Got a Crush on You Episode 22 Recap
> Got a Crush on You Recap
Song Xingchen's mother expresses deep anger and frustration over her daughter's hidden relationship with Su Qingche. She is particularly upset that the couple conspired to keep it a secret, with Su Qingche even posing as a cleaner. She doubts his ability to care for Song Xingchen, vowing to confront him. Song Jianguo attempts to mediate, advising his wife to get to know Su Qingche before judging.
Song Xingchen returns home, explaining she missed them and intends to stay until her mother's anger subsides. Later, in her childhood bedroom, which is still adorned with dolls and pink decor, Su Qingche video calls her. He playfully teases her about the room's childish appearance, prompting Song Xingchen to reflect on her past. She admits she hasn't spent much time at home and has made major life decisions, including her relationship with him, without consulting her mother.
She realizes her mother's resentment might stem from her own lack of communication, not just Su Qingche. Song Xingchen resolves to show her mother that she is no longer a "little princess" and can make her own choices, a decision Su Qingche fully supports. The next day, Lu Qun, under the alias "Stumbling Deer," contacts Han Xiaoli's shop seeking gift recommendations for a girl he fancies.
Han Xiaoli suggests various items, all of which Lu Qun promptly purchases for delivery to an address near Polar Night. He further inquires about food recommendations, leading Han Xiaoli to mention a popular cream puff shop. Meanwhile, Lu Qun seeks advice from Su Qingche about meeting Han Xiaoli's parents. Su Qingche, a confident expert on the subject, shares his key principles for meeting parents: "image, strength, and attitude."
He elaborates that one must appear handsome and secure, financially stable enough to provide for their daughter, and, most importantly, demonstrate respect and care for the parents and their daughter. The following morning, Song Xingchen informs her parents that she is expecting a guest. Su Qingche arrives, presenting Song Jianguo with his favorite liquor and handicrafts, and Song Xingchen's mother with a gift.
Song Xingchen's mother expresses her displeasure at the lack of prior notice, but Song Jianguo warmly welcomes Su Qingche and offers to prepare additional dishes. Su Qingche volunteers to help Song Jianguo in the kitchen, revealing that he learned to cook at a young age after his parents passed away, citing his grandfather's wisdom that "poor kids mature early," which impresses Song Jianguo.
Later, Song Xingchen confronts her mother, expressing her frustration about feeling misunderstood and controlled, pointing out that her room still looks like a "princess room." She emphasizes that her career choices and relationship with Su Qingche are her own, urging her mother to give Su Qingche a fair chance to get to know him. Her mother acknowledges that she always respected Song Xingchen's choices but feels her daughter has stopped confiding in her.
She hints that the dinner is an opportunity to assess Su Qingche's suitability. Song Jianguo offers Su Qingche a bowl of tonic soup, which Song Xingchen's mother serves and explains is meant to replenish energy for someone with high physical demands. Despite Song Xingchen's discomfort, Su Qingche drinks it.
Song Xingchen's mother continues to press him, subtly making remarks about his hidden relationship, his past as a 'cleaner,' and his rejection of blind dates, implying he's lived an exhausting life and needs the tonic. Song Jianguo then brings out his homemade medicated liquor. Su Qingche proposes a "first-meet drink," challenging Song Jianguo to drink at his own pace while Su Qingche downs his glass, impressing Song Jianguo.
Song Xingchen tries to persuade her mother to ease up, but her mother insists that "character is revealed through drinking" and that Su Qingche must demonstrate his affection for Song Xingchen, bringing up past grievances like the failed blind date and the 'cleaner' disguise. As a further test, Song Xingchen's mother sends Song Xingchen out to buy hangover medicine, questioning her confidence in Su Qingche.
Left alone, Su Qingche suggests a drinking game, playing rock-paper-scissors with Song Jianguo, who loses multiple rounds. Su Qingche explains that while he doesn't drink often, his tolerance improved from protecting Song Xingchen and that his strategy involves observing his opponent and applying psychological tactics.
Song Xingchen's mother then conducts a thorough "interview," inquiring about his age (28), family (simple, harmonious), hometown (Sucheng) and property (Haicheng), and what he likes about Song Xingchen (everything, she's flawless, though Song Xingchen's mother calls him a "sweet talker"). He claims Song Xingchen is his first girlfriend (which Song Xingchen's mother dismisses as a lie), and lists his hobbies as fitness, cleaning, and cooking (which Song Xingchen's mother deems "unambitious").
He then reveals his graduation from the United International Security Academy with a major in counter-terrorism. To demonstrate his preparedness, Su Qingche presents his various certificates, including his graduation certificate and an award for Outstanding Contribution, along with his personal resume, and even offers his savings card, assuring them he can provide Song Xingchen with a stable and fulfilling life. Song Jianguo attempts to intervene, suggesting they keep the resume but return the money, stating they are not in need.
Song Xingchen's mother, however, grows increasingly intrigued, questioning him about his rescue team, which he describes as a non-profit, humanitarian organization that goes "wherever needed." She presses him on whether such a job is unstable or dangerous. Song Xingchen returns with the hangover medicine and, pretending Su Qingche has urgent work, escorts him out of the house. Su Qingche humorously remarks that he wouldn't have dared to come to their "scary home" unprepared.
As they leave, he feels a surprising heat from the tonic soup. After their departure, Song Xingchen's parents discuss Su Qingche. Song Jianguo praises him as handsome, eloquent, and polite. Song Xingchen's mother, surprisingly, admits her approval, explaining her earlier harshness was merely a "show of it" to establish boundaries, ensuring Su Qingche understood that Song Xingchen wouldn't be an easy target if he ever mistreated her.
She reveals her true intention was to assess the stability and danger of his rescue team job. Satisfied with her findings, she expresses eagerness for their marriage and future children, already having names in mind. Song Jianguo reminds her that the decision ultimately rests with Song Xingchen, and they agree to continue observing Su Qingche. Meanwhile, Lu Qun attempts to buy the last cream puff at a popular shop, offering five times its price. Han Xiaoli unexpectedly arrives.
Lu Qun then announces "Lu Delivery Service, we always deliver," and presents her with her favorite milk tea and ice cream, explaining he noticed she'd lost weight from overworking. He then proudly attempts to give her the cream puffs, mentioning he "battled many men" and paid a premium for them. However, the box is empty, the cream puffs having fallen out.
Han Xiaoli, believing he's being "slick" and playing games, forcibly pushes him out despite his protests and attempts to show her the receipt. Separately, Qian Cheng, desiring to be Gao Qingyin's photography partner, slyly messages his senior to call in sick for a scheduled shoot. Qian Cheng then confidently offers his services to Gao Qingyin, complimenting her beauty, and successfully becomes her temporary partner.
Qian Cheng and Gao Qingyin embark on a photoshoot themed "Half Life," depicting a couple's journey from their school days through career and family life, eventually returning to school. Their performance perfectly captures the "youthful and romantic" essence required, earning them compliments from the crew for their undeniable "couple vibe." After the successful shoot, Gao Qingyin's high heel breaks. Qian Cheng, ever the gentleman, offers to carry her home on his back.
As she rests on him, Gao Qingyin finds herself recalling her childhood, experiencing a comforting sense of security similar to when her brother used to carry her. Qian Cheng then asks her about her experience, to which she replies it felt "like a dream." He boasts about his professionalism, then tentatively asks if she had imagined him as "her man." Gao Qingyin vehemently denies this, calling him "crazy" and criticizing his lack of masculinity.
She states she merely didn't want to owe him anything. Qian Cheng clarifies if she had imagined him as Su Qingche, to which she scoffs, emphasizing Su Qingche's capability as a rescue team captain who can "do anything," in stark contrast to Qian Cheng. The annual Summer Water Training Program is announced to the rescue team.
Su Qingche encourages Song Xingchen to sign up as a volunteer, assuring her she can simply observe the training and enjoy the camping and entertainment activities, noting the proximity of the training site to a Seaside Resort. Su Qingche, upon reviewing the itinerary, hints at having "another idea," prompting Song Xingchen to ask for details. Meanwhile, Han Xiaoli discovers a receipt for cream puffs in the empty box, finally realizing that Lu Qun had genuinely purchased them.
She heads to Polar Night to find him, and upon seeing his open computer, confirms that the "Stumbling Deer" account belongs to Lu Qun. Moments later, Lu Qun emerges from the shower, shirtless, causing Han Xiaoli to become visibly flustered. Lu Qun questions her presence, and despite his attempts to make her speak, she bites his arm and flees. Later, Han Xiaoli calls Song Xingchen, asking if Lu Qun's actions are merely a "tactic."
Song Xingchen advises her to continue observing him and suggests joining the summer volunteer camp as a good opportunity to spend more time together. Concurrently, Lu Qun calls Su Qingche, perplexed by Han Xiaoli's sudden visit and subsequent unusual departure, asking for guidance. Su Qingche playfully tells him he deserves it, suggesting he needs to be more serious.
