Because of You Episode 9 Recap
> Because of You Recap
Dong Lijun once again found herself in a heated argument with Xu Huijie over the latter's decision to participate in the embroidery competition. Xu Huijie, convinced her actions were for the betterment of Golden Thread Embroidery, dismissed Dong Lijun's concerns. Seeing Xu Huijie's unwavering determination, Dong Lijun asserted her intention to await Song Xiuhua's return, believing only then could Golden Thread Embroidery be steered back onto its proper course. This belief, however, only fueled Xu Huijie's deep-seated resentment.
Meanwhile, Li Yunzhe instructed his assistant to recruit Zhang Yuxin, a former Golden Thread Embroidery scholarship student. He believed having her on board would symbolize Golden Thread Embroidery's support, ultimately benefiting Strong Group's ventures in the film industry and expanding their influence. Dong Lijun later openly expressed her disapproval of the competition to Xu Huijie, stating that Golden Thread Embroidery's legacy was built on artistry and reputation, not on competitive events.
She scorned the idea of pursuing fame through such means, deeming it unworthy of a lead embroiderer. Xu Huijie countered that her mother was too conservative for modern times, having missed numerous opportunities to strengthen their brand. She firmly stated that as the successor, the decision rested with her. Dong Lijun, however, warned that continued defiance and damage to the company's reputation would lead to Xu Huijie's removal from her position.
Another relative, supporting Dong Lijun, reminded Xu Huijie that if not for a past accident, Song Xiuhua would have been Golden Thread Embroidery's rightful successor. Xu Huijie, frustrated by the comparisons, argued that despite Song Xiuhua's perceived superiority, it was she who had dedicated herself to Golden Thread Embroidery for years. Dong Lijun, unwavering, declared that Song Xiuhua was indeed better and would return.
She then revealed her plan to seek out Song Xiuhua at an upcoming exhibition featuring Yao style embroidery, a style Song Xiuhua held dear. As the competition neared, both Song Xiuhua and Xu Huijie began preparing with their respective proteges, Zhang Guoguo and Zhang Yuxin.
To keep Zhang Guoguo's participation a secret from her foster mother, Wang Ai Yu, Xu Xiaoqin agreed to cover for Zhang Guoguo at the wonton shop, claiming she had sent Zhang Guoguo to Zhenhu for supplies. One evening, Wang Ai Yu, annoyed by Xu Xiaoqin's clumsiness, threw a rag that accidentally struck Li Yunkai. As an apology, Wang Ai Yu quickly prepared a bowl of wontons for him.
It was then that Li Yunkai first learned from Xu Xiaoqin that Zhang Guoguo was also competing. After finalizing her collaboration with Li Yunzhe, Xu Huijie left Zhang Yuxin to wait while she attended another meeting. Bored, Zhang Yuxin wandered through Strong Group’s facilities and unexpectedly encountered Zhang Guoguo. Already harboring deep resentment, Zhang Yuxin immediately demanded Zhang Guoguo withdraw from the competition and leave Zhenhu.
When Zhang Guoguo refused, Zhang Yuxin tore her competition invitation and cruelly blurted out that Zhang Guoguo was merely a "found orphan." Stunned by the revelation, Zhang Guoguo pursued Zhang Yuxin for an explanation, but Zhang Yuxin pushed her to the ground. Before Zhang Guoguo could react further, Zhang Yuxin received a phone call from Xu Huijie and hurried away. Li Yunzhe, for his part, also did not wish for Zhang Guoguo to win.
His agreement with Xu Huijie hinged on Zhang Yuxin securing first place, and Zhang Guoguo's victory would disrupt his meticulously laid plans. His plans were nearly complicated when Li Yunkai called, urging him to ensure the competition was fair. Li Yunkai’s unusual interest in company matters made Li Yunzhe suspicious, leading him to wonder if his brother already knew Zhang Guoguo, who was also from Xiping.
Unbeknownst to his brother, Li Yunzhe had previously revealed to an assistant that he had deliberately arranged for a worker to hire Li Yunkai for a lawsuit in Xiping, a ploy to keep him occupied and away from the company, preventing any interference with his ambitions. Upon returning to Xiping, Zhang Guoguo overheard Wang Ai Yu on the phone with Zhang Yuxin. Zhang Yuxin was complaining that Zhang Guoguo's participation in the competition was hindering her development.
Wang Ai Yu, always favoring Zhang Yuxin, agreed, calling Zhang Guoguo an ungrateful "white-eyed wolf" and deeming adopted children unreliable. Her words deeply wounded Zhang Guoguo, who felt abandoned. She later confided in Xu Xiaoqin, and Li Yunkai, who had arrived to see Xiaoqin, overheard their conversation. Unable to see her so upset, they invited her for drinks.
Finding an outlet for her pain, Zhang Guoguo drank until she was intoxicated, and Li Yunkai had to carry her on his back to Xu Xiaoqin’s house. Song Xiuhua happened to see them from a distance but, not ready for a reunion, chose to hide and watch them go.
The next day, Wang Ai Yu fiercely scolded Zhang Guoguo and, to prevent her from continuing embroidery, forbade her from leaving the wonton shop, ordering her to run it while Wang Ai Yu herself would handle deliveries. A distraught Zhang Guoguo tearfully questioned her mother about her birth, but Wang Ai Yu evasively changed the subject. Later, Li Yunkai visited her at the shop.
He playfully demanded she wash his shirt, which had been stained by her tears when he carried her the previous night, but his true intention was to encourage her to persevere with her dream. With the help of Li Yunkai and Xu Xiaoqin, Zhang Guoguo began practicing her embroidery in secret. Wang Ai Yu remained suspicious, even following her at night, but they managed to fool her into thinking Zhang Guoguo was simply helping at Xu Xiaoqin’s shop.
During one of these evenings, Li Yunkai playfully suggested Zhang Guoguo change her hairstyle. After Xu Xiaoqin gave her a makeover, Zhang Guoguo’s new appearance left Li Yunkai momentarily flustered by feelings he didn't quite understand. As competition day dawned, Li Yunkai devised a plan to help Zhang Guoguo attend: she would pretend to assist at his law firm. Wang Ai Yu, unsuspecting, agreed.
However, just as Zhang Guoguo was about to leave, Zhang Yuxin called her mother, instructing her to stop Zhang Guoguo at all costs. Realizing she had been deceived, Wang Ai Yu furiously pursued Zhang Guoguo. When she spotted Zhang Guoguo with Song Xiuhua, her rage boiled over. Without a word, she lunged forward and, in a fit of uncontrollable anger, cut Zhang Guoguo’s competition dress to shreds, screaming accusations of ingratitude at Zhang Guoguo and faithlessness at Song Xiuhua.
Zhang Guoguo was devastated by her mother's violent outburst. Once Wang Ai Yu left, seemingly satisfied with the destruction, Zhang Guoguo stared in despair at the shredded garment. However, Song Xiuhua, having anticipated Wang Ai Yu's volatile nature, calmly produced the real competition dress from her bag, having wisely hidden it in advance. Overjoyed to see her intact dress, Zhang Guoguo immediately grabbed it and rushed to the bus station.
But due to the earlier delay, she discovered she had missed the last bus to Zhenhu. Just as panic set in, Li Yunkai arrived in his car, offering her a ride. Zhang Guoguo quickly got in, but Li Yunkai remained stationary because she had not fastened her seatbelt. Clumsy with the mechanism, Zhang Guoguo struggled, prompting Li Yunkai to lean over and help her, their sudden closeness creating a moment of awkwardness between them.
With no time to dwell on the subtle emotion, Zhang Guoguo urged Li Yunkai to hurry, and he drove swiftly towards Zhenhu. They arrived at Strong Group just in time. Li Yunkai, ever thoughtful, had even brought a change of clothes for Zhang Guoguo to wear for the competition, a gesture that deeply moved her. Backstage, Zhang Yuxin, brimming with confidence after her mother’s earlier phone call, finished preparing her embroidery piece and headed off for coffee with Xu Huijie.
Xu Huijie and Zhang Yuxin had previously discussed their shared desire for Zhang Yuxin to win the competition. Despite Xu Huijie’s initial doubts about Zhang Yuxin’s embroidery skills, Zhang Yuxin had demonstrated her dedication by showing her heavily pricked fingers and claimed she had a strategic advantage with her connections to secure a win. She had inwardly believed that Xu Huijie, with her "sympathy for orphans," would eventually succumb to her influence and continue her mentorship.
Zhang Guoguo, meanwhile, was also busy backstage, making final preparations for her entry. Once everything was ready, the contestants and judges took their places in front of the runway. Xu Huijie noticed Zhang Guoguo nearby and, annoyed that someone so young had reached the finals alongside them, made a sarcastic remark, which further solidified Zhang Guoguo's negative impression of Xu Huijie. After a brief, tense exchange, the competition officially commenced.
Zhang Yuxin presented her embroidered work, but celebrity judge Lisa Wu reacted with notable indifference, showing little emotion and appearing eager to see the next contestant's piece, which visibly unnerved Zhang Yuxin. When Zhang Guoguo's work was unveiled, however, it immediately captivated Lisa Wu. Upon hearing Zhang Guoguo's design philosophy, Lisa Wu's admiration for the dress deepened.
However, Li Yunzhe, still intent on ensuring Zhang Yuxin's victory, attempted to redirect Lisa Wu's attention away from Zhang Guoguo's creation, criticizing its "dark" color and suggesting it was unsuitable for the star. Zhang Guoguo requested an additional five minutes to elaborate on her design, a request Li Yunzhe initially denied. Only when Lisa Wu adamantly insisted did Li Yunzhe reluctantly concede. Under the stage lights, the seemingly black dress transformed, revealing a stunning array of vibrant, multi-colored hues.
The unexpected visual even drew gasps of astonishment from Xu Huijie. Afterward, she inquired whose work the remarkable dress was. Recalling Song Xiuhua’s explicit instruction not to reveal her involvement, Zhang Guoguo offered a vague reply. The clear outcome of the competition did not sit well with Zhang Yuxin. Later, she sought out Zhang Guoguo in the lounge while she was drinking water and physically attacked her in a fit of anger.
