Cupid's Kitchen Episode 15 Recap
> Cupid's Kitchen Recap
Huang Shi, disguised as a delivery man, arrived at Lin Xiaoyu's private kitchen. He insisted the package was valuable and required Lin Xiaoyu's ID and signature, prompting Lin Feng to send someone to fetch her. When Lin Xiaoyu came downstairs, Huang Shi subtly slipped a cell phone onto her person as she signed for the delivery. Lin Feng, grateful for Huang Shi's efforts, offered him a drink, which momentarily alarmed Huang Shi, making him fear his plan had been exposed.
After Huang Shi left, Lin Xiaoyu pleaded with her father to attend the competition press conference, but Lin Feng, still disappointed by her unrepentant attitude, had her escorted back to her room. There, Lin Xiaoyu discovered the hidden cell phone, and just as she wondered about it, Blu called. It was then that Lin Xiaoyu realized Blu was behind the phone's delivery. During a work discussion with Elise, Jiang Qianfan inquired about Victor.
He then asked Elise to tell Victor that Lin Kesong wished to meet him, a claim that surprised Elise. Victor, unaware that this was a ruse, immediately went to Jiang Qianfan's home. Lin Kesong, however, knew nothing of this arrangement and had no desire to meet Victor.
Victor, finding her unprepared and uncooperative, ridiculed her, saying she wasn't as impressive as he'd hoped after a month, and that she seemed "just the same" and scared to compete, concluding he wouldn't let her win in the competition. Song Yisen arranged a meeting with Chu Ting and Song Yiran to address Song Yiran's absence from Chu Ting's store opening, which had angered her.
Song Yisen urged Song Yiran to apologize, but Song Yiran felt he had done nothing wrong, blaming Chu Ting for forcing a breakup. Chu Ting tearfully confessed to Song Yisen that she was older than Song Yiran and had patiently waited for him to mature, but he seemed unwilling to grow up, making her question their future.
She also accused Song Yiran of being with another girl, which Song Yiran quickly denied, clarifying she meant Lin Kesong, whom he maintained was just a good friend. Song Yisen supported his brother, assuring Chu Ting there was nothing between Lin Kesong and Song Yiran and appealing to Chu Ting to forgive his brother.
After much heated discussion and Song Yisen's mediation, Song Yiran softened his tone, playfully asking Chu Ting if they were still mad at each other and suggesting they go eat. After Victor's mocking words and recalling Elise's past provocations, Lin Kesong was stung into action. She realized that Jiang Qianfan's tactic to provoke her had worked, making her determined to put on her chef's uniform and resume her culinary practice with renewed vigor.
That night, following Lin Xiaoyu's instructions via the phone he'd supplied, Blu entered her building to rescue her. He found her and gave her clothes to disguise herself, while he donned a hood. They quietly climbed down a wall, successfully avoiding the kitchen staff. However, just as they were about to ride away on Blu's motorcycle, Lin Feng spotted them. Lin Xiaoyu immediately urged Blu to leave.
Using his motorcycle's headlights to disorient her father, Blu sped away, escaping with Lin Xiaoyu. Blu took Lin Xiaoyu to his workshop, offering her a variety of delicious foods he’d prepared, including fried dough sticks, roast beef, and chicken salad. Lin Xiaoyu noticed there were no desserts, and Blu explained he thought she didn't like them based on her social media. Lin Xiaoyu then revealed that she actually loved desserts, but Boris had forbidden her from eating them.
She recounted Boris's belief that sweet foods release dopamine, creating happiness, but also killing one's fighting spirit. Blu found Boris's philosophy "too crazy," but Lin Xiaoyu admitted she sometimes agreed with him, not wanting sweets to become her weakness. Blu then surprised her by taking her to his mentor, Huang Shi’s shop, explaining that Huang Shi was currently in Nanjing for a Taiqi Pushing Hands Competition.
Blu pulled out a bottle of Huang Shi's ten-year-aged Huadiao rice wine, intending to make her Huadiao heart chocolates. Suddenly, Huang Shi's voice chimed in through a camera, teasing Blu about touching his wine and complimenting the pairing of Huadiao with a beautiful woman. Lin Xiaoyu, initially startled by the voice, then taunted Blu for not doing "serious work" with his mentor, yet still wanting to compete against her.
Blu clarified that he didn't aim to win against anyone, only to exchange culinary insights. He suggested they taste the Huadiao while the chocolate was being prepared. Meanwhile, Boris, having received a message from Lin Xiaoyu confirming her arrival, informed his online audience about a "slight problem" involving Lin Xiaoyu that had been resolved, which meant he could now attend the Star Press Conference.
He dramatically announced that he would reveal a "big secret" on the day of the press conference, leaving his viewers in suspense about its nature and subject. That evening, Jiang Qianfan found Lin Kesong still diligently practicing in the kitchen. She presented him with her latest dish, dumplings made with shiitake and king trumpet mushrooms instead of truffles and cauliflower fungus, as she feared wasting expensive ingredients if she failed.
After tasting it, Jiang Qianfan deemed it "not bad" and instructed her to go to rest. Lin Kesong, claiming she was too busy, initially refused. Jiang Qianfan then emphasized the importance of tomorrow's press conference, stating she needed to be at her best with full vitality and an imposing manner. He insisted she rest immediately and not worry about getting up early the next day.
Madam Quentin learned that Jiang Qianfan had deliberately sent Victor to provoke Lin Kesong, marveling at how much effort he put into his apprentice. Elise, however, seemed unfazed. She explained to her mother that Jiang Qianfan had told her he didn't love her, not because she wasn't good enough, but because he simply wasn't interested in romantic love and didn't love anyone. She also recounted his desire to work with her for a lifetime.
Madam Quentin pointed out that "a lifetime" likely referred to their professional relationship, but Elise was undeterred. She believed she still had a chance, asserting that with no other person in his heart, she would shower him with kindness and affection, hoping to eventually win him over. The next morning, Jiang Qianfan called Lin Kesong to choose an outfit for the day, but she initially thought he wanted her to clean again.
When she realized it was about dresses, a stylist named Ban Ding arrived. Ban Ding informed Lin Kesong that Jiang Qianfan had contacted him a week in advance to prepare her attire. Concerned about the cost, Lin Kesong was reassured by Jiang Qianfan to consider the outfits sponsored by the committee. Jiang Qianfan, anticipating her rebellious nature, cleverly picked out a pink "fairy-like" dress, which he knew she wouldn't choose.
Lin Kesong insisted on a yellow dress, only for Jiang Qianfan to feign disinterest, saying yellow was "old-fashioned," which cemented her decision. As she went to try it on, Ban Ding acknowledged that Jiang Qianfan truly understood her, as he had already prepared light yellow high heels to match the dress she was sure to pick.
Lin Kesong found the high heels uncomfortable and struggled to walk in them, expressing concern about not being able to run away from "bad people." Jiang Qianfan, however, calmly told her not to worry about that, as it was his problem. Upon arriving at the press conference, Lin Kesong, unaccustomed to high heels, nearly stumbled. Jiang Qianfan gently steadied her, holding her close.
Nearby, Boris confronted Blu, warning him not to "corrupt" Lin Xiaoyu, whom he called a "Little Monster of Capitalism," and expressing disdain for Blu and his master. Lin Xiaoyu, seeing Jiang Qianfan with Lin Kesong, seemed irritated. Boris then turned his attention to Jiang Qianfan, challenging him not to leave after the press conference because he intended to "make trouble" for him. Jiang Qianfan readily accepted the challenge.
Lin Kesong, seemingly annoyed by the public confrontation, remarked to Jiang Qianfan that "things between women" had nothing to do with him, a comment that amused Jiang Qianfan. The press conference had begun, but Lin Kesong, overwhelmed by nerves, hid in the restroom, praying to be invisible. As Boris and Lin Xiaoyu took the stage, and Lin Kesong and Jiang Qianfan were called next, Jiang Qianfan, growing anxious, found her still inside.
He counted to three, threatening to kick down the door if she didn't come out. When she refused, claiming she was "not dressed," he burst in and carried her out. The announcer called their names as Lin Kesong, mortified by the crowd, tried to escape. Jiang Qianfan calmly encouraged her, telling her not to be afraid and to take his arm as he guided her steadily onto the stage.
After the participants were introduced, Thomas, the Chairperson of the Judging Panel, delivered a speech, outlining the competition format which involved rounds based on different tastes—bitter, spicy, sour, salty, fresh, and sweet—culminating in mentors and apprentices competing in the finals. Boris then made a snide remark to Lin Kesong, telling her not to mention her past "slip-ups" and threatening to eliminate her partner. The electronic screen then displayed prerecorded challenge declarations from the contestants.
Lin Xiaoyu's video declared her intention to win the trophy and hoped "another person with the family name, Lin," wouldn't be too embarrassing, a remark that angered Lin Feng, who was watching the livestream. Seeing that Lin Kesong hadn't recorded a video, she expressed hope she wouldn't have to speak, but Jiang Qianfan quickly dispelled that notion. Since the director couldn't locate Lin Kesong for her recorded declaration, the host called her to the stage to deliver it live.
Lin Kesong nervously resisted, asking Jiang Qianfan what she should say. He simply told her to speak from her heart, encouraging her to go. Stepping onto the stage with the spotlight on her, Lin Kesong nervously stammered that she didn't want to issue any challenge, which elicited laughter from Boris and Lin Xiaoyu. Just as the host prepared to move on, Lin Kesong suddenly interjected, taking a deep breath before stating, "Hello, everyone. I'm Lin Kesong. I don't want to be Evil Dragon Princess. I want to be Grand Dragon Princess!" Her declaration was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
