Are You the One ep 5 recap/spoilers

Episode 5 recap: # Liu Mian Tang's Efforts to Join the Business Association

In Episode 5, Cui Xing Zhou returns home from a social engagement, filled with frustration and wearing a gloomy expression. Noticing this, Liu Mian Tang gently helps him take off his boots and softly advises him to drink less alcohol, suggesting that a few drinks at home are more enjoyable than the impure drinks outside. Her kind words warm Cui Xing Zhou's heart; he usually faces various pressures alone, but Liu Mian Tang's concern provides a rare sense of relief.

Liu Mian Tang promises that once the family’s porcelain business improves, she will ensure he enjoys a more relaxed life without so much worry. That night, she carefully helps him change into comfortable clothes, allowing him to sleep soundly. In his dreams, Cui Xing Zhou is transported back to the moment he first met Liu Mian Tang, when she was in danger, swept to the edge of a waterfall, injured and bleeding. He still can’t comprehend who would harm her so severely.

Upon waking, Liu Mian Tang finds Cui Xing Zhou drowning his sorrows in alcohol and feels worried. To lighten his burden, she begins to explore ways to improve their situation. She discovers a porcelain shop thriving in business, attributed to each piece being stamped with an official kiln seal, which naturally attracts customers.

Determined to enhance her family's porcelain reputation, Liu Mian Tang seeks advice from the business association but learns that they do not accept women. Undeterred, she returns home to share this news with Cui Xing Zhou, hoping for his support.

However, Cui Xing Zhou is concerned about her exposing herself in public and prefers that she stay focused on managing the shop. Liu Mian Tang, being strong-willed, decides to pursue her ambitions regardless of his objections, even if it displeases him.

At this moment, the head of the association approaches Cui Xing Zhou, asking him to petition the court for tax relief. As Cui Xing Zhou struggles to reassure Liu Mian Tang, he agrees to the request and expresses his desire to participate in this year’s association offerings. The head readily agrees.

The next day, Liu Mian Tang boldly goes to the association but faces ridicule and disdain from the members. They impose a harsh condition: if Liu Mian Tang can present porcelain to the palace, she may join the association. Undaunted, she seizes an opportunity during an event where Shi Yi Kuan is releasing koi fish into the river.

She prepares exquisite porcelain jars and, at the perfect moment when the koi are caught, showcases her porcelain, successfully sending it to the palace. However, when she excitedly reports this achievement back to the association, she is met with cruel laughter and rejection. It turns out the members never intended to let her in.

Feeling enraged and disappointed, she returns home, only to be reprimanded by Cui Xing Zhou for acting independently. Liu Mian Tang counters that he lacks ambition, pointing out that she wants to break free from their current situation. This disagreement creates a new rift between them, further straining their relationship.