Gu Jing, who was an advertising genius before opening his restaurant, advises Liu Li to start projecting into someone to serve as an inspiration for his book. While Liu Li keeps trying to get past his writer’s block, he also can’t help but notice little details about Gu Jing that he never did before. Will Gu Jing’s advertising prowess turn things around for the third book? In BLTai’s recap of ‘VIP Only’ Episode 4, let’s all find out.
Warning: Spoiler alert. Read at your own risk.
Gu Jing receives a bluebird home décor from Liu Li, which he fondly displays on the bar counter of his restaurant.
As Gu Jing heads out to retrieve a package, he runs into Lai, who knows that he treats Liu Li well and asks for assistance. Later, Da-ren is surprised to see Lai inside the restaurant carrying a birthday cake in a paper bag. Lai says he is planning to give Liu Li a surprise birthday celebration, so he asks Gu Jing to take him out in the meantime. Gu Jing takes Liu Li in his car and even assists him in fastening his seatbelt, bringing his attention to their proximity. Unexpectedly, Gu Jing asks where he wants to go that day for his birthday, surprising Liu Li, who has never mentioned his birthday before. After Liu Li admits that he is not used to celebrating birthdays, Gu Jing tells him that he will help him get used to it from now on. Back in the restaurant, Da-ren allows Lai to set everything up while explaining that Liu Li hasn’t had his birthday celebrated since before they graduated from college and that his parents have settled in another country, leaving him alone since then.
Upon arriving at a water park, Gu Jing lets Liu Li explore the attractions while keeping a close eye on him. Watching the fishes in the aquarium, Liu Li asks Gu Jing why he is staring at him so intently, as it makes him feel shy around him. Rather than answering his question, Gu Jing tells Liu Li that people can determine the moods of others simply by observing them. He then gestures to a couple next to them who appear to be smiling at each other fondly and says that studies show boys stop smiling at the age of five, so a man’s wide smile must indicate his deep affection for his partner. He draws Liu Li’s attention to another couple and says that, as the two appear to be shyly flirting, they may still be in the courting stage, finding opportunities to create physical contact. Gu Jing puts his hand on Liu Li’s shoulder as this is going on, making Liu Li ask if he brought him there to observe and gather ideas for his book. Gu Jing shakes his head, telling him that he brought him there to celebrate his birthday, then, if it was a simulation experience, asking him how they should go about it. He tells him to use his imagination, and Liu Li immediately comes up with ideas of what two people on a date could enjoy doing: secretly kissing in a water park after a romantic date or just sneaking around. Gu Jing makes fun of him by saying that he is a fiction writer before they carry on enjoying the day,