The Trick of Life and Love Episode 29 Recap
> The Trick of Life and Love Recap
The recent online news about Li Qian agitated her father, Li Jingfan, who threatened to confront Ning Chengming. However, Li Jun urged his father to remain calm, noting that Li Qian was likely upset. Li Jun offered to visit Li Qian at Guanding on behalf of Lirong and also mentioned using this opportunity to clarify matters regarding Ren Yue, which Li Jingfan approved.
Meanwhile, Gu Lan, having just concluded an interview, was shown the trending topics about Li Qian by Li Chen. Outraged, Gu Lan immediately sought Gu Zhe's help, emphasizing his popularity as an internet celebrity. Ning Chengming tried to reassure Li Qian, suggesting that his public relations team would handle the situation. Li Qian, however, appeared unfazed, stating her strong mental resilience and her belief that netizens had no right to judge her family affairs.
She felt that any response would only escalate the situation, and it was best to let the rumors fade naturally. Ning Chengming reflected on how he sometimes felt unimportant to her, but Li Qian quickly affirmed her need for him, saying his presence alone gave her strength. Soon after, Ning Chengming received a discreet message and swiftly left when Li Jun arrived to speak with Li Qian.
Li Jun approached Li Qian, expressing concern and reminding her of their father's upcoming birthday. He admitted to admiring Ning Chengming's business acumen but found their relationship unconventional. Li Qian firmly asserted that her personal life was not subject to investors' scrutiny. Li Jun clarified that he, unlike their father, supported her relationship but was concerned about the online fervor. He expressed regret for her having to learn about family matters from gossip.
He then presented Li Qian with the marriage certificate of Li Jingfan and Ren Yue, explaining that Ren Yue wished for them to marry shortly before her passing. He also revealed that their father had decided against remarriage after his first wife's death, a decision partly influenced by Li Chen's past trauma with previous opportunistic women. Upon learning this truth, Li Qian forgave her father and agreed to attend his birthday.
Concurrently, Gu Lan and Li Chen sought Gu Zhe's assistance. Gu Zhe was initially reluctant to address the online rumors directly, believing the public wouldn't listen to logical arguments. However, after receiving a call from Yu Qingqing, who proposed an emotional appeal, Gu Zhe enthusiastically agreed to proceed with a live broadcast. With Yu Qingqing's guidance, Gu Zhe hosted a live stream featuring Li Chen.
Li Chen introduced himself as the "brother of the girl surnamed Li" and courageously recounted his family's history, revealing how their family's wealth attracted opportunistic women who mistreated him as a child. A voiceover from Li Jun elaborated on how their father's initial hesitation about remarriage, stemming from Li Chen's past trauma, led to Ren Yue leaving.
During the live stream, a voiceover from Li Jun clarified that both he and Li Chen had known since childhood that Li Qian was not an illegitimate child but the youngest daughter of the Li family. Li Chen’s heartfelt testimony, supported by Li Jun's revelations, successfully swayed public opinion, garnering sympathy for Li Qian.
Meanwhile, Cao Mei contacted Ma Hao, informing him that Ning Chengming's overseas accounts had been detected by economic investigation, and he would be apprehended within 48 hours. She warned Ma Hao to act decisively, threatening to withhold his escape "boat ticket" if he failed to deliver Ning Chengming. Separately, Qi Wei visited Lu Shao, who was cooperating with economic investigation. They speculated that Cao Mei, who had been absent from work, was desperate and might be planning an escape.
Lu Shao then received a message from Ning Chengming, stating that Cao Mei had called for a confrontation, and he was going to meet her. Ning Chengming assured Lu Shao that he had set up timed emails to be sent every ten minutes, which he would cancel if he was safe. If Lu Shao received the emails, it would indicate danger, and he was to immediately contact economic investigation. Ning Chengming arrived at a hotel where Cao Mei was packing.
He confronted her, sternly warning her to cease her attacks on Li Qian. He stated that while he had tolerated her previous actions against him and others out of respect for Professor Cao, he would not stand by if Li Qian was harmed. Cao Mei tearfully confessed her deep, almost self-deprecating love for Ning Chengming, which she claimed had driven her actions.
Ning Chengming reiterated that he had never harbored any romantic feelings for her, neither during his cognitive disorder nor after his recovery. Later, Guo Dongsheng met Li Qian and attempted to confess his love. Li Qian promptly rejected him, seeing through his pretense. She accused him of having approached her at Gu Lan's press conference under false pretenses, implying he was working for Cao Mei.
Li Qian warned him that she was well-versed in such schemes and advised him to leave immediately to avoid legal consequences. Frightened, Guo Dongsheng quickly departed. Cao Mei, still at the hotel, offered Ning Chengming what she claimed was grape juice, knowing he abstained from alcohol. After he drank it, she told him she was celebrating "not wanting him anymore" and his freedom from her, though her actions suggested otherwise. The drink left Ning Chengming disoriented.
Li Qian, unable to reach Ning Chengming by phone or message, called Qi Wei, through whom Lu Shao inadvertently revealed Ning Chengming's location at the Dengyun Hot Spring Hotel, Room 520. Li Qian rushed to the hotel. Inside, a drugged Ning Chengming was confronted by Cao Mei, who was trying to get intimate with him. Despite his impaired state, Ning Chengming questioned if she was Li Qian, and upon hearing her affirmative reply, firmly declared, "You're not her!
Because Li Qian will never use the word 'beg' in a relationship. All she will say is 'Ning Chengming, I'll let you know, I like you!' " At the hotel front desk, Li Qian's request for the room number was denied due to privacy policies. Recognizing the hotel as part of Gu's Group, she immediately called Gu Zhe, who instructed the front desk to grant her access.
Li Qian entered the room, forcefully telling Cao Mei to stay away from Ning Chengming. She then took Ning Chengming away, leaving Cao Mei heartbroken and sobbing on the floor. Li Qian brought Ning Chengming home to rest. Though still somewhat affected by the drug, he reassured her that he would be fine. Li Qian playfully tested his sobriety with a finger-counting game, which he hilariously failed.
He then jokingly expressed jealousy over her interaction with Guo Dongsheng, stating he disliked her talking to other men. While Ning Chengming rested, Yu Qingqing called Li Qian to inform her that Gu Zhe and Li Chen's live stream had successfully resolved the online rumors, urging her to watch it. Li Qian opened the live stream, witnessing Li Chen's emotional plea on her behalf, which moved her to tears. Ning Chengming soon woke up, saw her crying, and comforted her.
After comforting her, he reminded her of the importance of mutual reliance, emphasizing that while she could rely on others, she "should" rely on him. He then leaned in and kissed her, before carrying her into the bedroom, where their intimacy deepened.
