Wenderella's Diary Episode 8 Recap
> Wenderella's Diary Recap
Wen Rou arrived at Xunmi, only to find Shan Liang had already left. Jian Jian, a subordinate, discreetly informed her that Shan Liang had been secretly helping her all along, even successfully arranging Polimoda's entry into Luxbuy. Jian Jian explained that Shan Liang understood Wen Rou had taken public responsibility to resolve the situation quickly.
After seeing her sincere apology in the video, he immediately met with Mr. Mo and agreed to have Xunmi cover all appraisal costs in exchange for Polimoda joining the platform. Despite appearing angry, Shan Liang's heart was still with Wen Rou. Later, Shan Liang confided in his father, admitting he was touched by Wen Rou's public apology but remained uncertain if two individuals as different as they were could truly build a life together.
His father responded by drawing an analogy to grafting plants: just as two distinct plants can merge and heal into one, so too can people. He emphasized that marriage isn't about two identical individuals, but about two people willing to compromise and adapt for each other, with the willingness to change being paramount. Shan Liang seemed to brush off his father's offer of chicken soup, indicating his mind was still preoccupied. Wen Rou returned home to find Shan Liang there.
She confronted him about his perceived coldness and for hanging up on her, but he explained he had been on a phone call with Jian Jian in his study, wearing headphones, and hadn't heard her. Wen Rou realized her misunderstanding and expressed gratitude for his help with Polimoda. She confessed that her past displays of affection were born of vanity and admitted her life had been quite difficult before meeting him, wishing those painful memories were unreal.
Shan Liang assured her he understood her deep desire for unwavering love and promised never to let her lose it. He then surprised her by presenting a collection of birthday gifts, making up for all the years from her eighteenth to twenty-fourth that she had falsely claimed he'd given her in a past live stream. He vowed to be by her side for every future birthday.
Among the gifts was a key and lock pendant, which Shan Liang explained had evolved in its meaning for him; initially symbolizing their similar souls, it now represented their commitment to understand and tolerate each other, becoming a perfect couple despite their differences. Wen Rou, deeply moved, playfully asked why he always "bowed" to her despite her repeated mistakes, to which he quipped, "Because I am taller than you."
She confirmed she wouldn't be returning to the guest room that night. Shan Liang and Wen Rou's relationship deepened, and they openly shared their affection online. During a visit to Shan Liang's father, he gifted Wen Rou a pair of platinum earrings, thoughtfully remembering her silver allergy. Wen Rou, wanting to reciprocate, offered to buy him a jade ornament, but Shan Liang's father politely declined, stating that as family, such formalities were unnecessary.
Shan Liang echoed this, urging Wen Rou to relax and treat his father as she would her own. Meanwhile, Wen Xin became increasingly convinced that Wen Rou had used a fabricated "Wanli heiress" identity to secure a connection with Shan Liang, given his preference for well-matched partners. Determined to expose her, Wen Xin plotted her next move. At Xunmi, Shan Liang discussed the company's recent decline in user registrations following a new algorithm update.
He announced plans to invest in a new technology team to develop more precise algorithms, seeking funding from Lixing Investment. He also revealed that Wen Rou had sold the "red dance shoes" design to Wanli to assist him, calling it an "irreparable loss," and tasked his team with finding a way to buy it back. Just then, Wen Xin arrived, introducing herself as Wen Rou's sister and the daughter of Wanli Group's president, Wen Yajun.
She clarified that Wen Rou was her stepmother's daughter, not a blood relative or the true heir of Wanli. Shan Liang, however, misconstrued this information, praising Wen Rou for her noble character in concealing her wealthy background out of consideration for his feelings. He warmly embraced Wen Xin as part of his family, asking about her and Wen Rou's childhood.
Later, Shan Liang consulted Jian Jian about the perceived disparity between Xunmi and Wanli and questioned the necessity of "matched for marriage." Jian Jian, using various analogies, warned of the difficulties mismatched unions often face. Shan Liang connected these examples to his own relationship with Wen Rou, still perplexed as to why she had kept her family situation a secret. Wen Rou returned home to find Shan Liang drinking in the dark. He revealed Wen Xin's visit.
Still misinterpreting Wen Rou's motives, Shan Liang expressed profound admiration, believing she intentionally concealed her affluent family background to protect his feelings and chose to build her career independently. He reaffirmed his love for her "essence." He then questioned why she had never introduced him to her family, immediately concluding it was due to the "huge disparity of the two families" and her fear of his in-laws disapproving of him. Wen Rou was left speechless.
She later called her mother, Cui Xuelan, to announce that she was bringing Shan Liang home, viewing Wen Xin's previous interaction with Shan Liang as a "challenge" she had to meet. Wen Rou clarified that Shan Liang's company was not in crisis and that her actions, including selling the design draft, were part of managing their relationship.
She implored her mother, as her own daughter, to openly support her and Shan Liang against Wen Xin during the visit, explicitly asking her to "be nice to me and Shan Liang" and "not always be on Wen Xin's side." Her mother reluctantly agreed, promising to speak highly of Shan Liang to Wen Yajun. Meanwhile, Shan Liang, still anxious about meeting Wen Rou's family and Xunmi's current low ranking, sought advice from his father.
His father, sharing his own experience of "marrying up," encouraged Shan Liang not to dwell on family status, emphasizing that the success of a marriage rests solely on the couple. He advised Shan Liang that showing his love for Wen Rou was key to gaining her parents' acceptance, which relieved Shan Liang.
Wen Rou attempted to further clarify her family's complex dynamics to Shan Liang, explaining that her biological father died when she was young, and she felt like a "giveaway" when her mother remarried. She reiterated that Wen Xin was the true Wanli heiress, not her, and urged him not to concern himself with their differing social standing.
Shan Liang, determined to view Wen Rou positively, declared her the "proprietress of Xunmi" and continued to misinterpret her strained family relationships, believing her stepfather treated her wonderfully and her arguments with Wen Xin were merely playful sisterly banter. Preparations for Shan Liang's visit were underway at the Wen household. Wen Yajun presented both Wen Rou and Wen Xin with handmade silver earrings as gifts.
Wen Rou, sensitive to silver, felt her face stiffen, and quickly excused herself to the bathroom to remove them, discreetly covering her ears with her hair to hide the allergic reaction from Shan Liang. Meanwhile, Cui Xuelan, attempting to be hospitable, inquired about Shan Liang's food preferences from Wen Rou, who mentioned his dislikes included mutton, bitter gourd, and pig's brain.
Wen Xin, overhearing, subtly offered to relay these instructions to Aunt Zhang, hinting at her intent to interfere with the meal preparations. Shan Liang, eager to make a good impression, meticulously tried on several outfits, but Wen Rou reassured him to dress casually, emphasizing he was visiting his "own home." Separately, Han Qing attended a class reunion. As she left, a stranger harassed her, but her old classmate, Zhong Yu, intervened.
Han Qing, delighted to see him after two years, learned he was now a makeup artist. She excitedly told him about her handmade shoe brand with Wen Rou, feeling their professions aligned. They shared a late-night meal, and Han Qing, enthusiastically, exchanged WeChat information with him. Upon Shan Liang's arrival at the Wen residence, he mistakenly entered Wen Xin's room, believing it to be Wen Rou's.
He enthusiastically praised its cozy decor, extensive book collection, and artistic drawings, even suggesting taking one for their home. Wen Rou awkwardly tried to correct him, but Shan Liang persisted. Eventually, he noticed an "odd smell" in the room and, expressing his dislike, suggested they visit "her" actual room. Wen Rou then led him to her real bedroom, which was a sunless, cluttered storage space, starkly revealing her marginalized position within the family.
She explained that after her marriage, she had told her parents they were free to use her room as they wished. At dinner, Cui Xuelan, still trying to be welcoming, proudly informed Shan Liang that Wen Yajun had specifically inquired about his food preferences. However, Aunt Zhang then served "Stir-fried mutton," a dish Wen Rou had explicitly mentioned Shan Liang disliked, confirming Wen Xin's subtle sabotage.
