STORY SUMMARY
A city love story between a renown dubbing actress (Shi Yi) and a chemistry professor (Zhou Sheng Chen).
One day at the airport, the two met when Zhou Sheng Chen was returning from studying abroad, the two had a short lived encounter that the left both of them with lasting impressions. In order to save the waning family business related to Purple Sand, Zhou Sheng Chen agreed to his mother's request to get engaged and inherit the family business. However, Zhou Sheng Chen refused the bride that the family had originally arranged. Instead Zhou Sheng Chen proposed to Shi Yi, who had left him with a short but favorable impression at the airport. With memories from her previous life, Shi Yi was already determined to marry Zhou Sheng Chen, thus she gladly agreed. The two gradually grew fond of each other through small and daily engagements.
As Zhou Sheng Chen attempts to revitalize the family Purple Sand crafts business, he and the elders of the family developed differences in operating ideas. This puts Zhou Sheng Chen between a rock and a hard place, having to build family harmony while ensuring the survival of the family business. With Shi Yi's companionship, support and encouragement, the both of them worked together to save the traditional Purple Sand craftsmanship. Yet during this time, Shi Yi was put in grave danger, which led to her getting hurt and thus entering into a coma, unable to be woken. As a result, Zhou Sheng Chen puts his career on hold, in order to stay by her side. Under Zhou Sheng Chen's care Shi Yi woke up from her coma and the two made the promise to forever stay by each other's side and never separate.
DRAMA DETAILS
Drama Title: Forever and Ever
Chinese Title: 一生一世
Actors/Actresses: Allen Ren 任嘉伦 as Zhou Sheng Chen, Bai Lu 白鹿 as Shi Yi
Airing: Sept 6, 2021 -- Oct 14, 2021
Airing Location: iQIYI
Total Episodes: 30
EPISODE BY EPISODE RECAP
EP1 - [First encounter at airport, second encounter in Xi'An]
The episode starts with SY in the audio recording studio dubbing for the One and Only drama. Upon finishing, she immediately heads to the airport to return home to Shanghai. While at the airport, SY and ZSC passes by each other many times, but neither noticed each other in the vicinity until they reached TSA security check. ZSC left his personal ID behind in the scanner bin, which led to the security agent calling out his name. SY heard his name being called, and they finally met eye to eye for the first time.
SY chased after ZSC to ask for his phone number, only to be told that he doesn't have a domestic phone card yet. But ZSC quickly offered his email as an alternative contact method. Afterwards, ZSC went back to Germany to continue his chemical research, while SY went back to Shanghai.
Six months passed by and they continued to keep in touch via email. SY knew ZSC was going to Xi'An for work, so she used the excuse to accompany her friend as a reason to also be in the same city. As fate would have it, they met each other in a restaurant by coincidence.
They had a short-lived meal before he got called to do a presentation, but thankfully SY's friend was clever and asked if ZSC would like accompany them to see the cherry blossoms at a temple in Xi'An. Thus, SY and ZSC met again at Qing Long Temple (the temple that SY named in their previous lives). Because the temple was small, the sightseeing event quickly came to an end.
Towards the conclusion of the temple visit, ZSC took the initiative to invite SY and her friends to a nearly tea house, only to accidentally show off his phenomenal luck in poker. Afterwards, ZSC and his friend decided to take the public transportation back. Before hopping on the bus, ZSC thoughtfully called a car service for SY and her friends because he knew taxis were sparse in Xi'An. SY didn't know it was ZSC's kind and thoughtful gesture.
Evening of the same day, a female named Tong Jia Ren visits ZSC's office to give him her wedding invitation. TJR proceeds to tell ZSC that growing up she has only wanted to marry ZSC; however, ZSC quickly diverted the topic to congratulate her on her tentative wedding with his cousin Zhou Wen Chuan.
EP2 - [Touring Zhou Sheng Chen's Xi'An Research Lab and the start of their first date]
On her last day in Xi'An, SY visits the Fortifications of Xi'An. Standing at the top of the fort was Mei Xin (ZSC's friend and work partner). Upon seeing SY, M knew it was love at first sight, but he wasn't able to catch her before she hopped on a taxi departing the fortifications.
As SY was turned back to her hotel, ZSC also stopped by the lobby to drop off a book for SY. They missed each other just moments ago, but quickly followed up via email where ZSC gave SY his work phone number. SY called his number, and ZSC immediately answered. As an excuse to see ZSC one last time before leaving, she asked about his research lab and ZSC courteously offered to show her around this Xi'An research lab. While at the entrance of his research lab, SY told her managing agent on the phone that the type of person she likes must be a teacher and must do chemical research...
While touring the research lab, SY got invited to a team dinner. During dinner, when ZSC briefly stepped out, she found out from ZSC's coworker that ZSC has a fiancée. Immediately, the room got quiet and SY decides to leave to escape the awkwardness. ZSC heard the tail end of the conversation and decides to still send SY back himself. Throughout the entire taxi ride home, neither of them spoke. Upon arriving at the hotel, ZSC decides to clear up the misunderstanding that he indeed is looking to get married in the near future. However, he has no candidate that he wants to get married to yet. As SY hears this, she smiles and nods happily. To break the tension, she offered to do a psychic palm reading. SY uses this opportunity to ask him if he believes in reincarnation, and then proceeds to tell him that they knew each other in their previous lives. Before SY left, ZSC asked for her phone number 1314-11-520-99 😂
The next day, ZSC returns to his family residence in Zheng Jiang to pitch his proposed pivot in business focus, only to face resistance from his elders, who were unenthusiastic about ZSC taking over the ownership of the family business. ZSC's uncle was also very unsupportive and was seemingly hoping to continue to protect his power. ZSC's business proposal was brushed aside and he sat there alone, in solitude.
The same night, ZSC drove four hours back to Shanghai to see SY. ZSC called SY to eat a late night meal at 11PM. SY excitedly ran out of her office, only to almost twist her ankle, but luckily had ZSC catch her in the process. They then proceeded to their first date.
EP3 - [ZSC confirms his feelings for SY and proposes to SY]
ZSC took SY to a private dining restaurant where they spent some quality time chatting and getting to know each other. ZSC reveals he doesn't eat crab anymore (maybe because he recently adopted a crab as a pet). While sending SY home, they found out their ancestors both originated from Zheng Jiang. ZSC proceeded to tell SY that she can find him by his chauffeur's number, since ZSC still doesn't have a number yet.
The next day, ZSC and MX both went to the Zhou family residence in Zheng Jiang to attend his cousin ZWC and TJR's wedding. MX tells ZSC that the best way to alleviate the tension with the power struggle within the family business is for ZSC to get married and legitimately inherit the master ownership. (The Zhou family rule is that all first born male in the family must marry before they can legally inherit their birth rights). ZSC's mother has been preparing and scouting for ZSC's significant other since ZSC became an adult. Thus, one potential candidate was invited and briefly introduced to ZSC.
In the mean time, ZSC's cousin reveals to ZSC that the family has already investigated SY. In the car to find SY, ZSC looks through SY's childhood photos and smiles out of adoration.
ZSC did not meet up with SY, but only drove 4 hours to and 4 hours back from Shanghai to confirm his interest in SY. Observing SY from afar, ZSC realizes more and more that she is worth the 8 hour commute, and thus ZSC became more assured that she was the one. Upon returning home to Zheng Jiang from Shanghai, both MX and ZSC's chauffeur took every opportunity to usher ZSC to call and propose to SY. And that is what ZSC did.
To ZSC's surprise, SY agreed. Happiness were seeping out of both of their faces, as they agreed on their engagement over the phone. Upon finishing the call, ZSC proceeds to prepare gifts to bring to SY's parents. And since SY has memories from her past life, she did not hesitate to notified her mother of this happy news.
EP4 - [SY meets ZSC's family for the first time, and SY returns to Shanghai]
The next day 10AM, ZSC visited SY's family for the first time. He came fully prepared with presents and a personal tailor, ready to dress SY up to meet his family. As SY walked out of her room in a traditional Qi Pao, ZSC was dumbstruck by her beauty.
In the car ride over to ZSC's family residence to meet ZSC mother, she was warned that his mother might be a little cold to her because of some reason on his end. SY did not take to heart his statement, until she actually met ZSC's mother. She was not only cold, but also kept calling SY a guest, while going out of her way to dis-invite SY for dinner. In the end, ZSC stormed out of the Zhou mansion and had to find an alternative dinner location to host SY. After dinner, ZSC sent SY back home. Before parting ways for the night, ZSC and SY agreed to call each other 3 times a day (7AM, 11AM and 11:30PM) since ZSC's work schedule is very fluid.
Next date, ZSC goes to make sure SY and her parents are packed for their return back to Shanghai. While sending them off, ZSC promises to visit SY's parents in Shanghai once he returns to Shanghai at a later date.
First day back to work, SY ended up working late dubbing for the One and Only drama. Claiming as SY's family member, ZSC sent late night snacks to both her and her coworkers, which ended with much praise from her coworkers. Except for Director Wang, who obviously has an interest in SY.
EP5 - [ZSC returns to visit SY in Shanghai, SY attends an award ceremony]
ZSC wraps up his work in Germany, then surprises SY by picking her up from her office. He kindly offers to carry her bag, while she happily chuckled her way to his car.
Arriving at SY's apartment, SY thoughtfully offered to brew a cup of anti-cold medication. ZSC then went upstairs to her apartment for the first time. He only got to stay long enough to finish the cup of medicine before SY proceeded to let him go home.
ZSC goes home to face his various family issues the next day. On one end, his mother still does not approve of SY, while on another end, chauffeur Lin's son ushers ZSC to get a bigger and sturdier bed in preparation for SY's visit. ZSC also visits his grandmother, whom he has a close bond with, and they had an adorable conversation about SY.
On the other hand, SY just wrapped up her dubbing work and is looking around for rent a gown for an award ceremony she is attending. Opportunely, two sets of gowns arrived from the Zhou family tailor that ZSC had previously requested. SY called ZSC to let him know that she loves both of the gowns, one of which she ended up wearing to the award ceremony.
On the day of the award ceremony, ZSC was late to the event because he was learning to drive so that he can personally drive SY around. Regardless of ZSC's tardiness, SY was very happy to see that ZSC was able to make the ceremony, and they sneakily left the ceremony as soon as she was done with her responsibilities.
EP6 - [ZSC drives SY to his family tailor, and SY invites ZSC to sleep over]
At the parking lot, SY realized ZSC was going to drive, she blatantly expressed her shock and disbelief. They quickly overcame that shock as ZSC gave SY a childhood snack that ZSC's grandmother gave him. Thanks to chauffeur Lin's absence, many heart fluttering moments occurred in the car as SY fed ZSC and ZSC leaned over to adjust the window for SY.
ZSC successfully brought SY to the Zhou family tailor for the first time, where he hopes to make more outfits for her to wear at their engagement. SY met the granny tailor, two grandson tailors and one granddaughter tailor. After getting SY's measurements taken by the granddaughter tailor, ZSC sent SY back.
The next day, ZSC met SY outside her office to take her to dinner again. ZSC gave SY a watch made out of meteorite as a congratulatory present for her winning a dubbing award. ZSC then left to spend the night at a nearby research dorm. While at the dorm, ZSC texted SY to let her know that their wedding apartment is ready. Another day passed, ZSC went to meet SY early in the morning, in hopes of eating breakfast together. While ZSC was eating breakfast cereal, SY realized ZSC had a slight fever, so she insisted on him taking a power nap at her place. Although this is his second time inside her apartment, everything seemed so natural as SY sent him to nap on her bed.
EP7 - [Power struggle within the Zhou household, SY and ZSC visits future newlywed house]
ZSC continues to deal with the toxic chemical compliance issue facing one of the Zhou family's many side businesses. ZSC goes to the factory to collect a sample to bring back, in order to investigate the severity of the toxic chemical release, but was pranked by the factory workers and was locked into the factory. MX comes to ZSC's rescue by calling ZSC's brother to come unlock the door, but 3 hours later, no-one came so both ZSC and MX were left continuing to wait. Finally, ZSC's little sister broke the silence, so ZWC had no choice but to leave to release ZSC.
The next day, ZSC went to pick up SY to finally visit their post-wedding home. While at the mansion, the granddaughter tailor was also there, ready to help SY get fitted for her engagement dress.
Afterwards, ZWC and TJR also arrived to supposedly meet SY. In actuality, ZWC wanted to see the granddaughter tailor (because they had a relationship prior to ZWC's marriage to TJR), while TJR wanted to see ZSC (because of her lingering feelings for ZSC). All 5 of them had an awkward meal together. As they disbanded, ZWC caught up with the granddaughter tailor to explain, but she advised ZWC to treat his wife well.
Fast forward to SY back at her own apartment, reminiscing about the poem ZSC wrote for her in the past, smiling about the coincidence and how everything is coming back full circle. The night before their engagement, SY, her childhood friend and her manager all came to visit her. They teased SY about how SY and ZSC are still very courteous with each other. SY brushed their comments aside and continued to pack for the next day.
EP8 - [SY arrives at the Zhou family mansion and witnesses various drama unfold]
SY arrives to the recording studio and was told to do an impromptu performance, which included her singing. Director Wang watches SY, while SY reminisces about meeting ZSC at the airport. At the conclusion of SY's recording, she walked out to find ZSC waiting to pick her up.
In order to clear space for SY, MX had to move out of the Zhou family residence to live at a nearby hotel. ZSC's little sister ZWX reluctantly sent MX off. At the foot of the mountain going up to the Zhou family residence, ZSC and SY ran into a few of the Zhou family relatives, including ZWX. ZSC was worried, so he offered his card to bring them back, while he and SY resorted to hike up the mountain by foot. They held hands for the first time, as they chatted their way up.
At the Zhou family residence, various unpleasant things happened. While trying out dishes that will be served on the day of their engagement, ZSC's mother had her assistance forward a message to ZSC and SY saying that the family plans on having a get together later that night. But the message explicitly instructed that SY should not attend. Later in the courtyard, both TJR and the granddaughter tailor overheard gossip on TJR chasing after ZSC. The granddaughter tailor confronted TJR to tell her to manage her feelings and to avoid doing things that could cause confusion.
The same night, ZSC and SY ended up sleeping in different rooms. SY noticed the little gestures ZSC made to ensure she is comfortable in his home. But of course, the night did not end as peacefully. ZSC was called aside to handle Tang Xiao Fu's miscarriage. TJR confessed she pushed TXF because they were gossiping about TJR's failure to get married to ZSC.
The next morning, ZSC wanted SY to get a little more sleep, so he did not wake SY up to participate in the family breakfast tradition. ZSC's mother was visibly upset as she stormed out of the breakfast setting. ZWX ended up showing SY around the Zhou family's bibliotheca, while ZSC went to deal with his endless family issues. But of course, ZSC personally made breakfast for SY before he left.
EP9 - [Their first kiss]
ZSC shows SY the rooftop of the Zhou Family bibliotheca. SY expressed that she has a slight fear of heights, so ZSC held her in his embrace. The two almost kissed for the first time before ZSC's little sister ZWX inopportunely interrupted.
ZSC then takes SY to meet his grandmother, while raised ZSC's biological mother. SY learned for the first time that ZSC's current mother is his step-mom, this grandmother is the mother of his step-mom, and his current siblings are all his step-siblings. But regardless, this grandmother adores ZSC, so she passed down the family prayer beads bracelet to SY.
ZSC wanted to take SY out for a ride to enjoy the local scenery, but due to chauffeur Lin and SY's insistence, SY ended up driving ZSC because nobody wanted him to drive. At a pit stop to pick up some fruits for grandmother, SY was hit on by a passerby that blatantly insulted ZSC, which made SY quite upset. Upon returning to grandmother's place, ZSC's step-mom arrived, but grandmother was very unwelcoming towards her, despite she is her biological daughter.
Leaving grandmother's place, SY told ZSC to bring up the privacy screen in the car. Telling ZSC to close his eyes, SY then kissed ZSC for the first time. It was all very sweet until chauffeur Lin turned off the privacy screen, so they had to abruptly stop out of embarrassment.
Back at the Zhou family mansion, ZSC and SY continued to have many cute interactions, including ZSC taking a second morning jog in order to spend more time with SY. This episode ends with the guy that previously hit on SY coming to the Zhou family mansion to meet ZSC, but ended up embarrassing himself because he had to call ZSC grand-uncle and SY grand-auntie. (Oh, karma!)
EP10 - [Engagement party cancelled]
SY's family including her grandparents visits Zheng Jiang to attend SY and ZSC's engagement party. Instead of ZSC going with her to see her grandparents, ZSC's little brother ZSR ends up going on his behalf. ZSR meets Shi Yuan Yuan (SY's younger cousin, who looks to be the same age as ZSR). After ZSR briefly meets SY's grandparents, ZSC finally arrives to take SY back to the Zhou family mansion.
Upon returning to the Zhou family mansion, ZSC got called aside to handle the TXF's early delivery. The Tang family called the police because the family believed someone had intended to hurt TXF, which caused TXF to not only have her child early but also resulted in TXF's indefinite coma. ZSC finished very late in the evening, to find SY sound asleep in his room. After accidentally waking SY, ZSC proceeded to regrettably inform SY that his mother decided to cancel their engagement. SY was very understanding, and prioritized ZSC's disappointment over her own.
The next morning, ZSC went to see his mother, in hopes of convincing her to at least meet SY's parents to discuss their wedding plans. But she gave him the silent treatment and pretended as if she heard nothing. ZSC walked out with disappointment, as he reminisces about the same treatment he received as a kid. After adjusting his mood, ZSC accompanies SY to explain the situation to her family. Her family was upset but only slightly reprimanded him before letting the couple go. This is the first time SY's family got a taste of the complicated dynamic within the Zhou household.
In order to mediate ZSC's mood, SY took ZSC around to lighten his dampened mood. The couple went to get seafood noodles, went to see a quote at an old theater, and even bumped into ZSC's elementary teacher. Afterwards, they returned to ZSC grandmother's place only to be told to stay the night. That meant the couple needed to share a single person bed. ZSC being the gentleman proactively took a blanket to then sleep on the living room sofa, but SY went outside to bring him back in.
Thank you for your patience! I will return with more episode recaps once they have aired.
