Because of You Episode 14 Recap
> Because of You Recap
Zhang Guoguo, Le Tong, and Zhang Mother began a new life in Zhenhu. Their new neighbor, Jiang Zhengchuan, arrived, and Le Tong, having been primarily surrounded by women, eagerly ran to him, hugging his leg and calling him "Papa," much to Zhang Guoguo's embarrassment. As previously arranged, Zhang Guoguo went to Jinlu Pavilion, where she encountered Xu Huijie and Jin Zhiming.
Jin Zhiming seemed to take a liking to Zhang Guoguo, but Xu Huijie, bearing a grudge against Song Xiuhua, was openly hostile and tried to prevent Zhang Guoguo from entering. However, Dong Lijun insisted that Zhang Guoguo be given a chance. Xu Huijie reluctantly agreed that if Zhang Guoguo could pass Jinlu Pavilion's test, she could become Dong Lijun's disciple. Confident, Zhang Guoguo accepted the challenge.
For the test, Xu Huijie presented two twin models wearing identical qipaos, one previously rated high and the other low by Dong Lijun based on their pairing. Zhang Guoguo was asked to identify the superior one. After observing closely, Zhang Guoguo discerned their differences but declared both pairings equally excellent. Xu Huijie seized this opportunity to accuse Zhang Guoguo of being unqualified and to criticize Dong Lijun.
Unwilling to see Dong Lijun reprimanded because of her, Zhang Guoguo humbly admitted her fault and promptly left Jinlu Pavilion. In her haste, she forgot her bag, which the twin sisters, who had participated in the test, quickly returned to her. Zhang Guoguo then astutely deduced that the younger twin had a hearing impairment, which likely influenced her choice of bright colors for the qipao.
The twins, surprised by her observation, pleaded with Zhang Guoguo not to reveal their secret, fearing dismissal due to their disability. Zhang Guoguo reassured them, promising she would not use their secret to gain entry into Jinlu Pavilion. Unbeknownst to them, Xu Huijie and Dong Lijun overheard their conversation. Witnessing Zhang Guoguo's kindness and compassion, Dong Lijun's determination to take her as a disciple solidified even further.
Zhang Yuxin, who had returned to Zhenhu at Xu Huijie's behest, learned from Xu Huijie that Zhang Guoguo had become Dong Lijun's disciple. This fueled Zhang Yuxin's resentment, making her believe Zhang Guoguo was trying to usurp her position. She confrontatively went to Dong Lijun's place, where she found Zhang Guoguo and He Juan. He Juan, interested in Jinlu Pavilion and especially fond of food, particularly enjoyed the desserts Zhang Guoguo brought, creating a harmonious atmosphere among the three.
When Zhang Yuxin appeared, the atmosphere became awkward. Zhang Guoguo, sensing Zhang Yuxin's sharp words, excused herself to leave. As she prepared to exit, Xu Huijie stopped her, warning her to leave Jinlu Pavilion and asserting that Jin Yibei was destined to be the next embroiderer. Zhang Guoguo remained unfazed, stating her only desire was to learn embroidery, not to become the embroiderer. He Juan, seeing Zhang Guoguo leave, quickly followed.
Liking Zhang Guoguo's desserts immensely, He Juan tried to persuade Zhang Guoguo to give up embroidery and become a pastry chef at her home. Zhang Guoguo, focused solely on embroidery, refused, but upon learning that Zhang Mother made the desserts, He Juan set her sights on Zhang Mother, leaving Zhang Guoguo her business card before rushing off. Zhang Yuxin, unwilling to openly antagonize Zhang Guoguo, discreetly approached her again, threatening her not to enter Jinlu Pavilion.
However, Zhang Guoguo was no longer the subservient girl she once was, holding years of resentment over Zhang Yuxin's five-year silence. When Zhang Yuxin tried to physically assault Zhang Guoguo as she used to, Zhang Guoguo stopped her, firmly telling Zhang Yuxin not to disrupt her and Zhang Mother's lives again.
Defeated by Zhang Guoguo, Zhang Yuxin then went to Xu Huijie and Jin Zhiming, manipulating their feelings for Jin Yibei by falsely accusing Zhang Guoguo of seeking wealth through Jinlu Pavilion and not wanting Jin Yibei to return, further poisoning their views of Zhang Guoguo. Xu Huijie proposed a welcome dinner for Zhang Yuxin, but Zhang Yuxin declined, citing a prior commitment with Li Yunzhe.
Later, Zhang Guoguo spoke with her mother, who commented on Zhang Guoguo's "big heart" but lamented her loss in the "competition" that morning, meaning the Jinlu Pavilion test. Zhang Guoguo acknowledged her disappointment, stating it was her first embroidery competition, but reflected on its valuable lesson: embroidery demands precision and vast knowledge, and mistakes are unacceptable. She also recounted how her teacher, Song Xiuhua, had told her that failure is also a way to gain experience.
This prompted Zhang Mother to ask about her teacher, to which Zhang Guoguo enthusiastically praised Song Xiuhua. Zhang Guoguo then had a vivid memory of Song Xiuhua instructing her to deny knowing her if anyone asked. Soon after, Jin Zhiming and Xu Huijie appeared at "Xiao Yu's Wontons," searching for Song Xiuhua. Zhang Mother, also known as Xiao Yu, denied any knowledge of Song Xiuhua. Jin Zhiming persisted in questioning Zhang Mother, who continued to deflect their inquiries.
After Zhang Mother tried to shoo them away, Jin Zhiming hid outside the shop to eavesdrop, and Zhang Guoguo found him. He questioned her about Song Xiuhua. They bantered, with Jin Zhiming humorously suggesting he stay at her house for the night to avoid his mother's displeasure. Zhang Guoguo internally reflected on Jin Zhiming and Xu Huijie being Zhang Yuxin's foster parents and Song Xiuhua's reasons for hiding.
Meanwhile, Li Yunkai was on the phone, discussing Song Xiuhua's departure from Xiping, indicating he was trying to track her down. Elsewhere, Jin Zhiming privately mused that he should respect Song Xiuhua's decision to remain hidden if she insisted on it. He then conversed with Xu Huijie, who had also learned of Song Xiuhua's move from Xiping and connected it to Zhang Guoguo. Xu Huijie asserted that Song Xiuhua's hiding indicated her guilt in Jin Yibei's disappearance.
Jin Zhiming apologized to Xu Huijie for his past blame, admitting that their arguments about divorce were a factor in Jin Yibei getting lost. Xu Huijie, in turn, acknowledged her own fault for being overly focused on her embroidery career, leading to their marital strife. They shared a moment of reconciliation over their shared grief for Jin Yibei. Back at the wonton shop, Zhang Mother harshly reprimanded Zhang Guoguo for causing trouble for Zhang Yuxin and staying out all night.
Zhang Guoguo questioned why her mother always favored Zhang Yuxin, even daring to ask if she was her biological daughter, a notion Zhang Mother vehemently denied, blaming Zhang Yuxin for putting such ideas into Zhang Guoguo's head. Zhang Guoguo then expressed her sadness over Zhang Yuxin's apparent dislike for her.
Zhang Mother, softening, admitted to sometimes being frustrated with Zhang Guoguo but quickly clarified her affection, stating that Zhang Guoguo was always closer to her and never despised their humble family, even when she yelled or hit her. Zhang Guoguo, in turn, tried to defend Zhang Yuxin, suggesting she must have her own difficulties and would eventually return to care for their mother. Despite the emotional exchange, they reached a form of understanding.
Zhang Guoguo eventually left Jinlu Pavilion and prepared to head home. As she walked, she noticed a car following her. It turned out to be Li Yunkai, who, having learned from his father about Zhang Guoguo's presence in Zhenhu and her apprenticeship with Dong Lijun, had been eager to see her. Driven by this urgency, he had taken his new car, despite the risk of his father's anger.
However, upon seeing Zhang Guoguo, he hesitated to approach her, opting instead to discreetly follow. Zhang Guoguo, sensing she was being tracked, quickened her pace. Distracted by her, Li Yunkai accidentally rear-ended another vehicle. As he got out to negotiate with the other driver, Zhang Guoguo realized it was him. She was furious, recalling his sudden disappearance years ago and the heartbreak it caused Xu Xiaoqin. She sternly demanded that Li Yunkai issue a public apology to Xu Xiaoqin.
When he balked, she simply left her contact information for the accident and walked away, leaving a chagrined Li Yunkai to deal with the aftermath and his car being impounded. Although their reunion was awkward, Li Yunkai felt a surge of excitement. He then departed to meet his aunt, Li Hailan, learning of her plans to open a pastry shop.
He promptly called He Juan to arrange a welcome dinner for his aunt, only for his father to arrive, seize his phone, and demand to know the whereabouts of his new car, a question Li Yunkai vaguely sidestepped. Meanwhile, Zhang Yuxin had returned to Zhenhu at Xu Huijie's behest. Li Yunzhe instructed Lu Sichen to arrange a romantic dinner for them. At the restaurant, Li Yunzhe surprised Zhang Yuxin with a bouquet of roses.
She was delighted and expressed her ambition to fully integrate into the Jin family and replace Jin Yibei. Li Yunzhe, although not truly intending to pursue Zhang Yuxin or clarify their misunderstanding, then inquired about Song Xiuhua, voicing concerns that Song Xiuhua's adherence to tradition might impede their plans to commercialize Jinlu Pavilion. Zhang Yuxin concurred, hoping Song Xiuhua would not return. Unknown to Zhang Yuxin, Lu Sichen had arrived outside the restaurant.
He had just learned that Zhang Yuxin had been living abroad, which explained why he had been unable to find her for so long. Deciding to return to the company, Lu Sichen's figure hurried past, and Zhang Yuxin spotted him. She immediately panicked and feigned illness, quickly making an excuse to leave Li Yunzhe. A flashback revealed the dramatic events of their past: Lu Sichen forcibly taking a pregnant Zhang Yuxin to a hospital.
Zhang Yuxin had then falsely accused him of domestic abuse to the police, with the taxi's dashcam recording seemingly supporting her claim. Despite Lu Sichen's attempts to explain that she was his pregnant wife and he was trying to protect her, Zhang Yuxin continued to lie, portraying herself as a fearful victim and requesting a divorce, along with suing him for assault. Lu Sichen was subsequently arrested and detained by the police.
Still reeling from seeing Lu Sichen, Zhang Yuxin called Li Yunzhe, fabricating a story about feeling unwell and going to the hospital, which was why she missed his calls. She pretended to be considerate, asking him not to worry her "Professor and Teacher." Li Yunzhe, unaware of her deception, expressed his concern and urged her not to conceal future illnesses from him.
At Jinlu Pavilion, Zhang Yuxin arrived late for her embroidery lesson with Dong Lijun, blaming a meeting with Director Li. Dong Lijun, however, admonished her for tardiness and her apparent lack of focus, assigning her the daunting task of memorizing over three thousand seven hundred thread colors. Zhang Yuxin excused herself to the bathroom. While there, she spoke to Lu Sichen's lawyer on the phone, refusing any out-of-court mediation for Lu Sichen, whose father was gravely ill.
She heartlessly demanded that Lu Sichen sign the divorce papers as his only option. Back in the lesson, Dong Lijun, though recognizing Zhang Yuxin's cleverness and talent, noted her lack of dedication. Zhang Yuxin's inner thoughts revealed her exhaustion and continued worry about her child. Meanwhile, in jail, Lu Sichen's lawyer informed him that Zhang Yuxin had strong evidence of domestic violence against him.
To be able to care for his ailing father, Lu Sichen was left with no choice but to sign the divorce papers. Enraged by Zhang Yuxin's cruelty and manipulative tactics, he reluctantly signed the documents. Zhang Yuxin, experiencing abdominal cramps, subsequently called Lu Sichen's lawyer again.
She confirmed Lu Sichen had signed the divorce papers but abruptly stated she had an "emergency" and could not proceed with the mediation at that time, secretly pleased that Lu Sichen would remain in jail for a few more days. She then took a taxi to Xiping. Around the same time, Zhang Mother, reminiscing about Zhang Guoguo, prepared her favorite red-braised pork.
Zhang Yuxin called her mother, instructing her to close the shop and return home, making sure Zhang Guoguo was not there when she arrived. Confused but compliant, Zhang Mother prepared the house. Zhang Guoguo soon returned with chicken soup, but her mother, adhering to Zhang Yuxin's instructions, immediately sent her away, claiming she didn't want to see her that day. Dejected, Zhang Guoguo headed to Li Yunkai's house.
Li Yunkai, seeing her distraught and drinking, inquired about her unhappiness and offered his legal assistance to punish whoever had wronged her. Unexpectedly, Xu Xiaoqin arrived, initially suspecting a romantic dinner between Zhang Guoguo and Li Yunkai. Zhang Guoguo quickly dispelled her suspicions, and they all began drinking together. As Xu Xiaoqin became inebriated, she loudly hurled insults at Li Yunkai. Zhang Guoguo then asked Li Yunkai for her "Black Swan" dress from the embroidery competition. He retrieved it.
Zhang Guoguo tried it on, commented on its ill fit and "horrible handiwork," prompting Li Yunkai to playfully put it on himself and take pictures, much to Zhang Guoguo's annoyance. Later that evening, after the gathering, Li Yunkai, still bothered by Zhang Guoguo's earlier demand for a public apology to Xu Xiaoqin, decided he couldn't let it stand. He called Zhang Guoguo, but Le Tong answered the phone, admonishing him for disturbing their sleep at such a late hour.
Hearing the commotion, Zhang Guoguo woke up, took the phone, and upon learning Li Yunkai's intention, she unequivocally refused his request. Unable to sleep after the call, Li Yunkai restlessly wandered out of his room and found his aunt, Li Hailan, also awake. Curious about her past, he asked her about her rumored heartbreak while abroad. Li Hailan revealed that she had fallen in love with Jiang Zhengchuan overseas.
When Li Father, concerned for his sister, wanted to meet Jiang Zhengchuan, he mysteriously disappeared. While Li Father remained indignant, Li Hailan steadfastly believed Jiang Zhengchuan's feelings for her were genuine. Meanwhile, Zhang Yuxin, with her cunning mind, understood that constantly speaking ill of Zhang Guoguo to Dong Lijun would be counterproductive. Instead, she feigned vulnerability, pitifully requesting Dong Lijun not to overlook her in favor of Zhang Guoguo. Dong Lijun, perceiving it merely as a childish rivalry, paid it no mind and advised Zhang Yuxin not to overthink the situation.
