The Sweetest Secret Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Sweetest Secret Synopsis
Tang Weiwei was 27 when she graduated with a master’s degree in psychology and intended to pursue her doctoral studies, but was severely prevented from doing so by her family.
Tong’s father takes away her diploma and stifles her daughter’s dream of getting a Ph.D., and gives her an order that she must get married before she turns 28.
Tong Weiwei has just broken up with her boyfriend, and she is faced with her father’s urging for marriage and the fact that she has been forced to suspend her studies due to the urging, and she begins to reject marriage and in love again.
As a graduate student in psychology, she is suffering from mental illness. In order to regulate herself, Tang Weiwei does the most arbitrary thing – she starts her own business and opens a dessert store called “Heard”.
As she has just entered society from school, she is not used to it and is at a loss for words.
It is at this time that Lin Yan appears – this little brother, who is five years younger than her and is hanging around in her memory, lights up Tong Weiwei’s world with all his heat and light.
The Sweetest Secret Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Tang Weiwei called Lin Ran, asking about the location of her book, "The Definitive Book of Body Language". Without hesitation, Lin Ran informed her it was the second book from the left on her bookshelf. Tang Weiwei, a psychology enthusiast, attempted to scientifically explain his exceptional memory, but Lin Ran playfully dismissed her academic dissection. He then urged her to look at the exceptionally bright stars that night, believing their beauty could lift her spirits.
Tang Weiwei, however, was focused on her studies. With unwavering patience, Lin Ran advised her to get some rest and gently sang her a lullaby over the phone. As Tang Weiwei drifted off to sleep, soothed by his melodic voice, Lin Ran softly whispered "Happy birthday" into the phone, marking the special occasion. The following morning, as Tang Weiwei was leaving her home, Lin Ran intercepted her, pulling her along.
Although she had other plans, Tang Weiwei realized it was her birthday and, unable to resist Lin Ran, reluctantly followed him. He led her to a beautifully decorated spot and, surrounded by Asiatic apple blossoms, confessed his feelings. " I like you," he told her, expressing his desire to bring her and the flowers home, to plant the flowers in his yard and keep her in his heart. He then asked if she would accept his confession this year.
Tang Weiwei felt a flutter in her heart but, remembering how she had always seen him as a younger brother, quickly sat on a nearby bench, declaring that she needed three minutes to calm down and avoid any impulsive reactions. She then explained that she had a blind date arranged by her father and had to leave, fearing her graduation certificate would be withheld if she didn't comply.
To prevent her from going, Lin Ran, who had a known sugar allergy, pulled out a handful of candy and began eating it. Tang Weiwei, alarmed by his actions, immediately pulled him home, abandoning her blind date. Lin Ran then gloated, expecting her gratitude for helping her escape the forced encounter.
Annoyed, Tang Weiwei pinched his ear, warning him that if he ever pulled such a stunt again, she would force-feed him a box of glucose, effectively "sending him to heaven." As Lin Ran walked her downstairs, he noted his increased height, suggesting that he was no longer a child and urged her to seriously consider his feelings.
Tang Weiwei, however, found it hard to believe a confession made on April Fool's Day by the boy she had always treated as her little brother. When Lin Ran pressed her on what it would take for her to believe him, she declared she would only believe his April Fool's Day confession when he could consume candy without issue.
That night, after bidding farewell to Lin Ran and returning home, Tang Weiwei was tormented by dreams of Lin Ran comically sabotaging her blind dates. Before she could properly wake, her father's loud voice jolted her out of bed, urging her to get ready for another blind date. Exhausted from battling "demons" both in her dreams and in reality, she reluctantly complied and was ushered out the door by her father, who wished her good luck.
Meanwhile, Lin Ran, watching Tang Weiwei depart with Dong Zhe, quickly snapped photos of the pair and sent them to Tang Weiwei with a stern warning. Tang Weiwei, worried Lin Ran would follow, hailed a taxi, but Dong Zhe, her eccentric date, insisted on taking a public bus to save money. A bus soon arrived, and Tang Weiwei got on, with Dong Zhe following.
On the bus, Dong Zhe complained about Tang Weiwei's lack of planning, mentioning that she had stood him up the previous day and now altered their plans, rendering his free lunch vouchers useless. The bus's final stop was a hot spring hotel, a destination Dong Zhe deemed too expensive, immediately suggesting they split the costs, even for a first date.
Tang Weiwei, overwhelmed by his peculiar behavior, desperately texted for help, prompting her friend Li Xiang to swiftly arrive at the hotel and rescue her from the awkward situation. Shortly after, Lin Ran also arrived at the hotel, surprising Tang Weiwei by emerging from the water. Dong Zhe, who already seemed to consider Tang Weiwei his woman, became furious upon seeing her with Lin Ran and aggressively began pulling at her.
Frustrated by both men, Tang Weiwei demanded they both let go simultaneously. Lin Ran cunningly feigned releasing her but instead pulled her into a tight embrace. Enraged, Dong Zhe grabbed a nearby cake and threw it at Lin Ran. Fearing for Lin Ran's safety, Tang Weiwei immediately rushed him home. Once they were alone, Tang Weiwei confronted Lin Ran, noting that despite consuming sugar, he appeared fine.
Lin Ran admitted he had not lied but merely presented a situation she couldn't discern as a deception. He apologized for ruining things the previous day and wished her a happy birthday, explaining that he plans a birthday confession every year and ruins it himself because he has a complete intolerance to lactose. He added that doctors have found no medical reason for his "saccharophobia," despite numerous visits.
He reflected on their six-year age gap, suggesting their unique relationship might be a "destined entanglement." Lin Ran then told her to stop attending blind dates, remarking that with her qualities, she wouldn't find anyone decent, which Tang Weiwei retorted by telling him to mind his own business. Tang Weiwei complained about his nagging, then shifted to questioning why "he" wasn't attending his classes.
Lin Ran dismissed her concerns, playfully accusing her of nagging like his mother, and implied he was free to take care of her because his own mother was busy with scientific research. Nevertheless, Tang Weiwei agreed to meet him at Starry Sky Town the next day. However, Tang Weiwei had forgotten about a class reunion. Li Xiang reminded her and, after Tang Weiwei tried to cancel, insisted that she attend, making it impossible to refuse.
This meant Tang Weiwei had to stand up Lin Ran, much to his frustration. At the reunion, when classmates asked about her boyfriend, Tang Weiwei awkwardly admitted she had none, drawing amusement from her peers. Just then, Lin Ran burst into the room and, in front of everyone, kissed Tang Weiwei, declaring himself her boyfriend. This dramatic entrance, however, was immediately interrupted by Dong Zhe's mother, who was also present, angrily accusing Lin Ran of being a "homewrecker" and immoral.
Episode 2 Recap
At a class reunion, Tang Weiwei arrived late, prompting her old classmates to demand she drink three glasses of wine as a penalty, knowing she would undergo a transformation when drunk. While her classmates teased her about her tardiness and whispered with Li Xiang, Tang Weiwei apologized, explaining she had been delayed by some matters. Her classmates continued to press her to drink.
Li Xiang stepped in, asserting that it was 2020 and women's worth shouldn't be tied to their age or relationship status, adding that Tang Weiwei already had a boyfriend. The classmates scoffed, asking why she hadn't brought him along. Suddenly, Lin Ran called Tang Weiwei, repeatedly asking where she was and demanding she come out. Tang Weiwei excused herself to answer, but her classmates pressed her further, asking about her "elite" boyfriend and boasting about their own husbands' prominent positions.
Tang Weiwei, under pressure, admitted she didn't have a boyfriend, which only drew more mockery. Just then, Lin Ran dramatically entered, cutting off the teasing. " Who says she has no boyfriend?" he challenged. The classmates recognized him, calling him "Lin Ran" and referring to him as Tang Weiwei's "lackey," wondering why she would bring him to save face.
They brought up his past popularity with girls and the six or seven-year age gap between him and Tang Weiwei, questioning if she "deserved a young boy." Lin Ran, defending Tang Weiwei, retorted, "Why doesn't she deserve me? If she doesn't deserve me, how about you?" The uncomfortable classmates tried to ease the tension, and Tang Weiwei retreated to the washroom. Inside, she replayed Lin Ran's words, a part of her charmed, another part telling herself, "No way.
Not Lin Ran." Lin Ran waited outside, suggesting they leave the unpleasant gathering. Tang Weiwei hesitated, remembering her bag, but Lin Ran already had it in hand, fulfilling his role as her "boyfriend." They left together. As they walked, Lin Ran noticed Tang Weiwei was quite tipsy. She insisted she was fine. They then encountered a large dog. Lin Ran, attempting to protect Tang Weiwei, ended up panicking and jumping onto a bench.
Amused, Tang Weiwei teased him for still being scared of dogs despite his age. Later, as Lin Ran was helping a very drunk Tang Weiwei home, they ran into Dong Zhe and his mother outside her house. Dong Zhe's mother immediately started criticizing Tang Weiwei's house for being too small, demanding that she sell it after marriage to help with a down payment on a bigger house near theirs.
She also expected Tang Weiwei to learn to cook local dishes, as she herself had diabetes and perform household chores for her. She also accused Lin Ran of being a "male third wheel." Lin Ran, hearing talk of "marriage," asked Tang Weiwei for an explanation. Tang Weiwei, fueled by alcohol and irritation, kissed Lin Ran directly to spite them.
She declared it was her house and she could do what she pleased, and that Lin Ran was her "brother" whom she was "involved" with. Dong Zhe's mother, enraged, scolded Tang Weiwei for her lack of manners, while Dong Zhe worried about his mother's heart and threatened Tang Weiwei. Not to be outdone, Tang Weiwei, recalling Lin Ran's sugar allergy, intentionally fed him sugar to drive Dong Zhe and his mother away.
Lin Ran resisted, but she forced the sugar into his mouth. Seeing his distress, Dong Zhe and his mother quickly accused Tang Weiwei of harming him and fled. Lin Ran collapsed, and Tang Weiwei frantically checked on him. Later at the emergency center, a nurse announced that Lin Ran at Bed 24 was awake. A drunken Gu Zhen, mistaking Tang Weiwei for someone named "Miao Miao," called out to her.
Tang Weiwei, finding him sprawled on the floor, told him to get up. Gu Zhen begged "Miao Miao" not to leave. Lin Ran, complaining about Tang Weiwei feeding him sugar, sarcastically asked if she did it for a "hospital encounter," but she urged him to help. Lin Ran demanded she call him "brother" first, which she reluctantly did. Gu Zhen then pulled Tang Weiwei, saying he liked "sassy girls," and tried to hug her, but Lin Ran intervened angrily.
Gu Zhen even recognized Lin Ran as someone from a racing circuit that "Miao Miao" frequented, causing Lin Ran to worry that Tang Weiwei would discover his racing hobby. At that moment, Jin Zichuan, Gu Zhen's cousin, arrived. Li Xiang, who had mistakenly gotten into Jin Zichuan's car earlier because her ride was in a car accident, followed him into the hospital. Li Xiang, now seeing Jin Zichuan again, mistakenly accused him of trying to pick her up.
Jin Zichuan clarified he was also going to the hospital, to the third floor. Jin Zichuan scolded Gu Zhen for his disruptive behavior and threatened to freeze his bank accounts until he apologized to the "victim." Li Xiang, reflecting on her disastrous evening, decided that Jin Zichuan might be a suitable partner for Tang Weiwei and sent him a message, paying him thirteen yuan for the ride and a two-yuan tip.
Back at school, Tang Weiwei sought out her teacher, explaining she couldn't find her graduation certificate and pleading for an exception or a reissued proof so she could register for her PhD program. The teacher, however, explained that the school had no precedent for late submissions and advised her to keep searching. Tang Weiwei felt a wave of despair, wondering what she would do if she couldn't register.
Lin Ran called her, complaining about her using a "flash delivery" service for his clothes and sending him something unsuitable, but Tang Weiwei reiterated her urgent need to secure her PhD registration. Lin Ran playfully called her "Tang Gege" (Tang Pigeon) for standing him up so many times. He told her to go home, promising to finish his three medical checks and then return to help her figure things out.
Upon returning home, Tang Weiwei found Dong Zhe waiting for her. He explained he had brought "betrothal gifts"—a few cheaply bought items from the market—after researching online and brazenly demanded a dowry of "hundreds of thousands" from her. He considered them engaged, implying she had no other options at her age. Tang Weiwei, disgusted, firmly rejected him, stating clearly, "Mr. Dong, we don't suit each other, and we won't get married. Take your things and leave."
Meanwhile, Lin Ran, back at the hospital, discovered a large gift box addressed "To Lin Ran." He pondered if Tang Weiwei had "finally realized the good in him," feeling happy she had prepared a gift. He then mused that he had already come up with a solution for her problem but intended to "claim some benefit" first, adding, "I like rabbits the most."
Episode 3 Recap
```text Lin Ran returned to his apartment complex to find a massive gift box addressed "TO Lin Ran" in the lobby. He thought Tang Weiwei had finally opened up to him and was touched, anticipating a sweet romance. However, Gu Zhen, who was hiding inside the box, immediately emerged, startled by Lin Ran's words, and urged Lin Ran to keep his distance. Annoyed, Lin Ran's temper flared, and the two began to scuffle.
Gu Zhen accused Lin Ran of embarrassing him and interrupting his confession, vowing to teach him a lesson since he was no longer ill. Meanwhile, Dong Zhe was at Tang Weiwei's home, making demanding statements. When he saw Tang Weiwei trying to call Lin Ran on her phone, he rudely snatched it, accusing her of having another man. Tang Weiwei demanded her phone back, but Dong Zhe refused, claiming his right as her boyfriend to check it.
Lin Ran, hearing the commotion on the phone, rushed to Tang Weiwei's apartment and punched Dong Zhe. Dong Zhe retaliated, leading to a brawl that resulted in Lin Ran, Tang Weiwei, and a protesting Gu Zhen being taken to the police station to write self-criticism statements. Gu Zhen felt aggrieved, having only intended to apologize to Lin Ran.
When Jin Zichuan called Gu Zhen to inquire about the situation, Gu Zhen panicked, worried his frozen bank account would remain so, and quickly explained that Lin Ran and others were at fault. Dong Zhe's mother soon arrived, loudly proclaiming her son was harmed and demanding to know what Tang Weiwei had done. She accused Tang Weiwei of having a scandalous relationship with Lin Ran, despite her son bringing a dowry.
Lin Ran, aiming to provoke her, confirmed there was some truth to her claims. Dong Zhe's mother continued her aggressive verbal attacks, prompting a police officer to warn her to watch her language. Tang Weiwei stepped forward, clarifying that Lin Ran was her brother and there was no improper relationship. She emphasized that even if there were, it was none of Dong Zhe and his mother's concern.
She recounted their persistent harassment and recent assault, asking if their actions were not a little shameless. Tang Weiwei firmly declared an end to all contact, stating that since they disliked each other, further interaction was unnecessary, and reserved the right to pursue legal action for their continuous harassment. Witnessing the mother and son's behavior, the police officers looked on disapprovingly, causing Dong Zhe and his mother to finally feel some embarrassment before leaving.
Later, as Tang Weiwei massaged Lin Ran's injuries, he sensed her unspoken concern. Lin Ran advised her to stop going on blind dates. Tang Weiwei, however, expressed her distress, explaining that without continuing the blind dates, retrieving her graduation certificate seemed impossible, and if she couldn't take her doctoral exams, she didn't know what else she could do. Lin Ran, understanding her worries, offered his help but jokingly demanded she call him "brother" in return.
Tang Weiwei, disbelieving, playfully pinched his injury, making him yelp in pain. The next day in class, Lin Ran was distracted, still thinking about the "benefits" Tang Weiwei owed him. When the professor called on him to describe the characteristics of Russian art development, Ji Han tried to whisper "mood landscape" as a hint, but the professor caught her and made her stand.
Lin Ran, unable to answer the first question, smoothly answered the second question about Neo-Impressionism's characteristics, citing its opposition to mixing colors on a palette and its advocacy for color splitting, associating it with pointillism or divisionism. After class, Lin Ran noticed students trying to approach Ji Han and expressed frustration that despite their pact to fend off admirers, people were still persistent.
He then asked Ji Han to cover two of his classes, calling it a "top secret" mission, promising her milk tea in return before rushing off. Lin Ran then called Tang Weiwei, reminding her of the "benefits" he was due and threatening her graduation certificate if she didn't accompany him. He took her to an amusement park, calling it the "oriental fantasy paradise," where they could get closer.
Tang Weiwei initially thought it strange to pursue her certificate there, but Lin Ran claimed he took her out because she had been having a tough time. However, he soon revealed he had a plan for her certificate and again demanded a reward. Tang Weiwei bought him a bunny plushie. As they enjoyed the park, Tang Weiwei felt a bittersweet joy, watching Lin Ran unable to eat the sweets she enjoyed due to his allergy.
She suggested he try desensitization treatment, which he attempted but ended up scratching himself, prompting her to soothe him. Lin Ran then suggested that since she couldn't pursue her doctorate, she could open her own shop, praising her ability to spread sweetness. Tang Weiwei, however, remained resolute, asserting that no one could stop her from pursuing her doctorate and reminding Lin Ran to fulfill his promise to retrieve her certificate. Lin Ran assured her he would.
Later that night, Lin Ran stealthily tried to retrieve Tang Weiwei's certificate from her house, whispering to her that the most dangerous place was the safest. They searched in the dark with a flashlight until Tang Weiwei's father caught them. He told Lin Ran to "get out", then he chastised Tang Weiwei for trusting Lin Ran.
The following day, Gu Zhen's persistent search for Lin Ran escalated to broadcasting messages across the campus, prompting students to ask about his relationship with Lin Ran. Gu Zhen claimed Lin Ran was like a brother to him. Lin Ran, trying to avoid Gu Zhen, locked him in a restroom. Later, returning to his apartment complex, Lin Ran encountered Gu Zhen again.
Desperate, Gu Zhen pleaded with Lin Ran, revealing he had waited three days and nights and promised to stop bothering him if Lin Ran would tell Jin Zichuan that he had forgiven him, thus unfreezing his bank card. Lin Ran agreed and followed Gu Zhen. At Jin Zichuan's office, Gu Zhen immediately claimed to have repented and asked Lin Ran to confirm it.
Lin Ran, however, contradicted him, telling Jin Zichuan that he should restrict Gu Zhen's personal freedom along with his finances, citing Gu Zhen's flyer distribution at his school and making him unable to return home. Jin Zichuan, after sending Gu Zhen away to explain, apologized to Lin Ran for his cousin's behavior and assured him he would keep a closer eye on Gu Zhen. Then, he subtly inquired if Tang Weiwei was Lin Ran's sister.
Lin Ran, pretending to despise Tang Weiwei, described her as having low emotional intelligence, being irritating, and a pathological liar, advising Jin Zichuan not to be interested in such a "horrible person." As he left, Lin Ran internally fumed about the increasing number of people interested in Tang Weiwei, realizing he was already 22 and it was time for him to be in a relationship.
Upon returning to Tang Weiwei's home, Lin Ran found her father sifting through a new batch of blind date profiles. Lin Ran began to criticize each candidate severely, prompting Tang father to question his taste. Lin Ran then expressed his sadness at seeing Tang father at the blind date corner, announcing that Tang Weiwei already had a boyfriend whom she hadn't told him about. Tang father eagerly asked for details about this mysterious boyfriend.
Lin Ran described himself: "His last name is Lin. 184 cm. 22 years old." Tang father dismissed it as a joke, but Lin Ran pressed on, arguing that their childhood friendship and long-standing acquaintance made him a suitable match. Tang father vehemently disagreed, stating that while they weren't blood-related, Lin Ran was like a younger brother whom Tang Weiwei had watched grow up. As Tang father turned to leave, Lin Ran suddenly dropped a bombshell, proclaiming, "Wei Wei is pregnant!" The revelation caused Tang father to stumble back in shock. ```
Episode 4 Recap
Tang Weiwei returned home to discover that Lin Ran had falsely claimed she was pregnant. She was furious, wishing she could have let a dog bite him to death, but for the sake of her graduation certificate, she eventually agreed to go along with the deception.
Lin Ran explained to her that he thought of this as a "perfect solution" to avoid further pressure from her father, since having a "boyfriend" and being "pregnant" would cover both marriage and baby expectations. Her father, Uncle Tang, was initially furious upon hearing the news from Lin Ran, calling him a rascal and trying to hit him.
Lin Ran quickly argued that if he left, the "child" would be fatherless, and questioned whether Uncle Tang would rather Dong Zhe be the father. Tang Weiwei interjected, telling her father that if he hadn't constantly forced her into blind dates, none of this would have happened. She argued that she now had a boyfriend he knew, and demanded her graduation certificate back.
Although still angry about the secret relationship, which they vaguely claimed started "last year" with the "pregnancy" discovered "last month," Uncle Tang eventually handed back her graduation certificate. He sternly gave Lin Ran a stack of prenatal education materials, warning him to study them and take care of Tang Weiwei, specifically mentioning "ten-week pregnancy check-ups" and "prenatal education starting next week." He threatened severe consequences if anything happened to her.
Excited to re-register, Tang Weiwei rushed to school with her documents, only to be informed by the teacher that the registration deadline had passed yesterday. The teacher promised to try and get her in but advised her to be mentally prepared for rejection. Meanwhile, Dong Zhe visited Uncle Tang, demanding to know how Tang Weiwei suddenly had a boyfriend when she was single just days ago.
Uncle Tang tried to calm him by offering fruits, but unfortunately, all the available fruits were green, leading Dong Zhe to angrily accuse Uncle Tang of implying he had been "cuckolded." He questioned if their arranged blind date still stood. Uncle Tang tried to kindly redirect him, saying Dong Zhe was a good man but he would introduce him to someone else.
Just then, Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei returned home, and Dong Zhe immediately started verbally abusing Tang Weiwei, calling her a "shameless woman." Lin Ran swiftly subdued Dong Zhe and forced him out of the house. As Dong Zhe continued to shout threats, Tang Weiwei stepped in, telling him that based on her "professional psychological evaluation," he was "mentally-ill." She threatened to call the police, have his information recorded, and inform his workplace if he continued to harass them.
Humiliated and angry, Dong Zhe accused her of cheating before finally leaving. Li Xiang was experiencing a career advancement as her editor-in-chief, who was changing jobs, offered her a promotion. To expand her social circle, the editor-in-chief provided Li Xiang with a highly sought-after ticket to an Entrepreneur Exchange party, emphasizing that many "young talents" would be present. Li Xiang saw this as an opportunity for Tang Weiwei as well.
Despite Tang Weiwei's desire to rest after her morning ordeal, Li Xiang insisted she get up, promising they might find "young and handsome men." At the party, Tang Weiwei was disappointed to find that most of the attendees, whom Li Xiang called "young talents," were actually middle-aged or older.
Li Xiang explained that as she was being promoted to editor-in-chief, networking was essential, and whether they were "old or young, they are all men," so it was "more or less the same." While Li Xiang networked, Tang Weiwei went to get some cake but accidentally bumped into a woman.
The woman, whom Jin Zichuan later addressed as Ms. Tang, furious about her expensive dress being stained, aggressively shouted at Tang Weiwei, asking if she was blind and stating Tang Weiwei couldn't afford to compensate her. Li Xiang defended Tang Weiwei, asking the woman why she had to be so mean. The woman then challenged Li Xiang and Tang Weiwei, demanding to know who they were and who let them into the exclusive event, before calling for security.
Just then, Jin Zichuan intervened, stating that Tang Weiwei and Li Xiang were his friends and apologizing for any offense. The woman's demeanor instantly shifted, and she quickly backed down. After the incident, Tang Weiwei, still feeling shaken, thanked Jin Zichuan profusely. He playfully teased her for her "act" of appearing fierce, to which she admitted feeling "heart was weak" and "pretentious."
To express their gratitude, Tang Weiwei and Li Xiang suggested treating him to dinner, with Tang Weiwei asking if tomorrow night would work. Jin Zichuan said he would check his schedule. Later, as the party ended and taxis were scarce, Jin Zichuan offered to drive them home, an offer they readily accepted. During the ride, Jin Zichuan subtly hinted at his intentions by asking Li Xiang who she thought he was trying to save, to which Li Xiang responded knowingly.
Tang Weiwei was mortified when her father made her and Lin Ran attend a prenatal yoga class, fearing public exposure of their fake pregnancy. Lin Ran warned her that Uncle Tang was right behind them, so they had to comply. The instructor introduced their "supreme maternity training package" and guided Lin Ran through massaging Tang Weiwei's legs to prevent swelling. Later, the instructor asked Lin Ran to kiss Tang Weiwei's belly and greet their "little angel."
Tang Weiwei endured the intimate moment with immense shyness, aware of her father's watchful eye. Uncle Tang, however, soon excused himself, looking embarrassed. Meanwhile, Dong Zhe was spotted by his friend badmouthing "female doctorates" as "pretentious." His diatribe was interrupted as Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei walked by, holding hands. Tang Weiwei pointedly ignored Dong Zhe’s calls, causing him to lose face in front of his friend, who joked that Tang Weiwei was doing it to irritate him.
Dong Zhe, now thoroughly humiliated, seethed with a promise of revenge. Back at school, Lin Ran and Ji Han were reprimanded by a teacher for skipping class and covering for each other, with the teacher reminding them about an upcoming painting exhibition. Lin Ran apologized, claiming important matters, and the teacher agreed to "press down" the issue for now if they handed in their paintings next week.
After class, Lin Ran confessed to Ji Han that he might soon be dating Tang Weiwei. He admitted to making Tang Weiwei angry and proposed taking Ji Han to dinner first, asking for her opinion on the restaurant for a future date with Tang Weiwei. Unbeknownst to them, Li Xiang was actively trying to set up Tang Weiwei with Jin Zichuan.
She called Tang Weiwei, expressing disappointment that nothing had developed between her and Jin Zichuan after he saved and drove them home. Li Xiang encouraged Tang Weiwei to treat Jin Zichuan to dinner that night, sending her the restaurant details and then deliberately turning off her phone so Tang Weiwei couldn't back out. Tang Weiwei and Jin Zichuan met at Youxin Restaurant.
Coincidentally, Lin Ran also chose Youxin Restaurant for his dinner with Ji Han, and they ended up sitting at a nearby table. Both Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran grew visibly jealous upon seeing each other with their respective dining companions. When Tang Weiwei went to the restroom, Lin Ran followed, demanding an explanation.
Tang Weiwei defiantly told him that she didn't need to report everything to him, especially since "our relationship is fake," just as his relationship with Ji Han likely was. This deeply hurt Lin Ran. In retaliation, Lin Ran made a phone call to Gu Zhen, inviting him to Youxin Restaurant for a fight. Gu Zhen arrived and immediately confronted Lin Ran, mistaking Tang Weiwei for Lin Ran's girlfriend, further complicating the situation.
Lin Ran then intentionally introduced Ji Han as his actual girlfriend, shattering the dinner's atmosphere. As Lin Ran left, he deliberately took Ji Han's hand, leaving Tang Weiwei feeling utterly disheartened. Jin Zichuan, trying to manage his cousin Gu Zhen, apologized to Tang Weiwei for the disturbance before departing with Gu Zhen. He offered to drive Tang Weiwei home, but she declined.
Episode 5 Recap
Lin Ran intentionally walked past Tang Weiwei, holding Ji Han's hand, hoping to make her jealous. Ji Han reminded him that Tang Weiwei had already left. Lin Ran, who considered Ji Han merely a good friend and was oblivious to her feelings for her, quickly dashed off to chase Tang Weiwei, leaving Ji Han to swallow the words she almost spoke and watch him run away with a look of disappointment.
Upon arriving at Li Xiang’s apartment, Tang Weiwei confronted her, demanding to know why she had reneged on their agreement to invite Jin Zichuan to dinner together. Li Xiang clarified that she only wanted to create an opportunity for Tang Weiwei, adding that even though Tang Weiwei might be "bound" to Lin Ran, it shouldn't prevent her from getting to know other men. The mention of Lin Ran irritated Tang Weiwei, who then declared she wanted to drink.
Knowing Tang Weiwei's poor drinking habits and fearing she might act wildly when drunk, Li Xiang quickly intervened to stop her. Meanwhile, at home, Jin Zichuan was disciplining Gu Zhen, warning him that his current score was already over negative one hundred points. Gu Zhen casually dismissed the warning, mentioning he had previously scored over negative two hundred points, which earned him a look of disdain from Jin Zichuan for his lack of ambition.
Jin Zichuan had a whiteboard in his house where he tracked scores for various people. Lin Ran was directly excluded from consideration. Jin Zichuan had a very good impression of Tang Weiwei. She was the only girl who had reached eighty points in his evaluation, leading him to decide that Tang Weiwei should be listed as a potential love interest.
After listening to Tang Weiwei's account of the restaurant incident, Li Xiang suggested that Lin Ran's actions were likely an attempt to make Tang Weiwei jealous. Tang Weiwei nearly blurted out a confession, which made her realize she had indeed been jealous.
Li Xiang acknowledged that Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran were childhood friends, but argued that it didn't preclude Tang Weiwei and Jin Zichuan from getting to know each other, citing many instances where a "destined partner" has prevailed over a "childhood friend." Unwilling to hear more, Tang Weiwei quickly stood up and fled. Lin Ran arrived downstairs at Li Xiang's house and hesitated for a long time. Eventually, he convinced himself to forgive Tang Weiwei and called Li Xiang.
Li Xiang allowed Lin Ran inside but sternly warned him that Tang Weiwei was highly sought after, and if he dared to upset her again, he would lose his "backup" status. Lin Ran entered Tang Weiwei's room and found her sound asleep. His anxious heart immediately settled, and he couldn't resist taking a picture of her sleeping face with his phone.
Even in her dream, Tang Weiwei mumbled, "I don't like Lin Ran," but Lin Ran brushed it off, content that he was at least present in her dreams. Lin Ran had already sent the photo of her sleeping to Tang Weiwei’s father. The next morning, Tang Weiwei woke up to find Lin Ran in the room and asked why he was there.
Tang Weiwei’s father, while verbally disapproving of Lin Ran being there, didn’t forget to urge them to go for a gynecologist appointment on Tuesday, even suggesting Lin Ran take leave to accompany her. When Lin Ran pressed Tang Weiwei, asking "Why don't you like me?" , she repeatedly evaded the question, choosing to state evasively that she disliked him because he was too noisy.
Lin Ran then asked if she would like him if he were quieter, but Tang Weiwei offered no response and simply locked him out of her room. Lin Ran continued to call out to her through the door, asking why she didn't like him. Li Xiang started her day in high spirits at work, expecting a promotion. To her dismay, her boss had appointed a new chief editor, Ms. Yang, who was an external hire.
Ms. Yang's curt attitude immediately dampened Li Xiang's mood. Upon her arrival, Ms. Yang wasted no time in singling out Li Xiang, demanding she redo the afternoon's shooting list. Li Xiang, to Ms. Yang's surprise, agreed to complete it within two hours, leaving Ms. Yang curious to see how she would manage. Jin Zichuan learned that Tang Weiwei was recently troubled by her inability to register for a doctoral program.
He specifically asked Professor Lu for assistance, which deeply moved Tang Weiwei. Jin Zichuan arranged for Tang Weiwei to meet Professor Lu, an expert in psychology who had recently returned from overseas and joined Union University. Jin Zichuan informed Tang Weiwei that Professor Lu still had some doctoral student slots available, and with her professional capabilities, passing his exam shouldn't be an issue, promising a bright future.
Tang Weiwei thanked him profusely, though she felt somewhat inhibited, as if she were an "investment project" constantly being evaluated by him. During the meeting, Professor Lu expressed his admiration for Tang Weiwei's academic record, stating it would be a waste for her not to pursue further studies. Tang Weiwei explained she had missed the registration deadline due to unforeseen circumstances and all slots were taken when she tried to apply later.
Professor Lu assured her that securing a spot was a minor matter since he had just returned and had no list of recommended students. He encouraged her to apply boldly, and the specifics of whether she would pursue Applied Psychology with him or continue with her former lecturer could be discussed after she passed the exam. Tang Weiwei was overjoyed just to be given the opportunity.
Later that day at the office, one of Li Xiang's admirers sent afternoon tea for everyone, which infuriated Ms. Yang. Ms. Yang publicly chastised Li Xiang, questioning her professionalism and reminding the employees that work hours were for working, not for socializing and eating. Under Ms. Yang's intimidating presence, the employees quickly dispersed, leaving Li Xiang fuming. In a fit of anger, Li Xiang immediately threw all the afternoon tea items into the trash.
Feeling frustrated and unfairly targeted by Ms. Yang at work, Li Xiang called Tang Weiwei and invited her to a bar after finishing work. While there, Tang Weiwei was approached by a man who persistently tried to engage her. Li Xiang, witnessing the man forcibly grab Tang Weiwei's arm, snapped. She confronted the man, offering him money for his soiled shirt, but he demanded they stay and drink until he was satisfied. Li Xiang, her temper flared, promptly challenged him to a drinking contest.
Episode 6 Recap
Upon receiving Tang Weiwei's message, Lin Ran rushed to the bar. As he entered, he saw Tang Weiwei had taken over from Li Xiang, engaging in a drinking contest with some men. Enraged, Lin Ran swept all the glasses off the table, sending them crashing to the floor. As the thugs prepared to retaliate, Jin Zichuan arrived with his people.
He immediately placed two bottles of liquor in front of the thugs, stating he would drink with them instead, which promptly scared the men away. After leaving the bar, Jin Zichuan offered to drive Tang Weiwei home. However, Lin Ran held Tang Weiwei close, declaring his ownership by telling Jin Zichuan that Tang Weiwei was his girlfriend and was pregnant, and he would be accompanying her for an obstetric check-up the next day.
Jin Zichuan immediately questioned how Tang Weiwei could be pregnant if she had just been drinking. Even in her drunken state, Tang Weiwei instinctively said, "Lin Ran, let's go home." Hearing this, Jin Zichuan had no further argument and instead offered to take Li Xiang home. Li Xiang, heavily intoxicated, couldn't remember her address, so Jin Zichuan had no choice but to bring her to his own house.
Gu Zhen, hearing the commotion, peeked out but was quickly told by Jin Zichuan to go back to sleep. Li Xiang repeatedly mistook Jin Zichuan for different people, further souring his impression of her. He gently covered her with a blanket before quickly leaving the room. Meanwhile, Lin Ran carried Tang Weiwei on his back. Tang Weiwei, believing she could still walk, struggled to get down. While her words were clear, her unsteady and uncoordinated steps betrayed her intoxication.
Lin Ran indulged her, playfully engaging with her antics and laughter as they made their way home. Tang Weiwei, confused, asked, "Where are my legs? I feel like I'm moving, but my legs aren't moving." Lin Ran affectionately explained, "That's because I'm giving you a piggyback ride." After she insisted on walking, her drunken counting of steps and mistaking Lin Ran for someone else, then recognizing him and commenting on his improved looks, only added to their whimsical journey.
She even suggested, "Let's go, big sister will take you for cake." The next morning, Lin Ran had just finished making breakfast for two at home when he received a message from a classmate, warning him that the teacher was doing a check-up. Lin Ran quickly headed to school, explaining his tardiness to the teacher with a series of fabricated ailments, including a stomachache, headache, and toothache.
His friend, Hou Fei, tried to subtly cue him, but their private exchange was noticed by the teacher, who immediately saw through their excuses. The teacher, visibly annoyed, assigned both Lin Ran and his friend the task of cleaning the studio that day. Later, the teacher, who greatly admired Lin Ran's talent, spoke with him privately. He expressed his concern that Lin Ran was skipping classes, lying, and not doing assignments despite his abilities.
He urged Lin Ran to think about his future, emphasizing the value of a university education and the opportunities available, such as becoming a lecturer. Lin Ran admitted that he found the current curriculum unhelpful and truly had other important matters to attend to. The teacher stressed the importance of a man taking responsibility and making plans for his future, especially with the graduation exhibition approaching.
Lin Ran acknowledged the teacher's good intentions but stated he believed his priorities lay with Tang Weiwei. Tang Weiwei woke up to find the breakfast on the table and a note from Lin Ran. The note read, "After eating my loving breakfast, you are my person." Tang Weiwei outwardly scoffed at the "childish" note but couldn't suppress the smile playing on her lips and the twinkle in her eyes.
Tang Weiwei's father, who had been disturbed by Lin Ran's early morning movements, confronted Tang Weiwei about Lin Ran moving in. Fearing gossip, he pressed her to set a wedding date immediately. Tang Weiwei, startled, used her studies as an excuse to escape, suggesting they discuss the wedding later. Dissatisfied with her reaction, her father even joked about Lin Ran marrying into their family.
Li Xiang called Tang Weiwei, who then learned that Jin Zichuan had taken Li Xiang home the previous night. Tang Weiwei felt she had missed out on a lot. Li Xiang, remembering waking up to see Gu Zhen and realizing she had almost slept with Jin Zichuan after inadvertently opening his bedroom door, was mortified. She quickly asked Gu Zhen to pass on her thanks to Jin Zichuan and rushed off to work.
At work, Li Xiang overheard Ms. Yang, the editor-in-chief, criticizing her assistant's incompetence and planning to fire her. Li Xiang intervened, confronting Ms. Yang and stating that her assistant was not only an assistant but also a company employee. She then challenged Ms. Yang to dismiss the assistant, implying the company would have to pay a significant severance package. Li Xiang successfully protected her assistant, telling her to work hard.
Back home, Lin Ran was with Tang Weiwei in the kitchen as she washed dishes. Noticing Tang Weiwei's father observing them, Lin Ran quickly took the opportunity to embrace Tang Weiwei. Initially resistant, Tang Weiwei quickly cooperated, her face reddening, when she realized her father was watching. Although Tang Weiwei's father grumbled about their public displays of affection while washing dishes, he immediately called Lin Ran's parents to inform them of Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei's relationship.
Lin Ran's mother called him, hoping he would postpone the wedding until he graduated from university and Tang Weiwei finished her doctorate, suggesting it would be a more opportune time when she would also be available to attend. Lin Ran, however, was adamant.
He expressed his frustration at always being told to wait by his parents, recounting how they were absent for many important milestones in his life, such as his first day of school, first awards, and first parent-teacher meetings. He declared that he no longer wanted to wait, fearing he would lose Tang Weiwei if he did. He felt his life was less significant to them than their research.
Despite Lin Ran's resolute stance, his parents, after reporting to their organization, reiterated that they could not leave their research project, which was not yet concluded. They again urged him to marry after graduation. Later, Lin Ran's friend noticed his low spirits and asked what was wrong. Lin Ran mused that he wished everything was as simple as car racing. His friend acknowledged racing's complexities but brought up the upcoming competition, suggesting Lin Ran consider participating as a professional racer.
He noted the current team members had low chances of winning, but Lin Ran's participation would guarantee victory and attract promising talent to their team. Lin Ran, however, dismissed the idea, stating that becoming a professional racer carried too high a risk of public exposure, which he wanted to avoid, fearing Tang Weiwei's reaction. In the classroom, Lin Ran's friend inquired about his dark circles. Lin Ran claimed he was busy catching up on assignments.
His friend questioned this, stating Lin Ran usually scored full marks. Lin Ran then admitted he was worried about his overall score and drew extra paintings. His friend jokingly asked if his marks were deducted for covering for him in class. Lin Ran denied it, simply stating he was worried about his scores.
Lin Ran's friend then offered advice, telling him that marrying Tang Weiwei would require financial stability and that he needed to plan his career and future, as the reality of love differed from theoretical ideals.
Episode 7 Recap
Tang Weiwei's father, infuriated upon learning that Lin Ran's parents would not attend the upcoming wedding, vehemently refused to allow Tang Weiwei to marry under such circumstances and ordered Lin Ran out of their home. Tang Weiwei quickly followed him, clarifying that even if his parents were to return that very night, she could not marry him the next day because their relationship was merely a pretense.
Lin Ran was deeply disappointed, feeling that even Tang Weiwei no longer wanted him, and told her to leave. Tang Weiwei swiftly comforted him, offering to take him out to cheer him up. Lin Ran's spirits lifted, and they walked out together, arm in arm, just as they did in their childhood. Later, as they stood on a breezy beach, sharing a jacket to ward off the chill, Lin Ran reminisced about Tang Weiwei's constant presence in his life.
He recalled her taking him to elementary school, cheering him on at the Olympiad, picking him up from the headmaster's office after his first fight, and waiting for him outside the college entrance examination hall. Lin Ran expressed his belief that Tang Weiwei was the most important person to him, irreplaceable in every way, and earnestly asked if she would marry him. Tang Weiwei playfully reiterated her condition: "Let's talk about it again when you can eat sweets."
Lin Ran rested his head on her shoulder, lamenting his inability to enjoy sweets. Meanwhile, Gu Zhen, determined to prove he would no longer cause trouble, surrendered all his beloved toys to Jin Zichuan. Jin Zichuan reminded Gu Zhen that his every action represented the company's image and decided to take him along for a work inspection. Overjoyed, Gu Zhen eagerly left to change into more appropriate attire. The inspection led them to the magazine office where Li Xiang worked.
A heated argument was already underway between Li Xiang and Ms. Yang, the editor, who had made a last-minute change to the magazine cover model. When Gu Zhen spotted Li Xiang, he clumsily brought up "that night," but Jin Zichuan's discreet cough and Li Xiang's quick redirection, asking him to choose a better cover, prevented him from revealing more.
Ever honest, Gu Zhen candidly declared Li Xiang's magazine cover to be superior, oblivious to the simmering tension between the two women. Ms. Yang, though displeased, dared not show her anger in Jin Zichuan's presence, merely stating that she was "discussing" the matter with Li Xiang. In the ensuing meeting, Jin Zichuan, observing Li Xiang's appearance, silently deducted points for her heavy makeup, high heels, and short skirt.
He also expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the magazine's cover, deeming cooperation unnecessary, and promptly exited the meeting. Following the incident at the magazine office, Li Xiang recounted the events to a friend over the phone. She expressed relief at being put in charge of the next issue's photoshoot, no longer having to endure Ms. Yang's complaints.
Despite her friend suggesting that Jin Zichuan had been a great help, Li Xiang dismissed the idea, labeling him a picky man who would never help her, attributing the outcome solely to Ms. Yang's ridiculous taste. She also confirmed to her friend that she and Lin Ran were now officially together. At the circuit, Lin Ran's teammates lauded his improved racing time, now six seconds faster than before, and urged him to enter the upcoming competition, confident of his victory.
Remembering Tang Weiwei's father's emphasis on financial stability for marriage, Lin Ran, for the first time, did not immediately decline. Instead, he inquired if the champion would receive a monetary prize. His teammates exchanged bewildered glances, prompting Lin Ran to quickly dismiss his question. Later, upon returning to school, Lin Ran learned from Ji Han that Tang Weiwei was involved in a plagiarism scandal.
He rushed to the academic affairs office, where Tang Weiwei also arrived after receiving a distressing phone call. Dong Zhe, accompanied by a female student he introduced as his sister, presented a case claiming the female student's thesis revision predated Tang Weiwei's, thus accusing Tang Weiwei of plagiarism. Tang Weiwei countered, explaining that her thesis topic was selected in consultation with her professor and that she was the only student in the Psychology Department to choose that particular subject.
The female student asserted she had changed her topic later. Tang Weiwei then pressed the female student on specific professional terms from the paper. When the student faltered in her answers, Dong Zhe quickly began recording the scene on his phone, not only implicating Tang Weiwei but also involving the principal and other academics present. Under Dong Zhe's relentless and aggressive pressure, the principal reluctantly conceded, agreeing to allow the female student to retake the examination.
Dong Zhe, having achieved his goal, further taunted Tang Weiwei, suggesting her extensive education was useless if she couldn't prove her innocence and arrogantly demanded she beg him. Tang Weiwei, though seething with indignation, found herself helpless against Dong Zhe's brazen tactics, forced to silently endure the injustice. Afterward, Tang Weiwei stood alone in the rain, releasing her frustrations. Lin Ran, his heart aching for her, joined her, holding an umbrella.
He spoke of a stray cat he used to feed, which eventually learned to seek shelter under his care during rainy days, symbolizing the need for companionship. He assured Tang Weiwei of his unwavering belief and support, promising to stand by her against the world. He then cast aside the umbrella, embracing her as they both got drenched.
Tang Weiwei, overwhelmed with emotion, sobbed in his arms, confessing that she had not plagiarized or used illicit means, but the school had revoked her eligibility for the doctoral program. She revealed her deep distress and the lie she told her father about being pregnant, admitting she was afraid to go home. Meanwhile, an investigation into the plagiarism allegations revealed that handwritten thesis drafts were uncommon, suggesting Tang Weiwei's draft was likely digital.
Evidence indicated that Dong Zhe had indeed accessed Tang Weiwei's email, potentially constituting cybertheft. However, the investigator noted that while this proved Dong Zhe's malicious intent, Tang Weiwei still needed to find further proof to fully clear her name.
Episode 8 Recap
After an emotional evening, Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran returned home and took showers. Concerned Tang Weiwei might catch a cold, Lin Ran thoughtfully prepared ginger tea for her and gently blew dry her hair, which significantly lifted her spirits and brought a warm feeling to her heart. Noticing her slight discomfort, Lin Ran reminded her that she had publicly declared him her boyfriend in front of Dong Zhe earlier that day.
He urged her to commit to the act fully, explaining that their charade could easily be exposed otherwise. Tang Weiwei complied, turning around for him to dry the other side of her hair. Once her hair was dry, Lin Ran confessed his wish for their relationship, even if initially fake, to last a lifetime, and cautiously asked if he could kiss her. Overwhelmed, Tang Weiwei immediately rose and retreated to her room.
Lin Ran, left sitting alone, felt a pang of disappointment, convinced that with her background in psychology, Tang Weiwei surely understood the depth of his feelings for her. Later that night, realizing Tang Weiwei’s father would be worried, Lin Ran called him. He fabricated a story, claiming Tang Weiwei was staying at Li Xiang's house for the night due to some issues with her postgraduate exam. Lin Ran also advised Tang Weiwei’s father to cease all contact with Dong Zhe.
Tang Weiwei's father found the explanation odd and suspected she might actually be at Lin Ran’s place. Lin Ran quickly diffused Tang Weiwei's father's suspicions by stating his house was too messy, having not been cleaned in a long time, and urged him not to misunderstand. The following morning, Lin Ran had to leave for school and entrusted Tang Weiwei's care to Li Xiang.
Li Xiang found Tang Weiwei engrossed in analyzing "Dong Zhe's lying," and gently encouraged her to stop, suggesting they go out to eat instead. Tang Weiwei, feeling utterly despondent, lamented that she was useless for anything else. She expressed her frustration and despair at having studied psychology for so long, yet being unable to use it to prove her innocence. Li Xiang quickly reassured her that there was always a way, promising to help her find solutions after they ate.
Meanwhile, Lin Ran took some of his paintings, which he believed were well-done, to his department director, hoping to submit them for a competition. As soon as the director began reviewing the artwork, Lin Ran immediately inquired about the status of Tang Weiwei’s case. The director, seeing through Lin Ran's obvious motive, told him he would assess the paintings' quality first.
He then informed Lin Ran that Tang Weiwei's supervisor still trusted her and they were keen to uncover the truth. He advised Lin Ran to control himself and avoid any physical confrontations with Dong Zhe for the next three days, as any further trouble would complicate matters. Lin Ran thanked the director and agreed to the terms. Later, Li Xiang accompanied Tang Weiwei to confront the female student who had accused Tang Weiwei of plagiarism.
The student's attitude was appalling, as she rudely called them "copycats" and "white lotuses" (a term for pretentious/hypocritical people). Li Xiang, undeterred, retorted by calling the student a "cultural desert" and declared that "she herself" was a "black lotus," implying she was tough and wouldn't be easily bullied. Tang Weiwei, distressed by the confrontation, urged Li Xiang to stop arguing.
Li Xiang, realizing the difficulty of the situation, decided to contact Jin Zichuan, as she had originally asked him to arrange for Tang Weiwei's supervisor, implying he might be able to help resolve the issue. Separately, Lin Ran enlisted Cola to discreetly track Dong Zhe. Learning from a friend that Gu Zhen was skilled in online investigations, Lin Ran sought him out for assistance.
Upon Lin Ran's arrival, Gu Zhen was visibly agitated, labeling Lin Ran a "jinx" and attempting to bar him from entering his home. Ignoring Gu Zhen's protests, Lin Ran boldly entered and explained his purpose, revealing he needed Gu Zhen's expertise as a hacker. Gu Zhen initially misunderstood, thinking Lin Ran wanted him to plagiarize a thesis. Lin Ran clarified, stating he needed Gu Zhen to help catch the culprit who had plagiarized a thesis.
Recognizing Lin Ran was seeking a favor, Gu Zhen stipulated that Lin Ran must choose a project for him from a list provided by his brother and agree to run errands for him in the future. Lin Ran, noticing an art exhibition project was to be held at their school, selected it for Gu Zhen. In accordance with their agreement, Gu Zhen began his investigation to identify the perpetrator behind the thesis plagiarism.
Gu Zhen's investigation successfully uncovered that Dong Zhe had indeed instructed someone to hack into Tang Weiwei's email. He presented his findings, stating that the email used to submit the plagiarism tip-off was Dong Zhe's, and he had traced the source of the hacked files, proving Dong Zhe's involvement in accessing Tang Weiwei's email. He concluded that the remaining task was now up to Lin Ran.
Lin Ran then recruited Da Fei to help him locate the "human CNKI," an individual renowned in assignment circles for rapid, high-quality plagiarism checking. Despite asking numerous classmates, they were unable to pinpoint the individual’s whereabouts. Lin Ran then decided on a "fishing" strategy, posting a lucrative offer on a freelance website, which successfully lured the individual into contact. Lin Ran then contacted Cola, telling him his surveillance was no longer needed.
As Tang Weiwei and Li Xiang were discussing how to prove her innocence, Lin Ran arrived with the good news: he had found the evidence. Elated, Tang Weiwei accompanied Lin Ran to the school. Presenting irrefutable evidence, including the original drafts with differing publication times and comprehensive proof of plagiarism, Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei demonstrated her innocence. The school officials, convinced, confirmed Tang Weiwei's academic integrity.
Her professor expressed strong support, affirming that his student would never plagiarize and pressed for the restoration of Tang Weiwei's doctoral candidacy. The female student, witnessing the collapse of their scheme, dramatically confessed to being manipulated by Dong Zhe and threatened to jump from a building. Dong Zhe, however, quickly counter-attacked, reporting Cola's unauthorized surveillance activities to the school authorities, demanding severe punishment and that Lin Ran’s parents be summoned.
The principal acknowledged Dong Zhe's complaint and stated that while they would contact Lin Ran’s parents, it was a separate matter from Tang Weiwei’s case. He confirmed Tang Weiwei's innocence based on the investigation and announced the school would reinstate her qualification for postgraduate examination and severely punish Dong Zhe's cousin. The principal instructed a teacher, Ms. Wang, to call Lin Ran's parents.
Due to Lin Ran's parents being research scientists and unavailable, the school directory listed Tang Weiwei's father, Mr. Tang Jianguo, as his emergency contact. Ms. Wang called Mr. Tang, asking him to come to the school that afternoon. Lin Ran, seeing his carefully kept secret about Tang Weiwei's father being his emergency contact exposed in such a chaotic way, felt a mix of exasperation and amusement.
When Tang Weiwei's father arrived, Lin Ran profusely apologized, claiming he never would have troubled him if Tang Weiwei hadn't been threatened, and emphasizing his good behavior at school. Tang Weiwei's father, while reprimanding Lin Ran for needing his parents summoned as a university student, ultimately acknowledged his crucial role in protecting Tang Weiwei, saying he "didn't dote on him for nothing."
Meanwhile, Tang Weiwei's professor reinstated her doctoral application, offering words of encouragement, suggesting that this setback might be a blessing in disguise, allowing her to pause and reflect, and that a clear goal would open limitless possibilities for her young life. Later, Li Xiang observed Tang Weiwei, who was happily noting down Lin Ran's qualities: "He may be childish. He acts like a child at times, but he's responsible and provides me with a sense of security." Li Xiang teased her, asking if she had finally "gotten" Lin Ran. Tang Weiwei blushingly denied it, beginning to explain their situation.
Episode 9 Recap
The evidence against Dong Zhe for orchestrating the cybertheft that compromised Tang Weiwei's doctoral application was deemed clear and sufficient. The school was expected to restore Tang Weiwei's application for the doctoral degree. Later, Tang Weiwei attended Lin Ran's basketball game to support him. His teammates cheered him on, and he played exceptionally well, scoring many points and leading his team to victory.
As usual, Ji Han approached Lin Ran with a bottle of water, but upon seeing Tang Weiwei, she hesitated and gave the water to someone else instead. Lin Ran asked Tang Weiwei for water, but she hadn't brought any. Playfully, Tang Weiwei took his hand and led him home. He boasted, "I bet you've never held a handsome man's hand before. By the way, was I cool?" Tang Weiwei responded, "A little bit."
Tang Weiwei began to waver about taking the doctoral degree, clearly bothered by Dong Zhe's earlier comments. Lin Ran tried to reassure her, saying, "You are always the best in my heart. I hope you can be yourself." However, Tang Weiwei felt that "Dong Zhe got a point." She then proposed that Lin Ran try desensitisation treatment again. When Lin Ran questioned it, she explained her deep disappointment: "When I was studying Psychology, I had a dream.
I thought after I mastered it, I could communicate with my father and cure your allergy to sweets. In the end, I still couldn't stop arguing with my father and you still don't know what a candy tastes like." She concluded, "Perhaps Dong Zhe is right. I can't do anything right, except studying. What else can I do after I graduate with the doctorate degree? I can't be a student forever."
Tang Father came up to the rooftop, worried they would catch a cold in the evening wind, and urged them to come down. Tang Weiwei wanted to discuss the doctoral degree with him, but he simply stated, "It's your business. Everything is up to you." Knowing Lin Ran had no classes the next day, Tang Father invited him to go shopping, and Lin Ran readily agreed.
Before they went inside, Lin Ran quietly told Tang Weiwei, "No matter what your choice is, I'll always be there for you." The next day, while shopping, Tang Father criticized Lin Ran's choice of a brightly colored garment, remarking on his "bad taste" for picking something "old-fashioned and ugly." Lin Ran quickly clarified, "This is for Wei Wei."
Tang Father's attitude immediately shifted, praising the choice as "perfect" for her and suitable for her wardrobe before rushing to pay, much to Lin Ran's amusement at his double standards. After much deliberation, Tang Weiwei returned home and informed her father that she no longer wished to pursue her doctoral degree. This declaration greatly surprised Tang Father, who had thought she was determined to enroll.
He had, in fact, come around to the idea, telling her how proud he was of her. Looking at her childhood photos, he reminisced about her growing up without her mother, expressing his sole desire for her happiness. " I'm happy as long as you are happy. Pursue the doctoral degree. I will root for you," he had said, now urging her to go for it.
Tang Weiwei began to confess the truth about her and Lin Ran's deception, but Lin Ran, who had just returned with rice noodle rolls, quickly interrupted her, suggesting they cook a proper meal to celebrate the happy day. While in the kitchen, Lin Ran kept an ear on their conversation. When Tang Weiwei attempted to confess again, Lin Ran made another loud noise, interrupting her once more.
Tang Father decided to go downstairs for some fresh air, leaving Tang Weiwei to ponder her life's direction, looking at her old trophies and wondering, "What is my goal?" Lin Ran's distracted cooking led to a small kitchen fire. Tang Weiwei instinctively rushed over, grabbing a fire extinguisher and putting it out. Seeing the extinguisher powder on her head, Lin Ran joked, "We grew old together." Tang Weiwei dismissed his teasing and decided they should eat out.
After dinner, as they walked past a fountain, Lin Ran accidentally knocked a coin from Tang Weiwei's hand into the water. When she asked him to retrieve it, he suggested they treat it as a wishing coin. Tang Weiwei asked about his wish, and Lin Ran, looking at her intently, declared, "my goal and my life will be filled with you," asking her to promise to grow old with him.
Just then, the fountain's water sprayed up, as if in agreement. Though Tang Weiwei didn't immediately accept, her playful response gave Lin Ran hope, and he happily chased after her. Later, Lin Ran confessed that he shouldn't have made the wish at the fountain, but directly to her. He then expressed his feelings, admitting, "To be honest, I enjoy our fake relationship. Tang Wei Wei. I made you blush and your heart race, didn't I? Still, we can't keep lying.
It's fake after all. So what if one of us is willing to lie forever? Whatever our future may be, I want to go through it with you. Tang Wei Wei. Ever since my first year of high school, I had the same wish for my birthday. I wished someday I could become the one who accompanies you through thick and thin and make you believe in love. Please accept me."
That night, Lin Ran returned to his empty home and regretted moving out of Tang Weiwei's place. In a mischievous fit of inspiration, he intentionally damaged his water pipes. He then appeared at Tang Weiwei's doorstep, soaking wet, claiming his pipes burst and his living room flooded, leaving him homeless. He sheepishly requested to stay there for a while, offering to sleep on the couch as a show of respect.
Tang Father saw right through Lin Ran's ploy, telling Tang Weiwei to go back to her room and then sarcastically asking Lin Ran, "Besides plumbing problem, is there anything else you need to fix in your house? I can fix them for you." Unfazed, Lin Ran shamelessly replied, "Uncle. Let's not mind about all that," eliciting a cold scoff from Tang Father.
Meanwhile, Li Xiang called Tang Weiwei, relieved to have escaped her work commitments and asking if Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran had sorted everything out. When Tang Weiwei confirmed things were resolved, Li Xiang playfully teased, "You sound cheerful. Don't tell me you pushed Lin Ran on the bed?" She further advised, "Remember, Lin Ran is a young man. You should control yourself," and joked about "royal dog food."
Li Xiang then went shopping alone for jewelry and unexpectedly encountered her ex-boyfriend, Zhou Qi, who was with another woman, picking out rings. Zhou Qi provocatively asked if she was alone. Annoyed, Li Xiang pretended not to remember him, declaring, "I would forget unimportant person in just an overnight."
To save face, she dramatically pulled Jin Zichuan into her act, claiming he was her rich and handsome boyfriend who insisted on buying her jewelry despite her "eight drawers of jewellery" at home. Zhou Qi then asked if she regretted leaving him and if she had "always been alone." Li Xiang replied, "Sort of." Later, Lin Ran was seen eating a candy, seemingly trying a desensitisation treatment, implying progress in overcoming his aversion to sweets.
Episode 10 Recap
Jin Zichuan was about to tell Li Xiang to stop making a scene in the jewelry store when she, fearing her lie would be exposed to her ex-boyfriend Zhou Qi, kissed him and asked him to play along. Jin Zichuan cooperated. As Li Xiang was about to leave, Jin Zichuan asked if she was always by herself. Surprised, Li Xiang said that she was. Jin Zichuan watched her leave, lost in thought.
Lin Ran, having heard about the light show at the amusement park from Da Fei, brought Tang Weiwei to see it. Tang Weiwei, who had never been on a Ferris wheel, suggested they try it. Lin Ran agreed, and they went on the Ferris wheel together. Tang Weiwei was overjoyed, remarking on the beautiful scenery. Seeing her reluctance to leave, Lin Ran offered to bring her again after the art exhibition.
Moved by Tang Weiwei's happiness, Lin Ran wanted to kiss her. Tang Weiwei mentioned she had eaten candy, but Lin Ran, citing his desensitisation therapy, kissed her anyway. Tang Weiwei, blushing, responded shyly. After parting with Jin Zichuan, Li Xiang walked alone on the street. Jin Zichuan instructed his driver to follow her until she sat down in a gazebo, where he appeared and draped his coat over her.
Li Xiang, puzzled by his actions, asked why he had followed her. Jin Zichuan said that considering her state, he would not deduct points today, which Li Xiang found strange. Jin Zichuan found it odd that Li Xiang was upset, considering she did not seem like someone who would care about her ex. Li Xiang revealed that Zhou Qi was her first love, who gave her Natsume Sōseki's "Kokoro" when they started dating.
She thought she was his only one, willing to marry him even if he had nothing. However, she later found out that he had been cheating on her every year for five years, even giving each of them a copy of "Kokoro", although she was the first. Li Xiang admitted she did not hate Zhou Qi, but was upset that her deep feelings were betrayed. Before Li Xiang could vent further, she received a work message on her phone.
She asked Jin Zichuan for help, and he, seeing her pitiful state, arranged a suitable small project for her, which made her smile. After their date, Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei returned to her apartment building. Lin Ran boldly asked for a goodnight kiss, and Tang Weiwei, feeling affection for him, shyly leaned in. Lin Ran was very happy and reluctantly said goodbye to Tang Weiwei.
The next morning, Tang Weiwei woke up to find her father taking selfies in colorful clothes. She learned that he was going to a community event and offered to accompany him, but he declined. Lin Ran was secretly texting Tang Weiwei during class. Tang Weiwei wondered what she should be doing since everyone else was busy, questioning her decision to give up her dream of further study.
Lin Ran, seeing Tang Weiwei wandering around the school, found her and asked if she was upset. Learning that Tang Weiwei was still doubting herself because of what Dong Zhe had said, Lin Ran decided to help her get back at Dong Zhe. Dong Zhe was on a date at a café, being stingy and only ordering one drink while he drank water. Lin Ran had Tang Weiwei wait outside and ordered a drink.
He sat next to Dong Zhe and pretended to be his boyfriend. Dong Zhe’s date got angry, called him a pervert, and threw her drink on him. Not satisfied, Lin Ran bought Dong Zhe flowers and continued to act as if they were a couple, causing others to stare at Dong Zhe strangely. Lin Ran warned Dong Zhe not to provoke him again. At school, the teacher called Lin Ran to his office, returning the paintings he had submitted earlier.
The teacher asked him to paint some new ones that could represent his strength since the school's reputation depended on him for the upcoming art exhibition. Lin Ran worked hard to finish the paintings in order to make time to date Tang Weiwei. He even asked Ji Han, who brought him food, to pick a dating spot, which made her feel sad.
Episode 11 Recap
Lin Ran invited Tang Weiwei to a haunted house for a date. Tang Weiwei initially expressed some fear, but Lin Ran insisted it was not scary and led her inside. Tang Weiwei was terrified by the various scary figures in the haunted house, constantly clinging to Lin Ran, hiding behind him, or in his arms, which made Lin Ran feel very satisfied. After the haunted house, Tang Weiwei complained to Li Xiang about her experience.
Li Xiang, upon hearing Tang Weiwei's description, thought dating Lin Ran, her younger brother, was so enjoyable that she also wanted to find someone for herself. Tang Weiwei, however, didn't find it enjoyable and truly couldn't understand Lin Ran's and Li Xiang's strange ideas. Lin Ran then sent Tang Weiwei another date invitation, and Tang Weiwei went to the amusement park for it.
Under the guise of taking pictures, Lin Ran lured Tang Weiwei towards a large tree in the ball pit. He then used a toy gun to shoot her in the butt from behind. Startled, Tang Weiwei fell into the ball pit, and Lin Ran quickly rushed in after her, accidentally falling on top of her. Lin Ran gazed at Tang Weiwei's alluring appearance and couldn't help but close his eyes to kiss her.
Tang Weiwei, seeing Lin Ran had fallen for it, deliberately used ocean balls to block Lin Ran's mouth. Lin Ran realized something was wrong, opened his eyes, and Tang Weiwei, angry, pushed him away and left. Lin Ran picked up his fallen phone and couldn't help but laugh out loud as he watched the recorded video.
Knowing he had angered Tang Weiwei, Lin Ran specifically sought advice from his best friend, who, despite not having dating experience, was very persuasive in offering suggestions. Lin Ran, desperate, decided to try using his charm to win Tang Weiwei back. However, no matter how Lin Ran invited her, Tang Weiwei refused, leaving Lin Ran at a loss. Tang Weiwei finally couldn't resist Lin Ran's invitation and agreed to go on a date with him to the arcade.
Lin Ran tried his best to show off his handsomeness, but Tang Weiwei only found the games he played very boring and started to feel sleepy. Seeing that he wasn't getting Tang Weiwei's affirmation, Lin Ran felt a bit confused. Tang Weiwei suggested going home, but Lin Ran, wanting to continue the date, took out a can of candy and prepared to eat it, threatening Tang Weiwei with it.
Tang Weiwei snatched the candy from Lin Ran, affirmed Lin Ran's determination to continue the date, and then took Lin Ran to a place, wanting to give him a dating surprise. Lin Ran, blindfolded, removed the mask after Tang Weiwei's countdown, only to see that Tang Weiwei had closed the glass door, using her phone through the glass to tell him to get along well with the dog.
Lin Ran then realized he was trapped by Tang Weiwei in a doghouse. Terrified, he immediately climbed onto a stool and begged Tang Weiwei for mercy. After Lin Ran recognized his mistake, Tang Weiwei finally opened the door. She removed the dog hair from his body and threatened that if he messed up again, she would frame the dog hair and hang it in his house.
Lin Ran then received a call from his department head, asking him to quickly return to paint. He made several heart gestures towards Tang Weiwei and left. Alone at home, Tang Weiwei was very bored, so she ordered a large amount of desserts and began eating. Li Xiang finally arrived late, found Tang Weiwei still sleeping, and quickly pulled her up to attend an evening banquet with her.
As the host, Li Xiang was putting a high-end custom necklace on a popular star, Ning Meng, when she was called away to check on some props. She casually placed the three-million-dollar necklace in the room. Tang Weiwei, worried about the necklace being lost, expressed her concern, but Li Xiang reassured her that there were CCTVs everywhere. Soon after, Ning Meng angrily announced that her necklace was missing and suspected Li Xiang of taking it.
Li Xiang, of course, was unwilling to take the blame, so she suggested checking the CCTVs, but unfortunately, they were broken. Li Xiang was at a loss, so Tang Weiwei called her aside and gave her instructions, telling Li Xiang to separate the people and question them one by one according to her method, while Tang Weiwei secretly observed from the side. After the first round of questioning, Tang Weiwei had locked onto a suspect.
To finalize the confirmation, she told Li Xiang to falsely announce that the necklace had been found, and the thief finally revealed their tracks. Tang Weiwei found it inconvenient to expose the person directly, so she said that Li Xiang had forgotten that she had given the necklace to the makeup artist and requested to check the makeup artist's bag. The makeup artist, realizing she had been exposed, quickly took out the necklace, claiming it was inside her makeup case.
Episode 12 Recap
After Tang Weiwei successfully used her psychological skills to resolve the necklace theft, Li Xiang expressed her gratitude to Ji Han for speaking up for justice by treating everyone to desserts. Lin Ran, proud of Tang Weiwei, grumbled about the all-sweet menu, as he couldn't eat anything there. Ji Han quickly offered him a lemon soda, assuring him it wasn't sweet and he could drink it. Li Xiang chuckled at Lin Ran's childishness, telling Ji Han to ignore him.
When Lin Ran learned Ji Han was a wealthy heiress, he playfully accused her of being disloyal for keeping it a secret from her "brothers," mockingly demanding to "teach her a lesson" before engaging in a lighthearted scuffle. Tang Weiwei then explained to Ji Han how she identified the thief. She observed everyone's body language and expressions, noting that while others showed normal anger, only Xiao Zhang displayed a "retreat reaction"—pursing her lips, shifting her eyes, and stepping back slightly.
Tang Weiwei concluded that Xiao Zhang, lacking special training, couldn't conceal her guilt. To confirm, Tang Weiwei had Li Xiang announce that the necklace had been found. While everyone else showed surprise, Xiao Zhang instinctively glanced at her makeup bag to check if the item was still there, a clear sign of guilt.
Li Xiang praised Tang Weiwei for her brilliant deduction, and Lin Ran proudly called her "my wife," causing Ji Han to complain about their public display of affection and abruptly leave, claiming her professor needed her. Li Xiang offered to walk her out, and Lin Ran reluctantly agreed to her departure. Alone with Tang Weiwei, Lin Ran eagerly showed her a series of paintings, all depicting her.
The last piece, however, was still a draft, which he kept hidden, promising to unveil it as the grand finale at his upcoming art exhibition. He then hurried off to school to complete it, leaving Tang Weiwei waiting. On the day of the art exhibition, Gu Zhen arrived alone, much to Lin Ran's surprise, as it appeared Gu Zhen hadn't even looked at the proposal Lin Ran had prepared for him.
Lin Ran, engrossed in his own painting, dismissed Gu Zhen, telling him to handle things himself. Annoyed and feeling slighted, Gu Zhen decided to retaliate. He sought out the department head, who was overseeing the exhibition, and specifically requested Lin Ran to serve as his personal attendant. The department head, unaware of their personal feud and recognizing Gu Zhen as the sponsor's representative, immediately summoned Lin Ran. Gu Zhen, acting imperiously, demanded water.
When the department head offered to fetch it, Gu Zhen insisted Lin Ran bring him an iced Cola. Following the department head's instructions, Lin Ran grudgingly complied, but not without intentionally shaking the can. When Gu Zhen demanded Lin Ran open it, Lin Ran did so, causing the soda to spray all over Gu Zhen. Enraged, Gu Zhen demanded Lin Ran wash his clothes and declared he had removed Lin Ran's name from the exhibition.
Lin Ran, furious, punched Gu Zhen, knocking out half a tooth. The department head immediately intervened, stopping the escalating fight. Soon after, Jin Zichuan and Tang Weiwei arrived, having both received calls about the incident. Upon seeing Tang Weiwei, Jin Zichuan, who found her to be his ideal partner, suggested they all go for dinner.
Gu Zhen, still reeling from his injury, was upset that Jin Zichuan prioritized eating over his dental emergency, but he couldn't refuse his older brother and reluctantly joined them. At the dinner table, Jin Zichuan proposed an "experimental relationship" with Tang Weiwei. Hearing this, Lin Ran conspicuously clacked his chopsticks. Understanding Lin Ran's unspoken signal, Tang Weiwei politely informed Jin Zichuan that she already had a boyfriend, and that boyfriend was Lin Ran. Jin Zichuan was visibly embarrassed.
Lin Ran quickly excused himself and left, with Tang Weiwei following closely behind, offering her apologies to Jin Zichuan. Later that day, Tang Weiwei returned home to find her father enthusiastically outlining three potential career paths for her: civil servant, university psychologist, or corporate psychological consultant. Tang Weiwei explained that she had chosen psychology not for a stable job, but to help Lin Ran with his sugar allergy and to help her father cope with her mother's passing.
She confessed, however, that despite years of study, she hadn't managed to help anyone and often found herself emotionally exhausted. She revealed that during college, her numerous attempts to hypnotize volunteers had always failed, leaving her feeling discouraged and lacking the courage to try again. Her father, a loving parent, listened patiently and reassured her that her happiness was paramount. Determined to help Tang Weiwei overcome her fears, Lin Ran surprised her by creating a beautiful starry night projection.
He gently encouraged her to try hypnosis again, using him as her subject. As before, Tang Weiwei found herself unable to hypnotize Lin Ran and instead drifted off to sleep. While she slept, Lin Ran softly confessed his anxieties, wondering if his persistent pursuit had been annoying. He worried that without it, he would forever remain "the naughty, stupid little brother who couldn't eat sweets." He questioned if she would ever truly like him.
As if in a dream, Tang Weiwei stirred and softly mumbled, "Lin Ran, I like. . ." Lin Ran, his heart pounding, pressed her to repeat it. " I like you," she confirmed. Relieved of his deepest worry, Lin Ran leaned in and sealed their shared feelings with a passionate kiss.
In a later, more reflective moment, Lin Ran formally acknowledged his faults in a self-reflection addressed to Tang Weiwei, vowing never to conceal anything from her, to avoid repeating mistakes, and to always agree with her viewpoints.
Episode 13 Recap
The next day, Tang Weiwei woke up to a breakfast lovingly prepared by Lin Ran. Having learned of her feelings for him the previous night, Lin Ran spoke freely, making Tang Weiwei blush. He pressed her about her career decision after days of consideration. Tang Weiwei shyly admitted she wanted to open a dessert shop, a path entirely unrelated to her major, hoping to be surrounded by sweetness every day.
Lin Ran wholeheartedly supported her, saying he would be with her and support her in whatever she chose, as her happiness was his priority. Meanwhile, Li Xiang was dealing with a problem at a printing house. She had booked covers a few days prior, but upon chasing them, she found they were still not done. The lady boss claimed their schedule was too packed and demanded an additional 60,000 yuan for rush service, despite the prior agreement.
Li Xiang was furious at this unscrupulous demand, stating the boss was being unreasonable and going back on her word. The boss unapologetically declared, "This is how I do business," if Li Xiang was in a rush, she'd have to pay the extra fee. Tang Weiwei, returning the psychology books her father had given her, confessed her desire to open a dessert shop. Her father, who had previously encouraged her to consider a teaching career, grew agitated.
He immediately stood up, accusing Lin Ran of influencing her and reiterating his earlier stance that she should not date someone younger. Tang Weiwei defended Lin Ran, but Lin Ran also tried to defend himself, saying Tang Weiwei wouldn't listen to him anyway. Her father, however, refused to listen and instead revealed Lin Ran's secret hobby of motorcycle racing, which immediately angered Tang Weiwei. Lin Ran chased after Tang Weiwei, apologizing repeatedly, but she was too upset to listen.
When he persisted, she finally lashed out, reminding him that her mother had died in a car accident. Lin Ran was saddened by her pain. Tang Weiwei confronted him, asking why he kept his racing from her and his parents if he knew it wasn't a good thing, emphasizing that auto racing could be fatal.
Lin Ran tried to explain that he only hid it because she disliked it, not because he believed it was inherently wrong, asserting that motorcycles were innocent. Tang Weiwei remained firm, accusing him of not considering their future or caring about her, before angrily walking away. Lin Ran, left speechless, sat alone on a bench, watching her leave.
Back at his dorm, Lin Ran's friends noticed his low spirits and guessed he had argued with his girlfriend, offering a few "lousy ideas" for reconciliation. Lin Ran, still stubborn, declared he wouldn't apologize to a "troublesome" woman, but then, curious, asked to hear their advice. His friend, seizing the opportunity, mischievously ignored him and went to take a bath. Because Jin Zichuan had initially recommended the printing factory, Li Xiang had no choice but to call him for help.
When Jin Zichuan arrived and saw the boss's unrepentant attitude, he firmly demanded a full refund of Li Xiang's deposit. He then declared that they would never patronize such a dishonest business again, questioning how long such a factory could possibly last. Li Xiang, grateful for his intervention and his offer to help her find a new printing factory, offered to treat him to dinner.
As they were leaving, the car suddenly braked, causing Li Xiang to lurch forward and instinctively grab Jin Zichuan's hand. Jin Zichuan accepted the dinner invitation but promptly told her to remove her hand, leading Li Xiang to playfully call him petty. Later, Lin Ran, determined to win Tang Weiwei back, went to her apartment building. He spotted her at her window and immediately began reading a lengthy letter of repentance, promising to be transparent and consider her feelings.
Tang Weiwei, however, covered her ears and drew the curtains. Seeing this tactic fail, Lin Ran changed strategies, kneeling outside her door with a sign, next to a durian. Tang Weiwei initially ignored him, but then unexpectedly returned, only to see the mat he had knelt on discarded nearby, making her even more annoyed. Realizing he was making things worse, Lin Ran resorted to a grand gesture, presenting himself as a "little sweetheart" gift, asking for her forgiveness.
Tang Weiwei, acknowledging her own tendency to be overly possessive, decided it was important to find common ground. They reconciled, agreeing to seek common ground while preserving their differences. To celebrate their reconciliation, Lin Ran ordered a variety of desserts. During their meal, Tang Weiwei jokingly told Lin Ran he should quit motorcycle racing. Lin Ran, initially feigning resistance, quickly agreed to quit the next day, further solidifying their renewed bond.
Elsewhere, Ji Han's director congratulated her on securing a valuable exchange student quota, encouraging her to prepare well. Lin Ran, elated from his reconciliation with Tang Weiwei, treated everyone to milk tea, announcing that he was finally in a real relationship. He then informed Ji Han that their previous arrangement of pretending to date to "block admirers" was no longer convenient now that he was "attached."
Ji Han, congratulating him, revealed her own good news: she had been praised by her teacher and was now planning to secure a contract with a European school to achieve both love and career success. The next morning, Tang Weiwei found that her father had not prepared her breakfast. Instead, he instructed her to call Lin Ran back immediately for her 10-week appointment with a gynecologist.
Tang Weiwei, aware that Lin Ran was busy with his art exhibition preparations and that she still wanted to open her dessert shop, reluctantly confessed to her father that she was not actually pregnant. Her father, however, refused to believe her, convinced she had learned to lie from Lin Ran. With no other option, Tang Weiwei called Lin Ran, pulling him away from his exhibition preparations.
Worried about the impending gynecologist appointment, Lin Ran frantically searched for a pregnant urine sample outside the women's restroom. After a chaotic encounter where he tried to buy a sample from a woman in the women's restroom, being called a pervert by her husband, he finally acquired one. He rushed back, urging Tang Weiwei to hurry and be careful not to spill the precious sample. At the clinic, the doctor informed them that the sample showed "spotting."
Tang Weiwei questioned what "spotting" meant, while Lin Ran remained confused. The doctor, deeming it not a major issue, advised them to avoid "overly intense activities." Tang Weiwei immediately denied any such activity. Her father, hearing the doctor's words, looked at them disapprovingly. Ignoring Lin Ran's attempts to explain, Tang Weiwei's father declared, "From today onwards, I forbid you two from being together!"
He then forcefully led Tang Weiwei away, leaving Lin Ran feeling utterly wronged and helpless to explain the situation. Soon after, Lin Ran received a bewildered call from his younger cousin, who had heard about the "gynecologist appointment" and "pregnancy." His cousin accused him of being a "heartbreaker" and a "man with a partner," believing Lin Ran was cheating on Ji Han.
Following this, Lin Ran's own father called, demanding he return home within half an hour and questioning him about the "experience of a pregnant university student" and a "love triangle," adding to Lin Ran's distress. Meanwhile, Li Xiang was with Jin Zichuan at a new printing factory he had helped her find. The new boss assured them the order would be rushed.
Just then, a colleague of Li Xiang's arrived, attempting to take credit for finding the factory by claiming the manager was an old classmate. Li Xiang, however, exposed her colleague's deceit, thanking Jin Zichuan for his invaluable help and pointedly stating that her colleague's reliance on men was due to her own lack of competence. With the matter settled, Jin Zichuan and Li Xiang departed, leaving the colleague fuming.
Episode 14 Recap
Lin Ran reflected on Tang Weiwei's words about his hidden passion for racing, acknowledging the dangers she highlighted, particularly that racing "can kill people." At the circuit, he informed his fellow racers that he would no longer be a regular presence if there were no pressing matters. When they questioned his departure, Lin Ran tossed them his gloves and declared that he was going to find his wife, leaving them stunned.
Tang Father, exhausted from watching Tang Weiwei, finally gave in to sleep after locking her door. Tang Weiwei then checked her phone to find a message from Lin Ran, who was waiting downstairs for a date. He playfully threatened to eat all the candy he had if she didn't come down. Tang Weiwei, unable to go through the front door, climbed out her window to meet him.
They went for dessert, where Tang Weiwei chided Lin Ran for ordering a sugary couple set, as it was full of sugar. Lin Ran joked that he needed to make up for all the sugar he hadn't consumed in twenty years. Tang Weiwei confided in Lin Ran about her dilemma regarding the dessert shop.
Her father hadn't mentioned it much since the fake pregnancy incident, and she felt guilty about potentially reigniting arguments so soon after their reconciliation over her postgraduate studies. Yet, she found it hard to abandon her dream. Lin Ran reassured her, encouraging her to pursue what she truly desired.
He promised his unwavering support, suggesting that if they made mistakes, they would simply start over, and if she and her father fell out, they would apologize to him once her success was undeniable. Bolstered by his words and a notification about the down payment contract for a shop, Tang Weiwei resolved to proceed with her dessert shop. Later, as Lin Ran walked Tang Weiwei home, he playfully tried to convince her to let him stay at her window.
Tang Weiwei refused, and as he left, her cousin, Xu Jian, unexpectedly appeared and reprimanded Lin Ran for being at Tang Weiwei's window late at night. Tang Weiwei quickly recognized Xu Jian and intervened, greeting him and helping with his luggage. The next day, Lin Ran confided in his friend Ji Han about his apprehension concerning officially meeting Tang Weiwei's family, wondering what qualities they sought in a son-in-law.
Later, at a family lunch including Xu Jian, Tang Father wanted to settle matters, but dismissed Xu Jian's suggestion to consult Tang Weiwei first. The conversation quickly turned into a critique of Lin Ran. Lin Ran was so focused on listening that he didn't even notice his tea overflowing, which led Tang Father to scold him again. Tang Father blamed Lin Ran for the fake pregnancy and for influencing Tang Weiwei to open a shop.
Xu Jian, seeing Lin Ran's clumsiness, also joined in, expressing disdain for Tang Weiwei's choice and questioning Lin Ran's responsibility. Lin Ran apologized to Tang Father, but Tang Weiwei, fed up with the negativity, firmly declared that her choices—both Lin Ran and the dessert shop—were non-negotiable. Overwhelmed by the palpable disapproval, she lost her appetite and excused herself to the washroom. After a routine company meeting, Li Xiang's boss asked her to stay behind, directly inquiring about her boyfriend.
Li Xiang nervously assumed he was upset about her previous conduct and quickly assured him of her commitment to her work. However, the boss's true intention was to secure financing from Jin Zichuan of Huanuo. Believing Li Xiang could be instrumental, he tasked her with this mission. Li Xiang admitted that her relationship with Jin Zichuan was merely an acquaintance.
To her astonishment, the boss produced chat logs with Jin Zichuan, where he had referred to Li Xiang as a friend, leaving her no choice but to accept. Li Xiang then texted Jin Zichuan, accusing him of spreading false rumors to her boss by saying they were friends. Jin Zichuan, finding her directness amusing, internally considered deducting five points from her but then decided to reluctantly add ten.
He replied with a witty message, suggesting that as friends, she wouldn't need to treat him to a meal for his help. Li Xiang was so taken aback by his response that she spilled her coffee, which a colleague pointed out. Determined to separate Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran, Tang Father tried to enlist Xu Jian's help. Xu Jian initially hesitated, worrying about his image if he resorted to "mean methods."
However, Tang Father dismissed his concerns, encouraging him to "think positive" and find a solution, promising his full support. Following his uncle's subtle prompt, Xu Jian attempted to set Tang Weiwei up with a young man.
Tang Weiwei, however, immediately rejected him, finding him too young (he was 21) and too tall (he was 186cm, she liked 184cm), explicitly stating she preferred someone with Lin Ran's "bad temper," even mentioning she liked the surname Lin, which the young man also had. Her firm declaration caused Xu Jian to realize his plan had failed.
Later, Tang Father discovered Xu Jian's clumsy matchmaking attempt and furiously scolded him for trying to break up Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei, accusing him of wanting his grandchild to be born without a father. He chased Xu Jian, hitting him for his perceived malicious interference. During a later discussion, Xu Jian expressed concern that Lin Ran was a bad influence and that Tang Weiwei would lose money on the shop.
Tang Father then subtly revealed his own intervention: he had secretly frozen Tang Weiwei's bank card to prevent her from making any payments for the shop. Xu Jian commended his uncle for his cleverness. Lin Ran, eager to deepen his connection with Tang Weiwei, consulted his friends and even his teacher about creative WeChat couple names and profile pictures, proudly displaying his chosen "89" and "10" theme, which signified "inseparable".
Separately, Lin Ran received a message from someone expressing frustration over his teacher's demands for an art exhibition and the abstract art. Lin Ran responded with a detailed plan, explaining how to effectively curate and market the exhibition by strategically placing different styles, such as Kandinsky and Malevich, with transitional pieces. Later, Li Xiang discussed with her colleague, Gu Zhen, how clever Lin Ran was, particularly in his understanding of marketing for art exhibitions.
Meanwhile, Tang Weiwei diligently searched for a suitable location for her dessert shop. She dismissed several options due to their small size or poor lighting, calculating that high electricity costs would negate any savings. Eventually, the agent offered her a highly desirable store that was already booked by another client, warning her it might involve complications and a higher price. Tang Weiwei, determined, assured the agent that money was not an issue if the location was perfect.
She enthusiastically agreed to take the shop, only to discover, to her dismay, that her bank card was repeatedly declined due to insufficient funds when she attempted to make the down payment. For several days, Jin Zichuan sent Li Xiang bouquets of lilies, a flower to which she is severely allergic. Unable to tolerate the constant exposure, Li Xiang finally called Jin Zichuan, accusing him of deliberately tormenting her.
Jin Zichuan nonchalantly told her to simply throw them away if she disliked them. Li Xiang fired back, explaining that her boss personally delivered the flowers each day, making it impossible for her to discard them. Jin Zichuan suggested she was merely "playing hard to get," which offended Li Xiang, leading to a heated argument over the phone where she sarcastically retorted with other idioms and called him a "psychopath."
Earlier, Tang Weiwei informed her father that she was leaving for an antenatal class, emphasizing that Lin Ran was waiting for her downstairs. Xu Jian, trying to be helpful, attempted to deliver Tang Weiwei's forgotten phone, but Lin Ran intervened via a phone call to Xu Jian, fabricating a story that Tang Weiwei suffered a cramp and they were at the hospital for a check-up, implicitly keeping Xu Jian away. Later, Lin Ran decided to come clean with Tang Father.
He directly confessed that the pregnancy was fake, but asserted his genuine and long-standing feelings for Tang Weiwei. He told Tang Father he wanted to be Tang Weiwei's boyfriend and be with her openly, citing a saying that if something can be faked for a lifetime, it might eventually become real.
Episode 15 Recap
Lin Ran arrived home, only to be chastised by his cousin for leaving Tang Weiwei, a pregnant woman, alone at the bank near their community entrance. His cousin had just returned from the early childhood education class, where he learned that Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei had already withdrawn. This news enraged Tang Weiwei's father, who began chasing Lin Ran, intending to hit him. Lin Ran's cousin, always eager for some chaos, joined in the pursuit.
As Lin Ran frantically tried to explain that he hadn't even touched Tang Weiwei's hand since Tang father's warning at their last hospital visit, his cousin merely offered to hold him down for Tang father. Just then, Tang Weiwei returned, visibly upset after finding her bank card had been terminated. She confronted her father, accusing him of violating her privacy. Her father, unapologetic, reiterated his opposition to her opening a shop and declared he would never give her another cent.
Feeling that her father deemed her insufficiently independent, Tang Weiwei angrily announced her intention to leave home and achieve true independence. Lin Ran, who had been eavesdropping from behind a wall, was about to intervene but was held back by his cousin, who advised him to stay out of the father-daughter dispute. Later, Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei sat on the rooftop, gazing at the stars.
Tang Weiwei reflected on the vastness of the cosmos, lamenting the difficulty of becoming the brightest star. Lin Ran encouraged her, suggesting it was enough to simply strive to shine, promising to always be by her side and work with her. While packing Tang Weiwei’s belongings, Lin Ran found her patent certificate. Tang Weiwei, desperately needing funds, contacted Teacher Wang by phone to inquire about transferring the patent.
However, the proceeds from the patent sale proved insufficient to cover even a year's rent for a shop. Unable to afford her preferred storefront, Tang Weiwei was forced to consider a less ideal location. Unexpectedly, Dong Zhe was the agent who showed her the new premises. The encounter was tense, with Lin Ran expressing dissatisfaction over the small, poorly located shop.
Dong Zhe retorted that Lin Ran should act according to his means, further mocking Tang Weiwei by pointing out that despite her advanced degree, she was jobless and couldn't even afford rent. Lin Ran, hurt by Dong Zhe's words, resolved to find a way to help Tang Weiwei. He approached Gu Zhen, knowing he was from a wealthy family, but was surprised when Gu Zhen only had three hundred yuan.
When Ji Han offered her savings, Lin Ran declined to take money from a younger girl, leading to a playful scuffle between Gu Zhen and Lin Ran over the money. Gu Zhen then sarcastically suggested that Lin Ran might as well sell his racing circuit, which gave Lin Ran an idea. Meanwhile, Tang Weiwei presented a business proposal to Jin Zichuan's company, seeking angel investment for her dessert shop.
Jin Zichuan, however, politely declined, stating that his company was only interested in high-tech and new energy ventures. Disappointed, Tang Weiwei left. Upon learning of Tang Weiwei’s failed attempt, Li Xiang personally went to see Jin Zichuan. Jin Zichuan, understanding that Li Xiang wasn't seeking financial gain but rather a favor, was initially reluctant to invest in a dessert shop. However, his company was facing a problem: Ning Meng wanted to terminate her endorsement contract.
Li Xiang, recognizing an opportunity, proposed a resource exchange: if Jin Zichuan invested in Tang Weiwei’s shop, she would secure Ning Meng's endorsement deal. Jin Zichuan agreed, offering to invest personally since physical stores didn't fit his company's venture capital criteria. Acting on his earlier idea, Lin Ran decided to sell the racing circuit inherited from his grandfather. To bring Jin Zichuan to the circuit, Gu Zhen made a phone call, faking a leg injury.
Jin Zichuan, assessing the property, tried to negotiate the price down by a third, but Lin Ran refused. They agreed to settle the price with a race, where the winner would dictate the terms. Lin Ran emerged victorious, leading Jin Zichuan to purchase the Chenghua Road Circuit at the original price. Elated, Lin Ran rushed to share the good news with Tang Weiwei.
However, Tang Weiwei had already been informed by a phone call from Li Xiang that Jin Zichuan had agreed to invest in her dessert shop, so she gently declined Lin Ran's money, explaining that he was a student with no income and Jin Zichuan was already investing. Later, Tang father received a distressing phone call from the hospital about Tang Weiwei’s previous urine test, stating that the "child" needed to be aborted due to issues.
Panicked, he rushed to Lin Ran’s house without even putting on his shoes, grabbed Tang Weiwei, and insisted they go to the hospital. Tang Weiwei, distressed, finally confessed to her father that her pregnancy was fake. Tang father was furious and ordered both Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei to kneel at home.
Lin Ran quickly chose the more uncomfortable kneeling position, admitting his deception but earnestly declaring that his feelings for Tang Weiwei were absolutely genuine and that he had loved her for a long time. Lin Ran then expressed his fear that with the truth revealed, he and Tang Weiwei would drift apart, becoming just neighbors or siblings, with their names never meant to be together.
Tang Weiwei then took off her necklace and placed it in Lin Ran’s hand, telling him that since their secret was out and they no longer needed to pretend, they should start their relationship anew, openly and honestly, free from lies and deception. This finally put Lin Ran's heart at ease as they gazed at each other.
Episode 16 Recap
After Tang Father caught Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran kissing, his initial touch of emotion quickly turned to anger. He rushed out to separate them, pushing Lin Ran, who was still barefoot, out the door. Lin Ran protested that his shoes were still inside, but Tang Father swiftly threw them out and locked the door tightly.
Leaning against the wall outside, Lin Ran knew Tang Father was just reluctant to let Tang Weiwei go and felt a rush of sweetness as he looked at the necklace she had given him. Meanwhile, Gu Zhen excitedly reported to Jin Zichuan, proclaiming his return as a "king" after securing an acquisition contract. He expressed his determination to study diligently and take over the family business, feeling a sense of power that Lin Ran had allowed him to experience.
However, Jin Zichuan immediately questioned him about the contract, and Gu Zhen admitted, "I signed my name, and so Lin Ran took it back to sign," revealing his premature celebration. Unfazed, Jin Zichuan then instructed his personnel manager, Xiao Tang, to transfer Xiao Li, the life assistant responsible for sending flowers to Li Xiang's company, to the marketing department. The manager was initially surprised but quickly confirmed there were no issues.
Curious, Gu Zhen then asked Jin Zichuan which "Miss Li" they were referring to, wondering if he was about to get a sister-in-law. Back home, Tang Weiwei's cousin, Sun Ke, discovered Lin Ran's diary among her belongings. He commented that since Tang Weiwei was a few years older than Lin Ran and had more life experience, it would be "a piece of cake" for her to handle him, which he saw as an advantageous situation.
During dinner, Sun Ke suggested to Tang Weiwei that he and Tang Father could "take a step back" by giving their temporary permission for her relationship with Lin Ran. However, he maintained that opening a dessert shop was still unsuitable given her current situation. Tang Weiwei, seizing the opportunity, countered by proposing they "take another step back" and agree to her opening the dessert shop.
Upon hearing this, Tang Father became furious, accused her of asking "too much," and stormed off without finishing his meal. Later, Gu Zhen spotted Lin Ran and tried to confront him about the contract. Lin Ran, however, told him to stop following him, explaining that his unreturned messages were a "wordless refusal" and he had decided not to sell the racetrack.
Realizing he had been tricked, Gu Zhen immediately called Jin Zichuan to complain, while Jin Zichuan, annoyed by Gu Zhen's incompetence, asked, "He could not even sign the contract. What else can you do?" Li Xiang brought Ning Meng's contract to Jin Zichuan, who found no issues with it. He then handed her Tang Weiwei's dessert shop investment plan.
When Li Xiang offered a verbal "thanks," Jin Zichuan, with a hint of dissatisfaction, asked if that was her only way of showing gratitude. Li Xiang then proposed having dinner with him that evening. Jin Zichuan internally noted her "flirtatious" and "desperate means," deducting points for each, but still accepted her invitation. Tang Weiwei's cousin, Sun Ke, had expressed concern to Tang Father about Tang Weiwei having no money or card.
Despite Tang Father dismissing his worries, Sun Ke insisted on following Tang Weiwei, seeing himself as her protector and an "ATM." As Tang Weiwei went about her day, buying lingerie and heading to the restroom, Sun Ke remained glued to her side. While Tang Weiwei was in the restroom, Li Xiang called, inviting her to dinner with Jin Zichuan, the investor.
Tang Weiwei hesitantly asked if she could bring "someone along," referring to her persistent cousin, and Li Xiang readily agreed. Meanwhile, the teacher approached Lin Ran to host the school celebration party, praising his recent art exhibition success, which had even garnered international recognition. Lin Ran initially refused to host or perform with Ji Han, stating firmly, "Director, I have a girlfriend," and that such a performance was "unsuitable."
The teacher, emphasizing Lin Ran's status as a top student, insisted he "show his face." Lin Ran continued to refuse, claiming he had no time. When the teacher then offered him the opportunity to host the city's largest adult event, which famously ordered an eight-layer cake every year, Lin Ran's interest piqued. He asked if the event's dessert order could be outsourced to his family's newly opened dessert shop.
The teacher, recognizing Lin Ran's shrewdness, agreed, but only if Lin Ran hosted the event well and ensured the quality of his graduation exhibition. Lin Ran readily accepted the terms, making it a firm "deal." Tang Weiwei arrived at the dinner with her cousin, much to Li Xiang's surprise. Tang Weiwei explained her cousin wouldn't leave her alone and prevented her from signing the shop contract, asking Li Xiang to help her get rid of him.
Li Xiang then subtly spilled a drink on Sun Ke, who quickly excused himself to clean up. As soon as he left, Tang Weiwei slipped away to finalize her shop contract. When Sun Ke returned, he was furious to find Tang Weiwei gone and learned from Li Xiang that Tang Weiwei had secured investment from Jin Zichuan. Sun Ke confronted Jin Zichuan, accusing him of influencing his sister.
Jin Zichuan calmly explained that opening a dessert shop was a legitimate business activity. Sun Ke then vowed to pester Jin Zichuan daily until his sister was "returned," even reminding Jin Zichuan that he was his "ex-boyfriend for a day." Jin Zichuan retorted by denying ever dating Tang Weiwei and dismissing Sun Ke's attempts to "take advantage."
After this dramatic exchange, Sun Ke rushed back to Tang Father, reporting that their "plan was ruined" because Tang Weiwei had secured her own funds. While Lin Ran was practicing for the evening's school celebration program, Tang Weiwei's distress text message arrived. Tang Father, to prevent her from opening the shop, had locked her inside the house.
Upon receiving the message, Lin Ran immediately rushed back, brought a ladder, and helped Tang Weiwei climb down from the window, using a familiar trick. Tang Weiwei and Lin Ran then hurried to the shop to begin renovations. After following Li Xiang for a day, Jin Zichuan proposed a relationship. Li Xiang rejected him, believing that he was moved by her "numerical value" rather than her as a person, and immediately made plans to meet someone else that evening.
Back at the newly renovated shop, Lin Ran asked Tang Weiwei how she felt about the progress. She described a feeling of "longing," explaining how she once fantasized about a perfect life after high school but later lost confidence. She shared her idea for a new promo centered on "confidence and anticipation." Lin Ran then revealed that someone had loved her since they were fifteen and that she had always been that person's "subject of longing."
He then "suddenly remembered" that his paintings were being showcased at a nearby art exhibition and invited her to see them. Though Tang Weiwei internally noted his "fake acting" and expressed a desire to return to making desserts, she agreed to go, saying, "Since it is my boyfriend's painting, I shall go and take a look. Deal. Make sure you keep your promise." At the art exhibition, they encountered Ji Han, who explained she was helping out after rehearsal ended.
Lin Ran asked her to be their tour guide. Ji Han enthusiastically introduced Lin Ran's vibrant and deeply expressive artworks, recounting how one piece had won an award in Europe, and praised his "talent." Lin Ran feigned modesty, claiming he merely imitated masters. After enduring Ji Han's effusive praise and Lin Ran's faux humility, Tang Weiwei excused herself to the restroom, leaving Lin Ran and Ji Han alone.
A male student then approached Lin Ran, making vulgar remarks about his "popularity with the ladies," insinuating that Tang Weiwei and Ji Han were merely "sources of inspiration" and questioning his recent neglect of Ji Han, "the campus beauty." Offended by his comments, Ji Han slapped him, immediately escalating into a physical altercation, which others tried to break up.
Following the incident, Jin Zichuan informed Lin Ran that Ji Han had received disciplinary action and lost her exchange student opportunity due to the fight. Lin Ran accepted responsibility, stating that the disciplinary action should be his. He then offered to pay any price to secure an exchange student spot for Ji Han. Jin Zichuan refused money, instead demanding "information about a certain woman." When Lin Ran, misunderstanding, insisted that Tang Weiwei was his girlfriend, Jin Zichuan clarified, "You overthink. What I want is Li Xiang's information."
Episode 17 Recap
Lin Ran bought a special outfit for Tang Weiwei to wear on her dessert shop's opening day. After thanking him, Tang Weiwei happily took the clothes home. On the day of the grand opening, many people flocked to see the new dessert shop. Dong Zhe was among the crowd and noticed Lin Ran injured his hand while setting off firecrackers.
As Tang Weiwei was taking Lin Ran to the hospital, Dong Zhe deliberately called in a complaint about their shop's safety. At the hospital, the doctor examined Lin Ran's hand and assured them it was not serious, requiring only a few days of bandaging. The doctor also advised "the family member" to be careful about not getting the wound wet. Tang Weiwei felt a pang of disappointment, realizing she appeared much older than Lin Ran, almost like his parent.
Lin Ran, however, was irritated by the doctor's assumption and quickly clarified that Tang Weiwei was his girlfriend before pulling her hand and leaving the hospital. Back at the dessert shop, despite the busy opening day, Tang Weiwei's cousin, Xu Jian, was engrossed in playing games instead of helping, much to Li Xiang's annoyance. She confronted him, telling him off for not assisting Tang Weiwei.
Observing Li Xiang, Jin Zichuan found her straightforward and capable, mentally adding fifty points to her score. Later, he pondered to Assistant Wang why he found Li Xiang so appealing, even though her "data" was clearly not as good as another candidate's for a relationship. Assistant Wang suggested perhaps he was "blinded by love" and agreed that Li Xiang's characteristics were not ideal for marriage. Due to the news of the firecracker accident spreading, Tang Weiwei's shop became deserted.
Even if a customer occasionally forgot, they would quickly be reminded about the incident. Despite the lack of business, Tang Weiwei stayed diligently at the shop. Lin Ran, recuperating at home with his injured hand, felt neglected. He visited the shop to seek a kiss from Tang Weiwei. Worried about being seen, Tang Weiwei refused but promised to close the shop early that evening to spend time with him.
Later, Lin Ran took Tang Weiwei out to cheer her up, suggesting that sharing her worries would halve her sorrow. Tang Weiwei, however, was not swayed by his "nonsense chicken soup." Lin Ran earnestly asked her to stop treating him like a younger brother and to embrace being his lover. Understanding his point, Tang Weiwei agreed to try harder and initiated a kiss. Lin Ran woke up happy after dreaming he was married to Tang Weiwei and they had children.
Just then, his roommate returned, looking upset. Lin Ran asked what was wrong and was told that Ji Han had received disciplinary action because of him and lost her exchange student qualification. Distraught, Lin Ran immediately went to the Director, offering to take responsibility. The Director, however, refused, stating that Lin Ran had a bright future and shouldn't be implicated.
The Director revealed that the fight at the art exhibition was a serious matter, witnessed by media, and European stakeholders demanded strict action, emphasizing that Lin Ran was only spared due to the Director's intervention. Despite Lin Ran's insistence on taking responsibility, the Director firmly stated that school rules were not to be trifled with and Ji Han's slot could not be recovered, as she was the one who initiated the fight.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Lin Ran went to an art exhibition to clear his head. Gu Zhen found him there and informed Lin Ran that his brother, Jin Zichuan, was a university shareholder and could help Ji Han regain her exchange student spot. Gu Zhen, who was deeply concerned about Ji Han, knew Lin Ran had a girlfriend and might not be suitable to console Ji Han, so he offered to visit her on Lin Ran's behalf.
Subsequently, the Director informed Ji Han that an additional spot had been created, allowing her to be reinstated, and urged her to thank Lin Ran for his efforts. Later, Lin Ran met Ji Han, who thanked him. Lin Ran brushed it off, reminding her they were "bros" and joking that she shouldn't embarrass him when she went overseas.
Determined not to owe any woman favors apart from Tang Weiwei, Lin Ran sought out Jin Zichuan, offering to buy an exchange student slot. Jin Zichuan initially declined, explaining that education was paramount and he wouldn't waste resources on an unqualified individual. However, when Lin Ran clarified that Ji Han was highly qualified and had only lost her spot due to taking the blame for a classmate, Jin Zichuan reconsidered.
He still refused to sell the spot but offered a trade: he would help Ji Han if Lin Ran gathered information on Li Xiang for him. Meanwhile, Tang Weiwei's dessert shop was struggling. Even with her developing new "healing desserts," Jin Zichuan, after reviewing market research conducted by Assistant Wang, advised her to sell the shop to cut her losses. Tang Weiwei, wanting to persevere, took Jin Zichuan to explore the local market, including the University Town and Food Street.
Lin Ran secretly followed them and grew jealous when an aunt complimented Tang Weiwei and Jin Zichuan, remarking on how "compatible" they looked and suggesting Jin Zichuan consider Tang Weiwei. Back in his dorm, Lin Ran asked his roommate, Da Fei, what "same type of people" meant.
After comparing himself and Tang Weiwei against the definition—differences in ideas, hobbies, and lifestyle habits (such as one being unable to eat sweets and the other unable to drink)—Lin Ran became concerned about their relationship. Wanting to nurture their bond, he called Tang Weiwei to watch a movie. Preoccupied with the shop's troubles, Tang Weiwei declined. To prove their common ground, Lin Ran bought sweets to eat at home, only to suffer another allergic reaction.
Tang Weiwei returned just in time to tend to him. Lin Ran then proposed moving back in with her, reasoning that he missed her care, especially since he was alone and unwell, without hot water or cooking skills. Tang Weiwei reminded him that he had insisted on moving out to avoid being seen as her "little brother." While Lin Ran acknowledged this, he insisted he wanted to be closer to her to prevent her from "cheating on him."
Tang Weiwei dismissed his antics, telling him to stop being childish and reminding him of the dangers of eating sugar for him. She also explained that her father was still upset about the new shop, and him moving back now would be "bad timing," especially with her cousin currently living at her house. Lin Ran, however, assured her he would handle any issues.
Episode 18 Recap
Ji Han and Ru Yue were busily preparing for the school anniversary, trying on beautiful dresses. Ji Han complimented Ru Yue on her stunning outfit, predicting she would be the center of attention. She then suggested that Ru Yue was dressing up for someone special and encouraged her to bravely confess her feelings before graduation, so she wouldn't end up like Ji Han, whose crush remained just a good classmate.
Ji Han offered to be Ru Yue's wingman, wishing her a sweet romance. Meanwhile, Tang Weiwei received an invitation from Lin Ran for a performance starting at 9:30 PM. Shortly after, Dong Zhe arrived at Tang Weiwei's shop and refused to leave, causing trouble. He presented himself as being responsible for the mall's operation and, noting her shop was "barely surviving," offered to help, which Tang Weiwei rejected.
She then called Mr. Sun, the property manager, to complain about Dong Zhe. Tang Weiwei warned Dong Zhe that her shop had CCTVs and if he caused any trouble, she would see him in court on Monday. Dong Zhe, unfazed, dared Mr. Sun to come. Frustrated and in a hurry to see Lin Ran's performance, Tang Weiwei left, accidentally leaving her phone behind. Lin Ran tried to call Tang Weiwei, but her phone remained unanswered.
As the performance was about to begin, Lin Ran felt disheartened without being able to reach her. As Lin Ran entered the performance venue, Ru Yue, emboldened, confessed her feelings to him, thanking him for picking up her books last year and mentioning it was her birthday. The surrounding students were astonished by this revelation. Ji Han quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, claiming that Ru Yue was merely playing truth or dare with her.
Ji Han subtly signaled Lin Ran, urging him to find another place to talk. Despite heavy traffic, Tang Weiwei rushed and arrived just in time to catch Lin Ran's performance. Lin Ran and Ji Han delivered a sweet love song duet, captivating the audience. Many female viewers expressed envy, calling them a "match made in heaven" and the "sweetest couple." They speculated about an official announcement, believing Ji Han to be Lin Ran's unofficial girlfriend.
After the performance, Ji Han told Lin Ran her clothes were torn, and Lin Ran responded by carrying her off the stage. Tang Weiwei, witnessing the scene and hearing the audience's excited calls for Lin Ran and Ji Han to make their relationship official, felt deeply hurt and quietly slipped away unnoticed. After a walk on the beach to clear her mind, Tang Weiwei returned to her shop, only to find it locked.
A nearby auntie explained that a customer who had just left Tang Weiwei's shop was hit by a car, and the police had subsequently locked the premises. Hearing this, Tang Weiwei immediately went to check the CCTVs. Elsewhere, Ji Han realized that Lin Ran had seemingly spotted Tang Weiwei in the audience, yet Tang Weiwei hadn't approached him and wasn't answering her phone. Ji Han suspected Tang Weiwei was "jealous."
Lin Ran was delighted by the idea that Tang Weiwei was jealous, finding it "unfounded, but I like it." He explained to Ji Han that he had hugged her on stage only because her clothes were torn. Meanwhile, a police officer informed Tang Weiwei that her shop would need to remain closed temporarily, pending an investigation into the accident's cause, as it involved her establishment.
Lin Ran, still riding high on the thought of Tang Weiwei's jealousy, seized a moment alone to send her a voice message. He lightheartedly teased her about her "unfounded jealousy" and playfully proposed marriage, asking what he could buy to make it up to her. Tang Weiwei, distracted by Lin Ran's voice message while speaking with the police, was gently advised by the officer to handle her personal matters first if she was preoccupied.
Tang Weiwei promptly put her phone aside, stating she wished to visit the injured person, and requested the hospital information. Upon arriving at the hospital, Tang Weiwei learned that the patient's condition was critical, suffering from a mild stroke aggravated by emotional distress from the accident, and it was uncertain when they would regain consciousness. Shortly after, Dong Zhe, having learned Tang Weiwei had found and recorded the CCTV footage, angrily confronted her at her dessert shop.
Lin Ran arrived and quickly chased Dong Zhe out with a broom. Lin Ran then attempted to reconcile with Tang Weiwei, but she, still feeling jealous, sent him away. Before leaving, Lin Ran, standing outside the glass door, promised her a surprise the next day. Later, Dong Zhe, accompanied by his mother, went to Tang Weiwei's home to plead for leniency. He claimed his future would be ruined and accused Tang Weiwei of "blackmailing" him for RMB 100,000.
He explained that one of her employees had told him that surveillance footage existed proving his innocence but demanded the money for it, offering to pay in installments if necessary. Tang Weiwei was taken aback, stating that her shop's CCTVs were actually off. She asked Dong Zhe to return to her shop the next day, promising to provide an explanation if her employee was indeed involved in such an act.
The following day, after reviewing the CCTV footage at the shop, Dong Zhe confirmed that he had not pushed the injured person. Tang Weiwei then handed him the footage, advising him to submit it to the property manager and to visit the injured individual at the hospital. Shortly after, an employee came to resign, complaining about the shop's "bad feng shui" which she blamed for the continuous mishaps and poor business.
She demanded compensation for "mental damage" due to her wasted time. Tang Weiwei revealed that she had secretly recorded their conversation. She warned the employee that her actions of slander and attempting to extort RMB 100,000 could lead to a prison sentence of three to ten years. Seeing that she wouldn't gain anything, the employee left in dissatisfaction. Lin Ran had ordered a ring for Tang Weiwei.
At the jewelry store, Gu Zhen, trying it on, found it stuck on his finger. As he and the staff struggled to remove it, Ji Han walked in. Declaring herself a VIP customer, she took responsibility for the ring, even suggesting it be cut off if necessary. Moments later, Ji Han received an urgent call—her sister was missing from kindergarten. Lin Ran immediately offered to take her on his motorcycle to search for her.
During the search, Lin Ran was injured while saving someone. Ji Han accompanied him to the clinic to have his wound attended to. Tang Weiwei, who happened to be nearby, saw Lin Ran and Ji Han together, felt a pang of sadness, and left without a word.
Episode 19 Recap
Ji Hanj's mother wished to host a dinner to thank Lin Ran, but he declined the offer, simply stating it was unnecessary. Lin Ran then attempted to call Tang Weiwei, but she did not answer. He felt a heavy sensation in his chest, a premonition that something was about to happen. Later, Lin Ran called Tang Weiwei again, and this time she answered.
He explained that he had fallen off his bed earlier that day, spraining his leg, which was why he couldn't meet her. However, Tang Weiwei, already aware of the true reason for his injury and absence, calmly told him, "Let's break up." Lin Ran, shocked, desperately asked her why she wanted to end their relationship, wondering if she was playing a game with Li Xiang. He pressed her to tell him what he had done wrong, promising to change.
Tang Weiwei responded that even a death row prisoner knows their crime, while he seemed oblivious. She stated that they were simply not compatible. She explained that she had tried hard to endure the societal pressure and criticism about their age difference, constantly striving to improve herself, hoping everyone would forget their disparities. Despite her efforts, she couldn't succeed and felt exhausted.
Tang Weiwei expressed her desire for a boyfriend who wasn't a child living in an ivory tower and her unwillingness to be trapped in Lin Ran's elaborate fairy tale forever. Despite Lin Ran's desperate pleas for her to stay, she walked away, leaving him heartbroken on a beach bench. Back home, Tang Weiwei was equally devastated. She locked herself in the bathroom, letting the shower wash over her.
Her mind replayed scenes of Lin Ran with Ji Hanj and the comments from others calling them a perfect match. What tormented her most was Lin Ran's deception. As rain began to fall, Lin Ran stood motionless beneath Tang Weiwei's window all night, hoping she would glance out, but she never did. The recent string of setbacks caused Tang Weiwei to doubt her choices, particularly regarding her dessert shop.
She felt it was like the Alligator Principle: the more she struggled, the more it hurt her, leading her to consider shutting it down. Li Xiang called Tang Weiwei, who explained her dilemma using the Alligator Principle. Li Xiang reminded Tang Weiwei of the Law of Conviction and the Law of Expectation, encouraging her to believe in herself, as she is the only person who will never betray her.
Tang Weiwei, feeling understood, thanked Li Xiang, who playfully chided her for being so formal. Meanwhile, Jin Zichuan, determined to pursue Li Xiang, tasked his company's PR department with creating various strategies for wooing a girlfriend. However, his frustration mounted when he discovered Li Xiang had blocked him on WeChat and wouldn't answer his calls, rendering all his carefully laid plans useless.
Left with no other option, Jin Zichuan reached out to Tang Weiwei for help, sending her a message asking for a favor. Tang Weiwei's father and Xu Jian, aware of her distress after the breakup, prepared a thoughtful breakfast and went to clean her dessert shop so it would be ready for her. When Tang Weiwei arrived, her father asked why she didn't rest at home and if she had eaten.
Xu Jian offered her milk, and they both comforted her, saying that such experiences were common when young and that her health was paramount. Xu Jian declared himself and her father as her unwavering support system. Moved by their love, Tang Weiwei tearfully requested her favorite sweet and sour ribs and candied yam sticks for dinner, which her father happily promised to cook. Her father then subtly led Xu Jian out, sensing Tang Weiwei needed space to grieve.
Lin Ran was furious after the breakup. He angrily threw his paintbrush, then looked at Tang Weiwei's photo on his phone, replaying her words about them not matching and how she didn't want to live in his fairy tale. He then defiantly muttered that a breakup requires mutual agreement; a unilateral decision was only valid if one party died, and he vowed Tang Weiwei wouldn't get away from him. Later, Jin Zichuan visited Tang Weiwei's dessert shop.
He inquired if Li Xiang had contacted her recently, explaining that Li Xiang had deleted his WeChat and ignored his calls. He asked Tang Weiwei to clarify to Li Xiang that there was nothing between them, stating that Li Xiang was wary of dating her best friend's ex, and that Tang Weiwei was the main obstacle to his pursuit of Li Xiang. Jin Zichuan openly admitted his feelings for Li Xiang, assuming Tang Weiwei was aware.
After making his request, he thanked Tang Weiwei and left. Lin Ran, still distraught, was drinking with Gu Zhen and Ji Hanj, lamenting his breakup, asking what he had done wrong and why Tang Weiwei didn't see how well he treated her. Gu Zhen tried to comfort him but then jokingly advised him to discard women like old clothes. Lin Ran reacted angrily, rejecting the advice. Deep in the night, a drunken Lin Ran climbed through Tang Weiwei's window.
Startled awake, Tang Weiwei immediately tried to make him leave. He drunkenly confessed his pain, asking why, after all his efforts to be with her, she was ending things unilaterally. He pleaded with her to tell him what he had done wrong so he could correct it. He showed her something, lamenting that others wanted him to discard it, but he couldn't because she had given it to him.
Calling her "sister," he questioned why she always forgave his mistakes in the past but wouldn't this time. He begged her to at least consider him a brother if not a boyfriend, as he couldn't bear for her to leave him. Softened by his tearful confession, Tang Weiwei offered him a glass of water. Lin Ran drank it, then immediately began to suffer an allergic reaction. Tang Weiwei realized the "water" was actually syrup.
Panicked, she and her father quickly rushed Lin Ran to the hospital emergency room. After emergency surgery, Lin Ran's vital signs returned to normal, though he needed to be observed in the ICU overnight. Tang Weiwei, feeling immense guilt, stayed by his side, waiting outside the ICU throughout the night. The next day, after Lin Ran was moved to a regular room, many visitors came to see him, but he remained unconscious.
Gu Zhen encouraged Tang Weiwei to rest, concerned about her exhaustion. Later, Tang Weiwei learned that Lin Ran's parents had decided to send him overseas for specialized medical treatment, with a hospital already chosen, and he would be departing soon.
Episode 20 Recap
At breakfast, Tang Weiwei's father informed her that Lin Ran's parents planned to send him abroad for specialized allergy treatment, having already secured a renowned hospital and expert. Tang Weiwei asked about their return, expressing her surprise. Her father explained that Lin Ran's condition remained a hidden threat and that Xu Jian, being familiar with living overseas, would accompany and care for him.
He also reminded Tang Weiwei to prioritize her own well-being so she could have the strength to care for others. Tang Weiwei acknowledged this, and her father then excused himself to take a phone call. At the hospital, Xu Jian encountered Ji Han, asking why she was there. Ji Han explained that Lin Ran was asleep, but his condition had stabilized. Needing to leave, Xu Jian asked Ji Han to look after Lin Ran.
Meanwhile, at her dessert shop, Tang Weiwei was deeply preoccupied with Lin Ran's health. Her distraction led to a series of mistakes, including serving a customer the wrong dessert, spilling chocolate, and dropping a plate. Noticing Tang Weiwei's distraught state, the customer apologized and left, declining the dessert. Li Xiang soon arrived to comfort Tang Weiwei, taking over the cleaning of the shop and reassuring her that things would be alright.
Overwhelmed with worry for Lin Ran, Tang Weiwei tearfully accepted the water Li Xiang offered. Xu Jian later called Tang Weiwei to share the good news: Lin Ran's condition had stabilized, and she no longer needed to worry. He urged her to come to the hospital. Relieved, Tang Weiwei shared the update with Li Xiang, and they rushed to the hospital together.
However, upon reaching Lin Ran's ward, Tang Weiwei paused, pulling Li Xiang back after seeing Ji Han attentively wiping Lin Ran's hand. When Li Xiang questioned why she wasn't entering, Tang Weiwei stated a quick glance was sufficient, as he was awake. Li Xiang encouraged her to cry if she needed to. In the corridor, Ji Han spotted them and tried to explain that she was there on behalf of the school. Li Xiang immediately questioned her presence and intentions.
Tang Weiwei inquired about Lin Ran, and Ji Han confirmed his recovery. Tang Weiwei then politely thanked Ji Han for her care and suggested she go home to rest, effectively cutting off any further explanation. Li Xiang then suggested they proceed into the ward. Li Xiang then asked Tang Weiwei about her true feelings for Lin Ran. Tang Weiwei confessed that if she were 20, she would have readily embraced or married him.
However, at 28, she felt their relationship was sustained only by his youthful passion, and she feared that as she aged before him and the realities of life set in, he would resent her for not ending things earlier. She described herself as a "timed bomb" beside him, poised to "explode at any time."
Li Xiang tried to reassure her that the recent syrup incident was merely an accident, but Tang Weiwei insisted it might be "god's will," and she refused to be a burden, an "alligator," that would trap him. She believed Lin Ran had "more options" without her, and any of those choices could lead to a better future for him. Despite Li Xiang's promise of unwavering support, Tang Weiwei requested to be left alone to process her emotions.
Li Xiang, telling her to stop crying, then left, leaving Tang Weiwei to weep uninhibitedly in the hospital. Upon waking, Lin Ran saw Tang Weiwei and jokingly asked her to rub his eyes, having thought she had left. Tang Weiwei informed him of his parents' plans for him to receive specialized allergy treatment overseas, highlighting the excellent hospital and experts. Lin Ran, however, repeatedly questioned if she, as his girlfriend, would accompany him.
Tang Weiwei attempted to explain his parents' concerns and their desire for him to get well, but Lin Ran interrupted, demanding a direct answer. He grew agitated, accusing her of trying to "chase him away" by staying behind. Tang Weiwei tried to calm him, but he insisted she look at him and answer. When she remained silent, Lin Ran declared that if he left this time, he "won't come back."
Tang Weiwei, struggling with her emotions, ultimately responded that "it's good for us both," then turned and walked away, leaving Lin Ran alone. Lin Ran, following his old habit, looked up at Tang Weiwei's window from downstairs, but she deliberately stayed out of sight, making him believe she didn't want to see him. He then left with his luggage. Later, Tang Weiwei went to the airport to see him off. Li Xiang asked her if she would regret her decision.
Tang Weiwei admitted she didn't know, reflecting that perhaps they "shouldn't have been together since the first place," as it might have prevented the current pain of separation. When Li Xiang pressed if she could truly forget Lin Ran, Tang Weiwei explained that her significant age difference made her believe continuing a "wrong relationship" would be akin to "deceiving him."
She recalled Jin Zichuan's advice about "stopping the loss in time" as potentially the "correct choice" and hoped that "everything will pass." Li Xiang assured her of her presence. Tang Weiwei then observed that since she was the one who welcomed him when he first came to her home, seeing him off now felt like a fitting conclusion to their journey. She then suggested they leave.
Despite Lin Ran's departure, Tang Weiwei continued to run her dessert shop, though her emotional state had visibly shifted. She absentmindedly mistook customers for Lin Ran, staring blankly until gently prompted. The shop was filled with "shadows" of Lin Ran, and she often found herself lost in thought, requiring her staff to call her several times before she focused on tasks like checking baked bread.
Tang Weiwei returned to her apartment, familiar sights along the road reminding her of Lin Ran. That night, sitting on her bed, she recalled every moment spent with Lin Ran, her longing intensifying. Realizing she had broken up with him, she grew increasingly sad and wept by the bay window.
Fond memories of Lin Ran often flooded her mind, from their playful banter to his declarations of affection, emphasizing his unwavering trust and desire for her to be his "goal and life." He had even expressed a wish for her not to leave him, whether as a girlfriend or a brother. In a particular instance, a staff member approached Tang Weiwei about a cupcake order for which the pastry chef couldn't create the required flower design.
Tang Weiwei took it upon herself to decorate the cake, accidentally creating a flawed one. When the staff member praised its beauty and suggested launching it as a new product, Tang Weiwei dismissed it as "damaged" and proposed they eat it themselves, describing it as "not sweet" and capable of making people "gloomy." The staff member wisely pointed out that "sadness and dismay are also types of emotion" for their "emotional cakes."
Considering this, Tang Weiwei decided to name the new dessert "Dark Cloud." The "Dark Cloud" cake, initially deemed imperfect by Tang Weiwei, unexpectedly became a hit. Li Xiang informed Tang Weiwei that her dessert shop had been on the city's hot search for three consecutive weeks, predicting a significant increase in revenue.
She revealed that her company had approved a cover shoot for their magazine at the dessert shop in September, a proposal she championed due to the "Dark Cloud" cake's overnight popularity. Tang Weiwei reflected that if the shop had been this successful initially, things might have unfolded differently. Li Xiang, however, urged her not to dwell on it and confirmed the photoshoot for next Saturday.
Tang Weiwei inquired about her role, and Li Xiang clarified that she just needed a menu for the marketing department and to be informed of any new products. Tang Weiwei mentioned she hadn't developed a traditional "new product" yet, but Li Xiang insisted that anything she made was delicious.
After Li Xiang left, she encountered Jin Zichuan, who had been persistently pursuing her for three months, constantly trying to get her to add him back on WeChat after she blocked him. Jin Zichuan pointed out that Tang Weiwei didn't sell her shop, so Li Xiang had no valid reason to delete him. Li Xiang retorted that she simply wanted to delete him. Jin Zichuan then invited her to dinner.
Impressed by his persistence, Li Xiang agreed to dine with him. Later, as Li Xiang mused to herself, she wondered if she missed Lin Ran, acknowledging that he was completely devoted to Tang Weiwei and had no room for anyone else. She reflected that even if the world criticized him, Tang Weiwei should still believe in him.
While Lin Ran was at the hospital, his condition took a sudden turn for the worse, and doctors rushed to his aid, calling for a defibrillator as he was in a critical state. Tang Weiwei, seemingly sensing his distress, attempted to call him, but her calls went unanswered. Without hesitation, she instructed someone to book the earliest flight to America, changing her prior plans by telling her taxi driver to turn back.
Episode 21 Recap
For three months, Jin Zichuan had taken Li Xiang to every restaurant in the city, which led to Li Xiang gaining eight kilos. She asked if they could engage in any activities other than eating. Jin Zichuan suggested swimming, going to the gym, or playing golf. Li Xiang, feeling she could afford to gain another two kilos, opted to continue dining out.
Meanwhile, a teacher summoned Tang Weiwei and informed her that the opportunity to feature her desserts at the school banquet had been secured by Lin Ran, who spent several sleepless nights painting three exhibition pieces. The teacher emphasized that this was an excellent publicity opportunity for Tang Weiwei's dessert shop, urging her to seize it. While acknowledging Lin Ran’s remarkable talent, the teacher expressed frustration over Lin Ran's indifferent attitude and lack of future planning.
He advised Tang Weiwei, as his guardian, to encourage him to think seriously about his career as graduation approached. Later, Tang Weiwei encountered Ji Han at school. Ji Han learned that Tang Weiwei hadn't been in contact with Lin Ran and revealed that after Lin Ran went abroad, he fell severely ill due to the change in environment and had to admit himself to the hospital. His parents were unavailable, so he handled his own admission paperwork.
Ji Han expressed her confusion over Lin Ran's insistence on eating sweets despite his condition, as she believed abstaining from sugar had little impact on daily life. Tang Weiwei surmised that perhaps Lin Ran's life had been too difficult, prompting him to seek a taste of sweetness. Ji Han felt Lin Ran, a kind soul, didn't deserve to suffer. She recounted how they first met when Lin Ran saved her younger sister from choking, preventing a serious incident.
Ji Han also clarified that Lin Ran accepted a thank-you candy, despite his inability to eat it, to spare her embarrassment. She explained that on the day he rushed her to find her missing sister, he had borrowed Cola's motorcycle, not his own. Ji Han added that the name "Tang Weiwei" acted like a curse on Lin Ran, making him hesitant and cautious. Upon hearing this, Tang Weiwei interrupted Ji Han, who was about to continue, and quickly left.
Back at the dessert shop, Li Xiang was leading a magazine photoshoot. Surrounded by couples, Tang Weiwei felt a pang of sadness. Ji Han frequently visited the shop, attempting to help Tang Weiwei resolve her emotional struggles. Ji Han confessed her own long-standing affection for Lin Ran but acknowledged that his heart was solely set on Tang Weiwei.
She also expressed understanding of Tang Weiwei’s hesitation in the relationship, attributing it to Lin Ran's youth and the potential for societal criticism, and implored Tang Weiwei to trust Lin Ran's sincerity. However, despite her inner longing for Lin Ran, Tang Weiwei stubbornly claimed their relationship was a thing of the past. Overwhelmed by the sweet atmosphere of the shop, Tang Weiwei decided to leave.
Just as she stepped outside, she unexpectedly encountered Lin Ran, who had just disembarked from a plane. Lin Ran, unable to let go of his feelings, had returned for her. Tang Weiwei was unsure how to face him. Understanding her hesitation, Lin Ran sincerely apologized for being self-absorbed and not considering her perspective earlier. He confessed his long-standing affection for her and pleaded with her not to push him away again.
Tang Weiwei questioned his youth and the practicalities of their future, suggesting their relationship was unequal and that he had better choices. Lin Ran passionately refuted her concerns, promising to provide security and protection. They reconciled, sharing a kiss on a pedestrian bridge. After their reconciliation, Lin Ran met Ji Han. He thanked her for her analysis and for "acting" with him while he was abroad, which gave him the courage to return.
Ji Han gave Lin Ran a gift and wished him happiness with the person he loved, acknowledging her own feelings were resolved. Later, Lin Ran signed a contract related to his art with his teacher, who praised his growth and fulfilling potential, a marked improvement from his previous 'indifferent attitude'. At his dorm, his roommate had cleaned his room and reminded him of their shared past, mentioning Lin Ran's European internship contract.
Lin Ran felt that many things had changed since his return, yet paradoxically, nothing had. He expressed disappointment that Tang Weiwei was not as clingy as before. Tang Weiwei explained that as a woman nearing thirty, she was more focused on practical life and reality, with little time or energy for emotional volatility, even her own. When Lin Ran realized Tang Weiwei desired a sense of security, he immediately signed a contract with Gu Zhen to redevelop the circuit.
During a meeting, Lin Ran expressed his dissatisfaction with the planning company's proposal. He bluntly stated that the primary goal should be profit, not just aesthetics or diverse, lower-end activities. This pragmatic approach, combined with his specific criticisms about the project’s high-end positioning, greatly changed Gu Zhen’s perception of Lin Ran. Lin Ran also corrected Gu Zhen, stating, "It's "our" circuit," emphasizing their shared endeavor.
Gu Zhen, aware of Jin Zichuan's prolonged pursuit of Li Xiang, began to worry for him. He playfully referenced a TV drama where the male lead was too timid, implicitly criticizing Jin Zichuan for only inviting Li Xiang for meals despite pursuing her for three months. Taking Gu Zhen's words to heart, Jin Zichuan decided to be bolder and more direct. Seizing an an opportunity during a lift malfunction, he embraced a startled Li Xiang.
Once she regained her composure, Li Xiang urged Jin Zichuan to release her. Gathering his courage, Jin Zichuan declared his feelings and pressed for her answer, asking if she would accept him if they got out alive. Li Xiang promised to be with him if they got out. As if on cue, the lift immediately resumed operation, much to Jin Zichuan's delight.
Later, Lin Ran called Tang Weiwei, asking her to meet him tomorrow with her household registration, teasing her with the promise of a surprise. Tang Weiwei readily agreed, mentioning she would bring the cake she was making for him.
Episode 22 Recap
Lin Ran, understanding that marriage would give Tang Weiwei a sense of security, promptly put the matter on the agenda. Soon after, he and Tang Weiwei registered their marriage. Tang Weiwei confirmed, "We've registered marriage." Although feeling sweet inside, Tang Weiwei playfully teased Lin Ran, asking if she should call him "brother" or something else. Before she could finish, she chuckled and initiated a passionate kiss.
Lin Ran was also overjoyed to finally have Tang Weiwei as his wife, and the two playfully chased each other like children. Lin Ran then took Tang Weiwei to his art studio, where he had painted countless moments related to her. Tang Weiwei observed the paintings, asking why the scenes looked so familiar. Lin Ran explained that these were all places they had visited together, and he simply wanted to record them as memories.
He asked her what she thought of the gallery, to which she replied, "Not bad." Lin Ran added that he wanted to contain all their memories and her in his heart. Tang Weiwei was deeply moved, realizing how much Lin Ran had done for her since learning about her lack of security. She playfully asked if he was listing his assets, and he responded, "Post-marriage assets." Overwhelmed with emotion, they embraced each other.
Lin Ran then brought Tang Weiwei to see his circuit. She playfully scolded him, remarking that she forbade him from racing, yet he had gone and acquired an entire circuit. As they continued their tour, Lin Ran suggested they start preparing for their wedding after announcing their marriage. He asked Tang Weiwei about her preferences, whether she liked a Chinese or Western style, reminding her of her childhood dream of a "Candied Castle."
Tang Weiwei immediately objected, wanting to delay the wedding. She explained that she hadn't figured out how to tell her father yet, fearing the news would be too much for him to handle. Lin Ran offered to tell him if she wouldn't, but she insisted on waiting for the right moment due to her father's "weak heart." Lin Ran clarified that he didn't demand an immediate wedding; rather, he wanted her to understand that he had grown up.
He was no longer a little boy but her husband, capable of protecting, supporting, and being her steadfast reliance. As Lin Ran's face drew closer, Tang Weiwei dropped the dessert she was holding, and they passionately kissed, embracing each other. Ms. Yang, the editor-in-chief, confronted Associate Editor Li Xiang with photos showing her introducing Ning Meng to Jin Zichuan.
Since Li Xiang had not reported this matter to the company, Ms. Yang demanded that Li Xiang prove her innocence within half a day or be dismissed for dereliction of duty. Li Xiang denied the accusations, stating she "didn't do it" and even challenged Ms. Yang to call the police. Ms. Yang retorted that Li Xiang disregarded the company's reputation and reiterated her ultimatum: clear her name or "take the blame and resign."
Li Xiang immediately tried to contact Jin Zichuan, but his phone was off. Jin Zichuan was in a meeting, discussing future work arrangements for the sales department, including strengthening contract review and performance reviews for salespeople. When Gu Zhen's phone rang, the work-focused Jin Zichuan, without even checking who was calling, instructed Gu Zhen to ignore it.
Unable to reach either Jin Zichuan or Gu Zhen, Associate Editor Li Xiang sought out Ning Meng, hoping she would speak on her behalf. Li Xiang explained how her previous arrangement with Ning Meng to endorse Huanuo's product had not been reported to her company, leading to suspicions, and asked for Ning Meng's help in proving her innocence. Ning Meng, however, refused, stating it was "your company's affair" and "it isn't appropriate for me to intervene."
She then suggested Li Xiang seek help from Jin Zichuan, implying they were very familiar. Seeing both paths blocked, Li Xiang grew increasingly frustrated. She returned to the company, dramatically flung her employee badge onto Ms. Yang's desk, declaring she was quitting, and walked out. Her colleagues, asking about her return, were told by Li Xiang to "stop pretending" and that she "doesn't really care about this position," instructing them to "wait for my resignation letter."
The commotion in the office drew curious onlookers, embarrassing Ms. Yang. She angrily confronted Li Xiang about accepting bribery and dereliction of duty, then loudly scolded everyone else, telling them to leave if they had no work to do. Tang Weiwei had not been home for several days, unsure how to tell her father about her marriage, so she was avoiding him. Lin Ran noticed she was sleepy and suggested they go home.
She refused, stating she felt "nervous as soon as I see my father at home" and that she wouldn't be able to keep their marriage a secret. She preferred to "go home only when I know how to tell him." Lin Ran recognized this wasn't sustainable, acknowledged it was "entirely my fault," and decided to devise a plan to help Tang Weiwei.
After losing her job, Li Xiang went to a bar to drink away her sorrows and ended up getting tipsy. She quickly called Tang Weiwei for help, sharing her location. Upon learning it was Li Xiang, Tang Weiwei felt she needed to go, but Lin Ran suggested she let someone "more suitable" handle this "hero saving the beauty" situation, not immediately revealing who he meant. Jin Zichuan arrived at the bar and found Li Xiang heavily intoxicated.
She asked why he was there, lamenting that she had resigned because of him and questioning how he would repay such a great favor. Jin Zichuan asked if she was unhappy, and Li Xiang explained that Ms. Yang had consistently given her a hard time and defamed her, leaving her no choice but to resign. Jin Zichuan reassured her that she shouldn't drown her sorrows alone and promised to face any future difficulties with her.
He understood that his affairs had led to her resignation and resolved to seek justice for her. Jin Zichuan confronted the newspaper's General Manager, Mr. Chen, explaining that Li Xiang's resignation was a direct consequence of an errand she performed for him. He presented a portfolio containing irrefutable evidence of Ms. Yang's corruption, including her accepting bribes to feature inappropriate individuals in the magazine, defaming and suppressing colleagues, making innocent colleagues scapegoats, and deceiving everyone.
Jin Zichuan warned Mr. Chen that if he didn't want these details to "appear in the newspaper," he should handle the matter promptly. Mr. Chen acknowledged their "negligence" and promised a "serious investigation." Jin Zichuan then demanded to see the "outcome" and Li Xiang's "reinstatement notice" within two days. Fearing the scandal would damage the newspaper's reputation, Mr. Chen quickly fired Ms. Yang and promoted Li Xiang.
When Li Xiang and Jin Zichuan arrived at the newspaper office, Li Xiang was bewildered, asking why they were there if Ms. Yang had resigned. Jin Zichuan explained that Ms. Yang had indeed resigned and, due to time constraints, her old office hadn't been renovated yet. He then informed Li Xiang that "this office is yours in the future."
Overjoyed, Li Xiang felt "happiness comes so abruptly" and she was "a little dazed" at the prospect of her new chief editor's office. Seeing Li Xiang so happy, Jin Zichuan was also greatly relieved. In the office, he knelt on one knee and asked her to be his girlfriend.
Li Xiang, having previously confessed to herself that she thought she had "really fallen for him" and recalling Jin Zichuan's earlier suggestion to "try to hang out," was touched by his sincerity. She agreed, stating she would "try it out." Tang Weiwei's father, observing her busy schedule between her dessert shop and home, worried about her lack of a partner. He feigned illness and checked into the hospital, demanding Tang Weiwei go on blind dates.
His brother, Xu Jian, tried to reassure him, mentioning that all his health indexes were normal except for occasional arrhythmia, and advised him to play fewer game tournaments. Tang Father, however, insisted he was worried about Tang Weiwei's unchanging routine and that she "can't continue like this," stating he would "think of a way" to encourage her to meet someone new. Lin Ran learned about Tang Father's ploy.
He urged Tang Weiwei to tell her father about their marriage, assuring her he would be "surprised," she wouldn't need to go on blind dates, and he could then "stand beside you in public." Tang Weiwei, however, was concerned it would be "a shock rather than a surprise" due to her father's "weak heart," insisting they wait for the right moment. Feigning deafness, Lin Ran playfully offered to take leave and go anywhere with her as compensation.
Later, as they went swimming, Lin Ran read a text from Tang Father to Tang Weiwei, telling her to "break up at once" with him. Annoyed, Lin Ran decided to proceed, thinking, "I'll show you when the time comes." He hesitated for a moment, thinking he shouldn't be childish, but then used the opportunity to secretly post an "official announcement" of their marriage on his phone. The news caused a stir, stunning everyone.
Xu Jian, Tang Weiwei's brother, informed her father about the announcement. Upon learning of it, Tang Father immediately abandoned his pretense of illness and stormed out of the hospital to confront Tang Weiwei. Gu Zhen later visited Tang Weiwei's dessert shop, where she offered him a drink, and he requested lemon water. He thanked her for her help the other day.
When she commented on the expense of something he gave her, he clarified that although it was expensive, he hadn't bought it from a wholesale market nor had he bargained for it. Gu Zhen then probed about their relationship, to which Tang Weiwei plainly stated, "I'm married." Gu Zhen, surprised, recalled seeing her and "your brother" recently, prompting Tang Weiwei to clarify she meant "me and Lin Ran."
Gu Zhen, looking crestfallen, said he would leave, but Tang Weiwei stopped him, offering him some desserts she had made to share with his mother. Gu Zhen declined for his mother, explaining she had diabetes and could only consume items with "sweetener," though he accepted a piece for himself. Later, Tang Weiwei contacted Gu Zhen, specifically asking about his company's ongoing research and development into "sweetener."
She explained her desire to create a series of sugar-free cakes for patients and inquired about a potential collaboration. Gu Zhen confirmed that he was in charge of the sweetener project and readily agreed to a partnership. Tang Father was enraged upon learning that Lin Ran was Tang Weiwei's husband.
While at the swimming pool, Lin Ran tried to explain their relationship using a mermaid story and kissed Tang Weiwei, but Xu Jian quickly interrupted, scolding Lin Ran for interfering with his now-married sister. Tang Father confronted Tang Weiwei about acting "before asking permission" and suggested she thought he couldn't interfere with her anymore. Tang Weiwei retorted that if he truly had a "heart condition," he indeed couldn't.
She expressed frustration that after forcing her to go on blind dates, they were still unhappy when she finally got married, questioning "what you really want." Tang Father stated he wanted her to have "a stable life" and criticized her choices, from opening a dessert shop instead of furthering her studies, to "fooling around" with Lin Ran, concluding she was "not like your mother."
Tang Weiwei countered that she had "always been different from mother" and "don't want to replicate her life." Tang Weiwei later reflected that her tone with her father was too harsh and that "anger is certainly the most destructive emotion." Later, Lin Ran met Tang Father and Xu Jian at a boxing gym. Lin Ran bravely announced, "Tang Weiwei and I have gotten married." Both men were shocked, accusing him of lying about their past breakup and his trip abroad.
Lin Ran insisted he didn't lie and that he and Tang Weiwei "love each other." He asserted that he had grown up and that now that Tang Weiwei was with him, "no one can bully her." Lin Ran offered to treat them to lunch, remarking they hadn't eaten all morning after fighting. Tang Father, still upset, said it didn't matter what they ate but "with whom."
He then gruffly told Lin Ran to go shower, which Lin Ran playfully extended to Xu Jian, calling him "brother." Later at Tang Weiwei's dessert shop, Lin Ran, still playful, thanked her for watching the shop and asked about an unmentioned parcel. He then playfully teased her, trying to hide a package labelled "Pursuing Wife Plan," which she eventually spotted. He then offered to wash hands with her and fetch her an apron.
He called her "obedient sister," jokingly claiming to be seven years old to her five, and then said he was "only childish" with her. Tang Weiwei inquired if his recent visit to the boxing gym was related to her brother. Lin Ran dismissed it as "men's communication" that she wouldn't understand, asserting that he had "settled your family somehow."
He quipped that he should have "accepted a few more punches" to make her feel sorry for him, which Tang Weiwei called "blind confidence" requiring counseling. He tasted a sugar-free dessert she made, surprised by its sweetness, and she playfully offered to poison him, to which he joked about them being friends "on the way to the underworld." Their lighthearted moment was interrupted by another customer.
Later, Tang Father gave Xu Jian an invitation to the "Youth Entrepreneurship Conference," asking him to pass it to Tang Weiwei, as he still wouldn't directly support her shop. At dinner, Xu Jian praised Tang Weiwei's cooking, describing the ribs as "aromatic and juicy" and the pumpkin as "especially good for our health." Tang Father, however, found the ribs "a bit overcooked" and "not sweet and sour." Tang Weiwei admitted she had forgotten to buy meat for the pumpkin stew.
Tang Father feigned a phone call to avoid eating. Xu Jian then urged Tang Weiwei to accept the invitation from her father, which she initially declined, saying her shop's business was good. Lin Ran then discussed the conference invitation, noting it allowed family members and fell on a weekend, proposing they pack at her hostel and he would accompany her.
Tang Weiwei remarked that adult relationships require a sense of distance, but Lin Ran declared himself a "minor" who wanted to "stick with my sister" and called himself her "disorder." At her hostel, her friends greeted her as "sister-in-law." While there, Tang Weiwei explained to a friend that Lin Ran had been busy, so the trip was a way to make up for it, earning a comment about her knowing "how to tame your husband."
Lin Ran then presented Tang Weiwei with a sketch book, filled with drawings he had made of her. He later apologized for the "Pursuing Wife Plan" she discovered, explaining he was anxious and didn't want to lose his chance. He reiterated his desire to "follow in your footsteps," "stand with you," and "take you as my wife." Their conversation was abruptly cut short when someone rushed in, shouting, "Brother Ran, it's urgent. Something has happened to Ji Han."
Episode 23 Recap
After Tang Weiwei discovered Lin Ran's detailed relationship planner while helping him pack, she misunderstood his intentions and left alone with her luggage. Lin Ran, realizing his mistake, quickly gathered his own bags and pursued her. Tang Weiwei was surprised by his sudden appearance. Lin Ran sincerely apologized and openly shared his emotional journey, explaining that his love for her began even earlier than what was documented in his planner.
After some time to cool down and reflect, Tang Weiwei understood his feelings and was no longer angry. She explained that she chose to channel her anger into "reciprocal control," aiming for positive change rather than mere outburst. Lin Ran recounted their shared past, how she had always treated him like a child, but he had grown to see her as more than just a childhood friend, wanting to follow her footsteps and eventually marry her.
Hearing this, Tang Weiwei realized his deep feelings for her were more profound than she had initially thought. Meanwhile, Jin Zichuan and Li Xiang went on a date, where he kept offering her tea, which made Li Xiang feel helpless. Noticing her disinterest, Jin Zichuan immediately ordered mung bean cakes. However, seeing Li Xiang affectionately call someone "baby" on her phone, he became jealous and deliberately tried to regain her attention for their date.
Li Xiang, realizing Jin Zichuan wanted her to delete the contact, quickly invited him to see an opera. Jin Zichuan, pleased by her playful demeanor and the way she held his hand, happily agreed. Happy and reconciled, the couple saw people releasing sky lanterns. Tang Weiwei expressed a wish to participate, so Lin Ran quickly acquired one and wrote "Tang Weiwei Lin Ran, grow old together" on it.
Watching the lantern ascend, Tang Weiwei felt a rush of sweetness, and Lin Ran, delighted to see her so happy, held her close. Later that night, in their shared room, after a passionate kiss, Lin Ran tried to stay in bed with Tang Weiwei. However, she playfully kicked him off and tossed him a pillow.
Despite being on the floor, Lin Ran was content, extending his foot to touch the bed, feeling as though he was still beside her as he drifted to sleep. Meanwhile, Ji Han's private diary was illicitly photographed and posted online, exposing her long-held secret crush on Lin Ran to everyone. Lin Ran immediately teamed up with Da Fei and Gu Zhen to track down the person responsible for the leak.
Du Ruyue, who believed her actions were untraceable, initially showed keen interest in the investigation. However, when Gu Zhen, a skilled tech expert, quickly managed to trace the IP address of the post to a general location and outlined his plan to pinpoint the exact culprit, the post mysteriously vanished. Lin Ran, connecting Du Ruyue's sudden inquiries with the post's disappearance, confronted her. He suggested she resign from Tang Weiwei's dessert shop to avoid further embarrassment for everyone involved.
Later, Ji Han thanked Lin Ran for his help and confessed that while she had indeed harbored feelings for him, she had already moved on since learning about his relationship with Tang Weiwei. Lin Ran expressed his appreciation for being admired by such a good girl but lamented that this situation might unfortunately end their close "revolutionary friendship." Anticipating his birthday, Lin Ran subtly tried to remind Tang Weiwei about the upcoming date at the dessert shop.
Although Tang Weiwei pretended to be unaware, she secretly made plans to buy him a gift. Exploiting Tang Weiwei's absence, Du Ruyue tampered with a cake, leading to a customer suffering from food poisoning and being hospitalized. Upon learning of the incident, Tang Weiwei rushed to the hospital, where she was harshly reprimanded by the patient's parents.
Remembering that her former classmate Xiao Yin's husband was a deputy director at the Food Administration Bureau, Tang Weiwei called Xiao Yin and arranged to meet her at a dinner party, hoping to understand the official procedures. Xiao Yin, who had always been envious of Tang Weiwei's academic success, relished this opportunity to have Tang Weiwei seek her help. She deliberately withheld information and pushed Tang Weiwei to drink, prolonging her agony.
Unable to reach Tang Weiwei by phone, Lin Ran grew worried and set out to find her. He eventually located her leaving a club on Wangjiang Road, where he saw someone hand her a bag. Rushing forward, Lin Ran loudly declared himself Tang Weiwei's husband. He then angrily confronted Tang Weiwei for seemingly neglecting his birthday and going out drinking instead.
Deeply hurt and frustrated, Tang Weiwei revealed the day's distressing events, including the food poisoning incident, her visit to the hospital, and Xiao Yin's unhelpful behavior, explaining that her phone had been on silent. Lin Ran immediately realized he had severely misjudged her and was overcome with self-reproach. Seeing his remorse, Tang Weiwei quietly left for home. That night, Lin Ran used the paints Tang Weiwei had given him to create a painting for her.
He sent her a message expressing his regret for misunderstanding her, emphasizing that he didn't want them to be "calm" but rather passionate for each other. Tang Weiwei, moved by his sincere apology, forgave him. In other developments, Jin Zichuan delivered a well-received speech for the international exchange program, which he admitted was based on a draft Li Xiang had written. He told Li Xiang that Lin Ran had specifically asked him to look after her.
Later, he invited her to be his partner for Lin Ran's belated birthday celebration. Meanwhile, Tang Weiwei, having decided not to treat Lin Ran like a child anymore, prepared a special sugar-free cake for him. Presenting it as a gift to make up for missing his actual birthday, she expressed her desire for them to build a relationship where they could openly correct each other's mistakes. Lin Ran was touched by her sincerity and the thoughtful gesture.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Friends gathered to celebrate Lin Ran's birthday, which had been postponed due to Tang Weiwei's absence the day before. Despite Lin Ran initially downplaying the occasion and suggesting everyone leave, his friends insisted on celebrating. Tang Weiwei brought out desserts she had prepared. They sang "Happy Birthday" and Tang Weiwei then apologized for her unexpected absence. Lin Ran reassured her that she never needed to apologize to him.
Later, as they closed the shop and walked home hand in hand, Lin Ran expressed his joy, telling Tang Weiwei that they were "locked together" without keys, and that even the air felt sweet to him. Meanwhile, Jin Zichuan and Li Xiang were taking a leisurely walk, appreciating the rare quiet time together. Jin Zichuan unexpectedly kissed Li Xiang, whose lips she described as "so soft, much softer than my ex-boyfriend's."
Jin Zichuan, sensing their relationship had made significant progress, then proposed marriage. Li Xiang was taken aback by the sudden proposal. Later, Tang Weiwei's dessert banquet was underway. Jin Zichuan and Li Xiang were among the guests, and Tang Weiwei briefly separated from Lin Ran to check on things in the kitchen.
Ji Han, who was soon departing the country, stopped by to say her goodbyes to Lin Ran's group, telling them her 10 am flight meant she couldn't stay for the banquet. Gu Zhen, having just received news of Ji Han's departure, rushed to the venue, only to find he was too late. He quickly pursued her, hoping to catch her before she left the school vicinity.
Tang Weiwei was concerned about managing the busy banquet by herself, but was relieved when Du Ruyue, who was supposed to be preparing for her graduate entrance exams, offered to help. Tang Weiwei gratefully promised to treat Du Ruyue to a lavish meal with Lin Ran once she successfully enrolled in grad school. Du Ruyue's eyes flickered briefly as she continued with her tasks. Gu Zhen finally caught up with Ji Han on the road.
He nervously attempted to confess his feelings, but his words faltered. Ji Han, in a hurry, told him she had to leave and suggested he text her later if he had something to say. Realizing this might be his last chance, Gu Zhen poured out his heart, confessing his love and asking her to be his girlfriend.
He even offered to study for TOEFL and the Graduate Record Examination to join her abroad, assuring her that this confession was entirely his own idea, not orchestrated by Lin Ran. Ji Han, seeing his sincerity, told him she was heading to Cornell University in New York. Still pressing for an answer, Gu Zhen repeatedly asked if she would be his girlfriend.
Ji Han, with a smile, repeated the name of the university and called him "silly" before turning to leave. Gu Zhen, with a sudden realization, called out to her, promising he would come find her there. Back at the banquet, as Tang Weiwei was delivering a cake, a male guest asked for her WeChat. Lin Ran, witnessing this, immediately intervened, asserting his ownership by declaring, "I'm her husband."
He told the man any communication should go through him, effectively chasing the man away. Tang Weiwei found Lin Ran to be overly jealous, jokingly calling him a "vinegar spirit reincarnation." Lin Ran, wanting to leave his mark, tried to kiss her, a moment that Du Ruyue observed, fueling her unrequited love for Lin Ran and intensifying her jealousy.
Tang Weiwei had intended to give Lin Ran a sugar-free cake, but Du Ruyue, driven by envy, secretly swapped it with a regular sugared cake and presented it to Tang Weiwei. Unaware of the switch, Lin Ran tasted the cake and immediately had an allergic reaction. Tang Weiwei quickly offered to accompany him to the hospital. However, Lin Ran urged her to stay and continue baking, suggesting that Da Fei take him instead.
Tang Weiwei, believing Da Fei might not be meticulous enough, insisted that Du Ruyue accompany Lin Ran to the hospital. Shortly after Lin Ran and Du Ruyue left, a sudden explosion rocked the kitchen, causing Tang Weiwei to collapse, unconscious. Hearing about the fire, Lin Ran, despite his allergic reaction, rushed back to the venue, calling out for Tang Weiwei. He bravely entered the burning kitchen and rescued her.
While Tang Weiwei was recovering, a news report mistakenly blamed the fire on the pastry chef's negligence, upsetting Tang Weiwei. Lin Ran comforted her, assuring her that the police investigation would clear her name. Reflecting on Du Ruyue's shifty eyes in the kitchen earlier, Lin Ran grew suspicious.
Lin Ran later confronted Du Ruyue, accusing her of being responsible for the various incidents, including the previous school anniversary outfit, the stolen notebook, and the current fire, stating there was "no flower in your heart, only selfishness." Du Ruyue, though initially denying it due to lack of evidence, eventually admitted her actions.
She shamelessly confessed her love for Lin Ran, explaining that she felt Ji Han and Tang Weiwei had "so much yet they still want all your attention," while she "only has you." She tried to twist the blame, pointing out that Tang Weiwei "gives you sweet cakes to eat. You almost died," and claiming she was "the one who loves you the most." Lin Ran, disgusted, told her not to touch him and threatened to call the police.
Du Ruyue pleaded, stating she had sacrificed her "bottom line and dignity" for him, but Lin Ran retorted that her actions meant she had no future. Ultimately, police investigations revealed evidence of tampering with the kitchen's circuit valves, leading to the fire. Du Ruyue was taken into custody. Following the ordeal, Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei finally shared a room. The next morning, Lin Ran's first act was to call a wedding company, requesting multiple proposal plans.
Tang Weiwei's father and Xu Jian, already in formal attire, left early, aware of Lin Ran's intentions. Gu Zhen then led a bewildered Tang Weiwei to a beautifully decorated venue, filled with photos of her and Lin Ran. Tang Weiwei's father, seeing her, told her he had found someone to take care of her in his stead.
In front of their friends and family, Lin Ran knelt and proposed to Tang Weiwei, reminiscing about their shared journey, from their childhood squabbles to their first kiss, and how she had made him a better person. He expressed his desire to explore all of life's "strange things" with her, from "everyday life to our lives, seasons, and even years ahead." As the crowd chanted for her to accept, Tang Weiwei asked Lin Ran to stand up.
She then recited a passage about "existential loneliness" and how intimate relationships are often sought to escape it. She concluded by affirming that her only reason to marry him was that she loved him. Relieved, Lin Ran placed the ring on her finger. Later, Lin Ran surprised Tang Weiwei by taking her to a racing circuit. He confessed that on her birthday, when he claimed to be at the library, he was actually here, racing.
Tang Weiwei asked how many more secrets he was keeping from her. Lin Ran, smiling, invited her to spend the rest of her life uncovering them, before they shared a sweet kiss in the gentle breeze.
