Episode Summary
Pressure from friends and family about their future puts a strain on Li Jinyu. A critical misunderstanding occurs when Ye Meng overhears Li Jinyu saying he doesn't need to buy a house, missing his noble intentions. The arrival of her ex-boss, Gou Kai, who provides a lead for Ye Meng's investigation into a mysterious thimble ring, adds to the secrecy and mistrust, culminating in a heated fight that leaves their relationship in jeopardy.
Spoiler Alert
"Deep Affection Eyes" Episode 11: Doubts, An Ex, and a Painful Misunderstanding
A friendly gathering at Ye Meng and Li Jinyu's home takes a serious turn when their friends, led by Fang Ya'en, begin to question the couple's future. Acting as a concerned family member, Fang Ya'en directly confronts Li Jinyu about his lack of a stable job and social security, pointing out the realistic challenges they would face with marriage and children. Later, while taking out the trash, Cheng Kairan advises Li Jinyu to consider Fang Ya'en's words. He suggests that Li Jinyu could use the potential demolition compensation from his old house at Hailan Port to buy a new property or make an investment, which would surely appease Ye Meng's family. Noticing Li Jinyu is troubled after their friends leave, Ye Meng reassures him that she is perfectly happy with their current life and doesn't want to add any pressure on him.
Later, while Li Jinyu is teaching Ye Meng to play the guitar, she happily snaps a photo of their hands and posts it online, officially announcing her new relationship. The post is seen by her ex-boss, Gou Kai, who narcissistically assumes it's a ploy to make him jealous. He immediately calls her, but Ye Meng repeatedly rejects the calls, comforting a sulky Li Jinyu.
The next day, after Ye Meng gives Li Jinyu a key to her house, they head to the hospital to process Grandma Dou's discharge. A phone call pulls Ye Meng outside, where she is shocked to find Gou Kai waiting for her, having traveled to Ningsui. She initially refuses his invitation to talk, but as she returns to the hospital room, she overhears a conversation that changes everything. Grandma Dou is urging Li Jinyu to buy a house to provide a stable home for Ye Meng. Li Jinyu replies that he feels it's unnecessary at the moment. Heartbroken by his response, Ye Meng turns and leaves the hospital. Tragically, she misses the crucial second half of his explanation: he tells his grandmother that he doesn't want to become the reason Ye Meng feels trapped and tied down in Ningsui.
Meanwhile, a lovesick Cheng Kairan, realizing he has feelings for Fang Ya'en, convinces Li Jinyu to accompany him to her clothing store. As they approach, they spot Ye Meng meeting with Gou Kai in a nearby coffee shop. To prevent a bigger misunderstanding, Fang Ya'en quickly ushers the men into her shop, and Li Jinyu makes an excuse to leave. Fang Ya'en messages Ye Meng, who then firmly rejects Gou Kai's plea for her to return to Jiangbei once more.
The tension between the main couple finally boils over. At the bar, a distracted Li Jinyu can't bring himself to sing. He later confronts Ye Meng about her meeting, and while she admits it happened, she doesn't give him the full story. He is hurt that she kept it from him. That night, Gou Kai meets with Ye Meng again, this time with a crucial piece of information she's been seeking about a thimble ring. He reveals its owner is a former real estate developer named Wang Xingsheng, who is now in Jiangbei. After the meeting, Ye Meng finds Li Jinyu waiting for her in the rain. She confesses her plan to travel to Jiangbei to follow the lead. The news, combined with the secrets, pushes Li Jinyu over the edge, and the two have a major argument, parting in anger.
