Only For Love - Episode 1-3 Recap
In a refreshing twist on the classic romance tale, this drama opens with the resilient Shuyi (played by Bai Lu) navigating the aftermath of a failed relationship, showcasing her strength and independence. Determined to rebuild her life, Shuyi shines as a dedicated journalist, backed by a supportive and insightful boss.
Her journey takes an intriguing turn when her boss sets up an interview with the enigmatic Shi Yan (played by Dylan Wang), a rising star in the business world who is determined to prove his mettle. As their paths collide, sparks fly and professional ambitions intertwine.
Get ready for a captivating story where personal growth, empowerment, and the quest for success lead to unexpected and thrilling encounters. Will Shuyi and Shi Yan discover that their chemistry extends beyond the boardroom, igniting a passionate romance? Tune in to find out!
Let's jump into the first episode....
Shi Yan’s day kicks off with a bang as he boldly offends his business partners, striding out of the meeting with the air of a man who answers to no one. Meanwhile, Shuyi is on cloud nine, eagerly calling her boyfriend to share the thrilling news of her upcoming interview. Her excitement is palpable as she explains she’ll have to miss his birthday party that evening.
However, her boyfriend’s response is less than enthusiastic: “But I only get to celebrate my birthday once a year.” In that moment, viewers can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him, overshadowed by Shuyi’s relentless pursuit of her career.
Determined to make amends, her boyfriend decides to support Shuyi, promising to wait for her to finish the interview. However, the unexpected strikes: Shi Yan, the elusive businessman, cancels their meeting due to a conflicting engagement.
Undeterred and resolute, Shuyi refuses to accept this setback. She tracks Shi Yan to the hotel where he’s attending another event and makes a bold move by contacting his assistant. Initially, the assistant is ready to dismiss her, but fate intervenes as he catches a glimpse of Shuyi from afar. Her striking presence compels him to reconsider. A pretty face helps after all!!! LOL
On a whim, the assistant decides to help her, asking her to wait while he informs Shi Yan of her arrival. As Shuyi waits, hunger and fatigue set in. Feeling restless, she encounters another businessman (Wei Zhe Ming) with a soft voice and a friendly demeanor, offering a brief yet refreshing distraction.
This mysterious businessman might play a pivotal role later on, adding intrigue to the plot and making us question how Shuyi ended up with her current boyfriend. But for now, it feels like the story is throwing potential love interests our way to keep us guessing.
Shi Yan, determined to stick to his schedule, leaves his assistant to handle the fallout. In an attempt to make amends, the assistant offers Shuyi some food and a ride home as a gesture of apology.
However, Shuyi firmly declines both offers with a resolute "no." While it's understandable that she might refuse the ride out of loyalty to her boyfriend, turning down the food seems less logical—after all, a girl’s gotta eat!
It's a stormy night, and traffic is gridlocked as the event winds down. Shuyi, exhausted and starving, waits an agonizingly long time for her boyfriend to pick her up. On the verge of fainting, she spots Shi Yan's car approaching.
Just as Shi Yan considers offering her a ride, Shuyi, overwhelmed by hunger and the day's stress, lashes out, telling him to leave her alone. Misinterpreting his intentions, she assumes he's trying to hit on her.
In response, Shi Yan lowers his window just enough for Shuyi to catch a fleeting glimpse of his composed demeanor and luxurious ride before he drives away, leaving her to realize what she might be missing.
The viewers are left wondering will this intense encounter fuel Shuyi’s resolve or add another layer of complexity to her already turbulent life as the story moves on.
Shuyi's boyfriend finally arrives, and they share a seemingly pleasant conversation. But that night, Shuyi's world shatters as she discovers he’s been cheating on her with a wealthy woman. Confronting him in a whirlwind of emotions, she demands an explanation.
When we start watching episode two we see Shuyi and her boyfriend arguing over her new discovery. To her shock, he unabashedly confesses his betrayal, admitting he’s with the rich girl for her money. He’s tired of working hard and waiting for Shuyi’s career to take off; he wants wealth and comfort now.Heartbroken and furious, Shuyi is left reeling from the betrayal. Will this devastating revelation push her to new heights of determination, or will it pull her into a darker struggle?
To viewers, this is the swiftest breakup ever witnessed, almost too clean for a couple with their history. But after his blatant cheating, a quick, decisive end is what we get.
Surprisingly, no one is mourning Shuyi’s breakup. Her boss and friends are actually relieved and excited about her new single status. The next morning, Shuyi wakes up with a renewed sense of energy and determination, her anger giving way to clarity. Her mind, however, remains fixed on the elusive interview with Shi Yan.
It takes immense effort and persistence, but Shuyi finally reschedules the coveted interview. To her astonishment, she realizes that Shi Yan is the very man who had offered her a ride on that rainy night. Despite his hectic schedule and last-minute complications, they end up conducting the interview in Shi Yan's luxurious $10 million car.
As the interview unfolds, Shuyi, dressed impeccably to underscore her professionalism, wraps it up with a bold question: "Are you dating anyone?" This moment not only showcases her readiness and dedication but also hints at a potential spark between them.
Next, we see Shi Yan and Shuyi arriving at an opulent horse stable, with Shuyi trailing behind Shi Yan, intrigued by the sudden change of scenery. There, they meet the charismatic and friendly stable owner, Guan Xiang Cheng (Nie Yuan), a prominent businessman whose warm demeanor adds a new layer of intrigue.
Throughout her interactions with the two men, Shuyi seems to cast aside her professional demeanor and maturity, instead playing the role of a charming, seemingly naive woman. Her strategic smile and allure pave the way for her to gain favor with these wealthy men.
The stable’s owner, enchanted by her charm, allows her to stay and even offers her the chance to learn horseback riding. To Shuyi’s surprise, her instructor turns out to be none other than Shi Yan himself. Though he appears reluctant, Shi Yan opts to take a more hands-on approach—literally—by mounting the horse behind her and taking the reins.
In a daring move, Shi Yan accelerates the horse to a breakneck speed, sending Shuyi into a frenzy of fear. As she finally dismounts, her legs are left trembling, and the thought of ever getting back on a horse seems terrifying.
Meanwhile, Shi Yan revels in his mischievous prank, clearly pleased with himself. As Shuyi regains her composure at a nearby table, Shi Yan and the stable owner discuss Shuyi’s intriguing qualities and whether she might be Shi Yan's type. Despite the stable owner's playful suggestions, Shi Yan remains detached, insisting that his focus is on his new business venture and the imminent launch of Cloud Innovation.
The stable owner also proposes an intriguing idea: that Shi Yan should consider letting his niece, "Little Yue," join the workforce as a reporter.
As the episode draws to a close, Shi Yan and Shuyi are seen driving in his sleek car. As he takes her home, Shuyi ponders why he never suggested they grab a meal together, questioning, "Doesn’t he eat at all?"—a curious thought considering her own earlier struggle with hunger.
Exhausted from the day's events, Shuyi eventually falls asleep, her head resting gently on Shi Yan's shoulder. When she wakes, she finds herself alone, with Shi Yan having instructed the driver to take her home. As she steps inside her house, she realizes she’s left an earring in his car, but decides to view it as a charming memento for him.
The episode concludes with both Shi Yan and Shuyi working late into the night, driven by their respective ambitions. The next day, Shuyi pitches an idea to her boss about launching an e-magazine version to spotlight Shi Yan and other dynamic young businessmen. Her boss agrees to consider it and promises to consult with the chief editor.
The drama intensifies with personal revelations and professional aspirations intertwining, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next.
DramaZen's Opinion
Despite its surprisingly low score, this drama piqued my curiosity. I’ve seen both lead actors in past roles, and Bai Lu usually delivers solid performances. Dylan Wang, whom I adored in Meteor Garden, has had mixed results in other dramas, sometimes struggling with his script choices.
After three episodes, I haven’t encountered anything outright unwatchable, but the chemistry between the leads still hasn’t clicked for me. I’m holding out hope that the writers will break away from the clichéd tropes often seen in Chinese dramas and inject some fresh energy as the series unfolds.
So far, the CEO vs. Businesswoman plot feels familiar, but there’s potential for improvement. Here’s to hoping the characters become more engaging and the romantic sparks truly ignite as the story progresses!