A Love So Beautiful Episode 22 Recap
> A Love So Beautiful Recap
Chen Xiaoxi's artwork won first prize, prompting her boss, Fu Pei, to plan a celebratory hotpot dinner with his girlfriend, Situ Mo, and Chen Xiaoxi. However, as they were leaving work, Jiang Chen was waiting at the company entrance. Jiang Chen, unsettled since their reunion, had been preoccupied with thoughts of Chen Xiaoxi and was now determined to win her back. His unexpected appearance turned the three-person celebration into a party of four.
During dinner, Fu Pei's affectionate use of "Darling" towards Chen Xiaoxi, and his mention of her dream to publish a globally popular comic book, noticeably irritated Jiang Chen, who subtly questioned Fu Pei's casual use of such terms. Suddenly, Wu Bosong called Chen Xiaoxi on her phone, explaining he couldn't reach her earlier and had something very important to discuss, asking her to meet him for dinner. Chen Xiaoxi had to leave mid-meal, and Jiang Chen followed her out.
It was raining, so Chen Xiaoxi waited by the door, with Jiang Chen standing silently beside her. She suggested he leave, but he refused, remarking that if she wanted the spot, he could buy it for her. Shortly after, Wu Bosong arrived, put an arm around Chen Xiaoxi, and led her away, leaving Jiang Chen to watch them depart.
Wu Bosong admitted he simply wanted to have dinner with her and had used the pretense of "Little Wei's lunar birthday" to invite her. Remembering Chen Xiaoxi's dream of publishing a comic book, Jiang Chen decided to help. He approached Mr. Hu, a patient who was also the proprietor of a publishing house, showing him Chen Xiaoxi's student artwork.
While Mr. Hu acknowledged her talent, he explained that their major publishing house typically worked with established authors, making it difficult to publish a novice's work. Jiang Chen then asked about self-publication, and after Mr. Hu returned with calculations, he quoted a price of ¥400,000 for the project. Jiang Chen readily agreed to cover the cost.
To ensure Chen Xiaoxi wouldn't reject the offer due to his involvement, Jiang Chen conspired with the publisher, Lu Yang, and Lin Jingxiao to create an elaborate ruse. He told Lu Yang that since Chen Xiaoxi was ignoring him, he needed them to make her believe the publisher proactively contacted her, as he didn't want her to refuse the offer because of his involvement.
He also discreetly inquired if Lu Yang knew anyone looking to buy a car, saying he wanted to change his own, secretly planning to sell it to finance the comic book. Later, Lin Jingxiao excitedly informed Chen Xiaoxi that a friend of Lu Yang's in the animation industry saw her award-winning work, which Lu Yang had turned into emojis and shared widely. This friend had recommended her to a publisher who was now interested in publishing her comic.
Chen Xiaoxi joyfully accepted. During a meeting to discuss the comic's theme, Chen Xiaoxi suggested ideas like an alien girl falling to Earth or a modern version of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." However, the publisher steered her towards a campus story, which they believed would be more suitable. To gather material for her new comic, Chen Xiaoxi invited Lu Yang, Lin Jingxiao, and Wu Bosong to her home for a photoshoot.
Lin Jingxiao also invited Jiang Chen, deeming him an essential part of their school life. Jiang Chen arrived in a high school uniform, which made Chen Xiaoxi feel a sense of nostalgia. Wu Bosong jokingly teased Jiang Chen about wearing a costume. As Chen Xiaoxi photographed her friends, Jiang Chen struggled when asked to strike cute and lively poses. Lu Yang demonstrated some moves, which Jiang Chen awkwardly tried to imitate.
Seeing the usually reserved Jiang Chen making silly gestures, Chen Xiaoxi laughed uncontrollably, her hands shaking as she took pictures. Wu Bosong, observing Chen Xiaoxi's radiant happiness, realized that Jiang Chen still held a profound place in her heart. Meanwhile, Wu Bosong was at the publishing house discussing his own photo album, "A Descendant of the Sun."
He suggested his friend could illustrate for him to fill the text content, but the representative explained they usually worked with their own illustrators. As they reviewed potential illustrators, Wu Bosong noticed Chen Xiaoxi's name. The representative explained she was a new cartoonist whose work was being self-published because someone believed in it and was paying for it without her knowledge, even selling his car to cover the ¥400,000 fee.
Wu Bosong immediately asked if that person was Jiang Chen, and the representative confirmed the connection. Feeling a deep sense of insecurity because of Jiang Chen's actions, Wu Bosong accelerated his plans to propose to Chen Xiaoxi. Chen Xiaoxi was called in as a stand-in actress for Wu Bosong's project, needing only a back shot and one line. Dressed in a suit, Wu Bosong got down on one knee, presented a ring, and asked her to marry him.
Her scripted line was, "Yes, I will." As the crew subtly disappeared, Wu Bosong asked her again, "Are you really willing?" Chen Xiaoxi realized it wasn't acting. Observing her conflicted expression—a mix of guilt, heartache, and struggle, but no joy—Wu Bosong offered a wistful smile. He confessed he had wanted to wait until she genuinely accepted him, but Jiang Chen's presence made him too insecure to wait any longer.
Though he knew her answer, he needed to hear "Sorry" from her lips. Chen Xiaoxi offered her apology, and Wu Bosong lightened the moment by joking about her "bad taste" and the large diamond ring. Later, a heartbroken Wu Bosong was drinking at a street stall with Lu Yang. Lu Yang called Jiang Chen, who was on duty at the hospital, and asked him to come out.
Jiang Chen arrived and tried to dissuade Wu Bosong from drinking, but ended up joining him. A drunk Wu Bosong repeatedly begged Jiang Chen to "give Chen Xiaoxi back" to him. Jiang Chen adamantly retorted that she had "always been his." Jiang Chen then revealed his true feelings, explaining that while everyone thought Chen Xiaoxi loved him more, he was the one who couldn't live without her.
He recounted his solitary childhood after his father's passing and his mother's decision to work elsewhere with his younger brother, which instilled in him the belief that everyone would eventually leave him. Chen Xiaoxi, however, was different; she was always by his side. Over time, he grew dependent on her presence, secretly checking if she followed him to school or if she was struggling with homework.
When he left three years ago, he expected her to follow as she always had, but she didn't, leaving him utterly lost. He later returned to find her with Wu Bosong, convincing himself that she must have realized he wasn't the perfect or most suitable person for her. He tried to rationalize his feelings, telling himself she was clumsy, noisy, and ate too much, and he would be better off without her, but he couldn't convince himself.
He confessed he desperately wanted to hear her voice, to have dinner with her, and that he simply couldn't live without her. He offered to change anything she disliked, but then admitted, heartbroken, that he didn't even know what she had loved about him in the first place. Wu Bosong then held up his phone and asked Chen Xiaoxi, who was listening on the other end of the phone call, if she had heard Jiang Chen's confession.
Lin Jingxiao arrived to take the heavily intoxicated Lu Yang and Wu Bosong home, leaving Jiang Chen and Chen Xiaoxi alone. Jiang Chen's phone continued to ring with hospital calls, highlighting his demanding schedule. Chen Xiaoxi, understanding his busy nature, told him to leave, and then stood up to depart herself. Jiang Chen gently grabbed her hand, resting his head on their clasped hands, and tearfully apologized, begging her to forgive him.
Chen Xiaoxi remained silent, then softly asked for some time to think before turning and walking away. Jiang Chen returned to the hospital, immediately plunging into a lengthy and complex surgery. Exhausted, he finally made his way back to his office. There, on his small bed, he found Chen Xiaoxi sleeping peacefully. Bathed in the warm glow of the lamp, Jiang Chen couldn't contain his excitement, suppressing a joyful laugh. He knew, deep down, that while everyone else might leave, Chen Xiaoxi would always stay by his side.
