Speed and Love Episode 22 Recap
> Speed and Love Recap
Jiang Mu has settled into her new life in Nanjing, renting an apartment near the observatory to facilitate her commute. While driving through the city with her colleague, Gu Zhijie, they admire the historic phoenix trees lining the streets. Zhijie explains that the trees were originally planted for the enshrinement ceremony of Sun Yat-sen, chosen by city planners for their elegant form and practical shade. Jiang Mu finds the golden canopy they create in autumn incredibly romantic.
Later, while sharing a coffee, she mentions her preference for a vanilla latte with a subtle hint of cinnamon. When she admits the exact memory of the taste is fading, Zhijie astutely observes that what she truly misses is the person she shared the coffee with. Jiang Mu reveals her dream of opening a coffee shop named "Moon" on a street lined with phoenix trees and the scent of osmanthus.
Although she saved enough money from tutoring in Canada, she feels the timing isn't right because she has one more goal to fulfill first. Her primary objective is to buy back her childhood home. However, her real estate agent informs her that the house was sold last year to a wealthy businessman from Beijing who paid the full price immediately. Determined, Jiang Mu offers a thirty percent premium and begs the agent to arrange a meeting with the buyer.
This struggle brings back painful memories of six years ago when she left for Canada. She had intended to take her dog, Lightning, with her, but her friend San Lai told her the dog had run away because it hadn't been neutered. Jiang Mu was devastated, as Lightning was far more than just a pet; he was a vital emotional anchor in her life. While working on a Jupiter satellite system proposal at the observatory, Jiang Mu continues her search.
During a morning run, she encounters a golden retriever that seems unusually drawn to her. Soon after, Gu Zhijie calls her while on a business trip to Beijing, mentioning that on his way to the airport, he passed a phoenix tree-lined boulevard at the foot of Zijin Mountain and saw a coffee shop named "Moon," exactly like the one she described. Jiang Mu follows the address and finds the same golden retriever.
On a whim, she calls out the name "Lightning," and the dog joyfully rushes toward her, leading her straight to the coffee shop. The shop is secluded, with a small sign partially obscured by trees the owner refused to cut down. Inside, the staff explains that the dog is named Mundan and is usually very reserved, making his affection for her surprising.
Jiang Mu notices a telescope in the shop, and the staff mentions that adding a Baader filter would allow customers to see sunspots during the day. She orders the house special, a coffee called "Moon," and finds the flavor hauntingly familiar. When she learns the owner is currently at a university for a thesis proposal, she asks for his contact information.
The staff asks her to register her request in a guest book, noting she is the twentieth woman to ask for the handsome but aloof boss. Jiang Mu leaves her details and clips her silver pen to the book before leaving. After researching the shop online, she finds photos of the owner that resemble Jin Chao, though comments suggest he is married with a family living abroad.
A week passes without a response, so Jiang Mu returns to the shop to retrieve her pen. The staff informs her that the boss took the pen and wishes to return it to her personally this Sunday. Coincidentally, the house buyer also agrees to meet her that Sunday, and she has an urgent meeting at the research institute that same morning. Following her meeting, Jiang Mu hurries to the coffee shop and is directed upstairs.
There, she finally reunites with Jin Chao. He admits he knew it was her the moment he saw the pen, the way she adjusted the telescope, and the dog’s reaction. He offers her strawberry cake, her old favorite, but she tells him she no longer likes it.
When she asks why he never contacted her, Jin Chao explains that the distance made a relationship too difficult, and he thought it was better for both of them to live more easily apart. Stung by his words, Jiang Mu asks if he is married. When he doesn't answer and asks if she has a boyfriend, she impulsively lies, claiming she is getting married at the end of the year and moved to Nanjing for her fiancé.
Jin Chao simply replies that it is "good," which deeply upsets her. As she prepares to leave, she demands his phone number so she can send him a wedding invitation. Before she walks out, Jin Chao finally admits that he was the one who bought the old house.
After she leaves, both are overcome with emotion; Jin Chao watches her go with a heavy heart, while Jiang Mu sobs as she holds her silver pen, realizing the deep connection they still share.
