My Bargain Queen Episode 14 Recap
> My Bargain Queen Recap
Sheng Zhening helped Xia Qian, who had sprained her ankle, back to her room. They stumbled and fell onto the bed, their eyes meeting in a moment of undeniable attraction, but neither spoke. Flustered, Sheng Zhening quickly left to calm his racing heart. Xia Qian, feeling both annoyed and disappointed, misinterpreted his hasty departure as a sign that he had no feelings for her, wondering if his earlier confession of liking someone was meant for another girl.
Distraught, she sought advice from Mu Xiaoyan, who wisely told her it was more important if she liked Sheng Zhening, and if so, she should ask him quickly. Meanwhile, An An advised Sheng Zhening to play hard to get, warning him that all his efforts would be in vain otherwise. Around the same time, Qi Lin, who had been living abroad and rarely returned to China, arrived back in the country to assume a director position at Lihe Capital.
While dining in a restaurant, she witnessed a child accidentally spill ice cream on Xia Qian's clothes. Impressed by Xia Qian's composure, Qi Lin kindly offered her own jacket to cover the stain. Xia Qian, grateful for the gesture, promised to return the jacket after her work meeting. During their subsequent conversation when Xia Qian returned the jacket, Qi Lin learned that Xia Qian was a bargainer.
Intrigued, Qi Lin, who had recently returned and was looking to buy a house, asked if a bargainer could help with real estate negotiations. Xia Qian explained the complexities, and Qi Lin understood that not all items could be bargained down. Although initially wary upon seeing Lihe Capital on Qi Lin's business card, Xia Qian's impression of her improved during their pleasant chat. As they decided to work together, Sheng Zhening arrived to deliver clothes on behalf of Fu Shuangshuang.
Qi Lin, seemingly surprised and pleased to see him, greeted him warmly, an encounter that also took Sheng Zhening by surprise. He later called An An, explaining that his interaction with Qi Lin was purely for business and he wasn't being clingy, to which An An advised him not to be so overt. After Sheng Zhening finished with Qi Lin, Xia Qian couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy seeing them chatting animatedly.
She pressed Sheng Zhening about his relationship with Qi Lin, asking how well they knew each other and when they had met. Sheng Zhening, amused by her obvious interest, playfully noted her curiosity, even as Xia Qian tried to dismiss it, claiming she merely liked Qi Lin and wanted to know more. Shortly after, Qi Lin called Sheng Zhening, inviting him to their high school violin teacher Ms. Chen's 60th birthday, which was the day after tomorrow.
Sheng Zhening consulted An An, who strongly advised him to accept the invitation, suggesting that a short separation would create a sense of crisis for Xia Qian and make her realize her feelings. Following this advice, Sheng Zhening approached Xia Qian to request leave. When Xia Qian saw that he would be going with Qi Lin, she was visibly reluctant, initially citing busy work schedules.
However, she eventually signed the leave form, albeit with a warning for him to return as soon as possible. Around this time, Mu Xiaoyan confirmed to Xia Qian that her "friend" was indeed jealous and in love. Sheng Zhening and Qi Lin traveled to meet Ms. Chen. During their visit, Ms. Chen fondly recalled their time as violin students, noting Qi Lin's cleverness and Sheng Zhening's intense focus.
Qi Lin confessed to Sheng Zhening that she had only learned the violin because of him, and those years of practicing together were her happiest. She also remarked on how much Sheng Zhening had changed over the years, attributing it to "that girl, Xia Qian." Ms. Chen then clarified that her birthday was actually the day after tomorrow, not today, meaning Sheng Zhening and Qi Lin would have to extend their stay.
As he couldn't return immediately, Sheng Zhening, concerned about Xia Qian's reaction, called An An, asking him to check on her on his behalf. An An, though initially reluctant due to being at work, agreed after Sheng Zhening insisted. An An then deliberately fueled Xia Qian's anxieties, describing Sheng Zhening and Qi Lin as childhood sweethearts and speculating that their extended trip might lead to them falling in love.
That night, Xia Qian dreamt of Sheng Zhening and Qi Lin married with a child. Startled awake, she immediately booked a flight to join them. Meanwhile, Fu Shuangshuang invited Qin Hebo to see the wild swans again. Hearing her cough, he realized she had caught a cold because she had dressed too lightly for the outing. He rushed to her house to care for her, finding her with a fever of 38. 5 degrees Celsius and feeding her porridge.
Despite a work call requiring his attention, Qin Hebo chose to stay by her side, telling his assistant to leave the contract at his office. Overwhelmed by his care, Fu Shuangshuang impulsively kissed him, confessing that she didn't want to be his sister anymore, but rather his girlfriend, as she loved him. Qin Hebo, surprised, gently rejected her, stating that he was not suitable for a girlfriend and that they were not suitable for each other.
Xia Qian arrived at the Levend Hotel. Just as she stepped out of the taxi, her phone broke after a collision. Unable to contact Sheng Zhening, she tried to get his room number from the front desk, fabricating a story about being his assistant who needed a forgotten room card for work. The front desk, citing guest privacy, refused her request.
Determined to find him, Xia Qian booked a room for herself, unaware that she was staying right next door to Sheng Zhening. At the same time, Qi Lin, armed with a bottle of wine, visited Sheng Zhening's room. She recounted her life abroad, including her marriage to a local Chinese man for a green card, the birth of her daughter Rui, and her subsequent divorce after realizing it wasn't the life she wanted.
She then tearfully confessed her regret for not choosing him in the past and wondered if it was too late to rectify her mistake. Sheng Zhening, whose heart was solely for Xia Qian, politely but firmly declined her advances, suggesting they end the night. In her room, Xia Qian struggled with a faulty TV remote, causing the volume to blast.
Sheng Zhening, irritated by the noise from the adjacent room, knocked on the wall and called out for her to quiet down. Xia Qian, after unplugging the TV, stepped out to apologize, but Sheng Zhening had already returned to his room. After rejecting Qi Lin, Sheng Zhening frantically tried to call Xia Qian, but her phone was off.
Frustrated and worried about her safety and their growing misunderstanding, he called An An, berating him for the "bad idea" that led to this situation. He demanded An An book him an immediate return flight. An An tried to calm him, suggesting Xia Qian's phone might simply be dead and calling Sheng Zhening "hopeless" in love, but Sheng Zhening insisted on the booking, stating he wanted to speak to her in person.
Qi Lin, having accepted Sheng Zhening's rejection, found him packing to leave. She told him that she finally understood she had no chance with him, admitting that she had originally returned to win his heart, and wished him and Xia Qian well. Back at the front desk, Xia Qian, unable to contact Sheng Zhening or An An, refused to give up.
She persistently requested the front desk to broadcast her message over the public address system, even after they had already done it over twenty times. She negotiated for five more announcements. Finally, the hotel's broadcast echoed: "Mr. Sheng Zhening, your girlfriend is waiting for you at the front desk. Please come if you hear this." Hearing this announcement, Sheng Zhening, pulling his luggage, rushed to the lobby. He found Xia Qian there and asked, "You asked for me?
How come you are here?" Xia Qian, no longer willing to suppress her feelings, replied, "You heard it. The broadcast says it clearly: I like you. I want to be your girlfriend." Before she could finish her heartfelt confession, Sheng Zhening pulled her into a tight embrace, and they shared a passionate kiss, openly expressing their love for each other.
