Episode Summary
Gan Yang tries to reconcile with Ding Zhitong, who is torn between her feelings and career choices. Mr. Zhang offers Zhitong a position at Training Box, while Mr. Wang (Weiersen) tries to recruit her as a financial advisor. Gan Yang uses various tactics to win Zhitong back, including faking a stomach ache. Zhitong discovers Weiersen's true identity, leading to complicated relationships and career decisions.
Spoiler Alert
"Eat Run Love" Episode 23: Second Chances and Fake Stomach Aches?
Alright, folks, things are getting interesting in "Eat Run Love." Episode 23 is all about revisiting the past, navigating tricky career choices, and maybe, just maybe, faking a little illness for love. Let's dive in.
So, Gan Yang, bouquet in hand, makes a beeline for Ding Zhitong. Zhitong, bless her heart, even cooks him a meal – using his old favorite recipes, the ones she learned after their breakup. Talk about mixed signals! She tells him she's forgiven him for whatever went down, mostly for him not being upfront about stuff. Gan Yang gets all sentimental, talking about his mom and how she wanted him to live his own life even when things got tough at home. He basically says he wanted the same for Zhitong.
Zhitong, though, isn't buying it. She pulls her hand away and says, "Friends, maybe?" Ouch. She spills the tea to Song Mingmei, who then remembers she was the one who told Gan Yang to leave Zhitong alone way back when. Mingmei blames Zhitong for not telling Gan Yang everything after the breakup. It's a whole mess of guilt and what-ifs.
Meanwhile, Zhitong's having trouble sleeping, haunted by memories of her mom's passing. And Gan Yang? He's got company drama brewing, forcing him to jet back to Hong Kong.
Enter Mr. Zhang, now in charge of the Training Box project. He's got shareholder squabbles and is spread thin. Gan Yang wants Zhitong back on board, but Wang Shi Group is also throwing projects her way. Decisions, decisions!
Later, Weiersen takes Zhitong out to dinner. She tells him about her dilemma, admitting she wants to help Gan Yang achieve his dreams. After Zhitong leaves, Weiersen calls his people and orders them to make Zhitong a long-term financial advisor for Wang Shi, cancels his Hong Kong trip, and heads back to Shanghai the next day.
Gan Yang is thrilled to see Zhitong back and keeps a close eye on her. They're sending messages back and forth, and Gan Yang is trying to get back together with Zhitong, but Zhitong says she's just there to work on the project and doesn't plan to get back together. Gan Yang doesn't give up and keeps asking her to dinner, but Zhitong doesn't agree.
One evening, seeing Zhitong working late, Gan Yang shuts off the lights and says the company doesn't encourage working overtime and that everyone should leave work. Wang Yi can't help but laugh when she hears this.
Then, plot twist! Zhitong twists her ankle while she and Gan Yang are out. He rushes back to grab her a pair of shoes. They fit perfectly, but Zhitong insists on paying him. Gan Yang is happy because Zhitong still remembers his number. Zhitong lowers her head and leaves quickly. Gan Yang sits in Zhitong's car, looking like he's in pain. Zhitong is very worried and takes Gan Yang to buy something to eat nearby.
At the supermarket, Gan Yang is fine, buys food, and takes Zhitong home to cook. Zhitong thinks about her previous fantasies of eating, running, and living with Gan Yang.
Zhitong suddenly feels cheated. Gan Yang was faking his stomach ache to buy things. She throws Gan Yang out, but Gan Yang tells Zhitong that the soup will be ready in ten minutes, that she should remember to put the vegetables in the refrigerator, and that she should not forget that his shoes are still in the room. Zhitong throws the shoes out again.
Mingmei visits Zhitong and tells her about her divorce with Bo Ting and tells Zhitong that she should understand Gan Yang. Zhitong understands Gan Yang, but if Gan Yang had said those things back then, she might not have left, but it's hard to say whether they would have supported each other or tortured each other. Now that she is over thirty, it is no longer just about love.
While Zhitong is out for a night run, Weiersen shows up. They decide to run together. Zhitong sees Mr. Lin and wants to say hello, but she is dressed too casually to go in. Weiersen pulls her in. It's a private club, and everyone greets Weiersen. Zhitong realizes that Weiersen is Mr. Wang.
Mr. Wang tells Zhitong the truth about his identity. Zhitong warns Mr. Wang that this is the first and last time he can lie to her, otherwise they can't be friends. She also thanks Mr. Wang for introducing her to the client today.
Back at her place, Gan Yang is watching Zhitong from the balcony. He's texting and calling, and neither of them can sleep. Gan Yang starts reading a book to Zhitong in fluent English. Zhitong sits there listening and gradually falls asleep. Gan Yang smiles as he watches Zhitong fall asleep.
The next day, Gan Yang brings Zhitong breakfast and wants her to take him to work. Zhitong agrees to eat on the side of the road and go to work together. As soon as Gan Yang sits down, Zhitong pretends to get a tissue from the car and drives away. Gan Yang is not angry and sends a message to Zhitong, praising her for being so cute. Mr. Wang sees this and orders Zhitong's work to be filled so that she can be a good consultant and spend less time at Training Box.
So, what's next? Will Zhitong give Gan Yang another chance? Is Weiersen/Mr. Wang playing a long game? And how will this Training Box/Wang Shi Group situation shake out? Stay tuned!
