Way Back Into Love Episode 1 Recap
> Way Back Into Love Recap
My name is Lu Jia, and I am 25 years old. I was born in Dongzhou but came to Beijing seven years ago. Tonight marks my final night in Beijing, a bustling and vibrant city where I have lived for seven years. Before I leave, I feel compelled to confront someone. I visited a luxurious hotel bar to address my former employer, whom I consider a jerk posing as a decent person.
I bluntly told him that I, Lu Jia, was quitting. My decision stems from a desire to return to my original aspirations and truly be myself, believing that a better future awaits me. With nowhere else to go, I decided to head home. Unbeknownst to me, as I exited one elevator, my high school classmate Xu Jiaxiu was ascending in another, and our paths briefly crossed.
Later, Xu Jiaxiu received a call from his high school friend, Zhong Jin, who was getting married and invited him to be a groomsman. Simultaneously, Zhong Jin's fiancée, Meng Tiantian, called Lu Jia, asking her to be a bridesmaid. Lu Jia initially agreed, but upon learning the groomsman was Xu Jiaxiu from Class 10, she immediately refused to participate. Similarly, Xu Jiaxiu, after finding out Lu Jia from Class 9 was the bridesmaid, also declined Zhong Jin’s invitation.
Upon my return to Dongzhou, my father, Lu Hongwei, was initially delighted but became upset when he learned I had quit my job without a new offer. To appease him, I fabricated a story about having already secured a better job in Dongzhou and wanting to spend more time with him. He seemed somewhat relieved but pressed for details about my new workplace, which I quickly deflected. My job search in Dongzhou proved frustrating.
My first interview required a high alcohol tolerance and the ability to create false accounts, which I found preposterous. I promptly left, even threatening to call the police. Other companies also presented unreasonable demands. I then received a call from a headhunting company that demanded a 1,888 yuan membership fee, so I immediately hung up, feeling disheartened by the lack of credible opportunities.
Meanwhile, a team of developers stormed into Voya Technology's office, mistakenly believing it to be Wode Technology, which owed them money. Xu Jiaxiu, Voya's boss, clarified that his company was Voya and Wode Technology was located upstairs. The team rushed to the Wode office but found it empty; the owner, Zhou Yunbo, had already fled. Xu Jiaxiu quickly deduced that Zhou Yunbo had swapped the company signs and was hiding outside a window.
Xu Jiaxiu subtly alerted the team, who then feigned departure, only to gather downstairs and corner Zhou Yunbo. With no escape, Zhou Yunbo emerged and claimed he, too, had been cheated by his client and therefore had no money to pay the team. Just as the team was about to take him to the police, Zhou Yunbo offered Xu Jiaxiu a reduction in Voya's rent, prompting Xu Jiaxiu to intervene on his behalf.
My luck seemed to turn when I went for a final interview with a company. The interviewer, Lan, assured me that they were a legitimate company, unlike the others I'd encountered. She praised my resume and my desire to contribute to my hometown, which aligned with their founder's vision. Lan described it as a young, innovative mobile internet company with great potential.
Despite my auditing background, I expressed reservations about my ability to excel as a finance supervisor in the internet industry. Lan encouraged me to take my time to consider the offer. Later that day, Zhong Jin and Meng Tiantian’s wedding reception was held at their newly opened hot pot restaurant. I arrived on time and helped Meng Tiantian collect red envelopes. During the banquet, Xu Jiaxiu arrived late, and our eyes met, stirring old high school memories.
As the celebration continued, I noticed a table of guests eating excessively, constantly ordering more food. Meng Tiantian, worried about her new restaurant’s expenses, desperately pleaded with me to find a way to make them leave. I discreetly went to the fuse box and turned off the air conditioning. The heat soon became unbearable for the guests, who quickly paid and departed. Meng Tiantian praised my clever, albeit devious, solution.
After the other guests left, only our Dongzhou High School classmates remained. Ye Angyang recognized me and greeted me warmly, asking about my return from Beijing. Still embarrassed about being unemployed, I fumbled for an answer. Just then, I received an offer notification from the internet company, providing the perfect opportunity to boast. I enthusiastically described my new company as a promising internet firm with an innovative, foreign-educated boss who had forsaken opportunities abroad to develop his hometown.
Meanwhile, Xu Jiaxiu received a message from Lan confirming the successful hire of a finance supervisor, implicitly confirming my new role at his company. He observed my elaborate fabrication with a knowing smile, choosing not to expose my lies. Fueled by alcohol and newfound confidence, I drank heavily and, in a drunken stupor, impulsively kissed Xu Jiaxiu, then, with a playful declaration of "You too," proceeded to kiss Ye Angyang.
The next morning, I woke up feeling energetic for my first day, until I received a message from Meng Tiantian. It included photos of my drunken kisses with Xu Jiaxiu and Ye Angyang from the wedding. Mortified, I frantically begged her to delete them. Upon arriving at the office, I was given my employment contract.
While waiting for Lan, I was greeted by Zhou Yunbo, who introduced himself as the CEO of Wode Technology and praised my youth and new role as finance supervisor. When I inquired about the relationship between Voya and Wode, Zhou Yunbo explained that Wode provided Voya's office space and pointed to Voya’s CEO. To my utter shock, I saw Xu Jiaxiu, realizing he was my new boss, and I immediately fled in a panic.
As I rushed out, I collided with Ye Angyang. Xu Jiaxiu quickly joined us. With nowhere to hide, I stammered, claiming I needed more time to consider the job. However, Xu Jiaxiu promptly used my own words against me, playfully quoting my embellished description of my new company and its noble, foreign-educated boss who returned to develop his hometown. He admitted he hadn't interrupted my boast the previous night because I seemed so happy.
Ye Angyang eagerly urged me to accept the offer, emphasizing the trust and strong long-term partnership that came with working with old classmates. Xu Jiaxiu then added that news travels fast in a small town like Dongzhou, and if I didn't take the job, everyone would soon know I was a "liar," ruining my reputation. Faced with this social pressure, I reluctantly agreed but asked for a company tour before signing the contract.
Ye Angyang, thrilled, led the tour, proudly explaining that Voya was the "fruit of his friendship" with Xu Jiaxiu, founded when Xu Jiaxiu returned from abroad, with Ye Angyang providing the capital and Xu Jiaxiu the effort. During the tour, I silently pondered Xu Jiaxiu's intentions in all this. The episode concludes with a flashback. Ye Angyang boasted to Xu Jiaxiu about receiving a stack of letters from female junior high classmates.
While Ye Angyang was distracted, Xu Jiaxiu stealthily pocketed one of the pink letters. Ye Angyang later noticed a letter was missing from his count, but Xu Jiaxiu feigned ignorance. Afterwards, Xu Jiaxiu is seen alone with the stolen letter as a final on-screen note reads, "One letter, sent to two people," hinting at its shared history.
