The Sweetest Secret Episode 3 Recap
> The Sweetest Secret Recap
```text Lin Ran returned to his apartment complex to find a massive gift box addressed "TO Lin Ran" in the lobby. He thought Tang Weiwei had finally opened up to him and was touched, anticipating a sweet romance. However, Gu Zhen, who was hiding inside the box, immediately emerged, startled by Lin Ran's words, and urged Lin Ran to keep his distance. Annoyed, Lin Ran's temper flared, and the two began to scuffle.
Gu Zhen accused Lin Ran of embarrassing him and interrupting his confession, vowing to teach him a lesson since he was no longer ill. Meanwhile, Dong Zhe was at Tang Weiwei's home, making demanding statements. When he saw Tang Weiwei trying to call Lin Ran on her phone, he rudely snatched it, accusing her of having another man. Tang Weiwei demanded her phone back, but Dong Zhe refused, claiming his right as her boyfriend to check it.
Lin Ran, hearing the commotion on the phone, rushed to Tang Weiwei's apartment and punched Dong Zhe. Dong Zhe retaliated, leading to a brawl that resulted in Lin Ran, Tang Weiwei, and a protesting Gu Zhen being taken to the police station to write self-criticism statements. Gu Zhen felt aggrieved, having only intended to apologize to Lin Ran.
When Jin Zichuan called Gu Zhen to inquire about the situation, Gu Zhen panicked, worried his frozen bank account would remain so, and quickly explained that Lin Ran and others were at fault. Dong Zhe's mother soon arrived, loudly proclaiming her son was harmed and demanding to know what Tang Weiwei had done. She accused Tang Weiwei of having a scandalous relationship with Lin Ran, despite her son bringing a dowry.
Lin Ran, aiming to provoke her, confirmed there was some truth to her claims. Dong Zhe's mother continued her aggressive verbal attacks, prompting a police officer to warn her to watch her language. Tang Weiwei stepped forward, clarifying that Lin Ran was her brother and there was no improper relationship. She emphasized that even if there were, it was none of Dong Zhe and his mother's concern.
She recounted their persistent harassment and recent assault, asking if their actions were not a little shameless. Tang Weiwei firmly declared an end to all contact, stating that since they disliked each other, further interaction was unnecessary, and reserved the right to pursue legal action for their continuous harassment. Witnessing the mother and son's behavior, the police officers looked on disapprovingly, causing Dong Zhe and his mother to finally feel some embarrassment before leaving.
Later, as Tang Weiwei massaged Lin Ran's injuries, he sensed her unspoken concern. Lin Ran advised her to stop going on blind dates. Tang Weiwei, however, expressed her distress, explaining that without continuing the blind dates, retrieving her graduation certificate seemed impossible, and if she couldn't take her doctoral exams, she didn't know what else she could do. Lin Ran, understanding her worries, offered his help but jokingly demanded she call him "brother" in return.
Tang Weiwei, disbelieving, playfully pinched his injury, making him yelp in pain. The next day in class, Lin Ran was distracted, still thinking about the "benefits" Tang Weiwei owed him. When the professor called on him to describe the characteristics of Russian art development, Ji Han tried to whisper "mood landscape" as a hint, but the professor caught her and made her stand.
Lin Ran, unable to answer the first question, smoothly answered the second question about Neo-Impressionism's characteristics, citing its opposition to mixing colors on a palette and its advocacy for color splitting, associating it with pointillism or divisionism. After class, Lin Ran noticed students trying to approach Ji Han and expressed frustration that despite their pact to fend off admirers, people were still persistent.
He then asked Ji Han to cover two of his classes, calling it a "top secret" mission, promising her milk tea in return before rushing off. Lin Ran then called Tang Weiwei, reminding her of the "benefits" he was due and threatening her graduation certificate if she didn't accompany him. He took her to an amusement park, calling it the "oriental fantasy paradise," where they could get closer.
Tang Weiwei initially thought it strange to pursue her certificate there, but Lin Ran claimed he took her out because she had been having a tough time. However, he soon revealed he had a plan for her certificate and again demanded a reward. Tang Weiwei bought him a bunny plushie. As they enjoyed the park, Tang Weiwei felt a bittersweet joy, watching Lin Ran unable to eat the sweets she enjoyed due to his allergy.
She suggested he try desensitization treatment, which he attempted but ended up scratching himself, prompting her to soothe him. Lin Ran then suggested that since she couldn't pursue her doctorate, she could open her own shop, praising her ability to spread sweetness. Tang Weiwei, however, remained resolute, asserting that no one could stop her from pursuing her doctorate and reminding Lin Ran to fulfill his promise to retrieve her certificate. Lin Ran assured her he would.
Later that night, Lin Ran stealthily tried to retrieve Tang Weiwei's certificate from her house, whispering to her that the most dangerous place was the safest. They searched in the dark with a flashlight until Tang Weiwei's father caught them. He told Lin Ran to "get out", then he chastised Tang Weiwei for trusting Lin Ran.
The following day, Gu Zhen's persistent search for Lin Ran escalated to broadcasting messages across the campus, prompting students to ask about his relationship with Lin Ran. Gu Zhen claimed Lin Ran was like a brother to him. Lin Ran, trying to avoid Gu Zhen, locked him in a restroom. Later, returning to his apartment complex, Lin Ran encountered Gu Zhen again.
Desperate, Gu Zhen pleaded with Lin Ran, revealing he had waited three days and nights and promised to stop bothering him if Lin Ran would tell Jin Zichuan that he had forgiven him, thus unfreezing his bank card. Lin Ran agreed and followed Gu Zhen. At Jin Zichuan's office, Gu Zhen immediately claimed to have repented and asked Lin Ran to confirm it.
Lin Ran, however, contradicted him, telling Jin Zichuan that he should restrict Gu Zhen's personal freedom along with his finances, citing Gu Zhen's flyer distribution at his school and making him unable to return home. Jin Zichuan, after sending Gu Zhen away to explain, apologized to Lin Ran for his cousin's behavior and assured him he would keep a closer eye on Gu Zhen. Then, he subtly inquired if Tang Weiwei was Lin Ran's sister.
Lin Ran, pretending to despise Tang Weiwei, described her as having low emotional intelligence, being irritating, and a pathological liar, advising Jin Zichuan not to be interested in such a "horrible person." As he left, Lin Ran internally fumed about the increasing number of people interested in Tang Weiwei, realizing he was already 22 and it was time for him to be in a relationship.
Upon returning to Tang Weiwei's home, Lin Ran found her father sifting through a new batch of blind date profiles. Lin Ran began to criticize each candidate severely, prompting Tang father to question his taste. Lin Ran then expressed his sadness at seeing Tang father at the blind date corner, announcing that Tang Weiwei already had a boyfriend whom she hadn't told him about. Tang father eagerly asked for details about this mysterious boyfriend.
Lin Ran described himself: "His last name is Lin. 184 cm. 22 years old." Tang father dismissed it as a joke, but Lin Ran pressed on, arguing that their childhood friendship and long-standing acquaintance made him a suitable match. Tang father vehemently disagreed, stating that while they weren't blood-related, Lin Ran was like a younger brother whom Tang Weiwei had watched grow up. As Tang father turned to leave, Lin Ran suddenly dropped a bombshell, proclaiming, "Wei Wei is pregnant!" The revelation caused Tang father to stumble back in shock. ```
