And the Winner Is Love Episode 10 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Zhong Xuezhi prepared a special herbal tonic tea for Shangguan Tou, eagerly instructing her servant to deliver it and emphasize it was her careful creation. However, after taking a sip, Shangguan Tou found the taste unbearable and discretely asked his attendant to remove it. Soon after, Lin Changran visited Shangguan Tou, inquiring why he hadn't consumed the tea made by his "Xuezhi." Shangguan Tou admitted the tea had a "unique" flavor, but clarified that he felt he "cannot take" it.
Lin Changran then explained his reasons for entrusting Zhong Xuezhi to Shangguan Tou's protection. Firstly, he found Shangguan Tou to be a reliable and trustworthy person. Secondly, Lin Changran confessed to being a coward, unwilling to re-enter the martial arts world due to a painful past. Shangguan Tou acknowledged Lin Changran's history but explained his own predicament. Burdened by family responsibilities and facing an uncertain future, he felt "caged by fame" and unable to accept Zhong Xuezhi's affection.
Lin Changran, understanding, urged Shangguan Tou to deeply consider where Zhong Xuezhi's true home lies and what she truly desires, expressing his hope that Shangguan Tou genuinely wished her well. Shangguan Tou assured him he knew what to do. Meanwhile, Zhong Xuezhi tasted her own tea, confirming it was indeed difficult to swallow. Shangguan Tou then arrived, presenting her with the Poison Immune Pill.
To explain the pill's importance and her uncle's trust in him, he revealed that five years prior, he was ambushed, poisoned, and his martial arts crippled. Lin Changran saved him by giving him the Poison Immune Pill, making him immune to all poisons. They then discovered the Moon Valley, a secluded haven, where they settled, and Lin Changran even imparted half of his martial arts cultivation to Shangguan Tou.
Shangguan Tou then explained that given her responsibilities and the treacherous nature of the martial arts world, she was bound to face attacks from deceitful individuals. This pill would render her immune to all poisons, bringing him peace of mind. Zhong Xuezhi found the pill too precious to accept. Shangguan Tou insisted, explaining it was also Lin Changran's wish for her to take it, and reiterated his promise to keep her safe.
Curious, Zhong Xuezhi asked if her uncle had told Shangguan Tou anything personal about her. Shangguan Tou replied he only knew her name and birthday, affirming he never inquired about her or Lin Changran's private affairs, and his commitment to protect her stemmed solely from repaying Lin Changran's "lifesaving grace." Despite his detailed explanation, Zhong Xuezhi still hesitated to take the valuable pill. Shangguan Tou then proposed a contest: if he won, she would take the pill.
He easily defeated her. Though Zhong Xuezhi playfully tried to retract her promise, Shangguan Tou gently but firmly pressed her to keep it, mentioning the great effort it took to acquire the pill from Yin Ci. Reluctantly, Zhong Xuezhi took the pill. Immediately after, Zhong Xuezhi spat blood. Yin Ci, the Moon Valley's doctor, diagnosed that it wasn't the pill but internal injuries from the recent cliff battle, exacerbated by her using her inner force.
She required several days of strict rest, no martial arts, and no inner strength. Shangguan Tou expressed concern about lasting effects, but Yin Ci, a renowned and somewhat eccentric physician, assured them she would fully recover with his prescribed Moon Burn Herb and Locust Flower Pill, emphasizing the strict timing for each dosage. Shangguan Tou offered to meticulously track her medication schedule. Lin Changran entrusted Zhong Xuezhi's care to Shangguan Tou, who readily accepted.
Seeing Yin Ci preparing the medicine, Shangguan Tou found it exceedingly bitter and inquired if its taste could be mellowed without affecting its potency. Yin Ci suggested adding flower petals, which would reduce the bitterness, although it had no medicinal benefit, "perhaps for emotional pleasure." Shangguan Tou then brought the floral-scented medicine to Zhong Xuezhi. She playfully remarked that she wished she had known earlier and would have added flowers to the tea she made for him.
Shangguan Tou told her she didn't need to go to such lengths for him, but Zhong Xuezhi smiled gently, asserting that in her heart, he was the most deserving. She asked if he had ever protected or cared for another girl as devotedly as he had for her, to which he replied, "Never." Zhong Xuezhi brought up rumors of him being a "playboy" but Shangguan Tou countered by mentioning the rumors labeling her a "witch."
He then revealed that he intentionally spread his own rumors, saying it was related to his family and that his family's opinions made no difference to him, as "right and wrong are but a thin line apart." Shangguan Tou then questioned if his true nature truly mattered to her, to which she firmly said yes, citing their unique shared experiences.
Despite her earnestness, Shangguan Tou simply stated they "belong to two different worlds" and "the real me may not be the same in your cognition," before excusing himself. Confused and troubled, Zhong Xuezhi confided in a rabbit, speculating Shangguan Tou might be trying to deter her due to an arranged marriage, though she dismissed the idea of secret engagement rumors.
She felt he was deliberately pushing her away but couldn't reconcile that with his constant care if he felt nothing for her. Unbeknownst to Zhong Xuezhi, Yuwen Muyuan received a mysterious note, supposedly from "Xuezhi," inviting him to meet her in the woods behind Moon Valley, which he immediately set out for, leaving Yuwen Zhongsong frantically searching for his grandson. Meanwhile, Shangguan Tou, in an attempt to please Zhong Xuezhi, released all of Yin Ci's experimental animals—rabbits, chickens, and ducks.
A furious Yin Ci cornered Shangguan Tou in Lin Changran's room, forcing him to test a new, potentially side-effect-laden medicine intended for Zhong Xuezhi, then locked him in. As Shangguan Tou was trapped inside, Zhong Xuezhi approached Lin Changran's room, believing her uncle was inside. She poured out her heart, expressing her understanding of "waiting" and "missing."
She knew she should focus on the stolen Lotus God's Nine Styles and the traitors within the Hall of Flames, but she could no longer suppress her feelings for Shangguan Tou. She recounted his repeated rescues, his warnings about the world's dangers, and his loyal escort to Moon Valley, which made her see him as a deeply trustworthy person she wished to spend her life with.
She questioned her "uncle" about Shangguan Tou's reputation, stating that the "playboy" rumors didn't align with the man she saw, and although he claimed to have spread them himself, she cared deeply and "hated it when people speak ill of him." She confessed that after her father's death and her uncle's departure, her life in the Hall of Flames had become dull, with only Muyuan for company.
But meeting Shangguan Tou had transformed her world; she felt "so happy and pleasant" whenever she was with him. She then expressed her distress that he seemed to be "avoiding" her, making her question if she had upset him. She could sense his inner suffering, which in turn caused her pain, leading her to ask, "Is this feeling. . . love?" Suddenly, Shangguan Tou opened the door, having heard her entire confession.
He thanked her for her "bitter tea" and "frankness." However, he stated he was "unworthy" of her affection and pleaded with her not to "force him." Zhong Xuezhi was stunned, asking if his protective actions, gifts, and risking his life were merely to repay Lin Changran. Shangguan Tou affirmed this, stating his only goal was to ensure her safe return to the Hall of Flames, thus completing his "mission."
Heartbroken, Zhong Xuezhi challenged him, demanding he truthfully declare he had "never had a single romantic feeling" or "improper thought" for her, promising to let go if he could. After a painful pause, Shangguan Tou solemnly declared, "I, Shangguan Tou, feel no romantic feelings for you, Zhong Xuezhi, not a single improper thought. Everything I did for you was solely to repay Mr. Lin for saving my life." He apologized if his past actions had caused any misunderstanding.
Devastated, Zhong Xuezhi muttered that she "flattered herself" and would no longer "pester" him, but urged him to truly understand his own heart before turning and leaving. Later that evening, Lin Changran invited Shangguan Tou for drinks, acknowledging he had witnessed the day's events. He gently urged Shangguan Tou to resolve his relationship with Zhong Xuezhi. Lin Changran then directly asked if Shangguan Tou truly had no feelings for Zhong Xuezhi, noting his consistently "reserved nature."
Shangguan Tou finally confessed that Zhong Xuezhi was "an unexpected, precious gift" in his life. He admitted that while his initial intention was purely to repay Lin Changran by protecting her, his feelings evolved the longer they spent together. He enjoyed watching her and being with her; her joy made him happy, and her sorrow pained him. However, he revealed his panic upon realizing Zhong Xuezhi reciprocated his feelings.
He explained that his family background irrevocably tied him to the treacherous imperial court, and his uncertain future meant he couldn't bear to drag her into such a life. More profoundly, having grown up witnessing his parents' cold relationship and never experiencing true family warmth, he confessed he didn't know "how to truly love someone" or "how to genuinely bear a feeling and a girl's trust."
Lin Changran encouraged him to open his heart, but Shangguan Tou refused, admitting his fear. He feared that if he tried to love, he would inadvertently project his "resistance to emotions" onto Zhong Xuezhi, causing her deep pain and harm if he couldn't shed his own burdens and offer her his "complete self."
