The Trick of Life and Love Episode 23 Recap
> The Trick of Life and Love Recap
When asked about her relationship with Ning Chengming, Li Qian, seizing the opportunity for revenge, immediately claimed they were in a deeply loving relationship and had lived together for a period. When the police revealed they knew about their status as an "unmarried couple" who had returned from abroad together and that Ning Chengming had lived at her house, and she saw Ning Chengming denying any emotional ties, Li Qian became angry.
She declared, "Don't blame me for being unkind if you do so," and decided to confess everything. She fabricated a romantic story, claiming Ning Chengming had intensely pursued her with flowers and poems, making her "so happy," but then changed dramatically after she accepted him, becoming "indifferent and evil" and even "scolding her." She claimed to have "fallen in love by mistake" and described his actions in the workplace as "retaliating against her by making up baseless things."
Meanwhile, Ning Chengming told the police that Li Qian was merely an "old acquaintance" and denied any romantic involvement, asserting that her many friends meant their relationship was irrelevant to the case. When the police relayed Li Qian's romantic claims, Ning Chengming questioned if she was lying. The police confirmed this part (her liking him and his initial pursuit) was not a lie. Upon being shown photos of them dating, Ning Chengming feigned memory loss.
He then pointed out an unknown individual in the background of their dating photos and suggested the police investigate someone else relevant to the case. After their separate interrogations, Cao Mei arrived to pick up Ning Chengming, stating she also needed to discuss Gu's Group affairs. She offered Li Qian a cup of Tanzania coffee, which she claimed was Ning Chengming's favorite, and Li Qian implied was "expensive."
Li Qian, however, mocked the coffee as "dish-water mixed with saccharin," and then casually announced that she had already settled the issues with Gu Lan yesterday. This news clearly surprised Cao Mei, and Ning Chengming confirmed it, prompting Cao Mei to leave. Meanwhile, reporter Dongsheng was also brought in for questioning regarding his unauthorized entry into a press conference. Upon seeing Li Qian, he pleaded with her to prove his innocence.
Ning Chengming, frustrated by Dongsheng's constant presence, had a phone call about new investors for Guanding and dispatched Cao Mei to handle it, so he could stay to keep an eye on Li Qian. When Li Qian saw Dongsheng, who had injured his leg while attempting to flee, struggling on the ground, she went to help him. Ning Chengming angrily questioned where Dongsheng was placing his hand on Li Qian's back.
Li Qian retorted that it was none of his business and continued to assist Dongsheng. Fearing Ning Chengming, Dongsheng insisted he could manage alone. Li Qian then vouched for Dongsheng to the police, explaining that he had entered Gu's beauty conference, and she had greeted him there because Gu Lan was her brother Li Chen's fiancée. After this, Li Qian, needing a break, attempted to leave the interrogation room but was stopped by Ning Chengming.
In her haste, she accidentally spilled her coffee on him. Ning Chengming seized the opportunity to pull her into an embrace, asking what she was hiding, until police announced that the criminal investigation colleagues had arrived, allowing Li Qian to pull away. Gu Zhe, noticing Yu Qingqing's low spirits, approached her to offer comfort. Yu Qingqing, feeling like a "contemptible scoundrel" for her recent actions and upset, angrily dismissed their "ally" status.
She recounted their past misfortunes, like nearly drowning and being publicly exposed, asserting that being together only doubled their bad luck. Warning Gu Zhe that she was a "walking firecracker," she told him to stay away. Later, in the restroom, Yu Qingqing resolved to "say goodbye to humble love and restart." Subsequently, she overheard three young people at a cafe disparaging "Jianghu Hero," Gu Zhe's online persona.
Incensed by their rude comments about his wealth and appearance, Yu Qingqing, introducing herself as "lawyer Yu," fiercely defended him, threatening legal action for defamation. When one of the young people threw a glass, Gu Zhe bravely stepped in front of Yu Qingqing, taking a minor cut to his face. He then dramatically yelled, "Blood! Help, they are trying to kill me!" which startled the attackers, causing them to flee.
Yu Qingqing initially called Gu Zhe "fool" but softened upon seeing his injury. Gu Zhe explained that his exaggerated reaction was a trick Li Qian had taught him. Seeing his wound, Yu Qingqing decided to take him to Li Qian's house, noting that they hadn't seen Li Qian for days. After Li Qian finished providing her statements to the police, she and Ning Chengming were informed to remain in Haoran City.
The police then investigated the person Ning Chengming had mentioned. They confirmed that the individual, known as Nava, first appeared in Cambodia and operated in South Asia, involved in illicit international dealings. Nava had been spotted near Ning Chengming's hotel, validating Li Qian's claim that Ning Chengming had faced a life-threatening situation abroad. During their internal discussion, the police expressed confusion over Li Qian and Ning Chengming's complicated relationship, which unexpectedly revealed a romantic aspect.
While initially considering if Ning Chengming and Ma Hao were collaborating, the lead investigator dismissed this, noting their differing personalities. The police decided that Cao Mei, however, needed to be thoroughly investigated. The investigator also noted Ning Chengming's determination to save Guanding despite its dire financial state, which included massive debts and shareholder withdrawals. The investigator believed that if Ning Chengming were involved with Ma Hao, he would have chosen a more discreet exit strategy.
Instead, the police predicted Ning Chengming's next move would be to expand Guanding, and whoever tried to obstruct this expansion would likely be their true target. At that moment, the police received a call confirming that Ma Hao's location had been discovered. Later, while buying food, Ma Hao received a text message on his phone, looked suspiciously at two men behind him, and discreetly took their photo. He then received another text message before quickly leaving.
After leaving the police station, Ning Chengming insisted Li Qian compensate him for the spilled coffee and dry-cleaning his clothes immediately, believing some "deep hatred" and "unexpected calamity" should be settled promptly. Li Qian bought him a vending machine coffee, which he found "unsavory," before they headed to a dry cleaner.
There, Ning Chengming pressed Li Qian about the truth behind her testimony to the economic investigation department, specifically her claims of falling in love with him, their "false thing becoming true," and her misery due to his workplace retaliation.
Li Qian admitted it wasn't "completely true," explaining that while her initial intention was to "play tricks" and "retaliate," she began to regret her actions as she saw a memory-lost Ning Chengming become "purer and more sincere" and earnestly try to fix their relationship. She confessed to wishing her lies were true. Ning Chengming also admitted his confusion, stating he often didn't know why he felt angry or "how to face this feeling."
Taking responsibility, Li Qian apologized for disturbing his life. She then firmly stated that they should "restart their respective lives," emphasizing that from now on, their relationship would strictly be "superior-subordinate" at work, with "no one should overstep a point." Despite Ning Chengming's attempt to object, Li Qian quickly left. Reflecting on her words, Ning Chengming wondered if she was giving up on him entirely. Meanwhile, Li Qian arrived home to find Gu Zhe and Yu Qingqing waiting.
Gu Zhe had a bandage on his face, which Yu Qingqing was tending to. They explained they had come for a drink and that Gu Zhe had something to tell her.
