Because of Love Episode 16 Recap
> Because of Love Recap
Nie Yusheng offered Tan Jing his house keys, explaining that his home was conveniently located near the hospital for her to rest or prepare meals for Pingping, who was growing tired of hospital food. Tan Jing instinctively recoiled, so Nie Yusheng placed the keys on the counter. He encouraged her not to rush to refuse him, stating that he meant nothing more and that they could consider trying to start over.
He later reminisced about Tan Jing's past words, that a kiss was a seal of love, and if she had sealed him, he would belong to her. He now understood it to be more than a seal, calling her a "brand" in his heart that, even after years, had not faded but intensified with pain. Meanwhile, Nie Dongyuan learned from Mr. Quan that Tan Jing and Sun Zhijun were not legally married, despite publicly presenting themselves as a couple.
Nie Dongyuan found this incomprehensible and was particularly upset that she allowed Sun Zhijun, whom he called a "thug" with a history of violent behavior, to be Pingping's father. He also noted Sun Zhijun's infrequent and overnight-less visits to Tan Jing's home. Primarily concerned with Pingping's custody, Nie Dongyuan instructed Mr. Quan to thoroughly investigate Sun Zhijun's social background and his relationship with Tan Jing and Pingping to gather advantageous evidence. Mr. Quan assured him of a complete investigation.
Later, Nie Yusheng requested Mr. Quan to locate detailed information about Tan Shaohua's (Tan Jing's father) project from years past, hoping to uncover the truth. Mr. Quan agreed to email the documents. He also advised Nie Yusheng to avoid agitating his father, whose illness made him vulnerable to stress, emphasizing Nie Dongyuan's indispensability to the Dongyuan Group. Back at his office, Nie Yusheng called his former classmate, Chubster, requesting his help to examine the documents pertaining to Tan Jing's father.
He wanted to ascertain the truth of the past events to provide an explanation for Tan Jing and for himself. Chubster, acknowledging Tan Jing as his classmate, readily agreed, dismissing Nie Yusheng's capacity to investigate such matters as a doctor. In the ensuing days, Tan Jing maintained her demanding routine, juggling her work, home life, and hospital visits. In the company pantry, colleagues gossiped about Sheng Fangting, who was rumored to have a new girlfriend.
They described her as "seductive" and dressed in a revealing outfit, expressing surprise at Sheng Fangting's apparent preference for such a type, contrary to their expectation of him liking "pure and innocent girls." They recounted how Sheng Fangting had immediately offered her his jacket. Attempting to glean information from Tan Jing, Sheng Fangting's assistant, they were met with her indifference.
Tan Jing stated that Sheng Fangting was single, his dating life was his own, and as his assistant, she had no right to interfere in his personal affairs. During his hospital rounds, Nie Yusheng observed Pingping drawing. When he approached, Pingping quickly hid his artwork, appearing overly guarded. Nie Yusheng then noticed soybeans soaking in water by Pingping’s bed. Pingping explained that someone told him making a wish while soaking beans would make it come true when they sprouted.
His wish was for his father to visit him when the beans sprouted. Nie Yusheng assured him that his wish would be granted. Nie Yusheng reflected that despite initially feeling unprepared for fatherhood or accepting a six-year-old son, he now deeply cared for Pingping. He found himself disturbed by Pingping calling another man "Dad" and pondered how Pingping perceived him. Upon returning home, Nie Yusheng was surprised to find Tan Jing there, preparing food for Pingping.
They cooked braised fish together, reminiscing about when they first made the dish, creating a heartwarming scene reminiscent of their past. After Tan Jing approved the taste, they packed the fish and brought it to Pingping at the hospital. The three shared the meal in the hospital room, a joyful family moment.
Pingping thoroughly enjoyed the fish, calling it "Mom's cooking," and asked Tan Jing to make it again, suggesting she invite Sun Zhijun next time, as his "dad" also loved her braised fish. This comment visibly unsettled Nie Yusheng, who promptly excused himself to get water. Outside Pingping’s room, Tan Jing observed Nie Yusheng's sullen expression and playfully remarked that he and Pingping looked identical when upset. She then expressed her gratitude to him for fulfilling his promise.
Nie Yusheng felt he had many more promises to keep. Tan Jing promised to tell Pingping the truth when the time was right, a notion Nie Yusheng supported, saying there was no rush. Back inside, Tan Jing saw Pingping had drawn a family portrait but had left his father's face blank, explaining he had forgotten his father’s facial features and would fill it in when he came to visit.
At a dinner gathering, Sheng Fangting, Shu Qin, and other colleagues discussed professional opportunities in the Southwest Region. When some colleagues teasingly mentioned Shu Qin and Nie Yusheng, Shu Qin clarified that she and Nie Yusheng had broken up long ago and were now merely friends. Sheng Fangting, seemingly to provoke Shu Qin, engaged in a close conversation with a female colleague, making Shu Qin noticeably upset.
When Shu Qin went to the restroom, Sheng Fangting followed her, and they shared a passionate moment in the hallway, undeterred by the noisy banquet. The next morning, Shu Qin prepared a steak for Sheng Fangting, but he informed her he had a client meeting that day, leaving her feeling disappointed. During his hospital rounds, Nie Yusheng found Tan Jing sleeping, exhausted, by Pingping's bedside.
He gently woke her and suggested she go to his house to rest, mentioning he had a pair of shoes for her there. Around the same time, Shu Qin arrived at Nie Yusheng's apartment to return his keys. She found Tan Jing asleep on the sofa, and after a brief, surprised pause, they exchanged knowing smiles.
Shu Qin, understanding the depth of Nie Yusheng’s love for Tan Jing, advised Tan Jing earnestly that regardless of her feelings, she should not hurt him again, emphasizing that Nie Yusheng was a truly good person who deserved to be treated well. Later, Chubster called Nie Yusheng, reporting the results of his investigation into Tan Jing's father.
He explained that after the engineering accident, media reports unfairly cast Tan Jing's father as solely responsible, accusing him of greed and hiring unqualified contractors. This effectively shifted public opinion and attention away from the Dongyuan Group. Nie Yusheng noted the one-sided nature of the report, which only featured interviews with Dongyuan personnel. Chubster revealed he had located the reporter, who admitted to rushing the article to publication after only hearing Dongyuan's side, acknowledging the significant impact on public perception.
Nie Yusheng questioned the reporter's ethics, highlighting the immense responsibility of his words. Chubster pointed out a key suspicious detail: the article deliberately omitted the names of the Dongyuan individuals interviewed, leading him to suspect that Dongyuan had orchestrated the report rather than it being an independent journalistic endeavor. They agreed that this was a strong hypothesis requiring further investigation to find concrete evidence and individuals connected to the original incident.
Chubster concluded by expressing how difficult Tan Jing's life must have been after her father's death, as she would have been hounded by creditors. Flashbacks depicted Sun Zhijun vehemently defending Tan Jing's father's integrity against Tan Jing's own doubts. Another flashback revealed Nie Dongyuan offering Tan Jing five million yuan to leave Nie Yusheng.
Sun Zhijun deduced this was not a breakup fee but hush money, reasoning that Dongyuan Group, amidst its IPO preparations, had used Tan Jing's father as a scapegoat to sanitize its image. Despite the lack of immediate proof, Sun Zhijun argued that such a large sum would not be offered if Nie Dongyuan were innocent.
More flashbacks showed Sun Zhijun shielding Tan Jing from angry workers demanding compensation, underscoring why Tan Jing entered into a contractual marriage with him—he had stood by her and taken on the burdens following her father's death. Back in the present, Tan Jing tried on the new shoes Nie Yusheng had bought her. They didn't fit. She realized that despite his remembrance of her style and size, her feet had grown larger over years of pregnancy and hardship.
She reflected that time inevitably changes everything, and sometimes, a fit that once was, simply no longer is. That night, Nie Yusheng lay awake, tormented by the revelation of Tan Jing's past suffering. Imagining her pain felt like a "daily torment," breaking his heart. The next morning, he brought breakfast for Tan Jing and Pingping. Pingping excitedly showed Nie Yusheng the sprouted soybeans, proudly stating that his mother taught him to add water to make them grow faster. Nie Yusheng encouraged him, then prepared to leave for his rounds. As he turned to go, Tan Jing called out his name.
