Only For Love- Episode 16-18 Recap

I’m back with a recap of episodes 16 through 18, and honestly, my feelings haven’t changed. I’m still caught in that 50/50 limbo with this drama. It’s not a total disaster, but it’s not exactly riveting either. Watching it leaves me feeling kind of "meh"—not bad, but not exactly hooked either.

As they arrived by the river, Shi Yan turned to Shuyi beside him, curiosity in his eyes, and asked about her plans for the future. But before she could respond, he noticed her shivering slightly. Without a second thought, Shi Yan quickly took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, his protective gesture speaking louder than any words.

Zheng Shuyi stood there, caught off guard as surprise flickered in her eyes. The cold wind brushed against her cheeks, but it was Shi Yan's warm presence that sent a rush through her. As he leaned in, his lips just inches from hers, her heart raced with anticipation—until a sudden call from his niece shattered the moment. Startled and clearly annoyed, Shi Yan quickly ended the call, his impatience evident. Meanwhile, Zheng Shuyi, feeling the tension and the missed connection, couldn't help but be overwhelmed by a wave of embarrassment.

After Qin Shiyue hung up the phone, she couldn't shake the suspicion that her uncle might be dating someone new. As she mulled over this possibility, a friend happened to pass by, prompting her to share her thoughts with eager anticipation. She excitedly revealed the surprise gift she had sent to Yu You, which she believed was destined to impress. When Professor Yu You overheard her, he suddenly realized that the thoughtful gift in front of him was from Qin Shiyue herself.

Meanwhile, Qin Shiyue eagerly sent a message, inviting the other party to dinner, only to be met with a cold and harsh rejection. The blunt refusal hit her hard, leaving her feeling deeply disheartened.

The next morning, Shi Yan wrapped up his business and made his way to the door across the hall, waiting patiently for Zheng Shuyi to step out. When they finally got into the car together, she noticed that he had thoughtfully prepared a cup of hot coffee just for her. The small gesture filled Zheng Shuyi with a warm sense of pride and happiness.

Zheng Shuyi, determined to make an impression, headed straight to Mr. Jiang's room, ready to dive into work. To her surprise, he instructed her to wait outside. Frustrated but not discouraged, she stood by the door, listening intently. When she overheard a crucial detail, she seized the moment, boldly bursting into the room and introducing herself with confidence.

As the conversation shifted to the core of the interview, Zheng Shuyi listened intently to Mr. Jiang's recount of his entrepreneurial journey. When she brought up the battery incident, Mr. Jiang's demeanor became serious. He candidly discussed the challenges and then subtly requested that she say a few kind words about his company in her report. "It’s not easy to build something from the ground up," he remarked, "and sometimes, just a word or two can tear it all down." Zheng Shuyi acknowledged his point but remained professional, sharing her own perspective before wrapping up the interview. Declining the gift he offered, she left the office, eager to meet Shi Yan for dinner.

After finishing his lecture, Professor Yu You was met by a determined Qin Shiyue, who had come all the way to invite him to dinner. Seeing her persistence, the professor led her into his office, where he calmly returned the gifts she had brought, making it clear that he was resolute in turning down her advances. However, much to his surprise, Qin Shiyue's spirit remained unshaken, her determination unyielding despite his firm rejection.

To Zheng Shuyi’s surprise, while handling a task at work, she unexpectedly crossed paths with her ex-boyfriend’s current girlfriend. The woman recognized her immediately and gave her a scrutinizing look, lingering on her outfit with thinly veiled judgment. As Zheng Shuyi waited anxiously, Shi Yan, upon learning about the encounter, wasted no time in harshly reprimanding the other woman for her behavior.

After a tense meeting, Mr. Qiu unleashed a severe reprimand on the company staff. When Zheng Shuyi stepped off the elevator, she unexpectedly ran into Shi Yan. The silence between them was palpable as they both went their separate ways—Zheng Shuyi heading to her room to finish her work. While sipping on lemonade, Zheng Shuyi overheard from others about the quiet but significant efforts Shi Yan had made on her behalf. Touched by his actions, she later brought him warm water as a small gesture of gratitude, finding solace in working by his side.

As Zheng Shuyi sat in the room, her mind wandered far from the work at hand. Instead, her eyes were locked on Shi Yan, studying his every feature with a mix of fascination and distraction. The silence was interrupted by a loud, unexpected growl from her stomach. Embarrassed, she instinctively clutched her belly, but the sound was unmistakable and unmistakably heard by Shi Yan. The tension between them crackled with an almost palpable energy.

Determined to make the evening better, Shi Yan suggested they go out for dinner. To his surprise, Zheng Shuyi stubbornly insisted she wasn't hungry. Reluctantly, Zheng Shuyi gave in, but still managed to persuade Shi Yan to eat at one of her favorite restaurants. As they prepared to eat, Zheng Shuyi made sure to tidy the area, wiping down the stool with a care that hinted at her eagerness to make the night special.

As Zheng Shuyi sat back down, a wave of unease washed over her at the sight of the untouched meal by Shi Yan. Driven by a sudden impulse, she grabbed a napkin and wiped the table once more. Just as Shi Yan was about to sit down to eat, Shi Yan's niece called in a panic, recounting a troubling incident where Qin Shiyue had been involved in a car accident with a scammer who refused police intervention. The situation was urgent, and with her parents absent, she desperately needed help.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Shi Yan prepared to rush out and offer assistance. Noticing his sudden departure and the untouched food, Zheng Shuyi felt a pang of disappointment. Her face fell as she resigned herself to finishing the meal alone and quietly slipping away. However, seeing her distress, Shi Yan couldn’t bring himself to leave her in this state. With a heavy heart, he decided to stay and share the hot pot, determined to make the evening better despite the interruptions.

As Qin Shiyue was preparing to leave, the old man on the ground clung to her, refusing to let her go. Despite her offer to send him to the hospital, he stubbornly demanded 5,000 yuan for private treatment. Caught in a dilemma, Qin Shiyue was frantic and unsure of what to do.

Just then, Yu You, who happened to be riding by on his bicycle, spotted the commotion. Seizing the opportunity, he dashed into the scene and skillfully helped Qin Shiyue extricate herself from the escalating crisis. With the old man finally taken care of, Yu You managed to diffuse the situation and escort her to safety. Returning home, Qin Shiyue was met with a pleasant surprise: her uncle, who had previously been distant, was eagerly awaiting her and had prepared a hot pot meal. This unexpected gesture brought a warm conclusion to a stressful day, adding a touch of comfort and delight to her evening.

While Shanshan was out enjoying herself with friends, she unexpectedly ran into Guan Ji. His eyes lit up with determination as he stepped forward, ready to confront her. But just as he began to speak, a commotion erupted—Guan Ji's own entourage burst onto the scene, forcefully dragging him away before Shanshan could grasp the gravity of the situation. The sudden and dramatic intervention left Shanshan stunned, and the chaotic scene only deepened the mystery of what was about to unfold.

The next morning, Qin Shiyue was practically glowing with excitement as she announced her success in securing a dinner date with Yu You. Eager to share her triumph, she eagerly regaled Zheng Shuyi with the details of the story, her enthusiasm infectious. Zheng Shuyi couldn’t help but be impressed, gaining a newfound admiration for Qin Shiyue’s uncle.

Meanwhile, the office buzzed with tension as Shi Yan and his team arrived for crucial meetings to discuss a potential partnership with Zhanlan. But as they laid out their proposal, fierce objections began to surface, sparking a heated debate that threatened to unravel their carefully laid plans.

Finally, Friday arrived, and Zheng Shuyi, wrapped in a sense of quiet anticipation, turned down an invitation from a close friend, her focus solely on her own plans. In a bold move, she sent a message to Shi Yan, inviting him to join her for a starry New Year’s Eve. But when his response came as a rejection, a wave of disappointment and unease swept over her. Determined to stay hopeful, she braced herself for his return from the business trip, clinging to the possibility of a future chance under the stars.

Later, Zheng Shuyi continued her shopping spree with friends, her spirits high despite the day's earlier disappointments. Meanwhile, Qin Shiyue, on a solo shopping trip, had a serendipitous encounter with Yu You. Her heart raced as she eagerly greeted him, but despite her enthusiasm, the elusive dinner she’d hoped for slipped through her fingers once again.

As evening fell, Zheng Shuyi and her closest friends were gearing up for a lively hot pot feast. Just as they were about to dig in, they stumbled upon an unexpected banquet in full swing, the last thing they anticipated. The evening’s plans took an intriguing turn, promising surprises they hadn’t seen coming.

Shi Yan whisked Zheng Shuyi away for a starlit evening, revealing a surprise that left her breathless. Though Zheng Shuyi had confessed she wasn't prepared with camping gear, Shi Yan confidently reassured her that he had it all covered. To her astonishment, he had reserved an intimate private room on the top floor, complete with a cart full of roses just for her.

Meanwhile, as Qin Shiyue celebrated the New Year with Guan Ji and his son, her phone buzzed with messages. Guan Ji, curious about her frequent texting, asked if she was single this year. Caught up in the bliss of newfound love, Qin Shiyue only smiled, hinting that the depth of her feelings might be beyond the reach of Guan Ji's understanding.

After dinner, Shi Yan led Zheng Shuyi to the hotel balcony to enjoy the New Year's Eve fireworks. As the dazzling lights painted the night sky, the air was thick with unspoken promises and shared glances. Though their relationship remained unofficial, the moment felt imbued with a sweet, tentative intimacy.

Shi Yan, feeling the weight of the occasion, prepared to reveal his heart. But as he watched Zheng Shuyi silently wish for a successful year ahead, he hesitated. Respecting her moment of quiet hope, he chose instead to send a special order to Shi Huaiman at the Shi family's old house. Zheng Shuyi, caught between the brilliance of the fireworks and the pang of unfulfilled longing, couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.

Qin Shiyue seized the New Year's opportunity to confess her feelings to Yu You, but was met with a cold response. Yu You, maintaining his emotional boundaries, firmly stated they were not meant to be and had no intention of risking a romantic entanglement. Meanwhile, Zheng Shuyi confided in her friend Bi Ruoshan about Shi Yan’s elaborate romantic gesture: a cart full of roses that never reached her, and his unspoken confession that left her heart sinking. Bi Ruoshan, puzzled by Zheng Shuyi’s unconventional wish for an upgraded e-magazine, commented on how unusual it was, hinting that perhaps Shi Yan’s hesitation was rooted in this very peculiarity.

Zheng Shuyi and Bi Ruoshan's outing to Guan Xiangcheng's racecourse took an unexpected twist when they ran into Shi Yan and Guan Ji. The surprise encounter turned even more intriguing as Guan Ji, thrilled to see Bi Ruoshan, eagerly offered a personal tour of the racecourse. Meanwhile, Tang Yi, also present at the racecourse, noticed Zheng Shuyi’s presence and, keen to avoid a confrontation, persuaded Guan Xiangcheng to whisk her away to the winery for a wine tasting. What started as a casual visit became a web of unexpected connections and clandestine escapes.

Guan Ji went above and beyond, personally selecting the gentlest horses for Zheng Shuyi and Bi Ruoshan and even offering to give them a crash course in riding. However, the mood shifted when Shi Yan, seething with jealousy, began to deliberately make things difficult for Zheng Shuyi. Observing the tension, Bi Ruoshan took Zheng Shuyi aside in the dressing room and urged her to charm Shi Yan with a touch of coquetry. "If he truly cares," Bi Ruoshan advised, "it will make a difference." Zheng Shuyi, unaccustomed to such tactics, found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Shi Yan’s unpredictable behavior felt like a cruel game of cat and mouse—drawing her in and pushing her away, leaving Zheng Shuyi bewildered and unsure of his true feelings.

Shi Yan overheard the private conversation between Zheng Shuyi and Bi Ruoshan in the locker room. As soon as Bi Ruoshan left, Shi Yan seized the moment to approach Zheng Shuyi, his touch deliberately lingering as he helped her fasten her belt. With a provocative grin, he leaned in close and questioned why their familiarity seemed to have faltered since their encounter the previous day. Zheng Shuyi, taken aback by his sudden intimacy and assertive demeanor, was left reeling, unable to decipher the unexpected shift in Shi Yan’s behavior.

Guan Ji expertly guided Bi Ruoshan through the art of horseback riding, sharing his deep passion for the sport. He spoke of the exhilarating sense of liberation he felt when riding, a feeling of boundless freedom that mirrored his inner desires. Bi Ruoshan, captivated by his words, found herself resonating with the same longing for unrestrained freedom.

As they took a break from their riding, Shi Yan confronted Zheng Shuyi with a burning question. He wanted to know why she had intentionally sought him out during their initial ride. Zheng Shuyi, caught off guard, admitted that her initial interest had been driven by professional curiosity. Both Yunchuang and Shi Yan intrigued her, each holding their own allure that drew her in.

DramaZen's Opinion

Ughh!!!! What drives me absolutely bonkers are the over-the-top camera angles they keep throwing at us. Every time a romantic moment is about to unfold, it's like a relentless parade of beauty shots—close-ups, slow-mo, her face, his face, and then her face again. It's as if they're shouting, "Look! They're about to kiss!" only to have the moment ruined by a phone ringing. Eyeroll Honestly, could they just let us enjoy the scene without all the dramatic interruptions?

I can't help but feel a pang of heartbreak for Shiyue right now. Despite the countless rejections, she remains unwavering in her pursuit of love. Her resilience is truly admirable—she's steadfast in her belief that she and Yu You are destined to be a happy couple, no matter the obstacles.

I'm genuinely frustrated that he didn't rush to help his niece. Sure, it wasn't a life-or-death situation, but the girl was clearly terrified and overwhelmed. Both Shuyi and the Shi Yan missed the mark here. Shuyi shouldn't have manipulated Shi Yan, and he should have been more attentive to his niece’s distress.

Also, it feels like the romance has been dragging on so slowly that I was starting to question whether this was even a romantic drama! I guess he is slowly coming around to the idea of them being a couple finally.

In the last episode, it’s thrilling to see the fog of misunderstanding finally lifting between them. The moment is electrifying as Shi Yan, who is normally so guarded, takes the brave step of opening up and truly listening to Zheng Shuyi’s feelings. It’s a powerful display of vulnerability and trust. Equally dramatic is Zheng Shuyi’s revelation that her initial pursuit of Shi Yan wasn’t driven by romance, but by career ambition. The truth finally emerges, adding a layer of depth to their evolving relationship and setting the stage for a more authentic connection.