My Dear Lady Episode 6 Recap
> My Dear Lady Recap
In a tense car ride, Cheng Li noticed Ling Xunxun's unusual silence. He directly told her that he knew she was the artist behind a particular painting. He clarified that he didn't dislike her work; rather, he chose to eliminate it specifically because she had painted it, emphasizing his need for fairness in the selection process.
Ling Xunxun, disheartened, observed the painting that had been chosen, a creation by a professional artist with over ten years of experience and a graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. The artist even recognized Ling Xunxun's name. Cheng Li then instructed Ling Xunxun to drive him to the factory for a meeting. During the meeting, Cheng Li announced the successful development of Yumeiling's new cosmetics line, set to launch simultaneously with Inglemirepharm's.
He also suggested rebranding Yumeiling due to its old-fashioned name and differing market positioning. Ling Xunxun privately confronted Cheng Li, accusing him of leveraging Inglemirepharm's popularity, which she felt was a betrayal of Hui Yiwang, especially since she had introduced him to the project. Cheng Li admitted his intention was to use Inglemirepharm to benefit his own brand from the very beginning.
Ling Xunxun, disillusioned, accused him of using people as "chess pieces" and expressed her disappointment in him as a businessman and boss. Cheng Li, unfazed, reiterated that he would accept her resignation at any time. Later, Ling Xunxun confided in Zhou Quan, unable to disclose the specifics of her conflict due to company business, yet clearly upset.
Zhou Quan advised her that both Hui Yiwang and Cheng Li possessed far superior business acumen, suggesting that Ling Xunxun's worries were likely insignificant to them. Meanwhile, Cheng Li, visibly irritated, vented his frustration on the basketball court. The next day, Ling Xunxun formally submitted her resignation. Cheng Li accepted it but sharply criticized her tendency to escape problems, comparing it to her divorce. Ling Xunxun retorted that he had no right to judge her personal life.
As she prepared to leave, her colleague Bao Xiaojing tried to dissuade her, but Ling Xunxun insisted on her decision, stating she didn't want to harm either Cheng Li or Hui Yiwang. Ling Xunxun also received calls from Mike and Assistant Wang, but she didn't answer them, instead recording messages thanking Assistant Wang and informing Mike of her resignation.
Unbeknownst to Ling Xunxun, Cheng Li's mother, having learned of her resignation, instructed someone to discreetly arrange another job for her with a higher salary. Hui Yiwang received a call from a bar about a heavily intoxicated Zhou Quan and rushed to her side. He took her home to Ling Xunxun, who discovered Zhou Quan's drunkenness was just a pretense to test Hui Yiwang's feelings. Later, Zhou Quan invited Hui Yiwang over, intending to confess her feelings.
However, Hui Yiwang spoke first, admitting he liked her. They both acknowledged their deep-seated fear of ruining their long-standing friendship if they pursued a romantic relationship. Concluding that they were too insecure to risk it, they agreed to remain best friends forever, believing it to be the best outcome for them. Separately, Ling Xunxun discovered that her painting, which she thought had been legitimately purchased, was actually bought by the professional painter Cheng Li had chosen.
The painter explained that Cheng Li admired Ling Xunxun's grasp of product requirements but found her painting immature in execution. He had bought it to provide it as a reference, tasking the professional artist to refine it for the packaging design. Ling Xunxun deduced that Cheng Li had purchased her painting himself, feeling a mix of surprise and the weight of Cheng Li's hidden intentions.
Hui Yiwang, waking up on Zhou Quan's sofa the next morning to the smell of congee prepared by Ling Xunxun, questioned her about her resignation, having heard it was due to him. Ling Xunxun, bound by a non-disclosure agreement, couldn't explain. Hui Yiwang then called Cheng Li, demanding to know why he let Ling Xunxun go. Cheng Li, aware Ling Xunxun was nearby, gave her permission to tell Hui Yiwang everything.
Ling Xunxun revealed her previous belief that she was the reason Yumeiling secured the agency rights and her distress over Cheng Li using it as a cover for his own brand. Hui Yiwang clarified that Cheng Li's company was always a strong candidate for them to reduce packaging costs, and her involvement was coincidental. He also admitted that Cheng Li had mentioned his marketing strategy to him earlier.
Ling Xunxun then realized she had "worried for no reason" and had overthought the entire situation, feeling foolish. Hui Yiwang advised her to thank Cheng Li for the valuable business lesson, explaining that Cheng Li had gone to great lengths to teach her. After Hui Yiwang left, Ling Xunxun received a call offering her a new job with the salary she requested, with a start date the following week. She found herself conflicted.
She called Assistant Wang to inquire if Cheng Li was home, hoping to pack her belongings when he was absent. Assistant Wang, with a subtle hint for Cheng Li to return home early, quickly left. Ling Xunxun encountered Cheng Li in his art studio as she was packing. Cheng Li told her to clear out all her belongings thoroughly so she wouldn't have an excuse to return.
He then explained that her painting, while showing an understanding of product needs gained from internal information, was essentially "cheating internally" compared to the genuinely talented and hardworking competitors. He questioned how she could challenge professionals with a mere hobby. Ling Xunxun was deeply affected by his candid remarks, realizing her tendency to blame others or escape from problems. Feeling a surge of clarity, she rushed back to Cheng Li, asking for another chance.
However, Cheng Li denied her request, stating that true opportunities are not "begged for" and that she had already had many chances. Ling Xunxun then declined the new job offer. Ling Xunxun later complained to Zhou Quan about both Hui Yiwang and herself being too cowardly in relationships. Shortly after, Hui Yiwang celebrated with friends, posting a group photo that infuriated Zhou Quan, who felt he should be regretting his decision.
Meanwhile, Cheng Li began interviewing new assistants, but none seemed to meet his expectations; one highly qualified candidate proficient in multiple languages and with various skills failed to impress him. Ling Xunxun, now working as a receptionist at a law firm, found the job easy and efficient but lacked the stimulating challenges she experienced with Cheng Li. She wondered how Cheng Li was faring, assuming his "bad habits" would make it difficult for him to find an assistant.
Cheng Li, struggling to find a suitable assistant and missing her presence, repeatedly called Ling Xunxun, urging her to return, claiming "something happened here." He complained to Assistant Wang about the new housekeepers, and his home no longer felt the same without her.
