Lie to Love Episode 21 Recap
> Lie to Love Recap
After Li Zeliang left, Su Xieyi spoke with Dr. Wu about Li Zeliang's leg pain. She learned that although it had been two years since his amputation, he still suffered frequent pain. Dr. Wu explained that there were two main reasons: phantom limb pain, a psychologically induced condition difficult to cure, and swelling. The swelling was caused by the rapid atrophy of limb muscles after amputation, which affected blood and lymph circulation.
The stump had to bear body weight and was also squeezed by the prosthetic, making it harder for blood to return to the heart. Dr. Wu cautioned that if the condition worsened, Li Zeliang might need another amputation, advising him to reduce prosthetic use and rely more on a wheelchair. However, he noted that Li Zeliang was strong-willed and resisted using a wheelchair.
Later, while in the car, Ji Yingsong called Li Zeliang with an investigation update, and Li Zeliang decided to meet him immediately. Ji Yingsong revealed that Liu Ah Wei had once sought free legal aid for his daughter, and the lawyer who represented him was Xie Minghao. Li Zeliang connected the dots: Xie Minghao's appearance at the hospital two years ago, his presence in Yun'an, and now his past contact with Liu Ah Wei were all suspicious.
He theorized that if K of Spades possessed the video filmed by Liu Ah Wei, it would explain Huo Jian's leverage against Zhiwei. He noted that Shen Xieqing was Zhiwei's finance director, and Xie Minghao was both her fiancé and Zhiwei's corporate lawyer. Li Zeliang instructed Ji Yingsong to re-examine all of Zhiwei's old files for new leads and decided to confront Xie Minghao himself.
Li Zeliang visited Xie Minghao at his law firm, pretending that Su Xieyi was worried about his recovery and wanted to lessen his workload, using it as an excuse to deliver some of Huo Jian's old contracts. Li Zeliang subtly inquired if Xie Minghao knew Liu Ah Wei, mentioning his daughter and the legal aid. Xie Minghao claimed his memory was hazy but admitted Liu Ah Wei's photo looked familiar.
Li Zeliang then used Su Xieyi's toothache as a metaphor, suggesting that temporary fixes don't solve root problems. After Li Zeliang departed, Xie Minghao realized he was a suspect and resolved to fight back. Xie Minghao met Shi Chuchu at her office late at night to deliver contracts, using the opportunity to manipulate her. He suggested that with Ocean Hotel weakened by Huo Jian's arrest, Li Zeliang desperately needed a major success to prove himself.
He presented two strategic options: expanding overseas, which might require her to relocate, or developing a local project like the Lantian Bay Resort. He highlighted the Lantian Bay project's profitability, suggesting it would be a perfect way for her to prove her value to Li Zeliang and that Hengye Bank would surely support the funding. Shi Chuchu, initially dismissive, was swayed by his argument. During a rainy night, Li Zeliang suffered from severe leg pain.
Su Xieyi offered to call Dr. Wu, but Li Zeliang refused, insisting it was too late and the pain would pass. While massaging his leg to ease his discomfort, Su Xieyi proposed a deal: if she overcame her fear and had her wisdom tooth removed, he must agree to try using a wheelchair at home. After some hesitation, Li Zeliang agreed. The next day, Shi Chuchu visited Li Zeliang, finding him already studying the Lantian Bay Resort project.
She encouraged him to pursue it, highlighting its potential to restore market confidence in Ocean Hotel and assuring him that Hengye Bank would fully support the funding. Xie Minghao later invited Su Xieyi for a coffee, using the pretense of delivering contracts to question her about Li Zeliang's inquiries. Su Xieyi revealed Li Zeliang had asked about his relationship with her father.
When he offered her toothache medicine, Su Xieyi explained she had agreed to the extraction, acknowledging that medication was only a temporary solution. She then casually mentioned she had moved in with Li Zeliang. Xie Minghao was visibly distraught, asking what he was supposed to do after waiting for her for so long. Confused by his outburst, Su Xieyi advised him to focus on Shen Xieqing and left. Xie Minghao's attempt to retract his words was futile.
On the way to the dentist, Su Xieyi was preoccupied by her encounter with Xie Minghao. Li Zeliang, unaware of the real reason for her mood, tried to reassure her about the procedure. At the clinic, he attempted to stay by her side but was asked by the staff to wait outside. After her procedure, Su Xieyi emerged to find Li Zeliang waiting for her in a wheelchair, fulfilling his part of their agreement.
As they headed home, with Li Zeliang in his wheelchair and Su Xieyi walking beside him, she playfully mentioned an old belief about throwing a removed tooth into a river to make a wish. She then sheepishly remembered that the tradition was for baby teeth to ensure they grew back, which didn't apply to wisdom teeth. Li Zeliang reassured her it wouldn't grow back anyway, but she smilingly refused to tell him her wish.
Back at his home, an enraged Xie Minghao recalled two painful memories. First, trying to kiss a sleeping Su Xieyi, only to be caught by Shen Zhi Hong, who harshly reprimanded him and forbade any romantic notions, stating he would send Su Xieyi back to Germany to separate them. Second, he remembered witnessing Shen Zhi Hong kneeling and begging an unyielding Huo Jian to waive contract penalties.
After witnessing Shen Zhi Hong's despair, Xie Minghao recalled the subsequent tragedy: Shen Zhi Hong walking to the rooftop and jumping to his death, an event Li Zeliang arrived just in time to witness. During an Ocean Hotel meeting, Shi Chuchu reported on successful system upgrades to prevent fraud. Li Zeliang then announced his plan to develop the Lantian Bay Resort, cautioning the team to proceed with care and integrity, citing Huo Jian's fate as a warning.
Shi Chuchu pointed out that Huo Jian's original proposal contained fraudulent cost-cutting measures, like using artificial hot water instead of natural hot springs. Li Zeliang announced he would draft an entirely new plan. He later assured Shi Chuchu he would keep the old, fraudulent plan at home for reference but would destroy it as soon as the new one was ready. After the meeting, Shi Chuchu thanked Xie Minghao for his advice on the Lantian Bay project.
She offered to buy him lunch, but he declined, stating he had to visit Shen Xieqing since Su Xieyi couldn't go after her dental surgery. This was the moment Shi Chuchu learned that Shen Xieqing was Su Xieyi's older sister and that Su Xieyi was Shen Zhi Hong's biological daughter.
