Love in Time Episode 22 Recap
> Love in Time Recap
Su Jianan returned home to find Lu Boyan waiting, furious. He demanded to know why Kang Ruicheng had sent her back and what they had been doing. Su Jianan retorted, asking if he was interrogating her. Lu Boyan questioned if he had no right to ask why she was "fooling around" with another man at night, further asking if she considered him her husband. Su Jianan found him utterly unreasonable.
Although initially impatient with him, she suggested they have dinner and talk properly the following evening, to which Lu Boyan agreed. A housekeeper then informed Su Jianan that Lu Boyan had specially prepared dinner and had been waiting for her for hours, making Su Jianan realize his effort. At the Taoran Literature Society, the crew for the novel adaptation was formally established.
Kang Ruicheng announced that the filming location would be Taoran City, the birthplace of the original novel, and that he had booked hotels for the main creators to facilitate their work. He also shared the good news that Li Meng had agreed to play the female lead and would arrive the next day. When asked, Su Jianan stated her preference to stay home, wanting to spend more time with Lu Boyan, and assured everyone it wouldn't hinder her work.
Over the following days, everyone was full of energy, working diligently to produce the series. Su Jianan and Kang Ruicheng intensely collaborated on the script, discussing modifications to characters and story flow to make the narrative clearer and more engaging. While they were deeply immersed in their creative work, others in the literary society were busy with preparations, but Lu Boyan was present yet seemed to have nothing to do, appearing superfluous to their work.
One evening, after working late, Su Jianan encountered Han Ruoxi, who was struggling with her lines. Han Ruoxi suggested they go to Kang Ruicheng's room to discuss the script, as the director was busy with Li Meng. In Kang Ruicheng's room, they continued their discussion, refining character development. Eventually, Su Jianan fell asleep from exhaustion. Han Ruoxi and the actor Fengfeng quietly left, leaving her to rest.
Su Jianan woke up the next morning on the sofa, covered by Kang Ruicheng's jacket. He had prepared breakfast for her, but she declined his offer to stay at the hotel, insisting she needed to leave for a scene survey with Director Guo.
As Su Jianan hurried out of Kang Ruicheng's room, she was seen by crew members, who immediately began to speculate, questioning why she was leaving his room so early in the morning and suggesting she had spent the entire night there. The rumors quickly spread, noting that this wasn't the first time such gossip had surfaced about Su Jianan and Kang Ruicheng, despite news reports of her good relationship with Lu Boyan.
When Lu Boyan arrived at the crew's hotel to find Su Jianan, he overheard the discussions among the staff and, without going upstairs, left. That night, Su Jianan returned to the Lu family villa, where Lu Boyan confronted her. He demanded to know where she had slept, pressing her on whether she had been alone or with Kang Ruicheng in his room all night.
Su Jianan explained that Han Ruoxi and Fengfeng had also been present for the script reading, but Lu Boyan accused her of falling in love with Kang Ruicheng. He brought up his past offers to invest in her novel's adaptation, which she had rejected, wanting to rely on herself.
Yet, he pointed out, when Kang Ruicheng appeared, she readily accepted his ideas, even when they contradicted Lu Boyan's suggestions, such as retaining certain novel content or casting Luo Xiaoxi instead of Han Ruoxi. Lu Boyan felt that Kang Ruicheng held a special significance to her. Su Jianan tried to clarify that their actions were solely for the betterment of the film, but Lu Boyan countered that it seemed designed to bring them closer.
He expressed his humiliation as the president of Lu Group, dealing with the spread of scandals. He warned her to stay away from Kang Ruicheng, asserting that he, Lu Boyan, would support her dreams. Su Jianan was distraught, asking if he truly saw her in such a light. She highlighted the immense effort she had poured into the film, which he seemed to disregard, focusing only on her proximity to other men.
Lu Boyan then brought up the previous incident where he had cooked a table full of food waiting for her, only for her not to show up, having been with Kang Ruicheng instead. Su Jianan confirmed she was with Kang Ruicheng, stating he understood her work and ideas better, unlike Lu Boyan, who she felt only demanded others live according to his ways. Lu Boyan then gave her an ultimatum: either Kang Ruicheng withdrew from the project, or she did.
Su Jianan refused to choose, declaring she didn't need his arrangements. Lu Boyan, in turn, declared that he would withdraw. This intense argument led them to decide on divorce, with Lu Boyan giving her their original contract and Su Jianan returning his initial ring. Following the heated argument, Lu Boyan instructed an employee to inform Su Jianan that he was completely pulling out of the project and would no longer interfere with her and Kang Ruicheng.
Su Jianan subsequently moved into the crew's hotel, apologizing to Kang Ruicheng as Lu's withdrawal of capital had left the production facing a massive funding deficit. When Su Jianan explained the situation to Kang Ruicheng, he acknowledged the significant funding deficit and immediately took steps to address it, instructing his subordinate to find a solution. Meanwhile, Han Ruoxi appeared and engaged Kang Ruicheng in a conversation.
She questioned his immediate willingness to solve the crew's crisis, pointing out that things easily obtained are often not cherished. She advised him to wait until Su Jianan was at her most desperate and helpless before stepping in, becoming her "lifesaver." Only then, Han Ruoxi suggested, would Su Jianan cling to him without hesitation, otherwise he risked remaining a "spare tire."
Han Ruoxi also noted that with Lu Boyan out of the project and Su Jianan having moved out of the Lu family home, there was no one left to hinder Kang Ruicheng's pursuit of Su Jianan. Han Ruoxi then sought out Lu Boyan, expressing regret for past mistakes and requesting another chance to return to Lu's Media.
She claimed Kang Ruicheng had never genuinely intended to sign her, but rather sought to obtain Su Jianan, and that Su Jianan and Kang Ruicheng had conspired to make things difficult for her, even changing her previously assigned role. She emphasized her increased value and marketability, having numerous endorsement deals and successful box office numbers, making her a valuable asset. Lu Boyan, acknowledging her commercial worth, directed her to sign a new contract with Yuechuan.
Feeling disheartened, Su Jianan stood by a bridge when Kang Ruicheng approached her. He reassured her that the project was not without hope, vowing to do everything in his power, even offending Lu Boyan, to ensure its smooth progress because it was her dream. Su Jianan questioned why he would go to such lengths.
Kang Ruicheng then recounted meeting a girl three years prior—a stranger who wore a mask but helped him retrieve a crucial contract when his company was just starting. Though he didn't even know her name or appearance at the time, her small act of kindness was etched in his memory. He later learned her name was Su Jianan. He confessed his love for her, asking if they could be together and if he could help her fulfill her dream.
Su Jianan, though grateful, apologized and declined, stating she couldn't accept, and emphasizing she didn't want to deceive him to save the project. Later, reflecting on her broken marriage, Su Jianan's father, Su Hongyuan, came to visit her. Overwhelmed with emotion, Su Jianan tearfully confessed her despair, having lost her love, friends, and career. Her father comforted her, telling her that life inevitably brings setbacks and misunderstandings.
He shared his own past struggles with stubbornness and alienating others, realizing that true happiness comes from balancing career, family, and friendships. Su Jianan expressed gratitude for his wisdom, admitting she had previously misunderstood him. Su Hongyuan then offered to invest in her film, providing much-needed "timely help." However, he stipulated a condition: her film must feature at least five product placements for his company's "Su's Beauty" underwear.
Su Jianan accepted, and her father affirmed he would always be her steadfast support. With renewed resolve, Su Jianan went to reconcile with Luo Xiaoxi and Jiang Shaokai. Luo Xiaoxi initially refused to open the door, despite Jiang Shaokai's attempts to mediate and give Su Jianan a chance to explain. Su Jianan tried to apologize through the door, but Luo Xiaoxi remained defiant, questioning her sincerity.
After some heated exchanges, Su Jianan produced a spare key to their home and entered. She earnestly apologized, acknowledging her recent work-focused state and clarifying that her past words were not her true intention. She reminded Luo Xiaoxi of their shared history, how Luo Xiaoxi and Jiang Shaokai had supported and encouraged her during the initial stages of writing her novel, and how their companionship was vital to the creation of the work.
Su Jianan declared Luo Xiaoxi her best friend and revealed that she had always reserved the role of the heroine's best friend for her, believing Luo Xiaoxi was the perfect fit and the inspiration for the character. She sincerely hoped they could complete the project together. Luo Xiaoxi then admitted that her concern was never about the lead roles, but about their friendship. Su Jianan asked for forgiveness, which Luo Xiaoxi readily granted, acknowledging her own straightforward nature.
Su Jianan affectionately reiterated that Luo Xiaoxi would always be the best "Xiao Xi" in her heart. With Su Hongyuan's investment, the project was back on track. Su Jianan announced that Luo Xiaoxi would take on the role of Female No. 2, and Jiang Shaokai would return to manage commercial sponsorships. Everyone expressed their excitement for the project to commence. Meanwhile, Han Ruoxi observed these developments, expressing surprise that Su Hongyuan had become involved, and acknowledging Su Jianan's renewed determination.
She then approached Kang Ruicheng, pointing out that despite Su Jianan and Lu Boyan's separation, Lu Boyan still held a place in Su Jianan's heart. Han Ruoxi urged Kang Ruicheng to further fuel the emotional rift between Su Jianan and Lu Boyan, believing this was the only way to completely drive Lu Boyan out of Su Jianan's heart and finally win her for himself.
