The Trick of Life and Love Episode 13 Recap
> The Trick of Life and Love Recap
Despite Cao Mei's feigned concern for Ning Chengming, Qi Wei deeply distrusted her, believing she was the true orchestrator behind the company's troubles. He made his way to Ning Chengming's cousin’s home. Upon arrival, he apologized for intruding, but Ning Chengming's cousin casually pointed out that the door lock’s ID key was simply hanging behind the door. He also noted Qi Wei’s unhealthy habit of eating take-out, suggesting more home-cooked meals.
Qi Wei then reported that Cao Mei had tried to "sound him out," hypocritically asking about a problem with Ning Chengming's rented house. Qi Wei revealed that his landlord had abruptly called, canceling the rental agreement and demanding he move out. He was convinced Cao Mei had coerced the landlord with a high price to break the contract and set a trap for him.
He flatly refused to move into the company dormitory, citing too many of Cao Mei's informants there, and stated he felt safer staying with Ning Chengming's cousin. Meanwhile, Li Chen's conversation with Li Qian about their cohabitation, which their father, the Old Master, now knew about, was overheard by Yu Qingqing and Gu Zhe outside the door.
Li Qian shrugged it off, but Li Chen remained serious, expressing his wish for Li Qian to end her fake relationship with Ning Chengming before it became real. He also revealed that while a marriage with Gu Lan was merely for appearances, he had no romantic feelings for Yu Qingqing, seeing her only as a sister, and asked Li Qian not to bring it up again.
Li Chen warned Li Qian that the Old Master was anxious and considering meeting Ning Chengming. Li Chen, facing a two million shortfall for his new play and desperate to prevent the project from failing, indicated that Li Qian needed to find a way to "send Ning Chengming away" and maintain distance from him. Outside, Yu Qingqing, having overheard Li Chen’s words, was distraught.
When Gu Zhe tried to comfort her, suggesting that Li Chen's current lack of feelings didn't preclude future possibilities, Yu Qingqing angrily rejected his sympathy. She called him a "coward" and declared that no one, including Li Qian, would ever like him. Gu Zhe retorted by criticizing her "sarcastic" and "argumentative" nature, questioning why she struggled to get married despite numerous relationships. Yu Qingqing, deeply emotional, ran off.
Her heel became stuck in a drain, causing her to fall into a pond. Gu Zhe quickly rescued her. With both their phones ruined and no cash, Gu Zhe, a VIP at a nearby hotel, took her there to change clothes, saving her from "trembling in the cold wind." After changing, Yu Qingqing tried to kick him out to avoid misunderstandings, but Gu Zhe proposed a deal.
He confessed his feelings for Li Qian and offered to help Yu Qingqing pursue Li Chen if she helped him. Yu Qingqing eagerly accepted, confidently stating that Li Chen and Gu Lan "absolutely can't get married." Li Qian later sought comfort from her mother, asking if she had loved Li Qian’s father and why they divorced. Her mother affirmed her love, explaining that their separation was about granting each other independent space and mutual respect, not a lack of affection.
She emphasized that while lifelong companionship is important, respecting each other's boundaries is also a form of love. Li Qian confessed her confusion over her burgeoning feelings for Ning Chengming, describing a mix of misery, self-condemnation, grief, and happiness. Her mother wisely advised her that if she believed her affection was a lie, she should consider why she was afraid to "wake up" from it.
That evening, a heavily intoxicated Ning Chengming presented Li Qian with a lengthy, two-thousand-word "Letter of Apology," which also served as his "plan" for their future. He earnestly confessed to his past transgressions—being inconstant, betraying trust, being a playboy, selfish, mean, and ignoring her feelings. He vowed to thoroughly reflect and never repeat those mistakes. Li Qian teased him about the length, comparing it to writing a thesis.
Ning Chengming, persistent, repeatedly begged for her forgiveness and tried to extract a promise from her. Li Qian noticed he had been drinking, despite needing to take Chinese medicine. He insisted she was angry because she hadn't responded to his messages, eaten his cooking, or come home.
He then unveiled a "Ten things to do with Li Qian" list, filled with heartfelt promises: to learn to cook for her, take care of her problems so she wouldn't have to face them alone, embrace her sadness without judgment, and hoped her "strange theories about happiness" would eventually include him. He vowed to love only her, share joy and sorrow, and asked her to forgive, trust, and not abandon him.
The next morning, Li Qian gently chastised him for drinking and urged him to eat breakfast. Referencing his list, she told him, "If there is an opportunity, we can go together." Meanwhile, Qi Wei, after being pressured by Ning Chengming's cousin, spotted the Old Master's car pulling up at Li Qian's home and quickly alerted Li Chen via phone.
Earlier, Li Chen had received a phone call from Gu Lan, who, aware of his prevarication, warned him that to successfully complete his project, he "had to stay with [her] today." Gu Lan hinted that the Old Master, tired of Li Chen's excuses, was now going to "some lane" to find Ning Chengming himself. Realizing his father was heading to Li Qian's, Li Chen quickly called Li Qian to warn her.
Li Jingfan, Li Qian's father, entered her home, finding Ning Chengming there. He immediately confronted Ning Chengming, revealing his knowledge of Ning Chengming's past as a playboy and offering him money to leave Li Qian. Ning Chengming earnestly countered that his feelings for Li Qian were genuine, not motivated by money, and reiterated his amnesia, stating he only knew his past through Li Qian's accounts, which he trusted implicitly.
Li Jingfan dismissed his amnesia as an act, accusing him of exploiting Li Qian due to Guanding's dire financial situation. Just then, Li Qian arrived, interrupting the argument. She coolly addressed Li Jingfan as "Mr. Li" and demanded he stop intruding on her home and harassing her "fiancé." Li Jingfan was visibly taken aback by the fiancé claim and angrily pressed Ning Chengming on his intentions.
Li Qian fiercely retorted, questioning Li Jingfan's own motives, citing his past marriage, two sons, and notorious reputation as a lifelong playboy, contrasting it with her mother's teaching that she should choose and decide her own life. Li Jingfan, looking sheepish, tried to deny the rumors, but Li Qian dismissed his words. As he departed, Li Jingfan issued a stark warning to Ning Chengming: "If you bully my daughter, I'll kill you." Ning Chengming calmly promised he would not.
After her father left, Li Qian was visibly shaken but denied being angry. Ning Chengming attempted to clean up the disarray, but Li Qian gently stopped him, stating she would handle it. Li Qian then had a vivid flashback to her childhood. She saw her father disguised as a "Big White Rabbit," delivering a gift to another woman.
Her mother had instilled in her strong principles of self-protection, warning her against strangers bearing gifts and equipping her with pepper spray and a watch that could call for help. Child Li Qian, with remarkable shrewdness, accepted the gift but then sternly lectured her disguised father, whom she called "Uncle Liar," to "be honest," "never do stupid things," and "listen to the teacher."
Her mother found immense amusement in Li Qian's retelling of the incident, chuckling as she looked at a drawing Li Qian had made of herself with the "Uncle Liar." The flashback ended with Li Jingfan’s re-appearance in the present, no longer in disguise, startling Li Qian. Ning Chengming, seeing Li Qian’s distress, gently asked if she still wanted to go on the trip he had planned.
Li Qian, still emotionally fragile, replied that she didn't want to go anywhere and questioned if the medicine box, meant to encourage her to take her medication, was just another trick. She declared she wouldn't take her medicine anymore. Ning Chengming immediately reassured her, promising they could go wherever she desired, right then and there. With renewed determination, they left together.
