The Sweetest Secret Episode 22 Recap
> The Sweetest Secret Recap
Lin Ran, understanding that marriage would give Tang Weiwei a sense of security, promptly put the matter on the agenda. Soon after, he and Tang Weiwei registered their marriage. Tang Weiwei confirmed, "We've registered marriage." Although feeling sweet inside, Tang Weiwei playfully teased Lin Ran, asking if she should call him "brother" or something else. Before she could finish, she chuckled and initiated a passionate kiss.
Lin Ran was also overjoyed to finally have Tang Weiwei as his wife, and the two playfully chased each other like children. Lin Ran then took Tang Weiwei to his art studio, where he had painted countless moments related to her. Tang Weiwei observed the paintings, asking why the scenes looked so familiar. Lin Ran explained that these were all places they had visited together, and he simply wanted to record them as memories.
He asked her what she thought of the gallery, to which she replied, "Not bad." Lin Ran added that he wanted to contain all their memories and her in his heart. Tang Weiwei was deeply moved, realizing how much Lin Ran had done for her since learning about her lack of security. She playfully asked if he was listing his assets, and he responded, "Post-marriage assets." Overwhelmed with emotion, they embraced each other.
Lin Ran then brought Tang Weiwei to see his circuit. She playfully scolded him, remarking that she forbade him from racing, yet he had gone and acquired an entire circuit. As they continued their tour, Lin Ran suggested they start preparing for their wedding after announcing their marriage. He asked Tang Weiwei about her preferences, whether she liked a Chinese or Western style, reminding her of her childhood dream of a "Candied Castle."
Tang Weiwei immediately objected, wanting to delay the wedding. She explained that she hadn't figured out how to tell her father yet, fearing the news would be too much for him to handle. Lin Ran offered to tell him if she wouldn't, but she insisted on waiting for the right moment due to her father's "weak heart." Lin Ran clarified that he didn't demand an immediate wedding; rather, he wanted her to understand that he had grown up.
He was no longer a little boy but her husband, capable of protecting, supporting, and being her steadfast reliance. As Lin Ran's face drew closer, Tang Weiwei dropped the dessert she was holding, and they passionately kissed, embracing each other. Ms. Yang, the editor-in-chief, confronted Associate Editor Li Xiang with photos showing her introducing Ning Meng to Jin Zichuan.
Since Li Xiang had not reported this matter to the company, Ms. Yang demanded that Li Xiang prove her innocence within half a day or be dismissed for dereliction of duty. Li Xiang denied the accusations, stating she "didn't do it" and even challenged Ms. Yang to call the police. Ms. Yang retorted that Li Xiang disregarded the company's reputation and reiterated her ultimatum: clear her name or "take the blame and resign."
Li Xiang immediately tried to contact Jin Zichuan, but his phone was off. Jin Zichuan was in a meeting, discussing future work arrangements for the sales department, including strengthening contract review and performance reviews for salespeople. When Gu Zhen's phone rang, the work-focused Jin Zichuan, without even checking who was calling, instructed Gu Zhen to ignore it.
Unable to reach either Jin Zichuan or Gu Zhen, Associate Editor Li Xiang sought out Ning Meng, hoping she would speak on her behalf. Li Xiang explained how her previous arrangement with Ning Meng to endorse Huanuo's product had not been reported to her company, leading to suspicions, and asked for Ning Meng's help in proving her innocence. Ning Meng, however, refused, stating it was "your company's affair" and "it isn't appropriate for me to intervene."
She then suggested Li Xiang seek help from Jin Zichuan, implying they were very familiar. Seeing both paths blocked, Li Xiang grew increasingly frustrated. She returned to the company, dramatically flung her employee badge onto Ms. Yang's desk, declaring she was quitting, and walked out. Her colleagues, asking about her return, were told by Li Xiang to "stop pretending" and that she "doesn't really care about this position," instructing them to "wait for my resignation letter."
The commotion in the office drew curious onlookers, embarrassing Ms. Yang. She angrily confronted Li Xiang about accepting bribery and dereliction of duty, then loudly scolded everyone else, telling them to leave if they had no work to do. Tang Weiwei had not been home for several days, unsure how to tell her father about her marriage, so she was avoiding him. Lin Ran noticed she was sleepy and suggested they go home.
She refused, stating she felt "nervous as soon as I see my father at home" and that she wouldn't be able to keep their marriage a secret. She preferred to "go home only when I know how to tell him." Lin Ran recognized this wasn't sustainable, acknowledged it was "entirely my fault," and decided to devise a plan to help Tang Weiwei.
After losing her job, Li Xiang went to a bar to drink away her sorrows and ended up getting tipsy. She quickly called Tang Weiwei for help, sharing her location. Upon learning it was Li Xiang, Tang Weiwei felt she needed to go, but Lin Ran suggested she let someone "more suitable" handle this "hero saving the beauty" situation, not immediately revealing who he meant. Jin Zichuan arrived at the bar and found Li Xiang heavily intoxicated.
She asked why he was there, lamenting that she had resigned because of him and questioning how he would repay such a great favor. Jin Zichuan asked if she was unhappy, and Li Xiang explained that Ms. Yang had consistently given her a hard time and defamed her, leaving her no choice but to resign. Jin Zichuan reassured her that she shouldn't drown her sorrows alone and promised to face any future difficulties with her.
He understood that his affairs had led to her resignation and resolved to seek justice for her. Jin Zichuan confronted the newspaper's General Manager, Mr. Chen, explaining that Li Xiang's resignation was a direct consequence of an errand she performed for him. He presented a portfolio containing irrefutable evidence of Ms. Yang's corruption, including her accepting bribes to feature inappropriate individuals in the magazine, defaming and suppressing colleagues, making innocent colleagues scapegoats, and deceiving everyone.
Jin Zichuan warned Mr. Chen that if he didn't want these details to "appear in the newspaper," he should handle the matter promptly. Mr. Chen acknowledged their "negligence" and promised a "serious investigation." Jin Zichuan then demanded to see the "outcome" and Li Xiang's "reinstatement notice" within two days. Fearing the scandal would damage the newspaper's reputation, Mr. Chen quickly fired Ms. Yang and promoted Li Xiang.
When Li Xiang and Jin Zichuan arrived at the newspaper office, Li Xiang was bewildered, asking why they were there if Ms. Yang had resigned. Jin Zichuan explained that Ms. Yang had indeed resigned and, due to time constraints, her old office hadn't been renovated yet. He then informed Li Xiang that "this office is yours in the future."
Overjoyed, Li Xiang felt "happiness comes so abruptly" and she was "a little dazed" at the prospect of her new chief editor's office. Seeing Li Xiang so happy, Jin Zichuan was also greatly relieved. In the office, he knelt on one knee and asked her to be his girlfriend.
Li Xiang, having previously confessed to herself that she thought she had "really fallen for him" and recalling Jin Zichuan's earlier suggestion to "try to hang out," was touched by his sincerity. She agreed, stating she would "try it out." Tang Weiwei's father, observing her busy schedule between her dessert shop and home, worried about her lack of a partner. He feigned illness and checked into the hospital, demanding Tang Weiwei go on blind dates.
His brother, Xu Jian, tried to reassure him, mentioning that all his health indexes were normal except for occasional arrhythmia, and advised him to play fewer game tournaments. Tang Father, however, insisted he was worried about Tang Weiwei's unchanging routine and that she "can't continue like this," stating he would "think of a way" to encourage her to meet someone new. Lin Ran learned about Tang Father's ploy.
He urged Tang Weiwei to tell her father about their marriage, assuring her he would be "surprised," she wouldn't need to go on blind dates, and he could then "stand beside you in public." Tang Weiwei, however, was concerned it would be "a shock rather than a surprise" due to her father's "weak heart," insisting they wait for the right moment. Feigning deafness, Lin Ran playfully offered to take leave and go anywhere with her as compensation.
Later, as they went swimming, Lin Ran read a text from Tang Father to Tang Weiwei, telling her to "break up at once" with him. Annoyed, Lin Ran decided to proceed, thinking, "I'll show you when the time comes." He hesitated for a moment, thinking he shouldn't be childish, but then used the opportunity to secretly post an "official announcement" of their marriage on his phone. The news caused a stir, stunning everyone.
Xu Jian, Tang Weiwei's brother, informed her father about the announcement. Upon learning of it, Tang Father immediately abandoned his pretense of illness and stormed out of the hospital to confront Tang Weiwei. Gu Zhen later visited Tang Weiwei's dessert shop, where she offered him a drink, and he requested lemon water. He thanked her for her help the other day.
When she commented on the expense of something he gave her, he clarified that although it was expensive, he hadn't bought it from a wholesale market nor had he bargained for it. Gu Zhen then probed about their relationship, to which Tang Weiwei plainly stated, "I'm married." Gu Zhen, surprised, recalled seeing her and "your brother" recently, prompting Tang Weiwei to clarify she meant "me and Lin Ran."
Gu Zhen, looking crestfallen, said he would leave, but Tang Weiwei stopped him, offering him some desserts she had made to share with his mother. Gu Zhen declined for his mother, explaining she had diabetes and could only consume items with "sweetener," though he accepted a piece for himself. Later, Tang Weiwei contacted Gu Zhen, specifically asking about his company's ongoing research and development into "sweetener."
She explained her desire to create a series of sugar-free cakes for patients and inquired about a potential collaboration. Gu Zhen confirmed that he was in charge of the sweetener project and readily agreed to a partnership. Tang Father was enraged upon learning that Lin Ran was Tang Weiwei's husband.
While at the swimming pool, Lin Ran tried to explain their relationship using a mermaid story and kissed Tang Weiwei, but Xu Jian quickly interrupted, scolding Lin Ran for interfering with his now-married sister. Tang Father confronted Tang Weiwei about acting "before asking permission" and suggested she thought he couldn't interfere with her anymore. Tang Weiwei retorted that if he truly had a "heart condition," he indeed couldn't.
She expressed frustration that after forcing her to go on blind dates, they were still unhappy when she finally got married, questioning "what you really want." Tang Father stated he wanted her to have "a stable life" and criticized her choices, from opening a dessert shop instead of furthering her studies, to "fooling around" with Lin Ran, concluding she was "not like your mother."
Tang Weiwei countered that she had "always been different from mother" and "don't want to replicate her life." Tang Weiwei later reflected that her tone with her father was too harsh and that "anger is certainly the most destructive emotion." Later, Lin Ran met Tang Father and Xu Jian at a boxing gym. Lin Ran bravely announced, "Tang Weiwei and I have gotten married." Both men were shocked, accusing him of lying about their past breakup and his trip abroad.
Lin Ran insisted he didn't lie and that he and Tang Weiwei "love each other." He asserted that he had grown up and that now that Tang Weiwei was with him, "no one can bully her." Lin Ran offered to treat them to lunch, remarking they hadn't eaten all morning after fighting. Tang Father, still upset, said it didn't matter what they ate but "with whom."
He then gruffly told Lin Ran to go shower, which Lin Ran playfully extended to Xu Jian, calling him "brother." Later at Tang Weiwei's dessert shop, Lin Ran, still playful, thanked her for watching the shop and asked about an unmentioned parcel. He then playfully teased her, trying to hide a package labelled "Pursuing Wife Plan," which she eventually spotted. He then offered to wash hands with her and fetch her an apron.
He called her "obedient sister," jokingly claiming to be seven years old to her five, and then said he was "only childish" with her. Tang Weiwei inquired if his recent visit to the boxing gym was related to her brother. Lin Ran dismissed it as "men's communication" that she wouldn't understand, asserting that he had "settled your family somehow."
He quipped that he should have "accepted a few more punches" to make her feel sorry for him, which Tang Weiwei called "blind confidence" requiring counseling. He tasted a sugar-free dessert she made, surprised by its sweetness, and she playfully offered to poison him, to which he joked about them being friends "on the way to the underworld." Their lighthearted moment was interrupted by another customer.
Later, Tang Father gave Xu Jian an invitation to the "Youth Entrepreneurship Conference," asking him to pass it to Tang Weiwei, as he still wouldn't directly support her shop. At dinner, Xu Jian praised Tang Weiwei's cooking, describing the ribs as "aromatic and juicy" and the pumpkin as "especially good for our health." Tang Father, however, found the ribs "a bit overcooked" and "not sweet and sour." Tang Weiwei admitted she had forgotten to buy meat for the pumpkin stew.
Tang Father feigned a phone call to avoid eating. Xu Jian then urged Tang Weiwei to accept the invitation from her father, which she initially declined, saying her shop's business was good. Lin Ran then discussed the conference invitation, noting it allowed family members and fell on a weekend, proposing they pack at her hostel and he would accompany her.
Tang Weiwei remarked that adult relationships require a sense of distance, but Lin Ran declared himself a "minor" who wanted to "stick with my sister" and called himself her "disorder." At her hostel, her friends greeted her as "sister-in-law." While there, Tang Weiwei explained to a friend that Lin Ran had been busy, so the trip was a way to make up for it, earning a comment about her knowing "how to tame your husband."
Lin Ran then presented Tang Weiwei with a sketch book, filled with drawings he had made of her. He later apologized for the "Pursuing Wife Plan" she discovered, explaining he was anxious and didn't want to lose his chance. He reiterated his desire to "follow in your footsteps," "stand with you," and "take you as my wife." Their conversation was abruptly cut short when someone rushed in, shouting, "Brother Ran, it's urgent. Something has happened to Ji Han."
