Download The Early Spring Episode 11

The Early Spring Episode 11 begins after Luan Nian publicly punished Shang Zhitao for the Yueteng Auto brochure mistake. Although his decision was professionally justified, Shang Zhitao feels hurt and begins avoiding him at the office. Their secret relationship becomes increasingly uncomfortable because she treats him like a stranger during working hours and refuses to meet him outside their agreed Friday schedule. Luan Nian becomes frustrated by the distance and goes to Tan Mian's bar for a drink. Tan Mian immediately realizes that Shang Zhitao is the reason for Luan Nian's bad mood. Luan Nian complains that their secret relationship feels suffocating because Shang Zhitao constantly avoids him in public and limits their time together. He admits that he would prefer their relationship to be more open, but Shang Zhitao refuses because she is determined to protect her career and reputation. Tan Mian defends Shang Zhitao and explains that her caution does not mean she does not care about Luan Nian. She has strong self-respect and wants their relationship to remain stable rather than becoming something that could damage her future. At the same time, Tan Mian criticizes Luan Nian for being too harsh with her. He jokes that Luan Nian only knows how to discipline people without giving them any affection afterward. If he wants Shang Zhitao to stop avoiding him, he needs to show her that he actually cares. Tan Mian suggests a simple solution: Luan Nian should send Shang Zhitao flowers every day until she softens. Luan Nian initially considers the idea childish, but the suggestion stays in his mind. The following day, a young woman named Zang Yao suddenly arrives at Luan Nian's office. Shang Zhitao recognizes her as the woman who previously appeared during their business trip and hugged Luan Nian at the hotel. Lumi immediately begins gossiping with Shang Zhitao. She explains that Zang Yao is Luan Nian's childhood friend and that Luan Nian recently rented a traditional courtyard house for her. Lumi jokingly suggests that Zang Yao may be Luan Nian's hidden lover. Shang Zhitao tries to act indifferent, but the information clearly makes her uncomfortable. Soon afterward, a beautiful bouquet of flowers arrives at the office. Because Zang Yao is visiting Luan Nian, both she and Lumi assume that the flowers are intended for her. Zang Yao happily reaches for the bouquet, but Luan Nian immediately stops her from touching it. He knows that the flowers are actually intended for Shang Zhitao and that a confession card has been placed inside the arrangement. Zang Yao is surprised by his reaction but does not understand why he is so protective of the bouquet. She later invites Luan Nian to join her, Tan Mian and their friends on a skiing trip to Switzerland for the New Year holiday. Around the same time, Luan Nian sends Shang Zhitao a message asking whether she has already left work. Shang Zhitao sees the message but does not reply because she remains upset about the misunderstanding surrounding Zang Yao. That evening, Shang Zhitao leaves the office early. While waiting at a bus stop, she suddenly sees Luan Nian driving Zang Yao's car. Zang Yao is sitting in the passenger seat with the bouquet of flowers in her arms. From Shang Zhitao's perspective, the scene appears to confirm everything she fears. She watches the car disappear and becomes increasingly sad. Fortunately, Sun Yu happens to drive past with Sun Yuanzhu and Lei Ge. They notice Shang Zhitao standing alone at the bus stop and offer her a ride home. During the drive, Sun Yu and Lei Ge are carrying flowers purchased for a company event. Shang Zhitao looks at the flowers and quietly asks whether Sun Yu could give her one. Sun Yu immediately agrees, while Lei Ge also jokingly offers to send her flowers every day. The following morning, Shang Zhitao arrives at work and discovers a beautiful bouquet waiting at her desk. She assumes that Sun Yu or Lei Ge must have sent it, but after sending them a photograph, she learns that neither of them is responsible. She becomes confused about who could have sent the flowers. The flowers continue arriving every day. For five consecutive days, Shang Zhitao receives a new bouquet at her desk. She still has no idea who the sender is. Luan Nian watches her from a distance, but because Shang Zhitao continues avoiding him, he becomes increasingly frustrated. Every time he passes her desk, his expression becomes more gloomy when he sees the flowers. On Friday, Shang Zhitao takes time off early because she has arranged a hiking trip with Sun Yu, Sun Yuanzhu and their friends. Luan Nian notices her leaving while holding another bouquet. Instead of admitting that he sent the flowers, he sarcastically comments that the flowers look beautiful but do not suit her. Shang Zhitao asks what kind of flower would suit her better, expecting perhaps a compliment. Luan Nian coldly answers that she would look better with foxtail grass. The comment hurts Shang Zhitao, and she leaves with the bouquet. Sun Yu immediately notices that something is wrong. During the hike, Shang Zhitao finally admits the truth: she only wanted flowers because she was jealous after seeing Luan Nian apparently give them to another woman. She feels embarrassed that she has become so possessive. Sun Yu reassures her that jealousy is a normal part of caring deeply about someone and tells her that wanting exclusive affection does not make her a bad person. The group eventually reaches the mountain peak and waits to watch the sunrise over a spectacular sea of clouds. They tie red ribbons to a wishing tree and write down their hopes for the future. Shang Zhitao wishes for her career to continue improving and for her professional life to become more successful. Sun Yuanzhu makes a wish for the success of his upcoming autonomous-driving project. The group then takes photographs together beneath the wishing tree. Meanwhile, Luan Nian travels to Switzerland with Tan Mian, Zang Yao and their friends for a skiing holiday. During a group photograph, Zang Yao places her arm around Luan Nian. One of their friends jokes that the two should finally make their relationship official. Zang Yao tries to explain that she and Luan Nian are simply very close friends, but Luan Nian surprises everyone by calmly saying that he already has a girlfriend. Zang Yao is shocked and offended. She assumes that Luan Nian is using the existence of a girlfriend as an excuse to reject her. Luan Nian does not reveal Shang Zhitao's identity, but he firmly repeats that he is already in a relationship. Zang Yao eventually accepts his words, although she remains visibly hurt. Back in Beijing, Shang Zhitao learns from Lumi that Luan Nian has gone to Switzerland for the New Year holiday with Zang Yao and their friends. The news immediately makes her uncomfortable. She tries to convince herself that the trip does not mean anything, but seeing Luan Nian spending the holiday with another woman makes her question whether their secret relationship really has a future. On New Year's Eve, Shang Zhitao spends the evening with Sun Yu. Sun Yu talks openly about her frustrations at work and her previous relationship, and Shang Zhitao listens patiently while encouraging her friend. Later, Sun Yuanzhu arrives carrying gifts for both women. His thoughtful behavior makes Sun Yu extremely happy, and Shang Zhitao remarks that it is rare to find someone who is willing to put so much effort into making another person happy. Sun Yuanzhu suggests that they celebrate the New Year together by watching a midnight movie. The three friends put on funny accessories, take photographs and spend the evening laughing together. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, but Shang Zhitao cannot stop thinking about Luan Nian and wondering what he is doing in Switzerland. In Switzerland, Luan Nian realizes that Zang Yao is still emotionally affected by his earlier admission. He asks her to speak privately. Zang Yao already understands what he wants to discuss and warns him that whatever he says could ruin her New Year's Eve. Luan Nian honestly explains that he may have unintentionally given her the wrong impression over the years and apologizes if his behavior caused her pain. Zang Yao asks whether his girlfriend really exists. Luan Nian confirms that she does. Although Zang Yao is clearly heartbroken, she eventually accepts the truth and sincerely wishes him happiness. The conversation allows Luan Nian to finally establish a clear boundary with his childhood friend. As midnight approaches, Luan Nian calls Shang Zhitao. She is surprised to see his name on her phone and becomes nervous before answering. She wishes him a happy New Year and tells him to enjoy the holiday with his friends. Luan Nian struggles to find the right words because he wants to tell her more, but instead he asks her to visit his apartment sometime and check on his fish. The following day, Shang Zhitao goes to Luan Nian's apartment using the door code he gave her. He has asked her to replace the filter pad in his fish tank while he is away. As she works, she hears Zang Yao's voice through Luan Nian's phone and becomes uneasy again. She finishes changing the filter and then writes a small New Year message on the fish-food package, wishing Luan Nian and his fish happiness. Luan Nian decides to return to Beijing earlier than planned. When he arrives home, the first thing he does is check the fish tank. He discovers Shang Zhitao's handwritten message beside the food and immediately smiles. The small gesture reassures him that she still cares about him despite the distance she has been trying to create. The fragile happiness does not last long. Shang Zhitao later sees a social-media post from Zang Yao featuring photographs from the Switzerland trip. One photograph shows Zang Yao with Luan Nian, accompanied by a caption about spending time in Switzerland with the person she loves. Shang Zhitao is devastated by what she sees. She meets Sun Yuanzhu and finally admits how deeply confused she has become. She calls herself foolish for becoming emotionally trapped in a relationship that she believes has no clear future. She had originally convinced herself that she could keep their relationship casual and separate from her career, but she now realizes that she has fallen much more deeply in love than she intended. Sun Yuanzhu reassures her that she is not a bad person and that falling in love does not make her foolish. He encourages her to stop blaming herself for having genuine feelings. Shang Zhitao remains uncertain because she believes that she and Luan Nian live in completely different worlds. Luan Nian later arrives at Shang Zhitao's home carrying a complete set of snowboarding equipment. He wants her to learn snowboarding and suggests that she could eventually join him on a trip to Switzerland. Shang Zhitao immediately refuses. She tells him that she has no interest in learning snowboarding simply because he enjoys it and that she certainly will not travel to Switzerland just to follow him. She then confronts him about their relationship. Shang Zhitao reminds Luan Nian of their agreement that either person can end the relationship if they begin wanting someone else. She tells him that if he has fallen for another woman, he should simply be honest with her. She would rather know the truth than continue pretending that everything is fine. Luan Nian becomes furious. He accuses Shang Zhitao of imagining things and treating him as though he is the kind of man who casually sleeps with different women. He insists that she does not understand what happened in Switzerland. Shang Zhitao tries to explain that her fear is not about the work incident or jealousy alone, but about the fundamental uncertainty surrounding their relationship. Luan Nian becomes even more frustrated, and Shang Zhitao finally walks away. Shortly afterward, Shang Zhitao develops a high fever at work. Lumi notices that she looks unwell and immediately tells her to go home and rest. Shang Zhitao returns to her apartment, exhausted and emotionally drained. Luan Nian repeatedly calls her after hearing that she is sick. Shang Zhitao does not answer because she is still angry and does not want another argument. He sends her messages asking whether she needs to go to the hospital, but she continues ignoring him. Eventually, Shang Zhitao becomes too weak to even get herself a glass of water. She slowly gets out of bed and heads toward the kitchen. Just as she reaches the door, the doorbell rings. She assumes it may be one of her roommates, but when she opens the door, she discovers Luan Nian standing outside. Luan Nian has come personally after realizing that she is ill and has ignored his messages. His expression immediately changes when he sees how weak she is. Shang Zhitao is too surprised and exhausted to respond. The episode ends with Luan Nian standing at her doorway, ready to take care of her despite the unresolved argument between them. Episode 11 becomes one of the most emotionally important chapters of their secret relationship. Luan Nian finally admits to Zang Yao that he has a girlfriend, while Shang Zhitao's jealousy and insecurity grow after seeing the Switzerland photographs. Their misunderstanding pushes them into another argument, but Luan Nian's decision to personally visit Shang Zhitao when she becomes sick shows that, regardless of how complicated their relationship has become, his feelings for her are genuine.