Granting You a Dreamlike Life Episode 27 Recap
> Granting You a Dreamlike Life Recap
As revelry filled MGM, Xu Xingcheng abruptly stormed in with a multitude of police officers. His expressionless gaze fell upon Luo Fusheng, his former sworn brother, as he demanded to be addressed as "Inspector Xu." Luo Fusheng asserted that MGM was operating normally and questioned Xu Xingcheng's actions. Xu Xingcheng countered, declaring that his authority surpassed Luo Fusheng's and that he intended for Tianying to recognize this.
Tianying stepped forward, pleading with Xu Xingcheng not to involve innocent people in their personal conflict. Xu Xingcheng, however, accused Luo Fusheng of confusing Tianying and harboring ill intentions. Tianying countered that her issues with Xu Xingcheng had nothing to do with Luo Fusheng. Enraged, Luo Fusheng shoved Xu Xingcheng to the ground. Xu Xingcheng, furious, ordered his men to restrain Luo Fusheng and drew his pistol.
Tianying bravely positioned herself in front of Luo Fusheng, blocking the gun and preventing Xu Xingcheng from acting on his impulse. Xu Xingcheng, frustrated, eventually withdrew his men, declaring that while the current gamble was unfair and he couldn't win against Tianying's sacrifice, he would not admit defeat and would win "life" in their ongoing rivalry. He then departed with his officers, warning Luo Fusheng, "we'll see," leaving Tianying to check on Luo Fusheng.
Hong Zhengbao was taken aback by the police's unprovoked intrusion into MGM. Hou Li, seizing the opportunity to stir trouble, suggested that Luo Fusheng and Xu Xingcheng were vying for the affection of Tianying, which was the true cause of the incident. Luo Fusheng admitted partial responsibility for the disturbance but clarified it was a personal vendetta between him and Xu Xingcheng.
Hong Zhengbao, irritated by Xu Xingcheng's disregard for protocol and the Hong family's reputation, was particularly upset that his future son-in-law would cause such a scene over a "mere actress." Concerned about the Hong family's economic pillar, MGM, being affected, he decided to confront Xu Ruian, the police chief and Xu Xingcheng's father. At the police station, Xu Ruian feigned surprise upon Hong Zhengbao's visit.
Hong Zhengbao recounted the incident, but Xu Ruian initially tried to defend his son, framing the raid as a legitimate police action. Hong Zhengbao, however, emphasized the impending marriage between Xu Xingcheng and Hong Lan, pointing out that such behavior would tarnish Hong Lan's reputation and jeopardize the delicate balance between their two powerful families, especially with the rising influence of Xinglong Pavilion. Recognizing the need to preserve the alliance, Xu Ruian promised to discipline his son.
Later, Xu Ruian confronted Xu Xingcheng, who coolly admitted to the raid. Xu Ruian expressed his frustration at Xu Xingcheng's challenge to the three-family balance he had meticulously maintained for years. Xu Xingcheng, however, asserted his independence and dismissed the marriage alliance, stating it was not his personal choice and he would not be responsible for decisions made for him.
He argued that the Hong family's influence was waning, while Xinglong Pavilion was a rising power, making the marriage not set in stone. He believed that prioritizing substantial profit over empty promises of alliances was the logical choice, implying his father should do the same. Meanwhile, Lin Qikai, Hong Lan, and Huang Xinghan met with a film director to discuss a film.
The director expressed concerns about Hong Lan's acting experience, suggesting she would need extensive "embellishment" to compensate for her shortcomings. Huang Xinghan then proposed that Tianying, whom he and the director had seen perform at MGM, would be perfect for the role of Hong Lan's maid, praising her superb performance and unlimited potential. Hong Lan scoffed at the idea, claiming Tianying was merely performing her "leftovers." Lin Qikai, concerned about the potential delay in filming, advocated for an experienced actress.
However, Hong Lan unexpectedly interjected, expressing her approval for Tianying to take the role, much to Lin Qikai's silent dismay, who observed that Tianying "used to be so fat." Luo Fusheng swiftly took Tianying to see a doctor specializing in vocal issues who had just arrived in Dongjiang.
The doctor examined Tianying, concluding that her inability to sing was not due to physical damage but rather a functional aphonia, a psychological disorder manifesting as bilateral vocal cord adduction paralysis, caused by severe trauma. He prescribed a rare imported medication, emphasizing the need for patience and a combined approach of Chinese and Western medicine, though he noted that psychological conditions leading to aphonia are often difficult to treat.
Luo Fusheng, without hesitation, vowed to procure the medicine, leveraging the Hong family's control over Dongjiang's docks. Tianying was ecstatic, promising Luo Fusheng that he would be her first audience once her voice recovered. That evening, Tianying returned home to find her brother, Tianci, absent. He had spent the day unsuccessfully searching for work, feeling inferior to Luo Fusheng, and ended up drinking at a pub, where he was eventually kicked out.
Drunkenly, he returned home and attempted to assault Tianying, claiming his marital right as her husband. Luo Fusheng arrived just in time, forcefully pushing Tianci away and beating him severely for his abhorrent actions. Luo Fusheng threatened to kill De Tiansen if he ever saw him near the house again, and with the flash of a knife, forced Tianci to leave. Tianying, traumatized by the incident, broke down in tears.
Luo Fusheng, full of concern, guarded her door all night, providing comfort and silently watching over her. Tianying thanked him, promising to recover quickly for his sake. The next morning, Luo Fusheng brought Tianying a warm breakfast. He informed her of his intention to move into her house to ensure her protection around the clock, though he promised to respect her boundaries.
Tianying, though grateful for his care and trusting him as an upstanding gentleman, expressed reservations about their living arrangement, feeling it was inappropriate for a single man and woman, especially since he was her boss and they would commute together, making it feel strange like living with a stranger. Luo Fusheng playfully dismissed her concerns, suggesting she could simply tell people she was his "wife," and was hurt by her calling him a stranger, though she quickly clarified.
He then revealed that MGM's revenue had soared since her performances and encouraged her to quit her flower shop job and work for him instead. As they discussed this, Feiyan arrived, claiming to inform Tianying that the flower shop would be closed the next day due to a power outage. Feiyan's true intention was to confirm her suspicions about Tianying and Luo Fusheng cohabiting.
Despite Tianying's insistence that they were merely neighbors, Feiyan remained skeptical and later secretly informed Xu Xingcheng. Later that night, Tianying reflected on Xu Xingcheng's drastic transformation, feeling he had become a complete stranger. She recalled his increasingly aggressive words from the raid and how their bond had seemingly shattered. Suddenly, she heard Luo Fusheng screaming in his sleep. She rushed to his room, waking him from a nightmare.
Luo Fusheng tried to dismiss it, but Tianying gently pressed him, understanding he was reliving a childhood trauma. He revealed that he had witnessed his parents' tragic deaths on his birthday, leaving him with a deep-seated fear of darkness and recurring nightmares. Tianying, remembering her own healed childhood scar, reassured him that time would eventually mend even the deepest wounds and promised to help him heal, just as he had always helped her.
Luo Fusheng, touched, expressed his disbelief that he, the "King of Hell," needed comforting from a woman. Tianying playfully chided him for his "outwardly tough but inwardly weak" nature, promising to keep his vulnerability a secret to protect his image. The following day, Feiyan met with Xu Xingcheng and gleefully informed him that Luo Fusheng and Tianying were living together at Shikumen, commuting to work and behaving like a married couple.
Xu Xingcheng, furious, cursed Luo Fusheng as a "hypocritical beast." Feiyan, seeking a reward for her information, was met with Xu Xingcheng's dismissive anger. Tianying returned home to find Luo Fusheng disheveled, covered in flour, attempting to cook for her. She was both amused and touched by his earnest efforts. He confessed that cooking was unexpectedly harder than "chopping people," admitting his struggle to even kill a fish, which made him feel a deep sense of frustration.
Tianying teased him good-naturedly about his newfound vulnerabilities – being the King of Hell yet afraid of darkness, having nightmares, and unable to kill a fish – and then called him a kind person. As they shared a meal and light-hearted banter, the door suddenly opened, and Xu Xingcheng walked in.
