Episode Summary
Chen Luzhou and Xu Zhi's relationship is revealed to Xu Zhi's surprisingly supportive father, though Xu Zhi believes their romance is short-lived due to Chen Luzhou's imminent departure abroad, a plan firmly pushed by his mother. Despite Chen Luzhou's desire to stay for a project, he faces pressure to leave. Xu Zhi, heartbroken, asks Chen Luzhou to accompany her to get her ears pierced, a moment that leads to her father sharing his regrets and concerns with Chen Luzhou. Later, Chen Luzhou has a poignant conversation with his own father about his departure and the possibility of not returning, leaving him and his friend Zhu Yangqi feeling somber. Xu Zhi rushes to comfort Chen Luzhou, highlighting the emotional turmoil surrounding his impending exit.
Spoiler Alert
Be Passionately in Love: Episode 12 Recap & Spoilers
The episode picks up with Chen Luzhou escorting Xu Zhi home, only to be met by Xu Zhi's father waiting downstairs. When questioned, Xu Zhi quickly concocts a story about Chen Luzhou taking photos for her and needing to discuss some final details. Her father, seemingly buying it, tells Xu Zhi to head inside. Alone with Chen Luzhou, Xu Zhi's father presses him about missing his medical follow-up. Chen Luzhou cites a lack of time, but Xu Zhi's father isn't convinced, calling it an excuse and insisting he come in the very next day to ascertain his current condition.
Once her father is back upstairs, Xu Zhi takes a deep breath and confesses that she and Chen Luzhou are, in fact, dating. To her surprise, her father reacts positively, acknowledging she's an adult and that dating is perfectly normal. He even remarks that Chen Luzhou seems like a decent young man and, being a local, would mean Xu Zhi could visit often if they eventually married – a comforting thought for a father wary of becoming an "empty-nester." However, Xu Zhi quickly dampens his enthusiasm, stating he's thinking too far ahead. She believes their relationship is doomed to end in a couple of months due to Chen Luzhou's impending departure abroad.
Meanwhile, Chen Luzhou arrives home to an unexpected visitor: his mother. His friend, Zhu Yangqi, who was there intending to celebrate Chen Luzhou's new relationship, accidentally spills the beans in front of her. Chen Luzhou's mother then drops a bombshell: plans are already firmly in place. The family will take a trip to Ruicheng next week, after which Chen Luzhou is to go directly to his university overseas, with no return home beforehand. This news crushes Chen Luzhou, who still harbors hopes of working on the Dunhuang project. His mother simply reminds him of his lifelong obedience, implying he should comply without fuss this time as well.
When Chen Luzhou relays this development to Xu Zhi via message, she is understandably heartbroken. Her father, noticing her distress, offers a comforting ear and a drink. Pulling herself together slightly, Xu Zhi messages Chen Luzhou with a request: for him to accompany her to get her ears pierced the following day.
The next day, Chen Luzhou attends his medical check-up and receives a clean bill of health. Afterwards, he meets Xu Zhi's father, who shares a nostalgic home video of a young, confident Xu Zhi running for class president. Chen Luzhou praises how well her father raised her. When her father inquires about their plans, Chen Luzhou mentions the ear-piercing appointment. This prompts Xu Zhi's father to open up, sharing that while Xu Zhi was a delightful child, she changed significantly after her mother left, becoming more reserved and only sharing trivial matters with him. He recalls a previous attempt by Xu Zhi to get her ears pierced, which she abandoned halfway due to her fear of pain. He blames himself for not providing her with enough emotional security. With a heavy heart, he admits to feeling like a "useless" father but warns Chen Luzhou, his "fists are still hard," implying that if Chen Luzhou intends to leave, he should do so decisively and not string Xu Zhi along.
Later, Chen Luzhou is by Xu Zhi's side as she bravely gets her ears pierced. As she browses for earrings, finding several she likes, she asks him to choose one for her. In a sweet gesture, Chen Luzhou buys her ice cream, playfully citing "expert advice" that it helps numb the pain.
Returning home, Chen Luzhou finds his mother absent and only his father present, who invites him to share a meal. During their time together, his father offers him the keys to an apartment, which Chen Luzhou declines. When his father questions if he's having second thoughts about going abroad, Chen Luzhou reassures him that going abroad is "fine." His father advises him that no matter where life takes him, he should always remember his family and visit when possible. Chen Luzhou then quietly reveals his contemplation of settling abroad permanently. This leads to a poignant moment where his father reminisces about Chen Luzhou's childhood, recalling how timid and afraid Chen Luzhou was when he first came to live with them.
Deeply affected by the conversation, Chen Luzhou calls Xu Zhi. She immediately senses his low spirits and comes over to offer comfort. Elsewhere, Zhu Yangqi is also feeling down about his friend's imminent departure. The episode concludes with Xu Zhi's father calling her, his voice tinged with concern, urging her to come home as it's getting late.
