Episode Summary
In this episode, Fang Ya'en's plans to divorce her husband are thwarted when he fails to appear, leading her to reconsider for their son's sake, much to Cheng Kairan's disappointment. The central storyline follows Ye Meng and Li Jinyu, who overcome their cold war after Li Jinyu confronts his insecurities. A lost dashcam reveals his true feelings to Ye Meng, leading to an emotional reunion, a surprise proposal, and a secret marriage that they later reveal to their families. The episode concludes with the newlyweds consummating their marriage.
Spoiler Alert
Deep Affection Eyes: Episode 12 Spoilers
The episode picks up with the fallout from Chen Jiayu's sudden illness. Cheng Kairan steps in to help at the hospital, while Chen Jian, the boy's father, arrives late. He tries to convince Fang Ya'en to call off their divorce, stressing his contributions to the family and the importance of a two-parent household for their son. Feeling like an outsider with no right to interfere in their complicated relationship, a dejected Cheng Kairan leaves.
On the scheduled day for the divorce proceedings, Chen Jian never shows up at the Civil Affairs Bureau, a familiar tactic of avoidance that Fang Ya'en knows all too well. Disappointed in herself for even holding out hope, she begins to question her decision, wondering if she should endure the unhappy marriage for the sake of giving her son a "complete" family. Her friend, Ye Meng, offers firm advice: she must love herself before she can properly love her child. Staying in a loveless marriage would cause more harm to Chen Jiayu than being raised by a single parent.
Meanwhile, Ye Meng is in her own romantic standoff with Li Jinyu over their future plans. She considers herself a rational person, but around him, she feels her emotions get the best of her, making her feel insecure. Li Jinyu, equally troubled, confides in Cheng Kairan, and the two friends offer each other advice.
In an attempt to mend the rift, Cheng Kairan and Fang Ya'en hatch a plan. They tell Li Jinyu that Ye Meng is drunk and needs him to take her home. He finds her waiting by his door, appearing vulnerable and intoxicated. He carries her inside, and she embraces him, but Li Jinyu remains reserved, unable to voice his true feelings.
Later, Li Jinyu opens up to his grandmother, Grandma Dou. He confesses that his conflict with Ye Meng isn't about their different life paths but his own deep-seated insecurity. He regrets dropping out of school early and feels he can't provide Ye Meng with the life she deserves. His grandmother scolds him for his self-pity and lack of courage, urging him to seriously reconsider their relationship.
The next morning, as Ye Meng packs her bags to leave, she discovers a lost dashcam. While heading to the airport, she watches the footage and is stunned to find an unsent, heartfelt confession from Li Jinyu. Moved to tears, she immediately turns back. She arrives to find him building her "dream courtyard" for her.
As a flustered Li Jinyu struggles for words, Ye Meng takes charge and asks him to marry her, hoping to erase his insecurities once and for all. But Li Jinyu insists on doing it the right way. He pulls out a bouquet of flowers, gets down on one knee, and proposes. A tearfully joyous Ye Meng accepts, and they embrace.
The couple gets married secretly, with only Fang Ya'en in on their plan. When they finally announce the news to their families, Li Jinyu's grandmother is initially upset by their rash decision. However, Ye Meng's family is privately overjoyed. Shocked but sincere, Li Jinyu promises that their future children can take Ye Meng's surname and that he is willing to live with her family, a declaration that makes them even happier.
In the final scenes, Cheng Kairan is at an amusement park with Chen Jiayu and learns that Fang Ya'en has decided not to go through with the divorce. He is visibly disheartened but can only advise the boy not to meddle in adult matters. Later that night, though a little saddened by Ye Meng's impending departure for Jiangbei, Li Jinyu and his new wife finally consummate their marriage.
