Almost Lover Episode 26 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Heartbroken over He Xiaoran, Sui Mingwei found himself overeating. Li Hui came to comfort him, and as they drank, Sui Mingwei confessed his feelings. He lamented always being a step behind Xiao Shangqi, which ultimately meant he couldn't pursue He Xiaoran. He questioned his own seriousness, asserting he would even die for her, and regretted agreeing to split up with He Xiaoran at the construction site, which led to him being too late.
Li Hui told him to "end this drama" of self-pity, acknowledging his sincere efforts and pain. However, she emphasized that no matter how much he changed, he couldn't transform into another person or the one He Xiaoran truly cherished. Still, Li Hui believed this experience was valuable for him to truly understand what it felt like to love someone. Sui Mingwei, still seeking validation, asked Li Hui if she would have fallen for Xiao Shangqi had they grown up together.
Li Hui hesitantly replied "probably not," which led Sui Mingwei to lament his inferiority, asking why even she wouldn't choose him. The next morning, Sui Mingwei and Li Hui woke up in the same bed, sparking initial awkwardness. Li Hui quickly clarified there was no "one-night stand" as they were both adults. Sui Mingwei, a bit shocked, remarked that the last time they shared a bed was in primary school, jokingly complaining she didn't even get him changed.
Li Hui explained she simply fell asleep waiting for him after he'd been "drunk and gone crazy." Sui Mingwei then declared that Li Hui was the only woman he could sleep with without causing misunderstandings. He then insisted she buy him breakfast, reminding her of her promise to "cover him" the previous night. Meanwhile, He Xiaoran returned to their small house to collect Xiao Shangqi's belongings for the hospital.
She found a discarded photo of hers that he had kept, stirring mixed emotions. At the hospital, she saw a nurse scolding Xiao Shangqi for washing his hair, warning him about the risk of catching a cold and developing pneumonia. He Xiaoran intervened, explaining his daily habit, and helped him blow-dry his hair with a hairdryer she brought.
Lin Zong arrived with breakfast and, after a brief apology for a staff member, Xiao Mo's, oversight in packing mismatched socks, emphasized his overwhelming work and childcare responsibilities, citing Xiao Shangqi's picky nature and short temper, to persuade He Xiaoran to continue looking after him. He Xiaoran agreed, stating it was her responsibility since Xiao Shangqi was injured because of her. Lin Zong gratefully gave her contact to the medical staff before rushing off.
Over the next few days, He Xiaoran balanced caring for Xiao Shangqi with her work at the hospital. Sui Mingwei visited Xiao Shangqi, who was still recovering. Sui Mingwei asked if Xiao Shangqi still harbored feelings for He Xiaoran, or if his continued concern was merely out of friendship. Xiao Shangqi reiterated that he did not regret his decisions.
Sui Mingwei then suggested that both Xiao Shangqi and He Xiaoran attend his upcoming performance at Hao Ge's place, hoping they could clear the air, emphasizing that "friends are for life." Soon after, He Xiaoran received a call from her colleague, Lili, informing her of a multiple vehicle collision on the highway with injured victims being brought to their hospital. He Xiaoran immediately rushed to interview an injured driver, who described the "horrible" scene with rebar piercing cars.
Despite being told to stop taking photos, He Xiaoran asserted that her job was to "record all the news, be it good or bad, truthfully, efficiently, and quickly," mentioning she had even been splashed with paint before. Observing her dedication, Xiao Shangqi remarked that she was becoming like a "war correspondent," acknowledging how her faith and persistence were bringing her closer to her dream. He Xiaoran affirmed her commitment to "continue to pursue it."
Later, Xiao Shangqi informed He Xiaoran that Lin Zong had messaged him, reporting her mobile phone was fixed. He Xiaoran then shared that she had contacted an engineering quality expert through a colleague in the construction industry, sharing photos of the Qingshan Nursing Home. The expert explained that the wall plaster falling off indicated weak concrete, and severe water leakage, which would cause rebar to rust and the building to deform.
He concluded the building was in poor condition and "has to be demolished." When He Xiaoran asked if it was a "tofu-dreg project," the expert said he couldn't confirm, advising her to get a quality control colleague to test intact walls with a rebound hammer and check the rebar, which appeared to be of a lower grade than required.
Before returning to Hupu, Zhao Mingxuan visited Xiao Shangqi in the hospital, provocatively asking if he wanted to know what he had said to Xiao Zhenyun. In a flashback, Zhao Mingxuan revealed to Xiao Zhenyun that he was the one who intentionally pushed Xiao Shangqi into the sea during their family outing, leading to Xiao Xian's crippling injury.
He confessed his deep-seated hatred for Xiao Shangqi, fueled by his own father's constant comparisons and physical abuse towards him and his mother, which stemmed from Xiao Shangqi's perceived superiority. Zhao Mingxuan took perverse satisfaction in Xiao Xian's injury, knowing he could no longer compete, and thanked Xiao Zhenyun for alienating Xiao Shangqi, driving him closer to Zhao Mingxuan himself.
He described how Xiao Shangqi had often confided in him, feeling he was closer to Zhao Mingxuan than to his own father or brother. Xiao Zhenyun, enraged, tried to call for help, but Zhao Mingxuan snatched the call bell, taunting him that he couldn't handle such "stimulation" and should retire, ultimately delaying rescue and leading to his death.
Back in the present, Zhao Mingxuan warned Xiao Shangqi to stop pestering him, threatening to take He Xiaoran away from him and urging him not to repeat his father's mistakes, as "once you lost something, you can never get it back anymore." Xiao Shangqi, furious but resolute, declared that Zhao Mingxuan's confession only strengthened his resolve to "destroy" him, vowing to find evidence.
Zhao Mingxuan scoffed, calling him "naive" and confident that Xiao Shangqi, with his "weakness," could never win and would always be controlled by him. He Xiaoran voiced her suspicion that the Qingshan Nursing Home itself was a tofu-dreg project, realizing their previous investigative direction might have been flawed. Xiao Shangqi, disregarding his unhealed injuries and Lin Zong's protests, insisted on discharging to investigate the construction site immediately, stating he had already met Zhao Mingxuan that afternoon.
Upon arrival, they were shocked to find the entire building demolished overnight. He Xiaoran noted how quickly it had been razed. Xiao Shangqi, realizing Zhao Mingxuan had likely destroyed all evidence before confronting him, was consumed by rage and kicked a metal door in frustration. He Xiaoran, seeing his distress, felt deeply for him. Overwhelmed, Xiao Shangqi developed a high fever and was readmitted to the hospital, where He Xiaoran stayed to care for him.
Meanwhile, Chen Fei'er waited for Zhao Mingxuan upon his return from Wusu. He greeted her with a condescending tone, inquiring about her whereabouts and why she hadn't returned his calls. Zhao Mingxuan harshly criticized and insulted her, sarcastically comparing her to Xiao Xian in her pragmatism and adaptability, and mocked her for being associated with "scandal" and becoming "a joke" in the public eye.
He warned her that if she couldn't even manage what he expected, she was "not qualified to stay here." Xiao Shangqi, still in the hospital, fell into a deep despair, haunted by nightmares of losing loved ones and everything being destroyed by Zhao Mingxuan. He refused to eat, drink, or take his medication, and even texted He Xiaoran not to visit. Concerned, He Xiaoran learned the severity of his condition from Lin Zong and confronted Xiao Shangqi.
He remained silent and despondent, telling her to leave him alone. He Xiaoran, frustrated by his withdrawal, accused him of thinking she was unworthy to share his burdens, and threatened to leave him to his own devices. At this, Xiao Shangqi finally broke, admitting his fear. He confessed that Zhao Mingxuan had caused Xiao Xian's crippling injury and intentionally pushed him into the sea, ruining his last twenty years.
He no longer wanted to fight, fearing that those he cared about would also be harmed. Seeing his profound despair, He Xiaoran made a decisive move, telling him to get dressed and come with her, stating that what he needed was not physical treatment. She took him to Xiao Zhenyun's grave. Standing before his father's tombstone, He Xiaoran spoke tenderly, acknowledging Xiao Zhenyun's strict demeanor but underlying love.
She shared her observations, recalling that in her memory, Xiao Zhenyun had never planted flowers with Xiao Shangqi or celebrated his birthdays. She reminded Xiao Shangqi that for years, he had yearned for affection and understanding, but now that the truth was revealed, some things could not be mended. She spoke of his current state of refusing to eat, drink, or sleep, wanting to live aimlessly, believing he didn't need love or concern.
He Xiaoran questioned if this was what Xiao Zhenyun, who had diligently built Yunlan and supported the family, would have wanted, asking if the family should now fall apart, and if he had left this world without any regrets. She urged Xiao Shangqi to reflect on these questions before his father's grave.
Memories of his father's words, expressing pride in his return and hopes for his future with Yunlan, along with his father's regret for having left him abroad and suppressed his potential, flooded Xiao Shangqi's mind. Overcome with emotion, he knelt before the tombstone, weeping, and vowed to reclaim everything his father had protected.
