Episode Summary
Jian Ying investigates Zhao Chuxi’s disappearance, leading her to Fenghuang Village where Li Qingyi hides childhood secrets. Meanwhile, Su Xiluo faces resignations and accusations, while Lin Sanwu’s search culminates in a heartwarming reunion at a bar.
Spoiler Alert
Jian Ying’s detective game heats up as her right-hand woman Furong hits a dead end at Zhao Chuxi’s construction site. With workers gone and newbies clueless, Furong scours local eateries until a tipster named Lao He drops a bombshell: Zhao’s buddy Han Sanqiang has vanished too. Cue the ominous soundtrack—Jian Ying realizes it’s time to road-trip to the snow-covered Fenghuang Village.
Meanwhile, over at the village’s rustic elementary school, Li Qingyi’s classroom gets a surprise visit from her glamorous "big sis" Jian Ying. The two huddle by a crackling stove, where Jian Ying casually pitches a Sanjiang City career path for Zhao Chuxi (because what’s a Chinese drama without a mentor fulfilling their master’s dying wish?). Qingyi’s cheeks flush when Zhao’s name comes up, but she quickly plays it cool: "He’s just my didi!" Cue the flashback filter!
Rewind to Childhood Feels: Little Qingyi and Chuxi have a snowball fight for the ages after he teases her about her "seeing the world beyond the mountains" diary entry (rookie mistake—never read a girl’s journal, dude). The scene turns bittersweet when teen Zhao chases her departing carriage, ugly-crying like he just watched Titanic for the first time.
2001 Trauma Alert: Adult Qingyi rushes home to her dying father Li Chengqian, who hands her a secret will while guilt-tripping about failing Zhao Chuxi. She distracts him with blueprints for renovating their village school—only for him to peace out mid-conversation. Enter a devastated Zhao, who crashes to his knees beside the deathbed. Grab the tissues.
Meanwhile, in Rich People Problems: Su Xiluo sips wine like she’s in a Chanel ad until her right-hand woman Lu Yao drops a resignation bomb. "I’m leaving to help you find yourself," Lu declares dramatically before vanishing into the night. Cue Xiluo’s existential crisis—interrupted by firecracker Cheng Zixin barging in to accuse her of betraying Zhao Chuxi. Xiluo’s response? Slurping instant noodles with Oscar-worthy indifference.
The Search Squad Expands: Lin Sanwu (aka "Er Pang," the glow-up king of former chubby sidekicks) hits every dive bar and construction site in town. A BBQ joint owner confirms Zhao and Sanqiang ghosted everyone weeks ago. Sanwu’s Spidey-senses tingle—he races to Fenghuang Village, where he nearly gets smacked down by Jian Ying’s bodyguards until Qingyi recognizes him. "Take me to Zhao!" he pleads. Jian Ying smirks: "Wanna road-trip to Sanjiang?"
Final Scene Feels: At Chen Pingyong’s bar, Sanwu witnesses Zhao Chuxi sharing a very cozy goodbye hug with Qi Si. When the bros reunite, it’s all backslaps and grins—like they didn’t just survive an episode’s worth of parental deaths, corporate backstabbing, and enough snow symbolism to freeze Disney’s Frozen writers.
Spoiler Snack: That secret will? It’s definitely gonna blow up Zhao and Qingyi’s "just siblings" act. And Jian Ying’s "mentorship" offer? Smells like future power plays. Keep popcorn handy.
