Wenderella's Diary Episode 22 Recap
> Wenderella's Diary Recap
At the office, as Su Ziguang began to mention the baby, Wen Rou realized that everyone knew about her supposed pregnancy. She quickly clarified that she was not pregnant at all and it had all been a misunderstanding. Her colleagues and friends comforted her, reassuring her that there was no need for regret and that pleasant surprises would come in due time, encouraging her to focus on her work at Polimoda. Wen Rou thanked them, assuring them she was fine.
Later, at Han Qing’s apartment, Zhong Yu finished tidying the kitchen, preparing to leave. Han Qing asked him to stay, but when she saw his hesitant expression, she became frustrated. She questioned why he was always so resistant to physical intimacy as a couple. Zhong Yu, looking troubled, could only take her hand and apologize, reaffirming his strong feelings for her and asking her to trust him.
Witnessing this interaction, Shan Liang observed to Wen Rou that Zhong Yu still hadn't told Han Qing the truth. Reflecting on how one lie often leads to many more, Shan Liang suggested to Wen Rou that they make a pact: from that day forward, they would be completely honest with each other and with everyone else, facing all problems together.
Wen Rou, finding the idea of lifelong honesty daunting, proposed they try it for a week first, to which Shan Liang agreed. They made playful vows, with Wen Rou swearing by her collection of bags, jewelry, and shoes, and Shan Liang by his love for Wen Rou.
They began confessing minor truths; Wen Rou admitted to fabricating a client meeting to have dinner with Han Qing when Shan Liang's cooking was too bland, and Shan Liang confessed to secretly donating some of Wen Rou’s unworn clothes. However, when Wen Rou playfully tested Shan Liang by asking who he’d save between her and Han Qing if they both fell into water, and he chose Han Qing (because Wen Rou could swim), the situation quickly spiraled.
Realizing the potential for chaos, they decided to halt the truth-telling pact for the time being. Shan Liang’s newfound commitment to honesty extended to his workplace, much to Jian Jian’s concern. When a colleague asked about her new perm, Shan Liang frankly said it made her look older. Jian Jian worried he might be too honest with clients. His fears were realized when an angry client complained about the matchmaking service, criticizing the women introduced to him.
Shan Liang, supported by Xiao Mei, candidly pointed out the client's low income compared to his high expectations. The client became enraged and nearly attacked Shan Liang, but Jian Jian bravely stepped in front, taking the blow and injuring his ear. Xiao Mei, showing great care, gently applied medicine to Jian Jian's ear, telling him he shouldn't always sacrifice himself for others and deserved to be cared for too.
Jian Jian, deeply touched by her words and actions, realized he had developed feelings for Xiao Mei, but was troubled by their prior agreement to simply be friends. Meanwhile, Wen Yajun, Wen Rou's father, reviewed her design drafts. His colleague admitted Wen Rou's designs were more appealing than Wanli's products, even possessing the charm of early Wanli shoes.
Wen Yajun discovered that Cui Xuelan, Wen Rou's stepmother, had sent Wen Rou copies of ""Wen Xin's mother's"" old designs years ago when Wen Rou was in boarding school. Despite initially thinking Wen Rou wasn't interested in art, Wen Yajun now recognized her talent. He wasn't angry at Cui Xuelan but instead asked her to invite Wen Rou home for dinner, expressing a desire to talk to her, believing he had overlooked her potential.
Cui Xuelan excitedly visited Wen Rou, bringing a ""Five-red Soup"", believing Wen Rou had recently suffered a miscarriage and needed to recuperate. Wen Rou clarified that she had never been pregnant, and it was a misunderstanding. Tearfully, Cui Xuelan scolded Wen Rou for joking about such matters, emphasizing that children are a blessing.
She then reminisced about Wen Rou being a sensible child who had traveled with her through tough times, acknowledging that she hadn't treated Wen Rou as well once their lives improved. Cui Xuelan conveyed Wen Yajun's dinner invitation, hinting that he might want Wen Rou to take over Wanli. Wen Rou immediately rejected the idea, stating it was impossible with Wen Xin around and that she valued creative freedom over working under her father.
Before Wen Rou could fully refuse the dinner, Wen Xin arrived. Wen Rou, using her truth-telling pact, prompted Wen Xin to frankly tell Cui Xuelan that she didn't particularly like her and preferred they "just let it be" rather than pretending. Wen Xin also challenged Cui Xuelan's claim of treating her (Wen Xin) like her own, suggesting that Cui Xuelan didn't even treat her biological daughter (Wen Rou) particularly well.
Despite the awkwardness, Wen Rou agreed to attend the family dinner. On the weekend, Wen Rou and Shan Liang went to her family home. Staying true to their pact, Shan Liang jovially told Wen Rou he would honestly tell her father that his serious demeanor was actually just a "long face." During dinner, Wen Yajun probed Wen Rou about her studies of Wanli's early designs.
Wen Rou eloquently described how Wanli's designs were "against the tide" and how its founder courageously turned that into a trend. Wen Yajun, impressed, offered Wen Rou a significant position at Wanli. Wen Rou politely but firmly refused, stating her passion for independent creative freedom outweighed working under her father, even if Polimoda faced challenges. Shan Liang supported her decision, emphasizing Polimoda's promising development. Their blunt honesty left the family speechless, cutting through the usual unspoken tensions.
As they drove home, Wen Rou expressed her delight, feeling liberated from the "covert attacks" of previous family dinners, where their directness left others "nothing to say." She reaffirmed her conviction that creative freedom was essential, making the idea of returning to Wanli unappealing. Soon after, Han Qing messaged Wen Rou about going to a steam room with Zhong Yu.
Wen Rou, recalling Shan Liang's belief in honesty, decided they should go to tell Han Qing the truth about Zhong Yu's profession. She questioned Shan Liang: if he had to choose between staying blissfully ignorant or facing a painful truth, he would choose the truth. At the steam room, Shan Liang discreetly told Zhong Yu that Wen Rou intended to reveal his true occupation. A panicked Zhong Yu reminded Shan Liang of his promise to keep it a secret.
Shan Liang explained his new truth-telling pact meant he had to inform Zhong Yu, but also promised to find a way to stop Wen Rou from revealing it directly. Meanwhile, Su Ziguang and Wen Xin were also at the same steam room. Not wanting their relationship to be public, Wen Xin pulled Su Ziguang into a hiding spot as Wen Rou and Han Qing approached their room.
Wen Rou began to indirectly broach the topic with Han Qing, telling a hypothetical story about a friend whose sister's boyfriend had a secret. Han Qing immediately suspected infidelity, but Wen Rou tried to redirect her. Han Qing then confessed she would rather not know if the truth would jeopardize her relationship with Zhong Yu.
Sensing the danger, Shan Liang quickly intervened, handing Han Qing a pre-paid massage bracelet with a time limit, effectively whisking Wen Rou away to prevent her from revealing the secret. After Shan Liang whisked Wen Rou away, Su Ziguang and Wen Xin emerged from their hiding spot, seemingly having overheard the dramatic exchange. Shan Liang later told Wen Rou that it was Han Qing and Zhong Yu’s private matter, best left for them to resolve on their own.
Later, while Zhong Yu was getting a massage, he mistook the person for Wen Rou. He candidly confessed his previous profession as an embalmer, reiterating Han Qing's timid nature and pleading for a few more days to keep it secret. Unbeknownst to him, the person was actually Han Qing, who now knew the truth. Back at Han Qing's apartment, their interactions were awkward and strained. Han Qing asked Zhong Yu why he had disappeared after college graduation.
He vaguely cited family issues but refused to elaborate. Later, Zhong Yu discovered Han Qing’s laptop open to search results for "embalmer." He immediately confronted Wen Rou, accusing her of revealing his secret. Wen Rou denied it, explaining Shan Liang had stopped her. They then pieced together that Han Qing must have overheard Zhong Yu's confession during the massage. The next day, Zhong Yu visited Han Qing, informing her that he had resigned from his previous job.
As he prepared to leave, Han Qing stopped him. She asked him to do her makeup, stating that she didn't want him to abandon a profession he loved. After he finished her makeup, Zhong Yu finally confessed his true profession as an embalmer. Han Qing, reciprocating his honesty, told him she didn't mind his profession and wouldn't leave him because of it. Subsequently, Zhong Yu returned to working as an embalmer.
Unintentionally, Wen Rou overheard a conversation between models, learning that Shan Liang had gone to great lengths to arrange for top model Liu Meng to work with her. Han Qing, noticing Wen Rou's surprise, advised her to respect Shan Liang's intentions and pretend not to know, preserving his thoughtful gesture. Moved by Shan Liang’s silent support and immense efforts, Wen Rou embraced him in a heartfelt display of gratitude.
