Be Together Episode 23 Recap
> Be Together Recap
Han Shuang harshly criticized Zhao Xiaolei for developing feelings for her best friend's ex-boyfriend. She attempted to tear up a card Zhao Xiaolei held, but Zhao Xiaolei fiercely protected it, explaining it was a memento from the first man she had ever loved. She clarified that her feelings for him had begun before he and Xia Yan even knew each other, and she had suppressed them after their relationship started.
Just then, Zhao Xiaojun arrived, and seeing his sister in distress, he confronted Han Shuang, threatening her if she dared to bully Zhao Xiaolei. Han Shuang retaliated by revealing that Zhao Xiaolei's rent was less than half of what Xia Yan paid, insinuating that her friends had been doing her a favor. Upon learning this, Zhao Xiaolei felt betrayed, recalling Lin Hao's past comment about her friends not treating her fairly.
Believing she was seen as a charity case, she declared she would no longer live there and left with Zhao Xiaojun. Xia Yan tried to persuade Zhao Xiaolei to stay, but Han Shuang, still seething, pulled Xia Yan away. Han Shuang then confronted Lin Hao, warning him to stop harassing Zhao Xiaolei, whom she described as too kind and susceptible to manipulation. Lin Hao dismissed her, stating that Zhao Xiaolei was an adult capable of making her own choices.
Suddenly, Lin Hao received a call from Zhao Xiaojun asking him to pick up Zhao Xiaolei. When Xia Yan again urged Zhao Xiaolei not to leave, Zhao Xiaolei responded that she had sincerely wished Xia Yan and Lin Hao well when they were together, and now she hoped Xia Yan would offer her genuine blessings for any future relationship.
Enraged, Han Shuang pulled Xia Yan into their car, but not before issuing a stern warning to Lin Hao: if he "played with fire," she would get her mother to shut down his company. After Han Shuang and Xia Yan left, Zhao Xiaolei apologized to Lin Hao for the trouble. She assured him that Han Shuang's mother would not intervene, as Han Shuang and her mother were estranged.
Lin Hao offered Zhao Xiaolei a place to stay at his home for the time being. Although Zhao Xiaolei was hesitant, he insisted. Back at his house, Lin Hao deliberately hid photos of himself with his ex-girlfriend, Hao Jie, aiming to strategically manipulate Zhao Xiaolei rather than out of concern for her feelings. Later, Ma Xiangnan visited Zhao Xiaolei, intending to talk.
Zhao Xiaolei clarified that she was not officially in a relationship with Lin Hao, but merely staying at his place temporarily until Zhao Xiaojun could find a suitable apartment for them both. Ma Xiangnan encouraged her to return home, but Zhao Xiaolei expressed gratitude for her friends' past care and acknowledged she had been paying too little rent. She felt it was time for her to become independent and stop relying on them.
Ma Xiangnan warned her that Lin Hao was not as straightforward as he seemed, but Zhao Xiaolei felt she had been stagnant while her friends had all moved forward and found love. At this point, Zhao Xiaojun arrived, referring to Zhao Xiaolei's friends as negative influences that would hinder her future. Ma Xiangnan, just meeting Zhao Xiaojun, politely asked him for some privacy, but he refused to leave.
Zhao Xiaolei defended her brother, stating that her friends had never shown him respect, always bossing him around, and that only Lin Hao treated him as an equal. She believed her friends often mocked her and her family behind their backs. Overhearing this, Ma Xiangnan became emotional, asserting that Lin Hao was merely putting on a show for Zhao Xiaolei, and pointed out that Zhao Xiaolei even wrote Zhao Xiaojun's monthly reports due to his lack of work ability.
Zhao Xiaojun quickly retorted, claiming he contributed to half of their company's deals and had even been contacted by a headhunter from NK. Zhao Xiaolei, supporting her brother, told Ma Xiangnan not to look down on them, as they would prove their capabilities in Xinzhou. Frustrated, Ma Xiangnan left. Afterward, Zhao Xiaojun encouraged Zhao Xiaolei to pursue a relationship with Lin Hao, especially since her friendship with Xia Yan had soured.
However, Zhao Xiaolei believed their long-standing friendship wouldn't break apart so easily. Meanwhile, Ma Ke intended to give Han Shuang flowers, but an argument ensued, as neither was willing to admit their feelings. He then stated the flowers were for a blind date arranged by his mother, which visibly annoyed Han Shuang, despite her attempts to appear indifferent. He jokingly asked if she was jealous, which she vehemently denied.
Their conversation escalated to a point where Ma Ke revealed that Xu Cheng Yi had been in a car accident after receiving a message from his ex-girlfriend, Ling Wei, who had returned from the US. Han Shuang was visibly upset to hear about Ling Wei. Despite their squabbling, Han Shuang advised Ma Ke on good restaurants and urged him to drive safely to his date, prompting him to tease her further about her concern.
Later, Zhao Xiaojun took clients to a nightclub with the intent of soliciting prostitutes, which led to his arrest. Lin Hao quickly arranged for his bail. Upon arriving at the police station, Zhao Xiaolei received an angry phone call from her mother, who was deeply worried about her only son and scolded Zhao Xiaolei for his predicament. After the call, Lin Hao comforted Zhao Xiaolei, offering her a hug, which stirred her emotions.
Back at his home, Lin Hao continued his solicitous behavior, bringing her milk to calm her nerves before bed, all as part of his calculated plan to win her affection and exact revenge on Xia Yan. At home, Ma Ke returned to find his apartment in disarray, clothes strewn everywhere, and humorously complained that even a husky wouldn't make such a mess.
As he grumbled while tidying up, Han Shuang emerged from a pile of clothes, claiming exhaustion from a day of livestreaming. Ma Ke dismissed her work as merely chatting and playing, which angered Han Shuang. She passionately defended livestreaming as a demanding job that combined acting, hosting, and sales. Ma Ke apologized and offered to massage her shoulders, which soon led to a tender kiss between them.
Zhao Xiaojun continued to push Zhao Xiaolei to formalize her relationship with Lin Hao, bringing gifts from their mother as a thank-you to Lin Hao for bailing him out. He mentioned that their mother, initially upset about his arrest, had softened considerably after hearing about Zhao Xiaolei and Lin Hao.
He urged Zhao Xiaolei to be more proactive, even suggesting she shouldn't seek out Xia Yan first, but rather wait for an apology from her former friends, to avoid "cheapening" herself. Zhao Xiaolei, however, still felt a need to talk to Xia Yan about the situation. Finally, Lin Hao showed Zhao Xiaolei numerous local specialties sent by her mother.
He expressed his delight and, referring to Zhao Xiaolei as the "real treasure" he wanted to keep for himself, he leaned in to kiss her. Zhao Xiaolei, taken aback, softly uttered, "Sorry, I was too impetuous," referring to Lin Hao's forwardness.
