Mr. Fighting Episode 17 Recap
> Mr. Fighting Recap
The film concluded with Peng Yongkang, the director, introducing and praising Hao Zeyu for his dedication during an interview. While Peng Yongkang, Bai Jiaojiao, and Xin Ling were interviewed on stage, Hao Zeyu initially wasn't qualified to join them. Fu Zi, however, comforted him backstage and conducted her own lollipop-themed interview, with Hao Zeyu expressing deep emotions about having diligently acted for several months and completing the project.
Peng Yongkang then called Hao Zeyu to join the official interviews, publicly commending him, which delighted Fu Zi. Later, Bai Jiaojiao invited Hao Zeyu to give interviews to various media portals. Hao Zeyu was hesitant, unsure how to answer questions, but Fu Zi encouraged him, and he eventually accepted. Separately, Niu Meili received a phone call offering Hao Zeyu a commercial performance in Hebei for a substantial fee of 300,000 yuan.
Overjoyed, she readily agreed, though she initially requested the contract be mailed to her. The caller, however, stated it was too troublesome and suggested they sign the contract directly on the day of the performance. Around this time, Fu Papa confronted Niu Meili about Da Peng, leading to an awkward and heated argument. Niu Meili, exasperated, blamed Fu Papa for the advice he'd given Da Peng.
Fu Papa didn't deny it, questioning why his usual methods of appeasing Niu Meili – shopping and movies – didn't work for Da Peng. To deflect, Niu Meili informed Fu Papa about Hao Zeyu's commercial performance and instructed him to rent a luxury car to pick up Hao Zeyu from the airport upon his return to Beijing, then drive straight to Hebei.
Fu Papa, upon learning there was no signed contract, immediately suspected a problem and warned Niu Meili, but she dismissed his concerns, accusing him of paranoia and refusing to be cautious. At the film's wrap-up banquet, Fu Zi was seen enthusiastically eating a large amount of cake. Peng Yongkang sought her out, bringing her some homemade food. He revealed that Fu Zi reminded him of a departed acquaintance, his deceased wife.
He showed Fu Zi a photo of his late wife from his wallet, noting the striking resemblance. Peng Yongkang confessed that before becoming a director, he was a cook. One day, his future wife, then a young girl, accused his dish of having a bug, leading to an argument during which she poured a bottle of wine over him – marking the unconventional start of their relationship.
He admitted he had held a grudge about that incident, but his wife had passed away before he could retaliate. Seeing Fu Zi during their first meeting, Peng Yongkang felt an opportunity for "revenge" and, fueled by alcohol, poured wine on her head. He then sincerely apologized to Fu Zi for his actions and asked her to convey to Hao Zeyu that he had no regrets about casting him in the film.
Fu Zi was deeply touched and happy by his words. Fu Zi then found Hao Zeyu to relay Peng Yongkang's message and apologize, but they encountered Teng Dan who was congratulating Peng Yongkang with a bouquet of flowers on the film's successful wrap. It was revealed that Teng Dan had played a crucial role in Hao Zeyu getting the part in Peng Yongkang's movie.
Peng Yongkang, feeling the film was over, candidly told Hao Zeyu that Teng Dan had consistently supported him behind the scenes, without which Hao Zeyu wouldn't have been able to act in his production. He also admitted to intentionally provoking Hao Zeyu early on to ignite his fighting spirit, which later led to his full potential. Hao Zeyu, having been kept in the dark, was devastated and felt his self-esteem shattered.
He angrily confronted Fu Zi, demanding to know why she had deceived him. Teng Dan intervened, clarifying that Niu Meili and Fu Zi had begged her for help, so she had simply done them a favor. Unconvinced, Hao Zeyu stormed off in a fit of rage. After he left, Teng Dan held Fu Zi's hand, expressing gratitude for how well Fu Zi had taken care of Hao Zeyu, observing his positive changes.
Back at the hotel, Hao Zeyu unleashed a furious interrogation on Fu Zi, like "a shrew scolding the street." He declared he would eat "cat food and dog food" but not "Teng Dan's charity," and accused Fu Zi of deceiving him, dwelling on his past with Teng Dan, being too proud, and only caring about himself.
Deeply hurt and wronged, Fu Zi revealed a box she had never opened in front of him, filled with empty instant noodle bags – her sole sustenance for the past several months. She had consistently saved the boxed lunches for Hao Zeyu. Seeing this, Hao Zeyu was instantly silenced, overwhelmed with guilt and distress. On the day of their return to Beijing, Hao Zeyu and Fu Zi immediately departed for Hebei in the car Fu Papa had rented.
Though Niu Meili had requested a "luxury car," Fu Papa had procured a vehicle that was merely large, not luxurious. Hao Zeyu remained sullen about the revelations regarding Teng Dan, while Niu Meili relentlessly complained about the car, and Fu Papa continually annoyed her, leading to another heated argument. During their squabble, it was accidentally revealed that Niu Meili was heavily in debt.
Niu Meili tearfully confessed that she had borrowed 300,000 yuan to invest in Hao Zeyu as a fallback plan, having nothing else but her beauty. Convinced by Fu Papa that the commercial performance was unreliable, Niu Meili initially decided to turn back. However, upon hearing the 300,000 yuan reward, Hao Zeyu, who had been silent, insisted they proceed, reminding them that their investment in him was to make money.
Following the provided location, they arrived at a desolate, remote, and barren area that bore no resemblance to a performance venue. As they wondered what was happening, a car approached. A man, dressed like a newly rich individual, emerged and claimed he was there to take Niu Meili to sign the contract. Niu Meili, trusting his words, got into his car. Hao Zeyu, Fu Zi, and Fu Papa returned to their own vehicle to wait.
After a long wait with no sign of Niu Meili, Hao Zeyu stepped out to use the restroom. There, he was ambushed and knocked unconscious with a stick. He later woke up in an abandoned warehouse, where the captors took unflattering photos of him to use as a threat. Shortly after, Fu Zi and Fu Papa were also captured, and Niu Meili was brought into the warehouse.
The captors were Niu Meili's creditors, who had orchestrated the abduction as a desperate measure to force her to repay her debts. Hao Zeyu offered to take responsibility for Niu Meili's debt, as she was his agent, but requested 100 days to raise the 300,000 yuan. The creditors rejected this, deeming 100 days too long and asserting that actors could make money quickly.
Hao Zeyu felt helpless, realizing the 300,000 yuan was a colossal sum for them, which was why they had been easily tricked into this predicament. As the creditors pressed Niu Meili for repayment, she noticed a billiard table and proposed a gamble: a game of billiards.
The creditors agreed to the terms: if they won, Hao Zeyu and his team would have to pay the debt immediately; if the creditors lost, they would grant Hao Zeyu the 100 days to raise the funds. Furthermore, if the creditors won, Fu Zi would be held as collateral. Fu Papa confidently stepped up to play against a creditor but, inevitably, lost the game. The creditors then demanded to keep Fu Zi.
Fu Papa adamantly refused, arguing that Niu Meili was the one who owed the money and therefore she should be the one to stay. He then pulled Hao Zeyu and Fu Zi into their car and drove away, leaving Niu Meili behind. In the car, Fu Zi was indignant, scolding them for seemingly abandoning Niu Meili. Fu Papa quickly clarified that they weren't abandoning her; they were going back to raise the money.
