Love a Lifetime Episode 1 Recap
> Love a Lifetime Recap
A small boat glided across the river, creating ripples as Rong Hua, the second daughter of Dragon Howl City's master, calmly enjoyed the scenic beauty under her oiled paper umbrella. Suddenly, dozens of masked assassins appeared, approaching with chain attacks and throwing hidden weapons. Before they could reach her, Rong Hua concealed herself under her umbrella, feigning innocence at the boat's bow. The assassins demanded she surrender "the thing," threatening a quick death.
Rong Hua coolly replied that it had fallen into the water, suggesting they retrieve it themselves. Lin Jing, a mysterious young man who introduced himself as being from the Nanyang region, suddenly appeared, chiding Rong Hua for her weak fighting skills against mere scoundrels. Rong Hua, despite being cornered, insisted she had a "big move" to defeat them. Lin Jing allowed her to try, but when she was clearly overwhelmed, he quickly dispatched the assassins.
As they moved away from the danger, Lin Jing offered to escort Rong Hua back to Dragon Howl City, citing her poor self-defense. He revealed he knew her identity and explained that her sister, Rong Su, was known for her martial prowess, while Rong Hua was pampered. He further claimed he was helping her at the behest of his "unreliable disciple." Although grateful for his rescue, Rong Hua remained wary and sent a letter to Rong Su requesting an escort.
Rong Hua, restless with suspicion about Lin Jing, decided to slip away from their inn room under the cover of night. However, Lin Jing quickly discovered her attempt and pursued her, playfully accusing her of sneaking out to watch stars. He insisted on accompanying her for safety, leading her to a rooftop where he shared stories of constellations and their significance, inadvertently easing her suspicions and making her feel a connection.
During their time on the rooftop, Lin Jing also subtly detected someone else following them. Back in her room, Rong Hua realized the Chihua Pill was missing and confronted Lin Jing, accusing him of being a thief and potentially behind the initial attack on the boat. Lin Jing, proclaiming his actions were always honorable, challenged her to search him to prove his innocence.
At that moment, Xuan Ye, a subordinate of Rong Su, led assassins from the Hall of Emptiness to attack, aiming only for Lin Jing. As the darts flew, Lin Jing shielded Rong Hua, taking a poisonous dart from the Hall of Sickness, a specialized poison unique to Dragon Howl City. Realizing this was Rong Su’s doing and that the poison could only be cured within Dragon Howl City, Rong Hua went to confront her sister for the antidote.
Rong Su, feigning concern, claimed she had ordered her Hall of Emptiness disciples to secretly protect Rong Hua. However, Rong Hua retorted that her sister's actions had led to Lin Jing being poisoned. When Rong Su remained indifferent, stating Lin Jing’s unknown background made him a potential threat, Lin Jing suddenly appeared, having been hiding nearby. To save him, Rong Hua presented the Chihua Pill to Rong Su, exchanging it for the antidote.
Later, in the council hall, Rong Jingfeng and the hall masters awaited the return of the Chihua Pill. Rong Su presented the ornamental box, only for it to contain a creek stone instead of the prized pill. Rong Su immediately tried to shift the blame to Rong Hua.
However, Rong Hua, quick-witted, gracefully explained that she had placed the stone there as a memento for her father, recalling his romantic history at Sunny Creek with her late mother, thereby endearing herself to him and deflecting any accusation. Amidst the confusion over the missing Chihua Pill, Lin Jing spoke up, assuring everyone that since the Chihua Pill’s effects require a Dragon Howl City antidote, the thief would eventually be forced to seek them out.
Impressed by his insight, Rong Jingfeng asked about his identity. Rong Hua introduced Lin Jing, but as she did, Bai Weizhi, one of the hall masters, visibly reacted with dismay. It was then revealed that years ago, Bai Weizhi had been tricked by Lin Jing into becoming his disciple after consuming a poisoned roast chicken and wine combination, making Lin Jing now Rong Hua’s "grandmaster," much to her annoyance.
Meanwhile, Rong Su, intrigued by rumors of the mysterious Lingxu Pavilion, an organization that had seriously injured Master Xue, instructed Xuan Ye to investigate its true nature and origins. That night, Rong Hua, still harboring doubts about Lin Jing, attempted to secretly search his room for any incriminating evidence. Lin Jing caught her in the act, playfully teasing her for her clandestine entry through the window, unlike the prior body search she initiated.
Soon after, Rong Su arrived with her Hall of Emptiness disciples, claiming items had been stolen and demanding a search. They found Rong Hua and Lin Jing in a compromising position, wrestling on the bed. The incident quickly became a scandal within Dragon Howl City. While Rong Jingfeng chided Rong Hua for her impropriety, he then angrily accused Rong Su of attempting to assassinate her sister on the road to gain the City Master position.
Rong Su vehemently denied the charge. Rong Hua, to prevent a deeper rift between her father and sister, defended Rong Su, explaining that she had asked her sister to bring the Chihua Pill back and Rong Su had not even opened the box, thus having no knowledge of the stone. Touched by Rong Hua's unexpected defense, Rong Su, though still outwardly cold, promised to thoroughly investigate the assassin attacks.
Unbeknownst to Rong Hua, Rong Jingfeng had sent his subordinates to investigate Lin Jing’s background. The reports confirmed Lin Jing’s Nanyang origin and a story of escaping marriage, though solid proof remained elusive. Concerned for Dragon Howl City’s security, Rong Jingfeng concluded that he would rather eliminate a potential threat than risk its safety, and ordered Lin Jing's discreet assassination. Rong Hua, overhearing her father’s chilling decree, immediately confronted Lin Jing, urging him to leave the city.
Lin Jing, however, refused, confidently believing everyone in Dragon Howl City liked him except for her. Just then, the sounds of gongs and drums filled the night as a lavish wedding procession approached Dragon Howl City’s gates. Lu Yizhou, a young man in white, led the procession, loudly demanding Lin Jing be released for his wedding. Rong Su confronted Lu Yizhou at the gates, drawing her sword and slashing his neck as a warning.
Lin Jing then stepped forward to explain himself. Lu Yizhou, revealing himself to be Lin Jing’s confidant, chastised him for fleeing his arranged marriage to Miss Mei and putting him in a difficult position with his family. Despite Lu Yizhou's pleas and attempts to persuade him, Lin Jing stubbornly refused to leave Dragon Howl City.
As Lu Yizhou departed, he warned Rong Su that he would return daily as long as Lin Jing remained within the city walls, implying a continued disruption until Lin Jing left.
