Well-Intended Love S2 Episode 1 Recap
> Well-Intended Love S2 Recap
Xia Lin, a charismatic and fashionable actress, arrived at the Philanthropic Gala, gracefully posing on the red carpet for reporters. Inside, her senior colleague, Chu Yan, introduced her to various directors and producers, highlighting her recent role as the second female lead in the hit series `Closer Hearts`, which had garnered significant discussion. Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion, as a group of beautiful women surrounded a cool-looking, aloof man who walked by.
Xia Lin, curious, asked Chu Yan who he was, only for Chu Yan to coldly dismiss him as "just a jerk." Xia Lin, surprised by Chu Yan's obvious dislike, pressed him about any past conflict, but Chu Yan, laughing it off, was then pulled away by an acquaintance. Xia Lin politely declined a reporter's request for a photo. Later, at a table with drinks, Xia Lin encountered Zhen Baohui, a popular actress heavily promoted by their company.
Zhen Baohui, with a sneer, mocked Xia Lin's dress and necklace, suggesting they were rented and calling her petty, recalling her past as a bit-part actress. Xia Lin, however, calmly retorted, emphasizing her rapid rise in just two years, now standing on equal footing with Zhen Baohui, who relied on the company's heavy investment. Zhen Baohui, clearly irritated, then accused Xia Lin of relying on Chu Yan for fame and connections, revealing her true source of anger.
Xia Lin, seeing through her, assured her that she and Chu Yan were merely screen partners and wouldn't interfere with Zhen Baohui's work, also hinting at Zhen Baohui's own feelings for Chu Yan. Just then, a server approached, asking who ordered soda water. Zhen Baohui snatched the glass and deliberately threw the water at Xia Lin. Xia Lin, quick to react, ducked, inadvertently causing the water to drench the cool man standing behind her.
Zhen Baohui immediately recognized the man as Ling Yizhou, president of Lingshi Group, and frantically apologized. Xia Lin, seeing the previously unapproachable man in such a disheveled state, couldn't help but chuckle. Catching Ling Yizhou's eye, she quickly apologized, explaining her swift reaction inadvertently led to the mishap. Ling Yizhou, without a word, simply adjusted his tie and walked away. His familiar gesture made Xia Lin feel a sense of déjà vu, prompting her to follow him down a corridor.
As she called out "Sir," Ling Yizhou suddenly stopped and turned, causing Xia Lin to almost collide with him, forcing her to brace herself against the wall beside him. The close proximity created an awkward, almost intimate pose. Xia Lin quickly straightened up, apologizing again. Ling Yizhou asked why she was following him. Xia Lin explained she wanted to apologize again, admitting her own part in the incident, and offered to compensate him for his wet suit.
Ling Yizhou again adjusted his tie, declining her offer. This repeated gesture further fueled Xia Lin's feeling of familiarity, and she impulsively asked if he found her familiar, to which Ling Yizhou amusingly commented on her "old-fashioned" way of striking up a conversation. Undeterred, Xia Lin took his hand, placed it on her waist, and struck a dance pose, asking if that jogged his memory. Ling Yizhou, pulling his hand away, asked what she expected him to remember.
Xia Lin lost her balance and nearly fell into his arms again. Losing patience, Ling Yizhou simply pointed to the men's restroom sign on the door. Xia Lin, embarrassed, laughed and scurried away, unaware that their entire exchange had been captured by a hidden camera on a nearby plant. Ling Yizhou entered the restroom and took off his soaked jacket. His subordinate called, confirming that recent attacks blackening Lingshi were indeed internal, and anticipating a significant move from these individuals.
Ling Yizhou, recognizing they wouldn't just stand by, immediately called for an emergency meeting. He also instructed his subordinate to delay matters regarding "her medical history." Meanwhile, Xia Lin, waking from a nightmare about having leukemia, was gently comforted by Jia Fei, who attributed it to stress from her packed schedule. The next morning, news of Ling Yizhou and Xia Lin's "intimate encounter" outside a men's restroom, complete with blurry photos, dominated headlines.
Jia Fei burst into Xia Lin's room, urging her to check social media. Xia Lin was shocked to see the images, bewildered how a simple inquiry could be so misconstrued. Jia Fei, astonished by Xia Lin's ignorance, then dramatically explained Ling Yizhou's immense influence as the 29-year-old president of Lingshi Group, the richest man in Gangdong, and the "National husband" desired by every woman in the region. Xia Lin playfully scoffed at the exaggeration, picturing him as a heavy man.
Soon after, Xia Lin received calls from her agent, Miss Jiang, and Chu Yan, both questioning the gossip. Xia Lin insisted there was nothing between her and Ling Yizhou, and the photos were just a matter of angle. At the company, Miss Jiang informed her they were drafting a clarification statement, but their efforts were complicated when a video of the incident was released online.
Miss Jiang explained that while photos could be dismissed as angles, the video seemed to confirm the affair, making a unilateral clarification ineffective, especially given Xia Lin's recent "villain" role in `Closer Hearts`. Xia Lin, fearing her career would be stalled, decided to seek out Ling Yizhou, believing a joint statement would be more credible.
Miss Jiang agreed it was a viable option but warned of the current difficulties: Lingshi Group was embroiled in a scandal involving the leakage of client information from its hotels, which, coupled with Ling Yizhou's personal gossip, had caused a dip in the company's stock. At Lingshi Group's shareholder meeting, while discussing the data leak, a director questioned Ling Yizhou about his public affair and the resulting stock drop.
Ling Yizhou calmly stated he was already handling the gossip and expected a quick resolution, viewing the crisis not merely as an external attack but potentially a "turn for the better" to identify truly trustworthy individuals within the company. Simultaneously, at Xia Lin's company, her team, including Yuyuan, Xue, and Su Su, worked to manage the online backlash and viral posts, while Miss Jiang went to personally handle matters.
Miss Jiang returned with bad news: an advertising client had canceled Xia Lin's endorsement deal, citing her image no longer fit their "pure" brand. Another endorsement followed suit. Xia Lin, dismayed, realized she couldn't afford to sit idly by. She needed to confront Ling Yizhou. Xia Lin and Miss Jiang went to Lingshi Group, but Ling Yizhou was in a meeting. They waited until evening, only to be told he had an urgent project inspection and couldn't meet.
Despite another endorsement cancellation, Xia Lin's main concern was the long-term impact on her acting career. She vowed not to let false rumors ruin her future and resolved to find Ling Yizhou. The next day, guided by Jia Fei's discovery in a gossip group about Ling Yizhou's fencing hobby, Xia Lin tracked him to a private fencing club.
Despite being initially stopped by a security guard, she bluffed her way in, claiming to be a "special reporter" invited by Ling Yizhou to write a clarification for "that female star." After a brief chase, Xia Lin, already in fencing gear (having trained for three months for a past role), confronted Ling Yizhou. They immediately began to spar. After a few moves, Ling Yizhou disarmed her, declaring her the loser.
Upon removing their masks, Xia Lin demanded to know why he hadn't revealed his identity earlier. Ling Yizhou calmly stated he sensed her immense frustration and simply allowed her to vent. They then shook hands in accordance with fencing etiquette. Xia Lin questioned why he had avoided her despite her waiting an entire day at his company. Ling Yizhou pointed out her aggressive stance wasn't typical of someone seeking help.
Remembering Jia Fei's advice to use her acting skills, Xia Lin then tearfully pleaded for his help, explaining how the negative publicity had ruined her life and career, leading to cancelled jobs and the prospect of living under false accusations. She stressed that her current image made any unilateral clarification unbelievable. Throughout her desperate plea, her hand remained clasped in his. Ling Yizhou noticed their intertwined hands but didn't pull away.
He simply reassured her that Lingshi had a top-tier public relations team that would provide the "most correct answer." Her only task was to prepare for a press conference that very night at seven. He then gently pulled her hand and kissed it, before presenting the back of his own hand, implying it was her turn.
Xia Lin hesitantly asked if this was also part of fencing etiquette, but as she leaned in, Ling Yizhou, with a smile, playfully pulled his hand away, stating he was just joking, but admitting her "innocence" had pleased him. That evening, Ling Yizhou and Xia Lin appeared at the press conference, dressed in coordinated attire. Ling Yizhou took the lead, addressing the swirling rumors.
He surprised everyone, including Xia Lin, by announcing that while reports of their relationship were "not completely true," it was because they were already engaged. He explained that due to her profession, Xia Lin couldn't always wear her engagement ring. He then playfully prompted her, "Mumu, where's the ring?" Xia Lin, bewildered, looked at her handbag as he subtly indicated. She opened it to find a delicate ring box inside.
He took the dazzling ring from the box, slipped it onto her finger, and then holding her hand, displayed both their rings to the flashing cameras. He then officially declared, "Mu has belonged to Zhou," stating that Mumu had long been his fiancée. Reporters immediately barraged them with questions about their relationship's timeline and marriage plans.
Ling Yizhou stated their relationship was normal and that they had initially preferred privacy, but the excessive and harmful misinterpretations by online accounts, which even blended Xia Lin's character with her real life, had forced them to speak out. He firmly warned that any continued slander or harm to "Mumu" would be met with legal action. As they posed for photos, Xia Lin, still processing, muttered, "Who's Mumu?"
Ling Yizhou chuckled, suggesting they needed to get into character for their "couple" facade. Later, in the car, Xia Lin discovered Ling Yizhou had saved her as "Xia Family's Zhou Treasure" in his phone, while he was "Ling Family's Mumu" in hers, highlighting the playful nature of their newly public "engagement." He then playfully asked if she preferred men who drove fast.
