You Are My Lover Friend- Episodes 9-12
Episode 9:
Cheng Hui and Sheng Nina took their live broadcast to a beautiful coastal hillside, surrounded by lush tea gardens under a bright blue sky. Cheng Hui was his usual serious and precise self, and once work wrapped up, he kept himself busy with night runs and early sunrise views. Sheng Nina, unused to his boundless energy, was stunned. Her assistant even suspected Cheng Hui was just trying to “bump into” Nina for a chance to chat, but in reality, he had meticulously planned his 4 a.m. sunrise outing, even mapping the route the night before.
Meanwhile, Tang Yang was determined to help a small restaurant owner struggling to keep her business afloat. It turned out Jiang Shiyan had recently run into the owner’s son and, after learning of the bullying he’d been facing, felt compelled to support the family. Together, they decided to create a professional promo video for the restaurant, highlighting its story and hard-won journey. The video, complete with heartfelt interviews and mouth-watering food shots, quickly went viral, bringing in new customers and reviving the shop’s business. Tang Yang’s success left her coworkers envious, though she chalked it up to good fortune.
That same day, a distraught man burst into Jiang Shiyan’s company, furious over a fraudulent investment website he had mistakenly associated with Yi Xiu. In his anger, he took a woman hostage with a knife, demanding his money back. As the head of Yi Xiu, Jiang Shiyan immediately stepped up to negotiate, keeping the man as calm as possible. The police and a psychological counselor arrived, and, following the counselor’s suggestion, Jiang Shiyan led the man toward the elevator to ease the tension.
Tang Yang, watching the live stream, was horrified to see Jiang Shiyan in danger. She abruptly left her meeting, rushing to his side. When she arrived, she saw him disarming the man, only to get pushed to the ground. She ran to him, helping him up with tears in her eyes. Seeing her so worried, Jiang Shiyan felt that every risk he had taken was worth it. Later, as the company worked overtime to get back on track, Tang Yang stayed with him.
After a news report on the incident, Jiang Shiyan’s mother called in a panic, but seeing Tang Yang by his side put her mind at ease. Early the next morning, Tang Yang fell asleep on the company sofa, exhausted. Jiang Shiyan gently draped a blanket over her, watching her as she slept, and in that moment, overtime didn’t feel tiring—it felt, somehow, like a quiet, stolen piece of romance.
Episode 10:
With some free time on her hands, Tang Yang decided to drop by Jiang Shiyan’s company, curious to see his workplace in action. She arrived during a brainstorming session, where the team was struggling to come up with a fresh concept for their next show. Listening in, Tang Yang recalled how Zhang Zhilan had whipped up some delicious fried rice from leftovers recently. Inspired, she suggested a "Leftover Challenge" cooking competition. The team loved the idea—it resonated with the fast-paced, practical lifestyle of today’s youth, and they immediately jumped on it as the theme.
Jiang Shiyan, pleased with her idea, invited Tang Yang to stay for the team meal. While browsing the buffet, she overheard one of Jiang Shiyan’s colleagues asking about her relationship with him. Before she could answer, Jiang Shiyan brushed it off, joking that they were “close like brothers,” always there for each other. Feng Weiran joined in, teasingly confirming that their friendship was strictly platonic and everyone should know it.
Tang Yang suddenly felt a pang of disappointment. Hearing Jiang Shiyan casually dismiss any deeper bond between them made her feel strangely deflated. She hadn’t expected that being labeled “just one of the guys” would hit her like this. With her excitement for the evening quickly fading, she slipped out, leaving a message that she had a work meeting and couldn’t stay for dinner. Back at home, she held the dessert box Jiang Shiyan had gifted her—full of her favorite treats—but the sweetness of the moment was gone. Deciding it was best to maintain a little distance, Tang Yang resolved to keep their friendship on safe ground to avoid any heartbreak.
The next day, Jiang Shiyan showed up at Tang Yang’s bank to pick her up after work, as usual. Her colleagues shot her envious glances, curious about the handsome guy waiting just for her. But when Tang Yang came out, she was unusually cold, telling him to stop picking her up to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. Jiang Shiyan was taken aback—it was the first time she had ever said something like this. Back at the office, he vented to Cheng Hui and Feng Weiran, replaying her words over and over, trying to make sense of them.
Cheng Hui and Feng Weiran exchanged knowing glances. Tang Yang had never been one to care about appearances when it came to their friendship, so this sudden shift was puzzling. Feng Weiran suggested that maybe she’d taken an interest in someone new at the bank and didn’t want any confusion. The thought of Tang Yang liking someone else left Jiang Shiyan with an uneasy feeling he couldn’t shake.
As the days passed, he noticed that Tang Yang was deliberately avoiding him. Their timing was off; whenever he’d arrive, she’d already be gone, and vice versa. Even Feng Weiran and Jiang Yanan commented on their growing distance. Then one day, he overheard that Tang Yang had gone house hunting with a senior from work. Growing suspicious of this new friendship, he called her, only to learn that she had just been in a car accident.
He raced to the scene, heart pounding, to find Tang Yang facing off against a group of drunk men who were smashing her car windows with iron rods. Just as the men were about to cause more trouble, Jiang Shiyan charged in, determined to protect her.
Episode 11:
After Jiang Shiyan helped Tang Yang arrange her car insurance and watched her vehicle get towed, he insisted on driving her home. On the way, he noticed a small cut on her knee from the broken glass, and without hesitation, he pulled out a first-aid kit to carefully bandage it. Watching his attentiveness, Tang Yang found herself wondering, Is this really just how a “brother” would act? He was selflessly looking after her, prioritizing her safety over his own.
At her doorstep, Jiang Shiyan asked if she’d join him for dinner the next day, but Tang Yang gently declined. She reminded him that friends don’t need to constantly rely on each other, hinting that they should keep a little distance. Jiang Shiyan, caught off guard, agreed but was left puzzled by her sudden shift.
Meanwhile, Sheng Nina was hit by a wave of online trolls during one of her livestreams, with viewers dragging up her past controversies. Cheng Hui quickly noticed her distress, swiftly coding a block to stop the hateful comments and restore the chat’s positivity. When the livestream ended, Sheng Nina was surprised to spot Cheng Hui leaving, assuming he was still “secretly admiring” her. Instead, he was simply heading to his luxury car—where he promptly pulled out a small electric scooter, preparing to moonlight as a delivery driver. Sheng Nina was left speechless; here was Cheng Hui, wealthy enough to own a supercar, yet choosing to take up a part-time gig. She couldn’t make sense of his quirky behavior.
On Sunday, Feng Weiran invited Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan to a cozy picnic, bringing his child along, who promptly addressed Jiang Shiyan as “godfather” and Tang Yang as “godmother.” Feng Weiran laughed as his child adorably called Cheng Hui “big brother,” referencing his in-game character title. The day was filled with laughter, and Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan fell into their usual lighthearted banter, enjoying each other’s company without any awkwardness.
As the sun set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Jiang Shiyan couldn’t help but be moved by the scene. Glancing at Tang Yang, who was blissfully staring into the distance, he found himself imagining a life together, envisioning a future where they might start a family of their own. The others admired the view, but Jiang Shiyan only had eyes for Tang Yang, captivated by the thought.
That night, he dreamt of a different reality. In his dream, Tang Yang had chosen her senior over him and even had a child with him. Cheng Hui had to pull him away, and as he turned, he saw Tang Yang, smiling by her senior’s side. Startled, Jiang Shiyan woke up in a cold sweat, overwhelmed by dread, hoping that such a scenario would never come to pass.
Meanwhile, Sheng Nina’s recent livestreams had skyrocketed in popularity, with her follower count surpassing 10 million. To celebrate, the team gathered, popping champagne and exchanging flowers. Someone captured the moment, uploading a clip to the group chat where Sheng Nina and Jiang Shiyan were seen standing close, their hands nearly brushing. Comments started rolling in, with colleagues noting how well the two looked together—a glamorous actress and a successful young CEO seemed like a picture-perfect pair.
Seeing the video in the group chat, Tang Yang couldn’t ignore the sudden pang of jealousy. Sheng Nina and Jiang Shiyan did look good together, both ambitious, attractive, and successful. Feeling an unexpected wave of sadness, she texted Jiang Shiyan, telling him she had a work dinner with her bank colleagues and couldn’t make it to the New Year’s Eve celebration.
But Jiang Shiyan knew better; he saw the video too and guessed the reason for Tang Yang’s sudden cancellation. Determined not to let the misunderstanding linger, he headed straight to her favorite alley, hoping to catch her. Tang Yang, resigned to spend New Year’s Eve alone with a stray cat, was startled when she looked up to see Jiang Shiyan standing there, slightly out of breath but beaming, just in time to ring in the new year with her.
Episode 12:
Tang Yang looked up from her phone call, and there he was—Jiang Shiyan, walking toward her with a warm smile. Her heart swelled with happiness; this was the person she cared about deeply, but they’d always just been friends. Now, on New Year's Eve, Jiang Shiyan had come just to be with her, and she felt her eyes start to tear up.
With a grin, Jiang Shiyan pulled out a sparkler from his pocket—their tradition. Years ago, Tang Yang had casually mentioned how much she loved sparklers, and since then, Jiang Shiyan had brought her one every New Year's Eve. Tang Yang asked why he hadn’t stayed at the company celebration, and he simply replied that he only wanted to be with her tonight. As fireworks burst in the dark sky above them, Tang Yang felt the joy blooming in her heart like the dazzling lights above.
After a quiet moment enjoying the fireworks, Jiang Shiyan took her back to the company for New Year's Eve dinner. When they walked in together, Sheng Nina noticed them and finally realized that Jiang Shiyan’s heart was with Tang Yang. After exchanging pleasantries, she left quietly.
Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang shared the New Year's meal with their close-knit group from high school—Feng Weiran, Cheng Hui, and others—just like old times. After dinner, they revived their tradition of writing down wishes for the coming year. Jiang Shiyan commented on how joyful it was to have friends who had been there since high school and still see each other every day.
The next morning, Feng Weiran and his wife took Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan on a hike to watch the sunrise. Feng and his wife were openly affectionate, and Tang Yang couldn’t help but admire how naturally their relationship had unfolded. Feng Weiran said that things fell into place easily when you followed your heart. Jiang Shiyan, perhaps more candid than usual, agreed wholeheartedly, adding that the best happiness came when friends became lovers. Tang Yang looked at him, surprised at the seriousness in his expression. She’d always felt Jiang Shiyan had a special place for her in his heart, but she’d been unsure if it was more than friendship and hesitant to read too much into it.
As the sun rose, Feng and his wife left early, leaving Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan alone. The air was cool and damp, and Jiang Shiyan draped his jacket over her shoulders, cherishing this moment of quiet togetherness.
Meanwhile, Zhou Mo spent his New Year's Eve in solitude at a cemetery, downing his last beer as he quietly tended to a name on a tombstone. Only here, in the stillness, did he feel any sense of peace.
Back at work, Jiang Shiyan invited Tang Yang to play cards with his colleagues. Despite her usual bad luck, with Jiang Shiyan’s help, she managed to win a few rounds, lighting up with excitement each time. Soon after, Jiang Shiyan’s mother heard about their upcoming “leftover food competition” at the company and decided to participate. Despite her average culinary skills, she threw herself into it, creating a batch of homemade sushi rice balls. Jiang Shiyan, amused by her effort, called to hear how it turned out, only to learn she had fed half to the dog and saved the other half for him.
As the New Year approached, Jiang Shiyan overheard employees asking for time off to have reunion dinners with their families. He suddenly realized he’d never had a true New Year's Eve dinner with Tang Yang. His mind drifted back to the memory of his mother in the hospital years ago. That night, Tang Yang had rushed over to stay by his side, bringing him food, and comforting him during one of his loneliest moments. It was then he first felt Tang Yang truly enter his life, making him feel, even in the most difficult times, like he had someone who cared deeply for him.
DramaZen's Opinion
I'm really enjoying how these episodes are diving into Yang's evolving feelings about their friendship. The moment she got word that Shiyan was in trouble, she dropped everything at work and bolted to his side like a woman possessed. Forget all reason—she was on a mission! You can really sense how deeply she cares, even if she hasn’t quite realized it yet.
Honestly, I was just as thrilled as the co-workers watching this real-life "idol drama" unfold between them! But seriously, is the entire universe blind to what's going on here—except for the ever-observant Cheng Hui?
Let’s not forget the adorable moment he snuggled into her blanket after she used it, like it was the most natural thing in the world. He’s so smitten that even the idea of anyone else getting close to her, or even catching her scent, makes him jealous. The level of secret affection is next level—and it’s absolutely precious!
Meanwhile, the friend side couple is always stir up the wrong impression between Shiyan and Yang. Just when I think they are helping, they end up causing problems without realizing it. However, I think the misunderstandings are somehow still helping Yang and Shiyan figure out their true feelings. It's not easy having a crush on a friend in hopes that if you cross the line romantically, the years long friendship will still remain intact if all fails. I think these two have nothing to worry about! 😉
The relationship between Cheng Hui and Sheng Nina has been interesting to watch as they deal with each other. His eccentric ways, like when he pulled the scooter out of the trunk or had her sign the picture, made me laugh. I can see that these two will likely end up being a couple at some point. It also seems they might have past connections, at least that's what has been hinted at in the drama (when they both posted in the constellation chat). I'm looking forward to seeing how their relationship will grow!
The longing in Shiyan's eyes as he looked at her while they were lined up watching the sunset made my heart ache. I hope they can push forward soon and the writers don't drag it out forever. These two need to be together already! However, after the whole picture debacle and tinges of Yang feeling jealous, I think in the next few episodes both leads will have an epiphany soon.
