Dear readers, this is the Ending Explained for The Early Spring. I was so invested in their story that I ended up rewatching half the drama just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. So, are you ready to read about all the heartbreak, misunderstandings, and that long-awaited happy ending? Let’s get started. Happy reading y’all!
The Early Spring Ending Explained
What Happened to Luan Nian and Shan Zhi Tao on The Early Spring Ending?
Shang Zhi Tao started thinking about marriage. She decided to talk to Luan Nian about their relationship, hoping they could make it public and get married like a normal couple. Unfortunately, Luan Nian wasn’t thrilled by the idea.
He told her that he had never thought about marriage. He also admitted that the kind of life Shang Zhi Tao wanted might be something he couldn’t give her. After four years together, Shang Zhi Tao thought their relationship had grown deeper. It turned out that weren’t on the same wavelength. They broke up that night.
At work, Shang Zhi Tao aimed for a promotion and a Specialist position. So she needed an important project. When a long-term project in Northwestern China came up, she decided to take it. Luan Nian didn’t want her to go, but he eventually agreed and offered to take care of Lu Ke, but Shang Zhi Tao refused.
However, after Luan Nian pretended to be sick and claimed that he couldn’t find Lu Ke’s vaccination card, he somehow managed to get permission to take care of the dog anyway. Typical Luan Nian. Always found a way to keep a little piece of her close. 😏
Months passed before they met again, when Luan Nian, Lu Mi, and a new colleague named Song Ying (Yilia) visited the project. Shang Zhi Tao learned that Song Ying was a young elite sent from the US headquarters. Rumor had it that she bought her way in.
It wasn’t a good business trip for Luan Nian. He suffered excruciating pain in his side, and Shang Zhi Tao took him to the hospital. The doctor said he had a kidney stone. Luan Nian stayed at her rental apartment and took full advantage of being a patient. He refused to return to Beijing and claimed that he had taken a long leave.
One night, Luan Nian told her that he wanted to take another leap of faith with her. Initially, Shang Zhi Tao refused. She didn’t want to walk down the same path again.
But Luan Nian admitted that after their breakup, he had felt as if he had lost something precious. He wasn’t good with words, but he missed her and begged her to start over. Shang Zhi Tao finally relented.
Later, they went on a road trip to Tibet. Just the two of them and their fur baby, Lu Ke. Far away from work, they could express their love freely, like an ordinary couple. They returned after promising to see the aurora together the following year.
Ten months passed. Shang Zhi Tao later met Sun Yuan Zhu, whose assignment in Northwestern China was ending. They promised to watch a movie together with Sun Yu after she returned to Beijing.
That night, Shang Zhi Tao learned that his mother had passed away not long ago. Facing Shang Zhi Tao, he couldn’t hold back anymore. His voice shook and tears began to fall as he admitted how devastated he was. Shang Zhi Tao immediately hugged him. Unaware that Luan Nian was watching from his car.
Anger and jealousy filled Luan Nian’s chest. He had driven for hours just to see Shang Zhi Tao, only to find her hugging another man. Without saying a word, he returned to Beijing. 💔
When Shang Zhi Tao returned to Beijing, the whole office was buzzing with rumors about Luan Nian and Song Ying. People were gossiping that she would become their future lady boss. Adding fuel to it, Song Ying’s father is a major client of Lime.
Because he liked Luan Nian, he planned to allocate his company’s 250 million advertising budget to Lime. While everyone was busy speculating about the future Mrs. Luan, Lu Mi also gave Shang Zhi Tao some exciting news. According to Lu Mi’s estimation, Shang Zhi Tao’s promotion was practically guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Shang Zhi Tao sensed something was wrong because Luan Nian was unusually cold toward her. She waited for him so they could go home together and talk. She told him that she missed him.
Luan Nian curtly replied that he didn’t. Shang Zhi Tao was taken aback. Then he brought up Sun Yuan Zhu, accusing her of fooling around with another man while telling him that she missed him.
Angry, Shang Zhi Tao showed him the picture of Luan Nian and Song Ying dining together. She told him that she had heard all the rumors about them but never confronted him because she trusted him. Meanwhile, he was accusing her of something so serious simply because she had comforted a friend.
Shang Zhi Tao reminded him that she had never become jealous when he openly admired another woman. He should look into her relationship with Sun Yuan Zhu rationally, because when she was going through difficult times, it was Sun Yuan Zhu, Sun Yu, and Lu Mi who were there for her. No matter how much she loved Luan Nian, Shang Zhi Tao would never give up on her friends.
Although it was a terrible fight, Shang Zhi Tao still tried to make things clear. She explained that Sun Yuan Zhu had just lost a family member. He was devastated and she had cried because she felt bad for him.
She begged Luan Nian not to misunderstand their relationship. Luan Nian eventually relented and said he would try. When she asked why he had gone to see her that day, he simply said that he missed her.
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Shang Zhi Tao started her performance appraisal for the Specialist position, including interviews with Luan Nian, Tracy, and Will. Everything seemed to go well. Afterward, she left to meet Sun Yu. They planned to watch a movie with Sun Yuan Zhu. They chatted happily, believing that things were finally going to get better.
But things came crashing down when they discovered that Sun Yuan Zhu had died by suicide. Shang Zhi Tao didn’t want to believe it, until she saw his glasses on the floor. Her mind went back to the time when he said he wanted to jump into the sea of clouds. She remembered every word he had said to her that night, Shang Zhi Tao’s tears began to fall. She hugged Sun Yu and they cried together.
Shang Zhi Tao still had one more blow coming. The promotion result was announced during the Annual Gala. Her friends were confident that she would get the title, but reality said otherwise.
Luan Nian announced that Song Ying won the Specialist title. Shang Zhi Tao was devastated. She believed that Luan Nian had given her the lowest score because he looked down on her and always doubted her abilities.
However, there was something she didn’t know. Before the result was announced, Tracy went to Luan Nian’s office with photos proving his secret relationship with Shang Zhi Tao.
At that time, Tracy also revealed that Song Ying had been added to that year’s Specialist selection. Luan Nian immediately objected. Song Ying had not been with the company long enough. But Tracy reminded him that Song Ying had brought Lime 250 million in advertising business. That changed the situation completely.
To protect Shang Zhi Tao, Luan Nian offered to resign. But Tracy warned him that if he left, Shang Zhi Tao wouldn’t be able to stay either. So, he made a deal. He would apply for reinstatement in the US as long as Shang Zhi Tao could keep her job.
Tracy agreed because she know how capable Shang Zhi Tao was. Tracy had always supported Shang Zhi Tao, but she was powerless against the board.
In the end, Luan Nian agree to let Song Ying got the title. However, he demanded another Specialist position for Shang Zhi Tao the following year. Shang Zhi Tao know nothing about this deal because he asked Tracy to keep it a secret.
After the announcement, Shang Zhi Tao left the hall. Luan Nian followed her and found her sitting alone. She said she was fine and planned to catch a midnight movie with Sun Yu. Luan Nian sneered and asked whether Sun Yuan Zhu wasn’t joining them. 😤
Shang Zhi Tao ignored his jealousy and asked if he already knew the result. He admitted that he did but didn’t tell her because he thought knowing beforehand wouldn’t have changed anything.
The remark made her furious. Shang Zhi Tao asked whether he would ever judge her fairly without looking at the 250 million that Song Ying brought to the company. She also accused Luan Nian of being arrogant, conceited, selfish, and never treating her as an equal.
With a painful voice, she told him that she had struggled for six years yet ended up with nothing. She had lost her friend. And now she had lost a competition she believed she should’ve won.
Luan Nian warned her not to test his patience. Shang Zhi Tao finally said that she wanted to end their relationship. After six years, she felt that they had never trusted or loved each other like a normal couple.
Those words hit Luan Nian hard. Angry, he accused her of using him to climb the corporate ladder and throwing him away after she failed. And if there weren’t any real feelings between them, then it could have been her or someone else.
Shang Zhi Tao realized there was no point in continuing the conversation, so she left. Luan Nian stayed behind for a while. When he arrived at their apartment, he saw Shang Zhi Tao packing her luggage and putting Lu Ke’s leash on. Panic washed over him.
But instead of stopping her, he told Shang Zhi Tao that she was already an adult. If she had decided to end everything, she shouldn’t start it again. While he was waiting with anticipation, Shang Zhi Tao took a breath and said she never would.
Stunned, Luan Nian could only watch as Shang Zhi Tao tried to take Lu Ke with her. But the dog refused to move. It was almost as if the dog knew that Mom and Dad were fighting. Shang Zhi Tao finally gave up and told Lu Ke that if he wanted to stay, she would go. And she walked out of the door without looking back.
Still, Luan Nian took Lu Ke outside and let the dog chase after her. He stayed behind the glass door, watching them from afar with red-rimmed eyes.
Shang Zhi Tao didn’t sleep a wink that night. Her heart was broken. The next morning, her mother messaged that her father had broken a bone. That made up her mind. She left the house to hand in her resignation. At the office, she walked past Luan Nian, but neither of them spared the other a glance.
Tracy was unwilling to let such a good employee leave. But Shang Zhi Tao explained that something had happened at home and she had to go. There was nothing Tracy could do except sign her paperwork.
Before leaving, Shang Zhi Tao brought all the branded bags Luan Nian had given her to Lu Mi and asked her to sell them at half price during the company garage sale.
Shang Zhi Tao also told Lu Mi and Sun Yu that she’ll be changing her phone number, and that the day she called them would be the day she started over. Before leaving Beijing, Shang Zhi Tao sent one final message to Luan Nian. She thanked him and wished him well. Then she blocked his number.
Luan Nian was at his parents’ house when he received the message. He tried to call her but couldn’t get through. A few days later, Luan Nian went to the office and was shocked to see Shang Zhi Tao’s empty desk. Lu Mi said she had resigned.
He went to Tracy’s office to protest, but she told him she couldn’t do anything. According to company rules, Shang Zhi Tao’s resignation didn’t require his approval. Seeing how upset he was, Tracy showed a suicide video that had been circulating for a while. She said that the victim might be Shang Zhi Tao’s friend.
Luan Nian was stunned. He watched the video and saw Shang Zhi Tao crying beside the police line. It reminded him of the night she told him that she had lost her best friend. Guilt washed over him.
Luan Nian missed his flight to the US and spent the night drinking while waiting for news about Shang Zhi Tao. Lu Ke’s bowl reminded him of every hurtful word that he said to her. He truly regretted it.
After learning that Shang Zhi Tao had returned to Harbin, Luan Nian often flew there secretly just to watch her from afar. Meanwhile, Shang Zhi Tao bought a house and started her own advertising company. Her life was moving forward, but she couldn’t forget Luan Nian.
Eventually, she invited Sun Yu and Lu Mi to Harbin. Lu Mi was happy to see Shang Zhi Tao thriving. But when Fu Dong, Shang Zhi Tao’s assistant, called someone named Xing Yi “brother-in-law,” Lu Mi decided that something needed to be done.
She went to Luan Nian with a proposal for an international beer summit in Harbin. Among the suppliers she selected was Shang Zhi Tao’s company. Luan Nian stated that he wanted to be involved in the project. Lu Mi pretended not to notice the obvious smirk. 😂
But getting into the same room didn’t mean Luan Nian could talk to Shang Zhi Tao. When they finally met, she walked past him, completely ignored his “Long time no see” remark.
The event was successful, but Luan Nian’s plans failed. So, after it ended, he went to Shang Zhi Tao’s parents’ tavern. The old couple immediately recognized him. Mrs. Shang quickly called Shang Zhi Tao, hoping she could stop her husband from turning the tavern into a boxing ring. Mrs. Shang knew her husband wouldn’t win.
Shang Zhi Tao came, but not to talk to Luan Nian. She was tired. When Luan Nian offered to drive her home, she didn’t refuse and soon fell asleep inside the car. Not wanting to disturb her, Luan Nian got out and quietly closed the door. He stood outside in the bitter cold even after she went inside.
A couple of hours later, Lu Mi texted Shang Zhi Tao asking about Luan Nian’s whereabouts. When Shang Zhi Tao looked out from her window and saw him sitting on a bench under the snow. She immediately went downstairs to scold him.
Instead, Luan Nian asked whether she had a boyfriend because Fu Dong had called Xing Yi “brother-in-law.” Shang Zhi Tao said she didn’t have a boyfriend. She had a fiancé. Luan Nian was stunned.
He then asked whether he could see Lu Ke. She refused. Eventually, Shang Zhi Tao decided to talk to him and end everything properly. She explained that the reason she disappeared because she knew he would say hurtful things, and she didn’t want to hear them anymore.
Luan Nian also explained his side. He had given her a very high score and considered her as the best employee he had ever trained.
Their separation had hurt him too. With tears rolling down his cheeks, he told Shang Zhi Tao during their relationship, he had also given her his heart.
In the end, Shang Zhi Tao relented and took him to see Lu Ke, who was absolutely delighted. She told Luan Nian that she wouldn’t stop him from seeing Lu Ke again. But she also said that things were fine now.
She wanted to leave them that way. Luan Nian didn’t stay long. But that didn’t mean he had given up. The next day, he went to Shang Zhi Tao’s office and fished for information from Fu Dong. The assistant told him Shang Zhi Tao wasn’t dating anyone because she was too busy with work.
Luan Nian start using his network to help Shang Zhi Tao’s business. Song Qiu Han agreed but also gave Luan Nian some very straightforward advice: express his feelings directly, be sweet, see her often, and don’t rush her.
So Luan Nian returned to Harbin with bags of groceries. He cooked for them and Lu Ke, made her osmanthus milk, and behaved almost as if they were living together again. He found excuses for a sleep over. On his first night there, Luan Nian couldn’t sleep.
So he knocked on Shang Zhi Tao’s door, knowing that she wasn’t asleep either. He didn’t enter. He just told her that he had thought about their relationship. He knew she had endured so much because she loved him.
Back then, he had been too arrogant. He also realized that he wasn’t treating her well. But his feelings had always been real. He meant it when he said that he wanted to take care of Lu Ke with her. This time, he would take things one step at a time. He also apologized for everything.
Luan Nian continued appearing at her house. When business became difficult, Shang Zhi Tao had to mortgage her home, sell her car, and use up her savings to keep her company running. Meanwhile, in Beijing, Luan Nian continue using all his connections to help her business. He also offered her money.
But when she refused, he respected her decision without arguing or saying anything hurtful. He even offered his services as an assistant, boyfriend, or driver, all for free. Since he insisted so much, Shang Zhi Tao eventually accepted him as her driver. He also took care of her parents and Lu Ke.
As time passed, Shang Zhi Tao became used to having him around. Her hesitation lasted until she received a video from Tan Mian. He explained that Luan Nian didn’t know he was being recorded or that the video would reach her.
He simply wanted her to know how much his friend really loved her. The video was recorded when Luan Nian and his friends went to Norway after the breakup. In it, Luan Nian was staring at the aurora while talking on the phone. He was crying, repeatedly said that he was sorry, missed her, and loved her. Luan Nian was calling Shang Zhi Tao’s old number. 😭
That finally shook Shang Zhi Tao’s heart. The day after they took Lu Ke to the vet, Luan Nian told her that he regretted not hugging or comforting her when she took Lu Ke away.
Then came the physical contact. Luan Nian was almost unable to control his desire. But he told her that if only he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life with her, he would have already vented all his frustration.
That night, neither of them could sleep. It all started with a kiss. Luan Nian told her that if she didn’t want it, he would stop immediately. But she wanted it too.
The next morning, they woke up in the same bed. Shang Zhi Tao panicked when she heard her father. Apparently, Mr. Shang had come because Shang Zhi Tao hadn’t answered his call.
While Shang Zhi Tao tried to get her father to leave, Luan Nian appeared from the bedroom. Mr. Shang was shocked and immediately called for his wife. The four sat together in the living room. Mr. and Mrs. Shang demanding an explanation from Luan Nian. He told them that they had dated for six years.
She had dumped him because of a misunderstanding, but now they were together again. Because a woman’s reputation matters, Luan Nian said they could get married anytime. He was ready and only waiting for her answer. Once the old couple heard what they needed to hear, they left.
Shang Zhi Tao initially didn’t believe Luan Nian when he talked about marriage. But he told her that he meant every word. He truly wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
In 2021, Shang Zhi Tao’s company opened a branch office in Beijing. She finally returned there. Lu Mi invited her to Lime. Luan Nian took the opportunity to introduce Shang Zhi Tao to his colleagues as his future wife.
Luan Nian arranged the “Flora’s Museum of Time and Eternity,” a beautiful kaleidoscope of their love story. It brought memories back to where it began, including the first time he waited near the bus stop because he wanted to drive her home.
So, apparently Luan Nian is the one who fall first. That poor girl didn’t have a chance to run since the first day. 😆
Luan Nian also explained why he gave her branded bags. He bought them because his mother loved branded bags, so he assumed every woman would love them too. He always chose the most expensive one because he wanted to give Shang Zhi Tao the best.
Now that explains why there were so many shopping bags in his trunk. He bought all kinds of things from the luxury stores, basically building up his purchase history so he could get the bag he really wanted for Shang Zhi Tao. He did spend a lot of💰for her.
He had also found the bucket list she kept at her desk. Luan Nian told her that he regretted everything he had said to her that night. But now, he wanted to be part of every item on her bucket list.
In the end, Shang Zhi Tao was stunned when Lu Ke appeared with a “Marry Dad” balloon. And when Luan Nian finally got down on one knee, Shang Zhi Tao said yes. After a long, bitter winter, their spring finally arrived. 💕
What Happened to Sun Yu and Sun Yuan Zhu on The Early Spring Ending?
When Shang Zhi Tao joined a long-term project in Northwestern China, Sun Yuan Zhu was there on a project too. She was shocked to see that he had lost so much weight, but he brushed it off and said that he had been too busy to eat.
Time passed by so quickly and Sun Yuan Zhu’s assignment was almost finished. Before leaving, he went to Shang Zhi Tao’s apartment with a bouquet of mountain wildflower.
She was happy to receive it and guessed that the one who had secretly sent her flower bouquets for five days in a row is him. He admitted it and said that he just wanted to make her happy.
Shang Zhi Tao asked about his family. Sun Yuan Zhu said his mother had passed away during the Chinese New Year. When she asked if he was okay, he said yes at first. But then his voice started to shake as he finally admitted that he wasn’t okay at all. He was devastated.
Shang Zhi Tao’s heart broke seeing him like that and comforted him. Later that night, Shang Zhi Tao called Sun Yu to tell her about Sun Yuan Zhu’s mother. Sun Yu immediately said that she will come the next day.
After Shang Zhi Tao returned to Beijing, Sun Yu picked her up from Lime. They planned to watch a movie with Sun Yuan Zhu. On the way, Sun Yu told Shang Zhi Tao that she managed to convince Sun Yuan Zhu to seek professional help. He had diagnosed him with depression and was doing better with medication. Sun Yu was simply happy to see him happy again.
But the happiness didn’t last. 😭
When they arrived at Sun Yuan Zhu’s office building, he didn’t answer their calls. But something had happened there. People were gathered outside, and the police had already put up a police line. Apparently, someone had committed suicide by jumping from the building.
Sun Yu panicked when Sun Yuan Zhu still didn’t answer. When the call finally went through, a voice on the other end asked whether she was a family member of the victim. She froze.
Shang Zhi Tao immediately asked for the victim’s name, but the police couldn’t tell her. Then she saw the broken glasses on the floor. They were the same as Sun Yuan Zhu’s. Her worst fear slowly sank in, and the tears began to fall.
The girls returned to a dark and empty house. Later that night, Sun Yu found the letter she had written for him. Sun Yu had once confessed her feelings and was rejected.
But Sun Yuan Zhu had written a message for her on the back. He said he would watch her fall in love, get married, have children, and live a happy life without suffering. It was his final message. 🖤
Sun Yu later gave Sun Yuan Zhu’s diary to Shang Zhi Tao. She learned that Sun Yuan Zhu had secretly loved her all this time. He knew she was unhappy in her relationship and blamed himself for not being able to give her happiness.
Sun Yuan Zhu also wrote about how empty his heart had become and how life was getting harder to bear. All hopes seemed so far away. Eventually, he decided to leave this world.
Later, Shang Zhi Tao decided to move back to Harbin while Sun Yu would go South. Zheng Lei started tidying up the house because he planned to sell it. He’ll be moving to a dorm. The three of them sat around the dining table for one last time.
At the ending, Zheng Lei then told them something they never knew. Sun Yuan Zhu had lent him the money to buy back the apartment because he wanted to give Sun Yu and Shang Zhi Tao a home.
The three of them took one last group photo. Only this time, there were three people and a photo frame. 💜
My Two Cents
It’s adorable that Lu Mi and Tracy had already guessed that Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao were in a relationship. They just pretended they didn’t know about it. They were such good friends. I love them. 🥰
And after watching this drama over and over again, I noticed that Sun Qian’s mole, and even the button on her coat, would magically move from right to left. I know this sounds so petty, but I couldn’t help noticing it. I mean shouldn’t someone caught this in the editing room?
Well, that all for today, dear readers. I hope this The Early Spring Ending Explained would satisfy your curiosity and helped clear up some questions you might have. Thank you for reading, and as always, I’ll see you in the next Drama Review and Ending Explained articles. Goodbye!
