Encounter with You Episode 26 Recap
> Encounter with You Recap
Although Hua Ming had initially arranged for them to stay at a hotel, Ruirui had eagerly convinced him to bring them home. She pleaded, "Dad, please take Mom and me home. We can cook for you together. Wouldn't that be nice?" She also appealed to his emotions, reminding him of their shared meals and bedtime stories, to which Hua Ming admitted, "When my precious daughter begs me, my heart just melts."
Hua Ming arrived home with Xia Qing and their daughter Ruirui, much to Wan Xinxin's shock. Upon entering the house, Hua Ming introduced Xia Qing as his ex-wife and Ruirui. Ruirui, introducing herself, noticed a baby stroller and asked Wan Xinxin if she had a baby, creating an awkward moment. Hua Ming quickly apologized for his daughter's innocence.
Xia Qing immediately took on the role of hostess, observing the living room and commenting, "Huaming, before renting out the house, did you tell the tenant about any requirements for the living environment? Look how messy this living room is." Wan Xinxin, seeing Hua Ming's embarrassed expression, had to tolerate it.
Despite Hua Ming's attempts to defend the cleanliness, Xia Qing insisted on cooking dinner at home and invited "Miss Tenant" to join them, making it clear she was in charge. When Hua Ming directed them to a guest room, stating that Wan Xinxin was already renting another room and they would take this one, Xia Qing readily agreed.
Later, inside, Xia Qing found some baby items and told Ruirui they were "your little brother's things," instructing her to put them away. Wan Xinxin was furious with Hua Ming for bringing them home after they had agreed on a hotel. He explained that Ruirui had insisted, and he hadn't seen her in three years. He promised they would only stay "at most two or three days." Wan Xinxin expressed her insecurity, pointing out that Xia Qing seemed quite formidable.
Xia Qing continued to assert her position; when Hua Ming offered to prepare ingredients, she agreed, implying her role in the kitchen. She then engaged Wan Xinxin in conversation, asking about her marital status and children, and spoke of Hua Ming's thoughtfulness. She deliberately mentioned that Hua Ming had "insisted" on bringing them home from the hotel, and that she would be staying "for a while," directly contradicting Hua Ming's earlier promise to Wan Xinxin.
Later, at dinner, Xia Qing highlighted how much Hua Ming loved her cooking. Wan Xinxin confronted Hua Ming again about Xia Qing's prolonged stay, suspecting Xia Qing's real intention was to remarry him. Hua Ming vehemently denied it, reassuring Wan Xinxin that he had no such plans.
Wan Xinxin, feeling like an outsider in her own home, threatened to reveal their relationship, but Hua Ming urged her to be patient, warning against hasty actions like a "cornered dog leaping over a wall." At dinner, Hua Ming tried to avoid eating Xia Qing's cooking, claiming he was full from takeout. Ruirui and Xia Qing, however, successfully pressured him to join them, with Xia Qing emphasizing she had made his favorite dish, tomato and egg stir-fry.
That night, after Hua Ming read Ruirui a bedtime story, Ruirui wistfully expressed her wish for their family to be "like before." Hua Ming then slipped into Wan Xinxin's room, thanking her for her understanding earlier. He tried to express affection with playful words, playfully meowing, but the lighthearted atmosphere was soon interrupted by Xia Qing, who appeared, feigning ignorance about their private discussion.
She offered Hua Ming water and urged him to go to bed, subtly implying her close bond with him. She then "reminded" Wan Xinxin of Hua Ming's "flaw" of needing complete darkness to sleep, effectively telling Wan Xinxin to turn off her lights and end her work, which Wan Xinxin reluctantly did. Hua Ming, caught between the two women, felt overwhelmed. Feeling increasingly marginalized, Wan Xinxin sought out Xu Ke to vent her frustrations.
She recounted how Hua Ming had brought his ex-wife and daughter home, making her feel like "the other woman" and describing her interactions with Xia Qing as "calm on the surface, but secretly, a battle of daggers." She confirmed that she and Hua Ming were officially together, though the declaration was simple: "I asked him what I am to him, and he said girlfriend."
Wan Xinxin felt Xia Qing was treating her like an enemy and suspected Xia Qing was trying to remarry Hua Ming. Xu Ke agreed with her assessment, stating it was "very likely." He advised Wan Xinxin to learn from Xia Qing's refined demeanor and to actively cultivate a good relationship with Ruirui, emphasizing that winning over the daughter was key to winning Hua Ming. Taking Xu Ke's advice, Wan Xinxin tried to bond with Ruirui.
She intervened when Xia Qing scolded Ruirui for eating ice cream, instead giving her a teddy bear filled with chocolate. Ruirui was delighted and thanked "Sister Xinxin." Seeing this, Xia Qing, disregarding Hua Ming's protests, deliberately told Ruirui, "She's your father's girlfriend. She's also the one who wants to take your father away." Ruirui, distraught, turned to Hua Ming, who struggled to explain.
Ruirui then angrily told Wan Xinxin, "I hate her" and expressed her desire for her parents to reunite. From that point, no matter how Wan Xinxin tried to please Ruirui, Ruirui did not respond kindly, effectively crushing Wan Xinxin's efforts. Wan Xinxin tearfully confronted Hua Ming, expressing her deep insecurity. " Every day they're here, I can't eat or sleep. I have no sense of security at all."
Hua Ming reiterated his commitment to her, promising, "Marry Wan Xinxin, not remarry her." However, when she pressed him to tell Xia Qing about their relationship, he hesitated, saying he would "find another time." Frustrated by his continuous evasion, Wan Xinxin declared that if he wouldn't talk to Xia Qing, she would. Wan Xinxin then confronted Xia Qing directly, telling her they needed to discuss "adult matters."
She pointedly asked if Xia Qing had returned hoping to remarry Hua Ming, asserting that she and Hua Ming were now together and Xia Qing was attempting to "break them up." Xia Qing calmly dismissed Wan Xinxin's claims, stating her rights and obligations as Hua Ming's ex-wife and Ruirui's mother. She provocatively referred to Wan Xinxin as merely a "potential stepmother candidate" whom she was "evaluating."
Wan Xinxin retorted that she was Hua Ming's "legitimate and only girlfriend," representing "the present," while Xia Qing was "the past." She added that Hua Ming had no intention of remarrying Xia Qing. Xia Qing scoffed, highlighting her twelve-year history with Hua Ming (four years of dating and eight years of marriage) and their shared child, confidently stating that Wan Xinxin "wouldn't stand a chance" against her.
To prove her point, Xia Qing used her phone to call Hua Ming in front of Wan Xinxin, asking him to meet "the day after tomorrow evening" to discuss Ruirui. Hua Ming initially declined, but upon hearing Ruirui's name, he immediately agreed. Xia Qing then stated, "Wherever you are will always be home for Ruirui and me" and concluded the call with a deliberate "Love you" for Wan Xinxin to hear. Wan Xinxin was left feeling dejected.
The next day at dinner, Wan Xinxin appeared with a new hairstyle, asking Hua Ming if it made her look younger, while pointedly glancing at Xia Qing. She tried to offer Hua Ming food, but Xia Qing repeatedly interrupted, demonstrating her intimate knowledge of his preferences (he doesn't eat fatty meat) and subtle health issues (his teeth had been bothering him). Xia Qing also referred to Hua Ming as "uncle" when talking to Ruirui.
Later, Wan Xinxin suggested Hua Ming go to the movies with her the day after tomorrow night, subtly reminding him of Xia Qing's scheduled meeting. Hua Ming hesitated, and Wan Xinxin nudged him under the table.
