Count Your Lucky Stars Episode 26 Recap
> Count Your Lucky Stars Recap
C&G initiated negotiations for the acquisition of Yange. A representative from C&G highlighted Yange's severe financial downturn, noting a 65% sales plummet since the third quarter of the previous year, and emphasized that C&G's generous offer was unique. Lu Yanzhi, under immense pressure, discussed the situation with Tong Xiaoyou, who reassured him that C&G's proposal was merely a plan, and Yange still belonged to them. Lu Yanzhi, however, felt the acquisition was inevitable.
He confided in Tong Xiaoyou, revealing his initial reluctance to work at Yange despite his parents' high expectations. He admitted he had no interest in design and felt he was not cut out for it, carrying the burden of his parents' dreams. Tong Xiaoyou encouraged him to stay strong, reminding him that Yange was not yet lost and urging him to fight for it if he truly cared. Lu Yanzhi was touched by her concern.
Song Ruru visited Brother Bao's noodle house. Observing him busy with customers, she decided to test if he indeed harbored feelings for her, as her friends suggested. She repeatedly complained that her noodles lacked flavor, pushing Brother Bao to add more ingredients. After several attempts, Brother Bao, exasperated, told her to eat if she liked, pointing out how busy he was. Song Ruru, disappointed by his lack of a more romantic reaction, left.
Tong Xiaoyou confronted Lu Xingcheng at his design office, accusing him of knowing about Jiang Yan's plan to acquire Yange. Lu Xingcheng was puzzled by her anger, claiming he knew nothing. Tong Xiaoyou retorted that Jiang Yan's actions were partly because of him, seeing it as revenge against Chengpei Yu.
Lu Xingcheng dismissed her as immature, stating that the acquisition was a corporate matter unrelated to him personally, and questioning why she was venting her anger on him instead of Jiang Yan. Later, Tong Xiaoyou met with Song Ruru and Wen Xi, recounting Jiang Yan's direct provocation. She expressed her fear that Yange might not survive, acknowledging Jiang Yan's formidable and ruthless tactics.
Wen Xi urged her not to give up, but Tong Xiaoyou felt outmatched by Jiang Yan's talent and ability, comparing herself to a dwarf beside Snow White. Song Ruru suggested they go shopping to lift her spirits, and despite Tong Xiaoyou's initial reluctance, they set off. Lu Yanzhi visited Lu Xingcheng's design studio to thank him for his efforts in the Chuangwei collaboration.
He shared his lifelong struggle with his parents' expectations, especially regarding Yange and design, which was never his dream. He confessed that discovering he had an older brother in Lu Xingcheng made the burden on his shoulders feel lighter, as he believed someone else could fulfill his father's wishes. After expressing his gratitude, Lu Yanzhi left. While shopping, Tong Xiaoyou, Wen Xi, and Song Ruru spotted Jiang Yan and Lu Xingcheng together.
Jiang Yan was thanking Lu Xingcheng for introducing designers for her new company, but Lu Xingcheng politely declined her invitation for a drink. Tong Xiaoyou, seeing them together, angrily confronted Lu Xingcheng, accusing him of spending too much time with Jiang Yan. Lu Xingcheng, sensing her jealousy, pulled her aside. Song Ruru and Wen Xi observed their interaction, happy that they seemed to be reconciling.
Just then, Wen Xi received a call from Mu Yang, who had good news: the show 'Next Stop Road' would collaborate with the Fashion Cup, and he was chosen as the host. She excitedly told Song Ruru that she had to go home immediately, leaving her behind. As Lu Xingcheng and Tong Xiaoyou watched the night view, she questioned his closeness with Jiang Yan.
Lu Xingcheng calmly explained that Jiang Yan had sought his help, and then revealed that he had helped Yange by connecting them with Lucky Clover Athletics for a co-branded design. He explained that if this collaboration succeeded, Yange's crisis would be resolved. Tong Xiaoyou was thrilled, realizing his actions were for her and Yange.
He then confessed his feelings, sealing it with a kiss, stating that "men speak with actions more than with words" and confirming their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend, much to Tong Xiaoyou's delight. Tong Xiaoyou returned home with a radiant smile, prompting Song Ruru to playfully accuse her of prioritizing romance over friendship.
Separately, Wen Xi, elated by Mu Yang's news that he would host the 'Next Stop Road' show in collaboration with the Fashion Cup, kissed him and thanked him. Meanwhile, a representative from Lucky Clover Athletics visited Yange, expressed strong interest in a collaboration after reviewing the design proposals from Lu Yanzhi and Tong Xiaoyou, and confirmed their intention to sign an agreement. Lu Yanzhi and Tong Xiaoyou decided to visit Lu Xingcheng to thank him for his crucial help.
Upon learning that Yange had unilaterally rejected the acquisition plan, Jiang Yan was furious. She discovered that Lucky Clover Athletics was Yange's new partner, realizing Lu Xingcheng's involvement. Lu Yanzhi and Tong Xiaoyou arrived at Lu Xingcheng's studio. Lu Yanzhi sincerely thanked Lu Xingcheng for his assistance. When Lu Xingcheng pressed Lu Yanzhi about Tong Xiaoyou leaving Yange, even reminding him of a prior agreement, Lu Yanzhi stated he would respect Tong Xiaoyou's decision and not interfere.
Tong Xiaoyou then announced her intention to participate in the Fashion Cup before making any decisions about her future at Yange. The mention of the Fashion Cup visibly displeased Lu Xingcheng. Song Ruru returned to Brother Bao's noodle house and asked why he disliked her blind dates. Brother Bao bluntly stated it interfered with his business and declared himself a celibate, aiming to travel the world after saving enough money and live in a nursing home in old age.
His pragmatic views on life and old age infuriated Song Ruru, who stormed out. His employee later suggested to Brother Bao that Song Ruru might like him, which he quickly dismissed, threatening to hit the employee for speaking nonsense. Jiang Yan later approached Lu Xingcheng again, questioning his motives for helping Yange and reminding him of Chengpei Yu's past actions. Lu Xingcheng firmly distinguished between Chengpei Yu and Yange, stating they were separate matters.
Jiang Yan then challenged him about participating in the upcoming Fashion Cup, boasting that no one was her match. Lu Xingcheng dismissed her, saying she was thinking too much. Tong Xiaoyou returned the final puzzle piece to Lu Yanzhi, suggesting that the moment of success should be his alone. She still planned to encourage Lu Xingcheng to participate in the Fashion Cup with her, but he bristled at the mention of it.
When Lu Xingcheng visited Tong Xiaoyou at home while she was working on a design, they collaborated on a joint design. Tong Xiaoyou again deliberately brought up the Fashion Cup, but Lu Xingcheng clearly wanted to avoid the topic. The collaboration agreement between Lucky Clover Athletics and Yange was officially signed.
Lu Yanzhi unexpectedly learned that Lu Xingcheng had spoken highly of him to President Ji, describing him as a talented and experienced designer who had defeated senior designer Liu Dacheng in "Next Stop Road." This made Lu Yanzhi see Lu Xingcheng as a truly admirable rival and helped him understand why Tong Xiaoyou liked him so much for his cold exterior but warm heart.
He reflected that having an older brother like Lu Xingcheng was actually quite nice, and stated he never resented him. Meanwhile, Jiang Yan faced a severe reprimand from her superior for the failed Yange acquisition, being told that the company's loss of hundreds of millions of yuan was far too great for a design director to take sole responsibility for.
