Girlfriend Episode 16 Recap
> Girlfriend Recap
The news about the male lead dropping out of "Blue Sky Galaxy" and Wen Xiaonuan being cast as the leading actress, described as a "Cinderella," continued to dominate headlines. Despite the immense pressure, Wen Xiaonuan diligently trained, believing it was all she could do for Anning. Her manager, Zhou Xiaojing, noticing her exhaustion, took her home, emphasizing the need for rest and a good diet to recover.
Outside Wen Xiaonuan's home, Jiang Fang intercepted her, urging her to withdraw from the project. He claimed she couldn't handle the public scrutiny and would be seen as a burden by Anning, who would abandon her. Wen Xiaonuan retorted that in his eyes, she had always been a burden.
Jiang Fang persisted, arguing that Ye Feimo was unreliable, pointing to the dropped male lead, the failing box office, and the turbulent stock market as evidence that Ye Feimo, a mere "playboy" ignorant of film production, couldn't control the situation. He concluded by asserting that Wen Xiaonuan was "slowing him down," as Ye Feimo would never have cast a rookie as the lead if not for her.
Wen Xiaonuan firmly told him to leave her alone, but Jiang Fang insisted he was the only one who cared for and could protect her, before instructing his assistant to arrange an urgent meeting with Ye Feimo. Although Wen Xiaonuan outwardly remained unfazed by Jiang Fang's words, she privately struggled with immense sadness and pressure. Jiayi found her and offered comfort, urging her to cry if she needed to.
Wen Xiaonuan confided that while many envied her for being signed by Anning and cast as the lead in "Blue Sky Galaxy," they didn't understand the "great deal of pressure" she faced as a newcomer in such a high-profile position. Jiayi suggested that her happiness was paramount, and she could quit if the pressure was too much.
However, Wen Xiaonuan refused, declaring that she would persevere through any pressure and criticism, driven by the support of Jiayi, Ye Feimo, Zhou Xiaojing, and Director Li. She vowed not to let them down after overcoming so many difficulties. Unbeknownst to Wen Xiaonuan, Ye Feimo overheard her heartfelt declaration. He later reassured Director Li over the phone that he would handle the male lead situation, despite the company facing significant pressure.
Jiang Fang met Ye Feimo at a boxing gym to discuss the crisis surrounding "Blue Sky Galaxy." Jiang Fang argued that the male lead's strike was harming brand collaborations, ad placements, and overall public reception. He proposed replacing Wen Xiaonuan with a "more famous star who's very popular and the topic of discussion" to "guide public opinion." Ye Feimo, while sparring, countered that replacing Wen Xiaonuan would necessitate replacing the entire production team, including Yaohua, Jiang Fang's company.
He asserted that Anning was prepared to abandon its initial investment, but Yaohua could not afford such a loss. Jiang Fang then suggested a compromise: Wen Xiaonuan could take the first supporting actress role, with Han Hui becoming the lead. He claimed that otherwise, no local Best Actor would touch the "mess." Ye Feimo dismissed this, stating that turning an actress-oriented play into something else would be a "dead end."
He then confidently declared that since "Blue Sky Galaxy" was an international blockbuster, he would personally secure an "international Best Actor" for the male lead role. Before defeating Jiang Fang in their sparring match, Ye Feimo provocatively told him to "continue to become a gigolo." Jiang Fang, furious, challenged Ye Feimo to a fight, betting Wen Xiaonuan's leading role on the outcome, which Ye Feimo accepted and decisively won.
Jiang Fang conveyed Ye Feimo's unyielding stance to Han Hui, stating that Ye Feimo was prioritizing Wen Xiaonuan, seemingly allowing Wen Xiaonuan to climb over her. While Han Hui was visibly angered, she had no immediate solution. Her manager suggested that Ye Feimo's anger was understandable, but using Wen Xiaonuan as a "stand-in" to insult Han Hui was "too much."
The manager dismissed the idea of Ye Feimo truly liking "that kind of girl," believing he still had feelings for Han Hui and was using Wen Xiaonuan merely to provoke her. She advised Han Hui to take the initiative and "draw a step back" to not only secure the leading role in "Blue Sky Galaxy" but also to win back Ye Feimo's heart. Meanwhile, Wen Xiaonuan, deeply affected by Jiang Fang's accusations, blamed herself for the male lead's withdrawal.
She immersed herself in intense training, desperate to "perfect her basic training" and "prove herself with her capability," but she was haunted by Jiang Fang's assertion that she was "slowing him down." Concerned about Wen Xiaonuan's relentless training, Zhou Xiaojing called Ye Feimo, asking him to persuade her to rest. Ye Feimo insisted that "she must withstand the pressure" as it was a requirement for an "S-lister," suggesting that intense training might even help her cope.
Zhou Xiaojing then cautiously asked if his kindness towards Wen Xiaonuan stemmed from her resemblance to Han Hui. Ye Feimo attempted to end the call, but Zhou Xiaojing pressed on, asserting that Wen Xiaonuan was a good girl and "shouldn't be the substitute for anyone." Unable to respond, Ye Feimo hung up.
Realizing Wen Xiaonuan hadn't uploaded her daily "check-in photo" and learning from Zhou Xiaojing that she hadn't returned home all night, Ye Feimo rushed to the company's training room. He found Wen Xiaonuan, who, upon seeing him, collapsed from sheer exhaustion and low blood sugar. A doctor confirmed she was just severely fatigued and needed rest and proper nutrition. Ye Feimo remained by her side, visibly concerned.
Gu Yunzhou approached Ye Feimo, observing his unusual anxiety over Wen Xiaonuan's health compared to his usual composure with major projects. He questioned whether Ye Feimo viewed Wen Xiaonuan as a "substitute for Han Hui," given Han Hui's lasting impact on him. Gu Yunzhou warned that if Wen Xiaonuan discovered she was a mere stand-in, she would be heartbroken.
Ye Feimo firmly clarified that Wen Xiaonuan was "not the same as Han Hui" and he did not see her as a substitute. Gu Yunzhou accepted this but reminded Ye Feimo that all the pressure Wen Xiaonuan was currently enduring ultimately stemmed from him. Consequently, Ye Feimo instructed Maggie to utilize all company resources to investigate the true reason behind the "Blue Sky Galaxy" male lead's withdrawal.
Separately, Gu Yunzhou tried to reconcile with Jiayi by confessing he had lied about his true identity. Jiayi, still hurt, expressed anger at his continued deception, despite her earlier hints. To seek her forgiveness, Gu Yunzhou promised to take her to a special place. Later, it was revealed that Jiang Ling'er was behind the male lead's decision to drop out of the film.
