Encounter with You Episode 1 Recap
> Encounter with You Recap
Wan Xinxin, recently a new mother and feeling stifled at the postpartum care center, successfully orchestrated an escape with her baby. Her close male friend, Xu Ke, acted as her accomplice, using his car to facilitate their getaway. As they sped away, staff from the center gave chase, but Wan Xinxin, exhilarated by her newfound freedom, celebrated loudly, exclaiming that the expensive center felt worse than prison with its constant scrutiny.
Xu Ke, amused by her antics but also exasperated by her carefree attitude, reminded her that her husband's money was being "wasted" on her, before excusing himself, stating he had a client named "Miss Liu" to meet. Wan Xinxin, still on a high from her escape, decided to take her baby to her husband Qin Gang's office. Unbeknownst to her, a visitor was already there: Liu Wei, Qin Gang's ex-girlfriend, who had left him six years prior to marry abroad.
Liu Wei confessed she had realized she still loved him and had divorced to return to him, asserting her belief that he still loved her too. Qin Gang, visibly conflicted, revealed he had married and recently had a son because his ailing mother desperately wished for a grandchild and he needed to appease her. Despite this, Liu Wei confidently embraced and kissed him. After a brief hesitation, Qin Gang returned her embrace, his long-dormant feelings resurfacing.
At that very moment, Wan Xinxin burst through the office door, excited to surprise her husband. Her joy turned to horror as she saw Liu Wei in Qin Gang's arms. Her shriek startled the two, and Qin Gang frantically pushed Liu Wei away. Enraged, Wan Xinxin screamed "Beast!" at Qin Gang, slapped him twice across the face, and fled the office with her baby. Qin Gang immediately chased after her but found no trace of Wan Xinxin or their child.
Meanwhile, Wan Xinxin and her baby had stumbled into the back of a pet hospital van, driven by Dr. Hua Ming. He was initially startled and suspicious when he discovered them mid-journey, even accusing Wan Xinxin of child trafficking. However, seeing the baby cry from hunger, Hua Ming's demeanor softened. He allowed Wan Xinxin to use his van to breastfeed while he stepped away to give her privacy.
During this time, he discovered a small dog with an injured leg by the roadside and rescued it. When he returned to the van, Wan Xinxin and her baby were gone again. Later, as Hua Ming drove past Bihai Park, he spotted Wan Xinxin perched on a reef, drunkenly yelling obscenities at Qin Gang, her baby crying nearby.
He got out of his car to intervene, but a disoriented Wan Xinxin mistook him for Qin Gang, called him a "mermaid," and aggressively pulled his hair, still consumed by her anger. When Qin Gang's phone call came through, Hua Ming answered, explaining that his wife was drunk and asking him to pick them up from Bihai Park. Qin Gang and his sister soon arrived to find Wan Xinxin still in a drunken rage, clinging to Hua Ming's hair.
After helping them retrieve Wan Xinxin and the baby, Hua Ming left the scene as night fell. Back at the maternity center, Wan Xinxin regained consciousness. Soon after, Liu Wei and Qin Gang entered her room. Wan Xinxin glared at Liu Wei, who calmly explained that she was merely Qin Gang's client and that what Wan Xinxin witnessed in the office was a "misunderstanding."
Liu Wei claimed she had accidentally spilled coffee on Qin Gang, and Wan Xinxin had walked in while she was helping him clean his clothes. Qin Gang, standing by, offered a hesitant affirmation. Liu Wei presented Wan Xinxin with a gift and departed.
Later, Qin Gang's sister tried to reassure Wan Xinxin, arguing that a mistress wouldn't apologize to a wife, and that Qin Gang was too fond of their healthy baby boy to leave her, recounting how worried he had been during her absence. Wan Xinxin, however, remained unconvinced. Qin Gang, deeply frustrated by Wan Xinxin's erratic behavior, confided in his sister, expressing his growing desire for a divorce.
He reiterated that he had only married Wan Xinxin due to their mother's illness and her insistent demand for a grandchild, even threatening to leave her inheritance to the baby. His sister urged him to consider their son's future. Qin Gang also called his mother, fabricating a story about the baby being premature and unable to be photographed too soon, to avoid revealing Wan Xinxin's continued disappearances.
Not long after, Hua Ming visited Wan Xinxin at the maternity center, bringing fruit. Wan Xinxin, embarrassed by her drunken behavior at the beach, apologized profusely. Hua Ming brushed it off, instead asking for her help as a witness. He explained that the owner of the injured dog he rescued earlier had accused him of hitting it. Wan Xinxin, grateful and eager to make amends, readily agreed.
To leave the center, she needed a guarantor, so Hua Ming, in turn, vouched for her at the front desk. As Hua Ming drove Wan Xinxin and her baby from the maternity center, Wan Xinxin spotted Qin Gang's car outside a high-end apartment complex. She watched as Liu Wei exited the car, blowing a playful kiss to Qin Gang before he drove away. Filled with suspicion, Wan Xinxin quickly exited Hua Ming's car and followed Liu Wei into the building.
Inside Liu Wei's apartment, Liu Wei, who had seen Wan Xinxin approaching, calmly invited her in. Once inside, Wan Xinxin saw a photo wall filled with intimate pictures of Qin Gang and Liu Wei, confirming her worst fears. Liu Wei brazenly declared she was Qin Gang's ex-girlfriend, asserting that he loved her and that Wan Xinxin was merely a "substitute."
To twist the knife, Liu Wei played a recording of Qin Gang's voice, in which he confessed his undying love for Liu Wei and admitted that he only married Wan Xinxin because he wanted to find someone to replace her. Hearing this devastating truth, Wan Xinxin completely broke down. Inconsolable, Wan Xinxin sought refuge at Xu Ke's apartment, weeping as she poured out her heart. Xu Ke, while sympathetic, felt helpless.
With a lucrative business trip suddenly arising, he gave Wan Xinxin all the money he had and left her his apartment, remarking that she would now have to learn to manage household bills—a stark contrast to her accustomed life of luxury. Later, while Wan Xinxin was shopping at a mall, Qin Gang received a notification about her credit card use.
As he prepared to go find her, Liu Wei, who was with him, subtly suggested that he simply cancel her credit cards. She reasoned that without funds, Wan Xinxin would have no choice but to return home. Qin Gang, finding logic in her suggestion, agreed. Wan Xinxin left the mall, planning to treat herself to hot pot, but unexpectedly encountered Hua Ming at a restaurant.
Feeling a surge of guilt, knowing that Qin Gang had previously harassed Hua Ming about her whereabouts, Wan Xinxin attempted to discreetly leave. However, Hua Ming, remembering his promise to the maternity center to ensure her return, kept a watchful eye on her. Wan Xinxin, feigning an urgent need for the restroom, managed to slip away from him once more.
