Love Me Like I Do Episode 13 Recap
> Love Me Like I Do Recap
Liu Xilai expressed his happiness about Tian Tian being selected for overseas training, congratulating her and promising the company's full support for her dreams. He then mentioned having an unfulfilled wish. Tian Tian, seeing a waiter approach with roses, secretly wondered if he was about to confess his love to her. However, the roses were delivered to another table, leaving her a little disappointed, though she acknowledged her fondness for roses.
Liu Xilai then called a waiter, who presented Tian Tian with a bouquet of baby's breath. Tian Tian was initially confused, thinking it was a "filler flower" and commenting on his "unique taste." Liu Xilai then revealed the flower's meaning: "For you, I'm willing to play a supporting role. I'm no longer the old me who liked to control everything."
He then explained the meaning of blue baby's breath: "I want to give you all the stars, but none of them is as shiny as you are." Tian Tian was touched, questioning if he was still the arrogant CEO or if he was truly willing to change so much for her. Liu Xilai then gave her a necklace, explaining it was a gift he had initially planned to give her at the cinema but was interrupted.
He now presented it as a congratulatory gift for her upcoming training and asked her to accept it. He concluded by assuring her that while he might not be perfect for her now, he would strive to become the right person. The next morning, Liu Xilai was delighted to receive a batch of heart-shaped cookies that Tian Tian had personally baked for him. Tian Tian explained they were healthy, with zero sugar, zero fat, and plenty of fiber.
As they sweetly shared them, Liu Xilai exclaimed that they tasted like "happiness." He couldn't stop praising their perfect color, fragrance, and shape, declaring them a delicacy that overshadowed all others. He then called Li Huai, only to brag about the cookies. When Li Huai asked why he was there just to listen to praise for cookies, Liu Xilai stated that as his friend, Li Huai had to witness such a memorable event.
He strictly forbade Li Huai from tasting them. Li Huai sarcastically suggested turning the cookies into specimens for an exhibition, a "good idea" Liu Xilai surprisingly agreed with. Li Huai then teased Liu Xilai for acting like a "fool" over cookies and wondered if his "mean" way of speaking alienated potential dates.
Li Huai warned him that a long-distance relationship could be a "number one killer" for their budding romance and that Tian Tian might meet a handsome and talented man with whom she shared more in common during her three-month training. Liu Xilai confidently retorted that he had already elevated Tian Tian's standards and that they were now "on the same wavelength," like parallel lines gradually converging.
Li Huai, however, cautioned that parallel lines, after a brief convergence, might drift further apart. Just then, Assistant Tang called Liu Xilai with urgent news. Liu Xilai, after calmly telling him to compose himself, learned that Luo Ci would be a special tutor for Tian Tian's toy design training. Liu Xilai's good mood instantly evaporated, and he angrily told Li Huai to "shut up," calling him a prophet.
That night, Liu Xilai was tormented by a vivid nightmare, reliving the car crash, hearing urgent calls to "wake up." He jolted awake, disturbed that he hadn't had such a nightmare in a long time. The thought of Tian Tian spending three months abroad with Luo Ci consumed him, filling him with dread about potential consequences.
He was torn, knowing that preventing Tian Tian from going would crush her dreams, yet he couldn't bear the thought of her bonding with his rival. He spent the night sleepless. The next morning, he called Assistant Tang, claiming he had a cold from the air conditioner and insomnia, stating he wouldn't come to the office. He instructed Assistant Tang to bring any urgent documents to his home.
Assistant Tang, intuiting Liu Xilai's true intentions, asked if his insomnia was due to Tian Tian's upcoming training abroad with Luo Ci. Liu Xilai sternly told him to get back to work. Realizing Liu Xilai's "irascible" mood, Assistant Tang decided to send Tian Tian to deliver the files instead, telling her she "came at the right time." Alone, Liu Xilai declared, "No! I can't let that happen!"
He determined he could no longer give Tian Tian the "freedom" that would allow her to bond with his rival. Tian Tian arrived, surprised to find Liu Xilai already trying to quickly groom himself. She told him not to worry about his appearance while sick, adding that she found his current disheveled look to have a "dispirited charm," though she quickly joked that she was only kidding.
Liu Xilai, having quickly tidied up, declared that even sick, he possessed an "unaffected charm." Tian Tian then offered him medicine. Liu Xilai, however, began to act dramatically, complaining that she still called him "Mr. Liu" despite his grand gestures and her homemade cookies. When she asked what else to call him, he suggested "Oppa" or "dear," which she found too cheesy to utter. He then refused his medicine, first claiming it was too hot, then too cold.
He whined that his "girlfriend" was scolding him and calling him "Mr. Liu," making him too sad to take it. Tian Tian gently reminded him he was only a "probationary boyfriend," but he countered that it still meant he was a future boyfriend. Eventually, she agreed to call him "Xilai" at home, but insisted on "Mr. Liu" at the company.
After he finally took the medicine, Tian Tian attempted to leave for work, but Liu Xilai stopped her, feigning hunger and calling her "cruel" for wanting him to work on an empty stomach. Tian Tian found his childish whining "cute" and agreed to make him breakfast. As they ate, Liu Xilai wistfully expressed his wish for time to stop so she wouldn't have to go abroad.
Later, when Tian Tian noted his fever had subsided and asked if he was still uncomfortable, he dramatically questioned if that meant he was fully recovered and she could leave him. He implored her to stay, and she, resigned, asked what he needed. He requested she simply chat with him. Tian Tian, however, brought out a company-developed AI robot, playfully suggesting it could fulfill his desire for conversation and even sing, echoing his past words to her.
Liu Xilai immediately clutched his head, claiming it hurt more, and declared he no longer wanted to chat. He then suggested watching TV to distract himself. As they watched a romance drama, a kissing scene played, making Tian Tian visibly awkward. She suggested changing the channel, but Liu Xilai argued it was a good depiction of true feelings. Tian Tian quickly asked to fast forward, deeming current TV "inappropriate for kids," and suggested they rest instead.
Liu Xilai reminded her they weren't children. He then began removing his watch, claiming it was tight, and unbuttoned his shirt, saying he felt hot. Tian Tian, confused and concerned, asked what he was doing, reminding him of his illness. Leaning close, Liu Xilai finally revealed his true desire, asking softly, "Can you stay? Can you not go abroad?"
Tian Tian noticed Liu Xilai's pale face and his sudden complaints of chest tightness, dizziness, and a feeling of being "struck by lightning." She immediately suspected his erythrophobia (fear of redness) had relapsed, worrying if his cold had worsened or if it was the phobia acting up again. Liu Xilai, sensing her misunderstanding, dramatically claimed he felt fine only when she was by his side, but the thought of her leaving made him breathless.
Realizing Tian Tian's confusion was an unexpected opportunity, he internally considered it "God giving him a chance." Shortly after, he received a call, implied to be Luo Ci, suggesting he and Tian Tian take the same flight to the training for mutual care. Liu Xilai internally bristled, thinking, "My woman, why would I need you to take care of her?"
He then intensified his act, telling Tian Tian he couldn't live without her and that the entire room seemed red, making his head spin. Convinced his erythrophobia had worsened, Tian Tian insisted on taking him to Li Huai. Liu Xilai initially feigned resistance, saying he only needed her, but eventually went along. At Li Huai's clinic, Tian Tian anxiously explained Liu Xilai's symptoms, asking if his erythrophobia had "upgraded."
Catching Liu Xilai's subtle pleas, Li Huai, after a moment, told Tian Tian he needed to conduct further examinations and asked her to wait outside. Once alone, Li Huai confronted Liu Xilai about his elaborate scheme to keep Tian Tian. Liu Xilai admitted he hadn't intended to lie but merely "chose not to explain" when Tian Tian misunderstood.
He argued that while training opportunities were annual, three months alone with Luo Ci would seal his fate, causing him to lose Tian Tian forever. Li Huai expressed reluctance to participate in the deception, suggesting Liu Xilai simply tell Tian Tian his feelings. Liu Xilai vehemently refused, stating he couldn't say it aloud and found it unacceptable to be put in a "choice" against a "superficial playboy" like Luo Ci, as he was always the one doing the choosing.
He also confessed his fear of rejection. Li Huai remarked on Liu Xilai's uncharacteristic insecurity. Liu Xilai declared he wouldn't waste this divine opportunity and would "seal the car door" to prevent Tian Tian from leaving until his "boyfriend status" was official, promising to arrange private elite training for her later. Li Huai then called Tian Tian back in. Tian Tian anxiously asked about Liu Xilai's condition, fearing the worst.
Li Huai, playing his part, explained that Liu Xilai's erythrophobia was psychosomatic and thanked Tian Tian for making Liu Xilai's life richer and "normal." He then implied that Tian Tian's recent "changes" (her impending departure for training) had caused his insecurity and relapse, adding that she was "the only one who could help him," using an idiom about untying the bell.
Liu Xilai quickly interjected, reinterpreting Li Huai's words to mean that "companionship is the cure" and that he needed her to stay by his side for "observation and treatment." Li Huai reluctantly confirmed this, then added that Tian Tian could also help Liu Xilai by finding the truth behind his fears and helping him face them, hinting at a deeper psychological root. Liu Xilai understood the underlying message.
Unbeknownst to Liu Xilai, Tian Tian later discussed with her friend, Rose, about baking cookies for Liu Xilai, not Luo Ci. Rose questioned if Liu Xilai had forced her, but Tian Tian defended him, saying he wasn't "that kind of person." Rose then asked if she had fallen for the "fragile boss," to which Tian Tian clarified he was not fragile and had abs.
Rose concluded that Liu Xilai's "blind date trick" must have worked, but Tian Tian explained he was just awkward with girls and had been misled by Assistant Tang, and he had already apologized. Rose was surprised by Tian Tian's sudden change from complaining to defending him, but Tian Tian countered that people change, and even a "big boss" could become agreeable. Rose observed that a "Taoist girl" (Tian Tian's previous moniker) in love could indeed become very gentle.
