Episode Summary
Jealousy and misunderstandings abound as Jing Qichi and Chen Huan'er navigate their feelings for each other. Jing Qichi interrupts a self-defense class demonstration between Chen Huan'er and Tian Chi, and later finds himself on a double date with Du Wei, Chen Huan'er, and Tian Chi. Du Wei makes a public romantic gesture towards Jing Qichi, which Chen Huan'er misinterprets. Jing Qichi rejects Du Wei, who points out his obvious feelings for Chen Huan'er. The episode ends with Jing Qichi acting aloof, ignoring Chen Huan'er and Tian Chi.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 20 of "Always Home" is filled with awkward encounters, jealousy, and unspoken feelings, primarily revolving around the love triangle (or perhaps quadrangle?) involving Chen Huan'er, Jing Qichi, Du Wei, and Tian Chi.
The episode kicks off with a school event. Before it starts, Du Wei is seen thoughtfully buttoning Jing Qichi's shirt, and they take a group photo where she briefly links arms with him, but he quickly pulls away. Huang Lu sees the photo online, and it's clear Chen Huan'er is also feeling down about it. The event, a women's self-defense class organized by Chen Huan'er, initially struggles with attendance. Luckily, Tian Chi and Jing Qichi's roommates show up, saving the day. During a demonstration, Chen Huan'er throws volunteer Zhou Ye (who was secretly acting), scaring off a couple of participants. It turns out Huang Lu and Dong Huixin had arranged Zhou Ye's performance. However, the class eventually becomes a success with more people joining in.
Things get really awkward when Chen Huan'er needs a partner for another demonstration. Tian Chi volunteers, and she instructs him to put her in a rear hold. Just then, Jing Qichi rushes in, clearly bothered by the scene. He declares the move too dangerous and insists on taking Tian Chi's place, reminding everyone that he's supposed to be her "human punching bag." Chen Huan'er reluctantly agrees, and Jing Qichi ends up getting thrown as well. After the event, Zhou Ye suggests dinner, but Jing Qichi receives a call from Du Wei and leaves, saying he can't join them.
Chen Huan'er confides in Huang Lu, feeling that Jing Qichi has become distant. Huang Lu, ever the matchmaker, tries to probe Chen Huan'er about her feelings for Tian Chi, but Chen Huan'er insists there's nothing there, despite acknowledging he's a nice guy. Huang Lu then goes into full "mom mode," urging her to date and get out more, reminding Chen Huan'er of Liao Xinyan.
Meanwhile, Jing Qichi meets Du Wei. It's revealed that Jing Qichi did briefly promote Chen Huan'er's event at the school gala before being pulled away. He knows he messed up, which is why he came to meet Du Wei. Du Wei says she's already smoothed things over, but she has an ulterior motive for calling him. She implies that Jing Qichi owes her a favor, and he, aware of her intentions, promises to take her to dinner sometime and then quickly escapes.
The next day, Jing Qichi notices Chen Huan'er is wearing makeup because she has dinner plans with Tian Chi. Jing Qichi, suddenly energized, offers to go with them, but Chen Huan'er declines. Du Wei then invites Jing Qichi to a movie organized by the Arts Department, and he accepts, his tone laced with jealousy. Later, Chen Huan'er and Tian Chi are having dinner, and Tian Chi suggests they go see a movie, mentioning he has tickets from the student council. Chen Huan'er hesitates, but remembering Jing Qichi's acceptance of Du Wei's invitation, she agrees. At the cinema, Jing Qichi realizes something is off when he doesn't see any other student council members. He's about to leave when Chen Huan'er and Tian Chi walk in and sit in the same row. Jing Qichi stays, but his eyes are full of jealousy as he watches Chen Huan'er and Tian Chi. Chen Huan'er is equally jealous, watching Jing Qichi and Du Wei, and stress-eats popcorn. Back at the dorm, Chen Huan'er is downcast. Zhou Ye gives Jing Qichi some medicine from Chen Huan'er, along with a note, which instantly lifts his spirits.
Huang Lu mistakenly believes something is going on between Du Wei and Jing Qichi. Qiu Li shows them a video of Jing Qichi promoting the sports department's event at the gala, proving they're not together. This clears up Chen Huan'er's doubts, and just then, Jing Qichi calls, saying he wants to take her somewhere special. He had previously promised to take her to Sishui to see the sea, but since that hasn't happened, he takes her to a swimming pool instead. The two are clearly jealous of each other's interactions with other people but are too stubborn to admit it. Chen Huan'er thanks Jing Qichi for his support at the gala, but Jing Qichi is still dealing with Du Wei's advances.
The climax of the episode involves Du Wei asking Jing Qichi to come downstairs, saying she has something to tell him face-to-face. He finds a crowd gathered in a circle, with Du Wei holding pink roses. Jing Qichi is displeased but doesn't reject her publicly. Instead, he pulls her aside to talk privately. Chen Huan'er walks by and misinterprets the situation.
Jing Qichi rejects Du Wei, but she isn't angry, as she's not one to cling. She tells him she knows he likes Chen Huan'er, but Jing Qichi denies it. Du Wei points out that they're too close to see their true positions in each other's lives.
The episode ends with Tian Chi saying he and Chen Huan'er will go to the library together after class. Surprisingly, Jing Qichi doesn't follow them, and instead ignores them.
