Almost Lover Episode 16 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Li Hui and Sui Mingwei discussed their plans to return to Wusu after the wedding, asking Xiao Shangqi for his confirmed return date to see if he could join them for a difficult-to-reserve homestay stopover. Xiao Shangqi couldn't provide a definite answer and instead offered to handle the booking himself. He Xiaoran, unsettled by Chen Fei'er's earlier comments and Xiao Shangqi's evasiveness about returning to Wusu, felt a growing discomfort.
Although Xiao Shangqi seemed to want to articulate something to her about his intentions, he hesitated, and He Xiaoran decided not to press him further about the homestay booking. Xiao Shangqi decided to move back into his family home in Hupu, prompting his elder brother, Xiao Xian, to directly question if he planned to stay permanently. Xiao Xian, clearly wary, also offered to join Xiao Shangqi in meeting Mr. Gao, suggesting he could help with the Zhisheng proposal.
Xiao Shangqi reassured his brother that his decision to stay was solely for Yunlan's benefit and not to compete with him, expressing his frustration with their strained relationship and wishing they could simply be brothers. Xiao Xian remained dismissive, sarcastically remarking that he would simply rely on Xiao Shangqi for business now, just as he once did with Zhao Mingxuan. Later, Xiao Shangqi and He Xiaoran accompanied Chen Fei'er to her wedding rehearsal.
Xiao Shangqi's attentiveness to He Xiaoran sparked jealousy in Chen Fei'er. Zhao Mingxuan arrived and, upon seeing He Xiaoran, invited the trio to dinner. During the meal, Zhao Mingxuan subtly probed Xiao Shangqi about the Zhisheng project and hinted that Deju also had many business opportunities if Xiao Shangqi chose to remain in Hupu. He also highlighted the challenges of a long-distance relationship, knowing He Xiaoran's desire to return to Wusu.
Stirred by Zhao Mingxuan's provocations and her own growing unease, He Xiaoran decisively declared that she would also stay in Hupu, affirming her ability to build a career there, even mentioning taking the Hupu NRTA exam. This pronouncement left Zhao Mingxuan and Chen Fei'er momentarily speechless. After dinner, Xiao Shangqi thanked He Xiaoran for her "support," but she clarified that her decision to stay in Hupu was genuine.
She explained that she had observed his struggles and understood that for Yunlan to break free from Deju's influence, it needed a strong foothold in Hupu. She didn't want him to feel burdened or sacrifice his career, confident that she could establish her own career in Hupu. Xiao Shangqi's father was delighted by the news that both would stay, expressing his gratitude to He Xiaoran.
Meanwhile, at the golf course, Xiao Shangqi informed Mr. Gao of his decision to remain in Hupu and dedicate himself fully to the Zhisheng project. Mr. Gao approved, sealing the deal. This was a significant blow to Xiao Xian, who had previously tried to secure the Zhisheng business himself. During an earlier conversation, Mr. Gao had told Xiao Xian that Zhisheng required individuals with sharper intuition and an international vision, suggesting Xiao Xian lacked these qualities.
He explicitly stated that his willingness to work with Yunlan was due to Xiao Shangqi's capabilities, further deepening Xiao Xian's feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. He Xiaoran later informed a colleague of her intention to resign and prepare for the Hupu NRTA exam. She also revealed to Xiao Shangqi that she was researching psychological treatment suggestions to help Li Hui cope with her past trauma, planning to give her the materials when she announced her decision to stay in Hupu.
That evening, He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi invited Li Hui and Sui Mingwei to dinner. He Xiaoran shared their decision to stay in Hupu, which Li Hui happily supported, but Sui Mingwei visibly saddened. He Xiaoran reassured him that they would return to Wusu to finalize their affairs, and that her career move was not a sacrifice but a new beginning. To their surprise, Tang Yan was performing at the restaurant.
Seeing Li Hui's obvious discomfort, Sui Mingwei impulsively went on stage, exposed Tang Yan's lip-syncing, and a brawl ensued. Li Hui, seizing the opportunity, publicly denounced Tang Yan's terrible fake singing, finally releasing her pent-up anger. After the chaotic dinner, Sui Mingwei revealed that Tang Yan often lip-synced for smaller gigs. Li Hui felt immense satisfaction from the confrontation. The four friends then decided to enjoy some beer by the river.
He Xiaoran gave Li Hui the psychological treatment suggestions, hoping it would help her find her way back to playing the guitar. He Xiaoran expressed her reluctance to leave her friends, but Li Hui reassured her that their friendship would endure distance. Sui Mingwei, still visibly upset about He Xiaoran's move, sternly warned Xiao Shangqi to treat He Xiaoran well, using Tang Yan's recent humiliation as a cautionary tale.
Xiao Shangqi acknowledged his friend's earnest warning, and the group continued to enjoy their playful time together by the river. Separately, Chen Fei'er was summoned home by her parents. They complained about their living situation and demanded she buy a car for her brother, having already used her betrothal money for his apartment down payment. Chen Fei'er angrily confronted them, stating they had gone too far. Her father responded by splashing food on her.
Enraged, Chen Fei'er threw a card containing RMB 300,000 at them, demanding they stay away until after her wedding. Leaving her parents' home, Chen Fei'er was surprised to find Zhao Mingxuan waiting to pick her up. He instructed her to change for a dinner meeting. Noticing the food stains, he inquired about what happened. Feeling utterly dejected, Chen Fei'er lamented her existence as merely "Zhao Mingxuan's accessory," expressing that her feelings and identity were irrelevant to everyone.
Infuriated by her outburst, Zhao Mingxuan ordered her out of the car and drove away, leaving her stranded on the roadside. Earlier, Xiao Shangqi had dinner with He Xiaoran and her parents. He had arranged for them to participate in a company activity, secretly rigging the outcome to help them win a third-prize, a two-day, one-night stay at a hot spring hotel. He Xiaoran's parents were overjoyed with the unexpected prize.
Unable to get a taxi, Chen Fei'er called Xiao Shangqi for help. Xiao Shangqi answered the phone in front of He Xiaoran, and together they drove to pick her up. He Xiaoran brought Chen Fei'er home, where her mother warmly welcomed her, prepared noodles, and unexpectedly gave her a red packet for her wedding. Deeply touched by this genuine kindness, Chen Fei'er confessed to He Xiaoran that Zhao Mingxuan had abandoned her for talking back.
She explained how she had meticulously adapted herself to his every need, learning art, piano, and volunteering at welfare homes, believing this made her indispensable to him. Despite her humiliation, she insisted on being taken back to Zhao Mingxuan's residence, refusing to go to Yunduan or her family's mahjong parlor. Upon her return, Zhao Mingxuan showed no surprise. When asked how she got back, Chen Fei'er simply said Xiao Shangqi and He Xiaoran had driven her.
He teasingly asked if she was worried he'd be jealous. Chen Fei'er reassured him of her unwavering loyalty, stating she would always return to him, as that was what he desired. Zhao Mingxuan expressed his liking for her intelligence but disappointment in her earlier behavior, offering to buy her jewelry as an apology. Chen Fei'er declined the jewelry, instead requesting that her real parents be allowed to attend the wedding, promising they wouldn't embarrass him.
The next day, He Xiaoran found Chen Fei'er interviewing and coaching various individuals to play the role of her parents at the wedding, seeking He Xiaoran's advice on their performance. Meanwhile, Chen Fei'er's actual mother was seen at a mahjong parlor, boasting about the RMB 300,000 Chen Fei'er had given them, referring to her as a "money printing machine." The other players questioned why Zhao Mingxuan had never visited their home and whether he had bought Chen Fei'er a house.
