Introduction
So much full of angst and fire in Speed and Love: Drama Highlight Episodes 10 to 19! With the Male Lead MIA in Episode 19, now we move on to Mumu and Jin Zhao’s future six years later. Normally, I dislike time jump in dramas. But in Speed and Love (双轨), I think it’s needed. As hot their romance was, the separation allowed both Mumu and Jin Zhao to mature and to develop into the people who can finally be together, justifying their relationship complexities as “forbidden”. Some viewers thought that six years separation was too long. But after my calculation, six years are realistic. Mumu went to university in Canada, and as a foreign student, she had to take some prep classes before fully enrolling in her major, Astronomy. Jin Zhao needed a long recovery before continuing his studies and working.
If you’re wondering where I got the wedding featured image from, let me tell you that some scenes were being cut/edited, including the wedding scene. Circulating online were some behind-the-scenes shots of their wedding. I am not sure if this featured image was from their wedding photos or not, but here is the MyDramaList source where I took the picture from.
Highlight Episodes 20 to 29
Episode 20
He Zhang, from the Wan’s Autoshop, won the race. However, He Zhang knew something was not right with Jin Zhao’s car. He approached his boss to demand the truth behind Jin Zhao’s crash, but his boss dismissed him with a reply that as long as He Zhang was now the champion, the process did not matter.
Jin Zhao was still alive. The police confirmed that, and he was undergoing emergency treatment. However, due to the sensitive nature of the case, no visits were allowed, and his location had to remain a secret. San Lai deduced that Jin Zhao must have escaped right before the car exploded. Thank goodness! Mumu and us breathe a sigh of relief.
Shortly after returning home, Stepfather Chris visited her. Apparently, her mother had been diagnosed with cardiovascular narrowing with a 78% blockage and had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery in Canada. Chris urged Mumu to go to Vancouver to support her mother. Before she departed, she sent multiple messages to Jin Zhao explaining her departure, but he remained in a coma, unable to see them. Luckily, a month later, as Mumu prepared to depart, Jin Zhao finally regained consciousness. He asked Officer Lu, the police officer for the undercover mission, to help him contact San Lai to arrange a secret meeting with Mumu. She finally saw Jin Zhao standing on the balcony. I wonder what happened during their reunion?
In Vancouver, Mumu accompanied Mom to recuperate and also went to the university. She shared every school struggle with Jin Zhao. However, not vice versa. He didn’t tell her all the struggles he went through. The doctors told him that he had spinal nerve injuries and torn tendons. These affect his quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. Feeling like a disabled person, Jin Zhao decided that letting Jiang Mu go was the only way to ensure she had a better life. Oh gosh, the Noble Idiocy Trope!!! Therefore, neither him nor San Lai contacted poor Mumu again (Jin Zhao begged San Lai to do that), hoping that she would forget him and move on.
Eventually, the smuggling case was resolved. Disagreeing with what his boss did, He Zhang turned himself in as a witness. He also apologized to Jin Zhao for all the dirty stuff he did in the past to Jin Zhao and Lightning Autoshop. The Wan Autoshop’s boss finally confessed about car tampering case from many years ago, clearing up Jin Zhao’s name. However, thinking about his disabled legs, Jin Zhao didn’t contact Mumu about this good news.
How was Jin Zhao saved? During the race, Mumu, San Lai, and Jin Fengzi had set off a firework for Jin Zhao. He remembered her telling him that racing was like fireworks—both chasing the light but fearing how quickly it vanishes. Suddenly, he felt it was like a warning. When he reached for the brakes, he found them completely unresponsive. His quick thinking made him jump from the vehicle before it went over the cliff and saved his life.
Episode 21
Remember, I wondered how their reunion went after Jin Zhao’s accident? Well, while they were sitting on the balcony, the atmosphere was heavy. Basically, Jin Zhao told Mumu to go to Canada to be with her mom, have a nice life, and move on. When Mumu tearfully asked if he was breaking up with her, he didn’t want to answer. After their heartbreaking meeting, he canceled his number and WeChat, so Mumu could no longer contact him. He left one last message to Mumu, that he would leave Manshi and would contact her again when everything was settled. He then closed down the Lightning Autoshop and left for China to resume his studies.
Well, that “when everything was settled” was maybe about 6-7 years later. Mumu, at this time, was 26 years old.
Mumu visited Manshi during her school break, but even Dad and Stepmom didn’t want to tell her his whereabouts. The Lightning Autoshop and San Lai’s pet shop were long abandoned. When Mumu contacted San Lai, he also kept his mouth shut. Poor Mumu tried to move on, even went for blind dates, but the dates seemed empty. Even when she sipped coffee during a date, she remembered her and Jin Zhao’s passionate kiss when they drank coffee together in Episode 15.
Well, although Jin Zhao seemed disappeared from the planet, Mumu was kept reminded about him. Besides his kisses, there were also his gifts. First, was the fountain pen he gave. A senior told her that her fountain pen was made of 18K gold nib, and the barrel and the cap were pure silver with engravings. He was surprised when Mumu told him that her ex-boyfriend, whom she dated for a week, gave it. He commented that the boyfriend must be rich. Mumu contemplated that Jin Zhao was in his lowest point of his independent life, yet he gave the best.
Next was the necklace he gave her, a sole inheritance from his biological mom. A professor told her that the necklace was an exquisite die with a red bean heart. The agate inside the jade die is carved into a red bean shape, a love bean. The love bean could be seen from all six hollow sides. A symbol of deep longing, a token of love.
Every realization about Jin Zhao’s love strengthened Mumu’s resolution to return to China, and she accepted a job in Nanjing to be her senior’s research assistant. When she visited Manshi again, Dad and Stepmom still didn’t want to say anything. However, someone spilled the beans. Pan Kai, her language training schoolmate, told her that Jin Zhao returned to Manshi just a year ago. Now, he lived in Nanjing!
Episode 22
In Nanjing, Mumu didn’t know where to find Jin Zhao. But the first, most important thing was to buy their old house. Unfortunately, the realtor told her that the house was bought by a businessman from Beijing last year, who paid full price (y’know, it was Jin Zhao, of course!). She begged the realtor to contact the businessman, because she wanted to buy her childhood home back.
Her senior and new boss, Gu Zhijie, told her that on the way to the airport for a business trip he passed a phoenix tree-lined boulevard at the foot of Zijin Mountain and saw a coffee shop named “Coffee Moon.” Earlier, Mumu told him about her dream of opening up a coffee shop named “Coffee Moon.” It was a shared dream with Jin Zhao back in Manshi, and they even included their dog, Lightning.
Speaking of the pup, San Lai had told her that Lightning ran away after she and Jin Zhao left Manshi. One morning, when Mumu was jogging, she saw a dog that looked like a grown-up Lightning. When Mumu subconsciously called “Lightning”, the dog approached her happily and took her… to a cafe that her boss mentioned! The cafe was precisely as Mumu and Jin Zhao imagined. The lady who walked Lightning was a cafe staff member who called Lightning Quiet or Mundan, and the dog was usually reserved. As we guessed, Jin Zhao took Lightning with him, so San Lai lied. The dog missed Mumu, and I was angry, because I am a dog lover, so losing a dog is upsetting. Mumu order a house special coffee called “Moon” and it tasted similar to what Jin Zhao usually made her. Mumu asked to meet the owner, who was absent at this time, and the staff member jokingly said she was the 20th woman asked to meet his boss. Mumu left her exquisite fountain pen with the note.
At home, she researched the cafe owner’s info. There was only a picture of him from the back, and it looked like Jin Zhao. Then she saw comments that he was married with his family living abroad. Awww, that was disappointing! Mumu was upset when she found out that Jin Zhao was married, so she wanted to retrieve her pen. She told the cafe staff that she was missing the pen, but the staff member said that her pen was with the owner and she could find him on Sunday.
When Mumu came back to the cafe on Sunday, there he was on the cafe rooftop. But Mumu was already upset with his marital status. She refused his offer of her favorite strawberry cake. When asked why he never contacted her this time, Jin Zhao replied that long distance relationship was hard to maintain. She then directly asked if he was married, but he didn’t reply. Therefore, when it was his turn to ask her if she had a boyfriend, she lied that she returned to China this time to get married. Mumu asked for his number, stating that she could send him a wedding invitation. And as I guessed, he bought the old house.
That was NOT a good reunion, and I think the drama was just trying to milk more money from sponsors’ ads with more episodes. Mumu and Jin Zhao left, each with heartache! Why all the lies and arrogance???
Episode 23
I was already pissed with that BAD reunion, so I was just summarizing this episode, since these two didn’t seem wise with taking the best time after separating for 6 freaking years, SMH! She pranked him with a speedy wedding, like the next few days, and demanded that he come because he was the only family representative. When he rushed to the venue, Mumu said the wedding was postponed because she had a big fight with the groom. After that, Jin Zhao didn’t contact her again.
So, Mumu kidnapped Lightning, hahaha! But he didn’t take her bait to walk up to her apartment; instead, he waited downstairs. Mumu gave in and took Lightning downstairs. When Mumu went on and on about her so-called-not-so-good boyfriend, Jin Zhao couldn’t stand it anymore and scolded her for getting such a lousy boyfriend. Mumu simply said she was just settling because she was getting older. Jin Zhao was hurt and angry hearing Mumu mention her “boyfriend’s” bad traits like nothing.
Mumu became a regular at the cafe, so the workers knew her. A worker told her that she saw a pretty lady when she delivered supplies to Jin Zhao’s apartment. Curious and jealous, Mumul managed to get his address and went to his apartment. She arrived just as a woman entered Jin Zhao’s apartment. The woman asked her to wait while she was taking a shower. She said she lived in this apartment. We knew from a few episodes back that this woman was Jin Zhao’s doctor. We saw her at the hospital.
Episode 24
Mumu couldn’t help but probe Julia about her relationship with Jin Zhao. It seemed Julia was made aware of “Jiang Mu”, possibly from Lin Sui or San Li. After being amused that Mumu thought she was Jin Zhao’s wife and her son was Jin Zhao’s, Julia patiently explained to Mumu what happened to Jin Zhao all these years. The whole medical thing was messy with illogicalities. For examples:
- Julia said she was from Canada, and Lin Sui brought her back to take charge of Jin Zhao’s recovery. Why did Lin Sui hire Julia to be Jin Zhao’s personal physician? What kind of responsibility did Lin Sui have over Jin Zhao? She was his personal physician for 6 years; it must be super expensive to hire a live-in physician like that.
- Whose apartment was this? Lin Sui’s or Jin Zhao’s?
- How could Mumu easily obtain Jin Zhao’s medical records from the hospital? Medical records were never public records.
After calming down from the anger and sadness that everyone had conspired against her to conceal the truth about Jin Zhao, she challenged him to a hike. Since he didn’t want to reveal what he had been through and pretended he was okay, Mumu played along with his lies. However, the farther they hiked, she noticed he was physically struggling. He still pretended he was okay every time Mumu turned her head to him. Finally, at the top, Mumu confronted him.
Jin Zhao apologized, explaining that he had planned to find her once he was better. He thought he wouldn’t survive, so he let her go. Although his condition was better now, he felt he had nothing to offer her. When Mumu asked if he wanted to reconcile with her, he didn’t say anything.
Episode 25
Following closely from the hike was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mumu decided to reach Jin Zhao to celebrate the holiday with her. However, he got sick from the strenuous hike last time. After getting an IV drip at the hospital, Jin Zhao came to the cafe and tried to hide his bandaged hand, but his employee blew his cover. He had a fever, too. But Mumu was his medicine, so he invited her to eat crab at his place. While Jin Zhao was cooking the crab, Mumu kept testing him with her lies about boyfriends. Jin Zhao couldn’t hide his anger and jealousy. Later, while eating, Mumu drank wine and started complaining about him abandoning her. She also used the same ol’ trick she used in Manshi to stay at his autoshop. She complained about the expensive apartment rent and a noisy neighbor, so she wanted to move in with him. But he refused. Eventually, we found out why he hesitated so much. In a flashback, he told San Li how Mumu was always sick and weak as a baby and child, because she was born premie. He was practically her nanny, voluntarily, not forced by their parents. He wanted a perfect man for her, and when she chose him, and the accident happened, he backed off because he was far from a perfect man.
Knowing that Jin Zhao finds them like the sun (朝 = Zhao) and the moon (暮 = Mu) that could never be together, Mumu hugged him and said she was already 26 now, and she could take responsibility for her own choices. She confessed that for all these 6 years of their separation, she only thought about him and only loved him. When Jin Zhao still didn’t respond, Mumu walked out, crying. Luckily, this time Jin Zhao came to his senses. He chased Mumu down the elevator, and gave her a heart hug and kiss!
Jin Zhao explained that it was not that he didn’t want to be with her, but he was afraid he couldn’t be with her in everything she wanted to do in life. It bothered him what others and her parents thought about it. He sent her his medical reports to make her understand his difficulties, and asked her to answer him.
Her answer? During the Mid-Autumn celebration at his apartment, he said the sun and the moon were never together. Well, you talked to an astronomer, which was Mumu’s expertise. Of course, they could appear together. She took her to an event and showed him the scenery below. I knew it was a fake one, but it was beautiful cinematography. The sun shone behind the old buildings, symbolizing his conventional mind, and the moon shone behind skyscrapers, symbolizing her contemporary mind. Her answer was that the sun and the moon were together, forever.
Episode 26
Well, after Mumu’s answer, they were officially together, and Mumu even introduced him to her colleagues as her boyfriend during her company dinner. Since they were both drinking, they couldn’t drive, so they walked back to his apartment. Of course, on the way, it rained. Mumu asked if she could spend the night at his apartment. When Jin Zhao told her it was up to her where to sleep, she threw him onto the couch and started kissing him. When he asked whether she was sure about this, she said she was no longer a child. The rest was history… really, because their kissing scene was cut to them waking up in bed!!!
Episode 27
It was nice to catch up with old friends! I missed their days together in Manshi!
Mumu and Jin Zhao had dinner with San Lai and Jin Fengzi. Awww, I hope she also could meet Nana and Wan Qing one day, although Wan Qing’s father was also responsible with what happened to Jin Zhao. Jin Fengzi disconnected his tie with Wan Autoshop and now worked as Jin Zhao’s senior technician. San Lai opened as a fast food restaurant. When they toasted, Jin Zhao didn’t let Mumu drink, hahaha! He also toasted water with San Lai and Jin Fengzi. Jin Zhao also quit smoking. San Lai teased that he prepared for Mumu’s pregnancy. Jin Zhao told San Lai he wanted to marry Mumu.
The next reunion was a bit surprising and embarrassing, especially for Mumu. After dinner, Mumu and Jin Zhao were having smoochie time on the couch when suddenly someone barged in, and equally shocked to see them. It was Lin Sui! Apparently, the apartment was a company apartment. The company was between Lin Sui and Jin Zhao. When he had a business trip in China, Lin Sui would crash at this place.
Hahaha! That catwalk in the market!
Episode 28
The last obstacle… of course, the big villain boss! No, I mean Jiang Yinghan, Mumu’s mother… which Jin Zhao endearingly also said “Mom”. Jin Zhao told Mumu that he had to meet “Mom” in Canada. Yes, he wanted to propose to Jiang Yinghan to give blessings to him and Mumu.
When they arrived at Chris and Mom’s house, Mom basically didn’t say anything to Jin Zhao and her expression was blank, as if she ignored him. She just talked to Mumu about her job in China. Mumu and Chris tried to neutralize the situation. The atmosphere was a bit unnatural, imo. After dinner, he offered tea to Mom, stating his request to be with Mumu. Mom didn’t say anything, but was busy knitting. She took the tea but didn’t dreak it, instead she only told them to rest. Offering tea in Chinese tradition is a deeply symbolic act of respect, gratitude, apology, and relationship building. Chris advised Jin Zhao to be patient, and Mumu hugged the dejected Jin Zhao. What was wrong with this Mom? One more episode to build the tension?
Episode 29
At night, both Mumu and Jin Zhao couldn’t sleep. Mumu came to his room, and said she would talk to Mom the next day. Lol, Mom apparently wanted to talk to Jin Zhao, so she kicked Mumu out of his room. Jin Zhao followed Mom outside while she was trimming leaves and asked if he still remembered. While Jin Zhao was trimming leaves, Mom talked about her past with Dad. Jin Zhao kept trimming leaves, and they talked in metaphor of plants. Mom then told Jin Zhao not to spoil Mumu in the future.
The next day, Mumu saw Mom and Jin Zhao’s relationship ease up, and they were bonded by plants. Later, the night before departure, Jin Zhao offered tea to Mom again, and she accepted. She wanted to return the dowry money to him, stating that there was no elder to support him when he was young. Jin Zhao called her “Auntie”, and said he prepared the money for the proposal. Mom said she would keep it for them.
When they got ready to go, Chris gave Jin Zhao a gift bag. She hugged Jin Zhao and told him and Mumu to stay well. Later, we heard Mom’s monologue. I knew it. She projected her anger and resentment of Jin Qiang onto Jin Zhao. She regretted those days that never returned. While Mumu went to buy drinks for them at the airport, Jin Zhao opened the gift bag. It was a scarf Mom had been busy knitting these days. She said that this scarf made him wait for 18 years. “Don’t blame Mom” was the last sentence. In the flashback, after Mom made a pretty scarf for Mumu, little Jin Zhao came home cold. But she didn’t make one for him.
After gotten permission from Mom, Jin Zhao proposed to Mumu with the “yearning day and night” key chain and a ring.
The wedding, it was odd if you called it so. During the bachelor party, Mumu finally reunited with Nana and Wan Qing, but as not as memorable as when she reunited with San Lai and Jin Fengzi. They all but Mumu and Jin Zhao drank. Therefore, the next day, the wedding day, the groomsmen and the bridesmaids were all passed out from drinking too much. Jin Zhao suggested Mumu elope, then they rode away on a bike.
THE END
Conclusion
What a wild ride! Despite a decade of separation and vastly different life experiences, the story of Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao emphasizes that deeply rooted bonds (“yearning night and day”) eventually draw people back together. Mumu’s persistence reconnects her with Jin Zhao.
For people like Jin Zhao, who was in the dark, love is a catalyst for change. Mumu’s arrival in Manshi shines a light that brightens Jin Zhao’s dark and risky life. Her enthusiasm and empathy help him rediscover his sense of self beyond the hardened persona he built to survive.
For people like Mumu, the story gives personal growth, as she must show resilience and adaptability to assimilate into Jin Zhao’s dangerous world. Eventually, she becomes his perfect “navigator” in both racing and, later, life.
