Episode Summary
Du Man faces a difficult reunion with her mother, who asks for money. Jing Qichi's project succeeds, but he's offered a job in Beijing, creating a dilemma about his relationship with Chen Huan'er, who encourages him to go. Jing Qichi faces professional challenges in Beijing, needing to defend his project's original vision. Chen Huan'er starts graduate school and reconnects with Tian Chi.
Spoiler Alert
Du Man experiences a heart-wrenching reunion with her estranged mother. While bringing Song Cong home, she encounters her mother outside, her expression immediately turning serious. Sensing the tension, Song Cong retreats to his room. Du Man's mother brings some fruit, but their conversation is strained and awkward. Having left when Du Man was very young, her mother's reappearance is solely motivated by a need for money, leaving Du Man devastated. She had hoped for genuine care and connection. Overwhelmed by grief, Du Man cries uncontrollably. Song Cong, hearing her sobs, becomes concerned. After Du Man's mother leaves, he finds Du Man outside, seeking solace in the open air. They take a walk in the park, where Du Man reveals this is their first meeting in over a decade. She recounts a childhood memory: her family's poverty meant she rarely got to play at the claw machines, but her mother once promised to take her for her birthday. However, her mother left before that day arrived. Du Man's father tried to comfort her by taking her to play, saying that if she caught a prize, he would take her to find her mother. Song Cong offers her two coins to try again, but Du Man, realizing the futility of chasing unattainable dreams, buys a can of soda from a vending machine instead, choosing something practical over a lost cause.
Meanwhile, graduation day arrives for the university students. Jing Qichi has been preoccupied with a major project launch, leading Chen Huan'er to believe he won't attend the ceremony. She's saddened by this prospect, but at the last moment, as the camera shutter clicks, Jing Qichi bursts into the frame and lifts her up in celebration. It turns out that, with the help of Engineer Cai, his project has had a breakthrough and successfully launched.
Chen Huan'er is accepted into her desired graduate program, and Jing Qichi's project is a success. However, during a celebratory dinner, Jing Qichi is visibly troubled. His company's headquarters wants him to relocate to Beijing with the project, which would mean a three-year separation, not just three months. He's torn, and Chen Huan'er decides to accompany him to Beijing to explore the situation. While Jing Qichi has a meeting with Gong Bo, Chen Huan'er waits anxiously. Jing Qichi realizes that the headquarters offers a significantly more advanced environment for his project's development.
Later, the four friends—Jing Qichi, Chen Huan'er, Du Man, and Song Cong—share a hot pot meal. Du Man, witnessing Jing Qichi and Chen Huan'er's affectionate display, bluntly asks when they plan to marry, embarrassing Chen Huan'er. That night, the couple stays at Du Man and Song Cong's place, leading to separate, whispered conversations about their relationships. The uncertainty of Jing Qichi's move to Beijing hangs over them. He worries about Chen Huan'er's feelings, and she worries about their first long-distance separation. Du Man receives an apology text from her mother and, despite everything, sends her some money.
After much contemplation, Chen Huan'er encourages Jing Qichi to pursue the opportunity in Beijing. She realizes that staying in Wu'an would lead to regrets, and she doesn't want to be the cause of them. Back in Wu'an, Chen Huan'er helps Jing Qichi pack, a scene that reminds him of his father's departures for missions, with Lin Yifan similarly packing his belongings. Jing Qichi moves to Beijing, temporarily staying with Song Cong. Zhou Ye and Fu Ying also relocate, but a conflict arises when Gong Bo presents a project plan drastically different from Jing Qichi's original vision. Unwilling to compromise his core principles for the project, Jing Qichi is given two weeks to convince the decision-making team, or he'll be forced to leave.
Finally, Chen Huan'er begins her graduate studies under Professor Qiu and reconnects with Tian Chi, a fellow lab member. Tian Chi expresses his hope that their past won't create awkwardness between them.
