Encounter with You Episode 22 Recap
> Encounter with You Recap
Xu Ke had expected Shi Lu to be upset and jealous after seeing him and Wan Xinxin act affectionately, but Shi Lu reacted with surprising indifference. After they left, Wan Xinxin reassured a nervous Xu Ke that Shi Lu’s perceived anger was a sign of her care for him, encouraging him to confess his feelings. The next day, Xu Ke arrived at Shi Lu’s home with flowers to declare his love.
He tried to clarify that Wan Xinxin had only been helping him and that they were merely good friends. Shi Lu, however, remained cold, stating that she would never be with anyone because “none of you men are any good,” including Xu Ke. She explained that she had extreme insecurity and only work brought her peace of mind, implying she had been deeply hurt in the past.
Despite Xu Ke’s attempts to convince her to give herself another chance, Shi Lu was unyielding, refusing to try again if she knew she would only get hurt. She dismissed his romantic overtures, telling him to discuss work matters at the office and to take his flowers with him. A disappointed Xu Ke left the flowers behind. Meanwhile, Qin Gang presented the revised will to his mother for review.
She immediately tore it up, declaring that she had changed her mind. She asserted that it was her money to dispose of as she pleased and announced her intention to donate all her assets, just like Bill Gates. Qin Gang argued that even Bill Gates left a portion for his children, but his mother maintained she was "more noble" for planning to donate everything. Upset and frustrated, Qin Gang sought out Liu Wei.
Liu Wei suggested he stop worrying about the inheritance and Wan Xinxin for now. She proposed they get married first and have their own child, believing that his mother would then come around. Qin Gang rejected the idea, explaining that he felt incomplete without the family business. He desired to take over, expand the family enterprises, and get them listed on NASDAQ, to prove his worth and self-respect, especially given Liu Wei’s successful career as a star editor.
Blaming Wan Xinxin for his mother’s latest decision, Qin Gang resolved to fight for his child’s custody. He immediately called his lawyer, Attorney Zhao, to initiate a lawsuit against Wan Xinxin. Ignoring Qin Gang’s protests, his mother decided to return to America for a rest. Before leaving, she visited Hua Ming’s home to see the baby.
She explained to Wan Xinxin and Hua Ming that her previous insistence on reconciliation with Qin Gang stemmed from her fear that the baby would grow up to hate Qin Gang, much like Qin Gang resented his own father for abandoning them. However, after witnessing Qin Gang’s recent actions, she admitted she could no longer persuade Wan Xinxin to return to him. Wan Xinxin, understanding, promised that she would not let the baby hate Qin Gang.
Qin Gang’s mother was visibly relieved and touched. She praised Wan Xinxin as a good girl, lamenting the loss of such a daughter-in-law. She then entrusted Wan Xinxin and the baby to Hua Ming, whom she saw as a mature, steady, and clever man. She announced her intention to establish a trust fund in America, giving all her money to the baby to ensure Wan Xinxin and the child would have no financial worries in the future.
Hua Ming promised to take good care of them. As Qin Gang’s mother exited Hua Ming’s building, she encountered Qin Gang, who had been anxiously waiting for her downstairs. He begged her not to leave. His mother reiterated her resolve, stating that seeing the baby had only solidified her decision to establish a trust fund, dedicating all her money to the child’s future.
Qin Gang angrily accused Wan Xinxin of using the baby to manipulate his mother and trick her out of her money. Enraged, his mother slapped him, questioning his identity as her son and expressing profound disappointment before walking away. Immediately after his mother left, Qin Gang called Attorney Zhao, instructing him to accelerate the court date. The next day, Qin Gang summoned Jiang Kaiyang to his office.
Qin Gang asserted that Wan Xinxin’s actions were illegal and demanded an immediate court hearing. He handed Jiang Kaiyang the legal notice, telling him to deliver it to Wan Xinxin. Jiang Kaiyang hesitated, suggesting it was inappropriate, but Qin Gang dismissed his concerns, asking whose side he was on.
Qin Gang then revealed his true reason for keeping Jiang Kaiyang on staff: whenever he was frustrated with Wan Xinxin, he would send Jiang Kaiyang to "make trouble for Wan Xinxin," which brought him satisfaction. After leaving Qin Gang’s office, a fuming Jiang Kaiyang complained about Qin Gang's disrespectful treatment but admitted he couldn't quit due to financial obligations. He then tried to convince Xu Chunli to deliver the legal notice to Wan Xinxin.
He speculated that Qin Gang’s lawsuit might be a bluff, intended to pressure Wan Xinxin. He urged Xu Chunli to persuade Wan Xinxin to give the child to the Qin family, arguing that it would be less embarrassing for everyone and Wan Xinxin might even receive compensation. More importantly, he stressed that if the lawsuit proceeded, he would lose his job, jeopardizing their daughter Xiaoxiao's studies abroad. Xu Chunli reluctantly agreed to deliver the notice.
Xu Chunli delivered the lawyer’s letter to Wan Xinxin, reiterating Jiang Kaiyang's points. She tried to convince Wan Xinxin to avoid a lawsuit by letting the Qin family take the child, reminding her that Qin Gang’s mother treated the child well and that Wan Xinxin could still visit and might receive compensation. She pleaded with Wan Xinxin to consider the impact on Jiang Kaiyang's job and Xiaoxiao's education.
Wan Xinxin was indignant, refusing to "sell my child" and vowing to fight for her baby, regardless of the consequences. Hua Ming reassured Wan Xinxin, acknowledging the emotional toll but advising her to hold onto her child if she couldn't hold onto love. He promised to arrange a lawyer for her.
Qin Gang, meanwhile, assembled a formidable legal team of "elite professionals" and "top lawyers," whom he instructed not only to win his case but also to ensure that all their lawyer friends "absolutely refuse Wan Xinxin's requests for representation." Wan Xinxin and Hua Ming struggled to find legal counsel. Many prominent lawyers declined to take the case once they heard it was against Qin Gang, leading them to suspect Qin Gang’s interference.
They eventually found a small firm with a lawyer, Mr. Zhang, who had previously studied architectural engineering. Mr. Zhang informed them that while the child's young age and nursing status favored Wan Xinxin, her current lack of employment was a significant disadvantage, as it suggested an inability to raise a child. He advised her to quickly find a job with a decent income to improve her chances of winning. Hua Ming helped Wan Xinxin search for jobs.
She was determined to find a high-paying position to leave no room for Qin Gang to attack her. She successfully interviewed for a design manager role, impressing Manager Yang with her resume and past work. He offered her the job to start the following week. However, as Wan Xinxin was leaving the office, she encountered Liu Wei.
Liu Wei subtly undermined Wan Xinxin by telling Manager Yang that Wan Xinxin had "issues," causing trouble at a previous company, resulting in contract breaches and significant compensation payments. Manager Yang subsequently withdrew the job offer. Liu Wei informed Qin Gang of her actions, explaining she had sabotaged Wan Xinxin's job interview because she knew a lawyer had advised Wan Xinxin to secure employment.
Qin Gang thanked her and asked her to spread the word among her industry contacts to blacklist Wan Xinxin, ensuring she could not find work. Wan Xinxin was devastated, telling Hua Ming she had been "fired again" and realizing Liu Wei was behind it. She questioned Qin Gang and Liu Wei’s motives, reiterating her desire to keep her baby. She felt trapped, unable to find a lawyer or a job, seeing it as a concerted effort to take her child.
She vowed that despite the suffering and unfair treatment, she would never let them take her baby away, feeling "backed into a corner. . . with no way out." Seeing her despair, Hua Ming took her to a boxing gym. He explained that he used the gym to vent his own frustrations, recounting how he once thought he could punch his problems away but was knocked down himself. He then called Wan Xinxin "special," "an indestructible cockroach," and encouraged her to stand up and face the many difficulties ahead, urging her to fight rather than succumb to helplessness.
