Love is Sweet Episode 23 Recap
> Love is Sweet Recap
Yuan Shuai received an urgent call from Mr. Luo, who needed him to go to Hong Kong immediately due to issues at the Hong Kong Exchange. Yuan Shuai promptly instructed Ms. Qiao to recheck all of Wanxing's financial data, especially the estimated Return on Equity, and told Su Chang to collect all necessary IPO data and confirm flight details with Mr. Luo's secretary.
Yuan Shuai then called Jiang Jun into his office to inform her about the urgent business trip to Hong Kong, which meant they wouldn't be able to celebrate the New Year together. Jiang Jun reassured him that they could video chat and asked him to take care, but both admitted they didn't want to be apart. As they shared an intimate moment, Ms. Qiao suddenly walked in, feigning surprise about the dusty office.
Yuan Shuai quickly tried to usher Jiang Jun out, but Ms. Qiao critiqued their lack of privacy, saying that closing the drapes during business hours makes it obvious they are "doing something sneaky" and warned that office gossip can be cruel. Yuan Shuai later asked Jiang Jun if Ms. Qiao had discovered their relationship, to which Jiang Jun confirmed Ms. Qiao already knew. Jiang Jun felt foolish for not realizing, and Yuan Shuai apologized, acknowledging her frustration.
Ms. Qiao then confronted Jiang Jun, claiming she didn't understand what Yuan Shuai saw in her. She revealed she discovered their relationship accidentally and that Yuan Shuai prevented her from reporting it to the company. Ms. Qiao warned Jiang Jun that while MH doesn't explicitly forbid office romance, Jiang Jun would be the one to suffer if their relationship was exposed. Jiang Jun thanked her for the reminder and understanding.
Ms. Qiao then openly admitted her affection for Yuan Shuai, stating that while Jiang Jun was "first in his life," the outcome is still uncertain. She explicitly warned Jiang Jun that if she doesn't treat Yuan Shuai well or argues with him over trivial matters, she will seize the opportunity to win him over. Jiang Jun acknowledged her meaning.
Privately, Jiang Jun realized Ms. Qiao was acting as a peacemaker, then quickly dismissed the idea, thinking Ms. Qiao wished to steal him. While Yuan Shuai was away in Hong Kong, he and Jiang Jun maintained their connection through video calls. Yuan Shuai checked in on their dog, Wealth, jokingly asking if Jiang Jun had been taking good care of him. Jiang Jun showed him a picture of Wealth, confirming he's doing well and has even gained weight.
Yuan Shuai insisted that Wealth needed to go on a diet and exercise. Jiang Jun, mentioning she was about to take Wealth for a run, ended the call quickly, but not before Yuan Shuai reminded her to give Wealth to Xiaochuan before the holiday. Yuan Shuai noticed Jiang Jun's nasal voice and asked if she had a cold. She confirmed it, playfully lamenting that no one was there to care for her and she was waiting for him to return.
Yuan Shuai told her he was trying to get back by the 31st, but it might be January 1st or 2nd. Jiang Jun told him to rest early and remember her. As New Year's Eve approached, Jiang Jun's colleagues commented on Yuan Shuai's dedication to work, being away in Hong Kong. Jiang Jun appeared distracted and a bit sad, despite being told she could go home early to celebrate. Looking at Yuan Shuai's empty office, her disappointment was clear.
Meanwhile, Xu Li waited for a taxi on Anshun Road. She saw that Xiaochuan's "West World" app had officially launched and felt a pang of sympathy for him working alone on New Year's Eve. While waiting, she witnessed a dramatic "fake accident, real proposal" scene. A man faked a collapse, causing his girlfriend to panic and accept his proposal.
This spectacle made Xu Li reflect on her own unexpressed feelings for Xiaochuan, realizing she didn't want to wait for an accident to regret not confessing sooner. With a sudden burst of determination, she turned and ran back towards Xiaochuan. Du Lei received a call from Cao Heng, who informed him that he was in Suzhou and invited Du Lei to meet him there. Du Lei quickly agreed and headed to Suzhou. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun was on her flight home.
She glanced at her phone, disappointed that Yuan Shuai hadn't responded to her message, then turned it off and prepared to rest. Suddenly, Yuan Shuai appeared, having exchanged his first-class ticket for a seat next to Jiang Jun. He settled in, gently pulling her close as her head nodded with exhaustion. Xu Li rushed back to the office, finding Xiaochuan startled by her sudden return.
She struggled to confess her feelings, instead fabricating a story about missing her train and being "forced" to spend New Year's Eve with him. Xiaochuan had ordered a table full of takeout food, which Xu Li immediately recognized as all her favorites. She asked him why he chose those specific dishes, and he, appearing flustered, vaguely explained that he was trying to "have a sense of ritual" by ordering things they'd enjoyed before. Xu Li was secretly delighted.
In Suzhou, Du Lei met Cao Heng, trying to subtly extract information about Du Lin's past dealings with him. Cao Heng complained about Du Lin's lack of trust, claiming he had been hiding in Suzhou for five years and deleted all chat records in front of her. Du Lei, probing further, suggested someone was investigating the matter and asked if any traces were left behind.
Cao Heng grew suspicious, realizing Du Lei was not there on Du Lin's behalf and that there were no chat records to begin with. He warned Du Lei to stop trying to manipulate him and stated he knew nothing before abruptly leaving. Disappointed, Du Lei walked down the street and was drawn to a stray dog, which evoked memories of Jiang Jun and his own past "companions." Jiang Jun woke up in surprise to find Yuan Shuai by her side.
As the clock struck midnight, an announcement declared the arrival of the New Year, and everyone on the plane celebrated. Yuan Shuai told Jiang Jun he missed her, and they exchanged New Year's greetings as fireworks lit up the sky outside the window. Separately, in the city, Xu Li and Xiaochuan watched fireworks together, wishing each other a Happy New Year.
Xu Li suggested they make wishes, and Xiaochuan wished for the successful launch and popularity of his "West World" app. Xu Li, with newfound courage, silently wished that Xiaochuan would realize her feelings. She then bravely kissed his cheek and confessed her deep affection, admitting she might only be a "1% match" for him but was willing to change and try to become his "100% girl" if he gave her a chance.
Xiaochuan, adhering to his app's strict compatibility theories, struggled to understand why she would like him when their match was so low. Xu Li passionately urged him to try, to "look closely" at her and see if there was even a "0. 1% possibility," stating she didn't want to live with regret. Overwhelmed and uncertain, Xiaochuan let go of her hand and ran off.
Du Lin received a call from Cao Heng, who complained that Du Lei had visited him under false pretenses, trying to extract information. Du Lin acknowledged his report and assured him she would handle it. Sensing Du Lei's escalating investigation, Du Lin then made another call, discreetly initiating her own plans concerning the daughter of Jiang Yaoming. After landing, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai found their pre-arranged driver had canceled, leaving them stranded late at night.
Yuan Shuai scolded Jiang Jun for putting herself in a potentially unsafe situation, and she retorted that she only booked the late flight because she was waiting for him. Yuan Shuai quickly took charge, calling his mother to inform her of the delay and then contacting his associate, Mr. Zhu, to arrange a car for them, mentioning Jiang Jun as his "colleague" to his mother.
In the car, Jiang Jun was still upset, but Yuan Shuai told her to be angry while he kept warm, gently pulling her closer. Xiaochuan woke up from his drunken stupor to find Xu Li gone, leaving behind a farewell letter. After reading it, he fed Wealth, then noticed a pillow in the trash bin — a pillow he recognized as Xu Li's. He quietly retrieved it, looking at her empty workstation, lost in thought.
Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun finally arrived at her childhood home. Jiang Jun warned him to make a good impression on her mother. Mrs. Jiang joyfully welcomed Jiang Jun, then asked about Yuan Shuai's identity. Jiang Jun reminded her that he is Yuan Shuai, their childhood neighbor, and explained he was staying for the holidays. Mrs. Jiang, surprised by how much he had grown, warmly welcomed him inside.
Yuan Shuai immediately presented gifts he had prepared for Mrs. Jiang and complimented her beauty, even likening her to Jiang Jun's older sister, much to Mrs. Jiang's delight. Mrs. Jiang asked how they reconnected in Shanghai, noting that Jiang Jun had referred to him as a "colleague." Yuan Shuai smoothly confirmed he was indeed her colleague and explained that Jiang Jun had interviewed at his company, where he is now her superior.
Mrs. Jiang praised Yuan Shuai's success and thanked him for looking after Jiang Jun. When Mrs. Jiang began to mention Jiang Jun's father, Jiang Jun quickly interrupted, asking her mother to prepare some food as they hadn't eaten since the previous night. Mrs. Jiang agreed, deciding to cook extra dishes for Yuan Shuai. Eager to impress, Yuan Shuai immediately volunteered to accompany her to the market, insisting despite her initial protests. Yuan Shuai and Mrs. Jiang returned from the market.
He again offered to cook, but they were interrupted by Mrs. Jiang's friends, Wanjun, Cuiping, and Shujuan, who expressed their admiration for Yuan Shuai's handsome appearance and asked if he was Jiang Jun's boyfriend. Yuan Shuai, feeling awkward under Mrs. Jiang's watchful eye, quickly denied it, stating he was merely a neighbor's son. He then charmingly complimented Mrs. Jiang's friends, easing the tension. Mrs. Jiang, eager to end the conversation, escorted her friends away, reminding them about dinner preparations.
However, once her friends were gone, Mrs. Jiang confronted Yuan Shuai again, asking if he and Jiang Jun were "truly not" together. Yuan Shuai, still trying to maintain secrecy, hastily denied it once more.
