Almost Lover Episode 24 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi arrived at Qingshan Nursing Home, hoping to find Mr. Sun's whereabouts by questioning the elderly residents. However, the seniors were convinced He Xiaoran was a terrible journalist seeking revenge and refused to provide any information. Xiao Shangqi then suggested they look through the old family day event records, which the former director used to keep diligently, as the current management had discontinued such activities.
In the cold data room, He Xiaoran struggled to close a window, which Xiao Shangqi quickly helped secure. He noticed the distinct fragrance He Xiaoran was wearing, recognizing it as a blend of blue tansy, vetiver, and sandalwood, specially created by Sui Mingwei as a sleep aid. Xiao Shangqi asked He Xiaoran if she had been experiencing insomnia, teasingly implying it might be a lingering effect of their breakup.
He Xiaoran promptly dismissed his concern, attributing her poor sleep to her demanding work schedule and assuring him it had nothing to do with him. Xiao Shangqi then arranged for an electric heater to be brought to the room. While Xiao Shangqi was away to attend to work matters, Mo stayed to assist He Xiaoran.
Mo inadvertently revealed Xiao Shangqi's profound care for He Xiaoran, recalling how he defied his public relations department to immediately clear her name regarding the Qingshan scandal. Mo explained the immense pressure Xiao Shangqi faced, having mortgaged Jifeng Hotel to fund the Qingshan project, putting Jifeng at risk if Qingshan failed. He also mentioned that Xiao Shangqi had distanced himself from Yunlan, his family's company, adding to his current difficulties.
Meanwhile, Sui Mingwei's mother, Fan Xixi, urged her son to consider collaborating with Xiao Shangqi, emphasizing that Qingshan's current troubles presented an opportunity to offer support and secure a valuable deal. Fan Xixi chided Sui Mingwei for his lack of foresight, declaring that despite Xiao Shangqi being estranged from his family, he was bound to make a comeback. She believed that aligning with him now would guarantee future profits.
It was then that Sui Mingwei, to his surprise, learned of Xiao Shangqi's separation from Yunlan. While He Xiaoran was out buying coffee for Xiao Shangqi and his team, the barista noted He Xiaoran's unusual coffee order was identical to Xiao Shangqi's, mentioning he had adopted the habit from his girlfriend.
Outside the Qingshan office, Zhao Mingxuan confronted Xiao Shangqi, feigning sympathy for Qingshan before mocking Xiao Shangqi's continued ambition despite his father, Xiao Zhenyun's, recent death and his expulsion from Yunlan by his brother, Xiao Xian. Zhao Mingxuan then addressed He Xiaoran directly, warning her that more misfortunes would follow if she remained connected to Xiao Shangqi. Xiao Shangqi defiantly echoed Zhao Mingxuan's threat back to him.
After Zhao Mingxuan departed, He Xiaoran confronted Xiao Shangqi about his silence regarding his father's death. Xiao Shangqi explained the overwhelming chaos following her departure from Hupu – simultaneously managing Yunlan, Deju, and his father's funeral – had made it impossible to share such devastating news, fearing it would sound like an excuse for his absence.
He revealed that his father, who had been on the path to recovery, had suffered acute heart failure, and Xiao Shangqi was certain that Zhao Mingxuan was responsible for it. Xiao Shangqi then tried to shield He Xiaoran from the escalating conflict, calling Qingshan their "battlefield" and urging her to return to her journalistic duties once the truth emerged, as the path ahead would only grow "worse."
He Xiaoran, however, refused to be sidelined, asserting her independence and the journalist's role in scrutinizing corrupt situations. She made it clear that she would investigate both Xiao Shangqi and Zhao Mingxuan without bias if she discovered any illegal activities. Sui Mingwei confided in Li Hui about Xiao Shangqi's father's death, realizing it was the true reason for Xiao Shangqi's absence.
Despite this, Sui Mingwei still felt Xiao Shangqi's silence was inexcusable, believing He Xiaoran was never truly important to him. He expressed confusion over Xiao Shangqi's renewed presence in He Xiaoran's life. Sui Mingwei considered telling He Xiaoran the truth but worried it might push her back to Xiao Shangqi. Li Hui advised Sui Mingwei against making his feelings too obvious, warning that a premature confession could lead to more heartache if she rejected him again.
She urged him to either clearly express his emotions or keep them hidden, as both choices carried their own emotional toll. As He Xiaoran prepared to leave, she learned from Xiao Shangqi's assistant that he was staying at Jifeng because he had lost his electricity card. He Xiaoran, in turn, informed Xiao Shangqi that he could simply call the power bureau for the account number to pay the bill without replacing the card.
She also told him exactly where to find the card in his home – in a blue bag within the chest of drawers. Later, back at her apartment, Li Hui relayed Sui Mingwei's message to He Xiaoran about Xiao Shangqi's father's death and his family estrangement. He Xiaoran confirmed she already knew the details.
When Li Hui asked about her feelings, He Xiaoran expressed that it was "too late" for any comfort, as Xiao Shangqi had faced his hardest times alone, choosing to push others away. She reflected that it might not be Xiao Shangqi who had changed, but his circumstances. She denied feeling sorry for him or still loving him, stating that he had chosen to leave her.
Back at the data room, He Xiaoran discovered Mr. Sun's missing records, which had slipped behind the stubborn window. She noted his meticulous reports, including a detailed account of his first meeting with his nephew's wife. Using this information, He Xiaoran traced Mrs. Pan's workplace and learned that the family had recently moved to an upscale new neighborhood, which they frequently posted about online. He Xiaoran immediately contacted Xiao Shangqi, and they proceeded to Mr. Pan's new residence.
Upon confronting Mr. Pan (Mr. Sun's nephew), he expressed shock at being found and denied spreading false rumors, claiming he was acting justly and had moved to avoid retaliation. Xiao Shangqi challenged Mr. Pan, questioning how he could afford such an expensive new home, especially given he had resigned from his job the day before making his false report. Mr. Pan angrily insisted his nephew's bonus had funded the move, but his wife's stunned reaction suggested otherwise.
Xiao Shangqi warned Mr. Pan that he might have been manipulated, but he would still face legal consequences if he did not cooperate and clarify the facts immediately. He Xiaoran pressed Xiao Shangqi about his dedication to the Qingshan project. He revealed that acquiring and transforming Qingshan was an unfinished wish of his father, Xiao Zhenyun, who had even specified the discharge date in an uncompleted assignment contract found after his death.
Xiao Shangqi explained that Qingshan, originally a Deju property, had been sold at a suspiciously low price. His father's secretive acquisition, coupled with Zhao Mingxuan's aggressive interference now, led Xiao Shangqi to suspect a hidden secret within the nursing home that Zhao Mingxuan was determined to protect. He admitted he was still unraveling the full truth.
He Xiaoran reflected that if Xiao Shangqi had been more open from the start, particularly about his protective actions towards her, the Qingshan situation might have been resolved more smoothly. When he asked if she was concerned, she denied it, stating she simply did not want to owe him anything. She then expressed regret that they hadn't had such a candid conversation sooner.
Back at He Xiaoran's apartment, Sui Mingwei and Li Hui prepared a surprise celebration with mango cake, but He Xiaoran was called to the mailroom to meet Mr. Sun. Mr. Sun revealed that his nephew had taken his phone and moved them overnight, causing him to sense something was amiss, but he had chosen to ignore it, relishing the prospect of a peaceful retirement with his nephew.
To protect his nephew, Mr. Sun pleaded with He Xiaoran to take responsibility for the false report himself, offering to bear "all the consequences" as he felt he had "lived enough." Xiao Shangqi, who had arrived, intervened, pointing out that He Xiaoran was the one falsely accused. He advised Mr. Sun that true help for his nephew must come from Mr. Pan himself, not through Mr. Sun's sacrifice.
With Mr. Sun's assistance, they obtained a crucial clue: a snapshot of Mr. Pan's conversation with the true mastermind behind the false reports. He Xiaoran then urged Xiao Shangqi to show leniency to Mr. Pan once the truth was uncovered, stating that she personally found his mistake forgivable. Xiao Shangqi disagreed, arguing that Mr. Pan's actions had halted the Qingshan project and led to He Xiaoran's suspension, and such selfishness should not be easily excused.
The investigation concluded with social influencer Xu publicly admitting to fabricating information and falsely accusing journalists for self-promotion. He issued a sincere apology to Qingshan Nursing Home and the affected journalists, accepting full legal responsibility. Xiao Shangqi, however, regarded Xu as merely a "shield" for the actual mastermind. He Xiaoran's name was cleared, and her journalistic position was reinstated, though her superiors cautioned her about being more careful to avoid giving adversaries leverage.
He Xiaoran asserted that journalistic integrity should not be compromised by fear. Meanwhile, Zhao Mingxuan, frustrated by the failed plot, pressured Qingshan's Director Wang for more compensation and mobilized the Damang Mountain Chamber of Commerce to boycott any suppliers who collaborated with Qingshan and Jifeng, aiming to financially cripple Xiao Shangqi. In defiance, Sui Mingwei's mother, Fan Xixi, a prominent local businesswoman, declared her refusal to be controlled by external forces and offered her full support to Xiao Shangqi.
She met with him, presenting local brands for Jifeng, and openly challenged the Chamber of Commerce's "unruly" tactics. She invited He Xiaoran and Li Hui to join their dinner. During the meal, Fan Xixi expressed admiration for He Xiaoran and hoped she would seek her help in Wusu. She encouraged Xiao Shangqi to mentor Sui Mingwei in business, but Sui Mingwei, still resentful towards Xiao Shangqi, curtly refused.
Fan Xixi then boasted about Sui Mingwei's athletic achievements, particularly in basketball, and suggested a game between him and Xiao Shangqi after dinner. Sui Mingwei directly challenged Xiao Shangqi to a basketball match, which they proceeded to play.
