Episode Summary
Qi Ji decides to go to Gansu on a medical exchange, prompting a confrontation with Zhang Chi, who has secretly decided not to go abroad. Zhang Chi reconnects with his father after reading his diary. Zhang Beihai makes the difficult decision to withdraw life support for Lifang, who then passes away. Qi Ji leaves for Gansu, and Zhang Chi misses her deeply. Tao Tao returns to thank Zhang Chi, not to pressure him into marriage. Huang Hao and Dong Xiaoqiu agree to go on a date.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Sun Jiaqi trying to meet up with Zheng Bo. However, Zheng Bo is caught up in a business meeting. Although he tries to catch up with her and suggests dinner, Jiaqi, not wanting to intrude on his work, leaves.
Jiaqi waits for Zheng Bo to contact her after his meeting, but he doesn't call or message. Frustrated, she vents to Qi Ji over drinks. Qi Ji advises her to be understanding of Zheng Bo's demanding career. The conversation shifts to Qi Ji's own complicated relationship with Zhang Chi. Learning about a one-month medical exchange program in Gansu, Qi Ji immediately decides to apply.
In a late-night confrontation, Qi Ji tells Zhang Chi about her decision to go to Gansu. She wants him to pursue his research abroad without feeling obligated to stay for her. Zhang Chi, who has already decided not to go abroad, is misinterpreted by Qi Ji. She believes he's sacrificing his dreams for her and urges him to follow his own path to avoid future regrets. The next morning, Qi Ji informs Liu Zhigang of her decision to go to Gansu and is told to pack her bags.
Back home, Qi Ji stumbles upon a photo of herself with Sun Jiayi (her deceased sister). The memories flood back, and Sun Jiaqi encourages her to forget the past and move on, even suggesting she remove the bracelet left by Jiayi to avoid constant reminders. Qi Ji visits Jiayi's grave, leaving the bracelet there as a symbolic gesture of letting go.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chi visits his father, Zhang Beihai. Beihai, having just bought some zheergen (a regional Chinese herb), prepares Zhang Chi's favorite dish: stir-fried zheergen with pork. Zhang Chi is clearly troubled, and Beihai encourages him to open up, warning him not to repeat his own mistakes of unspoken feelings.
Later, in his father's study, Zhang Chi discovers Beihai's diary, filled with heartfelt entries about his love for Qin Shuhua (Zhang Chi's mother). Moved by the depth of his father's emotions, Zhang Chi goes home and cleans off the black ink he had used to deface his father's image in an old family photo. After twenty years, he finally accepts his father.
Tragedy strikes when Zhang Chi and Zhang Beihai rush the unconscious Lifang to the hospital. The diagnosis is grim: massive brain stem hemorrhage. Even surgery offers no hope of recovery; she would remain in a vegetative state. Heartbroken, Beihai makes the agonizing decision to withdraw life support, allowing Lifang a peaceful release. He signs the consent forms, and the doctors remove all the tubes. Beihai stays by Lifang's side until the end, fulfilling his promise to donate her organs. Lifang sheds a tear of gratitude before passing away. Zhang Chi witnesses the entire scene, deeply affected.
Qi Ji departs for Gansu the next morning. Zhang Chi has an emergency and misses seeing her off at the airport. He calls her, but her phone is off on the plane. Once Qi Ji arrives, she receives a message from Zhang Chi checking in on her. He hesitates to tell her about his decision to stay, ultimately deleting the message.
In Qi Ji's absence, Zhang Chi is constantly reminded of her and their shared moments. He's clearly struggling with her being away. Meanwhile, Tao Tao, a former patient who had previously seemed intent on forcing Zhang Chi into marriage, returns. Zhang Chi, terrified, assumes she's back to pressure him again. However, Tao Tao simply wants to thank him and presents him with a banner of appreciation.
Tao Tao reveals that during her near-death experience, Huang Hao had promised to marry her. She calls Huang Hao aside, not to force him into marriage, but to express her gratitude for saving her life. Huang Hao is visibly relieved. Gao Xing, noticing Dong Xiaoqiu's affection for Huang Hao, teases them. Huang Hao takes the initiative and asks Xiaoqiu out for the evening, which she happily accepts, much to the amusement of their colleagues.
