Hello, I'm At Your Service Episode 18 Recap
> Hello, I'm At Your Service 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.
