Eat Run Love: Episode 12 Recap and Spoilers

Episode Summary

In Episode 12, Gan Yang tries to ease Ding Zhitong’s daily struggles by secretly preparing a dream apartment for her, but she rejects his help, fearing financial imbalance will ruin their relationship. Their disagreement escalates, leading to emotional turmoil on both sides. Meanwhile, workplace tensions flare, and Zhitong finally realizes the depth of Gan Yang’s love — too late to reach him.

Spoiler Alert

If Episode 11 was a slow simmer of building tension, Episode 12 of Eat Run Love turns up the emotional heat — and things boil over. This episode is all about miscommunication, pride, and the painful tug-of-war between love and independence.

Love on the Subway, Not in a Taxi

As Gan Yang heads to the airport, he makes a detour to send Ding Zhitong off to work. When he suggests they take a taxi from the crowded train station, she flat-out refuses — taking a cab every day would eat through her entire paycheck. Respecting her stubborn practicality, Gan Yang lets it go, but seeing her squished on the train while juggling work messages hits him hard. As soon as she disappears into the office building, he calls up a real estate agent. Yep, he’s thinking long-term.

Ties and Goodbyes

Meanwhile, Song Mingmei is heading off for an internship. Before she leaves, she gifts Qin Chang a tie and asks him to bike her to the bus stop. It’s a small, sweet moment — young love in the simplest form.

A House Built on Love (and Instant Noodles)

Gan Yang, ever the thoughtful boyfriend, keeps showing up with food for Zhitong, who insists on paying him back every time. He’s hurt but says nothing. On weekends, he retreats to a small rental apartment — the one he dreams of sharing with her someday — where he paints the walls by himself and eats instant noodles. It’s lonely, but he smiles just thinking of her living there.

So when Zhitong sees a huge public screen flash with Gan Yang’s face, she’s stunned. Surprise! He’s behind her with a bouquet and a key — to the apartment he’s lovingly preparing for her. But her reaction? Not what he hoped.

Love vs. Pride

Zhitong freaks out. She refuses to move in or spend Gan Yang’s money. He argues that he’s her boyfriend — why shouldn’t he take care of her? Her reply: “Because I can’t even afford half the rent.” It’s a brutal truth that leaves both of them sleepless that night. Gan Yang goes for a run to clear his head. Zhitong? Dead tired at work and running on caffeine.

️ Room for Rent

Zhitong’s friend Qin Yu has a housing crisis — her place got flooded. That’s when Zhitong thinks of the apartment Gan Yang rented and offers it to her friend. When Gan Yang hears this news (thanks to the ever-eavesdropping Xu Chenxi), he rushes over to stop the handover.

Cue another fight. Gan Yang demands to know: “What are you so afraid of?” Zhitong insists she simply doesn’t want it — but clearly, it’s deeper than that. He’s crushed. She’s defensive. They part ways again — not on good terms.

Tears, Trauma, and Truth

Later, Zhitong breaks down over drinks with Song Mingmei. She confesses she’s terrified that money will ruin her relationship with Gan Yang. She’s seen it happen in her own family — lawsuits, betrayal... it left scars. And Gan Yang’s money? It’s not even his, she says — it’s his parents’. She wants love, not complications.

When Song Mingmei asks, “Do you love him?” Zhitong bursts into tears and finally nods. But she still won’t tell Gan Yang.

‍♂️ Bros, Advice, and Missed Calls

Back home, Gan Yang is also a sleepless mess. His friend Wang Yi tells him to take a breath and give Zhitong a way to save face. At least she loves him, not his wallet. But Gan Yang just wants her to have a better life — no more packed subways, no more exhaustion. He agrees to call her… once he gets some sleep.

️ Office Drama and Petty Revenge

At work, things don’t get any better. Zhitong has a run-in with her boss Jia Fan over a busted printer. When she drops a stack of documents, her colleague Feng Sheng tries to help but gets brushed off. Jia Fan sees it all and snaps again. Later, Feng Sheng gets his revenge — hiding one of the files to make Jia Fan look bad in a meeting. Petty? Yes. Satisfying? Absolutely.

Realization and Regret

After all this, Xu Chenxi confronts Zhitong — how could she reject someone who’s put in so much effort? That’s when she learns the truth: Gan Yang has been spending his weekends personally painting and decorating that apartment to match every little thing she once joked about wanting.

Zhitong rushes to the apartment. She sees it all — the pastel walls, the cozy touches, the dream she once described now made real. She breaks down in tears, trying to call him. But his phone is off. Desperate, she dials Wang Yi instead.

Final Thoughts

Episode 12 is an emotional rollercoaster that dives deep into the complexities of love, pride, and vulnerability. Gan Yang wants to give Zhitong the world, but she’s too afraid to accept it. Not because she doesn’t love him — but because she does. And that’s what makes it hurt so much.

Next episode? We’re hoping for clarity, reconciliation, and maybe — just maybe — a phone call that doesn’t go to voicemail.

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