Twelve Letters Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Twelve Letters Synopsis
The drama tells an emotional story set in motion by a single letter that triggers an intertwining of fates, gradually unveiling long-buried mysteries of the past. A mailbox and a letter become the medium for a cross-time connection, awakening a symphony of emotions at both ends of time. Through twelve letters exchanged across decades, the intertwined tales of love, friendship, and family are revealed. As the mystery of fate comes to light, the protagonists also find emotional redemption. With a fantastical premise as its shell, the suspense of fate as its lure, and delicate emotions at its core, the series uses letters as vessels of love and feeling to tell a moving story that transcends time and space.
Twelve Letters Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In the pouring rain of a dark night, a somber woman penned a letter. After placing it in an envelope, she vanished, leaving behind only a chrysanthemum cat. The letter, a suicide note, was addressed to her nineteen-year-old self, expressing her exhaustion and inability to escape Meiwan Town or "him." She wished for a chance to choose if her life could begin again, dating the letter September 3, 1991.
Years later, in the winter of 2026, a security guard named Zhang Quan in Beixing City noticed an old man, Yu Zhiyong, repeatedly breaching the property. Zhang Quan confronted him, asking why he sat there daily. Yu Zhiyong initially claimed he was "waiting for a letter" but later corrected himself, saying he was "sending letters." Zhang Quan, frustrated, tried to get him to leave, explaining the property was scheduled for demolition and he risked losing his job.
Nian, Yu Zhiyong's daughter, arrived to take him home. Zhang Quan complained about the old man's persistent intrusions, which had already led to a confrontation with his coworker. Nian attempted to persuade her father to move to Beijing with her, mentioning she had already bought tickets and arranged a car with her friend Miaomiao. However, Yu Zhiyong refused, insisting he had something important to do and would return afterward.
Nian, exasperated, argued that his refusal was a burden that cost her a relationship with Mingxiao and jeopardized her job in Beijing. She urged him to visit a doctor instead of just taking medication, but Yu Zhiyong remained steadfast in his desire to "send letters." The next morning, Nian awoke to find her father gone. She discovered a note from him, explaining he didn't want to leave, burden her, or make her angry, and that his illness wasn't entirely bad.
He reiterated his need to complete an important task before returning. Nian reported him missing to the police, identifying him from a blurry surveillance image, though the police found no trace of him at the factory she suggested. Concerned about her father's confused state, Nian returned to the property where he often sat.
There, Zhang Quan informed her that Yu Zhiyong had visited again the previous night, put a letter in the mailbox, and then mysteriously disappeared, as if he had "crawled into the mailbox." Dismissing Zhang Quan's "nonsense," Nian opened the mailbox herself. Inside, she found a letter addressed to Ye Haitang, dated September 3, 1991.
Overcome with emotion, Nian tearfully apologized to her father, promising not to force him to move and begging him to come home, as a cat meowed nearby. The story then shifted to Meiwan Town in 1991. Li Chadong, along with Tang Yixun and another subordinate, was discussing their plan to buy a large trawler, which required over ten thousand yuan.
Li Chadong instructed his men to carry out two debt collection jobs west of the bridge, after which they were to meet Bao. At Ye Yibo's house, Li Chadong and his men confronted Ye Haitang, demanding a 1,000-yuan debt owed by her father. Ye Haitang stated her father was absent and informed them it was her Grandma’s seventh-day memorial. Unmoved, Li Chadong ordered his men to take items as collateral.
When a subordinate found and seized some cash, Ye Haitang pleaded with them, revealing it was her Grandma's money. To honor the deceased, Li Chadong agreed not to seize more items but warned Ye Haitang to tell her father to pay by next month. As they left, Ye Haitang tried to retrieve the money from the subordinate to no avail, and Tang Yixun paused, looking back at her with a conflicted expression.
Later, at the video store, Tang Yixun discussed his ambitions with a friend, expressing his and Li Chadong's goal to save money for a ten-meter trawler capable of sailing fifty nautical miles, aiming for a more respectable livelihood transporting goods. Meanwhile, Li Chadong received a phone call from his boss, who demanded the collection of a debt, regardless of the borrower's mother having passed away and a funeral being held.
Following this, Bao, a more dominant figure in the underworld, confronted Li Chadong, telling him to assign Ye Yibo's debt to Qiang, one of Bao's own men. Bao reminded Li Chadong of his dependence and instructed him to remember his place. Tang Yixun, despite being involved with Li Chadong, also attended school. On his first day, he arrived late, drawing a reprimand from Miss Tan (Tan Xin), his teacher.
She urged him to finish his senior year for a diploma and to avoid debt collection and fighting with Li Chadong. Tang Yixun reassured her that Li Chadong never involved him in such activities. In class, Miss Tan introduced Tang Yixun, who identified himself to the class, which included Ye Haitang, the class monitor. Miss Tan instructed Ye Haitang to assist Tang Yixun with textbooks and class funds.
After school, Tang Yixun encountered Shen Xiaojun, a student who boasted about his brother's connections with Qiang from Old Street, offering protection. Tang Yixun politely declined an invitation to play pool, saying he had other commitments. On the street, Ye Haitang confronted Tang Yixun, demanding her Grandma's money back and threatening to report him to the school. Tang Yixun denied having the money. Ye Haitang accused him of being involved in debt collection for her father's gambling debts.
A classmate, observing them, later identified Tang Yixun as a "hooligan" seen at an Old Street pool hall and advised Ye Haitang to keep her distance from him. Ye Haitang also worked at the Sunshine Bookstore, where her boss discussed a new marketing idea: "Write a letter to your future self." Ye Haitang liked the concept, and the boss explained it as a way for customers to write "diaries" of their feelings, which the bookstore would store for future retrieval.
While drinking tea with his subordinates, Li Chadong discussed the violent debt collection for "mustache," one of Bao's fellow villagers. He stated their plan to buy a trawler in a month, envisioning a legitimate business transporting clothing to earn respectable money, even if it meant undercutting Bao's prices.
Li Chadong then informed Tang Yixun that they would no longer pursue Ye Yibo's debt, stating that "Bao's men" would handle such "small debts" as they were "a bunch of scumbags" who used brutal methods. Tang Yixun expressed concern for Ye Yibo's daughter, Ye Haitang, acknowledging her pitiful situation. The next day, a new mailbox mysteriously appeared outside the Sunshine Bookstore. The owner discovered a letter inside, addressed to Ye Haitang.
Thinking it perfect for their new event, he asked Ye Haitang to get a lock for it. At school, as Ye Haitang collected class funds, Shen Xiaojun and another student mocked her. Later, Shen Xiaojun rummaged through Ye Haitang's bag and found the letter. Ye Haitang confronted Tang Yixun outside, accusing him of writing the letter and threatening to call the police. Tang Yixun denied it.
Shen Xiaojun then read the "corny" love letter aloud in class, attributing it to "Xun." Ye Haitang tried to retrieve it, but Shen Xiaojun resisted. Tang Yixun intervened, kicking Shen Xiaojun and taking the letter. Miss Tan entered, believing Tang Yixun was responsible. Despite his denials and explanation that the handwriting was similar but not his, Miss Tan dismissed his claims, ordering him to write a self-criticism. He refused.
Later, Ye Haitang's father, concerned about the incident, met with Miss Tan. He took responsibility for neglecting Ye Haitang's upbringing, acknowledging her sensitivity and the profound impact of her Grandma's passing. He pleaded with Miss Tan to give the students a second chance, suggesting they were "just trying to make friends" and promising such an incident wouldn't recur. Miss Tan agreed not to blame Ye Haitang, advising her father to be more attentive.
Tang Yixun, present at the meeting, was identified by Ye Haitang's father. When he tried to lecture Tang Yixun on focusing on studies and upholding student ethics, Tang Yixun retorted, "Who are you to lecture me?" and again denied writing the letter. Ye Haitang's father attempted to defuse the situation, suggesting they treat it as a joke, but warned Tang Yixun of serious consequences if it happened again. Miss Tan confirmed the letter had been "thrown away."
As Ye Haitang's father and Miss Tan left, Ye Haitang remained. A voiceover, presumably from Nian, concluded the episode: "A'Tang, I wanted to help you escape this endless suffering, but I never imagined I was opening another abyss. The abyss is more terrifying than a mire, because demons lurk within."
Episode 2 Recap
Tang Yixun opened the letter that Ye Haitang had torn. The contents of the letter shocked him. Meanwhile, Ye Haitang returned home with her father, Ye Yibo, only to be brutally beaten by him. Ye Yibo, who appeared polite in public, was in fact a compulsive gambler. He often physically abused Ye Haitang, trying to take the money she earned from her arduous part-time job, caring little for her well-being, and even plotting to marry her off for money.
Feeling hopeless after her father’s assault, Ye Haitang lay on the floor and wept after Ye Yibo left with her money. Tang Yixun showed the letter to his friend, observing that Ye Haitang's life must be incredibly painful based on its contents. However, his friend dismissed it as a prank. That night, Ye Haitang woke up in agony. Although she had once strived fiercely to live, repeated blows from life had eroded her courage.
She penned a suicide note to her mother, dropped it into a mailbox, and then, armed with a knife, headed to a gambling den to confront Ye Yibo. Just as she was about to act, Tang Yixun suddenly appeared, stopping her. Ye Yibo seized the opportunity to flee. Infuriated by Ye Yibo's escape, Ye Haitang blamed Tang Yixun for interfering.
She had been determined to die with Ye Yibo, but Tang Yixun insisted that sacrificing her life for such a person was not worth it. Ye Yibo, having fled, reported the incident to the police, fabricating a story that painted Ye Haitang as mentally ill and dangerous. Tang Yixun and Ye Haitang also arrived at the police station. Upon seeing Ye Yibo, Ye Haitang's rage erupted. Tang Yixun quickly intervened, explaining the situation to the police to prevent further misunderstanding.
Tang Yixun patiently talked to Ye Haitang, learning that Ye Yibo had stolen her class funds. When Tang Yixun walked Ye Haitang home, they found Bao's men at her house, demanding payment. Ye Haitang was not afraid, but Tang Yixun, knowing the debt collectors' methods, urged her to flee. As Bao's men spotted Ye Haitang, Tang Yixun, fearing for her safety, took her back to his own home.
He promised to help her resolve the issues with the class funds and the love letter (which he would later recognize as a suicide note), hoping to encourage her to continue living and honestly be herself for another year. After Ye Yibo returned home, he mistook his daughter for being there and was about to berate her. Tang Yixun bought some snacks and daily necessities for Ye Haitang.
Tang Yixun met with his friend, Rat, who had been observing Zhenzhu, a disabled girl who managed the video arcade. While Rat went out to buy late-night snacks, he overheard some hooligans mocking Zhenzhu with insulting remarks. Unable to contain his anger, Rat confronted them and punched their leader, but due to being outnumbered, he suffered severe injuries. The narrative then shifted to 2026.
A security guard intended to destroy the old letter, but Yu Nian believed it was a crucial clue to finding her father and prevented its destruction. Suddenly, Officer Hu called Yu Nian, asking her to come to the police station. After exchanging contact information with the security guard, Yu Nian went to the station, only to be told that her father had died in prison over 20 years ago.
Yu Nian found this impossible to believe, as her father had raised her from childhood, and she couldn't accept that he was no longer alive. However, the police officer confirmed the information was accurate, as it was linked to a nationwide database. Returning home, a bewildered Yu Nian began searching through her father's belongings for clues. She discovered old train tickets and a greeting card. The handwriting on the greeting card matched that on the letter she found, both belonging to Ye Haitang. The train tickets also showed travel to Pushui East.
Episode 3 Recap
Yu Nian discovered that Meiwan Town is now known as Pushui. The narrative then shifted back to 1991. At school, rumors spread like wildfire about Ye Haitang, with students claiming she attacked her father with a huge knife and comparing her to a demon. Others found it hard to believe, given Ye Haitang’s usually well-behaved demeanor. Tang Yixun intervened to stop the gossip. Just then, Ye Haitang arrived for school, and her classmates watched her with wary curiosity.
Soon after, Ye Yibo, Ye Haitang’s father, created a scene at the school, disregarding his daughter’s dignity. Tang Yixun, angered by Ye Yibo's behavior, hit him. This incident drew the principal's attention. The principal apologized to Ye Yibo and offered him money. Feigning politeness and righteousness, Ye Yibo eventually took the money but still insisted on further action against Tang Yixun and Ye Haitang.
The class teacher was upset that Tang Yixun resorted to violence, considering it an unwelcome societal influence in the school. She urged him to change his ways, but Tang Yixun argued that Ye Yibo was a deplorable man and that normal conversation wouldn't work with him. Despite his explanations, the teacher remained firm that hitting someone was wrong and suspended him from school, angrily sending him away.
Ye Haitang later tried to explain to the teacher, even offering to speak to the principal herself, but the teacher warned her that if she continued to stir up trouble, both she and Tang Yixun could be expelled. Li Chadong learned of Tang Yixun's suspension and was furious, especially after his two associates provoked Bao, a dangerous individual, leaving Li Chadong worried about retaliation.
He confronted Tang Yixun for getting involved in Ye Haitang's family matters, reminding him that they were debt collectors, not heroes. Tang Yixun argued that the debt belonged to Ye Yibo, not Ye Haitang. Tang Yixun found Ye Haitang at the library where she worked. She tried to repay him for the class funds he had covered for her. He initially refused but eventually accepted the money.
Tang Yixun then gave her a separate sum, explaining it was a repayment for funds previously taken from her grandmother. He also gave her a slip of paper with his phone number, telling her to call him if anyone ever bullied her or if she encountered any difficulties. The timeline then jumped to 2026. Two men arrived at Yu Nian's home, looking for her father regarding demolition matters.
They didn't believe Yu Nian's claim that her father had disappeared and suspected she was hiding him. Yu Nian's pregnant sister arrived and intervened, prompting the men to leave. Yu Nian then showed her sister a letter and a postcard, pointing out a connection to a woman named Ye Haitang and revealing that their father's real name was not Yu Zhiyong.
Yu Nian used a computer to pinpoint Meiwan Town's location, confirming it was now part of Pushui, and traveled there to find clues. At the police station, she was informed that she couldn't access information without being a direct family member. Just then, Ye Haitang’s son arrived to report his mother missing. A police officer noted that his mother, Ye Wanru, was formerly known as Ye Haitang.
Overhearing Yu Nian's inquiries, the son confronted her and pulled her back inside the station. Yu Nian was distressed, believing Ye Haitang was responsible for her father's disappearance. She expressed her frustration to Ye Haitang's son, criticizing him for knowing nothing about his own mother. As they were leaving, Yu Nian suddenly thought of checking Ye Haitang’s home for clues. Inside, she found a cookie tin identical to one her father owned.
They found letters inside, and Yu Nian pointed out a similarity in the handwriting on the letters to a postcard her father kept. Ye Haitang's son, however, was skeptical, questioning how a letter from 1991 could still look so new. Yu Nian maintained that her father's disappearance on November 8th, the same day his mother became unreachable, pointed to a connection. Ye Haitang’s son revealed his mother is a patient who needs surgery.
Yu Nian countered that her father has Alzheimer's and would be incapable of abducting anyone. Despite their ongoing arguments and mutual accusations, they eventually decided to search for their parents together, with Ye Haitang's son agreeing to follow Yu Nian’s lead. Back in 1991, Bao, a powerful gang leader, was furious with his men for failing to collect debts and for being outmaneuvered by Tang Yixun. Bao then confronted Li Chadong's crew. To appease Bao and prevent Tang Yixun from suffering worse consequences, Li Chadong was forced to strike Tang Yixun in front of everyone.
Episode 4 Recap
Ye Haitang discovered her letter missing from the mailbox and immediately tried to call Tang Yixun. Meanwhile, Tang Yixun was in dire straits, being severely beaten by Bao and his men. One of Bao’s henchmen, annoyed by the persistent ringing, angrily smashed Tang Yixun’s phone. At this moment, Ye Yibo came looking for Ye Haitang and witnessed her attempt to call Tang Yixun. Li Chadong initially believed that teaching Tang Yixun and his associate a lesson would appease Bao.
However, Bao remained relentless, demanding that Tang Yixun and the other person each compensate with a leg, as one of his men, Qiang, had a crippled leg. To spare Tang Yixun from such brutality, Li Chadong reluctantly agreed to pay Bao 10,000 yuan, which Bao then reduced to 8,000 yuan, instructing Qiang to make Li Chadong sign an IOU. Ye Yibo took Ye Haitang home and forced her to kneel before her grandmother's portrait.
He then tearfully complained, accusing Ye Haitang of being influenced by a "hooligan," pulling a knife on him, and even wanting to kill him. He lamented his struggles, claiming he paid her tuition, her mother's debts, and even Grandma's medical bills, and now might have to sell the house to pay back his own debts. Ye Haitang firmly refused to sell her grandmother's house. Enraged, Ye Yibo violently beat and kicked her, demanding the house deed.
Ye Haitang clutched her grandmother's portrait, refusing to give in. While Ye Haitang suffered at home, Tang Yixun's side also faced trouble. After Li Chadong settled his business with Bao, Bao's men decided to handle "kid's matters" themselves and exacted revenge. They violently trashed Tang Yixun's billiards hall and another hall, leaving them in ruins. During the attack, Li Chadong was present, urging Tang Yixun and his associate, Rat, not to fight back.
Rat was seriously injured, prompting Tang Yixun to comfort him, apologizing, and promising to protect him. Later that night, worried about Tang Yixun, Ye Haitang, still distraught from her father's abuse, went to look for him. Seeing blood on his doorknob, she frantically knocked. Tang Yixun returned at that moment, attempting to appear fine, but his injuries couldn't be hidden from Ye Haitang. Without a word, she gently tended to his wounds.
Tang Yixun noticed the injuries on her wrist, realizing his father had beaten her again. He asked her if she still wanted to go back to school, to which she affirmed. Tang Yixun then went directly to Ye Yibo’s gambling den, pretending to be a debt collector. Ye Yibo, initially boastful upon seeing Tang Yixun, immediately turned pale at the mention of "debt collection."
Tang Yixun seized the opportunity to threaten Ye Yibo, warning him never to harm Ye Haitang again, or he would "kill you." After delivering his threat, Tang Yixun left. No sooner had he departed than Bao's men arrived, demanding money from Ye Yibo. The next day, in the drizzling rain, Tang Yixun brought steamed buns to Ye Haitang. She spotted him from afar and hurried to meet him with an umbrella.
Tang Yixun sensed something was bothering her, and Ye Haitang shared the story of her missing letter. She explained that she had written what she considered her "last note" and placed it in the bookstore's mailbox, only to find it gone later, while all other letters remained. Moreover, a love letter had appeared in its place. She found the situation suspicious, as the mailbox was locked, and only she had the keys.
Tang Yixun agreed that "something is wrong here" and suggested someone was trying to "mess with them," proposing they investigate. Meanwhile, Miss Tan visited the damaged billiards hall, looking for Tang Yixun. Seeing the disarray, she expressed concern for Li Chadong and Tang Yixun, asking if Tang Yixun could still return to school. Li Chadong confirmed he would not let Tang Yixun end up like himself and encouraged him to focus on school once he recovered.
Ye Haitang felt the love letter found in the mailbox was sincere, not a prank. She noticed the stationery matched what their store sold and bore an anchor logo. This led her to believe the person who wrote it, took her letter, and left the love letter must have visited the store many times and was likely someone she knew.
Determined to uncover the truth, Tang Yixun suggested they prepare an empty envelope and place it in the mailbox, then observe to catch the culprit. They waited by the mailbox until late at night, but no one appeared. Ye Haitang eventually fell asleep, her head gently resting on Tang Yixun’s shoulder. Tang Yixun, feeling awkward, didn't dare wake her. Upon waking, they decided to go home and return the next day.
The following day at school, Ye Haitang discovered a prank drawing on the blackboard depicting her and Tang Yixun, with "May you have many children soon, may you be a couple for 100 years" and "A Tang, I will never forget my love for you," "A Xun, you are my eternal light" written on it. Her friend quickly erased the drawing. Tang Yixun, meanwhile, continued to monitor the mailbox, but for three consecutive days, the empty letter remained untouched.
Elsewhere, Yu Nian took Ye Haitang's son to the mailbox. The security guard, Zhang Quan, explained that he was present when Ye Haitang's father vanished after mailing a letter at midnight, describing a cat meowing and paper rustling, after which both the father and the letter disappeared. He also mentioned that a new letter had appeared in the mailbox out of thin air on another occasion.
Zhang Quan added that this area was "cursed," a "no man's land" where people vanished annually, likening it to black holes, auroras, and aliens. Yu Nian found these supernatural explanations hard to believe, but then, a chrysanthemum cat suddenly appeared. Seizing the moment, Zhang Quan threw an envelope into the mailbox, and in an instant, time seemed to reverse, transporting the world back to 1911.
Back in 1991, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun, having waited three days with no one taking their empty letter, concluded that no one would come and prepared to leave. Suddenly, a cat's meow broke the silence, and the same chrysanthemum cat appeared by the 1991 mailbox. Seeing the cat, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun opened the mailbox again, to their surprise, finding a new letter inside. They exchanged a look, their faces reflecting both confusion and surprise.
Episode 5 Recap
In 1991, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun returned to the Sunshine Bookstore and opened the mailbox, finding an unexpected letter inside. Ye Haitang realized it was the letter she had previously sent, which had disappeared, now returned without its envelope. Tang Yixun thoroughly searched the mailbox, confirming there were no hidden mechanisms. The unusual occurrence left them puzzled, pondering if the mailbox could automatically send and receive mail.
Meanwhile, in 2026, Yu Nian and Ye Haitang's son, Shen Cheng, were at a similar red mailbox outside Northern Shipping. Shen Cheng had just deposited a letter, which mysteriously vanished. He dismissively accused Yu Nian and the security guard, Zhang Quan, of performing magic tricks. Zhang Quan, a security guard for Group 3, defended himself, stating he was merely fulfilling his duties and that such strange phenomena were real, not magic.
Yu Nian tried to explain the scientific impossibility of a letter simply disappearing, but Shen Cheng remained skeptical, challenging them to make his phone disappear. Yu Nian countered that specific conditions—midnight and a cat's presence—were required. As the weather grew colder, Yu Nian suggested they go home. At Yu Nian's home, the two continued to discuss the mysterious events.
Yu Nian revealed that, according to police records, a man named Yu Zhiyong, her father's registered name, had died over twenty years ago, implying her current father was using an assumed identity. They reviewed the clues they had gathered: identical biscuit tins, train tickets to Pushui found among her father's belongings, and the strange 1991 love letter Ye Haitang had received. Yu Nian theorized that her father and Ye Haitang might have had a romantic relationship in the past.
To confirm their suspicions, Yu Nian decided to write another letter to Ye Haitang, seeking answers about the mailbox and Yu Zhiyong. Back in 1991, Ye Haitang also wrote a letter and attempted to mail it, but it did not disappear from the mailbox. She deduced that the letters only traveled under specific conditions: precisely at midnight, and only when a "chrysanthemum cat" ran past the mailbox.
In 2026, Yu Nian prepared some of her father's old objects to send with their next letter. Shen Cheng, still determined to expose what he believed to be a trick, placed his phone inside the mailbox to record, along with his own blank letter and the old objects. At midnight, after Yu Nian lured the cat with cat food, Yu Nian's letter was sent, but Shen Cheng's blank letter and the old objects remained in the box.
Shortly after, a reply from Ye Haitang mysteriously appeared. Shen Cheng, though amazed, was frustrated that his phone had failed to capture the event. The reply from Ye Haitang, dated 1991, recounted her finding a strange love letter and her own letter disappearing and reappearing. She asked who they were and if they knew how the mailbox worked. The letter confirmed that the two sides were indeed communicating across time.
Meanwhile, Tang Yixun decided he wanted to return to school and asked Ye Haitang to help arrange a meeting with their teacher, Tan Xin. During his meeting with Tan Xin, Tang Yixun also voiced his concern for their friend, Li Chadong, who had isolated himself after his pool hall and arcade were vandalized by a gang, and requested that she visit him.
Tan Xin went to see Li Chadong, bringing money to help him rebuild and deliberately using harsh words to provoke him, aiming to reignite his fighting spirit. Despite his initial despair, Li Chadong was moved by Tan Xin's support. He resolved to rise again, telling his two younger associates, including Tang Yixun, that they would rebuild the business. He acknowledged that Tan Xin had lent them the money, emphasizing that he would repay her.
In 2026, after receiving Ye Haitang's letter, Yu Nian and Shen Cheng realized the mailbox truly connected different timelines. To further prove their claim and obtain more information, they decided to send another letter to Ye Haitang, including a verifiable future event: the waterspout phenomenon at Meiwan Wharf on September 23, 1991, and the subsequent renaming of the wharf to Longshui Wharf. They also noted that time seemed to pass faster in 1991 than in 2026.
At midnight, in 1991, as the chrysanthemum cat once again passed the mailbox, Ye Haitang opened it and found Yu Nian's letter. She rushed to Tang Yixun, and together they read the contents. They were astonished by the date, November 12, 2026, realizing it was 35 years in their future. They decided to wait for September 23 to verify the waterspout event. Later, at home, Tang Yixun carefully copied the love letter Ye Haitang had received.
He noticed his own unique handwriting style, especially the character "Xun," was strikingly similar to the one in the love letter. This led him to suspect that the love letter Ye Haitang received might have been written by his future self. The strange events prompted Tang Yixun to deeply contemplate the mysteries of time and emotion, eagerly anticipating what the future held.
Episode 6 Recap
Ye Haitang's eyes traced the words on the letter, noting how the detailed descriptions of daily life astonishingly matched Tang Yixun's. Their gazes met briefly, then quickly averted, as an awkward silence settled between them. The letter was, in fact, an unsent love letter. Tang Yixun reflected that if the letter truly came from his future self in 2026, a man in his fifties, he would never pen such sentimental words.
Ye Haitang suggested that the writings felt genuine and indeed mirrored their current challenging lives, marked by daily fights, debt collection, and constant fear, reminiscing about the simpler days she missed. Tang Yixun found it bizarre that his future self would write such things. Determined to understand the origin of the mysterious postbox, Tang Yixun listened as Ye Haitang recalled an old, thin, white-haired man, accompanied by a cat, pulling a flatbed cart with a similar red postbox on it.
She had only seen him once, and he didn't seem to be from their town, but the postbox appeared the day after he left. Tang Yixun also remembered seeing this old man at Ye Haitang's doorstep. With both their names appearing in the letters, they concluded that the phenomenon was directly related to them. They decided to search for this old man, and though they journeyed in the rain, discussing the uncertainties of the future, they failed to find him.
Tang Yixun admitted he still struggled to believe the situation was real, questioning what it all meant even if true. Ye Haitang, however, saw it as an opportunity. If the senders were truly from the future, she wanted to ask if she would get into college and manage to leave Meiwan. Tang Yixun immediately affirmed that she certainly would.
When asked about his own future, he confessed he hadn't given it much thought, only hoping his future self would be doing well, but admitted to a pessimistic feeling that the future might not hold anything good. Ye Haitang countered that knowing bad things in advance could help them avoid them.
They pondered Yu Nian's identity, wondering if she truly knew their future selves, yet both felt an inexplicable trust in her, much like the genuine feeling they had about the love letter. In 2026, Yu Nian anxiously awaited a reply. As she consulted with Ye Haitang’s son about their next steps, a call from the public security bureau reported the discovery of a disoriented elderly man near the Wangjialing National Highway Gas Station, possibly her father.
Yu Nian rushed to the location. Upon arrival, she confirmed it was not her father nor the person they were looking for, and urged the officers to call an ambulance for the elderly man, who was cold and disoriented. Reflecting on the situation, Yu Nian grew distraught, wondering if her father was also lost and unable to remember his name or home.
She was overcome with regret, questioning why she had argued with him, and desperately wished to know where he was and if he was safe. Meanwhile, Li Chadong, Tang Yixun, and their friends were busy cleaning their newly acquired shop. Bao's henchman arrived with fruit, attempting to persuade Li Chadong to return to his old, illicit business.
Li Chadong politely but firmly refused, stating that they were merely "battered soldiers" who could no longer join Bao's "boat" and did not wish to hold them back. When the henchman pressed, implying Li Chadong blamed them for his injury, Li Chadong clarified, declaring that from then on, they would only operate the pool hall to earn an honest living, and their business was no longer connected to Bao's gang.
After the henchman left, Li Chadong advised his men to avoid provoking Bao’s gang but confidently asserted that they would not be forced back into debt collection. He then rallied them to continue their honest work. Soon after, Tan Xin, Tang Yixun’s teacher, visited the shop. She expressed her happiness about Li Chadong’s intention to do legitimate business and offered Tang Yixun a chance to return to school under two conditions.
First, he had to study diligently and cause no more trouble at school, with Ye Haitang agreeing to tutor him so they could both improve. Second, he was strictly forbidden from fighting outside school or associating with outside troublemakers; any violation would result in immediate expulsion. Tang Yixun eagerly accepted, thanking her profusely. Tan Xin declined an offer to stay for dinner, urging Tang Yixun to focus on his studies.
After she left, Li Chadong playfully chastised Tang Yixun for being shy and not keeping Tan Xin longer. That evening, Ye Haitang went to Tang Yixun's place to cut his hair, saying it was in preparation for his return to school the next day. As she trimmed his hair, she stressed the importance of not fighting with Shen Xiaojun or others, promising to help him with any academic difficulties.
Tang Yixun admitted he had many things he didn't understand, and she vowed to teach him until he did. She asked if he had ever considered attending university or his future. He confessed he hadn't, feeling that people like them lived day by day, merely trying to survive, especially since he experienced hunger as a child. He felt being alone made nothing matter. Ye Haitang strongly disagreed, insisting he shouldn't give up.
She revealed that her hope of getting into college was what kept her going. It was her escape from Meiwan and her father, Ye Yibo. Her grandma had left her the house with instructions to sell it after college and leave, taking the money to go as far away as possible. She recounted how, during her father's abuse, she would silently repeat "Get into college, leave Meiwan" a hundred times, feeling each day brought her closer to that dream.
Tang Yixun expressed his belief that she could achieve her dream. Ye Haitang then encouraged him to join her, suggesting they could study together, "charge ahead," and leave Meiwan together. Tang Yixun was skeptical, doubting his ability to get into college, but Ye Haitang playfully assured him it was "easier than fighting."
After finishing the haircut, Ye Haitang remarked on Tang Yixun's new, neat appearance, and Tang Yixun himself said he almost didn't recognize himself, adding that Ye Haitang cut his hair very well. She then suggested that if the events of the 23rd mentioned in the letters proved true, they should ask Yu Nian if they could attend the same university. Tang Yixun, however, stated that he surely wouldn't be able to get into the same university as her.
Tang Yixun then walked Ye Haitang home. Before she entered, she handed him a greeting card addressed "To Tang Yixun," with the message: "May we both have the courage to journey through mountains and seas, and the luck to witness the aurora. - Ye Haitang." Tang Yixun was filled with joy as he watched her go, unaware of the unsettling sounds emanating from inside her house. The moment Ye Haitang stepped inside, she was violently attacked and rendered unconscious.
The next morning, Tang Yixun arrived to pick her up for school, only to find her room empty and her nowhere to be found. At school, Shen Xiaojun tried to provoke him, but Tang Yixun, remembering his promise to Ye Haitang, calmly avoided a fight. However, upon hearing that Ye Haitang had taken sick leave, requested by her father, he instantly panicked. He rushed to the Ye family residence, only to find it deserted. Desperate, Tang Yixun called the police.
Following their hints, he suspected Ye Yibo had admitted Ye Haitang to a psychiatric hospital. It was revealed that Ye Yibo, in his greed for the family property, had falsely claimed his daughter was mentally ill to imprison her. Tang Yixun immediately raced to the psychiatric hospital. He found Ye Yibo trying to force a distraught and restrained Ye Haitang further inside, claiming he was doing it for her own good and that she needed treatment.
Ye Yibo cruelly told Ye Haitang not to blame him, promising to pick her up after selling the house. Tang Yixun confronted Ye Yibo, calling him a "beast." Ye Yibo, feigning victimhood, accused Ye Haitang of trying to stab him and of bringing Tang Yixun, a "punk," to kill him. A fierce physical altercation ensued, with Tang Yixun fighting to rescue Ye Haitang. Other hospital staff intervened, warning of fatal consequences if the fight continued.
Tang Yixun, still calling Ye Yibo an "animal," eventually managed to free Ye Haitang, who was deeply traumatized, repeatedly apologizing. Tang Yixun comforted her, saying "Let's go home," and brought her back. Back at his home, Tang Yixun was enraged by Ye Yibo’s monstrous behavior towards his own daughter. Ye Haitang then opened up about her traumatic childhood. Her mother had left them because she could no longer endure Ye Yibo’s violence.
However, her mother was slandered in the community for taking money from the Fenghua Sugar Factory, where she worked as a cashier. Ye Yibo, in public, was a master of deception.
He never spoke ill of his wife and tearfully promised the factory’s Director Wei and Secretary Liu that he would repay the stolen funds, even offering to have it deducted from his meager wages, claiming he and Ye Haitang could eat simply so he could save money for his own mother's medical bills. The factory leaders were moved by his apparent selflessness, and the factory agreed not to press charges if he repaid the money.
He even became a local hero after rushing into a factory fire to save over a dozen people, receiving an award and publicly declaring his commitment to justice and courage. He helped neighbors whenever needed and refused all offers of remarriage, stating he wouldn't let a stepmother mistreat Ye Haitang.
Because of this carefully crafted facade, no one believed Ye Haitang when she tried to expose his abuse; instead, they were convinced she was mentally ill, a diagnosis Ye Yibo reinforced by learning the term "delusional disorder" from doctors. He would fly into a rage whenever her mother spoke to other men, escalating into violence, eventually driving her mother away. Tang Yixun, in turn, shared his own painful past.
He had never met his father and last saw his mother when he was four, when she promised to find his father and return for him, a promise she never kept. He recounted almost starving to death in their house before being sent to an orphanage. His parents left him nothing, not even a name; "Xun" was given to him by Chubby Auntie (Tan Xin's mother) at the orphanage.
He later learned his birth parents never truly cared for him, which fueled his determination to survive, no matter the cost. He admitted that his early fights stemmed from being bullied and called a "stray dog," with his books thrown into the toilet. He found solace and guidance from Tan Xin and Chubby Auntie, who always encouraged him to study.
He also revealed that Tan Xin and Li Chadong used to be a couple, with Li Chadong cycling long distances to visit her at normal college, but they broke up when Tan Xin felt he strayed to the "wrong path."
Tang Yixun defended Li Chadong and Rat, explaining that Li Chadong, lacking education, struggled to find legitimate work, while Rat had suffered deeply after his murderer father's imprisonment and his mother's subsequent suicide due to bullying, leading him to drop out of school. Seeing so many unfortunate people struggling to survive, Tang Yixun reflected on the fragility of life. Ye Haitang then asked why he saved her when she tried to take her own life.
Tang Yixun simply said he wanted her to live. He added that she hadn't done anything wrong and, being so diligent, deserved to live well. He confessed that when he was injured and saw her frantically trying to reach him, he felt for the first time what it was like to have family. He then offered to be her family if she would accept him.
With tears in her eyes, Ye Haitang agreed, and they resolved to live well together, as each other's chosen family, moving forward. Life slowly returned to normal as they focused on their studies. Tang Yixun practiced riding a bicycle, with Ye Haitang teaching him about mathematics and offering encouragement for finding freedom through education. On the designated day, the 23rd, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun headed to the dock Yu Nian had mentioned.
As dusk settled and their hope dwindled, the promised waterspout, which the locals called a "dragon," dramatically appeared. Amazed, Ye Haitang immediately wrote a reply to Yu Nian. Her letter confirmed the waterspout, stating her current date as September 23, 1991, expressing her astonishment at communicating with someone from 2026. She clarified that she had received a previous letter, but it was not from "Yu Zhiyong," whom she didn't know, and that the letter was already torn.
She also informed Yu Nian that she didn't know Beixing City and that letters arrive when a cat jumps onto the postbox at midnight. She earnestly asked Yu Nian for an explanation. In 2026, Yu Nian received the reply. Ye Haitang's son, seeing the confirmation of the date, asked Yu Nian if she was sure this was his mother. Yu Nian admitted she couldn't confirm it yet, especially since the letter stated it wasn't from his father.
They hypothesized that the postbox might connect multiple timelines, or that others might also be using it, making the situation far more complex. Ye Haitang's son then insisted on writing the next letter himself, alone, to ask a question that only he and his mother would know the answer to, to conclusively verify her identity. Yu Nian agreed. The episode concluded with Yu Nian informing someone via phone that she was going to Pushui, as her mother had been found.
Episode 7 Recap
In 1981, in Meiwan Town, a young Ye Haitang’s mother brought her fish cakes, a favorite treat. However, her father, Ye Yibo, violently beat her mother, demanding money. Witnessing her mother’s suffering, Ye Haitang tearfully vowed never to eat fish cakes again. She clung to her mother, asking if her father’s anger stemmed from her being a girl.
Ye Haitang offered to become a boy, asking to be called "Son" (A-zai), and promised to protect her mother like a son would. Her mother agreed, making a secret pact: if she ever said, "Son, let's have fish cakes at Shiqiao," Ye Haitang should go directly to the stone bridge after school and wait for her. In 2026, police discovered the body of a woman, estimated to be between fifty and sixty years old, by the river.
Officer Zhao reported to Captain Wang that the body showed signs of drowning, old burn scars on the arms, and some struggle marks. Yu Nian and Shen Cheng were promptly informed. Shen Cheng rushed to the scene, where the police looked grim due to the body's severe decomposition, making identification difficult. While Shen Cheng went in to identify the body, Yu Nian paced anxiously outside.
When Shen Cheng emerged, he gravely informed Yu Nian that a man had been found in his mother’s passenger seat, a prime suspect, possibly Yu Nian’s own father. This revelation shattered Yu Nian, who adamantly refused to believe his father could be a killer, chasing after Shen Cheng to deny the accusation. Shen Cheng, enraged and distraught over his mother's death, declared his intention to tell the police everything he knew.
Distraught but still skeptical, Yu Nian frantically called Miaomiao, asking her to search their house for letters and to keep watch over a specific mailbox, emphasizing the secrecy of the request. Yu Nian was then brought to the police station for questioning. He was shown a photo of the man from the passenger seat, but he firmly stated it was not his father, pointing out the different hat, clothing style, and body shape.
The investigating officer also asked about the man's relationship with Ye Wanru, which Yu Nian denied knowing. He mentioned his father’s health issues and confusion, asserting he had no motive for murder. The officer then revealed a shocking truth: Yu Nian’s real father, Yu Zhiyong, had died in prison in 2004. The man Yu Nian knew as his father was an imposter.
The police explained they needed to understand the imposter’s motives and what he might have done to Yu Nian. Yu Nian struggled to process this, insisting that he had known this man as his father his entire life, that his grandmother always called him "Dayong," and that everyone in their hometown knew his father as Yu Zhiyong.
Meanwhile, the police confirmed that fingerprints found at Yu Nian’s house belonged to a man named Tang Yixun, an ex-convict who had served thirteen years for involuntary manslaughter in 1991. Elsewhere, Miaomiao, despite being pregnant, stubbornly guarded the mailbox as requested, dismissing the shipyard guard Zhang Quan's superstitious warnings. She even paid him to put up "missing person" flyers for Yu Nian's father. Back in 1981, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun returned home to find their furniture being moved out.
They learned that Ye Yibo had mortgaged the house due to his debts. Ye Haitang confronted the debt collectors, asserting the house wasn't Ye Yibo's. When they became aggressive, Tang Yixun bravely grabbed a cleaver and brandished it, forcing the men to retreat, though their leader warned them this wasn't over. Later, Ye Haitang decided to give up the house to protect Tang Yixun from further danger.
She pager-called Ye Yibo back home and forced him to sign a "Relationship Severance Agreement" in exchange for the house deed. Ye Yibo initially resisted, pleading and recalling old memories, claiming he only mortgaged the house to pay debts and planned to reclaim it. However, Ye Haitang remained firm, reminding him of his past abuses and insisting that her grandmother, not him, had raised her.
Ye Yibo eventually signed, and Ye Haitang handed him the deed, declaring they were now square. Feeling a sense of liberation, Ye Haitang gathered only her grandmother's belongings and her books, telling Tang Yixun that nothing else mattered. As they walked home, Ye Haitang spoke to a picture of her grandmother, expressing her newfound hope for a good life and higher education with Tang Yixun. Tang Yixun, in turn, vowed to protect Ye Haitang.
That night, Tang Yixun, respecting Ye Haitang’s need for space, slept outside their new room. Later that night, Tang Yixun met his friend Rat and asked him where to find trendy clothes. He confessed he wanted to buy some women’s outfits for Ye Haitang, who had left her old home with nothing.
Rat, teasingly suggesting a "Joey Wong" dress, eventually agreed to help Tang Yixun find more modest, schoolgirl-style dresses, and they planned to go shopping the next day after school. Tang Yixun bought several dresses. At the bookstore, the owner's son, Hu, claimed to see a kitten in the mailbox. The owner opened it, found no cat, but did find a pile of letters, which he then took.
The next day at school, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun discovered a joint petition to expel Tang Yixun. Ye Haitang confronted Shen Xiaojun, who she suspected was behind it, and defended Tang Yixun in front of the class, challenging anyone who claimed to have been hurt or harassed by him, or whose grades had dropped.
When no one stepped forward, Ye Haitang asserted that the students knew right from wrong and that Shen Xiaojun was the true "black sheep" for her constant bullying. The teacher arrived and class began. Afterwards, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun checked the mailbox but found no reply, unaware that the letters had been taken by the bookstore owner.
Tang Yixun left to go shopping with Rat, while Ye Haitang, with the bookstore owner's permission, took home an old, broken wire bed from his warehouse. Arriving back at their new home, Ye Haitang found the dresses Tang Yixun had bought. She happily tried on a dress, reassuring Tang Yixun it fit perfectly, even if the shoes were a bit big.
Later that evening, as it began to rain while they were organizing letters, they playfully splashed around, enjoying their moment of shared happiness. Lee Chadong’s Buddies Billiards reopened, attended by Ye Haitang and Tan Xin, a major shareholder. They celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and a meal. However, the festivities were interrupted by Brother Bao and his men.
Bao, feigning well wishes, then made it clear he intended to take over the billiards hall, intimidating Lee Chadong and his friends before his men proceeded to vandalize the place. Later, while Ye Haitang was organizing letters, she unexpectedly discovered one dated 2026.
Episode 8 Recap
Ye Haitang learned that Tang Yixun had never celebrated his birthday, which filled her with tenderness. One evening, as they walked, she pointed out a crystal ball, asking if its light resembled the aurora. Tang Yixun offered to buy it for her, but she declined, suggesting he gift it to her on his birthday instead, believing it would be more meaningful.
When she asked when his birthday was, he confessed he didn't remember his actual birthdate, or even the day he arrived at the welfare house, and therefore had never celebrated one. Moved by this, Ye Haitang surprised him by setting up a small "birthday" celebration with a rice cake. She told him that a birthday could be any happy day, proposing that day, November 9th, as his chosen birthday.
Tang Yixun, deeply touched, agreed that it was his first ever birthday. Ye Haitang then promised to celebrate his birthday with him every year, assuring him she would prepare a huge cake with many candles the following year. They made wishes; Tang Yixun wished for Ye Haitang to get into her dream university, stay healthy, and live a good life.
Ye Haitang, in turn, wished Tang Yixun a happy birthday and happiness every day, before they blew out the candle together. Soon after, a tragic event unfolded. Tang Yixun and Ye Haitang found themselves covered in blood, with Tang Yixun clutching a bloodied knife. He desperately urged Ye Haitang to go home, change her clothes, and claim she had never been there, intending to take all the blame himself.
He told her there was no "us," only him, reminding her of her bright future and the need to go to college, asking her to live well for his sake. However, Ye Haitang refused to leave him. Tang Yixun turned himself in to the police, confessing to murder at Half-hill. Ye Haitang rushed to the police station, insisting she was present during the incident and that they were attacked, offering to testify.
Tang Yixun vehemently tried to push her away, repeatedly claiming sole responsibility and denying her involvement. Tang Yixun was subsequently sentenced to prison. Ye Haitang made several attempts to visit him, but each time she was told he refused to see her. She insisted there must be a mistake, believing he would never refuse her. Eventually, an officer handed her a letter from Tang Yixun.
In the letter, he urged her to stop visiting, reminding her that she should be at school, moving forward with her life. He told her to live well for both of them, just as they had agreed. He declared he would not see her again, assuring her he had no regrets about his fate, and that her happiness was all he needed to know his life had not been in vain.
Heartbroken, Ye Haitang held the letter, its words blurring through her tears. She carefully placed it in a biscuit tin and decided to return to school to re-study for the college entrance exam. She also wrote a letter back to Tang Yixun, expressing her profound longing and concern, telling him she was retaking her twelfth grade for their promise and how slowly the days passed without him. In 1993, Ye Haitang prepared for her college entrance examination.
When the results were announced, she was overjoyed and rushed to the prison to share the good news with Tang Yixun. However, she found the prison had been demolished. When she inquired about his new location, she was informed that a prisoner's details were personal privacy, and as she was not an immediate family member, they could not disclose any information.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she stood at the site of the former prison, lamenting to the absent Tang Yixun that she had gotten into university and wished he could see it, asking where he was. She realized she had finally left the place they were in, but in doing so, had also lost him forever.
In 1995, Ye Haitang began volunteering at a welfare house, explaining her emotional connection to the place due to a family member having grown up in one. A year later, in 1996, Rat unexpectedly appeared at the welfare house, having just been released from prison. He told her he had come to see her and that Zhenzhu was doing well. Ye Haitang eagerly asked if he had any news of Tang Yixun.
Rat reluctantly revealed that Tang Yixun had fallen seriously ill and passed away. Ye Haitang was utterly shocked, refusing to believe it, and demanded to be taken to him. Rat gave her an address for his grave in Meiwan, suggesting she visit when she was ready. After Rat left, Ye Haitang, consumed by grief, frantically called out for him. Later, at Tang Yixun's grave, she saw her name, "Haitang," carved into the headstone.
Her legs gave way, and her eyes glazed over as she finally accepted the devastating reality. Distraught, she walked towards a river, reflecting on how she could live well without him. She recalled a past conversation where he had asked why she had grabbed his knife, and she had told him it was simply to help him live.
His words, urging her to move forward, to live well for him, and that her good life would make his sacrifices worthwhile, echoed in her mind. She paused at the water's edge, her gaze slowly firming, and turned away, resolving to carry his hopes and continue living. She thought about how he had done nothing wrong and worked so hard, so he truly deserved to live well. In 2005, Tang Yixun was released from prison.
He signed his release certificate and received his personal belongings, including letters that Ye Haitang had sent him during his imprisonment. Reading one of her letters, written while he was still incarcerated and she believed him alive, he saw her wishing him a happy birthday, describing how she had fixed their leaking roof, and promising to go to college and live well for him while she waited for his return. Tears streamed down his face as he read her words.
He later visited a household registration office to register his household using his release certificate. He found Rat and Zhenzhu happily together, running a sweet soup and fried skewers stall with their son, Teng. Tang Yixun remarked on how much had changed, but the sweet soup remained the same. He learned that Granny had passed away peacefully the second year after Rat's release.
Rat told him that Li Chadong had bought a boat after his release and had last been seen seven years prior, presumed to be living freely at sea. Rat then offered Tang Yixun some money Li Chadong had left for him, claiming it was a debt. Tang Yixun declined, stating he had to go out of town to fulfill a promise to a friend.
Rat then gave Tang Yixun a piece of paper with Ye Haitang's old phone number, revealing that she visited his grave every year. Tang Yixun, however, told Rat that "Tang Yixun is dead," and despite Rat's gentle prodding, he refused to see her, stating he was fine and Rat should return to Zhenzhu. As they parted ways, they both knew it might be their last farewell. Later, Tang Yixun visited his own grave, where he encountered an elderly cleaning lady.
He asked if anyone had been there earlier, and she confirmed that a woman came every year at that time, cleaned the grave, and brought a cake for his birthday. Tang Yixun immediately rushed out, hoping to find Ye Haitang, but she was already gone. He tried to call the old phone number Rat had given him. A child answered, then a woman, who said it was likely a wrong number.
When he heard her mention, "Mom made sweet and sour ribs," he realized she had a family and silently put the phone down, suppressing his longing. Later, Tang Yixun traveled north to visit the mother of his prison friend, Yu Zhiyong. Yu Zhiyong’s young daughter, Nian, immediately mistook Tang Yixun for her father, running to him and calling him "Dad." Tang Yixun introduced himself to Yu Zhiyong's mother as her son's friend, there to visit.
During dinner, Nian innocently asked Tang Yixun about driving big trucks down south, why he was away for so long, and if she could accompany him next time. Yu Zhiyong's mother, who was suffering from a serious illness and coughing frequently, assured Tang Yixun that her condition had improved, but he later learned from a doctor that her illness was terminal and he should prepare for her funeral.
Yu Zhiyong's mother urged Tang Yixun not to waste money on her, saying his visit was enough, and he shouldn't be held back. Tang Yixun, having lost his own family and feeling alone, responded that if she was willing to give him a home, he would take on the responsibility of a son, caring for her and Nian. Tang Yixun took Nian to a new city in the North.
He told her they would live in a big apartment and she would go to kindergarten. Nian was thrilled to see a large ship by the waterfront and asked if they would ride it. Tang Yixun promised her that they would buy a house there if she liked it, to which Nian happily replied that anywhere with her father was fine. They raced on the beach, and he affectionately told her she had grown so fast he couldn't catch her.
He found work at a shipyard as a welder, taking on the identity of Yu Zhiyong. A colleague named Mei, who was fond of him, offered to look after Nian or cook for them when he was busy. Tang Yixun kindly but firmly explained that he had no plans to remarry and did not want to hold her back. Mei understood, assuring him they could remain good friends and colleagues, and she would still gladly look after Nian.
On his birthday, Tang Yixun visited his own grave. He quietly spoke to his past self, telling 'Tang Yixun' that he was living well and had seen real snow, which was beautiful. He promised to live their lives to the fullest, ensuring his friend Yu Zhiyong's sacrifices were not in vain. He concluded by wishing Tang Yixun a happy birthday, confident they would meet again someday. Years continued to pass.
Every year, on his birthday, Tang Yixun would return to the cemetery. And every year, he saw Ye Haitang there. From a distance, he watched as she, too, now older and her figure slightly stooped, arrived with flowers and a cake, still faithfully celebrating his birthday.
Their paths, once deeply intertwined, now converged yearly at a silent grave, a poignant ritual that, over the long passage of time, etched their enduring love and unspoken regrets into an eternal mark on both their hearts.
Episode 9 Recap
In the present day, Sun Miaomiao patiently waited by the mailbox, hoping for a letter. As night fell and no correspondence arrived, her spirits sank. Just as she was about to leave, a faint cat's meow broke the silence, and the security guard retrieved a letter from the mailbox. The sudden event sent a shock through Sun Miaomiao, causing her to faint. The guard, seemingly accustomed to such reactions, quickly helped her.
Meanwhile, Yu Nian delivered a newly arrived reply to Shen Cheng. Upon reading its contents, Shen Cheng felt a surge of certainty: the person communicating with him across time was indeed his mother, Ye Haitang, in 1991. Shortly after, Yu Nian learned that Sun Miaomiao had fainted. While Yu Nian expressed concern for her friend and her baby, Shen Cheng, with a furrowed brow, chided Yu Nian for sharing such a confidential matter with an outsider.
He then stormed out of the room. Another person explained to Yu Nian that Shen Cheng's mother had tragically passed away in 2026, which fueled his intense emotions and desire to protect her in the past. Driven by his grief, Shen Cheng composed a reply to Ye Haitang in 1991, writing a desperate warning to "immediately distance herself from Tang Yixun" because "he will bring you danger."
Concurrently, the police investigation into Tang Yixun's past yielded new information for Yu Nian. They revealed that her biological father, Yu Zhiyong, had been imprisoned for a hit-and-run and had become close friends with Tang Yixun, who was incarcerated for manslaughter in 1991. After Yu Zhiyong's death in prison, Tang Yixun, likely honoring a dying wish, moved to Yu Nian's hometown to care for her and her grandmother.
This revelation deeply touched Yu Nian, who had always viewed Tang Yixun as her own father. Later, when Shen Cheng inquired with the security guard about Yu Zhiyong, the guard described him as a stubborn old man who seemed like a good person. Shen Cheng's phone then received a text, prompting a change in his expression. He hastily packed his belongings and rushed out.
Worried for Tang Yixun and knowing the police would only share updates with Shen Cheng, Yu Nian quickly followed him. They boarded a train, where Yu Nian thoughtfully prepared a box of instant noodles for Shen Cheng, creating a brief moment of warmth between them. Yu Nian, despite her deep belief in Tang Yixun's innocence, solemnly promised Shen Cheng that she would not protect her father if he were proven guilty.
Shen Cheng revealed his urgency stemmed from a profound desire to understand his mother's past. He contacted Tan Xin, Ye Haitang’s former teacher, who confirmed that Ye Haitang's high school studies and college entrance exam were indeed interrupted by a "case" in 1991. Tan Xin recounted various rumors circulating at the time: some claimed Tang Yixun committed the crime for Ye Haitang, while others suggested Ye Haitang was the culprit and Tang Yixun took the blame.
However, Tan Xin adamantly believed Tang Yixun would never harm Ye Haitang, citing a letter he wrote from prison pleading with her to help Ye Haitang continue her education and leave Meiwan safely. Tan Xin recalled the incident occurred around November 30th and mentioned Tang Yixun's childhood friend, Zhang Hao, promising to provide his contact information if she could find it. After the call, Yu Nian asked Shen Cheng if he now believed her father was a good person.
Shen Cheng replied that his belief no longer mattered; he only wanted to understand what transpired and if a different outcome could have been possible. Back in 1991, Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun received the puzzling letter from the future, with Shen Cheng identifying himself as Ye Haitang's son and warning her to stay away from Tang Yixun due to impending danger. Both were baffled, with Tang Yixun expressing confusion and concern about the accusation.
They also wondered about unfamiliar names like Yu Nian and Yu Zhiyong from previous letters. As a severe rainstorm caused their house to leak, drenching Ye Haitang's test papers, Tang Yixun tried to console her. They agreed that if he ever posed a danger to her, she should flee, and he would eventually find her.
Later, rushing to the marketplace where the mailbox was located, they discovered it had been washed away by the flood, cutting off their vital connection to the future. They vowed to search for it daily. Meanwhile, Li Chadong had completed the renovation of his billiards hall but refused to continue collecting debts for his former boss, Bao. He decided to close the business, hoping to avoid further entanglement.
He instructed his friend Rat to take Zhenzhu home and to pass on a message to Tang Yixun: they should all keep their distance from Bao's gang for a while. However, Bao's enforcer, Qiang, and his thugs were not deterred. They harassed Ye Haitang at her part-time job at the bookstore, claiming to be friends of her boyfriend. The bookstore owner, fearing for his family, reluctantly fired Ye Haitang, offering her an early payment of her wages.
Heartbroken, Ye Haitang returned home and confided in Tang Yixun. Enraged by the thugs' actions, Tang Yixun wanted to confront Bao, but Ye Haitang pleaded with him to stay calm, reminding him that this was a deliberate provocation and he must not revert to his old ways. Tang Yixun, in turn, promised not to act rashly and swore to protect her, vowing to stay by her side.
That evening, Li Chadong returned to his billiards hall to find Qiang and his men waiting. Li Chadong reiterated his decision to close the billiards hall, warning them not to push him too far. Qiang then made a veiled threat, suggesting that Tan Xin would make a suitable partner for "Fat Dog," one of their thugs. Enraged, Li Chadong fiercely warned Qiang not to harm Tan Xin, threatening violence. Qiang countered by pointing out Li Chadong's inability to protect everyone.
At that moment, Tan Xin arrived, witnessing the confrontation and mistakenly concluding that Li Chadong was returning to his old life. Later, Tang Yixun, Li Chadong, and Rat gathered to discuss their desperate situation. Rat revealed that the thugs' harassment had cost Ye Haitang her job and expressed concern that Zhenzhu, her granny, and even Tan Xin might be targeted next. Li Chadong, deeply troubled, asked for time to deliberate on their next move.
Episode 10 Recap
Yu Nian and Shen Cheng met with Zhang Hao to inquire about the past. Zhang Hao frowned slightly as he recalled those times, firmly stating that Tang Yixun could never have committed murder. He revealed the existence of Ye Yibo, Ye Haitang's father, a hopeless gambler who had nearly ruined Ye Haitang's life multiple times. Zhang Hao recounted that Tang Yixun, an orphan with no family, had protected Ye Haitang and later severed all ties with Ye Yibo.
Zhang Hao explained that he was released from prison in 1996 and, after searching for Tang Yixun, found him in another prison. Tang Yixun had asked Zhang Hao to tell Ye Haitang that he was dead, feeling it would be a waste of her life to wait for a convict for over a decade. To make Ye Haitang believe him, Tang Yixun had Zhang Hao erect a tombstone in his name.
Zhang Hao added that the incident that led to Tang Yixun's imprisonment profoundly changed all their fates, thinking it would be their last struggle, but a greater disaster lay ahead. Years later, a salesperson asked Ye Haitang if she was buying a burial plot for her parents, to which she replied she was buying one for herself, specifically next to Plot 1-5, which was Tang Yixun's supposed grave.
Yu Nian pondered that if Ye Haitang believed Tang Yixun was dead, the claim that Tang Yixun killed Ye Haitang could not be true. The friends' lives took a turn due to the relentless harassment from a gangster named Bao and his associate, Qiang. Everyone was weary of the gang life and yearned for peace. Qiang frequently brought his men to a local food stall, causing disturbances and even physically assaulting an old lady, who was later hospitalized.
Zhang Hao, enraged that the old lady and potentially Zhenzhu were targeted, confronted Li Chadong about his inaction. He questioned whether Li Chadong would tolerate similar harm to Ye Haitang or Tan Xin. Zhang Hao and Tang Yixun were determined to confront Bao, but Li Chadong stopped them, warning that violence would only lead to their deaths and leave their loved ones unprotected. Li Chadong promised to "make things right." Meanwhile, Ye Haitang's bookstore had been vandalized and burned.
The owner, deeply disheartened, informed Ye Haitang that he was closing the bookstore and moving back home, giving her a pile of good books. He told her it wasn't her fault, but rather the "problem" of their town. He urged her to "study hard," "give it her all," and "get into university" to "leave here." Tan Xin often found Li Chadong with Qiang, leading her to believe he was reverting to his old habits.
One evening, she confronted him, asking why his billiard house closed and what he discussed with Qiang's men, suspecting they were plotting debt collection or worse. Li Chadong insisted he was done with his past, but Tan Xin, having believed him many times before, expressed her disappointment. She told him that she no longer knew who he was and couldn't wait any longer.
Li Chadong, unable to disclose the true nature of his predicament, desperately asked Tan Xin to leave with him, anywhere, but she refused, her trust in him completely broken. Later, Li Chadong sought out Tan Xin, returning her investment from the billiard house as a final gesture. During this emotional farewell, Tan Xin acknowledged his efforts, telling him he owed her nothing, but also lamented that she "never did make it onto [his] ship in the end."
Bao held a meeting with his subordinates, who complained about Shen Dashan’s actions impacting their earnings. Bao managed to calm them, assuring them he would resolve the issue. At that moment, Li Chadong burst in, fell to his knees, and begged Bao to spare him. He apologized for any past offenses, stating that he and his friends were giving up their old ways.
Bao, still in control, offered Li Chadong one final job, promising that if he completed it, he would leave Li Chadong and his friends alone. Li Chadong reluctantly agreed. As he was leaving, Qiang deliberately asked Li Chadong for a light, then slyly put Li Chadong’s lighter into a plastic bag. Earlier, Zhenzhu had personally knitted a red sweater for Zhang Hao.
Overjoyed, Zhang Hao put it on immediately, vowing to wear it for a lifetime, a moment of fleeting happiness before the impending danger. Li Chadong returned to Tang Yixun and Zhang Hao, informing them of Bao's final task. Zhang Hao was skeptical, calling it a "death trap" and urging them to call the police. Li Chadong explained that Bao was too "clean" and would only escalate his harassment if they reported him.
Tang Yixun proposed they flee, but Li Chadong argued that their loved ones—Grandma, Zhenzhu, Ye Haitang, and Tan Xin—were either too frail, unwilling, or focused on their future (like Ye Haitang's college aspirations) to simply run away. He concluded that Bao had left them no other choice. Ultimately, they decided to take a gamble: "If we win, we live. If we lose, we die together." Before embarking on the dangerous mission, each man sought out their loved ones.
Tang Yixun found Ye Haitang troubled by his recent behavior. He confessed his fears, not for himself, but for her and everyone else he might endanger. He worried that she suffered because of him, especially with the bookstore closing due to harassment. Ye Haitang, however, reassured him that she had never suffered because of him and that "having you is my greatest fortune." They embraced, finding strength and solace in each other's presence.
Ye Haitang, increasingly worried about Tang Yixun, sought out Zhenzhu. Zhenzhu reported seeing someone in a dirty white van, wearing the red knitted vest she had made for Zhang Hao, heading towards the Sihai Wine Factory. Ye Haitang immediately realized Tang Yixun was in trouble and rushed to the factory. At the Sihai Wine Factory, Tang Yixun and Zhang Hao were anxious, fearing Bao might have them do something illegal.
Zhang Hao worried that Bao might be planning to harm the girls, or that the mysterious crates contained drugs, possibly to frame them for trafficking. Meanwhile, Li Chadong, who had earlier prayed to Lord Guan for their safety and a chance at a new life, arrived. He reiterated their job was simply to deliver the cargo without questioning its contents and instructed them to have weapons ready and flee if anything went wrong.
Tang Yixun, feeling uneasy about the weight of the crates, insisted on opening one. He found only rocks and bricks. Against Zhang Hao’s protests, he opened the second, revealing their schoolmate, Shen Xiaojun, who was barely conscious. Tang Yixun quickly tried to quiet Shen Xiaojun, who, upon recognizing Tang Yixun, cried out, believing Tang Yixun had kidnapped and beaten him. Li Chadong entered and was shocked by the discovery.
Bao, having been informed by Qiang that Shen Dashan (Shen Xiaojun's father) had gone to the police, knew that Tang Yixun and his friends had opened the crates. Bao and his men stormed in, overpowering Tang Yixun, Zhang Hao, and Li Chadong, knocking them unconscious and tying them up with thick ropes. Under Bao's threats, Li Chadong, distraught, offered to "clean up" the situation by killing Shen Xiaojun himself if Bao would spare Tang Yixun and Zhang Hao.
Tang Yixun vehemently rejected the offer, stating it was Bao's fault. Bao then presented Li Chadong with a cruel choice: "Either you die together or you pick one." In a heart-wrenching decision, Tang Yixun told Li Chadong to take Zhang Hao and go to the hospital. Despite Zhang Hao's pleas not to leave Tang Yixun behind, Li Chadong, with profound regret, dragged Zhang Hao away.
Bao then ordered his men to set the factory on fire, leaving Tang Yixun and Shen Xiaojun to burn. Inside the burning factory, Tang Yixun frantically searched for a blade he had hidden in his mouth to cut his ropes. Shen Xiaojun, trembling with fear, fumbled the blade, sending it out of reach. In a desperate moment, Ye Haitang burst through the flames, quickly retrieving the blade and cutting Tang Yixun's ropes.
Outside, Bao relentlessly directed his men to beat Li Chadong and Zhang Hao, who were now struggling against them. As Tang Yixun, Ye Haitang, and Shen Xiaojun emerged from the inferno, they were spotted by Bao's men, initiating a frantic chase. Thankfully, the police arrived just in time, saving Tang Yixun, Ye Haitang, and Shen Xiaojun. However, during the chaotic struggle, Zhang Hao and Li Chadong accidentally killed Bao.
They were subsequently arrested for kidnapping Shen Xiaojun and killing Bao, leading to their imprisonment. From inside prison, Zhang Hao recounted these events to Yu Nian and Shen Cheng. He explained that Ye Haitang had bravely risked her life to rescue Tang Yixun from the burning factory, sustaining serious burns that left her with scars. Zhang Hao further revealed that Tang Yixun, an orphan, considered Ye Haitang his only family and was willing to sacrifice anything for her.
He concluded by telling Yu Nian and Shen Cheng that he kept old photographs—including one of himself, his wife Zhenzhu, Ye Haitang, and Tang Yixun—as cherished memories. Zhang Hao entrusted the photo to Yu Nian and Shen Cheng, asking them to inform him if they ever found Tang Yixun. At the police station, Ye Haitang, despite her injuries, insisted on giving a statement to clear Tang Yixun's name.
She explained that Tang Yixun was already tied up when she found him and was trying to save Shen Xiaojun. Shen Xiaojun's parents, Shen Dashan and Gao Xiaocui, arrived, with Shen Dashan demanding that the kidnappers be executed. Shen Xiaojun, shaken and injured, struggled to speak, but eventually confirmed to the police that Tang Yixun had not kidnapped him; rather, he had been trying to rescue him. Ye Haitang's teacher, Tan Xin, then took her to the hospital, reassuring her that Tang Yixun would be alright.
Episode 11 Recap
The community buzzed with gossip about Wu Fengying, who was generally seen as kind, questioning how she could have abandoned her child and left such a negative impact. When Ye Yibo returned home, a young Ye Haitang rushed to him, asking about her mother. Ye Yibo, with a harsh tone, told her that her mother had run off with another man, no longer wanting them, and that from then on, it would only be the two of them.
He also mentioned that Haitang’s grandmother was in the hospital. Terrified, Haitang embraced her father, and they wept together, with Ye Yibo repeatedly emphasizing that her mother had abandoned them. Ye Haitang waited anxiously at the police station for news of Tang Yixun. She pressed the officers for information on his release and injuries, asserting herself as his family, but they could offer no specifics, advising her to go home.
Despite the rain stopping, she remained, waiting from dusk until dawn. Finally, as the gates of the detention center opened, Tang Yixun emerged. Haitang immediately called his name, her relief evident. Tang Yixun noticed a prominent injury on her fair hand, guilt instantly washing over him, knowing how much girls valued their appearance. Yet, Haitang simply smiled, assuring him it was nothing more than a potential scar that would make her appear tougher. They then decided to go home.
Carrying a sleeping Haitang on his back, Tang Yixun walked steadily towards home. He passed by what used to be their familiar billiards hall, now transformed into a restaurant. Seeing the new sign, Tang Yixun silently vowed to work tirelessly to earn enough money to buy back the billiards hall. Later, Shen Xiaojun approached Tang Yixun, expressing profound gratitude for saving him.
He attempted to offer Tang Yixun a thank-you meal, a job at his father’s nightclub as a manager, and even a stack of his New Year’s money, but Tang Yixun politely declined, stating he preferred honest labor for clean money to save for Haitang’s future. Tang Yixun only asked Shen Xiaojun to treat Haitang well at school. Shen Xiaojun promised that no one at Meiwan High School would dare bully Ye Haitang as long as he was there.
Shen Xiaojun then offered for Haitang to join his private tutoring sessions, explaining that while it wouldn't help his own grades, Haitang, being academically gifted, would surely benefit and get into a good university. Tang Yixun gratefully accepted this offer.
True to his word, Tang Yixun embarked on a regimen of strenuous labor, working long hours and taking extra shifts, including a multi-day trip to Shenzhen, to earn more money, despite comments about his slender build and warnings not to overexert himself. His determination was fueled by his promise to support Haitang’s education. Upon receiving his pay, he sought a gift for Haitang. He found two boxes of imported Cookie biscuits, which he bought for ten yuan.
When he returned home, Haitang teased him about his secret purchase. He presented her with the Cookies, explaining they were from sailors and meant to provide her with a sweet treat during her demanding studies. They happily shared the Cookies, and Haitang suggested they keep the decorative boxes to store things in the future, one for each of them.
During their conversation, Haitang expressed her wish that the time-traveling mailbox hadn't gone missing, as she wanted to tell Yu Nian about her upcoming college exams and ask if she had found her mother. Tang Yixun suddenly recalled the future letters, specifically the mention of a son named Shen Cheng. He pondered why Haitang's son would bear the surname Shen, as Shen Xiaojun was the only person they knew with that name, despite their initial animosity.
He noted their improved relationship due to the tutoring sessions and began to suspect Shen Xiaojun. Determined to get answers, Tang Yixun resolved to find the mailbox. The next morning, he went to a scrapyard to unload trash and, guided by a familiar cat, miraculously found the damaged mailbox. They fixed it together, deciding to return it to its original spot, believing it would only function there.
Haitang then clarified Tang Yixun's suspicions about Shen Xiaojun, revealing that Shen Xiaojun actually had a crush on Wang Manyu, an intelligent and kind girl, and his new dedication to studying was motivated by a desire to get into the same university as her. With the mailbox restored, Haitang and Tang Yixun decided to write to future Shen Cheng and Yu Nian.
Haitang's letter expressed her bewilderment but belief in the miraculous events, affirming Tang Yixun as her closest person and her trust in him. She asked about their lives in 2026 and whether her grandmother, Wu Fengying, was still alive. Tang Yixun insisted on adding a question about Shen Cheng's father. As they placed the letter in the mailbox, Haitang wondered if they could change a future different from their imagination.
Tang Yixun assured her they could, emphatically declaring he would not let her marry Shen Xiaojun and that her son would never be named Shen. They then shared their dreams for the future: Haitang imagined them in their fifties by 2026, having traveled and accomplished their desires without regrets. Tang Yixun simply wished to be by her side, accompanying her wherever she wanted to go and doing whatever she wanted to do, finding happiness simply in watching her.
They concluded that if they achieved all their dreams by fifty, they would simply spend the rest of their lives "looking at each other." Shortly after, Shen Dashan, Shen Xiaojun’s father, arrived to thank them, offering money, which they declined. Shen Dashan then revealed his connection to Wu Fengying, whom he considered his savior.
Years ago, as a reckless young man, he attempted to steal money from the Fenghua Sugar Factory but was caught by Wu Fengying, who was on duty. Instead of reporting him, she bravely lied to security, claiming he was her cousin. Shen Dashan tried to repay her generosity later by offering her a job at his successful company, but she always refused, only accepting two tins of malted milk over the years.
Haitang realized this was the same malted milk her mother had given her. Shen Dashan confessed that Wu Fengying had once asked him for two boat tickets, which he believed was when she first encountered trouble. He had arranged for someone to meet her at the dock with provisions, but she never boarded the boat.
He also recounted how he once found Ye Yibo cornered by loan sharks, having lost over a thousand yuan gambling, and paid off his debts, a significant sum at the time. Haitang shared that she had already severed ties with Ye Yibo. Shen Dashan reiterated his unwavering support, considering them family. Tang Yixun pointed out the strange coincidence of Ye Yibo's gambling debt with the large sum of money allegedly stolen from the factory by Haitang's mother.
Haitang, remembering the factory director's accusation, began to suspect that Ye Yibo might have been responsible for the theft, and that his narrative of her mother running off with another man was a lie. She recalled her last morning with her mother, who was rushing due to an early cash delivery at the factory, giving her fish cakes and telling her to meet at Shiqiao at 11 AM.
Haitang waited at the bridge at 11:10 AM, but her mother never appeared. This memory solidified her belief that her mother didn’t abandon her but was in danger, possibly due to Ye Yibo's actions. Tang Yixun vowed to confront Ye Yibo, but Haitang, having searched for her mother fruitlessly for years, worried about the lack of evidence.
Tang Yixun comforted her, promising that once she got into college, they would search for her mother together, clear her name, and expose Ye Yibo if he was indeed responsible. In another timeline, Zhang Quan urgently contacted Yu Nian and Shen Cheng, informing them that the Lingda Corporation was demolishing the area, and the mailbox was slated for removal in three days.
He explained that while the mailbox wasn't the target, the entire area was being redeveloped, and despite his and Sun Miaomiao's efforts to protect it, they were struggling. Recognizing the imminent threat to their connection with the past, Yu Nian and Shen Cheng decided they had to return immediately to relay crucial information before the mailbox was destroyed, frantically packing for their trip to the airport.
Meanwhile, Yu Nian received a distressing phone call from the police: her father, Tang Yixun, had collapsed at the cemetery. The police explained he was known to visit annually around that time but had refused to leave this year, resulting in his critical condition and subsequent rescue. Yu Nian rushed to the hospital, only to find his bed empty, the nurse revealing he had vanished while she was getting medication. Frantic, Yu Nian immediately ran out to search for him.
In the cemetery, at what seemed to be a different point in time, Tang Yixun was seen, singing a lullaby. A young Ye Haitang appeared before him, offering her hand and saying, "Xun, let's go home." He took her hand, and they walked and danced together in a beautiful, snowy landscape.
Episode 12 (Ending) Recap
Yu Nian frantically pursued her father through the heavy snow, pleading with him to return home. Her father, however, remained fixated on a single thought, muttering "It can't be demolished" as he trudged onward with a dazed expression. Just as despair began to set in for Yu Nian, her father suddenly regained his lucidity.
Noticing her thinly clad figure shivering in the snow, he lovingly removed his own jacket and draped it over her shoulders, chastising her for venturing out into such cold. He then embraced her, guiding her back, as Yu Nian softly implored him to stop running away. Some time later, after leaving the hospital, Yu Nian rushed to the message board.
There, she found her father seated peacefully on a bench, his life's breath departed, yet his face bore an expression of profound serenity. Yu Nian's body stiffened before she lunged forward, embracing her father tightly, her tears cascading like a broken dam as she sobbed uncontrollably. Subsequently, Yu Nian and Shen Cheng, heavy-hearted, fulfilled the last wishes of Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun, placing their gravestones side-by-side.
From that day forward, they returned to the graves every year on specific dates, celebrating their birthdays as if they were still with them. Yu Nian brought a cake to her mother, Ye Haitang's tomb, while Shen Cheng brought one for his father, Tang Yixun's tomb, stating that they were making up for his birthday this year. The narrative then flashed back to Meiwan Town in 1991. Ye Yibo was eating noodles when a news report on television startled him.
The report announced that Boda Trading had successfully bid for the Shiqiao foothills plot, with plans to build a Southern Min cultural-themed fisherman's resort village. Overwhelmed with panic, Ye Yibo abruptly rose and fled to find Li, his eyes filled with an urgent desperation for help. He tried to convince Li to undertake a risky venture, offering to pay, but Li initially refused, citing the high risk and strict enforcement.
Ye Yibo, desperate, continued to beg Li, who eventually inquired about the payment. Meanwhile, Tang Yixun toiled tirelessly at the docks, his body pushed beyond its limits, until he finally collapsed during his labor. At home, Ye Haitang meticulously prepared a meal, her gaze frequently drifting towards the door, filled with anticipation for Tang Yixun’s return. She asked him if he would be unloading cargo tonight, and he confirmed he was taking extra shifts.
She then presented him with a rich, meat-filled soup she had prepared. On another note, Zhang Quan, as usual, opened the mailbox and a surprised smile instantly bloomed on his face when he found a reply. Despite his exhaustion, Tang Yixun’s mind lingered on the long-awaited reply from the future, filled with both anxiety and anticipation since his last letter had been sent with no response.
He worried that the mailbox might be malfunctioning, but Ye Haitang reassured him, reminding him that their previous letter had been sent successfully. They agreed that Ye Haitang would wait for him at the bookstore mailbox around 11 PM that night, right after her class. Around the same time, Shen Xiaojun encountered Ye Haitang and warned her that he had seen Ye Yibo riding a bike towards Shiqiao.
He cautioned her to be careful and not let Ye Yibo know where she lived. Back in the present, the police investigation yielded new progress. After discovering crucial clues, Yu Nian and Shen Cheng were summoned to the Public Security Bureau. Shen Cheng was led into a separate room where an officer presented him with a photograph of a young Ye Yibo.
Shen Cheng stared at the image in disbelief and shock, as Ye Yibo had vanished years ago without a trace, his sudden reappearance utterly beyond Shen Cheng’s imagination. The officer explained that a body had been recovered from the river, identified as Ye Yibo, and as his only living relative, Shen Cheng needed to identify it.
Shen Cheng was stunned to learn Ye Yibo died on November 8th, the same day his mother had died, and immediately questioned if Ye Yibo was involved in his mother's death. The police confirmed they were still investigating. Shen Cheng then asked why Ye Yibo had suddenly reappeared after so many years. The officer explained that Shen Cheng's mother, Ye Wanru, had reported Ye Yibo missing in 1991, and he had been off the radar ever since.
Shen Cheng, linking this to 1991, asked to see the case files related to his mother's involvement in a case that year, wanting to understand if current events were connected to the past. The timeline shifted to 2026. Ye Haitang was driving when she suddenly spotted an elderly Ye Yibo. He was frail, his body hunched, his face haggard, clearly living in destitution. A flood of questions overwhelmed Ye Haitang as she excitedly pulled her car over beside him.
Ye Yibo, surprised to see her, got into the car. Ye Haitang confronted him, directly demanding to know her mother's whereabouts. She harbored a painful and angry suspicion that her slight delay that day had allowed Ye Yibo to take advantage of the situation. Ye Yibo calmly recounted the process of killing Wu Fengying, his tone devoid of remorse.
He described following Wu Fengying to Shiqiao, finding two boat tickets on her, and believing she was running away with another man. He claimed to have begged her to stay, even kneeling, but she refused, leading him to choke her until she died, never relenting her desire to leave.
Ye Haitang, increasingly enraged, her body trembling with emotion, countered his claims, revealing that the second boat ticket was for her, and her mother had been waiting for her at Shiqiao, not running away with anyone. Ye Yibo then accused them both of being master schemers who ruined his life.
He remained indifferent to Ye Haitang's fury, stating that his advanced age and numerous ailments meant that even if she reported him to the police, a prison sentence would offer him free healthcare and meals, a better life than his current struggle. Ye Haitang, looking at him, felt her anger ignite like a blazing fire, devoid of any warmth for this supposed relative.
She calmly agreed with his sentiment that they were both old now, and "it's enough," then told him to buckle his seatbelt, cryptically offering him "a ride." The narrative again moved to 1991. As Ye Haitang and Shen Xiaojun walked together, Shen Xiaojun tried to make small talk, asking about Wang Manyu. Suddenly, Ye Yibo sped by on a motorcycle, hitting a pedestrian and then arguing with Shen Xiaojun.
Ye Haitang, though momentarily scared by Ye Yibo's appearance, was overcome by an intense curiosity and a determination to uncover the truth. She began to chase him, despite Shen Xiaojun's calls. In a brief, chilling flashback to a younger Ye Haitang, Ye Yibo’s voice was heard telling her that her mother had run off and was not worthy to be her mother, and from then on, it would only be the two of them in the family.
Seeing Ye Haitang chase him, Ye Yibo sped up, quickly fleeing on his motorcycle. Shen Cheng reflected on how his mother's life should not have ended so tragically, feeling it was profoundly unfair to her. He conceived a daring plan: to sacrifice himself to alter the past. He believed that if the past were changed, his mother might not follow the same tragic path, and he himself might never come into existence.
Upon learning of his plan, Yu Nian adamantly opposed it, arguing that such a sacrifice was not worth it and desperately trying to stop him. Shen Cheng explained he had seriously considered the consequences but could not accept his mother's tragic end. He recognized that Yu Nian might lose her father and be left alone, and he might never exist, but insisted they must save two young people from suffering.
Yu Nian tried to argue that their situations were different, as he still had family in the altered timeline while she would have no one to remember her. Shen Cheng grimly replied that she would not remember him. Yu Nian desperately pleaded for another way, but Shen Cheng, firm in his decision, stated they were out of time.
To implement his plan, Shen Cheng sent a message to Zhang Quan, asking him to help write a letter and place it in the mailbox, hoping to prevent Tang Yixun from killing. At the site of the red mailbox, Zhang Quan and his friend watched as construction workers began setting up for demolition. Zhang Quan, trying to protect the mailbox, planned to move it before dawn.
He then received a text from Shen Cheng and Yu Nian, explaining that they couldn't make it back in time and needed him to send a final letter before the mailbox was removed. The message warned Tang Yixun not to go to the foothills on November 30th, stating that he would kill someone and he and Ye Haitang would never meet again, but assuring them that hardships would pass and a bright future awaited.
Zhang Quan's friend was confused about the warning of "killing someone." With only minutes left before 11:45 PM, Zhang Quan frantically searched for a pen. His pregnant friend (Miaomiao) gave him an eyebrow pencil, which broke while he was writing. Despite the difficulties and the looming demolition, Zhang Quan was determined, quickly summarizing the crucial warning about the murder. As they rushed to the mailbox, they found the entrance blocked by a security guard.
Zhang Quan pleaded for a minute, explaining the urgency, but the guard refused, becoming aggressive and pushing Miaomiao, who was pregnant. Miaomiao urged Zhang Quan to fight back and get the letter mailed. Zhang Quan engaged the guard, telling Miaomiao to take the letter and send it, which she successfully did. Tang Yixun eventually received the critical letter from the future, warning him not to kill anyone at the foothills on November 30th.
Just then, Shen Xiaojun frantically found him, relaying that Ye Haitang had chased after someone on a motorcycle after their tutoring session and that the date was indeed November 30th. Tang Yixun, understanding the grave implications of the letter, urgently told Shen Xiaojun to call the police and report an incident at the foothills.
Meanwhile, Ye Yibo and Li were at the foothills, with Li initially reluctant to dispose of a body due to the weather, until Ye Yibo doubled his payment. Ye Yibo assured Li that he would be the first to die if anything went wrong. Ye Haitang arrived, confronting Ye Yibo and demanding to know what was in the sack, which she suspected contained her mother’s body after spotting her mother's hairpin.
Ye Yibo, seeing that Ye Haitang had discovered the truth, confirmed her fears and offered Li an additional sum to kill her as well. Just as Ye Yibo was preparing to attack Ye Haitang, Tang Yixun arrived. He engaged Ye Yibo and Li in a fierce struggle, protecting Ye Haitang.
As Tang Yixun gained the upper hand and was about to strike a fatal blow, the warning from the letter, "Avoid the foothills and killing on November 30th," flashed through his mind, causing him to hesitate. In that moment of distraction, Li seized the opportunity, pinning Tang Yixun down and grabbing a knife to kill him. At that critical juncture, the police, alerted by Shen Xiaojun, arrived, rescuing both Tang Yixun and Ye Haitang.
Tang Yixun, affirming that he "did not kill anyone," and Ye Haitang embraced, relieved that their tragic fates had been averted. Because the past had been altered, some individuals who once existed in the previous timeline quietly vanished. The next morning, Yu Nian awoke in the new reality. She saw her cat, but then a profound realization dawned on her: her beloved father and the companions with whom she had shared so many stories were gone.
Their contact information had vanished from her phone, despite her desperate, tearful checks. Inside the red mailbox, a final letter appeared. It was from Ye Haitang and Tang Yixun, addressed to Yu Nian and Shen Cheng. In the letter, they confirmed that Tang Yixun had not committed murder, and Ye Haitang had successfully passed her college entrance exams.
They expressed uncertainty about whether they would ever meet in this new future but hoped that Yu Nian and Shen Cheng were well, referring to them as their closest, unseen family.
