The Sweetest Secret Episode 7 Recap
> The Sweetest Secret Recap
Tang Weiwei's father, infuriated upon learning that Lin Ran's parents would not attend the upcoming wedding, vehemently refused to allow Tang Weiwei to marry under such circumstances and ordered Lin Ran out of their home. Tang Weiwei quickly followed him, clarifying that even if his parents were to return that very night, she could not marry him the next day because their relationship was merely a pretense.
Lin Ran was deeply disappointed, feeling that even Tang Weiwei no longer wanted him, and told her to leave. Tang Weiwei swiftly comforted him, offering to take him out to cheer him up. Lin Ran's spirits lifted, and they walked out together, arm in arm, just as they did in their childhood. Later, as they stood on a breezy beach, sharing a jacket to ward off the chill, Lin Ran reminisced about Tang Weiwei's constant presence in his life.
He recalled her taking him to elementary school, cheering him on at the Olympiad, picking him up from the headmaster's office after his first fight, and waiting for him outside the college entrance examination hall. Lin Ran expressed his belief that Tang Weiwei was the most important person to him, irreplaceable in every way, and earnestly asked if she would marry him. Tang Weiwei playfully reiterated her condition: "Let's talk about it again when you can eat sweets."
Lin Ran rested his head on her shoulder, lamenting his inability to enjoy sweets. Meanwhile, Gu Zhen, determined to prove he would no longer cause trouble, surrendered all his beloved toys to Jin Zichuan. Jin Zichuan reminded Gu Zhen that his every action represented the company's image and decided to take him along for a work inspection. Overjoyed, Gu Zhen eagerly left to change into more appropriate attire. The inspection led them to the magazine office where Li Xiang worked.
A heated argument was already underway between Li Xiang and Ms. Yang, the editor, who had made a last-minute change to the magazine cover model. When Gu Zhen spotted Li Xiang, he clumsily brought up "that night," but Jin Zichuan's discreet cough and Li Xiang's quick redirection, asking him to choose a better cover, prevented him from revealing more.
Ever honest, Gu Zhen candidly declared Li Xiang's magazine cover to be superior, oblivious to the simmering tension between the two women. Ms. Yang, though displeased, dared not show her anger in Jin Zichuan's presence, merely stating that she was "discussing" the matter with Li Xiang. In the ensuing meeting, Jin Zichuan, observing Li Xiang's appearance, silently deducted points for her heavy makeup, high heels, and short skirt.
He also expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the magazine's cover, deeming cooperation unnecessary, and promptly exited the meeting. Following the incident at the magazine office, Li Xiang recounted the events to a friend over the phone. She expressed relief at being put in charge of the next issue's photoshoot, no longer having to endure Ms. Yang's complaints.
Despite her friend suggesting that Jin Zichuan had been a great help, Li Xiang dismissed the idea, labeling him a picky man who would never help her, attributing the outcome solely to Ms. Yang's ridiculous taste. She also confirmed to her friend that she and Lin Ran were now officially together. At the circuit, Lin Ran's teammates lauded his improved racing time, now six seconds faster than before, and urged him to enter the upcoming competition, confident of his victory.
Remembering Tang Weiwei's father's emphasis on financial stability for marriage, Lin Ran, for the first time, did not immediately decline. Instead, he inquired if the champion would receive a monetary prize. His teammates exchanged bewildered glances, prompting Lin Ran to quickly dismiss his question. Later, upon returning to school, Lin Ran learned from Ji Han that Tang Weiwei was involved in a plagiarism scandal.
He rushed to the academic affairs office, where Tang Weiwei also arrived after receiving a distressing phone call. Dong Zhe, accompanied by a female student he introduced as his sister, presented a case claiming the female student's thesis revision predated Tang Weiwei's, thus accusing Tang Weiwei of plagiarism. Tang Weiwei countered, explaining that her thesis topic was selected in consultation with her professor and that she was the only student in the Psychology Department to choose that particular subject.
The female student asserted she had changed her topic later. Tang Weiwei then pressed the female student on specific professional terms from the paper. When the student faltered in her answers, Dong Zhe quickly began recording the scene on his phone, not only implicating Tang Weiwei but also involving the principal and other academics present. Under Dong Zhe's relentless and aggressive pressure, the principal reluctantly conceded, agreeing to allow the female student to retake the examination.
Dong Zhe, having achieved his goal, further taunted Tang Weiwei, suggesting her extensive education was useless if she couldn't prove her innocence and arrogantly demanded she beg him. Tang Weiwei, though seething with indignation, found herself helpless against Dong Zhe's brazen tactics, forced to silently endure the injustice. Afterward, Tang Weiwei stood alone in the rain, releasing her frustrations. Lin Ran, his heart aching for her, joined her, holding an umbrella.
He spoke of a stray cat he used to feed, which eventually learned to seek shelter under his care during rainy days, symbolizing the need for companionship. He assured Tang Weiwei of his unwavering belief and support, promising to stand by her against the world. He then cast aside the umbrella, embracing her as they both got drenched.
Tang Weiwei, overwhelmed with emotion, sobbed in his arms, confessing that she had not plagiarized or used illicit means, but the school had revoked her eligibility for the doctoral program. She revealed her deep distress and the lie she told her father about being pregnant, admitting she was afraid to go home. Meanwhile, an investigation into the plagiarism allegations revealed that handwritten thesis drafts were uncommon, suggesting Tang Weiwei's draft was likely digital.
Evidence indicated that Dong Zhe had indeed accessed Tang Weiwei's email, potentially constituting cybertheft. However, the investigator noted that while this proved Dong Zhe's malicious intent, Tang Weiwei still needed to find further proof to fully clear her name.
