Hello, I'm At Your Service Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Hello, I'm At Your Service Synopsis
In the workplace, top-notch customer service representative Dong Dong'en and the client's responsible person Lou Yuan had a misunderstanding before, turning their previously calm professional careers into chaos.
After being stationed at the client's site, Dong Dong'en not only excellently demonstrated her professionally refined skills but also, in a battle of wits with the client, captured Lou Yuan's heart with her own charm.
Hello, I'm At Your Service Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Dong Dong'en, a top customer service representative for Ba'er Creative Advertising, demonstrates her unique talents on a busy street. Feigning pregnancy, she stages a public meltdown outside a gym, crying that the final payment for her company's work is delayed because the gym's male chairman is taking a six-month "maternity leave." Her performance draws a crowd and incites outrage, prompting the gym owner to emerge and pay her 5,000 yuan to make her leave.
Afterward, she joins her colleagues in a getaway van: her boss and driver Ke Maoxu, and teammates Ma Chengshu and Xie Yi, who had posed as supportive bystanders. This dramatic tactic is a regular part of their strategy for dealing with clients who refuse to pay, a method perfected by Dong Dong'en based on her self-authored "rules of customer service." Despite her skills, Ba'er Creative is in dire financial straits.
A major opportunity arises when Peony Corporation, a leader in the sauce industry, selects the small agency as a potential partner. However, the deal is jeopardized by the unexpected return of Lou Yuan, the son of Peony's founder. With his mother and company chairman, Lou Mudan, falling ill, Lou Yuan has returned from abroad to manage the company. Feigning inexperience, he presents himself as a naive newcomer.
In reality, he is already working with his university friends, Cao Ya and Wang Zijian—the deputy directors of R&D and Marketing, respectively—to gather evidence against corrupt executives. A senior figure, Lai Dong, whom Lou Yuan calls "Uncle Lai," condescendingly welcomes him, unaware of the scheme. Lai Dong even introduces Cao Ya and Wang Zijian as his own proteges, planning to use his influence to control the supposedly weak heir.
Meanwhile, company employees gossip that the unimpressive Lou Yuan will be a puppet for Lai, who is known for his nepotism and corruption. After Ba'er Creative is informed that their contract with Peony has been terminated, their financial situation becomes critical, as they now face eviction for three months of unpaid rent. Dong Dong'en is dispatched to salvage the deal. Once again disguised as pregnant, she heads to Peony's offices.
On the way, she coincidentally helps a driver—secretly Lou Yuan—get out of a traffic jam by directing him to a nearby parking lot. At Peony, the receptionist, Zhu Li, informs Dong Dong'en that Lou Yuan is now in charge but is unavailable. Dong Dong'en fakes a sudden pain from her "pregnancy," and while Zhu Li is away getting her water, she barges into Lou Yuan's office, where Lai Dong is also present.
Lou Yuan, continuing his act in front of Lai Dong, claims it is difficult to overrule a decision made by a senior executive. He then subtly hints that Lai Dong prefers to work with his friends' companies and laments his own lack of suitable partners. Dong Dong'en understands the implication, mentioning a company called Laijia Advertising. Seeing his confirmation, she offers to find evidence of misconduct, an offer Lou Yuan accepts.
Lou Yuan's team had already compiled significant evidence of Lai Dong's deep-rooted corruption. They knew he had replaced legitimate suppliers with his own cronies, who used cheap, inferior beef instead of the high-quality product specified in recipes. This not only compromised product quality but also led to the departure of key R&D staff, many of whom were hired by their main competitor, Sanjiao Group.
Furthermore, they knew Lai Dong had approved the purchase of faulty, secondhand machinery that broke down almost immediately. Building on this, the Ba'er team launched their own investigation focused on Laijia Advertising. They tailed its manager to a private club, "Wild Lily," where he met repeatedly with Lai Dong. Most critically, they discovered Laijia's bid for Peony's business was 20% higher than market rates, providing clear evidence of a kickback scheme.
Dong Dong'en presents the new evidence to Lou Yuan, reaffirming Ba'er's loyalty. Shortly after, Lou Yuan drops his facade. He convenes a meeting, stunning the executives by promoting his allies, Wang Zijian and Cao Ya, to the heads of their respective departments. He then orders the immediate dismissal of Lai Dong's key loyalists. When Lai Dong protests, Lou Yuan confronts him with the irrefutable evidence of his schemes—from the inflated bids and supplier fraud to the faulty machinery.
Defeated, Lai Dong is forced to resign. Lou Yuan also installs a comprehensive surveillance system, with a direct feed to his office, to monitor all employees, quickly calling out those slacking off. The staff is shocked by his transformation from a soft-spoken heir to a ruthless "devil boss." Despite her instrumental role in exposing Lai Dong, Dong Dong'en is stunned to receive an official contract termination notice from Peony.
She returns to confront Lou Yuan, finding him with Wang and Cao. They are discussing the recent purge, with his deputies worried about the impact on morale. Lou Yuan coldly defends his actions, stating that the corrupt deserved their fate and that rebuilding trust is a slow process. Dong Dong'en bursts in without knocking, demanding to know why their contract was terminated after she helped him. In response, Lou Yuan chides her for her lack of manners before turning and walking out, leaving her completely bewildered.
Episode 2 Recap
After exposing the misdeeds of senior executive Uncle Lai, Dong Dong'en expected to secure a partnership for her company, Ba'er Creative. However, Lou Yuan, the new head of Peony Corporation, used the evidence she provided to oust Lai and other senior members, only to then terminate the contract with Ba'er Creative anyway. Furious, Dong Dong'en stormed into his office to confront him and was shocked to recognize him as a man from her past.
The memory of their previous, awkward encounter—where she had mistaken him for a client, drank too much, and vomited on him—instantly deflated her confidence. She was stunned by what she perceived as his ruthlessness, feeling he discarded her as soon as she was no longer useful. Dejected and feeling she had failed her team, Dong Dong'en refused to give up.
She spent the night compiling Ba'er Creative's past successes to present to Lou Yuan, only to be told by his assistant, Wang Zijian, that he was in the underground parking garage. There, she witnessed a heated confrontation between Lou Yuan and Uncle Lai. Attempting to intervene, Dong Dong'en accidentally pushed Lou Yuan, causing him to fall and hit his head, knocking him unconscious.
When he awoke in the hospital, a guilt-ridden Dong Dong'en was by his side, trying to explain it was an accident. Annoyed, Lou Yuan clarified that he had fainted from low blood sugar, not her push, and dismissed her. Leaving his room, Dong Dong'en noticed a bouquet of flowers being discarded and decided to use them to visit Lou Yuan's mother, Lou Mudan, who was also in the hospital.
During their chat, Lou Mudan revealed that after Lou Yuan's father died, she raised him alone, and the loneliness of his childhood led him to develop a habit of sleeping with a stuffed toy for comfort—a habit he still has. The next day at her office, Dong Dong'en found her team in chaos. A colleague, Xie Yi, had accidentally unplugged a computer while dancing, causing another team member, Ma Chengshu, to lose an entire night's work on a proposal.
Dong Dong'en took responsibility, rallied their spirits, and shared two key pieces of information: the good news was Lou Yuan’s secret affection for fluffy things, and the bad news was their embarrassing first meeting, which she hoped he didn't remember. In a last-ditch effort, Dong Dong'en brought two bags of stuffed toys to Lou Yuan's office. He remained composed but couldn't help glancing at a small fox toy.
He bluntly criticized Ba'er Creative's proposals for lacking substance, but then remarked that even the company's cleaners earn their opportunities by being grounded and working hard. His words gave Dong Dong'en an idea: she offered to work as a cleaner to prove her sincerity. Surprised by her literal interpretation of his metaphor, Lou Yuan agreed, on the condition that she focus on meaningful work instead of "flashy gimmicks."
After an encouraging video call with her parents, Dong Dong'en began her new role at Peony. She worked diligently, keeping the office spotless and offering sweet compliments to everyone. While cleaning the men's restroom, she encountered Lou Yuan, who had forgotten to bring toilet paper. As she handed him a roll, he pulled her into the stall to hide from approaching colleagues, who she then overheard gossiping about his "cold-blooded" and ruthless handling of Uncle Lai.
Bothered by the gossip, Lou Yuan later held a meeting to announce new department heads. He also privately asked his secretary, Zhu Li, for her opinion on the matter, to which she gave a carefully diplomatic answer. Meanwhile, Dong Dong'en continued her cleaning duties, always staying near Lou Yuan to look for a chance to impress him. At lunchtime, he found her tidying the dining area instead of eating.
He teased her by threatening to withhold her meal card but then returned it, stating that Peony is a "humane company" where snacks and drinks are also free for employees. He then directly referenced their past, commenting that her alcohol tolerance seemed to have improved and hoping she wouldn't vomit on him again, revealing he remembered their first meeting perfectly.
Episode 3 Recap
Dong Dong'en worked diligently late into the night, taking it upon herself to clean the office walls. She explained that while employees of "Ba'er Creative" might not be highly respected, they must respect themselves. Impressed by her dedication, Lou Yuan offered her a chance to attend a company meeting at 10 a. m. the next day instead of continuing her cleaning duties. Thrilled, Dong Dong'en thanked him and asked if he remembered an incident from three years ago.
Lou Yuan cryptically replied that he remembered as much as she did. The next morning, Dong Dong'en arrived at "Peony Corporation" only to be chided by Lou Yuan for being two minutes late by Beijing time. He warned that if it happened again, "Ba'er Creative" would be eliminated from consideration. As Dong Dong'en apologized, blaming her phone, Zhu Li arrived and revealed that Lou Yuan intentionally sets his watch ten minutes fast.
Momentarily caught off guard, Lou Yuan quickly composed himself and proceeded to the meeting. Inside, Lou Yuan announced to representatives from several advertising firms, including "Ba'er Creative", that there would be an additional round of competitive presentations for "Peony Corporation's" sauce advertising campaign. He assured them he would personally review the submissions and that all participating companies would be compensated for their proposals.
Initial grumbling about the extra work and the risk of clients stealing ideas quickly turned to enthusiasm upon the mention of payment. Ke Maoxu, the head of "Ba'er Creative", further motivated his team with promises of perks, culminating in a trip to the "Maldives" if they secured the contract, sending everyone but a skeptical Dong Dong'en into a frenzy of excitement. In the following days, the team worked tirelessly.
Dong Dong'en suggested they target college students—who are receptive to novelty and enjoy banter—with an unconventional "outdated is the new trendy" approach. However, Lou Yuan remained consistently critical of their submissions, offering vague feedback that key points were not prominent, color schemes were odd, and details were lacking. The constant revisions and unclear direction left the "Ba'er Creative" team feeling tormented.
After pouring immense effort into a proposal they believed was excellent, only to receive a lukewarm reaction from Lou Yuan, the frustrated team declared they would not revise it again. Leaving "Peony Corporation" later, Dong Dong'en overheard a rumor that the contract was secretly intended for a rival company, "Jia Xun", as Lou Yuan was reportedly very satisfied with their proposal.
Outraged that Lou Yuan would put them through such an ordeal if the outcome was predetermined, she seethed, thinking of him as an evil capitalist. Meanwhile, Wang Zijian visited Lou Yuan, teasing him about his interactions with Dong Dong'en and his change in taste, noting he now added sugar to his coffee. He also questioned if Lou Yuan still missed "Cao Ya", but Lou Yuan deflected by focusing on work.
Separately, the "Ba'er Creative" team vented their frustrations over the client's indecisiveness. Just then, Dong Dong'en received a message from Lou Yuan's mother, "Lou Mudan", saying she missed her and inviting her for a visit, which sparked an idea. Using the invitation as a pretext, Dong Dong'en went to the hospital to see "Lou Mudan". During their chat, she lamented that their proposal had yet to satisfy Lou Yuan.
She then staged a phone call to "let slip" the rumor that Lou Yuan planned to award the expensive contract to "Jia Xun". Alarmed by the potential extravagance, "Lou Mudan" summoned her son and scolded him. Lou Yuan skillfully placated his mother, explaining that while "Jia Xun's" proposal was modern, no decision had been made. He stressed the need for strong advertising to compete with rivals like "Sanjiao Group" and assured her he was seeking the best ideas.
After his mother left, Lou Yuan confronted a feigning-innocence Dong Dong'en, criticizing her team's previous work for lacking substance. He then gave her crucial guidance, telling them to delve deeper into the preferences of college students and directly denied that "Jia Xun" was the pre-selected winner. Energized by the new direction, the "Ba'er Creative" team worked intensely. Dong Dong'en went to "Peony Corporation" to deliver the updated proposal, arriving just as a power outage, scheduled for 9 p. m.
, occurred early. Finding Lou Yuan alone in his darkened office, she realized he was terrified of the dark. He was trying to calm himself by singing "The Hero Song" and clutching a cushion. Dong Dong'en playfully teased him before using her phone's flashlight to guide him out, forging a moment of camaraderie. Once outside, Dong Dong'en confidently presented the new proposal, sure that he would be satisfied. She even offered to be on call for him 24/7.
Just then, her phone rang with "The Hero Song" as the ringtone, causing an awkward moment. As Lou Yuan left to review the proposal, Dong Dong'en was annoyed by her phone's timing, but her frustration turned to elation when Zhu Li called with the news: Lou Yuan had chosen to sign the contract with "Ba'er Creative". The team erupted in celebration, joyfully singing "The Hero Song."
Later, over supper, Wang Zijian pressed Lou Yuan about his choice, mentioning the pressure from "Mr. Lu's" supermarkets for promotional materials. Lou Yuan confirmed he had selected "Ba'er Creative". Wang Zijian expressed surprise and accused him of mixing business with personal feelings in his harsh treatment of Dong Dong'en. Angered, Lou Yuan called Zhu Li and instructed her to deduct half of Wang Zijian's performance bonus for insubordination.
At the contract signing, Lou Yuan maintained a stern front, stating the decision came from upper management but that he would personally oversee all of "Ba'er Creative's" work due to their inconsistent quality. To ensure constant communication, he assigned Dong Dong'en a dedicated workstation at "Peony Corporation". Zhu Li then introduced her to her new desk and to "Cao Ya", the Director of R&D. Dong Dong'en was immediately impressed by "Cao Ya's" professional demeanor and expressed her admiration.
As the workday ended, Dong Dong'en stayed late with Zhu Li, brainstorming ideas for product packaging. From his office, Lou Yuan observed them, seemingly pleased. Later, Dong Dong'en met her friend, "Hai", at a bar, who was distressed that her boyfriend, "Ding Fan", might be cheating. Dong Dong'en advised her to prioritize her career over an unhappy relationship, though she privately admitted that work could be just as difficult.
At the same bar, Wang Zijian continued to pester Lou Yuan about "Cao Ya", suggesting he wasn't over their past. Lou Yuan dismissed this, clarifying their relationship had been brief and "experimental." When Wang Zijian asked why he ultimately chose an inexperienced firm like "Ba'er Creative", Lou Yuan finally revealed the truth. He recounted an incident from three years prior when he had just returned to China.
At a business dinner hosted by "Su Qi", Dong Dong'en, then an intern for "Sanjiao Group", was tasked with entertaining him. Lou Yuan soon suspected the wine he was being served was drugged. To shield him from being forced to drink, Dong Dong'en drank a glass meant for him, only to discover it was indeed drugged. Feeling guilty, she then secretly swapped his wine with water.
However, when "Su Qi" and the others returned, they pressured her into drinking the remaining drugged wine, causing her to become heavily intoxicated. Later, when "Su Qi" attempted to trap Lou Yuan with compromising photos, the disoriented but resolute Dong Dong'en managed to warn him it was a setup and helped him escape. Because she had helped him, she was fired from her job. Lou Yuan concluded his story by wryly noting the risks involved in drinking.
Episode 4 Recap
Dong Dong'en receives her employee and meal cards from Mr. Liu, who shows her Peony Corporation's internal system and gives her a throat lozenge for her hoarse voice. Shortly after, Lou Yuan calls, moving up her advertising proposal presentation to that same hour to give her a chance to prove herself amidst office gossip. Unprepared, Dong Dong'en urgently calls her colleagues Ke Maoxu and Shi for help.
They rush to brief her, with Ke dictating key points about the proposal's unique design—which focuses on the eating experience, convenience, portability, and environmentally friendly materials—while Dong Dong'en rapidly takes notes. Despite the rushed preparation, Dong Dong'en delivers a successful presentation. She confidently answers questions from attendees, assuring them that the new packaging will not affect meat freshness and that they will provide supporting research. She also explains that the new materials will slightly reduce costs.
The attendees are impressed and request samples. Her colleagues are pleased, and Wang Zijian, Lou Yuan's assistant, remarks to a coworker that her strong performance will silence those who claimed she got the job through connections, noting he had always found her reliable. Meanwhile, at their studio, the Ba'er team eats instant noodles, worrying that Dong Dong'en must be hungry but remaining confident in her abilities.
Their worries are unfounded, as Dong Dong'en later returns to the studio with a feast of shrimp, ribs, and pork from the Peony canteen. As the team eats, Ke Maoxu expresses his disappointment about their financial struggles, but his colleagues reassure him that their unity is more important than money. Back at Peony, Wang Zijian learns that Mr. Zhang from Lesifu Retail Group has unexpectedly moved his visit to the next morning.
Since Wang has to fly out for another meeting, Lou Yuan is left to handle the reception. Dong Dong'en overhears and volunteers for the task. Lou Yuan explains the high stakes: Mr. Zhang is the general manager, and securing an exclusive partnership for their nationwide checkout-free convenience stores is crucial. Convinced of her capability, he assigns her the task. The next morning, they learn Mr. Zhang has changed his arrival point from the airport to the long-distance bus station.
At the station, they meet the surprisingly down-to-earth executive. In the limousine, he gifts them homemade pickles and inquires about Lou Yuan's mother's health. When his pickle bag leaks, Dong Dong'en impresses him by providing a sturdier one. At the restaurant, they are surprised to find Su Qi from the rival Sanjiao Group, whom Mr. Zhang also invited. A tense, competitive atmosphere develops as Lou Yuan and Su Qi pitch their companies.
Su Qi offers a generous six percent commission, which Lou Yuan points out is a risky margin. In contrast, Lou Yuan emphasizes Peony's long-term vision and offers a free batch of trial products. Mr. Zhang eventually cuts the business talk short, instead praising Dong Dong'en for her attentiveness and telling Lou Yuan he is a lucky boss. Intrigued, Su Qi is later overheard instructing someone to investigate Dong Dong'en.
Worried after misinterpreting Dong Dong'en’s earlier assurance that she would ensure Mr. Zhang was "satisfied," Lou Yuan rushes to the hot spring hotel where she has taken the client. He finds her and Mr. Zhang simply enjoying a foot massage. The quiet evening is interrupted when Dong Dong'en receives a frantic call from her friend Hai, who is at the same hotel to confront her cheating boyfriend, Ding Fan.
Overhearing the situation, the curious Mr. Zhang insists on helping, and Lou Yuan accompanies them. Posing as room service, they enable Hai to burst into the room and confront Ding Fan and his mistress. When Ding Fan becomes aggressive and tries to snatch Hai's phone, Lou Yuan intervenes, shoving him away. Afterward, Dong Dong'en comforts Hai, advising her to leave the toxic relationship.
The incident further impresses Mr. Zhang, who tells Lou Yuan he will now seriously consider cooperating with Peony thanks to Dong Dong'en's character. As Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan leave the hotel late that night, they are spotted by colleagues, fueling intense office gossip about a potential relationship. Later, struggling with their studio's finances, Dong Dong'en asks Peony's finance department about their contract deposit. Advised to speak to Lou Yuan directly, she calls him.
He curtly tells her to follow company procedures and chase the payment herself before hanging up. When she relays the conversation to Ke Maoxu, he interprets Lou Yuan's response not as a dismissal, but as a grant of special privilege, seeing it as a sign of a bright future for Ba'er.
Episode 5 Recap
Following a sighting by Secretary Huang of Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan at a hotel, rumors spread throughout the company that Dong Dong'en was the future boss's fiancée. Colleagues, who had previously been uncooperative, were now falling over themselves to help and flatter her, a change she couldn't help but enjoy. Taking advantage of the situation, Dong Dong'en deliberately let the misunderstanding persist and even brought Lou Yuan hot pastries.
While Lou Yuan maintained a calm facade in her presence, he eagerly ate them once she left, refusing to share even with Wang Zijian. Later, Dong Dong'en sought payment approval from the head of Finance, Li Dahai, also known as Mr. Ocean. Unaware of his nickname and the company-wide knowledge that he disliked being called by his real name, she addressed him as Dahai.
He dismissed her attempts to name-drop Lou Yuan, accusing her of using cheap tricks to get ahead and ordering her out of his office. She only learned of her mistake from a colleague afterward. Meanwhile, Hai, newly single and focusing on her career, hosted a dating event at a hotel. Dong Dong'en attended to support her friend. Coincidentally, Lou Yuan, Cao Ya, and Wang Zijian were at the same hotel after a meeting.
Hai spotted them and invited them to join the event. Initially uninterested, Lou Yuan changed his mind the moment he heard Dong Dong'en was inside. At the dating club, Lou Yuan ignored the woman seated opposite him, his attention fixed on Dong Dong'en. Dong Dong'en, for her part, fended off a man trying to sell her crystal bracelets.
Cao Ya encountered a pretentious man who demanded his future wife buy a car, pay for home decoration, quit her job to have two children, and care for his parents. Cao Ya's sharp takedown of his demands earned an approving thumbs-up from Wang Zijian. During the partner rotation, Lou Yuan promptly sat across from Dong Dong'en, and they spent the next ten minutes in a surprisingly pleasant conversation about work.
At the end of the event, Hai drew Lou Yuan as the lucky guest to make commemorative hand molds with a partner. Without hesitation, Lou Yuan chose Dong Dong'en, and the two playfully treated the activity as a symbolic ceremony for their business collaboration. As an older woman showed interest in Wang Zijian, he panicked and begged Cao Ya to help him escape. The two left for drinks, leaving Lou Yuan alone with Dong Dong'en.
He used the opportunity to playfully confront her about the rumors, teasing her for "cheating" on him by being at a dating event while everyone thought she was the "boss's wife." Troubled by a nightmare about the incident, Dong Dong'en prepared flowers and a gift as an apology. Touched by her gesture, Lou Yuan learned that the payment for her studio, Ba'er, was still pending.
He summoned Dahai, who complained that Dong Dong'en was causing trouble by pretending to be the boss's wife. Lou Yuan deliberately chose not to correct the misunderstanding. Instead, he leaned into the rumor, telling Dahai to separate "personal feelings" from work, thus implicitly confirming the relationship and instructing him to process Ba'er's payment immediately.
Later, Wang Zijian tried to play matchmaker for Cao Ya, reminding her that most couples start as close friends or colleagues and hinting she should get back with Lou Yuan. Cao Ya turned the tables on him, playfully suggesting that since they were also close friends, maybe they should get together, leaving him flustered.
While Dong Dong'en and her team worked late at their studio, her colleague Ma Chengshu was caught checking up on his ex-girlfriend Hai's social media, revealing he still cared for her. Elsewhere, Lou Yuan's rival, Su Qi, attempted to poach Cao Ya and Wang Zijian. Having been scheduled for separate meetings at the same place, they decided to meet him together. They bluntly asked for his offer.
Su Qi presented a contract for three million yuan, which they feigned excitement over before firmly rejecting, stating their friendship with Lou Yuan was priceless and mocking Su Qi for likely not having any real friends. Afterward, Lou Yuan, Cao Ya, and Wang Zijian laughed about Su Qi's failed attempt, reaffirming their invaluable friendship. Lou Yuan then began teasing Wang Zijian about Dong Dong'en. Wang Zijian became defensive, claiming he was only protective of her as a business partner. Lou Yuan, seeing through the denial, playfully pressed further, clearly suspecting his friend's true feelings.
Episode 6 Recap
While running with Wang Zijian one morning, Lou Yuan suddenly felt discomfort in his heart. Wang Zijian, noting his apparent weakness, suggested he stop staying up late working and consider buying a health tracker to monitor his heart rate, mentioning that Lou Yuan's father had passed away from a heart attack. Though Lou Yuan dismissed the idea aloud, Wang Zijian later caught him secretly browsing health trackers, which Lou Yuan claimed were for his mother.
Mr. Zhang from Lesifu, a well-known supermarket chain, visited Ba'er Creative. Ke Maoxu and Dong Dong'en introduced their team, highlighting Director Xie's early career success and Design Director Ma Chengshu's prestigious Aifei Best Creative Award, showcasing the studio's talent despite its small size. Impressed, Mr. Zhang proposed a partnership, asking Ba'er to host a tasting event to select a sauce brand for Lesifu's upcoming unmanned convenience stores.
He brought a contract detailing a project fee of 300,000 yuan and assured them that all additional expenses would be fully reimbursed. The Ba'er team was overjoyed, promising to drop other work and focus entirely on the project, viewing Dong Dong'en as their studio's lucky mascot. Now acting as Party A on behalf of Lesifu, Ba'er Creative found themselves overseeing the competing Party B companies: Peony Corporation and Sanjiao Group.
Wang Zijian considered leveraging Ba'er's long-term relationship with Peony for an advantage, but Lou Yuan rejected the idea. He explained that Mr. Zhang likely chose Ba'er precisely because their existing relationship would ensure Peony wouldn't dare to be openly favored, forcing a fair competition based on genuine strength. Su Qi, the COO of Sanjiao Group, investigated Ba'er Creative and concluded their primary weakness was a lack of funds.
He visited the studio and offered various incentives, including new computers and universal cash coupons, hoping to secure favorable cooperation. However, Dong Dong'en politely but firmly refused his attempts, proving difficult to sway. This led Su Qi to switch tactics, deciding on a "psychological attack," confident his personal charm would win her over. The next day, a large bouquet of roses from Su Qi arrived for Dong Dong'en at Peony's office, sparking gossip and clearly irritating Lou Yuan.
Dong Dong'en declined Su Qi's subsequent dinner invitation, citing a busy schedule. Later, Lou Yuan noticed she had saved his contact name as "Iron Tortoise" (a derogatory term). After she offered a flimsy explanation that it meant an "impartial and excellent Party A," an unconvinced Lou Yuan insisted she have dinner with him the following evening.
Soon after, Lou Yuan felt his heart discomfort return and, recalling his father's fate, ordered a multi-functional health tracker that could monitor his vitals and had an alarm function. Lou Yuan took Dong Dong'en to a luxurious restaurant, where she tasted Australian lobster for the first time and wondered about his motives. Lou Yuan probed her stance on the tasting event, and after being reassured of her commitment to fairness, he stated that impartiality was all he required.
Relieved, Dong Dong'en noted the "Iron Tortoise" was being unusually gentle and, at his insistence, changed his contact name in her phone to something more flattering. That evening, Wang Zijian and Cao Ya arrived at Lou Yuan's place to watch a basketball game, but Lou Yuan felt unwell and retired to his room.
Meanwhile, a cheerful Dong Dong'en confided in her friend Hai about her joy in finally being Party A, relishing the attention from two major companies and mentioning that Lou Yuan had even peeled crab legs for her. The mood soured when Dong Dong'en mentioned Ma Chengshu, as Hai was still bitter about his "cold violence" breakup style, declaring him "dead" to her.
Su Qi persisted, appearing at Dong Dong'en's apartment building and giving her a choice: give him a ride to the university canteen on her scooter or have dinner with him. She reluctantly agreed to the ride. At the canteen, Dong Dong'en presented it as a potential venue, which Su Qi praised. Lou Yuan suddenly appeared and countered the idea, pointing out logistical drawbacks. The tension between the two men escalated into a basketball free-throw contest.
As Lou Yuan prepared to shoot, his new health tracker beeped, revealing his nervousness. Ultimately, neither man scored, but Dong Dong'en stepped up and effortlessly made the shot, ending the standoff. Meanwhile, Lou Mudan, the chairwoman of Peony and Lou Yuan's mother, was furious upon learning of his plan for the tasting event.
To convince her, Lou Yuan showed her firsthand how Sanjiao Group's "Devil Chili Sauce" was dominating the market, with Peony's products being overlooked in supermarkets and a new idol-endorsed Sanjiao flavor being all the rage at the university canteen. He explained the shift in consumer habits towards online purchasing and outlined a strategy to transition their customers to online platforms. Faced with the stark reality, Lou Mudan reluctantly agreed to let him proceed.
The tasting event commenced, with the host introducing Peony as the "evergreen tree" and Sanjiao as the "rising star." The competition was structured into three rounds—dipping, mixing, and stir-frying—with attendees filling out comment cards to determine the winner. During the event, Wang Zijian attempted to sabotage the competition by whispering negative rumors about Sanjiao's sauce to the students, but Lou Yuan quickly stopped him, telling him to rely on their product's own merits. Just as the event was getting into full swing, Lou Yuan received urgent news that something had gone wrong.
Episode 7 Recap
At the start of the tasting event organized by Lesifu, news arrived that all of Peony Corporation's sauces in the warehouse had been deliberately destroyed, while Sanjiao Group's sauces remained untouched. Wang Zijian immediately suspected Su Qi of foul play and confronted him. Su Qi denied any involvement, challenged them to provide evidence, and blocked them from interfering with the tasting event over baseless accusations.
Lou Yuan acknowledged the severity of the situation but focused on the immediate priority: resolving the sauce shortage. Learning they only had about a half-hour's supply left and realizing Su Qi had likely bought out all local stock from supermarkets, Lou Yuan decided to have the headquarters dispatch an emergency delivery, asking his team to hold the fort.
To buy them time, Dong Dong'en announced an impromptu "president fried rice competition," featuring both company presidents cooking live for the attendees, with gift coupons as an incentive. Su Qi objected to this unplanned addition, accusing Dong Dong'en of abusing her authority. Dong Dong'en defended her decision, asserting that as the event organizer, both companies were her clients ("Party B"), and her responsibility was to ensure the event's success.
Su Qi retorted that her company, Ba'er, was merely a temporary contractor for his own client, Mr. Zhang, attempting to undermine her. However, Mr. Zhang himself arrived and enthusiastically approved of Dong Dong'en's idea, leaving Su Qi no choice but to participate. The two presidents began preparing their egg fried rice. The host described Su Qi's method of frying the eggs first before adding rice and Sanjiao's sauce, noting the enticing aroma.
The host then highlighted Lou Yuan's different approach: separating the egg yolk to coat the rice grains before frying, resulting in distinct, golden grains that became intensely fragrant when mixed with Peony's sauce. As the rice was distributed, Wang Zijian arrived with the emergency sauce delivery. He told Lou Yuan to handle the public-facing duties while he and the team managed the manual labor of distribution.
Su Qi's sister also arrived to support him, though he privately complained to her that Dong Dong'en's competition had jeopardized his expected easy victory. Ultimately, Mr. Zhang signed the contract with Peony Corporation, and Ba'er Studio received their final payment. Su Qi was deeply disappointed, but his superior, Mr. Wan, calmly reassured him not to dwell on a single failure, expressing confidence in his abilities.
Su Qi vowed that he would make Sanjiao Group surpass Peony to become the industry leader. Later, Dong Dong'en apologized to Lou Yuan for the warehouse incident, taking responsibility for the oversight. As a gesture of sincerity, she invited him on a weekend trip. Lou Yuan eagerly accepted and, upon receiving a location for a hot spring resort, began anticipating a private romantic getaway.
He turned down weekend plans with Wang Zijian, stayed up restlessly, and meticulously prepared himself the next morning. However, upon arriving at the resort, he was dismayed to find not only the Ba'er team but also his own Peony colleagues, including a surprised Wang Zijian. His "date" was actually a large group outing organized by Dong Dong'en. During the trip, Ma Chengshu was visibly annoyed by a colleague, Zheng Chao, constantly pestering Hai.
Later, during a party game, Lou Yuan lost and received a penalty: find a person of the opposite sex outside their group and take a photo with a finger heart gesture. Dong Dong'en offered to accompany him. While Lou Yuan struggled, Dong Dong'en easily completed the task with a male staff member and ordered hairy crabs for later.
Annoyed by her social media post about the crabs, Lou Yuan faked being lost and sent her his location, demanding she pick him up. When she found him, he feigned distress. Knowing he was afraid of the dark, she took his sleeve to guide him, and he took the opportunity to hold her hand.
Meanwhile, Wang Zijian had secretly booked and decorated a private room with candles and fluffy pink items, hoping to set up a romantic moment for Lou Yuan and Cao Ya. His plan was thwarted when Secretary Huang accidentally stumbled into his arms, causing his heart-rate-monitoring wristband to alarm loudly. Wang Zijian recoiled, but Secretary Huang misinterpreted his startled reaction as a sign of interest and began flirting with him, much to his discomfort.
Later, Wang Zijian brought Cao Ya to the room to wait for Lou Yuan. They discussed her past with Lou Yuan, and Cao Ya explained that they had tried dating for three days but felt no spark. When Wang Zijian asked who she had feelings for now, she asked him the same question. After his non-committal answer, she suddenly leaned in and kissed him. On their way back, Lou Yuan realized they still hadn't completed his punishment.
He suggested he and Dong Dong'en take the photo together to fulfill the task. Afterwards, Dong Dong'en remembered her crabs, only to find the staff had cleared them away. Seeing her disappointment, Lou Yuan ordered a fresh portion just for her. Touched, she happily ate, offering him the first, richest bite of crab roe, which he accepted without hesitation.
Episode 8 Recap
Ma Chengshu sees Zheng Chao flirting with Hai and warns her not to settle for a bad guy just to be in a relationship. Hai dismisses his advice, accusing him of giving her the silent treatment to force a breakup. They argue, only to realize their breakup stemmed from a misunderstanding: he thought they were just having a "cold war," while she interpreted his month-long silence as the end of their relationship.
At a group dinner, when Dong Dong'en tries to pay the bill, Lou Yuan steps in and covers the cost, seeing through her attempt to save her company money. Meanwhile, after being intimate with Cao Ya, Wang Zijian is filled with regret for sleeping with his best friend Lou Yuan's ex-girlfriend. Cao Ya, however, is unfazed and texts Lou Yuan not to wait for them. Due to limited space in the car, Lou Yuan offers to drive Dong Dong'en home.
During the ride, he thoughtfully shields her from bright lights after she falls asleep. When they arrive, Dong Dong'en receives a call from the Forever Together Fruit Garden, reminding her that the 24th is the anniversary of her relationship with Zhang Jiamu. Her expression darkens at the mention of his name. Sensing her mood, Lou Yuan asks if something is wrong. When she dismisses it as a spam call, he presses her to say more, but she remains silent.
Annoyed by her reticence, he prompts her to get out of the car. Hai complains to Dong Dong'en about Ma Chengshu, and Dong Dong'en confides that Lou Yuan has been acting strangely, suspecting his kindness is a trap to make her work harder. She resolves to be more cautious around him. The next morning, Zhang Jiamu, now the CEO of Xianling Group and Dong Dong'en's cheating ex-boyfriend, arrives at Ba'er Studio proposing a partnership.
The staff is initially against working with him, but the one-million-yuan offer is too tempting to refuse. Led by a determined Dong Dong'en, who puts on a professional front, they accept the project. Zhang Jiamu's true intention is to use the job as an excuse to win her back, but she feels nothing but disappointment toward him. Ridden with guilt, Wang Zijian nervously avoids Lou Yuan.
When Lou Yuan approaches him with documents, a startled Wang Zijian spits out his water, blaming it on the temperature. Lou Yuan, sensing his friend's odd behavior, observes him closely, forcing Wang Zijian to feign calmness. Later, Cao Ya confronts Wang Zijian, realizing he mistakenly thinks she still has feelings for Lou Yuan because they wear matching wristbands. She clarifies they were friendship bracelets they all bought years ago and that he lost his.
She scolds him for his cowardice and for mixing his personal feelings with work. Hai worries Dong Dong'en will soften and take her ex back. Dong Dong'en insists she won't, but then has to deliver files to Zhang Jiamu. He uses the opportunity to ask for a second chance, trying to explain his past infidelity by claiming the other woman—a rich heiress he pursued for his career—was emotionally unstable and faked suicide threats to keep him from leaving.
Dong Dong'en firmly rejects his attempt at reconciliation, stating their circumstances have changed and hoping to keep their relationship professional. Later, Dong Dong'en is presenting a proposal when Lou Yuan notices her phone buzzing with messages from Zhang Jiamu. She admits her ex is trying to reconcile but assures Lou Yuan she will not go back to him.
Lou Yuan then asks her out for the weekend, but she has already agreed to meet Zhang Jiamu at the fruit garden and declines his invitation. The name of the garden jogs Lou Yuan's memory of her phone call. Concerned Dong Dong'en will be hurt, the Ba'er staff follow her to the garden. There, Zhang Jiamu receives a call from a client and abruptly leaves her alone, causing her visible disappointment.
As she sadly picks loquats by herself, she turns to find Ke Maoxu and her other colleagues have come to support her. After this final disappointment, Dong Dong'en realizes there is no future with Zhang Jiamu and buries the small wooden tags they once made together, symbolizing the end of that chapter. After her friends help her finish picking the fruit, she asks for some time alone. As they drive away, Lou Yuan arrives.
Episode 9 Recap
Lou Yuan met Dong Dong'en and took her to eat hairy crabs, noticing her peeling technique had improved significantly. Dong Dong'en admitted she had studied various methods after feeling embarrassed during their last meal, believing self-improvement was key to finding a better partner. Lou Yuan countered that someone who truly likes her would appreciate her as she is and would want to grow alongside her. Dong Dong'en then shared her history with Zhang Jiamu, her former college senior.
They started dating after working on projects together, but the relationship ended when he cheated. During that difficult time, she met Ke Maoxu, who recognized her talent and encouraged her not to let a bad relationship hold her back, which led her to join Ba'er Creative. She explained that while she initially stayed out of gratitude, she now genuinely enjoys the supportive team atmosphere, believing they can succeed together despite challenges.
The next morning, Secretary Huang, dressed provocatively, approached Wang Zijian to discuss work and invited him to lunch, insisting she had something important to tell him. Wang Zijian reluctantly agreed. At the restaurant, they ran into Cao Ya dining with a male friend. After a brief, awkward exchange, Cao Ya and her companion left for another restaurant. At Peony Corporation, Lou Yuan saw Zhang Jiamu, who was meeting with an executive about replacing the air conditioning system.
Lou Yuan learned that Zhang Jiamu was the current CEO of Xianling and had married Yuan Misi, the daughter of Xianling's chairman. Upon discovering this, Lou Yuan immediately arranged for the Ba'er team to present their proposal the next day. Later, Zhang Jiamu visited Ba'er Creative and apologized to Dong Dong'en for leaving abruptly at the orchard, offering to treat her to dinner to make amends. Dong Dong'en firmly rejected him, defining their relationship as strictly professional.
When Zhang Jiamu tried to grab her arm, Ke Maoxu intervened. Angered, Zhang Jiamu accused her of putting on an act and warned her to expect trouble. After he left, Zhang Jiamu began retaliating professionally by making unreasonable and incessant demands for revisions to Ba'er's proposal without clear feedback. Feeling responsible, Dong Dong'en met with Lou Yuan.
Before he could tell her about Zhang Jiamu's marriage, she explained how their client was deliberately tormenting the team and requested a three-day extension. Lou Yuan agreed but stated there could be no further delays. That evening, Zhang Jiamu called Dong Dong'en, rejected the latest proposal, and demanded she immediately meet him at a bar called Max to discuss it, threatening to withhold payment.
As she was leaving, Lou Yuan called, and she told him she was going to deliver documents and might be late. At Max, Zhang Jiamu was buying drinks for the entire bar. He confronted Dong Dong'en, tried to embrace her, and accused her of faking her rejection now that she had a new man. He mocked her job, calling her a "client's lick dog," and flaunted the power he held over their project.
When Dong Dong'en retorted that some clients weren't even human, he poured wine on her. She slapped him, and as he raised his hand to strike her, Su Qi stepped in to block the blow. Lou Yuan then arrived, referred to Zhang Jiamu as their "second-tier client," and warned him to respect his girlfriend. Zhang Jiamu arrogantly boasted about his wealth before Lou Yuan escorted Dong Dong'en out. As they left, Zhang Jiamu yelled that their contract was terminated.
Lou Yuan later confronted Su Qi about his convenient presence, suggesting he was meddling in personal affairs under the guise of competition, which Su Qi denied. Lou Yuan took Dong Dong'en to a steamed bun shop where she borrowed dry clothes. He then officially told her that Zhang Jiamu was married to the Xianling chairman's daughter.
Dong Dong'en reflected on how Zhang Jiamu, who was once just like them, had been corrupted by wealth and now used it to bully others, which she found deeply unfair. Meanwhile, Ma Chengshu tried to win Hai back by bringing breakfast to the studio. Dong Dong'en advised him that the root of their problem wasn't something material gifts could fix, but she encouraged his persistence, wishing for them to be happy.
Concurrently, Zhang Jiamu, his wife Yuan Misi, and his mother-in-law Mrs. Liu, the chairman of Xianling, met with Peony Corporation to discuss a partnership. Zhang Jiamu was stunned when Lou Yuan was introduced as the executive handling their project. At a subsequent dinner arranged by Mrs. Liu, Lou Yuan brought Dong Dong'en as his girlfriend. Mrs. Liu praised the couple and pressured them about marriage, then had Zhang Jiamu pour their drinks. At his wife's request, Zhang Jiamu, who had trained in bel canto, was made to sing for the guests and launched into a boisterous rendition of "The Song of Heroes."
Episode 10 Recap
After finishing dinner, Dong Dong'en reflected on Zhang Jiamu's difficult life, sacrificing dignity for profit, and felt she preferred her own unrestrained way of living. Lou Yuan asked her what kind of person she aspired to be, and Dong Dong'en expressed a desire to be capable like him, someone who lives for their dreams with dignity. Dong Dong'en also remarked on how enjoyable it was to be professionally addressed as "Ms. Dong," a first for her.
Lou Yuan reminded her that he had called her that before. Ma Chengshu arrived at Hai's apartment with cut fruit, but she was furious and loudly rejected his gesture. Hai warned him that since they had broken up, he had no right to interfere in her life as if he were still her boyfriend. Ma Chengshu explained he was just concerned and asked for one last chance to meet at their usual place.
Hai adamantly refused, stating she would never give an ex a second chance. Dong Dong'en, who had heard the commotion, helped take the fruit inside and confirmed with Hai that she was resolved not to go. Wang Zijian, who had been avoiding Cao Ya, found himself missing her and, in a drunken state, went to her apartment. They spent the night together.
The next morning, a regretful Wang Zijian pretended to be asleep, but Cao Ya saw through his act and told him to get up or he would be late. Ke Maoxu sheepishly apologized to Xie Yi for being unable to get the concert tickets he had promised, explaining they were extremely hard to obtain. Xie Yi dramatically threatened to quit, but another colleague reminded him of the company's financial struggles and how hard Ke Maoxu and Dong Dong'en were working.
Realizing his overreaction, Xie Yi apologized to Ke Maoxu, who in turn apologized for his unfulfilled promise. The team reaffirmed their belief in the company's future. Later, Lou Yuan called Dong Dong'en to a meeting to discuss a new advertising design plan. At Peony Corporation, Lou Yuan's mother, Ms. Zhao (Lou Mudan), and Secretary Cheng were distributing New Year's gifts to employees.
Lou Yuan gave Dong Dong'en a special gift, adding that he had also prepared some for her colleagues at Ba'er. During the meeting, R&D and Marketing revealed that new low-oil, low-salt sauce products targeting younger consumers would replace the old ones, requiring a major redesign of the ad campaign. Dong Dong'en agreed to deliver a revised proposal within two weeks and was asked by Lou Yuan to present it to him personally.
Meanwhile, Ma Chengshu waited at their old spot, but Hai accepted an invitation for drinks from Zheng Chao instead. A flashback revealed that Ma Chengshu's former boss had fired him for refusing to unethically copy a designer's work. Ke Maoxu, who witnessed Ma Chengshu's principled stand, offered him a job with creative freedom at his company. Unable to make New Year's Eve plans with his friends, Lou Yuan visited his mother at the hospital.
He found her engrossed in a card game, and she jokingly nagged him to find a girlfriend instead of bothering her. Prompted by this, Lou Yuan went to the Ba'er studio and found the team having a New Year's party. Ke Maoxu and the others warmly welcomed him, and he joined their meal. Afterward, while the others were outside with fireworks, Lou Yuan privately gave Dong Dong'en an invitation to Peony's annual party, asking her to be his dance partner.
Surprised, she asked if he didn't have other female friends. Lou Yuan replied that while others like Cao Ya might be available, he specifically wanted to invite her. Though flustered, Dong Dong'en accepted his offer, including his proposal to teach her to dance. Soon after, Lou Yuan went to pick up his mother, Lou Mudan, upon her discharge from the hospital. Dong Dong'en also visited, bringing a new massage device.
Lou Mudan was delighted with the thoughtful gift, praising Dong Dong'en and chiding her son for arriving empty-handed. While packing, Lou Yuan noticed Dong Dong'en wasn't wearing the hair tie he had given her. He reminded her to wear it to the annual party. He also suggested that Ba'er should consider seeking financing, mentioning he had invited venture capitalists to the party and could make introductions.
Back at the studio, Dong Dong'en announced the invitation to the Peony annual party, exciting Xie Yi with the news of a 50,000 yuan prize for the best program. They learned that the absent Ke Maoxu was at the library, having enrolled in a course and even considering business school to better support the team. Dong Dong'en reminded everyone to prepare well to impress the venture capitalists Lou Yuan had invited.
Elsewhere, Wang Zijian and Cao Ya were getting lunch at a canteen. He was visibly uncomfortable being seen with her, but he still suggested they were "quite suitable" and should try dating. Cao Ya was surprised, insisting they were just friends and jokingly said it would be "boring" if he developed feelings. Wang Zijian quickly backtracked, claiming he was only kidding. Cao Ya then reminded him to prepare his suit for the annual party.
Episode 11 Recap
Secretary Huang approached Wang Zijian shyly, hinting that she would like to be his date for the upcoming year-end party. However, Wang Zijian politely stated that he already had someone in mind and retreated into his office, leaving her outside. Afterward, Wang Zijian called Lou Yuan for advice about a hypothetical situation where a man wants a relationship with a woman, but she hasn't reciprocated.
Lou Yuan immediately saw through him, realizing he was talking about Cao Ya, though Wang Zijian quickly denied it, claiming Cao Ya wasn't the most beautiful or understanding woman he knew. Lou Yuan took Dong Dong'en shopping for a gown. After she tried on several dresses, he found one he was satisfied with. As Lou Yuan prepared to pay, Dong Dong'en discovered the dress cost a shocking 98,000 yuan and insisted on paying for it herself.
Seeing her resolve, Lou Yuan let it go, saying he had a meeting and would leave first. Unable to afford it, Dong Dong'en then found an excuse to return the expensive dress. Back at Ba'er Creative, everyone was trying on outfits for the year-end party. Hai arrived with clothes for them, including the expensive white gown for Dong Dong'en. Dong Dong'en correctly suspected Lou Yuan had given the dress to Hai, which Hai implicitly confirmed.
Guided by her "love radar," Hai suggested Lou Yuan clearly had feelings for Dong Dong'en. However, Dong Dong'en strongly disagreed, maintaining that clients and agencies shouldn't date. She insisted Lou Yuan gave her the dress only as a thank you for helping him secure a large deal, completely missing any romantic implication and focusing only on its monetary value. Following Lou Yuan's arrangement, Dong Dong'en got dressed up and attended the Peony Corporation year-end party.
After the chairman's speech, the performances began. The first act was a dance to "Hero Song" by the secretaries. Lou Yuan immediately glanced at Dong Dong'en, signaling her to control her reaction, and she nodded in understanding. Cao Ya noticed Lou Yuan frequently gazing at Dong Dong'en and playfully teased him about how obvious his feelings were.
After Wang Zijian's performance, Ba'er Creative, represented by Dong Dong'en, took the stage to perform their "Song of Peony" to compete for the 50,000 yuan grand prize. However, the prize was ultimately awarded to the secretaries' "Hero Song." During the party's free-activity segment, Dong Dong'en approached a table of colorful fruit wines. Cao Ya assured her it was essentially a beverage with very low alcohol content. Encouraged, Dong Dong'en drank several glasses and became increasingly light-headed.
Lou Yuan invited Dong Dong'en to dance. Under the influence of alcohol, Dong Dong'en felt a flutter of emotion as they danced under the dim lights, creating an intimate atmosphere. As she looked at the handsome Lou Yuan and leaned in, she suddenly felt sick and threw up, abruptly ruining the romantic moment. Amused and exasperated, Lou Yuan helped the disoriented Dong Dong'en towards the restroom.
Unbeknownst to them, Cao Ya and Wang Zijian were in an adjacent area, sharing a passionate kiss. After Lou Yuan and Dong Dong'en passed, Wang Zijian proposed they officially become a couple. To his surprise, Cao Ya replied that if he wanted to formally define their relationship, their current arrangement would have to end. Meanwhile, Hai was cornered and forcibly kissed by Zheng Chao.
Ma Chengshu intervened just in time, taking a beating but deeply touching Hai with his protective actions. Back in the party hall, a heavily intoxicated Dong Dong'en began acting wildly. Lou Yuan helped her back into the venue, where they found Han Chun, Fatty, and the others from their team passed out drunk on the floor. Dong Dong'en proceeded to physically "discipline" her unconscious colleagues.
A weary Han Chun asked Lou Yuan to take Dong Dong'en home, and he agreed to drive her. In the car, a still-drunk Dong Dong'en gazed at the falling snow. Fueled by drunken courage, she boldly called Lou Yuan "Xiao Lou," complimented his handsome profile, and kissed him multiple times on the lips. She declared that by "stamping the seal," their "contract" was signed and their relationship established.
That night, Lou Yuan replayed the kiss in his mind, convinced they were now officially a couple. However, the next morning, Dong Dong'en woke up to find herself tied up—a precaution taken by Hai. Hai reminded her never to drink again and urged her to apologize to Lou Yuan for whatever she did. Remembering her history of drunkenly attacking her colleagues, Dong Dong'en feared she had assaulted Lou Yuan and rushed to his office.
Lou Yuan, expecting a sweet confirmation of their new relationship, was stunned when Dong Dong'en profusely apologized for her drunken behavior, admitted she remembered nothing from the previous night, and asked him to forget anything that happened. His expression changed from joy to devastation.
Episode 12 Recap
As Lou Yuan was discussing the events of the previous night with Dong Dong'en, his mother, Lou Mudan, entered angrily. She confronted him about his decision to discontinue her classic sauce. Lou Yuan explained that company research showed the classic sauce's sales had been declining for years. In contrast, their newer premium sauce, with its more modern recipe, had captured a significant portion of the classic sauce's market share and was continuing to grow.
He argued that discontinuing the classic sauce was a necessary business evolution. However, Lou Mudan was adamant, emphasizing that the classic sauce was the foundation of their company and held deep personal meaning for her. Witnessing their heated argument, Dong Dong'en tried to remain inconspicuous but was called upon by Lou Mudan to offer an opinion. Adhering to her professional principles as a vendor, Dong Dong'en stated she was not familiar enough with either sauce to comment.
She promised to research the matter and provide a satisfactory answer later, then quickly excused herself. Meanwhile, Ma Chengshu took Hai to a night market they frequented in their university days and asked her to get back together. Hai hesitated, pointing out her love for street food and crowded places, activities Ma Chengshu seemed to avoid. Ma Chengshu confessed his avoidance wasn't due to pickiness but a medical condition causing allergies, and he promised to seek treatment.
Later, Hai told Dong Dong'en she had gotten back together with Ma Chengshu, a development Dong Dong'en had anticipated. Observing Dong Dong'en's awkwardness regarding Lou Yuan, Hai suspected that something more than a drunken argument had occurred. Dong Dong'en, however, insisted that a vendor and a client should never get involved romantically. Hai, speaking from experience, warned her that such a rigid stance might cause her to miss a real connection.
The next morning, Ke Maoxu and Xie Yi met with Lou Yuan to discuss advertising plans. Afterward, Ke Maoxu privately apologized for Dong Dong'en's drunken behavior, explaining that she becomes aggressive with everyone, including their entire office staff. This revelation shocked and annoyed Lou Yuan. Later, Dong Dong'en went to the finance manager, Mr. Ocean, to discuss payment, but he was dismissive.
He informed her that due to Lou Mudan's opposition, all promotion for the premium sauce was on hold, and sarcastically suggested she use her influence with Lou Yuan to resolve it. Determined to break the deadlock, Dong Dong'en made two versions of fried rice, one with each sauce, to present to Lou Mudan. She found Lou Mudan at their old family home, reminiscing about the early, difficult days of her business.
Lou Mudan sent Lou Yuan away when Dong Dong'en arrived, but he lingered outside, listening to their conversation. After hearing Lou Mudan's story, Dong Dong'en offered her the two plates of fried rice. Lou Mudan tasted both and conceded that the premium sauce version was better, realizing she might be out of touch with modern tastes. Afterward, Dong Dong'en met Lou Yuan for a meal.
He confessed that the classic sauce was not just a product but also a memory of his late father, who loved it. Dong Dong'en, in turn, pointed out that while some street vendors still used the classic sauce, many were already switching to the premium one.
Understanding that Dong Dong'en had helped persuade his mother, Lou Yuan drafted a revised proposal to promote the premium sauce while maintaining a limited production of the classic sauce in special gift boxes for loyal customers. Lou Yuan then learned the truth about Dong Dong'en's drunken behavior from an offhand comment by Cao Ya, who asked if Dong Dong'en had "beaten him up." Realizing they both had misunderstood the events of that night, Lou Yuan arranged to meet Dong Dong'en.
He took her to an amusement park and, amidst falling snow and fireworks, confessed his feelings. Dong Dong'en, now recalling that she had drunkenly "stamped" him to claim him as hers, rejected his advance, rigidly stating that a vendor cannot date a client. Seeking advice, Lou Yuan was encouraged by Wang Zijian to be persistent. Hai, frustrated by Dong Dong'en's decision, urged her to reconsider.
That night, as both lay awake, Hai confronted Dong Dong'en, who finally admitted that she liked Lou Yuan but felt bound by her professional code. Hai argued that her rule was just an excuse to avoid her true feelings, pointing out that she acts differently around Lou Yuan because she cares for him.
Episode 13 Recap
The company welcomed a batch of new employees, mostly recent graduates. Among them was Wei Kaile, a senior intern assigned to the Research and Development department. He was immediately smitten with Director of R&D, Cao Ya. In the following days, Wei Kaile often pestered Cao Ya, persistently calling her "Jiejie" (sister), despite her asking him to call her "Director Cao." This behavior frustrated Cao Ya and clearly bothered Director of Marketing, Wang Zijian, who grew visibly jealous.
Dong Dong'en, having wrestled with her feelings, decided to prioritize her professional duties and went to report to Lou Yuan about the advertisement filming. She presented proposals from two potential directors: Director Xue, known for award-winning literary films, and Director Liu, an expert in commercials who had directed a recent popular car ad. Dong Dong'en presented their profiles for Lou Yuan's final decision. Lou Yuan reviewed the proposals, specifically requesting to see Director Xue's acclaimed film "Naughty Child."
He then invited Dong Dong'en to dinner, but she politely declined, claiming she had a prior engagement. Lou Yuan saw through her excuse, prompting Dong Dong'en to clearly state her desire to maintain a purely professional client-supplier relationship. Unsatisfied with just two director options for Peony's important first advertisement, Lou Yuan asked her to find more candidates. As Dong Dong'en prepared to leave, Lou Yuan noticed a stain on her pants.
Realizing she was on her period, he quickly took off his jacket and discreetly tied it around her waist. Embarrassed, Dong Dong'en hurried to the restroom. She tried calling her friend Hai for help, but Hai was busy with a live stream and couldn't answer. Fortunately, Lou Yuan had already instructed his assistant Zhu Li to bring Dong Dong'en a change of clothes—a skirt belonging to Cao Ya.
Dong Dong'en accepted it, feeling a complex mix of emotions about Lou Yuan's actions. Meanwhile, Secretary Huang, who had been pursuing a reluctant Wang Zijian, finally realized he was preoccupied with his feelings for Cao Ya. During a meal together, Wang Zijian complained about Wei Kaile's persistent attention toward Cao Ya, and Secretary Huang pointed out his obvious jealousy.
She then candidly confessed her own past feelings for him, acknowledging that her pursuit was seen as a "joke," and stated her decision to move on, even offering to introduce him to her handsome cousin. Later, Dong Dong'en discussed the incident with Hai. Hai praised Lou Yuan for being rich, handsome, and considerate. Dong Dong'en, however, clarified that the skirt was Cao Ya's and viewed Lou Yuan's help as merely the appropriate action of a client.
She felt she had failed in her professional role by letting such a personal incident occur at work. Hai playfully predicted that Dong Dong'en would eventually fall for him, likening their situation to a classic romance trope where initial dislike turns into love. The next morning, Dong Dong'en returned the cleaned skirt to Lou Yuan's office and found him asleep on the sofa with Director Xue's film playing on his screen.
As she approached, he stirred and pulled her into a brief hug, murmuring her name in his sleep. Quickly waking, he apologized, explaining he thought he was dreaming. After a slightly awkward exchange about the film, Lou Yuan confirmed his decision to hire Director Xue, stating that the director's unique style was a good fit. Dong Dong'en presented a preliminary shooting plan, and Lou Yuan instructed her to refine it and consult his colleague Dahai about costs.
Separately, Hai informed Dong Dong'en that she had decided to move in with Ma Chengshu. Her motivation was to support him in overcoming his mysophobia, especially since he was making significant efforts for her. Later, Hai and Ma Chengshu shared their first meal together in his home, celebrating their new living arrangement and discussing their future. Dong Dong'en and Director Xue's team chose to film in Xingyun Village, a place where she grew up.
Director Xue, who had previously scouted the area, agreed it was a perfect location. As they traveled, their car broke down in a heavy downpour. While the director fretted over the delay, Dong Dong'en got out in the rain to find a phone signal. Unbeknownst to them, the rival executive Su Qi had instructed his insider at Peony Corporation to sabotage the shoot by any means necessary.
As Dong Dong'en searched for a signal, the insider attacked her and pushed her down a slope. Lou Yuan rushed to Xingyun Village and found an injured Dong Dong'en on the ground. He helped her into his car, gave her a towel and his mother's jacket, and chided her for venturing out alone. She explained that she had tried to call him first, but his line was busy.
Lou Yuan and Dong Dong'en then rejoined the film crew at a local farmhouse, where they learned from a resident that the rain could last for days, forcing Director Xue to revise the shooting plan. While the director met with his team, a kind local gave Dong Dong'en a military coat. She went to find Lou Yuan and discovered him surrounded by enthusiastic village women who were trying to set him up with local singles.
Dong Dong'en stepped in, offering him the coat. The women immediately assumed she was his wife, and playing along, Dong Dong'en praised her "husband" extensively, describing him as kind, thoughtful, and attentive to their amusement.
Episode 14 Recap
The guesthouse was crowded, and Lou Yuan found it hard to sleep with the sound of snoring. He opened his eyes to find Dong Dong'en's bed empty and went outside to find her at a table, reviewing the backup shooting plan in case of rain. Lou Yuan brought her a cup of warm water, urging her to finish and rest. Exhausted, she soon fell asleep at the table. Believing she was asleep, Lou Yuan quietly confessed his feelings.
He described how he initially saw her as pure and kind, willing to help strangers, but was later surprised to find she had also become pragmatic and even glib, like a "little fox." However, the more he learned, the more he realized she hadn't fundamentally changed, but simply kept her most important qualities hidden. Seeing her as a dazzling treasure worth exploring, he gently carried her back to bed.
The moment he left, Dong Dong'en opened her eyes, her heart pounding as she silently told herself not to be swayed by his charm. The next morning, Lou Yuan subtly asked if she had been awake the previous night. Dong Dong'en quickly insisted she had been sound asleep, even giving an elaborate example of how deeply she sleeps. Not pressing the issue, Lou Yuan shifted to the person who pushed her down the slope.
Dong Dong'en only recalled a figure in a raincoat and hat, deliberately disguised. Lou Yuan then revealed the driver had confirmed their car breakdown was intentional sabotage. Dong Dong'en suspected it was malicious business competition, and Lou Yuan acknowledged that while company rivalries are normal, he didn't want it affecting their personal lives. Back at the company, Lou Yuan called Secretary Huang to say he was taking two days off in Xingyun Village, delegating his duties.
Realizing Dong Dong'en was also there, the secretary gossiped that the boss was on a trip to pursue his employee. Meanwhile, Cao Ya took a sick day with a fever. Wei Kaile rushed to her apartment with food and medicine. When Cao Ya emerged from her room feeling worse, she fainted. Just then, Wang Zijian arrived and, seeing the various medicines, berated Wei Kaile for his ignorance about the dangers of mixing them.
He then carried the unconscious Cao Ya to the hospital. During a break in filming, Dong Dong'en revisited her old elementary school and was surprised to run into Lou Yuan. He claimed he was just taking a walk after eating too much, complimenting the dumplings she'd had and boasting he could make even better ones. They discussed how he had learned various household skills growing up, not viewing them as gender-specific.
Inside, she showed him her old classroom and seat, reminiscing about her childhood. Feeling the atmosphere between them had shifted, Dong Dong'en decided to clarify their relationship, acknowledging it was no longer just professional. She explained she hesitated to accept his feelings for fear of being accused of sleeping her way to the top. Lou Yuan dismissed these concerns, affirming his love for her and his willingness to face any problems together.
Deeply moved, Dong Dong'en confessed she liked him too but proposed they maintain a secret "soon-to-be couple" status until their work contract ended. Lou Yuan reluctantly agreed. The next morning, as the weather cleared, Lou Yuan watched Dong Dong'en sleep and leaned in to kiss her. At that moment, Director Xue arrived to announce filming could resume, saw the intimate scene, and quickly retreated.
Flustered, Dong Dong'en urged Lou Yuan to get up, but he playfully refused until she kissed him. A crisis arose when the lead actress canceled, deeming the script too "down-to-earth" and citing safety concerns. Seeing Lou Yuan's mother, company Chairman Lou Mudan, visiting the set, Dong Dong'en suggested she star in the ad. She convinced the Chairman by highlighting the significant cost savings, and filming with her began smoothly.
However, the shoot was interrupted by aggressive locals claiming the crew was disturbing the peace, even causing a hen to stop laying eggs. While the crew explained they had all the necessary permits, the group refused to listen. Lou Yuan stepped forward as the person in charge, but his attempts to de-escalate were met with violence as the men grabbed tools for weapons. He told Dong Dong'en to protect his mother while he handled it.
As the men lunged, Lou Yuan shielded Dong Dong'en, taking several blows himself. She immediately called the police, and the attackers fled upon their arrival. Afterward, Dong Dong'en anxiously checked on the injured Lou Yuan. He brushed it off but admitted he was sore. She scolded him for being so reckless, but he replied that protecting her was worth it, calling her his "little sun" who brought him joy.
He then confessed he had exaggerated his pain to see her worried reaction. She told him to take care of himself first, so he could continue to take care of her.
Episode 15 Recap
Cao Ya recovered quickly after being taken to the hospital by Wang Zijian. It was determined that she had experienced an adverse reaction from an overdose of acetaminophen, caused by taking two different cold medicines simultaneously. Fortunately, the dosage was not large enough to cause liver or kidney damage. While Cao Ya rested at Wang Zijian's home, he fumbled in the kitchen, calling his mother for tips on making lotus root and pork rib soup.
Amused and touched by his earnest but clumsy efforts, Cao Ya accepted the porridge and soup his mother had also sent over. Wang Zijian insisted she stay the night and went out to buy her new toiletries. The next morning, Wang Zijian welcomed Wei Kaile as a new intern in the marketing department, handing him a large stack of client files to study.
Wei Kaile accused Wang Zijian of using his authority for personal revenge, asserting that even if Cao Ya didn't like him, she would never like Wang Zijian either, as she wasn't the type to change for anyone. Wang Zijian dismissed this, claiming he was giving Wei Kaile a second chance because of his talent. With the advertisement shoot completed, the crew packed up to leave Xingyun Village.
Lou Yuan's investigation into the man who pushed Dong Dong'en yielded no results, describing the individual as a "transparent person." Concerned for her safety, Lou Yuan offered Dong Dong'en a ride back to the city under the guise of discussing work. Arriving at her building and reluctant to part, he feigned chest discomfort, claiming his health had declined since being hit in the village.
Dong Dong'en saw through Lou Yuan's pretense but invited him upstairs to rest, an offer he quickly accepted. Inside, Lou Yuan lay on the sofa and told her to go about her business. When she returned from her room with a blanket for him, they shared an intimate moment and began to kiss. However, just as things were progressing, Lou Yuan abruptly stopped.
He explained that he felt he was being too impatient and didn't want to scare her, as she wasn't ready. He then said goodnight and left, leaving Dong Dong'en utterly confused. Later, Dong Dong'en recounted the events to a bewildered Hai, who felt Lou Yuan had missed a perfect opportunity. Dong Dong'en herself was troubled, wondering if there was something wrong with Lou Yuan.
Meanwhile, Lou Yuan explained to Wang Zijian that he didn't want to rush things for fear of scaring her. As the meeting between Ba'er Creative and Peony Corporation approached, Lou Yuan carefully selected his attire, ultimately choosing a T-shirt and canvas shoes that matched Dong Dong'en's. During the meeting, Lou Mudan expressed her great satisfaction with the final advertisement, particularly the humorous version, and requested a copy. She praised Ba'er's professionalism and complimented Dong Dong'en on her ability and potential.
The meeting concluded positively, with Ba'er Creative receiving approval to proceed with the promotional work. Afterward, Lou Yuan noticed Dong Dong'en clearing her throat and pulled her aside to express his concern. Their affectionate exchange was witnessed by Wang Zijian and Cao Ya, who joked that their "secret relationship" was so obvious they might as well have each other's names tattooed on their foreheads.
That evening, Dong Dong'en dressed up and asked Lou Yuan out for dinner at a popular barbecue restaurant. While waiting in line, they spotted Secretary Huang and her colleagues, prompting Dong Dong'en to pull Lou Yuan away to avoid their relationship being discovered, forfeiting their turn. Instead, they bought groceries and cooked dinner at Dong Dong'en's apartment. Lou Yuan did most of the cooking while Dong Dong'en assisted.
Recalling Hai's advice to be more assertive, Dong Dong'en decided she needed to take the initiative and plied Lou Yuan with alcohol, only to end up getting tipsy herself. She boldly climbed onto his lap, hugged him, and asked him to stay the night. Understanding her intentions, Lou Yuan no longer held back, and their relationship deepened.
Episode 16 Recap
The following morning, Lou Yuan arrived at work radiant and joyful, as if every cell in his body was singing. Wang Zijian, however, was slumped on a sofa, looking unapproachable. When his change in mood was pointed out, Lou Yuan hinted at a significant development with Dong Dong'en. He then turned the question to Wang Zijian, who confirmed he had thought things through and that he and Cao Ya would now just be friends.
He declared that as a "love guru," he wouldn't be troubled by love for long and would soon make a comeback. Meanwhile, at Sanjiao Group, Su Qi was frustrated by the massive success of the advertisement Ba'er Creative made for Peony's sauce, which had garnered over 200 million views. He worried about their dwindling market share if Peony's momentum continued.
Mr. Wan of Sanjiao Group, however, was impressed by the ad, praising Lou Yuan's ability to target the youth market and upgrade products. He advised Su Qi to focus on product quality to surpass Lou Yuan, reminding him that the company's future would soon rest on his shoulders. Ba'er Creative, now short-handed, decided to recruit new employees. Early interviews were discouraging due to the low salary and lack of commission.
However, Dong Dong'en saw potential in Lan Zhenzhen, who expressed that her main goal was work experience and that she loved the industry. Impressed by her attitude, Dong Dong'en hired her on the spot. Soon after, Lan Zhenzhen joined the team on a trip to meet a client in Ke Maoxu's old, shaky van. The rough ride made Lan Zhenzhen ill, and she was visibly unwell during the client presentation.
During a break, she overheard Dong Dong'en on the phone with Lou Yuan. Hearing Dong Dong'en apologize for being late and addressing him formally as "Mr. Lou" before being prompted to use a nickname, Lan Zhenzhen misinterpreted the interaction, suspecting Ba'er's success was due to Dong Dong'en using personal connections.
Back at the office, after witnessing Dong Dong'en's impressive speed-reading and summarization skills during a meeting, Lan Zhenzhen was told by Han Chun that her "master" had real abilities and she should learn from her. That night, however, Lan Zhenzhen couldn't handle the long hours and decided to go home, dismissively calling Dong Dong'en's dedication "big talk." As she left, she bumped into Lou Yuan arriving with food for Dong Dong'en and hid to eavesdrop.
She heard Lou Yuan affectionately refer to Dong Dong'en as his "soon-to-be girlfriend" and express his strong desire to make their relationship public to gain the approval of her friends and family. Hearing that it was the CEO, not her boss, who was pushing to go public, Lan Zhenzhen realized her misunderstanding was completely wrong. That evening, Lan Zhenzhen returned home to her cousin, Su Qi, and their uncle.
After her uncle criticized Su Qi's performance by comparing him unfavorably to Lou Yuan, Lan Zhenzhen confided in Su Qi about her job at Ba'er. She described the team as happy-go-lucky but poor and unstable, suggesting they weren't a real threat. Sensing she might be growing fond of them, Su Qi made her promise to always stand by his side.
At Ba'er, Ke Maoxu saw Lou Yuan and Dong Dong'en hugging outside, leading the team to worry that Lou Yuan, whom they called a "scumbag," was refusing to make the relationship public. Dong Dong'en clarified that "she" had been the one hesitant due to their prior work relationship. She then announced that Lou Yuan was hosting a dinner for the team that very night to formalize things.
Before the dinner, Wang Zijian sought refuge from Cao Ya at Lou Yuan's apartment. He questioned Lou Yuan's eagerness to go public, but Lou Yuan asserted that a proper status must be earned. Lou Yuan advised him to talk to Cao Ya face-to-face, but Wang Zijian refused. After Lou Yuan left, a drunk Cao Ya called Wang Zijian, demanding he come to the bar.
There, she tearfully confessed that she couldn't stop thinking about him and that her heart had no room for anyone else. She asked to be his girlfriend, but Wang Zijian rejected her, stating he wanted a sincere relationship and couldn't be with her unless she was willing to offer genuine commitment. Meanwhile, Lou Yuan hosted the dinner for the Ba'er team. Ke Maoxu and Han Chun, acting as Dong Dong'en's "family," warned him not to wrong her.
Lou Yuan gave a heartfelt speech, calling Dong Dong'en a "little sun" and promising to be the shoulder she could lean on. Touched, the team agreed to entrust her to him. After the dinner, Lou Yuan and Dong Dong'en shared a tender moment outside, where he embraced her, reluctant to leave. Just then, their intimate scene was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Dong Dong'en's parents, who were visibly shocked to see their daughter with him.
Episode 17 Recap
When Dong Dong'en's parents, Dong Yi Ming and Dong Qing, make an unexpected visit, Lou Yuan is caught off guard and tries to make a good impression. Dong Yi Ming is immediately stern, interrogating Lou Yuan about his background. To placate him, Dong Dong'en quickly claims Lou Yuan is a president's driver who also does ride-hailing for extra income. While Dong Yi Ming remains skeptical, Dong Qing is quite taken with Lou Yuan, especially after learning he can cook.
Later, Dong Qing privately questions Dong Dong'en, having correctly deduced from a man's suit and toothbrush in the apartment that she and Lou Yuan are living together. While open-minded, she reminds her daughter to be safe. Dong Dong'en then hesitantly confesses that Lou Yuan is actually the president, but Dong Qing dismisses it as unbelievable, questioning why a wealthy executive would date someone in their modest neighborhood.
Recalling a relative who was ruined by a man pretending to be a rich boss, she warns Dong Dong'en to be cautious and not get deceived. After her parents are asleep, Dong Dong'en sneaks out to meet Lou Yuan, who has been waiting in the cold. She apologizes and explains that she lied about his job because her parents prefer someone from a similar background and would disapprove of her dating a president.
Promising to tell them the truth eventually, she earns Lou Yuan's understanding. Meanwhile, Dong Qing tells her husband she thinks Lou Yuan is a good person, but Dong Yi Ming is unconvinced, seeing him as superficial and resolving to investigate his background thoroughly to protect his daughter. Elsewhere, Cao Ya and Wang Zijian's relationship deepens after a heartfelt conversation.
She confesses that being with him is the only time she feels truly relaxed and happy, and that after a period of confusion, she is ready for a committed relationship. He lovingly teases her, and they affirm their mutual feelings. At work, Lan Zhenzhen unknowingly gives Su Qi critical information when she mentions that Lou Yuan is planning a dining saloon.
Later, as his internship ends, Wei Kaile makes a final attempt to win over Cao Ya, but she gently turns him down, explaining she is already in a relationship. Wei Kaile gracefully accepts this and wishes her well. Dong Dong'en's lie unravels when she takes her parents out for a meal and runs into Lou Yuan dining with a client, revealing his true identity as a prominent businessman. Her parents are stunned.
Lou Yuan apologizes for the earlier deception and arranges a trip for them the next day to make amends. During the tour of Luodai Ancient Town, Dong Yi Ming remains cold and distant. Dong Dong'en pulls him aside, asking him to be kinder. Her father expresses his deep-seated fear, worried about the vast difference in their social status and the risk to his daughter's future should Lou Yuan's business ever fail.
At a teahouse, Dong Yi Ming has a heart-to-heart with Dong Dong'en, asking how serious her feelings are. She sincerely affirms her love for Lou Yuan, describing how a successful man like him is also gentle and caring, citing how he took her for her favorite crabs and even showed vulnerability. Her heartfelt words begin to soften her father's stance. Meanwhile, at Peony Corporation, Lou Mudan holds a meeting about the new dining saloon project.
Spurred on by a rival's success, she approves a starting budget of five million yuan. However, she decides to partner with Ba'er Creative, believing they can manage the project wisely. Lou Yuan informs Dong Dong'en of the opportunity. The next day, Dong Dong'en meets with Lou Mudan, who praises her work ethic. Citing Ba'er's capabilities, Lou Mudan officially offers them the project but states the budget is only two million yuan.
Though surprised by the figure, Dong Dong'en eagerly accepts the major project. The Ba'er Creative team is ecstatic about landing the Peony project, as well as another contract with the Dongshi company. However, Lan Zhenzhen, feeling conflicted due to her loyalty to Su Qi, mails him the supplementary agreements for both projects as he had requested. Su Qi immediately uses this information, pressuring a contact at Dongshi, Mr. Tong, over past financial issues.
Under duress, Mr. Tong calls Dong Dong'en and demands their design draft immediately, ignoring the agreed-upon deadline. As the team scrambles to meet the new deadline, they face another crisis: Dong Dong'en discovers a critical dimension error in the advertising boards they ordered, a mistake originating from their own files. With no other choice, she and Lan Zhenzhen must go to Dongshi to admit the error and plead for an extension.
Episode 18 Recap
A crisis arises at Ba'er Creative when Lan Zhenzhen makes a mistake with the printing dimensions for a major project, failing to account for bleed and jeopardizing the deadline for advertising posters. Dong Dong'en takes a remorseful Lan Zhenzhen to meet with the client, Mr. Tong. By appealing to their shared passion for quality work, they nearly convince him to grant an extension.
However, Su Qi unexpectedly arrives and overrides the discussion, insisting that Ba'er Creative must adhere to the contract terms and deliver on time, citing his responsibility to his company's interests over any personal connections. Later, the Ba'er team discovers that their client, Dongshi Design, is a subsidiary of Triangle Corporation, meaning Su Qi is effectively controlling their project from behind the scenes.
Realizing the potential for ongoing obstacles, Ke Maoxu proposes terminating the contract to cut their losses, arguing that any project involving Su Qi will be fraught with difficulty. The team agrees, deciding to focus their resources on existing work from clients like Peony Corporation. Mr. Tong informs Su Qi of the termination, which Su Qi accepts, cryptically stating that the time is not yet right for his plans.
Meanwhile, Hai prepares to leave to join a film crew after landing a role when the original actress had a scheduling conflict. Ma Chengshu expresses his concern for her safety, questioning the legitimacy of the sudden offer, but is careful not to upset her. Hai acknowledges his worry but affirms that it is an important opportunity she must pursue. Ma Chengshu offers his full support and helps her pack. Separately, Dong Dong'en's parents announce they are leaving for a tour.
Dong Dong'en worries they disapprove of Lou Yuan, but they reassure her that they find him to be a simple, frugal, and kind person. However, they voice concerns about the significant disparity in their families' socioeconomic statuses, fearing it could leave Dong Dong'en vulnerable. Dong Dong'en, understanding their love-fueled worries, firmly expresses her deep affection for Lou Yuan, stating that he makes her happy and she is confident they can build a good life together.
Reassured by her conviction, her parents agree to let Lou Yuan see them off. Lan Zhenzhen is tasked with sending the termination agreement. Later, she visits Su Qi to return a supplementary agreement, nervously confessing her fear that he intends to harm Ba'er Creative. She explains her growing sense of belonging with the team, who treat her like family, and points out a similarity in their lonely upbringings.
She pleads with him to consider her feelings, and Su Qi quietly acknowledges her words. Before the trip, Lou Yuan visits Dong Dong'en to care for her while she is unwell. Her parents witness his attentiveness as he brings her a hot water bag and helps her with her socks, and they are visibly satisfied. The next day, Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan see her parents off, and Dong Dong'en feels a pang of sadness as they depart.
At Peony Corporation, Lou Mudan tells Lou Yuan she has found the perfect person to lead the new dining saloon's planning department: Lilian, the daughter of her old friend Zhao Guifen. Lilian, a childhood acquaintance of Lou Yuan, has studied business abroad and possesses valuable corporate experience. That evening, Lilian visits Lou Mudan, impressing her with her charm and gifts. The next day, Lilian starts her new role as Planning Department Director, bringing gifts for her colleagues.
Dong Dong'en introduces Lan Zhenzhen as the new liaison for their projects before seeing Lilian enter Lou Yuan's office, pausing for a moment before leaving. In a private conversation, Lilian tells her mother, Zhao Guifen, that she views Peony Corporation as a declining company but sees the position as a good stepping stone for her career. She insists they keep their mother-daughter relationship a secret at work to avoid any appearance of nepotism.
That night, Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan go on a date to a pottery studio, affectionately making a matching set of cups. Meanwhile, Lou Mudan hosts a welcome dinner for Lilian with key staff members Wang Zijian and Cao Ya. During the dinner, Lilian learns of Lou Yuan's impressive business accomplishments and, crucially, that he is single. The following day, Lou Mudan, Dong Dong'en, and Lilian conduct an inspection tour at a wholesale market.
Lou Mudan sends the two younger women to inspect chili peppers. There, Lilian impresses Dong Dong'en with her knowledge of branding and marketing for agricultural products, citing a foreign brand as a successful example. She concludes by complimenting Dong Dong'en, claiming that she has always been her role model and a major influence on her success.
Episode 19 Recap
Dong Dong'en accompanied Lou Mudan on a trip to source ingredients for the dining saloon. During the trip, Lou Mudan subtly tried to encourage a relationship between Lou Yuan and Lilian. Lilian, eager to secure a connection with Lou Yuan, expressed her admiration for him to his mother. Lou Yuan, however, sensed his mother's intentions and created an excuse to be alone with Dong Dong'en, asking Lilian to look after his mother.
Unaware of the matchmaking attempt, Dong Dong'en commented that another woman's interest in Lou Yuan only proved his excellence and her own good judgment in choosing him. As they walked, they passed a small stall where Lou Yuan impulsively bought a pair of inexpensive couple's rings. He used them to propose to Dong Dong'en on the spot, fearing that if he didn't act decisively, he might lose her due to her sometimes oblivious nature.
Dong Dong'en was initially flustered by the sudden proposal but, moved by his sincerity, accepted. This moment was witnessed by Lilian, who arrived just as they were celebrating. Back at Peony Corporation, the dining saloon's design director abruptly resigned. It was later revealed that Lilian, in a phone call with her brother, was complicit in this, as her brother had poached the designer specifically to sabotage the project.
With the company in a critical situation, Dong Dong'en suggested hiring Mr. Chen Wende, a highly experienced but semi-retired designer known for his public service work. Upon seeing Mr. Chen's profile, Lou Mudan's expression changed drastically. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Lilian quickly recommended another designer, Charlie Yang, a recent international award winner. Lou Mudan ended the meeting by stating she only wanted the best design and price, regardless of the designer.
Puzzled by Lou Mudan's reaction, Dong Dong'en asked Lou Yuan for an explanation. He revealed that Mr. Chen was their neighbor twenty years ago when his mother was a struggling single parent. Mr. Chen often helped them, and he and Lou Mudan developed feelings for each other. However, after his design won a major international award, he received an offer to go abroad.
Believing she shouldn't hold him back, Lou Mudan had a major argument with him, and he left, breaking off all contact. Dong Dong'en believed this history was rooted in a misunderstanding, not animosity, and hoped his return could rekindle their relationship. The next day, Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan visited Mr. Chen Wende to present the project proposal. While touring his studio, they noticed a miniature landscape model of their old family home.
Dong Dong'en accidentally knocked over and broke a wooden photo frame Mr. Chen was making. As a way to make amends, Mr. Chen had them stay and help him craft a new one. Through this experience, Dong Dong'en found Mr. Chen to be like a playful old man—talented yet approachable. Mr. Chen eventually agreed to submit a design for the project, and Dong Dong'en planned to present it to Lou Mudan for a blind selection.
Soon after, Dong Dong'en's parents returned from a trip. Her mother noticed the ring Dong Dong'en wore as a necklace, and Dong Dong'en shyly announced that Lou Yuan had proposed. Her father was displeased, feeling that a cheap ring from a street stall showed a lack of respect and seriousness from Lou Yuan. Dong Dong'en defended him, insisting she didn't care about his family's wealth. Meanwhile, Lou Mudan discovered the ring Lou Yuan was also wearing as a necklace.
After questioning him, she learned he had proposed to Dong Dong'en with what she called a "plastic ring." Lou Mudan was filled with mixed emotions—thrilled that Dong Dong'en would be her daughter-in-law but annoyed that Lou Yuan had been so casual with the proposal. Determined to make up for her son's simple gesture, Lou Mudan took Lilian to a high-end jewelry store and bought a 5. 2-carat diamond ring worth 770,000 yuan for Dong Dong'en.
She also sincerely apologized to Lilian for her misguided matchmaking attempts. Lou Mudan then went directly to Dong Dong'en's home and presented her with the lavish ring just as her parents arrived. Seizing the opportunity, Lou Mudan invited them all to dinner to discuss the marriage. During dinner, an overly enthusiastic Lou Mudan overwhelmed Dong Dong'en and her parents by offering to buy the couple a house and promising a bride price of 1. 28 million yuan.
When Lou Yuan arrived, Dong Dong'en pulled him aside, expressing her shock at his mother's aggressive planning. He apologized and promised to calm her down. However, back at the table, Lou Mudan pushed to set the engagement for the following week.
Lou Yuan tried to reason with her, explaining that they had their own pace, but she brushed him off, admitting she had a "double standard": while she advocated for other women's careers, she expected her own daughter-in-law to prioritize family.
Episode 20 Recap
Lou Mudan congratulates Dong Dong'en on her engagement, noticing she isn't wearing her ring. Dong Dong'en explains it's too valuable to wear daily. Lou Mudan mentions she was unsure of Dong Dong'en's taste and had Li Li'an help select the style. Li Li'an interjects that she thought the large, bright ring she chose was the most suitable. After Dong Dong'en thanks her, Li Li'an pointedly asks if her involvement was upsetting.
Dong Dong'en deflects, asking if Li Li'an's intention was to make her happy or unhappy, prompting Li Li'an to excuse herself for work. Meanwhile, Li Li'an impresses interviewers at a foreign company by highlighting how her experience at Peony and understanding of the Chinese market would be a great asset. Immediately after, her mother, Zhao Guifen, confronts her, having discovered the interview.
Li Li'an confirms she plans to leave Peony, explaining that when a better opportunity arises, the current one is no longer enough. Reminded by her mother that she "wasn't like this before," Li Li'an coldly references her parents' divorce, stating they taught her to always choose the path most beneficial to herself. Mr. Wan summons Su Qi to his office, demanding to know why he rented prime locations for a dining salon without approval.
Su Qi explains he planned to reveal the project once complete, boasting that Triangle's salon would be larger than Peony's. Mr. Wan angrily rebukes him, declaring that copying a declining company like Peony would make Triangle a laughingstock. He argues that Triangle's strength lies in its diverse, low-margin sauces, and a dining salon is a misguided waste of resources.
Mr. Wan strips Su Qi of his authority over the project, and Su Qi later discovers a subordinate has been installed in his office, realizing he is being forced out. Lou Mudan blindly selects an anonymized design plan from several options, choosing veteran designer Chen Wende. She hires him on the condition that he strictly follows her vision for the shop, which he accepts. Later, Li Li'an assists Lou Mudan at the engagement venue.
A staff member, seeing her manage the details, mistakes her for the bride and praises her beauty and good fortune. Li Li'an does not correct the mistake. When Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan arrive late from work, Li Li'an claims she needs to check on the dining bar and departs. At the dining salon construction site, Li Li'an grows agitated with the slow progress, berating the workers for using incorrect materials and falling behind schedule.
While Lan Zhenzhen, Eight-two's new customer service hire, distributes drinks, a worker named Ke Maoxu, feeling pressured by Li Li'an's tirade, loses his footing and falls from a ladder, sustaining a serious head injury. He is rushed to the hospital. Unfazed, Li Li'an demands to know who is in charge and insists work must not stop, threatening to hold the team accountable for any delays.
At the hospital, the doctor reports that Ke Maoxu's surgery was successful but he remains in a coma in the ICU. When he briefly wakes, his first concern is the salon's opening. Han Chun and Xie Yi arrive and insist that Lou Yuan and Dong Dong'en proceed with their engagement ceremony, assuring the couple they will stay with Ke Maoxu.
Later, when Dong Dong'en goes to pay the medical fees, she is informed that an anonymous person has already paid a substantial sum of 80,360 yuan. At the engagement party, Li Li'an takes the stage as a self-appointed host. She introduces Lou Yuan as a handsome and desirable man, then introduces Dong Dong'en as the lucky future wife of a CEO. She pointedly draws attention to Dong Dong'en's 770,000 yuan limited-edition diamond ring.
Lou Yuan interrupts, takes the microphone, and declares that Dong Dong'en is the girl he loves most and deserves the world. He then proposes to her again to make up for their less formal first engagement. After the ceremony, Dong Dong'en confronts Li Li'an, who feigns innocence, listing all the ways she has "helped," from choosing the ring to finding a designer. Dong Dong'en retorts, asking if she should also thank her for Ke Maoxu's hospitalization.
Li Li'an dismisses it as an accident resulting from their own operational failure, claiming she was simply prioritizing company interests. She warns Dong Dong'en about the challenges of marrying into the Lou family, but Dong Dong'en coolly asserts that Lou Yuan will care for her and pointedly asks Li Li'an to help with the wedding too, leaving her speechless. The Peony Dining Salon opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
As they celebrate, Dong Dong'en receives a call from Han Chun informing her that Dongshi Company has filed a lawsuit against them. Back at the studio, the team frantically searches for the supplementary agreement that would protect them, only to realize it is missing. Lan Zhenzhen tearfully confesses that she was the last to handle the document and reveals she is Su Qi's cousin and initially joined the studio to help him.
Lan Zhenzhen's attempts to call Su Qi go unanswered. The team is devastated by her betrayal and the realization that without the supplementary agreement, they are legally bound by the original contract's exorbitant penalty clause, which they cannot afford. They conclude they were deliberately set up. As arguments erupt, with some blaming Lan Zhenzhen and others their own naivete, Trouble Ma urges them to stop fighting and focus on finding a solution.
Episode 21 Recap
Ba'er Creative faced legal trouble when Dongshi sued them. Lou Yuan met with Dong Dong'en to analyze the situation, confirming that Su Qi and Lan Zhenzhen had colluded. Lan Zhenzhen had swapped the contracts, sending the supplementary agreement to Su Qi and leaving Ba'er with the original version stipulating high compensation. Lou Yuan advised that their WeChat chat history was weak evidence and did not recommend a countersuit, as it was too risky and expensive.
He stated the best outcome would be a settlement, otherwise Ba'er would likely face bankruptcy. He presented two options: pay the compensation or dissolve the company. Distressed, Dong Dong'en felt responsible, believing Su Qi was targeting Ba'er because of her, and offered to pay the fine herself. Lou Yuan insisted it was Su Qi's fault, not hers, but she accepted blame for her lack of legal awareness which allowed Su Qi to exploit a loophole.
Lou Yuan reassured her and offered to cover Ke Maoxu's medical expenses, reasoning that as her fiancé, it was right for them to face difficulties together. Meanwhile, Dong Dong'en became the subject of intense online gossip, with posts calling her a "modern Cinderella." Hai showed her the articles, which detailed her engagement with invasive specificity, including a 5. 2-carat ring, an AW custom gown, and a block booking at the Walton Hotel.
The gossip frustrated Dong Dong'en, who felt she had been reduced to a "code name: Mr. Lou's mysterious girlfriend." Later, Lou Yuan saw the posts and grew suspicious about how the leaker knew such precise details. Hai's relationship with Ma Chengshu ended. She had confronted him about his absence from her film set, and he vaguely blamed the stress from Ba'er's legal issues. Later, Hai confided in Dong Dong'en that they had officially broken up.
She explained that their paths were diverging; her dream of being an actress clashed with his uncontrollable mysophobia, and staying together would only cause them both pain. Crying, she admitted to Dong Dong'en how much she truly liked him. Desperate for funds, Han Chun arranged a meeting with an investor from Han's Group, only to be met by his father.
His father criticized the mess Han Chun had made of his startup and offered a deal: he would resolve all of Ba'er's legal and financial problems if Han Chun returned home, cut ties with his "bad company" of friends, and agreed to take over the family business. Han Chun refused, explaining his desire to build something himself and not live in the "comfort zone" his father created. He wanted to live for himself and pursue a career with his friends.
His father gave him an ultimatum: if he walked out, he would be disowned. Elsewhere, Xie Yi was selling his prized collectibles on the street to raise money for the company. He was mocked by former colleagues until Zhu Li, who was passing by, intervened. She fiercely defended him, shaming the colleagues for their behavior and threatening to report them to their HR department, which made them quickly retreat. Grateful, Xie Yi offered her a limited-edition item she admired.
She refused to take it for free, offering instead to stay and help him sell. She praised his sacrifice for Ba'er, reminding him that things can be bought again, but "as long as people are here, there can be miracles." That evening, Han Chun visited the unconscious Ke Maoxu in the hospital. He spoke to him about the company's troubles, including the 700,000 yuan lawsuit, Hai and Ma Chengshu's breakup, and the cyberbullying Dong Dong'en was enduring.
He then tearfully thanked Ke for creating Ba'er, which had saved him from a puppet-like existence of an arranged marriage and inheriting a business he never wanted. He promised to protect the team in Ke's absence. Later, Lou Yuan brought Dong Dong'en soup and once again offered to invest in Ba'er. Dong Dong'en refused, explaining that she couldn't become dependent on him to solve all her problems, as she would risk "becoming unlike myself."
Understanding her need for independence, Lou Yuan agreed and made a pinky promise not to give them money directly, but vowed to find another way. The next morning, Lou Yuan sent a message indicating he was handling the investment documents, and then texted Lan Zhenzhen that Ba'er's problems were nearly solved. Shortly after, Han Chun arrived at the office with his luggage and announced that he had found a powerful company to invest, with the funds arriving that day.
When Dong Dong'en asked about his luggage, he lied, claiming he was leaving on a business trip to finalize the cooperation details. Unaware of the truth, she wished him a safe trip. After Han Chun left, Xie Yi arrived, and Dong Dong'en excitedly told him the good news that Han Chun had secured a sponsorship.
Episode 22 Recap
Dong Dong'en visited Ke Maoxu in the hospital, informing her colleagues that 1. 5 million yuan had appeared in the company account. She confirmed the funds were a genuine investment from Han's Group, secured by Han Chun. Despite the money's arrival, Han Chun was unreachable, which concerned Xie Yi and the others. They noted he hadn't answered calls since leaving to clear his head, yet had unexpectedly secured an investor.
A doctor then reported that Ke Maoxu's recovery was excellent and he could wake up at any time. Meanwhile, Su Qi, who was effectively forced into a long leave by Chairman Wan, returned to the office under the guise of collecting personal items. He was confronted by his replacement, Song Zhen, who called him a disposable "knife" in the chairman's hand and reminded him that his actions were subject to Wan's approval.
Before leaving, Su Qi retrieved something from a secure area containing confidential documents, remarking that "God is helping me." Concurrently, after seeing the court ruling confirming Ba'er Creative had lost its lawsuit against Dongshi, Lilian activated a prepared online smear campaign to release negative information and "take final action."
Shortly after, a barrage of malicious rumors flooded the internet, with posts and videos from alleged "insiders" falsely depicting Dong Dong'en as promiscuous and manipulative, accusing her of using relationships for professional gain. As netizens widely condemned her, the situation escalated. Dong Dong'en was verbally abused by strangers in public and, in one instance outside the hospital, was splashed with water by passersby who called her a "mistress." Xie Yi intervened, chasing the attackers away.
Lou Yuan, concerned for Dong Dong'en's safety, found her working at the dining saloon with Hai. Distressed by the online attacks, which had even exposed Dong Dong'en's home address, Lou Yuan suggested she move to a safe house he had arranged. However, Dong Dong'en firmly refused, stating she had done nothing wrong and would not hide like the "canary" they accused her of being.
She argued that the dining saloon needed her and expressed frustration over the passive role she felt she had taken in their relationship decisions. This difference in their approaches led to a significant disagreement. Later, Hai comforted Dong Dong'en, urging her to ignore the online negativity. Dong Dong'en also received a supportive phone call from her parents.
While her mother offered reassurance, her father advised her not to dwell on the comments but also voiced concern about the significant gap in social status between her and Lou Yuan, causing Dong Dong'en to cry. At the hospital, Xie Yi watched the online videos, visibly angered by the false accusations, which included a twisted version of Dong Dong'en rescuing a kitten being portrayed as animal abuse.
The sound from the videos seemed to reach the unconscious Ke Maoxu, who miraculously woke up. Upon waking, Ke Maoxu learned of the investment from Han's Group and became agitated. He explained that the company belonged to Han Chun's father, with whom Han Chun had cut ties years ago to start Ba'er Creative. Ke Maoxu deduced that to secure the funds, Han Chun must have agreed to his father's conditions.
Unable to reach him, the still-recovering Ke Maoxu insisted on going to Han's Group with Xie Yi and Ma Chengshu. There, Han Chun's father invited them to what he called a "farewell dinner," making it clear he looked down on Ba'er Creative and that Han Chun was back to take over the family business and get married. Despite the team's protests, he dismissed them and left with Han Chun.
Later, Lilian accompanied Lou Yuan to a business dinner where he drank heavily. Afterwards, Lilian took the intoxicated Lou Yuan to her home. Drunk, he repeatedly called out for "En'en." Lilian tried to deceive him by claiming to be Dong Dong'en, but he immediately recognized she was not. The next morning, Lou Yuan woke up at Lilian's place. She implied something had happened between them, but he saw through her pretense, telling her the "scheme" had failed.
When she asked why he rejected her, Lou Yuan stated that he doesn't base relationships on personal gain. He then told her to resign, revealing he knew she was behind the smear campaign. He pointed out that the detail of their names being engraved inside their engagement rings was known only to their families and her, confirming her involvement. When Lilian claimed he had no proof, Lou Yuan simply warned her to "try and see."
Taking action to help Ba'er Creative, Lou Yuan met with Han Chun's father. He praised the team's professionalism and dedication, citing Ke Maoxu's injury at the construction site as an example of their commitment. Out of respect for Lou Yuan, Han's father agreed to visit their office. Upon arrival, he remained dismissive, but the team made an impassioned plea. They presented their work, defended Han Chun's capability in building a company from scratch, and stressed his happiness with them.
Dong Dong'en emphasized that the right to pursue happiness is more valuable than wealth and that Ba'er Creative was incomplete without Han Chun. The team chanted their slogan in unison. In response, Han's father offered Dong Dong'en some cryptic advice about moving forward and finding a place where she could truly shine, before asking Han Chun to leave with him. As he left, Han Chun asked his colleagues to thank Lou Yuan for his help, regardless of the outcome.
Episode 23 Recap
After visiting Ba'er Creative, Han Chun's father's attitude softened. Unable to persuade his son to take over the family business, he set a condition: as a new shareholder, Han's Group would require Ba'er Creative to meet specific revenue targets. If they failed, he would personally ruin the company, leaving Han Chun with no choice but to return home and inherit the family fortune. Despite the high stakes, Ke Maoxu and the team remained confident they could meet the challenge.
Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan had a heartfelt conversation where she explained her recent emotional struggles. Feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, she confessed that she needed time to work through her own insecurities before she could truly stand by his side. Lou Yuan, while reminding her of their promise to face problems together, understood her need for space. He agreed to wait, playfully warning her not to forget him in the process.
Meanwhile, Su Qi argued with his father, frustrated by the constant pressure to return to work. During the heated exchange, his father collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. A doctor informed a shocked Su Qi that his father had a previously diagnosed lung tumor, which now showed signs of cancerization and required immediate surgery. Overwhelmed with guilt, Su Qi reminisced about a childhood wish for his father to get sick so he could prove his devotion.
As his father recovered, he admitted that his harsh criticism was his way of motivating Su Qi to be better. The two finally reconciled, and Su Qi shared his new startup idea: an "Urban Vegetable Garden" for city residents. His father, proud and supportive, offered financial backing, which Su Qi politely declined, confident he could secure his own investors. Dong Dong'en remained conflicted about her relationship with Lou Yuan.
Her friend Hai advised her to be honest with her feelings, warning her not to let insecurities lead to a breakup as it had for her. That night, Dong Dong'en couldn't sleep, replaying memories with Lou Yuan. The next morning, she visited Wang's steamed bun shop, a favorite spot. The owner mentioned Lou Yuan had recently visited and left messages on a board.
Reading his heartfelt notes—defending her against online trolls and expressing his deep admiration and love—moved Dong Dong'en to tears. At that moment, Lou Yuan called to meet. She rushed to the restaurant, relieved to find him there. They openly reaffirmed their love, with Dong Dong'en admitting her struggles stemmed from feeling unworthy of his affection and Lou Yuan apologizing for being too hasty and not respecting her need to overcome challenges on her own.
He promised to wait for her and support her dreams. Having already gathered evidence about the smear campaign, Lou Yuan had his lawyer contact Lilian. Lilian then met Dong Dong'en and offered 500,000 yuan as compensation, admitting she wanted to resolve the issue before moving to France. Dong Dong'en refused the money, disgusted by Lilian's attempt to buy her way out of trouble.
Lilian warned that being with Lou Yuan meant constant public scrutiny, but Dong Dong'en retorted that only the weak care about others' opinions. Lilian revealed she was leaving for a job at a company called Silma in France and planned to marry her new boss. Her mother, Zhao Guifen, was the last to find out and could only offer a sad blessing.
To unmask the culprits, Ke Maoxu and Fatty from Ba'er Creative posed as clients and secretly recorded staff from an online marketing studio bragging about orchestrating the "Cinderella scandal" against Dong Dong'en. With the video evidence, the team decided on a dual strategy: turn the evidence over to the police and release the video publicly. They planned to use the scandal's exposure to clear Dong Dong'en's name and launch a new promotional campaign for Peony's sauces.
The video's release caused a swift reversal in public opinion and renewed interest in the company. Separately, an associate named Mr. Wang discussed a large order of beef, mentioning a cheap but high-quality batch and detailing rigorous production checks, including the use of Brabander viscometers. Later, Zheng Chao sought out Lou Yuan. He first encountered Lou Yuan's mother, who, enraged by his betrayal, slapped him.
When Lou Yuan arrived, Zheng Chao confessed to sabotaging the tasting event and stealing company data, claiming Su Qi had threatened and forced him to do it. He offered to testify against Su Qi. Lou Yuan's mother demanded they call the police, but Lou Yuan stopped her. He placed Zheng Chao on suspended leave, ordering him to report to the office daily and remain silent.
Lou Yuan explained to his family that he suspected Zheng Chao was being manipulated by someone more powerful than the now-sidelined Su Qi. He theorized that a hidden rival was trying to provoke a fight between Peony and Su Qi. By letting Zheng Chao go, they could observe the real mastermind's next move and turn Zheng Chao into a more willing witness when he realized he'd been abandoned. Lou Yuan's family agreed with his strategic approach.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Dong Dong'en and Lou Yuan shared the same suspicion: Zheng Chao's decision to report Su Qi only after his departure from Triangle Group seemed orchestrated. They deduced someone was trying to instigate a conflict between Peony Corporation and Su Qi to benefit from the fallout. This led them to conclude that Su Qi was not the true mastermind; the real culprit was still on Triangle Group's board and needed to be exposed to resolve Peony's crisis.
Meanwhile, Wang Zijian conducted a routine inspection of raw materials. A warehouse owner informed him of a newly arrived, low-priced batch of beef, offering to reserve it for Peony due to their long-standing partnership, with payment due on delivery. Su Qi faced a major setback when Mr. Huang, a potential investor, withdrew his offer upon learning of Su Qi's departure from Triangle Group.
Mr. Huang admitted his interest was tied to Triangle's backing and warned Su Qi that those who leave Mr. Wan tend to fade into obscurity. As Su Qi’s projects floundered, Zheng Chao, whose betrayal was now exposed, attempted to flee with his payment but was intercepted and captured by Su Qi. Shortly after, Su Qi received a call from Lou Yuan to arrange a meeting.
At their meeting, Lou Yuan revealed that Zheng Chao had voluntarily approached him, offering to be a witness for Peony and providing evidence sufficient to imprison Su Qi. Having already dealt with Zheng Chao, Su Qi admitted to his past misdeeds but argued that bringing him down now, after he had left Triangle, would not benefit Lou Yuan. Instead, he proposed they cooperate to defeat their common enemy, Mr. Wan.
Su Qi revealed he possessed evidence of Mr. Wan's illegal private transactions, gathered over his years at Triangle, and offered to share it in exchange for the incriminating recordings of his own actions once Mr. Wan was dealt with. Lou Yuan reminded Su Qi that he was the one in immediate danger, as Mr. Wan was actively trying to frame him as a scapegoat.
Su Qi acknowledged this but stressed the sincerity of his offer, warning that Mr. Wan's schemes were far more ruthless than his own and could ruin Peony. Later, discussing the matter with Dong Dong'en, Lou Yuan agreed they needed to seize the initiative, citing that the enemy of an enemy can be a friend. Lou Yuan gathered Dong Dong'en, Wang Zijian, and Cao Ya, asserting that they must shift from a defensive to an offensive stance against Mr. Wan.
Su Qi then arrived with critical intelligence: at 1 AM that night, Mr. Wan planned to mix nearly three tons of cheap, long-frozen "zombie meat" with regular meat at a sauce processing plant. Securing evidence of this illegal meat would be enough to bring Mr. Wan down. Following a plan devised by Su Qi, who provided a floor plan and arranged for friendly guards, Ke Maoxu and Xie Yi disguised themselves as movers to infiltrate the specified warehouse.
However, they discovered only properly packaged, regular frozen meat. When Ke Maoxu reported the failure, Lou Yuan doubted Su Qi would lie at such a critical moment. He then recalled Wang Zijian's earlier conversation about a large batch of low-priced beef and suspected a bait-and-switch. Lou Yuan, Dong Dong'en, Wang Zijian, and Cao Ya raced to the other warehouse. There, they found Mr. Wan and his men moving the illicit meat.
As Dong Dong'en filmed the scene with her phone, Mr. Wan spotted them and ordered his men to seize the phone. A struggle broke out, but before they could destroy the evidence, the police arrived and apprehended Mr. Wan and his crew. News reports later confirmed the bust of a large-scale smuggling operation, and Mr. Wan was sentenced to ten years in prison with a substantial fine.
With Mr. Wan neutralized, Triangle Group's reputation collapsed, ending its threat to Peony Corporation. A confident Lou Mudan fully entrusted the company to Lou Yuan's team, celebrating with Chen Wende over a hotpot meal. In their personal lives, Lou Yuan began secretly planning to propose, trying to measure Dong Dong'en's ring size while she slept and later browsing engagement rings. At Ba'er Creative, business was booming: they hired a new employee, Yu, and Xie Yi was promoted to Creative Director.
To his delight, his idol, singer Ai Lin, approached them to create the opening film for her anniversary concert. Ke Maoxu assigned the project to Xie Yi, who was briefly starstruck upon meeting Ai Lin before professionally beginning their collaboration. A headhunter from Xiangde Group, a subsidiary of the powerful Xiangyun Group, offered Dong Dong'en a lucrative position with a high salary, shares, a house, and a car. Her colleagues overheard with concern.
Dong Dong'en, after joking about wanting an even higher salary, politely but firmly declined, stating that her colleagues at Ba'er were more valuable to her than any amount of money. Touched by her loyalty, Ke Maoxu brought Lan Zhenzhen back to the studio. Dong Dong'en happily welcomed her back, acknowledging her professional growth. Soon after, Wang Zijian joyfully announced that he and Cao Ya were expecting a baby.
Inspired by the positive events, Dong Dong'en decided to take matters into her own hands. With her friends' help, she decorated Ba'er Creative for a surprise. When Lou Yuan arrived, she proposed to him. To her delight, Lou Yuan revealed he had the same intention, pulling out a ring and proposing to her in return. Surrounded by their cheering friends, they exchanged rings and shared a kiss as celebratory fireworks lit up the night sky.
