All I Want for Love Is You Episode 21 Recap
> All I Want for Love Is You Recap
Xiaoman spent a restless night, plagued by worries that Zuo An might misunderstand her relationship with Shen Chenyang and distressed about how to explain the situation to him. She thought Zuo An would surely be unconcerned and asleep. The next morning, Shen Chenyang had already prepared an elaborate breakfast. Gu's father enthusiastically praised Shen Chenyang’s cooking, exclaiming he had only seen such beautiful and nutritious breakfasts on television.
Shen Chenyang humbly accepted the praise, promising to showcase his true culinary skills at noon. Xiaoman, however, was bewildered by her father's sudden change of heart. She questioned why Shen Chenyang was still there, reminding her father that he was supposed to leave and threatening to "break his leg" if he didn't. Gu's father dismissed her protests, telling Shen Chenyang to stay as long as he liked.
Xiaoman accused Shen Chenyang of having "bought" her father with a meal, but Gu's father defended Shen Chenyang, stating that a man who can cook must be good in other aspects too. He asserted his role as the head of the family, declaring Shen Chenyang his guest who had nowhere else to go, and noted how tidily Shen Chenyang had cleaned the storage room. Shen Chenyang thanked Gu's father sincerely.
Xiaoman then confronted Shen Chenyang, accusing him of threatening her father. Shen Chenyang retorted, asking if she believed he was only capable of threatening people, and then claimed he had been very sincere and diligent that morning. Shen Chenyang then recounted how Gu's father had woken him early to test his physical endurance. Gu's father had openly questioned his physical fitness, asking how he intended to pursue Xiaoman with such poor stamina.
Shen Chenyang admitted he wasn't Xiaoman's boyfriend yet but confessed his sincere feelings for her, promising to exercise daily for her sake. Gu's father then made him run five kilometers, boasting that he used to run much farther with Xiaoman when she was little. After the strenuous run, Shen Chenyang cooked breakfast. Gu's father was highly impressed by Shen Chenyang's knife skills, praising his finely shredded ingredients and noting that cutting was paramount in cooking.
Shen Chenyang explained his love for food and cooking, emphasizing his desire to share meals with family and friends. Gu's father then inquired about Shen Chenyang's family, prompting Shen Chenyang to reveal his parents' early passing and that he was raised by his sister. Gu's father empathized, sharing that Xiaoman's mother also passed away when Xiaoman was young, and he raised her alone.
Gu's father then expressed his genuine liking for Shen Chenyang, acknowledging his sincerity towards Xiaoman, and invited him to stay longer, stating he wanted to "test" Shen Chenyang as a potential boyfriend for Xiaoman. Shen Chenyang accepted, then playfully told Xiaoman he almost revealed his family's wealth to her father, a notion Xiaoman vehemently rejected, insisting he should leave.
Gu's father, hearing their continued argument, interjected, sternly warning Xiaoman not to yell at Shen Chenyang, his invited guest, under threat of having her own leg broken. Later, Zhan Yue and Yaola arrived to visit Xiaoman. Zhan Yue was astonished to find Shen Chenyang there and immediately began insulting him, calling him an "old pervert." Shen Chenyang quickly clarified that although he was a few years older than Xiaoman, he was not old.
Gu's father reprimanded Zhan Yue for his impoliteness, reiterating that Shen Chenyang was his guest. Zhan Yue expressed his outrage that Shen Chenyang was allowed to stay in the house while he himself was barely allowed through the door. Gu's father then openly explained that he was giving Shen Chenyang a chance to be "tested" as a potential boyfriend for Xiaoman, as Shen Chenyang was sincerely pursuing her.
He contrasted this with Zhan Yue's past antics, such as climbing walls and fighting, and questioned Zhan Yue's reliability. Feeling challenged and resentful, Zhan Yue immediately demanded to be included in the "test" as well, wanting to compete with Shen Chenyang. Gu's father agreed to test Zhan Yue too, to avoid any accusation of unfairness. Both young men then enthusiastically began competing to serve and impress Gu's father.
Xiaoman, meanwhile, was utterly exasperated by the entire situation, confiding in Yaola that she foresaw a very difficult winter holiday. Yaola reassured her she had support and then curiously asked why Xiaoman had never considered Zhan Yue as a romantic interest, given their long history together. Xiaoman dismissed the idea, stating they were too familiar and there was no romantic possibility between them. She also dismissed Zhan Yue’s apparent interest in her as not serious.
Desperate to escape the chaos, Xiaoman decided she would go anywhere as long as Shen Chenyang wasn't there. Meanwhile, Zuo An, wanting a reason to see Xiaoman, uncharacteristically initiated a class reunion in their old class group chat, a move that surprised everyone given his usually quiet and solitary nature. The news quickly spread among their former classmates.
Zhan Yue noted Zuo An's unusual behavior, playfully suggesting that the recent appearance of a "more disgusting guy" (implying Shen Chenyang) had made Zuo An seem "inexplicably lovely." Shen Chenyang unexpectedly appeared at the reunion, claiming to be a schoolmate and Zuo An's senior. Zuo An curtly informed him it was a class reunion and he wasn't welcome. Shen Chenyang persisted, claiming he was stuck to Xiaoman and couldn't be shaken off.
Classmates, observing Shen Chenyang, praised his height and good looks, asking if he was Xiaoman's boyfriend, which Xiaoman quickly denied. Shen Chenyang introduced himself as Xiaoman's friend. Shen Chenyang then took charge of the barbecue, playfully threatening Xiaoman to make her help him. He skillfully cooked for everyone, earning effusive praise from the other classmates, one even calling it the "most delicious barbecue" they had ever had. Zuo An, watching from a distance, seemed unimpressed, noting the burnt parts.
Classmates also commented on how good Shen Chenyang was to Xiaoman, again suggesting he was her boyfriend. Another classmate remarked that they used to think Xiaoman and Zuo An would end up together. Xiaoman clarified that the old love letter incident was not her doing and that she had long put the misunderstanding behind her. While the party was in full swing, Shen Chenyang, noticing Xiaoman’s irritation, offered to take her somewhere fun. Subsequently, Zhan Yue fell into a puddle.
Blaming Shen Chenyang for the incident, Zhan Yue yelled at him after being helped out of the water by Zuo An. Xiaoman soon learned that Zuo An had a fever. She immediately bought medicine and, dragging Zhan Yue along, went to visit him. To their surprise, Anning opened the door. Anning, asserting her long-standing relationship with Zuo An, informed them he was resting and not to be disturbed, implying it was improper to barge in.
Feeling dejected, Xiaoman decided to let Zuo An rest and handed the medicine to Anning, claiming Zhan Yue bought it. Anning thanked them. After they left, Anning callously tossed the medicine into the trash. Outside, Zhan Yue questioned Xiaoman's passivity, asking why she didn't fight for Zuo An if she was unhappy, and then asked if she would never like anyone other than Zuo An, even himself. Xiaoman appeared unresponsive to Zhan Yue's advances.
Shortly after, Zuo An came downstairs, having heard the knocking. He tried to dismiss Anning, stating he only had a mild cold and did not need care, and urged her to go home for the approaching New Year. Anning, however, insisted on staying to celebrate with him, ignoring his clear desire for her to leave. Zuo An then stated that he would be very unhappy if anyone were to harm Gu Xiaoman.
As New Year's Eve approached, Xiaoman tried to persuade Shen Chenyang to return home for the holidays, pointing out he had been staying for a month and should visit his sister. Shen Chenyang, however, became dramatic, suggesting this might be their "only" New Year together and that she would regret missing every moment. Xiaoman was unnerved by his morbid pronouncements but resignedly told him he could stay if he insisted.
Shen Chenyang, delighted, immediately began discussing New Year's dinner plans with Gu's father. Xiaoman, realizing he had been feigning his sadness, muttered that he was a "scourge who will last for thousands of years." On New Year's Eve, Gu's father praised Shen Chenyang's cooking skills while they prepared a festive meal. He then made a toast for the New Year.
As Xiaoman, Zhan Yue, and Yaola set off fireworks, Gu's father commented that Xiaoman and Shen Chenyang made a perfect match, as did Yaola and Zhan Yue. This immediately sparked playful arguments and denials from all four, especially Yaola and Zhan Yue, who vehemently rejected the idea of being matched with each other, exchanging insults about their appearances and future prospects.
Shen Chenyang then jokingly claimed he and Xiaoman were a perfect match, prompting Xiaoman to playfully threaten him, leading to a chase around the yard, with Gu's father trying to intervene. Amidst the joyful chaos, Xiaoman paused and quietly thought of Zuo An, wishing him a "Happy New Year" and playfully urging him to "come and catch" her. Meanwhile, Zuo An spent the New Year's Eve alone, watching the fireworks light up the sky, his thoughts continually drifting to Xiaoman.
The next morning, Shen Chenyang prepared to leave. Xiaoman walked him to the car. Shen Chenyang expressed his reluctance to part ways, hinting he would feel Xiaoman's presence even if she didn't see him off, and asked for a farewell hug, which Xiaoman disgustedly refused. Shen Chenyang then thanked Xiaoman for making it the "most memorable Spring Festival," adding that he had "no regrets."
As soon as Shen Chenyang left, Xiaoman felt immense relief, internally calling him a "drama king" and a "scourge." She planned a celebratory feast for herself. Xiaoman then went to the supermarket for snacks. The A Po who ran the supermarket greeted Xiaoman warmly, telling her that Zuo An had been waiting for her there repeatedly but she had never shown up. Xiaoman was confused and disbelieving, thinking Zuo An would never wait for her.
A Po then confided that on New Year's Eve, Zuo An had personally told her he liked Xiaoman. Xiaoman was utterly shocked. Just then, A Po's granddaughter arrived and explained to Xiaoman that A Po suffered from Alzheimer's disease, warning Xiaoman not to believe anything she said. Xiaoman immediately assumed A Po's words were a misunderstanding due to her condition.
However, A Po continued to insist, saying she knew Zuo An liked Xiaoman because he often came to the store under the pretense of buying pens but was actually waiting for her. She urged Xiaoman to go find him, adding that she had even seen two "naughty boys" setting off dangerous firecrackers nearby on New Year's Eve. Xiaoman, finding A Po endearing, still felt that it had been a thrilling minute.
