Hello Mr. Gu Episode 16 Recap
> Hello Mr. Gu Recap
Zhou Jianqing erupted with joy upon learning she had made it into the semi-finals, excitedly leaping into Gu Nanzhou's arms. Suppressing a smile, Gu Nanzhou watched as she quickly realized her spontaneous action and jumped down. She then eagerly invited him to attend her finalist speech on Friday, an invitation he readily accepted despite his busy schedule. Meanwhile, Jiang Jingxuan instructed an associate to investigate Zhou Jianqing and manipulate her standing in the comic competition.
Separately, Ms. Zhang, Zhou Jianqing's teacher, expressed concern about Zhang Yin, a talented oil painting student. She told Zhou Jianqing that Zhang Yin, whose skill was top-notch, was considering giving up a rare competition opportunity—one that could connect him with leading industry artists—for a part-time assistant job. Zhou Jianqing immediately sought out Zhang Yin, pressing him about his decision to withdraw from the oil painting competition, especially since his favorite artists, Mr. Li Ya and Raman Anderson, would be involved.
Zhang Yin confessed he was working as her assistant and had abandoned the competition because he believed they could win a prize of hundreds of thousands of RMB in her comic competition, which he expected to split with her. Exasperated but understanding, Zhou Jianqing "fired" him on the spot, reassuring him that he was still her closest junior. She encouraged him to enter his competition, defeat everyone, and bring glory to her.
Zhang Yin ultimately agreed, and Zhou Jianqing gave him an invitation, urging him to attend her event on Friday. On Friday, Zhang Yin found himself sitting uncomfortably between Su Youxia and Zhou Zixuan, whose tense silence created an awkward atmosphere. Feeling suffocated, Zhang Yin called Zhou Jianqing backstage. During the call, Zhou Jianqing suggested they all celebrate with hot pot afterward, and at Zhang Yin's request, she confirmed with Gu Nanzhou that he would join them.
As Zhou Jianqing was called to the stage, she appeared distracted, and Gu Nanzhou had to gently remind her it was her turn. Moments later, Jiang Xiaochuan called Gu Nanzhou, urging him to check the competition's official social media account. Gu Nanzhou discovered a barrage of comments accusing Zhou Jianqing of plagiarism, claiming the script provided to her was stolen.
Zhou Jianqing ascended the stage nervously, only to be met with a torrent of abuse and objects hurled from the audience. Gu Nanzhou swiftly rushed forward, shielded her, and led her off the stage. Disheveled and upset, Zhou Jianqing collapsed into Gu Nanzhou's arms, weeping. For the rest of the day, she remained hidden in her room. Su Youxia and Zhou Zixuan grew increasingly worried, with Zhou Zixuan nearly kicking the door in.
When Zhou Jianqing finally opened it, she insisted she was fine and busy with her comic, claiming she hadn't heard them knock because she was wearing headphones. Before leaving, Su Youxia and Zhou Zixuan implored Gu Nanzhou to look after her, suggesting he act as a "sandbag" for her to vent her frustration, to which he reluctantly agreed. As they departed, Su Youxia acknowledged that Zhou Jianqing, who tends to suppress her sadness, likely needed time alone.
Zhou Zixuan then asked Su Youxia about her recent absence, but she gave a vague excuse and quickly left. With the television volume turned up high to mask her sobs, Zhou Jianqing continued to cry in her room, while Gu Nanzhou paced anxiously outside. Elsewhere, Jiang Jingxuan observed the outcome of her machinations with satisfaction and growing jealousy. Later, Gu Nanzhou signed an investment agreement with Mr. Sun for the "Lake Xingling" project.
Jiang Jingxuan proposed a celebratory dinner, but Gu Nanzhou received a message from a worried Su Youxia saying Zhou Jianqing was unresponsive. Citing an urgent family matter, he immediately excused himself and rushed home. He later updated Su Youxia that Zhou Jianqing seemed fine, even taking photo retouching orders from the same netizens who had been mocking her online. However, Su Youxia explained that her friend often watches horror movies when sad, using them as a legitimate excuse to cry.
Back home, Gu Nanzhou sat beside Zhou Jianqing, offering to watch the horror movie with her, but he was easily startled by the scary scenes. Amused, Zhou Jianqing changed the channel to a romance film for his sake. Gu Nanzhou gently encouraged her to cry if she needed to. Asking him to cover his ears, Zhou Jianqing confessed her deep regret.
She admitted that when she first saw the script, she noticed the style was different and some parts felt strangely familiar, but she had ignored her instincts due to a tight deadline. She accepted the public outcry as punishment for her oversight, emphasizing that acknowledging mistakes is necessary to move forward. With renewed fire, she declared her determination to make a spectacular comeback, vowing that those who criticized her would one day become her most ardent fans.
Moved, Gu Nanzhou quietly admitted that she was braver than he was. Zhou Jianqing leaned her head on his shoulder, hugging his arm and allowing herself a moment of comfort, promising herself that from tomorrow, she would be a better tenant. The following morning, as Zhou Jianqing and Gu Nanzhou left home together, a person rushed out from a corner and knocked Zhou Jianqing to the ground. Gu Nanzhou immediately stepped in front of her protectively.
