Hello Mr. Gu Episode 1 Recap
> Hello Mr. Gu Recap
Gu Nanzhou, the powerful CEO of Gu Group and Xingyun Animation, successfully transformed Gu Group into a new media powerhouse in just four years and established the internationally recognized Xingyun Animation. He appeared on a program to discuss Xingyun's "Look at the World from Children's Eyes" project, a charity initiative where all of Xingyun's authors would create fairy tales for children.
Despite a scheduled meeting to discuss a contract renewal with Manxing, Gu Nanzhou abruptly canceled it, deciding instead to terminate their contract. He asserted that Manxing produced only "copycat" works that lacked true value and would turn Xingyun into "garbage" if they relied on such content. He insisted Xingyun must focus on producing the "finest work" to establish itself in the industry.
Meanwhile, Zhou Jianqing, a University of Nancheng student, juggled various odd jobs like delivery and errands to supplement her primary profession as a cartoonist. Mr. Liu of Manxing tasked her with drawing "365 Days of a Terminally Ill Girl," based on a new, dramatic draft that included a global billionaire male lead and an implausible love-at-first-sight scenario. Despite her reservations about the "brainless and illogical" plot, the high pay of 200 RMB per page convinced her to accept.
After Gu Nanzhou’s decision to terminate the contract, Mr. Liu attempted to plead with him, suggesting he consider Manxing's female-oriented works. Gu Nanzhou dismissed these, citing a barrage of negative online reviews about their imitative art style and nonsensical plots. Frustrated, Mr. Liu turned on Zhou Jianqing, accusing her of being too impatient and failing to meet requirements, deducting 20% from her pay. Zhou Jianqing protested, stating she had followed company instructions.
As Gu Nanzhou prepared to leave, he accidentally stepped on her manuscript. Incensed, Zhou Jianqing confronted him, demanding respect for her hard work. Gu Nanzhou scoffed, accusing her work, "Paradise Street 19," of being a blatant copy of Qin Wenjun's "Tiantang Street 3." Zhou Jianqing adamantly denied plagiarism, insisting she created her work through countless hours of overtime.
She demanded an apology and compensation for her ruined drafts, calculating 1,000 RMB for the damages plus mental anguish and interruption fees, threatening a lawsuit for property infringement. Annoyed but compliant, Gu Nanzhou scanned her payment code and left. Later, Zhou Jianqing vented her frustration to her friend Zhang Yin, describing Manxing as a "trap" and Gu Nanzhou as an arrogant, heartless man who deserved to be "strangled."
While in class, Zhou Jianqing was called upon to discuss the design points of high-rise buildings, referencing the Nanfeng Tower. Simultaneously, Gu Nanzhou's assistant informed him about his father's will, written five years prior. The will bequeathed Gu Nanzhou 10% of Gu Group's shares and a letter. The letter expressed his father's dying wish for Gu Nanzhou to take care of his old friend Zhou Mingyong's daughter, Zhou Jianqing.
Gu Nanzhou realized with surprise that this was the same woman he had just encountered. Zhou Jianqing's excellent answer in class earned her the position of class representative for the semester. Outside, she received a parcel from her brother, Zhou Zixuan, which, as usual, had been delivered to their friend Su Youxia's house. Su Youxia also gave Zhou Jianqing 5,000 RMB, claiming it was a grand prize from a supermarket lottery.
However, the truth was that Zhou Zixuan had asked her to pass the money to his sister, a fact their friend Zhang Yin quickly deduced, noting Su Youxia was a bad liar. At a Gu Group meeting, Gu Nanzhou's absence was notable, especially as Lu Ziming was aggressively acquiring company shares, threatening his control. Despite the urgency, Gu Nanzhou turned his attention to Zhou Jianqing’s information, realizing the deep connection between their families.
He learned that the Zhou family, particularly Zhou Mingyong, had significantly helped his father during difficult times, and that his father’s last wish was to see him and Zhou Jianqing together. Given the financial struggles of Zhou Jianqing and her brother, Gu Nanzhou felt compelled to act on his father’s will. With no time for traditional dating, Gu Nanzhou suggested proposing directly. His assistant, Jiang Xiaochuan, intervened, suggesting a classic "hero saves the damsel" scenario.
The plan unfolded on a rainy night, with Zhou Jianqing being harassed by "debt collectors" in a staged event. Gu Nanzhou appeared dramatically, dispatched the thugs, and took a shaken Zhou Jianqing to his car. Inside, Zhou Jianqing admitted her heart raced at his sudden appearance. Gu Nanzhou then directly proposed marriage, offering his protection and a solution to her brother's significant debts, which stemmed from a guaranty agreement their mother had signed.
When Gu Nanzhou attempted to offer her his coat, Zhou Jianqing misunderstood his intentions, reacting defensively and fleeing the scene. Zhou Jianqing later recounted her "heroic escape" to Su Youxia, admitting she slapped Gu Nanzhou before running away. She also expressed worry over her brother's unresponsiveness. Soon after, the dorm aunt complained about the numerous flower bouquets Gu Nanzhou sent to her.
Undeterred, Jiang Xiaochuan continued to advise Gu Nanzhou, suggesting an array of gestures, including luxurious seafood lunches and even a "dedicated umbrella holder." When these attempts failed, Jiang Xiaochuan proposed a "grand scene." Zhou Jianqing unknowingly accepted a freelance job to set up a marriage proposal, only to discover at the site that the elaborate setup was for her. Gu Nanzhou stoically presented a ring and asked her to marry him in front of a large, cheering crowd.
Zhou Jianqing immediately refused. Gu Nanzhou, insisting he was serious, gave her "five seconds to calm down," but she reiterated her refusal. As she left, she returned to demand her 2,000 RMB service fee for the setup. Stating he had already paid, Gu Nanzhou pulled her close, but she remained unyielding and stepped on his foot.
The next day, following Jiang Xiaochuan's advice—his "trump card" being that bags can "cure all ills"—numerous designer handbags were delivered to Zhou Jianqing as "apology gifts." Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaochuan chaired a meeting for the "Xingling Lake" project, with Gu Nanzhou remotely directing him through an earpiece. Determined to end the overtures, Zhou Jianqing stormed into Gu Group headquarters, bypassed the receptionist, and barged into Gu Nanzhou's office.
She demanded he take back all his gifts and stay out of her life. Gu Nanzhou calmly stated he would take back the gifts, but only if she promised to marry him. Zhou Jianqing challenged him, asking why he was so determined to marry her after only knowing her for a few days. Gu Nanzhou replied bluntly, "Because I am handsome, outstanding, and blind." As he stepped closer, Zhou Jianqing was startled, tripping backward and accidentally pulling Gu Nanzhou down onto the sofa with her, resulting in an unexpected kiss.
