Episode Summary
Luo Man's father successfully undergoes surgery, a stressful period during which her friend Chen Kaixi provides crucial emotional support. However, their relief is soon overshadowed by tragedy when Chen Kaixi suffers a miscarriage. Luo Man confronts Chen Kaixi's husband, Chen Mian, urging him to support his grieving wife. Meanwhile, Zhong Qingcheng's acting career blossoms, and she offers prayers for her friends. As the New Year arrives, Luo Man reflects on the turbulent year, grateful for her father's recovery, and celebrates with Chen Kaixi and others, including Zhou Musun.
Spoiler Alert
So, things kick off with Luo Man wanting to bring Zhou Musun along for a visit to her dad, but he wasn't biting. Turns out, Luo Man's father needed surgery, and our girl had to sign the consent forms all by herself. Picture this: Luo Man, alone in a dimly lit hospital corridor at night, feeling utterly isolated. She’s always putting on a brave face, right? But deep down, she was desperate for a helping hand, someone to lean on. In that moment of vulnerability, who does she call? Her old friend, Chen Kaixi.
And let me tell you, Chen Kaixi knows how to make an entrance! She showed up with a ton of stuff, including some much-needed mala tang (spicy hot pot, for the uninitiated!). As they ate and chatted, airing out grievances and just catching up, you could almost see the tension melting away from Luo Man. It was a real comfort session.
Later, the two besties are chilling, reminiscing about old times. It comes up that Chen Kaixi kind of ghosted Luo Man after getting married. Luo Man had this theory that it was because Chen Mian, Kaixi's husband, once had a thing for her. Awkward, maybe, but good to get it out in the open!
The next day is surgery day. Luo Man, her mom, and Chen Kaixi are all anxiously waiting. In a really touching moment, right before going into the OR, Luo Man’s dad actually tells Chen Kaixi to look after Luo Man. It’s like, everyone sees Luo Man as this super strong woman, but her dad? He sees her fragile side. Even when facing his own mortality, his first thought is making sure his daughter is taken care of. Cue the waterworks, because Luo Man was definitely feeling all the feels.
The wait outside the operating room was brutal. Other patients are getting wheeled out, surgeries successful, but no news about her dad. Luo Man was a bundle of nerves. Just then, Fang Chi shows up to offer support – sweet, right? And almost on cue, they get the news: the surgery was a success! Luo Man, her mom, and Chen Kaixi just broke down, hugging and crying with relief. Fang Chi, bless his heart, had tissues ready but couldn't quite bring himself to hand them over. Sometimes, it's just hard to know what to do in those moments.
With her father recovering well and eventually discharged, Luo Man calls Chen Kaixi to share the good news. But the joy is short-lived because she finds out Chen Kaixi is actually in the hospital herself… for a medical abortion. It turns out, during a prenatal check-up, they discovered the baby had no heartbeat and had stopped developing. Chen Kaixi was, understandably, in disbelief and utterly heartbroken.
Luo Man immediately rushes to Chen Kaixi’s side, her own heart aching for her friend’s loss. Seeing Luo Man, Chen Kaixi finally lets her guard down and the tears flow. Luo Man, being the good friend she is, just tells her to cry it all out, to let go of the pain, promising that things will get better.
But seeing Chen Kaixi alone in that hospital room? It lit a fire under Luo Man. She calls up Chen Mian and gives him a piece of her mind, blasting him for not being there for his wife and telling him about the miscarriage. That seemed to do the trick. A guilt-ridden Chen Mian immediately rushes home to take care of Chen Kaixi, stepping up to share the burdens and make sure she can rest.
Meanwhile, on a slightly different note, Zhong Qingcheng’s acting career is really taking off! She’s getting praise from directors and even has an assistant now. During some downtime, she messages Luo Man and finds out about everything with Chen Kaixi. Her response? She has her assistant take her to a temple to pray for her friends. That's some solid long-distance friendship right there.
Fast forward a bit: Luo Man’s dad is doing much better and is about to head off. He’s a little confused, though, as to why Luo Man bought a new house but is still living in her rental. Food for thought, perhaps?
As the New Year approaches, Luo Man ends up celebrating at Chen Kaixi’s place. Even Zhong Qingcheng, who’s away filming, joins in via video call to send her New Year wishes. It’s a moment for reflection, and Luo Man is feeling a mix of emotions. After such a crazy year, she’s mostly feeling grateful, especially that her father’s illness was caught just in time – apparently, another half a month, and it might have been too late.
Chen Kaixi has her parents over for the New Year too, and Zhou Musun eventually joins the gathering for the big New Year's Eve dinner. There’s a mention of someone having to cover a shift at the hospital and missing the main meal, so food needs to be delivered. Since it’s on her way, Luo Man volunteers to make the delivery.
