Love on the Turquoise Land Episode 18 Recap
> Love on the Turquoise Land Recaps
Yan Tuo was busy when he received a call from Xing Shen. Xing Shen informed him that the Earth Fiend information Yan Tuo provided had been verified, and they could now cooperate. He also instructed Yan Tuo to wait, cooperate, and avoid causing further trouble, adding that a new phone number would be provided after each call, and he should be notified immediately of any emergencies.
Yan Tuo excitedly called Nie Jiuluo to share the good news, explaining that Xing Shen had agreed and thanking her, as he believed they wouldn't have trusted him without her help. Nie Jiuluo asked what he would do if all the issues were resolved. Yan Tuo confessed he had never dared to think about it but now imagined a peaceful life like hers, with a small world, growing plants, and petting cats.
Nie Jiuluo playfully suggested he was coveting her small courtyard, to which Yan Tuo offered to get her one. She then joked about molding him a clay version instead. As Yan Tuo ended the call, Lin Xirou appeared behind him, startling him. She probed about the "net friend" he was talking to, noting that she had never realized he was so attractive to girls.
She then revealed she knew details about Nie Jiuluo, an independent artist, calling her perfect in every way except for her "background." Lin Xirou announced that her company, Roushan Group, had specifically requested Nie Jiuluo to create large sculptures for their compound. Yan Tuo, trying to maintain a cover, lied that he had a drunken night with Nie Jiuluo, after which she blocked him, playing "hard-to-get."
Feigning concern for Yan Tuo, Lin Xirou declared she wouldn't let him be wronged and had already "arranged" a family dinner for Nie Jiuluo at her home, stating her intention to "personally meet the Mad Hound." Yan Tuo, catching on, expressed excitement, eager to see if Nie Jiuluo could "seal the deal" for him without his direct involvement.
Meanwhile, Nie Jiuluo's housekeeper, Lu, meticulously prepared meals and gave detailed instructions on food preparation and household chores before leaving for the New Year, wishing Nie Jiuluo well and urging her to spend time with her family. Nie Jiuluo later confided in Yan Tuo about Lin Xirou's invitation, explaining that Lin Xirou had obtained their hotel surveillance footage from Heyang and then her personal information, leading to the dinner invitation. Nie Jiuluo apologized for her carelessness.
They discussed Lin Xirou's intentions, agreeing they needed to determine what she knew and suspected. Yan Tuo suggested Nie Jiuluo go into hiding with the South Mountain Hunters, but she countered that refusing the invitation would only make them appear guilty and negate all their past efforts. She reasoned that attending the dinner, though risky, offered a slim chance to understand Lin Xirou’s position, while Lin Xirou herself was also taking a risk.
Yan Tuo reluctantly agreed, promising to instruct Xing Shen to initiate the capture of the four Earth Fiends if anything happened to them. Nie Jiuluo accepted, and both acknowledged they would once again face danger together after a period of separate actions. Nie Jiuluo then asked Yan Tuo how he had explained their relationship to Lin Xirou. He said he claimed they were "lovers," but he had "hurt" her, causing her to "ignore" him.
He added that he told a lie with "room for any excuses." Nie Jiuluo clarified, "So we aren't lovers?" Yan Tuo confirmed, "Right." After a pause, Nie Jiuluo expressed a heartfelt desire for it to be true. The next day, Nie Jiuluo arrived at Lin Xirou’s house. Fourth Sister greeted her and took her bag. Just inside, Yan Tuo asked if she was okay, offering to leave if his presence would ruin her appetite or interfere with their business cooperation.
Lin Xirou ushered them in, where Feng Mi, a toxicology researcher, and Xiong Hei, the quality control manager, introduced themselves as company staff eager to meet the esteemed artist. Feng Mi complimented Nie Jiuluo's beauty, suggesting her art must sell well. Nie Jiuluo subtly retorted, implying that Roushan Group's success was similarly due to Lin Xirou's beauty. Xiong Hei inquired if they had met before, but Nie Jiuluo denied it, stating she rarely socialized with "medical big shots."
During the meal, Nie Jiuluo, despite claiming no expertise, correctly identified a rose note in the aged wine, impressing Lin Xirou. Nie Jiuluo spoke of the arduous nature of sculpting, listing various tools from knives to chainsaws and comparing it to "construction work." At one point, Lin Xirou deliberately pressed on the unhealed wound on Nie Jiuluo's arm to test her reaction; Nie Jiuluo winced in pain but quickly composed herself.
When Lin Xirou offered her giant grouper soup, Yan Tuo interjected that Nie Jiuluo "doesn't eat cilantro." Lin Xirou, undeterred, philosophized about how some ingredients, if forced together, could ruin a soup. She then openly admitted her invitation was indeed related to Yan Tuo. Nie Jiuluo firmly stated her only purpose for being there, now and in the future, was to discuss art collaboration.
When Lin Xirou persisted in trying to make her drink a toast, Nie Jiuluo politely declined and toasted everyone, then tried to leave. Lin Xirou stopped her, apologizing for her "sudden" invitation and agreeing to focus solely on collaboration. To remove Yan Tuo, Lin Xirou then instructed him, Feng Mi, and Xiong Hei to finalize the Shanjiang Institute project, sending them off with a takeaway container for Yan Tuo, who protested he hadn't eaten.
Alone with Nie Jiuluo, Lin Xirou praised her as an independent female artist but suggested Nie Jiuluo's self-imposed limitations and Yan Tuo's "affection" were holding her back. Meanwhile, Yan Tuo, Feng Mi, and Xiong Hei went to another room, where Yan Tuo recounted a cleverly veiled story of his past "relationship" with Nie Jiuluo, describing initial timidity, violent clashes, a sense of betrayal, anger, and eventual efforts to reinvent himself for her, even considering running away.
He spoke of shared meals, dates, and sacrifices, but concluded that the "pain we endured" was too deep to ignore, and they "can't truly go back," hoping his memory of her would eventually fade. This narrative was intended to mislead Feng Mi and Xiong Hei about his true identity and his connection to Nie Jiuluo.
Nie Jiuluo, in her conversation with Lin Xirou, reiterated that despite understanding Lin Xirou's intentions, she and Yan Tuo "can't truly go back," echoing Yan Tuo's words. As Nie Jiuluo prepared to leave, Lin Xirou told Xiong Hei to see her out. Lin Xirou stated that while the past was set and the future was open for their collaboration, she insisted Yan Tuo escort Nie Jiuluo home for her safety. Nie Jiuluo agreed.
Feng Mi later expressed doubts to Lin Xirou, noting Nie Jiuluo's silhouette resembled the person who burned the farm. Lin Xirou dismissed the concern, saying she let Nie Jiuluo leave for the New Year, but then instructed Feng Mi to summon Xiong Hei and Yang Zheng to "do something for me." Concurrently, Lv Xian visited Lin Ling, bringing gifts and wishing Lin Xirou a Happy New Year.
He asked for permission to take Lin Ling out for the New Year's countdown, emphasizing his desire to speak with her privately and promising to share his location and return her safely before dawn. Lin Xirou consented. Lv Xian and Lin Ling went to a beach, where they joyfully set off fireworks. Yan Tuo drove Nie Jiuluo home.
In the car, Nie Jiuluo observed that while they might have "fooled Xiong Hei and Feng Mi," she didn't believe Lin Xirou was deceived. Yan Tuo confirmed no one was following them, but Nie Jiuluo worried it might be "the calm before the storm." Upon reaching Nie Jiuluo's house, they struggled with the door, noting it wasn't as smooth as in dramas. Inside, a water pipe suddenly burst, soaking them both.
Nie Jiuluo, unfamiliar with the main valve, relied on Yan Tuo, who eventually managed to stop the leak. Yan Tuo noticed Nie Jiuluo's arm wound was wet and needed redressing, but she insisted she would handle it and urged him to shower to avoid a cold. Yan Tuo, wearing Nie Jiuluo's too-small pajamas, then made noodles and eggs.
Nie Jiuluo commented on the lack of fireworks, so Yan Tuo used her lighter to ignite small, sparkling fireworks, wishing her a Happy New Year. Nie Jiuluo mused about people making wishes before fleeting things like fireworks, wondering if such wishes, if granted, would also be fleeting. Yan Tuo reassured her, saying that just as Taoist statues patiently await wishes, he would "be here for you." As distant fireworks lit up the sky, they shared an embrace and a kiss.
Meanwhile, Xiong Hei and Feng Mi, following Lin Xirou's instructions, secretly searched Yan Tuo's house but found nothing substantial. Feng Mi complained about the lack of "violent comics or dirty movies," finding the search "boring." Before leaving, Xiong Hei noticed and retrieved a mysterious password box hidden under a pile of stones near the entrance.
