Almost Lover Episode 17 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Chen Fei'er's mother proudly showed off a new house keycard to neighbors, boasting about her daughter's impending marriage to a wealthy man and her new home. Meanwhile, He Xiaoran confronted Chen Fei'er, expressing concern that her life was turning into a performance and questioning if Zhao Mingxuan was forcing her into it.
Chen Fei'er defiantly stated that this was her chosen path, a life she had worked hard for, and one that didn't require her parents' involvement, given their past treatment of her. She acknowledged that He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi might find her "character setting" laughable, but she believed in the persona of a talented, humble, and loved individual with dignified and loving parents.
He Xiaoran, in turn, challenged Chen Fei'er, suggesting that if her life was an act, she should simply hire an actress as her bridesmaid. Chen Fei'er retorted that the highlight of her life would be meaningless without at least an old acquaintance to witness it. Elsewhere, Xiao Shangqi was dealing with a budget request for a limited edition piano needed for Shen Meng's wedding performance.
His brother, Xiao Xian, initially rejected the high cost, but then their father, Xiao Zhenyun, called, instructing Xiao Shangqi to accompany him to a golf game with Mr. Gao. Xiao Xian begrudgingly approved the piano budget. After a day of socializing with his parents, Xiao Shangqi and his father rested by an old alley. Xiao Zhenyun reflected on his younger days living in that alley with Xiao Xian and his late wife.
He confessed that after his wife's death, he neglected Xiao Shangqi, entrusting him to a nanny, and then, after Xiao Xian's leg injury, he unfairly blamed Xiao Shangqi to escape his own guilt. He admitted that his focus on compensating Xiao Xian had caused a deep estrangement with Xiao Shangqi, but He Xiaoran had reminded him that Xiao Shangqi was also his son, making him realize he had made Xiao Shangqi bear so much while receiving little love.
Xiao Zhenyun praised He Xiaoran's straightforward personality, noting its resemblance to his late wife's, and offered to help He Xiaoran secure a job at the Hupu TV station since she was staying in the city for Xiao Shangqi. Xiao Shangqi politely declined, confident in He Xiaoran's abilities. Xiao Zhenyun expressed his hope that with Xiao Shangqi remaining in Hupu, their company, Yunlan, would thrive, and they, as father and son, would have more time to truly understand each other.
With her parents on vacation at a hot spring hotel, He Xiaoran eagerly met Xiao Shangqi for their date, teasing him for forgetting it was the weekend. Xiao Shangqi apologized, explaining his busy schedule with Shen Meng and wedding preparations, promising things would normalize after the wedding. He Xiaoran had already planned a casual date by the river, serving up nostalgic childhood snacks she had personally sought out, including pork ribs with rice cake, duck head, and chicken feet.
She confessed that her favorite Yang Jie's steamed buns were no longer available but was pleased to find other old stalls still open. Xiao Shangqi, impressed by her thoughtfulness, acknowledged his own lack of creativity. He Xiaoran preferred their casual outing, noting it avoided the business discussions that always seemed to find Xiao Shangqi at upscale restaurants. Their date was cut short when Chen Fei'er called, reporting her piano was broken and needed Xiao Shangqi's immediate attention.
He Xiaoran, though disappointed, told him to go, then went to join her friend Li Hui. He Xiaoran explained the situation to Li Hui, defending Chen Fei'er by highlighting that the wedding was a critical project for Yunlan, and more personally, she and Xiao Shangqi had helped Chen Fei'er numerous times throughout their school years, even rescuing her from her abusive father. She felt unable to abandon a friend of so many years.
Li Hui then asked if He Xiaoran still trusted Xiao Shangqi, and He Xiaoran affirmed her trust, stating she knew he always gave her a sense of security. Meanwhile, a technician confirmed the piano was fixed. Chen Fei'er, still stressed about her upcoming performance with Shen Meng, lamented having to play "A Midsummer's Night Dream," which she called a "Summer's Nightmare." She saw the piano as a monstrous entity, threatening to swallow her into an unknown marriage.
Later, Chen Fei'er’s assistant excitedly informed her that Shen Meng had agreed to change the performance piece to "Bird in the Dream," attributing it to Zhao Mingxuan’s care for her. Chen Fei'er, deeply moved, rushed to find Xiao Shangqi, her heart stirred by his subtle act of changing the song, a piece that held significant meaning from their high school days.
She confessed her deep regret, declaring that she no longer wished to marry Zhao Mingxuan and wanted to fight for her own happiness. She reminded Xiao Shangqi of his old promise to protect her, a memory from a time capsule. Xiao Shangqi, however, firmly stated that his actions were purely professional, aimed at ensuring the wedding's smooth execution.
He told her that her past family struggles were not an excuse for her current behavior, urging her to drop the pretense and be authentic. He also instructed her to inform him immediately if she intended to cancel the wedding so Yunlan could make the necessary arrangements. Unknown to them, Chen Fei'er's brother, who had been lingering nearby after being turned away from Zhao Mingxuan's house earlier, recorded their conversation on his phone.
Chen Fei'er, facing Xiao Shangqi's rejection and the looming reality of her situation, realized there was no turning back. The next day, Chen Fei'er apologized to He Xiaoran for her past words, acknowledging that only He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi genuinely cared for her and expressing her wish for their "Iron Triangle" friendship to remain strong. He Xiaoran simply wished her happiness. Later, at the wedding venue, a new, clumsy waiter accidentally spilled drinks on Zhao Mingxuan, who became agitated.
Xiao Xian attempted to intervene, but Zhao Mingxuan scornfully dismissed him, demanding Xiao Shangqi handle the situation, which visibly annoyed Xiao Xian. In the bride's dressing room, Chen Fei'er advised He Xiaoran to mingle with the other socialites, emphasizing that this was her future battlefield as Xiao Shangqi's girlfriend. He Xiaoran, feeling out of place, found an excuse to leave the room. She sought out Xiao Shangqi, who presented her with a beautiful necklace he had prepared.
He reassured her that after the wedding, Yunlan would no longer be reliant on Deju, and their personal lives would be free from Chen Fei'er's affairs, allowing them to focus on building their own life together. As they spoke, business acquaintances approached Xiao Shangqi, eager to discuss business prospects after the wedding.
When Xiao Shangqi introduced He Xiaoran as his girlfriend, and she revealed her mother was an art teacher and her family wasn't involved in business, the businessmen's interest immediately waned. Feeling alienated, He Xiaoran excused herself, echoing Chen Fei'er's earlier cynical words that to these people, she was merely Xiao Shangqi's "female companion," regardless of her actual status. Meanwhile, Chen Fei'er's parents and brother were at a car dealership.
Her brother had secretly used the money Chen Fei'er gave them for a car to pay off his debts. When the car payment failed, he falsely accused Chen Fei'er of giving them an empty card to trick them. Enraged, her parents decided to storm the wedding to confront Chen Fei'er and demand their money, with her brother joining them.
