Mysterious Love Episode 3 Recap
> Mysterious Love Recap
After deciding to leave Ruan Nianchu once he obtains the chip, Li Teng’s colleague questions if he truly intends to never reconcile with her. Li Teng affirms that he is Li Teng, not Lee, and that he will depart after his mission is complete. Despite having thought about Ruan Nianchu for five years and being meticulous about his appearance for their first meeting, he is resolute in not disrupting her life any further.
Li Teng arrives at the amusement park with Jiang Xingxing, his colleague Jiang Hao's daughter. Jiang Xingxing immediately shows a strong attachment to Li Teng, calling him "Brother Li Teng" while addressing Ruan Nianchu as "Auntie Ruan." She insists on sitting next to Li Teng, declaring that she is a princess and he is her prince, who cannot have a girlfriend.
When Ruan Nianchu explains that a new prince will appear when she grows up, and Li Teng will seem "old and fat," Jiang Xingxing adamantly refutes it. Later, she asks Li Teng to take photos of her with a kitten-ear filter but refuses to photograph Ruan Nianchu, claiming her pose is "out of fashion." Later, after subtly asking Li Teng about tattoos, Ruan Nianchu "accidentally" spills water on his shirt, apologizing profusely.
The act allows her to see a scar on his abdomen, confirming her suspicion. Aware of her intentions, Li Teng teases her, suggesting they get a hotel room so she can "take her time" looking at his body. Ruan Nianchu is flustered and objects, stating that she minds such a suggestion. His casual demeanor contrasts sharply with her memory of Lee, making her even more determined to make him admit his identity himself.
At the park, Jiang Xingxing begins to cry upon seeing Ruan Nianchu's best friend, Qiao Yufei, wearing an identical "Ice Princess" dress, wailing that there can't be two in the world. The commotion leads to a reunion. Ruan Nianchu teases Qiao Yufei about her recent crush on a "parking lot prince charming" while having Dai Jie around. Qiao Yufei clarifies that Dai Jie is now her "male best friend" and exclusive photographer due to his excellent skills.
Qiao Yufei then warns Ruan Nianchu about the difficulties of being a stepmother, which Ruan Nianchu dismisses by explaining the situation. Ruan Nianchu confides in her friend that while she has confirmed Li Teng is the man who saved her, he has changed since they first met. A shooting game ensues, with Ruan Nianchu, Li Teng, and Jiang Xingxing competing against Qiao Yufei and Dai Jie for a snow doll that Jiang Xingxing covets.
During the competition, Ruan Nianchu convinces a reluctant Jiang Xingxing to call her "sister" instead of "auntie." As Li Teng begins to teach her how to shoot, the familiar posture and instructions trigger Ruan Nianchu's memories of Lee teaching her five years ago—an incident where the gun's recoil caused her to touch his wound. The resurfaced memory solidifies her resolve. Li Teng patiently guides her hands, instructing her to aim and pull the trigger.
After leaving the park, Li Teng carries the sleeping Jiang Xingxing to Jiang Hao's home. He turns down Jiang Hao's dinner invitation but mentions that he will bring Ruan Nianchu over on the weekend to teach Jiang Xingxing how to play the keyboard. In the car, Ruan Nianchu confronts him, asking how he knew she could play the piano and accusing him of constantly scheming. She directly asks why he refuses to admit he is Lee.
Li Teng counters by asking if she has remained single for five years because she is still thinking of Lee, a question she leaves unanswered. Li Teng then drives her to a hospital, where they observe a woman, He Lihua, restrained and crying out for someone named "Xia Fei." Li Teng respectfully calls her "sister-in-law." A doctor explains her unstable condition.
Li Teng reveals to Ruan Nianchu that Xia Fei was Jiang Xingxing's biological father, a comrade who was killed in action. The shock caused his wife, He Lihua, to have a mental breakdown, to the point where she doesn't even remember giving birth to her daughter. He explains that on a past visit, He Lihua had a moment of calm when she saw Jiang Xingxing and hummed a song Xia Fei used to sing to her.
This inspired Xingxing to learn the song on the piano for her mother. Understanding his true intentions, Ruan Nianchu agrees to teach Jiang Xingxing and keep the family's situation a secret. She also realizes Li Teng's reluctance to admit his past stems from a fear that she could suffer a similar tragic fate to He Lihua. Grateful for his return to her life, she bids him goodnight.
Moments later, Li Teng receives a text from Jiang Hao about the ongoing mission for the chip. Li Teng replies that the search must now include not only the Morninglight Troupe but also Ruan Nianchu's home. The next day, Li Teng visits Ruan Nianchu's home and meets her parents. After he formally introduces himself, sharing details about his age, hometown, and security company, her parents go to the kitchen to prepare fruit.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Teng scans the living room and spots a jar of game coins. He inspects it but doesn't find the chip. Just then, Ruan Nianchu emerges from the bathroom and is shocked to see him there. Li Teng calmly reminds her that he told her the previous night he would come to pick her up.
