Dream Garden Episode 16 (Ending) Recap
> Dream Garden Recap
Sun Dong confessed to the police that Fan Qi had instigated him to forge the contents of journals and edit recordings to frame Lin Shen. Sun Dong provided a recording of his conversation with Fan Qi as proof. Meanwhile, Fan Qi had already left his home before the police arrived and went to meet Xiao Xiao. He informed her that he was leaving for a distant place. Xiao Xiao instinctively reached for her phone, but Fan Qi stopped her.
He shared that he had always had few friends since childhood and considered it an honor to know her. Fan Qi then asked Xiao Xiao if she would ever wish to protect someone in her life. She replied that she would protect her family, friends, and Lin Shen. A look of dejection crossed Fan Qi's face upon hearing this. He then gave Xiao Xiao a gift, telling her to open it later, and departed.
Xiao Xiao immediately called Lin Shen to tell him about Fan Qi's departure, but before she could leave, Huang Yuan kidnapped her, leaving only her phone behind for Lin Shen to find. Fan Qi had made arrangements, using a phone number and a house not registered in his name, instructing Huang Yuan to lay low. However, Huang Yuan refused to leave, instead secretly kidnapping Xiao Xiao.
When Fan Qi learned of this, he desperately pleaded with Huang Yuan not to involve Xiao Xiao, insisting she had nothing to do with their plans. Huang Yuan remained indifferent, stating that since Fan Qi was already "trapped," he would ensure Xiao Xiao’s safety. Lin Shen quickly deduced that Huang Yuan was responsible for Xiao Xiao's abduction, and the police also initiated an investigation.
Lin Shen then received a photo of a bound Xiao Xiao and a chilling warning not to involve the police, or he couldn't guarantee her safety. The police found that the number was a virtual one, constantly changing its IP address, making it impossible to trace. Undercover officers shadowed Lin Shen, but he managed to shake them off by switching subways several times.
He followed Huang Yuan's instructions to a bathroom at the end of a platform, where he found a new phone. Huang Yuan, seemingly aware of the police presence, issued another warning via the new phone, cautioning Lin Shen not to bring any additional items or people, otherwise, he couldn't assure Xiao Xiao's safety. Upon reaching the abandoned factory, Lin Shen was ambushed and beaten by Fan Qi before he could even see Xiao Xiao.
Fan Qi's deep-seated hatred for Lin Shen resurfaced, as he blamed Lin Shen for Lu Yan's death. Lin Shen calmly pieced together the truth: Lu Yan had intentionally run over Zhou Rui, Fan Qi's former company accountant, to protect Fan Qi from Zhou Rui's blackmail regarding Fan Qi's economic crimes. Lu Yan had also hidden his own illness, ultimately dying in custody, all to shield Fan Qi.
Lin Shen concluded that Fan Qi was well aware that he was responsible for Lu Yan's death, and to escape the crushing despair and guilt, he had created Lin Shen as a convenient "enemy" onto whom he could project his blame. Fan Qi vehemently denied this, clinging to his accusation that if not for Lin Shen, his brother would still be alive.
Meanwhile, the police had covertly attached a listening and positioning device to Lin Shen's button, but he cleverly transferred it to a passerby, misleading their pursuit. Xiao Xiao regained consciousness to find herself tied up by the sea, quickly realizing her captor was Huang Yuan. Huang Yuan explained that Lu Yan loved the sea, so he had buried him there. Like Fan Qi, Huang Yuan believed Lin Shen was responsible for Lu Yan's death.
He then revealed his original intent to kill Lin Shen's mother, Qi Fang, at the sanatorium, but Xiao Xiao had intervened and saved her. Therefore, Huang Yuan declared, Xiao Xiao would die in Qi Fang's place to atone for Lu Yan. He began repeatedly submerging Xiao Xiao into the sea. At the factory, Fan Qi, still on the phone with Huang Yuan, overheard Xiao Xiao's pleas.
Although he had just stabbed Lin Shen in the abdomen, he urged Huang Yuan to release Xiao Xiao, admitting he didn't want to lose her after losing Lu Yan. Huang Yuan, however, was resolute in his plan and placed Xiao Xiao in the trunk of a car. Despite his severe injury, Lin Shen used a moment of opportunity to overpower Fan Qi, but the abdominal wound proved too much, and he soon lost consciousness.
When the police finally stormed the factory, Fan Qi had already doused the area with gasoline and tossed a lighter. Witnessing the ensuing blaze, Lin Shen, still alive, courageously leaped into the sea. Fan Qi met his end in a hail of police gunfire, paying the ultimate price for his actions. Lin Shen, critically wounded with a severe abdominal wound, was rushed into surgery.
Xiao Xiao’s car, with her still in the trunk, was pushed into the sea by Huang Yuan, leaving her fate unknown. Miraculously, a while later, in a bustling hospital, Xiao Xiao and Lin Shen, both clad in hospital gowns and having narrowly escaped death, were reunited. Seeing each other safe, their eyes welled up with tears, and their smiles were a mixture of bitterness and profound happiness, grateful to be alive. Following Huang Yuan's arrest, new evidence emerged.
It was confirmed that Lu Yan had committed crimes to protect Fan Qi, and in a surprising revelation from the orphanage director, Fan Qi's adoptive parents had initially intended to adopt Lu Yan, who selflessly gave that opportunity to his younger brother. Fan Qi's deep-seated paranoia prevented him from accepting the truth of his brother's death, leading him to displace his hatred onto the past.
Among Lu Yan's belongings from the detention center, a paper airplane and a children's book were found, the airplane bearing cryptic numbers. Xiao Xiao and Lin Shen, recalling the brothers' childhood method of secret communication using book page numbers, deciphered Lu Yan's dying message: "Forget about me and live a good life." Xiao Xiao reflected that perhaps if Fan Qi had seen this message earlier, he might not have embarked on such a destructive path.
Xiao Xiao eventually opened the gift Fan Qi had given her. It contained a letter from Fan Qi, where he continued the story of the two brothers. He recounted that despite their humble origins in the orphanage, those early days were the happiest of their lives. After their separation, Fan Qi's life course changed, but he never gave up searching for his brother, eventually reuniting with him years later. As children, they often pondered what the unseen "distance" might hold.
Even as an adult, Fan Qi admitted he still couldn't truly grasp that "distance," but perhaps loving others and being loved in return constituted the profoundest meaning of life. He wondered if meeting Xiao Xiao under different circumstances might have led to a different outcome, an answer he knew he could never find, and through this letter, he confessed his love for her.
Lin Shen later reflected on the nature of love, stating that there is no single definition as it manifests in countless forms. However, he emphasized that no matter its form, love should never be expressed through extreme or criminal acts. One year later, life had moved on.
Shao Ning thoughtfully selected a diamond ring from the Extreme Star's Heart Wing series, a piece signifying the "freedom of love and a lifetime of companionship," as he prepared to propose to Yan Luo, whom he described as talented, quiet, and beautiful. Xiao Xiao and Lin Shen's relationship had deepened considerably.
Xiao Xiao received an email confirming her acceptance into a three-month international academic exchange in psychology in the UK, to be followed by a year of global psychological aid with her university. She found herself conflicted, torn between this rare opportunity for professional growth, driven by a desire to become more outstanding and strong to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Lin Shen, and the prospect of a year and three months away from him.
She nearly let slip details about Shao Ning’s upcoming proposal to a friend. That weekend, Shao Ning and Yan Luo went to the cinema. They witnessed a public marriage proposal that ended in rejection. Shao Ning, observing the heartbroken man, quipped to Yan Luo about the risks of public proposals, half-jokingly asking if she would leave him like that.
He then went to comfort the rejected man, who, in turn, handed Shao Ning his bouquet and even gave him his contact information, jokingly providing Shao Ning with a "new client." Yan Luo hadn't even finished remarking on the unusual day when her own artwork suddenly appeared on the big screen. At that moment, Shao Ning entered, stepped in front of the screen, and knelt down.
He proposed to Yan Luo, promising to care for her for life, ensuring her freedom, happiness, and declaring himself her "Uncle Long Legs." Yan Luo, visibly moved, nodded her acceptance. Xiao Xiao, Lin Shen, Zuo Yan, and Sun Kele, who were all hiding and watching, erupted in cheers. Shao Ning and Yan Luo shared a passionate kiss amidst a romantic atmosphere, while Zuo Yan and Sun Kele exchanged loving glances.
Later that evening, Xiao Xiao excitedly recounted Shao Ning’s romantic proposal to Lin Shen. However, Lin Shen, who had already seen her email, gently brought up her upcoming trip to London. He reassured her of his full support for her decision to pursue further studies and become an outstanding psychological counselor, promising to wait for her return. With a "pinkie promise" and a tender kiss, he "sealed" her mouth, after which she affectionately clung to him for a long time.
Their long-distance relationship began, and even the usually serious Lin Shen started using cheesy pickup lines during their video calls, playfully telling Xiao Xiao he was suffering from "love sickness" (or "love trance"). Their colleagues noticed Lin Shen's unusual behavior, such as arriving early every day to care for Xiao Xiao's succulent plants and suggesting hot pot, her favorite, for their team dinner.
Months later in London, Xiao Xiao walked into her apartment and noticed a pair of men's shoes, initially thinking her roommate had brought another boyfriend home. To her surprise, Lin Shen emerged from the kitchen, holding a hot pot. He had come to cure her "love sickness," he declared, using his newfound cheesy pickup line. Xiao Xiao, looking at Lin Shen, reflected on the meaning of love.
She mused that everyone has their own answer to "what is love"—it could be love for family, lovers, or friends, or the pursuit of one's ideals. However, she concluded that the most important love is self-love. She believed that within each person lies a mysterious, "Dream Garden," holding untapped potential, waiting to be awakened.
She wished for everyone to open their own "Dream Garden" and find their best selves, as she herself had found the best "us" in her "Dream Garden," looking at Lin Shen by her side.
