Flavour It's Yours Episode 11 Recap
> Flavour It's Yours Recap
Lu Weixun, having regained his sense of taste and won the competition, agreed to He Buzui's proposal to terminate their contract, though he felt a pang of sadness while admitting he shared the same thought. As they sat across from each other, they each tore their respective copies of the agreement, a quiet acknowledgment of the meaningful time they had shared. He Buzui stated that her work was finished, and she would no longer need to revolve around him.
Lu Weixun raised his glass, congratulating her on paying off her two million debt, to which He Buzui reciprocated, toasting his freedom from being burdened by her. Despite her lack of taste, He Buzui noted that her stomach confirmed the wine was excellent. She then announced she would head upstairs to pack, but Lu Weixun insisted she stay the night and leave the following morning, as it was too late.
Elsewhere, Mi Ya visited Yi Beidao, inviting him to her birthday celebration the next day. Yi Beidao dismissed the invitation, suggesting his presence wasn't necessary among her many friends. Mi Ya, however, pressed him, clarifying her intention was to ask him out. Yi Beidao, with a serious demeanor, told her he wasn't a good person and couldn't like her, as he had important matters that left no room for romance.
A dejected Mi Ya turned and walked away, Yi Beidao softly wishing her a happy birthday as she departed. The next morning, Lu Weixun sat lost in thought on the sofa until he heard He Buzui descending the stairs. He quickly picked up a book, feigning interest. He Buzui approached him with her luggage, offering a final thank you for his endurance before saying goodbye. Lu Weixun remained silent, pondering if her "goodbye" signified an end to their connection.
Outside, Yi Beidao greeted He Buzui with a smile, asking if she felt liberated and without sadness. She replied that life always moves forward. When asked about her plans, He Buzui shared her intention to find a job to support herself, prompting Yi Beidao to offer her a position at his bar. He Buzui, after playfully questioning if it was favoritism, accepted the offer, acknowledging his belief that her personality would attract many customers.
Later, Lu Weixun ascended to He Buzui's now-empty room. Its neatness only amplified a sense of coldness, leaving his heart feeling hollow as he recalled fond images of her playfully rolling around in her pajamas. Lu Weixun then visited Rose Winery, reviewing financial reports that indicated severe mismanagement and consecutive years of losses, threatening the winery's very existence. Despite the grim outlook, Lu Weixun was resolute, declaring they must continue the business regardless. He requested to sample the new vintage.
After Mr. Ma poured a glass, Lu Weixun meticulously tasted it, evaluating its harmonious blend of fruit and oak, its full body, strong structure, delicate tannins, good acidity, and aging potential, concluding it was an excellent wine. Upon learning the single bottle price was over six hundred, he remarked that for its quality, the pricing was not high. As he examined the declining sales curves on the financial report, he was reminded of He Buzui serving him instant noodles.
He had called it "cheap gratification," to which she had countered it was "ordinary people's delicious." Standing by the window, he recalled He Buzui's words that while taste perceives flavor, satisfaction truly comes from a warm stomach, making things feel less bleak. Inspired, Lu Weixun turned to Mr. Ma, asserting that neither the wine nor its price was the issue; the problem lay in their strategy.
He explained that Rose Winery's exclusive focus on high-end wines was at odds with the domestic market's limited appreciation for such products. To achieve profitability, they couldn't quickly alter consumer perceptions and had to adapt internally. While high-end wines were their signature, he proposed retaining them but reducing production, simultaneously increasing the output of their more affordably priced wines. Mr. Ma agreed, expressing his belief that they would turn the corner.
Meanwhile, Mi Ya's vacation ended, and she returned to the magazine, where her salary was doubled, and she was assigned to handle Mu Chunfeng's articles as their new consultant, a decision personally requested by Mu Chunfeng due to his trust in her abilities. After discussing work, Mu Chunfeng invited Mi Ya for a drink, suggesting a bar near her home for convenience. She accepted.
He Buzui began her new job at Yi Beidao's bar, diligently moving around, serving customers, and beaming with a radiant smile. Yi Beidao, from behind the bar, noted her exceptional cheerfulness, to which she happily replied that the job perfectly suited her, bringing a smile to his face as well. At that moment, Mu Chunfeng and Mi Ya entered the bar and found a seat. He Buzui approached Mi Ya to greet her.
Mu Chunfeng, recognizing He Buzui, inquired why Lu Weixun's former assistant was now working there. He Buzui promptly stated that his professional life had nothing to do with her. She then returned to the bar, informing Yi Beidao of their drink order and playfully remarking that Mi Ya and Mu Chunfeng had ordered the same drinks, suggesting they were congenial and questioning if Mi Ya had a liking for Mu Chunfeng.
Hearing this, Yi Beidao abruptly dropped a cocktail shaker into a bin, making a clatter that caught Mi Ya's attention. He Buzui, addressing him as Beidao, asked what was wrong, to which he simply replied his hand slipped. Yi Beidao then insisted on delivering the drinks himself. Approaching Mi Ya and Mu Chunfeng, Mu Chunfeng commented on the owner personally serving them, wondering if it was due to his or Mi Ya's influence.
Mi Ya attributed it to Mu Chunfeng, and Yi Beidao complimented their excellent taste in choosing the bar's classic drinks. Mu Chunfeng then shared a piece of information with Mi Ya, stating that Lu Weixun might not be as upright as she believed, revealing that Rose Winery was not his first acquisition. Mu Chunfeng explained that knowing this allowed him the nerve to compete against Lu Weixun.
Mi Ya listened, realizing the severe implications if this information became public, potentially endangering Lu Weixun. The very next day, the news broke. Television reports announced that Lu Weixun had secretly operated Muunas Winery while serving as a wine critic, a blatant disregard for the wine review industry's integrity rules. Rumors also circulated that the International Wine Association (WSA) had already expelled him, signaling an impending crisis of trust for his career.
When Mr. Ma asked how to address inquiring suppliers, Lu Weixun instructed him to reveal the truth, seek their understanding, and respect their decisions. Mi Ya later questioned Mu Chunfeng about his involvement in the scandal, but he denied being such a sore loser. The public uproar severely impacted Lu Weixun's winery business and even affected the magazine that had previously collaborated with him. The magazine promptly convened a meeting to devise a strategy to distance themselves from the controversy.
The chief editor proposed replacing the current cover story with an exclusive post-competition interview with Mu Chunfeng, vehemently denying any association with Lu Weixun or Muunas Winery, emphasizing their status as victims, and issuing a statement holding Lu Weixun accountable by pursuing compensation for defamation.
One employee recalled that a specific column by Lu Weixun about barrel No. 92 from Muunas Winery had been changed by Mi Ya from a wine review into an interview, warning it could be used as evidence against the magazine if reporters pressed the issue. Mi Ya was asked for her input, and Mu Chunfeng intervened, suggesting they disclose the work records between Mi Ya and Lu Weixun.
He argued this would prove Lu Weixun's rigid "no changes" policy for his drafts, and that Mi Ya, to prevent the magazine from having a blank issue, had no choice but to change the article from a tasting note to a character interview. The chief editor agreed to this approach.
This was a stark reminder of Lu Weixun's past strictness with the magazine, where he had stated that a mistake, regardless of its size, was still a mistake, and that perfection was his standard, not merely a request. He had once told the magazine staff that any lapses in their articles indicated issues with both their attitude and capability, prompting him to reconsider their contract.
Meanwhile, Yi Beidao invited He Buzui for a meal, a gesture to thank her for her hard work at the bar. He Buzui, whose sense of taste had unfortunately disappeared again and possibly permanently, ordered wine from Muunas Winery. However, the server informed her that all wines from that estate had been removed from the shelves, citing Lu Weixun's scandal as the reason. He Buzui immediately checked her phone for news about him.
Yi Beidao observed that she still couldn't let go of Lu Weixun, but she clarified that she merely felt indebted to him because he had helped her pay off her debt, though Yi Beidao reminded her it was a fair transaction for her labor.
Nearby, two individuals gossiped loudly about Lu Weixun, claiming his reputation was ruined, his business collapsing, and that he had no friends willing to lend him money, now afraid to leave his home and possibly dying alone without anyone knowing. Enraged, He Buzui stood up, confronting them by declaring she was his friend, and promptly excused herself, telling Beidao she had to leave.
As she walked away, Yi Beidao recalled how he had, inadvertently, told a reporter about the information he overheard Mi Ya and Mu Chunfeng discussing, that Rose Winery was not Lu Weixun's first. He Buzui quickly enlisted Xia Fan to go to Lu Weixun's home, where he was reportedly holed up, drinking alone and refusing to see anyone. Despite their attempts to coax him out, Lu Weixun remained hidden.
He Buzui then sought out Brother De, demanding the two million she had previously paid him. Brother De refused to return the hard-won money, questioning her audacity. He Buzui pleaded, offering to work diligently and pay him back monthly with interest. Brother De, however, called her demand excessive and threatened to have his men physically remove her if she didn't leave. Undeterred, He Buzui declared she would get her money back even if it meant a fight, as she was physically restrained while desperately pleading for another chance.
