Episode Summary
The episode sees Chen Luzhou recovering from an injury, with a misunderstanding arising from a doctor's questions leading to suspicions of a bribe request. Xu Zhi struggles with a moral dilemma over a shop review, confiding in Chen Luzhou, who has started a new filming job with a racing team. Photographer Feng Jin, an admirer of Chen Luzhou, joins Xu Zhi and Cai Yingying, leading to some awkwardness and a misunderstanding between Xu Zhi and Chen Luzhou about the depth of their relationship. Tensions escalate when another racer, Lu Yang, insults Chen Luzhou, prompting Xu Zhi to challenge Lu Yang to a race. The episode culminates in a dangerous crash during the race, with Chen Luzhou rushing to a downed Xu Zhi.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Chen Luzhou at the hospital, rather bewildered when the doctor starts asking about his family situation – what on earth does that have to do with his treatment? Meanwhile, Xu Zhi's father sends her off for a check-up. When she reappears, a concerned Zhu Yangqi immediately wants to know how it went, dramatically declaring it's crucial for Chen Luzhou's "future happiness" (ever the meddler, that Zhu Yangqi!). Chen Luzhou himself is clueless about the doctor's intentions, as the doc said little beyond those personal questions. Zhu Yangqi, ever suspicious, mutters that the doctor was probably fishing for a bribe – a "red envelope."
Later, Chen Luzhou, feeling a bit better, says he wants to head home. Xu Zhi's father clarifies that it's an external injury, likely to heal in a day or two, but a follow-up is needed if it's not better within a week. Just then, Cai Yingying's father drops by, recognizing Chen Luzhou. The real surprise comes when Xu Zhi's father discovers a red envelope stashed in a book. He's taken aback, clearly not expecting this from Chen Luzhou (or related to him), and promptly hands it in, presumably to the hospital authorities to show such things aren't accepted.
Elsewhere, Xu Zhi and Cai Yingying meet photographer Feng Jin. He regales them with tales of a brilliant photographer he once knew, whose documentary rough cuts aired on TV and photos graced magazine covers. Xu Zhi and her friends are on a mission to review a local shop, but Xu Zhi quickly realizes the quality of their offerings is pretty poor. Feng Jin advises her to just write a good review anyway, reminding her of the old saying: "it's hard to criticize when you've accepted someone's hospitality" (basically, don't bite the hand that feeds you).
Troubled by this, Xu Zhi actually transfers a "chat companion fee" to Chen Luzhou and arranges to meet. She confides in him about the shop, admitting she just can't bring herself to praise something so subpar. Chen Luzhou, supportive as ever, tells her that if she doesn't want to do the review, she simply shouldn't. During their chat, Xu Zhi, famished after a long day with Cai Yingying, orders a bowl of noodles and asks for another to go. She then asks Chen Luzhou what he's up to these days. He reveals that Uncle Fu helped him land a gig filming with a racing team.
Hearing he'll be filming again the next day, Xu Zhi asks if she can come watch, and Chen Luzhou agrees. Things get heated at the race track when one of Chen Luzhou's colleagues clashes with a racer, Lu Yang. Lu Yang angrily tells the photographer to stop disturbing his training, threatening to smash his camera. Chen Luzhou steps in, calmly stating that just as Lu Yang treasures his car, the photographer treasures his equipment. He then offers to film the crucial finish line shot for Lu Yang himself. He does, and everyone is impressed with the quality of his footage.
Later, Xu Zhi messages Chen Luzhou: Cai Yingying badgered her into revealing her plans, and now both Cai Yingying and Feng Jin want to tag along. Chen Luzhou’s terse "whatever" response makes Xu Zhi wonder if he's annoyed. When Feng Jin meets Chen Luzhou, he's absolutely starstruck – Chen Luzhou is his idol! Feng Jin even buys food for everyone. He then asks Xu Zhi if she and Chen Luzhou are close. Xu Zhi replies, "not really," a comment Chen Luzhou unfortunately overhears from the doorway. Cai Yingying then conveniently drags Feng Jin off to buy drinks.
That evening, Xu Zhi asks Chen Luzhou if there's more shooting scheduled. He says no. She suggests they all head back together, but Chen Luzhou is clearly put out. He asks her if she's so close to Feng Jin. Xu Zhi retorts she's not even as close to Feng Jin as she is to Zhu Yangqi. This sparks something in Chen Luzhou, who then questions why she doesn't split costs with Feng Jin (a sore point, apparently). He presses her: is she close to everyone but him? What exactly does "close" mean to her? Wasn't watching a meteor shower together enough? Or drinking together?
Xu Zhi finally explains her earlier remark: Feng Jin had told her so many things about Chen Luzhou that she never knew, making her feel like she didn't understand him well at all. This explanation seems to clear the air for Chen Luzhou.
The drama amps up when Lu Yang, while picking up a friend's sister, is overheard by Xu Zhi mocking Chen Luzhou. He dismisses Chen Luzhou as just a rich kid whose photos are terrible. Furious, Xu Zhi throws down a challenge: she'll compete against Lu Yang (it's implied to be a race). If Lu Yang loses, he has to apologize to Chen Luzhou to his face.
Chen Luzhou gets a call about Xu Zhi's dare and rushes to the scene. Xu Zhi, it turns out, is a skilled racer. She proposes a long-distance race. She falls behind initially, still adapting to the course, but it's clear she has the potential to catch up and win. Lu Yang, however, notices Xu Zhi observing his racing habits. This rattles him, and in a reckless move, he takes a turn without braking, crashing straight into Xu Zhi. Both go down hard. Chen Luzhou immediately runs to her side and carries an injured Xu Zhi away on his back.
