Episode Summary
Gu Yunsu's mother, Wu Limei, surprises her with news of a potential screen adaptation of her writings. Wu Limei faces job loss due to her pregnancy. Flashbacks reveal a young Wu Limei facing a similar pregnancy dilemma, with Gu Kangqi eventually proposing. In the present, concerns about Wu Limei's health lead to a fight with Yunsu, who plans to move out, only to find her grandmother at the door.
Spoiler Alert
This episode throws a curveball at Gu Yunsu, who's been busy crafting her own "escape plan." Her mother, Wu Limei, wakes her up with a mission: get dressed up to meet someone important. Yunsu, thinking it's a setup for a blind date, goes all out with a dramatic outfit, hoping to scare off any potential suitors. Turns out, Mom's got a different kind of meeting in mind – a career intervention. Wu Limei, it's revealed, has compiled Yunsu's writings into a full-blown autobiographical novel titled "My Escape Plan." And, even better, it's been deemed worthy of a screen adaptation! Yunsu is stunned, discovering her mom's secret project only after reading the finished product.
We then get a glimpse into Wu Limei's own struggles. She's a talented literary editor, but her contract position at the publishing house is precarious. After eleven years of dedicated service, even outshining her permanently employed colleagues, she's facing termination because of her pregnancy. The management callously suggests she retire after the baby, citing the "mommy brain" stereotype and her age as reasons. It's a harsh reminder of the challenges working mothers face.
The episode flashes back to a young Wu Limei, facing a similar crossroads. Pregnant during her school years, she's given an ultimatum: have the baby and get expelled, or terminate the pregnancy and keep it a secret. She seeks advice from her boyfriend, Gu Kangqi, who's initially thrilled about becoming a father. He proposes they run away to Hangzhou to have the baby. However, Kangqi mysteriously vanishes after getting her a glass of water. Days turn into an agonizing silence, and Wu Limei's family, furious about the pregnancy, pressures her to get an abortion. Just as she's about to go through with it, Kangqi reappears. He explains his absence: he sold his motorcycle, closed his shop, and rented a place in Hangzhou. His pager was stolen on the train, leaving him unable to contact her. Wu Limei's mother, though, tells him the baby is gone. Despite his heartbreak, Kangqi still wants to marry Wu Limei. He presents her with the money he made and a ring, proposing on the spot. Wu Limei then reveals that she didn't go through with the abortion, and Kangqi is overcome with joy.
Back in the present, the 48-year-old Wu Limei announces her resignation to her family. They're not supportive, especially Yunsu, who knows how hard it will be for her mother to re-enter the workforce after having a baby. This sparks another cold war between mother and daughter. Worried about her mother's health, Yunsu spends weeks pestering Xu Wenbin, a doctor, for information, showering him with treats and questions. The verdict is grim: Wu Limei's pregnancy is high-risk. Yunsu, after consulting with Li Jianxiong, asks him to break the news to Wu Limei, making sure he doesn't reveal her involvement. But Li Jianxiong slips up, leading to a heated argument. Yunsu packs her bags, ready to move out, but as she opens the door, she finds her grandmother standing there, setting the stage for the next family drama.
