Fall in Love Episode 17 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
Min Dacheng, facing his own downfall, knew that Cui Lianfeng would never regain her former standing in the Mu family. He ceased defending her and instead implicated her, hoping to alleviate Xu Bojun's concerns and earn his favor, with the ultimate goal of seeing Mu Wanting marry into the Xu family. Min Dacheng had served Xu Bojun for years, motivated by this distant hope.
However, Xu Bojun secretly believed that a "donkey never gets the carrot," never truly intending to allow Mu Wanting to become his daughter-in-law without significant personal gain. Cui Lianfeng, accepting her unavoidable fate, focused solely on her daughter, Mu Wanting. With Min Dacheng unable to protect himself, Cui Lianfeng turned to Mu Zhiyuan for help. Mu Zhiyuan acknowledged Mu Wanting's innocence, but also lamented the equal innocence of his own son, Mu Yuanhang.
Cui Lianfeng confessed that while she had harbored ill will towards Mu Yuanhang, she insisted she had not killed him, claiming it was Min Dacheng and his associates who were responsible. She pleaded for Mu Wanting's life, offering her own as penance.
Moved by their past relationship, Mu Zhiyuan agreed to treat Mu Wanting kindly, but only on the condition that she be sent to Hong Kong to study and never return to Shanghai, effectively severing all ties with the Mu family. He stated that if she returned, her identity would be exposed, and a new life where no one knew her was the best choice. Following this, Cui Lianfeng was executed.
Later, Xu Bojun discussed the Mu family's heavy losses with his son, Xu Guangyao, urging him to comfort Mu Zhiyuan. Xu Guangyao then inquired about the assassins who had attempted to kill Min Dacheng. Xu Bojun revealed that Tan Xuanlin had discovered Cui Lianfeng was behind it, explaining that her motive was to secure Mu Wanting's marriage to Xu Guangyao, thus ensuring no harm would come to him.
Separately, Xu Bojun also reflected on Tan Xuanlin's cunning, acknowledging his masterful maneuver that both cleared the militia's name and helped Mu Zhiyuan save face. He expressed disbelief that Min Dacheng had so readily blamed Cui Lianfeng, concluding that Min Dacheng was clever enough to know Cui Lianfeng was finished and sought to secure Mu Wanting's future even on his deathbed, a goal Xu Bojun had no intention of fulfilling.
Meanwhile, in his son Yuanhang's room, Mu Zhiyuan wept, admitting to his deceased wife, Xiao Bingqing, and to Wanqing, that he had failed them, lamenting how the once vibrant and happy family home had been ruined by his past folly. With the murderers of her brother executed, Wanqing called Tan Xuanlin, inviting him to Fayuan Temple to fulfill a vow. Initially, Tan Xuanlin expressed concern about the remote location, but then decided he would accompany her personally.
At the temple, Wanqing thanked Tan Xuanlin for bringing her brother's case to justice, believing her mother in heaven would be pleased. Tan Xuanlin opted to wait outside, explaining that Wanqing would have much to say to her mother. As Wanqing entered, he spoke softly to Xiao Bingqing's memorial tablet, vowing to uncover the full truth. Inside, Wanqing knelt before her mother's tablet, sharing the good news of Cui Lianfeng and the others being apprehended.
She felt her mother's presence through a splitting lamp wick, interpreting it as a good omen and a sign of her mother's happiness. Wanqing confessed her growing feelings for Tan Xuanlin to her mother, admitting that while she couldn't pinpoint why, his presence always made her feel safe, despite their often ambiguous relationship. After leaving the temple, Wanqing enthusiastically recounted the splitting wick to Tan Xuanlin, who confirmed it was a good sign.
She then invited him to dinner at her favorite childhood pan-fried bun stall on Qibao Old Street at six o'clock, insisting he be there. Tan Xuanlin secretly prepared a performance for Min Dacheng, orchestrating a public "death" for him using an anesthetic dart.
Later, in a secluded location, Tan Xuanlin confronted the bound Min Dacheng, explaining his survival and asserting that Min Dacheng's elaborate deception, including sacrificing his life to appear loyal to Xu Bojun and concealing the truth about Mu Yuanhang's death for over a decade, was motivated by a desire for Xu Bojun to secure Mu Wanting's future.
Tan Xuanlin even produced Cui Lianfeng's handkerchief with soaring phoenixes, revealing it was a clue meant for Min Dacheng to consider Mu Wanting's well-being, confirming that Mu Wanting was, in fact, Min Dacheng's daughter. As seven o'clock approached, Wanqing sat alone at the pan-fried bun stall, growing disheartened, thinking Tan Xuanlin wouldn't come. Meanwhile, Tan Xuanlin's subordinate guarded Min Dacheng, while Tan Si reminded Tan Xuanlin of his dinner plans.
Tan Xuanlin rushed to the stall, finding a visibly inebriated Wanqing. She expressed her joy and gratitude for his role in avenging her family, offering him a toast. Though he tried to take her home, Wanqing insisted on celebrating at her favorite childhood "secret base" – the pan-fried bun stall – a place her mother used to bring her and her brother. She lamented their absence, and Tan Xuanlin gently assured her he would now be there for her.
Despite his apologies for being late due to unforeseen delays, Wanqing "punished" him by demanding they go see the most beautiful nightscape in Shanghai from Sheshan Mountain. Reluctantly, Tan Xuanlin agreed, instructing Tan Si to drive them there. On the way, Wanqing fell asleep and leaned on Tan Xuanlin, who carefully supported her, instructing Tan Si to drive slowly.
Upon reaching the Sheshan Mountain viewpoint, Wanqing, now awake, excitedly admired the panoramic view of Shanghai, pointing out landmarks like the Custom House, HSBC, the Municipal Council, and the Garden Bridge. She emotionally declared Shanghai her home and announced her return to her mother and brother. Tan Xuanlin reassured her, promising that with him, she would always be safe in his territory. Wanqing thanked him for always being there when she was drunk.
Tan Xuanlin then playfully probed if she would mistake him for Xu Guangyao again, recalling an earlier incident when she was drugged. Wanqing, realizing he knew about their previous kiss, then leaned in and kissed him directly. The next morning, they were still in the car, Wanqing asleep on Tan Xuanlin's shoulder. He joked about not daring to sleep for fear of being taken advantage of. Wanqing playfully countered, asking if he regretted their public kiss.
She then proposed a future together: eating pan-fried buns and watching the nightscape for the rest of their lives. When Tan Xuanlin sought to clarify the nature of their relationship, Wanqing boldly asked him to formally propose to her father. However, Tan Xuanlin explained that he couldn't yet, citing crucial unfinished business.
He assured her of his commitment, emphasizing how much he cherished their connection after ten years of drifting, and asked for more time and her trust, also requesting that their relationship remain a secret for now. Wanqing, though initially upset by his evasiveness, agreed to wait and trust him, teasing him about his eagerness the previous night before finally getting out of the car.
Meanwhile, at the Mu family mansion, Mu Wanting was informed by an attendant that Mu Zhiyuan refused to see her again, declaring their father-daughter relationship over and instructing her escort to the wharf. At the Bund, two men, confirmed to be sent by Mu Zhiyuan, led Mu Wanting onto a ship. As she stepped onto the gangplank, they violently shoved her into the Huangpu River.
Mu Wanting screamed for help, but her cries went unanswered as she sank beneath the surface. Back with Tan Xuanlin, Tan Si, curious about his commander's newly confirmed relationship with Wanqing, probed for details, teasing him about it being a "secret affair." Tan Xuanlin, annoyed, warned him to keep it quiet, emphasizing the importance of secrecy. Suddenly, Tan Xuanlin received an urgent phone call that required his immediate departure.
Just then, Wanqing arrived, having come to see him before going to the hospital to assist Xu Guangyao. She offered to make up for the missed dinner, but Tan Xuanlin teased her about their "late-night snack" from the previous night. He explained he had to leave, asking her to wait for him to return.
