Love Better Than Immortality Episode 9 Recap
> Love Better Than Immortality Recap
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Shangguan Qiuyue gifted Chunhua an Icy Silkworm Bead, explaining that the two beads could call each other and were linked in life and death. He told her that if she ever needed him, or simply wished to see him, she could recite a spell to the bead: "When will Chunhua and Qiuyue have an ending?"
Chunhua found the spell awkward but Shangguan Qiuyue insisted, saying the "Icy Silkworm babies" had already heard it and instructed her to "bask the Icy Silkworm Bead in the moon every day" to absorb its essence. As midnight approached, Chunhua realized she needed to return, fearing Xiao Bai would worry. Shangguan Qiuyue tried to persuade her to stay, asking if Xiao Bai was more important than him, and reminded her to be obedient as he was always watching her.
Back at the inn, Xiao Bai anxiously waited for Chunhua, refusing to sleep. Even as the waiter prepared to close for the night, Xiao Bai pleaded for more time, determined to wait alone. Chunhua eventually returned, concocting an elaborate story about getting lost while buying mooncakes and enjoying lanterns, then eating all the mooncakes due to hunger before making new ones for him.
Xiao Bai, relieved by her safe return, gently warned her about the dangers of the martial arts world and cautioned her against acting rashly since she lacked martial arts skills. He then asked her to follow him, as he had something important to show her. Xiao Bai revealed a portrait, confirming to Chunhua that the person depicted was Hua Xiaolei, Master Hua's daughter, and that she was, in fact, Hua Xiaolei.
Chunhua was bewildered, questioning whether she was Hua Xiaolei or Shangguan Qiuyue's sister, and how she could be Xiao Bai's fiancée if Hua Xiaolei was supposedly dead. Xiao Bai explained that he had already confirmed this with Master Hua, who was depressed and would be greatly comforted by her return. He intended to take her to meet her father the following day. When Chunhua pressed for concrete proof, Xiao Bai hesitantly uttered "scar," before quickly excusing himself to his room.
Chunhua was left pondering when Xiao Bai could have seen such a scar, recalling an incident involving him and a bath. The thought that she might truly be Xiao Bai's destined person filled her with a secret delight. However, this clashed with Shangguan Qiuyue's earlier claim that the mark on her chest was a flower-bud-shaped pink birthmark, which he said was the origin of her name Chunhua, leaving her confused about who was telling the truth.
Meanwhile, Star Deputy Chief Ye informed Shangguan Qiuyue that the Hua family had discovered Hua Xiaolei was alive and that Hua Que was on his way to find her. Shangguan Qiuyue corrected him, stating that "Hua Xiaolei" was now "Little Chunhua" and, having lost her memory, he would not treat her as Hua Xiaolei.
Star Deputy Chief Ye expressed concern that Shangguan Qiuyue might become emotionally entangled in this "brother and sister game," implicitly warning him by mentioning how Fu Lou's weakness, You Si, had left him vulnerable and overstretched while trying to protect her and find the immortality fruit. Shangguan Qiuyue scoffed at the comparison, asserting that his interactions were merely a form of "recreation," relaxing and burden-free, offering strategic gains without emotional indulgence.
He declared he was not like Fu Lou, who would fall prey to personal affections, and then instructed Ye Xingzhu to check on Hua Que. Upon learning Hua Xiaolei was alive, Master Hua immediately summoned his son, Hua Que, instructing him to prevent her return to the Hua family, deeming her a disgrace due to her alleged "affair" with Shangguan Qiuyue.
Hua Que confronted Chunhua at her residence, ordering her to stay away from the Hua family and never return, claiming her actions had shamed them. Chunhua was profoundly shocked, realizing that in Shangguan Qiuyue's eyes, she might have been a joke. She anxiously asked if Xiao Bai knew of this supposed affair, feeling a wave of relief when Hua Que implied he did not.
Chunhua vehemently refused to comply, insisting she was Chunhua, had amnesia, and would not abandon Xiao Bai. Frustrated, Hua Que disowned her and threatened her before departing. Shortly after, Hua Que attempted to set Chunhua's residence ablaze to protect the family's reputation. However, Star Deputy Chief Ye, who was investigating, intervened, killing Hua Que with a concealed weapon to save Chunhua.
Shangguan Qiuyue appeared, scolding Star Deputy Chief Ye for killing Hua Que and asking if he could compensate Chunhua for losing her brother. He then declared his intention to step into the role of Chunhua's brother. Capitalizing on Hua Que's death, Shangguan Qiuyue presented himself to Master Hua, stating he was there at Hua Que's behest to assist the Hua family in dealing with the "trouble" of Xiao Bai.
He explained that they had arranged to work together discreetly, which was why "Hua Que" could not yet show his face. Master Hua, believing this arrangement, agreed to the plan. Shangguan Qiuyue further reassured Master Hua that Xiao Bai would not recognize him as Hua Que since their last meeting was fifteen years ago. Later, when Xiao Bai came to take Chunhua to the Hua's Mansion, Chunhua, dreading the encounter, tried to hide.
Qin Liufeng's arrival and the subsequent discussion made her realize she had no choice but to go. To her shock, Shangguan Qiuyue, still posing as Hua Que, opened the door at Hua's Mansion. At the banquet prepared by Master Hua, Chunhua clung to Xiao Bai, her eyes fixated on him. Shangguan Qiuyue, annoyed, tried to signal Chunhua to sit beside him, but she feigned ignorance.
He then launched into a dramatic, tearful monologue about his deep bond with his "sister," compelling Chunhua to call him "brother." Between Shangguan Qiuyue's insistence and Xiao Bai's unwitting support, Chunhua reluctantly sat next to Shangguan Qiuyue. As Xiao Bai prepared to leave, he considerately suggested Chunhua stay to catch up with her family. Despite Chunhua's strong reluctance to stay, Shangguan Qiuyue swiftly pulled her back. Alone with Shangguan Qiuyue, Chunhua confronted him, demanding to know what he wanted.
She reiterated that she was Chunhua, had lost her memory, and her past "affair" with him was irrelevant. Shangguan Qiuyue acknowledged that Chunhua was not Hua Xiaolei, noting Hua Xiaolei's past affection for him contrasted with Chunhua's current feelings. Chunhua pleaded for him to release her, but Shangguan Qiuyue, his expression darkening, insisted on remaining her "brother," expressing his curiosity about what it felt like to have a family.
Chunhua questioned him about the conflicting claims regarding her chest mark – was it a birthmark as he claimed, or a scar as Xiao Bai claimed? She also expressed her desire to be with Xiao Bai, as she believed herself to be his fiancée. To move past their complicated history and allow herself a fresh start, Chunhua temporarily agreed to continue being his "sister," hoping he would forget their "past affair." Shangguan Qiuyue agreed, but made it conditional on her sincerity as his sister.
