Mr. Fighting Episode 14 Recap
> Mr. Fighting Recap
A flight attendant informed Hao Zeyu that his fear of flying was minor compared to the more challenging experiences he would face, urging him to strengthen his heart. Hao Zeyu, still anxious, accepted the advice. Meanwhile, Fu Zi, in economy class, tried to send him an apple, which she explained represented safety, through the flight attendant.
She later continued to send him water and nuts, hoping to alleviate his stress, much to the annoyance of Bai Jiaojiao, who was sitting next to Hao Zeyu in first class. Hao Zeyu confessed to Bai Jiaojiao that despite her efforts and medicines, nothing made him feel more at ease than being with Fu Zi. He expressed a desire to sit with her.
After some sarcastic remarks, Bai Jiaojiao learned that Hao Zeyu had exchanged his first-class seat with a stranger to be near Fu Zi. Fu Zi, upon learning of his decision, complained about the wasted money on the ticket, but Hao Zeyu finally felt calm, holding her hand. Their relief was short-lived as they arrived at a shabby inn, far from the luxurious five-star hotel they were promised.
To make matters worse, Bai Jiaojiao's driver had taken Fu Zi's assigned room, forcing her to sleep on the floor in Hao Zeyu's room. Hao Zeyu couldn't sleep that night and woke Fu Zi for a chat. He revealed that his fear of flying stemmed from his father's death on a plane. He recounted his complex relationship with his father, a theater actor whom he initially disliked but later admired for his dedication.
At eighteen, Hao Zeyu wanted to become an actor too, leading to a huge fight with his father. He left home for Beijing after being discovered by Teng Dan, intending to prove himself. However, he became too busy to visit his father. When his father finally flew to Beijing to reconcile, he passed away on the plane, leaving Hao Zeyu without a chance to say a proper goodbye.
Hao Zeyu admitted his nervousness about the next day's filming, as it had been a long time since he had professionally faced a camera. The following morning, Hao Zeyu appeared with a dramatic, heroic hairstyle, prompting Fu Zi to remark how much clothes can make a man. She eagerly explored the film set, finding everything new and exciting.
Back home, Fu's dad was delighted looking at photos Fu Zi sent from the set, despite pretending to Niu Meili that he wasn't interested. Fu Zi called Niu Meili, intentionally sugarcoating their situation, while Fu's dad, overhearing, constantly reminded her to take care of herself.
Fu Zi then asked for money to treat the crew, to which Niu Meili, after a brief argument with Fu's dad about her role as an agent, reluctantly agreed to transfer funds the next day before leaving. Meanwhile, Niu Meili was hiding at her shop from persistent debt collectors, who were demanding she open the door and pay her outstanding loans. Zhao Xiaobei arrived and was instructed to use the back door.
Niu Meili confessed she owed 300,000 yuan, which she borrowed to sign Hao Zeyu. Zhao Xiaobei questioned her risky investment, given her inexperience as an agent and Hao Zeyu's low chances of success. Niu Meili, however, asserted that she had to try as long as there was a glimmer of hope, seeing Hao Zeyu as a new beginning. Unable to leave the shop due to the debt collectors, Zhao Xiaobei offered to buy groceries and cook for them.
On set, Hao Zeyu struggled through the day's filming, his feet aching from shoes that were two sizes too small. Fu Zi tried to exchange them, but a prop master told her there were no black shoes in his size and that he should simply "bear with it." Back in their room, Fu Zi playfully stopped Hao Zeyu from opening her suitcase, then listened as he jokingly listed an extravagant meal he craved.
The next day, director Peng Yongkang called Hao Zeyu for an extra scene: "run desperately." Hao Zeyu ran for three grueling hours, his feet throbbing. Fu Zi watched, her heart aching for him. She then overheard makeup artists gossiping that Peng Yongkang had chosen two male third leads, with one meant as a backup to replace Hao Zeyu if he couldn't keep up. This news left Fu Zi deeply unsettled. Finally, exhausted and frustrated, Hao Zeyu snapped at Peng Yongkang.
Fu Zi quickly intervened, apologizing on Hao Zeyu's behalf and attempting to soften his outburst by calling him a "good-for-nothing" who gets mean when tired, trying to protect him. Later, in the makeup room, Bai Jiaojiao, having heard the commotion and the rumors about Hao Zeyu's potential replacement, felt a pang of sympathy. She approached Peng Yongkang, suggesting he discuss his expectations with Hao Zeyu rather than waste everyone's time if his performance was genuinely poor.
Peng Yongkang conceded, stopping Hao Zeyu's scene for the day and telling him to reconsider his role. However, he retaliated by confiscating Fu Zi's work permit, stating he didn't want to see her on set tomorrow. Enraged, Hao Zeyu returned to their room, ready to pack his bags and leave, convinced Peng Yongkang was deliberately trying to force him out. Fu Zi, however, was furious.
She confronted him, reminding him of the immense efforts she, Niu Meili, and her father had made, even deceiving him, to get him this opportunity. She accused him of selfishness and an inability to endure any hardship, despite their sacrifices.
Overwhelmed, Fu Zi called her father, tears welling up as she described Hao Zeyu's ordeal: his drastic weight changes, a hospital visit for the role, the constant torment on set, and the ill-fitting shoes, exacerbated by the revelation of a backup actor waiting in the wings. Fu's dad, listening intently, was deeply moved and urged her not to cry but to find a solution.
When she mentioned that only white shoes were available in Hao Zeyu's size 42, but he needed black ones, Fu's dad ingeniously suggested painting the white shoes black. Inspired by her father's words, Fu Zi found hope. Hao Zeyu, meanwhile, reconsidered his hasty decision to leave. Fu Zi then procured a pair of size 42 white shoes from the prop room and a black marker, ready to transform them.
At the same time, Niu Meili received another threatening call from a debt collector. Just then, Fu's dad arrived at her door, but she, mistaking him for a debt collector, almost broke down. Seeing her distress, he couldn't bring himself to scold her. Instead, he cooked her tangyuan, asking why she, after getting a contract from Teng Dan, was still so financially troubled. Niu Meili, though indebted, expressed unwavering faith in Hao Zeyu's eventual success.
Witnessing Niu Meili's plight, Fu's dad, despite his deep attachment to his taxi, decided to sell it to help her with her debts, though he claimed it was merely to fund his retirement. The next day, Fu Zi, now barred from the set, waited patiently outside, bringing Hao Zeyu his lunch and eating tangerines while watching him, offering him unwavering care. Inside, Peng Yongkang continued his harassment during a fight scene, making Hao Zeyu reshoot it multiple times.
As dinner time approached, Peng Yongkang deliberately left Hao Zeyu suspended on a wire rig on the rooftop, then went to eat with Bai Jiaojiao and others. Fu Zi, learning of Hao Zeyu's predicament, grew worried and sought help from the staff to get food for him, hoping to borrow a work permit to deliver it herself.
