Episode Summary
He Lihua moves Shen Mingzhu into a new apartment to control her, but Mingzhu feels trapped. Xu Zhixia becomes convinced Mingzhu is her lost sister and devises a plan to meet her through online piano lessons. After He Lihua confiscates her phone and Mingzhu overhears a conversation about a paternity test, Mingzhu has enough and escapes back to her parents' house. He Lihua, however, is not ready to let go.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 6 Recap: The Gilded Cage
He Lihua’s plan to control Shen Mingzhu goes into high gear. She moves Mingzhu into a new apartment. It was supposed to be a wedding gift for Mingzhu and Feng Jianqi. The apartment is conveniently right across from He Lihua’s own home. She says this is to protect Mingzhu from online harassment. I think we all know what this is really about.
He Lihua also takes over Mingzhu's diet, ordering special meals for her. Then, she tries to take away Mingzhu’s phone. She claims it's for her own good. Mingzhu has to fight to get it back. This isn't protection. It's a prison with nice furniture.
A Sister's Suspicion
The Search Begins
Xu Zhixia sees a video online. It shows reporters swarming Shen Mingzhu. Zhixia has a strong feeling about this. She uses Mingzhu's birth information to do some calculations. The results point to one thing. Shen Mingzhu is her long-lost sister, Xu Zhilu.
She tries to confirm this twice by visiting the Shen family. She gets nowhere. So, she comes up with a new plan. She switches her own prenatal appointments to Mingzhu’s hospital. She even tries to get information from Mingzhu’s OB-GYN, Dr. Li Jingzhe. He’s a professional, though. He doesn't say a word. Zhixia has to leave empty-handed.
The Piano Ploy
Zhixia is getting desperate. She can't get close to Mingzhu. Her friend, Zhang Hao, discovers that Mingzhu teaches piano lessons online. This gives Zhixia an idea. She contacts Mingzhu. She says her daughter, Jiaojiao, needs help preparing for a piano competition. Mingzhu feels bad saying no, so she agrees.
They connect over video chat. Mingzhu is a patient teacher. Jiaojiao really likes her. For Zhixia, the connection feels instant and real. She is now more certain than ever. Mingzhu has to be her sister.
The Walls Close In
A Brother's Loyalty
While all this is happening, Mingzhu is trapped in the new apartment. She is surrounded by memories of Feng Jianqi and cries constantly. Her parents worry about her. They send her brother, Shen Minghui, with homemade soup.
Getting in is a problem. The building security needs He Lihua's approval. He Lihua sends her daughter, Feng Meiqi, to escort him. Mingzhu asks Feng Meiqi to get her brother an access card. Feng Meiqi asks her mom, and He Lihua flatly refuses. Feng Meiqi makes up a weak excuse. Minghui knows she is lying. On his way out, he quietly steals Feng Meiqi's access card.
The Final Straw
The next morning, Minghui uses the stolen card to bring more soup. He runs right into He Lihua in the elevator. She demands to know how he got a card. He lies and says Feng Meiqi gave it to him. He Lihua doesn't buy it for a second. She confronts her daughter, finds out the card is missing, and immediately has it canceled.
Later, Zhixia sends Mingzhu some homemade pickled vegetables. It's a small gesture of kindness. Mingzhu loves them. But when He Lihua sees them, she calls them "junk food." She orders the nanny to throw them away. Then she confiscates Mingzhu's phone for good.
The breaking point comes when He Lihua’s sister, He Liya, comes to visit. Mingzhu overhears their conversation. He Liya suggests they demand a paternity test before giving Mingzhu the apartment. Hearing this crushes Mingzhu. She has had enough. She demands her phone back and walks out.
The Escape
Mingzhu calls her friend, Ni Dani, to come pick her up. He Liya tries to stop her from leaving. This just confirms to Mingzhu that she was being watched the whole time. She leaves with her friend anyway.
She moves back into her parents' house. They welcome her with open arms. They've already fixed up her old room with a comfortable new mattress. That night, she asks her mom to sleep in the room with her. They talk for hours. Her brother, Minghui, listens from the attic and complains about being left out.
The next morning, Mingzhu goes back to work. Her manager tells her to go home and rest. Then he calls He Lihua. He Lihua tries to call Mingzhu, but her number is blocked. So, she orders Feng Meiqi to call instead. Feng Meiqi suggests they should just leave Mingzhu alone. He Lihua refuses. She says she cannot stand by and do nothing while Mingzhu carries her grandchild.
