Time Teaches Me to Love Episode 23 Recap
> Time Teaches Me to Love Recap
Three years later, Lin Lu had become an internationally renowned makeup artist, having launched her successful "Flowing Time" product series. During an interview, she was recognized as an International Makeup Artist and Skincare Specialist designated by Fashion Icon, a significant leap from being an unknown student three years prior. Lin Lu attributed her success to diligence, stating that as a slow learner, she had to work harder than others.
She also confirmed her invitation to Milan Fashion Week, where she planned to launch her new series, explaining that "Flowing Time" was a gift for the passing of time and her past self. Her director, Alan, commended her achievements, noting how much she had grown from the girl who could barely speak English.
Despite her professional triumphs, Lin Lu’s personal life remained empty, as she candidly admitted to being single and politely rejected several suitors who expressed their affection for her. Meanwhile, Lin Lu’s friend Fang Qiao received her twentieth marriage proposal from Yan Zichen. Yan Zichen's heartfelt, if slightly exasperated, declaration of love detailed his numerous previous attempts and Fang Qiao's various reasons for rejection, from not being formal enough to lacking romance.
He passionately promised to devote his life to her happiness, even wishing he could bear children for her. Fang Qiao, acknowledging his persistence, finally agreed to marry him on his twentieth proposal, much to Yan Zichen's overjoyed delight as he swept her into his arms. Back at her company, Alan approached Lin Lu with a significant proposal. Recognizing the company’s rapid growth, he suggested opening a branch in China and offered Lin Lu the position to lead its expansion.
Lin Lu was initially reluctant, expressing a desire to spend a few more years abroad to further her career. However, Alan gently persuaded her, reminding her of the Chinese saying "Falling leaves return to their roots" and highlighting that she hadn't returned home in three years, and her family missed her. He assured her that her abilities would ensure success anywhere and this opportunity would bring her closer to her loved ones.
He encouraged her to listen to her heart without pressure. Soon after, Lin Lu spoke to her mother on the phone, who lamented her long absence and shared how much Lin Lu's brother missed her. Lin Lu informed her mother that she would be returning to China in a few days to expand the company's business.
Her mother, thrilled by the news, immediately brought up setting Lin Lu up on a blind date with a man introduced by Mrs. Wang, much to Lin Lu's exasperation. Lin Lu later received a message from Fang Qiao, who had booked a flight ticket for her to return to China to be her bridesmaid for her wedding on June 6th.
Seeing the wedding invitation brought a wave of past memories to Lin Lu, confirming the emotional wounds she still carried from three years ago. While helping Fang Qiao pick out a bridesmaid dress at a mall, Lin Lu coincidentally spotted Liang Zhi working at a coffee shop and approached him. Lin Lu greeted Liang Zhi, playfully calling him "big boss" in reference to his new venture. They awkwardly stumbled over their words, both acknowledging the passage of three years.
Liang Zhi asked about her well-being, to which Lin Lu replied that her life had been busy and fulfilling with study and progress, asking him if she looked like a successful person now. Liang Zhi complimented her, saying she seemed more feminine.
He then earnestly apologized for his past jealousy and hatred, confessing that he had been the one to leak the contract online, which he believed caused the breakup between Lin Lu and Shi Liansen and her subsequent departure abroad. Lin Lu, forgiving him, stated that the contract was not the sole reason for their breakup.
She explained that the main issue was her feeling that Shi Liansen didn't understand her, and her fear that he would leave her, which he ultimately did. When Liang Zhi tried to mention that Shi Liansen hadn’t dated anyone in three years, Lin Lu quickly changed the subject, asking about an old hotpot restaurant. Shi Liansen, having achieved significant success with Huanzhen Group by expanding its business globally and acquiring Sally, was being interviewed by a reporter.
He dismissed rumors of being backed by someone, asserting that his employees' support was the true key to Huanzhen's success. When questioned about acquiring Sally, whose former Chairman (Liang Zhi) was supposedly his "love rival," Shi Liansen simply stated that he had no love rival and acted as a businessman to maximize profit.
The reporter then pressed him about his own love life, contrasting it with Yan Zichen's engagement to Fang Qiao, and asked if he was still hung up on his ex-girlfriend. Shi Liansen responded definitively, "I don’t have an ex-girlfriend," before curtly ending the interview. He later received news of Lin Lu's return, silently welcoming her back.
Lin Lu's reluctance to forgive Shi Liansen was evident when Fang Qiao tried to speak of him, but Lin Lu quickly shut down the conversation, stating she decided to let him go the day she left and wouldn't give a chance to someone who "dumped her out of the blue." However, Shi Liansen had already begun his pursuit. He orchestrated a "coincidental" encounter with Lin Lu at the dress shop, then again at a party celebrating her return.
At the party, he openly admired her "Flowing Time" series and proposed a professional collaboration on Huanzhen's new "Time Machine" series, providing a legitimate reason for them to interact. After Lin Lu agreed to have her assistant contact him, Shi Liansen declared to himself, "If you want to play, I’ll play with you!" He further demonstrated his intentions when Lin Lu visited his office to discuss the collaboration.
After she presented her plans, Shi Liansen offered her his pen, revealing a planner containing a picture of her. Lin Lu commented on his "hobby of collecting others’ pictures," to which he simply replied, "Not others," indicating that the picture was exclusively of her. He then subtly deferred further discussion of details, ensuring future meetings would be necessary for their "collaboration."
