Episode 4 of *A Hundred Memories* opens with Yeong-rye desperately attempting to have her work schedule adjusted, only to be met with Mr. No's unyielding refusal. He coldly points out that the staff is already stretched thin, leaving no room for her to take time off. Just as Yeong-rye feels cornered, three compassionate girls step forward to offer their support, volunteering to cover her shift so she can tend to her ailing mother. Among them is, unsurprisingly, Jong-hui. This makes Yeong-rye's subsequent decision to entrust Jong-hui with the phone number Jae-pil gave her even more agonizing.
Yeong-rye hurries to the hospital to be by her mother's side, but even in this vulnerable moment, she feels like a second-class member of her own family. Man-ok, with an air of superiority, asserts that her brother holds the highest place in the family hierarchy, casually referring to Yeong-rye as merely the eldest daughter, as if that title alone defined her worth.
Thankfully, Jong-hui steps in to inject a dose of warmth into Yeong-rye's day. She makes her way to Yeong-rye's home, taking charge of looking after the younger siblings and tackling the household chores. It's during this time that Yeong-rye, with a mix of resignation and relief, hands Jong-hui the phone number, insisting she has no interest in Jae-pil. Unbeknownst to Yeong-rye, Jong-hui crumples the number into a ball and discards it without a second thought, her mind preoccupied with more pressing matters than romance.
Meanwhile, Sang-chul and Jae-pil arrive at the hospital bearing a gift for Yeong-rye's mother. Jae-pil, ever observant, inquires about the phone number and struggles to mask his disappointment upon learning that Jong-hui has no intention of pursuing a relationship. His demeanor betrays a hint of sadness, though he tries to maintain his composure.
That evening, Hyung shows up at Jae-pil's residence for his tutoring session. However, the tension at home with Man-ok forces him to bring his younger siblings along. Yeong-mi and Young-bae are immediately enchanted by the opulence of Jae-pil's home, their eyes wide with wonder. Young-bae, in particular, seems to have developed a budding crush on Jae-pil's younger sister, Se-ri, his gaze lingering a little too long whenever she's in sight.
Feeling utterly disheartened after the drama involving Jae-pil, Yeong-rye found herself at a low ebb. However, Hyung stepped in with some heartening words, urging her to seek out her own happiness. Inspired, Yeong-rye retrieved the phone number that Jong-hui had discarded and, with a newfound resolve, decided to call Jae-pil herself. Though she only managed to reach his mother, she learned that he was currently at school.
Determined, Yeong-rye made her way to the school gates, planning to surprise him. Yet, Jae-pil's mind was preoccupied with Jong-hui, and he dashed off to the Vivaldi Music Cafe, hoping to catch a glimpse of her in her "natural habitat."
Fate had other plans, as the two eventually crossed paths. Jae-pil, awkward and fumbling, tried to strike up a conversation, fabricating stories about being a regular at the cafe and even claiming it was his birthday. Amidst the small talk, he did let slip a few truths, including the revelation that his mother had passed away.
After sharing a meal, they headed to a department store where Jong-hui intended to buy him a present. Unbeknownst to them, it was the very same department store where Jae-pil's father served as Chairman. The lies Jae-pil had been spinning all afternoon unraveled rapidly when his father suddenly appeared, forcing them to hide to avoid being seen. In that tense moment, some hard truths finally emerged.
Apparently, Jae-pil's father had only begun to physically abuse him after his mother's death. Jae-pil dismissed it as no big deal, but Jong-hui could sense the pain and hurt lurking beneath his casual demeanor. This time, he handed her his number personally, expressing a desire to see her again.
Meanwhile, Sang-chul encountered Yeong-rye outside the school, and the two ended up sharing a meal of dumplings together. Yeong-rye seized the opportunity to gather as much information as she could about Jae-pil, though it seemed her efforts were somewhat futile.
Eventually, Yeong-rye returned to the dorms after her absence and was warmly welcomed by the girls. Jong-hui and Yeong-rye retreated to the rooftop for a bite to eat, where Jong-hui recounted her encounter with Jae-pil.
Jong-hui had been invited to the library, but she was torn about whether to accept the invitation. She felt that Jae-pil didn't truly know her, and she didn't feel comfortable being honest with him either. Yeong-rye, ever the supportive friend, offered to cover for her over the weekend so she could meet with Jae-pil.
In a selfless act, Yeong-rye relinquished her pursuit of happiness to assist Jong-hui instead. However, fate seemed to have its own agenda. On the way, Jae-pil's bus broke down due to a flat tire. Meanwhile, Jong-hui realized she had forgotten her beret, a crucial part of her uniform, and feared the consequences. Without hesitation, Yeong-rye decided to race off and catch up with her.
As if orchestrated by destiny, Jong-hui (still in her uniform) alighted from the bus at the same stop where Jae-pil was waiting. Their eyes met, and just then, Yeong-rye came pedaling up on her bicycle, witnessing the two together.
