Love Through a Millennium Episode 18 Recap
> Love Through a Millennium Recap
Lin Xiangxiang confided in Jin Jing that she had told Gong Ming not to approach her again. She expressed frustration that he had left her alone after she was injured, finding his actions heartless and unreasonable. Jin Jing acknowledged his behavior was out of line but stressed that their main unresolved issue was whether Gong Ming would return to his own time, which continued to create a rift between them.
Xiangxiang scoffed at Jin Jing, a "love expert" who lacked a partner, to which Jin Jing retorted, "Stop being so talkative." Xiangxiang worried about her head injury affecting her upcoming drama filming and first high-end commercial. Jin Jing assured her that special makeup like concealer could hide the injury for the commercial. Later, Jin Jing accompanied Xiangxiang to apologize to the director, who criticized Xiangxiang for riding a motorcycle after a previous accident.
Jin Jing took responsibility as Xiangxiang's agent, while Xiangxiang also blamed herself. The director, exasperated by the delays, decided to film urgent scenes first and adjust Han Yufei's schedule to accommodate Xiangxiang’s recovery. Han Yufei’s manager, Tianxiu, confirmed that Yufei could adjust his schedule as he was filming reality shows and wanted to rest. The director then warned Jin Jing that artists could be "shameless," but not "shameless," emphasizing the importance of appearances.
Tianxiu then joked with Jin Jing and Xia Xiaonan, saying they behaved like a bickering romantic drama couple and should get together. Jin Jing threatened to make Xia Xiaonan's "bald head into a globe" if he spoke another word. Han Yufei arrived, expressing concern for Xiangxiang's injury. Xia Xiaonan explained that Xiangxiang had fallen, sustaining a minor injury while with Gong Ming, but that Gong Ming had left her at the hospital without a word.
Han Yufei was surprised Gong Ming had reappeared, questioning why he would leave someone injured. Xia Xiaonan quipped that Jin Jing wouldn't get injured if she fell, further annoying Jin Jing. Gong Ming, unable to reach Xiangxiang or find her at home, called Xia Xiaonan for her whereabouts. Xia Xiaonan informed him she was filming at the studio. Gong Ming stated his intention to apologize in person, which Xia Xiaonan found problematic due to Jin Jing's presence.
Later, Jin Jing overheard Xia Xiaonan excitedly mentioning he had just bought swimming trunks in winter and teased him about his eccentric purchase. Han Yufei confronted Gong Ming at the studio, demanding to know why he was still pursuing Xiangxiang after their breakup. Gong Ming stated it was because he wanted to see her and that their relationship was personal.
Han Yufei countered that Xiangxiang was "very tired, very exhausted" because of Gong Ming and had told him she didn't want to see Gong Ming again. Gong Ming admitted that Xiangxiang's injury was indeed his fault due to "something that happened." Han Yufei called Gong Ming a "jinx" and ordered him to stay away, asserting that Gong Ming was not worthy of Xiangxiang.
Xiangxiang, witnessing the exchange, tried to intervene, but Han Yufei reminded her that Gong Ming had abandoned her while she was injured. Later, a dejected Gong Ming sat by a river, where he encountered a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to his mentor. Feeling a strange connection, Gong Ming confided his romantic troubles.
The man, whose surname was Zhang (Gong Ming's mentor's surname), joked about his wife demanding he quit smoking, lamenting that "money can't buy my willingness" and advising Gong Ming not to be overly concerned about relationships as there are "so many women in this world."
He shared his own experience, how he once believed in "love at first sight" and saw his wife as "a fairy descending to earth," but that the realities of daily life had changed everything, turning "pearls into dead fish eyes." He emphasized that men should not "spoil" women and should "never bow your head" or "give in easily," quoting, "Only villains and women are difficult to raise."
Gong Ming, understanding the "truth said in reverse" from his mentor’s modern-day descendant, felt enlightened and resolved to pursue Xiangxiang again. Despite the man's confusion about Gong Ming's references to the Han Dynasty and the future, Gong Ming thanked him and departed. Xia Xiaonan, seeing Gong Ming's renewed determination, sent him the address for Xiangxiang's commercial shoot, calling herself a "great helper." Meanwhile, Ying Yue spoke with her mentor.
Her mentor, observing her lack of cheer, noted he hadn't seen her smile in a long time. Ying Yue, entrusting Gong Ming's belongings to her mentor, declared her decision to "travel freely" to see the "myriad phenomena in the world," as Gong Ming had advised her that the world was "far bigger and broader" than she had experienced, and that she should "be safe in the future."
Her mentor, seeing her resolve, gave his blessing, lamenting that with Gong Ming gone and Ying Yue now leaving, only Wang Mang remained among the three who grew up together. Wang Mang diligently attended to his ailing mother. Zi Xiu was discovered searching for the letter slips Gong Ming had given Wang Mang. Wang Mang confronted him, accusing him of behaving like a "thief" and questioning his "intention."
Zi Xiu admitted he had seen Gong Ming alive and sought the letter slips as evidence for the clan elders. Wang Mang dismissed his claims, asserting Gong Ming was dead and accusing Zi Xiu of a momentary delusion. Zi Xiu, however, insisted he had found Gong Ming at a location described in the letters, suggesting Wang Mang had hidden him. He further accused Wang Mang of protecting Gong Ming out of "intimate friendship," thereby bringing "harm to the family."
Wang Mang, heartbroken, declared that any "intimate friendship" with Gong Ming "has long since disappeared," stating, "My best friend, he will never come here to look for me again." He then threatened to "kill you with my own hands" if Zi Xiu ever showed up at his residence again. At Lin Xiangxiang's commercial shoot, Gong Ming suddenly appeared and declared his intentions to everyone present.
He announced to Xiangxiang that he had "come back and decided to stay," admitting his past mistakes and expressing gratitude. He vowed to "reconcile with you," proclaiming, "If living, I shall return; if dead, I shall long for you forever." He emphasized that "without you, I cannot live alone," moving Xiangxiang to tears as the crew murmured about how handsome he was. Gong Ming then stepped aside, promising to wait for her outside.
Wang Mang's mother awoke briefly, asking her son why he was sleeping by her side. Wang Mang reassured her and asked about her well-being. His mother spoke of a long dream where she lost him, and he sought revenge on the Wang family to change the world of the Han Dynasty. Wang Mang confirmed having the same dream.
His mother advised him not to harbor anger towards the Wang family, reminding him they were his blood relatives, and stated that her only wish was for him to "be safe and happy." Shortly after, as Wang Mang went to fetch water, his mother peacefully passed away. Wang Mang, returning to find her unresponsive, cried out for her. The Wang family, upon hearing the news, urgently sought out Ying Yue.
Ying Yue, just preparing for her journey, rushed to Wang Mang's residence and found him kneeling by his mother's deathbed. Xia Xiaonan encouraged Xiangxiang to embrace love. Outside, Xiangxiang, still holding onto resentment, told Gong Ming not to assume her forgiveness, reminding him of when he "left me alone in the hospital and actually left by yourself."
Gong Ming apologized, explaining that he had been "too angry" upon seeing her injured and had impulsively left to seek revenge on "the culprit" (Wang Mang), a decision he had made "without thinking about it." He added that he had eventually given up on revenge. Xiangxiang then asked if his declaration—that he "cannot live alone without me"—was truly sincere. Gong Ming confirmed, "Yes." Overwhelmed, Xiangxiang confessed, "I miss you so much." Gong Ming responded, "Me too, miss you like crazy," and they embraced.
