Love is Sweet Episode 26 Recap
> Love is Sweet Recap
After apprehending Cao Heng, Yuan Shuai and Du Lei began their interrogation. Yuan Shuai, adopting a menacing persona, accused Cao Heng of hiding information, reminding him of a previous individual who claimed ignorance and was subsequently "fed to the fish." Du Lei, playing the role of Yuan Shuai's professional "hitman" known as "Clean Cut," emphasized his speed and efficiency.
Terrified, Cao Heng pleaded his innocence, asking what they had done to Qin Yueyuan, seemingly aware of others who had crossed them. Yuan Shuai then presented Cao Heng with a stark choice: live or die. Choosing to live, Cao Heng immediately confessed, stating that Linda was behind everything. Cao Heng recounted the events of five years prior. Linda, then an Executive Director at MH Securities, entrusted him with replacing the beef in Jiang Yaoming's "Jiangnan Flavor" brand.
She promised benefits for success and reassured him of victory if he followed her instructions. Cao Heng, in turn, approached Yin Zaizhong, the production manager of Jiangnan Flavor, and offered him a large sum of money. He appealed to Yin Zaizhong's paternal instincts, highlighting his daughter's life-threatening condition and the immediate need for surgery. Yin Zaizhong, in his desperation, accepted the bribe to swap the quality beef with inferior products.
After the deal was successfully executed, Linda congratulated Cao Heng, but then coldly advised him to disappear from Shanghai, emphasizing that his continued presence would draw too much attention. She offered him a substantial payment for his silence and guaranteed that no one would bother him, effectively severing ties. Cao Heng, feeling threatened and having no other options, agreed, hoping she would keep her word. Returning to the present, Yuan Shuai pressed Cao Heng for details about anyone else involved.
Cao Heng explained that his contact with Linda was always direct. After Linda moved from MH to GE, she appointed him as General Manager of C Group, using him as a front to manage clients. He had a vague feeling there were others involved, as Linda often spoke in terms of "we," but he never knew their identities. Yuan Shuai warned Cao Heng against revealing their meeting.
However, Cao Heng fearfully admitted that he had already informed Linda that Du Lei had previously questioned him. Meanwhile, Du Lei confronted Linda, expressing his disbelief that she would involve herself in Jiang Yaoming's death, which he now knew was no accident. He implored her to reveal the truth for Jiang Jun's sake and their own peace. Linda remained defiant, suggesting Du Lei stop his investigation, warning him of a formidable, unknown enemy.
She also dropped a bombshell: this powerful adversary already knew Jiang Jun's true identity as Jiang Yaoming's daughter, deeply unsettling Du Lei. Separately, Yuan Shuai received intelligence from Su Chang about Yin Zaizhong. After the Jiangnan Flavor incident, Yin Zaizhong, the bribed factory manager, left his position and opened a small store to support his daughter, who suffered from recurrent lymphoma and had less than a year to live.
Yuan Shuai visited Yin Zaizhong at the hospital, where Yin Zaizhong confirmed he took Cao Heng's bribe to fund his daughter's surgery. As Jiang Yaoming's old partner, Yin Zaizhong recounted the growth of the "Yixianqian" brand. He explained that after seeking financing from investment banks, a man and a woman, who were the project managers, came to the factory.
In a flashback, Lin Taimo, then General Manager of MH's Investment Banking Department, aggressively pushed Jiang Yaoming to alter the rice noodle production process to cut costs and increase shelf life, promising to double the brand's valuation. Jiang Yaoming staunchly refused, unwilling to compromise his family's secret recipe or turn his product into "junk food." Linda, standing by Lin Taimo, warned Jiang Yaoming that his stubbornness would lead to his downfall.
Yin Zaizhong continued his story, confirming that the man in charge of the project was Lin Taimo. Hearing Lin Taimo's name profoundly shocked Yuan Shuai. In another conversation, Linda congratulated Lin Taimo on regaining control of MH. Lin Taimo acknowledged her past reminder, admitting he observed Jiang Jun and found her personality similar to her father's.
Linda questioned why he would personally handle a "nobody," to which Lin Taimo responded that one must be careful of such individuals, especially since she was now at GE and couldn't assist him directly. He added that Jiang Jun knew little about the case, and he intended to keep it that way. Back at MH, Qiao Na announced a crucial task for Jiang Jun’s team: securing the Hengsheng Group's President Wang’s M&A deal.
She stated that exceptional performance could lead to a promotion to a manager position. Qiao Na appointed Jiang Jun as team leader, a decision that irked Shen Xin, who resented Jiang Jun’s perceived rise through favoritism. Later, when Shen Xin brought documents to Lin Taimo, he perceived her discontent. He subtly encouraged her ambition, stating that he intentionally created a competitive environment within the team by offering a single promotion opportunity and appointing a team leader.
He implied that the end result was all that mattered, and the methods used to achieve it were irrelevant. Driven by Lin Taimo's words, Shen Xin plotted to sabotage Jiang Jun. She noted that President Wang detested tardiness. Learning that Jiang Jun had a 10 PM meeting with him, Shen Xin feigned unavailability when Jiang Jun invited her along. Shen Xin then tampered with an elevator maintenance sign and disabled the elevator's power.
As Jiang Jun spoke with Yuan Shuai on the phone, mentioning her client meeting and entering the elevator, her call abruptly disconnected. Trapped in the malfunctioning elevator, Jiang Jun desperately called for help, but her phone had no signal. Meanwhile, Du Lei called Yuan Shuai to share his latest findings: Lin Taimo was the true power behind C Group and already knew Jiang Jun was Jiang Yaoming’s daughter.
Yuan Shuai immediately realized Jiang Jun might be in danger, remembering her phone call about meeting a client and entering the elevator. He frantically called her back, but her phone was unreachable. Rushing to her office building, Yuan Shuai searched floor by floor, shouting her name. He finally located her trapped on the 17th floor and, with sheer force, pried open the elevator doors, rescuing an overwhelmed and unconscious Jiang Jun. Yuan Shuai brought Jiang Jun to the hospital.
A doctor reassured him that she was merely in shock and would recover with rest. Sitting by her bedside, Yuan Shuai tenderly held her hand, vowing to protect her and never let her leave him again, declaring that even "God cannot take her away." Du Lei arrived shortly after, witnessing Yuan Shuai's devoted presence by Jiang Jun's side, and a pang of jealousy struck him. His previous determination to seek truth for justice seemed to shift.
He intercepted Lin Taimo, whose driver he had incapacitated, to propose a deal. Lin Taimo, surprised by the aggressive approach, initially dismissed Du Lei, but Du Lei revealed his knowledge of the five-year-old incident and Jiang Yaoming's death, admitting his own involvement and mentioning Yuan Shuai's concurrent investigation. Despite Lin Taimo’s taunts about his past defeats by Yuan Shuai, Du Lei offered a counter-plan: he would share Yuan Shuai's weaknesses if Lin Taimo would "give" Jiang Jun to him.
Lin Taimo was taken aback that Du Lei would negotiate for a woman, but Du Lei emphasized that Jiang Jun was currently unaware of anything and that he would keep a close watch on her. Their only common enemy, he stated, was Yuan Shuai. Lin Taimo thoughtfully considered the proposition. Later, Jiang Jun awoke. Yuan Shuai comforted her and gently revealed that her elevator incident was no accident, but a deliberate act by Shen Xin, who had sabotaged the elevator.
Yuan Shuai suggested holding Shen Xin accountable, but Jiang Jun insisted on handling it herself. She acknowledged her own insensitivity to office politics and believed the incident was a valuable lesson. Upon returning to the office, Shen Xin nervously approached Jiang Jun, feigning concern for her well-being. Jiang Jun confronted her directly, questioning if she considered the consequences of her actions. Shen Xin, feigning ignorance, denied everything and demanded proof.
At that moment, Qiao Na summoned both women to her office. She presented photographic evidence of Shen Xin tampering with the elevator sign, identified by Shen Xin's distinctive bracelet. Faced with irrefutable proof, Shen Xin broke down in tears, realizing she faced dismissal from MH, a ruined career in investment banking, and potential legal charges. She pleaded with Jiang Jun for forgiveness, begging her not to report her to the authorities.
Jiang Jun, however, intervened with Qiao Na, requesting a moment to speak with Shen Xin. Left alone, Jiang Jun chastised Shen Xin for her foolish and petty tactics, pointing out the dire legal consequences she almost faced and the impact on her parents and future. Shen Xin, realizing the gravity of her actions, offered to leave MH and the entire investment banking industry if Jiang Jun would spare her from legal prosecution.
Jiang Jun, however, revealed she had no intention of pursuing charges. She explained that harming Shen Xin would bring her no benefit; instead, it was more advantageous to keep someone with leverage close by, perhaps even to "use her as a scapegoat" someday. Relieved, Shen Xin tearfully thanked Jiang Jun and embraced her. Suddenly, three compliance officers from MH arrived at the office and directly approached Yuan Shuai.
They announced that a formal complaint had been filed against him for accepting bribes and requested his cooperation in an investigation. The entire office was stunned, and Jiang Jun immediately stood up, her brow furrowed with concern.
