Hello Mr. Gu Episode 3 Recap
> Hello Mr. Gu Recap
Gu Nanzhou, who harbors a phobia of crowds, has breakfast prepared by Jiang Xiaochuan. Zhou Jianqing's messy eating habits, like not eating bread crust and making noise while drinking porridge, irritate Gu Nanzhou. She retorts by calling him chubby and criticizing his own habits, leading to a heated argument where Gu Nanzhou claims her eating disrupts his "eating pace and taste buds." Zhou Jianqing, declaring herself "full due to anger," leaves the table, and Gu Nanzhou also loses his appetite.
Later, missing her bus, Zhou Jianqing desperately pleads with Gu Nanzhou and Jiang Xiaochuan for a ride to Nancheng University, as she is late for her career guidance course. Gu Nanzhou initially refuses, citing Article 30 of their agreement which states Party B (Zhou Jianqing) should not cause trouble beyond the agreement. Zhou Jianqing counters that he was the reason she was kept up all night, preventing her from returning to school earlier.
After her persistent begging and promises not to bother him again, Gu Nanzhou reluctantly allows her into his car. At Nancheng University, Zhou Jianqing's roommates, eager for gossip, question her about her overnight absence. Just then, Gu Nanzhou arrives, stepping out of his car to hand Zhou Jianqing her forgotten bag.
To their surprise, he introduces himself to the roommates as Zhou Jianqing's fiancé, light-heartedly suggesting that she has a habit of telling "inappropriate jokes" to imply her past denials were just that. Zhou Jianqing tries to downplay the situation, but Gu Nanzhou takes her phone and changes his contact name to "Hubby." He then asserts that, according to their agreement, they are "engaged in front of others from now on," warning her not to "spout nonsense" to others again.
Zhou Jianqing, frustrated, reminds him that while she will "fulfill her duty" as his fiancée, she doesn't want him to act as her fiancé, fearing she'll lose her "chance of knowing other men." Gu Nanzhou simply tells her to "behave" as he is "short-tempered."
Su Youxia discreetly enters the classroom, immediately asking Zhou Jianqing if the news about her marrying Gu Nanzhou is true, mentioning that even students from other colleges know and their wedding photos are circulating on bridal shop advertisements. Zhou Jianqing quickly explains that it's a temporary arrangement because Gu Nanzhou helped her, clarifying that they are merely "acting like they're in a relationship" and are "unrelated in private."
She assures Su Youxia that they "don't like each other" and that a "spark of romance" is impossible, "even if it's the end of the world." Desperate, she then extracts a promise from Su Youxia not to tell her brother, Zhou Zixuan, about the fake engagement, fearing his severe reaction if he knew. Su Youxia reluctantly agrees. Later, Zhang Yin approaches them, visibly upset about Zhou Jianqing's impending marriage.
Su Youxia also remains unenthusiastic about the news, despite Zhou Jianqing's attempts to lighten the mood by joking about "marrying into a rich family" and promising "big red packets" at her wedding. Gu Nanzhou is conspicuously absent from a critical company meeting, sending Jiang Xiaochuan to represent him.
At the meeting, Lu Ziming, leading a faction including Mr. Li, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Zhuo, and Mr. Zheng, confidently states that their combined shares constitute 41% of Gu's Group, surpassing the 39% held by Gu Nanzhou and Mr. Wu, thereby supporting the shutdown of Xingyun. However, Jiang Xiaochuan interjects, reminding Lu Ziming about the small shareholders' votes.
He then presents an authorization letter from these small shareholders, granting Gu Nanzhou an additional 4% of shares, which swings the majority to 43% in favor of Xingyun. Following this development, Gu Nanzhou appears via video call and proposes that Xingyun will "be detached from the group in the future," operating "independently and bear its own profit and losses," and "no longer exist as a subsidiary of Gu's Group."
He assures the board that Xingyun will achieve its expected profit within a year to "repay the group for its investment," to which Lu Ziming eventually agrees. Zhou Jianqing, keen to capitalize on a business opportunity, encounters a bookstore selling books at a 90% discount due to an expiring lease. She suggests to the owner a plan: move the books to the west campus, which lacks bookstores, and sell them at a 50% discount.
In return for a 20% commission, she guarantees to sell them all. She quickly sets up a stall, only to be stopped by the City Management, who inform her that she is "not allowed to sell anything here." Meanwhile, Gu Nanzhou and Jiang Jingxuan are meeting with a client, Mr. Luo, who makes lighthearted remarks about Gu Nanzhou having both a "young and cute" assistant and a "gentle and intellectual beauty" like Jiang Jingxuan by his side.
As Jiang Jingxuan presents a new proposal, Gu Nanzhou's phone, with Zhou Jianqing listed as "Wife," constantly rings. When Mr. Luo invites them to dinner, Gu Nanzhou excuses himself, explaining that his "fiancée has an emergency" he must attend to. Despite Jiang Jingxuan's offer to go in his stead, Gu Nanzhou insists on handling it himself. He arrives at the Urban Administrative and Law Enforcement Bureau, where Zhou Jianqing is being held for illegal street vending.
She explains that the authorities "insisted on seeing my kin," and she couldn't let her brother know. Gu Nanzhou, calling her a "disgrace," reminds her that she has already violated their agreement twice and warns her not to "tarnish Party A's image" or "create trouble for me," threatening her with "compensation for all losses." Zhou Jianqing, feeling that her situation is "difficult," promises to comply and pay any fines, though she admits she's currently broke.
Gu Nanzhou then drives her back to Nancheng University, reiterating his warning not to "run a stall" or "tarnish my image." After Gu Nanzhou drops Zhou Jianqing off at Nancheng University, reiterating his warning about avoiding stalls and protecting his image, Jiang Jingxuan approaches Zhou Jianqing. She confirms Zhou Jianqing is Gu Nanzhou's fiancée and advises her to "be careful next time" to avoid causing Gu Nanzhou worry.
Learning that Zhou Jianqing wants to sell vintage clothing, Jiang Jingxuan even offers to connect her with friends in the City Management Bureau to find approved stalls. Zhou Jianqing eagerly accepts. Later, as Gu Nanzhou and Jiang Jingxuan drive, she asks him if "looking after a young girlfriend" who "never grows up" is "hectic." She offers him a bowl of porridge, but he declines, stating he dislikes eating in the car and is still "full due to anger."
Meanwhile, Zhou Jianqing faces a stern warning from her teacher for repeatedly violating school rules, including selling roses in the men's dormitory, selling succulent plants, and posting advertisements for April Fool's pranks. The teacher expresses extreme frustration over debt collectors, whom she refers to as "rogues," having entered the dormitory and damaged water pipes, risking Zhou Jianqing's graduation. Zhou Jianqing tearfully explains her family's burden of millions in debt and her desperate efforts with her brother to repay it.
Pleading not to be punished, as it would jeopardize her job prospects, the teacher advises her to apply to "leave school early" and prioritize her safety. Back in the dormitory, Zhou Jianqing's roommates complain loudly about their damaged belongings, including new shoes and limited-edition figurines, which were ruined by the "rogues" who tampered with the water pipes. They blame Zhou Jianqing for attracting the debt collectors and express fear that they might be targeted next.
Overhearing their grievances, Zhou Jianqing feels immense guilt. She apologizes, promises to compensate them for all damages, and declares she will "move out today" to ensure the "rogues won't come anymore." She quietly encourages herself, affirming her ability to endure, clear her debts, and resolve her troubles. Carrying her luggage alone, Zhou Jianqing calls Su Youxia, hoping to stay at her place, but learns that Su Youxia is away with her mother at Luhu Lake hot springs.
With her phone battery dying, Zhou Jianqing feels increasingly vulnerable and suspects she is being followed by debt collectors. Having no other option, she heads to Gu Nanzhou's apartment. To her alarm, a person follows her into the elevator. Since Gu Nanzhou doesn't answer his door, she enters using the password, only to discover that the person was merely a neighbor.
Inside, she finds the apartment empty, interacting with Gu Nanzhou's smart home system, which automatically welcomes her and attempts to activate lights, air conditioning, and music, all of which she declines. Meanwhile, Gu Nanzhou is driving Jiang Jingxuan home. Jiang Jingxuan notices Zhou Jianqing's meal card in his car and, sensing a deeper connection, asks when they started dating. Gu Nanzhou's vague reply of "not long ago" leaves Jiang Jingxuan visibly disappointed.
Upon returning to his apartment, Gu Nanzhou hears a noise inside. Believing an intruder has entered, he quickly grabs a tool and prepares to call the police, only to discover that the unexpected guest is Zhou Jianqing.
