Episode Summary
Xiaoxiao's birthday celebration turns into a crisis when she collapses and requires emergency surgery. The surgery is complicated, and she ends up in the ICU, potentially brain-dead. Pipi's parents, desperate for a heart for their son, consider buying one on the black market. Qin Wenbin deals with his mother's visit and her discovery of his divorce.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a bittersweet celebration. After finishing a surgery, Liu Ziyi and Zuo Feng bring a cake to Xiaoxiao's hospital room for her birthday. The room is filled with warmth and joy as Xiaoxiao makes a wish – for her parents' happiness and for Liu Ziyi to smile more. However, the celebration takes a tragic turn when Xiaoxiao suddenly collapses just after blowing out her candles. Liu Ziyi immediately calls on Zuo Feng to alert the on-call staff and prepare for emergency surgery. Xiaoxiao's parents are distraught, terrified by this sudden turn of events after what they thought was a successful surgery.
As Xiaoxiao is rushed into the operating room, her parents maintain a vigil outside, refusing food and drink. Pipi's parents, concerned for their well-being, bring them food and water, offering their support and companionship during the agonizing wait. The surgery proves difficult, with complications arising from unexpected bleeding. The medical team struggles to locate the source, but finally manage to stop the bleeding. Xiaoxiao is then transferred to the ICU, where she remains under close observation.
The news is grim. Xiaoxiao hasn't regained consciousness after the anesthesia wore off, and she's unable to breathe independently, relying entirely on a ventilator. Liu Ziyi delivers the devastating prognosis to Xiaoxiao's parents: she may be brain-dead. This shatters the parents, who were hopeful for Xiaoxiao's full recovery. Liu Ziyi escorts them to the ICU for what might be their final moments with their daughter. Overwhelmed with grief, Xiaoxiao's mother expresses her deep regret for not being able to give Xiaoxiao a healthy body. Xiaoxiao's father, with the doctor's permission, tenderly kisses his daughter's foot, mirroring the gesture he made when she was born. Witnessing this heart-wrenching scene, both Liu Ziyi and Jiang Yu are moved to tears.
Meanwhile, Pipi's parents overhear a disturbing conversation about the illegal sale of organs on the black market. Driven by desperation as their son's condition worsens with no sign of a heart donor, Pipi's mother becomes fixated on this possibility. They approach Qin Wenbin during his rounds, offering a million yuan – exceeding the black market price of 750,000 yuan for a heart – with the extra money intended for Qin Wenbin and Xiao Xu. Xiao Xu is shocked and appalled by their proposition, unable to comprehend how they could consider such an unethical and illegal act. Qin Wenbin reassures Xiao Xu, attributing their desperation to the stress of the situation.
In a lighter subplot, Qin Wenbin's mother, a travel vlogger, arrives at the hospital in her RV to visit him. However, she's stopped by security and denied entry. Qin Wenbin, despite his mother's pleas, doesn't pull any strings, instructing her to park in a nearby shopping mall's parking lot. She complies, albeit reluctantly, and brings her son a large collection of local specialties. Gao Nanxing, who follows Qin Wenbin's mother's online content, expresses interest in joining her on an upcoming camping trip. Qin Wenbin, however, is firmly against the idea.
During lunch in the hospital cafeteria, Qin Wenbin introduces his mother to Wang Gaosheng. Qin's mother treats Wang Gaosheng warmly, like another son, and Wang Gaosheng responds with flattery, complimenting her youthful appearance. Qin Wenbin, who hasn't told his mother about his divorce, accidentally reveals the truth when he hears her making plans to meet with Pan Yue. His mother erupts in a loud, tearful outburst, demanding an explanation in front of everyone. Wang Gaosheng steps in to shield Qin Wenbin, allowing him to escape the embarrassing confrontation.
