My Bargain Queen Episode 23 Recap
> My Bargain Queen Recap
Hu Zhen accepted Sheng Zhening's invitation to help Evergreen Hotel overcome its crisis, stating that he would do so because Sheng Zhening was Xia Qian's boyfriend. Xia Qian, intrigued by why such a skilled chef would work at her mother's small barbecue stall, asked him about it. Hu Zhen explained that he was there to "experience life" while researching for a book on catering, aiming to collect traditional snack and barbecue recipes.
Hu Zhen's culinary expertise significantly boosted the hotel restaurant's occupancy and garnered widespread praise. Despite this success, Sheng Zhening reminded An An that Hu Zhen was only assisting temporarily and they still needed to find a permanent head chef. Sheng Zhening then informed An An about the impending arrival of Mr. Smith, a critical economist and VIP guest, emphasizing his meticulous demands and severe nut allergy. He instructed An An to ensure extra caution with Mr. Smith's diet.
Unbeknownst to them, Qi Lin, under pressure from Mr. Xue, had already bribed a kitchen staff member to tamper with Mr. Smith's food. Qi Lin assured Mr. Xue she would personally oversee Mr. Smith's catering to ensure her plan went smoothly. However, just as Qi Lin's scheme was about to be executed, her own son, Rui Rui, who also suffered from a nut allergy, accidentally consumed a chocolate containing nuts and had a severe allergic reaction.
Rui Rui had previously expressed concerns about bothering his busy mother. Sheng Zhening quickly rushed Rui Rui to the hospital. Seeing her son safe, albeit after a scare, Qi Lin was overcome with guilt. She confessed her plot to Sheng Zhening and immediately called Sheng Zhening, instructing him to have An An replace Mr. Smith's soup. An An subtly had the waitress remove the tainted soup under the pretense of it being cold, thereby averting the crisis.
Afterwards, Qi Lin apologized to Sheng Zhening, who questioned her extreme methods. Qi Lin revealed that Mr. Xue had blackmailed her into orchestrating the acquisition of Evergreen by threatening to interfere with her custody battle for Rui Rui. She tearfully admitted to feeling like a failed mother despite her professional success and expressed her profound regret for harming Evergreen and their friendship. She ultimately decided to resign and go abroad to learn how to be a better mother.
Reflecting on Qi Lin's predicament, Xia Qian realized the importance of balancing her career and personal life. Sheng Zhening echoed her sentiments, sharing his detailed plans for their future: he envisioned proposing a romantic wedding, a honeymoon in Italy, raising pets, sharing household responsibilities, having children and watching them grow, and growing old together in a secluded cabin by a lake.
He even declared that he would quit his job to raise their children, allowing Xia Qian to focus on her career. Though Xia Qian initially found his plans somewhat premature, Sheng Zhening assured her they were all well within his vision, and she was content to simply hold him close. Simultaneously, Qin Hebo accepted Wu Zhiwen's offer to become the general manager of Langyue Hotel.
He promptly requested meetings with all department heads to familiarize himself with the team, a request Wu Zhiwen promised to facilitate at the next day's regular meeting. Wu Zhiwen also tasked Qin Hebo with improving Langyue Hotel's customer service, which had historically lagged behind Evergreen's, a challenge Qin Hebo readily accepted, pledging to develop a marketing strategy for it upon officially joining. Before leaving the country, Qi Lin provided Sheng Zhening with crucial intelligence: Lihe Capital was experiencing financial difficulties.
She advised him that as long as Evergreen maintained stable operations, Mr. Xue would struggle to acquire more shares from other stakeholders, giving the hotel some much-needed breathing room. Sheng Zhening thanked her and wished her a safe journey. Later, Sheng Zhening, informed by An An that Qin Hebo had taken on the role of General Manager at Langyue Hotel, calmly acknowledged that competition within the industry was inevitable.
Sheng Zhening then met with Xia Qian, who reported the successful launch of Evergreen's semi-finished food product project. Playfully, he complained about her being too busy to have dinner with him, to which Xia Qian offered to cook for him at her place that night. He also inquired about Hu Zhen's identity, learning that Hu Zhen had asked Xia Qian to keep his chef status a secret from her mother, Dou Liping.
Meanwhile, Dou Liping, concerned by Hu Zhen's prolonged absence from her barbecue stall, called him. Hu Zhen, trying to maintain his disguise, claimed he was hospitalized. Dou Liping, growing suspicious, personally visited the hospital only to be told no patient named "Hu Dayuan" was admitted. Believing he was secretly seeking other employment, Dou Liping decided to fire him. Xia Qian intervened, revealing that Hu Zhen was actually working at Evergreen.
This prompted Hu Zhen to finally confess his true identity and his feelings for Dou Liping. He admitted that while he had indeed mastered her recipes within a month, he had stayed at her stall to get to know her better, ultimately telling her, "I just want to be with you. I like you." Stunned, Dou Liping asked him to leave.
Later, Xia Qian encouraged her mother to be brave and pursue a new relationship, as it was evident she reciprocated Hu Zhen's affection. However, Dou Liping, still hesitant, declared she wouldn't consider any new relationship until Xia Qian married Sheng Zhening. Qin Hebo officially launched his live streaming company, "Money Box," complete with a specially designed studio for Fu Shuangshuang.
He presented her with a labor contract, detailing a fixed monthly salary plus sales commission, with the contract's term tied to the repayment of her debt. Fu Shuangshuang, feeling she had no other options, signed the contract without much negotiation. To help her save money, Qin Hebo suggested she live at his house, assuring her she could change the digital lock's code.
After some initial resistance, she reluctantly agreed when he mentioned his busy schedule and the need for someone to help clean and care for his cat. Fu Shuangshuang initially struggled with camera fear during live streaming rehearsals. Qin Hebo patiently advised her to imagine the camera as a familiar and trusted person and speak as if introducing products to him. With his consistent encouragement, she gradually regained confidence.
Meanwhile, Chen Manhui returned from overseas and had a chance encounter with Ning Meng at the airport. Ning Meng, who had just returned from a trip to Japan, showed Chen Manhui a lucky bag for love she had acquired for Sheng Zhening, hoping he would find a girlfriend soon. Chen Manhui, who had harbored a crush on Sheng Zhening since high school, was pleased to learn he was still single.
Xia Qian later watched Fu Shuangshuang's live stream and called her to meet. Xia Qian praised her performance and inquired about her new job. Fu Shuangshuang disclosed that she was working for Qin Hebo's live streaming company. When Xia Qian pressed her about their relationship, Fu Shuangshuang maintained they were "just colleagues," even when Xia Qian questioned how she overcame her camera fear so naturally, hinting that someone special must have guided her.
Xia Qian expressed her happiness at Fu Shuangshuang's return and proposed they collaborate on live streams. Later that evening, Ning Meng arranged to meet Sheng Zhening at Evergreen, unexpectedly bringing Chen Manhui along. Chen Manhui, despite Sheng Zhening not recalling her from their childhood, presented him with a necktie, believing it would suit him. Sheng Zhening politely declined, explaining that his girlfriend was responsible for selecting all his neckties.
Ning Meng was shocked to learn Sheng Zhening had a girlfriend and became even more dismayed when he revealed it was Xia Qian. Sheng Zhening explained that he had kept their relationship private, aware of her sensitivity regarding He Zhijun's past with Xia Qian.
He advised Ning Meng not to let suspicion undermine her marriage to He Zhijun and firmly stated that he would not abandon his feelings for Xia Qian, even if Ning Meng disapproved, suggesting they avoid awkward encounters in the future. Ning Meng, feeling overwhelmed, told him she needed time to think. Back home, Ning Meng deliberately informed He Zhijun about Sheng Zhening and Xia Qian to gauge his reaction.
He Zhijun admitted he would find the situation "a bit awkward" but emphasized that his primary concern was Ning Meng's feelings and worries. He reassured her that the past was over and urged her to focus on their present happiness, telling her he loved her and that she was the only person he cared about. This heartfelt conversation brought clarity to Ning Meng.
She called Sheng Zhening, admitting she had been "too sensitive" and invited him to bring Xia Qian over for dinner the following week. Sheng Zhening consulted with Xia Qian, who agreed, believing it was best to face Ning Meng directly and address any lingering awkwardness. Ning Meng began enthusiastically preparing for the dinner, even asking He Zhijun about Xia Qian's favorite dishes.
