The Trick of Life and Love Episode 15 Recap
> The Trick of Life and Love Recap
Ning Chengming and Gu Zhe found themselves in a tense face-off, their rivalry palpable. Ning Chengming viewed Gu Zhe as nothing more than a useless boss who constantly needed Li Qian’s compliments. Gu Zhe, however, intentionally behaved intimately with Li Qian, asserting that they were childhood sweethearts, which immediately sparked Ning Chengming’s jealousy. As the two men stood there, seemingly lost in their own thoughts, they both simultaneously took out their phones.
Unbeknownst to them, the "netizen" each was chatting with was actually the person standing right in front of them. Ning Chengming messaged "Mr. Jianghu," seeking advice on how to handle a strong rival, while "Mr. Jianghu" himself—Gu Zhe—lamented to his confidant—Ning Chengming—about a formidable opponent he felt completely outmatched by.
Ironically, Ning Chengming then offered comfort to "Mr. Jianghu," echoing Gu Zhe's own past advice: the strength of an opponent pales in comparison to whether the person you love truly has you in their heart. Shortly after this exchange, Li Qian approached. Gu Zhe immediately feigned that his coffee was too bitter. Li Qian, long accustomed to his childish antics, instinctively added some sugar to it.
Gu Zhe then, with a smug smile aimed at Ning Chengming, proudly declared, "It's so sweet, the coffee made by my Qian tastes better!" Ning Chengming, seething with frustration, remained silent. Earlier, Yu Qingqing and Li Qian discussed the ongoing crisis. Yu Qingqing explained that Ma Hao had betrayed Ning Chengming, and crucial evidence to prove this was likely with the missing financial director, Dong Wei.
She suggested attending their classmates' reunion to discreetly gather information from Xiaotao, a former classmate. While they were talking, Yu Qingqing probed Li Qian about her relationship with Gu Zhe, directly asking, "What's going on between you and Gu Zhe? Are you really stupid or not? Gu Zhe has a fancy for you, OK?"
Li Qian dismissed it, explaining that she had "taken care of him for so many years" and he had simply "got used to it," emphatically stating that a relationship between them was "totally impossible." Yu Qingqing then turned the conversation to Li Qian's feelings for Ning Chengming, asking what she planned to do with her "second brother." Li Qian initially denied any feelings but eventually conceded, "OK, yes."
Soon, Gu Zhe expressed his desire to join Li Qian and Yu Qingqing at the reunion, hoping to see "the top 1 basketball player." Upon hearing this, Ning Chengming also declared his intention to go, not wanting to be left behind. However, Yu Qingqing quickly cautioned him. "
Mr. Ning, It won't be a classmates gathering if you go," she warned, adding that his presence would turn it into a "post-traumatic stress disorder exchange meeting right away," referring to his infamous teaching style. Recalling his past severe image, Ning Chengming reluctantly agreed to stay home. Feeling triumphant, Gu Zhe then challenged Ning Chengming to a video game competition, knowing Ning Chengming's unfamiliarity with games.
Li Qian, however, intervened, chiding Gu Zhe for his "time-killer" activities and asserting that Ning Chengming would not engage in such "absurd" behavior, which pleased Ning Chengming. As Li Qian prepared to leave, she tenderly told Ning Chengming, "Just wait for me at home, I will be back soon," asking him to call if he felt unwell. Ning Chengming nodded happily, a sight that visibly annoyed Gu Zhe. At the classmates' reunion, Li Qian immediately faced a barrage of complaints.
Her former classmates, still holding grudges, labeled her a "little fox" and Ning Chengming an "old fox." They accused Li Qian of tricking them into working for free, claiming she was even "more harmful to the world" than the "cunning old fox" Ning Chengming. They demanded she perform her famous "old fox imitation show."
Li Qian, though reluctant, conceded and delivered a vivid impression of Ning Chengming's demanding teaching style, complete with his signature phrases like "0 score, Retake the course!" Amidst the commotion, Yu Qingqing subtly inquired about Dong Wei and Guanding with Xiaotao. Xiaotao confirmed that Dong Wei had indeed quit unexpectedly last month and that Ning Chengming himself had recently disappeared. She then dropped a bombshell: Ning Chengming's partner in Guanding wasn't just Ma Hao, but also his fiancée.
Yu Qingqing was stunned, worried about how Li Qian would react to this news. Before she could press Xiaotao for the fiancée's name, Ning Chengming suddenly appeared, holding an umbrella for Li Qian as rain had started outside. His unexpected arrival caused a stir among the classmates, who, noticing his unusual attentiveness to Li Qian, began to openly wonder if the "old fox" and "little fox" were now together.
Alarmed, Li Qian quickly grabbed Ning Chengming's hand and pulled him away, leaving the classmates in a state of confused speculation. They even wondered if the two were living together, with one person recording the scene. Meanwhile, Gu Zhe, who had also tried to leave with Li Qian, watched them go. He expressed his frustration aloud, lamenting that Li Qian had "eloped" with Ning Chengming, leaving him "unprepared," before resolving to "cheer up" and strategize his own romantic pursuit.
As they hurried away, Li Qian holding Ning Chengming’s hand, he felt a wave of relief. He then expressed his concern about how his past reputation might affect Li Qian, but she reassured him, stating she admired his "refreshing" teaching style. Holding her hand tightly, Ning Chengming firmly declared, "Li Qian, from now on, I am the only one who can hold your hand. No one else is allowed."
Li Qian, recalling Gu Zhe holding her hand earlier, teased him, "Mr. Ning, you're not jealous of Gu Zhe, are you?" Ning Chengming stubbornly denied it, even as Li Qian burst into laughter, delighting in his unacknowledged jealousy. Later, on a sightseeing bus, Li Qian expressed her happiness but also her anxiety. She wondered what would happen if Ning Chengming someday realized they were from "two different worlds."
Ning Chengming, however, reassured her, saying, "I will join into your world or bring you to my world." He proposed, "Let's make today the first day of our new relationship," promising to make up for any unpleasant past memories. He then sealed his words with a deep kiss. Suddenly, fragments of a car crash flashed through Ning Chengming's mind, causing him a splitting headache, though he quickly recovered, leaving Li Qian visibly worried.
Their planned visit to Xiashi Botanical Garden was thwarted when they arrived to find it closed for a week. Undeterred, they continued their stroll along the road. When rain began to fall, Ning Chengming improvised, using his trench coat to shield them as they ran to a nearby guard post for shelter. In the intimate space of the guard post, like many couples deeply in love, they shared embraces and passionate kisses amidst the pouring rain.
While still sheltering, Li Qian playfully imitated Peppa Pig and then tried to get Ning Chengming to stomp in puddles or dance. Despite his initial hesitation, Ning Chengming eventually joined her, dancing together in the rain until he suggested they find a better shelter as the rain intensified.
