Blossom in Heart Recap, Plot, Synopsis

> Blossom in Heart

Blossom in Heart Synopsis

The young Gu Haitang arrives in Kunyang to search for her missing father and crosses paths with Lang Yuexuan, the second son of the Lang family. Their initial clash turns into an unexpected connection as she begins working at the Lang family's rouge workshop. However, she catches the eye of Lang Yueming, the eldest son of the Lang family.

The Lang family orchestrates a deceptive marriage scheme. When Haitang realizes she has been tricked into marrying the wrong person, she resents Yuexuan for his deceit. She promises the Lang family to heal Yueming’s disfigured face in exchange for a divorce.

Yuexuan, filled with guilt, confronts his true feelings and seeks to win Haitang back, leading to a tumultuous love between them. When Yueming's face is restored, his love turns to hatred. He not only seizes control of the "Lang Li Chun" business but also attempts to tear Yuexuan and Haitang apart.

Meanwhile, the truth about Haitang's father's real identity, the reason for his disappearance, and Yuexuan's origins gradually come to light, deepening the emotional entanglement among the three.

As all mysteries unravel, Yuexuan and Haitang finally unite. Yueming repents his actions, and the group ultimately stands together in the face of national crisis and family struggles. They join forces to elevate "Lang Li Chun", a cherished national brand, into a celebrated legacy.

Blossom in Heart Recap

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• 31
• 32
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36
• 37
• 38
• 39
• 40
• 41
• 42
• 43
• 44
• 45
• 46
• 47
• 48
• 49
• 50
• 51
• 52

Episode 1 Recap

Ten years ago, on a stormy night, an injured man and a young boy fled through the woods, pursued by assassins. The man entrusted the boy with a keepsake to deliver to his daughter, Gu Haitang, before facing the pursuers alone. During his escape, the boy fell into a river. Ten years later, Gu Haitang arrived at Kunyang Railway Station to meet her long-separated mother and younger brother, who were traveling to find her missing father.

As they left the station, a passing car splashed mud on them. The arrogant young man in the car, Lang Yuexuan, simply offered a flippant apology before speeding away. A thief then stole Haitang's wooden box. Haitang asked her brother to escort their mother home while she pursued the thief through Kunyang. The chase led them into the "Lang Li Chun" shop, where the thief knocked over a display of rouge and powder.

Haitang threw a box of "Fairy Maiden Powder" at the thief, but it missed and hit Lang Yuexuan, the young master of the shop, who had just entered. The thief escaped. Yuexuan demanded compensation for the damaged goods. Haitang recognized him as the driver from the railway station and challenged the inflated prices, exposing flaws in the cosmetics. She refused to pay and left the shop. Later, Haitang arrived at a job interview to discover that Yuexuan was the interviewer.

To retaliate, Yuexuan announced that all candidates except Haitang were hired. Haitang started to leave but Yuexuan stopped her, using the debt as leverage to continue the interview. He asked personal questions about her marital status. Helpless, Haitang agreed to fulfill three requests in exchange for the cancellation of her debt and the return of her box.

Meanwhile, Long Mohua, the daughter of the military governor, was displeased with her gown for the upcoming Kunyang debutante ball, hoping to outshine everyone and attract Lang Yuexuan. However, Yuexuan's interest had already been piqued by Haitang. The military governor, Long Sinian, punished the tailor by making him wear the dress in public. Long Mohua wanted to attend the ball because of Lang Yuexuan.

The next day, Haitang assisted with makeup in the backstage area of the debutante ball, also retrieving her box from Lang Yuexuan. In the chaotic backstage, a debutante's necklace broke, and Long Mohua's hair became entangled with another girl. Haitang skillfully resolved both situations before the ball began, fixing Long Mohua's hair.

During the ball, attended by Kunyang's elite, the atmosphere was tense due to the rivalry between Lang Sinian, the owner of "Lang Li Chun," and Shi Jizhou, the owner of "Shi Hang Lu." Suddenly, assassins appeared and attacked Lang Sinian and Shi Jizhou. Haitang pulled down a rug, tripping an assassin and saving Lang Sinian. She also protected Long Mohua from gunfire before the military governor's soldiers took control.

The military governor, who had secretly planned to eliminate Lang Sinian and Shi Jizhou, was angered by the thwarted attempt. He convened a meeting of the city's merchants to investigate the incident. Shi Jizhou, who had also planned the assassination of Lang Sinian, was equally frustrated.

Episode 2 Recap

Upon returning home, Lang Yuexuan received news from a servant that his mother, Feng Chunyan, was furious, having learned about the assassination attempt on him and his father, Lang Sinian. He immediately rushed to the Buddha hall, where his mother, relieved to see him safe, scolded him for not reporting his well-being sooner. After greeting his mother, Lang Yuexuan and Lang Sinian discussed the day's assassination.

Lang Yuexuan suspected foul play, and Lang Sinian speculated that Marshal Long Deshui and Shi Jizhou were behind it; Marshal Long sought money, while Shi Jizhou aimed for the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce. Lang Sinian also mentioned Gu Haitang, who had saved him, expressing a desire to find and thank her properly.

The conversation then shifted to the talented individual who had done Long Mohua's makeup for the beauty pageant, with Lang Sinian instructing Lang Yuexuan to recruit this person for the Lang Lichun workshop. Meanwhile, Marshal Long Deshui convened all the chamber of commerce owners, using the assassination as a pretext. He boasted his achievements and threatened them for military funds, promising protection. In the ensuing awkward silence, Lang Sinian and Shi Jizhou broke the deadlock by leading the donations.

Shi Jizhou seized the opportunity to subtly suggest his election as president of the chamber of commerce, which Marshal Long approved, prompting other owners to agree. Lang Sinian sat pondering, with his own plans. Long Mohua, who had won first prize in the beauty pageant, reflected on her actions at the banquet and felt immense gratitude toward Gu Haitang for her help with the makeup.

The next morning, she went to Gu Haitang's residence, not only to thank her but also to seek friendship. Long Mohua revealed her lonely childhood since her mother's passing, despite her father's kindness, and her desire to remain beautiful forever. Noticing acne on Long Mohua's face, Gu Haitang offered a remedy, applying aloe vera. Long Mohua was deeply touched, cherishing Gu Haitang's friendship.

Long Mohua, eager to pursue Lang Yuexuan, waited at the gate of the Lang residence early one morning. Shyly, she handed Lang Yuexuan an invitation for an outing. Lang Yuexuan, recalling his father's instruction to recruit the talented makeup artist, agreed to the outing on the condition that the person who had done Long Mohua's makeup also join them.

Overjoyed by the prospect of a date with Lang Yuexuan, Long Mohua excitedly pressed Gu Haitang to accompany her as her exclusive makeup artist. Gu Haitang was initially reluctant, knowing Lang Yuexuan would be there, and refused Long Mohua's additional requests to have Gu Haitang's mother, who was skilled at needlework, sew clothes for her. However, when Long Mohua mentioned Gu Haitang's younger brother, Gu Xiahe's tuition fees, Gu Haitang reconsidered and reluctantly accepted.

Separately, Lang Yuexuan and Shi Jizhou's son, Shi Diwen, waited at an intersection for Gu Haitang, but she did not appear there. Shi Diwen later returned home, where his father, Shi Jizhou, scolded him for being unmotivated and spending time with Lang Yuexuan without matching his achievements. After Shi Diwen returned to his room, Shi Jizhou's wife advised her husband not to be angry, revealing that Diwen was not their biological son.

The following morning, Long Mohua and Gu Haitang waited by the roadside for Lang Yuexuan and Shi Diwen. Upon seeing Gu Haitang, Lang Yuexuan was secretly delighted but maintained a composed facade, engaging in playful banter with her. It was then that Lang Yuexuan realized Gu Haitang was the mysterious makeup artist. The four, with Lang Yuexuan carrying Long Mohua and Shi Diwen carrying Gu Haitang, cycled along the country paths.

Lang Yuexuan persistently bickered with Gu Haitang, frequently turning the conversation to his "second wish" for her to work at the Lang Lichun workshop. Shi Diwen interjected, suggesting they avoid work talk during their outing. Unable to outwit Gu Haitang verbally, Lang Yuexuan challenged Shi Diwen to a cycling race. As the race began, Gu Haitang abruptly jumped off Shi Diwen's bicycle. Startled, Shi Diwen lost control, colliding with Lang Yuexuan's bike, causing all three to tumble to the ground.

Long Mohua's leg was scraped and bleeding. Gu Haitang rushed to help Long Mohua, who appeared to have fainted. As Shi Diwen offered to carry her to the hospital, Long Mohua suddenly jumped up, declaring she would only let Lang Yuexuan carry her, revealing her pretense. Lang Yuexuan became very angry, but Gu Haitang interceded, scolding him for yelling at Long Mohua. Seeing Long Mohua's bleeding leg, Gu Haitang went to the mountain to find hemostatic herbs.

Despite Long Mohua's attempts to stop him, Lang Yuexuan followed Gu Haitang. He caught up to her and once again proposed his "second wish" for her to work at Lang Lichun, but Gu Haitang, still wary of his arrogance, firmly rejected the offer. Lang Yuexuan, however, was not discouraged and smiled contentedly as he watched her storm down the mountain. On the return journey, Gu Haitang earnestly reminded Long Mohua to remember to find a doctor and change her dressing.

Long Mohua expressed regret over her performance that day and playfully pleaded with Gu Haitang to continue helping her pursue Lang Yuexuan. The two girls laughed together, sunlight filtering softly through the window, bathing them in a warm glow. Later, passing by the Lang Lichun workshop, Gu Haitang coincidentally witnessed employees from the Shi Hanglu workshop publicly recruiting workers with gongs and drums, offering double the wages of Lang Lichun.

Several tempted female workers were immediately driven away by arriving Lang family shop assistants. Among them, a Lang family male supervisor's distinctive walking posture stirred a long-forgotten memory in Gu Haitang. It brought back the mystery of her father, Gu Shunqi, who had gone to Kunyang on her childhood birthday and never returned.

Episode 3 Recap

The Lang family's cosmetic workshop, Lang Lichun, faced a severe crisis. Lang Sinian, the head of the family, observed declining performance in the ledgers and feared for the renowned Lang family brand, holding Lang Yuexuan responsible for production planning. The Shi Hanglu Workshop exacerbated the situation by offering significantly higher monthly wages, leading to a massive outflow of skilled female workers from Lang Lichun.

This caused a drop in monthly production and jeopardized the completion of orders destined for the South Pacific. Lang Yuexuan, however, presented his father with innovative ideas, which Lang Sinian found reasonable. Still, Lang Sinian also wished to revive the family's ancestral "Hongyan Rouge," an imperial-used product with a complex crafting process that traditionally required unmarried maidens for its production.

Against this backdrop, Gu Haitang arrived, driven by a desire to find answers to questions in her heart, even though the Shi family's workshop offered better pay. Her first attempt to apply at Lang Lichun ended abruptly when she encountered Lang Yuexuan, who was driving the Shi family's young master to the store to purchase cosmetics. Their initial meeting was fraught with disagreement, halting Haitang's application at the threshold.

To address the crisis, the Lang family workshop launched a recruitment drive, emphasizing their renowned ancestral "Hongyan Rouge" brand. They specifically sought unmarried women of suitable age. On the first day of recruitment, Lang Yuexuan intercepted Haitang. During her interview, she also encountered Lu Fanzhen, whom she had previously saved backstage at an adult ceremony. Lang Yuexuan, perhaps recalling previous instances where Haitang had rejected his invitations, offered her direct entry.

However, Haitang preferred to earn her place through the interview process. Lang Yuexuan then challenged her to demonstrate her exceptional skills within one minute. Haitang impressed him by using an ordinary face powder to create a beautiful visual effect, showcasing her creativity and innovative talent. They reconciled, and her ingenuity secured her a position at Lang Lichun. Unbeknownst to them, among the successful recruits was Xincao, a spy dispatched by the Shi boss to disrupt the Lang family's operations.

After the interview, Lang Yuexuan, grateful for Haitang's earlier act of saving his father, followed her home in his car, intending to formally express his thanks. In an alley near her home, a woman named Yi Rongrong approached Haitang, requesting her to become her personal makeup artist. At this moment, Haitang's brother, Gu Xiahe, appeared and revealed that Yi Rongrong had falsely accused him and Gu Furen, their mother, of stealing her belongings.

Yi Rongrong dismissed this incident as unrelated, but Haitang, firm in her principles, refused her request. When Lang Yuexuan subsequently visited Haitang's home, Gu Furen initially extended a warm invitation for dinner but then abruptly told him it was getting late and he should leave. It was revealed that Gu Furen had been experiencing intermittent periods of clarity and confusion since her husband's disappearance.

On her first day of work, Lang Yuexuan introduced the new female workers to the glorious history of Lang family's cosmetics, with particular emphasis on the importance of the lost imperial "Hongyan Rouge." He explained that the authenticity of the rouge's red color was paramount. For the initial three days, the workers were tasked with studying color cards to practice distinguishing various shades of red, a skill essential for selecting rose raw materials.

Haitang spent the entire day engrossed in the color cards, so much so that everything appeared red to her upon returning home. Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe, who lacked the money for schooling, eagerly looked into a classroom. Haitang had promised him that he could attend school once she received her wages. As Xiahe watched the students, a passing female student accused him of peeking, startling him and causing him to fall.

In the process, he accidentally caught a glimpse under her skirt, and the girl left in shame. Haitang later went to the school, having discussed Xiahe's enrollment with Director Yi. However, Director Yi now refused admission, citing Xiahe's "personal conduct issues." As Haitang pondered this unexpected setback, Yi Rongrong appeared, revealing herself to be Director Yi's daughter.

She confessed that she had reported Xiahe for "improper conduct" as an act of revenge, intending to make Haitang experience the pain of rejection. Despite the injustice, Haitang remained determined to clear her brother's name. Later, Hua Jili, Lang Yuexuan's friend from his study-abroad days, arrived at Kunyang pier to collect a shipment purchased from Lang Lichun. During the unloading, a worker accidentally dropped a box.

Lang Yuexuan immediately inspected the contents and discovered inferior materials mixed into the face powder, indicating that the goods had been swapped. This alarming discovery instilled a sense of dread in him. He promptly returned to discuss countermeasures with Lang Sinian, and they ordered the female workers to work through the night for urgent re-production. Lang Yuexuan foresaw that following an upcoming socialite's coming-of-age ceremony, the troubles for the Lang family were far from over.

Episode 4 Recap

Gu Haitang, while selecting rose petals, was distracted by her younger brother, Gu Xiahe, being unjustly denied schooling. She pricked her finger on a thorn and accidentally mixed the thorn with the chosen petals, which were then added to the flower petal pool. Lang Yuexuan discovered the mistake and had to discard dozens of pounds of the affected flower juice. He scolded Gu Haitang for her carelessness, and she apologized, promising to rectify her error by working late.

Shi Jizhou learned that Long Deshui had blocked waterway transport under the pretext of urgent war matters. Enraged, Shi Jizhou realized his workshops would have to cease production due to the lack of raw materials. At this moment, Lang Sinian approached Shi Jizhou, admitting that he had sabotaged Shi Jizhou's goods in his warehouse, causing Lang Sinian to bribe Long Deshui to blockade Shi Jizhou’s water routes. Shi Jizhou admitted to doing so, knowing Long Deshui's greed.

Lang Sinian declared his intention to fight Shi Jizhou to the end, warning that they both would suffer. Long Mohua waited for Gu Haitang after work, but she didn't appear. From Fan Zhen, Long Mohua learned that Gu Haitang had been scolded by Lang Yuexuan for making a mistake due to her worries about her brother. Gu Haitang volunteered to work overtime to compensate for the loss.

Lang Yuexuan happened to drive by, and Long Mohua complained to him, explaining the situation. She told him that because Gu Haitang had refused Miss Yi Rongrong, Yi Rongrong had falsely accused Gu Xiahe, resulting in his rejection from St. John's School. Lang Yuexuan, understanding the situation, promised to negotiate with Director Yi. Long Mohua was delighted, mistakenly believing Lang Yuexuan was helping Gu Haitang for her sake.

Lang Yuexuan returned to the workshop, brought a medicine box, and applied medicine to Gu Haitang's injured hand. He also granted her a day off the next day. The following morning, Lang Yuexuan went to St. John's School to plead with Director Yi to give Gu Xiahe a chance. However, Director Yi insisted that Gu Xiahe's character was problematic and feared he would negatively influence other children.

Lang Yuexuan urged Director Yi not to believe biased accounts and assured him of Gu Xiahe's good character. Subsequently, Lang Yuexuan drove Director Yi to the entrance of Mingluo Alley, where Gu Xiahe lived, so that he could personally verify Gu Xiahe's character. Director Yi knew the alley was Yi Yang's slum, and students from there were diligent. At the entrance of the alley, Director Yi witnessed Gu Xiahe helping others and showing respect for the elderly.

He then encountered Shen Dapeng, the best student at St. John's School, who revealed he was Gu Xiahe's friend. Shen Dapeng took Director Yi to the Gu's home, where it was announced that Gu Xiahe had been admitted to St. John's, with Lang Yuexuan acting as his guarantor. Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe were overjoyed.

Lang Yuexuan returned to the workshop and, after he left, took out a medicine chest, applied medicine to Gu Haitang’s hand, and said that he would give her a holiday tomorrow. Lang Sinian’s second son, Lang Yueyuan, died at the age of seven after a severe illness. Miao Lan had married him at a young age to bring good luck, but he still passed away.

Miao Lan has been a widow ever since for fifteen years, living in seclusion and styling her mother-in-law He Chunyan's hair every day. She saw the Mandarin ducks she had embroidered in He Chunyan’s trash and panicked. She accidentally hurt He Chunyan, who angrily scolded her and warned her to remain chaste and be indifferent to any temptation.

Seeing He Chunyan's anger, Uncle Quan, the housekeeper, went to the workshop to find a nimble female worker to style He Chunyan's hair. Master Shang recommended the honest and reserved Fan Zhen. While Gu Haitang was eating with the other female workers, she overheard them discussing the Lang family's strange tales.

Lang Lichun’s rouge and powder were famous because the Lang family kept a "rouge ghost" who would come to the garden at dawn, collect dew from the petals, transform it into essence, and add it to the rouge furnace. The ghost would then require the Lang family’s blood as nourishment. For three hundred years, each generation of the Lang family has sacrificed one person for the rouge ghost.

The female workers said that the eldest son’s early death was because of this. Fan Zhen, already timid, was terrified, and asked Gu Haitang to accompany her to style He Chunyan's hair. Gu Haitang, since seeing Uncle Quan, felt he resembled the man who had taken her father away, and was eager to investigate Uncle Quan’s background. Quan initially refused, but Lang Yuexuan interceded on their behalf, and Quan reluctantly agreed.

That night, Fan Zhen heard bird calls outside and was frightened. Gu Haitang gave her courage and poured her a cup of hot water to calm her nerves. Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounded, startling Fan Zhen, who accidentally spilled the hot water on her hand, causing a burn. Worried that Fan Zhen couldn't style hair with a burned hand, Gu Haitang remembered seeing a stonecrop plant in the flower garden that could treat burns.

She went out to pick some, but was caught by Lang Yuexuan. Gu Haitang explained that she needed it to treat Fan Zhen’s burn and asked Lang Yuexuan about the "rouge ghost" in the mansion, which he denied. Gu Haitang pretended to be lost, and Lang Yuexuan escorted her back. The next day, Fan Zhen was not selected and returned, leaving only Gu Haitang to serve. She questioned Uncle Quan many times in an attempt to find out about her father, but he did not answer all of her questions.

Episode 5 Recap

Early in the morning, Miaolan, the Lang family's second young mistress and wife of the deceased Lang Yueruan, attempts to comb Feng Chunyan's hair. She accidentally hurts Feng Chunyan, who, already in a bad mood, angrily pushes Miaolan's hand away, causing Miaolan to accidentally cut her face with the comb. Distressed, Miaolan encounters Gu Haitang in the garden. Seeing Miaolan's injury, Gu Haitang offers to treat it with her makeup kit and cover it with powder.

Gu Haitang observes Miaolan's beauty but also her surprising ignorance of cosmetics. Miaolan, feeling wronged, reveals she was married to the Lang family to bring good luck, but Lang Yueruan died at seven, and she has been a widow for fifteen years. She takes Gu Haitang to Lang Yueruan's memorial tablet, recounts her tragic fate, and warns Gu Haitang not to follow in her footsteps, urging her to leave the Lang family.

Gu Haitang repeatedly asks for the exact time of Lang Yueruan's death, but Miaolan impatiently sends her away. Back in her room, Gu Haitang reflects on the information, calculating that her father's disappearance occurred a year before Lang Yueruan's death. Despite this, she remains suspicious of Quan Shu and the "Rouge Ghost," secretly vowing to uncover the truth. Unbeknownst to her, a masked man watches her from outside.

The next morning, Gu Haitang successfully combs Feng Chunyan's beautiful hair using her specially formulated hair oil and skillful techniques, earning Feng Chunyan's complete satisfaction. Pleased, Feng Chunyan instructs Quan Shu to prepare a separate room for Gu Haitang, along with new clothes and daily necessities, declaring that only Gu Haitang will comb her hair from now on and she no longer wishes to see Miaolan. Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe and his friend Dapeng cycle to St. John's School.

Dapeng, captivated, points out Lang Qingqing, Lang Yuexuan's sister, calling her his goddess. Gu Xiahe, distracted by looking back at Dapeng, accidentally crashes into Lang Qingqing's bicycle. Lang Qingqing instantly recognizes Gu Xiahe as the boy who had previously looked up her skirt. Enraged, she curses him as a hooligan, physically assaults him, and demands he fix her damaged bike.

Gu Xiahe tries to explain and offers to fix her bike after school, suggesting she ride his bike, but Lang Qingqing vehemently refuses, choosing to walk to school in a huff. Gu Xiahe is left carrying her bicycle behind her. Miaolan, having overheard Feng Chunyan's decision to dismiss her and favor Gu Haitang, walks away dejectedly. She then encounters an enraged Lang Qingqing, who is cursing Gu Haitang because of her brother Gu Xiahe's actions.

Miaolan cunningly suggests to Lang Qingqing that as a Lang family young lady, her superior status means it's perfectly acceptable to teach a maid a lesson, which cheers up Lang Qingqing, who then leaves happily. That night, Gu Haitang is lured out of her room and into the garden by someone, possibly Lang Qingqing, who pretends to be a ghost or a person wearing a white mask.

While Gu Haitang is out, Miaolan takes the opportunity to enter her room and put medicine in her tea/water. Gu Haitang returns, drinks the drugged liquid, and quickly passes out. A black-clad figure then arrives, carrying Gu Haitang to her bed, or she vaguely recalls seeing a person in a black mask feeding her water.

She wakes up fine in her bed the next morning, unsure if it was a dream or reality, with drug residue on her lips, and feels her father is secretly protecting her. Gu Haitang quickly becomes close with Yingge, Feng Chunyan's maid, and they agree to become sisters. Gu Haitang uses this opportunity to ask about the manor's haunted occurrences.

After much hesitation, Yingge reveals two major secrets of the Lang mansion: the "Rouge Ghost" and the Western Pavilion, or a attic with a "Huide" plaque at its entrance, where no one knows who lives, and servants are forbidden to speak of it. Gu Haitang attempts to investigate the pavilion but is discovered and startled by Lang Yuexuan. He severely scolds her, hands her two books, and forcibly pulls her away, which only strengthens Gu Haitang's suspicions about the pavilion.

Later, Long Mohua visits the Lang mansion to ask Gu Haitang to do her makeup for a charity gala that night and invites her to attend. Gu Haitang initially declines but accepts when she learns the donations will go to the poor and that the event will offer opportunities to uncover secrets of prominent Kunyang City families, which aligns with her desire to learn the Lang family's secrets.

Elegantly dressed in evening gowns, Gu Haitang and Long Mohua arrive at the charity gala. Lang Yuexuan also attends, and Long Mohua hopes he will invite her to dance. Lang Yuexuan approaches their table, intending to invite Gu Haitang, but another rich young man asks Gu Haitang to dance first. Gu Haitang initially refuses, claiming she can't dance, but he offers to teach her, so she reluctantly agrees.

Lang Yuexuan then reluctantly accepts Long Mohua's invitation to dance, but his eyes remain fixed on Gu Haitang. During the dance, Gu Haitang clumsily kicks her partner, causing him pain and amusing Lang Yuexuan. As the music speeds up, Gu Haitang spins rapidly, separating from her partner. Lang Yuexuan seizes the chance, uses a dance move to separate from Long Mohua, catches Gu Haitang, and pulls her into his arms, swapping partners.

They dance gracefully together, leaving Long Mohua to dance with someone else. After the gala, Lang Yuexuan drives Gu Haitang home, teasing her for being entertaining and suggesting they attend another party together. Gu Haitang firmly refuses. Lang Yuexuan laughs, remarking that she is very special to him. Back in her room, Gu Haitang, unable to sleep and still preoccupied with the Western Pavilion, decides to revisit it under the cover of darkness.

She hears a melodious zither playing from within. After calling out for a long time with no response, Gu Haitang bravely opens the door and enters. The zither music abruptly stops. She proceeds to the second floor, unaware that inside, a man wearing a black mask in a corner is secretly watching her every move.

Episode 6 Recap

Gu Haitang enters the western attic. She sees a turtle in a small fish tank and plays with it for a while, then curiously plucks some zither strings and notices a painting on a table. The masked man, who was watching her, accidentally makes a sound. Startled, Gu Haitang wants to investigate, but the masked man loudly stops her, claiming it's his territory and no one is allowed to enter. Gu Haitang reluctantly leaves.

She reflects in her room that the voice wasn't her father's, though she had thought her father was held in the Lang residence. Lang Yuexuan visits the western attic early in the morning, where he finds his older brother, Lang Yueming, who is the Lang family's eldest young master. Lang Yueming wears a mask because his face is disfigured. Lang Yueming tells Lang Yuexuan that Gu Haitang had visited, and it wasn't his first time seeing her.

He recounts that a few nights earlier, he had seen Lang Qingqing intentionally wear a white mask to scare Gu Haitang, whereupon he scolded Lang Qingqing and carried the fainted Gu Haitang onto a bed. Lang Yuexuan is surprised to learn Gu Haitang had visited. Lang Yuexuan proposes bringing Gu Haitang to the attic to chat with Lang Yueming, but Lang Yueming is very resistant, fearing his ugly appearance would scare her.

Lang Yuexuan advises Lang Yueming to step out of the darkness and try to interact with people. Lang Yueming admits he likes Gu Haitang and asks Lang Yuexuan to get closer to her on his behalf, and to convey his feelings. Lang Yuexuan is distressed because he also has feelings for Gu Haitang. Gu Haitang returns to the western attic, bringing a pot of rain lilies that she picked from the garden. She hopes to ask Lang Yueming some questions.

Lang Yueming, unusually, lets her in, deeply touched by the flowers, but he doesn't come out to see her. He refers to himself as a forgotten member of the Lang family who has lived there for thirteen years. Gu Haitang, unable to find news of her father, quickly leaves. Lang Yueming feels his life has suddenly been lit up and asks Lang Yuexuan to deliver a letter to Gu Haitang, instructing him not to reveal who sent it.

While Miao Lan complains to Lang Yuanyuan's memorial tablet about her miserable fate, Feng Chunyan, the Lang family's matriarch, walks in. Feng Chunyan overhears Miao Lan and, using the dusty altar and memorial tablet as an excuse, scolds her harshly. Miao Lan attempts to appease her, but every word she speaks further angers Feng Chunyan, resulting in further punishment and deepening Miao Lan's resentment.

Feng Chunyan then instructs Yingge to fetch incense ash and spring water for Miao Lan to soak her hands, to remove "karma." Lang Yuexuan waits for Gu Haitang on her way back to her room. Gu Haitang eagerly asks him about the true identity of the man in the attic. Lang Yuexuan evades the question, claiming it's just a study, then hands her Lang Yueming's letter without revealing the sender and leaves abruptly.

Gu Haitang opens the letter in her room, discovering a hidden-verse love poem whose first characters combine to spell "San Gu Haitang" (meaning "thrice visiting Haitang"). Recalling her encounters with Lang Yuexuan, Gu Haitang mistakenly believes he wrote it, causing her heart to race with excitement. Though she usually disliked Lang Yuexuan, considering him a playboy, she often thought of him.

Looking at the poem and reflecting on past events, Gu Haitang realizes she has developed feelings for Lang Yuexuan, but she deceives herself, afraid to admit it. Confused by her emotions, she places the letter in her dressing box. Gu Haitang uses many new styles when styling Feng Chunyan's hair.

Since Gu Haitang started, Feng Chunyan has slept particularly well at night and wakes up refreshed, leading her to highly praise Gu Haitang and tell her she can make any request. Gu Haitang seizes the opportunity to propose going home at night to care for her sick mother and younger brother, coming in the mornings to style Feng Chunyan's hair, and working/studying at the workshop in the afternoons.

Feng Chunyan readily agrees, stating that as long as it doesn't delay her work, she will agree to Gu Haitang's requests. Lang Yuexuan notices his mother's recent cheerfulness and suggests taking her out. He unintentionally learns that Gu Haitang comes to style hair in the mornings and works at the workshop in the afternoons. As Gu Haitang leaves, Lang Yueming watches her figure, unable to contain his sorrow, and starts drinking alone.

Lang Yuexuan goes to the attic to inform Lang Yueming, finding him in this state. Lang Yueming is troubled, facing the person he likes but afraid to meet her, retreating into the attic in self-pity, feeling like a frog in a well and believing Gu Haitang left because of him. Lang Yuexuan advises him to take a step forward and actively pursue her, but Lang Yueming cannot overcome his fear and cannot let go.

He still hopes Lang Yuexuan will interact with Gu Haitang on his behalf and relay the details to him. Lang Yuexuan's repeated explanations are futile. Gu Haitang returns to work at the workshop. Xin Qiao, out of jealousy, deliberately challenges her and makes sarcastic, malicious remarks, accusing her of "climbing high branches" by styling Feng Chunyan's hair. Lang Yuexuan overhears this and intervenes for Gu Haitang.

He intentionally praises Xin Qiao, calling her the most talented and deserving of important roles. He instructs her to wash all female workers' hair, write an assessment report, and then formulate hair oil suitable for each person's hair type. Gu Haitang tries to help Xin Qiao, but Lang Yuexuan doesn't appreciate it. Xin Qiao, publicly humiliated, dejectedly leaves. As Gu Haitang leaves work, she sees Lang Yuexuan at the doorway.

She reminds him not to help her in front of others to avoid misunderstandings. Lang Yuexuan tells her she can call him by his first name, but Gu Haitang replies that he shouldn't have written her the hidden-verse poem and they should maintain distance. Lang Yuexuan doesn't explain and quickly drives away. Fan Zhen immediately realizes Lang Yuexuan likes Gu Haitang, but Gu Haitang tells her not to spread rumors.

Gu Xiahe sees Gu Haitang return home and happily asks her many questions, also recounting his grievances with Lang Qingqing. Gu Xiahe asks about their father's whereabouts, but Gu Haitang still has no clue. While Gu Haitang is struggling to grind flower petals into powder, Lang Yuexuan, noticing her incorrect posture, walks over and teaches her hand-by-hand. The female workers curiously watch them, making Gu Haitang feel embarrassed, and she immediately pulls her hand away, so Lang Yuexuan stops.

Later, Gu Haitang is ordered by Master Shang to get flower dew from the warehouse (or fetching spices from the raw materials room). She unexpectedly encounters Lang Yuexuan again, who stops her from leaving and approaches her closer. At this moment, Long Mohua sees everything from outside.

Episode 7 Recap

Long Mohua, observing Lang Yuexuan wiping lipstick from Gu Haitang's mouth, reacted with anger and sadness, driving away. Xin Qiao, also witnessing their intimacy in the warehouse, developed a stronger hatred for Gu Haitang. Shortly after, Gu Haitang, carrying a container of flower dew, was tripped by Xin Qiao, causing it to smash and spill. Master Shang, citing a lack of trust and mutual supervision among the workers, punished all the female laborers by deducting a month's salary.

The other workers blamed Gu Haitang for the incident, but she repeatedly apologized and pledged to take full responsibility, ensuring no one else would be further implicated. Disturbed by these events, Gu Haitang returned home, where her mother, recognizing her daughter's distress over matters of the heart, recounted her own love story with Gu Shunqi and encouraged Gu Haitang to boldly pursue true love.

Later that day, Long Mohua visited Gu Haitang at her home, complaining that Lang Yuexuan had been ignoring her. She implored Gu Haitang, whom she considered her best friend, to help her pursue Lang Yuexuan and to keep an eye out for any other women trying to seduce him in the workshop.

Long Mohua emphasized that her love for Lang Yuexuan was deeper and had begun earlier than anyone else's, and that she would do anything for him, subtly threatening anyone who might try to steal him. Gu Haitang was troubled by the implicit warning in Mohua's words. Shortly after, Lang Yuexuan unexpectedly arrived at Gu Haitang's door.

As Gu Haitang opened it, Lang Yuexuan stumbled over the threshold and fell into an embrace with her, a scene witnessed by Gu Xiahe, who playfully teased them. Lang Yuexuan explained that he had heard about the workshop incident and offered to lend Gu Haitang money to cover the workers' wages, wanting to alleviate her burden. Gu Haitang inquired why he would help her, to which he replied, "only because I am the boss."

She politely declined his offer, insisting on finding her own solution, which Lang Yuexuan respected. Lang Yuexuan later recounted the events to Lang Yueming, expressing his view that Gu Haitang was overly stubborn. However, Lang Yueming praised Gu Haitang as strong, honest, responsible, kind, and lovely, convinced that no one could dislike her, and he deduced Lang Yuexuan's affection for her.

When Lang Yueming directly asked if Lang Yuexuan liked Gu Haitang, Lang Yuexuan changed the subject, instead asking if having a clear goal makes one more spirited, which Lang Yueming affirmed. The next morning, Gu Haitang, having overslept, rushed to the Lang residence to style Feng Chunyan's hair. Upon arrival, she encountered Ying Ge holding a broken cup, learning that Feng Chunyan and Lang Yuexuan had quarreled earlier.

Consequently, Feng Chunyan was in a foul mood and became increasingly agitated, complaining about Gu Haitang's body odor and speaking harshly to her. When Gu Haitang accidentally dropped either a rouge bottle or hair oil, Feng Chunyan, perceiving it as an act of defiance, angrily ordered Uncle Quan to drag her out. Lang Yuexuan, however, arrived just in time and, without a word, took Gu Haitang away.

Lang Yuexuan drove Gu Haitang to a flower field in the countryside, a place he frequented to clear his mind when troubled. He curiously asked Gu Haitang if she would have accepted him if he had pursued her seriously and treated her well from the very beginning, rather than his usual carefree demeanor. Gu Haitang, feeling shy, initially replied no or was unsure.

Lang Yuexuan then posed another question: if he were to become honest, serious, and quiet, would she be with him? Gu Haitang bravely affirmed that she would, but Lang Yuexuan remained silent in response. Feeling awkward, Gu Haitang expressed her desire to return home. However, as Lang Yuexuan tried to start the car, he discovered it had broken down and he couldn't fix it.

While attempting repairs, Gu Haitang helped him by propping open the hood, but her arm grew sore. As she gazed at Lang Yuexuan, lost in thought, she accidentally let go of the hood, nearly hitting him. As the car remained unfixed, Gu Haitang grew impatient and decided to walk home.

Lang Yuexuan tried to persuade her to stay overnight by suggesting they set up a tent and attempting to scare her with stories of wolves and tigers, but Gu Haitang, disbelieving him, ran off. Lang Yuexuan followed closely, sometimes from a distance, imagining them walking hand-in-hand and playfully bickering. Gu Haitang, after wandering through the rapeseed fields, found herself back at her starting point, having gotten lost.

Not seeing Lang Yuexuan, she entered the nearby woods, where she was suddenly confronted by a wild boar that lunged to attack her. Terrified, she screamed for help. Lang Yuexuan promptly appeared, chasing the wild boar away and protecting her. Gu Haitang suspected Lang Yuexuan had been tracking her, but he feigned being lost. Hearing her stomach rumble, he produced pre-prepared meat and grilled it for her, which she ate heartily.

As darkness fell, Gu Haitang again wanted to go home, but Lang Yuexuan suggested they stay to watch the stars. As they gazed at the vast night sky, both were filled with emotion. Lang Yuexuan remarked that he and Gu Haitang were much like the stars – appearing close, yet actually very distant.

Gu Haitang eventually returned home very late, only to find her mother in a state of confusion, mistakenly believing she had been punished by her teachers at school, which left Gu Haitang feeling deeply conflicted. The next morning, Gu Haitang returned to the Lang residence to style Feng Chunyan's hair.

Feng Chunyan apologized for her previous anger and harsh words, promising never to scold her again and noting that half the household sided with Gu Haitang and everyone liked her, a revelation that greatly pleased Gu Haitang. Returning home after work, Gu Haitang discovered a multitude of betrothal gifts. Her mother excitedly informed her that a young master from the Lang family had proposed, and she had accepted, believing him to be a good match.

Shocked and disbelieving, Gu Haitang immediately ran out to seek confirmation from Lang Yuexuan. Just after Gu Haitang departed, Long Mohua arrived at Gu Haitang's house, also noticing the new gifts. When she inquired who was marrying Gu Haitang, Gu Haitang's mother was momentarily forgetful, but Gu Xiahe quickly revealed it was Lang Yuexuan. Enraged, Long Mohua immediately drove to confront Lang Yuexuan, intercepting Gu Haitang at the entrance of the Lang residence.

Without a word, Long Mohua slapped Gu Haitang, accusing her of stealing her man and asking why she would do this. Gu Haitang tried to explain, but Long Mohua refused to listen, escalating into a physical altercation. Lang Yuexuan arrived promptly to protect Gu Haitang, which only further infuriated Long Mohua, who had mistakenly believed that Lang Yuexuan's agreement to a date signified his affection for her. Lang Yuexuan sternly rebuked Long Mohua before pulling Gu Haitang into his car and driving away, leaving Long Mohua alone and crying in distress.

Episode 8 Recap

Gu Haitang inquired of Lang Yuexuan about the betrothal gifts, learning they were sent by the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan, aware the gifts were intended for his elder brother Lang Yueming, found himself unable to reveal the truth. That night, Long Mohua sought out Gu Haitang to apologize for having struck her without reason.

She confessed her inability to sever her feelings for Lang Yuexuan, claiming she could not live without him, and desperately pleaded with Gu Haitang to relinquish Lang Yuexuan and allow her to marry in her stead. Gu Haitang, caught in the dilemma, did not immediately respond, but Long Mohua assumed her agreement.

Gu Haitang internally convinced herself that Lang Yuexuan did not truly love her, and her purpose in Kunyang was to find her missing father, not to become a resentful woman like Miaolan; thus, not wanting to hurt Long Mohua, she reluctantly decided to proceed with Long Mohua's plan. Gu Haitang then proactively arranged a meeting with Lang Yuexuan.

During their meeting, she ordered red wine, believing it would help her speak her mind, and bravely declared her agreement to marry him. Lang Yuexuan was astonished and saddened, knowing full well that the Lang family's betrothal was meant to unite Gu Haitang with his brother, Lang Yueming. He attempted to speak, but Gu Haitang interrupted, emphasizing that should she ever cause him pain, it would not be her true intention but rather due to unavoidable circumstances.

Lang Yuexuan, in turn, admitted his lack of confidence when facing Gu Haitang, which led to his past frivolous behaviors that were not representative of his true self. Though they drank together, both harbored unspoken thoughts and sorrows. Later, Gu Haitang visited the Lang family's west attic, hoping to question its mysterious occupant. She called out several times but received no answer. Unintentionally, she discovered several portraits of herself on a table.

Remembering Lang Yuexuan's words that the west attic was akin to his study and he often went there, she presumed he had painted them. Lang Yueming, meanwhile, watched her from a corner of the garden. Soon after, Lang Yuexuan arrived at the attic, and an awkward silence fell between them. Lang Yuexuan then led her to a secluded corner of the garden where a vibrant patch of red begonia flowers bloomed—a special welcoming gift he had prepared for her.

Gu Haitang felt an inexpressible mix of sadness and gratitude for his efforts. As the wedding day for the Lang family's young master and Gu Haitang drew near, the Lang residence was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations. Miaolan, busy directing servants and workers in arranging the bridal chamber, caught sight of the crimson bedding and pillows.

This sight triggered painful memories of her own wedding night fifteen years ago, when she had been presented with a rooster adorned with a red ribbon instead of a groom, condemning her to fifteen years of loneliness in an empty room. Miaolan was overwhelmed with sadness. Long Mohua had previously delivered her own wedding dress to Gu Haitang's home, anticipating it might be needed on the wedding day.

Upon returning home with Long Mohua's dress, Gu Haitang found her mother meticulously sewing a new red wedding dress for her. Overcome with sadness and unable to disclose the truth, Gu Haitang and her mother, who was also tearfully reluctant for her daughter to marry, embraced and wept together. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan sat in his room, sadly drinking alone. On the wedding day, the Lang residence buzzed with excitement as relatives and friends arrived for the celebration.

However, Lang Yuexuan was nowhere to be found. Feng Chunyan quickly dispatched Quan Shu to locate him and bring him to fetch the bride. Quan Shu discovered Lang Yuexuan utterly drunk and unconscious in his room. Feng Chunyan then instructed Quan Shu to proceed with the wedding procession to the bride's home. Gu Haitang's mother began her busy preparations early. Long Mohua arrived at Gu Haitang's house, secretly entering through a window.

Gu Haitang, despite her inner turmoil, helped Long Mohua with her makeup. Suddenly, Commander Long Deshui, accompanied by his men, burst into Gu Haitang's home. Believing Long Mohua was the one marrying the Lang family's young master, he forcibly took her away without any explanation. Before Gu Haitang's mother and the neighbors could fully grasp what had happened, the Lang family's grand wedding procession arrived.

Gu Haitang's mother quickly helped her don the wedding gown, covered her with the red veil, and personally escorted her into the sedan chair. Gu Haitang, with tears in her eyes, bade farewell to her family. Meanwhile, Feng Chunyan sent word to Miaolan, forbidding her from attending the wedding, considering her "incomplete," which left Miaolan utterly disheartened. The wedding procession brought Gu Haitang to the Lang residence.

Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan sat formally as Gu Haitang and the groom performed the traditional bowing ceremony. Curiously, the groom also wore a red veil, a detail Gu Haitang could not discern. The wedding ceremony was successfully completed amidst the blessings of their family and friends. Gu Haitang was then escorted to the bridal chamber, which she discovered to be the west attic.

She secretly lifted her veil, feeling a surge of happiness, believing the groom to be Lang Yuexuan. Shortly thereafter, the groom entered the room. Gu Haitang swiftly replaced her red veil, eagerly anticipating Lang Yuexuan's arrival. The groom then lifted her veil, revealing not Lang Yuexuan, but a masked man in wedding attire. Gu Haitang screamed in terror.

The startled groom stumbled backward, then quickly retreated to a corner, introducing himself as Lang Yueming, the eldest young master of the Lang family and the owner of the attic. Gu Haitang suddenly recalled Lang Yuexuan's past hesitant words, his veiled attempts, and the Jiu Lan flowers he had sent, finally understanding that she had been intended to marry Lang Yueming all along. Overwhelmed and heartbroken, she turned to leave, demanding an explanation. Lang Yueming anxiously stepped forward to block her path, accidentally knocking off his mask. Gu Haitang turned back, seeing his scarred, terrified face, and fainted from shock.

Episode 9 Recap

Lang Yueming became deeply smitten with Gu Haitang after their initial meeting and expressed his desire to marry her to his mother, Feng Chunyan. Feng Chunyan then consulted with Lang Sinian regarding the marriage. Lang Yueming had long been a source of concern for Lang Sinian due to a childhood fire that disfigured his face, causing him to become reclusive. Lang Sinian had publicly claimed Lang Yueming was gravely ill and unfit to be seen.

However, seeing Lang Yueming develop true feelings for Gu Haitang, Lang Sinian was delighted. Feng Chunyan, however, harbored resentment, feeling that Lang Sinian favored his adopted son, Lang Yuexuan, over his biological son, Lang Yueming, whose disfigurement she believed caused Lang Sinian to lose face. Although Lang Sinian acknowledged the deep bond between Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming, which surpassed brotherhood, Feng Chunyan persisted in her accusations of favoritism.

Exasperated, Lang Sinian threatened to send her away, but Feng Chunyan, suppressing her anger, continued discussing Lang Yueming's marriage. She expressed heartbreak over Lang Yueming's isolation and saw Gu Haitang as his hope for change. Concerned that Gu Haitang might refuse to marry the disfigured Lang Yueming, Feng Chunyan proposed a deceptive plan: Lang Yuexuan would pretend to propose to and marry Gu Haitang. Once the marriage was irreversible, Gu Haitang would then be revealed as Lang Yueming's wife.

The entire family was instructed to keep this deception a secret. Feng Chunyan approached Lang Yuexuan, asking him to carry out the fake wedding. Lang Yuexuan vehemently disagreed, believing it would be incredibly unfair to Gu Haitang, and suggested Lang Yueming should honestly express his feelings to her. However, Feng Chunyan used emotional blackmail, threatening suicide and appealing to his sense of familial obligation, forcing Lang Yuexuan to reluctantly agree.

Witnessing Lang Yueming's profound joy and deep affection for Gu Haitang, Lang Yuexuan suppressed his own sadness and helped his brother with the proposal. Lang Yueming wished to give Gu Haitang the best, and Lang Yuexuan suggested creating a Haitang flower garden for her. The two brothers then worked together to cultivate the garden. On the wedding day, a heartbroken Lang Yuexuan drank heavily and passed out.

Meanwhile, Miao Lan secretly noted Gu Haitang as yet another unfortunate bride in the Lang family. Gu Haitang, seeing the wedding dress her mother had meticulously prepared, couldn't bear to cause her sadness, so she entered the sedan chair, unaware of the deception, and was married into the Lang family, mistakenly becoming Lang Yueming's wife. The next morning, Long Mohua learned that Gu Haitang had entered the sedan chair the previous night, mistakenly believing Gu Haitang had married Lang Yuexuan.

Enraged, she insisted her father, Marshal Long Deshui, accompany her to the Lang family to demand an explanation, accusing both Gu Haitang and the Lang family of deceit. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang awoke in an unfamiliar room, confused and with a high fever. Lang Yueming attempted to touch her face, then realized she was feverish and rushed out to urgently call a doctor, but also, overcome with shame, fled without looking back.

Long Mohua, on her way to confront Gu Haitang, encountered Lang Yueming running out and noticed large red wedding decorations in the attic, which further heightened her suspicions. At the Lang family residence, Marshal Long Deshui confronted Lang Sinian, who was initially confused by the accusations. Feng Chunyan then arrived and explained the entire truth: Lang Yueming's disfigurement, the planned fake wedding, and how Gu Haitang had unknowingly married Lang Yueming.

Long Mohua, who had been listening from outside the window, clearly understood the deception and was relieved to learn that it was not Lang Yuexuan who had married Gu Haitang. Marshal Long Deshui repeatedly apologized to Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan for the misunderstanding. News of Gu Haitang's fever reached Feng Chunyan.

She immediately went to the attic, personally fed Gu Haitang medicine, and tried to persuade her to accept her fate and enjoy a life of wealth within the Lang family. Gu Haitang, wanting only to return home, angrily knocked over the medicine bowl. Enraged, Feng Chunyan locked Gu Haitang in the attic, assigning guards to watch her 24 hours a day until she reconsidered.

Later, Lang Yueming, sitting alone in a pavilion, expressed regret over marrying Gu Haitang after witnessing her suffering. Feng Chunyan found him and advised him that feelings could be cultivated, urging him to treat Gu Haitang well to win her affection. Fully aware of the truth, Long Mohua went to the attic to confront Gu Haitang. She threatened the maid guarding the door to gain entry. Once inside, Long Mohua immediately scolded Gu Haitang, accusing her of deceiving her.

Gu Haitang, weeping sadly, admitted that she loved Lang Yuexuan and had intended to yield Lang Yueming to Long Mohua. However, seeing her mother's meticulously prepared wedding dress, she couldn't bear to disappoint her, which led her to enter the sedan chair and mistakenly marry Lang Yueming.

As Gu Haitang grew sadder, Long Mohua began to cry with her, lamenting that all this happened because the Lang family had deceived everyone—Gu Haitang, herself, and everyone else—and expressed her relief that she wasn't the one who had gotten into the sedan chair, or she would be the one crying on the bed.

Episode 10 Recap

Gu Haitang, encouraged by Long Mohua to be strong and look towards the future, found herself unable to let go of her despair, feeling as though her recent experiences were a dream. She asked Long Mohua for help in stealing the key to the west attic. Meanwhile, Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan hosted a lavish dinner for Long Deshui and Long Mohua, aiming to compensate for not inviting them to the wedding banquet the day before.

During the dinner, Lang Sinian and Long Deshui drank heartily and finalized Long Mohua's marriage to Lang Yuexuan. Long Mohua, intent on stealing the key to the west attic, continuously urged Lang Sinian and Long Deshui to drink more. When Long Deshui wanted to leave, Long Mohua kept persuading him to drink, and Lang Sinian also subtly instructed Quan Shu to pour more wine. Long Mohua then covertly kicked Long Deshui's chair, causing him to fall.

As Lang Sinian and Quan Shu rushed to help Long Deshui up, Long Mohua seized the opportunity to steal the key from Quan Shu's waist. Concurrently, Lang Yueming personally prepared chicken soup, which he and Feng Chunyan delivered to Gu Haitang in the attic. Gu Haitang, suppressing her grief, forced herself to drink a few sips. Feng Chunyan advised her to adapt to her new life, and Gu Haitang reluctantly called her "Mother."

Feng Chunyan was overjoyed, believing Gu Haitang had accepted her fate and promising that the Lang family would not mistreat her if she remained obedient, adding that she looked forward to having grandchildren. Feng Chunyan then left with Yingge, instructing Lang Yueming to stay and care for Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming bravely expressed his concern for Gu Haitang and tried to help her lie down, but she was extremely wary and tried to avoid him.

He repeatedly apologized, realizing his unrequited love had caused her immense pain. He reassured her not to be afraid and then took a quilt to sleep on a nearby sofa. Long Mohua, with the stolen key, quietly arrived at the west attic, unlocked the door, and called Gu Haitang out to rescue her. Lang Yueming, who was not asleep and heard everything, deliberately did not intervene to stop Gu Haitang from leaving.

Gu Haitang ran directly home, where she discovered a drunken Lang Yuexuan at her doorstep, drowning his sorrows. Lang Yuexuan recognized her, struggled to his feet, and happily embraced her. Gu Haitang tearfully pushed him away, fiercely broke free, and slapped him hard. She hated him for ruining her life and demanded to know if his previous promises were genuine or deceitful.

Lang Yuexuan, filled with regret and unable to explain his true feelings for her, repeatedly apologized, letting her punch and kick him without resistance. Gu Haitang, who felt she had suffered irreparable harm and was manipulated by Lang Yuexuan and the Lang family, believed he ruined her life.

She dismissed his apologies, told him to leave, and despite his pleas for her to return with him (to a place she no longer considered her home), she stormed back into her house without looking back. Gu Xiahe heard the argument outside and saw Gu Haitang crying as she returned home. He immediately assumed the Lang family had bullied her and angrily declared he would confront them. Gu Haitang then revealed the truth about being tricked into marriage.

Gu Xiahe was furious and wanted to argue with Lang Yuexuan, even contemplating leaving Kunyang/Moyang immediately. However, Gu Haitang stopped him, explaining that the Lang family was powerful, and they would be no match. She also insisted they cannot leave because they have a more important task: finding their father. Their father disappeared on Gu Haitang's birthday when he was about to give her a gift but was called away and never returned.

His disappearance caused their mother's mental state to become unstable, and her mother's sudden insistence on waiting for her father to return strengthened Gu Haitang's resolve to stay and find him. Gu Xiahe worried the Lang family would seek trouble, but Gu Haitang remained firm in her decision to stay in Kunyang. The next morning, Long Mohua came to the Gu family, initially urging Gu Haitang to return to the Lang family, but Gu Haitang firmly refused.

Gu Xiahe then asked Long Mohua to hide his sister. Long Mohua scolded Gu Haitang for not leaving, then took her to the Long family residence to hide for a few days. After Gu Haitang's departure, Lang Yueming locked himself in the west attic, refusing to eat or drink, causing Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan great anxiety. Lang Yuexuan kicked open the door and found Lang Yueming slumped on the sofa, deeply despondent.

Lang Yueming confessed that he deliberately let Gu Haitang go, explaining that he realized it was useless to keep her and preferring to confine himself rather than let her suffer with him. Unwilling to see Lang Yueming so distraught, Feng Chunyan asked Lang Yuexuan to bring Gu Haitang back. Lang Yuexuan, accompanied by Quan Shu and two assistants, went to the Gu family.

Gu Xiahe, upon seeing Lang Yuexuan, immediately and severely punched him, accusing him of betraying Gu Haitang's sincere feelings. Lang Yuexuan took the beating without resistance, admitting he knew Gu Haitang had returned home and only wishing to know her current whereabouts. Gu Xiahe forcefully drove Lang Yuexuan away, telling him not to return. Long Mohua settled Gu Haitang in her home, offering to use her father's connections to secure a new identity for Gu Haitang to leave town.

However, Gu Haitang insisted on staying in Kunyang to continue searching for her father, and Long Mohua agreed to help her. Gu Xiahe, realizing Gu Haitang left her makeup box at home, rushed to deliver it to the Long family. He was, however, being tracked by Lang family members. Quan Shu, who was among them, informed Lang Sinian of Gu Haitang's hiding place.

Concluding that Gu Haitang was at Long Deshui's residence, Lang Sinian (at Feng Chunyan's urging) sent Lang Yuexuan to investigate and gather information. Upon Lang Yuexuan's arrival at the Long family residence, Long Deshui eagerly asked if Lang Yuexuan was aware that Long Mohua liked him and how he felt about her. Lang Yuexuan acknowledged that he liked Long Mohua, but clarified that his affection was that of a brother, not romantic love.

Episode 11 Recap

Lang Yuexuan goes to the Long residence in search of Gu Haitang. Long Deshui, believing Lang Yuexuan to be pretentious, lectures him about love and attempts to set him up with Long Mohua. Lang Yuexuan, however, is only interested in Gu Haitang's whereabouts, which Long Deshui feigns ignorance about. When Long Mohua arrives, she also claims not to know where Gu Haitang is, though Lang Yuexuan suspects she is hiding her.

He then asks Long Mohua to relay a message to Gu Haitang, stating that his elder brother, Lang Yueming, is ill and hopes she will return home to visit. Long Mohua agrees, and Lang Yuexuan, concluding Gu Haitang is indeed at the Long residence, leaves. Gu Haitang learns of Lang Yuexuan's visit and his message about Lang Yueming's illness.

She decides to return to the Lang family, believing that merely hiding will not change her fate, and she intends to settle things and change her destiny through her own abilities. Long Mohua reluctantly agrees to let her go. After leaving the Long residence, Gu Haitang goes to a rapeseed flower garden (or flower field) where she and Lang Yuexuan used to visit. She rides her bike to a cliff.

Lang Yuexuan arrives, urges her not to do anything extreme, and immediately apologizes. Gu Haitang asks if everything he did for her was because of his brother. Lang Yuexuan, thinking of Lang Yueming's critical condition (refusing to eat or drink due to illness), tells her it was all for Lang Yueming and begs her to return to see his brother and save his life, promising lifelong compensation.

Gu Haitang agrees to return, but only on the condition of divorcing Lang Yueming (or to seek a letter of divorce). Upon Gu Haitang's return, Lang Yueming's spirits improve considerably. Lang Sinian is greatly relieved and returns from the workshop to speak with Feng Chunyan. He instructs her to treat Gu Haitang well and to find a way to train her, hoping to utilize Gu Haitang's skills for the family business, Lang Li Chun.

Miaolan, overhearing this, develops jealousy towards Gu Haitang. Lang Sinian unexpectedly sees Feng Chunyan wearing a hairpin on her head and becomes enraged, scolding her severely and forbidding her from ever wearing hairpins again. Feng Chunyan attributes this to Miaolan, believing she deliberately put the hairpin on her to provoke Lang Sinian, and furiously declares that Gu Haitang will comb her hair from tomorrow onwards. Miaolan is confused about Lang Sinian's aversion to Feng Chunyan wearing hairpins.

Feng Chunyan herself is troubled, recalling a past incident: she had rushed home and encountered Lang Sinian, fabricating a story about being chased by a mad dog and losing her hairpin. She distinctly remembers Lang Sinian banning her from wearing hairpins from that day forward, and she now fears he might know the truth about what happened then. Lang Sinian later visits Lang Yueming in the attic, noting his improved spirits.

Lang Yueming asks his father how to win Gu Haitang's unwavering affection. Lang Sinian advises that a man must first be able to protect his woman and demonstrate true sincerity, encouraging Lang Yueming to be strong and overcome his psychological struggles, which boosts Lang Yueming's confidence significantly. Meanwhile, Lang Qingqing, concerned, brings food to Lang Yueming, but he refuses to see her. Heartbroken, she leaves the food outside his door.

Gu Xiahe learns from Long Mohua that Gu Haitang has returned to the Lang family. He immediately comes to the Lang residence and causes a scene at the gate, insisting on taking her home. Gu Haitang explains that she returned to secure Lang Yueming's letter of divorce so she can legitimately leave the Lang family and return to her previous life with dignity. Gu Xiahe then leaves, reassured.

Meanwhile, at the Long residence, Long Mohua asks Long Deshui's favorite concubine to do her makeup, but the concubine intentionally makes her look unrecognizable, causing Long Mohua to become furious. Long Deshui intervenes, first calming his concubine, then appeasing Long Mohua by offering her a valuable pearl necklace in the concubine's name, though Long Mohua remains ungrateful. Miaolan brings Gu Haitang silver ear lotus seed soup late at night.

Gu Haitang, touched, openly expresses her intention to leave the Lang family and suggests Miaolan escape with her. Miaolan, who has lived in the Lang residence since childhood and is accustomed to a life of luxury without any special skills, fears she would be destitute if she left, and thus cannot leave. Gu Haitang does not press the matter, and Miaolan informs her that she is scheduled to comb Feng Chunyan's hair the next day.

Gu Haitang arrives early to comb Feng Chunyan's hair. Feng Chunyan advises her not to harbor resentment towards the Lang family and, noticing Gu Haitang's unhappy expression, hopes she will not be emotional and will dutifully act as the young mistress. Gu Haitang responds that she is neither emotional nor angry, but refrains from calling Feng Chunyan "mother." Gu Haitang's distant demeanor pains Feng Chunyan, who begins to recall distressing past events.

She reveals that her son, Lang Yueming, was once handsome but was disfigured by an incident. She also recounts the story of her second son, Lang Yueyuan, who was gravely ill shortly after birth; despite marrying Miaolan to him for good fortune, his life could not be saved. Feng Chunyan was devastated by Lang Yueyuan's death and often visited his grave.

On one occasion, returning home, she heard a child crying, mistook it for Lang Yueyuan's voice, and insisted on investigating. She found an unknown, crying child who could not state his name or age. Feeling pity, Feng Chunyan persuaded Lang Sinian to take him in, and that child was Lang Yuexuan.

Feng Chunyan expresses a wish that Lang Yueming's facial scar was hers instead, becoming tearful as she emphasizes Lang Yueming's good nature and pleads with Gu Haitang to stay, believing that given time, Gu Haitang will come to understand Lang Yueming's true feelings. Gu Haitang, unwilling to conceal her true intentions, acknowledges her understanding and forgiveness but asserts that love cannot be forced.

She admits she returned solely for a letter of divorce but promises to wait until Lang Yueming's condition improves before raising the matter. Gu Haitang asks how Lang Yueming's face was burned, to which Feng Chunyan claims only Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming know the full details. Upon hearing Gu Haitang's unwavering stance, Feng Chunyan's expression changes, and she dismisses her. In a separate development, Long Deshui holds control over Kunyang's docks and waterways.

Shi Jizhou, aiming for influence, instructs his son, Shi Diwen, to court Long Mohua. However, Shi Diwen, who fears and dislikes Long Mohua, is too hesitant to approach her, much to his father's exasperation. Later, Shi Diwen asks Lang Yuexuan to arrange a meeting with Long Mohua, which she enthusiastically attends. Shi Diwen directly confesses his feelings, but Long Mohua decisively rejects him.

Shi Diwen then asks Lang Yuexuan to confirm that he did pursue Long Mohua but was unsuccessful, allowing him to concede defeat. Long Mohua then insists that Lang Yuexuan take her to see a play, but Lang Yuexuan is preoccupied. Shi Diwen teases Lang Yuexuan about still thinking of Gu Haitang, and Long Mohua chides Lang Yuexuan for not understanding a woman's heart.

Episode 12 Recap

After drinking with Lang Yuexuan, a visibly intoxicated Shi Diwen revealed to Shi Jizhou the secret of Lang Yueming and Gu Haitang's marriage, a revelation that surprised Shi Jizhou and secretly pleased him. Lang Yuexuan, still troubled by inner turmoil and avoiding Long Mohua's chatter, had earlier visited Lang Yueming in the West Pavilion to wish him a happy birthday and present him with a set of pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Lang Yuexuan confessed his enduring guilt over Lang Yueming's past burns, feeling responsible for his brother's injury since childhood, despite their lack of blood relation. Lang Yueming tried to reassure him not to dwell on it but expressed a wistful desire for Gu Haitang to show him such affection. Feeling awkward, Lang Yuexuan quickly found an excuse to leave, consciously avoiding Gu Haitang downstairs.

In their new room, Lang Yueming thoughtfully set up a separate bed, concerned that his mother, Feng Chunyan, knowing he slept downstairs, might harbor resentment towards Gu Haitang. Gu Haitang was touched by his consideration. Later that night, unable to sleep, Gu Haitang inquired about the cause of Lang Yueming's facial burns. Lang Yueming recounted the tragic story: after Lang Yueyuan's passing, Feng Chunyan adopted Lang Yuexuan. The two brothers grew up close.

Young Lang Yuexuan developed a keen interest in cosmetics, so Lang Yueming took him to their father's workshop. While experimenting with liquids and an alcohol lamp to concoct floral dew, Lang Yuexuan accidentally added the wrong reagent, triggering an explosion. Lang Yueming bravely shielded Lang Yuexuan, taking the full impact of the blast, which burned his face severely while Lang Yuexuan remained unharmed.

To protect Lang Sinian's business reputation, Lang Sinian publicly announced that Lang Yueming was ill, leading Lang Yueming to withdraw from public life, wear a mask, and live in seclusion, gradually fading from public memory. Lang Yuexuan, consumed by remorse, coped by intentionally engaging in frivolous, idle behavior. Gu Haitang, upon hearing the full account, finally understood Lang Yuexuan's seemingly "absurd" actions but lamented that she had become an unwilling sacrifice in this complex situation.

Meanwhile, Long Deshui, the commander, returned from a successful bandit suppression operation, having seized a large cache of military supplies. With Kunyang experiencing a period of peace, he decided to sell the surplus arms to pay his soldiers. He tasked Hu Fuguang with contacting Hua Jili, who readily agreed to handle the sale and transport the arms out of the port, promising significant profits. Long Deshui, finding Lang Sinian difficult to control, decided to partner with Shi Jizhou.

He brought forth Yuan Fang, a female assassin previously apprehended at a coming-of-age ceremony, who had confessed that Shi Jizhou was the mastermind behind an assassination attempt on Lang Sinian. Confronting Shi Jizhou with Yuan Fang, Long Deshui leveraged this information to force Shi Jizhou into cooperation. Observing Lang Yueming's gradual recovery, Gu Haitang drafted a letter of divorce and presented it to Feng Chunyan.

Feng Chunyan reacted with explosive fury, severely chastising Gu Haitang and forbidding her from ever mentioning the matter again. Dejected, Gu Haitang sat alone in the attic. Later, Lang Yueming enthusiastically brought her Haitang cakes, which he had asked Quan Shu to buy, mistakenly believing she would like them and earnestly stating he liked everything about her. However, Gu Haitang, still simmering with anger, vented her frustration on him, leaving Lang Yueming to repeatedly apologize in confusion.

Lang Yuexuan later approached Gu Haitang in the Haitang garden to apologize and offered to do anything for her. Gu Haitang, still resentful, challenged him with three seemingly impossible tasks: to bring her the scent of night-blooming jasmine at midnight, fresh spring water from the Kunyang mountain stream at Yinshi (3-5 AM), and seven-section lotus roots from the deep mud of Guxin Island.

With Lang Yueming's birthday nearing, Feng Chunyan instructed Miao Lan to persuade Gu Haitang to organize a celebration. Miao Lan, though hesitant, eventually convinced Gu Haitang, who, remembering her own childhood birthdays, agreed to help celebrate. Gu Haitang returned to her home to learn how to bake a Western-style cake from her brother, Gu Xiahe, bringing gifts for her mother and brother, then returned to Lang Manor to bake the cake herself.

Before she could finish, Lang Qingqing burst in, angrily accusing Gu Haitang of intentionally setting impossible tasks for Lang Yuexuan, who had run for dozens of miles, developed blisters, and was even bitten by a dog in his efforts. Gu Haitang attempted to explain that she never expected him to actually attempt the tasks, but Lang Qingqing, enraged, pushed her onto a sofa and ruined the freshly baked cake.

Exhausted, Lang Yuexuan finally returned, having successfully completed two of the three tasks, only lacking the lotus roots from Guxin Island. He proudly presented the items to Gu Haitang, who remained unimpressed. He then reminded her that Lang Yueming disliked elaborate celebrations and hoped she would not make his birthday too grand. As the annual Flower God Festival in Kunyang approached, local merchants convened to discuss its arrangements.

Shi Jizhou volunteered to fully sponsor and host the event, a role traditionally held by Lang Sinian. While Lang Sinian publicly supported Shi Jizhou, he voiced concerns about potential dissent from other merchants. Shi Jizhou boastfully offered 10,000 silver dollars for the event, an act of ostentation that Lang Sinian found unbearable, leading to a heated argument and a sharp increase in tension between the two men.

Episode 13 Recap

Furious after being rebuffed by Lang Sinian, Shi Jizhou complained to his wife and vowed to obtain the exclusive hosting rights for the Flower Deity Festival, a position that would establish his dominance in Kunyang's rouge industry. To pressure Lang Sinian, Shi Jizhou decided to leverage Lang Yueming's marriage and prepared a lavish gift for a personal visit to the Lang residence.

Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan, determined to fulfill Gu Haitang's last wish, journeyed with Shi Diwen to Guxin Island in search of seven-jointed lotus seeds. Despite Shi Diwen's warnings about the darkening sky and impending rain, Lang Yuexuan insisted on continuing, although he had yet to find them. It was Lang Yueming's birthday, and Gu Haitang had prepared a fresh cake.

Lang Sinian and his wife, Feng Chunyan, along with Lang Qingqing and Gu Haitang, waited in the pavilion for Lang Yueming, but he did not appear. At this moment, Shi Jizhou arrived, compelling Lang Sinian to entertain him in the front hall. Lang Qingqing, impatient and hungry, pulled Feng Chunyan away for a meal. Feng Chunyan, concerned that Lang Yueming avoided crowds, asked Gu Haitang to take the cake to his attic.

Gu Haitang searched the attic in vain, eventually finding Lang Yueming standing by the lake, lost in thought. During their meeting, Shi Jizhou expressed a desire for reconciliation with Lang Sinian but quickly pivoted to his demand for the Flower Deity Festival hosting rights. Lang Sinian refused to discuss business at home. Shi Jizhou then resorted to threatening Lang Sinian with Lang Yueming's marriage, but Lang Sinian remained unyielding.

A sudden downpour began, which Lang Sinian used as an excuse to dismiss Shi Jizhou. Shi Jizhou, however, during his departure from the Lang residence, had caught a glimpse of Lang Yueming without his mask. As the rain intensified, Gu Haitang remembered Lang Yuexuan's quest on Guxin Island. She rushed there through the heavy rain and found Lang Yuexuan and Shi Diwen still searching.

Lang Yuexuan, who had slipped in the mud and was unable to stand, was pulled up by Gu Haitang. He excitedly presented her with a seven-jointed lotus pod, hoping for her forgiveness. Gu Haitang, both angry and distressed, rejected the lotus seeds, claiming they lacked a "heart" and that some mistakes required a lifetime of repentance, asserting she would not forgive him despite his efforts. Soaked and chilled, Lang Yuexuan returned home with a fever.

Lang Yueming visited him, relieved to find his brother was not seriously ill. Lang Yueming had been told by Shi Diwen that their trip to Guxin Island was to catch fish and find lotus seeds for his birthday, and hearing that Gu Haitang had saved Lang Yuexuan, Lang Yueming felt she was a kind-hearted girl and that he could not live without her. Lang Qingqing, learning that Lang Yuexuan had fallen ill trying to appease Gu Haitang, was furious.

She became even more incensed upon encountering Gu Xiahe at school, accusing the Gu siblings of being greedy for wealth while feigning pity. Gu Xiahe retorted, calling the Lang family hypocritical and accusing them of resorting to marriage deception. Their argument escalated, and they parted angrily. In other developments, Long Deshui and Shi Jizhou formed an alliance, each aiming to use the other.

Long Deshui successfully transported a shipment of firearms out of the port with Shi Jizhou's help and received a large sum of gold from Hua Jili. When Shi Jizhou arrived, Deputy Hu, fearing Shi Jizhou had discovered the cargo was firearms, suggested killing him. Long Deshui, however, refused, intending to use Shi Jizhou to contain Lang Sinian and prevent the Lang family from monopolizing power.

Long Deshui feigned distress, claiming his goods were hijacked by bandits and several of his men killed. Shi Jizhou offered him silver notes for the deceased, which Long Deshui accepted. Seizing the opportunity, Shi Jizhou requested Long Deshui's help in securing the Flower Deity Festival hosting rights. Long Deshui agreed to assist, provided the Chamber of Commerce and ancestral hall members consented.

Shi Jizhou was overjoyed, and through his extensive lobbying and bribing of elders from the Chamber of Commerce and ancestral hall, he secured the votes. The assembly decided to grant Shi Jizhou the right to host the Flower Deity Festival. Shi Jizhou, having achieved his goal, hypocritically thanked Lang Sinian for his supposed support and vowed to organize a magnificent event. Concerned for Lang Yuexuan, Gu Haitang lingered outside his door, hesitant to enter.

Lang Qingqing, returning home in the rain, spotted Gu Haitang and harshly chastised her, telling her to know her place and stop bothering Lang Yuexuan. Gu Haitang's explanations were dismissed by Lang Qingqing, who then hurried to Lang Yuexuan to complain and speak ill of Gu Haitang, but Lang Yuexuan, annoyed, sent her away. Returning to the attic, Gu Haitang discovered Lang Yueming removing his mask and looking into a mirror.

Startled by her presence, he dropped the mirror and hid. Gu Haitang encouraged him not to remain hidden, warning that a minor scar could be exaggerated into a tragic life, and urged him to face it bravely. Lang Yueming, summoning courage, turned to her. Gu Haitang carefully examined his scar and expressed confidence in her ability to treat it. Lang Yueming, initially skeptical, felt a rekindling of hope.

That night, Gu Haitang prepared an aloe cream and personally applied it to his face. Feng Chunyan visited Lang Yuexuan, who was recovering from his fever, to offer comfort and feed him soup, mentioning that Miaolan had prepared it. Lang Yuexuan suggested his mother treat Miaolan better, recognizing her many years of dedicated service to the Lang family, and proposed adopting her as a goddaughter and arranging a suitable marriage for her. Feng Chunyan firmly refused.

Miaolan, arriving to visit Lang Yuexuan, overheard this conversation from the doorway and silently departed, feeling heartbroken. Later, Long Mohua visited Lang Yuexuan, bringing medicine prescribed by the best doctor. Annoyed by her presence, Lang Yuexuan, feigning a headache, asked Miaolan to escort Long Mohua away.

Episode 14 Recap

Lang Qingqing once again frightens Gu Haitang by pretending to be a ghost, but is caught by Lang Yueming, who severely scolds her and warns her never to bully Gu Haitang again. Lang Qingqing is enraged that her brother is reprimanding her for an outsider and leaves furiously. Gu Haitang urges Lang Yueming not to take Lang Qingqing seriously.

Long Mohua learns that Miaolan frequently attends to Lang Yuexuan, so she approaches Miaolan, asking her to relay any news about Lang Yuexuan's condition. Miaolan agrees outwardly but secretly despises her. While combing Feng Chunyan's hair, Miaolan takes advantage of Feng Chunyan's good mood to speak ill of Gu Haitang.

She repeatedly claims that Gu Haitang constantly wishes to leave the Lang family, and out of lingering resentment for the exchange marriage, she deliberately retaliated against Lang Yuexuan by making him collect lotus seeds in the heavy rain, causing him to fall seriously ill. Miaolan also mentions that Lang Qingqing confronted Gu Haitang about this, only to be scolded by Lang Yueming, and that she personally saw Gu Haitang applying something to Lang Yueming's face.

Feng Chunyan becomes furious and immediately takes Miaolan to confront Gu Haitang. Feng Chunyan storms into the attic and finds Gu Haitang applying aloe vera paste (or an unknown substance) to Lang Yueming's face. Without explanation, she calls Gu Haitang away. Gu Haitang explains her intention to heal Lang Yueming's injuries, believing her herbal remedies will succeed where famous doctors and countless elixirs have failed. She states that if successful, she will only ask for a divorce letter.

Feng Chunyan is furious, fearing the herbs might be poisonous, and adamantly forbids Gu Haitang from experimenting on Lang Yueming's face, declaring that no one in the Lang family can bargain with her. Shi Jizhou actively begins preparations for the Flower God Festival, hiring a Feng Shui master who emphasizes that all male members of the Kunyang rouge businesses must attend to ensure the smooth progress of the sacrificial ceremony and the prosperity of the industry.

Shi Jizhou specifically invites Lang Sinian's eldest son, Lang Yueming, to participate. Lang Sinian understands this is a trap set by Shi Jizhou: if Lang Yueming does not participate, Lang Sinian will be blamed for angering the Flower God and causing industry decline; if he attends, Shi Jizhou will use the opportunity to harm the Lang family's reputation. Lang Yueming finds himself in a difficult position. Lang Yueming overhears his parents discussing the dilemma outside the door.

He immediately informs Lang Yuexuan, who wants to confront Shi Jizhou but is stopped by Lang Yueming. Lang Yuexuan declares that if Lang Yueming is unwilling to go, he will find a way to stop Shi Jizhou. Gu Haitang, passing by, overhears their conversation and encourages Lang Yueming to bravely remove his mask and go out, assuring him that his face is not as terrible as he thinks.

Lang Yueming gains confidence and rushes to inform his parents, who are still arguing fiercely about his participation. Feng Chunyan is worried that Lang Yueming will be publicly scrutinized and harmed, but Lang Sinian believes it is a good opportunity for Lang Yueming to overcome his inner demons. Lang Yueming quickly stops their argument, announcing his decision to participate in the Flower God Festival. Lang Sinian is greatly relieved.

On the day of the Flower God Festival, Kunyang city is bustling, with everyone eager to attend the grand event. The square is lively with gongs and drums. Shi Jizhou attends in grand attire, and all male members of Kunyang's rouge businesses are present, with Lang Yueming courageously standing before the crowd. Shi Jizhou presides over the kneeling ceremony.

During the incense offering, a Fa Shi (master/priest) uses Lang Yueming's mask as an excuse, claiming it disrespects the Flower God, and pressures him to remove it. Lang Yuexuan steps forward to argue with the Fa Shi, while Shi Jizhou urges Lang Yueming to comply. Just then, a strong wind suddenly blows, filling the sky with dust, causing the lanterns to sway precariously and nearly extinguishing the incense and candles.

The public speculates that Lang Yueming has angered the Flower God and unanimously demands that he remove his mask. Lang Yueming complies, revealing a flawless face, astonishing everyone, including his parents and Lang Yuexuan. Feng Chunyan smiles at Gu Haitang, realizing this is her achievement, which is a temporary cover-up; a full recovery from the scars requires a long period of conditioning. The incense offering then proceeds smoothly.

Shi Jizhou, not believing that Lang Yueming's scars could be fully healed, is determined to humiliate Lang Sinian and is unwilling to give up. He wants to personally verify the truth. He signals the Fa Shi, who immediately sweeps his sleeve, sending incense ash onto the faces of the men offering incense, or directs fire towards them. The covering cream on Lang Yueming's face instantly melts, revealing his scarred face once more.

Shi Jizhou loudly calls everyone's attention to Lang Yueming. Lang Yueming is deeply ashamed, and Lang Yuexuan quickly shields him and rushes him away from the crowd. The Lang family is distraught, but Miaolan secretly relishes the turn of events. Since the Flower God Festival, Lang Li Chun's business has plummeted. Not only have buyers from other regions stopped coming, but even regular customers no longer visit.

Lang Sinian is at a loss, and customers even come to return goods, which Lang Sinian instructs the staff to accept. One day, Shi Jizhou's carriage encounters Lang Sinian's on the street. Neither gives way, and Shi Jizhou gets out to mock Lang Sinian before leaving in a rickshaw. Lang Sinian returns home to find Lang Yueming locked in his room, refusing to come out. Lang Sinian encourages him to be brave and face the world.

Feng Chunyan strongly disagrees, stating she doesn't want Lang Yueming to be pointed at and would prefer him to stay in his room forever. Lang Sinian severely scolds Feng Chunyan, forcibly sending her away, and then earnestly persuades Lang Yueming not to avoid reality and to act like a man. Feng Chunyan immediately summons Gu Haitang to reprimand her. Gu Haitang argues back, so Feng Chunyan orders Miaolan to administer "family law."

Despite Gu Haitang's defiance, servants begin to beat her. Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan are informed by a maid and immediately rush to intervene. Feng Chunyan insists on continuing the punishment, but Lang Yuexuan snatches the stick and begins to beat himself, explaining that he was the one who encouraged Lang Yueming to participate in the Flower God Festival and failed to prevent Gu Haitang from applying the makeup.

Heartbroken, Feng Chunyan is forced to halt the punishment and leaves reluctantly. Lang Yueming helps Gu Haitang to the attic, finding some pain medicine that his father bought from Nanyang, but finding it inconvenient to apply himself, he calls for a maid's help. During this, Lang Yueming notices Lang Yuexuan's deep concern for Gu Haitang. Miaolan, after carefully dressing up and preparing delicious food, brings it to Lang Yuexuan, who is sitting idly in the garden. She gently scolds him for beating himself so severely, but Lang Yuexuan dismisses it, stating it means nothing to him.

Episode 15 Recap

Lang Sinian finds Gu Haitang's makeup technique for Lang Yueming remarkably familiar. Both Lang Sinian and Uncle Quan recall that Gu Haitang's technique is identical to that of Gu Haitang's father, Gu Shunqi, suggesting a fated connection. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan notices a lotus and lily scent on Miaolan, who admits she blended it herself. Miaolan explains she was following Feng Chunyan's orders to administer family punishment to Gu Haitang, for which Lang Yuexuan does not blame her.

Hua Jili returns to Kunyang, where Shi Diwen personally greets him at the dock and hosts a welcoming banquet. Lang Yuexuan is also present. Hua Jili proposes a large Southeast Asian business deal, bringing a significant order, and seeks a partnership with either the Lang or Shi family. Both Shi Diwen and Lang Yuexuan feign sleep or drunkenness to evade Hua Jili, as they don't wish to engage in private family business rivalries for the order.

Lang Yuexuan suggests Hua Jili hold a public bidding session to openly select a partner, a method Hua Jili finds feasible. Since the Flower God Festival, Langlichun's business has been declining, causing Lang Sinian deep worry. Lang Yuexuan informs his father about Hua Jili's large order but expresses concern that Langlichun might not be able to handle such a massive quantity alone. Lang Sinian, determined to reverse Langlichun's decline, decides they must take the risk and try for the order.

Lang Yueming, overhearing their conversation, feels guilty for causing the family business setbacks. Lang Yueming suggests a win-win collaboration with other parties, specifically mentioning the Shi family in one account. The brothers agree on this cooperative approach, and Lang Yuexuan immediately begins preparing the bidding proposal and materials. Meanwhile, Shi Jizhou is furious that Shi Diwen didn't secure Hua Jili's order.

He severely reprimands Shi Diwen, even physically assaulting him in one account, and threatens to disown him if he fails to get the order. Distressed, Shi Diwen's mother advises him to help the family, leading him to immediately seek Lang Yuexuan to discuss countermeasures. Separately, Hua Jili, who had previously cooperated with Marshal Long Deshui on an arms deal, now brings him gifts, including a rare Tibetan dzi bead necklace.

Long Deshui is pleased and promises to resolve all of Hua Jili's troubles in Kunyang, thereby offering his protection. Lang Yuexuan suggests to Lang Sinian that they reconcile with Shi Jizhou and jointly pursue Hua Jili's order, then implement a shareholding system, which he believes would benefit the business guild's development if adopted as a unified distribution system. Lang Sinian is greatly impressed by Lang Yuexuan's ideas but firmly states that he will not cooperate with the Shi family.

Despite this, Lang Sinian places great hope in Lang Yuexuan, giving him full authority to handle the matter and expressing his desire for Lang Yuexuan to become independent soon. Lang Yuexuan believes Hua Jili will be satisfied with his prepared bidding materials. Shi Diwen goes to Lang Yuexuan's room to wait for him. Finding Lang Yuexuan absent, Shi Diwen, while anxiously waiting, sees Lang Yuexuan's prepared bidding materials/proposal on the table.

He picks it up, casually glances through it, and forms a wicked intention. On the day of the bidding session, Shi Jizhou confidently presents his bid first, publicly announcing his plan. Lang Yuexuan is stunned to realize it is identical to his own proposal. He immediately concludes that Shi Diwen stole his plan. Shi Jizhou successfully secures Hua Jili's order and publicly announces the list of cooperating merchants, pointedly omitting the Lang family. Lang Sinian is enraged.

Lang Yuexuan immediately confronts Shi Diwen, who fearfully begs for forgiveness, admitting he stole the proposal because he was desperate to prove himself to his father. Shi Diwen promises never to repeat such an act, and Lang Yuexuan reluctantly forgives him, deciding not to pursue the matter further. Back home, the Lang family's atmosphere is very low, as Lang Sinian is distraught, discussing the loss of Hua Jili's large order at the dinner table.

Gu Haitang, however, criticizes their greed, asserting that one should be content with what is gained and happy with what is lost, and they need not be so disheartened. Feng Chunyan mocks Gu Haitang as a poor child lacking ambition and content with poverty, but Gu Haitang argues back. Lang Sinian finds her reasoning sound and invites her to speak freely.

Gu Haitang explains that while securing such a massive order is good, it has never been done before, and without a perfect system, Shi Jizhou's subcontracting arrangements will inevitably lead to various problems, making the large order a "hot potato" despite its superficial success. She points out that since most Kunyang merchants will be occupied with Hua Jili's large order, the remaining smaller orders will be unaddressed, presenting a valuable opportunity for Langlichun to profit.

Lang Sinian praises Gu Haitang profusely, and Lang Yueming is proud of her. Later, Lang Yuexuan encounters Hua Jili on the street, surrounded by frustrated workshop owners who are bothering him due to unfair distribution. Lang Yuexuan notes that this chaos was inevitable because the Shi family only stole his first plan, not his second and third, implying the core strategies for successful execution were missing.

Feng Chunyan feels Gu Haitang publicly undermined her and worries Lang Yueming won't keep her. Feng Chunyan reveals Gu Haitang's condition for staying: a divorce letter in exchange for curing Lang Yueming's face. Lang Sinian hopes Gu Haitang can cure Lang Yueming's face and stay to live happily with him, seeing this as a desirable outcome.

That night, Lang Sinian tries to return to his study to sleep, but Feng Chunyan desperately pleads with him to stay the night; he resolutely leaves, and Feng Chunyan cries inconsolably. Later, Feng Chunyan calls Gu Haitang aside, scolding her for disrespecting elders, then asks about the method for concealing Lang Yueming's scars. Gu Haitang admits it's an ointment that only temporarily covers the scars but promises to continue working to cure Lang Yueming's face.

Feng Chunyan agrees to their previous contract/bet: if Gu Haitang cures Lang Yueming's face, Feng Chunyan will grant her a divorce letter. Gu Haitang accepts these terms, but it is agreed that this arrangement must be kept secret from Lang Yueming. Gu Haitang decides to return to the workshop the next day to find more materials and a secret recipe for healing scars. Feng Chunyan asks Lang Yuexuan to help Gu Haitang.

The next morning, Gu Haitang arrives at the workshop. The female workers, including Lu Fanzhen, warmly welcome her back. However, Xin Qiao sarcastically mocks Gu Haitang for marrying the disfigured Lang Yueming to become the eldest young mistress.

Episode 16 Recap

Gu Haitang returned to the workshop, where Xinqiao deliberately tried to make things difficult for her, but Master Shang intervened. Master Shang then instructed Gu Haitang to learn new techniques from Fanzhen to catch up with everyone's progress. Long Mohua arrived, bringing pastries for Gu Haitang to taste, for which Gu Haitang highly praised her skills. Long Mohua inquired about Lang Yuexuan, mentioning he had been indifferent to her recently and that she had previously thought he liked Gu Haitang.

However, feeling she now had another chance, Long Mohua planned a grand banquet to confess her feelings to Lang Yuexuan, booking Kunyang's largest cafe and inviting various socialites and newspaper reporters. She asked Long Deshui to help contact the reporters and quickly prepared everything. Gu Haitang found herself unable to let go of her feelings about Lang Yuexuan, prompting Fanzhen to notice her unhappiness and offer advice.

Gu Haitang questioned Lang Yuexuan's loyalty, though Fanzhen considered him a good man, ideal for any woman. Long Mohua personally delivered invitations to Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang at the workshop, bitterly begging Gu Haitang for help with her proposal plan and even threatening suicide if Lang Yuexuan publicly rejected her. Gu Haitang, fearing for Long Mohua, reluctantly agreed. Reluctantly, Gu Haitang went to Lang Yuexuan to talk about Long Mohua's planned gathering.

Lang Yuexuan, busy with other matters, stated he had no intention of attending, explaining he only saw Long Mohua as a brother and had no romantic feelings for her. Gu Haitang tried to persuade him to consider Long Mohua. In response, Gu Haitang asked Lang Yuexuan if her own feelings could be played with arbitrarily. That afternoon, Gu Haitang took leave from the workshop.

While on the street, she spotted a pearl shell and wanted to buy it to make a new mask for Lang Yueming to help lift his spirits. As she was bargaining with the vendor, Lang Yuexuan arrived and paid for the shell, with Gu Haitang promising to repay him next month. Lang Yuexuan offered his full support for Gu Haitang's efforts to treat Lang Yueming's face.

During their conversation, Gu Haitang asked Lang Yuexuan for a divorce paper, a request that made him difficult, and also asked him to help her find blood-activating and stasis-removing medicinal herbs, which he agreed to. Upon returning home, Gu Haitang discussed a gambling agreement with Gu Xiahe.

Gu Xiahe recalled that their father had a "Baibai San" (Eight Hundred Powder) formula for spot removal, which he had improved into a concealer called "Furong Gao" (Lotus Cream), though only their father knew the formula. Gu Haitang realized she needed to combine these two formulas with other ingredients to both treat scars and conceal them. She also remembered reading about a legendary plant called "Ice Crystal Qilin," rumored to treat all scars, and expressed her determination to find it.

Gu Haitang crafted a breathable and beautiful shell mask for Lang Yueming, who loved it and was profoundly grateful. With Gu Haitang's careful treatment and care, Lang Yueming's mood brightened, and he began to take walks in the courtyard. Lang Yuexuan was happy for him, but Lang Yueming worried that if his face healed, Gu Haitang would leave the Lang family.

Lang Yuexuan was unsure how to respond, while Lang Yueming expressed that he would be happy as long as she remained by his side. Miaolan, recalling Lang Yuexuan's previous compliment on her scent, presented him with many sachets she had made. Inspired by the sachets, Lang Yuexuan suggested transforming the incense powder into incense beads, believing this would make them easier to preserve and their fragrance more lasting.

Recognizing Miaolan's excellent embroidery and drawing skills, he asked for her participation in making sachets, which Miaolan happily accepted. Meanwhile, the Shihanglu Workshop faced a crisis. Partner merchants blocked its entrance, demanding payment and refusing to deliver goods because their production links had encountered problems, causing losses, and the Shi family had not accepted their products. Shi Diwen arrived, promising a satisfactory response soon.

He learned from Shopkeeper Tan that the order from Huajili was too large, exceeding the Shihanglu Workshop's available funds and raw materials. Shi Diwen reported this to his father, Shi Jizhou. At home, Shi Diwen found Huajili arguing with Shi Jizhou, threatening to take the order elsewhere. Shi Jizhou, desperate and out of options due to the overwhelming product quantity, instructed Shi Diwen to seek help from Lang Yuexuan.

Shi Diwen was reluctant but, under pressure, brought Huajili to request assistance from Lang Sinian. Lang Yuexuan and Lang Sinian had already heard about the Shi family's troubles and were waiting for them at Langlichun. Huajili and Shi Diwen pleaded for the Lang family to take over the order, emphasizing that its failure would significantly harm the reputation of the entire Kunyang rouge industry.

Lang Sinian reluctantly agreed to accept the order, on the condition that all of Huajili's future orders would exclusively be with the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan then presented his plan to Lang Sinian: to continue cooperation with the existing merchants but with refined division of labor and stricter requirements to reduce their losses and improve product quality. Simultaneously, he proposed raising new funds to procure raw materials from external sources. This two-pronged approach would ensure the order's timely completion.

Huajili and Shi Diwen both strongly approved of Lang Yuexuan's proposal. Lang Sinian agreed, instructing Shi Diwen to inform Shi Jizhou that the Lang family would become Kunyang's sole supplier, demanding Shi Jizhou hand over any already completed work, and guaranteeing the order's on-time completion. Lang Sinian then gave Lang Yuexuan full responsibility for managing the entire matter.

Episode 17 Recap

Gu Haitang implored Lang Yuexuan to attend Long Mohua's banquet, viewing it as compensation for their shared history. Lang Yuexuan, though conflicted, reluctantly agreed. Gu Haitang arrived at the banquet early, observing Long Mohua, beautifully dressed, warmly greeting guests. Lang Yuexuan arrived late, and Long Mohua eagerly pulled him onto the stage, publicly confessing her feelings. Under everyone's gaze, Lang Yuexuan publicly accepted her proposal, or agreed to date her, at the banquet to save her from embarrassment.

An overjoyed Long Mohua produced a pre-prepared ring, but Lang Yuexuan only strung it onto her necklace instead of placing it on her finger. He then pulled her aside, explaining that he only considered her his best younger sister and could not deceive himself into accepting her feelings, nor could he hurt her. He stated they could only be friends, though Long Mohua vowed to make him love her. Lang Yuexuan left without looking back.

Gu Haitang, feeling dejected after the banquet, returned home. Her younger brother, Gu Xiahe, noticing her unhappiness, suggested she move back in. Later, Lang Yuexuan intercepted Gu Haitang, anxiously questioning her about why she had gone home the previous night, expressing his worry. Gu Haitang, impatient, told him to concern himself with Long Mohua instead. Lang Yuexuan explained that he had privately clarified his stance with Long Mohua and had never actually agreed to her proposal or dating.

Gu Haitang's priority was to quickly find the formula to cure Lang Yueming's facial injury, believing this would allow her to finally break free from the Lang family. She visited Lang Yueming, who was waiting for her and expressed his happiness with her, also suggesting he'd like to visit her mother next time. Gu Haitang politely declined, urging him to maintain a positive mindset and apply his medicine diligently.

She assured him that once the final ingredient was found, his scars would be completely removed, boosting his confidence. At home, Gu Haitang's mother showed her a piece of clothing she had embroidered with a large Ice Crystal Kirin. Gu Haitang eagerly asked about the plant. Her mother revealed that Gu Haitang's father had once brought one back, and explained that this rare flower blooms only once every five hundred years, specifically when the world's coldest substance falls upon it.

This information strengthened Gu Haitang's resolve, and she sought out Master Shang, who confirmed hearing tales of the Ice Crystal Kirin from older generations. Subsequently, Gu Haitang began tirelessly searching for the Ice Crystal Kirin in the mountains, despite initially finding nothing. During her search, specifically on Duan Touyan on Yangming Mountain, she discovered a beautiful, serene glass house in a scenic spot. Inside, she found elegant decor and equipment for studying flowers and plants.

Meanwhile, Shi Jizhou harbored deep resentment towards the Lang family due to past business dealings. His employee, Xinqiao, reported that the Lang family was expecting a crucial and large batch of raw materials. Enraged by Lang Sinian's thriving business and rumors unfavorable to his own family, Shi Jizhou vowed revenge and devised a scheme against the Lang family. He invited Marshal Long Deshui to dinner, complaining about a previous business deal sabotaged by the Lang family.

Long Deshui, mentioning the current unstable times and his lack of funds for troops, expressed his financial difficulties. Shi Jizhou seized the opportunity, promising Long Deshui 10,000 silver yuan if he would intercept the Lang family's upcoming shipment, which was valued at 10,000 yuan. Long Deshui, seeing a quick profit, readily agreed. Earlier, Marshal Long Deshui and Adjutant Hu had encountered Yi Rongrong on the street.

Adjutant Hu falsely claimed Yi Rongrong was his cousin, a statement that surprised Yi Rongrong herself. Long Deshui was immediately smitten with Yi Rongrong and became determined to pursue her. As the crucial batch of raw materials, vital for Langlichun's production and timely delivery, was en route from out of town, Shi Jizhou and Long Deshui conspired to hijack it. Soon after, Uncle Quan informed Lang Yuexuan that the shipment had indeed been hijacked.

Lang Yuexuan, suspecting Shi Jizhou, immediately went to the Kunyang Wharf with Uncle Quan to investigate. Boatmen described the hijackers as masked men with guns, speaking with local accents. Shi Jizhou then arrived at the wharf, feigning concern. He falsely asserted that Lang Sinian must have offended someone and reminded Lang Yuexuan of the looming delivery deadline for their client, Huajili. Lang Yuexuan, unwilling to endure Shi Jizhou's gloating, left quickly.

Lang Yuexuan reported the hijacking to his father, Lang Sinian, still suspecting Shi Jizhou but lacking concrete evidence. Lang Sinian found it odd that hijackers would target raw materials rather than more easily sellable finished goods. Uncle Quan's report of Shi Jizhou's presence at the wharf confirmed Lang Sinian's suspicion that someone was deliberately orchestrating trouble. Resigned to the situation, Lang Sinian instructed Uncle Quan to prepare a substantial gift and decided to seek Long Deshui's help the following morning.

The next day, Long Deshui, inwardly pleased that the Lang family's goods had been hijacked and delivered to Shi Jizhou, was eagerly awaiting his payment. He discussed the previous day's events with Adjutant Hu and mentioned his desire to arrange a meeting with Yi Rongrong. Just then, Lang Sinian arrived with his elaborate gift. Long Deshui, instructing Adjutant Hu to cooperate, staged a performance, lamenting his lack of funds to suppress bandits.

Lang Sinian, aware he was being manipulated, conceded to Long Deshui's demands. He agreed to provide financial assistance and offered shares in Langlichun's newly opened branch store. Only then did Long Deshui order Adjutant Hu to gather all available troops to quickly retrieve the raw materials. Lang Sinian knew he was being forced to suffer the loss and pour money into Long Deshui's bottomless pit.

He warned Lang Yuexuan to constantly be on guard against Shi Jizhou, a sentiment that led Lang Yuexuan to wonder if an ancient, unresolved feud existed between their families, prompting Shi Jizhou's persistent targeting of the Langs. Lang Sinian offered no direct answer.

Episode 18 Recap

Deputy Officer Hu and Yi Rongrong are deeply in love, but Hu is compelled by his superior, Long Deshui, to ask Yi Rongrong to accept Long Deshui's invitation for a meeting. Yi Rongrong reluctantly agrees, asking Hu to protect her during the encounter. At the banquet, Long Deshui expresses his admiration for Yi Rongrong's beauty, giving her a valuable ruby ring as he intends to propose.

Long Deshui then asks Hu if Yi Rongrong is betrothed, to which Hu falsely replies no, much to Yi Rongrong's silent fury. Yi Rongrong states that her father must make the final decision. Long Deshui then declares his intention to personally visit Director Yi, Yi Rongrong's father, to formally propose marriage. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang instinctively believes the Ice Crystal Qilin is located at Broken Head Cliff on Yangming Mountain and expresses her desire to search there again.

Fanzhen, aware of the treacherous terrain, tries to dissuade her, but Gu Haitang is resolute. After Gu Haitang departs, Fanzhen anxiously reports the situation to Lang Yuexuan, who immediately drives off to follow her. Gu Haitang endures great hardship to reach the cliff and successfully collects the Ice Crystal Qilin. Overjoyed, she suddenly slips, stepping on loose rocks, and falls into a ravine, losing consciousness. Back at the workshop, Long Mohua arrives looking for Gu Haitang.

Xinqiao intentionally misleads her, stating that Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan left together, which infuriates Long Mohua before she departs. Gu Haitang later awakens, finding herself in a glass house, which Lang Yuexuan reveals is his other home. Lang Yuexuan repeatedly scolds her for her dangerous adventure. Gu Haitang asks to see the Ice Crystal Qilin, which Lang Yuexuan promptly retrieves for her.

Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan then plant the Ice Crystal Qilin in the garden adjacent to the glass house, hoping its blossoms will heal Lang Yueming's facial injury. As Lang Yuexuan wipes dirt from Gu Haitang's hands with a handkerchief, their eyes meet, and both feel a mutual thrill, causing Gu Haitang to shy away. Lang Yuexuan later escorts Gu Haitang back to the Lang family's attic late in the evening.

As Gu Haitang returns his jacket, Lang Yuexuan reluctantly watches her depart. Miaolan witnesses this scene and is filled with deep resentment towards Gu Haitang. Yi Rongrong, unwilling to marry Long Deshui, discusses eloping with Deputy Officer Hu. However, Hu claims the timing is not yet right, citing unfinished business, and urges her to wait patiently.

Long Deshui, grateful for Hu's loyal service over the years, decides to promote him to an officer in a frontline unit and provide him with money and land, encouraging him to settle down. Hu attempts to confess his love for Yi Rongrong, but before he can, the butler presents the wedding gift list for the Yi family, prompting Long Deshui to immediately finalize his decision to marry Yi Rongrong. The next day, Miaolan encounters Long Mohua on the street.

Feigning congratulations regarding Long Mohua's relationship with Lang Yuexuan, Miaolan proceeds to maliciously gossip about Gu Haitang, claiming that she and Lang Yuexuan are unusually close, constantly together, and even returned home together last night, with Gu Haitang wearing Lang Yuexuan's clothes. Initially disbelieving, Long Mohua grows worried about the implications for the Lang family's reputation after Miaolan's suggestions, and Miaolan advises her to see for herself.

Long Mohua follows Gu Haitang to the garden where the Ice Crystal Qilin is planted (also referred to as Haitang Garden or the Broken Head Cliff area), where she finds Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan tending to the plant, with Gu Haitang asking Lang Yuexuan to grind other ingredients. Enraged by what she perceives as a romantic encounter, Long Mohua slaps Gu Haitang, accusing her of deception and seducing Lang Yuexuan.

Lang Yuexuan intervenes, stopping Long Mohua and explaining that feelings cannot be forced, angrily stating he never harbored feelings for Long Mohua and advising her to abandon her hopes. Long Mohua, distraught, calls them both liars and flees in anger. Lang Yuexuan attempts to comfort Gu Haitang, urging her not to take Long Mohua's words to heart. Gu Haitang, however, is too exhausted by the events.

She expresses her sole desire to see the Ice Crystal Qilin bloom, so she can cure Lang Yueming's face and permanently sever ties with the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan feels profoundly upset by her words, regretting how he has changed the once happy Gu Haitang. Overwhelmed with sorrow and a sense of betrayal, Gu Haitang blames Lang Yuexuan for deceiving her, pouring out all her grievances.

Lang Yuexuan tightly holds her hand, repeatedly apologizing, but Gu Haitang, unyielding, refuses to forgive him and forces him to leave. Alone, Gu Haitang continues to weep. As her bitter tears fall upon the Ice Crystal Qilin she holds, it instantly blossoms into a vibrant flower. Gu Haitang is both astonished and delighted, realizing that the coldest thing in the world is, in fact, her own bitter tears. Later that night, Deputy Officer Hu visits Yi Rongrong, proposing they elope.

However, Yi Rongrong expresses concern that an elopement would offer no guaranteed future security. She ultimately decides to marry Long Deshui, unwilling to burden her parents or jeopardize Hu's career, choosing to sacrifice their love to protect both families. Hu departs regretfully. Gu Haitang harvests the Ice Crystal Qilin flower and dedicates herself day and night in the laboratory to formulate a scar-removing ointment. Lang Yuexuan watches over her silently, his heart filled with tenderness.

After Gu Haitang's relentless efforts, she successfully creates the ointment. Long Deshui, with lavish gifts, arrives at the Yi family to propose, and despite Director Yi's hesitations about Long Deshui's multiple concubines, Long Deshui guarantees Yi Rongrong will be his main wife and manage all his vast family wealth, thereby setting the engagement without Director Yi's full agreement.

Yi Rongrong, seeing Hu's silence beside her during the proposal, is furious, but later back in her room, contemplating the ring and the prospect of family wealth, she feels conflicted. Feng Chunyan (Madame Lang), though hesitant due to potential side effects, considers testing its efficacy. Lang Yueming, however, volunteers to be the first to try it, expressing his complete trust in Gu Haitang.

Episode 19 Recap

Dragon Lord, eager to marry Yi Rongrong as his concubine, doted on her every whim and tried to appease Long Mohua, who strongly disapproved of Yi Rongrong and was openly hostile towards her. Yi Rongrong, taking advantage of Dragon Lord's affection, made demands, including converting Long Mohua's boudoir into her own dressing room and forcing Long Mohua to move. Yi Rongrong also demanded that Gu Haitang be her makeup artist for the wedding, to which Dragon Lord readily agreed.

Dragon Lord later placated Long Mohua, urging her to call Gu Haitang and even threatening to cut her monthly allowance, forcing Long Mohua to comply. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang diligently applied medicine to Lang Yueming's face daily, but it showed no improvement, leaving her anxious. Feng Chunyan threatened Gu Haitang, stating that if she failed to wholeheartedly cure Lang Yueming, she would never be allowed to leave the Lang family.

Miaolan, overhearing this, secretly resolved to ensure Gu Haitang remained trapped in the Lang family for life, just like herself. Later, Long Mohua reluctantly sought out Gu Haitang to apologize for past events; Gu Haitang, however, did not dwell on it, and the two reconciled. Long Mohua then relayed the Lang family's agreement for Gu Haitang to do the new concubine's makeup, revealing the concubine was Yi Rongrong.

At night, Miaolan brought food to Lang Yueming in the west attic, feigning concern and telling him she feared Gu Haitang's eagerness to cure him was solely motivated by a desire to leave the Lang family. Lang Yueming believed her words. Gu Haitang worried about the ineffectiveness of the ointment. Lang Yuexuan, in despair about his future, attempted to cut his wrist, seemingly a suicide attempt.

Gu Haitang arrived in time, saved him, and chastised him for attempting to escape his problems. Lang Yuexuan then confessed that he was trying to create a scar to personally test the scar-removing ointment and understand why Lang Yueming's treatment was failing. Gu Haitang acknowledged his dedication to his elder brother, though Lang Yuexuan stated his motivations were no longer solely for his brother.

Lang Yuexuan continued to apply the ointment to his self-inflicted wound, and after a week, it completely healed, proving its effectiveness. Gu Haitang was puzzled why Lang Yueming showed no similar improvement and worried he might be under pressure, asking Lang Yuexuan to keep a close eye on him. Meanwhile, Xinqiao reported the Lang family's recent situation to Shi Jizhou, informing him that Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang were researching methods to treat Lang Yueming's facial scars.

Fearing that Gu Haitang's success would make Lang Lichun (presumably the Lang family business) a sensation, Shi Jizhou decided he couldn't wait passively and resolved to act against Gu Haitang. Having learned that Yi Rongrong was allergic to daffodil bulb juice, Shi Jizhou instructed Xinqiao to secretly replace the cosmetic powder in Gu Haitang's makeup box with one containing this allergen.

His goal was for Gu Haitang to unknowingly apply it to Yi Rongrong, thereby provoking intense hatred between the Lang and Long families, from which Shi Jizhou hoped to profit. Xinqiao, initially afraid and unwilling, was forced to comply after Shi Jizhou threatened her parents' lives. Yi Rongrong, it turned out, was also allergic to cat fur. Dragon Lord, trying to appease her, sent her a fur shawl along with Long Mohua's beloved cat, Xiaohu.

Yi Rongrong's allergic reactions led Dragon Lord to demand Xiaohu be sent away. Long Mohua vehemently refused, but Dragon Lord ultimately persuaded her with reason and emotion, forcing her to give Xiaohu to Gu Haitang. Long Mohua was heartbroken and cried profusely at the thought of parting with her cat. As Gu Haitang took out her makeup box to touch up Long Mohua's makeup, Xiaohu suddenly ran off.

While Gu Haitang and Long Mohua chased after the cat, Xinqiao attempted to swap the cosmetic powder in Gu Haitang's makeup box, but Lang Yuexuan arrived looking for Gu Haitang, forcing Xinqiao to quickly hide. Xinqiao later found Xiaohu and returned him to Long Mohua. During their conversation, Xinqiao learned of Yi Rongrong's cat allergy and suggested to Long Mohua that they teach Yi Rongrong a lesson.

Xinqiao showed Long Mohua a box of fragrant powder, claiming it was a defective cosmetic from the workshop that caused intense itching when applied. Long Mohua, looking at the powder, got an idea. Dragon Lord later sent Yi Rongrong to the Lang family for a makeup trial, where Feng Chunyan personally welcomed her. Lang Qingqing, disliking Yi Rongrong's arrogant demeanor, secretly followed them to the dressing room.

Yi Rongrong initially praised Gu Haitang's makeup skills but then immediately mocked her, stating that Gu Haitang, like Yi Rongrong herself, married an "ugly man" for money and status. Gu Haitang retorted, emphasizing that even the best cosmetics could not conceal an ugly soul and warning Yi Rongrong to behave and not be blinded by temporary gains, or she would eventually suffer. Enraged, Yi Rongrong continued to mock Gu Haitang.

Lang Qingqing, having overheard the entire exchange, burst into the room and began fighting with Yi Rongrong. Feng Chunyan quickly intervened, severely scolding Lang Qingqing and repeatedly apologizing to Yi Rongrong. Yi Rongrong, directing her anger at Gu Haitang, stormed out. Lang Qingqing, still fuming, sat sulking in the pavilion. Miaolan came to comfort her and revealed that Lang Qingqing had once been blamed for drugging Gu Haitang.

Miaolan confessed that she was the one who had accidentally mixed up tonics, causing Gu Haitang to faint, and let Lang Qingqing take the blame. Wanting to use a similar method to prank Yi Rongrong, Lang Qingqing asked Miaolan for the tonic's recipe, which Miaolan confirmed would make anyone who consumed it faint. Despite her busy schedule assisting her mother in making Yi Rongrong's wedding dress, Gu Haitang designed the dress herself and sent it to Yi Rongrong.

Meanwhile, Hu Adjutan, unable to let go of Yi Rongrong, desperately urged her to elope with him, even offering to betray Dragon Lord. However, Yi Rongrong tearfully refused, stating she did not want to implicate her parents and that they could not escape Dragon Lord's powerful influence. She told Hu Adjutan she wanted to accept her fate and asked him to consider her selfish, leaving Hu Adjutan helpless.

Episode 20 Recap

On the wedding day of Yi Rongrong and Long Deshui, Long Deshui, dressed in military uniform, prepared to collect his bride, accompanied by Adjutant Zhang after Adjutant Hu feigned illness. Earlier, Gu Haitang had applied ointment to Lang Yueming’s face and then rushed to the Yi family residence. Upon noticing Lang Yueming had not worn his outerwear, she brought it to him, only to discover he had washed off the ointment.

Gu Haitang was stunned, realizing why his facial scars had shown no improvement, and he confessed his fear that she would leave him if his face healed. Heartbroken, Gu Haitang sternly rebuked him before leaving with her makeup box, although Lang Yueming later told her at the wedding that he would actively face his treatment.

Unbeknownst to Gu Haitang, while she was preoccupied, Lang Qingqing seized the opportunity to place a "secret recipe" or "poison powder" given to her by Miaolan into Gu Haitang's makeup box or powder. Separately, Long Mohua, exploiting the wedding distractions, either swapped a powder she had received from Xinqiao into Gu Haitang's powder box or covertly added an allergy-inducing powder to Gu Haitang's rouge. The wedding ceremony officially commenced after Gu Haitang finished Yi Rongrong’s makeup.

Shi Jizhou was among the guests, presenting lavish gifts. Yi Rongrong soon began to feel drowsy or groggy and retired to her room, calling Gu Haitang to provide a makeup touch-up. During this time, Yi Rongrong verbally abused Gu Haitang and mocked Lang Yueming’s appearance. Lang Yueming and Lang Qingqing arrived in the room and overheard the insults. Lang Qingqing, enraged, confronted Yi Rongrong.

Just as Long Deshui also entered the room, Yi Rongrong suddenly collapsed, having suffered an allergic reaction. In a fit of anger, Long Deshui immediately ordered Gu Haitang’s arrest and dispatched men to violently smash Langlichun, the Lang family’s business. Lang Yueming, losing all reason, desperately tried to save Gu Haitang but was restrained by Lang Yuexuan and Feng Chunyan. When Lang Sinian arrived, Feng Chunyan vehemently blamed Gu Haitang for the incident and for implicating the Lang family.

Lang Yueming fiercely argued with his mother, but Lang Sinian intervened, silencing Feng Chunyan and instructing Lang Yuexuan to investigate the matter thoroughly and find a solution. Concurrently, a large crowd gathered at the Lang residence, demanding compensation for Langlichun products.

Lang Yuexuan appeased them by declaring that Langlichun had been slandered, promising full refunds for all products purchased within the past year (regardless of use), and offering free gifts to everyone when the truth was revealed and the business reopened.

Meanwhile, Shi Jizhou proposed to the Kunyang Chamber of Commerce members that Lang Sinian be removed from his position as president, a motion that was unanimously supported, despite Lang Sinian’s insistence that Langlichun was framed but his lack of concrete evidence. Overwhelmed by worry, Lang Sinian fell gravely ill, and the heavy responsibility for the Lang family now fell upon Lang Yuexuan.

Feng Chunyan, anxious for the family's reputation, urged Lang Yuexuan to quickly clear Langlichun’s name and even suggested paying Gu Haitang to take full responsibility, a proposal Lang Yuexuan vehemently rejected, vowing to uncover the truth himself. Separately, Shi Jizhou coerced Xinqiao, by threatening her father, to spread rumors defaming Langlichun for selling toxic products. Lang Yuexuan visited Gu Haitang in prison.

Gu Haitang, concerned for her mother and brother Gu Xiahe, was reassured by Lang Yuexuan’s promise to care for them. Gu Haitang repeatedly emphasized the importance of Lang Yueming applying his medicine daily. Lang Yuexuan asked her to meticulously recall the wedding day's events for clues regarding Yi Rongrong’s collapse, but the mixed powders at the scene made immediate investigation difficult. Gu Haitang suggested investigating Yi Rongrong’s physical constitution and specific allergies.

Lang Yuexuan later discovered that Yi Rongrong was in critical condition at the hospital, suffering from severe edema and difficulty breathing, still not out of danger. Gu Haitang deduced that such severe consequences must stem from causes beyond a simple powder allergy, and Lang Yuexuan pledged to swiftly uncover the truth and clear her name. Meanwhile, Lang Qingqing, terrified by the severe repercussions of her prank, including Gu Haitang's imprisonment and the widespread chaos, sought advice from Miaolan.

Miaolan advised her to remain calm and dissuaded her from confessing, explaining it would only further implicate the Lang family and irrevocably ruin Lang Qingqing's life, leading to incarceration. Lang Qingqing reluctantly agreed to stay silent. Later, Gu Xiahe was subjected to bullying at school, with classmates mocking him as the brother of a murderer. He got into a fight, but Lang Qingqing arrived and chased the bullies away.

Deeply remorseful, Lang Qingqing tearfully apologized to Gu Xiahe, admitting she had tampered with Gu Haitang’s powder by adding "poison powder." Furious, Gu Xiahe dragged Lang Qingqing to Lang Yuexuan, where she confessed to him. Lang Yuexuan asked for the remaining poison powder, but Lang Qingqing stated it had all been used. Lang Yuexuan, noting that the poison only induces drowsiness, suspected there might be an additional substance that caused Yi Rongrong's severe allergic reaction.

When questioned about the source of the poison, Lang Qingqing, recalling Miaolan's warnings, lied that she purchased it from an itinerant quack, unwilling to implicate Miaolan or the Lang family. Gu Xiahe insisted on taking Lang Qingqing to the police to self-surrender, believing it would secure Gu Haitang’s release.

However, Lang Yuexuan vehemently stopped him, arguing that a confession would not only confirm Langlichun's alleged involvement in selling toxic products, further enraging Long Deshui, but also harm Gu Haitang's case and condemn Lang Qingqing. Gu Xiahe, convinced that Lang Yuexuan was protecting the Lang family, angrily left, determined to save Gu Haitang by himself. Separately, Lang Yueming attempted to intervene by blocking Long Deshui’s car to advocate for Gu Haitang. Long Deshui disregarded him, ordering his driver to speed away. Lang's guards confronted Lang Yueming, beating him and accidentally knocking off his seashell mask, startling them.

Episode 21 Recap

Lang Yueming returned home beaten and bruised by government soldiers, his face swollen, and the shell mask given to him by Gu Haitang shattered. While his mother, Feng Chunyan, was distressed by his injuries, Lang Yueming only regretted the broken mask. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang was imprisoned, accused of poisoning Yi Rongrong. Her brother, Gu Xiahe, visited her, revealing that Lang Qingqing had poisoned Yi Rongrong and suggesting Lang Qingqing should confess to free Gu Haitang.

However, Gu Haitang firmly refused, believing it would ruin Lang Qingqing's life and further incriminate the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan also visited Gu Haitang and overheard their conversation, feeling grateful for Gu Haitang's consideration for the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan suspected Lang Qingqing's poison would only cause drowsiness, not severe or fatal consequences, unless Yi Rongrong had an allergic constitution, prompting him to investigate further.

Gu Haitang learned that the Lang family's business, Lang Lichun, had been vandalized and forced to close by Long Deshui's men. Distressed, she requested to see Lang Yueming. Lang Sinian, the head of the Lang family, tried to appease Long Deshui, offering him ten percent of Lang Lichun's shares and a written pledge for twenty percent of all future earnings, hoping for time to uncover the truth and for leniency.

However, Long Deshui, whose intended bride Yi Rongrong was still in the hospital in critical condition, remained furious. He adamantly believed Gu Haitang was responsible and declared he would cut all ties with the Lang family, fearing public ridicule if he accepted money under such circumstances. To protect the Lang family, Feng Chunyan proposed issuing a divorce letter to Gu Haitang and publicizing it. Lang Sinian worried Lang Yueming would not agree.

Feng Chunyan then confronted Lang Yueming, arguing that Gu Haitang did not truly love him and urging him to abandon her to safeguard the family's interests. Lang Yueming, who was already aware of the divorce plan, found himself in a painful dilemma, unwilling to make Gu Haitang leave or bear the guilt, yet burdened by the responsibility for the Lang family's reputation. Lang Yueming visited Gu Haitang in prison.

Gu Haitang, noticing his injuries and the absence of his mask, deduced he had confronted Long Deshui. She then proposed a divorce herself, offering to bear all consequences and sever any connection with the Lang family. She also urged him to heal his face to restore the Lang family's prestige. Lang Yueming reluctantly agreed. Heartbroken, Lang Yueming wrote the divorce letter, tormented by memories of Gu Haitang. He handed the letter to Feng Chunyan, who was secretly pleased.

Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan attempted to see Long Mohua, but she consistently avoided him. Long Mohua, suspecting Xinqiao of instigating the poisoning, confronted her. Xinqiao denied involvement, pushed all blame onto Long Mohua, and threatened her, suggesting Long Mohua secretly desired to harm Gu Haitang to win Lang Yuexuan's affection. Long Deshui, regretting not listening to Long Mohua about marrying Yi Rongrong, lamented the chaos caused, with Yi Rongrong still in critical condition, her fate uncertain.

Following the divorce, Lang Yueming went to the police station and confessed to poisoning Yi Rongrong with "fragrant poison" because she had called him ugly. Long Deshui, enraged, called Lang Yueming ugly in return and threatened to kill him on the spot, but Lang Yueming showed no fear. Lang Yueming explained that the "fragrant poison" caused more severe symptoms in Yi Rongrong due to her allergic constitution and provided a packet of the poison to Long Deshui.

The police chief found Lang Yueming's confession credible, and Long Deshui vowed to kill Lang Yueming as retribution if Yi Rongrong died. Feng Chunyan, upon learning of Lang Yueming's self-surrender and subsequent imprisonment, became frantic and immediately dispatched Lang Yuexuan to gather information. It was later revealed that Lang Yueming had previously witnessed Miaolan poisoning Gu Haitang. When Yi Rongrong exhibited identical symptoms, he confronted Miaolan.

Miaolan confessed that she had orchestrated the poisoning by using Lang Qingqing's hand to administer the poison. Unwilling to implicate his own sister, Lang Yueming decided to take the blame himself. Gu Haitang was subsequently released, found innocent. She rushed back to the Lang family to understand the situation. Upon learning that Lang Yueming had confessed to clear her name, she discussed with Lang Yuexuan their immediate plan to find Yi Rongrong and investigate the true cause of her poisoning.

Lang Qingqing, filled with guilt, apologized to Gu Haitang and promised to do everything possible to free Lang Yueming. Lang Yuexuan remained perplexed, as the "fragrant poison" should only induce drowsiness or unconsciousness, not be life-threatening. However, Yi Rongrong's private doctor adamantly insisted the "fragrant poison" was the cause. Gu Xiahe also suspected foul play, believing someone had tampered with Gu Haitang's cosmetic box. Gu Haitang recalled leaving her cosmetic box unattended during the wedding.

To uncover the truth, they decided that Gu Xiahe and Lang Qingqing would investigate the private doctor, while Lang Yuexuan would independently seek information from Long Mohua, as Gu Haitang could not appear publicly.

Episode 22 Recap

Lang Yuexuan questioned Long Mohua about who approached Gu Haitang's makeup box. Mohua, attempting to conceal her panic, denied entering the dressing room or seeing anyone else. Yuexuan, sensing she was hiding something, pressed her, appealing to her friendship with Gu Haitang, but Mohua remained silent and dismissed him. Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe, posing as Yi Rongrong's distant cousin, secretly entered her hospital room where Yi Rongrong lay in a coma.

He tried to ask the attending doctor about the cause of her illness, but the doctor, alert and wary, refused to disclose any information, especially concerning allergies. Unable to get answers, Gu Xiahe and Lang Qingqing decided to find other methods. They tracked the doctor, observing him with a prostitute named Lou Yifeng while shopping, and then followed Lou Yifeng as she surreptitiously entered the Shi family's back door.

They reported their findings to Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang, who understood the Shi family's involvement but felt a crucial link was missing. Lang Qingqing then used money to persuade Lou Yifeng, who revealed she had sold information about Yi Rongrong's allergy to daffodil bulb juice to the Shi family. Lang Yuexuan concluded that Shi Jizhou was the mastermind, though the actual poisoner was someone else.

Lacking solid physical evidence to secure a conviction, Lang Qingqing wanted to report Shi Jizhou to the authorities, but Lang Yuexuan decided to use public opinion to pressure the Shi family. Lang Yuexuan leaked the full truth about Shi Jizhou's scheme to frame Yi Rongrong to editor Li, who promptly published it as a sensational news story. The city buzzed with discussions. Shi Diwen brought the newspaper to Shi Jizhou, who, already vexed by the news, scolded and dismissed him.

Shi Diwen, missing Lang Yuexuan, sought him out and even claimed his father wouldn't commit such an act, but Lang Yuexuan ignored him and left. Shi Diwen subsequently drank heavily, returning home drunk, which greatly infuriated Shi Jizhou. Unable to withstand the pressure, Shi Jizhou bribed a wedding day waiter (a young man) to take the blame. The waiter falsely claimed he had previously worked for the Yi family, was fired for a mistake, and poisoned Yi Rongrong in revenge.

Deputy Hu immediately recognized the fabrication and urged Long Deshui to support Yi Rongrong and find the real culprit. However, Long Deshui, annoyed and preoccupied with the situation, dismissed Deputy Hu. Uncle Quan reported these developments to Lang Sinian and Lang Yuexuan. Lang Yuexuan wanted to continue investigating the truth, but Lang Sinian advised against pursuing a desperate enemy and decided not to pursue the matter further. Meanwhile, Yi Rongrong finally awoke from her coma.

She first saw Deputy Hu and was deeply touched. Long Deshui, receiving news of Yi Rongrong's awakening, was overjoyed. However, Long Mohua strongly disagreed with ending the investigation. She confronted her father, Long Deshui, with a photo of her late mother, accusing him of caring only for Yi Rongrong and forgetting his own daughter, adamantly refusing to let him investigate further.

Long Deshui tried to persuade her, but in his joy over Yi Rongrong's recovery, he decided not to pursue the matter further. With Lang Yueming released, Lang Lichun reopened, but lingering negative rumors continued to affect its business. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang independently conceived a plan to restore Lang Lichun's reputation: Gu Haitang would publicly treat Lang Yueming's facial scars. Haitang worried Yueming might not agree.

She visited Yueming, thanked him for saving her, and affirmed her deep friendship, encouraging him to embrace a new life. Yueming acknowledged that Gu Haitang had never loved him and decided to let go, revealing he had already prepared a divorce letter for her. After Haitang left, Lang Yuexuan approached Lang Yueming to propose openly treating his face at the Lang Lichun shop. Lang Yueming agreed for the sake of Gu Haitang and the Lang family.

However, Feng Chunyan strongly objected, fearing public shame for Yueming, especially since previous treatments had not been successful. Lang Yueming explained that his previous lack of cooperation was the reason for the ineffectiveness, and now he trusted Gu Haitang could cure him. Lang Yuexuan emphasized that this was a crucial opportunity to revitalize Lang Lichun. Persuaded, Lang Sinian reluctantly agreed to let them try, declaring that the future of Lang Lichun's business would depend on his two sons.

Lang Yuexuan convened a press conference at the entrance of Lang Lichun, publicly announcing the demonstration of the scar cream's efficacy. Shi Jizhou and Shi Diwen were among the attendees. Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan also arrived. Encouraged by Gu Haitang, Lang Yueming bravely removed his mask, revealing his face to the assembled crowd, who immediately began discussing.

As Gu Haitang began applying the ointment to Yueming's face, Shi Jizhou watched intently, finding her technique strikingly similar to Gu Jiaqi's, which filled him with suspicion. He also vaguely felt Haitang resembled someone from his memory. Just as Haitang was about to apply the medicine, Long Deshui and Long Mohua arrived, expressing their support.

Long Deshui stated that he had never believed the Lang family was responsible and wished to reconcile with them, then exchanged greetings with Lang Sinian before they went inside for tea, an observation that infuriated Shi Jizhou. After Gu Haitang finished applying the ointment, Lang Yueming replaced his mask, and Lang Yuexuan announced that the results would be evident in a few days.

Episode 23 Recap

Long Deshui praises Lang Yueming for bravely saving Gu Haitang and expresses his wish that Long Mohua could find a man who loved her as much. Feng Chunyan, claiming to treat Long Mohua as a daughter, encourages Lang Yuexuan to interact more with her, but Lang Yuexuan insists on pursuing love freely. To avoid awkwardness, Long Mohua takes Gu Haitang away to chat.

She apologizes to Gu Haitang for not helping her sooner and expresses her desire to be good friends, acknowledging she had misunderstood her. Gu Haitang clarifies that she and Lang Yuexuan are only friends and have no other relationship. Long Mohua feels suppressed by Lang Yuexuan's avoidance and laments to Gu Haitang that Lang Yuexuan prevents them from being true friends, though Gu Haitang offers comforting words. That night, Long Mohua, out of pique, drinks heavily.

Encountering Long Deshui upon her return, she is scolded for drowning her sorrows. Long Deshui promises to find her a better man, but Long Mohua only has Lang Yuexuan in her heart. In her room, she confides in her maid, Xiaoyu, expressing worry that if Gu Haitang cures Lang Yueming's face, Gu Haitang will regain her freedom, potentially allowing her and Lang Yuexuan to be together. Xiaoyu suggests Long Mohua speak directly with Lang Yuexuan.

Meanwhile, Long Deshui discovers his concubine, Yi Rongrong, having an affair with Hu Fuchuan. When Long Deshui confronts them, Hu Fuchuan flees in a panic after Long Deshui shoots at him. Long Mohua arranges a meeting with Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan but is late. Lang Yuexuan, still harboring suspicions about Long Mohua, decides to leave. Outside, he witnesses Long Mohua being kidnapped by a group of people and rushes to save her.

Gu Haitang, hearing the commotion, also joins the attempt, but all three – Lang Yuexuan, Gu Haitang, and Long Mohua – are captured and forced into a car by the kidnappers. The kidnapping is orchestrated by Hu Fuchuan, who intended to use Long Mohua as leverage against Long Deshui but unexpectedly captured Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang as well. Upon learning of his daughter's abduction, Long Deshui immediately sets out to rescue her.

Inside the kidnappers' hideout, Lang Yuexuan unties himself, ambushes a guard to seize a gun, and helps Gu Haitang and Long Mohua escape. He decides to distract Hu Fuchuan to allow the two women to flee. However, Gu Haitang and Long Mohua are caught by Hu Fuchuan shortly after running some distance. Long Deshui arrives with soldiers and demands Hu Fuchuan release Long Mohua. Hu Fuchuan proposes exchanging her for Yi Rongrong. Long Deshui complies, releasing Yi Rongrong.

Yet, Hu Fuchuan further demands Long Deshui kneel and apologize. As Long Deshui is about to kneel, Lang Yuexuan intervenes, knocking Hu Fuchuan to the ground. In the ensuing chaos, Yi Rongrong is killed by stray bullets, and Hu Fuchuan, while attempting to escape, falls off a cliff to his death. Lang Yuexuan escorts Gu Haitang home.

Lang Yueming, learning of the incident, angrily reprimands Lang Yuexuan for endangering Gu Haitang, emphasizing that no one else is as important to him as she is. Lang Yuexuan repeatedly apologizes. Later, Long Deshui and Long Mohua host a banquet to thank Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang for saving them. During the dinner, Long Deshui, emboldened by alcohol, attempts to arrange a marriage between Lang Yuexuan and Long Mohua.

Lang Yuexuan politely declines, explicitly stating he does not like Long Mohua and sees her only as a sister. Enraged, Long Deshui attempts to strike Lang Yuexuan but is stopped by Long Mohua, and leaves the dinner without eating. Afterwards, Long Mohua is upset by her father's coercion, though Long Deshui later offers gentle persuasion and supports her pursuit of the person she likes, despite her preference to rely on her own efforts.

After the kidnapping incident, everyone's lives gradually return to calm. Lang Yueming actively cooperates with his facial treatment, and he and Lang Yuexuan grow closer, with Lang Yuexuan often accompanying him to play chess and chat. As the day for the public reveal of the treatment's effectiveness approaches, Gu Haitang becomes both excited and extremely nervous, despite her attempts to calm Lang Yueming.

The next morning, a large crowd and reporters gather outside Lang Lichun for the highly anticipated reveal ceremony. Lang Yuexuan announces its start. Gu Haitang removes Lang Yueming's mask and bandages, revealing his face completely healed, without any scars. The crowd expresses amazement and cheers. Lang Yueming confirms the result with a mirror. Lang Yueming, Lang Yuexuan, and Lang Qingqing, as well as the entire Lang family, are overjoyed by the successful treatment.

Lang Yueming confidently meets Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan, who are emotionally overwhelmed and repeatedly confirm his complete recovery, expressing profound gratitude to Gu Haitang. Shi Jizhou, witnessing the scene, is furious. News of the healing quickly spreads across Kunyang City. Lang Yueming, however, feels conflicted; while happy, he is worried Gu Haitang will leave. During the family celebration, Lang Yueming urges Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan to fulfill their promise to Gu Haitang.

Feng Chunyan reluctantly hands Gu Haitang the severance letter, hoping she will not approach Lang Yueming again. That night, Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan host a celebratory banquet for Gu Haitang, toasting her. Lang Yueming interjects, insisting they fulfill their promise before further celebration. After the dinner, Lang Sinian speaks to Gu Haitang privately, thanking her for saving Lang Lichun and trying to persuade her to stay and help. Gu Haitang politely declines, admitting she does not like Lang Yueming.

Lang Sinian, no longer pushing her to stay, inquires about the secret to the successful treatment. Gu Haitang reveals the main ingredient was 'Ice Crystal Qilin,' which she had found by chance. She still insists on making her own decision to leave.

It is revealed that Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan had previously made a pact: once Gu Haitang successfully cured Lang Yueming's face and was free from her obligations (received the severance letter), the two brothers would openly and fairly compete for her affection.

As Gu Haitang packs her luggage to leave the Lang family, both Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming come to see her off, with both brothers having resolved to pursue her, as Lang Yuexuan clarifies his feelings and doesn't want to let her go, and Lang Yueming also resolves to pursue her again.

Episode 24 Recap

Gu Haitang returns home with her divorce papers, much to the delight of her brother, Gu Xiahe. However, mindful of her mother's illness, Gu Haitang only tells her mother she is back to live at home, making vague excuses to avoid further questions, after which her mother busies herself preparing dinner. Lang Lichun's business has fully recovered and is flourishing, attracting endless customers, ever since Gu Haitang publicly cured Lang Yueming's facial scar.

Lang Yuexuan and Uncle Quan are pleased to witness its success. Shi Jizhou, on the other hand, is furious that his extensive plans have not only failed but have inadvertently boosted Lang Lichun's reputation. Unwilling to accept defeat, he rejects Xin Qiao's suggestion to exploit the love triangle between Gu Haitang, Long Mohua, and Lang Yuexuan, fearing Xin Qiao's exposure. Instead, he instructs Xin Qiao to bide her time, gain the Lang family's trust, and investigate Gu Haitang's background.

Shi Jizhou, consumed by anger, unleashes his frustrations on Shi Diwen when the latter returns home, leaving Shi Diwen bewildered. Earlier, Shi Diwen had a brief encounter with Xin Qiao, finding her somewhat familiar. Feeling bored, Gu Haitang wanders to the glass house under Broken Cliff (also referred to as Haitang Garden), where she unexpectedly meets Lang Yuexuan. A spark ignites between them.

Lang Yuexuan encourages her not to abandon her dreams and invites her back to work at Lang Lichun. After careful consideration, Gu Haitang decides to return. Upon her arrival at the workshop, Master Shang promotes Xin Qiao to team leader. Lang Yuexuan then tasks Gu Haitang and the other female workers with developing the Lang family's exclusive "Wild Goose Rouge." Despite Lang Yuexuan's frequent attempts to help her, Gu Haitang maintains a certain distance from him.

Lang Yueming, having prepared a new outfit, visits Long Mohua to seek her advice, revealing his intention to compete with Lang Yuexuan in pursuing Gu Haitang. Long Mohua, seeing this as an opportunity for herself, readily agrees to help. She assists him in choosing a suitable outfit and orchestrates a meeting between Lang Yueming and Gu Haitang at a Western restaurant.

During their date, Lang Yueming, being unfamiliar with the outside world, clumsily struggles with his steak, prompting Gu Haitang to help him cut it. Afterward, Lang Yueming, bearing lavish gifts, accompanies Gu Haitang home to visit her mother, whom Gu Haitang introduces to him simply as a friend. Admiring Gu's mother's tailoring skills, Lang Yueming requests that she make him a suit.

As Gu's mother prepares to take measurements, Lang Yuexuan unexpectedly emerges from an inner room, leading Gu's mother to mistakenly believe he is Gu Haitang's husband. Gu Haitang, seeing Lang Yuexuan, forcefully escorts him out of the house. Meanwhile, Feng Chunyan (Lang's wife) and Miaolan wait for the Lang men to return for dinner. Miaolan maliciously insinuates that both Lang brothers are out pursuing Gu Haitang. Feng Chunyan then orders Uncle Quan to call Lang Yuexuan back.

After dinner, Gu Haitang walks Lang Yueming out, during which he seizes the opportunity to confess his feelings. Lang Yuexuan, who has been waiting nearby, witnesses this. While listening to Lang Yueming, Gu Haitang's gaze drifts towards Lang Yuexuan, and she gets something in her eye. Lang Yueming checks her eye. Observing their seemingly intimate moment, Lang Yuexuan departs in anger and jealousy. After Gu Haitang sees Lang Yueming off, she returns to find Lang Yuexuan has vanished.

The next morning, Gu Haitang learns from Uncle Quan that Lang Yuexuan did not return home overnight. Anxious, she rushes to Broken Cliff (or Haitang Garden), where she discovers Lang Yuexuan. She reproaches him for leaving without a word, but he explains he was there to refine the Wild Goose Rouge formula by burning charcoal. Lang Yuexuan then takes the opportunity to confess his love to Gu Haitang.

Gu Haitang does not respond, and as she prepares to leave, he calls out his love to her from afar, but she does not look back and quickly departs. Long Mohua continues to provide Lang Yueming with ideas. Lang Yueming is inspired to propose to Gu Haitang during the upcoming Rouge Peach Blossom Festival. He proactively volunteers to Lang Sinian (Lang's boss) to supervise the festival's flower floats.

Pleased with his initiative, Lang Sinian assigns him the task, advising him to consult Uncle Quan. Lang Yueming decides to personally design the float, specifically incorporating "Haitang Red" into its design, and intends to choose the Peach Blossom Fairy himself. He learns from Uncle Quan that the fairy hasn't been chosen yet and immediately has someone in mind. Gu's mother works tirelessly, day and night, making costumes for the festival.

Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe is observed making a windmill for Lang Qingqing, with Gu Haitang noticing his budding affection for Lang Qingqing. Long Mohua visits Gu Haitang, presenting her with a box of "Wishing Flowery" eggs, explaining that it is a festival custom to write wishes on them and place them in the river to ensure their fulfillment.

Gu Haitang carefully writes her wishes on the egg, drawing pictures, hoping to find her father soon and to sever her ties with both Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming. Lang Yueming invites Gu Haitang to be the Peach Blossom Fairy, but Gu Haitang declines, citing that she is not a local of Kunyang and strongly recommends Long Mohua instead. Concurrently, Feng Chunyan (Lang's wife) is making prayer lanterns for the festival.

When Miaolan attempts to touch them with colored paper, Feng Chunyan reprimands her, calling her unlucky and forbidding her from touching any festival items, which deeply resents Miaolan. Feng Chunyan also recommends Long Mohua for the Peach Blossom Fairy role. Recalling Gu Haitang's suggestion, Lang Yueming is inclined to agree and ultimately chooses Long Mohua.

Episode 25 Recap

Shi Jizhou pressured Shi Diwen to pursue Long Mohua and invited her to be the Shi family's Peach Blossom Fairy. Shi Diwen went to Long Deshui with gifts, and Long Deshui agreed. However, Long Mohua had already promised to be the Lang family's Peach Blossom Fairy and strongly rejected Shi Diwen's offer. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan worked day and night developing the "Wild Goose Rouge."

He found its scent lacked purity and still had a "firework scent," leading him to switch from hardwood charcoal to "diamond wood," though he still felt it wasn't perfect. Shang Shifu found Lang Yuexuan sleeping in the workshop and woke him, praising his dedication and conviction that the Lang family's rouge business would flourish under him. The Peach Blossom Festival was a grand event, drawing out all the citizens of Kunyang. Lang Yueming brought his meticulously crafted flower float.

Long Mohua, however, was terrified by the prospect of standing high atop the float due to her acrophobia and repeatedly failed to climb onto it. Lang Yuexuan, having been preoccupied with rouge development, was unaware Long Mohua was the Lang family's Peach Blossom Fairy until Shi Diwen jokingly mentioned the Lang family had "stolen" his family's flower fairy.

Lang Yuexuan then asked Shi Diwen if he genuinely liked Long Mohua, to which Shi Diwen admitted, and Lang Yuexuan encouraged him to continue pursuing her. Gu Haitang brought the flower fairy gown. Seeing Long Mohua's inability to board the float, Lang Yuexuan proposed Gu Haitang take her place as the Lang family's Peach Blossom Fairy, noting their similar build.

Gu Haitang agreed, changed into the gown, and stood on the tall float, radiating beauty amidst the vibrant flowers, drawing admiring gasps from the crowd. A dozen strong men slowly carried the float, accompanied by Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming. Gu Haitang scattered petals from her flower basket, while other flower fairies scattered grains to pave the way. Suddenly, the lead bearer slipped on scattered soybeans, causing the flower float to sway dangerously.

Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming quickly grabbed the sedan poles to steady it, but those behind them also fell. As the float threatened to topple, Lang Yuexuan bravely climbed onto it and embraced Gu Haitang, stabilizing the float. The crowd applauded their actions, and Long Mohua watched with envy. During the festival, Gu Xiahe and Lang Qingqing happily played together, with Gu Xiahe buying Lang Qingqing a windmill.

Feng Chunyan sent maids to deliver flower lanterns to Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming. The maids repeatedly warned against Miaolan touching the lanterns, as she was a widow and considered unlucky. Miaolan, feigning to have left her handkerchief, deliberately took the opportunity to handle and manipulate the lanterns. The final ceremony of the Peach Blossom Festival was prayer at the temple. Long Mohua was eager to participate.

Lang Yuexuan waited for his mother to send his and Lang Yueming's flower lanterns. Miaolan and a maid soon arrived with them. Lang Yuexuan gave his lantern to Gu Haitang, affirming that as the Lang family's Peach Blossom Fairy, she was qualified to make offerings for the Lang family's prosperity. Miaolan objected, claiming Gu Haitang, having been repudiated, was unqualified, or that only Lang family members could carry the lantern. Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming disregarded her.

As the auspicious moment arrived, the temple gates opened, and people rushed in with their lanterns. Long Mohua was pushed down in the crowded temple but was helped up by Shi Diwen. Gu Haitang was also squeezed into the temple, and in the chaos, the candle in her lantern tilted and set the lantern ablaze. Terrified, Gu Haitang accidentally knocked over some ancestral tablets. Lang Yuexuan rushed in, extinguished the burning lantern, and helped Gu Haitang aside.

While righting the fallen tablets, Gu Haitang was stunned to see a memorial tablet bearing her father, Gu Shunqi's, name. Distraught, Gu Haitang left the side hall and asked a young monk about the tablets, learning they were placed by the deceased's family. She realized her father had passed away, which shattered her, as she had come to Kunyang to find him. She returned home, looking at a family photograph and weeping sorrowfully as she remembered happier times.

When her mother and Gu Xiahe arrived home, Gu Haitang asked her mother to rest and privately informed Gu Xiahe of their father's death. Gu Xiahe cried mournfully, and Gu Haitang resolved to find the person who placed the tablet to discover the cause of her father's death, asking Gu Xiahe to keep it secret from their mother. While strolling in the garden, Feng Chunyan and Miaolan overheard servants praising Lang Yueming's charm at the festival.

Seeing Feng Chunyan's displeasure, Miaolan seized the opportunity to fan the flames, mentioning Gu Haitang's role as the replacement flower fairy and speaking ill of her. Miaolan also feigned concern that Lang Yueming might be led astray by Gu Haitang or unable to compete with her. Enraged, Feng Chunyan decided to arrange a suitable marriage for Lang Yueming, setting her sights on Long Mohua due to her family's prestige.

Feng Chunyan found Lang Yueming, who was holding a lotus cake, intending to give it to Gu Haitang. She instructed him to stop pursuing Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming claimed his sole focus was on his work, which pleased Feng Chunyan, who then stated she would speak to Lang Sinian. Feng Chunyan proposed to Lang Sinian that Lang Yueming take over the "Lang Li Chun" business.

Lang Sinian initially felt Lang Yuexuan was managing it well, but Feng Chunyan argued emotionally that Lang Yuexuan was an adopted son, and the Lang family now owed it to Lang Yueming to support him, as they had already done enough for Lang Yuexuan. Lang Sinian was persuaded and agreed to familiarize Lang Yueming with the business affairs. Through Lang Yuexuan's persistent efforts, he successfully developed the "Wild Goose Rouge," using musk to fix the fragrance.

However, Gu Haitang discovered the musk could cause miscarriages in pregnant women and suggested a warning be printed on the packaging. Lang Yuexuan expressed his desire to continue improving the formula so it could be safely used by everyone. Lang Sinian later brought Lang Yueming to the workshop to learn rouge making and instructed Shang Shifu to guide him. Shang Shifu voiced concerns about potential sibling rivalry, but Lang Sinian dismissed them, confident in his sons' deep bond.

In other events, Long Deshui's favorite concubine, Hong Xiu, became pregnant. She pressured him to make her his legitimate wife, but Long Deshui had previously sworn to Long Mohua's mother that he would only ever have Long Mohua and that no other concubines would bear him children. Despite this, the concubine was determined to give birth.

Episode 26 Recap

Long Deshui's concubine, Red Sleeve, becomes pregnant. Initially, Long Deshui wants her to abort, as he had previously promised his daughter, Long Mohua, that no concubines would have more children. However, Red Sleeve insists the child is a boy and she intends to keep it, which delights Long Deshui. He then abandons the abortion idea but worries about Long Mohua's reaction.

Red Sleeve attempts to reveal her pregnancy to Long Mohua while Long Deshui is discussing marriage with her, but Long Deshui quickly intervenes and sends Long Mohua away. Long Mohua, carrying crabs, arrives at the Lang family and encounters Lang Qingqing, who is on her way to the Langlichun workshop to see her two brothers, Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan.

Lang Qingqing informs Long Mohua that her brothers are now working there and it's quite lively, so Long Mohua joins her. Shi Diwen secretly follows them to Langlichun. At the workshop, Long Mohua suggests a gathering to celebrate Lang Yueming's official entry. Lang Yuexuan invites Fan Zhen and Gu Haitang; Fan Zhen politely declines, but Gu Haitang, unable to refuse the invitation, joins the celebration.

Lang Yueming proposes selling Langlichun's products internationally, an idea inspired by Gu Haitang's makeup box, and everyone agrees, believing that if foreign goods can enter the country, their own can also go abroad. After the celebration, Lang Yueming privately tells Lang Yuexuan that he is not at the workshop to compete for family property but because of Gu Haitang.

Lang Yuexuan, who is an adopted son but feels treated as family, assures Lang Yueming that he is not upset and promises to work cooperatively with him in managing the workshop. Lang Yuexuan also hopes Lang Yueming will always trust him to be on his side. Later, Lang Yuexuan, under the influence of alcohol, confides in Lang Sinian (his father) that both he and Lang Yueming love Gu Haitang and have made a pact to compete for her fairly.

Lang Sinian is surprised by their deep entanglement over a woman, finding their actions childish and disregarding Gu Haitang's feelings. He advises them to adopt a long-term perspective and recounts his own past, where he loved a Lang family maid who was sent away when he married Feng Chunyan (his wife). Lang Yuexuan expresses hope that Lang Sinian will understand his situation.

Red Sleeve later actively seeks out Long Mohua, informing her of the pregnancy and pleading to be allowed to keep the child, fearing she will have nothing when she grows old and Long Deshui finds new favorites. Long Mohua initially refuses, fearing she would lose Long Deshui's favor and not wanting to compete for family property.

However, after learning Red Sleeve cried all night and reflecting on her own harshness, Long Mohua suddenly develops a desire for a sibling, envying Gu Haitang for having a younger brother. She approaches Long Deshui, realizes he genuinely wants another child, and agrees to let Red Sleeve have the baby, but only after Long Deshui promises that all family property will be hers. Long Deshui is overjoyed, bows to Long Mohua, and eagerly shares the good news with Red Sleeve.

Feng Chunyan (Lang Sinian's wife) continues to try to matchmake Long Mohua and Lang Yueming, but Lang Yueming is not interested, declining her suggestions by citing workshop commitments. Shi Jizhou finds his son, Shi Diwen, drunk at home. Shi Diwen expresses his genuine desire to pursue Long Mohua but feels the gap between them is too large. Shi Jizhou harshly scolds him and compels him to pursue Long Mohua by any means necessary. Long Mohua frequently visits Feng Chunyan.

During one visit, Long Mohua brings a silk scarf and unintentionally reveals that the peach blossom lanterns, which Gu Haitang had offered, were all burned. Feng Chunyan, angered by this news, calls Miaolan, who places all the blame on Gu Haitang. Long Mohua then observes Lang Yueming preparing a hand warmer for Gu Haitang and encourages Lang Yueming to pursue Gu Haitang, believing this would naturally lead to her own relationship with Lang Yuexuan.

Gu Haitang frequently visits the temple (or Buddha hall) but consistently fails to encounter anyone worshipping her father's plaque. Similarly, Gu Xiahe also often visits the temple but never sees anyone worshipping his father's plaque. Returning late from the temple, Gu Haitang is deliberately challenged by Xinqiao at the workshop. Lang Yuexuan covers for Gu Haitang by falsely claiming they were together searching for spices. However, Xinqiao insists Gu Haitang manually sort and clean flower petals, which Gu Haitang performs.

Meanwhile, the female workers at Langlichun debate and compare Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming, with Xinqiao disparaging both brothers. Xinqiao quickly hides when Master Shang and Lang Yueming arrive. Lang Yueming, upon reviewing Langlichun's account books, discovers that costs, particularly the expensive official kiln ceramic bottles used for rouge packaging, constitute a large portion of profits. Master Shang explains that these bottles are a family tradition, passed down through generations, and believed to guarantee quality, whereas ordinary packaging might not.

Prioritizing profit maximization, Lang Yueming insists on switching to cheaper, ordinary ceramic bottles. He instructs Master Shang to keep this change secret from Lang Sinian and promises to bear all consequences. Later, Lang Yuexuan discovers customer complaints about Langlichun's rouge packaging, including damaged and leaking boxes, and learns from the shopkeeper/housekeeper that Lang Yueming made the unauthorized decision to change the ceramic bottles. Lang Yuexuan immediately confronts Lang Yueming about this.

After work, Lang Yuexuan brings Gu Haitang ointment for her swollen hands. Lang Yueming also brings her exquisite pastries and a hand warmer. Gu Haitang is put in an awkward position and initially reluctant to accept any gifts. Lang Yuexuan calls Lang Yueming away, causing Lang Yueming to directly place the hand warmer in Gu Haitang's hands before leaving. Gu Haitang ultimately goes home without accepting the other gifts.

Episode 27 Recap

Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming clashed over Lang Yueming's decision to change the packaging of Langli Chun's rouge. Lang Yuexuan vehemently argued that these changes, made for cost reduction and small profits, would damage the brand's reputation and quality. Lang Yueming, however, countered that profitability was paramount and also criticized Lang Yuexuan's excessive spending on the research and development department. Their argument escalated until Lang Sinian intervened, summoning both brothers.

Lang Sinian sided with Lang Yuexuan, emphasizing the importance of Langli Chun's brand name. He reprimanded Lang Yueming, instructing him to consult Lang Yuexuan before making future decisions and to promptly restore all the original packaging to salvage the brand's reputation. Meanwhile, Long Mohua visited the Lang family, distributing small gifts to the maids, who subsequently became quite obedient to her. Feng Chunyan, delighted by Long Mohua's presence, warmly invited her to stay for dinner.

Long Mohua offered to cook personally, and Feng Chunyan had Miaolan accompany her to the kitchen. There, Long Mohua inquired about Lang Yuexuan's culinary preferences. Miaolan claimed that Lang Yuexuan liked whatever Gu Haitang liked. Long Mohua, knowing that Gu Haitang couldn't eat spicy food while Lang Yuexuan could, immediately recognized Miaolan's lie. She confronted Miaolan directly about her feelings for Lang Yuexuan, sternly warning her to abandon any inappropriate thoughts.

Long Mohua further cautioned that if Miaolan dared to harbor such desires, she would have to leave the Lang family, or, as a "sister-in-law," she would only be qualified to like Lang Yuexuan if she were to leave the Lang family like Gu Haitang. Miaolan, though angered, dared not voice her resentment. Returning to the workshop, Lang Yueming remained silent and worked diligently, visibly disheartened. Lang Yuexuan asked Gu Haitang to comfort him and give him a chance.

Gu Haitang reassured Lang Yueming, emphasizing that his earlier actions, despite being misguided in their execution, ultimately reaffirmed Langli Chun's credibility and reputation. This conversation enlightened Lang Yueming, who suddenly conceived an idea: to make Gu Haitang the image spokesperson for Langli Chun, creating promotional posters similar to foreign magazines and expanding the rouge's sales overseas. Gu Haitang encouraged his initiative and agreed to consider his suggestion.

Later, after work, Gu Haitang informed Lang Yuexuan of Lang Yueming's idea, and Lang Yuexuan immediately agreed, deciding to ask Shi Diwen for help in finding a suitable photographer. Long Mohua prepared an elaborate dinner, earning high praise for her cooking from Feng Chunyan. However, neither Lang Sinian nor Lang Yueming returned home to eat. Feng Chunyan seized the opportunity to try and matchmake Long Mohua with Lang Yueming.

Long Mohua knew that Lang Yueming's heart belonged to Gu Haitang, and her own affections were for Lang Yuexuan. Yet, Feng Chunyan believed Lang Yuexuan to be unreliable due to his "playboy" nature. Long Mohua, not wanting to contradict Feng Chunyan directly, skillfully changed the subject. Later, while strolling in the Lang family garden, Long Mohua encountered Lang Yueming, who casually mentioned the plan to find a spokesperson for posters.

Lang Yuexuan then arrived, ready to discuss the photoshoot with Lang Yueming, having already informed Lang Sinian, who agreed to the plan. Long Mohua promptly volunteered to be Langli Chun's spokesperson, but Lang Yueming informed her that Gu Haitang had already been chosen. Feeling indignant, Long Mohua immediately went to her father, Long Deshui, late that night, seeking his help to find the best foreign designer, vowing to surpass Gu Haitang.

Long Deshui swiftly found a foreign designer who first required Long Mohua to overcome her acrophobia through intensive training. On the day of the photoshoot, Shi Diwen had arranged for a photographer. Gu Haitang, wearing a formal dress and high heels for the first time, felt very uncomfortable; her movements were stiff, and her expressions tense, despite many attempts. Lang Yuexuan encouraged her to relax.

At that moment, Long Mohua made a stunning entrance, dressed in a magnificent gown and bright red high heels, instantly captivating everyone's attention. She publicly declared her challenge for Langli Chun's image spokesperson position. Long Mohua, poised and graceful, quickly completed her photoshoot to the photographer's satisfaction, even cleverly resolving a minor issue at the last minute. Subsequently, large posters of Long Mohua were displayed at the entrance of the Langli Chun shop, receiving widespread admiration from customers.

The position of president for the Kunyang Chamber of Commerce was vacant. Long Deshui attended the election meeting and, amidst varying opinions, proposed that the individual who won the grand prize at the International Rouge Exhibition should be appointed president. Lang Sinian was the first to endorse this decision, and all others agreed. Following the meeting, Long Deshui spoke privately with Lang Sinian, highly commending Long Mohua's posters for the Lang family.

Shi Jizhou then joined them, persistently questioning Lang Sinian about which product he intended to submit for the exhibition. Lang Sinian evaded the question, remaining undeterred by Shi Jizhou's subsequent threats. Lang Yuexuan planned to enter his "Hongyan Rouge" into the exhibition and was extremely busy with its development.

Lang Yueming proposed using Hongyan Rouge as the exhibition product, but Lang Yuexuan revealed it still had flaws; specifically, he had not yet found a suitable substitute for musk and feared it could lead to miscarriages if used by customers. He stated it was therefore unsuitable for mass production or easy sale. Lang Yueming then suggested finding an equivalent product to replace Hongyan Rouge for the exhibition.

Xinqiao, hiding nearby, overheard these critical conversations and immediately reported the details to Shi Jizhou, who instructed her to thoroughly investigate the matter and seize the opportunity presented by the exhibition. Lang Yueming later sought Gu Haitang to select a poster for the exhibition, but she was absent, so he asked the female workers to assist him. He also casually inquired about Lang Yuexuan's whereabouts, and the female workers disclosed that Lang Yuexuan was engrossed in developing Hongyan Rouge.

Gu Haitang visited a temple (or Buddha hall) and coincidentally observed Lang Sinian worshipping there. She was puzzled, as the Lang family's ancestral tablets were not enshrined in that particular location. She then asked Lang Sinian if he knew her father, Gu Shunqi. Lang Sinian lied, denying any acquaintance, and promptly left with Uncle Quan.

Uncle Quan noticed Gu Haitang's suspicion, but Lang Sinian believed she lacked concrete evidence and would eventually give up, though he acknowledged that she would discover the truth sooner or later and instructed Uncle Quan to treat Gu Haitang well. Gu Haitang later realized that Lang Sinian had been worshipping someone named "胭脂" (Rouge). Growing increasingly suspicious, she recalled seeing a memorial tablet near her father's that also bore the name "胭脂."

She asked Master Shang if he knew anyone named Rouge; Master Shang's visibly flustered demeanor and hurried departure confirmed her suspicions that Lang Sinian was indeed worshipping Rouge. In truth, Lang Sinian did know her father and held memories of the woman named Rouge. Lang Yueming invited Long Mohua to lead the female workers in a dance performance at the rouge exhibition, an invitation Long Mohua gladly accepted.

Lang Yuexuan, still unable to find a substitute for musk, discussed with Gu Haitang his concern that Hongyan Rouge might not be ready for the exhibition and proposed using "Goose Egg Powder" instead. Master Shang, who overheard their conversation, initially disapproved, arguing that Goose Egg Powder was a traditional Lang family product lacking novelty.

Gu Haitang then suggested updating it with new packaging and leveraging Long Mohua's posters for extensive promotion, or creating limited-edition packaging with new advertising slogans, which Master Shang found feasible. When Lang Yueming and Long Mohua arrived at the workshop, Lang Yuexuan informed them that Hongyan Rouge would not be ready for the exhibition. They then agreed that the new packaging and promotion ideas could be applied to Goose Egg Powder. They proceeded to divide their responsibilities: Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang would handle the outer packaging, while Long Mohua would continue to lead the female workers in their dance.

Episode 28 Recap

At the grand opening of an International Rouge Exhibition in Kunyang City, Lang Yueming vigorously promoted his family's goose egg powder to attendees, including Huajili and Smith. However, he soon learned that the Shi family was exhibiting the Lang family's proprietary Hongyan Rouge. Furious, Lang Yueming publicly confronted Shi Diwen, accusing the Shi family of plagiarizing the Lang family's secret formula. Shi Diwen, unaware of his father's actions, claimed innocence, explaining it was his father's arrangement.

Lang Yueming reported the incident to Lang Sinian, presenting him with the Shi family's Hongyan Rouge. Lang Sinian immediately recognized it as their own, noting the identical ingredients and composition. Enraged, Lang Sinian accused his sons of disgracing their ancestors' name. Feng Chunyan suspected a leak, and Lang Sinian ordered Lang Yueming to thoroughly investigate to find the mole responsible. Lang Sinian then confronted Shi Jizhou, warning him that if he continued, he would expose Shi Jizhou's past wrongdoings.

Unfazed, Shi Jizhou declared it fair competition, admitting his deep-seated hatred for Lang Sinian dating back to "that woman." He vowed to ruin Lang Sinian, see him lose his family and be utterly destroyed, and make him meet his woman in hell. Lang Yueming began questioning the female workers in the workshop one by one to identify the mole. Lu Fanzhen informed Gu Haitang that Lang Yueming was suspicious of Lang Yuexuan.

During her interrogation, Xinqiao deliberately stirred up animosity between Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan, speaking ill of Lang Yuexuan and subtly redirecting suspicion toward him, even sarcastically remarking on the pity of Lang Yueming's initial ideas. Lang Yuexuan, disheartened by the situation, expressed regret for not having perfected the Hongyan Rouge sooner, which allowed competitors to seize the market. Gu Haitang comforted him, encouraging him to focus on developing new products to regain market share and find a solution.

Meanwhile, Shi Diwen confronted Shi Jizhou, questioning the ethics of stealing the formula, but Shi Jizhou dismissed his concerns and strictly warned him against speaking out, harshly reprimanding him. Xinqiao reported the chaos within the Lang family to Shi Jizhou, who was pleased. Xinqiao seized the opportunity to request forgiveness for her father's past transgression of taking Shi Hanglu's money.

Shi Jizhou granted the forgiveness but refused to let her leave the Lang family, instructing her instead to remain and manipulate public opinion to frame others, thereby avoiding exposure of her own identity. At the Lang residence, Lang Sinian secluded himself, consumed by anger. Feng Chunyan grew increasingly worried, and Miaolan suggested consulting a highly effective Taoist priest to exorcise evil spirits. Feng Chunyan, unable to think of a better solution, agreed and put Miaolan in charge.

The priest arrived, performed a ritual, and left a paper figure inscribed with the character for "water," claiming that an inauspicious person with "water" in their name was the root of all the Lang family's misfortunes. Miaolan immediately went to the workshop, reviewed the employee roster, and summarily dismissed all female workers whose names contained the "water" radical. Xinqiao promptly implicated Gu Haitang, whose name "Haitang" (sea begonia) contains the character for "sea," which is related to "water."

Gu Haitang argued against this arbitrary dismissal. Miaolan reported back to Feng Chunyan, explicitly asking if Gu Haitang should also be dismissed due to the "water" in her name. Feng Chunyan ordered Gu Haitang's dismissal. Miaolan further inflamed Feng Chunyan's suspicions, accusing Gu Haitang of being the spy and the cause of all the Lang family's troubles. Believing Miaolan, Feng Chunyan summoned Gu Haitang for questioning.

As part of Shi Jizhou's machinations, Shi Diwen approached Lang Yuexuan, feigning an apology and extending an invitation from Shi Jizhou for dinner to "explain some things." Lang Yuexuan, curious about Shi Jizhou's true intentions, agreed to meet, unaware that Lang Yueming was discreetly observing their conversation. At home, Feng Chunyan confronted Gu Haitang, accusing her of leaking the formula and demanding her departure from Langlichun, the Lang family's business.

Gu Haitang affirmed she would leave but vowed to uncover the truth and clear her name. The Langlichun workshop fell into disarray, with workers being fired and pervasive suspicion, which Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang both found highly inappropriate. Lang Yuexuan rushed to Gu Haitang's defense, threatening to leave the Lang family with her. Gu Haitang, after vowing to find the mole, first calmly advised Gu Haitang, then went to appease Feng Chunyan.

Gu Haitang returned to the workshop to meticulously investigate, but Xinqiao remained defensive towards her. Lang Yueming, convinced of Lang Yuexuan's guilt, informed Lang Sinian that Lang Yuexuan was the mole and suspected collusion between him and Shi Jizhou. Lang Sinian, initially trusting Lang Yuexuan's character, was persuaded by Lang Yueming to discreetly observe Lang Yuexuan's meeting with Shi Jizhou firsthand.

They witnessed Shi Jizhou attempting to recruit Lang Yuexuan, offering him a box of gold bars, and explicitly calling him the Lang family's adopted son. While they overheard Shi Jizhou's propositions, they did not hear Lang Yuexuan's refusal, solidifying their belief that Lang Yuexuan was complicit. Convinced, Lang Sinian angrily departed with Lang Yueming. This entire encounter was a calculated scheme by Shi Jizhou to sow discord between Lang Yuexuan and Lang Sinian.

Lang Yuexuan, who had firmly refused Shi Jizhou's offer, then left without looking back. Upon Lang Yuexuan's return home, Lang Sinian, furious and convinced of his betrayal, subjected him to a severe scolding and a brutal beating, applying family punishment. Lang Yuexuan tried to explain that the Hongyan Rouge formula was still flawed and therefore useless even if stolen, but Lang Sinian and Lang Yueming, having witnessed Shi Jizhou offering gold bars, refused to believe him.

Hearing of the beating, Gu Haitang, Lang Qingqing, and Long Mohua rushed to intervene. Lang Sinian, enraged, ordered Quan Shu to continue the beating. Gu Haitang bravely stepped forward to shield Lang Yuexuan, offering to take the blows herself, proclaiming her involvement. Lang Sinian then ordered Quan Shu to beat her as well. Heartbroken and unwilling to see Gu Haitang suffer for him, Lang Yuexuan, in despair, confessed to betraying the Lang family.

Lang Sinian was deeply pained by this confession, which brought back painful memories from many years ago. In a flashback, Rouge, who had married Shi Jizhou, was subjected to abuse by him, as was her son. Master Shang, witnessing this, reported it to Lang Sinian. Lang Sinian rushed to intervene, preventing Shi Jizhou from killing Rouge's son.

At that moment, Shi Jizhou produced a hairpin, accusing Feng Chunyan of having murdered Rouge with it, and revealed that the hairpin belonged to Feng Chunyan. Shi Jizhou blackmailed Lang Sinian, demanding he adopt Rouge's son (Lang Yuexuan) as his own, threatening to report Feng Chunyan to the authorities if he refused.

Episode 29 Recap

Lang Qingqing, indignant over Lang Yuexuan's beating, wanted to confront her parents, but Gu Haitang quickly stopped her, urging her not to cause more trouble. Lang Yueming personally came to apply medicine to Lang Yuexuan, who was heartbroken that Lang Yueming also suspected him. However, Lang Yueming insisted he had solid evidence, and, dismissing Lang Yuexuan's painful memories of their childhood camaraderie, asserted that the present was most fair.

Before leaving, Lang Yueming told Lang Yuexuan to reflect at home and mentioned he was under house arrest. Lang Sinian was also pained, feeling he had been too harsh on Lang Yuexuan. Quan Shu, believing in Lang Yuexuan's character, was convinced he would not harm the Lang family. Lang Sinian worried that Shi Jizhou would reveal the past to Lang Yuexuan.

It was revealed that Lang Yuexuan was the child of Shi Jizhou and Yanzhi; after Yanzhi was killed, Lang Yuexuan suffered a severe head injury and lost his memory. Lang Sinian, fearing Lang Yuexuan's connection to the Shi family, then deliberately arranged for Feng Chunyan to coincidentally meet the homeless Lang Yuexuan, allowing him to be adopted into the Lang family legitimately.

Lang Sinian had kept Lang Yuexuan's true identity a secret, fearing Feng Chunyan would cause a scene if she knew the truth. After visiting Lang Yuexuan, Miao Lan reported to Feng Chunyan, expressing her belief in Lang Yuexuan's character while criticizing Lang Qingqing for involving Gu Haitang, an outsider. Miao Lan suspected Lang Yuexuan was framed and accused Gu Haitang of leaking the Lang family's formula, worrying she might spread information.

Feng Chunyan, who was already agitated and had previously suspected Gu Haitang, now saw Lang Yuexuan implicated in these suspicions and instructed Miao Lan to continue monitoring Gu Haitang, before summarily dismissing her. Gu Haitang came to apply medicine to Lang Yuexuan, blaming him for taking the fall. Lang Yuexuan didn't want Gu Haitang to be wrongly accused and blamed her for trying to defend him, explaining that he would have been beaten anyway.

He stated that he intentionally admitted to being the mole as a strategy to draw out the real culprit and asked Gu Haitang to keep a close eye on the workshop, believing the real insider would make a move. When Gu Haitang left, she encountered Miao Lan and asked her to take good care of Lang Yuexuan, which enraged Miao Lan.

Xin Qiao reported back to Shi Jizhou, wanting to withdraw from the Lang family, but Shi Jizhou was unwilling to give up, urging Xin Qiao to redouble her efforts to completely ruin the Lang family, and gave her money. Shi Diwen brought pastries to visit Lang Yuexuan, wanting to apologize, but Quan Shu turned him away, citing Lang Yuexuan's recuperation at home. Shi Jizhou's goods were stalled at the pier, unable to find a vessel for transport.

Hua Jili was anxious. General Long Dewater then arrived at the pier, using military transport as an excuse to block Shi Jizhou's ships. Shi Jizhou immediately pulled him aside to discuss. Long Dewater complained that Long Mohua had been crying daily due to a recent endorsement setback. Shi Jizhou instantly agreed to make Long Mohua the spokesperson for Shi Hanglu and promised Long Dewater a large sum of money; only then would Long Dewater allow the goods to depart.

Long Dewater returned home late. His concubine, Hong Xiu, eagerly showed off new cosmetics she had bought from the Shi family. Long Dewater urgently went to see Long Mohua, promising to return soon. He found Long Mohua sulking on the sofa and told her about Shi Jizhou's offer for her to be a spokesperson. Long Mohua accused him of being a turncoat.

Long Dewater tried to persuade Long Mohua to completely distance herself from the Lang family and strongly advocated for her and Shi Diwen, but Long Mohua only had Lang Yuexuan in her heart and angrily drove Long Dewater away. Upon hearing Lang Yuexuan had a high fever, Feng Chunyan immediately brought Miao Lan to visit and asked Miao Lan to stay and care for him, which Miao Lan eagerly accepted.

Gu Xiahe, hearing of Lang Yuexuan's beating, discussed with Lang Qingqing how to find the mole. They decided to use a simple method: stake out the Shi family's entrance and follow Shi Jizhou and Shi Diwen. Gu Haitang, realizing that the mole must be intimately familiar with the entire production process of Hongyan Yanzhi cosmetics, narrowed her suspects to Master Shang and Xin Qiao. She then secretly followed Master Shang, observing her enter Shi Hanglu.

When Master Shang emerged, Gu Haitang confronted her, initially suspecting her to be the mole. Master Shang clarified that she was also investigating the mole and had discovered Xin Qiao was suspicious, specifically that Xin Qiao's father was a former employee of Shi Hanglu. Gu Haitang, having an idea, asked Master Shang to cooperate with her in a plan. Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe and Lang Qingqing tracked Shi Diwen, observing him meet Lu Fanzhen.

Lang Qingqing directly accused Lu Fanzhen of being the mole and snatched a handkerchief from her, intending to take her to the workshop for questioning. Lu Fanzhen admitted her feelings for Shi Diwen, shocking both Lang Qingqing and Shi Diwen. Shi Diwen then snatched the handkerchief back and ran off. Gu Haitang sought Lang Yueming's help, explaining that Lang Yuexuan's confession was a ploy to expose the true culprit.

However, Lang Yueming adamantly believed Lang Yuexuan was colluding with the Shi family and refused to help. Gu Haitang, seeing his disbelief and his sadness over her unwavering support for Lang Yuexuan, resolved to find the mole on her own. When Gu Haitang attempted to visit Lang Yuexuan, Feng Chunyan intercepted her, ordered Miao Lan to guard Lang Yuexuan, and forbade Gu Haitang from seeing him.

Feng Chunyan accused Gu Haitang of being the mole and believed Lang Yuexuan was taking the blame for her. She gave Gu Haitang three days to uncover the truth, threatening her permanent expulsion from the workshop if she failed. Distressed, Gu Haitang consulted Master Shang, who promised to persuade Lang Sinian to cooperate. Master Shang, who had promised Gu Haitang to persuade Lang Sinian, approached him with Gu Haitang's plan. Lang Sinian, who already had his own ideas, agreed.

Master Shang presented some defective products to Lang Sinian, suggesting they be put up for sale, which Lang Sinian firmly rejected. Master Shang then used this opportunity to defend Lang Yuexuan, explaining that he had only prevented faulty products from reaching the market, which the Shi family had then exploited. Master Shang and Lang Sinian agreed to stage a ruse, acting as if they suspected Master Shang, to compel the mole to reveal themselves.

Lang Sinian then brought Lang Yueming to the workshop. As part of the deception, Gu Haitang publicly accused Master Shang of being the mole, presenting her shoes that were seen at Shi Hanglu as incriminating evidence, leading Lang Sinian to suspend Master Shang from work and ban her from the workshop. Lang Yueming and Gu Haitang staked out Shi Hanglu, where they observed Xin Qiao nervously entering and tampering with shoes. They then followed Xin Qiao as she went to meet Shi Jizhou late that night. Gu Haitang vowed to find concrete evidence to clear Lang Yuexuan's name.

Episode 30 Recap

Xin Qiao, an internal spy, grows increasingly uneasy, suspecting that Gu Haitang and Master Shang are intentionally orchestrating events. Fearing exposure, she wishes to leave the Lang family, but Shi Jizhou, unwilling to cease his efforts, compels her to stay. He promises her and her father substantial rewards if she continues to monitor the Lang family's movements, aiming to dismantle them entirely, and advises her to temporarily avoid direct meetings with him.

Meanwhile, a sick Lang Yuexuan is being cared for by Miao Lan. In his delirium, Lang Yuexuan mistakes Miao Lan for Gu Haitang and clutches her hand. Miao Lan, filled with joy, does not pull away but tightens her grip, attempting to embrace him. However, Feng Chunyan, Lang Sinian's wife, catches them in the act. Gu Haitang and Lang Yueming arrive shortly after. Miao Lan desperately tries to defend herself, and Gu Haitang also speaks in her favor.

Feng Chunyan, ignoring their pleas, scolds Miao Lan severely and threatens to write her a divorce letter, expelling her from the family. Miao Lan, who has lived with the Lang family since childhood and would have no means of survival outside, pleads tearfully for mercy. Feng Chunyan, though eventually softening, acknowledges Miao Lan's underlying intentions and instead confines her.

Upon regaining his senses, Lang Yuexuan is confronted by Lang Yueming, who condemns him for harassing Miao Lan and tarnishing her reputation. Lang Yuexuan is left speechless, and Lang Yueming angrily storms out. Gu Haitang then confides in Lang Yuexuan about Xin Qiao being an internal spy, to which Lang Yuexuan advises her not to reveal it prematurely. Lang Yuexuan approaches Feng Chunyan to apologize, repeatedly emphasizing that he had mistaken Miao Lan for Gu Haitang.

Feng Chunyan scolds him, but knowing he harbors feelings for Gu Haitang, believes his actions brought disgrace upon the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan seizes the opportunity to propose moving out of the Lang family home to live elsewhere for a period. Subsequently, Lang Yuexuan meets Lang Sinian, who apologizes for his previous misunderstandings. Lang Yuexuan accepts the apology and expresses his desire to hand over all the Lang family's "Lang Lichun" business affairs to Lang Yueming.

Lang Sinian, unable to persuade him otherwise, reluctantly agrees to his departure. Xin Qiao, continuing her clandestine activities, subtly probes Gu Haitang for information. Gu Haitang intentionally informs her that "Hongyan Rouge," a product associated with Shi Jizhou's brand "Shi Hanglu," contains musk and could cause miscarriages in pregnant women. Xin Qiao is visibly shocked by this revelation.

Shortly thereafter, Lang Yuexuan publicly announces in the workshop that Lang Yueming will fully take over his responsibilities, then bids farewell to Gu Haitang. The consequences of the "Hongyan Rouge" soon become apparent: Long Deshui's concubine, Hong Xiu, uses the rouge and suffers a sudden faint, which doctors confirm as a miscarriage caused by the musk in the "Shi Hanglu" rouge.

Enraged, Long Deshui, a powerful figure, immediately leads his men to the business association, publicly arrests Shi Jizhou, violently smashes Shi Jizhou's "Shi Hanglu" shop, and impounds all the goods at his pier. Shi Diwen, Shi Jizhou's son, rushes home to learn that Hua Jili is returning all merchandise and that Long Deshui has ordered all the impounded "Shi Hanglu" goods to be burned. Shi Diwen attempts to intervene, but Lang Yuexuan restrains him.

At home, Long Deshui is consumed by a somber mood, believing he is being punished for breaking a past oath, potentially related to his strong desire for a male heir. His daughter, Long Mohua, tries to comfort him by cooking and reassuring him, providing some solace to his grief. Desperate, Shi Diwen kneels before Lang Yuexuan, pleading for his help in getting Lang Sinian to secure his father's release.

Lang Yuexuan, unable to resist Shi Diwen's persistent entreaties, reluctantly agrees to consider it. Lang Yueming reports Shi Jizhou's predicament to Lang Sinian, who expresses mixed emotions, regretting the destruction of the "Hongyan Rouge." Lang Yuexuan then approaches Lang Sinian, asking him to intercede for Shi Jizhou, arguing that Shi Jizhou's crime does not warrant death and the incident negatively impacts the reputation of "Hongyan Rouge." Lang Sinian initially refuses his request.

In prison, Shi Jizhou secretly gives his butler a letter for Lang Sinian, containing only the words "headpin." Upon receiving it, Lang Sinian is furious, realizing Shi Jizhou is using a past secret as blackmail. While Lang Sinian is contemplating his options, Lang Yuexuan reinforces his plea, emphasizing that the reputation of "Hongyan Rouge" is of paramount importance.

After careful deliberation, Lang Sinian agrees to help, but with a specific task for Shi Diwen: to prepare a large sum of money from the Shi family. Lang Sinian personally visits Long Deshui, calmly explaining the implications and persuading him to spare Shi Jizhou to preserve his good public reputation. Coupled with the substantial money offered by the Shi family, Long Deshui reluctantly agrees to release Shi Jizhou.

During this period, Lang Yuexuan isolates himself in a glasshouse within Haitang Garden, dedicating his efforts to researching and developing substitutes for musk in fragrances. Shi Jizhou is soon released due to Lang Sinian's intervention. Met by Shi Diwen and Shi Furen, he refuses to go home, instead confronting Xin Qiao directly.

Believing that the Lang family orchestrated his downfall, Shi Jizhou coercively orders Xin Qiao to plant a bottle of explosives in Lang Lichun's research lab, specifically targeting the new fixative research. Xin Qiao is terrified and unwilling to cause fatalities, but Shi Jizhou threatens her father, forcing her to compromise.

Gu Haitang visits Lang Yuexuan in his glasshouse retreat, expressing her frustration over the lack of evidence against the spy and highlighting the urgent need for Lang Yuexuan to develop a new fixative. She urges him to stop hiding and actively assist the Lang family in catching the internal spy. Lang Yuexuan attempts to explain his actions, but Gu Haitang, unconvinced and angry, leaves without looking back.

Episode 31 Recap

Xin Qiao secretly placed a chemical liquid, given to her by Shi Jizhou and described as explosives, into the Lang Lichun fragrance fixative research lab, specifically on Gu Haitang's experimental platform. Gu Haitang, still upset with Lang Yuexuan, returned to the workshop and began mixing plant essential oils and spices for heating. Suddenly, an explosion occurred, and the workbench instantly caught fire, terrifying her. Fortunately, Lang Yuexuan, who had returned from Haitang Garden, arrived in time to rescue her.

Lang Yueming learned of the workshop fire and rushed to the scene with Long Mohua, who was on a photoshoot. Seeing Lang Yuexuan protecting Gu Haitang as they escaped, Lang Yueming angrily blamed Lang Yuexuan for bringing danger to Gu Haitang, scolding him and recounting a past childhood explosion where he had pushed Lang Yuexuan away, getting burned himself, thus preventing Lang Yuexuan from being injured.

Gu Haitang repeatedly explained that Lang Yuexuan had saved her, but Lang Yueming refused to listen. Lang Yuexuan also argued with Lang Yueming, and the two brothers engaged in a heated dispute until Long Mohua intervened to stop them. Lang Yuexuan took Gu Haitang to a glass house, vowing to keep her close to prevent her from encountering further danger. Gu Haitang noticed Lang Yuexuan's injured arm and promptly helped him apply medicine.

Lang Yuexuan believed the explosion was not accidental and suspected Xin Qiao. Gu Haitang suggested that if he could quickly develop a musk substitute (a new fragrance fixative), they could expose Xin Qiao. Lang Yuexuan then presented his research findings from his time in Haitang Garden, which Gu Haitang greatly praised, also noting his earlier request for her assistance.

Lang Yueming later reported the workshop explosion to Feng Chunyan, his mother, recounting the childhood explosion where he had saved Lang Yuexuan. Feng Chunyan finally understood why Lang Yuexuan's personality had changed after that incident. She asked Lang Yueming if he had ever hated Lang Yuexuan; he admitted he had, but cherished their brotherhood. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang returned to the workshop to find Lang Yueming had tidied the lab, preparing it for their work.

Gu Haitang suggested using "Daphne odora" as a musk substitute, and she and Lang Yuexuan worked together on experiments. After their diligent efforts, they successfully developed the new fragrance fixative. Amidst the general celebration of their success, Gu Haitang and Lang Yueming deliberately discussed the storage of the secret formula in front of Xin Qiao. Their conversation enticed Xin Qiao, who later that night secretly returned to the workshop to steal the formula.

She was caught red-handed by Lang Yuexuan, Lang Yueming, Gu Haitang, and the female workers. Xin Qiao confessed to her crimes, admitting she had anticipated this day. She knelt and tearfully pleaded with Lang Yuexuan, explaining that Shi Jizhou had threatened her father's life, forcing her to infiltrate the Lang family as an undercover agent to cause damage.

Gu Haitang pleaded for Xin Qiao, and although Lang Yueming initially refused to let her go, Lang Yuexuan ultimately decided to spare Xin Qiao, on the condition that she leave Kunyang within three days. Lang Yuexuan proposed to Lang Sinian to rename the "Hongyan Rouge" to "Haitang Rouge," acknowledging that Gu Haitang had developed the formula from start to finish and deserved the credit. Lang Sinian readily agreed, ordering large-scale production, and advised Lang Yuexuan to move back home soon.

Lang Yuexuan publicly announced the mass production of "Haitang Rouge," and Lang Yueming promoted Gu Haitang to team leader to assist Master Shang with workshop duties. One day, Gu Haitang returned home to find her mother had prepared a lavish meal, and Lang Yuexuan arrived with a birthday cake. Only then did Gu Haitang realize it was her birthday, but she defiantly ran out of the house. Lang Yuexuan pursued her, asking for her reason.

Gu Haitang explained that she had stopped celebrating her birthday after her father, Gu Shunqi, had left when she was eight. Her father had promised to return and make her longevity noodles for her birthday but never came back. From that day on, Gu Haitang vowed never to celebrate her birthday until her father returned.

Gu Haitang then took Lang Yuexuan to a temple to show him Gu Shunqi's memorial tablet, admitting that she had joined the Lang family to find her father. Lang Yuexuan promised to help her search. Gu Haitang also revealed to him that Lang Sinian had once visited Yanzhi's memorial tablet. Lang Sinian was appointed President of the Kunyang Chamber of Commerce, to Shi Jizhou's displeasure.

Lang Sinian publicly vowed to integrate the Kunyang rouge industry into a large shareholding group, urging everyone to share in its prosperity and challenges. Afterwards, Lang Sinian invited Shi Jizhou for a drink, but Shi Jizhou refused, citing a bad mood. Lang Sinian then offered a box of gold bars and a large sum of cash, attempting to buy back Feng Chunyan's hairpin from Shi Jizhou, hoping to put an end to their conflicts.

Shi Jizhou, however, demanded an exorbitant sum. Lang Sinian advised him to make peace to avoid mutual destruction, but Shi Jizhou remained defiant. As Lang Sinian left, he warned Shi Jizhou not to provoke Lang Yuexuan. Upon returning home, Lang Yuexuan directly questioned Lang Sinian about Yanzhi. Lang Sinian admitted he had once loved Yanzhi but concealed the cause of her death. When Lang Yuexuan asked about Gu Shunqi, Lang Sinian lied, claiming not to know the man.

Meanwhile, Gu Haitang also inquired about Yanzhi from Master Shang. She learned that Yanzhi had been a maid in the Lang family, and Lang Sinian had loved her, but their differing social statuses prevented them from being together. She left after Feng Chunyan married into the family. Yanzhi later married Shi Jizhou, who discovered her heart belonged to someone else and consequently subjected her to abuse before she mysteriously disappeared. Master Shang advised Gu Haitang not to revisit old matters.

Lang Yuexuan later encountered Feng Chunyan and Miaolan outside. Feng Chunyan sent Miaolan away and had a heartfelt conversation with Lang Yuexuan, expressing her good fortune in having adopted him as her son. Later, Lang Lichun urgently needed raw materials, but the Lang family's goods arrived at the port with no available dock space to unload. Lang Yueming, worried, immediately called the port warehouse for information and then went to the dock to investigate. Shi Jizhou unexpectedly appeared, learned of the situation, stopped Lang Yueming, and offered his own ship's berth, much to Lang Yueming's puzzlement.

Episode 32 Recap

Lang Yuexuan reports to Gu Haitang about Yan Zhi's situation, revealing that Lang Sinian claims no knowledge of Yan Zhi's father. Both Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang notice that Master Shang and Lang Sinian strongly evade discussions about Yan Zhi's life after leaving the Lang family, leading them to suspect a hidden secret. Lang Yuexuan learns from a maid that Yan Zhi moved to Guihua Alley after leaving the Lang family and later married there, specifically to Fang Juncai.

They both immediately go to Guihua Alley to investigate, splitting up to inquire about Yan Zhi's circumstances. However, they find nothing, though Lang Yuexuan promises to continue helping Gu Haitang with the investigation. Gu Haitang learns that Xin Qiao is set to leave Kunyang the next day and intends to give her some travel money.

Meanwhile, Lang Yueming, facing a dilemma, arranges for cargo to be transported using Shi Jizhou's shipping slot, strictly instructing his staff to keep this operation hidden from Lang Sinian. Shi Jizhou, having lost Xin Qiao as an internal contact, sees this as an opportunity to gain leverage over Lang Yueming. Xin Qiao approaches Shi Jizhou, first seeking his help to release her father, but after her plan fails, she asks him for money to leave Kunyang.

Shi Jizhou, being cold and dismissive, refuses her requests and forcefully dismisses her. With no other options, Xin Qiao turns to Long Mohua, threatening her with information about the Yi Rongrong incident and the poison powder incident, demanding money be delivered to her the next day. Long Mohua is furious. The following day, Long Mohua arrives to deliver the money as demanded.

During their argument, Xin Qiao publicly exposes Long Mohua for framing Gu Haitang and mentions the poison powder incident. Gu Haitang, who overhears the entire conversation, is deeply hurt and confronts Long Mohua. Long Mohua, filled with hatred for Gu Haitang, openly admits her dislike, declares Gu Haitang unworthy of her friendship, and vows to sever all ties with her.

She also asserts that she will not give up on Lang Yuexuan, to which Gu Haitang responds by refusing to back down and insisting on fair competition. The two women part ways after a complete and angry break. Distraught, Gu Haitang goes to the glass house to find Lang Yuexuan. He immediately notices her unhappiness and comforts her when she expresses her pain over being betrayed by someone close.

During their conversation, a notebook, which is also referred to as a book or diary, falls from Lang Yuexuan's pocket. Gu Haitang expresses curiosity about it, and Lang Yuexuan promises to show it to her later, though he doesn't reveal its contents at the time. He also tells her he found out Yan Zhi married Fang Juncai but nothing else.

Meanwhile, Long Mohua goes directly to the studio to see Lang Yueming, insisting on becoming the spokesperson for Lang Li Chun. Lang Yueming initially refuses, but Long Mohua pleads, admitting her conflict with Gu Haitang. Unable to resist her persistent requests, Lang Yueming eventually agrees to let her continue shooting the promotional posters, even though Gu Haitang was originally slated for the Haitang Rouge photoshoot.

After the first batch of Haitang Rouge is completed, Lang Yueming waits for Gu Haitang to finish her work. He takes her to a large house, presents her with the keys to it, and proposes marriage, promising to cherish her for a lifetime. Gu Haitang, however, tells him that while she considers him a very good friend, she is in love with Lang Yuexuan. She returns the keys to Lang Yueming, who then escorts her home.

Lang Yuexuan, who has carefully prepared a bouquet in the Haitang Garden and is waiting for Gu Haitang, mistakenly assumes she has been with Lang Yueming. When Gu Haitang begins to tell him about Lang Yueming's proposal, Lang Yuexuan, angered and not waiting for her explanation or explicit answer, gives her the bouquet of Haitang flowers he made and leaves in a huff. A few days pass with Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan both upset and ignoring each other.

Gu Xiahe delivers Lang Yuexuan's diary/book to Gu Haitang. Gu Haitang reads through it, discovering it contains detailed entries about Lang Yuexuan's journey with her since they first met, filled with profound affection and declarations of his love. He also includes a message for her, saying that while others might offer a castle, their shared memories are enough to build a palace. Deeply moved, Gu Haitang goes to the Haitang Garden to find Lang Yuexuan.

Lang Yuexuan asks her if she understood his feelings and then tells her he wants to give her a "starry sky," explaining that each star represents his wish to be with her forever. Gu Haitang initially finds stars unremarkable, but after Lang Yuexuan's explanation, she asks for shooting stars. He tells her to close her eyes, and at that moment, countless dazzling fireworks erupt in the sky.

Shi Diwen, whom Lang Yuexuan had assigned to set off fireworks from the bushes, accidentally ignites nearby plants, causing a smell of smoke. Gu Haitang makes the same wish as Lang Yuexuan: to be with him forever. Their hearts connect, and they share a deep embrace and kiss. Lang Yuexuan expresses his desire to take her home immediately to publicly announce their relationship. Gu Haitang, however, hesitates, mindful of Lang Sinian's or Feng Chunyan's potential prejudice.

Soon after, Lang Li Chun's Haitang Rouge is launched and instantly sells out, attracting a continuous stream of customers. The Lang family hosts a celebratory banquet, inviting Long Mohua. Lang Yuexuan proudly brings Gu Haitang to the banquet, where Lang Sinian celebrates Lang Yuexuan's success and welcomes him home. Lang Sinian then toasts Gu Haitang, crediting her for the successful development and encouraging her to expand Haitang Rouge sales nationwide, instructing Lang Yuexuan to fully support her work.

However, Lang Sinian also states that the greatest credit for this success belongs to Lang Yuexuan, which visibly displeases Lang Yueming. Feng Chunyan publicly acknowledges Lang Yueming's significant contributions to the success.

Episode 33 Recap

At a family banquet, Lang Yuexuan publicly announced his relationship with Gu Haitang. Feng Chunyan immediately opposed them, condemning Gu Haitang for first seducing Lang Yueming and then harassing Lang Yuexuan, thereby shaming the Lang family and causing discord between the brothers. Feng Chunyan declared Gu Haitang unworthy of entering the Lang family, insisting that Long Mohua was the suitable daughter-in-law. Gu Haitang affirmed her genuine love for Lang Yuexuan, but Feng Chunyan deemed her unfit.

Lang Yuexuan firmly held Gu Haitang's hand, publicly admitted that the previous arranged marriage was a mistake, and then left with Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming took Long Mohua home, where she spoke ill of Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming advised her against clinging to Lang Yuexuan and wished her early success. Lang Yuexuan brought Gu Haitang to a glass house in the Gu Haitang garden, where she expressed unhappiness, not wanting to damage Lang Yuexuan's relationship with his family.

Gu Haitang also wished to quickly uncover the truth behind her father's death. Lang Yuexuan promised to help her, vowing to ensure her happiness. Noticing a fresh fragrance on Gu Haitang, and recalling Miaolan's sachet, Lang Yuexuan conceived the idea of developing a unique perfume, a concept that Gu Haitang also shared. Miaolan, while serving Feng Chunyan, stirred up trouble against Gu Haitang again, recounting the events of the family banquet and placing all blame on Gu Haitang.

Feng Chunyan grew increasingly angry, resolving to drive Gu Haitang away, and instructed Miaolan to closely monitor Gu Haitang for any developments. Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan happily collaborated on developing an "Oriental Perfume." Miaolan visited the workshop to deliver food to Lang Yuexuan. She overheard female workers gossiping about Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang and immediately instructed Master Shang to deduct a month's wages from the talkative worker.

Miaolan then saw Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan intimately and cheerfully interacting in the laboratory. Lang Yuexuan mentioned he was creating a perfume exclusively for Gu Haitang and, knowing Miaolan's skill in perfumery, hoped she could assist in the future. Enraged, Miaolan returned to Feng Chunyan, exaggerating her observations and falsely accusing Gu Haitang of aspiring to become the workshop mistress. Feng Chunyan was furious. Through their persistent efforts, Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan successfully developed the Oriental Perfume.

Lang Yuexuan gifted the finished perfume to Gu Haitang, and they were happy and cheerful. Lang Yueming, witnessing this, felt a pang of bitterness but noted that the perfume could now be put into production. He then went to find Long Mohua to shoot promotional posters for the perfume. Lang Yuexuan asked Lang Yueming if he would bless him and Gu Haitang, but Lang Yueming responded with a cold smile and did not answer.

During the photoshoot, Long Mohua, constantly recalling Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang's intimate moments, felt resentful and performed poorly. Despite the photographer's repeated reminders, she couldn't find her "feeling" and argued with him. Lang Yueming tried to pacify her, saying that what was meant to be hers would be hers, and rushing was useless. Shi Diwen eagerly brought Long Mohua many pastries and snacks, but she did not appreciate them.

Fanzhen proactively met Shi Diwen, apologizing for a previous incident and expressing her wish that he wouldn't avoid her. Shi Diwen admitted his affection for Long Mohua, but Fanzhen declared her own feelings for him and stated she would never give up. Shi Jizhou, passing by, saw Fanzhen and Shi Diwen together and immediately sent people to investigate Fanzhen's background. The Oriental Perfume became very popular, but Shi Jizhou's business, Shi Hanglu, struggled.

Shi Jizhou learned that Lang Lichun had launched two new products, quickly capturing a large market share, while Shi Hanglu's business was stagnant. He was frustrated by the lack of inside information on Lang Lichun's operations. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang focused on new product development, while Lang Yueming and Long Mohua vigorously promoted the products. The brothers' collaboration was seamless, and Lang Lichun's business prospered. Lang Sinian was very pleased, attributing the success to Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang.

Lang Yuexuan proposed that Lang Yueming manage Lang Lichun, overseeing sales and promotion, while he and Gu Haitang concentrated on research and development. However, Lang Sinian felt Lang Yueming lacked experience and suggested he learn from Lang Yuexuan first, deferring a decision on his proposal. Feeling slighted, Lang Yueming wrote a letter overnight and had it secretly delivered to Shi Jizhou the next morning. Shi Jizhou, who was at a loss, received the unsigned letter and was secretly delighted.

Shi Jizhou then dispatched Boss Wan to Lang Lichun to discuss cooperation with Lang Sinian. Boss Wan immediately placed a large order for 500 boxes of Oriental Perfume. Lang Sinian was cautious, but Lang Yueming claimed to have investigated Boss Wan's background and urged the workshop to dedicate all efforts to fulfilling the order within fifteen days, even suggesting pooling workers from other production lines.

Lang Yuexuan worried about the high cost of rose ingredients at that time, fearing cash flow issues, but Lang Yueming dismissed his concerns, assuring him to procure materials confidently. Lang Sinian returned home for dinner. Feng Chunyan complained that the house felt too quiet. Lang Sinian brought up the large order and praised Gu Haitang's Oriental Perfume. Feng Chunyan forbade him from mentioning Gu Haitang.

Lang Sinian criticized Feng Chunyan for sending Miaolan to fire female workers and constantly making trouble for Gu Haitang. He stormed off without eating. Later that night, Lang Yueming brought late-night snacks to Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang, who were working overtime. Lang Yuexuan sensed Lang Yueming's intention to see Gu Haitang and felt a little jealous, which Gu Haitang playfully teased him about.

Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang, leading the female workers, worked day and night to complete Boss Wan's order as scheduled. Everyone was relieved. Lang Sinian hosted a family banquet to celebrate the order's completion. At the banquet, Lang Yuexuan again proposed being with Gu Haitang. Feng Chunyan immediately stopped him, forbidding him from mentioning an outsider at the family banquet. Lang Yueming quickly intervened to smooth things over. Shi Jizhou then sent his butler to summon Fanzhen to the Shi family to discuss some matters.

Episode 34 Recap

Shi Jizhou summoned Fanzhen, confronting her about her affection for his son, Shi Diwen, and pointing out their social mismatch. Though Fanzhen believed she could change her fate, Shi Jizhou attempted to recruit her as an informant against the Lang family, promising her personal success, Shi Diwen's love, and the position of the Shi family's young mistress.

Fanzhen adamantly refused to betray the Lang family for love, leading Shi Jizhou to threaten to prevent her and Shi Diwen from ever being together. Fanzhen left angrily. Gu Haitang noticed Fanzhen's distress, and Fanzhen confessed her feelings for Shi Diwen and Shi Jizhou's demands, vowing not to betray the Lang family even if it meant giving up Shi Diwen. Gu Haitang supported her decision.

Later, Shi Jizhou tasked Shi Diwen with managing the Shi Hang Lu branch in the west of the city, starting with accounting, but warned him to stay away from Fanzhen. Instead, he ordered Shi Diwen to pursue Long Mohua at all costs, believing it would secure the Shi family's influence in Kunyang City. Shi Diwen, however, lacked confidence and felt pressured, fearing the loss of his freedom and the tainting of his feelings for Long Mohua.

He sought out his mother, Shi Furen, who advised him to bravely pursue his true feelings and ignore gossip. Ultimately, Shi Diwen apologized to Fanzhen, and they both decided it was best to remain friends. Despite Fanzhen's claim to have resolved her feelings, Gu Haitang still found her somewhat distracted. Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe developed feelings for Lang Qingqing, fantasizing about their future together. Shi Jizhou then engineered a scandal to discredit the Lang family and their new "Oriental Perfume."

He sent an anonymous letter to the Kunyang newspaper, fabricating a story that Lang Yuexuan's perfume was inspired by his widowed sister-in-law, Miaolan, and exaggerating an inappropriate relationship between them. This rumor quickly spread throughout Kunyang City, causing Lang Sinian to fly into a rage. The detailed newspaper report suggested foul play.

The Lang family's business, Lang Li Chun, faced a severe financial crisis as all funds were tied up in "Oriental Perfume" production, sales of other traditional products had been halted, and customers, including Wan Laoban, demanded refunds and compensation. Long Mohua's promotional posters were defaced with ink, leaving her distraught. Her father, Long Deshui, advised her to distance herself from the Lang family and Lang Yuexuan, but Long Mohua defiantly insisted on confronting Lang Yuexuan.

Gu Haitang tried to calm female workers who were gossiping about the newspaper report and went to comfort Lang Yuexuan. Long Mohua arrived, proposing a news conference to clarify the truth, but Gu Haitang expressed reservations, fearing it would only worsen the situation. This angered Long Mohua, who criticized Gu Haitang for her apparent lack of concern for Lang Yuexuan and became furious when Lang Yuexuan seemed to side with Gu Haitang.

During this turmoil, Lang Yueming tried to console Long Mohua. However, Long Mohua noticed Lang Yueming's unusual calmness, even happiness, amidst the Lang family's crisis, leading her to suspect he was behind everything. Lang Yueming confessed that he had deliberately orchestrated the downfall of "Oriental Perfume" to separate Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan, earning Long Mohua's admiration.

Lang Yuexuan decided to hold a news conference and discussed it with Lang Yueming, who fully supported the idea but insisted they keep it a secret from Lang Sinian. Lang Yuexuan then approached Miaolan, asking her to publicly clarify the newspaper's claims and restore the Lang family's reputation, to which Miaolan agreed.

At the news conference, Lang Yuexuan announced that "Oriental Perfume" was developed with his beloved woman, but he refused to reveal her identity, reiterating that the newspaper's reports were fabricated. Amidst persistent questions from reporters, Miaolan dramatically took the stage. She introduced herself as Lang Yuexuan's only sister-in-law, denounced the false reports for destroying her reputation, and confirmed that the perfume was inspired by her sachet, asserting that she and Lang Yuexuan were innocent.

However, as reporters continued to press for specific details, Miaolan became increasingly agitated. She turned her anger towards Gu Haitang, accusing her of writing the scandalous report and leaking details about "that night" out of a personal vendetta, believing Gu Haitang held a grudge. Miaolan then pulled out a dagger, pointed it at Gu Haitang, and threatened suicide to prove her own innocence, before lunging at Gu Haitang. Lang Yuexuan quickly intervened, stopping Miaolan and severely reprimanding her.

Following the disastrous news conference, Lang Sinian harshly scolded Lang Yuexuan for acting without his permission, believing the press conference had only made matters worse. Later, Miaolan "apologized" to Feng Chunyan (Lang Sinian's wife), claiming she acted for the Lang family's good but reiterated her conviction that Gu Haitang was responsible and needed to be eliminated. Feng Chunyan, despite having seen through Miaolan's malicious intentions, vowed to protect Miaolan.

Episode 35 Recap

Concerned about Gu Haitang after a disrupted press conference and fearing further harm, Lang Yuexuan stopped her from confronting Miaolan directly. He felt responsible for Gu Haitang's troubles and anticipated that Miaolan's actions would hinder Oriental Perfume's success in Kunyang. Lang Yuexuan decided to travel to Guangzhou, or overseas, to seek Huajili's help in selling the perfume internationally and resolving financial issues.

Gu Haitang fully supported his decision, although Lang Yuexuan advised her to stay home for her safety, a suggestion Gu Haitang dismissed, confident in her innocence. Shidiwen accompanied Lang Yuexuan on his journey. Lang Yueming conveyed to Lang Yuexuan that his father, Lang Sinian, still had high hopes for him.

Upon returning to the workshop after sending Lang Yuexuan and Shidiwen off, Lang Yueming encountered Gu Haitang and promised to clear her name, regretting not having prevented the press conference incident. Shortly after, Miaolan arrived at the workshop to dismiss Gu Haitang, stating that Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan had made the decision. Miaolan adamantly accused Gu Haitang of spreading rumors. Gu Haitang vehemently denied this, asserting Miaolan was slandering her.

Miaolan then confessed that her actions at the press conference were deliberate, intended to humiliate Gu Haitang and prevent her happiness. She admitted to hating Gu Haitang since her arrival at the Lang family, particularly finding it unacceptable that Gu Haitang had successfully obtained a divorce settlement. Miaolan swore to personally destroy both Oriental Perfume, which she believed was rightfully hers, and Gu Haitang. Despite Gu Haitang's attempts to reason with her, Miaolan remained determined.

Master Shang, unable to prevent Gu Haitang's dismissal, expressed his apologies and regret for the loss of her talent, but Gu Haitang declared her resolve to forge her own path even after leaving the Langlichun company. Gu Xiahe, upon learning of Gu Haitang's dismissal, wanted to drop out of school to help her, but Gu Haitang insisted he continue his studies. Lang Yueming learned that Miaolan had intentionally orchestrated Gu Haitang's dismissal and confronted her.

Miaolan, however, retaliated by revealing that Lang Yueming was the only other person aware of the scandal involving her and Lang Yuexuan from "that night," and that he had written anonymous letters exposing family secrets, claiming she was helping him. Lang Yueming, acknowledging his culpability, warned Miaolan against further harming Gu Haitang. Both understood each other's actions and motives: Lang Yueming sought to undermine Lang Yuexuan, even at the expense of Miaolan's reputation, while Miaolan's sole target was Gu Haitang.

Lang Yuexuan soon returned from Guangzhou/overseas, having successfully secured an order with a French businessman through Huajili, which promised to resolve the company's funding issues. He eagerly reported this to Lang Sinian, who was delighted but remained cautious without a signed contract. When Lang Yuexuan went to the workshop, he discovered Gu Haitang had been dismissed by Miaolan. Enraged, he returned home to confront his parents, Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan, insisting that Gu Haitang was innocent.

Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan, however, reprimanded Lang Yuexuan for his attitude. Lang Yueming interjected that Gu Haitang had left the workshop voluntarily. Frustrated, Lang Yuexuan stormed out. Master Shang later advised Lang Yuexuan against further involvement with Gu Haitang to avoid causing her more trouble. Lang Yuexuan sought out Gu Haitang, who had already decided on her next steps. He pledged his full support, and they expressed their mutual affection before reluctantly parting.

Gu Haitang was pleased about Lang Yuexuan's successful order and wished to prevent any negative impact on the Lang family due to her situation. The next day, Lang Yuexuan waited at the dock for Shidiwen, Huajili, and the French merchant/buyers, but they never arrived. He returned home to report the failure, only to find Lang Sinian already aware of the situation.

Shidiwen then rushed in to inform Lang Yuexuan that Huajili and the French businessman/merchants had suddenly disappeared before boarding their ship. Lang Sinian was furious at Shidiwen's presence, accusing Lang Yuexuan of involving outsiders and suspecting him of leaking information to Shi Jizhou. Lang Yuexuan, hurt by his father's distrust of everyone around him, emphasized that the immediate priority was resolving the crisis.

Shidiwen, recalling having mentioned his trip with Lang Yuexuan to his mother, grew suspicious of his father, Shi Jizhou. He went to confront Shi Jizhou and coincidentally witnessed Lang Yueming engaged in a private conversation with him. Shidiwen was left confused. Overwhelmed by grief, Lang Sinian fell ill. Lang Yueming proposed a plan to inject funds: selling the existing stock of Oriental Perfume at cost price to competitors, who would then sell it under their own brands.

Lang Sinian, unable to think of a better solution, agreed to let him proceed. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan stayed at Gu Haitang's home. Gu Haitang observed that he seemed to be evading responsibility and suspected foul play behind Huajili's disappearance, though she lacked concrete evidence. Lang Yuexuan also found the disappearance suspicious but did not suspect Miaolan. He and Gu Haitang conceived a new plan to reformulate Oriental Perfume into essential oils and relaunch it.

The following day, Lang Yuexuan returned to the workshop to find the female workers idly chatting amidst scattered perfume ingredients, learning that Master Shang was on sick leave. Lang Yuexuan reprimanded the workers, threatening to deduct their wages to cover the cost of the spilled ingredients. Lang Yueming intervened, sending the workers back to their tasks. Lang Yuexuan then discussed his idea of reformulating Oriental Perfume.

Lang Yueming, however, revealed his own plan to sell the perfume at cost price to other shops, stating he had already contacted several. Lang Yuexuan, despite feeling that all their previous efforts would be wasted, had to concede, as Lang Yueming insisted his plan would recover funds quickly.

Episode 36 Recap

During a meal, Lang Yueming reported and exaggerated Lang Yuexuan's tantrum at the workshop to Feng Chunyan, his mother, which displeased her greatly. Feng Chunyan placed high hopes on Lang Yueming, promising him the workshop. Maimy sat silently while this conversation took place. When Lang Yuexuan later arrived home for the meal, Lang Yueming left. Feng Chunyan then severely scolded Lang Yuexuan, blaming him for competing with Lang Yueming over Gu Haitang and demanding he end his relationship with her.

Lang Yuexuan firmly refused, causing Feng Chunyan to leave angrily without eating. Meanwhile, Shi Jizhou acquired the "Oriental Perfume" brand, rebranded its products, and urgently developed new perfumes, leading to booming sales for Shi Hanglu's business and market monopolization. Shi Diwen questioned Shi Jizhou about whether he had tampered with the Lang family's business or was involved in any scandal. Shi Jizhou denied tampering but admitted to past grievances with the Lang family.

He stated that even though the Lang family had once helped with Shi Hanglu's first business deal, he believed it was due to their guilt, and that the Shi and Lang families could never coexist. Shi Jizhou then warned Shi Diwen not to help Lang Yuexuan. Fan Zhen helped Gu Haitang secure a bridal makeup job, for which Gu Haitang was grateful.

On her way to the job, Gu Haitang met Lang Yuexuan, who requested she return to the Langli Chun workshop, but Gu Haitang firmly refused, having decided not to go back. Lang Yuexuan respected her decision and drove her to the job. Gu Haitang's exquisite makeup skills greatly pleased the bride. Following this, Fan Zhen proposed that Gu Haitang open a beauty school or academy, a suggestion that Lang Yuexuan also strongly supported and approved.

Lang Yuexuan drove Gu Haitang home, where they found Lang Yueming waiting for her. Lang Yueming expressed his desire to cooperate with Gu Haitang and promised to help her achieve her ideals and support her. When Gu Haitang mentioned her idea of opening a school, Lang Yueming wholeheartedly supported it. Gu Haitang stated she needed more time to consider the proposal.

Lang Sinian, who was gradually recovering with Feng Chunyan's careful tending, found neither of his sons entirely suitable to lead the Lang family. Feng Chunyan advocated for Lang Yueming, criticizing Lang Yuexuan. However, Lang Sinian believed Lang Yuexuan was too kind-hearted, only considering others and neglecting profit, making him unsuitable for the business world. He considered Lang Yueming to be cunning and petty, always thinking negatively, and found his working methods unreliable.

Consequently, Lang Sinian was still hesitant to entrust the workshop to either brother or to both of them. One night, Lang Yueming saw Lang Yuexuan dressed impeccably and heading out. Assuming he was going to see Gu Haitang, Lang Yuexuan denied it. Lang Yueming then secretly followed Lang Yuexuan to a nightclub, where he saw him entering intimately with dancers. Lang Yueming immediately went to Gu Haitang, reporting that Lang Yuexuan frequently visited nightclubs and implying she should "manage" him.

Seeing Gu Haitang's anger, Lang Yueming left triumphantly. The next morning, Lang Yuexuan visited Gu Haitang. Knowing she was aware of his nightclub visit, Gu Haitang was cold towards him, feigning tiredness and asking him to leave. Lang Yuexuan tried to cheer her up, which only angered her further, as she mistakenly thought he was flirtatious with all women. Lang Yuexuan vehemently denied this, insisting his heart was solely for Gu Haitang.

When Gu Haitang demanded to know his whereabouts the previous night, Lang Yuexuan explained he had gone to a reputable nightclub to recruit students for her prospective school. Hearing this, Gu Haitang believed him and was somewhat appeased. Returning home early, Lang Yuexuan met Lang Yueming, who scoffed at him and ignored him. Lang Yuexuan then saw Lang Sinian dozing over ledgers and covered him with his coat.

Upon waking, Lang Sinian urged Lang Yuexuan to leave Gu Haitang to avoid upsetting Feng Chunyan. Lang Yuexuan proposed entrusting the entire workshop to Lang Yueming, so he and Gu Haitang could focus entirely on their own affairs. Lang Sinian, hearing Lang Yuexuan speak only of Gu Haitang, was very disappointed. Feng Chunyan, who overheard this conversation from outside, was furious that Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang's relationship was growing closer.

Feng Chunyan then sought Maimy to strategize, instructing her to closely monitor Gu Haitang and to invite Long Mohua to visit the Lang mansion, as she hadn't been there in a long time. Lang Yuexuan noticed Lang Yueming becoming increasingly cold towards him, coupled with his parents' disappointment. Feeling upset and alienated, Lang Yuexuan confided in Shi Diwen over drinks, expressing his distress over the rift with Lang Yueming due to Gu Haitang.

Shi Diwen, feeling he had an objective view, inadvertently revealed that Lang Yueming had changed and advised Lang Yuexuan to be wary of him, suggesting Lang Yuexuan had offended Lang Yueming because of Gu Haitang. Lang Yuexuan was shocked and displeased by these remarks and warned Shi Diwen not to speak ill of Lang Yueming, causing Shi Diwen to stop. Long Mohua arrived at the Lang mansion as invited.

Feng Chunyan dismissed Maimy and asked Long Mohua to persuade Lang Yuexuan (and possibly Lang Yueming) to leave Gu Haitang. Long Mohua expressed her powerlessness, noting that Lang Yuexuan did not care for her. Feng Chunyan then promised to help bring Long Mohua and Lang Yuexuan together, a proposition Long Mohua happily accepted.

Episode 37 Recap

Lang Yueming, feeling a deep lack of trust from Lang Sinian and believing he could never measure up to Lang Yuexuan, sought business counsel from Shi Jizhou (also referred to as Shi Boss). Shi Jizhou encouraged Lang Yueming's ambition, proposing that he execute an unexpected plan to surprise Lang Sinian, and they began collaborating on various business and perfume-related matters. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan, escorting a drunk Shi Diwen home, unexpectedly saw Lang Yueming leaving the Shi residence.

Recalling remarks made by Shi Diwen, Lang Yuexuan's suspicions were aroused. Overwhelmed with distress, Lang Yuexuan confided in Gu Haitang, feeling like a profound failure for not adequately protecting her and causing sadness to his parents. Gu Haitang comforted him, urging him not to bear all the blame and offering to share his burdens. Lang Yuexuan vowed that he would never again allow Gu Haitang to suffer sadness or injustice.

Moved by his words, Gu Haitang impulsively kissed Lang Yuexuan, leading to a passionate embrace between them, which was unfortunately witnessed by Lang Yueming, who had arrived to see Gu Haitang and felt a surge of jealousy. Lang Yuexuan later discovered that the Shi Hanglu brand was selling a very popular perfume, which he acquired a small bottle of from a customer. He quickly recognized it as the "Oriental Perfume" he and Gu Haitang had co-developed.

Lang Yuexuan suspected that the Shi family might have stolen their formula and been responsible for a previous incident that framed the Lang family, fearing they might continue to cause harm. He confronted Lang Yueming, who falsely claimed he had sold the "Oriental Perfume" to unknown distributors and small merchants, advising Lang Yuexuan to cease his inquiry.

Miaolan, however, overheard Lang Yueming's confession that he had lied about the distribution and that his actions, including his involvement with Gu Haitang's school, were primarily driven by a desire to provoke Lang Yuexuan's jealousy. Despite Gu Haitang's initial skepticism regarding Lang Yuexuan's suspicions about Lang Yueming, Lang Yuexuan remained deeply unsettled, determined to uncover the truth and clear Gu Haitang's name. Miaolan, having secretly followed Lang Yuexuan, reported these developments to Lang Yueming, cautioning him to be careful.

Lang Yueming, confident in his flawless execution and believing Lang Yuexuan was forever indebted to him, dismissed the warning. Instead, he instructed Miaolan to swiftly inform Feng Chunyan (also referred to as Lang Madam or He Chunyan) that Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang were still seeing each other, hoping to use this information to force their separation. Separately, Fan Zhen offered to help Gu Haitang establish a beauty school, suggesting her own courtyard as a temporary location.

However, Lang Yueming purchased a villa and insisted on presenting it to Gu Haitang as the permanent site for her school, leaving no room for refusal. Gu Haitang reluctantly accepted, and Lang Yueming expressed his hope that the school would be filled with students within three years, pledging his unwavering support. With confidence, Gu Haitang began her school, which quickly attracted many students. Lang Yueming personally attended the opening day to offer his encouragement.

Meanwhile, Gu Haitang returned home to find her mother deeply saddened by the death of a neighboring aunt, who had no family to manage her funeral arrangements. Gu Haitang's mother wished to respectfully prepare the aunt for burial, believing Gu Haitang's father, Gu Shunqi, would return to help, as he was even more skilled at such preparations than she was. Both Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe expressed concern for their mother's emotional well-being.

Lang Yuexuan, learning of the situation, volunteered to assist with the funeral. Executing Lang Yueming's plan, Miaolan arranged for Feng Chunyan to pass by Gu Haitang's house in Mingluo Alley, ostensibly to consult a monk about her headaches, precisely when the funeral procession was underway. Feng Chunyan witnessed Lang Yuexuan walking alongside Gu Haitang in the procession and observed Gu Haitang's mother applying makeup to the deceased. Enraged by the sight, Feng Chunyan immediately departed with Miaolan.

Upon returning home, Feng Chunyan furiously confronted Lang Yuexuan, forbidding him from any further association with Gu Haitang. She adamantly claimed that Gu Haitang's makeup skills were acquired through practicing on the deceased, and that his continued involvement with her would irreparably damage the reputation of Lang Lichun. Lang Yuexuan's attempts to explain were completely disregarded by Feng Chunyan. To further her agenda, Miaolan bribed a reporter to publish an article detailing Gu Haitang's family's practice of preparing the deceased.

Upon seeing the published article, Feng Chunyan again summoned Lang Yuexuan, coercing him to definitively sever all ties with Gu Haitang, even invoking the authority of Lang Sinian. Lang Yuexuan reluctantly agreed to handle the matter. Subsequently, Long Mohua visited Feng Chunyan, who passionately complained about Gu Haitang, with Miaolan further inciting her by reiterating the potential harm to Lang Lichun's reputation. Long Mohua then offered to personally help completely sever all connections between Gu Haitang and the Lang family.

Episode 38 Recap

Gu Xiahe accompanies his mother (Mrs. Gu) to deliver food to Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen at the school, also hoping to visit. Lang Yueming accompanies Gu Haitang for a day of classes, and Gu Haitang expresses her gratitude to him. After Lang Yueming departs, Gu Xiahe and his mother arrive. Students, having seen a newspaper article, directly confront Gu Haitang about its contents.

Gu Haitang admits the article is true but explains that her parents were excellent beauty experts who compassionately helped the deceased maintain dignity, allowing relatives to retain fond memories. The students are deeply moved by her explanation, agreeing that it's an act of kindness rather than something shameful. Lang Yuexuan visits Gu Haitang after finishing his work. Gu Haitang shows him the newspaper, expressing concern about its potential negative impact on Langlichun's business.

Lang Yuexuan suspects someone is deliberately causing trouble, a sentiment Gu Haitang shares. Lang Yuexuan then attempts to kiss Gu Haitang, which unexpectedly sparks an idea: perceiving the kiss as wonderful, sweet, and having a distinct taste, he is inspired to create a non-toxic, edible lipstick that embodies this sensation. He proposes that Gu Haitang collaborate with him on this project, suggesting it could also help resolve misunderstandings between their families.

Gu Haitang is initially surprised, thinking he's joking, but is touched by his romantic notion. Feng Chunyan (also referred to as Mrs. Lang) repeatedly advises Lang Yueming to distance himself from Gu Haitang, fearing that Long Mohua might resort to extreme measures, and asks him to convey the same warning to Lang Yuexuan. Lang Yueming promises to speak with Long Mohua. Feng Chunyan also strongly advocates for Lang Yueming to take over Langlichun's business.

She urges Lang Sinian (Mr. Lang) to entrust Lang Yueming with management, and Lang Yueming himself humbly expresses his readiness. After careful consideration, Lang Sinian decides to give Lang Yueming full authority over the crucial raw material supply, explicitly stating that any errors would be Lang Yueming's responsibility and emphasizing the need for absolute flawlessness. Feng Chunyan is overjoyed, but Lang Yueming perceives this as a sign of Lang Sinian's continued distrust.

Feng Chunyan later complains that Lang Sinian is too strict with Lang Yueming, contrasting it with how he treats Lang Yuexuan, believing he's being unfair. She also uses the newspaper article to defame Gu Haitang, calling her a jinx to the Lang family, but Lang Sinian dismisses her concerns, remaining indifferent. Gu Haitang learns from Fan Zhen that Chu Chu, a female worker, also wished to attend the school but was delayed due to her mother's illness.

Gu Haitang, Lang Yuexuan, and Fan Zhen visit Chu Chu's mother, leaving some money for household expenses. However, Chu Chu's father, who is addicted to gambling, immediately seizes the money to gamble it away. Miao Lan later congratulates Lang Yueming, informing him that Long Mohua had inquired about Gu Haitang's school address and suggesting this could be an opportunity for him to win Gu Haitang's favor.

That same night, Long Mohua secretly hires people to scout Gu Haitang's school, instructing them to rally others to cause trouble there, promising a substantial reward for their success. The next morning, Gu Haitang arrives at her school to find significantly fewer students. Soon after, a group of unidentified individuals arrives to cause a disturbance. They claim the Gu family's practice of beautifying the deceased makes them unfit to teach the living and that their cosmetics are for the dead.

Chu Chu also appears, inciting the crowd and turning against Gu Haitang, demanding fee refunds. Gu Haitang attempts to reason with them, but they refuse to listen. Chu Chu secretly reports to Long Mohua, who instructs her to provoke the mob to smash the school, promising her a large sum of money; it's revealed that Chu Chu herself recruited the parents involved.

Lang Yueming arrives, exposes Long Mohua's plot, and then bravely rushes forward to protect Gu Haitang, getting severely beaten by the mob. After the confrontation, Gu Haitang bandages Lang Yueming's wounds, comforting him and urging him not to be defeated. Lang Yuexuan also rushes to the school, advising Gu Haitang to move out and reopen her school elsewhere. However, Lang Yueming strongly objects, insisting that he can protect Gu Haitang and criticizing Lang Yuexuan for not arriving more promptly.

Lang Yuexuan then escorts Gu Haitang home, where they find several seemingly ill-intentioned reporters gathered at the Gu family's door, hoping to interview Gu Haitang. Lang Yuexuan calls the reporters away, allowing Gu Haitang to enter her home. Gu Haitang's mother consoles her, recalling that Gu Haitang's father, Gu Shunqi, who was perfecting a "Hibiscus Paste" to make the deceased look alive and appear vibrant, had faced similar issues.

Gu Xiahe wants to drop out of school to help Gu Haitang shoulder the pressure, but she firmly opposes it, urging him to study hard and succeed in the future. Later, Feng Chunyan learns that Lang Yueming provided the location for Gu Haitang's school and admonishes both Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan for helping Gu Haitang. Lang Sinian intervenes, advising Lang Yuexuan to leave Gu Haitang.

However, Lang Yuexuan not only refuses to end their relationship but also proposes that Gu Haitang collaborate with Langlichun to develop new products, asserting that both he and Gu Haitang are working for the good of the Lang family.

Episode 39 Recap

Lang Yuexuan introduced a new product, a lipstick, developed by Gu Haitang, intending its mass production and market launch at Langlichun. He presented Lang Sinian with a market research report, advocating for market leadership through innovation. Lang Sinian, however, believed Langlichun was not in a good position to invest in new products, viewed Lang Yuexuan's ideas as theoretical, and explicitly stated he would not mix business with personal feelings regarding Gu Haitang, maintaining an unchanged attitude towards her.

Lang Yuexuan's actions to protect Gu Haitang also angered Feng Chunyan, though Lang Yuexuan hoped for Langlichun's cooperation with Gu Haitang. Feng Chunyan severely reprimanded Lang Yueming for assisting Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming explained his actions as a strategic retreat, aiming to first separate Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang, and then to dismiss Gu Haitang entirely.

He expressed concern that Lang Yuexuan would not easily drop the matter, potentially escalating the situation and involving their father, which he feared would be detrimental to them. Feng Chunyan was distraught, but Lang Yueming promised to resolve everything swiftly, assuring her. Shi Diwen informed Shi Jizhou that Gu Haitang's parents had previously specialized in applying makeup to the deceased, which greatly surprised Shi Jizhou, who then recalled Gu Haitang's father.

Shi Jizhou also received a call from Long Deshui (also referred to as Long Dashuai) arranging a meeting for the following day. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen searched for Chu Chu, but learned from neighbors that Chu Chu and her entire family had moved to a relative's home or another town. Long Mohua proactively sought Lang Yueming's cooperation, encouraging him to boldly pursue Gu Haitang using any means necessary.

Long Mohua pledged her full assistance, stating their alliance was based on shared interests in separating Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang. They immediately agreed to work together. Lang Yuexuan, Fan Zhen, and Gu Haitang visited the empty academy. Gu Haitang, determined not to give up, decided to restart the academy from scratch by promoting it door-to-door to attract more students.

Lang Yuexuan also tasked Gu Haitang with developing new lipstick products for prompt market launch, having already discussed these new product plans with Lang Sinian. Long Deshui summoned Lang Sinian and Shi Jizhou to solicit donations for military expenses, stating his aim to eliminate surrounding warlords and ensure the safety of Kunyang's citizens. The two bosses engaged in subtle rivalry, with Shi Jizhou feigning poor business and pushing Lang Sinian to take the lead.

Lang Sinian immediately agreed to contribute double Shi Jizhou's amount. Lang Yuexuan confronted Long Mohua, suspecting her of instigating trouble at the academy. Long Mohua initially denied it, but then openly admitted her involvement. She condemned Lang Yuexuan for consistently protecting Gu Haitang and disregarding her. Lang Yuexuan, in turn, vowed to fully protect Gu Haitang from any further harm or grievance, which further enraged Long Mohua.

Lang Yueming, while checking items in the warehouse, found discrepancies and demanded to see previous and detailed account books from Yang Guanjia (also referred to as Yang Shu), the warehouse manager. Yang Guanjia firmly refused, stating that only Lang Sinian and Lang Yuexuan handled and were authorized to view the accounts. Lang Yueming grew furious, suspecting Yang Guanjia of tampering with the books. Lang Yuexuan arrived, intervened, and sent Yang Guanjia away.

Lang Yueming then pressed Lang Yuexuan to open the cabinet holding the account books, but Lang Yuexuan insisted that he first seek Lang Sinian's permission before proceeding. Lang Yueming held the new month's account books. Lang Yuexuan, needing to process orders and prevent losses, requested to see the receipts for Lang Yueming's latest batch of goods and inspect the inventory.

However, Lang Yueming, still resentful from their previous confrontation, refused, insisting on procedures and requiring Lang Yuexuan to obtain Lang Sinian's consent. Lang Yuexuan attempted to resolve their unspoken misunderstandings, but Lang Yueming remained unyielding, firmly asserting that Gu Haitang was "his woman" and blaming Lang Yuexuan for all issues. Their disagreement escalated into a fierce argument. Distraught, Long Mohua sought out Shi Diwen, asking him to accompany her for a distraction.

On the way, Long Mohua revealed her bad mood, and Shi Diwen kindly advised her that only "heart medicine" could cure the heart, acknowledging that he was always by her side when she had problems. He suggested she needed an outlet to vent and took her cycling in the suburbs. There, they agreed to ride down a steep slope blindfolded.

Long Mohua played a trick, which Shi Diwen believed, causing him to foolishly charge down, fall face-first, and sustain a slight injury. Long Mohua quickly helped him up, continuously chiding him for being too foolish. Upon learning of his sons' quarrel from Yang Guanjia, Lang Sinian summoned them, viewing their conflict as a sign of diligence rather than something to be blamed for. The brothers apologized to each other.

Lang Sinian questioned Lang Yueming about the raw material intake and warehouse inventory numbers; Lang Yueming's answers were incomplete, flawed, and contained errors. Lang Sinian instructed him to study diligently, be more attentive, and quickly master the regulations. Feeling annoyed by Lang Sinian's constant comparisons to Lang Yuexuan, Lang Yueming left in a huff but then returned and listened from outside the door.

Lang Sinian then reviewed Lang Yuexuan's feasibility analysis report for the lipstick, sensing Lang Yuexuan's impatience and pointing out flaws in the proposal, reminding him not to overlook minor details. He imparted business secrets and techniques to Lang Yuexuan, who felt enlightened and expressed his intention to use the edible lipstick to establish Langlichun's reputation among customers. Lang Yuexuan also took the opportunity to act affectionately with Lang Sinian.

Lang Yueming, overhearing Lang Yuexuan's risky plan to launch an edible product, also heard Lang Sinian declare that any failure would be Lang Yuexuan's sole responsibility, with no support from him. Lang Yueming's heart felt bitter as he recalled Lang Sinian's cold remarks to him.

Episode 40 Recap

Shi Jizhou, having learned from his driver that Gu Haitang's father, Gu Shunqi, was an exceptional makeup artist capable of making the deceased appear alive, recalled his past attempts to collaborate with Gu Shunqi to ruin "Langlichun." Gu Shunqi had resolutely refused, leading Shi Jizhou to threaten his wife and children. Suspecting Gu Haitang to be Gu Shunqi's daughter, Shi Jizhou devised a new plan to permanently destroy the Lang family, particularly Lang Sinian.

He immediately returned home, instructing his wife to retrieve all money and gold bars from their safe, vowing to use Gu Haitang's background in a desperate gamble. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen decided to reopen their beauty academy. They took to the streets, distributing flyers, promoting their teachings to passersby, and offering free makeup services to interested young women.

Feng Chunyan, the matriarch of the Lang family, was restless with worry over family matters, particularly fearing that Lang Yueming's strong self-esteem might lead him to misunderstand Lang Sinian's good intentions in business. Miaolan, her attendant, offered to help monitor the situation. Feeling increasingly vexed, Feng Chunyan went out for a walk with Miaolan. They soon spotted Gu Haitang applying makeup to new recruits on the street.

Miaolan seized the opportunity to portray Gu Haitang as a cunning woman, suggesting she was exploiting "Langlichun's" name to attract students, and incited Feng Chunyan to confront her. Feng Chunyan and Miaolan publicly accosted Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen, falsely claiming they had been dismissed from "Langlichun" and were therefore unqualified to use its name for promotion. They hurled insults and accusations, but Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen staunchly defended themselves.

As Feng Chunyan turned to leave, Miaolan deliberately stepped on her skirt, causing Feng Chunyan to fall and faint. Gu Haitang promptly helped her up. Miaolan later spread a false account, telling Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming that Gu Haitang had pushed Feng Chunyan. Upon hearing of Feng Chunyan's injury, Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming rushed to her side. Lang Yueming aggressively sent Lang Yuexuan away, asserting his sole right to care for his mother.

Feng Chunyan, still agitated, demanded that Lang Sinian find a way to drive Gu Haitang out of Kunyang. Despite this, Lang Yuexuan brought Gu Haitang to offer an apology to Feng Chunyan. However, Feng Chunyan refused to accept it, her anger intensifying as she forcefully dismissed Gu Haitang. Lang Yuexuan's attempts to defend Gu Haitang only earned him a stern rebuke from Feng Chunyan.

Lang Sinian tried to persuade Feng Chunyan to hear Gu Haitang's explanation, but Feng Chunyan adamantly declared herself irreconcilably opposed to Gu Haitang, threatening severe repercussions for anyone who dared to privately associate with Gu Haitang. Lang Sinian then asked Miaolan to stay and attend to Feng Chunyan. Internally, tensions simmered within the Lang family. Lang Yueming confronted Lang Yuexuan about the development of new products, accusing him of being two-faced.

Lang Yuexuan responded by advising Lang Yueming against his current paranoia, stating that Gu Haitang's consent was necessary for new product details. Feng Chunyan, observing the growing friction between Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming, feared it would lead to a larger rift. She instructed Miaolan to monitor Lang Yuexuan to prevent him from contacting Gu Haitang.

Later, Feng Chunyan began to suspect Miaolan had tripped her, realizing Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen had been in front of her, while Miaolan was behind. Miaolan vehemently denied the accusation and was dismissed. Miaolan subsequently visited Lang Yueming, who perceived her desperation to eliminate Gu Haitang and her ambition to escape servitude within the Lang family. Miaolan conceded that she and Lang Yueming shared similar desires.

Back in her room, consumed by hatred for Feng Chunyan, Miaolan pierced a doll inscribed with Feng Chunyan's birth details. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang faced a crisis as many students, seemingly incited by an unknown party, gathered at her home demanding tuition refunds. She promised to return their money within ten days. Her mother, learning of Gu Haitang's predicament, produced family heirlooms, including ancestral gold and silver jewelry, to help.

Among these, Gu Haitang discovered a long-lost box of "Furong Paste," which still exuded its original fragrance after many years. Gu Haitang, who had previously failed to recreate the paste, was overjoyed and resolved to rediscover its secret formula. Fan Zhen later reported positive news: several students, secretly defying their families, still wished to learn genuine skills from Gu Haitang. Fan Zhen suspected the earlier student protests were orchestrated, though she lacked concrete evidence.

Gu Haitang advised her to remain calm and focus on teaching her students. In political circles, Long Dashuai pressured Lang Sinian to expedite his donations, reminding him not to be outdone by Shi Jizhou and to uphold his promise. Lang Sinian pledged a box of gold bars. Long Dashuai also attempted to arrange a marriage between Lang Yuexuan and Long Mohua, putting Lang Sinian in an awkward position he could not refuse.

Aware of Shi Jizhou's true ambitions, Lang Sinian agreed to the marriage, and Lang Yuexuan, in turn, promised to assist Lang Sinian in countering Shi Jizhou. Simultaneously, Long Mohua spent a day with Diwen. She drove him home late, embracing him in gratitude. Diwen took the opportunity to declare his feelings for her, but Long Mohua deftly changed the subject and drove away. Shi Jizhou observed this entire interaction from the shadows.

Episode 41 Recap

Lang Yuexuan accompanied Lang Sinian home. On the way, the father and son had a heart-to-heart talk, with Lang Sinian reflecting on the passage of time from a naive youth to an old man. Lang Yuexuan comforted him, promising to help shoulder his burdens. Lang Yuexuan also revealed his love for Gu Haitang and his need to get samples from her, which Lang Sinian did not question.

Upon Lang Sinian's arrival home, Feng Chunyan eagerly questioned him about Long Deshui's intentions. Lang Sinian expressed concern that paying a large sum of money would plunge Lang Lichun into a financial crisis, creating an opportunity for Shi Jizhou to take advantage. However, they dared not defy Long Deshui's wishes, nor could they allow the Shi family to ally with Long Deshui.

Feng Chunyan proposed that Lang Yuexuan marry Long Mohua to form an alliance with Long Deshui, thereby thwarting Shi Jizhou. Lang Sinian worried Lang Yuexuan would not agree, as he believed it disrespected young people's love, but Feng Chunyan remained insistent. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang, after dedicated research, successfully developed an edible lipstick and discovered a method for mass production. Lang Yuexuan was captivated by its fragrance and praised her extensively, recalling the night of their intimate kiss.

He shared the good news that Lang Sinian had approved the lipstick's production, and an order requiring advance samples was already being discussed. Lang Yuexuan hoped to seize this opportunity to create a miracle. Gu Haitang, however, felt a sense of sadness despite her happiness, worrying about Feng Chunyan's hostility and non-acceptance. Lang Yuexuan comforted her, promising to resolve their misunderstanding. To handle the significant order, Lang Yuexuan suggested taking pre-orders from Lang Lichun's old customers.

Realizing Gu Haitang could not manage the large quantity alone, she proposed bringing in her former students to help. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang then went their separate ways to prepare. Feng Chunyan, concerned about the potential negative impact on Lang Lichun, urged Lang Yueming to quickly sabotage Gu Haitang and ensure her academy could not continue. Lang Yueming agreed and sought out Long Mohua, deliberately provoking her by mentioning Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang's intimate relationship.

Long Mohua and Lang Yueming once again formed an alliance, agreeing to target Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang separately. Lang Yueming subsequently instructed Chu Chu to invite all of Gu Haitang's former academy students to work as apprentice workers at Lang Lichun. Despite Lu Fan Zhen investing all her savings to help Gu Haitang produce the lipstick, they later discovered from the students that they had all been recruited by Lang Lichun.

Lu Fan Zhen concluded that Feng Chunyan was behind this scheme, leaving Gu Haitang feeling helpless. Separately, Shi Jizhou sent people, including a man named Han Ruibin, to investigate Gu Haitang's family history among the neighborhood residents, asking about a story that had been published in the newspaper. Gu Xiahe noticed someone lurking suspiciously near their home and reported it to Gu Haitang, but she dismissed it as she was rushing to the academy with Lu Fan Zhen.

Shi Jizhou also pressed Shi Diwen to pursue Long Mohua, scolding him for his lack of confidence and mistakenly believing he was already in a relationship with her, a misunderstanding Shi Diwen clarified. Late one night, Feng Chunyan, unable to sleep, went to consult Miaolan about how to arrange Lang Yuexuan and Long Mohua's marriage.

Miaolan, who was secretly using a voodoo doll to curse Feng Chunyan (hiding it near Lang Yuanyuan's memorial tablet and in her jewelry box when Feng Chunyan arrived), advised that getting rid of Gu Haitang was the key, suggesting they first break up Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang. After seeing Feng Chunyan off, Miaolan, following Feng Chunyan's instructions, brought supper to Lang Yueming, and they talked extensively.

Feng Chunyan realized she had left a personal item, either her jade pendant or prayer beads, at Miaolan's room. When she returned to retrieve it, she passed Lang Yueming's room, saw the light on, and overheard part of his conversation with Miaolan. Not hearing much, she dismissed Miaolan. Lang Yueming then defended Miaolan, urging Feng Chunyan to be kinder to her.

After Feng Chunyan left, she went to Miaolan's room, furiously scolding her for being two-faced and hypocritical, explaining that this was why she did not trust her. Feng Chunyan slapped Miaolan and warned her to behave. Lang Yueming, realizing Miaolan was a cunning and manipulative woman, observed that she had been subservient to Feng Chunyan all this time and would fight fiercely to reclaim anything she loved if it were taken from her.

Later, Lang Yueming arrived at the workshop and was infuriated to find Lang Yuexuan moving goods from the warehouse without his prior permission. Lang Yuexuan explained that the goods were raw materials for samples and that he had informed his father. This explanation only angered Lang Yueming further, who insisted that no goods could be moved without his authorization and threatened to fire the workers involved.

Lang Sinian arrived just in time, claiming he was the one who authorized Lang Yuexuan to take the goods for shipment. Lang Sinian then pulled Lang Yueming aside, criticizing him for constantly targeting Lang Yuexuan and accusing him of acting out of revenge. While acknowledging Lang Yueming's adherence to warehouse rules, which should be praised, Lang Sinian made it clear that he saw Lang Yueming was specifically targeting Lang Yuexuan. Lang Yueming, though unconvinced, verbally agreed not to pursue the matter further.

Episode 42 Recap

As Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen struggled to find help producing lipstick, Lang Yuexuan returned with spices from Langlichun, informing them that Lang Sinian had agreed to prioritize lipstick production in the workshop and asking Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen to assist. Gu Haitang was put in charge of the production process. Meanwhile, Gu Xiahe noticed Han Ruibin (referred to as Mr. Han), lingering suspiciously at his doorstep.

Han Ruibin claimed he wanted to repay his teacher's kindness and requested Gu Haitang's mother to apply makeup to his deceased teacher. Gu Xiahe initially did not easily agree, stating he needed to consult with Gu Haitang first, though he also felt that refusing now, after helping before, would seem strange. He noted the family needed the generous compensation offered, and Gu Haitang's mother also felt she should help others, so she agreed.

Lang Yuexuan brought Gu Haitang and Fan Zhen to the workshop, instructing the female workers to expedite lipstick production. Gu Haitang saw Chuchu there and questioned her about disturbing the academy, but Chuchu offered various excuses. Lang Sinian met with Lang Yueming, urging him to release his prejudice against Lang Yuexuan. Lang Yueming, however, insisted on being with Gu Haitang and sought Lang Sinian's support for their union.

Lang Sinian advised him not to force Gu Haitang, explaining he was considering Langlichun's interests and, since Lang Yuexuan was working for the company, Lang Yueming should help him produce the new product quickly. Lang Yueming reluctantly agreed despite his unwillingness. During production, Gu Haitang discovered Fan Zhen was using synthetic oils and immediately stopped her, emphasizing the need for pure plant-based oils due to allergic risks.

Fan Zhen promptly instructed the female workers to halt production and clear out the finished lipsticks. Gu Haitang reported this issue to Lang Yuexuan, who recognized its severity and fully supported her decision, also urging her to quickly remove the synthetic oils. Chuchu then informed Lang Yueming about the dangers of synthetic oils. That night, Lang Yueming went to the warehouse and tampered with the plant-based oils.

Later, Lang Yuexuan sought out Lang Yueming at night to request raw materials for the following day. Lang Yueming uncharacteristically reconciled with Lang Yuexuan, promising full support and stating he would not make things difficult for him. Lang Yuexuan, believing he had misunderstood his brother, eagerly informed Gu Haitang of the good news. He hoped to resolve their misunderstandings by inviting Lang Yueming to dinner once the lipsticks were finished.

Gu Haitang then mentioned her mother's commitment to apply makeup for the deceased teacher. Lang Yuexuan worried this might impact the lipstick launch, leading Gu Haitang to decide to cancel the arrangement. Lang Sinian then informed Lang Yuexuan that he was to meet Long Mohua for a blind date the next day. Lang Yuexuan strongly disagreed.

Lang Sinian explained the importance of securing Long Deshui's support, clarifying that the purpose was not marriage but to stabilize the situation with Long Mohua and Long Deshui at this critical juncture. Feeling pressured and not wanting to deceive Long Mohua, Lang Yuexuan reluctantly agreed to handle the matter smoothly. Feng Chunyan (also referred to as He Chunyan or Mrs. Lang) anxiously inquired about Lang Yuexuan's decision from Lang Sinian, relieved to learn he had agreed.

Lang Yuexuan retrieved plant-based oils from the warehouse. Gu Haitang opened one barrel, found no abnormalities, and instructed the female workers to resume production. Lang Sinian then accompanied Lang Yuexuan to the Long residence. Long Deshui praised Lang Yuexuan and asked him to chat with Long Mohua. Lang Sinian seized the opportunity to give Long Deshui money, even more than previously agreed, much to Long Deshui's delight.

Lang Yuexuan went upstairs to find Long Mohua and directly confronted her about sending people to cause trouble at Gu Haitang's academy. Long Mohua vehemently denied it, becoming angry and feeling Lang Yuexuan did not consider her a friend. Lang Yuexuan retorted that he asked precisely because he considered her a friend, leading to an unhappy argument and their parting ways. Lang Yuexuan angrily left the Long residence without looking back, despite Lang Sinian's urgent persuasion.

Lang Sinian worried that someone might interfere and turn Long Deshui into a bottomless pit. Upon Lang Sinian's return home, Feng Chunyan eagerly asked about Lang Yuexuan and Long Mohua's progress, believing that if they could marry, things would be much simpler. Lang Sinian advised her not to worry unnecessarily, stating it was not a glorious matter and should not be mentioned again. A client called Lang Sinian, urgently requesting the samples.

Lang Sinian instructed Lang Yuexuan to guarantee the quality, emphasizing that if this batch could establish itself in the market, it could be Langlichun's chance to recover, and they could not afford any more mistakes. Through the tireless efforts of Gu Haitang and the female workers, the edible lipstick was quickly developed, produced, and shipped. Gu Haitang was very happy, and Lang Yuexuan personally delivered the samples to the client.

When Long Mohua did not return home late at night, Long Deshui grew anxious, almost to the point of sealing off the entire city. He was finally relieved after receiving a call from Shi Jizhou (also referred to as Mr. Shi or Boss Shi), who informed him that Long Mohua was at his house.

Episode 43 Recap

Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe encountered Han Ruibin, with Gu Haitang agreeing to let her mother, Mrs. Gu, provide free makeup services for Han Ruibin’s father. Mrs. Gu was initially captivated by the bustling street, and Gu Haitang promised to take her out again. At Han Ruibin’s home, Mrs. Gu and Gu Haitang learned they were to apply makeup to a living person, Han Ruibin’s father, who wished to see his appearance after death.

Gu Haitang deemed this absurd and attempted to leave, but Han Ruibin knelt and tearfully pleaded, explaining his difficult circumstances and his father's limited time, expressing his desire to fulfill filial piety. Mrs. Gu and Gu Haitang softened and agreed, with Mrs. Gu applying a special Furong paste which the old man praised highly.

On their way back, Mrs. Gu suddenly recalled the secret to the Furong paste, and Gu Haitang quickly wrote it down, but Mrs. Gu was then startled and forgot everything. At school, Lang Qingqing heard classmates spreading rumors about Gu Xiahe's family doing makeup for the dead, but she remained unfazed. Gu Xiahe explained the meaning of life and death, emphasizing respect for the deceased, which led Lang Qingqing to call him a philosopher.

Han Ruibin scraped the Furong paste from his father's face and delivered it to Shi Jizhou, who immediately ordered it to be analyzed for its ingredients. Shi Jizhou reflected on his past, revealing he had murdered Gu Shunqi to steal his formula, specifically the Furong paste recipe. However, the copy he obtained was incomplete, missing crucial pages. After the analysis, he realized some ingredients remained unidentified, but he deduced that Gu Haitang was Gu Shunqi's daughter.

Shi Jizhou planned to leverage Gu Haitang to complete the missing two pages of the formula, aiming to utterly ruin Lang Sinian and his business, Lang Li Chun. His wife, Mrs. Shi, advised against such heinous acts, but Shi Jizhou remained unrepentant and determined. Meanwhile, Shi Jizhou pressured his son, Shi Diwen, to pursue Long Mohua, but Shi Diwen asserted that Long Mohua only harbored feelings for Lang Yuexuan. Enraged, Shi Jizhou threw a teacup, injuring Shi Diwen's forehead.

Commander Long Deshui, Long Mohua's father, promised to help her marry Lang Yuexuan but warned her not to interfere with his methods, causing Long Mohua anxiety. Shi Diwen brought snacks to Commander Long, and Long Mohua attempted to invite Shi Diwen inside to talk, but Commander Long deemed it inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman, prompting Shi Diwen to find an excuse to leave. Long Mohua chased after Shi Diwen to explain.

Shi Diwen, understanding Commander Long's protective concern for his daughter, advised Long Mohua not to mind. Shi Diwen confided his troubles to Long Mohua, who comforted him. Noticing his forehead injury, she learned it was inflicted by Shi Jizhou due to their situation. She thanked Shi Diwen for his unwavering presence, and he seized the opportunity to confess his feelings. Long Mohua, however, reiterated that her heart belonged solely to Lang Yuexuan.

Later, Long Mohua, heartbroken, decided to forget Lang Yuexuan. She invited Shi Diwen on a bike ride. Despite Shi Diwen's warnings, she rode downhill recklessly and fell. As Shi Diwen helped her up, Long Mohua had a realization: she would no longer pursue an unrequited love and intended to live openly like Shi Diwen, caring for Lang Yuexuan but not forcing their relationship. They then rode off together, talking and laughing.

Shi Jizhou seized Lang Sinian's prime shop location in the busiest district by offering triple the rent, leaving Lang Sinian distraught and suspecting Shi Jizhou's involvement. However, Lang Yuexuan brought good news: a large order of lipsticks had been placed by merchants who approved the samples, an amount equivalent to half of Lang Li Chun's annual sales. Lang Sinian was relieved and revealed to his wife, Feng Chunyan, that Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan had jointly developed this successful lipstick.

He urged Feng Chunyan to overcome her prejudice against Gu Haitang so everyone could work together to help Lang Li Chun. Lang Yueming also pledged his full support to Lang Yuexuan. Lang Yuexuan later explained his actions to Feng Chunyan, assuring her he had good intentions, and she agreed to let Gu Haitang help, but warned Lang Yuexuan not to get romantically involved with her, to which he reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Lang Yueming intentionally ordered several barrels of synthetic oil.

When the delivery arrived, he tore up the delivery slip, claiming the order was wrong, but told the workers there was no need to return the oil and gave them compensation for their trouble. Subsequently, Lang Yueming covertly mixed the synthetic oil with the large barrels of pure plant oil, sabotaging the product.

Episode 44 Recap

At the workshop, Gu Haitang noticed the unusual color of the grease, but before she could inspect it further or start making lipstick with the female workers, her brother Gu Xiahe rushed in to report that their mother was terrified and besieged by reporters at home. Lang Yuexuan immediately took Gu Haitang home. While Lang Yuexuan drove the reporters away, they recognized him and threatened to "make him pay."

Gu Haitang quickly comforted her mother, who was so traumatized and disoriented that she mistook Lang Yuexuan for her husband, Gu Shunqi, but eventually stabilized. Lang Yuexuan played along, and Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe also comforted their mother to avoid further distress. Meanwhile, reporters also surrounded the Lang family home, questioning Lang Yueming about Gu Haitang's involvement in "Lang Li Chun" lipstick production.

They claimed Gu Haitang's family made makeup for the dead, casting doubt on "Lang Li Chun"'s use of her, but Lang Yueming assured them of the products' genuine quality and vowed no tolerance for defamation. Inside, Feng Chunyan, hearing the commotion, badmouthed Gu Haitang again to Lang Sinian. She proposed halting lipstick production and buying Gu Haitang's formula to prevent reputational damage, claiming a master had predicted Gu Haitang had a "bad fate."

Lang Sinian rebuked her for inventing rumors and also scolded Miao Lan for speaking ill of Gu Haitang. At that moment, Long Mohua rushed in, announcing she had heard about the situation and asked the Marshal to disperse the reporters. Lang Yueming told her not to interfere, but Feng Chunyan thanked Long Mohua profusely for her help and invited her to dinner. Lang Sinian realized someone was maliciously causing trouble.

Lang Yuexuan took Gu Haitang to the Lang family home to clarify the situation. Gu Haitang, suspecting foul play and not wanting to cause trouble for "Lang Li Chun," publicly announced her departure from the company, stating that any products she was involved with would no longer be related to her.

Feng Chunyan persisted, scoffing at Gu Haitang's mother for allegedly being "out and about" and causing trouble, accusing her of disgrace for making makeup for the dead, and forbidding Gu Haitang from "seducing" Lang Yuexuan. Miao Lan and Long Mohua supported Feng Chunyan in jointly harassing Gu Haitang. Lang Yuexuan, understanding Gu Haitang, fiercely defended her, confronted Feng Chunyan, and angrily left with Gu Haitang. Feng Chunyan was furious.

After leaving, Gu Haitang told Lang Yuexuan she wanted to research the "Furong Paste" formula that her parents/the couple had left behind. Lang Yuexuan pledged his full support for her to research it in "Haitang Garden." Later, Feng Chunyan, who had been unable to sleep, visited Miao Lan's room to offer incense to Lang Yueyuan. There, she discovered a paper figurine with her birth date written on it, realizing Miao Lan's curses against her. Enraged, she called Lang Yueming.

Lang Yueming suggested expelling Miao Lan, but Feng Chunyan, recalling her own past harshness towards Miao Lan and fearing a family scandal, told him not to intervene. The next day, Feng Chunyan conversed with Lang Sinian, reflecting on her "narrow-mindedness" after thinking all night and concluding that the family could not do without either Lang Yueming or Lang Yuexuan. Lang Sinian advised her to let things take their natural course.

At the workshop, Lang Yuexuan arrived early and saw Fan Zhen and other female workers diligently working overtime. Chu Chu, following Lang Yueming's instructions, discarded the barrels of doctored synthetic grease. After completing her task, Lang Yueming paid her for her services and warned her to keep it a secret before she left the workshop.

Fan Zhen, having finished the batch of goods, distributed red envelopes to the hardworking female employees but could not find Chu Chu, and no one knew her residence. Back at home, Gu Xiahe found their mother unconscious and quickly called Gu Haitang. The siblings rushed her to the hospital, where doctors managed to revive her. Gu Haitang needed to pay the hospital fees but had no money.

Unexpectedly, someone sent by Shi Jizhou paid the fees and then took Gu Haitang to meet him. Lang Yuexuan, meanwhile, was searching for Gu Haitang but found her home locked and grew very anxious. Gu Haitang met Shi Jizhou, who introduced himself as an "eight sworn brother" of her father, Gu Shunqi. Shi Jizhou claimed to have helped Gu Shunqi, who in turn gratefully collaborated with him on researching the "Furong Paste" secret formula.

He falsely asserted that Lang Sinian discovered this collaboration and murdered Gu Shunqi. Shi Jizhou further fabricated that he found Gu Shunqi still alive, who entrusted his family to him and revealed the location of the "Furong Paste" manual. Shi Jizhou presented Gu Shunqi's manual as proof of their close relationship, claiming he had been searching for Gu Haitang and her family for a long time.

He returned the manual to Gu Haitang, falsely alleging that its last page was torn during Gu Shunqi's fight with Lang Sinian. Gu Haitang believed his fabricated story. Lang Yuexuan continued to wait outside Gu Haitang's locked home until dark, but she did not return. Feng Chunyan, reflecting on her earlier harshness, sent Lang Yueming to find Lang Yuexuan and bring him home.

Episode 45 Recap

Feng Chunyan discovered Miaolan attempting suicide by hanging and rushed to save her. Miaolan knelt down to confess and apologize, though she harbored deep resentment. Feng Chunyan acknowledged Miaolan's bitterness, expressed her disappointment, and reprimanded her for making voodoo dolls, saying she considered Miaolan "one of her own" and didn't want her to do foolish things.

Feng Chunyan, reflecting on her own difficult life with a distant Lang Sinian and unattached sons, forgave Miaolan, but Miaolan’s expression remained unsettling even as she embraced Feng Chunyan. Lang Yueming searched for Lang Yuexuan for a long time, then enlisted Shi Diwen to help. They sought out Long Mohua, who was also unaware of Lang Yuexuan's whereabouts, so she joined their search. Along the way, Lang Yueming was hostile and sarcastic towards both Long Mohua and Shi Diwen.

Long Mohua argued with him, while Shi Diwen tried to mediate, urging them to focus on finding Lang Yuexuan first. They eventually found Lang Yuexuan waiting at the Gu family's doorstep, having waited for Gu Haitang all night, still worried about her.

Lang Yueming harshly reprimanded Lang Yuexuan, emphasizing that Gu Haitang had once been his wife and implying that even with the "Lang" surname, Lang Yuexuan might not truly be part of the Lang family, blaming him for his separation from Gu Haitang. Long Mohua attempted to intervene but was sharply accused by Lang Yueming of being manipulative and pretending to be innocent. Shi Diwen also faced Lang Yueming's mockery and, unable to tolerate it further, retorted.

Lang Yueming, angered, stormed off. Lang Yuexuan then left to find Gu Haitang. Lang Yuexuan went to the school to find Gu Xiahe, who, despite initially being resentful, revealed under Lang Yuexuan's persistent pleas that Gu Haitang was at the hospital nursing her mother and was avoiding him. Lang Yuexuan hurried to the hospital. Gu Mother, regaining consciousness briefly, mistook Lang Yuexuan for her husband, Gu Shunqi, and begged him to stay by her side, which Lang Yuexuan did.

Later, Gu Haitang called Lang Yuexuan aside and directly proposed breaking up. Lang Yuexuan was bewildered and asked for an explanation. Gu Haitang evaded the question, but she had come to believe Shi Jizhou's accusation that Lang Sinian had caused her father's death and stated she needed time to think things through. Lang Yuexuan mistakenly attributed her decision to Feng Chunyan and promised to convince her, but Gu Haitang's mind was made up.

Lang Yuexuan was left distraught and hopeless, refusing Shi Diwen's attempts to comfort him or convince him to drink. Adjutant Ma reported to Long Deshui that their allied forces were suffering defeats, and widespread recruitment of new soldiers was causing a massive surge in the cost of manpower and weapons. The funds Long Deshui had raised were insufficient, so Adjutant Ma urged him to secure more military funding quickly. Long Deshui was at a loss until Lang Sinian called.

Long Deshui again demanded money from Lang Sinian, who refused, citing Langli Spring's recent poor business and previous heavy contributions. Lang Sinian later reconsidered and sent some money through Uncle Quan. Long Deshui was furious at Lang Sinian's initial refusal. Long Mohua prepared to go out. Long Deshui, still angry, criticized her for having visited Lang Yuexuan and cursed both Lang Sinian and Lang Yuexuan. Long Mohua, not wanting to listen to his nagging, left abruptly.

Outside, she met Shi Diwen, who informed her about Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang's breakup and advised her not to gloat but to comfort Lang Yuexuan. Long Mohua was overjoyed and praised Shi Diwen as a good person. They went together to Haitang Garden to find Lang Yuexuan, but he was not there. Shi Jizhou then approached Long Deshui, proposing an alliance to dismantle Langli Spring.

He offered Long Deshui sole control of Langli Spring's shares and a chance to expand the Long family army, an offer Long Deshui accepted after consideration, recognizing the urgency of the war as the enemy neared Kunyang. Shi Jizhou immediately took action, spending heavily to monopolize the supply of all local essential oil raw materials.

Lang Sinian learned that this would force Langli Spring's workshop to halt production and urgently dispatched Lang Yueming to find Lang Yuexuan to resolve the crisis. Meanwhile, Fanzhen visited Gu Mother in the hospital and gave Gu Haitang a newly produced lipstick as a souvenir. Gu Haitang discovered that the lipstick's grease (oil) was problematic.

Although she felt it shouldn't concern her, she went to the workshop to inform Lang Sinian and Lang Yueming, explaining the seriousness of potential allergic reactions and the need for an immediate recall of all lipsticks. Gu Haitang also asked Fanzhen to convey the issue to Lang Yuexuan. Master Shang, consulting with female workers, learned that Chuchu had consistently taken the oil drums, leading him to suspect Chuchu of tampering. Lang Yueming quickly told them to stop investigating.

Lang Yuexuan, having learned about the raw material monopoly from Shi Diwen and heard about the lipstick problem from Fanzhen, rushed back to the workshop. However, Lang Yueming forbade him from getting involved, instead severely reprimanding him and blaming him for the entire situation. Lang Sinian insisted on recalling all products to protect Langli Spring's reputation, despite Lang Yueming and Feng Chunyan's concerns about financial losses and Lang Yueming's argument that allergies were rare.

Lang Yueming then lied to Lang Sinian about Lang Yuexuan's whereabouts and falsely accused Lang Yuexuan of using adulterated synthetic oils to cut costs, shifting all blame for the lipstick problem onto him.

Episode 46 Recap

Miaolan confronts Lang Yueming, having discerned his actions, but states her true intention is to secure her future by finding a reliable ally, which Lang Yueming accepts. Meanwhile, Gu Haitang informs Gu Xiahe that Lang Sinian was responsible for their father's death, warning him to distance himself from Lang Qingqing and Lang Yuexuan. Gu Xiahe is stunned by the revelation.

Gu Haitang vows to avenge her father and instructs Gu Xiahe to care for their mother, who is suddenly awakened by a nightmare, prompting them both to comfort her. To avoid Lang Yuexuan, Gu Haitang moves her mother to a different hospital, leaving Lang Yuexuan to find her original ward empty, unaware of their new location.

Feng Chunyan adamantly accuses Gu Haitang of tampering with the lipstick, but Lang Sinian dismisses her claims, prioritizing the urgent need to find raw materials to revitalize Langlichun. Shi Diwen leads Lang Yueming to Shi Jizhou's warehouse, which is overflowing with raw materials. Lang Yueming then accompanies Shi Diwen to visit Shi Jizhou, who discreetly dismisses his son. Lang Yueming requests raw materials, to which Shi Jizhou falsely claims he has a substantial order.

Despite this, he agrees to provide them if Lang Yueming facilitates improved relations between their families, proposing a collaboration between Langlichun and Shijilou. Lang Yueming praises Shi Jizhou's ambition and arranges to collect the materials. Subsequently, Lang Yueming purchases the raw materials at three times the original price and secretly instructs Master Shang to use only half the usual quantity. Master Shang, reluctant to violate Langlichun's regulations, complies only after Lang Yueming promises to bear all responsibility.

Shi Jizhou invites Gu Haitang to Shijilou, where he boasts about his grand ideals and attempts to persuade her to help produce Furong Cream. Gu Haitang, however, states that a page of the formula is missing, and she requires time to research and develop it, a request Shi Jizhou pledges to fully support. Simultaneously, Shi Diwen offers comfort and encouragement to a dejected Lang Yuexuan, urging him to overcome his difficulties and heartbreak.

Lang Yuexuan reveals he has already secured a new source for raw materials. Shi Diwen then discloses that Lang Yueming has already purchased materials from his father, Shi Jizhou. Gu Haitang returns to the hospital to find her mother missing from the ward. Gu Xiahe, returning from fetching water, joins her in the search.

During this time, Shi Jizhou, having learned that Gu Haitang's mother is occasionally lucid, visits the hospital to inquire about her condition, with the intention of eliminating her to prevent future complications. Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe eventually locate their mother at the hospital entrance, and a doctor informs them she can be discharged. Lang Yueming excitedly returns home to report his acquisition of raw materials to Lang Sinian, unaware that Lang Sinian is already privy to his deception.

Lang Sinian is furious, reprimanding Lang Yueming for buying materials from Shi Jizhou at three times the market price. Lang Sinian reveals that he and Lang Yuexuan had already found a supply source in the south at less than half the market price, intending to use this to undermine the Shi family and teach Shi Jizhou a lesson, a plan he had deliberately kept secret.

Lang Sinian then confronts Lang Yueming, exposing his act of swapping vegetable oil, which caused the lipstick's poor quality, and reveals that Chuchu had provided the truth. Lang Yueming vehemently denies the accusation, but Lang Sinian, heartbroken by his son's actions, slaps him. Enraged, Lang Yueming shouts at Lang Sinian, accusing him of favoritism towards Lang Yuexuan.

Lang Yueming finally admits to swapping the oil, adding that his already damaged face cannot withstand further blows, which further pains Lang Sinian's heart, before storming out. Upon their mother's discharge and return home, Gu Haitang questions her about Shi Jizhou and presents Gu Shunqi's notebook, containing the secret formula. Gu mother immediately recognizes it as the formula dictated by Gu Shunqi (who was illiterate) and personally transcribed by her.

She recounts some of the formula, including the ingredients on the last page, but cannot recall all of it, suggesting that seeing Shi Jizhou might help her remember more. Gu Haitang promptly sets off to fetch Shi Jizhou, who readily agrees to accompany her. Coincidentally, Mr. Han (also known as Han Ruibin), sent by Shi Jizhou, arrives at the Gu family's home, having been loitering nearby.

As Gu Haitang and Shi Jizhou reach the alley entrance, they discover the Gu family home engulfed in flames. Gu Haitang bravely rushes into the burning house. Lang Yuexuan manages to rescue Gu Xiahe, but Gu mother tragically perishes in the fire. Overwhelmed with grief, Gu Haitang faints in Lang Yuexuan's arms. Amidst the crowd of firefighters, Mr. Han (Han Ruibin) is seen nodding to Shi Jizhou.

The following day, a distraught Lang Yuexuan returns home and informs his parents of Gu mother's death. Just then, Long Deshui and Shi Jizhou arrive at the Lang family residence, demanding Lang Sinian immediately travel south to attend a Chamber of Commerce stability meeting. Lang Sinian recognizes this as a trap designed to remove him and exploit the situation, and suggests Shi Jizhou attend instead.

However, Long Deshui insists that Lang Sinian, as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, must attend, claiming he has no choice. Feng Chunyan attempts to use Lang Sinian's poor health as an excuse, but Long Deshui remains unyielding, leaving Lang Sinian with no option but to agree. Long Deshui offers to personally see him off, but Lang Sinian politely declines.

Feng Chunyan realizes that Long Deshui and Shi Jizhou intend to remove Lang Sinian from power and expresses concern about the unresolved issues at Langlichun, but Lang Sinian finds himself helpless. Long Mohua, upon learning of the fire and Gu Haitang's family tragedy, visits Gu Haitang with Shi Diwen to offer comfort, promising to stay by her side. Long Mohua apologizes to Gu Haitang, acknowledging that Gu Haitang is her only true friend. However, Gu Haitang is too consumed by grief to accept her kindness.

Episode 47 Recap

Before departing for a conference in the south, Lang Sinian called Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan together. He warned Lang Yueming against associating with Shi Jizhou and urged him and Lang Yuexuan to work together to overcome difficulties at Lang Liqun. Lang Yueming agreed to consult Lang Yuexuan, but his initial suggestion to cut costs by abandoning the Lang Liqun brand for contract manufacturing was rejected by Lang Sinian, who wished to protect the brand's reputation.

Lang Sinian then departed with Uncle Quan for the conference. Lang Yueming immediately sought out Shi Jizhou, correctly guessing that Shi Jizhou had intentionally arranged for Lang Sinian to be away. Shi Jizhou encouraged Lang Yueming to act decisively and quickly seize full control of Lang Liqun. Shi Jizhou also revealed a secret to Lang Yueming: Lang Yuexuan was Lang Sinian's illegitimate son with a maid named Yan Zhi. Everyone else was unaware of this.

Yan Zhi had later married Shi Jizhou, and on their wedding night, she confessed her pregnancy with Lang Sinian's child. Shi Jizhou further incited Lang Yueming to take control of Lang Liqun and promised to help him win back Gu Haitang, a proposition Lang Yueming readily accepted. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan was arrested by the police on suspicion of arson. Old Fan identified him as the culprit, claiming to have seen Lang Yuexuan enter Gu Haitang's house just before the fire.

Lang Yuexuan, outraged by the false accusation, was imprisoned. Feng Chunyan promptly asked Lang Yueming to seek Long Mohua's help. Long Mohua sought help from Long Deshui to rescue Lang Yuexuan and successfully got him out of prison. While in prison, Lang Yuexuan learned that Old Fan had suddenly died of a heart attack. Lang Yuexuan suspected foul play, but the jailer dismissed it.

Long Mohua also grew suspicious, suspecting Long Deshui of killing Old Fan, a charge Long Deshui vehemently denied. Upon returning home, Long Deshui warned Long Mohua not to get involved in others' affairs, as their own situation was precarious. Back home, Lang Yuexuan tried to investigate the fire at the Gu family home by asking neighbors, but Gu Haitang quickly left upon seeing him. Lang Yuexuan returned home burdened with worries, where Feng Chunyan showed him concern.

Lang Yueming, however, used Lang Sinian's instructions as an excuse to forbid Lang Yuexuan from interfering with Lang Liqun's business, claiming he was now in charge. Lang Yuexuan argued against this, but Feng Chunyan intervened to mediate. The next morning, Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe arrived at the Lang family gate, setting up a mourning hall with their mother's memorial tablet. This immediately attracted a crowd, causing a stir.

Gu Haitang confronted Lang Yuexuan, demanding an explanation for her mother's death. She slapped him, accusing him of arson and stating that their father had also been harmed by the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan tried repeatedly to explain, but Gu Haitang refused to listen. Lang Yueming publicly promised to investigate and ensure the culprit would not be spared. Overwhelmed by grief, Feng Chunyan fainted.

Long Mohua had asked Long Deshui to intervene at the Lang family house, and Long Deshui, unable to dissuade her, dispatched his aide, Deputy Officer Ma, with people to disperse the crowd. Lang Yueming helped Feng Chunyan into a room. Lang Yuexuan still wished to explain to Gu Haitang, but Lang Yueming was convinced of his guilt.

Miaolan, deeming Gu Haitang's actions excessive, began setting off firecrackers at the gate and verbally abused her, attempting to drive Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe away. Lang Yuexuan vehemently opposed this, arguing against adding fuel to the fire, but Lang Yueming supported Miaolan. Lang Qingqing tried to stop Miaolan but was misunderstood by Gu Xiahe. Gu Haitang and Gu Xiahe were startled and sought refuge. Long Mohua also arrived at the Lang family gate, and Miaolan quickly retreated home.

Long Mohua pacified Gu Haitang, then went to comfort Feng Chunyan. Later, Lang Qingqing openly criticized Feng Chunyan, Miaolan, and Long Mohua, accusing them of selfishness for only considering their own interests and not Gu Haitang's. Meanwhile, Han Ruibin came to Shi Jizhou, demanding payment for setting fire to Gu Haitang's house, which fulfilled Shi Jizhou's objective. He planned to leave Kunyang with the money. Shi Diwen overheard this.

Shi Jizhou instructed Shi Diwen to drive him and Han Ruibin to the bank to withdraw money. After giving Han Ruibin the money, Shi Jizhou pulled the car over in a secluded forest. As Han Ruibin stepped out, Shi Jizhou attacked him with an axe, knocking him unconscious. Shi Jizhou then ordered a terrified Shi Diwen to kill Han Ruibin. Under duress and physical abuse from Shi Jizhou, Shi Diwen reluctantly struck Han Ruibin.

Shi Jizhou instructed Shi Diwen to find a place to bury him. While digging a grave, Shi Diwen discovered Han Ruibin was not dead. Han Ruibin suddenly attacked Shi Diwen, choking him. In a desperate struggle, Shi Diwen struck Han Ruibin with a shovel, killing him, or Han Ruibin died after falling and hitting a rock. Shi Diwen then buried him.

Distraught upon his return home, Shi Diwen was unexpectedly praised by Shi Jizhou for his actions, who claimed that a person undertaking great deeds should not be concerned with minor details. Gu Xiahe vowed to avenge his mother's death, but Gu Haitang persuaded him to focus on survival first. Shi Jizhou visited Gu Haitang, feigning sympathy and promising to care for her and Gu Xiahe from then on.

Gu Haitang agreed that after arranging her mother's funeral, she would devote herself to restoring the Furong Gao. Shi Jizhou offered to provide a grand funeral for Gu's mother and help Gu Haitang seek revenge. Later, Feng Chunyan was startled awake from a nightmare. She saw a red-clad woman walk past her window and rushed out to investigate, but found no one. She then went to Miaolan's room, where she found Miaolan hastily hiding a red garment under her quilt. Feng Chunyan described what she had seen, and Miaolan suggested it was the "Yan Zhi ghost," but Feng Chunyan noticed the red clothing peeking out from under Miaolan's quilt.

Episode 48 Recap

Lang Yuexuan covertly entered Shi Jizhou's workshop, observing workers illicitly adding synthetic grease to raw materials while toiling through the night. He collected samples from the wastewater, identifying it as a component used for "Furong Paste," and also obtained samples of the grease. To his astonishment, he discovered numerous boxes of Lang Liyun's raw materials stored within Shi Jizhou's workshop.

Lang Yuexuan had previously investigated the scene of the fire at Gu Haitang's home and found an unusual type of grease there. Shocked by his findings, Lang Yuexuan hastened home to confront Lang Yueming, who was absent. He then reported Lang Yueming's secret dealings with Shi Jizhou to Feng Chunyan.

Instead of being angered, Feng Chunyan chastised Lang Yuexuan for his perceived lack of concern for family matters, remarking that Lang Yueming was doing the right thing and accusing Lang Yuexuan of doing nothing. Miaolan subsequently advised Lang Yuexuan against interfering with Lang Yueming's affairs, reminding him that he was only a Lang by name and not a true member of the family.

Lang Yuexuan retorted, and Miaolan confessed her jealousy towards Gu Haitang and her desire to live honorably, acknowledging her powerlessness. Meanwhile, Lang Yueming had been selling Lang Liyun's goods directly to the Shi family and taking the money, leading Shi Jizhou to remark to his wife that Lang Yueming was an "insider traitor" and the Lang family was doomed, even as their distraught son Shi Diwen walked by.

Long Deshui, the Grand Marshal, pressed Shi Jizhou to quickly raise money to offset military expenses. Shi Jizhou proposed that once he ruined Lang Liyun, he would honor his commitment, prompting Long Deshui to grant him a few more days. Gu Haitang bid farewell to her neighbors, some of whom revealed that Mr. Han Ruibin had been seen lingering around her house both on the night of the fire and for a significant period beforehand, raising her suspicions.

She returned to her burned-down home, where she found Lang Yuexuan searching for evidence. Concurrently, Lang Qingqing met with Gu Xiahe, intending to sever ties, but Lang Qingqing vehemently vouched for Lang Yuexuan's innocence, promising to help Gu Xiahe uncover the truth and clear Lang Yuexuan's name. She insisted that Lang family matters should not destroy their relationship, expressing her inability to endure separation.

Gu Xiahe, who admitted his love for Lang Qingqing, gently refused her suggestion to elope, stating his obligation to help Gu Haitang rebuild their family and his need to side with his sister, though he too harbored doubts about the truth. Lang Qingqing, who also loved him, maintained her resolve to be with him and promised to uncover the truth. Through Lang Yuexuan's diligent efforts, the truth behind the arson was finally uncovered.

He rushed to Gu Haitang, informing her that the grease he found at the fire scene was a specific type used in mines, and that he had found identical grease at Shi Jizhou's workshop. This confirmed that Shi Jizhou had dispatched someone to set fire to Gu Haitang's home. With the truth laid bare, Gu Haitang embraced Lang Yuexuan, apologizing for her previous wrongful accusations.

She revealed that she had always suspected Shi Jizhou, as his accounts regarding her mother's life had greatly diverged, but she had lacked concrete evidence until Lang Yuexuan's findings corroborated her suspicions. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang reconciled completely. Gu Haitang decided to seek out Lang Sinian to clarify past events, hoping to uncover the truth about her father's death, but Lang Sinian was away at a meeting.

To avoid arousing Shi Jizhou's suspicion, Gu Haitang and Lang Yuexuan agreed to continue their pretense. Unbeknownst to them, Long Mohua overheard Long Deshui planning to partner with Shi Jizhou to dismantle the Lang family. She fervently cautioned Long Deshui against trusting Shi Jizhou, explaining the dire consequences. Long Deshui, after her analysis, realized he had made a grave error and expressed regret.

Long Mohua advised him that helping Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang reclaim the Furong Paste was their only remaining hope, acknowledging that a future with Lang Yuexuan was impossible for her. Shi Jizhou extensively promoted Furong Paste, quickly making it a household name in the industry and receiving numerous orders. He sought to purchase the intellectual property rights to the Furong Paste formula from Gu Haitang.

Gu Haitang, however, was quietly working to restore the original formula, wishing to preserve her father's legacy and continue his tradition. When Shi Jizhou offered a substantial sum, Gu Haitang countered by demanding his entire workshop, a demand that caused Shi Jizhou to recoil. Lang Yueming's inability to pay the Lang Liyun workers on time led to a complete strike, forcing the business to shut down.

Desperate, Lang Yueming sought help from Shi Jizhou, who agreed to assist Lang Liyun only if Lang Yueming could obtain the Furong Paste formula from Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming then approached Gu Haitang under false pretenses, claiming Shi Jizhou was exploiting her and offering to help her produce Furong Paste. Gu Haitang flatly refused, openly admitting that her collaboration with Shi Jizhou was specifically intended to destroy Lang Liyun, leaving Lang Yueming no choice but to withdraw.

Meanwhile, Hu Fuguan, who was not dead, had successfully won over most of Long Deshui's troops. He allied with Shi Jizhou, aiming to seize Long Deshui's military power and ruin both Long Deshui and the Lang family. Shi Jizhou requested Hu Fuguan's assistance in eliminating Lang Sinian to prevent his return to Kunyang.

Aware of the plot against them, Lang Sinian and Uncle Quan were fleeing home, with Lang Sinian praying that Lang Yuexuan could save the Lang family until his return. Feng Chunyan, upon learning of Lang Liyun's closure, urged Lang Yuexuan to return home to help resolve the company's difficulties, fearing her inability to account for the situation to Lang Sinian. She also acknowledged that the alliance with Shi Jizhou was wrong but felt powerless. Lang Yuexuan promised to dedicate all his efforts to solving the crisis but firmly stated that only Gu Haitang held the key to saving the Lang family now.

Episode 49 Recap

Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang resolve to resolutely fight Shi Jizhou. Lang Yuexuan begins checking Lang Lichun's accounts late into the night, aiming to uncover the reasons for the losses. Lang Yueming hurries to stop him, implicitly suggesting Lang Yuexuan has ulterior motives, threatening him by stating that Lang Sinian is in grave danger, and forcibly driving him away. Despite this, Lang Yuexuan maintains his desire to persuade Lang Yueming, who remains stubbornly misled.

Meanwhile, Deputy Officer Hu and his men surround Lang Sinian and Uncle Quan. Uncle Quan skillfully creates a decoy by dressing a family member in robes and a hat. He bravely lures the soldiers away, drawing their pursuit, and jumps off a cliff. The soldiers, mistakenly believing both Uncle Quan and Lang Sinian have died, fire several shots into the mountain before retreating. Deputy Officer Hu immediately reports Lang Sinian's supposed death to Shi Jizhou.

He then suggests eliminating both Lang Yuexuan and Lang Yueming, but Shi Jizhou plans to exploit the brothers' conflict to his own advantage. Deputy Officer Hu then conspires with Shi Jizhou to eliminate Long Deshui, and they quickly agree on this plan. It is revealed that Deputy Officer Hu, allied with Deputy Officer Ma, has also bought off all of the Marshal's subordinates, effectively sidelining the Marshal.

In the Lang household, Miaolan, dressed in red, attempts to leave as a "rouge ghost" to frighten Feng Chunyan (also referred to as Lang Taitai and He Chunyan in one account) but is caught in the act by her. Feng Chunyan scolds Miaolan, who retorts by condemning Feng Chunyan for not treating her as a human.

Miaolan expresses her deep weariness with her "neither human nor ghost" existence, her desire to die, and her refusal to continue guarding a cold memorial tablet. She kneels and pleads with Feng Chunyan to let her leave the Lang family, threatening to die if refused.

Feng Chunyan, reflecting on her own difficult life as a "living widow" despite being Lang Sinian's wife, enduring sleepless nights, understands Miaolan's despair, particularly as Miaolan is only 20 years old and does not wish to waste her life. Feng Chunyan agrees to Miaolan's request, asking her to comb her hair one last time.

During this emotional moment, Feng Chunyan apologizes to Miaolan, admitting she had not considered her feelings, and they both shed tears, recalling their mutual companionship despite Feng Chunyan's occasional emotional outbursts towards Miaolan. The following morning, Miaolan, feeling an unprecedented sense of ease and freedom, packs her luggage and leaves the Lang family. Lang Yueming then approaches Feng Chunyan for emergency funds to operate the workshop.

Feng Chunyan realizes the workshop cannot pay wages, which contradicts Lang Yueming's earlier assertion that money he received from Shi Jizhou would last a long time, leading her to suspect Shi Jizhou has tricked him. Under Feng Chunyan's persistent questioning, Lang Yueming confesses that he mortgaged the Lang family's land deed to Shi Jizhou. Enraged, Feng Chunyan slaps him and fiercely demands that he retrieve the deed.

Although Lang Yueming initially dismisses the gravity of the situation, believing Shi Jizhou was helping him, he reluctantly goes to Shi Jizhou to demand the land deed back. Shi Jizhou refuses to return the deed, instead demanding the "Furong Paste" formula and repayment of the loan with interest. Lang Yueming then realizes he has been manipulated. Shi Jizhou openly expresses his disdain for Lang Yueming, asserting his inferiority and inability to compare to Lang Yuexuan.

Lang Yueming is thoroughly enraged by Shi Jizhou's insults and vows revenge. Meanwhile, Lang Yuexuan sits idly, lost in thought in Haitang Garden. Long Mohua visits him, offering her assistance, having learned that her father is involved in the recent troubles facing the Lang family. Lang Yuexuan initially declines, not wanting to involve her, but Mohua's persistence, combined with his genuine need for help, leads him to accept.

Lang Yuexuan asks Long Mohua to secure 50,000 yuan to finally bring down Shi Jizhou, and she readily agrees to provide the sum. Long Mohua then takes the opportunity to ask Lang Yuexuan for a kiss, but he steadfastly refuses, stating his commitment to his beloved and his responsibility to his own love. Moved by his unwavering dedication to his feelings, Long Mohua accepts merely being his sister.

Lang Yuexuan then kisses her forehead, and Long Mohua, in turn, bids farewell to her romantic hopes. Lang Yuexuan enlists his father's friend, Boss Hu, to execute a cunning plan. Boss Hu approaches Shi Jizhou, feigning interest in purchasing Furong Paste and claiming they met five years ago at a Suzhou-Hangzhou trade fair.

Shi Jizhou initially dismisses the request, citing a full order book and asking Boss Hu to wait patiently, but Boss Hu offers to purchase and distribute all available Furong Paste. Shi Jizhou, wary of Boss Hu's identity, agrees to discuss further on another day and secretly dispatches Steward Fu to investigate Boss Hu's background. Boss Hu expresses concern that Shi Jizhou is exceptionally cunning and that Lang Yuexuan may not be his match.

Lang Yuexuan instructs Boss Hu to offer Shi Jizhou a substantial deposit of 50,000 yuan as an enticement. Driven by greed, Shi Jizhou immediately agrees to cooperate with Boss Hu. Steward Fu then passes the order to Gu Haitang, pressing her to expedite production with the workers. Gu Haitang, sensing something amiss, approaches Lang Yuexuan, who reveals the truth behind the large order.

Lang Yuexuan instructs Gu Haitang to cease supervising at Shi Hanglu (Shi Jizhou's workshop/company) and leave so Shi Jizhou cannot find her. He explains that the Furong Paste raw materials are expensive, and the secret formula lacks a crucial step, making production impossible without Gu Haitang. If Shi Jizhou cannot fulfill the contract due to Gu Haitang's absence, he will face crippling breach-of-contract penalties that could bankrupt him.

Shi Jizhou invests all his resources to purchase the necessary raw materials for the Furong Paste. Unexpectedly, numerous customers appear at Shi Hanglu, demanding refunds and claiming the Furong Paste is problematic or fake. Panicked and distraught, Shi Jizhou immediately sends people to find Gu Haitang, who had previously assured him the Furong Paste had been developed/was ready but has now been absent all morning. As Lang Yuexuan walks Gu Haitang home, they share a farewell embrace.

This scene is witnessed by a furious Lang Yueming, who is consumed by jealousy. After Lang Yuexuan drives away, Lang Yueming seizes the opportunity and uses a sedative to drug Gu Haitang.

Episode 50 Recap

Shi Jizhou, realizing he was tricked by Gu Haitang and unable to produce the Furong Paste order, searches for her while trying to conceal his failure. Boss Hu appears with Lang Yuexuan, revealing Lang Yuexuan is the true owner of the order, setting Shi Jizhou up. Lang Yuexuan, knowing Shi Jizhou cannot fulfill the order, demands 20 gold bars in liquidated damages according to the contract, or he will take the matter to court.

Meanwhile, Gu Haitang wakes up to find herself kidnapped and tied up in Lang Yueming's room. Lang Yueming, furious that she won't be with him, confronts her. Lang Yuexuan arrives to rescue Gu Haitang. Lang Yueming then threatens Gu Haitang's life, presenting Lang Yuexuan with two bottles—one containing water and the other sulfuric acid—and forces him to choose one to pour on his own face. Lang Yuexuan agrees to the condition in exchange for Gu Haitang's release.

As Lang Yuexuan prepares to pour the chosen bottle, Gu Haitang struggles, kicking Lang Yueming. Lang Yueming falls onto Lang Yuexuan. Seeing the bottle about to spill on Lang Yueming, Lang Yuexuan bravely pushes him aside, saving his life, and the sulfuric acid splashes onto the ground. Lang Yueming, angered, turns and leaves. Lang Yuexuan then rescues Gu Haitang. Just as this happens, Lang Sinian returns home. Lang Yuexuan rushes to inquire about his absence.

Lang Sinian reveals he had been trapped outside Kunyang City, where Uncle Quan sacrificed himself by jumping off a cliff to save him. Lang Sinian anticipated Shi Jizhou would exploit his absence to target Lang's business, and had telephoned Lang Yuexuan to coordinate their response, which enabled them to turn the tables.

Feng Chunyan had informed Lang Sinian that Lang Yueming, despite his good intentions for the Lang family, had fallen into Shi Jizhou's trap, and while they had prepared countermeasures, they had not foreseen Shi Jizhou targeting Gu Haitang's family. Lang Yueming, who overheard this conversation, storms in, confronting Lang Sinian and expressing his anger about not being trusted. Lang Sinian reprimands Lang Yueming for his narrow-mindedness and for colluding with Shi Jizhou, betraying the Lang family.

Lang Yueming angrily retorts that Lang Sinian trusts an adopted son more than his own, and further accuses Lang Sinian of deeming him incompetent. In a fit of rage, Lang Yueming publicly exposes Lang Yuexuan as Lang Sinian's biological son, born to the maid Yan Zhi. Lang Sinian admits the truth. Feng Chunyan is stunned and heartbroken, confronting Lang Sinian about his years of deception.

At this critical moment, Shi Jizhou arrives with police and bursts into the Lang residence, surprised to find Lang Sinian alive. Shi Jizhou produces the Lang family's deed, demanding Lang Sinian vacate the premises within one day, wishing to see the family humiliated. Shi Jizhou then publicly reveals that Yan Zhi was pregnant with Lang Sinian's child, and Feng Chunyan murdered Yan Zhi after marrying into the Lang family.

He produces Feng Chunyan's hairpin as the murder weapon, encouraging Lang Yuexuan to seek revenge against Feng Chunyan. Lang Yuexuan is further shaken, and Lang Sinian stumbles. That night, Lang Yuexuan implores Lang Sinian to reveal the full truth, which Lang Sinian had already intended to do. Lang Sinian recounts the past: he admits to loving Yan Zhi but returned from a business trip to find her gone.

Feng Chunyan confesses that out of jealousy, she killed Yan Zhi, though in Plot 2, it's described as unintentional. She apologizes to Lang Yuexuan, who is deeply pained and shocked to learn that Feng Chunyan, the mother he had always respected, was the murderer of his birth mother, whom he doesn't even remember. Lang Sinian takes full responsibility for everything.

He further explains that Gu Shunqi was invited to help restore Yan Zhi's scarred face but was coveted by Shi Jizhou for his Furong Paste. Shi Jizhou imprisoned Gu Shunqi. When Lang Sinian learned that Yan Zhi's child was his son, he went to Shi Jizhou to reclaim him, only to witness Shi Jizhou kill Gu Shunqi.

Shi Jizhou then used Feng Chunyan's hairpin as blackmail, forcing Lang Sinian to conceal Gu Shunqi's murder and providing him with a large sum of hush money. Subsequently, Shi Jizhou handed the injured Lang Yuexuan to Lang Sinian to be raised as an adopted son. Upon hearing the complete truth, Gu Haitang cannot accept that her father, Gu Shunqi, was innocently killed, and she views Lang Sinian's silence as complicity.

Heartbroken, she leaves without looking back, and Lang Yuexuan immediately follows her. Meanwhile, Lang Yueming, feeling like a victim in all this, angrily demands that Lang Sinian immediately write a will transferring all of Lang family's assets, including "Lang Lichun," entirely to him, threatening to sever their father-son relationship if he refuses, and leaving nothing for Lang Yuexuan. Both Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan are heartbroken by Lang Yueming's continued anger and lack of understanding.

Later, Lang Sinian and Feng Chunyan discuss their mutual pain over the years. Feng Chunyan confesses she had suppressed the truth about Yan Zhi's death to protect their marriage, but it became a haunting inner demon. Lang Sinian explains that his concealment and being subservient to Shi Jizhou were primarily to protect Feng Chunyan. They reconcile, understanding each other's suffering, release their long-held burdens, and Lang Sinian embraces Feng Chunyan.

As a gesture of atonement and to make amends for her past actions, Feng Chunyan decides to place Yan Zhi's memorial tablet in the Lang family ancestral hall. Lang Yuexuan finds himself unable to face Feng Chunyan, and Gu Haitang promises to stay by his side, wishing for him to not be consumed by hatred. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang, arriving at Haitang Garden, are both deeply shaken and struggle to process the profound impact of these shocking revelations. Gu Haitang gradually comes to understand Lang Sinian's difficult predicament. As night falls, Lang Yuexuan arranges for Gu Haitang to stay in Haitang Garden.

Episode 51 Recap

Shi Jizhou and Deputy Officer Hu conspired to act against Lang Sinian and Warlord Long the following day. Shi Jizhou planned to seize Lang Sinian's land deed, while Deputy Officer Hu was to confront Warlord Long, with Shi Jizhou suggesting kidnapping Long Mohua as leverage. Shi Diwen, upon overhearing, questioned his father's intentions and initially refused Shi Jizhou's order to kidnap Long Mohua.

However, fearing for Long Mohua's safety when Shi Jizhou threatened to find someone else, Shi Diwen reluctantly agreed, insisting he would stay by Long Mohua's side. That night, amidst thunder and lightning, Gu Haitang woke from a dream about her father, who departed without a word. She noticed Lang Yuexuan was sleeping restlessly, a common occurrence for him on rainy nights when he sensed something bad would happen. The next morning, Gu Haitang woke to find Lang Yuexuan beside her.

She discovered a jade pendant around his neck and recognized it as the birthday gift her father had intended to give her. Lang Yuexuan, though he had worn it, could not recall the circumstances, only having fragmented memories. Gu Haitang opened the pendant, revealing the last page of the Rouge Cream formula. Lang Sinian then came to Lang Yuexuan in Gu Haitang's garden to apologize. Gu Haitang discreetly left them.

Lang Sinian apologized for his silence, admitting it led to the current passive situation, and explained the unavoidable and difficult circumstances of driving Yan Zhi, Lang Yuexuan's mother, away, acknowledging he had hidden unpleasant past events. Lang Yuexuan asked if Lang Sinian truly loved Yan Zhi, to which Lang Sinian affirmed his enduring love for her but confessed to having hurt the two women who loved him most.

Lang Yuexuan stated this admission was enough for him and requested that Yan Zhi's memorial tablet be placed in the Lang family ancestral hall. However, he declared he could not return to the Lang family because Feng Chunyan, Lang Sinian's wife, had killed his mother, making leaving the best choice. Lang Sinian had no further arguments and apologized to Gu Haitang before departing dejectedly.

Suspecting a deeper conspiracy between Shi Jizhou and Deputy Officer Hu, Lang Yuexuan immediately warned Warlord Long. Warlord Long, after realizing Deputy Officer Ma had already left the city, understood the severity of the situation and made thorough preparations to prevent a military coup by Deputy Officers Hu and Ma. Lang Yuexuan asked Warlord Long to bring Shi Jizhou to justice, reminding him of their past friendship despite a previous alliance with Shi Jizhou.

Deputy Officer Hu kidnapped Long Mohua, who was furious and disappointed in Shi Diwen. Before Shi Diwen could explain, Deputy Officer Hu's men arrested both of them and drove them outside the city. Gu Haitang later received an anonymous letter about Long Mohua's kidnapping, which Lang Yuexuan recognized as Shi Diwen's handwriting. Warlord Long, who had anticipated their actions and successfully swayed the soldiers defected by Deputy Officer Hu, intercepted them with his troops. The situation was tense.

Shi Diwen secretly told Long Mohua to trust him and untied her ropes. When Long Deshui demanded surrender, Deputy Officer Hu brought out Long Mohua at gunpoint, forcing Warlord Long to comply. Warlord Long immediately left his protection, offering his own life in exchange for his daughter's. As Deputy Officer Hu aimed his gun at Warlord Long, Long Mohua pushed the weapon away. Seizing the opportunity, Shi Diwen bravely shot Deputy Officer Hu.

However, Deputy Officer Ma reacted by shooting Shi Diwen, who fell to the ground. Deputy Officer Ma was subsequently killed. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang arrived as Long Mohua collapsed, cradling a dying Shi Diwen. Shi Diwen, with his last breaths, confessed he had been forced into his actions. He revealed to Gu Haitang that Shi Jizhou had killed her mother and compelled him to murder the witness, Han Ruibin.

He then declared that despite everything, his greatest fortune was loving Long Mohua, before taking his last breath. Lang Yuexuan and Long Mohua were heartbroken. Overcome with grief, Lang Yuexuan remembered everything he had forgotten, including Shi Jizhou's plan to seize the Lang family property that day. Warlord Long offered Lang Yuexuan his troops and a gun, but Lang Yuexuan only took the gun.

Meanwhile, Shi Jizhou and the police stormed the Lang family home, ordering Lang Sinian's family to vacate the premises. Feng Chunyan argued fiercely with Shi Jizhou. Shi Jizhou then taunted Lang Yueming, asserting that his success was thanks to Lang Yueming's willingness to destroy the family business to expel his own brother, enraging Lang Yueming. As tensions escalated and police prepared to evict them, Lang Yuexuan arrived with the gun, aiming it at Shi Jizhou.

Episode 52 (Ending) Recap

Lang Yuexuan finds himself hesitant to act against Shi Jizhou, who holds Lang Sinian and two others (Lang Yueming and Feng Chunyan) hostage. Gu Haitang and Long Mohua arrive with soldiers. Lang Yuexuan publicly exposes Shi Jizhou for killing his biological mother, Yan Zhi, and also informs him that Shi Diwen was killed. Shi Jizhou dismisses the accusation, boastfully claiming that Deputy Officer Hu has surrounded Kunyang City.

Long Mohua, however, reveals that Deputy Officer Hu has been suppressed and is dead, which shocks Shi Jizhou. Shi Jizhou then insists he deeply loved Yan Zhi and blames Feng Chunyan for ruining their good life. Lang Yuexuan recalls witnessing Shi Jizhou kill his injured mother, Yan Zhi, after Yan Zhi was left by Lang Sinian's wife. Feng Chunyan, realizing the truth, understands that Shi Jizhou was indeed Yan Zhi's murderer, forcing Shi Jizhou to admit his crime.

Exposed, Shi Jizhou struggles and attempts to take Lang Sinian hostage, but Lang Yueming bravely intervenes to protect his father and is taken hostage instead. Feng Chunyan faints upon seeing Lang Yueming captured. Shi Jizhou takes Lang Yueming to the pier. Lang Yueming asserts that he is the least important member of the Lang family, but Shi Jizhou calls him foolish, stating that he is in fact the most important.

Lang Yuexuan, aware of Lang Yueming's past actions, protects him by remaining silent. Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang pursue them to the pier. Lang Yuexuan offers himself in exchange for Lang Yueming, but Shi Jizhou refuses, threatening to kill Lang Yueming. Gu Haitang then offers the last page of the Furong Paste formula in exchange. Shi Jizhou, disbelieving, blurts out that he killed Gu Shunqi when no such secret formula existed, thereby inadvertently confessing to murdering Gu Haitang's father.

Lang Yuexuan remembers the past. After witnessing Shi Jizhou kill his mother, Yan Zhi, he hid in a cabinet. From there, he saw Shi Jizhou argue with Gu Shunqi, hit him with a vase, and then stab him. When Shi Jizhou left, Lang Yuexuan rescued the injured Gu Shunqi. As they fled, Shi Jizhou pursued them relentlessly.

Gu Shunqi entrusted Lang Yuexuan with a jade pendant containing the last page of the secret formula, asking him to deliver it to his daughter, Gu Haitang. They separated to escape, but Gu Shunqi was killed by Shi Jizhou. Lang Yuexuan, during his escape, fell into a pond and lost his memory. Shi Jizhou demands that Gu Haitang personally hand over the formula. As Gu Haitang slowly approaches him, hidden soldiers, including a sniper, open fire, striking Shi Jizhou.

Lang Yuexuan immediately attends to Lang Yueming. However, Shi Jizhou, though wounded, is not dead. He struggles to his feet and aims his gun at Lang Yuexuan. Gu Haitang, seeing this, bravely rushes forward and pushes Lang Yuexuan out of the way. The soldiers shoot Shi Jizhou again, killing him. Gu Haitang, having hit a stone step during the struggle, suffers a severe head injury and falls unconscious.

Doctors examine Gu Haitang, diagnosing her with a severe brain injury and a deep coma. They offer little hope, stating that current medical knowledge offers no known cases of recovery from such a state and makes it difficult to treat. Lang Yuexuan refuses to accept this, insists on taking Gu Haitang home, and vows to awaken her at any cost, believing she can still perceive the outside world even in an unconscious state.

Lang Sinian, having learned the full truth of the past events, apologizes to Feng Chunyan for his weakness in believing Shi Jizhou and harming everyone. Feng Chunyan, in turn, apologizes for indirectly causing Yan Zhi's death. They acknowledge that twenty years of living together have made them a family, and Lang Sinian promises to make amends to Lang Yueming and Lang Yuexuan.

Lang Yueming, reflecting on his past "obsession" that delayed Lang Yuexuan and Gu Haitang's happiness, decides to quietly leave Kunyang for further studies abroad, promising to bring new technology back to Lang Li Chun. Long Mohua sees him off at the pier, also expressing regret for her long-held obsession and deciding to let go. She resolves to follow her father's footsteps and strive for self-improvement for Gu Haitang's return. They bid farewell.

For a year, Lang Yuexuan brings the comatose Gu Haitang to the glass house in Haitang Garden. He cares for her meticulously, recounting their past stories, accompanying her in the sun, and sharing his daily experiences. Lang Li Chun's business prospers during this time. While Lang Yuexuan supervises the workshop, Gu Xiahe and Lang Qingqing take turns caring for Gu Haitang. Upon returning, Lang Yuexuan tirelessly recounts the story of their meeting and falling in love.

While Lang Yuexuan is tending to flowers and plants in Haitang Garden, he returns to the room and finds Gu Haitang missing from her bed. Panicked, he discovers her standing in the garden, struggling to hold onto a railing but smiling as she admires the scenery. However, she does not recognize Lang Yuexuan, only remembering it's her Haitang Garden and expressing a desire to go home.

Lang Yuexuan patiently tells her a story of lovers, which is their own story, and expresses that she can leave but must eventually return to him. Gu Haitang does not leave. Instead, she takes a few steps, then turns around to tightly embrace Lang Yuexuan, thanking him for his constant companionship. She tells him she heard everything he had said to her over the past year and that she knew everything he had done. Gu Haitang expresses her love, promising never to leave him again and that they will never be separated. They embrace affectionately.