You Are My Lover Friend- Episodes 1-4

Episode 1:

On the night before high school graduation, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan join their classmates for a final celebration, reminiscing over drinks and laughter about their tightly-knit bond. Fast forward eleven years, and the friendship between Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan remains strong.

On Tang Yang's first day at a new bank job, she's nervous but excited, especially as her PhD makes her somewhat overqualified. Jiang Shiyan, a high-pressure livestream host, shows his support by arranging a celebratory lunch, though Tang Yang ends up eating alone due to office politics. Not wanting her first day to feel disappointing, he joins her at the cafeteria, even bringing along a thoughtful gift—a necklace she’d been eyeing for a while—lifting her spirits and deepening their connection.

Episode 2:

In the elevator, Jiang Shiyan helps Tang Yang put on her new necklace, an action that hints at something more than just friendship. Tang Yang learns about Jiang Shiyan's recent decision to fire an influential but difficult client, Lìyà, after she disregarded product safety. To cheer him up, she invites him to dinner, where their easy banter leads their friend Feng Weiran to suggest they date. Both dismiss the idea, insisting their close friendship could never turn romantic, yet Jiang Shiyan jokes that if he ever thought of Tang Yang that way, he’d face instant karma. That night, he almost gets hit by a delivery bike, leaving him humorously superstitious.

Back at work, a candid moment captured with colleague Sheng Nina goes viral, sparking dating rumors. Although Tang Yang laughs it off, a lingering question arises: are they really just friends?

Their casual outings to nostalgic spots around their hometown, like the old bookstore, bring back memories, including moments of childhood disagreements. Each small gesture, each laugh, and every joke about their single status carries a weight of unresolved feelings, leaving them and the viewers wondering if something deeper is meant to unfold between them.

Episode 3:

Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang share a mutual love for street food, and their frequent foodie adventures are always lively and entertaining. From grilled squid to crispy potato towers, they savor every bite together. But during one of these impromptu street-stall feasts, a sudden warning rings out: “City enforcement is here!” In seconds, the table they were using is whisked away as officers start clearing the area. Standing there holding bowls of food, Tang Yang is caught off-guard when a sharp-eyed employee from her bank spots her and calls out, “Boss!” It’s awkward, to say the least, especially since Tang Yang had just critiqued this very employee’s work that morning.

As they stroll down memory lane, Jiang Shiyan boasts about the time he supposedly “tamed” a fierce wolfdog that used to roam this very street. Tang Yang chuckles as she nudges him to turn around. To his horror, the same massive wolfdog is staring at them, looking anything but tamed. Jiang Shiyan’s bravado vanishes, and he freezes, whispering to Tang Yang to run. Without missing a beat, she bolts, leaving him to face his “nemesis” alone—though he quickly scrambles after her, with the wolfdog darting off in the opposite direction.

Earlier in the day, Tang Yang had casually mentioned how her department leader had a habit of tapping the backs of female employees’ hands, which made her uncomfortable. So, later that evening, when Jiang Shiyan realizes Tang Yang is out for dinner with her colleagues, he grows concerned. He decides to swing by the restaurant just to check on her. Conveniently, the restaurant is owned by their old classmate, Feng Weiran, who helps him disguise himself as a waiter.

Keeping a watchful eye, Jiang Shiyan sees Tang Yang’s department leader pressuring her to drink, despite her protest that she’s taken cold medicine. Seizing the moment, Jiang Shiyan springs into action, constantly serving dishes, refilling drinks, and clumsily cleaning the table to divert the leader’s attention. When the leader refuses to relent, Jiang Shiyan “accidentally” spills hot soup on his pants, forcing an abrupt end to the dinner. Feng Weiran plays along perfectly, scolding the “waiter” (Jiang Shiyan) and even “firing” him on the spot, waiving the bill in apology. Tang Yang, finally relaxed, can’t hold back her laughter, giving her friends a thumbs-up for their rescue mission.

Later, the story of Jiang Shiyan’s undercover act reaches his mother, who is hardly surprised. Both his and Tang Yang’s moms have watched their children grow up and frequently chat in their dance class. As far as they’re concerned, the two have been inseparable for years, yet insist they’re “just friends.” The moms have long concluded that if a romance were ever going to spark, it would have happened by now. Still, as close as they are, there seems to be something—an unspoken connection—that keeps drawing Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan back to each other.

Episode 4:

With Yaya’s recent departure, Jiang Shiyan’s company took a serious hit. The fan base was thriving, but now they’re struggling to stay relevant, barely clinging to their top-ten ranking. Watching other live-streamers dominating the competitive PK arena, Jiang Shiyan decides it’s time to dive in himself and get his hands dirty. Meanwhile, at Tang Yang’s bank, the pressure is nonstop. Daily targets loom large, and she’s constantly warding off unwelcome advances from “hams”—persistent colleagues who don’t seem to get the hint.

One day, while taking a breather with a cup of instant noodles, Tang Yang catches one of these “hams” awkwardly flirting with a female colleague. The sight sends shivers down her spine. Usually, she’d vent to Jiang Shiyan, but her hands are full fending off her mother’s relentless matchmaking efforts. In desperation, she calls Jiang Shiyan, asking him to somehow throw a wrench into her dating life.

Her mother, once laser-focused on finding Tang Yang the perfect husband, is now pouring her energy into card games, constantly losing and lamenting to Jiang Shiyan’s mom about her lack of “mental resilience.” The matchmaking has taken a backseat—thankfully—but it’s only a matter of time before she’s back at it with renewed zeal.

Over at Jiang Shiyan’s company, Sheng Nina is in the spotlight—though not in the way she’d like. Paparazzi are hounding her, snapping unflattering shots and publishing rumors that she’s an “outdated star.” One evening in her building’s parking lot, she encounters a shady photographer dressed in a black hoodie, lurking with a camera. Already on edge, she arrives at the company only to bump into another mysterious figure in a black hoodie—this time, in the elevator. Feeling paranoid, she clutches her arms and eyes the person suspiciously.

The “suspicious figure” turns out to be Cheng Hui, a quiet but brilliant engineer known for his software upgrades and video editing skills. Unaware of his reputation, Sheng Nina assumes he’s another paparazzo and snaps at him to delete any “photos” he’s taken. Unfazed by her accusations, Cheng Hui doesn’t even bother to explain, used to her diva-like tendencies. When she tries to pull off his high-tech glasses, mistaking them for a spy gadget, Cheng Hui remains as stoic as ever. Only later, when someone greets him by name, does Sheng Nina realize her mistake.

That evening, Jiang Shiyan’s mother continues to harp on him about improving his “emotional intelligence.” Hearing that Tang Yang has come back to town, she whips up a delicious “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” and invites her over. Meanwhile, Jiang Shiyan grabs a velvet cake—Tang Yang’s favorite—and waits for her by his car. When Tang Yang arrives, she’s amused by his flimsy excuse about wanting to thank her for “not abandoning him during their run-in with a stray dog.”

To her surprise, Jiang Shiyan hands her a beautiful lipstick. She’s thrilled, especially since he’s the first person to gift her both high heels and lipstick, a thoughtful touch that has her heart fluttering. The shade is perfect, and she can’t help but admire Jiang Shiyan’s unexpectedly impeccable taste. The little gesture hints at an affection neither has put into words, leaving Tang Yang with a smile—and a bit more to think about.

DramaZen's Opinion

It’s a classic trope, no doubt—but the chemistry between Shi Yan and Yang is genuinely electric, thanks to their rock-solid, 13-year friendship that’s downright hilarious and real. Honestly, childhood friends-to-lovers only works for me when the friends are shown as actual friends first—none of that cringey “love at first sight” nonsense when they’re barely eight years old and clueless about romance. This drama nails it by giving us just enough flashbacks to add context, then diving right into their adult lives to show how their relationship has evolved after years apart. I am here for it!

Plus, the fact that their other friends stayed close is such a refreshing touch—kind of jealous, honestly! And I can’t help but wonder: when Shi Yan became “sworn brothers” with Yang back then, did he secretly want to confess but chickened out and panicked into the bro-zone? Imagine him realizing he put himself there all this time. Self-inflicted friend-zone for the win! 😂

"I swear, if I have ulterior motives toward her, let us both get hit by a car."

Five seconds later, nearly crashes into a motorcycle

Oh, come on, ShiYan! The universe doesn’t play when you lie! 🤣

They keep poking fun at each other about blind dates, but who are they kidding—could they actually handle seeing the other with someone else? And with Nina already showing some serious interest in ShiYan… things could get interesting real fast. 👀

His attentiveness to Yang is reaching full-on husband levels—seriously, how is she still so oblivious? 🤷‍♀️ He’s constantly convincing himself they’re just friends, but let’s be real: lying to others is one thing; lying to yourself? That’s next-level denial, bro 🥲🥲. Her messy breakup definitely gave him a reason to keep his walls up, but honestly, how much longer can he hold out?

And let’s talk about Yang for a second. She probably still sees him as her best friend, but that video call was effective. You could practically feel the tension in the air. Plus, with her old Senior making a reappearance, it seems like we might be in for a love triangle. Let the rivalry begin!