Episode Summary
Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan deepen their long-distance connection through poetry and daily calls, while Sun Baoqin intensifies her matchmaking efforts to pair Zhuoran with Peng Yulan. Amidst misunderstandings, injuries, and meddling, Zhuoran and Juanjuan’s bond grows stronger — prompting Baoqin and Yulan to track down Juanjuan in person.
Spoiler Alert
Love Again – Episode 13 Recap & Spoilers
Episode 13 of Love Again is a delightful mix of emotional entanglements, nosy matchmaking, and a whole lot of meddling from well-meaning aunties. If you’ve been rooting for Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan’s long-distance spark to turn into something real, this episode delivers a few sweet moments — but not without interference from nearly everyone around them.
A Postcard Challenge and a Dash of Romance
Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan have only met once in person, but their connection has grown through letters and long phone calls. In a charming twist, they decide to each send a postcard at the same time — whoever's arrives last "loses." Zhuoran waits eagerly at his apartment gate for the mail, hoping to win. When Nie Juanjuan’s postcard doesn’t arrive, he ducks out quickly — dodging Sun Baoqin, the ever-involved neighbor, by asking the security guard to cover for him.
Meanwhile, Sun Baoqin is on a matchmaking mission. She bombards Shen Qing (Zhuoran’s brother) with questions about Zhuoran and insists he should be with Peng Yulan instead. Shen Qing, already stressed from work, vents his frustration to Liu Lina, who thinks he’s being ungrateful. Baoqin later nags Shen Qing again about protecting Zhuoran from being deceived in love, causing Shen Qing to storm off to work mid-meal.
Sun Baoqin’s Schemes Continue
Baoqin drops by Zhuoran’s place uninvited (again), finds he’s not home, and starts snooping through Nie Juanjuan’s fan painting. She can’t make sense of it but stays nosy regardless. She texts Peng Yulan to assure her that the matchmaking mission is going well — which is... debatable.
When Zhuoran returns, Baoqin is cleaning his messy place. She bombards him with questions until he escapes to complain to Liu Lina, who explains she only invited Baoqin over because her hand was burned while making soup. Zhuoran hadn’t noticed her injury at all — too busy talking to Nie Juanjuan on the phone.
Poetic Connection
When Nie Juanjuan finally receives Zhuoran's postcard, she calls him right away and reads out the poem he wrote. Moments later, Zhuoran receives her postcard — and they’ve both picked the exact same poem. Coincidence? Fate? Either way, it’s adorable, and their phone call is full of laughter and connection.
A Slippery Situation and More Matchmaking Mayhem
Liu Lina, still nursing her burn, vents to Shen Qing and scolds him for not appreciating her help. She warns Baoqin to stop meddling in Zhuoran’s love life. Baoqin ignores this and gets Peng Yulan to make braised pig trotters — Zhuoran’s favorite — as a love offering. Yulan carefully selects the best ones, cooks them, and Baoqin delivers them in the pouring rain, hyping up Yulan's culinary skills the entire way.
Zhuoran, more focused on opera than dinner, half-listens. Baoqin insists he go to Nanhu Park with her to enjoy a Kunqu opera performance. Rain? No problem. Off they go.
Bamboo, Opera, and a Soaked Baoqin
At the park, Zhuoran stands in the bamboo grove recording the sound of Kunqu opera drifting through the trees. Baoqin, unimpressed by his artistic whimsy (and now thoroughly soaked), storms off. Later, Zhuoran plays the recording for Nie Juanjuan during their daily 3PM call. She’s enchanted.
But Baoqin isn’t done — soaking wet and frustrated, she vents to Liu Lina, who suspects Zhuoran might be in love. Baoqin worries that Peng Yulan is getting hurt and suggests she find someone younger. But Yulan is determined: she wants to compete fairly for Zhuoran’s heart. Baoqin encourages her to fight for it.
Operation: Seduction (Sort of)
Baoqin brings Yulan — now dressed to subtly impress in a new set of lingerie — to Zhuoran’s apartment. Zhuoran, sensing trouble, tries to escape to Shen Qing’s place, but Baoqin forces him back inside. The phone rings non-stop. They scramble to answer it — only to find it’s the gas company. In the chaos, Zhuoran injures his knee.
Yulan tends to his injury with care, and Zhuoran is touched, thinking she might have some medical background. Turns out, she’s just good at treating her roller-skating grandson’s scrapes and bruises. Baoqin seizes the moment to suggest Yulan bring the grandson over to get skating tips from Zhuoran.
A Glimpse at the Competition
With Zhuoran resting, Baoqin and Yulan snoop again — this time admiring the fan painting that Nie Juanjuan sent. Curiosity gets the better of them. Baoqin spots the return address on the envelope and decides they have to see what Nie Juanjuan looks like in real life. Off they go, ready to size up the mystery woman.
Meanwhile, at the Lab…
Back in the work world, Shen Qing and his team are burning the candle at both ends trying to finish the M703 drug on time — and failing. His boss tells him to explain the delay to Ice Li, the client rep. Shen Qing meets with her, and during their conversation, her phone rings with a catchy ringtone. Turns out, she composed the tune herself. Later that night, Shen Qing writes lyrics for it.
Feeling guilty that Liu Lina is still helping him around the house with her injured hand, Shen Qing takes her out for watermelon as a small gesture of thanks.
Final Thoughts
This episode is packed with meddling aunties, poetic gestures, and the slow, sweet burn of unexpected romance. Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan’s connection continues to deepen, even as Sun Baoqin’s matchmaking crusade goes off the rails. With Peng Yulan now firmly in the picture and ready to compete, and Baoqin literally tracking down the competition — things are bound to get messier before they get better.
Stay tuned.
