Second Chance Romance Episode 25 Recap
> Second Chance Romance Recap
Thirteen years prior, Gao Hui deceitfully informed Tan Siting that her child was no longer alive, leading to Siting's heart-wrenching cries from her hospital room. Wang Shuhan knew that Siting's child was alive because she had secretly told Gao Hui about Siting's pregnancy. Gao Hui, however, advised Shuhan not to meddle in other people's lives, arguing that Siting, who was alone, whose father was nowhere to be found, recently graduated, and jobless, could not possibly raise a child.
Gao Hui also stated that Feng Rui would not be returning anytime soon, and her family would never accept Siting, and believed the couple would eventually break up. She claimed that keeping the child within her family was the best option, allowing Siting to pursue her ballet dreams in Paris.
When Shuhan questioned how Gao Hui could live with such an act, Gao Hui dismissed her as naive, asserting that she would feel worse if Siting and the child struggled through an unstable life with a "shattered" family. To ensure Shuhan's silence, Gao Hui expressed interest in Shuhan's brother, Yuan's, gaming company proposal, offering to make an initial investment to get his company running, effectively providing hush money.
Shuhan then presented this investment to Yuan as a lucky break from a wealthy classmate. In the present, Yuan was profoundly shaken to learn that his company's startup funding was hush money from Gao Hui, secured through his sister Shuhan's betrayal of Siting. He felt immense guilt, realizing his success was built upon Siting's pain and that his long-held belief of owing Shuhan was a "huge joke."
He admitted to accepting Shuhan's sacrifice of dropping out of school for his education and now felt like a "parasite," blaming himself for Shuhan's current state. Siting, tearful, comforted Yuan, assuring him he was also a victim and that she did not blame him. She stated the past was over. Siting confronted Shuhan, expressing her profound disappointment that her best friend could commit such acts.
Shuhan confessed that while her understanding and sympathy for Siting were genuine, her "jealousy was real too." She revealed years of resentment, feeling that Siting never considered her "worthy of consideration." Shuhan bitterly compared Siting, a "ballet prodigy" with a bright future, to herself, a "fishmonger" who had dropped out of ballet after two years to work.
She described Siting as her "perfect foil" and declared that ruining Siting's "perfect woman persona" by spreading false rumors online was "the highlight of my life." She also confessed to having secretly cut Siting's ballet shoes before a competition years ago and, more recently, initiating contact with Gao Hui to offer her assistance in breaking up Siting and Feng Rui in exchange for a substantial payment.
Siting calmly countered that Shuhan was only destroying herself, not anyone else, and refused to admit hatred, stating she missed the "strong and full of light" Shuhan from the fish stall. She pointed out that Shuhan had hurt Yuan, her own brother whom she loved most, not Siting. Siting's emotional turmoil manifested in stomach pains, leading her to take medication. She reflected on the loss of her job and the widespread rumors damaging her reputation and future.
Feng Rui, visiting Siting, suggested pursuing legal action against Shuhan, but Siting declined, stating they were once friends and she did not wish to escalate matters. Feng Rui admired her compassionate heart, though Siting later privately questioned if his happiness with her was an illusion. Feng Rui also mentioned that Le, Siting's child, had asked about her, suggesting he missed her. Siting's father called, announcing his unexpected return home after years of living in Hongyuan County in Sichuan.
Siting, overjoyed, drove to pick him up, accompanied by Feng Rui. Her father seemed well, though he had a slight cough. He explained his desire to move back to their old house with her, feeling "nostalgic" for their past days there. At a hot pot dinner, Siting's father delighted in eating his favorite dishes, and Feng Rui told him how much Siting missed him.
Siting informed her father that she had recently quit her job, explaining that she did so to avoid burdening the school due to the ongoing rumors. She revealed that Feng Rui knew Shuhan was behind the rumors but was unaware of his mother, Gao Hui's, involvement, a detail Siting chose to keep from him due to Gao Hui's illness, to spare Feng Rui the pain of being "caught in the middle."
Her father encouraged Siting and Feng Rui to stay closely connected. The next day, Siting's father visited the grave of his former apprentice, Shi Wei, who had tragically taken her own life thirteen years prior after being sexually assaulted by Feng Rui's uncle. He apologized for his long absence, reminiscing about Shi Wei's bright and curious nature as a diligent student. He expressed his enduring love and belief that they would reunite someday. Meanwhile, Gao Hui attended a business meeting where market research on new products was being discussed, with a focus on improving sales strategies.
