Episode Summary
On Valentine’s Day in 2012 Beijing, emotions run high. Shen Jingshu impresses with a surprise luxury car sale, while Zhou Shui’s feelings for Dai Daji turn into jealousy as her career takes off under Lai Chaoyang’s mentorship. Dai Daji is promoted, Zhou Shui is replaced as director, and their personal and professional tensions explode. Despite a brief romantic reconciliation, their relationship begins to fracture. Flash forward to 2024 in Chongqing — Tong Leyi unexpectedly discovers Zhou Shui working in a kitchen, hinting at how far things have changed.
Spoiler Alert
Valentine’s Day in 2012 Beijing hits hard — with love, ambition, and a whole lot of emotional mess.
Shen Jingshu's Luxury Surprise
It’s Valentine’s Day, and Yaling is in full cute mode, hoping her girlfriend Shen Jingshu comes home early. Meanwhile, her roommate Zhou Shui is buzzing — his longtime crush, Dai Daji, is coming back from a business trip tonight, and he’s ready to finally give her the gift he’s been holding onto.
At work, Jingshu’s told a big client might be coming in, and everyone’s on edge — this sale could make or break their yearly bonuses. She waits all day, but the VIP never shows… until she’s about to leave. A scruffy man dragging a suitcase walks in. Everyone else ignores him, but Jingshu steps up to help, and to everyone’s shock, he buys a Rolls-Royce — in cash. That suitcase? Stuffed with money. Jingshu just landed the sale of the year.
Dai Daji’s Return — And Complications
Dai Daji returns from her trip with gifts for everyone, including a designer bag from Lai Chaoyang, her boss. She tries to decline it, but he insists it’s just a “business expense.” Back at home, Zhou Shui sees the designer label and loses his spark. He doesn’t even give her the Valentine’s gift he spent so much time picking out—a new laptop.
At work, the bag becomes a hot topic. Zhou Shui finally musters the courage to give her the laptop when her computer crashes, but before he can explain, Chaoyang calls her away again. Later, Chaoyang even drives her home. Zhou Shui, watching from the shadows, is clearly not okay.
Romance, Rejection, and Realizations
While Jingshu is now being pursued by the rich mystery car buyer (Liao), she’s not interested — and actively avoids him. Meanwhile, Tong Leyi gets a gut punch: her parents are divorced, and all her belongings are shipped to her office. She’s devastated. Daji, ever the leader, tells her they’ll go on a business trip to Chongqing next week.
Back in the office, Daji’s film project gets picked up — her concept earns client approval. Zhou Shui, now named director, dives into prep work. But then, plot twist — Chaoyang pulls him off the movie to shoot an ad, and hands the movie over to Daji. Ouch.
Zhou Shui tries to shoot the ad his way, but investors aren’t impressed. He melts down, calls Daji threatening to quit — but it turns out Chaoyang’s daughter needs a doctor at that hospital, so the ad needs to happen, no matter what. Zhou Shui stubbornly insists on doing it his way, which only frustrates Chaoyang more.
Promotion Party & Professional Jealousy
Daji gets promoted, and the company throws a party. Zhou Shui arrives late, only to find her seated next to Chaoyang, basking in praise. He’s clearly the outsider now. After the party, Chaoyang even wraps a coat around her shoulders — Zhou Shui is seething.
They argue. Daji defends Chaoyang, saying he’s been good to them. Zhou Shui, now working overtime, is called back for a meeting… only to find out he’s been officially replaced as director. The heartbreak is professional and personal.
The Breaking Point
Zhou Shui finally explodes, confronting Chaoyang in the office. Years of jealousy and frustration boil over. Chaoyang fires back: Daji is more mature, more capable, and more suited to direct. She’s not Zhou Shui’s sidekick — she’s her own person.
Daji hears it all. For the first time, she realizes: she’s not just “Zhou Shui’s Daji.” She’s Dai Daji — a director in her own right.
A Bittersweet Reconciliation
Zhou Shui disappears. Daji takes over the ad shoot. When she finally finds him, he’s at home, drinking and bitter. He says he’s leaving. She’s exhausted, all business — until she sees the video he edited on her old laptop. Their memories. Their love.
He asks, “Do you love me?”
She kisses him through tears: “Always have.”
They make up. For one night, they’re the couple they used to be.
But sometimes, making up is the beginning of the end.
Fast Forward: Fall 2024, Chongqing
Tong Leyi and Su Zihao run into Daji in Chongqing. She cancels a meeting and joins them for hotpot. Leyi steps out to use the bathroom — and accidentally walks into the kitchen.
There, in the back… is Zhou Shui.
Older, grey-haired, and quietly cooking.
Final Thoughts
Episode 17 is a turning point — packed with emotional gut punches and career drama that feels all too real. Dai Daji is finally stepping into her own spotlight, but at what cost? Zhou Shui is spiraling, caught between love and pride. And with that final shot in the kitchen, it’s clear: this love story is far from over, but it may never go back to what it once was.
