What If Episode 16 Recap
> What If Recap
As the coldest season of the year gradually gives way to the warmth of spring, Xia Guo feels a sense of hope. Yu Jian continues to try and express his apologies and care by leaving baby supplies outside her door whenever he has time. Yan visits Xia Guo, expressing her deep regret for her past willfulness which contributed to the difficult circumstances of Xia Guo's labor.
Xia Guo assures her that it's all in the past and she doesn't blame anyone. Yan feels sad about the current situation between Xia Guo and Yu Jian. Seeing baby Chen for the first time, she is delighted, calling him tiny and holding him affectionately. She gives him a gold bracelet, promising to spend all her money on him in the future. Yan shares that her divorce case in the U. S.
is finalized and she has found a safe place to live near her school with a classmate. Later, Yu Jian returns home, and his mother, Wang Yan, expresses frustration that he didn't call. She brings up their grandson Chen's upcoming full-month celebration and asks if Xia Guo intends to stay at her own house forever. Yu Jian says he can't force them. His mother calls him useless and insists she wants to see the "real, living" baby, not just videos.
Yu Jian and his mother visit Xia Guo and Chen. Yu Jian's mother attempts to be helpful but seems out of her element. Xia Guo's mother, also named Wang Yan, arrives. Yu Jian's mother suggests it's time for Xia Guo and Chen to come live with them now that the confinement period is over. Xia Guo's mother coolly suggests they should leave after seeing the baby.
Yu Jian's mother insists, mentioning Yu Jian wants to apologize to Xia Guo in person. Xia Guo's mother retorts that Xia Guo staying at her home for confinement was also considerate because Yu Jian's mother was busy taking care of Yan. Baby Chen wakes up, and Yu Jian's mother is thrilled to finally hold her grandson, noting how much he resembles Xia Guo with his big, dark eyes. Yu Jian asks to speak with Xia Guo privately.
She tells him she doesn't blame him for rushing Yan to the hospital or leaving her side. She understands Yan was in grave danger. However, she recounts the terrifying experience of labor, the intense pain, being told the fetus was hypoxic and needed an emergency C-section, being alone with no family present, having to sign the consent form herself, and fearing she would die. Yu Jian apologizes tearfully, offering to let her hit him to repay the pain.
When he yelps at a light tap, Xia Guo manages a small smile. He tells her he knows he was wrong and pleads for them to come home or for him to stay and help care for them. Xia Guo stands firm in her decision to stay in her own home. She argues that raising a child is difficult, Yu Jian has work, and she needs to be independent.
She even offers to pay her mother rent if that's a concern. Her mother is unhappy with the decision, stating it's Xia Guo's choice and implying she's worried about the burden and wants to focus on her husband. Meanwhile, Yu Jian's mother complains to Yu Jian, blaming Xia Guo's mother and assuming Xia Guo is still holding a grudge against her.
Yu Jian tries to explain that Xia Guo's comfort is the most important thing right now, as it allows them access to see Chen occasionally. He suggests that if both parents work later, they will naturally need his mother's help anyway. His mother feels she is being prevented from taking care of her grandson. Yu Jian tries to soothe her feelings. For the Lunar New Year, Yu Jian brings Xia Guo and Chen to his parents' home.
The grandparents are overjoyed to welcome their grandson home for the holiday. Xia Guo observes the family gathered together, finding warmth and the true meaning of home in the shared meal and presence of loved ones. She feels happy and wishes for time to pass more slowly. In a different possibility, Xia Guo and Mr. Xue enjoy a quiet New Year's Eve together in Shanghai. They watch a movie and discuss themes of love, fear, seizing opportunities, and destiny.
Xia Guo feels happy not to be alone for the holiday. Mr. Xue believes their meeting was fated. Xia Guo emphasizes the importance of setting goals and working hard, not just leaving things to fate. Mr. Xue sees how hardworking she is and worries about her stressing herself out, suggesting she enjoy life more. Xia Guo teases him about headhunters not flooding his phone after he resigned. He says he has opportunities but they aren't what he wants.
They toast to good luck in the new year. Later, Mr. Xue is discussing a job opportunity as General Manager, Asia-Pacific, with someone named Brandon. The position is in Singapore, and Mr. Xue expresses the need to consider his girlfriend's feelings. Brandon pushes him, questioning if he's worried about long distance and if their relationship can survive without his career success, urging him not to miss the opportunity.
Xia Guo receives Lucy's wedding invitation for a destination wedding in the Maldives. Mr. Xue informs her he cannot attend because he's invited to a summit in Singapore. He apologizes for not being able to go with her. Xia Guo initially says she won't go either if he doesn't. He tries to make amends by buying her a beautiful dress for the wedding, joking she'll outshine the bride. He offers to help pick out a wedding gift for Lucy.
At a jewelry store, they look at a necklace, and a salesperson shows them diamond rings, mentioning they are perfect for marriage proposals. Xia Guo clarifies they are buying a gift for a friend. At Mr. Xue's place, while he is installing a light and explaining its features, Xia Guo suddenly says, "Let's get married." Mr. Xue, distracted by the light, says "wait" and then claims the bulb is fused, needing a replacement.
He asks what she just said, but she brushes it off as "nothing." Meanwhile, in Leshan, Xia Guo speaks to someone who mentions Mr. Xue having a child and questions whether he might only want a lover, not a wife. Xia Guo talks about wanting to find a job so she can return. When Yu Jian comes home, he is surprised to see Nanny Qian arriving, noting Xia Guo hired a nanny very quickly.
Xia Guo explains she has multiple interviews and needs the help. Yu Jian expresses concern about leaving their young child with a stranger, suggesting they agreed to find a nanny based on her future salary after she found a job. Xia Guo feels she's been home too long and will become detached from society if she doesn't work.
She feels she is already being a "free nanny" at home and tells him to be direct if he doesn't want her to work. Yu Jian insists he's thinking of her and Chen, but ultimately agrees to her decision and leaves for work. Yu Jian discusses financial matters with Old Tang, mentioning a lower dividend and the need to earn money to support his family, especially since Xia Guo isn't working yet.
Tang acknowledges the company's state and Yu Jian's focus on family, offering support and flexibility with work. Later, Yu Jian attends a housewarming party for Wen Ya's new shop. During a game, he quickly loses a finger for being married and steps outside. Wen Ya follows him, noting he drank despite not being good at it.
Yu Jian expresses confusion about why Xia Guo wants to work outside the home when he believes being a mother and raising their child is important and fulfilling. Wen Ya explains that for women, finding their "self" means being recognized for who they are by their own name, not just in roles like daughter, wife, or mother. She says work is a direct way to achieve this.
She relates it to his passion for design and his name being tied to his work. Wen Ya is happy with her flower shop because it's her ideal, not just work but realizing a dream. Yu Jian acknowledges that he might have overlooked Xia Guo's own dreams. Wen Ya offers to be a confidante if he needs to talk more.
