Dine With Love Episode 5 Recap
> Dine With Love Recap
In the office, Han Meng messaged Gong Wenxing, relaying that Yu Hao had publicly returned Su Kelan’s phone, specifically mentioning he found it "under the couch" at his house. Han Meng speculated this was an official announcement of their relationship, while Gong Wenxing jokingly wondered if they had been intimate. As colleagues whispered, Yao Qian, a subordinate in Su Kelan’s department, grew anxious, fearing she would be fired for gossiping.
Su Kelan directly confronted Yu Hao about his public declaration, arguing it could mislead people. Yu Hao saw no issue, simply stating where he found the phone. Later, Su Kelan advised Yu Hao to fire Yao Qian, citing her gossiping and incompetence. When Yu Hao hesitated, Su Kelan realized he was concerned that firing Yao Qian would fuel more gossip about her. Su Kelan then took Yao Qian aside, urging her to apologize to herself, not to Su Kelan.
She explained that while gossiping offers a quick way to bond, it ultimately devalues a person and turns them into a topic of ridicule. After their talk, Su Kelan advocated for Yao Qian, telling Yu Hao that her observational skills, though leading to gossip, could be an asset in PR for gauging public sentiment. Yu Hao agreed to retain Yao Qian, warning her against further gossip.
As the workday ended, Han Meng tried to prod Su Kelan to clarify her relationship with Yu Hao, but Su Kelan was hesitant. When Yu Hao announced a sudden business trip to Shanghai, Su Kelan appeared relieved. Han Meng, undeterred, told Gong Wenxing that Yu Hao's trip might actually be beneficial for their relationship, believing that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Gong Wenxing agreed, suggesting that Yu Hao, despite being a workaholic, would eventually miss Su Kelan’s home cooking, as his stomach had grown accustomed to it. Indeed, during his trip, Yu Hao found himself dissatisfied with Shanghai's cuisine. He felt hungry even when full, realizing Su Kelan’s cooking had become an essential comfort. Han Meng advised Su Kelan to post photos of her dishes online to make Yu Hao miss her.
Meanwhile, the company administrator contacted Su Kelan, informing her that Yu Hao requested braised meat and pickled vegetables from the office. The administrator also amusingly mentioned that Yu Hao had been secretly eating fish balls Su Kelan made for Wan Shun the cat, not knowing they were cat food.
As Su Kelan was busy preparing pickled vegetables, she missed several calls from Yu Hao, who, left on his own, attempted to recreate a dish he’d seen her make: instant noodles with milk. When Su Kelan finally called him back, Yu Hao questioned why she hadn't kept her phone on 24/7. Su Kelan calmly countered that her time after work was personal and dedicated to her mother. She then suggested Yu Hao also avoid checking his phone during conversations.
Yu Hao reminded her that as a PR Director, she must be available for emergencies. In response, Su Kelan revealed the theme for their next program was "Making a meal for an old friend living away from home," a concept she felt resonated with his current situation. She explained how dishes made with pickled vegetables evoke the taste of home and lingering memories, suggesting that liking someone's homemade pickled vegetables could symbolize an acceptance of their family and shared history.
Yu Hao found her analogy far-fetched, stating he simply preferred the office's pickled vegetables because he was "used to them." Su Kelan challenged him, asking if he would easily adapt to a new brand if someone introduced it, implying his habits could be swayed. Yu Hao, flustered, abruptly ended the call. As Gong Wenxing’s birthday approached, Han Meng decided to bake him a cake, with Su Kelan joining her.
Han Meng shared her unexpected love story, revealing she decided to marry Gong Wenxing after he tearfully confessed his feelings for her. He admitted he still cherished his childhood "puppy love," Du Du (who turned out to be Han Meng herself), but emphasized his fear of losing Han Meng. His raw honesty deeply moved her. Han Meng advised Su Kelan that finding the right person often takes just "one moment."
Learning that Gong Wenxing and Yu Hao shared a birthday, Su Kelan was inspired to prepare a surprise for Yu Hao. On their birthday, Yu Hao was flying back, declining an invitation from an investor by citing an urgent private event. Meanwhile, Gong Wenxing returned home, disappointed after receiving a text from Han Meng claiming she was unwell. To his surprise, he entered to find his home decorated with balloons.
Han Meng emerged with a cake, having arranged 28 gifts for him, one for each year of his life, to make up for the birthdays he hadn't celebrated since his sister's death. Gong Wenxing was deeply touched. Unbeknownst to Yu Hao, Su Kelan had also prepared a surprise celebration at his old house. Upon entering and seeing the cake, Yu Hao froze, overwhelmed by traumatic memories of his mother's death on his birthday.
He erupted in anger, demanding to know who gave Su Kelan the right to celebrate his birthday and yelling at her to leave. When Su Kelan tried to reason with him, he shouted, “Who do you think you are? Why should I tell you?” Heartbroken and confused by his extreme reaction, Su Kelan left. Learning what happened, Gong Wenxing rushed to a bar to find Yu Hao, ignoring Han Meng’s calls.
At the bar, Gong Wenxing lamented how people celebrate birthdays, recounting that not celebrating his own led him to meet his wife, Han Meng. Yu Hao, in turn, urged his uncle to go home and not keep her waiting. Back home, Han Meng was furious. She accused Gong Wenxing of abandoning her, not answering his phone, and hiding things from her, arguing such secrecy undermined the trust in their marriage.
In a fit of rage, Han Meng smashed the cake she had painstakingly prepared. Later, Han Meng and Su Kelan met, drinking together and commiserating. Han Meng complained about Gong Wenxing’s insensitivity, while Su Kelan confessed her hurt over Yu Hao’s harsh words. Simultaneously, Gong Wenxing lamented to Yu Hao about Han Meng’s anger, saying she was now coldly ignoring him just like the smashed cake.
Feeling remorseful, Yu Hao texted Su Kelan, using the excuse of wanting to learn how to cook as a way to reconnect. The next day, Su Kelan took a day off to accompany her mother for a hospital check-up. While there, she helped an elderly woman avoid a scam and unexpectedly encountered Li Xun and his mother. Li Xun’s mother claimed they had come to see Su Kelan’s mother.
Su Kelan coldly rebuffed them, pointing out that Li Xun had only accompanied her mother for dialysis three times in five years. She told Li Xun they were broken up and advised him to be more sincere in his future relationships. While Su Kelan was distracted, Li Xun’s mother discreetly took her phone. Li Xun then used his knowledge of her old passcode to unlock it and discovered a video of Su Kelan and Yu Hao cooking together.
