My Bargain Queen Episode 8 Recap
> My Bargain Queen Recap
Xia Qian's mother, deeply concerned about her daughter's single status, diligently presented a selection of eligible bachelors. However, Xia Qian found none to her liking, dismissing them with perfunctory responses, even calling one "too ugly." Undeterred, her mother enlisted Hu Lang to help with the matchmaking.
While reviewing photos, Xia Qian's mother criticized one candidate as "too ugly" and fretted about the potential impact on her future grandchildren's genes, cautioning Hu Lang to remember his place when he offered too much input. She then recalled her initial distrust of He Zhijuan, whose eventual actions proved her right. Xia Qian arrived home to find them discussing the candidates and commented that the pictures looked like a suspect lineup, urging Hu Lang to take them down.
Hu Lang tried to convince Xia Qian of her mother's good intentions in finding "young talents," but Xia Qian remained unimpressed, reiterating her lack of feeling for any of them. Her mother insisted that feelings could develop over time and even resorted to playing audio introductions of the men. Frustrated, Xia Qian expressed a desire for a peaceful meal at home. She then pointed out that modern dating used apps and platforms, not outdated methods like photos or audio.
When her mother asked to see her phone to find suitable apps, Xia Qian declared she was full and left abruptly, leaving her mother and Hu Lang bewildered. He Zhijuan's marriage to Ning Meng was not proving to be the life he envisioned, instead bringing him greater pressure. Ning Meng had grown suspicious, often rummaging through his old belongings. One evening, she discovered his original wedding vows, which had been prepared for Xia Qian.
Although He Zhijuan tried to dismiss them as "things from the past" and urged her not to overthink, Ning Meng felt deeply unsettled. He acknowledged her discomfort, understanding that learning about his past with Xia Qian at their own wedding made it hard for her to accept. He expressed regret for not telling her sooner, fearing she would overthink.
He insisted he no longer had any connection with Xia Qian, but Ning Meng remained fixated on their interrupted ceremony, lamenting that their vows were unfinished and their wedding felt "incomplete and imperfect." He Zhijuan tried to reassure her, emphasizing that their wedding, blessed by family and featuring the most beautiful bride, was indeed perfect, and reminded her of her promise to live a positive and happy life.
Xia Qian voiced her concerns about Evergreen Hotel's crisis to Sheng Zhening, suggesting they approach the aggrieved couple for a resolution. She felt their company bore some indirect responsibility for accepting the initial order. Sheng Zhening countered that the couple had specifically targeted Evergreen and him, and would have found another pretext regardless.
He questioned if Xia Qian truly wanted to involve herself in such a complicated affair, but she insisted it must be resolved for her own peace of mind. Later that night, Xia Qian dreamed of Evergreen going bankrupt and Sheng Zhening becoming her live-in husband. She woke feeling strangely bereft. Her mother, overhearing her sleep-talking, grew curious about the man she had mentioned.
Xia Qian's mother pressed her, revealing that Xia Qian had repeatedly called out "Sheng Zhening" in her sleep and declared, "I won't bear your children." She demanded to know who he was, even asking if Xia Qian was pregnant. Xia Qian quickly fabricated a story, claiming Sheng Zhening was the "very handsome" and "kind" protagonist of a novel she had read, and that she had merely dreamed of being with him.
Her mother scoffed at her "useless" dreams, asking if a fictional character could marry her or give her children, to which Xia Qian defensively replied that she was at least allowed to dream. The following morning, Sheng Zhening called Xia Qian. She used this as an excuse to tell her mother she was meeting a "female client" or "a new girlfriend," quickly leaving as her mother's questions became too intrusive. Sheng Zhening picked her up.
As they drove, Xia Qian’s mother called her on the phone, having seen them from the balcony. She accused Xia Qian of lying and having a boyfriend, demanding to know his identity and when she would bring him home. Her mother then brought up Xia Qian's dream again, reiterating her sleep-talking about "Sheng Zhening" and "not bearing his children," and even questioning if Xia Qian was pregnant. Sheng Zhening pretended to be calm, though secretly pleased.
Xia Qian, annoyed by her mother's persistent questions, faked a bad signal and abruptly hung up. The atmosphere in the car then became notably awkward, with both speaking little. When Sheng Zhening later asked if her mother was angry, Xia Qian dismissed it as her mother being "always suspicious" and then lied about her sleep, claiming she was a deep sleeper who never dreamed.
They arrived at a tea house, where Sheng Zhening noted Han Chao's car was present, indicating he was likely inside. Sheng Zhening explained that Han Chao, who had been avoiding them, had a special relationship with this tea house and often came "to have tea with his friends" there. Xia Qian remarked that Han Chao never brought his wife, prompting Sheng Zhening to playfully call her "clingy." Xia Qian countered that committed couples naturally spend most of their time together.
After Sheng Zhening requested a private room and the best tea, saying they would wait for Han Chao, Xia Qian was annoyed by how closely he held her. He told her to "cooperate" and "not mess it up." Inside their room, Sheng Zhening complimented her "cute side," suggesting she show it more often, which Xia Qian attributed to work, defensively stating she was always cute, and told him to forget it.
Xia Qian noticed the foreman's "weird attitude" and a woman in the adjacent room who was "surely not Mrs. Han." They then overheard intimate conversation from next door, realizing Han Chao was having an affair. Xia Qian was furious and immediately wanted to inform Yan Caiting, but Sheng Zhening refused, arguing that it was a private matter between the couple.
Sheng Zhening, finding the situation "interesting," they then made a planned interruption, surprising Han Chao and his mistress, who quickly departed. The tea house madam later learned from the foreman about the couple who had been asking for Mr. Han. Still incensed by Han Chao's betrayal, Xia Qian expressed to Sheng Zhening her desire to expose his affair to Yan Caiting. Sheng Zhening gently discouraged her, suggesting that it was a private family matter and not their place to interfere.
He also asked if Xia Qian, in her past, would have preferred to learn such a truth gently or directly. Xia Qian replied that she would have accepted either, as long as she wasn't blindsided. Concluding that "relationship is too complicated," Xia Qian let the matter rest for then. Later, Han Chao sought out Sheng Zhening at the hotel, aware that Sheng Zhening knew about his affair.
Han Chao proposed a deal: if Sheng Zhening kept his secret from his wife, Han Chao would immediately withdraw his lawsuit against Evergreen. Sheng Zhening refused, stating he would never use such a sordid matter as leverage and would deal with Han Chao's false accusations against Evergreen in a different, proper manner.
Han Chao argued that cheating was a common mistake for men and that he always returned home after "playing," but Sheng Zhening countered that not all men were like him. Some time after, Xia Qian encountered Yan Caiting at a beauty salon. Xia Qian subtly probed about Yan Caiting's married life, which made Yan Caiting uncomfortable. Realizing Sheng Zhening's earlier point about not meddling, Xia Qian stopped her inquiries.
However, Xia Qian's unusual questions had already raised Yan Caiting's suspicions, prompting Yan Caiting to hire a private detective to investigate Han Chao, eventually leading her to confront Han Chao's mistress and assert her marital rights. Later, Han Chao, furious, stormed into the hotel where Sheng Zhening and Xia Qian were present, accusing them of spreading rumors about his affair. Sheng Zhening promptly called security to "send him out," while Han Chao angrily threatened them with a "lawyer's letter."
Sheng Zhening expressed concern for Xia Qian's safety. Later, Yan Caiting met with Xia Qian and confided her heartbreak. She revealed that Han Chao had always claimed to be "busy" and unable to travel with her. It was only recently that she discovered he took his mistress to the Aegean Sea—a trip she had longed for "thousands of times"—while she was sick at home.
Feeling "like a joke," Yan Caiting recounted forgiving him "again and again," always hoping he would "settle down with me," but now she "finally sees through him." She offered to assist Xia Qian.
When Xia Qian expressed curiosity about who was truly orchestrating the downfall of Evergreen, Yan Caiting revealed that a woman representing Lihe Capital had approached her and Han Chao, offering a "substantial reward" if they agreed to "Xia Qian's request," which involved cooperating in the fabricated scandal against Evergreen. Yan Caiting disclosed that Han Chao had identified "Lihe Capital" as the instigator.
Sheng Zhening, who had joined the conversation, firmly told Yan Caiting, "I don't care why you and Mr. Han did it, or who asked you to do it, you can come at me. It has nothing to do with her." Xia Qian then clarified that Yan Caiting was there "to help us." Yan Caiting then pledged that if Han Chao chose to pursue a lawsuit against Evergreen, she would "definitely stand by Evergreen."
Xia Qian then asked Sheng Zhening if Evergreen had any previous conflicts with Lihe Capital. He responded that he had only heard rumors of "Lihe Capital wants to acquire Evergreen," and it now seemed "they have already taken actions." Sheng Zhening reassured Xia Qian not to worry, stating that such business tactics were "very common."
He added that Yan Caiting had "agreed to make a video statement for us," and the remaining public relations issues would be handled by Evergreen's PR Department. Xia Qian then remembered she needed to visit her mother, and Sheng Zhening offered to drive her. She playfully commented on him becoming her personal driver.
Upon arriving at her mother's house, Xia Qian thanked Sheng Zhening for the ride, to which he replied that he should be thanking her for the significant help she had provided to Evergreen. As she was about to leave, he stopped her, suggesting they get some kebabs since they were already out.