Almost Lover Episode 4 Recap
> Almost Lover Recap
He Xiaoran was surprised when Xiao Shangqi proposed a deeper collaboration between the Dajiabang For Everyone program and Jifeng Hotel. She had just commented on how dishes are "half about taste, half about story," often evoking memories. Xiao Shangqi suggested using her program to promote Jifeng's monthly specialty dishes and run a rating event where listeners could enjoy free meals at Jifeng.
She, on air, encouraged listeners to share their most memorable food stories, offering a chance for their dishes to be featured at Jifeng. She shared her own favorite, her father's sweet and sour spare ribs, describing the healing feeling it brought. Sui Mingwei, eager for Xiao Shangqi to finish his business in Wusu and leave, took it upon himself to collect Wusu's specialty dishes mentioned by the listeners.
He brought them to Jifeng, telling Xiao Shangqi that "all the best specialty dishes in Wusu are here." He declared his intention to "mind He Xiaoran's matters for a long time" and implied that Xiao Shangqi shouldn't stay in Wusu forever. Xiao Shangqi, after hearing from his staff that many of these hard-to-find dishes were also on He Xiaoran's list, realized the effort she had put in and felt he should thank her.
Xiao Shangqi invited He Xiaoran to Jifeng for a meal featuring their improved specialty dishes. He Xiaoran, assuming she was there to taste-test, overheard a staff member discussing Xiao Shangqi's purpose in Wusu—to get the hotel listed on the Black Pine Needle Desirable Hotel list. The staff member speculated that once the rating was achieved, he would return to Hupu, as Yunlan wouldn't "leave the younger son here to waste his life."
He Xiaoran agreed, wishing him to "leave soon after the rating." Xiao Shangqi, having heard this, maintained a facade of indifference. As she prepared to leave, he offered her a large jar of pickles as a thank-you gift, remarking, "Thanks for doing it to send me away. You've worked so hard." He then insisted on driving her home, using the excuse that the gift was too big for her to carry alone.
Upon arriving at her new residence, he was unsettled to discover she was co-renting with Li Hui and Sui Mingwei. Sui Mingwei greeted Xiao Shangqi as a "rare guest" and openly stated he lived there with He Xiaoran as housemates. When Xiao Shangqi's gift was presented, Sui Mingwei declared, "In our house-sharing rules, we share food," and immediately tasted the pickles.
Xiao Shangqi's discomfort grew as he witnessed He Xiaoran and Sui Mingwei using matching water cups and engaging in an excited game together. Overcome with jealousy, he abruptly announced his departure. He Xiaoran quickly chased after Xiao Shangqi, returning his forgotten phone. She teased him about getting angry after losing a game, promising to "avenge" him. She then asked about the Black Pine Needle rating schedule, prompting Xiao Shangqi to reveal his complex feelings.
He confessed he was "really happy to meet you again," but noted that his attempts to do things for her either "fell short" or were "done wrong," while her actions seemed designed "only to make me get out of your sight sooner." He informed her that Jifeng's rating assessment would happen next week, hoping she wouldn't find it "too late." The Black Pine Needle Desirable Hotel rating was announced, and Jifeng Hotel successfully made the list.
Its restaurant also earned a 'diamond' rating, greatly increasing the hotel's renown. The hotel staff, who had initially found Xiao Shangqi's changes frustrating, now understood his vision and were impressed by his capability. Lin, the Vice President, proposed a team-building celebration. While considering inviting He Xiaoran, Xiao Shangqi quickly dismissed the idea, believing "She may not want to come." Meanwhile, Sui Mingwei received shocking news from his mother via a phone call: Jifeng Hotel was going to be sold.
His mother praised Xiao Shangqi's astute business acumen, noting how quickly he had elevated Jifeng's status and value. Sui Mingwei realized Xiao Shangqi's efforts were a calculated move "just to sell it for a higher price," with "every move. . . calculated." He felt that Xiao Shangqi had used people's emotions and their program for profit and decided to inform He Xiaoran immediately.
Despite Xiao Shangqi's initial reluctance to invite her, He Xiaoran arrived at the celebration, having received an invitation from Lin. She apologized to Xiao Shangqi, clarifying that her past desire for him to leave wasn't due to dislike, but rather a reflection of her inner turmoil stemming from past misunderstandings. She explained, "Three years ago, I thought you drew a clear line between us in the most resolute way. . .
After meeting you again, I realized there were so many misunderstandings. . . To seek peace, I worked hard to chase you away." Xiao Shangqi, seemingly appeased, jokingly asked if he would find peace after he left. They shared a drink, reaffirming their friendship, with He Xiaoran offering to treat him to a meal next time he visited Wusu.
During a "Truth or Dare" game hosted by He Xiaoran, a staff member named Mo revealed Xiao Shangqi's secret: despite his stern demeanor, he possessed a "childlike mind" and kept a "bird bluetooth radio" in his office, gifted by a friend. Following this, the employees jokingly brought up how Xiao Shangqi had personally made sweet and sour spare ribs and pickles for He Xiaoran. Just then, Sui Mingwei burst in, loudly announcing to everyone that Jifeng was being sold.
The news created an uproar among the employees, many of whom felt betrayed, especially those who had left stable jobs to join Jifeng under Xiao Shangqi's persuasion. They accused him of using them and the program for his personal gain. In anger and frustration, most employees left the party, and Sui Mingwei pulled He Xiaoran away, urging her to leave as well, claiming she had been "duped" by Xiao Shangqi.
Unbeknownst to the employees, Xiao Shangqi had already taken steps to protect them. He had successfully secured approval from the group for transfer compensation for the employees and obtained a guarantee contract from the prospective buyer to retain all Jifeng staff. As the last employees trickled out, He Xiaoran, unable to leave Xiao Shangqi alone, returned to join him for dinner.
She reminded him that she knew he was afraid of being left alone, just like in their school days when he relied on listening to the radio to sleep. While admitting she didn't fully understand commercial considerations, she expressed her trust in him, believing he wasn't someone who acted without principle. She urged him to "consider a bit more for them" if he could.
As they drank and chatted, a slightly inebriated He Xiaoran asked if he would return to Wusu after he left this time, promising to bid him farewell after everything was settled. Later, as she drifted off to sleep, Xiao Shangqi gently kissed her forehead, murmuring that he "can't get over this," implicitly acknowledging his growing feelings for her. Meanwhile, Mr. Cheng, an old and loyal customer of Jifeng Hotel, expressed his interest in buying it.
He explained that Jifeng held deep sentimental value for him and his late wife, who had spent the last moments of her life there four years prior. He intended to acquire the hotel simply to "keep my memory in the suite," specifically room 806.
He acknowledged Xiao Shangqi's impressive work in getting Jifeng on the Black Pine Needle list in such a short time, noting that had he known, Xiao Shangqi wouldn't have had to put in so much "forcing growth" effort to attract buyers. However, at the decisive moment, Xiao Shangqi informed Mr. Cheng that he could not sell the hotel to him. He promised to reserve room 806 permanently for Mr. Cheng but stated his intention to "run the hotel myself."
He revealed that, like Mr. Cheng, he also had "something I want to keep" and didn't trust others with it. He Xiaoran, who had come to give him a farewell dinner at a scenic night market spot she loved, was astonished by his decision to stay in Wusu and continue operating Jifeng. She questioned his choice, asking about his plans in Hupu.
Xiao Shangqi explained that after years of living alone in hotels abroad and in Hupu, he felt no sense of belonging. He confessed that "there is nothing really worthwhile for me to stay" in Hupu, but "at least there's you" in Wusu. He added that he had been listening to her radio show for years to help him sleep, and now, being able to live next to the radio station and hear her program daily was something precious.
Overwhelmed and unsure how to respond, He Xiaoran’s conversation was abruptly cut short when Sui Mingwei called her phone, urgently asking for the house keys. She quickly left, promising to return immediately. Later, Xiao Shangqi's father, speaking on the phone, expressed his dissatisfaction with his son's decision to remain in Wusu and manage Jifeng. Xiao Shangqi asserted that their passive approach of merely "took whichever move launched by Zhao Mingxuan" would always leave them at a disadvantage.
He proposed a bold new strategy: "Open up a new battlefield. Turn defense into attack. Double the counterattack." He promised his father that he would use his own methods to finish this "game" and vowed that he "won't let Yunlan lose." Xiao Shangqi's father then called Zhao Mingxuan, thanking him for providing Xiao Shangqi with the "opportunity to practice" in Wusu.
Meanwhile, the successful transformation of Jifeng Hotel under Xiao Shangqi was being lauded within the group, turning what was once considered a "hot potato" into something "precious." This praise deeply bothered Zhao Mingxuan, triggering childhood memories of his father constantly comparing him to the Xiao brothers, pushing him to excel, and how he always felt overshadowed by Xiao Shangqi.
Having decided to stay long-term in Wusu, Xiao Shangqi sought to deepen his understanding of the city and integrate into its local life. He invited He Xiaoran to the night market, telling her that he wished to "first be part of your life."
