Love is Deep Episode 18 Recap
> Love is Deep Recap
Ning Weijin was asked by his colleagues, who were away on a business trip, to look after their six-year-old daughter, Xiexie, for two days. He had no choice but to bring Xiexie along on his date with Dingding. From the moment they met, Xiexie declared herself Ning Weijin's girlfriend, insisting she would marry her "Boyfriend uncle" when she grew up, much to Dingding's amusement and slight exasperation.
Ning Weijin explained that Xiexie's parents were hospital colleagues who had entrusted her to him. Xiexie even tried to sit in the front passenger seat, arguing that a "girlfriend" should be allowed. Dingding, though initially amused by Xiexie's antics, observed Ning Weijin's attentive care for the child. Xiexie, meanwhile, told Dingding that if she wanted to win Ning Weijin, she needed to be smarter.
Dingding was surprised by Ning Weijin's gentle demeanor, remarking on how skilled he was at caring for children. He explained that he had primarily looked after Ning Weixuan when she was little. Dingding, noting his usually cool exterior, admitted she wouldn't have expected him to like children, before quickly backtracking and insisting she loved them. Ning Weijin then playfully stated that he not only knew how to take care of children but also girlfriends, subtly pressing Dingding about their relationship.
After dinner, Xiexie claimed she was sleepy and wanted to go home. Dingding, wanting Ning Weijin to take Xiexie back first, offered to take a taxi herself. As Ning Weijin was about to drive away, Xiexie mischievously leaned over and whispered to Dingding that she wasn't actually sleepy. Dingding felt outsmarted by the child. Later, Ning Weijin discovered that Xiexie was allergic to cat hair and couldn't stay at his house.
He considered taking her to a hotel, but Ning Weixuan suggested they go to Dingding's place instead, reasoning that Dingding lived alone and having one extra child wouldn't be a problem. Ning Weijin took Xiexie to Dingding's home. Xiexie, still determined to keep Ning Weijin to herself, insisted that wherever he slept, she would sleep too.
Ning Weijin tried to persuade her to sleep with Dingding, but Xiexie refused to stay without him, leaving Ning Weijin no choice but to spend the night on Dingding's sofa. When Dingding went to get blankets for the sofa, Xiexie insisted on accompanying her, openly stating that she wouldn't let Dingding and her "Boyfriend uncle" be alone. After Dingding made up the sofa, Xiexie even lay down to test its comfort before allowing Ning Weijin to use it.
After his shower, Ning Weijin emerged from the bathroom without a shirt, causing Xiexie to scream in embarrassment and quickly run upstairs to Dingding's room. Dingding then offered him a sample of her newly designed cat-themed T-shirt, which was set to launch soon. Ning Weijin found it a perfect fit and asked if he could keep it, to which Dingding happily agreed.
He apologized for the interrupted date, but Dingding reassured him she had a good time and teased him about being popular with everyone, regardless of age. Ning Weijin responded that he only cared about being liked by one person, subtly conveying his feelings for her. As Dingding tucked Xiexie into bed, the girl asked for a love story, specifically Dingding's own. When Dingding demurred, Xiexie bluntly stated that Dingding was boring and wondered why Ning Weijin liked her.
Xiexie then revealed her deep affection for Ning Weijin wasn't because of his looks, but because he was uniquely attentive and considerate. Unlike other adults who expected her to obey, Ning Weijin genuinely listened to her thoughts and valued her opinions. Xiexie reiterated her intention to marry him, prompting Dingding to admit she admired Xiexie's bravery in love, and vowed to "cheer up" and not lose to her.
The next morning, Shu Yiran called Ning Weijin, planning to bring some egg tarts she had made to Xiexie at his house. However, she was upset to learn from Ning Weijin that he and Xiexie had spent the night at Dingding's. Masking her discomfort, Shu Yiran suggested they meet for lunch so she could still deliver the egg tarts to Xiexie.
While Gao Ren was in a hospital meeting, he received urgent WeChat messages from Ning Weijin, asking him to come home immediately. Despite pressing for details, Ning Weijin only replied with "urgent, urgent." Gao Ren, worried, secretly slipped out of the meeting and rushed to Ning Weijin's house, only to find Ning Weixuan there alone. Gao Ren messaged Ning Weijin again, but realized Ning Weixuan was logged into Ning Weijin's account on the computer, responding to him.
Furious at her childish prank, Gao Ren was torn between scolding her and fearing he might hurt her feelings. Ultimately, to placate her, he reluctantly agreed to be her boyfriend, causing Ning Weixuan to jump with joy. Gao Ren immediately began to test Ning Weixuan, declaring himself a "family man" who expected his girlfriend to be domestic and cook his first meal. While he relaxed on the sofa playing games, Ning Weixuan eagerly went into the kitchen.
Despite accidentally cutting her finger, she smiled, put on a bandage, and continued cooking. She prepared a delicious four-dish, one-soup meal, which impressed Gao Ren. He then upped the challenge, stating that this would be the standard for every meal going forward, with no repeat dishes daily. Though daunted, Ning Weixuan agreed. Shu Yiran informed Ning Weijin that it was his father's birthday on Sunday, hoping he would return home to celebrate.
Ning Weijin, however, immediately refused, stating his unwillingness to see his father and Yin Fei. While Ning Weijin went to pay the bill, Shu Yiran received a call from Yin Fei, who was inquiring about her progress with Ning Weijin. Shu Yiran confidently told Yin Fei that she planned to apply for a joint breast cancer research project with Ning Weijin, and if successful, they would be sent to the U. S. for three years.
She vowed that during this time, she would definitely win Ning Weijin back. Xiexie, overhearing this conversation, suddenly dropped her egg tart and loudly declared it "smelly," much to Shu Yiran's bewilderment. Later, Xiexie, now quiet, asked Ning Weijin if he liked Dingding. He confirmed that he did, but also shared that Dingding had not yet agreed to be his girlfriend.
Xiexie, disappointed by Dingding's inaction, remarked that it was no wonder someone else might try to steal Ning Weijin away. She then clarified her preference by asking if Ning Weijin liked Shu Yiran, and was relieved when he said no. That evening, Ning Weixuan prepared a romantic candlelight dinner and dressed alluringly for Gao Ren, hoping for a romantic evening.
Gao Ren tried to be receptive and leaned in for a kiss, but as he got close, he realized he couldn't. He only saw Ning Weixuan as a younger sister and felt it was wrong for them to be together. Unable to continue the charade, Gao Ren bluntly told Ning Weixuan that her dream of being with him was a "daydream." He then picked her up, carried her back to her room, and left her house.
Gao Ren's harsh words deeply wounded Ning Weixuan. She wept inconsolably in her bed, feeling like a joke and believing that no matter what she did, Gao Ren would never like her. Ning Weijin came to comfort his sister, telling her she had simply fallen for the wrong person. Ning Weixuan questioned him about what made a "right" person, asking if it was someone who liked her or someone she liked.
Observing her heartbreak, Ning Weijin reflected on how truly difficult it was to find someone you love who also loves you back. Prompted by Xiexie's urgent call, Dingding arranged to meet Ning Weijin. She directly asked him if he was working on a project and planning to go abroad, then impulsively declared that she didn't want him to leave because she didn't want a long-distance relationship right after they got together. Realizing her impromptu confession, Dingding turned away shyly.
Ning Weijin embraced her and asked if she would be his girlfriend, to which she happily agreed. She then pressed him on whether he would still go abroad. Ning Weijin revealed that his project was still in the preparatory stages and hadn't even been approved, so his going abroad was uncertain. Dingding realized she had been tricked by Xiexie, but acknowledged it was a sweet deception that led to their official coupling.
Shu Yiran once again attempted to persuade Ning Weijin to attend his father's birthday, emphasizing his father's declining health and the importance of familial reconciliation. Ning Weijin remained resolute in his refusal, stating he would not go. Dingding, overhearing their conversation, stepped in and gently argued that a father and son shouldn't harbor resentment forever and that he should attend his father's birthday.
Ning Weijin, influenced by Dingding's words, offered a compromise: he would go if Dingding accompanied him, treating it as an opportunity for her to meet his parents. Dingding, blushing but eager to support him, agreed. Seeing their interaction and Dingding's successful persuasion, Shu Yiran, visibly frustrated, turned and left. Ning Weijin then told Dingding he wanted the whole world to know she was his girlfriend, even those he didn't wish to see.
