Ten Years Late Episode 31 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Yuan Lai accompanied Xinyi to pick out a gift for Xinyi’s mother-in-law. Xinyi, who is pregnant, teasingly remarked on Yuan Lai’s taste in gifts, but Yuan Lai suggested a therapeutic pillow, arguing it was more practical than a silk scarf and beneficial for cervical health. Xinyi immediately bought it. Afterward, Xinyi dragged Yuan Lai to a lingerie shop, cheekily suggesting Yuan Lai wear something cute and stay at Jin Ran’s house after dinner. Yuan Lai, exasperated, refused.
She felt her presence would be inappropriate, given that Jin Ran’s mother, Ms. Hua, was specifically returning to address Chu Yun’s issues. Xinyi, however, revealed she had already arranged for Ding Ang to keep Chu Yun busy with work, ensuring Chu Yun would be occupied with overtime, even if she managed to meet Ms. Hua at the airport, thus preventing her from attending the welcoming party.
Yuan Lai, trusting Jin Ran to handle the situation, stated that he likely kept the details from her to spare her stress and overthinking, a sentiment Xinyi dismissed as naive. Meanwhile, Jin Ran arrived at the airport to pick up his mother, Ms. Hua. To his surprise, Chu Yun also appeared, explaining she had called Ms. Hua, leading to her return.
Ms. Hua showed immense affection for Chu Yun, even playfully chiding Jin Ran for making Chu Yun stay in a hotel. As they left, Jin Ran subtly cautioned his mother about Chu Yun’s complicated relationships with their friends, especially after the disruption at Ding Ang and Xinyi’s wedding. Ms. Hua, however, expressed a more forgiving view, saying everyone makes mistakes and some can be forgiven.
She then revealed the true reason for her return wasn't just Chu Yun, but because Jin Ran’s father wanted to see him. Jin Ran’s demeanor instantly hardened; he adamantly refused any contact, stating his father had been absent for over twenty years and held no place in his life. Later, Jin Ran’s friends, including Chengzhi, Ding Ang, Yuan Lai, Xinyi, and Shen Shuangshuang, held a welcoming party for Ms. Hua.
Xinyi, to Yuan Lai’s surprise, presented the therapeutic pillow, claiming it was a thoughtful gift from Yuan Lai to Ms. Hua. In turn, Ms. Hua gave Yuan Lai a beautiful emerald necklace, remarking that it would have been hers much earlier if she and Jin Ran hadn’t broken up. Everyone began to tease, speculating if it was an engagement gift. However, Jin Ran’s mood darkened when he realized the necklace was from his father.
He angrily demanded Yuan Lai remove it, creating an awkward silence. Ms. Hua clarified that Jin Ran’s father wanted to reconnect with him and leave a substantial estate, which Jin Ran fiercely rejected. His friends, aware of Jin Ran’s painful history, understood his strong reaction. Simultaneously, Chu Yun, alone at work, saw photos of the happy gathering, confirming her suspicion that Ding Ang had intentionally kept her occupied.
Recalling Shen Shuangshuang’s advice about an out-of-court settlement for her current lawsuit, Chu Yun immediately contacted Mr. Gao, the opposing team’s manager. She offered to deliberately underperform in the upcoming Esports competition, ensuring his team’s victory, in exchange for an out-of-court settlement for her case. Later, Jin Ran confided in Yuan Lai about his father.
He revealed that he had once secretly observed his father, who appeared genuinely happy with his new wife and children – a happiness Jin Ran felt his father had never shared with him or his mother. This encounter solidified Jin Ran’s resolve never to acknowledge him. He expressed concern that Yuan Lai might view him as unfilial or selfish for this decision.
Yuan Lai, however, showed deep understanding, stating that true comprehension between individuals, be it family or lovers, requires a lifetime of effort. The next day, during the national Esports competition, Ding Ang’s team was on the verge of victory. Despite Ding Ang’s repeated calls for Chu Yun to join the critical team fight, she deliberately returned to base, citing lack of energy, even though commentators noted her in-game stats showed otherwise.
Her actions led directly to Ding Ang’s team losing the championship. After the match, Xinyi furiously confronted Chu Yun, accusing her of sabotaging the team with deep scheming. Ding Ang, upset by Xinyi’s public accusations, angrily defended Chu Yun, leading to a heated argument between the couple. Xinyi, deeply hurt, stormed off. Ding Ang went to a bar to drink his sorrows away.
Chu Yun appeared, offering an apology, then physically initiated contact with him, ultimately taking the intoxicated Ding Ang to a hotel. The following morning, Ms. Hua sought out Yuan Lai, entrusting her with a letter from Jin Ran’s father meant for Jin Ran. Ms. Hua, now older, expressed that while she understood Jin Ran’s hatred, she herself had come to terms with the past.
She believed the letter might offer some closure for them and urged Yuan Lai not to give up on her relationship with Jin Ran, emphasizing the rarity of true love. Soon after, Yuan Lai, on a business errand, arrived at a hotel to deliver a contract to a client. To her shock, she witnessed Ding Ang and Chu Yun exiting a room in close succession.
Disturbed, Yuan Lai called Shen Shuangshuang, learning that Shuangshuang and Chu Yun were heading to a café for Chu Yun’s out-of-court settlement. Yuan Lai quickly made her way there. The opposing party, to Shuangshuang’s surprise, readily agreed to the settlement terms. Yuan Lai, after sending Shuangshuang to the restroom, confronted Chu Yun about her presence at the hotel with Ding Ang.
Chu Yun, with chilling arrogance, declared she no longer loved Jin Ran but had fallen for Ding Ang, brazenly claiming Ding Ang’s heart was now hers and that he could get a divorce. She taunted Yuan Lai to worry more about Xinyi. Enraged by Chu Yun’s audacity, Yuan Lai slapped her, issuing a stern warning against further manipulation. Shuangshuang, returning, was confused by the scene.
Chu Yun, feigning victimhood, twisted the narrative, implying Yuan Lai was irrationally attacking her over Jin Ran and further poisoning Shuangshuang’s mind by questioning Chengzhi’s true feelings for Yuan Lai. Worried, Yuan Lai tried to call Ding Ang, but his phone was off. She contacted his studio, learning he was taking several days off from work. Still concerned for Xinyi, Yuan Lai visited their home. She found Ding Ang and Xinyi appearing affectionate and seemingly undisturbed.
Ding Ang casually mentioned turning off his phone due to media pressure after the loss. Seeing them outwardly happy, Yuan Lai left, choosing not to reveal what she had witnessed at the hotel, though she felt very uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Shuangshuang proudly informed Chengzhi about successfully securing the out-of-court settlement for Chu Yun. Chengzhi, however, expressed suspicion, questioning why the other party conceded so easily and if she had signed any documents, highlighting her inexperience compared to Yuan Lai.
Shuangshuang took offense, feeling Chengzhi lacked trust in her. Just then, Chengzhi received a call from the Impression Photography Competition, announcing his win for the Best Creative Award. Believing it to be a scam, he hung up. Shuangshuang quickly clarified that she had submitted his work, making Chengzhi ecstatically happy. To celebrate, Chengzhi decided to organize a gathering at Gu Yang’s café, but his first call was to Yuan Lai, which made Shuangshuang visibly jealous.
