Love's Ambition Episode 14 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
Xu Yan returned home in a daze, feeling completely shattered after learning the truth. Shen Haoming greeted her, mentioning dinner would be ready soon. She confronted him, revealing that Fang Lei had told her Shen Haochen was his son and asked if it was true. Shen Haoming confirmed that Haochen was his illegitimate son, then asked why she had to bring up matters that could affect their relationship. Xu Yan pressed him, asking if he intended to hide it forever.
She expressed her disappointment, believing he truly loved and supported her in her career, only to discover she and her work were merely tools for him to leverage business relationships. She questioned why he lied. Shen Haoming retorted that she was in no position to accuse him of lying, claiming he found her charming and interesting when they first met. He said his mother, a very picky person, liked her, and he admired her intelligence.
He also appreciated her ability to endure, noting that a proper noble lady wouldn't tolerate his past mistakes or his son. He said Xu Yan presented as a noble lady but lacked their arrogance and bad temper. Furthermore, her ambition to become a news anchor genuinely benefited his career.
While admitting he lied, he questioned if he hadn't generously supported her, mentioning applying pressure on Lin Tao's bank and sending Zhou Zeyuan to prison by providing funds to a desperate gambler. He asserted that he spent money to keep her "lies" unrevealed because he had lied to her. He outlined their agreement: she was to be a perfect wife with a respectable job, pleasing his family, and in return, he would fulfill his duty to advance her career.
He accused her of approaching him with ulterior motives, valuing his wealth, connections, and resources to build her own credibility. He claimed his generosity made her dreams come true. Xu Yan then asked if everything he did was fake and if he ever truly loved her. Shen Haoming, without hesitation, stated he couldn't fall in love with a fraud, acknowledging his own deceit and suggesting they simply take what they need from their arrangement.
Xu Yan realized that the watches, cars, and jewelry he had given her when she pleased him were not expressions of love but merely "rewards" or "recognition" for meeting his standards. Shen Haoming advised her not to dwell on it, as it would make her seem foolish, and reminded her that every choice has a price.
As she touched the documents on the table, Xu Yan left the room, her heart numb, understanding that Shen Haoming felt no love for her. She thought to herself, "Amidst the crowd, in the dark dusk, you are unrecognizable. And we won't meet again." Xu Yan calmly informed Shen Haoming that she would agree to a divorce if he wished.
However, he told her that the New District project had just launched, and his career and family could not afford any disruptions. He demanded her presence at upcoming events, especially the groundbreaking ceremony in two days, where she must attend as his wife and ensure their relationship appeared unchanged. When Xu Yan asked what if she couldn't do it, Shen Haoming coldly reminded her that she wasn't an official news anchor yet, implying he could jeopardize her career.
Xu Yan felt trapped in her job, considering leaving it. After recording a news program, her director praised her "elegant and composed" performance and announced that leaders had lauded her work, assigning her to host the next Financial Forum, a significant recognition. She reflected on Shen Haoming's words, acknowledging that her job indeed provided valuable information channels for his business. She wondered if the admiration and smiles she received would persist if she were no longer "Mrs. Shen."
Later, Fang Lei tried to call Shen Haoming, but he didn't answer. Xu Yan prepared Western food for Shen Haoming, using the occasion to apologize for her past actions, admitting she had initially married him for his wealth and resources. She acknowledged that her current achievements were linked to him and the Shen family. She expressed that her feelings for him had always been genuine and that she truly loved him, asking if they could start anew.
Shen Haoming dismissed her emotional plea, suggesting she would seem more genuine if she simply admitted to pursuing fame or wealth. He reiterated their established arrangement of mutual benefit, where they each fulfilled their roles at work and home. He acknowledged her "cooperation value" and promised a grand celebration for her news anchor promotion. He told her her acting was superb but warned her that she could only fool him once. He then casually invited her to eat.
Xu Yan felt like the "boy who cried wolf," unable to be believed even when speaking the truth, and accepted that her metaphorical "sandcastle" had collapsed, acknowledging she deserved the consequences. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jinda Group Huanyu International New District real estate project, Xu Yan hosted the event, highlighting the company's vision. During the ceremonial groundbreaking, Shen Haoming reminded her to smile.
After the ceremony, reporters asked Shen Haoming if he had incorporated Xu Yan's creative ideas into the project's interior design. He confirmed this, praising her wisdom and talent, and stating his respect for her capabilities and openness to her insights. When asked about the secret to their strong relationship, Shen Haoming attributed it to luck and mutual admiration, particularly admiring Xu Yan's dedication to her childhood dreams despite having easier options.
Xu Yan, when asked about her husband, lauded him as exceptional and impeccable, considering herself lucky to have met him. She emphasized his respect, trust, and support, believing he truly cherished her beyond her expectations, adding that she needed to do better. After the interview, Shen Haoming chastised Xu Yan for her "terrible" and unsmiling performance, especially during the press conference.
He warned her to improve for the upcoming charity gala, again linking her good performance to her news anchor promotion, to which Xu Yan replied, "Thank you, Mr. Shen." Later, Fang Lei messaged Shen Haoming, requesting a meeting. Shen Haoming then received a phone call informing him that Fang Lei was threatening to commit suicide at her home if he didn't meet her that night. Shen Haoming acknowledged the message and promptly left.
Xu Yan, overhearing, wondered if she should inquire about such matters as a good wife. Shen Haoming, noticing her, sternly told her not to ask about his affairs unless he chose to tell her. At Fang Lei's house, Shen Haoming found her in the living room. Fang Lei confronted him, questioning why he finally showed up after ignoring her calls and messages. Shen Haoming coldly declared she "deserved to die" for revealing Haochen's secret to Xu Yan.
He then informed her that she was removed from the New District project, but her bonus and compensation would be paid, instructing her to hand over her duties the next day. Fang Lei angrily threatened to kill herself. A woman intervened, telling Fang Lei that her dramatics were futile. She then offered to introduce Fang Lei to recently divorced, "decent men" from her past clientele to "kill time."
Fang Lei cursed at her, but the woman explained she was studying "homewreckers" like Fang Lei for her work, prompting Fang Lei to demand she "get lost." Meanwhile, Qiao Lin visited Yu Yiming at the hospital and witnessed him being harshly reprimanded by a patient's family. The family was upset that a surgery took six hours instead of the estimated three to four, accusing him of incompetence and withdrawing from further treatment.
Qiao Lin attempted to defend Yu Yiming to the family, praising his dedication and long, difficult work hours. The family dismissed this, stating it had nothing to do with their child's suffering. Qiao Lin then offered the family money, hoping to ease their financial burden and allow Yu Yiming to continue treatment. She identified herself as "Dr. Yu's wife." Later, Yu Yiming's director confronted him, informing him of a complaint regarding his "wife" bribing a patient's family.
Yu Yiming, bewildered, denied having a wife. Qiao Lin then arrived, profusely apologizing to Yu Yiming for causing trouble, explaining she only wanted to help him continue the surgery smoothly and hadn't thought through her actions. Yu Yiming asked if he had been disciplined by the hospital. Qiao Lin offered to personally apologize to the family and clarify to the hospital that he had no involvement, taking full responsibility.
Yu Yiming agreed, and they left together, with him reminding her not to waste the ice cream she had bought. After communication and explanations from the hospital, the family understood the surgery's complexity and the need for multiple procedures, agreeing to continue treatment and expressing understanding for Qiao Lin's actions.
Overjoyed, Qiao Lin again apologized to Yu Yiming, admitting she had claimed to be his wife because she didn't know what else to say when the family pressed her about their relationship. At the charity gala, Xu Yan and Fang Lei greeted each other politely. Fang Lei commented on Xu Yan's seating being far, prompting Xu Yan to invite her to sit at her closer table.
Fang Lei remarked on Xu Yan's "dull complexion," asking if she was tired from working late. Xu Yan, in turn, claimed to be very busy and asked Fang Lei to help take care of Shen Haoming, referencing their shared history. Shen Haoming then interjected, telling Fang Lei that Mr. Qiu and his wife, Qingwan Project investors, were at table six and she should go chat with them.
Xu Yan countered, telling Shen Haoming not to treat an employee like that at a gala, suggesting Fang Lei could relax and they could talk another day. She then told Fang Lei to stay. The auction commenced, featuring the "Angel's Tear Diamond Ring," a 7. 09-carat royal blue sapphire from Kashmir, described as a "spiritual symbol and an emblem of love." As bidding quickly rose from 500,000 RMB, Xu Yan suddenly made a bold bid of three million RMB. Shen Haoming, surprised, remained silent due to the many onlookers, inwardly believing Xu Yan had finally revealed her true intentions.
