Love's Ambition Episode 2 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
During a meeting, Shen Haoming noticed Xu Yan, who was sitting behind him, looked cold. He promptly instructed an employee to turn off the air conditioning. While Xu Yan didn't notice this detail, other employees, though sweating, dared not voice their discomfort, finding their CEO's recent behavior rather peculiar. Shen Haoming, also feeling the heat, quickly concluded the meeting. He approached Xu Yan, intending to speak, but found her unresponsive, almost as if something was wrong.
As Shen Haoming called her name, Xu Yan looked up, then instantly fainted. Panicked, Shen Haoming rushed her to the hospital. Upon waking, Xu Yan realized that despite Shen Haoming's seemingly cold and unapproachable demeanor, he was incredibly meticulous and thoughtful in caring for her, even tearing off the label from a water bottle for her comfort. Now officially a couple, Shen Haoming happily brought Xu Yan to meet his mother, Yu Lan.
He soon had to leave for an urgent matter, leaving Xu Yan with his mother. Xu Yan was initially pleased to meet her prospective mother-in-law, careful to appear gentle and generous. However, Yu Lan immediately noticed details in Xu Yan's attire and hair, deducing that the girl's family background must not be affluent. Other wealthy women present also looked down on Xu Yan, making veiled criticisms, implying she was like a beautiful but foolish dog.
Later, from a nanny, Xu Yan overheard how these elite women invest heavily in their hair to keep it smooth and frizz-free. Taking these observations to heart, Xu Yan returned to work only to find her supervisor displeased with her. Struggling to maintain her composure, she received an invitation from Yu Lan for afternoon tea. Xu Yan spent a fortune on a sophisticated hairstyle and ordered an expensive renowned tea, yet her prospective mother-in-law's disapproval was palpable.
Yu Lan even brought two other girls to meet Xu Yan, overtly displaying her dissatisfaction. Xu Yan, who had grown up in an unhappy family and was often called an "orphan with no parents" by childhood friends, was further provoked when Yu Lan suggested she was "too submissive" and unwilling to express anger. Xu Yan finally snapped.
She asserted that her parents were professors at Syracuse University and had taught her proper etiquette, arguing that her calm demeanor was misunderstood as timidity or weakness. She further explained that her career in the country was built independently, not because of a poor family background. She firmly told Yu Lan she was wrong about her and, despite Yu Lan's dislike, she loved Shen Haoming and would not leave him.
Meanwhile, Shen Haoming and his father discussed business at the company. Shen Haoming expressed reservations about partnering with Shifeng Group and its new Chairman Zheng, citing Zheng's lack of accountability in a recent accident, his weak internal support, and his problematic close associates. His father, however, dismissed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of extensive experience in the construction industry and advising Shen Haoming to "maintain stability and avoid mistakes" as the company would eventually be his.
Xu Yan later experienced the unexpected benefit of having a wealthy boyfriend. A renowned artist she had long sought for an interview, who had previously declined her requests, promptly agreed to an interview upon hearing Shen Haoming's name.
During the interview with Mr. Sanmu, he acknowledged that he agreed to the interview partly due to Shen Haoming's connection and mostly because he was "moved by [Xu Yan's] sincerity" and persistent messages, even while he was on a business trip in America. Xu Yan was busy at work when she received a call from Yu Lan, informing her that they were buying a wedding house and asking her to rush over.
Upon arrival, Xu Yan realized Yu Lan's real intention was to have her, given her architectural background (her father was an architecture major), provide a professional opinion on the most suitable house. Just as Xu Yan felt cornered, Shen Haoming arrived. Without hesitation, he took Xu Yan by the hand and led her away. Xu Yan, curious, asked Shen Haoming why he was so fond of agave.
He explained its deep symbolism, marveling at how "an agave blooms only once in its lifetime. . . It exerts all its life's energy into one cloud of blossoms." He admired its "tenacious vitality" and its ability to "gather strength within, waiting for that once-in-a-lifetime burst." Later, as Shen Haoming meticulously cooked for her, Xu Yan felt a mix of happiness and a sense of being constantly judged by his words.
He gave her a gift, acknowledging her hard work in accompanying his mother, but also noting that her calendar was full of his mother's appointments. He then surprised her by revealing he knew about her aspiration to become the host of "Family Feast" and even offered to help with the "domineering" current host. Xu Yan, however, firmly declined his offer, stating she could handle her work matters herself and asked him to trust her.
As she ate the delicious burrito, Xu Yan reflected on Shen Haoming's genuine affection and constant support, which, despite the joy, left her with a gnawing question: "Am I worthy of such pure love?"
