Episode Summary
Wen Yifan and Sang Yan have a painful, rain-soaked parting. Wen Yifan, a reporter, later helps the people who stole her news footage after they crash. She has unsettling and then terrifying experiences in her shared apartment, leading her to seek refuge with her friend. She repeatedly encounters Sang Yan, now a bar owner, and their interactions are charged with unspoken history. On New Year's Eve, their paths cross again, highlighting their unresolved feelings. Wen Yifan's bravery is rewarded, securing her job.
Spoiler Alert
The series premiere opens with a heart-wrenching scene. In the pouring rain, Sang Yan turns his back on Wen Yifan, bidding her a final farewell. Though she initially turns away, Wen Yifan can't resist a last look at Sang Yan's retreating figure, her eyes brimming with tears.
The episode then shifts to Wen Yifan's current life as a reporter. She's speeding down a highway with her colleague, Fu Zhuang from Nanwu TV, when a red car cuts them off, stealing their precious news footage. Karma strikes quickly, though, as the red car crashes on its return journey. Wen Yifan, displaying her compassionate nature, immediately rushes to help the victims, dragging Fu Zhuang along. Later, back at her cramped apartment, a disturbing incident unfolds. While showering, Wen Yifan senses a presence near the curtain. She confronts her roommate, a larger man, but he denies any wrongdoing. Shaken, Wen Yifan locks herself in her room.
The next day, a phone call from her best friend, Zhong Siqiao, jolts Wen Yifan awake. Zhong Siqiao persuades a weary Wen Yifan, who's been pulling টানা all-nighters, to unwind at a newly opened bar called "Overtime." Zhong Siqiao has heard rumors of the bar owner's exceptional good looks, dubbing him the "top card" of the bar scene. It's here that Wen Yifan has a shocking encounter. While ordering, she spots Sang Yan working behind the bar. In a moment of panic, she pulls Zhong Siqiao away, but not before a waiter spills something on her clothes. At the restroom, Wen Yifan finds Sang Yan waiting. He offers her his clothes and reveals that he's the owner, offering her a free night on the house. Wen Yifan declines the waiter's offer of a refund, and the waiter suggests to Sang Yan that it might be a tip from the ladies.
The journey home is a contemplative one for Wen Yifan. She imagines what her life might be like if she and Sang Yan hadn't parted ways. Her current living situation, arranged by Zhong Siqiao, isn't ideal – a crowded, poorly maintained apartment – but it's conveniently located. Lost in thought, Wen Yifan walks alone, memories swirling around her. The apartment is a shared living space, occupied by the aforementioned larger man and a young couple. Back in her room, she gazes out the window at a passing train.
Later, Wen Yifan returns to the bar to retrieve Zhong Siqiao's lost bracelet. As she's writing down her number, Sang Yan appears, but their interaction is brief and lacks any real depth. That night, another unsettling event occurs. As Wen Yifan prepares to leave her room, the male roommate forcefully pulls her into his room, attempting to assault her while his wife and child are out. In a moment of sheer terror, she is rescued by the timely arrival of her larger, but this time, helpful, roommate. The police assure Wen Yifan that the apartment has been checked and is camera-free. However, the trauma lingers, and she seeks refuge at Zhong Siqiao's place. Despite Zhong Siqiao's crowded home, the warmth and harmony of her family life are a stark contrast to Wen Yifan's own experiences, leaving her envious.
A turning point arrives. Because of Wen Yifan's selfless act in helping the couple in the red car, they later confess to the police. This leads to Wen Yifan receiving a commendation and a request for an interview from her TV station, solidifying her position there.
On New Year's Eve, Wen Yifan is assigned to cover the live countdown broadcast. While in the car, she catches a glimpse of Sang Yan walking by. The square is packed, and Wen Yifan borrows a mask from Zhong Siqiao. Fate intervenes again when she bumps into Sang Yan while waiting in line for the restroom. It turns out Sang Yan's younger sister, Sang Zhi, is ahead of them. Wen Yifan learns that Zhong Siqiao received a reply from Sang Yan to a mass New Year's text. Emboldened, Wen Yifan sends her own mass text, only to receive a question mark in response from Sang Yan. She retorts that he can be unhappy if he wishes.
As the countdown reaches zero, Wen Yifan turns and collides with Sang Yan, who is on the phone. She shyly wishes him a happy new year. Sang Yan, his expression unreadable, simply returns the greeting before walking away, leaving Wen Yifan once again in his wake.
