Episode Summary
Luo Man arrives late to a blind date orchestrated by her frenemy, Chen Kaixi, who deliberately gave her the wrong time. The setup is for Zhou Musun, whom Kaixi intends for Zhong Qingcheng. However, Luo Man, having researched Musun, quickly charms him, much to Kaixi's annoyance. Flashbacks reveal their long-standing, complex relationship. After the disastrous evening where Luo Man "won" Musun's attention, Kaixi blocks her. A subsequent angry phone call leads to a major revelation: Zhou Musun is a known player, and Kaixi's motive for the setup was to distract Zhong Qingcheng, whom Kaixi's own husband, Chen Mian, is pursuing. The episode ends with the two women sharing a moment of raw honesty, acknowledging their deep, albeit rivalrous, friendship.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 1 Recap: The Blind Date Sabotage
So, we meet Luo Man, stuck in gridlock, which is basically a universal symbol for "my life is going nowhere." She's on her way to a blind date shindig thrown by her… well, let's call her "frenemy," Chen Kaixi. Kaixi calls, all breezy, wondering where Luo Man is, casually mentioning the party started at 6:30 PM. Luo Man’s face? Priceless. She was sure it was 7:30 PM. Oh, Kaixi, you sly fox.
This little mix-up immediately throws us into a flashback. Picture this: university classroom, a heated discussion about a Zhang Ailing novel. Luo Man and Chen Kaixi, classmates, already locking horns with their different takes. Luo Man even publicly called Kaixi out. So yeah, their relationship status? It’s complicated, with a capital C.
Back in the present, traffic isn't budging. Luo Man, bless her determined heart, decides to ditch the car and run to the party. As she’s hoofing it, we get more flashbacks, hinting that maybe, just maybe, there were times these two were actually good friends. But with Kaixi pulling this stunt with the timing? Luo Man is not about to let her "win" whatever game Kaixi is playing.
At the party, Chen Kaixi is all smiles with Zhong Qingcheng and the main event, Zhou Musun. Luo Man’s dramatic entrance definitely throws Kaixi for a loop, but Kaixi, ever the actress, recovers with a warm welcome. Almost immediately, Luo Man, ever the strategist, swoops in and captures Zhou Musun's attention. They hit it off, bonding over food, and just like that, Musun is intrigued. You can practically see the steam coming out of Kaixi’s ears.
Cue another flashback – this time, three days earlier. Luo Man, Chen Kaixi, and Zhong Qingcheng are chatting. Kaixi, out of the blue, asks if Qingcheng is still single and offers to set her up with Zhou Musun at his fancy private club. Luo Man, claiming she’s never been to a private club (suuure, Jan), invites herself along. Kaixi, probably gritting her teeth, can't really say no but, as we now know, gives Luo Man the "wrong" time. Smart cookie Luo Man, though, goes home and does a deep dive on Zhou Musun – his history, his hobbies, the works. No wonder she hit all the right notes with him from the get-go!
We even get a quick flashback from Zhou Musun’s perspective: Chen Kaixi messaging him about the setup while he’s playing ball with Kaixi’s own husband. Small world, messy lives!
Back at the party, Chen Kaixi is trying her darnedest to steer Zhou Musun’s attention back to Zhong Qingcheng. But our boy Musun? He’s clearly not biting. Luo Man, sensing that Kaixi is way too invested in this setup for it to be innocent, keeps throwing delightful little wrenches in Kaixi’s plans. Every time Kaixi tries to showcase Qingcheng, Luo Man swoops back in and reclaims Musun's gaze. It’s like a strategic dance, and Luo Man is leading.
Despite Kaixi’s best efforts to highlight Zhong Qingcheng’s charms, it's obvious Zhou Musun is already hooked on Luo Man. She plays it cool, perfectly balancing interest and aloofness. By the end of the night, Chen Kaixi knows she’s been outmaneuvered. Round one to Luo Man.
On the way home, Luo Man is practically glowing with smug satisfaction but trying to play it cool. Chen Kaixi, on the other hand, is fuming. The moment she parts ways with Zhong Qingcheng, she blocks Luo Man on WeChat. Ouch. Luo Man, ready to gloat with a voice message, discovers she's been iced out and, not gonna lie, looks a little panicked. She tries calling, but Kaixi isn't picking up.
Back at her place, Chen Kaixi’s phone is still blowing up with Luo Man’s calls. She finally caves and answers, and boy, do the floodgates open! Years of unspoken grievances come pouring out from both sides.
And then, the bombshell. Chen Kaixi spills the tea: Zhou Musun? Total "Zha Nan" (that’s "scumbag player" for the uninitiated). He’s not looking to settle down; he just gets off on conquering women to boost his ego. Luo Man, rightfully confused, asks the million-dollar question: "If he's such a jerk, why were you trying to set him up with Zhong Qingcheng?"
Chen Kaixi’s confession is a gut punch: her own husband, Chen Mian, has been making moves on Zhong Qingcheng. Yikes.
In that moment of raw honesty, these two women, who’ve spent years as rivals and reluctant allies, finally lay their cards on the table. It turns out, despite all the drama and one-upmanship, they’ve actually considered each other their best friend all along.
