Episode Summary
Liu Jun is hospitalized due to stress, where his father accuses his partner, Qian Hongming, of infidelity. This creates a rift that Qian Hongming tries to mend with an explanation. At the same time, Cui Bingbing's decision to accept a job in Shanghai forces Liu Jun to confront his feelings for her, spurred by a late-night conversation with his former love, Lin Chuan. In a moment of clarity, Liu Jun confesses to Cui Bingbing, and they begin a relationship. The episode concludes with a new revelation: Liu Jun's father, Liu Shitang, is secretly in a relationship with Qian Hongming's sister, Qian Hongying, a fact Qian Hongming reluctantly accepts.
Spoiler Alert
Created in China: Episode 18 Spoilers
A health crisis forces Liu Jun to confront his professional and personal life, leading to a series of revelations that change everything for him and those around him.
The episode opens with Liu Jun in the hospital, recovering from a bleeding stomach caused by the heavy drinking required for his business dealings. His father, Liu Shitang, sits by his bedside, not with sympathy, but with accusations. He blames Liu Jun's business partner, Qian Hongming, for being a bad influence and reveals a shocking secret: Qian Hongming is allegedly supporting a female university student in Shanghai. Though Liu Jun is reluctant to believe it, his father's certainty plants a seed of doubt.
Once discharged, Liu Jun is picked up by Qian Hongming himself and immediately confronts him. Qian Hongming vehemently denies the accusation, explaining that the rumor likely started because he bought a house in Shanghai and rented it to a female student. He admits to taking women to business dinners but insists it's all for show and that his love for his wife, Shen Jiali, is unwavering.
Meanwhile, the unspoken tension between Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing reaches a breaking point. Frustrated by their undefined relationship, Cui Bingbing is thrown further into turmoil when Liu Jun consults her for professional advice on funding a new R&D center. After she gives him a detailed analysis, she drops a bombshell of her own: she's been offered a high-level position in Shanghai. Liu Jun, prioritizing her career, respects her decision. For Cui Bingbing, however, his reaction signals the end; she cannot accept a long-distance relationship with no clear future.
The catalyst for Liu Jun's emotional breakthrough comes from an unexpected source. His old flame, Lin Chuan, is getting married. When she drops off an invitation, Liu Jun is away on business. To make up for it, they share a drink, and an emotional Lin Chuan asks him if they might have ended up together had it not been for their families' history. Liu Jun's silence speaks volumes. After she leaves, he has an epiphany. Realizing Cui Bingbing is the one he truly loves, he races to find her before she leaves. He confesses his feelings, and after explaining his complicated past with Lin Chuan, the two finally become a couple.
Jumping forward to the New Year of 2003, Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing's relationship has deepened, with her even staying the night at his home. However, when he seems hesitant to introduce her to his father, an awkward moment exposes his lingering reservations. The episode's final twist involves the older generation. Liu Jun suspects his father is secretly dating Qian Hongming's sister, Qian Hongying. Qian Hongming finds this impossible to believe, given the shame his sister endured for being a mistress in the past. But when he visits his sister and sees the same distinctive apples Liu Jun had brought over, he knows it's true. Qian Hongying admits her feelings for Liu Shitang, explaining she has a sense of ease with him she's never found with anyone else. Unable to stand in the way of his sister's happiness, a conflicted Qian Hongming agrees to turn a blind eye, asking only that they keep their relationship out of his sight for now.
