Episode Summary
Xu Zhi continues to investigate Chen Luzhou, suspecting he might be adopted, while also dealing with memories of her late mother. Both Xu Zhi and Chen Luzhou, each with their respective friends/family (Cai Yingying for Xu Zhi; Chen Xingqi and Zhu Yangqi for Chen Luzhou), coincidentally end up on a summer trip at the same mountain resort. During an errand to buy water, Xu Zhi and Chen Luzhou share a car ride, leading to them exchanging WeChat details. The trip also brings an unwelcome encounter for Xu Zhi with her persistent ex, Tan Xu, whom she confronts about his past deceptions. The episode ends with a minor conflict over a borrowed phone charger, hinting at more interactions between the characters.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 2 Recap & Spoilers: Suspicions, Summer Trips, and Awkward Encounters
The episode picks up with Xu Zhi at home, where her Grandma is still awake. Xu Zhi gently reminds her to ask earlier if she wants something, like roasted sweet potatoes, as they can't always count on kind strangers to help. Soon after, Xu Zhi's friend, Cai Yingying, drops by to ask about any progress with Chen Luzhou's mother. Xu Zhi explains she hasn't met her, as they don't live together. This fuels Xu Zhi's suspicion that Chen Luzhou might be adopted; she recalls his mother once saying "when Chen Luzhou came to our family," a phrase she feels wouldn't be used for a biological child.
Adding to the mystery, Xu Zhi notes that Chen Luzhou meticulously labels all his belongings with his name. She muses this could either be extreme narcissism or a habit picked up from previously living in a collective environment. As for contacting Chen Luzhou directly, Xu Zhi admits she hasn't even managed to add him on WeChat yet. The conversation also touches upon Xu Zhi's own family; her mother passed away in a car accident a few years prior, and Xu Zhi is puzzled by a voice that sounds remarkably similar to her late mother's (a lingering thread from previous events).
Later, Xu Zhi's father suggests she should take a trip now that her exams are over. Xu Zhi, ever practical, points out their tight financial situation. However, Cai Yingying soon arrives with a plan, and Xu Zhi agrees to a two-day getaway with her.
Meanwhile, Chen Luzhou is approached by his younger brother, Chen Xingqi. Chen Xingqi and his friends want to go on a summer trip to escape the heat but need an adult supervisor. He offers Chen Luzhou 800 yuan a day, with an extra 500 yuan if their friend Zhu Yangqi also comes along. Chen Luzhou agrees to the terms.
As Chen Luzhou's group sets off, they spot Tan Xu. Chen Luzhou quickly ducks away to avoid him. Zhu Yangqi teases him, saying he looked "like a mistress encountering the legitimate wife." Chen Luzhou brushes it off, stating he simply wants to avoid any direct confrontation. Taking the opportunity, Zhu Yangqi shares some unsettling information about Tan Xu: apparently, Tan Xu once faked a depression diagnosis and fabricated a bullying story, complete with a forged medical report, to get another student expelled. Zhu Yangqi claims he heard this from a classmate who knew the people involved.
The two groups unknowingly converge at a mountain resort. Chen Xingqi immediately complains about the local mountain spring water, demanding purified water, but the boss informs him that only spring water is available. As it turnses out, Xu Zhi's father is good friends with the resort owner, and Xu Zhi and Cai Yingying have also chosen this spot for their trip. They soon run into Chen Luzhou.
Xu Zhi curiously asks Chen Luzhou where his parents are. He replies they didn't come. Cai Yingying had previously heard from Zhu Yangqi that Chen Luzhou would be bringing "family," leading Xu Zhi to be surprised that this "family" was just his younger brother, Chen Xingqi. The demanding Chen Xingqi then insists that the tap water is undrinkable and orders Chen Luzhou to go down the mountain to buy bottled water. Seizing an opportunity, Chen Luzhou has Zhu Yangqi message Cai Yingying, suggesting Xu Zhi could lend them her car for the errand.
Xu Zhi agrees and accompanies Chen Luzhou down the mountain. Her phone battery dies, so she borrows Chen Luzhou's charger. He then hands her his phone to manage the navigation, telling her the passcode is "four ones." When Xu Zhi asks why he doesn't use his birthday, Chen Luzhou reveals that "1111" is his birthday. During the drive, Xu Zhi brings up a movie, praising its symbolic meaning. Chen Luzhou, however, mentions that a particular rumor about a flowerpot prop in the film was later debunked; it was just a prop.
Once they reach the town at the foot of the mountain, Chen Xingqi calls Chen Luzhou with another demand: he wants Chen Luzhou to bring him back a dry pot bullfrog dish, as the resort food isn't to his liking. Chen Luzhou initially refuses, saying it would cost extra. Xu Zhi overhears and mentions there's a restaurant nearby that sells it, offering that it wouldn't be much trouble to pick one up.
Their stop takes an unexpected turn when Xu Zhi spots Tan Xu. She excuses herself to confront him. Tan Xu questions her recent distance, asking if it's because they're "not from the same world anymore." Xu Zhi firmly states they were never actually together. Tan Xu presses further, wondering if her change of heart is due to him having to repeat a year of school or if she's found someone "better," reminding her of what he perceived as their "tacit understanding." Xu Zhi doesn't hold back, accusing Tan Xu of faking his depression and constantly trying to control her, daring him to deny it.
Shaken but resolute, Xu Zhi returns to Chen Luzhou, explaining she "intimidated" Tan Xu and told him to stop following her. She then asks to add Chen Luzhou on WeChat, suggesting they could collaborate on any future money-making opportunities. He agrees. Later, Xu Zhi shows Cai Yingying that she's successfully added him. Cai Yingying, observing their potentially awkward dynamic, suggests creating a group chat. She reasons that Xu Zhi and Chen Luzhou are likely to "kill the conversation" if left to text one-on-one, and a group chat would ensure someone is always there to keep things flowing.
The episode ends the next day with Zhu Yangqi discovering his charger is missing. He asks to borrow Chen Luzhou's, only to find out Chen Luzhou lent his to Xu Zhi. Zhu Yangqi, in urgent need of his charger, tells Chen Luzhou to get it back from her.
