Episode Summary
The episode introduces the staff of a community hospital, including the stern Chronic Disease Department head Yu Shi, gentle inpatient doctor Zhang Jun, general practitioner Zhao Dongcheng, and wealthy TCM doctor Shen Xinxin. Zhao Dongcheng receives a mysterious call about his long-lost younger brother, Guan Xu, which he dismisses as a scam. The hospital deals with patient Lao Yang, who initially refuses treatment, and the high turnover in Yu Shi's department, highlighted by new recruit Xiao Ding quitting. Another patient, Yang Jianguo, escapes to eat at Chun Jie's shop, revealing a poignant story about his late mother's chili sauce, which leads to a reconciliation with his daughter. Later, Zhao Dongcheng coincidentally encounters and helps a young man who faints – this turns out to be his missing brother, Guan Xu. Zhao Dongcheng takes Guan Xu home without revealing their relationship. Yu Shi discovers Guan Xu is a nursing intern and sees him as a potential solution to her staffing shortage.
Spoiler Alert
Meet the Crew (and their Quirks)
Our main stage is a community hospital, which, as you can imagine, has its own unique brand of chaos.
- Yu Shi: She's the head of the Chronic Disease Department and has earned the fearsome nickname "the emotionless ice queen" for her super direct, no-nonsense approach.
- Zhang Jun: An attending physician in the inpatient department, he’s the resident "super dad" – a genuinely gentle soul and probably the most conventionally "normal" doctor in this eclectic bunch.
- Zhao Dongcheng: He's an attending in the General Medical Department, and as we'll soon see, he's got some family drama brewing.
- Shen Xinxin: Working in the TCM Rehabilitation Department, Shen Xinxin is what you'd call a "Fu Er Dai" (a rich second-generation kid), meaning showing up on time for work is more of a guideline than a rule for him.
A Mysterious Call and a Potential Scam
Things kick off with some intrigue during a hot pot lunch – because what’s a C-drama without a good food scene, am I right? Zhao Dongcheng tells his colleagues about a bizarre phone call he received from an unknown number. The caller, a man named Guan Shan, claimed to be his mother's current husband (hello, potential stepdad!) and dropped a bombshell: Zhao Dongcheng's younger brother, Guan Xu, is supposedly back in town. Now, Zhao Dongcheng does have a younger brother he lost touch with years ago after their parents divorced and his brother went with their mom. They haven't seen each other in over a decade. But how would this stranger know all this? Zhao Dongcheng immediately flags it as a scam.
Zhang Jun, ever the pragmatist, suggests the obvious: call the number back. So, Zhao Dongcheng does, right there in front of everyone. The result? The number is out of service. "See? Total scam!" he declares. But, you know, with these dramas, you can't help but wonder if there's more to it...
Hospital Hustle: Patients and Problems
Meanwhile, the daily grind of hospital life continues.
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Lao Yang's Reluctance: An elderly patient, Lao Yang, gets his test results, and they're not looking good – a bunch of his levels are too high. He’s adamant about not being admitted. That is, until Zhao Dongcheng plays his trump card: threatening to call Lao Yang's daughter to discuss his condition. Like magic, Lao Yang changes his tune and agrees to stay. The things we do for (or to avoid worrying) our kids!
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The Revolving Door Department: Yu Shi's Chronic Disease Department has a sky-high turnover rate. It’s a tough gig – long hours, heavy workload, and the pay and benefits aren't exactly stellar. The hospital director sympathizes but still pushes Yu Shi to find a way to retain staff.
Enter Xiao Ding, a bright-eyed new recruit. On her very first day, she’s already visibly struggling and overwhelmed. Shen Xinxin, ever the betting man, wagers a feast of crayfish with Yu Shi that Xiao Ding won’t last. Spoiler: Shen Xinxin is about to enjoy some delicious crayfish because Xiao Ding indeed decides to quit. Her reasoning? She became a doctor to save lives in dramatic, heroic ways, not to get bogged down by the seemingly mundane, everyday tasks of a community clinic. Yu Shi, despite losing the bet, understands. She reflects that while community doctors might not be the ones performing headline-grabbing surgeries, their work is crucial and fills a vital need.
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The Case of Yang Jianguo and the Chili Sauce: We then meet another patient, Yang Jianguo, who’s so desperate to escape the confines of the hospital that he actually makes a run for it! His destination? Chun Jie's local eatery for a comforting bowl of rice noodles. Zhao Dongcheng and Shen Xinxin eventually track him down. The poor man is devastated, not just because he was caught, but because a jar of Chun Jie’s special chili sauce he’d bought shattered during his escape.
Later, Zhang Jun has a chat with Chun Jie and uncovers a truly touching backstory. Yang Jianguo’s late mother was a master at making chili sauce. He, however, was always too busy with work and didn't care for her as he should have. It was only after she passed away that the weight of his regret hit him. Ever since, he's been searching for a taste that could bring back those memories and offer some solace. He finally found that connection in Chun Jie's chili sauce.
Armed with this understanding, Zhao Dongcheng speaks with Yang Jianguo’s daughter. Thankfully, she has a moment of realization, apologizes to her father, and commits to spending more quality time with him. It’s a sweet reminder of the importance of connection and making amends.
A Brother's Unexpected Return
Now, back to Zhao Dongcheng. As he's leaving Chun Jie's shop after the Yang Jianguo incident, he literally bumps into a young man. Fate, it seems, has a funny way of working. Later that day, this very same young man collapses inside Chun Jie's shop! Chun Jie, understandably terrified, immediately calls Zhao Dongcheng for help.
Luckily, it was just an imbalance, nothing too critical. Zhao Dongcheng brings him to the hospital for a check-up. While getting his information, the bombshell drops: the young man is none other than Guan Xu – his brother, whom he hasn’t laid eyes on in seventeen long years!
Zhao Dongcheng, clearly stunned but playing it cool, doesn't reveal their relationship. He learns Guan Xu has no place to stay and, in a bid to keep him close (and maybe figure things out), invites Guan Xu back to his own home.
An Unforeseen Opportunity
But the surprises don't end there! Yu Shi, our "ice queen," gets her hands on Guan Xu's ID (perhaps to ensure he doesn't also do a runner from Zhao Dongcheng's place, or just hospital procedure). She makes a discovery that has her practically beaming: Guan Xu is listed as a nursing intern in gastroenterology! With Xiao Ding having just quit, her department is desperately short-staffed. It’s like the universe just gift-wrapped a solution to her staffing problem.
So, Episode 1 leaves us with Zhao Dongcheng harboring his long-lost brother, who is completely unaware of their connection, and Yu Shi eyeing Guan Xu as a potential new recruit for her struggling department. Talk about setting the stage for some complicated dynamics and a whole lot of drama to come! What will happen when Guan Xu finds out who Zhao Dongcheng is? And will he end up working under the formidable Yu Shi? We’ll have to see!
