The Secret of Love Episode 16 Recap
> The Secret of Love Recap
Li Jiashang and Su Yi rushed to the hospital after learning that Li Yaohui's blood pressure had spiked and he needed to be hospitalized. A staff member informed them that the Chairman's high blood pressure was temporary, but he needed observation for a few days and was not currently available to see them. However, Li Yaohui did not want to see Li Jiashang.
Su Yi asked Li Jiashang if they were the cause of his grandfather's illness, but he reassured her, telling her not to overthink. He then offered to stay with his grandfather while suggesting she go home, but Su Yi insisted on staying. Li Jiashang left to buy some items.
While he was gone, Su Yi checked her phone and found that public opinion regarding the new product launch had shifted, with online news portraying her as a victim who had sacrificed for the CEO. While Su Yi was engrossed in her phone, Gao Mu approached her and called her "Mu Xiao." Su Yi was visibly startled and hesitant before asking him what he had said.
Gao Mu quickly covered, apologizing and claiming he had recognized the wrong person, before leaving. Su Yi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after he walked away. Su Yi officially started working at Lee Group and was welcomed by Romanni. Romanni, in a friendly gesture, mentioned that she was starting to like Su Yi now that she had "switched off the love rival filter."
Su Yi began to call her "Sister Manni," but Romanni playfully stopped her, hinting that she might become her future sister-in-law. Their conversation was interrupted by an urgent staff member who reported that Gu Sha, the lead actress booked for their commercial, intended to break her contract. Romanni was frustrated, but Su Yi confidently offered to handle the negotiation, stating her prior experience with Gu Sha's agent.
During the negotiation, Gu Sha's agent informed Su Yi that they lacked availability, implying they had accepted a better offer. Su Yi deduced that Lin Zi Group had offered Gu Sha three times Lee Group's original fee. Su Yi countered by emphasizing that while Lin Zhi offered immediate high remuneration, they typically engaged in one-time collaborations and frequently changed ambassadors.
In contrast, Lee Group could enhance Gu Sha's reputation and long-term value, opening up more future opportunities, not just for Gu Sha but for the agency's other artists as well, given Lee Group's diverse high-end products. The agent agreed to reconsider, and Su Yi confidently stated her belief that their choice would ultimately align with Lee Group. Gu Sha's agent then met with Gao Mu, hoping to adjust Lin Zhi's commercial schedule.
However, Gao Mu did not discuss business, instead making the agent perform meditation and exercises, leaving him exhausted. Gao Mu suggested they could sing and chat next time, emphasizing the importance of exercise, effectively stalling any real negotiation. Later, Su Yi brought up her encounter with Li Jiashang's father (his uncle) at the hospital a few days prior.
Li Jiashang became upset, asserting that his father was not worthy of the title and warning Su Yi not to speak of him. Su Yi, sensing underlying family issues, tried to connect it to Li Yaohui's decision to halt new product launches to leave market share for Lin Zhi Group. Li Jiashang, however, interrupted her when she attempted to mention "Gao Mu's mother," abruptly changing the subject by calling for a meeting, further hinting at a sensitive family secret.
Li Jiashang found Su Yi and presented her with a welcome gift for joining Lee Group – a luxury car, explaining it was a company asset for her use. Su Yi was hesitant to accept such an expensive gift, but Li Jiashang playfully questioned if she had a driver's license. To prove her driving skills, Su Yi took the keys, even boasting about her past as a racer in Waseda, though Li Jiashang reminded her that this was not Japan.
He also advised her to change into flat shoes from the car. While driving, Su Yi, feeling nervous, asked Li Jiashang for help with directions, and despite his instructions, she lost control and crashed the car into a boundary marker. Li Jiashang's nose started bleeding, and Su Yi was very worried, repeatedly asking if he was okay. Li Jiashang, though injured, reassured her that no one was seriously hurt and went to check the car.
Later, at a restaurant, Li Jiashang wished Su Yi a Happy Qixi Festival in advance and expressed his desire to celebrate it with her at her home, a suggestion Su Yi didn't immediately embrace. He then presented her with another "gift," revealing that he had asked Zheng He to investigate the investment projects and accounts between Lee Group and Li Mu Research Institute.
Li Jiashang acknowledged that this was Su Yi's real motive for returning to China – to investigate whether her father was framed, believing clues would be found in the accounts. He assured her of his full support. Unbeknownst to them, someone observing Zheng He in the finance department reported to an unknown party that Li Jiashang was growing suspicious. Su Yi later discussed her high-profile makeup removal with Xia Xiyang, who asked if it had attracted any suspicious individuals.
Su Yi identified Gao Mu as the most suspicious, noting that he had called her "Mu Xiao" at the hospital after the press conference and had previously shown her a pendant at a cocktail party. Xia Xiyang, intrigued by this, suggested Su Yi probe him further to uncover his connection to her past. Acting on this advice, Su Yi subsequently met with Gao Mu.
Gao Mu acknowledged Su Yi's true motive for returning to China and advised her against further investigation, but Su Yi refused. He then revealed he was Li Yaohui's illegitimate son, Li Jiashang's uncle, a former head of Li Mu Research Institute, who the Li family had always refused to acknowledge. He claimed the Li family was frightening and that Su Yi and her father were not the only victims, showing her some old photos.
When Su Yi asked about the pendant he showed her earlier, Gao Mu dismissed it as something he found and subsequently lost. He then shared warm memories of being good friends with Su Yi's parents, reminiscing about her as a child, and acknowledged her amnesia after the car accident. Su Yi, now curious, asked how he knew she was still alive.
Gao Mu, after making her promise not to tell the Li family, disclosed that he had long suspected Zheng Yi's autopsy report was faked. He confessed to installing a hidden camera in Zheng Yi's office for self-protection, and the surveillance footage revealed Su Yi searching the office.
Although Su Yi stated she found nothing, Gao Mu showed her the surveillance video, which depicted Zheng Yi, along with an autopsy report dated August 31, 2014, explicitly stating that the DNA did not match Mu Feng's daughter, Mu Xiao. Su Yi brought the 2014 autopsy report to Xia Xiyang, instructing her to keep it a secret from Zheng He.
Xia Xiyang initially believed Zheng He would not disclose it, but Su Yi expressed concern, explaining that Zheng He's father (Director Zheng) was involved and they couldn't be sure of Director Zheng's full involvement in the deception. Li Jiashang visited Zheng Yi, bringing expensive wine and expressing his gratitude, offering to host him for dinner. He also sought to consult Zheng Yi on another matter.
As he was leaving, he encountered Su Yi, who he thought was going to a spa. Su Yi quickly lied, claiming she was there to pick up Xia Xiyang after work but had unexpectedly gotten her period. Li Jiashang, accepting her excuse, asked if she wanted to go home with him for dinner, but Su Yi declined, stating she planned to stay and keep his grandfather company.
Su Yi then met with Ding Hang and presented him with the autopsy report. Ding Hang confirmed that it validated their suspicions but raised a crucial question: where did the body that replaced Su Yi's come from? Su Yi then reminded him about the list of body donors from Li Mu Research Institute, which she had photographed from Lee Group's archives. Ding Hang requested she send him the photo so he could conduct further research.
Li Jiashang continued his investigation into the mysterious phone call made to Su Yi under Chu Mo's name. After confirming with Zheng He that the call originated from Wan Fu Yuan, a liquor shop, he visited the shop late in the evening. He inquired with the shop owner, who initially couldn't recall anyone borrowing their phone but then remembered a customer two to three weeks prior whose phone had run out of battery.
The owner described the person as wearing a black mask on a hot day and having a distinct scent of disinfectant, leading Li Jiashang to strongly suspect Zheng Yi's involvement. Moments later, Li Jiashang received an urgent voice message from Su Yi, simply saying "Help." He rushed to her house to find her overturned on the bed, unable to get up, and asking for his assistance.
She explained that she had been searching for "Plus One," a doll Li Jiashang had given her, but couldn't find it, leading to her predicament. Li Jiashang tried to reassure her, offering to make her another one, but Su Yi was distraught, questioning her brother, Su Xiangtai. Su Xiangtai denied any knowledge and left to get snacks, claiming not to want to bother them.
Su Yi eventually discovered "Plus One" hanging outside on the balcony, torn and damaged, and angrily called for Su Xiangtai. Li Jiashang helped her carefully sew the doll back together, downplaying the damage and suggesting it was his fault for not stitching it properly initially. Su Yi expressed that "Plus One" helped her avoid nightmares.
Li Jiashang then pointed out that "Plus One" was modeled after him, albeit not as handsome, and promised to stay with her every day until it was fully repaired. He then suggested she move in with him so he wouldn't have to worry about her, but Su Yi hesitated, citing concern for Su Xiangtai.
Later, Li Jiashang reviewed Su Yi's movements for the day, noting her visits to Gao Mu at Lin Zi Group, Zheng Yi at Ocean City Hospital, and then Ding Hang at a cafe. He deduced that Gao Mu had prompted Su Yi to contact Zheng Yi, and subsequently, she had asked Ding Hang to investigate Zheng Yi, concluding that Zheng Yi was now their primary clue and likely harbored a significant secret.
