Episode Summary
Pan Yue faces a difficult decision about surgery, leading to a beach trip with Qin Wenbin. Jiang Yu's planned confession to Gu Shiyi goes horribly wrong when she introduces her boyfriend. Wang Li acts entitled, while Xiao Hu remains kind. Wang Gaosheng faces family disappointment. Jiang Yu ends the episode with a frantic search for a missing child, Hao Hao, from the orphanage.
Spoiler Alert
This episode throws a lot at our characters, mixing medical drama with romantic entanglements and some serious personal dilemmas.
The episode opens with Qin Wenbin confronting a change in Pan Yue's medical team. Her attending physician has been switched to Doctor Cheng, a move orchestrated by Sister Liu and Director Yin, supposedly with the consent of both the patient and her family. This leaves Qin Wenbin feeling guilty, especially in front of Liu Ziyi, as his mother made this decision without consulting him. He isn't able to discern if Liu Ziyi is angry, because she is very professional.
Meanwhile, we get a glimpse of Wang Li's…interesting…approach to life. He shows up at the security guard dorms, dressed to the nines, and basically orders Xiao Hu, a genuinely nice and hardworking guy, to do his bidding – making his bed, fixing him instant noodles, the works. Xiao Hu, ever the optimist, complies with a smile. He's even studying to become a caregiver, a path Wang Li tries to dissuade him from, but Xiao Hu's determination is unwavering.
Pan Yue seeks answers from Liu Ziyi about her condition. Liu Ziyi lays it out straight: any doctor would recommend surgery. But, and this is a big "but," all surgeries carry risks and potential side effects. Even a successful operation might not affect Pan Yue's physical movement, but it could damage her facial nerves, leading to a loss of expression (facial paralysis). The alternative? Without surgery, she might have three to five years, or maybe only three to five months. It's a gamble. Terrified of becoming expressionless, Pan Yue decides to leave the hospital, packing her bags. Her mother, unable to stop her, calls Qin Wenbin for help. He can't convince her either, leading Sister Liu to suggest a trip to the beach for a change of scenery.
Qin Wenbin, not wanting to take a patient out of the hospital without proper clearance, tries to talk to Doctor Cheng. He finds Liu Ziyi in the office, gets flustered, and makes up an excuse about needing to understand Pan Yue's condition better. After Doctor Cheng explains, Qin Wenbin awkwardly shifts the conversation to the office's air conditioning. Liu Ziyi, sensing she needs to give them space, leaves. Qin Wenbin then informs Doctor Cheng about taking Pan Yue out, and rushes after Liu Ziyi to explain. She claims to understand, but it's clear she's keeping him at arm's length.
In a subplot of romantic mishaps, Jiang Yu, dressed up and ready to confess his feelings to Gu Shiyi, is blindsided when Lv Qingqing confesses her love to him first. Talk about bad timing.
Qin Wenbin takes Pan Yue for a walk on the beach. He reminisces about when he was just a junior attending physician, and Pan Yue gave him a piece of candy, encouraging him with the simple message that sweetness can help overcome any obstacle. He now uses that same approach to encourage her, suggesting that after surgery, she can return to the stage, healthy and strong.
Later, Jiang Yu, armed with roses, walks into a restaurant expecting a private moment with Gu Shiyi, only to find Liu Ziyi there as well. He's visibly uncomfortable, and the situation gets even more awkward when Wang Gaosheng arrives and immediately picks up on Jiang Yu's intentions. The final blow comes when Gu Shiyi shows up with Gao Chen, introducing him as her boyfriend and announcing the restaurant's grand opening. Wang Gaosheng, quick on his feet, grabs Jiang Yu's roses and presents them to Gao Chen as an opening gift. Jiang Yu is left feeling utterly humiliated.
Liu Ziyi, after her shift, helps out at a shop and notices the owner (an older gentleman) is becoming increasingly forgetful. He promises to get a checkup after the tourist season rush.
Wang Gaosheng returns home, planning to take a day off to spend time with his mother and family, but his mother informs him they're heading back home tomorrow – it's pumpkin harvest time. His plans for a family photo are dashed, leaving him feeling a bit guilty.
Finally, Jiang Yu, still reeling from his failed confession, receives a call from the Dean of the orphanage: Hao Hao has gone missing. He rushes to the orphanage, consumed by worry.
