Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me 2 Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me 2 Synopsis
After a lot of trouble, An Chuxia’s school life is getting more and more smooth, and her relationship with Han Qilu is getting better and better.
At this time, Han Qilu’s ex-girlfriend, the genius young designer Xiang Mankui, returns from abroad and becomes Chuxia’s classmate, which makes the calm school life a tumultuous place.
Xiang Mankui approaches Chuxia with an ulterior motive, to regain the trust of Qilu.
Xiang Mankui and Qilu are getting closer and closer, but Chuxia is sore inside but pretends to be stubborn as usual.
Jiang Chenchuan, who is persistently pursuing Chuxia, stands out and fights for her, causing Han Qilu to be jealous and their misunderstanding deepens.
When the annual design competition starts, An Chuxia decides to join the competition and pursue her dream.
With past bad memory, Qilu is afraid that Chuxia would abandon him and leave him as Xiang Mankui do before. He closes his heart again, becoming a cool guy.
Chuxia is tired to deal with this. At the same time, the clues about her birth are also coming to light, and all this seems to throw Chuxia into a glacier full of reefs and danger.
Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me 2 Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The Campus Beauty Contest finals began, but Xiang Mankui took An Chuxia's place on stage. Backstage, An Chuxia discovered her dress was missing or damaged, preventing her participation. She'd been lured away by someone claiming to know about her father. Blindfolded and forced into a van, she screamed for help. Ling Hanyu, driving by in an SUV, saw An Chuxia struggling inside the moving van. He ordered his driver to stop, but the van crashed into his SUV.
Despite an injured arm, Ling Hanyu called Han Qilu, reporting An Chuxia's kidnapping. Han Qilu, informed of the kidnapping via Ling Hanyu's call, learned An Chuxia was abducted in a silver commercial vehicle (license plate ending in 87) heading towards Hong Yun Street. He immediately gathered Meng Xiaonan and Jiang Chenchuan for the rescue, while Meng Xiaonan contacted Feng Shao. The judges disqualified An Chuxia from the contest due to her absence. News of her kidnapping soon spread.
Following Ling Hanyu's clues, Han Qilu, Jiang Chenchuan, Feng Shao, and Meng Xiaonan searched the factory area for the silver commercial vehicle. An Chuxia, tied up in a deserted warehouse, shouted and tried to intimidate her captors. Her kidnapper, Gao Gan, appeared. An Chuxia realized he'd lied about her father and demanded answers, but Gao Gan denied knowing anything. Gao Gan revealed he kidnapped An Chuxia to get revenge on Han Qilu.
He explained his past with Xiao Xue, who was expelled because of Han Qilu and suffered a long recovery. Despite Gao Gan's care, Xiao Xue couldn't forget Han Qilu. Gao Gan's revenge was to force Han Qilu to confront him. After a fruitless search, Han Qilu received a text message ordering him to Warehouse C alone, threatening consequences otherwise.
He subtly directed Jiang Chenchuan and Meng Xiaonan to Warehouse A, and Feng Shao to Warehouse B, going to Warehouse C alone. In Warehouse C, Han Qilu found An Chuxia bound. Annoyed, she told him to leave, believing Gao Gan wouldn't hurt her as their feud was personal. As Han Qilu untied her, Gao Gan and his thugs stormed in, taunting Han Qilu for acting like a hero. Despite being outnumbered and unarmed, Han Qilu fought back.
Gao Gan seized An Chuxia as a hostage, prompting Han Qilu to demand her release. Han Qilu pleaded with Gao Gan to release An Chuxia. Gao Gan demanded Han Qilu break a leg in exchange. After confirming An Chuxia's release, Han Qilu reluctantly agreed. An Chuxia taunted Gao Gan about his jealousy of Han Qilu. As Gao Gan ordered his men to attack Han Qilu, Jiang Chenchuan and the others burst in, having overcome the guards, saving Han Qilu.
Mo Xinwei won the 28th Campus Beauty Contest. News of An Chuxia's kidnapping spread. Back at the Han residence, An Chuxia tended to Han Qilu's wounds, apologizing for getting him involved and losing the contest, blaming her feud with Gao Gan. Han Qilu, noticing her unusual gentleness, confessed his feelings, asking her to be his girlfriend. A phone call interrupted them.
Han Qilu curtly dismissed the call from Xiang Mankui, saying "It has nothing to do with you," and hung up. An Chuxia inquired, and Han Qilu casually dismissed it as a harassing call. Xiang Mankui, waiting outside, felt heartbroken over their lost future.
Episode 2 Recap
The news of a new transfer student in Class B spread throughout the school that morning. Students speculated whether it would be a handsome boy or a beautiful girl. An Chuxia was surprised to learn the new student was Xiang Mankui, a familiar face from her past. Mr. Ma introduced Xiang Mankui to the class, who then greeted her classmates. Xiang Mankui approached An Chuxia's desk, greeting her. An Chuxia, sensing malice, cautiously returned the greeting.
Xiang Mankui had silently left a year prior without saying goodbye to Han Qilu, a significant blow that left him cold and isolated. She recently relinquished a scholarship to study at Stiland Headquarters in England to return.
Later, she encountered An Chuxia on campus, feigning warmth while questioning her about the Han household: whether An Chuxia still lived with them, if Han Qilu's mother and Butler Han remained kind, and if the maids, Xiao Cui and Xiao Lian, were still employed, seemingly reasserting her previous position. An Chuxia was unsure how to respond until Jiang Chenchuan arrived, asking if she was alright and intervening by introducing himself as her close friend.
Jiang Chenchuan then left, prompting An Chuxia to call him a "chatterbox." Jiang Chenchuan soon ran into Feng Shao, who had come to Stiland College to protect An Chuxia because, in his words, the school had "too many psychos," a promise he'd made to An Chuxia's mother. Feng Shao implied Jiang Chenchuan still harbored feelings for An Chuxia.
They discussed An Chuxia, with Feng Shao recounting how she had single-handedly dealt with a gang of bullies, gaining both sympathy and notoriety. Feng Shao then shared his secret to pursuing An Chuxia: "walk a fine line." He even gave Jiang Chenchuan a worn, sweat-stained ancestral "secret book" titled "18 Ways To Get A Girl" (with a misspelling), claiming it had helped him with many girls.
Jiang Chenchuan eagerly accepted the book, declaring he understood the principle of walking a fine line. Meanwhile, news of Xiang Mankui's return spread among the A-class students, making her a topic of much discussion. Students admired her for winning the Youth Design Competition and for being both beautiful and talented.
Mo Xinwei, however, was irritated by her male classmates' praise of Xiang Mankui, dismissing her as inferior in family background and claiming she wouldn't have been admitted to the school without Han Qilu. Taking Feng Shao's advice to heart, Jiang Chenchuan changed into a uniform and dramatically announced to the entire school that he was An Chuxia's personal bodyguard, requiring anyone wishing to approach her to be vetted by him first.
This declaration quickly became school gossip, with students joking about an "underwear check" for An Chuxia. The chatter also mentioned Han Qilu's recent injury while saving An Chuxia, leading to speculation that with Xiang Mankui's return, Han Qilu would return to her, leaving An Chuxia. Hearing these rumors, Mo Xinwei approached Han Qilu, who was sitting alone. She offered him wound medicine from England, claiming it was highly effective. Han Qilu refused, stating An Chuxia had already treated his wound.
Mo Xinwei then tried to manipulate him by questioning An Chuxia and Jiang Chenchuan's relationship, but Han Qilu coldly dismissed her, asking if she was "bored." True to his word, Jiang Chenchuan remained by An Chuxia's side, aggressively deterring anyone who tried to approach her. An Chuxia was frustrated, complaining that he'd scared away fifteen people that morning, including an intern teacher, two school administrators, and three cleaners, making it impossible for her to interact with anyone.
Jiang Chenchuan insisted he was only protecting her from suspicious individuals, even scaring off a student who merely wanted to confirm An Chuxia's subscription to a height-increasing magazine. Han Qilu waited for An Chuxia at the school gate in his car. Seeing An Chuxia playfully arguing and struggling with Jiang Chenchuan from afar, he became exasperated and ordered his driver to leave without her. Later, Mo Xinwei confronted An Chuxia, taunting her about losing the Campus Beauty Contest.
Jiang Chenchuan intervened, defending An Chuxia by saying she'd been unable to compete due to an incident. Mo Xinwei dismissed this, accusing An Chuxia of running away because she feared competition, insultingly calling her a "pheasant" who shouldn't dream of becoming a "phoenix." Jiang Chenchuan, angered, defended An Chuxia, arguing with Mo Xinwei about Han Qilu's attractiveness versus his own and the effectiveness of his bodyguard uniform.
An Chuxia seized the opportunity to escape Jiang Chenchuan's overprotective grasp during their argument. In the car, Han Qilu remained concerned about An Chuxia. Butler Han, noticing his unease, reminded him to actively pursue her. Though initially reluctant, Han Qilu eventually asked for advice on how to "coax" her. Butler Han, with a knowing smile, gave him a gift, confident An Chuxia would love it.
He humorously mentioned his own ancestral "How To Get A Girl" secret and his single status. An Chuxia met Meng Xiaonan near the school gate. Meng Xiaonan commented on Jiang Chenchuan's actions, suggesting he liked An Chuxia. An Chuxia dismissed the idea, causing Meng Xiaonan to quickly retract her statement and declare her preference for handsome boys, referencing her past crush on Ling Hanyu.
While they chatted, several burly men approached An Chuxia, politely stating their "boss" wished to see her before forcibly escorting her into a van. She struggled and protested, calling them kidnappers. Arriving at a grand location, An Chuxia found herself before a white-haired old man. She confronted him, accusing him of kidnapping and demanding his intentions. Just as she was preparing to defend herself, Ling Hanyu burst in, calling the old man "Grandpa."
An Chuxia, realizing his identity, apologized for almost hitting him. Ling Hanyu's grandfather revealed he'd brought An Chuxia there to "see who hurt my grandson" and intended to "teach her a lesson" for Ling Hanyu's previous injury. However, he was unexpectedly impressed by An Chuxia's beauty, calmness, and resistance. To An Chuxia and Ling Hanyu's shock, he declared that after An Chuxia's graduation, she should marry Ling Hanyu and become his granddaughter-in-law.
Episode 3 Recap
Master Ling, Ling Hanyu's grandfather, insisted on arranging his grandson's wedding with An Chuxia after her graduation, despite their objections. An Chuxia, feeling pressured, revealed that she already had a partner. Unfazed, Master Ling praised An Chuxia's composure and ordered his assistant to secure a lucky date, a six-star hotel, and a chartered international flight for the wedding, ignoring Ling Hanyu's protests. Meanwhile, Han Qilu anxiously waited at home for An Chuxia's return.
He contacted Meng Xiaonan, who confirmed An Chuxia wasn't with her and wasn't answering her phone. Fearing she might be with Jiang Chenchuan, Han Qilu rushed out, only to find Jiang Chenchuan already waiting outside, concerned because An Chuxia hadn't answered his calls. Han Qilu curtly dismissed him. Master Ling then personally returned An Chuxia to the Han residence, announcing his intention to discuss her marriage to Ling Hanyu.
Han Qilu and Jiang Yuanyuan strongly opposed the union, with Jiang Yuanyuan stating An Chuxia was destined to marry Han Qilu. Ling Hanyu apologized for his grandfather's actions, explaining his past as a leader instilled a strong will. An Chuxia thanked Ling Hanyu for his past help, and he mentioned his injured hand would confine him home, preventing further interference from his grandfather. She offered to visit him when his grandfather was absent.
During the ensuing argument between Master Ling and Jiang Yuanyuan, An Chuxia retreated to her room. Han Qilu confronted her, accusing her of not answering his calls, and insulting her appearance and demeanor. An Chuxia retorted, reminding him of his previous proposal. Han Qilu feigned forgetfulness, leading to a heated exchange. The next morning, the Han family butler offered to drive An Chuxia and Han Qilu to school.
An Chuxia refused to ride with Han Qilu, calling him a “cocky man,” and walked to school alone. At school, Mo Xinwei attempted to engage Han Qilu, mentioning her father's interest in a business cooperation with the Han Group. Han Qilu remained distant, directing her to his mother. Mo Xinwei questioned his coldness, suggesting it might be due to Xiang Mankui's return or An Chuxia's presence. Han Qilu frankly stated that her feelings weren't reciprocated.
Jiang Chenchuan then passed by, closely following An Chuxia. Mo Xinwei observed this, commenting to Han Qilu that he would need to work harder to win An Chuxia, noting Jiang Chenchuan's persistence. That evening, Xiang Mankui unexpectedly visited An Chuxia and Jiang Yuanyuan. Jiang Yuanyuan was cool towards Xiang Mankui, subtly highlighting the changes in the house (new sofa, decorations) and An Chuxia's presence, before dismissing her. Xiang Mankui requested a private conversation with Han Qilu.
On the rooftop, Xiang Mankui reminisced about their past, mentioning unfulfilled promises. Han Qilu, however, ended their relationship definitively, stating it was over. He forgave her apology, but declared she meant nothing to him. An Chuxia and Jiang Yuanyuan overheard their conversation. After Han Qilu left, Xiang Mankui feigned injury to gain sympathy, but Jiang Yuanyuan remained unmoved and requested her departure.
The school introduced a new drama class, assigning An Chuxia, Han Qilu, Jiang Chenchuan, Xiang Mankui, Mo Xinwei, and Meng Xiaonan to the same group. Jiang Chenchuan, attempting a "cool CEO" persona, failed to impress An Chuxia. Roles for a scene from "Pride and Prejudice" were assigned by drawing lots. Jiang Chenchuan, unhappy with his role, tried to redraw, resulting in the teacher assigning him the role of the fireplace.
Meng Xiaonan, initially assigned the role of an umbrella, also expressed dissatisfaction. Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui were surprisingly assigned the leading roles. The teacher urged them to practice diligently for the upcoming rehearsal.
Episode 4 Recap
An Chuxia was alone in the warehouse, organizing props for the drama club, feeling down. Han Qilu approached, intending to comfort her, but his words were poorly chosen. He cited a study linking depression and freckles, implying An Chuxia's recent freckles indicated depression. He then added that anger accelerates brain aging and causes oxygen deprivation, hindering clear thought. An Chuxia, recognizing his veiled insults, retorted, reminding him of his recent protective words.
Angrily, she declared she would rather die than be his girlfriend and ordered him to leave. As he left, Han Qilu muttered about her being a nasty woman. During the drama rehearsal, an adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice," Han Qilu, playing Mr. Darcy, disrupted the scene by improvising lines, telling An Chuxia's character he didn't know what to say about her. He criticized Mr. Bingley for not defending his "beloved woman" after she was insulted.
An Chuxia broke character to scold him for ruining the rehearsal, but he insisted he was acting seriously. Despite the director's appreciation for their dramatic tension, Han Qilu continued to pull An Chuxia, prompting Jiang Chenchuan to intervene and separate them. Mo Xinwei then accused An Chuxia of pushing her. Han Qilu immediately defended An Chuxia, claiming he bumped Mo Xinwei. Mo Xinwei dramatically accused An Chuxia of sabotage due to jealousy from the Campus Belle Contest.
Xiang Mankui suggested checking the CCTV footage. Faced with this, Mo Xinwei withdrew her accusation and left, followed by Jiang Chenchuan. Jiang Chenchuan caught up with Mo Xinwei, insisting on talking, despite her anger. He commented on her unchanging temper; she retorted that he hadn't changed either, still chasing girls. She reminded him of their initial agreement when he arrived at Stiland College: to keep an eye on An Chuxia and separate her from Han Qilu.
Meng Xiaonan overheard this conversation. Shocked, Meng Xiaonan rushed off, missing Jiang Chenchuan's subsequent statement that he had developed feelings for An Chuxia. Meng Xiaonan, believing Jiang Chenchuan was deceitful, confronted him with An Chuxia. She labeled him an ungrateful hypocrite and accused him of being Mo Xinwei's spy. An Chuxia was surprised. Jiang Chenchuan, exasperated, explained that the "mad woman" he'd mentioned earlier referred to a past incident in England where he was falsely accused and expelled.
He revealed Mo Xinwei was his cousin, explaining their different surnames due to her using her mother's maiden name. Jiang Hai (his father) and Jiang He (Mo Xinwei's father) were brothers, though not close. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Chenchuan publicly declared his liking for An Chuxia and vowed to protect her from bullies. Han Qilu, witnessing this from afar, looked at a gift meant for An Chuxia, shook his head, and threw it away.
On their way home, An Chuxia noticed Han Qilu's grumpiness and asked if he was angry. He scoffed, but she playfully used his earlier scientific explanations about anger against him. She tried to explain Jiang Chenchuan's confession, but Han Qilu refused to listen. Han Butler subtly urged Han Qilu to give An Chuxia the gift, explaining that Han Qilu regretted their argument and had asked him to buy it as an apology.
Han Qilu pretended ignorance, claiming he threw it away. An Chuxia responded dryly, "That's good." Back at the Han residence, An Chuxia treated Han Qilu's wound. He dismissed it as minor, then called her "stupid," prompting her to accuse him of looking for a fight. She started to leave, but he called her back. Han Qilu unexpectedly presented her with the gift.
An Chuxia was surprised, reminding him he said he'd thrown it away, even mentioning Han Butler as a witness. Han Qilu claimed she remembered incorrectly. An Chuxia genuinely thanked him. Han Qilu then subtly asked if she liked Jiang Chenchuan; her reply, "Am I blind?" implied a "no." Excited, Han Qilu kissed her cheek, leaving her flustered. She fled, asking about his wound, to which he playfully retorted that he wouldn't die.
Han Butler cheered, and Han Qilu mused that Han Butler was right – girls need to be coaxed. It was implied Han Qilu had retrieved the gift after discarding it at school. The next day, news spread that Jiang Chenchuan was the son of Jiang Hai, the head of Jiang's Group, a fact unknown to An Chuxia. Students fawned over him, annoying Meng Xiaonan, who remained fixated on his supposed "spy" status.
Feeling uncomfortable, An Chuxia spoke privately with Jiang Chenchuan, politely rejecting his affections, stating they could only be friends. Jiang Chenchuan, however, remained persistent, citing a "tips book" that claimed girls often reject initial confessions or say "impossible" when they mean "possible." An Chuxia reiterated that a relationship was impossible. He continued to tease her, accidentally tripping her, causing her to storm off, with Jiang Chenchuan chasing after her.
Episode 5 Recap
An Chuxia ran into Feng Shao, who was working part-time at St. Mary's. He warned her about a masked pervert recently spotted near the school by Ms. Maria and reminded her to be cautious. Feng Shao also mentioned his promise to An Chuxia's mother to protect her. During P. E. class, Xiang Mankui approached An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan, asking to join them. Meng Xiaonan was wary of Xiang Mankui, questioning her intentions given her past relationship with Han Qilu.
Xiang Mankui explained she only wanted forgiveness from Jiang Yuanyuan and Han Qilu, whom she considered family. An Chuxia accidentally hit a ball into a nearby grove, the pervert's hiding place. As the pervert reached for An Chuxia, Ms. Maria appeared and subdued him with a tranquilizer. An Chuxia screamed, alerting other students. Ms. Maria unmasked the pervert, revealing him to be Mr. You Tian.
When questioned, Mr. You Tian claimed he was researching performance art and seeking inspiration, denying he was the pervert Ms. Maria had seen. He explained his recent busyness since returning. Mr. You Tian expressed his wish to stay at St. Mary's, but acknowledged the principal's approval was an obstacle. Jiang Chenchuan eagerly offered to ask his father for help, prompting a celebratory high-five with An Chuxia. Jiang Yuanyuan learned of Mr. You Tian's return.
An Chuxia mentioned their plan for a welcome dinner. Jiang Yuanyuan immediately offered to host it at the Han family residence, inviting all their classmates, noting her personal acquaintance with Mr. You Tian. Han Qilu agreed, and the plans were finalized. The next day, Mr. You Tian returned to the B-class classroom to a warm welcome. He distributed the Literature and Art elective results. An Chuxia was disheartened to receive a "D" in Ballroom Dancing, requiring a retake.
Jiang Chenchuan offered to tutor her, highlighting his past as a "prom prince" abroad, but An Chuxia, self-deprecatingly, refused, admitting she was clumsy. Jiang Chenchuan sought Feng Shao's advice; Feng Shao, who had previously encouraged Jiang Chenchuan's pursuit of An Chuxia, admitted his dislike for Han Qilu. When Jiang Chenchuan expressed his frustration at An Chuxia's refusal, Feng Shao suggested he find a professional to help her instead of directly assisting her. Inspired, Jiang Chenchuan immediately acted on this.
That night, Han Qilu heard a commotion outside his room. Investigating, he found An Chuxia on the terrace secretly practicing ballroom dance steps. She confessed to failing the subject and needing a retake. Instead of teasing her, Han Qilu offered to teach her. Despite An Chuxia's concern about waking others, Han Qilu reassured her. He guided her through the steps, then had her stand on his feet, leading her in the dance.
They danced together for a long time under the night sky. The next morning, An Chuxia arrived at school with dark circles under her eyes, looking exhausted, and promptly fell asleep at her desk. This sparked rumors that she had fainted and even been hospitalized due to stress from competing with the seemingly perfect Xiang Mankui. Later, An Chuxia spoke to Mr. You Tian about the upcoming welcome party at the Han residence.
He seemed hesitant, initially wanting to cancel it, muttering about it being "too easy to expose." When pressed, he dismissed it, but his reluctance was evident. An Chuxia also mentioned Ms. Maria's worry about him. Mr. You Tian finally admitted to having "met some trouble lately" and needing time to think before revealing what was bothering him. He promised to tell her when he was ready.
Episode 6 Recap
An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan struggled to find a suitable gift for Mr. You Tian, rejecting several options as too extravagant or inappropriate. Xiang Mankui offered help, suggesting a local gallery featuring affordable artwork by emerging artists and students. Guided by her, An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan selected a gift they believed Mr. You Tian would appreciate. An Chuxia then invited Xiang Mankui to Mr. You Tian's welcome party, hosted by Jiang Yuanyuan at the Han family home.
Xiang Mankui hesitated, concerned about Jiang Yuanyuan's reaction, but ultimately accepted, despite Meng Xiaonan's subtle attempts to dissuade An Chuxia. Meng Xiaonan later confronted An Chuxia about her kindness towards Xiang Mankui. An Chuxia explained that while she was returning a favor, she also hoped to help Xiang Mankui reconcile with the Han family, believing her to be a good person who was also suffering. Meng Xiaonan, understanding An Chuxia's compassion, advised her against being overly generous this time.
The welcome banquet began at the Han family home, with Jiang Yuanyuan expressing her delight at Mr. You Tian's return. An Chuxia presented Mr. You Tian with the gift, crediting Xiang Mankui's assistance. Unexpectedly, Jiang Chenchuan arrived uninvited, announcing his presence and hoping no one minded. Han Qilu sarcastically replied that it was too late to mind. Jiang Chenchuan deliberately sat next to An Chuxia, a move observed by Jiang Yuanyuan, who later subtly questioned Han Qilu about him.
Han Qilu identified Jiang Chenchuan as the son of Jiang Hai, CEO of Jiang's Group, and known for his flirtatious nature. During dinner, Han Qilu and Jiang Chenchuan competed for An Chuxia's attention, sitting on either side of her and attempting to feed her. When Jiang Chenchuan offered her a prawn, Han Qilu quickly intervened, reminding him of An Chuxia's seafood allergy before offering her an alternative.
Jiang Chenchuan then insisted An Chuxia clean his prawns, further adding to her discomfort. After dinner, Maria sat with Mr. You Tian, expressing her long-standing frustration over his unexplained return, hinting that he was hiding something and felt their friendship was too distant to warrant an explanation. Mr. You Tian began to explain his reason for returning but was interrupted by music announcing a ballroom dance.
Meng Xiaonan, aware of An Chuxia's secret practice sessions, asked Jiang Yuanyuan if she knew about it; Jiang Yuanyuan confirmed, alluding to An Chuxia's upcoming performance. As Jiang Chenchuan approached An Chuxia to invite her to dance, Han Qilu abruptly interrupted, ordering him to leave and asserting that An Chuxia, living in his house, should dance with him. Han Qilu then pulled An Chuxia onto the dance floor.
While dancing, An Chuxia playfully praised Han Qilu's teaching, and he responded with genuine compliments. Mr. You Tian then invited Maria to dance. Before she could respond, a foreign girl burst in, shouting "Honey!" and embracing Mr. You Tian joyfully. She introduced herself as Nancy Cumberbatch, or Crystal, and declared herself Mr. You Tian's fiancée. Crystal, whose mother was Chinese, explained her fluency in Mandarin and recounted how she fell in love with Mr. You Tian at first sight.
She vividly described their first meeting on a gloomy Sunday when, after an argument with her father, she was robbed, and Mr. You Tian heroically retrieved her wallet, making him the most righteous man she'd ever met. Jiang Yuanyuan recognized Crystal's father, Jerome Cumberbatch, as one of the top ten richest men on the Forbes list, prompting widespread congratulations for Mr. You Tian. Amidst the celebrations, Maria quietly left, stating it was late.
Crystal then urged Mr. You Tian to leave with her, playfully asking if he'd missed her. Later, Han Qilu found Mr. You Tian alone on the rooftop. Mr. You Tian admitted he just wanted to be quiet. Han Qilu questioned his unanswered calls, and Mr. You Tian confessed he didn't know how to handle Crystal, despite acknowledging her perfection.
He revealed his true feelings, lamenting that he was ignoring his current happiness while trying to maintain a relationship with a girl he dared not confess his feelings to. Han Qilu immediately understood he was referring to Maria, stating it was obvious, even to an outsider, and questioning why Maria couldn't understand. Mr. You Tian confirmed he had no feelings for Crystal and reflected that love or hate stemmed from someone holding an unforgettable place in one's heart.
An Chuxia passed her art exam, and Han Qilu asked her to treat him to coffee in celebration. At the cafe, Han Qilu ordered a large amount of food, including more fruit and snacks, despite An Chuxia's concern about the cost. He questioned if she lacked pocket money, to which An Chuxia replied that it was his family's money and she would repay it.
Han Qilu tried to reassure her that his family could afford anything, but An Chuxia insisted it was his family's money, not hers. Han Qilu then asked if she didn't consider his house her home, which she denied, reiterating her intention to repay him. Her words reminded Han Qilu of similar words spoken by Xiang Mankui years ago, causing a noticeable shift in his mood, which An Chuxia observed as unpredictable.
While Han Qilu was lost in thought, Xiang Mankui approached and joined them. Xiang Mankui noticed Han Qilu eating Tiramisu, remarking that his fondness for it remained unchanged, and questioned how easily habits could change. She reminisced, beginning with "Do you remember. . ." , before Han Qilu abruptly threw down his cup and stormed off. An Chuxia called after him, but he left.
Xiang Mankui was visibly upset, noting Han Qilu had never lost his temper with her before, regardless of his frustration. An Chuxia comforted her, describing Han Qilu as crazy and unwell and that she was used to his daily yelling. Jiang Chenchuan sought Feng Shao's advice, dejectedly lamenting that An Chuxia didn't want him. Feng Shao revealed he had hinted about Han Qilu and An Chuxia dancing at the banquet, which Jiang Chenchuan had then surmised, leading to his disappointment.
Jiang Chenchuan questioned if An Chuxia truly liked Han Qilu, particularly since she accepted Han Qilu's dance instruction but rejected his. Feng Shao countered that Han Qilu simply had an advantageous position, and offered advice. Dismissing Jiang Chenchuan's "18 Tips to Get A Girl" as ineffective, Feng Shao identified the problem as Jiang Chenchuan's lack of alone time with An Chuxia.
He suggested a date in a location with mountains, sea, and WiFi, emphasizing it should be just the two of them to accelerate their relationship. Inspired, Jiang Chenchuan immediately considered his family's resort. While concerned An Chuxia might refuse, Feng Shao encouraged him, assuring him success was imminent. Later, An Chuxia walked across campus in a daze, prompting Meng Xiaonan to catch up and inquire if her mood was related to Han Qilu. An Chuxia denied anything was wrong.
Meng Xiaonan then suggested An Chuxia consider Jiang Chenchuan. At that moment, Jiang Chenchuan excitedly invited An Chuxia to his family's resort for the weekend. Before he could elaborate, An Chuxia abruptly rejected him, repeatedly stating she would pass, angrily calling him annoying, and sending him away. Meng Xiaonan was furious with An Chuxia's treatment of Jiang Chenchuan, scolding her for her behavior.
She revealed that Jiang Chenchuan had secretly arranged a dance instructor for An Chuxia, out of concern for her stress, and contrasted this with An Chuxia's kindness toward Xiang Mankui. Meng Xiaonan questioned why An Chuxia couldn't see the people who truly cared for her. When An Chuxia apologized, Meng Xiaonan retorted that she wasn't the one An Chuxia should apologize to and stormed off, leaving An Chuxia alone.
Episode 7 Recap
Heartbroken after a harsh rejection from An Chuxia regarding his resort invitation, Jiang Chenchuan confided in Feng Shao, lamenting her cruelty and blaming Han Qilu for her behavior. Feng Shao then received a call from An Chuxia, who regretted her earlier rudeness and worried she had hurt Jiang Chenchuan. Seizing the opportunity, Feng Shao exaggerated Jiang Chenchuan's distress, portraying him as a sheltered rich boy unfamiliar with such rejection, particularly from a woman.
This prompted An Chuxia to agree to Jiang Chenchuan's invitation. Unbeknownst to An Chuxia, Jiang Chenchuan was eavesdropping nearby and, upon hearing her acceptance, dramatically revealed his presence, securing her agreement for a date the following day. Overjoyed, Jiang Chenchuan immediately began planning their rendezvous. The following weekend, Jiang Chenchuan anticipated a private date with An Chuxia, only to find her accompanied by Meng Xiaonan and Xiang Mankui.
Meng Xiaonan jokingly explained An Chuxia's belief that "the more, the merrier," leaving Jiang Chenchuan mildly disappointed. Meanwhile, Ms. Maria encountered Mr. You Tian's fiancée on campus. Ms. Maria questioned the fiancée's persistence in pursuing a man who didn't reciprocate her feelings. The fiancée responded resolutely, "Fight for it if you like him. Without the courage, it's better to give up." This advice resonated deeply with Ms. Maria.
Elsewhere, Mo Xinwei secretly photographed An Chuxia and Jiang Chenchuan at the resort and shared the images in the school group chat, causing an uproar among the students. Speculation about An Chuxia's relationship with Han Qilu and the possibility of a breakup fueled the gossip. Han Qilu, enjoying snacks at home, saw the explosive news and immediately became agitated.
At the resort, Jiang Chenchuan checked in the three girls to his family's hotel, only to discover a booking error: only two rooms had been reserved. A tense confrontation with the hotel staff ensued. At the hotel entrance, they encountered Mo Xinwei, who mocked Jiang Chenchuan's display of wealth and accused An Chuxia of simultaneously pursuing Han Qilu while leading Jiang Chenchuan on. An Chuxia calmly suggested the three girls share a room, dismissing Mo Xinwei's taunts.
Jiang Chenchuan, stung by Mo Xinwei's words, called himself "the stupid guy" but urged An Chuxia to ignore her. Later, Jiang Chenchuan arranged a dinner, carefully selecting An Chuxia's favorite dishes with Feng Shao's help. Their meal was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Han Qilu, who claimed to be in a bad mood and had coincidentally encountered them. A tense exchange followed, with Jiang Chenchuan attempting to send Han Qilu away, while Xiang Mankui offered him a seat.
Han Qilu then offered a solution to the room shortage: sleeping on the floor in Jiang Chenchuan's room. Jiang Chenchuan reluctantly agreed. That night, in their shared room, Jiang Chenchuan attempted to establish boundaries by placing pillows down the middle of the bed, stating, "You sleep here and I'll sleep here. Don't cross the line." However, Han Qilu boldly claimed the bed, suggesting various other sleeping locations for Jiang Chenchuan, escalating their argument. Eventually, Han Qilu fell asleep, snoring loudly.
Disturbed by Jiang Chenchuan's loud snoring, Han Qilu left the room for a walk, encountering a similarly sleepless An Chuxia. An Chuxia explained that her relationship with Jiang Chenchuan was not as the school group chat portrayed, which visibly pleased Han Qilu. However, she then shifted the conversation to Xiang Mankui, expressing pity for her and questioning Han Qilu's intentions towards her.
Believing Han Qilu couldn't let go of Xiang Mankui, An Chuxia stated she was trying to help him by suggesting that he "was being hard on himself instead of torturing others." Angered by her words, Han Qilu called her "insane" and "heartless" before leaving. The next morning, Jiang Chenchuan prepared an outdoor barbecue. A call from a disappointed Feng Shao followed, criticizing the simplicity of the barbecue plans and suggesting more elaborate activities like horse riding or golf.
Jiang Chenchuan admitted his lack of skill in these areas, revealing his only talent was video games and proposing to build a game station city instead. Frustrated by Jiang Chenchuan's romantic ineptitude, Feng Shao hung up, calling him an "idiot." While Han Qilu struggled to light the barbecue, Jiang Chenchuan attempted to help. Han Qilu, annoyed, pushed him away, causing Jiang Chenchuan to be pierced by a bamboo skewer, resulting in a profusely bleeding hand.
An Chuxia rushed to tend to Jiang Chenchuan's injury, scolding Han Qilu for his carelessness. Han Qilu, in turn, blamed Jiang Chenchuan, calling him a "busybody" and refusing to apologize. An Chuxia then accused Han Qilu of always shifting blame and acting like an arrogant young master, leading to another heated argument. Following the confrontation, Han Qilu left, followed by Xiang Mankui, who sought a conversation with him.
Despite his injury, Jiang Chenchuan attempted to comfort An Chuxia, who remained preoccupied with Han Qilu's previous words. He tried to distract her, even showing off his bandaged hand, but An Chuxia remained distant. Sensing her indifference, Jiang Chenchuan quietly left to attend to the barbecue. Observing Xiang Mankui following Han Qilu, Meng Xiaonan warned An Chuxia that Xiang Mankui's intentions might not be entirely pure, emphasizing that no one acts kindly without reason.
An Chuxia dismissed her concerns, but Meng Xiaonan pressed further, urging An Chuxia to examine her true feelings for Han Qilu. She advised An Chuxia to confess her love to Han Qilu without fear of being hurt, or if she didn't love him, to appreciate the genuine kindness shown to her by Jiang Chenchuan.
Episode 8 Recap
Han Qilu confronted Xiang Mankui, telling her to stop following him. When she attempted to talk, he dismissively asked what she wanted. Xiang Mankui felt he had changed since her return, but Han Qilu retorted that she hadn't changed for "him". She admitted she knew he was angry and pleaded with him not to ignore her. Han Qilu reminded her that she had left without a word, never considering his feelings.
He had promised to wait for her indefinitely, and then waited like a fool, enduring ridicule because he believed in her. He trusted she knew what he feared losing most, yet she abandoned him. Xiang Mankui apologized, promising not to repeat her mistake, but Han Qilu declared that the past was in the past and there would be no second chance. He walked away despite her pleas.
An Chuxia was walking in the woods when she heard someone crying for help from a small cabin deeper in the forest. Following the cries, she entered the cabin, but the door slammed shut behind her. She repeatedly called out for help and pleaded to be let out. Unbeknownst to her, Mo Xinwei had been following her and orchestrated the trap.
As An Chuxia cried for help from inside the locked cabin, Xiang Mankui walked past but pretended not to hear. Mo Xinwei confronted Xiang Mankui, knowing she had seen An Chuxia but hadn't intervened. Mo Xinwei accused Xiang Mankui of being pleased to see An Chuxia helpless. When Xiang Mankui tried to leave, Mo Xinwei stopped her, proposing they unite against An Chuxia, their common enemy.
Mo Xinwei suggested they work together to remove An Chuxia from Stiland College and the Han family, believing this would allow them to compete fairly for Han Qilu. Xiang Mankui scoffed, calling Mo Xinwei stupid and questioning how many times she would use the same tired tricks. She dismissed Mo Xinwei, stating that cooperation required equal strength, which Mo Xinwei lacked.
Mo Xinwei threatened to expose Xiang Mankui to Han Qilu, but Xiang Mankui retorted that Mo Xinwei knew why An Chuxia was locked up in the first place, advising her to proceed only if she wanted trouble for herself. Meanwhile, Meng Xiaonan and Jiang Chenchuan realized An Chuxia was missing. Han Qilu, distraught, demanded to know An Chuxia's whereabouts, scolding them for letting her go out alone and failing to look after her.
He tried calling An Chuxia but couldn't reach her; her phone had no signal and was dead. Meng Xiaonan tearfully suggested checking the monitoring room. Han Qilu tried calling again, but her phone remained unreachable. Amidst the panic, Meng Xiaonan urged everyone to stop fighting and focus on finding An Chuxia. Jiang Chenchuan agreed, stating they would check the CCTV footage. Xiang Mankui offered to help Han Qilu search, but he refused her help.
In the monitoring room, the staff informed Jiang Chenchuan and Meng Xiaonan that An Chuxia was last seen near the artificial lake. They explained that due to resort renovations, some remote areas lacked proper monitoring equipment. Jiang Chenchuan was furious, questioning the poor management of his family's property. Meng Xiaonan burst into tears, blaming herself for arguing and throwing a tantrum, believing it led to An Chuxia's disappearance.
Jiang Chenchuan comforted her, reassuring her it wasn't her fault and that he also felt responsible. They playfully bickered before continuing their search. Han Qilu eventually found the locked cabin behind the mountain. He called out An Chuxia’s name, and she recognized his voice. She explained she had entered after hearing cries for help and was immediately locked in. Han Qilu tried calling for help but had no signal.
He reassured An Chuxia, promising to return, then called Jiang Chenchuan, informing him of An Chuxia's location and requesting help. While waiting, An Chuxia and Han Qilu spoke through the door. Han Qilu noticed she sounded tired, and An Chuxia reminisced about her childhood, describing a small, broken house and living in a basement with her mother, often alone and afraid when her mother worked overtime.
Han Qilu concluded that these experiences made her strong, and An Chuxia confirmed she felt she had to protect her mother. Han Qilu playfully teased her about trying to kick the door open, but she asserted she needed a way out in case no one noticed her absence. Han Qilu earnestly promised he would always find her, calming her.
She apologized for their previous argument, acknowledging her pride, but Han Qilu shared the blame, stating he only wanted to help her and didn't want to see her burdened by the past. An Chuxia thanked him. Soon, Jiang Chenchuan arrived with help to unlock the door. An Chuxia rushed out and embraced Han Qilu. Meng Xiaonan expressed her relief and apologized for her tantrum, to which An Chuxia teasingly replied she owed her an ice cream.
As they were leaving, Jiang Chenchuan stopped Han Qilu and directly asked if he liked An Chuxia. Without waiting for an answer, Jiang Chenchuan declared his serious feelings for An Chuxia, stating he would never give her up. Back at the Han family residence, Jiang Yuanyuan cheerfully greeted Han Qilu and An Chuxia, inquiring about their day. Both were exhausted and simply said they were going to their rooms.
When Jiang Yuanyuan pressed Han Qilu about An Chuxia's tired state, he reluctantly admitted she had been locked up for an afternoon. Jiang Yuanyuan was shocked and demanded an explanation, but Han Qilu, still tired, reiterated he was going to his room. Jiang Yuanyuan was left confused, sensing something significant had happened that she didn't know about. The next day, Ling Hanyu returned to school and met An Chuxia at the school coffee shop.
He asked about her injured hand, and she playfully assured him she was fine. He mentioned his grandfather often spoke of her and wondered why she hadn't visited. An Chuxia apologized, citing recent events. Ling Hanyu invited her to a family dinner his grandfather was hosting for his recovery—essentially a gathering for him and his grandfather—promising that "the more the merrier." An Chuxia happily accepted.
Later, Ling Hanyu met Han Qilu and observed that An Chuxia seemed more important to him. He brought up Xiang Mankui's return, asking Han Qilu's thoughts. Han Qilu was surprised Ling Hanyu was also trying to persuade him. Ling Hanyu reminded him that they grew up together and acknowledged the pain Xiang Mankui caused, but believed she wasn't inherently bad. He urged Han Qilu not to remain indifferent to prevent innocent people, like An Chuxia, from getting hurt.
Ling Hanyu suggested Han Qilu's inability to move on from Xiang Mankui was causing him pain and urged him to resolve their relationship. Han Qilu agreed to consider it. Later, Han Qilu saw Xiang Mankui looking pale and clutching her stomach in the school corridor. Concerned, he asked if she was sick, which she denied. He took her arm and insisted she go with him to the school infirmary.
The school doctor examined her and reported her physical condition was poor, recommending she go to a hospital for a comprehensive check-up as the infirmary lacked the necessary equipment. Xiang Mankui insisted she was fine, but the doctor insisted, asking for her Stiland health card. Xiang Mankui explained she hadn't received it yet, having just returned from abroad. Han Qilu then led her out, presumably to the hospital.
Xiang Mankui thanked him, admitting she thought he would never forgive her, even if she died. Han Qilu simply told her not to curse herself, then bid her goodbye, stating it was time for class.
Episode 9 Recap
You Tian, unable to find Maria in the medical office, accidentally found a stack of documents including Maria's application to join Doctors Without Borders, revealing her plan to leave the college. Upon Maria's return, You Tian confronted her about the application. Maria initially dismissed him, telling him not to call her "Liu Gui Fen." Fearing her departure, You Tian confessed his long-held feelings, admitting he liked her and wanted her to stay.
He explained his fear of expressing his feelings earlier, but realized she was the only one he truly missed. Maria, however, questioned his sincerity, giving him three months to prove his devotion, threatening to leave immediately if he failed. As they embraced, You Tian's fiancée, Crystal, entered. Devastated, Crystal cried out You Tian's name, expressing her disappointment and criticism before running off. Maria urged You Tian to follow her.
Crystal then encountered Mr. Ma on campus, who asked if she was alright. Crystal, captivated by his appearance, complimented him on his handsomeness. An Chuxia had dinner at Ling Hanyu's house. Afterwards, Ling Hanyu's grandfather learned of An Chuxia's interest in fashion design. Sharing his own passion for design, inspired by his late wife, he invited An Chuxia to view his collection of design manuscripts.
While examining the manuscripts, An Chuxia explained her desire to pursue fashion design to fulfill her mother's unfinished dream. She then discovered a fallen photograph showing her mother with an unfamiliar man's back. Ling Hanyu's grandfather recognized An Chuxia as Shu Ya's daughter, noting their striking resemblance, especially their eyes. He revealed that he and Shu Ya were friends who had lost contact over two decades ago.
While unable to identify the man in the photo, he mentioned her mother had a boyfriend at the time and that some of her belongings had been sent from Huiyang, suggesting a place she had lived. He encouraged An Chuxia to persevere in her dreams, just as her mother had. Xiang Mankui invited Han Qilu to an astronomical photography exhibition by Mr. Stroff, Han Qilu's favorite photographer, emphasizing its rarity as Mr. Stroff had never exhibited in China before.
Han Qilu accepted the invitation. Overwhelmed by the revelation about her mother and the possible clue regarding her father, An Chuxia confided in Ling Hanyu, who offered his support and promised to keep their conversation secret. Back at the Han residence, An Chuxia considered asking Han Qilu for help but decided against it when he mentioned attending Mr. Stroff's exhibition with a friend. Instead, she packed a bag, intending to travel to Huiyang independently.
Han Qilu later went to An Chuxia's room to invite her to dinner. Finding the room empty, he discovered a note from An Chuxia stating she would stay overnight at Xiao Nan's and a train ticket on the floor. Simultaneously, An Chuxia realized she had forgotten her ticket and asked her driver to return to the Han residence. At the gate, Han Qilu encountered An Chuxia, mistakenly believing she was eloping with someone named Jiang Chen Chuan.
An Chuxia clarified that she was going to Huiyang to investigate a clue about her father. Hearing the truth, Han Qilu immediately abandoned his plans to attend the exhibition and decided to accompany An Chuxia to Huiyang. Xiang Mankui waited patiently at the exhibition, but Han Qilu never arrived.
Episode 10 Recap
Xiang Mankui waited for Han Qilu all day, but he didn't come. She called him, and he apologized, saying he couldn't make it. Xiang Mankui insisted, "No matter how late, I'll wait for you." Han Qilu apologized again and asked her to go home. Meanwhile, Han Qilu and An Chuxia were in a taxi heading to Huiyang. An Chuxia changed her mind, saying, "Qi Lu, I don't want to look for him anymore. Forget it. Let's go home."
Han Qilu asked if she was afraid. She admitted she didn't feel like meeting someone she hadn't seen in over a decade. He reassured her, "Don't be afraid. There's something you have to face. Moreover, I'll be with you." Han Qilu's phone rang – a call from Ren Ai Hospital using Xiang Mankui's phone. The hospital staff said Xiang Mankui had an acute gastritis attack, fainted in the street, and a passerby brought her in.
They asked Han Qilu to contact her family as he was her last contact. He told An Chuxia, who was shocked and asked if Xiang Mankui was alright. Han Qilu didn't know but said he'd arrange for someone to check on her. Han Qilu initially told the driver to continue to Huiyang. An Chuxia urged him to go to the hospital, saying, "You should know who she wants to see the most now."
Han Qilu dismissed her, saying, "Don't worry about me. It's been so many years. No rushing." An Chuxia repeated her advice, "Qi Lu, there's something you have to face. Don't worry. I'll be with you." Persuaded, Han Qilu told the driver to go to Ren Ai Hospital, promising to help An Chuxia fulfill her dream. At Ren Ai Hospital, Han Qilu and An Chuxia visited Xiang Mankui. Xiang Mankui apologized for disturbing them.
An Chuxia expressed concern, asking why she hadn't gone to the hospital earlier. An Chuxia asked about Xiang Mankui's parents. Xiang Mankui said, "They're gone." An Chuxia was surprised and apologetic, but Xiang Mankui explained that after her parents died in a car accident, Jiang Yuanyuan (Han Qilu's mother) sent her to Stilland College. Han Qilu told Xiang Mankui he'd arranged for a nurse and that they should leave so she could rest.
Xiang Mankui asked them to stay longer, but Han Qilu insisted she needed rest and promised to return tomorrow. Xiang Mankui thanked them as they left. As they left, An Chuxia realized she'd left her phone in the ward. Han Qilu playfully called her careless, and they returned. They found Xiang Mankui trying to swallow a large number of pills. Han Qilu intervened, taking the pills and yelling at her to stop.
An Chuxia asked if she was trying to kill herself, but Xiang Mankui claimed they were Vitamin C and demanded them back. Han Qilu called her crazy, and An Chuxia agreed. Xiang Mankui dramatically declared, "I really don't want to live in pain anymore," and asked them to leave. After Han Qilu's intervention, he questioned Xiang Mankui. She admitted that since her first year in France, she'd struggled with insomnia, leading her to take sleeping pills.
She developed a drug addiction, using health products when doctors refused to prescribe more, resulting in her acute gastritis. Han Qilu asked if this caused her collapse. An Chuxia questioned whether Xiang Mankui was acting. Xiang Mankui denied it, saying she was just adjusting to being back from abroad. Xiang Mankui gave Han Qilu a bank card containing the tuition and living expenses Jiang Yuanyuan had given her while abroad.
She hadn't spent it, supporting herself through scholarships and jobs like dishwashing, food delivery, and car washing to prove her independence from the Han family. She didn't want to be seen as useless and dependent on Han Qilu. Han Qilu reassured her not to worry about others' opinions, but Xiang Mankui insisted she needed to convince herself. When Han Qilu asked why she returned, she confessed that after leaving him, she realized she wasn't truly herself.
She apologized, admitting she was wrong and asking for his forgiveness. Han Qilu said it was okay, that he'd stopped blaming her long ago. He embraced her. An Chuxia quietly left the room. Han Qilu later noticed An Chuxia was gone and Xiang Mankui falsely claimed Jiang Yuanyuan had texted An Chuxia to return home. Han Qilu told Xiang Mankui to rest and left, noting she'd never said "thank you" before.
After Han Qilu left, Xiang Mankui was alone, replaying the events. She directly apologized to An Chuxia, admitting she couldn't lose Han Qilu because he was all she had. This revealed the entire scene was a fabrication orchestrated by Xiang Mankui, who'd deliberately taken An Chuxia's phone to ensure their return and manipulate the situation to gain Han Qilu's sympathy. The next morning, Han Qilu arrived early to pick up Xiang Mankui. She thanked him for handling her discharge.
As they walked to school, students noticed them, speculating about a reconciliation. Xiang Mankui asked Han Qilu if he was worried An Chuxia would misunderstand or about what people would say. Han Qilu simply replied that he never cared what people say. Later, An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan saw a poster for a Youth Design Competition with a grand prize of studying at the Pinkston Institute of Design in France. Meng Xiaonan urged An Chuxia to enter, highlighting her talent.
An Chuxia felt her skills were unorthodox and winning wouldn't be easy. Mo Xinwei appeared, condescendingly suggesting the competition was only for geniuses. An Chuxia retorted that Mo Xinwei didn't get to decide the quality of artwork. Mo Xinwei pointed out the competition was organized by Jiang's Group. Meng Xiaonan worried about Mo Xinwei's likely advantage, but An Chuxia explained Pinkston only accepted geniuses, not those with connections.
Despite this, Meng Xiaonan worried Mo Xinwei's father being the organizer would make it impossible for others to win. During their conversation, Jiang Chen Chuan suddenly appeared, jokingly saying An Chuxia was tempting him, playfully declaring his devotion to her.
Episode 11 Recap
Xiang Mankui invited An Chuxia to dinner to thank her for helping mend her relationship with Han Qilu. An Chuxia initially refused, citing homework with Meng Xiaonan. However, upon learning Han Qilu would also be there, she hesitated. Meng Xiaonan, sensing An Chuxia's conflict, urged her to go, viewing it as a chance to counter Xiang Mankui's schemes. Jiang Chenchuan, meanwhile, was still trying to win An Chuxia's affection.
His friend showed him a poster for the Pinkston Youth Design Competition, sponsored by Jiang's Group. Recognizing An Chuxia's passion for design, Jiang Chenchuan saw an opportunity to use his family's influence to ensure her victory, disregarding any potential opposition from Mo Xinwei. He vowed to remove any obstacles in An Chuxia's path. Later, Han Qilu stopped An Chuxia in the hallway, questioning her avoidance. He invited her to dinner with him and Xiang Mankui.
An Chuxia, feeling like an unwanted third wheel, refused to be a "light bulb." Han Qilu, however, misinterpreted her refusal as jealousy. That evening, Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui waited for An Chuxia at the school gate. Despite her protests, Han Qilu forced her into the car to join them for dinner. Jiang Chenchuan, witnessing this, expressed concern for An Chuxia.
At dinner, Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui interacted frequently, reminiscing and sharing intimate moments, such as Han Qilu wiping oil from Xiang Mankui's mouth. An Chuxia felt extremely uncomfortable. Xiang Mankui subtly mentioned An Chuxia's entry into the Youth Design Competition, noting that winning could lead to studying at the Pinkston Design Institute. Han Qilu listened intently. An Chuxia, unable to endure the awkwardness, tried to leave, but Han Qilu insisted she stay.
On their way home, Han Qilu stopped the car and suggested they walk. He accused An Chuxia of unhappiness and wanting to end their relationship. He inferred her participation in the design competition was a ploy to win, go to France, and ultimately break up with him. An Chuxia attempted to explain the competition's irrelevance to their personal issues, but Han Qilu wouldn't listen, ultimately kissing her.
Back in his room, Han Qilu was haunted by memories of Xiang Mankui from a year prior. She had won the design competition and, despite his pleas, chose to leave for the Pinkston Institute, prioritizing her dreams over their relationship. He remembered her apologies and her insistence on seizing the opportunity. The next day at school, Teacher You Tian distributed entry passes for the Youth Design Competition. An Chuxia anxiously awaited hers, but her name wasn't called.
She confirmed submitting her registration form the previous day, a fact corroborated by Ming Yue who recalled seeing the wet form. However, Teacher You Tian insisted the system processed forms correctly and couldn't have made a mistake. Meng Xiaonan immediately suspected Mo Xinwei of maliciously taking An Chuxia's form out of jealousy. An Chuxia, trying to calm Meng Xiaonan, stated she didn't truly want to participate anyway. Han Qilu overheard this.
Mo Xinwei vehemently denied the accusation, arguing that her father's involvement in the competition gave her no reason to sabotage An Chuxia. To prove her innocence, Mo Xinwei and Wan Zi searched Class B for the missing form. Surprisingly, Wan Zi found An Chuxia's form tucked inside Xiang Mankui's book. Xiang Mankui immediately claimed she was framed, but none of the students, including An Chuxia, believed her, though Han Qilu defended her.
Episode 12 Recap
In class, a debate erupted over a stolen registration form. Xiang Mankui protested her innocence, claiming no one believed her. Han Qilu defended her, asserting that someone was framing her and subtly accusing Mo Xinwei. He questioned whether anyone witnessed Xiang Mankui stealing the form, suggesting it might have been planted. Mo Xinwei retorted, questioning Han Qilu’s sudden concern for others. Xiang Mankui, desperate to clear her name, interjected.
Mo Xinwei then pressed An Chuxia on how to proceed now that the "thief" had been found. An Chuxia, affected by Han Qilu's defense of Xiang Mankui, announced her withdrawal from the competition, declaring the culprit irrelevant. Overwhelmed, Xiang Mankui tearfully questioned An Chuxia's belief in her before fleeing the classroom, followed by Han Qilu. Meng Xiaonan suggested to An Chuxia that Xiang Mankui might have been framed, prompting An Chuxia to pursue them and apologize.
On the rooftop, An Chuxia discovered Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui embracing. Jiang Chenchuan shielded her from the sight, calling her foolish. He then urged An Chuxia to openly express her feelings for Han Qilu, warning that her passivity could cost her, with Xiang Mankui now vying for Han Qilu's affections. An Chuxia noted the unusual seriousness of Jiang Chenchuan's advice.
He confessed to constantly observing and thinking about her, understanding her outwardly strong yet inwardly fragile nature, and simply wanting her happiness. An Chuxia clarified that she hadn't given up on her own dreams. Jiang Chenchuan offered his help with the competition registration, but An Chuxia refused, maintaining her decision to withdraw, despite his persistent questioning. Mo Xinwei confided in a friend that their plan to frame Xiang Mankui backfired, inadvertently giving Xiang Mankui an advantage.
However, Mo Xinwei remained unconcerned, viewing it as a calculated trap and confident that the true outcome remained undecided. Ling Hanyu picked up An Chuxia after school for dinner at his home. During the car ride, An Chuxia learned of Ling Hanyu’s impending departure for overseas studies the next day, an arrangement made by his grandfather. Ling Hanyu asked if she wanted to tell Han Qilu, but An Chuxia dismissed it, believing he wouldn't care.
At dinner, Ling Hanyu’s grandfather warmly welcomed An Chuxia, revealing that he considered her like his own granddaughter due to her mother's friendship with him. He expressed his desire for her to become his granddaughter-in-law, to Ling Hanyu's slight irritation. He offered to send An Chuxia abroad to study design, believing it would fulfill her mother’s wishes and lead to a successful career as a fashion designer.
An Chuxia gratefully declined, preferring to pursue her dreams independently in her home country. Ling Hanyu’s grandfather affirmed that his offer remained open. Later, Jiang Chenchuan sought his uncle's help. He confessed his feelings for a particular girl—stubborn, sharp-tongued, ungentle, and even violent—who remained oblivious to his affections. Despite his uncle’s teasing, Jiang Chenchuan's sincerity convinced his uncle to assist him in securing An Chuxia's participation in the design competition.
That evening, Han Qilu waited for An Chuxia, eventually falling asleep. The doorbell woke him, and he found Ling Hanyu dropping An Chuxia off. Initially prepared to scold An Chuxia, Han Qilu remained silent in Ling Hanyu's presence, who simply advised An Chuxia to consider his grandfather’s offer. Later, Han Qilu messaged An Chuxia, asking her to come to his room. He pressed her about Ling Hanyu’s offer. An Chuxia brushed it off as a personal matter.
Frustrated, Han Qilu pleaded with her to stop their constant arguments and asked if her withdrawal from the competition stemmed from his actions. An Chuxia denied it. Han Qilu, wanting to help, suggested that she didn't need to go abroad to succeed, offering to arrange domestic enrollment at a top design institute and promising to establish a gallery and garment factory after her graduation, enabling her to launch her own brand.
An Chuxia expressed gratitude for his kindness but reaffirmed her commitment to achieving her goals independently. She reminded him that the competition registration had closed. Han Qilu realized she truly desired participation and the chance to study abroad. Feeling sleepy, An Chuxia ended the conversation and said goodnight. The next morning, Xiang Mankui found insulting messages written about her on the blackboard. She accused Meng Xiaonan, who vehemently denied it, demanding proof.
Xiang Mankui argued that Meng Xiaonan's friendship with An Chuxia created bias, making her the most likely culprit. An Chuxia and Han Qilu arrived. An Chuxia questioned Meng Xiaonan, believing her innocence, and reiterated her belief in her friend. Xiang Mankui expressed her hurt at An Chuxia's initial disbelief and quick acceptance of Meng Xiaonan's denial. An Chuxia tried to explain she knew Xiang Mankui had been framed and planned to apologize.
Han Qilu interrupted, sternly warning the class against further harassment of Xiang Mankui. The incident spiraled into a false rumour that Han Qilu had physically assaulted An Chuxia for Xiang Mankui's sake. Furious upon hearing this, Jiang Chenchuan confronted Han Qilu, accusing him of ingratitude and betrayal for supposedly hurting An Chuxia after she sacrificed her dreams for him. Han Qilu, bewildered, demanded to know if Jiang Chenchuan was insane.
He then told An Chuxia to control her friend, preventing him from attacking people without knowing the facts. An Chuxia, already upset, challenged Han Qilu’s judgment, accusing him of retaliating even though his friend was initially at fault. She declared that she had tolerated his behavior for too long and that anyone who insulted her friends would face her wrath. She then left with Meng Xiaonan.
Episode 13 Recap
An Chuxia confided in Meng Xiaonan, regretting causing a conflict between Meng Xiaonan and Han Qilu. Meng Xiaonan dismissed it, emphasizing her role as a friend in speaking up for An Chuxia. An Chuxia revealed their argument stemmed from more than just that; she had decided to give up on Han Qilu, believing he should be with Xiang Mankui and that she didn't want to come between them.
She regretted giving up the design competition for Han Qilu, calling herself foolish. Meng Xiaonan reassured her it wasn't too late to reconsider. Jiang Chenchuan unexpectedly appeared, giving An Chuxia the competition entry pass. Overjoyed, An Chuxia inquired how he obtained it. He casually mentioned the competition was organized by Jiangs Group, implying his family's influence. An Chuxia gratefully hugged him; he playfully suggested a hug was sufficient repayment. Han Qilu arrived, trying to pull An Chuxia away.
She resisted, and he demanded to know why she'd given up the Pinkston Institute opportunity. An Chuxia cryptically replied that some answers were for specific people, and he wasn't one of them, urging him to leave before others saw them. Later, Han Qilu confronted An Chuxia, criticizing her for publicly embarrassing him, despite acknowledging her loyalty to friends.
An Chuxia explained Jiang Chenchuan had used his family's connections to secure the entry pass for her, ensuring her participation in the competition. The "bitter trick" incident was revealed to be orchestrated by Xiang Mankui and Mo Xinwei to drive a wedge between An Chuxia and Han Qilu. Xiang Mankui's return stemmed from a personal tragedy six months prior. While working overseas, she severely cut her hand on a broken plate.
A doctor informed her the injury was severe and irreparable, even with the best doctors in France. Devastated, Xiang Mankui wept, fearing the loss of her right hand as a designer meant also losing Han Qilu. Mo Xinwei learned from her father that her cousin, Jiang Chenchuan, had secured a competition entry pass for a girl named "Xia something" for the Youth Design Competition.
This angered Mo Xinwei, but Xiang Mankui remained calm, revealing she'd been invited to judge the competition. News of An Chuxia's entry and Xiang Mankui's judging role spread throughout the school, creating anticipation. Rumors also circulated that Mo Xinwei had exposed Xiang Mankui's manipulative tactics, calling her a schemer. Meng Xiaonan warned An Chuxia to be careful, but An Chuxia stated she was aware and only wanted to participate without further expectations.
Meng Xiaonan, seeing Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui together, was annoyed. Despite wanting An Chuxia with Jiang Chenchuan, she disliked Xiang Mankui. She pulled An Chuxia to discreetly observe the couple, fearing Han Qilu might return to Xiang Mankui. An Chuxia reiterated she had given up, but Meng Xiaonan insisted her actions were driven by a desire for An Chuxia to defeat Xiang Mankui.
While observing, Jiang Chenchuan approached Han Qilu, informing him he'd arranged a hotel room for An Chuxia to focus on her designs without distractions, asking Han Qilu not to interfere. An Chuxia was surprised, questioning Jiang Chenchuan's actions and lack of prior discussion. Han Qilu asked An Chuxia if this was what she wanted. Xiang Mankui interjected, suggesting Han Qilu support An Chuxia's ambition to study abroad, adding she would eventually return.
She slyly implied that if An Chuxia won, she could fly directly to France, eliminating the need to stay at "someone else's house." An Chuxia tried to speak, but Xiang Mankui feigned being burned by spilled coffee. Han Qilu immediately attended to Xiang Mankui, showing tender concern. Witnessing this, An Chuxia resolutely declared she would move her belongings that night.
Han Qilu questioned her certainty, but An Chuxia reaffirmed her decision before Meng Xiaonan called out to her as she left. At the hotel, An Chuxia found a room full of surprises prepared by Jiang Chenchuan, including design materials. He told her they were all for her and reminded her to call if she needed anything before leaving. The preliminary round of the Pinkston Youth Design Competition began.
The contestants had one hour to paint a unique design on a white T-shirt. An Chuxia and Mo Xinwei advanced to the semi-finals, with An Chuxia winning first place with her unique creativity. Jiang Chenchuan presented An Chuxia with flowers to celebrate; Han Qilu watched from afar. Mo Xinwei and another contestant expressed frustration at An Chuxia's high scores, with Mo Xinwei's companion pointing out the difference between painting skills and fashion design creativity.
Mo Xinwei, worried about losing, was reassured by her companion to trust their collaboration despite An Chuxia's initial success. Later, An Chuxia called her mother, sharing her happiness and missing her. She then received a good luck message.
Episode 14 Recap
After An Chuxia moved out, Han Qilu pretended to be indifferent but secretly longed to see her. His mother, Jiang Yuanyuan, urged him to contact An Chuxia to celebrate her first-place win in the preliminary competition, suggesting An Chuxia likely wanted him to visit. Han Qilu hesitated, reminding his mother that An Chuxia had moved out and shouldn't be disturbed late at night. However, Jiang Yuanyuan insisted An Chuxia would want him to go.
Thinking An Chuxia might have returned, Han Qilu rushed to the door when the doorbell rang, only to find his father, Han Liu, instead. Han Liu, who had returned home earlier than expected to surprise them, immediately asked Han Qilu for a talk. An Chuxia found a note and wondered who wrote it. Feng Shao suggested Jiang Chenchuan, not Han Qilu. An Chuxia stated she didn't want to hear about Han Qilu.
Feng Shao then boasted about previously beating up Han Qilu in front of everyone for hitting An Chuxia because of Xiang Mankui. Surprised, An Chuxia finally understood and appreciated Feng Shao's actions. Feeling the need to clarify things with Han Qilu, An Chuxia went to his classroom, only to be met with hostility from Mo Xinwei and other classmates. Mo Xinwei informed her that Han Qilu had left with Xiang Mankui that morning.
Han Qilu took Xiang Mankui car racing, a pastime he indulged in when upset. He even asked her to skip class with him. He confessed to Xiang Mankui that his father, Han Liu, was sending him to England to study economics and eventually take over the family business, which would mean giving up his passion for astronomy.
Despite Xiang Mankui offering to go to England with him and encouraging him to pursue astronomy as a hobby, Han Qilu said he didn't want to go. Xiang Mankui correctly guessed his reluctance stemmed from An Chuxia, reminding him that even if he stayed, An Chuxia was going to France after winning the competition, meaning they would be separated anyway. Han Qilu reluctantly agreed. After school, An Chuxia waited, but neither Han Qilu nor Xiang Mankui had returned.
Jiang Chenchuan found An Chuxia and pointed out that Xiang Mankui had left in such a hurry she forgot her bag, implying Han Qilu had impulsively taken her away. He then persuaded An Chuxia to stop dwelling on it and celebrate her victory in the preliminary competition. Jiang Chenchuan had arranged a costume party, which, due to a mix-up, became a spooky "Qing Dynasty ghost" theme.
Despite the unexpected change, he toasted to An Chuxia and officially started her celebration party. Unbeknownst to An Chuxia, Han Qilu frequently visited her old places, leaving encouraging messages on a blackboard. After the party, a heavily intoxicated An Chuxia was escorted home by Jiang Chenchuan. During the journey, An Chuxia repeatedly called out Han Qilu's name, even mistaking Jiang Chenchuan for him and asking to go for a walk.
Jiang Chenchuan, heartbroken by her unconscious declarations, gently corrected her, but she continued to call for Han Qilu. Sorrowful, Jiang Chenchuan wondered aloud what he had to do to win her love. Jiang Yuanyuan was concerned that Han Qilu wasn't home and had skipped class. Han Liu, irritated, mentioned he'd given Han Qilu three days, or rather, "three minutes," to decide about his future. Shortly after, Han Liu received a call about company problems.
Sensing there was more to his sudden return and insistence on Han Qilu studying abroad, Jiang Yuanyuan pressed him for answers. Han Liu confided that the company was facing problems, which was why he rushed back. More seriously, he admitted his health was declining, and he wanted Han Qilu to take over the family business sooner rather than later. He asked Jiang Yuanyuan to help persuade Han Qilu.
Upon Han Qilu's return, Han Liu immediately confronted him about his decision regarding England. Han Qilu reminded him he still had time, but Han Liu, tired of waiting, declared he would arrange the transfer the next day. Han Qilu adamantly refused to go to England, asserting his right to choose and declaring he would never be a businessman or study economics. Enraged by his son's defiance, Han Liu collapsed, prompting Jiang Yuanyuan to call for help in a panic.
The next day at school, classmates gossiped about An Chuxia and Jiang Chenchuan's night, while An Chuxia remained visibly upset, staring at Xiang Mankui's empty seat. Rumors circulated that Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui had "eloped" and that Han Qilu was "flirting around," further distressing An Chuxia. She decided she needed to talk to him.
When she asked about Han Qilu, Feng Shao told her he hadn't come to school because his father, Han Liu, had fallen ill and was hospitalized. Upon hearing this, An Chuxia, despite being in class and her recent emotional turmoil, immediately rushed out to the hospital, deeply concerned. She reflected on her worries for Han Liu, Han Qilu, and her own mother.
Episode 15 Recap
Han Qilu sat beside his unconscious father, Han Liuhai, in a hospital room, consumed by guilt. A doctor informed Jiang Yuanyuan that Han Liuhai was out of immediate danger but needed continued observation, emphasizing the importance of keeping him undisturbed. An Chuxia arrived, joining Han Qilu at the bedside, silently praying for Han Liuhai. Seeing him triggered memories of her own mother, causing her to weep.
Han Qilu comforted her, assuring her that both her uncle and mother would be alright. Shortly afterward, Han Liuhai's secretary approached Jiang Yuanyuan and Han Qilu, revealing a significant company crisis. Jiang Yuanyuan was shocked, lamenting that "Brother Liu" hadn't told her about such a serious problem. The secretary explained that a failed project had created a capital chain issue, prompting major stockholders to threaten withdrawal of their investments.
He urged Jiang Yuanyuan to address the situation on the president's behalf. Feeling inadequate as a housewife with no knowledge of the company or its stockholders, Jiang Yuanyuan suggested Han Qilu, despite his lack of graduation. The secretary agreed, highlighting Han Qilu's age of 20, his responsibility, his popularity among stockholders who had watched him grow up, and his attendance at a business-focused college. Initially reluctant, Han Qilu accepted the challenging task with his mother's encouragement.
Meanwhile, Mo Xinwei informed Xiang Mankui that the Han family was facing a severe crisis, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Having learned this from her father, Mo Xinwei boasted that her family's Jiang's Group was uniquely positioned to assist the Hans. She condescendingly questioned Xiang Mankui's capabilities, prompting Xiang Mankui to declare herself a "small character" and terminate their partnership.
Han Qilu attended a board meeting where stockholders issued an ultimatum: secure 100 million in funding within a week, or face investment withdrawal. He left the meeting frustrated, complaining about the obstructive older men. His secretary acknowledged their perception of him as young and inexperienced, suggesting that finding a new partner was the only viable solution to avert the crisis and prevent further stockholder defections.
Later, Han Qilu received a phone call from Jiang Yuanyuan, who informed him that she had sent all the household staff home, including Xiao Cui, as she and "Old Han" were staying at the hospital. She told him to take care of himself. Returning home, Han Qilu found the large house empty. A noise startled him as he approached the door. Opening it, he discovered An Chuxia, who playfully called him a "ghost."
She explained that the streetlights were out, making it difficult to find her keys, and that she had returned to keep him company after learning he was alone. Han Qilu, feigning annoyance, initially told her to go home, but eventually relented, jokingly saying he needed a maid. Inside, Han Qilu quickly hid a stray cat he had rescued, muttering that An Chuxia shouldn't see it.
He then called An Chuxia over, gently pinching her cheek before making a sincere request: that they never fight again, regardless of future challenges. An Chuxia agreed. Han Qilu smiled, expressing his happiness and gratitude for her return. As they shared a tender moment, on the verge of a kiss, a cat's meow interrupted. An Chuxia immediately asked if there was a cat. Han Qilu quickly denied it, claiming she'd misheard, even mimicking a cat's meow himself.
Despite repeated meows, he insisted she was tired and hallucinating, swiftly ushering her to her room. The next morning, An Chuxia proudly presented Han Qilu with a breakfast she had cooked. He jokingly mentioned checking his life insurance for poison, but after tasting it, declared it good and urged her to try. An Chuxia, however, found it awful. Han Qilu laughed and left for school.
At school, An Chuxia and Han Qilu walked hand-in-hand, but faced relentless gossip about the Han family's financial difficulties and speculations of bankruptcy, with An Chuxia being labeled a jinx. Han Qilu told An Chuxia to ignore them. Meng Xiaonan then approached them, sincerely apologizing for her past behavior and hoping for forgiveness. An Chuxia graciously accepted, and they reconciled, agreeing to support each other as friends. Later, Mo Xinwei confronted Han Qilu, pressing him to discuss their "future."
She offered her father's company's assistance to the Han Group in exchange for a relationship, highlighting the ease with which her family could help. Han Qilu, while acknowledging the folly of refusing such an opportunity to save his family, firmly rejected her. He conceded that their family backgrounds were similar, suggesting a potentially advantageous future, but emphasized the absence of love in her proposal, telling her to "save it."
Xiang Mankui, watching from a hiding place, enjoyed Mo Xinwei's failed attempt. Back at home, a hungry Han Qilu wondered why An Chuxia was taking so long to buy soy sauce. An Chuxia, meanwhile, was on the phone with Feng Shao, declining his invitation for street food as she planned to cook at home. Upon returning, she found Xiang Mankui in the kitchen. Han Qilu explained that "Xiao Kui" had come to cook for them since they were alone.
An Chuxia offered to help, but Han Qilu kept her by his side, praising Xiang Mankui's cooking skills. Feeling awkward, An Chuxia announced her intention to eat street food with Feng Shao, but Han Qilu immediately forbade it. An Chuxia then joined Xiang Mankui in the kitchen. Xiang Mankui attempted to reconcile with An Chuxia, claiming she always wanted to be friends and had been jealous of An Chuxia's friendship with Xiao Nan, apologizing for past misunderstandings. As they talked, Xiang Mankui dramatically spilled hot water and feigned a foot burn, immediately capturing Han Qilu's attention and concern as he rushed to assist her.
Episode 16 Recap
During dinner at the Han family's residence, Han Qilu lavishly praised Xiang Mankui's cooking, declaring all the dishes his favorites and extolling the joys of having a chef at home. Xiang Mankui modestly offered to cook for him daily, given the lack of other cooks. Han Qilu readily agreed, jokingly threatening to "die young" if forced to endure An Chuxia's cooking for a week.
He then solicitously inquired about Xiang Mankui's foot injury, offering to take her to the hospital after dinner. Xiang Mankui reassured him she was fine, but Han Qilu persisted, worried she might be unable to cook. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, An Chuxia prematurely declared herself full despite barely eating, claiming a diet. Han Qilu retorted that she was "quite fat" and needed to eat more to have the energy to be his maid.
An Chuxia bristled at this, and her phone rang. Han Qilu attempted to prevent her from answering, but she ignored him and took a call from Jiang Chenchuan, who invited her to a street food stall. Later, with only Han Qilu and Xiang Mankui remaining, Xiang Mankui subtly hinted at a reconciliation, suggesting An Chuxia and Jiang Chenchuan seemed well-suited. Han Qilu dismissed the idea. When Xiang Mankui attempted to initiate a more serious conversation with "Can we. . ."
, Han Qilu quickly interrupted, citing the lateness of the hour and offering to drive her home so she could rest before her early morning. Meanwhile, Jiang Chenchuan and his friend Feng Shao planned to get An Chuxia drunk to prevent her from returning to the Han residence alone with Han Qilu. An Chuxia, already tipsy, loudly criticized Han Qilu, calling him a jerk and accusing Xiang Mankui of insincerity, while Han Qilu remained oblivious to their perceived flirting.
Feng Shao then received a call and left, instructing Jiang Chenchuan to look after An Chuxia. Alone with An Chuxia, Jiang Chenchuan continued to ply her with alcohol, internally apologizing, believing it was for her own good. He was surprised by her high tolerance but continued encouraging her to drink responsibly. After driving Xiang Mankui home, Han Qilu called An Chuxia, but her phone was switched off. He then called Jiang Chenchuan.
Jiang Chenchuan answered, attempting to hide An Chuxia, but she grabbed the phone. In her intoxicated state, An Chuxia insulted Han Qilu, calling him an idiot, a fool, and various types of eggs, demanding he find his "Little Kui" instead of bothering her. She refused to reveal her location. Jiang Chenchuan quickly decided they should leave to avoid being discovered by Han Qilu.
The next morning, An Chuxia and Jiang Chenchuan were found asleep on the school lawn, sparking gossip amongst students. Han Qilu confronted An Chuxia, angrily demanding an explanation for her actions with Jiang Chenchuan the previous night. An Chuxia countered by accusing him of hypocrisy, citing his obvious flirting with Xiang Mankui and their "candlelight dinner," where she felt like an unwelcome third wheel.
An Chuxia urged Han Qilu to acknowledge his feelings for Xiang Mankui and reconcile openly, declaring that she was "not a buy-one-get-one-free gift" in his romantic pursuits. She then threw something at him, calling him crazy. At the hospital, Han Liu Hai received attentive care from Meng Meng, who brought him fresh fruit daily. Jiang Yuanyuan arrived, visibly irritated by Meng Meng's attentiveness. Meng Meng insisted she wasn't tired of caring for "Brother Liu."
After Meng Meng's departure, a jealous Jiang Yuanyuan impulsively decided to discharge Han Liu Hai. He protested, reminding her of her previous insistence on a full recovery. Despite his objections, Jiang Yuanyuan persisted until remembering the ongoing company crisis. Fearing Han Liu Hai's health might worsen if he returned to work prematurely, she changed her mind, insisting he remain hospitalized, even fabricating a story about the doctor confiscating their phones to prevent company contact.
Meanwhile, Han Qilu managed the family business. He reassured Jiang Yuanyuan by phone that he had a plan to address the company's crisis. His secretary informed him of a crucial investment program for Le Xi, requiring a 100 million investment to help Han's Group overcome its difficulties. The investors were assessing the company's resilience. Han Qilu learned the potential investors were "old acquaintances." To his surprise, the representative introduced himself as Ling Hanyu, executive director of Ling Hang Enterprise.
Episode 17 Recap
Ling Hanyu returned to the country with a business deal worth 100 million, contingent upon the Han family winning the Le Xi bottle design competition. He jokingly suggested Han Qilu show his gratitude by giving An Chuxia to him, but Han Qilu stated his romantic rival wasn't him anymore. Meanwhile, Meng Xiaonan teased An Chuxia about rumors with Jiang Chenchuan from the previous night.
An Chuxia denied anything happened, but discovered a note from Jiang Chenchuan in her book reading, "I will be responsible for you," leaving her confused. Mo Xinwei then approached An Chuxia, feigning concern about her absence from home the previous night and offering assistance with the design competition. Jiang Chenchuan waited for An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan after school.
He presented An Chuxia with a car trunk full of roses and dramatically declared he would be responsible for her, proclaiming, "From now on, An Chuxia is my girl!" An Chuxia vehemently denied anything happened beyond getting drunk and sleeping on the lawn, but Jiang Chenchuan persisted. Han Qilu and Ling Hanyu arrived, with Ling Hanyu expressing his affection for An Chuxia, and Han Qilu claiming An Chuxia as his maid.
Meng Xiaonan observed the three openly vying for An Chuxia's attention, prompting An Chuxia to leave. Ling Hanyu invited An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan to his return party, noting his grandfather's absence and the presence of other students. An Chuxia accepted, and Meng Xiaonan eagerly joined, with Jiang Chenchuan tagging along uninvited, earning a playful rebuke from An Chuxia.
At the party, Han Qilu, Ling Hanyu, and Jiang Chenchuan discussed Ling Hanyu's offer of 100 million to the Han family if Han Qilu "gave up" An Chuxia. An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan overheard, with Jiang Chenchuan objecting to Han Qilu's authority to give An Chuxia away, only to be countered by Ling Hanyu's assertion that she was Han Qilu's maid. Jiang Chenchuan then offered to match the 100 million.
Overhearing Han Qilu's dismissive comment about it being a joke, An Chuxia confronted him. When Han Qilu insinuated she and Jiang Chenchuan were a couple, An Chuxia defiantly declared they were, to spite him. Xiang Mankui's arrival provided Han Qilu with an excuse to leave with her, citing the "sticky air." An Chuxia, Ling Hanyu, Jiang Chenchuan, and Meng Xiaonan played cards in Ling Hanyu's room. Mo Xinwei observed Han Qilu drinking heavily, suspecting his distress stemmed from An Chuxia.
A power outage caused the other guests to leave, and the house steward revealed that Xiang Mankui had taken a heavily intoxicated Han Qilu away, leaving An Chuxia visibly disappointed. Jiang Chenchuan offered to drive An Chuxia home, but she suggested he take Meng Xiaonan instead. Ling Hanyu offered to drive An Chuxia, but Meng Xiaonan negotiated a deal for herself, securing a month of free meals. An Chuxia left with Jiang Chenchuan.
Jiang Chenchuan unexpectedly changed course, explaining vaguely, "I'm scared I'll regret this." They arrived at Xiang Mankui's house, where an inebriated Han Qilu repeatedly called An Chuxia's name. Xiang Mankui expressed her annoyance at Jiang Chenchuan's decision, suggesting Han Qilu could stay, but Jiang Chenchuan insisted on taking him home. He confided in An Chuxia about her feelings for Han Qilu and his desire to avoid her unhappiness before leaving.
Only Han Qilu and An Chuxia remained at the Han residence. A still-drunk Han Qilu called out for "Chu Xia" and "Xiao Hua." In his room, An Chuxia found the cat, Xiao Hua, from her hometown, realizing that Han Qilu was the silent supporter who had encouraged her all along. The next morning, An Chuxia displayed unusual gentleness towards Han Qilu, serving him breakfast. Han Qilu, surprised, jokingly suspected poisoning or flatulence in his food.
He questioned his actions from the previous night, remembering only their argument. An Chuxia brushed it off. Han Qilu then imposed three rules on An Chuxia: she could drink with other men but not get drunk, talk to them but not have heart-to-heart conversations, and spend the night with them but "not go too far." To his shock, An Chuxia agreed. Suspecting something was amiss, he checked her for a fever.
An Chuxia then confessed that she had discovered his secret: his identity as her anonymous encourager. Han Qilu, feigning skepticism, reminded her that even if he was that person, it didn't mean he was over Xiang Mankui. Later, Mo Xinwei and Xiang Mankui met, with Xiang Mankui commenting on their "perfect cooperation." Mo Xinwei admitted her realization that she and Han Qilu were incompatible, and her new goal was to eliminate An Chuxia and win the design competition. Xiang Mankui acknowledged her intentions, and as she left, Mo Xinwei muttered, "Let's see how long you can put up this act for," hinting at a hidden, manipulative agenda.
Episode 18 Recap
Han Qilu was puzzled by An Chuxia’s sudden change in attitude that morning. He asked Xiang Mankui what happened the previous night. Xiang Mankui explained that a drunk Han Qilu insisted on going to her place, but An Chuxia and Jiang Chenchuan angrily arrived and took him away, implying a misunderstanding. Han Qilu then received a call; the Han family’s design proposal was rejected.
Remembering Xiang Mankui’s design talent, he asked her to help with the plastic bottle design, which she readily accepted. That evening, An Chuxia, wanting to avoid Xiang Mankui cooking at their home again, insisted they eat out. However, Xiang Mankui still joined them. At the restaurant, Xiang Mankui mentioned helping Han Qilu with the design. An Chuxia, feigning understanding, seemed to see through Xiang Mankui’s subtle manipulation regarding the previous night's events.
Han Qilu dismissed An Chuxia’s questions about the design, claiming she wouldn’t understand. The next day, An Chuxia questioned Han Qilu about the design concept on their way to school. Han Qilu only praised Xiang Mankui’s abilities, infuriating An Chuxia. She demanded he stop the car, needing to walk and clear her head. Han Qilu criticized her frequent temper tantrums and erratic behavior, urging maturity.
An Chuxia retorted, highlighting Xiang Mankui’s maturity and capabilities in contrast to her own, then walked away. Jiang Chenchuan, leaning on Meng Xiaonan, was contemplating abandoning his position as heir to Jiang's Group. An Chuxia and Meng Xiaonan found them. Meng Xiaonan revealed An Chuxia was working on a design concept for the Han family’s beverage bottle, intending to compete with Xiang Mankui.
An Chuxia clarified she was doing it for herself, as the Han family's bankruptcy would render her mother's entrustment meaningless, although she acknowledged Xiang Mankui’s design genius. Inspired by An Chuxia’s determination, Jiang Chenchuan declared he would help her achieve her dreams before leaving. Jiang Chenchuan went home and searched through his family’s archives, finding relevant design materials.
He called An Chuxia, informing her he’d found the design information she needed at his company's archives and promptly delivered the materials to her. Meanwhile, Ling Hanyu directly asked Han Qilu if he loved An Chuxia or Xiang Mankui; Han Qilu remained silent. Later, both friends got heavily intoxicated at a food stall. While An Chuxia worked on her design, a drunk Han Qilu burst into her room.
He confessed his love, pleading with her not to leave him regardless of his behavior. An Chuxia questioned if he was admitting defeat; he declared himself hers. They kissed. The next morning, An Chuxia and Han Qilu woke up in the same bed, both screaming in surprise. Han Qilu questioned what happened, but An Chuxia insisted nothing occurred. However, Han Qilu remembered their kiss.
In class, Teacher You Tian announced that design competition semifinalists needed a male model for the rematch; the model’s chemistry with the contestant would be crucial. Students had a few days to prepare. Xiang Mankui later showed Han Qilu her injured hand, explaining she cut herself while engraving the design on the bottle and couldn’t continue. Han Qilu reassured her, mentioning An Chuxia had already created a design, which he would use.
Xiang Mankui was surprised, and Han Qilu confirmed An Chuxia’s design was good. An Chuxia began searching for a male model, holding auditions with Meng Xiaonan, who acted as a harsh judge. Meng Xiaonan meticulously inspected each candidate, rejecting many due to various flaws, from "big bone structure" and "excessive body fat" to "fake" chest padding. Only Jiang Chenchuan remained. Meng Xiaonan praised his physique, declaring him An Chuxia’s only viable option. As An Chuxia prepared to finalize her choice, Han Qilu arrived, stating there was someone else.
Episode 19 Recap
Han Qilu surprisingly joined the competition to be An Chuxia's male model. When someone suggested An Chuxia had no other choices, Han Qilu challenged the statement, much to An Chuxia's surprise. He boldly declared An Chuxia was his maid and their partnership was already decided. Despite a suggestion that An Chuxia should choose for herself, Han Qilu declared it "done" and took An Chuxia away, effectively selecting himself as her male model.
In the days before the rematch, Han Qilu and An Chuxia prepared together, with Han Qilu encouraging her, "Let's do it together." During this time, Xiang Mankui injured her hand while attempting to carve a unique pattern into a bottle to enhance its design. On the day of the rematch, An Chuxia confided in Han Qilu about a feeling of impending doom. Han Qilu reassured her, asking about her nervousness and saying, "I'm here, aren't I?"
He took her hand, comforting her. Jiang Chenchuan then interrupted, separating their hands. He warned Han Qilu against taking advantage of An Chuxia, but Han Qilu dismissed him. Jiang Chenchuan then presented An Chuxia with a large bouquet of flowers. Han Qilu playfully snatched a flower, telling Jiang Chenchuan to buy his own. During their performance, An Chuxia unexpectedly slipped.
Han Qilu quickly caught her, putting an arm around her waist, before theatrically producing a rose and placing it in his mouth. An audience member commented on Han Qilu's handsome appearance. Mo Xinwei and An Chuxia tied for first place. A live public vote from the judges was needed to break the tie. Xiang Mankui held the deciding vote and, after being prompted, voted for An Chuxia, making her the winner.
Afterward, Mo Xinwei confronted Xiang Mankui, demanding an explanation for her vote. Mo Xinwei expressed her frustration at An Chuxia winning two rounds consecutively. Xiang Mankui calmly explained their long-standing cooperation, suggesting that An Chuxia's higher rise would lead to a harder fall. She revealed her true intention was to force An Chuxia to leave the country to prevent her from being near Han Qilu. Back in the classroom, An Chuxia's classmates celebrated her victory.
She then received a phone call from Jiang's Group, offering her a unique designer position. Han Qilu was pleased, believing it meant An Chuxia wouldn't need to go abroad and could remain his maid. An Chuxia, however, suspected it was a scheme orchestrated by Mo Xinwei, given their rivalry and the company's connection to Mo Xinwei's father. She was hesitant to accept.
Han Qilu tried to persuade her, highlighting the opportunity and questioning why she still wanted to go to France. An Chuxia jokingly replied, "To hide from you." Han Qilu cryptically mentioned their limited time together, then dismissed it as a joke. Despite his efforts, An Chuxia refused the Jiang family's offer. The next day, Jiang He, CEO of Jiang's Group and Jiang Chenchuan's uncle, visited the school to invite An Chuxia and her friends to dinner.
Jiang Chenchuan initially thought he was there for his daughter. At the restaurant, Jiang Chenchuan urged An Chuxia to accept the job offer, praising his uncle and suggesting she shouldn't be deterred by Mo Xinwei's animosity. Han Qilu retorted, saying not to make it sound like an auction. An Chuxia politely declined Jiang He's offer, explaining her desire to achieve her goals through her own efforts. Jiang He remarked that she was "just like her mother."
This surprised An Chuxia, prompting Jiang He to reveal that An Chuxia is his daughter, detailing a past relationship with her mother, An Shuya. Jiang Chenchuan realized the truth upon hearing the story. Han Qilu was shocked by this revelation. Meanwhile, Mo Xinwei at home discovered DNA test results confirming Jiang He's paternity of An Chuxia. She vowed to prevent An Chuxia from taking what she considered hers – her family and Han Qilu.
Overwhelmed by the truth, An Chuxia rejected the story and stormed out of the hotel, declaring, "I don't have a father," despite Jiang He's pleas for forgiveness. Han Qilu and Jiang Chenchuan followed her. Jiang Chenchuan, incredulous, confronted Jiang He. Outside, An Chuxia collapsed into Han Qilu's arms, crying, while he comforted her. Jiang Chenchuan witnessed this. The next day, Mo Xinwei slapped An Chuxia in Class B.
After challenging those who tried to intervene, Mo Xinwei publicly exposed An Chuxia's identity as Jiang He's daughter and her cousin. Someone (implied to be Han Qilu) told Mo Xinwei to leave. Mo Xinwei continued to taunt An Chuxia, calling her a "bastard child." An Chuxia retaliated, leading to a fight. Reporters later ambushed Xiang Mankui, questioning her career, hand injury, and French school dropout.
An Chuxia intervened, creating a false story about Xiang Mankui injuring her hand while cooking at her place. Xiang Mankui thanked An Chuxia, realizing she knew her secret. An Chuxia then asked if her hand injury was incurable, which Xiang Mankui confirmed. Xiang Mankui pleaded for An Chuxia to keep the secret, especially from Han Qilu. Understanding Xiang Mankui's pain and desire to bear her burdens alone, An Chuxia agreed. Xiang Mankui then mused about a possible friendship without Han Qilu as a complicating factor, to which An Chuxia agreed, adding it wasn't too late.
Episode 20 Recap
Meng Xiaonan took Jiang Chenchuan to a KTV to help him relieve stress, but his terrible singing made her leave. She dragged him to an arcade instead, suggesting it was a better place to vent his emotions.
The arcade triggered Jiang Chenchuan's memories of his first encounter with An Chuxia, where she introduced herself as "An Chu Xia from Stiland's class B, the one who never changes her name," prompting him to think, "So even Stiland has students who are this brainless?" Meng Xiaonan encouraged him, saying he should "stand up from where he fell." Despite claiming to be "invincible at arcades," Jiang Chenchuan struggled with a ball-throwing game.
Meng Xiaonan had to teach him, but he kept missing, becoming frustrated. Meng Xiaonan then playfully suggested he smash the balls to vent his anger, improving his mood. On their way home, Jiang Chenchuan revealed he had secretly learned to play the drums for a couple of years, hiding it from his father who wanted him to study economics and inherit the family business.
He confessed his dream of forming a band after retirement and giving concerts in nursing homes instead of playing mahjong. Meng Xiaonan jokingly pointed out that he might not even be able to hold drumsticks when he's old, let alone perform a concert. She then sincerely encouraged him to pursue his dream now, offering her support. An Chuxia returned to a dark Han residence. Han Qilu surprised her with a homemade birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday."
After she made a wish, he gifted her a "wishing light," explaining she could make wishes daily, even wishing to see him every day, which he promised would come true. His hesitant demeanor made An Chuxia suspicious. As Han Qilu leaned in to kiss her, the lights flickered on, revealing Jiang Yuanyuan and Han Liuhai, who had returned early from the hospital to surprise An Chuxia for her birthday.
Han Qilu was annoyed by the interruption, and An Chuxia teased him about the "ugly" cake. Han Liuhai also gave An Chuxia a gift from her mother. The family celebrated An Chuxia's birthday and wished her luck for the design competition finals the next day. Han Liuhai announced their company's successful financing, freeing Han Qilu from his business burdens. At the design competition finals, the host introduced last year's champion and special judge, Xiang Mankui, to announce the rules.
Xiang Mankui explained that the final round required contestants to create a piece over three days in a closed workspace. All communication devices, including mobile phones and computers, were forbidden to ensure a fair competition. She expressed confidence in the contestants' dreams and enthusiasm, encouraging their imagination. Before leaving the stage, Mo Xinwei interrupted, questioning Xiang Mankui's lack of new work for six months, implying a lack of talent or other reasons.
An Chuxia tried to stop Mo Xinwei, but Xiang Mankui smoothly responded that a designer's work takes time. Privately, Xiang Mankui warned An Chuxia that as long as she was around, An Chuxia and her late mother would never be welcomed in the Jiang family home. Han Qilu and Jiang Yuanyuan took An Chuxia to the closed competition site.
Jiang Yuanyuan worried about not being able to prepare anything for An Chuxia due to the sudden change in the finals format, but was confident An Chuxia would win. Han Qilu encouraged An Chuxia to do her best and not be nervous, hugging her tightly before she left. In a secluded area of the school, Mo Xinwei was on the phone, confirming she understood her task.
Her father found her and tried to reassure her that the competition's outcome wasn't important, but Mo Xinwei just wanted to sleep. She later met with a mysterious man. He questioned her about not supporting An Chuxia, and Mo Xinwei explained she wanted An Chuxia to stay calm and reflect. The man commented on Mo Xinwei's change, finding her sharper and more attractive. She denied any interest in men and called him arrogant, comparing him to Jiang Chenchuan.
She mentioned Jiang Chenchuan was An Chuxia's cousin and that recent events had greatly affected him. The man stated they shared a common enemy in An Chuxia and planned to ensure her irreversible failure. Mo Xinwei agreed, adding that the Jiang family's recent scandals were advantageous to their plan. The man revealed their plan to prevent Xiang Mankui from attending the final round the next day, and Mo Xinwei agreed.
Episode 21 Recap
Meng Xiaonan asked Feng Shao for help in forming a band for Jiang Chenchuan, hoping to fulfill Jiang's dream. Initially pretending ignorance about finding talented musicians, Feng Shao revealed he only played guitar to impress An Chuxia. Meng Xiaonan's persistence led Feng Shao to quickly realize her feelings for Jiang Chenchuan, causing her to blush and flee, not before Feng Shao playfully offered her a book on pursuing boys.
Meanwhile, on the school rooftop, Han Qilu and Ling Hanyu discussed Jiang Chenchuan's absence from a recent competition, attributing it to his distress over discovering his relation to An Chuxia. Ling Hanyu joked about the irony, earning a scolding from Han Qilu. Ling Hanyu playfully blamed Han Qilu for teaching Jiang Chenchuan how to pursue girls. Han Qilu then referenced a past conversation, recalling Ling Hanyu's advice against letting selfish desires hinder others' dreams.
Han Qilu affirmed his understanding and support for An Chuxia's aspirations, acknowledging her talent. Ling Hanyu then questioned Han Qilu's future plans if An Chuxia studied in France. Han Qilu revealed his intention to study economics and take over his family's company, surprising Ling Hanyu given his past aversion. Han Qilu explained that a recent family crisis made him realize the need to shoulder responsibility, especially with his father, Han Liuhai's declining health.
He chose to abandon his astronomy ambitions and make "reality his dream." Ling Hanyu noted Han Qilu's significant change from self-centeredness to a desire for integration into the world and wondered who influenced this transformation. An Chuxia and Mo Xinwei, along with other contestants, arrived at a hotel for a closed competition. An organizer explained the rules, provided materials, and collected everyone's cell phones to ensure fairness.
Alone, An Chuxia examined the sewing materials, silently vowing not to disappoint her mother. At home, Han Qilu found his parents, Han Liuhai and Jiang Yuanyuan, displaying affection. Han Liuhai stopped Han Qilu from leaving and discussed his future plans. Han Liuhai acknowledged Han Qilu's application to study economics, but admitted that his hospital stay led him to question his past desire to mold Han Qilu into a business elite.
He encouraged Han Qilu to pursue his passion for astronomy while young. To Han Liuhai's surprise, Han Qilu stated that studying economics was his own genuine choice, admitting past selfishness and apologizing to his father. Han Liuhai and Jiang Yuanyuan were deeply moved by Han Qilu's sincerity, with Jiang Yuanyuan crediting An Chuxia for his newfound maturity. Jiang He reflected on past mistakes, silently apologizing to An Chuxia's deceased mother, Shu Ya.
He vowed to provide An Chuxia with the best care and education. Later, Jiang He called Jiang Chenchuan to his office. Anticipating a difficult conversation, Jiang Chenchuan tried to avoid it, but Jiang He insisted. Jiang He expressed regret for past failures in family matters, apologizing for hurting Jiang Chenchuan, Mo Xinwei, and An Chuxia. He encouraged Jiang Chenchuan to overcome his past, emphasizing the importance of moving forward despite life's challenges.
Jiang He requested Jiang Chenchuan accompany him to the final design competition to help overcome his emotional hurdles. Jiang Chenchuan initially refused, but Jiang He urged him to reconsider, stating he didn't want this to become a lasting obstacle. Three days later, on the day of the final competition, An Chuxia completed her design and was called to the stage. Xiang Mankui received a call from Wan Zi warning of a plot to frame An Chuxia.
Before reacting, a masked man knocked Xiang Mankui unconscious and abducted her. Xiang Mankui's absence was noted as the competition neared. News then spread of Xiang Mankui's new online design, "Fruit of Dreams." Jiang He, sensing something was wrong, instructed his staff to investigate, while Han Qilu noted the design's uncharacteristic style. Jiang Chenchuan arrived, stating he was only there to observe. After receiving a message from Xiang Mankui claiming illness, the organizers decided to proceed without her.
Xiang Mankui awoke in a dilapidated warehouse, crying for help, and overheard her captors discussing their "lady" and their decision to bring her to the school campus to contain the situation. Mo Xinwei then presented her design. Han Qilu and Ling Hanyu were impressed by her dedication and skill. In an emotional presentation, Mo Xinwei addressed the recent family scandal, acknowledging her father's past mistakes but fiercely vowing to fight anyone who threatened her family.
Finally, An Chuxia presented her design. The audience and judges were shocked to discover its identical nature to Xiang Mankui's recently released "Fruit of Dreams." A judge questioned An Chuxia about the design's originality, which she confirmed, only to be confronted with the devastating similarity, leaving her stunned.
Episode 22 Recap
At the Pinkston Design Competition, the judges questioned An Chuxia about her design's striking resemblance to Xiang Mankui's newly released sketches. An Chuxia insisted the design was her own, created independently, but couldn't immediately provide proof. She offered to contact Xiang Mankui for verification, but learned that Xiang Mankui was unwell and absent. The judges decided to deliberate and postpone a decision, leaving An Chuxia visibly distressed on stage, comforted by Han Qilu, Jiang Chenchuan, Ling Hanyu, and Meng Xiaonan.
Meanwhile, Xiang Mankui was confined, attempting to break down a door with a stick, guarded by men led by Gao Gan, who threatened her with dire consequences if she didn't cooperate. An Chuxia's friends were unable to reach Xiang Mankui. Meng Xiaonan suspected sabotage, citing past grievances, but An Chuxia remained steadfast in her belief in Xiang Mankui's innocence, arguing that a deliberate framing would have occurred earlier. Han Qilu and Jiang Yuanyuan agreed.
Recognizing the urgency, Han Qilu prioritized finding Xiang Mankui, initially planning to search her home with Jiang Chenchuan and Ling Hanyu. Simultaneously, Jiang He received a call revealing Mo Xinwei had ordered the upload of the plagiarized sketches that morning. Shocked, Jiang He immediately ordered a news blackout to protect Mo Xinwei.
While Han Qilu and the others strategized, Wan Zi revealed she witnessed Mo Xinwei conspiring with a man to sabotage An Chuxia's competition entry by ensuring Xiang Mankui's absence. Frightened, Wan Zi tried to warn Xiang Mankui, following them to the school but losing sight of them after Xiang Mankui was released on campus. Although Wan Zi didn't know their exact location, her information confirmed Xiang Mankui was still on school grounds.
Deductively, they determined the old, disused warehouse west of the school was the most likely hiding place. Jiang He confronted Mo Xinwei, revealing his discovery of her role in uploading the plagiarized sketches. Mo Xinwei admitted to framing An Chuxia, driven by her desire to destroy her. Jiang He reprimanded Mo Xinwei for jeopardizing An Chuxia’s future and committing a crime, but Mo Xinwei, viewing herself as the rightful heir to Jiang's Group, justified her actions as eliminating obstacles.
When Jiang He reminded her of An Chuxia's status as her older sister, Mo Xinwei angrily denied the relationship, calling An Chuxia a "bastard child." Jiang He pressed her about Xiang Mankui's disappearance, but Mo Xinwei feigned ignorance, suggesting self-confinement or voluntary absence. Jiang He warned of the severe consequences if her actions were exposed, but Mo Xinwei remained defiant, claiming her status as his daughter made her untouchable.
Arriving at the warehouse, Han Qilu, Jiang Chenchuan, Ling Hanyu, and Feng Shao found Gao Gan and his men guarding the entrance. Han Qilu confronted Gao Gan, demanding Xiang Mankui's release, which escalated into a fight. Han Qilu rescued Xiang Mankui, assuring her safety and instructing Jiang Chenchuan to handle the remaining assailants before rushing Xiang Mankui to the competition venue. At the competition, the judges disqualified An Chuxia for suspected plagiarism. However, Xiang Mankui's dramatic arrival interrupted the proceedings.
She confirmed An Chuxia's ownership of the sketches, attributing the incident to website malfunctions and apologizing for the misunderstanding, urging everyone not to doubt An Chuxia’s talent. Mo Xinwei then stormed the stage, accusing Xiang Mankui of being bribed. An Chuxia tried to intervene, asking Xiang Mankui not to sacrifice herself. An Chuxia revealed Xiang Mankui's discovery in the west warehouse, implying intentional obstruction. Mo Xinwei denied involvement, suggesting self-confinement or non-attendance, questioning An Chuxia's knowledge of the guards.
Mo Xinwei then insulted An Chuxia, calling her a "scene kid" and a "bastard child." Jiang He desperately tried to control Mo Xinwei, but she accused him of bias due to family ties. Xiang Mankui revealed her severely injured hand, demonstrating her inability to create the recent sketches and exposing the framing attempt. Mo Xinwei’s enraged outburst continued, accusing An Chuxia and Jiang He of being liars.
Ultimately, An Chuxia was declared the winner, although her joy was tempered by the traumatic events. That evening, at the Han family home, a celebration was underway when Xiang Mankui arrived, prompting Jiang Yuanyuan to caution her about drinking too much wine, given her recent hospital stay.
Episode 23 (Ending) Recap
Madam Jiang Yuanyuan invited Xiang Mankui to dinner at the Han family home. Han Liuhai thanked Xiang Mankui for her help in the competition and, despite her hand injury, assured her that the Han family would always welcome her as family. After dinner, An Chuxia thanked Xiang Mankui for her help during the plagiarism accusation. Xiang Mankui downplayed her role, saying An Chuxia had proven herself, and revealed she’d kept her promise not to disclose her hand injury.
The conversation turned to An Chuxia’s future plans with Han Qilu regarding her studies at Pinkston in France. Xiang Mankui admitted that given another chance, she would still choose France, calling Pinkston a paradise for designers. Her only regret was her past overconfidence in believing Han Qilu would understand her unexplained departure and wait for her.
She reassured An Chuxia that she had given up on Han Qilu and encouraged her to talk to him openly, urging her to hold onto what mattered most. An Chuxia confessed to being a big fan of Xiang Mankui, who in turn admired An Chuxia’s talent and perseverance, looking forward to them becoming design rivals in the future. The next day, Jiang He waited for An Chuxia, stating they needed to talk privately.
He reminded her of their agreement: he would help the Han family overcome their crisis. An Chuxia was surprised to learn that Jiang He was the legal representative of the company the Han family was doing business with. His condition for helping them was An Chuxia's promise to go to France, regardless of the competition's outcome, a promise she had already made. An Chuxia confirmed she would fulfill her promise and go to France, as it was her dream.
However, she had something important to do first and declined his offer of help, explaining it was a personal matter she alone could handle. An Chuxia called Meng Xiaonan for help, revealing she needed to prepare for a love confession. Meng Xiaonan emphasized that a pretty dress and beautiful makeup were crucial for a love confession. After Meng Xiaonan finished her makeup, she declared An Chuxia looked perfect and encouraged her to win Han Qilu over.
An Chuxia, looking beautiful, went to the school rooftop to meet Han Qilu. An Chuxia arrived at the rooftop, commenting on Han Qilu’s lateness. When she asked if she looked pretty, he hesitantly agreed. An Chuxia stated she had something to tell him; he replied he had something to say as well. To her surprise, Han Qilu immediately questioned her departure to France, asking about her visa, Pinkston admission, and even the weather.
Hurt, An Chuxia asked if he wanted her to leave so badly. He countered that Pinkston was her dream, but An Chuxia emphasized that his feelings mattered to her. She directly asked if he thought she would abandon him like Xiang Mankui. An Chuxia confessed her love for design and for him, then loudly declared her love. Han Qilu remained expressionless, apologizing and stating he couldn’t consider romance at the moment.
He explained that he had changed his field of study and was falling behind, needing to focus. When An Chuxia reiterated her confession, he explained the Han family had just overcome a major crisis, his father's health was recovering, and his mother couldn't face the company directors. He couldn't concern himself with "trivialities" like love while resolving these issues peacefully.
Stung by his use of "trivialities," An Chuxia, feigning strength, told him she wouldn't complicate things further, wished him success, and formally addressed him as "Young Master Han" before leaving. As An Chuxia walked away, Han Qilu watched her go before collapsing to the ground. Meanwhile, Meng Xiaonan mysteriously brought Jiang Chenchuan to the school sports field to showcase a band she and Feng Shao had assembled.
The performance was terrible, and soon the band members received calls and left; one had a broken guitar string, another had clients, a third's brother was in trouble, and Feng Shao was called away for a movie. The impromptu band quickly disbanded. Meng Xiaonan cried, blaming herself, but Jiang Chenchuan comforted her, embracing her warmly. Ling Hanyu found Han Qilu slumped on the ground on the rooftop. Han Qilu expressed regret, wishing he hadn't given up on An Chuxia.
Ling Hanyu confronted him, questioning why he lied to An Chuxia. Han Qilu admitted he didn't want to burden An Chuxia's pursuit of her dream, feeling she'd already lost enough and couldn't lose this opportunity. Ling Hanyu argued that love and dreams weren't mutually exclusive, but Han Qilu insisted on the reality of his situation, saying he couldn't go to France with her and didn't want to hinder her progress.
Ling Hanyu, seeing a different Han Qilu, accused him of being self-centered for not considering An Chuxia’s feelings or asking for her opinion. He advised Han Qilu to reflect and take responsibility, warning him he might forever regret inaction. When An Chuxia was leaving, Jiang Yuanyuan, Ling Hanyu, Meng Xiaonan, and Jiang He saw her off.
Jiang Yuanyuan thanked An Chuxia for her care, urged her to take care of herself, and promised to send anything she needed, conveying Han Liuhai's well wishes. Jiang He assured everyone he’d made all arrangements for An Chuxia. Meng Xiaonan expressed sadness; An Chuxia said it wasn’t a permanent goodbye. An Chuxia thanked Ling Hanyu for his concern.
She still hoped Han Qilu would appear, but Meng Xiaonan informed her he’d left early and his whereabouts were unknown, speculating he didn't want to come. Accepting this, An Chuxia said her goodbyes and departed. On the way to the airport, Jiang He told An Chuxia to cry if she needed to, and she wept. After An Chuxia’s departure, Jiang Chenchuan found Han Qilu hiding nearby, unable to say goodbye.
Jiang Chenchuan expressed disbelief at Han Qilu’s cowardice and asked if he knew the extent of An Chuxia’s sacrifice. Han Qilu questioned his meaning; Jiang Chenchuan revealed the truth: the Han family’s design plan passed because An Chuxia had made a deal with Jiang He. The condition was that An Chuxia would go to France, win or lose. Jiang Chenchuan emphasized that An Chuxia, despite disliking his uncle, agreed without hesitation for Han Qilu and his family.
Han Qilu was stunned. Jiang Chenchuan, citing his family name, urged him to chase after An Chuxia immediately, warning him of lifelong regret. Realizing the truth, Han Qilu rushed off, but it was too late. Later, Meng Xiaonan asked Jiang Chenchuan why he’d helped Han Qilu. He said he was helping his sister, hoping she would find happiness. Han Qilu returned to the blackboard wall outside An Chuxia’s old home.
He reflected on their journey, from their first meeting to falling in love, before writing, "An Chu Xia I love you." Turning around, he saw An Chuxia. He thought it was a dream, but she confirmed her presence, explaining that her flight to France had been canceled due to bad weather, delaying her departure for a few days. Han Qilu confessed he'd been communicating with her through the messages on the wall; An Chuxia nonchalantly said she already knew.
When An Chuxia pretended to leave, Han Qilu called her back. She playfully questioned why, but when he insisted, he declared, "I love you." After many trials and misunderstandings, they were finally together.
