Because of Love Episode 2 Recap
> Because of Love Recap
Shu Qin playfully bantered with Nie Yusheng, teasing him about their long-standing friendship, a bond forged years ago when he was studying medicine abroad. Having been financially cut off by his disapproving father, Nie Yusheng had struggled with illness and debt until Shu Qin entered his life. Now, they were both back in China and still single.
Nie Yusheng, in turn, joked about marrying her, but she responded that even he wouldn't want that, admitting that while she's used to waiting for someone, she can't wait any longer. Her thoughts lingered on a person named Mark, whom she described as "love itself."
Nie Yusheng, however, was consumed by his own lingering feelings for Tan Jing, reflecting internally on how he had envisioned their reunion countless times, expecting a dramatic scene, but it had turned out to be so ordinary. He confessed to himself that he couldn't forgive his own coldness and indifference, admitting it stemmed from jealousy of Tan Jing's son, her current husband, and a life where he was no longer a part.
The next morning, Shu Qin, a sharp department head, went to the airport to pick up Sheng Fangting, the newly appointed Deputy General Manager. Sheng Fangting, a young man with a unique, independent personality, declined her offer to carry his luggage and later informed her by phone that he would handle his own arrangements without her help. Back at the office, Shu Qin’s colleagues speculated about Sheng Fangting’s absence from his welcome party, suggesting he was putting on airs.
Shu Qin, however, noted that he was a "winner" who already had both men and women reacting strongly to his arrival. Later, Shu Qin visited Nie Yusheng at the hospital. Knowing her well, Nie Yusheng anticipated she needed another favor, likely for a company leader's surgery. Shu Qin pleaded for his help, explaining that hospital surgeries required scheduling and that her company's internal strife made it difficult for her to "make a living."
Nie Yusheng initially tried to discourage her, suggesting her company had no future, but eventually agreed, albeit reluctantly, stating it would be the last time. Shu Qin promised to buy him a meal in return. Meanwhile, at Tan Jing's workplace, a woman insisted on handling bread directly from the cold cabinet with her hands, despite Wang Yuling, a store clerk, explaining the hygiene regulations and asking her to use tongs.
The woman became aggressive, claiming she had the right to "pick and choose," and accidentally dropped some bread. She then refused to pay for it, accusing the store of "forcing her to buy" and being "a bunch of robbers." Sheng Fangting and a supervisor arrived during the commotion. Sheng Fangting calmly suggested checking the surveillance footage, and when the duty manager, Zhu Zhaobin, mentioned needing headquarters' approval, Sheng Fangting exercised his authority and granted immediate authorization.
The footage clearly showed the woman’s actions, forcing her to pay for the touched and dropped bread before she left, still muttering complaints. Nie Yusheng had a disagreement with Mr. Fang, a department director, about the CM Program, a new medical project. After work, Nie Yusheng offered Mr. Fang a ride home when his car battery died.
During the ride, Mr. Fang explained that his criticism was for Nie Yusheng’s benefit, advising caution on the new program because, despite foreign subsidies, new materials and procedures required extensive domestic approval and a "long transition period." He warned Nie Yusheng of the responsibility he would bear if problems arose but also acknowledged that "doctors have parental hearts" and that even a small chance of hope for patients should be seized.
He asked Nie Yusheng to prepare a risk assessment for the Vice President of Operations. That evening, Zhu Zhaobin invited his employees, including Tan Jing and Wang Yuling, to dinner to discuss the incident and write a bilingual explanation letter for headquarters. He had asked a colleague to bring Tan Jing's son, Pingping, so she could focus. Wang Yuling’s writing was subpar, and Zhu Zhaobin's own English version was grammatically flawed.
Tan Jing offered suggestions, advising Zhu Zhaobin to frame the letter not as an argument with a customer but as "arguing based on just grounds," and offered to refine the English grammar during translation. Impressed, Zhu Zhaobin tasked her with rewriting the letter and sending the English version from her personal email. As Tan Jing prepared to send the email, she typed in a familiar username, triggering a flood of high school memories.
She recalled a time when Nie Yusheng had mistakenly thought her father was a pervert and physically confronted him, only to realize his error. Following that incident, her father forbade her from seeing Nie Yusheng, leading them to communicate exclusively through emails. These exchanges blossomed into a profound relationship during their high school and college years, creating both "the most beautiful moments" and "the most painful memories."
During a flashback to that high school period, Nie Yusheng was seen intervening in a fight involving school outsiders harassing Tan Jing. When the school director, Mr. Fang, reprimanded them both, Nie Yusheng took full responsibility, sacrificing his own academic recommendation. He passionately declared to Tan Jing that he would "never be indifferent to you all my life." Later, Shu Qin and Nie Yusheng met for a drink, celebrating the successful surgery Nie Yusheng performed on Shu Qin’s superior.
Shu Qin, expressing gratitude, highlighted her struggles in the workplace and how difficult it was for her, a "small woman," to make a living. She praised him for being the only person who never advised her to take the easy path of working for her father. They raised their glasses "to freedom," acknowledging their shared journey of earning their own lives. At home, Wang Yuling asked Tan Jing about her marriage with Sun Zhijun, hinting at recent arguments.
Tan Jing confirmed the occasional arguments but stated it was normal for couples. She confessed that while Sun Zhijun treated her "pretty well," ultimately, it didn't matter as long as he was good to their son. The next morning, Sheng Fangting summoned Shu Qin to his office and asked her to read the English explanation letter that had been submitted.
Shu Qin evaluated it as "coherent and clear, logically flawless, and emotionally neither humble nor arrogant," but deemed its English "average." Sheng Fangting prompted her to reconsider, leading her to realize that for a grassroots store manager, such an English letter was exceptional. He then declared his intention to promote Zhu Zhaobin to his private secretary at headquarters, despite Shu Qin’s objections about company precedent and his already assigned assistant.
Sheng Fangting asserted his authority, stating he would dismiss any assistant she assigned until he got "this person," forcing Shu Qin to agree to his "vision and courage" in promoting talent. Meanwhile, Sun Zhijun, working on a construction site, was mocked by his colleague Feng Hui for ogling female white-collar workers, leading him to punch and break Feng Hui's nose. Tan Jing received a phone call from Officer Zhang at the police station.
Officer Zhang reprimanded her, informing her this was the second time Sun Zhijun had caused trouble while drunk and had broken Feng Hui's nose. He instructed her to visit Feng Hui at the hospital, pay compensation, and apologize to avoid Sun Zhijun's detention. Tan Jing, with fruits and limited cash, went to the hospital. Feng Hui's wife confronted her, verbally abusing her and demanding 50,000 yuan.
Tan Jing offered the cash she had, but Feng Hui’s wife angrily rejected it, pushing her money and fruits away. As Tan Jing left the hospital room, she felt as if she were in a nightmare, telling herself she had to stay strong until she woke up. Lost in her thoughts, she saw Nie Yusheng walk past her without acknowledgment. Overwhelmed, she collapsed.
She later woke up in a hospital bed, where a nurse informed her she had fainted from low blood sugar and was found by a caretaker. At the front desk, she discovered her phone was broken and she had no money. After failed attempts to reach her colleagues, she tearfully called Nie Yusheng, offering the letters and photos from their past in exchange for 50,000 yuan.
Nie Yusheng hung up but called back, provocatively asking if she wouldn't prefer 100,000 yuan for her son's surgery, implying their shared past was worth more. Tan Jing, struggling to hold back tears, agreed to the higher amount. After the call, Nie Yusheng, in his own moment of anguish, dropped his phone. Unbeknownst to Tan Jing, it was Nie Yusheng, not a caretaker, who had found her and brought her to the emergency room, but he had chosen to conceal his involvement.
