Episode 12 recap: Meng Yu Nong Abandons Xian
In Episode 12, Xian returns home and curls up in the corner of the sofa, feeling heavy-hearted. Soon, Hui enters with a bowl of steaming chicken soup. Seeing that Xian still hasn’t changed her mind about terminating the pregnancy, she kneels down in desperation and earnestly persuades Xian to reconsider, apologizing to Meng Yu Nong and claiming this is their only way out.
Ultimately, Xian softens and agrees to accompany her mother to find Meng Yu Nong. However, their search proves fruitless, as it seems he is deliberately avoiding them. Hui leaves a message at the front desk, urging that if Meng Yu Nong returns, they must act according to his wishes. Days pass, and Meng Yu Nong seemingly disappears without a trace.
Feeling utterly abandoned, Xian is heartbroken and even deprived of the chance to act by Bai Mengzhi. Helpless, Hui decides to take Xian to the Meng family in hopes of luck. There, Xian meets Meng Yu Nong's wife for the first time. She earnestly requests to see him but is told that he isn’t home.
Mrs. Meng, gentle yet firm, advises Xian to have self-respect and not use the child as leverage. She hands Xian a stack of money, hoping she will handle the situation appropriately. Xian refuses the money, insisting on seeing Meng Yu Nong, and Mrs. Meng agrees to convey the message.
After Xian leaves, Meng Yu Nong appears, having been upstairs the whole time. Mrs. Meng notices Xian's unusual state and decides to protect her. The two have planned to escape to Hong Kong, but Meng Yu Nong wants to settle company affairs first and requests a couple more days.
Back at home, Xian feels dejected, keeping the curtains drawn and avoiding contact with others. Hui brings up the abortion again, speaking passionately, but Xian, in a fit of emotion, knocks over the chicken soup and demands to be alone. Despite her anger, Hui can’t bear to strike her daughter, who is in such pain. Secretly, she buys abortion pills and mixes them into the soup, but Xian recognizes the smell and firmly refuses to drink it, leading to an argument between them.
Meanwhile, the Meng family is busy preparing to leave. Meng Yu Nong wanders around the film set, filled with memories of his time with Xian. In a desperate bid, Xian rushes to the Meng household, only to find it empty. At the dock, Meng Yu Nong gazes into the distance, overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Xian roams the streets, on the verge of collapse, even recklessly stepping in front of oncoming cars, seeking some form of release.
After a scare, Xian collapses in front of her mother. When she wakes up, she shockingly asks for the abortion pills, but the dosage is too strong, causing her harm. Fortunately, she is rushed to the hospital in time to save her life. Learning that the baby is still inside her, she feels both despair and anger, desperately hitting her abdomen while Hui, in tears, urges her to keep the child.
After being discharged, Xian moves into an apartment, fantasizing about Meng Yu Nong’s return. However, reality hits hard: the Meng family has vacated their home, leaving her no choice but to return and rely on her mother. The Japanese invasion makes life even more difficult, with Old Wang becoming the family's pillar of support, advising them to stay indoors while he handles everything.
As time passes, Xian’s belly grows. One day, she receives an anonymous money transfer with no address, just cold numbers, leaving her feeling confused and helpless. By chance, she encounters Yao on the street, whose mocking words pierce her heart. Yao reveals that she has long known about Meng Yu Nong’s disdain for pregnant women, including Hui’s past experiences.
These truths leave Xian in anguish, but with no way out, she can only carry her child and struggle to survive in these chaotic times.
Comments(Episode 12)