I Will Never Let You Go Episode 36 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
Hua Buqi escorted Liu Qingwu to the river to cleanse her wounds. While there, Liu Qingwu attempted to provoke Hua Buqi, who cleverly evaded her questions. Instead, Hua Buqi inquired about Liu Qingwu’s relationship with Chen Yu. Liu Qingwu then embellished her account, claiming that after being shot in the chest for "Zhangqing," they ended up in a cave where he treated her wound and "gently tore up my dress," implying an intimate encounter.
She also boasted about living in his manor for an extended period, where he was “very caring” towards her daily, and everyone regarded them as a couple. Liu Qingwu further asserted that Chen Yu would marry her once his current official duties were complete. Moreover, she claimed to be the new master of Mingyue Villa, a position Chen Yu helped her achieve, strongly suggesting his devotion.
Hua Buqi sarcastically acknowledged Chen Yu's capabilities in helping her ascend to the villa master position. Meanwhile, Dongfang Shi conversed with Chen Yu, noting that Chen Yu’s heart seemed to belong to someone else. He suspected Chen Yu had known "Zhu brat" (Hua Buqi) for a while, as her jealousy towards Liu Qingwu indicated a deeper connection than a day.
Dongfang Shi also deduced that Chen Yu might be the famed Lotus Robe Knight, given "Zhu brat's" admiration for the knight and Chen Yu's martial prowess. Chen Yu denied this, claiming his skills weren't up to par. Dongfang Shi, however, stated that since Chen Yu harbored feelings for "Zhu brat," he couldn't allow him to live.
Chen Yu retorted that killing all rivals wouldn't win a woman's heart, but Dongfang Shi firmly believed that by being the sole person good to Hua Buqi, he could eventually win her affection. To further annoy Chen Yu and Hua Buqi, Dongfang Shi falsely claimed that Chen Yu had "another ten beautiful women like her in Xichu Province," much to Hua Buqi’s irritation and Chen Yu’s anger.
As their journey continued, Liu Qingwu feigned a leg injury, claiming she couldn't ride a horse and wished to ride with Chen Yu. Fearing Hua Buqi's potential misunderstanding, Chen Yu asked Hua Buqi to share a horse with Liu Qingwu, which Hua Buqi readily accepted. However, Dongfang Shi slyly caused Liu Qingwu to fall from the horse. Chen Yu, concerned, helped Liu Qingwu onto his own horse.
Seeing their proximity, a jealous Hua Buqi pretended to suffer from heatstroke, hoping to ride with Chen Yu. But Dongfang Shi insisted on sharing his horse with Hua Buqi. On horseback with Chen Yu, Liu Qingwu noted "Miss Zhu's" resemblance to "Hua Buqi" and asked Chen Yu if he liked her. Chen Yu admitted, "Yes, I like her," but Liu Qingwu declared she would not give up pursuing him.
Witnessing Hua Buqi's deep concern for Chen Yu, Dongfang Shi became even more convinced that Chen Yu was indeed the Lotus Robe Knight. Upon reaching an inn, Hua Buqi, annoyed by Liu Qingwu's persistent pestering of Chen Yu, arranged for the best available medicines for Liu Qingwu’s treatment by Dongfang Shi. Later, Hua Buqi confronted Chen Yu privately, demanding to know the true nature of his relationship with Liu Qingwu, puzzled by his attentive care for her.
Chen Yu explained that he received secret imperial orders to investigate Biluotian, which was intricately linked to Mingyue Villa. He stated that Liu Qingwu served as a crucial lead, necessitating their "collaboration." He denied any romantic feelings, emphasizing it was a "one-sided" infatuation from Liu Qingwu’s part. He further clarified that Liu Qingwu's severe injury was a direct consequence of protecting him, thus he couldn't abandon her.
Hua Buqi, however, accused him of being intimate with Liu Qingwu after her injury, echoing Liu Qingwu's earlier claims about rolling into a cave and Chen Yu treating her wound by touching her body. Chen Yu admitted to treating her wound in an emergency, but Hua Buqi was furious, reminding him that Liu Qingwu was Uncle Jiu’s killer. She insisted that Chen Yu take her away, expressing her hatred when she heard Liu Qingwu affectionately call him "Zhangqing."
Chen Yu refused to leave Liu Qingwu in her critical condition, explaining that Liu Qingwu had acted under orders, and Liu Mingyue was the true enemy. Overwhelmed with anger, Hua Buqi attempted to attack Liu Qingwu, but Chen Yu intervened, getting accidentally wounded in the process. Looking into her eyes, Chen Yu confessed that he could not evade her.
He then promised Hua Buqi that once the matters of Biluotian were resolved, he would retire with her to the wilderness, leading a "leisure and carefree life" and even having "sons and daughters." Hua Buqi, deeply moved and trusting his words, embraced and kissed him. After treating Liu Qingwu, Dongfang Shi informed Chen Yu that her condition remained unstable and required someone to watch over her throughout the night for her to fully recover.
Chen Yu reluctantly agreed to stay by Liu Qingwu's side. Hua Buqi, alone in her room, spent the night consumed by anxiety, wondering what Chen Yu and Liu Qingwu were doing and whether Chen Yu would resist temptation, ultimately deciding against checking on them to avoid appearing petty. Unbeknownst to Hua Buqi, Liu Qingwu had already made a pact with Dongfang Shi, where he sought Hua Buqi and she desired Chen Yu.
That night, Liu Qingwu used a sedative on Chen Yu. The next morning, Dongfang Shi deliberately led Hua Buqi to Chen Yu’s room. There, Hua Buqi witnessed Chen Yu seemingly sharing a bed with Liu Qingwu, causing her to break down in tears and flee. Dongfang Shi pursued her, comforting her as she cried. Observing Hua Buqi’s heartbreak, he further solidified his belief that Chen Yu was the Lotus Robe Knight.
Hua Buqi, distraught, lashed out at Chen Yu, calling him disloyal and sneaky. Feeling thirsty, she drank from Dongfang Shi’s water bottle, unaware it contained a sedative she had placed there earlier to drug him. Dongfang Shi, equally unaware, also drank from it, and both soon fell unconscious. A sand bandit named Sha Shu, who had been trailing them for days, seized the opportunity, stealing their valuables and abducting Hua Buqi, finding her to be "adorable."
Chen Yu awoke to find himself in bed with Liu Qingwu. After Liu Qingwu feigned concern, he questioned her about the previous night, recalling hazy memories. Liu Qingwu feigned innocence, suggesting Dongfang Shi might have tampered with the bed during his treatment. Chen Yu, upon checking for Hua Buqi and Dongfang Shi, learned from the innkeeper that Hua Buqi had left upset that morning, followed by Dongfang Shi, approximately half a day ago.
Realizing Liu Qingwu’s deception, Chen Yu confronted her, and she admitted to spreading the sedative powder, claiming it was out of love. Chen Yu immediately terminated their collaboration, ordering her to return to Xichu and promising to overlook her actions. Liu Qingwu confessed her love for him and, in desperation, revealed that "Zhu Zhu is Hua Buqi" and accused them of being siblings, reminding him of the scandal at the Mo Manor.
Chen Yu, however, firmly declared that Hua Buqi was not his father's daughter, thus they were "not related," and reaffirmed his love for her, stunning Liu Qingwu. Chen Yu quickly rode off to find Hua Buqi. He eventually found only an unconscious Dongfang Shi. Realizing the danger Hua Buqi was in, they both mounted a single horse, determined to rescue her. Meanwhile, Liu Mingyue was discussing the Mingyue Villa with her subordinate.
She planned to have a recovered Liu Qingyan impersonate Liu Qingwu to infiltrate the villa and eliminate her. At the same time, the sand bandits brought Hua Buqi to their mountain cave. The bandit leader, Ma Dahuzi, expressed his desire to take advantage of Hua Buqi. Thinking quickly, Hua Buqi claimed to be the Lady of the House of Sima from Jiangnan, offering a ransom of one million taels of silver for her release.
Impressed by the substantial sum, Ma Dahuzi, despite some initial skepticism about her identity, decided to believe her, ordering his men to hold her captive until the ransom was delivered. Alone in her cell, Hua Buqi worried whether anyone knew she was there or if help would ever arrive. She also inquired about Dongfang Shi, learning from Sha Shu that he was left behind due to his martial arts skills.
