Love The Way You Are Episode 22 Recap
> Love The Way You Are Recap
When Ni Hao exposed Eva’s secret, reporters immediately swarmed Jason. Ruan Dongsheng, realizing the situation was dire, pulled Eva away, but she was trembling with fear. He held her close, reassuring her and promising that no harm would come to her. Eva reflected on her past, recalling how she had always fled from fate, defeated by fear and cowardice, constantly making up stories and lying.
She had never had the courage to face the truth of being Zhen Yuanyuan, the "fat girl." This time, she refused to let Ruan Dongsheng run away with her; she decided to go back and speak. With Ruan Dongsheng by her side, Eva returned to the venue. On stage, she transformed into the appearance of the plump Zhen Yuanyuan. Taking the microphone, she publicly admitted to being a fat person.
She spoke about the immense effort and hardship she had endured over the years to conform to societal beauty standards. However, she realized that true beauty was about the freedom of one's soul, self-affirmation, and not blindly following trends. This understanding was the core of her fashion show's design theme. She confessed that she herself had released the news to the press to complement the show. Ni Hao watched from the audience, utterly in disbelief.
Eva's identity revelation did not ruin her; instead, it propelled her to become a popular internet celebrity. Ruan Dongsheng's mother, who watched the live broadcast, also developed a newfound respect for Eva, finally recognizing her brilliance and understanding why Ruan Dongsheng had defied her for Eva. Ruan Dongsheng's mother even expressed a desire to support Eva's new venture, offering an investment.
Ruan Dongsheng politely declined the financial help, explaining he didn't want the money to pressure Eva, but conveyed his mother's well wishes and acceptance of Eva. This change in his mother's attitude deeply warmed Ruan Dongsheng's heart. Meanwhile, Jason met with Eva. He complimented her newfound popularity but quickly clarified that he had not called her to sign her as a model for World Angel.
He explained that World Angel, as an old brand, had a fixed style that would stifle Eva's unique, refreshing talent. Instead, he proposed endorsing her to establish her own fashion brand, a long-held dream of hers. Eva was pleasantly surprised and excitedly agreed to the idea. Afterward, when Ni Hao once again caused trouble for Eva, Xiao Nan immediately suggested calling the police, unable to tolerate his sister being harassed. Luo Yiren agreed, noting Ni Hao's unsettling behavior.
Ruan Dongsheng hesitated, but eventually decided to proceed, asking Luo Yiren to gather evidence. However, Eva intervened, insisting they not involve the police. She believed legal action wouldn't resolve the deep-seated hatred within Ni Hao, and instead, proposed that the story should end where it all began, implying a resolution connected to the past. Following Eva's suggestion, Ruan Dongsheng went to Ni Hao's home. He expressed concern for Ni Hao, inviting him to share any burdens he carried.
Ni Hao, dismissive, told him to leave. Ruan Dongsheng then revealed his intention to reconstruct the Ruan Shi's restaurant not by demolishing it but by restoring it from its existing foundation, transforming it into a non-commercial memorial hall. He offered Ni Hao the responsibility of managing the project, stating his trust in him. Ni Hao, though surprised, internally vowed to sabotage Ruan Dongsheng's plans.
However, once at the restaurant, memories of happy childhood moments with his father surfaced, bringing a smile to his face and making him reluctant to destroy it. He began to organize the reconstruction efforts, instinctively directing workers to arrange things according to his vivid memories of the restaurant's original layout. Eva and Xiao Nan arrived to help, and Eva deliberately broke some plates and items, claiming clumsiness, much to Ni Hao's dismay.
He meticulously collected the remnants, protecting even a pinwheel that Eva had discarded, recalling his father giving it to him as a child. Ni Hao became hyper-vigilant, following Eva to prevent further "damage." Unbeknownst to him, Eva's "clumsiness" was part of Ruan Dongsheng’s scheme: to reawaken Ni Hao’s cherished memories and love for the restaurant, thereby dissipating his hatred.
Eva confirmed this strategy to a curious Xiao Nan, explaining that the best way to resolve Ni Hao's animosity was not to make him forget, but to make him recall the good feelings associated with the restaurant. Later that night, Ni Hao, tormented by the day's events, took out a peace lock given to him by his mother on her deathbed, renewing his vow for revenge. Dressed in black, he doused the restaurant in gasoline.
As he pulled out a lighter, Ruan Dongsheng, Eva, Luo Yiren, and an old man named Uncle Gu appeared, stopping him. Ruan Dongsheng appealed to Ni Hao, hoping to dispel his hatred. Ni Hao retorted, questioning if they could bring his parents back or undo his solitary life.
Luo Yiren then presented shocking evidence from the original police report: the explosion years ago occurred because Ni Hao’s father, Wei Zhong, had broken into the restaurant to steal, was discovered by Ruan Dongsheng’s father, and then assaulted him. The explosion happened when Wei Zhong lit a cigarette, causing a gas leak. Ni Hao vehemently denied it, believing they were fabricating lies.
Uncle Gu, an old restaurant employee, corroborated the story, adding that Ni Hao’s father had stolen from the restaurant multiple times, but Ruan Dongsheng’s kind-hearted father had always forgiven him out of concern for Ni Hao's family. Ruan Dongsheng then pointed to the peace lock around Ni Hao's neck, revealing it was his family's heirloom and had gone missing before his own father’s death. Ni Hao was devastated to find Ruan Dongsheng’s name engraved on it, confirming it was stolen.
Overwhelmed, he cried out in denial. Ruan Dongsheng gently comforted him, assuring him that regardless of his father's actions, his love for Ni Hao remained true. Uncle Gu emphasized that the past was gone and they should choose love over hatred, declaring Ni Hao and Ruan Dongsheng brothers. The next day, Ni Hao tendered his resignation from Qing Group, feeling he could no longer work there.
Ruan Dongsheng refused to accept it, urging him not to feel guilty about the past incident. He told Ni Hao that if he couldn't stay at the company, he could continue managing the restaurant. Ni Hao accepted. Zhen Yuanyuan was pleased, noting that with Ni Hao handling the restaurant, she could fully dedicate herself to developing her own brand. Eva became entirely consumed by her new venture, leaving Ruan Dongsheng feeling neglected.
He complained to Luo Yiren, who, observing his distress, suggested that Xiao Nan move into Eva’s apartment. Luo Yiren pointed out that Eva's apartment only had two rooms, implying Ruan Dongsheng would naturally end up sharing a room with Eva. Delighted by the prospect, Ruan Dongsheng excitedly prepared a meal and tidied his room, anticipating a romantic evening. However, it was Xiao Nan who arrived to move in, surprising Ruan Dongsheng.
Xiao Nan quickly realized Ruan Dongsheng's intentions and warned him against any inappropriate behavior before marriage. Frustrated, Ruan Dongsheng went to Eva's room, expressing his desire to sleep with her. Eva, however, firmly sent him back, humorously warning him that her father, a Muay Thai coach, would beat him mercilessly if he learned they had been intimate before marriage. Defeated, Ruan Dongsheng returned to his shared room with Xiao Nan.
Unable to sleep, they began to talk, and the conversation quickly turned to Eva. Their discussion escalated into a heated argument over who understood Eva better, with each recounting various "firsts" and childhood memories they shared with her. Xiao Nan boasted of their shared childhood, including teaching Ruan Dongsheng to swim, climbing trees, and being chased by dogs. Ruan Dongsheng retorted with claims of his own, including having kissed Eva.
Xiao Nan then dramatically claimed they used to bathe in the same tub, prompting a disgusted reaction from Ruan Dongsheng. Their verbal sparring quickly devolved into physical threats as they almost came to blows.
