My Dear Lady Episode 10 Recap
> My Dear Lady Recap
Ling Xunxun visited Zhou Quan for a pollen allergy, a result of Cheng Li filling her home with flowers. Zhou Quan noted Cheng Li's extravagance, but Ling Xunxun insisted it was the thought that counted. Zhou Quan then directly asked if Ling Xunxun and Cheng Li were officially dating, to which Ling Xunxun admitted she was being "greedy" and wanted to "try it once," even if it felt like getting something that didn't belong to her.
Meanwhile, Cheng Li was on the phone, excitedly telling Wang Dong that he was dating, to Wang Dong's exasperation, as Cheng Li had apparently called all their mutual friends for help in his pursuit. Ling Xunxun explained to Zhou Quan that her decision came after Cheng Li, despite not having been to a movie theater in ten years due to his aversion to dark spaces, accompanied her to a film.
Though they only watched for forty minutes, she could tell how difficult it was for him, noting his sweaty, cold hands. She felt he cared for her like an adult, and her heart would be "too cold-blooded" not to be moved. Zhou Quan advised Ling Xunxun that relationships are unpredictable, like her past marriage to Shi Shaozu, and that it's best to aim for a happy ending while enjoying every moment of the journey.
Cheng Li later attempted to share his excitement with Jin Hui, who promptly hung up, declaring she didn't want to hear him "showing off" his love. Later, Ling Xunxun reflected on her new relationship, resolving to be energized and good to Cheng Li, but first needing to tell him the truth about her child. Zhou Quan apologized for previously advising Ling Xunxun to hide DuDu's existence, admitting she hadn't anticipated the seriousness of Ling Xunxun's relationship with Cheng Li.
Ling Xunxun felt manipulative for keeping it a secret and decided she would confess to him tomorrow. If he couldn't accept her lie and her having a child, she would resign, though she still felt "worthy" of his affection. The next morning, Zhou Quan rushed out, having received a text that Hui Yiwang had landed and was back. At the office, Cheng Li pulled Ling Xunxun into his office and hugged her.
He complimented her scent, saying it was the laundry powder he bought for her. Ling Xunxun told him she had something important to tell him that night and asked if he was free. Cheng Li playfully asked if she was planning to confess her love and if she had a present, to which Ling Xunxun replied that she was the present herself. They agreed to meet later.
Meanwhile, Zhou Quan arrived at Hui Yiwang's doorstep, only to discover Mo Yunyun inside. Hui Yiwang tried to explain that Mo Yunyun was there because she was getting a divorce and needed a place to rest, but Zhou Quan was furious, sarcastically asking if Mo Yunyun was already pursuing someone else before her divorce was even finalized. Zhou Quan quickly left.
Ling Xunxun later called Zhou Quan to gossip, and Zhou Quan, still upset, complained about Mo Yunyun's return, calling her the "top angelic b"tch." Ling Xunxun tried to reassure her, but Zhou Quan expressed feeling like a failure in Mo Yunyun's presence. Ling Xunxun had also reached out to a former teacher, Teacher Zhou, to inquire about Cheng Li's school history.
The teacher found nothing unusual about Cheng Li as a student, but noted there was a striking lack of information about his school years, as if someone had intentionally removed it. Furthermore, Cheng Li's mother had annually donated to the school after he transferred.
When Ling Xunxun showed this to Cheng Li, he found it odd that his mother, who never cared for him while he was at school, started donating after he left, joking he must have caused "big trouble." Ling Xunxun expressed anxiety that her efforts yielded nothing special. Cheng Li reassured her that his illness likely had nothing to do with his school days, and his mother had her reasons for keeping things secret.
Later, Mike approached Ling Xunxun, insisting they go to the rooftop for coffee and asking directly if she and Cheng Li were together. Ling Xunxun refused to answer, but Cheng Li suddenly appeared, asserting his claim on Ling Xunxun and ordering Mike to stay away from her. Mike, angered, couldn't bring himself to wish them happiness, challenging Cheng Li about the "barriers" in their relationship and accusing him of not being serious.
Mike also declared his own feelings for Ling Xunxun, identifying himself as a "straight and strong man" who had the right to like her, and suggested that he could offer her the love and security she desired, unlike a "random person" who would cause her regret. Cheng Li vehemently retorted that he was not a "random person." As Mike left, he conceded that he was the "random person."
Their colleagues, witnessing the confrontation, speculated about Ling Xunxun's relationship with their boss. Ling Xunxun asked Cheng Li if they could keep their relationship low-key at the company, concerned about how many people they would have to explain things to if they ever broke up. Cheng Li dismissed her worries, emphasizing that he wanted to tell the whole world she was his, and that he was the one who should feel insecure, especially with Mike now publicly fighting for her.
Cheng Li then announced that everyone in the office could leave early, stating he could now "publicly show our relationship in the office." Ling Xunxun questioned the appropriateness of his actions, to which he declared he was like a "macho boss of an idol drama," and reiterated his desire to give her love, not burden her.
That evening, Mike and Bao Xiaojing went to a KTV, where Mike, feeling heartbroken over Ling Xunxun, called her a "big fool," and Bao Xiaojing retorted that Mike was the "big fool." Cheng Li had booked an entire restaurant for their dinner. Ling Xunxun found it a bit exaggerated and wasteful.
Their dinner was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Cheng Li's mother, who questioned if Ling Xunxun was truly a "girl" and presented Cheng Li with photos of Ling Xunxun and her son, DuDu. Cheng Li's mother accused Ling Xunxun of being manipulative, seeking to change her life through marriage, and of trying to conceal the truth. Cheng Li, initially protective, dismissed his mother's intervention, telling her not to use "business tricks" on his family.
However, Ling Xunxun, seeing the photos, admitted that DuDu was indeed her son. She confessed that she had lied on her application because she desperately needed the job, initially believing that having a son wouldn't impact her work. She explained that she had intended to be honest with him tonight. Cheng Li’s mother pressed the issue, questioning if Ling Xunxun would have ever confessed without the photos. Ling Xunxun, tearfully, admitted her lie and expressed her deep regret.
She clarified that she never sought to improve her life through marriage, having previously sacrificed herself for a harmonious family in her last marriage, and never wanted to gain anything from Cheng Li. Seeing her tears, Cheng Li pulled her away from the restaurant, declaring that his love for her and his acceptance of her was solely their business, not his mother's.
After they left, Cheng Li’s mother sighed to her assistant, admitting that if Ling Xunxun hadn't touched upon past matters, she would have let her go. In the car, Cheng Li expressed his deep disappointment, wishing Ling Xunxun had confessed to him personally instead of being exposed by his mother, saying she had treated him like a fool. Ling Xunxun, apologetic, offered to resign the next day, hoping to spare him any discomfort.
But Cheng Li, still angry, questioned why she wanted to leave before he had even fully processed his emotions, even threatening her with a breach of contract lawsuit if she quit. Upon returning to Cheng Li's house, he shut himself in his room. Distraught, Ling Xunxun called Zhou Quan, crying and expressing how terrible she felt and how she couldn't bear Cheng Li's coldness. Zhou Quan rushed to her side, comforting her.
Zhou Quan assured Ling Xunxun that she wasn't entirely wrong for loving someone and having expectations. She advised Ling Xunxun that Cheng Li also needed time to digest the news, especially since he was now facing the prospect of becoming a stepfather. Zhou Quan pointed out that Cheng Li wasn't emotionally mature and was likely as hurt as Ling Xunxun. She encouraged Ling Xunxun to face him without being overly humble or pushy.
Elsewhere, a drunk Mike was live-streaming, publicly removing his makeup. He candidly expressed his frustration with having to pretend to be "sissy" to succeed as a cosmetic blogger, claiming the industry saw "straight men" as having "improper aesthetic value." He tearfully confessed his love for a girl he had been too afraid to confess to, only for her to now be dating someone else. Ling Xunxun watched his livestream, letting out a quiet sigh.
The next day, Ling Xunxun's ex-husband called, claiming DuDu wanted to see her. Ling Xunxun rushed over, but DuDu was not there, having already fallen asleep. Her ex-husband revealed that her parents had called him, having been unable to reach her. Ling Xunxun explained she hadn't told her parents about their divorce because they had nearly disowned her for marrying him initially, and she couldn't bear to admit her carefully chosen husband had cheated.
Her ex-husband then suggested they remarry for DuDu's sake. Ling Xunxun firmly refused, saying she wouldn't remarry him just for him to continue having affairs. She asserted that even if she had been blind once, she wouldn't be blind forever. The following morning, Cheng Li ignored the breakfast Ling Xunxun prepared, maintaining a cold demeanor on his way to work.
At the office, Mike appeared with a new image, which Bao Xiaojing and other colleagues encouraged, despite the awkwardness of his viral livestream. During a meeting about Yumeiling Cosmetics, Ling Xunxun proposed a new marketing strategy based on people's association of the brand with "smells like mom," suggesting they target mothers who used Yumeiling skincare products to now use its makeup. Although initially met with skepticism, Director Lin praised her idea, encouraging her to be more confident.
Director Lin later privately told Ling Xunxun that working after a divorce was "not a big deal," as she herself was divorced and had a child, a sentiment echoed by another colleague. Later, Cheng Li, still cold, assigned Ling Xunxun to work overtime and ordered her to fetch him roasted goose from a specific, non-delivery restaurant across the city.
After Ling Xunxun went to get the food, Cheng Li texted her, saying he was no longer eating the takeout as he had dinner with a client. Ling Xunxun, left with the roasted goose, sadly sat by the roadside and ate it alone.
