Love's Ambition Episode 13 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
During a highly anticipated signing ceremony between Jinda Group and Shifeng Group, an unexpected disruption occurred when police arrested Zheng Yuanzhou, Chairman of Shifeng Group, on charges of bribery for unlawfully obtaining votes and illegal benefits during Shifeng's board election. The incident caused a significant drop in Jinda Group’s stock price and put the company in a precarious position. Shen Haoming approached his father, Shen Jinsong, to report on the situation.
He explained that Zheng Yuanzhou’s scandal had destroyed his reputation and affected Shifeng Group, causing key partners to withdraw from projects. Shen Haoming proposed collaborating with Shouke Real Estate to reclaim these projects, revealing that he had already secured the necessary land through bidding with Shouke, backed by the Yuanhang Fund. Shen Jinsong was skeptical, noting that such complex arrangements could not be achieved quickly, implying a long-term, meticulous plan.
Shen Haoming confirmed this, admitting he had warned his father previously and had orchestrated Zheng Yuanzhou's downfall by exploiting a capable but disgruntled confidant within Shifeng, whom he had won over with "recognition, sincerity, and benefits" and a display of his relentless ambition. Shen Haoming then presented his conditions for taking over: full authority to bring in his own people with his father’s decisive vote, and to establish an independent department with complete control over personnel and finances.
Shen Jinsong agreed. Soon after, news broke that Jinda Group and Shouke Real Estate had successfully signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop Plot 178, with Shen Haoming, Jinda’s Vice President, leading the initiative. Upon assuming his new role, Shen Haoming moved swiftly to restructure the company, which included the dismissal of long-serving employees.
One such employee, Mr. Wu, confronted Shen Haoming, accusing him of using his newfound power to sabotage him despite his years of service to Shen Haoming's father. Shen Haoming countered by detailing Mr. Wu's illicit gains alongside his contributions, offering to testify in court regarding Mr. Wu’s cooperative attitude if he admitted his wrongdoing and offered compensation. Mr. Wu pleaded for another chance, citing his recent divorce and professional ruin, but Shen Haoming remained firm, calling it "early retirement."
In a fit of desperation, Mr. Wu attacked Shen Haoming with a knife, but Xu Yan, who had arrived to join Shen Haoming for a late-night snack, bravely intervened, taking the stab for him. Shen Haoming dismissed the attack as an inevitable consequence for Mr. Wu and later gave Xu Yan a supplementary credit card with no spending limit as a "reward" for her actions, a gesture she found unsettling.
He then left abruptly to handle the aftermath of the incident, leaving Xu Yan feeling a growing sense of detachment and sensing a "crisis approaching" in their relationship. That evening, Shen Haoming picked up Shen Haochen from school, spending quality time with the boy, playing games and promising to do so every night. The next morning, when Haochen asked if he was leaving again, Shen Haoming reassured him he was staying.
Meanwhile, Sun Siwei, now assigned to a grassroots role as a food reviewer, expressed her frustration to her mother over the phone, pleading for a different job. Her mother, however, firmly refused, stating they couldn't afford to support her idleness. Back at the office, Xu Yan, now a host, overheard colleagues discussing their relationship woes and praising her "charmed life" with an "amazing husband" who spoiled her with gifts.
Xu Yan then critiqued a colleague's script and later confronted Sun Siwei about her unenthusiastic performance in a field recording, advising her to show "sincerity in every single frame" and to wear practical sneakers instead of high heels for safety and efficiency. Sun Siwei retorted, accusing Xu Yan of having a "nouveau riche mentality" and questioning the nature of her marriage, implying Shen Haoming might be compensating for something or creating "smokescreens."
Fang Lei then visited Shen Haoming, presenting him with the New District project cooperation agreement drafted by her father. She praised Shen Haoming's capabilities and expressed her dedication to helping him. Feigning dizziness and low blood sugar, she gained his sympathy, leading him to offer her chocolates and a ride home. She then suggested they see a movie as a "reward" for her hard work on the project, to which Shen Haoming agreed.
Xu Yan later found a small pin, which she understood to be a "reward" from Shen Haoming, unaware of its true context. At a golf course, Fang Lei joined Shen Haoming and Xu Yan, openly reminiscing about Shen Haoming teaching her golf in London, further highlighting their past connection. Xu Yan confided in Qiao Lin, describing her relationship with Shen Haoming as being separated by "a glass wall," where they could see but not truly connect.
Fang Lei later attempted to seduce Shen Haoming by pretending to be heavily intoxicated. However, Shen Haoming, having just received a call confirming the project’s successful signing with Fang Lei's father and Mr. Huang in the US, confronted her. He revealed that he was aware of her manipulations, stating that her supposed affection was merely an act to secure her father's support for his project, and that her attempts were just "occasional outbursts."
He then summoned Han Weiping, his private attorney and former senior corporate lawyer for Jinda Group, who presented evidence of Fang Lei's attempts to disrupt Shen Haoming’s family, warning her of potential legal action. That night, Xu Yan waited for Shen Haoming, asking him why he hadn't answered her calls. He vaguely mentioned "important matters" without offering a proper explanation.
When she tried to confide something important, he coldly told her to "only share things that would make him happy; if it'll upset him, don't say a single word." Xu Yan remained silent. Later, Fang Lei confronted Xu Yan at Haochen’s school, revealing a shocking truth: Shen Haoming and Haochen are not brothers, but father and son. She explained that Shen Haoming and her sister had Haochen while studying in London when they were only twenty.
To avoid an "illegitimate child scandal," the Shen family took the baby, presenting him as Haoming's younger brother. After Fang Lei’s sister tragically died in a diving accident, the secret was carefully guarded. Fang Lei further claimed that Shen Haoming's marriage to Xu Yan was not out of love, but a strategic move to project a "perfect family" image for business, leveraging Xu Yan's intelligence and ambition, and even implying he helped her become a host for public relations.
Overwhelmed by this betrayal, Xu Yan found herself unable to look at Haochen with the same affection, feeling a sense of avoidance. Adding to her pain was the memory of a family member praising her for her wonderful interaction with Haochen, noting his improved temper and genuine fondness for her.
