Why Is He Still Single Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
> Why Is He Still Single Recap
Following his recent award, Yu Yu's design studio saw an influx of orders and invitations, a fact Lin Sa shared with Shen Wu, who regretted not moving to Beijing. Yu Yu soon arrived, agitated that no one had liked his latest post on Moments. Lin Sa directly stated she had blocked him because he rarely posted, making her question the point of seeing his occasional updates.
Yu Yu complained about being blocked right when he finally posted, while Shen Wu tried to interject, reminding Yu Yu about outstanding utility bills and threatening to post about him online. Amidst the commotion, Lin Sa announced that Xia Xiaoman was going to Beijing for an internship and planned a farewell party, asking Yu Yu to join. Though Yu Yu initially declined, Lin Sa sent him the address anyway. Lin Sa then muttered about Xia Xiaoman being "unbelievable" and "clueless."
At Xia Xiaoman's farewell party, friends expressed how much they would miss her. One friend mentioned the possibility of Xia Xiaoman becoming a store manager in another city if her training went well, prompting another to playfully wish for an average performance so she would return. Xia Xiaoman, however, declared her ambition.
When Yu Yu unexpectedly arrived, bearing a bowl of noodles he prepared according to the tradition of "dumplings are to welcome, and noodles are to send someone off," Xia Xiaoman was touched. As her friend offered her garlic for the noodles, Yu Yu quipped about the bad breath it would cause, potentially affecting their dog, Dao. Xia Xiaoman's friend chided Yu Yu to say something nice instead.
Yu Yu then told Xia Xiaoman that if she got too busy in Beijing to care for Dao, he would gladly take him. Xia Xiaoman acknowledged his concern but pressed him if he had anything else to say, to which he simply replied, "No." Secretly, Xia Xiaoman called her friend Qing Qing, reaffirming her intention to confess to Yu Yu again, feeling there might have been a misunderstanding during her previous messy attempt.
Her friend reminded her that Gu Yejia had attended the awards with Yu Yu and they had even hugged, questioning if Xia Xiaoman needed to learn the hard way. As Xia Xiaoman was about to confess to Yu Yu, Gu Yejia arrived, bringing a gift for Xia Xiaoman and joking with Yu Yu about being late. Yu Yu and Gu Yejia immediately fell into their usual playful banter, irritating Xia Xiaoman, who excused herself and retreated to a room.
Gu Yejia followed, asking Xia Xiaoman what was wrong. Through the closed door, Xia Xiaoman tearfully confessed her feelings for Yu Yu, but stated, "He likes you." She then directly asked Gu Yejia if she liked Yu Yu. Gu Yejia, however, offered no reply and left the room. Later, Xia Xiaoman said her final goodbyes to Yu Yu, asking him to ensure Dao drank enough water in the dry northern climate.
As she drove away, Yu Yu ran after her car, giving her a small doll for Dao. Xia Xiaoman thanked him, knowing Dao would love it. In the car, Xia Xiaoman was lost in thought, recalling Yu Yu's earlier offer to care for Dao if she couldn't.
Meanwhile, Yu Yu was approached by a younger designer, Ou Yang, who expressed immense admiration for him as the "Designer of the Year," asking for a photo, which he planned to display at home. Ou Yang, whose full name was Ouyang Pingfan (meaning "ordinary"), preferred to go by Ou Yang as he didn't feel ordinary, though he admitted he was in comparison to Yu Yu's design genius.
Ou Yang explained that he only understood Yu Yu's designs after witnessing him and "his wife"—mistaking Gu Yejia for Yu Yu's spouse—at the awards ceremony. He believed Yu Yu shared his happiness through his work, noting that all of Yu Yu's "cooking zones" were meticulously designed for two people. Ou Yang continued to express his envy of Yu Yu's "infuriating sweetness" and "jealousy-inducing happiness," describing how sharing daily life and embracing a partner after work was "wonderful."
Reflecting on Xia Xiaoman's words, Gu Yejia was prompted to reconsider her feelings for Yu Yu. Xia Xiaoman had told her she wanted to confess but couldn't because seeing Yu Yu and Gu Yejia bicker like an old married couple made her feel awkward. Xia Xiaoman admitted to envying their "vibe and chemistry." She further explained that Yu Yu's gaze towards Gu Yejia was honest, and Gu Yejia's own admission of her feelings for him was equally honest.
Xia Xiaoman then openly confessed her own feelings for Yu Yu but declared, "I can't like someone who has someone else in his heart." She pointed out that Yu Yu's demeanor completely changed from sad with her to being "lit right up" once Gu Yejia arrived, leading Xia Xiaoman to conclude that what Yu Yu and Gu Yejia shared was a "ripened love." Inspired by this realization, Gu Yejia invited Yu Yu to a BBQ restaurant.
There, Gu Yejia initially ordered only vegetables, citing her "three highs," but Yu Yu persuaded her to add some meat. She then ordered a variety of meats and draft beer. When Yu Yu asked why she had suddenly invited him out, Gu Yejia mentioned the restaurant's "special" and "interesting" beef tongue.
The waiter explained that due to high demand, the beef tongue was now a "challenge item" that required couples to share a "kiss of love" to receive it, with a French kiss earning an extra plate. Yu Yu was taken aback, but Gu Yejia pressed him. He reluctantly agreed to try if she insisted, and Gu Yejia excitedly prepared for the kiss. However, when Gu Yejia told him to start, Yu Yu excused himself to the restroom and never returned.
Gu Yejia waited until closing, but Yu Yu was nowhere to be found. Back home, Gu Yejia lay in bed, lost in thought, remembering a past argument where Yu Yu had angrily told her to leave his house. She refused, stating she was responsible for her patient, and he retorted that she shouldn't forget her own medicine. Yu Yu, meanwhile, visited Gu Yejia's clinic, only to learn she had taken leave, which prompted him to reflect on his actions.
Later, Yu Yu asked Gu Yejia to come to his place for another BBQ. When she arrived, she found him grilling in the hallway. He quickly stopped her from leaving, explaining that he had put the grill outside to prevent the smell from entering the house. Apologizing, Yu Yu admitted he had "messed it up" at the restaurant.
He confessed that as he got closer to her for the kiss, "images flooded into my head," and he feared that if they entered a relationship, it wouldn't last. He admitted his inadequacy in such matters and his fear of "messing up so many things." Gu Yejia challenged his reasoning, calling it "ignorant" and "scared." She asserted that he was abandoning a potential beginning based on a self-created ending.
Love, she argued, was not a solo endeavor; if they dated, she would be his "partner," not just Dr. Gu or a friend, and they would face and resolve all difficulties together. She asked him if he would be willing to do that, and Yu Yu softly replied, "I will." Understanding, Yu Yu then asked her to step inside his house to get some soy sauce. Inside, Gu Yejia was struck by the unique design and numerous green plants.
Yu Yu then revealed a model of the house, which unusually contained her photograph. He explained that as a child, after his mud animals were washed away by rain, his father suggested building them a home, inspiring him to become an architect. This "secret garden," his current home, was built as a shelter.
He then revealed the house model was a personal challenge, as he aimed to renovate it from a single-person dwelling into a home for two, considering her tastes and habits, a task he found incredibly difficult. He confessed that he had been building walls, opening windows, making doors, and preparing the interior of his life for her, but had gotten stuck, fearing he might never finish the design or that she would never "walk through that door."
This fear, he admitted, was why he had fled the BBQ restaurant. However, her recent words had made him realize it wasn't a journey he had to face alone. He then asked, "So, would you like to decorate this house with me? And when it's all done, would you move in?" Gu Yejia simply replied, "I'm hungry." Yu Yu asked if she wanted beef tongue, and when she playfully asked if it required a task, he said yes. He then told her to close her eyes, and as she questioned what he was doing, he leaned in to kiss her.
