Fall in Love Episode 5 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
After collecting her repaired safe button, Wanqing encounters Tan Sangyu, who asks about Pei Shaojun and how to approach marshals. Wanqing denies knowing him or his friends. Tan Xuanlin interrupts their conversation, chastising Tan Sangyu for sneaking out and threatening to lock her up. Tan Sangyu playfully retorts and runs off. Wanqing questions Tan Xuanlin's harshness, but he insists his sister needs discipline, admitting he has been too busy leading troops to raise her properly.
Xu Guangyao is warmly welcomed into the Mu family home by Mu Zhiyuan and Cui Lianfeng. At dinner, a lavish spread is prepared for him, but Wanqing is absent. Later that night, Wanqing returns home. Seeing her arrive, Xu Guangyao steps outside to greet her with a smile. Returning home late and hungry, Wanqing is grateful when Xu Guangyao brings milk and snacks to her room. She suggests he shouldn't visit her alone at night, fearing Mu Wanting's displeasure.
Xu Guangyao dismisses this, reminding her they grew up together and stating that Mu Wanting's claim to be his fiancée is merely "wishful thinking." However, Wanqing insists on avoiding trouble, pointing out that Cui Lianfeng is now the hostess and Mu Wanting is the eldest daughter. She urges him to leave, which he reluctantly does, but their interaction is secretly witnessed by a furious Mu Wanting. The next morning, the Mu family gathers for breakfast.
Cui Lianfeng, feigning to have received the wrong bill from Baoli Pawnshop, loudly reads out the payer's name for Wanqing's repaired safe button: Tan Xuanlin. Mu Zhiyuan's expression darkens, and he questions Wanqing. Mu Wanting quickly interjects, implying a special relationship between Wanqing and Tan Xuanlin and questioning why family members weren't asked to help with her late brother's relic. Mu Zhiyuan calls Tan Xuanlin, inviting him for lunch, which Tan Xuanlin promptly accepts.
At lunch, Tan Xuanlin takes full responsibility for breaking the safe button, explaining that he accidentally shattered it while trying to get Wanqing's attention on Qibao Old Street, where he was shopping with his companion, Shuang'er. He also confesses to Xu Guangyao that he had lied about drinking with a foreign dignitary, Anton Phil, to avoid business talks, admitting he "racked his brains" to get away.
His story perfectly aligns with Wanqing's prior explanation, dispelling Mu Zhiyuan's suspicions and leaving Cui Lianfeng visibly embarrassed. Frustrated by their failed attempt to discredit Wanqing, Cui Lianfeng and Mu Wanting rage in private. Mu Wanting confirms she was the one who broke the safe button. Cui Lianfeng admits she secretly transferred Wanqing's mother's most valuable dowries to her own parents' home to prevent Wanqing from using them.
They discuss Wanqing's motives—money and a future—and Mu Wanting suggests getting "rid of her." Cui Lianfeng agrees they will find a suitable opportunity. Unbeknownst to them, Wanqing overhears this chilling conversation, hardening her resolve. Wanqing contacts Tan Xuanlin, thanking him for his help before confronting him about his elaborate scheme.
She reveals she knows he purposefully took her diary, left her suitcase, extorted 50,000 silver dollars, and then appeared at the pawnshop to "rescue" her, leaving the signed bill to make her family suspicious and force her into cooperation. Tan Xuanlin admits to forcing her hand but asserts she stands to gain.
Wanqing agrees to cooperate under two conditions: mutual trust, with no more scheming against her, and mutual benefit, where her favors will be repaid, but he cannot become insatiable. Tan Xuanlin readily agrees, revealing he already sent a "supporter"—Xu Guangyao—into the Mu family as part of his plan. Wanqing then takes her diary, stating that "every page is in my mind," and asks for a lighter to burn it, signifying a new beginning.
She also firmly tells him never to mention their pretense of being a couple again. Later, Wanqing visits Tan Xuanlin with a new concern. She explains that she saw Mu Wanting acting suspiciously and followed her to a casino, where she met Cui Jie, Cui Lianfeng's nephew, a known ruffian. Wanqing speculates they are planning to harm her.
Tan Xuanlin assures her he will have Cui Jie monitored, jokingly adding that he's also protecting his investment, as she is key to his "military funds." He offers her his coat, which she initially refuses, but he insists, reiterating his promise to protect her. Xu Guangyao visits Tan Xuanlin to discuss the placement of his over 2,000 soldiers, almost two regiments.
Tan Xuanlin deflects by focusing on his breakfast, insisting the matter is complex and he cannot simply have his loyal men "carry sandbags at the wharfs." He then subtly changes the subject to Madam Xiao's funeral, remarking on its humble nature and feigning concern for Wanqing keeping vigil alone all night at Fayuan Temple. He suggests it might be dangerous in the "wilderness."
Though Xu Guangyao initially dismisses the risk at a "Buddhist temple," Tan Xuanlin's words plant a seed of doubt, prompting him to leave quickly, citing an urgent task from his father. At Fayuan Temple, Wanqing is praying when Cui Jie appears, introducing himself as Cui Lianfeng's nephew. His demeanor quickly turns aggressive and inappropriate. Wanqing tries to escape, but he corners her. Just then, Xu Guangyao rushes in, subduing Cui Jie and ordering him into a car.
Tan Xuanlin's subordinate reports Wanqing's safety. Upon hearing she is safe but that Xu Guangyao is with her, Tan Xuanlin feigns indifference. However, muttering about a "man and a woman in the wilderness," he immediately orders his driver to the temple. Late that night, as Wanqing steps out of the temple, she sees Tan Xuanlin's car parked nearby and him apparently asleep inside. Remembering his recent promise to protect her, her heart warms. She softly whispers "Good night," unaware that he is awake and has been keeping watch over her all along.
