Episode Summary
Hao Mei struggles to adapt to her new life, while Qian Lina tries to help. Song Cong develops feelings for Chen Huan'er, who plans a group trip to Sishui with Jing Qichi's help. A birthday celebration, childhood memories, and growing suspicions about relationships mark the trip. Chen Huan'er seeks Jing Qichi's assistance with a surprise for Qian Lina, while Jing Qichi hints at a discovery in old photos.
Spoiler Alert
This episode dives deeper into the emotional struggles of Hao Mei and the blossoming relationships between the core group of friends.
Jing Qichi crashes Chen Huan'er's place for dinner, showing his understanding nature. He empathizes with Hao Mei's situation, recognizing that she's a strong woman who's used to managing everything. She just needs time to adjust to her new reality. Qian Lina, in her own way, tries to comfort Hao Mei. She brings over ingredients and asks for Hao Mei's help in cooking, giving her a sense of purpose. Hao Mei has a good cry and lets out her emotions.
Meanwhile, Song Cong buys flowers for Chen Huan'er to thank her, choosing her favorite, chamomile. However, he hesitates when he sees her playfully interacting with Jing Qichi. He hides the flowers, a clear sign of his growing feelings for her. While Song Cong goes home to care for his mother, Chen Huan'er and Jing Qichi continue their easygoing banter. It's revealed that Jing Qichi's knowledge of Sishui, a place Hao Mei longs to visit, comes from Chen Huan'er via Lin Yifan. Chen Huan'er suggests a group trip to Sishui during their summer break, offering Hao Mei a chance to relax. Jing Qichi is immediately on board, setting the plan in motion, but he needs a small favor from Chen Huan'er in return.
Jing Qichi asks Chen Huan'er to find old photos of her parents, but she realizes her parents were always focused on taking pictures of her, leaving few of themselves. On another front, Song Cong is helping Hao Mei prepare for her new job in the logistics department, even creating a cheat sheet for computer operations. While delivering an album to Jing Qichi, Song Cong gets sidetracked by Li Tian, who seeks his advice on a "hypothetical" love triangle: A likes B, B claims to be just friends with C, but A has evidence that B likes C. Jing Qichi, overhearing, calls them out, with Li Tian quickly pointing out that they are A and C, respectively, leaving Song Cong flustered.
The Sishui trip becomes a reality. Qian Lina, Lin Yifan, and Hao Mei bond, sporting matching "sister" scarves. Chen Huan'er, Jing Qichi, and Song Cong maintain their usual dynamic, with a sense of positive change in the air. A birthday celebration is held for Lin Yifan, complete with a cake and old family photos, courtesy of Jing Qichi and Jing Liqiang. Qian Lina reveals she doesn't celebrate her own birthday, a statement tinged with a hint of sadness.
The next morning, Chen Huan'er finds Jing Qichi on the rooftop. He explains he was fixing some loose tiles and discovered her childhood wish written on one. He reveals that he always prepares a special ritual and gift for Lin Yifan's birthday. Song Cong brings Hao Mei to the seaside, showing his growing maturity and becoming a pillar of support for his mother.
Chen Huan'er, recalling Jing Qichi's words, realizes that mothers don't always tell the whole truth. She calls her father, urging him to come home and surprise Qian Lina for her birthday. However, his training schedule might prevent his return. Chen Huan'er turns to Jing Qichi for help, but he's preoccupied with an album, hinting at a discovery related to Qian Lina and Song Hang's numerous photos together. Song Cong, affected by the earlier "love triangle" conversation, starts to scrutinize Song Hang, his suspicions growing.
Chen Huan'er and Jing Qichi go to pick up the birthday cake, which was originally ordered by her father, though she finds the design a bit old-fashioned and chooses a different one. Jing Qichi notices Chen Huan'er's longing gaze at a particular cake in the display window, hinting at his attentiveness to her unspoken desires.
