Almost Lover Episode 15 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
He Xiaoran tenderly made sure Xiao Shangqi was settled and resting. Noticing a screenshot on his computer of a graduation photo featuring only the two of them, she felt a quiet reassurance. Later, back home, she looked through old photo albums filled with pictures of herself, Xiao Shangqi, and Chen Fei’er, and resolved to let past matters remain in the past. The next morning, Xiao Shangqi appeared at He Xiaoran’s doorstep before dawn, having waited for her.
He apologized for his drunken behavior the previous night, admitting he had forgotten much of what happened. He Xiaoran playfully accused him of using amnesia as an excuse, but Xiao Shangqi sincerely apologized. He explained that he had learned from the hotel lobby manager about the previous day's misunderstanding and presented hotel video footage. He clarified that Chen Fei’er had indeed come to his room for breakfast, and unable to make her leave, he had simply left the room himself.
Xiao Shangqi expressed his desire for them to move forward without being affected by unhappy past memories. When he hesitantly asked if they had "really fought" while he was drunk, He Xiaoran revealed that he had actually made a heartfelt confession of his profound love for her. Reconciled, Xiao Shangqi asked her to join him for breakfast, just as He Xiaoran’s mother, having overheard, invited him to eat with them at home.
During breakfast, He Xiaoran's father jokingly offered to improve Xiao Shangqi’s alcohol tolerance. Her mother suggested teaching He Xiaoran to make a popular side dish for when they returned to Wusu, but Xiao Shangqi quickly offered to learn it himself, saying He Xiaoran was too busy. Later, Xiao Shangqi met with his father, Xiao Zhenyun, to discuss the canceled contract with Mr. Lan.
Xiao Shangqi explained that Mr. Lan’s intention was to use him to suppress Xiao Xian and gain control of Yunlan, then share the profits. Xiao Shangqi refused, convinced that if their partners harbored such ambitions, Yunlan would merely become a pawn in their power struggles. He also informed his father that he intended to return to Wusu after the wedding, stating that Wusu held something precious that his family could never provide.
Xiao Zhenyun, aware of He Xiaoran's existence, accused his son of abandoning a promising future for a relationship. Xiao Shangqi retorted, asking his father not to interfere with He Xiaoran, reminding him of his absence during crucial moments of his life, and stating that his father only saw him as a tool. During a brief break, Xiao Shangqi took He Xiaoran on a date.
He remembered it was his father’s birthday and briefly considered buying a golf club for him but quickly decided against it, fearing his presence would only cause anger. He then delivered the wedding plan to Chen Fei’er, who tried to invite him for dinner. He refused, stating he had to go home. When she probed about his family, he firmly told her it was a personal matter unrelated to her.
Chen Fei’er then called He Xiaoran, and, learning that He Xiaoran was at Xiao Shangqi’s family home, she expressed surprise, implying their relationship had advanced to meeting parents. Hearing this, Xiao Shangqi rushed home, leaving Chen Fei’er behind. At the Xiao family residence, He Xiaoran was tending to plants with Xiao Zhenyun.
She shared intimate details about Xiao Shangqi's habits and preferences, like his favorite dishes and his childhood need for radio programs to fall asleep, information his father seemed unaware of. He Xiaoran explained that the accident involving Xiao Xian had deeply impacted Xiao Shangqi, leaving him with a mix of guilt, resentment, and profound sadness from his father’s emotional neglect.
She described Wusu as a small city that, for Xiao Shangqi, represented the warmth of true friends and a genuine sense of home. Shortly after, Xiao Shangqi arrived, concerned. He found his father happily instructing He Xiaoran on golf. He Xiaoran enthusiastically informed Xiao Zhenyun that she had brought the golf club she bought for him, which visibly delighted his father.
Later, the housekeeper, following He Xiaoran's instructions, presented Xiao Zhenyun with a single-strand longevity noodle for his birthday, with He Xiaoran emphasizing the tradition of not biting it off for good luck. He Xiaoran’s presence and gentle mediation visibly eased the tension between father and son, leading Xiao Zhenyun to invite Xiao Shangqi to join him for golf the next day.
On the way back, Xiao Shangqi learned that his brother, Xiao Xian, had picked up He Xiaoran to bring her to their father's house. Knowing it was Xiao Zhenyun’s birthday, He Xiaoran felt it would be impolite to refuse and bought the golf clubs as a spontaneous gift.
He Xiaoran observed that Xiao Zhenyun, despite his outwardly reserved demeanor, genuinely cared about his son but struggled to express it directly due to years of estrangement, often resorting to indirect inquiries about Xiao Shangqi’s life in Wusu. She encouraged Xiao Shangqi to use his time in Hupu to better understand his father and work on mending their relationship. The next day, Xiao Shangqi accompanied his father to the golf course.
On the golf course, Xiao Shangqi humorously recounted He Xiaoran's father's joking advice about improving alcohol tolerance by take a break - drinking again the day after getting drunk - and asked his father to join him that evening. Xiao Zhenyun, though dismissing it as nonsense, shared a brief, lighter moment with his son before they began their game. While there, Xiao Zhenyun discussed business with his partner, Mr. Gao.
Xiao Shangqi impressed Mr. Gao with his strategic insights, advocating for a focus on strengthening their existing market presence rather than a hasty expansion into Southeast Asia. Impressed, Mr. Gao offered Xiao Shangqi a new business opportunity but stipulated that the project leader must be based in Hupu.
Xiao Zhenyun later asked Xiao Shangqi about his golf preparations, to which Xiao Shangqi replied that he had only practiced to spend time playing with his father, a response that deeply pleased Xiao Zhenyun. Meanwhile, Zhao Mingxuan learned of Xiao Shangqi's approach to Mr. Gao of Zhisheng and deduced the Xiao family’s intention to expand Yunlan in Hupu.
He also became aware of Xiao Zhenyun's public efforts to promote Xiao Shangqi, which he saw as a cunning move to consolidate their position. Determined not to be outmaneuvered by what he called a "cunning old fox," Zhao Mingxuan immediately instructed his secretary to arrange a meeting with Mr. Gao. Chen Fei’er later asked He Xiaoran to accompany her for a wedding makeup and hair trial.
During the session, Chen Fei’er subtly tried to sow discord by alluding to her past with Xiao Shangqi and questioning the stability of He Xiaoran's future with him. He Xiaoran firmly told her to focus on her own impending marriage and stop causing trouble.
Undeterred, Chen Fei’er then informed He Xiaoran that Xiao Shangqi was planning to stay in Hupu to manage new business, implying this would lead to a long-distance relationship and questioning whether He Xiaoran would hinder his career. He Xiaoran simply stated their relationship was none of Chen Fei’er’s concern. Xiao Shangqi informed his father about Mr. Gao's offer requiring him to stay in Hupu. Surprisingly, Xiao Zhenyun advised him to politely decline.
He emphasized that Xiao Shangqi’s choices regarding his future and location were his own, acknowledging his son’s many sacrifices for the family over the years. He declared his support for Xiao Shangqi's decisions, stating that Yunlan’s expansion could wait. However, observing his father's evident aging and considering Xiao Xian’s ongoing recovery, Xiao Shangqi felt a growing conflict between his desire to return to Wusu with He Xiaoran and his sense of family responsibility.
Around the same time, Sui Mingwei and Li Hui arrived in Hupu. He Xiaoran learned that Sui Mingwei was attending a high-profile wedding, described as a major social event in the industry, and that their show, "Dajiabang For Everyone," was undergoing an upgrade, giving them a short break. He Xiaoran excitedly invited Li Hui to stay at her home. That evening, while chatting, He Xiaoran shared her thoughts on Chen Fei’er's deliberate attempts to cause trouble.
He Xiaoran also reflected on her feelings about Hupu, acknowledging its benefits but expressing her preference for Wusu's slower pace, where she could frequently meet friends and pursue her journalism career, contrasting it with Hupu's fast pace and limited social interactions. Li Hui, in turn, confessed that her recent breakup had made her unable to play the guitar.
He Xiaoran comforted her, suggesting she take up a new hobby, even offering to teach her Taekwondo and jokingly proposing Sui Mingwei as a sparring partner. Xiao Shangqi also brought various snacks for the two women. The friends then discussed their plans to take a scenic road trip back to Wusu, including an overnight stop at a unique homestay.
When He Xiaoran and Sui Mingwei asked Xiao Shangqi for a firm date for their return to Wusu, he appeared hesitant and could only offer to arrange their accommodation for the trip.
