Episode Summary
Li Jinyu is cruelly deceived by his mother, Li Lingbai, into donating bone marrow for his half-brother under the false pretense of her own illness. After the painful procedure, he is abandoned by his family, but Ye Meng's unwavering support shines through as she secretly travels to be near him. Her care culminates in a belated birthday celebration where Li Jinyu, moved by her devotion, asks her to be his girlfriend. However, Ye Meng cautiously asks for more time, wanting him to be certain of his feelings.
Spoiler Alert
Deep Affection Eyes Episode 5 Spoilers
After taking a drunk Ye Meng to her hotel room, Li Jinyu finds himself pulled inside. She confesses that she was drawn to his "deep affection eyes" before passing out. Just as he's about to leave, he's met by a surprise visitor: a psychologist named Yang Bingzhang. It turns out Ye Meng, concerned about Li Jinyu's severe emotional issues, had secretly arranged for Dr. Yang to help him. Li Jinyu is deeply moved by her quiet care.
When Ye Meng wakes up, she asks about the meeting and opens up about her own mother's struggle with depression, promising Li Jinyu that she will always be the woman who has his back. He warns her not to get involved with him, because when he falls for someone, it's forever. After she falls back asleep, he leaves and runs into Jiang Luzhi, taking the opportunity to make a clean break and set clear boundaries.
The next morning, Li Jinyu visits his grandmother, Grandma Dou, telling her he plans to go to Jiangbei to see his mother, Li Lingbai. His grandmother is upset, unable to understand why he would visit the woman who treated him so horribly in the past. But Li Jinyu's ticket is already booked, and he's determined to go.
Meanwhile, Ye Meng is learning how to bake a cake for Li Jinyu's birthday with her friend, Fang Ya'en. As snow begins to fall, she remarks that her first thought isn't to take a picture, but to worry whether Li Jinyu has an umbrella or if he might slip on the icy ground. Fang Ya'en secretly records this touching moment and sends the video to Li Jinyu, who can't help but smile.
The trip to Jiangbei, however, is a trap. His mother, Li Lingbai, has lied about being gravely ill to lure him there. Her real goal is to pressure him into donating bone marrow. Li Jinyu turns off his phone while at the hospital, but Ye Meng finds out what's happening from her friend Qiao Maimai. Worried sick, she drives to Jiangbei herself.
Li Jinyu only learns the devastating truth just before the procedure: the patient isn't his mother, but her younger son—his half-brother. After enduring the painful bone marrow extraction, he is left completely alone in his recovery room. His mother shows no remorse, simply trying to pay him off with a bank card, which he angrily throws into the trash. The only person who shows up for him is Ye Meng, who rushed overnight to be there.
Though he sees her numerous missed calls, he doesn't want her to see him in such a weak state. Sensing this, Ye Meng waits outside his door for a moment before quietly leaving.
Li Jinyu travels back to Ningsui alone by train, his heart heavy. But Ye Meng's presence has become a light in his darkness. She surprises him at his home with a belated birthday celebration, complete with a cake and a symbolic gift: a goldfish and a small black fish, representing the two of them.
As he blows out the candles, Li Jinyu notices a flight notification on Ye Meng's phone, confirming she came to Jiangbei for him. Overwhelmed with emotion, he asks her if she wants to start a relationship. Taken by surprise, Ye Meng hesitates. She tells him she doesn't want to rush into a decision, urging him to think clearly about whether his feelings are born from genuine love or simply gratitude for her support.
