Where the Lost Ones Go Episode 20 Recap
> Where the Lost Ones Go Recap
After Xiang Zeyi was released from prison, he often walked with his head down, dressed in black and wearing a hat. One evening, he saw a young girl wearing headphones, oblivious to a car honking behind her. Xiang Zeyi rushed forward and pulled her to safety, but she quickly left without a word of thanks, seemingly perceiving him as a threat.
In the present, Xiang Zeyi is doing much better professionally, leading large projects and conducting meetings for many people, yet the shadows of his past continue to haunt him. Mr. Shao, Xiang Zeyi's boss, noticed his excessive late nights at work. He expressed concern, telling Xiang Zeyi, "You have stayed up for a few nights, right? You can't continue in this way." Xiang Zeyi insisted he could manage, saying, "I'm still young.
I can make it," and that he had a lot of work. Mr. Shao advised him to prioritize his health, reminding him that "Work isn't the only thing." Despite Xiang Zeyi's reluctance to take a break, Mr. Shao insisted he take two days off, making it a "deal." Concerned about the distance growing between Xiang Zeyi and Ye Zi, Zhang Daniao called Xiang Zeyi.
He playfully chided Xiang Zeyi for finally answering his call and informed him that he and Liu Xinran were hosting a farewell party before their wedding trip. He urged Xiang Zeyi to come, noting, "You haven't seen Ye Zi for a long time. Ye Zi will come here tomorrow." Xiang Zeyi tried to decline due to work, but Zhang Daniao was persistent, ensuring he would attend.
Later, Ye Zi was also busy at work, needing to finish covers and modifications, and stayed late while Yuan Lang waited for her at home. That night, after a long workday, Xiang Zeyi called his mother, assuring her he would take her home soon and to take care of herself before saying good night. He later sent a belated "Good night" message to Ye Zi, explaining, "Sorry, I worked too late last night. Good night, though it's a bit late."
Wukai excitedly shared his good news with Zhu Xuan: after two years of failed attempts, he had been admitted to the Art School in Paris, a dream come true for him. Zhu Xuan congratulated him, but her joy turned to concern when Wukai mentioned he would be leaving "recently" for just one year and hadn't yet told Cheng Xi.
Zhu Xuan cautioned him, "Xixi [Cheng Xi] hates long-distance relationship," and advised him to discuss it with Cheng Xi before making a decision. Wukai, however, was confident Cheng Xi would understand, believing it was for their future. He asked Zhu Xuan for her support, which she gave, wishing him success in his studies. He also expressed gratitude to Zhu Xuan and Ye Zi for their kindness during his two years of work.
Feeling troubled, Xiang Zeyi frequently sought out the old eccentric for drinks and conversation. They played a coin-tossing game, with Xiang Zeyi consistently winning, much to the old eccentric's chagrin. Xiang Zeyi inquired if the old eccentric had ever been in a relationship, to which he revealed a past connection with a married woman he met at her husband's car accident site. Although her husband had passed away, their relationship still had no outcome.
He described relationships as "really troublesome," bringing pain whether one gets what they want or not, and easily disappearing. The farewell party for Zhang Daniao and Liu Xinran brought all their friends together. Liu Xinran and Zhang Daniao exchanged playful banter, with Liu Xinran joking about not missing Zhang Daniao's "unpleasant smell" and Zhang Daniao teasing her that no one would quarrel with her on their trip. Zhu Xuan, Yuan Lang, Cheng Xi, and Wukai were among the guests.
Ye Zi arrived, and shortly after, Xiang Zeyi made his appearance. As everyone prepared to see them off, Zhang Daniao cleverly declared his car was too small for everyone, creating an opportunity for Xiang Zeyi and Ye Zi to be alone. Walking down the street, Xiang Zeyi broke the silence, apologizing to Ye Zi for being too busy and neglecting her feelings.
Ye Zi, understanding, told him, "I will punish you," and playfully decreed that he must "Say good night to me every day." She then suggested they get some delicious food. Meanwhile, Yuan Lang surprised Zhu Xuan at home. She was watching TV and laughing when he arrived. He showed her a flight booking to Italy, purchased for 7809 yuan.
Zhu Xuan was initially perplexed, wondering if he was going on a business trip or if something was wrong, like an illness, because he was suddenly being romantic after being so busy. Yuan Lang explained he wanted to make up for his past lack of romance and promised to make up for "all romantic things" from then on. Zhu Xuan admitted she felt "complicated" by the suddenness of it all but ultimately seemed pleased.
That night, after they had both gone to bed, Yuan Lang felt unwell and secretly went to the kitchen to take some medicine. When Zhu Xuan woke up and asked where he had gone, he simply replied he went to the bathroom, then lay down and held her close. At a crucial meeting, Mr. Shao introduced Xiang Zeyi, using his alias Xiang Hui, as their chief director to Mr. Jingshang, the director of the overseas project.
Mr. Jingshang, however, immediately questioned Xiang Zeyi's identity, stating, "Xiang Hui isn't your real name." He then directly addressed "Mr. Xiang" about "gossips" he had heard, specifically mentioning "plagiarizing." Mr. Jingshang expressed his hope for a smooth collaboration but underscored that their company's techniques were "very well protected." He then requested that Mr. Shao "think of a new chief director," indicating they would only proceed with further cooperation after receiving a "satisfactory reply."
Xiang Zeyi was deeply affected by this, knowing that some stains would follow him forever, despite his innocence. Mr. Shao tried to comfort him, promising to handle the situation and telling him not to worry. He reminded Xiang Zeyi that he was once "the most handsome boy in our school" and shared his own experience in business, where compromise is often necessary.
Mr. Shao recounted how he, an "ordinary art student," was once told he wasn't gifted but persevered when others quit, assuring Xiang Zeyi that he, too, would not give up easily. He offered to buy Xiang Zeyi a drink after work to lift his spirits. Later, Lin Sen encountered Yuan Lang at the neurosurgery department of a hospital. Yuan Lang claimed he was accompanying a friend for something.
Lin Sen found it odd for a medical examiner to be in neurosurgery, calling it "classified work." They sat to talk, and Yuan Lang, prompted by seeing a patient, began to reflect on life and death. He recounted his first case as a medical examiner, involving a couple who committed suicide by self-immolation due to the wife's terminal cancer, and another case of a car accident victim who desperately clung to life for his family.
Yuan Lang shared his realization: "we are not afraid of death, but afraid of leaving our beloved people behind." He mused that people often take their loved ones for granted, knowing they won't leave, but then wondered, "if one day, there are some distances between us, we will feel really scared." He then directly asked Lin Sen, "What if one day, I'm not around her, what should I do?"
Lin Sen found him "a bit strange," but Yuan Lang dismissed it as merely "grumbling" due to his day's work and seeing patients. Yuan Lang then excused himself, saying his friend was done, and left, suggesting they chat next time. That night, Xiang Zeyi arrived at Ye Zi's apartment, smelling of alcohol. He apologized for being too busy lately and forgetting to say goodbye. Ye Zi, saying, "Never mind," offered to make him food, but he insisted on helping her.
He tried to clear the already set table, but Ye Zi gently stopped him, assuring him, "I can take care of myself." Xiang Zeyi broke down, crying, saying, "I meant to do something or say something to make you happy, but I found that I could do nothing except saying sorry." He confessed that he thought about her every day during his disappearance but was "scared" to tell her, feeling "really lucky to meet you again."
He expressed his deep longing to be the "Xiang Zeyi in your mind" again and to "get back," but acknowledged it was "harder than I have thought." He admitted to pretending to be strong, but every time he encountered people he used to know, he instinctively lowered his hat, because "their eyes and words" made him scared and shattered his pretense of strength. Yet, he affirmed, "But I didn't give up. I believed that if I persevered, everything will be OK."
