The Sweetest Secret Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> The Sweetest Secret Recap
Friends gathered to celebrate Lin Ran's birthday, which had been postponed due to Tang Weiwei's absence the day before. Despite Lin Ran initially downplaying the occasion and suggesting everyone leave, his friends insisted on celebrating. Tang Weiwei brought out desserts she had prepared. They sang "Happy Birthday" and Tang Weiwei then apologized for her unexpected absence. Lin Ran reassured her that she never needed to apologize to him.
Later, as they closed the shop and walked home hand in hand, Lin Ran expressed his joy, telling Tang Weiwei that they were "locked together" without keys, and that even the air felt sweet to him. Meanwhile, Jin Zichuan and Li Xiang were taking a leisurely walk, appreciating the rare quiet time together. Jin Zichuan unexpectedly kissed Li Xiang, whose lips she described as "so soft, much softer than my ex-boyfriend's."
Jin Zichuan, sensing their relationship had made significant progress, then proposed marriage. Li Xiang was taken aback by the sudden proposal. Later, Tang Weiwei's dessert banquet was underway. Jin Zichuan and Li Xiang were among the guests, and Tang Weiwei briefly separated from Lin Ran to check on things in the kitchen.
Ji Han, who was soon departing the country, stopped by to say her goodbyes to Lin Ran's group, telling them her 10 am flight meant she couldn't stay for the banquet. Gu Zhen, having just received news of Ji Han's departure, rushed to the venue, only to find he was too late. He quickly pursued her, hoping to catch her before she left the school vicinity.
Tang Weiwei was concerned about managing the busy banquet by herself, but was relieved when Du Ruyue, who was supposed to be preparing for her graduate entrance exams, offered to help. Tang Weiwei gratefully promised to treat Du Ruyue to a lavish meal with Lin Ran once she successfully enrolled in grad school. Du Ruyue's eyes flickered briefly as she continued with her tasks. Gu Zhen finally caught up with Ji Han on the road.
He nervously attempted to confess his feelings, but his words faltered. Ji Han, in a hurry, told him she had to leave and suggested he text her later if he had something to say. Realizing this might be his last chance, Gu Zhen poured out his heart, confessing his love and asking her to be his girlfriend.
He even offered to study for TOEFL and the Graduate Record Examination to join her abroad, assuring her that this confession was entirely his own idea, not orchestrated by Lin Ran. Ji Han, seeing his sincerity, told him she was heading to Cornell University in New York. Still pressing for an answer, Gu Zhen repeatedly asked if she would be his girlfriend.
Ji Han, with a smile, repeated the name of the university and called him "silly" before turning to leave. Gu Zhen, with a sudden realization, called out to her, promising he would come find her there. Back at the banquet, as Tang Weiwei was delivering a cake, a male guest asked for her WeChat. Lin Ran, witnessing this, immediately intervened, asserting his ownership by declaring, "I'm her husband."
He told the man any communication should go through him, effectively chasing the man away. Tang Weiwei found Lin Ran to be overly jealous, jokingly calling him a "vinegar spirit reincarnation." Lin Ran, wanting to leave his mark, tried to kiss her, a moment that Du Ruyue observed, fueling her unrequited love for Lin Ran and intensifying her jealousy.
Tang Weiwei had intended to give Lin Ran a sugar-free cake, but Du Ruyue, driven by envy, secretly swapped it with a regular sugared cake and presented it to Tang Weiwei. Unaware of the switch, Lin Ran tasted the cake and immediately had an allergic reaction. Tang Weiwei quickly offered to accompany him to the hospital. However, Lin Ran urged her to stay and continue baking, suggesting that Da Fei take him instead.
Tang Weiwei, believing Da Fei might not be meticulous enough, insisted that Du Ruyue accompany Lin Ran to the hospital. Shortly after Lin Ran and Du Ruyue left, a sudden explosion rocked the kitchen, causing Tang Weiwei to collapse, unconscious. Hearing about the fire, Lin Ran, despite his allergic reaction, rushed back to the venue, calling out for Tang Weiwei. He bravely entered the burning kitchen and rescued her.
While Tang Weiwei was recovering, a news report mistakenly blamed the fire on the pastry chef's negligence, upsetting Tang Weiwei. Lin Ran comforted her, assuring her that the police investigation would clear her name. Reflecting on Du Ruyue's shifty eyes in the kitchen earlier, Lin Ran grew suspicious.
Lin Ran later confronted Du Ruyue, accusing her of being responsible for the various incidents, including the previous school anniversary outfit, the stolen notebook, and the current fire, stating there was "no flower in your heart, only selfishness." Du Ruyue, though initially denying it due to lack of evidence, eventually admitted her actions.
She shamelessly confessed her love for Lin Ran, explaining that she felt Ji Han and Tang Weiwei had "so much yet they still want all your attention," while she "only has you." She tried to twist the blame, pointing out that Tang Weiwei "gives you sweet cakes to eat. You almost died," and claiming she was "the one who loves you the most." Lin Ran, disgusted, told her not to touch him and threatened to call the police.
Du Ruyue pleaded, stating she had sacrificed her "bottom line and dignity" for him, but Lin Ran retorted that her actions meant she had no future. Ultimately, police investigations revealed evidence of tampering with the kitchen's circuit valves, leading to the fire. Du Ruyue was taken into custody. Following the ordeal, Lin Ran and Tang Weiwei finally shared a room. The next morning, Lin Ran's first act was to call a wedding company, requesting multiple proposal plans.
Tang Weiwei's father and Xu Jian, already in formal attire, left early, aware of Lin Ran's intentions. Gu Zhen then led a bewildered Tang Weiwei to a beautifully decorated venue, filled with photos of her and Lin Ran. Tang Weiwei's father, seeing her, told her he had found someone to take care of her in his stead.
In front of their friends and family, Lin Ran knelt and proposed to Tang Weiwei, reminiscing about their shared journey, from their childhood squabbles to their first kiss, and how she had made him a better person. He expressed his desire to explore all of life's "strange things" with her, from "everyday life to our lives, seasons, and even years ahead." As the crowd chanted for her to accept, Tang Weiwei asked Lin Ran to stand up.
She then recited a passage about "existential loneliness" and how intimate relationships are often sought to escape it. She concluded by affirming that her only reason to marry him was that she loved him. Relieved, Lin Ran placed the ring on her finger. Later, Lin Ran surprised Tang Weiwei by taking her to a racing circuit. He confessed that on her birthday, when he claimed to be at the library, he was actually here, racing.
Tang Weiwei asked how many more secrets he was keeping from her. Lin Ran, smiling, invited her to spend the rest of her life uncovering them, before they shared a sweet kiss in the gentle breeze.
