Hello, I'm At Your Service Episode 3 Recap
> Hello, I'm At Your Service 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Dong'en suggested they target college students—who are receptive to novelty and enjoy banter—with an unconventional "outdated is the new trendy" approach.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.
