Almost Lover Episode 18 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
He Xiaoran observed the shallow interactions at the executive lounge, remarking to Xiao Shangqi that she felt they belonged to different worlds and questioned if he would always accompany such people to such events. Meanwhile, Zhao Mingxuan watched Xiao Shangqi interacting with top suppliers and competitors, noting that several companies, including Mr. Gao’s Zhisheng, had already reached partnership agreements with Yunlan, unsettling him.
He instructed his subordinate, Li, to keep a close eye on Xiao Shangqi, wondering what trouble he might stir. In Chen Fei'er’s dressing room, her parents, disguised as hotel staff, confronted her, demanding 500,000 RMB after discovering the card she gave them was empty, thanks to her brother stealing the money for gambling debts.
Chen Fei'er, having no cash and feeling her parents had ruined everything she had worked for, threatened to expose their background, stating that she would rather ruin everything than give them more money. Just then, the actor hired to play Chen Fei'er’s father arrived to take her to the ceremony, only to be intercepted by Chen Fei'er’s real father, who angrily attacked him for impersonating him.
Learning about the brawl and the bride's delay, Xiao Shangqi rushed to the dressing room. Seeing the hired father injured and unable to walk, Xiao Shangqi took Chen Fei'er’s hand himself and led her to the wedding hall. As Xiao Shangqi walked Chen Fei'er down the aisle, guests commented on how well they seemed to match.
However, the ceremony was abruptly interrupted when a video displaying Chen Fei'er’s heated argument with her parents in the dressing room was projected onto the large screen. Reporters immediately swarmed Zhao Mingxuan for answers. Zhao Mingxuan, in turn, confronted Xiao Shangqi, publicly accusing him of orchestrating a scam and planting Chen Fei'er by his side as Yunlan’s pawn to deceive him. Enraged by the accusations, Xiao Shangqi punched Zhao Mingxuan, plunging the event into chaos.
Amidst the pandemonium, Chen Fei'er fainted. Xiao Shangqi quickly carried her away, unintentionally overlooking He Xiaoran, who had been pushed to the ground. Despite her disappointment and a sense that helping Chen Fei'er had become an instinct for Xiao Shangqi, He Xiaoran followed them and helped transport the unconscious Chen Fei'er to the hospital. Back at the hotel, Chen Fei'er’s brother blamed their parents for ruining the wedding.
His father retorted, accusing him of stealing Chen Fei'er's money to pay gambling debts. The brother confidently declared he possessed a trump card that would compel Zhao Mingxuan to compensate them. Unbeknownst to him, Zhao Mingxuan had been listening outside and managed to acquire the recorded video. At the hospital, a distraught Chen Fei'er questioned what had happened, unable to understand how the video from her dressing room was leaked.
Feeling she had lost everything and that only Xiao Shangqi truly cared for her, she desperately asked He Xiaoran to give up Xiao Shangqi for her, confessing her lifelong yearning for happiness. He Xiaoran sternly told Chen Fei'er to be realistic, pointing out that Zhao Mingxuan had exposed her identity and would readily sacrifice her. She questioned if such a man could truly provide happiness.
While this conversation unfolded, He Xiaoran saw a newly posted online video showing Xiao Shangqi and Chen Fei'er holding hands, with Chen Fei'er expressing regret about the wedding and her wish for Xiao Shangqi’s protection. Xiao Shangqi rushed to explain to He Xiaoran that the video was maliciously edited, but she had reached her breaking point. She confessed her exhaustion from years of chasing him while he continuously chased Chen Fei'er.
Expressing a desire for a peaceful life, He Xiaoran told Xiao Shangqi she wanted to return to Wusu, asking if he would abandon everything in Hupu to join her. Xiao Shangqi readily agreed but requested seven days to sort out the current mess in Hupu. He Xiaoran accepted his request and, before leaving, returned the necklace he had given her, stating it no longer suited her.
Due to the wedding fiasco, Deju terminated its contracts with Yunlan and moved to dismiss all high-level executives, placing all blame on Yunlan. Xiao Zhenyun, Yunlan's patriarch, accepted full responsibility, stating they would adhere to the contract terms. His other son, Xiao Xian, revealed that the service staff member humiliated by Zhao Mingxuan earlier had been bribed by Chen Fei'er's brother to allow her family into the hotel.
Furthermore, the brother had planted a pinhole camera in the dressing room's flower basket, capturing the damning footage. Xiao Zhenyun acknowledged this incident as an obstacle for Yunlan that they must now overcome. Li Hui and Sui Mingwei found He Xiaoran. She informed them of her decision to return to Wusu the next day, stating that Xiao Shangqi would follow in a few days, and they would no longer concern themselves with Hupu's affairs.
She clarified that the online video was maliciously edited by Zhao Mingxuan's people. Her friends supported her choice, believing she had always longed to return to Wusu. Meanwhile, Zhao Mingxuan confronted Xiao Zhenyun, demanding that Xiao Shangqi kneel and apologize for assaulting him and "stealing" his bride, threatening to terminate more contracts beyond just Yunduan. Xiao Zhenyun, while apologizing for Yunlan's security lapses at the wedding, firmly reminded Zhao Mingxuan that he chose Chen Fei'er and orchestrated her public persona.
He criticized Zhao Mingxuan's ruthless pursuit of fame and fortune, advising him to take a step back before getting too deeply entangled. Xiao Zhenyun also expressed his belief that despite Xiao Shangqi's impulsiveness, he possessed integrity and that Yunlan would eventually surpass Deju. Infuriated, Zhao Mingxuan stormed out. Shortly after, Xiao Zhenyun collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Xiao Zhenyun was stabilized and out of immediate danger, though doctors cautioned against any further emotional stress.
Xiao Xian reassured Xiao Shangqi that their father was not truly angry with him, and was in fact proud and full of hope for his return to Hupu. He urged Xiao Shangqi to properly settle Chen Fei'er, given her distress and the media's pursuit, and asked about their relationship. Xiao Shangqi clarified there was nothing between him and Chen Fei'er. He Xiaoran, feeling apologetic for leaving Hupu after promising to stay, was reassured by her parents.
They emphasized that her happiness and health were paramount, supporting her decision to return to Wusu and even suggesting they might move there after retirement. Comforted by their understanding, He Xiaoran, along with Li Hui and Sui Mingwei, departed for Wusu, awaiting Xiao Shangqi's return. Xiao Shangqi arranged for Chen Fei'er to stay in a hotel unrelated to Yunlan or Deju, providing her with money and assuring her that her belongings would be sent.
Chen Fei'er offered to publicly clarify the situation to protect Yunlan, willing to expose her own past and promise unwavering support. Xiao Shangqi, however, gently but firmly rejected her help. He explained that his professional responsibility as a wedding planner and his duty as a friend to provide her shelter were separate from the conflict between Yunlan and Deju, which had nothing to do with her.
He explicitly drew a line between them, reiterating He Xiaoran’s earlier sentiment that what is taken from others can never truly be one's own. He urged Chen Fei'er to consider her future plans, informing her that he too would be leaving in a few days. Upon safely arriving in Wusu, He Xiaoran sent a message to Xiao Shangqi, letting him know she was waiting for him there.
