Episode Summary
He Suye returns to his hometown for Chinese New Year, facing tension with his father, He Sheng, and feeling out of place. He connects with Shen Xifan, who makes his birthday special despite their distance. Suye provides medical care to villagers and prepares a gift for Xifan. The episode highlights strained family relationships, budding romance, and cultural traditions.
Spoiler Alert
As the Chinese New Year approaches, He Suye heads back to his hometown, bearing gifts for relatives. However, his reunion with his father, He Sheng, is strained. He Sheng introduces Suye to Nurse Wang, a divorcee from the hospital, and her son, Wang Chang. Suye discovers they're staying in his old room, but he keeps his discomfort to himself, opting to stay in a guest room downstairs.
The next morning, Suye can't help but check Shen Xifan's social media, a small smile playing on his lips. Meanwhile, at the hotel, it's a lively scene with everyone making dumplings and taking photos. Lin Yishen and Xu Xiangya are also packing to go home, and after saying goodbye to Xifan, Yishen offers Xiangya a ride to the station.
Suye, already feeling distant from his father's side of the family, finds himself seated alone at dinner, the awkwardness palpable. He observes He Sheng's attentiveness to Nurse Wang, a stark contrast to how his own mother was treated – criticized for a simple spilled soup while He Sheng remained indifferent. The comparison stings.
On New Year's Eve, Xifan's parents prepare a feast. After dinner, Xifan receives a New Year's greeting from Yan Heng and promptly deletes him. Zhao Ze messages Suye, who forwards the greeting to Xifan, but she's too engrossed in watching TV with her parents to notice.
He Sheng, a few drinks in, pressures Suye about settling down before focusing on his career. He brings up Suye's suspended project, lamenting that Suye didn't follow the cardiology path he'd laid out, choosing traditional Chinese medicine instead. Suye, frustrated, retorts that his father has a new family now and questions the sincerity of the holiday invitation. He Sheng is left speechless.
Suye video calls his grandfather, Yu Liren, exchanging New Year's wishes. He's touched that his grandfather remembers his birthday, a detail He Sheng has forgotten. Finally seeing Suye's message, Xifan sends a polite, almost formal, New Year's greeting, but then second-guesses herself, sending a cute emoji instead.
Suye calls Xifan, and she detects a hint of sadness in his voice. They chat nervously, exchanging well wishes before hanging up, both reluctant to end the call. Xifan realizes it's Suye's birthday and improvises a cake with a Swiss roll, singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out the candle for him. Suye is deeply moved, revealing he'll be back on the third day of the New Year. Xifan's face lights up, and they listen to the firecrackers outside, counting down to the New Year.
The next morning, Suye packs his medical kit, skips breakfast, and sets off on his bike to provide free medical consultations to the elderly in the village. He Sheng doesn't interfere. Nurse Wang notices the tension between father and son. Suye's acupuncture and treatments are well-received, earning him gratitude from the villagers. Passing a house, he spots red beans, buys a bag, and prepares them meticulously, intending to bring several jars back for Xifan on the third day of the New Year.
