Love The Way You Are Episode 23 Recap
> Love The Way You Are Recap
Xiao Nan rushed to Yiren's office, distressed, claiming Ruan Dongsheng had forced him to share a bed and then physically abused him. Yiren quickly closed the door, concerned about being overheard. As Eva arrived, Xiao Nan, who was already there, remained hidden from Eva. Eva eagerly showed Yiren a video she had recorded of Xiao Nan and Ruan Dongsheng fighting, which surprised Yiren.
Xiao Nan, unable to bear their enjoyment of the video, snatched the phone, accusing both women of finding pleasure in others' misery. Eva mentioned that Ruan Dongsheng had been acting strangely recently. Yiren surmised he was jealous, specifically of Xiao Nan. Eva was confused, explaining that she and Xiao Nan were like siblings. Yiren clarified that despite their close bond, they were not blood relatives, and suggested Eva needed to address Ruan Dongsheng's emotional distress.
Eva realized she had indeed been neglecting Ruan Dongsheng due to her busy schedule establishing her new brand. To reassure Ruan Dongsheng, Eva playfully led him, blindfolded, to her first independent clothing brand store. Upon revealing the store sign, Ruan Dongsheng saw the brand name, a combination of their last names (Zhen for Eva's original name, and Ruan for his), which deeply moved him. Eva apologized for her recent busyness, affirming that she missed him every moment.
Ruan Dongsheng confessed his jealousy of Xiao Nan, who had shared years of history and inside jokes with Eva. He explained his lifelong loneliness until he met her, when he realized he despised solitude. Eva was touched, promising Ruan Dongsheng he would never be alone again and that she was his family. Interpreting Eva's words about being his family as a hint for marriage, Ruan Dongsheng, determined to propose first, called Xiao Nan and Yiren for advice.
Both offered suggestions, but Yiren dismissed Xiao Nan's elaborate "dream proposal" as unsuitable for Ruan Dongsheng's personality. Ruan Dongsheng then sought Rebecca's opinion, but she refused to get involved, citing the value of her friendship with Eva. Ruan Dongsheng unveiled his own plan: a grand fashion show in a public square, followed by an immediate marriage registration. Rebecca, Xiao Nan, and Yiren collectively dismissed his idea as overly simplistic. Eventually, Xiao Nan suggested a more discreet proposal at a hotel.
Later, while Eva was discussing work with Xiao Nan, she noticed he was distracted by his phone, constantly smiling at messages. Suspecting something, Eva secretly went to Yiren, expressing her concern that Xiao Nan might be cheating, especially since he had lied about having a date with Yiren.
Yiren, who was in on Ruan Dongsheng's plan, made an excuse to leave, but Eva, still suspicious of the trio's secretive behavior, followed Yiren to a restaurant by the sea, which was the actual proposal venue. As Ruan Dongsheng, dressed in a panda costume, prepared for what Eva thought was a rehearsal, she expressed surprise at the unexpected setting. Quick-thinking, Ruan Dongsheng kicked Xiao Nan, who immediately knelt and proposed to Yiren.
Caught off guard but playing along to avoid exposing Ruan Dongsheng's real plan, Yiren accepted. Eva, overjoyed and completely fooled, congratulated them heartily. After Ruan Dongsheng removed his panda head and explained he was tricked, Eva jokingly admonished Xiao Nan for keeping such a big secret but continued to express her happiness for the "newly engaged" couple.
Back home, Yiren attempted to remove the ring, but Xiao Nan insisted she keep it, promising a future proposal involving "ten dolphins" arranged in a heart shape, which Yiren found absurd. Ruan Dongsheng visited Ni Hao at his reconstructed restaurant. Their past conflicts were resolved, and Ni Hao agreed to manage the restaurant, suggesting it would be the perfect place for Ruan Dongsheng's proposal.
Simultaneously, Ruan Dongsheng's mother met Eva and offered a sincere apology for causing her illness and for the public humiliation she endured from the love letter ten years prior. She expressed her acceptance of Eva and invited her home. At the house, Ruan Dongsheng's mother showed Eva his childhood room, meticulously maintained by Mama Huang, and old photos of Eva, revealing that Ruan Dongsheng had loved her since they were children.
Eva innocently mentioned that she was also present at the restaurant during the explosion. Ruan Dongsheng's mother reacted with visible shock and abruptly asked Eva to leave. Disturbed by the sudden change in Ruan Dongsheng's mother's demeanor, Eva suspected a connection to the explosion and sought out Uncle Gu. Reluctantly, Uncle Gu revealed that the gas leak during the incident was caused by a "fat girl" who had entered the kitchen and tampered with the gas valve.
The horrifying truth dawned on Eva: she was that girl. Overwhelmed with guilt, she broke down, realizing she was responsible for Ruan Dongsheng's father's death and his loss of taste. Uncle Gu urged her to keep this secret from Ruan Dongsheng. Unaware of Eva's devastating discovery, Ruan Dongsheng finalized his proposal preparations at the meticulously restored restaurant. As fireworks illuminated the night sky, Ruan Dongsheng knelt, professing his undying love and asking Eva to marry him.
However, Eva's mind was consumed by the crushing weight of her past actions and the suffering she believed she had inflicted on him. Unable to accept, she tearfully apologized, then turned and fled, leaving Ruan Dongsheng kneeling in disbelief as she departed in a taxi.
