Episode Summary
Lu Yuan continues to care for Shen Zhuoran and encourages Liu Lina to return to work. Ding Mu is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, deeply affecting everyone. Lu Yuan’s cooking brings people together, while tensions rise between her and her daughter Lu Xinghuo over past family disputes. Meanwhile, Shen Zhuoran finds comfort in Lu Yuan’s presence, and Liu Lina starts questioning Shen Qing’s loyalty.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 21 of Love Again delivers a hearty mix of emotional gut-punches, light-hearted domestic moments, and some serious tea between mothers and daughters. Let’s break it all down.
Lu Yuan: The Unofficial MVP of the Household
Lu Yuan continues to be an absolute force of nature—breezing through chores, keeping things running smoothly, and basically being the glue that holds everyone together. She takes care of Shen Zhuoran without missing a beat and even tidies up Liu Lina’s room without being asked.
When she finds out Liu Lina used to be an accountant but quit to become a stay-at-home mom for Shen Qing and Shen Duole, she doesn’t hide her disappointment. Lu Yuan gives her a motivational pep talk that hits home—reminding Liu Lina that staying idle could lead to being taken for granted. That’s the wake-up call Liu Lina didn’t know she needed.
Liu Lina’s Career Crisis
Inspired (and slightly shaken), Liu Lina confides in her bestie Zhou Jing about wanting to return to work. But Zhou Jing isn’t exactly cheering her on—she’s skeptical, warning that the modern workplace is a jungle. Liu Lina then floats the idea of starting her own business, and Zhou Jing practically begs her to give it up. Ouch.
Ding Mu’s Diagnosis Hits Hard
At the choir rehearsal, Shen Zhuoran notices that Ding Mu is MIA. He grabs Gou Bingqiang and heads out to find him—classic Zhuoran, always the responsible one.
They find Ding Mu at home, standing on a chair trying to take down a chandelier. Not for decoration—for his daughter Ding Shujing to study under. Something’s clearly off. Shen Zhuoran gets Shujing on the phone, and she rushes her father to the hospital.
The diagnosis? Alzheimer’s. Ding Mu is in denial, but the doctor is firm—his memory lapses aren’t just forgetfulness. The realization breaks him. Watching him cry, Shen Zhuoran and Gou Bingqiang are visibly shaken too. It’s a heavy, human moment that reminds everyone how fragile life really is.
Lu Yuan Brings the Warmth (and the Scallion Pancakes)
Back home, Shen Zhuoran is weighed down by everything—sick friends, aging family, and a growing sense that people around him are slipping away. Lu Yuan, ever the sunshine, does her best to cheer him up. She even volunteers to make chive boxes (think: savory Chinese turnovers).
By the weekend, her cooking has won over the whole crew—Liu Lina, Shen Qing, Shen Duole, and Zhuoran. Everyone’s stuffing their faces and singing her praises. When Sun Baoqin and Liu Debao drop by with fresh fish, they’re quickly roped into the feast—and Baoqin is obsessed with Lu Yuan’s cooking.
Kitchen Confessions and Revolutionary Songs
As Lu Yuan flips chive boxes, Shen Zhuoran joins her in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Sun Baoqin and Lu Yuan hit it off over small talk, and when a leaky pipe interrupts the fun, Liu Debao jumps in to fix it. The trio ends up bonding over their shared factory work past and even breaks into old revolutionary songs. It’s nostalgic, sweet, and totally wholesome.
Mother-Daughter Showdown
Just when things are chill, Lu Yuan’s daughter, Lu Xinghuo, shows up with her daughter Taotao, hoping to take Lu Yuan home. That smile on Lu Yuan’s face? Gone in a flash. Shen Zhuoran, sensing the tension, sends the kid away with Liu Lina and gives the two women space to talk.
Turns out, Lu Xinghuo divorced her ex and is now dating an artsy guy Lu Yuan doesn’t approve of. The two argue. Harsh words are exchanged. It’s why Lu Yuan left in the first place. Even though Lu Xinghuo apologizes and begs her to come home, Lu Yuan refuses—she’s found purpose (and maybe love?) in caring for Shen Zhuoran.
Everyone’s Got Opinions
Desperate, Lu Xinghuo turns to Liu Lina for help. Liu Lina agrees to gently talk Lu Yuan into returning, but tells her daughter to give it time. Meanwhile, Shen Zhuoran tries to calm Lu Yuan down, praising Lu Xinghuo's thoughtfulness and even mentioning she bought him a calligraphy set.
Life Goes On
Shen Qing is planning a team-building trip—he suggests hiking and asks Xiao Jin to run it by Ice Li (yes, Ice Li). Meanwhile, Lu Yuan continues to bring joy and energy into the household. She even encourages Liu Lina not to let housework hold her back from personal growth.
Lu Yuan also pulls Shen Zhuoran into her morning exercise routine at the park. But when Lu Xinghuo shows up again with Taotao and an ice cream, Lu Yuan scolds her for letting the child have sweets. Shen Zhuoran quickly defuses the situation by taking Taotao away.
Trouble in Paradise?
On another front, Liu Lina’s getting suspicious of Shen Qing and starts checking his phone. Shen Qing is clearly annoyed but doesn’t dare say anything. Trouble’s brewing.
Final Thoughts
Episode 21 is a perfect snapshot of Love Again's charm—balancing everyday drama with heartfelt moments and some real emotional depth. Lu Yuan continues to shine, Shen Zhuoran is low-key carrying emotional weight like a champ, and the family dynamics are layered and real. As we inch closer to the finale, things are heating up—quietly, but unmistakably.
