Almost Lover Episode 12 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Xiao Shangqi returned to Hupu and was promptly arranged by Zhao Mingxuan to be his driver. Zhao Mingxuan announced his intention to entrust Xiao Shangqi with the inaugural project for Yunduan following its grand opening: his upcoming wedding to Chen Fei'er. He emphasized that this highly visible event, being Deju's first six-star hotel project in Hupu, was the true reason he had orchestrated Xiao Shangqi's return.
Xiao Shangqi noted the city's fast pace compared to Wusu but conceded that his original workplace, Jifeng, suited him better. Meanwhile, Li Hui sat despondent in a pub. Sui Mingwei found her and, after some light prodding, Li Hui tearfully revealed that her boyfriend, Tang Yan, had cheated on her with a woman named Susan, who was now publicly flaunting their relationship on social media.
Li Hui initially rejected Sui Mingwei's attempts at comfort, dismissing them as his usual charming tactics. However, Sui Mingwei, genuinely concerned, booked the entire pub, offering her a private space to express her emotions without shame and even volunteering to cry alongside her. This act of empathy allowed Li Hui to finally release her sadness, questioning if she was truly "that bad," to which Sui Mingwei reassured her.
At the Xiao family home, a housemaid mentioned Xiao Shangqi's long absence from family meals, but his father dismissed it, suggesting Xiao Shangqi wouldn't care. His father's primary concern was Xiao Xian, for whom he had arranged special Chinese medicine for his chronic leg pain, insisting he consume it despite Xiao Xian's dislike. Xiao Xian, weary, felt that despite all efforts, he remained "lame."
Upon his arrival, Xiao Shangqi directly confronted his father about Zhao Mingxuan's wedding plans, questioning his prior knowledge. His father tried to evade the topic, but Xiao Shangqi declared he would not be a "pawn" in their schemes and intended to return to Wusu the next day, refusing to plan the wedding. He defiantly stated that he would not "kneel" and earn money from the Zhao family, unlike his father and brother who seemed to have grown accustomed to it.
His brother, Xiao Xian, intervened, suggesting Zhao Mingxuan was exploiting old grievances between Xiao Shangqi and Chen Fei'er. Ignoring Xiao Shangqi’s confusion over these "issues," his father commanded him to stay in Hupu after the wedding to assist Xiao Xian, reiterating the long-standing "Band-tightening Spell" that Xiao Shangqi "owed" his brother. Xiao Shangqi acknowledged his lifelong commitment to repaying Xiao Xian but, in turn, asked his father if he, as a father, ever felt he owed anything to Xiao Shangqi.
His father responded by listing his efforts in raising and nurturing him. He Xiaoran, Li Hui, and Sui Mingwei discussed their relationships. Sui Mingwei subtly noted He Xiaoran's anticipation of a call from Xiao Shangqi, to which He Xiaoran defensively attributed the lack of contact to Hupu's fast pace, implying Xiao Shangqi’s busy schedule prevented him from tending to her. Sui Mingwei then offered to cook for the two women, remarking on their shared "lovelorn" and "lost contact" states.
Before this, with Yunlan's opening imminent, Zhao Mingxuan chastised Xiao Xian because the General Manager position remained unfilled. Zhao Mingxuan planned to contact candidates himself, but Xiao Shangqi, overhearing, intervened. He pointed out that Zhao Mingxuan's preferred candidate, Eddie, had a history of factionalism in his previous hotel, leading to a 30% turnover rate among middle and upper management. Xiao Shangqi argued that Yunlan, lacking a cohesive and mature management team, was not suitable for such a hire.
With other shareholders also expressing dissatisfaction, Zhao Mingxuan agreed to give Xiao Xian a few more days to find a suitable candidate. Later, Xiao Shangqi spoke with Xiao Xian, having concluded that Zhao Mingxuan must have resorted to deceptive means to compel his father and brother to lure him back from Wusu. Xiao Xian revealed that the critical Yunduan contract had yet to be signed.
Recognizing the precarious situation, Xiao Shangqi agreed to undertake Zhao Mingxuan's wedding, viewing it as a necessary step to compensate Xiao Xian for a childhood injury sustained while saving him. Initially, Xiao Xian rejected his brother's help, accusing him of adopting a self-sacrificing "savior" persona. However, Xiao Shangqi clarified that managing the wedding would grant them access to the Zhao family's extensive network and resources, which could pave new avenues for Yunlan, and reaffirmed his intention to repay his brother.
Subsequently, He Xiaoran received an exciting offer from Director Zhou: a month-long exchange training program at Hupu TV Station's news channel. As a Hupu native, He Xiaoran was thrilled, especially knowing Xiao Shangqi was also there, and eagerly accepted, promising to excel. She then planned a farewell dinner with her friends, intending to surprise Xiao Shangqi in Hupu the following morning.
During their dinner, Li Hui informed He Xiaoran that she would move some belongings into He Xiaoran's vacant room and advised He Xiaoran to lean on Sui Mingwei or video call her if she felt lonely. The next day, He Xiaoran arrived in Hupu and visited her parents, who warmly welcomed her with a celebratory feast.
While at home, Xiao Shangqi called, informing her of a significant work change and his plan to visit Wusu in a few days to discuss it in person. He Xiaoran, already in Hupu, chose not to reveal her location, merely stating that they would meet very soon, sensing an imminent reunion. He Xiaoran then reported to Hupu TV Station, where her senior and fellow alumna, Su Su, gave her a tour.
During the tour, Su Su asked He Xiaoran to deliver interview equipment to an outdoor filming location because she was preoccupied. He Xiaoran readily agreed. Upon arriving at the address, a wedding dress store, she was taken aback to find Xiao Shangqi with Chen Fei'er. He Xiaoran instinctively attempted to leave, but Xiao Shangqi stopped her, introduced her to Chen Fei'er as his girlfriend.
Learning that Chen Fei'er was there for a special interview promoting Yunduan, He Xiaoran, now wearing her press credentials, offered to assist. He Xiaoran later realized Xiao Shangqi must have known about her transfer to the news channel. During the interview, He Xiaoran noticed that Chen Fei'er, soon to marry Zhao Mingxuan, was fabricating a glamorous persona, claiming to be from an educated family, having studied piano overseas, and engaging in various hobbies and charity work.
He Xiaoran was shocked by this meticulously crafted facade. After the interview, Chen Fei'er asked He Xiaoran to help her remove her makeup, remarking on He Xiaoran's newfound composure. He Xiaoran confronted Chen Fei'er, criticizing her for allowing herself to be "remolded" into a "princess in Yunduan" persona. Chen Fei'er responded by referring to herself as a "defected product," suggesting it was the best outcome for her.
He Xiaoran recalled a past incident from college where Xiao Shangqi had waited in line to buy a limited-edition lipstick for Chen Fei'er, only for Chen Fei'er to casually give it to He Xiaoran, demonstrating her indifference to Xiao Shangqi's efforts. He Xiaoran accused Chen Fei'er of selfishly treating Xiao Shangqi as a "spare tire," neither accepting nor rejecting his affections while stringing him along.
Chen Fei'er retorted by accusing He Xiaoran of exploiting their "iron triangle" friendship and acting as Xiao Shangqi's "love guru" to secretly pursue him, admitting she knew He Xiaoran harbored feelings for him. Chen Fei'er declared she opposed any romantic relationship between Xiao Shangqi and He Xiaoran, insisting that their "iron triangle" remain solely a friendship. He Xiaoran countered that Chen Fei'er had never truly considered them genuine friends.
A flashback revealed the origin of a scar on Chen Fei'er's face, which He Xiaoran noticed while helping her with makeup. During their graduation night, Chen Fei'er, disinterested in the party, left early and was followed by an admirer. In an altercation, her face was injured. She called Xiao Shangqi, tearfully confessing her long-standing love for him. Xiao Shangqi rushed to her side and took her to the hospital.
There, Chen Fei'er's parents were more concerned with negotiating compensation for medical expenses, nursing fees, and mental distress, even suggesting plastic surgery, rather than comforting their distraught daughter. Chen Fei'er, feeling disfigured, told Xiao Shangqi not to worry about her or pay her medical bills, believing her face was ruined. Xiao Shangqi gently reassured her that she would eventually recover.
