The First Frost Episode 23 Recap
> The First Frost Recap
After his graduation ceremony at Nanwu University, Sang Yan's family searched for him, but he indicated he had plans to meet friends. Meanwhile, at Yihe University, Wen Yifan was taking graduation photos with her classmates amidst light rain. She felt a fleeting sense of Sang Yan's presence in the crowd and, upon hearing a classmate mention a handsome guy, she too became distracted.
She later wondered if she had indeed seen him there, watching her from afar before quietly leaving as soon as she turned to look. Su Hao'an experienced a warm family gathering at Zhong Siqiao's house. Despite some good-natured teasing from Grandpa about table manners and his unmarried status, Su Hao'an expressed his genuine joy at sharing a meal with the lively family.
He confessed that the atmosphere reminded him of his late father and how he used to contemplate giving up, but now he understood that hope and dreams can only exist if one chooses to live. Later, as Wen Yifan headed to the "Overtime" restaurant to meet Sang Yan, she had an unwelcome encounter with Che Xingde, her aunt Che Yanqin's brother, on the stairs.
He called her by a nickname, "Shuangjiang," and confronted her, accusing her of ignoring him previously and reminding her of his past support. Sang Yan quickly intervened, and when Che Xingde grabbed Wen Yifan's arm, Sang Yan loudly demanded he let go. With other colleagues stepping in to support Sang Yan, Che Xingde, outnumbered, reluctantly retreated, though not without a parting threat, "see you next time."
Sang Yan checked on a visibly distressed Wen Yifan, who, attempting to downplay the incident, explained that Che Xingde was merely her aunt's brother, not a true uncle, and a disreputable person she barely knew. She assured Sang Yan that she could handle it and there was nothing serious, but he advised her to treat Che Xingde as a complete stranger if he ever appeared again.
That night, Sang Yan found Wen Yifan sleepwalking in the living room, silently weeping while staring intently at a wall clock. Concerned, he wondered aloud why she always cried in her sleep and whether she was afraid to be alone. He gently led her back to her room, promising to leave his door open so she could come directly to him if she ever felt scared.
When he tried to leave her room, she instinctively pulled him back, holding his hand. Sensing her need for comfort, he asked if she wanted him to stay and then suggested they go to his room. The next morning, Wen Yifan woke up in Sang Yan's bed, embracing him.
Confused, she asked why he was there, but he playfully turned the question back on her, teasing that she was the one who had sleepwalked into his room, pulled back his blanket, and "carried him over." He joked about her "super strength" in her sleep. Wen Yifan laughed off her embarrassment, acknowledging his "manly" strength.
As he prepared breakfast, Wen Yifan explicitly asked Sang Yan to ignore Che Xingde if he ever came to "Overtime" again, regardless of what he said or demanded. Sang Yan reassured her that he only spoke to her and that no one else, man or woman, could take anything from him. Wen Yifan was alarmed to discover Che Xingde working as a security guard at her TV station.
Her colleague, Mu Chengyun, explained that Che Xingde had recently been hired due to increased crime in the area and was perceived as honest and helpful. Later that evening, after working late on a draft, Wen Yifan was leaving the station when Che Xingde ambushed her. He confronted her, insisting their past conflicts were merely "misunderstandings" and shamelessly blamed her for his current "worthless" life, questioning if she had sabotaged her college or relationship with a "rich boyfriend."
He declared he was "dying" and demanded her help. When Wen Yifan tried to walk away, Che Xingde aggressively grabbed her and shoved her against a wall, threatening to spread false rumors that she had seduced him and tried to kill him, adding that he had "nothing to lose." Fortunately, Mu Chengyun arrived to pick Wen Yifan up for his farewell party, interrupting Che Xingde's menacing outburst.
At Mu Chengyun's farewell dinner, Sang Yan unexpectedly appeared, claiming he was hungry after finishing work and had no one to eat with. As Wen Yifan spoke with him, she received a text from her mother, Zhao Yuandong, informing her that Che Xingde had been in a car accident, damaging a shop, but had since found a "decent job" and was now staying with her, assuring Wen Yifan there was no need to worry.
Wen Yifan confided in Sang Yan about her sadness after visiting children with rare diseases earlier that day, lamenting their young age and the lack of expression in their faces when confronting mortality. Later that night, Che Xingde returned to Zhao Yuandong's house. After he went upstairs, Zhao Yuandong subtly advised Zheng Kejia to ensure her clothes were properly worn.
A crisis erupted at "Overtime" when the Market Supervision Bureau and Nanwu TV reporters arrived to investigate a food poisoning complaint. Sang Yan, the owner, calmly addressed the officials and the accusing customer, who alleged that a dish served had caused his friend severe illness. The customer demanded compensation and the closure of the business, threatening to escalate the story to the news and labeling "Overtime" as a "heartless business."
Sang Yan agreed to cover all medical expenses and compensation but firmly stipulated that if the investigation cleared "Overtime," the customer must publicly apologize and retract his statements. During the bustling investigation, Sang Yan noticed Che Xingde lingering at the entrance. He discreetly pulled aside Fu Zhuang, one of the reporters, and specifically asked him not to inform Wen Yifan about the incident.
The food poisoning incident was, in fact, an act of revenge orchestrated by Che Xingde, still resentful from his earlier humiliation at "Overtime." He had conspired with others, promising them a share of the compensation money if they amplified the false food poisoning claims. As a result of the investigation and public outcry, "Overtime" was sealed.
Zhong Siqiao quickly called Wen Yifan to inform her, relaying what she had learned from Su Hao'an – that a customer had claimed food poisoning, demanded compensation, and summoned reporters. Wen Yifan immediately suspected Che Xingde. Her suspicions were reinforced when her mother, Zhao Yuandong, sent a message, relaying Che Xingde's biased view that all restaurant owners are "not good people" and that "Overtime" is "not a respectable place." Zhao Yuandong then warned Wen Yifan against associating with "shady people."
Wen Yifan, now certain, directly called her mother to ask if Che Xingde had been to "Overtime," but Zhao Yuandong feigned ignorance. Undeterred by the pouring rain, Wen Yifan arrived at Zhao Yuandong's house, making it unequivocally clear that this was her final visit. She declared her refusal to interact with any of them again, asserting they should live their own lives and keep her entirely out of their affairs, stating their well-being was "none of my business."
When Che Yanqin attempted to invoke their past "kindness" and "upbringing," Wen Yifan fiercely countered, demanding to know how they had truly raised her. She reminded Che Yanqin that her own father had paid for Che Yanqin's surgery and her son Wen Ming's tuition, never asking for repayment. She then turned to Zhao Yuandong, accusing her mother of having the means to raise her but "not having the courage to do so."
Dismissing their concerns about her "turning bad" as "too late," Wen Yifan issued a final, unyielding threat: if Che Yanqin or Che Xingde dared to harass her or anyone close to her again, she would "fight them to the death."
