My Dear Lady Episode 11 Recap
> My Dear Lady Recap
Feeling dejected, Cheng Li spoke on the phone to his former house manager, confiding that he had lost his love. He expressed his hurt that Ling Xunxun had lied to him about having a child, calling the revelation a "bombshell" that was too sudden, especially since his own mother had been the one to inform him, causing him immense embarrassment.
His friend reassured him that Ling Xunxun likely hadn't intended to deceive him, as her employment agreement might have restricted having a child, and initially, they were only colleagues. It was only when their relationship became romantic that she had a reason to confess, which she did as soon as possible.
He questioned if Cheng Li was more upset about the lie itself or his inability to accept Ling Xunxun and her child, suggesting that his mother might have used this situation to drive a wedge between them. He urged Cheng Li to cherish Ling Xunxun, noting how difficult it was for him to form relationships. Ling Xunxun, overhearing Cheng Li's phone call, felt a pang of sadness.
Ling Xunxun decided to move to Zhou Quan's place to give Cheng Li space but promised to continue making his breakfast and driving him to work daily. Later, Zhou Quan met Hui Yiwang for lunch, but her mood soured instantly when Mo Yunyun arrived. Annoyed, Zhou Quan quickly drove away, leaving Hui Yiwang behind. That evening, Ling Xunxun received a notification about a power outage at Cheng Li's apartment complex.
Concerned about his fear of the dark, she immediately drove back to his place. Her previously installed solar lamp proved effective in the dim apartment. Cheng Li, who had deliberately manipulated the building management to cut the power even after it was fixed, used the darkness to his advantage, pulling Ling Xunxun closer and kissing her. The next morning, Cheng Li's demeanor became noticeably cold.
He asked Ling Xunxun to drive him to a flower shop, which upset her, as she suspected he was buying flowers for another woman like Jin Hui, despite knowing he was allergic to pollen. When she confronted him about his inconsistent behavior, Cheng Li retorted that her annoyance was nothing compared to what he had endured. In the car, Cheng Li revealed the flowers were for his deceased father; it was the anniversary of his death.
At the cemetery, Cheng Li placed his father's favorite cigarettes and the best wine, which he bought with his mother's money, at the grave. He mused that his life would have been different and happier if his father were still alive, even if he weren't as wealthy. Ling Xunxun tried to console him, saying his father would want him to live a happy life to alleviate his own guilt.
Cheng Li then realized he had lost his father's lighter, a cherished gift. Ling Xunxun went back to search for it and spotted a woman, Auntie Tong, with a young boy at Cheng Li's father's grave. They quickly fled upon seeing her. Before Ling Xunxun could tell Cheng Li, he had already seen the boy, Zhao Yan, who bore an uncanny resemblance to his father.
Devastated by the revelation of his half-brother, Cheng Li was overcome with grief, and Ling Xunxun held him in comfort. Cheng Li fell ill that night, and Ling Xunxun stayed by his side. He asked her to hug him, saying he felt cold, and they fell asleep embracing each other. The next morning, Cheng Li, in a much brighter mood, ordered a large takeout breakfast for them.
As they ate, he playfully likened her to an adorable and sad hedgehog without its spurs, and a little furry ball. Later, they went for a bike ride. Ling Xunxun mentioned often bringing DuDu there with Zhou Quan. Cheng Li expressed envy, recalling his own mother never taking him out to play.
Ling Xunxun defended his mother, acknowledging the difficulties of being a strong woman at that time and admitting she might have acted similarly if she were in her position. She argued that white lies told to protect a child, though still lies, are sometimes preferable, and that the love mothers have for their children is unchanging. Cheng Li asked if she was defending his mother or excusing her own lie.
Ling Xunxun then asked if he could forgive her and if they could simply be friends, to which Cheng Li replied that he needed to think about it. Their conversation was interrupted by a wedding company representative who mistook them for a couple and invited them to take wedding photos. Ling Xunxun quickly clarified they were not a couple but expressed interest in learning about the company's marketing strategies, asking Cheng Li for two hours off to do so.
Ling Xunxun and Zhou Quan later visited the wedding company for marketing insights. Zhou Quan, however, was preoccupied with her anger over Mo Yunyun reappearing and trying to seduce Hui Yiwang, whom she viewed as a "casual woman." Ling Xunxun tried to calm her, reminding her that Hui Yiwang was just a friend, but Zhou Quan accused her of taking his side. Ling Xunxun humorously remarked that Cheng Li was like a second child to her.
Back home, Cheng Li informed Ling Xunxun that he had found Auntie Tong's address. Understanding his desire to confront her, Ling Xunxun offered to accompany him. At Auntie Tong's house, Auntie Tong explained that her supposed friendship with Cheng Li's mother was merely a pretense to stay near his father. She revealed that Cheng Li's mother had given her the house and money, demanding she keep the truth from Cheng Li because he idolized his father.
Auntie Tong admitted her past attempt to "steal" Cheng Li's father was a misguided attempt at victory but realized she could never truly defeat Cheng Li's mother, who built Yumeiling from the ground up and carried her pain alone to protect Cheng Li. She implored Cheng Li to blame her, but never his mother, whom she described as a "great woman." Cheng Li then met his half-brother, Zhao Yan, who greeted him easily as "Brother."
They agreed to sweep their father's grave together on his next death anniversary. Afterward, Cheng Li took Ling Xunxun to a roadside stall near Yumeiling's old factory, a place he frequented as a child with his parents. He noted that while the dishes were the same, the "taste was different" because the people had changed. Ling Xunxun ordered a bottle of white wine (Erguotou).
Cheng Li mused that while he felt pitiful, Zhao Yan was even more so, forced to live a life dictated by irresponsible adults. Cheng Li's mother arrived at the stall. Ling Xunxun discreetly excused herself. Drunk, Cheng Li confessed to his mother that he inherited her "unhappy face" and "proud personality." He expressed gratitude for all she had done for him over the years, admitting it was difficult for him to say kind words because he took after her.
Cheng Li's mother was deeply moved, realizing her son had truly grown up, and asked Ling Xunxun to take him home. Cheng Li woke up to find Ling Xunxun holding a birthday cake. She explained that his mother had informed her it was his birthday and asked her to make him longevity noodles, but he had slept so long they had become thick.
Ling Xunxun then presented him with a bouquet of flowers as a gift, but Cheng Li immediately tossed them away, concerned about her pollen allergy. Ling Xunxun, slightly miffed, explained that she bought the flowers to confess her feelings, as it was a traditional gesture. Cheng Li pressed her to elaborate on her confession. Ling Xunxun admitted her hesitations: being older, divorced, and a mother, she felt they were ill-matched.
She had tried to suppress her feelings, fearing loss, but acknowledged that seeing him made her heart pound, making her feel truly alive. She confessed her deep love for him and her belief that he loved her too. She declared she no longer wanted to deny their relationship due to an uncertain future, stating that life was short and she wanted to live every day with him to the fullest.
Even if he were to stop loving her, she would have no regrets, counting herself lucky to have been loved by him. Deeply touched, Cheng Li wiped Ling Xunxun's tears, calling her his "best gift" and congratulating her on a successful confession. He then revealed that he had known about the blackout notice but intentionally withheld the information, hoping she would rush back to "save" him and confirm her love.
He further admitted that the power had actually been fixed that night, but he had instructed the workers to pull the generator switch to prolong their time in the dark. Ling Xunxun playfully accused him of being scheming and petty. Cheng Li countered that he was younger and had felt she made things "too easy" for him before, so he wanted to make her wait.
He then carried Ling Xunxun into his room, declaring his intention to "unwrap his birthday gift" and that he could now only bear "the distance of a bed" between them. Ling Xunxun was momentarily startled, but Cheng Li only wished to hold her.
