Episode Summary
Shen Xifan and He Suye's relationship develops through playful online interactions and thoughtful gestures, like him buying her mints to counter the bitter medicine. Suye's estranged father, a famous surgeon, tries to reconnect, but Suye refuses. A matchmaking frenzy erupts at the clinic after Suye is seen with Xifan, leading Xifan to suggest he pretend to be married. Suye uses this as an opportunity to keep a ring Xifan gave him, hinting at his growing feelings.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Shen Xifan posting pictures of the herbal garden on her social media Moments. He Suye notices and messages her, asking why she's up so late. Xifan, having just taken a new, bitter Chinese medicine prescription from Suye, makes a sour face and quickly researches the ingredients online. Their back-and-forth messaging is playful, like two kids teasing each other, with a subtle hint of something more.
Later, Xifan wakes up around noon and takes a stroll. In the evening, Suye finds Xifan drinking her medicine. They go to a nearby convenience store together, where Xifan is reminded of her ex-boyfriend, Yan Heng, by Suye's drink choice. Noticing Xifan's reaction to the bitter medicine, Suye thoughtfully buys her a pack of mints, explaining that they won't interfere with the medicine's properties. Xifan is starting to see that Suye, while a bit unconventional for a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doctor, is also very detail-oriented and caring, even using TCM theory to justify giving her candy.
Meanwhile, He Suye's father, a renowned heart specialist named He Sheng, is in town for a conference. He calls Suye, hoping to meet, but Suye refuses. Later, Suye sees a news report about his father's visit to the local hospital, stirring up old memories and resentment towards his father.
On his way home, a sudden downpour starts. Suye, using his briefcase as a makeshift umbrella, runs into Xifan, who has a real umbrella. They walk together, sharing the shelter. Xifan buys some blue tulips and, sensing Suye's low spirits, gives them to him, saying they're a thank-you from a patient to her doctor.
Back at the apartment complex, Suye forgets to wear his mask, and an older woman sees him, takes a video, and posts it on the community's group chat. This catches the attention of the residents, including Xifan's parents. When the security guard also posts about seeing Xifan and Suye together, her parents are immediately curious and question her. Xifan brushes it off, claiming the guard must have mistaken someone else for her.
The next day, the TCM clinic is flooded with elderly residents, all eager to check out Suye as a potential match for their daughters. The waiting room turns into an impromptu matchmaking corner. The rush of patients overwhelms Suye, and Xifan can't get an appointment. Suye, however, gives her special treatment, arranging to meet her in the herbal garden.
A nurse, Sun, helps Suye manage the crowd and leads Xifan to the garden through a back entrance. Xifan, learning that Suye hasn't had lunch, gives him her sandwich. Suye remarks that he finally understands how terrifying arranged matchmaking can be, feeling like a piece of meat being inspected.
Xifan wonders why Suye, at 31, is only now experiencing this, and she subtly inquires about his past relationships. Suye vaguely mentions that he hasn't met the right person yet, his gaze shifting towards Xifan as he says it. He then performs acupuncture on Xifan, and she drifts off to sleep as she talks about her busy work life.
When Xifan wakes up, Suye has made her a new herbal sachet and a more complex prescription. Xifan grimaces at the thought of the bitter taste. To help Suye avoid the matchmaking frenzy, Xifan gives him a metal ring from her keychain, suggesting he wear it to pretend he's married.
The trick works. The older woman who posted the video earlier now complains in the group chat that Suye is married, and the matchmaking crowd dramatically decreases. Later, Xifan asks Suye to pick up her medicine for her, as she's too busy. They arrange a meeting spot, but Xifan's parents happen to be eating at a nearby restaurant, forcing them to cancel. Suye waits for Xifan outside the complex and hands her the medicine. He pretends to have lost the ring she gave him, wanting to keep it, and Xifan doesn't suspect a thing.
