The ongoing period C-drama Tender Light, featuring Zhang Xincheng and Tong Yao in the lead roles, aired episode 20 on May 6, 2024. The episode primarily focuses on Fang Lu questioning Nan Ya (Tong Yao) about her relationship with Zhou Lou (Zhang Xincheng).
Fang Lu plays a recording of Zhou Lou where he confesses to his “lover”. Flashbacks reveal Zhou Lou wants to get Nan Ya out of her abusive household and away from the town where nobody has ever stood up for her.
Nan Ya is frustrated that she has to explain what kind of connection she has with Zhou Lou all over again. She reveals that she saw him as a fool who spouted nonsense as a result of his young rebellious phase. She went to his mother’s store to buy groceries and sometimes talked to him about trivial matters. Zhou Lou’s mother took care of her daughter, and she somehow wanted to return the favor. That is why she has always been polite to Zhou Lou.
In the recording, Zhou Lou just utters lines from his favourite songs. Nan Ya reveals that her late husband, Xu Yi, is paranoid and would hit her if he saw her talking to any man. When asked if she had a one-way relationship with him. Nan Ya calls it Fang Lu’s speculation.
Tender Light ep 20: Tong Yao is questioned about her relationship with Zhang Xincheng
Fang Lu next plays a recording from the night of the murder, where Xu Yi is heard asking Nan Ya if she is having an affair with Zhou Lou. He gets furious when she keeps quiet.
Fang Lu speculates that the recorder must have recorded this by accident. He states his version of what might have gone down that night. Xu Yi and Nan Y argued by the riverbank, where Nan Ya asked him to sign the divorce papers. Xu Yi drags her home. Fearing for her safety, Zhou Lou follows them.
Infuriated, Xu Yi attacks Zhou Lou after reaching the house. Zhou Lou fatally injures him accidentally while saving himself and Nan Ya. Initially astonished by Fang Lu’s statement, Nan Ya composes herself. She cleverly refutes the allegations against Zhou Lou. She explains how Zhou Lou had no reason to ruin his own future by committing such a heinous act.
Fang Lu speculates that even Zhou Lou’s family is somehow involved in the crime. He decides to reinvestigate the murder scene and look for DNA samples and fingerprints. He searches Zhou Lou’s room in his absence and finds the books of poems borrowed by Nan Ya. Fang Lu questions Zhou Lou about whether he wants to come clean, but Zhou Lou once again denies his involvement in the crime.
Fang Lu asks him if Zhou Lou was the one who reported him to the authorities. Furthermore, he also believes that Zhou Lou was the one who made sure Liu Xun discovers the photo, Fang Lu’s past relationship with Nan Ya gets unveiled, and the police find Xu Yi’s hideout. Zhou Lou insists that he is nothing but an eyewitness to the crime.
Tender Light is available to stream on Youku throughout the week.
