Almost Lover Episode 2 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
He Xiaoran was informed by Mr. He that her radio program, "Dajiabang For Everyone," had unexpectedly trended after a mysterious phone call the previous night. Mr. He, seeing an opportunity, urged her to invite the mysterious caller to do another episode, hoping it could save their program from being canceled. He Xiaoran expressed her reluctance, calling the caller crazy and someone she wanted to avoid.
Meanwhile, Xiao Shangqi received a call from his father, Xiao Xian, who reprimanded him for taking over an old hotel in Wusu. Xiao Xian reminded him that his three years abroad were for appearances, not for him to manage a small, failing hotel. He highlighted that Deju's new head, Zhao Mingxuan, was actively undermining Yunlan, creating both risks and opportunities. Xiao Xian had called Xiao Shangqi back to help his brother regain influence.
Xiao Shangqi, however, was tired of being a pawn and wished to be the player instead. He told his father to give him three months, promising he would return to Hupu then, and to "wait and see" what he would do with the hotel. Driven by the need to save her program, He Xiaoran went to Jifeng Hotel to find Xiao Shangqi, hoping he would agree to another recording. Xiao Shangqi, seizing the opportunity, asked her to help him first.
He took her to a local market, instructing her to bargain aggressively, aiming to cut prices in half, and record the final costs of the vegetables. She faced much resistance and scolding from vendors but completed the task. Afterwards, they went to a popular noodle shop, where Xiao Shangqi challenged her again, asking her to get the owner's phone number. After assisting the owner with various tasks, He Xiaoran finally obtained the number.
However, when she presented it, Xiao Shangqi denied ever promising to help her program. He explained that he was simply giving her a taste of what he felt when she had used his voice without permission, saying she had experienced "one tenth" of his feelings. Later that evening, He Xiaoran went to the recording studio with her prepared audio. As the program began, she introduced herself as "He," then recounted her long-lost friendship with "Xiao."
She fabricated a story, presenting "Xiao" as her high school savior whose pure friendship turned sour in college when he became a notorious playboy, juggling multiple girlfriends. She claimed he then borrowed money, vanished, and had now reappeared to apologize. Using edited snippets of Xiao Shangqi's voice, she made it seem as though he was in the studio, confessing to his "unscrupulous past" and apologizing for his "betrayal." The dramatic, fictionalized narrative successfully boosted the program's ratings, securing its continuation.
Listening to the broadcast, a furious Xiao Shangqi realized his voice had been maliciously edited to deceive listeners. He rushed to the radio station, only to find He Xiaoran celebrating with her colleagues. She dismissed his anger, stating she had only "borrowed" his voice and that no one would know it was him unless he revealed himself.
During the celebration dinner, He Xiaoran noticed unsettling messages in their audience group from a user named "Night Lone Star," suggesting they were contemplating self-harm and asking to meet her at Jiangbei Bridge. Concerned, He Xiaoran went to the bridge alone and found Mr. Liu, the audience member. He admitted he wanted to talk to her before taking his own life. Xiao Shangqi, having followed out of worry for her safety, soon arrived.
Startled by Xiao Shangqi's sudden appearance, Mr. Liu threatened to jump. Mr. Liu tearfully revealed that he had lent a large sum of money to a friend who then disappeared, leading to his financial ruin and the breakup of his family.
Xiao Shangqi strategically provoked Mr. Liu by suggesting that in his friend's version of the story, Mr. Liu was the one who went missing with the money, and that He Xiaoran, known for "editing stories," might twist his suicide narrative. While Xiao Shangqi distracted Mr. Liu, He Xiaoran gently encouraged him, reminding him that despair often stems from high hopes, and that even bad things keep life from stagnating.
She told him that when one hits rock bottom, every subsequent step is an upward climb. Their combined efforts successfully convinced Mr. Liu not to jump. As they walked away, He Xiaoran questioned Xiao Shangqi about his abrupt departure after their graduation party, asking if it was because of her video. Xiao Shangqi revealed that he had received an urgent call from Chen Fei'er, indicating an emergency, and had left immediately, completely unaware of any video or its contents.
He Xiaoran found herself laughing at the irony of her long-held assumption. Inspired by Mr. Liu's plight, He Xiaoran proposed a new direction for "Dajiabang For Everyone": to stop using pre-recorded, sensationalized stories and instead genuinely connect with and help real listeners who call in. She believed that only by truly assisting others could the program achieve lasting success and reputation. To fund this new approach, she aimed to secure sponsorship at the upcoming NRTA tendering meeting.
He Xiaoran sought out Miss Zhou, the director in charge of the NRTA tendering meeting, to request a presentation slot for "Dajiabang For Everyone." Miss Zhou, impressed by He Xiaoran's tenacious spirit, which reminded her of her younger self, agreed to consider it. She invited He Xiaoran to accompany her to Jifeng Hotel, where they were scouting potential venues for the tendering meeting.
During this time, Xiao Shangqi received a call, during which he subtly but pointedly criticized He Xiaoran's recent work tactics—from editing listener recordings and distributing flyers to pestering clients and flattering superiors—and urged her to resign and return to Hupu. During the tour, He Xiaoran meticulously pointed out numerous flaws: the old facilities, dusty carpets, unwashed glasses, poor soundproofing, hard beds, damaged desks, general lack of hygiene, cheap amenities, and notoriously bad breakfast, along with recent power outages.
She openly expressed her discomfort with the "dirty environment." Miss Zhou acknowledged the hotel's shortcomings but also highlighted its advantageous location near the NRTA group and revealed Xiao Shangqi's plans to renovate the entire hotel for the event. Xiao Shangqi, present during the inspection, then offered to waive the room and meal fees, charging only for the venue, as a "favor" to his "old classmate" He Xiaoran.
Impressed by the significant cost savings for the station, Miss Zhou granted He Xiaoran a full 30-minute presentation slot at the tendering meeting, provided her script passed approval. Xiao Shangqi's decision to accept the NRTA event as a nearly unprofitable deal, and his subsequent order to renovate the entire hotel and cancel all future bookings, drew strong objections from his subordinates, including Deputy General Manager Lin. Unfazed, Xiao Shangqi proceeded with the expensive renovation plans.
News of the heavy expenditures reached Xiao Xian, who expressed deep dissatisfaction and concern about the potential damage to Yunlan's reputation, especially with Zhao Mingxuan spreading rumors of Xiao Shangqi being a "parasite" who would ruin the family business. However, Xiao Xian decided to honor his promise, giving Xiao Shangqi the agreed three months to see if he could turn things around, while Zhao Mingxuan eagerly watched, anticipating Xiao Shangqi's public failure and further embarrassment for the Xiao family.
