Hello, My Shining Lover Episode 21 Recap
> Hello, My Shining Lover Recap
Dugu Ruonan found herself caught in a heavy rain after work, without an umbrella. To her surprise, Zhao Yucheng arrived, having anticipated her predicament. He offered her a ride home, affectionately remarking that he couldn't bear to let "the woman I love" wait in such weather. Inside the car, he presented her with a potential endorsement contract for Sida with Ruiqi Group, contingent on his new album's sales meeting expectations, calling it a gift.
Dugu Ruonan, delighted by the news for Sida, inquired if his gesture was solely to please her. Zhao Yucheng candidly admitted his intention to win her favor, but quickly added that as a shrewd businessman, he genuinely believed in Sida's potential, especially with such an "excellent agent" as her. He then suggested she call him "Old Zhao" to be less formal. Noticing her exhaustion, he encouraged her to rest as he drove slowly.
Dugu Ruonan, reflecting on her team's hard work for Sida, decided to feign sleep. Taking this opportunity, Zhao Yucheng gently kissed her forehead, leaving Dugu Ruonan secretly flustered but still pretending to be asleep until they reached her home. Later, Chen Fei'er, upon hearing about Zhao Yucheng's kiss, pressed Dugu Ruonan for her reaction. Dugu Ruonan confessed she felt like slapping him but refrained to protect Sida's potential contract, pretending to be asleep instead.
Exasperated, Chen Fei'er called her foolish for rejecting a "perfect eligible bachelor" while continuing to pursue those who didn't reciprocate, urging her to choose a "more suitable partner." Dugu Ruonan defended her choice, stating that while "being loved is indeed easier," she yearned for a "heart-fluttering feeling." She acknowledged that Ji Mo often angered her, but believed "love without pain makes happiness meaningless," and she desired to be the one who "throws caution to the wind," unafraid of tears.
Chen Fei'er playfully predicted Dugu Ruonan was "destined to fall for Ji Mo's charms," to which Dugu Ruonan affirmed her strong affection for him. Sida’s new song signing event proved to be a resounding success, as he expressed gratitude to his fans. Zhao Yucheng arrived with flowers to congratulate Dugu Ruonan on the achievement, which he partly credited to her, and extended an invitation for a celebratory dinner.
Sida then reminded Dugu Ruonan of their prior dinner plans, and Dugu Ruonan suggested Zhao Yucheng join their "small celebration." Zhao Yucheng agreed, promising to bring a special bottle of wine. During his work meeting, Ji Mo received an urgent call from Sida, warning him that Zhao Yucheng intended to get Dugu Ruonan drunk at the dinner. Concerned about Dugu Ruonan's "bad habits" when she drank, Ji Mo abruptly ended his meeting and rushed to the restaurant.
Upon arrival, Ji Mo brazenly confronted Dugu Ruonan and Zhao Yucheng, feigning a coincidence and insisting on joining their dinner. Dugu Ruonan tried to dismiss him, claiming it was a private date, but Ji Mo, having been informed by Sida, already knew she was with Zhao Yucheng. Ji Mo refused to leave, asserting he was "helping" Dugu Ruonan by "supervising her bad habit" of "kissing people when drunk." Dugu Ruonan angrily denied this.
A brief physical struggle ensued as Ji Mo blocked her from entering the restaurant alone with Zhao Yucheng. Inside, Dugu Ruonan apologized to Zhao Yucheng for Ji Mo's behavior, but Zhao Yucheng calmly suggested they all dine together. Ji Mo, however, announced that Sida wouldn't be joining them. Annoyed, Dugu Ruonan told Ji Mo to leave since Sida wasn't coming, but Ji Mo refused, declared he was hungry, and ordered food.
Ji Mo was clearly acting out of jealousy, though he refused to admit it. When Dugu Ruonan stated they wouldn't drink, Ji Mo pressed for Zhao Yucheng's wine. Ji Mo then pointedly asked Dugu Ruonan and Zhao Yucheng when they had become so close, to which Dugu Ruonan replied, "When you weren't paying attention," confirming she and Zhao Yucheng had agreed to drink.
Ji Mo attempted to provoke Zhao Yucheng by mentioning Dugu Ruonan's "bad habits" when she drank, but Zhao Yucheng countered by reframing her perceived flaws—messiness, lying, trouble-making, a messy room, being preachy, bossy, and impulsive—as "free-spirited," "resourceful," and "courageous and sincere." He declared that because he loved Dugu Ruonan, "everything she does shines brightly," and he was willing to take his time to understand her fully.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiansha forcibly took Sida on a "Dreamliner Bus" she had rented and planned meticulously for his successful signing. Sida was initially resistant, wanting to attend the dinner with Dugu Ruonan and Ji Mo, but Shen Qiansha wouldn't let him off. She drove him to his old suburban neighborhood, where he had once rented a cheap apartment and commuted early mornings to audition as an extra.
Proclaiming herself his number one fan, she intended for him to "relive those memories" in the place "where your dreams began." She showed him an old clip of him as an extra getting shouted at on a film set. Sida was frustrated by the two-hour journey, expressing that she was making him dislike her. After much cajoling, she convinced him to enter a private screening room filled with film memorabilia, proudly announcing the movie was "specially screened for you."
She convinced him to stay, and they watched "King of Comedy". Shen Qiansha loved a romantic kissing line from the film, but Sida's favorite line was, "Whether you look down on me or not, I am still an actor," which resonated deeply with him. Knowing this was his favorite film and his initial dream, Shen Qiansha asked him why he had stopped pursuing acting. After the awkward dinner, Ji Mo returned home completely drunk.
His friend checked on him, and Ji Mo revealed that Dugu Ruonan and Zhao Yucheng were present, complaining about Zhao Yucheng harassing Dugu Ruonan. Seeing "so many shadows of Dugu Ruonan" around him, Ji Mo initially claimed he wasn't jealous, joking it was "vinegar for foot soaking." He then drifted into a drunken sleep, dreaming of Dugu Ruonan dating Zhao Yucheng. Simultaneously, Zhao Yucheng walked Dugu Ruonan home.
On the way, he expressed envy for Ji Mo's ability to stir her emotions, wishing he could affect her in the same way. Dugu Ruonan admitted Ji Mo was still in her heart, but Zhao Yucheng vowed to wait. Outside her door, he openly confessed his feelings, telling her he had always been a rational person, but since meeting her, he had become emotional because he had "genuinely fallen for you."
He promised that if she ever truly let go of Ji Mo, she should find him, as he "won't let go as easily as he did." Just as Zhao Yucheng finished his confession, a now-sober Ji Mo appeared, angered by his dream becoming a reality. He accused Dugu Ruonan of trying to infuriate him and asked why she was angry. Dugu Ruonan implied he was jealous, which he denied.
Ji Mo then sternly forbade her from bringing men home, night or day, ordering her "immediately" to go upstairs. Dugu Ruonan, finding his jealous reaction "charming," bid Zhao Yucheng good night and went inside. Ji Mo and Zhao Yucheng then faced off. Ji Mo demanded to know how long Zhao Yucheng intended to "pester Ruonan."
Zhao Yucheng retorted with the same question, asserting he was pursuing Dugu Ruonan and she had agreed to "try to develop a relationship" with him, making Ji Mo's presence harassment. When Ji Mo asked if they were "officially together," Zhao Yucheng replied, "not yet, but soon," warning Ji Mo to "stay away from her." Ji Mo defiantly refused and admitted his feelings for Dugu Ruonan, claiming he had loved her "before you, longer than you."
He clarified that he had never betrayed or forgotten Su Xiao, but Dugu Ruonan's arrival had changed things, and he loved her "deeply, beyond my control." He added that Zhao Yucheng's presence made him "more certain that I shouldn't hesitate anymore," implying that Su Xiao was truly gone. When Zhao Yucheng tried to leverage Su Xiao's name, Ji Mo furiously declared he "doesn't deserve to mention Su Xiao."
Zhao Yucheng then warned Ji Mo to "protect your Ruonan well," to which Ji Mo fiercely responded, "Ruonan is my bottom line." The following day, Sida approached Dugu Ruonan, declaring his renewed passion for acting. Dugu Ruonan, who was reviewing his successful pre-sale event results and planning additional sessions, encouraged him to maintain his focus on music to become "the hottest singer."
However, Sida insisted he wanted to act more than sing and didn't want to be "defined as just a singer." He explained that re-watching "King of Comedy" made him see "my own reflection," evoking the fulfilling and hopeful days when he was an extra, and he felt he had "forgotten my original aspiration." He expressed his strong desire to be an actor "now," considering singing merely a "job."
Dugu Ruonan reminded him that he was at the "peak of your career," on the verge of becoming Ruiqi's spokesperson and a "top-tier celebrity"—a "turning point in your life." She warned that a sudden career change would create contract conflicts, reduce promotional events, and cause all their efforts to "go to waste." She then asked if he truly wanted to revert to "being an extra." Disheartened, Sida humbly suggested his "talent is only good for small roles."
Dugu Ruonan clarified her intent, and Sida, chastened, apologized for being "too arrogant" and "overthinking," promising to return to his singing practice. With Ruiqi Group preparing to sign Sida as their spokesperson, Dugu Ruonan reiterated her demand for Sida to return to intensive training for his album. Back at the office, Shen Qiansha, who was Song Zihao's assistant, was caught by him watching Sida's singing videos.
Annoyed, Song Zihao demanded coffee, then angrily questioned her about attending Sida's signing event the previous day, which he had forbidden. He confiscated her phone to delete Sida's music, branding it "nonsense" and criticizing her "fanatic" obsession and "no taste," even comparing her "blindness" to Dugu Ruonan's. Shen Qiansha defiantly stated her right to like Sida and proudly admitted her obsession.
Song Zihao declared that as "Song Zihao's assistant," she must obey him, threatening her with dismissal if she didn't comply. Shen Qiansha initially reacted as if to quit but quickly reconsidered, realizing that leaving the company would sever her connection to Sida. She quickly recanted, proclaiming she wasn't leaving and offered to get his coffee.
Song Zihao, still holding a grudge, then deliberately assigned her a mountain of scripts, ordering her to annotate all lines and character emotions within a week. Shen Qiansha bemoaned the impossible task but feigned enthusiasm. Later, struggling with the heavy stack of scripts, she bumped into Sida in the elevator, scattering them across the floor. Sida, recognizing them as scripts, immediately offered to help, mentioning that he also wanted to read some. Shen Qiansha, touched by his kindness, playfully teased him, suggesting he just wanted to see her, not the scripts.
