My True Friend Episode 21 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Shao Pengcheng remained troubled by his suspicion of Lin Zhi Xuan. He felt conflicted about interfering in Zeng Huimin's private matters but couldn't ignore his belief that Lin Zhi Xuan was untrustworthy, especially since no one else seemed to believe him. He questioned what he should do. The next day, Lin Zhi Xuan drove Zeng Huimin, constantly checking if she had the necessary documents for adding her name to his property deed.
He expressed his joy that they would soon be a family. While driving, he asked her to answer a call from a bar employee, who claimed the bar had been vandalized by loan sharks threatening Lin Zhi Xuan's life. Lin Zhi Xuan and Zeng Huimin immediately rushed back to find the bar in disarray. Zeng Huimin, believing the staged damage, offered to withdraw money to help him repay the loan sharks.
After she left to get the money, the employee confirmed to Lin Zhi Xuan that they had followed the script, using only cheap wine for the staged destruction. Lin Zhi Xuan then hit himself in apparent remorse. Zeng Huimin transferred 1. 3 million yuan to Lin Zhi Xuan.
Upon returning to the Garden Store, she encountered Shao Pengcheng, who, noticing her distracted state, cautiously advised her to maintain a relationship with Lin Zhi Xuan but to avoid financial dealings with him. Zeng Huimin was unsettled by Shao Pengcheng's words and her inability to reach Lin Zhi Xuan. She went to his home later that day, but no one answered, and his phone remained off.
Worried about him due to the supposed loan shark threats, she left him a voicemail expressing her concern. The following day, Sister Lan, accompanied by two bodyguards, arrived at the Garden Store, demanding to speak with Zeng Huimin. She identified herself as Lin Zhi Xuan's boss, creditor, and girlfriend. Zeng Huimin, stunned, led Sister Lan into a conference room.
Sister Lan revealed that Lin Zhi Xuan was essentially her "dog," whose gambling debts of millions in Macau she had paid off five years prior. She explained how she had given him a bar, only for him to use it as collateral for a five million yuan loan, misuse company funds, and take Zeng Huimin's 1. 3 million yuan to gamble again in Macau, where he likely lost everything.
Sister Lan then played a recording of Lin Zhi Xuan confessing, "Hui Min, I'm sorry. I lied to you. I originally wanted to win back the money but I lost it all. I have nothing now. I'm a bastard. Forget me." Zeng Huimin was utterly devastated. She then asked Sister Lan about the duration of their relationship, to which Sister Lan responded, "Five years," mentioning that Lin Zhi Xuan had "kneeled like a dog" to beg for her forgiveness.
As Sister Lan left, Shao Pengcheng confronted her, asking who would return Zeng Huimin's money. Sister Lan stated that if Lin Zhi Xuan broke off his relationship with Zeng Huimin, she might return the money if she felt like it. Zhen Zhen went to comfort Zeng Huimin but found her office empty. Shao Pengcheng immediately organized a search among the staff.
Shao Pengcheng expressed regret to Zhen Zhen for not having been more persistent in his warnings about Lin Zhi Xuan earlier, but Zhen Zhen reassured him it wasn't his fault, reminding him that the priority was to find Zeng Huimin. Meanwhile, Mu Yunping arrived at the store for an inspection, and Mei Li, eager to gossip, dramatically recounted Zeng Huimin's unfortunate situation, including the "love rival" and the scam.
Later that night, Zeng Huimin wandered the streets, distraught and reliving the painful revelations from Sister Lan. Mu Yunping, actively searching for Zeng Huimin in his car, spotted her walking disoriented in the street. As another car nearly struck her, Mu Yunping quickly accelerated, swerving his car to intercept the vehicle and causing a collision to protect Zeng Huimin. He then rushed out of his car to her side. Mu Yunping drove Zeng Huimin home.
Zeng Huimin admitted she usually considered herself a strong person, but felt utterly stupid and lost this time. Mu Yunping comforted her, telling her it wasn't her fault and expressing his belief that she would eventually find someone who truly loved her. Zeng Huimin continued to blame herself for making such a significant mistake.
Mu Yunping urged her to stop, advising her to face what had happened, learn from it, and then suggested she take her annual leave to go home and rest. However, Zeng Huimin refused, explaining that being idle would only lead her to overthink things further. Later, Zeng Huimin received a phone call from Lin Zhi Xuan.
He apologized for lying and for using her money in a desperate attempt to gamble his way out of debt and free himself from Sister Lan's control, with the intention of marrying Zeng Huimin and loving her for life. He confessed to losing everything and admitted his actions were a mistake. He insisted that she was the person he never wanted to hurt and promised to return the 1.
3 million yuan to her that very day, acknowledging that there was no future or restart for them and asking her to forget him. Zeng Huimin cried during the call, and Mu Yunping, noticing her distress, approached to check on her. The team rallied around Zeng Huimin, working diligently and offering support, with Shao Pengcheng finding new listings and Mei Li bringing snacks. In Italy, Jing Ran cared for his sick mother, Aunt Bai.
As she recovered, Aunt Bai expressed her delight at Zhen Zhen being Jing Ran's girlfriend and her wish for them to marry soon. She voiced concerns about Jing Ran and Zhen Zhen living apart, especially with Shao Pengcheng nearby. Jing Ran then proposed that Zhen Zhen begin searching for houses in China for their future return.
Aunt Bai initially hesitated, believing Zhen Zhen was too young for such a significant responsibility, but Jing Ran assured her it was merely for initial viewing. The next morning, Jing Ran made an international call to Zhen Zhen, asking her to find a large villa suitable for three generations and a family of five, even playfully mentioning their future two children.
Zhen Zhen happily agreed to find potential properties for Jing Ran and Aunt Bai to review, but Jing Ran firmly stated that the house must be one that Zhen Zhen herself liked. Zhen Zhen excitedly shared the news about Jing Ran's request to find a house. Mei Li was thrilled at the prospect of a large commission from such a significant sale, though she briefly wondered if Zhen Zhen would be able to handle the deposit.
Her doubts were quickly dispelled when Jing Ran transferred 500,000 yuan directly to Zhen Zhen as a deposit. Shao Pengcheng, observing Zhen Zhen's focused efforts on Jing Ran's house search, became visibly jealous and confronted her, accusing her of mixing personal affairs with company business. Zhen Zhen, undeterred, soon received a call from Mei Li about a suitable property and immediately left to view it.
The house belonged to Lawyer Wu, who explained her husband was a materials scientist in San Diego, and their plan was to eventually return to China, bringing new technology with them.
