Granting You a Dreamlike Life Episode 23 Recap
> Granting You a Dreamlike Life Recap
The previous day, Luo Fusheng learned that Tianying had agreed to stay in Dongjiang. She had rejected his offer for a better living situation, preferring to rely on her own efforts. Tianci, however, was displeased by Luo Fusheng's involvement in their lives and believed Tianying was disrespecting their family by not recognizing their perceived marital relationship. Tianying had expressed her intention to find work to support herself and Tianci.
The next morning, Luo Fusheng found Tianying leaving early to search for a job since she could no longer sing opera. He confronted her, expressing his anger that Tianci, a capable man, wasn't working and instead allowing her, a "weak woman," to bear the burden of finding employment. Tianying defended Tianci, explaining that he "can't save face" by working for other opera troupes after having been the master of their own.
Luo Fusheng, however, warned Tianying to be cautious about Tianci. Recalling their first encounter, Luo Fusheng offered Tianying some pan-fried buns he had brought as a gesture of compensation for previously taking her food, and insisted on driving her to look for jobs. As they drove, Luo Fusheng was excessively critical of every potential workplace they passed, dismissing one as having "bad feng shui" and another as a "black shop."
Frustrated, Tianying accused him of hindering her job search rather than helping. She declared that she no longer wished to live under his protection or for others to know of their association, explaining that she wanted to earn a living independently to "live with peace of mind." Luo Fusheng, though calling her "silly" for rejecting shortcuts, respected her decision and told her he would no longer interfere, offering words of encouragement before leaving her to continue her search alone.
Unbeknownst to them, Tianci was watching from afar, growing furious as he witnessed Luo Fusheng giving Tianying the pan-fried buns and driving her away. Later, while still looking for work, Tianying was approached by a man named Zhu. He claimed to own a textile factory and offered her a generous salary, prompting Tianying to naively follow him for an interview. However, he led her directly to a brothel.
Realizing the deception, Tianying tried to escape, but the madam attempted to stop her. At that moment, Hou Li appeared, recognizing Tianying from her days as a celebrated opera singer. He cruelly mocked her for having lost her voice, then suggested that even without her singing, her body "can still be used," offering to pay her double the brothel's rate to keep her for himself. Tianying vehemently refused.
Hou Li then threatened her, reminding her that she was no longer a popular performer, and attempted to force her to accompany him. Suddenly, Luo Fusheng intervened, striking Hou Li and rescuing Tianying. Enraged by Luo Fusheng's repeated interference, Hou Li declared that the score between them had increased and vowed revenge. Meanwhile, Xu Xingcheng was still deeply distraught over Tianying's departure, frequently drinking himself into a stupor and lamenting his inability to forget her.
His father, Xu Ruian, discovered him in a drunken and disheveled state and furiously rebuked him, calling him a "coward" and "ruined" for letting a woman affect him so profoundly. Xu Ruian expressed regret at ever considering sending his son to the police academy, fearing he would bring "humiliation" to their family and the police system.
Upon hearing the words "police school" and "professional training," Xu Xingcheng, seemingly sobered by his father's anger and a slap, unexpectedly asked to be sent for the training. He explained that his "weak power" alone could not change the world, so he wanted to see if the world could change him. Sensing his son's sincerity, Xu Ruian agreed to arrange the training, albeit with a warning that the police academy was not a place one could easily leave.
Xu Xingcheng, however, was resolute, declaring that he had "escaped too long" and would not give up this time. That night, Luo Fusheng spoke with Tianying about her experiences. He acknowledged that despite Dongjiang's opportunities, making a living there was tough, and the "costs are hard for a girl like you to imagine." Tianying admitted her sadness wasn't from the day's rejections, but from feeling "not strong enough."
Her struggle to find work highlighted how difficult it must have been for her father to establish his opera troupe, leading her to question if staying in Dongjiang was the right choice. Luo Fusheng encouraged her not to run from problems, sharing a personal story about how his "whole world suddenly collapsed" when his father died, but he ultimately "survived it."
Surprised by his vulnerability, Tianying listened as Luo Fusheng jokingly added that he had nothing left to hide from her. He reassured her that people, despite their occasional fragility, also possess unwavering strength, and he believed she "will never bow in front of fate." He reminded her that all "unhappy things" eventually pass, and "tomorrow is still new."
Inspired by his words, Tianying thanked Luo Fusheng and reaffirmed her commitment to self-reliance, vowing to "never give up easily" and to "live proudly" as she continued her job search. Before departing for the police academy, Xu Xingcheng apologized to Lin Qikai for his past coldness, admitting he had selectively ignored Luo Fusheng's generosity and had always blamed others instead of self-reflecting.
He revealed that Tianying had told him they might reunite if he became an "ideal good policeman," which motivated his decision to transform into a "real man." Lin Qikai was delighted by Xu Xingcheng's newfound maturity and promised to look after his sister, Xingyuan. Later that night, Lin Qikai informed Luo Fusheng about Xu Xingcheng's departure for police training. He then led Luo Fusheng to a secret room where a captive was being held.
The terrified man, under interrogation, confessed that an assassin friend had boasted about being hired for a "big job" to "knock Luo Fusheng" at MGM. Enraged by this confirmation of a planned assassination attempt on him, Luo Fusheng moved to kill the captive, but Lin Qikai intervened, emphasizing that the man was their only lead to the mastermind. Luo Fusheng agreed to spare the man but insisted on leading the investigation himself to find the "real culprit."
Luo Fusheng pursued the lead and observed the assassin meeting with Hu Qi. The assassin complained to Hu Qi about insufficient payment for the botched assassination, which had injured Luo Fusheng instead of Xu Xingcheng. The assassin accused Hu Qi of pocketing most of the money from Xinglong Pavilion and threatened to expose the "mastermind" if he didn't receive his full payment, declaring he "can kill anyone, including you, for money."
Hu Qi reluctantly promised to speak to his boss, Qian Kuohai, and instructed the assassin to remain hidden. After their meeting, Luo Fusheng attacked the assassin, staging the assault to appear as though Hu Qi had sent men to silence him. Luo Fusheng's intention was to sow discord between them and force the true mastermind into the open. The following morning, Luo Fusheng tried to bring Tianying breakfast, only to find she had already left.
Meanwhile, at a flower shop, Tianying encountered a difficult customer struggling to choose flowers. Observing the customer's elegant cheongsam and cherry blossom-shaped jewelry, Tianying skillfully suggested a specific arrangement that perfectly suited her. The satisfied customer made a purchase, and the flower shop owner was highly impressed by Tianying's keen observation and problem-solving abilities. Upon learning Tianying was looking for a job, the owner immediately hired her to start at 8 AM the next morning. Tianying was overjoyed.
Later, she excitedly told Tianci about her new job at the flower shop. Tianci was pleased but remarked that she had forgotten to ask about her salary, though Tianying assured him it was a good start and that she would support him until he found work. Back at the police training camp, the instructor made it clear to the new recruits that their past social status was irrelevant; only one would pass the rigorous training.
Xu Xingcheng arrived late, explaining that his train had been delayed. The instructor dismissed his excuse, emphasizing that for police, "time is life," and punctuality was critical. As punishment, he ordered Xu Xingcheng to run ten weighted laps, threatening expulsion if he refused. Despite being taunted as a privileged "Childe" by other students, Xu Xingcheng accepted the punishment.
The instructor then ordered all other students to stand and watch, warning that no one would rest until Xu Xingcheng completed his laps. This immediately bred resentment among the recruits. Later, a group of angry students confronted Xu Xingcheng, mocking him for causing their collective punishment and vowing to "ravage him" until he quit.
They discovered a cherished photo of Tianying among his belongings, began to insult her appearance, and taunted Xu Xingcheng, suggesting she was now "with some other man." Enraged, Xu Xingcheng fought back to defend Tianying's honor but was severely beaten by the group. When the instructor investigated the commotion, Xu Xingcheng, despite his injuries, stoically claimed he "fell myself," refusing to betray his fellow students.
The instructor, seemingly aware of the truth, simply told him to "be more clever," while another student approached the instructor to discuss something in private. Luo Fusheng's intricate plan to create friction among the assassins worked. Luo Fusheng, adopting the persona of "the dead soul you wanted to kill but didn't," sent a threatening note to Xinglong Pavilion's leader, Qian Kuohai, demanding a ransom for Hu Qi at Hongjia Wharf.
With Hu Qi now his captive, Luo Fusheng directly confronted him, explaining that the cruel method of inflicting painful, non-fatal injuries was clearly "revenge" because Hu Qi "sent people to kill me." Hu Qi initially believed his boss, Qian Kuohai, would not come to his rescue, but Luo Fusheng confidently asserted that given their close bond, Qian Kuohai "will not be so unrighteous."
As predicted, Qian Kuohai arrived alone at Hongjia Wharf, declaring his unwavering loyalty to his brother, Hu Qi, and demanding Luo Fusheng state his terms. Luo Fusheng, wearing the mask he wore during the original assassination attempt, revealed his identity and reminded Qian Kuohai that he "personally sent someone to kill me" at the MGM dance party. Qian Kuohai dismissed the attempt as normal "Jianghu infighting." Luo Fusheng then delivered the shocking revelation: the true target of the assassination was not him, but Xu Xingcheng.
