Love At Night Episode 2 Recap
> Love At Night Recap
Xu Qingyou is deeply embarrassed by Mo Lingze's reminder about the room fee from the previous night, eager to settle the matter quickly and put the past behind them. Unable to reach him directly, she visits the Sad Bar, where Mo Lingze's band plays, entrusting the room fee to Sa, the bar owner. Sa recognizes her as the "white-collar" who previously sought Mo.
At the bar, Lin Siyu, the daughter of the chairman of Golden Capital, also inquires about Mo Lingze, complaining that he ignores her calls and texts, implying he is a playboy. Sa confirms Mo's popularity, noting Xu Qingyou is the fourth person this month to seek him out, making a mental note to tell Mo. Meanwhile, Fan Yunxi awaits Xu Qingyou in their new house, which has been meticulously decorated to her preferences.
He attempts to reconcile, reminding her of their decade-long relationship and their shared dreams of marriage and cohabitation. He downplays his infidelity as a mere "incident" that will soon pass and begs for her forgiveness, emphasizing how he tailored the house to her tastes. However, Xu Qingyou firmly rejects his plea, shattering a framed photo of them.
She explains that accepting such "false beauty" would condemn her to live a life based on a fragile lie, asserting that not all betrayals can be overcome, even if he believes they can. Despite Fan Yunxi's desperate pleas for another chance and his vow never to break up, Xu Qingyou remains unwavering in her decision to end their relationship. She later confides in Fang Qi that Fan Yunxi's attempts at persuasion were futile.
At home, Xu Qingyou's younger brother, Xu Wei, unexpectedly returns a year early, having completed his four-year program in three years with top honors. He explains to Xu Qingyou that he rejected a master's in art to return home for inspiration and asks for her help finding work for "Brother-in-law" Fan Yunxi, at which point Xu Qingyou clarifies her breakup with Fan Yunxi.
At work, Xu Qingyou encounters Mo Lingze at the elevator and directly urges him to forget their past encounter, concerned it might complicate their professional interactions. Mo Lingze challenges her, asking what exactly she wants to erase. Despite Xu Qingyou's insistence that their liaison was just a casual fling, Mo Lingze observes her blushing ears, noting that her outward resolve belies her inner feelings, making him more interested in her.
Later, Xu Qingyou discovers the money she left for him at the bar has been returned to her desk, accompanied by a sarcastic note from Mo Lingze suggesting he found her attempt to pay him off insulting and her "experience" with him unsatisfactory. This fuels her anxiety that he might leverage their shared past against her.
Mo Lingze, conducting due diligence for his company, Shangger, on a company called Leader that features popular "situational games" (escape rooms), deliberately appears at one such venue. Xu Qingyou initially assumes his presence relates to their past encounter, but he clarifies his professional purpose, handing her a Shangger document. Despite her initial fluster, Mo Lingze then challenges her to a game duel within the escape room.
He proposes a deal: if she successfully completes the game, he will put their past behind them, confessing he finds her "interesting," a refreshing change. Xu Qingyou agrees to the terms, determined to erase their connection. Despite her efforts, she fails to complete the challenge. Mo Lingze points out her failure, noting her desire to "erase" their past is unfulfilled, as "it happened for sure" and remains unresolved.
Xu Qingyou accuses him of enjoying her predicament, but he dismisses it as her prejudice. Lin Siyu, intent on securing Mo Lingze's attention, calls Sa, the owner of the Sad Bar, to book the entire venue for a masked party. She specifically requests the Sad Band to perform, particularly the "good-looking guitarist" Mo Lingze, offering extra payment to ensure his attendance and secretly planning a couple's game involving him.
Although Mo Lingze initially declines due to other commitments, Sa insists he must be there. Later, Fang Qi arrives at Xu Qingyou's home to invite her to the masked party. Xu Wei, secretly harboring a crush on Fang Qi, becomes flustered upon seeing her through the peephole. He quickly retreats upstairs to meticulously fix his hair, change his clothes, and apply cologne before calmly answering the door. Fang Qi immediately teases him about the strong, cloying scent.
Inside, Fang Qi finds Xu Qingyou still asleep and later discovers an unfinished portrait of a woman in Xu Wei's room. He quickly snatches it away when she attempts to get a closer look. Fang Qi playfully suggests he has a crush, unaware that she is the subject of his art, as she still views him as merely a "kid brother." Fang Qi tries to rouse Xu Qingyou from bed, attributing her lethargy to her recent breakup.
Xu Qingyou, however, claims she's merely tired from work and wants to sleep, expressing her disinterest in attending another party where she usually ends up searching for Fang Qi as Fang Qi looks for attractive men. To persuade her, Fang Qi feigns vulnerability, emphasizing her delicate nature and asking who would escort her home if she got drunk. Xu Qingyou playfully dismisses Fang Qi's dramatics but eventually agrees to go.
Xu Wei then offers to join them as their "flower protector," ready to assist if they drink too much, but Fang Qi immediately rejects his offer, telling him he's too young to join and should "stay out of it." At the mask party, Fang Qi encourages Xu Qingyou to find a suitable partner among the "social elites, investment leaders, and financial celebrities" present, while Xu Qingyou remains skeptical, favoring a promotion or a raise instead.
Sa, the bar owner, introduces Lin Siyu as the daughter of the chairman of Golden Capital and the night's host. Lin Siyu announces a special lottery where two attendees will be chosen as the "special couple" for the night. Lin Siyu eagerly claims to be number 99 when it's called, expecting to be paired with Mo Lingze. However, Sa reveals a mix-up: Lin Siyu actually holds number 66, while the real number 99 is held by Xu Qingyou.
Without hesitation, Fang Qi pushes a protesting Xu Qingyou forward, granting her the opportunity. Simultaneously, Mo Lingze is identified as number 17, and despite his initial reluctance, he is compelled to join Xu Qingyou on stage. On stage, the crowd demands a performance from the newly formed "couple." Mo Lingze takes a guitar, and though Xu Qingyou admits she has no musical talent, he guides her hand, teaching her to strum along.
Their impromptu performance infuriates Lin Siyu, who had meticulously planned to be Mo Lingze's partner; she is so enraged that Mo Lingze's assistant, Wang Ji, has to physically escort her out. After their unexpected performance, Xu Qingyou confronts Mo Lingze, accusing him of deliberately orchestrating the situation to trick her. He counters by asking what she truly believes transpired between them that night, implying her "prejudice" is clouding her judgment.
