Hot Girl Episode 16 Recap
> Hot Girl Recap
Upon being persuaded by Lele, Ma Li finally agreed to help Guan Xiaodi with her mission, bringing Lele with her to L. H. S. D. Guan Xiaodi then shared her plan. To resolve Xiaotong’s love life, Guan Xiaodi orchestrated a situation where Xiaotong and Ma Li would appear openly affectionate in front of Xiaotong's girlfriend, Xiaoya. Ma Li's striking looks and figure were sure to outshine Xiaoya, and the plan unfolded smoothly.
Seeing Xiaotong embracing Ma Li, a furious Xiaoya chased after them. Ma Li, however, ignored her and drove away with Xiaotong. Xiaoya then repeatedly called Xiaotong, eventually leading to their reconciliation at their usual meeting spot. With this, Guan Xiaodi successfully completed her mission. Guan Xiaodi later thought of Ju Liang, who had left L. H. S. D. with deep resentment. In a flashback, he was seen shouting, "Why do I have to leave while you get to stay?
It's all because you're Xiong Kuohai's son." Others tried to calm him down, telling Guan Xiaodi that fairness did not exist there. Ju Liang harbored a grudge against Guan Xiaodi for choosing L. H. S. D. over him, despite his constant protection. Mustering her courage, Guan Xiaodi visited Ju Liang at his home, finding him in a state of self-destruction. She felt pity for him but also believed he was too fragile to handle setbacks.
Ju Liang took the opportunity to confess his profound feelings for Guan Xiaodi, telling her, "No matter how hard I work, I can never be together with you," and "I really, truly like you." However, Guan Xiaodi rejected him, leaving him to realize that they could never return to their past relationship, and she departed feeling helpless. Separately, Liang Dawei's client, Xiao Mu, received a call from his sister informing him that their mother was hospitalized.
Xiao Mu was hesitant to return home, suspecting his sister might be tricking him to get money. He decided to have Liang Dawei accompany him back to his hometown. As Liang Dawei couldn't make this decision independently, he brought Xiao Mu to L. H. S. D. for approval. Fang Shu'an then decided that Guan Xiaodi and Liang Dawei would escort Xiao Mu together.
Later, while Emma and others were celebrating Guan Xiaodi's successful first mission at a bar, Liang Dawei appeared to inform Guan Xiaodi of Fang Shu'an's arrangement. Guan Xiaodi agreed, considering it official business. Ju Liang, observing them from the side, became very angry seeing Liang Dawei and Guan Xiaodi together, but felt helpless, knowing Guan Xiaodi had clearly rejected him.
Later that night, after leaving a bar where he had been drinking, Ju Liang was confronted by a group of men who tried to rob him. Despite his protests, they forcibly took his money after a struggle. Reflecting on his life, Ju Liang felt that his current relationship with Guan Xiaodi was "all thanks to L. H. S. D. and Liang Dawei," fueling his desire for revenge. Soon after, he received a mysterious phone call.
The caller asked if he was Ju Liang but refused to identify themselves, stating, "Who I am is not important." Ju Liang threatened to hang up, but the caller taunted him, saying, "L. H. S. D. not wanting you is correct it seems," and calling him "a self-pitying weakling" who greatly disappointed them. Provoked, Ju Liang demanded to know who it was and how they knew about him.
The caller reiterated that their identity wasn't important but offered to meet "anytime, anywhere" if he truly wished to know. Ju Liang agreed to the meeting, intent on retaliating against L. H. S. D. and Liang Dawei. Meanwhile, Zhang Yan's client, Tan Li, was beaten by her husband, Lü Zitao, who refused to grant her a divorce. Upon learning this, Zhang Yan immediately went to Tan Li, realizing that Tan Li had sought L. H. S. D.'
s protection specifically from her husband's abuse. Enraged, Zhang Yan confronted Lü Zitao, who responded by slapping her. Without hesitation, Zhang Yan retaliated, beating Lü Zitao before taking Tan Li away. Lü Zitao subsequently demanded ¥500,000 in compensation and threatened to sue L. H. S. D. and Zhang Yan. Liu Sha confronted Zhang Yan with Lü Zitao's medical report, pointing out the serious consequences of her impulsive actions.
Zhang Yan defended herself, stating she "hates men who abuse women the most." She offered to resign, asserting that the matter had nothing to do with L. H. S. D. and that Lü Zitao should sue her alone. However, Xiong Kuohai reminded her that she was part of L. H. S. D. and questioned how she could take responsibility by leaving. He then asked her to recite L. H. S. D.'
s motto: "Perfectionism, Taking Full Responsibility, Exceeding Our Limits, Impenetrable." Xiong Kuohai admitted he admired her for beating such a "scum," but urged her to fulfill the "Taking Full Responsibility" part by not abandoning Tan Li or allowing Lü Zitao to continue his abusive ways. He proposed that he would help her resolve the situation. Back at the L. H. S. D. office, the team gathered to devise a plan.
Pink Panther presented Lü Zitao's profile, revealing him as a highly educated, wealthy entrepreneur planning to go public with his company. The team, led by Guan Xiaodi, proposed leaking his domestic violence to the media to destroy his reputation and financial prospects, thus forcing him to agree to a divorce and leave him with no assets. However, Tan Li refused, stating she didn't want to hurt him and still had feelings for him, despite his abuse.
Zhang Yan expressed her frustration, unable to comprehend Tan Li's loyalty. Guan Xiaodi then intervened, pressing Tan Li to consider if Lü Zitao still had feelings for her or if he had already betrayed their marriage. Tan Li insisted there were no "ifs" in reality. Guan Xiaodi then presented Tan Li with irrefutable photographic evidence of Lü Zitao's affair. Seeing the truth, Tan Li was devastated, realizing she was "the most foolish person in this world."
Zhang Yan encouraged her to seek a divorce immediately to regain her assets and start anew. Guan Xiaodi added that it was not too late, advising her to be glad they had no children and could still start over. Tan Li finally agreed to follow their advice. Guan Xiaodi instructed her to call Lü Zitao and demand a divorce. During the call, Lü Zitao angrily refused the divorce, threatening to sue L. H. S. D.
Guan Xiaodi took the phone, telling him he "deserved it" for his actions. She then sent him the evidence of his affair. Seeing the photos, Lü Zitao's demeanor changed. He called back, trying to negotiate peacefully. Guan Xiaodi, still on the phone, presented him with divorce papers, demanding 60% of his assets for Tan Li due to his domestic abuse and adultery. Lü Zitao agreed to the divorce on the condition that the photos and negatives were returned and destroyed.
Guan Xiaodi also made him sign an admission to absolve Zhang Yan and L. H. S. D. of any responsibility for damages. Lü Zitao complied. Afterwards, Tan Li expressed her pain and confusion, but Guan Xiaodi consoled her, telling her to treat it as a bad nightmare, look ahead, and embrace a new, happier life. Tan Li thanked L. H. S. D. for their help.
Following the successful resolution of Tan Li's case, Xiong Kuohai called a meeting to discuss Zhang Yan's future. He confirmed that Lü Zitao had dropped the charges, safeguarding L. H. S. D. for now, but Zhang Yan's impulsive actions remained a concern. Liu Sha argued that young people make mistakes and that Zhang Yan should be given another chance. Qin Sheng agreed, praising Zhang Yan's performance during training and calling it a shame to dismiss her.
Xiong Kuohai acknowledged Zhang Yan's potential but expressed concern that her impulsiveness, demonstrated even in a simple task, could be a "fatal time-bomb" for L. H. S. D. Qin Sheng countered that problems could be fixed and growth was a gradual process. Xiong Kuohai ultimately decided to extend Zhang Yan's probation period for further observation, stating L. H. S. D. would not give up on anyone, but also wouldn't tolerate unchecked actions.
Separately, Liu Sha asked Pink Panther to trace a phone number, revealing that Zhang Yan had made numerous calls to it during training, under Qin Sheng’s supervision. Pink Panther, later confiding in Guan Xiaodi, said she was looking into it to stay "a step ahead." Their investigation revealed that Zhang Yan had a four-year-old daughter named Xiao Yu, living with her grandmother, and Zhang Yan's financial situation was dire.
Xiao Yu's grandmother explained that Zhang Yan had been forced into becoming a bodyguard after being domestically abused by her ex-husband, Wang Dafang, who was displeased that she bore him a daughter. Zhang Yan secretly called Xiao Yu every night, as her daughter was her most private secret. Pink Panther reported these findings to Xiong Kuohai and Liu Sha.
Qin Sheng added that Zhang Yan's past abuse explained why she identified with Tan Li and acted so fiercely against Lü Zitao. Liu Sha, however, maintained that Zhang Yan's personal struggles did not excuse her actions, and questioned why Qin Sheng had kept Zhang Yan's history a secret, implying a lack of transparency. Qin Sheng admitted he had known about Zhang Yan's situation all along and allowed her to make calls because he had promised to keep her secret.
Liu Sha accused him of lying and being a hypocrite. Xiong Kuohai interrupted their heated exchange, reminding them to focus on Zhang Yan's case, not their past. Liu Sha then stormed out, telling Xiong Kuohai that whatever decision they made about Zhang Yan was up to them. Xiong Kuohai urged Qin Sheng to follow her. Later, Qin Sheng confronted Liu Sha, trying to explain his actions by saying he understood Zhang Yan’s feelings as a mother missing her child.
Liu Sha vehemently rejected his apology, saying, "I hate liars the most" and that concealing the truth was the same as deceit to her. She concluded by telling Qin Sheng, "In my heart, you are a killer." Qin Sheng later reflected on her words, contemplating the contradiction of being seen as "Adonis" by some, yet a "killer" in Liu Sha's heart.
