My Dear Lady Episode 9 Recap
> My Dear Lady Recap
As Ling Xunxun found herself in Cheng Li's embrace, she was momentarily stunned before quickly pushing him away, feeling a blush creep up and her heart racing. Cheng Li, who had never been in love, noted her rapid heartbeat and asked if she liked him. Ling Xunxun, feeling shy, retreated, leaving Cheng Li alone. Alone, Cheng Li pondered his hesitation, while an inner voice chided him for not sealing the moment with a kiss to confirm her feelings.
He confidently asserted that the next morning, Ling Xunxun would look at him coyly and call his name. The following morning, Cheng Li suggested he drive them to work, saying it would look like a boyfriend taking his girlfriend to work. Ling Xunxun quickly declined, preferring to drive herself. Cheng Li then settled into the front passenger seat, claiming it would be more comfortable.
However, Ling Xunxun pointed out that his proximity made her nervous and affected her driving, implying he was distracting her. At the office, Mike was conducting a live stream, showcasing the company's work environment. He announced he would perform a live makeup removal and reapplication on a female colleague. This prompted all the female staff to quickly scatter, leaving Mike in a predicament. Ling Xunxun, seeing the live broadcast falter, bravely volunteered to step in, saving the show.
Grateful, Mike hugged her tightly, a gesture that immediately drew Cheng Li's extreme jealousy and displeasure. Cheng Li sternly told Mike to release her. Mike, unfazed, questioned why Cheng Li was upset, claiming he was just hugging "his girl." Ling Xunxun awkwardly stated they were in an office, but Mike insisted a hug was fine. Cheng Li, visibly annoyed, then sought a hug from Ling Xunxun himself, which she playfully refused.
Later, Cheng Li insisted Ling Xunxun accompany him to a basketball court. He claimed his itinerary had been leaked, leading to a crowd of "fans" cheering him on. Ling Xunxun was surprised by his apparent popularity. During a break, Cheng Li took a drink from Ling Xunxun's water bottle and affectionately ruffled her hair, causing her to blush.
As they were leaving, Ling Xunxun overheard Cheng Li paying off the "fans," revealing they were hired actors he had brought in to impress her. She also overheard him on the phone explaining that there were many girls in the world, but he only desired her, and he wanted her to remember the feeling of being moved by him. In the car, she playfully teased him about his acting skills, which annoyed him.
Soon after, Cheng Li began changing his sweaty clothes in the back seat, startling Ling Xunxun and making her heart pound. She quickly averted her gaze, and he casually suggested she didn't have to look. Mike later invited Ling Xunxun to lunch, but she had already made plans with Bao Xiaojing, so the three ended up eating together. Mike and Bao Xiaojing continued their usual bickering, disliking each other.
Ling Xunxun then tentatively brought up the topic of office romance, asking if they would be open to dating a colleague, even a superior or subordinate, and whether it could affect the work-relationship balance. Mike readily agreed, confidently stating that if he liked someone at the company, he'd be willing to quit or support her so she could enjoy life at home. He interpreted Ling Xunxun's questions as her "testing" his feelings for her, much to Bao Xiaojing's speechless reaction.
Ling Xunxun went to the restroom and, upon her return, noticed an unsettling change in Mike's expression towards her, leaving her feeling very panicked. Meanwhile, Cheng Li, seemingly upset by the lunch, confronted Ling Xunxun, asking why she ate alone with Mike. She quickly clarified that Bao Xiaojing was present and that nothing special had occurred. Cheng Li then announced an impromptu company dinner for that evening, citing a lack of team-building events that year.
The dinner began with an awkward atmosphere. Cheng Li excused himself to the restroom, instructing everyone to loosen up. He also invited Zhou Quan, the company's legal advisor, to join. During a game of Truth or Dare, Ling Xunxun chose "dare" and drew a card requiring her to stare into the eyes of one of the colleagues next to her for ten seconds. She was seated between Cheng Li and Mike.
Feeling awkward, she hesitantly chose Mike, but Cheng Li swiftly intervened, deeming the dare inappropriate for colleagues and instead had her drink wine to pass. When it was Cheng Li's turn, he chose "truth" and drew a card asking if the person he liked was present. He confidently replied, "Yes," simultaneously reaching under the table to subtly hold Ling Xunxun's hand.
Later that evening, upon returning home, Ling Xunxun was surprised to find her room decorated for her birthday, complete with a strawberry cake from her favorite shop. Cheng Li revealed he had learned it was her birthday from Zhou Quan's social media, as Ling Xunxun had blocked her own moments from him. He confessed that the "team building" dinner was a ruse to celebrate her birthday with everyone. Ling Xunxun was very touched.
He explained he didn't want her first birthday alone to feel any different, but rather to be surrounded by more people who loved and accompanied her, especially him. He then firmly declared that her dining out with other men was "absolutely impossible" and that he would have fired Mike if he had been the first to celebrate her birthday.
Cheng Li then presented her with a gift, helping her put it on before confessing his feelings and asking her to be his girlfriend. He vowed to keep confessing until she said yes, even if she refused him that night. Before Ling Xunxun could fully process his words, Cheng Li leaned in and kissed her. After a moment of hesitation, she gradually embraced him.
The next morning, Cheng Li was meticulously dressed, his shirt collar slightly unbuttoned, and he once again kissed a somewhat bewildered Ling Xunxun. At breakfast, Cheng Li gazed adoringly at her. When Ling Xunxun's phone rang, he swiftly answered it, informing Zhou Quan that Ling Xunxun would no longer be visiting her house as she was now living with her boyfriend. Zhou Quan, upon hearing the news, expressed her delight that they were finally together.
Later at the office, Cheng Li attempted to ask Bao Xiaojing to buy something, but she hadn't arrived yet. Mike eagerly offered to help instead. Cheng Li awkwardly instructed him to purchase sanitary pads for Ling Xunxun. Mike, initially confused, then called Bao Xiaojing to relay the unusual request and ask her to buy them. Meanwhile, Zhou Quan tried to reach Hui Yiwang but found his phone turned off.
She went to Cheng Li and asked about him, who informed her that Hui Yiwang had been sent back to headquarters the previous day to debrief regarding the Peter situation. Zhou Quan was surprised, saying she was the last to know. As Cheng Li handed the sanitary pads to Ling Xunxun, Zhou Quan unexpectedly witnessed the exchange, leading to an awkward silence between them.
At the front desk, Bao Xiaojing discovered a bouquet of flowers with a card inviting the recipient to a restaurant at 6:30 PM. She initially thought they were for her. Arriving at the location, she found Mike already there. They soon realized they were both waiting for someone, and after a closer look at the card, Bao Xiaojing realized Mike had written it and the flowers were actually intended for Ling Xunxun. Bao Xiaojing immediately began to mock Mike.
Both Bao Xiaojing and Mike started to suspect an unusual relationship between Cheng Li and Ling Xunxun, linking it to the sanitary pad incident and the flower mix-up, and Bao Xiaojing also realized the team building dinner was a pretext for Cheng Li to treat Ling Xunxun to dinner. That evening, Cheng Li had filled their home with various flowers, but to his dismay, Ling Xunxun revealed she was allergic to pollen, though she was still touched by his gesture.
Ling Xunxun mentioned she hadn't visited a movie theater in over a year. Cheng Li admitted he also rarely went due to his discomfort with dark spaces. Despite his aversion, he agreed to go with her to experience a movie in a theater. Inside, Cheng Li visibly struggled with the darkness, enduring it for her sake. Sensing his discomfort, Ling Xunxun gently pulled him out.
Outside the theater, she playfully told him she couldn't focus on the movie with such a handsome man next to her. Cheng Li apologized for not being able to finish the film, suggesting they could watch movies at home or revisit the theater gradually. Ling Xunxun, in turn, apologized for her pollen allergy. In this moment, they formally acknowledged each other as "boyfriend" and "girlfriend." Overjoyed, Cheng Li lifted her into a celebratory embrace.
Ling Xunxun then made two requests to Cheng Li regarding their newfound relationship. First, she asked that they not publicize their romance at work, emphasizing that their professional roles as boss and assistant should take precedence over their romantic relationship. She explained that going public would create awkwardness with colleagues and suggested they "pretend a little" to maintain their professional distance.
Second, she asserted her desire for independence, stating that she was his assistant before his girlfriend, and that she didn't want to move from one man to another or be an "accessory." She further stated that if there was any conflict between work and their relationship, she would resign. She also requested no extra help in her work or life just because they were dating.
Cheng Li agreed to her terms, but asked her not to resign easily, stressing that he needed her and that a good relationship should bring happiness, not anxiety. They then sweetly promised to take care of each other.
