Episode Summary
Zhang Qiming and Ai Ping visit Chen Xiu'e's mother, who has Alzheimer's, and pretend to be her son and daughter-in-law. Qiming uses the situation to propose a wedding with Ai Ping, which she accepts. Xiao Han approves, and Qiming starts preparations, including moving them to a new home. The wedding date falls on Jiayue's birthday. Meanwhile, Ka Men mistakenly believes Lu Yao is gifting her, but he's actually giving a present to Senior Sister Xue, who rejects it. Ka Men lies to protect Lu Yao's feelings and ends up eating the chocolates herself, heartbroken.
Spoiler Alert
In this episode of "Reopen My Journals," Zhang Qiming and Guan Aiping take a trip to visit Chen Xiu'e's mother, only to discover that the once sharp and lively woman is now suffering from Alzheimer's. She doesn't recognize them, mistaking Qiming for her son, Jianguo, and Ai Ping for her daughter-in-law, Hongying. Faced with this heartbreaking situation, Qiming and Ai Ping decide to play along, hoping to bring some comfort to the elderly woman.
Chen Xiu'e's mother constantly talks about Jianguo and Hongying's wedding, expressing her lifelong regret that they never had a traditional Chinese ceremony after marrying in America. She even starts handing out wedding candies and red envelopes to the neighbors. This gives Qiming an idea. He's been wanting to commit to Ai Ping for a long time, and he sees this as a chance to fulfill the old woman's dream while also taking a major step in their relationship. He proposes that he and Ai Ping have a wedding ceremony.
Ai Ping seeks her son Xiao Han's opinion. Xiao Han, in turn, asks if his grandmother approves. With her blessing, he's fully supportive. Mao Tou, Ai Ping's younger "sworn brother", has also come to see Qiming's genuine affection for Ai Ping. Although he initially promised his father he'd always take care of his mother, he realizes his limitations and accepts Ai Ping's decision.
Ai Ping is moved to tears by her son's understanding and support. She's been a single mother for years, raising Xiao Han alone and carrying the weight of the family. The prospect of having a loving partner by her side is a welcome change.
Qiming throws himself into wedding preparations. He's overjoyed when Ai Ping agrees not just to the ceremony, but to officially register their marriage. He scoops her up in a joyful hug and spins her around. With the marriage certificate secured, Qiming announces that he, Ai Ping, and Xiao Han will be moving to the Jinxiu Garden residential area. Although it's just across the street, this move signifies a big change for Qian Jiayue, who will no longer be neighbors with Xiao Han. Their shared school days are coming to an end.
Qiming and Mao Tou work together to decorate Xiao Han's new bedroom, buying a high-end bed, wardrobe, and even a computer. Qiming is clearly making an effort to treat Xiao Han as his own son, promising that Xiao Han will have everything Mao Tou has, and possibly even more. Ai Ping is reassured that she's made the right choice; Qiming's dedication to Xiao Han proves his commitment to their future together.
The wedding date happens to coincide with Jiayue's birthday. Chen Xiu'e suggests that Jiayue can skip the wedding and celebrate with her friends, but Jiayue doesn't mind attending.
Meanwhile, Ka Men runs into Lu Yao at a store while shopping for Jiayue's birthday present. Lu Yao tells the shop assistant he's buying a gift for "the most important person" in his life, describing this person as someone who loves to eat. Ka Men is thrilled, believing she's the one Lu Yao is talking about. She spends days in a state of excited anticipation.
However, Ka Men's hopes are dashed when she secretly sees Lu Yao writing a note in English on the gift and then leaving the classroom with it. She follows him and discovers that he's giving the present to Senior Sister Xue, who is about to study abroad. Senior Sister Xue understands Lu Yao's feelings but rejects his gift.
Lu Yao encounters Ka Men in the hallway and shares the story of his relationship with Senior Sister Xue. He explains that she's always been a supportive figure in his life, even encouraging him to pursue a career as a host, which led to his and Ka Men's shared hosting experience in their younger years.
Ka Men, unable to bear seeing Lu Yao so heartbroken, offers to deliver the gift for him. She bravely approaches Senior Sister Xue, but the older girl still refuses to accept it. Not wanting to hurt Lu Yao further, Ka Men lies and tells him that Senior Sister Xue accepted the gift and wishes him luck in his university entrance exams. Lu Yao is delighted and offers to treat Ka Men to a meal. Later, Ka Men sits alone by the roadside, sadly eating the chocolates meant for Senior Sister Xue, one by one. She's been secretly in love with Lu Yao for so long, and the realization that he doesn't reciprocate her feelings is a bitter pill to swallow, but she handles it with remarkable strength.
