Almost Lover Episode 14 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Xiao Shangqi seized the opportunity of distributing wedding invitations to engage with various partners of Deju, subtly promoting Yunlan's hotel operating capabilities. He successfully secured a business deal with Mr. Lan for Yunlan. His older brother, Xiao Xian, learned of this achievement. While praising Xiao Shangqi's ability to invite Mr. Lan, whom he himself had tried to meet for years without success, Xiao Xian revealed his underlying suspicion by directly requesting to take over Mr. Lan's deal.
Xiao Shangqi, sensing his brother's intentions, asked him to be forthright, and then agreed to let him proceed. Later, the car Xiao Shangqi had arranged to pick up He Xiaoran broke down, leaving her stranded. He rushed to her side, finding her asleep from exhaustion in the car. He then informed Chen Fei'er that He Xiaoran would not be able to join her.
Seeing the heavy rain, He Xiaoran playfully pulled Xiao Shangqi out to enjoy the rain for a bit. After their fun, He Xiaoran, who had been staying at an employee hotel due to her demanding work schedule, suggested they spend the night there, which also happened to be conveniently close to her training location. Xiao Shangqi, appreciating their time together, teased her gently.
Meanwhile, Chen Fei'er was forced to walk home in the heavy rain due to the severe traffic congestion. Upon her arrival, Zhao Mingxuan showed no sympathy for her disheveled state. Instead, he simply asked her to brew hangover tea, leaving Chen Fei'er feeling disappointed and unvalued. He then arranged a charity photoshoot for her the next day to improve her public image, remarking that she did not look like the bride of Deju's CEO.
The following day, He Xiaoran accompanied Chen Fei'er to the charity event at an orphanage. Chen Fei'er struggled to connect with the children due to her aloof demeanor. Xiao Shangqi, having finished his work, arrived to support He Xiaoran. He was quick to introduce himself as He Xiaoran's boyfriend when a child asked about their relationship.
As He Xiaoran effortlessly engaged with the children, playing games with them, Chen Fei'er watched, visibly envious of the warmth and affection between He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi. During the event, they encountered an old college classmate, Diao, who inadvertently revealed the false rumors circulating in their college chat group: that He Xiaoran had suffered from depression and left Hupu after Xiao Shangqi and Chen Fei'er went abroad, even implying she attempted suicide.
Enraged by the malicious gossip, Xiao Shangqi promptly joined the group and posted a photo of himself and He Xiaoran as a couple, effectively clarifying their relationship and dispelling the rumors. Classmates in the group responded with an outpouring of blessings. That evening, Xiao Shangqi took He Xiaoran out for skewers. Chen Fei'er observed that Wusu's grilled fish maw had changed Xiao Shangqi's eating habits, as he used to not eat offal.
She tried to engage him in conversation but found him distant and formal, a stark contrast to his past eagerness. She felt a profound sense of loss and resentment, witnessing He Xiaoran's happiness and her own lack of affection from Zhao Mingxuan, along with the realization that Xiao Shangqi was no longer her devoted admirer. Recognizing He Xiaoran's busy schedule with training and her bridesmaid duties, Xiao Shangqi hired an assistant for Chen Fei'er to lighten He Xiaoran's burden.
Elsewhere, Li Hui was furious to discover that Tang Yan had released a song she had written for him. Her friends acknowledged her anger and expressed their support. Later, Chen Fei'er arranged a surprise for He Xiaoran, having Xiao Shangqi bring her to their university to re-take graduation photos for the wedding, as she and Xiao Shangqi had left in a hurry years ago and never got proper ones.
She subtly attempted to undermine He Xiaoran's confidence by claiming credit for Xiao Shangqi's current thoughtful nature, recounting how he once pursued her in college, even describing a specific incident where he cooked her a terrible meal. This made He Xiaoran increasingly uncomfortable, feeling like a second choice. The next morning, Chen Fei'er intentionally went to Xiao Shangqi's room for breakfast after her workout.
Xiao Shangqi, concerned about potential misunderstandings with He Xiaoran, urged Chen Fei'er to eat in the restaurant. Chen Fei'er dismissed his concern, stating that after so many years, He Xiaoran, as their close friend, would understand that nothing untoward would happen between them. However, Xiao Shangqi firmly told her that if she truly considered He Xiaoran a friend, she should maintain boundaries out of respect.
Undeterred by Xiao Shangqi's firm stance, Chen Fei'er later brought He Xiaoran to their old college spot to unearth a time capsule. She shared her past wishes: to find a warm home and for their "iron triangle" friendship to last forever, celebrating that both had come true. She also insisted He Xiaoran read Xiao Shangqi's wishes, which expressed his desire to always protect Chen Fei'er and to see He Xiaoran achieve her dream of becoming a war correspondent.
He Xiaoran pretended to be unfazed, but inwardly, she was deeply hurt by the revelation of Xiao Shangqi's past affections. Chen Fei'er then subtly recommended Yunlan's pretzel to He Xiaoran. While waiting for Xiao Shangqi later, He Xiaoran was approached by a hotel server who, mistaking her for someone else, mentioned that "Miss He" had ordered pretzel to Xiao Shangqi's room yesterday morning. This, combined with Chen Fei'er's earlier recommendation, fueled He Xiaoran's suspicion.
When she finally met Xiao Shangqi at a fruit wine orchard, he, distracted by a phone call from Chen Fei'er, tried to involve her in brewing fruit wine. As an employee explained that good fruit wine takes a year to mature, He Xiaoran, agitated by her growing doubts, commented that "a year is too long, many variables can exist." Xiao Shangqi, already frustrated by her recent distant behavior, took offense and suggested they leave.
He Xiaoran confronted him, accusing him of being eager to leave and see "someone else." She questioned if he truly wanted to be with her, expressing her fear that she was merely a "second-best" choice, and that she would rather cherish a complete unrequited love than be in a relationship overshadowed by a "white moonlight" first love.
Xiao Shangqi, feeling her lack of trust, angrily countered that he had canceled three meetings to be with her, and asked if her strange behavior meant she was tired of him. Their argument escalated, and they parted ways in anger. That evening, Xiao Shangqi attended a dinner hosted by Zhao Mingxuan. Zhao Mingxuan light-heartedly mentioned his own wedding preparations with Chen Fei'er, and Xiao Shangqi's past infatuation with Chen Fei'er.
Xiao Shangqi, already upset by his argument with He Xiaoran, declared that it was all in the past and that he now had a beloved girlfriend. Zhao Mingxuan's secretary, Li, then made a snide remark about He Xiaoran's humble family background, suggesting Xiao Shangqi was "shortchanging himself." Incensed, Xiao Shangqi confronted Zhao Mingxuan, exposing Li Secretary's involvement in fabricating a video to frame Jifeng and bribing their head chef.
Faced with the public revelation, Zhao Mingxuan was forced to fire Li Secretary on the spot. Later, He Xiaoran walked with her mother, confiding her insecurities about Xiao Shangqi's past relationships and questioning whether his love for her was genuine or simply a habit. Her mother wisely advised her that trust and open communication are paramount in a relationship, warning against misunderstandings stemming from unspoken thoughts. Just then, He Xiaoran received a text from Xiao Shangqi.
Recalling her mother's words, she decided to put aside her grievances and go pick up the heavily intoxicated Xiao Shangqi. Meanwhile, Chen Fei'er attempted to offer Xiao Shangqi a hangover tea, but he declined. When He Xiaoran arrived, he stumbled into her arms, rejecting Chen Fei'er's concern entirely. Afterwards, Chen Fei'er, still intent on causing trouble, texted He Xiaoran, implying that Xiao Shangqi drank heavily because someone had brought up his past feelings for her.
However, as Xiao Shangqi held He Xiaoran, he expressed deep remorse for not realizing his true feelings sooner. He told her that revisiting their university had opened his eyes to all the sacrifices she had made for him in the past, like waiting for him in the scorching sun and waking up early to reserve library seats. He vowed to repay her for all the love and support she had given him.
