Later, I Laughed Episode 22 Recap
> Later, I Laughed Recap
In 1988, the 22-year-old Li Dongmei saw the world as a brand-new book waiting to be opened. She longed for an exciting and enriching life and believed that finding a partner should mean choosing someone who would explore the world with her, watching sunrises and sunsets, and experiencing life’s splendor together. Following this dream, Li Dongmei joined Wu Guodong on his travels, even moving homes while heavily pregnant.
At first, she enjoyed the adventure, but over time, she realized that life was full of unpredictable challenges. Especially after Wu Xiuya was born, constantly moving with her daughter and husband wore her down. Initially, Wu Guodong appreciated her sacrifices for the family, but eventually, his gratitude faded into indifference, dismissing her efforts with, "You insisted on coming along. "After being diagnosed with her illness, the doctor advised Li Dongmei to go to a major city hospital for a follow-up.
It was then that she truly understood the importance of choosing a dependable partner—someone who could face life’s difficulties with her. Zheng Hao, through a childhood friend, managed to connect with a renowned doctor, Director Wang. Director Wang asked Zheng Hao to first bring the patient in for a full set of tests, after which they could determine a suitable surgery date. Meanwhile, Shi Ye completed his application forms and contacted Xiuya, only to discover that her mother had been hospitalized.
Zheng Hao’s tireless efforts deeply moved Li Dongmei, though she regretted that nothing had come of his relationship with her daughter. Xiuya was also grateful for Zheng Hao’s help; without him, she wouldn’t have been able to secure a bed in a major Shanghai hospital. At the same time, she noticed that Zheng Hao seemed different from before. Shi Ye arrived at the hospital with some fruit, only to find that Li Dongmei had gone for her tests.
In the room were just Xiuya and Zheng Hao. Before they could exchange many words, Zheng Hao’s childhood friend arrived with Director Wang, and Shi Ye overheard them referring to Li Dongmei as Zheng Hao’s future mother-in-law. Once the room cleared, leaving only Xiuya and Shi Ye, Xiuya tried to explain the situation, but Shi Ye assured her he understood.
He said he didn’t mind and believed that Zheng Hao had only used those words to ensure the hospital staff would take good care of Li Dongmei. Despite his reassurances, Shi Ye insisted on personally purchasing everything Li Dongmei needed, refusing Zheng Hao’s help. Later, when both Shi Ye and Zheng Hao were present in the room, Li Dongmei’s attitude toward the two men was drastically different, treating them like night and day.
During Li Dongmei’s hospital stay, Xiuya stayed by her side as a caregiver, while Shi Ye and Zheng Hao spared no effort in assisting. However, Shi Ye couldn’t help but notice the advantages that Zheng Hao, a native Shanghainese, had over him. When Xiuya went to handle the transfer of her mother’s out-of-town medical insurance, Li Dongmei seized the chance to have a private conversation with Shi Ye.
Setting other matters aside, she expressed her concerns about the instability of Shi Ye’s lifestyle. She hoped he would consider Xiuya’s future and find a stable, reliable job. Shi Ye, however, didn’t agree. He believed that as a young man, he should enjoy the present instead of worrying about a future that had yet to come. While his reasoning was sound, Li Dongmei’s priority was her daughter’s well-being. Xiuya overheard their conversation while standing on the hospital rooftop.
Without interrupting, she quietly walked away, pretending she knew nothing about it. Meanwhile, Zheng Hao asked his mother to make chicken soup for Li Dongmei. Hu Jianjun, a close friend of Zheng Hao’s mother, volunteered to deliver it and even brought along several of Xiuya’s former colleagues to visit Li Dongmei. At that moment, Xiuya was showering in Shi Ye’s camper van, but the water ran out halfway through.
She stepped out and accidentally spotted Hu Jianjun and the group of visitors heading toward the hospital. Quickly, she followed them. Before leaving, Hu Jianjun left a red envelope in the room. Though Xiuya wanted to return it, the group had already taken the elevator and left. Back in the ward, mother and daughter had another emotional confrontation. Li Dongmei was worried that if anything happened to her, no one would be there to take care of Xiuya.
In response, Xiuya stubbornly declared that she would pursue her passions, earn a lot of money, and marry someone she loved to start a family. However, Li Dongmei retorted by asking whom she planned to marry, pointing out that Shi Ye was clearly opposed to marriage. Their entire conversation was overheard by Shi Ye, who was standing just outside the door.
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