Way Back Into Love Episode 9 Recap
> Way Back Into Love Recap
Xu Jiaxiu, from Class 10, visited Lu Jia's home, bringing gifts. Lu Jia's father, Lu Hongwei, welcomed him warmly and called for Lu Jia to join them in the living room. Lu Jia expressed surprise at seeing Xu Jiaxiu. When Lu Hongwei mentioned that Lu Jia worked for Xu Jiaxiu, he asked Xu Jiaxiu to be understanding if Lu Jia didn't perform well.
Xu Jiaxiu, however, spoke highly of Lu Jia, noting her independence in advancing projects, bringing profit to the company, and getting along well with colleagues. He even mentioned her visiting him in the hospital, which surprised Lu Hongwei, who remarked that Lu Jia didn't even wash dishes at home. Lu Jia quickly chided her father for speaking that way in front of her boss.
Lu Hongwei then praised Xu Jiaxiu for his academic excellence and successful entrepreneurship, urging Lu Jia to learn from him. As it grew late, Xu Jiaxiu prepared to leave, and Lu Hongwei asked Lu Jia to see him out. Outside, Lu Jia thanked Xu Jiaxiu for speaking so favorably about her to her father, acknowledging that he had been "selective" in his praise. Xu Jiaxiu then said goodbye, indicating he would see her on Monday.
Lu Jia was pleased by Xu Jiaxiu's compliments and found her old feelings for him rekindled, especially after reflecting on his recent considerate actions. Her friend, Meng Tiantian, good-humoredly chided her for "falling for the same person twice" after Lu Jia confessed her renewed affections for Xu Jiaxiu.
Lu Jia listed various instances of Xu Jiaxiu's kindness, such as taking her for food during overtime, secretly editing her photos, and joining her for hot pot while he could only eat congee after being hospitalized. Meng Tiantian called her shameless for shifting the blame to Xu Jiaxiu, then encouraged Lu Jia by suggesting that Xu Jiaxiu's seven-year grudge over a past incident indicated he had feelings for her all along.
Lu Jia expressed doubt, but Meng Tiantian insisted that even if he didn't like her now, it didn't mean he wouldn't in the future. Feeling confident and "full of wisdom," Lu Jia decided to pursue Xu Jiaxiu again. Remembering that Xu Jiaxiu disliked overweight girls, she enthusiastically bought a tight-fitting black dress, costing a month's rent, vowing not to let her investment be in vain.
Returning to her apartment, Lu Jia found Janice remarkably changed, wearing new "girly" clothes and even attempting a face mask—though it was just the mask lining. Lu Jia eagerly changed into her new black dress to show Janice, but was startled when Xu Jiaxiu unexpectedly arrived to borrow a spanner. She quickly hid.
Xu Jiaxiu noticed a book titled "A Kind of Love Called Brotherhood" on the table, and Janice, to cover for Lu Jia's presence, falsely claimed it was Lu Jia's favorite book. Xu Jiaxiu left, seemingly disappointed. Janice then confided in Lu Jia, explaining her sudden interest in feminine attire. She revealed that a man had suggested she wear dresses, and asked Lu Jia what his intentions might be. Lu Jia instantly concluded that the man liked Janice.
Upon persistent questioning, Janice reluctantly confirmed that the man was Xu Jiaxiu. Lu Jia was deeply disheartened by this revelation, lamenting her wasted efforts and the costly dress. Janice, though seeing Xu Jiaxiu only as a brother, resolved to "lay her cards on the table" and tell him to give up, wanting to be direct and decisive. Lu Jia accompanied her, but at Xu Jiaxiu's door, Janice's courage failed, and she retreated.
Mustering her own resolve, Lu Jia knocked and confronted Xu Jiaxiu, clarifying that Janice only saw him as a "bro" and held no romantic feelings, urging him to abandon any hopes. Xu Jiaxiu, however, appeared utterly confused, asking what she meant and even wondering if they were "out of their minds," then inquired about someone named Lin Jiaojiao. Lu Jia realized it was a complete misunderstanding, which Xu Jiaxiu acknowledged as a "beautiful misunderstanding" that was "even a bit scary."
He was glad the air was cleared so future interactions wouldn't be awkward. Lu Jia, overjoyed, couldn't contain her laughter, prompting Xu Jiaxiu to tell her to "get out." Later, Lu Jia reflected that it was "just a false alarm," while Janice, relieved, decided that her "tomboy style is better." After resolving the misunderstanding with Xu Jiaxiu, Janice felt unburdened, declaring her newfound freedom from love.
However, her carefree mood quickly changed when she spotted a new barista, Ouyang Xuan, in the downstairs coffee shop. Mesmerized by a mole near his eye, Janice became convinced he was her childhood crush from kindergarten. Wang Di and Zhang Liang eagerly joined her, helping her covertly take several photos of Ouyang Xuan. Ye Angyang happened to pass by and openly mocked Janice for her sudden infatuation.
Janice, ever the technician, insisted on meticulous verification, explaining that Ouyang Xuan was merely a "first love suspect" and they shouldn't rush in. Lu Jia sought Meng Tiantian's advice on how to pursue Xu Jiaxiu.
Meng Tiantian, now Lu Jia's "love strategist," outlined a three-step plan: first, "create opportunities" for alone time, suggesting scenarios like being stuck in an elevator or a car breaking down; second, "clear obstacles," emphasizing that any person, regardless of age or gender, who "pesters Xu Jiaxiu" should be considered a rival and dealt with; and third, if Xu Jiaxiu still feigns ignorance, directly "tell him how you feel."
Lu Jia found these tactics uninspiring and offered her own "play it by ear" approach. Meng Tiantian then added a crucial piece of advice: a woman must appear "delicate" to stir a man's "desire to protect her." The next morning, Lu Jia decided to join Xu Jiaxiu and Ye Angyang's morning run, hoping to create an opportunity to interact.
Ye Angyang, who had just bought new running shoes to help Xu Jiaxiu with his rehabilitation, also saw Lu Jia from afar and was eager to run with her. When Lu Jia, dressed in new sportswear, approached them, Xu Jiaxiu made a cold remark about her "quite new" outfit and warned her about his fast pace. Lu Jia, covering her intentions, claimed she was there "to run with Ye Angyang" and urged him to start.
As they ran, Lu Jia, lacking regular exercise, quickly became breathless. Xu Jiaxiu noticed her struggle and advised her not to force herself, even gently massaging her sore leg. While staying on Xu Jiaxiu's couch, Ye Angyang misinterpreted Lu Jia's words during their morning run, convinced she was specially seeking him out. Back at the office, Lu Jia prepared a cup of tea, which Ye Angyang mistakenly believed was brewed specifically for him. He made a heart gesture in response.
When Xiaoda was about to deliver financial statements to Xu Jiaxiu, Lu Jia, eager for alone time with Xu Jiaxiu, volunteered to take them, claiming she had other items to deliver. Before entering Xu Jiaxiu's office, she secretly touched up her lipstick, but a bump from a colleague caused her to apply it messily outside her lips.
Inside, as she delivered the reports, Xu Jiaxiu noticed the misplaced lipstick and, to Lu Jia's blushing surprise, gently wiped it off her face himself. Observing that Ye Angyang, Wang Di, and Janice were all absorbed in a mobile game, Lu Jia decided to play to their interests.
After Ye Angyang expressed his frustration with mobile games and his love for console games, especially those with motion sensor features, stating he could play for days without going out, Lu Jia realized how "easy to occupy" these "homebodies" were. She then presented Janice with a new handheld console, claiming it was a reward for her hard work. Ye Angyang, overjoyed, called Lu Jia his "angel" and reiterated his vow to marry anyone who gifted him a console. As Janice, Ye Angyang, and Wang Di eagerly immersed themselves in the new game, Lu Jia smiled, confident that with them distracted, Xu Jiaxiu would be hers to pursue.
