Beautiful Reborn Flower Episode 16 Recap
> Beautiful Reborn Flower Recap
Yang Lan concluded her presentation. Despite the 20-minute time limit having passed and Qiao Man's design not being present, Lin Heping urged everyone to wait, insisting that a good design was more important than speed. However, Ah Li, the chairman, asserted that rules must be followed and was ready to announce Yang Lan as the winner. At that moment, Professor Su intervened, producing a photocopy of Qiao Man’s design that he claimed to have found under her desk.
He praised its creativity and value, strongly recommending its adoption for the product’s marketing and urging Ah Li to be open-minded. Ah Li reluctantly agreed, and the room erupted in applause, signaling Qiao Man’s victory. To celebrate Qiao Man's win, Lin Heping and colleagues opened champagne and shared cake.
However, Mo Hui pulled Lin Heping aside to reveal that she had checked the company’s punch-in records and confirmed that Yang Lan was the only person who had arrived early on the day Qiao Man’s USB and design files went missing, strongly suggesting Yang Lan was responsible for the sabotage. Meanwhile, Ah Li returned and was furious to find everyone celebrating. She scolded them for slacking off, questioning why they were celebrating someone else’s success.
She then angrily ordered Lin Heping to her office. Earlier, Han Sen, exhausted from distributing invitations for an upcoming wine party, was teased by Xiao Zhi. She then presented him with a two-page list of confirmed attendees, much to his delight. Han Sen credited Qiao Man's idea for the success and asked Xiao Zhi to book a celebratory dinner for Qiao Man on Dianping. Xiao Zhi, feeling her own efforts were overlooked, protested, refusing to be his errand runner.
Undeterred, Han Sen continued to fantasize about impressing Qiao Man at the party with his "domineering boss" persona. In Ah Li's office, she confronted Lin Heping about the ongoing company issues and the board of directors' growing doubts, feeling disrespected by his celebratory mood. Lin Heping countered that his actions were justified and then directly accused Ah Li of being behind the sabotage of Qiao Man's design.
Ah Li was deeply hurt by his suspicion, especially his implication that she would stoop to such despicable tactics. Tearfully, she accused him of being overly protective of Qiao Man. She then handed him the An Group settlement agreement, stamped with the company seal, stating that since Qiao Man had achieved both her objectives—the new design and the An Group settlement—there was no longer any need for her at Li Ping Pavilion Studio, and she wanted Qiao Man fired immediately.
Lin Heping took the agreement and left without a word. Lin Heping later met Han Sen with the signed agreement. He declared their business concluded and wished for no further contact. Han Sen, however, demanded Qiao Man's release from Li Ping Pavilion Studio. Lin Heping clarified that he wasn't forcing Qiao Man to stay, but given the significant losses Li Ping Pavilion Studio incurred from An Group, Qiao Man needed to remain and help compensate for them.
Han Sen clenched his fist, threatening violence. Lin Heping challenged him to strike, then pushed him away, criticizing Han Sen's reliance on force and reminding him that Qiao Man had saved him from imprisonment in Barcelona. Han Sen, defeated, left with a final warning. Back at the company, Ah Li, upon learning Qiao Man was often alone in the small exhibition hall, found her engrossed in her laptop. Ah Li confronted her, accusing her of not working during company hours.
Qiao Man defended herself, stating she had completed her design tasks. Ah Li then aggressively accused Qiao Man of being a spy sent by An Group, demanding her immediate resignation and claiming she had already informed Lin Heping. Qiao Man retorted that Lin Heping had invited her to the company with genuine intentions to help, and she would only leave if he agreed.
Meanwhile, Zhuo Yang, feeling restless without a job assignment, approached Lin Heping while Mo Hui was giving a report. Lin Heping initially offered him an assistant role, but Mo Hui promptly objected, arguing against shortcuts and insisting Zhuo Yang start from the bottom. Lin Heping agreed with Mo Hui, assigning Zhuo Yang basic tasks like greeting clients and making tea. Mo Hui then slyly suggested that Zhuo Yang could also clean the toilets on weekends.
Zhuo Yang, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm, cheerfully accepted his new duties. Upon returning to the company, Lin Heping learned from Mo Hui that Ah Li had fired Qiao Man. He immediately confronted Ah Li, challenging her unilateral decision. Ah Li defiantly asserted her authority as chairman to fire an employee. Lin Heping argued that Qiao Man was crucial to the Shenzhen International Artwork Exhibition, having drafted all the proposals, and her dismissal would jeopardize the entire project.
Ah Li dismissed his concerns, believing the company could thrive without Qiao Man. Frustrated, Lin Heping declared he was going to find Qiao Man, further enraging Ah Li. Qiao Man went to the hospital to visit her sister, Qiao Fang, bringing food. While they stepped out for some fresh air, Yang Lan, who had been secretly following Qiao Man, snuck into the intensive care room.
There, she discovered He Jianfeng in a coma and learned from a nurse that his condition was not optimistic. After Qiao Man returned, she confronted Yang Lan outside the room, revealing she knew about the stalking and warning her not to harm He Jianfeng, emphasizing his importance to her and Qiao Fang. Later, Yang Lan called Ah Li, reporting He Jianfeng's critical state and sharing photos.
Ah Li expressed relief, believing this would buy them time regarding the company’s bad debts and instructed Yang Lan to shift all blame onto He Jianfeng. Ah Li also cautioned Yang Lan to be wary of Qiao Man. After securing the agreement, Han Sen delivered it to Zhu Fan, harshly warning him not to cause such trouble again. Later, Xiao Zhi entered his office looking furious.
She revealed that she was angry because Zhuo Yang had not only returned to the country but was now working at Li Ping Pavilion Studio, alongside his ex-girlfriend, Yang Lan. Han Sen teased her for still being so invested in him. When Qiao Man returned to the office to pack, Lin Heping tried to persuade her to stay. Qiao Man insisted she would leave regardless, stating that the company had "too many secrets" and she no longer felt comfortable there.
She hinted at shameful things but refrained from elaborating, simply advising Lin Heping to focus on his own responsibilities. Despite Lin Heping's pleas, Qiao Man remained firm. As Qiao Man left the building, she encountered Han Sen, who brought an invitation to his wine party. Learning she had been fired, Han Sen's initial anger at Ah Li quickly transformed into delight, realizing this meant Qiao Man would no longer be working with Lin Heping.
He then playfully coerced Qiao Man to be his date, citing his need for a female partner. Qiao Man, in a low mood, resisted, accusing him of "kidnapping" her. Han Sen embraced the term, calling it a "kidnapping of love," and tried to rush her to the mall to buy new clothes. Qiao Man resisted, stating she would sell any gifts to pay back Anthony. This made Han Sen realize that Qiao Fang's debt still weighed heavily on Qiao Man.
He sincerely offered to help, but Qiao Man, not wanting to burden him, lied that the debt was already settled. Meanwhile, Luo Chen arrived at Xiao Xi’s bar, where she was feeling unwell. Xiao Xi admitted she was avoiding him because he still seemed preoccupied with Nan Sheng, demanding he forget her. They argued over photos of Nan Sheng on the wall. Shortly after, Ah Li arrived at the bar, ordering a whiskey.
Luo Chen, spotting her, made sarcastic remarks about her mood, attributing it to Lin Heping. She retorted that Lin Heping, despite his flaws, was still better than Luo Chen. Xiao Xi intervened, ordering Luo Chen to leave Ah Li alone. Later, Lin Heping knocked on Qiao Man's apartment door but got no answer. As he waited, Yang Lan appeared, bringing dumplings that Ah Li had personally made.
He initially refused them, but Yang Lan chided him for his harsh treatment of Ah Li. Reluctantly, Lin Heping accepted the dumplings and returned to his own apartment. Sometime later, he heard Qiao Man leaving her apartment and rushed out to stop her, apologizing on Ah Li's behalf and asking if they could still collaborate on the Shenzhen exhibition. Qiao Man refused, calling herself an "extra person" at the company.
Lin Heping accused her of making excuses and escaping from him and Ah Li. Qiao Man admitted to escaping, clarifying that she would not be a mistress to a man she believed was engaged to Ah Li. Lin Heping, stunned, questioned who told her that as Qiao Man retreated into her room. Left alone, he reflected on his feelings, acknowledging Qiao Man was the only woman he had truly liked but grappling with his perceived unworthiness. He resolved to sort out his entangled emotions before pursuing Qiao Man.
