Hello, I'm At Your Service Episode 19 Recap
> Hello, I'm At Your Service 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.
