Episode Summary
Jin Chao gets jealous over a reflection in a water bottle cap. Wan Qing reveals Jin Chao's tragic past: he was framed for a car crash caused by Wan Dayong's sabotage, forcing him to give up his education and work to pay off debts. Jiang Mu confronts Jin Chao with her feelings, making him nervous. San Lai confirms Jin Chao is already in love with her. The episode ends with a sweet moment where Jiang Mu finds a keychain in Jin Chao's pocket that hints at his true feelings.
Spoiler Alert
Sherlock Holmes Has Nothing on a Jealous Boyfriend
We start with some local lore. Pan Kai drops some history on Jiang Mu about a legendary senior named "Tou Qi." This guy ran a racing team. He drove so fast that anyone who crossed him met a grim fate. He eventually lost his car and vanished right before the big college entrance exams. It sounds like a ghost story, but it sets the mood.
Jiang Mu doesn't seem too worried about ghosts. She just wants a ride home. She texts Jin Chao to pick her up. He tries to blow her off and says he is busy. Jiang Mu plays a little game. She sends him a photo of her water cup with a sad face emoji.
Jin Chao opens the photo. He zooms in. He spots the reflection of a boy in the bottle cap. Suddenly, his schedule clears up. He shows up at the school gate right on time. The man has eagle eyes when he thinks another guy is near her.
The Truth About the Crash
Wan Qing shows up and whisks Jiang Mu away to a seaside restaurant. She breaks out the alcohol and the tragic backstory. We finally learn why Jin Chao is the way he is.
Wan Qing fell for him instantly back in the day. He was hot, focused, and fixing cars. He was also a closet nerd. His locker was full of books and beautiful notes. He ignored her advances, though. He had bigger problems. His sister, Jin Xin, had heart disease and needed surgery.
Jin Chao did what he had to do. He modified a car to scrape together the surgery money. He left the Wan Ji garage before exams. Everyone thought he went to study. He didn't. The car he modified crashed. The police blamed illegal mods. The driver's family sued.
It was a mess. Jin Fengzi borrowed money everywhere. Wan Qing sold her sports car to help, but Jin Chao refused her cash. San Lai eventually sold his fast-food joint to settle the debt. Jin Chao went back to the garage and worked like a dog to pay everyone back.
Betrayal at the Garage
Here is the kicker. Jin Chao eventually took over management at the garage. He noticed workers swapping new parts for old ones to buy booze. Then the other shoe dropped.
He found out the crash wasn't his fault. Wan Dayong had tampered with that car. He swapped out critical parts. Jin Chao took the fall and ruined his future for a crime he didn't commit. Once he found out, he left Wan Ji and never looked back.
Jiang Mu listens to all of this. She is wrecked. She feels guilty for not being there to protect him.
She’s Not a Kid Anymore
Jin Chao tracks them down. Jiang Mu throws her arms around his neck. She promises she is back for good. Wan Qing apologizes for the past, and Jin Chao carries Jiang Mu home.
But the drama isn't over. He Zhang shows up to drink with a heartbroken Wan Qing. Back at the house, Jin Chao spots bruises on Jiang Mu’s legs. He assumes Wan Qing got rough. Jiang Mu admits she just bumped into something.
Then she gets bold. She asks if he likes Wan Qing. She doesn't wait for an answer. She tells him he isn't allowed to like her. She stares him down and says she is all grown up now. Jin Chao panics. He looks away fast. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Unrequited Love and Punching Bags
Wan Qing goes to cry on San Lai’s shoulder. She pours out her heart about loving Jin Chao and getting nothing back. San Lai just listens. He knows the score.
Later, Jin Chao drinks with San Lai. San Lai tries to play matchmaker. He hypes up Jiang Mu. Jin Chao tries to dodge the topic. San Lai gets real. He says if anyone can get into Jin Chao's frozen heart, it is Jiang Mu. Jin Chao just smiles. She doesn't need to get in. She is already there.
Meanwhile, He Zhang is miserable. He loves Wan Qing, but she only sees Jin Chao. He goes home and beats up a punching bag to vent.
The Keychain
It is almost New Year’s. Zhao Meijuan wants to take Jiang Mu away for the holiday. Jin Qiang knows better. He says she won't go. Mom leaves a fat red envelope and takes off.
Jiang Mu heads to the garage. Jin Chao isn't there. She finds him at San Lai’s place with the crew. She sits right next to him. She announces she stayed just to spend the holiday with him.
Her hands are freezing from the rain. Jin Chao grabs her hand and shoves it into his pocket to warm it up. While her hand is in there, she feels something. It’s a keychain. The text on it reads "Zhao Si Mu Xiang." It’s a play on words for "yearning day and night," but it also contains their names. The guy is soft, after all.
