Episode Summary
Li Wu secretly gives up his exchange student spot to stay with Cen Jin, but she finds out and reveals she applied for a job in the US to go with him. After quitting her job, Cen Jin spends a day on campus with Li Wu, leading to a romantic evening. As they prepare to leave the country, Cen Jin's start date is moved up, forcing her to fly to America before him.
Spoiler Alert
Sniper Butterfly Episode 22
The Elephant in the Room
Li Wu has a lot on his mind. He wants that exchange student spot, but he is terrified of leaving Cen Jin behind. He heads back to the dorms to brood. Cheng Rui bursts in and interrupts the mood. He bought a new phone for Tao Wanwen because he is subtle like a brick. He also mentions his family is helping him apply for schools in the US. He wants to tag along with Li Wu.
Li Wu decides he needs to come clean to Cen Jin tonight. He texts her. She is at work and can barely hide her smile. Her coworkers notice. He goes home and cooks a massive feast. He tells her it is a make-up dinner for missing her birthday last year. Cen Jin immediately starts fishing for a gift and looks up vacation spots on her phone.
But secrets don't last long here. Director Zhang calls Cen Jin. He drops the bomb. Li Wu gave up his exchange slot. The Director wants her to talk some sense into him. Cen Jin panics. She runs to Chun Chang for advice. Chun Chang says if the kid wants to choose love over a career, that is his business. Cen Jin isn't so sure. She goes to her parents' house for dinner but can't even bring herself to mention it.
The Counter-Offer
Li Wu comes home the next day to a surprise. There is a job application letter for a US company sitting on the table. Cen Jin is standing right behind him. She asks why he hid the exchange program news. He admits he was scared. Two years is a long time. He thought things might change.
Cen Jin shuts that down immediately. She isn't going anywhere. In fact, she is coming with him. She reached out to friends in the States and started job hunting. The office is near UPenn. It is a short commute. Li Wu is stunned. He is thrilled she included him in her future plans.
Packing Bags and Tying Loose Ends
The prep work begins. They pack clothes. Cen Jin reminds him to stock up on prescription meds. She also decides to hire a nanny for her parents. She can't dump all that responsibility on Chun Chang for a whole year. Li Wu agrees with everything.
Cen Jin officially quits her job. She is unemployed and loving it. She heads to Yi University to crash Li Wu's day. She sits in on classes. She watches him play basketball at the gym. It is a nice nostalgia trip.
They leave school and have to sprint for the bus. Li Wu explains this is his daily routine. He runs like a maniac just to get home before she gets off work. They get on the bus and run into a "school beauty." The girl assumes Cen Jin is a teacher. Li Wu corrects her instantly. He introduces Cen Jin as his girlfriend. Cen Jin feels a surge of pride. The pretty girl clearly liked Li Wu, but he picked her.
One Last Night
They get home and the mood shifts. Cen Jin is still riding high from the bus incident. She demands her "reward." They finally spend the night together. Li Wu falls asleep first. Cen Jin stays awake watching him. She thinks he looks like a work of art. She grabs her phone and snaps a picture of his sleeping face.
Li Wu wraps up his time at the lab. He thanks Shen Yiyang for the guidance. Shen is a good guy and tells him to do well in America. He is too busy to come to the birthday party, though.
The gang gets together for a meal. Tao Wanwen bursts Cheng Rui's bubble. She points out his school is four thousand kilometers away from Li Wu's. Cheng Rui and Tao Wanwen start bickering again. Li Wu just sits there and soaks it in. He is going to miss this.
Sudden Departure
The birthday party plans get scrapped. There is no time. Li Wu ships the party supplies to Chang Bar so Chun Chang can use them for an event. Cen Jin asks Chun Chang to look after her folks.
Then comes the twist. Cen Jin's new job needs her early. She has to fly out now. She tells Li Wu to stay behind and finish his prep work. Li Wu is already dreaming about their life across the ocean. He plans to get a driver's license and buy a cheap used car. He just wants to take her on dates.
