Love's Ambition Episode 7 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
Working at the makeup counter, Qiao Lin found herself distracted by Yu Yiming, until a demanding customer drew her attention. The customer, who had been trying various products for a week without purchasing anything, habitually came at 5 PM sharp to "freeload makeup," as Qiao Lin put it. Qiao Lin confronted her, pointing out a new sign stating "trials up to 6 times a week," but the customer shrugged it off, refusing to buy and threatening to report her.
Later, Qiao Lin spoke to her mother on the phone, assuring her she was earning enough and sending money home, despite her mother's worries about her health. That evening, Qiao Lin gave her roommate, Guan Guan, some new makeup samples, kindly asking her to use them at home instead of bothering her at work. A few days later, while working alone in the warehouse, Qiao Lin was hit by falling goods.
Her manager, Mr. Zhang, who had been on a phone call, hastily told her to go to the hospital. Guan Guan, concerned for her roommate, secured a "specialist appointment" for Qiao Lin. To Qiao Lin's surprise, the doctor in Examination Room 4 turned out to be Yu Yiming. He recognized her, causing a moment of awkwardness. Yu Yiming efficiently reset her dislocated arm, advising her against heavy lifting or overusing it for the next three months to avoid re-dislocation.
Qiao Lin playfully hinted at free follow-up visits. Yu Yiming then asked about Qiao Lin's sister, Qiao Yan, prompting a flashback to his high school days when he confessed his feelings to Qiao Yan, who rejected him, stating her focus was solely on studies. Back in the present, Yu Yiming pressed Qiao Lin for Qiao Yan's contact, concerned that Qiao Lin, being newly in Jingzhou and injured, would struggle.
Qiao Lin, however, explained her sister now went by Xu Yan and was busy with work, insisting she could manage. Just then, Xu Yan arrived. Yu Yiming asked about her life in Jingzhou, and Xu Yan revealed she was an orthopedic doctor at the same hospital. She also mentioned that she had married last month. Satisfied that Qiao Lin was now in her sister's care, Yu Yiming left.
Xu Yan then observed Qiao Lin's small, shared apartment, noting its lack of a private bathroom and scarce furniture. Without consulting Qiao Lin, Xu Yan arranged for movers to clear out the room directly across from Qiao Lin's. Qiao Lin vehemently protested, asserting her independence and telling Xu Yan that even if she died, it wouldn't be Xu Yan's fault.
Xu Yan explained her actions by referencing a childhood incident where Qiao Lin had defended her, stating she needed to repay that favor to feel "no debts between us." Still, Qiao Lin refused to move until Xu Yan casually revealed that the new apartment’s neighbor would be Yu Yiming. Qiao Lin's attitude instantly shifted, and she eagerly helped the movers. The next morning, Yu Yiming brought Qiao Lin breakfast, confirming their new proximity.
Meanwhile, Lin Tao's parents informed him that Qiao Lin's family had purchased a storefront for a barbershop, implying they used the bride price money from his aborted marriage. Furious, Lin Tao tried to contact Qiao Lin, only to find she had blocked his messages and calls. He traveled to Jingzhou and attempted to enter Xu Yan's workplace, asking for "Qiao Yan," then "Xu Yan," the host of "Family Feast."
Security denied him entry without an appointment or a pass, even after he identified himself as her "brother-in-law." Lin Tao eventually snuck in and confronted Xu Yan, who was talking with Yu Yiming. He loudly accused Xu Yan of manipulating Qiao Lin to move next to Yu Yiming and of conspiring with Qiao Lin to cheat on him. Yu Yiming introduced himself, but Lin Tao only grew more agitated, demanding Qiao Lin appear to explain herself.
As Sun Siwei, a colleague, arrived on the scene, Lin Tao continued his accusations, claiming the sisters had conspired to "cuckold" him. Xu Yan tried to dismiss him, stating that he no longer had any connection to Qiao Lin and forbidding him from interfering in her life. Lin Tao retorted that he had never agreed to the breakup and that her family had accepted the bride price.
When Xu Yan offered to pay him off, he refused, insisting he wanted Qiao Lin, not money. He then threatened to expose Xu Yan's past and the situation at her workplace and to her in-laws, making their personal issues public knowledge. Xu Yan spoke with Qiao Lin, strongly advising against confronting Lin Tao.
She proposed to resolve the financial aspect of the bride price herself, preventing Lin Tao from escalating the situation to affect Xu Yan's workplace or the Shen family. Qiao Lin, initially thinking Xu Yan was concerned for her, realized Xu Yan was primarily protecting her own reputation and new life. Despite this, Xu Yan left clothes for Qiao Lin, a subtle gesture of care.
Separately, Shen Haoming instructed his assistant to investigate Lin Tao, effectively stopping Lin Tao's plans by getting Zhou Hang to deny Lin Tao's leave request and assign him more work, ensuring Lin Tao was kept busy in his hometown. That evening, Shen Haoming and Xu Yan shared a warm moment cooking together. Xu Yan prepared "Shrimp-stuffed potato chips," and Shen Haoming made his "Shen-family secret recipe cod."
Their playful banter masked Shen Haoming's underlying work stress, which Xu Yan subtly noticed. The source of his stress was a potential business partner, Mr. Huang, who had dismissed him as an "heir apparent," implying his influence was limited without his father's full backing. Later, sensing his unhappiness, Xu Yan reassured him that she wanted to share his burdens and anxieties, not be shielded from them.
Driven by her desire to help Shen Haoming, Xu Yan discreetly gathered information about Mr. Huang through a social contact named Meiling. Meiling revealed that Mr. Huang was notoriously difficult to deal with, but deeply devoted to his late wife, who had died from a serious illness. She also mentioned that Mr. Huang still cared for his mother-in-law, Yu Shufen, who suffered from mid-to-late stage Alzheimer's disease and resided in a nursing home by her own choice.
Xu Yan visited the nursing home under the guise of donating supplies and asked to meet Yu Shufen. Director Han warned her that Yu Shufen could be quite agitated due to her condition. Xu Yan observed Yu Shufen making "mud balls" from flowerpot soil, believing they were traditional vegetable balls for her deceased daughter. This poignant scene inspired Xu Yan to call her own grandma for the traditional vegetable ball recipe.
During their phone conversation, Xu Yan playfully complained about her grandma not visiting Jingzhou, while her grandma, busy playing mahjong and exercising her mind, shared the intricate steps of the recipe, teasing Xu Yan for her past impatience and forgetfulness.
