Ten Years Late Episode 33 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
After the tumultuous dinner organized by Zhao Chengzhi, only Jin Ran and Yuan Lai remained. Yuan Lai was overcome with self-blame, convinced that she was the root of all the problems. She expressed the bitter irony of history repeating itself, noting how Chu Yun's actions four years ago led to their estrangement, and now, with Chu Yun's return, they were once again facing similar troubles.
Yuan Lai also regretted not confiding in Xinyi and felt she had failed to protect her friend. Jin Ran tried to console her, promising to resolve all the issues and assuring her they would not repeat past mistakes, emphasizing that they were no longer impulsive adolescents. Unbeknownst to them, Gu Yang was secretly taking photos of their interaction. Meanwhile, Ding Ang relentlessly pursued Xinyi, trying to explain the situation, but Xinyi remained unyielding.
She tearfully pushed him away, reminding him of her strong dislike for Chu Yun and her previous warnings. Despite Ding Ang's desperate apologies, his claims of being drunk, and his assurances that nothing had happened with Chu Yun, Xinyi declared their relationship over. After a night of contemplation, Xinyi decided to leave Ding Ang. Ding Ang awoke to find her gone, discovering only a letter she had left on his suitcase.
In it, Xinyi requested a peaceful life, free from the drama. Zhao Chengzhi, hoping to reconcile with Shen Shuangshuang, waited all night outside her door. When she emerged, still angry despite seeing his exhausted state, Chengzhi tried various tactics to win her over, even comically belittling himself. He followed her inside, where he attempted a serious conversation. He clarified that his concern for Yuan Lai was born solely from their decade-long friendship, without any romantic intentions.
Regarding the incident where he pulled Yuan Lai instead of Shuangshuang, he claimed he hadn't seen Shuangshuang behind him and would have instinctively protected her first. Shuangshuang countered, asking if he hadn't heard her calling him multiple times. Chengzhi playfully, but poorly, suggested she had used telepathy, which only further angered Shuangshuang, causing her to storm off. Yuan Lai met Xinyi, apologizing for her concealment.
Xinyi mused that even if she had known sooner, the outcome likely wouldn't have been different. She expressed frustration that despite her clear warnings, Ding Ang had still allowed Chu Yun to approach him. Yuan Lai, once again, took all the blame, assuring Xinyi that Ding Ang would never betray her. She pleaded with Xinyi to reconcile, arguing it would be the strongest blow against Chu Yun.
Xinyi, however, sidestepped the discussion about Ding Ang, instead asking Yuan Lai to accompany her shopping for baby items. Later, while Yuan Lai was with Xinyi, Ms. Hua called her, asking her to come to their old house. After Xinyi departed, Yuan Lai made her way there. Unbeknownst to Yuan Lai, Ms. Hua had also called Jin Ran, inviting him to the same location, a deliberate arrangement by Ms. Hua.
Ms. Hua met Chu Yun for coffee, and they reminisced about old times. Ms. Hua, seeing the online rumors about Chu Yun and Ding Ang, advised Chu Yun, as a public figure, to be mindful of her image. Chu Yun confessed her hatred for Yuan Lai, believing she had stolen Jin Ran. She lamented her ruined future after accidentally injuring Yuan Lai’s mother, claiming everyone now avoided her.
Ms. Hua comforted Chu Yun, promising continued support from herself and Jin Ran, but sternly warned her against malicious actions, emphasizing the importance of kindness and integrity, to which Chu Yun outwardly agreed. At the old house, Yuan Lai found Jin Ran, realizing Ms. Hua's intention to bring them together. The old courtyard had been lovingly maintained by their neighbors. Jin Ran suggested they unearth the time capsule they buried long ago.
Though the box was rusty, the photos and a letter inside, filled with their memories, were preserved. Yuan Lai read Jin Ran’s letter, which she had once forced him to write. It expressed his heartfelt hopes for their future, his belief that they would never separate, and his promise to find and embrace her if they ever did. Deeply moved, Yuan Lai was about to embrace Jin Ran when a child interrupted, looking for a ball.
Embarrassed, Yuan Lai quickly excused herself, citing an urgent proposal for Lan Town, and left. Chu Yun then met with Gu Sa, admitting her efforts to separate Jin Ran and Yuan Lai had been unsuccessful due to their strong bond. Gu Sa, mocking Chu Yun's incompetence, offered her personal assistance. Chu Yun tried to argue that she was helping Gu Sa, but was swayed by the offer of a role in an upcoming film Gu Sa was investing in.
Gu Sa then gave Chu Yun a specific photo and instructed her to visit photographer Mike. Xinyi, still refusing Ding Ang's calls and texts, overheard colleagues gossiping about Ding Ang's alleged infidelity and the troubles of marrying into wealth while in the company restroom. The rumors further hardened her resolve. Shuangshuang sought advice from her friend, Xiaotong, questioning if Chengzhi truly loved her.
Xiaotong reassured her, pointing out Chengzhi's significant changes since they started dating, such as no longer socializing with his male friends after work and devoting all his time to Shuangshuang. Xiaotong also highlighted how Shuangshuang had become more accomplished in her legal career due to Chengzhi's supportive presence, arguing that Chengzhi would never force himself into a relationship he didn't genuinely desire.
Despite the logical reasoning, Shuangshuang still felt unhappy and insisted on having dinner with Xiaotong without mentioning Chengzhi's name. Undeterred, Chengzhi persisted in his attempts to win Shuangshuang back. He gave her several "520" RMB red envelopes from his recent photography competition bonus, jokingly calling it the first "pot of gold" for their future home. This gesture secretly delighted Shuangshuang.
As Shuangshuang left work, Chengzhi enthusiastically photographed her, declaring that she had reignited his passion for photography and he would title the photo series "Start of Dream." Although Shuangshuang feigned annoyance, she couldn't help but secretly admire the photos later. Suddenly, Chengzhi received a call from the Impression Photography Competition organizers, informing him that his winning work was suspected of plagiarism due to alleged similarities with a piece titled "Return."
Chengzhi was astonished by the accusation, as the themes of the two works were entirely different, with only the composition cited as a similarity. Suspecting a deliberate act, he immediately called Ding Ang, noting their recent string of troubles and suggesting it was all part of a larger scheme. In the parking garage, Ding Ang spotted Xinyi ending Chengzhi's call. He confronted her, desperately trying to explain that Chu Yun's actions were a setup and nothing had happened between them.
Xinyi stated that she no longer wanted to live amidst gossip and that his behavior had brought immense distress, emphasizing her desire for their child to grow up in a peaceful environment. Ding Ang agreed, insisting that their reconciliation was the only way to counter the rumors. Pushed to her limits, Xinyi warned him not to pressure her, implying she would harm herself if he did. Fearing for Xinyi and their unborn child, Ding Ang let her go.
Xinyi drove off, but Ding Ang, unwilling to give up, pursued her. He cut her off, blocking her path. Xinyi initially sped towards him but ultimately stopped her car. She then stepped out, threw her car keys to Ding Ang, and walked away alone. Meanwhile, Ji Aoting was drowning in the crisis of Lan Town. He received a call from an investor, Mr. Hu, threatening legal action for losses, who then hung up.
His secretary delivered more bad news: the Construction Group was withdrawing from the greening project, willing to pay penalties, and another investor, Mr. James, was sending lawyers to discuss withdrawal and compensation. Overwhelmed, Ji Aoting instructed his assistant to tell Bob, who had flown to Beijing seeking new partners, to take his time.
Looking at a sailboat in a glass bottle on his desk, Ji Aoting recalled his first meeting with Yuan Lai, where he offered to mentor her at Feitu, impressed by her passion for tourism and vision for making travel a lifestyle in China. He tried to call Yuan Lai, but she didn't answer.
