Love in Time Episode 5 Recap
> Love in Time Recap
Su Jianan rushed Lu Boyan back to their villa. A moment later, the doorbell rang. When Su Jianan opened the door, she found Han Ruoxi standing there with medicine, looking surprised to see her. Han Ruoxi questioned Lu Boyan as to why there was another woman in his house, besides herself and Aunt Tang.
Before Lu Boyan could respond, Su Jianan quickly interjected, introducing herself as Lu Boyan’s distant cousin and playfully scolding her "cousin" for pretending not to know her, implying that Aunt Tang had forced him to spend a day with her. Han Ruoxi, seemingly relieved, mentioned that this house had only seen her and Aunt Tang before. Su Jianan then continued, saying her "cousin" was unreasonable and sharp-tongued with Han Ruoxi.
Su Jianan then complimented Han Ruoxi, and Han Ruoxi offered to take her out. Han Ruoxi handed Lu Boyan his stomach medicine, chiding him for eating spicy food despite his stomach issues. Su Jianan chimed in, praising Han Ruoxi's thoughtfulness. Lu Boyan, however, tersely told Han Ruoxi that she didn't need to do such things for him outside of work.
He then reminded Han Ruoxi that he had used all the company's resources to boost her popularity, cautioning her against mixing professional and personal lives, suggesting she had forgotten their agreement. Su Jianan, feeling like a third wheel, announced she was returning to her room. Lu Boyan stopped her, stating it was getting late and they would rest together. Su Jianan quickly clarified that while they used to rest together as children, they now slept in separate rooms.
Han Ruoxi then departed, reminding Lu Boyan to take his medicine, to which Lu Boyan coolly advised her to focus on her work. After Han Ruoxi left, Lu Boyan immediately questioned Su Jianan about when he became her cousin. Su Jianan explained that she only said so to ensure they could have a peaceful life, reminding him that they were a legal couple, not cousins, and that she needed his cooperation when outsiders were present.
Despite Xu Bo bringing stomach medicine, Lu Boyan refused to eat, causing Su Jianan to worry. That night, Lu Boyan was reading alone when Su Jianan brought him a bowl of stomach-nourishing jujube and lotus porridge. He agreed to drink it but first asked if her concern was that of a cousin for her cousin, or a wife for her husband.
Su Jianan replied that it was out of friendship, saying she felt bad that his stomach hurt because he was with her, and insisted he try it. He took a sip, but when she asked how it tasted, he just stared at her. Doubting him, Su Jianan took a sip herself and immediately burned her tongue, exclaiming how hot it was. Lu Boyan chuckled, calling her stupid, and fetched some oral spray.
When she stuck out her tongue, he stared for a moment before she urged him to spray it quickly. After he sprayed, the medicine stung, causing Su Jianan to cry out. In her surprise, she pulled on Lu Boyan, making them both tumble onto the bed, their lips briefly touching. Lu Boyan then groaned, claiming his stomach hurt intensely and he couldn't move, effectively trapping her beneath him.
Su Jianan called for Xu Bo, but he was unreachable, having gone off to a square dance. Lu Boyan feigned helplessness, remaining on top of her for a long time, secretly pleased. The next morning, Su Jianan tried to slip away quietly, but Xu Bo caught her, offering breakfast. Lu Boyan also appeared, asking if her tongue had healed, attempting to check it. Su Jianan brushed him off.
While having breakfast, Su Jianan saw a news report on TV about Lu Boyan being seen on a date with a "maid dress girl" at Yida shopping mall, speculating about his relationship with Han Ruoxi. Su Jianan was furious, feeling portrayed as a mistress and fearing she would become a public enemy. Lu Boyan seemed indifferent, which annoyed her further. She was somewhat relieved that her face wasn't clearly visible in the photo.
Lu Boyan offered to drive her to the Tao ran Literature Network, but she preferred to keep their distance, fearing more exposure, especially since paparazzi began following and even chasing their car as soon as they left. She asked him to use his media connections to withdraw the news. Lu Boyan questioned if she was truly that worried about being misunderstood.
Su Jianan expressed deep concern about being identified, explaining that Han Ruoxi’s numerous fans would make it impossible for her to quietly write novels, which was extremely important to her future. She also pointed out that his demanding schedule meant exposing their relationship would force him to maintain a false image of a good husband, which would be exhausting.
She added that he and Han Ruoxi were a perfect match, and it would be a shame for them to break up. Lu Boyan noted her concern for others. Su Jianan then reminded him of their one-year marriage agreement. Angered by this, Lu Boyan abruptly pulled the car over and ordered her to get out, leaving her stranded. Watching Lu Boyan drive away, Su Jianan stomped her feet in frustration.
She thought that his image as a gentle BA Zong was a false impression created by outsiders; in reality, he was an unreasonable and petty man. Unbeknownst to Su Jianan, Lu Boyan had secretly planned to switch cars to avoid paparazzi and pick her up again. However, fate intervened; as he was changing vehicles, he saw Su Jianan happily accepting a ride from Jiang Shaokai. Jiang Shaokai teased her about running to work, joking about having children.
He also mentioned that he felt she had abandoned him the day before, to which Su Jianan apologized and offered to treat him to a meal. He then noted that if the recent photos of her and Lu Boyan were exposed, their relationship would be undeniable. Jiang Shaokai, who harbored feelings for Su Jianan, also said that he knew she wouldn't fall in love with Lu Boyan because of him.
Concurrently, Lu Boyan’s assistant asked if he had told Su Jianan about the car change. Concurrently, at Lu's Group, preparations for their annual strategy conference were underway, with Han Ruoxi confirmed as the image ambassador. During an interview, Han Ruoxi maintained a graceful composure. When asked about the maid outfit incident, she cleverly explained that Lu Boyan was researching subculture fields for the company's future ventures and that the photos were merely part of user market research.
Despite a reporter suggesting the actions appeared intimate, Han Ruoxi calmly stated that Lu Boyan had informed her beforehand and that their relationship was stable, attributing any negative attention to "people with ulterior motives." After the interview, Han Ruoxi's assistant expressed surprise that Lu Boyan would be interested in "role-playing" and questioned his tastes.
The assistant also noted that Han Ruoxi had never heard of a distant cousin named Su Jianan and that their interactions didn't seem like those of siblings, reinforcing her suspicion. Han Ruoxi then instructed her assistant to manage the media before seeking out Lu Boyan. She approached him as he discussed conference details with his executives, voicing her concern that the "cousin" issue was negatively impacting their personal and corporate image.
When Lu Boyan asked what she wanted him to do, she suggested that Su Jianan move out and offered to help her find an apartment, citing the potential for misunderstanding. Lu Boyan curtly dismissed it as a "family matter." Han Ruoxi pressed on, questioning if this distant relative was more important than their years of cultivated relationship. Lu Boyan cut her off, advising her to focus on her press conference, and left.
Han Ruoxi then acknowledged to herself that Su Jianan was indeed "not just a cousin." At Tao ran Literature Network, the news about Lu Boyan and the "maid dress girl" had also caused a stir. Jiang Shaokai saw many people discussing the mysterious Su Jianan and teasingly called her "daring" for the maid outfit. Su Jianan, however, was annoyed by the attention. The President, Mr. Du, arrived, interrupting the discussions.
He praised Su Jianan for her new romance novel, noting its significant rise in click-through rates and positive reception. He also mentioned future plans for adapting successful works into film, animation, and other products, entrusting Jiang Shaokai with the business cooperation aspect. After the meeting, many colleagues congratulated Su Jianan, but Chen Xuanxuan made sarcastic remarks, implying that Su Jianan’s success in romance writing came from having many boyfriends.
When Chen Xuanxuan tried to invite Jiang Shaokai to discuss her new book, he flatly refused, stating he had plans with Su Jianan and that some things, like talent, were simply lacking in others. As Jiang Shaokai and Su Jianan left for lunch, Chen Xuanxuan noticed that Su Jianan's shoes were identical to those worn by the "maid dress girl" in the news photo.
She quickly made a phone call, gleefully stating that "heaven was helping her" and that she would add more fuel to the fire, predicting Su Jianan's imminent departure from the Lu family, implying she was responsible for spreading the connection. Su Jianan began receiving malicious phone calls, with callers accusing her of being a "scheming bitch" who seduced Lu Boyan away from Han Ruoxi. She also received a package containing a fake snake.
The constant harassment made it impossible for her to continue writing, so President Du advised her to go home and rest. In the taxi on her way home, the radio broadcast was analyzing the alleged breakup between Lu Boyan and Han Ruoxi, claiming he had cheated with "non-famous online female writer Su Jianan," further detailing the "maid temptation" photos. Suddenly, the taxi stopped, surrounded by an angry mob.
Recognizing her from the news, the mob demanded she get out of the car, accusing her of stealing their "goddess's man" and calling her shameless. Su Jianan warned them about the 24-hour surveillance and the police, but a female fan, claiming to be the Taoran City branch president of Han Ruoxi's Global Fan Support Association, lunged at her, intending to strike. Just then, Lu Boyan appeared, swiftly grabbing the fan's arm mid-air.
The fan’s rage instantly turned to delight, exclaiming that Lu Boyan had touched her hand, feeling it was worth it. Lu Boyan firmly told the crowd to disperse. Shortly after Lu Boyan left with Su Jianan, Jiang Shaokai arrived at the scene. He talked to Yuechuan, who had likely informed Lu Boyan about Su Jianan’s predicament, and expressed his disappointment that Su Jianan had been picked up by her husband.
Jiang Shaokai asserted that if Su Jianan would give him a clear answer about their relationship, he would end all his other romantic entanglements. Lu Boyan drove Su Jianan home. On the way, Su Jianan asked how he knew she was in trouble, and he replied that Yuechuan had told him. She then thanked him for coming to her rescue. Inside the house, they discussed a solution to the ongoing public outcry.
Su Jianan suggested clarifying their relationship to the media. Lu Boyan found this to be a good idea. Su Jianan then proposed that he conduct a news interview to clarify that they were merely cousins. Lu Boyan’s reaction to this specific suggestion showed a marked change in his demeanor.
