Episode Summary
Lu Yuan discovers evidence of Shen Zhuoran’s past relationship with Lian Yilian, leading to a series of confrontations and emotional fallout. Lian Yilian returns briefly to announce her marriage, leaving Lu Yuan embarrassed. Shen Zhuoran clarifies his feelings and distances himself from Lu Yuan. Meanwhile, Liu Lina works hard to fulfill a big business order, while Shen Qing faces a funding crisis at the company.
Spoiler Alert
Things get real in Episode 23 of "Love Again", and if you thought the drama was cooling down, think again — this episode is packed with secrets, confrontations, and some surprisingly sweet moments. Let’s break it all down.
Trouble in Domestic Paradise
Lu Yuan moves into Shen Zhuoran’s home and quickly becomes the queen of efficiency. She gets the household running like clockwork and even encourages Liu Lina to start her own business — which Lina does, taking on a massive costume production order.
Meanwhile, Zhuoran is thriving. He’s working out daily and looking healthier than ever. During a video call with his daughter Shen Dai in the U.S., Shen Dai thanks Lu Yuan for taking such good care of the family. All seems well — until Lu Yuan finds a mysterious hair clip under the couch. She assumes it belongs to Shen Dai, but Dai shuts that down immediately. That’s when Zhuoran awkwardly admits it probably belongs to Lian Yilian, and then quickly changes the subject.
But Lu Yuan isn’t done playing detective.
The Ghosts of Relationships Past
Lu Yuan finds nurse shoes in the entryway. Then, a bold red wedding quilt embroidered with "Shen Zhuoran and Lian Yilian" in the wardrobe. And to top it off? An open pack of sanitary pads in the drawer. Confused and suspicious, she heads straight to Sun Baoqin for answers.
Baoqin, who’s busy at a square-dancing competition, finally spills the tea: Zhuoran and Yilian had a serious relationship after the death of Zhuoran’s wife, Jingmin. In fact, they were close to getting married but broke up due to “irreconcilable reasons.” Lu Yuan is shook. She thought Zhuoran was still devoted to his late wife — not falling in love again just a year after her death.
Lu Yuan confronts Zhuoran, accusing him of being emotionally fickle. He defends himself, insisting his relationship with Yilian was real and meaningful. Things get heated. So heated, in fact, that Lu Yuan storms off to yell at Gou Bingqiang, the man responsible for introducing Zhuoran to Yilian. But Gou fires back, saying everyone has the right to pursue happiness — and Zhuoran just doesn’t feel that way about Lu Yuan.
Ouch.
A Twist of Sweetness
Then comes the most awkward timing imaginable — Lian Yilian shows up at Zhuoran’s house, but not for a reunion. She’s there to hand out wedding candy. Yep, she just married a retired doctor from the city hospital, and he’s even transferred his house to her brother Lian Jin. Zhuoran and Liu Lina are genuinely happy for her and offer sincere congratulations.
Lu Yuan walks in mid-celebration and is ready to confront Yilian directly. But when she hears Yilian is already married, she hands over the red wedding quilt and coldly tells her to treasure her new life. Yilian leaves, quilt in hand, clearly embarrassed.
Zhuoran is furious at Lu Yuan’s behavior and asks Liu Lina to call Lu Xinghuo to take her back. Xinghuo can’t come — he’s in Shanghai, and his child Taotao is hospitalized. Zhuoran lets it go for now, but he’s clearly fed up. Liu Lina suggests he stay at her place for a while to cool off. Instead, he decides it’s time for a serious talk with Lu Yuan.
Past Trauma, Present Tension
Sun Baoqin tries to talk some sense into Lu Yuan, who insists that Yilian is disturbing Zhuoran’s life and should stay away. Baoqin reminds her that Zhuoran is a loyal man — when Jingmin died, he almost died with her. That doesn’t sound like someone who’s heartless.
Meanwhile, Gou Bingqiang does some digging and finds out that Lu Yuan’s ex-husband had an affair — and she nearly broke his leg in revenge. Gou warns Zhuoran to be careful around her. Zhuoran, now fully fed up, clarifies that he only took Lu Yuan in out of sympathy. There’s no romance here.
Finally, Zhuoran lays it all out. Lu Yuan apologizes — sincerely — and, as a peace offering, delivers a big red envelope to Yilian on Zhuoran’s behalf. Zhuoran tries to return the money, but Lu Yuan refuses.
Business Buzz
Elsewhere, An Ruifeng, Shen Qing, and Dr. Qin are dealing with a major funding crisis in their company's research department. Shen Qing and Liu Lina consider pooling their personal savings — 800,000 yuan — into the company. Liu Lina calls her mentor Sun Baoqin for advice, and Baoqin urges caution. Shen Qing, listening nearby, hears everything.
At the same time, Liu Lina is hustling hard. She personally oversees the costume production at the factory and finally completes the order. She’s ecstatic — until she finds Lu Yuan spraying roach killer in the hallway and assumes the costumes brought in cockroaches. Awkward.
Shen Qing stops by to pick up some documents. Liu Lina invites him to dinner to celebrate, but he’s in a rush for a meeting. Still, with the company’s funding issues worsening, he knows he’ll need to talk to her — and soon.
Final Thoughts
Episode 23 is a whirlwind of revelations, regrets, and rising tension. Lu Yuan’s illusions about Shen Zhuoran have been shattered, and Zhuoran himself is done pretending everything is fine. With Yilian moving on and emotions fraying at the seams, it’s hard to tell where things are headed next. But one thing’s for sure — no one’s coming out of this unscathed.
