Episode Summary
Director Zhou begins to change his attitude towards female doctors after facing pushback, while Ai Jing settles into her role with gratitude towards Director Cheng and Yu Shi, who maintains high professional standards for everyone. Zhang Jun struggles with his daughter Yiyi's unhappiness about her mother missing her arts festival performance and faces hospital gossip; Zhao Dongcheng successfully comforts Yiyi, impressing Zhang Jun and Yu Shi. An unexpected connection is revealed between Xiao Xia and Zhao Dongcheng. Shen Xinxin discovers Director Cheng secretly practicing for a performance at the hospital due to a spat with her husband, who later apologizes and supports her career. Finally, Zhao Dongcheng reveals to Guan Xu his past motivations for pushing his mother away, aiming for her happiness, which helps mend their relationship and convinces Guan Xu to stay.
Spoiler Alert
Zhou Zhuren Sees the Light (Sort Of)
So, Director Zhou has been on the receiving end of some serious attitude from the other female doctors lately, and let's just say he’s had a crash course in "female empowerment 101." His whole stance on female doctors has taken a noticeable turn. Get this: during interviews now, he’s actually emphasizing to male candidates that in medicine, gender doesn't matter – everyone is treated equally. Progress! However, Director Cheng wasn't exactly bowled over by his rather roundabout way of apologizing; she clearly wasn't feeling the sincerity.
Ai Jing, on the other hand, is starting to find her groove within the team, and she’s well aware that Yu Shi and Director Cheng played a big part in that, feeling a genuine sense of gratitude. Director Cheng is keeping it strictly professional, though. She’s made it clear that Ai Jing being a mom doesn't mean she gets a free pass. In their world, doctors are doctors, expected to do their jobs properly. Mistakes have consequences, regardless of maternity leave or motherhood.
Zhang Jun's World of Whispers and a Daughter's Distress
Things are a bit rough for Zhang Jun. His daughter, Yiyi, has her big arts festival performance coming up, but she’s in a total funk because her mom can’t be there. Adding to the stress, Yiyi's classmates and their parents are gossiping about her family situation. Even at the hospital, Zhang Jun can’t escape the rumor mill, overhearing the nurses speculating whether he's divorced or even making assumptions about his sexual orientation based on his appearance. In typical Zhang Jun fashion, he hears all of this but just can't bring himself to confront anyone directly.
Yiyi’s frustration boils over, leading her to act out against Zhang Jun, even refusing to eat. In a bind, Zhang Jun calls Yu Shi, hoping another woman might be able to connect with Yiyi. Unfortunately, Yu Shi can't quite solve the problem either. So, she takes Yiyi to see Zhao Dongcheng, and it turns out he's got a magic touch with kids. He immediately understands that Yiyi is just upset about her mom missing her performance. After a patient and empathetic chat, Yiyi’s mood completely shifts, and she even apologizes to her dad. Both Zhang Jun and Yu Shi are left seriously impressed by Zhao Dongcheng's ability to connect with children. Yiyi even comes to understand her mom's absence and calls her before the performance to reassure her.
Unexpected Connections and Secret Rehearsals
In other news, Shi Laoshi's surgery was a success. And here’s a little "small world" moment for you: when Xiao Xia was trying to get in touch with "Dr. Zhao," Zhao Dongcheng happened to be passing by. They both turned, and surprise – they already know each other!
Meanwhile, Shen Xinxin, while on night duty, hears the distinct click-clack of high heels and someone singing. Curiosity piqued, he follows the sounds and discovers none other than Director Cheng practicing for an upcoming performance! Apparently, she’d been using the hospital as her rehearsal space because she and her husband had an argument. The good news is they’ve since reconciled. Her husband even sent flowers and gifts as an apology, promising to respect her decision not to quit her job to be a stay-at-home mom. A few days of solo childcare clearly gave him a new appreciation for the challenges women face. To ensure Shen Xinxin keeps her secret, Director Cheng tries to buy his silence with bubble tea. Shen Xinxin, ever the gossip but too cautious to spill the beans about his superior, doesn't even dare drink it and instead passes it on to a colleague – smart move.
Zhao Dongcheng's Past and a Mending Friendship
Guan Xu poses a thought-provoking question to Zhao Dongcheng: if he could help Yiyi understand her mother, why can't he understand his own? This opens up a window into Zhao Dongcheng's past. He once saw his mother shopping with Guan Shan and jumped to angry conclusions. The reality was that Guan Shan was simply his mother's dance partner; there was no affair. However, his family, including his grandmother, didn't understand her. Zhao Dongcheng admits he deliberately acted out, pushing his mother towards divorce and telling her to leave home, all in a misguided effort to give her freedom and happiness, hoping she wouldn't feel obligated to stay for the sake of her children. Following these revelations, the tension between Guan Xu and Zhao Dongcheng begins to ease, and Guan Xu decides to stay and commit to his work.
