the Polaroid from the bakery with the simple, pun-filled caption: "A Gift," cleverly referring to the literal meaning of Li Wu’s name. Seeing her publicly declare her love, even without blocking her parents, Li Wu is overwhelmed with joy, finally feeling that he can stand by her side with his head held high.
Episode 29 Recap
Li Wu arrived at Shengcan, his expression a mix of joy and lingering concern as he sought out Cen Jin. He was curious and slightly anxious about why she had suddenly chosen to go public with their relationship on her Moments. Cen Jin explained that the post was the reward he had asked for, and more importantly, a way to declare their feelings to everyone.
She reminded him of their very first phone call, when she had misheard his name as "gift." Since then, he had truly become a special gift in her life. Moved by her words, Li Wu expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to stand by her side as an equal. The post had not been hidden from anyone, including Cen Jin’s parents. While browsing her phone, Cen Jin's mother accidentally liked the photo.
Panicking because it conflicted with her disapproval of the relationship, she hurriedly called her husband over to help her retract the like. While helping her, Mr. Cen noted that Li Wu seemed like a good person who was genuinely devoted to their daughter. He suggested they should trust Cen Jin's judgment, especially given how much Li Wu cared for her.
Cen Jin's mother, however, remained skeptical, haunted by Cen Jin’s past heartbreak with Wu Fu, and she eventually dropped the subject in frustration. Meanwhile, Chun Chang was reaching her breaking point with her mother’s constant nagging about marriage. When Shen Yiyang appeared unconcerned about the pressure, she lost her temper and pushed him out of the house. That night, she found herself unable to sleep, but when she tried to call him, his phone was switched off.
The next morning, she opened her door to find Shen Yiyang sitting in the hallway. He had stayed there all night because he was worried about her being alone, and his phone had simply run out of battery. Softened by his dedication, Chun Chang asked if he had ever actually thought about marrying her.
Shen Yiyang admitted he didn't care much for formalities, but he made it clear that he had been ready to walk through life with her from the very beginning and would marry her whenever she was ready. One night, Cen Jin found Li Wu working late in the study on the second round of bidding materials. Li Wu was worried about her parents’ disapproval and suggested that he should perhaps visit them to apologize, taking the blame for pursuing her.
Cen Jin found the idea amusing, reminding him that their relationship was a mutual choice and that no one could force her into anything. She believed that time would eventually prove the depth of their feelings to her parents. Around the same time, her mother was also feeling sentimental. While tidying up, Cen Jin's mother found an old camcorder and played a video of Cen Jin’s sixth birthday.
Watching her daughter grow from a little girl into a woman who would eventually leave the nest brought Cen Jin's mother to tears. Business challenges soon mounted for both of them. Shen Yiyang informed Li Wu that Tongchen had passed the second round of bidding, but they were now up against a formidable rival, Kejun, which had skipped the preliminary review phase entirely. At Shengcan, Cen Jin’s team was struggling after their latest proposal for Kaixi Jewelry was rejected again.
The client wanted something that broke away from conventional thinking. Cen Jin encouraged her exhausted colleagues to give it one last push. During a visit to the jewelry store, she witnessed a woman returning a wedding ring after a divorce, which sparked a new creative direction in her mind. Li Wu became so absorbed in his work that he didn't realize his phone had died.
After a reminder from Shen Yiyang, he charged it and saw several worried messages from Cen Jin. He rushed home to find her asleep on the sofa. While trying to make a late-night snack, a distracted Li Wu forgot to add water to the pot. Cen Jin noticed his stress and learned that Tongchen was struggling to compete with Kejun’s pricing and established industry resources.
She advised him not to fight Kejun on their own turf but to focus on Tongchen’s unique technical strengths instead. Inspired by her insight, Li Wu spent the rest of the night working on a way to lower costs through technical optimization rather than traditional supply chains. The next day, Chun Chang brought milk tea to the research institute to treat Shen Yiyang’s colleagues.
Playfully, she sprayed her perfume in his office and on him, claiming she was marking her territory so other women would know he was taken. Shen Yiyang then took Li Wu and Cheng Rui to a different lab to use specialized equipment to test their new energy-saving modules. Though the initial tests didn't reach the ideal range, they worked with a researcher named Zhao to adjust the parameters. Meanwhile, Cen Jin presented her new "Free the Ring" concept to Kaixi.
She argued that rings shouldn't just be tied to marriage or contracts but should be seen as an empowering accessory for any woman, whether single or divorced. The client was impressed by the fresh perspective and requested a full proposal. Success finally arrived when Zhao called to confirm that the technical test results for Tongchen had passed. Li Wu and Cheng Rui were ecstatic, knowing they finally had a competitive edge for the final showdown.
To help them stay connected, Li Wu gave Cen Jin a walkie-talkie so they could reach each other even if their phones were off. That night, they tested the devices from their respective homes, with Li Wu tracking the distance until he eventually arrived at her door. Unable to sleep due to pre-presentation nerves, Li Wu was comforted by Cen Jin. She taught him a diaphragmatic breathing exercise to help him relax, and they eventually fell asleep together in a warm embrace.
Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
During the final bidding session for the AI environmental protection project, Li Wu, serving as the Technical Director for Tongchen Technology, presented the core value of their system. He emphasized their "tailor-made solutions," explaining how the system could be customized to handle highly confidential core data and overcome the limitations of closed large models. While the committee deliberated, Yi, the representative from the competing firm Kejun, approached Li Wu and Cheng Rui with an air of arrogance.
Having heard that they had sold their cars to fund the bidding process, Yi mocked their financial struggles and mockingly offered them a ride home in his car to save them the trouble of taking the subway. However, the atmosphere shifted instantly when the results were announced: Tongchen Technology had won the bid due to its irreplaceable technical advancement and energy-saving advantages.
As Li Wu walked past a stunned Yi, he politely declined the offer of a ride, noting that they were not the same kind of people. He then suggested that Yi keep a close eye out for a court summons regarding his underhanded tactics during the competition. With the company's future secured, Li Wu and Cen Jin visited her parents’ home.
Seeking a private moment, Cen Jin’s mother used the excuse of buying drinks to ask Li Wu to accompany her to the supermarket. She spoke candidly, admitting that while she was often tough-spoken, she was soft-hearted and only wanted her daughter to be happy. She confessed her deep concerns regarding the age gap between them, fearing that Li Wu’s youth might lead to unpredictable changes that Cen Jin could not afford to endure.
Li Wu, visibly nervous and breaking into a cold sweat, gave her his solemn word that he would always be Cen Jin’s shield and support, regardless of what the future held. After this heartfelt conversation, during which Cen Jin's mother also mentioned having read a letter from Li Wu and being touched by his sincerity, she finally gave them her blessing and invited them to return for weekend meals.
Cen Jin was surprised by her mother’s softened attitude later, initially assuming her father had done all the persuasion. Her father clarified that while he helped, it was actually the heartfelt letter Li Wu had written that truly moved her. Cen Jin, unaware of the letter, later found it and read it with tears in her eyes.
In the letter, Li Wu opened up about being orphaned at age five and how his life would have reached a dead end if not for the Cen family’s kindness. He described Cen Jin as more than just a romantic partner; she was his guiding light and a mentor who had dragged him out of the darkness, helped him with his studies, and guided him in his work.
He expressed that his feelings for her transcended simple romance, and having spent two years abroad thinking of her every moment, he was certain he would cherish her forever. The following day, Tao Wanwen arrived at Tongchen with the news that Xinshang Venture Capital was ready to sign the investment agreement, noting that while Li Wu was modest, the investors were truly moved by the company’s inherent value.
That evening, as Li Wu and Cen Jin watched television at her place, he accidentally left his jacket behind. While tidying up, Cen Jin found a receipt for a diamond ring in his pocket. Her suspicions grew the next day when she saw him receiving large packages and acting secretively with Cheng Rui at the bar.
Confused by the suddenness of a potential proposal, she confided in Chun Chang, explaining that she was happy but wasn't ready to move to the next stage of life just yet. On the way home, Li Wu asked about the progress of Cen Jin’s new jewelry ad campaign. She explained that her team was struggling with the "marriage" concept, as many felt that forcing a connection between rings and marriage felt like a lecture to the audience.
She asked for his view on the matter. Li Wu shared that he viewed marriage as a sacred "lighthouse" he longed to reach. Cen Jin, however, advised him that neither love nor marriage should be the lighthouse of his life. She urged him to put himself first and completely belong to himself before considering such a step. Li Wu listened intently and agreed to follow her pace.
When the new jewelry subline launched to great success, the group gathered at Chun Chang’s bar to celebrate. Seeing the rooftop decorated with flowers and a romantic atmosphere, Cen Jin became anxious. Believing Li Wu was about to propose, she pulled him aside to remind him that she wasn't ready and didn't want to rush their relationship.
Li Wu smiled and assured her that he understood, then gently asked her to step aside to make room for the actual protagonists of the night. To everyone’s surprise, Shen Yiyang walked toward Chun Chang with a bouquet. He thanked her for being the quirky, unpredictable spirit who crashed into his world and admitted he had been attracted to her since their first meeting.
He offered her a "choice," explaining that if she was ready, they could marry, but if not, he would wait as long as it took. Overwhelmed with emotion, Chun Chang jokingly scolded him for using Li Wu as a distraction and not warning her to wear a nice dress, before happily accepting his proposal.
After the proposal, Li Wu asked Cen Jin if she felt disappointed, but she replied that witnessing her best friend's proposal made her equally happy and that she still wanted to enjoy their current stage of romance. A few days later, Cen Jin accompanied Li Wu back to Yunfeng Village. There, Village Chief Cheng presented her with a donation certificate.
Li Wu had used Cen Jin's name to fund the construction of the "Wuxin Reading Academy," a project he had initiated shortly after returning to China. As they toured the book-filled room, Cen Jin was deeply moved to realize that he had planned a future involving her from the moment he stepped back onto domestic soil. Later, in the courtyard, Li Wu pulled out the ring he had purchased.
He explained that he had bought it while helping Shen Yiyang and didn't intend it as a formal proposal, but rather as a symbol of their current bond. He told her that the meaning of the ring would be defined by their relationship. Cen Jin happily let him slide the ring onto her finger, and they embraced.
As they looked at each other, they recalled their very first phone call years ago, when she had misheard his name, "Li Wu," as "gift." They both smiled, realizing that he had indeed become the most precious gift in her life.
