My Dear Lady Episode 7 Recap
> My Dear Lady Recap
Ling Xunxun was in the shower and missed several calls from Cheng Li. Once she realized, she panicked and was about to rush out, but Zhou Quan reminded her that she had already resigned and was no longer Cheng Li’s assistant, so she didn't need to be so anxious. Ling Xunxun, emboldened, called Cheng Li back. He was annoyed she hadn't answered, but Ling Xunxun calmly informed him that she was no longer his employee and wasn't available 24/7.
Cheng Li then explained that his TV screen projection was broken and he needed her to fix it that night. Zhou Quan urged Ling Xunxun to refuse. Ling Xunxun told Cheng Li it was too late and she would fix it the next day since it was the weekend. She hung up, feeling incredibly happy and liberated, a feeling she had never experienced before. Despite her newfound freedom, Ling Xunxun was too nervous to sleep that night.
Early the next morning, she went to Cheng Li's house to fix his TV. Zhou Quan, upon learning this, was exasperated, jokingly asking if Ling Xunxun had cleaned his house and made him breakfast too. To her astonishment, Ling Xunxun admitted she actually had made breakfast. Zhou Quan was frustrated, feeling Ling Xunxun deserved to be "abused" by Cheng Li, while Ling Xunxun playfully suggested Zhou Quan should be Cheng Li's assistant.
Cheng Li, waking up, enjoyed his breakfast, pleased that Ling Xunxun had been there. Meanwhile, Cheng Li's mother, Elder President Cheng, visited him, questioning why he had invested heavily in new product development for a factory she intended to sell. Cheng Li, unfazed, explained that he had learned his assertive tactics from her.
He argued that since the money had been spent and the results were good, it would be a waste not to continue, implying she would then have to fully support him. His mother, recognizing his strategic play and acknowledging his newfound shrewdness, reluctantly agreed to continue the project. She also mentioned that Ling Xunxun had not taken the job she had secretly arranged for her, adding that she was quite pleased Cheng Li had fired Ling Xunxun.
After his mother left, Cheng Li instructed Assistant Wang to find out where Ling Xunxun was working. He secretly observed Ling Xunxun at her new job, claiming he was happy to see her looking unhappy. However, Assistant Wang pointed out that Ling Xunxun seemed relaxed and valued, doing tasks that, while trivial, appeared fulfilling for her. Assistant Wang also revealed he had anticipated Cheng Li's curiosity and had already found Ling Xunxun's new workplace.
Zhou Quan invited Ling Xunxun to President Jin's party, hoping to find a wealthy husband there. Ling Xunxun, who disliked parties due to past awkward experiences with her ex-husband, was reluctant. Zhou Quan insisted, suggesting they use Cheng Li's stylist for their outfits. Ling Xunxun eventually gave in and called Assistant Wang, asking for the stylist's contact information. Assistant Wang, aware that President Jin had also invited Cheng Li, subtly informed Cheng Li that Ling Xunxun would be attending.
Initially, Cheng Li planned to decline, finding such events boring, but upon hearing Ling Xunxun would be there, he changed his mind. Jin Hui, who was hosting the party, also called Cheng Li, threatening to cut ties with him if he didn't show up, which further solidified his decision to attend. At the party, Cheng Li arrived with Jin Hui, who was also the hostess.
Ling Xunxun and Zhou Quan made a striking entrance in champagne-colored gowns, captivating Cheng Li's attention. Zhou Quan spotted Hui Yiwang with his female assistant, Anna, and was visibly annoyed, but Ling Xunxun cautioned her against causing a scene. As Zhou Quan moved to chat with another friend, Ling Xunxun saw her ex-husband, Shi Shaozu, approaching with his new girlfriend.
Just as the encounter grew awkward, Cheng Li dramatically intervened, claiming Ling Xunxun was his "older sister," an "unlawful child" of his mother, and was attempting to inherit part of his family's company. Ling Xunxun was mortified, wondering if he was helping or making it worse, but Cheng Li insisted he was supporting her by making her appear wealthy and powerful.
Shi Shaozu, who had grown up with Ling Xunxun and knew her well, didn't believe Cheng Li's bizarre story, but didn't press the issue, sensing Cheng Li's protective intent. Zhou Quan and Hui Yiwang found Cheng Li's exaggerated act quite amusing. Later, Cheng Li was on the balcony when Ling Xunxun approached him. Cheng Li, claiming boredom despite Jin Hui "shining like a star," openly declared to Ling Xunxun, "I don't have a girlfriend.
And Jin Hui is not my girlfriend." This revelation left Ling Xunxun momentarily speechless and blushing. As the party wound down, Cheng Li saw Ling Xunxun alone and texted her, claiming his backup generator was broken and asking her to come check it. He then abruptly left Jin Hui, promising Assistant Wang would pick her up and she could have any handbag she wanted.
Jin Hui was furious, feeling abandoned and comparing herself to a "precious toy" that had been stolen, threatening to end their long-standing friendship. Cheng Li rushed home. Upon Ling Xunxun's arrival, she found nothing wrong with the backup generator, and Cheng Li invited her for a drink. During their conversation, Ling Xunxun learned that the job offer she had received for a community services app R&D role had been arranged by Elder President Cheng.
Ling Xunxun was surprised, questioning if she was "that important" to warrant such a scheme. Cheng Li explained that his mother had wanted to tempt her to betray him, but then added that to those who cared about her, she was far more important than she realized. Ling Xunxun then mustered the courage to ask about Cheng Li's mysterious illness.
He revealed that he had an incident before going abroad, after which he fell ill, but he couldn't remember anything about it as no one had ever told him, perhaps to avoid upsetting him. Cheng Li then asked Ling Xunxun to help him investigate his past as "Xunxun Holmes," hoping she could uncover memories from their middle school days.
He then asked her to return to work, stating he trusted her implicitly because she had never lied to him, unlike others he would fire immediately for deception. Ling Xunxun, emboldened and slightly tipsy, playfully demanded triple her previous salary. Taking advantage of her inebriated state, Cheng Li had Ling Xunxun sign a new employment contract. The next morning, Ling Xunxun woke up to find Cheng Li had drawn on her face.
To her horror, she discovered the signed contract, which not only confirmed her return but also stipulated a 20% salary cut, not a triple raise. She angrily called him a liar. Ling Xunxun decided to return to the company, much to Cheng Li's delight and the team's welcome. Zhou Quan, however, was concerned. She observed that Cheng Li's feelings for Ling Xunxun were clearly more than just a boss-employee relationship.
She worried that Cheng Li might be "playing around," fearing Ling Xunxun would face another emotional blow. Zhou Quan advised Ling Xunxun to be independent if she genuinely liked Cheng Li, or to negotiate better terms if it was just a job, warning her against lowering her self-worth. Ling Xunxun, in denial, claimed she didn't and couldn't like him due to her current circumstances, feeling she had no right to love at her age.
Zhou Quan countered that while Ling Xunxun might control her own heart, she couldn't control Cheng Li's. Ling Xunxun resolved to be like an "iceberg" to protect herself. Later, Hui Yiwang invited Ling Xunxun for drinks, citing a bad day. Cheng Li immediately interjected, stating his female employees were not obligated to socialize after work. Ling Xunxun, sensing Hui Yiwang's distress might be related to Zhou Quan, persuaded Cheng Li to let her go. However, Cheng Li secretly followed them.
The three ended up at the same bar, making for an incredibly awkward evening for Ling Xunxun, who texted Zhou Quan, crying for help. Zhou Quan, however, found the situation amusing, declining to intervene. Hui Yiwang then invited Ling Xunxun for a private drink and offered to take her home, but Cheng Li abruptly stated he didn't like acquaintances coming to his house.
Cheng Li then forced Ling Xunxun into his car, threatening to terminate his contract with Hui Yiwang if he continued to pursue her. Ling Xunxun was surprised by his casual attitude towards breaking contracts, to which Cheng Li replied he was protecting his female employees from harassment, revealing he had previously fired Peter for similar reasons. Ling Xunxun was moved, realizing Cheng Li had known about Peter's harassment and had protected her.
As the car moved, Cheng Li's hand accidentally brushed Ling Xunxun's, and she involuntarily grasped it, feeling a warmth that made her imagine he might kiss her. However, she quickly pulled back, remembering Zhou Quan's warning about the "chocolate lava cake," a metaphor for a tempting but potentially dangerous love.
