Where the Lost Ones Go Episode 21 Recap
> Where the Lost Ones Go Recap
Ye Zi visited Editor Yu to delve into the truth behind Xiang Zeyi's comic book, which had been originally attributed to him but eventually credited to Gu Yishan. Editor Yu confirmed her press’s involvement in its publication and recalled that Gu Yishan was the nephew of their former chief editor. She also mentioned that a student from the School of Fine Art had accidentally injured Gu Yishan, leading to the student's imprisonment.
Ye Zi identified this student as Xiang Zeyi, highlighting his significance to her. While Editor Yu acknowledged Xiang Zeyi's distinct and impressive artistic style, she noted that Gu Yishan was the one who submitted the finalized animations. When Ye Zi pressed for more details, Editor Yu regretfully explained that too much time had passed, Gu Yishan remained in a coma, and Sanzhou Press had ceased operations, leaving her unable to assist further.
Meanwhile, Zhu Xuan, Liu Xinran, and Cheng Xi had also been discussing Xiang Zeyi’s past. They learned that the former chief editor of Sanzhou Press was Gu Yishan's uncle, leading them to suspect Editor Yu might possess more information about Xiang Zeyi's stolen animations. Later, they discovered that Xiang Zeyi had already confided everything in Ye Zi.
Zhang Daniao had revealed that Xiang Zeyi was unjustly accused of plagiarism, and during an attempt to clear his name, a fight broke out. Xiang Zeyi had merely acted in self-defense, pushing someone, and it was simply an unfortunate incident, not his fault. Despite his innocence, he served time in jail. The group expressed concern about how others would perceive him, but Zhu Xuan maintained that Ye Zi was capable of navigating the situation.
Gu Yishan's condition took a sudden critical turn, necessitating emergency surgery. His uncle and Xu Wenjie waited anxiously. Post-operation, the doctor delivered news of a miracle: a shift in the brain's congestion, though initially dangerous, had unexpectedly created an opportunity for a cure. Gu Yishan was expected to regain consciousness after the anesthetic wore off. Both his uncle and Xu Wenjie were ecstatic. Xu Wenjie promptly contacted Xiang Zeyi, relaying the positive update and instructing him to inform Ye Zi.
Xiang Zeyi soon arrived at the hospital, quietly observing Gu Yishan through the observation window. Ye Zi's mother called Lin Sen, inviting him for dinner, but he corrected her, recalling she had initially suggested the day after tomorrow. Lin Sen later called her back, insisting on taking her for a family physical examination at the hospital the next morning, emphasizing his hospital connections. Despite her initial reluctance, she agreed.
The following day, after she underwent numerous blood tests and a CT scan, Lin Sen informed her that the results would take a few days, reassuring her there was nothing serious. Worried about her age and not wanting to burden Ye Zi, she specifically asked Lin Sen not to share any potentially serious news with her daughter, to which he agreed.
That evening, Lin Sen, having just finished an operation, visited Ye Zi, bringing a birthday gift from his father, a tradition he noted. Sensing his unusual demeanor, Ye Zi asked if something was bothering him. Lin Sen opened up, sharing his thoughts about his own father's struggles abroad, always conveying only good news to spare his son worry.
He mused that parents often strive to be supermen for their children, forgetting their own aging, and that children, accustomed to receiving care, sometimes forget to reciprocate. Lin Sen attributed his introspective mood to a hospital incident combined with the sentiment of his father's gift. He advised Ye Zi not to worry excessively about her parents, who were capable of caring for themselves, but encouraged her to visit them more frequently.
As he departed, citing preparations for a challenging case, he reiterated the importance of dedicating more time to her aging parents. Moved by Lin Sen’s words, Ye Zi immediately returned to her parents' home. Her mother was delighted to see her, warmly embracing her and offering to warm up her favorite pork ribs soup, which Ye Zi joyfully accepted.
That same evening, while Zhu Xuan and Yuan Lang were having dinner at home, Zhu Xuan suddenly felt nauseous and rushed to the bathroom to vomit. Yuan Lang, alarmed, quickly checked on her, offering her a glass of water. After vomiting for a while, Zhu Xuan felt much better and didn't give it much thought. Later that night, Xiang Zeyi was chatting with Old Guai, who expressed frustration at feeling like fate was toying with him.
Xiang Zeyi advised him to focus on his true desires and what he could control. Soon after, Ye Zi's father called, arranging a meeting at the park the next morning. Xiang Zeyi met him as planned, and Ye Zi’s father reminisced about walking with a young Ye Zi in the park. He acknowledged Ye Zi's busy schedule but believed she still thought of Xiang Zeyi.
He described Ye Zi as outwardly strong but possessing a soft heart, like her mother, always presenting a brave face and never her weaknesses. Asserting his deeper understanding of his daughter, he explained his desire to see if both he and Xiang Zeyi, as the two men who knew Ye Zi best, shared similar thoughts about her future.
He noted his own aging, struggling to walk where he once ran, and Xiang Zeyi urged him to take care of his heart condition. Ye Zi’s father then brought up Ye Zi working on her old animations with Xiang Zeyi, which Xiang Zeyi was recomposing. He expressed his and his wife’s wish for Ye Zi to find a good man as they grew older, and directly questioned Xiang Zeyi's intentions with her.
Xiang Zeyi assured him of his understanding and shared his desire for Ye Zi’s happiness, stating he was striving to give her the life she wanted. Ye Zi’s father then challenged him, asking if he truly understood what kind of life Ye Zi wanted. He emphasized that every woman fundamentally seeks companionship, and that while young people might prioritize material comfort, it is the character of the partner, the "driver," that truly matters.
He concluded by asserting that Ye Zi needed a man who truly understood her unique vision of happiness, not just one who could provide it, and that if Xiang Zeyi grasped this, their conversation would be a success. Zhu Xuan's eagerly anticipated surprise from Yuan Lang finally arrived. He had meticulously orchestrated a romantic candlelight dinner, complete with roses and enchanting lights. Asking Zhu Xuan to close her eyes, Yuan Lang then revealed the exquisite setup.
He confided that while preparing the surprise, he reflected on their home as a place where miracles unfolded. He admitted to once being a man devoid of romance, focused solely on his work, never envisioning he could marry such a perfect wife and create a sweet home. He credited Zhu Xuan with giving him a second life and new purpose. He explained his past reluctance to share the darker aspects of his work, wanting only to offer her good things.
While he sometimes felt guilty when she complained about his busy schedule, he affirmed her as the most important person in his life. Just as they were enjoying their meal, rain began to fall. Yuan Lang suggested moving indoors, but Zhu Xuan, finding the outdoor setting more romantic, insisted they stay. They simply relocated their romantic dinner to the corridor, continuing to savor the evening amidst the gentle rain.
As Cheng Xi and Wu Kai strolled under an umbrella, Wu Kai finally revealed his long-held plan to study abroad, presenting her with an acceptance letter from a school in Paris—an opportunity he had pursued for three years but had not yet formally accepted. Cheng Xi's immediate reaction was to suggest a breakup. Wu Kai, however, refused, holding her close and explaining that his ambition was to build a secure future for them.
He vowed he would stay if she asked him to, even offering to remain in the country and open his own studio. Touched by his willingness to sacrifice such a significant opportunity, Cheng Xi relented. She asked how long he would be gone, to which he replied, "one year." She then made him promise to return within that year, "not one second longer," and he readily agreed.
After Liu Xinran and Zhang Daniao returned, they hosted a gathering for their friends. Zhu Xuan playfully congratulated Liu Xinran on "finally not being single anymore." She then humorously nudged Cheng Xi and Ye Zi, remarking that only the two of them hadn't yet achieved a happy ending. The group chatted about Liu Xinran and Zhang Daniao's "traveling wedding ceremony," which they proudly declared as "our style." Lighthearted banter ensued between Zhu Xuan and Yuan Lang regarding a past game.
Liu Xinran then presented gifts to everyone, drawing their eager attention. Meanwhile, Zhang Daniao pulled Xiang Zeyi aside, asking if his own marriage had given Xiang Zeyi any thoughts about taking the "next step" with Ye Zi. Zhang Daniao shared his personal transformation, confessing he once viewed marriage as imprisonment but now found it to be "heaven." He remarked he never thought he would marry before Xiang Zeyi.
He emphasized that marriage fosters maturity in a man, and that being with Liu Xinran, who appears strong but needs support, had taught him much about providing a "strong shoulder" for his partner. Xiang Zeyi, pondering Zhang Daniao's words, reflected on the meaning of happiness. He concluded that before Ye Zi, the question was unanswerable, but since meeting her, his happiness had become simple and pure.
He affirmed his desire for "a home, a home that belongs to the two of us," yet still harbored internal hesitation due to past events, feeling he carried a persistent blemish. Sitting on his sofa, Lin Sen's thoughts drifted to his childhood with Ye Zi. He recalled promising her that he would use his earnings to publish her comics and organize art exhibitions when they grew up, a promise he had painstakingly fulfilled.
He remembered his own childhood ambition to become a doctor, driven by a desire to care for those he cherished. True to his protective nature, a flashback showed him diligently caring for Ye Zi during her menstrual period, providing her with brown sugar, ginger tea, warm pads, and painkillers, cautioning her to use the latter only as a last resort. Unbeknownst to Ye Zi, Lin Sen was the silent force behind many of her successes.
He was the one who first presented her artwork to Editor Yu, waiting outside Sanzhou Press to show her Ye Zi's talented pieces, leading to Editor Yu’s promise to contact her. Lin Sen also personally oversaw the setup of Ye Zi's art exhibition, managing every detail, and even helped establish her studio, selecting plants and directing workers. Zhu Xuan, witnessing his unwavering efforts, acknowledged him as an "anonymous hero" for all he had done for Ye Zi without her knowledge.
Lin Sen, however, downplayed his contributions, stating he had "been used to it since I was a kid," prompting Zhu Xuan to remark that he was "stubborn like Yezi." After regaining consciousness, Gu Yishan was visited by Editor Yu and others, accompanied by his uncle. Ignoring his uncle's prompt to greet his guests, Gu Yishan immediately criticized Editor Yu for bringing "little things" to visit a patient.
He brazenly implied that she owed her current position as chief editor to "my animations," suggesting she had forgotten her origins. Xu Wenjie intervened, directly challenging Gu Yishan, asking if the animations were truly his. Gu Yishan, however, adamantly insisted they were, claiming he had painted them all and asking if they couldn't see his name. Despite his uncle's attempts to calm the situation, Editor Yu pressed him further about the true story behind the animation.
Infuriated, Gu Yishan accused her of suspicion, demanding to know who else they thought could have painted it besides him. He scoffed at the idea of Xiang Zeyi being the artist, disdainfully referring to him as merely "an offender under labor reform" who was never a good art student. Overwhelmed, Gu Yishan then complained to his uncle about a headache and feeling wronged, claiming no one believed he was the true painter. His uncle tried to console him. Editor Yu and Xu Wenjie, unable to tolerate his blatant lies and insolence, departed the ward.
