The Lion's Secret Episode 12 Recap
> The Lion's Secret Recap
At Mu Wanqing's parents' house, where Mu Wanqing and Liu Qing are building Lego blocks, a security guard informs Mu Wanqing that a sick young woman is asking for Liu Qing. Mu Wanqing discovers it is Li Yuting, who is suffering from a high fever. To avoid alarming her grandmother, Mu Wanqing hastily concocts an excuse about an urgent contract and leaves with Liu Qing, bringing Li Yuting to their own home.
Before heading home, Mu Wanqing instructs Mi to prepare the study for Li Yuting. Witnessing Liu Qing's obvious concern for Li Yuting, Mu Wanqing grows suspicious, believing he had already connected with Li Yuting at the auction and was helping her due to a prior relationship. She pointedly questions if Li Yuting is his "type."
Liu Qing, unable to fully explain at the moment, denies any romantic involvement, asserting that Li Yuting is not an "unknown girl," and promises to explain everything once she is well enough to speak for herself. Mi then gives Li Yuting medicine to reduce her fever. Later, while Mi tidies Li Yuting's belongings, she discovers a note in Li Yuting's pocket with the address of Mu's old mansion.
Mu Wanqing sees this note and, recalling Liu Qing's previous remarks about a girl who had helped him endure and "was not unknown," her suspicions intensify. She begins to believe that Li Yuting is the significant girl Liu Qing has been keeping secret from her. The next morning, Li Yuting wakes up feeling much better and finds her way to the dining room.
There, she overhears Liu Qing telling Mu Wanqing that he plans to visit Li Yuting's school to understand her situation after dropping Mu Wanqing off at the office. When Li Yuting joins them, she introduces herself and expresses surprise upon learning that Mu Wanqing is Liu Qing's wife. She asks when they got married and why she wasn't informed.
Liu Qing explains their wedding on August 6th, at 10:08 AM, was very rushed, preventing them from inviting many friends and relatives. Li Yuting shares that her late brother and Liu Qing were very close friends, and Liu Qing used to take good care of her, remarking that the woman he married must be "very amazing." Feeling somewhat awkward, Liu Qing quickly excuses himself to prepare the car.
Later, Li Yuting asks Mu Wanqing if she made Liu Qing uncomfortable, to which Mu Wanqing offers reassurance. Before heading to the company, Mu Wanqing instructs Liu Qing to take Li Yuting to the company's medical examination center for a check-up, commenting on her tendency to faint. At the center, the doctor confirms that Li Yuting has no major health issues, attributing her condition to malnourishment and fatigue, which has weakened her immunity.
Liu Qing then asks Li Yuting about her living situation. She explains she does not live at school because she works and was recently evicted by her landlord, leaving her homeless. Liu Qing saves his phone number in her phone, advising her to call him if she ever faces trouble. Li Yuting asks if Mu Wanqing dislikes her, and Liu Qing reassures her that Mu Wanqing is just shy with strangers.
Liu Qing then questions how Li Yuting found his father-in-law's house, and Li Yuting replies it was from "the note you gave me." Liu Qing realizes something is amiss but keeps his thoughts to himself. Li Yuting then asks if she can store her luggage at his house. Back at the office, Liu Qing explains to Mu Wanqing that Li Yuting is the sister of a close friend, a brother to whom he "owed a great deal."
He explains that since her brother's passing, Li Yuting's situation has been unstable, compelling him to help her. He apologizes if his actions caused her any "displeasure" but firmly assures her that their relationship is strictly like "brother and sister." Mu Wanqing feigns indifference, claiming she never suspected anything, but scolds him for giving her a "hard time" the previous night, remarking that it "wasn't funny at all."
She tells him not to use Li Yuting as an excuse for not working and to stop "embarrassing" her with the matter, though she playfully admits to enjoying his occasional cute acts and tantrums. Later, Mu Wanqing meets with Gu Xiongchuan to discuss a potential business collaboration.
Gu Xiongchuan, whose company is now managed by professional managers, expresses reluctance, explaining that his domestic business has reached its peak and he isn't seeking significant growth; he merely wants to maintain stability to prevent his employees from losing their jobs. He suggests that Maoyuan consider partnering with Weikai Group instead, describing them as a vast financial entity formed by three long-established families, involved in diverse industries, and actively seeking a domestic partner.
Although initially concerned about Maoyuan meeting Weikai's high standards, Mu Wanqing is encouraged by Gu Xiongchuan, who advises her that excessive humility can be a form of pride and assures her that this is "the best time for you." As Liu Qing drives Mu Wanqing to meet Fu Jundie, he playfully complains about not being invited inside for tea after her meeting.
Noticing Mu Wanqing's lingering unhappiness, he suggests they go out, but she retorts that he can take leave and "go find Li Yuting," dismissing his protective duties. Liu Qing attempts to explain his continued involvement with Li Yuting, reiterating that he felt responsible after her brother's death but admits he "messed it up." Mu Wanqing cuts him off, declaring the matter closed and instructing him to "get her settled in."
At the martial arts gym, Mu Wanqing encounters Lei Shuo, who asks her for advice on how to appease an angry Fu Jundie, estimating her anger is "about this high." Mu Wanqing jokingly replies that he might have to "die for it." Fu Jundie, initially reluctant to see Lei Shuo due to his alliance with Liu Qing, eventually comes downstairs and tells Mu Wanqing to wait while she "deals with him."
Lei Shuo confronts Fu Jundie, accusing her of spying on him out of fear he would expose her "collusion with Liu Qing." He then informs her that "Yu Manshan has a problem" and asks her to join him for an investigation the following day at 1 PM. Flustered, Fu Jundie returns to Mu Wanqing, who teases her about having a new boyfriend, complimenting her "good eye for men." Fu Jundie denies it.
Mu Wanqing then reveals she knows "Liu Qing's thing," claiming he thought he could keep secrets from her. She expresses her annoyance at Liu Qing bringing Li Yuting, a "friend's sister," with "big luggage" to the old mansion, viewing it as an intentional slight. Fu Jundie then reveals that Li Yuting has come to her again.
Fu Jundie goes on to explain to Mu Wanqing that Li Yuting's boyfriend, Zhou Xiao, had lied to Li Yuting about needing money for a company deposit, instead using it to buy expensive clothes. Liu Qing had unknowingly complicated matters when he recovered Zhou Xiao's stolen clothes and returned them to the police, which led to Li Yuting discovering Zhou Xiao's deception and breaking up with him. Mu Wanqing dismisses this as "childish."
Liu Qing arranges accommodation for Li Yuting at the Element Hotel, in room 5106, assuring her it's close to his home and he'll always be there if she calls. When Li Yuting expresses concern about the cost, Liu Qing tells her not to worry. He also informs her that he has contacted her school about a dormitory vacancy and that she should move back once a bed becomes available, emphasizing that "being with your classmates is what's normal."
Furthermore, he reveals that her brother, Li Mo, left a sum of money with him, so she doesn't need to work and can focus solely on her studies. After a moment of silence, Li Yuting then tells Liu Qing that she "doesn't like the way you smell right now." Liu Qing returns home to find Mu Wanqing asleep on the sofa, with candies scattered around. The candies trigger childhood memories of Mu Wanqing eating them.
He sits beside her and gently dozes off. Mu Wanqing, half-awake, dreams of Liu Qing, feeling a sense of comfort seeing him there before drifting back to sleep. The next morning, Mi wakes Mu Wanqing, who feels a pang of disappointment when she realizes Liu Qing is no longer beside her. Mi then informs her that a box of "romantic" flowers arrived without a sender's name.
Mu Wanqing initially wants to discard them as "unknown," but after Mi suggests they might be from Liu Qing, she reconsiders and keeps them. Liu Qing later greets Mu Wanqing, playfully touching her face, which she warns him not to do. At her office, Mu Wanqing receives another anonymous gift, a large bottle of champagne, brought in by Li Na. Mu Wanqing dismisses it, instructing Li Na not to accept unidentified deliveries in the future.
Li Na then informs her that Li Yuting is downstairs, insisting on a meeting. Mu Wanqing tells Li Na to have Li Yuting wait in the reception room. After her meeting, Mu Wanqing arrives to find Li Yuting, who complains about the long wait. Li Yuting confronts Mu Wanqing, claiming she wants to discuss Liu Qing.
She criticizes Mu Wanqing for being "high and mighty" in the company and bringing that attitude into her personal life, urging her to "be good to Liu Qing" because "life without love will not be happy." Li Yuting further points out the absence of wedding photos in their "big house" and their "cold" interactions, suggesting Liu Qing doesn't owe her anything and implying Mu Wanqing is using him.
Mu Wanqing tries to interject, but Li Yuting, assuming she's hit a nerve, asks if Mu Wanqing will have her "kicked out." Mu Wanqing calmly explains that the only reason she hasn't is because Li Yuting is "Liu Qing's best friend's sister." She states she is busy and suggests they schedule another time to talk. Li Yuting defiantly asks Mu Wanqing, "Do you love Liu Qing? If you don't love him, don't use him," before storming out.
Lei Shuo waits for Fu Jundie, having prepared food, confident she would come despite her earlier anger. He assures her he's "always ready" even for a "small chance." When she demands answers, he agrees to share "what you need to know" but insists on keeping some "privacy." They then drive to a bar to interrogate a man whom Lei Shuo suspects was involved in tracking Yu Manshan.
Upon being shown Yu Manshan's photo, the man denies knowing her and attempts to flee. Lei Shuo swiftly pursues and corners him on a rooftop, where the man desperately tries to take Fu Jundie hostage. Lei Shuo easily subdues him. Enraged, Fu Jundie lunges to punch the man, but he dodges, causing her fist to accidentally strike Lei Shuo's face.
