Love's Ambition Episode 15 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
At the charity auction, Xu Yan aggressively outbid others, ultimately securing an item for three million, significantly higher than its initial 1. 6 million. Shen Haoming, feigning affection, asked if she was happy and suggested she try on the item. Xu Yan then provocatively presented the expensive piece to Fang Lei, dismissing it as merely an excuse for charity and not a "real treasure," instructing her to "take it if you like it" and claiming "it was made for you."
Fang Lei was bewildered by the gesture, while Shen Haoming regarded the item as a mere "trinket." Xu Yan then asked Shen Haoming what else he would like her to bid on, prompting him to caution her to "know her limits." She retorted, reminding him to "be gracious" and to "remember to smile," echoing his own previous instructions. Both maintained fake smiles while greeting other attendees, who commented on their seemingly blissful marriage.
Later, a TV news report featured Xu Yan hosting a segment on Jinda Group's Huanyu International real estate project, followed by an "Entertainment Frontline" piece calling her and Shen Haoming a "match made in heaven." Shen Haoming, in the clip, praised Xu Yan's ambition for pursuing her childhood dream despite easier options.
Back at the studio, Xu Yan's assistant complimented her on covering her husband's news and their perfect couple image, but Xu Yan, looking distant and tired, almost unrecognizable to herself in the mirror, began to cry, overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness. Soon after, Xu Yan received a call from her Grandma, who, having seen her on TV, expressed concern about her unhappiness.
Fighting back tears, Xu Yan assured her Grandma that "everything is fine" and promised to take leave the following week to visit her. Xu Yan tearfully confessed, "I just miss you. I want to come home." However, when Grandma mentioned wanting a great-grandchild, Xu Yan fell silent. Later that day, back at home, Xu Yan accidentally broke a bottle of osmanthus wine, a cherished gift from Shen Haoming, further deepening her distress.
Discovering her Grandma was not home, Xu Yan panicked, learning from a neighbor that her Grandma had fainted the previous night and been rushed to a county hospital by her parents. At the hospital, Xu Yan learned her Grandma had suffered a transient cerebral ischemia but was now stable. Despite her stepmother and father being present, Xu Yan insisted on staying alone with her Grandma. As her Grandma awoke, Xu Yan offered her water.
Sensing her granddaughter's hidden worries, Grandma urged her to confide in her. Xu Yan proposed that Grandma move to Jingzhou, suggesting a house with a small yard in the suburbs. However, Grandma preferred her familiar, peaceful life in the countryside, stating that moving to the city would make her feel "lost" and "uneasy." She simply wished for Xu Yan to live her own life happily. Xu Yan understood and told her Grandma to rest.
Reflecting on her Grandma's illness, Xu Yan realized her elaborate lies had caused significant distress, solidifying her resolve to divorce Shen Haoming and "completely end the lies." She then internally decided to divorce Shen Haoming, realizing the extent of her fabricated life. Shen Haoming's assistant presented him with a legal risk report and informed him that Xu Yan was seeking a divorce lawyer, advising early preparations.
Shen Haoming, however, dismissed the warning, confident that Xu Yan would never give up her hard-earned career and current lifestyle. Defying his expectations, Xu Yan returned all of Shen Haoming's possessions and presented him with a divorce agreement, stating, "Let's get divorced. I'll leave with nothing, not taking a cent from you." Shen Haoming attempted to remind her of all the luxuries she would lose, but Xu Yan calmly stated, "They were never truly mine.
And I don't need them anymore." When Shen Haoming questioned if her newfound career made her reckless, Xu Yan, playing a recording of Fang Lei admitting her intent to pursue Haoming, subtly reminded him of Fang Lei's interference in their marriage. On the recording, Xu Yan had warned Fang Lei to "stop harassing my husband," but Fang Lei defiantly declared her determination to be with Haoming, regardless of his marital status, claiming she had already "won this battle."
After playing the recording, Xu Yan informed Shen Haoming that she would collect her things soon and would text him the address for the divorce documents, scheduling a meeting at the Civil Affairs Bureau for ten o'clock on the eighth. Xu Yan then went to see her sister, Qiao Lin, but was intercepted by a landlady who praised Qiao Lin's recent academic improvements, noting her newfound attentiveness and humility.
Xu Yan thanked the landlady, asking her to continue looking after Qiao Lin. Seeing Qiao Lin leave with colleagues, Xu Yan decided not to disturb them and instead quietly went to rent an old apartment, feeling as if the place was "waiting for her." Meanwhile, Shen Haoming discovered Xu Yan had left all her belongings, which triggered a moment of panic in him.
Elsewhere, Yu Yiming was under immense pressure for a high-risk surgery scheduled for the following week, exacerbated by the patient's family's dissatisfaction. He was coping by popping balloons to relieve stress. Qiao Lin found him and, recognizing his anxiety, playfully insisted he come with her. She took him to an amusement park, treating him to rides and activities, including witnessing "Jingzhou at 4 AM."
Yu Yiming expressed his gratitude, telling her that her presence truly helped him relax and made him feel confident about his upcoming surgery. Later, Xu Yan visited a beauty salon to cancel her membership. When she inquired about the refund, the receptionist informed her the money would be returned via the original payment method, which Xu Yan then realized was linked to Shen Haoming's account.
Meanwhile, Sun Siwei visited a law firm to discuss protecting her assets from her mother's much younger boyfriend, whom she suspected was after their family shares. There, she overheard that the firm specialized in divorce cases and saw Xu Yan, learning that she was getting a divorce. The news of Xu Yan's impending divorce also spread quickly among her colleagues, sparking rumors about affairs and potential impacts on her career, especially regarding her promotion and show sponsorships.
Separately, Fang Lei deliberately sought out Shen Haoming under the pretense of a business dinner, pushing for his attention and claiming Xu Yan was only with him for money. Just then, Xu Yan arrived for an interview. Seeing Fang Lei clinging to Shen Haoming, Xu Yan confronted her, declaring, "Before my divorce, you're the other woman." Xu Yan then slapped Fang Lei while pointedly showing her wedding ring.
A furious Fang Lei demanded to know why Xu Yan hit her, but Shen Haoming intervened, sternly telling Fang Lei that Xu Yan was right and that they were not divorced. He reminded Fang Lei that as the "Fang family heiress," she could not be seen as "the other woman" and firmly told her to "stop bothering me." Xu Yan's assistant later approached her, concerned about circulating rumors of her divorce from Shen Haoming.
She reported that management was inquiring, and that Sun Siwei was allegedly spreading these rumors, potentially impacting Xu Yan's imminent promotion to evening news host and shifting sponsorships to Sun Siwei's team. Xu Yan, however, calmly dismissed the rumors as normal marital disagreements, reassuring her assistant without confirming the divorce.
Shortly after, Sun Siwei confronted Xu Yan directly, accusing her of being a "hypocrite" and stating that her career success was solely due to Shen Haoming's influence and connections, not her own talent. She warned Xu Yan that her position was "crumbling" now that divorce rumors were out and urged her to consider "what's truly yours." Xu Yan remained silent throughout this harsh critique.
Immediately after Sun Siwei left, Xu Yan received a call from her director, who had received an anonymous tip alleging she had falsified her family background. Xu Yan responded by calmly stating, "Sir, I'll resign." When the director questioned if it was due to her marriage, Xu Yan clarified, "Nothing to do with my husband. I'm just tired." She reflected that her years of "career achievements were just fleeting illusions," realizing they were built on her husband's resources and deciding to seek a fresh start.
