Hello, I'm At Your Service Episode 12 Recap
> Hello, I'm At Your Service 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.
