Light Chaser Rescue Episode 14 Recap
> Light Chaser Rescue Recap
Zhou Mingming admits to his mother that he secretly joined a non-profit rescue team and has performed exceptionally well in his training. His mother expresses deep concern over the inherent dangers of such work, questioning if he truly considers the risks to his own life. Zhou Mingming, however, asserts his desire for autonomy, stating he is tired of her dictating every aspect of his life, from his education to his friendships.
His mother, calling him spoiled, reluctantly agrees to let him continue with his rescue work, but only on the condition that he effectively manages his responsibilities at the company. He agrees, and begins massaging her shoulder. Meanwhile, Xiong Fei returns home, where his parents express their worries about his busy schedule as a deliveryman and their hopes for him to find a girlfriend. He reassures them about his health and his commitment to earning money to take care of them.
Later, Xiong Fei secretly attends several job interviews, as he has actually lost his job. He overhears interviewers discussing his past criminal record, explicitly stating their reluctance to hire a person with a criminal record and dismissing his application as a waste of time. He struggles to tell his parents the truth about his unemployment. At the hospital, staff search for Cai Yuxiao, who remains distraught and self-reproachful after a recent incident.
With three surgeries scheduled, Zhan Yan, despite her own unhealed injuries, volunteers to perform them all, insisting she is well enough and that Cai Yuxiao should rest. The dean, aware of Cai Yuxiao's emotional state and his intention to resign, summons him to his office. Cai Yuxiao confesses to feeling selfish and unworthy of being a doctor. The dean reminds him of the extensive effort and resources invested in his training, urging him not to abandon his noble profession.
After this conversation and a moment spent observing patients, Cai Yuxiao, recalling his initial dedication to medicine, decides to proceed with his scheduled surgery. At the company, Ding Dingding searches for Zhou Mingming and encounters his mother, the President, in the pantry. Unaware of her identity, Ding Dingding openly criticizes "Director Ming," labeling him incompetent and unreliable, and complaining that he is ruining her comic career.
She goes on to question the President's judgment for entrusting important business to him, even speculating if the President is an "old-fashioned old lady" or a "slovenly old man." During their conversation, coffee spills. Zhou Mingming then arrives, and his mother sternly tells him to meet her in her office. It is only then that Ding Dingding realizes she has been speaking ill of the company's President directly to her face.
In the President's office, Zhou Mingming’s mother agrees to establish a comic department under his leadership, but not without setting rigorous performance expectations. She challenges him to conduct thorough market research and develop comprehensive strategies.
She then outlines stringent metrics: within a month, the department's click rate, topic popularity, and top-search count must rank among the top IP products; within three months, it must break into the top ten; within six months, serialization must be complete, and a single volume published. By the end of the year, comprehensive IP incubation must be achieved.
She warns that if these ambitious goals are not met, all investments made in the comic department will be deducted from his annual salary. Zhou Mingming, unfazed by the challenge, readily accepts and instructs Li Aiqi to begin contacting necessary personnel. Luo Ben is discharged from the hospital. He seeks out Zhan Yan under the pretext of checking on a lingering back pain, subtly flirting with her as she examines him.
He then reminds her of their agreement to share a home-cooked meal if they both survived their recent ordeal, and she readily accepts his invitation for dinner at his place that weekend. Later, Ding Dingding, distraught over her contract, approaches Luo Ben for legal advice on how to terminate it without paying the significant penalty. Luo Ben, after noting that his services typically require payment, offers a "resource exchange."
He then presents her with a detailed questionnaire about Zhan Yan's interests and allergies, clearly revealing his romantic interest. Ding Dingding, amused, attempts to bargain, offering to answer one question for each page of her contract he reviews. Luo Ben, however, advises her that given the contract's terms and her current financial situation, her best option is to adhere to the agreement, as she likely cannot afford the penalty for early termination.
Soon after, Ding Dingding receives a notification from HR, instructing her to begin clocking in at the office at 10 AM daily, a requirement she finds deeply irritating as a creative professional. To ensure privacy for his date with Zhan Yan, Luo Ben attempts to discreetly send his sister, Luo Yuan, out of the house. He offers her money for new clothes and later for lobster pasta with friends.
Luo Yuan, amused by his transparent efforts, accepts the money and departs. She tries to text Xiong Fei to meet but receives no reply. Upon arriving at the express station, she learns from a colleague that Xiong Fei no longer works there. Falcon, observing Luo Yuan's persistence, calls Xiong Fei to the base under the pretense of an urgent team matter.
Luo Yuan confronts Xiong Fei, asking why he has been avoiding her, reminding him of their established friendship and his support during Luo Ben's accident. Xiong Fei, appearing conflicted, deflects, implying she shouldn't associate with someone like him. She presses him, questioning his sincerity if he doesn't value their friendship. He eventually apologizes and promises to always reply to her messages. They then share some wontons Xiong Fei had prepared.
That evening, Zhan Yan arrives punctually for dinner, discovering Luo Ben has personally prepared a lavish feast, including her favorite "vegetable rice." Luo Ben, while presenting the dishes, makes a sincere confession, admitting he was terrified of losing her when she was trapped and regretting not acknowledging his feelings sooner. He expresses gratitude for the second chance fate has given them and for the "unforgettable piece of memory" they now share, directly telling her, "I like you."
Zhan Yan is visibly flustered, stating she hasn't considered such a question and suggests they eat. Luo Ben encourages her to take her time. He then tastes his own "vegetable rice" and playfully coaches her on how to properly praise his culinary skills, describing its "rich texture" and "salty, savory" taste. The following morning, Zhou Mingming waits at the company's front desk.
Ding Dingding arrives significantly late, prompting Zhou Mingming to immediately emphasize the company's strict policy of deducting ten yuan for every minute of tardiness, even joking about making it 666 yuan. Li Aiqi then announces that "Director Ming" wants a meeting. Ding Dingding, initially thinking it's just another meeting, soon realizes that "Director Ming" is none other than Zhou Mingming himself, and that his mother is the company President.
Feeling completely manipulated, she attempts to storm out, but Zhou Mingming calmly reminds her of the contract clause requiring her to pay "three times as much as the down payment as penalty" if she unilaterally terminates the agreement. This forces Ding Dingding to begrudgingly return to her seat for the meeting.
