Love's Ambition Episode 9 Recap
> Love's Ambition Recap
Xu Yan’s career as a news anchor was flourishing, marked by her anchoring a news segment on global markets, specifically highlighting Nasdaq’s record high. Her colleagues praised her steady delivery and suitability for news over food programs. Her mother-in-law, Yu Lan, and father-in-law, with Shen Haoming present, celebrated her success by presenting her with a ruby necklace, noting its elegance suited her new on-screen image.
Shen Haoming, jokingly, added that he only knew how to buy bags, which were "useless here." Later, Shen Haochen, Shen Haoming’s younger brother, asked Shen Haoming to accompany him to his riding lesson next Saturday to switch horses. However, Yu Lan quickly interjected, explaining that Shen Haoming had a meeting with a Director Wu that day. Feeling neglected, Shen Haochen pouted, believing he was not important.
Witnessing the tension, Xu Yan offered to accompany Shen Haochen instead, but Yu Lan dismissed the idea, questioning Xu Yan's expertise in horse-switching. Yu Lan then redirected her attention to Xu Yan, suggesting she try on a pair of matching ruby earrings. Later, Yu Lan received a text from Shen Haochen's teacher, informing her that he had gotten into another fight during P. E. class and injured a classmate, whose parents were demanding action.
Frustrated by Haochen's continuous misbehavior and her own busy schedule, Yu Lan decided to add Xu Yan to the parents' group and entrusted her with handling Haochen’s school issues, asserting that as Shen Haoming's wife, Xu Yan was now Haochen's guardian. Despite Xu Yan’s hesitation as a first-time parent, Yu Lan instructed her to simply apologize and accept responsibility.
Xu Yan then received a direct message from the teacher, stating that the injured child's parents were waiting at the school office and she needed to come immediately. At the school, Xu Yan attempted to talk to a silent Haochen, informing him that the other parents would not press charges but emphasizing the need for them to discuss his behavior. Back at home, Yu Lan and Shen Haoming's father considered sending Haochen abroad due to his ongoing temper issues.
Xu Yan argued that Haochen was too young at twelve and might "go astray" without proper family guidance, but Yu Lan believed it would "exercise" him. Shen Haoming suggested they should consult Haochen first, prompting Yu Lan to blame Shen Haoming for spoiling his younger brother. Unbeknownst to them, Haochen had overheard parts of this conversation while sneaking out of school early.
Believing Xu Yan was behind the plan, Haochen confronted her, accusing her of conspiring to send him away after winning over his brother and parents. Xu Yan sarcastically confirmed his accusation, implying she wanted everyone to adore her. Haochen defiantly declared he would never go abroad and would "fight her to the end."
Xu Yan then clarified that as his sister-in-law and family, she would not hurt him and loved him as much as his parents did, reiterating that she had no reason to send him away. Haochen, still bitter, stated that his brother used to spend every day with him before Xu Yan arrived.
In response, Xu Yan promised that if Haochen behaved and avoided future incidents, she would find a way for Shen Haoming to spend more time with him, ensuring he wouldn't be sent abroad. Xu Yan’s career continued to progress as her director informed her that Jinda Group had granted her exclusive rights to cover their new district development project, recognizing it as a rare and significant opportunity.
Shortly after, Xu Yan’s colleague announced that a Mr. Zhou was waiting for her downstairs. This turned out to be Zhou Zeyuan, Xu Yan’s ex-boyfriend. They greeted each other after five or six years, and Zhou Zeyuan congratulated her on fulfilling her dream of becoming a news anchor. They reminisced about their first encounter in a cafe.
In a flashback, a younger Zhou Zeyuan was unsuccessfully pitching a medical project to an investor, who found it too theoretical and dismissed him. Meanwhile, a younger Xu Yan was at a job interview for a prominent media company. The interviewer emphasized the importance of family background for "implied background checks." When Xu Yan hesitated to disclose her parents' profession—they owned a barbershop—the interviewer suggested fabricating it as "overseas business operations," claiming it was untraceable and safer.
Zhou Zeyuan, overhearing, intervened, warning Xu Yan against resume fraud, calling it a "time bomb" for her career and accusing the interviewer of being an "unscrupulous headhunter." Despite the interviewer's anger, Xu Yan decided to be honest. Later, dejected by her interview failure, Xu Yan was approached by Zhou Zeyuan, who gave her a sunflower made from his discarded proposal and encouraged her to persevere. He then received a call, revealing his own investor had canceled.
They shared a moment of mutual encouragement, resolving to "thrive strongly together." Xu Yan learned his name was Zhou Zeyuan and introduced herself. Back in the present, Zhou Zeyuan recounted his company's remarkable growth from three employees to over 160, securing three rounds of funding, and expanding internationally with branches in New York, London, and Ottawa, and a recent partnership with a German medical institution.
He ambitiously planned for a NASDAQ listing by the end of the following year, embodying the image of a successful tech entrepreneur. He then directly revealed the purpose of his visit: he wished for Xu Yan to introduce him to her husband, Shen Haoming, hoping to secure a partnership with Jinda Group's highly reputable Investment Division, which he believed would be immensely beneficial for his company's development.
Xu Yan agreed to review his company's recent financial reports and business plan before discussing it with her husband, viewing a worthwhile investment as a win-win situation for all parties. As Xu Yan and Zhou Zeyuan concluded their initial discussion, his assistant announced the arrival of Mr. Wang from Youkang Medical. Mr. Wang eagerly tried to finalize a deal for equipment, but Zhou Zeyuan, emphasizing his "important friend" (Xu Yan), deflected, suggesting they reschedule.
Mr. Wang insisted on waiting, prompting Zhou Zeyuan to lead him to a conference room. Xu Yan then excused herself to use the restroom. In the hallway, Xu Yan overheard two individuals discussing their easy "job"—sitting around for 500 a day, claiming it was "just a shell company" that didn't require "professional skills." Her suspicions grew when she saw a display phone and asked an "employee" for a demonstration.
The employee fumbled, claimed it was "under maintenance," and went to find "Consultant Wang from Engineering." As Xu Yan continued, she observed a room full of people making "calls" on unplugged phones, engaging in animated conversations. She specifically heard one "employee" confidently introduce themselves as "Shangze Xinhui Medical Technology," assuring "comprehensive upgrades" and "lifelong after-sales service."
Moments later, another "employee," Liang, was abruptly called by a colleague to see the CFO about a "problematic" entry in the monthly financial report concerning a payment from the 15th, which left Liang visibly confused. Zhou Zeyuan eventually returned, apologizing for the wait and suggesting they continue their conversation in his office. Xu Yan, now fully aware of his deceptive operation, politely declined, stating she had other plans for the evening and would contact him by phone.
Shen Haoming, having heard about Xu Yan’s "cousin," Qiao Lin, inquired about her and expressed a desire to treat her to dinner as a token of appreciation, flexible with her schedule given her job selling cosmetics. Xu Yan brought Qiao Lin to a high-end restaurant, cautioning her to speak sparingly. During the meal, Shen Haoming ordered an array of exquisite dishes. When Qiao Lin asked for "stir-fried spinach," the waiter explained they only served seasonal items.
Shen Haoming, eager to please, promptly instructed the waiter to procure spinach, much to Qiao Lin's delight. Shen Haoming warmly welcomed Qiao Lin to Jingzhou and offered his assistance, to which Qiao Lin replied that Xu Yan already took great care of her and her life was now "on track." Shen Haoming thoughtfully offered Xu Yan a specific dish, recalling that she had said she liked it before.
Qiao Lin, in turn, effusively praised Xu Yan to Shen Haoming, claiming Xu Yan constantly spoke of his kindness. When Shen Haoming pressed for more details, Qiao Lin hesitated before declaring Xu Yan's "deep love" for him. She then launched into a detailed account of Xu Yan's academic excellence and popularity in school, implying Shen Haoming was Xu Yan's first love due to her high standards and focus on studies.
Shen Haoming questioned if they had studied together, prompting a flustered Qiao Lin to admit she had repeated high school and transferred to Xu Yan's school for remedial classes. Despite Xu Yan's attempts to temper her, Qiao Lin continued. The spinach arrived, and Shen Haoming encouraged Qiao Lin to eat. Shen Haoming suggested regular meet-ups to hear more about Xu Yan's past, which Qiao Lin readily agreed to, though Xu Yan subtly tried to stop her.
Qiao Lin then told Shen Haoming that Xu Yan "doesn't fall for anyone easily, but once she does, it's for a lifetime," urging him to "cherish her," to which he promised he would. Later, as they walked, Xu Yan remarked on Qiao Lin’s unusual loquaciousness. Qiao Lin defended herself, explaining she spoke to emphasize Xu Yan's love for Shen Haoming.
She then disclosed that she had consulted a lawyer, who advised her that if the "relationship is genuine" and Shen Haoming "believes you love him, and he loves you too," then Xu Yan would not face legal repercussions if her true identity were revealed.
Qiao Lin also admitted her fear at the restaurant's allegorical menu items, such as one named "Passing Off a Fake as Genuine" and another called "Innocence," and suggested they dine with Shen Haoming more often to enjoy good food. Xu Yan chuckled, calling Qiao Lin "adorable" but advising her to "talk less." Qiao Lin, unfazed, still urged Xu Yan to "talk it out" with Shen Haoming.
As they walked, Qiao Lin noted they hadn't shared such a stroll in a long time. Xu Yan, seeing students with MP3 players, remembered how her sister had selflessly given Xu Yan her own MP3 player as a child, promising to get a new one for her own upcoming birthday—a gesture Xu Yan cherished as a memory of her sister's kindness, despite her often "scatterbrained" nature.
At his riding lesson, Shen Haochen, with his new horse, Ruyi, was approached by Xu Yan, who offered him a cooling spray and explained that Shen Haoming had "things to do," so she was there in his stead. She complimented his new horse and advised him on adapting to its rhythm. Haochen, however, rudely dismissed her and rode off.
As Xu Yan filmed him with her phone, Haochen noticed, grew angry, abruptly pulled the reins, and fell, feigning a serious injury. At the hospital, Yu Lan and Shen Haoming's father were present. Yu Lan was solicitous, offering Haochen a bone broth steeped with Chinese herbs, while his father blamed the riding club and promised to find him a new one with professional coaches. He cautioned Haochen against moving, stressing the risk of not being able to ride again.
Shortly after, both parents left for an "important engagement" with "Shifeng's executives," once again entrusting Haochen to Xu Yan. Shen Haoming also departed, dismissing Xu Yan when she tried to speak with him. Left alone with Haochen, Xu Yan attempted to feed him soup and fruit, but he defiantly refused, throwing the fruit. Witnessing his tantrum, the hired caregiver quit, declaring she had "never seen a child like this."
Haochen then tried to drive Xu Yan away, but she stood her ground, challenging him to get out of bed to make her leave. He complained of pain, so Xu Yan reminded him he would be confined to bed for four weeks and that his family had entrusted his care entirely to her, warning him to be obedient or face her "punishment." Haochen then demanded fruit, to which Xu Yan pointed out the fruit he had just thrown.
He then demanded 45-degree warm water, complaining that the water she brought was too cold, a claim Xu Yan dismissed, reminding him they were in a hospital. When he demanded food and Xu Yan didn't immediately feed him, he accused her of bullying him now that his brother wasn't present, threatening to report her. Xu Yan responded by taking the food away, telling him he could starve. Eventually, he feigned stomach pain, asking to use the toilet. Xu Yan, despite her annoyance, assisted him, only for Haochen to cheekily ask if she intended to watch him.
