陷入我們的熱戀
Fall Into Our Passionate Love
Network: Tencent Video
Recap Grade: B
First Impression: 4/5
First Impression: 4/5
Recaps: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]
Cast
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| Wang An Yu: Chen Lu Zhou |
Liu Hao Cun: Xu Zhi |
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| Wu Han Kun: Zhu Yang Qi |
Zhang Xin Yi: Cai Ying Ying |
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| Sun Zhi Hong: Xu Guang Ji |
Ren Zhong: Cai Bin Hong |
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| Zeng Li: Lian Hui |
Liu Guan Cheng: Chen Ji Shen |
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| Song Ning Feng: Fu Yu Qing |
He Yu: Jiang Yu |
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| Zhang Jia Shuo: Tan Xu |
Mini Recaps
– I'll be tackling an episode ...whenever xD.
– Long lines in this colour are the opening/ending titles (if I can read them)
First meeting: Chen Lu Zhou asks Xu Zhi for her number...so that next time she’s eavesdropping on his mother lecturing him, he can prepare a stool for her front-row seat. Then he pulls the blind down in her face to shut her out completely.
Second meeting: Xu Zhi properly knocks on doors to ask Chen Lu Zhou if he can help retrieve her clover necklace stuck in a tree. She does have a motive. She wants to know him...to meet his mother, who sounds awfully like her late mother.
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| 2nd ML looks a lot like Wu Lei! |
My girl, Wang An Yu Chen Lu Zhou, is only 1.83m. Even he's helpless against a tree. In all seriousness, he offers, "How about this. I'll buy you a new one." But there's a condition. "I want to see you reenact how it ended up there."
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| First love & love at first sight |
He's quite curt to her, but look who's attracted. When her four-leaf clover necklace falls, Chen Lu Zhou catches it single-handedly. Lucky love, right into his palms :') He also tries to turn down her dinner invite, but when she's up and close, he can't refuse.
Chen Lu Zhou's nickname is Lucy xD. Wang An Yu not only took Zhao Lu Si's "mom" (Zeng Li) and her name Lusicy. Lol.
Also, Chen Lu Zhou’s nickname is Lucy xD. Wang An Yu not only took Zhao Lu Si's "mom" (Zeng Li) but also her name Lusicy. Lol.
Xu Zhi defends Chen Lu Zhou on instinct when a kid accuses him of stealing his seat. She doesn’t even know the situation, but she’s on his side. He teases her that it's only their first real meeting and she’s already backing him up. But she doesn’t blink: “I thought that once we exchanged names, we’re friends.” He’s taken aback.
[Ep2] The gold necklace that dropped from the tree must have belonged to this dad who's hiding his fake stash from the mom, lol.
After a harsh call from the woman he calls “Mother,” Chen Lu Zhou resigns himself to loneliness. It doesn’t matter where he goes to school – he’ll be alone either way. And then Xu Zhi strides in. Suddenly… it might matter. Someone might matter :)
When it rains, Xu Zhi instinctively tilts the umbrella to cover him. His stomach flips. But to her, it’s just natural. She hates rain. If she’d known it would rain, she wouldn’t have come out. He’s the opposite: he doesn’t go out unless it rains. Sensing his sarcasm, she drips hers in too, What, you also like standing in the rain so the drops hide your tears? He’s amused, but not entirely kidding. He says he’s always liked the rain – like the time his parents took only his younger brother to the amusement park while he stayed home studying. It rained the moment they arrived. Plans ruined. And he was quietly glad. Turns out Xu Zhi wasn't exactly wrong. He was hiding his tears in the rain.
♪ Are You Okay? ♫ (No. He's not.)
His phone rings. (Also: great detail at the restaurant – he did charge it.) His heart buzzes too. Lucy, you're in trouble now ~ not okay at all ;) (Fun fact: the ♪"Are You Okay?"♫ has been a sound effect for many Wang An Yu variety show moments)
Epilogue: Cai Ying Ying (Xu Zhi's bestie) predicts her future boyfriend will be an emotionally challenging guy who doesn't move or speak in a straightforward way. Xu Zhi rejects. No thank you. She continues to write in her year book her favourite quote: 世上沒有真正的絕望，只有被思想困住的困徒. In this world there there is no true despair – only prisoners trapped by their own thoughts.
Zhu Yang Qi accurately describes Chen Lu Zhou's reaction when he dodges Tan Xu: like a mistress running into the wife. LOL.
Chen Lu Zhou: I've noticed you love talking in a way that's so sporadic. Making our Lucy's head spinning. Is she flirting or is she flirting xD.Xu Zhi: I'm thinking. Don't talk. That’s when she finally remembers where she first met him: a basketball court. He drank her water, which wasn’t meant for him. As someone who’s finished the drama, I’m just glad there’s no childhood connection and this “first meeting” isn’t made into a Big Deal™.Chen Lu Zhou (inner-OS): 撩一下松一下的套路也太會了，是故意在釣我吧. You're way too good at the whole flirt-then-pull-away game – you're totally trying to bait me, aren't you? (Naw bro, she isn't, hahaha.)
Turns out, the reason it’s been so hard to get Chen Lu Zhou's number... is because of Tan Xu. He thought Xu Zhi was dating him and wanted to draw boundaries. The second he thinks they’ve broken up, he obediently hands over his phone (only to accidentally send her his payment QR code instead, lol. Da ge!). He still hesitates for a second though: "Wait... does this count as being a mistress (小三)?" xD I’m loving all the imaginary soap opera spiralling inside Chen Lu Zhou’s head.
It hits Chen Lu Zhou a little late, but it's clear to him now that Xu Zhi has become someone he simply can’t say no to – 無法拒絕 – utterly irresistible, completely unrejectable. Even if it means being her 小三 hahaha.
Xu Zhi cleverly steps in and lectures Chen Lu Zhou’s spoiled, arrogant brother Chen Xing Qi on his behalf. She suspects Chen Lu Zhou is adopted, while Chen Xing Qi is their biological son – so of course it’s not easy for him to speak up. (Aww, I already really want her to be his gf and protect that fragile heart of his that's been battered by his parents and brother. )
Zhi zong was going to nap after a tiring day of filming, but when she comes across a downcast Chen Lu Zhou, she sits right by him in that small swing. Who said she was emotionless and unsympathetic. Our girl gave up her beauty sleep for him. They talk about the way their mother loves. Chen Lu Zhou, eyes distant, says quietly, "To be unconditionally loved....requires a bit of luck." A kind of luck he’s convinced he doesn’t have.
So Xu Zhi gives him some. Her kind of luck. The four-leaf clover kind. <3 AWWW.
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| She gives him her kind of luck... and she will give him her unconditional love. (◕‿◕)♡ |
Except Xu Zhi finally tells Chen Lu Zhou she's not interested in him. She's only interested in meeting his mom. She’s even willing to be his fake girlfriend for it. Chen Lu Zhou’s world crumbles. Hahaha. To make matters worse, she proves she’s truly not into him – she didn’t even open his WeChat profile after adding him. And she got his name wrong. Pfft. The sheer level of disinterest. It's the "Lu" 路 as in 峰迴路轉 = things have taken a new turn. Apt LOL. To be fair, she did confirm with him if his characters were all written like surnames and he didn't respond.
Chen Lu Zhou is so distraught the next day, haha. Poor guy! Meanwhile, Xu Zhi is cool as ever, still going out of her way to speak up for him so Uncle Fu pays him properly. Chen Lu Zhou overhears – and hope returns! xD A smile tugs at his lips. If she’s not into him... why is she still standing up for him? Right? Right??? Right ;)
Extra pics:
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| He really can't reject her. She tells him to go – he goes, sit – he sits. xD. She really is Zhi 總 |
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| So fake though, loool |
Xu Zhi is mesmerized by the fishes. She finds them adorable because they're so colourful and full of life. Chen Lu Zhou glances down at himself: all black from head to toe. (He even thinks about wearing colourful shoes the next time… for her. But at the last minute, he sticks with black.) Dw, Lucy. Even in all black, you're the one who shines brightest in her eyes starting from this ep!
Attraction on Chen Lu Zhou's side is undeniable. (Only) His heart flutters when their fingers brush over the menu. He thinks she orders lemonade just because he ordered lemonade. And whenever he looks at her, it's like a fan is always blowing, gently lifting her hair like a scene from a drama.
Actually, attraction on Xu Zhi's side is also blooming~ When Chen Lu Zhou says women might be more suited for architecture – attention to detail, spatial awareness, etc – her eyes sparkle like stars. In her eyes he's looking thoughtful, intelligent, and deeply respectful. (And Zhu Yang Qi is a total 🐷豬隊友 = Pig (Zhu) Teammate. He scolded Chen Lu Zhou for bringing up her major at dinner, but that was exactly why she fell for him).
Our quartet makes wishes on shooting stars. Chen Lu Zhou's.......world peace... As the stars streak through the sky, more than capturing the stars with his lens, there's something else he wants to catch... "Xu Zhi, turn around and look at me." (Oh. So that was his wish. For her to look at him. And it came true!)
Xu Zhi is considering a better university after the talk with Chen Lu Zhou. He's changed her mind and her outlook.
Chen Lu Zhou: The choice is yours to make. Just like tonight, you're waiting for the starlit sky. But I am actually waiting for the autumn wind. And some stand watch in the desert, waiting for flowers to bloom. Each to their own path, Each to their own view.Xu Zhi: Does the view always have to be bright and splendid? (She asks this because he used 風光 = "view" that also implies glory and brilliance)Chen Lu Zhou: What do you mean? Our journey ahead is the view – it is bright and splendid. No one else gets to decide it. Only we can.
And she's falling more for him. He's so cool.
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| Did she get moved to tears? Her nose is red. |
[Ep5] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
Chen Lu Zhou’s 陪聊 gig is visiting his mom and going on a blind date. (I didn't know 陪聊 “paid companion” also meant escort and he's not exactly wrong about charming the aunties lol). Back at the villa, everyone’s knocked out, except Xu Zhi, loyally waiting for Chen Lu Zhou, and the “juice” he promised. It's alcohol. They rent a private cinema room... to drink, not watch, but still, something has to play, except every movie is a romance. Xu Zhi saves the night with a real gem: Daily Legal Education.
After the trip, Chen Lu Zhou opens his fridge and he's bought Xu Zhi’s favourite wine for himself. He takes a whole bottle. It’s like tasting her again, sweet and intoxicating. Then he remembers the private cinema moment. She leaned in to grab the bottle, and they ended up breathe-close. He was awake the whole time! He just closed his eyes so she wouldn’t catch him staring, lost in love with her.
But the sweetness vanishes fast when she texts him to split the cost of the room. She insists on going dutch for everything. Meanwhile, Xu Zhi’s upset too that Chen Lu Zhou feels distant. She even mistakes the AC remote for the TV one.
I cannot type. I'm howling at the dad LOOOOL.
Xu Zhi pays 1 yuan for Chen Lu Zhou to be her 陪聊 – a paid companion. (Though his “escort services” might be slightly compromised, hehe.) They’re both seasoned pros – neither says a word until Xu Zhi finally breaks the silence, casually leaning into his space. She cracked first, but leaning in was also a power move.
Chen Lu Zhou gets adorably smug when she starts scrolling through his WeChat posts – until she clarifies it’s for work. "Xu Zhi, not everything needs an explanation. Like when the wind blows – where do the flowers, grass, and trees go to complain?" She stays rational: “But we’re not grass or trees. We have mouths – we should use them to explain.” LOL. He’s exasperated.
He’s up, he’s down. The Chen Lu Zhou coaster continues. Chen Lu Zhou gets so jealous when Xu Zhi only goes dutch with him and then even says they're not close. I thought he was going to walk out, but He actually closes the door (scary ~~) and confronts her, "What does it take to be considered close?" Just what is "close" in her dictionary? Man is offended, and blunt about it.
Xu Zhi he smiles. Now she knows exactly what he’s mad about ~ And he's so easy to coax 哄 with just a few (proper) explanation. Xu Zhi is a woman with a very persuasive mouth and logic.
Xu Zhi: How about I tell you a joke?Chen Lu Zhou: Trying to 哄 hong me?YES! And he LOVES it.But she ditches him for money, hahahaha.
Chen Lu Zhou's emotional whiplash shows how invested he is in her. She’s not just a casual fling to him – her attention, her logic, even her coldness matter deeply. He’s sensitive to all of it. And what makes it romantic is that instead of shutting down, he engages. Even upset, he leans in.
While Chen Lu Zhou handles his brat with indifference (i.e. loyalty to Xu Zhi), Xu Zhi’s dealing with a different kind of brat – a grown man with the emotional maturity of a parking cone – with fierce loyalty. This one trash-talked Chen Lu Zhou, so she challenges him to a motorbike race. Because Xu Zhi, surprise, is a pro-level racer. 帥! Shuai! Chen Lu Zhou panics on the sidelines, lol. But he's also so proud of her. Then she gets deliberately rammed by the opponent and crashes, but still wins.
Chen Lu Zhou has his hands full with a 17-year-old brat – who speaks worse than a kindergartener and insults 10-year-olds – pestering for ice cream. He spots one with a four-leaf clover design, pays 80 yuan for Xu Zhi’s, and tosses an extra 8 yuan at the brat.
Chen Lu Zhou tends to Xu Zhi’s injured knee. She flinches from the pain, wanting him to stop. He catches her hand, promising to be gentler. But his tone isn’t all that soft – he scolds her for racing in the first place. Was 5,000 yuan really worth it? It’s a gentle kind of lecturing – the kind Xu Zhi misses from his mother.
The 17yo brat knows when to back off. When she sees Xu Zhi, she retreats and returns the four-leaf clover ice cream to its rightful owner. Xu Zhi teases Chen Lu Zhou, calling him the brat’s "gege", and says he’s "close" to anyone. He does the math for her: her ice cream was 80 yuan, the brat’s only 8. Who’s closer now? And comparing by money is the right move with Xu Zhi – she’s always about the money. Then he tests her: would she kiss him for 5,000 yuan? Her reply: hesitating even one second would disrespect the money. ^^"
The 17yo brat knows when to back off. When she sees Xu Zhi, she retreats and returns the four-leaf clover ice cream to its rightful owner. Xu Zhi teases Chen Lu Zhou, calling him the brat’s "gege", and says he’s "close" to anyone. He does the math for her: her ice cream was 80 yuan, the brat’s only 8. Who’s closer now? And comparing by money is the right move with Xu Zhi – she’s always about the money. Then he tests her: would she kiss him for 5,000 yuan? Her reply: hesitating even one second would disrespect the money. ^^"
Later, Chen Lu Zhou receives the apology and realizes the real reason Xu Zhi raced – for him. He phones her to thank her, and asks if it's raining where she is. It wasn’t—until his call. Then he tells her to check her bag. He’d already tucked an umbrella inside. Like everything he owns, it’s marked with CLZ.
When someone notes that Xu Zhi isn’t as passive as she looks, Chen Lu Zhou remembers all the times she had his back. He finally has an answer to the question she asked nights ago: "If the walls of your heart crumbled, what would you do?" He texts her:
If the walls of your heart collapse,I’ll build an even stronger fortress.If all the rivers run dry,I’ll melt glaciers with my tears.If the sun refuses to rise,I’ll try to light every lamp.Whether the moon is round or not –I’ll always stay by your side.
He unsends the last line: 月亮圓不圓都沒關係，我會永遠陪在你身邊. There's a near-homonym in there: "round 圓" and "always 遠". What he unsent was his confession (after being overwhelmed by all the feelings Xu Zhi gave him for all the times she protected him).
Later, Xu Zhi reposts his (confession) message.
As fate would have it, they end up in the same hotel. Chen Lu Zhou gets grumpy when Xu Zhi cheerfully recalls how she flew off her motorbike, broke her leg, and now feels her knee crackle whenever it rains. While she's proud of the story, he's already worried, even though it’s an old injury.
Xu Zhi senses he’s still sulking (just now because of her) and tries to coax him with a joke. He perks up – so she did remember she owed him one. He smiles (so easy to coax). She grins and starts: it’s about a handsome young man visiting her dad's/doctor's department (male reproductive) to get his penis checked, but the doctor piled on so many extra tests that the guy bailed halfway through.
Chen Lu Zhou is mortified. He's the weak guy who bailed and that was Xu Zhi's dad. Xu Zhi, noticing he isn’t laughing, offers another joke. LOOOL. No more for Lucy. He's traumatized.
Chen Lu Zhou coaster: Then Lucy (Chen Lu Zhou) gets all grumpy all by himself that Xu Zhi bought milk tea for her "love rival". Xu Zhi is "angry" too. He (accidentally) duped her into praying to a 送子觀音 – the goddess of fretility. Hahaha.
The next day, Chen Lu Zhou immediately returns to checkup and performs all the test the dad wanted him to do LOL. He also promises the doctor dad that he's still a virgin. He also manages to correct the dad's impression of him because it wasn't him who bribed the doctor (it was Zhu Yan Qi, the 豬隊友).
Chen Lu Zhou gets his nails done – for Xu Zhi. He stepped in to fend off a thug bothering her stall, but even after the guy leaves, she doesn’t let of of his hand, happily finishing the nail job. He calls it 恩將仇報. We call it flirting. She changes the conversation to his mother and when he'll let her see her. He will. And if she was his girlfriend, don't say his mom, if she wants to see the heavenly emperor, he'll even build a ladder. *Hint Hint* Then she ropes him into helping her friend’s stall too. He’s wary. If Xu Zhi's doing nails...what is it this time? Screen protectors. Phew. He refuses though, says he doesn’t use one, but she goads him into it, calling it payback for making her pray to a fertility goddess. And that’s when it clicks: that’s why she hadn’t replied him (and that’s when it clicks for me. That's why he came looking for her.) He smiles, offers her a joke to make up for it. She says no, but she’s smiling too. He's already forgiven ~
The manicure was a joke, but now under the drizzle, it's the only warmth on Chen Lu Zhou's fingertips, a mark of someone he had close. Awwww, don't be sad Chen Lu Zhou! Xu Zhi is on her way to you.
Xu Zhi finds the clover she gave Chen Lu Zhou, pressed behind his phone case. He carried it everywhere. He held onto her tiny bit of luck and now she's reaching out to hold him ~ Aw. She's going to look for him in this downpour. Cai Ying Ying watches with a calm grim.
Cai Ying Ying: Do you know what love is? Even if it's the rain you hate the most, it won't stop you from pursuing him without a second thought just to return him his phone. [沒呢麼討厭的下雨天 A Rainy Day That's Not So Hateful After All]
Found you, Chen Lu Zhou.
٩(｡•́‿•̀｡)۶
She rejects. Mainly because they're not of legal age to marry. Oh? So if they are of age....?
He rejects too. Not because of age, but because marriage is serious. (You need loooooooove). And so he looks at her, straight-faced, and says: "So don't flirt with me so casually. I don't want to misunderstand you a second time." Ou.
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| The dog ~ Their way of love ~ |
Chen Lu Zhou accidentally drinks from Xu Zhi's cup. He turns it into a callback joke, reminding her that one kiss costs 5000 yuan. Since this was an indirect kiss, he’ll only charge her 2500. Without missing a beat, she snatches his cup and drinks from it too. Now they’re even. She’s sharp. He laughs. She’s just glad he’s smiling again. He offers that the next time he's sad, she can take him for a ride on her motorbike. She doesn't mind, except she'd rather there won't be a next time. She doesn't want a next time that he's sad, aw.
Chen Lu Zhou playfully demands a 3000-word thesis on Xu Zhi's emotional intent behind the ginger tea. 5% playful, 95% serious. Xu Zhi fires back sweetly. She starts with what real love is (= her stingy dad spending money on her and not even on her grandma). So making ginger tea isn't worth a 3000-word thesis. But if one day she invests that much money into him, don't worry. She'll take him down with an 8000 word essay. Minimum. No rush, no rush. Chen Lu Zhou smiles at the reply.
Teasing us with kissing distance already.
Xu Zhi sees this search history from Chen Lu Zhou: "How do I know if she's 女海王" LOL. My guy thinks she's the "Queen of the Sea", fishing men with a wide net (i.e. dates and flirts with many people).
Yup, Xu Zhi is quite blind. How did she completely miss that Chen Lu Zhou is the genius student everyone's boasting about? She feels like a fool – played, small. Chen Lu Zhou has no idea why she's upset, but he follows her alway, trailing her like a puppy, stepping on her shadow just to tease. This is youth.
[Ep10] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
Xu Zhi sees something else in Chen Lu Zhou's room: his violin. It reminds her of her grandparents. Her grandpa played it awfully, but he played it for her grandma when she was sick anyway. Xu Zhi didn't understand why her grandma let the noise pollution happen. Chen Lu Zhou wants to know too. You two know why. She tells him when they're both 80, and still alive, and he plays her a piece, then she'll tell him the answer. They promising a lifetime here? :D.
Then she sees it again – a desk lamp shaped like a moon. Immediately, she sends it to Chen Lu Zhou. That’s not just a gift. That’s a quiet reply. It reveals she had seen the message he recalled: “Whether the moon is round or not – I’ll always stay by your side.” That was his confession. And now this little moon on his desk — perfectly round — is...her answer. Chen Lu Zhou smiles at the full moon (the promise that Xu Zhi will always be there).
But Xu Zhi doesn't see everything. She missed the point of Chen Lu Zhou's picture. It wasn't about the amusement park, but the grandpa playing the violin. I love their flirting. It's full of intent, but feather-light, constantly tickling. She's cheered up. He was thinking of her just like she was thinking of him.
Xu Zhi doesn't want Chen Lu Zhou to introduce his friends who would take care of her at university because they'd act just like today – incessantly talk about him. He blinks. Confused. Does she really not want to hear about him that much? Because she'll miss you that much more, dumb dumb!
Xu Zhi's answer: Because the little dog is wagging its tail.Chen Lu Zhou: What does it mean?Xu Zhi: Exactly what the words mean.
Xu Zhi confesses first! She's the little dog, wagging her tail at the person she loves: Chen Lu Zhou. Her full confession in voice-over:
因為小狗在搖尾巴Because the little dog is wagging its tail為妳響起的歡呼聲永遠都不會停The cheers that rise for you will never stop慶宜的雨或許常年還會下The rain in Qingyi might fall all year而我在沸騰的人海里說喜歡你And in the boiling sea of people, I tell you I like you
The rain in Qingyi might fall all year
And in the boiling sea of people, I tell you I like you
Chen Lu Zhou had a lot of admirers, but what's different about Xu Zhi? Because she was the only one who was on his side – right or wrong. He didn’t grow up with that kind of love. No one ever stood by him like that. And so for the love he wants, he’s greedy. This is what he wants:
熱烈而永不退縮的愛A passionate and unwavering love是獨一無二A love that is one of a kind,是非我不可A love where it has to be me
This whole theatre scene? Intense and electric. But also confusing as hell. Did he accept her dare into a situationship? She was all smiles later, so... what happened?! Tell me!
By morning, they’re back on good terms, like nothing ever happened. Xu Zhi’s flirting is still elite. She says she would like her tattoo to be “CLZ.” Chen Lu Zhou freezes and warns her a name is never a good idea. She grins – Chen Lu Zhou is baited. Her "CLZ" stands for 特里則 (Cherry) Freedom. It’s her childhood dream to be so financially independent so that she doesn't flinch at the prices of cherries, ever. Those are realistic goals xD. But actually, that “CLZ” should hit him deep. He grew up in an orphanage where he scribbled his initials on anything that was his. He casually labelling herself with his name, it's like she's telling him she's his.
Gu Yan – protect her! She’s a rare, endangered species: a genuinely awesome female love rival. She’s the one who makes Xu Zhi realize just how precious Chen Lu Zhou’s love really is because this is a man who never lets his guard down with anyone, especially women. Xu Zhi is the one and only exception. Someone this proud has been quietly, stubbornly in love with her all along. And now Xu Zhi feels guilty. How could she, of all people, suggest something as casual as “playing around” to a man like this? (Re that theatre conversation.)
Xu Zhi makes amends with fried dumplings at Dan Dan’s. Chen Lu Zhou might not know exactly what set her off, but he's spot on that she's feeling guilty about something. Then he actually takes her up on her dare: if he’s going to mess around, she won’t be able to keep up. Ohhhhhh. Xu Zhi grins, "Are you sure?" Because she can't wait for it. Nope, Chen Lu Zhou, you cannot handle her.
Xu Zhi makes amends with fried dumplings at Dan Dan’s. Chen Lu Zhou might not know exactly what set her off, but he's spot on that she's feeling guilty about something. Then he actually takes her up on her dare: if he’s going to mess around, she won’t be able to keep up. Ohhhhhh. Xu Zhi grins, "Are you sure?" Because she can't wait for it. Nope, Chen Lu Zhou, you cannot handle her.
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| CLZ: If I'm really playing, you won't be able to keep up XZ: Are you sure? Then I can't wait |
July 8. Xu Zhi’s birthday. Everyone’s there to celebrate – everyone except Chen Lu Zhou, who isn't away because he wants to. He’s trapped in "celebrating" with his grandmother for his admission abroad, while she’s privately thinking, Finally, we can get rid of the orphan. From a family that never once cared about how he felt, Chen Lu Zhou escapes straight to the person who’s been waiting for him all night.
Xu Zhi assures her dad she’s having fun, but the moment she hangs up, her eyes go red. She looks up, talking to her mom in heaven, What do I do? She's fallen hard for Chen Lu Zhou.
And then he’s there. Chen Lu Zhou found her. With cake. The cake is modelled after the architecture her mom designed, which is the exact spot they're at. He didn’t call. He just knew she'd be here. Xu Zhi’s eyes are glassy – how does this man know how to make her so happy?
At his place watching a movie, somehow, Xu Zhi manages to fall and land right on Chen Lu Zhou's lap. She gets up, but nope, he pulls her right back down... onto his other thigh. "That one was twisted before. This one’s better." Sly. But she’s slyer. With the tiniest, most dangerous smile, she asks if he shaved. That’s a green light, and he knows it. He answers by kissing her cheeks. Yes, man’s smooth.
At his place watching a movie, somehow, Xu Zhi manages to fall and land right on Chen Lu Zhou's lap. She gets up, but nope, he pulls her right back down... onto his other thigh. "That one was twisted before. This one’s better." Sly. But she’s slyer. With the tiniest, most dangerous smile, she asks if he shaved. That’s a green light, and he knows it. He answers by kissing her cheeks. Yes, man’s smooth.
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| Did you shave? |
But the actual kiss. Oof. Even I don’t need top-tier kissing in my romances, but with all the build up with the near-kisses and the fact that they look like they’d be amazing kissers, this was awful. Liu Hao Cun must have a no-kissing clause. I forgot about Lin Yi kissing his own thumb in Derailment. And the director is terrible at it with the fade-out. It was so sudden and no one wants to go from "romantic kiss" to dad-molests-son:
Still, I love that even while they’re chatting, her legs stay draped over his thigh. She also does whatever she wants with him – holds his hand, hugs him. She also does it like she's satisfying him.
Xu Zhi already has pet names for her Chen Lu Zhou: Chen Jiao Jiao (嬌). Everyone loves calling him anything but his name lol. Lu Grass, Lucy, and now Chen Jiao Jiao. He protests. 嬌嬌 means lovable, delicate, etc. Aha! She corrects him for thinking too highly because it's the Jiao from 驕傲 = proud / arrogant. He doesn't protest.
When Xu Zhi gets too busy to date, Chen Lu Zhou wanders an art museum alone. He's enamoured by this piece "Knight and Rose" with this caption:
我是被砍去雙手的騎士但不影響玫瑰的新鮮的I’m the knight with both hands cut off,But that doesn’t stop the rose from staying fresh.
When Chen Lu Zhou is back, Xu Zhi is particularly clingy, hugging him the moment they step inside his home.
Then comes Zhu Yan Qi’s interrogation. His eyes zero in on the bandaged hickey on Xu Zhi. He’s offended they didn’t tell him. “Even if I haven’t eaten pork, haven’t I seen a pig run?” 🐷 Bless Pig Yan Qi for pulling out the pig proverb. Sure, he hasn’t dated, but he knows dating when he sees it. The couple ghost him, so he takes it out on the innocent stuffed husky, calling Chen Lu Zhou a dog. Pig and dog brothers forever 🐷🐶.
Xu Zhi confesses to her dad she’s not playing around with Chen Lu Zhou. She never was. And she’s going to miss him – really miss him – once he’s gone. Best Dad Ever looks at her and says, "Sad? I'll drink with you." This man is her dad, her mom, and her bestie rolled into one.
Dad Xu thinks he failed his daughter. He’s convinced his own incompetence made his daughter – someone terrified of being hurt – hide her pain from him. He threatens Chen Lu Zhou though. “Don’t hurt my daughter. Or I’ll punch you to death.” His fists might look like they couldn’t crack a peanut, but the weight in his voice ~ It wasn’t supposed to be sad, but the piano OST, the dad’s clumsy fists, and the steady way Chen Lu Zhou meets his eyes... my eyes sting a little.
Everyone knows this relationship’s on borrowed time. Chen Lu Zhou appreciates that Xu Zhi doesn't say the obvious, doesn't beg him to stay. She understands him ("其實妳也很懂我"). He cannot stay and she isn't making it hard for him. But why can't we do long-distance!!
Xu Zhi finally gets her ears pierced, something she’s avoided forever because of the pain—but she does it with Chen Lu Zhou. Somewhere, Dad Xu is definitely crying. He picks her earrings: stars. While she’s getting pierced (which takes 10 seconds max), he runs out to buy her an umbrella and a four-leaf-clover ice cream for the pain. And there they are, all their love tokens in one scene: star, clover, umbrella, rain.
Xu Zhi isn't the only one upset about Chen Lu Zhou leaving. So is Zhu Yan Qi. He actually gets in a fight with him and storms out, but he was waiting outside for Chen Lu Zhou to 哄哄 him. Aw.
Chen Lu Zhou gets pushed to sing. He chooses Yoga Lin’s Freedom—🎵或許只有你 懂得我 / Maybe only you understand me 🎶 – the title of the episode, and exactly how he feels about Xu Zhi.
Xu Zhi checks off #10 on her summer to-do list: watch the sunrise with the person she loves. She does it with Chen Lu Zhou. It's all done, and it's time for goodbye.
Chen Lu Zhou: Xu Zhi.She stops.Chen Lu Zhou: Can we hug?She freezes. Then turns and wraps him up. She keeps her eyes hidden so that he doesn't see the tears.🥺🥺🥺
They walk away. She doesn’t look back. He lingers, like he’s trying to memorize her, then leaves. Neither of them know how to "play around." They’ve handed over their whole hearts.
On the last day, Xu Zhi writes him a letter on the bench… but doesn’t give it to him. They talk like they’re nothing more than friendly acquaintances. Aargh. Why can’t they just do long distance?! But Chen Lu Zhou is stubbornly keeping his promise to her dad: no 拖拖拉拉, no pulling things out, no dragging hearts along. Back in Chen Lu Zhou's room, hidden behind a curtain is a photo montage of Xu Zhi. He takes it apart, piece by piece...
Xu Zhi takes her motorbike to a special place. She makes a shooting star motion with the star earring he picked for her at the place she gave Chen Lu Zhou her kind of luck (and love). She's such a romantic. She stares up at the sky and at this time, Chen Lu Zhou is on the plane.
Xu Zhi rides her motorbike to their special spot. She makes a shooting-star motion with the star earrings he picked for her right where she once gave him her kind of luck (and love). She’s such a romantic. She stares at the sky, as if sending off Chen Lu Zhou.
On the plane, Chen Lu Zhou finds an umbrella and a letter. They're from Xu Zhi. Since he gave her his umbrella, she’s giving him hers. In the letter she writes:
希望沒有我的日子裡你的世界仍然熠熠生輝鮮花和掌聲滔滔不絕只要慶宜的雨還在下小狗還在搖尾巴就永遠有人愛你I hope that in the days without me,Your world still shines brightly,With flowers and applause never-ending.As long as the rain in Qingyi still falls,And the puppy still wags its tail,There will always be someone who loves you.
And then Chen Lu Zhou finally understands that “the puppy wags its tail” means “I love you.” She signs off with a four-leaf clover. She already confessed to him back there.
Meanwhile, Cai Ying Ying’s busy cheering up another heartbroken Chen Lu Zhou casualty: Zhu Yang Qi. But then he signs up for another heartbreak: confesses to Cai Ying Ying. She doesn't accept, but at least she gives him a farewell hug before he heads to Beijing for university.
BOMBING. Foreign countries always be so dangerous..... In the chaos, Chen Lu Zhou drops his phone. Once his brother’s safe, he runs back into the site – because his lucky clover is there. And the girl who gave it to him is calling. Xu Zhi, having heard the news, is frantic to reach Chen Lu Zhou. His phone’s busted, so he sprints to a booth to call her. *Ring Ring* She holds her breath on the other end...
Xu Zhi: Chen Lu Zhou? Hesitant, almost afraid it might not be him.
When Xu Zhi hears him – relief. He’s okay. And he teases that he still owes her that violin performance when they’re 80. (So.... just do long-distance? Hello?? Connect me on the phone, ya?)
Xu Zhi: Do you miss me?Chen Lu Zhou: Mm. (Yes.) But it’s small, guarded, like the truth might break him if he says it louder.
Xu Zhi smiles, hiding her own ache, and teases that he should be as cool as before like when they parted ways he called her back just to say her shoelaces were loose. Sir, do you note the complaint?
Hello family drama. So Chen Lu Zhou’s mom is his biological mother. She left him at an orphanage, married her current husband, and later "adopted" him back with a superstitious cover-up. No wonder step-dad is holding a permanent grudge. Now she’s divorcing the guy because he treats Chen Lu Zhou like luggage to be dumped overseas, safety be damned. But it's really not THAT dangerous overseas. Your country ain't better yo. But knowing she’s his real mother is another new wound. Before, he could believe her coldness was because he wasn’t hers. Now he knows that he was hers, and she still didn’t love him. My heart D: (He doesn't know though that she did yell his name first during the crisis before calling for his didi.) I still don't like this mom though. It does not explain her attitude before this, especially when they had so many mother and son moments alone. She did not have to make him feel so unloved. There's one bright spot in this family: didi ah! Didi doesn't want to go with either parent. He wants to go with his gege. Awwww.
Xu Zhi leaves for Beijing to start university. Chen Lu Zhou wishes her a safe trip and, sends her a photo from their first sunrise together. She never knew he had taken it. <333333
Xu Zhi added Jiang Yu (He Yu cameo) on WeChat... because she thought that was Chen Lu Zhou’s alt account(?).
Chen Lu Zhou is back in China.
But he's not telling Xu Zhi.
BRUH.
Jiang Yu is pursuing Xu Zhi. But her boundaries are so strict. She won't even let him step on her shadow – an exclusive privilege belonging only to Lucy.
The hair tie that Xu Zhi lost in Ep13, well, Chen Lu Zhou stole it. He wanted something that belongs to her, but barely left a crumb for her. Because no 拖拖拉拉. Sigh.
But what is this now? He's still not telling her she's back. LUCY. You need to be get your pants kicked.
Xu Zhi has to accidentally find Chen Lu Zhou for her to know the man she misses is here in the same university as her. And he's been here for a while. So rude. Chen Lu Zhou with no right to be is disheartened that Xu Zhi isn't wearing the earrings. She must have stopped wearing her earrings because she doesn't want to lose the few things she has from Chen Lu Zhou.
Zhu Yan Qi eats orange weird – 24:40.
Xu Zhi gets a dog-wagging gif from Chen Lu Zhou – his version of an apology. No, sir. We want the old-fashioned kind: "I am sorry". She leaves him on read, but she takes out her star earrings. Show never confirms it, but back in Ep13, I want to believe that she made a wish on her star-earrings with the shooting star motion. And now she’s smiling because it came true: Chen Lu Zhou is back.
Chen Lu Zhou is doing all the things the other guys who chased Xu Zhi couldn’t commit to: waking up at 4am to have breakfast with her, and snagging her the front row seat for good impression points. But Xu Zhi’s still mad. As she should. Meanwhile he's a little too confident she's forgiven him and thinks she's even jealous over other girls flirting with him. But um, with that rejection, is Xu Zhi supposed to be jealous?
Chen Lu Zhou's rejection: I'm in the middle of pursuing my ex-girlfriend.
HOT. ENDING. Chen Lu Zhou (in leather) catches Xu Zhi by the wrist and pulls her away from the group. He pushes her against the wall, eyes locked, both daring each other. And then he kisses her like a starved man.
Except it sucks that Liu Hao Cun cannot kiss. And it appears this IP’s thing is the kiss scenes 🤯...
Chen Lu Zhou got a kiss, but Xu Zhi ain't making it easy to remove the ex from ex-boyfriend. Then the next morning, he's wilted. He spots her with Tan Xu, the boy who liked her, and she doesn't tell him about it.
Although he's upset, he heads out at 4am after studying all night just to have breakfast with Xu Zhi. But she oversleeps and lies about it. He knows. Disappointment on disappointment for Chen Lu Zhou.
But on Xu Zhi's end, she's already admitting to her friends Chen Lu Zhou is her boyfriend. She asks them to take Tan Xu around so that she can watch her boyfriend's (Chen Lu Zhou) match. Aw. Too bad he's still marinating in his feelings and practically breaks it off. He isn't exaggerating that the love he wants is greedy (Ep10). At first, I thought Chen Lu Zhou was being overly possessive, but from his perspective, his behaviour makes sense. He's vulnerable. He's never had emotional security since childhood, and Xu Zhi hasn’t given him much either (which, yes, is partly his fault). His request isn’t unreasonable – it’s not cut off all guys forever, it’s just give me a heads-up if you’re meeting someone one-on-one, especially someone who liked you. Especially with their relationship.
Chen Lu Zhou will still give her milk tea, though. This man, lol.
Zhu Yan Qi: His every step, he's striving with all his might to reach you.
Xu Zhi: Why are you still here?Chen Lu Zhou: You don't want me to stay?Xu Zhi: You want to stay that much?He pulls her inside, pins her to the wall.Chen Lu Zhou: Yes. If I walk away like this, I won't be satisfied. 我不會甘心
To a thirsty man, Xu Zhi cuts off the water – literally – and stops the kiss. She knows he’s still mad, tells him to go back, then flops down to play on her phone, waiting for him to leave on his own. But before he can walk out, she tells him to wait. "Give me back my hair tie." Wait a second. This is her revenge for last time – when they parted and he called her just to give her hope, only to tell her her shoelaces were loose.
Zhu Yan Qi and Li Ke roast Chen Lu Zhou for being a love idiot, but they adore him. Chen Lu Zhou wants them all at his birthday with his girlfriend. The boys roll their eyes. First birthday with your girl and you want the bros there? But wait, there's more. He doesn’t want to pressure Xu Zhi to plan something. So really it's for Xu Zhi. Zhu Yan Qi quickly latches onto Lucy. Since he treats his SO so well, why not they spend their days together instead? Li Ke’s in. The three of them should! Wait – no, make it the four of them. I love these BFFs.
[Ep19] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
Chen Lu Zhou wanders down the dark street when he gets a text from Xu Zhi. She had promised him a thesis if she splurged on him, and tonight, she splurged on karaoke for him. A reminder from Ep8:
[Ep8] Chen Lu Zhou playfully demands a 3000-word thesis on Xu Zhi's emotional intent behind the ginger tea. 5% playful, 95% serious. Xu Zhi fires back sweetly. She starts with what real love is (= her stingy dad spending money on her and not even on her grandma). So making ginger tea isn't worth a 3000-word thesis. But if one day she invests that much money into him, don't worry. She'll take him down with an 8000 word essay. Minimum. No rush, no rush. Chen Lu Zhou smiles at the reply.
In the text, Xu Zhi tells him she met his mom during summer. She teases that his mom is stingy and didn’t throw her a cheque. Mom warned her their relationship was just an impulse. Xu Zhi assures Chen Lu Zhou she retorted until Mom had no comeback. But thinking back...they have only been together for a month. And so that’s why she never held him back...because what if, in some future, he stayed (out of impulse) and then realized she wasn’t worth it? So even after he left, she didn’t dare call. She didn’t dare say she missed him. (Ohhh, is that why she changed her number too?)
Xu Zhi: Chen Lu Zhou, if all I wanted was to simply date you, I could've made my words sound a lot prettier. I admit, that would be romantic. But I want to go further with you. Love isn’t just reckless impulse and fleeting romance – it should also make us 無堅不摧. Brave, unshakable, and indestructible, conquering every obstacle.
After their breakup, she went to the art museum (Ep11) and saw the embodiment of her kind of romance: Knight and Rose." She was thinking of him. When he was there, he was thinking of her too. And here Xu Zhi makes her confession:
If the world only had one last rose, I'd still roll my wheelchair at 80 and charge ahead to snatch it for you. After all, my boyfriend Chen Jiao Jiao is a little poet who's a romantic at heart.
Chen Lu Zhou Jiao Jiao sprints back to Xu Zhi <333 .... after nearly killing himself in a car accident! Distracted-walking harming diligent drivers, yeeesh. Anyway! I was upset at Xu Zhi in the beginning. But she patched it up beautifully BUT did she really have to upset me first. Xu Zhi ties her hair with that same hair tie as she waits for him. She senses him outside and opens the door.
Chen Lu Zhou: What do you mean by 'boyfriend Chen Jiao Jaio'? So I'm your boyfriend now?"Xu Zhi: Didn't you never admit you're Chen Jiao Jiao?He envelopes her in his arms. He’s her Chen Jiao Jiao forever.
Later, Lucy phones Zhu Yan Qi to say he can't breathe. Because his girlfriend confessed. AW. He's calling his bro about this. Adorable.
In the morning (– in the morning? So they did it?), Xu Zhi is stuffing her face. Chen Lu Zhou smiles lovingly. "Day 1 and you're acting out how to scare your boyfriend?" He says this while opening coffee for her.
They study with Li Ke, who's astonished at what's happening before his eyes. Chen Lu Zhou whines that Xu Zhi is too clingy. Xu Zhi side eyes him that if he's going to set the bar that high, how's she supposed to flaunt too? Li Ke doesn't want to be here any second longer. Xu Zhi orders him to sit. Look dude, there's no more spots in the library. Poor Li Ke, he would be the lightbulb, if only the couple weren't so blinding on their own.
Li Ke excitedly thinks he's the first to know about the couple. It almost makes the suffering okay. Except he's not. Zhu Yan Qi knew first. So 2nd. Ah, but Cai Ying Ying was next to Zhu Yang Qi, so 3rd. Poor Ke Ke, lol.
Zhu Yan Qi and Li Ke roast Chen Lu Zhou for being a love idiot, but they adore him. Chen Lu Zhou wants them all at his birthday with his girlfriend. The boys roll their eyes. First birthday with your girl and you want the bros there? But wait, there's more. He doesn’t want to pressure Xu Zhi to plan something. So really it's for Xu Zhi. Zhu Yan Qi quickly latches onto Lucy. Since he treats his SO so well, why not they spend their days together instead? Li Ke’s in. The three of them should! Wait – no, make it the four of them. I love these BFFs.
Chen Xing Qi (didi) ran away from home to find his brother. He greets Xu Zhi 'sao zi' (sister-in-law), to which Xu Zhi keeps insisting 'jiejie'.
Chen Lu Zhou’s mom is here to pick up didi, but also, it's time for the truth about Chen Lu Zhou. He is her biological son. His biological father had custody, but got into an accident, forgot his son’s face (...), asked the Mom to find him. She lied to her current husband to adopt him. Stepdad eventually found out. Mom cries and apologizes. I can't. She acted too cold-hearted in the beginning. Right now, it's like her personality flipped. She had so many moments alone with Chen Lu Zhou to show she cares, but there was never a hint of that.
Meanwhile, Chen Xing Qi tells Xu Zhi that his brother looks like he gets along well with everyone, but in reality he isn't close to anyone, and he never felt like he belonged anywhere. "You have been the only exception. He really, really loves you."
Xu Zhi meets Chen Lu Zhou's mom again. Chen Lu Zhou asks what happened. Xu Zhi bluffs about being pregnant with Chen Lu Zhou's baby again. It's a bluff, but it's also a way of assuring him she isn't leaving him no matter what his mom says to her.
Chen Lu Zhou proudly establishes his 家庭地位 (jia ting di wei; family standing) in front of his friends: solidly below Xu Zhi xD. But Xu Zhi humours his 霸道 (ba ado; dominance) streak because, in reality, this is the guy who peels lobster for her and treasures a keychain she gave on the whim. Honestly, I went from not unimpressed to amusement. I like that she humours him too. And the bros, they're "enjoying" the 狗糧 (Dog food =PDA). Not. But 爸爸 (baba) = Ke Ke still has a cake ready for his Lu Grass. Aw! Ke Ke has surpassed Zhu Zhu.
[Ep20] [Jump to: Top | Comments]
Xu Zhi has a real present for Chen Lu Zhou. She built a miniature home for Chen Jiao Jiao. It's a present meant for the 6yo Chen Lu Zhou who once came home to an empty house because his parents took only his didi to the amusement park. He had forgotten his keys, no one was there to let him in, so he slept in the park that night. He didn’t even call for help because that's how distant he was to his 'family'. Chen Lu Zhou at that age has internalized he wasn't a child worth coming home for.
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| Xu Zhi: "If in Qinyi you don’t have a place to go to, then we can make our own home." |
Chen Jiao Jiao is in tears. He wants to know how long she spent making it. She dodges – does he like it? He pushes. She shakes her head. He'll just ask her dorm-mates then. She finally admits it was just a few all-nighters. She wipes his tears. "別哭啦" Don't cry la. She assures him it was easy. I love her nickname for him more and more. She had told him the "Jiao" in Chen Jiao Jiao was 驕傲 (proud/arrogant), but it was always meant as 嬌 = loveable / soft / needy / vulnerable. She sees the tender child in him, the delicate one who deserves to be held. With Xu Zhi, he has 撒嬌資本. The right to be spoiled or adored. That's why he could "boss" her around to get him a present and she will enetertain him. WAAAAH (ಥ﹏ಥ)
I think Xu Zhi’s gaze lingers on Chen Lu Zhou because she’s thinking of 白頭偕老—to grow old together in white hair. This is her last love, her one and only.
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| First love & Last love |
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| First love & Love at first sight (Ep1) |
Xu Zhi's jealous of Li Ke, LOL. She's like Why do you call him 'Ke Ke' and I'm just 'Xu Zhi.' Hahaha. Chen Lu Zhou is amused. 正二八經的醋妳不吃 (She doesn't get jealous over the usual stuff,) but here she is jealous of his guy friend. She’s right, though. Ke Ke is special in his heart. xD
Ke Ke is my favourite supporting character. ღゝ◡╹)ノ♡ He gives Lu Grass so much papa-love! When Chen Lu Zhou rushes out to comfort Xu Zhi after a nightmare, Ke Ke urges him to wear a coat. Wait, no this is mama-love. Then he thought in his dorm, he had company but no, he's the lone 單身狗 (single dog) LOOOOL But you should be honoured, Ke Ke. You're the only one Xu Zhi is jealuos of.
Extra pics. Just our CP blissfully giving gifts and receiving gifts:
Xu Zhi's been having nightmares about her mother. Chen Lu Zhou decides he wants to dream about her too, so he can ask her to stop giving her daughter bad dreams. Xu Zhi laughs and calls him 變態 (creep/pervert). But really... who was the girl who wanted to know him because of his mother?
Finally, Xu Zhi cries. The person who moved her to tears is Chen Jiao Jiao, of course. She reads his letter, dripping with love. He had planned to hang it on the Wish Tree. A letter not for her, but to her mother. It opens with: "I am Xu Zhi's boyfriend." In it, he champions Xu Zhi, how excellent she is, and how much she loves her mom. And through his words, Xu Zhi realizes her mom’s proudest piece of work was actually inspired by her playing with water as a child. She never realized that. At the very end of the letter, he has a favour for her mother, "If Xu Zhi dreams of you again, please praise her and tell her you love her." AWWWW, Lucy (ಥ﹏ಥ).
Chen Liu Zhou met Dad Xu before coming to Beijing. Dad Xu's like "It's not that I don't trust you, but you know, men, 就沒有一個好東西 there just isn't a single good one out there. LOL. Truer words have never been said! This is why Chen Lu Zhou asks Xu Zhi not to mention him in front of her dad who must be afraid of losing his only daughter to him. Yo, but Dad Xu might have a girlfriend! You kids are thinking too much, ha. And no, it's not Cai Ying Ying's dad. It's a real girl.
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| Touch my boo-boo |
Chen Lu Zhou saves Xu Zhi as "Rain Cats and Dogs" on WeChat, and even posts it: "Rain cats and dogs. She said she would always love me." Xu Zhi doesn't understand. He reminds her of her confession letter: "As long as the rain falls, there will be a puppy wagging its tail, and there will always be someone who loves you." Man's just showing off his girlfriend will always love him. After catching on, she replies with: “Too young to understand.” (;
Can you believe it, Ke Ke has an admirer. I feel sorry for her LOL. Ke Ke's #1 is Lu Grass xD. He always thought the breakfast on his table was from Lu Grass. Dude, lol.
It's winter holidays. Xu Zhi and Chen Lu Zhou have to part as she heads home to Qingyi. Of course they can’t just say goodbye like a normal couple – Xu Zhi has to tease him.
Xu Zhi: Remember to 報平安 (bao ping an) – report that you're safe.Chen Lu Zhou: Then let me 抱 (bao) a bit of 平安 (ping an) – hug my pingan, my safety.Xu Zhi: You better tell me everything (you 吃喝拉撒 – eat, drink, poop, spray)Chen Lu Zhou: I will.Xu Zhi: In case you faint in the washroom, and no one knows.
Then when she's home...
Xu Zhi: Chen Jiao Jiao, I realized when I was in Beijing, I really loved you.Chen Lu Zhou: You miss me already?Xu Zhi: It's alright. Now that I've returned, I realize I don't miss you that much. You focus on your competition in Beijing. Jiayou! I'm going to enjoy my winter vacation~Chen Lu Zhou: ??????
2CP (I don't always ignore them). Zhu Yan Qi's in a slump after his artwork gets brutally rejected by a nasty senior. Cai Ying Ying comforts him that nothing should stop him from striving to improve. "Zhu Yan Qi, if one day I look down on you, it's because you gave up on yourself first."
Dad Xu is actually neglecting his daughter now that she's back home. Sir, who are you and what did you do with the real Dad Xu. Oh, right. He got himself a girlfriend. Meanwhile the other devoted Dad, Dad Cai, can't even get love from one woman: his daughter. He's now the only 單身狗 single dog in the whole show.
Xu Zhi finally finds out her father is dating (another doctor). While she’s busy processing that, Chen Lu Zhou is blowing up her phone. Last time they talked, she was (fake) mad, and now she’s just not picking up (because she left her phone at home). Chen Lu Zhou assumes the worst. Man’s halfway to the airport already, competition be damned, afraid she’s about to dump him. Aw, Lucy. Xu Zhi assures him, "I only have you now." If he doesn't break up with her, she won't break up with him.
Then Chen Lu Zhou texts her an address. It’s the apartment he secretly rented just two buildings down from hers. The passcode is their gaokao scores added together. "My home only has room for you. There won't be anyone else."
It's New Year. Chen Lu Zhou hand-delivered himself to Xu Zhi’s doorstep. Too bad Dad Xu isn’t letting her leave the house at night. He hasn’t approved this relationship yet. Sir, your own daughter is grounded while you’re out there in love.
Gu Yan appears ~ She still likes Chen Lu Zhou (aw), but she’s also ready to move on.
2CP: basically official. It's just Cai Ying Ying wants to be the one who confesses once she gets to Beijing. Their wallpaper is cute ~
Back at Chen Lu Zhou’s place, Xu Zhi decorates his home. Just be careful. The table isn’t fastened, and those framed photos in the back are not secured either.
Too late.
There's an uninvited guest: didi! Did Xu Zhi send didi because she couldn't spend time with Chen Lu Zhou on New Year? Meanwhile Chen Lu Zhou looks out from his balcony. Deep in thought. He's decided that he doesn't want to spend his nights away from Xu Zhi?
Xu Zhi is whisked off to Grandma’s. It's not that Dad Xu forbids the romance, he just wants to lay down the proper future son-in-law threat level.
Uncle Fu Yu Qing arrives at Chen Lu Zhou's. "I heard you don't have underwear anymore." xD Dad Xu sent him, and now Fu Yu Qing barges inside. Walnuts are on the table. Naturally, they must be cracked. Except... the table is still unstable. RIP, table again. He leans back – crash! The picture frames collapse too. LOOOL. That's for inviting yourself xD.
Fu Yu Qing is rude for a reason: he treats Xu Zhi like a daughter and interrogates Chen Lu Zhou.. He laughs it off when Chen Lu Zhou says Xu Zhi is his first girlfriend until he meets Chen Lu Zhou's eyes. His gaze is dead serious. Fu Yu Qing is serious too now. He warns him that if he wants to play around, he can. But if he does, don't ever come back to Xu Zhi. The cliché of 浪子回頭 (“a player turning over a new leaf”) shall never happen to her. Slightly offended, Chen Lu Zhou pushes back, daring Fu Yu Qing if he was a 浪子 (player). He was. These two are tense here.
Dad Xu formally introduces his girlfriend to Xu Zhi. He didn't know his girlfriend bought his daughter a present. Really? That huge box? Xu Zhi also brings her boyfriend. Through this dinner, we witness the success of Dad Xu's intimation campaign as he ties Chen Lu Zhou’s hair into little pigtails all over his head. The poor girlfriend is also rethinking her choices.
Chen Lu Zhou has a present for her too. It's a puppy keychain he made himself. Xu Zhi is touched and confesses, “Chen Jiao Jiao, I love you.” His reply: 我陪一个 – “I’ll match you with one too.” Except he promptly passes out, drunk. His dog keychain itself is "I love you."
Speaking of dogs... A dog-blooded twist: Dad Xu might be Chen Lu Zhou’s father, meaning the two are half-siblings?! I love that Xu Zhi and Chen Lu Zhou panic but also refuse to take it seriously. However, no kissing for now; Xu Zhi 下不去嘴 — her lips just can’t do it. Haha.
Alright, there isn't that kind of dog-blood, but the real plot twist: Fu Yu Qing is actually Chen Lu Zhou’s biological father. His mother may have criticized Dad, but she’s no better — she left him so neglected that he doesn’t even know his real birthday (March 17), living his whole life with the wrong date (November 11). Heartbreaking. I feel so sorry for Chen Jiao Jiao. This mom is so neglectful! She made him so lonely right beside her.
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| No wonder the furniture bullied him too. Like father, like son. |
When Xu Zhi can’t reach him, she frantically searches everywhere, finally waiting in his home. When Chen Lu Zhou opens it and sees her there, he melts on the spot. Because she's inside his home, waiting for him. This is the home he wants from now on.
What did grandma say if there's anyone who bullies Xu Zhi. "Break his leg"? Well, Someone broke a leg. It's Dad Xu. He did bully Xu Zhi....'s boyfriend xD.
Dad Xu did break his leg because of Xu Zhi... He was on his way to buy her her favourite biscuits. Overwhelmed, Xu Zhi runs out to cry in private, realizing her father still loves her deeply even while having a girlfriend. Her feelings are complicated right now. Sweet Chen Lu Zhou recognizes that it's hard for her to adjust to a new member in the family.
Chen Lu Zhou taps his own legs with a smile, confusing Xu Zhi. He says his are working fine, and should last sixty years. No matter if it’s Song Bai Road or Bai Song Road, he’ll be there to buy Xu Zhi her favourite biscuits from now on.
Xu Zhi is unconditionally on Chen Lu Zhou's side (even though Fu Yu Qing kind of raised her, lol). Catch Chen Lu Zhou smile in this scene. He loves that about Xu Zhi. Always on his side no matter what. She really is!
When Chen Lu Zhou cooks for Xu Zhi, she sees their whole future. He teases that she’d better propose, so she whips out a ring box from thin air before snapping, “Have some shame.” He checks if she still has the puppy keychain. Of course she does. Pup is lying right there.
Fu Yu Qing gives Chen Lu Zhou boxing tickets so he can beat him up for 19 years of father-less service. And he gave two tickets, betting Xu Zhi would come so Chen Lu Zhou would go easy on him. Smart, but no. Chen Lu Zhou punches once for his mother’s sake, then rips off the gloves. He's done with him. Although Fu Yu Qing had an accident, managed to forget what his son looked like, and searched for him, but NONE of it erases 19 years of suffering. He grew up without a father, yet under the shadow of one, judged for mistakes he didn’t even make.
願他的愛都圓滿，恨都消散無論是洶湧波濤，還是霧瀰流岚，都不要靠近他群山萬峰都不能阻攔他願義峰某巷巷的少年永遠占上風May his love be fulfilled and his hatred dissolve.Whether it's raging waves or drifting mists, may none draw near him.Let no mountain or peak stand in his wayMay the boy from a Yifeng alley always come out on top.
At Xu Zhi's home (= Lucy's home), Chen Lu Zhou even has his own slippers. Then Dad Xu cooks Kungpao Chicken without peanuts because Chen Lu Zhou’s allergic. Sweet! ...until Dad Xu casually outs his hospital visit, which basically implies problems down there. That was like instant betrayal ad utter embarrassment for the rest of his life, haha. Xu Zhi has to cheer up her sulky Chen Jiao Jiao.
Then comes Xu Zhi’s big school speech. The teachers expect studious motivation. Instead, she cheekily talks about love. She tells the students to use love and heartbreak as fuel, not blame (Tan Xu? LOL), and shares her favourite quote: "There is no true despair – only prisoners of their own thoughts." Even if we’re small, she says, we can make big changes. Rain may drench us, but we can dry our clothes and keep moving forward. Finally, she drops “her boyfriend’s favorite quote,” just as Chen Lu Zhou himself walks in:
Chen Lu Zhou warms to his mother too, though I don't like this only because the show doesn’t really make her character acknowledge how much damage she did. She pushes him to at least accept Fu Yu Qing’s money, if not for himself, then for Xu Zhi! I agree with this though.
Xu Zhi finally discovers the creator of her favourite quote. Of course it's Chen Lu Zhou. He finger-guns her. Bam! You have fallen for Chen Lu Zhou. Uh huh! *Wags tail*
縱有千古，橫有八荒，前途似海，來日方長Thousands of years behindThe vast world beforeThe road ahead as wide as the seaAnd the days to come, long.
These two really do belong together — grand words, big love, and all.
Four years later.
Chen Lu Zhou and Xu Zhi visit her parents. Dad Xu beams that instead of losing a daughter, he’s gained a son.
Zhu Yan Qi and Cai Ying Ying are locked in their signature hobby: quarrelling. Chen Lu Zhou smugly offers no advice because he and Xu Zhi don’t fight. Zhu Yan Qi immediately asks who that guy was that summer, sulking over a certain girl. Lucy puffs his chest: Oh yeah? Does your girl take you on motorbike rides or build you a house? Didn’t think so.
Xu Zhi misreads the moment and thinks Chen Lu Zhou is about to propose. His smirk says: noted. So later, he takes her back to his old condo where it all began. Surprise! All their friends are waiting (Ke Ke has a +1). Chen Lu Zhou tries to start, but tears up. Xu Zhi has to literally shake his soul back into his body. Aww! He recovers, asks for her phone, takes the doggy keychain… and slices it open. :O
The ring has been inside the keychain for four years! ꒰ღ˘‿˘ற꒱❤⃛ He gave it to her from the start because Xu Zhi is unpredictable – the type to propose herself. He had to guarantee he’d beat her to it. LUCY <3.
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| When he gave her the keychain in Ep22. That look! |
Picture time. No “cheese,” they say “Che Li Zi” (= Cherry = CLZ).
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| The one and only time Liu Hao Cun actually kisses Wang An Yu. |
Chen Lu Zhou is spot on about her. Xu Zhi really was going to propose that night. Go girl! Her stepmom said to let the man imitate, but Xu Zhi disagreed. It didn't matter who proposed. She just knows she wants to marry this man. She teases: "If Chen Jiao Jiao 不行, then I’ll do it." Lol. You can’t call a man 不行 (= can't do it). With the miniature house she built, the home of their future, she asks for his hand: “The house is ready. Will you marry me?” Chen Lu Zhou melts. He jokes that it “seems” being Boss Xu's man would be blissful. She snaps back, "Remove 'seems.'" Yes ma’am!
Her proposal ties back to what he said at the start: the motorbike ride, the miniature home. She has built two: one for the boy he was at six, and one for the life they’ll share in the future. Aw. This place itself is special to Xu Zhi too. It was here they watched the shooting stars, here that she first began to fall for him as he spoke about his dreams. It was also here she picked up a dogtail grass, the first time “dog tail” was mentioned. From that moment in Episode 4, her tail had already begun to wag.
Professor Chen Lu Zhou is heading to Switzerland, but Xu Zhi, instead of spending more time with him, she's drowning in OT. He sulks and drinks with Ke Ke (Ke Ke ❤️). He checks his phone and asks Chen Lu Zhou what's he going to do about his 5-year anniversary with Xu Zhi. Why does Ke Ke have their anniversary saved/memorized. LMAO. Ke Ke thrives in Lucy's misery. He finally lived long enough to see their honeymoon phase finally end. Hahahaha, you wish!
Chen Lu Zhou departs, heart sore: “If you don’t love me anymore, don't force yourself.” Xu Zhi sighs. Is he planning to hold that line against her until they’re 100 years old? Translation: that’s how long she plans to be with him – till 100. If that's not love, what is? And actually, Xu Zhi has been working overtime so she could actually take leave and fly to Switzerland to celebrate their anniversary. Ke Ke knew all along. (He 100% still has their anniversary saved in his calendar, don't lie.)
Lucy, alone in Switzerland, cries through a movie (from the director they love?) with no one to hand him tissues. He calls Xu Zhi, but no answer. Because she’s literally on her way to him! And then, finally, there she is. Best present ever.
No wait. He has an even better present: he takes her to a place, snaps a picture of her, then zooms in on the building behind her, the one her late mother designed. Xu Zhi never found it. He did. Lucy strikes again! But you would think they'd write down the address of their projects. Then at the hotel, Chen Lu Zhou has another gift: a box of photos. Remember when Lucy went abroad that summer and photographed everything? Each shot is annotated like a diary of his love towards her:
07/24 07:31am Clear. Couldn't sleep.07/27 06:23am She should have received her acceptance letter.07/30 06:32am I dreamed of her.08/09 07:37am Time passes so slow08/10 08:01am I really miss her.
My heart. Chen Jiao Jiao, you soft boy 🥺 Back then Chen Lu Zhou watched sunrises alone because he missed her and couldn't sleep. Now, five years later, Xu Zhi is right in his arms. She asks, “What is love?” He just stares at her, eyes brimming. “It’s hard to describe.” His looks says it all: This. You. Let us walk together to the future’s future. 我們一起走到未來的未來裡.
The end.
Remarks
[Drama Info]
Liu Guang Hui is a Taiwanese filmmaker who recently directed the BL The On1y One, also known as 某某 (Mou Mou).
Fang Qiang Qiang is the head screenwriter behind several fantasy and romance dramas, including Wu Xin: The Monster Killer, Love's Rebellion, Thousand Years For You, and My Unicorn Girl.As you can see, he's not very consistent, but There is Yang Liu part of the screenwriter team and she tends to write nostalgic and gently toned stories á la her involvement in Lovely Us and See You Tomorrow.
Fang Qiang Qiang is the head screenwriter behind several fantasy and romance dramas, including Wu Xin: The Monster Killer, Love's Rebellion, Thousand Years For You, and My Unicorn Girl.
Wrapped on August 28, 2024.
[A Highlight] Ep23: When Xu Zhi also took a picture <3
[Ending] Happy.
[Review & Rating]
[Review & Rating]
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