Rushed into surgery, Dr. Nam is Phua’s only hope. Working tirelessly to save his friend, he’s able to remove the bullet. Tian is overjoyed. Once it’s safe, Tian crawls into bed with him, holding him as he sleeps. With a knowing smile, Nam leaves the two alone to rest. Once they are both stable, they’re moved to a hospital more equipped to take care of them. 

After apologizing to Tian, Nam takes him to see Phua, who is still unconscious. Tian confesses everything to him, from the sadness he feels about Torfun to the fact that he likes him. As he leaves, Phua opens his eyes, he’s heard everything. 

Back in his room, Tian finds his father waiting for him. His father wants him to end his teaching job. He wants Tian to come home, which he promises to do after he finishes one last thing at the village. Reluctantly, his father agrees. 

Fully awake, Phua is taken outside to get some sun. Finding him, he and Tian finally speak face to face. Phua lectures him about how dangerous it is to follow the thugs. Tian responds by saying he knew he’d come and save him. Phua then confesses that he knows everything about Torfun and that Tian needs to stop blaming himself. 

Back inside, Phua finds Tian’s father waiting for him in his room. Tian sees the two talking. He is furious with the chief. So instead, he focuses on the children who rush to see him. Knowing Tian is upset, Phua pushes him to talk to him. When pressed, Phua reveals that Tian’s father was his former boss and that he always knew who Tian was. The two fight. The chief reverts to calling him a little rich boy who has no business being in the mountains. 

Nam lectures Phua, both about not telling him he’s always known who Tian was to what a colossal idiot he’s being for letting him get away. It’s later revealed that the entire fight is a ruse to help convince Tian to leave the village and return home. What it boils down to is that Phua doesn’t think he’s worthy of Tian.

Returning to the Pha Phun Dao cliffs, Tian attempts to grant Torfun’s last wish of counting 1000 stars. He makes multiple attempts, but the farthest he gets is 999. When Phua reaches him, Phua collapses into his arms in sadness. Phua reveals that he promised to take Torfun to the cliffs at the end of the year. Reaching to Tian, he places his hand over his heart. In a way, he’s able to keep his promise.

Quick Take: Earth’s facial hair in this episode is the scariest thing I’ve seen since Ja Phachara’s wig in Until We Meet Again. However, Tian shaving it for him is a very sweet and intimate moment between the two. The moment he runs his thumb over the Chief’s lips is so sweet.  Also it’s worth noting that during the “Counting Stars” scene, Mix fainted from exhaustion, which scarred the entire crew and left Earth shaking in fear.

There’s only one episode of A Tale of Thousand Stars left so… 

Stay Tuned!