The Lion's Secret Episode 18 Recap
> The Lion's Secret Recap
After their wedding photos were taken, Feng Cong called Mu Wanqing again. She hesitated but answered the call, and he asked for her decision regarding their past relationship. Mu Wanqing suggested they meet in person. Liu Qing had noticed Mu Wanqing's unusual behavior but remained silent, pretending not to know anything. The next day, Mu Wanqing received a call from the photo studio, informing her that their wedding photos were ready for pickup.
She then decided to arrange her meeting with Feng Cong at the photo studio. When Feng Cong arrived at the studio, he asked if she had made a decision. Mu Wanqing arrived with a box filled with her and Feng Cong's memories. She asked Feng Cong to take out the marriage certificate they had drawn together, placed it into the box, and returned all these items to him. Feng Cong was confused.
Mu Wanqing explained that she had moved on from the past, holding no hatred, only cherished memories of their happy times, and that she would not be with him again. When Feng Cong asked if she had fallen in love with Liu Qing, Mu Wanqing stated that even without Liu Qing, their relationship was over the moment he broke his promise to her. She expressed her hope that they could remain friends and keep the good memories in their hearts.
As she left, Feng Cong called out her name. Later, Feng Cong met with Mr. Gao, Mr. Chen, and another Mr. Liu, who represented their respective companies. Mr. Gao, an old family friend, expressed regret for not being able to help Feng Cong's family during past troubles. The men wanted to discuss a cooperation project with Weikai Group, hoping to combine their resources, including those from Yu Group, to compete with Maoyuan and Gu Xiongchuan.
Feng Cong, however, pointed out existing issues within each of their companies, such as ongoing lawsuits, tied-up funds, and loan defaults. He then questioned their authority to make decisions for Mr. Yu. Just then, Feng Cong received a call from Mr. Yu, who informed him that Yu Group was withdrawing from the engine project, effectively ending the potential alliance.
Mr. Gao apologized for the abrupt meeting, but Feng Cong assured him that future cooperation for Weikai Group's Asia-Pacific expansion was still possible. Feng Cong's assistant later remarked on the hypocrisy of the businessmen, calling it "a fickle world." The assistant then asked if Feng Cong was using this project to help Mu Wanqing regain her position at Maoyuan and doubted whether she would appreciate his efforts.
Feng Cong responded that her appreciation was his concern and instructed the assistant to focus on his own duties. Li Na arrived at Mu Wanqing's house with her personal belongings, assuring Mu Wanqing of his loyalty. Mu Wanqing inquired about Yu Manshan's whereabouts. Li Na revealed that he had investigated surveillance footage near Yu Manshan's home and discovered some "unusual" activity. He showed Mu Wanqing a video clearly showing Liu Qing interacting with Yu Manshan after the bombing.
This discovery caused Mu Wanqing to suspect Liu Qing's involvement in leaking company data to Yang Zhentian. She quickly called Fu Jundie to discuss her concerns. Although Fu Jundie initially considered Uncle Quan, Mu Wanqing argued against it, stating a shareholder wouldn't risk such a scandal. Faced with mounting evidence, Mu Wanqing, though reluctant, admitted her suspicions about Liu Qing and sought Fu Jundie's help. Together, they searched Liu Qing's room, noting his recent frequent absences.
They found nothing obvious until Mu Wanqing discovered an encrypted USB drive. Meanwhile, at the company, Na Mu handed a file to Li Na, telling him she was counting on him that night. It was Mrs. Lin's birthday. Mu Wanqing, still wrestling with her suspicions about Liu Qing, decided to put them aside for the celebration.
Unknown to most, Mrs. Lin was gravely ill and was secretly given maximum doses of painkillers to endure the party, bravely asserting it was her birthday despite the obvious pain. At the party, Liu Qing presented his gift: a large framed wedding photo of himself and Mu Wanqing. Mrs. Lin was deeply touched by the thoughtful gesture, which Mu Wanqing credited to Liu Qing. As the celebration continued, Li Na abruptly arrived at the old mansion, interrupting the festivities.
Despite objections from others, Li Na insisted on speaking with Mu Wanqing, claiming to have found Yu Manshan and stating that her disappearance was linked to Qian Chang, a former subordinate of Uncle Quan. Following Li Na's startling revelation, Uncle Quan and Mu Jianjun returned to the company. Li Na presented his findings, claiming Qian Chang had taken Yu Manshan and was now unreachable, implying Uncle Quan might know how to contact him due to their past association.
Uncle Quan attempted to call Qian Chang, but the phone was off, leading him to believe there was a misunderstanding. Mu Jianjun, however, accused Uncle Quan of colluding to eliminate Yu Manshan. This ignited an angry exchange where Uncle Quan, feeling betrayed, offered to relinquish his company position if Mu Jianjun didn't trust him. Mu Wanqing arrived and intervened, affirming her trust in Uncle Quan, recalling his discreet efforts to invite Gu Xiongchuan and his unwavering support.
She then revealed the encrypted USB drive she found earlier, explaining it contained a video and information about Yu Manshan's younger brother being kidnapped, suggesting this was the true reason for Yu Manshan's actions and disappearance. Earlier, on her way to the company, Mu Wanqing had received a phone call from Gu Xiongchuan, who was with Yu Manshan.
During this call, Yu Manshan herself had confessed that Li Na was the true mastermind behind her actions, detailing how he threatened her family to coerce her into cooperating against the company. She also revealed that Liu Qing had successfully rescued her brother and placed her under Gu Xiongchuan's protection. Armed with this critical information, Mu Wanqing then took Li Na aside for a private confrontation.
She questioned his betrayal, accusing him of orchestrating Yang Zhentian's crimes, framing Uncle Quan, and using Yu Manshan to target Liu Qing. Li Na initially feigned ignorance, but Mu Wanqing's complete knowledge of the situation left him cornered. He confessed. He admitted he was behind everything, including swapping the presentation materials to expose Yang Zhentian, forcing him to take responsibility and commit suicide by threatening his family, especially his newborn son.
He confessed that his actions were driven by his deep love and jealousy for Mu Wanqing; he couldn't bear to see her with Liu Qing, a stranger, after she had helped him during his lowest point. He recounted how Na Mu then leveraged his initial act of leaking company secrets to frame Liu Qing, blackmailing him into further criminal activities by threatening to expose him to Mu Wanqing.
He tried to withdraw after Mu Wanqing's kidnapping, but Na Mu refused, implicitly threatening Mu Wanqing if he stopped. Li Na tragically concluded that some things, once started, cannot be stopped, but insisted he never wished to harm her. He promised to surrender to the police the next day. As he left the company, he discreetly placed a USB drive into Liu Qing's pocket, asking him to protect Mu Wanqing. Moments later, Na Mu's people abducted Li Na.
Na Mu, seeing him as a liability, intended to silence him. Li Na desperately managed to escape their car but was knocked unconscious. He awoke to find himself trapped in the driver's seat of a car, a liquor bottle placed beside him, at an intersection.
He made a desperate final call to Liu Qing, informing him about the USB drive containing Na Mu's criminal evidence and reiterating his plea to protect Mu Wanqing, just before a truck violently collided with his car.
