Ten Years Late Episode 2 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Ding Ang, a wealthy playboy, was with his girlfriend when two children accidentally bumped into him, spilling coffee on her new purse. His girlfriend loudly berated the children, refusing to accept the parents’ apologies. Displeased, Ding Ang told the parents to leave, then chastised his girlfriend for her unreasonable behavior. As they drove, she tried to convince Ding Ang to buy an apartment in his mother’s new development for her own mother, referring to her as his "future mother-in-law."
Angered, Ding Ang broke up with her and made her get out of the car. Unwilling to accept the breakup, she followed him to the sales center of his family’s new property development, where Ding Ang, frustrated by her persistence, angrily dismissed her. At the sales office, Ding Ang unexpectedly encountered Xu Xinyi, his former college crush, and her boyfriend, Gao Zifu, who were looking at apartments.
Zifu recognized Ding Ang as the heir of Aimei Group and tried to engage him in conversation. However, Ding Ang mostly ignored Zifu, focusing on Xinyi. He learned that she was doing well, that her boyfriend was very caring, and that they were planning to get married soon. Xinyi also shared that Zifu wanted her to quit her job after marriage to focus on raising children.
Ding Ang congratulated them, though he felt a pang of sadness, recalling their first meeting and how Xinyi, who once envisioned a home with him, was now choosing a wedding home with someone else. As Zifu and Xinyi left to see other apartment layouts, Ding Ang watched them, visibly affected. Later, Ding Ang, feeling pressured by his mother to go on a blind date, met Zhao Chengzhi at a bar.
Chengzhi, a witty lawyer, teased Ding Ang about his reputation as a college playboy and then about his renewed interest in Xinyi, recalling her success as a marketing manager and her boyfriend in finance. Ding Ang clarified that he had simply seen Xinyi and her boyfriend at his mother’s property looking to buy an apartment. Ding Ang then proposed that Chengzhi pretend to be him for the blind date.
Chengzhi initially hesitated, joking about his own handsomeness and loyalty to Yuan Lai, but eventually agreed after Ding Ang offered a single five-day trip to Bali and a Canon 100mm zoom lens. Chengzhi warned Ding Ang about the expenses of keeping a woman and being passionate about photography, then playfully said he had nothing to worry about since he had Ding Ang.
That night, Jin Ran called Yuan Lai to his room, explaining it was to build a good company image. Yuan Lai, citing it was her rest time, initially suggested he contact the front desk, but eventually complied, though she was reluctant to enter a male client's room alone late at night. Once inside, Jin Ran pointed to a painting on the wall and demanded they visit that location the next day, canceling their previously scheduled garden tour.
When Yuan Lai asked where it was so she could make arrangements, Jin Ran curtly replied that he didn't know and that she, as the tour guide, should figure it out. The next day, Zhao Chengzhi received his expensive Canon camera lens via delivery at his law office, confirming the payment for his arrangement with Ding Ang. Reading the details of the blind date, he prepared to carry out his task.
Meanwhile, Yuan Lai and Jin Ran arrived at Ginzan Onsen, a place that served as inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away," though not an exact replica. Yuan Lai explained the history, noting that Jin Ran’s wish to explore an animated world couldn’t be fully realized but he could visit the artist’s source of inspiration. Jin Ran, seemingly pleased, instructed Yuan Lai to stand for a photo.
After taking a picture, he showed her a postcard of Kasafuku, a cultural heritage site in Sakata, Yamagata, and insisted they go there next. Yuan Lai expressed frustration at his "fickle" changes, reminding him of their scheduled art museum visit. Jin Ran defended his request, stating he wanted to experience local culture and that a "high-end customized tour" should allow for flexibility. Yuan Lai, for the sake of the company, reluctantly agreed and started making new arrangements.
Zhao Chengzhi arrived at the coffee shop for the blind date, where he met Shen Shuangshuang. Shuangshuang was immediately taken by his handsome appearance, believing herself lucky. Chengzhi, pretending to be "Simon," spoke Cantonese, described his Hong Kong-Shanghai background, and mentioned his interests in fitness and volleyball, all to portray an eccentric persona. Shuangshuang, however, quickly deduced that he was either faking or possibly gay, but she found him charming and interesting regardless.
She explicitly asked if he was "faking it," to which Chengzhi confessed he was forced into the situation. Shuangshuang, unfazed, complimented his handsomeness and expressed her desire to be friends, insisting on exchanging WeChat details for future shopping and coffee outings. Just then, Xizi, Yuan Lai's friend, walked in. She immediately called out "Zhao Chengzhi," expressing surprise at his unusual attire. She then handed him wedding invitations for her own marriage, asking him to deliver Ding Ang's.
Xizi further exposed Chengzhi's true identity and embarrassed him by recounting how he and Ding Ang were inseparable in college, even accidentally swapping clothes. Shen Shuangshuang, misunderstanding the situation, cheerfully concluded that Chengzhi was pretending to be Ding Ang because he liked him. She then offered them her blessings, encouraging them to ignore societal judgments and "stick to their own style," promising to support them and stay in touch on WeChat.
Later, Shen Shuangshuang excitedly recounted the date to her friend, describing Zhao Chengzhi as "super handsome," "chic," with an earring and skinny pants, and calling him "gentle" despite his peculiar behavior. Her friend was skeptical, but Shuangshuang was thrilled, stating she would gladly go on ten more "blind dates for nothing" if it meant meeting someone like him, and was determined to keep in contact.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chengzhi confronted Ding Ang at his workplace, complaining about the "crazy" blind date and demanding another Leica 50mm lens as compensation for his "suffering." Ding Ang initially refused, but Chengzhi argued that he had tried to help Ding Ang regain confidence after Yuan Lai, yet Ding Ang couldn't even handle a "naïve new graduate."
Ding Ang dismissed the date as "brain-damaged" for asking about his sock color, but eventually, in frustration, he agreed to Chengzhi's demand for the extra lens. Yuan Lai and Jin Ran then visited Kasafuku. They admired the exquisite, wish-granting umbrellas. As they crafted their own prayer umbrellas, Jin Ran teasingly offered Yuan Lai a pink cherry blossom pendant, symbolizing a good marriage, suggesting it was "suitable for her."
Yuan Lai rebuffed him, joking that he shouldn't worry about her marriage as she knew "who was reliable and who was a scumbag," and suggested he offer it to other girls. Jin Ran then offered a black lion pendant, which he claimed symbolized fire prevention and was suited for "hot-tempered girls." Yuan Lai retorted that its large mouth made it suitable for him, implying he was talkative. After this playful exchange, neither accepted the other's offering.
Yuan Lai then reminded him about their tight schedule and the waiting car. Jin Ran, however, decided against the private car and chose to take a local train. As they waited in the falling snow, Jin Ran shared insights about the five different train colors that passed through the station, each representing a different meaning: yellow for eternal friendship, blue for health, red for family harmony, and white for removing unhappiness and misfortune.
He then teased Yuan Lai by refusing to reveal the meaning of the fifth, pink train, which coincidentally arrived soon after. On the train, they observed other couples, sharing knowing glances, as if some of their emotional barriers had begun to ease. Upon arrival at their next destination, they learned that only one hotel room was available due to the heavy snow. Jin Ran, implying Yuan Lai could sleep on the sofa if she wished, announced he needed his rest.
Later, they coincidentally met at the hot spring. Yuan Lai questioned his presence, given his earlier claim of being tired. Jin Ran playfully asked if she was hiding from him or waiting for him. He then helped her tie her yukata, explaining that tying it left-over-right with a bow at the waist was basic Japanese etiquette, subtly teasing her about not knowing. Yuan Lai retorted that she hadn't lived in Japan for years like him.
In the elevator, a group of drunk Japanese men stumbled into them. Jin Ran instinctively shielded Yuan Lai, injuring his arm. While bandaging his arm, Yuan Lai noticed his phone's lock screen displayed their candid photo from earlier that day at Ginzan Onsen, which made her ponder.
As they settled into their shared room for the night, Yuan Lai recalled an elderly Japanese woman who had told her that the button Jin Ran had given her previously was a sign that her ex-boyfriend sought forgiveness. With a mix of emotions, she quietly placed the button between them as they slept.
The next morning at the airport, chaos erupted when it was discovered that five members of Yuan Lai's tour group had invalid ticket numbers and couldn't board the flight to Shanghai. Yuan Lai's assistant, Zhong, confirmed that while 15 tickets were purchased from the supplier, five were untraceable, and the supplier was now closed. With passengers growing anxious and the gate about to close amidst a snowstorm that had already canceled many flights, Yuan Lai struggled to reassure everyone.
Jin Ran, stepping in, calmly suggested that instead of trying to resolve the ticket issue at that moment, Yuan Lai should send the other passengers through customs with Zhong, while she took the five affected passengers to another airport, such as Osaka, which has frequent flights to Beijing and other major cities, from where they could then transfer back to Shanghai.
Yuan Lai quickly adopted his solution, instructing Zhong to proceed with the valid ticket holders while she handled the rest. Jin Ran acknowledged her decisive action, remarking, "Nicely done." The group successfully boarded flights back to China. Upon their arrival in Shanghai, Zhao Chengzhi was waiting to pick up Yuan Lai. As they walked, he inquired about her "perverted client," playfully threatening to "teach him a lesson" using legal means for daring to bully his "goddess."
Yuan Lai, amused, challenged his ability to do so without breaking the law. Jin Ran, who had followed them from the airport, observed their affectionate banter and saw Yuan Lai's mother greet Chengzhi warmly, having prepared chicken soup for him. Chengzhi, in turn, boasted about being naturally "cute and lovable," prompting Yuan Lai to playfully call him "thick-skinned" and pinch him, to which he retorted he would hit her. Watching their close and playful interaction, Jin Ran was consumed by silent sorrow.
