Fall in Love Episode 2 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
Jinyang Military Governor Su Jingshan’s son, Su Hongchen, and Pingcheng Military Governor Pei Xun’s son, Pei Shaojun, arrived at the ball, immediately causing a commotion as young women gathered to catch a glimpse of the two young marshals. Among them was Tan Sangyu, who introduced herself as a student from Chongde Girls' High School. She boldly approached Pei Shaojun and handed him a note, declaring her intention to pursue him.
Pei Shaojun was flustered, while Su Hongchen chided Tan Sangyu for her forwardness. She defiantly retorted that she was a "free-thinking woman of the new era," leaving Su Hongchen speechless. Shortly after, Yuecheng Military Governor Xu Bojun made a grand entrance, with everyone rushing to greet him. The famed movie star Gu Yueshuang also arrived, instantly drawing all eyes.
Su Hongchen accidentally bumped into her and, though initially annoyed, was immediately captivated upon seeing her face, describing her as a "heavenly fairy." Meanwhile, seizing an opportunity, Mu Wanqing opened Tan Xuanlin’s box and discovered a Shanghai deployment map, deepening the mystery of his true identity. At the banquet, it was clear that a match between Xu Guangyao and Mu Wanting was being encouraged.
However, Xu Guangyao’s gaze was drawn to Mu Wanqing, and he walked directly toward her to ask for a dance. While dancing, Mu Wanqing discreetly informed Xu Guangyao about the map. Having minored in architecture, she recognized it was a military map, complete with contour lines, military markers for the Shanghai area, and detailed records of bridge and road widths. She noted it also marked the number of garrison troops and contained arrows, which she suspected indicated directions of attack.
Alarmed, Xu Guangyao was about to react when a sudden shift in the crowd's attention interrupted them. Pei Xun took the stage to formally propose electing Xu Bojun as the commander-in-chief of the Five-Province Allied Army. Before he could finish, Tan Xuanlin stormed in, shouting his objection. Mu Wanqing quickly hid in the crowd, and Tan Sangyu also retreated. Despite mockery from the attendees, Tan Xuanlin calmly announced that he had taken over the Shanghai Defense Command.
The crowd laughed, dismissing his words as bravado, until his subordinate Wu Xiangying appeared with soldiers and surrounded the Mu Mansion. Tan Xuanlin then presented Xu Bojun with an ultimatum: either recognize his control over Shanghai and peacefully become the commander-in-chief, or he would defect to the Revolutionary Army, dragging them all back to the battlefield.
Xu Guangyao emerged from the crowd and drew his pistol on Tan Xuanlin, who laughed and boasted that he had already seized all roads, railways, and wharves, making escape from Shanghai impossible. In the standoff, Su Hongchen pushed Tan Sangyu forward. Tan Xuanlin and Tan Sangyu exchanged a subtle glance and feigned being strangers, which allowed her to safely leave the confrontation.
Later, Tan Xuanlin revealed to his adjutant, Tan Si, that Tan Sangyu is his sister and scolded him for failing to keep her confined to school, confirming their on-the-spot deception was a success. Xu Guangyao tried to negotiate, reminding Tan Xuanlin that the Tan Army’s designation was revoked ten years ago, forcing him to lead a wandering army.
He proposed that Tan Xuanlin join the Xu family's forces, and in return, his father would secure him the position of Shanghai Commander. Tan Xuanlin coldly refused. Suddenly, Mu Wanqing appeared, pressing a small pistol to Tan Xuanlin’s head. She demanded he release Xu Guangyao, vehemently denying Tan Xuanlin's taunt that they had been an item at the Far East Hotel, clarifying that he had kidnapped her.
To get back her mother's funeral urn, Mu Wanqing offered herself as a hostage in exchange for Xu Guangyao. She declared that as the Mu family's eldest daughter and the Xu family's prospective daughter-in-law (by virtue of dancing the opening dance with Xu Guangyao), taking her hostage would effectively give him leverage over both families. Tan Xuanlin accepted her proposal and had Wu Xiangying take her away.
Afterward, Mu Zhiyuan warned Xu Bojun that if any harm came to his daughter, all military funding would cease, reminding the governor that without his financial support, he would be powerless. As a hostage in the Tan Mansion, Mu Wanqing made herself comfortable, complaining about the tea and food while confidently asserting that Tan Xuanlin wouldn't dare harm her.
Tan Xuanlin provoked her by recounting her family history: she is the true legitimate daughter, while the current Madam is her mother's former maid, and Mu Wanting is an illegitimate child. He mentioned her brother's tragic death and how her grieving mother took her to Japan, leaving her a "crestfallen phoenix" in her own home. Mu Wanqing stoically insisted she only returned to Shanghai to bury her mother.
Meanwhile, Xu Guangyao deduced to his father that Tan Xuanlin wasn't seeking a true fight; otherwise, he would have already sent a circular telegram declaring his occupation of Shanghai. He believed Tan Xuanlin wanted official recognition and was using Mu Wanqing as a hostage to create a way out. That evening, Xu Guangyao visited the Tan Mansion to negotiate. He proposed that Tan Xuanlin surrender his military and financial power and disband the Tan Army.
In return, Xu Bojun would publicly acknowledge him and recommend him to Army Headquarters as the official Shanghai Commander under the Xu family's patronage. Tan Xuanlin, however, was skeptical, questioning whether Xu Bojun would see him as a valuable "fine fowl" or merely a "fat goose" to be consumed.
