Episode Summary
Gu Yunsu confronts the screenwriters adapting her novel, refusing to let them distort her story. Qin Yuxuan quits his job after a conflict with his boss over the adaptation. Wu Limei and Li Jianxiong solidify their relationship, and he decides to move in with her.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Wu Limei taking her daughter, Gu Yunsu, to a welcome event for the night school she's attending. At the event, the teacher invites new students to speak. Gu Yunsu, introduced as Wu Limei's daughter, takes the stage. She confesses that she used to see her mother as "unreliable" – someone who gave up a comfortable life for divorce and moved them into a cramped rental apartment. However, Yunsu emphasizes that daughters shouldn't define their mothers, nor should mothers be confined to traditional roles. She expresses her love for Limei, praising her for always being true to herself.
When Wu Limei is invited to speak, she playfully acknowledges her daughter's "assessment," joking that she might indeed be an "unreliable" mother. But she quickly turns serious, declaring, "I don't want to be someone's mother, someone's daughter, or someone's wife. I just want to be myself." She admits that starting night school might seem late to some, and her memory isn't what it used to be, but she believes it's never too late to start, and she has many dreams yet to pursue. Her heartfelt speech earns enthusiastic applause.
Afterward, Limei playfully scolds Yunsu for "talking bad about her" in public. Yunsu laughs, explaining it was a rhetorical device – a way to emphasize her admiration and respect for her mother.
Meanwhile, Li Jianxiong arrives in the countryside to see Wu Limei. He expresses his desire for them to get along and never quarrel again. He says, "A house is just a house. It's only a home when Wu Limei is there." They hold hands, reminiscing about their reunion in 2018. They had met by chance in a library, where Jianxiong immediately recognized Limei and helped her reach a book. Limei forgot the book when she left, and Jianxiong, flustered, chased after her, unsure how to ask her out. They both laugh at the memory.
Wu Limei gifts Jianxiong a dancing outfit, delighting him. They dance together in the countryside, and Jianxiong reveals he's been practicing diligently just to dance with her. Limei embraces him, thanking him for giving her a home. Jianxiong decides to move in with Limei. Understanding her concerns about losing time for herself after having children, he promises to take care of the kids, ensuring she has ample time to pursue her dreams. He's also thrilled about Yunsu's novel being optioned for a TV series and eagerly shares the news with Limei.
The next morning, Wu Limei and Li Jianxiong accompany Gu Yunsu back home, eager to hear about the TV adaptation. Yunsu immediately calls Qin Yuxuan to confirm. Yuxuan confirms the deal, but Yunsu scolds him for not informing her sooner. She points out that she hasn't even prepared a script; how could they film directly from the novel?
In reality, Zhang Han is the one who championed the script. However, the company's boss, Mr. Lai, refuses to let Yunsu adapt the screenplay, considering the company's current situation. Yuxuan tries to explain, but Lai won't listen. Yuxuan, unable to tell Yunsu the truth, hangs up abruptly.
Sensing something is wrong, Yunsu decides to confront Yuxuan. Li Jianxiong suggests they all go to Shanghai to get answers. Xu Wenbin joins them, driving everyone. In the car, Yunsu stresses that they're going to solve a problem, not create one, and urges everyone to stay calm.
At Yuxuan's office, Wu Limei feels unwell from carsickness, so Yunsu goes up alone. Yuxuan tells her she's one of the screenwriters – one of nine. He gives her a template, asking her to sign and join the team.
Yunsu follows Yuxuan to a meeting room, only to overhear the other screenwriters drastically altering her story. Unable to bear it, she stands up and criticizes them for fabricating a completely different story. Yuxuan pulls Yunsu out to explain, but she refuses to allow such distortion. He accuses her of being childish and not understanding how to seize an opportunity. Yunsu admits he's right, but she can't accept it. She demands her novel back, refusing to let them continue filming such a butchered version. Yuxuan watches helplessly as she leaves. Downstairs, Wu Limei hugs a heartbroken Yunsu, offering the comforting words, "Let's go home."
Back home, Yunsu locks herself in her room, furiously writing a sequel to her novel, incorporating her experience of refusing to let her work be butchered. Xu Wenbin thoughtfully brings her brown sugar water and carefully puts a hat on her, knowing she has her period and is experiencing cramps. Outside, her family and friends brainstorm ways to support her. The next day, Qin Yuxuan quits his job, delivering a scathing rebuke to Mr. Lai, and decides he will no longer work with him.
