Encounter with You Episode 25 Recap
> Encounter with You Recap
Wan Xinxin was overjoyed after the court granted her full custody of Baobao until he turned 18. She went to the beach to confide in her late father, sharing the good news that a huge weight had been lifted from her mind and that no one could take her son away now. She knew this victory was largely due to Hua Ming's selfless help and, feeling unable to adequately repay him, decided to "win him over" that night.
She asked her father for his opinion of Hua Ming, agreeing that despite being a bit older and sometimes moody, he was truly great. That evening, Wan Xinxin prepared a Western-style dinner at home, dressed alluringly. Hua Ming, flustered by her appearance, could barely meet her gaze. Wan Xinxin, engaging in playful role-play and expressing her deep gratitude, toasted him repeatedly.
She told him that he made her feel the "warmth of home," though he playfully dismissed her praise, calling his support an "investment" from which he expected a share of profits when her art became famous. Undeterred, Wan Xinxin toasted him for helping her return to painting and for his exceptional care for Baobao, declaring that holding Baobao made her "the happiest person in the world."
Hua Ming then stood to toast her father, thanking him for raising such an "angel-like daughter" and for Baobao, whom he also called an "angel-like little boy," promising to take good care of them both. As the evening progressed, Wan Xinxin repeatedly pressed Hua Ming, asking, "Do you love me?" After some hesitation, he finally confessed, "Yes, I do. My love for you is endless." She countered that she wanted him to "shout to the sky" that he loved her.
Eventually, Hua Ming swept her into his arms, and she asked if they were going to her room with its "king-size bed." Just as they were about to retreat to the bedroom, Hua Ming abruptly remembered he hadn't told his sister where he'd put Baobao's baby formula, insisting he had to go back to tell her in person, despite Wan Xinxin suggesting a phone call. He then left, much to Wan Xinxin's disappointment.
The following day, as Wan Xinxin was trying on clothes, she playfully pressed Hua Ming again about his feelings. He finally confirmed his love for her. However, their moment was interrupted when Hua Ming received an urgent call about a critical patient at the hospital, forcing him to leave abruptly and leaving Wan Xinxin to take a taxi home alone. Meanwhile, Qin Gang, fuming over his defeat in court, summoned Jiang Kaiyang to his office.
Jiang Kaiyang arrived, eagerly presenting reports that showed the 4S dealership's sales had doubled, expecting his promised promotion to store manager. Instead, Qin Gang coldly announced that Jiang Kaiyang was fired, effective immediately. A shocked Jiang Kaiyang protested, accusing Qin Gang of breaking his promise and questioning the reason. Qin Gang bluntly stated it was "because you're Wan Xinxin's brother-in-law," dismissing Jiang Kaiyang's plea for fairness by declaring, "I'm the boss, so I am fairness itself."
Jiang Kaiyang returned home full of suppressed rage, immediately taking it out on his wife, Xu Chunli. He declared that their life had to end and insisted on a divorce, presenting her with drafted papers. Xu Chunli was terrified, pleading with him not to divorce her and suggesting she talk to Qin Gang. Jiang Kaiyang refused, stating that as long as he was "involved with your family," he would "never get ahead in life."
When Xu Chunli refused to sign, he began packing, vowing that they would divorce eventually even if they had to separate for three years. Desperate, Xu Chunli revealed that "Qin Gang just wants the child to fight for the family inheritance" and that "Liu Wei is behind all of this" because Qin Gang intended to marry Liu Wei once he secured the inheritance. This revelation stopped Jiang Kaiyang in his tracks.
Confused, he pondered whether helping Qin Gang get custody of Baobao would make things "easier to negotiate" for him. He then announced he was going out, declaring that they were "not getting divorced." Jiang Kaiyang tracked down Liu Wei, addressing her as "Editor Liu," and asked to speak privately. He told her he had been fired by Qin Gang and urged her to intercede on his behalf, not only to keep his job but to be promoted to store manager.
Liu Wei dismissed his request, stating she couldn't help him. Jiang Kaiyang then offered his help, claiming that as Wan Xinxin's brother-in-law, he could assist them in getting the child back, which he believed would make things "easier to negotiate" for them. Liu Wei angrily retorted that his information was "completely untrue" and warned him not to harass her again before storming off.
Later, at her art gallery, Wan Xinxin excitedly learned from her assistant, Xiaoyu, that Hua Ming's interventional surgery had been successful. She rushed home to prepare a congratulatory champagne toast, only to find Hua Ming looking disheartened. He revealed that while the "plan" for the interventional surgery he helped develop was successful, he wasn't the lead surgeon and still couldn't overcome his mental block to perform surgery himself.
He felt like a "useless doctor" unable to hold a scalpel, comparing himself to a chef who lost his sense of smell. Wan Xinxin comforted him, assuring him that in her heart, he was still the best, and that he and Baobao were the most important people to her. She then confessed her deep love for him again. Soon after, as Hua Ming and Wan Xinxin were back at his apartment, he received a phone call.
After hanging up, he awkwardly informed Wan Xinxin that his ex-wife, Xia Qing, and their daughter, Ruirui, were returning from America. He explained that Ruirui had previously sabotaged Xia Qing's wedding to her American boyfriend due to her strong opposition. Hua Ming asked Wan Xinxin to keep their relationship a secret for a few days and to pretend to be a tenant, allowing Ruirui time to adjust.
Wan Xinxin was deeply unhappy, feeling as though she was being treated as "the other woman" and comparing Ruirui to a "little demon." Hua Ming implored her to be understanding, suggesting she try not to meet Ruirui, or to "follow my lead" if they did meet. He tried to appease her with compliments, calling her his "most delicious pancake wrap" and promising to make her "Mrs. Hua" soon.
Hua Ming then left to pick up Xia Qing and Ruirui at the airport. Ruirui, having not seen her father in three years, excitedly rushed into his arms. Xia Qing greeted Hua Ming, remarking that he looked more energetic than ever, hinting that men "bloom at forty" and subtly suggesting he must have "lots of girls chasing him."
Ruirui quickly interjected, declaring that her Daddy "can't date anyone else" and that since she and her Mom were back, they "should be together forever." Xia Qing echoed this sentiment, telling Ruirui they would "always stay with Daddy" from now on. Later, away from Ruirui, Xia Qing directly questioned Hua Ming about his relationship, stating she knew he was "in love with someone" the moment she saw him at the airport.
She suggested he hid it because he feared she would mind. Hua Ming confirmed it was "because Ruirui was here" and clarified that when Xia Qing left with Ruirui years ago, "we made everything clear," so he felt no need to explain his current relationship. When they arrived at a hotel Hua Ming had booked, Ruirui was furious, complaining about staying in a "cold hotel" and demanding to go "home" to live with "Daddy and Mom."
Xia Qing also pressed Hua Ming, questioning if he had sold their old house and if he was still planning to pursue a medical license in the US, as he had once promised. Hua Ming admitted he had "some things he can't get away from right now." Ruirui continued to insist on going home, saying she wanted to cook for him with her mother. Xia Qing supported her daughter, adding that she didn't like hotels either.
Hua Ming, in a difficult position, finally admitted, "Right now, there's nowhere for us to go back to," and that he was currently living in "an apartment." He reluctantly agreed to take them home.
