Pretty Man Episode 25 Recap
> Pretty Man Recap
Qiao Qiao was preparing for her date, wondering what surprise Lu Jinnian had planned for her. Her phone suddenly displayed a shocking news alert: Lu Jinnian had acquired the Han Group. She was puzzled by this drastic action. Meanwhile, Han Ruchu was in a state of panic, realizing Lu Jinnian knew everything. She was terrified he would expose her act of putting sleeping pills in Qiao Qiao's bird's nest.
To preempt him, she instructed her assistant to call Jia Mu, her son, and fabricate a story. Her assistant told Jia Mu that Lu Jinnian had visited Han Ruchu, acquired the Han Group, and sought revenge for his mother's past grievances. Jia Mu, who had been trying to get Song Xiangsi to open her door with a bouquet of roses, abandoned his efforts upon hearing the news. He immediately went to confront Lu Jinnian at Lead Culture Media.
Jia Mu accused Lu Jinnian of using him as a tool for revenge and questioned why he had acquired the Han Group, into which their mother had poured her blood, sweat, and tears. Lu Jinnian, maintaining a cold demeanor, told Jia Mu it was office hours and he would not discuss personal matters, giving him an ultimatum to leave or be escorted out by security. Jia Mu warned Lu Jinnian to pray their mother would be fine before storming off.
Soon after Jia Mu left, Qiao Qiao arrived and confronted Lu Jinnian, criticizing his actions. She argued that Jia Mu would never have treated Lu Jinnian this way. Lu Jinnian sadly conceded that he was not Jia Mu and could never become him. Suddenly, Jia Mu called Qiao Qiao, telling her that their mother had passed out and urged her to return home immediately. Qiao Qiao agreed to go. Han Ruchu lay in bed, feigning illness and weakness.
As Qiao Qiao offered her water and expressed concern, Han Ruchu complained to Jia Mu about Lu Jinnian, accusing him of being nice only to betray them and stating his mother must have taught him such vengeful behavior. Jia Mu, however, defended Lu Jinnian, reminding his mother that Lu Jinnian’s mother died twenty years ago and that Lu Jinnian had allowed Han Ruchu to remain in the Han Group. Jia Mu then left.
Unaware of Han Ruchu’s machinations, Lu Jinnian had meticulously planned a romantic proposal at a sky garden restaurant for 7 PM. He had decorated the venue with flowers and candles and set up banners that read "Marry me" and "Qiao Qiao, can I pursue you?" . He sent Qiao Qiao a text message asking her to meet him at Li Jing Xuan for dinner, promising to wait for her.
Qiao Qiao, feeling guilty for her earlier confrontation, texted him an apology, saying she was agitated earlier and would arrive soon. Seizing the opportunity, Han Ruchu asked Qiao Qiao for a glass of water, and as Qiao Qiao turned, she pushed her down the stairs. Qiao Qiao fell, and Han Ruchu immediately began shouting for help, calling for someone to take Qiao Qiao to the hospital.
Qiao Qiao, lying in a pool of blood, was rushed to the hospital, missing Lu Jinnian’s proposal and unknowingly deepening the misunderstandings between them. Meanwhile, Lu Jinnian waited alone at the beautifully decorated restaurant. Outside, heavy rain began to fall, mirroring his growing despair. He received a text message, ostensibly from Qiao Qiao, stating she would not see him and would never forgive him for hurting Jia Mu. Heartbroken, Lu Jinnian remained in the rain-soaked garden all night, until dawn.
His assistant found him there the next morning, sick with a fever, and urged him to go home. However, Lu Jinnian refused to leave, consumed by sadness. He tried to call Qiao Qiao, but Han Ruchu hung up her phone. Believing Qiao Qiao had rejected him, Lu Jinnian sent an email to Shen Mingzhe, entrusting him and Zhen Xi with the company affairs, stating he would be away for some time.
Shen Mingzhe immediately tried to call Lu Jinnian, but his phone was off. Qiao Qiao eventually regained consciousness in the hospital, four days after her fall. Jia Mu was relieved, explaining she had a mild concussion and would need a few days to recover. Qiao Qiao asked for her phone, but Jia Mu, unaware of his mother's deception, said it must be at their house and he would bring it later. Han Ruchu, feigning concern, watched Qiao Qiao, inwardly pleased.
Lying in bed, Qiao Qiao wondered why Lu Jinnian hadn't visited her, thinking he was angry because she had stood him up. Concerned and desperate to find Lu Jinnian, Qiao Qiao secretly discharged herself from the hospital and rushed to his home, but he was not there. She frantically searched for him, unable to reach him by phone. While searching, she discovered his diary.
Through its entries, Qiao Qiao realized Lu Jinnian had been deeply in love with her for eleven years, detailing his journey from changing universities for her, to rejecting opportunities, secretly kissing her, enduring heartbreak when he thought she loved Jia Mu, and entering a fake marriage with her. Overcome with emotion, Qiao Qiao tearfully acknowledged that she, too, had loved him for eleven years. She also uncovered Han Ruchu’s true malevolence, including her act of poisoning Qiao Qiao’s unborn child.
Devastated, Qiao Qiao sought out Shen Mingzhe, asking for Lu Jinnian’s whereabouts. Shen Mingzhe, initially angry with Qiao Qiao, eventually showed her the ruined proposal site. He explained that Lu Jinnian had prepared for that day for a long time, waited for her all night, and then waited three days and nights outside her door before disappearing, heartbroken.
Shen Mingzhe also revealed that Lu Jinnian’s acquisition of the Han Group was not just an act of revenge, but a reaction to Han Ruchu poisoning Qiao Qiao's bird's nest, which resulted in the death of their child. Lu Jinnian had kept this from her to spare her pain. Heartbroken, Qiao Qiao cried out for Lu Jinnian to return. She put on the ring he had given her, gazing at the remaining proposal banner.
Meanwhile, Jia Mu found Song Xiangsi, who remained distant. He apologized for being preoccupied with his brother's actions. Song Xiangsi then told him she had been pregnant. Jia Mu was overjoyed at the news, envisioning their child and expressing his excitement. However, Song Xiangsi then showed him a notice of abortion. Jia Mu was stunned and furious, demanding to know why she had done it. Song Xiangsi explained that she couldn't bear a child that wouldn't have a father. Enraged, Jia Mu pushed her, declaring that she had no right to make such a decision, and told her that from that day forward, they were strangers.
