Episode Summary
Zhang Chi learns the truth about his mother, Qin Shuhua, through her diary and a meeting with his father, Zhang Beihai. The episode reveals Qin Shuhua's struggles with overwork, a demanding career as a doctor, harassment from patients' families, and a deteriorating mental state ultimately leading to multiple suicide attempts. Zhang Beihai recounts his desperate attempts to help her, including seeking psychiatric advice and trying to manage her condition, while also dealing with the unwanted advances of Chen Guizhi. Qin Shuhua's illness is hinted to be a rare form of schizophrenia.
Spoiler Alert
This episode delves into the tragic backstory of Qin Shuhua and the events leading to her death, revealing the immense pressures she faced as a doctor and the toll it took on her mental health.
The episode opens with Qin Shuhua (before passing) handing over her diary to Zhang Chi. Through the diary, Zhang Chi learns that Qi Ji went to see Zhang Beihai. Zhang Beihai, visiting Qin Shuhua's grave, reflects on his promise not to reveal the details of her life to Zhang Chi. However, he believes that Zhang Chi is now mature enough to know the truth.
Zhang Chi reads Qin Shuhua's diary, which chronicles her life from her first day of work, detailing both her professional and personal life, including the birth and upbringing of Zhang Chi. The diary reveals details about Zhang Beihai and Chen Guizhi. After Chen Guizhi confronts Qin Shuhua at the hospital, rumors about Zhang Beihai and Chen Guizhi escalate. Qin Shuhua calls both of them to address the issue. Zhang Beihai asserts his dedication to his patients and denies any inappropriate relationship with Chen Guizhi. Qin Shuhua stands by Zhang Beihai, their relationship unshaken by Chen Guizhi's attempts to interfere. Chen Guizhi leaves, defeated.
Zhang Beihai messages Zhang Chi, arranging a meeting to reveal the truth about Qin Shuhua's suicide. Zhang Chi arrives on time. Zhang Beihai vividly recalls Qin Shuhua's demanding work schedule, her dedication to her profession, and the growing number of patients who sought her expertise. He describes her exhaustion, yet her unwavering commitment to completing surgeries. He recounts an incident where, immediately after surgery, Qin Shuhua was confronted by the family of a critically ill patient. She honestly explained the severity of the patient's condition, leading to an angry outburst from the family. Zhang Beihai, bringing Qin Shuhua food, defends her, and colleagues eventually intervene.
The diary and Zhang Beihai's recollections paint a picture of Qin Shuhua suffering from chronic overwork, leading to conditions like lumbar disc herniation and stomach pain. She relies on medication to manage the pain. Zhang Beihai expresses his concern, but he feels helpless, especially when he's called away to handle a mass casualty incident – an explosion at a plaza.
Zhang Beihai transports the injured from the explosion to North of the city Hospital, where he witnesses Qin Shuhua being verbally attacked by patients' families. Later, he finds Qin Shuhua devastated after being unable to save a patient's life. Zhang Beihai tries to console her, but she's inconsolable. He recalls a past incident where Qin Shuhua's late work hours led to Zhang Chi suffering from gas poisoning, causing a heated argument between them, for which he later regrets, and Qin Shuhua does not forgive him.
Chen Guizhi persistently pursues Zhang Beihai, leading to a confrontation where he firmly rejects her. Chen Guizhi then tries to negotiate with Qin Shuhua, causing further conflict, and leading Qin Shuhua to threaten suicide. Zhang Beihai arrives home in time to stop her from cutting her wrist. In another instance, Qin Shuhua attempts suicide by gas inhalation, and Zhang Beihai saves her.
Zhang Beihai urges Qin Shuhua to seek psychological help, but she refuses. He consults a psychiatrist who suspects a rare form of schizophrenia, but offers little help. Zhang Beihai finds relevant information in foreign medical journals. A young Zhang Chi writes an essay about his mother, portraying her as the perfect, idealized mother. Qin Shuhua, feeling guilty, asks Zhang Beihai not to reveal her illness to Zhang Chi, wanting to preserve his image of her. Zhang Beihai vows to do everything to cure her.
Zhang Beihai tries to encourage Qin Shuhua to exercise, but she resists. He replaces her medication and takes her to a Mid-Autumn Festival party. While Zhang Beihai is buying soda, Qin Shuhua experiences a hallucination. Zhang Beihai returns to find her gone, realizing the severity of the situation, and immediately starts searching for her.
