Episode Summary
Luo Man visits Chen Kaixi, who is secretly distressed about her husband Chen Mian's suspected infidelity with Zhong Qingcheng. Despite Kaixi's initial pretense, Luo Man sees her vulnerability, recalling their past and Kaixi's once-loving marriage. Meanwhile, Luo Man engages in a calculated text exchange with the suave Zhou Musun. Kaixi attends an expensive emotional counseling session, which Luo Man views skeptically; Kaixi uses it as an outlet to discuss her marital woes. Later, Zhou Musun, having seen Luo Man at the counseling center, invites her to dinner. The episode ends with Luo Man spotting Kaixi's husband, Chen Mian, and Zhong Qingcheng at the same hotel where she's dining with Zhou Musun, setting the stage for more drama.
Spoiler Alert
"Dear Enemy" Episode 2 Recap: Old Friends, New Problems, and Budding Suspicions
So, we pick up with Luo Man, who, bless her heart, is genuinely worried about her old friend Chen Kaixi. She heads over to Kaixi's place, but Kaixi puts on a brave face, acting all nonchalant and even telling Luo Man she doesn't need pity. Luo Man, trying to be the supportive friend, totally humbles herself, just wanting to cheer Kaixi up. This is their first real meet-up in ages, and wow, things have changed. Kaixi is now a "kuo taitai" (a wealthy man's wife), living a life of luxury, surrounded by high-end everything. Luo Man can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Hanging out with Kaixi and her new circle of affluent ladies, Luo Man feels a bit out of place, struggling to find common ground, yet still searching for some sense of validation.
Luo Man gently probes Kaixi about how she found out about her husband's potential wandering eye. It turns out, Kaixi, after seeing a dance studio address posted by a certain Zhong Qingcheng, decided to "accidentally" bump into her there, and they've now become "friends." Luo Man tries to comfort Kaixi, suggesting that if someone really wanted to give another person money, they wouldn't do it through public "tips" or "rewards" (implying Kaixi's husband might have been tipping Zhong Qingcheng online). Thanks to Luo Man's pep talk, Kaixi does seem to brighten up a bit.
Just as Luo Man is about to leave, a gut feeling makes her turn back. And there she finds Kaixi, crumpled on the stairs, sobbing her heart out. The calm demeanor from before? All an act. Alone, Kaixi finally lets her true emotions pour out. Luo Man is hit with a wave of nostalgia, remembering the soft, vulnerable girl Kaixi used to be back in their school days – some things, it seems, never change. Vivid memories of Kaixi's wedding flash through Luo Man's mind: Kaixi's husband, Chen Mian, doting on her, swearing he'd love her forever. Back then, Chen Mian had nothing, and Kaixi's family was dead set against the marriage. But Kaixi stood her ground, willing to face hardship with him.
Luo Man heads home, emotionally drained, only to find a message from Zhou Musun. It's 1:30 AM! Luo Man instantly suspects he's up to no good and even mentions it to Kaixi. Kaixi, ever the cautious one, advises Luo Man to keep her distance from Zhou Musun and not get entangled. But Luo Man, full of confidence, thinks she's too smart to fall for any tricks.
Playing it cool, Luo Man deliberately waits an hour before replying to Zhou Musun, casually saying she just got out of the shower. Meanwhile, Zhou Musun had been anxiously waiting for her response and only then, satisfied, prepares for bed. The next day at work, Luo Man presents her creative ideas, but her boss is far from impressed. Kaixi calls Luo Man, but Luo Man's stuck in meetings and can't pick up. Finally, during a break, Luo Man calls her back.
Kaixi has signed up for an emotional counseling course and wants Luo Man to go with her. But when Luo Man sees the price tag, she's floored, convinced it's an "IQ tax" (a rip-off for the gullible). At the session, the counselor asks Kaixi about her current marital situation. Luo Man, however, remains highly skeptical, believing the counselor is just trying to swindle them. She starts peppering the counselor with pointed questions, making the "expert" a bit uncomfortable, even as the counselor guarantees she can help women win back their men. Luo Man's persistent questioning leaves the counselor struggling for answers. Kaixi, not wanting Luo Man to derail the session, asks her to leave first.
The truth is, Kaixi isn't just there to "win back her man." She desperately needs someone to talk to, as there are things she feels she can't even share with her closest friends. And so, Kaixi pours out years of marital frustrations, with the emotional counselor becoming a patient listener.
Later, back home, Luo Man gets another message from Zhou Musun. He'd seen her with Kaixi at the counseling center, and Luo Man admits to being there. She shares her cynical views on emotional counseling with him, and Zhou Musun's response is surprisingly insightful – almost too perfect. Luo Man realizes she's dealing with a seasoned player in the game of emotions. But she's playing her own game of "hard to get." Zhou Musun then asks Luo Man out to dinner, and Luo Man feels a sense of control, thinking she's got the upper hand.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger: Luo Man and Zhou Musun are on their dinner date. As they arrive, Luo Man spots none other than Chen Kaixi's husband, Chen Mian, in the hotel lobby. And who should walk in right after him? You guessed it – Zhong Qingcheng.
