Parallel Love Episode 18 Recap
> Parallel Love Recap
Lin Miao woke to find Jiao Yang had already left for work, leaving breakfast for her. She headed to the company, where she saw Jiao Yang attempting to conceal a document. When she snatched it, she discovered it was a dividend transfer agreement. Lin Miao was furious, arguing that transferring 70% of his future inherited equity dividends for zero consideration was a grave matter that he couldn't handle alone.
Jiao Yang, however, was preoccupied with a negotiation with Director Xie and insisted he had no time to explain, promising to resolve everything without burdening her. Lin Miao questioned if she was a burden, to which he adamantly denied. She urged him to cancel the negotiation and speak with Chairman Jiao together, but Jiao Yang stressed that it was too late and he had to go. Soon after, Lin Miao was called to the hospital by Mr. Jiao.
He apologized for interrupting her work and told her that if he were still healthy, he would fight for his own choices, but he and Jiao Yang no longer had room for trial and error. He explicitly stated he didn't want Lin Miao and Jiao Yang to be together, asking if she hated him for it.
Mr. Jiao explained that Jiao Yang, as Hong Yu’s future successor, was obligated to bear significant responsibilities, not to choose his own life as he wished. Marrying Zhao Yan was a path predetermined for Jiao Yang before he even met Lin Miao. Lin Miao replied that she understood, expressing envy that Jiao Yang had such a father. Outside Mr. Jiao's room, Lin Miao encountered Zhao Yan, who had brought homemade chicken soup.
Zhao Yan reminded Lin Miao of a past conversation where Lin Miao called her a "princess in a castle." Zhao Yan affirmed this, but added that the castle had also become her cage since she fell for Jiao Yang at seven. She declared her willingness to endure life imprisonment if Jiao Yang was there and vowed to continue guarding the castle she had protected for years.
Lin Miao challenged her, stating that castles exist only in fairy tales and Jiao Yang was not a toy to be collected. She questioned if Zhao Yan would truly find happiness by tying herself down for him. Zhao Yan responded that a grand wedding was the rightful ending for any fairy tale, and time would prove the happiness of the prince and princess. Meanwhile, Jiao Yang had been drinking heavily with Director Xie, but the deal remained unsecured.
He ignored Lin Miao's calls. Secretary Yan, concerned, noted that Lin Miao would worry, but Jiao Yang lamented that despite promising to protect Lin Miao, he couldn't even manage Director Xie. He revealed his anxiety, stating he only had a week, his father needed to go abroad, and he couldn't give up on Lin Miao. Lin Miao, seeing a disheveled Jiao Yang being supported by Secretary Yan from her taxi, hesitated, remembering Mr. Jiao's words.
She instructed the driver to turn back without getting out. Back at the office, Jiao Yang met with Cao Hua. Cao Hua expressed disinterest in his current cooperation offer, saying she wasn’t looking for minor profits and had other appointments. As she prepared to leave, Jiao Yang stopped her, offering the "Infinite Home" project.
At that moment, Lin Miao burst in, interrupting the meeting and apologizing to Cao Hua, stating that Jiao Yang no longer needed to consider any deals with her. After Cao Hua left, Jiao Yang explained that giving "Infinite Home" to Cao Hua was the only way to win her over and avoid the forced marriage. Lin Miao, however, argued that such concessions would only fuel Cao Hua’s greed.
She declared she couldn't tolerate him sacrificing his integrity, damaging his relationship with his father, or regretting his choices for her. Jiao Yang insisted his decisions were well-considered and he could bear anything for their future. Lin Miao questioned if he would make such reckless decisions without her, highlighting his repeated mistakes in negotiations and stating that while Cao Hua might be his only path to presidency, there were other ways to reassure his father.
She challenged whether he truly desired to be president, suggesting it was more what others wanted for him. With conviction, Lin Miao concluded there was no more time for their relationship and that they needed space. When Jiao Yang asked what she meant, Lin Miao looked him in the eye and said they should break up, believing it was for the best. He refused, gripping her hand, but she warned that an unwilling grasp only brought pain.
Lin Miao thanked Jiao Yang for his love but stated she couldn't accept his sacrifices, reaffirming that engagement was his only correct choice before turning to leave. Later, Cao Hua met with Su Cheng Jun of Zhong Qing. She remarked on his familiarity, realizing he had once worked at Hong Yu.
At Hong Yu, Secretary Yan delivered Lin Miao's resignation letter to Jiao Yang, explaining Lin Miao had given it to him the previous day after learning of Jiao Yang's plans with Cao Hua. Secretary Yan added that Lin Miao's desk was emptied that afternoon. Jiao Yang reacted with disbelief, repeatedly calling out Lin Miao's name in distress. At home, he was heartbroken, drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
Meanwhile, Lin Miao was seen walking with her luggage when she encountered Jonny distributing flyers for "Soulmate" wedding planning. Jonny initially didn't recognize Lin Miao, who was in disguise. Her car tire had been intentionally damaged, leaving her stranded without a taxi. Lin Miao later presented a project proposal titled "Encountering the Future," based on Kepler's first law, aiming to create a parallel space for customers to experience love. Her proposal was approved.
Jonny congratulated her, subtly acknowledging her "skill" with car tires, which Lin Miao denied. When a colleague questioned Lin Miao's dedication to work over a personal life, Lin Miao clarified she was merely selling her time to the company for pay. Jonny, having met her two months prior, flirted with her, but she dismissed him, joking that she wouldn't fall for someone who couldn't even be a good receptionist.
Jonny, proud to be Soulmate's future branch manager, then offered Lin Miao a job as Chief Planner with free room and board at the shop, an offer she accepted. Lin Miao reflected that returning to Soulmate, back to square one, might be the best outcome. Back at Hong Yu, news of Lin Miao's resignation spread through the president's office, causing shock and concern among the staff. Zhao Yan visited Jiao Yang, finding him still drinking at home.
She scolded him for isolating himself and neglecting his responsibilities, especially with Mr. Jiao still in the hospital and the board targeting company shares. She called his behavior a "middle school student" reaction to a breakup. Jiao Yang acknowledged her concerns but asserted his identity as Hong Yu’s successor, stating he would only allow himself one day to grieve before resuming his duties. He asked her to leave him alone for the day.
Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan appeared at the Hong Yu Group office. Zhao Yan suggested they go for coffee, noting she hadn't had breakfast. Downstairs, Jonny brought Lin Miao, now in a Soulmate uniform, to distribute flyers in front of the building. Lin Miao was hesitant, but Jonny reassured her.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yan publicly proposed to Jiao Yang, asking him to marry her so Mr. Jiao could recover abroad, and expressing her willingness to wait for him to forget Lin Miao. Jonny, oblivious, tried to promote Soulmate's wedding services, then called out Lin Miao by name, causing her to drop her headpiece and flee. Jiao Yang called her name, but Zhao Yan held him back, reminding him he had promised not to disappoint anyone.
Jiao Yang clarified that Lin Miao was "not just anyone," she was Lin Miao. Zhao Yan argued that precisely because it was Lin Miao, Jiao Yang should agree to marry her to secure Hong Yu and ensure Mr. Jiao's recovery, suggesting it was what Lin Miao would want. Jiao Yang eventually agreed, but on one condition. Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan then visited Soulmate for wedding planning.
Jonny enthusiastically introduced Lin Miao as their "chief planner" to the couple, whom he recognized as "old friends." When asked about their engagement and wedding plans, Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan admitted they had not decided on dates, chosen dresses, selected a venue, or bought rings. Jonny confidently assured them Soulmate could handle everything and asked Lin Miao to assist Zhao Yan with wedding dress selection.
Zhao Yan tried to persuade Lin Miao to help, citing their familiarity and Lin Miao's knowledge of Jiao Yang. Lin Miao, however, refused, stating it was not within her job scope. Jiao Yang challenged her, reminding her of past tasks outside her job description (like organizing a rooftop wedding, acting as a hotel housekeeper, and inviting an inspection team) that she had taken on.
He accused her of suddenly adhering to strict principles, implying her true reason for refusal was still being in love with him. Lin Miao denied this, insisting he was overthinking and that since she had resigned from Hong Yu, she should be addressed as "Miss Lin." Jiao Yang retorted that her haste to distance herself only made him suspect she still couldn't forget him, calling her adept at leaving without notice and turning against people.
Infuriated by his narcissistic and arrogant demeanor, Lin Miao angrily declared she would plan their engagement ceremony. Jiao Yang thanked "Miss Lin" for her service. Later, as Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan tried on wedding attire, Zhao Yan asked Jiao Yang how she looked. He replied she looked good in anything, but his gaze remained fixed on Lin Miao. Lin Miao observed that "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder."
Zhao Yan then asked Lin Miao if she and Jiao Yang looked good together, to which Lin Miao responded affirmatively. When Zhao Yan asked Lin Miao to help adjust her dress, Jiao Yang intervened, suggesting they cut short the dress selection due to other company matters. Zhao Yan reminded Jiao Yang that coming to Soulmate was his idea, and she pointed out his constant focus on Lin Miao, accusing him of not forgetting her.
She questioned if he was deliberately torturing himself to prove Lin Miao's resolve to leave him. Due to Jiao Yang's impatience, Zhao Yan suggested they look at venues and rings together, and Jiao Yang agreed. Secretary Yan later informed Jiao Yang that the rooftop venue was confirmed and would be ready for use soon, expressing surprise at their sudden interest in a rooftop venue. Lin Miao arrived at the rooftop to survey the space.
Secretary Yan was astonished, and Jiao Yang explained that Lin Miao was now their engagement ceremony planner, there to scout the venue, further confusing Secretary Yan, who recalled Jiao Yang's previous rejection of engagement.
