I’m just going to back-date Forever And Ever episode recaps to the week when they were first aired on iQiyi as life got back to a little normal and I can spare some time during my weekends to do this. On a related note, with time, I’ve finally checked out One And Only’s first episode yesterday, even though it would be sad (I usually avoid BE dramas) and it’s really good.
S~ 3 Oct’21
EP 1
We open with Shi Yi at a recording studio, recording voiceovers for the story of Little Nan Chen Prince (referencing the story of One And Only) and she sheds a tear for him. After wrapping up, Mei Lin rushed her to the airport for her flight to Shanghai.
Shi Yi is checking in for her flight at the airport. Zhou Sheng Chen is there too at the next counter, checking in for Xi’An. They do not know each other yet.
Shi Yi proceeded to the security checks and was stopped for further checks where she had to take off her shoes. Zhou Sheng Chen and his student are behind her and Zhou Sheng Chen was also stopped for further checks. After security cleared them, the boys took their belongings and started walking off first but the airport security yelled Zhou Sheng Chen’s name because he had forgotten to take his ID card. This caught Shi Yi’s attention and she stared at him for a moment when he turned back to take his ID card and then left quickly again. Shi Yi scrambled to put her belongings together and chased after him.
Abruptly, she stopped him to talk to him.
SY: I need to speak with you. It might be abrupt to ask you, but is your name Zhou Sheng Chen? They called you that at the security check.
ZSC: Yes, I am Zhou Sheng Chen.
SY: It’s like this, in my work, I have been seeing your name, Zhou Sheng Chen, it’s a name in a story. It’s a movie and I am voicing-over for it so when I hear Zhou Sheng Chen, I ran over here.
ZSC: …
SY: Apologies, the more I explained, the sillier it gets. You might not get it….
ZSC: The story of Little Nan Chen Prince?
SY: Yes, you know about it?
ZSC: Yes, I know.
SY: *smiles* Hi, my name is Shi Yi.
ZSC: Hi
– both shakes hands –
SY: I’m about to board the flight, can’t talk more, convenient to leave my Weixin or telephone number behind? I would like to befriend you. Just as a friend.
ZSC: Sorry, I just came back (to the country) and have not registered for a phone line (locally).
SY: Then it’s fine. *flustered at being rejected and started to walk off*
ZSC: If you don’t mind, I can leave you my email address.
SY: *smiles again* No problem. Should I give you, or will you give me?
ZSC: I’ll give you.
– ZSC writes his email address on a post-it and passes to SY and then they say their goodbyes –
Six months later
Hong Xiaoyu teases Shi Yi on having an online romance with chemistry professor (Zhou Sheng Chen) for six months, but Shi Yi denies, saying they are just friends. Xiaoyu thinks that long distance relationships is difficult and that Shi Yi should forget it. That’s when Shi Yi says that he is actually in Xi’an now. Xiaoyu happened to have work in Xi’An and offers Shi Yi a chance to go with her as Shi Yi just needed to buy the air-ticket.
Off we go to Xi’an.
Mei Xing visits Zhou Sheng Chen and passes a red bomb to him, it’s a wedding invite of his brother’s. Mei Xing also mentions the girl that Zhou Sheng Chen’s mother had arranged for him, he said he has no time for it. (It’s an arranged marriage from his mother.)
Hong Xiaoyu gets down to work, interviewing a couple. After the interview, Xiaoyu, Shi Yi and the photographer all sat down at a restaurant to eat.
Xiaoyu asks Shi Yi what she thinks of the couple. And here comes Shi Yi’s famous line, somewhere along the lines of people nowadays only sees the outer beauty and not the inner beauty.
Zhou Sheng Chen happened to hear it and repeats after her. Shi Yi looks up, looking surprised at the coincidence. Like reading her mind, he says to her, “What a coincidence.”
And then he asks if he can share their table. Shi Yi welcomes him, of course. He sat down beside the photographer. Hong Xiaoyu is curious, “Is he a friend?” Shi Yi then explains, “He’s Zhou Sheng Chen.”
Hong Xiaoyu immediately gets it. As if to stop Xiaoyu from saying anything, Shi Yi quickly introduces around the table, this is Hong Xiaoyu and this is her colleague, Xiao Shuai.
After greetings and some chatter, Zhou Sheng Chen found out that they are here for work and also sight-seeing. Xiao Shuai (Full name is Liu Shuai) passes a namecard to Zhou Sheng Chen but he doesn’t bring any and formally introduces himself as Zhou Sheng Chen, a chemistry professor at University of Berkeley, currently doing an exchange in a research facility in Xi’An. Xiao Shuai says “Sheng Chen” is a nice name and that’s when Zhou Sheng Chen corrected him.
My surname is Zhou Sheng, single given name is Chen.
Zhousheng Chen explains.
Embarrassed, Xiao Shuai tries to change the topic, asking about the famous line again. Xiaoyu explains to him. Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen eat the noodles in silence but Shi Yi keeps throwing glances at him.
Next moment, we heard someone called Zhousheng Teacher and he has been frantically looking for Zhousheng Teacher because he does not have a phone and it’s hard to locate him. His student hurries him and Zhousheng Chen stood up, needing to leave for a lecture and says his goodbye.
Before he goes, Hong Xiaoyu quickly asked him out to sightsee Xi’an together (like a group date). She suggested Qing Long Si (Green Dragon Temple) for the blooming cherry blossoms. Zhousheng Chen agrees if the rain stopped in the next few days. He will contact again.
That night, Hong Xiaoyu prayed on behalf of Shi Yi that the rain will stop. Shi Yi is 26 years old and is obviously having a serious crush on Zhousheng Chen so Xiaoyu hopes that her good friend can have her first love soon even though she finds that Zhousheng Chen’s looks is too ordinary for Shi Yi’s beauty. (Note: in the novel, Zhousheng Chen is reborn with ordinary looks but in both dramas, we have the same actor thus there is no difference visually for us as viewers.)
The next morning, Shi Yi is woken up by a work call from Mei Lin as she has sent an email about her work schedule so Shi Yi gets up to check it. In her inbox, she saw a mail from Zhousheng Chen and how elated she is to find out that the rain has stopped.
4:36 (I’m) walking out of the research lab, it’s not raining.
Zhousheng Chen
If it hasn’t rained at 11.30, (let’s) meet 12:00 at Qing Long Si.
At Qing Long Si, Shi Yi saw Zhousheng Chen walking towards her and Hong Xiaoyu teased her for her blushing cheeks. Is it the weather or Zhousheng Chen?
Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen began to tour Qing Long Si while Hong Xiaoyu and Xiao Shuai go their separate ways. It’s the first time Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen are spending time alone and getting to know each other.
The tour is short, so Zhousheng Chen invited them to his student’s teahouse which is nearby. The student is the same guy, He Shan, who appeared yesterday at the restaurant.
At the teahouse, they played some games and got to know each other more. To get the convo going, Hong Xiaoyu asked Zhousheng Chen if he has any past times and he said watching dramas, but he watched the same drama “Xun Qin Ji” (A Step Into The Past starring Louis Koo) 79 times. *stunned*
Tea is done very soon and the group parted ways. Zhousheng Chen and He Shan went to take the bus while Shi Yi and group wanted to take the cab. Hong Xiaoyu commented that Zhousheng Chen seemed interested but why doesn’t he at least ask for Shi Yi’s phone number.
That evening, at Zhousheng Chen’s lab, Tong Jiaren came visiting and brought her wedding invite with her. But then she said that from young, the person she’s always wanted to marry is Zhousheng Chen! Zhousheng Chen is like if you have any issues, go talk to your future husband Zhou Wenchuan. Tong Jiaren left shortly.
He Shan came in and asked Zhousheng Teacher who that girl is because she left in tears. Zhousheng Chen said she is nobody to him. He Shan let out a sign of relief on behalf of Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen does not understand what the connection is here. He Shan is smart, he said it’s obvious that Shi Yi likes you and you also treat her differently, if not you wouldn’t tour Qing Long Si with her and also call the cab for her. Haha. He Shan got scolded for paying attention to the wrong things.
But He Shan’s words left Zhousheng Chen pondering.
EP 2
That night, back in his apartment, Zhousheng Chen is staring at his computer and Mei Xing noticed that Zhousheng Chen is having a hard time (typing anything). He confessed that he wants to write a farewell email to a girl he just met and all the more difficult because it’s a girl that he has only met three times. Mei Xing is like who writes email nowadays, just call her out for a meal! Haha.
Lastly, Mei Xing asked what the girl’s name is. Zhousheng Chen said, “Shi Yi.”
The next day, Mei Xing saw Shi Yi at the Xi’an Ancient Wall but of course, he does not know it is Shi Yi yet. He chased after her but he was too late, Shi Yi left with Hong Xiaoyu quickly in a cab.
Zhousheng Chen came to the hotel where Shi Yi is staying, wanting to leave a travel book of Xi’an for Shi Yi. But he does not know her room # or her telephone number so he left it at the reception. Shortly after he left, Shi Yi came down to print some documents and the reception informed her about the book that Zhousheng Chen gave her. She ran out of the lobby to see if he is still around but she is too late. Our professor is actually busy adopting crabs by the side of the hotel.
Shi Yi sent an email to Zhousheng Chen that she got the book and asked for his lab’s telephone number. He replied the email with the phone number (only).
Shi Yi called immediately and he picked it up with “So, you got the book?” Shi Yi thanked him for the book and also thanked He Shan for the cab ride. Talk soon turned to Shi Yi wanting to visit his lab. Zhousheng Chen thinks that research lab is boring but if she really would like to, he is free today. Shi Yi is so happy and said she can come over now.
After registering her as a visitor, they started touring the facility. She’s curious and asked him what does he do here. He explained all to her with patience.
He Shan came too and asked Zhousheng Teacher if they should all go for dinner this evening since Shi Yi is a guest. (Good job, He Shan.) So Zhousheng Chen asked her out to dinner.
After the lab tour, they went for dinner.
At the dinner, there were 5 of his colleagues all eating merrily with Shi Yi, Zhousheng Chen and He Shan. His colleagues asked Shi Yi about her occupation and all the usual chatter.
About full, Zhousheng Chen also made sure that Shi Yi has eaten enough before going out to pay for the dinner. He Shan came out after him, wanting to pay for the meal but Zhousheng Chen insisted that he can. (Well, originally I thought Zhousheng Chen is not rich (as a chemistry professor) when I first watched this ep but now, I would say He Shan, just let your Zhousheng Teacher take care of the bill, lol!)
His colleagues took the opportunity that he is not around to ask Shi Yi if she is Zhousheng Chen’s girlfriend and Shi Yi said no. Another colleague jumped in and said that he heard Zhousheng Chen has a fiancee already. Zhousheng Chen happened to walk in at this moment and sat down. This puts Shi Yi in a very awkward position. So she said she needs to go and Zhousheng Chen insisted on sending her back to the hotel since it is getting late.
On the ride back, Shi Yi looks disappointed and not said a word.
They reached the hotel lobby and Shi Yi just said good bye to him, turning to walk away. But he had heard what his students said and quickly explained to her that he does not have a fiancee though he has plans to get married.
Shi Yi looked relieved and also turned to walk away (this time smiling to herself) but then she changed her mind and walked back to him, asking if he believed in fortune telling. He does not, but if it is good fortune, then why not believe in it. She asked for his palm – for palm reading.
He asked what she saw and she could see his past. She asked again if he believed in past life and reincarnation to this life – as we know each other in our past lives.
All the while, she is still holding onto his hand.
And then she just called it a joke but Zhousheng Chen actually believed that reincarnations exist. People get to know each other for various reasons from fate or destiny.
Zhousheng Chen then finally asked for her phone number as he might not have time to check emails all the time if it is convenient for her. Of course, convenient for her, Shi Yi cannot wait to give it. Haha.
Back to Shanghai, Shi Yi is back to work. Mei Lin grilled her about the professor in Chemistry. But truth is, Shi Yi does not know much about him. When she is alone, she called Zhousheng Chen’s lab in Xi’an to look for him but he has already left. *disappointed*
Zhousheng Chen is in a car with Mei Xing in the back seat with a chauffeur and they are driving along a scenic route, it looks like they are not in the city for sure. And soon his car arrived at the front of a residence that has a very traditional grand entrance and a huge parking space for cars.
Zhousheng Chen got out of his car and everyone greeted him as “Big brother”, it usually means he is the eldest son. All the juniors greeted the seniors (depends on your birth order in the family), and then when Zhousheng Chen walked into the house, everyone followed suit.
The moment Zhousheng Chen arrived, he went to his room and changed into a suit before going to a living room where his mother and everyone is already at.
Zhousheng Chen’s mother chided him for letting his younger brother get married before him but he said that fate cannot be forced. His mother hopes that he can get married in May. Zhousheng Chen’s younger brother jumped in to say that he is the bridegroom in April and asked for the attention instead.
Apparently, not just close family wants to see Zhousheng Chen, there is another group waiting as well. Zhousheng Chen’s second uncle is there with other uncles (not sure if they are distant relatives or business partners).
This scene tells us that second uncle is the one holding the power in the family and people are waiting for his green light to agree to Zhousheng Chen’s investment plan. Before he return, Zhousheng Chen has been organising a meeting/conference to get supporter/investors together with Zhou businesses to shift the business focus back to China as China is their roots. The group looked reluctant.
Second uncle tells Zhousheng Chen not to hurry it, since he is just back, he should rest first. Second uncle also used the opportunity to state his views and that everyone should support since the Zhou family has already let the word out but everyone need not support in full scale. And then everyone started leaving. Zhousheng Chen looked dejected, alone at the couch.
That night, Zhousheng Chen thought of Shi Yi saying that they had known each other in their previous lifetime. And on that impulse, Zhousheng Chen asked Lin-shu (Lin Uncle) how long is the ride to Shanghai? Lin-shu said driving at night would take 4 hours so Zhousheng Chen said let’s go to Shanghai. Lin-shu asked why and he said to see a friend. Lin-shu was like you have a friend in Shanghai? Lol!
Shi Yi just ended work and her co-worker said that her phone had a few missed calls. Shi Yi returned the call.
SY: Hello, may I know who is this?
ZSC : It’s me, Zhousheng Chen.
SY: Oh, it’s you. *looking pleasantly surprised*
ZSC: Have you finished your work?
SY: Yes, that’s why I couldn’t take your calls earlier.
ZSC: It’s okay. Do you want to have supper if convenient for you?
SY: Sure, where to?
ZSC: Tell me your address and I will pick you up.
SY: No worries, just give me the restaurant address and I will get there myself.
ZSC: I’ll come and pick you up.
SY: Alright, I’ll send you my address.
ZSC: When I arrived, I will let you know.
SY: Bye bye.
Zhousheng Chen arrived and Shi Yi ran out of her office, almost falling but Zhousheng Chen managed to catch her.
Shi Yi noticed that he is a little different because of the suit he is wearing. He asked if she doesn’t like it but she says it suits him. (lol, the pun) Shi Yi asked again why he insisted to pick her up and Zhousheng Chen said it’s for her safety because it’s very late, past midnight already.
They get into the car and Shi Yi thought that the car and chauffeur are work benefits from his work.
Trying to break the ice, Shi Yi asked him if he had an important meeting, and he said yes, a few senior family members. Shi Yi thought to herself again that it’s so hard to carry a conversation with him and lucky for him, she’s not penalising him for it.
DramaKaffe 