The Early Spring Episode 11 continues the complicated romance between Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian as their secret relationship becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. Still hurt by the public disciplinary action following the Yueteng Auto printing mistake, Zhitao keeps her distance from Luan Nian at work. Although he believes that holding her accountable was the correct professional decision, he struggles to understand why she has become so cold toward him. Their growing emotional distance is further complicated by the unexpected arrival of Zang Yao, Luan Nian's childhood friend, whose familiarity with him makes Zhitao question whether she truly belongs in his world. At the beginning of the episode, Luan Nian visits Tan Mian's bar to drink away his frustration. Tan Mian quickly realizes that Zhitao is responsible for his bad mood. Luan Nian complains that their secret relationship has become exhausting because Zhitao avoids him whenever they are at Lime Advertising and limits their time together to the weekends. He would prefer to acknowledge their relationship openly, but Zhitao insists on protecting her professional reputation and independence. Tan Mian reminds him that her caution is not necessarily a rejection of his feelings. She has worked hard to establish herself and does not want their romance to undermine her achievements. Tan Mian also criticizes Luan Nian for being excessively strict with Zhitao. He points out that Luan Nian publicly punished her for the printing error without offering enough personal reassurance afterward. While Luan Nian insists that the disciplinary decision was justified and that Zhitao must learn from her mistakes, Tan Mian argues that a successful relationship requires affection as well as criticism. He suggests that Luan Nian send Zhitao flowers to demonstrate that he cares about her. Luan Nian initially resists the idea, reluctant to admit that he needs help expressing his feelings, but the suggestion gives him a possible way to repair the distance between them. The following day, a young woman named Zang Yao unexpectedly visits Luan Nian at the office. Zhitao immediately recognizes her as the woman who embraced Luan Nian during a previous business trip. Seeing her again brings back uncomfortable memories and awakens feelings of jealousy that Zhitao has been trying to suppress. Lumi explains that Zang Yao is Luan Nian's childhood friend and mentions that he recently rented a courtyard house for her. The information makes Zhitao wonder how deeply connected Zang Yao is to Luan Nian's personal life and whether their history extends beyond friendship. Zhitao tries to act as though the visit does not concern her. She reminds herself that she and Luan Nian agreed to maintain a private relationship, and she has no right to demand explanations about every woman in his life. Nevertheless, she cannot ignore the difference between her own uncertain position and Zang Yao's apparent familiarity with him. Zang Yao seems comfortable visiting his office, discussing personal matters and moving naturally through his social circle. Zhitao begins to feel that she is an outsider in a world where Luan Nian already has established relationships and privileges. A bouquet of flowers subsequently arrives at the office. Lumi assumes that Luan Nian has sent the flowers to welcome Zang Yao, and Zang Yao also believes that the bouquet is intended for her. Zhitao witnesses the misunderstanding and becomes increasingly upset. She does not realize that Luan Nian actually arranged the flowers for her, following Tan Mian's advice. Because the delivery occurs in front of Zang Yao and other colleagues, the flowers appear to confirm Zhitao's worst suspicions rather than reassure her about Luan Nian's feelings. That evening, Zhitao leaves work early and ignores a message from Luan Nian asking whether she has already left. While waiting at a bus stop, she sees Luan Nian driving away in Zang Yao's car, with Zang Yao sitting in the passenger seat holding the bouquet. The sight deepens her sadness. She assumes that Luan Nian is spending time with his childhood friend and that the flowers were intended for her all along. She has no way of knowing that the circumstances have been misunderstood, and her reluctance to ask him directly allows the doubts to grow. Fortunately, Sun Yu happens to pass by and offers Zhitao a ride home. Sun Yuanzhu and Lei Ge are also in the car, helping Sun Yu transport flowers for a company activity. When they notice Zhitao's gloomy mood, they attempt to cheer her up. Sun Yu promises to give her flowers, and Lei Ge jokingly offers to send her a bouquet every day. Their kindness makes Zhitao feel less alone, although their playful attempts to comfort her cannot resolve the insecurity she feels about Luan Nian. The following morning, flowers appear on Zhitao's desk. The unexpected delivery surprises her, and she initially wonders whether her friends have kept their promise. However, she soon confirms that the bouquets are not from Sun Yu or Lei Ge. The flowers continue arriving over the next several days, creating a mystery that she cannot explain. Each delivery offers a moment of hope, but the uncertainty about their sender also reminds her of the bouquet she saw with Zang Yao. Meanwhile, Luan Nian becomes increasingly frustrated as he passes her desk and notices that she remains distant despite his efforts to reach out. Although the flowers are meant to express affection, neither Zhitao nor Luan Nian communicates clearly enough to resolve the misunderstanding. Zhitao interprets his behavior through her growing insecurity, while Luan Nian believes that she is deliberately shutting him out. Their situation demonstrates how a secret relationship can become vulnerable when both people are reluctant to discuss jealousy, expectations and emotional needs honestly. On Friday, Zhitao prepares to leave Beijing for a hiking trip with her friends. Luan Nian notices her carrying a bouquet and remarks that the flowers do not suit her, suggesting that green foxtail would be more appropriate. His comment is intended to tease her, but it only adds to her confusion. Zhitao has been waiting for reassurance, yet his words seem to dismiss the very gesture she has been longing for. She leaves for the trip feeling that Luan Nian does not understand how deeply his behavior has affected her. During a break on the hike, Zhitao finally admits her feelings to Sun Yu. She explains that she has been jealous because she believes Luan Nian gave flowers to another woman. Although she knows that their relationship is supposed to remain private, she cannot prevent herself from caring about his attention and affection. Sun Yu comforts her and explains that jealousy is a natural emotion when someone matters deeply to you. Zhitao begins to recognize that her distress comes not simply from the bouquet but from her fear that Luan Nian's established world may never offer her a secure place. The hiking group eventually reaches the mountain peak, where they watch the sunrise above a vast sea of clouds. The beautiful scenery provides a temporary escape from their professional pressures and romantic worries. The friends tie red ribbons to a wishing tree, expressing their hopes for the coming year. Zhitao wishes for her career to flourish, while Sun Yuanzhu hopes that his upcoming autonomous driving tests will be successful. They take photographs together and celebrate the friendship that has helped them navigate the uncertainties of life in Beijing. Meanwhile, Luan Nian travels to Switzerland for a skiing holiday with Tan Mian, Zang Yao and their friends. During a group photograph, someone jokes that Luan Nian and Zang Yao should finally make their relationship official. Zang Yao insists that they are only good friends, but Luan Nian firmly announces that he already has a girlfriend. His statement makes it clear that he does not consider himself available, even though his relationship with Zhitao remains hidden from the people around them. Zang Yao is offended by the announcement and dismisses it as a convenient excuse, revealing that she may have hoped their longstanding friendship could develop into something more. Luan Nian's declaration exposes a fundamental difference between his feelings and Zhitao's assumptions. He considers himself committed to their relationship, while she increasingly doubts whether their connection is meaningful enough to survive the differences between their lives. Because he has not explained his feelings to her directly, his commitment remains invisible to the person who needs reassurance most. Back in Beijing, Zhitao learns from Lumi that Luan Nian is spending the holiday in Switzerland. The news unsettles her, especially because she knows that Zang Yao is travelling with him. She begins imagining the experiences they are sharing and wonders whether Luan Nian is happier among people who understand his background and lifestyle. Instead of contacting him to ask about the trip, she tries to suppress her emotions and concentrate on spending time with her friends. On New Year's Eve, Zhitao celebrates with Sun Yu. During their conversation, Sun Yu opens up about her frustrations at work and the emotional difficulties left by a previous relationship. Their conversation allows both women to acknowledge that ambition and romance can bring disappointment as well as happiness. Sun Yuanzhu later joins them with gifts and festive props, and the trio takes humorous photographs while preparing to welcome the New Year. They eventually watch a midnight movie together, trying to make the evening memorable despite the people and uncertainties missing from their lives. In Switzerland, Luan Nian realizes that Zang Yao may have interpreted their friendship differently from him. He takes her aside and apologizes if his past behavior has given her the wrong impression. He reiterates that he already has a girlfriend and does not intend to pursue a romantic relationship with her. Although Zang Yao is hurt, she eventually accepts his explanation and offers him her blessings. The conversation clarifies his position, but it does not resolve the misunderstanding between him and Zhitao because she remains unaware of what he has told his childhood friend. As midnight approaches, Luan Nian calls Zhitao to wish her a Happy New Year. Surprised by the unexpected call, she returns his greeting and encourages him to enjoy his holiday. Their conversation is restrained, with neither person openly discussing the distance that has developed between them. Before ending the call, Luan Nian asks Zhitao to visit his apartment the following day to check on his fish. He explains that she will need to replace the filter pad in the aquarium and offers to guide her through the process over the phone. The next day, Zhitao enters Luan Nian's apartment using his door code. She follows his instructions and carefully replaces the aquarium filter pad while speaking with him on the phone. The familiar task gives her a brief connection to his private life, but the sound of Zang Yao's voice in the background reminds her that he is still travelling with her. Zhitao struggles to hide her disappointment and begins to feel that she has mistaken a casual, secret arrangement for something more meaningful. Before leaving, Zhitao writes a small handwritten note on the fish food package, wishing Luan Nian and his fish a Happy New Year. The gesture is simple but affectionate, revealing that she still cares for him despite her growing doubts. Luan Nian eventually cuts his Swiss holiday short and returns to Beijing. When he discovers the note beside the aquarium, he smiles softly, recognizing the care Zhitao has shown him. For a brief moment, the note restores his hope that their relationship can recover from the recent misunderstanding. However, the fragile peace is shattered when Zhitao sees photographs Zang Yao has posted on social media from the Switzerland trip. The pictures show Luan Nian and Zang Yao together, and Zhitao interprets them as further evidence that their worlds are fundamentally different. She feels foolish for remaining in a secret relationship without a clear future and begins questioning whether Luan Nian can ever offer her the security she needs. Her fear is intensified by the contrast between Zang Yao's apparent place in his life and her own need to hide their relationship from everyone around them. Overwhelmed by sadness, Zhitao confides in Sun Yuanzhu. She describes herself as foolish for staying in a relationship that seems to offer no guarantee of a future. Sun Yuanzhu listens patiently and reassures her that she should not blame herself for developing feelings for someone she cares about. He encourages her to consider what she truly wants rather than measuring her worth against Luan Nian's background, wealth or social connections. His support helps Zhitao acknowledge that her pain comes from both jealousy and a deeper fear that she may never be treated as an equal partner. Luan Nian later visits Zhitao carrying snowboarding equipment, hoping to share his interest in skiing and snowboarding with her. He appears eager to include her in an experience that is important to him and to bridge the distance that has developed between them. However, Zhitao has already become convinced that they belong to different worlds. She refuses to learn snowboarding or accompany him to Switzerland, believing that she cannot compete with the people and lifestyle that surround him. The conversation quickly becomes confrontational. Zhitao reminds Luan Nian that their original agreement allows either of them to end the relationship if they no longer wish to continue. She tells him that if he has developed feelings for someone else, he should be honest with her rather than keeping her in an uncertain arrangement. Luan Nian is furious that she appears to believe he is unfaithful and that she has reached such a conclusion without asking him for an explanation. He accuses her of making assumptions about his private life, while Zhitao insists that she has a right to protect herself from a relationship that leaves her feeling insecure. Neither can find the words to bridge the gap between them. Luan Nian's anger masks his frustration at being misunderstood, while Zhitao's defensiveness conceals how much she wants him to reassure her. Their argument ends without resolution, and Zhitao walks away, leaving both of them hurt and uncertain about the future of their relationship. Shortly afterward, Zhitao develops a fever at work. Her physical condition worsens as the emotional strain and exhaustion catch up with her. Lumi notices that she is unwell and insists that she return home to rest. Even as Zhitao tries to maintain her independence, her illness leaves her increasingly vulnerable and unable to manage everything on her own. When Luan Nian learns that Zhitao is sick, he immediately sends messages asking about her condition and whether she needs to go to the hospital. Zhitao ignores his messages because she remains hurt by their argument and does not want to reopen the conflict. Luan Nian becomes increasingly worried when she fails to respond. His concern makes it clear that, regardless of their disagreement, he cannot simply ignore her wellbeing. At home, Zhitao struggles to get a glass of water while her fever leaves her weak and exhausted. Just as she tries to manage on her own, the doorbell rings. When she opens the door, she finds Luan Nian standing outside. He has come to check on her in person, unable to remain at a distance while she is ill. His unexpected arrival brings the episode to an emotional cliffhanger, leaving their unresolved argument hanging in the air as he finally comes face to face with the woman he has been desperately trying to reach. The Early Spring Episode 11 explores how jealousy, insecurity and poor communication can threaten a relationship even when both people are genuinely committed to one another. Zhitao's misunderstanding about the flowers and her reaction to Zang Yao's presence reveal her fear of being an outsider in Luan Nian's world. Meanwhile, Luan Nian struggles to understand why his efforts to show affection have failed to reassure her. His declaration that he already has a girlfriend confirms that he considers himself committed, but Zhitao never receives the clarity she needs. The episode ends with Luan Nian arriving at her home after learning of her illness, setting the stage for an emotional confrontation and a possible turning point in their relationship.