Time Teaches Me to Love Episode 21 Recap
> Time Teaches Me to Love Recap
The exposure of Lin Lu and Shi Liansen's contractual relationship ignited a public uproar. The Lin family found themselves under harsh scrutiny from neighbors, who openly gossiped about Lin Lu being a mistress, causing her mother immense anger. Lin Lu’s brother tried to defend her, insisting she was in a serious relationship, but their neighbors pointed to the news as undeniable proof.
Back home, Lin Lu’s mother, still furious, confronted her, urging her to break up with Shi Liansen to protect her late father's reputation and avoid a lifetime of gossip, emphasizing that Shi Liansen was "different" from them. Meanwhile, Shi Liansen was preparing a press conference to publicly announce his serious relationship with Lin Lu and address the scandal. His assistant confirmed that Sally was behind the leak of the contract, having meticulously planned to dominate online public opinion.
Shi Liansen instructed his team to draft a legal statement, asserting that he and Lin Lu were in a serious relationship and threatening legal action against anyone slandering her. He assured his team he would personally handle Sally. At the same time, Lin Lu was confined at home, expressing her guilt to her brother about hurting their mother and worrying about Shi Liansen.
Lin Lu’s brother, Lin Cheng, informed her that their mother had gone out and helped Lin Lu escape by getting a locksmith for her room. Lin Lu then called Shi Liansen, expressing how much she missed him while being grounded. Shi Liansen, unaware of her mother's imminent visit, reassured her, promising to apologize to her mother in person the next day and playfully teasing her about getting enough sleep to stay pretty.
Lin Lu hinted that she already had an answer to his earlier proposal and would tell him in person the next day. Concurrently, at Sally's board meeting, shareholders expressed discontent with the company's declining performance and praised Liang Zhi for successfully undermining Huanzhen. They voted to remove the current Chairman Li, citing his age and the need for more capable leadership.
Liang Zhi, with the unanimous support of the shareholders, was appointed the new chairman, promising a significant increase in performance and dividends. Shortly after, Lin Lu’s mother arrived at Shi Liansen’s office. She apologized for interrupting and asked to speak with him, insisting he accept her apologies for the trouble the news had caused her family.
Shi Liansen reiterated his sincere affection for Lin Lu, admitting their initial contractual arrangement was a mistake but defending their genuine feelings for each other. Lin Lu's mother then offered him a sum of money, explaining it was all she had and intended to repay the 500,000 yuan Shi Liansen had given Lin Lu for the contract. Shi Liansen refused the money.
She then opened up about the family’s struggles since her husband's death and how Lin Lu had taken on all responsibilities, becoming a strong pillar for their family. Shi Liansen promised to protect Lin Lu and prevent her from suffering any further. Despite his assurances, Lin Lu’s mother knelt before him, begging him to let Lin Lu go.
She argued that "marriages of equals will last" and that their vastly different backgrounds meant Lin Lu would endure a lifetime of cruel judgment and humiliation. Shi Liansen, visibly conflicted, acknowledged his selfishness in dragging Lin Lu into his life but insisted his feelings for her were real and unrelated to the contract.
Lin Lu’s mother countered that a girl’s reputation was paramount, and a man should understand there were things more important than love, imploring him again to release Lin Lu for both their sakes. Deeply affected by Lin Lu’s mother's plea, Shi Liansen composed himself for the press conference. Meanwhile, Lin Lu was rushing to the conference, determined to give Shi Liansen her answer in person.
At the press conference, amidst a flurry of questions from reporters, Shi Liansen confirmed the contract was real. He took full responsibility, claiming it was his idea to use Lin Lu to promote Huanzhen's "Cinderella" products and that he had paid her 500,000 yuan as a spokesperson. He vehemently denied she was a "kept girl" and warned against further defamation, threatening legal action.
He then stated that Lin Lu's actions were solely for her family, and he had exploited her vulnerability. He concluded by dramatically tearing up the contract, declaring its termination and that he and Lin Lu no longer had any relationship, promising to take full responsibility for the incident's social impact. Lin Lu, having arrived and witnessed parts of the press conference, tried desperately to reach Shi Liansen, first by phone, then by going to his office.
She called his assistant, Maggie, who tried to connect her, but Shi Liansen coldly ordered Maggie to hang up, even as Maggie relayed Lin Lu's distress. Reporters at the conference mentioned seeing Lin Lu fall, but Shi Liansen ignored them and ordered his driver to leave. Distraught, Lin Lu confronted Shi Liansen at his office, telling him she was there to give her answer. Shi Liansen cruelly stated it no longer mattered and that "their relationship" was over.
When Lin Lu sought clarification, believing he only meant the contractual relationship, he made it clear he meant "their" entire relationship. Heartbroken, Lin Lu reminded him of his recent declarations of love and the necklace he gave her, questioning how everything could change before she gave her answer. Shi Liansen, maintaining a cold demeanor, insisted his actions and gifts were solely for Huanzhen’s benefit, to promote the brand and impress business partners.
He declared himself a "cold-hearted, selfish, insensitive businessman" who had successfully deceived her. Lin Lu tearfully refuted this, recalling his past acts of kindness toward her and others, but Shi Liansen merely asserted that such performances were necessary to ensure her cooperation with Huanzhen.
