Love Me Like I Do Episode 10 Recap
> Love Me Like I Do Recap
Assistant Tang, attempting to verify Tian Tian's feelings for Liu Xilai, suggested the "drunk test method." He arranged for Liu Xilai to appear heavily intoxicated and had a bartender call Tian Tian to pick him up, hoping she would reveal her true emotions. Tian Tian, though hesitant, went to the bar and with much difficulty, brought a supposedly drunk Liu Xilai home.
As she helped him into his house, she was momentarily captivated by his handsome features, observing his perfect eyebrows, delicate skin, and lips that resembled jelly. However, she quickly dismissed these thoughts as inappropriate. While Tian Tian went to the bathroom to collect herself and prepare honey water, Liu Xilai, who had been faking his drunkenness, quickly threw himself onto the floor, having mistakenly thought she had left. Tian Tian returned, roused him, and offered the honey water.
Liu Xilai, still feigning intoxication, tried to coax a confession from her, promising to grant any wish. To his disappointment, Tian Tian simply requested a half-day leave for her efforts in caring for him that night. She reasoned that since his condition was stable, she was no longer needed as his special assistant. Liu Xilai conceded, but his hopes for a heartfelt declaration remained unfulfilled. Disappointed after Tian Tian's departure, Liu Xilai continued his pursuit through text messages.
He asked Tian Tian if he could call her "Ah Tian" or "Sweetie Tian" to acknowledge their close working relationship, which made Tian Tian uncomfortable. She later confessed to her friend Rose that she suspected Liu Xilai might like her. Rose, however, systematically debunked Tian Tian's theories.
She dismissed Liu Xilai's "attentions"—his visits during her field work, shared meals, asking her to pick him up while drunk, and giving her a personalized breakfast with his cutouts—as mere management tactics by a "weirdo boss" who was exploiting her labor and would only invite jealousy from colleagues. Rose then reminded Tian Tian of "the three great delusions of life," the third being "he likes me," leading Tian Tian to believe her feelings were merely wishful thinking.
Meanwhile, Senior Luo Ci invited Tian Tian to participate in the launch of the Dafu Fund's "Home for Strays" project. Tian Tian happily accepted, expressing her enthusiasm for charity work and her enjoyment of working with Luo Ci. Luo Ci showed her his design for an outdoor cat climbing frame and encouraged her to add her own ideas.
Tian Tian suggested enclosing the cat houses to provide the insecure stray animals with a sense of safety and shelter, impressing Luo Ci with her imagination and empathy. During their collaboration, Liu Xilai called Tian Tian to invite her to dinner the following evening. Tian Tian politely declined, stating she already had plans.
Liu Xilai, frustrated by her rejection, complained to Assistant Tang, who suggested he should have made the invitation more enticing, perhaps mentioning a reserved restaurant and candlelight dinner. However, Liu Xilai insisted on respecting Tian Tian's time and refused to resort to "moral kidnapping," showcasing his newfound consideration. Assistant Tang, still lamenting his own unappreciated efforts, speculated that Tian Tian's weekend plans must be something unavoidable like a "natural disaster" to be more important than spending time with Liu Xilai.
Tian Tian joined the construction efforts for the animal shelter. During a material inspection, she surprised the delivery person, and Luo Ci, by demonstrating her strength. When the supplier tried to pass off inferior wood instead of the ordered oak, claiming it was "very strong, people can't even break them," Tian Tian easily snapped a piece, forcing him to replace the materials. Luo Ci found her "righteous violence" quite adorable.
Later, as Tian Tian struggled to hang a decoration, Liu Xilai appeared and offered assistance, taking over from Luo Ci who was also present. Tian Tian was surprised by his presence, but the curator explained that Liu Xilai, as a major sponsor, had been invited to attend the launch ceremony.
Liu Xilai's arrival directly disrupted Luo Ci's attempts to further interact with Tian Tian, and a subtle rivalry between the two men began, with Liu Xilai asserting his dominance and Luo Ci implicitly expressing his determination not to yield. A kitten approached Liu Xilai, who, having never interacted with small animals, was initially hesitant. Tian Tian noticed his discomfort and gently held the cat, interacting with him and gradually easing his apprehension.
Tian Tian's desire to smell Liu Xilai's unique scent also made him a bit flustered. She explained that his perfume had a mint scent that cats love. Tian Tian also shared that the kitten had been rescued with injuries and was very insecure, implying that Liu Xilai's gentle touch had won its trust, to his surprise. Watching Tian Tian's joyful interaction with the animals, Liu Xilai felt his heart "burst with joy."
Assistant Tang captured a photo of Liu Xilai and Tian Tian with the cat, presenting it proudly to Liu Xilai, who acknowledged his improvement. Soon after, Liu Xilai realized Tian Tian had disappeared and found her talking with Luo Ci. Luo Ci discreetly gave Tian Tian a pendant, explaining it featured a hidden logo similar to one in her illustrations. Tian Tian was delighted and impressed that Luo Ci had noticed such a subtle detail in her work.
Just as Luo Ci reached out to brush her hair, Liu Xilai loudly called out Tian Tian's name, rushed over, and pulled her away. Tian Tian confronted Liu Xilai, accusing him of being rude and creating misunderstandings with Luo Ci. Liu Xilai defended his actions, claiming he was simply demonstrating how Luo Ci had almost touched her face. In an attempt to "recreate the scene of the accident," Liu Xilai accidentally touched Tian Tian's face himself.
Flustered and blushing, Tian Tian quickly turned and rushed away, even momentarily heading in the wrong direction. Liu Xilai, discussing the incident with Assistant Tang, rationalized his actions as merely a demonstration. Assistant Tang, however, saw Tian Tian's intense reaction as proof of her secret feelings for Liu Xilai, interpreting her retreat as shyness rather than rejection, perhaps even excitement.
Liu Xilai, convinced by this, concluded that Tian Tian was indeed shy and that no one, especially not Luo Ci, could compare to his own excellence. Assistant Tang then revealed he had arranged for the curator to give Tian Tian two movie tickets for a romantic film, confident that she would soon invite Liu Xilai on a date. Liu Xilai, anticipating their movie outing, was once again immersed in blissful fantasies.
