The Early Spring Episode 4 begins during Shang Zhitao's recovery in the hospital after the dangerous mountain accident. While she sleeps restlessly, Luan Nian notices her arm twitching and quietly supports it so that it does not become numb. Zhitao's memories of the landslide return to her, particularly the thought that if she had died, she would have wanted one last taste of her father's braised fish. Her words unexpectedly remind Luan Nian of his own childhood, when he was sick in hospital and his father was too occupied with business calls to stay by his side. After Zhitao is discharged, Luan Nian drives her out for dinner and tells her not to rush back to work while her injured leg is still healing. He also gives her a lesson about surviving in the advertising industry. In his view, being polite is not enough in a competitive workplace; she needs confidence and presence so that other people do not mistake kindness for weakness. When Zhitao offers to pay for the meal to repay him for saving her, Luan Nian reminds her that she also saved his life during the landslide. Instead of settling the debt immediately, he tells her to keep owing him and repay it slowly. During the drive, Luan Nian notices that another vehicle appears to be following them. He deliberately changes direction several times and successfully loses the suspicious car before taking Zhitao to a secluded courtyard restaurant owned by his old friend Tan Mian. Luan Nian remembers that Zhitao had mentioned wanting to eat her father's braised fish, so he takes her to a pond and tells her that if she wants the fish, she has to catch it herself. Zhitao struggles with the fishing rod and cannot catch anything. Luan Nian eventually demonstrates how it is done and easily catches a fish himself. Tan Mian, a former advertising professional who now runs the restaurant, welcomes them and recognizes how unusual it is for Luan Nian to bring a female colleague to his private restaurant. Zhitao insists on catching the fish herself rather than simply having Tan Mian retrieve one for her. The experience becomes another lesson in patience and timing, and Zhitao thanks Luan Nian for teaching her that success requires both effort and knowing when to act. During dinner, Luan Nian carefully removes the bones from Zhitao's fish before serving it to her. Tan Mian immediately notices his unusually attentive behavior and teases him about treating a female colleague with more care than many men show their girlfriends. When Tan Mian asks Zhitao what Luan Nian's greatest talent is, she praises his creative ability and describes him as a genius in advertising. Tan Mian jokes that brilliant slogans are meaningless if products cannot be sold and suggests that Luan Nian's real talent is finding every flaw in other people's work, just as carefully as he removes every bone from a fish. The relaxed dinner is suddenly interrupted by a power outage. While Tan Mian goes to check the electricity, Luan Nian's former girlfriend Zhang Xin arrives at the restaurant drunk and demands to see him. She refuses to accept that their relationship ended and accuses Luan Nian of avoiding her. The situation quickly escalates when Zhang Xin produces a knife and demands that he reconcile with her. She reminds him that she once abandoned her life in the United States because of their relationship. Luan Nian firmly rejects Zhang Xin and tells her that their relationship ended a year earlier. He insists that she stop following him and making repeated calls. Zhitao tries to explain that she is only Luan Nian's colleague, but Zhang Xin remains suspicious. When Zhang Xin threatens them with the knife, Luan Nian moves to restrain her. During the struggle, his hand is cut, but he holds Zhang Xin tightly to prevent her from hurting herself or anyone else until help arrives. While Luan Nian receives treatment for his injured hand, Zhitao waits outside the emergency room with Tan Mian. Tan Mian reassures her that Luan Nian was never dating two women at the same time and explains that his relationship with Zhang Xin was short-lived and ended long ago. He also reveals that Zhitao is the first female colleague Luan Nian has ever brought to the restaurant. Tan Mian and Luan Nian previously worked together at Luan Nian's former advertising company, which eventually collapsed after a trusted friend betrayed him. That painful experience is something Luan Nian does not like discussing. When Luan Nian leaves the treatment room with his hand bandaged, he remains cold and practical. He tells Zhitao that Zhang Xin's family has already been contacted and will take responsibility for her. Zhitao reflects that relationships should end peacefully instead of leaving one person devastated. Luan Nian asks about her own romantic history, and Zhitao explains that her previous relationship ended amicably. Luan Nian sarcastically praises her supposed maturity in love. Later, Friday arrives. Since Zhitao is still recovering and spending too much time at home, Sun Yu invites her to join a gathering with Sun Yuanzhu and their friends for a game of Three Kingdoms Kill. Before they leave, Sun Yuanzhu gives Zhitao the repaired key from Luan Nian's antique typewriter. Zhitao is happy to have the small piece restored, since the broken key has remained a reminder of her disastrous first meeting with Luan Nian. The group gathers to play games and socialize. Among them is Long Zhentian, a Canadian who speaks fluent Chinese. Sun Yu sees an opportunity for Zhitao to improve her English and encourages the two to exchange contact information so they can become language-learning partners. The evening is relaxed until Sun Yu receives an urgent call from her company about a work problem and has to leave. Sun Yuanzhu volunteers to drive her to the event, leaving Zhitao with Long Zhentian. Long Zhentian suggests that Zhitao experience Beijing's nightlife and takes her to a lively bar. He explains that working during the day and enjoying life at night are both important parts of living in the city. Meanwhile, Tan Mian and several friends persuade Luan Nian to join them at the same bar for its grand opening. Luan Nian initially remains uninterested in partying and continues behaving as though he would rather be working. At the bar, Long Zhentian helps Zhitao order drinks while they practice English together. Because of a pronunciation misunderstanding, Zhitao accidentally orders far more alcohol than intended. The mistake results in a large number of martinis arriving at their table, forcing the pair to drink them rather than waste them. As they continue talking, Zhitao teaches Long Zhentian Chinese expressions while he helps her with conversational English. Across the bar, Luan Nian's friends notice Zhitao sitting with another man. They encourage Luan Nian to sing on stage, but he initially refuses. When he looks over and sees Zhitao laughing and drinking with Long Zhentian, however, his attitude suddenly changes. He takes the microphone and performs in front of the crowd. His unexpected performance attracts everyone's attention, especially Zhitao, who watches him with fascination and wonders whether the alcohol is making the moment feel unreal. After Luan Nian finishes singing, Long Zhentian returns and notices that Zhitao is already heavily intoxicated. He offers to take her home safely. Luan Nian immediately intervenes, pulls Zhitao away from him and tells Long Zhentian that she is his girlfriend. Once he learns that Long Zhentian is actually only Zhitao's language tutor, Luan Nian uses Zhitao's unfinished work report as an excuse to take her away from the bar. Outside, Zhitao is too drunk to control her words. She touches Luan Nian's face and jokes that his harsh personality is only an act. She talks about dreaming of him scolding her and continues teasing him about his seemingly cold personality. When she becomes too unsteady to walk, Luan Nian carries her on his back. Even while complaining about her weight, he makes sure she gets home safely. After taking a taxi toward Tiantongdongyuan, Zhitao becomes too confused to identify her apartment. She knocks on the wrong door, marked with a sunflower decoration, and is turned away by a stranger. Still intoxicated, she points to the injuries she suffered while rescuing Luan Nian and jokingly claims that in ancient times, saving someone's life would mean they had to marry. Luan Nian realizes that she cannot safely be left alone in her current condition. Rather than abandoning her outside her apartment, he carries Zhitao back to his own home, bringing Episode 4 to a romantic and suspenseful close.