Negotiator Recap, Plot, Synopsis

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Negotiator Synopsis

With her solid professional skills and bold and careful negotiation style, Tong Wei is the youngest and brightest negotiator in the Sino-American Economic and Trade Association.

She met Xie Xiaofei through a commercial M&A project. The Xie family is a secretive and wealthy Chinese family in American society, and Xie Xiaofei is the heir to the family.

Xie Xiaofei, who grew up in the U.S., is proud and arrogant. Because his ideal is not supported by his father and family, he frequently confronts Tong Wei in negotiations.

However, as the relationship deepens, they gradually go from mutual dislike to mutual appreciation, and fall in love finally.

At this time, Xie’s father encountered betrayal, Xie Xiaofei experienced alienation.

Tong Wei comes forward and uses her negotiating expertise to win an important project for the Xie family. Xie family eventually reclaims their shares.

At this point, Tong Wei discovers that the death of her parents was related to the Xie family, and she and Xie Xiaofei eventually break up due to the feud between the previous generations.

After years of separation, the lovers have to meet at the negotiation table.

Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei confirm their love in the love-hate relationship. Xie Xiaofei also feels the prosperity of China and convinces his family to move their business focus back to China.

Negotiator Recap

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Episode 1 Recap

In the bustling and prosperous city of New York, a significant business merger was in jeopardy. Qin Tianyu, a professional lawyer representing Yep, a major American ride-hailing platform, found himself in a difficult situation. The company's CEO was furious because Chen Mo, the head of the Chinese Quick ride-hailing company, had suddenly halted merger negotiations after 17 hours of progress. With only an hour left to resolve the issue or face termination for his entire firm, Qin Tianyu was desperate.

He reached out to his friend, Tong Wei, a senior negotiation expert from CAEA in Shanghai, who was coincidentally in New York for training. Tong Wei had already been following the dispute and analyzing Chen Mo's background, noting his impressive entrepreneurial history and substantial wealth. When Qin Tianyu called, frantically asking for a solution within half an hour, Tong Wei readily agreed to help.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, a wealthy and arrogant heir, drove his bright yellow sports car through the city streets. As he casually tossed his car keys to a hotel doorman, they landed at Tong Wei's feet just as she arrived. The two crossed paths unknowingly, their destinies intertwined by this fleeting encounter. Inside, Qin Tianyu's assistant expressed anxiety over the dwindling time and Tong Wei's delayed arrival.

Tong Wei finally entered the room and, learning Chen Mo was across the hall, ingeniously bypassed security by loudly declaring herself a Quick user with a complaint. This tactic successfully gained her an audience with Chen Mo. Chen Mo, initially suspicious, made light of her coming all the way to the U. S. to complain, and became dismissive upon learning she was a negotiator.

Tong Wei, however, calmly stated she was there to help both parties and to deliver a complaint. She recounted an incident from her journey to Pudong airport for her flight to the U. S. for training: her Quick driver in Shanghai had asked her to also book a ride on Yep, explaining that this allowed him to collect subsidies from both competing companies for a single journey.

She played a recording of the driver expressing his hope that the two companies would continue their fierce competition, allowing drivers to profit from their "internet mindset." Tong Wei powerfully argued that while Yep's entry into the Chinese market fueled competition, it also created "click farms" and led both companies to burn astronomical sums of money through regulatory loopholes, ultimately harming the market and consumers.

Drawing on her extensive knowledge of his entrepreneurial journey, she highlighted that Chen Mo had built Quick from the ground up, not just for money, and that a merger would open up new, broader opportunities for him. Chen Mo, who had been concerned about Yep dominating the market and stifling competition post-merger, was swayed by Tong Wei's reasoning.

He acknowledged her astute observations and agreed to resume negotiations, shaking hands with the Yep CEO and expressing his intent to remember the impressive negotiator. Later that evening, Qin Tianyu thanked Tong Wei over dinner, jokingly offering himself in marriage. Tong Wei clarified that she hadn't come specifically for him but was in the U. S. for training, and expected her firm to be compensated.

She firmly reiterated that they were merely friends and declined his offer to escort her back to her hotel, preferring to call a cab and meet him in China. As New York's nightlife began, Xie Xiaofei was preparing for an underground boxing match in Brooklyn. Despite his slender build and lack of reputation, he exuded an authentic passion for the sport, a stark contrast to his family life.

The crowd and announcer initially scoffed at his chances against his formidable opponent, "the Russian Bulldozer," with some spectators calling him "Bruce Lee" mockingly. Though repeatedly struck, Xie Xiaofei's determination never wavered. He eventually found an opening, delivering a powerful flying kick that knocked out his opponent. Afterward, learning that his opponent needed money for his sister's medical treatment, Xie Xiaofei generously gave him his prize money, a gesture that further showcased his unique character.

Soon after the match, Xie Xiaotian, Xie Xiaofei's younger brother, arrived at the boxing ring in a formal suit, urging him to return home for their monthly family gathering. Xie Xiaofei dismissed the gathering as "boring" and found the boxing ring a place to relax, unlike his brother. To ensure his brother left, Xie Xiaofei offered him a piece of vodka-spiked chewing gum, which quickly made Xie Xiaotian dizzy. Xie Xiaofei then sent his brother home with his driver.

In his car, Xie Xiaofei confided in his female companion, expressing his deep aversion to his family and the Xie Corporation, declaring he would never become a mere "money-making tool" like them. That same night, Tong Wei received a frantic call from her aunt and uncle: her niece, Tian Tian, had been missing for two days. Tong Wei calmly instructed her aunt to search Tian Tian's room for clues.

They found a travel itinerary indicating Tian Tian's intention to attend New York Fashion Week. Tong Wei immediately contacted her assistant, Tracy, to research the fashion show schedule. The next morning, the Xie family gathered for their monthly meeting. The elders worried aloud about Xie Xiaofei's expected tardiness and rebellious nature, anticipating another confrontation with his father. Xie Xiaofei arrived just in time, though internally disgusted by the pretense and "elaborate scheme for their own benefit."

His father, Xie Tianyou, summoned him to his study, confronting him with news reports of his underground boxing match. Xie Tianyou reprimanded him for his "nonsense" and reminded him of his responsibility as the company's heir and the family's hundred-year plan to return their business to China.

Xie Xiaofei defiantly declared he wouldn't be the person they wanted him to be, expressing his profound disdain for their hypocritical business dealings and contrasting it with the raw honesty he found in the boxing ring. He walked out, ignoring his brother and uncle's attempts to intervene, leaving his father enraged and regretting having such a "good-for-nothing son." Meanwhile, Tong Wei located Tian Tian outside the New York Fashion Week venue.

Tian Tian, unable to get in without a ticket, was desperately trying to convince a photographer to help her fulfill her dream of becoming a designer. Tong Wei sternly admonished her for her unrealistic fantasies and irresponsible behavior, threatening to call the police since Tian Tian was an unaccompanied minor who couldn't speak English. In a moment of distraction, Tian Tian managed to slip away into a nearby medical clinic.

Coincidentally, Xie Xiaofei was also at this clinic, having rushed there after receiving a call about a possible sign of awakening from his mother, who had been in a coma for years and was financially supported by the Xie Group. His hopes were cruelly dashed when he learned it was a mistake by a new doctor.

He furiously confronted the clinic staff, reminding them of the Xie Group's substantial donations, before asking to be left alone with his mother, the only family member he truly cared for in his "hollow family." While searching for Tian Tian, Tong Wei inadvertently entered Xie Xiaofei's mother's private room. Their eyes met, both preoccupied with their own emotional turmoil. Tong Wei quickly apologized and retreated.

Outside the room, Tian Tian was causing a loud commotion, demanding her release from security, which deeply disturbed Xie Xiaofei. He stormed out of the room, snatched an electric baton from a security guard, and threatened the aunt and niece, telling them to quiet down or face consequences. Intimidated, Tong Wei promptly took Tian Tian away. The aunt and niece flew back to Shanghai, where Qin Tianyu picked them up at the airport, noting their continued bickering.

Back in Shanghai, Xie Xiaofei unexpectedly burst into a company meeting, breakfast in hand, announcing a major project. He proposed developing a piece of land in Suzhou, his mother's hometown, into an eco-tourism resort. He had been monitoring the land for two years and recently learned of an acquisition opportunity through his friend, Luo Bin. His innovative plan, however, deviated from the Xie Group's traditional style and was met with skepticism from the other family members.

Afterward, Xie Tianyou called Xie Xiaofei into his office, acknowledging his newfound ambition but still expressing reservations. When Xie Xiaofei attempted to explain the land's significance as his mother's ancestral home, his father abruptly changed the subject, leading Xie Xiaofei to leave, understanding his father's deliberate avoidance. Xie Xiaotian tried to console his brother, but Xie Xiaofei, feigning indifference, even suggested that his more capable younger brother should be the company's heir.

Aware that his sudden interest in business, given his previous idleness, would be met with doubt, Xie Xiaofei decided to head to Shanghai to personally prepare for the project. Later, Zhao Chenxi, the daughter of Xie Tianyou's close friend, arrived to discuss a collaboration with the Xie Group. Xie Tianyou introduced her to Xie Xiaofei, informing her that they would work together on the Shanghai project. Coincidentally, Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi found themselves on the same flight to Shanghai, marking their first meeting.

Episode 2 Recap

As Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi traveled to Shanghai on the same plane, Zhao Chenxi recognized him from a photo she had seen in Uncle Xie's office. Xie Xiaofei, however, asked her to keep his presence in China a secret from his father, claiming he was only there for fun and didn't want his father to know he wasn't "doing honest work."

An emergency announcement interrupted their conversation, stating that a 60-year-old lady had fainted in economy class due to flight fatigue and needed to lie down. When informed that there were no available seats, Xie Xiaofei immediately offered his first-class seat to the elderly woman. He remarked to Zhao Chenxi that "even if you give me royal robes to wear, I still wouldn't be a prince" because "that status does not belong to me."

Zhao Chenxi observed his actions, thinking that despite his playful words, he was a genuinely good person. Late one night in New York, Xie Xiaofei made a phone call to his friend Luo Bin, inquiring about a piece of land in Suzhou. Luo Bin confirmed that the land, which had been stalled for two years due to a resistant 70-year-old resident, was now on the market.

Xie Xiaofei expressed strong determination to acquire it, confident that he would find a way, despite Luo Bin's warnings about the difficulties involved. Soon after, during a Xie Corporation family meeting discussing the company's expansion into China and a potential collaboration with Kewan Real Estate, Xie Xiaofei dramatically interrupted with breakfast, seizing the opportunity to present his vision. He proposed developing an "ecological resort" in a small Suzhou village, which he revealed was his mother's childhood home.

His concept was a traditional-style resort that would allow visitors to experience authentic rural life, a significant departure from Xie Corporation's usual luxury projects. His uncle and brother, Xie Xiaotian, expressed skepticism about the project's profitability, but Xiaotian suggested giving Xie Xiaofei a chance, acknowledging his apparent newfound ambition.

Xie Xiaofei passionately argued that he was serious about this venture and ready to take the reins of the corporation, asserting that the future of their key asset, 18 Cang, lay in China. He emphasized the necessity for change in a market increasingly driven by younger generations, warning that "not to change is the equivalent to suicide." His father abruptly ended the meeting.

Following the meeting, Xie father privately confronted Xie Xiaofei, questioning his long-term commitment to the Suzhou land given his history of not "doing honest work." Xie Xiaofei countered that he had been diligently researching the land for two years, using his frequent trips to China to gather market insights. He reiterated that change was vital for business growth, a concept older generations might resist.

He then invoked the emotional connection to the land by mentioning it was his mother's home, but his father cut him off, leaving Xie Xiaofei feeling unheard. Later, Xie Xiaotian tried to comfort his brother, assuring him that their father secretly admired his abilities and was strict only out of high expectations. Xie Xiaofei, however, dismissed this, insisting that the family's concerns were purely for the company's image, and declared that the business was not his dream.

He told Xiaotian that he was more suitable to be the heir and rebuffed the notion of him not being the "biological heir" as a "joke." Despite his frustrations, Xie Xiaofei affirmed his intention to genuinely commit to work in Shanghai. Separately, Zhao Chenxi met with Xie father, presenting a gift from her own father. Xie father outlined the collaboration with Kewan Real Estate, informing her that she and Xie Xiaofei would be jointly handling the negotiations in Shanghai.

Back in Shanghai, Tong Wei returned to her company, CAEA, to find significant changes. Tracy, her assistant, greeted her with frustration, explaining that their negotiation department had been split into two groups, A and B, led by Tong Wei and Xiao Xiang respectively. Tracy complained that Xiao Xiang had deliberately selected all the experienced negotiators for his group, leaving Tong Wei's Group A with only inexperienced "graduates who know nothing."

Tong Wei remained optimistic, viewing the newcomers as "blank slates" ready to be molded into capable professionals. She soon encountered her new team members: Jiang Ke, an effeminate man who enthusiastically complimented her perfume and asked for her WeChat for a purchasing agent, and Kiki, a young woman who arrived accompanied by her mother still giving her lunch instructions. Kiki's mother then earnestly asked Tong Wei to take good care of her daughter and ensure she ate properly.

After Kiki's mother left, Tong Wei and Tracy exchanged knowing glances, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by their new team. Tong Wei then reported to President Zhou, voicing her concerns about her unconventional and inexperienced team. President Zhou explained that skilled business negotiators were scarce in China, and she needed Tong Wei to cultivate new talent.

President Zhou praised Tong Wei, noting that while Xiao Xiang possessed experience, he was often distracted, whereas Tong Wei embodied "sincerity," the most valuable trait of a negotiator. Tong Wei accepted the challenge, viewing her team as "uncut jade" awaiting polish. During a subsequent department meeting, President Zhou announced a major new case: Xie Corporation, a US-owned company, sought to enter the Chinese market by partnering with the renowned real estate developer, Kewan Corporation.

Despite Kewan's difficult President Song, Xiao Xiang's Group B eagerly volunteered for the project. However, President Zhou unexpectedly assigned the case to Tong Wei's Group A, emphasizing that "actual combat" was crucial for training newcomers, and instructed Group B to provide assistance. Xiao Xiang protested Group A's inexperience, but President Zhou upheld her decision. President Zhou stressed the critical importance of the case's success to Tong Wei's career and urged her not to let her new team impede their progress.

Tong Wei confidently asserted that she "doesn't know the meaning of failure" and promised to quickly develop her team. Later, Tong Wei privately thanked President Zhou, understanding that the strategy of letting Xiao Xiang pick his team first prevented him from objecting when the major case was assigned to her new group. Tong Wei's team began their research on Xie Xiaofei.

Tracy proudly presented a compilation of publicly available online information about Xie Corporation, but Tong Wei dismissed it as "useless." She instructed her team to dig deeper, seeking personal details about Xie Xiaofei, such as his character, hobbies, and relationship status. When Jiang Ke playfully suggested they were acting like "entertainment reporters," Tong Wei clarified that "the first rule of negotiation is to know a person like you know yourself."

She explained that skilled negotiators require the "attentiveness of an entertainment reporter" to thoroughly understand their counterparts and opponents, which is essential for developing effective strategies. This in-depth personal research on Xie Xiaofei became their immediate homework. After work, Xia Shanshan insisted on taking Tong Wei to a club opening. Tong Wei, still frustrated with her challenging team, reluctantly agreed. At the noisy club, Xia Shanshan greeted the owner, Luo Bin, a friend of her boyfriend, Lao Qi.

She delivered a bracelet from Lao Qi, which Luo Bin was instructed to count for three months before meeting a "Master." As several men attempted to flirt with Tong Wei, she deftly deflected their advances with responses in Japanese and French. Xia Shanshan informed Luo Bin that Tong Wei was a professional negotiator, far different from his usual acquaintances. Luo Bin mentioned he was leaving to pick up a friend from New York.

Finding the club too loud, Tong Wei decided to leave with Xia Shanshan. Outside, they discussed Xia Shanshan's relationship with Lao Qi; Tong Wei subtly hinted at Lao Qi's possible continued involvement with his ex-wife, which Xia Shanshan vehemently denied. Suddenly, Xie Xiaofei's sports car nearly collided with them. He aggressively shouted at them for their carelessness. Tong Wei immediately recognized him from their previous hostile encounter in New York. She confronted him, demanding an apology.

When he refused, Tong Wei and Xia Shanshan retaliated by hitting his car with their high heels before walking away barefoot. Back in the club, a fuming Xie Xiaofei confided in Luo Bin, stating his firm intention to pursue his Suzhou ecological development project, rejecting his father's assigned work. Luo Bin, though expressing concern about the project's profitability, ultimately offered his full support for Xie Xiaofei's vision. The next morning, Tong Wei reviewed her team's progress.

Jiang Ke had successfully uncovered valuable information from a year-old scandal involving Xie Xiaofei, earning Tong Wei's approval. Kiki, however, had made little progress. Tong Wei spoke with Kiki privately, encouraging her to strengthen her resolve and grow into a capable professional to withstand fierce competition. Tong Wei then instructed Tracy to pay special attention to Kiki, helping her build confidence, as Tong Wei discerned that Kiki's inherent "soft" demeanor could become a powerful negotiation tool if properly cultivated.

Meanwhile, Tong Tiantian had returned to school, though she remained evasive about her New York trip when questioned by friends. An accidental basketball hit her, but the handsome student, Sun Hao, who rushed to apologize, instantly captivated Tiantian. Later, Tiantian's homeroom teacher asked her to invite Tong Wei to give a business lecture at the school, a request Tiantian reluctantly considered, wary of asking her "arrogant" sister for a favor.

Tong Wei then prepared for the first meeting between CAEA and Xie Corporation, but Xie Xiaofei failed to appear. Hearing of this, Xiao Xiang attempted to seize the case from Tong Wei, but she defiantly demanded one more day to meet Xie Xiaofei, threatening to surrender the project if unsuccessful. The next day, Xie Xiaofei was absent from the second scheduled meeting as well.

Unfazed, Tong Wei informed the Xie Corporation representatives that she would personally visit Xie Xiaofei at his hotel to schedule a meeting. Upon arrival, the front desk told her "Mr. Fei" had gone out. Tong Wei resolutely stated she would wait until he returned. As night fell, Tong Wei remained persistent in the hotel lobby. Her patience was finally rewarded when Xie Xiaofei arrived.

To her surprise, she realized that her client, Xie Xiaofei, was the very "nemesis" she'd encountered multiple times. Maintaining her professional composure, Tong Wei followed him to his room, determined to discuss business. Xie Xiaofei tried to intimidate her with the implication of "a lone man and a lone woman in a room," but Tong Wei was undeterred.

She boldly picked up his passport from a table, tucked it into her collar, and instructed him to attend the meeting at ten o'clock the following morning before walking out, leaving Xie Xiaofei fuming in his room. The following morning, Xie Xiaofei, on his way to the meeting, encountered Xiao Xiang in the elevator. Xiao Xiang engaged him in a verbose conversation, which Xie Xiaofei received with visible impatience.

When they both exited the elevator and saw Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei, still harboring resentment from their previous encounters, attempted to humiliate her. He openly declared his lack of trust in Tong Wei's team of newcomers and proposed a challenge: both negotiation groups would undergo a test and compete fairly for the project. Tong Wei, without a hint of fear, readily accepted his challenge.

Episode 3 Recap

In New York, Tong Wei and a colleague recalled an earlier unpleasant encounter with Xie Xiaofei where they threw shoes at him. Tong Wei expressed surprise at his poor manners, and her colleague questioned her original impression of him. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei confided in his friend at a bar, lamenting his father's business projects and expressing a greater interest in his own Suzhou land development plan, valuing “feelings” over “profit.”

Back at CAEA, Tong Wei tasked her team, Jiang Ke and Kiki, with researching Xie Xiaofei. They discovered a year-old rumor involving him and a rising star, Song Ai Li. By analyzing a blurry photo, Jiang Ke deduced Xie Xiaofei’s height and the location of the bar, leading to the conclusion that despite his wealthy background, he frequented shabby bars, suggesting a rebellious nature. Tong Wei praised Jiang Ke's insight.

Tong Wei then spoke privately with Kiki, who admitted feeling stupid but loved the job. Tong Wei encouraged her to shed her “Lolita” image and develop independence, emphasizing the competitive nature of CAEA. Later, Tong Wei discussed Kiki with her boss, who surprisingly believed Kiki’s delicate nature could be a unique asset in negotiations, disarming others. The boss suggested they play "good cop, bad cop" to train Kiki.

Tong Wei then went to the airport to pick up Xie Xiaofei, only to learn from his assistant, Mr. Lin, that he had arrived days earlier. She asked to reschedule a meeting, but Mr. Lin continuously put her off. Tong Wei and her colleague were frustrated by Xie Xiaofei's lack of professionalism, fearing mockery from Xiao Xiang.

Across the city, Tong Tian Tian, Tong Wei's younger relative, was approached by her teacher to invite Tong Wei to speak at a university conference. Tian Tian, who had a strained relationship with Tong Wei, initially refused. Xiao Xiang, having heard that Tong Wei was repeatedly stood up by Xie Xiaofei, saw an opportunity to snatch the case. He subtly suggested to Tong Wei that he could take over the case to prevent CAEA from being disrespected.

Tong Wei, sensing his scheme, agreed to hand over the case if she couldn't secure a meeting with Xie Xiaofei by the next day. When Xie Xiaofei once again failed to show for a scheduled meeting, Tong Wei, exasperated but determined, went directly to his hotel. Mr. Lin informed her that Xie Xiaofei was out, but Tong Wei declared she would wait until he returned. Hours later, in the late evening, she finally encountered him.

To her surprise, Xie Xiaofei was the same arrogant man she had encountered in New York. Xie Xiaofei brought up the shoe-throwing incident, but Tong Wei swiftly steered the conversation to business, following him to his room to discuss work. He attempted to intimidate her by highlighting the impropriety of a woman being alone in a man’s hotel room late at night, but Tong Wei confidently dismissed his advances, asserting she had no fear.

She then took his passport, informed him that he was expected at a meeting at CAEA at 10 am the next morning, and walked out, leaving him fuming. The following morning, Xie Xiaofei arrived at CAEA, where he was intercepted in the elevator by Xiao Xiang, who tried to curry favor with him. Upon seeing Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei expressed skepticism about her team, which was comprised of newcomers.

He proposed a fair competition between Tong Wei’s Team A and Xiao Xiang’s Team B for the Xie Corporation and Kewan case. He presented the challenge: convince an elderly resident, Han Cuifen, who refused to move from a prime piece of land in Suzhou, within a week. Both Tong Wei and Xiao Xiang readily accepted the challenge. After the meeting, Tong Wei's team members, Jiang Ke and Kiki, expressed their annoyance at Xiao Xiang's manipulative tactics.

Tracy intervened, explaining that President Zhou's reputation would be at risk if Jiang Ke reported Xiao Xiang. Tong Wei saw the competition as an excellent opportunity for her new team members to prove themselves. Xiao Xiang, meanwhile, instructed his team to thoroughly research Han Cuifen, emphasizing that her refusal to move was unlikely to be purely about money and that they needed to uncover her true motivations.

In a separate meeting, Tong Wei reiterated a crucial negotiation principle to her team: "Never make the first offer," stressing the importance of understanding the opponent's bottom line first. Later that day, as Tong Wei was leaving work to meet a client, she encountered Xie Xiaofei in the underground parking lot.

He playfully probed about her personal life and type of man she liked, but Tong Wei calmly deflected his questions, asserting her role as a negotiator, not a conversationalist, and politely dismissed him from her car. After she drove off, Xie Xiaofei, smiling, declared Tong Wei to be "his type." Xiao Xiang and his team were the first to visit Han Cuifen's home.

They discovered she was reluctant to move because she had taken in a large number of stray cats, fearing they would become homeless. Xiao Xiang's team tried to entice her with a modern apartment that included a garden. Han Cuifen seemed unenthusiastic but said she would consider their offer. As they were leaving, they saw Kiki approaching and dismissed her as incompetent, unaware that Tong Wei had deliberately sent Kiki alone, trusting her ability.

Despite Han Cuifen's initial unwelcoming attitude, Kiki patiently explained the advantages of the rural housing option proposed by Team A. Separately, Zhao Chenxi received news that a minor celebrity caught for drug use had ties to her half-brother, Song Haojie. Zhao Chenxi was pleased by this development, fueled by her long-standing resentment toward her brother for opposing her in family and business matters. A week passed, and Han Cuifen agreed to move.

As Xiao Xiang's team began to celebrate, Xie Xiaofei announced that Tong Wei’s team was the winner. Team A had offered Han Cuifen a secluded rural residence, ensuring her cats would not disturb neighbors, and had also helped her set up online social media groups to gather support from cat lovers. This victory showcased the capability of Team A's new recruits. Xiao Xiang was furious about his loss.

A B-team member then reported seeing Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei exhibiting "intimate" behavior. Xiao Xiang, seizing on this, resolved to find evidence of a romantic relationship between Tong Wei and a client, planning to use CAEA's strict policy against such conduct to force Tong Wei to resign, just as Xia Shanshan had been compelled to do. Xie Xiaofei invited Tong Wei to dinner, ostensibly to thank her for resolving the Han Cuifen issue.

He insisted on driving his sports car, driving fast and erratically, causing Tong Wei to be jostled around. Annoyed, Tong Wei challenged him to switch seats, then impressed him with her skilled driving. She took him to a vegetarian restaurant, which initially displeased the young mogul. Tong Wei lightly teased him, suggesting vegetarian food was good for hot-tempered individuals. Xie Xiaofei, acknowledging her jab, comically took an effervescent tablet, claiming good health was paramount, which made Tong Wei laugh.

Seeing her smile, Xie Xiaofei's demeanor softened, and he complimented her on her beautiful smile. He then asked for her WeChat and scrolled through her social media, expressing the deep personal importance of the Han Cuifen project and sharing his business dreams. The initial tension between them eased, fostering a growing mutual understanding. As they dined, Qin Tianyu, who was also meeting a client at the same restaurant, observed them from a distance.

Later, at the gym with her best friend Xia Shanshan, Tong Wei was urged to consider Qin Tianyu as a potential partner. Tong Wei firmly stated that she only saw him as a friend and was holding out for a truly exceptional man to capture her interest. Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi returned home, happy to see her busy father, though she understood his stress stemmed from her brother Song Haojie's issues.

She consoled him, and in return, her father entrusted her with full authority over the Xie Corporation and Kewan projects. Unbeknownst to Xie Xiaofei himself, Tong Wei’s presence was subtly influencing him. He reported his work progress to his father, visibly pleased when praised for his efforts. He found himself anticipating what new surprises Tong Wei might bring. The following morning, on his way to a meeting at CAEA, he spotted Tong Wei waiting for a taxi. Despite her initial refusal, he insisted she ride with him to work. As they chatted and entered the company building, their interaction was noted by colleagues from Team B.

Episode 4 Recap

Xiao Xiang's team, led by Manager Xiao, arrived at Han Cui Fen's house, whose land was crucial for Xie Corporation's development. His assistant explained that Granny Han refused to move because she fostered many stray cats and feared for their well-being if she left. Manager Xiao emphasized the urgency of persuading her within a week, hoping to win the Ke Wan negotiation and prevent President Zhou from playing favorites.

Granny Han, however, quickly saw through their facade of being an animal protection society, accusing them of trying to trick her into moving. Manager Xiao pressed, highlighting the inconvenience of her isolated living situation and the hardships her cats faced. He presented an offer: a ground-floor commercial property with a garden, reserved for three days, claiming he used his own money to secure it. Granny Han, though seemingly reluctant, said she would consider it and took the contract.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, observing the situation, scoffed at Tong Wei for sending a new recruit, KiKi, alone, calling her an "idiot." When KiKi called Tong Wei, expressing fear and lack of negotiation experience, Tong Wei reassured her, encouraging her to believe in herself and remember the negotiation techniques she had been taught, framing it as a crucial test. KiKi then visited Granny Han, complimenting her adorable cats.

Granny Han, wary from previous encounters, immediately questioned if KiKi was also there to convince her to move. KiKi calmly stated she was there to help and presented an alternative: a house her manager had found, assuring Granny Han that the company would make arrangements for her cats. Granny Han became angry, pointing out that another colleague had offered her a prime location apartment, while KiKi was suggesting the countryside.

KiKi patiently explained the benefits of the rural house, offering a detailed explanation. The next morning, in a meeting, Tong Wei analyzed Ke Wan Corporation's situation, explaining that the company acquired land cheaply a decade ago but waited to develop it to leverage Xie Corporation's brand for a resort, which would boost surrounding property values. Xie Xiaofei, initially appearing irresponsible, impressed Tong Wei with his astute understanding.

Tong Wei then introduced Ke Wan's key personnel: project manager Yang Xiao, known for his strict professionalism, and Zhao Chenxi, President Song's daughter and Ke Wan's CFO. Simultaneously, at Ke Wan, Zhao Chenxi's half-brother, Song Haojie, unexpectedly interrupted their meeting about Xie Corporation. He angrily confronted Zhao Chenxi, believing she was responsible for his removal from the project. Yang Xiao intervened, firmly defending Zhao Chenxi, which further infuriated Song Haojie, who then stormed out.

Separately, Qin Tianyu, still curious about Tong Wei after seeing her with another man, visited her sister, Tong Tiantian, to discreetly inquire about Tong Wei's romantic prospects. Despite his usually confident demeanor, Qin Tianyu appeared hesitant. Tong Tiantian frankly told him that no one was worthy of Tong Wei except him and urged him to pursue her. Encouraged by this, Qin Tianyu resolved to actively woo Tong Wei.

Later, a phone call confirmed that Granny Han had agreed to move out. In the meeting to announce the winner, Xie Xiaofei declared Tong Wei's team victorious, much to Xiao Xiang's dismay. Xiao Xiang accused them of making a mistake, but KiKi gratefully thanked Tong Wei for her trust, while Tong Wei praised KiKi's performance. Xiao Xiang, still unconvinced, argued that his team had offered very generous terms and implied foul play.

Xie Xiaofei intervened, explaining that the most crucial aspect of negotiation is understanding your opponent. He pointed out that while Xiao Xiang's offer of a ground-floor apartment seemed generous, it failed to consider Granny Han's core concern: her numerous cats and the potential conflicts with neighbors in a residential area. Tong Wei's team, on the other hand, proposed a private, single-family dwelling in the countryside, spacious enough for Granny Han and her cats without disturbing anyone.

Additionally, they connected Granny Han with online social media groups to facilitate adoptions, donations, and volunteer help, easing her burden and ensuring the cats received better care. Xie Xiaofei highlighted that the shift in negotiation strategy, from conflict resolution to identifying common interests, was key to Tong Wei's team's success, despite KiKi's initial inexperience. Although still competitive, Xiao Xiang conceded, acknowledging the newcomers' quick improvement and expressing pride as an elder.

Tong Wei, addressing Xie Xiaofei, reinforced her team's efforts and proven capabilities despite their rookie status. Frustrated by his defeat, Xiao Xiang overheard a colleague mentioning that Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei seemed intimately awkward in the elevator. Seizing this information, Xiao Xiang plotted to exploit CAEA's strict policy against employees having romantic relationships with clients.

He intended to turn Tong Wei into "the next Xia Shanshan," a former colleague who had to resign after dating a client, thus ending Tong Wei's career. After a strategy meeting, Xie Xiaofei requested Tong Wei's WeChat, which she provided. He then scrolled through her Moments, inquiring about "Jonathan," her idol and CAEA's chief negotiator, and commented that her idol must be very talented. Tong Wei, in turn, told him he looked skinny and should eat more.

Later that day, Qin Tianyu, still determined, arrived at Tong Wei's office with red roses, intending to ask her to dinner. Xie Xiaofei saw him and asked a colleague who he was. Xiao Xiang provocatively claimed Qin Tianyu was Tong Wei's boyfriend. Qin Tianyu invited Tong Wei to dinner, citing it as a thank you for her past assistance. Xie Xiaofei attempted to join them, but Qin Tianyu politely but firmly rejected him, then acted intimately before leaving.

Xie Xiaofei then intercepted Tong Wei, claiming urgent work related to American headquarters and insisting she stay, which Tong Wei, believing him, did, canceling her dinner with Qin Tianyu. Xie Xiaofei was secretly pleased. That evening, Xie Xiaofei invited Tong Wei to dinner, ostensibly to thank her for successfully handling Granny Han's case. Tong Wei initially tried to decline, suggesting they discuss work another time.

Xie Xiaofei playfully threatened to follow her home if she refused, reminding her of her own past persistence. He then insisted they discuss the project over dinner, prompting Tong Wei to agree. Xie Xiaofei first took Tong Wei to Luo Bin's club, having previously told Luo Bin he intended to "teach Tong Wei a lesson." He pressured her to drink strong alcohol and eat seafood, but Tong Wei, concerned about work, tried to keep the conversation professional.

She endured the discomfort until she felt nauseous and excused herself to the restroom. A waiter, delivering stomach medicine she had requested, inadvertently confirmed her genuine illness to Xie Xiaofei, who then, filled with concern, followed her out. Tong Wei, upset by his antics, sternly reminded him that they were professional partners, not friends, and he should focus on work rather than childish behavior.

Following this, as they were about to leave, Xie Xiaofei declared he "never rides in a car that a woman is driving." Tong Wei, amused, countered that she preferred women drivers. During the drive, Xie Xiaofei drove recklessly, making Tong Wei uncomfortable. She promptly took the wheel, driving with such skill that it impressed him. Tong Wei then took Xie Xiaofei to a vegetarian restaurant.

He complained about the lack of meat, but Tong Wei calmly suggested that vegetarian food was beneficial for those with bad tempers. Xie Xiaofei, sensing her playful jab, dramatically pulled out an effervescent tablet, claiming the importance of health. This action made Tong Wei smile, and Xie Xiaofei complimented her smile, noting that if she had smiled like that on their first encounter, he wouldn't have had to work so hard to pursue her.

Tong Wei retorted that she would have smiled if he hadn't been such a pain. Xie Xiaofei also shared that Granny Han's case was deeply tied to his business dream, a revelation that subtly deepened their understanding of each other. At the same vegetarian restaurant, Qin Tianyu was dining with a client, Mr. Huo, who praised Qin Tianyu's attentiveness, noting he knew about his vegetarian habits. Mr. Huo confirmed that Qin Tianyu's firm would handle all his corporation's legal matters.

Shang Bi Chen, a new hire at Qin Tianyu's law firm from the same alma mater, introduced herself, mentioning that her professor often spoke highly of him. As Qin Tianyu exited the restaurant, he noticed Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei dining together by the window, which made him feel uneasy. Separately, Tong Wei discussed her romantic prospects with her best friend, Xia Shanshan, at the gym. Xia Shanshan urged Tong Wei to pursue Qin Tianyu, calling him a "diamond bachelor."

However, Tong Wei confessed she didn't have romantic feelings for him and valued their friendship. Xia Shanshan, concerned for 27-year-old Tong Wei's single status, was met with Tong Wei's half-joking, half-serious assertion that she was too talented, fluent in four languages, and proficient in commercial trade, finance, law, and psychology. She confidently declared that no man on Earth was worthy of her yet and she was waiting for someone truly exceptional to conquer her.

Xia Shanshan playfully threatened to slap her for her conceit but acknowledged her strong belief in herself, and Tong Wei added that she needed to be strong and impenetrable, confident that a man capable of taming her would eventually appear. Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi returned home to find her father, Chairman Song, had come back, much to her mother's delight. At dinner, her father questioned her about Song Haojie's recent scandal, expressing his embarrassment.

Her mother reassured him that he still had a daughter to be proud of. Zhao Chenxi consoled her father, and he decided to entrust her with full control of the Xie Corporation project, citing Song Haojie's shameful behavior. Zhao Chenxi accepted the responsibility, pledging her best efforts, with her mother offering steadfast support. Later, Xie Xiaofei called his father to report on his work, confidently announcing he had secured the Suzhou land.

His father praised his efforts, and Xie Xiaofei, visibly pleased, expressed his readiness to immediately move forward with his business plan. His father advised him to prioritize the Ke Wan collaboration but also requested a detailed proposal for the Suzhou project to present to the Board. Xie Xiaofei assured his father he could handle both and defiantly told him to inform the "old codger" that he would make it work.

After the call, Xie Xiaofei pondered, wondering what "surprises" Tong Wei would bring him next. The next morning, Xie Xiaofei spotted Tong Wei waiting for a taxi, her rental car having broken down. He offered her a ride, and despite her initial refusal, he insisted, boasting about his unrivaled handsomeness. As they drove to work, they chatted about various topics, including Chinese food in New York's Chinatown.

That evening, Qin Tianyu received a call from his mother, urging him to bring a girlfriend home. This prompted him to drive to Tong Wei's apartment building. He found her still in stomach pain and, learning about Xie Xiaofei's bullying, took her to a local wonton stall, asking the owner to cook some homemade wontons he had brought. The owner, mistaking Tong Wei for his wife, accidentally called her "wife," revealing Qin Tianyu's deeper intentions.

Tong Wei understood his feelings but, not reciprocating, decided to carefully preserve their friendship by avoiding romantic topics. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, feeling remorseful for his behavior, bought stomach medicine and went to Tong Wei's apartment. There, he saw Qin Tianyu dropping her off. Misinterpreting Tong Wei's pleasant demeanor with Qin Tianyu, Xie Xiaofei became enraged, believing she had faked her illness to go on a date.

In a fit of anger, he swallowed all the stomach medicine he had bought, defiantly declaring he wouldn't leave any for her. Xie Xiaofei suffered severe stomach issues all night from the medicine overdose. The next morning, he tried to text Tong Wei to take him to the hospital, only to find she had deleted him on WeChat. Frustrated and in pain, he called her.

While reaching for his ringing phone, he was distracted and an elderly man fell in front of his car. He answered Tong Wei's call and informed her about the accident, then went to assist the man. Tong Wei immediately called Qin Tianyu for legal assistance. At the hospital, Xie Xiaofei was visibly annoyed to see Tong Wei arrive with Qin Tianyu. He vehemently denied hitting the elderly man during discussions with the police and the man's relatives.

Tong Wei tried to speak with him privately, but he only reiterated his innocence. Qin Tianyu, seeking to resolve the situation quickly, offered a monetary settlement to the family. Xie Xiaofei, however, was furious at this approach, insisting on proving his innocence. Just then, the elderly man regained consciousness and, to everyone's surprise, thanked Xie Xiaofei.

He explained that he had high blood pressure and had simply fainted from forgetting his medication, falling in front of Xie Xiaofei's car, not being hit by it. Xie Xiaofei's name was cleared. Xie Xiaofei's temper quickly dissipated after Tong Wei apologized. He then remembered his own stomach pain and insisted Tong Wei accompany him to the doctor. The doctor informed him he had taken the wrong medicine, which made Tong Wei laugh. Embarrassed by his impulsive actions, Xie Xiaofei playfully blamed Tong Wei for his predicament.

Episode 5 Recap

Xie Xiaofei spent the night in discomfort, suffering from the stomach medicine overdose he had consumed in a fit of pique. The next morning, he tried to call Tong Wei, only to discover she had deleted him from her social media. Feeling terrible, he instructed his assistant to call Tong Wei and demand she take him to the doctor.

While driving himself to the hospital, distracted by Tong Wei's return call, he swerved, and an old man suddenly collapsed in front of his car. Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei, telling her someone had fallen in front of his vehicle. She immediately contacted Qin Tianyu, asking him to act as Xie Xiaofei's lawyer. At the hospital, Xie Xiaofei was visibly annoyed to see Qin Tianyu arrive alongside Tong Wei, reiterating to the police that he had not hit the man.

Qin Tianyu intervened, learning from the police that CCTV footage was unclear and witness statements vague, preventing a definitive determination of fault. The victim's son, initially aggressive, was persuaded by Qin Tianyu to settle the matter. Qin Tianyu offered to pay double the hospital fees as a gesture of goodwill, convincing the son to retract his accusations and state that his father had fallen on his own.

Xie Xiaofei was furious about this resolution, insisting on proving his innocence and disliking the idea of paying for something he didn't do. Tong Wei tried to calm him, explaining that given his role overseeing a major project in China, it was important to avoid negative publicity, regardless of the truth. Just then, the elderly man regained consciousness and clarified the situation.

He explained that he had forgotten to take his blood pressure medication that morning and had fainted in front of Xie Xiaofei's car. He expressed gratitude to Xie Xiaofei for rushing him to the hospital, believing it saved his life. Feeling vindicated, Xie Xiaofei playfully lectured the old man about remembering his medication, reminding him that while there are still kind people in the world, not everyone would be as helpful.

Tong Wei apologized to Xie Xiaofei for misjudging him, which quickly brightened his mood. Qin Tianyu, his professional duty fulfilled, then departed. Xie Xiaofei still felt unwell and demanded that Tong Wei take him to the doctor. Despite it being the weekend and her not being on duty for client services, she reluctantly agreed.

At the doctor's, Xie Xiaofei sheepishly confessed that he had consumed an entire packet of stomach medicine the previous night in a fit of anger after seeing Tong Wei with Qin Tianyu. Tong Wei couldn't help but laugh when the doctor gravely informed Xie Xiaofei that he would need his stomach pumped. After the procedure, Xie Xiaofei refused to let his assistant pick him up, insisting Tong Wei drive him home.

He again recounted his childish act of swallowing the medicine because he was angry about her perceived date with Qin Tianyu. Amused by his sincerity, Tong Wei compromised, re-adding him on WeChat and agreeing to take him for breakfast. They went to a traditional breakfast shop, where Xie Xiaofei was unimpressed by the simple fare. He questioned Tong Wei's intense dedication to work.

She shared her long-held ambition to join the New York headquarters of her company and work alongside her idol, Jonathan, who had once given her inspiring advice. After breakfast, Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to an indoor extreme sports facility. Initially hesitant, she soon found herself enjoying the activities. During a rock-climbing challenge, Xie Xiaofei playfully suggested that if she lost, he would kiss her.

Falling behind, Tong Wei attempted to pull him down, but they both lost their grip and tumbled to the ground. In the accidental fall, Xie Xiaofei's lips brushed hers. Feeling a wave of awkwardness, Tong Wei quickly left the venue. That evening, alone in his room, Xie Xiaofei found himself constantly thinking about Tong Wei. Despite her often-cold demeanor, he was undeniably drawn to her.

He called her, first shyly expressing gratitude for her trust, then reverting to his playful self, admitting he was afraid of falling for her. Tong Wei quickly dismissed his comments and ended the call. Undeterred, Xie Xiaofei continued to send her a barrage of WeChat stickers.

Tong Wei ignored his messages and looked at an old photograph of her parents, feeling a familiar pang of sadness about not having been able to afford a proper burial for them after they passed away. Her thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. Assuming it was Xie Xiaofei, she answered sharply, only to realize it was Qin Tianyu.

Qin Tianyu, sensing her irritation and inferring she was expecting another call, felt a wave of insecurity and decided to call Xia Shanshan for advice. The next morning at the office, Xie Xiaofei confronted Tong Wei with an overly familiar attitude, insisting she call him "Xiaofei" and pressing her to explain why she had previously described the idea of him liking her as "like a horror movie."

Throughout the subsequent meeting, Xie Xiaofei's gaze remained fixed on Tong Wei, and he showed her special attention during lunch, making her visibly uncomfortable. Xia Shanshan arrived at CAEA, having received Qin Tianyu's call. Witnessing the interactions between Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei, Xia Shanshan realized Qin Tianyu's concerns were not unfounded. She warned Tong Wei against repeating her own past mistake of developing a romantic relationship with a client, which had led her to abandon her career.

Tong Wei firmly stated that she would not leave the company until her father's innocence was fully cleared. Despite Tong Wei's resolve, Xia Shanshan, as her closest friend, sensed an unspoken attraction between Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. As the negotiations between Ke Wan and Xie Corporation drew closer, Zhao Chenxi led the Ke Wan team to their hotel ahead of schedule, ensuring they were well-prepared. Meanwhile, the CAEA team was also working tirelessly.

Xie Xiaofei, recognizing the immense pressure Tong Wei was under, brought her some milk, claiming to have warmed it with his body temperature, urging her to drink it and get some much-needed rest. Tong Wei, in turn, earnestly reminded him of the importance of being punctual for the upcoming critical meeting. Later that night, both Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were still diligently preparing their materials.

Xie Xiaofei suddenly received a phone call from Luo Bin, who informed him that the Suzhou land, a property he had painstakingly acquired, had been sold off by the Xie Group. Shocked and enraged by this unexpected news, he immediately called his father for an explanation, only to be told it was a decision made by the board of directors.

The following morning, Tracy called Tong Wei early, advising her to leave for the meeting ahead of time due to anticipated heavy traffic. Upon her arrival at the hotel, Tong Wei accidentally had milk splashed on her dress by a child. In the restroom, a kind Ms. Liu offered to lend her some clothes, but the garments she provided were unsuitable for the formal negotiation meeting.

Episode 6 Recap

Arriving at the hotel for the negotiation, Tong Wei’s skirt is accidentally stained with milk by a child. A kind woman named Liu offers her clothes, but they are unsuitable. Tong Wei then calls Cui Xi to bring a spare outfit from her car. After changing, Tong Wei meets Ke Wan’s representatives, Yang Xiao and Zhao Chenxi.

She immediately recognizes Zhao Chenxi, which impresses Zhao Chenxi, who later reveals to Yang Xiao that she had orchestrated the milk spill to embarrass Tong Wei. Noticing that Xie Xiaofei has not arrived, Tong Wei instructs her team to prevent him from showing up, explaining that a late arrival would be seen as contempt, whereas his absence could be excused. She assigns Manager Li to act as Xie Corporation's representative.

As the negotiation meeting begins, Yang Xiao questions Xie Xiaofei's absence. Tong Wei quickly concocts an excuse, stating that Xie Xiaofei is unwell and not accustomed to the local climate, promising that he will arrange a compensatory banquet later. Just as she finishes, Xie Xiaofei bursts into the room while on a phone call, appearing disheveled. Tong Wei tries to usher him out to maintain her fabricated story, but Xie Xiaofei ignores her.

He openly disrespects Yang Xiao, inviting him to drink and dine on The Bund after the talks. Yang Xiao, feeling his company has been gravely insulted, leads Zhao Chenxi and their team out of the meeting. Tong Wei desperately chases after them, profusely apologizing on Xie Xiaofei’s behalf and taking full responsibility, pleading for another chance to demonstrate their sincerity, but Yang Xiao remains unresponsive.

Back in the meeting room, Tong Wei confronts Xie Xiaofei, but he offers no detailed explanation, simply taking all the blame. Yang Xiao expresses his frustration about Xie Xiaofei’s behavior to Zhao Chenxi. Zhao Chenxi, however, senses that Xie Xiaofei's actions were deliberate to disrupt the negotiations. She finds his rudeness illogical and believes there is an ulterior motive, vowing to investigate the matter further. Meanwhile, Tong Wei faces severe repercussions.

Her boss, Zhou, informs her that the Ke Wan and Xie Corporation project will be reassigned to Xiao Xiang. Tong Wei angrily confronts Xiao Xiang, but Zhou does not intervene. After Xiao Xiang leaves, Zhou explains the gravity of the situation: Xie Corporation’s representatives reported the day’s failure directly to their New York headquarters, blaming the negotiator for incompetence, which led to Tong Wei’s removal. Zhou assigns Tong Wei a different case and instructs her to take a temporary leave.

Undaunted, Tong Wei immediately throws herself into her new work project. Later, as her team prepares for a meeting in a pre-booked conference room, they find Xiao Xiang and his team already occupying it. To avoid further conflict, Tong Wei, out of respect for Manager Chen who apologized, allows Xiao Xiang to keep the room.

In the lounge area, Tong Wei informs her team that she will be taking a few days off and assigns them tasks for their next case. While Cui Xi expresses concern for Tong Wei's spirits and suggests a spa day, Tong Wei declines. She goes to the riverside alone, looking at a photo of her parents.

She reflects on her childhood, recalling that her parents’ death was the key reason she became a negotiator, as she believes finding Cai Tianlan, who worked at CAEA at the time, could help her uncover the truth behind their deaths. She also remembers the painful memory of her aunt refusing to buy a grave for her parents, insisting their savings were for Tong Wei's education, which led to their ashes being scattered at sea.

Zhao Chenxi seeks out Xie Xiaofei to understand his disruptive behavior, but he dismisses it as an unintentional mistake, appearing completely unconcerned. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei receives a call from his associate, Robb, who informs him that the Suzhou land he had been diligently watching for two years and finally bought, which was his mother's hometown, has been sold by the Xie Corporation. Shocked, Xie Xiaofei immediately confronts his father, who is in a meeting, demanding an explanation.

His father states that it was a board decision and that Xie Xiaofei will understand later. Xie Xiaofei angrily retorts that his father knew how important that land was to him and his mother, as it was where he intended to realize his dreams. As night falls, Qin Tianyu, finishing work late, offers to drive Shang Bichen home.

Shang Bichen, who has long harbored feelings for Qin Tianyu, is both nervous and thrilled by this opportunity, assuring him she will work hard and not disappoint him. Upon arriving home, Shang Bichen receives a call from her mother, urging her to return for a blind date. To avoid this, she fabricates a story about having a boyfriend. Qin Tianyu calls Tong Wei, asking if Xie Xiaofei had caused her any trouble, but she assures him everything is fine.

After hanging up, Qin Tianyu wonders if Tong Wei was expecting a call from Xie Xiaofei, fueling his insecurities. He then calls Shan Shan, confiding his worries about Tong Wei. Shan Shan teases him, noting his attraction to challenging women, and promises to keep an eye on Tong Wei for him. Zhao Chenxi, still suspicious about Xie Xiaofei's actions, contacts Qin Tianyu late that night.

She informs him that CAEA has replaced Tong Wei with another negotiator for their project with Xie Corporation, and Tong Wei has been forced to take leave. Qin Tianyu, secretly working as legal counsel for Ke Wan without Tong Wei's knowledge, immediately suspects that his dual role might have been discovered, and Tong Wei was removed to avoid a conflict of interest. However, Zhao Chenxi disagrees, finding Xie Xiaofei’s behavior highly unusual.

Qin Tianyu dismisses Xie Xiaofei as a mere playboy, but Zhao Chenxi warns him not to underestimate Xie Xiaofei, pointing out that Xie Xiaofei’s past suggests capabilities beyond what he lets on, and reminding Qin Tianyu of his own ambition to use Tong Wei for career advancement. Xie Xiaofei attends the scheduled meeting between CAEA and Xie Corporation, only to discover that Tong Wei has been replaced as the lead negotiator due to the previous day's incident.

The project is now assigned to Xiao Xiang. Disgusted, he refuses to listen to Xiao Xiang’s explanations, adopts a hostile attitude, and walks out of the meeting room. He then instinctively finds himself standing in front of Tong Wei's office.

Episode 7 Recap

After leaving the conference room, Xie Xiaofei instinctively made his way to Tong Wei's office door. He was immediately stopped by Cui Xi, who blocked his path. Just then, Jiang Ke appeared behind Xie Xiaofei, giving him a cold look and telling him to own up to his mistakes. Jiang Ke accused Xie Xiaofei of ruining the project, which had cost their team immense effort.

Xie Xiaofei claimed he would take all the blame, even stating that self-blame wasn't in his vocabulary, but Jiang Ke dismissed his empty promises. Xie Xiaofei, who had recently argued with his father over the phone about the very same negotiation, was in a defiant mood. His father had been furious about the failure and his disruptive behavior, emphasizing the partnership's importance to the company's future, but Xie Xiaofei remained uncooperative.

Despite his previous display of nonchalance, Xie Xiaofei went to President Zhou’s office to speak on Tong Wei’s behalf. He hoped to clear her name by taking full responsibility for the negotiation's failure. However, his well-intentioned intervention only backfired. President Zhou called Tong Wei, who was on vacation, back to the office. After Xie Xiaofei left, President Zhou sternly reprimanded Tong Wei, accusing her of sending someone to plead for her.

Tong Wei vehemently denied this, stating she preferred to win fairly and would never stoop to such tactics. President Zhou grew more irate, interpreting Xie Xiaofei’s unsolicited help as a sign of an inappropriate relationship between a client and a negotiator, reminding Tong Wei of CAEA’s strict policies. Tong Wei, feeling deeply frustrated, insisted she disliked Xie Xiaofei and understood her professional boundaries. Tong Wei stormed out of President Zhou's office, seething with anger.

She saw Xie Xiaofei holding yellow roses, clearly intending to apologize, but Tong Wei's response was cold and dismissive, firmly establishing her distance from him. To vent her frustration, Tong Wei went to a boxing gym, furiously punching the bag and cursing Xie Xiaofei's name. Xia Shanshan tried to console her, suggesting that Xie Xiaofei's attempt to help might indicate he had feelings for her.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Zhao Chenxi, who entered the gym with none other than Xie Xiaofei. Seeing him, Tong Wei immediately turned and walked away, wanting nothing to do with him. Sensing Tong Wei's distress, Xia Shanshan promptly informed Qin Tianyu, encouraging him to use this opportunity to comfort her.

Later, upon arriving home, Tong Wei immediately noticed the distinct scent of her perfume on her younger sister, Tong Tiantian, who had secretly used Tong Wei's cosmetics and taken photos of them. Shortly after, Qin Tianyu called Tong Wei, offering to take her out to help her relax.

He admitted that Xia Shanshan had told him about her situation and gently advised Tong Wei that, from a long-term perspective, stepping down from the project might actually be beneficial, urging her not to dwell on the setback. After dinner, Qin Tianyu took Tong Wei to a wine bar for a drink. As they were chatting happily, they unexpectedly spotted Xie Xiaofei.

Knowing Tong Wei's discomfort, Qin Tianyu prepared to leave with her, but Zhao Chenxi deliberately called out to them. A visibly intoxicated Xie Xiaofei suddenly grabbed Tong Wei, aggressively demanding to know the nature of her relationship with Qin Tianyu. Tong Wei firmly told him that their work relationship was over and her actions were no longer his concern. However, Xie Xiaofei refused to let go, continuing to press her about her feelings for Qin Tianyu.

Unable to tolerate Xie Xiaofei's harassment, Qin Tianyu stepped in, leading to a physical fight between the two men. Tong Wei quickly intervened, pulling Qin Tianyu away, and they left the bar. Xie Xiaofei remained, enraged and bewildered, unable to understand why Tong Wei hated him so intensely over what he perceived as a minor project.

Zhao Chenxi escorted Xie Xiaofei home and, noticing numerous business books in his room, became convinced that he was far more shrewd than his careless facade suggested, which made her even more intrigued by their negotiation. Meanwhile, Qi Ruhai's company encountered difficulties in its cooperation talks with a technology firm. He enlisted Xia Shanshan's help, relying on her former experience as a negotiator to analyze the issues. Early the next morning, Qi Ruhai and Xia Shanshan attended the negotiation meeting.

During the session, Xia Shanshan astutely observed the opposing party's behavior and discerned that their company was facing significant financial difficulties. She confidently advised Qi Ruhai to aggressively lower his offer, trusting her judgment. Following her advice, Qi Ruhai successfully secured the deal, saving an impressive 100 million yuan. Overjoyed by this triumph, he profusely praised Xia Shanshan and promised to fulfill any request she had.

Xia Shanshan expressed her desire for a heartfelt and intimate wedding, and Qi Ruhai readily agreed, promising to officially register their marriage once the merger was complete. During a meeting between Xie Corporation and CAEA, Xie Xiaofei was distracted. He took a call from Luo Bin and abruptly left the meeting. Luo Bin had arranged for Xie Xiaofei to meet Qi Ruhai. Upon arrival, Qi Ruhai, accompanied by Xia Shanshan, met Xie Xiaofei at a club.

Xia Shanshan overheard Xie Xiaofei speaking ill of Tong Wei and, unable to contain her anger, publicly reprimanded him. Sensing the escalating tension, Qi Ruhai attempted to smooth things over and leave, but Xie Xiaofei stopped them, demanding that Xia Shanshan explain herself. Under pressure, Xia Shanshan revealed the painful truth: Tong Wei's father had been unjustly accused of taking money, leading him to commit suicide, and her mother soon followed.

Xia Shanshan explained that Tong Wei's relentless drive to become a top negotiator was fueled by her ambition to attend the annual meeting at the New York headquarters. Her ultimate goal was to find Cai Tianlan, a key figure from CAEA who was involved in her father's case, hoping to uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths. This quest made every project vitally important to Tong Wei, as she couldn't afford a single mistake.

Xia Shanshan's revelation profoundly impacted Xie Xiaofei, washing over him with waves of guilt and self-reproach. He finally realized the immense and unintentional harm he had inflicted upon Tong Wei. Back at home, Qi Ruhai was still upset, believing Xia Shanshan's strong loyalty to her friendship had sabotaged his chance to collaborate with a major American company. Xia Shanshan explained the depth of her bond with Tong Wei.

Seeing her genuine anger, Qi Ruhai quickly moved to appease her and then expressed his desire for her to take on a more active role in his business, using her capabilities to help them build an even more successful future together.

Episode 8 Recap

Having learned the full truth from Xia Shanshan, Xie Xiaofei drove to Tong Wei's apartment building late that night and called her to come downstairs. He held a bouquet of yellow roses, telling her the flowers signified his apology. He earnestly wished to apologize to her, explaining he was "extending an olive branch," and declared that if she didn't forgive him that night, he wouldn't leave.

Tong Wei accepted his apology but refused the flowers, deeming them "inappropriate" given their purely business relationship, which she clarified no longer even existed. She reiterated that the project's failure was her responsibility, not his. When Xie Xiaofei expressed frustration over her continued coldness after his apology, Tong Wei retorted that her job was "to negotiate, not to please people" before turning to go back inside. As she walked away, Xie Xiaofei muttered, "So arrogant."

From her window, Tong Tiantian secretly took photos of the scene below, commenting that Xie Xiaofei had "ruined his own chances at love." The following morning, Xie Xiaofei spotted Tong Wei leaving and swiftly followed her. He tailed Tong Wei to a boxing gym, where he offered himself as a target for her to release her anger. However, Tong Wei declared him unworthy of her attention and walked away.

Xie Xiaofei persistently followed her, getting into her car and refusing to alight, leaving Tong Wei no choice but to drive him home. As he followed her, he asked, "Do you dislike me this much?" but she continued to ignore him. Frustrated, Xie Xiaofei muttered that Tong Wei was "the only one that can make me this mad."

Once they arrived at Tong Wei's home, Xie Xiaofei still refused to leave, fabricating an excuse about needing to use the restroom to follow her upstairs. Meanwhile, when Tong Wei was not at home, Tong Tiantian had been in Tong Wei's room earlier, trying on her clothes and rummaging through her makeup. She commented disdainfully, "What's so great about a stupid lip balm?" before showcasing Tong Wei's collection, presumably to her friends.

While doing so, she discovered an antique fountain pen in a drawer, casually noting, "This is new," and took it without understanding its significance. Ignorant of its true value, Tong Tiantian later sold the pen to a pawn shop for a mere two thousand yuan. Upon her return, Tong Wei found Tong Tiantian's phone in her room, confirming her suspicion that Tiantian had once again invaded her privacy.

She confronted Tong Tiantian about using her perfume, stressing the importance of asking permission, which Tiantian denied. More critically, Tong Wei discovered the drawer where she kept her cherished antique fountain pen – a priceless keepsake from her parents – was open, and the pen was gone. Tong Wei inquired about Tong Tiantian's whereabouts from her aunt and uncle, but her aunt immediately defended her daughter, insisting she couldn't be a thief. At that moment, Tong Tiantian arrived home.

Tong Wei angrily confronted her, and Tiantian initially refused to confess. However, Tong Wei produced Tiantian's phone, which compelled her to admit she had sold the pen. When pressed for the pen's location, Tong Tiantian defiantly expressed her strong dislike for Tong Wei, confessing that she had deliberately sold it. Hearing the escalating argument, Xie Xiaofei emerged from the restroom. Noticing a magazine featuring Song Aili, he recognized Tong Tiantian as a fan.

Seizing the opportunity, he offered a video call with Song Aili as bait, successfully getting Tong Tiantian to reveal the antique pen's location. The antique shop owner, having purchased the valuable pen from the unknowing Tong Tiantian for a meager sum, was contentedly deciding to keep it. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei hurried to the shop, hoping to repurchase the pen. Tong Wei attempted to explain that her sister had stolen it, but the owner dismissed her story.

Xie Xiaofei discreetly led Tong Wei outside, urging her to compose herself, before re-entering the shop alone. He sincerely bowed to the owner, conveying the immense sentimental value the pen held for Tong Wei, and offered to procure a comparable collection of pens from the United States as an equal exchange. The owner eventually accepted his offer.

Meanwhile, angered by her father's punishment for selling the pen, Tong Tiantian spitefully informed Qin Tianyu that Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were frequently seen together. Prompted by this news, Qin Tianyu quickly sought out Tong Wei. Xie Xiaofei successfully retrieved the antique pen. Tong Wei, now holding a degree of respect for his efforts, offered to treat him to a thank-you dinner. As Xie Xiaofei gleefully stayed by Tong Wei's side, they were suddenly confronted by Qin Tianyu.

Xie Xiaofei immediately became hostile towards Qin Tianyu, explicitly telling him not to touch Tong Wei as he was not her boyfriend. Tong Wei tried to explain that Xie Xiaofei had provided significant help, which was why she had promised to treat him to dinner. Qin Tianyu then offered to join them. Xie Xiaofei immediately objected, stating his discomfort with Qin Tianyu's presence and his desire to enjoy a private meal with Tong Wei.

Tong Wei watched the two men in a standoff, unsure how to intervene. Suddenly, Xie Xiaofei confessed his feelings for Tong Wei, acknowledging Qin Tianyu's affection for her and declaring his intention to compete fairly for her. Finding the situation absurd, Tong Wei, exasperated, left them both. Having made a formal decision to pursue Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei was determined to have her return to the project.

He called his father, Xie Tianyou, in the United States, promising to successfully secure the Ke Wan project. His only condition was that Tong Wei be reinstated as the lead negotiator. Xie Tianyou, somewhat surprised by his son's change in demeanor, nonetheless trusted his resolve. He became curious about the woman who had managed to alter Xie Xiaofei's previous nonchalant attitude and instructed Xie Xiaotian to investigate Tong Wei's background.

The investigation revealed that Tong Wei possessed both striking beauty and an impressive professional record. Xie Tianyou, as a father, recognized that Xie Xiaofei had undoubtedly developed deep feelings for her. Tong Wei was once again at a boxing gym, releasing her frustrations. Xie Xiaofei appeared before her, playfully declaring his intention to pursue her. Exasperated by his relentless presence, Tong Wei, giving in to his earlier suggestion, punched him.

Xie Xiaofei, however, seized the moment to plant a kiss on her forehead. As he continued to follow her persistently, Tong Wei eventually spotted a police officer on the street and requested help to stop Xie Xiaofei. On a sunny afternoon, Tong Wei received a phone call from Xie Xiaofei. He used the pretense of needing her to translate documents to convince her to leave her home. Once in his car, Tong Wei realized she had been misled.

Xie Xiaofei drove her to his late grandmother's former home in the Suzhou countryside. Tong Wei fell asleep during the long drive, and as Xie Xiaofei paused the car, he leaned in to kiss her, but she unexpectedly woke up. They then walked together, and Xie Xiaofei explained that the land had been his grandmother's. He recounted joyful childhood memories of staying there, eating crispy rice and catching crabs, a happiness that ceased with his grandmother's passing. These precious recollections had since shaped his ambition to develop an eco-friendly resort, designed to be a place filled with love and human connection.

Episode 9 Recap

Xie Xiaofei, persistent in his attempts to apologize, tried to engage Tong Wei as she was leaving her house. Despite his earnestness, Tong Wei, fed up, ignored him and went back inside. Undeterred, the next morning, Xie Xiaofei followed her to a boxing gym, where he playfully urged her to take out her anger on him. Tong Wei retorted that he wasn't worth her effort and walked away.

Still, Xie Xiaofei continued to pursue her, even getting into her car and refusing to leave, compelling her to drive him home. Once at her apartment, he feigned stomach pain to gain entry, claiming he needed to use her washroom. While Tong Wei was out, her step-sister, Tian Tian, routinely rummaged through Tong Wei's room, trying on her clothes and makeup.

During one such intrusion, Tian Tian discovered an antique fountain pen in Tong Wei's drawer—a treasured keepsake from her parents' tenth wedding anniversary. Unaware of its sentimental or monetary value, Tian Tian impulsively took the pen and sold it for a mere two thousand yuan at a pawn shop. Upon returning home, Tong Wei found Tian Tian's phone in her room, confirming her step-sister's presence. When she noticed her fountain pen was missing, she confronted Tian Tian.

Despite Tian Tian's initial denial, Tong Wei used the recovered phone as evidence, forcing Tian Tian to confess. Tian Tian defiantly admitted to selling the pen, expressing her deep-seated hatred for Tong Wei and her deliberate act of spite. Overhearing the commotion from the bathroom, Xie Xiaofei realized Tian Tian was a fan of the celebrity Song Ai Li. He strategically offered Tian Tian a video call with Song Ai Li in exchange for the antique shop's name.

Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei immediately headed to the antique shop. The owner, delighted with his cheap acquisition, refused to sell the pen back, dismissing Tong Wei's explanation about her sister. Xie Xiaofei pulled Tong Wei aside to calm her down, then re-entered the shop alone. He sincerely explained the pen's profound sentimental value to Tong Wei and offered a generous deal: he would procure ten rare fountain pens from abroad for the owner in exchange for Tong Wei's pen.

Impressed by Xie Xiaofei's sincerity, the owner relented and sold the pen back to him at the original price. As they left the shop, Qin Tianyu arrived, having been alerted by Tian Tian, who also hinted at Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei's close proximity. Tong Wei offered to treat Xie Xiaofei to a celebratory meal. However, Qin Tianyu, visibly displeased, suggested a restaurant he knew, prompting a tense standoff between the two men.

Xie Xiaofei, openly jealous, insisted on a private dinner with Tong Wei, claiming his right to her time. In the heated exchange, both Xie Xiaofei and Qin Tianyu openly declared their feelings for Tong Wei and vowed to compete fairly for her. Feeling overwhelmed by the absurd display, Tong Wei left them both. Determined to have Tong Wei rejoin the project, Xie Xiaofei made a phone call to his father, Xie Tianyou.

He promised to take the Ke Wan project seriously and ensure victory, but only on the condition that Tong Wei be reinstated as the lead negotiator. Xie Tianyou, surprised by his son's sudden commitment, agreed to the terms. Intrigued by the woman who could motivate his son, he instructed his assistant, Uncle Ou, to have Xiao Tian investigate Tong Wei's background. Later, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei, fabricating an urgent translation task to lure her out.

When she arrived, he confessed it was a ruse and drove her towards Suzhou. During the drive, as Tong Wei slept, he almost kissed her, but she awoke just in time. The clear skies hung over the overgrown land where Xie Xiaofei's cherished childhood memories resided. He shared with Tong Wei his joyful days playing at his grandmother's house in the countryside when he was five years old, regretting he couldn't stay longer.

He recalled his grandmother preparing "crunchy rice" for him and his excitement over catching crabs. After returning to the U. S. , he fell ill due to a virus infection from poor hygiene, making his mother angry and preventing future visits. Since his grandmother's passing and his mother's subsequent illness, this land became his dream. He envisioned transforming it into an ecological resort, distinct from Xie's 18 Hideaways, brimming with love and warmth.

He explained that while Xie's 18 Hideaways offered luxury, it lacked human emotion and love, which meant nothing to him without it. Tong Wei, touched by his heartfelt dream, told him it was wonderful and she wished to be his first guest. Xie Xiaofei then revealed that after spending two years diligently acquiring the land, it was secretly sold by his father, Xie Tianyou, whom he had believed supported his dream.

Feeling betrayed, he confessed this was why he intentionally messed up the first round of negotiations. He earnestly asked Tong Wei to forgive his past actions, explaining that he had purposely sabotaged the negotiation to retaliate against his father. Tong Wei was visibly moved by the usually playful Xie Xiaofei now calmly recounting his dream and inner turmoil. At Mr. Song's invitation, Zhao Chenxi arrived at the Song family home with Qin Tianyu.

Before entering, Zhao Chenxi spotted Song Haojie and quickly explained his past "good deeds" to Qin Tianyu, who was unfamiliar with him. Upon joining the dinner, Song Haojie immediately steered the conversation to the Xie Corporation project, aiming to make Zhao Chenxi uncomfortable. Zhao Chenxi proudly stated that her team had achieved an "overwhelming victory" in the first round of negotiations.

However, Song Haojie then dropped a surprising piece of news that shocked both Zhao Chenxi and Qin Tianyu: Tong Wei had been urgently recalled to the project team the previous night. Zhao Chenxi was astonished that she was unaware of such a significant development, while Song Haojie knew, sensing a growing threat from her brother. When her father suggested she consult Song Haojie with any project questions, Zhao Chenxi was particularly annoyed.

Determined to prevent Song Haojie from interfering, she told Qin Tianyu, "I will take care of Xie Xiaofei. You take care of Tong Wei. I need to win completely on this project." Back in his office, Qin Tianyu was lost in thought about Tong Wei's unexpected return. He made a phone call to Xia Shanshan for information, who mentioned that she had loudly scolded Xie Xiaofei on his behalf earlier.

Meanwhile, Shang Bichen, while seeing off a client at the law firm, signed for a package for Qin Tianyu. Qin Tianyu was delighted to find it was Tong Wei's notebook, which he had been looking for. In his good mood, he invited Shang Bichen to dinner. During their meal, Qin Tianyu sensed Shang Bichen's insecurity and offered advice on how to build confidence and maintain her professional image. Shang Bichen, grateful for his guidance, then inquired about his private life.

Qin Tianyu candidly shared that he did not have a girlfriend but might soon, causing Shang Bichen, who held feelings for him, to feel a mix of joy and sadness. As he described the person he liked, Shang Bichen became visibly disheartened. Suddenly, Qin Tianyu leaned closer, gently removing a stray strand of hair from her shoulder, and reminded her that a lawyer must always maintain their image. Qi Ruhai picked up Xia Shanshan.

She excitedly asked if her new nails were pretty, to which he honestly replied "average." He then presented a ring, proposing marriage. Tears welled up in Xia Shanshan's eyes as she gratefully embraced him. Concurrently, Tong Wei received a text message from Xie Xiaofei asking her to be his girlfriend, but she once again rejected his advance. After her vacation, Tong Wei returned to the office, radiant in a bright red coat, greeted warmly by her colleagues.

She messaged Xie Xiaofei, reminding him of a 10 AM meeting and urging him not to be late. However, Li Xiangzhong from Xie's Corporation soon arrived to inform Tong Wei that Xie Xiaofei had formally withdrawn from the project, providing the reasons. Though she had some prior knowledge, Tong Wei was still surprised by the news. Immediately after the meeting, Tong Wei drove swiftly to Xie Xiaofei's hotel.

Tong Wei found Xie Xiaofei, attempting to persuade him to rejoin the project. He retorted that he had only joined because of her, and since she "hated" him, there was no longer any reason for him to stay. Tong Wei, a rational person, believed in separating feelings from work, but Xie Xiaofei insisted that for him, dreams were intertwined with emotions.

As he packed his bags, intent on leaving the place that had caused him pain, Tong Wei, in a moment of desperation to keep him, blurted out, "I like you!" Elated, Xie Xiaofei immediately turned back and pulled out a recording pen from his pocket. He had been prepared, recording her confession to prevent her from denying it. Tong Wei, however, was not as joyous, reminding him of CAEA's unofficial rule prohibiting romantic relationships between employers and employees.

Xie Xiaofei dismissed this as a non-issue, suggesting they keep their relationship secret, and used the recording as leverage. As Tong Wei tried to snatch the recording pen, she stumbled and accidentally fell into his arms. Xie Xiaofei seized the moment, proclaiming her his girlfriend. Despite her usual rationality, Tong Wei found herself surrendering to her true feelings.

Under the vibrant neon lights of Shanghai at night, Xie Xiaofei's mood was as colorful as the city as he took Tong Wei to a bar for a celebratory date. Tong Wei, opening up, confessed to Xie Xiaofei that their trip to Suzhou had completely changed her perception of him. Delighted, Xie Xiaofei leaned in and embraced her. Just then, Tong Wei spotted someone who resembled Xiao Xiang and quickly pulled Xie Xiaofei under the table.

Once she confirmed it wasn't Xiao Xiang, Xie Xiaofei emerged, annoyed by the need for such a secretive relationship. Tong Wei, however, remained worried, feeling that her usually disciplined life was spiraling out of control since meeting him. She expressed concerns that their relationship would bring many complications. To reassure his new girlfriend, Xie Xiaofei promised he would ensure no one found out about their relationship and that he wouldn't cause her any trouble.

Episode 10 Recap

After Xie Xiaofei recorded Tong Wei's unexpected confession of affection, he playfully declared her his girlfriend when she tried to retrieve the voice recorder and stumbled into his arms. Later that evening, as they celebrated at a bar, Tong Wei expressed deep reservations about their relationship.

She explained that she had always led a meticulous and controlled life, especially concerning her career, and their secret relationship, particularly given company rules against employees dating employers, made her feel a disconcerting loss of control. Although she admitted her perception of him had changed during their trip to Suzhou, she worried that their relationship would only lead to endless complications.

Desperate to keep her, Xie Xiaofei promised to maintain absolute secrecy, vowing not to let anyone at the company discover their relationship and to avoid any trouble. He earnestly pleaded with her not to even contemplate breaking up. Later, as he drove her home, Xie Xiaofei attempted to secure a goodbye kiss.

Tong Wei initially hesitated, giving him only a light flick on the forehead, but then, with a shy smile, she quickly gave him a peck before hurrying inside, leaving him utterly delighted. Meanwhile, at home, Tong Tiantian, feeling guilty about selling Tong Wei's pen, bought an expensive new one and secretly left it outside Tong Wei's room. Discovering the pen, Tong Wei understood Tiantian's heartfelt apology.

She then texted Xie Xiaofei, asking him to do her a favor by contacting his ex-girlfriend, Song Aili, seeing it as an opportunity for him to make amends for a past mistake. The next day, Tong Wei picked up Tiantian from school and took her to dinner, hoping to reconcile. Tiantian confessed her strong dislike for Tong Wei, explaining that bringing her back from New York had caused her to miss a significant opportunity in the fashion industry.

Tong Wei apologized and promised to secure Tiantian a ticket to the next fashion show. Tiantian, however, remained stubborn, stating she still disliked Tong Wei's arrogant demeanor. At that moment, Xie Xiaofei arrived, presenting Tiantian with an autographed photo of Song Aili, which thrilled her. Tiantian then brought up rumors about Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei, questioning their relationship. As they left the restaurant, Tiantian noticed Xie Xiaofei affectionately touching Tong Wei's head, instantly realizing they were a couple.

Xie Xiaofei, without hesitation, openly admitted that Tong Wei was his girlfriend. Mindful of company policy, Tong Wei implored Tiantian to keep their relationship a secret. Tiantian, ever the pragmatist, demanded a "fee" for her silence, pointing out that she had spent her entire allowance on Tong Wei’s replacement pen. Tong Wei agreed to transfer 2000 yuan to Tiantian, who then happily began referring to Xie Xiaofei as her "brother-in-law."

Upon their arrival at the company's underground parking lot, Xie Xiaofei attempted to be intimate with Tong Wei, but she quickly pulled away, reminding him they were at work and needed to maintain a professional distance. In the elevator, they unexpectedly encountered Jiang Ke, who greeted Tong Wei with an enthusiastic hug. A visibly jealous Xie Xiaofei swiftly intervened, separating them.

Jiang Ke, observing Xie Xiaofei's uncharacteristically early arrival, teased him about his vibrant social life, mentioning his past in New York with "celebrities, models, and tons of girlfriends." Tong Wei, amused, played along with the banter, leaving Xie Xiaofei flustered and struggling to defend himself. At the law firm, Shang Bichen, while making tea, overheard her colleague, Sister Wen, discussing Qin Tianyu.

Shang Bichen was eager to know if Qin Tianyu had a girlfriend and learned that he harbored strong feelings for Tong Wei. Sister Wen recounted how Tong Wei, as a freshman, had challenged Qin Tianyu, then the star president of the university debate club, eventually defeating him after a year of diligent practice. Since then, Qin Tianyu had been relentlessly pursuing her. Shang Bichen felt a pang of despair, realizing her own chances with Qin Tianyu were slim.

Nevertheless, Sister Wen encouraged her, assuring her that Qin Tianyu recognized her potential and believed she could become his assistant. Meanwhile, Qin Tianyu received confirmation that Tong Wei had indeed rejoined the project team. Realizing that Xie Xiaofei's pursuit of Tong Wei was serious, Qin Tianyu decided he could no longer stand by idly. During the project meeting, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei displayed remarkable synergy as they discussed negotiation strategies.

Xie Xiaofei proposed a bold initial demand to Ke Wan—requesting 80% or more stock for Xie Corporation—to create leverage. This would allow them to later "take a step back" and achieve a more favorable compromise. Tong Wei readily endorsed the strategy, explaining the tactic of having one party lead the negotiation while the other handled the "dirty work."

Their seamless coordination was noticed by colleagues, with one remarking that President Fei and Tong Wei seemed to be working from a shared script. Xie Xiaofei proudly proclaimed it a "heavenly match," prompting a colleague to suggest he refrain from using such idioms to avoid misunderstandings. Shortly after, Tong Wei was called away to meet Qin Tianyu, who had brought her father's diary. Feeling uneasy about them being alone, Xie Xiaofei attempted to eavesdrop outside Tong Wei's office.

He was intercepted by Xiao Xiang, whom he tried to deter by pretending to admire the plants. Unaware of Xie Xiaofei’s true relationship with Tong Wei, Xiao Xiang maliciously insinuated that Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu were a couple and spoke ill of Tong Wei. Enraged, Xie Xiaofei grabbed Xiao Xiang by his tie but, remembering Tong Wei’s previous advice about controlling his temper, quickly released him, feigning adjustment of Xiao Xiang's tie before the startled man departed.

Inside her office, Tong Wei was thrilled to receive her father's diary from Qin Tianyu, hoping it would shed light on the past. However, her excitement turned to disappointment when she discovered that several crucial pages had been torn out. Tong Wei's emotional state, triggered by the discovery of her father's incomplete diary, was further complicated by Xie Xiaofei's lingering foul mood.

Still agitated by Xiao Xiang's remarks, Xie Xiaofei twice interrupted Tong Wei in her office, urging her to return to the meeting. Back in the meeting room, he confronted her, visibly upset by her prolonged conversation with Qin Tianyu. Tong Wei, recognizing his jealousy, chuckled and calmly clarified the situation. Xie Xiaofei, asserting his role as her boyfriend, demanded that she refrain from meeting Qin Tianyu alone. Tong Wei firmly rejected this demand as unreasonable, stating she could not comply.

She advised him that if he truly wished to maintain their relationship, he needed to exhibit more maturity rather than behaving like an impulsive child. Though momentarily chastised, Xie Xiaofei secretly vowed to prove himself the man truly worthy of her. Later, after a taxing day, Tong Wei accompanied Xia Shanshan to a beauty salon. Xia Shanshan, in high spirits, shared that her wedding dress was ready as she eagerly awaited becoming Mrs. Qi.

The massage therapist complimented Tong Wei's improved complexion, prompting Xia Shanshan to playfully ask if Tong Wei had found a new man. Tong Wei chose to keep her relationship with Xie Xiaofei private for the time being. Xia Shanshan then offered her friend advice, earnestly urging her to seek a stable and reliable partner suitable for marriage. As the two friends left the spa, Tong Wei unexpectedly spotted Qi Ruhai with his ex-wife. While Xia Shanshan quickly insisted she was already aware of the situation, her forced smile hinted at a deeper discomfort, leaving Tong Wei concerned for her friend.

Episode 11 Recap

Xia Shanshan witnessed Qi Ru Hai with his ex-wife, Gong Qin, instantly dampening her spirits. Tong Wei noticed Shanshan’s distress, and Shanshan confessed that since starting her relationship with Qi Ru Hai, she had lost her job and alienated her family, leaving her with nothing but him to rely on. Tong Wei urged her to call him for clarification, but Shanshan, forcing a smile, insisted she had witnessed them with her own eyes and claimed it was fine.

Tong Wei then received an urgent call and had to leave. After Tong Wei left, Xia Shanshan repeatedly called Qi Ru Hai. While Qi Ru Hai was with Gong Qin, his phone rang continuously, a detail Gong Qin noticed. Gong Qin questioned Qi Ru Hai, stating she had heard he intended to marry Xia Shanshan, which he denied.

Gong Qin reminded him of his promise during their divorce not to remarry, adding that she felt deceived by his intimacy with Shanshan, given his earlier promise. She emphasized that while their private lives were separate, their professional lives intertwined, making her uncomfortable with his relationship with Shanshan, particularly as his business heavily relied on the Gong family. Qi Ru Hai returned home, irritated by Xia Shanshan's numerous calls.

He confronted her about the twenty-something missed calls, but Shanshan, equally upset, questioned his presence with Gong Qin at the coffee shop. He explained it was a business meeting. When Shanshan asked if he loved her, he affirmed, stating he had never been more interested in any woman. Shanshan then pressed him for a marriage license, but he deferred, citing his busy schedule and age.

Enraged, Shanshan expressed her humiliation, citing that people viewed her as his "kept woman" confined to their home. She gave him an ultimatum: marry her with a "grand wedding" within two months, or they would break up. Qi Ru Hai hesitated, explaining that at his age, marriage involved many complex considerations she wouldn't understand. Sensing his unwillingness to commit, Shanshan declared their relationship over, threw the jewelry and rings he had given her onto the floor, and stormed out barefoot.

Xia Shanshan, crying, immediately called Tong Wei, telling her she had broken up with Qi Ru Hai because he refused to marry her. Tong Wei, who was at work with Xie Xiaofei, rushed to Shanshan's side, with Xie Xiaofei accompanying her. After comforting Shanshan, Tong Wei explained Shanshan's deep commitment to Qi Ru Hai, for whom she had sacrificed her career and everything. Xie Xiaofei then stated his belief that Qi Ru Hai would never marry Xia Shanshan.

He elaborated that Qi Ru Hai, who started his business at 36 and became president of Le Pai Corporation, had received his initial investment from his ex-wife's father, an act that defined his business foundation. He explained that remarrying would be perceived as a "betrayal" of his ex-wife's family, implying severe business repercussions from the family that founded his success. Tong Wei brought Xia Shanshan back to her apartment.

Shanshan, realizing she couldn't starve, resolved to find a job to support herself. Tong Wei invited her to stay, brushing off Shanshan's concerns about being a bother. Later, Shanshan observed Tong Wei chatting on WeChat and inquired about her relationship with Qin Tianyu.

Tong Wei firmly stated that a relationship with Qin Tianyu was "impossible" and also claimed not to have feelings for anyone else, explaining that she didn't view love as a daily necessity and preferred to wait for the right person to come along. Unbeknownst to Shanshan, Tong Wei had been messaging Xie Xiaofei, who expressed his loneliness, feeling like he was "living like a widow" due to her absence.

After Shanshan went to her room, Tong Wei took out her father's diary. She reminisced about her childhood, recalling her parents telling her she was their "princess" and that a prince would one day marry her, to which young Tong Wei replied she only wanted to be with her parents forever. The next morning, with Qin Tianyu's assistance, Xia Shanshan successfully secured a new job.

That evening, as Tong Wei was preparing for the upcoming second round of negotiations, Xie Xiaofei tried to persuade her to have dinner with him. However, Shanshan called, excitedly inviting Tong Wei to dinner to celebrate her new job. Tong Wei, after initially agreeing to dinner with Xie Xiaofei, had to leave him to meet Shanshan.

Xie Xiaofei, calling her a "puppy" for being summoned away by the same girl again, reluctantly agreed to let her go after she promised to make it up to him. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Tong Wei was surprised and somewhat awkward to find Qin Tianyu also present, having been invited by Shanshan, who lauded him for helping her find employment.

As Tong Wei excused herself to the restroom, Shanshan seized the opportunity to encourage Qin Tianyu to be more proactive in pursuing Tong Wei, warning that Xie Xiaofei might "catch" her if he remained too reserved. Shanshan even suggested that Tong Wei's recently improved appearance hinted at her interest in Xie Xiaofei. While Tong Wei was in the restroom, Xie Xiaofei called her phone, which she had left at the table. Shanshan urged Qin Tianyu to answer, which he did.

Upon hearing Qin Tianyu's voice, Xie Xiaofei angrily hung up. He immediately called Tong Wei again, demanding she appear before him within ten minutes and threatening to contact President Zhou if she failed to comply. Tong Wei hurried to the hotel where Xie Xiaofei was waiting. He accused her of lying, but she clarified that Xia Shanshan had invited Qin Tianyu, and she was unaware he would be there.

Xie Xiaofei, channeling his anger, told Tong Wei to instruct Shanshan that merely finding a job would not win Qi Ru Hai back. He asserted that the only way for Shanshan to reconcile with Qi Ru Hai was to "humbly admit her mistake," emphasizing that for Qi Ru Hai, a businessman, "no profit" in marrying Shanshan equated to a "disadvantage." Tong Wei was indignant, feeling that his words not only insulted Shanshan but also herself.

She retorted, questioning what "benefits" she, as a woman, offered him, a businessman, given his cynical view on relationships. Xie Xiaofei, overwhelmed, passionately declared he was with her because he "truly likes" her, not for profit. Tong Wei, however, remained upset and, reminding him of the next day's negotiation, left him. Later, at home, Tong Wei reflected on Xie Xiaofei's astute analysis of Qi Ru Hai's business motivations, realizing a deeper, more mature side to him she hadn't recognized previously.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei tried to apologize to Tong Wei via calls and messages, but her phone was off and she did not reply. He then inwardly vowed to help her secure a victory in the upcoming negotiation. The following morning, the second round of negotiations between Cowan and Xie's commenced as scheduled, with Song Haojie also making an unexpected appearance.

Tong Wei initiated discussions by proposing that Xie's, as the brand output for the seven-star resort, should hold an 80% stake. Zhao Chenxi immediately rejected Tong Wei's terms and insisted on speaking directly with Xie Xiaofei. To everyone's surprise, Xie Xiaofei then proposed an even more aggressive term: sole proprietorship for Xie's. He then publicly criticized CAEA for not adhering to his directives, feigned anger, and abruptly walked out, interrupting the negotiation once again.

The Cowan representatives, clearly displeased, also departed shortly after. Tong Wei was concerned by the chaotic halt to the negotiations, fearing the negative repercussions. However, knowing Xie Xiaofei well, she dismissed her colleagues and waited for him. As expected, Xie Xiaofei soon returned. She confronted him about his disruptive behavior during the meeting. This time, he was not capricious but offered a sincere explanation, detailing the negotiation pitfalls she had overlooked. He also genuinely apologized for their argument the previous night and his antics during the meeting. Tong Wei couldn't help but smile, touched by his sincerity.

Episode 12 Recap

At Ke Wan, Yang Xiao and Zhao Chenxi were discussing the second round of negotiations, expressing their frustration with Xie Xiaofei's unconventional approach. During their conversation, Song Haojie entered their office, appearing gleeful. He informed them that if the third round of negotiations also failed to yield a clear intention for cooperation, their father would proceed with the San Ya resort project, which was with Song Haojie's client.

Zhao Chenxi retorted that Song Haojie seemed impatient, but he insisted he was only worried about her efforts being in vain. After Song Haojie left, Yang Xiao criticized him for trying to steal business from his own family. Zhao Chenxi apologized to Yang Xiao for bringing him back from overseas for such a difficult case.

Yang Xiao reassured her, saying it was his choice, and questioned her motives for returning to the family business instead of pursuing her own career abroad. Zhao Chenxi confessed that her return was about more than just money, and that many things were "not that easy." Yang Xiao promised to support her.

Later, Zhao Chenxi called Luo Bin and asked him to invite Xie Xiaofei for a drink, expecting Xie Xiaofei to understand that she was the one behind the invitation. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei arranged a private movie screening, reserving an entire theater for a date with Tong Wei. He was excited about the romantic gesture, but Tong Wei remained preoccupied with work. Despite her reluctance, Xie Xiaofei convinced her to sit down with him.

However, due to her exhaustion, Tong Wei fell asleep on Xie Xiaofei's shoulder during the film, sleeping for over an hour. When the movie ended, Tong Wei joked that he should find someone else to watch movies with next time. As Xie Xiaofei drove Tong Wei home, he received a call from Luo Bin inviting him out.

Xie Xiaofei was curious why Tong Wei didn't ask to join him, but she had already deduced that Zhao Chenxi had orchestrated the meeting through Luo Bin, likely regarding the recent negotiations. Tong Wei explained that her presence would only make Zhao Chenxi more guarded, making it more effective for Xie Xiaofei to go alone. She asked him to share any pertinent information afterward, and he promised to tell her everything.

After dropping Tong Wei off, she looked forward to having some free time. That same evening, Xia Shanshan's new boss brought her along to entertain a Japanese client, Mr. Yamada, with Qi Ruhai also present as a partner. Mr. Yamada became inebriated and began to harass Xia Shanshan. Frightened, she fled the private room, only to stumble upon Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi sitting intimately together. Xie Xiaofei, witnessing Xia Shanshan's distress, immediately rushed to her aid.

He confronted the client, firmly telling him to respect women and leave. After ensuring Xia Shanshan was alright, Xie Xiaofei attempted to explain his situation to her, but she was too upset by what she had seen and ran off. Xie Xiaofei then swiftly left the venue, choosing not to linger with Zhao Chenxi, who complained that he wasn't being a gentleman by not taking her home.

He reminded her that they were negotiation opponents and being too close was inappropriate. Feeling uneasy about Xia Shanshan's misunderstanding, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei to explain. Tong Wei answered playfully, teasing him about drinking with pretty girls.

Xie Xiaofei asked if Xia Shanshan had told her anything, but Tong Wei said no. He then confessed that a pretty girl had tried to flirt with him, but he had managed to avoid it, jokingly asking for a reward from his "girlfriend." Tong Wei, however, playfully accused him of hiding something and, feigning sleepiness, ended the call.

After they hung up, Xie Xiaofei left Tong Wei a voice message, informing her about the project's progress and promising more details the next day, ending with an "I love you." Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan waited outside Qi Ruhai's house, confronting him about his inaction when she was being harassed. She tearfully expressed her disappointment, feeling he had pretended not to know her.

Qi Ruhai assured her of his love and that no one could hurt her as long as he was there, but dismissed her fear, pointing out many people were around. Still upset, Xia Shanshan wished he had defended her physically. Qi Ruhai explained that he couldn't act impulsively like a young man, as his business required him to consider consequences. He stated that no woman would want a man without a successful business.

To appease her, he promised to give her a grand wedding after he settled his current affairs. The next morning, as Tong Wei arrived at the office, her colleague Kiki presented her with a large bouquet of "Rose Only" roses, sparking envy from Jiang Ke, who excitedly explained the rarity and significance of the flowers, which are meant for one person in a lifetime. Tong Wei, assuming they were from Xie Xiaofei, was in high spirits.

Her smile, however, faltered when she received a call from Qin Tianyu, who subtly confirmed he was the sender. She politely thanked him but hinted that such gifts were unnecessary. Later, Xia Shanshan met Tong Wei, happily sharing that she and Qi Ruhai had reconciled. Tong Wei, remembering Xie Xiaofei's previous candid analysis of Qi Ruhai, found herself in a dilemma, unsure how to advise Xia Shanshan.

Xia Shanshan once again suggested Qin Tianyu was a suitable partner for Tong Wei, but Tong Wei maintained she didn't like him. Then, recalling the previous night, Xia Shanshan gossiped about seeing Xie Xiaofei hugging another woman. Tong Wei's expression immediately turned cold, and she quickly excused herself, claiming an urgent matter. Later, back at her company, she saw a cheerful Xie Xiaofei chatting with the front desk staff but returned to her office without acknowledging him, her face grim.

Xie Xiaofei, full of enthusiasm, went to Tong Wei's office, but she kept her head down, ignoring him. He noticed the roses on her desk and, upon learning they were a romantic gesture from Qin Tianyu, angrily demanded that Tong Wei discard them, promising to buy her a better bouquet himself. Tong Wei, visibly displeased, refused and left for a meeting without another word to him.

Annoyed by Tong Wei accepting Qin Tianyu's flowers, yet unaware of her jealousy-fueled coldness, Xie Xiaofei was bewildered by her anger. He decided to call Tong Tiantian to get to the bottom of the situation. Tong Tiantian, while praising Qin Tianyu much to Xie Xiaofei's chagrin, agreed to go home and discreetly gather information.

Upon returning home, Tong Tiantian entered Tong Wei's room and, without intending to hide Xie Xiaofei's concerns, mentioned his annoyance about Tong Wei not discarding the roses. Through this conversation, she discovered that Tong Wei's distant behavior stemmed from something else entirely: she was jealous of Xie Xiaofei. Knowing this, Tong Tiantian recounted how she had scolded Xie Xiaofei earlier, which made Tong Wei laugh, though she couldn't help but speak favorably of him.

Subsequently, Tong Tiantian arranged for Tong Wei to meet Xie Xiaofei, creating an opportunity for him to apologize properly. Together, Tong Tiantian and Xie Xiaofei playfully teased Tong Wei, eventually making her laugh. Separately, Zhao Chenxi met with Qin Tianyu, informing him that she had revealed her true intentions to Xie Xiaofei. Qin Tianyu, though disagreeing with her approach, could do nothing to change it.

Zhao Chenxi then pointedly brought up the unusual relationship between Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei, a remark that left Qin Tianyu feeling uneasy and forced him to consider their connection more seriously.

Episode 13 Recap

With Tong Tiantian's help, Xie Xiaofei successfully earned Tong Wei's forgiveness. Though he acted a bit flippant, Tong Wei was nonetheless amused by his sincerity. The very next morning, Xie Xiaofei waited downstairs at Tong Wei's home. Tong Wei didn't want him to be overtly affectionate in public, prompting Xie Xiaofei to complain that dating her felt secretive. He remarked that when he dated other people, they longed to be with him 24 hours a day.

Tong Wei playfully asked who these "other people" were, but before Xie Xiaofei could answer, Zhao Chenxi called. To avoid any misunderstanding, Xie Xiaofei immediately put the call on speaker. However, Zhao Chenxi addressed him intimately and even asked when she should return his clothes. Startled, Xie Xiaofei quickly hung up, scrambling to explain to Tong Wei that he had simply lent Zhao Chenxi his coat because she was cold, and there was nothing else between them.

Tong Wei teased him for being such a gentleman, but Xie Xiaofei continued to profusely apologize and promise not to meet Zhao Chenxi alone again. Upon arriving at her company, Tong Wei was immediately summoned by President Zhou, who appeared displeased. President Zhou bluntly stated she was aware of Tong Wei's relationship with Xie Xiaofei, having seen them together multiple times on the streets and in a car.

President Zhou sternly warned Tong Wei about the severe consequences of such a relationship, emphasizing that CAEA's policy strictly prohibited employees from dating clients. While Xie Xiaofei could easily return to the U. S. after the project concluded, Tong Wei would risk losing her career, a career she had dedicated ten years to building, if their relationship was exposed. President Zhou urged Tong Wei to realize that her dreams and the truth she pursued would be jeopardized.

She clarified that Tong Wei had to choose between her work and her feelings, giving her three days to resolve the matter. Tong Wei requested more time, promising to handle the situation, but President Zhou reiterated her ultimatum: if Tong Wei chose to continue the relationship, she would be removed from the current case. Back in her office, Tong Wei canceled all her remaining work for the day.

Her mind was heavy with concern as she replayed her moments with Xie Xiaofei, weighing the pros and cons of their relationship. Later, Qin Tianyu called Tong Wei, inviting her to a performance that evening. Despite her low spirits, Tong Wei initially declined, expressing reluctance to give him the wrong impression.

However, Qin Tianyu invoked his upcoming birthday and reminded her of his help in finding her father's diary, compelling Tong Wei to reluctantly agree to the outing as a final favor. Simultaneously, Xie Xiaofei sent Tong Wei a message, to which she falsely replied that she had family matters to attend to at home, omitting her plans with Qin Tianyu.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi also arranged a meeting with Xie Xiaofei, citing urgent business, and led him to the very same bar where Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu were seeing the performance. This was a deliberate setup by Zhao Chenxi, who feigned surprise at encountering Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu.

She then pretended not to know Qin Tianyu when introducing herself, but immediately referred to him as Tong Wei's boyfriend to Xie Xiaofei, creating a misunderstanding that Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu were on a private date. Trapped in the awkward encounter, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were unable to openly explain themselves and could only suppress their sadness and anger. During the performance, the singer announced a "kiss cam" activity for couples in the audience.

Coincidentally, the camera landed on Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi's table. The crowd enthusiastically chanted for them to kiss. Xie Xiaofei, visibly annoyed, turned to glance at Tong Wei, but in a swift moment, Zhao Chenxi boldly stood up and kissed Xie Xiaofei. Witnessing this, Tong Wei declared she felt unwell and needed to leave immediately. While she waited for Qin Tianyu to retrieve the car, Xie Xiaofei approached her.

He urged Tong Wei not to meet Qin Tianyu alone again and reiterated that there was nothing between him and Zhao Chenxi, blaming himself for misunderstanding her. He tried to embrace Tong Wei, seeking to comfort her, but it was at this moment that Tong Wei, having made up her mind, uttered the words, "Let’s break up." Xie Xiaofei was distraught, vehemently refusing to accept the breakup and promising never to meet any other woman alone again.

Tong Wei, however, calmly explained that their relationship had begun too hastily, that they hadn't thoroughly considered many things, and that they simply were not suitable for each other. She then left him there. Qin Tianyu drove Tong Wei home. At her doorstep, Tong Wei made it clear to Qin Tianyu that he should stop being kind to her, explaining that her lack of romantic feelings meant there was no possibility for them.

She stated that love either exists or it doesn't, with no gray areas. Qin Tianyu, frustrated, questioned why he was inferior to Xie Xiaofei, despite his long-standing affection for her, but Tong Wei remained resolute in her decision. On the other side of town, Zhao Chenxi dropped Xie Xiaofei off. Before leaving, she asked if he had anything to say about the evening.

Still fuming, Xie Xiaofei loudly proclaimed that he had never liked her, did not like her now, and would never like her in the future, adding that he was indifferent to the collaboration between Ke Wan and Xie Corporation. That dark night was filled with partings and personal struggles for everyone. Qin Tianyu, unable to process Tong Wei's words, sped to his company building where he saw Shang Bichen leaving work.

In his distraught state, he impulsively asked Shang Bichen if she liked him. Shang Bichen shyly admitted her feelings, but Qin Tianyu, in turn, told her not to like him. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, unable to accept the breakup with Tong Wei, sent her numerous apologies via text message throughout the night. However, Tong Wei, having resolved her decision, did not respond to any of his messages. The next morning, despite her firm stance, Tong Wei felt no relief.

During a meeting, she overheard her colleagues, Jiang Ke and Qiqi, gossiping about photos of Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi kissing that had spread online. Hearing their chatter, an irritated Tong Wei reprimanded them.

Episode 14 Recap

President Zhou called Tong Wei to her office after learning of the breakup. President Zhou, speaking not only as her boss but also as a friend and mentor, commended Tong Wei for stopping herself in time and advised her to adjust her state of mind. She candidly expressed her disapproval of Tong Wei's relationship with Xie Xiaofei, describing him as willful, unruly, and from a complicated background, starkly different from Tong Wei, who achieved her success through her own efforts.

She believed such a relationship would not last long. She then underscored the critical importance of the Xie Corporation project, explaining that Xie Corporation's founder, Xie Zhen Nan, an early last-century Chinese immigrant to the U. S. , had built a vast empire in tourism, hotels, and shipping, uniquely maintaining Chinese executives due to his roots. The Ministry of Commerce was keenly observing the negotiations, hoping for a successful collaboration to demonstrate China's thriving economy and attract more investment.

President Zhou stressed that this was no ordinary task and urged Tong Wei to control herself. Tong Wei assured her that she understood and would handle the negotiations with utmost professionalism, separating personal feelings from work. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei met again during a meeting with Xie Corporation, where Tong Wei maintained a professional distance, showing no emotion.

After the meeting, Xie Xiaofei insisted they have lunch together, pulling her aside and stating he wouldn't leave if she didn't come. He booked a private room to ensure privacy. Xie Xiaofei profusely apologized for the previous night's incidents, including his misunderstanding about Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu, his outing with Zhao Chenxi, and the kiss, taking full responsibility for all that caused her unhappiness. Tong Wei accepted his apology but remained firm on her decision to break up.

She explained that the separation was not due to his shortcomings but because their relationship had been plagued by mistrust from the beginning. She did not want her imagination to run wild daily, leading her to become an emotional person she despised. Despite her reasoning, Xie Xiaofei refused to give up, asserting his right to fight for their relationship.

Later, Xie Xiaofei met Zhao Chenxi at a club, providing her with crucial data revealing that the land she intended to develop in Sanya was highly susceptible to typhoons during summer, making it unsuitable for a resort. Zhao Chenxi was pleased with the report and tried to ask about Tong Wei, but Xie Xiaofei, weary of the subject, simply told her he was tired and dismissed her. Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan called Tong Wei, enthusiastically inviting her to dinner.

Tong Wei, citing heartbreak, declined. Surprised, Xia Shanshan realized Tong Wei had been in a relationship and convinced her to meet. Tong Wei then confided in Xia Shanshan about her relationship and breakup with Xie Xiaofei. Xia Shanshan rejoiced at the breakup, convinced that Xie Xiaofei, being a rich scion, and Tong Wei were from entirely different worlds and incompatible.

However, despite rationally agreeing, Tong Wei found herself defending Xie Xiaofei's character and confessing her continued attraction to him, admitting she couldn't bring herself to be happy about the split. Xia Shanshan understood her friend's predicament, likening it to pursuing the impossible and acknowledging Tong Wei's perception of her feelings for Xie Xiaofei as dangerous. Tong Wei explained that she had to make a decisive move to prevent herself from changing into a woman she hated.

Xia Shanshan then suggested they drink until they were drunk. That night, a despondent Tong Wei returned home and opened up to Tong Tiantian about her emotional turmoil. Tong Tiantian, noticing Tong Wei's profound sadness, encouraged her to reconcile with Xie Xiaofei. However, Tong Wei adamantly refused to let go of her pride and beg for love. Touched by her sister's vulnerability, Tong Tiantian's resolve softened. After Tong Wei passed out, Tong Tiantian discreetly called Xie Xiaofei.

The following morning, Tong Tiantian woke Tong Wei, fabricating a story that Tong Wei, while drunk, had called Xie Xiaofei, crying and pleading for reconciliation. Tong Wei, with a pounding head, checked her phone and saw a call record, leading her to believe Tiantian's tale. She spent her drive to work agonizing over how to explain her drunken actions to Xie Xiaofei.

In the parking garage, she ran into Xie Xiaofei and immediately retracted anything she might have said while intoxicated, dismissing it as crazy talk. Xie Xiaofei looked puzzled, as he was about to tell her about a dream he had. Back in her office, Tong Wei was still mortified. Soon after, Xie Xiaofei knocked on her door, still confused, asking when she supposedly spoke to him the previous night.

At that moment, Tong Wei received a call from Tong Tiantian, who confessed to lying and told Tong Wei that her willingness to believe the lie proved she still loved Xie Xiaofei. Relieved that she hadn't actually embarrassed herself, Tong Wei regained her professional composure and proceeded to the meeting with Xie Xiaofei, her face betraying no emotion.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi met with her father, who informed her of a new, crucial condition for the collaboration with Xie Corporation, previously discussed with Xie Xiaofei's father: a marriage alliance between the two families. Startled, Zhao Chenxi called Qin Tianyu to relay this information. Qin Tianyu agreed to attend the third round of negotiations. When Zhao Chenxi questioned if he was still concerned about Tong Wei's reaction, Qin Tianyu simply stated he had made up his mind.

Xie Xiaofei continued to pursue Tong Wei, following her to the underground parking lot and imploring her to stop avoiding him. President Zhou then intervened, taking both Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei to a coffee shop.

She clarified to Xie Xiaofei that she was the one who had instructed Tong Wei to break up with him, emphasizing that Tong Wei could not abandon her decade-long career for a relationship, wanting to achieve her dreams through her own efforts rather than relying on a boyfriend. Heartbroken, Xie Xiaofei angrily questioned Tong Wei if she saw him as a mere rich playboy who would mess up her life and career.

To make him finally give up, Tong Wei deliberately agreed with his assessment, feigning a lack of understanding. Enraged, Xie Xiaofei pointed at her, his eyes reddened, and vowed never to bother her again before storming out. Tong Wei later confided in President Zhou that she had to be that harsh for Xie Xiaofei to accept the breakup.

The next morning, as everyone prepared for the third round of negotiations, Tong Wei was stunned when Qin Tianyu appeared as Ke Wan's lawyer. Before the meeting began, Tong Wei confronted Qin Tianyu privately. He revealed that he had become Ke Wan's lawyer from the very beginning, even as she took on the case, with the intention of extracting information from her to defeat Xie Xiaofei.

Tong Wei was horrified by his deceitful behavior, but Qin Tianyu countered that she had hurt him and forced him to take such a step, doing it all to win her back and provide her a better life. Qin Tianyu then dropped a bombshell: the entire negotiation, involving Fu Tong Law Firm, CAEA, Ke Wan, and Xie Corporation executives, was an elaborate charade orchestrated by their fathers, Song Yong and Xie Tian You.

The ultimate goal was an arranged marriage between Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi, making everyone else mere pawns in their game. Tong Wei was shocked by this revelation but quickly composed herself to return to the negotiation table. During the meeting, Xie Xiaofei confidently stated Xie Corporation's determination to secure the project, regardless of the conditions. Qin Tianyu then revealed Ke Wan's sole condition for cooperation: a marriage alliance. This announcement sent shockwaves through the room.

Xie Xiaofei, unwilling to use his emotions as a bargaining chip, yet facing the prospect of losing the collaboration, turned to Tong Wei for advice as a negotiator. Tong Wei was speechless. Without waiting for her response, Xie Xiaofei firmly stood and declared his agreement to the marriage alliance, but explicitly stated that he would never love Zhao Chenxi, as his heart belonged solely to Tong Wei.

He then directly asked Zhao Chenxi if she was willing to accept a loveless marriage. Zhao Chenxi was visibly stunned and remained silent, while Qin Tianyu, enraged by Xie Xiaofei's bold declaration, immediately stormed out of the meeting.

Episode 15 Recap

Xie Xiaofei's impulsive declaration of love disrupted the negotiations for Xie Corporation, causing unforeseen damage to Tong Wei and CAEA. During the meeting, Ke Wan proposed a marriage alliance between Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi. Xie Xiaofei, after expressing that love cannot be forced, shockingly "agreed" to the alliance but declared he would never love Zhao Chenxi because he deeply loved Tong Wei, who was present. This revelation led Tong Wei to announce a pause in negotiations.

After everyone else had left, Xie Xiaofei asked Tong Wei if his actions had touched her, but she sternly questioned his motives. She explained that his stunt had created an enemy for Xie Corporation before it even had a chance to enter the Chinese market and had damaged CAEA's reputation, undoing all their hard work. Xie Xiaofei retorted that his own family had "sold his emotions," so he saw no reason to cooperate.

Tong Wei could not understand why he had chosen such a destructive method and insisted on taking full responsibility for the negotiation's failure herself. Enraged, Xie Xiaofei shouted that he had done it on purpose to retaliate against her, because he hated that she prioritized her work over their relationship. Tong Wei, exasperated, simply told him to stop being so childish. Meanwhile, Qin Tianyu, Yang Xiao, and Zhao Chenxi were also reeling from the unexpected turn of events.

Qin Tianyu speculated that Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei had been together, and his public confession was an act of revenge after their recent breakup, as Tong Wei had reportedly chosen her career over him. Yang Xiao worried about how this exposure would affect Tong Wei's career at CAEA. Zhao Chenxi, however, was too overwhelmed to discuss the project's future, only stating she "just want some quiet" before leaving.

Zhao Chenxi then received an urgent call, learning that her mother's illness was flaring up again after her brother informed her about the negotiation's failure. Yang Xiao expressed his concern, noting that Zhao Chenxi was constantly sacrificing her own emotional well-being to comfort her mother and satisfy her father. He urged her to allow herself to be angry or cry, but Zhao Chenxi explained that her mother had no one else to depend on.

After returning home and successfully calming her mother, who was upset about her daughter's public rejection and worried about her husband's favor, Zhao Chenxi retreated to her room, where she finally broke down, weeping over Xie Xiaofei's rejection and his unwavering love for Tong Wei. Elsewhere, Xiao Xiang approached President Zhou, spreading gossip about Tong Wei and exaggerating the incident's negative impact on CAEA. He even brought up a past scandal involving Xia Shanshan to highlight the seriousness.

President Zhou, however, calmly stated she was aware of the situation and would handle it, dismissing Xiao Xiang. Xie Xiaofei, drinking alone at Luo Bin's club, was spotted by President Zhou, who chastised him for his recklessness while Tong Wei was left to deal with the fallout. Xie Xiaofei claimed he would take full responsibility and asked her not to make things difficult for Tong Wei.

President Zhou countered that he was the one making it difficult, explaining that the Xie Corporation case was crucial for CAEA, and his actions implied Tong Wei had improper personal ties with a client, which was unprofessional conduct. Xie Xiaofei dismissed himself as merely "some playboy who can mess up her life and her work," believing Tong Wei had no expectations of him.

However, President Zhou revealed that Tong Wei had always praised his ambition and talent, and despite company rules, she had entered a relationship with him because she truly loved him. She further explained that Tong Wei, having lost her parents at a young age, yearned for a stable family life—something Xie Xiaofei, in his current state, could not provide.

President Zhou admitted she had advised Tong Wei to end the relationship because Tong Wei could not afford the heartbreak if it failed. President Zhou urged Xie Xiaofei to stop causing trouble for Tong Wei before leaving. Xie Xiaofei, now reflective, acknowledged that he had been too stubborn and had failed to understand Tong Wei's true feelings. Returning to his hotel, Xie Xiaofei sent a message to Tong Tiantian, asking her to steal Tong Wei's passport.

Tiantian successfully obtained the passport but demanded to be taken to America as well. Xie Xiaofei initially agreed but then explained that he had important business matters to attend to and wouldn't be able to host her properly. Tiantian, driven by a desire for Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei's happiness rather than personal gain, eventually relented. Xie Xiaofei thanked her, but privately worried he would disappoint her.

Soon after, Xie Corporation employees frantically tried to contact Xie Xiaofei on behalf of his furious father, who was in the U. S. and upset about the potential loss of the Chinese market. Xie Xiaofei, defiant, switched off his phone and unplugged the landline, refusing to engage. Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan met with Tong Wei, expressing her concern.

Tong Wei felt Xie Xiaofei's public confession was an act of revenge stemming from their breakup, which Tong Wei had initiated due to his inability to accept her prioritizing her job. Xia Shanshan, although Tong Wei's friend, sided with Xie Xiaofei, arguing that Tong Wei shouldn't abandon someone with such sincere feelings for her because of work.

Tong Wei, however, explained her history of self-reliance, stating that she couldn't risk her hard-earned career for a relationship that might not succeed, feeling it would let down both herself and her deceased parents. Despite admitting her love for Xie Xiaofei, Tong Wei believed he would ultimately be a "passing traveler" in her life. She assured Xia Shanshan that she was fine and would overcome the heartbreak. Back at her company, Tong Wei found herself the subject of office gossip.

President Zhou summoned her to her office, where President Qu, a senior executive from Hangzhou, was also present. President Qu directly attributed the project's failure to Tong Wei, accusing her of abusing her position for personal reasons and demanding an explanation for the negative impact on CAEA's professional standing. Tong Wei accepted full responsibility and offered her resignation. President Zhou, however, intervened, arguing that Xie Corporation and Ke Wan had privately arranged a marriage alliance, essentially using CAEA.

She also reasoned that dismissing Tong Wei would implicitly acknowledge CAEA's sole blame for the failure and leave the company short-staffed. Ultimately, President Qu agreed to let Tong Wei write a suspension report while President Zhou submitted her own letter of reflection to headquarters. Tong Wei confided in a colleague that she would have preferred dismissal to writing the difficult report, especially given President Qu's direct involvement. Elsewhere, Yang Xiao took Zhao Chenxi to an arcade to lift her spirits.

She enjoyed the games but declined to play the claw machine, stating that "the fairy of luck never smiles on me," fearing disappointment. Yang Xiao insisted he could win her a toy, but Zhao Chenxi remained unconvinced, preferring to end the day on a happy note. Despite her claims, she admitted to feeling much better after their outing, though she still felt aggravated thinking about her brother's inevitable smugness regarding the failed project.

Two days later, Tong Wei sat in her office, struggling to write her suspension report. Just then, Xie Xiaofei called, demanding to see her immediately. He threatened to come up to her office if she didn't come down within two minutes, knowing it would cause a scene. Tong Wei, left with no choice, descended to meet him.

Upon their meeting, Xie Xiaofei informed her that he was there to say goodbye, as he was returning to America the following day, and hoped she would come to the airport to see him off.

Episode 16 Recap

Xie Xiaofei informed Tong Wei that he was leaving China, surprising her. He explained that his father was upset about the mess he had made and wanted him to return to New York, suggesting this might be their last meeting. Tong Wei feigned composure, stating she should be happy that no one would cause her trouble anymore.

Xie Xiaofei, however, urged her to cherish their past relationship despite his mistakes and asked her to see him off at the airport the next day. He added that even though he had caused her much trouble in two months, they did love each other and pleaded with her not to deny his request. Tong Wei, without explicitly agreeing or refusing, simply asked for his departure time, to which Xie Xiaofei replied, "Three o'clock." She acknowledged, "I understand."

Qin Tianyu was drinking alone at a bar when he overheard people gossiping about him. They discussed how he had used his girlfriend to win a big case for Ke Wan, only for the project to fall through and him to lose his girlfriend, calling him shameless and scheming. Qin Tianyu, enraged, confronted them, shouting, "So what if I talk about you? Say it again if you dare!" He ended up fighting and was thrown out of the bar.

Shang Bichen, who was passing by, saw him lying on the ground. Concerned, she approached him, asking why he was there and offering to take him home. Qin Tianyu, bleeding and in distress, angrily told her to leave him alone. When she expressed worry, he defiantly asked what was wrong with him, then answered his own question, "Just like a failure!" Shang Bichen insisted, "In my heart, you're always an amazing person."

Qin Tianyu retorted that as her superior, he would always have a "halo above his head" in her eyes, but warned her that one day she would be "just like Tong Wei, falling in love with another man." Shang Bichen denied this, asserting, "I won't. I only like you." Qin Tianyu, cynical, stated he wouldn't "believe that lie again." Shang Bichen reiterated, "I've never lied to you. It's true," and led him away, bringing him to her shared apartment.

At her apartment, Shang Bichen warmly welcomed Qin Tianyu, informing him he was her first guest, and showed him her small bedroom. She described her daily life, working in a high-class law firm by day and returning to a shared apartment at night, which still cost ¥3,000 in rent out of her ¥5,000 monthly salary, leaving little after other expenses. Qin Tianyu admitted his own conditions were worse as an unpaid intern when he started at Fu Tong.

Shang Bichen then shared her struggle: she fought to get into a Shanghai school from her hometown and then faced immense competition to join Fu Tong. Her mother constantly pressured her to return home and marry, warning that at 25 she'd be "an old, unwanted woman" in their hometown, almost disowning her for her refusal to leave Shanghai. Despite the hardships, Shang Bichen said she wasn't pessimistic, crediting Qin Tianyu for giving her the courage to stay in the city.

She recounted how he had appeared "like a knight in shining armor" when she felt lost, comforting, encouraging, and helping her, even treating her to a meal and giving her a ride home. She expressed her hope to have her own home in Shanghai in the future. Qin Tianyu humbly stated she "spoke too highly" of him, but Shang Bichen insisted he wasn't aware of his own goodness.

She clarified that she wasn't telling him this to benefit from him, but simply to let him know that in her heart, he was "always incredible and amazing" when he felt sad or upset. Touched, Qin Tianyu thanked her and apologized for his earlier rudeness, which Shang Bichen graciously dismissed, saying she didn't take it to heart.

As Qin Tianyu prepared to leave, thanking her for the honey water, Shang Bichen urged him to finish it, explaining its benefits for someone who had too much alcohol. After an entire night of contemplation over Xie Xiaofei's request, Tong Wei decided to go to the airport. She brought her father's fountain pen, which had witnessed the beginning of their relationship, intending for it to also mark their end. Xie Xiaofei sent Li Xiang Zhong to pick her up.

In the car, Li Xiang Zhong offered her some water. When Tong Wei regained consciousness, she was astonished to find herself on an airplane. She quickly pieced together what happened, realizing Xie Xiaofei had orchestrated this and that Tong Tiantian was an accomplice, as Xie Xiaofei later confirmed when Tong Wei accused him. Tong Wei was furious, demanding he book her a flight back to China immediately upon landing in the US.

Xie Xiaofei confiscated her phone, reminding her it was common knowledge to turn it off on a plane, and calmly tried to soothe her. He suggested she enjoy this "surprise vacation" since she was already suspended from work, saying they could chat about their future relationships if they had nothing else to do. Tong Wei accused him of kidnapping, but he playfully dismissed it, insisting she wear her safety belt.

She demanded her father's fountain pen back, which he had taken, saying he was "so touched" by the "farewell present." He refused, mimicking her earlier actions, and she told him to leave her alone as she wanted to sleep. Upon arriving in the United States, Tong Wei, despite the beautiful summer weather, was in no mood for a vacation.

At the airport, she loudly accused Xie Xiaofei of kidnapping, to which he simply told bystanders they were having a girlfriend-boyfriend argument. He seized her phone when she tried to book a flight back, reminding her that she couldn't leave without her passport, which he was holding hostage. With no other option, Tong Wei reluctantly got into a car with Xie Xiaofei.

As they drove towards the sea, they bickered; Tong Wei called him a "kid," and when he retaliated by calling her "Wei Wei," she demanded he call her "Sister." Xie Xiaofei joked that she was a baby to want to be called sister. She again tried to persuade him to return her passport and take her to the airport, but he refused, threatening to throw her passport away if she was "mean" to him again.

He then declared they would "chase the sun," hinting at their destination. They stopped at a scenic lookout point, where Xie Xiaofei candidly asked Tong Wei to be his girlfriend for three days, promising her complete freedom afterward. He explained that he had never fully had her to himself and wanted to use these three days to create unforgettable memories of their love before she left him.

He envisioned them as a "normal couple" during this time, allowing her to publicly be his girlfriend. Tong Wei expressed fear that after these three days, her heart would "hurt for the rest of [her] life." She questioned why he came back to bother her if they were destined to break up.

Xie Xiaofei insisted he wanted them to "love without holding anything back" and for her to "never be able to forget" him, aiming to be "the man she loved the most in her life," even if they couldn't be together. Tong Wei called him "very selfish."

Xie Xiaofei admitted he was a "jerk" and "selfish," then pressed her to admit she wanted a future from him, accusing her of pretending and being "afraid that [she'll] love [him] so much that [she] can't control [herself]." With tears in her eyes, Tong Wei asked him to just leave her.

Xie Xiaofei then revealed why he couldn't give her a home or a future: as the Xie Corporation's only heir, his family was "a mud pit" he didn't want her to be burdened by. He told her that the sick person she saw at the hospital was his mother, Wan Ying. His parents' marriage was opposed by the family because his father, Xie Tianyou, was from a wealthy background, while his mother had no family connections.

Despite his father's love, his mother's life became miserable after marriage. She was ostracized and ridiculed by the other women in the extended family. His mother frequently asked his father to let her work, but he refused, stating that women in the Xie family couldn't leave the house for work. During a family gathering, after drinking too much, his mother once again expressed her desire to work.

To save face, his father lashed out, threatening to cut all ties if she insisted on working. Unable to endure such a life, his mother left with her luggage and was tragically hit by a car, becoming a vegetable. Xie Xiaofei explained that his mother had been depressed since he could remember and then suffered a fate worse than death, remaining in a vegetative state for over a decade.

He described his family as a "black pit" that could destroy a proud woman like Tong Wei by mentally tormenting her, eroding her confidence, and turning an elite professional into someone feeling insignificant. He had witnessed his mother's gradual decline and didn't want Tong Wei to follow in those "disastrous footsteps." Tong Wei, deeply moved, questioned why he hadn't told her this earlier.

Xie Xiaofei replied that she was a proud woman, and he didn't want her to become like his mother or see her suffer. He asserted that "letting go is also a form of love." Since he couldn't offer her a future, he asked her to promise to be his "rightful girlfriend" for three days, to give their love "a beautiful ending," after which they would have nothing to do with each other. Moved by his confession, Tong Wei agreed.

After their emotional conversation, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei's playful bickering resumed as they struggled to find their guesthouse. They mistakenly drove to the beach, with Tong Wei exclaiming, "We almost drove into the ocean!" They blamed each other for the navigation error, Tong Wei questioning his choice of a guesthouse over a hotel, and Xie Xiaofei insisting on the guesthouse for its "love" factor.

Just as they were arguing about being lost and talking about love, Xie Xiaofei noticed his phone had regained a signal, and they were able to continue towards their accommodation. Upon learning that Xie Xiaofei had returned to the US and taken Tong Wei to Hawaii, Xie Tianyou was furious.

He accused his son of causing a spectacle during negotiations with Chen Xi and letting Tong Wei completely turn his head, abandoning his goals for the Chinese market "in the name of love." Xie Xiaotian expressed his own confusion about why his brother and Tong Wei were together again after breaking up. Xie Tianyou ordered Xie Xiaotian to find Xie Xiaofei at all costs and bring him back to apologize to Chen Xi.

Xie Xiaotian reported that Xie Xiaofei had cut off all ties, making him impossible to find, but Xie Tianyou insisted, "Use every connection we have. Find him!" Tong Tiantian and her best friend Xuan Xuan went to a restaurant where they saw Sun Hao performing on stage with his band. Tong Tiantian was captivated by him, remarking on how handsome he was and his talents beyond basketball.

Xuan Xuan, noticing Tong Tiantian's lack of confidence, urged her to confess her feelings. Tong Tiantian hesitated, not wanting to pursue the same guy as Rebecca, deeming it embarrassing and a "lower level." Xuan Xuan then revealed a "top secret" that Rebecca had confessed to Sun Hao but failed, suggesting this was proof of Sun Hao's good taste and that Tong Tiantian should "boldly go after him." After Sun Hao's performance, Tong Tiantian, still enchanted, let him walk away.

Xuan Xuan teased her, but Tong Tiantian, still too nervous to approach him directly, went to the eatery where Sun Hao and his band were having a late-night snack. She asked the boss what they had ordered every day and then ordered the exact same meal – a bowl of soy milk with fried bread sticks – for herself and Xuan Xuan, claiming that if her idol ate it without getting fat, neither would she.

Xuan Xuan questioned if she wanted to be his fangirl or his girlfriend, to which Tong Tiantian nervously promised to confess "next time." Driving their red sports car on a wide road, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei finally arrived at the correct address for the guesthouse. The host, Rita, enthusiastically greeted them, exclaiming her joy at their arrival and that she had been waiting all afternoon. She had prepared a delicious dinner for them.

Inside, they noticed a wall adorned with photos of previous couples who had stayed there, and they took a picture together to add to the collection. The atmosphere in the cozy cottage was sweet and romantic. Rita, curious about their love story, asked them to share it. Xie Xiaofei playfully began, describing how he rescued Tong Wei from "trouble" while she was jogging in New York, claiming she fell in love with him because he was "too charming."

Tong Wei immediately refuted his version, laughing as she revealed the "real" story: he was a doorman at her hotel, fell in love with her at first sight, and then arranged for a friend to play a thief in a "damsel in distress" scenario so he could be her hero. Xie Xiaofei defended his actions, saying "sometimes it's worth playing tricks for love."

Rita, amused, asked Tong Wei if she knew it was an act all along and then concluded Tong Wei must have also fallen in love with him at first sight to play along. The couple then playfully argued about who fell in love first. Rita interjected, stating it didn't matter who fell first, only that they loved each other and were together now, praising them as a sweet couple.

Tong Wei asked Rita about her husband, who was away on a business trip but called every night, prompting Rita to excuse herself to answer the "annoying" call. Left alone, Tong Wei reflected on the host couple's enduring sweetness. Xie Xiaofei immediately restarted their argument, insisting she was the one who fell for him first, and they continued to bicker playfully.

Episode 17 Recap

After a warm, traditional dinner, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei entered their reserved room at the guesthouse, only to find a single bed. Xie Xiaofei playfully claimed the bed, noting its comfort, which sparked a lighthearted argument with Tong Wei over who would sleep on the sofa. Xie Xiaofei theatrically worried about falling off and hurting himself, then insisted Tong Wei take the bed since she was a woman.

Their landlady, Rita, interrupted them to offer water and snacks, humorously noting that her husband had kept her on the phone too long. She wished them a good night, and Xie Xiaofei offered Tong Wei a glass of water, suggesting she shower first. Meanwhile, at Ke Wan Group, Zhao Chenxi forcefully entered a meeting between her father, President Song, and Song Haojie regarding the San Ya resort project.

She presented a climate report indicating that the project land was prone to typhoons and unsuitable for a resort. President Song, displeased, ordered Song Haojie to prepare a more detailed report, effectively halting the project. After Song Haojie left, President Song spoke with Zhao Chenxi alone, acknowledging her hard work for the company and expressing that he had perhaps been unfair in linking marriage to business. When asked if she still liked Xie Xiaofei, Zhao Chenxi admitted her feelings.

President Song advised her not to give up, attributing Xie Xiaofei's past arrogance to youth and emphasizing that both he and Xie Xiaofei's uncle believed they were a perfect match. He urged her to consider the bigger picture for her future within Xie Corporation and instructed her to pursue Xie Xiaofei. The next morning, the Hawaiian sun shone brightly. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei found a travel guide from Rita and decided to explore the island.

Their adventures included an ATV tour into the mountains, which Tong Wei initially found too dangerous but Xie Xiaofei confidently insisted they try. They then took a small train to visit the Dole Plantation and its pineapple-shaped maze. A guide explained that couples who found each other within 30 minutes would be destined for everlasting happiness. Despite Tong Wei's initial reluctance, Xie Xiaofei, after a playful kiss and a promise for its return, declared he would find her.

Inside the maze, they called out to each other. Tong Wei momentarily despaired, wondering if their connection was truly limited to three days, but Xie Xiaofei's persistent calls guided them. Their efforts were rewarded as they found each other at the exit, embracing. Xie Xiaofei triumphantly announced their love was now confirmed for eternity. However, Tong Wei's mood quickly shifted. She gently pulled away, reminding Xie Xiaofei that they were only "three-day lovers" and would part ways soon.

Xie Xiaofei's joy vanished, and he apologized, then declared that three days was too long and they should end their trip tomorrow. They returned to the guesthouse looking disheartened. Rita, noticing their expressions, asked Tong Wei what was wrong. Tong Wei found it difficult to explain, so Rita shared a humorous anecdote about a marital spat over squeezing toothpaste, emphasizing that even the happiest couples face daily conflicts, but women have a special way of guiding men.

Rita’s story brought a smile to Tong Wei's face. Later that night, Tong Wei found Xie Xiaofei pretending to be asleep. She began to tell him a story about how pearls are formed from irritation, connecting it to her own childhood. She recounted the ridicule and shame she faced after her parents' deaths, which drove her to excel and build a protective "shell" of hard work and achievement.

She confessed that since meeting him, she felt her shell slowly dissolving, and her greatest fear was being left vulnerable after three days, expected to pretend nothing had happened. Deeply moved, Xie Xiaofei apologized and suggested they stop talking about unhappy things, to which Tong Wei agreed. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Tong Tiantian was at a bar, watching Sun Hao's band perform, encouraged by her friend Zi Xuan to confess her feelings.

As she prepared to approach him, another friend showed them a photo circulating online: an embarrassing picture of Tiantian from New York. Mortified, especially seeing Sun Hao smiling at his phone, Tong Tiantian quickly left. Back home, she frantically tried to contact Xie Xiaofei by phone, hoping he could get Song Ai Li to "like" the picture to make it appear fashionable, but Xie Xiaofei's phone was turned off.

The next morning in Hawaii, Tong Wei awoke to find Xie Xiaofei gone. Rita, sensing her concern, playfully had Tong Wei try on a grass skirt before leading her to the beach. There, Xie Xiaofei, also in a grass skirt, was waiting.

He danced for her and then asked her to say "I love you," explaining that Rita and her husband had started their relationship on that very beach, and he wished to do the same with Tong Wei, hoping they would be together forever. As the surrounding crowd chanted for them to kiss, Qin Tianyu suddenly appeared, calling Tong Wei's name and interrupting the moment. Despite Xie Xiaofei's protests, Tong Wei stepped aside to speak with Qin Tianyu.

He apologized for his past actions and complimented her on her newfound strength and gentleness, which she attributed to knowing she was loved. Qin Tianyu hinted at his own feelings, but Tong Wei acknowledged them while reaffirming her affection for someone else, explaining that not all love needed to end in a conventional relationship and that the memories alone were enough for her. She then decided to leave.

After Tong Wei departed, Qin Tianyu spoke to Xie Xiaofei, revealing that Mr. Song was willing to offer a generous collaboration deal for the Ke Wan project, including 40% shares and joint management, with no additional terms. Xie Xiaofei immediately rejected the offer, accusing Qin Tianyu and Mr. Song of trying to trap him into marriage with Zhao Chenxi. He defiantly declared his complete disinterest in Zhao Chenxi, stating that he only loved Tong Wei.

Qin Tianyu challenged Xie Xiaofei, arguing that by refusing the project, he was actually harming Tong Wei by exposing her to criticism at CAEA, where she had many rivals. He questioned if Xie Xiaofei had the ability to protect her, or if Tong Wei, a strong woman, would even want to be hidden behind a man. Later, Tong Wei returned to Xie Xiaofei.

She downplayed her conversation with Qin Tianyu, saying he simply apologized and that his past actions were perhaps understandable. She then informed Xie Xiaofei that both Ke Wan and Xie Corporation were keen to collaborate, and she intended to finalize the project upon her return to New York, offering him all the credit. Xie Xiaofei reacted angrily, insisting that his business was none of her concern, especially since they were going their separate ways tomorrow.

Tong Wei, weary of the argument, walked away, telling him she wanted to rest. Alone, Xie Xiaofei apologized to Tong Wei for upsetting her. He reflected that he had only caused her trouble and embarrassment since they met, concluding that perhaps completing this project was the last meaningful thing he could do for her.

Episode 18 Recap

Qin Tianyu, observing Tong Wei's transformation due to love, finally understood the profound depth of her feelings for Xie Xiaofei. He then sought out Xie Xiaofei, revealing he was entrusted by President Song to negotiate a partnership with Xie Corporation, requesting they yield a 40% stake. Xie Xiaofei immediately saw through Ke Wan's true intentions: the stake was merely a pacification strategy, and once the cooperation was secured, both families would still try to unite him with Zhao Chenxi.

However, Qin Tianyu warned him that if he refused the cooperation, Tong Wei would face significant responsibilities at CAEA that he would be unable to help her shoulder. These words caused Xie Xiaofei to fall into deep thought. Upon returning to the guesthouse, Xie Xiaofei told Tong Wei that Qin Tianyu was not as bad as he had previously imagined, and his past "bad deeds" were, in fact, done for her benefit.

He then informed Tong Wei that he would promptly return to New York to push forward with the Ke Wan project, stating that it was the last thing he could do for her. Early the next morning, Xie Xiaotian arrived at their guesthouse, sent by Xie Father. The landlady, Rita, attempted to block his bodyguards and rushed upstairs to alert Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei.

Xie Xiaotian informed Xie Xiaofei that President Song and their father had spoken, and Miss Zhao wished to collaborate with Xie Corporation again. He conveyed their father's demand for Xie Xiaofei to return to New York immediately to give Zhao Chenxi what she needed. Xie Xiaofei retorted that if his father was so keen, he could handle it himself.

Xie Xiaotian explained that the company was not doing well recently, and their father was under immense pressure, making it crucial that the "Secret" project's entry into the Chinese market did not fail. Accepting his fate, Xie Xiaofei asked for a moment, then told Tong Wei he had to leave. Xie Xiaofei then suggested to Tong Wei they say goodbye to Rita.

Rita, who had prepared breakfast, asked them to invite Xie Xiaotian and his men to join, but Tong Wei sadly thanked her for her care and announced they had to depart. Rita expressed her reluctance to say goodbye, yet wished them a happy life. She then led them to her "wedding wall," adorned with photos from couples worldwide, and requested they send their own wedding photo after marriage. Xie Xiaofei somberly replied that they would never marry.

Rita, surprised, asked why, given their evident love. Tong Wei confessed that they would be over as soon as they left the house, explaining that their trip had been a breakup trip all along due to unavoidable circumstances. Rita, visibly moved, asked them to sit down and then confessed her own lie: there was no "old man." Her fiancé, Cruise, had died young in the 1965 war, never becoming her husband.

She recounted their secret love, their plans to marry, his enlistment, and his death, leaving her devastated and unable to love anyone else. Rita explained that she hosted young couples like them to fulfill her own unlived love story, using her "old man" as a facade. She implored them, stating that when two people are in love, nothing truly separates them except death itself.

She noted that people in this era of peace were often selfish, unwilling to overcome even minor difficulties like parental objections or societal pressures, whereas their love could not withstand tests. Urging them to hold hands and look at each other, she asked if either could ever love another if their partner were to die. If not, she advised, their relationship was worth everything. She concluded by telling them to bravely face their challenges and not give up.

Both Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were in tears, yet understood they still had to part. As Xie Xiaotian urged his brother to hurry, Xie Xiaofei, after confirming Tong Wei's flight time, decided he had one more thing to do. He wanted to take Tong Wei somewhere special before they parted ways. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei sailing for one last time.

He remarked that their three-day journey, which began in the sky, was now ending at sea, a love unique to them. Tong Wei acknowledged that he had indeed made her unforgettable, but Xie Xiaofei desired more; he wanted her to be unable to leave him, admitting he could not bear the thought of her finding comfort or happiness with another man.

He wept as he proposed they run away together, suggesting they dock the boat at another port and sneak past his brother. He promised he would never push her away again and forbade her from leaving him. After disembarking, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei attempted to slip away unnoticed, but were spotted by bodyguards. Xie Xiaotian, upon being informed, immediately ordered the guards to pursue them. To escape, they boarded a passing tourist bus.

When the driver and passengers learned they were eloping, they joyfully offered their blessings, with the driver promising to drive them to the end of happiness. They disembarked in a remote, rural area, believing they had successfully evaded their pursuers. Xie Xiaofei, full of renewed determination, declared he would give up everything for Tong Wei, promising her a complete home and expressing his love.

He reiterated Rita's words that only death could separate two people in love, and if they couldn't overcome their current challenges, they weren't worthy of love. Their tender moment was abruptly shattered when Xie Xiaotian's car pulled up. Qin Tianyu emerged, restraining Tong Wei while bodyguards seized Xie Xiaofei. In that critical moment, Tong Wei's phone rang. It was Chen Mo, China's top venture capitalist who had previously contacted Tong Wei.

Tong Wei quickly used Chen Mo's offer to collaborate with Xie Corporation as leverage, forcing Xie Xiaotian to release Xie Xiaofei. They promptly returned to China to embark on the new project. Upon their arrival in Shanghai, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei immediately began discussing the collaboration with Chen Mo. Tong Wei revealed that she had approached Chen Mo earlier when their Ke Wan negotiations failed, but he had declined.

His sudden interest now indicated he was seizing an opportune moment to pressure Xie Corporation. Recognizing Chen Mo's advantage, they understood they needed an element of surprise to succeed. Tong Wei quickly assembled her negotiation team, who rallied around her with support. Xie Xiaofei, concerned that Chen Mo might know their bottom line, suggested they be prepared to concede some shares. However, Tong Wei firmly believed they could not afford to show weakness now.

In this urgent situation, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei sought out Tong Tiantian. They cleverly persuaded her to assist them, with Tong Wei explaining that Xie Xiaofei's previous refusal to help with a personal photo issue was actually to protect Tiantian from public backlash. Xie Xiaofei further sweetened the deal by agreeing to all of Tiantian's future requests if she helped. Though initially resistant, Tiantian, soft-hearted, eventually agreed, but vowed to hold Xie Xiaofei accountable for all future favors.

The negotiations between Xie Corporation and Chen Mo proved to be very successful. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei invited Chen Mo to dinner. Chen Mo expressed strong enthusiasm for the tourism industry and playfully suggested Xie Xiaofei convince Tong Wei to join his company, praising her potential for a bright future. Tong Wei, however, laughed it off, reaffirming her loyalty to CAEA and her passion for negotiation as a career.

After Chen Mo left, Xie Xiaofei once again urged Tong Wei to consider leaving CAEA, feeling the company was not treating her fairly. Tong Wei explained that while issues like Cai Tian Lan contributed to her frustration, her true motivation was her love for negotiation as a career.

She found immense meaning and reward in the open-hearted communication required to unite parties towards a common goal, even more so than in her relationship with Xie Xiaofei, much to his humorous chagrin. Meanwhile, in New York, Xie Xiaotian apologized to his father for failing to bring Xie Xiaofei back. Xie Father, however, was pleased with the Chen Mo deal, acknowledging its positive impact on Xie Corporation's annual reports.

Xie Xiaotian informed him that Chen Mo was Tong Wei's personal contact, which surprised Xie Father, who questioned how a "regular negotiator" could wield such influence. Xie Xiaotian further reported Xie Xiaofei's complete devotion to Tong Wei. Despite this, Xie Father remained steadfast in his belief that a woman of Tong Wei's background could never become the mistress of the Xie family. He then instructed Xie Xiaotian to organize a celebratory banquet for Xie Corporation, specifically requesting Tong Wei's presence.

General Manager Zhou subsequently called Tong Wei back to work, impressed by her negotiation success. She then presented Tong Wei with the invitation to Xie Corporation's celebratory event, noting that it was highly unusual for such an invitation to be extended to an individual negotiator. General Manager Zhou surmised that Xie Father must be aware of Tong Wei's relationship with Xie Xiaofei, and cautioned her that the invitation could be either a blessing or a curse.

Unsure how to proceed, Tong Wei consulted Xie Xiaofei. He understood his father's intentions, but reassured her to attend with confidence, promising to handle any challenges that arose. He acknowledged that his family viewed him as an heir and a son, bound to serve Xie Corporation's profits and make a socially and economically advantageous marriage. He believed this invitation was their family's initial "show of strength."

Tong Wei, recalling her past struggles after her parents' death, declared she feared nothing with him by her side. Xie Xiaofei then shared his plan to make Xie Xiaotian the heir after this matter concluded, ensuring their future peace.

Episode 19 Recap

A storm of ambition and familial strife brewed. In a restaurant, Xie Tiancheng shared his ambitions with Xie Xiaotian, expressing his long-held resentment towards his elder brother, Xie Tianyou, for always suppressing him. He viewed Xie Xiaotian as more capable than Xie Xiaofei but felt Xie Tianyou blindly favored his biological son.

Tiancheng also pointed out that Xie Xiaotian's mother was relegated to living in the side building because Xie Tianyou still considered Xie Xiaofei's mother the true mistress of the family home, regardless of her years of devoted care. Tiancheng then subtly suggested a plan for Xie Xiaotian to help him take control of Xie Corporation, promising a significant role for Xiaotian in return. After returning home early from his meal, Xie Xiaotian was joined by his mother.

She told him she had been in the main building preparing food for his father and was now taking a break in the side building. Xiaotian questioned why she didn't just rest in the main building to avoid the hassle, but his mother simply said she was used to being in the side wing. He pressed her, asking if his father wanted her to return, but she clarified that Xie Tianyou preferred peace and quiet.

Xiaotian grew emotional, pointing out that she had been married to Xie Tianyou for ten years and was the rightful lady of the Xie family, yet still had to live in the side wing of the manor. He declared it unfair. His mother calmly stated that she was willing to make these sacrifices. Considering his uncle's plan and the unfair treatment of his mother and himself, Xie Xiaotian ultimately decided to team up with Xie Tiancheng.

Meanwhile, Tong Wei, who had recently returned from the United States, joined Xia Shanshan at a beauty salon. Shanshan excitedly recounted Tong Wei's romantic three-day trip with Xie Xiaofei, remarking on her success in both love and career. Tong Wei informed Shanshan that she would be traveling to New York in two days for Xie Corporation's celebration party.

Shanshan interpreted this as Tong Wei "meeting the in-laws" and insisted on comprehensive beauty treatments and shopping for a gift for Xie Tianyou to make a good first impression. While shopping, they coincidentally encountered Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen. Qin Tianyu greeted them warmly, and Shang Bichen introduced herself as his assistant, complimenting Tong Wei. Shanshan, however, made a veiled remark about Shang Bichen's "special relationship" with Qin Tianyu.

Qin Tianyu tried to arrange a casual drink with Tong Wei, but Shanshan quickly intervened, announcing Tong Wei's imminent departure for New York, adding that Xie Tianyou himself had invited her. Tong Wei clarified she was attending the party on behalf of CAEA. After Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen left, Shanshan, annoyed, expressed her anger at Qin Tianyu, criticizing him for appearing deeply in love with Tong Wei previously, only to be seen shopping with "some little girl" now.

She declared she would "blacklist" him. Qin Tianyu, affected by the encounter, lost his desire to continue shopping and instructed Shang Bichen to handle the client gifts herself. Later that night, Xie Xiaotian's mother visited Xie Tianyou, finding him still awake. She gently suggested he sleep early, understanding he was likely restless due to Xie Xiaofei's impending arrival. Xie Tianyou dismissed her concern, asserting he wouldn't lose sleep over his son.

After she left, Xie Xiaotian saw his mother returning to the side building and was again dismayed by her apparent unequal status within the household. He confronted her, asking if his father had prevented her from staying in the main building. His mother insisted she had chosen to return. Xiaotian accused her of lying, reminding her that he was her only blood relative in the house.

He lamented that despite being the Chairman's wife on paper, she still lacked legal status after all these years. He blamed Xie Tianyou for marrying her only for her grandfather's inheritance, and for his enduring devotion to Liu Wan Ying, whom Xiaotian dismissively described as no more than a "dead person" after a decade in a coma. His mother, visibly upset, sternly told him to stop, content as long as Xie Tianyou treated her well.

She then explained that loving someone meant silently supporting them. As dawn broke over New York, Xie Xiaofei dropped Tong Wei at her hotel before heading home. Xie Tianyou, who had waited up all night, finally went to rest once he saw Xie Xiaofei enter the house. After freshening up, Xie Xiaofei noticed Tong Wei hadn't sent him a goodnight message. He promptly video-called her, playfully trying to show off his physique.

The call was interrupted when Butler Ou unexpectedly appeared at his door to remind him of his early morning meeting with Xie Tianyou. Tong Wei, startled to see Butler Ou on screen, quickly hung up, leaving Xie Xiaofei feeling sheepish. The next morning, Xie Tianyou was already dressed and ready, but irritated to learn Xie Xiaofei was still asleep. Butler Ou was dispatched to pick up Tong Wei and bring her to Xie Corporation headquarters.

Upon arrival, Tong Wei was formally introduced to Xie Tianyou and the Xie Corporation team. She confidently introduced herself, stating that assisting President Fei was her professional duty as Xie Corporation's hired negotiator. As the meeting began, Xie Xiaofei arrived late, interrupting Tong Wei's project introduction. Xie Tianyou immediately rebuked him for his tardiness, calling him a "good for nothing" and questioning his dedication.

Xie Xiaofei retorted, accusing his father of being overly demanding and suggesting that everyone present sacrificed their families for the company. Xie Tianyou, furious, ordered him to shut up and told Tong Wei she was not in a position to interfere in their family business. In a fit of anger, Xie Xiaofei abruptly declared the meeting over and stormed out, pulling Tong Wei with him.

Outside the meeting room, Tong Wei confronted Xie Xiaofei, criticizing his rude behavior and lack of respect, which she believed justified his father's anger. Xie Xiaofei, however, remained defiant, claiming his father had no respect for him and that he wouldn't be a good son to a "terrible father." Tong Wei insisted he was in the wrong, and while he begrudgingly conceded, he refused to return to the meeting while his father was still angry, suggesting they go elsewhere.

He took her to Brooklyn, explaining that unlike the superficiality of Manhattan, Brooklyn offered authenticity. He shared childhood memories of his mother taking him there against his father’s wishes, telling him never to be biased against places one didn't know. He expressed his disdain for his father's world of "prejudice and narrow-mindedness," where everyone "constantly weighs up gains and losses." He confessed his inability to calmly discuss things with his father.

Next, he led her to a boxing club, introducing her to his friends as his girlfriend and showing off his boxing skills. Their time there was interrupted by Xie Xiaotian, who appeared to take Xie Xiaofei back, citing their father's concerns about the "shady" people in Brooklyn. Xie Xiaofei mocked Xiaotian, calling him a "good for nothing" for always obeying their father and wearing a suit every day.

He accused Xiaotian of secretly resenting their father's favoritism toward him and urged him to "rebel" for himself and his mother. When Xiaotian tried to escort him away, Xie Xiaofei forcefully ordered a beer for Xiaotian, knowing he was allergic to alcohol, and insisted he drink it before they could leave. Tong Wei intervened, drinking the beer herself to prevent Xiaotian from being forced, then scolding Xie Xiaofei for his cruel behavior.

Enraged, Xie Xiaofei accused her of defending his father and brother. He stormed off, and Xiaotian apologized to Tong Wei for his brother's actions. Afterward, Tong Wei returned to Xie Xiaofei, who apologized for his outburst. She encouraged him to mend his relationships with his father and brother, warning that ignoring old wounds would only cause more pain. Xie Xiaofei admitted his difficulty in forgetting the past, especially with his mother's prolonged illness.

Tong Wei suggested they visit his mother together. At the hospital, Xie Xiaofei dismissed the doctor's reports of no recovery, revealing his despair and loss of hope after years of unchanged diagnoses. Tong Wei reminded him that at least his mother was still alive. She then offered a new perspective on his father's past, suggesting that Xie Tianyou, like Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei, had faced significant family pressure to marry his mother, Wan Ying.

She concluded that his father had been braver in that regard. Xie Xiaofei countered that his father had caused his mother great suffering, but Tong Wei argued that his father might not have had alternatives, and from his mother's perspective, both Xie Tianyou and Xie Xiaofei were the closest people to her. She asked if his mother would want to see him consumed by anger.

Tong Wei urged Xie Xiaofei to take a brave step forward, promising to stay by his side. Xie Xiaofei, moved, pledged to do his best. Later, Butler Ou arrived to summon Tong Wei, stating that Chairman Xie wished to see her alone. Xie Xiaofei tried to prevent her from going, fearing his father's intentions, but Tong Wei calmly asserted that confronting this was inevitable.

At Xie Corporation, Xie Tianyou gave Tong Wei a tour, emphasizing the company's four-generation history, its vast employee count, and global reach. He then brought up Xie Xiaofei's visit to his mother, asking if Xiaofei hated him, and if he believed his "weakness" had led to his mother's condition. Tong Wei cautiously expressed her belief that their father-son relationship would improve.

Xie Tianyou confided in Tong Wei, admitting Xiaofei thought he was purely profit-driven and had pushed his mother onto her current path. He recounted the hardships he faced to marry Wan Ying and how her ambition led her to "overstep many boundaries." He explained his dual role as a husband and father, and as chairman of a corporation responsible for over 100,000 employees. If he only considered his family, he said, he would be selfish.

Tong Wei asked if he had shared this with Xie Xiaofei. Xie Tianyou replied that Xiaofei didn't believe him. Expressing his fear of not living long enough to see his son understand him, Xie Tianyou acknowledged Tong Wei's unique influence over Xie Xiaofei. He observed that Xiaofei treated her differently, respecting her opinion, and asked her to help urge Xiaofei to take his responsibilities seriously, as Xie Corporation would one day be his. Tong Wei promised she would.

Episode 20 Recap

Tong Wei arrived at the meeting room, where the Xie family directors and Xie Tianyou were already waiting. She formally introduced herself to Xie Tianyou, who, despite Xie Xiaofei's absence, intended to start the meeting immediately. As Tong Wei began her presentation, Xie Xiaofei appeared with two cups of coffee, still looking unconcerned. Xie Tianyou admonished him for being late and ordered him out, but Xie Xiaofei countered that as the project leader, the meeting could not proceed without him.

Xie Tianyou angrily chastised Xie Xiaofei for his lack of effort, but Xie Xiaofei retorted defiantly. Tong Wei tried to calm Xie Xiaofei, but Xie Tianyou snapped at her, telling her not to interfere as she was not a member of the Xie family. Outraged that Tong Wei was scolded, Xie Xiaofei abruptly dissolved the meeting and walked out, taking Tong Wei with him. Outside the company, Tong Wei felt uneasy and urged Xie Xiaofei to return for the meeting.

However, Xie Xiaofei insisted that if Xie Tianyou did not respect Tong Wei, there was no need for the meeting, and they would only return once his father's anger subsided. Xie Xiaofei then took Tong Wei to Central Park, where they rode in a carriage, their spirits lifting in the clear weather. He pointed out lesser-known details about New York. Later, they observed street dancers, and Xie Xiaofei explained it was a free donation system.

Their journey continued to Brooklyn, where they admired street art and experienced a different atmosphere from Manhattan. As they walked hand in hand, Xie Xiaofei confessed his inability to tolerate his father's inherent narrow-mindedness and prejudice. As evening fell, Xie Xiaofei brought Tong Wei to his usual boxing gym. Shortly after they settled at the bar, Xie Xiaotian arrived, urging Xie Xiaofei to go home.

Xie Xiaofei reacted hostilely, criticizing Xie Xiaotian for his outwardly polished appearance while enduring a life devoid of dignity under Xie Tianyou at Xie Corporation. Xie Xiaotian remained silent, but Xie Xiaofei escalated his taunts, demanding Xie Xiaotian, who was allergic to alcohol, drink a bottle of beer before he would agree to leave.

Unable to watch further, Tong Wei swiftly took the bottle and drank it herself, prompting Xie Xiaofei to chase after her as she stormed out of the gym. They argued outside, with Tong Wei accusing Xie Xiaofei of deliberately tormenting his brother. Xie Xiaofei, in turn, lashed out, claiming his own family's actions were far worse, and angrily abandoned Tong Wei. Xie Xiaotian, who had overheard their argument from inside, emerged and drove Tong Wei back to her hotel.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Qin Tianyu gazed at Tong Wei's photo on his phone, then called Xia Shanshan. This time, Xia Shanshan did not advocate for Qin Tianyu, stating that Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were doing well. She also suggested that Shang Bichen's feelings for Qin Tianyu were evident from their last encounter at the mall, encouraging him to focus his attention there. Coincidentally, Shang Bichen, having recently been promoted, invited Qin Tianyu to dinner.

At the restaurant, Shang Bichen hesitated over the expensive menu, so Qin Tianyu insisted on paying for the meal himself. After a pleasant dinner, Qin Tianyu walked Shang Bichen home. Outside her building, influenced by Xia Shanshan's words, he leaned in for a kiss but hesitated as Tong Wei's image flashed in his mind, causing him to leave abruptly. The next day, Xie Xiaofei, filled with remorse, sought Tong Wei to apologize.

Tong Wei, however, told him his apologies were due to his father and Xie Xiaotian, not her. Xie Xiaofei explained his difficulty forgiving Xie Tianyou as long as his mother lay ill, making it impossible to apologize to Xie Xiaotian. Hoping to help him resolve his emotional knots, Tong Wei offered to accompany him to visit his mother. At the hospital, they were disappointed to learn from the doctor that his mother showed no signs of waking.

Xie Xiaofei, weary of such pronouncements, dismissed the doctor. Tong Wei consoled him, suggesting that perhaps Xie Tianyou's perspective was not what Xie Xiaofei imagined, and that his parents' past situation might mirror their own. She encouraged him to try to understand and accept Xie Tianyou. As they left the hospital, Butler Ou intercepted them, stating that Xie Tianyou wished to speak with Tong Wei alone. Xie Xiaofei adamantly refused, declaring they would not be separated.

However, Tong Wei persuaded him, and she went with Butler Ou to Xie Corporation. Xie Tianyou warmly greeted Tong Wei, giving her a tour of the company and detailing its development. Beyond business matters, Xie Tianyou spoke about Xie Xiaofei and his mother, expressing his helplessness in balancing family and career. He then earnestly appealed to Tong Wei, recognizing Xie Xiaofei's affection for her, to help Xie Xiaofei regain his spirit.

After her meeting with Xie Tianyou, Xie Xiaofei approached Tong Wei, anxiously asking what his father had said and if he had tried to force them to break up. Tong Wei reassured him that Xie Tianyou made no such threats, and that Xie Xiaofei’s prejudice against his father was too deep. Xie Xiaofei insisted he knew his father better and warned he would never forgive Xie Tianyou if he tried to sabotage their relationship.

He then announced they needed to get dressed for an important night party. Xie Tianyou, meanwhile, discussed with Butler Ou his strategy, noting that once a man experiences power, love and relationships become less important. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to a boutique, dismissing Xia Shanshan’s taste. While Tong Wei tried on a dress, they encountered Xie Xiaofei’s aunt, who had reserved the same garment.

Xie Xiaofei, in front of the staff, openly humiliated his aunt, claiming the dress was a waste on her and better suited Tong Wei, advising her to find something age-appropriate. Furious, the aunt later complained to her husband, Tian Cheng, about Xie Xiaofei’s disrespect. Tian Cheng calmly assured her that soon, Xie Xiaofei and his father would be begging them.

Xie Xiaofei then brought Tong Wei to his apartment in Manhattan, which he called his real home, a place of freedom from his father. He revealed the deep-seated resentment his uncle held due to the tradition of the eldest son inheriting all, explaining that in the self-interested Xie family, blood ties meant little. He presented Tong Wei with a valuable necklace, his mother’s favorite, insisting she wear it for the upcoming important occasion, believing his mother would be happy.

During this time, Xie Xiaotian spoke to his uncle, Tian Cheng, on the phone, confirming the acquisitions were proceeding smoothly and acknowledging that there was no turning back. His uncle reminded him of the potential consequences for his mother if they failed. Later, at a press conference, Xie Tianyou was about to announce Xie Corporation’s partnership to enter the Chinese market when Xie Tiancheng dramatically interrupted.

He declared that after over a year of silent acquisitions, he was now the major shareholder of Xie Corporation, replacing Xie Tianyou and taking control. Witnessing the coup, Xie Tianyou collapsed, and Xie Xiaofei furiously confronted Xie Xiaotian. Shortly after, Xie Xiaotian’s mother confronted him, exclaiming, "I don't have a son like this!" She expressed her disappointment and love for Xie Tianyou, emphasizing that true love is selfless and demands no return.

She implored Xie Xiaotian to ensure Xie Tianyou’s health, threatening to never forgive him if anything happened to his stepfather. In the hospital, a doctor informed Xie Tianyou and his family that he was awake. Xie Tianyou, with Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei present, admitted his oversight regarding his brother's ambition.

He then outlined a plan for Xie Xiaofei to regain control: they must find Tang Mi Cai, a secret partner in China who had been living in seclusion for thirty years. Combined, their shares would exceed Xie Tiancheng’s. Xie Tianyou provided a thirty-year-old photo of Tang Mi Cai, stressing the difficulty of contacting him, and urged Tong Wei to assist Xie Xiaofei in this crucial task. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei discussed Xie Tianyou's plan.

Xie Xiaofei expressed reluctance to fight for power, believing it was the root of his family's problems and preferring a simpler life. He questioned if Tong Wei would leave him if he was no longer the heir. Tong Wei affirmed her commitment, but also gently challenged his perspective, suggesting his understanding of his father might be flawed.

She also shared her own dream of a simple, normal life, and urged him to let go of his bitterness and "fighter's mentality," reminding him that she would always be by his side if he chose that path. Shortly after, Xie Tiancheng’s representatives arrived at Xie Xiaofei’s Manhattan apartment, informing him it was company property and he had to vacate immediately.

Xie Tiancheng then called Xie Xiaofei, confirming the seizure of his properties and his father’s residence, and even controlling his mother’s hospital fees. Xie Xiaofei issued a stern warning against harming his mother. Xie Xiaofei stormed off to confront Xie Xiaotian, feeling betrayed. Xie Xiaotian defended his actions, explaining they were born from years of his mother's mistreatment by Xie Tianyou, who had confined her to a secondary residence and treated her like a housekeeper.

He then verbally attacked Xie Xiaofei, calling him a parasite who only borrowed money from the company. Enraged, Xie Xiaofei threw his credit cards on the ground, vowing to live without the Xie family’s money and prove his independence. Tong Wei found a dejected Xie Xiaofei and comforted him, advising him to eat to regain strength for his fight. While they were eating at a restaurant, Xie Xiaofei’s aunt appeared again, publicly mocking his current predicament and insulting Tong Wei for being with a man who had lost everything.

Episode 21 Recap

Xie Tianyou hoped Tong Wei could help Xie Xiaofei regain his drive and take control of Xie Corporation. Privately, he believed that once Xie Xiaofei gained power, he would forget his romantic affections. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei shopping for a dress for an upcoming gala. Xie Xiaofei had Tong Wei try on several dresses, none of which she liked, until she tried on an all-black dress that caught Xie Xiaofei's eye.

However, Xie Xiaofei's aunt arrived and claimed the dress was pre-ordered. Tong Wei felt embarrassed and wanted to take it off, but Xie Xiaofei firmly insisted that Tong Wei keep the dress and told his aunt to choose a more age-appropriate one. Infuriated, his aunt left the store and complained to Xie Tiancheng, who vowed that Xie Tianyou and Xie Xiaofei would soon be begging him on their knees.

After shopping, Xie Xiaofei brought Tong Wei to his New York apartment, where he usually resided. Tong Wei still felt uneasy about the incident with his aunt, but Xie Xiaofei dismissed his aunt as a vain old woman, asserting that family ties were insignificant in a family like the Xies, where profit was paramount. He then affectionately asked Tong Wei to put on the dress again and placed his cherished mother's diamond necklace around her neck, deeply moving Tong Wei.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Zhao Chenxi's mother insisted that Yang Xiao take her on a vacation. Although Zhao Chenxi initially felt she didn't need rest, Yang Xiao convinced her to take time to recover her spirits and return to group affairs with a better mental outlook. She eventually agreed, turning off her phone to relax and enjoy the break. The Xie Corporation's press conference began. Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei arrived elegantly dressed.

As Xie Tianyou excitedly prepared to announce a new collaboration, he was abruptly interrupted by Xie Tiancheng and Xie Xiaotian, who aggressively arrived at the venue. Xie Tiancheng dramatically announced that he had successfully acquired enough Xie Corporation shares to become the largest shareholder. Faced with this betrayal and sudden news, Xie Tianyou was unable to bear the shock and collapsed. Sometime after the takeover, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei had a tense encounter with Madam Wu, Xie Tiancheng's wife.

Madam Wu called Xie Xiaofei a "failure" and Tong Wei "undignified" for being with him. Tong Wei defiantly stated that Xie Xiaofei had her, which made her of "tremendous value" compared to Madam Wu. She then advised Madam Wu to tell her husband to return what he had taken and to lead him onto the right path, as he was "nobody to be proud of."

Xie Xiaofei added a warning, declaring that the old "Xie Xiao Fei who used to only eat M9 steak is now dead," and the new Xie Xiaofei "will eat anything as long as it's filling." He vowed to take back what rightfully belonged to him. Madam Wu and Xie Tiancheng remained defiant, asserting they were not afraid and would be waiting to see who laughed last. Xie Xiaofei later apologized to Tong Wei for involving her in the conflict.

Xie Xiaofei then took Tong Wei to a boxing gym. There, he confronted a boxer he had previously defeated. The boxer revealed that he was paid by Xie Xiaofei's family (his father, Xie Tianyou) to lose the match so his sister could receive medical treatment. This revelation deeply shook Xie Xiaofei, making him question his own strength and abilities. He confessed to Tong Wei that without his father and Xie Corporation, he felt like "nothing."

At the hospital, Xie Xiaofei confronted Xie Xiaotian, grabbing his collar and demanding to know why he betrayed them. Xie Xiaotian bitterly recounted the years of humiliation and injustice he and his mother suffered, vowing to return it all to Xie Xiaofei. Xie Xiaotian's mother, overhearing her son's words, was deeply ashamed and apologized profusely to Xie Xiaofei, realizing Xie Xiaotian acted out of resentment for her situation.

After regaining consciousness, Xie Tianyou told Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei that he knew Xie Tiancheng was discontent but failed to guard against him this time. He then confessed to Xie Xiaofei about his actions, including setting up a new company for Xiaofei's resort concept and buying land in his grandmother's hometown, intending it as a first step for Xiaofei to "strengthen his wings and abilities."

He also admitted to bribing the boxer to fix matches so Xiaofei wouldn't experience defeat, explaining he wanted to "clear all obstructions" in his son's path. He emphasized the importance of enduring humiliation for one's career. Xie Tianyou then explained that the only way to defeat Xie Tiancheng now was to find Tommy Cai, a secret Chinese partner of Xie Corporation from thirty years ago, which would give them a majority stake.

He gave them an old photo as their only clue. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaotian's mother emotionally confronted her son, telling him he should not have done what he did. She revealed her unconditional love for Xie Tianyou and pleaded with Xiaotian to allow Xie Tianyou to live his remaining life in peace and health, now that he had taken his business.

Back at his New York apartment, Tong Wei discussed methods to reclaim Xie Corporation, but Xie Xiaofei seemed to have lost interest. He expressed that he didn't want the power, believing Xie Tianyou clung to it too tightly, and felt the current situation might even be better for his father, as Xie Corporation had come to this point because of power struggles.

He sadly told Tong Wei he wished he were just an ordinary person, spared from the pain of falling from grace. On her vacation, Zhao Chenxi shared a similar sentiment with Yang Xiao, wishing she were an ordinary woman free from career pressures and family feuds. She initially talked about taking time off to study art history in England. However, upon hearing news of Xie Xiaofei's family crisis online, she worried about him and tried to contact him.

Despite Yang Xiao's reminders of how Xie Xiaofei treated her, Zhao Chenxi defended him, stating he helped her against Song Haojie. Yang Xiao harshly pointed out Xie Xiaofei didn't like her, which Zhao Chenxi already knew, but she insisted she could not abandon him now. She later met with Lawyer Qin, who was still fixated on Tong Wei. Zhao Chenxi proposed they work together, as she wanted Xie Xiaofei and he wanted Tong Wei.

She suggested that Lawyer Qin wouldn't want Tong Wei to suffer alongside Xie Xiaofei now that his father was no longer chairman. She reaffirmed to Yang Xiao that she would still go to Europe, but "not right now." The next morning, as Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei enjoyed the New York sunshine on their balcony, they were interrupted by people sent by the new chairman to reclaim the apartment, ordering Xie Xiaofei to leave immediately.

Xie Xiaofei called Xie Tiancheng, who gleefully confirmed he had frozen all of Xie Xiaofei's and his father's assets. He even claimed that Xie Xiaofei's mother's medical expenses were covered by Xie Corporation, which he was also reclaiming. Incensed, Xie Xiaofei confronted Xie Xiaotian, demanding an explanation for his actions. Xie Xiaotian remained unyielding, reiterating the pain and humiliation he and his mother suffered within the Xie family.

He insulted Xie Xiaofei, calling him a "parasite" who only consumed without contributing. In a dramatic gesture, Xie Xiaofei emptied his wallet, discarding all his Xie Corporation bank cards, vowing never to spend another cent of the Xie family's money and to prove his capabilities. Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei then boarded a plane for China, where Xie Xiaofei, unaccustomed to economy class, complained of discomfort and dizziness.

Upon their arrival, Qin Tianyu showed up, claiming to have heard from a mutual friend that they were returning and offering to drive them. Xie Xiaofei, consumed by jealousy, tried to stop Qin Tianyu and argued with Tong Wei, accusing Qin Tianyu of having ulterior motives. Tong Wei dismissed his jealousy as childish, reminding him that she was his girlfriend regardless of who picked her up. They reconciled with a kiss.

Later, attempting to check into a hotel, Xie Xiaofei's credit cards were declined due to the asset freeze. Tong Wei offered to pay, but Xie Xiaofei's pride initially prevented him from accepting. Tong Wei insisted on helping him, and he eventually agreed to stay at her family's home. At Tong Wei's home, her aunt, Mei Yan, and her daughter, Tian Tian, immediately expressed their displeasure at Xie Xiaofei's presence.

They made pointed remarks about his family's alleged bankruptcy and questioned why he wasn't staying in a five-star hotel if he was so wealthy, speculating that something serious must have happened to his family's finances. During dinner, Mei Yan continued with snide comments, hinting that he was a burden and not worthy of respect, and worried that he would "laze around" and not leave.

Tong Wei's family discussed how to manage the situation and pressured Tong Wei's uncle to "show his authority." Tong Wei repeatedly defended Xie Xiaofei, asserting that she knew what she was doing and demanding that her family show him minimum respect, even if they did not like him.

Episode 22 Recap

After being verbally attacked by Xie Xiaotian and labeled a "moth" of the Xie Corporation, Xie Xiaofei angrily left the family, throwing away all his bank cards and vowing never to spend another cent of their money. Penniless and seething with rage, he lashed out at Tong Wei, who worriedly followed him through the dazzling New York night.

Feeling lost and disheartened, Xie Xiaofei was gently persuaded by Tong Wei to calm down, and she took him to a restaurant for dinner. While enjoying pasta, they were spotted by Xie Aunt, who happened to be dining at the same restaurant. She approached their table, sneering at "President Fei" for now eating simple pasta instead of his usual high-end steak.

Tong Wei, angered by Xie Aunt's condescending remarks, fiercely defended Xie Xiaofei, criticizing her as a senior for her unbecoming behavior and pointing out that her "First Lady" title, gained by marrying Xie Tiancheng, was nothing to brag about. Xie Aunt, speechless with fury, could only threaten to report them to Xie Tiancheng.

Undeterred, Xie Xiaofei defiantly declared that the old Xie Xiaofei, who only ate M9 steak, was dead; the new Xie Xiaofei would eat anything to fill his stomach and would reclaim everything that was rightfully his. After dinner, Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to a boxing gym, hoping to find some solace or opportunity. He greeted a former opponent he had defeated, only to be met with anger.

The opponent revealed that all of Xie Xiaofei's past victories had been bought by Manager Ou, leaving Xie Xiaofei utterly shattered and feeling worthless. To comfort him, Tong Wei led him to a rooftop, sharing her own struggles when she first joined CAEA. She recounted how she doubted her abilities after half a year without closing a single project, but her perseverance ultimately led to her current success.

She urged him not to give up and to mend his relationship with his father. Persuaded by Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei visited Xie Tianyou in the hospital. His father, offering him a document, revealed his long-standing support for Xie Xiaofei's eco-resort dream. He explained that the internal complexities of Xie Corporation were unsuitable for such a venture, so he had secretly registered a new company and acquired land to help Xie Xiaofei realize his vision independently.

Instead of relief, Xie Xiaofei was deeply moved by his father's silent efforts to protect him. This newfound understanding galvanized him, shifting his focus from simply moving on to a resolute decision: he would return to China to find Tommy Cai and reclaim Xie Corporation. The years of discord between Xie Xiaofei and his father began to heal, and the once rebellious young master committed himself to fighting for his family.

Meanwhile, after days of solitude and reflection, Zhao Chenxi decided to heed Yang Xiao's advice and let go of her ambition to fight against Song Haojie. However, upon reactivating her phone, she immediately learned of the unexpected changes among Xie Corporation's executives. Concerned, she confirmed the news and called Xie Tianyou to check on him. Yang Xiao, observing her renewed worry for Xie Xiaofei, chastised her for contradicting her recent decision to detach herself.

Despite knowing Xie Xiaofei did not reciprocate her feelings, Zhao Chenxi found herself unable to ignore his predicament. Returning from her retreat, she promptly contacted Qin Tianyu, informing him of the upheaval at Xie Corporation. She candidly proposed an alliance: she desired Xie Xiaofei, and Qin Tianyu still harbored feelings for Tong Wei, suggesting they could achieve their respective goals by working together.

As the family meeting at Xie Corporation proceeded in New York, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei prepared to fly back to China. Before their departure, they visited Xie Tianyou's hospital room, but Xie Xiaofei hesitated at the doorway, unable to bring himself to say goodbye. He then went to his mother's room, only leaving with Tong Wei after Manager Ou reassured him that his mother would be well cared for.

Their journey from New York to Shanghai was starkly different this time. Sitting in an uncomfortable economy class, Xie Xiaofei lamented his penniless state. Tong Wei, however, gently encouraged him, asserting that money was merely an external possession. She affirmed that she loved him for his inherent kindness and courage. Upon their arrival in Shanghai, they were surprised to find Qin Tianyu waiting at the airport to pick them up.

Qin Tianyu casually put his arm around Tong Wei as they walked, igniting Xie Xiaofei's jealousy. Refusing to yield, Xie Xiaofei adamantly declined to ride in Qin Tianyu's car. To pacify Xie Xiaofei, Tong Wei opted to take a taxi with him. Arriving at a hotel, Xie Xiaofei realized he had no money and was unwilling to burden Tong Wei further. Understanding his pride but unwilling to let him wander homeless, Tong Wei took him back to her own apartment.

Tong Tiantian, who had just heard about Xie Xiaofei's bankruptcy from Qin Tianyu, immediately began teasing him upon his arrival. Xie Xiaofei felt deeply humiliated by his dependent situation, but Tong Wei patiently advised him on the importance of being adaptable and resilient in difficult times. Swallowing his pride, Xie Xiaofei decided to stay. Later, in the living room, Tong Tiantian, her uncle, and aunt discussed Xie Xiaofei's situation, unsure if he was genuinely wealthy or merely a fallen noble.

Tong Tiantian's aunt, upon hearing that Xie Xiaofei's family was indeed in trouble, immediately changed her attitude. Her initial warmth vanished, replaced by open disdain, and she declared her intention to kick Xie Xiaofei out of their home. Meanwhile, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei discussed his father's old photograph of Tommy Cai, the secret partner. Xie Xiaofei expressed frustration, wondering how he could find someone from a 30-year-old picture.

Tong Wei thoughtfully suggested that the difficulty itself might be an advantage, as it would likely deter Xie Tiancheng from finding him first. She further analyzed the photo, pointing out the man's Western attire in the 1980s, suggesting he might be a foreign citizen of Chinese descent or an exchange student.

Xie Xiaofei decided to ask Luo Bin for help, given his extensive network, while Tong Wei pledged to have her colleague, Shan Shan, ask Lao Qi to also keep an eye out. During a late-night craving, Xie Xiaofei discovered Tong Tiantian secretly snacking in the kitchen. He teased her, suggesting she was running away from home, but she confessed she was just hungry and wanted a midnight snack.

Promising to keep her secret, Xie Xiaofei joined her at a popular snack bar. He further teased her about looking for boys, which led her to admit her crush on a handsome guitarist. To her delight, Xie Xiaofei helped her strike up a conversation with the musician, whom Tong Tiantian recognized from school. They exchanged contact information. Later, Tong Tiantian lightheartedly called Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei "homeless and miserable" given Xie Xiaofei's drastic change in fortune.

Tong Wei clarified that she loved Xie Xiaofei for his character, not his wealth, while Tong Tiantian retorted that his initial wealth was precisely why Tong Wei noticed him. Tong Tiantian then mused if Tong Wei regretted not marrying Qin Tianyu, but Tong Wei firmly stated that even without Xie Xiaofei, she would not have married Qin Tianyu.

She revealed that she felt "afraid" of what her life would have been without Xie Xiaofei—a comfortable but boring existence where she might have mistaken familial affection for true love. She was grateful for the chance to fight alongside him. Tong Wei then asked Tong Tiantian for help in finding Tommy Cai, sending her the old photograph. Tong Tiantian was skeptical about finding someone with such limited information but eventually agreed to ask her influential contact, Lao Qi, for assistance.

Later, Luo Bin offered Xie Xiaofei a suite at his club, stating that he couldn't stand the idea of Xie Xiaofei living with Tong Wei's "nosy relatives." Xie Xiaofei initially refused, reluctant to owe anyone more favors, but Luo Bin insisted, reminding him of his existing debts and expressing his confidence in Xie Xiaofei's ability to make a comeback. He pledged continued support, offering to cover Xie Xiaofei's room and board.

Xie Xiaofei, deeply touched, acknowledged Luo Bin as a true friend. Luo Bin then mentioned that Zhao Chenxi had been the one to inform him of Xie Xiaofei's plight and asked him to help. Just then, Zhao Chenxi walked in. She echoed Luo Bin's offer of help, but Xie Xiaofei firmly declined, stating that Luo Bin was his friend, but she was not.

Zhao Chenxi, with a hint of sarcasm and resignation, acknowledged that she had "given up hope" for their romantic relationship. She promised to simply be his friend, vowing to abandon her "undivided thoughts" and not interfere with his relationship with Tong Wei. Xie Xiaofei, pleased by her apparent change of heart, accepted her offer of friendship and agreed to include her in his plans to regain power.

Soon after, Xie Xiaofei spoke with Tong Wei over the phone, telling her that Luo Bin was a good friend. He then experienced the harsh reality of Song Haojie's influence firsthand. Song Haojie arrived at Luo Bin's club and, in Xie Xiaofei's presence, brutally ruined the bar as a demonstration of power.

He then explicitly threatened Luo Bin, warning that he would destroy Luo Bin's business and jeopardize his father's cooperation with Ke Wan Corporation if Luo Bin continued to harbor Xie Xiaofei. Unwilling to burden his friend and witness further destruction, Xie Xiaofei defiantly told Song Haojie he was leaving and expressed disgust at Song Haojie's actions and his accusation that Luo Bin's help was an "act."

Later that night, Xie Xiaofei summoned Tong Tiantian, who demanded to know why he had called her out in the middle of the night. Xie Xiaofei admitted he had no place to stay, attempting to explain that he had left Luo Bin's to protect his friend from Song Haojie's threats. Tong Tiantian, however, remained skeptical, teasing him about his earlier boast of having "three thousand nails" even if his ship was damaged.

He confessed his embarrassment about telling Tong Wei the full story. He then gave Tong Tiantian his expensive watch, asking her to sell it for twenty to thirty thousand yuan, and jokingly offered her a commission if she would stop helping Qin Tianyu. Tong Tiantian refused, declaring she would remain neutral in their competition for Tong Wei's affection. Xie Xiaofei later met Tong Wei, who asked him about his stay at Luo Bin's.

Xie Xiaofei, trying to hide the truth about Song Haojie's threats, joked that Luo Bin had not only given him a room but also found him a "wife." Tong Wei played along, teasing him about having children with his new "wife." Xie Xiaofei then confessed he was only joking, reiterating his love for her and claiming he decided to follow her instead.

Tong Wei, still unaware of the full extent of his troubles, suggested he shouldn't stay at Luo Bin's anyway, citing the potential for conflict between Luo Bin and herself. Xie Xiaofei agreed to her suggestion, subtly hinting at the difficulties Luo Bin had faced but still not revealing the true reason for his departure. It was Tong Wei's birthday. Xie Xiaofei was surprised she hadn't mentioned it.

She playfully brushed it off, saying his presence was the best gift, and jokingly asked for a genuine smile from him. At work, Tong Wei and Yang Xiao discussed the "18 Secrets" project. Yang Xiao reported that President Chen remained committed to collaborating with Xie Corporation, despite the recent executive changes.

However, he complained about the new management under Xie Tiancheng, who had overturned Xie Xiaofei's original agreements and made unreasonable demands, though Yang Xiao assured Tong Wei he had "taken care of it." He lamented that Xie Tiancheng's people were even more troublesome than Xie Xiaofei. Later, Tong Wei received a call from President Zhou, her superior. After congratulating her on her birthday, President Zhou sternly questioned her involvement in helping Xie Xiaofei against Xie Tiancheng.

He reminded her that Xie Corporation was a long-standing client of CAEA and that her actions, in supporting an "outsider" against the current executive in charge, were not private matters and could bring trouble to the company. Tong Wei maintained that Xie Tiancheng had seized control through unjust means, but President Zhou insisted it was not their role to enforce justice and warned her not to let her "private interests" compromise CAEA's reputation.

Episode 23 Recap

At the CAEA office, President Zhou sternly warned Tong Wei against her continued involvement with Xie Xiaofei. He explained that Xie Tian Cheng, the current head of Xie Corporation, was furious that Tong Wei was assisting Xie Xiaofei, and this could severely jeopardize her career at CAEA, a strategic partner of Xie Corporation.

President Zhou reminded her of her non-compete agreement, stating that if she were forced to resign, she would be unable to work in the same field for two years, effectively ending her path to the New York headquarters and multinational negotiations. He urged her to choose her career over someone who had recently entered her life.

Later, President Zhou contacted President Qu via phone, assuring him that he had spoken to Tong Wei and that Chairman Xie could rest easy, as he (President Zhou) would try his best to secure the picture of Tang Mi Cai. Back at Tong Wei's home, her aunt's demeanor towards Xie Xiaofei turned openly hostile after learning of his misfortune. During a family dinner, the aunt deliberately withheld food from him and mocked him for freeloading.

Xie Xiaofei, his pride wounded, angrily excused himself from the table. Tong Wei vehemently defended Xie Xiaofei, scolding her aunt for her lack of basic respect towards a guest. She then went to Xie Xiaofei's room and revealed her own harsh upbringing under her uncle and aunt's guardianship after her parents' death, explaining how she had learned to endure their unkindness and urged him to also bear such temporary grievances. Convinced, Xie Xiaofei agreed to stay.

Meanwhile, Tong Wei's aunt continued to complain about Xie Xiaofei in the living room, but Tong Tiantian managed to shift her parents' focus by mentioning Qin Tianyu's persistent interest in Tong Wei. After being comforted, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei discussed strategies for finding Tang Mi Cai. Later that night, a still-hungry Xie Xiaofei was caught by Tong Tiantian while trying to sneak food in the kitchen.

To avoid being discovered sneaking out for her own late-night snack, Tiantian reluctantly took him along. At a local eatery, Xie Xiaofei was captivated by the Shanghai snacks, but Tiantian's attention was fixed on Sun Hao and his band who had just walked in. Realizing Tiantian's crush, Xie Xiaofei boldly approached Sun Hao, striking up a conversation about guitars and successfully obtaining his WeChat for a delighted Tiantian. Separately, Tong Wei met with Xia Shanshan for afternoon tea.

Tong Wei recounted her experiences with Xie Xiaofei in the United States and asked for Shanshan's help in utilizing Old Qi's connections to find Tang Mi Cai. Xia Shanshan once again mentioned Qin Tianyu to Tong Wei, but Tong Wei repeatedly rejected Qin Tianyu, stating instead that she was very happy to have met Xie Xiaofei, as this encounter had given her the courage to love and hate boldly, making her no longer fantasize about a stable married life.

Soon after, Xie Xiaofei sought Luo Bin's help regarding Tang Mi Cai. Luo Bin, out of loyalty, gave Xie Xiaofei the key to a club suite and encouraged him to move out of Tong Wei's house, promising to help him and expressing his confidence in him. Luo Bin also mentioned that Zhao Chenxi had informed him about Xie Xiaofei's troubles. Just as he finished speaking, Zhao Chenxi arrived, and Luo Bin discreetly left them alone.

Zhao Chenxi told Xie Xiaofei that she had given up on him, and hoped he would treat her as a friend and no longer refuse her help. At the same time, Yang Xiao, acting on his own agenda at the company, informed Song Haojie that Xie Xiaofei, not Zhao Chenxi, was the true cause of his Sanya project's failure, inciting Song Haojie against him. Upon learning this, Song Haojie decided to eliminate Xie Xiaofei, who now had nothing.

Xie Xiaofei accepted Luo Bin's help and packed his belongings to move to Luo Bin's place. Before leaving, Xie Xiaofei reminded Tiantian to take good care of Tong Wei and not to help Qin Tianyu pursue her. When Xie Xiaofei arrived at Luo Bin's club, he found it in disarray, trashed by Song Haojie. Song Haojie was there, sitting triumphantly and arrogantly demanding if Xie Xiaofei was responsible for his Sanya project's failure.

Song Haojie scornfully called Xie Xiaofei a "stray dog" and threatened Luo Bin, demanding he choose between Xie Xiaofei and himself, or face daily destruction of his club. To protect Luo Bin, Xie Xiaofei feigned indifference, claiming he was only there to say goodbye and would not stay. Luo Bin, however, dramatically insisted he would rather sacrifice his club than abandon a friend, preventing Xie Xiaofei from leaving.

Song Haojie then escalated his threats by invoking Luo Bin's father's partnership with Ke Wan. Unmoved by Luo Bin's display, Xie Xiaofei angrily rejected his offer, accusing him and Song Haojie of staging the entire scene. He stated their friendship wasn't worth Luo Bin abandoning his club and disregarding his father, and demanded Luo Bin never contact him again. Later, President Zhou called Xie Xiaofei directly, reiterating his warning.

He emphatically told Xie Xiaofei that if he truly loved Tong Wei, he must leave her. He explained that Xie Tian Cheng's wrath and Tong Wei's non-compete clause would inevitably crush her career at CAEA if she continued their relationship. President Zhou appealed to Xie Xiaofei's conscience, reminding him of Tong Wei's aspirations to work at the New York headquarters and operate on a global stage, implying that Xie Xiaofei was hindering her progress.

Later, while Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi were together (Zhao Chenxi had previously offered him financial help, which he rejected as he didn't want to compromise their friendship), they were ambushed by a group of thugs. Sun Hao and his band, who happened to be nearby, intervened and scared the attackers away.

Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi both noted the odd nature of the attack, sensing it was not about robbery but intimidation, likely orchestrated by Song Haojie or Xie Tian Cheng. To avoid further endangering Zhao Chenxi, Xie Xiaofei suggested finding a different place to stay. However, Zhao Chenxi insisted he remain with her, reminding him of their friendship and her willingness to help, and offered for him to stay at her place as long as he wanted.

The following day, after Yang Xiao visited Zhao Chenxi's home, her mother confronted her about Xie Xiaofei staying there. She demanded Xie Xiaofei leave, dismissing him as unworthy due to his fallen status and contrasting him with Yang Xiao, whom she considered a much more suitable match. Zhao Chenxi vehemently argued against her mother's materialistic views on love and marriage. Consequently, Xie Xiaofei left Zhao Chenxi's residence.

With nowhere to go after leaving Zhao Chenxi's residence, Xie Xiaofei made the painful decision to break up with Tong Wei for her own good, motivated by President Zhou's earlier words. Unable to call Tong Wei directly, he reached out to Tong Tiantian, admitting he was homeless and asked her to help him find a place to stay. (He had previously confided in Tiantian that Luo Bin's club was destroyed because of him.

) Meanwhile, Tong Wei frantically tried calling Xie Xiaofei, but his phone remained off. She called Tiantian, who confirmed Xie Xiaofei hadn't contacted her either. Zhao Chenxi also inquired in person with Luo Bin, learning that Xie Xiaofei had checked out of his temporary lodging. Growing increasingly worried, Tong Wei reported Xie Xiaofei missing to the police in person.

However, the police could not open a formal case, as Xie Xiaofei had no physical disabilities and was last seen appearing normal by a taxi driver who accepted his phone as payment. Afterwards, Tong Wei confided in Xia Shanshan via phone, expressing her deep concerns, but Shanshan, while sympathetic, warned Tong Wei to focus on her own professional standing, reminding her that her support for Xie Xiaofei could lead to severe consequences for her career at CAEA.

Later, Tiantian received a text from Sun Hao and met him in person, where he recounted seeing Xie Xiaofei get into a fight and leave with a "rich-looking woman," leading Tiantian to deduce that Xie Xiaofei was with Zhao Chenxi. Prompted by Xia Shanshan, Qin Tianyu confronted Xie Xiaofei in person about his disappearance and the rumors of his breakup with Tong Wei. Qin Tianyu presented Xie Xiaofei with photos, insinuating an inappropriate relationship between Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi.

Xie Xiaofei denied any wrongdoing with Tong Wei but then deliberately asked Qin Tianyu to tell Tong Wei that he was now involved with Zhao Chenxi and to stop bothering him. He explained to a bewildered Qin Tianyu that he needed Tong Wei to hate him, as he couldn't bear for her to suffer hardships alongside him, believing she wouldn't accept their breakup otherwise.

Episode 24 Recap

Tian Tian found a hotel for Xie Xiaofei and gave him all her pocket money. Xie Xiaofei offered her his watch to pawn as payment, asking her not to help Qin Tianyu pursue Tong Wei. However, Tian Tian declined the watch, stating she would remain impartial and let Xie Xiaofei and Qin Tianyu compete fairly for Tong Wei’s affection. Later, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei had dinner. Tong Wei noticed his preoccupation and sensed he was keeping something from her.

Xie Xiaofei playfully deflected her concerns by joking that Luo Bin had not only arranged his accommodation but also found him a wife. Tong Wei didn't believe him and informed him about a birthday party her colleagues were throwing for her that evening, inviting him to join and simply give her a smile as a gift. It was then Xie Xiaofei realized it was her birthday and became anxious about not having a present.

After dinner, Tong Wei immediately focused on work, discussing the collaboration between Chen Mo and Xie Corporation with her team. She reported to General Manager Zhou that Chen Mo was still willing to proceed, and the talks were going well. General Manager Zhou, pleased with the update, mentioned Tong Wei’s birthday and noted her seven years at CAEA.

However, upon learning that Tong Wei was helping Xie Xiaofei against Xie Tiancheng, General Manager Zhou sternly warned her against mixing personal and professional matters, cautioning that it would create trouble for both her and the company. She explained that President Qu, acting on Xie Tiancheng's behalf, had instructed them to obtain Tommy Cai's photo from Tong Wei. That evening, a warm atmosphere filled Tong Wei’s birthday party.

As she made a wish over her cake, Xia Shanshan arrived with Qin Tianyu. Qin Tianyu presented Tong Wei with a gift, and the guests playfully urged Xie Xiaofei to offer his. Xie Xiaofei could only manage a simple "Happy Birthday," feeling embarrassed. Tian Tian privately confronted him about his lack of a gift, and Xie Xiaofei acknowledged he had shamed Tong Wei. To Xie Xiaofei’s dismay, Qin Tianyu then discreetly paid for the entire party.

Xie Xiaofei felt immense guilt for his inability to do anything for Tong Wei. After the party, Xie Xiaofei remained despondent, but Tong Wei comforted him, assuring him that her affection needed no material expression; she only wished for his happiness and strength. To cheer her up, Xie Xiaofei performed several high-difficulty somersaults in the street, which not only made Tong Wei laugh heartily but also earned him small monetary gifts from passersby who mistook him for a street performer.

Tong Wei embraced him, calling it the best birthday gift. Xie Xiaofei, his voice filled with emotion, then told Tong Wei "I love you," a declaration of profound significance for him in his current penniless state. That night, Xie Xiaofei experienced unprecedented emotions, finding no joy. Zhao Chenxi located him, bringing pizza and offering him a place to stay. Xie Xiaofei's eyes welled up with tears as he realized his helplessness since leaving Xie Corporation.

On Tong Wei's birthday, he had been reduced to amusing her with flips and accepting alms from strangers. While he thanked Zhao Chenxi for her help in his desperate time, he could not accept her romantic feelings. Zhao Chenxi left him a bank card and car keys, but after much thought, Xie Xiaofei decided to return them. Unexpectedly, General Manager Zhou found Xie Xiaofei and urged him to leave Tong Wei for her future.

General Manager Zhou explained that Xie Tiancheng was aware of Tong Wei's assistance to Xie Xiaofei and was deliberately causing her trouble. She emphasized that Xie Xiaofei should not be an obstacle to Tong Wei's dreams, stating that if he truly loved her, he should help her succeed, as her career at CAEA would be over if they remained together, especially with Xie Tiancheng's fury. After work, Tong Wei became anxious when she couldn't reach Xie Xiaofei.

She called Tian Tian, who initially feigned ignorance of his whereabouts. Tong Wei then went to Luo Bin's club, only to learn Xie Xiaofei wasn't staying there. Simultaneously, Tian Tian discovered Xie Xiaofei had checked out of the hotel. Realizing Xie Xiaofei's dire situation, Luo Bin immediately dispatched people to search for him. Tong Wei worried all night and went to the police station in the morning, but was told that a missing person report could not be filed.

Later, Tong Wei met Qin Tianyu, who, noticing her distress, revealed that Xie Xiaofei was staying at Zhao Chenxi's house. Back home, Tian Tian asked Tong Wei about Xie Xiaofei's situation. Tong Wei was self-reproachful, wishing she had cared for him more. Seeing her sadness, Tian Tian comforted her. Subsequently, Xia Shanshan contacted Tong Wei, expressing concern for her well-being.

She explained that Tong Wei's emotional support for Xie Xiaofei clashed with her professional duties concerning Xie Corporation, warning that others would eventually force Tong Wei to choose between her career and personal feelings. Xia Shanshan told Tong Wei that Xie Xiaofei was with another woman, suggesting it was natural for him to choose Zhao Chenxi given her ability to aid his career.

She urged Tong Wei to confront Xie Xiaofei at Zhao Chenxi's house to uncover the truth, emphasizing that Tong Wei deserved to know why he had seemingly betrayed her. Qin Tianyu also texted Tong Wei Zhao Chenxi's address. Xia Shanshan challenged Tong Wei's hesitation, reminding her of her usual strength and professional success, questioning if it was "worth it" to lose herself over a man who had left. Tong Wei reluctantly agreed it wasn't.

Xia Shanshan then insisted they go together to confront Xie Xiaofei. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei was attempting to leave Zhao Chenxi’s house, explaining that he didn't want to involve or harm her further. As he tried to leave, Tong Wei, Tian Tian, and Xia Shanshan arrived outside, with Tian Tian shouting for Xie Xiaofei to come out. Zhao Chenxi tried to dismiss them. Tong Wei demanded an explanation.

In a desperate attempt to push Tong Wei away and protect her, Xie Xiaofei declared that he had fallen in love with Zhao Chenxi and would be living with her. Tian Tian accused Xie Xiaofei of being unmanly, while Zhao Chenxi asserted that Xie Xiaofei had made his choice clear and that they were well-suited. Tong Wei, deeply hurt, requested to speak with him alone, but he refused.

After Tong Wei left, Xie Xiaofei apologized to Zhao Chenxi for using her, reiterating that he had nothing left but his dignity and insisted on leaving her house to avoid hurting her further. Zhao Chenxi tried to dissuade him, but he remained resolute. Later, while Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi were walking together, they were ambushed by a group of thugs. During the ensuing fight, Zhao Chenxi was taken hostage.

To protect her, Xie Xiaofei allowed himself to be severely beaten. Sun Hao and his companions, passing by, intervened and drove off the attackers. Zhao Chenxi took the injured Xie Xiaofei back to her home. Suspecting the thugs' unusual motives, Xie Xiaofei expressed his desire to move out to avoid implicating Zhao Chenxi, but she insisted he stay, affirming their friendship.

Back home, Tian Tian called Tong Wei, sharing that she had seen Xie Xiaofei near their building, though he claimed he took the wrong bus. Tian Tian suspected he was merely acting with Zhao Chenxi, and Tong Wei confirmed her belief. However, Tong Wei explained her anger stemmed from his loss of conviction and will to fight, stating she disdained him for becoming a coward who bowed to reality.

She expressed that she would rather he genuinely fell in love with Zhao Chenxi and broke up with her than see him in his current dispirited state. Tian Tian countered that she would prefer her loved one to be a coward rather than be with another woman, to which Tong Wei remarked on Tian Tian's youth and asked her not to mention Xie Xiaofei again.

During a subsequent meeting with President Qu and General Manager Zhou, Tong Wei was asked about her decision regarding Xie Xiaofei. General Manager Zhou demanded she hand over Tommy Cai's photo and cease all "untimely activities." Tong Wei refused, stating she could not comply. She reminded them of her dedication to CAEA for many years, her refusal of other offers, and her pride in her work as a negotiator.

However, she expressed deep disappointment in the company's current demands, questioning when CAEA had become an accomplice to despicable means or a tool in business internal power struggles. President Qu and General Manager Zhou then offered her a guaranteed position at the U. S. headquarters, working with Jonathan to fulfill her long-held dream, if she handed over the photo. Tong Wei apologized, reiterating her refusal, and then tendered her resignation to General Manager Zhou, stating she would leave immediately.

After resigning, Tong Wei encountered Xie Xiaotian, who warned her about Xie Tiancheng's malicious nature and his anger towards anyone who opposed him. Tong Wei boldly told her to inform Xie Tiancheng that she had faced many bad people since childhood and was ready for him. Xie Xiaotian offered to intervene to help her stay, but Tong Wei asserted it was her own choice to leave, expressing her profound disappointment in CAEA.

Sun Hao, feeling uneasy about Xie Xiaofei’s situation, contacted Tian Tian to share what he had witnessed. Based on Tian Tian's reaction to the news, he misinterpreted their relationship as romantic rather than purely platonic, leading him to decide against actively pursuing Tian Tian.

Episode 25 Recap

Distraught over Xie Xiaofei's disappearance, Tong Wei went to the police station. The officer informed her that she wasn't the first, as another young woman had inquired about the same person earlier. Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan approached Qin Tianyu, advising him to seize the opportunity of Xie Xiaofei's absence to pursue Tong Wei. Qin Tianyu later contacted Xie Xiaofei, and the two men met for tea. The atmosphere was strained.

Xie Xiaofei feigned indifference, claiming he had already broken up with Tong Wei and urging Qin Tianyu to pursue her. However, Qin Tianyu angrily presented photos of Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi. While Xie Xiaofei affirmed his innocence regarding Zhao Chenxi, he asked Qin Tianyu to lie to Tong Wei, telling her he was with Zhao Chenxi.

This act of self-sacrifice, where Xie Xiaofei was willing to abandon Tong Wei to spare her from suffering, deeply shocked Qin Tianyu, who had always viewed Xie Xiaofei as arrogant. Elsewhere, Yang Xiao visited Zhao Chenxi's mother with health supplements and revealed that Zhao Chenxi had brought Xie Xiaofei home to live with them.

Zhao Mother was furious about Zhao Chenxi associating with a disgraced Xie Xiaofei, expressing her desire for Zhao Chenxi to be with Yang Xiao, who genuinely loved her. Unbeknownst to them, Xie Xiaofei was hiding behind a staircase and overheard the entire conversation, sighing heavily with worry. Qin Tianyu then visited Tong Wei, informing her that Xie Xiaofei was living at Zhao Chenxi's house and showing her the photos.

Qin Tianyu stated unequivocally that Zhao Chenxi was clearly better positioned to help Xie Xiaofei rebuild his life than Tong Wei was. Around this time, Tong Tiantian also shared with Tong Wei the news she had heard from Sun Hao. Unable to bear Tong Wei's despondent state any longer, Tong Tiantian forcefully dragged her sister to Zhao Chenxi's house.

At the Song family residence, Xie Xiaofei was resolute in his decision to pack his bags and leave, wanting to avoid causing further trouble for Zhao Chenxi. However, Zhao Chenxi held him tightly, refusing to let him go. Just then, Tong Wei and Tong Tiantian burst into the house. Tong Tiantian loudly demanded Xie Xiaofei come out, forcing him and Zhao Chenxi downstairs. Tong Tiantian accused Xie Xiaofei of vanishing without a word.

Not to be outdone, Zhao Chenxi retorted, effectively issuing a notice for them to leave. Looking at Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei declared that he had fallen in love with another woman. Enraged, Tong Tiantian rushed forward and pushed Xie Xiaofei. To avoid making a scene in someone else's home, Tong Wei pulled Xie Xiaofei outside for a private conversation. Tong Wei questioned him about moving out of Luo Bin's place, but Xie Xiaofei responded with hostility.

He claimed he was tired of the hard life filled with ridicule and cold stares, telling Tong Wei to stop clinging to him. For the sake of his last shred of dignity, Xie Xiaofei reiterated that he loved Zhao Chenxi. In response, Tong Wei slapped him across the face. After Tong Wei drove away, Xie Xiaofei apologized to Zhao Chenxi for using her feelings and then left her house.

Wandering aimlessly, Xie Xiaofei found himself by a lake in a park. He silently poured out his grievances to his deceased mother. As he paused by the water's edge, contemplating whether to end his life, a person suddenly emerged from the lake after a winter swim. Startled, Xie Xiaofei's suicidal thoughts vanished. Later, Tong Wei received a call from Tracy and immediately returned to CAEA.

Xie Xiaotian, representing the Xie Corporation, was in a meeting with Qu Zong and Zhou Zong. They demanded that Tong Wei hand over certain photos and cease all actions to help Xie Tianyou. To their surprise, Tong Wei firmly stated that she remained with CAEA because she valued her work.

However, she pointed out that Xie Tiancheng's unscrupulous methods in seizing control of the Xie Corporation were well-known, and the company's current actions effectively made them complicit and a tool in his schemes. Tong Wei not only rejected Xie Xiaotian's demands but also announced her intention to submit her resignation to the company. While Tong Wei was packing her belongings in her office, Xie Xiaotian sought her out to inquire about Xie Xiaofei's recent situation.

He thanked Tong Wei for having spoken up for him previously and warned her that Xie Tiancheng was not a good person. However, Tong Wei politely declined his offer of assistance, explaining that her decision to leave was due to her profound disappointment with CAEA. When Xia Shanshan learned of Tong Wei's impulsive resignation, she chided her for being foolish, not only for being abandoned by Xie Xiaofei but also for losing her job.

Tong Wei, however, was unfazed, calmly asserting that she was doing what she believed was right. She then asked Xia Shanshan if there was any news about Tommy Cai, to which Xia Shanshan looked at her in disbelief, amazed that Tong Wei still cared so much about the Xie family's affairs. Tong Wei remained steadfast in her commitment to Xie Tianyou. Similarly, in New York, Xie Tianyou sat by Xie Xiaofei's mother's bedside, speaking of the Chinese girl he admired.

Xie Tianyou saw reflections of himself and Xie Xiaofei's mother in Tong Wei, fearing that the children's relationship might repeat their past struggles. Xie Tiancheng, meanwhile, reduced the mother's treatment fees, replacing expensive imported medications with cheaper alternatives, which Xie Tianyou reluctantly accepted. Tong Wei returned to CAEA to hand over her work to her team and formally submitted her resignation letter.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei visited a pawn shop, selling all his valuable possessions, which yielded a substantial sum of money. Both seemed to be preparing for new chapters in their lives. Recalling Zhou Zong's words, Xie Xiaofei unknowingly walked to Tong Wei's building, where Tong Tiantian, returning home, spotted him. Tong Tiantian assumed he was there to apologize to Tong Wei, but Xie Xiaofei denied it.

That evening, Tong Wei informed her family about her resignation, explaining that she would need to find a new job before contributing to the month's living expenses. Her aunt grew suspicious, sensing that something had happened between Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. Concerned that Tong Wei's resignation might be related to Xie Xiaofei, Tong Tiantian told her sister about seeing him earlier.

Tong Wei understood Tong Tiantian's implication that Xie Xiaofei didn't truly like Zhao Chenxi and was only putting on an act. What truly angered Tong Wei was Xie Xiaofei's transformation from an arrogant young master to a coward who succumbed to reality. The next day, Xie Xiaofei approached Tong Tiantian at her school, asking for help to win Tong Wei back.

He explained that his situation with Zhao Chenxi was a complete misunderstanding and declared, "In my heart, there's only Tong Wei. I only love her." He asked Tong Tiantian what Tong Wei liked and sought help finding temporary accommodation. Tong Tiantian found a two-bedroom apartment. While viewing it with Xie Xiaofei and Miss Sha, a potential roommate, Tong Tiantian tried to present Xie Xiaofei in a favorable light, leading Miss Sha to suspect he was Tong Wei's brother-in-law.

Tong Tiantian advised Xie Xiaofei to adopt a "domineering attitude" like a "Tibetan Mastiff" and overcome his lack of ambition. Xie Xiaofei agreed to the shared apartment. Later, Tong Tiantian told Tong Wei that Xie Xiaofei had sought her out for advice on reconciling. Tong Wei, though still hurt, gently cautioned Tong Tiantian not to be too harsh on him.

Tong Tiantian then played a trick, calling Tong Wei to inform her that Xie Xiaofei was in a serious car accident. Tong Wei rushed to the hospital in a panic, only to find Xie Xiaofei perfectly fine. He confessed it was a ploy to create an opportunity for her forgiveness. Though initially furious, Tong Wei was also relieved. Tong Tiantian encouraged Tong Wei to give him another chance, and Xie Xiaofei pleaded with Tong Wei to look after him.

Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to his new rented room. He tearfully expressed his regret for the hurtful things he said at Zhao Chenxi's house. He confessed to contemplating suicide by a lake but was deterred by the cold water, which paradoxically gave him a new perspective on life's difficulties. He assured her he could embrace a simple life. Tong Wei, seeing his changed heart, agreed to forgive him.

As they spoke, they met his new roommate, Miss Shang, who happened to be Qin Tianyu's subordinate. Tong Wei, recognizing Miss Shang, instructed Xie Xiaofei to get along with her, noting that Miss Shang had feelings for Qin Tianyu, so it wouldn't be an issue between them. However, Qin Tianyu soon confronted Xie Xiaofei, thanking him sarcastically for making him appear despicable while Xie Xiaofei's relationship with Tong Wei was prospering.

Xie Xiaofei acknowledged he had fallen into Qin Tianyu's "trap," which Qin Tianyu admitted was orchestrated by him using the photos to break up Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei. Xie Xiaofei then swore he would never hurt Tong Wei again. Qin Tianyu defiantly stated that he would not give up on Tong Wei until she was married to Xie Xiaofei. That evening, a very drunk and despondent Qin Tianyu received a call from Tong Tiantian. She then found him, offered comfort, and suggested taking him to his "secret base."

Episode 26 Recap

Xie Xiaofei was staying in a cheap hotel, reflecting on matters concerning Tang Mi Cai, when Xie Xiaotian arrived. Xie Xiaofei immediately tried to send him away, but Xie Xiaotian held him back by mentioning their parents' situation. Xie Xiaotian urged Xie Xiaofei to hand over the photo and abandon his search for Tang Mi Cai, but Xie Xiaofei declared he would rather live in poverty than surrender to Xie Tiancheng.

Faced with Xie Xiaofei's stubbornness, Xie Xiaotian revealed that Tong Wei had been implicated in the matter and had resigned from CAEA. Enraged, Xie Xiaofei ordered Xiaotian to leave. Distraught, Xie Xiaofei rushed to Tong Wei's home, but her family blamed him for Tong Wei's recent troubles and promptly kicked him out.

Meanwhile, after an all-night investigation, Tong Wei had discovered that the scene in the Tang Mi Cai photo was Fang Sheng Bridge and was already on her way to Zhujiajiao, Shanghai. After being turned away from Tong Wei's home, Xie Xiaofei also boarded a bus heading to Fang Sheng Bridge. On the bridge, he spotted Tong Wei's back and quickly pursued her.

Tong Wei attempted to report the case at a police station to find the person, but received no assistance due to the limited information about Tang Mi Cai and the old age of the incident. Coincidentally, Xie Xiaofei arrived at the same police station shortly after. Though he also failed to obtain any information about the photo, he learned Tong Wei had just left. Xie Xiaofei quickly chased after Tong Wei and found her eating at a roadside restaurant.

He walked in and sat opposite her. Tong Wei angrily told him her affairs were none of his concern, claiming not to know him. However, Xie Xiaofei was filled with guilt for involving her in the Xie family's business and tried to explain what had happened at Zhao Chenxi's house. Tong Wei still refused to forgive him and told him to stop following her. Tong Wei sought accommodation in Zhujiajiao, with Xie Xiaofei trailing her.

He attempted to convince her to share a room to save money, but Tong Wei vehemently disagreed. Xie Xiaofei, after much pleading, finally managed to get the room next to Tong Wei's, portraying himself as Tong Wei's boyfriend with whom she had a minor argument, and managed to secure the room next to hers. The owner even advised him to be gentle with his "girlfriend." Tong Wei continued to ignore Xie Xiaofei.

The next morning, after she checked out, Xie Xiaofei persistently followed her. He sincerely apologized for his previous impulsiveness and stated he needed someone like her to guide and scold him. Tong Wei remained unmoved and simply walked away. Unsure how to win Tong Wei over, Xie Xiaofei went to Tong Tiantian's school to seek her help. Tiantian was furious to see him and initially claimed not to know him.

Xie Xiaofei resorted to threatening her with a secret, which compelled her to come with him. Tiantian's classmates, witnessing the scene, mistakenly believed Xie Xiaofei was her boyfriend, further deepening Sun Hao's misunderstanding. Xie Xiaofei sweet-talked Tiantian, following her from school to the park. Seeing his earnest attitude, Tiantian eventually revealed the real reason for Tong Wei's anger: she felt Xie Xiaofei had "cowed" and was "unmanly." Xie Xiaofei then asked Tiantian to help him find a place to live.

Tiantian scolded him for being a "pauper" with no right to be picky about housing, but she ultimately led him to a shared apartment. Tiantian had arranged the viewing for Xie Xiaofei online, and it turned out to be Shang Bichen's rental apartment. Upon arriving, Shang Bichen inferred from Tiantian's conversation that she was Tong Wei's sister.

Xie Xiaofei had reservations about the apartment's conditions, but Tiantian bluntly reminded him that securing a place to live was the immediate priority and he shouldn't be so choosy. Xie Xiaofei finally agreed to stay. After returning home, Tiantian told Tong Wei about seeing Xie Xiaofei and how she had scolded him. Tong Wei felt a pang of sympathy and told her not to scold Xie Xiaofei so harshly in the future.

After Tong Wei's heart had softened somewhat, Xie Xiaofei rode a bicycle, which he had been practicing for over three months to impress her. He encouraged her to sit in front, promising not to let her fall even if he did. He expressed that riding a bike together felt more special than driving a Ferrari, and he would shield her from the wind and rain.

He joked that if she caught a cold, she'd pass it to him with a kiss, to which she playfully retorted that they were in public, while he insisted there was nothing to be afraid of since they were dating. Xie Xiaofei reflected on his current state, acknowledging he was like a "stray animal" and Tong Wei told him he didn't even have a job because of her. Yet, they found happiness simply holding hands.

He observed that ordinary people seemed happier than his wealthy father, and wished his deceased parents could have enjoyed such simple days, especially with "a young, handsome, outstanding son-in-law like me." Tong Wei playfully pinched him for boasting, calling him undignified and "a little fatty." Meanwhile, the search for the person in the photo continued. Xie Xiaofei confided in Shang Bichen, asking how to find someone from such an old picture.

Shang Bichen suggested looking for photo studios from that era. Separately, Tong Wei, following a lead given by someone at a different photo shop, visited an old photo shop. The master craftsman there recognized the unique photo paper and confirmed he had taken the picture decades ago. He recalled the subject was a businessman who was quite tipsy that day and had described himself as "a hero of indomitable spirit who could not be shaken by thunder."

This clue led the craftsman to recall the man's name: Lei Xiong. Tong Wei confirmed Lei Xiong was the person in the photo by showing another picture. Xie Xiaofei explained to Tong Wei that Lei Xiong was a former business tycoon who had liver cancer at fifty, but miraculously recovered through surgery, and now lived as a recluse in Suzhou's Meditation Garden.

Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei went to Lei Xiong's Meditation Garden, but they were refused entry without an appointment. Xie Xiaofei, proposing to "outsmart" them, attempted to climb over a wall, despite Tong Wei's warnings about surveillance cameras and danger. He got shocked by high-voltage wires and fell. Lei Xiong, who happened to be passing by, instructed his staff to let Tong Wei in. After Xie Xiaofei recovered, Lei Xiong confronted them about their audacity.

Xie Xiaofei introduced himself as Xie Tianyou's son and explained that his father needed Lei Xiong's support to regain controlling interest in Xie Corporation, highlighting how the company's stocks had been dropping since his uncle took over. Lei Xiong agreed to help, but revealed he was only acting as a proxy for an extremely low-key individual he had never met, whose business matters were handled solely by a lawyer.

After leaving the garden, Tong Wei reassured Xie Xiaofei to be patient, as Mr. Lei would try to find ways to help them locate Tang Mi Cai (the true person of interest). Back at their shared apartment, Shang Bichen presented Xie Xiaofei with the electricity bill. He apologized, admitting he had forgotten to withdraw money, and Shang Bichen kindly covered his share, telling him to pay her back later.

Later, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Tiantian, asking to borrow money "one last time." Tiantian scolded him for always asking her instead of Tong Wei, and for his careless spending. She urged him to find a job. Xie Xiaofei admitted he had never looked for a job, as they always sought him out, and asked her for advice. Tiantian suggested creating a resume, printing it, and personally delivering it to companies to demonstrate sincerity, citing her own success with this method.

Xie Xiaofei followed her advice, but his job applications were repeatedly rejected. His resume eventually landed on Manager Yang's desk at Ke Wan. Zhao Chenxi's father, informed of Xie Xiaofei's job search, instructed Manager Yang not only to reject Xie Xiaofei but also to ensure that no other company would hire him, as retribution. Later, Shang Bichen again gently asked Xie Xiaofei for rent, which he still couldn't pay.

He then sought her advice again on job hunting, and she shared her experience of posting her resume online, specifically on a certain website that led to her job at Fu Tong, emphasizing the importance of attitude and effort. Xia Shanshan met Tong Wei, who mentioned running into Xie Xiaofei in Zhujiajiao. Xia Shanshan cautioned her against rekindling their romance. Tong Wei confidently asserted she would not.

Just then, she received a frantic phone call from Tong Tiantian, claiming Xie Xiaofei had been in a serious car accident. Panicked and visibly worried, Tong Wei rushed to the hospital. Mistaking a heavily bandaged patient for Xie Xiaofei, she broke down in tears. Xia Shanshan, arriving shortly after, spotted a perfectly fine Xie Xiaofei laughing by the nurse's station. Realizing she had been tricked, Tong Wei angrily slapped him.

Tong Tiantian, now smiling, and Xie Xiaofei explained that their elaborate prank was designed to help Tong Wei confront her true feelings. Tiantian then helped Xie Xiaofei plead for forgiveness. Finally, Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to his newly rented apartment to demonstrate his commitment. He recounted all the events that had transpired after he had driven her away previously. Witnessing his renewed determination to start afresh and live a good life, Tong Wei ultimately forgave him.

Episode 27 Recap

Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were at their shared apartment when Shang Bichen entered. Tong Wei greeted Shang Bichen and informed Xie Xiaofei that she was Qin Tianyu's subordinate. This news immediately sparked Xie Xiaofei's jealousy, making him wonder why Qin Tianyu seemed to be involved in every aspect of his life. Meanwhile, Qin Tianyu paid a visit to Tong Wei's aunt and uncle, bringing gifts and inquiring about Tong Wei.

He informed them that Tong Wei had resigned from her job because of Xie Xiaofei. Just as Qin Tianyu finished speaking, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei walked in together. Tong Wei's father immediately confronted her about her resignation. Seeing their closeness, Qin Tianyu awkwardly left the Tong family home. Xie Xiaofei knew that Qin Tianyu hadn't truly left and went downstairs to find him sitting in his car.

Qin Tianyu angrily confronted Xie Xiaofei, accusing him of using his help to break up with Tong Wei, only to reconcile with her later and leaving Qin Tianyu feeling betrayed. Xie Xiaofei, unsure whether to apologize or express gratitude, dispiritedly got out of the car. Qin Tianyu went to a bar to drink. Shang Bichen, knowing he would be sad over Tong Wei, went to the bar to persuade him not to drink.

Shang Bichen took Qin Tianyu to her secret rooftop retreat by the Huangpu River, a place she had adorned with countless string lights. Qin Tianyu thanked her for her care. Shang Bichen then sent him home. Later, back at her apartment, Shang Bichen realized she had forgotten her phone earlier. She then received a worried call from her mother about her late return. To avoid her mother's worries, she claimed she had been out with her boyfriend.

Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei, and Tong Tiantian were enjoying snacks at a local shop. Xie Xiaofei particularly praised the food. When Sun Hao walked into the shop, Tong Tiantian became timid. Xie Xiaofei, seeing Tiantian's shyness, took the initiative to bring Sun Hao to their table. Sun Hao, upon seeing Tong Wei, understood his previous misunderstanding about Tiantian and Xiaofei's relationship, and shyly admitted his feelings for Tiantian.

Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei tactfully departed, leaving the young couple to enjoy each other's company. Shortly after, Sun Hao and Tong Tiantian publicly confirmed their relationship at school, delighting their classmates. Xie Xiaofei, having borrowed Sun Hao's bicycle, diligently practiced riding it. He then picked up Tong Wei, wanting to experience the simple joy of first love with her. As they rode along, chatting and laughing, they later sat in a park, observing other happy couples.

Xie Xiaofei confided in Tong Wei that despite losing everything, he felt incredibly happy by her side. Xie Xiaofei continued to be frustrated by his inability to find Tommy Cai from the old photograph. Shang Bichen, observing his struggles, casually remarked on the photo's vintage style, suggesting it might have been taken at a 1990s photo studio. This sparked an idea in Xie Xiaofei, who then took the photo to an antique shop with Tong Wei.

Through the rare photographic paper, they found Old Master Zuo, who had taken the photo. Mr. Zuo remembered the man in the photo being drunk at the time. After some effort, Mr. Zuo recalled the man's name as Lei Xiong. This breakthrough made Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei very happy, and they promptly boarded a bus to locate Lei Xiong.

Tong Wei, with the help of her contact Tracy, discovered that Lei Xiong had retired from business due to a severe illness at age 50 and was now recuperating at Jingxinyuan in Suzhou, rarely receiving visitors or involving himself in worldly affairs. When Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei arrived at Jingxinyuan, they were, as expected, denied entry. Seeing Tong Wei's concern, Xie Xiaofei declared he had a clever plan to get inside.

He found an unmonitored blind spot and scaled the wall into the inner courtyard. Tong Wei, unsure what to do, approached the main gate and was surprisingly let in by the housekeeper without question. Inside, she found Xie Xiaofei already speaking with Lei Xiong. Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei informed Lei Xiong of their purpose and explained the recent turmoil at the Xie Group.

Lei Xiong expressed his willingness to help Xie Tianyou and his son, but he revealed that he only held the Xie Group shares as a trustee. The true shareholder was an extremely discreet individual named Tommy Cai, whom even Lei Xiong had never met in person. This news crushed Xie Xiaofei's hopes once again. Tong Wei gently advised him to control his temper and assured him that Lei Xiong's assistance would still be valuable.

Later, back at the shared apartment, Shang Bichen presented Xie Xiaofei with the monthly electricity bill. He fumbled for money but realized he had none. Shang Bichen, noticing his embarrassment, kindly paid the bill for him. Desperate for funds, Xie Xiaofei then turned to Tong Tiantian for a loan. Concerned about his spending and lack of income, Tong Tiantian urged him to find a job.

She patiently guided him on how to create a resume and suggested he personally deliver it to various companies to show his sincerity. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Tiantian's advice, pushing himself to embark on a job search. Unaccustomed to such setbacks, the once proud Xie Xiaofei faced numerous rejections from various companies. He often found himself sitting at a bus stop, feeling disheartened. Unbeknownst to him, his resume had landed at the Ke Wan Corporation.

The chairman, seeking revenge for Zhao Chenxi, instructed Yang Xiao to conspire with other companies to ensure Xie Xiaofei was not hired. However, Xie Xiaofei received a phone call from Director Fu, the CEO of Haoke Dining Group. Director Fu informed him that their world-class dining group was expanding and, noting Xie Xiaofei's overseas background and English proficiency, offered him a manager position, asking him to report at 9:00 AM the following day.

Xie Xiaofei excitedly called Tong Wei, who was having coffee with Xia Shanshan, and asked for her address so he could share his good news. Xia Shanshan tried to persuade Tong Wei not to reveal her own job search difficulties to Xie Xiaofei, blaming him for her current situation. Tong Wei insisted on keeping her struggles private. When Xie Xiaofei arrived, he playfully teased Xia Shanshan before proudly announcing that he had found a manager position.

When Tong Wei inquired about his job search, Xie Xiaofei admitted he had kept it secret out of fear of embarrassment. Overjoyed, he offered to treat them to a lavish meal. Meanwhile, Yang Xiao invited Zhao Chenxi to a new, quiet restaurant. He recounted how he was first attracted to her five years ago when he saw her angrily wrestling with a claw machine at an arcade.

He confessed his long-standing feelings for her, explaining that he joined Ke Wan because he liked her and wanted to bring her happiness. He then asked her to be his girlfriend. Zhao Chenxi admitted she still couldn't forget Xie Xiaofei, but Yang Xiao offered to wait for her indefinitely. He then took her back to that same arcade, showing her the exact claw machine and explaining that he had practiced hundreds of times, believing in fighting for one's own happiness.

He proposed that if he caught a doll, she would agree to be his girlfriend. As he tried, the machine malfunctioned, and a staff member confirmed it was broken, offering a free doll which Yang Xiao refused. Distraught, Yang Xiao lamented that even fate seemed to deem him unworthy. Zhao Chenxi then comforted him, recalling her mother's wisdom that true happiness for a woman comes from being loved, not just finding love.

She told Yang Xiao that while she might not be in love with him yet, she was willing to give their relationship a try and be his girlfriend. Overjoyed, Yang Xiao embraced her, thrilled that his long wait had finally ended. On his first day at Haoke Dining Group, Xie Xiaofei motivated himself to strive for his and Tong Wei's future. He arrived at work, where Director Fu led a spirited morning rally.

Initially confused by the slogans, Xie Xiaofei introduced himself to Director Fu, who confirmed his "manager" role. However, Director Fu then clarified that Xie Xiaofei was a "manager-in-training" and assigned him the "easy work" of a food courier, explaining that promotions came with performance. Xie Xiaofei questioned the meaning and pay of the job, which was 150 yuan per day, but accepted it, also inquiring about a work visa for his American passport.

Director Fu assured him the paperwork would be handled later if he performed well. After Xie Xiaofei left to start his duties, Director Fu instructed his nephew, Yang Yang, who also worked there, to find faults and make deductions from Xie Xiaofei's pay, indicating intentional sabotage. Xie Xiaofei's first day was full of challenges. He encountered a broken elevator in a building, forcing him to climb 13 flights of stairs for a delivery.

His boss called, angrily complaining about customer delays and hanging up before Xie Xiaofei could fully explain the situation. During another delivery, he found an elderly woman collapsed at her doorstep and immediately called for an ambulance. After being assured by the paramedics that the woman was stable, his boss called again, scolding him for the repeated delays.

Tong Wei then met with Xie Xiaofei and revealed that she had found a job as a legal consultant at a law firm. Anticipating his reaction, she also revealed that Qin Tianyu worked there. Xie Xiaofei immediately accused her of deliberately choosing that firm. Tong Wei explained that the firm needed her for a specific case, and she genuinely needed a job.

She tried to appease his jealousy by promising the job was temporary and she would switch if another opportunity arose. When Xie Xiaofei still seemed angry, she dramatically offered to refuse the job and "starve to death" with him. Xie Xiaofei quickly stopped her, but demanded a promise: she must maintain only a professional relationship with Qin Tianyu and not allow him any opportunity to interfere between them. Tong Wei playfully swore an oath to reassure him.

She then asked Xie Xiaofei about his first day at work. He vaguely replied that "it was alright." Internally, Xie Xiaofei decided it was too embarrassing to reveal he was a delivery boy and planned to tell her only after finding a better job. Tong Wei then jokingly asked if young women at his office were throwing themselves at him. Xie Xiaofei proudly exaggerated, warning her to be careful not to let anyone steal him away.

At the Fu Tong law firm, some colleagues gossiped about Tong Wei joining as a new legal consultant, suggesting her relationship with Lawyer Qin was "not normal." Sister Chen Wen intervened, reminding them of Tong Wei's impressive background as a former top negotiator at CAEA, who had successfully resolved a major merger for Lawyer Qin. She warned them not to offend Tong Wei, who was highly regarded by Qin Tianyu.

Later, Shang Bichen, back at the office, discreetly asked Qin Tianyu about Tong Wei's position, learning she was an expert consultant. Xie Xiaofei also had an internal monologue, thinking about Tong Wei's accomplishments and how he, as a delivery boy, needed to work harder to catch up. Shang Bichen's mother then unexpectedly arrived at the Fu Tong law firm. She directly asked Shang Bichen about her personal life and getting married.

Shang Bichen, panicking, pulled Qin Tianyu aside and desperately begged him to play along as her boyfriend, explaining she had lied to her mother to avoid an arranged marriage. Qin Tianyu reluctantly agreed to help. Shang Bichen then introduced Qin Tianyu as her boyfriend and superior. Her mother expressed skepticism, having been told by the receptionist that Qin Tianyu didn't have a girlfriend.

Qin Tianyu smoothly explained that the firm had a strict policy against colleagues dating, especially between superiors and subordinates, to maintain its image, which was why they kept their relationship secret. Her mother then directly asked when they would marry. Qin Tianyu replied that marriage was in his plans, but he was concerned it might affect Shang Bichen's promising career, suggesting they wait until she was more established.

Her mother, however, insisted that family was paramount for a woman and urged them to marry and have children first. Qin Tianyu assured her they would give it "proper consideration." Qin Tianyu then accompanied Shang Bichen's mother to the shared apartment building, declining to go upstairs with them. Inside, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were present. Shang Bichen's mother, meeting Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei, questioned who they were, and Shang Bichen introduced them as her roommates.

Xie Xiaofei kindly offered to help carry her luggage. Shang Bichen quickly sought help from Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei as her mother began to criticize her choice to live in a small, expensive apartment just for appearances, and reiterated her strong traditional views against dating without marriage. When Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei indicated they should leave, Shang Bichen's mother was shocked to learn that Shang Bichen was co-living with a man.

She expressed outrage at the situation, worrying about gossip and Xie Xiaofei's intentions. To ease the tension, Xie Xiaofei quickly claimed Tong Wei was his girlfriend, and Tong Wei confirmed this, adding that Qin Tianyu was Shang Bichen's boyfriend, assuring her mother that they all trusted each other. Despite their efforts, Shang Bichen's mother remained skeptical and continued to lament her daughter's choices.

Episode 28 Recap

Zhao Chenxi had dinner with her parents, where her mother expressed concern that Zhao Chenxi's demanding work schedule was interfering with her dating life. Her mother highly recommended Yang Xiao, but Zhao Chenxi's feelings differed greatly from her mother's wishes. Her father also mentioned that he planned to hand over the company to Zhao Chenxi in the future and hoped she would have a reliable partner by her side to assist her.

Later, Zhao Chenxi's mother brought her milk before bed, advising her not to overemphasize "feelings" in marriage, drawing from her 20 years of experience. She urged Zhao Chenxi to choose a man who loved her more, believing it would ensure a happier life, and suggested giving Yang Xiao a chance. Zhao Chenxi, however, found it difficult to forget Xie Xiaofei and therefore accept Yang Xiao, but agreed to give him a chance.

Meanwhile, after a day of fruitless job hunting, a dejected Xie Xiaofei returned home. Understanding Shang Bichen helped him by submitting his resume online, and hearing her own job search experiences made Xie Xiaofei realize the importance of accepting any work, even at a lower level. Earlier, Xie Xiaofei had been struggling to locate 'Tommy Cai', a crucial figure for his family's business.

With help from Shang Bichen, who noted a photo's retro style, and Tong Wei, they traced the photographer who identified the man in the photo as Lei Xiong. They found Lei Xiong living in seclusion in Suzhou. Lei Xiong revealed he was merely a proxy shareholder for Tommy Cai and had never met Tommy Cai in person, dashing Xie Xiaofei's hopes of a quick resolution to his family's financial woes.

Separately, Xia Shan Shan discovered she was pregnant and shared the happy news with Old Qi. While both were pleased, Old Qi hesitated when Shan Shan pressed for marriage, asking for a week to consider. Later, Tong Wei and Xia Shan Shan met for afternoon tea, celebrating Shan Shan's pregnancy, though Shan Shan expressed concern about Tong Wei's job search. Around the same time, Xie Xiaofei received a call from Haoke Catering Group, inviting him for a manager interview.

Overjoyed, he shared the good news with Tong Wei, and later excitedly offered to treat both Tong Wei and Shan Shan to a meal. Yang Xiao then took Zhao Chenxi to a quiet restaurant to celebrate their five-year acquaintance. He confessed his feelings to her, recalling their first meeting at an amusement park. Zhao Chenxi was touched but confessed she couldn't forget Xie Xiaofei.

Understanding her dilemma, Yang Xiao took her to a claw machine, trying to prove that happiness could be actively pursued. When the machine malfunctioned, Yang Xiao angrily yelled at the staff. Zhao Chenxi, following him out, reminded him of her mother's advice to choose a man who loved her more and, despite not loving him yet, agreed to give him a chance.

The next morning, Xie Xiaofei arrived at Haoke restaurant for his 'manager' interview, only to be given a delivery uniform and told his actual job was a 'preparatory manager' which meant delivering food. Despite his initial hesitation, the promise of 150 yuan a day convinced him to accept. His first delivery was challenging, requiring him to climb 13 flights of stairs due to a broken elevator.

On a subsequent delivery, he found an elderly woman who had collapsed and promptly called 120 for help. Facing a demanding boss and arduous work, Xie Xiaofei, shedding his former pride, resolved to work diligently for Tong Wei and their future. Qin Tianyu then brought Tong Wei to the Fu Tong Law Firm to seek her help with the Yep and Quick cooperation. He also offered her a full-time legal consultant position, understanding her current employment difficulties.

Initially, Tong Wei hesitated, feeling he pitied her, but Qin Tianyu argued that while other large companies might avoid her, their long-standing partnership at the firm would ensure harmonious collaboration. Convinced, Tong Wei accepted the offer. She later informed Xie Xiaofei about her new job, which made him jealous, but she managed to reassure him. A colleague warmly greeted Tong Wei, recalling her crucial role in securing Mr. Chen Mo's partnership.

During a meeting about the upcoming layoffs, Tong Wei presented an alternative plan to the initial compensation offer. She proposed establishing an "angel fund" to utilize the severance money, helping the laid-off founding members launch their own startups with financial and resource support from Yep. Tong Wei explained that since Chen Mo and his team were driven by emotions, this approach would allow them a dignified exit, create a win-win scenario, and enhance Yep's reputation ahead of its NASDAQ listing.

The proposal was met with enthusiasm and approved by the team. Later, Qin Tianyu surprised Shang Bichen with a visit to a phone store to celebrate their one-month dating anniversary. He bought her a new phone, expressing his desire for it to be filled with their shared memories. Tong Tiantian and her boyfriend were at a restaurant when Xie Xiaofei, wearing a uniform, tried to avoid their notice.

Tong Tiantian, however, spotted him and confronted him, asking why he was working as a waiter when he had told Tong Wei he was a manager at a major restaurant group. Xie Xiaofei admitted he was actually a delivery boy, filling in due to staff shortages. He confessed that despite applying to numerous companies as Tong Tiantian had advised, only this one hired him, initially promising a managerial role but assigning him delivery duties.

He pleaded with Tong Tiantian not to tell Tong Wei, stressing his need to maintain his dignity and repay his debts. Tong Tiantian's boyfriend supported Xie Xiaofei's desire to save face. While agreeing to keep his secret for now, Tong Tiantian cautioned him that he couldn't hide it forever. Xie Xiaofei assured them he understood.

Tong Tiantian later confided in her boyfriend, expressing sadness over Xie Xiaofei's family bankruptcy and his current job, and worrying about the impact on Tong Wei's relationship. Unbeknownst to Xie Xiaofei, his resume had been sent to Ke Wan's company, where Yang Xiao learned of his job applications. The chairman, intending to 'avenge' Zhao Chenxi, instructed Yang Xiao to collude with other major companies to blacklist Xie Xiaofei, making it nearly impossible for him to find employment elsewhere.

At her office, Zhao Chenxi and her colleague Luo Bin were present when Luo Bin deliberately ordered takeout from Xie Xiaofei's restaurant, revealing Xie Xiaofei's current job as a delivery person. Luo Bin attempted to persuade Xie Xiaofei to join their company, disparaging delivery jobs. Xie Xiaofei, however, responded defensively, declaring his intent to excel in his current career to prove them wrong. Zhao Chenxi tried to intervene, suggesting his talent was being wasted.

Xie Xiaofei rejected her pity, explaining that after his life had fallen apart, he had lost his fighting spirit. Now, he wanted to demonstrate to Tong Wei that he could bounce back from any setback. He insisted he was content and happy. He then playfully reminded Zhao Chenxi that she had once remarked he looked like a delivery boy, jokingly asking if she was now satisfied.

Before he left for his next delivery, Zhao Chenxi informed him that Yang Xiao had confessed his feelings to her. Xie Xiaofei offered his congratulations and best wishes before hurrying away. After Xie Xiaofei's departure, Luo Bin revealed to Zhao Chenxi that Yang Xiao was responsible for Xie Xiaofei's troubles.

He claimed Yang Xiao, aware of Xie Xiaofei's downfall, had actively ensured Xie Xiaofei would distance himself from Zhao Chenxi, and then used Ke Wan's influence to blacklist him from other companies. Luo Bin confessed he had arranged for Xie Xiaofei to deliver their food specifically to expose Yang Xiao's actions. Zhao Chenxi confronted Yang Xiao, demanding to know why he had lied to her and been so ruthless to Xie Xiaofei, driving him to become a delivery boy.

Yang Xiao tried to blame the chairman but then dismissively suggested Xie Xiaofei deserved the lesson for his past actions towards Zhao Chenxi. Zhao Chenxi expressed profound disappointment in Yang Xiao. Shang Bichen's mother approached Shang Bichen, expressing concern about her relationship with Qin Tianyu. Her mother had observed Qin Tianyu's attentive behavior towards Tong Wei, particularly how he opened a car door for her, leading her to doubt his sincerity towards Shang Bichen.

She suspected Qin Tianyu was merely being formal with Shang Bichen but shared a deeper intimacy with Tong Wei. Shang Bichen tried to brush off her mother's worries, explaining that large companies had policies against colleagues dating publicly. However, her mother, relying on her 20 years of experience as a teaching adviser, insisted that genuine feelings would lead one to resign rather than date secretly. She pressed Shang Bichen to urge Qin Tianyu to make their relationship public.

Shang Bichen, annoyed, tried to end the conversation, but her mother left with a warning about the consequences of not listening to elders. Shang Bichen's mother later unexpectedly arrived at the law firm, still believing Shang Bichen was dating Qin Tianyu. Shang Bichen attempted to prevent her mother from meeting her colleagues. Qin Tianyu suggested they all go for coffee to discuss the situation.

Shang Bichen explained her dilemma, detailing how her conservative hometown and proud parents expected her to marry well and work locally after her prestigious education. She, however, dreamed of building a successful career in the city, inspired by individuals like Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei. Qin Tianyu agreed to help maintain the facade with her mother but advised Shang Bichen to devise a long-term strategy for revealing the truth.

Tong Wei and her team successfully concluded the Yep/Quick layoff plan, with fifteen individuals opting for severance and eighteen choosing the angel fund investment opportunity. Qin Tianyu commended Tong Wei's exceptional work and tried to offer her a long-term contract at Fu Tong, promising to double her previous salary. Tong Wei politely declined, reaffirming her ambition to follow her idol, Jonathan, to the CAEA headquarters in the United States.

She quoted Jonathan's philosophy, "Negotiation isn't a tit-for-tat struggle; it's a meeting of the heart," and expressed her desire to challenge herself again. Qin Tianyu accepted her decision, assuring her that Fu Tong would always be a refuge if she encountered difficulties. Later, Qin Tianyu announced the project's success to the department, crediting Tong Wei, and informed everyone that their annual bonus would double. He arranged a KTV celebration, allowing colleagues to bring family members.

Tong Wei called Xie Xiaofei to invite him to the KTV celebration. Xie Xiaofei, having just received a large order that required him to deliver and then clean up, told Tong Wei he had to work overtime due to his "high position" at work, feigning busyness. He lied about being unable to attend. Unaware of his true employment, Tong Wei informed her colleagues that Xie Xiaofei was the general manager of a multinational restaurant group, explaining his absence.

Xie Xiaofei later received new instructions that he must not only deliver food but also stay to serve customers and clean up, confirming he would be working very late. At the KTV party, Qin Tianyu congratulated Shang Bichen and Zhao Xiao for receiving their qualification certificates, and other colleagues on their achievements, and formally welcomed Tong Wei to the department, expressing confidence in their future success.

During a game of truth or dare, Shang Bichen received a call from her mother, who, worried, had followed her to the KTV. Shang Bichen attempted to send her mother home, but her mother insisted on staying to meet her colleagues, promising to sit quietly. Shang Bichen then introduced her mother to her colleagues. Coincidentally, Xie Xiaofei arrived at the KTV room to deliver food. Tong Wei was shocked to see him.

Xie Xiaofei quickly tried to leave, citing a colleague's family emergency as an excuse for his presence. Tong Wei, trying to protect his secret from her colleagues, pretended to search for forgotten tableware. Xie Xiaofei sent her a text message, asking her to pretend not to know him to avoid embarrassing her in front of her colleagues. The KTV party continued with truth or dare. Qin Tianyu was dared to hug someone of the opposite gender.

Colleagues noticed him looking at Tong Wei and teased him, but Qin Tianyu instead walked over and embraced Shang Bichen, confessing, "Bichen, I like you." Shang Bichen's mother, witnessing Qin Tianyu's unexpected confession and embrace, called out "Bichen, Bichen!" in surprise.

Episode 29 Recap

At Futong Law Firm, colleagues were quietly discussing the new legal consultant Tong Wei. Sister Wen, who was privy to information, informed everyone that Tong Wei was a formidable professional, not only exceptionally capable but also Lawyer Qin's (Qin Tianyu's) 'goddess'. Xie Xiaofei also learned from Shang Bichen that Tong Wei's position was reserved for industry experts, leading him to reflect on his current situation as a mere delivery person and feel a sense of inferiority.

Soon after, Shang Bichen's mother arrived in Shanghai from her hometown and came to the law firm during work hours, eager to meet Bichen's alleged boyfriend. In a desperate situation, Bichen intercepted her mother before she could confront Qin Tianyu, quickly explaining her predicament and begging him to pretend to be her boyfriend. Qin Tianyu reluctantly agreed. During their conversation, Shang Bichen's mother immediately questioned Qin Tianyu about their wedding plans, eager for them to marry soon.

Qin Tianyu skillfully answered her tricky questions, which gradually eased her mother's demeanor. Qin Tianyu then drove Bichen and her mother downstairs to their apartment building, where they coincidentally encountered Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. Seeing Tong Wei, Qin Tianyu appeared awkward, pulled his hand away from Bichen, which raised Bichen’s mother’s suspicions. He quickly offered to help with luggage, escorting Bichen’s mother upstairs first.

Shang Bichen seized the opportunity to explain the situation to Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei, asking for their help in maintaining the deception. Upstairs, Bichen’s mother was extremely displeased to learn Bichen was cohabiting with Xie Xiaofei. Thanks to the persuasion of Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu, she somewhat relented. However, from her apartment window, Bichen’s mother later saw Qin Tianyu opening the car door for Tong Wei, which further fueled her suspicion that their relationship was more than professional.

She immediately expressed her doubts to Bichen, urging her daughter to make Qin Tianyu publicly confirm their relationship. Bichen, using many persuasive words, managed to calm her mother down. The next morning, Shang Bichen's mother dropped her off at the company and then sat in the law firm's lobby. Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei met with the CEO of Yep. Tong Wei offered the CEO a solution to establish a startup fund after layoffs, easing the pressure and preventing resentment.

As Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei escorted the CEO downstairs, Shang Bichen's mother observed them from the lobby. Seeing them appear somewhat intimate, she became even more convinced there was a relationship between them. Meanwhile, at Haoke Restaurant, Sun Hao and Tiantian, celebrating their one-month anniversary, encountered Xie Xiaofei who was working as a waiter.

Tong Tiantian ruthlessly exposed Xie Xiaofei's lie to Tong Wei that he was a catering group manager, forcing him to admit he was a delivery person. Sun Hao spoke up for Xie Xiaofei, and to save face, Tiantian agreed not to expose his situation further, but also reminded him it wasn't a long-term solution.

Although initially struggling with his pride and feeling inferior, Xie Xiaofei had come to terms with doing grassroots work, realizing that not finding a job was the true failure. He aimed to regain Tong Wei's recognition through his own efforts, independent of others' help, having previously acknowledged his own lack of talent and purpose as the Xie family's young master. The next morning, at Haoke Restaurant, Xie Xiaofei received his paycheck.

He questioned his boss, who was also his uncle, about a deduction, which the boss explained was due to a late delivery. Their conversation was interrupted by an elderly woman accompanied by reporters. The woman enthusiastically identified Xie Xiaofei as the delivery driver who saved her life by calling an ambulance when she fainted. She expressed outrage that his boss had criticized him for this.

Faced with reporters, the boss quickly changed his tune, praising Xie Xiaofei as a "young, promising, upright, and honest young man" and announcing his promotion to Department Manager, claiming he had been planning it for days. Xie Xiaofei, now a manager, immediately called Tong Wei to share the exciting news. Subsequently, Luo Bin contacted Zhao Chenxi and specifically ordered takeout from Haoke Restaurant to let Zhao Chenxi know Xie Xiaofei's current situation.

Zhao Chenxi was astonished to see Xie Xiaofei delivering the food. Xie Xiaofei, however, calmly placed the takeout and asked them for a five-star review. Luo Bin stopped Xie Xiaofei, trying to persuade him to resign and join his company, but Xie Xiaofei refused. Zhao Chenxi felt sorry for him, believing his talent was being wasted. However, Xie Xiaofei again declined her good intentions, stating that while he once considered himself talented, he now realized he was useless.

Xie Xiaofei expressed his desire to regain Tong Wei's recognition through his own efforts, rather than relying on others' connections. Understanding she couldn't sway him, Zhao Chenxi then told Xie Xiaofei about Yang Xiao's confession, to which Xie Xiaofei merely offered a light-hearted blessing. After Xie Xiaofei left, Luo Bin informed Zhao Chenxi that he had investigated and discovered that Yang Xiao was solely responsible for Xie Xiaofei's current plight.

Zhao Chenxi immediately returned to her company and confronted Yang Xiao, questioning why he would go to such lengths to ruin Xie Xiaofei and force him into delivering takeout. Yang Xiao, acting as if he were defending Zhao Chenxi, argued that these were lessons Xie Xiaofei deserved. Zhao Chenxi was deeply disappointed by Yang Xiao's response. Separately, Zhao Chenxi's mother was pressuring her to accept Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao had been coming to the house every day for five days, but Zhao Chenxi still refused to see him. Her mother acted as an intermediary, later telling Chenxi that while she had made an effort, she truly couldn't fall in love with Yang Xiao. Her mother asked if she was still thinking about Xie Xiaofei, which Chenxi confirmed. Her mother then revealed that Chenxi’s father knew about her and Yang Xiao.

She explained that Yang Xiao’s parents were biotechnology experts, and a union between the two families would greatly benefit her father’s upcoming venture into that industry. She insisted that being with Yang Xiao was the best choice for everyone involved. She then escorted a reluctant Zhao Chenxi outside to talk to Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao apologized, admitting it was his fault for being petty and asked for her forgiveness.

Later, at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Yang Xiao and Zhao Chenxi had dinner. Yang Xiao expressed his feeling that they were growing farther apart, even though she was his girlfriend. Zhao Chenxi claimed she was unwell and asked to be taken home. The gloomy, sunless Shanghai seemed to reflect the troubled minds of its inhabitants. Qin Tianyu saw that Shang Bichen had not yet left work, so he invited her for coffee to talk.

Qin Tianyu, living in a big city, couldn't understand the feudal ideas of small towns. Shang Bichen explained that in her hometown, expectations for women in the family far outweighed career aspirations; a degree from a prestigious school was for finding a good husband's family, not a good job. However, this was not the life Shang Bichen sought; she wanted to strive in the big city and become as excellent as Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei.

Qin Tianyu was moved by Bichen's determination and courage, and decided to continue helping her keep the secret from her mother, while also reminding her to prepare for the eventuality of her lie being exposed. When Qin Tianyu drove Shang Bichen home, her mother saw them from upstairs. As soon as Bichen entered, her mother eagerly asked about their progress.

Seeing Bichen stammer and unable to say anything, her mother decided to take matters into her own hands to push them along. Meanwhile, Tong Wei received a distressed phone call from her friend Shan Shan, who was crying. Shan Shan revealed that Lao Qi's ex-wife, Gong Qin, had visited her and demanded she abort their child, claiming Lao Qi didn't want it and wouldn't marry her.

Earlier, Gong Qin had confronted Lao Qi, telling him she would not approve of his marriage to Shan Shan and threatening his business if he went through with it. Lao Qi had tried to reassure Shan Shan on the phone, but he still asked for more time. Distraught, Shan Shan had collapsed. Tong Wei rushed to Shan Shan’s side, finding her with a high fever.

She immediately drove Shan Shan to the hospital, calling Xie Xiaofei for help along the way. At the hospital, doctors informed Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei that Shan Shan, four months pregnant, had a forty-degree fever of unknown origin and was emotionally unstable. They warned that they were not optimistic about the pregnancy continuing, stating there was a possibility of miscarriage, and even if not, the high fever could affect the fetus.

Xie Xiaofei stayed with Tong Wei at the hospital, suggesting she go home and rest, but she refused. He observed that Shan Shan's fever was likely due to emotional distress, emphasizing that she needed to overcome her inner demons. The next day, Shan Shan woke up feeling better and told Tong Wei about a vivid dream where she gave birth to a daughter who spoke words of comfort.

This dream solidified her decision to keep the child and break up with Lao Qi, whom she now saw as selfish. Shan Shan declared her intention to become a single mother, explaining that she could do anything for her child. Tong Wei pledged her unwavering support and jokingly reserved the position of godmother.

Back at Haoke Restaurant, Xie Xiaofei prepared a special "Xie Xiaofei’s Coconut Chicken" for Tong Wei, having given all his employees time off to book the entire restaurant for her. Tong Wei tasted the dish and expressed pride in him for everything he had achieved. Later, Zhao Chenxi texted Xie Xiaofei, asking if she could "dine and dash" since she hadn't eaten enough lunch. He welcomed her. Upon her arrival, Xie Xiaofei, now the manager, offered her a discount.

Zhao Chenxi was relieved to see him doing well, but she confessed that she had "accepted her fate" regarding her own situation. Xie Xiaofei then asked her to drive him somewhere.

Episode 30 Recap

The next morning, Qin Tianyu, Tong Wei, and the president of Yepp met with the employees laid off by Flash. With Tong Wei's exceptional help, they successfully explained the plan for the laid-off employees to receive investment from Yepp for new ventures. Impressed by her abilities, Qin Tianyu sought to sign a long-term contract with Futong Law Firm, but she declined, expressing her desire to return to her expertise in negotiation.

Back at Futong Law Firm, Qin Tianyu announced the successful conclusion of the major case and agreed to a KTV celebration that evening. Tong Wei called Xie Xiaofei to invite him, but he regretfully declined, unable to leave his delivery job due to an urgent order. Later that day, the Futong Law Firm team headed to the KTV. Qin Tianyu delivered a short speech, commending his colleagues' hard work and encouraging them to enjoy the celebration.

Meanwhile, Shang Bichen received a phone call from her mother. Her mother, who had seen Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei leaving the office together the previous morning and felt uneasy about their relationship, had followed Shang Bichen to the KTV. Her mother insisted on meeting Shang Bichen's colleagues. Shang Bichen, caught off guard, tried to persuade her mother to go home, but her mother refused and joined the party.

At the same time, Xie Xiaofei arrived at the KTV, carrying a delivery order for the law firm. Tong Wei, stepping outside to pick up the food, spotted him. Xie Xiaofei quickly fabricated a story, claiming he was covering for a colleague.

He then discreetly sent a text message to Tong Wei, asking her to pretend not to know him once he entered the private room, as his boss required him to wait until the food was consumed, and he wished to avoid embarrassment. During a game of Truth or Dare, Qin Tianyu was challenged to hug a member of the opposite sex. Shang Bichen watched with anticipation, hoping he would choose her.

To her disappointment, Qin Tianyu instead politely hugged his assistant, Chen Wen, playfully remarking that she often endured his tough assignments. When it was Shang Bichen's turn, her mother tried to seize the opportunity to publicly declare Shang Bichen's supposed relationship with Qin Tianyu.

However, Shang Bichen, instead of perpetuating the lie, confessed to everyone, including her mother, that she did not have a boyfriend and had fabricated the story to convince her mother to let her stay in the city. Her mother was furious, demanding that Shang Bichen immediately return home. Shang Bichen tearfully pleaded to stay and pursue her dreams, introducing her colleagues and sharing their stories of hard work and ambition.

Understanding her plight, her colleagues stepped in, vouching for Shang Bichen's talent and dedication, which ultimately persuaded her mother to allow her to remain. Overhearing Shang Bichen's heartfelt words from outside the room, Xie Xiaofei was deeply moved. He calmly entered the private room to settle the bill. Both Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen's mother recognized him. Tong Wei, taking his hand, confidently introduced him to everyone as her boyfriend.

Xie Xiaofei, embracing his current job, even used the opportunity to promote his restaurant. Later, as Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei walked along the street, Tong Wei expressed her surprise at his newfound openness and confidence. Xie Xiaofei then candidly shared his journey of finding work, explaining that he now found greater satisfaction and fulfillment in earning a living through his own honest labor.

Spotting a street performer, he borrowed a guitar and played a song for Tong Wei, bringing a smile to her face. Through these hardships and experiences, Xie Xiaofei also grew more responsible. At a scenic mountain outlook, Zhao Chenxi poured out her deep emotions to Xie Xiaofei. She expressed extreme fatigue and frustration with her mother's relentless pressure to marry Yang Xiao for the sake of their family business.

With a pained voice, she declared that she genuinely disliked Yang Xiao and could not tolerate his affectionate glances. She then turned her anger towards Xie Xiaofei, calling him a "heart-breaker" and "the worst person in the world." Xie Xiaofei listened patiently, allowing her to vent. He then apologized for any past wrongs, assuring her that it was natural to express both love and hatred. He advised her to firmly reject Yang Xiao if she truly did not like him.

He offered to take her home, but she opted for the bus. That evening, Zhao Chenxi's mother confronted her, having learned from Yang Xiao that Zhao Chenxi had not been home. Zhao Chenxi admitted she was with Xie Xiaofei, but clarified they were merely friends. Her mother reacted with strong disapproval, dramatically threatening to die if Zhao Chenxi continued to associate with Xie Xiaofei, then appeared to collapse, requiring Zhao Chenxi to help her upstairs.

Meanwhile, staying late at the office, Shang Bichen nervously practiced her confession to Qin Tianyu. She rehearsed various approaches, from half-hearted to overly strong, finally settling on a simpler, direct statement. Gathering her courage, she approached Qin Tianyu and stated, "Lawyer Qin, I like you." Qin Tianyu, in response, gently told her that he liked her too, but "like a brother likes a sister."

He acknowledged her kindheartedness, dedication, and generosity, particularly noting her lack of resentment towards Tong Wei despite knowing his feelings for Tong Wei. He expressed profound gratitude for her unwavering support during his difficult times and offered to be her brother. Though heartbroken by the rejection, Shang Bichen internally resolved to work even harder, believing she needed to become more outstanding to truly win his affection.

On payday, Xie Xiaofei's restaurant manager, Mr. Fu, unfairly withheld 200 yuan from his salary for alleged late deliveries and insisted he continue his delivery duties. As Xie Xiaofei prepared to protest, an elderly woman he had previously assisted arrived at the restaurant with several reporters, publicly praising his kindness and helpfulness.

Witnessing the media attention, Mr. Fu's demeanor immediately shifted; he became overly polite to Xie Xiaofei and, seizing the opportunity, publicly announced Xie Xiaofei's promotion to restaurant department manager, shrewdly leveraging the reporters to promote his establishment. Thrilled by his promotion, Xie Xiaofei immediately called Tong Wei to share the good news. Dressed in a chef's uniform, the newly promoted Xie Xiaofei invited Tong Wei to his private kitchen.

He lovingly prepared a unique "Xie Xiaofei's Signature Coconut Chicken" exclusively for her, eagerly seeking her praise. When Tong Wei noticed the restaurant was completely empty, Xie Xiaofei explained that he had arranged for everyone to leave, wanting to ensure a private and special evening just for her. Tong Wei expressed her immense pride and satisfaction in his positive transformation and unwavering devotion.

Shang Bichen later spoke with Tong Wei, commenting on Tong Wei's recent busyness and the implied infrequency of her dates with Xie Xiaofei, before accidentally blurting out a remark about him missing her. During their conversation, Shang Bichen also alluded to a potential misunderstanding involving Zhao Chenxi, who had always harbored feelings for Xie Xiaofei. Tong Wei acknowledged the situation, reiterating her trust in Xie Xiaofei and stating she would confront any misunderstandings directly.

She then offered advice to Shang Bichen, encouraging her to courageously pursue her long-standing feelings for Qin Tianyu, despite Shang Bichen's belief that Qin Tianyu's affections lay with Tong Wei. Xia Shanshan's colleagues had also noticed her frequent bouts of nausea, leading to speculation about pregnancy, which she initially dismissed as an upset stomach.

Later, at the gynecology and obstetrics department, Tong Wei accompanied Xia Shanshan, who confirmed she was indeed pregnant and affectionately referred to her unborn child as "Walnut." Xia Shanshan expressed regret that her child would not have the material security that a life with Qi Ruhai would have provided. Tong Wei, however, reassured her that love in the heart was a far greater gift than material possessions.

Xia Shanshan then shared her dreams of raising "Walnut" to be an independent, beautiful, and intelligent girl, cherishing the simple joys of motherhood. Meanwhile, Qi Ruhai met with his ex-wife, Gong Qin, to inform her of Xia Shanshan's pregnancy and his intention to marry Xia Shanshan. Gong Qin vehemently opposed this, threatening Qi Ruhai's business interests and demanding he break up with Xia Shanshan.

Following this, Gong Qin directly confronted Xia Shanshan, falsely claiming that Qi Ruhai wanted her to abort the child and had no intention of marrying her. Enraged and resolute, Xia Shanshan, determined to keep her child, immediately called Qi Ruhai, demanding an explanation as to why he had not married her yet. Qi Ruhai hesitated, admitting that he still required the support of Gong Qin's family for his ongoing business ventures.

Heartbroken and furious, Xia Shanshan hung up the phone, declaring that she was no longer the "stupid Xia Shanshan" he once knew and warned him to cease bothering her, threatening to call the police if he persisted. Separately, Xie Xiaotian visited Xie Xiaofei at his restaurant, attempting to persuade him to sign an equity transfer agreement from Xie Tian Cheng.

Xie Xiaotian argued that his brother could not possibly win against Xie Tian Cheng and should instead secure a stable and happy life with Tong Wei. Xie Xiaofei adamantly refused to accept what he considered charity, asserting his determination to rely solely on his own hard work. Xie Xiaotian then resorted to threatening that Xie Tian Cheng would stop paying for their mother's substantial monthly medical expenses if Xie Xiaofei did not comply.

Enraged by this ultimatum, Xie Xiaofei defiantly warned Xie Xiaotian to leave, refusing to be blackmailed. Later, Xie Xiaotian visited Tong Wei, asking her to return his brother's card to Xie Xiaofei, an act Tong Wei interpreted as a veiled expression of concern. Tong Wei confronted Xie Xiaotian, suggesting that his hostile actions against his family were a misguided attempt to gain their attention, stemming from his mother's past unfair treatment. She advised him to abandon his destructive path before he irrevocably alienated his family.

Episode 31 Recap

After a distressing call from Xia Shanshan following a call with Lao Qi, Tong Wei, who was on a date with Xie Xiaofei, rushed to Shanshan’s apartment. Shanshan was crying, telling Tong Wei that Lao Qi's ex-wife wanted her to abort the child. Tong Wei discovered Shanshan collapsed on the floor with a high fever.

She quickly took Shanshan to the hospital, where the doctor informed them that Shanshan had a 40-degree fever, which was not good for the baby in her womb, and the situation was not optimistic. Xie Xiaofei also accompanied Tong Wei at the hospital, advising her to help Shanshan overcome her inner demons and reminding her that many people loved her.

The next morning, Shanshan woke up, telling Tong Wei she dreamed she gave birth to a daughter, happily imagining the child's cute appearance and the sound of calling her "mom." Xia Shanshan also made a brave decision to break up with Lao Qi after being discharged and take on the responsibility of raising the child herself. Tong Wei happily encouraged Shanshan, promising to be the baby's godmother. Meanwhile, Yang Xiao and Zhao Chenxi had dinner.

Yang Xiao tried to please Zhao Chenxi, but her attitude was indifferent, making him feel a growing distance despite their relationship. Zhao Chenxi excused herself early, citing discomfort, and went home. She then contacted Xie Xiaofei and met him at his restaurant. Xie Xiaofei saw Zhao Chenxi looking dejected, saying she had "accepted her fate." Sensing her unhappiness, Xie Xiaofei took her to a quiet mountain range to vent.

On the mountaintop, Xie Xiaofei loudly cursed Xie Tiancheng, while Zhao Chenxi, after some encouragement, yelled about being tired, her dissatisfaction with her mother and Yang Xiao, and even scolded Xie Xiaofei, releasing all her pent-up emotions. Tong Wei went to the restaurant to wait for Xie Xiaofei, but he was nowhere to be found, and she eventually left as the restaurant prepared to close.

After her cathartic experience on the mountain, Zhao Chenxi felt much better, apologetically acknowledging her emotional outburst. Xie Xiaofei comforted her, advising her not to always pretend to be perfect and to embrace her true feelings. His words deeply moved Zhao Chenxi, who admitted that only with him could she be her true self.

Xie Xiaofei declined a ride, taking a public bus home, but Zhao Chenxi followed him in her car and discovered he was living in a shared apartment. She offered him financial help again, but he refused before she could finish speaking. Overcome with emotion, Zhao Chenxi embraced Xie Xiaofei, a moment witnessed by Shang Bichen from a window upstairs.

Later that evening, Zhao Chenxi's mother confronted her, furious that she had been with Xie Xiaofei and threatening her own life if she saw him again. Xie Xiaofei later called Tong Wei to update her on the restaurant's business, noting an increase in customers because his cousin, Xie Tianyou, was using his connections to promote Haoke.

Tong Wei observed that Xie Tianyou seemed to regret his past actions, but Xie Xiaofei explained that he believed Xie Tianyou was more suited to inherit Xie Corporation due to his maturity and control, despite being younger. Xie Xiaofei admitted he had been trying to convince his father to give the position to Xie Tianyou for years, planning to do so himself after his father's retirement.

Tong Wei encouraged him to share these thoughts with Xie Tianyou, believing he needed Xie Xiaofei's approval. Tong Wei then received a call from Zhao Chenxi, who revealed her true purpose in China was to persuade Xie Xiaofei (whom she referred to as "my brother" in this context) to sign an equity transfer agreement.

Zhao Chenxi explained that Xie Tiancheng was pressuring Xie Xiaofei and his father to transfer equity, using the cost of Xie Xiaofei's mother's life support, which was paid by Xie Corporation, as leverage. Xie Tiancheng had given them only seven days to comply, and with only three days left, Zhao Chenxi warned that refusal would endanger Xie Xiaofei's mother and provoke Xie Tiancheng to use more vicious tactics.

She advised them to take advantage of the profitable state, take the money, and leave. Tong Wei asked if this wasn't letting Xie Tiancheng off too easily, but Zhao Chenxi insisted they couldn't win against him in their current situation. Later, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei discussed the situation. Xie Xiaofei confirmed Xie Tianyou had told him everything, and he was still considering whether to sign the equity transfer agreement.

Tong Wei strongly advised against it, explaining that signing would harm Xie Corporation, while refusing could harm his mother. She suggested a "third path" involving asking for help from one person: his father. Tong Wei encouraged Xie Xiaofei to call his father, which he did via video call. Xie Xiaofei's father and mother were delighted to hear from him.

During the call, his father mentioned an old employee, Uncle Zheng, who had been loyal for thirty years but was now facing dismissal by Xie Tiancheng, highlighting Xie Tiancheng's ruthlessness. Xie Xiaofei, hiding his struggles, claimed to be doing particularly well in Shanghai, living in a guest room (for better signal), having found a good job, and making progress with a business partner. He promised his father he would reclaim Xie Corporation.

After the call, Tong Wei chastised Xie Xiaofei for not being honest with his father about his temporary job, shared apartment, and the equity transfer situation. Xie Xiaofei stated that he needed to "grow up" and leave the past behind. He reiterated his refusal to sign the agreement, vowing to prevent Xie Tiancheng from ruining Xie Corporation. Tong Wei then urged him to call his father weekly. Separately, Xie Tianyou had dinner with his parents.

He informed them that some account shares had been frozen and large expenditures deferred due to Uncle Cheng (Xie Tiancheng) becoming chairman. He then revealed that Xie Tiancheng was threatening to cut off his aunt's (Xie Xiaofei's mother's) medical expenses if Xie Xiaofei and his father didn't sign the equity transfer agreement.

His father, outraged, refused to give up his shares, stating they were his last bargaining chip, and placed his hope on Xie Xiaofei finding Tang Mi Cai to defeat Xie Tiancheng. The next day at the Futong Law Firm, Shang Bichen indirectly asked Tong Wei if she was busy, then accidentally blurted out that she had seen Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi.

She expressed concern that Xie Xiaofei might change his mind, but Tong Wei asserted her trust in him, saying that she didn't want to believe in dirty things in love and that they had never given up on each other in important moments, so she didn't want to suspect and doubt each other. Tong Wei also encouraged Shang Bichen to pursue Qin Tianyu if she liked him.

Inspired by Tong Wei's words, Shang Bichen stayed after work to confess her feelings to Qin Tianyu. Qin Tianyu praised her virtues and thanked her for her long-standing companionship but ultimately said he preferred to be like an older brother to her. Although disappointed, Shang Bichen was not discouraged and resolved to become even better. Tong Wei was later seen speaking to a real estate agent about selling her house.

Upon returning home, her aunt remarked on a neighbor selling his house and how regrettable it was to sell such a good property. Later, her aunt expressed her anger to her uncle that Tong Wei's name was solely on the house deed, despite them having looked after her for over a decade. She revealed she had secretly learned the house was worth 10 million yuan.

Her aunt worried that if Tong Wei married Xie Xiaofei, he, with his "good brain," might try to kick them out. Her uncle dismissed her concerns, reassuring her that Tong Wei wasn't like that and that the house wasn't lying idle, but the aunt remained convinced that someday he would regret not listening to her. Later, Tong Wei sought Qin Tianyu's help to find a good obstetrician, clarifying it was for Shanshan.

At work, Shanshan appeared distracted, prompting colleagues to ask if she was unwell. Gao Yuan confronted Shanshan, wondering why she had been ignoring his messages. Shanshan explained she was in a bad mood because her "friend" was pregnant, and the baby was not doing well, so she was helping her look for a doctor. Gao Yuan immediately offered his aunt's help, who was the Director of Obstetrics at a maternity hospital. Shanshan called Tong Wei, concerned about maintaining her cover.

Tong Wei offered to go with her, but Shanshan insisted she would handle it alone. The next day, Shanshan arrived at Gao Yuan's aunt's office alone. Gao Yuan unexpectedly appeared, explaining he was worried and had secretly come. His aunt confirmed that Shanshan was in the ultrasound room but that Gao Yuan's girlfriend had not come with her. Gao Yuan, hearing his aunt call the patient "Shan Shan," realized with shock that "her friend" was in fact Xia Shanshan.

Episode 32 Recap

After Xia Shanshan was discharged from the hospital, in order to support herself and her child, she concealed her pregnancy and found a job. She happily invited Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei to dinner. After dinner, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei enjoyed their time together, strolling along the street. Tong Wei asked about Xie Xiaofei's recent situation, saying that she knew about him hugging Zhao Chenxi. Xie Xiaofei immediately rushed to explain.

Tong Wei was not angry to begin with, and considering it was his first offense, she forgave him, also taking the opportunity to advise Xie Xiaofei that they should be honest with each other in their future interactions. The two joked and played, and the small misunderstanding between them dissipated. When Xia Shanshan went to her new job, she couldn't help but experience morning sickness in the restroom, and was unluckily seen by her colleague Zhu Zhu.

Xia Shanshan had no choice but to lie, saying her stomach was upset, and also that she didn't have a boyfriend. Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhu enthusiastically wanted to introduce a boyfriend to Xia Shanshan. After work, colleagues suggested going to a grilled fish restaurant together. Xia Shanshan couldn't resist her colleagues' warm invitation and agreed to go with them.

At the dinner table, Xia Shanshan couldn't drink alcohol, so a male colleague who had a crush on her helped her decline drinks and even accompanied her to the bus stop. On her way home, Xia Shanshan met Lao Qi. Xia Shanshan addressed him distantly as Mr. Qi. Lao Qi thought that after so much time had passed, Xia Shanshan had forgiven him, but this time Xia Shanshan's breakup was resolute and she wouldn't look back.

She had completely seen through Lao Qi as a businessman and drew a clear line between them. When Xia Shanshan returned home, she saw Qi Ruhai still waiting downstairs. She firmly resisted softening her heart and didn't run downstairs to reconcile with Lao Qi. Tong Wei accompanied Xia Shanshan to the obstetrics and gynecology department. Coincidentally, they met a colleague at the hospital. Xia Shanshan claimed she was accompanying Tong Wei for a prenatal check-up, which dispelled the colleague's suspicions.

Although Tong Wei helped Xia Shanshan this time, she was also worried about Xia Shanshan's situation at the company. But Xia Shanshan was more optimistic. She fantasized about her baby being a girl and felt immensely happy that she, as a mother, could accompany her child through every little bit of life. Although their current situations were very bad for both of them, the best friends encouraged each other to live on diligently.

Xie Xiaotian found Lei Xiong, who was living in seclusion, but couldn't meet him for seven consecutive days. Lei Xiong claimed to be ill and deliberately refused to see Xie Xiaotian. He had also received some news about Tommy Cai at this time and wanted to confirm it before informing Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei. After learning that the search for Lei Xiong was fruitless, Xie Tiancheng decided to use another method.

He ordered Xie Xiaotian to find Xie Xiaofei and hand him a share transfer agreement. Xie Xiaofei refused without hesitation, stating that he would never care for money obtained through others' charity. Xie Xiaotian, out of helplessness, told him that if he did not sign the agreement, the Xie family would no longer pay for his mother's medical expenses. As soon as Xie Xiaofei heard about his mother, he became agitated and yelled Xie Xiaotian out of the restaurant.

Xie Xiaotian knew that approaching Xie Xiaofei directly was futile, so he turned to Tong Wei instead. Xie Xiaotian gave Tong Wei Xie Xiaofei's bank card, as he couldn't bear to see Xie Xiaofei live such a difficult life. Tong Wei understood Xie Xiaotian's guilt. In his heart, Xie Xiaofei and Xie Tianyou were still the most important people to him.

Tong Wei advised Xie Xiaotian not to make one mistake after another and become an accomplice to evil, turning his family into enemies. A male colleague from the company, Gao Yuan, walked Xia Shanshan home, and coincidentally, Lao Qi saw them. Lao Qi specifically came to tell her that he had arranged an American obstetrician for her, but Xia Shanshan didn't appreciate it at all.

Instead, she pulled Gao Yuan in front of Lao Qi and claimed he was her boyfriend, to make Lao Qi give up and stop bothering her. Although Xia Shanshan once again drove Lao Qi away, when she returned home, thinking about the child in her belly, she still felt a wave of confusion and helplessness. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were walking together. Tong Wei asked about the restaurant's recent situation.

Xie Xiaofei told Tong Wei that the restaurant's business was getting better and better, and this was all because Xie Xiaotian was secretly promoting it. In fact, the two brothers hadn't completely turned against each other; on the contrary, they both cared about each other in their hearts. Xie Xiaofei said that Xie Xiaotian had been more mature and steady than him since childhood, and was more suitable to inherit the large corporation.

However, his father would not allow Xie Xiaotian, who was not blood-related, to inherit the company. But Xie Xiaofei still hoped to help Xie Xiaotian take over the group in the future. Tong Wei was very happy for Xie Xiaofei after hearing his words. She suggested that Xie Xiaofei try to tell Xie Xiaotian these thoughts to improve their brotherhood. The next morning, Xia Shanshan went to work, and her colleagues all greeted her warmly when they saw her.

At this moment, Gao Yuan formally announced to everyone that Xia Shanshan was his girlfriend. Xia Shanshan was eager to explain, but her colleagues were busy cheering and no one listened to her. Gao Yuan also went along with it without offering any explanation.

Episode 33 Recap

Xia Shanshan found her situation with Gao Yuan particularly challenging and confided in Tong Wei. Tong Wei advised her that hiding her pregnancy from Gao Yuan was unsustainable and encouraged her to be honest with him. Shanshan acknowledged Tong Wei's point and decided to resign from her job at the end of the month. Tong Wei encouraged Shanshan to bravely face her difficulties, believing that after hitting rock bottom, things would rebound. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaotian sought out Tong Wei again.

Moved by Tong Wei's previous words, he decided to be forthright about his intentions. He had been sent by Xie Tiancheng with a share transfer agreement for Xie Xiaofei. Xie Tiancheng was using the medical expenses of Xie Xiaofei's mother as leverage, knowing that neither Xie Tianyou nor Xie Xiaofei would willingly sign. Xie Xiaotian conveyed his fear that refusing to sign would escalate the conflict, urging Tong Wei to persuade Xie Xiaofei to accept the money and withdraw.

Four of the seven days allotted for signing the agreement had already passed. After her meeting with Xie Xiaotian, Tong Wei immediately went to find Xie Xiaofei at his restaurant. She informed him about Xie Xiaotian’s visit and the existence of the share transfer agreement. Xie Xiaofei wavered, contemplating whether to compromise for his mother's sake. However, Tong Wei firmly told him he could not sacrifice the entire Xie Corporation.

She then pressed him to seek help from Xie Tianyou, compelling him to make a video call to his father. During the call, Xie Xiaofei found himself unable to mention the share transfer, instead awkwardly watching Xie Tianyou eat braised pork and listen to his father's old stories. He only reported positive updates about his life in Shanghai, making his father smile with pride.

Xie Xiaofei felt he had matured and no longer wanted his parents to worry, firmly resolving not to sign the agreement. Though Xie Xiaofei kept silent, Xie Tianyou, with a father's insight, knew his son wouldn't sign, expressing his quiet relief at Xie Xiaofei’s mother’s bedside. Xie Tiancheng, upon learning of Xie Tianyou and Xie Xiaofei's refusal to cooperate, flew into a rage and smashed a table.

After returning to the United States, Xie Xiaotian invited Xie Tianyou and his mother to dinner. Xie Tianyou, perceiving Xie Xiaotian’s underlying motive, pressed him to state his true purpose. Xie Xiaotian revealed that if they continued to refuse the share transfer, his mother's critical medical treatment could be jeopardized. Xie Tianyou, however, considered the shares his last bargaining chip and adamantly refused to let them go.

He placed his remaining hope in Xie Xiaofei and Tommy Cai, asking Xie Xiaotian to assist Xie Xiaofei. Xia Shanshan’s prenatal check-up revealed disturbing news: her baby had chromosomal abnormalities, implying a potential disability. The doctor advised her to terminate the pregnancy. Xia Shanshan was heartbroken at the thought of giving up her four-month-old baby, choosing instead to shoulder the risk of raising a child with special needs. Devastated, she immediately called Tong Wei.

Tong Wei rushed to the hospital, offering comfort and helping Shanshan arrange a consultation at another hospital for a second opinion. Overwhelmed by emotion, Shanshan struggled to calm down, feeling as though the entire world was against her. Facing her life at its lowest point, she cried out that she could no longer endure it, but Tong Wei gently persuaded her not to abandon hope and to find strength again.

The next day, Tong Wei, concerned about Shanshan, asked Qin Tianyu at the office if he knew any good obstetricians. Xia Shanshan, meanwhile, was visibly distressed at work from the baby's diagnosis. Gao Yuan, noticing her mood, asked if he had upset her. Xia Shanshan lied, claiming a friend was pregnant with a difficult situation. Gao Yuan, eager to help, offered to connect her with his aunt, a prominent OB/GYN director.

Xia Shanshan called Tong Wei to relay this, but Tong Wei expressed concern about her secret being exposed. Xia Shanshan, however, insisted she could manage it. The next day, after convincing Gao Yuan not to accompany her, Xia Shanshan went alone to the OB/GYN clinic. After the doctor reviewed her reports and recommended an ultrasound, Xia Shanshan waited in the resting area.

Unbeknownst to her, Gao Yuan, having secretly followed her to the clinic to check in, saw her attending the prenatal appointment alone. Her deception exposed, Gao Yuan angrily accused her of lying and refused to listen to her explanations. Feeling utterly defeated and having lost everything, Xia Shanshan found herself with nowhere else to turn and reunited with Lao Qi. She confessed the baby's condition to him.

Lao Qi, witnessing her self-reproach, tenderly comforted her, promising to face all challenges with her and assuring her she no longer needed to live in lies. Xia Shanshan returned to her office to complete her resignation process, only to find that Gao Yuan had spread many negative rumors about her. She attempted to speak with Gao Yuan, but he responded with hostility and mockery.

In front of her colleagues, Xia Shanshan angrily retorted that she would never be interested in a man like him. Tong Wei then decided to sell her house to help Xie Xiaofei. This decision caused a rift with her uncle and aunt, who were upset about leaving the home they had lived in for over a decade for a more rural life. Tong Wei expressed her apologies to her uncle as they left the house.

Her aunt openly chastised Tong Wei, saying that by selling the house for a man, Tong Wei had betrayed her parents’ legacy. Tong Wei, kneeling before her parents' memorial, apologized to them, vowing to repay them later. Later, Tong Wei confided in Xie Xiaofei, feeling cursed after losing her home, arguing with her uncle, and having a falling out with Xia Shanshan. Xie Xiaofei comforted her, assuring her that she still had him.

When asked if she regretted being drawn into his troubles, Tong Wei affirmed her willingness. Xie Xiaofei celebrated his birthday with Tong Wei and a friend, where the friend expressed gratitude for Xie Xiaofei's friendship, saying that becoming his friend at 25 was the best birthday gift. Tong Wei later visited Xia Shanshan at Lao Qi’s new house, surprised by the spacious living environment.

Xia Shanshan revealed that she and Lao Qi were back together and were planning to marry once his current projects were completed. Tong Wei, however, remained skeptical, questioning Lao Qi's sincerity and worrying about the baby's future without a stable marriage. She expressed concern that Xia Shanshan was becoming like a "canary," trapped and reliant on a man.

Xia Shanshan angrily retorted that Tong Wei was also sacrificing everything for Xie Xiaofei, losing her job and even selling her house, questioning how Xie Xiaofei was any better than Lao Qi. Tong Wei expressed her disappointment that Xia Shanshan had reverted to her old ways after seeming to have found clarity.

Xia Shanshan explained that Gao Yuan’s public humiliation of her at the clinic made her realize her need for a man to protect her, making her willing to be with anyone who treated her well. Their deep conflict of beliefs led to a heated argument, with Xia Shanshan accusing Tong Wei of looking down on her, and Tong Wei expressing sadness that their long-standing friendship was ending over a man. Tong Wei ultimately left, leaving their friendship severely strained.

Later, Xie Xiaotian met with Tong Wei to discuss the sharp decline in Xie Corporation's profits since Xie Tiancheng took over, noting the dissatisfaction among senior staff. Tong Wei arranged a dinner for Xie Xiaotian and Xie Xiaofei. During the meal, Tong Wei light-heartedly reminded Xie Xiaofei that he once praised Xie Xiaotian's maturity, which Xie Xiaofei grudgingly admitted.

Xie Xiaotian then informed Xie Xiaofei about the growing criticism of Xie Tiancheng within the company and suggested they rally the group's Chinese associates to oust him. Xie Xiaotian apologized to Xie Xiaofei for siding with their uncle against their father and expressed his regret. Xie Xiaofei, in turn, thanked Xie Xiaotian for supporting their father during his illness and acknowledged his younger brother's maturity and diligence.

Xie Xiaofei questioned Xie Xiaotian’s sudden change of heart, admitting he once viewed him as an unambitious "parasite" living off the Xie family. Xie Xiaotian humbly reiterated his apologies, stating that seeing Xie Xiaofei's hard work in Shanghai had earned his respect. The brothers finally agreed to work together to remove Xie Tiancheng and restore Xie Corporation to its former glory.

Observing their reconciliation, Tong Wei later explained to Xie Xiaofei that she never believed Xie Xiaotian was truly bad, but rather misled. She felt that recent family upheavals allowed him to gain clarity and express his genuine concern for them. Separately, Xie Xiaofei embarked on a new project involving a "native resort" plan for a piece of land in Suzhou.

He met with a business contact, confidently asserting his determination to pursue his vision despite the financial risks, refusing to compromise for a safer, traditional development. He passionately stated that he would not have regrets, even if he failed, emphasizing his desire to prevent Tong Wei from suffering further because of him. His contact, impressed by his conviction, agreed to support him, trusting in Xie Xiaofei as a person.

Xie Xiaofei requested that this project be kept secret from Chen Xi, explaining he did not want to incur any more emotional debt to her, knowing she would help if she knew. Tong Wei later overheard Xie Xiaofei on the phone, sternly addressing construction issues and insisting on upholding the original design, even if it meant doing the work himself.

She then confronted him, and he admitted he had kept the project secret, hoping to present a positive outcome and fearing her ridicule if he failed. Tong Wei reassured him that simply taking the first step was a success. At work, Qin Tianyu expressed concern over Tong Wei’s distracted behavior during a meeting, acknowledging their friendship and offering his help. Tong Wei confessed she had sold her house.

Later, in a news report covering a successful business collaboration, both Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei were featured as key contributors, revealing Tong Wei’s new position as a consultant at Fu Tong Law Firm, having moved from CAEA.

Episode 34 Recap

Lao Qi brought Xia Shanshan to their new home, and Xia Shanshan thanked Lao Qi for his help. This time, Lao Qi confessed to Xia Shanshan that although his ex-wife could accept the child, she could not accept them getting married. Lao Qi asked Xia Shanshan to give him a few more months, but Xia Shanshan accepted it calmly.

The Xia Shanshan of the past, who was clear in her loves and hates, was gone; now, she was a mother who could sacrifice everything for her child. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei passed by a furniture store together, and the two went in to browse. Xie Xiaofei looked down on the colorful plates Tong Wei picked out, but Tong Wei thought of her childhood, accompanying her parents to furniture stores, because of these dishes. The two returned home playfully.

Just as Xie Xiaofei was saying that the plates Tong Wei arranged didn't look good, he suddenly received a video call from Xie Tiancheng. It turned out that the attending doctor Xie Xiaofei had previously emailed to his mother had long been controlled by Xie Tiancheng, so Xie Tiancheng decided to teach Xie Xiaofei a good lesson. Xie Xiaofei suppressed his anger and answered the call, stating directly that he would not sign the equity transfer agreement.

But Xie Tiancheng turned the video camera to his mother beside him, and upon seeing his mother in the hospital bed, Xie Xiaofei immediately became emotional. Xie Tiancheng threatened Xie Xiaofei, saying that if he didn't cooperate, he would pull out the life-saving needle from his mother. Xie Xiaofei hung up the phone and quickly looked for the transfer agreement, wanting to sign the agreement for his mother. Xie Xiaofei, who had lost his mind, was unable to think calmly.

Tong Wei finally managed to calm Xie Xiaofei down. She suggested that Xie Xiaofei leverage public opinion to draw media attention to his mother's condition, thereby pushing Xie Tiancheng into the spotlight of public criticism. Although this was a good method, his mother's medical expenses were too enormous, and no one could afford such a huge sum. Tong Wei held Xie Xiaofei's hand and said that she could sell her house for money to help their family.

That was the inheritance Tong Wei's parents left her. Xie Xiaofei refused without thinking; he thought he still had a piece of land he could sell. That land was Xie Xiaofei's only chance to realize his dream. Tong Wei would not allow him to sell his last hope, no matter what she said. Xie Xiaofei knew Tong Wei was right but couldn't help feeling sad. He hugged Tong Wei and shed tears.

Tong Wei comforted him, saying that even though the house was sold, they would definitely buy it back in the future. To prepare for selling the house, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei first found Tong Tiantian. After hearing Tong Wei's words, she immediately accused Xie Xiaofei of dragging Tong Wei down even though his own family was bankrupt. Xie Xiaofei was somewhat shaken by Tong Tiantian's words; he didn't want to implicate Tong Wei.

But when Xie Xiaofei said his stocks were worth 300 million US dollars, Tong Tiantian immediately changed her expression and raised both hands in approval of Tong Wei selling the house. Tong Tiantian said the only way now was to act first and report later. According to the plan agreed upon with Tong Wei, Tong Tiantian said she had recently made some money and took her parents to a large bathhouse for massage and bathing.

Meanwhile, Tong Wei took the agent to view the house. While getting a massage, Tong Tiantian's mother thought about her daughter's future success and couldn't help but shed tears. Tong Tiantian couldn't stand her mother being so sentimental and excused herself to get some fruit. But at this moment, Tong Tiantian's father received a call from her counselor, learning that Tong Tiantian had too many absences and was facing disciplinary action.

He immediately darkened his face and stopped his massage, sending Tong Tiantian to school. Tong Tiantian feared her parents returning home would ruin Tong Wei's plan, so she cried and threw a tantrum, not letting her parents go back, which in turn made them notice something unusual. When they dragged Tong Tiantian home, they happened to meet the house-viewing agent at the doorstep.

Tong Tiantian's mother saw them and said she had never wanted to sell the house, but since only Tong Wei's name was on the property deed, it would be fine as long as Tong Wei consented. Tong Wei admitted she was selling the house but didn't explain the reason, only saying she would give her uncle and aunt some subsidies after selling the house. Tong Wei's aunt strongly disagreed, but Tong Wei was determined to do it.

Tong Wei's uncle found Tong Wei alone, wanting to understand the real reason for her selling the house, but the reason was too complicated to explain in a few words. The uncle learned the root cause was Xie Xiaofei. He strongly opposed Tong Wei selling her parents' inheritance for an outsider. If Tong Wei insisted, he would tell her not to recognize him as her uncle anymore.

This time, at the crossroads of kinship and love, Tong Wei felt lost about her decision. After work, Yang Xiao brought Zhao Chenxi to a brilliantly lit square adorned with neon lights. Yang Xiao told his parents about their relationship, and his parents wanted Yang Xiao to get married as soon as possible. Then, Yang Xiao knelt on one knee before Zhao Chenxi and proposed to her. A crowd quickly gathered in the empty square.

Zhao Chenxi, for the sake of appearances, couldn't directly refuse, so she just let Yang Xiao take her home first. After arriving home, Yang Xiao wanted Zhao Chenxi to put on the ring, but she was unwilling in her heart, so she only accepted the ring and said she wanted to consider it for a while to delay. Facing the dazzling diamond ring, Zhao Chenxi didn't know what to do.

She understood how unwilling she was in her heart, yet she was extremely annoyed at herself for not having the courage to refuse. After Tong Wei sold her house, realizing she had nowhere to go for the time being, she called Xia Shanshan, wanting to stay with her for a few days. The agent needed the house to be delivered on time, so Tong Wei had to persuade her uncle and aunt to leave.

Her uncle angrily took out a portrait of Tong Wei's parents and accused her of spending all her days for a man, ignoring her parents' grievances. Tong Wei knelt before her parents' portraits and apologized to them. Her uncle could only leave helplessly after seeing this.

Xia Shanshan remembered she hadn't told Tong Wei about reconciling with Lao Qi, so she first welcomed Tong Wei to her new home before nervously telling Tong Wei that she and Lao Qi had gotten back together. Tong Wei worried that Lao Qi still wouldn't marry Xia Shanshan, but Xia Shanshan said she was willing to live this kind of life and that Lao Qi could give her a sense of security and dependence.

Tong Wei didn't want to see Xia Shanshan living by relying on a man now. Xia Shanshan, however, reminded Tong Wei that she had lost her job and sold her house for Xie Xiaofei, and she should consider what to do if Xie Xiaofei didn't want her anymore one day. Xia Shanshan and Tong Wei argued endlessly over their respective loves, both strongly disapproving of each other's actions. Despite Xia Shanshan's attempts to persuade her to stay, Tong Wei eventually left.

Episode 35 Recap

Feeling a deep sadness after leaving Shan Shan's home, Tong Wei reflected on their long friendship, now fractured by a man. With nowhere else to go, she found Xie Xiaofei at a restaurant, feeling like a failure as those she loved seemed to be leaving her. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei home, where she would temporarily stay with him and Shang Bichen. They discovered Shang Bichen celebrating her birthday alone with a small cake.

To lift their spirits, Xie Xiaofei decided to cook for them. Shang Bichen, noticing Tong Wei's unhappiness, learned that Tong Wei had fallen out with a long-time friend. Shang Bichen kindly comforted her, offering her own friendship. Though the meal Xie Xiaofei prepared was simple—instant noodles and fruit salad—Tong Wei felt her wounded heart begin to heal, supported by friendship and love. The next day, everyone resumed their busy lives.

Xie Xiaofei met Luo Bin at his club, where he seriously proposed launching his eco-resort project. Luo Bin, willing to help despite potential risks, agreed to partner with him, trusting in Xie Xiaofei's vision. Xie Xiaofei specifically asked Luo Bin not to inform Zhao Chenxi about the project, as he no longer wished to owe her anything. Meanwhile, Tong Wei's uncle and aunt had moved back to their old, poorly maintained rural home, causing her aunt to complain incessantly.

Her uncle, however, was reluctant to revisit past events. They called Tiantian, urging her to come home for dinner, but she refused, citing the distance, which further upset her aunt. At Futong Law Firm, Qin Tianyu noticed Tong Wei's distraction during a meeting and spoke to her afterwards. Tong Wei revealed she had sold her house, a matter Qin Tianyu couldn't help with directly, so he gave her a day off to recover.

Tong Wei, leaving the office, found herself walking back to her old house, now undergoing renovations with construction materials piled outside. The sight of the changed home made her feel melancholy. Coincidentally, Tiantian was also there to retrieve some forgotten belongings. Tong Wei identified herself as the former owner to the renovation crew, allowing Tiantian to enter. Afterwards, Tong Wei and Tiantian went to a coffee shop.

Tiantian tried to encourage Tong Wei, reminding her of Xie Xiaofei's love and assuring her that together, they could work to buy the house back someday. Xie Xiaotian visited Tong Wei at Futong, sharing details about Xie's Corporation's current situation. Seizing the opportunity, Tong Wei invited Xie Xiaotian and Xie Xiaofei to dinner that evening, hoping to reconcile the brothers. Xie Xiaotian hesitated but arrived on time.

Xie Xiaofei initially ignored him, prompting Tong Wei to break the ice by mentioning how often Xie Xiaofei praised Xie Xiaotian to her. This opened up their conversation. Xie Xiaotian informed Xie Xiaofei that Xie's quarterly report was not good, and finding Tommy Cai could help them overthrow Xie Tiancheng. Tong Wei excused herself to the restroom, giving the brothers privacy.

Xie Xiaotian sincerely apologized for his past alliance with Xie Tiancheng, and Xie Xiaofei thanked him for remaining by their father's side for so long. Witnessing Xie Xiaofei's resilience in adversity, Xie Xiaotian's opinion of his brother changed, and he proposed they collaborate to defeat Xie Tiancheng and rectify his past mistakes. Seeing them reconcile brought Tong Wei the most genuine smile she had shown in days. Later, Xie Xiaotian dropped Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei home.

While Tong Wei was reading a magazine, Xie Xiaofei received a phone call from Luo Bin and purposefully moved to another room to answer it. Tong Wei, sensing something amiss, overheard parts of the conversation from the doorway and realized Xie Xiaofei had already begun the resort project. Xie Xiaofei later explained he had kept it secret out of fear of failure, but Tong Wei encouraged him, asserting that taking this step was already a significant success.

Tong Wei was contemplating her career path. Qin Tianyu, at Futong Law Firm, advised her to return to CAEA, acknowledging the past difficulties but reminding her that her dream was to work at the New York headquarters alongside her idol. He emphasized that only at CAEA could she find the key person to clear her father's name. Despite Tong Wei's diminished hopes regarding Cai Tian Lan, Qin Tianyu urged her not to give up.

Later, he officially approved her resignation from Futong Law Firm, expressing happiness for her and wishing her luck in fulfilling her dreams. Tong Wei thanked him, promising she would achieve them. Futong Law Firm, leveraging the success of the flash mob and Ye Pu collaboration, was featured in a financial channel interview, with Tong Wei, Qin Tianyu, and the firm's boss appearing on screen.

Xie Xiaofei saw the interview and called Tong Wei, teasing her about her appearance on camera and showing jealousy towards Qin Tianyu, yet also encouraging her to work harder, inspired by her success. Similarly, Tong Wei's former colleagues at CAEA also saw the interview and missed her, with Cui Xi suggesting they meet for dinner after work. Upon her return to CAEA, Tong Wei went to her old office, only to find it occupied by Manager Xiao.

A new intern, You You, unfamiliar with Tong Wei, initially tried to prevent her entry and even called security, describing her as a "strange woman." However, Tong Wei's former colleagues, Kiki and Jiang Ke, then burst out, revealing it was an elaborate welcome prank. They warmly embraced her, joking that they wouldn't "grow up" if she never came back. Manager Xiao Xiang, her old rival, greeted her, and Tong Wei playfully welcomed him to continue antagonizing her, which he denied.

Tong Wei thanked everyone, including President Zhou, for the touching welcome ceremony. President Zhou then offered her some time to adjust, but Tong Wei insisted she was ready to start immediately. President Zhou assigned her to represent the Shanghai branch at CAEA's annual meeting in Suzhou. Tong Wei initially suggested "Old Xiao" go instead, wanting to "lay low," but upon learning that Cai Tian Lan might also be in attendance, she accepted.

President Zhou cautioned that Cai Tian Lan was elusive but encouraged her to "try her luck." Tong Wei expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, knowing it was a chance to seek justice for her father. Later, Tong Wei met her old colleagues, including Kiki and Jiang Ke who had successfully become full-time employees, for dinner. They reminisced about old times and expressed their gratitude for Tong Wei's past guidance, delighted that she had returned to CAEA.

After dinner, Xie Xiaofei arrived on a bicycle to pick up Tong Wei. Jiang Ke playfully mocked his mode of transport, but Xie Xiaofei proudly declared it romantic. Tong Wei happily shared stories about her reunion with her colleagues. Xie Xiaofei then promised her a surprise when they got home. He showed her the first successfully restored old house in Suzhou, a testament to his efforts.

Tong Wei was immensely proud of his achievement, and Xie Xiaofei, reflecting on how far he had come, vowed to build a new business empire for Tong Wei and his family. As the CAEA annual meeting in Suzhou approached, Tong Wei found herself consumed by a past flashback of her childhood, where other children cruelly taunted her about her father, Tong Bo Xue, being an embezzler who committed suicide.

She remembered vehemently defending him, clinging to the belief that he was innocent, and her silent vow: "Dad, Mom, finally, the whole truth will be revealed." Before leaving, Tong Wei told Xie Xiaofei about her upcoming business trip, hoping to finally meet Cai Tian Lan. Xie Xiaofei was nervous for her, offering his prayers and promising to pick her up from the station when she returned.

Upon arriving in Suzhou, Tong Wei was greeted by Jia Jing Jing, a staff member. Jing Jing provided the schedule for the evening's dinner party. Tong Wei immediately inquired about President Cai, and Jing Jing confirmed his presence. Tong Wei urgently requested a private meeting with Chairman Cai, but Jing Jing explained it was difficult due to his brief stay and tight schedule, suggesting she send an email instead.

Meanwhile, Cai Tian Lan was escorted to a "Meditation Garden" where he met Mr. Lei, who expressed his admiration. Later, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei, anxious to know if she had met Cai Tian Lan. Tong Wei told him the banquet hadn't even started yet and she would leave it "up to the gods." Xie Xiaofei promised he was praying for her safety and would pick her up upon her return.

At the CAEA Annual Meeting, Jing Jing pointed out President Cai to Tong Wei. Director Qu later introduced them. Tong Wei greeted President Cai, who acknowledged her from CAEA's Shanghai branch, stating he had heard of her accomplishments even while being "cut off from the world." President Cai humbly credited her achievements to her own merit, saying his role was merely to "open up a path" for young people. Their conversation was briefly interrupted by another attendee.

Director Qu then excused Tong Wei to meet another negotiator. When Tong Wei returned to Director Qu, asking about President Cai, she was told he had left, feeling "a little unwell." Tong Wei then spotted President Cai departing the venue and rushed after him, calling his name. She caught up, explaining she had something important to discuss. He calmly told her to take her time.

Tong Wei, apologizing for her abruptness, then presented two old photos, asking if he remembered Tong Bo Xue and Hu Xiao Hui. Cai Tian Lan asked who she was, and Tong Wei identified herself as their daughter. Cai Tian Lan instantly recognized her, remarking that her speaking manner was uncannily like her father's. He apologized for not recognizing her earlier, recalling that her parents were close friends and if not for "the accident," he would have watched her grow up.

Tong Wei then asked if he was with her father the day he committed suicide and to tell her the full story of the incident. Cai Tian Lan initially suggested letting the past stay buried, but Tong Wei insisted she couldn't, as it had weighed on her for too long. She pleaded with him to tell her if her father truly accepted bribes, saying she wouldn't be able to move on otherwise.

After a moment of hesitation, Cai Tian Lan warned her the truth might be "difficult to bear." Tong Wei stated she was prepared to hear it. Cai Tian Lan began his account, explaining that Tong Wei's parents and he were all rare Chinese students at Stanford Business School, advised by the renowned Roger Tim.

Her father, Tong Bo Xue, insisted on returning to China to serve his country and care for his mother, despite the advice of classmates and teachers who felt it would hinder his career. Her mother, Hu Xiao Hui, unconditionally followed him back. After Tong Wei was born, her father started working for a foreign company, which offered seemingly lucrative salaries. However, Cai Tian Lan revealed that beneath the surface, Tong Bo Xue faced "hidden troubles."

He was intellectually brilliant but "ignorant of the world" and its "unwritten rules," his inflexibility offending many colleagues. This stifled his career, leading to him being "pushed out by everyone." Tong Wei questioned if this led to his suicide, but Cai Tian Lan clarified that her father was not that weak; "something forced him to a dead end." He recounted reuniting with Tong Bo Xue during a transnational negotiation, where they were business adversaries but maintained their private friendship.

During a reunion dinner, Tong Bo Xue confided in him about the "misconduct happening at work," expressing regret for not listening to Cai Tian Lan's advice against returning to China. He revealed plans to immigrate to the U. S. , shocking Cai Tian Lan. They "drank a lot" that night, and Hu Xiao Hui noted her husband hadn't been so happy in a long time. They even planned to take Tong Wei to Disneyland.

But the next day, things "changed so suddenly." Prosecutors arrived at the negotiation, accusing Tong Bo Xue of selling company trade secrets for "illegitimate gain." Hu Xiao Hui arrived distraught, clutching her husband's journal, admitting, "He really did wrong." Tong Wei, horrified, protested that it wasn't possible and there must be a misunderstanding. Cai Tian Lan calmed her and explained that the journal was her father's, detailing the problems he faced at the company.

He noted that Tong Bo Xue, once fortunate, achieved little in middle age and began to change, eventually recording his "first compromise"—accepting a bribe. Cai Tian Lan confirmed that her father indeed accepted a bribe of US$200,000 from Cai Tian Lan's company, an "astronomical amount" at the time, and recorded it all in his journal, creating "irrefutable evidence." Tong Wei struggled to understand why her father would change.

Cai Tian Lan explained Tong Bo Xue's internal conflict and wavering, influenced by his wife giving up her career for him, and by Tong Wei and her paternal grandmother. In a moment of weakness, he accepted the money. Tong Wei realized her father's diary she had found was missing pages; Cai Tian Lan confirmed Hu Xiao Hui had ripped them out in a panicked attempt to destroy the evidence and prevent her husband's arrest.

Cai Tian Lan recalled his own initial thought to help his former classmate, but both her parents "completely fell apart" when the police appeared. In a flashback, Tong Bo Xue, despondent, apologized to Hu Xiao Hui for letting down the family. Cai Tian Lan had contacted a lawyer, advising Tong Bo Xue to remain silent, but her father declared, "I'm ruined."

Later, during the chaos, news broke that "the customer in 711 jumped off the building," followed by Tong Bo Xue's suicide. Hu Xiao Hui, consumed by grief, cried out, asking why he had chosen such a foolish path instead of facing a few years in prison. Cai Tian Lan had tried to comfort her, reminding her of Tong Wei, who still needed her.

Tong Wei, now understanding the full truth, acknowledged that her father "really took the money that he wasn't supposed to take." Cai Tian Lan explained that while legally her father was wrong, life often presented helpless situations. He asked Tong Wei to understand and continue to love her father, expressing his own regret that if he had been "more careful," her mother wouldn't have followed her father to his tragic fate.

He apologized, but Tong Wei still felt it was her father's fault for doing "what he shouldn't have done." Tong Wei thanked Cai Tian Lan for finally giving her the answer she had sought for so long. She then decided to leave, declining his offer of a ride. Cai Tian Lan told her that she could always find "Uncle Cai" if she ever needed anything in the future.

Shortly after, Xie Xiaofei frantically called Tong Wei, asking if she was "all done." Tong Wei's responses were unclear, and the call disconnected. Xie Xiaofei then urgently called Cui Xi, demanding Tong Wei's hotel address and CAEA reception contacts in Suzhou. He quickly arrived at the hotel and met Jia Jing Jing, who confirmed Tong Wei had met "the President" but then lost contact with her.

Worried, Xie Xiaofei searched for Tong Wei, finding her passed out outside the hotel due to a severe cold. He carried her back to her room. When Tong Wei awoke, Xie Xiaofei told her the doctor said she had caught a bad cold and offered her something to drink. He asked what Cai Tian Lan had told her, and Tong Wei confirmed that her father had indeed received a bribe.

Xie Xiaofei gently told her not to dwell on it, reminding her that "no one is perfect." Tong Wei confessed that for thirteen years, her belief that her father was falsely accused and faced unmentionable difficulties was the "only force" that kept her going, driven by the desire to clear his name. Now, realizing she was wrong, she felt lost and didn't know what to do.

Tong Wei asked if he could understand her feelings, and Xie Xiaofei assured her that he did. Overwhelmed, Tong Wei expressed her desperate wish to go home. Xie Xiaofei tearfully promised to take her home, comforting her as she wept. Later, after informing Shang Bichen of the situation, Xie Xiaofei ensured Tong Wei rested well.

Episode 36 Recap

Qin Tianyu and a young woman shopping, a scene secretly photographed by colleagues from the law firm. Upon returning to the office, Sister Wen quickly informed Shang Bichen, and they all mistakenly assumed Qin Tianyu had a new girlfriend. Later that day, Qin Tianyu noticed Shang Bichen's dejected expression and asked if she was facing work difficulties. Shang Bichen, surprised to see him leave work early, grew more suspicious that he had been on a date.

Back home, Shang Bichen retreated to her room without a word, ignoring Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei who were having dinner. Just then, her mother called, wishing her a happy solar birthday and expressing concern that she might feel lonely in the big city. Shang Bichen secretly shed tears but still comforted her mother, not wanting her to worry. The next day, Shang Bichen handed Qin Tianyu a letter of resignation, claiming she simply didn't want to work anymore.

However, Qin Tianyu, sensing her severe emotional distress, tried to persuade her to stay. Unable to get a clear answer, he sought Tong Wei's help, asking her to speak with Shang Bichen. During lunch, Tong Wei brought up the matter, but Shang Bichen remained silent. Tong Wei guessed her distress was due to Qin Tianyu. Shang Bichen confessed that she felt exhausted by her long-standing unrequited love for someone who didn't love her back, and thus decided to leave.

Tong Wei relayed this to Qin Tianyu, who, while unwilling to directly reject Shang Bichen, also didn't want her to resign. As night fell, Shang Bichen drank alone in her secret hideout. Qin Tianyu, unable to reach her by phone, found her drunk there. In the dim, starry light, Shang Bichen mistook the Qin Tianyu before her for a dream-like illusion. She asked him to hug her and, uncharacteristically, told him she wasn't afraid of him at all.

Qin Tianyu seized the opportunity to ask why she was resigning. In her drunken state, Shang Bichen blurted out that it was all because of him. Growing more distraught, she told Qin Tianyu that he was her entire faith in living in this city. But now, she believed he had fallen for another woman (besides Tong Wei), and despite all her efforts, she couldn't gain even a bit of his affection.

Shang Bichen wept inconsolably in Qin Tianyu's arms, calling herself pathetic. Qin Tianyu took the drunken Shang Bichen home, asking Tong Wei not to tell her that he was the one who brought her back. Tong Wei promised to take good care of his "lovely little admirer." Upon waking, Shang Bichen learned from Tong Wei that a taxi driver had taken her home, though she still felt her encounter with Qin Tianyu the previous night was very real.

At work, Qin Tianyu agreed to her resignation request but first took her to lunch to meet the girl she had mistakenly thought was his girlfriend. Qin Tianyu revealed the girl was his cousin, Qin Xiaoyu. Shang Bichen was overjoyed upon learning the truth. Qin Tianyu told her he hadn't informed colleagues about her resignation, and Shang Bichen immediately stated she would no longer resign.

Seeing Shang Bichen's happy return home, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei felt that good things were on the horizon for her and Qin Tianyu. Separately, General Manager Zhou privately invited Tong Wei for coffee. Impressed by Tong Wei's excellent handling of the Ye Pu and Flash projects, she sincerely hoped Tong Wei would return to CAEA.

General Manager Zhou then revealed that Tong Wei's resignation letter had not been submitted to senior management, who still considered her on unpaid leave and were very willing to welcome her back to her original position. Zhou hoped Tong Wei would seriously consider rejoining CAEA. Tong Wei discussed this with Xie Xiaofei, who knew that only at CAEA could she find the important figures necessary to avenge her parents.

Determined to return to CAEA to achieve her dream, Tong Wei submitted her resignation to Qin Tianyu. Tong Wei once again stood beneath the soaring CAEA building, ready to re-enter the company with a new outlook. However, upon arriving upstairs, she found the entire negotiation department empty, with only an intern who didn't recognize her.

Annoyed, Tong Wei went directly to General Manager Zhou's office, only to push open the door and find everyone gathered inside for a welcome ceremony specially prepared for her. Afterwards, General Manager Zhou handed Tong Wei an invitation to the annual meeting, which would be held in Suzhou this year, and noted that Cai Tianlan was on the attendee list. Zhou had specifically reserved this opportunity for Tong Wei.

Xie Xiaofei, learning that Tong Wei was going to Suzhou and might meet Cai Tianlan, prayed at home for everything to go smoothly. Cai Tianlan arrived in Suzhou as the council president and would attend the annual meeting. Cai Tianlan was indeed the "Tang Mi Cai" that Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei had been searching for; upon arrival, he contacted Lei Xiong.

Meanwhile, Tong Wei also arrived safely in Suzhou, and her assistant, Jingjing, informed her that a written application might secure a private meeting with the president. Tong Wei returned from Suzhou, where she had gone to meet Tang Mi Cai, the man she and Xie Xiaofei had been searching for.

She discovered a devastating truth: her father had committed suicide because of his own wrongdoing, a revelation that shattered her, as clearing her parents' name had been her sole motivation for over ten years. Overwhelmed by this difficult truth, Tong Wei retreated, refusing to eat or leave her room for three days. Xie Xiaofei was deeply worried about her, realizing she wouldn't listen to him.

He called someone for advice, expressing his concern over Tong Wei's zombie-like state and his fear of what might happen if she remained alone. He suggested reaching out to Shan Shan, Tong Wei's best friend. Xie Xiaofei found a pregnant Shan Shan at her yoga class, who immediately left with him upon hearing Tong Wei needed her. At Tong Wei’s door, Shan Shan insisted Xie Xiaofei kick it open despite his worries for her pregnancy.

Inside, Shan Shan found Tong Wei in despair and urged her to confront her pain, reminding her that her parents weren't bad people despite their flaws and that she needed to let go and continue living. Tong Wei repeatedly told them to leave. Shan Shan then cried outside the room, calling Tong Wei a "bastard" for not wanting her as a friend and worrying about Tong Wei.

Xie Xiaofei tried to calm Shan Shan, reminding her to be careful for her baby. Tong Wei’s aunt and uncle then arrived, equally distraught to learn she hadn't eaten in days. They broke into her room and confronted her, reminding Tong Wei of their thirteen years of care as her adoptive parents and how her current self-destructive behavior disregarded their love. Xie Xiaofei added that Tong Wei's adoptive parents relied on her.

Tong Wei's uncle then gently told her that in their hearts, her parents were good people, and that was enough. Moved by their words, Tong Wei thanked them and asked everyone except Shan Shan to leave so they could talk privately. Tong Wei then apologized to Shan Shan for her past harsh words and for breaking off their friendship due to Shan Shan's choices.

Shan Shan responded that Tong Wei wasn't wrong, admitting she was the type of woman who depended on men, but Tong Wei assured her she understood that Shan Shan’s decisions were driven by love and later, by her baby. Tong Wei confessed that she once believed everything could be perfect, including her family and friends, but her recent experience taught her that nothing in this world is flawless.

She had spent years trying to clear her father's name, convinced he was a good person incapable of crime, and completely broke down upon learning the truth. She acknowledged that her friends and family helped her recover step by step. Shan Shan expressed happiness that the "old Wei Wei" was back, even improved, and asked Tong Wei to promise to remain her best friend forever.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei received news that his loan application was unexpectedly rejected, which would halt his project and prevent him from paying workers. He suspected Song Yong, Chen Xi's father and head of Ke Wan Corporation, was retaliating for Xie Xiaofei's previous humiliation of Chen Xi. A concerned friend advised him that her father couldn't help if Ke Wan was involved. Chen Xi confronted her father about his interference in Xie Xiaofei's loan.

Song Yong admitted to targeting Xie Xiaofei to avenge Chen Xi and Ke Wan's honor, pressuring Chen Xi to marry Yang Xiao, whose family could benefit Ke Wan. Chen Xi, realizing her marriage could be the key, agreed to marry Yang Xiao, internally telling Xie Xiaofei that this was the best she could do for him. Yang Xiao, overjoyed, proposed to Chen Xi, who accepted and urged a quick marriage.

Xie Xiaofei's friend later informed him that his loan was suddenly approved, coinciding with Chen Xi and Yang Xiao's engagement. Xie Xiaofei realized Chen Xi's sacrifice and rushed to see her, but his friend stopped him, advising him to accept her help without disrupting her life, as he couldn't offer her happiness. Cai Tianlan, whom Lei Xiong was trying to persuade to help Xie Xiaofei, praised Xie Xiaofei's resilience in enduring hardships and preparing for retaliation after hitting rock bottom.

Cai Tianlan met Xie Xiaofei at Haoke Restaurant, where Xie Xiaofei was working. Cai Tianlan admired Xie Xiaofei's father but stated he preferred to live his remaining years in peace and would not involve himself in business matters, though he offered personal help to Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. Tong Wei arrived, realizing Cai Tianlan was indeed the elusive "Tang Mi Cai" and a close friend of her deceased parents, as well as the CAEA council president.

Despite Lei Xiong's attempts to mediate, Cai Tianlan reiterated his decision to stay out of the business dispute. Dejected by Cai Tianlan's refusal, Xie Xiaofei expressed to Tong Wei that his efforts felt like running a marathon to a mirage, leaving him without a purpose. Tong Wei encouraged him not to give up, promising to find a way to persuade Cai Tianlan together.

Xie Xiaofei jokingly retreated to his room, pretending to have a breakdown and wanting to make Tong Wei worry too. Separately, Shang Bichen received an unexpected phone call from President Sun's secretary, inviting her to lunch. At the restaurant, President Sun introduced her to his nephew, Situ Zhi Gao, a lawyer, clearly setting up a blind date. Shang Bichen, surprised, tried to express her reservations, but President Sun insisted they get to know each other as friends.

After lunch, Situ Zhi Gao expressed his pleasure in meeting her and noted his sweaty hands from nervousness, hoping to keep in touch. Later, Shang Bichen was texting, reflecting on her 301 days of unrequited love for Qin Tianyu. Situ Zhi Gao texted her, asking to use her first name. In a humorous mix-up, Shang Bichen accidentally replied "Stupid Donkey" before quickly apologizing. Amused, Situ Zhi Gao said he preferred "Stupid Donkey" and suggested she call him that instead.

Episode 37 Recap

CAEA's annual meeting was grandly held in a magnificent venue. Tong Wei attended the annual meeting and successfully met Cai Tianlan with the introduction of Director Qu. Tong Wei seemed very nervous in front of President Cai. The president praised Tong Wei's achievements over the past year. Just as Tong Wei wanted to speak to arrange a meeting with the president, other guests got ahead of her.

After Tong Wei met other negotiation representatives, she looked around but Cai Tianlan was already gone. She rushed out of the banquet hall to search everywhere and finally found him at the hotel entrance. Tong Wei successfully met Cai Tianlan and brought up her parents to him. Cai Tianlan said he was a close friend of her parents. Tong Wei stated her purpose: she wanted to ask Cai Tianlan to verify the reason for her parents' suicide.

Cai Tianlan, however, repeatedly declined, not wanting to bring up old matters. Unable to resist Tong Wei's persistent pleas, Cai Tianlan finally agreed to speak. Back then, Cai Tianlan and Tong Wei's parents were classmates in business school. After graduation, Tong Wei's father insisted on returning to China to serve the country. Her mother followed without complaint and soon after became pregnant with Tong Wei. After returning to China, Tong Wei's father joined a foreign company.

Although the foreign company offered excellent conditions, Tong Wei's father successively offended many influential people due to his lack of social tact. Many years later, Cai Tianlan and Tong Wei's father reunited during a negotiation for a multinational corporation. At that dinner, Tong Wei's parents told Cai Tianlan that due to various career setbacks, they decided to emigrate to the United States after that negotiation case was concluded.

That night, the three reunited old friends drank a lot of wine and even made plans for how they would live together after returning to the United States. However, unexpectedly, the next day brought sudden changes. In the second round of negotiation meetings, Tong Wei's father was taken away by people from the procuratorate, suspected of accepting bribes during the negotiations. Afterward, Tong Wei's mother found Cai Tianlan.

She cried and confessed to Cai Tianlan that Tong Wei's father had indeed made a mistake and handed him Tong Wei's father's diary. The diary recorded all the setbacks Tong Wei's father encountered at the company. He was once a prodigy in his youth but achieved nothing in middle age, which ultimately led to a change in his mindset, forcing him onto the path of bribery.

The entire process recorded in Tong Wei's father's diary would become irrefutable evidence for sentencing. Therefore, the agitated Tong Wei's mother tore out those pages from the diary at that time. Tong Wei's father, returning from the procuratorate, suffered a mental breakdown. Cai Tianlan advised him to be rational, suggesting that a good lawyer could help reduce his sentence. Tong Wei's father refused to face all this and said he wanted to be alone in the room to calm down.

But just as Cai Tianlan was comforting Tong Wei's mother, he suddenly learned that Tong Wei's father had jumped from a building. Tong Wei's mother, unable to bear this blow, sent Cai Tianlan, who was accompanying her, away and followed her husband in jumping to her death. Tong Wei, suddenly learning the whole truth, realized that her father had indeed done something wrong.

The faith that had supported Tong Wei through one hardship after another for so many years collapsed overnight. She didn't know how to face this sudden blow, and tears flowed with every step she took. After Tong Wei left Cai Tianlan's room, she received a call from Xie Xiaofei. Tong Wei cried out "Xiaofei" and then said nothing more. Xie Xiaofei immediately realized that something had happened to Tong Wei.

After asking Tracy for Tong Wei's hotel address in Suzhou, he rushed to Suzhou overnight. Tong Wei had been completely out of contact for an entire night. Xie Xiaofei arrived at the hotel early the next morning and saw Tong Wei, who had just returned from outside. The extremely haggard Tong Wei fainted directly into Xie Xiaofei's arms.

Xie Xiaofei guarded Tong Wei's bedside until she woke up, only then learning that Cai Tianlan had told Tong Wei last night that her father had indeed taken bribes. Seeing Tong Wei in tears again, Xie Xiaofei held her, heartbroken. He took Tong Wei home with him. Shang Bichen also informed Qin Tianyu immediately. The two waited at home together for Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei to return.

Tong Wei remained silent from beginning to end and went back to her room alone. Xie Xiaofei told Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen what had happened. The current Tong Wei couldn't listen to any persuasion. Xie Xiaofei was extremely worried, and everyone felt helpless, only hoping that the strong Tong Wei could pull through.

After enduring this tremendous blow, Tong Wei seemed to have plunged herself into a deep valley, unwilling to see sunlight or anyone, just sitting on her bed in a daze all day. Xie Xiaofei was truly at a loss. Qin Tianyu suggested that Xie Xiaofei seek help from Xia Shanshan. Xie Xiaofei found Xia Shanshan, who was awaiting childbirth, and told her what had happened. Xia Shanshan rushed to Tong Wei's house. Tong Wei had locked herself in her room.

Shanshan asked Xie Xiaofei to kick the door open. Xia Shanshan saw Tong Wei's depressed state and tried to comfort her, telling her to let go of the past and move forward. But Tong Wei was unwilling to speak much, just silently shedding tears, and she asked Shanshan to leave. This angered Xia Shanshan. She couldn't bear to see Tong Wei in such a weak state, yet couldn't help but worry about her.

Shanshan angrily shouted at the door, asking if Tong Wei no longer wanted her as a friend. However, pregnant Shanshan shouldn't get emotional, so the nanny persuaded her to leave first. Xie Xiaofei was truly at his wit's end. He sat by the door of Tong Wei's room, guarding her day and night.

Episode 38 Recap

After three days of self-imposed isolation without food or drink following the revelation about her parents, Tong Wei remained withdrawn in her room. Upon hearing the news, her uncle, aunt, and cousin Tong Tiantian rushed to her residence. Her aunt, distressed by Tong Wei's refusal to eat, pulled her out of the room and insisted she consume the porridge she’d made, genuinely worried for her.

She reminded Tong Wei of their love and care for her as she grew up over the past thirteen years, treating her like their own child. Tiantian, who previously disliked her, now regarded Tong Wei as a biological sister, echoing their concern. Tong Wei's uncle gently advised her that her current tearful state was probably not what her parents, in the afterlife, would wish to see, and that despite their confirmed mistakes, they were not entirely bad people.

Touched by their sincere support, Tong Wei broke down in tears, accepting their comfort and starting to recover. Once Tong Wei began to improve, Xia Shanshan visited her again. Tong Wei finally opened up, apologizing for her hurtful words to Shanshan in the past and expressing understanding for Shanshan’s life choices. She acknowledged her gratitude for the love and help she received, which enabled her to stand strong again.

Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei’s resort project in Suzhou faced significant challenges when its loan application was rejected. Luo Bin informed him that the bank’s major client was Kovan, revealing that Song Yong was likely retaliating against Xie Xiaofei for publicly rejecting Zhao Chenxi. Zhao Chenxi confronted her father, Song Yong, urging him to cease his actions against Xie Xiaofei, who was already struggling.

Song Yong remained unyielding, asserting that Xie Xiaofei’s actions had not only insulted Zhao Chenxi but also dishonored the entire Kovan Group. He further pressured Zhao Chenxi to marry Yang Xiao, explaining that this would benefit Kovan's interests and remove any reason to target Xie Xiaofei. Realizing her father viewed her purely as a pawn in corporate strategy, Zhao Chenxi, with a heavy heart, agreed to marry Yang Xiao, hoping this sacrifice would compel her father to spare Xie Xiaofei.

Yang Xiao was ecstatic about her decision, but Zhao Chenxi felt no joy. Shortly after, the loan for Xie Xiaofei’s project was approved. Although pleased about the project’s progress, Xie Xiaofei was deeply saddened upon learning about Zhao Chenxi’s sacrifice. He contemplated intervening, but Luo Bin stopped him, explaining that his interference would only bring all harm and no benefit for Zhao Chenxi. Xie Xiaofei reluctantly accepted the situation, choosing not to disrupt Zhao Chenxi’s life further.

Soon after, Lei Xiong and Tommy Cai (who is also Cai Tianlan) arrived in Shanghai. Lei Xiong met Xie Xiaofei at a restaurant to discuss Xie Corporation's shares. Xie Xiaofei was surprised by their unexpected presence and quickly called Tong Wei. By the time Tong Wei arrived, their conversation was wrapping up. Tommy Cai, having been retired for many years, viewed the Xie family’s conflicts as internal strife and declined to get involved.

After Lei Xiong and Tommy Cai departed, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei realized that Tommy Cai was, in fact, Cai Tianlan. Disheartened by Cai Tianlan's refusal to help, Xie Xiaofei expressed feeling the same profound disappointment Tong Wei had experienced after her own earlier setback. Tong Wei encouraged him, promising to stand by him as they sought a breakthrough together. In New York, Tong Wei, now working at CAEA headquarters, was tasked by Jonathan one morning to obtain dim sum.

When she presented a hamburger instead, explaining that the dim sum restaurant Guang Fu Lou viewed authentic dim sum as a lifestyle experience incompatible with delivery, Jonathan challenged her, stating she had 'failed' his 'case to negotiate.' Tong Wei countered that he was testing her skills, and by arranging a table at the restaurant and a car for him, she had successfully delivered the "authentic experience" he desired, thus 'succeeding' in the true spirit of the task.

Impressed by her eloquent and resourceful approach, Jonathan invited her to join him. Shortly after, her boss, Jonathan, sought her immediate help with a critical negotiation. A Chinese biotech company, Xin Long, had unexpectedly raised its price. Jonathan initially noticed Mr. Liu, the CEO, had upgraded his hotel suite from a three-star hotel to a presidential suite.

Tong Wei then discreetly checked with the hotel and discovered he had only booked the presidential suite for one night, switching to a standard room for most of his stay. Recognizing this as a bluff—an "empty city ruse" to project financial strength—Tong Wei advised Jonathan to accept the higher price, which would buy them time for a thorough background check. If her theory proved correct, they could then undercut the original price, forcing Xin Long to concede.

Jonathan, impressed by her quick thinking, agreed, remarking that he wouldn't get to see her cry after all. Around the same time, Shang Bichen received a phone call from her boss, Mr. Sun, inviting her to lunch. At the restaurant, she was introduced to Mr. Sun's nephew, Situ Zhigao, realizing it was a pre-arranged blind date, which made both of them slightly awkward. Later, Situ Zhigao contacted Shang Bichen and appeared at her home.

He confessed his feelings, explaining his modest income as a public interest lawyer and how many previous dates had ended once his financial situation was revealed. He praised Shang Bichen's non-materialistic nature and respect for his life choices, expressing certainty that she was the woman he had been searching for and asked her to be his girlfriend. Shang Bichen, however, politely declined, explaining that she already had feelings for someone else.

She elaborated that love wasn't about being outstanding, and having experienced the torment of unrequited love herself, she didn't want him to go through it. Despite her refusal, Situ Zhigao later returned to her door with all his personal documents—his ID, bank cards, residence booklet, driver's license, house key, and car key—declaring that he dated with the intention of marriage and would wait for her as long as she remained unmarried.

Back in New York, Xie Xiaofei asked Tong Wei to accompany him to a family gathering in Changdao on Friday. The timing clashed with an important negotiation at CAEA. Xie Xiaofei insisted it was crucial for their future as a couple, while her role as an assistant was less significant. Tong Wei, acknowledging the importance, requested leave from Jonathan, explaining she had personal matters to attend to. When pressed, she admitted she was meeting her boyfriend's family.

Jonathan, expressing his respect and desire for a daughter like her, understood her priorities and granted the leave, playfully noting he had lost a bet. As they prepared to leave, Xie Xiaofei reminded Tong Wei to focus on making a good impression on his family, not work. Tong Wei promised to spend the rest of her life making it up to him.

Upon their arrival at the Xie family residence in New York, a nervous Xie Xiaofei encouraged Tong Wei to be confident, assuring her she was the future lady of the house. Inside, Xie Xiaofei introduced Tong Wei to his father and third uncle, noting her position at CAEA New York headquarters.

He then attempted to make an important announcement about their engagement, but his father quickly interrupted, steering the conversation towards business matters and the recent scandal involving Xie Tian Cheng. Later, Xie Xiaofei's father requested a private conversation with Tong Wei. He candidly stated his disapproval of her engagement to Xie Xiaofei. Tong Wei, having anticipated this, calmly asserted that his opposition would not deter her. Xie Xiaofei’s father argued that her family background would bring problems to Xie Xiaofei.

Tong Wei countered that she understood his preference for a more advantageous match like Zhao Chenxi, but Xie Xiaofei had chosen her because he prioritized love over business gain, unlike his father. At this, Xie Xiaofei’s father revealed that he had investigated her family and found that her father had accepted bribes and tragically committed suicide, making her family "dishonorable."

He argued that her marriage into the Xie family would expose this past to the media, harming both her and the corporation's reputation, and urged her to leave Xie Xiaofei voluntarily. Tong Wei vehemently defended her deceased father, stating he had already paid the price for his mistakes and that Xie Xiaofei's father had no right to dishonor him. Just then, Xie Xiaofei entered the room.

His father immediately feigned a sudden illness, accusing Tong Wei of verbally attacking him with harsh words when he had only tried to discuss her father's background to help them. He then melodramatically blamed himself for losing Xie Xiaofei’s mother, manipulating Xie Xiaofei into feeling guilty and distressed. As Xie Xiaofei called for help, Tong Wei protested, insisting she was being falsely accused.

As Xie Xiaofei drove Tong Wei away, his father's aide confirmed that the doctor had followed instructions to exaggerate the severity of his condition. Xie Xiaofei's father rationalized his deception, stating he had no other choice to prevent a woman from an "indecent family" from destroying Xie Corporation. The doctor later informed Xie Xiaofei that his father had a serious heart condition and needed to avoid emotional stress and irritation.

Back in his father's room, Xie Xiaofei's father continued his facade, warning Xie Xiaofei to handle any matters involving Tong Wei's father with extreme caution, as her emotional responses could be damaging. Xie Xiaofei later tried to comfort a distraught Tong Wei, acknowledging her pain and sharing his own story about his biological father, a gambler whom he still considered a good father despite his flaws. He empathized deeply with her feelings for her father.

Tong Wei confided in Xie Xiaotian, Xie Xiaofei's brother, about his father's false accusation. Xie Xiaotian advised her to trust Xie Xiaofei. In a separate conversation, Lei Xiong spoke with Cai Tianlan about Xie Xiaofei. Cai Tianlan explained that while he initially had no specific expectations for Xie Xiaofei, he now regarded Tong Wei as a daughter.

Therefore, his decision to assist Xie Xiaofei would hinge on whether Xie Xiaofei was truly worthy of Tong Wei and capable of being responsible for her future. Soon after, Xie Xiaofei sought out Cai Tianlan, not to discuss Xie Corporation, but to ask for his help in fulfilling Tong Wei's dream of working with Jonathan at the New York headquarters.

Cai Tianlan questioned if Xie Xiaofei understood the implications of a long-distance relationship, but Xie Xiaofei affirmed his deep love for Tong Wei compelled him to help her achieve her aspirations. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Xie Xiaofei, recognizing it as Tong Wei, quickly hid.

Tong Wei had also come to meet Cai Tianlan, bringing Xie Xiaofei's eco-resort proposal to demonstrate that Xie Xiaofei was not the frivolous playboy he was perceived to be, and that she believed he could be a capable group heir. However, Cai Tianlan dismissed Xie Xiaofei as young and inexperienced, bluntly stating that he was unworthy of Tong Wei and would only cause her hardship.

Enraged from his hiding spot, Xie Xiaofei burst out, cursing Cai Tianlan a few times before preparing to leave with Tong Wei. Cai Tianlan then stopped them, proposing to help only one of them and asking them to decide who would receive his support.

Both Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei selflessly prioritized the other: Xie Xiaofei urged Cai Tianlan to help Tong Wei achieve her dreams, while Tong Wei declared she would not go to New York if Xie Corporation did not recover, thus rejecting his help. As they were about to decline his assistance entirely, Cai Tianlan smiled, revealing it had been a test.

He agreed to help both of them, wishing them success and expressing hope that they would not disappoint anyone's expectations. Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan, who was pregnant, called emergency services on her phone after falling at her home. Later, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei, asking about her whereabouts and why she hadn't answered her phone. Tong Wei apologized, stating she felt they both needed some time to calm down.

Episode 39 Recap

Xie Xiaofei successfully garnered Cai Tianlan's support. The next morning, Xie Tiancheng was taken away from the company for financial irregularities concerning embezzlement. Meanwhile, news of Tong Wei's impending departure for New York headquarters spread among her colleagues at CAEA. Tong Wei sought her boss, Mr. Zhou, who expressed concern about her ability to adapt to New York's uncertainties.

Tong Wei, however, was resolute, stating that she was willing to face any challenge with Xie Xiaofei, even "mountains of daggers and seas of fire." Mr. Zhou, accepting her determination, presumably approved her transfer. Xie Xiaofei hosted a celebratory dinner for all their friends, expressing his gratitude for their unwavering support throughout their difficult journey. Tong Wei then announced her own news: she would be joining Jonathan in New York as his assistant.

While everyone expressed concern about Tong Wei's new life, Xie Xiaofei assured them he would take good care of his wife. At the airport, colleagues gathered to bid farewell to Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. Jiang Ke and Qiqi embraced Tong Wei, visibly heartbroken. Xia Shanshan, too, shed tears, unwilling to part ways. Qin Tianyu warned Xie Xiaofei to treat Tong Wei well, or he would "steal her away."

Just as Tong Wei believed her aunt and uncle wouldn't make it, they rushed to the airport, showering Xie Xiaofei with advice to care for Tong Wei, reminding them that home was always an option if things didn't work out. Amidst their emotional goodbyes, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei boarded their flight across the ocean. Soon after sending Tong Wei off, Xia Shanshan prepared to see Qi Ruhai off on his business trip to Europe.

She felt a pang of sadness, but Qi Ruhai comforted her, explaining that securing this major deal would allow him to finally sever ties with his ex-wife's family and propose a grand wedding to Shanshan. Hearing this, Shanshan was moved to tears. Qi Ruhai then instructed their nanny to take meticulous care of Shanshan during his absence.

Upon their arrival in New York, Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei were welcomed by Xie Tianyou and Xiao Tian at the Xie family home. Xie Tianyou greeted Tong Wei politely but with a noticeable distance, asking if her visit was for business or pleasure. When Xie Xiaofei declared Tong Wei was there to marry him, his father frowned and dismissed it as a joke.

Later, at dinner, Xie Tianyou's courteous questions about Tong Wei's accommodation revealed his underlying aloofness, prompting Tong Wei to ask Xie Xiaofei not to openly contradict his father. However, Xie Xiaofei, unwilling to accept his father's attitude, left the table to speak with him privately. Xie Tianyou unequivocally expressed his opposition to their marriage, citing their disparate social statuses.

Xie Xiaofei vehemently disagreed, arguing that without Tong Wei's crucial assistance in Shanghai, Xie Corporation would not have returned to his control, accusing his father of being ungrateful. Despite Xie Tianyou's strong objections, Xie Xiaofei declared he would marry no one but Tong Wei. Tong Wei, observing the renewed tension between father and son, understood the Xie family's unspoken rejection of her and wished to avoid further conflict.

Concerned about Tong Wei staying in a hotel, Xie Xiaofei took her to an apartment owned by the Xie Corporation. Though Tong Wei initially hesitated, wary of displeasing Xie Tianyou, Xie Xiaofei successfully persuaded and cheered her up. Their sweet cohabitation officially began. Xie Xiaofei affectionately held Tong Wei as they cooked in the kitchen, and they later raised their wine glasses to their life, love, and courageous spirit.

On the balcony, a slightly tipsy Tong Wei, leaning on Xie Xiaofei, asked if she could entrust her future to him, to which he promised to cherish her as the love of his life. The next morning, Xie Xiaofei insisted on taking Tong Wei to CAEA headquarters on her first day, witnessing the new beginning of her life. Tong Wei entered her dream workplace with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

She met her idol, Jonathan, who complimented her beauty and elegance. He then gave her her first task: to arrange for delivery from Guangfulou, a famous dim sum restaurant that never delivered. Tong Wei called Guangfulou, and the restaurant explained they didn't deliver because dim sum was a leisure activity, not fast food. Tong Wei cleverly explained this to Jonathan and gained his approval. She then booked a table at Guangfulou, and Jonathan invited her to go with him.

Meanwhile, Xie Tianyou returned to work at Xie Corporation and investigated Xie Tiancheng's past actions. He also sent someone to thoroughly investigate Tong Wei. The report showed Tong Wei was an excellent girl, but her family background made Xie Tianyou frown. After work, Xie Xiaofei returned home to find Tong Wei busy making wontons for him. As they ate and discussed their day, Xie Xiaofei, deeply moved by their domestic bliss, spontaneously proposed.

Tong Wei was touched and surprised by the informal proposal but, deeply in love, she accepted without hesitation. The next day, Tong Wei was informed at work that Jonathan had taken on an urgent project. In an hour, they were to meet with Mr. Liu from China's Xinlong Enterprise. With no time to prepare, Jonathan decided to bring Tong Wei along to show warmth towards the Chinese company.

At Mr. Liu's hotel, Tong Wei used the booking information from the front desk to realize Mr. Liu was bluffing and there were no other competitors involved. She explained her observations to Jonathan, advising him to agree to all terms during this initial negotiation to buy time before pressing for a lower price later. Jonathan was greatly impressed by Tong Wei's insight and wisdom.

Episode 40 Recap

The sun was just right and the breeze was gentle, Shang Bichen and Situ Zhigao went on another date in the park. Although Situ had been continuously caring for Bichen, Bichen seemed distracted. She wanted to go home early to handle work documents, so Situ escorted her all the way to her doorstep. Situ was a bit shy in front of Bichen, but he still mustered the courage to confess his feelings to her.

He was just a public interest lawyer who didn't earn much money, and unpleasant previous blind dates had made him dislike them. But this time, when he met Bichen, he found she was different from other girls. She was more outstanding, more beautiful, and could understand his life choices. Situ wanted Bichen to give him a chance to be her boyfriend.

However, Shang Bichen already had someone she liked in her heart and didn't want to use Situ as a backup, nor did she want him to suffer the pain of unrequited love like herself, so Bichen decided to reject Situ's feelings. But Situ was unwilling to give up on Shang Bichen, declaring that he would definitely wait for her. The Xie family held a family gathering on the fifth of every month in Long Island.

Xie Xiaofei asked Tong Wei to go with him, as it was their first gathering since returning to New York, so Xie Xiaofei attached great importance to it. However, Tong Wei already had plans to attend a negotiation meeting with Jonathan this Friday, so she wanted to refuse Xie Xiaofei. But this time, Xiaofei's attitude was very firm; in order for their relationship to be recognized by the family, Xie Xiaofei insisted that Tong Wei attend with him.

Left with no choice, Tong Wei had to compromise and ask Jonathan for leave. Tong Wei handed the prepared Friday meeting materials to Jonathan and requested leave for Friday. Although Jonathan felt it was a pity for Tong Wei to miss the negotiation, he still offered his sincere blessings for Tong Wei's relationship. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to Long Island. Xiaotian's mother also reminded Xie Tianyou not to embarrass Tong Wei in public.

When the relatives heard that Xie Xiaofei was bringing his girlfriend home, they all had reservations about Tong Wei, knowing she was just a Chinese girl from an ordinary family. Xie Xiaofei brought Tong Wei to meet the family elders. After a brief introduction of Tong Wei, the relatives started whispering among themselves.

Just as Xiaofei was about to announce his engagement to Tong Wei, Xie Tianyou interrupted him, telling him not to talk about personal matters but to report on his work instead. After Xiaofei finished his report, Father Xie eagerly urged everyone to take their seats for dinner, no longer giving Xiaofei a chance to discuss personal matters. Afterwards, Xie Tianyou met with Tong Wei alone.

Tong Wei knew exactly what he wanted to talk about; she understood that the Xie family was unwilling to let her become a daughter-in-law. Xie Tianyou also frankly admitted his disapproval. He believed that Tong Wei being with Xie Xiaofei would bring a lot of trouble to Xiaofei. Tong Wei understood the prominent family's disdain for her ordinary background, but she firmly stated that she would not break up with Xiaofei because of it.

However, what Xie Tianyou truly minded was not Tong Wei herself, but her family. He pulled out privately investigated files and bluntly stated that her father was a criminal who took bribes. Upon hearing Xie Tianyou speak ill of her father, Tong Wei desperately defended him.

Just then, Xie Tianyou saw Xiaofei coming to the study to look for Tong Wei, and immediately feigned illness, telling Xie Xiaofei that Tong Wei had accused him of being a failed father and deserving to lose Xiaofei's mother. At this point, Tong Wei was unable to defend herself. Seeing everyone gathered around Xie Tianyou, she understood that this was a trap set by Father Xie to make her retreat. Tong Wei sadly walked out of the Xie family home.

Xiaofei asked Xiaotian to go after Tong Wei. Father Xie lay in the hospital, and the doctor, as instructed by him earlier, deliberately exaggerated Father Xie's condition, making Xiaofei mistakenly believe that he was genuinely stimulated because of Tong Wei. Although Father Xie knew that deceiving Xiaofei like this was wrong, he had no choice for the sake of the Xie family and Xiaofei's future.

Xie Xiaofei was at his father's bedside, listening to Father Xie exaggerate and add details about Tong Wei losing control of her emotions and verbally abusing him. Although Xie Xiaofei defended Tong Wei a few times, his mind was already in a mess. Xie Xiaotian found Tong Wei. He knew that things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface, and he wanted Tong Wei to speak out about all the unpleasantness.

For Tong Wei, when it concerned her father, even if he had truly done something wrong, she would never allow anyone to insult him. To comfort Tong Wei, Xie Xiaotian told her that his biological father was a gambler. Because others had always spoken ill of his father and shunned him, he could now especially understand Tong Wei's feelings. Xie Xiaotian advised Tong Wei to believe in Xiaofei's love.

Tong Wei then had no choice but to tell Xiaotian the truth; she also didn't want to believe that someone like Xie Tianyou would make such a despicable move, but everyone except her was on Xie Tianyou's side. So, as things stood, Tong Wei had no choice but to trust Xie Xiaofei. Shanshan's nanny was going out to buy something and told Shanshan to lie in bed and not move around.

After the nanny left, Shanshan got up and went to the bathroom. She saw the showerhead dripping water, hesitated for a moment, but still entered the bathroom to turn off the showerhead. However, due to the accumulated water on the floor, she accidentally slipped and fell heavily. Blood flowed from between Shanshan's legs. Shanshan struggled to crawl to the bedside, grabbed her phone, and called the emergency center.

But the ambulance couldn't arrive right away, and Shanshan was in so much pain that she was crying profusely. She had no choice but to call Tong Wei. Meanwhile, Tong Wei, escorted by Xie Xiaotian, returned to her apartment in New York. As soon as Xie Xiaofei saw her, he anxiously asked her where she had been, as he couldn't reach her.

But Tong Wei calmly told him that she wanted to postpone the wedding and would move out of the apartment tomorrow. Xie Xiaofei pressed Tong Wei for the reason. Tong Wei had no choice but to tell him that she didn't want to marry into a family that looked down on her, as the Xie family believed she would become a stain on their entire family enterprise.

But Xie Xiaofei believed Father Xie's words and thought Tong Wei was distorting his father's meaning. So no matter how Tong Wei explained that his father was feigning illness, Xie Xiaofei firmly sided with his father this time. Tong Wei received Shanshan's call and became extremely anxious, knowing something had happened to her.

She wanted to return to China immediately to be with Shanshan, but Xie Xiaofei wouldn't let Tong Wei go and even accused Xia Shanshan of being a loose woman. Hearing Xie Xiaofei's words, Tong Wei raised her hand and slapped him. She could tolerate being insulted herself, but she would never allow anyone to insult her friends and family. Xie Xiaofei suddenly received a call from the hospital saying something had happened to his mother.

In a panic, he asked Xiaotian to watch Tong Wei while he rushed to the hospital first. Tong Wei, tears streaming down her face, begged Xie Xiaotian to let her go to the airport. Seeing Tong Wei's distraught appearance, Xiaotian couldn't help but soften and agreed. Tong Wei, who caught the last flight, stayed awake all night in anxiety.

Episode 41 Recap

At Futong Law Firm, Qin Tianyu learned from Chen Wen that Shang Bichen was in a relationship and hard to find. Chen Wen also revealed that Bichen was dating Mr. Sun's nephew. Qin Tianyu then spoke with Bichen privately, confirming her relationship. He was visibly shocked and advised her not to be deceived.

Upon hearing Bichen planned to meet her boyfriend's parents in Beijing during a short holiday, Qin Tianyu, in a rare display of panic, impulsively ordered her not to meet them or marry. As a confession lingered on his lips, he received a call from Tong Wei and once again left Bichen to rush to Tong Wei. Qin Tianyu drove Tong Wei to the hospital, where Xia Shanshan lay pale and lifeless.

Knowing her end was near, Shanshan told Tong Wei that loving Qi Ruhai was the only thing she had done her entire life. She believed they would be different, but now it was too late. Shanshan entrusted her baby to Tong Wei, asking her to care for the child as her own daughter. Tong Wei, unable to accept the reality, cried and begged Shanshan not to give up.

However, Shanshan's hand in Tong Wei's slowly went limp, and she closed her eyes after shedding a final tear. To make matters worse, Shanshan's premature baby also could not be saved due to delayed medical attention. When Qi Ruhai finally arrived at the hospital, he found Shanshan covered by a white sheet. Tears streaming down his face, he knelt by her bed, pleading with her to wake up and give him one more chance to marry her.

Xia Shanshan had spent her brief life loving a man who offered no clear future. Now, having endured immense suffering, just as she was on the verge of realizing her deepest hopes, she departed a world that had been so cruel to her. In Shanghai, the upcoming wedding of Zhao Chenxi and Yang Xiao was overshadowed by recent events. At the Song residence, Zhao Chenxi's and Yang Xiao's parents were chatting, with Mr. Song eagerly discussing business with Mr. Yang.

Zhao Chenxi suddenly received a call from Luo Bin, who informed her that Xie Xiaofei's mother had passed away, Tong Wei had broken up with him, and Xie Corporation was in chaos. Zhao Chenxi immediately decided to fly to New York. Yang Xiao tried to convince her to marry him first, but Zhao Chenxi confessed she had no love for him, only gratitude, and called off the wedding in front of both sets of parents.

Having always lived to please her parents, Zhao Chenxi declared that this time, she would live for herself. Yang Xiao drove Zhao Chenxi to the airport, understanding that her departure meant their chance at marriage was over. He likened her to a prize in a claw machine that he could never win, despite accumulating all his luck, and finally decided to let go, unwilling to continue their emotional strain. In New York, the sudden misfortunes utterly devastated Xie Xiaofei.

The successive loss of his mother and Tong Wei meant he had lost the two most important women in his life within a single day. He spiraled into heavy drinking in his room. He had just found hard-won happiness, only to lose everything overnight. Xie Xiaofei vented his anger on Xiaotian for allowing Tong Wei to leave, driving him out of the apartment, then broke down crying alone on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Qin Tianyu had anonymously purchased Tong Wei's old house when she and Xie Xiaofei had to sell it. He took Tong Wei back to the house, and she was surprised and deeply grateful for his kindness, unsure how to repay him. Qin Tianyu, however, explained that his actions were only to spare her suffering, not to seek any return.

Observing Xie Xiaofei's silence since Tong Wei's return, Qin Tianyu directly asked her about her relationship, and Tong Wei confirmed that she and Xie Xiaofei had completely broken up. Tong Wei expressed guilt for failing to save Shanshan and resentment towards Xie Xiaofei for preventing her return. Qin Tianyu understood her emotional burden and hoped she could gradually let go. Tong Wei insisted on writing an IOU to repay the house money with interest.

Yielding to her persistence, Qin Tianyu agreed to accept the principal but proposed that she do him a favor in exchange for the interest. Tong Wei visited Shang Bichen at her rental apartment, finding Bichen packing her luggage with Situ Zhigao waiting. After Situ Zhigao stepped downstairs, Bichen admitted to Tong Wei that she was likely getting married soon. Tong Wei, concerned, questioned if Bichen was simply settling due to exhaustion.

However, Shang Bichen affirmed her decision to move on to the next chapter of her life. She expressed gratitude for how Qin Tianyu's excellence had inspired her to become a better person, but also acknowledged that her unrequited feelings for him had reached their conclusion. Tong Wei, originally sent by Qin Tianyu to dissuade Bichen, changed her mind after hearing Bichen's sincerity and instead advised Qin Tianyu to let go and offer his blessings to Bichen.

Xie Xiaofei, suffering from alcohol poisoning, was taken back to the Xie mansion and cared for by Zhao Chenxi. Upon waking, he saw her by his side. Xie Tianyou visited Xiaofei, first urging him not to despair over his mother's passing for too long. He then revealed that Zhao Chenxi had abandoned her wedding to care for Xiaofei, leading to her father, Song Yong, publicly disowning her.

Xie Tianyou tried to persuade Xiaofei to accept Zhao Chenxi's genuine affection, but Xiaofei, still unable to forget Tong Wei, hesitated. Xie Tianyou then disclosed that Tong Wei, after returning to Shanghai, had moved back into her former house, which Qin Tianyu had bought for her. Disbelieving this, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei's home. Tiantian answered and confirmed the news, even scolding him. Tong Wei then took the phone and told Xie Xiaofei never to contact her again.

Later, as Situ Zhigao took Shang Bichen to the airport, Qin Tianyu received a letter from Bichen. Her delicate handwriting expressed all the sweet and painful memories from her four years of loving him. She thanked Qin Tianyu for inspiring her to become more outstanding, and with this letter, Shang Bichen drew a close to her long period of unspoken affection.

Episode 42 Recap

After reading the letter, Qin Tianyu rushed to the airport. In fact, Shang Bichen had already seen him from a distance. Before she could answer the phone, Shang Bichen couldn't help but burst into tears. Qin Tianyu called to ask Shang Bichen to stay, hoping to get a chance to repay the love she had given him.

Having blindly pursued Tong Wei for so long, Qin Tianyu finally realized his true love at the moment Shang Bichen was about to leave. Qin Tianyu's every word imprinted itself on Shang Bichen's heart, making her cry non-stop. She, too, couldn't just settle for anyone. Shang Bichen walked out of the airport and saw Qin Tianyu still waiting for her. The two no longer hesitated and embraced each other tightly.

At this moment, at the Xie family's dinner table, Zhao Chenxi was eating with Father and Mother Xie. She said she had already bought a ticket to return home tomorrow, but Xie Xiaofei said he would accompany Zhao Chenxi back in a couple of days. In a few days, the Xie Group would host a banquet in Shanghai under the name of "Eighteen Collections" officially entering China, so Xie Xiaofei would also return to the country then.

Zhao Chenxi asked him somewhat disbelievingly if he knew what this meant. Xie Xiaofei, of course, understood. He embraced Zhao Chenxi, thanking her for her unwavering support during his difficult times, and decided to be with her. Tong Wei returned to CAEA in Shanghai, and the Xie Group also entrusted the banquet reception to CAEA. General Manager Zhou informed Tong Wei about this, but Tong Wei's indifferent attitude surprised him a little.

Standing before General Manager Zhou once again, Tong Wei seemed like a different person, having lost both love and her former fighting spirit. To allow Tong Wei to adjust her state properly, General Manager Zhou assigned Xiao Xiang to follow up on the matter and gave Tong Wei a long holiday. Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi arrived in Shanghai together.

Zhao Chenxi learned that CAEA was in charge of the evening event, so she worried that Tong Wei would also appear. However, Xiaofei assured her that his relationship with Tong Wei was completely over. The next morning, Xie Xiaofei came to CAEA for a meeting. Xiao Xiang hurried to butter him up, but Xie Xiaofei coldly announced that Tong Wei's vacation was over, and this project had to be handled by Tong Wei.

The next day, when Xie Xiaofei saw Xiao Xiang in the conference room again instead of Tong Wei, he left without a word. Xie Xiaofei, who had returned to China again, was completely changed. The shadow of his former arrogance and assertiveness had entirely vanished. Now, he was taciturn, and his former playful smile was nowhere to be seen. Xie Xiaofei couldn't understand how much Tong Wei hated him.

He recalled the moments they had shared, and unable to control his emotions, he drove directly to Tong Wei's home downstairs. Xie Xiaofei called and forced Tong Wei to come downstairs. The two, reunited once more, immediately engaged in a verbal battle upon meeting. Xie Xiaofei accused Tong Wei of giving up their relationship over a small misunderstanding, but Tong Wei angrily pointed at him and said that the "small misunderstanding" he spoke of involved two living lives.

Because of Xie Xiaofei's repeated obstruction at the time, Tong Wei's return to China was delayed, causing Xia Shanshan to lose her optimal treatment time. Xie Xiaofei was utterly shocked upon hearing this; he never imagined things would be so serious. He hugged Tong Wei, begging for her forgiveness, but this time, Tong Wei pushed him away without hesitation.

Tong Wei stated that she would never forgive him, but the next day, Tong Wei appeared on time in CAEA's conference room. Time seemed to rewind to the scene of their first encounter: the familiar negotiation table, but with completely different states of mind. Halfway through the meeting, everyone prepared for a lunch break.

Qin Tianyu came to the company to find Tong Wei and tell her good news: he and Shang Bichen had decided to get married and wanted to invite Tong Wei to be a bridesmaid. For a long time, Qin Tianyu's unrequited love for Tong Wei had transformed into a peaceful co-existence. He wanted to thank Tong Wei, but he didn't know how to express his myriad of feelings.

Tong Wei understood Tianyu's thoughts; a sincere "thank you" was all she needed. Tong Wei gave Qin Tianyu an embrace full of blessings, but this scene was coincidentally seen by Xie Xiaofei, leading him to mistakenly believe they were in a romantic relationship. Afterwards, Xie Xiaofei interrupted their conversation, urging Tong Wei to return to the meeting. Tong Wei mentioned that Xie Xiaofei's speech at the evening event was very important.

Xie Xiaofei, who had been silent, suddenly interjected, saying he would announce his engagement to Zhao Chenxi at the event. Upon hearing this, Tong Wei forced out a smile, congratulated Xie Xiaofei, and very politely said that they would do their utmost to complete the work. After work, Xie Xiaofei stopped Tong Wei downstairs at the company, forced her into his car, and took her to a bridal shop.

Zhao Chenxi was trying on wedding dresses in the shop and was also surprised to see Tong Wei. Xie Xiaofei felt indignant; he couldn't stand Tong Wei's indifferent reaction to seeing him about to marry another woman. He loudly questioned Tong Wei if she loved him or not, but Tong Wei, though her eyes were red, did not answer. Zhao Chenxi, having finished trying on her dress, ran out and interrupted their conversation.

Afterwards, a sales assistant asked Zhao Chenxi to write down an address, but the pen Zhao Chenxi pulled from her bag was a relic of Tong Wei's father. This action clearly provoked Tong Wei. Upon seeing it, she left immediately. Xie Xiaofei hurried after her, wanting to explain, but Tong Wei ignored him.

She simply told Xie Xiaofei with a cold face to find an opportunity to return the pen to her, adding that her father's relic was an inauspicious symbol for a wedding. Cui Xi was furious because Xie Xiaofei was targeting Tong Wei everywhere, so she found Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen, hoping they could help. Qin Tianyu decided to proactively find Xie Xiaofei after hearing this.

He said he was getting married, but Xie Xiaofei, full of resentment, offered no blessings. However, Qin Tianyu smiled and said the bride was Shang Bichen. This news completely surprised Xie Xiaofei. He then asked about the house matter again, and Qin Tianyu showed him an IOU, which completely dispelled his doubts. Qin Tianyu explained all the misunderstandings. Xie Xiaofei told him about the series of messy events between him and Tong Wei.

Qin Tianyu advised Xiaofei to quickly explain things to Tong Wei and not give up easily. Xie Xiaofei didn't understand why his former love rival would help him, but now that Qin Tianyu had Shang Bichen, he understood how hard-won happiness was, and he hoped Xiaofei could also seize the opportunity. As night fell, Xie Xiaofei waited for Tong Wei at the Hao Ke restaurant, but everything had changed. This time, Xie Xiaofei sincerely came to apologize to Tong Wei.

He explained what he had experienced in the United States and the news of his mother's death, hoping to go back to the past with Tong Wei. However, for Tong Wei, they were no longer who they used to be. Not only had changed circumstances intensified various conflicts, but family reasons also put them in different positions. Tong Wei refused Xie Xiaofei's embrace; she wanted to let the past remain in the past.

Episode 43 Recap

The spacious and brightly lit banquet hall was elegantly and generously decorated with white and pink roses. CAEA colleagues were busy arranging the venue and preparing for the rehearsal. Tong Wei, meanwhile, went to the airport to pick up Xie Tianyou and his party. At this time, Zhao Chenxi asked Xie Xiaofei to go to a place with her. Dressed in a luxurious evening gown, she took Xie Xiaofei to the small mountain from their past.

Zhao Chenxi said that she and Xie Xiaofei would race to climb the mountain; if Xie Xiaofei reached the top first, she would agree to call off the engagement, but if Zhao Chenxi reached the top first, then Xie Xiaofei would have to marry her honestly. As soon as Zhao Chenxi gave the command, "Ready, set, go!" Xie Xiaofei unhesitatingly rushed towards the mountain top.

Zhao Chenxi, standing still, now truly saw Xie Xiaofei's heart, but she still took off her high heels and struggled to climb to the top of the mountain. Just a few steps from the summit, Xie Xiaofei stopped, deliberately letting Zhao Chenxi win the race. Shanghai, along the Huangpu River, was surrounded by colorful lights. The Xie Corporation's reception went smoothly as scheduled. Tong Wei greeted important guests at the entrance.

Cai Tianlan and Lei Xiong also honored them with their presence. When Cai Tianlan saw Tong Wei, he heard about the marriage alliance between the Xie Corporation and Kovan, and felt it was unfair to Tong Wei. But Tong Wei emphasized that she and Xie Xiaofei had broken up peacefully, which put Cai Tianlan at ease. At this moment, Tracy came to inform Tong Wei that Zhao Chenxi was missing, and everyone from Kovan and the Xie Corporation was frantic.

Tong Wei rushed to ask Xie Xiaofei, but he also didn't know Zhao Chenxi's whereabouts, so he asked Xie Xiaotian to investigate. After Xie Tianyou learned that Zhao Chenxi was missing, he didn't want the reception to be delayed because of her. He then asked Tong Wei to cancel the engagement segment and apologized to her. Xie Tianyou's appearance opened the curtain of the reception. He delivered a speech in public, thanking the Chinese and American parties for their attendance.

Then, he announced a private matter of the Xie family: the engagement between Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi was canceled. Just as the crowd was in an uproar, Xie Tianyou slowly revealed the reason. Zhao Chenxi had gone to find Xie Tianyou alone the previous evening. She told Xie's father that she couldn't marry Xie Xiaofei, who deeply loved Tong Wei in his heart. She was unwilling to accept a marriage bestowed upon her by Xie Xiaofei.

Therefore, Xie Tianyou announced at the party his decision to respect Zhao Chenxi's choice. Afterward, Xie Tianyou recounted the development history of Xie's Eighteen Treasures, and solemnly announced that the Xie Corporation, which developed in the United States a century ago, was officially returning to China. Xie Xiaofei realized that Xie Tianyou's speech was unexpected by everyone. He wanted to interrupt his father from continuing, but his father insisted on finishing what he had to say.

Xie Tianyou no longer cared about his son's face; instead, he spoke about everything he had experienced in his life, and no longer wished Xie Xiaofei to repeat his own life. Xie Tianyou publicly admitted that he had maliciously framed Tong Wei and forced her to leave before. He made Xie Xiaofei aware of all this, hoping his son could start his life anew from this moment.

After the banquet, Xie Tianyou apologized to Tong Wei and hoped she could accept Xie Xiaofei again. Zhao Chenxi drove alone on a wide highway. She finally decided to let go of Xie Xiaofei, whom she had loved so deeply, let go of the family and career that had once bound her, and go in search of her new life. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei was also striving for his new life.

He finally finished dealing with everything, and ran to Tong Wei's house with pink baby's breath flowers. But Tong Tiantian told him that Tong Wei had already embarked on her trip to Hawaii. Xie Xiaofei rushed to the airport anxiously, but there were no tickets left for the day. Hawaii, usually sunny year-round, was now experiencing a drizzling rain. Tong Wei returned to her old landlady Rita's guesthouse, and both were very happy to meet again.

The next day, Xie Xiaofei also arrived at the guesthouse, but Tong Wei was nowhere to be seen. He told Rita about the hardships they had experienced after leaving that place. He knew that he had made mistakes because he was too young then. Just as Xie Xiaofei was dejected about not finding Tong Wei, Rita smiled and told him that Tong Wei was already waiting for him somewhere.

Upon learning this, Xie Xiaofei immediately ran to the pier where they had once eloped by yacht. From a distance, he saw Tong Wei dressed in red. The two boarded a sailboat and sailed on the azure ocean that connected with the sky. Xie Xiaofei had once said here that he would give Tong Wei a love that transcended heaven and earth. And now, here, he knelt on one knee and proposed to Tong Wei, who shyly and happily accepted.

This love story, spanning New York and Shanghai, enduring through trials and tribulations, finally, with heaven and earth as witnesses, reached its destined beautiful ending. And at the same time, it would usher in a happy and expectant life for Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. (The End)