Assistant of Superstar Episode 16 Recap
> Assistant of Superstar Recap
After Yao Yao spends the day compiling historical data to refute accusations of distortion in You Xi's new drama, "The Founding of the Three Kingdoms," he rewards her with a private outdoor movie screening in his courtyard. They share a sweet moment, embracing on a rocking chair where they eventually fall asleep in each other's arms.
Their morning is interrupted by a phone call from Zhu Da Zhuang, who presses Yao Yao to immediately send the completed statement, which she does. Meanwhile, Song Qie Ge is at his own drama's wrap party when he learns of You Xi's detailed rebuttal. Unfazed, he instructs his assistant to deploy paid posters on Weibo to discredit You Xi, arguing he is merely using sophistry and relying on the principle that a lie told often enough becomes the truth.
Initially, the sheer volume of negative comments puts You Xi at a disadvantage. However, public opinion shifts dramatically when numerous renowned historians, led by Yao Yao's father, Professor Yuchi Lin Sen, publicly endorse You Xi's drama for its historical accuracy. The topic trends on Weibo, leaving Song Qie Ge cornered. He decides to retaliate with his last resort: a compromising photo of You Xi and Yao Yao.
The rivalry between the two actors is not new; in a prior conflict over a supporting role, You Xi had given their company's Mr. Zhang an ultimatum—if Song Qie Ge stayed, he would leave. The next day at the library, Yao Yao is called outside, expecting You Xi but finding Yin Jiu with a bouquet of tulips, asking to reconcile.
She firmly rejects him, noting the tulips are Tong Jin's favorite and the slap mark on his face suggests he was just rejected by her. After Yao Yao reveals her relationship with You Xi and tells Yin Jiu to see a psychiatrist, Yin Jiu calls Tong Jin and falsely claims Yao Yao tried to get back together with him.
You Xi then appears, admitting he'd been watching since Yao Yao called Yin Jiu "sick" and finding the confrontation amusing before taking her home ahead of a storm. Soon after, Song Qie Ge leaks the intimate photo of You Xi and Yao Yao, causing chaos at You Xi's agency. Defiantly, You Xi prepares a Weibo post to confirm their relationship and ask for blessings.
However, company executives, including Mr. Zhang, demand he issue a statement denying the relationship and cutting ties with Yao Yao. You Xi refuses, giving them an ultimatum: he will either confirm the relationship or say nothing at all. The news spreads quickly, and Yao Yao is hounded by classmates and receives harassing phone calls. Both she and You Xi hide the severity of the backlash from each other to avoid causing worry.
You Xi tells her the impact is "negligible," while she dismisses the abusive calls as spam. In reality, Zhu Da Zhuang informs You Xi that his popularity has plummeted, endorsements have been pulled, and multiple projects, including "The Founding of the Three Kingdoms," have been put on hold. At school, Yao Yao is cornered by a group of You Xi's aggressive fans.
Pan Duo arrives just in time, having seen a fan's livestream about the plan, and disperses the crowd by threatening to report them. When Yao Yao asks about You Xi, Pan Duo honors her promise to him and lies, claiming his popularity is soaring. Yao Yao, in turn, asks Pan Duo not to tell You Xi about the fan incident, leaving Pan Duo exasperated by their mutual secret-keeping.
Furious about the online slander against Yao Yao, You Xi wants to post a rebuttal, but Qi Chao advises him that it would only provoke the fans further. Instead, You Xi creates a decoy account to subtly defend her. At the same time, Tong Jin hires people to intensify the smear campaign, spreading rumors that Yao Yao fabricated her credentials and is a homewrecker.
Discovering this organized attack, You Xi orders Zhu Da Zhuang to use all available resources to combat it. Zhu Da Zhuang protests, arguing they should focus on You Xi's career crisis, but relents when You Xi threatens to release his own scandals and ruin his career if Yao Yao is not protected.
Back home, You Xi tries to distract Yao Yao from the online negativity, playfully telling her not to go online to avoid seeing their "kissing photos" and offering to cook for her. His efforts are cut short by an urgent call from Zhu Da Zhuang, revealing that Mr. Zhang is furious and demands You Xi come to the company immediately. You Xi tells Yao Yao he has a minor work emergency, joking it's an offer for a "destination wedding photography" endorsement, and promises to return soon.
