When Liu Li’s first love returns, Gu Jing chooses to let go of his chance to confess, but a serious conversation with Da-ren makes him reconsider, and he becomes motivated to pursue Liu Li once more. Meanwhile, Liu Li couldn’t help but think of Gu Jing, even though he is with the person he believed he always had feelings for. Will people always return to what they wanted in the past, or is it true that people eventually grow to like something new? Let’s find out in BLTai’s recap of ‘VIP Only‘ Episode 9.
Warning: Spoiler alert. Read at your own risk.
Episode 8
Upon reaching Liu Li’s apartment, Gu Jing and Wu Shin begin a competition to see who knows him the best. Wu Shin shows off a book to Gu Jing after realizing it was his gift to Liu Li when they were still in college. To get back, Gu Jing pulls up the origami he and Liu Li completed that one night they spent together. Liu Li, who is standing in the middle of them both, tells them to sit on the couch while they carry on arguing. Watching every move of his rival, Wu Shin notices that Gu Jing received a call from his mother, but he ignores it and directs his focus on Liu Li. Later, Liu Li politely asks Gu Jing and Wu Shin to leave, feeling uneasy about their animosity. Gu Jing accepts and wishes him a good night before leaving. Wu Shin tries to stay a little while longer but also gives up when he notices Liu Li’s dejected expression. Liu Li asks the origami what Gu Jing really thinks of him as soon as he is by himself. Wu Shin follows Gu Jing and asks about his relationship with Liu Li, unable to determine if he is merely a neighbor, the chef of the restaurant, or a pursuer. Additionally, he admits that he believes Liu Li to be a simple person to read and that he can immediately see that Liu Li views Gu Jing as more than just a chef. Wu Shin provokes Gu Jing by questioning why he hasn’t pursued Liu Li yet, implying that either Liu Li is not enough for him or he doesn’t see himself as suitable. Wu Shin declares that he will not miss his second chance and swears to bring Liu Li happiness, even though he is aware that he already lost out when he didn’t realize his feelings for him at the time. He continues by saying that he can commit to a relationship right now and asking Gu Jing if he also can. Gu Jing is left feeling angry about their confrontation. He questions himself about whether he can also bring Liu Li happiness as he drinks in his bar and looks at the sculpture he meant to give him. He is taken aback when Liu Li walks into the restaurant wearing a determined expression. Liu Li confronts him if he intends to confess to him, but he refuses to answer. If Wu Shin’s unexpected arrival was the cause of Gu Jing’s retreat, he clarifies that he had nothing to do with it. He reminds him that Gu Jing previously told him that he could ask him anything. He asks Gu Jing why he would voluntarily do that for him, to which the latter responds that his specialty is making sure his advertising plans are carried out. Gu Jing tells him that he thinks their mission of creating the ideal love story for Liu Li to write about has already been completed, so he can now stop acting like the ideal partner. He goes on to say that Liu Li ought to find happiness on his own and that he is not the one who can provide it for him. Liu Li questions if those words mean that Gu Jing doesn’t like him. Once more, Gu Jing answers him indirectly by saying that under pressure, a person’s affection may eventually turn sour. He tells Liu Li that he deserves someone better after apologizing for not being enough. Afterwards, Gu Jing begins to avoid Liu Li even if he is in the restaurant to eat. As Liu Li was waiting for a chance to speak with Gu Jing, a woman once showed up and gave Gu Jing an expensive gift. Da-ren sees Liu Li staring at the two helplessly and sits next to him to ask him who he likes since he shouldn’t play around between Gu Jing and Wu Shin. Liu Li asks Da-ren whether Gu Jing likes him instead. Although he declines to respond on Gu Jing’s behalf, stating that Liu Li should ask him directly, Da-ren discloses that Gu Jing is being pestered with his mother’s financial issues. Additionally, he assures Liu Li that Gu Jing truly cares for him, so pushing him away does not burden him with his personal problems. Liu Li asks why Gu Jing must choose him, saying it is unfair that he cannot make his own, a point Da-ren wholeheartedly agrees with.
