Beautiful Reborn Flower Episode 22 Recap
> Beautiful Reborn Flower Recaps
Driven by her concern for Qiao Fang, who had collapsed while relentlessly searching for He Jianfeng, Qiao Man decided to directly appeal to Director Yan. She met him at the company to explain Qiao Fang's relationship with He Jianfeng and offered to take on responsibility for him. Director Yan agreed to discuss He Jianfeng's whereabouts with Ah Li. Ah Li was surprised by Director Yan's unexpected visit to Li Ping Pavilion and Qiao Man's bold move, inwardly seething.
Later, Qiao Man informed Qiao Fang that Director Yan had promised to help locate He Jianfeng, which brought Qiao Fang immense joy. However, Ah Li, purporting to act on Director Yan's instructions, presented Qiao Man with a harsh guarantee agreement. Qiao Man was enraged to discover that the terms unfairly shifted all of He Jianfeng's responsibilities onto Qiao Fang. She confronted Ah Li furiously.
When Lin Heping approached to inquire about the commotion, Qiao Man angrily threw the document at him before storming off. Lin Heping later confronted Ah Li, reprimanding her for the unreasonable terms of the agreement and defending Qiao Man. Ah Li expressed her heartbreak, lamenting their deteriorating relationship and asserting that all her actions were for Lin Heping's sake. She insisted that He Jianfeng's whereabouts would remain hidden unless Qiao Man signed the guarantee.
Lin Heping, however, reiterated that he did not want to see the controversial guarantee again. Qiao Man brought a distraught Qiao Fang home, where Lin Heping greeted them. However, Qiao Fang immediately confronted Lin Heping. He began to admit his responsibility in the situation, but Qiao Fang cut him off, declaring she would never believe him and demanding He Jianfeng's return.
As Qiao Fang grew more agitated, attempting to physically confront Lin Heping, Qiao Man intervened, urging her sister to go inside. Qiao Man then promised to explain everything to Qiao Fang on Lin Heping's behalf and told him to leave. Lin Heping returned later, bringing calming medicine for Qiao Fang and hoping to apologize to her. Qiao Man, however, blocked him at the door, stating her sister did not wish to see him.
Lin Heping acknowledged that Ah Li's actions were excessive and apologized on her behalf, urging Qiao Man to let go of her resentment. Qiao Man retaliated by asking how he would feel if his own sister were subjected to such treatment, condemning Ah Li for trying to force Qiao Fang to sign a guarantee and marry He Jianfeng simply to care for him, labeling Ah Li’s actions as wicked.
Lin Heping suggested that Ah Li might have been trying to discourage them from finding He Jianfeng. Qiao Man accused him of still defending Ah Li, but Lin Heping countered that if she gave up on He Jianfeng, the entire ordeal would end. He pleaded with her to trust him and Ah Li just once. Qiao Man firmly refused, citing Ah Li’s repeated obstruction.
She reminded him that she had given Ah Li a chance by not exposing the truth to Wen Jing in Shenzhen, yet Ah Li continued to impede their search for He Jianfeng. She declared she would never yield.
When Lin Heping asked what it would take for her to give up, Qiao Man laid out her conditions: Ah Li must release He Jianfeng, and she intended to fully investigate the "ten-million fake account," believing there was more to it, and prevent He Jianfeng from becoming a scapegoat. Lin Heping advised her to leave the financial matters to the board of directors and not interfere.
Qiao Man, suspecting he was collaborating with Ah Li and deliberately shielding her, defiantly stated she would uncover concrete evidence to silence him. She then dismissed him and refused to take the medicine he offered. Shortly after, Ah Li called Lin Heping. He immediately chastised her, telling her she had "gone overboard" by forcing Qiao Man to sign the agreement.
Surprisingly, Ah Li apologized, expressing regret for her cruelty in attempting to force "a normal person like Qiao Fang" to marry a "hopeless guy like He Jian Feng." Lin Heping, however, remained unconvinced, telling her to stop "acting innocent." Meanwhile, Han Sen, contemplating cooking dinner for Qiao Man as a potential "turning point" in their relationship, encountered Luo Chen. Luo Chen questioned Han Sen’s cheerful mood and his upcoming "date."
He then directly informed Han Sen that while he had visited Xue Lai, his rival, Li Ping Pavilion, was also in discussions with her, and Lin Heping had reportedly already reached an agreement. Han Sen was surprised, questioning how an artisan craft company like Li Ping Pavilion could be related to Xue Lai. Luo Chen admitted he didn't know the specifics but emphasized that Han Sen wouldn't want Lin Heping to sign her first.
Han Sen, determined not to lose, vowed to secure Xue Lai’s contract, stating he would make Lin Heping "beg" for their help later. Luo Chen, sensing a personal vendetta, asked if Han Sen held a grudge against Lin Heping or Li Ping Pavilion. Han Sen clarified he was acting on behalf of Yi Pin Pictures, recalling a past five-million compensation they had to pay, and affirmed his resolve to sign Xue Lai. Luo Chen expressed his full support.
Later, Han Sen encountered Lin Heping, who seemed to be in a hurry and dismissed him. Undeterred, Han Sen wanted to talk about Xue Lai. Lin Heping, in a sour mood, sarcastically asked if they were to discuss "fake goods" again. Han Sen, however, steered the conversation to Xue Lai's contract, noting that he had established Yi Pin Media and intended to sign artists.
He declared that he knew Lin Heping was also interested in working with Xue Lai, but confidently stated that he would sign her first, suggesting Lin Heping could then approach his office for collaboration. Lin Heping remained skeptical, stating nothing was finalized and Han Sen should "stop acting." Han Sen then challenged Lin Heping to see "who can sign her up first," emphasizing that this was a fair competition, unlike their past dispute over plagiarism.
Lin Heping simply told him to proceed. Han Sen, introducing an imaginary "Punk Kid," mockingly told Lin Heping to "buck up" because he intended to sign Xue Lai before him and would "knock him out so fast." After reassuring Qiao Fang and reflecting on her determination to ensure her sister's happiness, Qiao Man emerged to find Han Sen had prepared a lavish dinner.
Han Sen explained he had arrived earlier and, seeing her tending to Qiao Fang, decided to cook without disturbing her. Qiao Man was genuinely impressed and grateful, acknowledging his kindness. Han Sen was delighted by her rare praise, playfully wondering if "the devil of 21st Street had turned into an angel" and claiming he became "the sun to warm her up" because she wasn't looking after herself. Qiao Man gently teased him for getting carried away.
Later, Xiao Zhi returned to witness the happy scene. Overwhelmed by a sudden pang of hurt, she questioned in her mind if she was falling for Han Sen and quickly dismissed the thought as she retreated downstairs, feeling a profound sense of loss. Han Sen later found Xiao Zhi still sitting outside, despite his "perfect" dinner with Qiao Man. He asked why she hadn't come in, and she replied that he had expressed not wanting her to "spoil the mood."
Han Sen, puzzled, called her "weird," explaining he only meant for her to leave temporarily so she wouldn't be their "third wheel," not to stay out all night. Xiao Zhi countered that she would still be a "third wheel" inside and felt it best to give him and Qiao Man some alone time. Han Sen then observed that Xiao Zhi hadn't "looked right" since his visit to Xue Lai and asked if she was unhappy.
He tried to cheer her up by launching into a lengthy, oblivious discussion about the invention of light bulbs and the concept of "third wheels." Xiao Zhi interjected that she was "the type that actually feels uncomfortable." Still missing the emotional subtext, Han Sen continued to philosophize about how a "wheel" could feel uncomfortable and concluded that she must be a "problematic wheel" and that he needed to understand why a "third wheel" would feel upset.
Exasperated, Xiao Zhi simply stated that she was "sick." Han Sen then apologized, sensing he had somehow offended her without understanding why. Separately, Ah Li visited Ke Duo in prison. Ke Duo, surprised by her presence, assumed she was there to see Lin Heping. Ah Li, however, confronted him, accusing him of being "brazen" and causing trouble by frequently meeting Lin Heping and asking him to send money to his ailing mother.
Ke Duo explained he sought Lin Heping's help because he was helpless in prison. Ah Li scoffed, reminding him that while Lin Heping might be compassionate, she was not. She gave him an ultimatum: hand over the "Riverbank Diary," or she would expose his past actions to his entire hometown and his ill mother, revealing that "Ke Duo is a thief." Ke Duo pleaded with her, fearing the impact on his mother's health.
Ah Li remained firm, reminding him that his actions had consequences, and any mercy would depend on his cooperation. Ke Duo ultimately agreed to fully cooperate. Lin Heping received a call from Xue Lai, indicating a potential breakthrough in their collaboration. He immediately pulled Qiao Man, who was attending to a client, to join him, stating that Xue Lai wanted to meet.
At the meeting, Xue Lai straightforwardly told Lin Heping that she called him because she wanted to view his art collection. Lin Heping advised against it, explaining that the paintings were his personal collection, not for sale, and that viewing them might upset her. Xue Lai reminded him that he was the one seeking her endorsement and that going against her wishes would jeopardize her becoming his company's ambassador.
Lin Heping apologized for any offense, admitting he had felt compelled to use unconventional methods to gain her attention, as she otherwise wouldn't have noticed him. He confessed that his company's future depended on her endorsement, and he believed she was the only one worthy. Xue Lai then confronted him with the numerous negative online reviews about Li Ping Pavilion, sarcastically suggesting they were thick enough to fill a dictionary.
She accused him of trying to use her to "clear his own name" and questioned if he expected her to agree. Lin Heping dismissed the online comments as mere "rumors" that didn't reflect their current situation. He then asked Qiao Man to present their products. Qiao Man highlighted their commitment to quality, emphasizing that their art pieces were designed by famous artisans and that the online rumors were simply "sabotage." She urged Xue Lai to trust Li Ping Pavilion.
Unconvinced, Xue Lai scoffed at the idea of believing them based on "a few pictures." When Lin Heping asked how they could earn her trust, Xue Lai retorted that his repeated "lowly methods" to grab her attention made trust impossible. She declared herself "not interested" in their products and asked them to leave, advising them not to disturb her again. She briefly offered to be friends but insisted they depart.
Afterward, Qiao Man chastised Lin Heping for his "arrogant" approach, saying he had made himself "look like a dolt." Lin Heping shrugged off the setback, acknowledging that signing a high-profile artist like Xue Lai wouldn't be easy, and decided to seek the help of Master Su Shan. Yang Lan received an urgent call from the hospital informing her that He Jianfeng was critically ill.
She immediately relayed the news to Ah Li, who, after a moment of consideration, instructed Yang Lan to notify Qiao Man and Qiao Fang first, rather than going herself. Yang Lan was puzzled, questioning why they were revealing He Jianfeng's location after keeping it secret for so long, but Ah Li insisted she comply quickly. Meanwhile, at home, Qiao Fang, still distraught, complained to Qiao Man, urging her to quit her job at Li Ping Pavilion if she truly cared.
Qiao Man then received Yang Lan's message about He Jianfeng being at a rehab hospital. Qiao Fang was instantly eager to rush to his side. Although Qiao Man felt a pang of suspicion about the sudden revelation, Qiao Fang's desperate urgency outweighed any doubts, and they quickly departed. Xiao Zhi brought Han Sen a variety of imported health supplements, suggesting he message Xue Lai to arrange a meeting.
Han Sen hesitated, questioning if their relationship was "close enough" for such a casual approach. Xiao Zhi reminded him that he had boasted of being "old friends" with Xue Lai and able to visit anytime, accusing him of bluffing. Han Sen defended himself, explaining that the contract was still being processed, and he was trying to find a way to approach her without appearing snobbish.
Xiao Zhi continued to mock him, threatening to return the gifts, believing he wouldn't sign Xue Lai before they expired. Han Sen, his pride stung, stopped her and declared that if he couldn't "handle Xue Lai," she could call him "crap, as in piece of crap!" Xiao Zhi, accepting the challenge, retorted, "Yeah, we'll see, piece of crap!" and left.
Han Sen then worriedly wondered why Xue Lai was "so hard to handle," as he truly didn't want to become a "piece of crap." Lin Heping went to seek help from Master Su Shan. To his dismay, Luo Chen was also present. Luo Chen immediately accosted Lin Heping, calling him a "lowly curator" and mockingly asking if he was there because "Li Ping Pavilion is under attack."
Lin Heping, taken aback, questioned how Luo Chen knew Li Ping Pavilion had been "blacklisted" and accused him of being involved. Luo Chen evaded a direct answer, further provoking Lin Heping by saying he looked "cute when angry" and that it made him "so happy." As their argument escalated into a near physical confrontation, Master Su Shan intervened, sending Luo Chen away. Lin Heping apologized for the disturbance, and Master Su acknowledged their bitter rivalry.
Lin Heping then explained he was there regarding Xue Lai, hoping to sign her as an ambassador but facing significant problems. Master Su revealed that Xue Lai had called him after the auction to inquire about Lin Heping's character. Lin Heping sought advice on how to convince her. Master Su explained that Xue Lai was an individual who "can't be forced" and whose greatest passion was collecting art.
To "remedy the situation," he advised Lin Heping to "choose a painting from your collection and give it to her." Lin Heping reluctantly confirmed it had to be from his personal collection, to which Master Su affirmed it was the only way for the sake of "Li Ping Pavilion's future." Master Su offered to facilitate a meeting, but stressed that the ultimate success would depend entirely on Lin Heping's efforts.
Ah Li, along with Yang Lan, eventually arrived at the rehab hospital where He Jianfeng was being held. Qiao Fang and Qiao Man were already there, Qiao Fang distraught upon finding He Jianfeng in critical condition. A hospital staff member reproached Qiao Fang for her belated arrival, stating He Jianfeng was "almost dying." Qiao Man, hearing this, questioned what had happened, and the staff explained the disease was "unpredictable" and had worsened suddenly.
The staff then presented Qiao Fang with He Jianfeng's phone and a critical condition notice, requesting her signature to proceed with surgery. Qiao Fang, in denial, refused to sign, believing he would be fine, but the staff warned that surgery couldn't proceed without her consent. Begging them to save him, Qiao Fang was assured they would do their best. Qiao Man tried to comfort her sister, affirming He Jianfeng's kindness and hope for his recovery.
However, Qiao Fang, overwhelmed, blamed Xu Ah Li for everything, threatening to "make her jump into the river" if anything happened to He Jianfeng. She directly confronted Ah Li, accusing her of knowing He Jianfeng was dying, which was why she had suddenly revealed his location. Ah Li denied the accusation, expressing her own concern, but Qiao Fang furiously retorted that Ah Li wasn't even related to him.
When Ah Li questioned if this was the thanks she received for providing the location, Qiao Fang exploded, shouting, "If it weren't for you, would he be in this state now? You wicked woman!" She lunged at Ah Li, but Qiao Man quickly intervened to stop the fight. At that moment, a doctor emerged from the operating room and delivered the devastating news: He Jianfeng's heart had stopped beating; despite their best efforts, they "couldn't save him."
Qiao Fang collapsed in profound grief. Back to Han Sen's pursuit of Xue Lai, he had initially tried to meet her with Xiao Zhi, but they were turned away by her assistant. Determined, Han Sen managed to sneak into her hotel room by impersonating a waiter, where he found her intently studying a painting. He then tried to make conversation by mentioning he had returned from Barcelona, a city where Xue Lai had once studied.
However, Xue Lai soon realized he was not a waiter, and her assistant arrived, exposing him as being from An Group. Xue Lai was furious at his deception, becoming guarded and worldly, causing Han Sen to leave, unwilling to engage with that side of her. Later, Han Sen found another opportunity to approach Xue Lai, who was reviewing unsatisfactory photographs for a magazine cover.
She was highly critical of her current photographer, "Yuan," for the lack of perspective and un-eye-catching images. Han Sen, seeing his chance, offered to take the photos himself, claiming a natural talent despite not being a professional. Xue Lai, warning him of the consequences if he was joking, gave him one shot. Han Sen surprised her by revealing he had "already taken a shot," explaining that true photography was about "capturing the moment," not elaborate poses or equipment.
Xue Lai was impressed by his work, calling it "pretty good." Han Sen equated photography with "feeling," much like collaboration. Xue Lai decided to use his photo for the cover. Han Sen smugly gloated to the original photographer, "Sorry, pal, I took your job." Just then, Lin Heping arrived, stating that Master Su Shan had informed him Xue Lai was expecting him to view paintings.
Xue Lai then left with Lin Heping, leaving a confused Han Sen to wonder what Lin Heping was planning. Following Master Su Shan's advice, Lin Heping brought Xue Lai to his "secret chamber" to view his personal art collection. Xue Lai was visibly impressed by his "huge collection," remarking on how rare it was to find such a passionate collector among art-related businessmen. Lin Heping explained it was simply his passion.
He then presented her with a painting called "Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk," highlighting its high market value. However, Xue Lai's assistant, Xiao Fang, commented that while technically proficient, the piece "lacked emotion." Xue Lai agreed, dismissing the painting and telling Lin Heping he "can have this painting" back. As they continued to browse, Xue Lai noticed an empty spot where a centerpiece should have been.
Lin Heping explained that it once held an art piece "not exactly a work of art," which, though "worthless to others," was profoundly important to him, but it was "gone, unfortunately." Xue Lai then spotted another painting, "The Beacon," and asked for its story. Lin Heping explained it was painted by a friend, and while "not exactly brilliant in terms of technique," its emotional depth conveyed a "strong hint of vagueness that draws the audience in." Xue Lai, moved by the description, declared, "I'll take this."
