Time Teaches Me to Love Episode 4 Recap
> Time Teaches Me to Love Recap
Driven by desperation to raise 500,000 yuan for her brother's life-saving surgery, Lin Lu took on various demanding jobs. She had faced a scandal from being photographed while selling drinks, which paradoxically boosted social media followers for Shi Liansen's company, leading him to delay his engagement to Fang Qiao for marketing purposes. Shi Liansen, having learned the true reasons behind Lin Lu's desperate efforts after an investigation, and after saving her from harassment, eventually changed his perception of her.
It was in this context that Shi Liansen approached Lin Lu with an offer: if she truly needed money, he required a nominal girlfriend. Lin Lu, initially furious and even angered by his audacity, eventually agreed to sign a relationship contract. Later, feeling exhausted from reviewing the extensive contract, she was caught off guard when Shi Liansen tested her on its clauses, revealing she hadn't fully memorized the details.
He then informed her they were going somewhere she needed to be, without further explanation. Shi Liansen took Lin Lu to an engagement banquet. As Fang Qiao delivered a heartfelt speech about the union of the Fang and Shi families, Lin Lu realized with dismay that this was Shi Liansen's engagement party. She wanted to leave, but Shi Liansen reminded her of the contract's penalties.
He instructed her that her first mission was to put on a show with him, warning her of consequences if she failed. Believing she was merely playing a role, Lin Lu assured him she was a good actress and not nervous. Guests at the party whispered about Shi Liansen bringing his "brand ambassador" to his engagement, deeming it indecent. Fang Qiao, attempting to defuse the tension, approached Shi Liansen, suggesting they discuss any issues privately.
However, Shi Liansen publicly declared Lin Lu his girlfriend, shocking everyone. As Fang Qiao's father tried to play it off as a joke, Shi Liansen suddenly kissed Lin Lu, then swiftly led her away, leaving the entire hall in an uproar. Yan Zichen was seen comforting a distraught Fang Qiao. Later, Lin Lu angrily confronted Shi Liansen, furious that he had stolen her first kiss and made her appear to be a homewrecker.
She expressed her disappointment, having saved her first kiss for someone she loved. Shi Liansen dismissed her feelings, citing an "emergency" clause in their contract and offering compensation. Enraged, Lin Lu demanded to cancel the contract, but Shi Liansen refused. When Lin Lu attempted to explain the misunderstanding to Fang Qiao, she hesitated, caught between wanting to reveal the truth and fearing the contract's hefty penalty for disclosure, which manifested as a thought of 'penalty' in her mind.
Shi Liansen, arriving at that moment, stopped Lin Lu from speaking, stating that the cooperation between his and Fang Qiao's families might be terminated soon due to her efforts. Fang Qiao remarked that Lin Lu was "cute" but "a bit chatty." Shi Liansen then warned Lin Lu against trying to cancel the contract, explaining that according to Article 14, only Party A (him) could agree to its termination.
Lin Lu, still unhappy with his actions, tried to impose new clauses, demanding no physical contact whatsoever—no kissing, hand-holding, hugging, or even shoulder-holding. Shi Liansen, in turn, reiterated the existing confidentiality clause, emphasizing a six-times penalty for any breach. Lin Lu, flustered by the large sum, tried to negotiate it down, but Shi Liansen quickly sealed the "six times" amount. She begrudgingly promised not to reveal the contract's existence to anyone.
Soon after, Lin Lu's friend, Shen Jing, and her mother confronted her, excited about the headlines she and Shi Liansen had made. Her mother, proud of Lin Lu, pressed her for details about her relationship. Lin Lu, bound by the contract, could only repeat, "I won't speak of it to a soul." Shi Liansen, messaging her, advised her to "make up a story."
Lin Lu then fabricated an elaborate tale for her mother and Shen Jing about meeting Shi Liansen in an online game where he was the top player and she was an abandoned newcomer. Their in-game romance blossomed, eventually leading to a real-life connection where he was a cool company president and she a humble makeup artist. She even suggested naming their story "Me Before You" or "Gossip Girl." Shi Liansen's father then summoned Lin Lu for a private talk.
Lin Lu, remembering Shi Liansen's advice to 'make up a story,' began to recount her fantastical online romance to his father. His father listened with a bewildered expression, seemingly outsmarted by Lin Lu's narrative. When asked about her dreams, Lin Lu candidly replied "making money" and "counting money," directly admitting she dated his son for his wealth.
Shi Liansen arrived just as she was making this admission, joking about her "perfect love story" but also noting her abrupt shift to discussing money. He came to pick up Lin Lu, who then requested food and wine. At a restaurant, Lin Lu became heavily intoxicated. She drunkenly confided to Shi Liansen, who was silently listening, and even vomited on him, that she was merely a "nominal girlfriend" and that their relationship was strictly professional, between an "employer and employee."
She complained about his "poker face" and questioned what Fang Qiao saw in him, even speculating if he might be gay. She then spoke to Shi Liansen, seemingly mistaking him for someone else or a reflection, warning "beauty" to stay away from Shi Liansen because he was a "jerk" who "kissed me the other day" and "might take advantage of you."
Deciding to end her drunken ramblings, Shi Liansen asked where she lived, to which she slurred, "I live in your heart." He then carried her back to his villa for the night. The next morning, Lin Lu awoke in an unfamiliar room, disoriented and wondering if she had been kidnapped. Gradually, fragments of the previous night surfaced, and she remembered having been carried back by Shi Liansen.
She instinctively reached for a hug, thinking she was with Shen Jing, only to realize with horror that she was hugging Shi Liansen. Mortified, Lin Lu chastised herself for "flirting" with him, as Shi Liansen stood at the door, observing her reaction.
