Episode Summary
Ma Xintian breaks up with a heartbroken Jiang Qiao, reflecting on her difficult past and the origins of her bond with her dog, Bawan. Meanwhile, Li Lefan faces pressure regarding client Lin Kexin, but Feng Qingming hints at a solution. Li Lefan also endures an uncomfortable visit from her boyfriend Sheng Kuang's parents, leading her to stay at the office where Ye Lang offers support. At the matchmaking agency, tensions rise as consultant Xia Wanqing argues with Qin Tianyue over handling the difficult, long-term client Guo Mingshan, resulting in Xia Wanqing quitting. Jiang Qiao's attempt to reconcile with Ma Xintian through Cheng Xu proves unsuccessful.
Spoiler Alert
Major Spoilers Ahead for Episode 11!
The episode kicks off with a heavy heart-to-heart between Jiang Qiao and Ma Xintian at a cafe. Jiang Qiao, looking genuinely sympathetic, reflects on Ma Xintian's incredibly tough childhood. He recounts how, after her parents divorced when she was just six, she was bounced between her grandparents' homes like a "soccer ball." Even getting into university wasn't a big celebration for her parents, who basically told her she was on her own financially from then on. Armed with only 3,000 yuan from her grandma, she hustled her way through college, working part-time jobs to survive. Jiang Qiao emphasizes how unbelievably difficult that must have been.
We then get a glimpse into a pivotal moment from Ma Xintian's past that explains a lot about her resilience (and her furry companion!). After getting fired from a job, she's walking out, feeling completely lost and holding the few belongings she owned. Utterly defeated, she sits on a curb, munching on two pieces of bread. That's when a stray dog approaches, looking hungry. Ma Xintian, despite her own situation, shares her food. The dog, after eating, snuggles up to her, offering comfort. This small connection sparks something in Ma Xintian, giving her a glimmer of hope. That dog becomes her beloved Bawan, and she makes a silent promise never to abandon him, likely projecting her own fears of abandonment onto her new friend.
Back in the present cafe scene, despite Jiang Qiao's obvious distress and attempts to stop her, Ma Xintian is resolute about breaking up. She calmly, almost sadly, tells him, "Our feelings aren't that deep yet. Breaking up now will hurt less. Let's just part ways amicably." Jiang Qiao is heartbroken but seems to realize he can't change her mind. Ouch.
Meanwhile, over at the matchmaking company, Li Lefan has been down in the dumps lately, which Ye Lang notices. Li Lefan confides in Ye Lang about the Lin Kexin situation. Qin Tianyue wants her to push an upgraded service package on Lin Kexin, but Li Lefan is worried – what if Lin Kexin spends the extra money and still doesn't find a match? Ye Lang offers to help brainstorm. Li Lefan suggests they grab coffee downstairs with "the boss" (presumably Feng Qingming), her treat.
At the coffee shop, Li Lefan lays out her concerns. Feng Qingming chimes in with an analysis: Lin Kexin is a high-quality candidate, but she has high standards. The men she's interested in are also evaluating her, and if neither side compromises, she, as an older woman in the dating market, risks ending up alone. However, Feng Qingming then gets a confident glint in his eye and assures them he's already figured out a solution to this tricky case. We'll have to wait and see what his master plan is!
Trying another angle, a desperate Jiang Qiao seeks out Cheng Xu, begging him to help mediate the situation with Ma Xintian. But Cheng Xu just shakes his head, bluntly stating there's nothing he can do to reconcile them. Deflated and disappointed, Jiang Qiao leaves, looking utterly crushed. It seems like the breakup is really final.
On a different relationship front, things get awkward for Li Lefan when her boyfriend Sheng Kuang's parents come to visit. At dinner, Sheng Kuang's mom serves up super spicy dishes that Li Lefan can barely touch. Instead of understanding, the mom keeps piling food onto her plate, nagging her to get used to spicy food quickly, otherwise, their eating habits won't align. Later that night, Sheng Kuang quietly tells Li Lefan his parents find hotels too expensive and want to stay at their place. Li Lefan hesitates, mentioning their apartment is small. Sheng Kuang then suggests they move into a hotel and let his parents have the apartment. But just as they're about to leave, the parents change their minds and insist Sheng Kuang stay home with them.
So, Li Lefan ends up leaving alone with her luggage. Feeling the pinch of the potential hotel cost, she decides to just crash at the office instead. Ye Lang finds her there, learns she barely ate and is sleeping at work, and kindly makes her some instant noodles. Seeing how much Li Lefan is putting up with, Ye Lang can't help but feel indignant for her. But Li Lefan defends her situation, saying she and Sheng Kuang have been together for six years and truly love each other. Hearing this, Ye Lang backs off.
Finally, there's drama brewing over a long-term client, Guo Mingshan. He's been a member for six years and is still single, often showing up upset and complaining tearfully. Qin Tianyue learns about this and promises to resolve it quickly. She calls a meeting. Xia Wanqing, Guo Mingshan's assigned consultant, explains she's shown him many potential matches, but he rejects them all, claiming there's "no spark" ("mei yan yuan" - literally 'no eye fate'). Xia Wanqing insists the problem is Guo Mingshan being overly picky. Qin Tianyue, however, accuses Xia Wanqing of not putting enough heart into her service. The two get into a heated argument, and Xia Wanqing, furious, declares she quits on the spot!
Whew! So, Episode 11 leaves us with a definite breakup, a tricky client case with a supposed secret solution, some serious family/relationship friction for Li Lefan, and a staffing crisis at the agency. Lots to unpack in the next episodes!
