Almost Lover Episode 21 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Chen Fei'er sent Xiao Shangqi a photograph of Zhao Mingxuan's tie clip. Later, Zhao Mingxuan, finding her presence at his side made his rivalry with Xiao Shangqi more enjoyable, instructed her to recount details from the funeral. Soon after, Xiao Shangqi stormed into Zhao Mingxuan's office, angrily demanding to know if he was responsible for Xiao Zhenyun's death.
Zhao Mingxuan, unperturbed, challenged Xiao Shangqi to call the police if he had proof, asserting that the tie clip was not sufficient evidence. He then chillingly recounted what he claimed were the circumstances of Xiao Zhenyun's death, describing how his words surprised Xiao Zhenyun, causing him to become agitated and suffer a heart attack.
Zhao Mingxuan claimed Xiao Zhenyun died from a heart attack, an ill stroke of luck, and that he observed fear and panic, not dignity, on his father's face, proving even a "hardcore person" like Xiao Zhenyun feared death. He insisted he was not to blame. Xiao Shangqi vowed he would not let Zhao Mingxuan get away with it, to which Zhao Mingxuan retorted that his father's debt was separate, and he would slowly settle his own score with Xiao Shangqi.
As Xiao Shangqi attempted to lash out again, Zhao Mingxuan's security intervened. Just then, Xiao Xian arrived, humbly seeking Zhao Mingxuan's assistance, effectively begging for a job, which deeply angered Xiao Shangqi. He accused Xiao Xian of being insane for accepting help from their father's killer, warning that it would prevent their father from resting in peace. Xiao Xian countered that Yunlan was their father's lifetime effort, and its demise would truly make him restless.
He chastised Xiao Shangqi, reminding him of his past promises to save Yunlan from Deju, which had only resulted in their father's death, a poorly attended funeral, and hundreds of employees on the verge of losing their livelihoods. Xiao Xian declared that while Xiao Shangqi could endure hardship, others could not. He asserted that Xiao Shangqi believed the world owed him, constantly seeking to shock those who ignored him, but that any such debts had been repaid.
Xiao Xian then retreated to an adjacent room, leaving Xiao Shangqi to declare he would not stand by and watch his father's legacy be ruined by his brother and Zhao Mingxuan. Xiao Xian responded that from then on, they would each protect their father's wishes in their own way.
Zhao Mingxuan then gloated, reminding Xiao Shangqi that he had always been unable to defeat him, citing Chen Fei'er, his father's fate, and the ongoing competition between Yunlan and Deju as examples. Meanwhile, He Xiaoran began packing her belongings. Despite her attempts to appear nonchalant, the memories flooding her apartment deeply affected her.
Unable to pretend any longer, she borrowed Sui Mingwei's car to drive to Hupu for a direct confrontation with Xiao Shangqi, determined to get an answer, even if it was a negative one. Her friends, Sui Mingwei and Li Hui, tried to dissuade her, reminding her of Xiao Shangqi's repeated evasions and questioning her pride. But He Xiaoran insisted, stating she couldn't keep up the pretense and needed to speak with him to get closure.
She called Xiao Shangqi, who suggested they meet at 31 Cafe in Hupu. There, He Xiaoran noted his tardiness, having promised her seven days to reconsider. Xiao Shangqi explained his busyness with family and company matters, revealing his plan to establish a new strategic department within Yunlan for new projects. He stated that the rapidly changing situation in Hupu required his full attention, while Wusu, with only Jifeng, needed less of his energy.
He admitted he had come to see her to break up in person, having recently realized that relationships were not that important to him, especially now that he had many goals to pursue. He acknowledged her efforts in their relationship. He Xiaoran, though deeply disappointed, cut him off and agreed, stating she had also come to end things.
She confessed to loving him for many years but, in hindsight, would not have started a relationship she knew would feel "better than nothing." They parted ways, both silently shedding tears, regretting the end of their connection. Li, Zhao Mingxuan's secretary, reported on the infighting within Yunlan, with employees divided between supporting Xiao Xian for job security, even if it meant accepting help from Deju, or backing Xiao Shangqi to pursue new ventures.
Li added that Xiao Xian had promised to force Xiao Shangqi out of Hupu within three months. Zhao Mingxuan dismissed Xiao Xian as a spineless individual, acknowledging that his main purpose was to provoke his brother. Chen Fei'er, present during this discussion, remarked on Xiao Shangqi's likely surprise at his brother's swift betrayal and the news of He Xiaoran leaving him, concluding that Xiao Shangqi was now "having nothing and he's been betrayed by everyone."
Zhao Mingxuan viewed this as the price Xiao Shangqi paid for punching him at the wedding, and Chen Fei'er distanced herself from any responsibility. Xiao Shangqi, alone, recalled a childhood memory of his father, Xiao Zhenyun, teaching him and Xiao Xian about a safe, an intricate puzzle, and the meaning of Yunlan. His father had expressed his hope that they would lead Yunlan together—Xiao Xian at the helm, Xiao Shangqi setting the sails—allowing him to travel the world.
He encouraged them to remain enthusiastic, steady, and calm, "unmoved by any waves," regardless of life's challenges. Three months passed. He Xiaoran dedicated herself to her work as an investigative journalist, earning a reputation as a "desperate woman who will scare unethical companies," even at the expense of her health. Her colleagues noted her tendency to volunteer for the most challenging and controversial assignments.
Her friends, Sui Mingwei and Li Hui, worried about her, observing that she could only sleep in noisy environments or with rock music, and attempted to help her with various sleep aids. He Xiaoran admitted her mind raced when she lay down. Li Hui offered her support, reminding her that time heals all wounds and that she was there for her. Meanwhile, Xiao Shangqi's newly formed strategic team had failed to make any progress.
He was informed that his department would be dismissed as per their agreement, and he was asked to leave Yunlan. As he gathered his personal items from his office, a staff member informed him he couldn't take the company computer as it contained Yunlan's data. Then, Xiao Xian confronted him, asserting that Yunlan no longer had any connection to him. He vowed to keep Yunlan alive in his own way, regardless of Xiao Shangqi's opinion.
Xiao Shangqi, though outwardly defiant, stated that if Hupu could not accommodate him, another place would. He Xiaoran received a tip-off via text message that the Private Qingshan Nursing Home had changed ownership, with residents facing eviction within a week. The next morning, she arrived at the nursing home to investigate. She learned from the distressed elderly residents that Mr. Wang, the former director's son, was selling the facility, offering only a month's financial compensation, leaving many homeless.
The residents pleaded with He Xiaoran for help. When she attempted to find Mr. Wang, she was told he was unavailable and the facility was no longer accepting new residents. Suddenly, she heard someone calling for Mr. Wang and found herself in an office where Xiao Shangqi was also present.
As security guards tried to remove He Xiaoran, Xiao Shangqi intervened, announcing that he had acquired the nursing home and invited He Xiaoran to join him in speaking with Mr. Wang about her concerns. In the meeting, He Xiaoran questioned Xiao Shangqi's intentions as a businessman acquiring a nursing home, especially given its history as a hotel, and if the eviction of residents was to convert it back.
She pressed Mr. Wang on the discharge timeline, communication with residents, and alternative arrangements for vulnerable seniors, stating her intention to record the interview. Mr. Wang, reluctant to be recorded, explained that his father founded the nursing home out of sentiment, but it was now a loss-making business that would eventually fail if not sold, causing more problems for the residents and himself.
He asserted that the evictions were strictly according to the contract, and he had "no comment" on other matters, asking He Xiaoran to leave and make an appointment for any future interviews as he had urgent matters to discuss with Xiao Shangqi. He Xiaoran declared that since he refused to cooperate, she would report the incident based on the information she had gathered.
After He Xiaoran left, Mr. Wang explained to Xiao Shangqi that the eviction date had been set by Xiao Zhenyun, and while it now seemed hasty, especially with a journalist involved, he had held off on informing the residents until Xiao Shangqi's deposit was received, fearing a repeat of his father's sudden loss of contact. He then suggested postponing the eviction date. However, Xiao Shangqi firmly stated that he would honor and strictly execute every clause of the contract his father had discussed with Mr. Wang, regardless of the cost.
