Love is Sweet Recap, Plot, Synopsis

> Love is Sweet

Love is Sweet Synopsis

Jiang Jun, a girl with a severe allergy to tears, has a double master’s degree in economics and psychology.

The privileged and spoiled environment given by her parents has created her spontaneous and idealistic personality.

After graduation, she worked in a charity organization, pursuing her dream life.

Unexpectedly, her father’s unexpected death put her at a crossroads in her life, and Jiang Jun finally decided to join MH, a top investment firm, to fulfill her father’s last wish.

In MH, Jiang Jun accidentally met her childhood friend Yuan Shuai, but she found that her childhood protector, the gentle brother Yuan Shuai, was against her at every turn.

In the wolfish culture of the investment banking company, some people were secretly setting up traps for her, and some people regarded her as a pawn and a thorn in their side. But Jiang Jun judged the complex variables of people and projects with her kind and delicate nature, outstanding emotional intelligence and genius-like imagination.

In the center of the storm, she began her journey, and after experiencing a lot of ups and downs, she finally harvested her career and love.

Love is Sweet Recap

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Episode 1 Recap

Jiang Jun arrived at MH Securities for her fourth interview round, dressed in a silver-grey professional suit. Noticing the nervous male applicant next to her, she cleverly offered him a spare button, playfully suggesting it was a Mayan good luck charm, a fabrication she later admitted to Shen Xin, a fellow applicant who had witnessed the exchange and introduced herself.

Inside the interview room, Qiao Na, a sharp and direct interviewer, informed the four remaining candidates that reaching this stage meant they had surpassed ninety-nine percent of all applicants. She then challenged them to state, in fifteen seconds, what kind of person they aspired to be at MH.

After several candidates expressed ambitious goals—one citing Soros on psychological market control, another aspiring to be a "breeder-like investor," and a third a "Sherlock Holmes-like investor"—Jiang Jun calmly declared her desire to be "MH's Mo-tse," promoting principles of "love without wars, respect talents and seniors, for the interest of all."

Qiao Na, while finding Jiang Jun lacking "elite temperament" and ambition, acknowledged her as the first beneficiary of MH's diverse recruitment policies, allowing all four to advance to the final interview with Yuan Shuai, whom Qiao Na warned would be even stricter. Meanwhile, Yuan Shuai, the Executive Director of MH's Investment Banking Department, was relaxing in his office when his assistant, Su Chang, interrupted with financial reports.

Su Chang reported that their rival, GE Securities, aiding Hualun Culture Group, had spent over 600 million of an 800 million yuan bond issuance and was just two percent shy of absolute control over VTV. Yuan Shuai, however, remained composed and instructed him to wait. On the opposing side, Du Lei, Executive Director of GE, and his team were working feverishly to secure the acquisition.

Just as they believed success was imminent, they discovered they had fallen into a sophisticated trap set by Yuan Shuai and the VTV Chairman. VTV’s stock was suddenly suspended and announced a follow-on offering, diluting Hualun Culture’s shares and thwarting the takeover. Du Lei, struggling to conceal his fury, dismissed his team, realizing they had been utterly outmaneuvered.

Su Chang praised Yuan Shuai for the masterful deception, which involved VTV's chairman and board faking quarrels and resignations to mislead the entire industry. Yuan Shuai, quoting Sun Tzu’s philosophy, attributed his success to understanding Du Lei's eagerness to win, which made him predictable. Later, as Yuan Shuai tried on a new suit, Qiao Na entered, and they exchanged banter.

She sought his advice on her dress for the upcoming BUI Investment Bank Alliance Cocktail Party, where pharmaceutical tycoon Ding Tian would be present. After teasing her about looking "overweight," Yuan Shuai shared a strategic secret: Ding Tian and his wife had served in an African Medical Aid Team.

He then subtly wrote Ding Tian's wife's Arabic name on Qiao Na’s back and advised her to mention his own past donation to the team, assuring her it would draw Ding Tian's attention. Qiao Na then handed Yuan Shuai the resumes for the afternoon interviews. Upon seeing Jiang Jun's name, Yuan Shuai paused in surprise. Qiao Na offhandedly mentioned Jiang Jun's "Mo-tse" aspiration, labeling her a "freak."

Yuan Shuai, repeating Jiang Jun's words, then made a cryptic comment about picking the best fruit, mature or not. Jiang Jun, on her way to the final interview at Guang Hua Building, spoke with her friend Xu Li, who offered encouragement. Inside, the candidates were tasked with analyzing a hypothetical acquisition of Yangsheng Power by Shimao Technology. After exchanging a brief glance with Yuan Shuai, Jiang Jun listened as other candidates advocated for MH to buy Yangsheng Power stock.

Jiang Jun, however, argued against it, pointing out Yangsheng Power’s three consecutive years of declining profits while management salaries doubled. She suspected that the bidder, Ma Yuke, whose ex-wife held a five percent stake in Yangsheng Power, was merely "inflating its share price" with a "make-believe shot." Yuan Shuai, maintaining a cold expression, rejected her stance, stating that MH needed "wolf-like recruits, not sheep," and eliminated her. Dejected, Jiang Jun left the building, her heels causing pain.

Yuan Shuai called out "crying girl," a childhood nickname. She ignored him, but his assistant, Su Chang, caught up to offer a band-aid from Yuan Shuai. Jiang Jun borrowed Su Chang's phone to defiantly text Yuan Shuai: "Yuan Shuai. Let’s wait and see. I will not lose to you." When questioned by a confused Su Chang, Yuan Shuai explained that someone like Jiang Jun, who "cannot even shed tears," could not survive the "Colosseum" of investment banking.

He then secretly instructed Su Chang to find Jiang Jun a suitable consulting job, even offering a year of his free investment consultancy services to any company that would match MH’s salary. As Su Chang left, Yuan Shuai reflected on his past with Jiang Jun. He recalled witnessing her severe tear allergy as a child. Her father, concerned for her well-being, had paid young Yuan Shuai ten yuan a month to protect her at school and ensure she never cried.

Later, Jiang Jun recounted her interview experience to Xu Li, explaining that Yuan Shuai was the same childhood protector who had actually orchestrated bullying against her, leading to her school transfer. She then received a WeChat friend request from "YS." Realizing it was Yuan Shuai, she accepted, but before he could finish his message offering her a director assistant position, Jiang Jun, enraged, instantly deleted him.

She vowed to enter MH "in an upright way" and prove he couldn't control her destiny. Xu Li, supportive, revealed she had obtained tickets to the BUI Investment Bank Alliance Cocktail Party, where Lin Taimo, MH’s Vice President, would be present, hoping Jiang Jun could appeal to him directly. That evening, Jiang Jun arrived at the glittering party, where she observed Du Lei being questioned by the media.

He almost bumped into her and was momentarily captivated by her understated elegance. Jiang Jun's attention, however, was drawn to Yuan Shuai. Soon after, Xu Li dramatically splashed champagne on Yuan Shuai, feigning to be a jilted lover. Yuan Shuai, noticing Jiang Jun trying to suppress a smile, realized the ploy. He played along, announcing to the shocked crowd that his girlfriend was present and pointing directly at Jiang Jun. Mortified, Jiang Jun fled to the rooftop.

Yuan Shuai followed, finding her furious. She confronted him, recounting a traumatic memory from high school: during a speech competition, she froze under pressure, was booed, and Yuan Shuai had taken her script, triggering her tear allergy in front of everyone and forcing her to transfer. Yuan Shuai asserted that investment banking was unsuitable for her, given her allergy and the intense demands for capability, endurance, and stress resistance.

As the wind intensified, Yuan Shuai tried to pull her away; in the struggle, she twisted her ankle and fell into his arms, their lips accidentally touching. Paparazzi rushed to capture photos, but Yuan Shuai shielded Jiang Jun and drove them away. Her tear allergy flared up again, and Yuan Shuai swiftly carried her to the hospital, leaving her dropped hairpin on the rooftop, where it was later discovered by Du Lei.

In a concluding flashback, a younger Yuan Shuai showed Jiang Jun a meticulous analysis of her reactions to bullying. Noting her lack of improvement, he advised her to channel her artistic talent into drawing "aggressive animals" instead of just "weak and cute animals" to help strengthen her character. She had drawn a wolf.

Episode 2 Recap

After Yuan Shuai rushes Jiang Jun to the hospital following her tear allergy attack, he calmly instructs the doctor on her specific medication needs, demonstrating a deep understanding of her condition. When told he cannot enter the emergency room as he is not family, he waits outside. While Jiang Jun is unconscious, Yuan Shuai uses her phone to add his WeChat contact and sends a text message to Xu Li, asking her to pick Jiang Jun up from the hospital.

He discreetly leaves after confirming Xu Li's arrival. Jiang Jun wakes up in the hospital bed, disoriented. Xu Li apologizes, thinking her previous advice led to Jiang Jun's distress, but Jiang Jun clarifies her tears were not because of Xu Li. Xu Li then shows Jiang Jun a news article on her phone, featuring a blurry photo of Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai kissing at the BUI cocktail party.

The headline playfully suggests Yuan Shuai sweetly comforted his "angry girlfriend," leaving Jiang Jun utterly mortified. At MH, employees are buzzing with gossip about Yuan Shuai's "mysterious girlfriend" and the recently published photo. Qiao Na intervenes, sternly ordering everyone to delete the photos and cease the rumors. Meanwhile, in his office, Yuan Shuai appears contemplative as he looks at Jiang Jun's picture on his phone.

His assistant, Su Chang, playfully teases him, noting his softened demeanor and advising him to take advantage of their proximity if he truly likes Jiang Jun. Though Yuan Shuai feigns annoyance and assigns Su Chang extra work, he inwardly acknowledges the wisdom of the "close access" strategy. He visits Pingmen Second Village and convinces Jiang Jun's landlady, Ms. Zhang, to evict her by offering a 40% rent increase.

Ms. Zhang accepts the money and tells Jiang Jun she must move out to accommodate her suddenly-married son. Yuan Shuai then instructs his assistant to list his apartment, Room No. 702 in Longting No. 79, which is conveniently next door to his own, on the internet. He specifically demands that it be fully furnished, priced three thousand yuan below market rate, and rented only to a specific individual whose details he provides.

Later, Jiang Jun confronts Yuan Shuai to return his cleaned clothes, her face still showing remnants of her allergy attack. She challenges his earlier decision to reject her from MH, citing a recent news report that validated her analysis of Yangsheng Power's acquisition. Yuan Shuai, however, dismisses her argument, explaining that the acquisition's termination was a calculated strategic maneuver by Ma Yuke to secure more power, not an indication of financial instability.

He asserts that Jiang Jun lacks the emotional toughness required for the high-stakes world of investment banking. To prove his point, Yuan Shuai gives her another test: to try on clothes in several high-end boutiques without making any purchases. Jiang Jun attempts the task but is mortified by the disdainful reactions of the sales assistants and retreats prematurely. Yuan Shuai uses this as further evidence of her extreme sensitivity and psychological weakness, declaring her unsuitable for MH.

He then offers her a position as a director's assistant at Wise Consulting, a top-tier firm, emphasizing its excellent salary and promotion prospects. Jiang Jun, however, defiantly refuses the offer, resolute in her determination to join MH. Their heated exchange triggers flashbacks for both. Jiang Jun vividly recalls a high school incident where Yuan Shuai teased her by reading her romance novel aloud, causing her to cry uncontrollably and suffer a severe tear allergy attack.

She accuses him of being a "bully" who has tormented her since childhood, declaring she can never forgive him and wants no further contact. Yuan Shuai's own flashback shows him, as a younger man, attempting to teach Jiang Jun to be resilient. He rationalized that his "bullying" was a form of protection, intended to harden her so she wouldn't break down, especially given her allergy to tears.

He also recalls a past conversation with Jiang Jun's father, where he justifies his methods as a necessary measure to strengthen Jiang Jun's psychological fortitude, assuring the father that his "protection" money is well spent. Evicted from her apartment, Jiang Jun is forced to temporarily move in with Xu Li. Despite her recent setbacks, Jiang Jun is determined to find a new place.

In a poignant flashback, Yuan Shuai remembers Jiang Jun, as a student, compassionately adopting a stray dog named Wealth. Concerned about her strong emotional attachment and the potential for heartbreak if the dog were to face any harm, Yuan Shuai took it upon himself to care for Wealth, a duty he continues to uphold, highlighting his deeply caring nature beneath his harsh exterior.

In the present, Yuan Shuai meticulously inspects his newly furnished Longting Community apartment, ensuring every detail meets his precise specifications. He also receives confirmation that the listing is garnering significant attention. Jiang Jun, meanwhile, shares her ideal apartment requirements with Xu Li, describing a space that perfectly matches Yuan Shuai's meticulously prepared apartment. Xu Li discovers the surprisingly affordable listing in the upscale Longting Community, nicknamed the "Shanghai Investment Banking Backyard."

When Xu Li calls the agent, the apartment is initially said to be unavailable, but the agent's tone abruptly changes upon hearing Jiang Jun's surname, swiftly arranging a viewing for that afternoon. Jiang Jun is impressed by the apartment's perfect alignment with her desires and its suspiciously low rent, though she remains wary of any hidden issues.

Her concerns are pushed aside when Xu Li excitedly informs her that MH Vice President Lin Taimo makes monthly visits to the nearby Huiwang Library, and today is one of those days. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Jun hastily decides to rent the apartment to facilitate access to Lin Taimo. From his adjacent apartment, Yuan Shuai, who has been listening to the entire conversation, receives a discreet signal from the agent, confirming his successful ploy, and smiles subtly.

Jiang Jun hurries to Huiwang Library but is denied entry, as it is a members-only establishment requiring prior appointments, and today's slots are fully booked. Just then, Du Lei arrives and, recognizing Jiang Jun from the BUI cocktail party, offers her his spare appointment slot as an act of "apology" for their previous collision. Once inside, Jiang Jun discreetly attempts to follow Lin Taimo, but her clumsy efforts quickly draw his attention.

She explains her situation, recounting her rejection from MH's investment banking department despite reaching the final round, attributing it to a "personal feud." She passionately expresses her long-held dream of joining MH and asks for his intervention. Lin Taimo politely declines, stating that personnel matters are handled by the Administration Department and he cannot overrule management's decisions.

Jiang Jun, drawing on his reading of the "Gongyang Biography Guliang Biography", cleverly argues that "legal principles outweigh human connections" and requests a fair, unbiased interview opportunity. Impressed by her resourcefulness, Lin Taimo agrees, challenging her to analyze the investment potential of the library itself. Jiang Jun, after a moment of observation, astutely identifies the library's dual nature: a philanthropic facade masking a clever business model that leverages "hunger marketing" and online sales through social media influencers.

She further suggests expanding into book publishing and signing authors. Lin Taimo acknowledges her keen observational and analytical skills, concluding the interview by promising to consider her request. Unbeknownst to them, Du Lei silently observes their entire interaction from a nearby reading spot. Meanwhile, Xu Li finds herself in a dramatic situation at her workplace when a lecherous client harasses a model during a photoshoot.

Incensed by his behavior, Xu Li boldly confronts him, pouring hot coffee over his head and verbally berating him. Despite his threats of dismissal, Xu Li defiantly announces her resignation. Shortly after, Jiang Jun receives an official MH employment offer, expressing disbelief at her unexpected success. She immediately calls Xu Li to share the joyous news. Xu Li is thrilled for her friend but then recounts her own dramatic exit from her job.

Jiang Jun offers to help her find new employment, but Xu Li declines, explaining that her office job had been stifling her true passion. She reveals her childhood dream of becoming a novelist and vividly describes her ideal male protagonist: a highly intelligent man with fair skin, large eyes, long bangs, and dimples. At that precise moment, Xu Li glances out the window and spots a man who perfectly matches her idealized description, instantly becoming smitten.

She hastily ends her call with Jiang Jun, declaring she has found her "dream guy," and rushes off to pursue him. After learning that he frequently visits a nearby convenience store, Xu Li decides to apply for a job there, hoping to get closer to him. Jiang Jun returns to her new apartment, brimming with excitement and satisfaction at her MH offer and newfound independence. Her joy is interrupted by a knock at the door.

To her surprise, it is Yuan Shuai, who, feigning a friendly gesture, claims to be greeting his new neighbor. Jiang Jun quickly realizes the truth behind her suspiciously perfect and affordable apartment, calling him an "evil neighbor." Yuan Shuai playfully retorts, suggesting she is fortunate she didn't get into MH, as living next door to him might have caused her to fall in love with him. Jiang Jun dismisses his taunts, curtly wishing him good night and closing the door.

Leaning against the door, she laments, "Can I move out now?" Outside, Yuan Shuai smiles, his earlier interactions with Jiang Jun's father flashing through his mind, and confidently says, "There’s a long time ahead."

Episode 3 Recap

Jiang Jun arrived at MH to complete her onboarding, much to the surprise of her new colleagues who recalled her being eliminated in the final interview round. Yuan Shuai, upon seeing her, confronted her about her casual attire, suggesting investment banking was not suitable for her and that she should have taken the higher-paying job he had recommended. Jiang Jun defiantly retorted that he shouldn't be too sure, warning that his "face would hurt."

Internally, she vowed to see him defeated. Yuan Shuai later learned that MH Vice President Lin Taimo had recommended Jiang Jun. He decided to implement a plan to expose her to the harsh realities of investment banking, hoping she would quit willingly. Jiang Jun faced immediate ostracism from her new colleagues, particularly Shen Xin, who openly criticized her for entering MH through "senior leadership support" and undermining fairness. Shen Xin even coordinated with others to isolate Jiang Jun.

Despite the cold reception, Jiang Jun received quiet encouragement from an unknown colleague who advised her to let her actions speak for themselves and disregard others' opinions. Soon after, Yuan Shuai summoned Jiang Jun to his office, reiterating his intention to remove any "laggard employees" regardless of their connections. He assigned her the due diligence report for Kelang Pharmacy, demanding it be completed swiftly.

He warned her that three mistakes during her probation would lead to disqualification, with an incomplete or erroneous report counting as one mistake. Jiang Jun confidently declared she would complete the task to prove herself and "slap him in the face again," though Yuan Shuai warned her about the reciprocal nature of such actions. He then compared their dynamic to an "ant and a wheel," predicting she wouldn't last two weeks in MH.

Jiang Jun, nicknaming him "Mr. Wheel" and herself "Ms. Ant," promised to do her best, ending their exchange with a wish for his "flat tire." As part of her duties, Jiang Jun found herself inundated with trivial data entry tasks, and Yuan Shuai critiqued her initial report for faulty data, demanding a rewrite and even ordering her to fetch him coffee. Meanwhile, Lili began her new job at a convenience store, quickly encountering issues with the register system.

To her delight, a handsome customer she recognized as her dream guy appeared and effortlessly fixed the problem, further solidifying her crush. She confessed to Jiang Jun via chat that her primary motivation for the job was to "observe" this "gorgeous" regular customer for her novel.

Jiang Jun, who was staying late at the library for work, posted a message on her social media expressing her determination, "Even if the road ahead is difficult, today I must be full of vigor. Oh, yeah!" Du Lei, seeing Jiang Jun's post, orchestrated a "chance" encounter at the library. He joined her table, pretending to wait for a friend, and offered to help her with the Kelang Pharmacy report.

He pointed out the report's lack of focus on external investment details, impressing Jiang Jun with his knowledge as an "investment banking trainer." Their conversation briefly touched upon Yuan Shuai's "two-week" prediction for Jiang Jun, which Du Lei echoed, making Jiang Jun note the coincidence. As Jiang Jun prepared to leave, heavy rain began. Du Lei, claiming a friend was picking him up, lent her his umbrella to protect her report.

As Jiang Jun walked away, Du Lei's expression turned cold, revealing his true motive: he was using Jiang Jun as a pawn in his elaborate scheme to get revenge on Yuan Shuai, a plan his mentor seemed aware of and supportive of. The next day, Yuan Shuai reviewed Jiang Jun's revised report, still finding it lacking a crucial element: the truth.

He explained that a report's purpose is to uncover truth, not just compile data, likening truth to a "vagrant" found in "dirty, unfair, obscure corners," while falsehoods appear "dapper and elegant, like a prince." He disclosed that Kelang's chairman was suspected of asset transfer, and the employee who tried to expose it was fired. Jiang Jun realized her task was to find this individual, requiring access to all of Kelang's personnel files.

Yuan Shuai declared her first mission a failure, reminding her she had only two more chances. Undeterred, Jiang Jun called Kelang and, discovering the CEO Deng Ke was at North Dongda Road Golf Course, immediately went there. At the golf course, Jiang Jun persistently approached Deng Ke, despite his attempts to dismiss her as a "small analyst" and make her pick up golf balls.

While retrieving balls, Jiang Jun cleverly pitched a business idea involving golf ball recycling, asserting MH’s role in making money for clients. She steadfastly refused to leave until he spoke with her. Deng Ke eventually relented, and Jiang Jun requested Kelang’s personnel files, noting his nervous habit of touching his cap when the topic arose.

She argued that withholding the files suggested sensitive information and warned that a delay in the merger could lead to his ex-wife, who held 20% of the decision-making shares, selling her stake. This, in turn, would convert his preferred shares to common shares under a valuation adjustment mechanism. Cornered, Deng Ke agreed to provide the files, though he taunted her that she would soon realize the "silliness" of her demands.

He also warned her to learn the "rules of the course" before trying to "checkmate" him. Jiang Jun arrived at Kelang Pharmacy’s HR archives room, only to find a colossal room filled with countless dusty files. Her colleague, Su Chang, was already there, claiming to assist. After Su Chang briefly excused himself, Yuan Shuai appeared. Jiang Jun reported a missing file for a terminated employee after cross-referencing salary records, suspecting deliberate concealment. She planned to find the missing person.

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden power outage, plunging the room into darkness and rendering their phones useless. This was orchestrated by Deng Ke's secretary. Yuan Shuai, noticing Jiang Jun's discomfort and abdominal pain (which she attributed to hunger), deduced she was experiencing menstrual cramps. He confidently theorized the existence of a backup power switch within the room, given the sensitive documents stored there. He found it and quickly restored power.

As they left, he offered her his jacket, which she accepted. Outside, Yuan Shuai noticed Jiang Jun's untied shoelace. He gently stopped her and knelt to tie it for her, reciting the same simple instructions he had taught her as a child. The familiar words sent Jiang Jun's mind drifting back to their youth. She recalled the memory of him patiently teaching her the same method and, as a reward, playfully insisting that she call him "Brother Yuanyuan."

In the memory, she had softly obliged, and he had responded, "That's better," before urging her to hurry so they wouldn't be late for class. Pulled back to the present, Jiang Jun watched him walk ahead of her, a complex mix of emotions stirring within.

Episode 4 Recap

Jiang Jun fell asleep in Yuan Shuai's car, prompting him to stop at a convenience store to buy sanitary pads. Before entering, Yuan Shuai internally reassured himself that such a simple task was no challenge for him. Inside, Jiang Jun, working behind the counter with heavy makeup to avoid recognition, was horrified to see him. She worried about paying for his expensive suit from their previous encounter and about jeopardizing her personal aspirations.

Other customers, observing Yuan Shuai, commented on his thoughtful gesture, believing him to be a sweet boyfriend. Yuan Shuai, feigning innocence, asked Jiang Jun for a thermos and hot water. He then playfully held the hot thermos near her face, asking how she would feel if the contents were spilled, and mockingly called her "my dear girlfriend."

Jiang Jun, attempting to deflect, concocted an elaborate story about having a twin sister who had spilled wine on him at a party and had since become a nun. Yuan Shuai immediately saw through her lie, threatening to call the police to verify her story. Cornered, Jiang Jun offered to pay for his suit, prompting Yuan Shuai to finally make his purchases.

After he left, Jiang Jun expressed her frustration, lamenting that she had encountered a "devil" instead of her "prince charming." Back at the car, Jiang Jun awoke and was surprised to find Yuan Shuai waiting silently outside. He nonchalantly mentioned he had some work to finish and wasn't waiting specifically for her. He then directed her attention to a bag of sanitary pads, claiming they were on discount, and handed her a thermos of warm ginger tea with brown sugar.

Jiang Jun thanked him, finding comfort in the warm drink. Upon returning home, Jiang Jun was met by Lili, who immediately noticed Yuan Shuai's jacket on Jiang Jun and the large bag of sanitary pads. Lili excitedly deduced a romantic encounter. Jiang Jun, flustered, tried to explain that it was merely a series of unfortunate coincidences: a blackout, being trapped in a meeting room with Yuan Shuai, and her period starting early.

Yuan Shuai, she clarified, had simply lent her his coat and bought the supplies out of decency. Lili, however, excitedly imagined a dramatic scene from a romantic novel. Jiang Jun cut her off, insisting that even if Yuan Shuai was a domineering CEO, she was no naive heroine. Lili then revealed that her roommate's three-day meditation retreat meant she needed to stay with Jiang Jun.

Jiang Jun warmly welcomed her friend, who then offered Jiang Jun a "Charmingly Naive" facial mask, joking that the name suited Jiang Jun's own absent-mindedness. The next day, Jiang Jun visited Li Xiang, a former accountant at Kelang Pharmacy, to gather information. Li Xiang initially refused to discuss his past employment, stating he had quit and it was over.

Jiang Jun revealed that Kelang claimed he had a "stain" on his record, to which Li Xiang indignantly retorted that "he" had discovered "their" stains and was unjustly fired. He bitterly described his current life, working a dead-end job with no future, and questioned if his integrity was worth the price he paid.

Jiang Jun, after a persistent plea, urged him not to be a "silent observer" and to use this opportunity with MH to prove himself, warning that his silence would only enable more victims. Li Xiang eventually agreed to attend the meeting. Meanwhile, Lili started her shift at the convenience store, delighted to see Li Xiaochuan, her "dream guy," already there. She admired his punctuality and dedication, resolving to get his contact information.

As she pondered a way to discreetly approach him, a customer requested a Red Bull. While she retrieved it from the back, the customer, a cleaner, stole cash from the register. Lili, upon discovering the theft, frantically sought Li Xiaochuan's help. He calmly analyzed her movements and, through surveillance footage and his observations of local routines, identified the cleaner as the culprit.

Li Xiaochuan then accompanied Lili to confront the cleaner, threatening him with police involvement and facial recognition technology, which led the thief to return the money and flee. Lili was utterly captivated by Li Xiaochuan's intelligence and compassion, further cementing her crush. In a meeting with Fan Qichang, Yuan Shuai discussed the situation at Kelang Pharmacy.

Fan Qichang explained that Zhou, Kelang's second-largest shareholder, wanted MH to replace Chairman Deng Ke due to his embezzlement of company assets three years prior. While exposing Deng Ke would hurt MH's investment in Kelang, Fan Qichang stressed the importance of seizing the initiative in this "chess game" and instructed Yuan Shuai to force Deng Ke's resignation at the upcoming joint board meeting. Yuan Shuai confidently affirmed he knew how to proceed.

Later, he encountered Jiang Jun in the corridor, chastising her for her initial failure to secure a witness and reminding her she now had only one chance left. Just then, Jiang Jun received a text from Li Xiang confirming his attendance, which she promptly and triumphantly relayed to Yuan Shuai. The next day at the Board meeting, Yuan Shuai formally proposed Deng Ke's removal, citing his three-year-old embezzlement of company assets. Deng Ke dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Yuan Shuai then presented Li Xiang as a witness. Li Xiang introduced himself and explained he was fired from Kelang for uncovering Deng Ke's workplace misconduct. However, Deng Ke swiftly turned the tables, revealing that Li Xiang and his wife, both former employees in the finance department, had concealed their marriage, colluded in fraud, and destroyed documents, leading to their dismissal and his wife's current imprisonment.

Deng Ke accused Li Xiang of seeking revenge and questioned MH's due diligence, threatening to report the "farce" to Fan Qichang. The Board was swayed, and Deng Ke remained in power. Following the disastrous meeting, Qiao Na berated Jiang Jun, pointing out the failure to oust Deng Ke and the demand for MH to take responsibility. Jiang Jun bravely offered to take full responsibility and asked for more time to prove Deng Ke's misconduct, but Qiao Na demanded her resignation.

Meanwhile, Fan Qichang expressed his disappointment to Yuan Shuai but also gave him an ultimatum: find concrete evidence against Deng Ke within five days. Yuan Shuai, confident he could turn the situation around, requested only two days. Seeing Jiang Jun despondent and defeated, Yuan Shuai internally thought that she was too weak for MH and should have left earlier, a realization that only fueled Jiang Jun's defiance.

Later, while dining, Du Lei overheard a conversation about Yuan Shuai's significant setback in the Deng Ke case, reportedly caused by an intern whose witness had betrayed them. When Jiang Jun's name was mentioned, Du Lei's expression subtly changed, though he quickly regained his composure. He then made an excuse about forgetting a document at the office and left, canceling his offer to drive his companion home.

As Jiang Jun walked home, fuming and replaying the day's events, Yuan Shuai drove up and offered her a ride. He observed her quiet frustration, then lightened the mood by recounting a ridiculous story from a psychologist about how to stop crying by imagining oneself as a long-faced donkey. Jiang Jun, still upset, described herself as a "little ant carrying a huge blame," lamenting the harsh realities of investment banking.

Yuan Shuai firmly reassured her that he would never let her carry the blame, especially not on his watch. He encouraged her to keep fighting, reminding her that a temporary retreat was not a defeat. Yuan Shuai then asked Jiang Jun why she was so determined to stay at MH. Jiang Jun countered, asking if he truly understood her.

She explained that while he might have known her in the past, he was absent during a crucial period of her life and therefore couldn't understand the person she had become, the experiences she had, or her deep reasons for wanting to be in MH. She asserted that she wouldn't cry over unfair treatment, only feel frustrated and angry, but she would never back down. She challenged him to get to know her anew.

Later, Jiang Jun visited her father's grave. Recalling his words about her needing to be strong, she confided in him, expressing her pride in finally entering MH and becoming an investment banker. She promised to remain strong and persevere, no matter how brutal the industry became.

Episode 5 Recap

Jiang Jun was contemplating her resignation, while her roommate, Lily, expressed admiration for her "Prince Charming." Jiang Jun's mother called, and Jiang Jun falsely assured her that her work was going smoothly and her colleagues were friendly, concealing her current struggles. Lily, seeing Jiang Jun's distress, comforted her and suggested that leaving her difficult boss, Yuan Shuai, might be a good thing.

Meanwhile, Du Lei messaged Jiang Jun, offering to be her "newbie mentor" in the investment industry, since she felt she was "being kicked out of the newbie area" at MH. He invited her to dinner, as an online apprenticeship wasn't sincere enough. Jiang Jun eagerly accepted and left to meet him.

From the rooftop, Yuan Shuai observed Jiang Jun hurrying off late at night and, after some internal debate about sounding too concerned, cryptically asked if she was planning to "murder Deng Ke." Jiang Jun retorted that if she were to assassinate anyone, Yuan Shuai would be her first target, to which he playfully wished her to "come back alive early" so they could "die together."

Jiang Jun and Du Lei met at a fried chicken shop, an unconventional choice Jiang Jun initially questioned as unsuitable for his status. Du Lei, however, asserted that all food providing satisfaction should be valued equally. Jiang Jun explained her predicament regarding Kelang Pharmacy, expressing her frustration that their witness, Li Xiang, had failed them at a critical moment, leading to their defeat.

Du Lei suggested that someone who fails at such a crucial juncture might not have had important evidence to begin with, implying Li Xiang's actions could have been deliberate. He described Deng Ke as a shrewd individual, unlikely to surround himself with foolish staff. Du Lei advised Jiang Jun that companies often conceal their weaknesses when faced with significant interests, and while documents can be falsified, backend data and records are usually traceable.

Jiang Jun immediately grasped his insight, realizing the situation was more complex than she thought. As they were leaving, a waitress gave Jiang Jun a flower as part of an anniversary promotion, which Du Lei remarked was a sign of her improving luck. Yuan Shuai, still observing from the rooftop, saw Du Lei drop Jiang Jun off with a flower. Feeling a surge of anger and jealousy, he vowed to "rediscover" her in his own way.

Meanwhile, Li Xiang, sitting at home and drinking, recalled a past encounter with Deng Ke. In the flashback, Deng Ke had belittled Li Xiang's new accounting job and, sensing Li Xiang's financial desperation, offered him 500,000 Yuan to "do one thing." Back in the present, Yuan Shuai forcefully entered Li Xiang's apartment, brushing off Li Xiang's protests.

Yuan Shuai accused him of being bribed by Deng Ke, citing a 500,000 Yuan transfer to Li Xiang's bank account after the board meeting. Li Xiang admitted he was short on money but initially refused to confess, fearing Deng Ke had leverage over him. Yuan Shuai, however, asserted that he also possessed damaging information on Li Xiang, threatening to expose him and ruin his career permanently if he didn't cooperate.

Under this pressure, Li Xiang relented and revealed that he wasn't the only one involved, mentioning "another person." The next morning, Lily woke to find their apartment transformed into a makeshift war room, covered in research materials from Jiang Jun's all-night work. Lily, concerned for Jiang Jun's health, warned her against overworking, pointing out the risks of sudden death, especially since Jiang Jun was already on the verge of leaving the company.

Amidst Lily's scolding, Jiang Jun had a sudden realization, exclaiming, "That’s him! I finally got it!" before rushing off to work. At the office, Jiang Jun was met with sarcastic remarks from her colleagues, including Shen Xin, who informed her that Kelang Pharmacy demanded the "Intention Agreement" be signed that very afternoon, threatening to approach GE otherwise. Shen Xin then scornfully instructed Jiang Jun to clear "garbage" from their desks.

Jiang Jun, alarmed by the urgency, questioned if Yuan Shuai knew about this new deadline. Shen Xin dismissively stated it was Director Qiao's order and blamed Jiang Jun for their extra work. Yuan Shuai then arrived and publicly reprimanded the colleagues, declaring that anyone who resorts to complaining about colleagues when given extra tasks is "unqualified to stay in MH."

Jiang Jun quickly caught up with Yuan Shuai, confirming the afternoon signing and explaining her discovery: Li Xiang was a "liar" and "Deng Ke’s bait." She revealed that Deng Ke had manipulated Kelang’s personnel files, falsely listing the real insider, Lin He, as an active employee, even though he had resigned and was working at another firm.

Yuan Shuai, surprised by her insight given his playful jab about her dating with flowers, confirmed Deng Ke was set to sign the agreement at 2:30 PM. He then instructed Jiang Jun to "stop him before I come back," leaving the "how" entirely up to her. Receiving an urgent call from Jiang Jun about Deng Ke's early arrival, Yuan Shuai quickly located Lin He at a racetrack.

Noting Lin He's high-performance racing gear and reduced living standards since leaving Kelang, Yuan Shuai challenged him to a race: if Lin He lost, he would testify; if he won, Yuan Shuai would help him return to Kelang honorably. Lin He, intrigued by Yuan Shuai's proposition, accepted. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun attempted to delay the signing. When tasked with delivering the contracts, she intentionally offered a faulty pen to everyone signing.

However, Deng Ke was prepared, producing his own pen and stating, "I’m used to having two strings to my bow." With the signing imminent, a desperate Jiang Jun slammed the table, declaring that Lin He, a former Kelang employee, was "the real insider" with evidence of Deng Ke's three-year-old scheme to transfer corporate assets to a private account. Deng Ke vehemently denied the accusations, calling it slander and demanding General Director Fan Qichang take action.

Fan Qichang, apologizing for his "dereliction of duty," ordered Jiang Jun's dismissal and threatened legal action. Just as Jiang Jun was being escorted out, Yuan Shuai entered the meeting room with Lin He. Yuan Shuai stopped Jiang Jun, proclaiming, "You are not the one to leave." He then confronted Deng Ke, accusing Kelang Pharmacy of deceitfully including a former employee in their list of active staff to hide evidence of asset transfers.

Yuan Shuai revealed he had already sent all the evidence and documents to Kelang's board of directors, ensuring that "everything you’ve done will be known by all." He announced the cancellation of the contract signing, stating that any future cooperation depended on whether Deng Ke remained the president of Kelang. Lin He then stepped forward, confirming his identity as "the former worker of Kelang."

After the dramatic resolution, Jiang Jun observed that Yuan Shuai was "not as cold-blooded as I imagined," while he noted she was "stronger than I imagined." Feeling she owed him a favor, Jiang Jun insisted on treating him to dinner, giving him free choice of venue. Yuan Shuai, still harboring a playful grudge from seeing Du Lei drop Jiang Jun off with a flower, chose a high-end Michelin-starred "Linglong Restaurant" priced at 1,988 Yuan per person.

Jiang Jun was shocked, accusing him of exploiting "ordinary people’s hard-earned money," to which Yuan Shuai laughingly admitted he enjoyed exploiting her. They continued to tease each other, with Yuan Shuai jokingly referring to her "husband" (Du Lei) as "shabby" and Jiang Jun asking about his "ex-wife." Both clarified they were currently single, humorously attributing their status to being like "nobodies who suddenly become rich" with too many choices.

Ultimately, Yuan Shuai led Jiang Jun to a humble noodle shop, playfully mocking her prior expectations of a Michelin experience as she paid the modest 110 Yuan bill for their "rice noodles of wealth." As Jiang Jun ate, she was deeply moved, recognizing a familiar taste. Yuan Shuai explained that while studying abroad, he had tried to cook Chinese food but often thought of her late father's rice noodles.

He had discovered this shop, finding its taste to be a close, albeit not perfect, replica of her father's cooking, which is why he brought her there. Jiang Jun fondly recalled how her father had invited Yuan Shuai to their home, hoping he would look after her, but instead, Yuan Shuai "spared no effort in bullying me" at school. Jiang Jun then asked Yuan Shuai the true reason for his help in the Kelang Pharmacy case.

Yuan Shuai confessed he wanted to apologize for the speech incident, revealing his original intention was to "take the love letter" she had written, not realizing she had placed it alongside her speech draft. This unexpected revelation shocked Jiang Jun. A flashback then unfolded: A young Yuan Shuai was reluctant to go abroad for studies, having his visa and flights booked by his mother.

He wrote a heartfelt letter to a young Jiang Jun, whom he affectionately called "Crying Girl" and "Brother Yuanyuan," expressing his fondness and asking her to call him if she missed him. Meanwhile, young Jiang Jun harbored a crush and, on a friend's advice, planned to join a speech contest hosted by her crush to give him a love letter. She accidentally placed the love letter with her speech draft.

Yuan Shuai, noticing her interactions with her crush, had subtly tried to interfere. During Jiang Jun's "My Chinese Heart" speech contest, she realized both documents were missing. Panicked and unable to speak, she endured the crowd's jeers, her face breaking out in a red rash before she fainted. Yuan Shuai, realizing his mistake in taking the wrong document, rushed to her side, trying to comfort her and reassure her the speech wasn't lost.

In the hospital, Jiang Jun's parents worried about who stole her speech, mentioning her "special illness" that made crying dangerous, and thanked the unknown student who brought her in. Upon waking, Jiang Jun requested a transfer, which her parents quickly agreed to for her well-being. Yuan Shuai, arriving to visit, learned of her transfer from a friend, missing his chance for a proper goodbye.

Episode 6 Recap

Yuan Shuai completed his apology to Jiang Jun. Despite her lingering anger, Jiang Jun revealed she had a formidable secret mentor. She praised this elusive expert, describing him as a promising, young, and resourceful individual from the investment industry who provided her with invaluable guidance. Hearing her admiration, Yuan Shuai felt a pang of jealousy and dismissed the mentor as a mere swindler. He resolved to create special memories with Jiang Jun, despite her current displeasure.

To that end, Yuan Shuai coerced Jiang Jun into a photo booth, drawn by a nostalgic promotion offering an electric cooker to the first twenty couples. Jiang Jun initially refused to participate in such an event for a cooker, but Yuan Shuai insisted, claiming it was part of her "thank you" for a past favor and an "order from her boss," threatening to count it against her KPI.

The photo booth attendant asked if they were a couple, to which Jiang Jun said "no" while Yuan Shuai declared "yes." Inside, Yuan Shuai deliberately ruffled Jiang Jun's hair, earning her exasperation. The attendant informed them their photos lacked intimacy for a couple-themed activity and requested they retake them with more affectionate poses. Jiang Jun, tired of his antics, tried to leave, but Yuan Shuai pulled her back, reminding her of the KPI.

As they bickered, they accidentally knocked over a cup of water, which splashed onto a power strip, causing a power outage. They were forced to pay a hefty 23,700 yuan for repairs. Afterward, the attendant offered them the complimentary electric cooker. Jiang Jun tried to give it to Yuan Shuai, but he insisted she keep it, claiming it would be useful for her. Yuan Shuai then declared he had received her "sincere apology" and accompanied her home.

Back at his apartment, Yuan Shuai carefully placed their new photos into a special box already filled with numerous pictures of him and Jiang Jun from their school days. In a flashback, a younger Yuan Shuai was seen dragging a gloomy Jiang Jun to a photo booth because she was upset about her test scores. He cheerfully teased her, pulling her hair to make her smile, then admonished her not to delete the pictures, before playfully shooing her out.

He clearly enjoyed creating these "bullying" memories. His reverie was interrupted by an urgent text from Su Chang, who was struggling at a demanding work drinking party. Yuan Shuai immediately rushed to his rescue. Upon arrival, he bravely took over, drinking glass after glass, effectively "drinking Wanhua under the table" and ending the grueling event. Later, as Su Chang saw Yuan Shuai still drinking alone, he suspected something was bothering him.

Yuan Shuai confessed he was troubled by Jiang Jun's "secret teacher," reiterating his belief that the person was a mere swindler and he wanted to see how long Jiang Jun would be deceived. Su Chang, however, pointed out that Yuan Shuai's current hostile stance, having threatened to kick Jiang Jun out of MH, made him a "natural enemy" in her eyes, while the mysterious teacher was gaining favor daily.

He advised Yuan Shuai to change his strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding her emotional side, suggesting he "pay more attention to her mind or thoughts." Yuan Shuai admitted his past judgment of Jiang Jun was based on old impressions and that people and situations evolve, requiring him to "rediscover her." Following Su Chang's advice that women are easily swayed by cute things and prone to sympathy, Yuan Shuai orchestrated a plan using his dog, Wealth.

He let Wealth "escape" to Jiang Jun's balcony. Jiang Jun, finding the dog, carried the heavy animal back to Yuan Shuai's apartment, whose door was conveniently left open. Inside, Yuan Shuai feigned illness, complaining of a cold and high fever, refusing to go to the hospital, and asking for water and food. He listed a lavish menu of oily dishes like braised pork and sweet and sour fillet, causing Jiang Jun to doubt his "illness."

However, he quickly put on a pathetic act, lamenting being "cold and hungry" and "nobody takes care of me." Softening, Jiang Jun cooked him porridge. He then dramatically declared himself "limp and weak" and demanded she feed him. As Jiang Jun spoon-fed him, he noticed her intently texting on her phone. He saw a message from Du Lei, inviting her to learn an "investment industry unique stress relief method" and agreeing to meet tomorrow.

Enraged, Yuan Shuai accused her of not being focused. Jiang Jun, eager to leave, quickly put the remaining porridge in a thermos and told him she had plans. To keep her there, Yuan Shuai asked her to fetch a specific book, "Norwegian Wood", from his shelf, giving her deliberately confusing directions until she found it. They then fell into a heated debate over the interpretation of the book's characters, Naoko and Watanabe.

Jiang Jun believed they comforted each other, while Yuan Shuai insisted Watanabe comforted a crying Naoko all night. Yuan Shuai then challenged Jiang Jun to read a particular passage. She initially tried to skip ahead, but he insisted she read the entire, more explicit description of Naoko and Watanabe's intimate encounter. As Jiang Jun read aloud, Yuan Shuai became visibly flustered, coughing and abruptly telling her to stop, claiming the story was "bad" and he needed to rest.

Jiang Jun, with a knowing smile, wished him well and left. Later, Yuan Shuai, feeling restless, checked Jiang Jun's WeChat Moments, only to discover she had posted about a "scent of a woman" experience, confirming she was out with her mysterious mentor. Fuelled by jealousy, he went to Lili's convenience store under the pretext of retrieving Wealth's ball from Jiang Jun's balcony. Lili informed him that Jiang Jun was with "Mr. Du" and couldn't return right away.

She then enthusiastically described "Mr. Du" as a "gentle, handsome and rich senior in investment industry," confirming Yuan Shuai's suspicion that this "teacher" was indeed his rival, Du Lei. Yuan Shuai, seething with anger, immediately left the store. Shortly after Yuan Shuai's departure, Lili's crush, Li Xiaochuan, entered the convenience store and sat in his usual spot. Lili, ever smitten, offered him a special tea egg with his instant noodles.

Xiaochuan politely declined her frequent offerings, explaining that while he appreciated the gesture, it slightly distracted him from his work. Lili, seizing the opportunity, reminded him of his recent help catching a thief and asked to add him on WeChat, inquiring about his profession. Xiaochuan, intrigued, showed her his laptop, explaining he was developing a dating website using big data for "one-button blind dating." Lili found the concept very marketable given the large number of single people.

Xiaochuan, pleased by her insight, invited her to dinner and asked for a favor, and they exchanged WeChat details. Meanwhile, Du Lei had taken Jiang Jun to a sophisticated restaurant and then to a bespoke perfumery. He presented her with a dessert whose recipe he had developed.

Afterwards, at the perfumery, Du Lei explained how alcohol could preserve scents and created a custom "lily perfume" for Jiang Jun, which he said reflected his first impression of her – pure, clear, and kind. He presented it as a "gift at their first meeting." Jiang Jun, delighted, eagerly followed his guidance to blend her own perfume.

On their way home, Jiang Jun expressed her joy, remarking that she finally got to experience the life of a "delicate girl" and how stress-relieving the activity was. Du Lei, agreeing, then suggested racing as another effective stress-relief method, describing it as a way to escape the "constriction of time and space." He offered to take her someday, and Jiang Jun enthusiastically agreed to "anytime."

As they parted ways at her apartment, Jiang Jun presented Du Lei with a tie, saying it was a small token of her appreciation. He graciously accepted, commenting that he'd need a new suit to match it. Just as Du Lei drove away, Yuan Shuai, who had been anxiously waiting outside Jiang Jun's building with a weary Wealth, emerged from the shadows. He immediately confronted Du Lei, demanding if he was the "mysterious teacher" Jiang Jun had mentioned.

Both men, to Jiang Jun's confusion, denied knowing each other. However, the tension was palpable. Du Lei then deliberately placed a hand on Jiang Jun's shoulder as he thanked her for the tie, remarking on how much he liked it. Yuan Shuai, bristling with anger, warned Du Lei to abandon any "bad ideas," threatening that he would "be defeated even worse" if he continued his pursuit. Du Lei, with a calm smile, simply replied, "I’ll wait and see."

Episode 7 Recap

Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai argued in the elevator about Du Lei. Jiang Jun maintained that she didn't know Du Lei was an executive at GE and insisted he wasn't the malicious person Yuan Shuai believed him to be. Yuan Shuai scoffed, reminding her that Du Lei was his rival who deliberately approached her with ulterior motives, trying to get information. Jiang Jun retorted that Yuan Shuai might have too many enemies and was being paranoid.

Yuan Shuai countered, questioning why Du Lei concealed his identity if his intentions were pure, warning her not to be exploited. Jiang Jun reluctantly accepted Yuan Shuai's advice to keep her distance from Du Lei, though she struggled with how to word a message to him. At home, Du Lei happily tried on the tie Jiang Jun had given him.

His sister suddenly arrived, criticized his new tie as "so ugly," and insisted he wear one she had bought for him instead. She reminisced about their childhood, noting how Du Lei always confided in her and followed her lead, but observed that they now had more secrets. When she tried to get physically close to him, Du Lei pushed her away, suggesting he drive her home, implying her drunken state was making her talk nonsense.

Jiang Jun's text message then popped up on his phone. In it, she expressed gratitude for his help but apologized for the misunderstanding with her boss. Citing fairness in business, she explained that she could no longer consider herself his student, signaling her intention to maintain distance. Du Lei's expression darkened as he read it. Noticing Du Lei's preoccupation with his phone, his sister reminded him to prepare a gift for their father's birthday and attend the dinner with her.

Du Lei agreed, but she sensed her control over him slipping, and a flicker of anger crossed her face. Lily finally met her crush, Xiao Chuan, for dinner. Despite the humble meal, she maintained a cheerful attitude, eager for romance. She playfully asked Xiao Chuan if he would treat her to dinner again, to which he bluntly replied "no," stating that what he needed from her wasn't worth two meals.

He then revealed his true intention: he wanted her to fill out a relationship questionnaire for his software assessment, crushing Lily's romantic expectations. At MH, Vice President Ma Xiuran harshly criticized new recruits, including Shen Xin and Jiang Jun, for their lackluster reports, calling them the "worst new recruits" and accusing them of being short-sighted. He warned them that their performance would affect his report to the board.

Yuan Shuai then appeared and interrupted, announcing that he would be taking all the new analysts – Jiang Jun, Xiang Ding, Chen Yicheng, and Shen Xin – to form a new task force. This team would handle Wanxing Entertainment's IPO project, a crucial opportunity for them to demonstrate their abilities. Yuan Shuai explained that Wanxing, a five-year client of MH, was now pursuing an independent IPO after a previous backdoor listing attempt failed due to new policies.

With Wanxing's CEO having recently passed away and only two weeks left until the application deadline, securing Wan Shan, the company's "mastermind," as the new CEO was crucial for their success. Upon arriving at Wanxing Entertainment, Yuan Shuai and his team were given a tour of the various departments, including the dressing & makeup room, administrative offices, finance, marketing, and agent departments. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun excused herself to use the restroom.

There, she discovered a girl, soaking wet, locked inside a stall. Jiang Jun freed her and offered help, but the girl declined. Unexpectedly, the girl then pointed Jiang Jun out to a security guard, accusing her of being a "crazy fan." Despite Jiang Jun's attempts to identify herself as an MH analyst conducting due diligence, the guard dismissed her, confiscated her phone, and escorted her to the Security Department, refusing her request to call her boss.

Moments later, as Yuan Shuai and his team were being led to the conference room by Wan Shan, they briefly encountered the same wet and distressed girl. Wan Shan quickly apologized for the girl's behavior and diverted their attention to the meeting, leaving Yuan Shuai to wonder about the encounter. The wet girl from the restroom was revealed to be a trainee who was eliminated from a girl group survival show's final contest.

Other trainees mocked her, accusing her of trying to seduce Wan Shan with "dirty tricks" for an advantage, and subjected her to intense humiliation, which she endured silently. In the conference room, Yuan Shuai noticed Jiang Jun's absence and attempted to call her, but her phone was off. With the IPO signing imminent, he instructed everyone to turn off their phones, unable to worry about Jiang Jun at the moment.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jun was in the Security Department, where she had strategically engaged the staff in a game of cards and drinks. Under the guise of "truth or dare," she subtly probed them for information. She learned that Wan Shan had a secret resting room and that some staff once saw a girl leaving his office late at night, around 3 AM.

As she was about to extract the girl's name, Yuan Shuai burst in, furious at seeing Jiang Jun intoxicated and seemingly gambling. Jiang Jun attempted to explain she was conducting "due diligence" and gathering intel, but Yuan Shuai was beyond angry. The security guards challenged him to finish the remaining three bottles of alcohol if he wanted to take Jiang Jun. He reluctantly downed all of them, then forcibly dragged Jiang Jun out.

On the way home, Yuan Shuai scolded Jiang Jun for her unprofessional behavior, drinking and playing cards with strangers late at night. Jiang Jun, still tipsy, vehemently defended herself, explaining that she was strategically gathering intelligence for due diligence after being detained by security earlier. She argued that Yuan Shuai's interference "ruined" her efforts to penetrate the enemy's inner circle. Yuan Shuai, exasperated, mocked her "creative" methods and reminded her he had just rescued her.

When she insisted on taking a taxi instead of riding with him, he reprimanded her for her lack of safety awareness, wandering drunk on the street. He sternly warned her that submitting her report late would count as a serious mistake during her probation. Lily woke up after falling asleep while completing Xiao Chuan's questionnaire, realizing she still had many questions left and needed to get to her night shift.

Xiao Chuan offered to walk her, which excited Lily, until he revealed it was merely "on his way" because his university campus was locked, forcing him to spend the night at the convenience store. Lily then realized he was a "third-year graduate student," much younger than her. Trying to create a romantic moment, Lily deliberately broke her shoe heel and feigned an ankle injury, hoping Xiao Chuan would carry her.

However, he stoically broke the heel of her other shoe to make them even, expecting her to walk. Undeterred, Lily claimed her other foot also hurt. Xiao Chuan then unexpectedly hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her to the convenience store. Before leaving for his makeshift overnight stay, he bought her a pair of slippers as compensation for her broken shoes, which Lily initially found "ugly" but later grew to appreciate.

Yuan Shuai carried the seemingly unconscious Jiang Jun up to her apartment, muttering about her low alcohol tolerance and her insolence. He tried to open her door using her fingerprint, but struggled with the scanner. Jiang Jun suddenly woke up, startled to find herself in his arms, and questioned why he was carrying her. Yuan Shuai, realizing she might have been feigning sleep, angrily confronted her, accusing her of pretending to make him carry her all the way up.

Jiang Jun denied it, complained about her discomfort, and pushed him away. He jokingly threatened her with "revenge" for pushing her boss. She then sarcastically thanked him and wished him good night. He handed her the bag she had left behind. After she was safely inside, he grumbled to himself about needing to register a fingerprint on her lock. The next day, Yuan Shuai reviewed the new recruits' reports.

He commended Xiang Ding for his meticulous work and Chen Yicheng for his foresighted, innovative ideas. However, he harshly criticized Shen Xin's report, calling it a waste of time and stating she was far from meeting his expectations for the urgent Wanxing IPO project. He then dismissed the others but asked Jiang Jun to stay for "private tutoring."

Yuan Shuai pressed Jiang Jun for details on the "serious disciplinary problems" she mentioned in her report, recalling her "truth or dare" session. Jiang Jun, wanting to be rigorous, initially hesitated to share unverified information, but under Yuan Shuai's goading, she revealed that Wan Shan had a "secret resting room" with hidden entrances and exits, widely rumored among the trainees to be a suspicious place.

Yuan Shuai expressed skepticism, poking fun at her childhood tendency to misremember details, which irritated Jiang Jun. Concurrently, Shen Xin, observing Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai alone in his office with the door closed, deliberately informed Qiao Na about their private session under the guise of seeking help for her report. Driven by jealousy, Qiao Na promptly burst into Yuan Shuai's office without knocking, witnessing the two of them in close, ambiguous proximity. She offered a sarcastic apology for her abrupt entry.

Episode 8 Recap

Qiao Na found Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun in a close, ambiguous position in Yuan Shuai's office. Feigning an apology for not knocking, Qiao Na's gaze fell on Jiang Jun, who, recognizing the tension with her superior and Yuan Shuai's admirer, quickly excused herself and left. Du Lei and his sister Linda attended their father's birthday banquet.

Du Lei wished his father a happy birthday, but his father responded sharply, expressing surprise at his presence and implying he lacked sincerity, even suggesting he leave if he couldn't drop his poker face. Linda attempted to smooth things over, explaining Du Lei's busy schedule, but their father cut her off. Linda was then introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Zhai and their son, who commented on her beauty and age similarity to their son.

Later, Linda found Du Lei drinking alone and acknowledged his reluctance to come. She assured him their father treated him like his own son and asked him to be more understanding. Du Lei, however, felt he was merely a substitute, a sentiment Linda immediately refuted, emphasizing that in her heart, he was unique and not a replacement. Observing the brevity of his interaction with their father, Du Lei remarked that he had set a new record for upsetting him.

Du Lei then noticed Wan Shan at the banquet. After composing himself, Du Lei approached Wan Shan and introduced himself as an Executive Director from GE Investment Banking. He congratulated Wan Shan on becoming CEO of Wanxing Entertainment, noting the company's peak valuation after its recent talent show, which was positive for its IPO. Wan Shan, wary of a poaching attempt, mentioned MH was a trusted partner of Wanxing's former chairman.

Du Lei clarified his intentions, stating he wasn't there for business but to warn Wan Shan that Yuan Shuai was not easily deceived. Wan Shan dismissed his advice, but Du Lei confidently asserted that Wan Shan would soon seek him out. He then handed over his business card and departed. Feeling down, Jiang Jun met with her friend Lili at a convenience store. Lili excitedly showed off her new slippers, a gift from her "Prince Charming."

Jiang Jun then recounted the awkward encounter with Qiao Na in Yuan Shuai's office, describing their close proximity during a case discussion when Qiao Na unexpectedly entered. Lili, a connoisseur of romance novels, immediately identified Jiang Jun's predicament as a "love triangle, the typical plot in chick-lit urban office fiction."

When Jiang Jun asked for a "spoiler" to help herself, Lili warned that Qiao Na would likely pull rank, constantly monitor her, and wait for an opportunity to strike her down. The next morning, Jiang Jun's fears were confirmed as Qiao Na immediately confronted her about her trendy fast-fashion clothes. Qiao Na then delivered a speech to the new hires, emphasizing that while they were teammates, they were also rivals, echoing Lili's prediction of a "war fiction."

Yuan Shuai, meanwhile, found fault with Jiang Jun's report, instructing her to redo several sections, which made her silently label him a "weirdo." Later, when Yuan Shuai invited the team for a late-night meal, Jiang Jun, determined to maintain distance, invented a "family emergency" and left quickly. Yuan Shuai was perplexed by her behavior and later directly confronted her, asking if she was suffering from "social anxiety" and needed to see a doctor.

Jiang Jun, still wary, retorted that he should see a doctor instead. Jiang Jun went to the library, deep in thought about Wanxing Entertainment. Seeing a familiar face on an entertainment magazine, she recalled the trainee she had helped in the restroom, further fueling her suspicions about the company. There, she unexpectedly encountered Du Lei. Sensing her hesitation, Du Lei apologized for not having previously disclosed his affiliation with GE and his role as a finance guest lecturer.

He explained that he withheld the information to prevent her from feeling pressured due to the competitive relationship between their companies. Jiang Jun assured him she bore no grudge. Du Lei then asked if they could still be friends if he refrained from discussing her work, to which Jiang Jun readily agreed, emphasizing that "peers are not enemies." Before leaving, Du Lei offered a piece of advice: if books couldn't provide answers, she should "follow her heart."

This entire exchange was secretly photographed by Shen Xin, who observed their interaction with suspicion. On her way home, Jiang Jun received text messages from Yuan Shuai offering her leftover egg-fried rice, which she ignored. Yuan Shuai then intercepted her at her apartment door, directly asking why she was avoiding him, suggesting she was "playing hard to get." Jiang Jun dismissively accused him of "self-hypnosis" and tried to leave.

Yuan Shuai stopped her, revealing he had arranged for a large drawing board in the apartment hallway, encouraging her to express her emotions there instead of on paper, and assured her he had secured approval from property management. Jiang Jun, initially hesitant, began to draw. She shared that she hadn't drawn since "613," the "date we broke," referring to their childhood falling out. During their playful drawing session, Yuan Shuai questioned if she was truly suited for investment banking.

They continued to tease each other, adding humorous details to their respective drawings, with Jiang Jun playfully calling herself "a cute wolf." Their lighthearted interaction brought them closer. The new analyst team waited outside Yuan Shuai's office, noting Jiang Jun had been inside for a long time. Inside, their discussion of the Wanxing case was interrupted when Yuan Shuai received the photos of Jiang Jun with Du Lei at the library.

Furious, he accused her of being unprofessional and fraternizing with the competition. Acknowledging her mistake, Jiang Jun tried to placate him, eventually coaxing a smile out of him with a lollipop. As Qiao Na approached Yuan Shuai's office, she overheard Shen Xin mentioning that only Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun were inside, followed by sounds of laughter. Her expression darkened. Moments later, Jiang Jun exited, immediately sensing Qiao Na's displeasure, froze, and quickly made an excuse to leave.

Back at her desk, Jiang Jun continued to puzzle over the anomalies at Wanxing: the secret resting room, the girl seen leaving late at night, and the inexplicable bullying of a trainee. Recalling Du Lei's advice to "follow her heart" when logical solutions were elusive, she decided to visit Wanxing Entertainment. There, she encountered a security guard she had previously played cards with.

Inventing a story about searching for a lost "family heirloom" bracelet brought by her "cousin from Shantou," she managed to gain entry. Inside a training room, Jiang Jun witnessed other trainees bullying Tang Xin by placing a goldfish in her water bottle. She swiftly intervened, warning the bullies of the potential negative impact on Wanxing's upcoming IPO. She then took Tang Xin aside.

Jiang Jun formally introduced herself to Tang Xin as an MH analyst investigating Wan Shan's background for Wanxing's IPO, promising confidentiality. She encouraged Tang Xin to speak openly, recalling the abnormal bullying incident and her suspicions that a senior Wanxing executive, likely Wan Shan, was behind it. Jiang Jun emphasized that silence would prevent her from helping and could allow similar abuse to continue, potentially affecting others.

She assured Tang Xin that concrete evidence of Wan Shan's misconduct could derail Wanxing's IPO and force his removal by shareholders. This assurance prompted Tang Xin to open up. She revealed that after being eliminated from the "Come on, sisters!" competition, Wan Shan had offered her a chance to return for the repechage and debut. Tang Xin then played a recording from her phone.

Wan Shan's voice was heard praising her talent but lamenting her lack of popularity, then offering to make her a "pop star" within three years, complete with top stylists, provided she signed a contract and "understood" how to "be his sweetheart." Tang Xin, on the recording, resisted his advances. She then recounted to Jiang Jun how Wan Shan had drugged her water, and she woke up "disheveled" in his "secret resting room," with him lying beside her.

She fled while he was asleep. Tang Xin added that the "monster" had sought her out several times later and offered another recording where Wan Shan's voice suggests she wouldn't be in her current predicament if she had "listened to him," reiterating his ability to "make her a pop star" if she made him happy. Jiang Jun, enraged by Wan Shan's "monstrous" actions, offered to help and requested a copy of the evidence.

A desperate Tang Xin, seeing Jiang Jun as her "last hope," provided the recording. Unbeknownst to them, their entire conversation was secretly photographed. Walking home, Jiang Jun felt a sense of being followed, prompting her to hurry. She then literally bumped into Du Lei, who noticed her anxiety and offered her a ride, which she accepted for safety.

In the car, Du Lei jokingly suggested she continue calling him "teacher," citing his greater life experience, to which Jiang Jun playfully retorted that she hadn't realized he was "much older" given his youthful appearance. Du Lei revealed he had been visiting a newly appointed CEO on his father's behalf, confirming it was Wan Shan from Wanxing Entertainment.

Jiang Jun, feigning casual curiosity, expressed admiration for Wan Shan's "star-making ability" and tried to subtly probe for his "secret" to success in the entertainment industry. Du Lei, sensing her underlying interest, dismissed variety shows as superficial and warned her that the true stories behind them were "complicated." He then explicitly advised her that "for pretty girls, it’s better to stay away from him." Jiang Jun, understanding the veiled warning, dropped the topic.

Upon arriving at her building, Du Lei offered to be her "driver" if she ever needed a ride at night. Yuan Shuai observed the entire scene from below. Once Jiang Jun went inside, he confronted Du Lei, angrily reminding him to "stay away from her" and questioning his presence at Jiang Jun's building. Du Lei, unfazed, merely smiled and retorted that if Yuan Shuai truly cared about Jiang Jun, he "had better watch out."

Jiang Jun received a summons from Wan Shan and went to his office, secretly bringing a hidden camera to record their interaction. Wan Shan, having been informed of her conversation with Tang Xin, dismissed Tang Xin's accusations as "nonsense" from a child under pressure. He then attempted to bribe Jiang Jun with money, stating that a smart person like her wouldn't believe such stories.

Jiang Jun politely but firmly refused the money, asserting that she understood what she needed to do and quickly departed, internally pleased with the evidence she had captured. However, moments later, Wan Shan made a phone call, instructing his subordinate to "destroy Jiang Jun’s phone and give her a lesson." As Jiang Jun walked alone down a dark road, she again felt a sense of unease. Suddenly, a menacing voice demanded her phone.

Episode 9 Recap

Jiang Jun found herself in a dangerous situation when a masked robber confronted her, demanding her phone. She offered to transfer money instead, but the robber snatched her bag. Determined to protect the evidence on her phone, Jiang Jun gave chase. A struggle ensued, resulting in Jiang Jun falling and injuring her hand, while her phone was also damaged. Yuan Shuai, unable to reach Jiang Jun, grew increasingly worried.

He spotted her limping downstairs and rushed to her side, bringing her back to his apartment to tend to her wounds. As Yuan Shuai carefully applied medicine to her hand, Jiang Jun recounted how Wan Shan had sexually assaulted Tang Xin in his office's private resting room, and how the evidence, including a video, was on her now-stolen phone.

Yuan Shuai, frustrated by her recklessness, ordered her to stay home and rest, promising to request a leave of absence for her. He warned her against further involvement, explaining that the robber was clearly sent by Wan Shan, who was likely monitoring her every move. Jiang Jun, however, was resolute in her decision to pursue justice and find the evidence herself, despite Yuan Shuai's insistence that he would handle it. She left his apartment, still limping.

Meanwhile, Xu Li, wondering about Li Xiaochuan's absence from the convenience store, went to his school to find him. She quickly discovered he was a popular "prince charming" on campus. After learning his usual whereabouts, she found his study area, but he was called away by a professor. Xu Li tidied his messy desk, leaving a box of cookies.

While doing so, she discovered Li Xiaochuan had saved her contact as "Convenience Store Girl" and also saw an affectionate message from a girl named "Sweetie" about a dating activity. Feeling hurt and rejected, Xu Li stormed out of the school and sought comfort at Jiang Jun's apartment. The two friends commiserated over their recent troubles. Xu Li shared her heartbreak over Li Xiaochuan, feeling as though her romantic fantasy had ended before it even began.

Jiang Jun tried to reassure her, suggesting "Sweetie" might just be a username or someone still pursuing him. However, Xu Li pointed out that Li Xiaochuan's generic contact name for her showed a lack of genuine interest. Jiang Jun agreed, then advised Xu Li not to dwell on it, reminding her there were plenty of other prospects. To lift Xu Li's spirits, Jiang Jun offered to treat her to a meal.

At his office, Yuan Shuai and Su Chang analyzed potential CEO candidates for Wanxing. They dismissed Cao Dong as too old and Chen Hai as too opportunistic. Yuan Shuai set his sights on Luo Sheng, a young Vice President groomed by Wan Shan, believing he could exploit Luo Sheng's ambition to replace Wan Shan. Su Chang then presented Jiang Jun's shattered phone, which Yuan Shuai had tasked him with finding.

Yuan Shuai immediately arranged for a specialist to attempt data recovery. Wan Shan and Du Lei met at a restaurant. Wan Shan subtly mocked Jiang Jun's audacity in challenging him, but Du Lei aggressively asserted Jiang Jun's significance and warned Wan Shan not to harm her again. Wan Shan, dismissing Du Lei's words with a condescending proverb, left the table. Du Lei, in turn, silently fumed. Unable to reach Jiang Jun by phone, Du Lei drove to her apartment building.

He encountered Yuan Shuai, who again warned Du Lei to stay away from Jiang Jun. Seeing Jiang Jun in the distance, Du Lei deliberately provoked Yuan Shuai, hinting at Jiang Jun being in another man's arms. Enraged, Yuan Shuai punched Du Lei. Jiang Jun rushed to Du Lei's side, accusing Yuan Shuai of being problematic.

Yuan Shuai, furious that Jiang Jun was defending Du Lei, coldly told her to be careful who she associated with, likening her to someone feeding a wolf, and then abruptly left. Later, Jiang Jun attended to Du Lei's injury in a nearby garden. They discussed the robbery, and Jiang Jun hesitated to reveal the full extent of the plot.

Du Lei, already aware of Wan Shan's involvement, subtly advised Jiang Jun that in the cutthroat world of investment banking, one sometimes needed to be more aggressive, even "savage," to protect oneself. He metaphorically suggested that if an "ant" couldn't move a "big rock" on flat ground, it might be able to push it off a "cliff edge," implying she needed to find a weak point to challenge her powerful adversaries. This conversation gave Jiang Jun a new perspective.

Upon returning home, Du Lei found his sister, Linda, waiting. He casually brushed off his facial injury as a minor "accident" within his plans. They discussed Wanxing, noting that despite outward appearances, Wan Shan was in disarray, creating an opportune moment for GE to intervene. Linda then brought up Jiang Jun, to which Du Lei responded that he was merely using her as a "pawn" in his vendetta against Yuan Shuai, a "dagger" to pierce his rival's heart.

Linda, however, cautioned him not to let that "dagger" turn on him. After leaving Du Lei's apartment, Linda secretly ordered her subordinate to track Du Lei's movements. At the office the next day, a visible tension lingered between Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun. Jiang Jun avoided Yuan Shuai, even opting for a separate elevator, which Su Chang noticed, warning Yuan Shuai about the consequences of mistreating his "wife." Yuan Shuai, however, dismissed the comment.

He observed Jiang Jun being friendly with other colleagues but cold towards him, which further irritated him. Putting aside his personal frustrations, Yuan Shuai then proceeded with his plan, meeting with Luo Sheng. Jiang Jun met Tang Xin at a café. Tang Xin spoke of her lifelong dream of dancing, expressing her despair that one person could so easily ruin years of hard work, twisting her dream into a "dirty deal." She apologized to Jiang Jun for her initial suspicions.

Jiang Jun reassured Tang Xin, then warned her to be careful, revealing that Wan Shan had sent someone to follow her and smash her phone. Jiang Jun emphasized that the more Wan Shan tried to bury his misdeeds, the more they needed to expose the truth. She then gave Tang Xin the business card of a trusted lawyer, urging her to use legal recourse for protection.

Back home, Jiang Jun continued to worry about Tang Xin's situation and contemplated swallowing her pride to seek Yuan Shuai's help. A sudden water cut during her shower left her no choice but to go to Yuan Shuai's apartment. He was on a work call when he opened the door, but seeing her predicament, he allowed her to use his bathroom. While Jiang Jun was washing her hair, blinded by foam, Yuan Shuai's dog, Wealth, bounded in.

As Yuan Shuai tried to coax Wealth out, Jiang Jun accidentally kicked him in the head. She profusely apologized, then, while tending to his head, noticed her broken phone on his table, alongside Luo Sheng's resume. Realizing Yuan Shuai's plan, Jiang Jun confronted him. Yuan Shuai admitted his intentions, explaining that his previous anger stemmed from her impulsive actions that put her in danger.

He informed her that Luo Sheng had agreed to cooperate, but the crucial missing piece was the data on her phone. The best solution, he stressed, was for Tang Xin to bravely come forward. Jiang Jun assured him that she had just met Tang Xin, who was now ready to confront Wan Shan. Relieved that she wasn't alone, Jiang Jun enthusiastically declared them allies. Yuan Shuai accepted, then, with a wry smile, assigned her the task of drying Wealth.

Episode 10 Recap

At a dessert shop, Jiang Jun overheard passersby discussing the news about Tang Xin and Wan Shan. The public was abuzz, with some speculating that Tang Xin was orchestrating a publicity stunt, having attempted to enter the entertainment industry through illicit means that ultimately soured. Meanwhile, at Wanxing Entertainment, Wan Shan received news from his assistant about the media swarming outside. Initially upset, he quickly decided to face them, asserting that all accusations from Tang Xin were fabricated nonsense.

He publicly challenged her to produce any real evidence, vowing that Wanxing would pursue legal action against her for defamation and implying she was being manipulated. The crisis also affected MH Company. An employee expressed concerns about the financial investor demanding Wan Shan's dismissal, fearing potential criminal charges and a derailed IPO. Yuan Shuai calmed the team, reassuring them that Wanxing's issues were being addressed.

He then swiftly reorganized tasks: Xiang Ding and Chen Yicheng retained their duties, Shen Xin was assigned to translate and verify all foreign documents, and Jiang Jun was instructed to accompany him to a meeting with Luo Sheng, Wanxing's new CEO candidate, for due diligence the following afternoon. Qiao Na confronted Yuan Shuai, feeling left out and betrayed for not being informed earlier about Wan Shan's issues.

She offered to attend the meeting with him, but Yuan Shuai firmly stated that Jiang Jun would be his companion. This rejection, coupled with Yuan Shuai's apparent preference for Jiang Jun, fueled Qiao Na's jealousy. She immediately summoned Jiang Jun to her office, burdening her with five years' worth of Wanxing's personnel files and demanding they be meticulously organized by the next noon—an impossible task.

Despite her colleagues' initial grumbling about the additional workload and Shen Xin's snide remarks about Jiang Jun's supposed inefficiency, some, including Xiang Ding and Chen Yicheng, offered to help. Chen Yicheng explicitly stated it was to repay Jiang Jun for her help during their interview, declaring them rivals afterward, to which Jiang Jun playfully suggested prioritizing friendship.

At the convenience store, Lili was annoyed by her crush Xiaochuan's usual obliviousness to her advances, so she changed the Wi-Fi password to get his attention. Xiaochuan easily deduced it was her and commented on the practicality of the change. Feigning anger, Lili confronted him about her "convenience store girl" alias in his contacts and a "Sweet" account she'd seen on his computer, which she assumed was a girlfriend.

Xiaochuan clarified that the alias was a quick search tag and "Sweet" was a beta test account for a chat AI. He then pointed out her recent actions—tidying his desk at school, changing the Wi-Fi password, and asking about his relationship status—all led him to conclude she needed a favor. Reluctantly, Lili admitted he was right and concocted a story about a friend needing a beta tester for an AI account. Xiaochuan agreed.

Later, using a separate phone, Lili posed as "Shirley," the AI, and sent Xiaochuan a chat request. After her lengthy introductory message promising companionship, he tersely replied, "Too talkative. Needs to be improved." Meanwhile, Du Lei met with Wan Shan, who was drinking alone. Du Lei mocked Wan Shan's overconfidence, prompting an incensed Wan Shan to accuse Jiang Jun of being Du Lei's pawn who manipulated Tang Xin into suing him.

Du Lei corrected him, revealing that Yuan Shuai had allied with Wan Shan's greatest rival to orchestrate his downfall. Visibly shaken, Wan Shan was pressed by Du Lei, who made it clear that Wan Shan's only option now was to trust him. Later, in a phone call, Wan Shan told Du Lei he was accelerating his plans for the next day's "good show" but threatened to harm Jiang Jun, whom Du Lei called his "gold fish," if she interfered.

Their conversation escalated into veiled threats, each reminding the other of the damaging information they held. Back in her office, after an arduous night, Jiang Jun and her colleagues managed to complete the data organization. Qiao Na then announced that Tang Xin had unexpectedly withdrawn her lawsuit. Shen Xin derided Tang Xin as an attention seeker, then turned on Jiang Jun, presenting a photo of her with Du Lei.

Shen Xin accused Jiang Jun of colluding with the rival company, GE, to sabotage MH and implied that Tang Xin's withdrawal was part of a scheme to facilitate Wanxing's defection to GE. Jiang Jun vehemently denied any betrayal, but Qiao Na warned her to resolve the Wanxing issue swiftly or face severe consequences. Simultaneously, Director Fan confronted Yuan Shuai with the same photos, expressing disappointment in his leadership. Yuan Shuai assured him he would handle it.

Jiang Jun called Tang Xin, who answered in distress, tearfully confessing that Wan Shan possessed explicit photos of her, forcing her to withdraw the lawsuit. Jiang Jun offered to come over immediately. However, upon arriving, she realized Du Lei was already inside. Du Lei was offering Tang Xin a deal: he would eliminate all negative online publicity and secure her a superior agency contract if she maintained her lawsuit withdrawal.

As Jiang Jun knocked and pleaded through the door, urging Tang Xin to fight for her true self, Tang Xin ultimately sided with Du Lei and told her to leave. Later, Du Lei reflected on Jiang Jun's words while boxing, realizing they deeply resonated with his own struggles. Dejected, Jiang Jun stood on her balcony.

Yuan Shuai joined her, reassuring her that Tang Xin was now safe since Wan Shan had already publicly discredited her, making any further evidence less impactful. Jiang Jun offered to take full responsibility before Director Fan. Smiling at her use of "us," Yuan Shuai reminded her of his knack for handling difficult situations and offered her coffee, encouraging her to prepare for the "battle" ahead.

The next morning, Su Chang informed Yuan Shuai that Wanxing was holding an emergency Board meeting at 9 AM. Yuan Shuai immediately instructed Jiang Jun to retrieve his critically important repaired phone before the meeting. Arriving at the convenience store, Jiang Jun was surprised to find the expert was Li Xiaochuan. He confirmed the data recovery was challenging but was making progress.

At the Wanxing Board meeting, Wan Shan apologized for the recent "small trouble" and announced two decisions: first, Wanxing would terminate its cooperation with MH, having already secured a new investment bank for their IPO. Second, he was dismissing Luo Sheng from his positions as Vice President and Director. Wan Shan then presented photos of Yuan Shuai and Luo Sheng, accusing them of colluding to slander him and take over the company.

Just then, Jiang Jun arrived with the repaired phone. At Yuan Shuai's signal, Luo Sheng announced he had emailed all directors a document. Yuan Shuai explained it contained irrefutable evidence of Wan Shan's long history of bribing producers, fabricating data, and orchestrating dirty deals during talent selections. Wan Shan denied the accusations, claiming he did it all for the company's benefit and reminding the directors of their shared profits.

He threatened that publicizing the information would ruin their IPO and hold them all accountable, forcing them to choose between Luo Sheng's "justice" and their own interests. Jiang Jun then played an audio recording from Yuan Shuai's phone: Wan Shan's voice, pressuring Tang Xin to please him to become famous. When Wan Shan dismissed it as fabricated, Jiang Jun played a video of Wan Shan attempting to bribe her while dismissing Tang Xin's allegations as "nonsense."

Furious, Wan Shan lunged at Jiang Jun, accusing her of conspiring with Tang Xin to extort him. He claimed he had only compromised for the company's benefit and challenged her to produce any "real" evidence, given that Tang Xin herself had withdrawn the lawsuit. Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun glared at him, seething at his audacity.

Episode 11 Recap

As Wan Shan continued to press for evidence during the board meeting, a familiar figure, Tang Xin, walked in and declared, "I can prove that." Yuan Shuai, seeing Tang Xin bravely step forward to expose Wan Shan's wrongdoings, let out a sigh of relief and discreetly gave a thumbs-down gesture to a hidden camera. Du Lei, watching from behind the camera, grew furious at Yuan Shuai’s triumphant expression.

After the meeting, Wan Shan was officially dismissed, and Luo Sheng took over as the new CEO. Luo Sheng expressed the company's "resolution to maintain the order" of the industry. Later, Director Fan praised Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun for their role in Wan Shan's removal, noting that Wan Shan must have been "assisted by someone" to act so boldly. Yuan Shuai dismissed this, asserting that good always triumphs over evil and that Wan Shan was merely a "jester."

He then playfully demanded a bonus from Director Fan. Jiang Jun then thanked Tang Xin, who explained she came to prevent those who believed in her from being disappointed, hoping to show a direction for other girls facing similar struggles. Yuan Shuai commended her for her courage. Meanwhile, Linda confronted Du Lei at a racetrack, accusing him of being too presumptuous. Du Lei calmly stated that he would bear the consequences of his choices, whether successful or not.

Linda warned that Yuan Shuai had become his obsession and insisted that only she and GE could help him. Du Lei, however, defiantly declared that how he defeated Yuan Shuai was his own business and threatened to leave GE if Linda continued to treat him like a helpless child. He then left, stating he had other matters to attend to. Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun discussed the Wan Shan case.

Jiang Jun expressed sympathy for Tang Xin and hoped Wan Shan would face legal punishment. Yuan Shuai urged Jiang Jun to reflect on her missteps in the case, particularly her impulsive decision to confront Tang Xin alone to record evidence, calling it dangerous. Jiang Jun argued that she acted alone because Yuan Shuai initially refused to help. Yuan Shuai then confessed he kept her in the dark because he wanted to protect her and prevent her from getting involved.

Jiang Jun realized that Yuan Shuai had believed her from the beginning. Yuan Shuai playfully teased her for not being able to "think it straight," implying she was "unreliable" and would end up "picking gold coins carrying a box behind me." Jiang Jun, feeling exhausted and hungry, mentioned working tirelessly. Yuan Shuai, as her boss, offered to treat her to dinner.

When Jiang Jun suggested ordering takeout, Yuan Shuai invited her to his home, promising to "show my real skills" in cooking, much to her surprise. At the convenience store, Lily continued her efforts to ask Xiaochuan out. She first tried leaving movie tickets, then texted him from a fake "AI robot" account to invite him to a horror movie. Xiaochuan, however, easily figured out it was Lily.

Lily explained she wanted him to experience the difference between a real person and AI, which Xiaochuan likened to a "Turing Test," giving him a new idea. Despite being frustrated by his bluntness, Lily was impressed by Xiaochuan's academic mind, remarking that "a genius's way of thinking is so different from normal people." Jiang Jun arrived at Yuan Shuai's apartment with a large bag, claiming it contained all her "available ingredients," which turned out to be mostly snacks.

Yuan Shuai teased her about the meager offerings but told her to relax in the living room while he cooked. Browsing his bookshelf, Jiang Jun discovered her old magic cube. Yuan Shuai revealed he had kept it all these years, explaining he felt a lifelong responsibility for it. Noticing Jiang Jun's difficulty with the cube, he stood behind her and guided her hands through the steps to solve it, creating a moment of intimacy.

Feeling the awkwardness, Yuan Shuai quickly made an excuse about dinner being ready and urged her to wash her hands. During dinner, Jiang Jun was delighted by Yuan Shuai's cooking. They exchanged playful jabs about expensive wine glasses and each other's "history," including Yuan Shuai's past fashion choices and Jiang Jun's childhood attempt to woo a classmate with a pig's trotter.

Yuan Shuai received a text from Du Lei requesting a meeting, which he dismissed as a "scam phone call" before resuming their meal. The next day, Du Lei and Yuan Shuai met at a racetrack and engaged in an intense race. Afterwards, Yuan Shuai confronted Du Lei, accusing him of manipulating Wan Shan and using Jiang Jun to impulsively contact Tang Xin. He warned Du Lei to stay away from Jiang Jun. Du Lei revealed he had resigned.

He told Yuan Shuai that while he was willing to concede some matters, he would not concede others. He then showed Yuan Shuai a hairpin, implying it was a gift from Jiang Jun, and reiterated that Jiang Jun was a good girl to whom he had made a promise. Yuan Shuai again warned Du Lei to stay away, but Du Lei reaffirmed his resolve, declaring he would no longer simply yield to Yuan Shuai.

Later, Lily pleaded with Jiang Jun to help her ask Xiaochuan to the movies, admitting all her own attempts had failed. Jiang Jun was reluctant, citing her limited acquaintance with Xiaochuan. Lily suggested using the excuse of thanking him for fixing Jiang Jun’s phone and to bring her along as a tag-along. Jiang Jun pointed out that it was Yuan Shuai who asked for the repair. Desperate, Lily implored Jiang Jun, calling her "kind, lovely, beautiful, and exquisite."

Jiang Jun relented and went to Yuan Shuai's door. Yuan Shuai, sensing her ulterior motive, was visibly jealous upon learning she wanted to ask Xiaochuan to the movies for Lily. He connected the dots about Xiaochuan being his "expert" and a regular at Lily's convenience store. Yuan Shuai agreed to help but insisted that Jiang Jun buy four movie tickets, implying a double date with himself and Jiang Jun. Feeling pressured, Jiang Jun could only agree.

At the cinema, Xiaochuan arrived, greeting Yuan Shuai as "brother," revealing their cousin relationship. Yuan Shuai lightly scolded Xiaochuan for using the public Wi-Fi in his apartment complex instead of visiting. Lily, still hoping for alone time with Xiaochuan, had secretly purchased tickets for two different movies. As a result, Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun watched one film, while Lily and Xiaochuan watched another.

During a horror movie, Lily feigned fear to lean on Xiaochuan, but he obtusely suggested she wait outside if she was too scared, as he wanted to finish the film. In the other cinema, during a poignant scene about parents, Jiang Jun became emotional. Yuan Shuai gently covered her eyes and comforted her, then offered to accompany her to movies in the future, promising no charges and even buying the popcorn.

Their bond deepened in this tender moment, though it was humorously interrupted by another audience member who called them "sir" and "ma'am." The following day, a property manager informed Jiang Jun that her landlord could easily recharge her water bill, revealing that her landlord was none other than Yuan Shuai, from the apartment directly opposite hers. Jiang Jun then visited her old landlord, Ms. Zhang, in the alley.

Overhearing Ms. Zhang discussing her third-floor apartment—which had been rented out but remained vacant—Jiang Jun showed her Yuan Shuai's photo, feigning interest for a friend. Ms. Zhang, visibly flustered, confirmed that the man in the picture was indeed her tenant, putting all the pieces together for Jiang Jun.

At the office, Su Chang sent a message to Yuan Shuai, confirming Du Lei's involvement with Wan Shan and sharing the news of Jiang Jun's early promotion, which came with a letter of appreciation from Luo Sheng. Qiao Na publicly announced Jiang Jun's early conversion to full-time status due to her exceptional performance, assigning her to continue tracking the Wanxing case. Shen Xin muttered criticisms about Jiang Jun's perceived undeserved promotion.

Jiang Jun, still upset with Yuan Shuai, ignored congratulatory remarks from colleagues and messaged him to meet on the rooftop. On the rooftop, Yuan Shuai, expecting gratitude, commented that she didn't need to specifically thank him for "helping a newbie." Jiang Jun, armed with her new discovery, confronted him directly, asking, "Is there a free house in the world?" Yuan Shuai realized his secret had been exposed.

Episode 12 Recap

Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai met on the rooftop, where Yuan Shuai presented photos of Du Lei and Wan Shan laughing together at a banquet, revealing their conspiracy. He warned Jiang Jun to stay away from Du Lei, stating that Du Lei's true target was him and that Du Lei and Wan Shan were cunning accomplices, even responsible for Tang Xin dropping her case. Jiang Jun, however, turned the conversation to Yuan Shuai's own deception.

She confronted him about being her landlord, accusing him of manipulating her into renting his apartment next door after he had secretly arranged for her previous rent to be raised, leaving her homeless. Yuan Shuai, caught off guard, tried to explain that he only wanted to provide her with a better living environment to compensate for her unemployment, given their long-standing friendship. Hurt and angry, Jiang Jun accused him of controlling her life and finding amusement in her struggles.

Despite Yuan Shuai's defense that his apartment was superior, Jiang Jun called him a liar and declared she would move out that very night, unwilling to be controlled by him. Jiang Jun moved into Lili’s apartment with a large amount of luggage. Lili, surprised by her sudden arrival, was worried about the difficulty of finding a new place. She speculated that Yuan Shuai’s actions might have stemmed from a desire to provide Jiang Jun with a good living situation.

However, Jiang Jun quickly dismissed this as naive, asserting that Yuan Shuai was a manipulative man who harbored ulterior motives and reminding Lili that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Lili then shared her own frustration with her novel’s flat villain and humorously suggested interviewing Yuan Shuai for material, marveling at how he had consistently "fooled" Jiang Jun for over a decade.

A flashback briefly showed a young Jiang Jun jumping from a height, trusting Yuan Shuai to catch her, only to fall and be told by him that it was a lesson not to trust men easily. Frustrated by Jiang Jun’s reaction, Yuan Shuai vented to Su Chang at a bar, wondering why she perceived his actions as "playing her."

Su Chang bluntly told Yuan Shuai that his attempts to keep Jiang Jun close wouldn't make her fall for him, especially given his history as her "super villain." Comparing their dynamic to that of a Smurf and Gargamel, Su Chang implied a villain could never be loved. Taking this to heart, a drunk Yuan Shuai decided to go on a business trip to Beijing to give Jiang Jun space.

The next day, Jiang Jun noticed Yuan Shuai’s empty office and learned from Xiang Ding that he had left. Shortly after, Du Lei called her. Jiang Jun initially hesitated, but when Du Lei announced his resignation from GE, she felt responsible and agreed to meet him. At a bookstore, Jiang Jun questioned Du Lei about his resignation.

Du Lei explained that Yuan Shuai suspected he had used Jiang Jun in the Wanxing case and was concerned she might misunderstand his acquaintance with Wan Shan. He clarified that GE had been very interested in the project, and Wan Shan, an old friend of his father’s, had approached him multiple times, but he had always rejected the offers since their companies were rivals and they had an agreement not to interfere with each other's work.

Du Lei stated that he felt relieved, as he could now pursue his own ambitions, possibly as an instructor in financial training. Jiang Jun apologized, and Du Lei assured her it wasn't her fault, saying he was happy to finally do what he wanted. Lili, dejected after a week without seeing Xiaochuan at the convenience store, received a delivery order for Yuan Shuai’s apartment. Intending to retaliate against Yuan Shuai for Jiang Jun, she sabotaged the snacks in the order.

However, upon arriving, she found Li Xiaochuan at the door. He explained that Yuan Shuai was on a business trip and had asked him to care for his dog, Wealth. Overjoyed, Lili became infatuated with Wealth. Realizing Xiaochuan was too engrossed in his work to properly care for the dog, Lili offered to walk him. As she was about to leave, she noticed Xiaochuan reaching for the food she had delivered.

Remembering her prank, she quickly snatched the bag back, claiming it was a wrong delivery and leaving a bewildered Xiaochuan behind. At MH, Matthew Ma tasked Jiang Jun with an overwhelming workload: a complete asset evaluation report for Hudi Group within two days. Despite being exhausted from continuous overtime, she worked diligently. Du Lei messaged her, reminding her to take breaks and later sent her a food delivery. Jiang Jun thanked him, and Du Lei offered her a ride home.

She gratefully declined, stating she had too much work and would stay at the office. Du Lei, parked downstairs, looked up at the skyscraper with a hint of disappointment. Yuan Shuai’s car was rear-ended. While the other driver sought a private settlement, Yuan Shuai insisted on taking photos, declaring he just wanted to "keep a memory." He posted the photos on his Moments, making them visible only to Jiang Jun, hoping for her concern.

However, Jiang Jun only liked the post briefly before unliking it, remarking "Liar, it’s none of my business." Exasperated, Yuan Shuai later vented to Su Chang, who was happily talking to his girlfriend. After hearing Yuan Shuai complain about Jiang Jun's lack of sympathy, Su Chang simply advised him that he owed her a sincere apology. Lili continued to visit Li Xiaochuan at Yuan Shuai's apartment, bringing healthy snacks and coffee as a supposed compensation for the "wrong delivery."

As she admired him working, Xiaochuan’s "Western World" app successfully launched, triggering an upgrade notification. Overjoyed, he spontaneously hugged Lili, proclaiming her the first witness to his breakthrough. He enthusiastically explained his use of the Naive Bayesian algorithm and the precision of his data matching. Flustered by the unexpected intimacy, Lili felt her heart race and stumbled through an excuse to leave. After days of intense work, an exhausted Jiang Jun submitted her report.

Matthew Ma praised her meticulous work, then used a metaphor, categorizing new employees as ambitious "wild boars" or passive "domestic pigs," implying she was the former. He then assigned Jiang Jun to represent the company at a dinner hosted by the notoriously difficult Mr. Qin from Wanbo. Unbeknownst to them, their colleague, Ran Xu, overheard this conversation.

Miles away, Yuan Shuai was in a heated negotiation when he received an urgent call from Ran Xu, warning him that Matthew Ma had sent Jiang Jun alone to the dinner with Mr. Qin. Sensing trouble, Yuan Shuai abruptly ended the negotiation and ordered the quickest flight back to Shanghai. At the dinner, Jiang Jun was pressured to drink heavily. She excused herself to the restroom and, using lipstick, drew red marks on her face to fake an alcohol allergy.

However, Mr. Qin was undeterred and poured her a large glass of a mixed drink he called "a hundred flowers in bloom," pressing her to drink. When she refused, citing her "allergy," his demeanor soured. Unwilling to damage the company’s relationship, Jiang Jun reluctantly drank the entire glass. Just then, Du Lei called, sensing her distress. As he asked for her location, the door burst open.

Yuan Shuai, having rushed from the airport, entered the room, silenced everyone with a glare, and swiftly escorted Jiang Jun out. As Yuan Shuai helped a disoriented Jiang Jun into his car, he saw Du Lei’s call on her phone. He answered, bluntly telling Du Lei that her well-being was "none of his business." Du Lei, arriving at the location, heard Yuan Shuai’s voice and watched in shock and disappointment as he drove away with Jiang Jun.

Yuan Shuai took her to a dock to sober her up, criticizing her for being submissive to Matthew Ma and reminding her that the workplace was a "battlefield." Jiang Jun, still drunk, argued that she had no choice and climbed onto a railing, calling him a "big liar." He urged her to come down, promising to catch her, but she scoffed, echoing the childhood memory where he had let her fall to teach her a lesson.

As she swayed dangerously, Yuan Shuai quickly pulled her into a protective embrace. Holding her close, he softly called her "Crying Girl" and reiterated his promise to always catch her. Half-conscious, Jiang Jun murmured about having made her second "mistake," fearing automatic resignation. Yuan Shuai gently reassured her that she was already a regular employee and he wouldn't let her leave. As he leaned in, she mumbled in her sleep, "Don’t bring Yuan Shuai, the big wolf, here!" Yuan Shuai chuckled, calling her his "little sheep," and promised to take her home.

Episode 13 Recap

After Yuan Shuai brought a heavily intoxicated Jiang Jun back to his apartment, unit 702, and placed her on the bed, she unconsciously reached out and held his hand as he prepared to leave. Reluctant to abandon her, Yuan Shuai sat by her side, then made a phone call to Xu Li. The following morning, Jiang Jun awoke in unit 702, surprised by her location.

Her friend Xu Li had already prepared congee, and Jiang Jun soon discovered the refrigerator was fully stocked with food she didn't buy. Xu Li informed her that Yuan Shuai had filled the fridge, neatly folded her clothes, and even ensured the bed was in her favorite color. Xu Li suggested that Yuan Shuai seemed to be anticipating Jiang Jun's return and recounted how worried he had been when he called her the previous night.

She light-heartedly speculated that Yuan Shuai either secretly intended harm or was deeply in love with her. Meanwhile, Linda visited Du Lei at a boxing gym, where he was intensely punching a bag, venting his anger. Linda noted that Du Lei's focus was elsewhere, distracted by another woman, making him disengaged from the company.

She urged him to return to GE for a project meeting the next day with a client who was their father’s friend, warning that their father would find out if he didn't appear. Du Lei agreed to return in a few days to address outstanding matters but made it clear that would be the extent of his involvement. Linda pleaded with him not to abandon GE or her, feeling him slipping beyond her control.

At MH, Yuan Shuai advised Jiang Jun against being submissive, telling her that the corporate world was a battlefield with no rules or invigilators, and that tolerance would only empower bullies. Empowered, Jiang Jun confronted her superior, Ma Xiuran, formally requesting him to cease assigning her unfair and unreasonable tasks, such as entertaining clients by drinking. She threatened to report him to Director Fan if he continued.

Ma Xiuran tried to assert his authority, insisting that any task given by a superior was part of her job, but Jiang Jun firmly reiterated her right to refuse unreasonable assignments. As Ma Xiuran attempted to pursue Jiang Jun, Yuan Shuai intercepted him.

Yuan Shuai, smelling Ma Xiuran’s "foul odor" perfume, questioned if it was a new fragrance from the famous Milan designer Armar, then subtly hinted at Ma Xiuran's involvement in the delisting of Ganzheng Pharmaceuticals as a "cheating stock" from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. When Ma Xiuran denied any wrongdoing, Yuan Shuai produced a photo of him in women's clothing, stating he used "special means" to get to his current position at MH.

Yuan Shuai warned Ma Xiuran to stop his "dirty tricks" or the photo might be leaked, advising him to behave. Later, Jiang Jun found Yuan Shuai in the park. He initiated an apology, suggesting that sincere words resonated more outside the office. He admitted he had lied about the apartment and accepted blame, advising her to be smarter and not trust people like him in the future.

Jiang Jun thanked him, forgiving him because he had saved her, but firmly requested that he never lie to her again. Du Lei arranged another meeting with Jiang Jun at the fragrance blending room, using the excuse of returning a perfume she had blended herself. Jiang Jun was impressed by the scent and her own skill.

They chatted pleasantly, and Du Lei assured her that she should always contact him first if she ever found herself in trouble again, which she dismissed, stating she was no longer a pushover. Jiang Jun inquired about his current activities; he mentioned he was lecturing and exploring investments, asking her for project recommendations. As Du Lei drove her home, Jiang Jun directed him, revealing she had moved.

He seized the opportunity to inquire about her relationship with Yuan Shuai, asking how she got home from the business dinner the previous night. Jiang Jun explained Yuan Shuai, her "leader," had picked her up to "help" her.

When Du Lei pressed if she and Yuan Shuai had a good relationship, Jiang Jun dismissed it, recounting how Yuan Shuai had bullied her since childhood, tried to force her out of MH, and continued to make work difficult for her, all while a subtle smile played on her lips, which Du Lei noticed. Observing her, he recognized that his path to winning her over would be a long one.

Jiang Jun moved in with Xu Li, but she struggled to sleep due to Xu Li's roommate, who gave her "scary stares." Xu Li urged her not to "give in to evil forces" and to protect her dignity by not moving back to Yuan Shuai's apartment.

However, Jiang Jun, plagued by dark circles from lack of sleep, realized she preferred Yuan Shuai's "investment banking backyard" – unit 702 – which she considered nicer, quieter, and more cost-efficient than enduring the "torture by staring eyes." She decided not to let ego hinder her comfort. The next day at work, looking exhausted, Jiang Jun attempted to ask Yuan Shuai about the availability of unit 702, but Qiao Na interrupted.

Qiao Na openly criticized Jiang Jun's pale face, dark circles, and wrinkled, cheap-looking clothes, before sending her back to work on a prospectus. Qiao Na then followed Yuan Shuai to his office, where they discussed Chenxin Technology's system patent being targeted by larger companies. Yuan Shuai affirmed his commitment to protecting the company he had chosen. Qiao Na then tried to invite him to dinner, but he politely declined, stating he had "personal things to take care of."

After Qiao Na left, Yuan Shuai, who had noticed Jiang Jun lingering outside his office, looked out the window, observing her. As the workday ended, Jiang Jun, still unable to find the right moment to speak, waited until Yuan Shuai was leaving and then awkwardly offered to treat him to rice noodles. At the restaurant, Jiang Jun was overly attentive, offering him various condiments. Yuan Shuai, already suspecting her intentions, asked what she had wanted to discuss earlier.

She feigned indifference, so he brought up the Longting apartment, mentioning it had been vacant for a long time and he would rent it to someone else if she wasn't interested. Jiang Jun quickly interjected, mentioning that the fridge was "full of stuff" and then, shifting her tone, suggested it was the "off-season" making it hard to find a new tenant, implying she could "help" him out. Playing along, Yuan Shuai said he could manage on his own.

Suddenly, his phone rang; it was Su Chang, pretending to be a potential tenant, Miss Liu, eager to transfer the rent immediately. Jiang Jun, flustered, stood up and stopped Yuan Shuai, announcing that she had thought it over and found the apartment "cost-efficient" and wished to "rent it again." Yuan Shuai feigned concern about her "happy life," but Jiang Jun insisted she had none. He then agreed to let her "cut in line" but hinted at raising the price.

Jiang Jun accused him of "price gouging" and "taking advantage of a poor employee." Yuan Shuai then relented, agreeing to the previous price, but Jiang Jun insisted on paying the "market price," not wanting to take advantage of him. Finally, Yuan Shuai conceded, admitting he just wanted her to move back, then grumbled about the "trouble" her return would cause. He asked when she would move, and she replied, "in these couple of days."

He pretended to call "Miss Liu" to cancel, and Jiang Jun rushed off to pack her belongings. Meanwhile, Li Xiaochuan's software beta test was a success, and he excitedly embraced Xu Li, who, for the first time, felt shy around him. Xu Li offered to be the first user, but Xiaochuan revealed he had already claimed that spot.

She then suggested promoting the app to her "model group" and fans for wider adoption, but Xiaochuan explained that his server was currently too small to handle a large number of users. He then called Yuan Shuai to share the "surprise" and seek his assessment of the project's investment value. Simultaneously, Xu Li called Jiang Jun, and upon hearing Yuan Shuai's voice in the background, she deduced Jiang Jun had moved back.

Incensed by her friend's "weakness," Xu Li ordered Jiang Jun to meet her at the convenience store for a stern lecture. As Jiang Jun prepared to leave, Yuan Shuai appeared at her door to welcome her home, then surprised her by also heading to the convenience store, having received Xiaochuan's call.

Episode 14 Recap

Upon arriving at the convenience store with Yuan Shuai, Xu Li promptly pulled Jiang Jun aside. From the window, Li Xiaochuan and Yuan Shuai watched the two women, puzzled by their intense conversation. Xu Li expressed her surprise that Jiang Jun was once again living with Yuan Shuai, whom she previously described as a "demon." Jiang Jun tried to explain, emphasizing that she was not sharing a house with him and that a "wise man submits to fate."

Xu Li reminded her that as adults, they needed to have a sense of propriety. The real reason for the gathering, as Li Xiaochuan revealed, was to introduce his new dating app, "Western World." He passionately described it as a revolutionary product that eschewed traditional profiles and photos in favor of comprehensive personality, IQ, and EQ tests. His big data system would analyze these results to provide a "perfect match" for users.

Jiang Jun found the concept interesting, especially the addition of a "gene identification matching system" which he claimed would use data from long-married couples to find the most precise romantic partners. However, Yuan Shuai remained dismissive, questioning what made this app special in a market flooded with dating apps. Li Xiaochuan then revealed his need for significant funding for further development, leading Xu Li to ask if MH, Jiang Jun’s investment bank, could invest.

Yuan Shuai quickly clarified that MH was not an investment company. Seeing Li Xiaochuan's eagerness, Yuan Shuai decided to take them to a bar. At the bar, Yuan Shuai deliberately created a social scenario, using Jiang Jun as an example. He explained that a good dating app needed to account for aspects beyond quantifiable data, such as real-life social interactions.

He pointed out to Li Xiaochuan that in half an hour, Jiang Jun, despite her initial rejection of an advance, had a certain "social expectation value" among males, which he deduced from observations of her and the other bar-goers. He even accurately identified a man who hit on Jiang Jun as a "douchebag" by noticing his borrowed designer clothes and a visible wedding ring mark.

Yuan Shuai then bluntly told Li Xiaochuan that to create a successful dating app, he needed to understand sociology, social dynamics, and psychology, along with practical experience in dating and social situations. He criticized Li Xiaochuan, a "geek" who had never had a serious relationship, for attempting to create an app about love. Li Xiaochuan argued that the bar's clientele wasn't his target audience, but Yuan Shuai countered that true love could be sought anywhere.

Yuan Shuai reiterated that while he supported Li Xiaochuan’s entrepreneurial spirit, a dating app was simply not a suitable project for him. Feeling misunderstood and dismissed, Li Xiaochuan angrily left the bar. Jiang Jun criticized Yuan Shuai for his harsh words, but he insisted that as an entrepreneur, Li Xiaochuan needed to face such challenges. Xu Li found a dejected Li Xiaochuan sitting outside the bar.

Unsure how to comfort him, she opened her bag and offered him all her savings, explaining that she had saved for a long time and believed in him as "the best Li Xiaochuan in the universe." Li Xiaochuan gently pushed the money back, remarking on her cold hands, and then tucked them into his warm pocket, a small gesture that made Xu Li’s heart flutter.

Later, as Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai walked home, Jiang Jun confronted him, accusing him of letting his personal judgment of Li Xiaochuan bias his evaluation of the project. She argued that everyone has flaws, including Yuan Shuai, and that his method of being "good" to Li Xiaochuan was hurtful. Jiang Jun also expressed her belief that "Western World" had potential. Yuan Shuai challenged her back, questioning if she truly understood the app's merits or even love itself.

He admitted that while he understood love, he had never dated. When Jiang Jun pressed him on why, he confessed to having a secret crush for years, explaining that he feared confessing his feelings would ruin their friendship, referencing a past incident where a rejection deeply affected someone. Jiang Jun, meeting his direct gaze, felt a surge of emotion but quickly diverted the conversation, citing the possibility of rain as an excuse to go home.

Yuan Shuai, seeing her reaction, silently held back his unspoken feelings. Meanwhile, after witnessing Li Xiaochuan's despair, Xu Li remembered Jiang Jun's "Mr. Du" (Du Lei) and rushed to Jiang Jun's apartment. She pleaded with Jiang Jun to ask Du Lei to evaluate "Western World," convinced that Yuan Shuai's judgment was biased. Jiang Jun agreed to help. She called Du Lei, who was intrigued by the request and readily agreed to review the dating app.

After receiving the app link and Li Xiaochuan's contact information, Du Lei began his assessment, noting initial flaws like the name, a complex sign-up interface, and a monotonous template, concluding its overall impracticality. Simultaneously, Yuan Shuai, reflecting on Jiang Jun's criticisms about his "person-over-matter" judgment, also opened "Western World" to review it for himself, identifying similar areas for improvement. Curious and recalling Yuan Shuai's challenge, Jiang Jun decided to try the app.

She registered under the nickname "Juno" and proceeded with the tests. Upon entering the matching mode, she failed to match with one user but received a "100% perfect match" with another user named "Zeus." Unbeknownst to them, "Zeus" was Yuan Shuai. They began chatting, their banter echoing their real-life interactions. Jiang Jun, as Juno, playfully accused Zeus of having a "cocky name," to which Zeus retorted about Juno's "not modest" name.

They discussed their "perfect match" status, with Jiang Jun admitting she didn't believe in it because she had a secret crush "for years." Zeus probed further, asking if it was a "one-sided love." Jiang Jun, in turn, challenged Zeus to reveal if he also had a crush, leading to a coy exchange where both hinted at their hidden feelings without directly confirming them. The next day, Du Lei met with Li Xiaochuan at a coffee shop.

Du Lei acknowledged the app's novel algorithm and speed but asked why Li Xiaochuan, who admitted he had no dating experience, wanted to create a dating app. He challenged Li Xiaochuan to a boxing match with the promise of guidance and investment if he won. Li Xiaochuan, despite losing, defended his app, arguing that his lack of personal romantic experience allowed him to create a rational and objective tool to guide users.

Du Lei conceded that the idea of a 100% perfect match was good but pointed out that "Western World" was missing a crucial "parameter," urging Li Xiaochuan to find the answer. Back at the office, Jiang Jun was reviewing an advertisement Xu Li had enthusiastically created for "Western World" when Yuan Shuai quietly appeared, startling her. He feigned disinterest in the app, playfully asking about her "South World or East World" experience.

Their typical witty banter ensued until both received a notification from "Little West" urging them to "strengthen your relationship with your perfect match." Online, as Juno, Jiang Jun continued their conversation, asking Zeus if he had finally confessed his secret crush. Zeus, in turn, asked if Juno had met her love interest. Their playful online "fight" continued, reflecting the complex and intertwined nature of their real-life relationship. Meanwhile, at the convenience store, Li Xiaochuan sought Xu Li's advice on love.

He posed a philosophical question: why do people pursue love despite repeated failures? Xu Li, drawing from her experience as a romance novelist, described love as two souls brought together by destiny, a journey of understanding, tolerance, and growth, where the hope of finding the right person outweighs past heartbreaks. Li Xiaochuan, however, maintained a data-driven perspective, arguing that blindly pursuing love leads to tragedies and advocating for scientific matching based on "growth rates" to ensure compatibility.

Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Xu Li's blind box delivery. Intrigued, Li Xiaochuan, initially skeptical of the random nature of blind boxes, began to open them at Xu Li's urging. After encountering several unappealing items, he finally found one he liked, a moment that made him realize the missing "parameter" in his app: fate. Inspired, Li Xiaochuan immediately called Du Lei and proposed a new "X Fate Match Mode."

This mode would offer random matches to users who didn't find a 100% match, similar to opening blind boxes. The system would then dynamically adjust the weighting of EQ, IQ, and gene scores based on their chat frequency and "heartbeat keywords," allowing randomly paired individuals to potentially evolve into a "perfect match." Du Lei was impressed by this breakthrough and immediately agreed to invest in "Western World 2. 0," assuring Li Xiaochuan that funding was no longer an issue.

Overjoyed, Li Xiaochuan rushed back to the convenience store to share the good news with Xu Li. Xu Li, overcome with excitement, embraced him. In that moment, Li Xiaochuan felt a subtle new emotion stirring within him. Xu Li then reminded him to express his gratitude to Jiang Jun and Du Lei by inviting them to a celebratory dinner. Later that evening, as Jiang Jun looked out her apartment window, contemplating Xu Li's dinner invitation, Yuan Shuai approached.

He informed her that he would be working late and asked her to walk his dog, Wealth. He gave her his apartment door password: "0905." Jiang Jun was taken aback, mistakenly thinking it was the date he had eliminated her during an interview. Yuan Shuai denied this and, after her other guesses failed, revealed the true meaning: "0905 is the day when I met you again." Jiang Jun was left stunned, realizing the depth of his unspoken sentiment.

Episode 15 Recap

Yuan Shuai had just explained to Jiang Jun that his phone password, "0905," marked the day of their reunion, not her elimination. He observed her reaction intently, and even after he turned away, she was visibly moved by the profound implication. The next morning, Yuan Shuai inquired about Jiang Jun's whereabouts and learned she was on her days off. He quickly sent her a message, checking if she was alright.

Almost immediately, he received an urgent call from Zhu Youyi, the head of Chenxin Technology, who reported that Defeng Capitals was launching a hostile takeover. Yuan Shuai reassured Zhu Youyi, telling him to focus on developing his new system while Yuan Shuai handled the rest. He then instructed Su Chang to immediately contact potential investors interested in Chenxin Technology and arrange a meeting at MH for the following day.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jun and Xu Li found themselves in a remote, mountainous area for what they learned was a team-building event. They were surprised to see Li Xiaochuan and Du Lei arrive. Li Xiaochuan revealed his plan for an outdoor camping barbecue at a recreation area on the mountain. Despite the unusual choice, the four hiked up, bonding along the way.

At the site, as they set up tents and prepared for the barbecue, Xu Li was impressed by Du Lei's helpful and considerate actions, whispering to Jiang Jun that Du Lei seemed like an ideal partner—gentle, wealthy, and attentive. Later, while collecting firewood, Xu Li asked Li Xiaochuan about his dating history. He confessed he had only experienced a very brief "instant" of a relationship, not a formal one.

As he rubbed his eye, irritated by something in it, Xu Li mistakenly believed he was deeply heartbroken over a past love, feeling a rush of sympathy for him. Yuan Shuai arrived at a cafe to meet Zhu Youyi and Zhang Ting, the Investment Director of Defeng Capitals. Zhu Youyi anxiously reported that Defeng had already acquired 20% of Chenxin through a debt-to-equity swap.

Yuan Shuai, maintaining composure, challenged Zhang Ting, who dismissed Chenxin as a minor acquisition and Yuan Shuai as merely a "selling agent" interfering in the capital market. Zhang Ting admitted Defeng's intention was to gain control, citing Chenxin's internal issues that delayed its IoT assessment system. He then offered Zhu Youyi 100 million yuan to buy out his system patent, warning that without funds for R&D, competing tech giants could render his patent worthless.

Yuan Shuai realized Defeng's true target was the patent. After receiving a call from Su Chang confirming six potential investors were ready to meet, Yuan Shuai abruptly ended the meeting. Outside, he playfully scolded Zhu Youyi for "quietly taking a big loss" by not disclosing the patent offer earlier, before taking him to the company for a crash course in appealing to investors. As Jiang Jun and Du Lei chatted, a stray dog approached.

Jiang Jun's affection for the dog inadvertently triggered a painful memory for Du Lei. He recounted being an orphan whose only companion was a small dog. When he was adopted by the Du family at age twelve, because he shared a birthday with their deceased son, they discarded his dog, which he later found frozen to death. In exchange for his secret, Jiang Jun shared her deepest regret: not being with her father when he died.

His noodle company, Yixianqian Noodles, also known as Jiangnan Flavor, was maliciously acquired, leading him to work tirelessly until an old illness recurred, causing his sudden death. Du Lei, hearing the name "Jiangnan Flavor," was visibly stunned. Yuan Shuai tried calling Jiang Jun but her phone was dead. Scrolling through social media, he saw Xu Li's post featuring Jiang Jun and Du Lei at the gathering.

Overwhelmed with jealousy, he called Li Xiaochuan, ordering him to return to his home within thirty minutes and threatening to publicly expose a video of Li Xiaochuan's past romantic failures. Li Xiaochuan reluctantly informed the group he had to leave. Upon realizing Yuan Shuai was Li Xiaochuan's brother, Du Lei's expression shifted briefly but he quickly regained his composure, suggesting they gracefully end the gathering.

Back at Yuan Shuai's home, Yuan Shuai was furious that Du Lei had invested in Western World. He reminded Li Xiaochuan of his past embarrassment, where his "love algorithm" had incorrectly identified a girl as his "perfect match," only for her to marry someone else, leaving Li Xiaochuan heartbroken. Li Xiaochuan defended his current algorithm as much improved. He then guessed that Yuan Shuai's anger stemmed from jealousy over Jiang Jun and Du Lei's superior investment judgment.

This incorrect assumption secretly relieved Yuan Shuai, whose true romantic jealousy remained hidden. Later, at home, Du Lei looked at the photos from the outing, his gaze lingering on Jiang Jun's smiling face. His heart warmed, but then sank as he recalled her story of her father's death.

He remembered the hostile takeover of Jiangnan Flavor and a past funeral, where his sister Linda had coldly advised him that the world was a "Colosseum" and he shouldn't feel responsible, as the company's downfall was its own doing and MH's, not his. This memory weighed heavily on him. Linda returned home to her father, who was furious about Du Lei's resignation from GE.

Linda attempted to defend Du Lei, explaining it was an "impulsive" decision after a recent setback, but her father angrily dismissed her excuses, accusing Du Lei of abandoning his responsibilities and questioning if he ever truly cared for her. Alone in her room, Linda reflected on the past, recalling the day young Du Lei first arrived at their home, and how she had genuinely welcomed him as her brother.

Now, she looked out the window at an unsent message she had typed to Du Lei, deep in thought about their strained relationship. Back at the office, Yuan Shuai pointedly ignored Jiang Jun. Recognizing his behavior as jealousy, she tried to soften him with a barrage of compliments, praising his new attire and professional acumen, even calling him a "War God." Despite his attempts to remain stern, Yuan Shuai eventually couldn't help but smile.

That evening, at a project team dinner, Qiao Na strategically sat next to Yuan Shuai. She reminisced about a merger case they worked on two years prior at the same restaurant, claiming Yuan Shuai had taken drinks for her. Yuan Shuai promptly corrected her, stating she had been drunk, and he had carried her home. Jiang Jun overheard this and was clearly annoyed.

Later, at home, still fuming, she privately criticized Yuan Shuai for being a "central air conditioner," too indiscriminately kind to everyone. Just then, their Western World app prompted them to go online. As their anonymous personas "Juno" and "Secret Crush," they confided in each other about their romantic frustrations. Jiang Jun complained about a man who showed inconsistent kindness, while Yuan Shuai lamented a woman who was sweet one moment and involved with another man the next.

They both concluded that the objects of their frustration were "taking advantage of the fact that we like them." Jiang Jun, in denial, tossed her phone aside, declaring she did not like "him." After closing the chat, Jiang Jun noticed Yuan Shuai's Rubik's Cube on her bedside table. Upon picking it up, she discovered mysterious drawings on some of its blocks, which formed a picture. This discovery unlocked a distant memory of a childhood conversation.

A younger voice, her own, asked "Brother Yuanyuan" if he had solved it. He confirmed he had and claimed ownership of the cube, telling her that if she ever wanted to see it, she could always come find him.

Episode 16 Recap

Jiang Jun finished assembling the magic cube and was surprised to find that Yuan Shuai had drawn her face on it. Although she called him childish, she carefully placed the cube on her bedside table. The next morning, Jiang Jun woke up to find her bathroom pipe had burst. At 8:37 AM, she rushed to confront her landlord, Yuan Shuai, who quickly transformed into a plumber to fix the pipe.

Yuan Shuai asked for pincer pliers and adhesive tape, and Jiang Jun skeptically questioned his repair skills. After he finished, she thanked him. As Yuan Shuai stood up, Jiang Jun noticed he was unsteady and asked what was wrong. He admitted to an upset stomach. Jiang Jun, recalling his past tricks, initially thought he was faking it to get her to cook porridge and read to him.

However, seeing his pale lips, she became worried and suggested it might be acute appendicitis, urging him to go to the hospital. Yuan Shuai, unwilling to neglect important work, agreed to go only after finishing his tasks. Jiang Jun relented and told him to get dressed so they could head to the company together. Su Chang received a phone call from his girlfriend, who excitedly announced she could return home for the entire winter holiday.

She mentioned that her best friend's husband, also in investment banking, was highly impressed after hearing Su Chang was an Executive Director at MH and wanted to meet him. This caused Su Chang to panic, suddenly recalling he had once boasted about being an ED at MH's investment banking department. Realizing his predicament, he quickly told his girlfriend to inform him of her return date in advance, muttering to himself about when he had even made such a boast.

On the way to the company, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai bickered about her driving, with Jiang Jun expressing anxiety about his condition. Jiang Jun asked Yuan Shuai why he was so determined to work while unwell. He explained that he was going to meet investors for Chenxin Technology. He recounted that Chenxin's sales were poor and their new system remained unreleased, making capital wary.

The project leader, Doctor Zhu Youyi, had a brilliant team, but high R&D costs had led to debt, and the company faced a hostile takeover. Yuan Shuai intended to help them refinance and regain control, having found several interested investors. Jiang Jun pointed out that he usually wasn’t so emotional. Yuan Shuai defended his decision, stating that since Doctor Zhu was prepared to lose everything, he had every reason to help.

He then jokingly asked if only Jiang Jun, the "successor of Mo-tse," was allowed to help others. Upon meeting Doctor Zhu Youyi, Yuan Shuai observed the founder was extremely nervous about facing the investors, fearing Chenxin's demise if the presentation failed. Yuan Shuai, despite his own pain, patiently tried to calm Doctor Zhu, but to no avail. Seeing this, Jiang Jun volunteered to help.

She first had Su Chang lower the air conditioning, explaining to Yuan Shuai that psychologically, a lower temperature can reduce a person's defenses. Inside, Jiang Jun introduced herself to Doctor Zhu and used a method similar to her own interview strategy. She reminded him of several past awards he had won on a Wednesday, then pointed out that today was also a Wednesday, convincing him it was his lucky day.

She then offered him a juice, falsely claiming Yuan Shuai had added Traditional Chinese Medicine to help him sleep. Doctor Zhu found the drink tasted strange but eventually calmed down. Afterwards, Jiang Jun confessed to Yuan Shuai that she had lied about the award dates and the juice's ingredients, simply providing positive psychological hints. Yuan Shuai praised her and revealed she had also tampered with the hourglass in the room to make it seem like time was passing slowly.

Li Xiaochuan, accompanied by Xu Li and Du Lei, went to view a commercial and residential property he intended to rent as an office. Xu Li found the daily rate too expensive. Du Lei taught Xu Li the three key factors for bargaining: acting cute, making comparisons, and finding flaws. Xu Li's attempts to act cute and make comparisons failed, as the agent was unmoved.

Du Lei then stepped in, pointing out several issues with the property: insufficient parking, poor property management evidenced by a dirty mop, and a visible leak. Li Xiaochuan echoed these complaints, and the agent, cornered, reluctantly agreed to negotiate a lower price. During the negotiation, Du Lei received a call from Linda. She informed him that their father was angry and wanted him home immediately because he had found out about Du Lei's new business venture.

Yielding to Linda’s warning, Du Lei promised to return right away and excused himself. At home, Du Lei was confronted by his father, Du Hui, who compared raising him to pruning a bonsai—cutting away unwanted parts to create a perfect work of art. Du Lei rebelled, declaring he was a person, not a plant to be molded, and was done being a substitute for Du Hui's deceased son.

He told his father he could take back everything, including the name "Du Lei." Enraged, Du Hui ordered him out. Linda chased after him, but Du Lei was resolute, explaining his years of feeling like a soulless puppet and highlighting the gap between them: she was a true Du, and he was not. He left a heartbroken Linda in tears.

Doctor Zhu Youyi began his presentation, confidently introducing himself and detailing his team's innovative IoT assessment system, which was already valued at 200 million yuan. He promised the system's launch within two months, envisioning its global accessibility. Throughout the speech, Yuan Shuai endured intensifying pain, staying to support Doctor Zhu. The moment Doctor Zhu finished, Yuan Shuai's pain became unbearable, and he collapsed, prompting Jiang Jun and others to rush him to the hospital.

At the hospital, a doctor confirmed Yuan Shuai had acute appendicitis and advised immediate surgery. Yuan Shuai initially refused, preferring conservative treatment. However, when the doctor mistakenly referred to Jiang Jun as Yuan Shuai’s "wife," Yuan Shuai immediately brightened and enthusiastically agreed to the surgery, embracing the title despite Jiang Jun's attempts to correct the doctor.

Before being taken to the operating room, Yuan Shuai dramatically gave Jiang Jun "final instructions," asking her to contact his parents and to feed his dog, "Wealth," even suggesting she could rename it "Jiang Wealth." Annoyed by his theatrics, Jiang Jun pushed him onto the gurney. As he was wheeled away, he blurted out a supposed bank password, which Jiang Jun scoffed at.

After the surgery, a nurse informed Jiang Jun that because Yuan Shuai had been "so scared," he requested general anesthesia and would take four to five hours to wake up. With Yuan Shuai peacefully unconscious, Jiang Jun teased him, calling the "invincible" warrior defeated by a "small appendicitis." She advised him to prioritize his health, then admired his handsome face, wondering why she hadn't noticed his good looks when they were younger.

She enjoyed the rare sight of him being quiet and obedient, sealing a "pact" for him to behave with a playful gesture. Meanwhile, Du Lei stood outside, haunted by memories. He recalled Jiang Jun’s story about her father, whose company was destroyed by a hostile takeover, leading to his death from overwork. His own father's harsh words—"without me, you are nothing"—echoed in his mind. Du Lei was then plunged into a painful memory of his adoption.

His adoptive father, Du Hui, sternly told the young boy, then named Wu Lei, that from that day on, his name was Du Lei. Du Hui commanded him to forget his past, including the stray dog that was his only companion. Du Lei watched helplessly as the dog was taken away, just as he was now left in silent contemplation of his stolen past.

Episode 17 Recap

Yuan Shuai awoke in the Emergency Department to find Qiao Na and Su Chang by his bedside. Exhausted by Qiao Na's solicitousness, he asked Su Chang to escort her away. Once they were alone, Yuan Shuai immediately inquired about Jiang Jun's whereabouts, only to learn she hadn't been there when Su Chang and Qiao Na arrived.

Seeing an opportunity to lure her back, Yuan Shuai hatched a plan, instructing Su Chang to call Jiang Jun and falsely report that he had suffered an accident. Jiang Jun, upon hearing the news, rushed back to the hospital, her heart pounding. A nurse informed her that Yuan Shuai was fine and already up and walking, hinting at his deceit. When Jiang Jun entered his room, Yuan Shuai dramatically feigned pain, secretly delighted by her urgent return.

Realizing his trickery, Jiang Jun almost punched him, but Yuan Shuai caught her hand, pulling her closer. He teased her about worrying, but Jiang Jun, annoyed, dismissed his comment, claiming she would have worried about anyone. She quickly fled the room, unable to tolerate his close proximity. Yuan Shuai then conceded that they were "even," since she wasn't there when he woke up.

Eager to leave the hospital, Yuan Shuai was driven home by Jiang Jun, who confidently assured him she'd get him there quickly. However, her fast and furious driving style earned her the nickname "Road Killer" from a terrified Yuan Shuai, who likened her driving to launching a rocket. Back at his apartment, Jiang Jun attempted to make a nutritious soup for Yuan Shuai. Though he appreciated her effort, the first spoonful revealed she had mistakenly used sugar instead of salt.

He struggled to finish the surprisingly sweet concoction, comparing it to milk tea. Meanwhile, at the office, Su Chang received an unexpected call from his girlfriend, Xinxin, who was returning from abroad earlier than planned. Panicked, Su Chang confessed to Yuan Shuai that he had exaggerated his professional status to Xinxin, claiming to be an Executive Director at MH, owning a Porsche, living in a luxurious apartment, and having a personal assistant.

He desperately asked Yuan Shuai to switch houses with him to maintain the charade. Yuan Shuai, after some thought, proposed a different solution: Su Chang and Xinxin could stay at his apartment, while he would temporarily move into Jiang Jun's. Su Chang, thrilled, reminded Yuan Shuai that this was a rare opportunity to get closer to Jiang Jun. Later, Su Chang and Xinxin arrived at Yuan Shuai's apartment, only to find him in the midst of packing.

Thinking on his feet, Su Chang introduced Yuan Shuai as his "assistant," "Little Yuan." Yuan Shuai played along, dutifully addressing Su Chang as "Mr. Su" and asking about discarding expensive clothes, further cementing Su Chang's fabricated image of wealth. Jiang Jun, passing by, witnessed the scene and, understanding the situation from Su Chang's subtle hints, seized the opportunity to playfully boss Yuan Shuai around.

Yuan Shuai then turned the tables, asking for her "emergency help" by stating he would be moving in with her. Jiang Jun vehemently refused, pointing out the impropriety of a single man and woman living together. Yuan Shuai countered by including his dog, Wealth, as a female presence. He then launched into a lengthy, guilt-tripping monologue, recounting all the times he had helped her. Exasperated, Jiang Jun gave in, but said she would go stay at Xu Li's place instead.

Unwilling to back down, Yuan Shuai faked a sudden surge of pain, vividly describing gruesome scenarios if he were left alone. Defeated by his stubbornness, Jiang Jun relented. Meanwhile, Xu Li helped Li Xiaochuan set up their new "West World" office. She bought matching heart-shaped pillows, offering one to Li Xiaochuan under the pretense of a "buy one, get one free" deal. To thank her, Li Xiaochuan treated Xu Li to barbecue.

As they sat in the cold winter air, he began expressing his deep gratitude, making Xu Li's heart flutter with anticipation of a confession. However, to her disappointment, Li Xiaochuan instead offered her 5% equity in "West World" as a "technical investment," declaring her his "best buddy." Xu Li, though disheartened, initially declined, but quickly changed her mind when he mentioned the shares could soon be worth five million yuan. They then raised their glasses, toasting to their newfound "brotherhood."

Back at Jiang Jun's apartment, Yuan Shuai prepared a delicious dinner, impressing her with his culinary skills. They continued their playful banter, arguing over who would get the bedroom. Yuan Shuai insisted on taking it, citing his "patient" status, and even faked another wave of pain to coerce Jiang Jun into washing the dishes. Later that night, Jiang Jun, out of genuine concern for his recovery, decided to let Yuan Shuai have the bedroom while she took the sofa.

Yuan Shuai, pleased with his success, triumphantly locked the bedroom door. At Yuan Shuai's apartment, Xinxin, while doing yoga, discovered a photo of Jiang Jun tucked under the sofa. This, combined with Su Chang's earlier evasiveness, sparked her suspicion about his relationship with Jiang Jun. Later that night, Yuan Shuai quietly emerged from the bedroom. Jiang Jun, hearing him, quickly pretended to be asleep.

Yuan Shuai paused, gazing at her peaceful face, and gently covered her with a blanket, whispering that he wished she was as cute when awake. After he returned to the bedroom, Jiang Jun, who had been holding her breath, finally exhaled and giggled, rolling happily on the sofa, a smile spreading across her face as she reveled in the moment.

Episode 18 Recap

Su Chang's girlfriend, Xinxin, eager to learn more about Jiang Jun, arrived at Jiang Jun's apartment early one morning with gifts. To her surprise, she encountered Yuan Shuai emerging from Jiang Jun's bathroom. To keep Su Chang's earlier lie about his living situation from being exposed, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai had no choice but to pretend to be a couple. Later, Xinxin recounted her morning's discovery to Su Chang at a convenience store.

Su Chang quickly concocted a new lie, claiming Jiang Jun was the daughter of their top boss who had been parachuted into her position, and that Yuan Shuai was merely Jiang Jun's "kept man." Although Xinxin remained skeptical, Su Chang repeatedly warned her to stay away from them. Meanwhile, Xu Li, passing by, overheard their conversation. She dismissed the notion that they were discussing Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai, reasoning that the mentioned job titles didn't match.

Soon after, Xu Li invited Jiang Jun to the official opening of the West World office that night. Separately, Du Lei, bored at home and constantly receiving calls from his sister Linda, initially ignored his phone. However, when Li Xiaochuan called to invite him to the West World opening, Du Lei, after some thought, accepted. Xu Li texted Jiang Jun, stating she was coming to her apartment.

Remembering Yuan Shuai was still there, Jiang Jun quickly called him, urging him to hide to avoid being discovered. Jiang Jun rushed home and tried to conceal any evidence of Yuan Shuai's presence, such as his slippers. She attempted to deflect Xu Li's questions by claiming the men's slippers were a deterrent for delivery personnel and a suit jacket was a new personal fashion choice.

However, Xu Li's keen eye found more clues, including a dog bowl and Yuan Shuai's underwear. Under persistent questioning, Jiang Jun was forced to reveal that Yuan Shuai was staying there to help a colleague cover up a lie to his girlfriend. Xu Li's "novel-like imagination" immediately jumped to more intimate scenarios, pressing Jiang Jun about whether "strange things" had occurred between them.

Jiang Jun vehemently denied it, using Li Xiaochuan as an excuse to redirect Xu Li's attention and narrowly escaping further interrogation. Despite the close call, Jiang Jun couldn't help but smile, recalling Yuan Shuai's whispered words to her the previous night. That evening, Du Lei arrived at the West World office where Xu Li blindfolded him as part of a surprise party to celebrate the office opening. Inside, everyone cheered for the new workspace.

Li Xiaochuan gave Du Lei a tour, showcasing the office areas and a cozy tea break spot, emphasizing that Du Lei, as an investor, was welcome anytime. They discussed plans for an upcoming offline dating event, with Xu Li advocating for a romantic setting, differing from Xiaochuan's preference for an outdoor adventure. Jiang Jun agreed with Xu Li's proposal. The group then raised a toast and took a commemorative photo.

Afterward, Xu Li and Li Xiaochuan left to buy more food, leaving Du Lei and Jiang Jun alone. Meanwhile, a frustrated Yuan Shuai, still at home, texted Jiang Jun, asking when she would return from her "inefficient overtime." Learning she was at the West World opening, he messaged Li Xiaochuan for the office address, but Xiaochuan refused to share it, leaving Yuan Shuai feeling "left out."

Back at the office, Du Lei received a phone call from a delivery service, informing him that his sister Linda had ordered a birthday cake and gifts for him, which couldn't be delivered as he wasn't home. Overhearing the call, Jiang Jun realized it was Du Lei's birthday. Inspired, she decided to use the West World celebration cake to celebrate his birthday instead.

Despite his initial low spirits and reluctance to publicize his birthday, mentioning Linda as his "nominal sister" from the Du family, Du Lei brightened under Jiang Jun's sincere wishes. As he began to confide something to her, Jiang Jun's phone continuously vibrated with messages from Yuan Shuai, who was feigning wound pain to rush her home. Apologizing, Jiang Jun quickly departed, leaving a disheartened Du Lei alone by the cake.

Concurrently, Linda lay on a therapist's couch, expressing her recent insomnia and the hurtful words Du Lei had directed at her. The therapist deduced that Linda's strong desire for control inadvertently influenced her actions towards Du Lei, making him feel as though she was no different from others who sought to manipulate his life. Linda pondered these insights. Jiang Jun hurried home to find Yuan Shuai playing games, seemingly fine despite his earlier texts.

When she tried to coax him, he went out onto the balcony for some fresh air, only to witness Su Chang and Xinxin in an affectionate embrace. Enraged, Yuan Shuai nearly exposed the truth, but Jiang Jun quickly intervened, pulling him inside and helping him maintain the charade, confirming to Xinxin that they enjoyed "bossy boss cosplay." Jiang Jun then went to retrieve Yuan Shuai's coat from the closet.

As she reached for it, Yuan Shuai rushed in, worried she might discover a secret hidden there. In his haste, he accidentally pulled Jiang Jun into his arms, their lips meeting in an unexpected kiss. The accidental kiss left Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai in an awkward silence during dinner. They avoided eye contact, yet couldn't help but glance at each other's lips. To hide their awkwardness, they ate in silence.

When Yuan Shuai finally brought up the incident, Jiang Jun became visibly nervous and quickly excused herself to her room. Yuan Shuai, however, seemed quite pleased by her reaction. The next day at the office, Yuan Shuai was reviewing new employees' reports. Jiang Jun, however, was lost in her own thoughts, replaying the kiss. She became fixated on people's lips, even attempting an "octopus mouth dance" as a distraction when Yuan Shuai caught her daydreaming.

She admitted to herself that she felt like she had "lip-phobia." Later, Li Xiaochuan presented an update on West World's beta test progress to Du Lei. To improve user experience, they planned an offline dating event, offering free accommodation. Xu Li excitedly proposed the venue be an aquarium, a magical spot for many romantic dramas.

She outlined plans to arrange matched couples at different locations based on their compatibility scores, keeping their identities anonymous, with a special focus on the single 100% matched pair. Xu Li then invited Du Lei and Jiang Jun to assist at the event. Du Lei, who had initially hesitated, immediately agreed upon hearing that Jiang Jun would also be attending.

Back home, Yuan Shuai presented Jiang Jun with toy lips, and they engaged in a lighthearted tongue twister game, playfully helping her overcome her "lip phobia." Their phones then chimed with notifications from West World about the upcoming offline dating event at the aquarium. Although Yuan Shuai initially dismissed the idea of attending, his mind quickly changed when he learned that Du Lei would also be there.

Episode 19 Recap

A system notification announced that West World’s first offline dating event, a "One-day Date," would take place at the aquarium that Sunday afternoon. Upon hearing the news, Yuan Shuai immediately declared he would not attend, dismissing the idea of "dating" or "seeing fish." However, Xu Li called Jiang Jun, confirming the event details and noting that she, Xiaochuan, and Du Lei would all be there, urging Jiang Jun to participate as a valued member of West World.

Yuan Shuai, overhearing this, accused Xu Li of trying to poach Jiang Jun from MH. Xu Li then playfully invited Yuan Shuai too, suggesting he witness Xiaochuan’s entrepreneurial success, but Yuan Shuai stubbornly refused again, reiterating his intention to sleep instead of going to an aquarium. He then dismissively handed his phone to a child, muttering about how everyone was "no fun." The next day, at the aquarium, Xu Li and Xiaochuan were busy with preparations.

They tasked Jiang Jun with keeping Du Lei company so they could focus. As they wandered, Du Lei showed Jiang Jun the beautiful Moon Jellyfish, recounting a romantic legend about two satellites, Moon and Zhou Star, whose tears of sacrifice for love transformed into the jellyfish. He mused that people in love would similarly protect their beloved at any cost, a sentiment Jiang Jun agreed with.

Du Lei then brought up Stygiomedusa gigantea, the "ghosts of the ocean," which thrive in darkness. He speculated that if these deep-sea creatures ever saw sunlight, they would surely strive towards it, hinting that Jiang Jun was his own personal "sunlight." Jiang Jun, however, took his words as mere scientific facts. Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Shuai had arrived at the aquarium despite his earlier protests. Watching Jiang Jun and Du Lei together, he grew jealous.

He tried to discreetly bribe a nearby child with a lollipop to cause a distraction. However, the child loudly called out "Uncle" after bumping into Jiang Jun, exposing Yuan Shuai and ruining his plan. Forced to approach, Yuan Shuai immediately challenged Du Lei’s interpretation of the Stygiomedusa gigantea, arguing that with their light sensors likely evolved away, darkness was their natural habitat. Du Lei countered, retorting that even creatures from darkness could yearn for light.

The two men then launched into a competitive "jellyfish trivia" battle, Du Lei naming the highly venomous Chironex fleckeri, and Yuan Shuai countering with the tiny but lethal Irukandji jellyfish. Recognizing their escalating "stupidity," Jiang Jun wisely excused herself to get some water. Before she could return, Du Lei received an urgent call from Du Lin. Their father had suddenly fainted and was in the emergency room.

Du Lei quickly informed Jiang Jun and hurried to the hospital, leaving Yuan Shuai to smirk, "Are you satisfied now?" As the West World event officially began, a host announced the conclusion of the dolphin show and encouraged attendees to find their best matches in designated romantic dating areas. Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai, unknowingly the only 100% matched pair, remained seated.

They both tried to find excuses to leave, but Xu Li and Xiaochuan convinced them to go find their respective "perfect matches." Jiang Jun was hesitant about participating in a blind date, but Xu Li, emphasizing that Jiang Jun was their app's "only" 100% match and crucial for data, ultimately bribed her with a designer bag. Meanwhile, Xiaochuan also forced a reluctant Yuan Shuai to participate in the "100% match" experience by threatening to upload a video.

Both were led to the Beluga Whale exhibit, blindfolded, and referred to by the pseudonyms "Juno" and "Zeus." Xu Li, acting as the event's announcer, began a "tacit understanding" test, asking a series of questions like "Are you single?" and "Do you believe in love?" , instructing them to step forward for "no" and backward for "yes." Unbeknownst to them, each of their synchronized movements brought them closer. They ended up standing back-to-back.

When told to turn around and remove their blindfolds, they were both utterly stunned to find themselves face-to-face with each other. After their initial shock, they exchanged a knowing smile and continued to follow the rules, admiring the enchanting aquarium. Their fingers slowly, almost imperceptibly, touched. Watching the scene unfold on a monitor, Xu Li and Xiaochuan were equally astonished.

Xiaochuan confidently declared that his software was infallible and that Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai were undeniably destined for each other. However, Xu Li, checking Xiaochuan's user ID "System Developer" on the app, was dismayed to see their match compatibility registered as "Match Failed." Soon, a crowd of enthusiastic female attendees swarmed Xiaochuan, eager to get to know him. Feeling completely ignored, Xu Li repeatedly called his name to no avail and, fuming, stormed off.

Realizing Xu Li was gone, Xiaochuan, despite his usual reserved nature, actively went to search for her. He found her furiously muttering to herself, plotting various forms of revenge like soaking his computer in the bathtub or removing its keys. Xiaochuan, out of breath from running, scolded her for disappearing, expressing his genuine concern that she might get locked in the soon-to-be-closing aquarium. Deeply touched by his unexpected concern, Xu Li embraced him.

For the first time, Xiaochuan felt his heart race and tentatively placed his hands on her shoulders. As Xu Li started to pull away, he pulled her back for another hug. Recognizing that his "wooden brain" was finally waking up to his feelings, Xu Li smiled brightly. Meanwhile, Du Lei rushed to the hospital, where he found concerned employees gathered outside.

Du Lin confirmed that their father was stable after surgery but that news of his collapse had spread, causing panic throughout the company. Overwhelmed, she pleaded with Du Lei, admitting she couldn't handle the crisis alone. Softened by his sister’s desperate plea, Du Lei set aside his personal aspirations and took charge of the crisis at GE.

He instructed his team to move up the public relations press conference and arrange face-to-face interviews with two reputable media outlets, filmed simultaneously to prevent any accusations of bribing the media. Back at MH, Su Chang was exasperated after his report was rejected for the tenth time. He explained to a colleague the intricacies of foreign investment and affiliate transactions that needed to be emphasized.

Just then, he received a call from his girlfriend, Xinxin, who announced she was at the company entrance. Panicked, Su Chang burst into Yuan Shuai’s office, begging him to pretend to be the "boss" (Executive Director) again, just one last time. Yuan Shuai reluctantly agreed but made him draw the curtains, then insisted that as "Executive Director," Su Chang should fetch Xinxin himself.

Su Chang protested, fearing it would expose their lie, so Yuan Shuai, exasperated, agreed to pick her up, docking Su Chang a year's salary as punishment. Playing the role of Su Chang’s "assistant," Yuan Shuai escorted Xinxin into the company. This unusual sight immediately sparked widespread gossip among the colleagues, who speculated that Yuan Shuai had either landed a major client or, more excitingly, had a new girlfriend.

Inside Yuan Shuai's office, where Su Chang was already playing the part of the "boss," Jiang Jun arrived to deliver documents. She tried to discreetly leave upon seeing Xinxin but was intercepted by Xinxin, who insisted she stay and share the lunch she had brought. Xinxin, still under the impression that Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai were a couple, began teasing them.

Taking advantage of the situation, Jiang Jun started ordering Yuan Shuai around using the affectionate nickname "Yuanyuan"—asking him to pour water, open her lunchbox, and pick up her dropped chopsticks. Yuan Shuai, furious but trapped in his "assistant" role, complied with gritted teeth. Xinxin then launched into a tirade about Su Chang's "fierce, narcissistic, cocky, single, and balding" boss, completely unaware that she was describing Yuan Shuai, fueling his internal rage.

When Xinxin announced she had to leave for a nail appointment, Jiang Jun quickly suggested Yuan Shuai escort her out. As Yuan Shuai dutifully walked Xinxin to the exit, Qiao Na, who had observed Yuan Shuai’s uncharacteristically subservient behavior, approached Xinxin to inquire about her identity. Xinxin, claiming she was "seeing her boyfriend," then "leaked" the "fake news" that Yuan Shuai already had a girlfriend, but quickly stopped herself before revealing any more details. As Xinxin departed, Qiao Na’s eyes narrowed, sharp with suspicion.

Episode 20 Recap

Preoccupied with Xinxin’s words, Qiao Na sat alone in her office, lost in thought as she recalled memories of working alongside Yuan Shuai. An old photo of them together showed them smiling brightly. Having made up her mind, Qiao Na went to Yuan Shuai’s office, pretending that Hezhong's Mr. Wu wanted to invite them to dinner to catch up. Yuan Shuai agreed to meet that evening.

As she left, Qiao Na told Yuan Shuai to dress warmly, as it was cold outside. Meanwhile, Du Lei stood by his father's hospital bed. Seeing his father's face, he was flooded with childhood memories of strict discipline. Even high scores were met with physical punishment if they weren't perfect, leaving Du Lei with a look of fear.

When his father finally awoke, Du Lei began formally reporting on the company's current situation, noting that rumors about his father were affecting morale, but he had arranged for a face-to-face interview with a reporter to clear the air. His father, in a weak voice, asked him to come closer, claiming he couldn't hear well. Du Lei continued to recount the measures he had taken, assuring his father that he had stabilized the competition and would handle everything.

Unexpectedly, Du Lei's father softened, thanking him for helping the family through the crisis. Du Lei, cold and distant, insisted he wasn't helping his father but merely doing what he had to do. He demanded that if his father truly wanted to thank him, he should agree to sever all ties between them.

His father then confessed he still didn't understand why, after his biological son's death, he adopted a child born on the same day and year to be his substitute, admitting it was a regrettable decision. He offered to go to court with Du Lei to legally end their relationship once he was discharged.

Overcome with emotion but trying to remain stoic, Du Lei could only manage a quiet "Thank you" before leaving the room, his body trembling as he struggled to hold back tears. Xu Li and Xiaochuan reviewed the video from the offline dating event. Xu Li expressed doubts about Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun being a compatible pair, questioning the accuracy of Xiaochuan's app.

Xiaochuan, however, confidently asserted that his West World matching system was flawless and that Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun would definitely end up together. Xu Li then asked about a hypothetical pair with a one-percent match. Xiaochuan firmly declared that such a low percentage meant it was impossible for them to be together, as they were completely unsuitable.

Xu Li, who had secretly tested her own compatibility with Xiaochuan and found it to be very low, was annoyed but kept her feelings to herself. Jiang Jun returned to the office, complaining about the cold weather after delivering documents. Yuan Shuai, seeing her, messaged her to come to his office. Though still feigning annoyance from her earlier "teasing" at noon, he showed concern for her cold hands, inviting her to warm them.

He denied being petty, claiming he was only worried about her health affecting her work. They then discussed the possibility of the first snow falling that night. Jiang Jun suggested they celebrate with a hot pot dinner at home, to which Yuan Shuai eagerly agreed. Yuan Shuai mentioned he had an appointment but would try to get home early.

Jiang Jun teased him about his questionable cooking skills, but he playfully assured her that this time, she would be moved to tears. Later that evening, Jiang Jun bought a large array of ingredients and meticulously prepared everything for the hot pot. However, as time ticked by, she kept glancing at the clock and the unmoving door, but Yuan Shuai was nowhere to be seen. At the restaurant, Yuan Shuai found Qiao Na waiting alone.

She admitted she had fabricated the client meeting, wanting to invite him herself. Qiao Na began asking Yuan Shuai about love, wondering if he believed in eternal love. He confirmed he did, like most people, believing a momentary impulse could become eternal. She then directly asked if such a moment could exist between them.

Yuan Shuai unequivocally replied, "No." When Qiao Na pressed for an explanation, citing that everyone considered them the perfect match, Yuan Shuai gently explained that while she was his best work partner and a true friend, there was no possibility of a romantic relationship between them. Visibly distraught, Qiao Na accidentally knocked over a glass of water, spilling it on Yuan Shuai. He excused himself to the restroom to clean up, leaving a frustrated Qiao Na alone at the table.

Back at the apartment, Jiang Jun was sitting with Wealth, the dog. The hot pot was boiling, but the table was empty except for her and the dog. Her mood sank as Yuan Shuai remained absent. Feeling she needed an excuse to call him, she decided to pretend they had run out of vinegar. When she called, Qiao Na answered Yuan Shuai's phone, coldly informing Jiang Jun that Mr. Yuan was busy and telling her not to call again.

Mistaking Qiao Na for Yuan Shuai's girlfriend, Jiang Jun was shocked and furious. Back home, she angrily dumped all the prepared food into the hot pot, declaring, "Who cares if you don't come back? I'll eat it myself! You'll be sorry!" Yuan Shuai returned to the table, preparing to leave the restaurant. Qiao Na, her possessiveness triggered by Jiang Jun's call, stopped him, demanding to know if he was going to meet another girl.

Yuan Shuai calmly stated that his affairs were his own business. Qiao Na pressed him, asking if he truly didn't feel anything for her after all these years and if she wasn't good enough for him. Yuan Shuai expressed regret, saying he didn't want to hurt her but had already fallen for someone else. Qiao Na, incredulous, questioned his claim, noting he had never had a girl by his side since she knew him.

She then asked if it was the girl from the company who constantly bothered him. Yuan Shuai clarified that his feelings for this person were his own and had nothing to do with her, refusing to reveal her identity. Qiao Na then made a desperate plea: if the person he loved didn't return his feelings, would he turn around and consider her? Yuan Shuai firmly refused, stating he would never look at anyone else but his beloved.

Qiao Na mocked him, calling the "invincible general" a coward for not daring to confess his love, unlike her who had the courage to speak up. Yuan Shuai, unwilling to waste any more time, walked out, determined to rush home to the person he truly loved. Outside, the first snow of the year began to fall.

Xu Li excitedly called Xiaochuan to join her, and they unconsciously embraced amidst the snowflakes before abruptly pulling away, both feeling a sudden flutter in their hearts. Elsewhere, Qiao Na walked out of the restaurant, sad and alone under the falling snow. Her woes were compounded when she received a call from a client, Mr. Feng, demanding an urgent financing proposal by daybreak, despite earlier agreeing to a week's deadline.

Overwhelmed by professional and emotional setbacks, Qiao Na dejectedly sat on a street bench. Meanwhile, Du Lei left his company and met Du Lin. As they walked together in the snow-covered plaza, reminiscing about their childhood, Du Lin confessed her feelings for him, explaining that now that he was no longer part of the Du family, they were no longer siblings and could explore a romantic relationship. Du Lei’s smile vanished, and he froze in place, stunned.

Back at home, Jiang Jun was still fuming, calling Yuan Shuai a dishonest, hypocritical playboy who led her on. She resented him for occupying half of her house, her sofa, her living room, her bedroom, and even her wardrobe. In a fit of anger, she started to clear out his clothes from her closet. As she did, she discovered a hidden box. Opening it, a flood of memories returned. Inside were old photos and a Rubik's Cube.

She then realized that Wealth, the dog currently by her side, was the same dog she and Yuan Shuai had rescued years ago. Deeper in the box, she found her old speech draft and a heartfelt love letter written by Yuan Shuai. Reading it, she discovered his long-held secret crush on her. The letter, signed "Brother Yuanyuan," detailed his reluctance to leave her to study abroad and his wish for her to call him if she was sad or bullied.

She recalled past conversations where she teased him about his "secret crush," unaware it was her. The past and present finally connected, and every word and action of Yuan Shuai replayed in her mind. Her eyes welled up, and she rushed out of the house to find him. At the same time, Yuan Shuai, having left Qiao Na, was trying to reach Jiang Jun by phone as he hurried home. They finally met under the colorful string lights downstairs.

As the first snow continued to fall heavily, Yuan Shuai could no longer hold back and poured out his confession. Jiang Jun, now understanding the truth, was overwhelmed with emotion. The "100% matched" pair finally expressed their true feelings, a culmination of long-suppressed emotions. They leaned in for a passionate kiss amidst the falling snow, then embraced tightly, their hearts overflowing with happiness. Alone, Du Lei stood by his window, watching the swirling snowflakes.

He thought back to his conversation with Du Lin. Recalling her hopeful expression, he softly rejected her, explaining that while they could be any kind of relationship, they could not be lovers because he already had someone he liked.

Episode 21 Recap

Du Lei firmly rejected Du Lin's romantic confession, telling her that while they could be in any other relationship, they could not be a couple because he would always see her as a sister. Du Lin, in tears, pleaded with him not to leave, emphasizing that she had always been by his side, protecting him, and that no one in the world would love him more.

She even offered to change anything he disliked about her, including her stubborn and bossy nature, if only he wouldn't leave. However, Du Lei remained resolute, explaining that he already had someone he liked, someone who had given him hope to start over, something Du Lin could not provide. Later, Du Lin, still processing his words, asked her subordinate to get information on Jiang Jun.

As she looked at Jiang Jun's employee registration form, which included a photo and details about her deceased father, Jiang Yaoming, Du Lin appeared to be deep in thought. As Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai embraced affectionately in the elevator and continued their passionate display at his doorstep, Xiaochuan unexpectedly appeared, recording them with his phone. Jiang Jun quickly alerted Yuan Shuai, who immediately confronted Xiaochuan, demanding he delete the video.

Xiaochuan initially refused, explaining that he was there to conduct an interview with them as the "only 100% matched users" of his "West World" app. To ensure the video was deleted, Jiang Jun agreed to the interview on the condition of honesty.

During the interview, when asked when they developed feelings for each other, Jiang Jun claimed it was recent, but Yuan Shuai quickly interjected, revealing that he had secretly been "into her for over 10 years," a secret Jiang Jun was surprised to learn. He then recalled his past confession, admitting to a long-standing crush.

When Xiaochuan pressed further about their plans for taking the relationship "to the next level," Yuan Shuai abruptly pushed him out, insisting he delete the video and leave so they could sleep. After Xiaochuan's departure, Jiang Jun, curious, asked Yuan Shuai to clarify what "the next level" meant. Yuan Shuai responded by asking if she truly wanted to know, and when she admitted she did, he sealed their commitment with a kiss, declaring, "Don’t leave me ever again! We’ve kissed.

No one can leave." Jiang Jun then playfully pulled him into the bedroom. The next morning, sunlight streamed into Yuan Shuai’s apartment, waking the happy couple. They exchanged smiles and pleasantries, both having slept wonderfully. Yuan Shuai offered to make breakfast, but Jiang Jun insisted on cooking their first meal together, teasing him about his formal attire for breakfast, which she called "a woman's taste in fashion."

Yuan Shuai delighted in Jiang Jun's praise for his cooking, promising to prepare breakfast for her every day, while she playfully served him microwaved milk. Arriving at the office, Yuan Shuai was radiating cheerfulness, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor. He greeted staff with compliments, praising a colleague's tie and another's lip gloss shade, telling them to "keep it up." He then warmly greeted Jiang Jun, remarking on her refreshed appearance and wishing her another good night's sleep.

His upbeat mood was so noticeable that he easily approved Su Chang's annual leave request, prompting Su Chang to exclaim, "Is this really Yuan Shuai? Could it be that there’s a breakthrough in your relationship?" Yuan Shuai, in turn, playfully threatened Su Chang by mentioning his girlfriend's phone number. Their budding office romance continued discreetly. During a meeting, Yuan Shuai found subtle ways to interact with Jiang Jun, such as asking her to make tea for everyone.

Later, when Jiang Jun handed him a document, Yuan Shuai slipped a secret note inside, suggesting, "Let’s go home together tonight." Qiao Na, however, was observant and noticed their subtle interactions, becoming suspicious. Qiao Na directly confronted Jiang Jun after Jiang Jun left Yuan Shuai's office, remarking on her glowing appearance and asking if she was in love.

Without waiting for a direct answer, Qiao Na assigned Jiang Jun a heavy workload, instructing her to work overtime to sort out documents for a meeting the next day, implicitly probing if Jiang Jun had other plans. Jiang Jun discreetly messaged Yuan Shuai, telling him to go home first, while Yuan Shuai offered to stay and keep her company. Jiang Jun declined, assuring him she could manage.

Later, seeing Yuan Shuai's car still in the parking lot, Qiao Na returned to the office. She found Jiang Jun there and mockingly commented on her slow progress. Yuan Shuai, who was hiding under Jiang Jun's desk, attempted to speak, but Jiang Jun quickly shushed him and pretended to be alone, even doing stretches as a cover. Qiao Na, noticing Jiang Jun's smudged lipstick, questioned her, and Jiang Jun attributed it to eating "spicy takeout."

Qiao Na warned her about eating pungent food in the office and reminded her to fix her makeup before leaving, then departed. Once Qiao Na was gone, Yuan Shuai emerged from under the desk, playfully chastising Jiang Jun for hiding and kicking him. Jiang Jun apologized, and they shared a passionate kiss. Outside the office, Qiao Na reviewed a photo she had taken of Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai kissing, with the "MH Admin Dept. MH HR Dept."

listed as potential recipients. She remembered Yuan Shuai's past rejection of her, stating he already had someone he liked, and hesitated, putting her phone aside. Later that evening, as Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai returned home, planning to continue their romantic evening, they were interrupted by Xu Li, who unexpectedly turned on the lights. Xu Li caught them off guard, teasing them about their passionate kissing.

Their attempts to explain were futile, as Xiaochuan had already revealed everything and even shown her the video he recorded earlier. Initially, Xu Li, acting as Jiang Jun's protective best friend, vehemently disapproved of the relationship, asking Jiang Jun when she had "fallen for this devil" (a comment Yuan Shuai objected to), and declaring she wouldn't allow it. However, Yuan Shuai quickly won her over with his impressive cooking.

As she savored the meal, Xu Li showered him with compliments, praising his good looks, success, education, family background, and culinary skills, completely changing her stance. She enthusiastically supported their relationship, teasing Jiang Jun about her past negative comments about Yuan Shuai being "weird" and "hard to deal with." Satisfied, Xu Li left the couple to enjoy their "couple’s time." Following the revelation of Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun's relationship, Xu Li reflected on her own situation.

She pondered whether a 100% match was truly necessary for a successful relationship, especially after discovering her own compatibility with Xiaochuan through the "West World" app was only 1%. Despite Xiaochuan's assertion that low-match couples couldn't succeed, Xu Li remained determined.

Convinced that an "outstanding girl" like herself could overcome mere app data, she vowed to work hard and prove that even a "1% girl" could achieve a 100% match, declaring her ambition to "change West World" and ultimately, the world. Soon after, Qiao Na was summoned to Fan's office, where she was confronted about a severe error in the Yuanyang Group's financing plan, for which she was responsible.

Fan sternly questioned Yuan Shuai's management and criticized Qiao Na for submitting the flawed plan to the client without proper review, leading to significant financial losses and strategic compromise. Yuan Shuai immediately stepped in, accepting "inescapable responsibility" as Qiao Na’s supervisor. He proposed that he and Qiao Na would apologize to the client and provide a completely new financing plan within 24 hours. Fan was skeptical, pointing out the time constraints and the competitor's knowledge of the previous plan.

Qiao Na, witnessing Yuan Shuai's defense, bravely offered to "take the blame and resign," accepting full responsibility for the company's and client's losses. However, Yuan Shuai stopped her, reiterating his promise to Fan: if the new plan failed to satisfy the client, he and Qiao Na would both resign from MH. Fan accepted this "promise," warning them that their jobs depended on the success of the new plan.

Episode 22 Recap

The company was abuzz with news of Qiao Na’s significant error in the Yuanyang Group’s financing plan, which had resulted in client losses and put her job at risk. Employees openly speculated that her dismissal was inevitable. However, Yuan Shuai stepped in, preventing her termination and pledging to deliver an entirely new financing plan within 24 hours. Colleagues whispered that if he failed, he would be sacked alongside Qiao Na.

Jiang Jun overheard this, her brow furrowed in worry as she watched Yuan Shuai walk away with a determined stride. Just as he closed the blinds to his office, Yuan Shuai subtly glanced back at her. Xiaochuan offered a cake to Xu Li, mentioning it was a "buy one, get one free" deal, which Xu Li found less appealing. Xiaochuan then approached Du Lei to discuss a perceived "fund problem" with Western World.

Du Lei quickly identified that it wasn't a genuine issue but rather Xiaochuan's misclassification of fund expenditure ratios, a common metric for startups. Xu Li, present during the conversation, proposed that the three of them meet for dinner that evening to discuss it further, and Du Lei agreed. That evening, Jiang Jun was alone with Wealth, the dog.

She diligently completed all the household chores, assuring Wealth that its father, Yuan Shuai, was very busy and they needed to be understanding. Despite her efforts, Yuan Shuai did not return home. Instead, she received a voice message from him telling her not to wait up and to get her beauty sleep, ending with an "I love you" and "good night."

Jiang Jun, though outwardly claiming not to be jealous that Yuan Shuai was spending the night with a "beautiful girl," couldn't help but clutch Wealth tightly, her brow furrowed in evident frustration. Yuan Shuai and Qiao Na spent the entire night developing the new proposal. Qiao Na expressed deep gratitude for his help, admitting he wasn't obligated to assist her. Yuan Shuai, in turn, explained that as her superior, he bore responsibility for her errors, and he valued her capabilities.

He considered her a "comrade-in-arms" and a trusted "right-hand," just like Su Chang, emphasizing their long-standing work partnership. Qiao Na thanked him for his candor. She then showed him photos on her phone of him and Jiang Jun, cautioning him to be mindful of their relationship's impact within the workplace. She promised to delete the photos, effectively settling their mutual debts. Yuan Shuai responded that he would take full responsibility for his decisions, and they reaffirmed their bond as "comrades-in-arms."

Jiang Jun arrived at the office with breakfast but, upon seeing Yuan Shuai and Qiao Na working together, she tightly clutched the breakfast bag and gave it to a colleague named Xiang Ding before retreating to her desk, clearly upset. Shortly after, she received a call from Secretary Xia, the board secretary of Xinshuo Technology, who expressed interest in an initial public offering (IPO) and wished to meet with her.

Jiang Jun agreed to the meeting, requested the address, and quickly informed Xiang Ding that she was leaving to see a client, asking him to relay the message to Yuan Shuai if needed. Yuan Shuai and Qiao Na presented the new, thoroughly revised proposal to the clients from Yuanyang Group. The clients were highly impressed by MH's professionalism in developing such an improved plan within 24 hours.

Yuan Shuai emphasized that it was their duty to rectify the error and expressed gratitude for Yuanyang Group's renewed trust. To further demonstrate their commitment, Yuan Shuai offered to serve as a free technical consultant for Yuanyang Group for an entire year. Following the successful presentation, Qiao Na once again thanked Yuan Shuai and asked if he had time to speak with her, to which he agreed.

Du Lei received an anonymous call and an accompanying image showing Jiang Jun, well-dressed, lying unconscious on a bed. Deeply disturbed, he immediately called the number back. The mysterious caller claimed it was "just a test," assuring him that Jiang Jun was "very safe" and merely "sleeping quietly," before sending him a location. Du Lei, without hesitation, rushed to the specified hotel.

He ignored staff who tried to stop him from parking and, at the room door, brushed past an attendant asking for identification. He instructed them to contact their "Mr. Luo," informing him that Du Lei was responsible and would apologize later. He then forcefully kicked open the door, found the unconscious Jiang Jun, and carried her out, disregarding the bewildered staff. He then took her to the hospital. Back at the office, Yuan Shuai inquired about Jiang Jun's whereabouts.

Xiang Ding informed him that she had left earlier to meet a client. Yuan Shuai immediately tried to call her, but his calls went unanswered. At the hospital, Du Lei was present when a doctor explained that Jiang Jun had taken a dose of sleeping pills and had low blood sugar, though her condition was stable and she was expected to wake up soon.

When Xu Li and Xiaochuan arrived, Du Lei composed himself and reiterated that Jiang Jun had fainted due to low blood sugar and that he had brought her in. Relieved that they were there, he entrusted Jiang Jun to their care, specifically asking Xu Li to ensure she drank water upon waking. He then left the room to call his sister, Linda. Xiaochuan messaged Yuan Shuai, urging him to come to the hospital because Jiang Jun had an accident.

Meanwhile, Xu Li and Xiaochuan discussed how lucky Jiang Jun was to have two men protecting her and joked about Yuan Shuai being her "100% match" from Western World. True to prediction, Yuan Shuai rushed into the hospital, breathless and visibly worried. Xiaochuan explained that Jiang Jun had low blood sugar and that Du Lei had brought her in, which immediately caused Yuan Shuai's brow to furrow in suspicion at the mention of Du Lei's name.

Just then, Jiang Jun regained consciousness, asking where she was. Yuan Shuai quickly pulled her into a tight embrace, apologizing profusely for neglecting her due to work. Xu Li and Xiaochuan discreetly left the room. Jiang Jun, in turn, gently reassured Yuan Shuai, telling him not to blame himself as she was fine. Outside the hospital room, Xu Li mused about how "truly in love" couples boost their serotonin through physical intimacy like hugs or kisses.

She then turned to Xiaochuan and innocently asked if he had ever kissed a girlfriend. Xiaochuan, visibly flustered and blushing, quickly made an excuse about needing to "run code" and hastily departed, leaving Xu Li to find his shyness rather endearing. Yuan Shuai confronted the doctor about Jiang Jun's condition, learning that her fainting spell was not due to low blood sugar as Du Lei had stated.

Instead, her blood tests showed a significant dosage of sleeping pills in her system. This information, combined with Xiaochuan's earlier mention of Du Lei bringing Jiang Jun to the hospital, sparked a deeper concern in Yuan Shuai. Du Lei met Linda at a café and confronted her angrily, demanding to know why she had harmed Jiang Jun. Linda, however, merely provoked him further, stating she enjoyed seeing him upset.

She then launched into a tirade, accusing him of hypocrisy regarding "bottom lines," reminding him of his past actions: helping Wan Shan manipulate Jiang Jun and, most significantly, his involvement in the annexation of "Jiangnan Flavor" five years prior, which she claimed "forced her father to his death."

Linda then revealed that the very person Du Lei was now trying to help, Jiang Jun, was the daughter of the late Mr. Jiang, the owner of "Jiangnan Flavor," whose death Du Lei had indirectly caused. She taunted him, wondering if Jiang Jun would ever forgive him if she knew the truth.

A flashback to five years earlier showed a younger Du Lei expressing deep suspicion about the sudden "food safety accident" at "Jiangnan Flavor," particularly their popular "Yixianqian" rice noodle brand, which had an impeccable record until they resisted an acquisition. Linda, however, coldly dismissed his ethical concerns, asserting that "capital markets have always given priority to profit" and that investment banks were not "charities." She pressured him to finalize the acquisition, promising it would secure his promotion to Vice President.

Swayed by the prospect of career advancement, Du Lei expedited the acquisition. Jiang Yaoming, Jiang Jun's father and the legal representative of "Jiangnan Flavor," signed the acquisition contract, but only after securing a promise that none of his 112 employees would be dismissed and that his secret recipe would remain protected. This forced acquisition and the subsequent compromise of his brand's integrity led to Jiang Yaoming suffering a fatal heart attack.

Back in the present, Du Lei, now devastated by Linda's revelations, realized his past suspicions had been correct, but he had never imagined she was the mastermind. Linda persisted in her attack, claiming they were both individuals who would "do anything to get what we want" and that he had chosen his own future over ethics. Overwhelmed with self-loathing, Du Lei stared at Linda with contempt, lamenting how hateful his past self had been.

Seeking to release his pent-up frustration, Du Lei arrived at a Thai boxing gym, only to find Yuan Shuai already waiting for him. Yuan Shuai immediately confronted Du Lei, blaming him for Jiang Jun's recent incident. Du Lei, however, dismissed it as a mere coincidence and denied causing her any harm, vowing that he would "never hurt her."

He then confessed his love for Jiang Jun, acknowledging Yuan Shuai's feelings for her as well, and declared his intention to compete fairly for her. Yuan Shuai, dismissing Du Lei's intentions, curtly announced that he and Jiang Jun were "officially together" and warned him that from now on, only he had the right to protect her, making it clear that Du Lei's involvement was unwanted. Du Lei silently fumed, grinding his teeth as Yuan Shuai walked away.

At home, Yuan Shuai tasked Su Chang with investigating the true mastermind behind Jiang Jun's incident. Su Chang reported that the person who drugged Jiang Jun, an accountant named Xia, claimed it was a spontaneous act, but Yuan Shuai scoffed at the idea of carrying sleeping pills on a whim, insisting someone had orchestrated it and urging Su Chang to get the truth.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jun emerged from the shower, prompting Yuan Shuai to begin a doting, yet nagging, lecture about her health. Their tender moment was interrupted by a video call from Jiang Jun's mother. To conceal Yuan Shuai's presence, Jiang Jun quickly pushed him to the floor, pretending her dog, Wealth Yuan, had barked loudly. Her mother inquired about her New Year's plans, mentioning she was preparing Jiang Jun's favorite rice noodles.

Jiang Jun cut the call short with a fabricated excuse. Yuan Shuai then expressed his disappointment about not being introduced to her mother and his loneliness if she were to go home alone for the New Year. He fondly recalled her father's delicious rice noodles. Jiang Jun's demeanor saddened, and she tearfully revealed that her father had passed away five years prior from a sudden heart attack.

She explained that his popular rice noodle brand, "Yixianqian," had been acquired by C Group with MH's help, but C Group subsequently devalued her father's cherished work into cheap, "self-heating rice noodles," leading to his fatal illness. This tragedy, she confided, was why she entered the investment banking world: to understand if the capital market truly prioritized profit above all else.

Yuan Shuai, in response, shared his philosophy that while he too dealt with capital, he prioritized a long-term vision over short-term gains, believing that respecting and nurturing capital ultimately yields greater benefits. He then reiterated his desire to accompany her home for the New Year.

Jiang Jun agreed, but stipulated that he must first pass her mother's "test" before their relationship could be revealed, humorously reminding him that her mother's "number one enemy" was still the person who had stolen her speech manuscript—a clear jab at Yuan Shuai. Xu Li and Xiaochuan shared a meal of barbecue. Xiaochuan proposed a new feature for Western World: a virtual plant that couples could jointly cultivate.

Xu Li suggested using a "forget-me-not" for its symbolism of "eternal love," which Xiaochuan adopted. Their conversation then shifted to New Year's celebrations. Xiaochuan expressed cynicism, but Xu Li countered that holidays provided cherished opportunities for family reunions and personal enjoyment, stressing the importance of "a little ritual" in life. Xiaochuan confessed his aversion to returning home due to his numerous relatives trying to set him up. Xu Li playfully advised him to prioritize his career.

She, however, planned to go home, as her mother missed her dearly. Cao Heng was engrossed in a gambling game when Du Lei repeatedly called him. Annoyed, Cao Heng finally answered. Du Lei mentioned Linda's name, proposing a meeting. Cao Heng, wary of past entanglements with the Du siblings, hastily tried to distance himself, stating that previous events had "nothing to do with" him. He then made an excuse, claiming he was "out of town" and unavailable before abruptly hanging up. As the call ended, a chillingly cold expression settled on Du Lei's face.

Episode 23 Recap

Yuan Shuai received an urgent call from Mr. Luo, who needed him to go to Hong Kong immediately due to issues at the Hong Kong Exchange. Yuan Shuai promptly instructed Ms. Qiao to recheck all of Wanxing's financial data, especially the estimated Return on Equity, and told Su Chang to collect all necessary IPO data and confirm flight details with Mr. Luo's secretary.

Yuan Shuai then called Jiang Jun into his office to inform her about the urgent business trip to Hong Kong, which meant they wouldn't be able to celebrate the New Year together. Jiang Jun reassured him that they could video chat and asked him to take care, but both admitted they didn't want to be apart. As they shared an intimate moment, Ms. Qiao suddenly walked in, feigning surprise about the dusty office.

Yuan Shuai quickly tried to usher Jiang Jun out, but Ms. Qiao critiqued their lack of privacy, saying that closing the drapes during business hours makes it obvious they are "doing something sneaky" and warned that office gossip can be cruel. Yuan Shuai later asked Jiang Jun if Ms. Qiao had discovered their relationship, to which Jiang Jun confirmed Ms. Qiao already knew. Jiang Jun felt foolish for not realizing, and Yuan Shuai apologized, acknowledging her frustration.

Ms. Qiao then confronted Jiang Jun, claiming she didn't understand what Yuan Shuai saw in her. She revealed she discovered their relationship accidentally and that Yuan Shuai prevented her from reporting it to the company. Ms. Qiao warned Jiang Jun that while MH doesn't explicitly forbid office romance, Jiang Jun would be the one to suffer if their relationship was exposed. Jiang Jun thanked her for the reminder and understanding.

Ms. Qiao then openly admitted her affection for Yuan Shuai, stating that while Jiang Jun was "first in his life," the outcome is still uncertain. She explicitly warned Jiang Jun that if she doesn't treat Yuan Shuai well or argues with him over trivial matters, she will seize the opportunity to win him over. Jiang Jun acknowledged her meaning.

Privately, Jiang Jun realized Ms. Qiao was acting as a peacemaker, then quickly dismissed the idea, thinking Ms. Qiao wished to steal him. While Yuan Shuai was away in Hong Kong, he and Jiang Jun maintained their connection through video calls. Yuan Shuai checked in on their dog, Wealth, jokingly asking if Jiang Jun had been taking good care of him. Jiang Jun showed him a picture of Wealth, confirming he's doing well and has even gained weight.

Yuan Shuai insisted that Wealth needed to go on a diet and exercise. Jiang Jun, mentioning she was about to take Wealth for a run, ended the call quickly, but not before Yuan Shuai reminded her to give Wealth to Xiaochuan before the holiday. Yuan Shuai noticed Jiang Jun's nasal voice and asked if she had a cold. She confirmed it, playfully lamenting that no one was there to care for her and she was waiting for him to return.

Yuan Shuai told her he was trying to get back by the 31st, but it might be January 1st or 2nd. Jiang Jun told him to rest early and remember her. As New Year's Eve approached, Jiang Jun's colleagues commented on Yuan Shuai's dedication to work, being away in Hong Kong. Jiang Jun appeared distracted and a bit sad, despite being told she could go home early to celebrate. Looking at Yuan Shuai's empty office, her disappointment was clear.

Meanwhile, Xu Li waited for a taxi on Anshun Road. She saw that Xiaochuan's "West World" app had officially launched and felt a pang of sympathy for him working alone on New Year's Eve. While waiting, she witnessed a dramatic "fake accident, real proposal" scene. A man faked a collapse, causing his girlfriend to panic and accept his proposal.

This spectacle made Xu Li reflect on her own unexpressed feelings for Xiaochuan, realizing she didn't want to wait for an accident to regret not confessing sooner. With a sudden burst of determination, she turned and ran back towards Xiaochuan. Du Lei received a call from Cao Heng, who informed him that he was in Suzhou and invited Du Lei to meet him there. Du Lei quickly agreed and headed to Suzhou. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun was on her flight home.

She glanced at her phone, disappointed that Yuan Shuai hadn't responded to her message, then turned it off and prepared to rest. Suddenly, Yuan Shuai appeared, having exchanged his first-class ticket for a seat next to Jiang Jun. He settled in, gently pulling her close as her head nodded with exhaustion. Xu Li rushed back to the office, finding Xiaochuan startled by her sudden return.

She struggled to confess her feelings, instead fabricating a story about missing her train and being "forced" to spend New Year's Eve with him. Xiaochuan had ordered a table full of takeout food, which Xu Li immediately recognized as all her favorites. She asked him why he chose those specific dishes, and he, appearing flustered, vaguely explained that he was trying to "have a sense of ritual" by ordering things they'd enjoyed before. Xu Li was secretly delighted.

In Suzhou, Du Lei met Cao Heng, trying to subtly extract information about Du Lin's past dealings with him. Cao Heng complained about Du Lin's lack of trust, claiming he had been hiding in Suzhou for five years and deleted all chat records in front of her. Du Lei, probing further, suggested someone was investigating the matter and asked if any traces were left behind.

Cao Heng grew suspicious, realizing Du Lei was not there on Du Lin's behalf and that there were no chat records to begin with. He warned Du Lei to stop trying to manipulate him and stated he knew nothing before abruptly leaving. Disappointed, Du Lei walked down the street and was drawn to a stray dog, which evoked memories of Jiang Jun and his own past "companions." Jiang Jun woke up in surprise to find Yuan Shuai by her side.

As the clock struck midnight, an announcement declared the arrival of the New Year, and everyone on the plane celebrated. Yuan Shuai told Jiang Jun he missed her, and they exchanged New Year's greetings as fireworks lit up the sky outside the window. Separately, in the city, Xu Li and Xiaochuan watched fireworks together, wishing each other a Happy New Year.

Xu Li suggested they make wishes, and Xiaochuan wished for the successful launch and popularity of his "West World" app. Xu Li, with newfound courage, silently wished that Xiaochuan would realize her feelings. She then bravely kissed his cheek and confessed her deep affection, admitting she might only be a "1% match" for him but was willing to change and try to become his "100% girl" if he gave her a chance.

Xiaochuan, adhering to his app's strict compatibility theories, struggled to understand why she would like him when their match was so low. Xu Li passionately urged him to try, to "look closely" at her and see if there was even a "0. 1% possibility," stating she didn't want to live with regret. Overwhelmed and uncertain, Xiaochuan let go of her hand and ran off.

Du Lin received a call from Cao Heng, who complained that Du Lei had visited him under false pretenses, trying to extract information. Du Lin acknowledged his report and assured him she would handle it. Sensing Du Lei's escalating investigation, Du Lin then made another call, discreetly initiating her own plans concerning the daughter of Jiang Yaoming. After landing, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai found their pre-arranged driver had canceled, leaving them stranded late at night.

Yuan Shuai scolded Jiang Jun for putting herself in a potentially unsafe situation, and she retorted that she only booked the late flight because she was waiting for him. Yuan Shuai quickly took charge, calling his mother to inform her of the delay and then contacting his associate, Mr. Zhu, to arrange a car for them, mentioning Jiang Jun as his "colleague" to his mother.

In the car, Jiang Jun was still upset, but Yuan Shuai told her to be angry while he kept warm, gently pulling her closer. Xiaochuan woke up from his drunken stupor to find Xu Li gone, leaving behind a farewell letter. After reading it, he fed Wealth, then noticed a pillow in the trash bin — a pillow he recognized as Xu Li's. He quietly retrieved it, looking at her empty workstation, lost in thought.

Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun finally arrived at her childhood home. Jiang Jun warned him to make a good impression on her mother. Mrs. Jiang joyfully welcomed Jiang Jun, then asked about Yuan Shuai's identity. Jiang Jun reminded her that he is Yuan Shuai, their childhood neighbor, and explained he was staying for the holidays. Mrs. Jiang, surprised by how much he had grown, warmly welcomed him inside.

Yuan Shuai immediately presented gifts he had prepared for Mrs. Jiang and complimented her beauty, even likening her to Jiang Jun's older sister, much to Mrs. Jiang's delight. Mrs. Jiang asked how they reconnected in Shanghai, noting that Jiang Jun had referred to him as a "colleague." Yuan Shuai smoothly confirmed he was indeed her colleague and explained that Jiang Jun had interviewed at his company, where he is now her superior.

Mrs. Jiang praised Yuan Shuai's success and thanked him for looking after Jiang Jun. When Mrs. Jiang began to mention Jiang Jun's father, Jiang Jun quickly interrupted, asking her mother to prepare some food as they hadn't eaten since the previous night. Mrs. Jiang agreed, deciding to cook extra dishes for Yuan Shuai. Eager to impress, Yuan Shuai immediately volunteered to accompany her to the market, insisting despite her initial protests. Yuan Shuai and Mrs. Jiang returned from the market.

He again offered to cook, but they were interrupted by Mrs. Jiang's friends, Wanjun, Cuiping, and Shujuan, who expressed their admiration for Yuan Shuai's handsome appearance and asked if he was Jiang Jun's boyfriend. Yuan Shuai, feeling awkward under Mrs. Jiang's watchful eye, quickly denied it, stating he was merely a neighbor's son. He then charmingly complimented Mrs. Jiang's friends, easing the tension. Mrs. Jiang, eager to end the conversation, escorted her friends away, reminding them about dinner preparations.

However, once her friends were gone, Mrs. Jiang confronted Yuan Shuai again, asking if he and Jiang Jun were "truly not" together. Yuan Shuai, still trying to maintain secrecy, hastily denied it once more.

Episode 24 Recap

Yuan Shuai enthusiastically cooked in Jiang Jun's kitchen, despite Mrs. Jiang's insistence that he, as a guest, should rest. Yuan Shuai playfully tried to feed Jiang Jun, leading to intimate moments between them. When he casually mentioned being "together with Jun," he quickly corrected himself, clarifying it was a "working relationship." Mrs. Jiang observed their interactions thoughtfully. During dinner, Mrs. Jiang expressed how much she liked Yuan Shuai and recalled how close he and Jiang Jun were as children.

She then lamented the long-ago incident where Jiang Jun's speech notes were stolen, describing the culprit as "hateful" and the cause of a chain of unfortunate events, including Jiang Jun’s transfer from school and missing their farewell before Yuan Shuai went abroad. Yuan Shuai, knowing the truth, knelt down and confessed that he was the one who had taken Jiang Jun's speech notes by mistake, expressing deep regret. Jiang Jun immediately defended him, explaining it was an accident.

Mrs. Jiang, while outwardly forgiving him, proceeded to pour three full glasses of red wine, forcing him to drink each one as a form of penance. After Yuan Shuai had finished the third glass, she finally allowed them to eat. Meanwhile, Xu Li returned to the convenience store where she worked, as she had nowhere else to go. A colleague mentioned a young man who had gotten drunk there the previous night, clearly heartbroken.

Xu Li immediately realized it was Xiaochuan. Looking at the familiar window, memories of her time with him flooded her mind, and she struggled to hold back tears, trying to convince herself to be happy and focus on work. Later that evening, Mrs. Jiang, seemingly having accepted Yuan Shuai's apology, offered him some apples and asked if he was in a "sweet relationship."

Yuan Shuai began to say he was in a very sweet relationship with his girlfriend, but before he could finish revealing that Jiang Jun was his girlfriend, Mrs. Jiang angrily interrupted him. She then marched into another room, holding a photo of Mr. Jiang, and complained to her late husband that Yuan Shuai, "the son of the Yuan family," was a "scumbag" for having a girlfriend while getting close to Jiang Jun.

To punish him, Mrs. Jiang made Yuan Shuai sleep on the living room sofa with only a thin summer blanket, despite it being winter. Yuan Shuai grumbled to himself that "mothers-in-law are always right." Later that night, Jiang Jun, worried Yuan Shuai would catch a cold, quietly brought him a thick quilt. Yuan Shuai, seizing the opportunity, pulled her into his arms, and they cuddled on the sofa, eventually falling asleep together.

Jiang Jun had set an alarm for 4 AM to avoid being caught by her mother. However, when she tried to sneak away, she found Mrs. Jiang already sitting nearby, having witnessed everything. Mrs. Jiang angrily confronted Jiang Jun, urging her to end things with Yuan Shuai, wrongly believing he had another girlfriend and was misleading Jiang Jun. Yuan Shuai then stepped forward and openly declared to Mrs. Jiang that Jiang Jun was his girlfriend.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Jiang comically pretended to be sleepwalking, counting sheep as she retreated to her room. Once inside, she happily reported the good news to Mr. Jiang's photo, expressing her joy that Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun were finally together. The next morning, Mrs. Jiang, in high spirits, prepared an extravagant breakfast spread for Yuan Shuai, filled with various cuisines and many different kinds of eggs, emphasizing their nutritional value.

Yuan Shuai mentioned how much he missed her homemade rice noodles, and she excitedly presented him with a "Ten-Ingredient Tonic" rice noodle dish, loaded with precious ingredients like ginseng, sea cucumbers, and turtle. She lovingly insisted Yuan Shuai eat it all, while playfully dismissing Jiang Jun, telling her to just eat vegetables as "girls shouldn’t eat so much." Mrs. Jiang then received a call from a mahjong friend, Cuiping, inviting her to play.

Seeing an opportunity to show Yuan Shuai off, Mrs. Jiang decided to take him along. Yuan Shuai, understanding the "glorious mission," meticulously prepared himself. At the mahjong game, Yuan Shuai subtly played in a way that allowed Mrs. Jiang and her friends to win, earning their praise for his good character and humble attitude.

When other aunties started vying to set him up with their daughters, Mrs. Jiang proudly announced that Yuan Shuai was already in a relationship with her own daughter, Jiang Jun. This revelation caused the other aunties to hastily excuse themselves, clearly envious. On the way home, Yuan Shuai bought roasted chestnuts, knowing they were Jiang Jun's favorite. Mrs. Jiang was touched, recalling how Mr. Jiang used to buy chestnuts for Jiang Jun.

She reminisced about Jiang Jun's childhood and how, after her father's death, Jiang Jun seemed to "grow up overnight" and never cried again. Mrs. Jiang admitted she didn't know if Jiang Jun truly became stronger or just pretended to be, to spare her mother worry.

Expressing her relief that Jiang Jun now had Yuan Shuai, Mrs. Jiang made him promise that no matter what happened between them, he would always treat Jiang Jun kindly and never be the one to make her cry. Yuan Shuai earnestly promised to protect her, never let anyone bully her, and only make her happy throughout their lives. Back home, while they were sharing food, Jiang Jun accidentally spilled water on Yuan Shuai.

As Mrs. Jiang helped him take off his wet jacket, she discovered his business card, which revealed he worked at MH. Her demeanor immediately darkened. She pulled Jiang Jun into a room, demanding to know why she was working at MH. Mrs. Jiang tearfully recounted how investment banking had tragically led to Mr. Jiang’s death, making it a forbidden industry for her daughter.

Jiang Jun tried to explain that while she once shared her mother's view, she now realized it was not the industry itself but the "people in the industry" that mattered, and she truly loved her job. However, Mrs. Jiang, emotional and resolute, refused to listen, ordering Jiang Jun to quit her job immediately and stating that she would not compromise on this matter.

Episode 25 Recap

Jiang Jun emerged from her room looking distraught, and Yuan Shuai, understanding her distress, went to speak with her mother. He gently asked for the truth about the past events concerning Jiang Jun’s father. Jiang Jun’s mother, with tears in her eyes, recounted how Jiang Yaoming had founded the “Yixianqian Rice Noodles” brand with financial support from MH. As the business grew, he sought more financing. However, after partnering with MH, things took a strange turn.

MH consistently pushed to change their production model and urged them to accept an acquisition offer from C Group, which Jiang Jun’s father staunchly opposed. At a time when their finances were already strained, a sudden food safety scandal erupted, leaving Jiang Yaoming with no choice but to sign the acquisition agreement to protect the livelihoods of his factory workers. Jiang Jun’s mother firmly believed that external stress, not just his hypertension, triggered her husband’s fatal heart attack.

Yuan Shuai promised to investigate the matter thoroughly, obtaining the original acquisition contract from her. Reassured by Yuan Shuai’s commitment to finding justice for her husband and his promise to look after Jiang Jun, she finally relinquished her prejudice against MH, allowing Jiang Jun to continue working there. Reviewing the contract, Yuan Shuai discovered that C Group's legal representative at the time was Cao Heng. Concurrently, Du Lei was also studying the same acquisition agreement.

He was haunted by memories of his younger self, trembling at Jiang Jun’s father’s memorial hall, as Du Lin’s cold voice echoed in his ears. Du Lin had told him that the world was a brutal arena of winners and losers, and that no one would fight for him if he didn't fight for himself. This formative experience had forced Du Lei to grow up quickly and adopt a detached demeanor.

Now, he was determined not to become another "cold-blooded" member of the Du family and was equally driven to uncover the truth behind the acquisition. Back at Yuan Shuai’s apartment, Su Chang and his girlfriend, Xinxin, arrived, only to be intercepted by property staff delivering New Year's gifts. Su Chang desperately tried to cover up his lie about owning the apartment, but the staff inadvertently revealed that Yuan Shuai was the actual owner of both units 701 and 702.

Xinxin was furious, not about Su Chang’s financial status, but about his dishonesty. When Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun returned, they tried to mediate, but Xinxin remained upset. It was only after Su Chang dramatically knelt and poured out his heart, confessing his ten-year love and deep regret, that Xinxin forgave him. With the apartment now officially vacant, Yuan Shuai and Jiang Jun, still enjoying their togetherness, decided to continue staying at Jiang Jun’s home.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shuai began his secret investigation into Jiang Jun’s father's death, using Cao Heng as his primary lead. He received a call from Su Chang, who informed him that Cao Heng, the former general manager of C Group, had been dismissed five years prior for embezzlement and was now operating a bar in Suzhou.

Yuan Shuai planned to depart for Suzhou early the next morning, sending Jiang Jun a message to take care of herself and assuring her he would return soon, subtly implying his trip was for a business matter assigned by Mr. Luo. After the New Year holiday, news of MH Vice President Lin Taimo's return circulated through the company, causing a significant shift in dynamics.

When he arrived, Lin Taimo greeted Jiang Jun directly, drawing curious glances and hushed, sarcastic comments from colleagues. Lin Taimo then announced his return to the Investment Banking Department, leading to immediate changes. Ma Xiuran was transferred to a managerial position in the headquarters' administrative service department, a move widely perceived as a demotion, while Mr. Fan's influence was noticeably diminished. Before departing, Ma Xiuran warned Jiang Jun to choose her words carefully, hinting at his eventual return.

Later, Lin Taimo summoned Jiang Jun to his new office, welcoming her warmly and complimenting her strong performance and early regularization. He then steered the conversation to her father, Jiang Yaoming, revealing their long-standing acquaintance and her father's optimistic personality. Lin Taimo confirmed that Jiang Yaoming, as the founder of Jiangnan Flavor and an MH client, and MH had both invested considerable effort into the "Yixianqian" brand.

Jiang Jun expressed regret that she hadn't been able to help her parents more. She then pressed Lin Taimo to share details about the acquisition. He explained that her father’s company had faced financial difficulties, and he had actively helped find C Group, who offered very favorable terms. The acquisition contract was subsequently signed.

However, not long after, he heard of her father's sudden death from a heart attack, suggesting it might have been caused by the emotional burden of relinquishing his life's work. Jiang Jun interjected, asserting that he had simply completed a standard acquisition case. Observing her resolute demeanor, Lin Taimo then offered his full support for any future work challenges, even suggesting she could call him "uncle" due to his friendship with her father.

Jiang Jun politely declined the familial title, expressing gratitude for his help in securing her position at MH and stating that she had no further expectations. Meanwhile, Du Lei diligently tracked down a woman closely associated with Cao Heng. Initially, she denied any connection, mistaking Du Lei for a debt collector. However, when Du Lei cleverly posed as someone intending to repay Cao Heng’s debts, she became more forthcoming.

She revealed Cao Heng’s severe gambling addiction and his frequent visits to an illicit underground casino. At the same time, Yuan Shuai, also in Suzhou, gathered similar intelligence about Cao Heng’s gambling habits from a bartender at his former bar. Unexpectedly, Du Lei and Yuan Shuai crossed paths outside Cao Heng's old bar.

Recognizing their shared objective to find Cao Heng and uncover the truth for Jiang Jun, Du Lei proposed a temporary partnership, acknowledging his insider knowledge from his time at GE but admitting his lack of information regarding the casino's exact location. Yuan Shuai agreed to the alliance. Upon reaching the casino entrance, Yuan Shuai took the lead, assuming the role of Du Lei's superior and using Du Lei's cash and wallet to bribe the gatekeeper, securing their entry.

Inside the casino, Yuan Shuai and Du Lei patiently waited for Cao Heng. Eventually, he appeared, but upon seeing them, immediately tried to escape. The two men, working in perfect sync, pursued and successfully apprehended him.

Episode 26 Recap

After apprehending Cao Heng, Yuan Shuai and Du Lei began their interrogation. Yuan Shuai, adopting a menacing persona, accused Cao Heng of hiding information, reminding him of a previous individual who claimed ignorance and was subsequently "fed to the fish." Du Lei, playing the role of Yuan Shuai's professional "hitman" known as "Clean Cut," emphasized his speed and efficiency.

Terrified, Cao Heng pleaded his innocence, asking what they had done to Qin Yueyuan, seemingly aware of others who had crossed them. Yuan Shuai then presented Cao Heng with a stark choice: live or die. Choosing to live, Cao Heng immediately confessed, stating that Linda was behind everything. Cao Heng recounted the events of five years prior. Linda, then an Executive Director at MH Securities, entrusted him with replacing the beef in Jiang Yaoming's "Jiangnan Flavor" brand.

She promised benefits for success and reassured him of victory if he followed her instructions. Cao Heng, in turn, approached Yin Zaizhong, the production manager of Jiangnan Flavor, and offered him a large sum of money. He appealed to Yin Zaizhong's paternal instincts, highlighting his daughter's life-threatening condition and the immediate need for surgery. Yin Zaizhong, in his desperation, accepted the bribe to swap the quality beef with inferior products.

After the deal was successfully executed, Linda congratulated Cao Heng, but then coldly advised him to disappear from Shanghai, emphasizing that his continued presence would draw too much attention. She offered him a substantial payment for his silence and guaranteed that no one would bother him, effectively severing ties. Cao Heng, feeling threatened and having no other options, agreed, hoping she would keep her word. Returning to the present, Yuan Shuai pressed Cao Heng for details about anyone else involved.

Cao Heng explained that his contact with Linda was always direct. After Linda moved from MH to GE, she appointed him as General Manager of C Group, using him as a front to manage clients. He had a vague feeling there were others involved, as Linda often spoke in terms of "we," but he never knew their identities. Yuan Shuai warned Cao Heng against revealing their meeting.

However, Cao Heng fearfully admitted that he had already informed Linda that Du Lei had previously questioned him. Meanwhile, Du Lei confronted Linda, expressing his disbelief that she would involve herself in Jiang Yaoming's death, which he now knew was no accident. He implored her to reveal the truth for Jiang Jun's sake and their own peace. Linda remained defiant, suggesting Du Lei stop his investigation, warning him of a formidable, unknown enemy.

She also dropped a bombshell: this powerful adversary already knew Jiang Jun's true identity as Jiang Yaoming's daughter, deeply unsettling Du Lei. Separately, Yuan Shuai received intelligence from Su Chang about Yin Zaizhong. After the Jiangnan Flavor incident, Yin Zaizhong, the bribed factory manager, left his position and opened a small store to support his daughter, who suffered from recurrent lymphoma and had less than a year to live.

Yuan Shuai visited Yin Zaizhong at the hospital, where Yin Zaizhong confirmed he took Cao Heng's bribe to fund his daughter's surgery. As Jiang Yaoming's old partner, Yin Zaizhong recounted the growth of the "Yixianqian" brand. He explained that after seeking financing from investment banks, a man and a woman, who were the project managers, came to the factory.

In a flashback, Lin Taimo, then General Manager of MH's Investment Banking Department, aggressively pushed Jiang Yaoming to alter the rice noodle production process to cut costs and increase shelf life, promising to double the brand's valuation. Jiang Yaoming staunchly refused, unwilling to compromise his family's secret recipe or turn his product into "junk food." Linda, standing by Lin Taimo, warned Jiang Yaoming that his stubbornness would lead to his downfall.

Yin Zaizhong continued his story, confirming that the man in charge of the project was Lin Taimo. Hearing Lin Taimo's name profoundly shocked Yuan Shuai. In another conversation, Linda congratulated Lin Taimo on regaining control of MH. Lin Taimo acknowledged her past reminder, admitting he observed Jiang Jun and found her personality similar to her father's.

Linda questioned why he would personally handle a "nobody," to which Lin Taimo responded that one must be careful of such individuals, especially since she was now at GE and couldn't assist him directly. He added that Jiang Jun knew little about the case, and he intended to keep it that way. Back at MH, Qiao Na announced a crucial task for Jiang Jun’s team: securing the Hengsheng Group's President Wang’s M&A deal.

She stated that exceptional performance could lead to a promotion to a manager position. Qiao Na appointed Jiang Jun as team leader, a decision that irked Shen Xin, who resented Jiang Jun’s perceived rise through favoritism. Later, when Shen Xin brought documents to Lin Taimo, he perceived her discontent. He subtly encouraged her ambition, stating that he intentionally created a competitive environment within the team by offering a single promotion opportunity and appointing a team leader.

He implied that the end result was all that mattered, and the methods used to achieve it were irrelevant. Driven by Lin Taimo's words, Shen Xin plotted to sabotage Jiang Jun. She noted that President Wang detested tardiness. Learning that Jiang Jun had a 10 PM meeting with him, Shen Xin feigned unavailability when Jiang Jun invited her along. Shen Xin then tampered with an elevator maintenance sign and disabled the elevator's power.

As Jiang Jun spoke with Yuan Shuai on the phone, mentioning her client meeting and entering the elevator, her call abruptly disconnected. Trapped in the malfunctioning elevator, Jiang Jun desperately called for help, but her phone had no signal. Meanwhile, Du Lei called Yuan Shuai to share his latest findings: Lin Taimo was the true power behind C Group and already knew Jiang Jun was Jiang Yaoming’s daughter.

Yuan Shuai immediately realized Jiang Jun might be in danger, remembering her phone call about meeting a client and entering the elevator. He frantically called her back, but her phone was unreachable. Rushing to her office building, Yuan Shuai searched floor by floor, shouting her name. He finally located her trapped on the 17th floor and, with sheer force, pried open the elevator doors, rescuing an overwhelmed and unconscious Jiang Jun. Yuan Shuai brought Jiang Jun to the hospital.

A doctor reassured him that she was merely in shock and would recover with rest. Sitting by her bedside, Yuan Shuai tenderly held her hand, vowing to protect her and never let her leave him again, declaring that even "God cannot take her away." Du Lei arrived shortly after, witnessing Yuan Shuai's devoted presence by Jiang Jun's side, and a pang of jealousy struck him. His previous determination to seek truth for justice seemed to shift.

He intercepted Lin Taimo, whose driver he had incapacitated, to propose a deal. Lin Taimo, surprised by the aggressive approach, initially dismissed Du Lei, but Du Lei revealed his knowledge of the five-year-old incident and Jiang Yaoming's death, admitting his own involvement and mentioning Yuan Shuai's concurrent investigation. Despite Lin Taimo’s taunts about his past defeats by Yuan Shuai, Du Lei offered a counter-plan: he would share Yuan Shuai's weaknesses if Lin Taimo would "give" Jiang Jun to him.

Lin Taimo was taken aback that Du Lei would negotiate for a woman, but Du Lei emphasized that Jiang Jun was currently unaware of anything and that he would keep a close watch on her. Their only common enemy, he stated, was Yuan Shuai. Lin Taimo thoughtfully considered the proposition. Later, Jiang Jun awoke. Yuan Shuai comforted her and gently revealed that her elevator incident was no accident, but a deliberate act by Shen Xin, who had sabotaged the elevator.

Yuan Shuai suggested holding Shen Xin accountable, but Jiang Jun insisted on handling it herself. She acknowledged her own insensitivity to office politics and believed the incident was a valuable lesson. Upon returning to the office, Shen Xin nervously approached Jiang Jun, feigning concern for her well-being. Jiang Jun confronted her directly, questioning if she considered the consequences of her actions. Shen Xin, feigning ignorance, denied everything and demanded proof.

At that moment, Qiao Na summoned both women to her office. She presented photographic evidence of Shen Xin tampering with the elevator sign, identified by Shen Xin's distinctive bracelet. Faced with irrefutable proof, Shen Xin broke down in tears, realizing she faced dismissal from MH, a ruined career in investment banking, and potential legal charges. She pleaded with Jiang Jun for forgiveness, begging her not to report her to the authorities.

Jiang Jun, however, intervened with Qiao Na, requesting a moment to speak with Shen Xin. Left alone, Jiang Jun chastised Shen Xin for her foolish and petty tactics, pointing out the dire legal consequences she almost faced and the impact on her parents and future. Shen Xin, realizing the gravity of her actions, offered to leave MH and the entire investment banking industry if Jiang Jun would spare her from legal prosecution.

Jiang Jun, however, revealed she had no intention of pursuing charges. She explained that harming Shen Xin would bring her no benefit; instead, it was more advantageous to keep someone with leverage close by, perhaps even to "use her as a scapegoat" someday. Relieved, Shen Xin tearfully thanked Jiang Jun and embraced her. Suddenly, three compliance officers from MH arrived at the office and directly approached Yuan Shuai.

They announced that a formal complaint had been filed against him for accepting bribes and requested his cooperation in an investigation. The entire office was stunned, and Jiang Jun immediately stood up, her brow furrowed with concern.

Episode 27 Recap

MH Compliance Department personnel arrive at Yuan Shuai's office and inform him they are investigating a bribery report against him. Yuan Shuai, initially incredulous, agrees to cooperate and accompany them. As the officers begin to rummage through his belongings, Jiang Jun angrily confronts them, but Su Chang pulls her away. Su Chang explains that a colleague from headquarters informed him Yuan Shuai was reported for serious disciplinary violations, though the specific reasons remain unclear.

Su Chang reassures Jiang Jun, urging her to trust Yuan Shuai and rely on Director Fan's support, promising to inform her of any new developments. In a large conference room filled with shareholders, Lin Taimo confronts Yuan Shuai, accusing him of taking bribes from Zhu Youyi of Chenxin Technology. Yuan Shuai denies the accusation, clarifying that Zhu Youyi is both a client and a friend, and he merely lent him money without a formal contract.

He offers to confront Zhu Youyi directly. Lin Taimo then brings in Zhu Youyi, who testifies against Yuan Shuai, claiming he accepted money as a kickback and later five million yuan, further demanding initial offerings for Chenxin's IPO. Zhu Youyi provides a remittance certificate as proof of the second payment and asserts he reported Yuan Shuai to MH due to his influential position. Yuan Shuai is furious, calling Zhu Youyi a liar and questioning who manipulated him.

Director Fan attempts to defend Yuan Shuai's character, citing his mentorship, but Lin Taimo dismisses his defense, stating, "they say you may know a person’s face but never his heart." Lin Taimo then offers a "leniency" deal, implying that Yuan Shuai's worst outcome would be disqualification as a sponsor agent and a market ban. Realizing he has been set up, Yuan Shuai states that the truth no longer matters and accepts his fate, sarcastically thanking Lin Taimo for his "leniency."

Later, in a private office, Yuan Shuai directly confronts Lin Taimo, demanding to know his true intentions. Yuan Shuai reveals his knowledge of Lin Taimo's past financial misconduct, including insider trading and his wife's company's suspicious gains from a tech IPO, implying Lin Taimo's nervousness about the C Group suggests hidden secrets. Lin Taimo dismisses Yuan Shuai's accusations as lacking proof and changes the subject, probing Yuan Shuai's relationships with his analysts, specifically Jiang Jun.

Yuan Shuai, sensing the underlying threat, feigns indifference, claiming Jiang Jun was "that girl I threw out of MH" due to incompetence and sarcastically questioning why Lin Taimo brought her back. Lin Taimo then escalates his threats, warning Yuan Shuai that his current punishment is minor, and further opposition will result in severe consequences, explicitly mentioning his parents' companies abroad and stating it would be "not difficult for me to let a company go bankrupt by itself."

Enraged, Yuan Shuai warns Lin Taimo to "Leave my parents alone." Lin Taimo's condition for leniency is for Yuan Shuai to immediately resign from MH, go abroad, and "never come back." Yuan Shuai, disgusted, tells him to "please shut up." Yuan Shuai returns to his office and addresses his team, announcing his immediate departure from MH. He instructs Su Chang and Qiao Na to take over his project materials and progress.

He tells everyone to continue their work and report to new leadership once projects are reallocated. Despite concerned calls from his colleagues, including one offering to follow him, Yuan Shuai sternly orders them to return to work. Jiang Jun tries to stop him, asking what he's doing, but he simply tells her to "Get back to work" and walks away, ignoring her pleas. Desperate for answers about Yuan Shuai, Qiao Na confronts Director Fan.

Fan states that Yuan Shuai "can't stay in MH this time" and that his resignation is "extrajudicial grace," urging Qiao Na not to interfere but to focus on managing Yuan Shuai's remaining work and calming the team. Still determined, Qiao Na calls a contact in the Compliance Department, Lin Fei, to gather information. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun's colleagues discuss Yuan Shuai's abrupt departure, wondering if he was fired or took bribes.

Jiang Jun, visibly upset, tries repeatedly to call Yuan Shuai, but he ignores her calls and drives away as she chases his car. Later, in his car, Yuan Shuai sees numerous missed calls and messages from his team and Jiang Jun, including a desperate plea from Jiang Jun to not scare her and a promise to quit and follow him. Realizing he cannot keep avoiding her, he calls her back, apologizing and trying to send her home without meeting.

However, Jiang Jun insists on seeing him, saying she will not give up. Yuan Shuai eventually relents and agrees to meet. Jiang Jun arrives at the meeting spot, but Yuan Shuai stops her from approaching, asking if she truly wants to know what is happening. When she affirms her love and commitment, he harshly confesses to being "a corrupt person who’d abuse power for personal gains," claiming he took five million yuan from Zhu Youyi.

Jiang Jun, shocked, refuses to believe him, but Yuan Shuai insists the company will soon announce his delisting from MH and a market ban. He explains that "everyone changes" in their industry, and he is "no exception" to temptation. He apologizes for lying, says he is not the person to bring her "hope and light," and tells her to consider this her "last lesson."

He then reveals he has a flight booked abroad for that evening and "probably won't come back any more," suggesting they "just say goodbye." Jiang Jun, heartbroken, asks if he is breaking up with her, to which he replies, "You can think of it that way." In a final desperate attempt, she asks him to look her in the eyes and repeat his words.

After a moment of silence and a mocking question about whether she wants a "goodbye kiss," he kisses her, then pulls away and says, "Sorry." Jiang Jun breaks down, calling him a "Liar" and recalling his past promises to always be there when she is sad. As she collapses from an allergic reaction, Yuan Shuai rushes back to her, promising, "Jiang Jun, I will be there for you, always," before leaving for his flight.

Lin Taimo receives confirmation that Yuan Shuai has flown out of China. Satisfied, he instructs his subordinate to track Yuan Shuai's phone and IP address for the next ten hours. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun wakes up in the hospital to find her friend, Li, by her side. Li expresses concern and surprise that Yuan Shuai is not with her. Jiang Jun reveals they broke up and he went abroad, possibly never to return. Li is shocked, asking if he dumped her.

Jiang Jun then questions who brought her to the hospital, remembering Yuan Shuai's urgency to catch his flight, which contradicts her being brought to the hospital by him. She calls "Xiaochuan" to see if Yuan Shuai has contacted him, then decides to leave the hospital immediately to go to work. The next day, Jiang Jun returns to work, still unwell.

Her colleagues, relieved to see her, express their frustration with the chaos in the office since Yuan Shuai left, referring to him as their "anchor." They also share rumors of a new executive director, hand-picked by Lin Taimo. Lin Taimo soon introduces this new director, Du Lei, to the Investment Banking Department, praising him as an "influential figure." Du Lei gives a brief, polite introduction, expressing his pleasure to join MH and asking for everyone's cooperation.

After the introduction, Qiao Na calls Jiang Jun into her office and reveals the shocking truth: Du Lei was the informant who wrote the tip-off against Yuan Shuai. Qiao Na details how Lin Taimo and Du Lei likely collaborated, with Du Lei's immediate appointment after Yuan Shuai's departure being too coincidental, suggesting a deliberate move against Director Fan.

Processing this information, Jiang Jun confronts Du Lei in his new office, demanding to know why he is at MH and why he kept it a secret. Du Lei feigns wanting to surprise her, claiming he has "adjusted well enough to get back into the workplace" and could not refuse MH's offer. He then invites her to dinner.

At dinner, Jiang Jun, her face showing signs of an allergic reaction, tells Du Lei she knows he wrote the tip-off against Yuan Shuai. She warns him not to falsely accuse Yuan Shuai or be "used by others," asserting her unwavering, "lifelong" trust in Yuan Shuai's character. She firmly states that if Du Lei continues to oppose Yuan Shuai, she will stand with Yuan Shuai.

Du Lei, quietly eating, asks why she believes Yuan Shuai over him, reminding her that "a lifetime is a long time." Jiang Jun responds that she will uncover the truth for Yuan Shuai and advises Du Lei, as a friend, to be careful not to harm himself when the situation inevitably turns. She then leaves, leaving Du Lei in silent contemplation.

Episode 28 Recap

Lin Taimo summoned Du Lin for a meeting, prompting Du Lin to inquire why they couldn't speak over the phone. Lin Taimo informed her that Du Lei had come to him, which surprised Du Lin, though she quickly tried to feign calmness, stating she had been busy and out of touch with Du Lei for some time.

Lin Taimo then revealed that Du Lei had proposed a deal to him, suggesting they work together against Yuan Shuai, but Lin Taimo expressed deep suspicion about Du Lei's true intentions. Du Lin attempted to downplay his concerns, pointing out that Du Lei had always considered Yuan Shuai his arch-rival. When Lin Taimo pressed her on what she was surprised about, Du Lin admitted it was Du Lei's decision to seek Lin Taimo's cooperation.

Lin Taimo then questioned who had informed Du Lei about the C Group. Du Lin conceded it was her fault, explaining that to avoid Jiang Yaoming's suspicion when she moved from MH to GE, she had entrusted Du Lei with the Jiangnan Flavor case. She had shared some information with him because he felt exploited, but assured Lin Taimo she had not divulged anything sensitive.

Lin Taimo sternly reminded her that Jiang Yaoming's death was a unique and serious matter, warning her that if she wavered in her loyalty, both of them would suffer severe consequences. A flashback revealed the chilling moment when Lin Taimo deliberately withheld Jiang Yaoming's life-saving medication during a medical emergency, leading to his death, an act Du Lin witnessed with terror.

Lin Taimo further threatened Du Lin, stating that if she couldn't control her clever brother, he would take matters into his own hands. After the meeting, visibly shaken, Du Lin immediately called Du Lei, demanding to know his intentions and why he had "betrayed" her parents. In a previous conversation (following Jiang Jun's terrifying elevator incident), Du Lei had discussed the situation with Yuan Shuai.

Du Lei explained that he suspected Lin Taimo was behind the elevator incident, targeting Jiang Jun because he believed she was investigating her father's case. Yuan Shuai concurred, realizing Jiang Yaoming's death was no accident. He explained his long but difficult investigation into Lin Taimo, who was a cunning individual with deep connections in both MH and the CSRC. Yuan Shuai feared Lin Taimo would harm Jiang Jun again, necessitating immediate action.

Du Lei suggested that since they couldn't trust Du Lin, he would feign loyalty to Lin Taimo. He proposed that "the enemy of your enemy can be your friend" and that he would pretend to join forces with Lin Taimo to gather incriminating evidence against him. To make this "betrayal" convincing, Du Lei suggested using Dr. Zhu Youyi of Chenxin Technology, a client of Yuan Shuai's, as a pawn.

Du Lei, claiming unparalleled understanding of Yuan Shuai's dealings, asserted that Dr. Zhu Youyi could be persuaded to falsely accuse Yuan Shuai of corruption if offered a better deal. Consequently, Du Lei and Lin Taimo met with Zhu Youyi, who readily agreed to falsely "expose" Yuan Shuai, fabricating a story about a large, undocumented private loan repayment, which Lin Taimo found "interesting." Shortly after, Yuan Shuai spoke with Du Lei over the phone.

Du Lei informed him that Lin Taimo still didn't fully trust him, which was why he was now working at MH, likely under surveillance. Du Lei emphasized the need to proceed with their plan quickly. He then provided Yuan Shuai with information on Jia Yuanji, the only son of GE's Chairman, describing him as a recent returnee from abroad, a music enthusiast who often sang in bars, and someone with a difficult personality.

Yuan Shuai confidently declared there was no one he couldn't handle, to which Du Lei scoffed. Yuan Shuai then issued a stern warning to Du Lei, insisting that Jiang Jun must not be put in any danger, nor should Du Lei do anything inappropriate to her, or he would face severe consequences.

Du Lei assured him he was not opportunistic and was confident in his own standing with Jiang Jun, though he noted Jiang Jun was already suspicious, refusing to believe Yuan Shuai was truly corrupt. Yuan Shuai then called Zhu Youyi, instructing him that when Jiang Jun came to question him, he should not "act" but simply claim complete ignorance. Jiang Jun, however, was determined to uncover the truth. She visited Zhu Youyi's office, where he initially tried to avoid her.

She subtly delivered a financing plan and then engaged him in a conversation about a new motion-sensing game he was developing, even asking to try it. While playing, Jiang Jun praised Chenxin's recent success and then provocatively criticized Yuan Shuai as "cynical and mercenary." Agitated, Zhu Youyi impulsively defended Yuan Shuai, blurting out, "He isn't! Don't say that!"

Jiang Jun pressed further, asking if it was all an act, and a panicked Zhu Youyi stammered that he knew nothing, adding that "they" wouldn't let him say anything. When Jiang Jun asked who "they" were, Zhu Youyi panicked further, urging her to stop asking and to leave, inadvertently confirming her suspicions. Jiang Jun, realizing she had gained valuable insight, thanked him and departed.

Still needing to confirm Yuan Shuai's location, Jiang Jun called Xu Li, asking if she was at Western World so they could find Li Xiaochuan. Xu Li initially hesitated but then agreed to accompany Jiang Jun, acknowledging that Xiaochuan could be difficult to communicate with. At Western World, Jiang Jun asked Xiaochuan to help locate Yuan Shuai.

Xiaochuan, recalling Yuan Shuai's earlier instructions to set his virtual IP address to Tanzania and tell Jiang Jun he didn't know his whereabouts, showed Jiang Jun a screen displaying "Yuan Shuai, Dodoma of Africa." Jiang Jun accepted this, commenting on Yuan Shuai going abroad, but Xu Li questioned why Xiaochuan had previously claimed no contact with his brother. Xiaochuan stammered, claiming Yuan Shuai had only contacted him "after" Xu Li's earlier inquiry, making their stories inconsistent.

Jiang Jun immediately noticed the discrepancy, confirming her suspicion of a hidden plan, and prepared to leave. However, Xiaochuan stopped Xu Li, saying he had something personal to tell her. On Jiang Jun's behalf, Xu Li pressed him, demanding to know Yuan Shuai's true location. After a moment of hesitation, Xiaochuan finally admitted Yuan Shuai was in Shanghai.

Now understanding, Jiang Jun decided not to inquire further, trusting Yuan Shuai's reasons for secrecy, and left, allowing Li Xiaochuan and Xu Li to talk privately. Li Xiaochuan then apologized to Xu Li for his previous, blunt confession of love. Xu Li, still hurt, told him there was no need to apologize and that it wasn't his fault if he didn't like her. Xiaochuan tried to explain, and Xu Li asked directly if he loved her.

Xiaochuan confessed he had given it much thought, then proceeded to enumerate their differences: her "low IQ, average education," and disparate backgrounds, personalities, and hobbies, which made it hard for him to understand her. He attributed their "one percent match" to these factors. Deeply wounded, Xu Li interrupted him, her voice cracking as she reiterated "one percent" and pleaded with him not to emphasize her imperfections repeatedly.

She declared there were "no buts" and left, asserting she would never bother him again. As she departed, a distraught Li Xiaochuan muttered to himself that he couldn't stop himself from liking her and wished she would wait for him, expressing his desire for them to achieve a "one hundred percent match." Meanwhile, Yuan Shuai sought out Jia Yuanji, who was performing his band's new song, "Smash the Blue BMW," to an empty bar, save for Yuan Shuai.

The music was terrible, prompting the bar owner to beg Jia Yuanji to stop. Yuan Shuai intervened, lavishing exaggerated praise on Jia Yuanji's music, calling it "soulful" and a powerful "cry of injustice," particularly against the "owner of the blue BMW." Thrilled to have found a "soulmate," Jia Yuanji exuberantly offered Yuan Shuai his protection and invited him back to his home to "discuss."

At Jia Yuanji's lavish home, Yuan Shuai awkwardly encountered Jia Yuanji's father, Director Jia, who was in the middle of a video conference. Jia Yuanji, still excited, loudly instructed Ms. Wang, the housekeeper, to prepare light food for his new friend, irritating his father. Director Jia summarily dismissed his son to bed, threatening to cut off his credit cards.

In a private meeting, Director Jia revealed he knew Yuan Shuai's identity as an executive from a rival firm and asked his purpose for visiting. Yuan Shuai explained he had information crucial to GE's future and reputation. Director Jia acknowledged that if Du Lin was involved in insider trading and investment corruption, it was his duty to "clean house" and protect GE's brand. However, he questioned the benefit to GE of investigating Lin Taimo.

Yuan Shuai argued that with high-ranking executives from both MH and GE implicated in joint criminal activities, any exposure would be a "shared glory, shared loss" situation for GE. He stressed the difficulty of regulating private equity corruption and the imperative for securities professionals to uphold moral integrity. Impressed by Yuan Shuai's convictions but always a businessman, Director Jia offered Yuan Shuai a position at GE after his non-compete period expired, as an "equivalent trade-off" for his cooperation.

Later, Jiang Jun received a package containing a voice recorder. Xu Li, who helped her open it, asked about its purpose. Jiang Jun explained it was for recording meeting details to help organize her notes. Jiang Jun then discreetly placed the activated recorder in Du Lei's office while he was signing documents. In a separate attempt to win Xu Li back, Li Xiaochuan recorded numerous "I like you" messages, playing them in Western World.

When Xu Li arrived for her shift, she heard the messages and playfully wondered aloud if she was hallucinating. Later, at Jiang Jun's apartment, she lamented to the dog, Wealth, that it was now a "left-behind child" since its "parents" (Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai) were having problems, unaware that Yuan Shuai was secretly looking after Jiang Jun. Returning to Du Lei's office after hours to retrieve the recorder, Jiang Jun was spotted by Shen Xin.

Out of gratitude for Jiang Jun's past kindness, Shen Xin discreetly pulled her aside for a word of caution. She warned Jiang Jun against targeting Du Lei, explaining that he was "Mr. Lin's man" and that any action against him would be detrimental to Jiang Jun. Shen Xin then dropped a bombshell: Lin Taimo himself had "instigated me to trap you in the elevator last time."

This revelation broadened Jiang Jun's understanding, making her realize the true scope of the enemy's manipulation and the danger she faced. Back home, Jiang Jun discovered her apartment was meticulously tidy, with food and her favorite MIHOO masks in the fridge. She initially called Xu Li, thanking her for her thoughtfulness. However, when Jiang Jun mentioned the yogurt and other food items in the fridge, Xu Li denied having put them there.

Jiang Jun then realized someone else, almost certainly Yuan Shuai, was secretly providing for her. Listening to the recordings from Du Lei's office, Jiang Jun overheard Lin Taimo discussing Yuan Shuai, stating he wouldn't have "embarrassed" him if he hadn't "gotten involved in the case of Jiangnan Flavor." Jiang Jun immediately forwarded this crucial recording to Qiao Na.

Qiao Na quickly understood that Lin Taimo's return was not merely about internal power struggles but specifically about the Jiangnan Flavor case, which was Jiang Jun's father's company. They deduced that Yuan Shuai was investigating her father's case and was secretly protecting her.

Recalling Zhu Youyi's earlier slip-up, Jiang Jun confirmed Yuan Shuai's strategy of feigning retreat to advance, and together, she and Qiao Na systematically ruled out other potential allies within MH, ultimately realizing that Du Lei was Yuan Shuai's secret accomplice, working undercover to gather evidence against Lin Taimo. Following the clues provided by Yuan Shuai, Director Jia had investigated C Group's shareholders and found Huixing Industrial, a company with a 5. 36% stake, to be highly suspicious.

Five years prior, Huixing Industrial was a mere subsidiary of the Du Group, yet it had cashed out 1. 02% of C Group's shares, equivalent to 320 million yuan, at the peak of its IPO price. The company then became independent but still retained its C Group shares. The most puzzling aspect was that its legal representative was only an ordinary former secretary of the Du Group, with no obvious ties to Lin Taimo.

Yuan Shuai, however, remained convinced that Lin Taimo was secretly behind Du Lin in this scheme. He argued that Lin Taimo, a man of immense cleverness, would never abandon potential profits exceeding a billion yuan and would undoubtedly use a proxy holder. Given that Du Lin and Lin Taimo were not related, Yuan Shuai concluded they must have a covert agreement.

Yuan Shuai then requested Director Jia to use his influence to arrange a meeting with Du Lin the following day. Director Jia agreed, and the next day, he introduced Yuan Shuai to a surprised Du Lin.

Episode 29 Recap

At a bar, Yuan Shuai observed Du Lei being closely followed by Secretary Bai. To avoid revealing their hidden alliance, Yuan Shuai borrowed Jia Yuanji's phone and discreetly called Du Lei, alerting him to Secretary Bai's presence. Du Lei smoothly turned to greet Secretary Bai, inviting him for a drink.

During their conversation, Secretary Bai confidently shared his belief that Yuan Shuai had left the country and would face punishment at the upcoming MH shareholders' meeting, assuring Du Lei that Yuan Shuai was no longer a threat. Feigning an urgent call about a document, Du Lei excused himself, claiming he needed to return to his office. Secretary Bai, also heading back, offered to go with him.

Before leaving, Du Lei subtly placed a data disk into a napkin, which Yuan Shuai retrieved after they departed. Later, Secretary Bai reported to Lin Taimo, confirming Du Lei's uneventful day, with no suspicious activity in his communications. Despite this, Lin Taimo remained cautious and instructed Secretary Bai to continue surveillance for another day to ensure Du Lei's loyalty. As arranged by GE Director Jia Yuanji, Du Lin met Yuan Shuai.

She expressed surprise at his presence, having believed he had left the country. Yuan Shuai, with a pointed remark about her current success, presented Du Lin with damning evidence: remittance records showing her transfer of funds to Cao Heng, and documents proving her shareholding in C Group.

He meticulously detailed how, five years prior, she and Lin Taimo had conspired to acquire Jiangnan Flavor by having Cao Heng bribe a factory manager, manufacturing a food quality scandal that financially ruined the company and forced Jiang Yaoming to sell. Du Lin initially tried to dismiss his account as fiction, but Yuan Shuai pressed her, explaining that Lin Taimo had used her as a scapegoat.

He offered her a choice: accept the primary blame or cooperate to expose Lin Taimo. Du Lin's face betrayed a bitter smile when Yuan Shuai mentioned Du Lei's involvement, realizing her brother was part of this plan. Yuan Shuai then shifted the topic to Jiang Yaoming's death, implying Du Lin's knowledge. Visibly distressed, Du Lin recounted the tragic events: Jiang Yaoming had confronted them about their malicious takeover.

During the heated argument, Lin Taimo had cruelly revealed his plan to turn Jiang Yaoming's beloved brand into instant food with preservatives, which triggered Jiang Yaoming's heart attack. As he collapsed and his life-saving medication fell, Lin Taimo seized the pills, refusing to return them, and actively prevented Du Lin from calling an ambulance. Although Du Lin secretly attempted to call for help, it was too late.

Yuan Shuai, his anger barely concealed, demanded all documents detailing her financial transactions with Lin Taimo, emphasizing that it would be a form of atonement for Jiang Yaoming's death. Following their confrontation, Du Lin informed Yuan Shuai about Lin Taimo's cryptic statement regarding a critical document being in "the most dangerous place, which is the safest." Yuan Shuai deduced it was likely not at Lin Taimo's home.

Du Lei, recalling Lin Taimo's office safe, surmised the document must be there but lacked the combination. To get Secretary Bai out of the way, Du Lei approached him at the office, inviting him to a wine tasting and flattering his connoisseurship. Despite Secretary Bai's concerns about the next day's annual conference, Du Lei assured him it was merely a formality and promised to take full responsibility for any issues.

That evening, at a bar, Du Lei plied Secretary Bai with various expensive wines until he was heavily intoxicated. Du Lei then arranged for a waiter to take the unconscious Secretary Bai to a nearby hotel room. The next day, at the MH Annual Shareholders' General Meeting, Lin Taimo began his confident opening speech.

Suddenly, Fan Qichang interrupted, publicly accusing Lin Taimo of illicit activities five years prior in the Jiangnan Flavor case, alleging that Lin Taimo used his position for personal gain, leading to the company's hostile takeover by C Group. Lin Taimo vehemently denied the accusations, threatening legal action for slander and demanding proof. At that precise moment, Yuan Shuai walked into the conference room.

Yuan Shuai took the floor, and Lin Taimo immediately tried to discredit him by mentioning Yuan Shuai's own past dismissal for bribery. Undeterred, Yuan Shuai presented a remittance receipt showing Du Lin's transfer to Cao Heng, detailing how she instructed Cao Heng to orchestrate the Jiangnan Flavor scandal. Lin Taimo dismissed this, claiming Du Lin had already left his employment.

Yuan Shuai then produced further evidence: a document showing C Group's offshore remittances to Du Lin, proof of Du Lin's shareholding in C Group, and records showing Du Lin had been making annual payments to Secretary Bai for the past five years. Lin Taimo continued to deny direct involvement, asserting these were transactions solely between Du Lin and Secretary Bai.

Yuan Shuai countered that while direct evidence was lacking, he believed Lin Taimo possessed a "Share Entrustment Agreement" with Du Lin. Enraged, Lin Taimo attempted to expel Yuan Shuai from the meeting. Yuan Shuai, however, challenged him: a team from the CSRC's Compliance Department would arrive in ten minutes to search Lin Taimo's home and office, including all safes. He guaranteed to face consequences if no evidence was found but warned Lin Taimo he wouldn't escape justice if proof surfaced.

Under immense pressure, a furious Lin Taimo reluctantly agreed to the ten-minute ultimatum, secretly relaying his office safe's password to Du Lei. As the ten-minute countdown began, Jiang Jun received a message about Yuan Shuai confronting Lin Taimo. She immediately called Shen Xin, instructing her to intercept Secretary Bai. In the hallway, Shen Xin successfully stalled Secretary Bai by faking an injury.

Meanwhile, Du Lei used the password Lin Taimo provided to swiftly enter his office and retrieve the crucial document from the safe. As Secretary Bai, having managed to get away from Shen Xin, approached the office door, Jiang Jun intercepted him. She claimed Lin Taimo had asked her to deliver a file, and when Secretary Bai attempted to take it, she struggled with him over an empty folder, creating a diversion while Du Lei remained hidden.

After a brief scuffle, Secretary Bai realized the folder was empty and left for the meeting. Back in the conference room, Lin Taimo, growing increasingly smug as the ten-minute deadline passed without any compliance officers, mocked Yuan Shuai for failing to produce evidence. Just then, Du Lei entered. Lin Taimo, believing Du Lei had disposed of the evidence and ensured their safety, assumed victory and tried to dismiss Yuan Shuai.

However, to Lin Taimo's shock, Du Lei bypassed him and handed the retrieved folder directly to Yuan Shuai. Yuan Shuai immediately announced to the shareholders that the document was the Share Entrustment Agreement signed between Lin Taimo and Du Lin, proving Lin Taimo was the hidden shareholder of C Group. As Lin Taimo reeled from this betrayal, Du Lin appeared, delivering the final, crushing blow.

She publicly confessed her involvement and exposed Lin Taimo's most heinous crime: during Jiang Yaoming's heart attack, Lin Taimo not only prevented her from calling an ambulance but also deliberately withheld Jiang Yaoming's life-saving medication, condemning him to death. Lin Taimo furiously tried to blame her, but Du Lin produced the empty pill bottle, pointing out it bore only his and Jiang Yaoming's fingerprints, irrefutable proof of his murderous act.

Having already turned herself in, Du Lin told Lin Taimo to direct his explanations to the police. Moments later, the Compliance Department arrived and arrested Lin Taimo for corruption and securities law violations. As he was being led away, Jiang Jun appeared, confronting him and demanding to know why he hadn't saved her father after achieving his goals. Lin Taimo chillingly replied that Jiang Yaoming "knew something he shouldn't have."

Jiang Jun, utterly disgusted, renounced her former admiration, declaring that her father, who built Jiangnan Flavor with integrity, was a truly righteous man, unlike Lin Taimo, who deserved to atone for his sins in a dark and cold place. Lin Taimo was then led away in silence.

Episode 30 Recap

Du Lin, having turned herself in, is met by Du Lei. With tears in his eyes, Du Lei promises his sister that he will take care of their father. Du Lin tells him that he is not at fault and that this ending is what she deserves. She thanks him for making her realize that to truly love someone is to give them what they need, not what you think they need.

She encourages him to pursue his own life and reminds him that if he ever feels tired, the Du family will always be his home. Du Lei embraces his sister, promising to take care of their father and reminding her that they will always be one family. Yuan Shuai catches up with an angry Jiang Jun and tries to explain himself, but she slaps him.

Jia Yuanji arrives and tries to defend Yuan Shuai, but is quickly distracted by Qiao Na. He attempts to flirt with her, but she dismisses him as a "kid." Yuan Shuai goes to Jiang Jun's apartment to apologize, but she kicks him out, suitcase and all, and changes the password to her door. Dejected, Yuan Shuai goes to a bar to drink and runs into Du Lei.

He is annoyed to hear that Du Lei does not plan on leaving MH and feels provoked by his rival. Determined not to let Jiang Jun fall for any of Du Lei's plans, Yuan Shuai quickly devises a strategy to win her back. The next day, Jiang Jun and Xu Li go shopping. Yuan Shuai, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jiang Jun, runs into Xiaochuan, who is trying to do the same with Xu Li.

They follow the girls but end up losing them. The four later end up in the same restaurant by coincidence. At their respective tables, Yuan Shuai encourages Xiaochuan to pursue Xu Li, while Jiang Jun tells Xu Li to forget about Xiaochuan. When the topic of reconciliation comes up between the two pairs, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai unknowingly give the same reasons for not getting back together. Jiang Jun leaves with Xu Li, sticking Yuan Shuai with the bill.

Yuan Shuai smiles, realizing from her words that Jiang Jun still cares deeply about him. He begins his plan of "pestering," relentlessly sending her gifts, food, and breakfast. Although Jiang Jun feigns annoyance, she secretly enjoys his attention. Xiaochuan gathers his courage and invites Xu Li to the Western World 2. 0 launch event. Hesitant to be hurt again, Xu Li decides to watch the online broadcast instead. On stage, Xiaochuan begins his presentation, introducing the new wristband design.

During the Q&A session, a reporter asks about the inspiration behind the upgrade. Xiaochuan speaks of a girl with whom he had only a 1% compatibility match, which made him realize that his algorithm could be wrong. When asked if the girl is present, he suddenly realizes that Xu Li is waiting for him. Meanwhile, Xu Li is watching the live broadcast. Xiaochuan suddenly runs off the stage, followed by the media, and finds Xu Li at a convenience store.

He pulls her away to the aquarium, the place where he first fell for her. Xiaochuan puts the new wristband on Xu Li, but their compatibility still shows as 1%. Disappointed, Xu Li turns to leave, asking him to stop looking for her. Watching her walk away, Xiaochuan abandons his faith in algorithms and shouts out that he likes her. He embraces her, telling her how much he has missed her since she left.

As he confesses his feelings, their compatibility on the wristband reaches 100%. Jiang Jun returns home to her mother. Yuan Shuai arrives soon after, not to pursue Jiang Jun, but to present her mother with the documents to transfer the brand "Yixianqian," which belonged to Jiang Jun's father, back into her name. Overcome with emotion, Jiang Jun's mother sheds tears of joy and sincerely thanks Yuan Shuai. Later, Yuan Shuai brings Jiang Jun to their old high school classroom.

On the blackboard, Yuan Shuai has written down all the ways he bullied her as a child, offering to let her get her revenge. However, Jiang Jun doesn't want revenge for the past; she wants to know if he truly understands what he did wrong this time. Yuan Shuai admits his biggest mistake was not trusting her enough to share the risks he was taking, and he apologizes sincerely.

Jiang Jun smiles, offering him a chance for forgiveness, but decides on a punishment first: she wants to spank him. She warns him that this is his only chance to accept, or they will break up for good. After some protest, Yuan Shuai reluctantly agrees. Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai stroll down a street from their childhood. Yuan Shuai complains that she's still giving him the cold shoulder.

Jiang Jun retorts that she will for as many days as he was away. The moment causes them to reminisce about a similar conversation from their past, where a young Jiang Jun asked when he would stop bullying her. When she asks the same question again, Yuan Shuai smiles, promising to protect her forever, and hugs her tightly.

Episode 31 Recap

Two years later, Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai's cohabitation is marked by playful bickering but underlying sweetness. Meanwhile, Xu Li and Li Xiaochuan have tied the knot and embarked on their journey to parenthood. Xiaochuan meticulously monitors Xu Li's health, constantly urging her to consume chicken soup to boost her fertility. Despite her husband's watchful eye, Xu Li secretly orders a spicy hot pot.

When caught, she manages to charm Xiaochuan into hand-feeding her the forbidden meal, showcasing their affectionate and slightly chaotic dynamic. During these two years, Jiang Jun has ascended to the position of Vice President at MH, becoming the fastest-promoted employee in the company's history due to her consistent success with every project she undertakes. Du Lei remains her superior at MH.

One morning, Du Lei summons Jiang Jun to his office, entrusting her with the highly coveted Fengchao Technology IPO case. Fengchao, the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in China, has attracted the attention of numerous top-tier investment banks. As a gift for her promotion, Du Lei presents Jiang Jun with a watch he acquired during a recent business trip to Beijing, a gesture Jiang Jun happily accepts before diving into the new project.

Around the office, Chen Yicheng and Shen Xin have also become a couple, often playfully bickering about dates and home-cooked meals. Upon arriving at the Fengchao Technology building, Jiang Jun receives a phone call from Du Lei, warning her that GE is also pursuing the Fengchao project. As she enters the lobby, she spots Yuan Shuai, leading to a silent acknowledgment before they quickly part ways.

Later, they engage in a subtle phone conversation, each probing for information about the other's strategy. During their call, Yuan Shuai cunningly reminds Jiang Jun that Dong Qi, the founder of Fengchao, is her alumnus. Back home, their espionage continues as they attempt to extract information from each other. Yuan Shuai, using their dog Wangcai, covertly records Jiang Jun's conversation with a senior alumna.

From this, Jiang Jun learns that Dong Qi is scheduled to attend a DT Aid event the following morning at 10 AM to promote his public welfare initiative, and tickets are required. She immediately plans to buy all remaining tickets. However, Yuan Shuai smugly reveals he already purchased all available tickets using the information he got from her.

The next morning, as Yuan Shuai is in the bathroom, a frustrated Jiang Jun exacts her revenge by stealing his car keys, leaving him to frantically shout her name from behind the locked door. Meanwhile, Qiao Na encounters Jia Yuanji on her way to work. Jia Yuanji, undeterred by public opinion, openly expresses his desire to pursue her.

However, Qiao Na, finding him immature, coolly rejects his advances and declines his expensive gifts, stating she already possesses such items and prefers he seek out women his own age. At the DT Aid event, Jiang Jun and Du Lei formally introduce themselves to Dong Qi. They present their competitive offer, with Du Lei emphasizing MH's impressive track record and even offering a ten percent reduction in commission to demonstrate their sincerity.

However, Dong Qi remains unmoved, stating that while Fengchao plans to go public, he is not particularly interested in MH's offer as it lacks any unique appeal compared to other top investment banks. Suddenly, Yuan Shuai appears, dramatically stating that he is not there to discuss business. He reveals his knowledge of Dong Qi's philanthropic proposal to expand into overseas markets and points out the likely opposition from conservative board members.

Yuan Shuai then surprises everyone by disclosing that he is a newly appointed board member of DT Aid, making his vote crucial for Dong Qi's proposal to pass. He suggests that they discuss a potential partnership only after the proposal is approved, effectively outmaneuvering Jiang Jun and Du Lei. Dong Qi, impressed by Yuan Shuai's foresight and influence, invites him to his office for further discussion.

Du Lei expresses regret to Jiang Jun for being outmaneuvered, but Jiang Jun, ever resilient, encourages him not to worry, acknowledging Yuan Shuai's skill in surprise attacks. She sends Du Lei back to the office, opting to wait for another opportunity to speak with Dong Qi. As Yuan Shuai exits Dong Qi's office, he and Jiang Jun exchange pointed remarks.

Just then, Jia Yuanji appears, announcing he is now Yuan Shuai's administrative assistant, a role he considers an honor despite his prominent family background. Yuan Shuai revels in his triumph, further irritating Jiang Jun. Before she can retaliate, Xu Li calls her, sounding distressed. Jiang Jun rushes to Xu Li, who is experiencing nausea and suspects she might be pregnant.

At the obstetrician's office, Xu Li excitedly discusses the prospect of having a baby and advises Jiang Jun to prioritize her family life. She warns Jiang Jun against being a workaholic alongside Yuan Shuai, suggesting it could lead to them neglecting each other and potentially jeopardizing their relationship, especially with Yuan Shuai being handsome, wealthy, and often maintaining a "single" image for business.

Jiang Jun listens thoughtfully, reassuring Xu Li about Yuan Shuai's character but acknowledging the merit of her friend's advice. Upon seeing the doctor, Xu Li's hopes are dashed when she learns she is not pregnant; her symptoms are merely a result of poor dietary habits. Both women leave the clinic feeling disappointed. Later that evening, Yuan Shuai returns home with Jiang Jun's favorite cake, attempting to lighten her mood. However, Jiang Jun remains reserved.

She questions him about his dinner engagement and Jia Yuanji's sudden appearance as his assistant. Yuan Shuai explains that Jia Yuanji joined his team about six months prior, after their former assistant Su Chang was promoted to Vice President, and that Jia Yuanji's father, Chairman Jia, wished for his son to gain experience under Yuan Shuai.

Jiang Jun, still feeling the weight of Xu Li's earlier advice, accuses Yuan Shuai of being secretive and worries that Jia Yuanji's presence might attract more admirers, despite Yuan Shuai playfully claiming Jia Yuanji helps ward them off. Yuan Shuai reassures her, playfully flirting and affirming his love for her. Jiang Jun then asks if he feels she spends too little time with him.

Yuan Shuai acknowledges her demanding career phase and expresses his respect for her ambitions but admits he wishes she could relax more. When Jiang Jun playfully asks if he would support her if she took it easy, he enthusiastically agrees, even joking about supporting many "daughters and sons." They share a tender moment, embracing before falling asleep.

The next day, Yuan Shuai overhears Jiang Jun on the phone about Baxi's M&A loan application being stalled at the bank under Director Liu Dan. Knowing Liu Dan personally, Yuan Shuai offers to help Jiang Jun, considering it a way to compensate for his earlier victory with the Fengchao case. Jiang Jun agrees, but playfully warns him to follow her lead during their meeting.

At dinner with Director Liu, Yuan Shuai introduces Jiang Jun as his "distant cousin" also working in investment banking, asking Liu to look after her. Liu Dan, pleased, quickly provides crucial information about the loan, explaining the issue lies with the guarantor, and promises to facilitate a meeting for detailed discussions. However, Liu Dan then attempts to set Yuan Shuai up with someone, criticizing his "short-tempered" girlfriend and praising a "mature and graceful" woman who is financially independent.

Yuan Shuai, playing along to maintain the facade (and receiving a subtle kick under the table from an indignant Jiang Jun), feigns agreement. Jiang Jun later fumes, calling him a "bridge-burner." After the work discussion concludes, Yuan Shuai's jealousy ignites when he spots the watch from Du Lei on Jiang Jun's wrist. He quickly demands she remove it, declaring his "sovereignty" before replacing it with a new watch he had prepared for her. Jiang Jun is left feeling both exasperated and deeply touched by his strong, if a little possessive, affection.

Episode 32 Recap

Jiang Jun arrived at Du Lei's office to report the successful approval of Baxi's M&A loan, noting that Yuan Shuai's previous acquaintance with Director Liu had been instrumental. Du Lei, however, fixated on the watch on Jiang Jun's wrist. Consumed by jealousy, he accused her of unprofessional conduct for involving Yuan Shuai, a GE employee, in an MH project.

He sternly reminded her of the need for discretion given their respective company affiliations and warned her about potential office gossip and the damage it could do to her reputation. Jiang Jun acknowledged her misjudgment and promised to be more careful.

As a penalty, Du Lei instructed her to personally compile all the merger documents and submit a detailed report by Wednesday, making it clear that she should approach him for any future work issues, as he was her direct superior. Jiang Jun stayed late, working alone into the night. Watching her from a distance, Du Lei felt a pang of concern seeing her exhausted. Later that evening, Yuan Shuai picked up a visibly fatigued Jiang Jun.

Disturbed by her exhaustion, he suggested she resign, offering to support her entirely. Jiang Jun playfully brushed off his offer, joking about her large appetite, but Yuan Shuai, while supportive of her career, expressed his deep concern for her well-being, wanting her to avoid such strenuous work. Jiang Jun, touched, relaxed and dozed off in the car. The next morning, Jiang Jun's pallor was evident. During a meeting, she suddenly fainted.

Du Lei promptly took her to the hospital, where Yuan Shuai also rushed to her bedside. The doctor diagnosed acute gastroenteritis, attributing it to chronic overwork and irregular eating habits. Yuan Shuai immediately confronted Du Lei, accusing him of overworking Jiang Jun with excessive projects and inefficient meetings. Du Lei retorted that Yuan Shuai's "groundless speculation" was childish.

Yuan Shuai insisted on staying as Jiang Jun's boyfriend to care for her, while Du Lei maintained that as her boss, her health was his concern too. When Jiang Jun woke up, she saw Yuan Shuai attentively tending to her. Du Lei, unable to intervene, could only observe from afar. Jiang Jun apologized for the disruption, but Du Lei took responsibility for the work pressure and assured her he would manage company affairs while she recovered.

Yuan Shuai then admonished Jiang Jun for neglecting her health, emphasizing the dangers of severe gastroenteritis and her habit of consuming excessive coffee and skipping meals. He presented her with a strict "One-week recuperation diet," a regimen Jiang Jun joked was for "raising pigs," but Yuan Shuai firmly enforced it. Back home, Yuan Shuai strictly prohibited Jiang Jun from working.

He found her attempting to access work on her computer, but he playfully intercepted her, reminding her that a patient needed rest and that her "misbehavior" warranted a "punishment"—which he sealed with a kiss. The following morning, as Jiang Jun tried to sneak out for work, Yuan Shuai stopped her, revealing he had already arranged a seven-day annual leave with Du Lei. He had even enlisted Xu Li and Xiaochuan to ensure she got proper rest.

After Yuan Shuai left, Xu Li discreetly handed Jiang Jun a pregnancy test kit, jokingly calling it a "good luck" charm for them both to experience "double happiness." Their conversation was cut short when Xiaochuan joined them. Meanwhile, Qiao Na arrived at her office to a romantic display of roses arranged in a heart shape. Jia Yuanji, carrying more flowers, appeared and boldly declared his love, promising to surprise her daily.

Unimpressed, Qiao Na dismissed his gestures as "childish tricks" and instructed her staff to clear the office immediately. Jia Yuanji, however, remained unfazed, already contemplating his next move. Later, as Shen Xin was about to deliver documents to Du Lei's office, she overheard him on a phone call. He was discussing assisting Huanyu Group with financial reports, hinting at a "token of appreciation" to be sent to a familiar "account," suggesting illicit dealings.

Du Lei, sensing movement outside, abruptly opened his door, catching Shen Xin by surprise. She quickly handed over the files and left, while Du Lei maintained a composed demeanor, his mind already formulating a new plan. That night, prompted by Xu Li's earlier comment, Jiang Jun decided to use the pregnancy test kit. The result left her stunned and kept her awake all night. The next morning, Yuan Shuai discovered the used test kit in the trash.

After a quick online search confirmed that "two bars" indicated pregnancy, he became ecstatic. He joyfully embraced Jiang Jun, declaring their impending status as a family of four, including their dog Wealth, and began enthusiastically brainstorming baby names like "Yuan Congming." However, Jiang Jun revealed it was a false alarm; her period had just begun, making it a misunderstanding. Yuan Shuai’s excitement quickly turned to visible disappointment.

Following the pregnancy scare, Yuan Shuai revealed that the incident had solidified his long-term thoughts. He affirmed his unwavering commitment to Jiang Jun and promised to respect all her decisions. He proposed a career adjustment, suggesting she transition to GE's Fixed Income Department, which he believed would offer a more balanced workload, allowing her to pursue her passion without the intense pressure of her current role.

As for having a baby, he suggested they let it happen naturally when she was ready. Jiang Jun was deeply moved, realizing he had been contemplating these long-term plans for quite some time. Overwhelmed, she embraced him, agreeing to their future together. Inspired by their conversation, Yuan Shuai began secretly planning a marriage proposal and, later that night, attempted to surreptitiously measure Jiang Jun's ring finger while she slept.

The next day, Shen Xin's SKL case suffered a major setback due to a price leak. Du Lei, furious, demanded that she identify the source of the leak within three days, threatening severe accountability if she failed. Chen Yicheng, Shen Xin's boyfriend, was incensed by Du Lei's unreasonable pressure, but Shen Xin urged him not to confront their boss. Meanwhile, Xu Li and Xiaochuan were shopping for baby supplies.

Xu Li excitedly pointed out a wet paper towel heater and building blocks, but Xiaochuan, citing safety and practicality, expressed his reservations. At that moment, Cheng from Weiran Technology, an acquaintance of Xiaochuan, approached them. Cheng made condescending remarks about Xu Li's youthful appearance, implying she wasn't a suitable partner for Xiaochuan, which caused Xu Li to feel self-conscious and retreat.

Xiaochuan, however, defiantly embraced Xu Li, publicly declared his love for her, and insisted on buying everything she desired, prompting an embarrassed Cheng to quietly depart. Xu Li was deeply touched and delighted by Xiaochuan's unwavering support. Yuan Shuai, at a ZOCAI diamond ring customization store, was admiring a "Goddess's Wedding Dress" proposal ring. Mid-conversation with the sales assistant, Jiang Jun called him, asking him to pick up some triple-A batteries for their scale.

To maintain the secrecy of his proposal plans, Yuan Shuai quickly fabricated an excuse, claiming he was at work and that the store's background music was merely part of a presentation. After hurriedly ending the call, he selected a beautiful ring and completed the purchase. Separately, Jiang Jun sensed Yuan Shuai's unusual behavior but couldn't pinpoint the reason.

Upon checking her computer, she was surprised to find an internal "Notice of Personnel Change" announcing Shen Xin's resignation from the Investment Banking Department due to "personal reasons." Concerned, Jiang Jun immediately went to the company. She found Shen Xin quietly packing her belongings, with Chen Yicheng angrily wanting to confront Du Lei, but Shen Xin held him back, suggesting that there might be more to the situation. Jiang Jun approached, eager to speak with Shen Xin and understand the real reason behind her sudden departure.

Episode 33 Recap

Jiang Jun found Shen Xin packing her belongings and inquired about her resignation. Shen Xin revealed that Xiang Ding had been fired the day the SKL price leak incident surfaced, and she had remained for a few extra days to finalize the handover. Jiang Jun pressed her, asking why she didn't wait for her return and resigned so abruptly, arguing that there was still an opportunity to prove their innocence.

Shen Xin explained that she and Xiang Ding were responsible for the SKL case, and someone had to take accountability. She recalled a previous conversation with Du Lei, where he ominously reminded her of the industry rule that "A nobody always takes the blame." He had suggested making Jiang Jun the scapegoat, citing her absence on leave during the leak. Shen Xin vehemently refused, insisting Jiang Jun was innocent.

Du Lei then gave her an ultimatum: if she resigned immediately, he could announce it was for "personal reasons," but if she hesitated, he would be unable to protect her. Understanding the coercion, Shen Xin chose to resign to shield Jiang Jun. She also told Jiang Jun that she wouldn't have continued at MH if Jiang Jun hadn't forgiven her in the past, and now felt she was incompatible with the company, needing to seek a better opportunity.

Jiang Jun expressed concern about her resigning without another job in the current market, but Shen Xin confidently reassured her. After receiving a call from the Administration Department, Shen Xin left, leaving Jiang Jun filled with worry. Du Lei reviewed MH’s impressive revenue data, noting a significant increase and profits that surpassed GE. Feeling a sense of accomplishment, he ignored an incoming call from Jiang Jun. Later that evening, Jiang Jun visited Du Lei’s office.

He feigned concern for her health, remarking that she had returned too soon from her leave. Jiang Jun expressed her belief in Shen Xin and Xiang Ding’s innocence regarding the SKL price leak and pleaded with Du Lei to grant them another chance to uncover the truth. Du Lei dismissed her concerns, stating he had already handed the case over to Qiao Na and it was no longer her responsibility.

He underscored the substantial financial losses the company incurred due to the leak and the unforgiving nature of the industry, reiterating that Shen Xin and Xiang Ding, directly or indirectly, bore the responsibility. Disheartened by his unyielding stance, Jiang Jun left, contemplating whether her steadfast principles were truly the only path. As she walked, Yuan Shuai called, scolding her for not answering and for always bottling up her emotions.

He reminded her that she now had a strong boyfriend to support her. Jiang Jun then confided in him about Shen Xin and Xiang Ding’s situation. Suddenly, Yuan Shuai appeared behind her, embracing her. He reassured her that he would always protect her, especially given her tendency to neglect meals when he wasn’t around. They then walked home together. At home, Jiang Jun remained deeply troubled by Shen Xin's predicament, feeling partially responsible for their resignations.

Yuan Shuai gently massaged her temples, urging her to rest. He clarified that he didn't oppose her ambition in her career and was proud of her achievements, but her health was paramount, and he would be heartbroken if she risked it for work. Jiang Jun expressed her appreciation for his care. Later, Yuan Shuai playfully reminded her he had already bought dog food, anticipating her forgetfulness.

He affectionately told her he enjoyed managing both their home and her career, finding happiness in her joy. Jiang Jun playfully called him "cunning" for making her feel like a lazy woman, but he reiterated that she was his "queen" and always would be. After Yuan Shuai fell asleep, Jiang Jun looked at him and quietly resolved to resign and become "Mrs. Yuan" once she had completed her current projects.

However, Yuan Shuai awoke to find Jiang Jun still working, noticing discrepancies in some project documents. He confronted her, accusing her of disregarding his concerns for her well-being. Jiang Jun explained that many projects were dependent on her completion, and she felt a strong sense of responsibility for the unfair dismissals of Shen Xin and Xiang Ding, insisting she could not simply wait.

Yuan Shuai countered that MH possessed its own robust investigative systems and accused her of arrogance for believing the company couldn’t function without her. Jiang Jun challenged him in return, asking if he would abandon his colleagues in a similar situation. She reaffirmed her intention to resign, but only after finishing her outstanding tasks. Growing exasperated, Yuan Shuai demanded she resign immediately so they could marry, promising to provide for her for the rest of her life.

Jiang Jun firmly rejected his demand, asserting her independence, her education, her capabilities, and her long-standing ability to support herself. She insisted on having her own life, responsibilities, and plans, requesting that he respect her autonomy. She then turned back to her work. Frustrated, Yuan Shuai declared he would no longer interfere with her decisions. Despite their argument, he later returned to find her asleep at her desk and gently covered her with a blanket.

The next morning, he prepared breakfast for her. Qiao Na arrived at the office to find Jia Yuanji performing a romantic song on his guitar, surrounded by a lavish display of roses he claimed to have picked himself. Annoyed, Qiao Na curtly told him the "show" was over and he should return to work. She chastised him for treating her home and now her workplace like a flower shop. She then summoned security to escort him out.

As he was being removed, Jia Yuanji loudly proclaimed his unwavering dedication, vowing never to give up and to wait for her indefinitely. Later, Jiang Jun approached Qiao Na, teasing her about blushing for the first time and suggesting she embrace love after being alone for so long. Qiao Na, in turn, playfully warned Jiang Jun not to get too spoiled by Yuan Shuai, lest she become overweight.

Jiang Jun overheard colleagues discussing how Shen Xin and Xiang Ding were struggling to secure new employment due to the damaging accusations of leaking company information. She promptly intervened, warning them against spreading baseless rumors. Bolstered by information from Qiao Na, who had discovered that only vice presidents and higher-ranking personnel had access to the sensitive SKL raw data, Jiang Jun realized that Shen Xin and Xiang Ding must have been wrongfully accused. She immediately went to Du Lei’s office.

Upon entering, Du Lei again expressed concern for her health. Jiang Jun insisted on discussing Shen Xin and Xiang Ding, informing him that her own comparison of the leaked data had revealed their innocence. Du Lei motioned for her to sit and then explained his predicament: the SKL chairman was a close college friend of MH's senior management, who were furious about the leak and pressured him to quickly identify someone to take responsibility.

Jiang Jun argued that as the project manager, she should bear the responsibility, but Du Lei adopted a more sympathetic tone, mentioning he had to drink excessively the previous day to convince SKL to accept the new price. He emphasized that the situation would have escalated if no one had stepped forward, and his actions were intended to protect Shen Xin from a more severe charge and to protect Jiang Jun.

Seemingly moved by his explanation, Jiang Jun silently accepted his version of events. Upset by negative online comments about her novel's romance and by Xiaochuan’s dismissive attitude, Xu Li decided to stage a scene of running away from home, but in her haste, she inadvertently left her phone behind. Unable to borrow a phone from strangers, she encountered Jia Yuanji, who initially mistook her for trying to flirt with him.

After she clarified her need to make a call, he reluctantly handed over his phone. She called Jiang Jun, informing her that she had run away from home, but Jiang Jun, preoccupied, instructed her to go to her apartment and quickly hung up. Realizing that going to Jiang Jun’s place would expose her to Xiaochuan, Xu Li decided against it.

She returned the phone to Jia Yuanji and they soon bonded over their shared romantic misfortunes, realizing they were both experiencing unrequited love. They agreed to get drunk together, with Xu Li offering to cover the cost. Over drinks, they commiserated about their relationship woes. Xu Li lamented Xiaochuan's comment about their love passing its "freshness period," while Jia Yuanji complained about Qiao Na's unresponsiveness.

Jia Yuanji then played a song he had written for Qiao Na, and Xu Li, impressed, offered to help him refine the lyrics in exchange for guitar lessons. Li Xiaochuan returned home to an empty house and, using his phone's location tracking feature, located Xu Li with Jia Yuanji, who was demonstrating guitar chords with his hand over hers. Enraged, Xiaochuan stormed over, shouting for Jia Yuanji to "Let go of her!"

Xu Li quickly tried to defuse the situation by claiming Jia Yuanji was a "book fan," but Xiaochuan dismissed this, reminding her that his research had revealed no male followers among her 108 fans. Thinking on her feet, Xu Li announced that Jia Yuanji was her "pursuer." Jia Yuanji, catching on, enthusiastically confirmed it. Xiaochuan, his jealousy fully ignited, angrily declared that he was Xu Li’s husband and threatened to beat Jia Yuanji if he didn't stay away.

He then took Xu Li's hand and told her, "Let's go." Xu Li, secretly delighted by Xiaochuan's possessive display, smiled and walked away with him. Back at their apartment, Yuan Shuai playfully urged Jiang Jun to "beg" him for the information he had promised. When she eventually did, he revealed what he had discovered: the SKL chairman had never demanded any dismissals from MH, contradicting Du Lei's earlier statements.

Yuan Shuai explained that Du Lei, despite knowing there was a less severe solution, deliberately forced Shen Xin and Xiang Ding to resign, likely because they had uncovered a secret that threatened him. Jiang Jun, however, recalled Du Lei’s compelling explanation about SKL’s demand for accountability and his supposed efforts to protect both Shen Xin and her. She expressed skepticism toward Yuan Shuai’s theory, citing Du Lei’s past assistance to her.

Yuan Shuai, growing increasingly frustrated, asked if she trusted Du Lei more than him. Jiang Jun clarified that it wasn't a matter of trust, but acknowledging Du Lei's help. Unable to contain his frustration, Yuan Shuai revealed a bombshell, accusing Du Lei of having an ulterior motive for helping her: "Because he likes you!"

Episode 34 Recap

Upon learning from Yuan Shuai that Du Lei harbors romantic feelings for her, Jiang Jun is stunned. She dismisses his words as a tactic to provoke her into leaving MH, and their argument leads to a tense cold war between them. Meanwhile, Jia Yuanji bombards Qiao Na with messages before her shift ends. When she leaves her office, she finds him asleep on a sofa outside, surrounded by various takeout meals.

Qiao Na, though pretending to be annoyed, expresses concern for his injured face. Jia Yuanji proudly claims the injury is a "man's badge of honor" from "doing boldly what is righteous," and even asks her to blow on it. Qiao Na scolds him for "idling around" as the GE successor. Jia Yuanji explains his brother granted him a "leave to pursue my wife-to-be" because he finished his work early and had been diligently studying finance and law to impress her.

Qiao Na, while not confirming any reciprocal feelings, agrees to take him out for dinner, refusing the takeout food he bought. The cold war between Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai continues at home, marked by petty squabbles. Jiang Jun claims sole ownership of the bed and quilt, drawing a "border" down the middle with a stick, warning Yuan Shuai not to cross it or be deemed "a pig."

Yuan Shuai grudgingly accepts a blanket, but not before a brief struggle for the quilt. The next morning, both appear in the office wearing large sunglasses to hide their dark circles, a stark contrast to a visibly energized Jia Yuanji. Yuan Shuai complains to his colleagues about Jiang Jun's "border" on the bed and his sleepless night, while Jia Yuanji gushes about his date with Qiao Na, having shared midnight snacks and childhood memories.

An assistant informs Jia Yuanji that Yuan Shuai is not in the mood for love stories or congratulations today. Yuan Shuai receives a call from a diamond ring customization store, informing him that the ring he ordered is ready. He immediately heads to the store, picks up the beautiful diamond ring, and signs a "lifetime pledge." Later, he shows the ring to his dog, Wealth, confiding his plan to propose to Jiang Jun and asking for secrecy.

Jiang Jun contacts Shen Xin to ask about any unusual occurrences at work during her leave. Shen Xin recounts inadvertently overhearing Du Lei on a phone call. He was instructing someone to prepare Huanyu Group’s financial reports "in the same way as last year" and stated he would "handle the CSRC." This information resonates with Yuan Shuai's earlier suspicion that Shen Xin was fired because she uncovered one of Du Lei's secrets.

Shen Xin then reveals her struggles to find new employment due to the price leak rumors surrounding SKL. She asks Jiang Jun to write a recommendation letter to Yuan Shuai at GE, also hoping to clarify her non-involvement in the leak. Jiang Jun readily agrees to help. Du Lei receives a bouquet of flowers and a birthday card from a flower shop called "L Flower."

His smile fades when he spots the recommendation letter Jiang Jun wrote for Shen Xin on her desk. He asks Jiang Jun to stay after work. Later, in his office, Du Lei has prepared an elaborate dinner with a cake. Jiang Jun, realizing it's his birthday, apologizes for forgetting and, at his request, sings him "Happy Birthday." While Du Lei is getting wine, Yuan Shuai calls Jiang Jun, asking her to pick up his dog's food.

Hearing Du Lei's voice, Yuan Shuai grows furious and warns Jiang Jun not to drink before abruptly hanging up. Du Lei offers Jiang Jun juice instead of wine, and they toast to his birthday. Jiang Jun expresses gratitude for his long-standing mentorship, acknowledging his role in her professional growth. Du Lei then offers her special health benefits and flexible working hours.

Jiang Jun, however, chooses this moment to formally announce her intention to resign, citing personal reasons and needing more time for her family. Du Lei dismisses her explanations, asking if her resignation is because of Yuan Shuai and asserting that he can give her anything Yuan Shuai can. He refuses to accept her resignation and, feigning drunkenness, insists she drive him home.

On the drive home, Du Lei attempts to force a new necklace on Jiang Jun, claiming she must have disliked the watch he previously gave her. Distracted and uncomfortable, Jiang Jun pulls over. Du Lei confronts her about her resignation, accusing her of abandoning her career ambitions for Yuan Shuai. He brings up a tie she gave him two years prior, claiming he wore it ever since joining MH and interpreted it as a sign of her affection.

Jiang Jun clarifies it was merely a "gift for a teacher" and that she is planning to get married, making it impossible to reciprocate his feelings. She asks him to return the tie. Du Lei refuses to accept her rejection, passionately declares his love, and tries to forcefully kiss her. Just then, Yuan Shuai arrives and punches Du Lei. A fight breaks out, and during the struggle, Jiang Jun is accidentally knocked to the ground.

Yuan Shuai immediately rushes to her side, checks her for injuries, and tells Du Lei to get lost. He then helps Jiang Jun up, and they walk away, leaving a heartbroken Du Lei screaming on the ground. Back home, Jiang Jun seeks to appease an enraged Yuan Shuai. She expresses regret for her friendship with Du Lei ending so poorly, wishing she had been "more perceptive" to avoid the situation.

Yuan Shuai, still seething over her being alone with Du Lei, drinking (though she denies it), and driving him home, eventually softens when Jiang Jun shows affection and her injured arm. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Jun reminds him about Shen Xin's upcoming interview at GE and asks him to submit her recommendation letter.

Yuan Shuai teases her about her sudden sweetness but then explains the potential risks: helping Shen Xin could be exploited by "someone with an ulterior motive" due to Jiang Jun being his girlfriend. Jiang Jun argues it’s a legitimate act and might be Shen Xin’s last chance. Yuan Shuai eventually agrees to help, and they formally reconcile. The following day, Jiang Jun reviews Huanyu Group's financial reports and notices some irregularities.

She focuses on a document dated October 12th, realizing it's the same day Shen Xin overheard Du Lei's suspicious phone call. She summons her subordinate, Yu, who confirms that while he assists with auxiliary materials, Du Lei has personally overseen all of Huanyu Group's quarterly financial reports for the past two years, including attending all meetings with the accounting firm. Highly suspicious, Jiang Jun dismisses Yu, instructing him to keep their conversation confidential. She continues to scrutinize the financial figures with a thoughtful expression.

Episode 35 Recap

Shen Xin successfully interviewed at GE, impressing the interviewers with her quick answers and clear thinking. She accurately predicted the stock trajectory of Yingchi Motor, explaining how Baylor Energy would acquire it as a strategic defense against hostile takeovers. Delighted with the job offer, Shen Xin immediately called Jiang Jun to share the good news, expressing gratitude to Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai for vouching for her.

She invited them, along with Qiao Na, to a celebratory dinner, which Jiang Jun readily accepted. Soon after, Chen Yicheng entered Jiang Jun's office, also relaying Shen Xin's success, but Jiang Jun already knew. Jiang Jun then secretly tasked Chen Yicheng with retrieving all files related to Huanyu Group after Du Lei took charge of it, suspecting a connection to Shen Xin and Xiang Ding's departures. As Jiang Jun left the office, she encountered Du Lei.

He apologized for his behavior the previous night, but Jiang Jun maintained her decision to resign from MH, explaining she would uphold a professional boss-subordinate relationship until her departure. Du Lei was disheartened by her firm stance, lamenting that he seemed to mean nothing to her. Meanwhile, at home, Li Xiaochuan packed for a business trip, still visibly jealous about Xu Li's recent encounter with Jia Yuanji. Xu Li reminded him that the next day was their wedding anniversary.

Xiaochuan dismissed it, saying he had an important investor meeting. Frustrated, Xu Li pressed him about what happened yesterday, to which Xiaochuan retorted that he had seen everything and sarcastically congratulated her on her new "willfulness." He expressed his disapproval of her associating with Jia Yuanji, calling him untrustworthy for pursuing a married woman. Xu Li countered by praising Jia Yuanji's charm and comparing him favorably to Xiaochuan.

She implied their love had lost its initial spark, suggesting neither found the other attractive anymore. Xiaochuan, exasperated, told her to go ahead and spend time with Jia Yuanji. Xu Li, near tears, clarified she was joking and simply yearned for him to care more about her. She confessed that while his world might prioritize other things, for her, love came first, and he was her "only light." Losing his affection would leave her adrift.

Moved by her heartfelt confession, Xiaochuan slowly released his grip on his suitcase and looked at her. Alone in his office, Du Lei reflected on his past happy moments with Jiang Jun, his emotions shifting to vengeful anger. He swiftly sent a confidential email, instructing the recipient to widely disseminate its contents for maximum impact. Later, Jiang Jun, Qiao Na, and Shen Xin gathered at a KTV to celebrate Shen Xin's new position.

Yuan Shuai arrived, accompanied by Jia Yuanji, to everyone's surprise. Jia Yuanji playfully flirted with Qiao Na, stating he only listens to her. Chen Yicheng then arrived, secretly handing Jiang Jun a USB drive containing the requested files, whispering that it contained information about the issues she had hinted at earlier. Capitalizing on the cheerful atmosphere, Jiang Jun announced her resignation from MH. Although her friends expressed regret, they offered their best wishes.

Jiang Jun stated that she was pursuing other important things and that her decision was unrelated to them. Yuan Shuai lightened the mood by offering to drink on Jiang Jun's behalf, and Jia Yuanji quickly offered to do the same for Qiao Na. Shen Xin grew nostalgic, reminiscing about their early days at MH, describing Jiang Jun as an "outstanding little catfish" who inspired them all.

She expressed sadness that they would soon be going their separate ways, and they all toasted to their glorious time at MH. The next day, Du Lei's secret actions took full effect, as rumors rapidly spread throughout the company. Employees buzzed about Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai secretly transferring teams and leaking company secrets. A circulating forum post accused them of being "malignant tumors in the investment banking industry," citing Jiang Jun's recommendation letter as definitive proof.

Jia Yuanji was furious upon seeing the malicious post. Simultaneously, Yuan Shuai received a call from the Chairman, who was concerned about the recommendation letter and demands from other directors. Yuan Shuai assured him he was handling it, recognizing it as a premeditated attack, possibly from within MH or from a former GE employee. Du Lei summoned Jiang Jun to his office, offering to "make all her troubles go away" if she simply asked for his help.

Jiang Jun refused, stating she could handle it herself. Du Lei warned her that she could lose everything. Jiang Jun admitted to writing the recommendation letter for Shen Xin but vehemently denied the other accusations, declaring she would make a statement to the Board. She then turned the tables on Du Lei, asking him how he planned to explain the fraudulent financial reports of Huanyu Group to the Board. Du Lei was visibly taken aback.

Jiang Jun detailed her findings: anomalies in Huanyu Group's financial statements dating back two years, with significant gross margin deviations that Du Lei, as the lead, could not have missed. She concluded this indicated a "three-party fraud" and accused him of framing Shen Xin to cover it up.

Du Lei initially tried to deny it but then rationalized his actions by arguing that "rules can be broken for interests" and that "a small sacrifice is worth it for the long-term benefit," claiming his actions benefited many. Jiang Jun condemned his philosophy, contrasting it with Yuan Shuai's integrity. She warned him he would face consequences and urged him to confess his wrongdoings to headquarters.

Du Lei dismissed her, asserting his authority at MH and cautioning her that she and Yuan Shuai were also in trouble. Jiang Jun realized that Du Lei was the one who leaked the recommendation letter. Du Lei then confessed to Jiang Jun, admitting he initially approached her to exploit her, lied about Wan Shan, orchestrated Shen Xin's departure, and even used her in connection with her father's accident.

However, he claimed his feelings for her had deepened, but he felt his place in her heart had diminished. Jiang Jun asked if he intended to destroy her. Du Lei insisted he only wanted her to stay, reminiscing about her celebrating his first birthday, which gave him "hope to start over." He revealed he had silently loved and protected her for three years, hoping she would one day return his gaze. He then questioned the fairness of her rejection.

Jiang Jun firmly stated that she had always viewed him only as a teacher, friend, and supervisor, never romantically. She explained that their feelings were unequal and she couldn't offer him the "fairness" he sought. She asked him to stop "wasting his energy" on her, saying, "good or bad, please just stop," as this was the fairest answer she could give. She apologized. Du Lei, devastated, noted that three years had only earned him an apology.

He told her to leave, stating she could investigate or report him if she wished. Jiang Jun addressed him as "Mr. Du, my teacher" one last time, declaring there was no need for them to meet again. Later, Yuan Shuai met a dejected Du Lei. Yuan Shuai did not gloat, but rather stated he intended to be "clean and swift" with those he didn't approve of.

He issued an ultimatum: Du Lei must immediately cease all illegal operations and leave MH, or Yuan Shuai would relentlessly pursue him until he lost everything. Du Lei accused Yuan Shuai of pitying him. Yuan Shuai clarified his reasons: first, MH held significant personal importance to him, and he would not allow its reputation to be tarnished; second, Du Lei had helped him and Jiang Jun in the past, and he owed him.

He offered to "call it even" if Du Lei complied. Du Lei sarcastically thanked him, to which Yuan Shuai simply replied, "You're welcome." Returning home, Xu Li called Li Xiaochuan, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Believing he had forgotten their anniversary and left, she felt a profound sense of disappointment, tears welling in her eyes. Suddenly, a spotlight illuminated Li Xiaochuan, who emerged, playing his guitar and singing "Happy first anniversary."

He presented her with an anniversary gift and sincerely apologized for his clumsy ways of expressing affection and for taking her love for granted. He promised to change. Xiaochuan then clarified his "72-hour theory" about love, explaining that true love endures even after the initial passion fades, desiring eternal companionship. He playfully offered to play guitar and drink with her. With deep sincerity, he declared his desire to be with her forever and asked her to accept his promise.

Overcome with emotion, Xu Li kissed him, crying, and told him she only needed him to love her. She playfully teased him about when he learned guitar, and he jokingly confessed it was to prevent another man from stealing her away. As they shared another intimate moment, Xu Li suddenly felt nauseous. Xiaochuan, surprised and delighted, immediately wondered if she was pregnant.

Jiang Jun later received a call from the Compliance Department, informing her that all her work files were under investigation regarding the recommendation letter, and she would be summoned for a hearing. She inquired about her resignation application, only to learn it had never been received in the system, causing her to doubt her memory. Yuan Shuai called her, informing her about his meeting with Du Lei, who had decided to resign and leave the investment banking industry for good.

Yuan Shuai then encouraged Jiang Jun, affirming that he would support her choices regardless, whether she resigned, continued in investment banking, stayed at MH, or even joined GE. He emphasized that they shouldn't change themselves for each other. Touched by his unconditional support, Jiang Jun hugged him. She admitted that while she thought she had decided to resign, she felt a renewed desire to "keep fighting" in the industry.

The couple then shared a tender moment, reminiscing about adopting their dog, Wealth, and Yuan Shuai expressed gratitude to Wealth for his companionship when Jiang Jun was not around. They then decided to take their first family photo together.

Episode 36 (Ending) Recap

Du Lei visited a flower shop managed by his sister, Linda. He expressed surprise at her decision to open a shop there. Linda explained that flowers symbolized new hope and new life; though their lives are brief, their blooming is the most beautiful moment, and she wished to share that happiness with everyone.

Du Lei then admitted he felt ridiculous, realizing his past efforts to break free from his family's constraints were merely a lack of courage to face his true self, which led to his complete downfall. Linda, understanding his pain, advised him to choose a life that made him happy, reminding him that true love means giving someone what they need, not what one presumes they need.

The next morning, Xu Li and Li Xiaochuan excitedly arrived at Jiang Jun and Yuan Shuai's apartment to announce Xu Li's pregnancy. The overjoyed Li Xiaochuan was sent by Jiang Jun to walk their dog, Wealth, with Yuan Shuai so the women could talk privately. As they walked, Li Xiaochuan eagerly suggested baby names like "Li World" and "Li Science," to which Yuan Shuai jokingly replied with an even longer, more ridiculous name.

Li Xiaochuan then pressed Yuan Shuai about his marriage plans with Jiang Jun. Yuan Shuai confessed he had tried to subtly probe Jiang Jun's feelings but sensed she wasn't ready, fearing a direct proposal would pressure her and damage their relationship. He argued that marriage was just a "piece of paper" and wouldn't affect their bond.

However, Li Xiaochuan called him a "wimp," arguing that women are often coy and that such matters should not be delayed, promising his and Xu Li's support. This conversation prompted Yuan Shuai to reconsider. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun and Xu Li discussed the same topic. Jiang Jun was conflicted about Yuan Shuai's lack of a proposal, but Xu Li, speaking from her own experience of being direct with Li Xiaochuan, encouraged Jiang Jun to take the initiative herself.

This inspired Jiang Jun to rethink her approach. The following day, Jiang Jun returned to work at MH, feeling good to be back. Qiao Na welcomed her and took her to "revisit old places," which turned out to be an intern interview session. During a mock scenario where an intern suggested buying stock in Shanhui Pictures based on a proposed acquisition, Jiang Jun astutely countered that the acquisition was likely a fabricated rumor.

She explained it was probably designed to inflate stock prices amid internal power struggles and years of declining profits. After the interviews, Qiao Na mentioned a Mayan proverb about burying a button to return to a place, hinting that Jiang Jun had done something similar to ensure her return to MH. Later, Yuan Shuai noticed Su Chang beaming at his phone and discovered he had successfully proposed.

Su Chang urged Yuan Shuai to propose to Jiang Jun, pointing out how long he'd had the diamond ring. Yuan Shuai admitted his past attempts had all failed for "structural, accidental, planned, and causeless" reasons. Undeterred, Su Chang encouraged him to be decisive and "do something grand." Taking this to heart, Yuan Shuai put a plan into motion.

He called Jiang Jun, fabricating a sudden business trip and asking her to pack his luggage, arranging for Su Chang to drive her. While Jiang Jun was away, Yuan Shuai and his colleagues transformed the office into a romantic proposal venue. Once ready, Qiao Na called Jiang Jun, feigning anger about an urgent document that needed to be brought back to the office immediately. Rushing back, Jiang Jun entered a beautifully decorated office filled with snowflakes and colorful lights.

A large screen played a montage of Yuan Shuai's comically failed proposal attempts, like offering a cake she refused or trying to propose while she slept, only to be kicked. In the video, Yuan Shuai declared to their dog, Wealth, that since surprises didn't work, he would propose directly, vowing to marry Jiang Jun "no matter how many times" it took. Just then, Wealth appeared in a small wedding dress, followed by Yuan Shuai with a bouquet of roses.

Yuan Shuai delivered a heartfelt confession, acknowledging their ten years apart due to a misunderstanding. He said his life felt long without her but short with her, making him fear not having enough time together. He knelt, promising to be her lawful husband and to protect, dote on, and love her for the rest of his life. Deeply moved, Jiang Jun said, "Yes."

Su Chang then appeared with a "lifetime pledge" and a private equity company agreement in Jiang Jun's name. Yuan Shuai explained it was a fallback plan: if she ever left investment banking, he would resign with her to build their own company, with her as the boss. Jiang Jun playfully accepted, stating that his future earnings, and he himself, would be hers. Friends and colleagues emerged to congratulate them, including Linda with flowers.

A tearful Xu Li entrusted Jiang Jun to Yuan Shuai. Ever efficient, Yuan Shuai noted the Civil Affairs Bureau was still open and suggested they rush to get their marriage licenses. When Jiang Jun worried her household register was at her mother's, Yuan Shuai produced it, revealing her mother had given it to him on his first visit. He then presented her with a bridal veil and comfortable sneakers, and they ran hand-in-hand to the bureau.

There, they took their marriage photos, and Jiang Jun affectionately called him "husband." Later, Du Lei, dining alone, saw their wedding photos on his phone and gave a faint smile of acceptance. When paying, he realized he'd forgotten his wallet and used WeChat. He noticed the waitress's name was "Si Ling" (Commander) and chuckled at the coincidence of meeting a "Commander" after knowing "General" (Jiang Jun) and "Marshal" (Yuan Shuai). Elsewhere, Jia Yuanji was driving Qiao Na home.

She hinted she needed a daily driver. Initially dense, Jia Yuanji offered to find her the best one, but with a little prodding, he realized she meant him and excitedly agreed. Meanwhile, Li Xiaochuan and Xu Li were still debating baby names, finding it surprisingly difficult. Back at home, Yuan Shuai was startled awake by Jiang Jun's excited scream. She showed him a positive pregnancy test. Overjoyed, Yuan Shuai erupted in shouts of "I'm going to be a father!" They embraced, overwhelmed with happiness and the sweet challenge of picking a name for their baby.