Episode Summary
Chen Kaixi has an awkward encounter with Zhong Qingcheng and suspects Luo Man tipped her off. Trying to mend things with her husband Chen Mian, Chen Kaixi uses their child and therapist's advice, leading to small successes like Chen Mian agreeing to pick up their child and briefly stay home, but her attempt at a romantic evening fails when he leaves. Meanwhile, Luo Man goes on a date with Zhou Musun; they engage in witty banter, and Luo Man initially pegs him as a non-committal type. Despite this, she plays along, and they end up at his apartment. After a movie and a suggested shower for Luo Man, Zhou Musun attempts to get intimate, but Luo Man ultimately rejects him. Chen Kaixi also struggles with her emotions regarding Zhong Qingcheng's past presence in her home.
Spoiler Alert
Elevator Awkwardness and Some Sneaky Suspicions
The episode kicked off with Chen Kaixi and Zhong Qingcheng having one of those run-ins at the elevator. You could practically feel Zhong Qingcheng's discomfort, while Chen Kaixi, ever the actress, played it cool, like they were just two old pals bumping into each other. But as soon as Zhong Qingcheng spotted Luo Man in the lobby, the gears started turning. She instantly suspected Luo Man of being a snitch, and honestly, who could blame her for feeling a little miffed?
Realizing Chen Kaixi might be onto her, Zhong Qingcheng did some quick damage control, spinning a tale about being there to meet a friend and claiming she had no idea said friend was even married (or that a wedding was involved, the details were a bit fuzzy, classic!).
Meanwhile, Chen Kaixi, clearly not born yesterday, decided to pay a "surprise" visit to Chen Mian's room. She put on her best shocked face, did a quick scan of the room (paying special attention to the bed, which thankfully looked untouched), and breathed a sigh of relief. She even brought homemade egg tarts! They were a little deflated, bless her heart, but Chen Mian happily munched away, making Chen Kaixi feel like her efforts weren't totally in vain.
Still riding on her therapist's advice to use their child as a bridge, Chen Kaixi started talking about their kiddo, trying to leverage that to get Chen Mian to come home more often. Chen Mian, sharp as ever, saw right through her little scheme but, surprisingly, agreed to pick up their child with her. A small win for Chen Kaixi, who was clearly thrilled! Before they left, Chen Kaixi couldn't resist grilling Luo Man a bit about her connection with Zhou Musun. The plot thickens!
Home Front Drama and a Glimmer of Hope
Back at her own place, Chen Kaixi found herself irked by a cup Zhong Qingcheng had used. Her first instinct? Toss it. But then, remembering her therapist's golden rule – control those emotions – she managed to restrain herself. Later, seeing Chen Mian genuinely enjoying playtime with their son brought a wave of warmth over Chen Kaixi, momentarily washing away her worries. It was a sweet, picture-perfect family moment.
And speaking of therapist-approved tactics, Chen Kaixi was ecstatic when another piece of advice paid off during a family dinner. With Chen Mian and their son enjoying a meal, the tutor arrived. Seeing them occupied, the tutor thoughtfully decided to wait. Seizing the moment, their son asked Chen Mian to stay home, and Chen Mian actually agreed! Chen Kaixi was so pleased with this development that she immediately messaged her therapist to share the good news and express her gratitude.
Luo Man and Zhou Musun: The Flirtation Game is ON
Over on the dating front, Zhou Musun finally showed up for his rendezvous with Luo Man, who, in a classic power move, made him wait an extra ten minutes. Smooth. Zhou Musun, playing the generous host, handed her the menu and told her to order whatever her heart desired.
As they ate, Luo Man and Zhou Musun engaged in some serious verbal sparring, each trying to figure the other out. Interestingly, Luo Man found herself nodding along to some of Zhou Musun's views on life. She even shot a message to Chen Kaixi, musing that Zhou Musun seemed like the non-committal type, and his philosophies certainly matched that vibe.
But as the evening progressed, Luo Man seemed to soften towards Zhou Musun. While they were out and about, she played the part of a shy, demure young woman and even agreed to go back to his place. When Zhou Musun went in for a hug, Luo Man, though outwardly compliant, had her fists clenched, ready to throw down if he tried anything more. Spoiler: he didn't. Instead, he suggested they watch a movie together.
So, there they were, cozied up watching a film, the air thick with unspoken things. Luo Man was consciously keeping her emotions in check, going along with Zhou Musun's lead. After the movie, he expertly dialed up the romantic atmosphere.
Calculated Atmospheres and Unexpected Endings
While Luo Man was navigating Zhou Musun's advances, Chen Kaixi was busy back home, meticulously setting a mood of her own, just as her therapist advised.
Things escalated quickly at Zhou Musun's. He led Luo Man to the bathroom and suggested she take a shower. A visibly flustered Luo Man quickly sent an SOS text to Chen Kaixi. Unfortunately for Chen Kaixi, despite all her careful preparations, her own romantic endeavor hit a snag: Chen Mian ended up leaving. Her plan to get him to stay (and perhaps rekindle something) fizzled out.
Meanwhile, Luo Man, feeling she had little choice, took that shower. When she emerged, Zhou Musun was waiting, clad only in a nightgown (or PJs, you get the picture). He led her to the bed, clearly intending to take things further. But just when it seemed like he was about to make his move, Luo Man put a stop to it, rejecting his advances.
