Parallel Love Episode 19 Recap
> Parallel Love Recap
Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan arrived at Leisure Hotel with Lin Miao to scout potential engagement venues. A hotel staff member confirmed that the renovated rooftop space, recently upgraded for wedding proposals, was available for use starting the next day. The staff member, unaware of Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan's intentions, asked why they were interested in the rooftop. Jiao Yang explained that Lin Miao was their engagement ceremony planner and was there to survey the location.
Another staff member, surprised by the news of the engagement, asked Lin Miao for clarification. Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun reached out to Chairman Cao about a project, suggesting they meet at Leisure Hotel, boldly stating he wasn't afraid of encountering Jiao Yang. Chairman Cao agreed, saying it would allow her to compare Su Cheng Jun and Jiao Yang.
Earlier, Chairman Cao had been discussing a proposal with Chairman Qin, expressing her reluctance to entrust Hong Yu Group to Jiao Yang due to his inexperience. She revealed she had already secured cooperation with Director Li, whom Chairman Qin mistakenly thought she had poor relations with. Chairman Cao clarified that Director Li’s decision to choose her was purely a correct business move, emphasizing her own reliability over a "rookie" like Jiao Yang.
Later, as they were looking at engagement rings, Zhao Yan rejected several options, finding them either too large, too small, too subtle, or too flashy. She then suggested that Lin Miao help pick one, acknowledging Lin Miao’s good taste. At Jiao Yang’s urging, Lin Miao reluctantly proposed a "Sirius" ring paired with a "Sun" ring, symbolizing Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan as bright, irreplaceable stars. Impressed, Zhao Yan then inquired about another pair.
When Lin Miao seemed unsure of its meaning, Jiao Yang quickly stepped in to describe the "Orion" and "Artemis" rings, which he explained represented eternal love. Zhao Yan chose this pair, jokingly asking Lin Miao if she minded her "seizing the loved." Lin Miao dismissively replied that it didn't matter as long as Zhao Yan liked it. Zhao Yan then praised Lin Miao's professionalism and urged everyone to proceed to the rooftop so as not to waste her efforts.
Upon arriving at the rooftop, Jiao Yang, Zhao Yan, and Lin Miao encountered Su Cheng Jun and Chairman Cao. Su Cheng Jun sent Chairman Cao to a private suite, staying behind to inform Jiao Yang that Chairman Cao had brought new research technology from the United States, and he was representing Zhong Qing to seek a development partnership. Jiao Yang warned Su Cheng Jun to stay away from Hong Yu.
Su Cheng Jun argued that since Chairman Cao invested in the technology personally and Hong Yu wasn’t interested, it would be "inelegant" to prevent others from developing it. Zhao Yan, angered, questioned Su Cheng Jun’s right to speak of decency.
Su Cheng Jun retaliated by mocking Zhao Yan for being overly eager to marry Jiao Yang, then sarcastically commented on Jiao Yang’s "good fortune" with both Assistant Lin and Director Zhao, implying the Jiao family chose Zhao Yan for her shares, not for love. Lin Miao interjected, defending Zhao Yan and Jiao Yang, asserting that their engagement as childhood friends was a natural progression, and that Zhao Yan's character and capabilities were beyond Su Cheng Jun's judgment.
She then coldly declared that her relationship with Jiao Yang, once superior-subordinate, was now "no connection at all," asking Su Cheng Jun not to exploit the matter further. Su Cheng Jun expressed his delight at hearing "no connection at all," calling Lin Miao's words the "most delightful" he'd heard. Lin Miao retorted that his current "villainous look" was "disgusting" and advised him to wear his "hypocritical mask."
Su Cheng Jun, unbothered, promised to change her mind and left, but not before remarking that Jiao Yang was enjoying his "last joy with several partners" and hoping for a private meal with Lin Miao in the future. Visibly upset by the confrontation, Zhao Yan told Jiao Yang she was tired and wanted to postpone checking the rooftop. Jiao Yang decided to let her be alone, as she didn't want to see anyone.
Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun met with Chairman Cao, explaining his actions were to demonstrate who was more worthy of cooperation, and presented her with a document detailing a new energy project, which satisfied her. Later, Secretary Yan found Zhao Yan drinking alone by the pool. He expressed concern and admired her courage in loving someone for many years, even if it was unrequited. He assured her that a silent protector could find joy in the beloved's happiness.
Zhao Yan, unaware of Secretary Yan's feelings for her, recalled her first day back in China when she met Jiao Yang at Leisure Hotel amidst spectacular fireworks. She remembered his eyes being as bright as the stars, unchanged from when they were children. However, she tearfully realized that day Jiao Yang had only eyes for Lin Miao, never noticing her even though she was a bridesmaid.
She confessed that until today, she had deceived herself into believing she was happy, even when her love for Jiao Yang was used, ignored, or ridiculed. She had protected her feelings like a crystal ball, but it had slowly shattered. Still, she couldn't bear to discard it, cherishing the fireworks as her dream wedding with Jiao Yang. Exhausted, Zhao Yan fell asleep on Secretary Yan's shoulder.
Nearby, Lin Miao advised Jiao Yang to treat Zhao Yan well now that he had decided to get engaged, emphasizing that Zhao Yan was a truly good girl and Lin Miao herself would not forgive him otherwise. Jiao Yang's father suffered another heart attack, and the doctor issued a critical illness notice.
Chairman Zhao revealed to Jiao Yang that after his mother's passing, company issues arose, and Yingchuang Capital, backed by Cao Hua, seized the opportunity to become Hong Yu's fourth-largest shareholder, gradually restricting his father's decisions. His father had hidden these burdens to protect Jiao Yang from undue pressure. Overwhelmed, Jiao Yang felt helpless, unable to protect his father or keep Lin Miao. Lin Miao, observing his distress, came closer but then retreated.
She told Jiao Yang they could never be together, admitting that their initial meeting was not accidental but a deliberate move. Her true purpose in coming to his side was to help him become Hong Yu's president, which would allow her to finally go home. Jiao Yang was heartbroken, disbelieving that she had no feelings for him and accusing her of toying with him.
Lin Miao, however, insisted these were facts, reiterating that he was merely a "three-months long assignment" for her. She urged him to swiftly complete his engagement to Zhao Yan and assume the presidency with Chairman Zhao's help, stating that once everything was concluded, she could leave and return home, thanking him for "letting me go home." After Lin Miao departed, Zhao Yan found Jiao Yang and proposed engagement, clarifying that it was "not a confession, it's a fulfillment."
Jiao Yang agreed, privately resolving to "send Lin Miao home." On the day of the engagement, Secretary Yan wished Zhao Yan happiness, promising to always bless her and Jiao Yang as long as she was happy. Lin Miao and Jiao Yang reviewed the engagement ceremony's schedule. Jiao Yang commented on the meticulous planning, noting that Lin Miao's personal involvement made it impossible for anything to go wrong. He then said that this wedding must be very significant to her.
Lin Miao, in turn, thanked Jiao Yang for his "fulfillment," pledging to deliver a grand and "unforgettable" engagement ceremony. Jiao Yang’s father, despite his fragile health, insisted on attending, planning to depart for urgent surgery in the United States immediately after the event. Chairman Zhao reassured Jiao Yang’s father that they would now be truly family, promising to treat Jiao Yang as his own son and to arrange a formal wedding upon his return.
Jiao Yang’s father then entrusted Zhao Yan to Jiao Yang, who solemnly promised to care for her. During the event, Su Cheng Jun, uninvited, forcefully entered the venue, prompting Jiao Yang to confront him. Su Cheng Jun brazenly claimed he couldn't miss his "dear brother's" engagement, even if Jiao Yang "forgot" to invite him, and then mockingly expressed anticipation for Jiao Yang to reciprocate when he (Su Cheng Jun) someday got engaged to Lin Miao.
Jiao Yang, disgusted, warned Su Cheng Jun to stay away from Lin Miao, stating he "didn't deserve her." Su Cheng Jun retorted that Jiao Yang no longer had the right to decide who deserved Lin Miao, asserting that from this day forward, only Zhao Yan would stand by Jiao Yang's side. Meanwhile, Zhao Yan, unhappy with all the prepared wedding shoes, insisted on wearing Lin Miao's shoes for the ceremony. Lin Miao, after a moment of visible reluctance, ultimately agreed.
Before the ceremony began, Jiao Yang approached Lin Miao, asking if she had anything to say before everything between them was officially over. Lin Miao simply shook her head. As the Master of Ceremonies announced the start of the ceremony and invited the groom-to-be, Jiao Yang, to the stage, Lin Miao quietly said, "I have to leave," and turned away. Jiao Yang then ascended the stage, his face beaming with joy and anticipation, as Zhao Yan began her slow walk down the aisle.
