Our Glamorous Time Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Our Glamorous Time Synopsis
Because the family business was in trouble, Li Zhicheng was appointed to be the head of a company and met Lin Qian, a white-collar worker who had just left school and had problems starting her own business.
Since Li Zhicheng had no business experience, the president was not well received by the company internally and externally.
However, Lin Qian was a very honest and kind girl who helped Li Zhicheng a lot with her workplace experience and ideal pursuit.
Li Zhicheng applies his own wisdom and unique methods to the actual operation of the business, which brought the business back from the dead, and step by step to glory.
In the process, he and Lin Qian got to know and fell in love with each other.
However, at this time, international foreign companies also saw the company’s rich profits and development prospects, and offered to buy it at a high price.
With the dream of building a patriotic enterprise, Li Zhicheng, Lin Shallow and other young private entrepreneurs refused the acquisition. Instead,they devoted themselves to the quality of the products, creative improvement and management of the corporate image.
In the end, Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian made the enterprise step by step to the world, and reaped the love.
Our Glamorous Time Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Fashion designer Lin Qian traveled alone to a scenic spot in Yunnan to gather cultural inspiration. She spotted an old, hand-embroidered garment at a street stall and tried to persuade the vendor to sell it. Lin Qian, a fashion design student, explained that she was looking for inspiration from traditional ethnic clothing. The vendor initially claimed the piece was reserved for wholesalers but eventually agreed to sell it for 800 yuan, emphasizing its authenticity as a lost craft.
Seeing that Lin Qian was a young woman traveling alone, the vendor had ill intentions. He lured her to a nearby village, claiming it was home to many elders skilled in such embroidery, while also advising her to be careful. Lin Qian, eager for design inspiration, readily went, but was ambushed and kidnapped on the way by the vendor and his accomplices. One of them mentioned they needed a replacement for another girl who refused to obey.
At the same time, in the mountains of Yunnan, a special forces unit, led by their captain Li Zhicheng, was executing a secret mission to eliminate a criminal organization headed by The Leech. This group was involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms smuggling along the Southeast Asian borders, posing a severe threat to China's security. This was the team's final mission before leaving the army, so Li Zhicheng stressed it must be flawlessly executed.
His team confirmed the presence of The Leech and successfully cleared a minefield. Li Zhicheng and "Monkey" prepared to infiltrate from a suspension bridge, "Antelope" and a second team from a temple, and "Grizzly Bear" with a third team was tasked with placing bombs. At the criminals' hideout, the vendor prepared to inject Lin Qian. Li Zhicheng acted swiftly, shooting the vendor dead.
As he moved to evacuate the terrified Lin Qian, a large number of criminals arrived, forcing Li Zhicheng to protect her while engaging in a fierce gun battle. Outnumbered, Li Zhicheng and his comrades retreated. They reached a swaying suspension bridge, which Lin Qian, suffering from acrophobia, found terrifying. With no time to spare, Li Zhicheng picked her up and carried her across. However, they were soon caught by pursuing motorcyclists, and both Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian sustained injuries.
The special forces unit then escorted Lin Qian onto a helicopter, where Li Zhicheng provided basic first aid for her wounds, causing her to lose consciousness from the pain. Her rescuers breathed a sigh of relief as she was taken to a military hospital for emergency treatment. Lin Qian regained consciousness in the hospital and received a call from her friend, Chen Yayi.
To avoid worrying her, Lin Qian downplayed her dangerous experience in Yunnan, promising to explain everything upon her return. Chen Yayi expressed her concern about the missed calls and playfully teased Lin Qian about a potential "romance with a military guy" in Yunnan, fantasizing about his tall, muscular physique and how he must have held Lin Qian tightly. Lin Qian dismissed her friend's romantic musings, stating she was merely seeking her "muse" for design inspiration.
Lin Qian then inquired with a nurse about the military personnel who saved her, learning they had already departed and their names could not be disclosed. Disappointed, she discovered Li Zhicheng's camouflage uniform left on a nearby table. Meanwhile, in Linhai City, the unexpected death of Wenda Group's President, Li Zhiqian, who drowned after his car was recovered from Lin Jiang waters, caused significant turmoil. The company's stock plummeted, and a sense of unease spread throughout the group.
Li Jinyuan attended a shareholder meeting on behalf of her father. The shareholders showed her little respect, highlighting Wenda's market share drop from 20% to 8% and the chaotic situation without a leader. They demanded the immediate election of a new executive director with professional experience to manage the company, asserting that Wenda belonged to all shareholders, not just the Li family.
At a new product launch event, Ning Weikai, president of Xinbaorui, one of Linhai City's top three fashion giants, announced new products. However, Chen Zheng, president of Simeiqi, tried to disrupt the event by accusing Xinbaorui of plagiarism and unfair competition. Grace, the chief editor of H Group, intervened, supporting Ning Weikai. She urged the media to remember the importance of the physical clothing industry alongside e-commerce, citing it as a wish of the recently deceased Li Zhiqian.
She then requested a three-minute moment of silence to honor him. Upon learning the devastating news of his brother Li Zhiqian's death, Li Zhicheng, overcome with anger and grief, immediately rushed back to Linhai City. He sped through the streets on his motorcycle. At a crossroads, he briefly saw Lin Qian in her car at a traffic light, but he did not approach her. Li Zhicheng later met with Gu Yanzhi, Wenda's vice president and his friend.
Li Zhicheng abruptly took Gu Yanzhi on a high-speed boat ride on the sea, nearly throwing him overboard. Gu Yanzhi, who was afraid of water, candidly revealed Wenda's critical state: declining performance, Li Zhiqian's unfulfilled vision of transforming the company into a design-focused enterprise due to a lack of skilled designers, and the ongoing power struggles among shareholders. Li Zhicheng then apologized for his aggressive behavior, explaining that he had tested Gu Yanzhi to discern his loyalty.
He stated that in the "battlefield," the most terrifying thing isn't the enemy, but a traitorous comrade. He declared that he now trusted Gu Yanzhi to "have his back" and expressed his hope for their future collaboration. Back at Lin Qian and Chen Yayi's online shop, Qianqian Smile, Chen Yayi noticed Lin Qian was often lost in thought, teasing her about her "military guy" from Yunnan and describing him as a six-foot-tall man with a six-pack.
Chen Yayi lamented that Lin Qian didn't even know his name or what he looked like, suggesting they might never meet again. Lin Qian retorted that she was merely searching for her "muse" and that Chen Yayi was the one lost in romantic fantasies. Chen Yayi then presented a rent increase notice, demanding a year's rent within a month. Lin Qian was worried, as their capital was tied up in a large order from Wenda.
Chen Yayi reassured her that if the batch of party dresses from Wenda was delivered on time, their financial issues would be resolved, and they might even earn some extra money. Later that day, Lin Qian received an angry phone call from a customer, Ms. Wang, who complained that a dress purchased from Qianqian Smile had severely faded, ruining it for an important performance that evening. Ms. Wang threatened to file a complaint.
Lin Qian rushed to the Sunshine Hotel to meet the furious Ms. Wang, apologizing profusely and offering a double refund. Ms. Wang, however, was distraught, explaining that a refund wouldn't solve the problem as her performance was jeopardized, potentially impacting her career. Lin Qian quickly offered another dress from her shop in Ms. Wang's size. However, it didn't fit because the original dress had a tie-back design, and Ms. Wang had intentionally bought a smaller size.
Lin Qian, demonstrating her design skills, took the dress and expertly redesigned it on the spot. Ms. Wang wore Lin Qian's re-designed dress, and her performance was a great success. Meanwhile, discussions about the local fashion industry continued. Grace observed Chen Zheng's strong online marketing skills and his penchant for generating gossip, making him an internet celebrity for Simeiqi.
She also noted Ning Weikai's background, having graduated from a prestigious British university, and his steady leadership that significantly boosted Xinbaorui's sales, earning him a reputation as a model young entrepreneur. She mentioned his ambition to elevate Xinbaorui's brand to high fashion. Grace further revealed that Li Zhicheng had returned, but his mysterious nature and lack of experience in the fashion industry made him seem an easy target.
She, along with Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai, saw Wenda as a vulnerable "delicious piece of cake" to be divided. Ning Weikai suggested creating more trouble for Wenda, while Grace subtly highlighted the surprising alliance between Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai, who appeared to be rivals in public but conspired behind the scenes.
Episode 2 Recap
Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai met secretly at a bar, speculating about Grace's unexpected appearance at the press conference. Grace arrived unexpectedly and subtly brought up Li Zhiqian's death, questioning its true cause. Chen Zheng deliberately avoided the topic. Grace further pressed them, asking if they truly believed his death was an accident, and sarcastically commented that they must be happy to finally breathe a sigh of relief from Wenda's pressure now that Li Zhiqian was gone.
Ning Weikai exchanged a look with Chen Zheng and deflected, claiming she must have misunderstood and that his death was just too sudden for them to accept. Meanwhile, Li Zhicheng observed Wenda's overall declining performance, noting that only a small subsidiary called Aida, which Li Zhiqian highly valued, was showing an upward trend. Li Zhicheng sternly informed Gu Yanzhi that the HCG inspection group would arrive at Wenda tomorrow, and no mistakes could be tolerated.
He also instructed Gu Yanzhi to keep his return to Linhai City a secret, even from his own father and sister, because he had keenly realized that Wenda's true enemy was internal, not external. He intended to investigate discreetly to uncover the truth. In a separate conversation, Li Zhicheng's sister, Li Jinyuan, returned home, attempting to conceal the shareholder meeting's chaos, but her father had already learned from the news that she had smashed the ballot box.
To her surprise, instead of reprimanding her, he praised her actions. Lin Qian hurried back to her studio through heavy rain, where she was met by her brother, Lin Mochen, who had come to pick her up with an umbrella. Back home, her friend Yayi teasingly asked about the handsome man, but Lin Qian playfully turned the question back, asking if Yayi liked him.
Seeing his sister struggle with her startup, Lin Mochen expressed his concern and urged her to return to America at the end of the month for an interview as a designer assistant at a company. Lin Qian refused, insistent on pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams in China, to which Lin Mochen commented that her "startup" was merely providing clothes to customers in second and third-tier cities, which would inevitably affect her designs.
Lin Qian, however, declared her ambition to create a high-end Chinese brand. Li Zhicheng visited the police station and learned that Li Zhiqian's body tested positive for a high alcohol content, and his vehicle showed no signs of tampering. The police initially suspected a traffic accident due to drunk driving. Li Zhicheng, heartbroken, reminisced about his brother, who never drank and was highly disciplined.
He felt a strong premonition that his brother's death was not an accident and earnestly requested the police to investigate further, even after they pointed out the lack of struggle marks on the body and the damaged phone. Lin Qian drove to Wenda to deliver an order to Manager Ding, only to find out he had resigned due to Wenda's poor performance.
A Wenda employee informed her that Wenda never takes small orders and that this batch was a private gig by Ding Fei, advising her to deal with him directly or sue him. Lin Qian tried to call Ding Fei, who admitted he'd quit because "Wenda is a mess" and brusquely dismissed her claims about the faulty fabric, telling her she wasn't the only one with such problems.
Meanwhile, Wenda employees, incited by an unknown party, gathered outside the company to protest. Li Zhicheng, observing from security footage, calmly watched the crowd, intending to identify the instigators. He suddenly spotted Lin Qian and went down to stop her. An indignant Lin Qian confronted Li Zhicheng, accusing Wenda of substituting the fabric for her order.
She explained that she specifically ordered 120-thread count fabric for summer clothes, but Wenda delivered 160-thread count, which, despite being more expensive, was unsuitable as it wrinkles easily and bleeds color when wet. She emphasized that expensive isn't always better; suitability is key, showcasing her expertise in fabrics, which impressed Li Zhicheng.
Realizing Wenda was at fault, Li Zhicheng agreed to compensate her, offering to transfer the 50,000 yuan contract amount via WeChat, or 20,000 yuan if she took the leftover fabric. At that moment, a security guard rushed to announce an emergency on the rooftop. Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian hurried to the scene, finding an old man threatening to jump.
Lin Qian recalled seeing the old man earlier in the elevator, overhearing him talk on the phone about needing "CEO Chen" to guarantee his safety, which she relayed to Li Zhicheng. Li Zhicheng, sensing a setup, immediately instructed Gu Yanzhi to investigate the man's identity. Coincidentally, the HCG inspection group arrived just then, witnessing the chaotic scene. Chen Zheng was indeed the mastermind, aiming to sabotage Wenda's partnership with the HCG inspection group by staging this "good show."
Grace, aware of Ning Weikai's involvement in the Wenda "drama," ironically invited him for coffee to watch his "big show," accusing him of using despicable tactics in their rivalry, a charge he vehemently denied, claiming it was merely normal business competition. On the rooftop, Lin Qian approached the old man, Shen Guoqiang, and kindly tried to persuade him to come down, sharing her own experience of being tricked by Wenda.
Li Zhicheng, noticing the old man's hesitation, seized the opportunity to warn him that the "inferior air cushion" below would not guarantee his safety. Shen Guoqiang wavered, and just then, his wife arrived below, yelling at him for his foolishness and accusing him of trying to get money for gambling. As Shen Guoqiang tried to step back from the ledge, he slipped.
Li Zhicheng, with quick reflexes, grabbed his wrist, while Lin Qian also helped hold his legs, and together, with the aid of arriving security guards, they pulled him to safety. Following the incident, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi addressed the agitated employees, assuring them that Wenda would fully disburse their severance payments and urging them not to be incited by others. The employees, receiving this assurance, dispersed. Li Zhicheng then asked Gu Yanzhi about Lin Qian's whereabouts.
When he caught up to her, Lin Qian was being attacked by a group of men hired by Chen Zheng as retaliation. Li Zhicheng, displaying formidable combat skills, quickly subdued the assailants, driving them away and rescuing Lin Qian for the second time. He then informed her that Wenda would cover her car repairs and asked her to add him on WeChat to arrange the fabric delivery, fulfilling their earlier agreement.
Back at the office, Gu Yanzhi informed Li Zhicheng that the HCG inspection group had already signed a cooperation agreement with New Baorui. Li Zhicheng then asked about the anonymous text message he received, which had warned him about the worker protest. Gu Yanzhi revealed the number belonged to Grace, the chief editor of H Fashion Corp, who had a close relationship with Li Zhiqian and was a powerful figure in the fashion industry.
Later, Li Zhicheng met Grace by the river. Grace was somber, umbrella in hand, staring at the water. She confirmed sending the warning text and when Li Zhicheng pressed her for her reasons and her relationship with his brother, she recounted how Li Zhiqian had called her on the day of his death to meet for dinner, and she had collapsed upon hearing the news of his drowning after waiting for him for a long time.
Episode 3 Recap
Lin Mochen arrived at Lin Qian's studio and found her and her friend exhausted from working all night, their online shop struggling and dealing with negative feedback. He expressed concern that she was wasting her life. He then revealed that he had submitted her designs to the director of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy's (LVMH) American division, a prestigious international company, which was hiring an assistant designer.
Lin Mochen stated she had over an 80% chance of being hired, and they were eager to meet her. Lin Qian was initially thrilled but also felt conflicted. She acknowledged the invaluable learning opportunity and exposure to top fashion design, but she cherished her independence in her small, albeit challenging and unprofitable, design shop, where she could create her own designs.
Lin Mochen criticized her pursuit as a "waste of talent and life," but Lin Qian countered that working as a subordinate assistant would be no different. For her, a designer's most precious asset was freedom. Lin Mochen placed a plane ticket on the table, urging her to return to America with him and warning that if she didn't seize this opportunity, he would no longer intervene in her affairs.
Lin Qian, though grateful, refused to be pressured, asking him to respect her choices. Her friend, Ya Yi, also tried to persuade her, emphasizing LVMH's prestige as one of the world's top three luxury goods groups, but Lin Qian remained firm. Meanwhile, in a heavy rainstorm by the river, Li Zhicheng met with Grace.
Grace, deeply affected by Li Zhiqian's death, believed it was not an accident or suicide and was determined to uncover the true cause, stating she didn't believe such a self-disciplined person would die from drunk driving. Li Zhicheng shared her conviction, and they agreed to investigate those close to his late brother. Grace revealed her own investigation had led her to send Li Zhicheng a warning about impending trouble at Wenda.
She identified Xinbaorui and Simeiqi as the main beneficiaries of Li Zhiqian's death, noting their rapid market expansion after Wenda's decline. She had discovered Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng secretly collaborating to "fight Wenda together," confirming her suspicion that they were behind the previous worker unrest. Li Zhicheng vowed to save Wenda and fight to the end, a resolve Grace knew would make his brother, who proudly called him "wolf of the southwest," proud.
Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of Li Zhicheng's sister, Li Jinyuan, prompting Grace to quickly put on sunglasses and depart to avoid being recognized. Li Jinyuan pressed Li Zhicheng about his mysterious years in the army, but he deflected her questions, stating he had "something to do" and chose not to go home, asking her to drop him off. Soon after, Li Jinyuan received a news alert about Wenda being implicated in a quality inspection scandal.
At an emergency board meeting at Wenda, a board member clarified that Wenda's issue was a high shrinkage rate in a batch of children's underwear for export, not the "carcinogenic substances" inaccurately reported by the media which was an issue for another small enterprise. Despite this, the media's sensationalism had caused Wenda's stock to plummet. Some board members openly criticized Li Zhicheng for his absence and apparent evasion of responsibility, labeling him as hiding and kicking problems to others.
Gu Yanzhi, through an earpiece, was instructed by Li Zhicheng to remain silent and let the board members speak. Later, Gu Yanzhi privately urged Li Zhicheng to make a public appearance due to the mounting internal criticism. Li Zhicheng, however, maintained that the "timing isn't right yet," explaining his strategy to "lure the snake out of its hole." He suspected the fabric issue was deliberately orchestrated, noting the suspicious precision of the timing of its exposure.
Following Li Zhicheng's lead, Gu Yanzhi discreetly questioned Manager Zhang, a department manager involved with the fabric supply. Gu Yanzhi exposed Manager Zhang's inconsistent testimony about meeting details, strongly implicating him in the sabotage. While some employees questioned Gu Yanzhi’s methods, others recognized Li Zhicheng's hand in the investigation, identifying Xinbaorui and Simeiqi as the primary beneficiaries of Wenda’s troubles, and urged Li Zhicheng to take charge.
Back at her studio, Lin Qian received a call from the Binhe Road police station, requesting her to assist in an investigation regarding an assault near Wenda's industrial park. At the station, she found Li Zhicheng already present, facing accusations from a group of thugs.
Lin Qian clarified to the police that she had been the victim; the thugs had smashed her car and threatened her with knives after she left Wenda, and Li Zhicheng, whom she still mistakenly believed was Wenda's security manager, had bravely saved her and driven her home. The thugs attempted to discredit her testimony by falsely claiming that Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng knew each other and had been "holding hands."
However, Li Zhicheng exposed one thug's feigned arm injury by prompting him to demonstrate his supposed inability to lift his arm, which the thug readily did without realizing, thereby curing his "shoulder injury." Outside the police station, Lin Qian thanked Li Zhicheng, acknowledging his capability to handle the situation effortlessly even without her help. He formally introduced himself as "Li Zhicheng," a name she recognized from his WeChat contact, which had previously appeared as an anonymous series of dashes.
At another Wenda board meeting, Manager Zhang proposed selling the rejected children's clothing at a low price to small wholesalers to alleviate the company's severe financial strain. He argued that despite a shrinkage issue, the clothes were safe and of better quality than other wholesale items. Other board members expressed strong concerns about the potential reputational damage if the media discovered this plan.
A board member, Director Xue, called for a vote, and the majority approved Manager Zhang's proposal, tasking him with its execution. Gu Yanzhi, having received a discreet text message from Li Zhicheng to remain silent, later expressed his deep concern to Li Zhicheng, fearing that selling the problematic clothes would be catastrophic for Wenda. Li Zhicheng calmly reassured him, stating he had a plan in mind and Gu Yanzhi just needed to await the outcome.
Concurrently, Chen Zheng visited Grace, ostensibly to discuss placing a clarification advertisement for Simeiqi in her H magazine. Grace, however, saw through his pretense, realizing he sought more than just advertising. Chen Zheng openly admitted his concern over Wenda's quality scandal, fearing it would tarnish Simeiqi's reputation by association, and sought Grace's advice on how to "help Wenda." Grace, with a grim assessment, declared Wenda "completely finished," emphasizing the explosive combination of "carcinogenic" and "children's clothing" in the public narrative.
Meanwhile, Lin Mochen, visiting Lin Qian's studio, noticed the fabrics she had received as compensation from Wenda. He shared his insights on the Wenda scandal, reiterating his belief that "all accidents are actually intentional," driven by underlying "conflict of interests." He highlighted how the media cleverly twisted the shrinkage issue into a "carcinogenic" problem, questioning the timing. Lin Mochen asked Lin Qian how she would handle the situation if she were Wenda's owner.
She passionately responded that such a problem wouldn't occur in her company, but if it did, she would rather "burn them all" than let flawed products with her brand's logo enter the market or rot in a warehouse. As Wenda prepared to ship the problematic children's wear, Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng, still intent on undermining the company, alerted reporters to follow the trucks. However, Li Zhicheng, accompanied by his aide Monkey, dramatically intercepted the convoy.
Despite Director Xue’s protest that the decision was collective, Li Zhicheng, representing Chairman Li Zhongming, commanded the trucks to immediately return to the factory. He then invited the trailing media to follow him for a major scoop. Li Zhicheng subsequently held a press conference, clarifying that Wenda's children's apparel had a shrinkage issue, not carcinogenic substances, and that Wenda would never compromise on quality.
To demonstrate their unwavering commitment, he then, with his own hands, set fire to the entire batch of problematic children’s clothing, dramatically burning millions worth of inventory. Lin Qian, watching the news, was filled with admiration for Li Zhicheng's decisive action and "courage," noting how his solution mirrored her own.
Grace, observing Chen Zheng's reaction, remarked that Li Zhicheng’s act was "definitely not acting," as he was burning "real money," causing Chen Zheng to realize that Li Zhicheng had orchestrated this entire "show." In the aftermath, Director Xue, who had initially voted to sell the clothes, approached Li Zhicheng, welcoming him back and admitting his "foolishness" for the previous decision. He acknowledged the significant financial losses Wenda had incurred, stating that someone needed to take responsibility for it.
Episode 4 Recap
After Li Zhicheng publicly destroyed the defective children's apparel, he seriously declared that someone must be held responsible for the significant losses Wenda suffered. He announced his decision to fire four senior managers, asserting their undeniable responsibility and stating he would not tolerate their presence at Wenda starting the next day.
Vice President Xue Mingtao tried to defend the managers, arguing against such drastic changes in a volatile market and highlighting the difficulty of replacing key personnel, like the highly paid Director of Design. He urged Li Zhicheng to remember that a business, unlike the military, required flexibility in addition to loyalty. Li Zhicheng, however, countered that Wenda was "on life support," and "aggressive medication" was precisely what was needed when the patient was so ill.
He then revealed his plan to demote Vice President Gu Yanzhi, holding him primarily responsible as a leader, and reassign him to Aida, Wenda's subsidiary, as its Vice President. Xue Mingtao reluctantly agreed to implement Li Zhicheng's directives. Later, Chen Zheng called Ning Weikai, acknowledging Li Zhicheng's unexpected ability to resolve the crisis. He expressed concern about Grace, finding her hard to deal with and suspecting she knew all their plans.
Chen Zheng hinted at something he "ran into" earlier that day. In her studio, Lin Qian informed her brother, Lin Mo Chen, of her decision to remain in China, explaining that while a life in America with him offered a predictable, potentially good outcome, she preferred the unpredictable, "magical" unknown of staying to pursue her dreams.
Lin Mo Chen respected her choice, tearing up her plane ticket as a symbolic gesture, stating he would no longer interfere with her dreams or career. He emphasized that from now on, all her hardships and joys would be the result of her own choices. The next morning, Lin Qian discussed her plans with Yayi, who noted Lin Mo Chen's quiet departure.
Lin Qian expressed her desire for independence, asserting that she was an adult capable of handling her own problems without her brother's constant intervention. When Yayi questioned her decision, reminding her of their online store's closure and their looming rent, Lin Qian clarified that while she still aimed to be a top designer, she was realistic about her current capabilities.
Citing her idol, Raf Simons, who worked for Dior despite advocating design freedom, Lin Qian explained that working for a large company would provide valuable experience and opportunities for growth. Furious about his demotion, Gu Yanzhi confronted Li Zhicheng and demanded an explanation. Instead of arguing, Li Zhicheng simply handed him a file. After reading its contents, Gu Yanzhi was left stunned, beginning to understand the scope of Li Zhicheng’s larger strategy.
Li Zhicheng visited his father, who was recovering from a stroke. His father expressed displeasure that Li Zhicheng had burned the defective fabrics in front of the media without consulting him, but Li Zhicheng dismissed this as unimportant. Li Zhicheng then directly questioned his father about Li Zhiqian's death, stating he found it hard to believe his older brother died from drunk driving, as Li Zhiqian never touched alcohol. His father claimed Li Zhiqian drank secretly when under immense pressure.
Li Zhicheng refuted this, noting Li Zhiqian was about to sign a major deal with You'a and had no reason to be stressed. He accused his father of pressuring Li Zhiqian, recalling a decade-long conflict where Li Zhiqian's efforts to reform Wenda were constantly stifled. His father retorted that he was protecting Li Zhiqian from the harsh realities of the business world, suggesting Wenda would have collapsed without his guidance, and accused Li Zhicheng of sharing his brother's naivety.
Li Zhicheng remarked that his father's words hadn't changed in ten years, but then, seeing his father's condition, softened his tone and promised to uncover the truth behind his brother's death before leaving to handle company matters. Li Jinyuan tried to convince him to stay for dinner with Uncle Xue, but Li Zhicheng declined. Lin Qian began her job search.
During an interview at Simeiqi, she honestly stated she needed a job due to a rent increase and had given up on her personal business for now. The interviewer described Simeiqi's design process, which involved collecting top brands' designs and adapting them for the market. Realizing this meant merely copying, Lin Qian later called Yayi to decline the offer, explaining she refused to be a "copycat designer."
She then interviewed at Xinbaorui, where the interviewer, Mr. Zhu, mocked her for graduating from St. York University three years prior with no "decent" corporate experience, suggesting she had been "unemployed." Lin Qian defended her entrepreneurial experience as valid work, but Zhu dismissively stated he was "not in the mood to be reasonable" that day and rejected her. Frustrated, Lin Qian called Yayi to complain, speculating Zhu might have a bias against St. York University.
Yayi suggested applying to Aida, touting its "hot" new boss, but Lin Qian dismissed it due to Wenda's chaotic internal situation. After work, Grace was accosted in a parking lot by a former boyfriend, who choked her, blaming her for his job loss. Ning Weikai intervened, rescuing her. He offered to take her to the hospital for her injured foot, but Grace insisted it was fine.
As they conversed, Ning Weikai subtly inquired about H magazine's upcoming "new talents in the work place" feature, hinting at his own suitability. Grace, however, replied that they already had a candidate, implying it was Li Zhicheng, but declined to confirm it as internal information. She thanked him for saving her but rebuffed his advances, stating there was an "order for everything." Ning Weikai then offered to drive her home, and she reluctantly accepted.
At her apartment, Ning Weikai tried to prolong his stay for a drink, prompting Grace to question his past actions: how he left Wenda with seven designers six years ago, crippling their efforts to launch a new brand. Ning Weikai clarified that Li Zhiqian had encouraged his departure, recognizing Wenda was "beyond salvage" and corrupt. He claimed Li Zhiqian, seeing his ambition to build a brand, released him to pursue his future unhindered by Chairman Li Zhongming's opposition.
Grace then aggressively asked why he repeatedly targeted Li Zhicheng. Ning Weikai admitted that from their first encounter, he recognized Li Zhicheng as a destined opponent, and it was a matter of eliminating the other or being eliminated himself. Grace concluded he sought to eliminate Chen Zheng next to become the sole dominant figure.
Ning Weikai found her aggressive demeanor attractive, but Grace stated he held no attraction for her and warned him against choosing sides too early, questioning if he truly wanted to be her opponent. At Wenda's new presidential election, Chairman Li Zhongming introduced Li Zhicheng, expressing satisfaction with his handling of the recent crisis and highlighting his capabilities. He declared that the entire Wenda Group would follow Li Zhicheng's lead, placing the family's future on his shoulders.
Li Zhicheng, however, surprised everyone by announcing he would not participate in the Wenda presidential election. Instead, he proposed a resolution to be appointed CEO of the subsidiary Aida, where he would focus on its development and the creation of an independent brand, believing this was the best decision for both Aida and Wenda. The board, after some deliberation, unanimously approved his appointment.
His father confronted him, bewildered by such a major decision made without consultation, to which Li Zhicheng calmly replied that his father "wouldn't agree anyway." Li Jinyuan also questioned her brother's actions, but Li Zhicheng reassured her he had a plan and asked her to focus on taking care of their father. Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi arrived at Aida, with Gu Yanzhi already hard at work.
Gu Yanzhi showed him the small office, noting the lack of a proper CEO office and pointing out a vacant design studio on the rooftop. Li Zhicheng then convened a high-level meeting, where Gu Yanzhi introduced a significant opportunity: Mingsheng Group's "One Belt One Road Initiative" project, which included a bid for uniform manufacturing for their construction projects in Southeast Asia, valued over 50 million yuan.
Gu Yanzhi emphasized its "immeasurable strategic significance" for Aida's expansion and ability to attract investments. However, some managers expressed strong opposition, arguing that Aida's current capacity and lack of cash reserves made it "an ant trying to eat an elephant." They cautioned against taking such a risk, especially given Wenda's financial difficulties. Li Zhicheng firmly declared his decision to "must get this project" at any cost.
When the lack of experience in outdoor clothing design was raised, he stated they would "look for one." He later confided in Gu Yanzhi, explaining that his true goal at Aida was not just for Aida to survive, but to revitalize Wenda. He acknowledged Wenda was in an "impasse" due to "poor moral" among the board, "management conflicts," and "wasteful bureaucracy," and that Aida's success, leveraging Wenda's manufacturing resources, was the only way to "push Wenda to move."
He stressed that the success of this strategy hinged on securing the One Belt One Road project. Gu Yanzhi then asked if Li Zhicheng had a suitable designer in mind, to which Li Zhicheng replied with a confident smile that he did.
Elsewhere, Mr. Zhu, the Xinbaorui executive who had interviewed Lin Qian, spoke on the phone to Ning Weikai, disparaging St. York University graduates and mocking Lin Qian's lack of traditional work experience, suggesting she should simply marry a rich man. Ning Weikai curtly retorted that "studying more is better than marrying someone who asks what studying is good for." Later, as Lin Qian and Yayi were trying on dresses in their studio, Li Zhicheng arrived on his motorcycle.
He directly asked Lin Qian if the dress Yayi was wearing was made from the "old fabric from Wenda's warehouse." Lin Qian, after a brief, indirect confirmation, asked why he was there and how he knew her address.
Episode 5 Recap
Li Zhicheng arrived at Lin Qian's design studio and informed her that Aida, a subsidiary of Wenda, was now fully under his charge. He explained a significant opportunity had arisen: the Mingsheng Group was opening a bid for uniform manufacturing for their One Belt One Road project in Southeast Asia. Winning this deal would be crucial for Aida's success and Wenda's survival.
Li Zhicheng invited Lin Qian to join Aida immediately as the chief designer for this project, which involved designing special emergency rescue uniforms. Lin Qian found the project interesting but admitted she wasn't specialized in functional apparel. Li Zhicheng countered that her thesis design of trench coats, which was bought by a British company and sold well, proved her suitability, as trench coats and work uniforms shared similar requirements for waterproofing, breathability, and movement.
Lin Qian felt Li Zhicheng was too bossy for expecting her to accept so easily, but he insisted he was offering her a national-level project that other companies wouldn't give a new hire. He further sweetened the offer, stating that if they won, she would become the director of the design department with a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan, plus bonuses and benefits.
As Lin Qian was considering the offer, she received a phone call from Ning Weikai, her senior from university. Ning Weikai explained that he had seen her job application at Xinbaorui and was impressed by her talent, especially after reviewing her portfolio. He apologized for the HR department's mistake in rejecting her earlier and quickly called to prevent another company from snatching her up. He invited her to meet that evening to discuss a potential job. Lin Qian happily agreed.
After hanging up, she told Li Zhicheng she needed more time to think about his offer, and he left. Later that evening, Lin Qian met Ning Weikai at a hotel. They reminisced about their college days, including winning an award and their past struggles to afford a celebratory bottle of wine. Ning Weikai offered her a 2005 Torbreck Les Amis, noting how times had changed. He then reiterated his desire for her to join Xinbaorui.
Lin Qian mentioned Li Zhicheng's offer from Aida. Ning Weikai advised her against joining Aida, describing Wenda as a sinking ship and Li Zhicheng as "just a soldier" lacking fashion industry knowledge. He emphasized that he was speaking to her as a sincerely helpful senior, not just Xinbaorui's president. Moved by his words, Lin Qian agreed to join Xinbaorui.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi was conducting interviews for Aida's designer positions but found all the applicants lacking in fabric knowledge, which was critical for the Mingsheng project. Li Zhicheng interrupted, stating he had already decided to hire Lin Qian. He showed Gu Yanzhi images of Lin Qian's past designs, made from old, discarded Wenda fabrics like mosaic print, which she had transformed into dresses selling for over 1,000 yuan.
Li Zhicheng then instructed Gu Yanzhi to go to Lin Qian's studio and recruit her. When Gu Yanzhi arrived, he was met by Chen Yayi, who mistook him for a customer. After he introduced himself as Aida Group's Vice President, Chen Yayi revealed that Lin Qian was already on her way to sign a contract with Xinbaorui.
Gu Yanzhi immediately called Li Zhicheng, informing him that Lin Qian was set to sign her contract and giving him her taxi's license plate number and current location, stuck in traffic. Without hesitation, Li Zhicheng mounted his motorcycle and sped off to intercept Lin Qian. He quickly caught up to her taxi, which was indeed stuck in a traffic jam. He called her out of the cab and offered to give her a ride to Xinbaorui, to her utter astonishment.
Li Zhicheng drove Lin Qian to Xinbaorui's underground parking garage. Despite Lin Qian's insistence that she wouldn't change her mind, he forced his way into the elevator with her, pressing all the floor buttons to prolong their conversation. He systematically dismantled the appeal of Xinbaorui, highlighting its reliance on OEM and copying high-fashion brands, and how its established structure offered little room for a new talent like her.
He also revealed his knowledge of Ning Weikai being her senior, gleaned from the internet, and warned her that while Ning Weikai was CEO, his position was insecure within the powerful Zhu Group, making her vulnerable to internal power struggles. Lin Qian challenged him, asking why Aida would be any different, and questioned his own lack of knowledge in the apparel industry compared to Ning Weikai's design background.
Li Zhicheng guaranteed her safety at Aida, emphasizing that the Mingsheng project offered an unparalleled opportunity under the "One Belt One Road" initiative, which would make her famous. He then declared, "I need you," stressing that timely help in dire need was more meaningful than adding icing on the cake, also reminding her of his past help. Simultaneously, within Xinbaorui's offices, Ning Weikai was discussing his vision for an independent brand with Chairman Zhu and his son, Zhu Han.
He mentioned his intent to hire Lin Qian, praising her professional skills. However, Zhu Han immediately dismissed Lin Qian, stating he had already interviewed and rejected her days prior due to her lack of work experience. Despite Ning Weikai's appreciation for her talent, Chairman Zhu sided with his son and instructed Ning Weikai to drop the matter and find another candidate according to company protocols.
Back in the elevator, Li Zhicheng, seeing Lin Qian's hesitation, pulled out an Aida hiring contract. Moved by his persistent sincerity, Lin Qian agreed to sign on the condition that her assistant, Chen Yayi, would also be hired with a comparable salary and comprehensive insurance. Li Zhicheng readily agreed. He then took her lipstick, applied it to her finger, and had her make a print on the contract.
As he collected the signed contract, he declared, "Let's have a good collaboration," then quickly adopted a more serious tone, instructing her to report to the office at 9 AM the next day. Later, Lin Qian arranged to meet Ning Weikai at a cafe, both of them burdened with news they needed to share. Lin Qian nervously apologized, informing him she couldn't join Xinbaorui because she had signed a project contract with another company.
She added that she would consider returning after the contract ended if he still needed her. Ning Weikai, secretly relieved that he wouldn't have to tell her Xinbaorui wasn't hiring her, feigned disappointment and respect for her decision. Lin Qian then revealed she had signed with Aida, explaining that Li Zhicheng had relentlessly persuaded her. Ning Weikai realized they would soon be rivals in the same bid. He raised his coffee cup, toasting her new job and wishing her success.
The following day, Lin Qian and Chen Yayi reported to Aida. After checking in, Lin Qian presented Li Zhicheng with her first draft designs for the emergency uniform, which she had worked on through the night. She explained that the Mingsheng project's tropical rainforest climate required highly waterproof and breathable qualities. Li Zhicheng approved of the overall design style but immediately rejected her estimated cost of 214 yuan per outfit as "not good."
Episode 6 Recap
Lin Qian worked late into the night, determined to find a way to lower costs while improving the performance of the special anti-chemical and fire-fighting uniforms. Her assistant, Chen Yayi, eventually left, but Lin Qian continued to brainstorm, drawing inspiration from various ideas. Li Zhicheng, discovering her still at the office, arrived and gently chided her for staying up late, calling it a bad habit.
He then presented her with takeout he had ordered and sternly instructed her to eat it all. The next morning, Lin Qian excitedly shared her new idea with Li Zhicheng. She proposed using different priced fabrics for different parts of the uniform, based on the required performance, to significantly reduce costs. Li Zhicheng listened, then immediately anticipated a potential issue with the stitching method, predicting it could compromise the waterproof performance due to seams.
Lin Qian, surprised by his insight, realized he was more knowledgeable about the fashion industry than she had thought. She then mentioned a small factory in Belgium known for its excellent waterproof fabric, and Li Zhicheng promptly named "Tex," astounding her even further. With a plan to tackle the rubber-pressing technology for the seams, he instructed her to find Mr. Warner from Tex, who would be at a party that evening.
He then ordered Lin Qian to go home, rest, and prepare to accompany him to a cocktail party that night, sending her off with Chen Yayi, who had just arrived with breakfast. Separately, Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng discussed Li Zhicheng's efforts to secure the Mingsheng project. Ning Weikai initially underestimated Aida, but Chen Zheng cautioned him, reminding him of their past struggles against Wenda and the need to prevent Aida's resurgence.
Meanwhile, Grace revealed to Li Zhicheng critical information about his brother, Li Zhiqian. She explained that before Li Zhiqian's death, Wenda was on the verge of signing a lucrative contract with the You'a Group, a massive order that only Wenda could fulfill at the time. However, following Li Zhiqian’s accident, Xinbaorui and Simeiqi stepped in to take the order, with Xinbaorui ultimately becoming You'a’s exclusive supplier, a deal that propelled them to become a leading enterprise in Linhai City.
Li Zhicheng vowed to exact revenge. Reflecting on Grace's revelations, Li Zhicheng’s intuition about Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng’s involvement in his brother’s death grew stronger, though he still lacked direct evidence of their exact roles. Grace assured him she would continue to discreetly investigate. Later that evening, at the cocktail party, Grace was conversing with Mr. Fujino from Songjian Manufacture, a prominent Japanese fabric supplier.
Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng approached, and Chen Zheng immediately sought an introduction to Fujino to discuss collaboration for Simeiqi. Grace, however, politely declined, stating that she had already arranged a meeting for a friend who was in talks with Fujino, implying they would need to wait their turn. Soon after, Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian arrived.
Grace, following Li Zhicheng’s pre-arranged strategy to create a diversion, made a high-profile introduction of Li Zhicheng to Mr. Fujino, praising Li Zhicheng's growing influence in Linhai. Li Zhicheng expressed keen interest in Songjian's top-ranked waterproof fabric, and they scheduled a detailed meeting for the next day. Watching from a distance, Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng were visibly frustrated.
Chen Zheng declared his intention to make Li Zhicheng lose this opportunity, while Ning Weikai, also interested in the project, asserted that he would not yield to Chen Zheng, prompting Chen Zheng to urge him to focus on thwarting Li Zhicheng first. While Li Zhicheng kept the attention of Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng, Lin Qian quietly sought out Hugh Warner, the representative for Tex from Belgium, as per Li Zhicheng’s secret instructions.
She introduced herself as a designer from Aida and expressed their company’s desire to collaborate. Warner, however, was hesitant. He explained that while he appreciated her enthusiasm, Aida, as a subsidiary of the struggling Wenda, might not be the ideal partner for Tex’s X100 series entry into the Chinese market, as he preferred a reputable and capable company.
Lin Qian countered by highlighting the rapid changes in the Chinese market and Wenda's historical significance as the first company in Linhai to partner with international brands, urging him to reconsider Aida's potential. Warner, acknowledging their pleasant conversation, agreed to a more detailed meeting the following day. Just as Lin Qian finished speaking with Warner, Ning Weikai approached her, playfully asking why she was alone.
Lin Qian felt awkward, but Li Zhicheng quickly stepped in, requesting a private conversation with Ning Weikai. Li Zhicheng’s gaze was sharp, and Ning Weikai, sensing the tension, asked if he harbored animosity. Li Zhicheng responded that his feelings for Ning Weikai went beyond animosity; he felt hatred.
Ning Weikai attempted to diffuse the situation by admiring Li Zhicheng’s recent actions in Linhai, particularly his strategy of using Aida as a cover to rebuild after abandoning Wenda, likening it to a "cicada losing its shell." He warned of the inherent dangers in such a risky path. Li Zhicheng retorted that Ning Weikai was overly dramatic.
When Ning Weikai pressed again about their perceived lack of hostility, Li Zhicheng clarified that his hatred for Ning Weikai had stemmed from the day he betrayed his brother, Li Zhiqian. Later, Li Zhicheng saw his sister, Li Jinyuan, talking with Chen Zheng in a corner of the ballroom. He approached them, pointedly ignoring Chen Zheng’s outstretched hand for a handshake. Li Zhicheng pulled Li Jinyuan aside, sternly warning her to stay away from "guys like that."
Li Jinyuan, tired of his controlling nature, defiantly told him she hated his overbearing attitude and refused his interference in her personal life. She then walked out of the banquet hall. Chen Zheng, who had followed her, invited her to join him in his car, and she accepted without hesitation, driving away with him. After the party concluded, Lin Qian, noticing Li Zhicheng's solemn mood, decided to follow him as he left, despite his insistence that she go home.
Her high heels quickly caused blisters on her feet, and Li Zhicheng, seeing her discomfort, sat with her on a roadside bench. Lin Qian confided in him about her own strict older brother who lives abroad, expressing her desire to pursue her dreams independently, free from his constant protective interference, even though she knew he cared. Li Zhicheng, understanding the perspective of an older brother, acknowledged that sometimes older siblings struggle to express their love. Soon after, Li Zhicheng’s driver arrived, and he gently scooped Lin Qian into his arms and carried her into the car.
Episode 7 Recap
Li Zhicheng met Mr. Fujino for authentic Japanese cuisine in Linhai City. They discussed the importance of raw materials. Fujino shared that in his hometown, top-rated tempura was made with shrimp grown for three months in clean sea water, oil from unpolluted soybeans, and flour once offered to Chinese emperors, emphasizing that different materials yield different tastes. Li Zhicheng agreed, stating that Aida also aimed to produce top-rated products and hoped for Fujino's assistance. Fujino affirmed their shared vision.
During their conversation, Chen Zheng called Fujino, reiterating Simeiqi's desire to collaborate. Fujino informed Chen Zheng that he was currently in discussions with Aida. Li Zhicheng then offered Fujino eight million yuan. Chen Zheng immediately countered with nine million, prompting Li Zhicheng to raise his bid. The two companies engaged in a bidding war, with Chen Zheng aggressively increasing his offer, ultimately reaching fifteen million yuan. Aida Group, unable to offer more, withdrew from the bidding.
Meanwhile, Lin Qian was at a hotel meeting with Mr. Warner, the Belgian businessman. They were pleasantly surprised to discover they were alumni of St. York University and shared a teacher, Casili. Lin Qian recalled learning about Warner's company's waterproof fabric in college, which her teacher had highly praised. Warner had also backpacked in Nepal with Casili, and Lin Qian mentioned her experience with hiking clubs in college.
They found many common interests, and Warner even volunteered to lower his offer. During their discussion, Warner excused himself to the restroom. Lin Qian took the opportunity to call Li Zhicheng, reporting that her meeting was progressing very well and the company could prepare the contract. Li Zhicheng was pleased. However, upon Warner's return, he regretfully informed Lin Qian that he had changed his mind because someone had just made him an offer he couldn't refuse—double their original prices.
Lin Qian was stunned. Lin Qian reported back to Li Zhicheng, expressing her apologies and stating she didn't know who offered Warner double the price. Li Zhicheng, with a sharp gaze, identified the competitor as Ning Weikai of Xinbaorui. Lin Qian was surprised and worried about competing with Xinbaorui's resources. Li Zhicheng reassured her not to worry, promising to handle the fabric issue himself. The next day, Ning Weikai instructed his secretary to draft an international contract with Warner.
The secretary questioned the price, noting it was double the market rate and wondered about potential board inquiries. Ning Weikai dismissed his concerns, saying he would explain it himself and ordered him to proceed. At the same time, under Grace's arrangement, an attractive woman intentionally approached Zhu Hanchong at a bar he frequented. She subtly mentioned that Ning Weikai signed a contract at double the market price, implying he sought high kickbacks.
Zhu Hanchong, already envious of Ning Weikai, grew furious, unaware he was being manipulated to sow discord between Ning Weikai and his father. Later, in his office, Ning Weikai was berating a designer for substandard clothing styles when Zhu Hanchong and his father, the Chairman, stormed in. Zhu Hanchong mockingly accused Ning Weikai of signing a contract at double the price with ulterior motives.
Ning Weikai tried to defend his actions by explaining the urgency of securing Tex's fabric for the Mingsheng project, especially with Aida also vying for it. Chairman Zhu, however, interrupted him with a reprimanding tone, instructing Ning Weikai to consult with him for such contracts in the future, or with Zhu Hanchong if he was busy. He also questioned Ning Weikai's motives, suggesting he was trying to get kickbacks, an accusation fueled by Zhu Hanchong's insinuation.
Chairman Zhu mentioned that Aida did not have the capability to sign such a contract and asked Ning Weikai if he was competing with Li Zhicheng for Lin Qian. Ning Weikai, feeling rebuffed, complied with the Chairman's directive, though clearly displeased. Lin Qian then brought Li Zhicheng to meet Warner, who was exercising at a gym. Warner, sensing their purpose, expressed regret, stating he had already decided to sign with Xinbaorui, prioritizing business interest over personal admiration.
Li Zhicheng, with a knowing smile, suggested that Xinbaorui was facing a slight problem. Warner, skeptical, immediately called Ning Weikai. Ning Weikai, on the phone, vaguely explained that the legal department was still reviewing the contract. Warner became suspicious, particularly worried about his company's products already being en route to China, which could lead to significant losses if the deal fell through.
Li Zhicheng calmly offered to help Warner stop the loss, explaining that Ning Weikai, despite his personal desire to work with Warner, lacked the authority for the final decision, as Xinbaorui belonged to the Zhu Group, and the high offer made the Chairman suspicious, especially with Zhu Hanchong's opposition. At Grace's invitation, Li Zhicheng gave an interview to H Group. He initially answered formally, prompting Grace to discreetly advise him to be more natural to promote Aida effectively.
She suggested he speak about his military experience and express a genuine desire to design uniforms that protect first responders, which would resonate deeply with the audience. Li Zhicheng followed her advice, and the interview was successful, establishing his image as a military man-entrepreneur and saving Aida marketing costs. Grace complimented his appearance in the suit and allowed him to keep it.
She also mentioned that Warner had agreed to sell his fabric to Aida, expressing surprise at Lin Qian's achievement, to which Li Zhicheng clarified that Lin Qian was his designer. Meanwhile, Chen Zheng, realizing Li Zhicheng had used a feigned attack regarding Fujino to secure Warner's fabric, was dismayed. He instructed his assistant to investigate Lin Qian's background. Later, Chen Zheng called Lin Qian, having acquired her number and knowing her car.
He invited her to dinner, intending to poach her. He openly offered her a job at Simeiqi, promising to meet any of her demands, recalling her previous interview with Simeiqi. Lin Qian directly rejected his offer, stating she had already signed a contract with Aida. Chen Zheng then disparagingly remarked that Li Zhicheng was an outsider to clothing design.
Lin Qian retorted sharply, acknowledging Li Zhicheng's lack of expertise but highlighting his support for original design, contrasting it with Simeiqi's reputation for copying designs, before leaving. Lin Qian went to Aidi Company to discuss the heat-pressing adhesive for the Special anti-chemical and fire-fighting uniforms, but the manager, Manager Li, informed her they had no capacity for new orders for the next six months.
She expressed Aida's strong desire to collaborate for the Mingsheng Group project, a significant undertaking, and even showed them their designs and willingness to improve the budget to create high-quality, export-worthy rescue uniforms. However, Manager Li stated she couldn't make the decision due to the workload and President Huang's unavailability. Disappointed, Lin Qian returned to Aida and reported the refusal to Li Zhicheng, noting that Aidi Company usually only dealt with old clients.
She also mentioned that President Huang, the head of Aidi, was a retired veteran. Li Zhicheng, undeterred, took Lin Qian and Chen Yayi to Aidi Company. While Chen Yayi distracted the front desk by complimenting her makeup, Li Zhicheng directly went to President Huang's office. He introduced himself as the "Wolf of the Southwest" from the military area, an identity Huang recognized and admired.
Bonding over their shared military background, President Huang immediately agreed to take Aida's order and promised to send adhesive samples and give manufacturing orders. Lin Qian was deeply impressed, praising Li Zhicheng's resourcefulness. Li Zhicheng explained that fellow veterans, regardless of their different military areas, shared a deep camaraderie and missed their time in the service, making their conversation natural and productive. While working in the office, Lin Qian noticed her USB drive was acting strangely, thinking it was broken.
She was unaware that she had accidentally picked up the wrong USB drive during her hasty escape from a drug lord's hideout in Yunnan. Simultaneously, the leader of the Yunnan drug trafficking group received a signal from the tracker embedded in the USB drive, pinpointing Lin Qian's location and smirking chillingly. One morning, Lin Qian arrived at work to find her colleagues exhausted and disheveled. Li Zhicheng had implemented a rigorous, "devil-style" running training program for the employees.
Lin Qian tried to excuse herself, citing her flat feet. However, Li Zhicheng singled her out for a private training session. Despite her protests and claims of a physical disability, he insisted, even removing her shoes to demonstrate that flat feet could be strengthened. He forced her to do burpee jumps and other exercises, stating that all Aida employees must participate for their health and physical conditioning.
Chen Yayi later tried to advise Li Zhicheng on how to be more thoughtful with women, using "chicken soup for the soul" wisdom, which Li Zhicheng playfully deflected back to her unfinished jumps.
Episode 8 Recap
Li Zhicheng took Lin Qian's advice and invited his sister for dinner, hoping to ease the tension between them. At the restaurant, his sister praised the ambiance and mentioned their father's improved spirits since Li Zhicheng's return. However, the meal took a turn when Li Zhicheng warned her to stay away from Chen Zheng, stating one cannot truly know a person by their appearance.
His sister retorted that Chen Zheng was not just a playboy and that Li Zhicheng, in her eyes, saw her as a spoiled rich girl, thus excluding her from business matters. She expressed frustration that he was trying to control her life like their father and abruptly left the dinner. Meanwhile, Lin Qian had lunch with Ning Weikai, who noted her tired appearance. She explained she had been busy with overtime design work, reminding her of their college days.
Ning Weikai subtly suggested she should design with like-minded people. Lin Qian, however, kept the conversation light, focusing on design and avoiding comments on company rivalries. She playfully revealed that Li Zhicheng, being an ex-soldier, made them do military-style morning runs, which she tried to avoid. Their meal was interrupted when Li Zhicheng arrived uninvited. He sternly declared that Lin Qian belonged to him during her working hours and advised Ning Weikai to keep his distance.
When Ning Weikai challenged him, questioning if Aida employees had no time off, Li Zhicheng pointed out that it was 2 PM, Lin Qian's work time. Without further discussion, Li Zhicheng pulled Lin Qian away, leaving a displeased Ning Weikai behind. Outside the restaurant, Lin Qian scolded Li Zhicheng for his domineering behavior. He calmly stated that her contract stipulated he had bought out all her working hours.
Lin Qian argued that as a designer, she worked at night and rested during the day, asserting that she had signed a contract, not a "slave deal." Li Zhicheng, realizing her point, remained silent. Later, Lin Qian returned to her office to find Gu Yanzhi had arranged for a massage chair, calling it an "employee benefit." As Lin Qian tried to figure out how to use it, Li Zhicheng came to assist.
In an unexpected turn, he accidentally triggered the chair's recline function, causing them to fall into a close embrace. Chen Yayi, entering the office, witnessed the scene and immediately began teasing Lin Qian, asking if she felt even a "tiny bit" of affection for Li Zhicheng. Lin Qian, feigning seriousness, playfully responded that she adhered to the principle of "absolutely no office relationships," though Chen Yayi continued to fantasize about being with her man 24/7.
Lin Qian excitedly informed Li Zhicheng that the sample rescue uniforms had passed the water pressure test with zero infiltration for ten hours. Li Zhicheng, however, emphasized that experiments couldn't solely be confined to the lab. He recalled carrying sandbags on a dam during his military service and witnessing infiltration after a few hours of physical activity. Driven by his words, Lin Qian decided to conduct a real-world test herself during a heavy rainstorm.
She explained to Chen Yayi over the phone that a human wearing the outfit would yield more accurate results than a mannequin. As she walked in the rain, Li Zhicheng suddenly appeared, also wearing a uniform for testing. He told Lin Qian that first responders wouldn't walk so slowly and urged her to go back, insisting he would perform the test himself by lying down in the rain.
The next morning, Lin Qian was worried when Li Zhicheng didn't show up for work, especially after hearing from colleagues and Gu Yanzhi that he was unreachable. She went looking for him and found him lying in a company room. She urged him to get up, concerned he would fall ill. Li Zhicheng sat up, revealing that his test had shown infiltration around all his joints, confirming the experiment's effectiveness.
He then recounted his experience during the 2006 Linhai City flood, where his troop was stationed along the Yangtze River for 38 days, enduring constant rain and eating noodles soaked in rainwater. He shared the tragic story of his comrade, Old Zhou, who, despite having a fever, insisted on staying on the frontline and was eventually swept away by the flood, leaving behind a five-year-old son who heartbreakingly asked, "How long will he sacrifice until he'll come back?"
Li Zhicheng emotionally stated that the rescue uniforms he envisioned must protect those who risk their lives to save others. Lin Qian listened intently, deeply understanding his motivation. Inspired by Li Zhicheng's story, Lin Qian dedicated herself to designing the uniform, focusing on solving the joint infiltration issue. While working late, she saw Chen Yayi online shopping for a 3D-tailored dress.
This sparked a revelation: if clothes could be 3D-tailored, so could the seams and glue on the uniforms, preventing water leakage. She excitedly realized she had found a solution. Later that night, Li Zhicheng came to Lin Qian's office, urging her to stop working and rest. To help her relax, he brought hotpot. As they ate, Lin Qian asked why he hired her.
Li Zhicheng dismissed her guesses and honestly stated that he hired her because when he first saw her, she reminded him of a Type 95 automatic rifle—accurate, cost-effective, lethal, and most importantly, dependable, like something he could rely on and trust on a battlefield. Lin Qian, flattered, toasted him. After a few drinks, she accidentally burned her hand.
Li Zhicheng took her hand to the sink, carefully instructing her to flush it for five minutes to prevent blistering, a gesture that warmed her heart. Lin Qian, now tipsy, shared a comic about designers and bosses, then playfully asked Li Zhicheng to promise not to change her designs. She noticed his rare smile and observed that his serious demeanor hid a "cute" side, describing him as a "lone warrior" – stubborn, admirable, yet sometimes annoying.
Li Zhicheng then escorted a tipsy Lin Qian back to her apartment. Upon entering, he noticed the apartment was ransacked. Realizing intruders were present, he quickly turned off the lights and confronted the men who were searching for a USB drive. During the struggle, a hazy Lin Qian watched him fight and felt a sudden sense of déjà vu, convinced he resembled the special forces soldier who had saved her life in Yunnan.
After the police arrived and took their statements, Lin Qian noticed Li Zhicheng was injured. The police confirmed the intruders used controlled knives and asked them to come to the station the next day for further details. Lin Qian, worried, insisted on taking Li Zhicheng to the hospital, but he downplayed his injury. As his buddy helped patch him up, Lin Qian hesitantly asked if he was the one who saved her in Yunnan.
Li Zhicheng nodded, revealing he had recognized her long ago and was surprised she hadn't recognized him without his camouflage. Expressing concern for her safety due to the poor security in her apartment complex, Li Zhicheng instructed his team to check her building's surveillance. He then insisted she stay in the spare room next to his place for her safety until the culprits were caught.
Episode 9 Recap
Lin Qian moved into the Aida studio apartment, which was next to Li Zhicheng’s room. As she unpacked, she heard a sound from next door and found Li Zhicheng, who was recuperating from an injury, had accidentally dropped his phone. She quickly picked it up for him, becoming flustered when she saw his bare torso. Lin Qian softly told him that they were neighbors now and he could call her if he needed anything before quickly leaving.
Li Zhicheng had earlier explained the poor security in Lin Qian's old neighborhood, advising her to stay there for her safety, with Wasp and Monkey available to assist her. Due to his injury, Li Zhicheng entrusted Lin Qian with the letter of authorization and the list of items to hand over to Mr. Warner. He confirmed that all items had been verified by her and the other employees, and that she simply needed to seal the deal.
Lin Qian initially hesitated, asking if she really had to go, but Li Zhicheng stressed that he couldn't go in his current condition and that everything was already confirmed. She then wished him a good rest and left with the seal. Lin Qian went to the office to meet Chen Yayi. Chen Yayi immediately pulled her aside, eagerly questioning the progress of her relationship with Li Zhicheng.
Chen Yayi had heard rumors that Li Zhicheng was sick with worry about the project and that the company had little money, but Lin Qian quickly dispelled them, stating he was merely on a business trip. Chen Yayi then noticed Lin Qian calling him by his full name, rather than "President Li," and pressed her for details.
Lin Qian revealed, after some hesitation, that she had just discovered Li Zhicheng was the special forces commander who had saved her life in Yunnan. Chen Yayi was ecstatic, exclaiming it was "better than TV drama" and asking when Lin Qian realized he was "Mr. Right." Lin Qian, embarrassed, urged her to keep it a secret.
Chen Yayi then learned Lin Qian had moved into the apartment next to Li Zhicheng's, immediately teasing them about living together and declaring them a "dream couple." She vehemently encouraged Lin Qian to "pin him down" and not let the opportunity go, but Lin Qian, flustered, insisted she was "very reserved" and only admired him as a colleague. Meanwhile, at Xinbaorui’s president’s office, Ning Weikai was fiercely determined to prevent Aida from growing.
He believed if Aida thrived, Wenda would be revived, nullifying all their past efforts to gain market dominance. He declared that they had to secure Warner’s fabric to completely defeat Aida. When a subordinate questioned the chairman's clear instruction against buying the fabric, Ning Weikai, agitated, dismissed it as dwelling on "so little money" and ordered the subordinate to leave. Soon after, Zhu Hanjing arrived, bringing good news.
She informed Ning Weikai that she had successfully persuaded her father, Chairman Zhu, who trusted Ning Weikai's loyalty and judgment. Ning Weikai was delighted and immediately had his legal staff prepare. Hanjing confirmed the contract was drafted and stamped, then Ning Weikai placed a call to Mr. Warner, admitting he had let him down before but promising not to disappoint him again. Lin Qian, accompanied by Chen Yayi, met Mr. Warner.
Lin Qian prepared to present the list of items, but Warner abruptly announced the termination of the project. Lin Qian was stunned. Warner explained that they needed more cash, and Aida's deposit was too small, with most funds only payable after three months, which they couldn't wait for. Lin Qian reminded him that they had a signed contract, but Warner dismissively stated that contracts could be terminated.
He assured her that Aida's deposit and penalty fees would be paid within three business days, but insisted he was "only talking business" and responsible for his own company’s profit, separating friendship from business. Chen Yayi angrily warned Warner that his disloyal actions would be exposed in China, but he simply retorted that his company had technology China needed and he would adhere to the contract terms. Lin Qian was deeply disappointed by Warner’s betrayal but found herself helpless.
Grace rushed to Aida upon learning of Li Zhicheng’s injury, insisting on finding him a good doctor. She grew concerned at the sight of his still-bloody wound, urging him to see a doctor despite his reassurances that he was accustomed to military injuries and recovered quickly. Li Zhicheng then asked Grace how she had met his elder brother, Li Zhiqian.
Grace fondly reminisced about her early career as a junior editor, constantly scolded by her chief editor for failing to secure articles from prominent designers. In a flashback, she was seen trying to get an article from Mr. Dai Fei, but instead stumbled upon him having an affair. She stealthily took pictures, leading to her being chased by his mistress and security. Fleeing in a panic, she accidentally burst into Li Zhiqian's hotel room.
She explained her predicament to Li Zhiqian, stating that while she needed Dai Fei for her work, her conscience compelled her to expose his infidelity to his wife. Li Zhiqian agreed with her principles and introduced himself. Grace soon realized he was Li Zhiqian, the president of Wenda Group. As Grace was about to continue her story, she received a call from a colleague named Cindy, prompting her to hurriedly leave, promising to visit again soon.
Later, back at her office, Grace sat by the window, silently reflecting on her cherished memories with Li Zhiqian, her face streaked with tears as she mourned the changes time had brought. That evening, Lin Qian returned to Aida and apologetically informed Li Zhicheng that Warner had seemingly found a higher bidder for the fabric. Li Zhicheng, remaining calm, reassured her that it wasn't her fault, but rather his for overestimating Warner.
He even offered her the option to leave if a better job opportunity arose. Startled, Lin Qian asked if he wanted her to leave. Li Zhicheng explained that Aida was a large ship and he was its helmsman, but he would never force his crew to stay on a sinking ship if they could find better opportunities.
Lin Qian, with a mix of humor and seriousness, declared herself a sailor and pledged to stay with Aida until the very end, as long as the ship hadn't sunk, telling him not to underestimate her. In Xinbaorui’s meeting room, Ning Weikai triumphantly announced that Warner’s fabric had just been delivered to their company’s warehouse, and large-scale production had officially commenced. Feeling confident, he resolved to press their advantage and completely crush Aida.
A subordinate noted that losing the fabric was just Aida's external trouble, and they needed to focus on its internal problems. Ning Weikai confirmed that they had leaked information about Aida's failure with Warner to President Chen, knowing that Chen Zheng would eagerly use his company Simeiqi’s internet troll department to spread negative publicity and demoralize Aida.
He also instructed the HR department to specifically target and recruit Aida’s skilled personnel, eager to see how Aida would manage to recover this time. The next day, Gu Yanzhi arrived at work to find the office nearly empty, with only Chen Yayi present. He was shocked to learn that resignation letters had been submitted.
Chen Yayi showed him a message circulating in the employee group chat, revealing that the supplier had breached the contract and Aida was expected to fail. Outside, employees were loudly demanding to see Li Zhicheng. Gu Yanzhi tried to deflect, claiming Li Zhicheng was on a business trip, but the employees were aggressive, insisting he call Li Zhicheng on the spot. Lin Qian, who was upstairs visiting the injured Li Zhicheng, heard the uproar downstairs.
She descended to find the office in chaos. Stepping forward, she addressed the agitated employees, introducing herself as Li Zhicheng's newly hired chief designer for the Mingsheng project. She passionately spoke about cherishing this opportunity and her determination to do her best. She urged everyone to trust her and Li Zhicheng, emphasizing the need for unity in this difficult time.
She argued that other companies were trying to poach them only because they were associated with Aida, a strategic move to destabilize the company. Lin Qian warned that if they turned against Aida now, no one else would hire them. Her heartfelt plea resonated with the employees, calming the volatile situation. To further ease the tension, Lin Qian grabbed a whistle and, with a cheerful blow, started running, encouraging others to join her.
Hesitantly at first, the employees eventually followed, and Aida gradually returned to a semblance of normal. Later, Aidi company delivered new waterproof uniform samples, made according to Lin Qian's specifications. However, Lin Qian was visibly disheartened, knowing that with Warner's breach of contract, even the best samples would be useless. She went to the restroom, wiping away tears. As she washed her face, she noticed a piece of fabric tied to a leaky faucet.
Curious, she took it to a staff member, who explained it was an experimental waterproof fabric developed last year for a canceled project. She then spoke with President Huang, who confirmed the project was abandoned because upstream buyers preferred imported materials, and Aidi lacked funds for promotion. Lin Qian, however, recognized the fabric’s superior quality, capable of competing with the best imported products.
President Huang affirmed this, explaining that he had demanded very high standards for its thermal insulation and aeration during development. He then expressed concerns about using the semi-finished fabric without full testing, but Lin Qian insisted on redoing all safety tests with his specialists, ensuring the fabric would exceed all standards. Chen Yayi enthusiastically supported Lin Qian, who promised to do her best.
Lin Qian then excitedly rushed to tell Li Zhicheng the good news: they had found an excellent waterproof fabric, and their original plan for the Mingsheng project could still work. She quickly announced her intention to move into the lab with Chen Yayi to dedicate herself to the design and performance testing of the waterproof uniform, to which Li Zhicheng gave his full support.
Episode 10 Recap
Lin Qian excitedly announced to Li Zhicheng that their newly made rescue suit had successfully passed all tests, meeting every standard and staying under budget. As Li Zhicheng touched the fabric, Lin Qian proudly explained it was their own material, capable of competing with top brands. Li Zhicheng praised the suit as "amazing" and "really good stuff," affirming his belief in Lin Qian's abilities.
Meanwhile, in his Xinbaorui office, Ning Weikai received a report that Aida had produced their first sample garment, whose functionality matched Xinbaorui's, but at a much lower cost. Furious, Ning Weikai questioned how this was possible and learned that Aida was using Aidi Company's self-developed fabric. He berated his marketing team for their oversight and for failing to keep him informed about Aidi's capabilities, remarking that it seemed all the luck was with Li Zhicheng.
Standing by the window, Ning Weikai soon summoned a security guard named Gao Lang. Ning Weikai revealed that he knew about Gao Lang's past, including his ambition to be a soldier, his unemployment, and his association with a gangster boss. Despite Gao Lang's assurances of loyalty, Ning Weikai offered him a secret mission, promising a significant amount of money and a promotion to work directly by his side if he completed the task successfully. Gao Lang readily accepted the offer.
Lin Qian and Chen Yayi celebrated the successful test of the rescue suit. Before they left the office to eat, Chen Yayi, with unusual thoughtfulness, added an extra lock to the cabinet where the sample was stored, declaring it their "blood and sweat." However, shortly after they departed, someone quietly sneaked into the office. Upon returning, Lin Qian was shocked to discover her meticulously crafted rescue suit had been cut into pieces, clearly an act of malicious destruction.
Gu Yanzhi quickly deduced that only Ning Weikai would resort to such dirty tactics, as Chen Zheng would simply give up if faced with superior competition. Chen Yayi expressed her disappointment in Ning Weikai, lamenting that he lacked basic morals despite his aggressive business approach. Grace, who had come to visit Li Zhicheng, learned of the sabotage. Concerned, she asked Lin Qian if there was any way to salvage the situation, especially with Mingsheng's inspection team about to arrive.
Lin Qian stated that the only option was to start over. Gu Yanzhi worried there wasn't enough time, but Grace encouraged them to persevere, reminding them not to give up until the very last moment. Chen Yayi remarked how unbelievable it was that people would resort to such evil for money. Later, Gao Lang reported back to Ning Weikai.
He confirmed that he had destroyed the sample rescue suit and also retrieved Lin Qian's design draft, noting that it would definitely allow Aida to produce clothing at a lower cost than Xinbaorui. Gao Lang assured Ning Weikai that Aida would not be able to recreate the suit in time. Ning Weikai instructed Gao Lang to keep the matter strictly confidential.
Gao Lang then assured Ning Weikai that he had been careful and would take sole responsibility if any cameras exposed them. Satisfied, Ning Weikai handed Gao Lang a sum of money and a new suit, telling him that from now on, he was "one of my own people." Back at Aida, a sense of chaos set in. Lin Qian felt overwhelmed, her mind blank without her stolen design book.
Gu Yanzhi suggested canceling the meeting with Mingsheng, fearing they would have nothing to show. Lin Qian, however, insisted they keep trying as long as there was hope, urging everyone not to give up. She declared her intention to start drawing again, but then suddenly left, leaving Chen Yayi and Gu Yanzhi confused.
Observing this on a monitor, Ning Weikai grew suspicious, sensing that the situation was not as straightforward as it seemed, as Lin Qian was not someone who gave up easily. The Mingsheng inspection team first visited Simeiqi, where Chen Zheng and his father warmly welcomed them. Simeiqi's designer showcased their sample garment, highlighting its features. However, the Mingsheng representative was more interested in the cost. Chen Zheng assured him of a favorable price.
Next, the delegation arrived at Xinbaorui, where Ning Weikai personally greeted them. He proudly introduced Xinbaorui's products, emphasizing their commitment to design, quality, and strict examination processes, attributing their fabric to "Europe's exclusive technology." While Ning Weikai spoke, Zhu Hancong arrived and enthusiastically joined the discussion, interrupting to declare that the rescue uniform was "very suitable for the region around the Amazon River in South America."
The Mingsheng representative immediately questioned this, pointing out that the suits were specifically designed for construction rescue in Southeast Asia, causing an awkward pause. Ning Weikai quickly tried to cover up Zhu Hancong's gaffe as a "slip of tongue." After the Mingsheng delegation left, Ning Weikai sharply reprimanded Zhu Hancong for speaking about things he wasn't familiar with and for undermining Xinbaorui's image by suggesting lower prices.
Zhu Hancong retorted, blaming Ning Weikai's high spending on imported fabrics for the low profit margins and questioning if Aida was truly out of the game. Soon after, Grace stormed into Ning Weikai’s office, openly accusing him of destroying Aida’s sample suit. Ning Weikai dismissed Gao Lang, who was present, and then attempted to deny any involvement.
Grace expressed her disappointment, reminding him that Lin Qian was his junior classmate and questioning why he would resort to such a "lethal move." She lamented that with his talent, he could compete fairly and accused him of betraying the expectations of Lin Zhiqian, a name Ning Weikai tried to deflect. Grace insisted that his reluctance to speak of Lin Zhiqian indicated a guilty conscience.
Ning Weikai argued that business was like a battlefield where one must do their best to defeat competitors, often requiring unconventional means for survival. Grace countered that legitimate business methods adhered to basic rules, accusing Ning Weikai of denigrating the phrase "business methodology." She warned him that if such incidents recurred, they would retaliate. The Mingsheng delegation then arrived at Aida.
To their astonishment, they found Lin Qian inside a glass cabinet, fully dressed in a rescue suit, undergoing a ten-hour waterproof test, which was being supervised by notaries. It was revealed that Li Zhicheng, anticipating potential sabotage, had cleverly swapped the real sample with a discarded one, which was the suit that was cut. Lin Qian, as the designer, had insisted on personally performing the human test, despite Gu Yanzhi's concerns and Li Zhicheng's later admonitions.
A notary announced the completion of the test, confirming that the suit had no leakage and met all standards, breaking the world record for waterproof time. Li Zhicheng quickly retrieved Lin Qian from the water and dried her with a towel. Lin Qian, though tired, joked that she had merely pretended to sleep. Gu Yanzhi presented Aida's rescue uniform, proudly introducing Lin Qian as the "heroine" who had undergone the ten-hour, five-minute test.
When a Mingsheng representative questioned the reliability of "Made in China" fabrics, suggesting they might not meet international standards, Li Zhicheng stepped forward. He delivered an impassioned speech, asserting that China's capabilities, evidenced by its self-designed aircraft and high-speed trains, made nothing impossible. He emphasized Aidi's heavy investment in technology and research as a prime example of reliable "Made in China" products, declaring that they "speak with their ability."
Lin, another Mingsheng representative, a former soldier himself, was deeply moved upon learning of Li Zhicheng’s military background and his experience in flood rescue. He expressed gratitude on behalf of future rescue teams who would wear Aida's uniform. The Mingsheng team was highly impressed by the waterproof suit. Aida’s successful sample demonstration was met with widespread celebration. Wasp was seen removing surveillance cameras from the office and hallway, while Chen Yayi laughed mischievously at a camera.
It was revealed that Gao Lang’s infiltration into the office had been detected, and Li Zhicheng had orchestrated the entire counter-scheme. Ning Weikai, watching his own surveillance feed, saw the cameras in Aida's office suddenly go black, and a look of stunned realization crossed his face as he understood his plot had been exposed.
During Aida's celebration, Li Zhicheng noticed Lin Qian was cold and immediately took off his jacket to drape over her shoulders, also bringing her a cup of hot water. Later, Li Zhicheng thanked Lin Qian for her dedication but chastised her for personally undergoing the dangerous water test. Lin Qian explained that she felt compelled to repay him, as his past injuries were often due to saving her, and he had rescued her twice.
Li Zhicheng admitted that seeing her in the cold water "hurt him here," pointing to his chest. He then confessed that he saved her not to hear thank you, nor to burden her, but that he wanted her to keep owing him. Then, with some hesitation, he asked if she would be his "teammate," defining it as him being the commander and her the captain, always following his lead.
Lin Qian, initially amused, accepted the role of "Captain Lin," and they toasted to their continued collaboration. As Lin Qian rose to leave, she stumbled, and Li Zhicheng quickly caught her. In the moment, she fell into his arms and kissed him, before quickly pulling away in embarrassment and fleeing the room.
Episode 11 Recap
After their unexpected kiss, Lin Qian quickly apologized, then fled the scene. Li Zhicheng, though initially claiming he was at fault for not catching her, couldn't help but smile to himself as she left. The next morning, Lin Qian was still preoccupied by the previous night's events. Her colleague, Chen Yayi, noticed her preoccupied state and playfully questioned if something good had happened. Lin Qian, embarrassed, insisted she was merely thinking about work.
Chen Yayi excitedly told Lin Qian that their record-breaking rescue suit design was all over the news, making them a hot topic. Lin Qian, thrilled, thanked her parents and Chen Yayi, but also urged for a low-key approach. She noted the significant difference compared to their online shop days, now working on a "big project." Despite Chen Yayi's assertion that the Mingsheng project was a "done deal," Lin Qian expressed continued worry until the bidding results were officially released.
Just then, Li Zhicheng walked into the office. Lin Qian, feeling awkward, quickly grabbed her water cup and left. Later, in her office, Lin Qian smiled to herself as she replayed the memory of the kiss. Chen Yayi, joining her, teased about the "awkwardness" between her and Li Zhicheng, noting his "gentle and warm eyes" when he looked at Lin Qian.
Lin Qian vehemently denied any special connection, maintaining they had a "normal collaborator relationship" – partners at work and good neighbors in life. Chen Yayi, unconvinced, pressed for details about this "second phase" of their relationship, but Lin Qian firmly insisted, "There's nothing!" Just as Chen Yayi continued her playful interrogation, Li Zhicheng suddenly appeared, causing Chen Yayi to stammer an apology for her "nonsense" and quickly exit.
Li Zhicheng then directly asked Lin Qian why she had been avoiding him. Lin Qian, denying it, explained her early mornings were due to the project's smooth development making her feel great. Li Zhicheng playfully dangled an invitation to H Group's New Generation Designer Salon, a "golden ticket" for young designers. Lin Qian was immediately ecstatic, confirming her invitation with a bright smile.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi walked into Li Zhicheng's office with good news: Aida had successfully secured the Mingsheng Group order. He elaborated that while the advance payment would help, Aida still needed a significant sum for the initial phase, suggesting a bank loan under the "One Belt One Road Initiative" projects. Gu Yanzhi also pointed out that Lin Qian's contribution was largely responsible for securing the Mingsheng project.
He reminded Li Zhicheng that her current contract was only for the initial design phase. Li Zhicheng confidently declared that he would ensure she stayed with Aida. Lin Qian was in her office, sketching designs, when she received a call from Ning Weikai inviting her for coffee. Remembering Li Zhicheng's suspicion that Xinbaorui, particularly Ning Weikai, might have been behind the sabotage of Aida's samples, she initially hesitated. However, after Ning Weikai's persistent invitations, she agreed to meet.
Ning Weikai noticed her subdued mood. Lin Qian, after a moment, directly questioned him about Xinbaorui's possible involvement in ruining Aida's samples. Ning Weikai skillfully denied it, suggesting such a "despicable act" was likely from a smaller, unknown competitor, and assured her he would never hurt her. A somewhat trusting Lin Qian accepted his explanation. Ning Weikai then smoothly transitioned, noting her Mingsheng project was nearing completion and her contract with Aida might expire soon.
He reiterated his desire for her to join Xinbaorui. Lin Qian, however, stated her contract still had time before expiring and she would inform him when it did. Ning Weikai said he would wait for her. Later, at the H Group fashion salon, Li Zhicheng encountered Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng by the elevator. Li Zhicheng directly accused Ning Weikai of sending someone to infiltrate Aida's design studio. Ning Weikai dismissed it as a baseless accusation, asking for evidence.
Chen Zheng stepped in, but Li Zhicheng ignored him, instead patting Chen Zheng's shoulder and advising him to "stay away from your brother Kai." After Li Zhicheng left, Chen Zheng complained to Ning Weikai about being led into Li Zhicheng's trap regarding the Japanese fabric deal. Ning Weikai calmly deflected blame, claiming he learned of the trap too late, and reminded Chen Zheng that their mutual enemy was Aida's Li Zhicheng, urging them to unite.
As Lin Qian prepared her designs at the salon, Chen Zheng approached her. He smugly warned her that Aida wouldn't always be in the spotlight, and if the company were to "bankrupt sooner or later," Simeiqi would "consider taking you." Lin Qian politely but firmly declined his offer, stating she had no "money problems." Meanwhile, Grace introduced Li Zhicheng to President Cheng Feng of Ankada Airlines.
Pulling Li Zhicheng aside, Grace revealed that Ankada needed a new series of flight attendant uniforms, a massive order worth 200 million yuan for 40,000 sets. She encouraged Li Zhicheng to make a strong impression, as Cheng Feng had already shown interest in Aida. On stage, Grace announced a new charity segment for the "China-Doll" Angel Fund, with all proceeds going to children with a rare bone disorder.
She then introduced President Cheng Feng, who dramatically announced Ankada's plans to entirely upgrade their flight attendants' uniforms. He declared the substantial project would be designed and manufactured in China, inviting all design companies to enthusiastically join the bidding competition. A stir rippled through the audience, with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng showing clear determination to win this lucrative deal. The fashion salon's design competition commenced, featuring models showcasing the creations of various designers.
During the intermission, as voting took place, Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai both made their way to President Cheng, eagerly seeking to establish a connection and express their interest in the Ankada project. Cheng Feng, gracious but noncommittal, instructed his assistant to take their contact information. The voting results were soon revealed, with Lin Qian's design from Aida and Zhang Siyao's design from Simeiqi receiving the highest votes. Both winning pieces proceeded to an auction.
Cheng Feng praised Zhang Siyao's design for its "European high-end brands' feeling" and elegance. He then bid 400,000 yuan for Zhang Siyao's dress, setting a new record. Next, Lin Qian's design went up for auction. The bidding quickly escalated, with Ms. Xiaona ultimately winning Lin Qian's dress for an unprecedented 600,000 yuan, securing Lin Qian the "laurel designer" title and a new highest bid record for the event. Backstage, Cheng Feng met the two winning designers.
Lin Qian offered her business card to Ms. Xiaona, who expressed a desire for custom clothes. Cheng Feng then acknowledged Li Zhicheng's interest in Ankada's uniform project but directly told Lin Qian that he didn't believe she had the capacity for such a design. He critiqued her dress as "too teenage girl-like" and lacking the maturity of other designers.
Lin Qian, unfazed, respectfully countered, arguing that Chinese designers possessed the ability to blend Eastern and Western styles, and that judging solely by Western standards was a cultural misunderstanding. Cheng Feng, amused by her spirited debate, noted her arguments were more powerful than her design. Li Zhicheng then arrived, praising their "good chat" and offering to invite Cheng Feng to visit Aida.
After the salon, Chen Zheng cornered Ning Weikai, eager to collaborate on the Ankada uniform project, suggesting they "take the deal from Li Zhicheng's hands." Ning Weikai, with a dismissive tone, told Chen Zheng that Aida, having just won the Mingsheng project, lacked the resources to effectively compete for Ankada. He asserted that for Xinbaorui, the Ankada project was "just a side dish," and Simeiqi was not worthy of his cooperation, leaving Chen Zheng visibly infuriated.
Later, Li Zhicheng praised Lin Qian's performance at the salon, but Lin Qian admitted she was still bothered by President Cheng's comments, particularly his view that domestic designers lacked maturity and open-mindedness. Li Zhicheng reassured her that Cheng Feng was merely a businessman whose opinions weren't crucial. However, Lin Qian acknowledged some truth in Cheng Feng's critique, stating she needed to "work harder" and "prove myself."
Li Zhicheng seized the opportunity, revealing Ankada would soon open bids for their new uniforms and asking if she was willing to take on the challenge. He promised a 20% raise and a long-term contract. Lin Qian enthusiastically agreed to undertake the design, even without the raise, committed to proving herself. Li Zhicheng proposed a five-year contract. Lin Qian found "5 years" to be a long time.
Li Zhicheng playfully responded that "a lifetime is a long time," asking if she was selling herself. Lin Qian playfully declined, to which Li Zhicheng responded, "Don't let me wait too long." Meanwhile, Chen Zheng returned home and confidently told his father that Simeiqi was determined to win the Ankada project. His father, however, advised him to learn from his failures and competitors, praising Li Zhicheng for his "good taste and ambition" and his fairness.
This comparison visibly annoyed Chen Zheng, though he admitted underestimating Li Zhicheng in the past, he vowed there wouldn't be a "second time." At Aida, Li Zhicheng had noticed Gu Yanzhi acting mysteriously and being frequently absent. He then received an official "Transfer Order" from Wenda headquarters for Gu Yanzhi, prompting him to call Gu Yanzhi into his office for a discussion. Li Zhicheng asked Gu Yanzhi when he had requested a transfer back to headquarters.
Episode 12 Recap
Li Zhicheng met with Gu Yanzhi, who revealed he had applied to transfer back to the head office, an approval he had expected to come after the Mingsheng project. Li Zhicheng firmly stated he would not approve Gu Yanzhi's departure from Aida. Gu Yanzhi expressed his frustration, feeling that Aida did not need him because Li Zhicheng made all decisions independently, never including him in discussions.
He felt like a mere "furnishing" and contrasted Li Zhicheng's style with his late brother, Li Zhiqian, who would discuss everything, big or small. Li Zhicheng explained that his military background had ingrained a direct, order-giving style, and apologized if it was not to Gu Yanzhi's liking. He confessed that after his brother's mysterious death and Wenda's near collapse, he couldn't trust anyone, but Gu Yanzhi was the first person he had come to trust.
Li Zhicheng earnestly asked Gu Yanzhi to stay, explaining that he needed him to handle strategic planning, just as he needed Lin Qian on the front lines. Gu Yanzhi, with a humorous remark about whether "planning in the rear" involved massage chairs, ultimately agreed to remain at Aida. Meanwhile, Hanchong stormed into Ning Weikai's office, demanding to know why a charity budget had been included in a project's expenses without his consultation.
Ning Weikai explained it was a public relations fund for the upcoming Ankada uniform deal and that he had the authority to approve such a sum without needing Hanchong's input. Hanchong, persistent, then brought up the failure of the Mingsheng project, accusing Ning Weikai of wasting company resources and ultimately losing the order, even suggesting he should quit. Ning Weikai retorted that his CEO position was board-appointed and he wouldn't be dictated by Hanchong.
He reminded Hanchong that if not for Hanchong's strong objection to hiring Lin Qian, Aida wouldn't have had the opportunity to win the Mingsheng project, as Lin Qian was the designer behind their success. Stunned, Hanchong had no response and angrily left the office. During a Xinbaorui board meeting, Chairman Zhu publicly announced Hanchong's appointment as the company's executive director.
Filled with a sense of triumph, Hanchong immediately used his new position to once again challenge Ning Weikai, criticizing the immense costs and ultimate failure of the Mingsheng project. Ning Weikai, frustrated, defiantly offered to resign if the board questioned his competence. Zhu Hanjing stepped in to defend Ning Weikai, asserting that he was not solely responsible for the Mingsheng project's loss.
Undeterred, Hanchong then provocatively suggested that Ning Weikai might have intentionally lost the order to Aida, given Wenda's recent resurgence. Ning Weikai vehemently denied the accusation and, looking directly at the board, vowed that Xinbaorui would not be defeated by Aida again, promising to secure the Ankada uniform order. At the Cheng residence, Grace and her assistant arrived to interview President Cheng. They inadvertently overheard a heated argument between President Cheng and his daughter, Meizi.
Meizi expressed her strong desire to quit school and study art abroad, while her father adamantly pushed for her to pursue a business degree, dismissing art as merely a hobby. After Meizi tearfully left, President Cheng apologized for the family drama, explaining his daughter's recent rebelliousness. Grace, quick to seize an opportunity, proposed an interview that would cover President Cheng's work and family life, suggesting that including Meizi might help improve their relationship.
President Cheng, impressed by Grace's tact, agreed to the interview. During a televised segment of the interview, President Cheng announced Ankada's plan to upgrade all airline uniforms, stating his intention to actively secure bidding opportunities in China and his wish for these new uniforms to be designed and "Made in China" to showcase Chinese ideas and designs to the world.
Inspired by Ankada's reputation for having the most beautiful flight attendants, Chen Zheng of Simeiqi suddenly decided to hold a "Goddess in the Cloud" uniform beauty contest. He instructed his team to partner with the Xinyang app to organize the event, aiming to promote their project with Ankada among beautiful women and showcase the evolution of uniform design. Chen Zheng expressed confidence that this proactive approach would give Simeiqi a significant advantage.
Watching President Cheng's interview on television, Li Zhicheng's gaze was fixed. Gu Yanzhi, observing his CEO's intent focus, gently tried to temper his ambition. He pointed out that while the Ankada project, a significant order worth 200 million yuan (40,000 sets of uniforms at 5,000 yuan each), was indeed enticing, Aida was still fully occupied with the recently acquired Mingsheng Group deal, lacking the immediate financial and human resources to take on another major project.
Gu Yanzhi warned against taking excessive risks, stressing the need for careful, solid steps. After a moment of thought, Li Zhicheng asked, "What if someone invests in Aida?" Gu Yanzhi was taken aback by the suggestion. Li Zhicheng visited Grace at H Group, directly proposing an investment in Aida. Grace was somewhat surprised and initially offered a personal loan and an introduction to Ankada, explaining that her previous help was primarily out of respect for his late brother, Li Zhiqian.
Li Zhicheng refused, stating that his brother would not have approved of such personal assistance and insisted on a long-term business partnership. Grace bluntly told him that H Group would likely not be interested due to Aida's low production value. However, Li Zhicheng passionately argued that Aida was a shared venture between him and his brother.
After careful consideration, Grace called Li Zhicheng and agreed to H Group's investment in Aida, clarifying that while they were friends, business would be strictly business. Soon after, they met and formally signed the cooperation agreement. Ning Weikai discussed the Ankada project with Zhu Hanjing. He acknowledged that while the bidding was ostensibly open to all companies in Linhai City, only Xinbaorui, Simeiqi, and Aida truly possessed the capability to compete.
Zhu Hanjing, noticing Ning Weikai's calm demeanor, asked if he had a strategy. Ning Weikai confidently dismissed Simeiqi, explaining that Chen Zheng, despite his marketing prowess, lacked a strong production line, which would necessitate reliance on numerous second-tier suppliers. Ning Weikai planned to disrupt their supply chain, rendering Simeiqi largely ineffective. He concluded that Aida, therefore, was their true formidable opponent.
Zhu Hanjing then pointed out that Aida had yet to make a visible move, but Grace's close association with Li Zhicheng made her a significant figure behind the scenes. Cheng Feng brought Meizi to H Magazine for her photo shoot during Grace's exclusive interview. Grace discreetly asked Cheng Feng about his relationship with his daughter, and then seized the chance to subtly praise Aida and request an opportunity for them in the Ankada project.
Cheng Feng, grateful for Grace's assistance, agreed to advocate for Aida. Soon after, Grace accompanied Cheng Feng on a visit to Aida, where Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi warmly received them. Cheng Feng commended Li Zhicheng's swift progress with Aida and their professional handling of the Mingsheng project. However, he raised concerns about Aida's financial stability and experience for the large-scale Ankada uniform order.
Gu Yanzhi reassured him by highlighting Aida's backing from the Wenda Group, a major asset in Linhai City. Grace then revealed that H Group had also become a shareholder in Aida, further solidifying its financial position. Cheng Feng, now satisfied, promised to strongly recommend Aida to Ankada's headquarters, provided their design proved compelling and interesting.
He then handed Li Zhicheng an internal draft of the Ankada cooperation intention letter, noting that Aida was the first of the three major candidates to see it, urging him to study the bidding requirements thoroughly. Li Zhicheng then escorted Cheng Feng to the design studio, where Lin Qian was engrossed in studying airline uniform styles and fabrics.
Lin Qian presented a replica of Ankada's current uniform, explaining it was created from online images to analyze the original designer's approach and pinpoint areas for improvement. She articulated her design philosophy, noting that Ankada's existing uniforms, though aiming for a "royal flight experience," appeared overly extravagant and "showy like a crazy rich" for the Chinese market, which favored understated luxury. Her design direction, therefore, was to "keep it simple," enhancing Ankada's inherent elegance.
Cheng Feng was deeply impressed, remarking that her vision aligned perfectly with Ankada's internal goals for a refreshed image and praising her meticulous research. He confidently stated that even without seeing the final design, he believed the new uniform would be a classic. He high-fived Lin Qian in encouragement, leaving her visibly delighted. While Chen Zheng was busy organizing his "Goddess in the Cloud" beauty pageant, he received a phone call from Ning Weikai.
Ning Weikai, aware of Grace's growing influence with both Li Zhicheng and Cheng Feng, and also dealing with internal struggles with Hanchong, subtly probed Chen Zheng about his subcontractor visits. Chen Zheng accused Ning Weikai of targeting Simeiqi, but Ning Weikai denied it, instead proposing that they had a common adversary in Aida.
He used an analogy, cautioning that while it was easy to handle a "kitten," it would be much harder if it grew into a "lion," implying that if Aida became too powerful, it would threaten them all. Chen Zheng acknowledged their shared interest in combating Aida. Late at night, Lin Qian video-called her brother, Lin Mochen, who immediately chided her for still working.
Lin Mochen revealed he had reviewed Aida's financial reports and believed the company was in a precarious state, doubting that even the Mingsheng project could fully revive it. Lin Qian confidently countered, explaining that Aida was pursuing another significant opportunity: a 200 million yuan uniform deal with Ankada Airlines. She assured him that both she and Li Zhicheng were confident in securing the project.
As she was praising Li Zhicheng's business acumen, stating he had "never lost any game in this business playground," Li Zhicheng himself walked in and overheard her. Lin Mochen, still on the call, jokingly accused Li Zhicheng of violating labor laws by making Lin Qian work so late. Lin Qian quickly defended her boss, claiming she enjoyed working late and was "the best employee in China." Li Zhicheng, with a smile, promised to "do something big" just to prove Lin Mochen wrong.
Episode 13 Recap
Lin Qian concludes a video call with her brother, Lin Mochen, who expresses concern about her working late, fearing that Li Zhicheng is overworking her. Lin Qian reassures him, proudly declaring herself the "best employee in China" and asserting her determination to achieve great things. Afterward, Li Zhicheng enters, also suggesting they eat, stating he cannot violate labor laws or risk her brother visiting him.
Lin Qian offers to eat in the office, having only instant noodles, and shares her excitement for the Ankada project, envisioning millions seeing her designs daily. Li Zhicheng supports her, acknowledging it will be a "rough ride but the future is bright." Discovering she gave him her last bowl of noodles, he proposes they share it, playfully deciding who gets to eat through rock, paper, scissors. They laugh and enjoy the meal together.
The next day, Gu Yanzhi presents Li Zhicheng with the Ankada contract, highlighting its extremely strict indemnity clauses and the near-impossible task of producing 40,000 uniforms within a month given Aida's current capacity. He reveals that Ning Weikai has already pre-contracted most available subcontractors, making the project a "grave" for Aida. After careful consideration, Li Zhicheng instructs Gu Yanzhi to swiftly create a feasibility report for a new brand by May 20, insisting nothing is impossible with focus.
He then secretly reveals that Aida will publicly participate in the Ankada bidding but will ultimately withdraw, a plan to be kept strictly confidential, even from Lin Qian. Gu Yanzhi is visibly stunned by this covert strategy. Meanwhile, Ning Weikai meets Chen Zheng, who is also seeking subcontractors. Chen Zheng dismisses Aida's ability to handle the Ankada project, but Ning Weikai reminds him of Grace and H Group's investment in Aida.
He speculates that Grace's involvement is due to her past relationship with Li Zhiqian, recalling her presence during Li Zhiqian's You'a order negotiations and believing she is the inspirational woman Li Zhiqian once described. Chen Zheng playfully teases Ning Weikai about having a "dead romantic rival," but Ning Weikai insists his interest in Grace is purely strategic. Chen Zheng remains unconvinced, asserting that Ning Weikai has already lost this round.
Later, Ning Weikai attends a magazine photoshoot for H Group, where Grace is directing. He attempts to invite her for a photo, but she politely declines, stating it's not part of her duties. He then tries to explain that the previous damage to Aida's sample clothes was his employee's unauthorized action, not directly his fault. Grace accepts his apology for her own "impulsive move" but dismisses further discussion of the past.
He then recalls that Li Zhiqian once described an inspirational woman as being "like a cactus," speculating it was her. Embracing the comparison, Grace warns him to keep his distance, metaphorically stating a thorny cactus will "attack" if approached too closely. The following morning, Lin Qian and Chen Yayi arrive at the office to a surprise: five of Li Zhicheng's security guards salute Lin Qian. Li Zhicheng has assigned them to learn fashion design from her to understand the industry.
The guards, accustomed to military training, are initially reluctant, finding the task "unmanly." Despite their commander's motivational words to face difficulties, their attempts to help Lin Qian organize fabrics are clumsy and chaotic, causing more disarray than assistance, much to Lin Qian's exasperated amusement. Separately, Chen Zheng, rewarding his secretary for the "Goddess in the Cloud" concept, takes her shopping for a luxury purse.
Coincidentally, Li Jinyuan, accompanied by Gu Yanzhi, purchases the last available bag of the style the secretary desired. Chen Zheng confronts Li Jinyuan, demanding to buy the bag at any price. Gu Yanzhi, seizing the opportunity, brazenly negotiates a resale price of 300,000 yuan. Driven by pride, Chen Zheng reluctantly pays the exorbitant sum. Later, Li Jinyuan realizes she left her car keys in the bag and calls Chen Zheng. He, however, insists she come to Simeiqi to retrieve them.
At Simeiqi, Li Jinyuan and Gu Yanzhi attend the "Goddess in the Cloud" auditions, where Chen Zheng is a judge. Chen Zheng harshly criticizes a contestant, Cheng Meizi, for her "hippie" attire and "smoky makeup," even producing a mirror to mock her appearance. Outraged, Li Jinyuan storms the stage, grabs a microphone, and publicly chastises Chen Zheng, calling him "lame" and devoid of aesthetic sense, before smashing the mirror.
Undeterred, Chen Zheng instructs his staff to immediately upload the video of the confrontation online, hoping to capitalize on the viral potential. During dinner, Grace confronts Li Zhicheng, expressing concern about Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng's aggressive strategies, which leave Aida in a vulnerable position. She challenges him to be honest about his true intentions for the Ankada project.
Li Zhicheng then admits that Aida will withdraw from the Ankada bid, revealing his true goal is to use it as a cover to launch Aida's own independent brand. Grace is furious, accusing him of using her and the H Group as a "chess piece" to delay rivals and then deceiving his partners. She reminds him that H Group's investment makes Aida a shared venture, and his lack of trust undermines their partnership.
Threatening to reconsider their collaboration, she angrily leaves. Li Zhicheng attempts to apologize, explaining he feared a leak and believed she, like his late brother Li Zhiqian, would understand his vision for an independent brand, having encouraged Li Zhiqian in the past. Unbeknownst to them, Gao Lang, one of Ning Weikai's men, observes their heated argument with a satisfied smirk. Later, Gu Yanzhi and Li Jinyuan share a meal, gleefully recounting their successful "scam" against Chen Zheng.
Li Jinyuan playfully smears ketchup on Gu Yanzhi's forehead. Meanwhile, Cheng Meizi receives a message from a friend, alerting her that she has gone "trending" online. She watches the video of her audition and Chen Zheng's humiliating criticism. Her father, Cheng Feng, also sees the video and confronts her in a rage. He scolds her for being publicly shamed, but Cheng Meizi defiantly declares her dream to be a model, asserting that such minor setbacks mean nothing to her. Cheng Feng, however, adamantly forbids her from pursuing modeling, stating this will be the last time she defies him.
Episode 14 Recap
Gu Yanzhi was in Li Zhicheng's office, discussing the establishment of their new brand. He pointed out that while Linhai Plaza was a famous landmark, its surrounding infrastructure was old. In Linhai City, the most popular buildings were Linhai Plaza and Danzi Plaza, and considering the modern amenities and variety of brands, their new store should ideally be located in Danzi Plaza. As Gu Yanzhi spoke, he noticed Li Zhicheng seemed preoccupied.
Li Zhicheng then revealed that Grace had discovered their true intentions and now intended to withdraw her investment. Gu Yanzhi was not surprised, remarking that it was typical Grace. He worried about how they would fund the new brand without Grace's investment. Li Zhicheng, however, was resolute; he would not allow Grace to pull out. Gu Yanzhi further explained that securing a storefront in Danzi Plaza would be challenging due to its high requirements for brands and year-round full occupancy.
He had previously met Director Wu from their business department, who showed little interest in Aida. Li Zhicheng acknowledged the issues and decided to personally handle Grace and the Danzi Plaza location, instructing Gu Yanzhi to continue exploring the independent brand's opportunities in Linhai Plaza as a fallback. Meanwhile, Chen Zheng's father stormed into Simeiqi, where Chen Zheng was overseeing a design meeting.
He furiously threw a magazine in front of his son, scolding him for humiliating Cheng Meizi, who was revealed to be Cheng Feng's daughter. Chen Zheng was stunned by this revelation. His father angrily accused him of botching the situation and making the company look bad, especially since everyone now knew about the incident.
Chen Zheng tried to explain that he only wanted to expand their influence to win the Ankada project and counter claims that Simeiqi was a copycat company. Elsewhere, Zhu Hanchong, upon hearing about Chen Zheng's blunder, saw an opportunity. He waited for Cheng Meizi after her piano lesson, introducing himself as the Vice Chairman of Zhu Group.
He flattered her, saying her photo in the magazine had captivated him and that her "pure, pretty, innocent, and noble" qualities were exactly what they sought for their brand representative. He offered to invest heavily in the next Xinbaorui magazine, promising her photos would appear everywhere in Linhai City, which both surprised and delighted Cheng Meizi. Back at Aida, Gu Yanzhi informed Li Zhicheng that Linhai Plaza's business department specifically requested to meet Aida's chief designer.
Li Zhicheng agreed, asking Gu Yanzhi to bring Lin Qian to the meeting. Gu Yanzhi expressed concern because Lin Qian was unaware of their plans for an independent brand. Li Zhicheng advised him to tell her they intended to start their own brand in the future and were scouting for storefronts. Later, Gu Yanzhi and Lin Qian met with Director Song from Linhai Plaza.
Director Song stated they needed fashionable women's clothing and asked Lin Qian to describe her design experience. Gu Yanzhi presented Lin Qian's creative sketchbooks, explaining that her primary design drafts were with Wenda. Director Song praised Lin Qian's passion for original designs but suggested that to appeal to the general public, the quickest method was to "copy big brands."
Lin Qian vehemently disagreed, asserting she was a designer, not a copycat or a "carrier" for other brands, and believed in maintaining the original intention of design. She then excused herself, stating she was busy. Displeased, Director Song left, telling Gu Yanzhi they would discuss cooperation later. Li Zhicheng then drove to Danzi Plaza to meet President Wu, but he was denied a meeting due to lack of an appointment. As he left, Li Zhicheng noticed a car trailing him.
Relying on his instincts as a former special forces soldier, he recognized the pursuit was malicious. The tracker was Gao Lang, who was following Li Zhicheng under orders. Li Zhicheng decided to turn the tables, leading Gao Lang to a secluded factory area. He then stopped his car, confronted Gao Lang, and a fierce fight ensued. During the struggle, Gao Lang dislocated his wrist and, realizing he was outmatched, fled.
Li Zhicheng immediately called his subordinate, Monkey, asking him to investigate Gao Lang's car and thoroughly check his own vehicle for any tracking devices that might have been planted. Chen Zheng invited Cheng Meizi to a roadside barbecue, showering her with attention. Cheng Meizi, surprised by the informal setting, confessed that her father never allowed her to eat such food and had once severely scolded her and her college friends for a late-night meal, leading to her friends avoiding her.
Chen Zheng, feigning sympathy, told her she was "otherworldly" and offered to help her experience the things she missed in her youth, starting with late-night meals, promising to use his influence to keep her famous. Cheng Meizi seemed intrigued. Meanwhile, Lin Qian brought two flight attendants from Ankada to Aida for a uniform design survey.
The flight attendants expressed their gratitude, noting that no previous designer had ever shown such dedication to research, saying they were the first to ask for their opinions. They also revealed common occupational issues like severe menstrual cramps. Lin Qian then delved into their preferences for fabric and style. At Simeiqi, Chen Zheng rejected all the proposed uniform designs, deeming one "stupid" and "embarrassing" for the company.
He criticized the designs for being "old-fashioned and boring" and lacking the "poised beauty" suitable for Chinese women, demanding eye-catching designs. Later, Chen Zheng found his father, assuring him that he would meticulously oversee the design department to "get back what we lost on public image." His father nodded in satisfaction, remarking he had never seen Chen Zheng so serious. Following Gu Yanzhi's suggestion, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi met with Grace.
Li Zhicheng explained that Aida faced an "extremely high penalty fee" and potential bankruptcy if the Ankada contract for 40,000 uniforms wasn't completed within a month. He stated he couldn't put H Group or Grace at such a risk. He apologized for not informing her earlier, explaining he had been exploring various options. Grace, in a generous gesture, declared the matter "all in the past" and apologized for her previous attitude.
She candidly told him that launching an independent brand required "superb conditions in timing and resources," implicitly warning him about the challenges. Li Zhicheng then revealed that establishing an independent brand was also his late elder brother's wish, hoping to get Grace's support. Grace reiterated her concern, saying she didn't want him to "repeat his brother's mistake."
In Aida's design studio, Lin Qian inadvertently used the USB drive she had broken in Yunnan, once again transmitting her location to the drug lord. Later, Yayi expressed her concern to Lin Qian about Li Zhicheng's frequent meetings with Grace, saying they met "almost 5 days a week." Lin Qian dismissed it as normal business discussions between friends.
Yayi found their frequent meals abnormal and worried about Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng's relationship, but Lin Qian urged her to focus on work. One evening at the office, Lin Qian, still working late, tried to reach a box of coffee beans from an overhead cabinet. She lost her balance and nearly fell, but Li Zhicheng, who happened to be nearby, swiftly caught her, pulling her into his arms.
As coffee beans spilled around them, Lin Qian stared up at him, momentarily spellbound, before feeling embarrassed and pulling away. She worried about the spilled coffee beans, but he assured her he was fine and could simply drink instant coffee, then began cleaning up. At the golf course, Chen Zheng and his father played with Cheng Feng. Chen Zheng's father went to great lengths to flatter Cheng Feng, praising his golf skills and expressing his long-standing admiration for Ankada Airlines.
He then instructed an embarrassed Chen Zheng to apologize to Cheng Feng for the "misunderstanding" with his daughter. Chen Zheng offered his apologies, claiming he was unaware of her identity. Cheng Feng magnanimously dismissed it as "young people messing with each other" and said "it's alright." Chen Zheng's father then tried to broach the topic of Simeiqi's cooperation with Ankada, but Cheng Feng abruptly ended the discussion, stating that business matters should be discussed separately, and walked away.
Chen Zheng complained to his father about the "kowtowing," finding it humiliating. His father, however, sternly explained that in business, one must seize every opportunity and that giving up a deal would be "our biggest shame," especially with rivals like Ning Weikai and Li Zhicheng growing stronger. Grace, having failed to secure a meeting with President Wu at Danzi Plaza, serendipitously encountered Ning Weikai there.
He coldly asked if she was also vying for a storefront at Danzi Plaza and advised her not to waste her efforts, to which Grace simply ignored him. Later, Grace learned that President Wu was a member of the Tibetan Antelope Protection Society, which was affiliated with her charity fund, and was scheduled to receive an award at an upcoming charity gala. Grace and Li Zhicheng attended the gala.
During a conversation with President Wu, Grace thanked him for his donations to the society and praised his initiative in personally training anti-poaching squads. Li Zhicheng then took the opportunity to ask President Wu for a favor, expressing Aida's strong desire to secure a storefront in Danzi Plaza. However, President Wu regretfully stated that while he respected them, Danzi Plaza had strict requirements for new brands, and Aida "is not qualified" at this moment.
Episode 15 Recap
Grace and Li Zhicheng approached President Wu of Danzi Plaza to secure a storefront for Aida, but President Wu, citing Danzi Plaza's stringent requirements for new brands, deemed Aida unqualified and regretfully declined their request. Although disappointed, Grace quickly devised a new strategy. Observing a roadside advertisement, she realized Aida needed to boost its prestige.
She suggested leveraging the influence of Fancy, an American fashion brand whose founder, Don, had been searching for Chinese designers to launch a Chinese-themed secondary line. When Li Zhicheng questioned how to contact Don, Grace confidently stated their magazine had interviewed him years ago and she could obtain his contact information, immediately tasking her assistant, Cindy, to find it. She believed that a successful meeting with Don would persuade President Wu.
Meanwhile, at Aida, Gu Yanzhi presided over a meeting to discuss the Ankada project. Though some employees questioned the practicality of Lin Qian's design, a colleague confirmed her research indicated Lin Qian's sample aligned with Ankada's uniform data. To address concerns about specific fabric choices, Lin Qian presented a live demonstration.
Yayi and other employees, dressed in Lin Qian's prototype flight attendant uniforms, simulated various duties, showcasing the uniforms' comfortable fit, appropriate skirt length for modesty, and resilient shoulder and fabric design for handling heavy luggage. Lin Qian emphasized that the ultimate goal was not just aesthetics or cost, but to ensure comfort and practicality for daily wear.
Later, at a coffee shop, Li Zhicheng happily informed Grace that President Wu had changed his mind about renting them the Danzi Plaza storefront after hearing about Aida's potential collaboration with Fancy. Grace acknowledged the power of a strong brand. Li Zhicheng then announced he needed to return to Aida for Lin Qian's Ankada project presentation. Grace, surprised, asked if he had informed Lin Qian about Aida's plan to withdraw from the Ankada bid.
Li Zhicheng explained his intention to let her fully experience and enjoy her work, shielded from business complexities. Grace, with a hint of concern, warned him not to let a "surprise" turn into a "shock." Back at Aida, as Gu Yanzhi called for a vote on Lin Qian's design, the executives hesitated, no one raising a hand. Just then, Li Zhicheng arrived, apologized for his lateness, and declared Lin Qian's design "amazing," instructing them to proceed with it.
Lin Qian was overjoyed, sharing the good news with Yayi and her team. That evening, Lin Qian stayed late to refine the bidding document, and Li Zhicheng remained to accompany her, assuring her that she could submit it the next day. The following day, President Wu urgently contacted Grace, apologizing that the Danzi Plaza storefront could no longer be rented to Aida. His superior, Chairman Zheng, had allocated it to the Zhu Group.
Grace expressed her dismay to President Wu, confirming it was Chairman Zhu Boyun who had secured the deal. Over the phone, Grace relayed the unfortunate news to Li Zhicheng, regretting Ning Weikai's swift move. She vowed to find alternative storefronts and pursue the Fancy collaboration with renewed determination. Simultaneously, in his car, Ning Weikai conversed with Chairman Zhu, who revealed that Chairman Zheng was a former student he had helped overcome an attempt to sabotage his college admission years ago.
Chairman Zhu explained that his support for Ning Weikai was based on trust, seeing in him the potential he once saw in Chairman Zheng. Meanwhile, a member of the drug cartel observed that the USB drive was active again, confirming Lin Qian's location and setting off to track her to Aida. Later, on Aida's rooftop, Lin Qian found a despondent Li Zhicheng.
He admitted the failure to secure the Danzi Plaza storefront was a significant blow, feeling humiliated by the loss despite their efforts. Lin Qian reassured him, reminding him of his resilience and expressing her unwavering belief in his ability to overcome challenges, which was why she joined Aida despite its initial struggles. The next day, Cheng Feng visited Xinbaorui for an inspection.
Zhu Hanchong greeted him, but Cheng Feng's expression turned sour upon seeing numerous promotional photos of Cheng Meizi prominently displayed. Chairman Zhu later admonished Zhu Hanchong for his misjudgment, explaining Cheng Feng's traditional views and his dislike of his daughter being widely publicized. A furious Zhu Hanchong stormed out. Ning Weikai, however, saw an opportunity, advising Chairman Zhu that losing the Ankada order was not entirely negative.
He pointed out that Simeiqi's production lines would now be tied up by Ankada, creating a significant vacancy in the market for the upcoming May 20 shopping festival. Ning Weikai proposed hindering Aida's new brand launch to gain an advantage in the festival, an idea Chairman Zhu fully supported, trusting Ning Weikai's strategic acumen. Ning Weikai then discreetly presented Chen Zheng with the Ankada project's letter of intent, a strategic "gift" meant to consolidate his position within Xinbaorui.
Chen Zheng, delighted, accepted the document, and later triumphantly announced to his employees at Simeiqi that they had secured the Ankada project, promising them substantial bonuses. Back at Aida, Li Zhicheng stood outside Lin Qian's door. As she emerged, elegantly dressed and excited for the Ankada bid, Li Zhicheng reluctantly informed her that Cheng Feng would not be coming as Aida had withdrawn from the bidding. Lin Qian was stunned, demanding an explanation.
He cited the project's immense scale, its complexity, and the insurmountable production issues within the given timeframe. Lin Qian passionately argued that they had overcome similar challenges with the Mingsheng project and that solutions could be found. With a heavy heart, Li Zhicheng could only offer a "Sorry."
Lin Qian, her voice filled with betrayal, demanded to know when he had made this decision and why he had kept her in the dark while she tirelessly worked on what she considered her "heart and soul." She felt foolish and deeply hurt, rejecting his suggestion to work on other projects. She declared her love and responsibility for her design work, not merely as a job.
Li Zhicheng reiterated his apology, but Lin Qian, telling him to work on other projects himself, returned to her studio and began packing her belongings, resolute in her decision to leave Aida. Her colleagues, including Yayi, tried to dissuade her, expressing concern for Aida and even Li Zhicheng, but Lin Qian, asserting her contract was up and he was no longer her boss, insisted on leaving. Despite the security guards' attempts to stop her, she pushed past them and departed.
As Lin Qian carried her box of personal items away from Aida, she encountered Ning Weikai, who immediately recognized her distress and offered her a ride. At a restaurant, Lin Qian poured out her frustration and disappointment over the Ankada project, detailing her dedication to creating health-conscious designs and her heartbreak at the company's sudden withdrawal.
Ning Weikai listened, then gently explained that business decisions often prioritized profitability over design, advising her not to lose hope in herself but to learn from the experience. His words brought her some relief. As they returned to the parking lot, they were ambushed by several assailants. Ning Weikai bravely fought them off, urging Lin Qian to escape.
She grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it at the attackers, but the drug lord arrived, incapacitated Ning Weikai, and forcibly dragged Lin Qian into a car. Inside the car, the drug lord aggressively questioned Lin Qian about a USB drive, but she feigned ignorance. In a brutal display, the drug lord stabbed Ning Weikai in the thigh, eliciting a scream of pain.
The shock triggered Lin Qian's memory: she recalled her conversation with Li Zhicheng about the seemingly broken USB drive that had mysteriously become accessible, although with some folders unopenable, and the drug cartel's ability to track her through it. Just then, Li Zhicheng called Lin Qian's phone, but the drug lord immediately hung up. Sensing something was terribly wrong from the abrupt hang-up, Li Zhicheng quickly drove to her location.
The drug lord brought Lin Qian and the injured Ning Weikai to Aida's office, holding a knife to Ning Weikai's throat to coerce Lin Qian into finding the USB drive. Lin Qian, pretending to search, tried to stall, which the drug lord quickly noticed. Enraged, he prepared to attack them both. At that critical moment, Li Zhicheng burst in, swiftly and decisively subduing the drug dealers, knocking them to the ground.
Episode 16 Recap
Li Zhicheng held down a drug dealer, telling Lin Qian to run. The drug lord leader menacingly rushed towards Lin Qian with a knife. At the critical moment, Li Zhicheng grabbed the knife, injuring his hand. After a struggle, the drug lord leader, realizing he was no match, fled. After the police arrived at Aida Company and secured the area, they identified the drug dealers as remnants from a previous military mission.
They explained that the criminals were searching for a USB drive containing their gang's names and bank account numbers, which also had a tracker. Li Zhicheng asserted that he and his team could handle their own protection. Lin Qian then realized she must have mistakenly picked up the U-disk in Yunnan, believing it held her research materials. Concerned about Li Zhicheng's injured arm, she insisted they go to the hospital.
There, they found Ning Weikai already admitted and in a wheelchair. Lin Qian expressed her concern, and Ning Weikai, though downplaying his injury, commented on Li Zhicheng's impressive fighting skills. Lin Qian thanked Ning Weikai, saying it was lucky he was there. Li Zhicheng also thanked Ning Weikai for what he did, but Ning Weikai retorted, suggesting Li Zhicheng had not protected Lin Qian adequately. Li Zhicheng sharply declared he would take care of "his own people" from then on.
Feeling caught between the two rivals, Lin Qian quickly pulled Li Zhicheng away. At a bar, Chen Zheng was teaching Cheng Meizi how to drink, offering peculiar advice about parenting and alcohol tolerance. Jinyuan, who was also there with Gu Yanzhi, noticed Chen Zheng and sarcastically questioned his intentions, reminding him of his past treatment of Chen Yayi. Cheng Meizi, feeling it was late, wanted to go home.
Chen Zheng offered to take her, but Jinyuan, accusing him of "ill intentions," insisted on taking Cheng Meizi herself. Annoyed, Chen Zheng subtly paid the bar's MC to announce a surprise proposal between Gu Yanzhi and Jinyuan. Under the spotlight, as the crowd cheered for a proposal, Jinyuan was flustered.
Gu Yanzhi, initially trying to play along to avoid awkwardness, then genuinely knelt and proposed, confessing that Jinyuan had "always been in his heart" as a noble, pure, and perfect goddess. Mortified, Jinyuan called him "crazy" and ran out, with Gu Yanzhi pursuing her. Outside, Jinyuan accused him of talking "nonsense" due to being drunk, but Gu Yanzhi insisted he was serious, though she dismissed his earnest words. Li Zhicheng walked Lin Qian home, instructing her to rest.
Lin Qian, concerned for his injuries, reciprocated the advice. Li Zhicheng then sat outside her door and fell asleep. The next morning, Lin Qian discovered him there. With a gentle smile, she urged him to go inside and sleep to avoid catching a cold. Alone, Lin Qian reflected deeply on Li Zhicheng's repeated acts of self-sacrifice, recalling the four times he had saved her and the three times he had been injured for her.
Chen Yayi rushed to the office, relieved to find Lin Qian unharmed. She passionately urged Lin Qian to stop procrastinating, arguing that Li Zhicheng, having saved her four times and been injured thrice, was her "man of destiny." Chen Yayi insisted that Lin Qian "just couldn't leave him anymore" and should immediately renew her contract. Lin Qian, overwhelmed, asked for time to think and to be left alone, to which Chen Yayi reluctantly agreed.
In the President's office, Gu Yanzhi reported to Li Zhicheng that all major banks had denied Aida's loan applications, leaving Grace as their last hope. Meanwhile, Grace learned through her assistant that Don from Fancy had become unresponsive about a scheduled meeting, inferring that a competitor had entered the scene, which she found made the game "more fun." She discovered Don would be attending a forum in Renhe City and immediately flew there.
After getting Don's hotel room number, 2116, from her assistant via phone, she was surprised to find Ning Weikai opening the door. Ning Weikai revealed he had intentionally moved Don to a special Airbnb and had wanted to "run into" Grace. Grace, frustrated, declared she would find Don herself, but Ning Weikai teased her, suggesting she follow him around. Grace attempted to track Don through Ning Weikai but soon realized he had tricked her.
Grace eventually met Ning Weikai at a cafe. He confidently ordered her coffee, knowing her preference for Americano, and admitted to "watching her." Grace challenged him to "compete fairly" and dared him to arrange a meeting with Don for all three of them. Ning Weikai agreed to arrange the meeting for the next day, but on one condition: she had to accompany him for the evening to "tour around Renhe City."
Grace, initially calling him a "pervert," agreed, jokingly stating she would "help out a person with a disability" despite his injured leg. Later, Lin Qian confided in Li Zhicheng that she intended to visit Ning Weikai, feeling responsible for his injury, and to make it clear she would not work for Xinbaorui. Li Zhicheng offered to send "Wasp" to protect her. He then sincerely apologized for his previous handling of the Ankada project.
He explained that his long military service had ingrained a habit of giving orders without explanation, which he mistakenly carried into Aida. He confessed his error in assuming everyone would understand his decisions. Lin Qian, in turn, admitted her own fault in not considering his and the company's perspective, calling herself "too selfish." Li Zhicheng then revealed Aida's new strategy: abandoning the risky Ankada project to build its own brand.
He enthusiastically invited Lin Qian to lead the design, promising Aida's full business support. Overjoyed, Lin Qian accepted, sealing their new partnership with a fist bump. Li Zhicheng then expressed his trust in her and pledged his protection, urging her not to give up on Aida or on him. That evening, Ning Weikai and a very inebriated Grace were drinking together. Grace, complaining that spending time with him was "torture," questioned why he'd do so given their rivalry.
Ning Weikai flirted, telling her she was "charming" and that he found "this she-devil especially mysterious." When he asked who she was thinking about, she vaguely replied, "Not you." As Grace became completely incoherent, Ning Weikai had to help her back to his hotel room. As he leaned in for a kiss, Grace suddenly murmured the name "Li Zhicheng." Ning Weikai, crestfallen, withdrew and left the room.
The next morning, Grace woke up to a call from her assistant, who informed her that Don would be meeting Ning Weikai at the Watertown Tea House. Realizing she was in Ning Weikai's room, Grace was mortified. Seeing her clothes undisturbed, she quietly slipped away while Ning Weikai was still asleep. At the tea house, Grace found Don and, explaining Ning Weikai's absence, tried to discuss a collaboration between Aida Group and Fancy.
However, Don was dismissive, stating he knew why she was there and that it wasn't the right time for Fancy to work with Aida, implying she had "wasted her time." Grace attempted to leverage Aida's backing by the experienced Wenda Group, but Don retorted that Wenda Group "seems to be a sinking ship" and clarified he was seeking a partner, not a "savior." He concluded that Aida lacked funds and a strong design team, making Xinbaorui his "most ideal business partner."
Episode 17 Recap
Grace was actively trying to persuade Don to partner with Aida, but he remained skeptical, calling Wenda a "sinking ship" and expressing concerns about Aida's financial and design capabilities. He declared Xinbaorui his most ideal partner. Grace began to explain that H Group had already invested in Aida and that she could quickly assemble a design team.
However, Ning Weikai suddenly appeared, intentionally mentioning how Grace had left the guesthouse early without a word, implying they had spent the night together. Grace quickly clarified that President Ning was just talking about a morning call. Despite her explanation, Don, witnessing this, gave them an ambiguous look and wondered why they were meeting separately if they were a couple. Despite Don's initial reservations about her promises, Grace invited him to Linhai to visit Aida to gain his trust.
Don, having already committed to visiting Xinbaorui, reluctantly agreed to also consider Aida, but with a strict condition: if he found anything unsatisfactory at either company, he would immediately return home. Grace promptly called Li Zhicheng, informing him that Don lacked confidence in Aida's design capabilities and would be visiting Linhai in ten days. She stressed the urgent need to assemble a new design team. Li Zhicheng immediately instructed Gu Yanzhi to create a list of Linhai's most talented designers.
He emphasized that creativity was paramount, even for new designers, and suggested considering those with international experience. Gu Yanzhi soon reported that Xinbaorui had already begun a high-profile recruitment drive, attracting many cutting-edge designers, much to Li Zhicheng's surprise at Ning Weikai's speed. He realized they needed to act quickly to demonstrate Aida's strength to Don. Meanwhile, Chen Yayi brought a bouquet of roses into the office, claiming Li Zhicheng had asked her to buy them for Lin Qian.
She playfully teased Lin Qian about her developing relationship with Li Zhicheng, mentioning seeing them holding hands the previous night and predicting marriage. Yayi encouraged Lin Qian to send a gift to Li Zhicheng since he had already made his intentions clear, even jokingly suggesting Lin Qian send herself. Lin Qian, a bit flustered, tried to brush it off, stating they were just "comrades in arms" with a common goal, though even she found it hard to believe.
She acknowledged Li Zhicheng's earlier apology for a previous misunderstanding, admitting her own rashness and recognizing his efforts were all for Aida. She felt a bit ashamed for being so focused on her independent designer dream. Later, Zhu Hanjing arrived at the airport to greet Ning Weikai, who was limping. Concerned, she suggested they go to the hospital, but Ning Weikai insisted on immediately organizing a recruitment fair.
He explained that Don's impending visit to Linhai meant they had to move faster than Aida. Despite his protests, Zhu Hanjing took him to the hospital. Lin Qian, learning of Ning Weikai's hospitalization, visited him after work, apologizing for his injury, which had occurred during their dangerous encounter with drug dealers in Yunnan. She explained that she had inadvertently provoked these violent men when she was visiting Yunnan for ideas.
Ning Weikai reassured her not to worry, then immediately shifted to business, proposing she join Xinbaorui to fulfill their shared "original dreams" from their St. York days. Lin Qian politely declined, explaining that given the rivalry between Aida and Xinbaorui, she had decided to renew her contract with Aida, where she felt valued and had grown significantly. Ning Weikai, though disappointed, respected her decision.
As Lin Qian left Ning Weikai's hospital room, she was surprised to find Li Zhicheng waiting for her, accompanied by his bodyguard, Monkey. She realized they were there to protect her, and Li Zhicheng confirmed he was worried the "bad guys" might not give up and vowed not to let anyone harm her. Lin Qian thanked him for his protection and also for the flowers. Li Zhicheng looked puzzled, asking if she hadn't sent him flowers.
Lin Qian then realized Chen Yayi's playful scheme to get them together. Back at Aida, Lin Qian playfully confronted Chen Yayi for her matchmaking, but Yayi argued she was simply trying to "speed things up" between them, highlighting how many times Li Zhicheng had saved Lin Qian. She even suggested Lin Qian should take the initiative. Their lighthearted argument was interrupted by a phone call from Li Zhicheng, asking Lin Qian to come to his office.
In his office, Li Zhicheng discussed the potential collaboration with Fancy. He explained that Don, a representative of Fancy, sought a Chinese design team to create a joint brand, an opportunity Aida had been pursuing. The plan would involve blending design expertise from both countries, with Fancy retaining final say on style while Aida would handle design, production, and sales for the Chinese market. Lin Qian voiced her concerns, noting Fancy's strong Americanized style and average quality for the price.
She worried that partnering with such a dominant brand could make Aida a mere "accessory," hindering its own brand development. Li Zhicheng conceded her point but emphasized that Aida urgently needed Fancy to expand its market reach and to learn their brand management strategies. He tasked Lin Qian with leading the design team for this venture.
Lin Qian, whose expertise lay in gowns rather than pop fashion, was hesitant, but Li Zhicheng assured her he would provide a dedicated team for her to lead. She expressed her lifelong dream of designing for an independent Chinese brand, and Li Zhicheng promised that this collaboration was a transitional phase. After successfully working with Fancy, Aida would definitely develop its own brand, even if it took thirty years.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi took Jin Yuan to a stylish restaurant, meticulously ordering her favorite dishes with specific adjustments. However, Chen Zheng, arriving shortly after, snatched the last lamb chop, which had been ordered for them, and then sat at a nearby table. He sarcastically commented on Li Zhicheng's loss of the Ankada project and provoked Jin Yuan, challenging her to attend the "Goddess in Cloud" closing ceremony, implying she wouldn't dare after Aida's setback.
Jin Yuan, annoyed by his taunts, defiantly accepted the invitation. Later, as Gu Yanzhi drove Jin Yuan home, he tried to persuade her against attending the event, warning her about Chen Zheng's playboy reputation and his ulterior motives. He explained that he was only trying to protect her. Jin Yuan, however, angrily dismissed his concerns, stating that neither her father nor her brother controlled her life, let alone him. She abruptly got out of the car, leaving Gu Yanzhi frustrated.
Lin Qian, still wrestling with the decision, called her elder brother, Lin Mochen, to ask about Fancy. Lin Mochen, a friend of Fancy's founder, described it as a "very out there" American pop fashion brand for young people, a description Lin Qian agreed with.
When Lin Qian expressed that her boss was considering collaborating with Fancy, her preference for building original Chinese brands, and her unfamiliarity with pop fashion, Lin Mochen offered dual advice: from a business perspective, collaborating with Fancy would be highly beneficial for Aida to expand its market and that the easiest way to success is to stand on the shoulders of giants.
However, as an artist, he advised her to follow her true passion and not go against her will, even suggesting she return to America if she felt strongly against the collaboration. Annoyed by his conflicting advice, Lin Qian quickly hung up. Lin Qian shared her dilemma with Chen Yayi, who also questioned the stark stylistic difference between Lin Qian's designs and Fancy's.
Lin Qian, however, expressed her determination, acknowledging that after Aida's loss of the Ankada project, this collaboration was crucial. She felt a deep sense of responsibility not to let Li Zhicheng down, given his trust in her. She decided to view it as a learning opportunity, believing that building a brand, like the uniform she had previously designed, was a process of continuous learning and growth. Chen Yayi wholeheartedly supported her friend's decision.
Later, Lin Qian informed Li Zhicheng of her decision to proceed with the Fancy collaboration, seeing it as a personal challenge. Li Zhicheng reiterated his promise that this was merely a "transitional period" for Aida to gain experience, with the ultimate goal of developing its own independent brand, even if it took three decades. Lin Qian lightly joked about them being old by then, and Li Zhicheng warmly responded that growing old with her was not a bad plan.
Meanwhile, Cheng Meizi called Chen Zheng to inform him that her father had decided to send her to America. Chen Zheng, surprised, urgently promised that if she stayed, she could be the "Goddess in Cloud." As Cheng Meizi packed her bags, her father, Cheng Feng, tried to comfort her, stating that sending her to America to study business was for her own good.
After he left, Cheng Meizi, her face reflecting her unhappiness, mustered her courage and tore up her plane ticket, seemingly choosing her own path, perhaps with her brand "Resurrection." That evening, Li Zhicheng visited his older brother Li Zhiqian's grave in the rain, sharing his regret for not visiting sooner and informing him that Aida was finally going to produce its own brand, fulfilling Li Zhiqian's long-held wish.
Unexpectedly, Ning Weikai also arrived at the grave with a bottle of wine. Li Zhicheng angrily confronted him, asking why he would bring wine, knowing his brother died because of alcohol, calling it an insult. Ning Weikai claimed he only wanted to mourn. Enraged, Li Zhicheng accused Ning Weikai of betraying his brother when he needed him most, striking him and demanding he confess to the betrayal in front of Li Zhiqian's grave. Li Zhicheng then vowed that if he ever found proof that Ning Weikai was responsible for his brother's death, he would make him pay a "blood debt with blood."
Episode 18 Recap
Li Zhicheng stood before his elder brother's grave, confronting Ning Weikai and demanding he admit to betraying Li Zhiqian when he was most needed. Li Zhicheng warned Ning Weikai that if he found proof of his brother's murder, he would make him pay a blood debt. Later, a despondent Ning Weikai was found drinking heavily at a bar. He called Lin Qian, who rushed to stop him from drinking more.
Overwhelmed, Ning Weikai collapsed to the floor in tears, confiding that Li Zhicheng wrongly blamed him for his brother's death. He revealed it was Li Zhongming, not Li Zhiqian, who had forced him out of Wenda, and Li Zhiqian had even supported his ambition to start his own brand. He questioned why he would ever harm such a friend. Lin Qian took Ning Weikai to the seaside to help him sober up.
He apologized for his earlier outburst and explained that Li Zhiqian had given him the "green light" to leave Wenda and join Xinbaorui, even taking the design team with him. He clarified that Li Zhiqian understood Wenda's bureaucratic issues and the difficulty of starting a new brand internally. He allowed Ning Weikai and the team to leave for their future. Lin Qian realized Li Zhiqian had indirectly facilitated Ning Weikai's move.
However, Ning Weikai expressed deep regret for then competing fiercely against Wenda to establish himself at Xinbaorui, acknowledging that this put Li Zhiqian in a worse position and made a good friend into an enemy. Lin Qian, understanding his torment, promised to keep his confession a secret. As they spoke, Lin Qian noticed Wasp (Monkey) in a car nearby, realizing Li Zhicheng had sent him for her protection.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi, wearing sunglasses and a hat as a disguise, covertly entered a beauty event. There, Li Jinyuan encountered Chen Zheng. Chen Zheng taunted her about the absence of her usual "knight in shining armor." Li Jinyuan quickly retorted, pointing out his own lack of female companions for such an important event. After some playful banter, Chen Zheng proposed a truce and invited her to be his date.
Li Jinyuan scoffed at his offer, likening him to a "dung beetle wearing a mask," and walked away. The closing ceremony for the "Goddess in the Cloud" contest commenced. Gu Yanzhi mingled with the crowd, disguised as a journalist. Grace and Cheng Feng were toasting when Cheng Feng was startled to see Cheng Meizi performing on stage. Cheng Meizi noticed her father but bravely continued her performance.
Furious, Cheng Feng prepared to leave, but Grace intervened, urging him to give his daughter this one opportunity, reminding him how confident and radiant Meizi looked on stage. Eventually, seeing his daughter's shining presence, Cheng Feng rose and applauded, visibly moving Cheng Meizi, who tearfully thanked him. Later at an after-party, Li Jinyuan approached Chen Zheng, who was playing games with several women.
She had learned from Gu Yanzhi that Chen Zheng had paid a DJ to orchestrate the fake proposal incident at the bar. To get her revenge, Li Jinyuan proposed an ice bucket challenge to signify their truce. Without hesitation, Chen Zheng poured a bucket of ice water over himself, but Li Jinyuan swiftly slipped away, leaving him drenched.
Infuriated, Chen Zheng was then confronted by Gu Yanzhi, who sternly warned him to stay away from Li Jinyuan because she was the woman he liked. Gu Yanzhi later expressed his feelings for Li Jinyuan, promising never to scold her again and asking her to stop engaging with Chen Zheng. Li Jinyuan received an urgent phone call from home and, deeply concerned, rushed back with Gu Yanzhi.
Upon arrival, she became upset with the nanny for not adequately looking after her father, Li Zhongming, who was in bed. However, Li Zhongming angrily ordered Li Jinyuan out of the room. Gu Yanzhi comforted a distraught Li Jinyuan, suggesting that her father's pride was hurt by needing care and that he likely desired Li Zhicheng's attention more. Following this, Li Jinyuan messaged Li Zhicheng, urging him to return home to see their father.
Li Zhicheng promptly returned home for a candid conversation with his father. Li Zhongming voiced his continued disapproval of Li Zhiqian's past attempt to create a separate brand, deeming it a failure that had destabilized Wenda. Li Zhicheng passionately defended his elder brother, arguing that Wenda's internal issues, such as entrenched old executives and a closed-minded culture, were the real obstacles to its development.
He revealed his own intention to follow a similar path by creating a new brand for Aida. Li Zhongming dismissed his son's ideas, leading to a heated argument. Their contentious discussion was interrupted by a phone call from Grace. Grace called Li Zhicheng to inquire about the recruitment of designers. He informed her that Ning Weikai had successfully poached nearly all the talented designers in Linhai City for Xinbaorui.
Surprised by this development, Grace assured him she would handle the situation. Her assistant later informed her that Xinbaorui was offering three times the market rate to these designers. At Xinbaorui, Ning Weikai gave a special interview to a reporter in his design department. After answering general questions about his dual role as a designer and manager, and his views on industry competition, the reporter's tone shifted dramatically.
The reporter confronted Ning Weikai about leaving Wenda with its top design team and continuously competing against it, even after Li Zhiqian's death. Ning Weikai clarified that Li Zhiqian himself had approved of his departure, and they were good friends. However, the reporter pressed on, accusing Ning Weikai of betraying Li Zhiqian and holding indirect responsibility for his death.
Ning Weikai, visibly angered by these accusations and the murmurs among his staff, abruptly ended the interview, stating the reporter needed to show respect. The reporter, however, confidently predicted the interview would "make quite a stir." Believing Lin Qian had leaked the sensitive information, Ning Weikai called her and then went to Aida to confront her. Lin Qian was bewildered, denying any involvement, but Ning Weikai remained convinced she had betrayed his trust, leaving them in an unhappy state.
A furious Lin Qian then confronted Li Zhicheng, accusing him of leaking Ning Weikai's story to the media to attack a business rival. She felt he had exploited her. Li Zhicheng strongly denied this, asserting he would never take advantage of a "comrade" or someone he trusted. He suspected something more complex was at play and promised to investigate the matter thoroughly. As Ning Weikai's interview video rapidly spread online, his public image suffered significantly.
At a Xinbaorui board meeting, a board member associated with the Zhu Group, expressed strong dissatisfaction, noting the company's stock had plunged due to issues with Ning Weikai's personal ethics and questioning his fitness as president. He argued that someone who betrayed a friend shouldn't lead. However, Ning Weikai entered the meeting and confidently announced that Don, the founder of the successful American fashion brand Fancy, would be visiting Linhai to find a partner for a new collaboration in China.
He explained that his extensive recruitment of designers was specifically to showcase Xinbaorui as the ideal partner for Don. The board members, now impressed by this strategic move, voiced their full support for Ning Weikai, urging him to secure the partnership. Following the meeting, some speculated that the sudden slander against Ning Weikai must have been orchestrated by someone from Aida, possibly Li Zhicheng himself.
Episode 19 Recap
At Xinbaorui, Zhu Hanjing suggested that the recent online slandering of Ning Weikai was likely the work of Aida, specifically pointing to Li Zhicheng. Ning Weikai, however, believed it was out of character for Li Zhicheng. As they discussed, Zhu Hanchong burst in, scoffing that even though his father might tolerate Ning Weikai, the lower-ranking employees harbored grievances against such a heartless boss.
Zhu Hanjing tried to calm him, but Zhu Hanchong continued to question why his sister always sided with Ning Weikai. Ning Weikai countered with a sarcastic remark about Zhu Hanchong's leisure time, to which Zhu Hanchong retorted that Ning Weikai was probably discussing something despicable. Zhu Hanjing eventually pulled her brother away. Ning Weikai then went to the company cafeteria during lunchtime to address the staff. He acknowledged the inaccurate news circulating, but stated he would not explain himself.
Zhu Hanchong interrupted again, asking if Ning Weikai was admitting to being an ungrateful scumbag, before being silenced by his sister. Ning Weikai then delivered an impassioned speech, asserting that his goal was to lead Xinbaorui to defeat all opponents and become an industry leader. Zhu Hanjing supported him by highlighting Xinbaorui's significant growth under his leadership, making it the top company in Linhai.
Ning Weikai rallied the employees, reminding them of their "indestructible will" and shared belief in winning, proclaiming Xinbaorui as "always the strongest one." His words earned him a round of applause. Later, in his office, Gao Lang reported to Ning Weikai that journalist Cai, who published the defamatory article, had a close relationship with Zhu Hanchong. Gao Lang suspected Zhu Hanchong had bribed Cai to deliberately tarnish Ning Weikai's reputation and force him to resign.
Ning Weikai, realizing it was Zhu Hanchong's doing, decided to let it go for now, stating he would deal with Aida first. Feeling remorseful for his past accusations against Lin Qian, Ning Weikai sent her a text message apologizing for wrongly suspecting her. Lin Qian, who was inspecting samples, was pleased to receive the apology. She then shared the news with Li Zhicheng, who in turn apologized to her for doubting her and saying harsh words.
Lin Qian assured him she was not upset. Li Zhicheng then asked her to help him choose a suit for his upcoming meeting with Don, and Lin Qian advised him to opt for a more casual look. Ning Weikai then set his sights on securing a collaboration with Don. Learning that Don was arriving in Linhai, he dispatched Gao Lang to intercept him at the airport. Gao Lang met Don, who expressed surprise that Grace wasn't there.
Gao Lang explained Grace was likely busy and Ning Weikai had sent him. Don attempted to call Grace for confirmation, but his phone had no reception. Gao Lang attributed it to poor airport reception and suggested he try again in the car. However, even in the car, Don's phone remained without signal, a result of a signal jammer Gao Lang had secretly placed in his bag. Gao Lang brought Don directly to Xinbaorui, where Ning Weikai greeted him warmly.
Ning Weikai began showing Don around, leading him to the design department, only to find it completely empty. Don questioned the absence of designers. As Ning Weikai fumbled for an explanation, Grace appeared, leading a group of designers, who were, to Ning Weikai's shock, the very designers he had recruited for Xinbaorui. Grace revealed that she had successfully poached Xinbaorui's entire design team for Aida.
Many of the designers had grown dissatisfied with Ning Weikai's leadership and embraced Grace's offer, seeking an environment more conducive to creative design. Witnessing the obvious power play, Don became visibly annoyed, admonishing both Ning Weikai and Grace for their "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" games and wasting his time. He announced his departure, deciding against collaborating with either company in Linhai.
Grace rushed after him, trying to explain the complexities of the situation and assure him of Aida's sincerity, but Don, still irate, stated his aversion to games and his refusal to work with either of them. Grace made a final plea for him to visit Aida, but he politely declined. Back at Aida, Gu Yanzhi showed a video call from Grace to Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian.
Grace relayed that Ning Weikai had successfully intercepted Don first, causing a major setback. Li Zhicheng worried that if they failed to secure Don's collaboration, all subsequent plans would be in disarray. After a moment of thought, Lin Qian requested ten minutes, confident in her ability to persuade Don as a fellow alum. Li Zhicheng agreed and immediately instructed Wasp and Grey Bear to intercept Don's car, which was heading towards the airport highway, to buy Lin Qian some time.
Li Zhicheng then took Lin Qian on his motorcycle, speeding to catch up with Don. When Don's car was forcibly stopped, he angrily reached for his phone to call the police, but Li Zhicheng swiftly confiscated it, asking for ten minutes of Don's time. Lin Qian then presented her design sketches to Don. Intrigued by the patterns, which Lin Qian explained were inspired by her fieldwork in Yunnan, Don allowed her to show him actual garment samples.
After examining the samples, Don's demeanor softened, and he instructed them to book him a hotel. Soon after, Don joined Li Zhicheng, Lin Qian, and Grace in a meeting, where he officially entrusted Lin Qian with the design rights for the new brand, stating she was the one he trusted. Grace praised Lin Qian as Aida's most promising designer and their lucky star.
Lin Qian, after a moment of consideration, decided to name the brand Y-Fancy, signifying "youthful Fancy," a name that was well-received by all. Grace proposed launching the brand on May 20th. Don expressed concern about the rushed timeline and sternly warned against any compromise on quality. Grace assured him that they would exceed his expectations, and Li Zhicheng added that Aida would commit fully to Y-Fancy's success. Don then gave his approval.
Meanwhile, Grace was enjoying drinks with foreign friends when Ning Weikai stormed into the bar, accusing her of having "dug her own grave" and of being cruel for poaching his entire design team. Grace retorted that she was not as cruel as him, accusing him of hypocrisy. She taunted that at least she didn't use despicable emotional tactics. Ning Weikai, enraged, grabbed her and fiercely reminded her that Li Zhiqian was dead, and all her efforts were in vain.
Grace, however, declared that Li Zhiqian would forever remain in her heart, and she found Ning Weikai's "emotional tricks" utterly disgusting. Ning Weikai then lunged forward and kissed her, but Grace forcefully slapped him across the face. Back at Aida, a news report announced the collaboration between Aida and Fancy, and the upcoming launch of the Y-Fancy brand on May 20th.
Lin Qian was seen meticulously working on the new designs, incorporating intricate embroidery patterns she discovered during her folklore research, such as the "Spring Ox." When a colleague remarked on her generosity in contributing all her unique findings to Y-Fancy instead of saving them for her own future brand, Lin Qian clarified that her goal remained unchanged, and she would simply devise new designs for her personal brand later.
In the office, Gu Yanzhi playfully probed Li Zhicheng about the progress of his relationship with Lin Qian, reminding him that her contract was nearing expiration. He warned that if Li Zhicheng didn't act to secure her renewal, she might leave. Li Zhicheng confidently asserted that "the person I want won't run away," to which Gu Yanzhi countered that sometimes "women look at actions."
At Xinbaorui, Zhu Hanjing informed Ning Weikai about an upcoming board meeting, reassuring him of her and her father's unwavering support. During the board meeting, Ning Weikai humbly accepted responsibility for the failure to secure the Fancy collaboration and offered to accept any punishment. However, Chairman Zhu dismissed the setback as not critical to Xinbaorui's overall performance and emphasized focusing on the upcoming May 20th shopping festival.
Zhu Hanchong, furious at his father's apparent favoritism, lashed out, questioning why Ning Weikai wasn't being punished. Chairman Zhu reprimanded his son. To quell the escalating tension, Ning Weikai dramatically pledged that if Xinbaorui did not achieve the number one sales position in Linhai during the May 20th festival, he would immediately resign from all his positions. Chairman Zhu accepted the challenge, stating he looked forward to Ning Weikai's performance.
Later, Ning Weikai invited Chen Zheng for a massage, subtly probing his views on Aida's new Y-Fancy brand and its May 20th launch. Chen Zheng responded evasively, emphasizing the importance of magnanimity in business. Ning Weikai then proposed a strategic alliance: Xinbaorui would offer its production lines to Simeiqi, and in return, Simeiqi would provide its online and retail sales channels, allowing them to jointly confront the May 20th challenge.
Chen Zheng, overconfident about Simeiqi's ability to handle the Ankada project independently, flatly rejected the proposal. Ning Weikai simply smiled knowingly. The next day, Chen Zheng received devastating news: half of Simeiqi's Ankada shipment had been lost. He was furious. His father, worried, calculated that a two-week delay in delivery would incur a penalty of at least one hundred million yuan.
With all factories in Linhai and surrounding areas preoccupied with May 20th orders, the Chen family found themselves in a desperate situation. Suddenly, Chen Zheng recalled Ning Weikai. To their surprise, Ning Weikai arrived unannounced at Simeiqi, offering Xinbaorui's production lines to help them fulfill the Ankada order. The Chen father and son were both astonished and delighted.
Ning Weikai, however, reiterated his offer of a resource exchange: Xinbaorui would provide its production lines, and Simeiqi would offer its online sales channels. Chen Zheng's father, an experienced businessman, sensed something suspicious about the timing and the offer, realizing it was too coincidental that the Ankada shipment issue occurred right after Ning Weikai's rejected proposal.
Chen Zheng, finally understanding, was enraged and threatened to confront Ning Weikai, but his father calmly stopped him, emphasizing the need for evidence and the nature of a businessman's pursuit of profit.
Episode 20 Recap
Aida convened a meeting to strategize against the combined forces of Simeiqi and Xinbaorui for the upcoming May 20 shopping festival. Gu Yanzhi reported that Simeiqi, with its strength in online e-commerce, and Xinbaorui, dominant in physical stores, presented a formidable alliance. He noted that Simeiqi had already integrated Xinbaorui's products and coupons on its platform, and both companies had led their respective market segments in Linhai City during the previous year's May 20 sales.
Grace suggested that Aida should also adopt a dual online and offline sales approach for Y-Fancy. Gu Yanzhi raised concerns about the time required to establish new physical stores, typically three months for renovation. Grace, however, insisted that overcoming such time constraints was essential for victory. Li Zhicheng supported Grace's idea, proposing they find suitable second-hand stores that could be re-decorated within 15 to 20 days. He believed this simultaneous online and offline strategy would accelerate Y-Fancy's market penetration.
He then delegated tasks, assigning Grace to scout locations, Lin Qian to manage merchandise, Gu Yanzhi to handle marketing, and himself to oversee the remaining operations. Later, Lin Qian was troubled in her office, despite Don having expressed satisfaction with the Y-Fancy samples. She had discovered that the logo font for Y-Fancy differed from the original Fancy brand, a detail she considered critical for brand authenticity.
When Chen Yayi pointed out that redoing all the product tags would be a massive, time-consuming task for the factory, Lin Qian explained that while clothing patterns could evolve, a brand's logo represented its core value and culture, which could not be easily altered without risking the brand's legitimacy and potentially misleading customers into thinking the products were fake.
Lin Qian then instructed Chen Yayi to ask the factory workers to put in extra effort to correct the logos, promising them a bonus from Li Zhicheng once the May 20 shopping festival concluded, to which Chen Yayi enthusiastically agreed. Li Zhicheng then called Lin Qian, urging her to take a walk with him despite her busy schedule.
He surprised her by revealing their destination was a newly rented Y-Fancy store, strategically located directly opposite the shopping center entrance, requiring only minor modifications. Lin Qian was impressed by the swift acquisition of the location. After inspecting the premises, she suggested knocking down a particular wall to improve visibility for customers and replacing a mismatched mirror with a large Y-Fancy logo facing the entrance, believing this would make the brand instantly recognizable.
Li Zhicheng smiled, clearly pleased with her insightful suggestions. As they finished their discussion, takeout food arrived, and they shared a meal. During their meal, Lin Qian asked Li Zhicheng if he had ever been drunk. He admitted he had, recalling a poignant moment before he joined the army when his older brother, Li Zhiqian, saw him off. He expressed deep regret, lamenting that his brother had faced immense pressure and obstacles while trying to reform Wenda.
He mused that if he hadn't joined the army but had instead stayed to help his brother, things might have turned out differently. Lin Qian compassionately told him that everyone has their own fate and that he shouldn't burden himself with what-ifs, as he couldn't have prevented events from unfolding as they did. Relieved, Li Zhicheng then shifted the conversation back to their meal.
While Lin Qian was absorbed in her design work, Chen Yayi playfully pressed her about her romantic progress with Li Zhicheng. Chen Yayi highlighted Li Zhicheng's repeated assistance on projects and the obvious mutual affection, urging Lin Qian to be more proactive, concluding that Li Zhicheng, despite his decisive work ethic, was likely inexperienced in love. The next morning, Li Zhicheng summoned Lin Qian to his office.
To her shock, he presented a dismissal contract, explaining that Aida, now collaborating with Don, required top-tier designers. Heartbroken, Lin Qian signed it. However, Li Zhicheng then revealed it was a prank, producing a new, long-term contract and explaining that the previous short-term one needed to be terminated before a new one could be signed. Realizing she had been tricked, Lin Qian playfully refused to sign.
Li Zhicheng responded by lifting her into his arms and carrying her further into the office, earnestly stating that both Aida and he needed her. He acknowledged that their bond transcended a mere employment contract, proclaiming that he was the only one who truly understood her and saw the effort behind her smiles. He confessed that in just three months, she had made a profound impression on him, urging her to stay with both Aida and him.
Blushing, Lin Qian eventually agreed to sign the new contract, and Li Zhicheng then embraced her tenderly. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi met with representatives from Weipinhui to discuss collaboration for the May 20 event. The Weipinhui representative expressed strong support for Y-Fancy, praising its innovative blend of international and local themes, and promised to set up a dedicated server for Aida to ensure seamless operations. Coincidentally, Ning Weikai arrived and overheard the glowing endorsement for Y-Fancy.
He approached Gu Yanzhi with a sarcastic remark about Aida's ambitious plan for simultaneous online and offline sales, suggesting Y-Fancy was too new to compete with Xinbaorui. Gu Yanzhi calmly replied that the market was vast enough for all players. Ning Weikai then taunted Aida, suggesting their servers might not even experience the high traffic that causes breakdowns, to which Gu Yanzhi retorted that a server crash would, in fact, signify immense popularity and be a welcome problem.
At a Xinbaorui shareholder meeting, Ning Weikai, after signing a collaborative contract with Chen Zheng of Simeiqi for the May 20 shopping festival, presented it to the board. He apologized for not informing them sooner, explaining that the time-sensitive nature of countering Aida's Y-Fancy launch necessitated immediate action. Zhu Hanchong questioned the strategy, emphasizing Xinbaorui's strength in physical stores rather than online sales. Ning Weikai elaborated that their approach was a "volume battle" focused on pricing.
He reasoned that Li Zhicheng's emphasis on Y-Fancy's design would result in higher costs for Aida, whereas Xinbaorui, with its combined physical and online channels, could achieve a price advantage. He asserted that this strategy would guarantee their success. Zhu Hanchong vehemently objected, fearing a massive overstock risk if sales fell short of projections. Ning Weikai dismissed this, stating that the primary goal was to cripple Aida by forcing it to overstock, a risk Xinbaorui was prepared to take.
He then reiterated his earlier pledge to resign if Xinbaorui failed to achieve the number one sales volume for May 20, seeking the board's full support. The chairman, acknowledging Aida as their primary competitor, affirmed the board's full backing for Ning Weikai's plan. As the May 20 shopping festival drew near, all three companies—Simeiqi, Xinbaorui, and Aida—ramped up their preparations. Gu Yanzhi voiced concerns that Aida's current warehouse was insufficient for their May 20 stock.
Li Zhicheng suggested utilizing Wenda's larger warehouse, asking Gu Yanzhi to secure approval from his father, who was an elder at Wenda, as he preferred not to engage with them directly. Gu Yanzhi, though hesitant, agreed. Elsewhere, Chen Zheng, determined to succeed, announced he would practically live at his company until May 20, promising his employees triple wages for a 15-day period around the event.
He also outlined a reward strategy for customers, offering random red envelopes ranging from 100 to 10,000 yuan for every completed order. Gu Yanzhi later briefed Li Zhicheng, expressing concern about Xinbaorui and Simeiqi's extensive marketing, despite Xinbaorui's brand influence not matching Y-Fancy's. Li Zhicheng described the situation as "position warfare," advising Aida to avoid direct confrontations but to concentrate on optimizing traffic and conversions through Weipinhui.
Lin Qian added that while Xinbaorui and Simeiqi's alliance was complementary, Y-Fancy's inherent brand strength and product quality were Aida's key advantages. She argued that even if sales volume wasn't the highest, effective online and offline promotion would significantly boost brand awareness. Grace concurred, believing that with a well-executed marketing plan across both channels, Aida had a strong chance of victory.
Gu Yanzhi confirmed that Weipinhui would provide crucial backstage support, and Lin Qian commended the team's efficient work on the offline store. Li Zhicheng concluded by expressing his hope for Aida to distinguish itself during the festival. Chen Zheng smugly informed Ning Weikai that he had successfully rented all the warehouses Li Zhicheng had intended to use, believing this would cripple Aida by preventing rapid product distribution, leading to customer complaints and financial distress during the May 20 event.
However, Ning Weikai reminded Chen Zheng that Aida had Wenda's vast warehouse as a fallback, which lessened the threat of overstock. Annoyed by his oversight and the considerable sum he had spent, Chen Zheng admitted his lapse in judgment. Ning Weikai, slightly exasperated, advised Chen Zheng to consult him before executing such schemes in the future. Soon after, an invitation from Aida arrived for both Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai, for the opening ceremony of Y-Fancy's physical store.
Chen Zheng expressed his irritation and reluctance to attend, but Ning Weikai asserted that Li Zhicheng's invitation was a public declaration of war, and their absence would be tantamount to admitting defeat. Concerned that Li Zhicheng would be working overnight, Lin Qian thoughtfully brought him chicken soup for a late-night snack. He thanked her and then proposed a lottery as a reward strategy for the upcoming May 20 event.
While Gu Yanzhi was tasked with the Chinese press release, Li Zhicheng asked Lin Qian to draft an English version. He explained this was to emphasize Y-Fancy's international essence, targeting students studying abroad and foreign design platforms. Lin Qian playfully agreed to the task. Later, observing her fatigue, Li Zhicheng suggested she rest for fifteen minutes upstairs, promising to wake her, but she politely declined, stating she was nearly finished. He then asked her to make him some coffee.
As he continued working, Li Zhicheng eventually dozed off. Lin Qian gently draped a jacket over him but lost her footing and stumbled, falling into his arms. He awoke with a chuckle, teasing her about being heavy, a charge she playfully denied. Before the Y-Fancy opening ceremony, Li Zhicheng practiced his speech, confidently declaring that the brand would emerge victorious and defeat its competitors in the May 20 sales.
Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng arrived, offering what they claimed were congratulations, leaving flowers by the door. Ning Weikai sarcastically remarked on Li Zhicheng's bold speech, suggesting Y-Fancy, being merely an extension of a foreign brand, had an uncertain future. He then proposed a high-stakes wager: the company that lost the May 20 sales battle would withdraw from Linhai's clothing market. Later, Grace subtly jabbed at Chen Zheng while accepting Ning Weikai's compliments, prompting Chen Zheng's annoyance.
Ning Weikai advised Chen Zheng to exercise patience, noting that any public quarrel would only provide Aida with more publicity, but he also conceded that Li Zhicheng's rapid establishment of the store was indeed impressive. As Lin Qian worked late, her older brother called to wish her a happy birthday, expressing playful disappointment that she wasn't celebrating. Lin Qian explained she was too busy with work.
Later, Chen Yayi returned with elaborate excuses about forgetting her keys and being afraid of the dark to get Lin Qian to accompany her downstairs. Despite Lin Qian's annoyance, she reluctantly agreed. Upon reaching the ground floor, Lin Qian was utterly overwhelmed to discover a surprise birthday celebration arranged by Li Zhicheng, featuring candles arranged in a heart shape. Gu Yanzhi and other colleagues sang "Happy Birthday."
Deeply moved, Lin Qian asked when this elaborate surprise was planned, and Gu Yanzhi revealed Li Zhicheng was the mastermind. Li Zhicheng then gently prompted her to make a wish. As dazzling fireworks erupted outside the window, he presented her with a "needle ring," explaining it was a customary item for designers, and he bought it for her because he liked it. His colleagues excitedly urged him to confess his love. Lin Qian, touched, thanked Li Zhicheng, and the two shared a heartfelt embrace.
Episode 21 Recap
The intense May 20th sales battle was imminent, with Aida, Xinbaorui, and Simeiqi all preparing vigorously. At Aida, Li Zhicheng instructed his teams to set up 20 customer service hotlines, prepare flash-sale products, and update the website page every five minutes. Simultaneously, Xinbaorui's President, Ning Weikai, called for his entire department to work 24 hours, emphasizing the importance of this battle.
Meanwhile, Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng met, with Chen Zheng perplexed as to why Ning Weikai was casually drinking champagne with a major battle looming. Chen Zheng expressed his anxiety over Y-Fancy's sales already surpassing Simeiqi and Xinbaorui and urged Ning Weikai to act. Ning Weikai, remaining calm, called Gao Lang closer and whispered instructions for him to initiate their plan. As Gao Lang departed, Ning Weikai confidently declared that Aida's "mourning bell" was about to toll.
Shortly after, Monkey at Aida reported an urgent situation: a hacker had intruded into their internal system, with the breach likely originating from a new employee. Li Zhicheng immediately ordered Grey Bear to monitor all new staff for suspicious activity and to raise the firewall before the hacker was alerted. Li Zhicheng then went to the design office and found Lin Qian listening to music, feeling insecure about her Y-Fancy street brand, a style she hadn't tried before.
She worried whether the public would accept its style and value, likening her current anxiety to waiting for university admission results. Outside, Aida's sales were skyrocketing, and a bell rang, signaling their sales had broken 100,000 yuan. Li Zhicheng led Lin Qian to the cheering conference room, where Gu Yanzhi confidently stated Aida's strong momentum. However, Gu Yanzhi's smile soon faltered when he discovered the number of first-place lottery winners had far exceeded the 10 he had set.
Monkey rushed in to report that a virus, called "grey pigeon," had hacked the system. If it wasn't promptly shut down, it would lead to 2,000 first-place winners, resulting in 20 million yuan in prizes. Gu Yanzhi's brow furrowed in concern. On the other side, Chen Zheng was gloating, believing Li Zhicheng's company must be in disarray. Ning Weikai, however, remained serious, insisting the outcome was uncertain until the very last moment.
Chen Zheng worried about the hacker, but Ning Weikai assured him that the hacker was well-briefed on what to say and what to conceal even if caught. Ning Weikai concluded that Li Zhicheng was now in a precarious situation, "between a rock and a hard place." To prevent further losses, Gu Yanzhi strongly urged Li Zhicheng to immediately close the page and halt sales.
Li Zhicheng flatly rejected the suggestion, arguing that stopping now would kill the momentum as the drawing had just begun. He decided to take the risk, aiming to establish Y-Fancy as an influential brand and ensure Lin Qian's success as the collaboration designer. Grey Bear then reported that Xiaogao was the hacker but had managed to escape. Li Zhicheng immediately ordered the police to be called and for Xiaogao's employment profile to be provided.
The phone rang with reports that the prize money had already reached 15 million yuan. Li Zhicheng firmly declared that the sales page could not be stopped. Gu Yanzhi anxiously ran in, pleading with Li Zhicheng to reconsider and stop the losses, pointing out the mounting financial burn. Li Zhicheng, with unwavering focus, emphasized that Aida's reputation was at stake. He believed that as long as customers continued to purchase, Aida would still profit.
Gu Yanzhi grumbled, accusing Li Zhicheng of being reckless. Soon after, Monkey brought good news: the system had finally stopped, with the prize money totaling 19,770,000 yuan. Gu Yanzhi let out a sigh of relief, his worry turning to joy. In their office, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi received a call from Grace, who inquired about the situation. Li Zhicheng truthfully explained the hacker intrusion and the nearly 20 million yuan in prize money.
Grace questioned the feasibility of such a large payout, but Li Zhicheng asserted that Aida's reputation was more important than the money. He declared that even if he had to withdraw from Linhai City's clothing industry, he would ensure Aida won the hearts of the people, making a "back-to-the-wall" stand. Grace decided to assist by promoting Aida positively in the media.
Li Zhicheng also told Wasp to introduce an additional 230,000 red envelopes, but with a new rule requiring customers to spend over 3,000 yuan to participate in the drawing, aiming to keep customers engaged. Grace assured them that the media was on board, and Aida's brand image and Y-Fancy's trend would become headline news. Gu Yanzhi observed the increasing sales and celebrity endorsements of Aida's announcement, noting the shift in public opinion.
Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai received news of Li Zhicheng's decision to pay out the prize money. Chen Zheng found it unbelievable, but Ning Weikai accurately assessed it as Li Zhicheng's final, all-out battle for a decisive victory. Ning Weikai proposed a price reduction to seize market share, which Chen Zheng initially opposed, arguing Simeiqi shouldn't be involved in Xinbaorui's conflict with Aida. Ning Weikai reminded Chen Zheng of Xinbaorui's crucial support for Ankara's orders and subcontract factories.
Despite his anger, Chen Zheng reluctantly conceded, agreeing to lower prices. Gao Lang was instructed to proceed with the plan. At Aida, employees were enthusiastically celebrating sales breaking 100 million yuan when a manager rushed to inform Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi that Xinbaorui and Simeiqi had announced another 20% price reduction. Gu Yanzhi worried about mass customer returns, causing Li Zhicheng to sigh.
He realized Ning Weikai was indeed fighting a desperate battle, willing to inflict damage on himself to harm the enemy. Li Zhicheng received an update that Xiaogao had been arrested by the police. While this was good news, the overall situation was mixed, as Xinbaorui and Simeiqi's sales had now surpassed Aida's, though Aida still achieved 100 million yuan in sales.
Li Zhicheng went upstairs to check on Lin Qian, who was ill with a cold from continuous overtime and preparing to leave. Without a word, he gently picked her up and carried her back to bed. He tended to her, expressing his worry and blurting out that he liked her, which caused Lin Qian's face to flush. Lin Qian coyly asked him to repeat what he said.
Li Zhicheng then stood at attention and loudly declared his love for her, asking her to be his girlfriend. Lin Qian shyly accepted. Later, Lin Qian chatted with her brother, Lin Mochen, on WeChat, sharing the news of her new relationship. Lin Mochen, however, expressed strong disapproval, perceiving Li Zhicheng as too cunning and calculating, using "art of war strategies" like "bucking the gate" to manipulate situations for profit and loyalty.
He worried Li Zhicheng was unsuitable for Lin Qian, fearing she might be unknowingly exploited. Lin Qian playfully insisted that her decision was made, arguing that Li Zhicheng's business strategies were separate from his genuine kindness towards her. The next morning, Lin Qian brought breakfast for Li Zhicheng and his team, stating that they could face any difficulties together. Li Zhicheng felt touched, and they sweetly shared a cup of orange juice.
Gu Yanzhi then arrived, reporting that Xiaogao had been criminally detained by the police. Xiaogao confessed to earning 3 million yuan from the hacking but insisted he acted alone and refused to name any mastermind. Meanwhile, Ning Weikai, aware of Xiaogao's arrest, confirmed with his subordinate that arrangements had been made for Xiaogao's family, ensuring his silence as the scapegoat. Ning Weikai acknowledged Li Zhicheng's unexpected success in gathering evidence and establishing the case.
Episode 22 Recap
Amidst a pouring rain in Linhai City, Chen Zheng, feeling smug, called his father to report their victory. Meanwhile, at Aida, Lin Qian found Li Zhicheng lost in thought. He shared his concern about a bet he made with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng: if Aida lost the 520 sales battle, he would have to quit the company. He was worried about who could lead Aida in his stead.
Li Zhicheng confided his long-standing suspicion that Ning Weikai was somehow involved in his brother's death, a revelation that deeply saddened and surprised Lin Qian. He explained that Ning Weikai had taken a major order from Wenda right after his brother's passing. Lin Qian wondered if her designs had contributed to their performance, but Li Zhicheng reassured her, praising her Chinese-inspired creations and stating that her presence was the greatest help he needed. The 520 Shopping Festival officially concluded.
Although Y-Fancy's sales didn't surpass Xinbaorui and Simeiqi, they far exceeded their pre-sale expectations, marking a significant success for the new brand. Soon after, Ning Weikai received an urgent call from Gao Lang about an issue at one of their warehouses. Ning Weikai rushed to the location, only to discover the warehouse was flooded due to heavy rain, with twenty percent of their stock damaged.
Gao Lang explained the warehouse's poor location at the back of a mountain, in a low-lying area, and that Chen Zheng had chosen it. Ning Weikai grew anxious when he couldn't reach Chen Zheng. The warehouse manager then presented a contract, revealing that Wasp had initially rented the warehouse, but Chen Zheng later took it over at a higher price. Ning Weikai suddenly realized he had fallen into Li Zhicheng's trap.
News quickly spread about the losses suffered by Xinbaorui and Simeiqi due to the flooded warehouse. Grace called Li Zhicheng, asking if Aida was celebrating turning loss into victory. Late that night, Chen Zheng was reprimanded by his father, who informed him about the flooded warehouse and how Aida had outsmarted both him and Ning Weikai.
Chen Zheng's father criticized his repeated failures and announced that, starting tomorrow, Chen Zheng was to reflect at home and would no longer manage the company. Ning Weikai confronted Li Zhicheng, accusing him of being a hypocrite and expressing regret for not having recruited Lin Qian to his company. He lambasted Li Zhicheng for using the warehouse as bait, causing immense losses for Xinbaorui. Li Zhicheng, however, denied any manipulation of Xinbaorui's warehouse.
At a board meeting, Zhu Hanchong highlighted that Xinbaorui's 520 sales were 17. 2% lower than usual and significantly behind Y-Fancy's final results. He then pressed Ning Weikai to honor his earlier promise to resign if Xinbaorui didn't secure the top spot. Ning Weikai accepted the outcome, stating he would keep his word. Zhu Hanchong, who was recommended as the next CEO, then mocked Ning Weikai about his executive bonus.
As Ning Weikai left the company, he threw his belongings into a trash bin. Zhu Hanjing chased after him, offering to speak to her father on his behalf. Ning Weikai thanked her but declined, saying it was his responsibility. She then embraced him, openly expressing her affection. Ning Weikai gently pushed her away, expressing his gratitude but maintaining that some matters couldn't be forced.
He offered to stay in touch as friends, but she pressed him on why he rejected her. Zhu Hanjing later confronted her father, Zhu Dong, about allowing Zhu Hanchong to force Ning Weikai out. Zhu Dong calmly explained that Ning Weikai's departure was merely a temporary strategy, a "long break" to show people he'd learned his lesson.
He planned to bring Ning Weikai back once Zhu Hanchong proved incapable, as he intended for Xinbaorui to ultimately be managed by Zhu Hanjing. Back at Aida, Li Zhicheng asked Wasp if he had intentionally orchestrated the warehouse incident. Wasp admitted to setting up the trap to trick Chen Zheng and make him lose money, unaware the warehouse was prone to flooding.
Li Zhicheng, reminding Wasp of his military background, stated that acting without orders would incur punishment, and sent him home for a period of reflection. Aida held a celebration for the 520 Shopping Festival. Gu Yanzhi announced that Y-Fancy had become Weipinhui's most popular trendy brand and had secured the top spot in sales in Linhai City's apparel industry.
In a heartwarming moment, Li Zhicheng took Lin Qian's hand and publicly announced their romantic relationship, to the surprise and enthusiastic cheers of their colleagues. He then followed with another announcement: Aida's next strategic move would be to open ten Y-Fancy physical stores in Linhai City and its surrounding areas. Gu Yanzhi took Li Jinyuan to play golf, patiently teaching her the basics.
Chen Zheng, passing by, stopped to mock Gu Yanzhi, asking if Aida was now running a golf tutoring class. Li Jinyuan told him to leave, but Chen Zheng challenged them to a bet: the loser would have to give up the green and drink water from the lake. Li Jinyuan fearlessly accepted the challenge. After the game, Li Jinyuan lost. Chen Zheng aggressively demanded she fulfill the bet, threatening her to drink the lake water or crawl to her car.
As Li Jinyuan raised the bottle, Gu Yanzhi swiftly intervened, snatching it from her hand and quickly drinking all the lake water himself. Zhu Hanjing met Ning Weikai again, urging him to return to Xinbaorui, explaining her father's intention for it to be a temporary break. Ning Weikai, with a bittersweet smile, politely declined, expressing that the CEO role no longer suited him and that he aspired to be a designer.
He mused that perhaps his past move from Wenda to Xinbaorui had been a mistake, and firmly told her he would not be returning. Unbeknownst to Zhu Hanjing, Ning Weikai had instructed Gao Lang to remain at Xinbaorui, reminding him that his mission was not yet complete. Gu Yanzhi was hospitalized with a severe stomachache from drinking the lake water. Li Jinyuan, furious, vowed revenge against Chen Zheng.
That evening, Li Jinyuan went to a bar to challenge Chen Zheng to a drinking contest but again lost. Upon receiving a call, Gu Yanzhi immediately pulled out his IV, enduring his stomach pain, and rushed to the bar. He arrived to find both Li Jinyuan and Chen Zheng passed out.
Episode 23 Recap
Gu Yanzhi rushed to the bar and found Jin Yuan heavily intoxicated. He carefully helped her to his car. Returning inside, he confronted a similarly drunk Chen Zheng, but despite his initial anger, he decided against any physical altercation. Instead, he put Chen Zheng into a taxi, gave the driver money, and instructed him to take Chen Zheng home to the Simeiqi Building security. Grace's assistant informed her that the "My Wardrobe" designer competition would be held in China.
Grace, seeing an opportunity, asked her assistant to contact the organizers to explore co-hosting the event with their magazine. She explained that it would be a fitting "souvenir" for their magazine's 30-year anniversary and expressed her hope that the show would help bring their best designers to the international stage. Chen Zheng arrived home and pretended to be engrossed in his books to impress his father.
He complained that his bank card had been frozen and requested money for MBA application fees. His father, referencing the recent warehouse incident, described it as a "natural disaster," but Chen Zheng blamed Li Zhicheng, calling it "man-made." His father criticized him for always blaming others, then revealed that Ning Weikai had resigned, claiming the company "kicked him out."
Chen Zheng immediately dismissed this, asserting that Ning Weikai "must have a plan to come back," comparing it to his own eventual return to Simeiqi. His father challenged him to prove he was his son to return, to which Chen Zheng quipped about his birth certificate. The father urged him to quickly pursue the MBA, but refused to give him money until after the exams.
At a restaurant, Gu Yanzhi told Jin Yuan that Y-Fancy planned to open ten new stores, which would significantly reduce his free time. Jin Yuan expressed concern that this rapid expansion was "moving too fast." Gu Yanzhi explained that while Li Zhicheng listens to opinions, his decisions are firm once made.
Jin Yuan, having gained a large social media following, offered to promote Y-Fancy products on her account for free, suggesting a partnership, and Gu Yanzhi noted she would look very good in the designer clothes. Meanwhile, Li Zhicheng discussed his expansion plan with Grace, acknowledging that everyone at Aida considered it "too aggressive." Grace conceded that rapid expansion was risky, but recognized Aida's unique advantage in having Wenda, which possesses a strong production line to support such growth.
She concluded that the plan could "stimulate Wenda back to life" and was "worth considering." Li Zhicheng affirmed that his "ultimate goal" was for Aida to provide Wenda a lifeline. Grace also revealed that their parent company was embarking on a major project and might require his assistance. While Chen Yayi was dining alone, Chen Zheng mysteriously approached her, asking for her help to ward off an ex-girlfriend he had dumped months ago, who had undergone plastic surgery.
Chen Yayi initially refused, citing the rivalry between Aida and Simeiqi, but Chen Zheng persisted, flattering her natural beauty and "chubby face" over the "V-shaped face" he disliked. After the ex-girlfriend left, Chen Yayi demanded a substantial thank you, prompting Chen Zheng to offer to pay for her meal. She ordered an extravagant amount of food.
When the bill arrived, Chen Zheng sheepishly confessed that his credit card had been frozen by his father after a fight about the May-20 incident, asking Chen Yayi to cover the cost. Annoyed, Chen Yayi paid. Chen Zheng then wrote an IOU, promising to repay with 20% interest, but Chen Yayi snatched the pen and changed the interest rate to a whopping 200%.
As they left the restaurant, Chen Zheng offered Chen Yayi a ride, despite her initial protests about him having no money. She sarcastically referred to herself as "Lin Qian's assistant, Chen Yayi," and teased him about his father still controlling his credit card. Chen Zheng retorted that his father was protecting him from "gold diggers," highlighting his own "high-quality" status.
Exasperated by his bragging, Chen Yayi declared she was going to rest her eyes, instructing him to drive her like her personal chauffeur. Li Zhicheng returned home and proposed to his father that Wenda become Y-Fancy's contract manufacturer, believing it could "turn things around" for the struggling company. His father scoffed, dismissing it as Li Zhicheng "bragging" after achieving minor success.
He asserted that Wenda's current stability was due to its "solid foundation" which he built, and that any help from Aida would simply be "wrapping up the mess left by your brother." Li Zhicheng retorted that his father's refusal to empower his older brother was the true cause of Wenda's decline, implying it even contributed to his brother's death. This ignited a heated argument, culminating in his father ordering him to leave.
Before departing, Li Zhicheng defiantly declared that while the loyal old staff had contributed to Wenda, they were now "obstructing Wenda's growth," and he vowed to "do something about it." His father warned him, emphasizing that these loyal employees, not Li Zhicheng, were the true backbone of Wenda. At the Aida office, Chen Yayi found Lin Qian sketching. Chen Yayi eagerly shared a "secret" she discovered: Chen Zheng's father had "kicked him out of his company."
Lin Qian playfully teased Chen Yayi about her sudden interest in Chen Zheng, noting she usually only cared about Lin Qian's business. Chen Yayi, flustered, tried to justify her interest as monitoring the "enemy" for the "company's grand future," but Lin Qian quickly exposed her lie, pointing out her patterned speech when fabricating stories. At that moment, Li Zhicheng walked in and explicitly asked Chen Yayi to leave, seeking private time with Lin Qian.
Once Chen Yayi left, Li Zhicheng embraced Lin Qian, telling her he missed her and felt better just seeing her. He then formally invited her on a date, somewhere "quiet." Lin Qian playfully suggested, "My room." There, she surprised him by having him pose for a sketch, holding a heavy fake gun in a shooting stance for over two hours.
When he finally grew exhausted, he critiqued her drawing, saying his eyes looked "empty and dull" without "a silhouette" of her. He then leaned in and kissed her, declaring, "Now that's a date," to which she responded she would get water. Ning Weikai met Zhu Hanjing at a desolate, closed tea house, revealing his intention to take it over and "start a new life" by opening his own tea house to focus on designs.
Zhu Hanjing, however, urged him to return to Xinbaorui, believing he didn't belong in such a quiet, remote place. Ning Weikai feigned a firm resolve to change his life, philosophically remarking on the tea house's name, "Moss," and pondering if the warehouse accident, which he attributed to rain, was "what fate wants." Zhu Hanjing, seeing through his facade, reminded him of his true nature as someone who always fights back.
She then promised to "be there waiting for" him, no matter what. Ning Weikai, in his mind, secretly affirmed, "And one day I will go back." Grace presented Li Zhicheng with an invitation to "My Wardrobe," a designer competition organized by the H Group, where she served as chief producer. She explained it was the "big project" she had previously alluded to and highlighted its potential for corporate promotion.
Grace then proposed that Lin Qian represent Aida in the competition, to which Li Zhicheng readily agreed. Gu Yanzhi arrived at his office to find it completely empty. Li Zhicheng appeared, presenting him with transfer orders back to the Wenda Group as Vice President, an equivalent position with increased remuneration. Gu Yanzhi expressed extreme dissatisfaction, protesting that he had dedicated himself to Aida and questioned why he was being transferred now, especially after his earlier request to transfer was denied.
He suspected it was because he opposed Li Zhicheng's expansion plan and criticized Li Zhicheng's "shoot first and report later" management style. At that moment, Jin Yuan walked in, lightheartedly scolding them for being slow. She then playfully challenged Gu Yanzhi, asking, "What if I told you that it was I who wanted you to go back to Wenda?" rendering him speechless. Gu Yanzhi, now transferred to Wenda Group, received a "little turtle" as a gift from Jin Yuan.
While he initially misunderstood it as an insult, Jin Yuan explained its symbolic meaning: enduring humiliation for responsibility and being useful at critical moments. Gu Yanzhi accepted the gift, appreciating her unique logic. Jin Yuan then inquired why he had followed her brother's order to return to Wenda. Gu Yanzhi explained that Li Zhicheng, like Jin Yuan, has an indirect communication style, but he understood his intention.
He revealed that Li Zhicheng's "cicada shedding its exoskeleton" strategy was to first separate Aida, revitalize it, and then use its success to revive Wenda. With Aida's performance significantly improved, it was now time for Li Zhicheng to return to Wenda, and Gu Yanzhi saw himself as the "over-the-river pawn" to help execute this plan, which surprised Jin Yuan. Li Zhicheng presented the "My Wardrobe" invitation to Lin Qian, who initially expressed reluctance to participate.
She acknowledged it was a good opportunity but stated her preference to "work on my designs steadily with peace of mind" rather than appear on camera. Li Zhicheng persuaded her by emphasizing the chance to "interact and exchange ideas" with other creative designers, thereby expanding her "design ability and horizon."
When Lin Qian voiced discomfort with designing in front of a large crowd, Li Zhicheng firmly stated that "a good design" requires showcasing "individuality to the public," calling it "a requisite accomplishment of an excellent designer." After he asked if she believed in him, she affirmed her trust and agreed to participate. She then playfully asked how he would "show appreciation" for her bringing "honor to the company."
As he leaned in to respond, Chen Yayi unexpectedly walked in with food, interrupting the moment. President Zhu confronted Zhu Hanchong about terminating the lease at Danzi Plaza. Zhu Hanchong blamed it on Ning Weikai's previous mismanagement and claimed Xinbaorui's products weren't suited for such a high-end location. President Zhu angrily countered that if the products weren't good enough, they should be improved, emphasizing the value of the "golden storefront."
Separately, Ning Weikai met with Gao Lang, who reported that "everyone in the company is filled with anxiety and fear now." Ning Weikai, unconcerned, confidently remarked that Zhu Hanchong's chaotic management had alienated many core staff. He added that Zhu Hanjing, as the company's secretary-general, held significant connections and remained on his side.
Later, Zhu Hanjing expressed to her father her worry that Ning Weikai might not return, despite her attempts to persuade him with offers to disregard the May-20 incident and secure his dividends. Her father, however, remained confident, believing Ning Weikai would never abandon Xinbaorui, and urged Zhu Hanjing to continue talking to him. Ning Weikai, in his own thoughts, confidently believed he could return to Xinbaorui whenever he wished, content to let them wait, and noted that Aida was still his primary concern.
Episode 24 Recap
Gao Lang met with Ning Weikai, urging him to return to Xinbaorui. Ning Weikai dismissed the idea, stating that the real challenge was Aida, and facing Li Zhicheng, Lin Qian, and Grace as a united team would always be a significant problem. Grace met with Chen Zheng to invite him as a judge for the "My Wardrobe" designer competition, emphasizing the event's need for credibility and his industry expertise.
Chen Zheng, suspicious of her motives, commented that her tone didn't sound like she was asking for help. Grace countered by explaining that his participation would not only promote Simeiqi and rebuild his public image but also offer a substantial payment, hinting at his strained relationship with his father and recent financial cut-offs. Chen Zheng, after feigning disinterest in money, accepted, claiming he was doing Grace a "favor" due to her "sincerity."
Later, Grace's assistant informed her about a late entry from Ning Weikai for the competition. Impressed by his designs, Grace decided to make an exception and submit his name to the parent company. Meanwhile, Ning Weikai discussed the competition rules with Gao Lang, explaining that a non-professional model, ideally a friend, was required. Gao Lang expressed doubt about his ability to walk a catwalk, fearing he'd look like he was collecting protection fees and would hold Ning Weikai back.
Ning Weikai reassured him, promising a makeover, and revealed that since leaving Xinbaorui, he didn't have many friends left. Chen Zheng called Chen Yayi, playfully referring to her as his "older sister creditor," to discuss repaying his debt. He suggested paying "interest" by taking her out for karaoke, but Yayi insisted on the money, reminding him that repaying debts was a universal principle and her compound interest was accumulating.
When they met, Chen Zheng took Yayi for a ride in his car, boasting about its expensive surround sound system. As Yayi leaned back to listen, he attempted to kiss her, but she playfully hit him, thwarting his advance and asking what he was trying to do. Before the competition, Chen Yayi enthusiastically told Lin Qian that she had full faith in her, imagining Lin Qian on a Paris Fashion Week stage.
Later, Li Zhicheng arrived late and apologized to Lin Qian, explaining that Aida business prevented him from accompanying her to the competition. Lin Qian understood and gave him a kiss on the cheek. While she packed, Lin Qian teased him, saying he resembled her father watching her pack for middle school. Li Zhicheng playfully suggested he could take over her father's "job," listing things he could do, and even offered to have her name "glued to his body."
Lin Qian told him to stop dawdling and pack, to which Li Zhicheng threatened to keep hugging her if she didn't. The "My Wardrobe" designer competition began. The host announced strict rules: designers would be confined to the hotel, unable to contact the outside world, and must complete a design within 24 hours. All contestants' phones and laptops were confiscated, a rule Chen Yayi and Jin Yuan found strange.
Gu Yanzhi, trying to attend, was denied entry due to lacking an ID. The judges were introduced, including Chen Zheng and Grace. Grace then revealed the first round's theme: "I." Among the contestants, Ning Weikai and Gao Lang arrived, but a celebrity designer named Hao Ran garnered all the attention, much to Gao Lang's surprise.
Lin Qian and Chen Yayi also observed Hao Ran, with Yayi dismissing him as an "empty shell without soul" due to his rude behavior towards fans. Grace approached Ning Weikai, expressing surprise at his participation given the fierce competition. Ning Weikai, confident, stated he began as a designer and trusted his own abilities. Meanwhile, Jin Yuan visited Lin Qian, playfully asking if she should start calling her "sister-in-law" and declaring it an honor to be Lin Qian's model.
Li Zhicheng, busy with Aida's new storefront locations, sent Lin Qian a message wishing her well, and Lin Qian texted back how much she missed him. As designers began working, Ning Weikai asked Gao Lang to try on a shirt, noticing numerous scars on his body. Gao Lang revealed he used to be a thug, fearing he might die on the street, which led him to dangerous jobs like being a "flesh sandbag" for rich individuals.
Ning Weikai shared his own humble beginnings, recalling washing dishes in London and enduring insults, but emphasizing his perseverance. He inspired Gao Lang, stating that true winners aren't defined by their origin or a grand start, but by their ability to find hope in hopelessness and persist.
Gu Yanzhi bought a variety of snacks for Jin Yuan, but she rejected them at her hotel room door, explaining she needed to maintain her figure for the competition and get her beauty sleep. As Gu Yanzhi left, he found Chen Zheng stealing his abandoned snacks, who then invited him for a drink.
Gu Yanzhi, annoyed by Chen Zheng's "evil influence," questioned his suitability as a judge, to which Chen Zheng retorted that while he may not understand design, he represented public and commercial interests. Chen Zheng then prodded Gu Yanzhi about confessing his feelings to Jin Yuan and offered "dating advice," summarizing his strategy as simply, "Block her and kiss." Inspired by Chen Zheng's "advice," Gu Yanzhi sought out Jin Yuan to confess his feelings.
Jin Yuan, pre-occupied with getting ready for the competition, tried to postpone the conversation. As she rushed to change, Gu Yanzhi stopped her, pulled her close in a "block," declared "I like you," and attempted to kiss her. A stunned Jin Yuan gently pushed his face away, reiterated her need to change for the impending competition, and quickly left, flustered. During the designer showcase, a nervous Gao Lang, now in Ning Weikai's suit, stepped onto the stage.
Ning Weikai encouraged him to simply speak his heart. Ning Weikai's voiceover described the suit as a "projection from his heart," representing passion and introversion, and stated that a suit signified dignity and adaptation to life, with "inlaid patterns of wine-red color" symbolizing the "wounds" that are a man's best commendation.
On stage, Gao Lang, wearing his first-ever suit provided by Ning Weikai, shared his past as a street thug, recounting being expelled from school, getting stabbed, and bearing many scars. He expressed gratitude to Ning Weikai for giving him a chance and helping him conceal his past pains, declaring that he is no longer the person he used to be and now understands the true meaning of friendship.
Chen Zheng, however, interrupted him, stating that the competition was not a forum for reminiscing. Chen Yayi received a WeChat video call from Li Zhicheng, who was trying to reach Lin Qian. Yayi explained that Lin Qian's phone had been confiscated due to competition rules. Li Zhicheng insisted that Yayi find Lin Qian and let them speak, so Gu Yanzhi helped divert the security guards while Yayi rushed the phone to Lin Qian.
Lin Qian apologized for being unreachable, and Li Zhicheng reassured her, promising to arrive at the venue shortly to watch her compete. He told her not to be nervous, to express herself freely, and that winning was not as important as his unwavering support. Lin Qian, overjoyed, confirmed his arrival, and they agreed to meet in five minutes. Just as her segment was announced, Chen Yayi quickly ushered a beaming Lin Qian back onto the stage.
Episode 25 Recap
As the competition continued, Lin Qian, slightly out of breath, arrived just in time to present her first-round design. She explained that for this garment, themed "i," she integrated many Chinese elements, inspired by the beauty of Qipao dresses she wore while studying in England. She aimed to combine the elegance of Qipao with the comfort of a jumpsuit, drawing inspiration from Irene Galitzine's approach to haute couture.
Meanwhile, in the hotel's underground parking lot, Li Zhicheng had just stepped out of his car when an unfamiliar man called his name. The man held up a phone displaying a video of Wasp and Monkey tied up. Li Zhicheng's face darkened, and he deliberately made a call to Chen Yayi before leaving his phone in the car. He then walked towards the man's car, where someone immediately placed a black bag over his head and forced him inside.
Back at the competition, the results for the first round were announced. Ning Weikai and Gao Lang’s team secured first place, while Lin Qian and Jin Yuan's team ranked last, though they still advanced to the next round. During the break, Lin Qian and Chen Yayi went to the parking lot to meet Li Zhicheng, but they found his car door open, with his phone and keys still inside, but no sign of him.
Lin Qian's heart filled with an ominous feeling. Worried, Yayi called Gu Yanzhi and then rushed to check the surveillance footage. The cameras showed Li Zhicheng purposefully leaving his phone in the car, but the area where he disappeared was a blind spot. Gu Yanzhi, on a call to his company, discovered that Wasp and Grizzly, along with a few other men, had also been missing for two days. He immediately suspected the drug cartel was involved.
When Yayi relayed what she found in the surveillance, Gu Yanzhi, seeing Jin Yuan approach, desperately urged Yayi to keep the news from Lin Qian and Jin Yuan to avoid affecting their performance in the competition. However, Yayi couldn't hold back her tears and immediately informed Jin Yuan about Li Zhicheng's disappearance. Lin Qian, distressed, wanted to go look for Li Zhicheng, but Gu Yanzhi persuaded her to stay and focus on the competition, promising to handle the search himself.
The second round of the competition began, with Chen Zheng announcing "Mask" as the theme. Despite the challenge, Lin Qian found herself too distracted and restless to concentrate on her design. Elsewhere, Jin Yuan accidentally walked into Zhan Haoran’s design room and was shocked to find it full of people busily working on clothing, essentially ghost designers. When she confronted Zhan Haoran, he aggressively pushed her out, accusing her of attempting to copy his work.
Producer Wang, hastily called to the scene, defended Zhan Haoran, claiming the people were just staff for a special interview. He then lectured Jin Yuan about the impropriety of a model entering a designer’s room. Jin Yuan furiously left, sensing a clear cover-up. Zhan Haoran, still wary, discussed with Producer Wang that Jin Yuan might spread what she saw. Producer Wang, unperturbed, assured him he would handle it. Meanwhile, Ning Weikai encountered Grace at the hotel gym.
Grace, experiencing low blood sugar due to overexertion, nearly fainted, but Ning Weikai quickly caught her. He then brought her to a restaurant. Grace initially insisted they sit separately to avoid misunderstandings, as many show staff were present. However, Ning Weikai thoughtfully ordered a simple breakfast for her, a gesture she couldn't refuse. Jin Yuan was growing increasingly anxious, as her brother Li Zhicheng had been missing for over a day.
Gu Yanzhi brought her some of her favorite snacks, encouraging her and Lin Qian to remain strong and not give up. Jin Yuan expressed her frustration over the competition's unfairness, pointing out Zhan Haoran's cheating and Producer Wang's collusion. Gu Yanzhi acknowledged that such issues were common in competitions but stressed the importance of focusing on their own performance. Jin Yuan, remembering Lin Qian's efforts in designing her clothes and her brother's absence, resolved to fight hard in the competition.
Jin Yuan then confidently took the stage, modeling Lin Qian's unique equestrian design, which earned applause. Lin Qian began to explain her design concept, expressing her hope to convey strength through the work. She spoke of equestrianism as a gentleman's sport, symbolizing the wild strength and gentle wisdom of "someone who is very important to me," urging him to "believe in your wild strength, and believe your gentle wisdom," no matter where he was.
Just as the judges prepared to score, Zhan Haoran appeared on the big screen, dramatically accusing Lin Qian of plagiarism. He presented a sketch album, claiming it contained his original design, which was identical to Lin Qian’s. He then insinuated that Jin Yuan, who had "made a scene" in his room the previous night, was responsible for the disappearance of his sketches. Producer Wang, seizing the opportunity, declared that Lin Qian was suspected of plagiarism and should be disqualified.
Grace, however, immediately challenged this, advocating for a thorough investigation before any conclusions were drawn, a sentiment echoed by many in the audience. Lin Qian calmly stepped forward, directly questioning Zhan Haoran about his design's concept. When he fumbled for an answer, she detailed her inspiration: the double-row buckle design originated from her graduation work, and the protruding shoulder part was inspired by an Adam Watson exhibition, which Ning Weikai had also attended.
She further revealed her customary designer's mark—a transformed "Lin" character hidden in the Roman-style boots of her design. Ning Weikai then confirmed Lin Qian’s claims, providing photo evidence from the 2008 Adam Watson show and the York University Annual Design Competition where Lin Qian was awarded for the same design. Zhan Haoran was left speechless. At this point, Jin Yuan, enraged, stormed onto the stage.
She publicly accused Zhan Haoran of cheating by using ghost designers and Producer Wang of deliberately covering up the truth, claiming he was hiding all the video evidence. Grace, backing Jin Yuan, demanded that Producer Wang release all surveillance footage. In a desperate move, Producer Wang abruptly cut the live broadcast and the microphones. The judges, including Grace and Chen Zheng, were furious, calling it blatant favoritism.
Grace delivered a stern ultimatum to Producer Wang, giving him 30 seconds to provide a clear explanation, or H Magazine would withdraw its sponsorship and pursue all legal action. As the countdown ended, the live broadcast was restored. Producer Wang, trying to save face, called for Zhan Haoran to confess the truth.
However, backstage, Zhan Haoran lashed out at Producer Wang, blaming him for ruining his career, leading to a physical altercation between the two, each pointing fingers at the other as the mastermind. Grace then took control, apologizing for the interlude on behalf of the sponsor and emphasizing the judges' impartiality based solely on design work. She announced the finalists: Ning Weikai in first place, and Lin Qian in second place.
Lin Qian, standing tall, reiterated her commitment as a designer, vowing never to plagiarize and expressing her belief in justice. After the show, Ning Weikai praised Grace for her impressive handling of the chaotic situation. Grace explained that Lin Qian was a former classmate who had supported her during her struggles, inspiring her to step up.
Ning Weikai, in turn, expressed his admiration but also questioned why Grace always maintained such an aggressive front, wishing she could be as honest as she was when judging his design. He then advised her to rest and prepare for the third round.
Episode 26 Recap
Li Zhicheng was taken by drug traffickers to a secret base. Upon exiting the vehicle, he swiftly subdued two of his captors and stealthily infiltrated the compound. Meanwhile, at the designer competition, Lin Qian was deeply worried about Li Zhicheng, insisting on waiting for him in his car. Chen Yayi repeatedly urged her to return, saying, "Qianqian, I know you are here. Everyone is looking for you like crazy. Let's go back."
Lin Qian responded, "I'm fine, I just want to be by myself." She explained, "But only in here can I feel like I am closer to him. I feel more at ease." Chen Yayi stressed the importance of the competition, reminding Lin Qian, "The competition is about to start. . . You have been working for so long. You can't quit now." Lin Qian finally relented and returned to the venue with Chen Yayi.
Grace then announced the theme for the third round of the competition: "meet again." Designers were given twenty-four hours for closed-door creation. Chen Yayi tried to comfort Lin Qian, saying, "Qianqian, stop worrying. President Li is a tough man. He can survive on the battlefield. I am sure nothing can beat him down." However, Lin Qian remained deeply unsettled, asking if there was any news from Li Zhicheng or Gu Yanzhi, only to be told there was nothing.
Inside the drug den, Li Zhicheng seized a submachine gun and engaged in a fierce gunfight with the traffickers. He fought fiercely, simultaneously trying to rescue his comrades, Wasp and Monkey. Li Zhicheng, Wasp, and the others fought their way out but were heavily intercepted by the traffickers and eventually cornered in an isolated room. The drug lord, Mi Huan, yelled at them to surrender.
Li Zhicheng used a flash drive as leverage, offering to trade its secrets for the safe release of five of his brothers. Mi Huan scoffed, asking what flash drive and pretending not to understand. When Grizzly Bear got shot trying to help, Li Zhicheng reiterated, "Mi Huan! If you fire any shots. You won't get a penny!" He then proposed the deal: "I will make you a deal, the flash drive for five guys!"
He also warned Mi Huan not to harm his loved ones in Linhai. Mi Huan pondered for a moment and accepted the offer. Li Zhicheng sternly instructed Wasp and the others to notify the police immediately once they were safe, adding that he could only stall for twelve hours. Despite their desire to stay and fight, Li Zhicheng insisted, "Bastards! When you are not in the army, you can ignore my orders? Action, now!"
He sent them off, saying, "Get out of here before I change my mind!" Once outside, Wasp, Monkey, Woodpecker, and Antelope, along with the injured Grizzly Bear, decided to split up to find help. Wasp told Antelope to take Grizzly Bear to the hospital, and Woodpecker to stay hidden, as Mi Huan would be guarding the area extra carefully that night.
Their best chance was in the morning when the guards would be less vigilant, hoping they could find the army and return in time. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi took Li Jinyuan out for a meal, but she had no appetite, consumed by worry for her brother. Gu Yanzhi reassured her, saying he believed Li Zhicheng would be fine. Unconvinced, Li Jinyuan left. Not far away, Chen Zheng was having dinner with Chen Yayi.
Chen Zheng criticized Gu Yanzhi's slow approach to romance, while Chen Yayi defended Gu Yanzhi's single-minded devotion to Li Jinyuan, contrasting it with Chen Zheng's fickle nature. Chen Zheng, proud to be the young CEO of Simeiqi, claimed he needed to maintain his status, prompting Chen Yayi to sarcastically remark that his overpowering cologne made him seem superficial. Their conversation quickly devolved into their usual bickering.
Late that night, Lin Qian was alone in the design studio, consumed by worry for the missing Li Zhicheng, tears streaming down her face. Back at the drug den, Mi Huan savagely beat Li Zhicheng, demanding the secrets on the flash drive. Li Zhicheng, gritting his teeth, refused to speak, insisting he would only talk the next morning after ensuring his comrades' safety.
At dawn, Mi Huan strapped a timed bomb to Li Zhicheng, again pressing him for the flash drive's secrets. Realizing Li Zhicheng was stalling, Mi Huan flew into a rage and prepared to kill him. Just then, special forces arrived, descending from the sky and surrounding the traffickers. Cornered, Mi Huan surrendered with a sneer, hoping to witness Li Zhicheng's death by the bomb. Li Zhicheng decisively shot and killed Mi Huan.
Wasp and the others, along with the military, quickly arrived. Antelope bravely took on the dangerous task of disarming the bomb, cautioning, "You can't cut it. There's a wire inside the rope. If you accidentally cut it, it will explode. Go. All of you get out. I’m an explosives expert. There’s no time. Trust me." The others retreated as Antelope, risking his life, successfully removed the bomb.
Stepping out of the smoke and dust, the five brothers embraced tightly, their camaraderie strengthened by the ordeal. Li Zhicheng then instructed Wasp to take good care of Grizzly Bear, who was in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and send him back to his hometown. Li Zhicheng stated he had pressing matters in Linhai and would return, asking his team to follow once things were cleared up.
The designer competition reached its climax, with Ning Weikai's team and Lin Qian's team emerging as the top contenders. During an interview, Ning Weikai openly declared his intention to compete fiercely with Lin Qian. He shared that his proudest moment as a designer is when someone understands his work and its soul, hinting that he had found that person. Soon after, Li Jinyuan and Gao Lang showcased the designs on stage.
Gao Lang modeled a long robe made with Snowy Smoke silk, giving an impression of profound calmness, while Li Jinyuan wore Lin Qian's pink camouflage dress, a stunning blend of masculinity and femininity. Ning Weikai was the first to explain his Snowy Smoke silk design, describing its smooth, light texture and the perfect pairing of blue and white, which created an air of calm and depth. He also highlighted the red and yellow embroidery, symbolizing surging passion underneath.
He concluded that every new encounter is a reunion with an old friend, like two people with the same goal, whose different flowers will bloom together in the next season. Next, it was Lin Qian's turn. She passionately spoke about her design concept, revealing that her epiphany came from a person. She explained, "When we met the first time, that person was wearing a camouflage uniform. He has retired from the army since then.
But he carries a military spirit with him wherever he goes. Pink is a feminine color. So this dress uses pink camouflage. I want to be one with him." Mid-sentence, Chen Yayi rushed in with Li Zhicheng's phone, shouting, "Qianqian! Hurry! He's back!" Lin Qian quickly took the phone, hearing Li Zhicheng's voice, "Lin Qian, it's me. . . I'm almost arriving at the hotel. You focus on the contest. I will see you soon."
Overwhelmed with joy and relief, Lin Qian, without hesitation, dashed out of the design room to find him. They reunited by a water fountain at the hotel entrance, embracing tightly, unable to let go. Back at the competition, the host announced that any contestant missing a segment would be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn. Lin Qian's departure meant Ning Weikai became the sole winner.
When given the microphone, Ning Weikai gazed meaningfully towards Grace in the distance and emotionally expressed gratitude to "the one who understands my work and my soul." Grace, however, turned her head, avoiding his intense gaze. After the event, Chen Zheng offered Chen Yayi a ride home, leading to another playful exchange where Chen Yayi demanded he pay back his "interest" and called him "Chen Baibai" (White Chen) because of his fair skin, before finally accepting the ride.
In their hotel room, Lin Qian emerged from the shower and gently caressed Li Zhicheng's bare upper body, which was covered in scars. Overcome with emotion, Li Zhicheng kissed Lin Qian, and they fell onto the bed together. The next morning, Lin Qian woke up to find Li Zhicheng gone. Anxiously, she searched for him, only to discover he had gone to buy her breakfast.
Lin Qian playfully scolded him for leaving without a word, hitting his chest with her fists. Li Zhicheng apologized, promising, "I will change that habit for you." He then explained that he had gone to rescue Wasp and the others, who had been captured by the same gangsters from before. He reassured her that the gangsters were all apprehended and would no longer disturb their lives.
He then recounted how Grizzly Bear had taken a bullet for him, admitting that without Grizzly Bear, Lin Qian might never have seen him again. He confirmed that Grizzly Bear was now out of critical danger and had been sent to a hospital in his hometown, promising to visit him when he had time.
Lin Qian expressed her deep fear of losing him during his disappearance, confessing that despite trying to finish the competition, all she could think of was him. She made him promise to always let her know if he ever faced danger again, adding, "I am not afraid of the danger. I am afraid to live in a world without you."
Episode 27 Recap
After Li Zhicheng's return, Lin Qian expressed her deep worry during his disappearance, stating she was afraid of living in a world without him, despite not fearing danger itself. She reminded him of their bond, like soldiers always having each other's back, and Li Zhicheng affirmed he took their relationship just as seriously. Meanwhile, at Xinbaorui, Zhu Hanchong scoffed at Ning Weikai's success in the designer competition, dismissing it as inconsequential.
Believing Ning Weikai was always full of tricks, he instructed his assistant to summon reporter Ms. Cai. Unbeknownst to Zhu Hanchong, Ning Weikai was already meeting Ms. Cai for tea. Ning Weikai subtly suggested his desire to return to Xinbaorui and offered her a more lucrative deal than Zhu Hanchong. However, Ms. Cai politely declined, asserting her role as a journalist who pursues facts, not business transactions, and left.
Gao Lang then approached Ning Weikai, who grimly admitted Ms. Cai wasn't interested in their offer. Ning Weikai fell silent when Gao Lang asked about their next steps, a scene observed by Grace, who surmised Ning Weikai was likely plotting something. As Zhu Hanchong prepared for a night out, his sister, Zhu Hanjing, called, urging him to return immediately as their father, Chairman Zhu, was furious.
Upon his arrival, Chairman Zhu angrily confronted Zhu Hanchong, presenting photos that exposed Zhu Hanchong's previous attempt to bribe Ms. Cai. He also brandished a personnel termination list and furiously questioned Zhu Hanchong about firing company veterans, who had helped build the family business. Zhu Hanchong defended his actions, claiming he didn't want outsiders interfering with Xinbaorui.
Chairman Zhu, however, declared that Ning Weikai was not an outsider and stripped his ungrateful son of all authority, forbidding him from interfering in any of Xinbaorui's operations. Chairman Zhu then personally met with Ning Weikai, imploring him to return to Xinbaorui. He acknowledged the company's recent troubles and his own advancing age, expressing his unwavering faith in Ning Weikai and promising him maximum freedom, assuring him that Zhu Hanchong would no longer interfere.
Recalling Chairman Zhu's past support, Ning Weikai agreed to return. Ning Weikai then arranged a meeting with Li Zhicheng. He brought up their previous bet, acknowledging he had honored his word by withdrawing from the fashion industry after losing. However, he argued that Aida's victory was aided by a "natural intervention"—the rainstorm that flooded Xinbaorui's warehouse—making the competition unfair. Li Zhicheng retorted that for winners, only results matter, not excuses.
Ning Weikai then subtly questioned the "odd" circumstances of Xinbaorui's warehouse flooding, implying Li Zhicheng knew more. Li Zhicheng asked if he was being threatened. Ning Weikai clarified it was merely a discussion about their bet and explained his obligation to return to Xinbaorui given the Chairman's trust and the company's current state. He offered to drop the warehouse incident if Li Zhicheng would temporarily retract their bet.
Li Zhicheng considered this and agreed, and Ning Weikai promised to return the favor. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi invited Li Jinyuan to a formal dinner. He apologized for his previous boldness backstage and confessed his genuine feelings for her, offering to wait. Li Jinyuan, however, expressed her inability to make decisions and asked him to stop waiting for her, stating she was focused on her new job and feared a relationship would distract her.
Gu Yanzhi, accepting her decision, changed the topic to avoid further awkwardness. Later, Li Zhicheng called Gu Yanzhi about a celebration, but Gu Yanzhi declined, believing his presence would make Li Jinyuan uncomfortable since he felt he had "pushed it too hard." At the designer competition's awards ceremony, Ning Weikai was crowned champion.
In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the importance of remembering one's original aspirations, sharing a personal anecdote about how a stranger's praise for his design, unknowingly, served as a "wake-up call" to reconnect with his initial passion. Li Zhicheng remarked that Ning Weikai only won because Lin Qian had withdrawn. Lin Qian, unfazed, stated that she had gained something "more valuable" than first place.
The host then announced that due to its outstanding quality, Lin Qian's design would also be featured in the magazine alongside Ning Weikai's work. During the after-party, Ning Weikai approached Grace, not to thank her for the competition win, but for her discreet assistance with Ms. Cai.
He teased her for never admitting her kindness, knowing she was the one who had subtly influenced Ms. Cai to turn on Zhu Hanchong by warning her about the risks of getting involved in his corrupt dealings. Grace playfully dismissed it, but Ning Weikai recognized her unwavering support. Elsewhere at the party, Chen Yayi, attempting to evade Chen Zheng's advances, accidentally spilled wine on another woman's dress.
Chen Zheng intervened, playfully discrediting the woman's expensive dress by claiming he owned the limited edition himself and hadn't given it to her. Chen Yayi, instead of being grateful, scolded Chen Zheng for being a "jerk." She then noticed Gu Yanzhi sitting with Li Jinyuan. Gu Yanzhi was earnestly asking Li Jinyuan to reconsider their relationship, but she remained evasive, stating she didn't want to think about it at the moment.
Chen Zheng commented to Chen Yayi that Gu Yanzhi wouldn't succeed in winning Li Jinyuan's heart. Chen Yayi sighed, admiring Gu Yanzhi as an ideal man and wondering when such a person would enter her life. Chen Zheng, implying he was that man, teased her for being "blind." Grace's assistant presented her with the catalog for an upcoming charity auction.
The most valuable item was an embroidered silk dress, a Ming-style wedding gown from the Republic period, made of the rare Snowy Smoke silk. The assistant noted the same fabric was used in Ning Weikai's competition design. Grace then met Ms. Geng, who revealed Snowy Smoke silk had been her family's heirloom for generations, and this particular dress was one of her ancestors' creations. Ms. Geng had been trying to retrieve it.
Grace, understanding her sentiment, arranged for Ms. Geng to view the dress before the auction and invited her to be a special guest. Ning Weikai arrived at Xinbaorui, receiving warm greetings from employees surprised by his return. His assistant tried to direct him to a temporary office, explaining that his old one was "being tidied up." Ning Weikai noticed the reduced staff and learned that many key employees had left during his absence due to Zhu Hanchong's indifference.
Ignoring his assistant's attempts to stop him, Ning Weikai opened the door to his former office, finding it completely ransacked. He knew Zhu Hanchong was behind the mess but resolved to start working immediately, requesting urgent paperwork. Shortly after, Zhu Hanjing visited him, worried about Zhu Hanchong's continued hostility. Ning Weikai assured her he would be fine and mused on Li Zhicheng's strength: always having a loyal team, an "army," while he often felt like he was fighting alone.
Back at Aida, Chen Yayi urged Lin Qian to focus less on work and more on her relationship with Li Zhicheng, warning that he was cunning despite his innocent facade. Lin Qian countered that Chen Yayi seemed to know Li Zhicheng's "tricks" better. Soon after, Li Zhicheng took Lin Qian out early, playfully calling it "skipping work." He surprised her by taking her to a gym instead of a romantic restaurant.
After an intense workout, where they playfully kissed during sit-ups, Lin Qian complained about the unconventional date. To cheer her up, Li Zhicheng revealed the H Group auction catalog, showing her a Ming-style Snowy Smoke silk dress. Lin Qian was delighted, realizing the cultural significance of the fabric and expressing her desire to incorporate such ethnic craftsmanship into her designs.
Episode 28 Recap
At an auction, Lin Qian encountered Ning Weikai, both showing interest in an exquisite embroidered silk dress. Li Zhicheng asserted that he would not let go of anything his woman desired. Ning Weikai challenged him to a bidding war at the auction. Lin Qian urged Li Zhicheng to act prudently and not engage in a rivalry with Ning Weikai, to which he calmly responded that he understood the situation. Later, Ning Weikai and Zhu Hanqian stepped out for some air.
Zhu Hanqian wondered how Ning Weikai knew Li Zhicheng would be there. Ning Weikai explained that he had been waiting for Aida to take the bait. He was sure Lin Qian would love the dress because it featured Snowy Smoke silk, a new fabric that is hard to come by for designers, and she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it.
He added that Aida was short on cash, and if Li Zhicheng became too greedy, it would be suicidal for his company. Back at Aida, Li Zhicheng discussed his plans with Gu Yanzhi. He intended to incorporate rare fabrics into the new Y-Fancy line, anticipating increased costs. He asked Gu Yanzhi to prepare the previous season's financial report to determine the budget for the new season. He noted that Ning Weikai was also pursuing the same fabric.
Gu Yanzhi correctly guessed it was Snowy Smoke silk, a fabric Lin Qian had been obsessed with since seeing a robe made from it at a competition. Gu Yanzhi expressed concern about rushing into expansion due to Aida's cash flow, mentioning that Aida needed a solid footing after the May 20 success. Li Zhicheng countered that the money issue was manageable, and Grace had mentioned a potential investor.
If the new fabric added value to Aida, the investment would be worthwhile. Gu Yanzhi teased that Li Zhicheng was clearly determined to fulfill Lin Qian's wish. Meanwhile, Grace was reviewing articles in her office when her assistant informed her that Ning Weikai was using their photography studio. Grace decided to go and greet him. She congratulated Ning Weikai on returning to Xinbaorui as its president.
Ning Weikai enthusiastically spoke about Snowy Smoke, describing it as Linhai's signature fabric, representing Chinese traditional craftsmanship, and boasting great potential if combined with modern technology, possibly even influencing the global fashion market. Grace, however, found his proposal "too risky" and too costly, requiring extreme caution, though Ning Weikai tried to persuade her by saying that they both were drawn to risky ventures. Grace arranged a meeting between Li Zhicheng and President Ding.
President Ding, who trusted Grace's judgment and taste, expressed interest in Y-Fancy and offered to fund its growth. Li Zhicheng mentioned wanting to break into the high-end market, but President Ding noted Grace hadn't mentioned that, suggesting further discussion with her. He liked Y-Fancy's current market positioning and wanted it to continue targeting low-end mass consumption, as that's where the money was.
He, a pragmatic man, wanted their first cooperation to be "nice and safe" and explicitly warned against changing the brand's positioning to high-end without further discussion with Grace. Li Zhicheng understood and toasted to their cooperation. Li Zhicheng later visited Lin Qian in her studio and found her engrossed in researching Snowy Smoke.
She explained that the robe at the auction was a wedding dress made of Snowy Smoke silk during the Republic period in Linhai, and showed him the wedding vows written on it. Li Zhicheng found the vows beautiful and suggested they could use it for their own wedding. Although Lin Qian playfully questioned his assumption, he declared he wouldn't let her go.
He then promised to bid for the dress at the auction, hoping it would aid their research and development, which excited Lin Qian. He then sweetly kissed her. At the auction, after several items were sold, the host announced the final item: the embroidered silk dress, a masterpiece created by the Geng family artisans from Snowy Smoke silk, unveiled by Ms. Geng Xingmin.
Ning Weikai initiated the bidding at two million yuan, followed by Li Zhicheng at two and a half million. The two fiercely competed, driving the price up to three million, then four, and five million. When the bid reached six million, Li Zhicheng was about to bid higher, but Gu Yanzhi stopped him, reminding him that it was not the time for a "pissing match." The auctioneer's hammer fell, and Ning Weikai successfully acquired the dress for six million yuan.
He then delivered a speech, thanking Grace and expressing Xinbaorui's commitment to charity and Linhai's craft industry as a leader in the clothing sector. After the auction, Grace noticed Li Zhicheng's low spirits and complimented his conduct, though he felt he had lost. Li Zhicheng admitted that Lin Qian really needed the robe for her study of Snowy Smoke silk.
Grace advised him that a personal hobby should not affect company strategy, and focusing on Snowy Smoke now would hinder Y-Fancy's current design lines. Li Zhicheng retorted, asking if work was all she could ever think of, mentioning dreams and passions. Grace responded that a leader had responsibilities and should prioritize the company's overall operations, suggesting that personal dreams could wait until the company was strong enough. Li Zhicheng, feeling discontent, left.
Meanwhile, from a vantage point, Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng observed their conversation. Chen Zheng, ever observant, questioned Ning Weikai about the coincidence of the Snowy Smoke dress appearing for auction after Ning Weikai had prominently mentioned the fabric in the competition, subtly asking if he was behind the collector's donation. Ning Weikai simply offered a noncommittal smile, stating it might just be a coincidence, but Chen Zheng preferred to believe it was something else.
Grace informed Li Zhicheng that Fancy's headquarters planned to send a Director of Design to Aida to oversee design work for the next season. Li Zhicheng expressed concern that this new director might cause misunderstandings and constrain Lin Qian's creativity. Grace gently advised him that Y-Fancy was a joint-venture sub-brand and that having a director of design from the main company was common practice. She cautioned against resisting the decision, as it could lead to conflict between the two companies.
Li Zhicheng felt it would be unfair to Lin Qian, whom he wanted to retain her passion and freedom, but after Grace's firm explanation that Y-Fancy was not Lin Qian's private workshop and that fighting the headquarters' decision could result in a "bad confrontation," he reluctantly accepted. Chen Zheng returned to Simeiqi and was dismayed to find a drastic reduction in the advertising budget in the new campaign proposal.
He confronted his father, Chairman Chen, who, with a sigh, lamented the company's struggles. Chairman Chen explained that Simeiqi had suffered a massive inventory pileup immediately after the 520 incident, losing half of its market share to Aida, with many partnering factories shifting their allegiance to Xinbaorui.
He described Simeiqi's precarious position as being "under siege with wolves in front of us and tigers behind us," confessing his despair about the company's future as an employee walked out, stating the company had no future. Li Zhicheng called Lin Qian to his office to apologize for not securing the embroidered silk dress, especially since it was a wedding dress.
Lin Qian, unfazed, assured him that she was more interested in the fabric itself and could find other ways to research Snowy Smoke for the new Y-Fancy line. Li Zhicheng then informed her that Fancy would be sending a Director of Design to work alongside her for the next season. Lin Qian was surprised and worried, echoing the sentiment that "too many cooks will ruin the same dish," but promised to cooperate if the decision was final.
Li Zhicheng was moved by her understanding and gently kissed her. Ning Weikai invited Chen Zheng to his new office at Xinbaorui to discuss a potential partnership. Chen Zheng initially complained about Xinbaorui poaching Simeiqi's long-standing factories. Ning Weikai, to demonstrate his sincerity, immediately offered to return those factories, urging Chen Zheng to focus on the bigger picture and work together.
Chen Zheng, however, expressed a longing for his former leisurely lifestyle, indifferent to slow company growth, and content with Simeiqi maintaining a perpetual third place in the market. Ning Weikai then delivered a stark warning: if Chen Zheng stopped fighting, Simeiqi would not even retain its third-place position for long, as the rapidly changing market was a "game of life or death."
He pointed out that Aida had taken Simeiqi's market share, and factories were aligning with Xinbaorui, leading to a crumbling money supply. He warned that Simeiqi would be the first to fall in this three-way contest, illustrating his point with an analogy of taking away matches, representing Aida's power, one by one. Li Zhicheng tasked Gu Yanzhi with another assignment.
He revealed that Lin Qian was actively researching Snowy Smoke silk and asked Gu Yanzhi to try and borrow the embroidered silk dress from Ning Weikai. Gu Yanzhi was initially hesitant, pointing out that the dress had fetched six million yuan at the auction, making it unlikely Ning Weikai would easily lend it. However, Li Zhicheng expressed full confidence in Gu Yanzhi's capabilities, which brought a wry smile to Gu Yanzhi's face.
Earlier, Gu Yanzhi had reported on Wenda's chaotic state, with the chairman's illness leading to an "anarchic mess" and two internal factions constantly clashing. Li Zhicheng had instructed him to investigate the finance department for any specific findings and to prepare for Aida's reintegration into Wenda, handling human resources and organizational restructuring to prevent internal clashes during the merger. Gu Yanzhi had noted that while Wenda's subcontracting lines were profitable, they were underperforming compared to their previous capacity.
He also playfully chided Li Zhicheng for focusing solely on work and not inquiring about his father's health, but Li Zhicheng swiftly redirected him to the task of borrowing the dress. Amanda, Fancy's Director of Design, arrived at Aida, where Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian greeted her. Li Zhicheng introduced Lin Qian as Aida's Director of Design.
Amanda, observing Lin Qian's youth, dismissively remarked that she hadn't expected such a young designer for Y-Fancy and initially mistook her for a secretary. Li Zhicheng defended Lin Qian, highlighting her enviable age and talent. Amanda, prioritizing efficiency, immediately asked Lin Qian to show her the new season's line. After reviewing Lin Qian's designs, Amanda was critical, stating that despite their creativity and style, they failed to meet Fancy's requirements and would need to be completely redone.
She explained that Lin Qian had incorporated "too many Chinese elements," creating a "completely Chinese design," which Amanda deemed inappropriate. Lin Qian argued for diversity in Y-Fancy's designs to better develop the brand, especially as it targeted the Chinese market. Amanda, however, insisted that as a sub-brand, Y-Fancy's design must align with its parent brand, Fancy.
She asserted that she knew Don, Fancy's "soul," better than anyone and that he would not approve of such diversity, implying that Chinese brands often aspired to a Western aesthetic. She instructed Lin Qian to start a new design immediately. Following Amanda's departure, Lin Qian confided in her assistant that they had "completely different concepts" and that working together would be "long and painful," especially given Amanda's "hostile" approach.
When Li Zhicheng inquired about Amanda, Lin Qian admitted they disagreed on design principles but committed to objectively reflecting on Amanda's opinions in her new design. She stopped Li Zhicheng from directly confronting Amanda.
Episode 29 Recap
Amanda arrived at Li Zhicheng’s office, witnessing a moment of intimacy between him and Lin Qian. She sarcastically remarked that she had intended to report on design suggestions for the season but it seemed someone had already gotten ahead of her. Li Zhicheng, maintaining a professional tone, stated that any assessment regarding Y-Fancy's design style should properly come from Don. Amanda, slightly embarrassed, then stated her intention to report everything to Don via email, copying Li Zhicheng.
Li Zhicheng responded, expressing his hope that she would offer constructive suggestions and be objective and unemotional in her report. Amanda then left the office. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi, on behalf of Li Zhicheng, visited Ning Weikai at Xinbaorui, bringing a bottle of whiskey as a gift. He sought to borrow the precious Snowy Smoke silk wedding dress. Ning Weikai, however, was unswayed by the gesture, initially refusing to lend such an important asset to Aida, their competitor.
Gu Yanzhi clarified that the request was a personal one and reminded Ning Weikai that he owed Li Zhicheng a favor from a previous encounter. Acknowledging the debt, Ning Weikai reluctantly agreed to lend the robe for two days, on the condition that it be returned completely unharmed. Gu Yanzhi promptly took the robe back to Aida, where Lin Qian immediately began her research.
Lin Qian was deeply absorbed in studying the intricate Snowy Smoke silk wedding dress under a magnifying glass, admiring its natural dyeing process and the ancient Chinese wisdom embedded in its craft. She considered it an artwork that deserved careful handling, gently declining Chen Yayi’s suggestion to try it on. At the same time, Li Zhicheng called Grace to discuss investing in a Snowy Smoke silk project, believing it could propel Aida three to five years ahead in the industry.
Grace, however, cautioned against such a high-risk venture. She emphasized that while the financial investment might be possible, the technological hurdles for mass production were formidable. She advised Li Zhicheng, as a businesswoman, not to make decisions based solely on personal interest or impulse, warning that failure could jeopardize Aida's reputation. Later, Lin Qian returned to the office to find Chen Yayi in distress, cradling the precious robe.
Chen Yayi tearfully confessed she had accidentally damaged the six-million-yuan dress, expressing her immense guilt and uncertainty about what to do. Lin Qian was shocked by the revelation. Li Zhicheng, recalling an old artisan named Geng Xingming, an inheritor of the Geng family's Snowy Smoke silk legacy whom he had met at an auction, suggested they seek her help as a last resort. They traveled to the old Mu Du Town, near Lin Hai, and met Master Geng.
She chided them for their carelessness but, upon inspecting the robe, confirmed that the damage, though significant, was not beyond repair, though she noted the difficulty due to the fabric's age. Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian expressed their sincere gratitude. While Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian were away, Chen Yayi, still distraught in the Aida office, received a call from Chen Zheng. Annoyed, she refused to answer, stating she had no relation with him.
Chen Zheng threatened to search every office until he found her, forcing her to go downstairs to meet him. They immediately erupted into an argument. Noticing her ruined makeup, Chen Zheng thoughtfully helped her reapply it. He comforted her, assuring her that every problem has a solution, and gave her a powder compact as a gift. While Master Geng began the intricate repair process, Li Zhicheng took Lin Qian for a walk around the quiet town.
They stopped by a pond where they saw a child releasing flower lanterns. Li Zhicheng bought two lanterns, and they each made a wish as they sent them floating on the water, enjoying a rare moment of peace away from the city. The next morning, they were notified that the robe was ready. Upon inspection, it appeared to be perfectly restored, as if nothing had happened.
They profusely thanked Master Geng, who emphasized the importance of cherishing such traditional heritage and warned that she might not be able to fix it again if it were damaged in the future. Li Zhicheng, deeply impressed, contemplated a future collaboration with Master Geng. Li Zhicheng personally delivered the repaired robe back to Ning Weikai at Xinbaorui. He candidly admitted that the wedding dress had been slightly damaged while in Aida's possession but had since been meticulously repaired.
He offered to compensate Ning Weikai if he was dissatisfied. Ning Weikai, appreciating Li Zhicheng's forthrightness, chose not to pursue the matter, stating that the true value lay in the traditional method of creating the Snowy Smoke silk, not merely the garment itself. He then reminded Li Zhicheng of their previous bet, declaring that the favor he owed was now considered settled. Li Zhicheng acknowledged Ning Weikai's generosity.
Upon returning to Aida, Lin Qian affectionately kissed Li Zhicheng, thanking him for his efforts in making her dream come true. Li Zhicheng confessed his deep love for her, describing her as the extraordinary woman he loved with all his heart and life, one he would never let go. Later, a visibly frustrated Amanda was drinking alone at a bar when Ning Weikai approached her.
He displayed extensive knowledge of her impressive background as a top designer from the Parsons School of Design and a three-time award winner. Ning Weikai then openly proposed a collaboration, subtly attempting to drive a wedge between Amanda and Aida. He praised her talent and offered a more prestigious position and higher pay. Amanda, however, firmly declined, affirming her loyalty to Fancy (and Aida), which had provided her with an invaluable opportunity to excel.
Undeterred, Ning Weikai then revealed that Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian were a couple, implying that Amanda would always be overshadowed by Lin Qian's privileged position at Aida. Amanda thanked him for the "reminder" but maintained her stance. However, after Ning Weikai departed, her expression revealed her deep dissatisfaction with Lin Qian's perceived advantage. The following day, Amanda observed Chen Yayi incorporating lace into a new design.
She sharply criticized it as "cheap and childish," deeming it "trash" and an "absolute catastrophe." Without hesitation, she grabbed a pair of scissors, intending to cut the garment. Lin Qian intervened, telling Amanda that while she could offer suggestions, destroying another designer's work was unacceptable and disrespectful. Amanda retorted that she couldn't tolerate ugly designs, but Lin Qian asserted that it was her design department and that she respected others' creations.
Amanda challenged Lin Qian to prove her capabilities without relying on someone behind her back. Lin Qian, as Aida’s design director, affirmed her responsibility to correct mistakes and uphold respect for her colleagues' hard work. Amanda, still dismissive, left, stating that Lin Qian’s design department simply lacked the necessary talent for the job. Subsequently, Amanda met with Grace, venting her frustrations about Lin Qian, whom she described as having "quite a temper," hindering Y-Fancy's progress.
Grace tried to mediate, suggesting that Lin Qian, with her strong ideas, simply needed more time to collaborate. Amanda, however, argued that Y-Fancy was on a tight schedule and couldn't afford to waste time on a team that couldn't keep up. She disparaged Lin Qian’s team as an "amateur troop," expressing serious concerns about their talent and capability. Amanda concluded by proposing a clear division of responsibilities to avoid further conflict.
Separately, Li Zhicheng presented a detailed plan to Director Ding, seeking investment for the Snowy Smoke silk project. Director Ding expressed reservations, citing the high risk of venturing into an unknown market and the significant investment of tens of millions of yuan without guaranteed profitability. He questioned whether Li Zhicheng had discussed this with other investors like Grace, to which Li Zhicheng confirmed Grace also found it risky.
Director Ding advised Li Zhicheng to identify his "biggest strength" – something that could not be taken from him – and include it in his plan. Li Zhicheng confidently asserted that his greatest asset was his team of talented and loyal colleagues who shared his vision. Director Ding, drawing on his experience, countered that "people are fluid and changeable," questioning if Li Zhicheng truly believed talent would remain with him forever, implying a lack of business acumen.
Meanwhile, Ning Weikai, during a walk with Grace, mockingly reminded her of the "six-million-yuan" robe that had been damaged, implying her culpability as a partner in Aida. He playfully demanded she compensate him by accompanying him for a month of walks. Grace vehemently denied responsibility, but Ning Weikai continued to bargain, eventually settling for three days. He then jokingly asked what Li Zhicheng would think if he knew about their "us," which Grace quickly dismissed as nonsense.
Back at Aida, Lin Qian discovered her Y-Fancy design draft had been drastically altered. Chen Yayi explained that Amanda had reviewed and made extensive changes. Lin Qian, angered by the unilateral alterations, confronted Amanda. Amanda declared that Don had officially authorized her to fully oversee Y-Fancy's new season designs and that she was merely "correcting" Lin Qian's "wrongs."
Lin Qian argued against the complete deletion of Chinese elements, which she believed were vital for Y-Fancy's diverse appeal, accusing Amanda of being narrow-minded. Amanda retorted that Fancy was an international brand that didn't need "niche designs" and that Chinese elements were mere "embellishments." Amanda's assistant interjected, disparaging Lin Qian’s short resume and suggesting she owed her position to "luck" and "climbing this high just because of your boss."
Lin Qian firmly rejected this, stating that her design abilities and position were entirely independent of Li Zhicheng and urged Amanda to respect her team's hard work. Amanda concluded the confrontation by stating she believed Lin Qian's design department was simply not capable of handling the task.
Episode 30 Recap
Li Zhicheng called Grace after receiving an email, accusing her of aiding Amanda in suppressing Lin Qian and sidelining her from the Y-Fancy project. Grace found his reaction excessive, explaining that Don, having seen Lin Qian's design, likely found Amanda's ideas more fitting for his style. She emphasized that a company cannot depend solely on one designer or prioritize fulfilling an individual's dream, especially considering Lin Qian's wealthy background.
Li Zhicheng defended Lin Qian's independence, but Grace, unable to continue the unproductive conversation, ended the call, advising him to calm down. Later, Li Zhicheng ordered takeout for Lin Qian, knowing she had skipped lunch. He apologized for not being able to openly favor her in her conflict with Amanda. Lin Qian, understanding, gracefully replied that being in a relationship meant facing all challenges together. Just then, Li Zhicheng received an urgent call from his housekeeper.
Rushing home, Li Zhicheng found his father in a furious state, attempting to discard all of his late brother, Li Zhiqian's, possessions. His father, in a moment of confusion, mistook Li Zhicheng for Li Zhiqian, scolding him for past business failures and for promoting Ning Weikai, whom he described as overly ambitious and untrustworthy.
The family doctor, after assessing his father's condition, confirmed it was Alzheimer's disease, stating his condition was stable but recommending further hospital tests for a definitive diagnosis. Li Zhicheng was filled with sorrow, lamenting his father's suffering and the late diagnosis. The housekeeper mentioned his father had been forgetting things and occasionally misidentified people, but never to this extent. Grace met Ning Weikai for a walk, as previously promised. She complained about her busy schedule.
Ning Weikai suggested that walking could help clear her mind and relax. They struggled to find common ground outside of work-related topics. Back at Aida, Amanda severely criticized Chen Yayi for allegedly retrieving the wrong fabric, questioning her basic knowledge and role in the design department, even threatening to dismiss her. Chen Yayi defended herself, clarifying that the fabric was labeled as satin and she was helping a colleague. She accused Amanda of deliberately targeting her.
Lin Qian arrived during the confrontation and asserted her authority as Chen Yayi's direct supervisor, stating that only she could decide Chen Yayi's employment status. Amanda continued to disparage the quality of Aida's design team. Lin Qian, seeing the escalating conflict, proposed a design competition: both would submit their plans to the headquarters, and the company's decision would determine who led the Y-Fancy project. Amanda accepted the challenge, agreeing that the chosen designer would lead.
Chen Yayi apologized to Lin Qian for the mistake. Lin Qian reassured her that Amanda's true target was her, but she reminded Chen Yayi to be more meticulous to avoid giving others an excuse for criticism. Lin Qian explained that she felt compelled to accept the challenge, contemplating resignation if she lost. Chen Yayi, concerned by Lin Qian's composure, wondered if she was truly giving up on her innovative ideas.
Lin Qian then revealed her intention to use Snowy Smoke silk in her new design, aiming to demonstrate its potential and make Amanda acknowledge the value of Chinese elements, which Amanda seemed to undervalue. Li Zhicheng and Li Jinyuan took their father to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed the Alzheimer's diagnosis, predicting he would lose all memory within two years. Li Jinyuan broke down, weeping in her second brother's arms. Li Zhicheng was deeply affected by the news.
Returning to the office, Li Zhicheng confided in Gu Yanzhi about his father's illness. He finally understood his father's reasons for concealing his condition, fearing that a diagnosis would expose Wenda's internal vulnerabilities. Li Zhicheng declared his decision to return to Wenda with his team and projects, aiming to transform it into a self-branded enterprise. Gu Yanzhi expressed surprise and warned of significant power struggles ahead.
Li Zhicheng, however, felt confident with the support of his team, Lin Qian, and Gu Yanzhi. Gu Yanzhi submitted both Lin Qian's and Amanda's design proposals for a blind selection process by Grace and Li Zhicheng, emphasizing fairness. As they awaited the decision in a conference room, Amanda approached Lin Qian. Amanda admitted to having thoroughly researched Lin Qian, initially believing she was incompetent and owed her position to Li Zhicheng.
While acknowledging Lin Qian's designs were better than expected, Amanda cautioned her that creativity alone doesn't guarantee success. She expressed interest in Snowy Smoke silk but highlighted the immense difficulty and cost of integrating such a complex fabric into commercial designs, stressing that fast-fashion brands must prioritize market demand and employer expectations over personal dreams. Lin Qian countered, asserting the importance of innovation and being a pioneer.
Amanda then provocatively suggested that Lin Qian was staying at Aida against her true desires. During the blind selection, Li Zhicheng advocated for Lin Qian's design, emphasizing its strong Chinese elements that would differentiate Y-Fancy. Grace, however, favored Amanda's design for its youthful, trendy, and energetic appeal, which she believed was more aligned with current fashion trends for younger consumers.
She also raised concerns about the significant additional cost (10%) and market risk associated with Lin Qian's Snowy Smoke silk design. Both turned to Gu Yanzhi for the tie-breaking vote. Gu Yanzhi ultimately sided with Amanda, stating that Aida was not yet ready to develop Snowy Smoke silk. With a 2-1 vote, Amanda's design was selected as the final proposal for Y-Fancy. Lin Qian was disheartened by the outcome.
Li Zhicheng tried to console her, explaining that while he supported her design, the company needed a safer, more market-viable option for Y-Fancy's launch due to the high cost and time required for Snowy Smoke silk. Lin Qian reflected, acknowledging that she might have been too ambitious for Aida's current stage and expressed pity for the lost opportunity, though she understood the company's decision. Chen Zheng met with Ning Weikai to discuss their plans.
Ning Weikai revealed a crucial missing element: securing Gu Yanzhi's cooperation. Chen Zheng dismissed this as impossible due to Gu Yanzhi's unwavering loyalty to Li Zhicheng, but Ning Weikai hinted that loyalty might not be as absolute as it seemed. Chen Yayi felt deflated about the competition's outcome, questioning Lin Qian's composure. Lin Qian maintained that she accepted the results.
Chen Yayi sensed Lin Qian's hidden disappointment, suggesting that Li Zhicheng had influenced her decision regarding Snowy Smoke silk, but Lin Qian brushed it off, joking about not wanting to cry. Chen Yayi reaffirmed her steadfast support for Lin Qian. Li Jinyuan arrived at a photoshoot for Wetcode products, surprised to discover Chen Zheng was her male partner.
Chen Zheng flattered her with compliments about her beauty, but Li Jinyuan dismissed his remarks as insincere, urging him to focus on their work. During the shoot, Chen Zheng's playful teasing and Li Jinyuan's mischievous responses made for a lively atmosphere as the director encouraged them to act like partners. Amanda's assistant demanded Lin Qian provide immediate written feedback on Amanda's new proposal, citing "procedure" and the project's high priority. Despite Lin Qian's team being busy, the assistant insisted.
Lin Qian then directly pointed out that several of Amanda's designs bore striking resemblances to existing brands. The assistant then demanded Lin Qian personally compile all her critiques into a formal, bolded, size-12 font document within an hour. Lin Qian retorted by demanding that Amanda's proposals also follow such strict procedural documentation, and suggested the assistant relay that message to Amanda.
Chen Yayi was frustrated by the constant stream of emails with changing procedures and demands from Amanda's team, accusing them of hypocrisy given their emphasis on "procedure." Lin Qian calmly advised her not to stoop to their level and to maintain their professionalism, urging her to double-check their own work. Li Zhicheng called Lin Qian to check on her. He mentioned his demanding schedule as he prepared for his return to Wenda.
He apologized for Amanda's targeting of Lin Qian, explaining the necessity of Y-Fancy for Aida and Wenda's market penetration. Lin Qian assured him she would do her utmost. Later, Li Zhicheng returned home to find his father sitting on the floor, refusing to go to bed and becoming agitated at any mention of sleep. Li Zhicheng gently began to tell his father a story about Thomas Edison.
His father suddenly turned, looked at him, called out "Li Zhicheng," and asked when he would return, expressing how much he missed him. Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Zhicheng embraced his father.
Episode 31 Recap
Chen Yayi noticed something unusual about Amanda's design, specifically a piece stitched together with light chiffon at the front and a heavy sweater at the back, adorned with tassels. She pointed out that such a design would cause uneven weight and discomfort for the wearer, questioning how an experienced designer could overlook such an obvious flaw. Chen Yayi worried that if they brought it up, Amanda would accuse them of picking a fight, and her assistant would escalate the conflict.
However, Lin Qian acknowledged that ignoring the issue would lead to greater problems if the design went into production. For the company's benefit, Lin Qian decided to compile the feedback herself and present it to Amanda. Lin Qian approached Amanda, who was busy giving instructions, to discuss an urgent matter privately. However, Amanda insisted they speak openly. Lin Qian showed Amanda the problematic design, emphasizing the need to stop it before it went to the factory.
Amanda then called her assistant into her office, sternly reprimanding her for including a previously rejected design in the final copy. She highlighted the critical flaw: a combination of super light material in the front and heavy, complicated design in the back, which would cause the garment to hang awkwardly. Amanda questioned her assistant's professionalism and suitability to be a designer.
The assistant tried to explain, but Amanda deemed it a "worst mistake," stating her team was not the place for someone who needed others to point out such errors. The assistant pleaded for another chance, but Amanda stressed the potential harm to Aida if the design was produced. Feeling cornered and humiliated, the assistant angrily accused Lin Qian of seeking revenge against her, likely referring to a past incident where Lin Qian had her "write up" something.
Amanda quickly silenced the assistant, reminding her that Lin Qian was acting in the company's best interest. Lin Qian, trying to mediate, acknowledged that the idea of "stitching" was good and offered to make the necessary changes herself, given the tight schedule. The assistant, however, insisted on correcting her own design, but Amanda firmly forbade her from touching any design drafts, dismissing her from the office.
Shortly after, Amanda's assistant approached Lin Qian, angrily accusing her of tattling to her superior instead of addressing the design issues with her directly. Chen Yayi quickly interjected, asserting that the assistant was clearly in the wrong and that only Amanda had the authority to halt a design. She pressed the assistant on whether she could bear the financial damages if the flawed design went into production.
The assistant, trying to avoid Chen Yayi, insisted she was speaking to Lin Qian. Chen Yayi retorted that the assistant knew she was wrong and suggested that Amanda's public reprimand was simply to demonstrate impartiality. Lin Qian stepped in, urging them to set aside their dispute due to the urgent deadline for the final design, suggesting they discuss it later.
The assistant, however, felt bullied and, after an exchange with Chen Yayi which Lin Qian diffused, called Lin Qian a "bitch" before storming off. Later, Li Zhicheng met with Grace to discuss the proposed merger of Aida and Wenda. Grace observed his troubled demeanor, advising him not to dwell on setbacks and acknowledging his efforts. Li Zhicheng revealed his true purpose, stating that Aida would rejoin Wenda.
Grace expressed concern, noting Aida's recent stability and the complex, deeply entrenched issues within Wenda, warning that returning now would make it difficult for him to discern allies from adversaries. Li Zhicheng, however, asserted that Wenda desperately needed strong leadership to prevent its collapse, and he had no more time to deliberate, implying the urgency stemmed from his father's condition. He also announced his intention to bring Y-Fancy into Wenda.
Grace, while acknowledging his success with Y-Fancy, stated that H Group would not get involved in Wenda's internal struggles. In response, Li Zhicheng offered to repurchase H Group's Aida shares at an elevated price, to which Grace readily agreed. As Chen Zheng dropped Li Jinyuan off at home, he saw Gu Yanzhi's car approaching. He then deliberately called out to Li Jinyuan and confessed his feelings, stating he had always harbored a special affection for her since high school.
He recounted remembering minute details about her, even getting upset when she spoke to other men. Chen Zheng declared that he could no longer hide his emotions and officially announced his intention to court her, emphasizing that she was the only woman who could capture his heart. Li Jinyuan, taken aback, questioned if he was under the influence or "crazy," but Chen Zheng insisted he was sober.
To further demonstrate his sincerity, he knelt before her, promising to win her over with his heartfelt actions. He asked her to seriously consider their relationship. Li Jinyuan appeared flustered and unsure how to react. Gu Yanzhi, who had just arrived, witnessed the entire scene and, consumed with rage, immediately drove away. Still fuming, Gu Yanzhi called Chen Zheng to confront him, labeling him a "jerk" and questioning his intentions with Li Jinyuan.
Chen Zheng retorted that as two single individuals, he had every right to pursue Li Jinyuan and asked what business it was of Gu Yanzhi. Gu Yanzhi accused Chen Zheng of being untrustworthy and having hidden motives.
Chen Zheng, in turn, called Gu Yanzhi prejudiced and then, sensing Gu Yanzhi's own feelings for Li Jinyuan, provocatively asserted that Gu Yanzhi was merely a "foot soldier" constantly hovering around the "princess," suggesting Li Zhicheng would never allow his sister to be with a "servant." Gu Yanzhi countered that what truly mattered to Li Jinyuan was someone who was good and true to her.
Undeterred, Chen Zheng declared that "in front of Li Zhicheng, you are forever a servant," and thus, Li Zhicheng would prevent his sister from being with him. Enraged, Gu Yanzhi warned Chen Zheng to stay away from Li Jinyuan, threatening to retaliate if he did not comply. Chen Zheng, with a playful smirk, proposed they compete fairly and quickly, to which Gu Yanzhi responded by angrily walking away.
That night, Lin Qian and Chen Yayi, having worked late on revising the design drafts, fell asleep in the design studio. While they were asleep, Amanda's assistant secretly entered the room and altered the design files on the computer. The next day, Gu Yanzhi visited Li Jinyuan at her film set, bringing baked goods for the crew and offering to drive her home after she finished.
Shortly after, Chen Zheng also arrived, bringing snacks and expensive yogurt, deliberately trying to outshine Gu Yanzhi with his offerings and questioning Gu Yanzhi's salary. Gu Yanzhi tried to ignore Chen Zheng's provocations. However, an urgent company matter called Gu Yanzhi away. As he prepared to leave, offering to pick Li Jinyuan up later, Chen Zheng interjected, claiming he had a date with her that night and would take care of her, advising Gu Yanzhi to focus on his work.
Annoyed, Gu Yanzhi left. Upon returning to the company, Gu Yanzhi walked into a heated confrontation where Amanda was vehemently accusing Lin Qian of leaking her design draft. Amanda presented proof, asserting that Lin Qian, under the pretense of helping to revise the design the previous night, had actually posted it on an international designers' forum, thereby questioning Lin Qian's professional ethics. Lin Qian firmly denied the accusation.
Chen Yayi, who had also been present, suddenly recalled hearing someone else in the design studio, along with mouse clicking, while she was asleep that night, initially mistaking them for Lin Qian. She asked who the intruder was, but Amanda dismissed it, stating she didn't care who was responsible and instead demanded an explanation from Gu Yanzhi.
Grace arrived on the scene and tried to diffuse the escalating argument between Amanda and Chen Yayi, who was vehemently defending Lin Qian and accusing Amanda of framing her. Grace reminded Chen Yayi about workplace hierarchy but promised that Gu Yanzhi would investigate the leak and provide an explanation. Chen Yayi rushed to Li Zhicheng, informing him that Amanda and her team were framing Lin Qian, accusing her of maliciously leaking designs, and urged him to intervene.
Li Zhicheng confirmed he was aware of the situation and had already dispatched "Wasp" to investigate the truth. However, when Chen Yayi pressed him to act immediately, he calmly asked if she had any evidence to prove Lin Qian's innocence. When Chen Yayi admitted she didn't, Li Zhicheng explained that simply firing Amanda or silencing accusers without proof would ultimately harm Lin Qian more than help her.
He emphasized that as Lin Qian's boyfriend, his priority was to prove her innocence through investigation, not merely to protect her without justification. Chen Yayi expressed disappointment, questioning if he truly deserved Lin Qian's love by allowing her to be wronged. Li Zhicheng went to comfort Lin Qian regarding the design leak.
He assured her that he believed her and encouraged her to focus solely on her designs, promising to handle all other matters and stating that "Wasp" was already investigating the incident. He emphasized her importance to Aida and to himself. After Li Zhicheng left, Lin Qian reflected on the criticisms she had faced, including accusations of lacking experience, leveraging her relationship with the boss, and doubts about the longevity of her Chinese element designs. She then drafted a resignation letter.
Lin Qian gave the letter to Chen Yayi, asking her to deliver it to Li Zhicheng. Chen Yayi was shocked and confused, arguing that Lin Qian was innocent and Amanda should be the one to leave. Lin Qian explained that she felt there was no definitive right or wrong in the conflict and that further argument was pointless. She also revealed that she was no longer satisfied with doing "small things" at Y-Fancy and had been contemplating leaving anyway.
She admitted that she couldn't bring herself to tell Li Zhicheng directly. Despite Chen Yayi's belief that Li Zhicheng would never accept her resignation, Lin Qian stated that while it would be difficult to leave him, he had his ambitions, and she had her own path to pursue. Chen Yayi, loyal to Lin Qian, declared she would follow her wherever she went. Upon receiving Lin Qian's resignation, Li Zhicheng immediately drove to her home, demanding she withdraw it.
Lin Qian, however, firmly refused, stating her decision was final. Li Zhicheng insisted he would neither read nor accept it, offering to resolve any issues related to Y-Fancy. Lin Qian clarified that her decision was not about problems he could solve, but about her personal resolve not to change herself and her inability to continue facing him under the current circumstances.
She explained that her original intention in joining Aida was solely to pursue her designs, without any connection to him. Despite their eventual relationship, she had hoped they could avoid the complications of office romance. However, their private relationship had become a "weapon turned against" her, leading to accusations of her professional achievements being attributed to him. She expressed her weariness of these remarks and her refusal to endure them any longer.
Li Zhicheng apologized for being preoccupied and not being considerate of her feelings. Lin Qian confessed that she had contemplated this decision for some time, staying at Aida largely because of him and constantly trying to convince herself not to give up. However, she had reached her limit and could no longer cope. Li Zhicheng urged her not to let others' opinions define her or be so hard on herself.
He acknowledged her dreams and asked for more time, suggesting they wait a bit longer for things to settle. Lin Qian, resolute, stated she could no longer force herself to do what she didn't want to do. She likened his inability to force her to leave Aida and start a business with him to her own situation, emphasizing that "love is to never forcing it."
Though she admitted not wanting to leave him, she feared that "when work intervenes in our love, it will drive me further away" from him. She informed him she would hand over her work the next day and, if he truly understood her, asked him to "let me go," as she needed time to figure out her future. Later, Chen Yayi visited Lin Qian, profusely apologizing and blaming herself for Lin Qian's resignation.
She felt her past mistakes, like damaging a wedding dress, her lack of design skills, and especially her role in the design leak, contributed to Amanda targeting Lin Qian. Lin Qian, however, reassured her that Amanda was specifically targeting her, not Chen Yayi. Separately, Gu Yanzhi also approached Lin Qian, questioning her resignation and whether Li Zhicheng had agreed to it. Lin Qian confirmed her decision and stated Li Zhicheng was supportive.
Gu Yanzhi pressed her, asking if the leak or Amanda was the reason. Lin Qian clarified that her resignation was a personal decision, unrelated to Amanda or any external pressure. Gu Yanzhi pointed out that Li Zhicheng needed her most as they prepared to reintegrate with Wenda.
Lin Qian responded that Li Zhicheng had his strong team, including Gu Yanzhi, to support him, and assured him that her departure did not signify a lack of support; she would "always be standing beside him."
Episode 32 Recap
Prior to her departure, Lin Qian met with Gu Yanzhi to discuss her resignation from Aida. She explained that people face different choices in life, and her original desire was simply to become a designer, free to create without external pressures or the need to copy others. She realized her time at Aida had clarified her true direction. Gu Yanzhi, while sad to see her go, understood her reasoning.
He acknowledged that he, too, sometimes felt like throwing everything away to pursue his own desires, but he also encouraged her to keep fighting. Lin Qian then assured him that her leaving didn't mean she wouldn't support Li Zhicheng, as she would always stand by him. Lin Qian went to Amanda to hand over some remaining work. Amanda, exhausted from working without enough sleep, suddenly fainted due to low blood sugar. Lin Qian quickly helped her to a resting area.
Although Amanda initially insisted on completing her own work, Lin Qian urged her to prioritize her health, emphasizing that she had already resigned and they were no longer competitors. Lin Qian promised to help without altering Amanda's designs, only completing the necessary tasks. Later, Amanda woke to find Lin Qian still diligently working. She noticed an ingenious design detail Lin Qian had added—an extra line in the collar to prevent it from collapsing.
Lin Qian humbly explained it was a "little trick" she learned in college, adding that ingenuity comes from inspiration, which in turn stems from a deep love for design. Amanda reflected on the challenges and varied motivations of designers, acknowledging how easy it is to lose sight of one's original passion.
She then apologized to Lin Qian, admitting she had previously mistaken her for a "gold digger," but now recognized her as a "good digger" who creates wealth from her dreams. Amanda expressed her anticipation for Lin Qian's future success as a designer, and the two women shook hands in a gesture of mutual respect. Wasp presented surveillance footage to Gu Yanzhi, showing Amanda's assistant secretly entering Lin Qian's studio on the night the design drafts were leaked.
Although there was no direct video of the assistant using Lin Qian's computer, the timing of her entry perfectly coincided with the leak, making her the prime suspect. Gu Yanzhi took the evidence to Amanda, who was shocked and expressed guilt that Lin Qian had been forced to resign because of the incident. Amanda stated firmly that the assistant should be fired, and a public announcement must be made to clear Lin Qian’s name.
The assistant was called in for questioning. Initially, she feigned ignorance, but her demeanor changed upon seeing the surveillance video. Still, she attempted to deny her involvement. Gu Yanzhi then bluffed, claiming that Wasp had collected fingerprints from Lin Qian's computer and sent them to the police, emphasizing that leaking company secrets was a serious financial crime. Panicked, the assistant confessed that she had deliberately leaked the design drafts as a "prank" against Lin Qian, admitting her foolishness.
Amanda, enraged by her assistant's actions, immediately ordered her to pack her belongings and leave, stating she never wanted to see her again. Separately, Chen Zheng met Chen Yayi for a meal, playfully teasing her about not having money to pay the bill. Annoyed, Chen Yayi paid for the meal herself and stormed off, leaving Chen Zheng to deal with the bill.
Afterward, Chen Yayi went to a hair salon, declaring her intention to cut her hair short as a symbol of her commitment to a new goal: to improve herself and strive for success, just like Lin Qian. Later, Gu Yanzhi and Li Jinyuan were at a bar. Li Jinyuan expressed gratitude to Gu Yanzhi for his unwavering loyalty and support for Li Zhicheng. Gu Yanzhi, gazing at her intently, responded that he would do anything to make her happy.
Li Jinyuan playfully challenged him to sing in front of everyone. Taking her seriously, Gu Yanzhi walked onto the stage, took the microphone, and sang a heartfelt song, declaring Li Jinyuan "his everything." After the song, he made a direct and passionate public confession, asking her to give him a chance to be with her and care for her in a different way. Overwhelmed, Li Jinyuan apologized and quickly left the bar.
Gu Yanzhi followed her, where she explained that their current friendship was the best state for them, and she was afraid to "step over the line" and risk their comfortable dynamic of cheering and teasing each other. Gu Yanzhi listened, speechless. Meanwhile, Li Zhicheng returned home late one night during a heavy rainstorm, finding his father waiting for him at the door.
The housekeeper mentioned his father often stayed up, hoping for his early return, and that his condition was worsening. Li Zhicheng comforted his father, promising to bring Aida back into Wenda. His father then spoke about his illness, which caused him to lose his temper and curse, and asked Li Zhicheng to lock him away if he ever did so, wishing to preserve a good image for his children.
Li Zhicheng, with tears in his eyes, told his father to dismiss such thoughts and to curse at him if needed, but not to hold it in. He assured his father that both he and Li Jinyuan were there for him, and a simple phone call would bring him home, no matter where he was. His father expressed regret that he might not be able to articulate these feelings in the future.
Li Zhicheng then visited Lin Qian to inform her that the design leak had been resolved, with Amanda's assistant confirmed as the culprit, clearing Lin Qian's name. Lin Qian acknowledged that Gu Yanzhi had already told her and that the matter was behind them, emphasizing that her departure from the company was not due to this incident. Li Zhicheng expressed regret for not being able to keep her at Aida.
Lin Qian clarified that not working together didn't mean their relationship was over. She explained that love shouldn't force anyone to abandon their true self, but rather inspire them to become a better person. She reiterated the difficulty of balancing their careers and relationship, especially with a "CEO giving orders." Li Zhicheng promised to always support her choices and paths, and as her boyfriend, his sole duties were to love and protect her.
The next day, Li Zhicheng and Grace signed an agreement for him to repurchase Aida's shares at a generous price. Grace acknowledged her initial help was out of obligation to his brother, but she now saw his maturity and vision, recognizing he no longer needed her guidance. She affirmed they would remain friends and offered her support for any future challenges in his life or work. Li Zhicheng expressed his profound gratitude.
Concurrently, Ning Weikai, having previously discussed using Snowy Smoke silk to "distract people," visited Teacher Geng. After pleasantries over tea, Ning Weikai proposed a collaboration with Xinbaorui to develop Snowy Smoke silk using modern technology for large-scale production, believing this would elevate it into a high-end brand and be the best way to preserve the traditional craft. Teacher Geng politely deflected his business propositions, insisting they simply enjoy tea.
Ning Weikai highlighted Xinbaorui's strong financial backing, but Teacher Geng remained unmoved, preferring to discuss only tea. Li Zhicheng moved back to his family home. His father, in good spirits, informed him that he had instructed lawyers to prepare an authorization for Li Zhicheng to become the chairman of Wenda. Li Zhicheng decided to enter Wenda as a substitute Chairman of the board, aiming to compete for the CEO position.
Gu Yanzhi warned him that the internal power struggle within Wenda was intense, and Xue Mingtao would not easily relinquish control. Gu Yanzhi had already secured support from about 40% of the board, matching Xue Mingtao's faction. He identified Zhao Wenzhuo, the largest shareholder among the undecided members, as crucial to winning the election. He also cautioned Li Zhicheng about the Executive Financial Director Hao Ling, who was allied with Xue Mingtao, as a significant obstacle.
Meanwhile, Lin Qian traveled to Mudu Township and visited Teacher Geng, explaining that she felt lost after leaving Aida and wanted to learn about Snowy Smoke silk, a craft she deeply loved. Teacher Geng welcomed her for tea but stated her family's strict rule: the craft was passed down only to apprentices, not outsiders.
Lin Qian expressed her dream of using her designs to introduce Snowy Smoke silk to the world, but Teacher Geng remained firm, questioning the commitment of young people, citing past students who quickly gave up. Lin Qian earnestly pleaded to be taken as an apprentice, assuring Teacher Geng of her unwavering will and love for the craft, but her pleas were met with a suggestion not to waste her time.
A male apprentice also discouraged her, lamenting the struggles of traditional crafts and cynically advising her to marry a rich man instead. Later, Li Jinyuan was in Chen Zheng's car, her thoughts replaying Gu Yanzhi's public confession. She received a call from Gu Yanzhi offering to pick her up from the shooting location. She coldly declined, stating that Chen Zheng would drive her home and advising Gu Yanzhi to focus on his work.
Chen Zheng, overhearing, was surprised and asked if he had heard correctly about driving her home from then on. Li Jinyuan immediately stopped the car, then coldly clarified that her words were only meant to politely deter Gu Yanzhi, and that he should not get any wrong ideas.
Episode 33 Recap
Li Jinyuan angrily exited her car, prompting Chen Zheng to quickly follow, questioning if her rejection of Gu Yanzhi was due to feelings for him. Li Jinyuan, with a mocking tone, demanded to see his phone. She exposed his history of flirting with internet celebrities and accused him of being fickle and playing with women. She then sternly told him that while she didn't love Gu Yanzhi, he meant far more to her than Chen Zheng did.
Chen Zheng, still convinced she was lying, felt her pulse, claiming it accelerates when people are insincere. He then kissed her, which provoked an angry slap from Li Jinyuan. Chen Zheng later received a call from Ning Weikai, who asked about the progress of their plan. Learning it wasn't going well, Ning Weikai urged Chen Zheng to consider his family business.
Chen Zheng admitted he felt remorseful about using Jinyuan, but Ning Weikai reminded him it was a necessary step for his family business. After hanging up, Li Jinyuan's words about wanting a simple and honest love echoed in his mind, and inexplicably, the image of Chen Yayi's face appeared. He then chuckled to himself, dismissing it as a silly thought. Meanwhile, Lin Qian remained steadfast in her determination to become Teacher Geng's apprentice.
Teacher Geng was surprised by Lin Qian's extensive knowledge of ancient embroidery, specifically Han Embroidery techniques and various silk types. Teacher Geng decided to test her further, presenting five different fabrics and challenging Lin Qian to identify the Snowy Smoke silk among them. Although Lin Qian initially made a mistake, her deep understanding of the fabrics ultimately impressed Teacher Geng, who agreed to take her as a disciple. Lin Qian enthusiastically accepted, offering tea as a sign of respect.
Her senior apprentice immediately confiscated Lin Qian's phone and informed her that she could not leave the courtyard without permission. When Lin Qian eagerly asked what her first lesson would be, Teacher Geng coldly handed her a broom and instructed her to sweep the yard before walking away, leaving Lin Qian in stunned silence. Li Zhicheng returned to Wenda, where he was greeted by a smirking Xue Mingtao.
Xue Mingtao’s secretary showed Li Zhicheng to an unusually small office, for which Xue Mingtao feigned anger at his secretary's "poor arrangements." Li Zhicheng, unfazed, stated that the small room was perfectly adequate, prompting Xue Mingtao to concede, adding that Li Zhicheng wouldn't need to be in the office daily, only to attend shareholder meetings.
Li Zhicheng had moved back to his family home to live with his father, who was preparing a power of attorney for him to become Wenda's Chairman. However, Li Zhicheng had chosen to return as Vice Chairman to compete for the CEO position. Later, Chen Zheng received another call from Ning Weikai, who warned him about Li Zhicheng's allies. Chen Zheng, still feeling guilty about manipulating Jinyuan, expressed discomfort with the plan. He then spotted Chen Yayi apartment hunting nearby.
He abruptly told Ning Weikai he had someone he liked, then hung up to pursue Chen Yayi. Learning she had resigned from Aida, he enthusiastically invited her to work for Simeiqi as his assistant, offering generous pay and benefits. However, Chen Yayi sharply refused, calling him the most dangerous person and referencing his history of heartbroken women. Ning Weikai visited Teacher Geng again, bringing a gown worth six million yuan that he had acquired, intending to give it to her.
Teacher Geng, wary of gifts that come with expectations, asked for his true intention. Ning Weikai reiterated his desire for Xinbaorui to partner with her to develop and brand Snowy Smoke silk. Teacher Geng, who preferred a quiet life away from business, initially declined.
However, Ning Weikai earnestly explained his vision for preserving and promoting the Snowy Smoke legacy, highlighting his understanding of past failures (including Li Zhiqian's attempt years ago) due to issues with funding, technology, and, most importantly, people. He assured her that Xinbaorui possessed the necessary resources, professional talent, and a shared dedication to design excellence, making them the ideal partner. Convinced by his sincerity, Teacher Geng agreed to the collaboration, and they signed a cooperation agreement.
At a Wenda board meeting, Li Zhicheng formally introduced Amanda as the chief designer of Y-Fancy. Seizing the opportunity, Xue Mingtao proposed Amanda be appointed as Wenda's Director of Design, a move to potentially exert control over Y-Fancy. Gu Yanzhi then intervened, suggesting that since the CEO position had been vacant since Chairman Li went on sick leave, a new CEO should be elected promptly.
Xue Mingtao, clearly displeased, quickly deferred the discussion, stating that it was a significant matter requiring more time for consideration. Following the meeting, Gu Yanzhi went to Li Zhicheng's small office, questioning why he hadn't opposed Xue Mingtao's appointment of Amanda. Li Zhicheng calmly explained that his return to Wenda was not about controlling Y-Fancy but about a "blood transfusion" for the company.
He viewed Amanda's appointment as a "lubricant" to loosen the "rusty screws"—the entrenched old board members—before completely removing them. Li Zhicheng later visited Lin Qian at Teacher Geng's residence, bringing her daily essentials and drawing supplies. Lin Qian was delighted to see him, and they shared a tender moment, discussing his father's declining health and his commitment to revitalize Wenda. She reassured him of her faith in his decisions.
However, Teacher Geng soon appeared, coolly reminding Lin Qian of her need to "empty her mind" and focus entirely on her studies. She advised Li Zhicheng not to bother Lin Qian frequently. Li Zhicheng, understanding the rules, promised Lin Qian he would return to visit once his work at Wenda was settled. Meanwhile, Xue Mingtao privately gathered several board members for dinner to discuss the upcoming CEO election.
He urged them to abstain from voting, advocating for the CEO position to remain vacant. He expressed his reluctance to contend with Li Zhicheng, given his aggressive military background, and stated that keeping the position empty would ensure the company remained under their collective control. His plan was that if Li Zhicheng received less than half of the votes, he could not become CEO.
Gu Yanzhi informed Li Zhicheng that Zhao Wenzhuang, the senior manager of production, harbored resentment towards Xue Mingtao, who had previously taken the Y-Fancy project from him. Recognizing this conflict of interest, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi waited for Zhao Wenzhuang in the parking lot. When Zhao Wenzhuang's car stopped, Li Zhicheng directly entered his car.
Zhao Wenzhuang anticipated a discussion about the CEO position but was surprised when Li Zhicheng offered him the role, praising his capabilities, qualifications, and the trust he commanded among the board, in contrast to Xue Mingtao's history of conflicts with his own brother. Zhao Wenzhuang, visibly invigorated by the unexpected offer, said he needed time to consider. After Zhao Wenzhuang left, Gu Yanzhi lauded Li Zhicheng's clever tactic to ignite competition between Xue Mingtao and Zhao Wenzhuang.
He also suggested that they should thoroughly audit the company's accounts. Elsewhere, Chen Zheng attempted to apologize to Chen Yayi by ordering an extravagant meal at a Japanese restaurant. He sent her tempting photos of the food via text message while she was in a design class. Though distracted and tempted by the delicious pictures, Chen Yayi resisted his invitation. Simultaneously, Ning Weikai called Grace to invite her to dinner, but she declined, stating she was busy with work.
Episode 34 Recap
Grace worked late at her office when a delivery person brought her a coffee she hadn't ordered. Shortly after, Ning Weikai called, asking if she had received it. He told her to look out the window, and she saw his car parked below, indicating he was waiting for her. When she heard him cough, she asked if he had caught a cold. Ning Weikai downplayed it, saying he was fine and would wait for her.
Despite her earlier insistence that she was too busy, Grace sent an office security guard down with Chinese cold medicine and a jacket for Ning Weikai, who felt a surge of warmth from her gesture. Meanwhile, Chen Zheng was still at the Japanese restaurant, deeply intoxicated after Chen Yayi failed to show up. The waiter approached, urging him to settle his bill as the restaurant was closing.
Chen Zheng, too drunk to leave, eventually allowed the waiter to call Chen Yayi from his phone. Chen Yayi, annoyed by his persistent calls from earlier, initially refused to come, claiming she barely knew him. However, when the waiter explained Chen Zheng was drunk and hadn't paid, she grudgingly went to pick him up. Finding him passed out, she tried to get his address to call him a cab, but his drunken state made it impossible.
With no other option, she brought him back to her own apartment. After getting him settled, Chen Yayi tried to review her design lessons, but the flickering lights in her room distracted her. Chen Zheng, who was only feigning sleep, startled her, and they began playfully bickering. Chen Yayi then reminded him that he still owed her money.
During their interaction, Chen Zheng, now more lucid, confessed that he felt comfortable with her and asked if she liked him, to which Chen Yayi admitted she liked him "a little bit" but felt they were unsuited. Chen Zheng then unexpectedly kissed Chen Yayi, and they passionately kissed back. That night, Chen Zheng stayed over at Chen Yayi's apartment. At Wenda, Li Zhicheng requested to see the company's accounts.
Financial Director Hao Ling, looking to Xue Mingtao for guidance, suggested she would send the ledgers to his office later. Li Zhicheng, however, calmly insisted on seeing them immediately. Xue Mingtao, feigning cooperation, accompanied Li Zhicheng to the finance department and instructed Hao Ling to provide all necessary documents to Li Zhicheng at his request. The next morning, Chen Zheng found Chen Yayi had already left for class.
He waited for her outside her classroom and then took her to a rooftop. There, Chen Zheng made a heartfelt confession, deleting all female contacts and social media apps from his phone to prove his sincerity and promising to change his irresponsible habits. Although Chen Yayi expressed hesitation, feeling they were unsuited due to their different backgrounds, she was moved by his efforts and agreed to try dating.
Chen Zheng, delighted, then jokingly expressed his affection for her money-conscious nature, reminding her that he still owed her money. Later, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi stayed up all night examining Wenda's financial records from the past decade. Gu Yanzhi noted that the accounts appeared spotless, but Li Zhicheng found this suspicious. He argued that Wenda had been struggling for five years and couldn't possibly have such a perfectly clean ledger.
He suspected the accounts were falsified and that Hao Ling, as Xue Mingtao's subordinate, must be keeping a real ledger as leverage against him. Li Zhicheng believed this true ledger was her ultimate weapon for survival if their relationship soured. Recognizing a pattern of repeatedly used numbers in the fake ledgers, Li Zhicheng explained it was a common human subconscious behavior when fabricating large amounts of data. Together, they devised a strategy to uncover the real ledger.
Separately, Xue Mingtao convened a private meeting with other board members, probing if Li Zhicheng had contacted them. Relieved when they denied it, Xue Mingtao hypocritically urged them to vote fairly in the upcoming election for the good of Wenda. He then dismissed the others, but asked Zhao to stay. Xue Mingtao then subtly threatened Zhao, bringing up a past kickback scheme involving an international school uniform contract and implicating Zhao's wife.
He warned Zhao that if he didn't help maintain the current situation at Aida, he would expose him to Li Zhicheng. Zhao's expression turned grim. To get the real ledger, Li Zhicheng orchestrated a "lure the tiger from its mountain" strategy. Gu Yanzhi invited the entire finance department, including Hao Ling, out for a seafood dinner. Despite Hao Ling's initial reluctance and excuses about work, Gu Yanzhi's persistence eventually swayed her.
As the finance team left, Li Zhicheng put the second part of his plan into action: "startling the snake." He had someone briefly enter and then quickly leave the finance department, which Hao Ling noticed as she was locking up. Panicked, she immediately rushed back to check if her secret "Transactions Ledger" was still there. Unbeknownst to her, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi were observing her reaction via surveillance, confirming the existence and location of the real ledger.
Li Zhicheng then instructed that the real ledger be handed to Gu Yanzhi immediately for a third-party audit to reveal the extent of Xue Mingtao's embezzlement. Meanwhile, Lin Qian, frustrated with repetitive cleaning tasks, expressed her eagerness to learn the craft of Snowy Smoke silk. She then learned from her Senior Sister, who was deeply upset, that her husband (Lin Qian's Senior Brother) had left the Geng family household to pursue business in Hainan.
Her Senior Sister confided in Lin Qian about her husband leaving after seven years of marriage, expressing that she didn't realize seven years could be so easily forgotten. Teacher Geng, observing her Senior Sister's distress, called Lin Qian to the courtyard and instructed her to gaze at the sky. Though perplexed, Lin Qian complied. As night fell, Teacher Geng appeared and asked Lin Qian what she had observed.
Lin Qian described the sky's transformation over time, drawing a parallel to Snowy Smoke silk, which also changes and becomes more beautiful with age. She mused that time, not the Geng family, was the true creator of the silk's unique patterns. Lin Qian then asked Teacher Geng if she was angry about her Senior Brother's departure. Teacher Geng calmly replied that anger would not change the facts.
She taught Lin Qian that only by emptying one's mind can one see what is most important, and then revealed that her own husband had also left her years ago. She imparted a profound lesson to Lin Qian: true love is about supporting your partner's choices and allowing them to be who they want, even if it means letting go. Concluding their conversation, Teacher Geng granted Lin Qian a much-needed break.
Later that evening, Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian enjoyed a tranquil boat ride under the night sky. Lin Qian shared Teacher Geng's wisdom about love being an act of support and fulfillment. She thanked Li Zhicheng for enabling her to leave Aida and pursue her personal aspirations, moving him to reach out and tenderly hold her hand. The next day, Wenda's board meeting was held for the CEO election. Zhao appeared burdened, while Xue Mingtao exuded confidence.
After the votes were cast, a board member announced the results: none of the three candidates had secured more than 50% of the votes. Consequently, the election was declared invalid, much to Xue Mingtao's subtle delight, as a faint, triumphant smile played on his lips.
Episode 35 Recap
Following a board meeting where the election for the president position concluded without any candidate securing over 50% of the votes, rendering the result invalid, Li Zhicheng remained composed. Vice Chairman Xue approached him, offering feigned comfort and advising him that as a newcomer to Wenda, he should take things slowly, suggesting that maintaining the status status quo was sometimes the best outcome.
Li Zhicheng politely dismissed the offer, then subtly remarked that he remembered Vice Chairman Xue once telling his father that greed reveals weakness. Vice Chairman Xue feigned forgetfulness, attributing his supposed lapse to the increased responsibilities that come with age. Later, Ning Weikai called Lin Qian to invite her for dinner. She informed him that she was currently in Mudu town, studying Snowy Smoke silk with Teacher Geng.
Ning Weikai expressed surprise and revealed that he had just acquired the intellectual property rights for Snowy Smoke silk for Xinbaorui a few days prior. Lin Qian was taken aback and immediately questioned Teacher Geng. Teacher Geng confirmed the deal, explaining that she was impressed by Ning Weikai's sincerity and Xinbaorui's experience and capability, admitting her concern that she might not live long enough to see the craft developed on her own.
Lin Qian, respecting Teacher Geng's decision, acknowledged Ning Weikai as her senior classmate who was genuinely enthusiastic about Snowy Smoke silk, and expressed confidence that Teacher Geng's trust in him would not be misplaced. Meanwhile, Chen Yayi was with Chen Zheng, who went to buy milk tea. Chen Yayi then ran into Li Jinyuan, who quickly deduced that Chen Yayi was waiting for Chen Zheng, despite her attempts to change the subject.
Li Jinyuan questioned why an "adorable, smart person" like Chen Yayi would be involved with a "playboy" like Chen Zheng. Chen Yayi retorted by asking why Li Jinyuan wasn't with Gu Yanzhi, given his kindness towards her. Li Jinyuan, flustered, avoided the question and instead warned Chen Yayi that riding "roller coasters" too often could be dangerous, not just exhilarating.
Chen Zheng returned with four milk teas, each with a different sugar level, charming Chen Yayi by explaining he wanted to learn her preference for next time. Teacher Geng later called Ning Weikai, inquiring if he had previously worked for Li Zhiqian. Ning Weikai confirmed that Li Zhiqian was not only a colleague but also a good friend.
Teacher Geng then recounted that when Li Zhiqian approached her for a collaboration, he was very sincere, expressing his desire to develop Snowy Smoke silk into a wedding gown to propose to the woman he loved. She mentioned finding the gown while cleaning out old belongings and being unsure who should receive it. Ning Weikai deduced that Li Zhiqian must have died before he could propose, noting his secretive nature regarding his feelings and his appreciation for ceremonial gestures.
Understanding the significance, Ning Weikai offered to take the wedding gown to fulfill Li Zhiqian's last wish, which Teacher Geng gratefully accepted. At a Wenda board meeting, Vice Chairman Xue announced that Y-Fancy would be the company's main focus for future development. He declared that Li Zhicheng, with his "ambitious" nature, was better suited to expand Wenda's reach, and thus, Zhao Wenzhuang would take full responsibility for the Y-Fancy project.
Gu Yanzhi immediately questioned whether this decision had Li Zhicheng's approval. Vice Chairman Xue retorted that Li Zhicheng was merely a substitute chairman and not involved in the company's daily operations, implying his approval was not required. After the meeting, Vice Chairman Xue summoned Gu Yanzhi to his office, instructing him to arrange a meeting for the Y-Fancy marketing team to discuss the brand's next market steps.
Gu Yanzhi again insisted that they should wait for Li Zhicheng's return, mentioning his absence from the morning meeting. Vice Chairman Xue dismissed the suggestion, stating that Li Zhicheng's presence was irrelevant as Zhao Wenzhuang was now in charge of the project. Frustrated, Gu Yanzhi later secretly convened Aida's senior staff, rallying them to collectively oppose Vice Chairman Xue and Zhao Wenzhuang's proposals in the upcoming Y-Fancy meeting.
Meanwhile, at a Xinbaorui board meeting, Ning Weikai enthusiastically presented his Snowy Smoke silk development plan, envisioning it as a new high-end brand. A board member expressed skepticism, citing the high investment and complex production chain required, and questioned its profitability. Ning Weikai countered by announcing H Group's interest in collaborating, which would provide crucial funding and marketing support.
Zhu Hanchong, who had been dozing, woke up to sarcastically remark that Ning Weikai's "act" was complete, accusing him of using H Group as a shield and expecting Xinbaorui to fund his "daydream." Other directors also voiced their doubts, leading to the temporary suspension of the meeting. During the Y-Fancy core staff meeting, called by Vice Chairman Xue and led by Zhao Wenzhuang, Zhao proposed establishing an exclusive e-commerce channel for the brand.
Gu Yanzhi immediately objected, arguing that this would pit them directly against Xinbaorui's strength in e-commerce (specifically mentioning Simeiqi), which would be strategically unwise. Other attendees echoed his concerns, causing Zhao Wenzhuang to express his frustration at Gu Yanzhi's opposition. Gu Yanzhi jokingly suggested setting up "half of the channel." Unexpectedly, Li Zhicheng entered the meeting, declared his agreement with Director Zhao's proposal, and apologized for Gu Yanzhi's "attitude problems."
He then announced his intention to prepare for a complete transfer of the Y-Fancy project's management to Director Zhao, leaving everyone in the room stunned. Back in their office, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi exchanged knowing smiles after the Y-Fancy meeting. Gu Yanzhi inquired about Li Zhicheng's true strategy.
Li Zhicheng explained his "retreat to advance" tactic: by handing over the Y-Fancy project to the old board members, he anticipated they would succumb to greed and manipulate the company's ledgers for personal gain. Their plan was to secretly monitor them, gather irrefutable evidence, and then decisively expose and remove them.
Separately, Grace confronted Ning Weikai, expressing her extreme dissatisfaction with Xinbaorui's internal struggles and her concern that the project could be jeopardized by the conflict between Ning Weikai and Zhu Hanchong. She demanded 51% controlling shares and the final say in decisions for the Snowy Smoke silk project. Ning Weikai vehemently refused, emphasizing his extensive efforts in securing the project and his refusal to easily cede control.
Grace, feeling a lack of security without a controlling stake, threatened to withdraw from the collaboration. Ning Weikai persuaded her not to make a hasty decision, instead proposing a "fair contest" to determine leadership. The contest turned out to be a rock-climbing challenge. During the climb, Grace lost her footing and began to fall, but Ning Weikai quickly pulled her to safety. Grace playfully chided him, remarking that such an action in an outdoor setting could endanger both of them.
They agreed that the contest was a draw. Ning Weikai then proposed a new share distribution: Xinbaorui and H Group would each hold 40% of the shares, with the remaining 20% allocated to a neutral third-party company. He explained that this arrangement would prevent Zhu Hanchong's interference and ensure that any future conflicts would be resolved by the third party based on logical arguments.
Later, Li Zhicheng picked up Lin Qian from Teacher Geng's old house, and they went out for a meal. Their conversation turned to love and marriage. Li Zhicheng playfully asked if she was thinking about marriage, to which Lin Qian responded that marriage was the "grave of romance" and not something she desired. Li Zhicheng, however, confidently asserted that marriage was, in fact, "the perfect home of romance," and they both expressed anticipation for a beautiful future together.
Grace, after securing a third-party company for the Snowy Smoke silk project, arranged a 7 PM video conference with Mr. George from Seville. At a bar, she enjoyed a "Blue Ocean" cocktail, specially concocted for her by Ning Weikai, praising its taste. Ning Weikai complimented her on quickly securing Mr. George's participation.
Grace explained that Mr. George, being a fervent admirer of Chinese culture, was incredibly excited upon hearing about the traditional Snowy Smoke silk craft, making his decision to collaborate very swift. Ning Weikai then took Grace to measure her, intending to create a formal gown for her using Snowy Smoke silk, a moment that culminated in a kiss.
Meanwhile, Lin Qian told Li Zhicheng that she had purchased some Y-Fancy clothing online a few days prior, but found it uncomfortable to wear, suspecting a quality issue. Li Zhicheng took the garment back to the company and showed it to Gu Yanzhi. He deduced that Vice Chairman Xue was likely substituting inferior materials to pocket the price difference, confirming their suspicions. Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi decided this was their opportunity to catch "the old fox" in the act.
As a Wenda meeting was about to commence, Vice Chairman Xue was delayed. Outside the meeting room, his assistant, Hao Ling, anxiously informed him that Li Zhicheng's people had intercepted a money transfer she made the previous day. She further revealed that Li Zhicheng was aware of the kickback scheme and intended to expose Vice Chairman Xue's embezzlement at the meeting. Vice Chairman Xue frowned deeply, then threatened Hao Ling, reminding her that if he went down, she would not escape consequences either.
Episode 36 Recap
Outside the meeting room, Xue Mingtao attempted to coerce Hao Ling, offering her 10 million yuan to take the fall for his embezzlement, claiming it was worth it for her family. He then entered the meeting, only to find a video playing, showing his recent conversation with Hao Ling and their corrupt deal. Enraged, Xue Mingtao accused Li Zhicheng of setting him up. Li Zhicheng coolly admitted to "giving him a taste of his own medicine."
To prevent a stock market crisis, Li Zhicheng announced that for now, the matter would remain an internal company affair and asked the shareholders to keep quiet. He then instructed Gu Yanzhi to take Xue Mingtao to confess his crimes internally within the company. Zhao Zong, seizing the opportunity, added insult to injury by calling Xue Mingtao a "suspect." Xue Mingtao angrily retorted that Zhao Zong would not get away either.
Zhao Zong then tried to ingratiate himself with Li Zhicheng, but Li Zhicheng sternly informed him that Hao Ling had exposed his involvement with the ledger problem, meaning he too was implicated. Li Zhicheng then spoke directly with Xue Mingtao, who remained silent. Li Zhicheng informed him that Hao Ling had provided the real ledger, which was now with the auditing firm, and results would be out soon.
He offered to handle the matter internally if Xue Mingtao confessed; otherwise, he would be handed over to the police. Xue Mingtao defiantly refused to speak without a lawyer, accusing Li Zhicheng of illegal imprisonment. Xue Mingtao requested to use the restroom, and Gu Yanzhi accompanied him. Meanwhile, Li Zhicheng went to the auditing firm. Before leaving, Li Zhicheng told Gu Yanzhi to keep a close watch on the "old fox."
At the auditing firm, Li Zhicheng was shocked to learn from a new staff member that Li Zhiqian, Wenda's former president, had also previously commissioned an audit of these same accounts. A chilling realization struck Li Zhicheng: Xue Mingtao might be connected to his brother's death. He immediately called Gu Yanzhi, urging him to keep Xue Mingtao under strict surveillance, explaining his brother had investigated the accounts shortly before his death.
In the restroom, Gu Yanzhi, after ending the call, summoned security guards. Xue Mingtao, having overheard the conversation, knew his secrets were about to unravel. He seized a heavy object, struck Gu Yanzhi, knocking him unconscious, and fled. After Gu Yanzhi recovered, he admitted his carelessness regarding Xue Mingtao's escape. Li Zhicheng immediately decided to report Xue Mingtao to the police, convinced of his connection to his brother's death.
A police bulletin for Xue Mingtao's arrest was promptly issued, and Ma Feng's team scoured various locations but found no trace of him. Grace and Ning Weikai arrived, having been informed. Ning Weikai expressed his long-standing resentment, recounting how Xue Mingtao's disruptive actions had forced him to leave Wenda years ago. He vowed to find Xue Mingtao for Li Zhiqian, who had been very important to him. They decided to split up to widen the search.
Ning Weikai suddenly remembered an old, little-known Wenda warehouse located near Xue Mingtao's home, and he and Grace immediately headed there. Meanwhile, at the Li residence, Li Zhongming, having learned that Xue Mingtao had murdered Li Zhiqian, became agitated. Despite his illness, he managed to get into his car and drove off, unbeknownst to his family, while his housekeeper was fetching his medicine.
Grace and Ning Weikai found Xue Mingtao's car at the old warehouse and sent their location to Li Zhicheng before entering. Outside, Li Zhongming, having arrived in the area, confronted Xue Mingtao, distraught and accusing him of killing Zhiqian. Inside the warehouse, Ning Weikai cornered Xue Mingtao. Xue Mingtao, claiming to be an "old idiot," pleaded for mercy, saying he was a founder of Wenda and on Li Zhongming's account, asked for a way out. He then offered money.
Ning Weikai angrily reminded him of his past misdeeds at Wenda and his certain responsibility for Li Zhiqian's death. As Ning Weikai spoke, Xue Mingtao suddenly produced a knife and lunged. Grace bravely pushed Ning Weikai out of the way, sustaining an injury in the process. Seizing the opportunity, Xue Mingtao once again escaped. Grace quickly called Li Zhicheng, urging him to intercept Xue Mingtao. Li Zhicheng soon spotted Xue Mingtao fleeing.
However, the cunning Xue Mingtao managed to evade Li Zhicheng by abandoning his car and escaping on foot. As Li Zhicheng found the empty vehicle, he received a distraught call from Li Jinyuan. She was crying, reporting that their father had disappeared from home and was driving, despite not having driven for a long time. Li Zhicheng, alarmed, instructed her to immediately report it to the police, as his father's car had a GPS tracker.
Back at the warehouse, Grace tended to Ning Weikai's wound. Ning Weikai, weakened by blood loss, still managed to joke about his "honor" in taking the knife for her. He asked Grace if she would be with him if he survived. Grace initially said she would seriously consider it, but as he weakened, she tearfully promised she would be with him. He then playfully demanded a kiss to seal the promise, which she gave him on the cheek.
Ning Weikai then smiled and lost consciousness, alarming Grace. Doctors at the hospital later confirmed he was out of danger after surgery, though he had lost a lot of blood. Meanwhile, Xue Mingtao, having returned to the Wenda headquarters building, found Li Zhongming sitting on a bench outside. Li Zhongming, affected by his illness, invited Xue Mingtao to sit with him, reminiscing about their shared past and the early days of building Wenda together, mentioning Li Zhiqian.
Xue Mingtao, filled with remorse, apologized, telling Li Zhongming that those days were in the past. He then bowed deeply, tearfully repenting his sins to his old comrade. Li Zhongming's memory then faltered further, and he spoke of Li Zhiqian as a child, expressing his desire to grow Wenda even bigger for him. Just then, Li Zhicheng arrived with the police. Seeing Li Zhongming still in a confused state, Li Zhicheng signaled for the police to wait.
Li Zhongming, oblivious, bid Xue Mingtao farewell, telling him to take care of himself and that he was going to pick up Zhiqian from school. After Li Zhongming left, Xue Mingtao was arrested by the police. At the police station, Xue Mingtao confessed everything. He revealed that after Wenda's success, he developed a gambling addiction, leading him to borrow high-interest loans and embezzle company funds by falsifying accounts with Hao Ling.
When Li Zhiqian discovered his actions, Xue Mingtao desperately begged him to keep silent, appealing to their long-standing relationship through Li Zhongming. One day, after Li Zhiqian had successfully closed a major deal with a French client, he was heavily intoxicated. Xue Mingtao seized the opportunity, inviting him to the riverside for more celebratory drinks. Once Li Zhiqian passed out from the alcohol, Xue Mingtao locked him in his car, released the handbrakes, and pushed the vehicle into the river.
As Xue Mingtao recounted the gruesome details, Li Zhicheng was overcome with fury and had to be restrained by the police, while Li Jinyuan openly wept, devastated that a man who had watched them grow up could commit such a heinous act. The Li family later visited Li Zhiqian's grave. The ordeal, however, caused Li Zhongming's old illness to worsen, and he began to confuse Li Zhiqian with Li Zhicheng.
Lin Qian, who had been unable to reach Li Zhicheng for two days, received a tearful call from Li Jinyuan. Li Jinyuan explained that Xue Mingtao had confessed to killing Li Zhiqian and that Li Zhicheng was inconsolable, refusing to eat, drink, or sleep, and had disappeared for almost two days. Lin Qian comforted Li Jinyuan and promised to find Li Zhicheng. Lin Qian eventually found Li Zhicheng sitting alone by the riverside.
He confessed to feeling immense guilt for failing to protect his brother. Lin Qian gently persuaded him, telling him that if he truly felt he owed his brother, he should honor his memory by living fully and accomplishing his dreams. She reminded him that while loss is inevitable in life, one must not shy away from living and taking up their responsibilities. Li Zhicheng, finding solace in her words, embraced her tightly.
Episode 37 Recap
After reviewing George's letter of intent, Ning Weikai was elated that the matter was finally settled. As he embraced Grace in his office, his secretary Cindy walked in, causing Grace to quickly pull away. Cindy took the contract and, with a knowing smile, advised Grace to close the door and windows as she left. Meanwhile, at home, Gu Yanzhi tried to cheer up a somber Li Jinyuan with various dishes he had "improved."
He then dramatically presented a lotus soup he called "My Bitter Drink," explaining he concocted it during the days she and Chen Zheng were "flirting." Li Jinyuan vehemently denied flirting, insisting Chen Zheng had been "stuck to her like some sick herbal patch." Gu Yanzhi, still feeling put out, urged her to sample the soup to taste his feelings at the time. Later, Ning Weikai and Grace visited Li Zhiqian's grave.
Grace noted that his assailant had been brought to justice, allowing his soul to rest in peace. Ning Weikai reflected on Li Zhiqian, who had nurtured him like an older brother, and expressed his regret that such an upright person fell victim to a scoundrel. He then thanked Li Zhiqian for inadvertently leading him to his greatest opponent and the woman he loved most, promising to care for Grace moving forward.
Meanwhile, Lin Qian brought Li Zhicheng to see a Nine-Headed Bird, a piece her teacher Geng Xinming had given her during a time of personal confusion. She hoped it would inspire him, explaining that each head of the bird represented a different emotion, and one must choose which emotion guides their thoughts. Lin Qian asked Li Zhicheng if he remembered a soldier's mission.
He recited a soldier's duty to fight for life, die for peace, save people and country, and sacrifice for the nation. Lin Qian then likened Wenda to his second battlefront, urging him to shake off grief and fear, just as he would on a battlefield, to accomplish his brother's unfinished aspirations. Energized by Lin Qian's words, Li Zhicheng returned to Wenda, addressing the shareholders. He reminded them of Wenda's origins and how it had been exploited since Li Zhiqian's accident.
Declaring that reviving Wenda was his soldier's mission, he asked for their faith. The board's vote was a contentious 4-4 tie, with some members questioning his business experience fresh from the army, while others supported him due to his family's legacy. Just as the deadlock intensified, Li Jinyuan burst into the room, announcing her presence as a shareholder and casting her decisive vote for Li Zhicheng.
With a 5-4 majority, Li Zhicheng was officially appointed as Wenda's new CEO, to the applause of the board. He immediately appointed Gu Yanzhi as Wenda's Deputy CEO. Back at Xinbaorui, George arrived to discuss Snowy Smoke silk. He expressed the fabric's potential for modern clothing but highlighted a problem: large-scale production, necessary for expansion, would compromise quality. Ning Weikai insisted on maintaining quality, but George then demanded controlling rights of the Snowy Smoke brand, citing increased investment risks.
Ning Weikai vehemently refused, stating that Chinese craftsmanship must remain Chinese-controlled. George, however, warned that no other company was interested in Snowy Smoke silk, leaving Xinbaorui with limited options. Later, Ning Weikai confronted Grace, frustrated by George's sudden and aggressive demand. Grace suggested that someone might be manipulating the situation, implicitly hinting at Zhu Hanchong. Ning Weikai then went to the underground parking lot and confronted Zhu Hanchong in his car, accusing him of orchestrating George's demands.
Zhu Hanchong shamelessly admitted his involvement, gloating that he wanted to sell Snowy Smoke silk to a foreign buyer. Ning Weikai vowed not to let a foreigner control the traditional craft, reminding Zhu Hanchong that the project belonged to all of Xinbaorui and required a board vote. Zhu Hanchong agreed to a vote but coldly reminded Ning Weikai that he was merely an employee of the Zhu family and should not overstep.
Later, a Xinbaorui board meeting was held, and the voting results were announced: Xinbaorui would sell the intellectual property rights of Snowy Smoke silk to the foreign company, Seville. Ning Weikai was left stunned and disheartened. Zhu Hanjing confronted Zhu Hanchong about his actions, questioning his motives. Zhu Hanchong mockingly claimed he was acting for her benefit, pointing out that everyone knew her feelings for Ning Weikai.
He argued that if Ning Weikai and Grace—one with money and connections, the other with design and management expertise—succeeded with Snowy Smoke silk, they would no longer need Zhu Hanjing's kindness. Zhu Hanjing was left speechless. Later, Zhu Hanchong visited Geng Xinming, proudly announcing that Snowy Smoke silk was being sold to a foreign company. He claimed Ning Weikai had agreed, dismissing Geng Xinming's initial vision of personal development as impractical for large-scale production.
Geng Xinming was enraged, accusing Ning Weikai, who had arrived, of betraying her trust and lamenting how the ancestral craft would fall into foreign hands due to his "mistake." She angrily demanded Ning Weikai to leave, expressing her despair that the situation was beyond her control to Lin Qian. Lin Qian, distraught by the news, called Li Zhicheng, explaining that Snowy Smoke silk was now with Xinbaorui, and Ning Weikai had seemingly agreed to sell it to a foreign buyer.
She urged Li Zhicheng to find a solution to stop Xinbaorui and Zhu Hanchong. Li Zhicheng reassured her, promising to investigate. Simultaneously, Grace urged a despondent Ning Weikai that Snowy Smoke silk absolutely could not fall into Seville's hands. Ning Weikai hesitantly suggested a last resort: involving Li Zhicheng and Wenda. He worried about Li Zhicheng's willingness to help, given their long-standing rivalry. Grace advised him to put aside "man's self-esteem" and openly cooperate.
Ning Weikai then met Li Zhicheng for drinks, starting with light banter about Li Zhicheng's army habits. Ning Weikai quickly got to the point, confessing the mishap with Snowy Smoke silk and the board's decision to sell it to a foreign company. Li Zhicheng pointed out Ning Weikai's responsibility, having taken what Lin Qian loved and then seemingly ruining the project.
Ning Weikai admitted his fault and revealed that Li Zhiqian had also considered developing Snowy Smoke silk five years prior and had signed an agreement with Geng Xinming, which was never formally terminated. He asked Li Zhicheng to find this agreement within Wenda, as it was crucial to saving Snowy Smoke silk. Li Zhicheng agreed, seeing it as a way to repay Ning Weikai for his help in catching Xue Mingtao.
Li Zhicheng returned home and asked his father about the old Snowy Smoke silk contract, but his father, disoriented by illness, couldn't remember. Li Zhicheng later found the agreement among old documents. He called Lin Qian immediately, who was delighted that a solution was possible. Meanwhile, Ning Weikai met Zhu Hanjing for coffee, asking for her help to prevent Snowy Smoke silk from falling into foreign hands.
Zhu Hanjing, suspecting Ning Weikai might be leaving Xinbaorui to start a new company, asked for his reassurance. Ning Weikai affirmed his loyalty to Xinbaorui and the Zhu family. Zhu Hanjing then agreed to help, promising to delay the signing between Zhu Hanchong and Seville for as long as possible.
She called George, claiming there were contract details to sort out and offering to take him and his team on a sightseeing trip around Linhai City for a few days, a plan that infuriated Zhu Hanchong when he learned of it. After Li Zhicheng informed Ning Weikai that he found the agreement, the two met Geng Xinming. Li Zhicheng explained that Geng Xinming's earlier collaboration with Wenda was never officially terminated.
He proposed a bold strategy: for Geng Xinming to "sell" the intellectual property to two companies (Wenda and Xinbaorui), thereby creating a legal dispute. He offered to cover the substantial penalty fee she would incur from Xinbaorui, ensuring the rights would eventually return to her, to be entrusted to someone who truly valued and could develop Snowy Smoke silk. Geng Xinming, initially worried about the penalty, was relieved by Li Zhicheng's offer and trusted his plan.
Soon after, George called Zhu Hanchong, informing him that Seville was withdrawing its acquisition due to the newly discovered copyright conflict, as their company does not invest in projects with such difficulties. George then abruptly ended the call, leaving Zhu Hanchong fuming. Zhu Hanchong immediately confronted Ning Weikai, accusing him of sabotaging the deal.
However, Ning Weikai had already reported the situation to Board Member Zhu, taking responsibility for the initial oversight but framing the resolution as Geng Xinming returning the legal fees and paying the penalty. Board Member Zhu, though warning Ning Weikai to be more careful in the future, accepted the outcome and dismissed the matter. He then reprimanded Zhu Hanchong, telling him that his actions would have shamed the Zhu family had Ning Weikai not intervened.
Zhu Hanchong was left feeling utterly defeated. Later, Gu Yanzhi approached Li Zhicheng, who was exercising at home, with a mortgage contract and price estimate. Gu Yanzhi was incredulous, asking if Li Zhicheng was really mortgaging his house to pay Geng Xinming's penalty and use the remaining funds to invest in Lin Qian's continued development of Snowy Smoke silk, essentially risking his entire fortune.
When Li Zhicheng confirmed his intention, Gu Yanzhi anxiously warned him that developing Snowy Smoke silk was a "bottomless hole" that even Xinbaorui abandoned, urging him to reconsider such a risky investment for his girlfriend. In the end, Geng Xinming expressed her gratitude to Li Zhicheng and Lin Qian for protecting Snowy Smoke silk. She agreed to proceed with Wenda developing Snowy Smoke silk according to their original agreement. Lin Qian confirmed that Snowy Smoke silk had been successfully returned to Teacher Geng.
Episode 38 Recap
Li Zhicheng arrived at Teacher Geng’s residence and, in front of her, tore up the Snowy Smoke silk contract. Teacher Geng felt a pang of guilt, knowing how much Li Zhicheng had paid for the breach of contract penalty to retain the intellectual property rights to the silk. Li Zhicheng then proposed an idea, asking Teacher Geng to transfer Snowy Smoke silk's intellectual property rights to Lin Qian.
Both Teacher Geng and Lin Qian were surprised, with Lin Qian expressing disbelief. Li Zhicheng explained that he could have had Wenda transfer the rights, but he preferred Teacher Geng to do it herself, believing Lin Qian's passion and design would take the fabric to the world, just as she had been the first to inform him of Xinbaorui's plan to sell it to a foreign buyer.
Having observed Lin Qian's character and dedication to Snowy Smoke silk, Teacher Geng agreed, stating that Lin Qian's designs would breathe new life into the fabric and formally transferred all intellectual property rights to her. She urged Lin Qian to embrace this responsibility and carry the traditional technique to the world.
Lin Qian, feeling overwhelmed, admitted that while she loved Snowy Smoke silk, she had no concrete plans for its development and design, which would require significant team effort and funding. Li Zhicheng, prepared for this, presented a commercialization plan, assuring her that Wenda would handle the funding. He then suggested Lin Qian name their new brand.
Lin Qian chose "Glamorous," a name that Teacher Geng and Li Zhicheng both approved of, believing her designs would make Snowy Smoke silk irresistibly glamorous and captivate the world. Lin Qian also shared some of her recent designs, showcasing how she infused Snowy Smoke silk with Han Embroidery. Teacher Geng was deeply moved, seeing her dream brought to life by Lin Qian, and reiterated her wish for Lin Qian to stay true to her vision.
Soon after, Lin Qian's senior sister came to bid farewell, as she was leaving to reunite with her husband. Lin Qian assured her that she would take good care of Teacher Geng and dedicate herself to Snowy Smoke silk, despite facing challenges with its soft and gentle nature that made many designs difficult. Meanwhile, Ning Weikai and Grace were at a bar. Ning Weikai wondered if their efforts regarding Snowy Smoke silk had inadvertently benefited someone else.
Grace suggested he view it as a positive outcome, fulfilling Li Zhiqian's wish that the silk be entrusted to someone who truly understood and loved it. Ning Weikai then presented Grace with a large gift box. Inside was a beautiful, luxurious dress he had designed. Grace was deeply touched, explaining that while she received many gifts as the editor of H Group, this particular gift was meant for her personally, making it the most thoughtful she had ever received.
Later, Grace messaged Ning Weikai, confirming the dress fit perfectly. Chen Zheng went to pick up Ya Yi after she finished work, but she tried to avoid him, concerned about others seeing her with a wealthy bachelor. Chen Zheng insisted she get in his car, teasing her about trying to hide. Once inside, he gave her a bag, which she criticized as a waste of money, preferring food instead and questioning if he frequently bought bags for other women.
Chen Zheng simply smiled without answering. Later, Ning Weikai speculated on Lin Qian's approach to the Snowy Smoke silk project. Grace believed Lin Qian would develop it into a designer brand. Ning Weikai thought Lin Qian would prioritize unique style over profit, but Grace pointed out that a brand cannot sustain itself without profitability. Ning Weikai then invited Grace to dinner, but she declined, citing work. He complained about the difficulty of having a meal with his "girlfriend."
Grace challenged him, asking when she had ever agreed to be his girlfriend. Ning Weikai playfully countered, saying that the doctor at the hospital had confirmed their relationship by mentioning how worried his "beautiful and mean girlfriend" had been. He then affectionately pulled her into a hug, insisting she have dinner with him that night.
The next morning, Lin Qian excitedly rushed to Teacher Geng, revealing her idea to add a stiffer fabric to Snowy Smoke silk to allow for more design possibilities. Teacher Geng questioned if it would still be considered Snowy Smoke silk if not entirely silk. Lin Qian explained she aimed to find a material that was light, thin, and compatible with various designs. She decided to call Mr. Huang, a former collaborator, to inquire about using his laboratory.
However, Mr. Huang informed her that his lab was currently booked with projects and wouldn't be available for three months, leaving Lin Qian deeply disappointed. Concerned by Lin Qian's tireless efforts, Teacher Geng called Li Zhicheng, informing him about Lin Qian's struggle to secure lab access from Mr. Huang. Li Zhicheng immediately left his work and went to speak with Mr. Huang. Initially, Mr. Huang reiterated that his lab was fully booked.
However, Li Zhicheng strategically highlighted the publicity Mr. Huang's company would gain if a solution for the technically challenging Snowy Smoke silk was found in his lab. He also appealed to their personal relationship, stating that helping Lin Qian would be helping him, and promised to return the favor. Persuaded, Mr. Huang agreed to put his projects on hold to allow Lin Qian access to the lab.
He then called Lin Qian, telling her the lab was unexpectedly available, much to her surprise and delight, though he concealed Li Zhicheng's intervention. Lin Qian spent a week in the lab and successfully found that Oulisha, a fabric stiffer than organza, could reinforce Snowy Smoke silk. Li Zhicheng congratulated her and suggested they celebrate with dinner to discuss the store's opening.
Separately, Li Jinyuan informed Gu Yanzhi over dinner of her intention to join the workforce, specifically at Wenda, seeking independence. Gu Yanzhi, unsure how to handle her request, consulted Chen Zheng. Chen Zheng advised him to create a romantic gesture to win her over, suggesting workplace romance. Following this advice, Gu Yanzhi took Li Jinyuan shopping. As she prepared to leave, he faked a severe stomach cramp, convincing her to take him to the hospital.
On their way to the hospital, Gu Yanzhi, still feigning illness, instructed Li Jinyuan to ignore the GPS and follow his directions, which led them on a longer route. Li Jinyuan quickly realized he was pretending and, without hesitation, pulled over and ordered him out of the car. Not long after she drove away, Gu Yanzhi called, claiming he had left a book in her car and asking her to return. Li Jinyuan agreed to turn back.
While Li Jinyuan was en route, Gu Yanzhi coordinated with Chen Zheng over the phone, who was managing a surprise. Chen Zheng confirmed that Li Jinyuan was returning and prepared to switch the advertising billboards. As Li Jinyuan drove back, she was astonished to see that all the billboards lining the road had been changed to display photos of her and Gu Yanzhi from their childhood to the present. Deeply moved and touched, her eyes welled up with tears.
She got out of the car and slowly walked towards Gu Yanzhi, her gaze fixed on the sentimental display, ultimately shedding tears of emotion. Gu Yanzhi playfully admitted Chen Zheng had helped him get a discount for the ads, which were now all over the bus stops in that part of the city, much to Jinyuan's embarrassment about the photo choices, but she was clearly enchanted. Later, Lin Qian's new shop officially opened.
Ya Yi returned to help her, but discreetly sent Chen Zheng away, fearing Lin Qian might be unhappy to see them together. Inside, Li Zhicheng showed Lin Qian a cartoon drawing he had created of them. He reminded her of her belief that the most romantic gesture is to always be there for the one you love, just as they would be for each other, promising to always accompany her and together create their "Glamorous Time."
Meanwhile, Ning Weikai invited Grace for macarons. Grace candidly stated her dislike for overly sweet or childish romance. Ning Weikai then directly invited her to his home that evening. Grace seemed flustered by his abruptness, but Ning Weikai explained it was his birthday and he wanted her to celebrate by wearing the gown he had designed for her.
Episode 39 Recap
Ning Weikai invited Grace to celebrate his birthday at his home, expressing his desire to see her in the gown he designed as the best gift. Grace, however, found his request forward and initially declined due to her busy work schedule as chief editor. Despite her protests, Ning Weikai insisted that she must attend that night. He meticulously prepared a romantic candlelight dinner, waiting expectantly for her.
Finally, around 2 AM, Grace arrived, dressed in the gown Ning Weikai had designed. She mentioned the champagne was likely warm from waiting, and he proposed they drink it in the morning. He expressed a desire to talk until sunrise, but Grace playfully reminded him that his birthday had passed, so his wish was expired. As they playfully bickered, Ning Weikai carried her into the bedroom.
The next morning, Grace woke before Ning Weikai and, while searching his closet, discovered a wedding dress made of Snowy Smoke silk and an accompanying letter. Believing Ning Weikai had made it for her as a surprise, she happily put on the gown. As she read the letter, she was shocked to see it was signed by Li Zhiqian. The letter, meant as a proposal, expressed his deep, sacred love for her and how she had illuminated his life.
Grace was heartbroken upon realizing the dress was from Li Zhiqian. She woke Ning Weikai, who, seeing her in the dress with the letter, immediately understood. He stammered, explaining he had found these items at Geng Xinming's place and had intended to give them to her, but was afraid. Grace cut him off, accusing him of manipulating her from the start.
She recounted how he had feigned interest in her while she worked for Aida, pretended to leave Xinbaorui for a design competition to win her over, and then returned to Xinbaorui, using Li Zhiqian's dream to get her to collaborate. Ning Weikai vehemently denied her accusations, questioning how she could doubt his love. Grace argued that true love wouldn't involve such careful planning or hiding Li Zhiqian's important mementos.
Ning Weikai countered that he hid them precisely because he knew Li Zhiqian's significance to her, fearing it would jeopardize their relationship. Grace dismissed his reasoning as mere excuses, asserting that sincere love faces everything and that his actions revealed a lack of genuine affection. Distraught, Grace ran out of the apartment, still wearing the wedding dress. Lin Qian's Qingcheng clothing store was struggling, with no sales since its opening a week prior, causing anxiety for her and Chen Yayi.
One afternoon, a customer bought five pieces without even checking the sizes. Lin Qian suspected Li Zhicheng had arranged it and confronted him. He initially denied it but eventually admitted he had hired someone because he was worried about her stress and lack of smiles. Lin Qian was initially upset by his deception but was ultimately touched by his concern and kissed him.
Later, another customer purchased five Snowy Smoke silk garments without trying them on, leading Lin Qian and Yayi to again suspect Li Zhicheng. He insisted he wouldn't use the same trick twice. Lin Qian then proposed they conduct customer surveys to understand why people were buying or not buying, to better adjust their marketing strategy, and Li Zhicheng agreed to accompany her. They visited a customer named Ms. Chen at her pottery studio for a consumer experience survey.
Ms. Chen highly praised Qingcheng's designs, noting their blend of traditional Chinese landscape painting and contemporary aesthetics, calling them beautiful artwork. While she personally prioritized quality over price, she mentioned giving one of the dresses to her student, Xiao Xian, for her birthday, suggesting they seek her opinion. Xiao Xian confirmed the dress was comfortable and breathable but lamented its high price of over 5,000 yuan, stating it was unaffordable for her.
Xiao Xian also playfully observed that Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng seemed like a couple. Afterwards, Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng enjoyed a pottery session, during which Li Zhicheng affectionately complimented Lin Qian. Back at the store, Lin Qian reflected that Qingcheng's poor sales were due to its brand positioning. She realized that while Ms. Chen appreciated it as art, Xiao Xian found it too expensive.
Lin Qian concluded that catering only to a high-end clientele like Ms. Chen would lead to the store's eventual closure. She proposed a new strategy: diversifying the brand for different consumer segments. Recognizing that young people are the mainstream consumers, she suggested mixing Snowy Smoke silk with other fabrics to reduce costs and incorporate youthful, trendy elements. This, she believed, would attract a broader audience and open new markets for Qingcheng.
Li Zhicheng fully supported her evolving ideas, suggesting designs for daily wear to meet diverse consumer demands and budgets, thereby popularizing the brand. Lin Qian emphasized the need to meticulously understand customer feedback, treating it like a "battlefield" to conquer the market. Their discussion concluded with playful banter and kisses, fueled by renewed confidence and affection. Meanwhile, Jerry, the executive assistant of the DP Group's Greater China branch, visited Chen Zheng's office.
She presented a letter of intent for DP to acquire shares in Simeiqi, stating they had already reached a preliminary agreement with Chen Zheng's father, Chen Zhijun. Jerry explained that DP would hold 35% of the shares, while Chen Zheng would retain 30%, ensuring Chinese shareholders remained the majority, and Chen Zheng would continue as president.
Chen Zheng, however, flatly rejected the offer, refusing further discussion without a direct meeting with DP's CEO, claiming the offer was too low for such a significant acquisition. He then confronted his father, expressing his dismay at the decision to sell shares to a foreign company without his knowledge.
His father explained that Simeiqi had been declining under Chen Zheng's management and that selling shares now, while the company still held some value, was a way to secure a "safety net" for his son, implying a lack of confidence in Chen Zheng's ability to run the company. Chen Zheng was deeply hurt by his father's distrust, noting that he would trust Ning Weikai or Li Zhicheng in such a situation.
Despite an injury to his hand, Gu Yanzhi visited Li Jinyuan, bringing takeout instead of a homemade meal. Li Jinyuan, upon seeing his injured hand, immediately became concerned, gently scolding him for his carelessness. Playfully, she then asserted that as her boyfriend, he needed to cook for her every day, including three meals: a bento box for lunch, a romantic dinner, and a full nutritious breakfast. Gu Yanzhi was surprised by her explicit declaration of their relationship.
Li Jinyuan then kissed him, and after a moment of stunned surprise, he passionately returned her kiss. Grace's assistant, Cindy, informed her that Lisa, a senior editor from the US headquarters who had previously worked in Italy, was being sent to China as an inspector. Cindy suspected Lisa's visit might not be amicable, a concern Grace echoed, noting the swiftness of her arrival. Lisa soon arrived at the H Group China office, where Grace and Cindy extended a warm welcome.
Grace inquired about Lisa's itinerary. Lisa stated directly that the magazine's sales in China were declining, and she was there to evaluate content, management, sales, and employee performance. Grace acknowledged the global challenge faced by print media due to the internet and assured Lisa of her full cooperation, instructing Cindy to support her in every way and offering a tour of the office.
Separately, Chen Zheng, feeling a crisis of confidence due to recent events and his father's distrust, asked Chen Yayi for an objective assessment of his leadership. Yayi candidly told him that while he possessed the capability and intelligence, he hadn't fully committed his energy to Simeiqi. He then invited her to a dinner with an "important person" that evening, asking her to dress formally. Yayi chose a new party dress designed by Lin Qian from Qingcheng.
Chen Zheng complimented her appearance and the dress. Peter Smith, the President of DP Group Greater China, arrived late. After introductions, during which Yayi clarified her role as Chen Zheng's assistant, Peter's gaze lingered on Yayi's dress.
Episode 40 Recap
Peter Smith, the President of DP Greater China, met with Chen Zheng, the President of Simeiqi, and Chen Yayi, Chen Zheng’s assistant. Peter, who spoke four languages fluently, cut straight to business, stating that he already had a verbal agreement with Chen Zheng’s father and was prepared to raise the acquisition price by two percent, but no more. He expressed his disdain for wasting time and left Chen Zheng to consider the offer.
As he walked away, Peter stopped to tell Chen Yayi she was beautiful and took a picture of her, despite her protest. He then instructed his assistant to find out the brand of the dress Chen Yayi was wearing, as that was what he was truly interested in. Later, Chen Zheng’s father inquired about Peter and the DP investment. Chen Zheng expressed his frustration, describing Peter as a "nutjob" who was so rehearsed he barely ate during their meeting.
He strongly opposed selling shares, fearing foreign takeover. His father, however, saw the investment as an opportunity for Chen Zheng to learn company management and as a safeguard, given Simeiqi’s declining performance under Chen Zheng. He advised Chen Zheng to rally the other shareholders to maintain control.
Chen Zheng grudgingly acknowledged the need to engage the older shareholders, whom he disparagingly called "old folks," but his father quickly corrected him, urging him to manage the company with the same careful control needed for a complex stew. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi took Li Jinyuan to Yellow Crane Tower for a change of scenery. He knew she was upset about her online posts being deleted.
Gu Yanzhi used the historic site's poetic couplets to metaphorically suggest she could overcome her frustration. Inspired, Li Jinyuan embraced his suggestion to build her own platform where people could express themselves freely. She envisioned an app for "sharp-tongued but harmless" debates, fostering positive energy, and even asked Gu Yanzhi to invest. Though they struggled with a name, Li Jinyuan was excited by the entrepreneurial idea. Li Zhicheng visited a Derier store to buy a diamond ring.
He provided a gold ring, presumably Lin Qian's, and requested a new ring one size smaller. Later, he gathered his former military comrades, including Wasp, for dinner. His friends jokingly asked about his "Mrs." and when the wedding would be. After some teasing, Li Zhicheng revealed his mission for them: to help him prepare a marriage proposal. The unexpected announcement left his friends stunned. At a Simeiqi shareholder meeting, Chen Zheng announced DP’s investment plans.
Shareholders voiced concerns about Simeiqi becoming a foreign entity. Chen Zheng clarified that while DP would hold 35% of the shares and he personally held 30%, the other shareholders collectively owned another 30%. He confidently argued that if they united, they could still control Simeiqi's direction, and that DP’s entry was an opportunity for Simeiqi to expand and challenge Wenda and Xinbaorui.
After securing their tentative agreement, Chen Zheng signed the equity sale contract and asked DP's assistant to have Peter sign it, emphasizing that Peter should meet him to discuss DP's plans in China, as they were now "in the same family." Li Zhicheng invited Lin Qian to her shop under the pretense of discussing a plan document. Unbeknownst to her, Wasp and his team were hidden, attempting to stage an elaborate military-themed proposal using remote-controlled toy tanks, planes, and ships.
The rehearsal had gone well, but the live performance was a disaster: the toy plane crashed into a mannequin, the ship sprayed water, and the tank hit a wall, creating utter chaos. Seeing Lin Qian's confusion and the ruined proposal, Li Zhicheng quickly covered for his friends, scolding them for "playing with toys" in a clothing store and ordering them to leave, much to Lin Qian’s bewilderment. DP’s clothing stores suddenly appeared across Linhai City overnight, alarming Li Zhicheng.
He felt this aggressive launch signaled ill intent and tasked Gu Yanzhi with investigating all DP stores and providing a summary report. Li Zhicheng then called Ning Weikai to discuss the situation. Ning Weikai, having just learned of DP's expansion himself, dismissed Li Zhicheng’s concerns as "worrying before worry is due," believing it wasn’t easy for foreign companies to penetrate the Chinese market. Li Zhicheng remained cautious, convinced that DP was well-prepared and required careful handling.
Grace met with Peter Smith, who, after complimenting her taste, directly proposed an in-depth cooperation between DP and H Magazine, presenting a business proposal. Grace politely declined his invitation for dinner and stated that such a collaboration required an internal decision-making process and board review. Suddenly, Lisa from H Group's US headquarters interrupted, greeting Peter with surprising familiarity. Lisa praised DP's brands and marketing budget from their past collaboration in Italy, openly urging Grace to "dive into details."
Grace firmly reiterated the need for due process, and when Lisa tried to inspect the proposal, Peter made it clear it was for Grace. After they left, Grace's assistant questioned Lisa's motives, wondering if she was there for business or to flirt. Gu Yanzhi informed Li Zhicheng that DP had opened another ten stores, all of which were formerly Simeiqi's, solidifying the partnership.
Li Zhicheng concluded that this gave DP an immediate advantage in distribution and sales, but their weakness lay in production. He deduced that DP would now seek a contract manufacturer from either Wenda or Xinbaorui, which would inevitably lead to a direct conflict with Ning Weikai. Since DP had not yet contacted Wenda, Li Zhicheng decided they must take a proactive stance.
At Xinbaorui, Ning Weikai's assistant reported an inability to find substantial background information on Peter, describing him as having the "weirdest background." Zhu Hanjing then arrived, relaying that her father was aware of DP's aggressive entry into Linhai. She analyzed that DP would likely seek a local manufacturer to cut costs, and only Xinbaorui and Wenda met their requirements. Her father's directive was clear: Ning Weikai must act before Wenda and secure DP's manufacturing orders.
Ning Weikai agreed to contact DP to gauge their intentions. Peter's assistant presented him with information about Lin Qian's Qingcheng brand, noting it was owned by Wenda and managed by Li Zhicheng's girlfriend, Lin Qian. The assistant confirmed that Chen Yayi's dress had come from this very store. Later that night, Li Zhicheng strategically intercepted Peter's car. Peter found their meeting method "very unique," complimenting Li Zhicheng's resourcefulness.
He admitted to having thoroughly researched Li Zhicheng's military background and the market, understanding Simeiqi’s weaknesses and Wenda’s strengths, including its compliance with EU environmental criteria. Peter informed Li Zhicheng that he would decide on a sole manufacturer tomorrow. However, he then offered Wenda the exclusive manufacturing contract if DP was allowed to invest in the Qingcheng brand. Li Zhicheng unequivocally rejected the offer. Ning Weikai, feeling increasingly uneasy about DP's aggressive expansion, sought out Grace at H Group.
He expressed his concern that DP's ultimate goal was not just Simeiqi's shares, but control over the entire apparel market in Linhai City. He warned that if DP managed to bring down either Xinbaorui or Wenda, they would dominate the industry, and H Group would lose its leverage in any potential deals. Ning Weikai urged Grace and the Linhai clothing industry to unite against this "malicious businessman."
He then personally pleaded with Grace for another chance, but she coldly dismissed him, reminding him to maintain professionalism during her work hours. The next day, both Li Zhicheng and Ning Weikai received separate invitations from Peter's assistant to discuss manufacturing. To their surprise, they found each other at the meeting. Peter's assistant presented them with DP's manufacturing proposal and announced Peter would return in an hour.
Ning Weikai immediately saw through Peter's strategy, realizing he was forcing them into a "fight each other" scenario to extract the best deal. Both reviewed the "unfair contract," noting its low price, high output demands, and tight deadlines, which would force Xinbaorui to dedicate most of its capacity to DP, weakening its own brands. Ning Weikai advised Li Zhicheng against collaborating. When Peter returned, he was informed that Xinbaorui had withdrawn.
Peter acknowledged, "It seems that I don't have another choice?" Li Zhicheng then confidently asserted that Wenda met all of DP's conditions for a ready-to-run production line. He stated firmly that Wenda was not begging for the contract; rather, DP needed Wenda.
Episode 41 Recap
In a meeting room, Li Zhicheng calmly told Peter that it was DP who needed Wenda, not the other way around, as Wenda was the only company in Linhai City that met all of DP's production line requirements. Peter agreed to allow Li Zhicheng some time to calculate a sincere price. Before leaving, Li Zhicheng warned Peter not to cross his bottom line, stating that having Wenda and Xinbaorui compete against each other was an unwise move.
He advised Peter, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." Later at home, Lin Qian was relaxing with Li Zhicheng when he asked if any unusual people had visited her store recently. Lin Qian found his question strange and inquired if something was wrong. Li Zhicheng explained that Wenda was negotiating a manufacturing collaboration with DP, but he knew almost nothing about Peter, which left him feeling vulnerable since DP seemed to know a lot about Wenda.
Lin Qian then asked if he had a plan, to which he reassured her to focus on managing her Qingcheng brand and not worry about other matters. The signing ceremony between Peter and Li Zhicheng officially took place, making Wenda DP's manufacturing supplier. Peter commented on Li Zhicheng's meticulous nature, attributing it to his military background, and expressed hopes for a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership. Immediately after the ceremony, Wenda swiftly began producing DP's clothing.
When Chen Zheng learned about the contract, he was upset that DP hadn't informed Simeiqi. However, Peter's assistant, Jerry, bluntly told Chen Zheng that Simeiqi's only role was to cooperate with DP's work, a response that further infuriated Chen Zheng, who demanded to speak with Peter directly. While inspecting the production line at Wenda, Li Zhicheng was shocked to discover that many of DP's clothing designs were identical to those of the Qingcheng brand.
Outraged, he immediately ordered a halt to all DP production lines. However, concerned that an abrupt stop would constitute a breach of contract and incur a massive penalty fee, Gu Yanzhi secretly instructed the factory to continue production behind Li Zhicheng's back. Meanwhile, Chen Yayi, while shopping, coincidentally found DP clothes that were exactly like Lin Qian's designs. Angered, she purchased several items intending to show them to Lin Qian as proof.
She encountered Chen Zheng, who offered her a discount, but Yayi, in her frustration, snapped at him and left. Upon seeing the copied designs, Lin Qian was furious. Yayi then remembered that Peter had shown a particular interest in her dress when they met, even taking a photo of her. She realized that Peter had intended to copy the Qingcheng design all along.
Lin Qian was also surprised to hear that Yayi was dating Chen Zheng, but she postponed that discussion, prioritizing taking photos of the copied dresses to send to Li Zhicheng. Chen Zheng called a meeting with his company's board members, urging them to unite against Peter, whom he described as unpredictable, to prevent DP from monopolizing Simeiqi. To his dismay, he discovered that the board members had already sold their shares to DP, having been offered a substantial amount.
Chen Zheng angrily accused them of desertion, recognizing his helplessness against DP's tactics. Back at the factory, Li Zhicheng found production still underway, angrily questioning why his orders to stop had been defied. Gu Yanzhi then arrived, admitting he had given the order to continue. He explained that stopping production would breach the contract and result in a huge penalty.
As Wenda's Vice President, he felt obligated to protect the company's interests, noting that halting production wouldn't resolve the infringement issue anyway. Li Zhicheng summoned Gu Yanzhi and Li Jinyuan to his office. He presented the contract, pointing to an exception clause that explicitly stated if a legal conflict arose between the two parties, the second party (Wenda) could delay delivery until the conflict was resolved, thus avoiding a penalty for breach of contract.
Li Zhicheng revealed he had anticipated Peter's cunning and deliberately had the lawyers include this provision. Relieved about the penalty, Gu Yanzhi then asked about the hundreds of newly hired workers. Li Zhicheng firmly stated that they could be immediately assigned to other projects, emphasizing that Wenda would not condone DP's plagiarism. At Xinbaorui, Ning Weikai reviewed a report showing a significant drop in sales, attributing it to DP's new brand, Domini di Pioggia.
Just then, Zhu Hanchong entered his office, gloating about Xinbaorui's poor performance and mocking Ning Weikai. Ning Weikai retorted that Xinbaorui's loss was also the Zhu Group's loss. Zhu Hanchong smirked, mentioning that his father had been very disappointed in Ning Weikai lately. Meanwhile, at Wenda's factory, the newly hired employees, upset by the unexpected halt in production, began to cause a disturbance.
Li Zhicheng quickly returned and publicly promised that no one would be fired, reassuring them that their jobs and pay were secure. The workers' worries turned to cheers as they expressed their support for Li Zhicheng. Chen Yayi met with Chen Zheng, expressing her anger that the formal dress she had borrowed from Qingcheng was now being copied by DP, demanding an explanation from him.
Chen Zheng swore he was unaware of DP's plagiarism and admitted he had also been played by DP, with Simeiqi's shares gradually being acquired. He lamented losing control of the company his father had worked so hard to build. Seeing Chen Zheng's self-reproach, Yayi comforted him, and they decided to order a feast to eat away their frustrations. Li Zhicheng brought Lin Qian to confront Peter. Lin Qian angrily accused DP of copying her designs.
Peter argued that the fashion industry often had "coincidences," and since the Qingcheng series was not patented, it didn't constitute copying. Li Zhicheng sternly stated they had evidence and would file a lawsuit, which would halt DP's production and sales. Peter scoffed, warning that Wenda, with its limited resources, would be dragged into a bottomless pit if it dared to challenge DP.
Li Zhicheng retorted with equal force, saying that Wenda would fight to the very end to protect its reputation. He then left with Lin Qian. Back at Wenda, Li Zhicheng immediately instructed Gu Yanzhi to contact other garment factories friendly with Wenda. He asked them not to accept DP's orders, or at least to inform them of DP's plagiarism and encourage them to significantly raise their prices, knowing DP desperately needed suppliers.
Peter soon received news that while DP had found several alternative manufacturers, they were all drastically raising their prices upon learning of Wenda's production halt. Annoyed, Peter ordered his team to quickly review the bids and sign contracts for production as long as the prices were within an acceptable range. For promotional purposes, Peter decided to advertise with H Group. He discussed this with Lisa, proposing an exclusive cover feature in the next magazine issue.
He suggested this collaboration would also boost Lisa's standing on the board, making it a win-win situation, which Lisa readily agreed to. Li Zhicheng called Ning Weikai and learned that DP had contacted Xinbaorui for manufacturing the day after Wenda ceased production, but Ning Weikai had rejected Peter's offer. Li Zhicheng then warned Ning Weikai that his investigation indicated several new DP stores were secretly being remodeled within 500 meters of Xinbaorui's three flagship stores.
Ning Weikai grew suspicious and immediately instructed Gao Lang to investigate. Separately, Zhu Hanchong called his father, complaining that Ning Weikai had once again rejected a lucrative collaboration with DP, even as DP was opening new stores near Xinbaorui. He suggested they should become DP's distributor for steady money. His father, however, stood by Ning Weikai, explaining that short-term gains from becoming a DP contractor would ultimately lead to Xinbaorui's own brand disappearing.
In a lighter moment, Li Zhicheng showed Lin Qian a humorous video of a boyfriend attempting to do his girlfriend's makeup. Amused by the video, Li Zhicheng then playfully offered to do Lin Qian's makeup himself, even taking her to a salon to do so.
Episode 42 Recap
Li Zhicheng brought Lin Qian to a salon, excitedly suggesting he do her makeup. Despite admitting it was his first time, he insisted he could do it. He began applying makeup to her face, resulting in a comical, exaggerated look. Lin Qian was dismayed by her reflection, but Li Zhicheng reassured her that she was always the most beautiful in his eyes, and he wanted to remember this moment. He then unexpectedly pulled out a ring and proposed.
Lin Qian cried, initially protesting the timing due to her appearance, but upon seeing the surprise, she was both touched and amused. Others, who had been hiding, emerged to congratulate them. Lin Qian extended her hand, signaling for Li Zhicheng to place the ring on her finger. At H Magazine, Grace discovered that Lisa had modified her editorial layout. She immediately summoned Lisa, sternly rebuking her for disrespecting her work and for arranging an exclusive interview and advertisement for DP.
Grace emphasized that DP was accused of plagiarism in China, and H Magazine would never partner with such an unethical company. Lisa scoffed, highlighting that DP's advertising fees alone surpassed those of ten smaller, "ethical" businesses, suggesting Grace's declining annual sales were due to her rigid stance. Grace accused Lisa of pursuing profit without principles, and their argument ended with no resolution. Chen Zheng was troubled by Simeiqi's drastically falling sales since DP acquired a stake in the company.
He confronted Peter, who dismissed it as a "headquarter's adjustment" to Simeiqi's market positioning. Chen Zheng countered that Simeiqi's products had been taken offline without his knowledge, but Peter coldly told him to make an appointment for future visits. Meanwhile, Li Zhicheng and Gu Yanzhi, while observing DP's new stores, also included Xinbaorui's physical stores in their assessment. They realized that Peter's strategy was to first dismantle Simeiqi, then challenge Xinbaorui, and finally confront Wenda.
To thwart Peter's scheme, Li Zhicheng instructed Gu Yanzhi to meet with Chen Zheng and Ning Weikai to strategize. Seeking to further her own agenda, Lisa met with Peter. Peter intentionally disclosed details about Grace's past investment in Aida and subsequent withdrawal, hinting that her actions might have been for personal gain, possibly due to a romantic involvement with Aida's president's brother, Li Zhiqian. Peter encouraged Lisa to use this information to seize the position of China editor from Grace.
Believing Grace had used the company for her private interests, Lisa immediately sought to win over Chairman Wu, a major shareholder, who was easily swayed by her charm and promised his support. Lin Qian brought Li Zhicheng home to discuss strategies against DP. To her surprise, her older brother, Lin Mochen, had returned from America. Panicked, Lin Qian urged Li Zhicheng to hide. After a brief chat, Lin Qian cautiously revealed Li Zhicheng's marriage proposal, hoping for her brother's approval.
Lin Mochen immediately opposed the idea. Before Lin Qian could argue, Li Zhicheng emerged, introduced himself to Lin Mochen as Lin Qian's fiancé and Wenda's President, and sincerely requested his consent, inviting him to meet his father. Lin Mochen, maintaining a distant demeanor, agreed to arrange a meeting during his next visit to China, merely out of decorum. The next morning, Grace arrived at the H Magazine office to find it filled with DP promotional displays.
Her assistant confirmed that Lisa had approved an exclusive interview with Peter that day, despite Grace's explicit refusal. Grace confronted Lisa, reiterating her stance against interviewing an "unqualified" entity and asserting her authority as Chief Editor. Lisa, with a smile, whispered that Grace was only Chief Editor "for now." Grace then called Chairman Wu to the office. Chairman Wu, already swayed by Lisa, sided with her.
Lisa then openly challenged Grace, bringing up her past investment in Aida and implying an inappropriate relationship with Li Zhiqian. Grace explained that the Aida investment and its withdrawal were board decisions, but Lisa stubbornly insisted Grace had acted out of personal motives to help her "lover's brother." Chairman Wu advised Grace to tolerate Lisa's actions to maintain relations with the US headquarters. Frustrated by the situation and seeking to avoid further conflict, Grace requested a six-month leave.
Later, Ning Weikai saw Grace in the parking garage. He had heard about her troubles with Lisa and her decision to take leave. He expressed his unwavering support, but Grace, still deeply affected by the situation, offered no response. Gu Yanzhi met Chen Zheng to discuss a potential app project, hoping to leverage Chen Zheng's experience with the Simeiqi app.
Chen Zheng estimated the investment and operational costs would be around twenty million yuan, which surprised Gu Yanzhi, who said he would need to discuss it with Li Jinyuan. Growing impatient with Li Zhicheng's absence, Chen Zheng prepared to leave. Li Zhicheng then arrived and directly proposed a collaboration between Simeiqi and Wenda to counter Peter, asserting it was the only way to save Simeiqi. Chen Zheng remained deep in thought, not immediately responding.
Zhu Hanchong arranged a meeting for Chairman Zhu and Peter to discuss a potential partnership. However, Chairman Zhu vehemently rejected Peter's offer, declaring that as long as he lived, Xinbaorui would never collaborate with DP. He chastised Zhu Hanchong for his involvement. That evening, Zhu Hanjing invited Ning Weikai to dinner at their home. Ning Weikai accepted. Before dinner, Chairman Zhu privately asked Ning Weikai about his feelings for Zhu Hanjing, expressing his earnest wish for them to be together. Ning Weikai hesitated, offering no clear answer. After Ning Weikai left, Chairman Zhu sadly remarked to Zhu Hanjing that Ning Weikai's heart was not with her.
Episode 43 Recap
Ning Weikai met Chen Zheng for tea, asking if there was any chance of winning back Simeiqi. Chen Zheng sighed, expressing deep concern that DP's strategy, which was consuming Simeiqi's online marketing resources and rapidly gaining popularity, would soon dominate Linhai City's entire clothing market. Ning Weikai then stated that Xinbaorui's sales were also plummeting, as DP stores had strategically surrounded theirs, suggesting that only by uniting could they counter DP.
Chen Zheng revealed that Li Zhicheng had approached him with a proposal for all three companies—Simeiqi, Xinbaorui, and Wenda—to unite against DP. Ning Weikai seemed surprised and slightly skeptical, noting Chen Zheng's recent closeness with Li Zhicheng and questioning if they should set aside old grudges. Chen Zheng advised Ning Weikai not to make an immediate decision but to think it over. Meanwhile, Zhu Hanjing and Grace met for tea. Grace complimented Zhu Hanjing on the beautiful location.
Zhu Hanjing then directly expressed her belief that Ning Weikai was deeply in love with Grace, noting his recent distress. She confessed to watching his designer competition video repeatedly, particularly recognizing his genuine emotions and the fact that his heart belonged to someone else.
Grace asked why she was being told this, to which Zhu Hanjing replied that she believed Ning Weikai would never lie to the woman he loved, despite not knowing the full extent of their complicated history or misunderstandings. Grace admitted their situation was more complex than Zhu Hanjing realized, and she found dishonesty intolerable in love.
Zhu Hanjing, on the verge of tears, expressed her wish that Grace and Ning Weikai could resolve their issues, emphasizing that Ning Weikai is a good man and she doesn't want to see him suffer. Grace offered her condolences that Ning Weikai didn't love Zhu Hanjing and thanked her for her concern. Li Zhicheng then arranged a dinner meeting with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng to discuss the alliance.
Chen Zheng acknowledged their long-standing rivalry but felt it was time to reflect. Li Zhicheng explained that many local companies were falling to foreign competitors, and they couldn't win individually. He outlined a plan: Simeiqi would handle online marketing, leveraging its distribution channels and celebrity endorsements; Xinbaorui would provide premium store spaces for their combined products; and Wenda would be responsible for manufacturing for all three, providing manpower and shared funding.
Chen Zheng admitted the partnership sounded complicated and challenging to implement. Li Zhicheng urged them to act before DP seized 50-60% of Linhai City's market, mentioning that Gu Yanzhi was already working on a detailed plan. Ning Weikai questioned who would lead this campaign, and Li Zhicheng confidently asserted his ability to command, pointing out Wenda was the least affected by DP.
However, Ning Weikai expressed his difficulty in convincing Xinbaorui's board, whose equity was fragmented, to agree to the plan, especially without a clear action plan and if they wouldn't have a say. He stressed his responsibility to protect Xinbaorui during these difficult times, drawing an analogy to generals winning wars but with many casualties among soldiers, implying he couldn't risk Xinbaorui for a partnership where he had no control. He then stood up and departed.
Back at his office, Ning Weikai appeared deeply contemplative. Gao Lang offered to take him back. Ning Weikai confided in Gao Lang that he had an important decision to make regarding the alliance. He acknowledged the severe threat DP posed to Linhai City's clothing industry and the potential damage to local companies, musing that perhaps it was time for the three rivals to set aside their past.
Gao Lang, trusting Ning Weikai's judgment, assured him he believed Ning Weikai already knew the answer and would support whatever decision he made. Later, Li Zhicheng visited Chairman Zhu at Xinbaorui, hoping he would persuade Ning Weikai to cooperate with Wenda against DP. Chairman Zhu acknowledged Peter's ambition and agreed with Li Zhicheng that they needed to unite against DP's growing control.
Chairman Zhu also brought up the issue of DP plagiarizing Qingcheng's designs, which Li Zhicheng confirmed, explaining that Wenda had terminated their collaboration with DP because of it. Chairman Zhu praised Li Zhicheng's integrity, stating such a precedent could not be tolerated in Linhai City. Ning Weikai then walked in, to Chairman Zhu's delight, who announced that it was time for them to cooperate.
Chairman Zhu urged both Li Zhicheng and Ning Weikai to work together, emphasizing that their alliance would not only benefit their companies but the entire Linhai City apparel market. Li Zhicheng expressed his hope for a strong collaboration, and Ning Weikai concurred, shaking Li Zhicheng's hand in agreement. Chairman Zhu, still concerned about Xinbaorui's performance, asked Ning Weikai for an honest assessment of DP's retail sales, which Ning Weikai confirmed were rapidly growing at Xinbaorui's expense.
Dissatisfied, Chairman Zhu insisted on visiting a Xinbaorui store, where he observed more staff than customers, lamenting the company's decline. Ning Weikai reassured him that the alliance with Wenda and Simeiqi would help them overcome the crisis. Chairman Zhu, reflecting on his life's work at Xinbaorui, decided to act as a customer and bought a new suit, hoping it would make him look younger. He then used Ning Weikai's phone to video call Zhu Hanjing.
After exchanging pleasantries about his new suit and her homemade dumplings, Chairman Zhu abruptly suggested that Xinbaorui's woes were due to their unmarried status, proposing that Ning Weikai and Zhu Hanjing marry to revive the company. Zhu Hanjing tried to deflect the conversation, but Chairman Zhu pressed Ning Weikai, offering Xinbaorui as a dowry and a magnificent wedding, emphasizing Zhu Hanjing's deep love for him.
Ning Weikai, referring to Zhu Hanjing as a sister and family, regretfully declined, revealing that he was already in love with someone else, and believed Zhu Hanjing deserved someone who truly loved her. Overcome with emotion and agitation, Chairman Zhu suffered a heart attack and collapsed, prompting Ning Weikai to immediately call for help and rush him to the hospital. Zhu Hanchong and Zhu Hanjing rushed to the hospital.
Zhu Hanchong immediately confronted Ning Weikai, furiously grabbing his collar and demanding to know what he had done to their father, accusing him of plotting against the Zhu family. Zhu Hanjing intervened, trying to calm her brother and asking Ning Weikai what happened. Ning Weikai explained that Chairman Zhu had suddenly fainted after their video call. Zhu Hanchong, unconvinced, threatened Ning Weikai with accountability if anything happened to his father.
Just then, the doctor emerged from the resuscitation room and informed the siblings that Chairman Zhu had suffered a heart attack, and despite their best efforts, it was too late. The doctor expressed regret, confirming Chairman Zhu's passing. Both Zhu Hanchong and Zhu Hanjing were devastated, crying in each other's arms, while Ning Weikai was visibly grief-stricken.
At Chairman Zhu's mourning, Zhu Hanchong publicly accused Ning Weikai of plotting against their family and even murdering his father, demanding an explanation and threatening to call the police. Ning Weikai calmly told him to go ahead. Zhu Hanjing tried to defend Ning Weikai, but Zhu Hanchong remained aggressive, insinuating Ning Weikai's long-standing ambition for their family business. Separately, Zhu Hanjing urged Ning Weikai to fulfill her father's wish to revive Xinbaorui and defeat DP, asking if he trusted her.
Ning Weikai responded that he trusted both her and her father and knew they wouldn't lie. Lin Qian called Li Zhicheng with good news, informing him that she had sent the Snowy Smoke silk to the Institute of Material Science, hoping for successful trials and mass production. Li Zhicheng, however, was preoccupied with grave news, informing her that Chairman Zhu had unexpectedly passed away that afternoon from a heart attack.
He expressed concern about the significant changes this would bring to Xinbaorui. Gu Yanzhi later commented to Lin Qian that with Chairman Zhu gone, Ning Weikai had lost his only ally at Xinbaorui and faced an uphill battle to maintain control, especially since he was not a member of the Zhu family. At the board meeting, Zhu Hanchong, now presiding as the new chairman, asked for a moment of silence to honor his father.
He then addressed the board, promising to make his father proud by dedicating himself to the company and seeking their continued support. His first agenda item was a motion to terminate all financial support for Xinbaorui. Ning Weikai vehemently opposed this, reminding Zhu Hanchong that Xinbaorui was Chairman Zhu's life's work. Zhu Hanchong rebuked Ning Weikai, reminding him he wasn't a board member and was only present due to the late chairman's trust.
When the vote was called, all board members except Zhu Hanjing voted in favor of the motion. Zhu Hanjing tearfully stated that her father wanted them to keep Xinbaorui and unite with Wenda against DP. Zhu Hanchong scoffed at this, arguing that his father had a lifelong rivalry with Wenda's founder, Li Zhongming, and accusing Ning Weikai of fabricating this story for his own motives.
Zhu Hanjing tried to stop his baseless accusations, but Zhu Hanchong retorted that if he had concrete evidence, Ning Weikai would already be in police custody. Following the board's decision, Zhu Hanjing informed Ning Weikai that Xinbaorui no longer had access to loans from the Zhu Group. Ning Weikai acknowledged that Zhu Hanchong had gone too far, leaving Xinbaorui with only its current cash flow.
After reviewing the financial statement, Zhu Hanjing despaired, realizing the insufficient funds were "so little" and "certainly not enough to challenge DP." Ning Weikai assured her he would handle the situation and remain at Xinbaorui to see it through, despite her offer to help. Meanwhile, Peter met with Zhu Hanchong, subtly advising him, as the new chairman, to make a significant move to establish his authority.
Peter suggested that by forming a partnership between Xinbaorui and DP, they could eliminate Wenda and conquer the entire market. Zhu Hanchong readily agreed, seeing it as an opportunity to fulfill his father's lifelong ambition to defeat Wenda. Peter then instructed Zhu Hanchong to first remove Ning Weikai and seize full control of Xinbaorui, a suggestion Zhu Hanchong enthusiastically accepted.
Ning Weikai met with Li Zhicheng, apologizing for his earlier hesitation regarding the three-way partnership, acknowledging that the situation at Xinbaorui had become much more complicated after Chairman Zhu's death. Li Zhicheng, understanding that Zhu Hanchong would make Ning Weikai's life difficult, proposed a new strategy. He showed Ning Weikai an example of how a Chinese brand successfully built a "wall" against foreign competitors by understanding local consumers, maintaining quality, and collaborating with local brands.
Ning Weikai still expressed reservations about the partnership's complexity, but Li Zhicheng assured him the details were being worked out. Later, in a meeting that included Chen Zheng, Li Zhicheng unveiled his plan to target DP's brand recognition. He pointed out that consumers recognized "DP" but not its full name. His strategy involved introducing multiple small Italian brands with names and logos similar to "DP" (e. g. , DB, DC, DE, DF) to create confusion and dilute DP's image.
Ning Weikai, leveraging his European connections, was tasked with sourcing these Italian brands, noting that this approach would negatively impact DP's carefully cultivated image of Italian brands as high-end. Li Zhicheng explained that by introducing more "outsiders" with conflicting messages, they could show consumers that foreign brands were not all unique, and Ning Weikai would lead this initial offensive. Ning Weikai immediately called Gao Lang to book a first-class ticket to Italy.
Zhu Hanjing approached Ning Weikai, apologizing for Zhu Hanchong's unyielding stance against him. Ning Weikai reassured her, stating he didn't want to cause conflict between her and her brother, and urged her not to blame herself. He emphasized the late Chairman Zhu's vision: to establish their own brand and prevent it from falling into foreign hands, which necessitated a united front.
Ning Weikai also confirmed he was actively discussing a partnership with Li Zhicheng and was heading to Italy to implement a new business strategy. While Ning Weikai was in Italy, Lin Qian was exploring new product ideas. She discussed the unique properties of Snowy Smoke silk with a colleague, noting its cooling effect and its ability to lower perceived temperature by two degrees Celsius.
She proposed creating a line of functional clothing from this fabric, specifically thinking about shirts to help people avoid embarrassing sweat stains. The colleague agreed, emphasizing the practicality and universal appeal of shirts for both men and women, aligning with Qingcheng's philosophy of comfort and freedom from worries. Lin Qian decided to conduct a feasibility analysis. Upon his return, Ning Weikai brought back numerous small Italian brands, far more than initially anticipated.
His assistant, Gao Lang, explained that these brands were eager to enter the Chinese market and even offered their products for free, allowing Ning Weikai to acquire many within budget. Ning Weikai deemed this a brilliant move and instructed his assistant to upload the new buyer showrooms to the online platform. The assistant raised concerns that DP would be notified of any platform changes, but Ning Weikai dismissed it as routine maintenance.
Soon after, Peter noticed a significant decrease in customers at his store. His assistant informed him that a new Italian brand named "DF," offering similar products at lower prices, had opened a store in another mall and was attracting customers. Chen Zheng sent Li Zhicheng an alert that DP's ad was ready, effectively leaking their strategy. During a photoshoot for one of the rival brands, an actress complained about having to look "foreign," questioning why people worshipped foreign brands.
Peter soon discovered that competing ads were launched just one day after DP released theirs, leading him to conclude that DP's advertising designs had been leaked. His assistant suggested Chen Zheng as the culprit, given his involvement with the ads. Peter decided to bypass Chen Zheng in future company matters, firmly believing Li Zhicheng was the mastermind behind this "plagiarized" ad campaign, and vowed to sue them into bankruptcy.
Meanwhile, Chen Zheng instructed Lao Ji, an IT specialist, to create an intrusive pop-up ad that either couldn't be closed or had a minuscule close button. Chen Zheng specifically wanted this pop-up to cover the online shopping cart, making it difficult for customers to complete purchases and intentionally frustrating them. Lao Ji questioned this move, highlighting that it would create a negative user experience and asked if Chen Zheng had considered the consequences.
Episode 44 Recap
Chen Zheng instructed Lao Ji, a technical consultant, to implement a pop-up ad that would cover the shopping cart on DP's sales website, making it difficult for customers to add items. Lao Ji expressed concern about creating a bad user experience and the potential consequences.
Chen Zheng reminded Lao Ji of their nine-year working relationship, promising him the Chief Technology Officer position and stock options once Simeiqi was back in his hands, confidently stating that DP was about to be kicked out. Reassured, Lao Ji agreed to keep the plan confidential. Meanwhile, Peter's assistant informed him that the courts would not process their lawsuit against the Italian brands.
The lawyers explained that while these companies might be copying DP's designs and ideas, some of the smaller Italian brands were even older than DP. They also noted that common creative themes, like comparing Cinderella to Snow White, were difficult to claim as infringement, much to Peter's extreme frustration. Li Zhicheng, Ning Weikai, and Chen Zheng celebrated their initial victory against DP.
Li Zhicheng acknowledged it as only a small win, emphasizing that they hadn't truly defeated DP and would need a much larger strategy for an absolute victory. Away from the celebration, Peter’s distress caused his old illness to flare up. After taking several pills, he frantically exercised on a treadmill, shirtless, revealing his back covered in intricate knife scars. Someone covertly filmed this scene.
Li Zhicheng later received the video, puzzled by the origin of Peter's scars and noting that Peter appeared to be a man with a past. Soon after, Peter received an ultimatum from DP's headquarters by phone, demanding that he increase sales within three months. Moments after he hung up, Lisa rushed in, agitated, urging Peter to settle the overdue advertising fees.
Peter, with a sinister look, assured her he had a plan to defeat Linhai's apparel companies using DP's high-end "Royal" brand, which had never before left Italy. Lisa was skeptical, but Peter hinted at leveraging "mistakes" made by DP's top management to bring Royal to China, promising it would revive Domani di Pioggia and other DP brands. He instructed Lisa to continue stalling the advertisers, proclaiming that unlike her, he would never be out of tricks.
Li Zhicheng presented a bold proposal to Lin Qian: to authorize Xinbaorui and Simeiqi to use Snowy Smoke silk for free. He explained that this collaboration would significantly reduce costs, similar to their previous partnership with Fancy. Lin Qian supported the idea of cost reduction but questioned if the market could absorb the large quantity of products from mass production.
Li Zhicheng showed her a feasibility study for Qingcheng's potential mass production, highlighting Snowy Smoke silk's ability to lower body temperature by 2 degrees Celsius, drawing a comparison to the once-popular Dacron. He was confident that with Lin Qian's trendy designs, effective marketing, and market demand, word-of-mouth would quickly establish the product's reputation. He believed that mutual profit would strengthen their collective capabilities and products, enabling them to decisively defeat DP.
After discussing work, Li Zhicheng asked Lin Qian when her older brother, Lin Mochen, would be back in the country, as he intended to arrange a meeting between their parents the following evening to discuss their marriage. Lin Qian confirmed her brother was in China. Ning Weikai visited Li Zhiqian's grave, where Grace also happened to be.
Ning Weikai tearfully confessed to Li Zhiqian that he had hidden the wedding gown and letter from Grace because he was afraid of making Li Zhiqian the deepest regret in her life. He admitted his initial motives with Grace were not pure and that he had lost the most important person in the world. He believed his struggles were retribution for his past manipulative actions. Grace, having overheard everything, approached him, crying. They embraced, putting their past misunderstandings behind them.
Li Zhicheng then met with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng to formalize their collaboration. He proposed that instead of competing, they should collectively profit from joint projects to revive the national fashion industry, regardless of DP's future or new competitors. Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng agreed to the alliance. Li Zhicheng outlined his plan for mass-producing Snowy Smoke silk t-shirts, allowing Simeiqi and Xinbaorui to use the fabric royalty-free. Xinbaorui would handle production, and Simeiqi would manage sales.
Both Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng expressed concerns about the financial investment required, given Simeiqi's vulnerable state and Xinbaorui's limited working capital after Chen Zheng sold his shares. Li Zhicheng assured them that he would personally handle the funding. The three men raised their glasses, cementing their true collaboration. Lin Qian persistently persuaded Lin Mochen to meet Li Zhicheng's parents, even resorting to sitting on the floor in protest.
Lin Mochen reluctantly agreed, but told Lin Qian to remain silent during the dinner and requested that she not ask him to smile. Upon their arrival at Li Zhicheng’s home, Li Zhicheng warmly introduced Lin Qian and Lin Mochen to his father, Li Zhongming. Lin Mochen politely greeted Li Zhongming and offered gifts, but Li Zhongming's cold reception displeased him.
During dinner, Li Zhongming questioned Lin Mochen about his finance work in the United States, then criticized him for not investing in Chinese businesses, stating that forgetting one's roots never leads to a good outcome. Li Zhicheng attempted to steer the conversation, but Li Zhongming then asked Lin Qian why she hadn't joined her brother in the US.
Lin Qian explained her passion for traditional Chinese clothing and her desire to build her own brand in China, with Li Zhicheng's help. Li Zhicheng praised Lin Qian's outstanding design abilities. However, Li Zhongming abruptly shifted the topic, asking Lin Qian when she planned to have children, suggesting "the more the merrier" and even offering a beach house for her pregnancy, clearly implying she should stop working to focus on having children for the Li family.
Lin Mochen's expression darkened significantly. Lin Mochen angrily left the Li family home, with Lin Qian rushing after him. She tried to explain that Li Zhicheng’s father’s health had deteriorated after his older brother’s death, causing his erratic behavior. However, Lin Mochen dismissed this, telling her to stay and "have babies for their family." Li Zhicheng emerged, apologizing for his father’s behavior, but firmly declared that he would never separate from Lin Qian.
He passionately recounted their shared journey, from the uniform project and Fancy collaboration to protecting the Snowy Smoke silk patent, facing conflicts and building Qingcheng together, emphasizing their deep, "inseparable" bond. Lin Mochen scoffed, dismissing these as common struggles for any entrepreneur. Lin Qian then revealed that Li Zhicheng had saved her life multiple times, including rescuing her from kidnappers in Yunnan and shielding her from a knife with his own body.
She declared that their love had been forged through life and death. Lin Mochen was stunned by this revelation. After a long pause, Lin Mochen requested to speak with Li Zhicheng alone. He thanked Li Zhicheng for saving Lin Qian's life but criticized his past impulsiveness, recalling how he nearly ruined Wenda over plagiarism. He questioned if Li Zhicheng could truly make Lin Qian happy.
Li Zhicheng then detailed his "Million Shirts of Qingcheng" plan, including the three-company alliance, aiming to make Qingcheng number one in Linhai within a year and nationwide within three years, vowing to overcome all obstacles. Lin Mochen scoffed, stating that Li Zhicheng's biggest obstacle was money. He offered Li Zhicheng a substantial sum to leave Lin Qian. Unmoved, Li Zhicheng refused. Lin Mochen then proposed a bet: he would give Li Zhicheng 200 million yuan to develop Wenda and Qingcheng.
If Li Zhicheng succeeded in making Qingcheng a success, Lin Mochen would approve their relationship; otherwise, they must break up. As they spoke, Li Zhongming appeared, momentarily confused about Lin Qian's identity before recognizing her as "Zhicheng's girlfriend." After Li Zhongming was led away, Lin Mochen left. Lin Qian asked her brother about their private conversation. Lin Mochen praised Li Zhicheng's extraordinary ability to unite former competitors but revealed he had given him a new test.
He then presented Lin Qian with an admission ticket to Paris Fashion Week 2018, calling it the best channel to introduce Qingcheng to the world, suggesting she discuss it with Li Zhicheng as a true lover would not hold her back from this opportunity, even if it meant delaying their wedding. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi prepared a meal for Li Jinyuan at her home.
Li Jinyuan, touched by his thoughtfulness, tried to help in the kitchen but was gently told to let him handle the cooking. Gu Yanzhi shared good news: her fashion trading app was on schedule, with investors and IT support secured. Later, Gu Yanzhi gave Chen Zheng a bank card to fund Li Jinyuan’s app, revealing he had mortgaged his house for the money.
Chen Zheng, shocked, initially thought Gu Yanzhi was crazy for such extravagance but eventually recognized it as true love for Li Jinyuan. Gu Yanzhi insisted Chen Zheng hide his involvement, asking him to tell Li Jinyuan that an old business partner, feeling indebted from a past collaboration, was providing the support for free. Chen Zheng agreed and later conveyed this to a delighted Li Jinyuan, who praised the proposed app name, "Fashionable," and enthusiastically prayed for its success.
Soon after, Qingcheng's Snowy Smoke silk shirts launched, quickly becoming a huge sales hit. Peter, observing the impressive sales report for Qingcheng shirts, was visibly displeased. Elsewhere, Li Zhicheng hurried to a processing factory, anxiously asking the supervisor if defective buttons could be separated from the genuine ones. The supervisor reluctantly explained that it was incredibly difficult to distinguish them by eye alone, as they were "good knockoffs," making the task of sorting millions of buttons nearly impossible. Li Zhicheng questioned the factory's supervision process.
Episode 45 Recap
Li Zhicheng, inspecting the workshop, found a large number of defective buttons. He questioned the supervisor, who explained the difficulty in distinguishing the good knockoffs from the millions of buttons, and suspected sabotage. Li Zhicheng instructed him to find experienced workers to meticulously sort out all the resin buttons, emphasizing that Qingcheng shirts must not contain unqualified parts, even if it slowed production.
Later, at the Qingcheng shop, Lin Qian showed Li Zhicheng social media posts about the button issue, expressing concern about its impact on sales and asking if they should continue operating. Li Zhicheng confidently affirmed that they must stay open to avoid appearing guilty, attributing the sabotage to Peter. As many consumers gathered outside the Qingcheng store demanding their rights, Li Zhicheng stepped out.
He introduced himself as the President of Wenda and the person in charge of Qingcheng shirts, promising unconditional returns for any shirts with button quality issues. He clarified that their shirts were fundamentally sound, but the buttons had been maliciously replaced. He challenged those responsible to confront them directly rather than resorting to underhanded tactics. Peter, having received a highly positive evaluation from DP Headquarters regarding the Snowy Smoke silk design, was instructed to acquire Qingcheng.
The report praised the new fabric's unique qualities, calling it a potential revolution. Peter, aware that conventional business strategies were not working against Li Zhicheng, resorted to other means. He visited Lin Qian at her shop, feigning an apology for past plagiarism and attempting to offer her a position as DP's chief designer for the Asia region with a salary of five million yuan. Lin Qian immediately rejected him and asked him to leave.
Peter remarked that such a lucrative fabric was "too good to stay in China" and repeatedly pressed her for a price for the Snowy Smoke silk intellectual property rights. Lin Qian questioned if everything in his eyes had a price. Just then, Li Zhicheng arrived, furiously condemning Peter's despicable methods. Peter then left, coolly stating he had no other options, leading Lin Qian to call him "sick."
Meanwhile, Li Zhicheng, Ning Weikai, and Chen Zheng convened to discuss the button incident. Ning Weikai suggested slowing production due to the damage to their reputation. Li Zhicheng, however, explained he was investigating, but the absence of CCTV in the warehouse and the disappearance of the warehouse watchman complicated matters. He pointed out that Peter's sales hadn't increased, indicating the sabotage hurt Wenda without benefiting DP. Halting production, he argued, would only serve Peter's agenda.
He asked Ning Weikai to contact H Group magazine for positive publicity, and Ning Weikai agreed to reach out to Grace. Li Zhicheng also tasked Chen Zheng with defending their reputation online. Grace returned to H Group, but her plans to resume work were thwarted. Upon entering President Wu’s office, she discovered him in an intimate moment with Lisa.
Despite Grace's offer to cut her vacation short to address the market situation, President Wu insisted Lisa was managing well and informed Grace that the board had decided Lisa would take over as chief editor. Distraught, Grace left. She then called Ning Weikai, explaining she couldn't help him get positive publicity from H Group due to Lisa and President Wu being "very close."
Later, during dinner with Ning Weikai, Grace expressed her frustration, telling him she had emailed H Group headquarters about the situation and was awaiting a response, determined to keep pushing until they acted. She couldn't believe headquarters would let Lisa "do whatever she wants." Back at the Qingcheng store, Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng examined the defective buttons. They discovered a significant difference in melting points between natural shell and resin buttons.
Li Zhicheng immediately called Gu Yanzhi, instructing him to have the factory heat-test all buttons to identify the inferior ones, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Li Zhicheng soon located Old Zhao, the warehouse watchman from the day of the incident. Li Zhicheng offered him bereavement compensation for his recently deceased father, but Zhao declined, claiming he had already left the company. When pressed about the button sabotage, Zhao feigned ignorance.
However, upon being shown a photo of Peter, Zhao visibly tensed, despite claiming he had never seen the man. Li Zhicheng, sensing Zhao’s discomfort, then offered him a chance to return to Wenda after the funeral. Afterwards, Li Zhicheng told Lin Qian that Zhao seemed very suspicious and he would look into him further. Lin Qian praised Li Zhicheng's method of using heat to identify the bad buttons.
Lin Qian, noticing a new photography studio nearby, enthusiastically suggested they take wedding photos there. Li Zhicheng readily agreed to go wherever she wanted, even playfully suggesting a polar bear photoshoot. Meanwhile, Lisa demanded advertising payments for H Group from Peter. Peter stalled, citing high costs from external suppliers after Wenda's supposed production halt, and asked her to delay the payment for a month.
He then pressured Lisa to use H magazine to boycott Snowy Smoke silk and sabotage Qingcheng shirts. Lisa refused, seeing it as a losing proposition and declining to be his spy. Peter then revealed compromising photos and videos of Lisa and President Wu, threatening to release them to headquarters. Lisa's resolve crumbled under the threat. Peter further indicated that Grace would be out of commission for months.
As Lin Qian was getting her makeup done for the wedding photoshoot, she received a frantic call from Chen Yayi, who said there was a "situation" at the store. When Li Zhicheng arrived at the studio, he learned Lin Qian had rushed back to the store, still in her wedding dress. At the store, a couple was causing a scene, claiming the wife had a severe allergic reaction from wearing a Qingcheng Snowy Smoke silk shirt, ruining their wedding day.
They had already splattered paint on the storefront, and Chen Yayi had been slapped while trying to intervene. Lin Qian confronted the couple, questioning their evidence and pointing out that she, also wearing the dress, was fine. The couple grew aggressive, attempting to barge into the store. Li Zhicheng arrived, effortlessly subduing the two troublemakers.
He calmly addressed the crowd, suggesting that if the man truly cared for his bride, he would take her for medical attention rather than creating a disturbance. Li Zhicheng also offered to cover their wedding hotel costs. He then publicly identified himself as the President of Wenda, vowing to thoroughly investigate the incident and clear Qingcheng's name. The troublemakers were then escorted away for medical treatment.
Returning inside, Li Zhicheng comforted Lin Qian, assuring her he would handle everything and not to let such incidents spoil her mood. They then returned to the photography studio to continue their wedding photoshoot. Grace, while shopping and on the phone with Ning Weikai, was deliberately pushed down a staircase by a man in a cap, rendering her unconscious. Ning Weikai rushed to Tong Ji Hospital, where his assistant informed him Grace only had a sprained ankle.
When Grace awoke, she confirmed that someone had intentionally pushed her, raising Ning Weikai's suspicions. Grace lamented her injury, as H Group headquarters had just responded to her email, planning to speak with Lisa soon due to perceived problems and wanting Grace to return to the company. Ning Weikai urged her to focus on her recovery. Gu Yanzhi received a call from the bank reminding him that his mortgage was soon due, causing him evident distress as he hung up.
Elsewhere, Peter informed Lisa about the alleged allergic reaction from Qingcheng's fabric, delaying a wedding. Lisa condemned Peter as a "devil" for endangering people's lives. Peter chillingly countered with a story about a smiling middle school teacher who was a murderer, implying that appearances could be deceiving and that he could make people "go to hell."
He then renewed his threats against Lisa, asserting she must cooperate or face the release of her compromising photos and videos, and ominously mentioning he could make people "fall off the stairs." Li Zhicheng later discussed the "allergic bride" incident with Lin Qian, revealing that his people had confirmed the couple was not actually getting married and never left their house.
He mused that this unusual tactic didn't fit Peter's usual style, suspecting a larger scheme to dismantle Linhai's apparel industry after acquiring other companies. Lin Qian noted H Magazine was now essentially a DP brochure. Li Zhicheng then received a call from Monkey, reporting that Gu Yanzhi's car was parked at Peter's house and Gu Yanzhi had gone inside. Li Zhicheng instructed Monkey not to intervene yet.
That evening, at home, Li Zhicheng subtly questioned Li Jinyuan about her app's progress and Gu Yanzhi's recent activities. Li Jinyuan, while admitting her app wasn't as successful as hoped, defended Gu Yanzhi's loyalty to Wenda, offering to speak with him if he wasn't following Li Zhicheng's lead. Li Zhicheng simply told her to eat.
Episode 46 Recap
After the building's elevator broke, Ning Weikai carried Grace up to her 22nd-floor office. He playfully complained about the strenuous climb while Grace teased him about his stamina. Once inside, Ning Weikai brought her a drink and massaged her injured foot. This act stirred a poignant memory for Grace, who recalled her father massaging her feet when she was little after a childhood accident.
She recounted how he had carried her two kilometers to the hospital, losing his shoes in the rush. Overcome with emotion, Grace lamented that she would never see him again, to which Ning Weikai lovingly reassured her that someone loved her even more than her father. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi, looking uneasy in his office, received an urgent call from the bank.
He was sternly informed that if he failed to repay his loan within a week, his mortgaged property would be auctioned off as stipulated in their contract. Shortly after, Gu Yanzhi was summoned to Li Zhicheng’s office. Li Zhicheng casually inquired about Gu Yanzhi’s recent activities before directly asking what he had been discussing with Peter. Gu Yanzhi seemed taken aback, and Li Zhicheng, with a friendly warning, advised him to be cautious of Peter’s character.
Gu Yanzhi vaguely responded that he knew what he was doing. When Li Zhicheng received a call, Gu Yanzhi asked about it, but Li Zhicheng did not elaborate, instead instructing him to prepare Qingcheng's sales report. Li Zhicheng and Woodpecker later met in an underground garage. Woodpecker reported that he had seen Lao Zhao enter Peter’s car, though he was unsure of what transpired inside.
Indeed, Peter was inside his car, handing money to Lao Zhao, who complained that Peter had paid him 10,000 yuan less than agreed. As they argued, Li Zhicheng and Woodpecker strategically blocked Peter's car doors. A terrified Lao Zhao immediately tried to explain to Li Zhicheng that Peter had bribed him. Peter, however, remained unfazed, confidently asserting that Li Zhicheng lacked any real evidence against him.
He then arrogantly suggested that Qingcheng's shirt sales were plummeting and that Qingcheng and Snowy Smoke should be handed over to DP. Li Zhicheng, seeing Peter’s unrepentant attitude, sternly warned him that his unethical competitive tactics would eventually lead to his expulsion from China. Li Zhicheng also confronted Peter, accusing him of plagiarizing designs, hiring an employee to sabotage the buttons, disrupting Wenda's stores, and even arranging Grace's injury.
Peter denied these accusations, dismissing them as Li Zhicheng's imagination, but confidently reiterated that Qingcheng was a wasted opportunity in Li Zhicheng's hands and would only succeed under DP. Li Zhicheng fiercely retorted that Wenda, Qingcheng, Simeiqi, and Xinbaorui would all be fine, while DP would be "totally gone." Peter retorted with a smug smile, advising Li Zhicheng to buy the latest H Magazine.
After Peter left, Li Zhicheng told Woodpecker not to pursue Lao Zhao immediately, as he was clearly frightened and likely threatened by Peter, but to give him some time, and also instructed him to get a copy of H Magazine. While Ning Weikai was still with Grace, Zhu Hanjing called, urging him to return to the company due to an urgent matter.
He rushed to Xinbaorui’s meeting room, where he was shocked to learn that Zhu Hanchong intended to sell his shares in the company. Ning Weikai and Zhu Hanjing tried to persuade him, emphasizing that Xinbaorui was their late father's legacy. Zhu Hanchong, however, dismissed their sentiments, claiming Xinbaorui had no emotional value to him and that he had never had a say in its operations.
He argued that with Xinbaorui's declining performance and the rapid growth of DP, his shares would soon be worthless, and he wished to cash out to pursue ventures he truly enjoyed, such as mobile games or property management. Zhu Hanjing, feeling helpless, questioned Ning Weikai about his whereabouts earlier that day. Just then, Ning Weikai received a call from Grace. He hesitated, preparing to leave, but Zhu Hanjing reminded him of his promise to their father to protect Xinbaorui.
Ning Weikai assured her he intended to keep his promise and would stick with Xinbaorui through thick and thin, but stated he still had to leave. Woodpecker purchased the latest H Magazine, which featured Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng’s wedding photo on the cover. The accompanying article maliciously distorted facts, accusing them of fraud and claiming their Qingcheng clothing endangered public safety. Lin Qian was furious and wanted to confront the photo studio for leaking their pictures without permission.
Li Zhicheng, equally angered, went to Lisa, the editor of H Magazine, for an explanation. Lisa skillfully defended the article as factual reporting, claiming it had been legally vetted, and then attempted to subtly seduce him. Li Zhicheng, however, quickly pulled away, maintaining a professional distance, and warned her to stay away from Peter to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Back in his office, Gu Yanzhi was on the phone with Peter, who was pressuring him to accept an offer for his shares, mentioning Zhu Hanchong’s recent sale of Xinbaorui shares and suggesting that Li Zhicheng's nepotism was holding Gu Yanzhi back. Just then, Li Zhicheng entered and confirmed that Zhu Hanchong had indeed sold his shares.
Gu Yanzhi muttered to himself that shares held would eventually be worth nothing unless cashed out for assets like a house or a car, or used to start something new. Li Zhicheng, his suspicions piqued, asked what he meant, but Gu Yanzhi quickly masked his true thoughts, claiming it was just a casual remark. After much deliberation, Gu Yanzhi decided to accept Peter’s offer to sell his shares in Wenda.
He stipulated that the money be directly wired to his account and that the deal remain confidential until completed. Peter agreed, a cold smile forming on his lips. Separately, Gao Lang called Li Zhicheng to report on the investigation into Grace’s injury. He confirmed that surveillance footage showed someone deliberately pushed her down the stairs. However, he also noted that the image was grainy, and the attacker wore a hat, making identification impossible.
Li Zhicheng later shared this unsettling news with a surprised Grace. Chen Zheng took Chen Yayi to a masquerade party, where she felt uncomfortable with the unrestrained atmosphere. While Chen Zheng was distracted, his friend, Xinyu, behaved inappropriately towards Chen Yayi. Distressed, Chen Yayi left the party, and Chen Zheng followed her, initially trying to praise her for her "feisty" reaction.
She expressed her desire to end their "tacky, obscene game" and return to a single life, emphasizing that she sought a boyfriend who would hold her hand and never let go, not one who paraded her at such parties. Chen Zheng, frustrated, accused her of constantly hiding their relationship as if he were an embarrassment, to which Chen Yayi pointed out that he himself had let go of her hand on the dance floor.
Their argument escalated, and Chen Yayi broke up with him, stating they were over. Later, Zhu Hanjing returned home to find a drunken Zhu Hanchong sitting by the door. He admitted he had come back because he missed his sister and their late father. He reminisced about waiting for their busy father as a child, learning the exact positions of the stars while he waited.
Zhu Hanjing, touched, recalled their father’s strictness but also the strong, if sometimes complicated, bond they shared, noting their father would hit Zhu Hanchong for waiting at the door. Zhu Hanchong explained that he only waited to see his father sooner when he biked home.
Episode 47 Recap
Lin Qian, speaking with some hesitation, called her brother Lin Mocchen to inform him that she and Li Zhicheng intended to get their marriage license and requested he provide the household registration document. Lin Mocchen immediately refused, feigning not knowing its whereabouts, despite Lin Qian's reminder that he had it for property and visa matters.
He clarified that while he didn't oppose their relationship, he didn't support their immediate marriage, warning that marriage intertwines interests and could lead to a messy divorce. Lin Qian asserted that she had thought it through and truly loved Li Zhicheng, trusting her feelings. Lin Mocchen then suggested they could hold a wedding banquet first and delay legal registration. Lin Qian strongly rejected this, accusing him of viewing relationships like investments.
Lin Mocchen defended his perspective, claiming it offered the most accurate view, but Lin Qian insisted the document was at his place. Li Zhicheng noticed Lin Qian’s unhappiness and learned that her brother’s suggestion of a trial marriage had upset her. She reiterated her desire for a real marriage and hoped to register on the anniversary of their first meeting. Li Zhicheng promised to overcome her brother’s challenges.
Lin Qian then seriously proposed forming a dedicated design team for Qingcheng, explaining that she was overwhelmed juggling design, planning, and sales. Li Zhicheng readily agreed to help her find the right people, and Lin Qian expressed her happiness at having his support. When Li Zhicheng shared his predicament regarding the household registration, his team offered various suggestions. Wasp proposed getting Lin Mocchen drunk, assuming five of them could outdrink him.
However, when Li Zhicheng asked Lin Qian about her brother's alcohol tolerance, she revealed he was "extraordinarily good" at holding his liquor, making that plan seem unfeasible. Meanwhile, Lin Qian continued interviewing designers for Qingcheng, including a Parsons graduate who expressed a desire to elevate a local brand. Lin Qian challenged her to design a party dress with a Qingcheng theme within three days.
Li Zhicheng later met with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng on a yacht to discuss a joint strategy against DP. He explained that despite its success, Qingcheng shirts had a limited target audience and lacked diverse price ranges and designs, making long-term sustainability difficult. He proposed creating sub-brands under the Qingcheng name: X-Qingcheng for the high-end market (to be handled by Xinbaorui), S-Qingcheng for the comparatively low-end (by Simeiqi), and W-Qingcheng for the mid-range (by Wenda).
This comprehensive approach, utilizing Snowy Smoke silk as the primary fabric alongside other materials, aimed to capture the entire apparel market, establishing Qingcheng as Linhai City's top brand and eventually an internationally recognized one. Ning Weikai voiced concern about the immense workload for Lin Qian designing across all three segments, but Li Zhicheng assured him that Qingcheng was already assembling a design team, and Lin Qian was actively interviewing professionals.
He emphasized that their collaborative production would leverage original designs and Snowy Smoke silk to compete effectively against DP's plagiarized products and lower costs. He clarified that Simeiqi would manage online and mobile sales, Xinbaorui retail stores and production, and Wenda would provide the necessary funding, estimating 200 million yuan. He stressed the importance of keeping their collaboration secret from Peter.
Lin Qian called Lin Mocchen, falsely claiming she had lost her ID card and needed the household registration to apply for a replacement, insisting it was an emergency. Lin Mocchen, suspicious that she might actually want the document for a marriage license, reluctantly returned to Linhai City. Upon his arrival, Lin Mocchen directly questioned Lin Qian's lie.
Lin Qian, feigning compliance, told him she had considered his previous advice and was now agreeable to holding a wedding first before getting legally registered, citing Li Zhicheng's father's health as a reason to avoid upsetting him. She tried to entice him with a home-cooked meal, which he eyed with suspicion. Over dinner, Lin Mocchen cautioned her about Li Zhicheng, a businessman who might use business strategies on her, and expressed his worry. Lin Qian acknowledged his concern.
He also jokingly imposed a "no babies" rule, to which Lin Qian readily agreed. He explained his "obstacle" role was meant to test their love, and if they passed, their story would be richer. He then playfully accused her of trying to get him drunk to steal the household registration. Lin Qian, denying it, then revealed her actual "big news": her plan to build her own design team for Qingcheng and sought his advice.
Lin Mocchen offered valuable insights, emphasizing that true high-end brands, like custom Italian shoemakers, succeed by consistently insisting on quality and design, regardless of market changes. Lin Qian found his advice very enlightening. Li Zhicheng arrived at Lin Qian's home, informing her that he, Chen Zheng, and Ning Weikai had successfully reached an agreement to jointly execute the Qingcheng plan.
Lin Mocchen, already having consumed a bottle of red wine, jokingly remarked on Lin Qian's apparent change of heart about delaying the marriage license, saying they would both thank him later. Li Zhicheng offered to share more strong liquor he had in his car. As the drinking continued, Lin Mocchen became increasingly intoxicated. He warned Li Zhicheng to treat Lin Qian well, vowing retribution if he ever betrayed her.
Li Zhicheng, who had wisely taken anti-hangover medicine and yogurt earlier, remained sober. Once Lin Mocchen passed out, Lin Qian carefully retrieved the household registration document from his person, celebrating triumphantly. The next day, Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng, dressed in camouflage, arrived at the civil affairs bureau. Both admitted to feeling nervous about the significant event. After verifying their details, they proceeded to the wedding proclamation ceremony.
They solemnly vowed, by their free will, to become husband and wife, taking responsibility for their marriage, caring for their parents, educating their children, and vowing to respect, love, trust, encourage, understand, tolerate, and depend on each other until death, through all circumstances, sharing joy and sorrow. With their vows exchanged, they officially became a legally married couple, sharing a sweet moment.
Returning home, Lin Mocchen had sobered up and, as he had predicted, realized they had already registered their marriage. He expressed deep hurt and disappointment, having not expected them to resort to such a trick to obtain the document. He refused Lin Qian's apology. Li Zhicheng stepped in, taking full responsibility, explaining that for him, the marriage certificate was essential to legitimately love and protect Lin Qian.
Lin Qian then confirmed to her brother that she had indeed chosen to spend her life with Li Zhicheng, asking him not to oppose them further, even if he couldn't offer his blessings. Seeing his continued silence, Li Zhicheng presented a prenuptial agreement drafted by a lawyer. He stated that if he ever betrayed their love or harmed Lin Qian, all his assets would go to her, and the contract required nothing from Lin Qian, as he trusted her completely.
He had already signed it and asked Lin Qian to sign it to make it effective. Lin Qian, however, was outraged, tearing up the document. She tearfully accused her brother of forcing their love to be based on a contract. Lin Mocchen, witnessing her distress, finally softened. He conceded that if they truly loved each other, the marriage certificate itself wouldn't protect them, but seeing their commitment, he wished them happiness.
Li Zhicheng later assured Lin Qian that her brother's actions stemmed from deep love for her. Meanwhile, at a Xinbaorui board meeting, Ning Weikai presented the Qingcheng collaboration plan. Zhu Hanjing found the idea of creating a new label too risky given Xinbaorui's current situation. Ning Weikai argued that it was a do-or-die situation, emphasizing that partnering with Wenda using the Qingcheng brand was their best chance for a comeback.
He sought the directors' support, but many remained hesitant, with some questioning the confidence in winning back customers from DP. Zhu Hanjing ultimately requested more time to consider. After Ning Weikai informed Li Zhicheng that Zhu Hanjing was not fully on board, Li Zhicheng decided to meet her personally. He explained that Xinbaorui's market share was declining, especially after her brother Zhu Hanchong sold his shares, and that the company urgently needed a bold move to stabilize its position.
He presented Qingcheng as that crucial opportunity, highlighting its rising popularity and Lin Qian's designs, as well as Chen Zheng's involvement through a new e-commerce method unknown to DP. He expressed confidence that their three-way collaboration would open up a new market in Linhai. Zhu Hanjing directly questioned whether his plan was purely motivated by his personal feelings for Lin Qian.
Li Zhicheng, while not denying his feelings, firmly stated that he would never propose an unsound business plan based solely on personal interests. Zhu Hanjing agreed to review the plan closely. Separately, Ning Weikai visited Grace, who, after reviewing the Qingcheng plan, believed it could be a turning point for Xinbaorui. Ning Weikai proposed that if the plan failed, they would fulfill her long-standing wish to travel together.
Grace jokingly questioned how he would provide for her if he lost everything, but he reassured her he would still take care of her, promising his words were only for her. While Peter was out, Gao Lang infiltrated Peter's home by climbing over the wall. He photographed a "Qingcheng Plan" document in the living room and then accessed Peter's computer in the bedroom to copy files. Peter unexpectedly returned, ambushing Gao Lang. Recognizing him as "Ning Weikai's sidekick" and a "hooligan," Peter accused Gao Lang of trespassing, leading to a violent struggle.
Episode 48 Recap
Peter ambushed Gao Lang at his home, striking him and accusing him of illegal trespassing. Peter called Gao Lang Ning Weikai’s hooligan sidekick, reminding him of his past as a security guard and his jail time. He threatened to send Gao Lang back to prison and demanded to know why Ning Weikai had sent him. Gao Lang retorted that he had come on his own to ask if Peter was behind Grace’s injury.
Peter denied it, then revealed a hidden surveillance camera in a flower pot, claiming to have evidence of Gao Lang's burglary. He offered Gao Lang a choice: provide intelligence on Xinbaorui, or face legal consequences. Gao Lang defiantly refused to betray Ning Weikai, leading to another fierce struggle. Outside, Wasp and Woodpecker, who were monitoring Peter's residence, witnessed the assault but held back from intervening to avoid exposing their surveillance.
Peter eventually knocked Gao Lang unconscious and then called the police, falsely reporting a home invasion and robbery. Ning Weikai was preparing soup for Grace when Li Zhicheng called to inform him of Gao Lang's arrest at Peter's home. Shocked, Ning Weikai thanked Li Zhicheng and, accompanied by Grace, rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, Wasp and another subordinate discussed Peter's impressive fighting skills, suggesting he might be an ex-military serviceman due to the severity and precision of his attacks.
Li Zhicheng, their commander, ordered them to maintain close surveillance on Peter and the "fake marriage" couple to gather evidence, especially regarding Grace’s fall, emphasizing that the truth often reveals itself when one is on the verge of giving up. At the hospital, police blocked Ning Weikai and Grace from seeing Gao Lang, who, in a moment of lucidity, weakly pleaded with Ning Weikai to care for his mother.
Grace advised Ning Weikai against acting impulsively and urged him to secure a lawyer for Gao Lang. In the hospital corridor, they encountered Peter, who provocatively gloated about Gao Lang's potential prison sentence and sarcastically commented on Ning Weikai's subordinates. He further mocked Grace's recent injury becoming headline news. Infuriated, Ning Weikai attempted to physically confront Peter, but Grace intervened, urging him to remain calm and promising they would find an appropriate way to retaliate.
Later, Ning Weikai was seen drinking heavily, expressing his hatred for Peter, while Grace tried to console him, reminding him they couldn't act foolishly given Gao Lang's situation. At Peter's office, Lisa presented Peter with information: three Linhai City companies were collaborating on a massive initiative called the "Qingcheng Plan," which she believed would pose a significant threat to DP. Lisa hoped this information would secure the return of her compromising photographs and videos from Peter.
However, Peter found the details insufficient for an exchange and instead demanded the complete Qingcheng business plan before he would return her items. He also hinted at additional advertising fees and personal gain for her. Zhu Hanjing visited Ning Weikai, expressing her concern about Gao Lang's incident and its negative impact on Xinbaorui. Ning Weikai assured her he would ensure Xinbaorui remained untainted by the scandal and denied instigating the incident.
Zhu Hanjing then criticized Ning Weikai for being distracted by Grace and neglecting Xinbaorui, suggesting he allowed Gao Lang to be jailed because of Grace’s injury. She urged him to focus entirely on the Qingcheng plan. Ning Weikai apologized and promised to handle all matters, including dealing with reporters.
He also instructed his assistant to send 300,000 yuan to Gao Lang's ailing mother, an offer Ning Weikai personally declined to be associated with, stating it was a matter between him and Gao Lang, not the company. Subsequently, Lisa visited Wenda, attempting to interview Li Zhicheng about the Qingcheng Plan. Li Zhicheng was dismissive, stating he had a meeting and refused to disclose any details or the project plan.
Lisa then shifted her questions to Gao Lang's arrest and rumors of him trying to steal DP's trade secrets. Li Zhicheng claimed unfamiliarity with Gao Lang and sternly warned Lisa against attacking Xinbaorui, reminding her that DP was also a shareholder. With no further information, Lisa left Wenda. Meanwhile, Gu Yanzhi was giving Li Jinyuan a piggyback ride as they strolled, but Li Jinyuan noticed his recent distraction.
She asked if he was hiding something or in conflict with her brother. Gu Yanzhi admitted he was preoccupied with finding a solution to the problem with DP. Li Jinyuan advised him not to overstress, suggesting it was fine to earn less profit as long as they avoided losses. Later that evening, Lin Qian called Li Zhicheng, asking him to come home because she was scared to be alone.
Li Zhicheng told her he would be very late, working on the joint venture details for Wenda, Xinbaorui, and Simeiqi, with the contract signing scheduled for the next day. Lin Qian expressed her disappointment about spending their first wedding night alone. Li Zhicheng advised her not to open the door to strangers. Shortly after, a knock came at the door.
Lin Qian, still on the phone with Li Zhicheng, hesitantly opened it to find him standing there, disguised in a large polar bear costume, much to her surprise and delight. He introduced himself as "Bao Bao from the North Pole," playfully calling her his loyal fan. The next day, Li Zhicheng was in a meeting with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng, celebrating their successful collaboration.
Unexpectedly, Peter called Li Zhicheng, congratulating him on his marriage before delivering a "wedding gift": Gu Yanzhi had sold his shares in Wenda to DP, with the agreement already signed. Li Zhicheng was both shocked and angry. He later returned home to Lin Qian, who worried Peter was trying to alienate them and dismantle Wenda. She suggested asking Gu Yanzhi about it, and Li Zhicheng confirmed he had already invited Gu Yanzhi to their home.
When Gu Yanzhi arrived, Li Zhicheng immediately confronted him, demanding an explanation. Gu Yanzhi, however, was defiant, declaring the shares were his to sell to whomever he pleased. Li Zhicheng accused him of putting Wenda in a death trap, given DP's known ambition to take over Linhai's market and their current efforts to secretly acquire shares. Gu Yanzhi responded by throwing a resignation letter onto the table, stating he was no longer part of Wenda.
When Li Zhicheng asked if he was in need of money, Gu Yanzhi angrily rejected any "charity" and demanded to know if Li Zhicheng could give him what he truly wanted: the top job at Wenda. Lin Qian interjected, reminding Gu Yanzhi that Wenda was the Li family's enterprise and questioning how he could make such a statement given Li Zhicheng's brotherly treatment of him.
Gu Yanzhi reiterated that Li Zhicheng couldn't give him what he desired, and he needed to forge his own path. Lin Qian expressed her disappointment, accusing him of allying with the enemy and questioning if he had hidden troubles he wouldn't share. Gu Yanzhi simply replied that he didn't want to face it with them and abruptly left. Gu Yanzhi then went to the Li family home, where Li Jinyuan furiously confronted him.
Crying, she slapped him and demanded to know why he was betraying Wenda, her brother, and their family. Gu Yanzhi calmly stated, "I need the money." Despite her repeated pleas for an explanation, he remained silent. Overwhelmed, Li Jinyuan expressed her hurt and disbelief that there was no basic trust between them. She declared she could not love a traitor who might one day betray her too, and ended their relationship.
Gu Yanzhi was visibly heartbroken but still offered no defense. Later, in Gu Yanzhi's office, Li Zhicheng reflected on Lin Qian's suspicion that Gu Yanzhi had ulterior motives. He mused that Gu Yanzhi might be employing a "faking injury" tactic, pretending to sell his shares to gain Peter's trust while secretly going undercover. However, he also worried about Gu Yanzhi's recklessness and Peter's cunning nature. While contemplating, he discovered a bank loan business card in Gu Yanzhi's drawer.
He immediately called the number, posing as Gu Yanzhi's friend, to inquire about a mortgage, scheduling a meeting. He then called Monkey, instructing him to attend the meeting, pretending to be Gu Yanzhi's friend, and ascertain the loan amount. Meanwhile, Grace, having recuperated, resolved to return to H Group. She believed Peter was too ambitious, connecting his actions with Lisa, her own injury, and now Gu Yanzhi's situation.
Concerned that H Magazine had become Peter's propaganda tool, she decided to reclaim her position, stating her leave was not a resignation. Li Zhicheng then visited Li Jinyuan, who, still crying, confirmed her breakup with Gu Yanzhi. She reiterated her belief that he had hidden troubles but wouldn't confide in her.
Li Zhicheng acknowledged her understanding of Gu Yanzhi and asked her to maintain the facade of their breakup for a few days, allowing the outside world to believe it was real and thereby protecting Gu Yanzhi's true intentions. Peter and Gu Yanzhi met at a bar. As they talked, Monkey, Woodpecker, and Antelope, following Li Zhicheng's instructions, intentionally entered the bar, making their presence known. Gu Yanzhi angrily confronted them, loudly demanding to know if Li Zhicheng had sent them.
Though Monkey denied it, Gu Yanzhi, in a theatrical display, smashed his glass, declaring that after years of hard work at Wenda, he owed Li Zhicheng nothing and had earned whatever he was getting. He then angrily told them to leave. Back in their car, Monkey expressed his confusion over Gu Yanzhi's "crazy" reaction, but Wasp clarified that it was a strategic "showdown act" between Commander Li Zhicheng and Vice President Gu, with Peter as the intended audience.
Separately, Chen Zheng attempted to contact Chen Yayi, but his calls went unanswered. He sent her a message, expressing his desire to reconcile and how his previous words were born of frustration, only to find himself blocked by her. Grace, back at H Group, was welcomed by her colleagues, who complained about Lisa turning the magazine into DP's marketing department. Grace reassured them that these issues would soon be resolved. She then confronted Lisa, who was sitting in Grace's office.
Grace pointed out that the magazine was filled with praise for DP, resembling a promotional brochure. Lisa defended it by citing DP as their main advertiser, but Grace asserted that she was well aware of the company's happenings despite her leave.
Episode 49 Recap
Grace returned to H Fashion Group, finding Lisa settled in her old office. Grace noted that the magazine had become a promotional brochure for DP. Lisa defended that DP was their biggest advertiser, justifying her numerous special interviews and features for the company. Grace, however, revealed she had checked the accounting department and discovered that Lisa had provided these extensive promotions for Peter without charge.
She confronted Lisa about Peter's past criminal acts, including mixing fake buttons into products, causing a scene at Qingcheng's store, and arranging for someone to push Grace herself down the stairs. Lisa denied any involvement, but Grace warned her that if she didn't stop now, she would be implicated when Peter was eventually caught. Later, Li Zhicheng intercepted Gu Yanzhi on the road, demanding an explanation for his recent actions.
Gu Yanzhi angrily retorted that Li Zhicheng had always treated him as a subordinate, not a brother, and that Wenda would have collapsed without his help over the years. He declared his right to pursue his own career and told Li Zhicheng he had no right to stop him. Believing Gu Yanzhi was carrying the Qingcheng plan, Li Zhicheng attempted to take it, leading to a physical struggle.
Li Zhicheng punched Gu Yanzhi, who, angered by the blows, declared their years of friendship officially over and that they were now even. Gu Yanzhi then went to meet Peter, who noticed Gu Yanzhi's injured face and offered him something for the pain. Peter asked for the Qingcheng plan. Gu Yanzhi, in turn, demanded a position at DP's Hong Kong office, which Peter agreed to arrange.
Gu Yanzhi handed over a detailed Qingcheng plan, which Peter eagerly reviewed, noting Qingcheng's strategy to surround DP stores and Chen Zheng's new e-commerce channel. Peter felt confident he could prepare in advance. Gu Yanzhi then warned Peter to stop resorting to crude tricks like fake buttons or faking allergic reactions. Surprised that Gu Yanzhi knew, Peter confessed that he had personally orchestrated the button and allergy incidents, aiming to eliminate Qingcheng and Wenda.
Gu Yanzhi, having secretly recorded Peter's confession, then asked Peter why he chose a battle of life or death over mutual coexistence. Peter explained his philosophy, stemming from his past as a mercenary, where he learned that "the fittest shall survive" and rivals must be eliminated. Feigning a headache, Gu Yanzhi then excused himself, leaving Peter to review the "plan." Afterward, Li Zhicheng listened to Gu Yanzhi's recording of Peter's confession.
Li Zhicheng explained that the fight was an act to make their betrayal seem real, and he had always trusted Gu Yanzhi. He also knew that Gu Yanzhi had taken out a mortgage loan for Li Jinyuan and understood that selling his shares to DP was a "two birds with one stone" strategy: to alleviate his own financial pressure and to gain Peter's trust to obtain incriminating evidence.
Gu Yanzhi affirmed that he knew Li Zhicheng trusted him when Li Zhicheng sent Antelope to tail him. Li Zhicheng added that the copy of the Qingcheng plan given to Peter was intentionally fake, and Peter would soon discover it. Li Zhicheng also mentioned that Li Jinyuan was upset and planning to leave, suggesting Gu Yanzhi go to her. Gu Yanzhi stated his intention to use the evidence to sue Peter.
Meanwhile, Lin Qian was teaching a class to designers, emphasizing the importance of incorporating traditional Chinese crafts into international designs to highlight Qingcheng's uniqueness. Li Zhicheng called her to share the good news about obtaining Peter's recorded confession, assuring her it was solid evidence. Lin Qian expressed her happiness and urged him to be careful. Lisa, infuriated, rushed to Peter's office.
She returned his bank card and declared that Grace knew about their relationship and Peter's role in Grace being pushed down the stairs. Peter, realizing Lisa wanted to break free, refused to return her incriminating photos and videos, insisting she continue to work for him. Enraged, Lisa kicked Peter, grabbed a USB drive from his office, and fled. Once safe, Lisa called Grace, tearfully admitting her mistakes, confessing Peter's threats, and confirming his involvement in Grace's injury.
Grace instructed Lisa to stay put and immediately called Li Zhicheng to arrange a meeting with Lisa. Later, in a cafe, Lisa, overwhelmed by Peter's harassment, turned off her phone. Unbeknownst to her, Peter had discovered the Qingcheng plan given to him was fake, specifically noting some data was old. He furiously called Gu Yanzhi, demanding an immediate meeting.
Gu Yanzhi calmly insisted the plan couldn't be wrong and that he was already home and unwell, suggesting they meet the next day. Realizing he had been tricked, Peter hastily gathered cash and passports from his safe, preparing to flee. However, Li Zhicheng had anticipated this and had Antelope monitoring Peter. Li Zhicheng, Grace, and Ning Weikai met Lisa, urging her to act as a witness against Peter.
Lisa expressed her fear of Peter's revenge, explaining her initial motives were to advance her career, not to engage in criminal acts. Li Zhicheng reassured her, emphasizing that Peter was a monster who deserved legal punishment, while Lisa could still have a good life. He urged her to trust the impartiality of the law and promised to ensure her safety.
With Lisa's cooperation and Antelope's surveillance, Peter was apprehended at his home by the police on charges of unfair competition tactics and premeditated assault. During the arrest, a bottle of medication was found. Li Zhicheng confirmed that the person who harmed Grace had been found and was being brought to the police station. As Li Jinyuan sadly packed her bags, ready to leave, Gu Yanzhi suddenly intercepted her car.
He took her to an unfamiliar company, which he revealed was the "Xiyangfan App's backstage platform," a company he had founded for her. He explained that he had mortgaged his property for its startup capital and later sold his Wenda shares to Peter to secure further funding for the app's development and promotion.
He clarified that this entire elaborate plan was also to get close to Peter and help Li Zhicheng obtain evidence of Peter's crimes, which was the only way to help Wenda through its difficulties. Li Jinyuan, tearfully, expressed her sadness that he hadn't told her sooner. Gu Yanzhi replied that as his beloved woman, she only needed to focus on what she enjoyed doing, and he didn't want to burden her.
He concluded by saying he could lose everything, but never her. Li Jinyuan, with tears in her eyes, promised to share all his burdens and never leave him. Li Zhicheng later discussed the success of their ruse with Lin Qian. Lin Qian asked how he knew Peter would see them fighting. Li Zhicheng explained that Antelope had observed Peter's daily routine of looking out his office window every day at 10 AM, making their act strategically visible.
He expressed regret that Peter would only be deported and sent for psychiatric treatment in his home country, rather than serving a long prison sentence, but was content that Peter was out of the industry. He also revealed that Peter suffered from bipolar disorder, stemming from a battlefield injury and later exacerbated by business pressures, requiring regular medication. Lin Qian then voiced a concern, asking if Li Zhicheng, like Peter, would become ruthless with increasing business success.
Li Zhicheng assured her that he wouldn't, because he now understood love. Taking this opportunity, Lin Qian hesitantly asked if they could postpone their wedding for a week, as she wanted to take the Qingcheng brand to Paris Fashion Week for a new designers' show. Li Zhicheng readily agreed.
Amused by his quick consent, Lin Qian playfully "assigned" him the task of planning their wedding, to which he enthusiastically accepted, vowing that if he failed, his "wife the boss" would mete out the punishment. He encouraged her to focus on her designs, acknowledging that Paris Fashion Week was a huge opportunity for Qingcheng. In a meeting with Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng, Li Zhicheng discussed the current market situation.
He noted that DP had transferred a new senior executive from America. His investigation revealed that DP's high-end brand, Royal, was selling at prices approximately 60% higher in the domestic market compared to overseas, indicating artificially inflated popularity. Li Zhicheng proposed a strategy to disrupt DP's pricing: using Gu Yanzhi and Li Jinyuan's newly upgraded Xiyangfan App, which now supported overseas e-commerce, to import Royal-brand products from abroad at lower prices and sell them domestically at mid-range prices.
Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng praised this innovative strategy. Subsequently, the Qingcheng brand successfully began to replace DP's stores in Lin Hai. At the Qingcheng brand's "Time of Our Life" product launch, Chen Yayi hosted a warm-up event, beginning with reading messages from four selected cards.
As she read the first card, which eloquently expressed fondness for her short hair, enjoying ice cream with her, her proud and witty nature, and constantly demanding payment of debts, Chen Yayi recognized Chen Zheng's words. Flashbacks of their shared moments, including his efforts to make her happy by trying various sugar levels in drinks for her preference and his heartfelt promise to protect her, flooded her mind. Realizing it was truly from him, Chen Yayi, overcome with emotion, abandoned the stage and rushed out to find him.
Episode 50 (Ending) Recap
Chen Yayi frantically searched for Chen Zheng, but could not find him anywhere. As she was losing hope, Chen Zheng suddenly appeared with a bouquet of flowers. He knelt before her, passionately declaring that he only wanted to be with her, to take her to see different places in the world, and that he could delete all his social circle apps if she believed in him.
He also stated that being with her made him feel especially comfortable, and that she made him feel sunny and ambitious. He proposed to her in public, promising her a wonderful life. Overjoyed, Chen Yayi rushed into his arms for a sweet embrace and kiss. At the Qingcheng store, Lin Qian received an express delivery. Just as she was about to open it, her brother, Lin Mocen, called, revealing the package contained all his shares in Wenda.
He intended these shares as a dowry for her. Lin Qian was very grateful that her brother accepted her relationship with Li Zhicheng. At the Qingcheng brand launch event, Li Zhicheng delivered a speech. He passionately declared his intention to develop Qingcheng globally. He expressed his gratitude for the help from Ning Weikai and Chen Zheng. Finally, he gave a special thank you to Qingcheng brand's chief designer and his wife, Lin Qian.
Lin Qian, watching the launch event via video, felt endless sweetness seeing Li Zhicheng declare his love publicly. Li Jinyuan was intently watching the Qingcheng launch event video at the company when Gu Yanzhi tiptoed over, preparing to give her a gift. Li Jinyuan was bothered that her brother hadn't thanked her during his speech. Gu Yanzhi playfully teased her, asking why she was acting like a little girl.
Li Jinyuan smiled with relief, then gently kissed Gu Yanzhi on the cheek. At the launch event's banquet, Li Zhicheng met Lin Mocen. Lin Mocen sternly told Li Zhicheng that his shares in Wenda had been handed over to Lin Qian for handling, and that he was preparing to go to America. He warned that if he ever received a call from Lin Qian complaining, he would absolutely not let Li Zhicheng off easily.
Li Zhicheng solemnly promised to take good care of Lin Qian. Later at the banquet, Chen Zheng playfully teased Ning Weikai, pointing out that he, Gu Yanzhi, and Li Zhicheng had all achieved success in both their careers and love lives, implying Ning Weikai shouldn't fall behind. Ning Weikai just smiled mysteriously. Ning Weikai then sought out Grace and, without a word, knelt on one knee and proposed to her, taking out a diamond ring. Grace was greatly surprised.
Grace playfully said that she hadn't agreed to his proposal yet. Ning Weikai emotionally said that if she didn't agree this time, he would propose a million more times until she agreed. Grace seriously stated that she is usually very busy with work and might neglect their relationship. Ning Weikai didn't mind at all, sincerely saying that since he loved her, he would accept all her strengths and weaknesses. His words moved Grace to tears.
Back home, Lin Qian and Li Zhicheng discussed that clothing design would be handled by Lin Qian from now on, while company management and operations would be handled by him. Lin Qian hoped Li Zhicheng would accompany her to Paris Fashion Week. Li Zhicheng readily agreed. Soon they flew to Paris to participate in Fashion Week. Before the competition, Lin Qian specifically told her model, Tian Tian, not to be nervous.
While Tian Tian was practicing her walk backstage, she encountered Peter, who claimed to be a staff member, and then lost contact with Lin Qian. Li Zhicheng and others searched anxiously everywhere. During the search, Li Zhicheng saw a familiar figure flash by, very much like Peter. He entered a room and found Tian Tian injured on the floor, so he immediately called an ambulance, and then he started looking for Peter.
Lin Qian was very anxious at this time because the competition was about to start, but there were no spare clothes or models. Li Zhicheng suggested Lin Qian wear the wedding gown she designed herself to participate in the competition, and encouraged her that he would always be with her. Lin Qian, however, was still a bit uneasy. At this moment, Peter ambushed Li Zhicheng, and the two fought with fists and feet.
In the struggle, Li Zhicheng severely injured Peter, knocking him to the ground. Meanwhile, Lin Qian, left with no choice, finally put on her wedding gown and personally went on stage to participate in the competition. She searched everywhere in the crowd for Li Zhicheng's shadow, but after looking around, she couldn't find him. Finally, Li Zhicheng arrived late, and Lin Qian was both surprised and delighted. Their eyes met, and all their past experiences flashed by like fleeting shadows.
At this moment, silence was more eloquent than words. Although neither of them spoke, they seemed to understand each other's hearts telepathically, and then they tightly embraced each other. This moment was eternal.
