Episode Summary
Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan grow closer through heartfelt letters and late-night phone calls, bonding over poetry and life. Zhuoran's dedication to reviving his late wife's orchid pays off, while Sun Baoqin tries to set him up with Peng Yulan—who begins falling for him. A book launch reveals more about Zhuoran’s emotional past, causing ripples among everyone around him. Meanwhile, suspicions, misunderstandings, and meddling continue to stir tension in the household.
Spoiler Alert
“Love Again” – Episode 12 Recap & Spoilers
Episode 12 of Love Again continues the show’s signature blend of tender connections, awkward misunderstandings, and just enough emotional depth to keep you hooked.
Poetry, Orchids, and Phone Calls — Shen Zhuoran’s Delicate Bond with Nie Juanjuan
Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan are vibing on a whole different level. Their phone conversations are less small talk and more deep dives into classic poetry and life philosophy. It's not just romantic — it’s intellectual intimacy. Zhuoran even learns from Juanjuan that everything in nature has its own kind of emotional resonance, which leads him to start talking to a stubborn orchid that belonged to his late wife, Jingmin. The twist? It finally blooms. Liu Lina and Shen Qing witness his talking-to-flowers routine and are both completely baffled.
Shen Zhuoran the Botanist (Sort of), and the Matchmaking Brigade
Zhuoran heads to the flower market for fertilizer, where he runs into Sun Baoqin and Peng Yulan. Baoqin seizes the moment to play Cupid, hyping up Yulan's green thumb like she’s the Orchid Whisperer. But Zhuoran is laser-focused on his orchid mission and ducks out quickly.
Meanwhile, Shen Qing is suddenly very invested in his appearance — jogging daily, spritzing perfume before work — raising red flags for Liu Lina. She warns him not to cheat. Shen Qing deflects like a pro, but she’s watching.
Letters, Mud, and a Man on a Mission
Zhuoran doesn’t just talk to Juanjuan on the phone — he also writes her letters. Yep, actual handwritten letters. He even waits at the gate for her replies like a teenager with a crush. In one scene, he treks out to dig up lotus mud — yes, lotus mud — just to fertilize the orchid. He’s covered in dirt, but he treats it like a sacred ritual. Again, Liu Lina and Shen Qing are watching, and they're seriously wondering if he's okay.
The Awkward Visit: Coupons and Cringe
Sun Baoqin brings Peng Yulan over to Zhuoran’s place. Yulan gifts him goat milk powder (romantic?), and is thrilled to see his orchid finally blooming. But then things go off the rails: a mysterious card on Zhuoran’s table turns out to be a voucher for sexy lingerie. Yulan scans it with his phone (why??), and chaos ensues. Baoqin scrambles to explain it away and drags Yulan out before the tension hits boiling point.
Book Launch Emotions & Confessions
Zhuoran’s book on the literary beauty of Kunqu Opera gets reissued, and he’s invited to speak at a reader event. Shen Dai watches the livestream, Peng Yulan shows up in person, and Shen Qing tags along too. During his talk, Zhuoran emotionally credits both his late wife and Nie Juanjuan for inspiring and supporting the book. It’s a heartfelt moment, and Yulan is clearly moved. She buys two copies, gets them signed, offers Zhuoran her thermos, and even poses for a photo. Oh — and she later buys sexy lingerie. Subtle.
Meanwhile, in the Background...
Ice Li (yes, that’s her name) accidentally bumps into Shen Qing at the bookstore. He invites her to join the event. Later, she posts a thoughtful reflection about the book on social media, and Shen Qing is blown away. He didn’t realize she had such depth.
Back at home, Zhuoran calls Juanjuan to recap the event. She admits she wanted to attend but was too shy to face a crowd. He totally gets it — after Jingmin’s death, he went through the same thing. The way they understand each other? It’s kind of beautiful.
Suspicions, Soup, and Snoopiness
Sun Baoqin’s suspicions are boiling over. She catches Zhuoran leaving the house early and is convinced he’s seeing someone. Liu Lina brushes it off — the guy’s been buying books and going to operas alone. Baoqin, however, dramatically declares he might be the victim of a romance scam. Liu Lina rolls her eyes so hard they might get stuck.
Sun Baoqin keeps pushing the Zhuoran-Yulan agenda, but Liu Lina warns her not to force things.
Love Letters, Burnt Fingers, and Missed Signals
Zhuoran and Juanjuan up the ante — they agree to send each other postcards regularly and see who receives them first. He even stocks up on envelopes and stamps. When Liu Lina finds out about their correspondence (and the $500 phone bill), she suggests they switch to WeChat voice messages. Very practical.
As Zhuoran chats away with Juanjuan on the phone like a giddy teenager, Liu Lina accidentally burns her hand while making soup. He’s so absorbed in the conversation he doesn’t even notice. Ouch — emotionally and physically.
The Busybody Chronicles Continue
Sun Baoqin and Liu Debao rush over to check on Liu Lina. Baoqin insists on staying to care for her and sends Debao home. Shen Qing thinks Lina is overreacting, but she accuses him of being emotionally unavailable. Classic.
Later, Baoqin brings Shen Qing a glass of milk while he works late. He’s clearly uncomfortable, but too polite to say anything. She casually asks if Zhuoran is dating someone. Shen Qing has no clue. She seizes the moment (again) to push the Yulan angle, but Shen Qing escapes to bed.
Baoqin’s Early Morning Spy Mission
The next morning, Baoqin is up early, peeking through the peephole to monitor Zhuoran’s movements. He leaves before 6 a.m., and she tells Liu Lina they need to keep tabs on him before he gets scammed. Lina? Still not buying it.
Final Thoughts
Episode 12 is a slow burn full of character nuances and emotional breadcrumbs. Shen Zhuoran and Nie Juanjuan’s connection grows deeper, even if it’s still mostly long-distance. Meanwhile, Sun Baoqin is running her own matchmaking operation (with zero chill), and Peng Yulan is low-key — or maybe not so low-key — falling hard.
Stay tuned. Something’s blooming, and it’s not just the orchid.
