What If Episode 20 (Ending) Recap
> What If Recap
After returning home, Xia Guo was heartbroken, and her reaction was noticed by Yan. Xia Guo told Yan what she had seen, but Yan refused to believe her brother, Yu Jian, was capable of cheating, insisting there must be a misunderstanding. Xia Guo knew Yan would naturally side with her brother but didn't press the issue further. That evening, Yu Jian initiated a conversation about their relationship, suggesting they needed to resolve some issues.
He said he had found a place for them to talk the next day and would take her there. Xia Guo agreed, prepared to accept whatever the future held. The following day, Yu Jian drove Xia Guo to a hotel. Seeing the location, Xia Guo became anxious, unsure of Yu Jian's intentions. The name of the hotel, Lechuan Hotel, was visible. In a different time and place, in Shanghai, Xia Guo's business was thriving, and her new shop had opened.
She received flowers from Allen, who was climbing Mount Everest, congratulating her on the opening and his success. To her surprise, Mr. Xue also arrived to congratulate her. He told Xia Guo he had returned and planned to stay, not going anywhere else. Xia Guo, however, didn't want to discuss their past relationship, treating him purely as a customer and welcoming his congratulatory visit.
Later, Mr. Xue sent her a message saying he was happy to see her and hoped she was happy too, which Xia Guo responded to by blacklisting his number. Xia Guo received a special request from a customer named Fisher who wanted to propose to his girlfriend in her shop. Xia Guo took the booking, seeing it as a chance for her shop to become a popular spot for couples.
However, Mr. Xue continued to frequent her shop, often sitting with his laptop, working and waiting for lunch. He seemed unusually invested in the proposal, asking questions about it and even buying a limited edition Valentine's red wine, one of only two thousand bottles worldwide, each featuring a unique love quote revealed upon finishing the wine. He also became fixated on finding the perfect dessert to pair with the wine, suggesting various options that Xia Guo found uninspired.
He showed her photos of fruits and their symbolism, particularly focusing on the fig, which he noted symbolizes guardianship and selfless dedication. Xia Guo eventually discovered Mr. Xue was the customer planning the proposal under the name Fisher. This explained his intense interest. However, Xia Guo could not accept his gesture, viewing it as self-serving rather than truly romantic.
She reflected on their past, feeling that she had always accommodated him, waiting for him whether he wanted to disclose their relationship, get married, or leave for Singapore. She felt she had lost herself. She had worked hard to move past the insecurity, waiting, and disappointment. Now, she wanted to live for herself. Despite her resolve, she questioned if she could truly let go of him. Mr. Xue gave Xia Guo a ring he had bought years ago.
The receipt inside the box revealed he had purchased it the night before he left for Singapore. This silent action highlighted the long period where he didn't explain his leaving, and she didn't ask, leaving things unresolved between them. Later, Mr. Xue came to Xia Guo's home, determined not to give up and seeking her forgiveness. He even used her passcode, which she claimed to have forgotten.
He brought back her belongings, showed her the special red wine again, and spoke about the mistletoe, explaining the British tradition of couples kissing under it for happiness and reconciliation, and that the flower symbolizes hope. He asked if the potential fiancee would have regrets, and then asked Xia Guo about her own ideal proposal day. She described a simple, happy life together, where a ring might just appear one day.
Mr. Xue found this too ordinary, but Xia Guo explained that such simplicity was a luxury for some. He still believed it should be extraordinary. He asked if she still couldn't forgive him. Xia Guo stated that the past was behind them. She admitted to being dejected when he left but had since found contentment in her current state. She told him his presence, or lack thereof, no longer affected her life, suggesting his efforts were futile.
Mr. Xue insisted he was back to stay, to be by her side and protect her, and he formally proposed marriage. Meanwhile, in the alternative timeline set in Leshan, Xia Guo was being led towards a surprise. Yu Jian's recent busyness had been dedicated to preparing their wedding. Yan and their family and friends had all helped keep it a secret. Yu Jian had even invited Xia Guo's stepfather, fulfilling a promise he had made to her years ago.
During the ceremony, Yu Jian expressed gratitude for Xia Guo's sacrifice in staying with him and their family in Leshan. He spoke about believing in miracles and reflected on how their lives might have unfolded if she had chosen a different path. He concluded that their current happiness, with parents nearby, friends around, and their son Chen, wasn't a miracle but a result of her choices and sacrifices.
He thanked her for being with him through difficult times and confidently stated his belief that they would continue to be happy together forever, professing his love for her. It was revealed that Tang, not Yu Jian, was in a relationship with Wen Ya, clearing up Xia Guo's past misunderstanding. In the end, the two versions of Xia Guo, one who stayed in Leshan and one who pursued her path in Shanghai, shared a metaphorical conversation.
They acknowledged that there wasn't one inherently better choice between their paths. The most important thing was to follow one's heart. The Shanghai version thanked the Leshan version for living a happy and fulfilling life, while the Leshan version thanked the Shanghai version for living a bold and free life. They wished each other well in finding the best versions of themselves in their respective lives.
