Speed and Love Episode 2 Recap
> Speed and Love Recap
As children, Jin Chao gave Jiang Mu a fountain pen, instructing her to practice her handwriting diligently, promising he would return to check on her writing. He assured her he would always think of her as long as she didn't change, and he would remain unchanged too. Over the years, Jiang Mu penned numerous letters to Jin Chao, sharing her life, including her family's move and her anticipation of middle school, hoping he would visit during summer breaks.
However, receiving no replies, she eventually wrote a final letter, expressing her disappointment and feeling like she was writing to thin air. She declared that she would no longer miss him, preparing for a new chapter with new classmates and friends in middle school. After safely taking Jiang Mu home, Jin Chao stepped out.
While he was with Jin Fengzi and other friends, who teased him about being busy on his phone and possibly having a new girlfriend, Jin Chao received a call from Wan Qing. He then went to see Wan Qing, carrying money to resolve Jin Qiang's debt. Upon arrival, he found Jin Qiang had been beaten. Jin Chao questioned if Wan Qing’s men were responsible, but they claimed Jin Qiang had accidentally tripped and fallen.
Jin Chao presented the money, intending to take Jin Qiang. Wan Qing was upset that Jin Chao had ignored her repeated calls and his dismissive attitude, especially after she had spent hours preparing herself and arranged for a chef from Diya City. She offered to clear Jin Qiang's gambling debt if Jin Chao would stay and have dinner with her, perhaps even to stay with her afterward.
Just as Jin Chao was about to pick up a billiard cue, he received a text from Jiang Mu asking if he was asleep. He immediately stated he had something to do and was leaving, telling Wan Qing that Jin Qiang was hers now. Jiang Mu then sent another text, urging him to sleep as it was late.
At home, Jiang Mu approached Mrs. Zhao, asking about Jin Chao's whereabouts and if he often stayed out, to which Mrs. Zhao replied that there was nothing at home for him to return to. Deciding to create a reason for him to come back, Jiang Mu intentionally damaged the water heater pipe, causing a leak. Xin witnessed this but quietly left.
Soon, Mrs. Zhao discovered the leak and, unable to fix it herself, called Jin Chao, urging him to return before the downstairs neighbors complained. Jiang Mu then suggested that Jin Chao should be the one to fix it. When Jin Chao arrived, he worked on the pipe, his face and arms damp, his abdominal muscles briefly visible, which captivated Jiang Mu. When he asked what she was looking at, she playfully replied, "The sun."
Xin again peeked into the bathroom, prompting Jin Chao to send her back to her room. Jin Chao explained that the water had stopped, but the pipe was broken, and the old water heater model made finding a replacement pipe difficult, suggesting they simply replace the entire unit. Mrs. Zhao hesitated about the cost, but Jin Chao insisted he would order a new one and have San Lai install it, as he had other engagements.
Jiang Mu, curious about Jin Chao's "other engagements," pressed him for details, but he rebuffed her questions. Determined to find out, she discreetly followed him to the train station. Jin Chao quickly noticed her, telling her to stop following him. Jiang Mu tried to feign a coincidence, claiming she was just shopping for groceries.
Jin Chao pointed out her mistake about the day of the week for a popular event and the fruit knife she carried, reiterating his demand that she buy her own food and leave him alone. Despite his warnings, Jiang Mu persisted. As she tried to negotiate a cheap fare with a motorized tricycle driver to follow Jin Chao, Jin Fengzi spotted her.
Mistaking her presence as Jin Chao's approval for her to attend, Jin Fengzi excitedly offered her a ride to Peita, mentioning that Jin Chao, whom he referred to by his nickname You Jiu (Brandy), was there, and that he himself was on his way to meet Jin Chao. Jiang Mu eagerly joined him. Jin Fengzi drove Jiang Mu to an underground boxing arena.
Inside, a preliminary match concluded, and the main event was announced: He Zhang from Wan's would fight You Jiu. Jin Fengzi explained that Jin Chao was known as You Jiu (Brandy), a nickname derived from the saying, "Drink while you can." Jiang Mu learned that He Zhang was a formidable boxer working for Wan Shengbang, the owner of Wan's Auto Shop.
Before the fight, someone instructed Jin Chao that he needed to continue the "act" with Wan's regarding the Qingshi mountain roads, meaning he would have to endure a beating in this match and try to avoid serious injury. The arena owner, Lin Sui, and Wan Shengbang both escalated their bets. Wan Qing, who also attended, angrily confronted her father for raising the stakes, expressing concern for You Jiu.
She warned He Zhang not to harm Jin Chao, declaring him "her man." The match began, and Jin Chao took a severe beating, falling to the ground as He Zhang landed multiple punches. Jiang Mu, who had been taken into the venue by Jin Fengzi and was quickly pulled aside by him to prevent distracting Jin Chao, was horrified.
She witnessed the brutal fight with ten times the stake, crying and frantically offering to pay with her bank savings if they would only stop the fight and let her take Jin Chao away. Jin Fengzi explained that once in the ring, fighters were on their own. As the referee counted down, Jiang Mu couldn't hold back and screamed Jin Chao’s name. Hearing her, Jin Chao struggled to his feet at the last second.
Just as he regained his stance, He Zhang launched a flying kick, sending Jin Chao against the ropes. Jiang Mu rushed to the ring's edge, anxiously calling out "Brother." Their eyes met, and suddenly, Jin Chao seemed revitalized. He fiercely retaliated, leaving He Zhang defenseless. Before the match could officially conclude, Jin Chao leaped out of the ring, grabbed Jiang Mu, and ran. Furious, Wan Shengbang ordered He Zhang to pursue Jin Chao and teach him a lesson.
As they fled on Jin Fengzi’s motorcycle, Jin Chao questioned Jiang Mu about how she knew the location and who brought her. Jiang Mu, crying, instead worried about his injuries. He reiterated his question, then asked why she was crying, noting her changed demeanor. He offered to take her back home and book her ticket. However, Jiang Mu refused to go back, asking why he had become like this.
She confessed that she had overheard San Lai discussing Jin Chao's life-threatening endeavors. She poured out her heart, expressing how much she cared despite his likely perception of her as just a childhood playmate. She questioned why he couldn't understand, lamenting that he hadn’t returned or replied to any of her many letters over the years, despite her waiting for him every summer and even leaving her contact information at their old home in case he ever came back.
She revealed her past struggles with academics and tutoring, driven by a fear of disappointing him, and her current fear that his injuries might prevent him from writing, rendering the fountain pen she bought him useless. Realizing her hopes were misplaced, she concluded that she had been foolish to come and announced her intention to return to China the next day, asking Jin Chao to take her to the airport one last time.
As she spoke, a car began chasing them. Jin Chao urged her to sit tight and initiated a high-speed escape, but they were eventually cornered in an alley, while Jin Chao had a fleeting memory of teaching a younger Jiang Mu how to hold a pen and write.
