Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Episode 25 Recap
> Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard Recap
Jiang Xiaoning finds herself overwhelmed by the preparations for her upcoming general exam, which requires her to complete all credits without any make-up tests. Gu Chuan, despite his busy schedule handling the art gallery's details, diligently creates comprehensive study plans for her, insisting she not only go through them but also master everything. When a large package arrives containing even more study materials, Jiang Xiaoning is visibly dismayed, playfully complaining about a "headache" from studying and yearning to go out.
Her opportunity arises when their cat, Ice Cream, escapes, leading them on a brief search. Upon finding Ice Cream, Jiang Xiaoning jokingly suggests the cat, like her, feels "tired of being stuck at home" and wants to "relax," but Gu Chuan, ever practical, points out she's already had a break and should return to her studies. Meanwhile, Tang Xu reluctantly attends a dinner at his father, Tang Zheng Cheng's, home.
Tang Zheng Cheng attempts to bond by offering homemade dumplings, asking if they evoke childhood memories. However, Tang Xu remains distant, citing company obligations and ending the meal abruptly. He sternly instructs his father not to call him without reason or contact Director Xu, implying Xu Cheng Ran's father.
After leaving, Tang Xu is haunted by flashbacks of his childhood, where he was bullied by other children who mocked him for his father's past as an embezzler, reinforcing his determination to overcome such humiliation and protect those important to him. Later, Jiang Xiaoning's idea of relaxation involves an energetic karaoke session. She sings a passionate song, playfully declaring herself "crazy for love" to Gu Chuan, who observes her intense performance.
She then insists that Gu Chuan sing, attributing it to a "mistake" he made. To her surprise, Gu Chuan reveals a remarkably melodious voice, singing a love song that speaks of Cupid's arrow and becoming Prince Ojedo. Jiang Xiaoning then realizes that during a previous team-building event, Gu Chuan deliberately sang poorly to match her, a fact he confirms, preferring to inflict rather than bear the pain of her singing alone.
She then requests that he only sing for her, a request he readily agrees to, prompting her to express a playful desire to kiss him. At a bar, Tang Xu encounters Su Manlin, noting her frequent visits and apparent distress. Su Manlin reveals her heartbreak, admitting she feels foolish for turning down others for Gu Chuan, only to end up with nothing after he never truly liked her.
Tang Xu empathizes, identifying them as "the same type of people" who hide their deep emotional pain behind a facade of nonchalance. He offers his company, suggesting they could drink together and discuss their failed relationships. Su Manlin shares her despair, acknowledging that Gu Chuan's rejection was a painful lesson. As she becomes increasingly inebriated, Tang Xu takes her to his home, carefully placing her on his bed and leaving a glass of water nearby.
The next morning, Su Manlin wakes up startled by her unfamiliar surroundings but is relieved to find her belongings untouched. Subsequently, Tang Xu visits Gu Chuan at his office, presenting a proposal for Reindeer Group to build a new landmark office building, hinting at his own significant role as the project leader. Gu Chuan agrees to review the proposal.
As Tang Xu departs, he subtly intercepts Jiang Xiaoning, giving her a gift card and telling her it's for her "Aunty" to "make elders happy." Gu Chuan observes this interaction with a hint of jealousy, though Jiang Xiaoning assures him she will return the card. Gu Chuan later informs Xu Cheng Ran about Tang Xu's visit and his rising position at Reindeer Group.
Xu Cheng Ran immediately suspects his father, Tang Zheng Cheng, is trying to prove his son's dependence by orchestrating this project. Despite Gu Chuan's advice for a calm discussion, Xu Cheng Ran confronts his father, firmly rejecting the collaboration and asserting his company's independence. Tang Zheng Cheng clarifies that Tang Xu is his "brother" and that his capabilities are well-recognized by the board.
Feeling underestimated, Xu Cheng Ran, driven by pride, declares his intention to compete fiercely in the public bidding for the project, vowing to prove his company's strength through fair competition. Su Manlin later meets Tang Xu to thank him for his kindness. Tang Xu, sensing her lingering resentment towards Gu Chuan, suggests she quit her job and join Reindeer Group. Su Manlin, however, admits she is still unwilling to give up on Gu Chuan.
Tang Xu advises her to create a "setback" for Gu Chuan, arguing that only when a man is at his lowest can he truly recognize who genuinely cares for him. He proposes a strategic "collaboration" where her actions would help him win back Jiang Xiaoning, and in turn, she might win back Gu Chuan, calling it a "win-win resolution."
Motivated by his father's challenge, Xu Cheng Ran rallies his team, announcing his direct involvement in the bidding process—a departure from his usual non-interference in technical matters. He stresses the absolute necessity of winning this bid to demonstrate their capabilities to his father. He appoints himself as coordinator, with Su Manlin as the first assistant and Cheng Dong as the second assistant. Noticing the team's exhaustion, Jiang Xiaoning offers to buy snacks.
As she steps out, Su Manlin receives a subtle message from Tang Xu, signaling the activation of her agreement with him. Jiang Xiaoning returns with snacks from Lai Yi Fen to find the office empty except for Gu Chuan, who lightheartedly takes her bags, and they share a quiet moment together. That night, Zhao Yan returns late after a dinner with colleagues, much to Xu Cheng Ran's frustration.
He had prepared a large meal for her but was left alone, leading to him expressing his jealousy, which Zhao Yan finds amusing. The following day, as Gu Chuan's team diligently works on the design, Su Manlin receives repeated calls. She discreetly steps out to answer Tang Xu, who pressures her for the design plans.
She reassures him that the plans will be ready soon, and he reminds her that this move is ultimately for her own benefit, aiming to make Gu Chuan's company stock fall to prevent Jiang Xiaoning's blind admiration. Tang Xu simultaneously pushes his subordinate, Zheng, to swiftly establish a new company, ensuring all necessary licenses, office space, and staff are in place.
Tang Xu plans to provide Zheng with the stolen design, instructing his team to modify it so it appears "similar but not exactly the same," confident in their ability to execute this "copying" task. As Gu Chuan and Su Manlin continue refining the design, Jiang Xiaoning offers to help. Su Manlin sends Jiang Xiaoning to buy sandwiches from Wu Yi Street, despite the heavy rain.
Jiang Xiaoning hesitates, prompting Gu Chuan to offer an umbrella, but she insists she can manage. Gu Chuan then explains to Su Manlin that Jiang Xiaoning had a distressing experience on a rainy day, which makes her reluctant to go out in such weather. Su Manlin, with an unexpected level of detail, adds that being "trapped in such a high place" would indeed create a lasting trauma, surprising Gu Chuan with her specific knowledge of Jiang Xiaoning's past.
Finally, the design proposal is complete. Gu Chuan thanks his hardworking team and announces a celebratory dinner. Su Manlin, along with Qiao Meng Jia and Cheng Dong, volunteers to stay behind to oversee the final rendering of the files. While waiting, Su Manlin discreetly initiates a file transfer, distracting Qiao Meng Jia with a conversation. At the celebratory dinner, Su Manlin receives a call from Tang Xu, who is waiting outside.
Despite her internal struggle and feelings of self-disgust, Tang Xu urges her to go through with their plan, arguing that it's "better than always losing." Su Manlin ultimately hands over the data to him. Later, Tang Xu reviews the copied designs with Zheng, stressing his specific requirement: the new designs must look "similar but not exactly the same," confident that Zheng's experienced team can achieve this precise imitation.
