Love in Time Episode 1 Recap
> Love in Time Recap
The wedding ceremony begins as the bride, Su Jianan, walks down the aisle with the groom, Lu Boyan. The officiant invites the groom to kiss his bride. Lu Boyan cups Su Jianan’s face and leans in, but Su Jianan’s internal thoughts reveal her reluctance, feeling forced into a shameful situation. Internally, Su Jianan laments the sorrow of her wedding, questioning how she ended up marrying such a manipulative man, and expressing a fear of being labeled a mistress.
The story flashes back to three days prior, detailing the circumstances that led to this unexpected marriage. Lu Boyan, a renowned entrepreneur in Taoran City, has gained significant popularity and is often referred to as the “national husband” due to his striking appearance and successful investments. His company, Lu’s Media, manages top-tier celebrity Han Ruoxi, and rumors suggest a deep connection between the two. At this time, Lu Boyan is preparing to invest in Tao ran Literature Network.
He notices that the latest chapter of Su Jianan’s novel, "Lin Nan murder", has been replaced by an advertisement. This sparks a memory of Su Jianan from their school days, when she was overweight, wore glasses, and cried often, leading to her being mocked as “Underwear Queen Su Jianan.”
Meanwhile, Su Jianan, a dedicated novelist for Tao ran Literature Network, is frustrated that her ongoing novel, "Lin Nan murder", has been abruptly suspended and replaced by an advertisement for an underwear gifting event from Su’s beauty Group. She immediately suspects her father, the owner of Su’s beauty Group, is behind this. Her suspicions are confirmed when a delivery arrives with an invitation for her to return to Taoran City and inherit Su’s beauty Group.
She realizes her father spent a substantial amount on advertising to force her hand. Su Jianan travels from Donghai City back to Taoran City, where her childhood friend Jiang Shaokai picks her up. Jiang Shaokai, known for his flirtatious nature, assures her he’s made time for her. Su Jianan vents her frustration, recounting how her father has always interfered with her writing career, even buying out public accounts she wrote for or driving out screenwriters she worked with.
Jiang Shaokai advises her to confront her father directly. At her father’s office, Su Jianan pleads for her novel to be reinstated. Her father, however, dismisses her writing as unprofitable and impractical, suggesting she inherit his successful underwear company. He reminds her of their old written agreement: if she couldn’t achieve success in her writing, she would return home and inherit the business.
Su Jianan, desperate to avoid becoming the "Underwear Queen," proposes a new agreement: she will return home with a successful novel and a handsome son-in-law within three years. Her father agrees, but then reveals their college agreement is still valid and there are only 36 hours left for her to find a husband before the shares of the company are legally transferred to her name.
Su Jianan protests, claiming she already has a boyfriend and they are planning to marry, but her father demands she present a satisfactory son-in-law. Su Jianan then heads to Tao ran Literature Network hoping to resolve the issue of her novel. There, she encounters Chen Xuanxuan, an author known as the "Romantic Queen of Taoran Literature Network" and an assistant to President Du. Chen Xuanxuan initially tries to dismiss Su Jianan, stating President Du is busy.
However, Su Jianan sees Lu Boyan and mistakenly assumes he is the president. She angrily confronts him, accusing him of using sponsorship to stop her novel and of bullying her in school. She declares she will not tolerate his actions. Lu Boyan, observing her fiery demeanor, comments on her unreasonableness, while a flashback reveals a younger Lu Boyan protecting a younger Su Jianan from other bullies, asserting that "only I can bully her."
Back in the present, Lu Boyan finds the company's valuation satisfactory and confirms with President Du that they will sign the investment agreement in five days. As if casually, Lu Boyan then inquires about "Lin Nan murder", asking why it's no longer available, prompting President Du to immediately promise its restoration. With the novel issue still unresolved, Su Jianan seeks help from her best friend, Luo Xiaoxi, and Jiang Shaokai.
A loyal reader, "oterians," suggests online that she find a quick marriage at a park blind date corner as a last resort. Luo Xiaoxi then proposes Jiang Shaokai as a suitable candidate to trick her father. Jiang Shaokai confidently agrees, believing his extensive knowledge of Su Jianan will make the deception seamless. However, during a staged meeting with her father, Jiang Shaokai’s eagerness leads him to prematurely address him as "Dad."
Su Jianan's father, highly perceptive, exposes their charade by asking a simple question about Su Jianan's preference for sweet or salty tofu, which Jiang Shaokai answers incorrectly. Her father pays the bill, leaving them with just 24 hours. Running out of options, Su Jianan resorts to the park blind date corner.
Her attempts to find a suitor are comically sabotaged by two elderly women who, under the guise of helping, spread rumors about her being a spendthrift, scaring away potential mother-in-laws. Unbeknownst to Su Jianan, Lu Boyan’s assistant, Yuechuan, is secretly overseeing the sabotages, pleased that his boss’s instructions are being carried out. Simultaneously, Lu Boyan's mother, Aunt Tang, attempts to set him up with various women.
He declines, instead suggesting she visit the park blind date corner if she truly wishes to find an "ordinary girl" for him. Aunt Tang agrees and asks him to join her for dinner. At the blind date corner, Aunt Tang spots Su Jianan and recognizes her, praising her grown-up appearance. Aunt Tang, noticing Su Jianan is single, invites her to dinner. Lu Boyan joins them.
During the meal, Aunt Tang praises Lu Boyan's success and single status, subtly implying he would be a good match for Su Jianan. Su Jianan's phone rings, it's her father, reminding her of the impending deadline. Frustrated, she tells him she won't inherit the company and refuses to marry just anyone. Lu Boyan, who has been observing her distress, suddenly appears beside her and declares, "I will marry you."
The next morning, Lu Boyan and Su Jianan arrive at the marriage registration office. Su Jianan initially resists marrying Lu Boyan, citing his public association with Han Ruoxi and her fear of being labeled a mistress. She also accuses him of disrespecting her love for literature by stopping her novel. Lu Boyan clarifies that his previous visit to the literature network was merely a coincidence and that their marriage would be a secret to avoid public scrutiny.
Su Jianan then questions his motives, speculating he might be pressured by Aunt Tang or be after her family's wealth. Lu Boyan prepares to leave, but Su Jianan stops him, acknowledging her desperate situation and accepting his help. They agree to a one-year contract, outlining three key terms: no physical contact, no interference in each other’s lives, and a clause added by Su Jianan forbidding either of them from seeing other people during the marriage.
At the registration office, as they pose for their marriage certificate photo, both sets of parents unexpectedly arrive. Su Jianan's father and Aunt Tang are overjoyed, quickly urging them to call them "Dad" and "Mom." While Su Jianan’s father initially desires a grand wedding, Lu Boyan and Su Jianan explain their preference for a low-key, secret marriage for one year, allowing Su Jianan to focus on her novel.
The parents agree, and arrange a hotel room for the newlyweds that night. In the hotel room, Aunt Tang playfully throws items symbolizing fertility, while Su Jianan’s father subtly questions if their marriage is merely a contract. Lu Boyan dismisses his concern, implying it isn't the case. After the parents leave, Su Jianan attempts to escape the room, threatening to tell Aunt Tang that Lu Boyan bullied her.
Aunt Tang briefly returns for a forgotten bag, understanding the situation and leaving them alone. Su Jianan calls Lu Boyan a "rogue," while he tells her she should blame her father for their predicament. He teases her, saying he has no interest in "little girls," to which she indignantly replies she is 25. He retorts that she acts like a five-year-old, concluding they are "a perfect match."
The following day, at the wedding ceremony, Lu Boyan ensures all hotel staff and the officiant have signed confidentiality agreements, instructing the officiant to cooperate with his plans. As the moment for the kiss arrives, Su Jianan challenges Lu Boyan, who responds that they must complete the charade.
Su Jianan's father, watching from the audience, reflects that he had to push his daughter into this, and that he would have planned a grander wedding if the couple hadn't insisted on simplicity. Internally, Su Jianan resigns herself to the beginning of her absurd married life.
