Delicious Romance Episode 3 Recap
> Delicious Romance 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Her proposals were deemed outdated, and her team leader, subtly comparing her to a colleague struggling after just one year of maternity leave, questioned her capabilities, asking if she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.
