Delicious Romance Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Delicious Romance Synopsis
Three urban ladies with very different and distinctive personalities have a new understanding of life, career, and love after experiencing a series of hardships in entrepreneurship, oppression in the workplace, and emotional ups and downs.
Among them, Liu Jing is a perfectionist food blogger who is picky about love. Fang Xin is a divorced anchor who struggles with love despite she has an outstanding appearance. Xia Meng is a workplace powerhouse who makes her boyfriend feel pressure because of her outstanding abilities.
Each of these distinctive labels reflects the current state of intimate relationships between contemporary men and women in varying degrees.
Delicious Romance Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Fang Xin was always considered the prettiest girl in her class, exuding a quiet and gentle demeanor that suggested a peaceful existence. However, having many choices since childhood led her to develop a cautious nature, as she meticulously avoided ingredients that would trigger her allergies and patiently waited for the perfect suitor to appear among her many admirers. Her life path seemed simple: a decent education, a respectable job, and the right partner at the right time.
Liu Jing, in contrast, was an inconspicuous figure in class, with good but not exceptional grades and an average appearance. She pursued unique interests, especially cooking, and tended to shy away from opportunities to showcase her talents publicly. Yet, deep down, she harbored a desire for passive recognition of her skills, a trait she describes as "repressed passion." Her internal world was rich with elaborate scenarios, making her feel content even when alone.
In relationships, Liu Jing sought an elusive "feeling." She once broke up with a boyfriend after making him a snack, which he ignored in favor of a game. She concluded that he viewed her as a backup and ended things, claiming she no longer had feelings for him. Xia Meng was a driven top student, but her ambition often led to her over-performing and inadvertently alienating her peers.
They often resented her for her influence and tendency to flaunt her accomplishments. The sole exception was her college boyfriend, Wang Jichong, who genuinely appreciated her excellence, and with whom she later worked at the same company. Now, as Xia Meng was on the verge of becoming a Vice President, with a salary set to be several times higher than Wang Jichong's, she began to realize that their relationship might not withstand this imbalance.
During the pandemic, the three friends connected via video call. Liu Jing, bored at home due to her IT job (which mostly involved fixing computers and managing Wi-Fi) having little work, was constantly badgered by her mother about marriage. Fang Xin, who was livestreaming and selling goods, suggested Liu Jing join her in live streaming, remarking on how Liu Jing had earned a few thousand yuan from her cooking videos, thanks to a persistent gift-giver.
Liu Jing's mother was relentless in her efforts to marry off her daughter. She called Liu Jing a "witch" when annoyed and constantly criticized her tidiness, lamenting that despite her skills, no one wanted her. She harped on the accumulated wedding gift money they'd paid out over the years, eager for Liu Jing to marry so they could recoup their investment.
She even tried to set Liu Jing up with the son of a neighbor who owned a Chaoshan beef hotpot restaurant. Her mother also initiated an online matchmaking session with a matchmaker named Aunt Xiaofen, extolling Liu Jing's virtues to her.
The matchmaker, who introduced herself as Aunt Zhang and mentioned her son's surname was Li, praised Liu Jing's youth (not yet 30), stable IT job with a good salary, exceptional cooking skills, and ability to fix electronics, declaring her "perfect for marriage." Liu Jing, exasperated, hung up, firmly stating she wished to choose her own partner and asked her mother to stop interfering.
Xia Meng, working from home, strictly adhered to a keto diet, demanding Wang Jichong prepare specific meals—high in fat and protein, no carbs or sugar. Her authoritative tone at home, mirroring her leadership style at work, grated on Wang Jichong, who reminded her they were not in the office. Xia Meng instructed him to complete a work-related requirements analysis via phone, which he attempted to delegate, but she quickly ensured he took on the task.
Meanwhile, Fang Xin’s husband, Ma Zhenyu, returned home with special takeout, explaining the difficulty of finding food compatible with her allergies. He claimed to have found a "lady" in the neighborhood, a chef school teacher, who made custom meals for Fang Xin. While touched, Fang Xin found it odd that Ma Zhenyu repeatedly refused to let her join him in learning to cook from this "lady."
This suspicion escalated when members of the neighborhood committee arrived, informing them that Ma Zhenyu had been in close contact with a suspected COVID-19 case, a Ms. Huang Menglin from a neighboring building (Building C, 603). Ma Zhenyu vehemently denied knowing Huang Menglin, but the committee presented surveillance footage of him entering Huang Menglin’s hallway.
Cornered, he frantically claimed Huang Menglin was "clinging to him" and he was merely trying to "explain things" to her, leaving Fang Xin furious and confronting him. Back at Xia Meng's, her professional assertiveness caused further friction. During a video conference, she publicly lambasted Wang Jichong’s report as "sloppy" and ordered him to "go home and rewrite it," humiliating him in front of his colleagues.
Despite her later apologies and promises not to publicly shame him again, she still insisted the report needed revisions. In another video meeting, she continued her critiques, opposing the use of "traffic stars," suggesting a male lead be changed to a female, and dismissing a screenwriter as "poor quality." Wang Jichong, present in the meeting, felt she was unfairly using their personal relationship to criticize him.
Their argument escalated into a full-blown quarrel, with both criticizing each other's professional shortcomings and personal habits, which included Wang Jichong pointing out her recent weight gain and her lack of contribution to household chores. Unbeknownst to them, their heated exchange was recorded and uploaded online, making them internet sensations. Deeply embarrassed and angered, Wang Jichong remained unresponsive to Xia Meng's attempts at reconciliation. Liu Jing, escaping her mother's persistent marriage pleas, continued to visit Wenwen upstairs with home-cooked meals.
Wenwen, a ten-year-old girl recently returned from abroad, initially insisted on calling Liu Jing "auntie" instead of "sister," though she later accepted "sister." Wenwen eventually admitted her internet wasn't working, and Liu Jing, drawing on her IT expertise, happily fixed the connection. They properly introduced themselves. Later, Wenwen, noting Liu Jing's "feeling-based" approach to dating, suggested her own father, who was single after divorcing Wenwen's mother years ago. Liu Jing initially balked at the idea of dating an "uncle."
However, when Liu Jing returned with more food, she heard a male voice and mistakenly thought there was an intruder. She confronted and attacked the man, who turned out to be Wenwen’s father, Jiang Shanmu, who had just returned home after being stuck out of town. After the misunderstanding was cleared, they apologized to each other. Jiang Shanmu complimented Liu Jing's beauty, while she noted his youth (he was 29, one year younger than her). He then playfully pointed out she had foam on her head, leading to a spontaneous kiss between them.
Episode 2 Recap
Liu Jing found herself in a vivid dream, kissing Wenwen's unexpectedly young father. The moment was abruptly shattered when Wenwen discovered them, startling Liu Jing awake. Her mother's voice then came through, calling to check if she was up, to which Liu Jing responded irritably, asking her mother not to bother her. Fang Xin's home had been under quarantine. During a video call with Liu Jing and Xia Meng, she spent much of the time in tears.
Liu Jing, however, was noted by Xia Meng to have an unusually radiant complexion. Fang Xin expressed her anger and hurt, revealing that while she was diligently live-streaming to ease Ma Zhenyu's financial burden, he was busy cheating on her. Xia Meng reminded Fang Xin that she had given up a promising career at a public relations company because Ma Zhenyu preferred her not to be in the public eye, emphasizing that she had done nothing wrong.
Despite the betrayal, Fang Xin was torn, recalling his past kindness and apologies, which made it difficult for her to make a firm decision. Ma Zhenyu could be heard from outside her door, apologizing profusely and pleading for forgiveness, but Liu Jing and Xia Meng advised her to ignore him. Their conversation was then interrupted by medical staff arriving to conduct a nucleic acid test, and Fang Xin hung up.
Liu Jing and Xia Meng worried that Fang Xin was too easily swayed and might forgive him yet again. Shortly after, Liu Jing received a call from Jiang Shanmu, Wenwen's father, who lived upstairs. He explained that Wenwen had fallen ill and was at the hospital, but in their haste, they had forgotten her phone and documents. He asked Liu Jing to deliver them, and she readily agreed.
After undergoing the nasal swab, Fang Xin remained defiantly silent towards Ma Zhenyu, who continued to plead for her forgiveness from outside her door, repeatedly vowing it would be the "last time." In a flashback, Fang Xin recalled working late at a PR company when Ma Zhenyu surprised her. He had expressed concern over her demanding job, suggesting she quit to become his wife so he could provide for her.
When she mentioned a significant job offer from a Shanghai company, he emphasized the importance of "first establishing a family, then a career." He then proposed, and she accepted. Back in the present, Ma Zhenyu, seeing her with a boxed meal, rushed to warn her about allergens like starch in the Mapo tofu, nuts in the stir-fried beef, and seafood in the cucumber.
He offered to arrange a special meal for her, but Fang Xin instead asked for the contact information of the "big sister" he had previously arranged to cook her custom allergy-friendly meals. Ma Zhenyu hesitated, explaining that the "big sister" was also in quarantine, which immediately raised Fang Xin's suspicions.
She then realized that "Miss Huang Menglin," recently identified as a suspected case in their community with Ma Zhenyu listed as a close contact, was the very "big sister" who consistently made her three specific dishes. Confronting him, Fang Xin accused Ma Zhenyu of lying about only meeting Miss Huang once when he had been seeing her daily. Ma Zhenyu dropped to his knees, begging for forgiveness and promising to sever all ties with Miss Huang.
However, Fang Xin was unmoved, recounting his past infidelities, such as secretly contacting an ex-girlfriend before their marriage and lending money to another old flame after they were married, both of which she had previously forgiven. She declared that this time was different, reflecting on the immense sacrifices made by medical professionals during the pandemic and contrasting their selflessness with Ma Zhenyu's "disgusting" betrayal while she was quarantined at home. With finality, she told him they should get a divorce.
Wenwen fell ill after eating her father, Jiang Shanmu's, cooking, suffering from acute gastroenteritis. Liu Jing, who had come to help, prepared porridge, initially assuming Wenwen's illness was from unhealthy takeout from "unscrupulous vendors." Jiang Shanmu admitted responsibility, expressing guilt over making his daughter sick so soon after her return. Liu Jing then offered to cook for Wenwen going forward.
Later, Liu Jing's mother, seeing her home, inquired if Liu Jing was interested in Jiang Shanmu and cautioned her to investigate the reasons behind his divorce. Liu Jing defended Jiang Shanmu's responsible nature and care for Wenwen, dismissing her mother's "older folks' prejudice." Wenwen, still recovering, requested Liu Jing's homemade tomato and egg noodles after her father's attempt at the dish turned out unappetizing.
After trying his own "dark cuisine," Jiang Shanmu sheepishly asked Liu Jing to prepare the meal instead. Liu Jing agreed, also preparing sliced oranges for Wenwen. On their way to the divorce registry, Fang Xin expressed a pang of guilt for being half an hour late to what she considered their "last date," remembering how Ma Zhenyu always waited for her.
Liu Jing and Xia Meng were supportive, with Xia Meng advising Fang Xin to claim half of their marital home given rising property values, but Fang Xin preferred an amicable split, stating she didn't "expect anything from him anyway." Upon arrival, they found the registry crowded. Ma Zhenyu, having already taken a number, appeared eager to proceed with the divorce. Xia Meng, observing his efficiency, made a sarcastic remark about his "master-level time management" and MBA studies.
During the waiting period, Ma Zhenyu answered a phone call, revealing he was rushing to complete a "marriage registration" immediately after his divorce from Fang Xin. Fang Xin overheard this and spotted the marriage registration counter. Enraged, she confronted Ma Zhenyu and his mistress, Huang Menglin, accusing him of planning a seamless transition from one marriage to another.
Huang Menglin attempted to interject, but Xia Meng cut her off, reminding her that Fang Xin and Ma Zhenyu were still legally married. As the scene escalated, an official tried to maintain order and safe distances.
Liu Jing, connecting the dots of their quarantine, pointed out that if Fang Xin was isolated due to living with Ma Zhenyu, and Ma Zhenyu due to close contact with Huang Menglin, then Huang Menglin must have been quarantined for intimate contact with "someone else" too, not just Ma Zhenyu. This revelation shocked Ma Zhenyu, who realized he was also cheated on. Amidst the chaos, Liu Jing pulled Fang Xin away, suggesting they postpone the divorce given the pandemonium.
Ma Zhenyu and Huang Menglin immediately erupted into a heated argument about her other intimate contacts. Fang Xin, choosing to return home alone, urged Liu Jing and Xia Meng to go back to work, as it was their first day of resumed work. On her first day back at the office, Liu Jing received a phone call informing her that she had been laid off.
The caller, representing a small private bank, cited the need to cut costs and revealed that her department leader decided to let her go because other employees were married and needed to support their families. Additionally, her age was a factor, as the information technology industry leadership viewed a single, older woman as a potential "trouble" if she marries and takes maternity leave.
Liu Jing confronted the caller, asking if she was being unfairly sacrificed simply because she was a single, older woman. She was offered a compensation package and asked to sign. Alone at home, Fang Xin attempted to order takeout. She called the restaurant to meticulously detail her numerous allergies, requesting no seafood in her fried rice, no starch in her tomato and egg soup, and specifically asking for gluten-free soy sauce.
When informed they did not carry it, she instructed them to use no soy sauce at all, explaining that regular soy sauce caused her to break out in hives and that she was quite "particular." The exasperated restaurant employee told her they could not accommodate her "particular" needs and advised her to order elsewhere, fearing they would be held responsible if she had an allergic reaction. Her order was cancelled.
Shortly after, a person from a local baking class, which had pivoted to bread delivery due to the pandemic, knocked on her door. Fang Xin reiterated her gluten, lactose, seafood, and nut allergies, making it clear she could not order anything from them. She explained her struggles, mentioning that no local restaurant was willing to take her customized orders, and that one even called her "particular."
She apologized for the unprompted confession, attributing it to low blood sugar from not eating. When Liu Jing returned home, her mother expressed surprise, to which Liu Jing falsely claimed her company's leader advised working from home for safety. Her mother then revealed she had arranged a meeting for Liu Jing with Song Chao, the son of Uncle Song, whom Liu Jing knew as a child from their old compound.
Liu Jing initially resisted, claiming Song Chao used to bully her. However, her mother insisted, highlighting that Uncle Song's business was now very successful and that Liu Jing "must" attend the meeting, especially since she might need financial security if she remains unemployed. Unexpectedly, the person from the bakery returned to Fang Xin's door, delivering a cake.
They recalled Fang Xin mentioning her low blood sugar, explaining that the cake was specially made for her without gluten, sugar, dairy, or nuts. Fang Xin was pleasantly surprised and found the unique cake delicious. Meanwhile, Liu Jing taught Wenwen how to prepare deboned chicken thighs, demonstrating how to poke holes for better seasoning absorption and rub them with fine salt before marinating. Wenwen eagerly expressed her desire to eat.
Later, Liu Jing told Wenwen, who was watching something on a screen, that it was getting late and she should go to bed instead of watching "messy things." Wenwen asked if Liu Jing was leaving, and the scene ended with a voice (implied to be Liu Jing's mother) reacting strongly to something, possibly the show Wenwen was watching, followed by a confused "Wenwen, what's going on?"
Episode 3 Recap
From childhood, Liu Jing excelled at identifying flaws in others, quickly finding reasons to dislike someone from their words, gestures, or expressions. Xia Meng, on the other hand, was driven by the sole desire to win any competition, indifferent to prizes, not realizing that sometimes a strategic loss could yield greater rewards.
Fang Xin, always the center of attention since youth, found this scrutiny brought both sympathy when she seemed vulnerable and an equal measure of criticism from peers who questioned rushing to her aid. During a childhood race, Fang Xin stumbled, and while others hesitated, Xia Meng, overcoming her winner's mentality, turned back to help her up, and together they crossed the finish line. Liu Jing, observing the situation, retrieved a first-aid kit and tended to Fang Xin's injury.
This moment cemented their bond as lifelong friends. Now, as adults, the three friends gather for hotpot at a restaurant owned by Liu Jing’s neighbor, renowned for its fresh, never-frozen beef. Liu Jing meticulously "starts the timer" for each cut of tenderloin, emphasizing the precision required for Chaozhou beef hotpot, declaring her personal standard as paramount. Fang Xin shares that her first day back at work after a five-year absence was disheartening.
Her proposals were deemed outdated, and her team leader, subtly comparing her to a colleague struggling after just one year of maternity leave, questioned her capabilities, asking if she shouldn't be asking herself what she could contribute. Fang Xin recalls feeling undervalued in her past company, often relegated to client entertainment rather than significant projects, and regrets giving up an opportunity in Shanghai for her ex-husband, Ma Zhenyu.
She expresses a strong desire to improve and integrate quickly into her new role. Liu Jing's own job hunt is equally frustrating. She interviewed at an internet company, but despite her college background in Java and self-study of Python, her previous five years at Shuanghe Bank's technology department were in operations and maintenance, not software development. The interviewer dismissed her extensive experience as "zero experience" for a software development role, preferring younger, cheaper recent graduates.
Liu Jing laments the "hierarchy of disdain" in the information technology industry, where operations are seen as inferior to development, and the current widespread layoffs in the financial sector. Xia Meng light-heartedly teases Liu Jing about her career and single status, but Fang Xin reveals Liu Jing recently met a "particularly handsome single dad." Liu Jing, however, finds him "not very reliable," leading Xia Meng to joke about his lack of interest. Liu Jing asks them to stop teasing her.
She then points out that Xia Meng’s relationship with Wang Jichong is strained due to her perceived lack of care for him. Xia Meng responds by ordering more food. Fang Xin then inquires about the wedding house Xia Meng and Wang Jichong viewed that morning, to which Xia Meng somberly replies that while they saw the house, the marriage "might not happen." Earlier that day, Xia Meng and Wang Jichong visited several properties with a real estate agent.
The first, chosen within Wang Jichong's budget, was deemed unsatisfactory by Xia Meng, who complained about poor lighting and lack of windows. As Xia Meng reluctantly considered it, Wang Jichong took a phone call, inadvertently revealing that Xia Meng was his superior. The astute agent promptly shifted tactics, presenting more expensive, luxurious options, including properties in Lanhu Yipin, where the couple currently rents.
Xia Meng was captivated by these upscale homes, but Wang Jichong, faced with a price tag "four million" higher than his budget, felt his self-esteem wounded. He abruptly left the viewing, citing urgent company matters, leaving Xia Meng to handle the agent.
After recounting this, Fang Xin and Liu Jing suggest that Wang Jichong's strong pride is manageable, with Liu Jing advising Xia Meng to show more consideration and give him "a way out" to foster a happy family, likening it to controlling cooking time for good beef. Xia Meng, however, admits her exhaustion from navigating workplace politics leaves her unwilling to exercise such control at home.
Back at the office, Xia Meng is recording a birthday message for Wang Jichong when he walks in. She quickly hides her tablet and praises his recently revised project proposal. Wang Jichong reacts defensively, unable to discern sincerity from sarcasm, and leaves, calling her "ungrateful." Later, during a company meeting, the boss commends Wang Jichong's project, rating it "S-class," but colleagues’ comments about him having "a helper" hint at Xia Meng’s influence.
Mr. Hu, the boss, then summons Xia Meng and Wang Jichong, reminding them of the company policy against couples working in the same department and expressing concern over the gossip impacting morale. He insists one of them must transfer. To Xia Meng’s dismay, Wang Jichong immediately announces, "We have already broken up," ending their relationship to resolve the work situation. Xia Meng later returns home to find Wang Jichong packing his belongings.
She attempts to understand his anger and reassure him that his project success was his own. Wang Jichong, however, finds her words condescending, explaining that colleagues' remarks about him being a "pretty boy" or "riding on your coattails" undermine his efforts. He states his desire to stay with the project, acknowledges her hard work to reach her position, and concludes that separation is their best option.
After he leaves, Xia Meng, on autopilot, reaches for her hairdryer, then breaks down crying, realizing he is truly gone. At her new job, Fang Xin approaches Mr. Wang, expressing her interest in the "Moët & Chandon Champagne" project and her ideas on "brand positioning and media strategy." Mr. Wang delegates her assignment to Deng Jia.
Deng Jia and her team give Fang Xin a cold reception, assigning her a low-level task of "making some calls" to media, essentially making her an assistant to a junior colleague Xiaoyue. While in a taxi, Fang Xin receives a call from her company asking her to "accompany clients." She attempts to decline, telling Mr. Wang that she believes her value lies in improving her professional skills and contributing meaningfully to the team, not just client entertainment.
The taxi driver, overhearing, mistakenly assumes she is a "PR lady" of questionable repute and begins to make suggestive remarks while driving carelessly. He nearly collides with a pedestrian, who happens to be the same man who delivered her custom cake. The driver attempts to extort 5,000 yuan from the man for a minor scratch. Fang Xin intervenes, threatening to call the police, but the driver hurls insults, calling her a "prostitute."
The man, concerned for Fang Xin's safety as the driver now knows her address, quickly pays the driver to ensure he leaves. Fang Xin rebukes the man for being passive, advising him to be more assertive, but he explains his choice was to avoid further trouble, noting that the driver already knew her address. Fang Xin then recognizes him as the bakery owner. He offers her a bag of allergy-free bread, advising her to keep it for when she's hungry.
They exchange WeChat contacts, with Fang Xin insisting on paying him back for the bread and the money he paid the driver. Meanwhile, Liu Jing attends a blind date at a KTV with Song Chao, her childhood acquaintance, and his friend, Lao Gao. Lao Gao introduces Song Chao as Liu Jing’s "childhood friend" and calls her by the old nickname "Nail," which Liu Jing clarifies she no longer uses.
Song Chao compliments her appearance but then jokingly attributes her improved looks to dental work, remarking that "Every female star who becomes prettier says she had her teeth straightened." Upon discovering Liu Jing is unemployed, Song Chao states he is also jobless. Despite Liu Jing's objections about the cost and waste, Song Chao orders two more bottles of Cristal champagne. During karaoke, Song Chao attempts to sing with Liu Jing, even though she wants to sing alone.
Later, Song Chao sends Liu Jing an online message, apologizing for his "rude" behavior at the KTV, explaining it was his "first blind date" and he was "especially nervous." He then showers her with online gifts during his live stream, which Liu Jing asks him to stop.
Episode 4 Recap
At a dating event called Yuan Lai Ru Ci, Liu Jing, Fang Xin, and Xia Meng found themselves in an awkward icebreaker game. Liu Jing was uncomfortable, especially knowing her mother had spies watching her. She disliked the man opposite her. Fang Xin sat waiting for her friends when a man, Liu Tianbao, approached her, mistaking her for Liu Jing.
Fang Xin explained that she was 31 years old and in the process of divorcing her ex-husband, which made him stop. Another woman then commented that Fang Xin didn't seem like the person Aunt Liang had described, right before Aunt Liang herself arrived and whisked Fang Xin away, telling her not to "ruin" Liu Jing's chances. Outside, Fang Xin unexpectedly ran into Zhang Ting, the man who had previously delivered a cake to her.
She playfully suggested he consider number seventeen, referring to her own participant number, but quickly clarified she was only there to accompany Liu Jing. Later, Fang Xin looked at Zhang Ting's profile, noting his dating philosophy: he wished to find someone with whom he could enjoy dinner at a small restaurant and have meaningful conversations during walks. She took a photo of his profile.
Meanwhile, Xia Meng sat next to an accomplished woman, Li Juan, a venture capital manager at Yada Capital, one of the world's top ten venture capital firms. The man opposite Li Juan, Li Hongyang, upon realizing her identity, became visibly intimidated, offered his business card, and left, admitting he had never met such an outstanding woman. At the end of the event, during a "confession ceremony" where men presented roses to women they liked, Fang Xin received many flowers.
However, Zhang Ting gave his rose to another woman, leaving Fang Xin feeling a little disheartened. During the group photo, Xia Meng's "leader-like" stance was noted by the photographer, who asked her to relax and smile more gently. Liu Jing, not receiving any roses, began to doubt herself again. Afterwards, Xia Meng mentioned she had a gym appointment that afternoon. At the gym, Xia Meng was approached by Coach Lu Bin, who remembered her.
He assisted her with her workout, noting that the weight she was using was too heavy without assistance, and offered to conduct a physical assessment. Lu Bin observed Xia Meng's strength, remarking that she had a good frame and build and was quite healthy, despite her weight being slightly higher than average. He disapproved of women who bought expensive private lessons but didn't train seriously, dismissing the idea of protecting those who "act weak."
He encouraged Xia Meng not to hide her strength and to increase the intensity of her workouts. During their conversation, Xia Meng initially said she worked at Maisi Video but then changed her story, claiming to work in sales at a new media company next to Maisi Video, but had recently been laid off and briefly worked as a waitress at a nearby restaurant before quitting again due to slow business.
Lu Bin, recognizing the restaurant, revealed that they were from neighboring towns, Nanchong and Peng'an, making them "hometown folks." When a gym staff member tried to sell Xia Meng private training courses, Lu Bin intervened, reminding Xia Meng that she was unemployed and shouldn't spend money on expensive classes. He offered to train her for free during his off-hours and added her on WeChat.
Xia Meng, playing along with her fabricated story of unemployment, agreed, thinking it was a good way to save money. Fang Xin visited Attorney Liu's office regarding her divorce, handing her bouquet of roses to the receptionist. Inside, she mistakenly poured out her heart, detailing her husband's infidelity and her desire for a fair share of assets after sacrificing her career for him, to a Mr. Huang, who was also a divorce client. Attorney Liu then entered, clarifying the misunderstanding.
Later, at her company, Fang Xin encountered Zhao Qi, an old colleague who was now a client. Zhao Qi insisted that Fang Xin lead their project, despite Deng Jia having been on it from the start. Although Fang Xin felt it was inappropriate, Mr. Wang, her boss, prioritized appearances and approved Zhao Qi's request, instructing Deng Jia to hand over the project details to Fang Xin.
Zhao Qi then invited Fang Xin to lunch to "catch up," confessing that he had waited for her for many years and that she had always been a "goddess" in his heart. He offered to do anything for her, but Fang Xin, spotting a ring he was wearing, quickly paid the bill and fled, uncomfortable with his advances.
Back at the office, Fang Xin, after recovering her composure in the restroom, overheard Deng Jia and another colleague gossiping about her, suggesting she was incompetent at work, married for money, and now, being divorced, might have had an affair with Zhao Qi. Fang Xin directly confronted them, silencing their rumors. Mr. Wang clarified to Deng Jia that Fang Xin would be the nominal head of the project, but Deng Jia's team would do the actual work.
He tasked Fang Xin with maintaining contact with Zhao Qi and subtly prompting him for an outstanding payment, emphasizing that Zhao Qi must not know Deng Jia's team was handling the project. Mr. Wang then dismissed Fang Xin from working overtime, telling her to rest well and dress beautifully for a client meeting the next day, commenting on her "old" coat, which Fang Xin insisted was new.
Meanwhile, Liu Jing was struggling with her job search, facing discrimination as companies seemed reluctant to hire women, especially those who might get married or pregnant. Wenwen, her neighbor, called, craving Liu Jing's cooking. While Liu Jing was preparing food at Wenwen's house, several young women arrived for an audition. It turned out Wenwen's father was Assistant Director Jiang, dispelling Liu Jing's earlier misunderstanding of him from a video conference.
Assistant Director Jiang and Wenwen, both eager for Liu Jing's cooking, affectionately called her "Sis." Seeing Liu Jing's low spirits about her unemployment, Assistant Director Jiang shared his own story of career setbacks and divorce, explaining that a shift in perspective, focusing on what he truly enjoyed—"playing"—led him to his current success. He suggested that setbacks could be opportunities to pause and reflect on what one truly desires, encouraging Liu Jing not to fear them.
Wenwen playfully warned Liu Jing not to be swayed by her father's "manipulative" words. Liu Jing reflected that she hadn't particularly liked her previous job, only seeing it as a means to an end, and while she wasn't entirely sad about losing it, she felt she could do something more, even if she wasn't sure what. Wenwen noticed a particular expression on Liu Jing's face as she looked at her father.
Episode 5 Recap
Xia Meng, in her youth, found solace in sweets, using them to celebrate triumphs and soothe sorrows. However, she eventually realized that this happiness was fleeting, a mere illusion, and that sweets, much like an anesthetic, offered only temporary escape without solving underlying problems, often bringing unwanted side effects. From that moment on, she diligently restrained herself, rarely indulging in desserts.
In stark contrast, Fang Xin, despite her allergies limiting her dessert options, cherished the ceremonial and joyful feelings they evoked. Yet, this sentiment was shattered when her parents announced their divorce on her birthday. She then understood that no matter how much meaning one assigns to them, sweets are merely confections, unrelated to one's genuine happiness or sorrow.
Liu Jing, for her part, wasn't fond of overly sweet foods, but she was irresistibly drawn to beautifully crafted and novel-looking desserts, always compelled to try them. However, she often found herself disappointed by the taste, leaving her uncertain about her true preferences. Her mother once brought her a Snowy Mooncake, which Liu Jing criticized for its dry outer layer, overly sweet cream, and unhealthy lard-based red bean paste, stating only the strawberry was edible.
When her mother offered to buy just strawberries, Liu Jing retorted that she didn't like them either, frustrating her mother who vowed not to buy desserts for her again. This reflected Liu Jing's ongoing struggle to understand what she truly desired, as attractive appearances often led to disappointment with what lay beneath. At the office, Xia Meng reviewed a drama pilot, expressing her exasperation with the cliché trope of a naive female lead and a seductive second female lead.
Her colleagues insisted the characters would develop, but Xia Meng found the plot stale and "greasy," especially when the female lead's "counterattack" relied solely on meeting a more powerful male boss. She openly criticized the current trend of excessively sweet romance dramas, wondering if audiences weren't getting "sick of it."
A colleague pointed out that Xia Meng's recent breakup with Wang Jichong might be influencing her views, frustrating Xia Meng who felt her professional analysis was being dismissed due to personal circumstances. Later, while sharing desserts with Liu Jing and Fang Xin, Xia Meng, who had previously abstained, now eagerly ate, mentioning that a professional had praised her body mass index and body fat percentage, making her feel like a "beauty by the data."
Fang Xin jokingly countered that "data beauty" was useless, asking if Xia Meng would present her body fat report to a handsome man in a nightclub. Xia Meng then prompted Liu Jing to share her recent troubles for entertainment. Liu Jing briefly considered recalling awkward past encounters with Assistant director Jiang Shanmu, but instead, she calmly stated that her life had been quite uneventful.
Fang Xin pressed her about Song Chao, the handsome rich second-generation friend who had been sending her gifts. Liu Jing confirmed she still needed to have dinner with him, feeling she owed him an apology for a past incident. Xia Meng and Fang Xin misunderstood, playfully suggesting she was "degrading herself" by meeting him while unemployed. Liu Jing's mother hosted some friends at home, much to Liu Jing's discomfort.
To her embarrassment, her mother introduced Song Chao as Liu Jing's boyfriend, exaggerating their relationship. Her mother then spun an elaborate, fabricated history of Liu Jing's dating life to her friends, inventing multiple boyfriends—an overseas returnee, a general manager named Xiao Liu (who was too old), and a trip to France where Liu Jing "forgot to buy a bag."
Liu Jing, trying to set the record straight, played along with her mother's embellished stories, creating a comical narrative about her "eventful" year of dating. After the guests left, Liu Jing confronted her mother about the outlandish lies, particularly the intimate details. Her mother defended herself, explaining she just wanted to save face when her friends constantly inquired about Liu Jing's single status.
She insisted Liu Jing give Song Chao a chance, claiming he truly liked her despite Liu Jing's disbelief, citing his wealth and family background. Ultimately, Liu Jing agreed to apologize to Song Chao over dinner and send photos to her mother to appease her and her friends. Xia Meng called Wang Jichong to her office to inform him that Xiao Zhang and Xiang Xiang from the marketing department were getting married.
She told him that she had already informed the couple about their breakup, implying their seating arrangements would be separate. Wang Jichong was annoyed by her public announcement of their split. Xia Meng then offered him a new tablet she had previously bought as a gift, but Wang Jichong refused, stating that since they were no longer together, it was inappropriate, especially as her Apple ID was still logged in, making the exchange awkward.
Meanwhile, Fang Xin frantically searched for a unique champagne-flavored cake for an upcoming event, but every bakery she contacted declined, citing the difficulty of incorporating champagne into traditional cake recipes. They offered alternatives like rum or Baileys, or cakes with liqueur. Undeterred, Fang Xin approached Zhang Ting at his bakery, describing her vision of a cake with a rich champagne flavor.
Zhang Ting admitted he had never heard of such a cake and that fizzy drinks were generally unsuitable for baking. However, seeing Fang Xin's determination, he offered to try, much to her delight. She stayed to assist him. At the gym, Xia Meng inadvertently caused trouble for her coach, Lu Bin, when the manager reprimanded him for training her without charge.
Xia Meng immediately stepped in, apologizing and offering to buy a membership and personal training sessions, claiming the previous sessions should count. Lu Bin, however, revealed Xia Meng's recent unemployment and her brief job delivering "fatty liver rice." Xia Meng quickly corrected him, stating she had found a new job delivering takeout. The manager, who had also delivered takeout during the pandemic, sympathized with her struggles.
Lu Bin then suggested Xia Meng take on a part-time role as a membership consultant, explaining it involved simple tasks like handing out flyers, offered free gym access, and a modest 100-yuan commission per new client. Xia Meng, initially hesitant and self-deprecating about her looks, was swayed by the prospect of extra income. Liu Jing met Song Chao for dinner.
She took pictures of visually appealing cakes but quickly dismissed them as likely unhealthy or unappetizing, stating she found salted egg yolk cheese cake "greasy, sweet, and salty." She confessed that her true reason for inviting him was to apologize for her behavior at the karaoke bar and to ask him to stop sending her gifts on her live stream, explaining that she cooked for passion, not for money.
Song Chao, in turn, acknowledged that her previous behavior had made him "a little uncomfortable" and offered advice on self-censoring before speaking. He later awkwardly questioned if they would have had children if he hadn't gone abroad, to which Liu Jing jokingly decided to remain silent. Her mother soon texted, asking for photos from their date, which she promptly posted to her social media.
That night, Fang Xin fell asleep in Zhang Ting's bakery while he tirelessly experimented to create the champagne cake. The next morning, she awoke to find the exquisite cake completed. Just then, Zhang Ting's girlfriend arrived. She found Fang Xin sleeping in the bakery and, recognizing her from a matchmaking event where Fang Xin won the "Most Popular" award, became suspicious.
Fang Xin quickly clarified that she was a friend who had stayed to work on a commissioned cake for her PR company. Zhang Ting then entered, explaining his innovative approach: he had infused champagne into the cream and added champagne-soaked grapes to the cake base instead of directly baking it into the batter. Fang Xin tasted it and was thoroughly impressed by the rich champagne flavor, the perfectly balanced sweetness, and the custard filling.
Zhang Ting's girlfriend, however, expressed concern for his health, urging him not to overexert himself. Once Zhang Ting went to the restroom, his girlfriend confronted him, accusing him of flirting with Fang Xin. Zhang Ting, taken aback, denied it, asserting that given Fang Xin's attractiveness, she wouldn't be interested in him, which ironically sparked a heated argument between him and his girlfriend about who was more attractive.
Episode 6 Recap
Liu Jing's father rushed her out one morning, urging her to hurry and even calling a taxi for her, insisting his "level is higher" to get one faster. Liu Jing, unable to refuse, got into the car. Once out of her father's sight, she asked the driver to drop her off but to only mark the ride as "arrived" once he reached the actual destination.
The surprised driver agreed after she assured him she wouldn't complain unless he picked up another fare midway. Fang Xin arrived at work looking disheveled, having spent the night at Zhang Ting's. Her appearance earned her criticism from Mr. Zhao and a reminder from Mr. Wang about maintaining a professional image. During a meeting, Fang Xin enthusiastically pitched her concept for a "flowing heart champagne cake," made with Moët & Chandon Champagne.
She explained that this unique cake, despite being a small detail, could generate significant media buzz, especially among lifestyle influencers, and effectively differentiate their brand. Mr. Zhao was impressed, offering to increase the budget to execute this detail more elaborately. He directly stated that the cake was made by Fang Xin, praising her refined and detailed work, which Fang Xin did not deny. Later, Mr. Wang instructed Deng Jia to hand over the brand liaison duties to Fang Xin.
However, Fang Xin revealed she had already taken the initiative to confirm all cake details, pricing, and brand assets with the client and venue. Impressed by her proactiveness, Mr. Wang lauded her for turning a small task into a significant highlight and assigned her more responsibilities. Xia Meng, now a part-time consultant for V9 Fitness, joined Lu Bin in handing out flyers.
She instructed him on targeted advertising, suggesting he focus on walkers rather than seasoned exercisers, and promote the gym's unique "Riding the Waves Spinning Bike" program. Although her demonstration to potential clients was unsuccessful, Lu Bin adopted her strategy, leading to some positive responses. Later, Lu Bin insisted on walking Xia Meng home. To conceal her actual residence, she directed him to a luxurious apartment building, then pointed to a nearby communal residential building as her home.
An elderly resident from the communal residential building inadvertently exposed her lie by asking if she lived there, which Xia Meng quickly denied, leading Lu Bin to realize her deception. When Lu Bin questioned why he was so kind to her, he eventually said it was because they were from the same hometown. The three friends discussed Xia Meng's confusing relationship with Lu Bin.
Xia Meng confessed to being unable to stop lying, stating she wasn't in love but found his company comfortable. She even admitted she would continue taking fitness classes from Lu Bin if she reconciled with Wang Jichong, leading her to wonder if she was a "bad woman." Liu Jing urged her to stop lying.
Fang Xin and Xia Meng, observing Liu Jing's romantic patterns, commented on her tendency to initially be attracted to superficial looks, only to later find fault and end relationships. Their conversation was interrupted by a call from Wenwen, who asked Liu Jing to join her in visiting the celebrity Jia Wenyi on a film set. Liu Jing readily agreed, aware that Jiang Shanmu would be there.
At the film set, Liu Jing observed Assistant Director Jiang intently directing a scene, noting how unusually focused he appeared at work, contrary to her previous biases about assistant directors. During a crucial moment, Liu Jing's phone flash accidentally went off, disrupting the take and incurring the director's wrath. However, the celebrity Jia Wenyi seized the moment, assuming Liu Jing and Wenwen were overzealous fans.
Jia Wenyi enthusiastically invited them for a photo, explicitly stating her desire to trend online, even suggesting the headline "Fan Cam: Jia Wenyi is surprisingly warm to fans." Unbeknownst to Jia Wenyi, Liu Jing's true intention was to capture a photo of Jiang Shanmu. Fang Xin visited Zhang Ting to express her gratitude for his successful work on the champagne cake.
She then cautiously asked if he had explained her overnight stay to his new girlfriend, hoping it hadn't caused any misunderstanding or trouble between them. Zhang Ting reassured her that his girlfriend wouldn't be upset, casually mentioning that he found their match "quite suitable" and, being of a certain age, was eager to settle down. He invited Fang Xin inside, but she politely declined, citing other engagements, and departed.
Working late, Wang Jichong stumbled upon old photos and a birthday video from Xia Meng that had not been fully deleted from his cloud storage. In the video, Xia Meng wished him a happy birthday, recalling their eight years together and his spirited youth on the basketball court. Watching it, he felt a surge of longing and regret over their breakup.
Later that evening, Lu Bin texted Xia Meng to say he was bringing her a late-night snack to her building. Despite her polite refusal, he called moments later, announcing his imminent arrival. Xia Meng, scrambling to remove her face mask, rushed out to meet him at the communal residential building she had previously pointed out.
Lu Bin presented her with a homemade Vegetable protein juice, suggesting she drink it as a meal replacement and again stating his kindness stemmed from their shared hometown. He then walked her back to the luxurious apartment building, where she quickly bid him farewell and pretended to enter. After leaving the set, Liu Jing received a voice message from Wenwen asking for the group photo they had taken.
While scrolling through her phone, Liu Jing saw the photos she had taken of Jiang Shanmu earlier and sent him a text message asking, "What are you doing?" In a work meeting, Xia Meng watched a screening of a new series. While her subordinates had been wary of pitching a "sweet romance drama" due to her known disinterest and the general scarcity of diverse scripts after the pandemic, Xia Meng found herself unexpectedly enjoying the first episode.
She noted that everyone's lives were challenging and a bit of sweetness was welcome. She specifically praised the scriptwriter, remarking that they "had some talent," much to the surprise of her team.
Episode 7 Recap
Xia Meng has a distinct habit: whenever she discovers something she likes, she enthusiastically recommends it to everyone around her, constantly extolling its virtues, hoping to sway them into sharing her enthusiasm. Fang Xin, on the other hand, is highly susceptible to influence; she's always willing to try something new if others praise it, making her an ideal customer for advertisers. Liu Jing, however, is the complete opposite.
She naturally resists external opinions, preferring to form her own views only after experiencing things firsthand, even if it means hitting a wall, and then she will staunchly defend those opinions. While eating stinky tofu, Xia Meng tried to persuade Liu Jing to add houttuynia, but Liu Jing refused. Fang Xin, however, was willing to try it.
Fang Xin later realized that Xia Meng's persistent efforts to persuade her were a form of advertising, while Liu Jing's nuanced approach of presenting her preferences as a matter of excellence and taste was, in fact, public relations. Regardless of how they influenced each other, some personal preferences, like taste, simply cannot be reasoned with, embodying the saying, "to each their own." At her company, Fang Xin was coordinating an event, waiting for Zhang Ting to deliver a cake.
Mr. Wang called to confirm the media list, adding to the pressure. Liu Jing and Xia Meng arrived to bring Fang Xin some food, but Fang Xin was too busy to eat. She explained that a competing event had caused many pre-booked media and key opinion leaders to cancel last minute, leaving numerous empty tables.
Fang Xin begged her friends to stay and help fill the seats, appealing to Liu Jing by lamenting her status as a "divorced woman" facing potential unemployment. Fang Xin also asked Liu Jing to invite Jiang Shanmu, her director friend, to bring some extras, and also to call Song Chao. Liu Jing felt she was acting like a "female simping" for Jiang Shanmu, as he hadn't replied to her previous messages.
Surprisingly, Song Chao responded instantly, expressing his desire to come and drink, which made Liu Jing joke about him having surveillance. Xia Meng teasingly called him a "male simping." Zhang Ting arrived with the cake, reminding Fang Xin not to remove its dry ice cover prematurely to prevent it from melting, which Fang Xin acknowledged. Fang Xin signed the delivery papers without thoroughly checking them, feeling rushed.
As Zhang Ting was leaving, he asked Fang Xin for advice on where to buy an expensive necklace for his girlfriend's upcoming birthday. Realizing he was in a relationship, Fang Xin gave him the contact information for a brand's PR person, suggesting he mention her name for an employee discount. Earlier, Liu Jing and Xia Meng had teased Fang Xin about Zhang Ting, but now, learning he had a girlfriend, they advised her to let it go.
Song Chao arrived and, much to Liu Jing's dismay, booked the most expensive booth on the second floor, which she considered a waste of money. Suddenly, Mr. Zhao approached Fang Xin for a photo opportunity, but he used his position to inappropriately touch her, despite her wearing a wedding ring. Song Chao called him a "Beast," though he quickly distanced himself when others nearby expressed envy.
At the nightclub, Liu Jing and Song Chao were seated in their booth, talking across Xia Meng, who became annoyed by having to relay their messages and moved away. Lao Gao noticed Fang Xin and, learning she was divorced, approached her. Fang Xin, trying to avoid being forced to drink with clients, retreated to the booth for some water. Meanwhile, Xia Meng spotted Lu Bin.
To maintain her facade of being a struggling working girl, she quickly paid a server 200 yuan for their ID badge and pretended to be a server. When Lu Bin approached her, she told him she was working an extra job. Fang Xin joined them, and in their haste to explain Xia Meng's presence, they stumbled over whether to call Fang Xin a "manager" or "friend," almost exposing Xia Meng’s lie.
Fang Xin deftly clarified that she was the event manager and a very good friend of Xia Meng’s, then whisked Xia Meng away. Afterward, Fang Xin admitted to Xia Meng that she found Lu Bin "cute" after getting a clearer look at him. Jia Wenyi, a champagne endorser, also arrived at the event, drawing considerable attention. Liu Jing checked her phone, disappointed that Jiang Shanmu still hadn't responded to her messages.
Lao Gao, embodying the stereotype of a "scumbag," suggested a tactic to create urgency: take a seemingly intimate photo with Song Chao, and post it as a private moment on social media, geotagged and visible only to Jiang Shanmu. Liu Jing hesitated, but Lao Gao grabbed her phone and posted the picture with the caption "What a pleasant evening" and a shy emoji.
Jiang Shanmu liked the post but did not comment, leading Lao Gao to declare him a "master" manipulator. Elsewhere, Fang Xin tried to assist with event preparations but was brushed aside. She was then pressured to quickly sign a document without reviewing it, being told not to "waste time," so she complied. Liu Jing, frustrated, drafted a message to Jiang Shanmu asking why he liked her post but didn't reply, then attempted to retract it, ultimately leaving a simple question.
Lu Bin's friends recognized Fang Xin and invited her to join them for a drink. Recognizing they were Lu Bin's friends, Fang Xin agreed to go over later. At the same time, Xia Meng noticed Lao Gao attempting to exploit a visibly intoxicated woman near the restroom and pulled him away. Jiang Shanmu finally arrived at the event and was seen drinking with Jia Wenyi and other female celebrities.
Lao Gao urged Liu Jing and Song Chao to continue their "intimate act" to draw Jiang Shanmu's attention. When Jiang Shanmu approached their table, he awkwardly suggested a shared drink with Liu Jing and Song Chao. Both men offered Liu Jing a drink, making the situation uncomfortable for her. She combined the two drinks into one glass and drank it. Song Chao then proposed a game of Truth or Dare.
Liu Jing disliked dares, so they opted for Truth, adding a serious condition: anyone who lied would "die alone." During the game, Jiang Shanmu was asked if he had ever "exploited" anyone in his capacity as an assistant director. He denied it, stating that his position did not grant him such power. Next, Song Chao was asked how often he changed girlfriends. He truthfully responded that he had never had a girlfriend.
Jiang Shanmu pressed further, jokingly asking if that meant Song Chao only "hooked up," which prompted Song Chao to clarify that he was, in fact, a virgin, much to Liu Jing's discomfort. Later, Fang Xin encountered Zhang Ting's girlfriend, who appeared heavily intoxicated, near the restroom. Xia Meng, observing the scene, realized the girlfriend was merely pretending to be drunk, "fishing" for wealthy men. Xia Meng quickly took a selfie, subtly capturing the woman's disheveled state in the background.
Fang Xin was surprised, but Xia Meng clarified that the woman was Zhang Ting's girlfriend from the matchmaking event and that her current behavior was an act, embodying the phrase "knowing a person by their face but not their heart."
Episode 8 Recap
Nightclubs serve as a unique escape for many adults, offering a dark, noisy, and chaotic environment where people can shed their usual inhibitions and express themselves freely. Lao Gao, a regular at such establishments, enlightened Fang Xin and Xia Meng about the various types of people who frequent nightclubs, including those looking to "fish" for dates. He pointed out that Zhang Ting's girlfriend appeared to be one such person.
Fang Xin was initially hesitant to send a picture of her to Zhang Ting, fearing she might be misjudging her. Xia Meng, however, took Fang Xin's phone and sent the picture to Zhang Ting, urging him to pick up his girlfriend. To prove his point, Lao Gao enlisted Song Chao for an "experiment." Song Chao was reluctant, preoccupied with concerns about Liu Jing and Shanmu, whom he was playing Truth or Dare with.
However, Xia Meng and Fang Xin, as Liu Jing's closest friends, quickly convinced him by asserting their influence over Liu Jing's perception of him. Cooperating, Song Chao approached Zhang Ting's girlfriend, subtly displaying his expensive watch. As predicted, she became much more interested, but Song Chao, uninterested, quickly excused himself. Lao Gao highlighted this interaction as clear evidence of her "fishing" intentions. Lao Gao was then called away by some women.
Meanwhile, Fang Xin was unexpectedly called away to assist inside the venue, which involved drinking with some clients, including Mr. Zhao. Xia Meng, observing Lu Bin and his friends drinking heavily, felt a growing discomfort. She inadvertently took a sip from someone else's drink before deciding she'd seen enough. She then went to speak with Lu Bin about something important. At their booth, Liu Jing was eating fruit while Shanmu gazed at her intently, seeming a bit intoxicated.
He told her he had received her WeChat messages and seen the retracted ones, stating he wanted to explain them in person and reaching for her hand. His attempt was abruptly interrupted by Song Chao, who wedged himself between them and suggested continuing their game of "Truth or Dare."
When Liu Jing felt excluded because they didn't ask her a question and prepared to leave, Song Chao included her by posing a hypothetical question: if they were the only three on a deserted island, who would she choose to spend the rest of her life with? Liu Jing immediately declared she wouldn't choose Song Chao because he was too loud, and then she called Shanmu a "jerk," preferring to remain alone.
Shanmu, however, found her rejection of Song Chao amusing. Song Chao then turned the question to Shanmu, asking if there was a girl he liked in the room. Shanmu looked directly at Liu Jing, affirming there was, describing her as "very pretty" and "present." Before he could reveal her identity, Jia Wenyi arrived, pulling him away to prepare for her speech, leaving Liu Jing noticeably disheartened. Song Chao, feeling unwell, quietly excused himself to the restroom.
Upon returning, Song Chao saw Fang Xin being pressured to drink by Mr. Zhao. He swiftly intervened, attempting to extricate her by claiming his table needed twelve bottles of champagne. When Mr. Zhao persisted, Fang Xin then claimed Song Chao was her boyfriend, which finally allowed her to leave the situation. However, no sooner was Fang Xin free than Zhang Ting's girlfriend approached Song Chao.
She asked to borrow his phone, pretending hers was dead, saved her number in it, and then insisted on dancing with him. Back at the booth, the champagne Song Chao ordered arrived. With Song Chao gone, Liu Jing and Shanmu were left alone, sharing a charged, slightly awkward moment. Shanmu had previously tried to explain the retracted messages, which Liu Jing had dismissed as a drunken mistake. Outside, Zhang Ting arrived at the nightclub.
He spotted a man trying to force a woman into a taxi to a hotel and heroically intervened, leading to security questioning the man. Inside, Fang Xin, who had already seen Zhang Ting's girlfriend clinging to Song Chao, received a call from Zhang Ting informing her of his arrival. This prompted Fang Xin to rush even more urgently to separate Song Chao from Zhang Ting's girlfriend.
As the nightclub lights dimmed for Jia Wenyi's speech, Zhang Ting's girlfriend, still clinging to Song Chao, was accidentally pushed. Zhang Ting, witnessing this, immediately attacked Song Chao. Zhang Ting confronted his girlfriend, who he thought was asleep, demanding to know why she was there. She shot back that he was also out partying. Zhang Ting revealed that Fang Xin had told him his girlfriend was drunk, prompting him to come pick her up.
Enraged, Zhang Ting's girlfriend vented her frustration at Fang Xin and dramatically declared her breakup with Zhang Ting. A staff member then quickly ushered Fang Xin away. After the brawl, Liu Jing tended to Song Chao's injuries, cleaning his wounds while Shanmu offered a wet wipe. Fang Xin, feeling apologetic for the evening's "disaster," offered to treat everyone to a late-night snack. Liu Jing, citing exhaustion, declined.
Xia Meng, who said she felt unwell and was probably angry at Lu Bin, had already left. Later, while Song Chao, Liu Jing, and Fang Xin were eating at a brain shop, Zhang Ting's ex-girlfriend messaged Song Chao. She apologized for misjudging him earlier and revealed that she had claimed to be single because Zhang Ting had violent tendencies and had previously been to prison. Meanwhile, Lu Bin drove Xia Meng home.
He asked if she was upset, clarifying that his earlier interaction with Fang Xin was an attempt to learn more about her, and apologized if his friends' jokes had made her uncomfortable. Xia Meng initially asked him to leave, but then called him back, intending to confess something. Lu Bin, however, preempted her by kissing her, which she reciprocated.
He then told her he had been attracted to her since the first day she joined the gym, emphasizing his honesty and dislike for lies. This stopped Xia Meng from revealing what she had intended to explain. They said their goodnights, with Lu Bin affectionately calling her "Rocky."
Episode 9 Recap
Xia Meng has a tendency to tell small, harmless lies to satisfy her minor cravings. For instance, at a lunch line, she successfully asks for an extra beef burger by claiming she had a lot of blood drawn at the hospital that morning, a claim she later denies. Liu Jing, on the other hand, prides herself on being objective and rational, always doing thorough research. This is evident later when she explains glycemic index and load.
However, she readily loses her rationality when she encounters someone she likes, as shown when she changes her mind about her food order to match a preference she hears, switching from avoiding high-protein beef to ordering pork. Fang Xin is extremely conscious of how others perceive her, going so far as to avoid using the school bathroom for number two to maintain a good image.
She is also completely incapable of dishonesty, preferring public embarrassment over telling a lie, which she proves when she openly admits to the teacher during class that she needs to use the bathroom for number two. Xia Meng expresses her frustration to Liu Jing and Fang Xin about her poor performance this month at the gym where she works, having failed to recruit any new clients. Her friends have already exhausted their contacts trying to help her.
Fang Xin suggests recruiting from Xia Meng's main company, but Xia Meng fears exposure. She has cultivated a "poor girl" persona, and revealing her real job as a gym sales associate to her colleagues would ruin it, especially since she recently confessed her feelings to Lu Bin. Lu Bin, a coach at the gym, detests dishonesty, making Xia Meng even more hesitant to tell him the truth about her situation, so she decides to postpone dealing with it.
At work, Xia Meng subtly observes her employees, making them nervous. She calls employees into her office under the guise of offering "employee benefits" in the form of gym memberships. Li Sheng, who struggles with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol and is busy studying for his Chartered Financial Analyst exam, initially tries to decline the offer, citing his past unused gym memberships.
Xia Meng reassures him that he doesn't need to go, only to fill out the form and provide a copy of his ID, essentially securing his sign-up without him ever setting foot in the gym. Later, she calls in Yang Guodong, who is a dedicated workaholic, neglecting his personal life for work. She expresses concern about his overworking but also probes him for information.
When he mentions programmers at a neighboring company, Duoshouwang, working late, she quickly dismisses him, having gleaned what she needed. She still needs one more recruit and spots Xiaomei in the restroom, learning she is pregnant, and calls her into her office to offer the last membership. Fang Xin faces a crisis at work when a press release promoting Jia Wenyi's new drama incorrectly attributes it to a competitor, sparking widespread criticism online.
Mr. Zhao, the client, is furious, demanding accountability for the signed press release, which turns out to be Fang Xin's responsibility. Fang Xin's boss, Mr. Wang, initially offers to fire the project manager to appease Mr. Zhao, but Mr. Zhao rejects this, suggesting instead that Fang Xin accompany him to apologize to Jia Wenyi’s agent over dinner.
Despite Deng Jia trying to explain that Fang Xin was distracted by her friend Song Chao's recent fight, Fang Xin reluctantly agrees to the dinner. After Mr. Zhao leaves, Mr. Wang scolds Fang Xin for taking the blame when Deng Jia did the work, threatening to fire staff if they lose Mr. Zhao's business. Liu Jing discusses Wenwen's father, Shanmu, with Wenwen.
Wenwen observes that Shanmu has been moody, likely indicating he's interested in a new woman, but assures Liu Jing it's a phase as he frequently changes partners. Wenwen warns Liu Jing not to fall for her father, describing his past admirers as "drama queens" and "mentally unstable." Liu Jing denies any interest. Suddenly, Song Chao appears. Recognizing Liu Jing's unemployment and her love for cooking, he teases her, suggesting she wants to be a housewife just to cook for him.
This prompts Liu Jing to declare her true ambition: to open her own restaurant. Unbeknownst to them, Wenwen takes a photo of Liu Jing and Song Chao together and sends it to Shanmu, making him visibly jealous on his film set, where he uncharacteristically scolds an actor. Later, Shanmu questions Wenwen about Liu Jing and Song Chao's closeness, showing clear jealousy. Wenwen exaggerates their intimacy and highlights Song Chao's wealth, further fueling Shanmu's envy.
She reminds her father that he himself orchestrated her invitations for Liu Jing to visit the set and cook at their home. Wenwen eventually agrees to "help" Shanmu again with Liu Jing. Meanwhile, Liu Jing, on a video call with Wenwen, overhears their entire conversation and secretly delights in Shanmu's jealousy, though she later dismisses the idea of anything happening between them to Wenwen.
Fang Xin is deeply disturbed by news reports about a sexual assault suspect targeting single women, noting his violent tendencies and past criminal record. Her fear intensifies when Zhang Ting texts her, apologizing for the previous fight and offering to pay Song Chao’s medical expenses. She initially tries to avoid contact, but Song Chao advises her against giving Zhang Ting his personal information, citing his family's wealth and fear of abduction.
He gravely warns her about the danger of Zhang Ting knowing her home address, saying Zhang Ting "is in the dark, and you are in the light." Fang Xin realizes Zhang Ting already knows her address, causing her to panic and consider calling the police. Song Chao dismisses the idea due to lack of evidence, leaving her in a state of constant terror.
At the gym, Lu Bin continues to be supportive of Xia Meng, encouraging her during a spinning class. When the manager asks Xia Meng to recruit more clients, Lu Bin, believing she works long hours at multiple jobs, volunteers to take on the additional target, further complicating Xia Meng's struggle to be honest with him. Later, Xia Meng employs her manipulative tactics to discourage the employees she signed up from actually using the gym.
She manages to convince Xiaomei, who is three months pregnant, that exercising at the gym is dangerous for her and her baby, sending her home. She tells Li Sheng that his weight is crucial for the upcoming tug-of-war competition and that he should go home and eat instead of exercising, also sending him home.
She warns Liu Hongwei that his poor performance and the current housing prices mean he needs to prioritize studying for his CFA exam over working out, or he won't be able to get married, successfully sending him home as well. Her frustration grows when she sees Wang Jichong, a former boyfriend, becoming Lu Bin's new client.
Episode 10 Recap
Fang Xin was watching the news when a report about a solitary woman being sexually assaulted terrified her. She imagined the suspect looked like Zhang Ting, making her wary even to take out the trash. When someone started entering a code on her door lock, she panicked. Her phone rang, and it was Zhang Ting. Fang Xin answered, yelling at him to stop bothering her, or she would call the police.
After hanging up, she looked through the peephole and realized it was her ex-husband, Ma Zhenyu. When she opened the door, Ma Zhenyu questioned why she had changed the lock code without informing him. Fang Xin countered, asking why he had come to her house unannounced. He insisted it was still his home.
He then revealed he had received a court summons and suggested they talk inside, but Fang Xin firmly stated that she had hired a lawyer precisely to avoid talking to him. Ma Zhenyu tried to persuade her, remarking that it was embarrassing to fight over a house like in a TV drama, accusing her of doing the same. Fang Xin retorted that he was taking advantage of her non-confrontational nature to hurt her.
Ma Zhenyu claimed he never meant to hurt her, suggesting they could have still been together happily if his affair hadn't happened. Fang Xin quickly corrected him, saying that if his affair hadn't come to light, she would still be manipulated by him. He desperately pleaded with her to reconcile, but Fang Xin dismissed the idea as absurd. Suddenly, Zhang Ting arrived with security guards, having misinterpreted Fang Xin's phone call about calling the police as a cry for help.
He immediately intervened, causing Ma Zhenyu to retreat. Zhang Ting apologized for the misunderstanding, explaining he thought Fang Xin was in trouble. He identified himself as her ex-husband, then corrected himself, stating they weren't divorced yet. Fang Xin, apologetic, clarified that she simply wanted Ma Zhenyu to deal with her lawyer from now on, not come to her home. Ma Zhenyu, leaving, muttered, "See you in court."
Zhang Ting apologized again and offered to help if Ma Zhenyu caused further trouble, but Fang Xin assured him she could handle it. Before leaving, Zhang Ting reiterated his desire to compensate Song Chao for his medical expenses. Fang Xin tried to brush it off, saying it was a small sum to Song Chao, but Zhang Ting insisted he wanted to take responsibility and asked her to help facilitate it. Fang Xin agreed.
Fang Xin called Song Chao to discuss Zhang Ting's offer. Song Chao was reluctant to meet, fearing Zhang Ting might assault him again. Fang Xin believed Zhang Ting was sincere in taking responsibility for his actions, but Song Chao argued that Zhang Ting had already served jail time, which was sufficient. He simply wanted Zhang Ting to live a good life moving forward.
Song Chao then suggested that Fang Xin could just brush Zhang Ting off, hinting that Zhang Ting might not be genuinely interested in compensation. Despite Fang Xin's conviction of Zhang Ting's sincerity, Song Chao proposed a compromise: Zhang Ting could offer a token payment of a few dozen yuan, and the matter would be closed. Fang Xin agreed to this arrangement. At the office, Wang Jichong arrived, noticeably dressed differently.
His colleagues remarked on his changed appearance, noting his new workout regimen. Wang Jichong, pleased, asked if his efforts were showing results. Meanwhile, Lu Bin messaged Xia Meng, asking why she hadn't been to the gym. Xia Meng replied that she felt unwell and might need a few days off. Lu Bin expressed concern, urging her to rest, saying he would "feel bad" if she overworked.
As Xia Meng prepared to change the water cooler bottle, Wang Jichong rushed over to help, flexing his biceps and asking if she noticed any changes in him. Xia Meng joked about his "thick skin" before telling him to finish his project report if he had so much free time. Later, at the gym, Wang Jichong discussed with Lu Bin how to build muscle quickly, hoping to attract girls.
He then confided that his previous relationship ended due to a significant income disparity, which led to frequent arguments. Lu Bin then shared that he also recently developed feelings for a very determined and hardworking girl who seemed capable of overcoming any challenge, finding her very charming. Wang Jichong, suspicious, asked if this was a ploy to sell him a gym membership. Lu Bin denied it.
Wang Jichong then asked if exercise could help his old back injury, to which Lu Bin enthusiastically replied yes and offered to start rehabilitation immediately. Lu Bin, worried about Xia Meng, called her. She told him she was feeling "a little better" but still needed rest. Lu Bin mentioned he had prepared nutritious food for her and was almost at her place.
Panicked, Xia Meng made up excuses, asking him to buy toilet paper and water at the supermarket to delay his arrival. A while later, Lu Bin called again, having finished shopping. Xia Meng quickly invented more items, like apples, then suggested he wait for her at the supermarket so they could shop together, buying herself more time to conceal her living situation.
Lu Bin eventually arrived at Xia Meng's old building, where the landlord informed him that the girl upstairs had been evicted due to several months of unpaid rent. Realizing Xia Meng had lied about being sick, Lu Bin confronted her. She admitted the lie, explaining she lacked the courage to tell him, fearing he would dislike her.
Lu Bin reassured her, saying he could never hate her and that couples should accept all aspects of each other, emphasizing his feelings wouldn't change. He asked her to promise not to hide things from him again, expressing how much it hurt him to think of her enduring such difficulties alone. Xia Meng, relieved, confessed that constantly lying had been exhausting. Lu Bin told her not to worry about any debts, saying they could tackle them together.
He then reiterated how worried he was after learning about her eviction from the landlord, and again asked her to promise to be open with him. Xia Meng agreed, then vaguely mentioned she was staying at a friend's place. Lu Bin, understanding her situation, offered to let her move in with him, acknowledging that staying with a friend must be inconvenient. Liu Jing met Shan Mu as he was leaving his night shift.
She mentioned she was conducting research for her new restaurant venture, which Wenwen had told him about. Shan Mu playfully brought up Wenwen's joke about Liu Jing becoming a housewife, which Liu Jing corrected, confirming her restaurant plans. Claiming he hadn't eaten, Shan Mu offered to accompany her. They visited several popular internet celebrity restaurants.
At the first, Liu Jing found the "fancy omelette rice" visually appealing but terribly bland, questioning the odd sauce combination and the restaurant's popularity despite its poor taste. Shan Mu explained that in the age of social media, many people prioritize how food looks in photos over its actual taste, using it as content for their online lives.
Liu Jing found the food awful, but Shan Mu considered it "okay," even better than film crew meals, leading Liu Jing to tease him about his low standards. At the next restaurant, Shan Mu tried to pay, but the waitress excitedly explained a membership promotion: new members received a 2000-yuan voucher (with a 50-yuan deduction per 200-yuan spend), and another 2000-yuan voucher after five visits. Liu Jing wondered how such a scheme could be profitable.
Shan Mu elucidated that it was a common marketing tactic in the dining industry. They factor the 50-yuan discount into the initial pricing, making customers feel they're getting a deal while simultaneously locking in their future spending and ensuring repeat business. At a dessert place, they ordered "bird's nest double-skin milk."
Shan Mu recited the dish's elaborate backstory: the milk came from "Tomorrow Ranch," located in a "golden milk source belt," where the land had been purposefully left vacant for ten years to ensure a pristine environment for the cows, making their milk exceptionally "precious." Liu Jing found the dessert merely "average."
Shan Mu continued, detailing how the "Qian'an golden bird's nest" was sourced from the remote "Linzhou Island," where the steep caves made harvesting so perilous that many men died, giving rise to the name "Qian'an Widow Village." Liu Jing, skeptical, dismissed it as mere "gimmicks," but Shan Mu noted that she had initially believed the story. He clarified that these stories were just "conversation starters," not meant to be taken seriously.
As they walked, Shan Mu encouraged Liu Jing, asserting that although opening a restaurant was challenging—even being cited as one of the three most dangerous investments for the middle class—nothing truly worthwhile was easy, and one wouldn't know the outcome without trying. Liu Jing was surprised by his extensive knowledge, which he attributed to his friends' various side businesses. She then asked why he hadn't replied to her WeChat message that day.
Shan Mu confessed that he felt a unique connection between them but was held back by his self-awareness: despite taking every relationship seriously, they never seemed to last. More importantly, he had never seen Wenwen get along so happily with any other man in his life. He feared that even if they started a relationship, it wouldn't end well, and it would ultimately hurt both Liu Jing and Wenwen. That's why he hadn't replied.
However, he now realized that nothing was easy, and they wouldn't know if they didn't try. He then took her hand, looked at her earnestly, and said, "Let's give it a try." They walked on, smiling. Fang Xin found herself at a dinner with Mr. Zhao and Jia Wenyi's agent, Zhong Ge, where she was pressured to drink.
This dinner was arranged by Mr. Zhao as an apology for an earlier incident where a press release for Jia Wenyi's new drama mistakenly promoted a rival's work, an error Fang Xin had signed off on. During the dinner, Zhong Ge received a sudden phone call and excused himself, stating he had an urgent matter to attend to.
Fang Xin attempted to apologize for the earlier press release issue, but Zhong Ge dismissed it, noting that news, even a hot search, wasn't necessarily bad for a new drama. After Zhong Ge left, Mr. Zhao candidly admitted that the whole situation was his deliberate setup. He then revealed that his company was undergoing an internal tender to switch PR firms and he needed a reason to replace Fang Xin's company.
He complimented Fang Xin's talent and beauty, then suggested she leave her current company and start her own PR firm, offering her his full support and resources. He made it clear that this support came with the expectation of a "closer relationship" between them, stating that with their cooperation, her life would be much better than just drawing a salary.
As he tried to grab her hand, Fang Xin pulled away, realizing his manipulative intentions and the "dirty deal" he was proposing. After the unsettling encounter, Zhang Ting sent Fang Xin a text message asking how her conversation with Mr. Zhao went and if it was convenient to talk. Later, Fang Xin confided in Zhang Ting about her difficult encounter with Mr. Zhao.
She was torn: accepting Mr. Zhao's offer meant engaging in a "dirty deal," but refusing could cost her job. Feeling trapped, she didn't know what to do. Zhang Ting reassured her, telling her not to apologize for sharing her feelings, as it helped to vent. Although he admitted that as a baker, he couldn't offer expert advice on such complex matters, he firmly advised her never to compromise with such people, as they would only make more outrageous demands.
Fang Xin noted his insight into such individuals. Zhang Ting revealed that his stepfather was just like that, frequently abusing his mother and threatening her, until Zhang Ting once severely beat him, which finally deterred him. However, Zhang Ting paid a price for his actions. Fang Xin asked if that was why he had gone to jail, and he confirmed it.
Zhang Ting then mentioned that his girlfriend had told Fang Xin about his jail time, and he worried he had scared her, as she hadn't replied to his messages for days. He regretted hitting Song Chao, breaking his promise to his mother not to resort to violence, questioning if his actions made him any different from his stepfather. Fang Xin asked if he truly liked his girlfriend.
Zhang Ting pondered what "liking" felt like, finding it intangible, and stated that for him, finding a suitable person and settling down quickly was paramount. Fang Xin suggested he might be rushing into marriage and might not fully know his girlfriend's flaws. Zhang Ting countered that he had flaws too, and if she could accept his, he could accept hers. He reiterated his advice: confront such people directly, but avoid violence.
Fang Xin jokingly described her fantasy of ambushing Mr. Zhao with a baseball bat on a dark night, ensuring her identity remained hidden. Zhang Ting offered to accompany her, but clarified his role would be to stop her from acting violently. Fang Xin reluctantly agreed. Later, Fang Xin's phone rang; it was Zhang Ting, asking if she was okay and why her phone had been off.
Meanwhile, news headlines appeared on screens: "Jia Wenyi meets her ex-boyfriend at night, the two seem to rekindle their old romance" and "Female star Jia Wenyi has a secret late-night meeting with a mysterious man." Fang Xin remembered Xia Meng's advice from their previous video call, about recording conversations with HR and having Xia Meng review any resignation agreements.
Episode 11 Recap
The episode begins by juxtaposing the adult lives of three friends with their childhood hopes. Xia Meng, now a self-proclaimed Douban youth, readily posts sharp critiques of films she pays for but displays unusual leniency toward web series produced by her own company, citing their low budget and high viewership as a success. Liu Jing, a passionate food enthusiast, meticulously reviews various restaurants on Dianping, often highlighting flaws in the food.
However, when she cooks for friends, while she seeks their opinions, she can become defensive if the feedback is too critical. Fang Xin, whose personal life has been notably smooth, speaks with great authority on relationship dynamics in fictional narratives, yet struggles to apply the same logic to her own marriage, firmly believing her husband truly loves her despite the concerns of her friends.
All three embody a common human tendency: to preach one thing and practice another, a stark contrast to their younger selves who aspired to be different and encouraged each other to strive for more. Xia Meng is at Lu Bin’s apartment, feeling a slight awkwardness, but Lu Bin remains considerate. After she chooses beer, they decide to watch a TV drama.
Xia Meng suggests Maisi Video, playfully countering Lu Bin's remark about it being "for little girls" by highlighting its diverse range of shows, particularly a new mystery thriller. Both admit to being scared to watch such shows alone. As the suspense builds, Xia Meng initiates a passionate kiss. Later, in the bedroom, they playfully debate keeping the lights on.
Xia Meng expresses discomfort with her body, but Lu Bin lovingly reassures her that he finds her beautiful, and they continue their intimate moments. The following morning, as Xia Meng is in the bathroom, Lu Bin proposes that she move in with him. Fang Xin meets with her boss and plays the recording of her conversation with Mr. Zhao. The boss acknowledges that Mr. Zhao is a lost client and admits he had previously misunderstood Fang Xin.
Fang Xin suggests confronting Mr. Zhao’s superior, Mr. Tang, with the recording. However, her boss dismisses this as naive, explaining that Mr. Tang was likely involved in bringing Mr. Zhao into the company, and exposing the recording would only damage their own company’s reputation. He concludes that the recording, while proving Fang Xin’s innocence, is otherwise useless and encourages her to focus on developing new clients and moving forward unburdened.
Liu Jing wakes early, roused by her alarm, and heads to the market to buy ingredients like free-range pigeon eggs, mountain-raised chicken, and Sichuan peppercorns. She then prepares a large and delicious meal at Song Chao's house, which is enjoyed by Wenwen and Song Chao. Lao Gao, a businessman who has invested in many struggling restaurants, offers his "constructive" advice on Liu Jing’s plan to open her own restaurant.
His counsel is mostly pessimistic, drawing on his own financial losses in both the restaurant industry and the stock market. Liu Jing acknowledges his points but asserts her desire to try for herself. During the meal, Shan Mu calls Liu Jing, sounding displeased that she is at Song Chao’s.
Liu Jing explains that Song Chao’s kitchen is well-equipped with tools like a sous vide machine, which she needs for recipe testing, and she wants to keep her restaurant plans secret from her parents for now. She also mentions that she prefers not to spend time at Shan Mu’s place when Wenwen is home, as she feels they need to find a suitable time to properly discuss their relationship with Wenwen, considering her young age and potentially fragile emotions.
Shan Mu agrees to her request. He then asks if Song Chao knows about their relationship, which Liu Jing admits he doesn't, promising to tell him at an opportune moment. Before hanging up, Shan Mu asks Liu Jing to pack some leftover food for the film crew and playfully calls her his wife, making her smile.
While this conversation is happening, Song Chao learns from Lao Gao that Wenwen is actually the assistant director’s daughter, which helps clarify the situation regarding Shan Mu. At the film set, actress Jia Wenyi repeatedly struggles with a scene that requires her to thinly slice fish for a West Lake fish soup, failing over twenty takes and cutting her finger.
Shan Mu suggests a hand double, but Jia Wenyi rejects the candidates, stating their hands don’t match hers and would negatively impact her image. The director decides to move on to other scenes while they find a suitable replacement. Liu Jing arrives at the set with food for Shan Mu. Jia Wenyi's assistant mentions that Jia Wenyi is in a bad mood and won't eat the oily food.
Liu Jing suggests Shan Mu give his portion to Jia Wenyi, and he reluctantly agrees, promising to make Liu Jing another meal later. Noticing Liu Jing’s somber expression, Shan Mu assumes she is upset about him giving away the food. Liu Jing clarifies that she is stressed about the many challenges of opening her restaurant. Shan Mu takes her hand, offering comfort and helping her list her concerns.
He reassures her not to be overwhelmed by trying to solve everything at once, encouraging her to tackle problems one by one, confident that solutions will be found. As he holds her hand, he suddenly realizes her hands are perfect for the hand double role. Liu Jing agrees to step in, effortlessly performing the fish slicing, and the shot is quickly approved, bringing relief to the crew.
Later, Jia Wenyi, mistaking Liu Jing for Shan Mu’s housekeeper because she often cooks for Wenwen, asks if she is "their auntie." Shan Mu promptly introduces Liu Jing as his girlfriend, mentioning her plans to open her own restaurant. Impressed by Liu Jing's cooking, Jia Wenyi promises to visit the restaurant when it opens.
Wang Jichong walks into Xia Meng’s office while she is on the phone, first speaking English to "Louis" about a deal, and then declining an invitation from Lu Bin, citing fatigue and her roommate's birthday. Wang Jichong questions who she's speaking to and why she’s using English. Xia Meng quickly dismisses him, saying she’s busy. Wang Jichong tries to invite her to the gym or for drinks, but she declines all his invitations, maintaining she is too tired.
Later, Wang Jichong and Lu Bin meet for drinks. Wang Jichong confides in Lu Bin about his breakup with an ex-girlfriend, attributing it to a significant income disparity that led to arguments. Wang Jichong then shows Lu Bin a birthday video his ex had made for him before their breakup, which he had only discovered after they separated, realizing she had been trying to reconcile.
As the video plays, Lu Bin sees Xia Meng singing "Happy Birthday," a sudden and shocking realization that Xia Meng is Wang Jichong's ex-girlfriend. Lu Bin is left grappling with the fact that Xia Meng had not been transparent about her past, while Wang Jichong, still oblivious to Lu Bin’s connection to Xia Meng, expresses his renewed determination to win her back.
Episode 12 Recap
Liu Jing, still immersed in a dramatic fantasy, playfully acted out a scene, recreating a "West Lake kiwi dish" and longing for her "Dr. Meng." She then asked Xia Meng to secure her an acting role, to which Xia Meng humorously pointed out that with her boyfriend being an assistant casting director, Liu Jing shouldn't need her help.
Liu Jing agreed, acknowledging her own dramatic nature, but then remarked that Jia Wenyi was the true "drama queen" who lived a persona to cater to her fans. Fang Xin expressed her lingering frustration that Zhao Qi seemed to have gotten away easily, despite her efforts. Liu Jing tried to reassure her, reminding her that she kept her job and that some things are beyond individual control.
Xia Meng, meanwhile, decided to sleep at her own home after an uncomfortable night at Lu Bin's, citing his small bed, non-cotton sheets, and a constantly dripping bathroom faucet as reasons. Despite being in her comfortable home, she found herself unable to sleep, her thoughts consumed by Lu Bin. The next morning, Zhao Qi arrived at Fang Xin's company to terminate their contract.
He confidently told Mr. Wang that the decision rested solely with him, not with Chairman Huang, whom Mr. Wang had invited, and challenged Mr. Wang to present a compelling reason to renew. Fang Xin, looking sharp, approached Zhao Qi for a private conversation. Zhao Qi, misinterpreting her intentions, assumed she was ready to defect and start a new company with him.
However, Fang Xin firmly stated her decision to remain with her current company and reiterated her desire for Moët & Chandon to continue their partnership. She then played a recording from their previous dinner, but Zhao Qi skillfully reinterpreted his words as standard business advice to find innovative young talent, suggesting Fang Xin was the one with ulterior motives.
Unfazed, Fang Xin played a second recording—a conversation between Jia Wenyi's agent and Zhao Qi, where Zhao Qi made disparaging remarks about Jia Wenyi. Fang Xin highlighted the potential fan backlash if this leaked, emphasizing her company's obligation to protect Moët & Chandon's brand image, implying the choice to cooperate was his. Cornered, Zhao Qi reluctantly agreed to renew the contract. Fang Xin then subtly mocked Zhao Qi's physique, reflecting his earlier derogatory comments about her, before leaving triumphantly.
Moments later, Chairman Huang arrived and was introduced to Fang Xin, leading to mutual recognition as they had both met at a lawyer's office for their divorces. Later, Fang Xin shared the day's events with Liu Jing and Xia Meng. Xia Meng joked about Fang Xin's life mirroring a typical drama heroine's "counterattack" plot, where she meets a more powerful CEO.
They learned that Mr. Huang was divorced, had lost tens of millions to his ex-wife, resembled Chen Bolin (Fang Xin's type), and was now single, prompting her friends to enthusiastically encourage her to pursue him. Mr. Wang commended Fang Xin for her successful strategy, admitting he had underestimated her. He also informed her that Zhao Qi had been replaced and the new contact person had requested details of their past champagne events, solidifying Fang Xin's rising status at the company.
Separately, Fang Xin received a call from a friend, Xuanxuan, who complained about a male friend of Fang Xin's whose girlfriend was trying to return a necklace bought with an employee discount, despite the no-return policy for discounted items. Meanwhile, Liu Jing was diligently practicing new recipes at home. Her mother, initially annoyed by the noise, was surprised by the elaborate meal, asking about the special occasion. Liu Jing explained she was just practicing.
Her mother then invited Song Chao over to taste Liu Jing's cooking. Song Chao, unknowingly, let slip that Liu Jing frequently cooked at his place. Taking the opportunity, Liu Jing tried to announce her dream of opening a restaurant. Her parents vehemently opposed the idea, expressing concerns about the financial risks and her recent job loss, which Song Chao had accidentally revealed.
The situation escalated when Liu Jing mentioned her relationship with Jiang Shanmu, leading to her parents' strong disapproval of his divorced status. Her father, furious, immediately stormed out to confront Jiang Shanmu, while Song Chao, feeling used and betrayed, left the house upset. Wenwen also found out and, misunderstanding the situation, spread misleading gossip about Liu Jing's father and "the sister who often cooks at their house" (referring to Liu Jing) getting together.
Xia Meng continued to struggle with sleep and focus, even during her home workouts. She called Lu Bin, attempting to arrange a visit to his place, dinner, or a weekend meeting, but he consistently made excuses about being busy with other plans. At a work meeting, Xia Meng expressed reservations about a new script where the female lead, Xiaoxue, reconciles with her ex-boyfriend, citing a lack of logical progression after his past heartless behavior.
Wang Jichong, however, argued that their separation allowed for mutual growth, and that their inherent love for each other was more important than material considerations like a house. Xia Meng found his argument persuasive and decided against revising the episode. Later, unable to shake her distraction, Xia Meng went to find Lu Bin. She found him at his recently renovated apartment, questioning the expense given that he was renting.
A neighbor, however, revealed that Lu Bin was rushing the renovations for his "girlfriend" to move in, leaving Xia Meng unsettled. Lu Bin then revealed that Wang Jichong, Xia Meng's ex-boyfriend, was his student, leaving Xia Meng stunned.
Episode 13 Recap
The episode opened with a reflection on men, noting that they rarely discuss their childhoods, preferring the strong adult images they've cultivated. However, men never truly grow up, only revealing their childish sides when they fall in love or when they are drunk. Alcohol, it was observed, has the power to transform both adults into children and children into their imagined versions of adulthood.
For Song Chao, this meant that "fair-weather friends" surrounded him from a young age, drawn to his wealth. He grew accustomed to people revolving around him and understood their motivations clearly. Shanmu, in contrast, was a cynical child who detested the phrase "being socially adept." When his mother insisted he thank an "Uncle Wang" at a dinner table for securing his spot in an advanced class, he feigned a need for the bathroom to escape the social obligation.
This reinforced his association of drinking tables with forced social etiquette, leading him to detest alcohol. Lu Bin, a trusting child, grew to despise liars after his grandfather tricked him into trying alcohol, which he found repulsive. This incident led him to almost completely abstain from drinking later in life. Wang Jichong, however, enjoyed observing others drink, not for the alcohol itself, but for the symbolic meanings it conveyed to him: maturity, sophistication, confidence, and success.
Zhang Ting's childhood memories painted alcohol as a terrifying force, capable of transforming people into monsters, driving them to madness, tears, and rage, as he witnessed his father's drunken behavior and violence towards his mother. Later, Liu Jing went to a nightclub, searching for Song Chao. As she exited the elevator, she passed a couple passionately embracing. Inside, she found Lao Gao filming, while Song Chao, shirtless, was on a bed surrounded by women.
Lao Gao, noticing Liu Jing, quickly urged Song Chao to sober up and put on his clothes. Song Chao, in a drunken state, tried to hug Liu Jing, but she pushed him away. Liu Jing apologized for "today's incident," but Song Chao challenged her, asking if she was sorry for not liking him or for hiding their relationship.
He then declared that she didn't need to apologize because he could still be very happy without her, calling over others like KK and Dandan to prove he had many friends. Liu Jing, on the verge of tears and feeling uncomfortable, claimed she was sleepy and asked them to continue their party without her, then left disappointed. As she was leaving, Lao Gao stopped her, explaining that Song Chao was profoundly upset, more so than he had ever seen him.
He revealed that Song Chao's way of coping with distress was to throw large parties, and the number of guests correlated with his level of pain—from a dozen when he was held back in college, to over a hundred that night, indicating his current immense sadness.
Liu Jing initially dismissed it as Lao Gao making excuses, but Lao Gao angrily questioned if she thought she was being fair to Song Chao, urging her to consider his perspective, which made Liu Jing realize her own fault. Meanwhile, Fang Xin and Liu Jing were at Xia Meng's apartment. Fang Xin complained about the changed locks at her house, a trick by Ma Zhenyu.
She tried to call him but he blocked her, so she went to Huang Menglin's place, only to learn that Huang Menglin and Ma Zhenyu had broken up. Fang Xin saw this as a form of poetic justice, reflecting on how Ma Zhenyu had been eager to marry his mistress just as he had been eager to marry her. She mused that perhaps they had both taken marriage too lightly, or perhaps Ma Zhenyu was simply a serial cheater.
Xia Meng and Liu Jing noticed Fang Xin's beaming smile and pressed her to reveal the full story. Fang Xin confessed that she had visited Zhang Ting's place earlier. She recounted an incident where she playfully slapped his bottom to vent her anger, explaining how she used to be harassed at work but couldn't openly express her discomfort. Zhang Ting commended her bravery.
During their conversation, Fang Xin mentioned that his girlfriend had returned the necklace he gave her, to which Zhang Ting calmly replied that they had broken up and she likely didn't want to keep it. Upon hearing this, Fang Xin couldn't hide her joy, claiming she was happy for her friend finally being rid of a "terrible girl" who had fooled him.
Xia Meng and Liu Jing, however, speculated that Fang Xin's true happiness stemmed from Zhang Ting becoming single again. Fang Xin vehemently denied any romantic interest in Zhang Ting, saying he wasn't her type, but Liu Jing suggested her type might have changed, teasing her about wanting another Ma Zhenyu. Xia Meng then shared her own news: Lu Bin had confessed that Wang Jichong, Xia Meng's ex-boyfriend, was his student.
Wang Jichong still loved Xia Meng, regretted their breakup, and wanted her back. Lu Bin admitted he was hesitant to tell her, fearing she might return to Wang Jichong, who was more successful. However, he declared his intention to compete fairly for her, having already renovated his apartment to be more like a shared home. Xia Meng, intending to move into Lu Bin’s renovated apartment the next day, was then confronted by her friends.
Fang Xin and Liu Jing criticized her for having hidden the truth, urging her to confess everything before moving in, warning that continued deceit would make her appear despicable. This ignited a heated argument. Liu Jing accused Xia Meng of being hypocritical, calling her "two-timing" for dating Shanmu while still stringing Song Chao along, exploiting his affection and treating him as a backup. Xia Meng retaliated, accusing Liu Jing of pretending to be poor and manipulating others' feelings.
Liu Jing then turned on Fang Xin, accusing her of constantly worrying about Zhang Ting while denying her true feelings, suggesting she secretly wished for his breakup. Fang Xin called Liu Jing "two-faced," to which Liu Jing retorted by calling Fang Xin "fake innocent," claiming she always exploited her charms while feigning ignorance of why people favored her, now suffering at the hands of Ma Zhenyu and unable to go home.
The argument escalated, with Fang Xin breaking down in tears. Xia Meng intervened, reminding them of their established rule: no more blaming, each must confess their own faults. Liu Jing was the first to admit her mistakes. She confessed that while she liked Shanmu, she had continuously accepted Song Chao's kindness, never clarifying her stance, and secretly dating Shanmu behind Song Chao's back, acknowledging this was indeed two-faced.
Fang Xin then admitted her own tendency to rely on others' kindness and to only hear what she wanted to hear, always avoiding problems. She recognized her significant responsibility for the issues in her failed marriage, noting that she would ignore marital problems as long as Ma Zhenyu coaxed her. She also conceded that her concern for Zhang Ting had indeed crossed the boundaries of a normal friendship.
Lastly, after initial hesitation, Xia Meng confessed that she was a woman who loved to lie. Later that night, unable to sleep, they were still lying in Xia Meng's bed. Xia Meng reiterated her decision to confess everything to Lu Bin as soon as she moved in. Fang Xin finally acknowledged her feelings, saying she realized she truly liked Zhang Ting. Liu Jing decided she needed to have a serious conversation with Song Chao.
They light-heartedly joked about not finding each other attractive even if they were men, calling each other "too dramatic," before sharing a warm embrace in bed. The next morning, Fang Xin was on the phone, noting that the lock to her apartment had been opened and nothing was missing, still puzzled by Ma Zhenyu's actions.
She then went to Zhang Ting's bakery, where she informed him that she would try to negotiate a higher price for the cake recipe transfer contract and asked him to consider it. Zhang Ting happily agreed, expressing his delight that the cake, which he had specifically designed for the brand, was being recognized. Fang Xin then offered him a bottle of alcohol from the brand.
Zhang Ting initially declined, stating he didn't usually drink, but Fang Xin suggested he could use it as an ingredient, so he accepted. She cautiously asked if he planned to resume matchmaking now that he was single. Their conversation was interrupted by an aunt, Teacher Zhang, a new student at the bakery, who jokingly asked if Fang Xin was Zhang Ting's girlfriend.
Zhang Ting denied it, explaining they were just friends, but the aunt suggested Fang Xin was too beautiful for him. Fang Xin then left for her company. Meanwhile, Liu Jing was at Shanmu’s apartment, explaining that she was staying at Xia Meng’s, essentially running away from home to avoid her parents. Shanmu tried to cheer her up, playfully suggesting a kiss would reveal his "solution" to her negative emotions. Liu Jing declined.
Shanmu then tried to initiate intimacy, mentioning that Wenwen was out. Liu Jing, however, was concerned about Wenwen returning and suggested they go to a hotel, feeling their actions at home were like "having an affair." Shanmu assured her Wenwen wouldn't be back, but just as he continued his advances, Wenwen walked through the door, asking, "What are you doing?" Liu Jing and Shanmu quickly pretended to be cleaning the house. Wenwen then expressed a desire for a younger sibling, asking if Liu Jing preferred a brother or a sister.
Episode 14 Recap
Xia Meng prepared a meal at home for her visiting parents. Her cooking skills hadn't improved, prompting her parents to immediately sense something was amiss, especially when she broke her own rule and offered her father his favorite soy-sauce aroma wine. Her parents pressed her to reveal what was on her mind, knowing her fast speech indicated trouble. Xia Meng confessed that she had broken up with Wang Jichong.
Her parents were shocked, reminding her of their upcoming wedding plans and asking why she needed to apologize to him, even though he was the one who initiated the breakup. Her father insisted that Xia Meng must have done something wrong, as they always reconciled after arguments. Xia Meng explained that working in the same department made their situation awkward, and then bravely admitted she had fallen for someone else.
Her mother reacted strongly, worried about how they would face the in-laws given the venue and deposits were already paid. Xia Meng, however, asserted that she had always lived according to their wishes and would not allow them to control her life anymore. Angered, her father left the table, and her mother followed, chastising Xia Meng. Liu Jing was out looking at storefronts, accompanied by Song Chao.
Song Chao apologized for his drunken behavior the previous day, explaining he had blacked out and usually doesn't have many friends in China. Liu Jing, in turn, apologized for treating him as a backup option and for selfishly accepting his kindness without clearly stating her relationship with Shan Mu. Song Chao asked if he still had a chance to be more than a backup, but Liu Jing honestly told him there was no longer any opportunity.
Although he felt like a failure for not even being a true backup, they agreed to remain friends. The real estate agent showed Liu Jing a well-located storefront near a subway station and office buildings with high foot traffic. Despite its advantages, the rent exceeded Liu Jing's budget. Song Chao offered to cover the extra cost as an investment, but Liu Jing refused, stating she couldn't trouble a friend with her personal affairs.
At a company meeting, Xia Meng presented a new drama project to President Zhu. While he acknowledged its unique and innovative aspects, he found it too niche and suggested altering the ending to a universally happy one. Wang Jichong then eloquently explained that for female-oriented dramas, viewers often seek stories where heroines overcome challenges they face in real life, and sometimes an imperfect ending resonates more, creating psychological balance and reducing abandonment rates.
He drew a parallel to male-oriented spy dramas where heroic sacrifices often become high points. Impressed by Wang Jichong's insightful perspective, President Zhu agreed to the collaboration, remarking on the talent within MySight Video. Afterwards, Wang Jichong invited Xia Meng to dinner, claiming it was for "business" matters, and Xia Meng agreed, also having something to tell him. Meanwhile, Shan Mu went to Liu Jing’s parents’ house, calling her father "Dad" and bringing a bottle of good wine.
During their drink, Liu Jing's father stated that he didn't mind Shan Mu being divorced with a child, but wanted to know if he intended to marry Liu Jing. Shan Mu confirmed he would, but emphasized the need for them to spend more time together to ensure compatibility before rushing into marriage. Liu Jing's mother became furious, pointing out Liu Jing's age and arguing that marriage is a major life event.
She challenged Shan Mu by asking how he would feel if his own daughter, Wenwen, at thirty, decided not to marry and wanted to date a man like him, implying his choices were unfair to Liu Jing. Fang Xin met Attorney Liu to discuss Ma Zhenyu changing the locks. While there, she encountered Huang Yu, who invited her to dinner. Attorney Liu had to leave early for another case.
Fang Xin initially tried to excuse herself from dinner, but Huang Yu persuaded her to stay for a performance. She became captivated by the music, which was from "Skyscraper." Huang Yu revealed he was a marriage skeptic who had entered his previous marriage as a mere "transaction" to satisfy family and societal expectations, not out of love. He confessed that his ex-wife's friend had demanded an exorbitant amount, leading to their current legal dispute.
He concluded that his experience taught him marriage's essence is love, respect, trust, and shared life, and he would not enter another marriage without love. Realizing his intentions were purely platonic, Fang Xin was glad to have made a new friend. Later that evening, Xia Meng and Wang Jichong had drinks at their usual spot.
Wang Jichong informed her he had received an offer from Data Wave to lead their Scream Short Video's traditional web series project next year, which he intended to accept due to the attractive terms and limited growth opportunities at their current company. Xia Meng congratulated him and encouraged him to seize the opportunity.
Wang Jichong then expressed his regret, acknowledging that many things Xia Meng did for him in the past were truly for his benefit, and he tentatively asked if there was still a chance for them to reconcile. Xia Meng gently but firmly told him that she was now seeing someone else and wanted to focus on that relationship, meaning there was no longer any possibility for them. Separately, Lu Bin messaged Xia Meng, asking her to come to his place.
Meanwhile, Shan Mu's daughter, Wenwen, knocked on his door and asked if he was asleep. Shan Mu turned off the lights, but Wenwen entered, questioning why he was hiding things. She confessed that among all his girlfriends, Liu Jing was her favorite. Shan Mu, trying to avoid the conversation, said he didn't want to talk now. However, Wenwen insisted that Shan Mu treat Liu Jing well and not break up with her.
Shan Mu reiterated his strong feelings for Liu Jing, but Wenwen, showing surprising wisdom, expressed her confusion as to why he made simple things so complicated. She reminded him of his divorce from her mother, urging him not to make excuses and to be brave if he truly liked Liu Jing, and not to use her as an excuse.
When Xia Meng arrived at Lu Bin's place, she noticed his home had been redecorated, including new wallpaper and a larger bed. Lu Bin gave her a key, indicating it was now their home. As they prepared to celebrate with drinks, Xia Meng attempted to confess something important to him, but was repeatedly interrupted by work-related phone calls, including one from President Hu about production issues with their previous dramas and another from Wang Jichong, who questioned her new relationship.
Her mother and father also called, reiterating their demands about the wedding. Seeing Xia Meng’s distress, Lu Bin, with thoughtful consideration, pretended to remember a gaming appointment and left the apartment to give her space. After her dinner with Huang Yu, he dropped Fang Xin off at home. Zhang Ting also appeared, having just returned from taking out the trash. Fang Xin quickly clarified to Zhang Ting that Huang Yu was merely a friend they shared a lawyer with. After Zhang Ting left, Huang Yu casually observed that Zhang Ting seemed to like her, and, surprising Fang Xin, also mentioned that he knew she liked Zhang Ting.
Episode 15 Recap
Xia Meng presented a detailed PowerPoint to Liu Jing, attempting to explain why she had lied to Lu Bin. She defined lies as an instinct for survival and categorized her own deception as "white lies," motivated by self-protection, fear of hurting feelings, and uncertainty about how the truth might impact their relationship. She explained that successful women often face troubles, leading her to conceal her identity.
She admitted to covering one lie with another but stressed that her intentions were not malicious, and she deeply cherished their relationship and future. She concluded by asking if Liu Jing would forgive her. Liu Jing, however, was unimpressed. While she expressed a willingness to invest in Xia Meng, she firmly stated she wouldn't forgive her. Liu Jing criticized Xia Meng for treating the apology like a business negotiation, urging her to show genuine sincerity rather than "useless gestures."
She scoffed at Xia Meng's suggestion of having her PR department draft an apology letter, advising her to instead leverage her company's drama-making expertise to create an emotionally resonant apology that would truly move Lu Bin, just like the popular romantic dramas they produce. Meanwhile, Fang Xin attended her divorce mediation, only to find Ma Zhenyu absent, represented solely by his attorney.
Ma Zhenyu's lawyer stated that due to Fang Xin being unemployed throughout their marriage and Ma Zhenyu's company suffering losses from poor investments, there were no marital assets to divide. Furthermore, their jointly-owned home had been mortgaged with Fang Xin's authorization, and as the term had expired without redemption, Ma Zhenyu was now in debt. The lawyer argued that under Article 41 of the Marriage Law, Fang Xin should jointly repay these marital debts.
Fang Xin's lawyer immediately countered, alleging that Ma Zhenyu might have deliberately transferred marital assets and requested a thorough investigation. Xia Meng arrived at Lu Bin's apartment, which he had prepared for her. She found new slippers by the door and various toiletries he had bought for her in the storage cabinet, chosen with recommendations from a clerk.
Lu Bin called to apologize for not being able to pick her up but assured her he would try to come home early after work, asking her not to rush back. Xia Meng, touched by his thoughtful gestures, happily began decorating the apartment. While Liu Jing was viewing a potential shop location with Jiang Shanmu, the real estate agent inadvertently revealed that Song Chao had accompanied her the previous day and offered to invest.
Jiang Shanmu immediately grew upset, confronting Liu Jing and demanding to know why she didn't ask him for money if she needed it. Liu Jing, frustrated, retorted that she didn't need money, denying his offer, and walked away. Later, Fang Xin’s belongings were unceremoniously thrown onto the street by creditors as Ma Zhenyu had mortgaged their home, leaving her locked out and with nowhere to go. Just as she was in despair, Zhang Ting passed by.
Noticing her distress, he offered assistance, helping her move her belongings to a friend’s warehouse. Jiang Shanmu then sought out Song Chao, bringing a bottle of whiskey. Song Chao offered his own superior whiskey, but seeing Jiang Shanmu's grim expression, he conceded to drinking Jiang Shanmu's bottle. Jiang Shanmu accused Song Chao of being disrespectful, while Song Chao criticized Jiang Shanmu for being envious of his wealth.
Their conversation quickly devolved into an argument over Liu Jing, with Song Chao pointedly asking how Jiang Shanmu could be her boyfriend and not even know she needed money. Jiang Shanmu, recalling his childhood dislike for "sucking up" to others, confessed how having his daughter, Wenwen, forced him to take on responsibilities he once detested, making him realize that many things become beyond one's control as an adult.
He then explained to Song Chao why he loved Liu Jing: she was the only person he knew who still lived so freely and spontaneously as an adult. He admired her independent spirit, her balance of humility and self-respect, and her refusal to envy others or belittle herself. He found her captivating because she embodied the life he wished he could live.
Song Chao then shared that his connection to Liu Jing began with Chinese cooking videos the algorithm recommended while he was studying abroad, as he disliked Western food. He admitted he hadn't recognized her from their shared childhood compound at first. Jiang Shanmu seized on this, accusing Song Chao of lying about their "childhood sweetheart" connection and attempting to "play hard to get," which ironically led to Liu Jing being with him.
Song Chao and Jiang Shanmu both opened up about their struggles with wealth and finding genuine connections. Song Chao then revealed that Liu Jing had already rejected his offer to invest even before he finalized his plans. Despite their rivalry, they found a strange camaraderie in their shared feelings, singing about love and breakups. Jiang Shanmu, fueled by alcohol, passionately declared that Liu Jing was his and vowed to love her for a lifetime.
Song Chao, now very drunk, conceded that Jiang Shanmu had "completely finished him off" regarding Liu Jing. At the gym, Lu Bin informed Wang Jichong that he could no longer coach him due to their "awkward relationship." He then revealed that Xia Meng, the woman he was now dating, was the same ex-girlfriend Wang Jichong had seen in a video.
Wang Jichong immediately became enraged, accusing Lu Bin of latching onto a vice president and no longer needing to worry about selling courses. Lu Bin, genuinely unaware of Xia Meng's true profession, tried to explain, but Wang Jichong refused to listen, physically assaulting him and warning him to stay away from Xia Meng. Later, a visibly drunk Lu Bin returned to his apartment.
Before Xia Meng could explain her deception, he recounted a childhood story about a pet chicken, Xiaobao, that his parents had secretly cooked and served him, then lied about. He expressed his deep-seated hatred for being lied to and the confusion it caused. Xia Meng attempted to confess, but Lu Bin, now knowing her true identity as Director Xia from Wang Jichong, interrupted her, accusing her of continuous lies.
He refused to listen further and, grabbing his friend's keys, told her he would be staying elsewhere for the night and expected her to be gone by the time he returned. Heartbroken, Xia Meng discarded the celebratory surprises she had arranged for Lu Bin. As she sat outside, Wang Jichong appeared. Drawing on a concept Xia Meng once taught him, Wang Jichong sincerely apologized for his earlier outburst, expressing remorse for his actions.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Xia Meng found solace in his embrace, crying on his shoulder. Later that night, with Song Chao heavily intoxicated, Liu Jing and Shanmu were together. Liu Jing reflected on classical stories of two men dueling over a woman, admitting to feeling a mix of novelty and flattery at being desired by two men, despite her perceived unlikable personality.
Shanmu, however, cautioned her that not every such "duel" has a clear winner or loser, and that she should learn to accept that someone she likes might not always reciprocate her feelings. The next day, Song Chao again approached Liu Jing with a practical offer for her restaurant. He explained that a mall owner, who owed his uncle a favor, was willing to provide her with a vacant shop space rent-free, taking only a percentage of her monthly profits.
He believed this would greatly ease her initial financial burden. However, Liu Jing politely declined, explaining that since she had decided to be with Shanmu, she could not accept such assistance. Song Chao, understanding, apologized for any difficulty and promised to maintain appropriate boundaries to avoid making her uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Fang Xin continued drinking heavily with Zhang Ting, who tried to persuade her to stop due to her allergic reactions to alcohol. Under the influence, Fang Xin inferred from his concern that Zhang Ting harbored feelings for her. She then impulsively kissed him, a gesture Zhang Ting readily reciprocated.
Episode 16 Recap
In her childhood, Xia Meng was told by her mother not to drink cold water after exercise, but rather hot water. Her mother insisted that hot water would reduce the dampness in her body, which was supposedly why she couldn't lose weight. For Xia Meng, hot water became a seemingly magical remedy, prescribed for every ailment, yet its effectiveness was never truly proven.
Liu Jing's mother also advocated for drinking hot water, but Liu Jing dismissed it as pseudoscience, believing it to be merely an excuse for her parents to control her, no different from their other endless nagging. Fang Xin, whose parents had divorced, was spared such lectures. While the efficacy of hot water remained uncertain, sometimes its warmth offered comfort, a metaphor for life's unpredictable journey where a shared sense of presence could ease anxiety.
The scene then shifted to a dream sequence: a triple wedding for Xia Meng, Liu Jing, and Fang Xin. Zhang Ting delivered heartfelt vows to Fang Xin, admitting he wasn't romantic but promised to face challenges with her and ensure her happiness. Fang Xin responded, stating that after her experiences, neither love nor material wealth mattered as much as Zhang Ting, who provided her with security, contentment, and happiness, making him her definitive choice.
Wang Jichong then told Xia Meng he was finally worthy of her, having been promoted to deputy general manager, and praised her as a motivating rival. However, Xia Meng, who had notes on her hand for her vows, couldn't speak, confessing she didn't want to lie and that she was thinking of Lu Bin. Suddenly, Lu Bin appeared, calling Xia Meng to leave with him.
Xia Meng, realizing what she truly wanted, joined him, declaring an end to her lifelong pursuit of winning. Just as they were about to leave, Ma Zhenyu burst in, holding their unsigned divorce agreement, accusing Fang Xin of bigamy, claiming she was still his wife. Zhang Ting was furious to learn Fang Xin wasn't divorced and was pursuing marital assets, questioning if he wasn't enough for her.
Fang Xin explained the divorce was still ongoing, and she intended to register the marriage later, further enraging Zhang Ting. Amidst the chaos, Liu Jing, seeing the others' weddings in disarray, grabbed a microphone and turned to her partner, whom she believed to be Shanmu. He declared his lifelong commitment and love for her, promising happiness. Liu Jing then passionately recited her vows, only to discover that the man beside her was Song Chao, not Shanmu.
The three women jolted awake, realizing they had all shared unsettling dreams. Reflecting on the adage "thoughts by day, dreams by night," Fang Xin decided to abandon the prolonged lawsuit against Ma Zhenyu, opting to quickly finalize the divorce to start anew, not wanting to waste another minute on him. Her friends playfully accused her of a clandestine encounter with Zhang Ting, hinting at a romantic development.
Fang Xin confessed she had recently realized she liked him and that no matter what happened, good or bad, she wanted to tell him first. Xia Meng, confused by dreaming of both Lu Bin and Wang Jichong, was teased by her friends for being a "player." Liu Jing found her own dream unsettling, starting with Shanmu but ending with Song Chao.
She was also called a "player" but insisted Song Chao was merely annoying and that she couldn't possibly like him. Later, in a meeting, Fang Xin discussed Nuomei Baili's 2020 collection of black wedding dresses. A colleague raised concerns about the difficulty of marketing black wedding dresses due to traditional superstitions and resistance from older generations, subtly challenging Fang Xin’s age and perspective.
Fang Xin, however, redirected the focus to the brand's philosophy of "bold breakthroughs" and the growing market of post-90s and post-00s couples. She encouraged innovative proposals, emphasizing ingenious and flexible solutions. Following this, one colleague offered to create a proposal, and another asked for an opportunity to submit her own. The manager overseeing the meeting encouraged healthy internal competition, and the second colleague suggested that Fang Xin, representing a more mature perspective, could also provide valuable input.
After the meeting, Fang Xin exchanged messages with Zhang Ting. She then received a call from Attorney Liu, who confirmed that the divorce agreement had been verified with Ma Zhenyu’s lawyer and would be sent to her via express delivery. Attorney Liu asked if Fang Xin was certain about dropping the asset claim, and Fang Xin firmly confirmed her decision.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hu summoned Xia Meng to his office, assigning her to visit the set of "The Decisive Battle in Yangxin Palace" as it concluded filming and to discuss a future project with Director Xu. He then addressed her personal life, warning her that as a company executive, she needed to be mindful of her influence, as there were "unpleasant rumors" circulating. Xia Meng acknowledged his warning. Later, Liu Jing's daughter, Wenwen, left to watch a movie with friends.
Liu Jing received an upsetting call regarding a film crew issue. Her mother informed her that Song Chao had invited them for lunch, messaging her directly as a polite gesture. Liu Jing teasingly questioned her mother's trust in her to dine alone with Song Chao, to which her mother responded that after all they had experienced, mutual respect and trust were only natural. Liu Jing then left for lunch.
That evening, Xia Meng attended a celebratory dinner with Wang Jichong and other colleagues for his new promotion to Vice President at a different company. Colleagues toasted Wang Jichong, with some jokingly mentioning that he had "taught that guy" (Lu Bin) a lesson. Overhearing their misunderstanding, Xia Meng decided to clarify. She explained that after her breakup with Wang Jichong, she felt incredibly insecure and had lied to Lu Bin about working as a waitress.
She thought men might be uncomfortable with strong, ambitious women. However, Lu Bin never looked down on her; instead, he encouraged her by offering a sales position at the gym to help her earn more. This, she clarified, was why she had encouraged her friends to get gym memberships, stressing that Lu Bin had no malicious intent. One colleague admitted to admiring a "very hardworking girl" who faced every challenge, subtly indicating Xia Meng.
Another commented that Lu Bin now seemed "quite handsome." Xia Meng apologized to everyone for the trouble she had caused, but her colleagues reassured her, pointing out the free gym memberships had benefited their health. They quickly shifted the conversation back to Wang Jichong, celebrating his new role. Xia Meng raised a toast to Wang Jichong, wishing him smooth sailing in his new company.
Episode 17 Recap
Liu Jing visited another commercial property with a real estate agent, who highlighted its poor environment and fourth-floor location, noting that the pedestrian street nearby had low foot traffic and the building itself was of low quality, suggesting it wouldn't attract discerning customers for a private kitchen despite the lower rent. However, Liu Jing found the space appealing, imagining it as her future Jing Private Kitchen, complete with welcoming guests and serving dishes like Spicy Sichuan Pepper Tofu Skin.
During this moment, Song Chao, whom Liu Jing had earlier called and shared her location with, walked in, witnessing her immersion in this dream. He observed the clear excitement in her eyes, despite the agent's negative assessment of the location's low foot traffic and overall low-end appeal.
Liu Jing recounted how she used to frequent this area when she first started working, often spending entire weekends alone, as her friends Xia Meng and Fang Xin were occupied with demanding careers and early marriage, respectively. She shared her habit of dining alone, even at high-end restaurants, not for loneliness, but to slowly savor and appreciate the food.
Song Chao expressed a similar fondness for expensive dining, though Liu Jing clarified her motivation was more about studying the ingredients, design, presentation, and culinary philosophy, even when money was tight. She remembered alternating between fancy meals at the start of the month and street food from the "Dirty Street" area, which predated the current malls.
She spoke fondly of a tiny noodle shop there, without a signboard, where the kind owner always added an extra fried egg to her pea noodles. Liu Jing explained that delicious food, regardless of cost, brought her happiness and was her only solace during a period of deep uncertainty when she disliked her previous job. She felt grateful for being fired, as it allowed her to pursue her passion and find direction.
Song Chao then confided that he was feeling equally lost, having recently argued with his mother over her nagging about his lack of serious endeavors. A passerby mentioned a good noodle shop downstairs, prompting Liu Jing to take Song Chao there. To her surprise and delight, it was the same noodle shop from her memories, run by the same elderly owner. The owner recognized her after many years and, true to form, gave her an extra fried egg.
As Liu Jing savored the familiar taste, she looked up to see the old man smiling at her, bringing tears to her eyes and reinforcing her sense of purpose. Meanwhile, Xia Meng burst into the men's changing room at the gym to confront Lu Bin. Lu Bin initially dismissed her, stating there was nothing left for them to discuss and referring to her as his "ex-girlfriend."
When other men in the changing room told Xia Meng to leave, Lu Bin surprisingly stepped in to defend her. Xia Meng then tried to explain her deception, claiming she initially feared he was trying to sell her courses and later, after falling for him, worried he wouldn't accept her true professional identity—someone who customizes and procures content for video platforms—just as her ex-boyfriend Wang Jichong had not.
Lu Bin, however, countered that he knew she harbored no ill intent but a lie was still a lie. He questioned when she would have revealed her truth if Wang Jichong hadn't exposed her, dismissing her claim of being ready to tell him when she moved in as an excuse. He pointed out numerous opportunities she had missed, from their first late-night snack to their cohabitation.
Lu Bin expressed his disappointment, feeling that she hadn't reciprocated his openness and the extent of his affection. Their argument was interrupted by the gym manager, who recognized Xia Meng as "President Xia" and admonished Lu Bin for his emotional outburst, reminding him to act professionally. The manager attempted to arrange a corporate partnership with Xia Meng's company, offering Lu Bin the lead on the project, which he immediately refused. Xia Meng, distraught, then left.
Later, Wang Jichong sought out Lu Bin at the gym, having added an extra class specifically to apologize for his previous misunderstanding regarding Lu Bin and Xia Meng. Lu Bin initially dismissed the need for an apology, wanting to maintain a professional distance, but eventually admitted he had been jealous. He then accepted Wang Jichong's apology, clarifying that his earlier harshness stemmed from his own feelings. Fang Xin met Ma Zhenyu to finalize their divorce.
Ma Zhenyu attempted to delay the proceedings, apologizing for his past infidelity and trying to explain that his parents had forced him to collateralize their shared house to secure a loan from his father's company for his struggling company, not out of stinginess. He claimed he had fought to keep the house for her but his parents were now demanding repayment due to the divorce. Fang Xin listened patiently, then calmly revealed that she saw through his manipulative charade.
She stated that her past trust in him stemmed from genuine love, not foolishness, and her current lack of engagement was due to simply being "bothered" to deal with him further. She firmly declared him unworthy of her and severed all ties, asserting her clear decision to divorce him. After the divorce, Fang Xin went to see Zhang Ting. She initially thought the flowers he was holding were for her, but he clarified they were for his baking ingredients.
He offered her a bottle of pomegranate juice, stating it was good for women and helped with beauty and anti-aging. Fang Xin joyfully announced her divorce, expressing immense happiness and relief from all burdens, believing her life now held limitless possibilities. Zhang Ting confirmed he understood her feelings. However, his next words were to mention that Aunt Wang and others were about to arrive, which confused Fang Xin.
She asked if he had anything else to tell her, but he simply handed her two pieces of bread. Later, Fang Xin realized that pomegranate juice, despite its "anti-aging" claims, contained a high sugar content, making it more likely to cause weight gain. She thanked Zhang Ting nonetheless for the gesture.
Episode 18 Recap
As children, Liu Jing, Fang Xin, and Xia Meng gathered to eat hotpot and watch "My Fair Princess". Liu Jing added rice to the hotpot, explaining that in Guangdong, hotpot is called "da bin lou," and adding rice allows the resulting congee to absorb the fresh flavors of the ingredients, making it delicious. Fang Xin then asked her friends who they would want to be if they could travel back to ancient times.
Fang Xin enthusiastically declared she would be Xiao Yanzi, expressing her preference for the Fifth Prince over Erkang, and admitted she couldn't memorize ancient poems like Ziwei. Liu Jing envisioned herself as Consort Ling, gentle, kind, intelligent, and the Emperor's favorite. However, Xia Meng, ever the pragmatist, refused all options, not wanting to be bullied in the palace.
When her friends playfully suggested she be Rong Momo to bully others, Xia Meng retorted that if she had to choose, she'd be the Empress. Xia Meng criticized the romanticized view of ancient times, pointing out the prevalence of arranged marriages and the unfairness of polygamy. She concluded that such stories were misleading for young girls and that being favored by an old Emperor was not desirable.
Eventually, they all agreed that it was far better to marry someone they loved in the modern era. Years later, the three friends met again, sharing a meal of Liu Jing's creative "Liu Jing's Special Hodgepodge Stew." Liu Jing explained that this dish, like Henan's Mixed Vegetables, Northeast's Random Stew, Sichuan's Spicy Pot, Guangdong's Poon Choi, or Fujian's Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, was an innovative way to utilize various ingredients, blending their strengths and weaknesses to create astonishing results.
Fang Xin, however, was in a sour mood, upset by Zhang Ting's gift of pomegranate juice. She complained about the packaging, which advertised "anti-aging" properties, making her feel Zhang Ting was implying she looked old. Liu Jing and Xia Meng chided her, calling it "Princess syndrome" and telling her she was too accustomed to being pampered and unappreciative of others' kindness.
They even jokingly admitted they were siding with Zhang Ting because "one who eats from another is bound to be soft-mouthed." The conversation turned to Fang Xin's relationship with Zhang Ting. She expressed frustration that he hadn't formally confessed his feelings, making her unsure of their status. Xia Meng argued that since Fang Xin had kissed him and he hadn't refused, it constituted a confirmed relationship.
Liu Jing agreed, stating that not every expression of affection needed to be a grand declaration, as people convey their feelings in different ways. Fang Xin remained insistent on a formal confession, believing that formalities were crucial to ensure he truly liked her. Liu Jing suggested she simply ask him, but Fang Xin adamantly refused, declaring that the man should always make the first move.
Both Liu Jing and Xia Meng reiterated that this was her "Princess syndrome" at play, enjoying being liked without taking any reciprocal action. Xia Meng then earnestly advised Fang Xin to cherish good relationships and not be overly demanding, warning that even the strongest bonds could be ruined by such behavior. She urged her not to wait until it was too late to feel regret.
Fang Xin subtly probed, asking if Lu Bin had forgiven Xia Meng, a topic Xia Meng quickly dodged, redirecting them to eat before the food got cold. Driven by her concern for Xia Meng, Fang Xin visited Lu Bin at the gym. Lu Bin expressed his discomfort, feeling put on the spot by her and Xia Meng taking turns to approach him.
When Fang Xin asked who else had visited him, he did not specify but proceeded with a physical assessment for her. His assessment revealed that despite her desire to be thin, her body shape wasn't ideal, lacking sufficient muscle mass. Lu Bin emphasized that true beauty lay in health and confidence, rather than an unhealthy pursuit of thinness. Fang Xin playfully asked if he was referring to Xia Meng.
During their workout, Lu Bin inadvertently blurted out, "Can't you learn from Xia Meng?" before quickly correcting himself. He further explained that the gym's true purpose was to enhance athletic performance, boost metabolism, and improve overall health, not merely weight loss. Fang Xin then confessed the real reason for her visit: to advocate for Xia Meng.
She passionately explained that Xia Meng's deception stemmed from her deep affection for him, highlighting the immense effort Xia Meng put into her work and gym job, meticulously hiding it all out of fear of discovery. Meanwhile, at Liu Jing and Xia Meng's shared apartment, Liu Jing was immersed in cooking videos. She asked Xia Meng about lunch, who, busy with work, simply stated she would cook chicken breast later.
Seeing the refrigerator packed with chicken breast, Liu Jing was inspired to create a new dish, "Snowflake Chicken Custard." She tried various attempts to perfect it after an initial lack of success. Xia Meng's mother called, asking if she had truly broken up with Wang Jichong, as his mother had invited them to taste wedding banquet dishes. Xia Meng confirmed the breakup, realizing Wang Jichong had kept it from his parents, and took it upon herself to handle the situation.
She called Wang Jichong, who admitted he hadn't found the right time to tell his parents and was trying to "postpone" the news, even ambiguously suggesting the wedding preparations might "not be for nothing." Xia Meng was confused and upset by his noncommittal response. Wang Jichong then stated he was working overtime and would handle his parents regarding the menu tasting, quickly ending the call.
Later, Xia Meng went to the hotel where the wedding tasting was taking place, finding Wang Jichong and his mother. Wang Jichong's mother expressed her frustration that Xia Meng was late, wondering if they would ever get married. Xia Meng directly informed Wang Jichong's mother that she and Wang Jichong had broken up some time ago, apologizing for the long deception. Wang Jichong's mother was shocked, believing it was just a typical lovers' quarrel.
Xia Meng then explicitly confessed that she had fallen in love with someone else, making reconciliation with Wang Jichong impossible. Wang Jichong pulled Xia Meng aside, trying to persuade her that their recent problems were "accidental" and that they could pretend nothing happened and proceed with the wedding. Xia Meng, however, firmly clarified that her feelings for Lu Bin were genuine and not a fleeting romance or a rebound. She was truly in love with him.
Upon returning home, Liu Jing's father informed her that he had used his connections to get her old job at the bank reinstated, expecting her to return on Monday. Liu Jing, however, stood her ground, explaining her firm decision to open a restaurant. She clarified that this was not a desperate move due to job loss, but a genuine pursuit of her passion, having found a suitable location in her favorite shopping district with great potential.
Her parents were vehemently against it, expressing deep skepticism. Her mother questioned her capability, citing her tendency to abandon various childhood hobbies like dance, skating, painting, and singing, as well as her multiple failures to pass the MBA exam. Her mother compared Liu Jing to her friends, remarking that one had a good job and the other had previously married well, implying Liu Jing was the only one left struggling.
The most hurtful comment came when her mother asked, "If you were capable, why would you get fired?" Liu Jing was visibly hurt and heartbroken. Her father attempted to soothe her, explaining her mother's "sharp tongue, soft heart," and highlighted his own sacrifices, detailing the numerous phone calls he made to secure her reinstatement, something he rarely did.
He urged her to abandon the restaurant plan, return to the bank, stabilize her career, and then focus on marriage, with her mother even suggesting "anyone will do," including an "Old Jiang." Overwhelmed, Liu Jing retreated to her room, crying uncontrollably. Later, Liu Jing discussed her distress with Song Chao, who was also feeling stressed from a recent argument with his own mother.
Liu Jing confided that her parents disapproved of her restaurant venture and wanted her back at the bank. Song Chao acknowledged that parents often have such conservative views. Liu Jing expressed her fear and sadness, wishing for her parents' support for this significant step in her life. She then took him to a noodle shop, where the old owner recognized her and gave her an extra fried egg, a familiar gesture.
Eating the noodles, Liu Jing was moved to tears by the familiar taste, and the old man smiled kindly at her. Song Chao reassured her that her parents would eventually come around and pledged his unwavering support, promising to stand by her and help her overcome any future challenges. He also inquired about her work, offering assistance. Meanwhile, Fang Xin, still pondering Zhang Ting's passivity, discussed her dilemma with Liu Jing, likely over the phone.
Liu Jing playfully suggested Zhang Ting might not actually like her, then quickly reassured her she was just teasing. She advised Fang Xin that if she liked him, she should simply confess, and if he reciprocated, it would be a straightforward happy outcome. Fang Xin recalled how her previous attempt to "be active" by kissing him only left her feeling more passive, and she reiterated her belief that the man should initiate.
Liu Jing pointed to a billboard, encouraging Fang Xin to find the courage to simply be herself. Inspired, Fang Xin decided to bravely confront Zhang Ting. She arrived at his bakery just as he was closing. He addressed her formally as "Miss Fang," but she asked him to call her Fang Xin. She reminded him that she initiated the kiss that night, explaining it was to show her feelings and that she liked him, wanting to deepen their relationship.
Zhang Ting revealed he hadn't mentioned it to spare her embarrassment, believing it wasn't her genuine intention since she was drunk and had suggested he could pretend it never happened if she regretted it. Fang Xin insisted her feelings were real, emphasizing how much she liked him. Zhang Ting, after a brief slip, again called her "Fang Xin," explaining his own insecurity and his belief that he had never hoped for anything.
He confessed he saw that night as a dream and didn't want to "cling" to her for a relationship, offering her an "out" to maintain their friendship. Fang Xin admitted she had indeed "pretended" to be drunk that night, fearing rejection and wanting an excuse. However, she was now sober and clear-headed. She declared she would not regret her feelings or need any excuses. Looking him in the eyes, Fang Xin directly asked Zhang Ting, "Do you actually like me?"
Episode 19 Recap
Liu Jing, Fang Xin, and Xia Meng arrived at the film set, with Liu Jing and Fang Xin already in exquisite period costumes, portraying palace consorts. Shanmu, the assistant director, was desperate for more actors. He asked Liu Jing to call more friends, but her friends were already there. He then turned to Fang Xin, asking her to invite colleagues from her PR company.
Fang Xin resisted, explaining her poor relations with them, but Shanmu countered that they could play rivals, which was perfect for a palace drama. Shanmu also tried to rope in Xia Meng, who was busy discussing business. Fortunately, Song Chao arrived with a large group of women, many of whom Lao Gao knew, which helped alleviate the shortage. Xia Meng was on set to negotiate a collaboration with Director Xu for her novel "Breakup Strategy."
Liu Jing overheard Shanmu and Director Xu discussing the insufficient budget and the lack of a solution. When Song Chao wanted to approach them, Liu Jing stopped him, saying they shouldn't disturb them if they couldn't help. However, Xia Meng was met by Wang Jichong, representing another company, who was also there to pitch his project "Perfect Ex."
The two immediately began to bicker, with Wang Jichong criticizing Maisi Video for delaying the release of many shows and suggesting "Breakup Strategy" was too long. Shanmu intervened, praising "Breakup Strategy" and mentioning he had read it. Seizing the opportunity, Shanmu persuaded Xia Meng to make a cameo appearance to experience Director Xu's directing style, hinting it would foster better collaboration in the future.
Xia Meng reluctantly agreed, then tried to pull Wang Jichong into playing a eunuch, but Shanmu said they only needed female characters. Xia Meng was then assigned the role of a matron, much to her dismay, especially since Liu Jing and Fang Xin were playing beautiful concubines. Shanmu flattered her, saying only someone with her strong presence could portray a matron convincingly.
When Xia Meng still hesitated, Shanmu subtly coerced her by suggesting that her refusal might influence Director Xu's decision regarding her project. Left with no choice, Xia Meng agreed. During filming, Fang Xin messaged Zhang Ting, asking if he missed her. Meanwhile, the scene involving the Emperor's death began, with Jia Wenyi as the lead. Fang Xin accidentally slipped, and the extras were inexperienced, leading to multiple retakes. A phone ringing disrupted another take, further frustrating Jia Wenyi.
Director Xu had to comfort Jia Wenyi, whose emotional state was completely depleted. When they tried again, Jia Wenyi regained her focus, but Fang Xin was amused by Xia Meng, whose hair dye began to run down her face due to sweat, making it look as though she was poisoned. Director Xu, furious, scolded Shanmu for pulling the hair and makeup artists to act and jeopardizing their main responsibilities.
She then apologized to Jia Wenyi and called for a lunch break before resuming filming. Song Chao had ordered a large quantity of crayfish for everyone. However, Fang Xin was allergic and could only eat vegetables. Thoughtfully, Zhang Ting arrived with a specially prepared meal for Fang Xin, complete with fruits. Wang Jichong also stayed, making a snarky comment about Xia Meng's "natural" portrayal as a matron.
Shanmu, having lost his appetite, explained that every department in a production has to deliver the best results within limited resources, and he accepted responsibility for the day's issues. He then offered specific acting advice: Liu Jing, playing a lowly concubine, should immerse herself in the character's unnoticed existence and the premature end of her life. Fang Xin, as a concubine deeply in love, needed to convey the pain of sharing the Emperor's affection.
For Xia Meng's matron role, he simply advised her to keep her head down and not look around, implying minimal emotional depth was required for her part. Later, Song Chao informed Liu Jing that he was moving to Beijing to help his father. He confessed that seeing Shanmu's dedication and Liu Jing's admiring gaze made him realize he needed to change internally. He expressed hope that he would be a different person when they next met.
Earlier, Lao Gao had successfully convinced Lili, one of the women Song Chao brought, to stay on set instead of leaving to go shopping with friends, ensuring Shanmu didn't face more staffing issues. Zhang Ting brought water to Fang Xin, thinking she was upset, but she clarified she was just "building emotion." Fang Xin noted that while Zhang Ting wasn't good with words, he expressed his affection through actions.
Still, she regretted he hadn't formally confessed his feelings and wished he would say something touching. Zhang Ting, turning to face her, simply stated, "Fang Xin, I like you." When Fang Xin expressed disappointment at the brevity, he tried to recall touching wedding vows but stumbled, accidentally asking her to marry him. Fang Xin clarified his intentions. Soon after, Fang Xin received a phone call from a friend asking for the set's address to visit.
Zhang Ting, sounding jealous, asked who it was, and Fang Xin clarified it was Xia Meng's friend. They then decided to head back to the set. The next take of the Emperor's death scene went smoothly, passing in one go, much to Director Xu's relief. She announced the wrap of "The Battle at Yangxin Hall," expressing gratitude to the cast and crew for their professionalism and hard work despite the budget challenges.
Director Xu then shared her personal journey, reflecting on how she unexpectedly became a director after giving up on many other pursuits. She concluded by encouraging everyone to pursue what they truly love, suggesting that every step in life might be the best preparation for their true calling. Liu Jing was deeply inspired by her words. After the wrap, Wang Jichong helped Xia Meng remove her elaborate hair accessories.
He remarked that he had learned a lot from her during their long association, likening the experience to "paying tuition." Xia Meng playfully retorted that despite his "tuition," he still couldn't get Director Xu to direct his project. Meanwhile, Liu Jing, deeply inspired by Director Xu's speech, confidently called to rent a shop on the fourth floor for her restaurant. Seeing Xia Meng and Wang Jichong together, Song Chao interpreted their interaction as genuine affection. This reinforced his earlier realization of his internal "gap" compared to Shanmu's dedication and reaffirmed his commitment to working hard in Beijing to become worthy of Liu Jing.
Episode 20 (Ending) Recap
As children, the three friends gazed at a diamond ring, dreaming about the kind of women they would become when they grew up. One of them wondered if she could earn enough to buy it herself, while another emphasized the complexity of finding love and marriage. Liu Jing finally embarked on her true passion, meticulously researching every dish and selecting unique tableware. With some help from Song Chao, she officially opened her private kitchen.
Song Chao brought her parents to the restaurant, presenting it as his treat before he moved away. However, upon realizing Liu Jing had opened a restaurant instead of taking the bank job, her parents were furious. Liu Jing calmly informed them that she had already declined the bank offer and signed a six-month lease for the restaurant. Her parents accused her of being impulsive and willful, threatening to leave.
Fang Xin and Xia Meng intervened, urging the parents to stay, and Fang Xin made Liu Jing apologize for her attitude. Liu Jing conceded, and her friends explained that she had important matters to discuss, asking for a chance to listen. Liu Jing began serving her culinary creations. The first dish was Spicy Sichuan Pepper Tofu Skin, a refined version of a dish she had previously made, now with tofu skin for a better texture.
Her father praised its deliciousness, and her mother also approved. The second course was Boiled Fish in Spicy Broth, a dish she had failed at before. This time, Liu Jing elaborately explained her precise techniques for thickening and oil temperature, and the special knife-cut chilies sourced from Mount Qingcheng. While her father acknowledged the improvement, her mother remained critical, dismissing Liu Jing’s explanations as a facade of professionalism.
Liu Jing, however, insisted on her dedication, and Song Chao defended her, stating her skills matched professional chefs. She then presented Snowflake Chicken Mousse, a traditional Sichuan “kung fu dish” made from tender chicken breast, explaining how she transformed its texture through pureeing. She hoped this dish would change her parents’ perception. Her father fondly recalled the dish as "Chicken you can't see," noting its requirement for patience—a rarity among modern chefs seeking quick profits. Both parents found it delicious.
For soup, Liu Jing served Bitter Melon Soup, a refreshing choice suitable for the season, particularly for her mother who loved it, and for her father to alleviate "internal heat"—a subtle jab from her mother about his current anger. Song Chao then spoke directly to Liu Jing's mother, expressing that it would be a "waste" if Liu Jing, with such culinary talent, were to only become a good wife.
Liu Jing continued with desserts: a Peach Pudding, for which she explained her method of optimizing sweetness and crispness, and a modernized Sweet Steamed Pork Belly. This traditional main dish was reinvented into a smaller dessert portion, paired with jasmine milk foam (ice cream) to create a delightful hot and cold contrast, symbolizing the blending of tradition and modernity, much like her family's generational differences.
Liu Jing then confidently articulated her vision for the restaurant, reassuring her parents that her decision was deeply considered. She presented a detailed budget for the renovation, highlighting her logical approach from her science background. Her mother criticized the modest industrial decor, but Song Chao affirmed its popularity among young people in high-end restaurants. Liu Jing further elaborated on her philosophy, emphasizing that food, for Chinese people, represents emotional connection.
She aspired for her restaurant to offer more than just a meal. Her father questioned why she would turn a hobby into a demanding profession, while her mother suggested a stable job and cooking as a pastime was ideal. Fang Xin interjected, stating her own career was her lifelong passion. Liu Jing passionately explained that her past pursuits—art cultivating aesthetics, MBA teaching management, and a sensitive palate leading to discerning tastes—had all prepared her for this path.
At thirty, she felt capable and resolved to pursue her love for cuisine as a career, assuring her parents she would have no regrets. Her mother, still visibly upset, left the table, and her father followed. He returned shortly, asking Fang Xin, Xia Meng, and Song Chao to step aside for a private conversation with Liu Jing.
Her father revealed that he and her mother had saved money for her wedding, but despite Liu Jing’s declaration that she didn't plan to marry, they had decided to invest that money into her restaurant instead. Liu Jing was deeply moved, tears streaming down her face as her father urged her to persevere. Meanwhile, Lu Bin, reflecting on Fang Xin’s advice to give Xia Meng another chance, went to Maisi Video to see her.
He encountered an employee from Maisi Video at his gym and asked for help locating Xia Meng. The employee, after a small deception to get past security, led him inside, cautioning that Director Xia disliked interruptions during work. Lu Bin observed Xia Meng skillfully handling an overbearing actor's manager who tried to shorten their shooting schedule, firmly asserting her professional boundaries and contractual rights. Impressed, Lu Bin left quietly, not wanting to disturb her.
Later, after her work was done, Xia Meng sought out Lu Bin at the gym. Lu Bin confessed his initial anger stemmed from her deception, but more deeply from his insecurity that he, a simple gym instructor, was not good enough for the successful woman she truly was, seeing her previous "struggling girl" persona as a manufactured character. Xia Meng, in turn, opened up about her lifelong struggle with being valued solely for her achievements, unlike her friends.
She admitted her relentless pursuit of excellence was driven by a fear of becoming unvalued. Lu Bin, she said, was the first person who made her feel beautiful and worthy, irrespective of her accomplishments. She admired his simple honesty, a quality she longed for, and felt she could be her true self with him. Their candid conversation mended their rift, and Lu Bin invited her to move in with him.
At Zhang Ting’s store, Fang Xin was developing her proposal for Nuomei Baili, deciding to position white as classic and black as trendy. Zhang Ting was preparing desserts for a charity photography exhibition, which he supplied free of charge, as proceeds benefited families of medical workers who died on the front lines. Fang Xin was touched by his generosity and offered to help him.
She noticed a poignant photo of a doctor couple who had postponed their wedding due to the pandemic. Zhang Ting sadly informed her that the husband had passed away from the infection. Later, at the Nuomei Baili meeting, Fang Xin was dismayed to hear Deng Jia present a proposal remarkably similar to her own, focusing on black wedding dresses. Despite this, Deng Jia's presentation was well-received.
When it was Fang Xin’s turn, she overcame initial nervousness and delivered a powerful presentation. She shared personal stories: her childhood fascination with wedding dresses, her mother’s belief that the wedding day was a woman's most important, and her subsequent confusion when her parents divorced. She drew parallels to her own divorce, finding empathy for her mother’s difficult decision and reflecting on how a woman’s beauty manifests in moments of strength and significant life choices.
She recalled her mother’s second marriage without a ceremony, and her mother’s self-deprecating comment about being too old to look beautiful in a wedding dress again. Fang Xin passionately argued that beauty isn't confined to a wedding day, but is found in all important life moments. She advocated for women's right to celebrate any day they feel their most beautiful, by wearing any wedding dress they desire.
Her proposed event was a grand ball, inviting a hundred diverse women—from police officers and nurses to homemakers and single mothers—to celebrate their individual journeys and decisions. Her message resonated: women should believe in themselves at every stage of life and take pride in being women. The audience, including Director Zhang, gave her a standing ovation. Impressed, Director Zhang asked for her name and personally invited himself to her upcoming dance party.
Fang Xin’s "Creative Wedding Dress Ball" was a resounding success, filled with women celebrating their individuality in wedding gowns. Fang Xin hosted, honoring their diverse roles and inviting a special guest, Ms. Zhang Yue, a doctor and bride-to-be whose fiancé had died on the front lines. Zhang Yue bravely shared her story, explaining her pride in their decision to serve and wearing her wedding dress that night to celebrate herself and her love, despite his absence.
Fang Xin closed the event by emphasizing that every decision a woman makes defines an important moment in her life, and should be celebrated. Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, the three friends had a shared moment of introspection, wondering if their adult selves had disappointed their childhood dreams. They concluded they had not, affirming their courageous, diligent, and beautiful lives. A reflective narration underscored the idea that in life's important moments, following one's true heart always leads to a good outcome.
Later, the three friends gathered to share major life updates. Liu Jing revealed that Shan Mu had proposed, and she had accepted, though she confessed to already having regrets. Xia Meng announced her decision to forgo buying a house and move in with Lu Bin, declaring she would "love until they don't love anymore." Fang Xin shared exciting news: she received an offer from Nuomei Baili to be the Deputy Director of their PR department in Shanghai. However, she admitted she hadn't told Zhang Ting yet, and there was one more secret: she was pregnant. The three friends embraced the moment with joyful laughter.
