Episode Summary
Ka Men has a dream encounter with singer Jeff Chang. Xiao Han faces a family crisis when her mother collapses from exhaustion, leading her to reconsider Zhang Qiming's intentions and prompting a realization about her own limitations in caring for her mother. Mao Tou discovers a secret about Qian Jiayue's affections. Xiao Han gives the permission to Zhang Qiming to take care his mother.
Spoiler Alert
This episode brings a mix of joyous highs and sobering lows for our characters. Ka Men and Qian Jiayue's persistence finally pays off! They encounter the legendary Jeff Chang in the underground parking garage. Not only does Jeff give Ka Men a signed album, but he also listens to her sing one of her original songs. He even gifts her his milk tea before departing. Ka Men is absolutely ecstatic, nearly fainting from the excitement. However, the thrill is slightly dampened when she realizes Jiayue, caught up in the moment, forgot to take any photos.
Meanwhile, it's Xiao Han's mother's birthday. Xiao Han heads to the supermarket to buy ingredients for a traditional longevity noodle dish, a symbol of long life in Chinese culture. On the way, she runs into Zhang Mo, who cheerfully mentions she just cut her father's hair. Sensing Xiao Han's troubled mood, Zhang Mo listens as Xiao Han shares her recent worries. Zhang Mo offers a thoughtful perspective, suggesting that while Xiao Han might see her own father as the ideal man, her mother faces many challenges alone, and having someone to care for her could be a positive thing.
Zhang Mo's words resonate with Xiao Han. When her mother returns home that evening, Xiao Han presents the longevity noodles and a small cake. Her mother is touched, but just as she's about to blow out the candles, the doorbell rings. It's Mao Tou and his father, Zhang Qiming, who have come to celebrate. Zhang Qiming brings a large cake and several dishes from a restaurant, a stark contrast to Xiao Han's simple meal of noodles with an egg.
Xiao Han is visibly displeased, and Zhang Qiming, sensing the awkwardness, quickly makes his exit. Shortly after, Xiao Han's mother, who hadn't been feeling well all day, collapses in the kitchen while getting vinegar. A terrified Xiao Han rushes out to get Mao Tou's help.
Zhang Qiming drives Xiao Han's mother to the hospital. The doctor inquiries about her medical history, and Zhang Qiming answers with surprising familiarity, mentioning her high blood pressure and medication, even more knowledgeable than Xiao Han herself. This moment makes Xiao Han realize how little she knows about her mother's daily health struggles.
The doctor diagnoses Xiao Han's mother with anemia and exhaustion, scolding the family for not taking better care of her. Xiao Han is deeply affected by this. Her mother is put on an IV drip. As snow falls outside, Xiao Han, knowing Mao Tou has school the next day, sends him home, even giving him her coat.
On the taxi ride home, Mao Tou discovers a letter from Qian Jiayue to Xiao Han in the coat pocket, revealing Jiayue's romantic feelings for Xiao Han. Mao Tou, who has always had feelings for Jiayue, is heartbroken to learn that her affections lie elsewhere. He sticks his head out the taxi window into the cold, snowy night, trying to clear his head.
During a break in the IV treatment, Zhang Qiming invites Xiao Han to talk. He shares stories about his and Xiao Han's mother, Guan Aiping's, youth. He reveals that he was smitten with Ai Ping from the moment he first saw her, but she didn't reciprocate his feelings and married Xiao Youguang. They remained colleagues until Xiao Youguang's heroic death as a firefighter. After Zhang Qiming's wife moved to Japan, he fell into a deep depression, and it was Ai Ping who encouraged him to get back on his feet and focus on providing for Mao Tou.
The conversation culminates in Zhang Qiming formally asking Xiao Han for permission to take care of Ai Ping. Xiao Han, a mature and loving son, agrees. Witnessing his mother's collapse and recognizing his own limitations, he understands her need for support. Back home, Xiao Han has a complex conversation with his deceased father's photo, explaining his decision and hoping for his father's understanding and support for his mother's happiness.
