Almost Lover Episode 28 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
Chen Fei'er was unable to find Xiao Shangqi's room at the hotel, but she overheard that Mr. Sun had previously visited his home. She located Mr. Sun, who, initially confused about the date, was reminded that his visit to Xiao Shangqi's place was last week, not today. During an advertisement recording, He Xiaoran was noticeably distracted, struggling to deliver lines smoothly. After repeated retakes, she requested a break to speak with Xiao Shangqi outside.
She confronted him, accusing him of deliberately arranging her presence at the recording. Xiao Shangqi explained that Lin Zong had assigned him at the last minute and he hadn't known she would be there. However, he admitted to Mr. Ma that the program "Dajiabang For Everyone" held personal significance for him. He Xiaoran dismissed his explanation, telling him that "not disturbing me is the biggest respect for your ex-girlfriend" and questioning why he was avoiding her messages.
Xiao Shangqi then asked why her attitude towards him changed whenever Chen Fei'er appeared. He Xiaoran clarified that Chen Fei'er's presence made her reflect on their past, leading her to realize that one should not abandon a predetermined direction due to temporary emotions. She firmly stated that they were no longer on the same path. Accepting her words, Xiao Shangqi left.
Back in the studio, He Xiaoran learned from Miss Liu, the producer, that it was Mr. Ma, not Xiao Shangqi, who had insisted she handle the recording and perform multiple takes to show their deference to a major client. He Xiaoran realized she had misunderstood Xiao Shangqi. Meanwhile, Chen Fei'er used the address she obtained from Mr. Sun to find Xiao Shangqi's home. She found Lin Zong there, preparing food.
Lin Zong advised Chen Fei'er that knowing when to retreat is a wise form of damage control, acknowledging that her departure from Zhao Mingxuan was a good decision. However, he urged her to reflect on why Xiao Shangqi consistently refused to see her. Chen Fei'er, undeterred, declared she now knew where he lived and would simply wait for him.
He Xiaoran later accompanied Mr. Sun and Madam Wang to the hospital for comprehensive health check-ups, which were necessary for their new nursing home to assess their conditions for better care. She reassured Mr. Sun that she had provided her contact information to the nursing home since Madam Wang had no legal guardian. While there, she encountered Xiao Shangqi, who was picking up medicine. He Xiaoran apologized for her earlier misunderstanding regarding the recording.
Xiao Shangqi explained that he had not accepted Chen Fei'er's offer of evidence. He recounted swearing at his father's grave to reclaim everything his father protected, especially his and Xiao Xian's lives. He insisted on investigating the matter through his own means, refusing to treat it as a transaction, as doing so would make him indistinguishable from Zhao Mingxuan. Later, Chen Fei'er found Taiyang, Lin Zong's son, playing alone at the hotel. Taiyang had spilled his bubble water.
Upon learning that Taiyang's father was always busy and his mother lived far away, Chen Fei'er, feeling sympathetic, helped him make a new batch of bubble solution. She discovered that Taiyang and his father resided at the hotel and that Taiyang knew Xiao Shangqi. She persuaded Taiyang to lead her to Xiao Shangqi's office. Their attempt was cut short when Lin Zong intervened. Lin Zong confronted Chen Fei'er, accusing her of using his child.
Chen Fei'er, frustrated by her inability to reach Xiao Shangqi, retaliated by questioning Lin Zong's authority to make decisions for Xiao Shangqi and implying he was deliberately keeping them apart. Observing her distress, Lin Zong agreed to take her out. Lin Zong drove Chen Fei'er to Wusu's largest market, describing the vibrant local life and how residents preferred purchasing fresh produce there over supermarkets, even mentioning that Xiao Shangqi sometimes visited.
Initially unimpressed, Chen Fei'er warmed to the experience after trying a sweet, sugar-coated hawthorn. Lin Zong then directly addressed her intentions, asserting that the relationship between He Xiaoran and Xiao Shangqi was never based on transactions. He emphasized that Xiao Shangqi valued genuine experiences and the simple realities of life over superficial facades, and would never trade emotions, which was precisely why he refused to see Chen Fei'er.
Offended, Chen Fei'er retorted by bringing up Taiyang's mother having left Lin Zong. She then declared she was tired and intended to leave Wusu. Meanwhile, music producer Zheng Jie sought out Li Hui, expressing his admiration for her talent after hearing her song "Yes" online. He offered her a recording contract to launch her music career, giving her time to consider. Later, Li Hui discussed the offer with Sui Mingwei, who advised caution.
However, Li Hui was determined, explaining that music had always been her dream and she couldn't let this opportunity pass. Chen Fei'er decided to check out of the hotel. Soon after, Taiyang returned early from kindergarten due to a Norovirus outbreak. As his usual caregiver was on leave, Chen Fei'er spontaneously offered to keep Taiyang company.
In his room, she discovered a photobook lovingly compiled by Lin Zong, meticulously documenting Taiyang's growth with heartfelt entries, including details about choosing his clothes, his first taste of food, and his questions about his mother. Reading these entries deeply moved Chen Fei'er, making her yearn for the simple happiness such a life offered. Observing Chen Fei'er's bond with Taiyang and suspecting she had nowhere else to go, Lin Zong discreetly arranged for the hotel to extend her stay.
He instructed the front desk to inform her that it was a special "stay five nights, get three free" promotion, while he personally covered the cost. That Friday evening, Chen Fei'er went to the hotel kitchen, where Lin Zong was preparing the weekly staff meal of buns. She offered to help, impressing him with her skill.
As they worked, Lin Zong shared his experiences as a single father, asserting that traditional gender roles in tasks like cooking were outdated, and men were equally capable of nurturing. He thanked Chen Fei'er for her earlier help in matching Taiyang's clothes and subtly inquired about her future plans. Chen Fei'er, feeling more at ease, asked Lin Zong if he found her or Zhao Mingxuan's current girlfriend more attractive. Lin Zong replied that her worth extended far beyond mere looks.
During their conversation, Lin Zong mentioned that Xiao Shangqi had been tirelessly investigating Zhao Mingxuan's projects, visiting various cement and mixing plants in Wusu day and night without rest. Hearing this, Chen Fei'er requested to meet Xiao Shangqi, and this time, Lin Zong agreed. The following day, Chen Fei'er met with Xiao Shangqi and showed him photos of documents on her phone. She explained that she wasn't seeking a transaction but genuinely wanted to start anew in Wusu.
She shared her newfound realization that happiness was a capability, not something dependent on fate, luck, or deals, and expressed her desire to move forward, embracing the unknown. The documents were original data for two of Zhao Mingxuan's projects, which she had learned from his secretary were hidden in a safe, while the company's official versions were fake. Although her hurried departure meant the photos were incomplete, Xiao Shangqi recognized their value as a crucial starting point for his investigation.
Xiao Shangqi then called Xiao Xian for assistance, knowing he was the right person for the job. Their conversation revealed their elaborate plan: they had feigned a falling out to protect Yunlan, with Xiao Xian acting as an undercover agent within Zhao Mingxuan's operations. Xiao Shangqi showed Xiao Xian a brooch, a gift from their father during Yunlan's 10th anniversary, symbolizing something he had once considered lost but now "found again," reaffirming their shared mission to protect Yunlan.
Later, Xiao Xian confronted Zhao Mingxuan, who, holding the majority shares in Yunlan, confidently asserted his control and mocked Xiao Xian for seemingly begging for a job. Xiao Shangqi then appeared, declaring that he would never allow Zhao Mingxuan and Xiao Xian to ruin their father's legacy. Maintaining their facade, Xiao Xian responded that from that day forward, they would each pursue their father's wishes in their own ways, on separate paths.
Zhao Mingxuan, however, saw through their act, recognizing it as a cunning scheme. He declared that the trap they had meticulously set was finally ready for activation. Xiao Shangqi acknowledged that a tough battle lay ahead, but Xiao Xian reassured him that as long as they remained united, they would be able to turn the tables.
