Beautiful Reborn Flower Episode 28 Recap
> Beautiful Reborn Flower Recap
Ah Li publicly addressed the employees, identifying herself as a company director and Lin Heping's fiancée, to celebrate Qiao Man's successful efforts in securing Xue Lai as an ambassador. She expressed her satisfaction with Qiao Man's performance and suggested they let go of past misunderstandings. Lin Heping attempted to intervene, but Ah Li insisted on finishing her statement, then embraced a surprised Qiao Man. After this, the employees were dismissed.
Lin Heping pulled Ah Li aside to confront her about her public declarations. He questioned her motives, reminding her that he was dating Qiao Man and criticizing her disregard for Qiao Man's feelings, as well as denying any engagement. Ah Li retorted that she should have been more open, accusing Lin Heping of never considering her feelings, especially as she watched the man she loved being taken by an "unrelated woman."
She declared she would not let him go, insisting she would always be "the woman behind him." Ah Li also informed him that a deposit had been paid for her house, and she would soon repay the company, expressing gratitude that he hadn't revealed her financial issues to the board. She promised to be honest from now on, especially in her love for him, and vowed never to give up.
Returning from his business trip, Luo Chen confronted Han Sen at Yi Pin Media, angrily questioning why the company's opening ceremony proceeded without him. Han Sen calmly told him to speak respectfully in the office, asserting that as the company's boss, he had no obligation to wait. Luo Chen argued that Yi Pin's very existence was thanks to his strategy involving Xue Lai.
Han Sen dismissed this, explaining that he initially partnered with Luo Chen for his talent but quickly realized Luo Chen's true ambition was to control the company and profit. He mentioned hearing Luo Chen falsely claim Yi Pin as his own.
When Luo Chen demanded a reason for being sidelined, accusing Han Sen of discarding him after his usefulness, Han Sen simply stated he didn't need a reason as he was the owner, and was too busy to continue the conversation. Enraged, Luo Chen promised Han Sen would face consequences. Qiao Fang officially joined Yi Pin Media as the new Sales Director. Han Sen arranged a grand welcome for her, introducing her to the staff.
Qiao Fang expressed her happiness at Han Sen's success, remarking that as Qiao Man's sister, she considered herself family. She also openly stated that Qiao Man would undoubtedly be happiest if she were with him. Han Sen appeared slightly uncomfortable and quickly redirected Xiao Zhi to show Qiao Fang her workstation. Xiao Zhi then led Qiao Fang to her desk, emphasizing the friendly atmosphere and offering her assistance.
Upon returning to the magazine office, Luo Chen faced a severe reprimand from his editor-in-chief. The editor criticized him for the failed collaboration with Yi Pin Media, which had wasted company resources and caused significant trouble. He accused Luo Chen of lacking focus and warned him that unless his performance drastically improved by the end of the year, he would be fired. Luo Chen attempted to defend his recent sales, but the editor dismissed them as collective company achievements.
A colleague, He Xiao Xi, added to Luo Chen's distress by remarking that he was suffering the consequences of his actions and was no longer the person he used to be. Luo Chen, clearly upset, asked her to leave him alone. Lin Heping met Qiao Man after work and invited her to join him at the upcoming Shenzhen Cloth Exhibition. Qiao Man, who still had work to finish, promised to fly there with Xue Lai later.
Lin Heping reassured her, mentioning he was actively searching for a new place for Ah Li to move into soon, reaffirming their commitment to each other. As they embraced, Ah Li approached them, commenting on how "what goes around comes around." She mockingly apologized for her sudden presence but declared that if their happiness depended on her suffering, she could simply "disappear" or even "die," begging them not to let her witness their affection as it was a "torture."
Concerned by Ah Li's words, Lin Heping told Qiao Man he needed to check on Ah Li, fearing she might harm herself, and asked Qiao Man not to be jealous. Qiao Man, disheartened, silently questioned his decision to leave, finding Ah Li's threat childish but acknowledging Lin Heping's family-like concern for her, while also wondering about his consideration for her own feelings. Xue Lai introduced her friend Tong Xin, the President of the Shenzhen Art Exhibition committee, to Han Sen.
Han Sen recognized the exhibition as a significant industry event, one that Lin Heping also considered very important. He initially expressed uncertainty about Yi Pin Media's participation due to its newness and lack of existing products. Tong Xin clarified that the committee was actively seeking partners to help raise funds and expand the exhibition, extending an invitation to Han Sen.
Xue Lai further encouraged Han Sen, pointing out that Tong Xin's committee was responsible for selecting the judges and framing the opportunity as a chance for him to get "revenge." Recognizing the strategic advantage, Han Sen agreed to the partnership. Qiao Man returned home to find several boxes, and Xiao Zhi informed her that Qiao Fang had moved out, leaving behind unwanted belongings. Qiao Man was surprised to learn that Han Sen had rented a house for her sister.
Xiao Zhi then revealed that Qiao Fang had joined Yi Pin Media as the sales director, which left Qiao Man both shocked and angry. Qiao Man questioned her sister's decision to work for Han Sen, but Xiao Zhi explained that Qiao Fang believed Han Sen was Qiao Man's best match and had acted "for her." Qiao Man, however, firmly declared that she would not allow anyone to dictate her romantic choices and demanded to know Qiao Fang's whereabouts.
Xiao Zhi tried to reason with her, suggesting Qiao Fang wouldn't simply return. Feeling helpless, Qiao Man then asked Xiao Zhi to discard the boxes. Lin Heping eventually found Ah Li by a lake, where she had spent the night. He gently covered her with his jacket and urged her to stop her self-destructive behavior, reminding her that everyone had been worriedly searching for her all night.
Ah Li, however, pushed him away, stating she wanted to be alone and intended to give up on herself. She reminisced about their shared past by the lake, which she considered a "wishing pond" where she had hoped they would be together, but Qiao Man's arrival had shattered that dream. Lin Heping responded that love couldn't be forced and asked why she insisted on tormenting herself.
He confessed that he had already lost Nan Sheng and couldn't bear to lose Qiao Man, who had healed a long-standing wound in his heart. Ah Li angrily retorted, urging him to be "clear-headed" and reminding him that Qiao Man was not Nan Sheng, who was deceased, and he shouldn't treat her as a substitute while dwelling on the past. Lin Heping asserted his clarity, acknowledging both differences and similarities between Qiao Man and Nan Sheng.
Ah Li then threatened to reveal the truth about him and Nan Sheng to Qiao Man if he persisted, questioning if Qiao Man would continue to love him after learning the full story. Lin Heping, however, expressed his trust in Qiao Man's understanding. Ah Li concluded by emphasizing her intimate knowledge of his entire past and experiences, asking if he didn't believe she was the most suitable person for him. Lin Heping found himself lost in memories.
He recalled a time when Nan Sheng, while living with his family and attending university, had her unemployed uncle, Yao Xin Min, arrive in Beijing seeking shelter and work. Lin Heping's mother, Aunt Lan, was furious, accusing Yao Xin Min of abandoning Nan Sheng after her father's death and only reappearing now that Nan Sheng was successful.
Lin Heping called Nan Sheng home, and she eventually persuaded Aunt Lan to allow her uncle to stay for three days until he found a job. In another memory, Nan Sheng recounted witnessing a chaotic scene at Ah Li's art shop, where a man and woman were arguing with Ah Li. Lin Heping immediately went to check on her.
He arrived to find Ah Li desperately restraining her brother, Xu Zhensheng, who was attempting to attack Chen Yi Cheng with a knife. Chen Yi Cheng's wife, Sha Sha, was creating a commotion, accusing Ah Li of being a "mistress" who had broken up their family and claiming her husband had financed Ah Li's shop and inventory. Ah Li vehemently denied knowing Chen Yi Cheng was married and stated their relationship had ended.
Sha Sha continued her destructive behavior until Ah Li, in desperation, threatened to harm herself, prompting the couple to leave. Xu Zhensheng, deeply ashamed, chastised Ah Li for her actions. Moments later, the landlord appeared, demanding two months of overdue rent and threatening to cut off electricity immediately if not paid. Ah Li pleaded for two more days, but the landlord refused.
Later, Lin Heping found Ah Li at a bar, comforting her as she tearfully lamented Xu Zhensheng's lack of understanding, feeling that all her sacrifices in raising him since their parents' death were unappreciated. Lin Heping gently reassured her that Xu Zhensheng was still young and would eventually comprehend her struggles.
The following day, Lin Heping confronted Ah Li, informing her that she no longer needed to sell her house because he would personally repay the 10 million RMB she owed the company. Ah Li, perplexed by his sudden decision and his absence the previous night, questioned if he was trying to end their relationship. Lin Heping explained that this was his way of "repaying all her help" from the past.
Ah Li, however, perceived his offer as a heartless attempt to use money to sever their long-standing connection, asking if their years together could be reduced to a monetary sum. Lin Heping clarified that it wasn't about the money, but about Ah Li's interference between him and Qiao Man. He stated he had to make a choice: they could remain friends, or have no contact at all, confirming his decision to conclude their romantic involvement.
After Lin Heping left, Ah Li, feeling utterly betrayed and heartbroken, swept everything off her desk in a fit of rage, wishing for a less painful end to their bond. Han Sen informed An Kailun of Yi Pin Media's plan to use the Shenzhen Art Exhibition as its inaugural showcase. An Kailun offered assistance, but Han Sen revealed he already had connections, which An Kailun correctly identified as Xue Lai.
An Kailun praised Xue Lai's vast industry experience, high emotional intelligence, and unblemished reputation, considering her an excellent guide for Han Sen's entry into the cultural sector. Han Sen agreed, adding that Xue Lai had originally been "chosen by Qiao Man." An Kailun observed Han Sen's persistent attachment to Qiao Man, noting he still "can't get rid of her."
Han Sen admitted he felt like a "failure" and had lost confidence since Qiao Man and Lin Heping became a couple, harboring a faint hope that Qiao Man might return. An Kailun then encouraged him, stating that a man's charisma stemmed from seriousness, an undefeated attitude, and determination, concluding that his success ultimately depended on his own efforts. Han Sen silently assented. As Qiao Man left for work, Ah Li confronted her, inquiring about Lin Heping's whereabouts the previous night.
Qiao Man playfully denied knowing and stated he hadn't been with her. Ah Li then smugly suggested that Lin Heping was torn between them, unable to choose. She confidently asserted that relationships built over a longer duration were more enduring, implying that Qiao Man's connection with Lin Heping, having begun more recently, was fleeting.
Ah Li predicted their relationship would unravel just as it began, and they would ultimately be mere "passers-by in each other's lives," destined for "no good ending." Qiao Man calmly countered that "the depth of affection. . . is not related to the length of time of knowing each other." Ah Li conceded her point but reiterated that the outcome remained uncertain. Zhuo Yang discovered Lin Heping sleeping at the company.
Lin Heping revealed that Ah Li was planning to sell her house to repay the company and had been staying at his place. Zhuo Yang was surprised to learn that Ah Li owed the company 10 million RMB, specifically related to the He Jian Feng incident. Lin Heping cautioned him against spreading this information.
He then instructed Zhuo Yang to arrange a mortgage for his own house to secure a 10 million RMB loan, intending to use it to repay Ah Li's debt, as he didn't want her to lose her house, which represented "all her efforts." Zhuo Yang, after a moment, candidly expressed his belief that Lin Heping loved Qiao Man.
He advised Lin Heping to completely "cut off the relationship between Ah Li and you" if he wished to "be with Qiao Man peacefully." Lin Heping acknowledged Zhuo Yang's astute observation of his personal life, agreed that his advice was "right," but stated he had already made his decision and would see how things unfolded.
