Love's Ambition Episode 3 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
Xu Yan, driven by her desire for upward mobility and a future with Shen Haoming, meticulously strategized to win over his mother, Yu Lan. Unaware of Yu Lan’s suspicions about her true identity, Xu Yan found Ms. Yu to be a formidable opponent. During a dog walk with her friends, Xu Yan presented Yu Lan with a new cashmere scarf.
However, Yu Lan's friend, Ms. Ma, immediately dismissed it, stating Yu Lan preferred expensive, solid-colored Italian scarves and would not wear a patterned one. Although another friend defended Xu Yan, Ms. Ma insisted Xu Yan should be more attentive to avoid future social blunders. Yu Lan accepted the gift but subtly suggested Xu Yan keep it for herself, adding that she had many similar scarves and had even traded them for cash during her travels as a student.
Afterward, one of Yu Lan’s friends advised her directly against rushing Shen Haoming's engagement, criticizing Xu Yan’s taste in all aspects. Later, while grocery shopping with Hui, the housekeeper, Xu Yan subtly probed for information about Ms. Yu and her circle. Hui, after some hesitation, revealed that Ms. Yu’s friends, like Ms. Meng, were shrewd and influential.
She explained that if these friends disapproved of someone, Ms. Yu would inevitably be swayed to reject them, recounting an incident where Shen Haoming’s previous girlfriend was dismissed because she failed to impress Ms. Yu’s social group. This confirmed Xu Yan's realization that she was not truly accepted. Understanding that full integration into this elite circle was essential for marrying Shen Haoming, Xu Yan resolved to take a proactive approach.
To further her standing, Xu Yan joined Ms. Yu and her friends at a tennis court, diligently collecting balls. Unbeknownst to her, Ms. Yu and her friends discussed her. Ms. Yu's friend Meiling considered Xu Yan sensible, but another friend observed her as "low-key, unassuming, and not simple." Ms. Yu also advised Xu Yan to relax and not be so tense.
The women then deliberated on the vital role of a socially adept wife in her husband's career, asserting that even competent bachelors could not succeed without such support. Their conversation abruptly shifted when Ms. Qu, the director of Lanshan Capital and wife of Mr. Xiao, arrived. Immediately, Ms. Yu's friends abandoned her to fawn over Ms. Qu, praising her appearance and implicitly seeking her husband’s business connections.
Despite her efforts to maintain composure, Yu Lan visibly lost her position of influence. Afterward, Ms. Yu and her friends expressed their irritation with Ms. Qu, calling her "stuck-up" and recalling how Ms. Qu had previously refused their attempts to connect. Xu Yan soon discovered that Ms. Qu harbored a deep passion for Kunqu Opera, especially the water sleeve technique, and was even sponsoring an amateur competition.
Remembering her own basic Kunqu training from childhood, Xu Yan enrolled in a class, specifically requesting to learn only water sleeves, despite being advised by the teacher to start with fundamentals. Her intense practice led to tenosynovitis. The Kunqu teacher, impressed by Xu Yan's rapid progress, mentioned it to Ms. Qu. Ms. Qu approached Xu Yan, commending her water sleeve movements and expressing surprise at her beginner status. Xu Yan shared her lifelong appreciation for Kunqu.
Ms. Qu introduced herself as Qu Li, the organizer of an upcoming Kunqu competition, and invited Xu Yan to participate, which Xu Yan eagerly accepted. During a brief phone call, Ms. Qu expressed disappointment about her child's inability to secure a spot at Rhine International School. Returning to their conversation, Ms. Qu inquired about Xu Yan's elegant posture, asking if she had a dance background.
Xu Yan revealed her profession as a TV host for a show called "Family Feast," explaining its new format would feature influential women from various fields for interviews. Sensing Xu Yan’s strategic intent, Ms. Qu abruptly excused herself. Armed with insights from Sun Meiling about the social tensions among influential women, Xu Yan returned to her company and successfully pitched her revamped program to Mr. Zhou, her director.
She proposed replacing celebrity guests with powerful women like Ms. Qu, who is the global executive partner of Lanshan Capital, arguing this would create fresh dynamics and boost ratings. As a condition, Xu Yan requested that her application for a hosting position be resubmitted, which Mr. Zhou approved, affirming his support. Xu Yan then directly approached Ms. Qu, who remained hesitant to appear on the show.
Xu Yan revealed her knowledge of Ms. Qu’s efforts to enroll her child in Rhine International School and informed her that the school’s board member, An Yaqin, would be a guest on "Family Feast." Xu Yan framed the show as a tailor-made platform for Ms. Qu to network with key figures, promote her Kunqu Opera competition, and broaden appreciation for the art form. She even offered to host Ms. Qu’s competition for free.
Recognizing the strategic advantages, Ms. Qu agreed to participate. The "Family Feast" program, with Xu Yan as host, premiered to high ratings and positive reviews. Guests included Ms. Qu, actress Xue Yuqing, nutritionist He Jingshu, Rhine International School board member An Yaqin, and entrepreneur Sun Meiling. Xu Yan skillfully managed interactions, even orchestrating a cooking challenge for "Qianlong-style cabbage" and strategically grouping guests.
Observing the show, Ms. Yu and Ms. Ma discussed how Sun Meiling’s participation had already helped her husband make influential connections. Capitalizing on this, Xu Yan later informed Ms. Yu, Ms. Ma, and Ms. Meng that Ms. Qu would return for the next episode and subtly suggested Ms. Yu had personally "reserved spots" for them. Delighted, Ms. Ma and Ms. Meng eagerly accepted, rushing off to prepare. Ms. Yu then confronted Xu Yan about crediting her with reserving the spots.
Xu Yan eloquently responded that the caliber of guests elevated the show's value and that Ms. Yu's guidance and network were crucial for producing a quality program. Impressed by Xu Yan's cleverness and "vision," Yu Lan, for the first time, invited Xu Yan to sit beside her. Privately, Xu Yan reflected on her philosophy: to seize opportunities, one must "never pin your hopes on others," but rather "use what you have to get what you want."
Xu Yan’s program continued to thrive, receiving strong support from Mr. Zhou, who approved a 12% increase in sponsorship fees. Her assistant, Huanhuan, excitedly reported that celebrity agents were now eager for their clients to appear on the show. Xu Yan also displayed a compassionate side, offering financial aid and connections to her assistant, Huanhuan, whose father required surgery, emphasizing that "resources exist to be utilized." Amidst her success, internal office tensions grew.
Sun Siwei, Xu Yan’s rival, accused her of being pretentious and questioned her achievements, implying they were due to her "rich boyfriend." Xu Yan confidently defended her professional capabilities, dismissing the need for her boyfriend's assistance, and embraced being called "ambitious" and "scheming" as compliments, asserting her right to compete based on merit. Other colleagues gossiped, questioning Xu Yan's shifting background story—from having only a grandmother to suddenly claiming overseas parents and a "highly educated family."
They noted her expensive diamond bracelet, contrasting it with her earlier modest image, and emphasized the importance of social status for Shen Haoming's family. Later, Shen Haoming picked Xu Yan up from work. He helped her choose dishes for dinner and presented her with a pearl necklace, congratulating her on becoming a hostess, saying, "Your surprises always come first."
Xu Yan confided her dream of becoming a news anchor, and Shen Haoming encouraged her, expressing unwavering faith in her ability to achieve the "impossible." Despite his support, Xu Yan deeply understood the stark difference in their backgrounds, realizing he could not truly comprehend her struggles. While at Shen Haoming's house, Xu Yan saw her biological father, Shen Jinsong, on a financial news report leading a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Dayun County.
Ms. Yu, also watching the broadcast, noticed the location and asked Xu Yan if she was from Shanxi and if she had ever visited Dayun County. Hiding her shock, Xu Yan replied that her grandmother was from Yunlai Village in Dayun County. Xu Yan’s inner monologue revealed her growing internal conflict: "Everything moves towards my desired direction, but I refuse to believe that lies can be seamless. They only tighten their grip around my throat, choking me slowly.
Perhaps deception's purpose isn't to fool others but to delude oneself. The family I tried to erase was never truly gone." This subtle connection highlighted her deeply buried family secrets and fueled her increasing unease.
