The Secret of Love Episode 18 Recap
> The Secret of Love Recap
Li Jiashang forcefully entered Gao Mu's office, warning him to stay away from the people in his life. Gao Mu retorted that Su Yi had her own independence. Li Jiashang then questioned why Gao Mu did not share the Li surname, reminding him of Li Yaohui's past caution against overstepping.
Gao Mu, recalling Li Yaohui's words, reflected that both he and Li Jiashang shared a family trait of distrust, acknowledging that they struggled to trust others while demanding unconditional trust in return. Li Jiashang then taunted, asking who was at fault when a father couldn't even trust his own son. Gao Mu remarked on Li Jiashang's growing power, contrasting it with his younger, more vulnerable self.
Su Yi was deep in thought, recalling Gao Mu's earlier revelation about a document where the page numbers had been altered. Ding Hang then arrived, chiding her for not being open about her relationship with Li Jiashang, but then offered to make amends by revealing he had located Zheng Yi's former workplace as a medical examiner. He explained his intention to visit the site to understand why Zheng Yi quit and changed careers.
Su Yi, acknowledging his usefulness, accepted his offer. At home, Su Xiangtai informed Su Yi that Li Jiashang had offered him a position at the Li Group Research Institute, an idea that made Su Xiangtai uncomfortable. While examining recruitment materials, Su Yi recognized Wu Linjiang, a core researcher, from a 2001 Li Mu Research Institute memorial photograph.
She deduced that Wu Linjiang, like her father and Zhu Yue, had been involved with the institute from its establishment to its closure, suggesting he held crucial information about Uncle Mu. Su Yi planned to visit the research institute, but Su Xiangtai advised against a sudden appearance, offering to gather information during his upcoming internship there.
Meanwhile, at a meal, Zheng He, demonstrating affection for Xia Xiyang, playfully teased Li Jiashang about his lack of romance, also pointing out the ongoing conflict between Li Jiashang and Su Yi. When Li Jiashang stated his purpose was to protect Su Yi, Zheng He countered that Su Yi was also trying to protect Li Jiashang, but then questioned Li Jiashang's loyalty, reminding him of Su Yi hiding the real and fake autopsy reports.
Later, while climbing with Xia Xiyang, Su Yi confided that Gao Mu's words had shifted her suspicion from only Li Yaohui to include Li Jiashang. She expressed her fear of confronting Li Jiashang directly, uncertain whether she preferred his confession or denial. Xia Xiyang acknowledged the possibility that Gao Mu might be lying, despite his assistance in finding Zheng Yi's autopsy report, noting that others involved avoided the topic. Su Yi admitted her confusion, unsure whom to trust.
Her memory remained a source of distress; she felt her amnesia originated at the Li Mu Research Institute, contradicting Uncle Zhang's assertion that it was caused by a car accident. Xia Xiyang encouraged her to trust her own recollections. That night, a nightmare startled Su Yi awake. She thought of calling Li Jiashang, but couldn't get through, so she reached out to Xia Xiyang for comfort.
Xia Xiyang, hearing about another nightmare, commented that even Li Jiashang ("Plus One") couldn't protect her since their argument. Su Yi mused about living in a "magical world," partly due to Su Xiangtai's recent move to a dorm for his internship. The following day, Zheng He, impeccably dressed and carrying flowers, approached Xia Xiyang during her lunch break, intending to propose.
Despite his initial nervousness and an accidental reveal of the ring, he bravely expressed his deep love, proclaiming his desire to spend his life with her. Xia Xiyang playfully teased him about proposing on both knees, prompting him to correct it to one knee. Just then, Zheng Yi, Zheng He's father, arrived, instructing Zheng He to bring his "daughter-in-law" home for dinner on Friday.
Zheng He then affectionately placed the ring on Xia Xiyang's finger, and they shared a tender kiss. Zheng Yi interrupted their moment again, chiding Zheng He for keeping his relationship a secret, but was ultimately reassured by Zheng He's sincere promise to treat Xia Xiyang well for the rest of his life. Later, Su Xiangtai rushed to Romanie's place after receiving a distress call, only to discover it was a ruse to get him there.
Romanie admitted she simply missed him, as his absence from Li Group made her unhappy. Su Xiangtai playfully scolded her for making him worry and drive a significant distance, but Romanie silenced him with a passionate kiss. When he asked why she liked him, she told him to follow his feelings, leading to another intimate embrace. At the office, Su Yi, accompanied by Romanie, presented a business report to Li Jiashang.
Li Jiashang dismissed Su Yi's proposal for a new storefront and criticized her strategy for livestream marketing. Romanie then gleefully boasted about her successful night with Su Xiangtai, much to Su Yi's shock and dismay. Romanie chastised Li Jiashang and Su Yi for letting personal issues affect their work.
Li Jiashang assigned Su Yi the task of securing a primary sponsorship for a reality program, but when Su Yi expressed her disapproval due to brand image concerns, he revealed he had already assigned it to Romanie, making Su Yi a backup. After Romanie departed, Li Jiashang informed Su Yi that his cat, Milk, was unwell and asked her to accompany him to the Pet Hospital.
At the clinic, the veterinarian delivered grim news about Milk's condition, prompting a difficult conversation between Li Jiashang and Su Yi about the cat's suffering, with Li Jiashang expressing his desire to keep Milk with them as long as possible. Su Yi then offered to re-engage with the sponsorship project. Shortly after, Romanie called Li Jiashang, frustrated that the platform had unexpectedly canceled her meeting after a three-hour wait, revealing the project's difficulty.
Su Yi realized this was her original assignment, leaving Li Jiashang in an awkward position. Su Yi then received an urgent call from Xia Xiyang, who informed her of her intention to break up with Zheng He. Su Yi and Li Jiashang rushed to find a distraught Xia Xiyang and Zheng He arguing.
Xia Xiyang, in tears, accused Zheng He of two-timing, explaining that another woman had approached her, claiming to be Zheng He's girlfriend and showing a similar ring, making her feel humiliated. Zheng He vehemently denied the accusation, clarifying that the woman had pursued him for years without his reciprocation and was likely reacting to his recent proposal post. He questioned why Xia Xiyang had gone on blind dates after promising to marry him.
After a heated exchange, Zheng He earnestly reassured Xia Xiyang of his unwavering loyalty and offered complete transparency, even sharing his phone passcode. Xia Xiyang, though still feigning annoyance, appeared to accept his explanation, and their misunderstanding was resolved. Following Zheng He and Xia Xiyang's reconciliation, Li Jiashang sought to resolve his own conflict with Su Yi. He playfully recalled Su Yi’s sister’s comment that Li Jiashang was Su Yi’s pleasant surprise upon returning to the country.
He then emphasized that they had already wasted seven years and should not prolong their current stalemate, agreeing to communicate directly. Su Yi asked why he had her followed, and Li Jiashang explained it was for her protection after she was almost hit by a car. In turn, Li Jiashang asked why she had met with Gao Mu. Su Yi admitted her belief that Gao Mu still possessed crucial information that she was determined to extract.
They acknowledged that open communication made things much simpler. Li Jiashang expressed his hope that Su Yi, accustomed to her independence, would grow used to having him by her side, to which she promised to try her best.
