Love is Deep Episode 23 Recap
> Love is Deep Recap
Shu Yiran approached Gao Ren, inquiring about Ning Weijin's whereabouts. Gao Ren, having no knowledge, found Shu Yiran leaving abruptly. He then produced an invitation from their alma mater, detailing a ballroom dancing competition where they were both invited to serve as judges. Gao Ren suggested they practice beforehand to avoid any potential mockery from younger students upon their return.
However, Shu Yiran’s interest solely revolved around topics concerning Ning Weijin, and she showed no engagement with anything unrelated to him. Just moments after Shu Yiran's departure, Ning Weijin called Gao Ren, a brief but significant missed connection. Wen Zixin visited a hotel to meet a rich former suitor, hoping to borrow two million yuan for Mr. Chen to overcome his financial difficulties.
However, the man hinted at a sexual favor in return for the loan, which Wen Zixin firmly rejected. Her refusal enraged the suitor, who then insulted her, accusing her of having abortions for Mr. Chen and pretending to be innocent. He attempted to sexually assault Wen Zixin, forcing her to struggle and break free from him, though her clothes were torn in the process as she escaped the hotel.
Outside the hotel, Zheng Dingding accidentally bumped into Wen Zixin, who was disheveled and shaken. Mistaking Wen Zixin's appearance as another instance of abandoning Mr. Chen during his time of crisis, Zheng Dingding criticized her harshly. Wen Zixin retorted, "Why are you judging me? You're the one who ditched Chen Xun and Chengpin." Distressed, Wen Zixin tried to leave without explaining but stumbled and fell. Zheng Dingding then stepped forward to help her up.
After assisting Wen Zixin and talking with her, Zheng Dingding realized her mistake and became deeply moved by Wen Zixin's sacrifices for Mr. Chen. She told Wen Zixin, "I won't go back to help him, but I can help you." She decided to help Mr. Chen by assisting Wen Zixin.
As Ning Weijin picked up Zheng Dingding from outside the supermarket, Zheng Dingding recounted her encounter with Wen Zixin, explaining that Wen Zixin had nearly been sexually assaulted while trying to borrow money for Mr. Chen. She then informed Ning Weijin of her intention to help Wen Zixin, and by extension, Mr. Chen. Ning Weijin was displeased, questioning the difference between helping Wen Zixin and helping Mr. Chen.
He urged Zheng Dingding to stop worrying about irrelevant people and issues, which led to a heated argument. Zheng Dingding asserted her clear conscience in helping a friend and told Ning Weijin she had nothing more to say if he didn't trust her, before demanding to be let out of the car.
After angrily getting out of the car, Zheng Dingding immediately called her friend Xiaofeng, ordering spicy crayfish and iced coke, and demanding Xiaofeng’s presence to listen to her complaints. After hearing Zheng Dingding's grievances, Xiaofeng suggested that Zheng Dingding was in the wrong. She analogized former partners to nails, leaving a hole even after removal, and advised Zheng Dingding to maintain a distance from Mr. Chen, rather than constantly displaying the "hole" to Ning Weijin.
Xiaofeng urged her to communicate with Ning Weijin and resolve the issue. Meanwhile, Gao Ren and Ning Weijin were running together. Gao Ren encouraged Ning Weijin to call Zheng Dingding, but Ning Weijin refused. Gao Ren then philosophized about qualities of a good man, emphasizing the importance of being flexible and willing to compromise. He pressed Ning Weijin, asking why he opposed Zheng Dingding helping Mr. Chen, suggesting Ning Weijin might fear a rekindling of their old romance.
Ning Weijin explained that Zheng Dingding was too emotional and would blame herself heavily if the endeavor failed, and he simply didn’t want her to get hurt again. However, since Zheng Dingding had already made her decision, Ning Weijin felt there was nothing more he could say and would respect her choice, though he hinted he wouldn't remain a passive observer.
Later that night, both Ning Weijin and Zheng Dingding lay awake, each contemplating texting the other but hesitant to be the first to reach out, thinking "the one who starts talking first will lose." Simultaneously, they both sent each other texts asking, "Are you asleep?" The next morning, Ning Weijin visited Zheng Dingding to apologize for his words the previous day. Zheng Dingding also apologized for making a rash decision without consulting him.
Ning Weijin, having come to terms with it, stated that he would support her, believing that if he forbade her, it would leave a lingering regret. He preferred she resolve the matter swiftly so she could return to him wholeheartedly. Zheng Dingding expressed concerns about her pending orders and other tasks, but Ning Weijin offered to help, explaining that as an Associate Chief Surgeon, he didn't need to be in the office daily, especially on a weekend.
He playfully embraced her, calling her narcissistic when she praised his youthful success, then encouraged her to go to Chengpin, wishing her a swift return. When Zheng Dingding arrived at Chengpin, a colleague named Cat, who had previously sought her help, expressed surprise and relief at her return. Zheng Dingding then met with Mr. Chen. She made it clear that her return was solely to assist Wen Zixin, not him, to avoid any misunderstandings on his part.
She then revealed the extent of Wen Zixin's sacrifice, detailing how Wen Zixin had attempted to borrow money from a former suitor and was nearly sexually assaulted. Zheng Dingding emphasized that Wen Zixin was genuinely devoted to him and that any success in overcoming the company's difficulties should be credited entirely to Wen Zixin’s efforts and sacrifices. Gao Ren tried to stop Ning Weixuan from dancing, concerned about her sprain, but she insisted on continuing.
Later, Gao Ren found Ning Weixuan diligently practicing alone in the dance studio. He was moved by her dedication, and when she almost fell, he rushed to support her. Caught in the act, Gao Ren apologized for previously standing her up and his ill-mannered attitude. Ning Weixuan seized the opportunity, pleading for a chance to dance just one routine with him. Gao Ren agreed, but on the condition that she follow his instructions to avoid embarrassing him.
Ning Weixuan enthusiastically agreed and immediately pulled him back into practice, determined to make the most of their limited time before the competition. Upon her return to Chengpin, Zheng Dingding immediately began outlining solutions for Mr. Chen, stressing the urgency of establishing better relations with third-party logistics by presenting a cost-optimized plan, especially since the company was facing severe funding issues after shareholder withdrawals.
She explained the immediate priority was to restore Chengpin's public image to regain the trust of logistics companies. Zheng Dingding would handle the design and public relations aspects of the plan, while Wen Zixin was tasked with contacting popular celebrity Zhou Yichen to participate in Chengpin's e-commerce event.
Wen Zixin met with Zhou Yichen, who, now a popular actress, initially tried to embarrass Wen Zixin by recalling how she never had to pay to get help and sarcastically suggesting Wen Zixin rely on her beauty and connections, implying she used to use them to secure favors. As Zhou Yichen prepared to leave, Wen Zixin quickly interjected, acknowledging her tarnished reputation but highlighting her valuable resources.
She revealed an opportunity with a European luxury brand seeking an Asian spokesperson for its expansion into the Asian market. Wen Zixin offered to introduce Zhou Yichen to the brand's project manager, a proposition that immediately captured Zhou Yichen's attention and secured her agreement to participate in Chengpin's e-commerce event. After a long day of work, Wen Zixin returned to Chengpin just as Ning Weijin arrived to deliver dinner for Zheng Dingding.
Zheng Dingding, seeing Wen Zixin’s exhaustion, offered her own meal. She then asked Wen Zixin about the meeting with Zhou Yichen. Wen Zixin confirmed she had secured Zhou Yichen’s participation without incurring costs, by leveraging a valuable resource. Ning Weijin, upon hearing this, understood Zheng Dingding’s strategy to use celebrity endorsement to salvage Chengpin’s reputation. However, he expressed skepticism, believing that such a method would only provide temporary relief and might be seen as opportunistic.
Ning Weijin then proposed an alternative approach: using public welfare initiatives to rebuild Chengpin’s image. He cautioned against turning charity into hypocrisy, emphasizing that if their motivation was merely opportunistic image redemption, he would rather they not proceed. Zheng Dingding assured him of her sincerity. She then suggested to Mr. Chen that they organize a public welfare activity centered on health, aligning with Chengpin's core theme of healthy living. She also proposed collaborating with hospitals for a charity clinic, citing a recent vaccine incident as a relevant context.
