Parallel Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Parallel Love Synopsis
Jiao Yang is the successor of the Hongyu Group, but his identity as the "son of the group's president" is not recognized by the shareholders. He is constantly facing "workplace crises" created by the group's shareholders.
In an accident, Lin Miao meets Jiao Yang, who is eight years younger than her, and receives a mysterious mission: to help Jiao Yang become the president of Hongyu Group within three months.
From their initial dislike for each other, Jiao Yang and Lin Miao become the superiors and subordinates in the workplace, and after their respective struggles, they gradually discover each other's advantages and fall in love with each other.
Then they start a heart-warming and healing relationship with each other.
Parallel Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
On a congested road one day in both 2020 and 2010, Lin Miao and Jiao Yang, both in a hurry, simultaneously exited their cars and ran towards a prearranged cafe. As they opened the door, a mysterious force activated, sending Lin Miao back in time to 2010, into Jiao Yang's world. One moment Lin Miao was alone, the next a stranger stood beside her.
Jiao Yang demanded an apology, but Lin Miao, checking the time on her phone, hurried away, ignoring him. Upon arriving at her event venue, Lin Miao realized it wasn't the starry sky theme she had designed, but the Hong Yu Group Vice President's inauguration. She muttered to herself, "That's not the starry sky theme that I decided on. I, Lin Miao, have been working so hard these 10 years. I finally get the opportunity to be promoted.
As the project director of Soulmate Co., I won't allow any mistake that will ruin this event and anyone to take advantage of it." Jiao Yang rushed to the venue, where he was to attend the inauguration ceremony his father had arranged for him. He told his secretary, Xin, that he was late because "I was harassed by a crazy woman on my way here." While Jiao Yang was preparing backstage, Lin Miao burst in, frantically asking for Jonny.
Jiao Yang, looking at her as if she were insane, struggled with her. In the commotion, Lin Miao accidentally ripped Jiao Yang's custom-made suit. Enraged, Jiao Yang immediately called security to throw her out, yelling, "Are you crazy? My shirt is ruined. Security! Get a couple of security guards to drag this crazy woman out of here." Forced to wear a casual outfit, Jiao Yang made his first public appearance before the media.
Reporters immediately questioned his choice of attire, suggesting it showed disrespect. Jiao Yang smoothly explained, "I purposefully picked this outfit out of respect for today's ceremony and you all. Hong Yu Group was founded by my father and his peers. . . I, Jiao Yang, feel the heavy responsibility I take on as the vice president today. Therefore, I choose to present myself to you in a simple outfit.
It's also to remind myself that I'm not a boss in a fancy suit who sits comfortably in my office. I'll be humble in order to blend in with the staff of Hong Yu Group." However, the media quickly noticed a lipstick stain on his neck, which Jiao Yang realized Lin Miao must have accidentally left during their earlier struggle. The reporters began to buzz about his personal life.
Jiao Yang fumed, wanting to drag Lin Miao back to clarify the situation, but Xin quickly stopped him, reminding him that the venue was surrounded by reporters. Lin Miao rushed to her company's address, only to find a younger Jonny who didn't recognize her. She finally looked at her phone's date, seeing "2010-08-01", and a local woman confirmed it was 2010. Lin Miao gasped, "Did I return to 10 years ago?"
She realized she had time-traveled and was in a world without smartphones. Completely bewildered, she decided to return to the cafe to try and go back to her own time. She mused, "It's impossible. There must have been a mistake. I've spent 10 years to build a new life, status, and career. I refuse to stay in 2010, when I had nothing! I must be calm. There must be a way to return.
Since I rushed here from the cafe, there must be a time tunnel or wormhole. Hawking says that the time tunnel goes both ways. If I go back there and try to reopen that door, maybe I'll return to the present. There must be something strange about that cafe." She tried dozens of times to recreate the mysterious opening of the door, but to no avail, and was eventually kicked out by the cafe owner.
Jiao Yang's tabloid news was splashed across major magazines, infuriating his father, the Chairman. Meanwhile, employees were sharing a video of Jiao Yang and Lin Miao grappling, sent by a reporter friend. The Chairman, wanting to find an assistant for Jiao Yang to keep him in line, discovered that no one had applied.
Xin revealed that Jiao Yang had ordered him to create a fake job posting link, ensuring that "aside from the chairman and Secretary Hu, no one can view the job posting." This was Jiao Yang's way of avoiding having an assistant. Meanwhile, Lin Miao returned to her old home from ten years ago, finding a key in a flowerpot outside, and noted, "Everything seems so familiar, and so warm."
Her phone then received a mysterious text message: "Welcome back to the year 2010. Only if you help Jiao Yang become the president of Hong Yu Group within three months, you'll be able to return to the year 2020. Or else you'll disappear forever." After reading the message, her phone broke. Just then, her ten-year-younger self came home, saw her, and fainted in shock. Lin Miao, equally startled, left before her past self awoke.
She quickly searched for Jiao Yang's information online and went to Hong Yu Group to apply for a job, thinking, "Ugh, whatever. As long as I can go back. But at least I've learned that Jiao Yang is the vice president of Hong Yu Group. That's progress. Whatever. I'll locate him first." To force Jiao Yang into working seriously, his father, the Chairman, decided to temporarily serve as Jiao Yang's assistant himself.
He also sent an employee to guard the main entrance, stating that the meeting would not adjourn until an applicant arrived. Jiao Yang's employees, seeing his predicament, attempted various elaborate schemes to get the Chairman to leave, such as bringing in a "special delivery" package, suggesting a professional photographer for a huge poster, and feigning an asthma attack. All their attempts failed. At that moment, Lin Miao arrived for an interview.
When she entered the office, she instantly recognized Jiao Yang, exclaiming, "So you're Jiao Yang?" Jiao Yang, recognizing her, immediately called out, "Dad, it was her. She's that crazy woman." During her interview, Lin Miao explained her qualifications, saying, "I have a lot of experience in event planning and organization. Moreover, I'm a dependable and careful worker. I can make up for what President Jiao lacks. I hope that I'll be able to assist President Jiao in the future."
The Chairman, pleased, immediately instructed Xin to process her hiring. Jiao Yang protested, but his father gave him an ultimatum: either accept Lin Miao as his assistant, or the Chairman himself would serve as his assistant every day. Cornered, Jiao Yang reluctantly agreed. He accused Lin Miao of pursuing him, but she clarified, "I'm only interested in the assistant position. As for you, I'm not very interested in you either."
When he told her to leave, she refused, explaining, "Since I've chosen this job, I have to be responsible for it. Since the chairman assigned me to be your assistant, I must answer to him as well. . . This job is important to me. I need it to make a living." During their argument, Jiao Yang accidentally pressed an emergency button. Fearing embarrassment, he quickly grabbed Lin Miao and rushed out, making her officially his assistant.
Jiao Yang gathered his three employees, calling Lin Miao "Lin San Shui" (a playful jab at her name), and promised them promotions to special assistants if they could make her quit. As soon as Lin Miao started, she was buried under a mountain of financial reports from the past three years, given to her by an employee who told her to "organize and archive them within an hour." Jiao Yang hid in his office, chuckling, confident she wouldn't last.
However, Lin Miao completed the task in a mere fifty-five minutes. As she finished, she encountered Su Cheng Jun, her ex-boyfriend from the marketing department. Lin Miao quickly lowered her head and rushed into Jiao Yang's office, while a phone on her desk rang, which no one answered.
Jiao Yang then rejected her application for company accommodation, stating that as Vice President, he should set an example by not using company resources, a rule she felt was unfairly targeted at her. Later that night, with her cash spent and phone dead, Lin Miao decided to spend the night at the office. Jiao Yang, playing games in his office, spotted her brushing her teeth in the company bathroom. He confronted her, asking if she was "wasting the company's resources."
Lin Miao explained she was working late and freshening up, but Jiao Yang was suspicious of her intent to stay overnight. She quickly grabbed her belongings and left. Seeing her wandering the streets alone late at night, Jiao Yang felt a pang of guilt. He pulled his car over, offering to take her home. Lin Miao revealed, "I don't have a home. My lease is up. I got kicked out."
Jiao Yang, surprised and regretful, admitted, "When I denied your application for the employee accommodation this morning, I wasn't aware of your situation." He promised to arrange accommodation for her the next day and, seeing she had no other options, took her to his own home for the night.
Episode 2 Recap
Jiao Yang brought Lin Miao back to his apartment and offered her the sofa for the night. Lin Miao, annoyed by his presence, told him to leave, asking if he planned to watch her sleep as she wouldn't undress. Jiao Yang retorted, commenting on her audacity to order him around in his own home. After Lin Miao fell asleep, she murmured about not even getting a pillow.
Jiao Yang then quietly emerged to check on her, observing she was still in her day clothes. He decided he would get her some new clothes tomorrow, believing he was being generous. He then gently placed a pillow under her head before returning to his room. The next morning, Lin Miao repeatedly tried to wake Jiao Yang, reminding him they would be late for work.
When he didn't respond, she rushed into his room, prompting him to exclaim about her entering a man's private space. She explained that she didn't want to be late on her first day, especially since he had promised to drive her. Jiao Yang begrudgingly got up, telling her to leave so he could change. He then acted childishly, claiming he would get up when he wanted to, jokingly daring her to hit him.
Lin Miao sarcastically agreed, before he quickly backed down and asked her to wait outside. While he was getting ready, Lin Miao found his electric toothbrush dead, which he attributed to it running out of power. As Jiao Yang meticulously debated his outfit and shoes, taking longer than her, Lin Miao inwardly grumbled about his narcissism and childishness. Finally, ready to leave, Jiao Yang admired himself in the mirror before they departed for work.
As soon as Jiao Yang and Lin Miao arrived at the company, they were met with the news that the hotel was double-booked for two weddings. One of the couples had parents who were friends with Jiao Yang's father, bypassing standard booking procedures by calling Jiao Yang directly. Jiao Yang vaguely recalled probably taking the call while playing games the previous night.
The hotel had no alternative venues, and to make matters worse, his father was already aware of the situation and demanded to see him in his office. Jiao Yang, accompanied by his assistant Yan and Lin Miao, was reluctant to go, trying to stall. He had given instructions to Xin, the staff member, to contact other hotels and wedding planners, offering double the price and using his father's credit card, emphasizing that his father shouldn't find out.
Lin Miao, however, voiced concerns about the impracticality of finding a suitable venue within a day. Jiao Yang asserted his authority as her boss, reminding her to address him formally and not to question his plans. It was then that Xin revealed the true gravity of the situation: the couple's parents were close friends of both the Chairman and Uncle Zhao, and they had already received wedding invitations, hence the Chairman's fury and demand to see Jiao Yang.
On their way to the office, Jiao Yang warned Lin Miao not to speak a word, threatening her job. It was at this moment Lin Miao realized that the phone call she had missed yesterday afternoon at 4:30 PM was from the new couple's parents. Meanwhile, Su Chengjun, the head of the marketing department and Lin Miao's ex-boyfriend, offered to deliver a document for a busy colleague, Li.
While at the president's office, where Jiao Yang's father was currently unavailable, Su Chengjun left the document but secretly took the files for the temporary wedding transfer. Inside the office, Jiao Yang's father expressed extreme disappointment, stating that Jiao Yang's mistake had severely damaged the company's reputation and would lead to significant losses. Jiao Yang tried to defend himself, claiming the situation wasn't that serious and he was working on a solution.
Recognizing the escalating tension, Lin Miao intervened, clarifying that Jiao Yang's priority was not merely an apology but ensuring the wedding proceeded as planned. She proposed that Jiao Yang would orchestrate a "spectacular and memorable" wedding at the Lishe Hotel, redecorating the venue to make the couple forget the initial mishap. Jiao Yang confirmed this, promising to find a solution before the wedding.
His father, though still wary, gave Jiao Yang one chance, warning that failure would result in his demotion. Jiao Yang then swiftly delegated the entire task to Lin Miao, reminding her of the "big promise" she had made to the board. Lin Miao, realizing the immense challenge, initially resisted, urging Jiao Yang to stay and coordinate the departments. She explained that she couldn't plan an entirely new wedding on her own in such a short time.
Jiao Yang finally agreed to stay and watch what she would do. Lin Miao immediately took charge, requesting all relevant information and photos of the hotel. She then commandeered Jiao Yang, who was playing games, to help her fill out forms. Displaying her professionalism, Lin Miao quickly gathered details about the bride: 22 years old, a Pisces, sentimental, and fond of lilies.
She immediately began giving instructions over the phone to staff to procure all available lilies in the city and to prepare the rooftop, confirming the sunny weather forecast and assuring them Jiao Yang would approve overtime pay.
Jiao Yang questioned the rooftop wedding idea, but Lin Miao logically explained that for a romantic Pisces bride, an outdoor wedding, specifically on the rooftop, was the only viable and unique option given the hotel's limited spaces and the proximity of the swimming pool to the other wedding.
To acquire lighting for the rooftop wedding, Lin Miao led Jiao Yang to a commercial district to "borrow" decorative lights from trees, explaining she had no time to buy them and needed Jiao Yang's help as other staff were busy. Jiao Yang, initially annoyed by the task, speculated that Lin Miao was acting unusually because her boyfriend had kicked her out.
As they gathered the lights, Su Chengjun, who was making a phone call to secure another banquet hall at Champs Hotel for his own backup wedding plan, was approached by his girlfriend, Lin Weijun, who was revealed to be the younger version of Lin Miao. Lin Weijun had come to surprise him for Chinese Valentine's Day, bringing him chocolates.
Su Chengjun, however, was cold and preoccupied with work, dismissing her heartfelt gesture and telling her he had to return to the company to work on his plan. Despite Lin Weijun's attempts to express her love and offer advice similar to Lin Miao's own ideas about unique outdoor weddings, Su Chengjun perfunctorily ate a piece of chocolate and then rushed off, telling her to take a cab home, leaving her visibly hurt.
As Su Chengjun and Lin Weijun walked past, Lin Miao, who had been listening to their conversation from afar while helping Jiao Yang, quickly hid in Jiao Yang's arms to avoid being seen by Lin Weijun, fearing her ten-year-younger self would recognize her. Jiao Yang was perplexed by her sudden embrace and told her to let go, accusing her of being childish and trying to get revenge for her secret being known.
Jiao Yang and Lin Miao, now loaded with the "borrowed" decorative lights, narrowly evaded security guards and sped back to the company. Inside the car, they untangled the lights while Jiao Yang complained about the arduous task. Lin Miao's feet were bleeding from her high heels, and Jiao Yang, noticing her discomfort, offered her tissues.
As dawn approached, Lin Miao meticulously planned the final preparations, arranging for light technicians to set up stands and hang the lights, aiming for a final lighting check before sunrise. Meanwhile, Su Chengjun received a text from Lin Weijun, who wished him a happy Valentine's Day. He then discussed with his colleague Li that Jiao Yang's team was planning a "rooftop wedding," which he found unrealistic.
Back at the hotel, Jiao Yang, showing a surprising thoughtfulness, brought coffee and bubble tea for the working staff and Lin Miao, explaining he got them from his usual internet cafe. He also distributed snacks, a gesture that impressed Lin Miao. After the lighting setup was complete, Lin Miao had a technician power on the lights, marveling at the beautiful effect.
She then took photos with Jiao Yang's phone, telling him he would need them to convince the bride and groom. Jiao Yang questioned why she wouldn't accompany him, but she insisted he had more influence as vice president and that she needed to oversee the venue decoration. Finally, Jiao Yang noticed Lin Miao hadn't bandaged her bleeding foot. When she seemed too engrossed in work to do it herself, he personally applied a plaster to her foot.
The next morning, Su Chengjun presented his comprehensive backup wedding itinerary to a colleague, Li, confidently stating that by utilizing an available banquet hall at Champs Hotel and directing guests there, the wedding could be set up before evening. As they prepared to deliver the plan to the chairman's office, Director Wu intercepted Su Chengjun, harshly dismissing his efforts and telling him to focus on his own job, asserting that the chairman had entrusted Jiao Yang with the wedding arrangements.
Later that evening, as guests gathered for the rooftop wedding, Jiao Yang was still absent, having called to say he was dealing with something and would return soon. With the wedding about to commence and the bride ready, a frantic staff member asked Lin Miao what to do. Taking immediate command, Lin Miao announced herself as Jiao Yang's assistant and instructed all departments to follow her orders, confirming the music and host were ready.
She then declared the wedding would proceed as planned. Just as the bride began her walk down the aisle and the spotlight was prepared, the hotel plunged into darkness. A staff member quickly reported that the external circuit box had overloaded and stopped working, and the emergency generator would take at least half an hour to activate. Guests grew restless and vocal about the inauspicious turn of events, leaving Lin Miao to face the crisis alone in Jiao Yang's absence.
Episode 3 Recap
The wedding of Mr. Zhang and Miss. Sun faced a sudden power outage, plunging the venue into darkness. However, splendid fireworks quickly lit up the sky, and Jiao Yang appeared, announcing that the display was a special blessing and surprise from Leisure Hotel for the newlyweds. Lin Miao, who had been panicked, visibly relaxed as the wedding ceremony officially began.
As the event progressed, Jiao Yang, pleased with his quick thinking, proudly claimed his capability and experience, subtly giving Lin Miao some credit for the day's success. He then offered her some chocolates as a "reward," which Lin Miao found odd, questioning if wedding candies were appropriate for a gift. Jiao Yang dismissed her concerns, telling her to "share the happiness." Eating the chocolate, Lin Miao was overcome by memories of her past heartbreak, realizing she hadn't touched chocolate since.
When Jiao Yang inquired about her future plans, she drank a large gulp of champagne and immediately passed out. Jiao Yang, with an awkward gesture, took off his jacket and draped it over her. As the wedding concluded, he picked up the unconscious Lin Miao and carried her away, muttering to himself that he was only worried she might catch a cold. The next morning, Lin Miao woke up startled to find herself in Jiao Yang's bed.
Jiao Yang, feigning victimhood, complained bitterly that she had pinned his arm down all night, calling her heavy. He clarified that he had brought her home and placed her on his bed out of pity after changing, but she had immediately "pressed him down." He then informed her that the employee dormitory was full, and due to her "tragic situation," he was willing to take her in for a month.
He even offered to drive her to work daily until her salary allowed her to rent her own place. However, he presented a list of "Rules for Cohabitation": first, she could only stay for a month to prevent any scandals involving him; second, she must handle all the cleaning and cooking; third, she was forbidden from disturbing him while he played games; and fourth, and most importantly, she must not reveal his whereabouts to his father.
Any violation would result in her being homeless again. Lin Miao agreed to all terms, adding a fifth rule: for the sake of Jiao Yang's reputation, their living arrangement must be kept a secret from everyone. Jiao Yang agreed, noting he had the same thought. Later, Lin Miao pondered her predicament, realizing her phone was dead and wondering if she could ever return to her original timeline.
Jiao Yang, observing her distress, guessed she had been thrown out by a boyfriend, citing his extensive experience with "eight girlfriends." Lin Miao quickly denied his speculation. Jiao Yang then took Lin Miao to a mall, stating he wouldn't tolerate her using his disposable household items as it would "lower his aestheticism," and he would provide her with "employee benefits." Lin Miao, trying to adhere to a work schedule, reminded him they were already an hour late.
Jiao Yang, engrossed in his game, brushed her off, citing rule number three. Annoyed, Lin Miao snatched his game console. After she finished picking out some basic necessities, Jiao Yang repeatedly made her exchange items like toothbrushes and cups, criticizing their designs and demanding they match his bathroom's aesthetic, all while threatening her with dismissal for absenteeism. Lin Miao, however, maintained a cheerful demeanor, completing all his tasks with a smile.
After checking out, Jiao Yang awkwardly presented Lin Miao with a pair of sports shoes, claiming they were a "giveaway from a supermarket promotion" and "employee benefits" as he noticed her feet were chafed. Lin Miao, however, rejected them outright, deeming them "childish" and fit for an "18-year-old girl," calling Jiao Yang "low-minded and naive." Infuriated, Jiao Yang retorted that they were the year's best-selling model before kicking her out of his car.
As Lin Miao walked along, she brushed past Lin Weijun, who was talking on the phone with her grandma. This encounter triggered a painful memory for Lin Miao: her grandmother's stroke, which rendered her a "vegetative person," and her own dismissal from work (under the name Lin Weijun) on the 25th of that month. She tearfully vowed to change her fate and prevent her grandmother's suffering this time.
Meanwhile, Jiao Yang complained to Secretary Yan about Lin Miao's rejection of his gift. He admitted that he had only pretended they were a promotion giveaway because he was embarrassed to directly give a gift to an assistant, even though he had noticed her injured feet. Secretary Yan was surprised that Jiao Yang, who rarely gave gifts, had been rejected. Jiao Yang, bruised by the rejection, declared that he would make Lin Miao "beg him" for the shoes.
Back at the office, Jiao Yang continued his antics. He asked Lin Miao to bring him two coffees, then changed Secretary Yan's order to milk due to his poor sleep, and repeatedly had Lin Miao replace his own coffee, citing issues with its color or temperature. He even forced Secretary Yan, who was lactose intolerant, to drink the milk. Lin Miao, surprisingly, remained unfazed.
Frustrated by her composure, Jiao Yang arranged for Lin Miao to be sent to collect documents from the publicity department on the 45th floor and then had the electric control room disable all elevators, hoping to force her to climb the stairs. Unbeknownst to him, his own father, the Chairman, and another person were stuck in the C1 elevator, which Jiao Yang had initially believed Lin Miao was in.
Realizing his mistake, Jiao Yang frantically ordered the elevators to be restarted immediately, only to learn it would take at least ten minutes. Soon after, Jiao Yang's father summoned Lin Miao to his office. He granted her full authority to "supervise Jiao Yang's every action," warning that if Jiao Yang caused any further problems, Lin Miao would be fired. Lin Miao recognized this as a trap but found herself unable to refuse.
Resigned to her new role, Lin Miao sighed, understanding she had to endure. She began meticulously tracking Jiao Yang's every move, even waiting outside the restroom. Jiao Yang, attempting to escape his new minder, tried to sneak out using his hoverboard, but Lin Miao had already hidden it. Later, as he tried to evade her from the restroom, Lin Miao chased him and accidentally slipped, causing her phone to fly out of her hand and land in a water bucket.
Jiao Yang, rushing to help her up, inadvertently knocked against the bucket, utterly destroying her phone. Furious and devastated, Lin Miao splashed water on Jiao Yang, calling him "the most grumpy, boring, and childish person" she had ever met. She declared she only endured him to fulfill her goal of returning home and would not waste another moment with such a "kindergarten child." Overwhelmed, Lin Miao decided to resign, and a dejected Jiao Yang left the office.
As Lin Miao was preparing her resignation, Secretary Yan rushed to her, explaining that the board meeting had been moved up by an hour, and he couldn't find Jiao Yang. He desperately pleaded for her help, emphasizing that Jiao Yang faced dire consequences if he missed another meeting, especially after the morning's elevator incident. Secretary Yan then revealed the truth: Jiao Yang's earlier troublesome behavior was merely his awkward and misguided attempt to give her the limited-edition sports shoes.
Lin Miao realized that the shoes were a personal, thoughtful gift, not a mere supermarket promotion item as Jiao Yang had claimed. Recalling her injured feet, Lin Miao rushed to a nearby cyber cafe, where she found Jiao Yang engrossed in gaming. When her attempts to persuade him to attend the board meeting were ignored, she challenged him to a game. If he lost, he would return to the company for the meeting.
Jiao Yang, arrogantly claiming he had "never lost," accepted, giving her five minutes to win or "disappear immediately." Lin Miao, calculating the remaining time before the meeting, determined she had only one minute to defeat him.
Episode 4 Recap
Lin Miao meticulously calculated all the necessary time and managed to get Jiao Yang to return to the company within one minute. Jiao Yang's father was delighted to learn that Lin Miao had splashed water on Jiao Yang during lunch, even instructing the accountant to award her a "special contribution award" for finally helping him "give this brat a lesson."
Still sulking over his game loss, Jiao Yang was reluctantly tidied up by Lin Miao in the men's restroom using her "working overtime emergency kit," and they arrived at the meeting just in time. During the board meeting, Director Li welcomed Jiao Yang, suggesting he was late and directly responsible for the hotel wedding conflict. Jiao Yang deftly turned the tables, citing Director Li's last-minute rescheduling and internal workflow issues as the root cause, proposing a paperless office system.
When Director Li tried to dismiss Lin Miao because of her supposed resignation, Jiao Yang quickly defended her, claiming it was a false rumor spread by jealous colleagues. Jiao Yang's father intervened, admonishing Director Li for picking on an assistant. Director Li then announced his upcoming two-month trip to the United States for an overseas project.
The chairman then introduced Zhao Yan, Chairman Zhao's accomplished daughter and a returnee, as the new Public Relations Director, welcoming her as "fresh blood" to Hong Yu Group. He then addressed the company's prior dissatisfaction with Jiao Yang's direct appointment to the hotel business, admitting it was "arbitrary" but asserting that Jiao Yang had since proven his "responsibility and problem-solving ability" through the wedding incident. He challenged any lingering skeptics to speak up; otherwise, they should stop "gossiping."
With no one daring to object, the chairman, citing an imminent flight, adjourned the meeting. After the meeting, Su Chengjun inquired about Lin Miao, seeking her expertise on the rooftop wedding proposal, but was told she was still with Jiao Yang.
Zhao Yan, who was close to Jiao Yang and seemingly coveted a role on his team, regarded Lin Miao with a hint of animosity, although she publicly stated she could still assist Jiao Yang effectively from her director position in public relations. Chairman Zhao reminded Zhao Yan to address Jiao Yang formally as "President Jiao" at work.
When an elevator was full, Jiao Yang claimed he needed to speak with Lin Miao and insisted on taking the same elevator as her, much to Zhao Yan's visible displeasure. Inside the elevator, Jiao Yang questioned how Lin Miao knew the meeting pertained to him. Lin Miao explained it was a "survival skill as an employee," gathered while he was being scolded by his father, and complimented his improved performance.
Jiao Yang thanked her for calling him back and for the shoes, to which Lin Miao jokingly remarked that they were "too comfortable" and could lead to complacency. Jiao Yang apologized for breaking her device, explaining he had it sent to "K" for repair to help K improve his skills and urged her not to "misunderstand." Lin Miao accepted, acknowledging her own part in the mishap.
Jiao Yang then asked if she was still resigning; Lin Miao responded that she had unfinished tasks, secretly resolving to stay to complete her mission to return to her original time, especially now that her phone was completely destroyed. Jiao Yang offered to drive Lin Miao home, canceling her "overtime." Initially, Lin Miao declined, claiming to be busy.
However, upon seeing a note from Su Chengjun on her desk asking her to call him, she eagerly agreed, hurrying Jiao Yang to retrieve the car while she waited at their designated meeting spot. In the parking garage, Jiao Yang encountered Zhao Yan, who confidently entered his car, declaring he was "requisitioned" for a celebratory dinner at Leisure's rooftop restaurant. As Lin Miao walked towards the intersection, Su Chengjun's car nearly hit her, causing her to sprain her ankle.
Su Chengjun, mistaking Lin Miao for his girlfriend, Lin Weijun, tried to help her, but Lin Miao denied being Lin Weijun. Jiao Yang, waiting at the intersection, observed their entanglement and quickly exited his car. Su Chengjun then received a call from Lin Weijun, distressed that her game account had been stolen. Su Chengjun quickly apologized to Lin Miao for the confusion, noting their striking resemblance.
Annoyed, Jiao Yang embraced Lin Miao and insisted on taking her to the hospital, instructing Secretary Yan, who had just arrived, to drive Director Zhao home. Zhao Yan, clearly frustrated, memorized Lin Miao's name and demanded Secretary Yan recount every interaction between Lin Miao and Jiao Yang since her employment.
Secretary Yan inadvertently revealed that Jiao Yang's father admired Lin Miao's work, which explained why she was constantly by Jiao Yang's side, making Zhao Yan feel the situation was "easy to handle." Meanwhile, Su Chengjun called Lin Weijun again, asking if she had any lookalike siblings or cousins, which she denied, further deepening his suspicions. Lin Weijun, still focused on her stolen game account, refused to change the password, revealing it was Su Chengjun's birthday.
Back at Jiao Yang's place, he fetched a first-aid kit and personally attended to Lin Miao's sprained ankle, proclaiming himself the world's "most capable, handsome, and powerful bone-setter." After setting her foot, he applied a special medicinal concoction, explaining that his late mother had learned traditional Chinese medicine and massage techniques to soothe his own injuries from childhood beatings by his father. Lin Miao, realizing her insensitive comment about his mother, quickly apologized.
Jiao Yang brushed it off, lamenting that his skills paled in comparison to his mother's. As Lin Miao tried to demonstrate her recovered mobility, she re-sprained her ankle and fell into Jiao Yang's arms. He teased her for blushing, and she retorted, jokingly asking if he had practiced his massage skills on his "eight ex-girlfriends."
He concluded the treatment, instructing her to soak her foot in the medicinal concoction and warned her not to sleep if she hadn't completed her work. That night, Jiao Yang discovered Lin Miao asleep in the living room with her resignation letter nearby. Reading it, he found himself harshly criticized as "boring, incompetent, having no achievement, incapable, having no results, impudent, and utterly useless."
The next morning, a visibly angry Jiao Yang left without Lin Miao, ignoring her request for half a day off and telling her to take the bus to work. Lin Miao, needing to intervene to prevent Lin Weijun from being fired, quickly changed into youthful attire. Still fuming over the resignation letter, Jiao Yang summoned Secretary Yan to his office, seeking validation of his character and abilities.
However, he soon realized that his recent successes, such as the rooftop wedding and the board meeting proposal, were largely Lin Miao's ideas. Determined to prove "the charisma as the youngest entrepreneur of this century," Jiao Yang ordered Secretary Yan to bring him all planning documents. To his chagrin, Secretary Yan informed him that Lin Miao had already compiled all the proposals, even signing and stamping them on his behalf after verifying their accuracy, feasibility, and operability.
Furthermore, there were no meetings or problems for Jiao Yang to address that day. Frustrated by his perceived idleness, Jiao Yang instructed Secretary Yan to dismantle all of Lin Miao's compiled proposals back into raw documents, tear up any contracts she had stamped, and inform everyone that Lin Miao was henceforth restricted to her designated duties. All important contracts were to be personally reviewed and signed by him.
He also declared the word "Wu" (and its homophones) a taboo on their floor, a direct response to the scathing remarks in Lin Miao's resignation letter. Meanwhile, Lin Weijun was on the phone with Su Chengjun, happily describing a "love lunch" she prepared for him while skipping work, expressing concern for him being "bullied by the director."
Lin Miao, back at the office, attempted to give Secretary Yan her compiled proposals and stamped contracts, only to be told that Jiao Yang was now handling everything himself, deeming some terms "not strict enough." Lin Miao mentally noted that it was 3 PM and she needed to reach the welfare center before 10 PM, recalling the time of Grandma Chen's past accident.
Su Chengjun approached Lin Miao to consult her on the rooftop wedding plan, explaining it was "the chairman's request" to learn from Jiao Yang's "excellent performance." Lin Miao agreed to provide a brief overview. At the same time, Jiao Yang continued his inspection of the company, visiting various departments, but found no area where his assistance was needed. Suddenly, Secretary Yan received a call from Chairman Jiao, asking Jiao Yang to come to his office for work-related matters, and Jiao Yang quickly complied.
Episode 5 Recap
Chairman Jiao expressed surprise at Jiao Yang's prompt arrival, remarking that it was the first time his son had come to him to discuss work. Zhao Yan then presented her company development proposal, which Chairman Jiao found to be excellent.
He presented two calligraphy scrolls: one with the character "远" (far), symbolizing "Still waters run deep" and wishing her a long and successful path; the other, an "无" (empty) character for Jiao Yang, causing Jiao Yang to roll his eyes, already having "a bad feeling" about it. Back in the office, Jiao Yang saw Lin Miao discussing details of a rooftop wedding with a colleague who was asking on Manager Wu's behalf.
Jiao Yang accused Lin Miao of "loafing around," then asserted that from now on, whether for major or minor issues, she must report everything to him and was not allowed to make decisions alone. Shortly after, Zhao Yan gathered everyone for an important discussion. Jiao Yang pointedly excluded Lin Miao, telling her to stay behind for "self-reflection."
As the team began to work, Jiao Yang muttered to himself, accusing Lin Miao of being "silly and incapable" and having "no achievement," vowing to teach her a lesson. He soon noticed Lin Miao was gone. Lin Miao rushed to the welfare center, intending to pretend to be Lin Weijun and ensure her grandmother got a check-up, believing she still had five hours until the incident.
However, upon arrival, she found Lin Weijun already distraught and crying by her grandmother’s bedside. Lin Miao was devastated, realizing the tragedy had occurred prematurely. On a phone call, Lin Weijun was fired, explaining through tears that her grandmother was in a vegetative state and her boyfriend had been in a car accident the previous day. Lin Miao was heartbroken, questioning why all her careful preparations failed to change anything.
She then donned a mascot costume and approached a despairing Lin Weijun, who shared her past "life principle" of never crying, believing no one would be strong for her. Lin Weijun reflected on how she thought she had become strong enough to move on, but seeing Grandma Chen on her sickbed made her realize her own foolishness.
Lin Miao, as the mascot, silently conveyed that while she couldn't directly help Lin Weijun, she could at least "make the nightmare from ten years ago a little bit warmer." Lin Weijun thanked the unknown "dearest stranger" for the comfort. Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan worked overnight to finalize the company development proposal. In a subsequent meeting with Chairman Jiao, he commended the proposal, particularly the plan to assign 24-hour personal butlers to the visiting customer experience officers.
However, he immediately noticed that Assistant Lin had no tasks assigned. Jiao Yang stated that Lin Miao was "not involved in this project," but Chairman Jiao firmly insisted that she "must oversee this project" entirely, or the plan was unacceptable. Jiao Yang started to protest, but Zhao Yan swiftly intervened, agreeing on his behalf and promising to find a suitable role for Lin Miao to ensure her full participation.
Later, Zhao Yan announced that Lin Miao would serve as a personal butler for one of the customer experience officers, explaining that this role would allow her full involvement and was akin to an assistant's duties, making it manageable for her as a newcomer. Colleagues whispered, interpreting the role as a "24-hour babysitter" and believing it was Jiao Yang's doing, given his long-standing dissatisfaction with Lin Miao. Despite her hesitation, Lin Miao accepted the position.
Jiao Yang tried to sneak into his home but was startled by Lin Miao, who appeared unexpectedly. She immediately confronted him, demanding to know his assessment of her work ability and character, questioning why he treated her so poorly, and why she was assigned to a role she was completely unfamiliar with. Jiao Yang, feeling aggrieved, claimed the order wasn't his, subtly hinting at his father's involvement without explicitly stating it.
Lin Miao, however, dismissed his excuses, accusing him of trying to blame Director Zhao and suggesting that his "mischief" could jeopardize the entire project. Jiao Yang retorted that a subordinate shouldn't question a boss's decisions, told her to reflect on her own mistakes, and reminded her she could "resign at any time." Provoked, Lin Miao revealed that her only reason for staying was to help him become president so she could return to 2020, criticizing his dismissive attitude towards work.
The argument intensified, and Lin Miao declared that she would move out immediately after the event, promising never to bother him again. Lin Miao officially became a personal butler for a customer experience officer. Jiao Yang later approached Zhao Yan, suggesting that Lin Miao should not continue as a personal butler due to her lack of professional training, fearing she might "make things worse," and proposed she return to being his assistant. However, Lin Miao, standing firm, rejected the offer.
She confidently stated that although she lacked formal training, Director Zhao had provided her with detailed client information, and her experience as a senior assistant, coupled with Jiao Yang's "lenient with himself, strict with others" leadership, would allow her to excel in the role.
Meanwhile, outside the hotel, Zhao Yan discovered a stray cat, which she brought inside, naming it "Lucky" and intending to keep it in a storeroom until the event concluded, when she would take it home, despite Jiao Yang's concerns about hotel policy and potential guest reactions. Later, Chairman Zhao expressed his apprehension to Chairman Jiao about Zhao Yan undertaking such a significant project immediately after returning to the country, worrying she might "get into trouble."
Chairman Jiao, however, was fully confident, remarking that "the future belongs to the youngsters" and that giving them opportunities could lead to "unexpected surprises." Lin Miao meticulously cleaned and prepared Mr. Sui's hotel room after reviewing his extensive client profile, which detailed his numerous specific demands: a dust-free environment due to allergies, only regular-shaped food because of severe OCD, absolute quietness (noise above 45 decibels prevented sleep due to neurasthenia), no nuts or lactose, and a tendency for indecisiveness.
Concerned that Lin Miao might not handle Mr. Sui well, Jiao Yang secretly ordered Secretary Yan to follow Lin Miao and report her every action, but explicitly warned him not to reveal Jiao Yang's involvement. Secretary Yan attempted to "coincidentally" offer help, but Lin Miao, having already thoroughly cleaned and inspected the room, politely declined his assistance. Realizing Jiao Yang was behind Secretary Yan's presence, Lin Miao directly asked why Jiao Yang was upset with her.
Secretary Yan, trying to protect Jiao Yang's image, claimed he was there to "oversee your job so that you don't bring shame to President Jiao." When Lin Miao pressed for more clues, Secretary Yan cryptically hinted, "It's something related to 'cí' (resignation)." Lin Miao initially misinterpreted the hint, thinking of "porcelain." Jiao Yang announced a Sanya vacation for everyone after the event. He then received a text message from Secretary Yan reporting that Lin Miao was at the swimming pool.
Jiao Yang, using the excuse of checking the pool's water quality, hurried there, with Zhao Yan and others following suit. At the pool, Lin Miao was meticulously verifying the water temperature, ensuring it met Mr. Sui's precise requirement of 26. 5 to 27. 3 degrees Celsius, and muttering her desire to finish and leave the hotel. Jiao Yang watched her, feeling uneasy. As Lin Miao was about to leave, Secretary Yan startled her.
Jiao Yang quickly reached out to pull her back, but in her panicked reaction, Lin Miao accidentally pushed him into the pool. Zhao Yan gasped in surprise. To cover for Lin Miao, Jiao Yang quickly asserted that he had "personally dived into the water to check" the temperature because he was concerned about Lin Miao's inexperience. Secretary Yan promptly handed him a room card for room "5016" and urged him to go shower.
Jiao Yang later joked with Secretary Yan, telling him not to help Lin Miao again, and boasted about his "excellent posture with a perfect splash" when he fell. Jiao Yang, mistakenly using his room card, entered room "5013," which was assigned to Mr. Sui. Moments later, Lin Miao entered the same suite to conduct her checks and was startled to find Jiao Yang showering in the bathroom.
Jiao Yang immediately accused Lin Miao of intentionally pushing him into the pool, then deliberately leading him to the wrong room to "peep" at him. He demanded to know what she had seen. Lin Miao, rolling her eyes, dismissed his accusations as absurd, stating that it wasn't important what she saw and that she had "no necessity" to peep at him.
She urged him to clean the water on the floor and promptly return to his actual room so she could clean Mr. Sui's suite. As they bickered, the power suddenly went out. Lin Miao, explaining that Leisure's administrative floor had an emergency power system, assured him that power would be restored within five minutes. In the darkness, Lin Miao accidentally pulled off Jiao Yang's bathrobe, immediately covering her eyes.
Jiao Yang then demanded that she either apologize or help him put the robe back on. When she refused to apologize, he insisted she help him don the bathrobe and tie the belt, threatening to remain partially dressed when the lights returned. Exasperated, Lin Miao reluctantly complied. After the power was restored, Lin Miao's stomach grumbled.
Jiao Yang offered her an apple, but Lin Miao quickly stopped him, explaining that Mr. Sui's severe OCD meant he could only accept an odd number of fruits in his fruit plate. Jiao Yang, unfazed, took a bite out of an apple from the plate and then offered another one to Lin Miao, jokingly remarking that to maintain an odd number, "you have to eat another one."
He then instructed Lin Miao to go to his room to fetch his clothes. Taking his room card, Lin Miao went to his room and, while looking for his clothes, discovered her resignation letter tucked inside his jacket. She immediately recalled Secretary Yan's earlier cryptic hint about "something related to 'cí' (resignation)" and finally understood the source of Jiao Yang's recent displeasure with her.
She confronted him about "secretly checking personal things," to which he retorted it was an "inspection" for "weapons" since a "stranger came to my house." Lin Miao then clarified that she had never intended to submit the resignation letter and complimented him on the "really great" customer experience event he had organized. Jiao Yang, with a slightly haughty "Wordy" and "Of course" response, then departed.
Episode 6 Recap
Lin Miao hastily pushed Jiao Yang out of her room, much to Secretary Yan’s surprise. Jiao Yang, not fully dressed, complained about the rush. Secretary Yan, noting their disheveled appearance, hinted at a compromising situation, but Jiao Yang quickly clarified that a power cut had frightened Lin Miao, and he had merely been comforting her. Secretary Yan then reported the power cut was due to an electrical grid test in the area and asked for instructions.
Jiao Yang ordered a thorough check of the hotel’s emergency power systems, especially on floors where officers would be staying, and requested a technician to adjust the slow hot water flow in Mr. Sui’s room. Zhao Yan arrived with ginger tea for Jiao Yang, but Secretary Yan intercepted her. He tried to dissuade her, claiming Jiao Yang was asleep and had already refused ginger tea.
As Zhao Yan insisted her "love-filled" ginger tea would be accepted, Secretary Yan distracted her by mentioning her cat, Lucky, had escaped from the storeroom. He warned her of the trouble she would face if Jiao Yang discovered she was keeping a stray cat in the hotel, successfully diverting her to search for Lucky. Meanwhile, Lin Miao continued cleaning her room, and Jiao Yang, observing her seriousness, teasingly told her to finish scrubbing the toilet while he went to sleep.
The next day, as the guests gathered, Jiao Yang, expecting Mr. Sui to be an elderly, portly man based on his phone demeanor, was surprised when a young, handsome man named Sui Yi arrived late. Lin Miao, appointed as Sui Yi’s personal butler, meticulously wore gloves to handle his luggage. Sui Yi complimented her attention to detail. Jiao Yang, however, grew irritated by Lin Miao’s dedicated service, complaining that she had never shown such diligence when serving as his assistant.
He then instructed Secretary Yan to discreetly follow Lin Miao and take over any of her tasks, not wanting his assistant to be seen serving others. Later, Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan were with other clients when Jiao Yang spotted Lin Miao wiping Sui Yi’s hair by the pool, after she had delivered his pear lemon juice. Lin Miao explained to Sui Yi that she quickly adapted to the butler role because her boss, Jiao Yang, had similarly high standards.
Interrupting their conversation, Jiao Yang asserted his presence by telling Lin Miao to fetch desserts. As Lin Miao rose, a cat appeared, startling Sui Yi, who reflexively hid behind her. Manager Su quickly stepped in front of Lin Miao to protect her. Zhao Yan realized the cat was her Lucky and retrieved it. Sui Yi, furious, revealed he was allergic to cat fur and immediately fired his staff member, Yuan, for the oversight in his client brief.
Jiao Yang shot an angry glance at Zhao Yan and her cat, then reiterated his order to Secretary Yan to closely follow Lin Miao and report every detail of her and Sui Yi’s activities, clarifying that his previous instruction to ignore his words was due to anger, and should not be taken seriously.
Secretary Yan later reported that Lin Miao had spent the day accompanying Sui Yi to the spa, golf, and salon, and was now helping him choose clothes for the evening. Jiao Yang, annoyed by Lin Miao's extensive service to Sui Yi, lamented paying her salary for someone else's benefit. Realizing Lin Miao might have missed lunch, he instructed Secretary Yan to get her some food before the banquet.
That evening, as Sui Yi and Lin Miao headed to the dining hall, Jiao Yang and Secretary Yan orchestrated a "coincidental" encounter, suggesting they join them. Secretary Yan then created an excuse involving a bottle of red wine to separate Lin Miao from Sui Yi. He informed Lin Miao that Jiao Yang wanted her to eat first, to prevent her stomach from growling during the banquet and embarrassing him. Lin Miao noticed that the meal was not standard employee fare.
Zhao Yan, searching for Jiao Yang, found Lin Miao eating in his room. Enraged, she confronted Lin Miao about an employee eating in a superior's room. Lin Miao quickly tried to reassure Zhao Yan that her relationship with Jiao Yang was strictly professional, explaining that Jiao Yang, a Virgo with A blood type, would never be interested in someone like her.
As Lin Miao continued to describe the traits of a Virgo A man in love, she suddenly began coughing violently and then fainted. Zhao Yan immediately called Secretary Yan. Secretary Yan informed Jiao Yang of Lin Miao's severe breathing difficulties, and Jiao Yang, alarmed, ordered him to call emergency services. The hotel’s medical officer confirmed Lin Miao had asthma due to an unknown allergen, advising immediate hospitalization. Lin Miao, regaining partial consciousness, was confused, as she hadn't touched a cat.
Then, a realization struck her, and she insisted on going to the dining hall. Jiao Yang, upon hearing her insistent plea, disregarded medical advice and carried her there. Zhao Yan, witnessing this, was heartbroken. In the dining hall, Sui Yi had also collapsed. Lin Miao, acting quickly despite her own deteriorating condition, administered his allergy medication, which revived him. Immediately after, Lin Miao completely lost consciousness. Lin Miao and Sui Yi were hospitalized.
Zhao Yan spent the entire night meticulously searching for the allergen throughout the hotel, from rooms to dining halls, checking cutlery and ingredients, but found no conclusive evidence. Sui Yi eventually woke up. Secretary Yan, noting Zhao Yan’s exhaustion, advised her to rest, offering to go to the hospital himself. Meanwhile, Jiao Yang had stayed by Lin Miao's bedside all night. When she awoke, Jiao Yang, looking disheveled, playfully accused her of playing games all night.
Despite his teasing, Lin Miao was touched by his presence and thanked him. Secretary Yan and Jiao Yang were perplexed by how Lin Miao had predicted Sui Yi’s relapse. Lin Miao explained that both she and Sui Yi suffered from cat fur allergies that could trigger asthma, and she realized the napkins used at the dinner likely contained cat fur. Jiao Yang then had an Emergency board meeting to attend.
Lin Miao, concerned that others would seize the opportunity to undermine him, offered to accompany him, but Jiao Yang sternly refused, telling her to stay and rest, threatening to make her pay her hospital fees if she continued to "nag." Director Li prepared to go to the board meeting to clean up Jiao Yang’s mess, remarking on Jiao Yang’s lack of patience.
Manager Su, having learned of the disastrous event, wore a sinister smile, indirectly confirming his involvement in the cat incident. At the emergency board meeting, the plunging stock price of Hong Yu was discussed. Jiao Yang immediately accepted responsibility, but Zhao Yan tried to take the blame, which Jiao Yang quickly stopped. Director Li, blaming Zhao Yan for bringing the cat, demanded Jiao Yang resolve the issue within one day or face suspension.
Chairman Zhao attempted to defend Jiao Yang, but Director Li escalated, proposing to fire all President's Office employees involved. Jiao Yang agreed to the one-day ultimatum, taking full responsibility and declaring that if he failed, he would withdraw from all future Hong Yu business, but firmly stated that no one was to touch his employees. Secretary Yan informed Lin Miao that Jiao Yang had been waiting outside Sui Yi's ward for over two hours.
Lin Miao worried that one day was insufficient for the investigation. In his eagerness to defend Jiao Yang, Secretary Yan accidentally revealed that Jiao Yang had sent him to assist Lin Miao all along, not just to supervise her as he had initially claimed, and that Jiao Yang hadn't wanted her to know. Chairman Zhao and Jiao Yang’s father discussed the challenging situation, lamenting Jiao Yang’s youth and impulsiveness.
Meanwhile, Lin Miao visited Sui Yi to apologize, taking responsibility for not informing her colleagues about his cat fur allergy. Sui Yi, curious, asked why she would defend an unprofessional boss. Lin Miao explained that while she initially questioned Jiao Yang’s competence, she had come to admire his sense of responsibility and potential. She highlighted his personal attention to details like the pool temperature and shower settings, and his willingness to protect his employees, even risking himself.
Jiao Yang then arrived, offering Sui Yi a perfectly prepared drink, but Sui Yi remained firm, stating his lawyer was drafting a legal letter. Jiao Yang pleaded with Sui Yi to hold only him accountable, sparing Hong Yu and Leisure. Lin Miao and Jiao Yang then began to argue, each insisting on taking sole responsibility.
Sui Yi sighed, noting that while Jiao Yang might lack the finesse of a seasoned hotel manager, he was an admirable leader whose employees, despite "annoying" him all afternoon with their attempts to take the blame, were his greatest asset. Recognizing their loyalty and Jiao Yang’s dedication, Sui Yi decided not to pursue the matter further.
Episode 7 Recap
Upon receiving Mr. Sui's disclaimer email, which stated that the cat fur incident was unrelated to Leisure Hotel, Jiao Yang felt a sense of relief. He instructed Xin to share the good news, proclaiming that they would make the board members "look good" at the meeting the following day. Meanwhile, Lin Miao reminded Jiao Yang that her two-day stay with him was almost up, complaining about her "industrial injury." Jiao Yang, however, joked about her being a "self-imposed" employee.
Lin Miao then requested an extension until she was fully recovered. To her surprise, Jiao Yang offered to switch rooms, letting her sleep in the bed while he took the sofa. Lin Miao was touched, calling him "the most caring president" and promising not to disturb his sleep so he could be energetic for the board meeting. She quietly thought about how Jiao Yang continually surprised her and how relieved she was that he was not fired.
The next morning, Lin Miao woke to find a new mobile phone, a gift from Jiao Yang for her excellent performance during the experience event, along with three days of paid sick leave. As Jiao Yang prepared for his board meeting, Director Li, who had orchestrated the cat fur incident by placing it on the cutlery, learned that Jiao Yang had resolved the issue. Furious, he vowed that Jiao Yang would not escape the situation easily.
At the board meeting, Jiao Yang announced that Mr. Sui had formally dropped all claims against Leisure Hotel and requested no compensation, although Jiao Yang personally covered all medical and inconvenience fees. Capitalizing on the situation, Jiao Yang proposed a new pet-friendly service to guests, highlighting the hotel's confidence in its hygiene standards. The board members, including the chairman, approved of his initiatives.
However, the meeting was dramatically interrupted by a panicked employee who revealed that the company's official website, blogs, and forums were ablaze with negative comments about the cat fur incident, specifically targeting Jiao Yang. The comments accused him of being unconcerned with his work and having "personal relations chaos," causing many clients to express serious concern about the corporate image.
Director Li seized the moment, proposing that the company's shareholders vote to remove Jiao Yang from his Vice President position and strip him of his management rights over Leisure Hotel until the online commotion "completely settled." Despite Zhao Yan's protest that the situation wasn't that severe, the vote was held, resulting in unanimous consent. Jiao Yang was removed from his position. Dejected, Jiao Yang went to the beach.
Lin Miao found him there, criticizing his pretense of being happy about leaving hotel management. She asserted that the online attacks were a "man-made cyber violence," orchestrated by someone who hired "gunmen" to ruin his reputation. Lin Miao pointed out that the public opinion was deliberately guided to target Jiao Yang personally, rather than the hotel's utensils.
She urged him to fight back, reminding him that his loyal employees were his greatest asset and that they had even prepared resignation letters in solidarity. She insisted that if he didn't clear his name, it would drag them all down, particularly herself, who would have to endure accusations of an "improper relationship" with him. Convinced, Jiao Yang rallied his team.
K, their friend, identified that the thousands of online comments originated from just five very close IP addresses, indicating a group operating from a single internet cafe. Jiao Yang assigned Ding Ding and Jiang Rou to "spy on and entice the enemy," Ying Jun and Xin to "assist and cover their retreat," while K and Pang were tasked with "controlling the situation" if physical confrontation occurred.
At the internet cafe, Jiang Rou's attempt to distract the suspects with flirting accidentally tipped them off, causing them to flee. Jiao Yang pursued them, telling Lin Miao to stay in the car, but she followed. Unexpectedly, Su Cheng Jun, who was on a date with Lin Weijun, abandoned his date to assist Jiao Yang in catching one of the suspects. Lin Miao felt awkward witnessing Su Cheng Jun's involvement.
Soon after, Su Cheng Jun received a phone call reporting that Lin Weijun was hurt. He rushed back, only to find she had a minor cut and was demanding daisies, reminding him of their first date and anniversary, to comfort her. Later, the team gathered to celebrate their success. Jiao Yang decided not to pursue the "manipulator" further, stating that letting them "sleep on pins and needles" was more satisfying than publicly exposing them.
He expressed his gratitude to K for his technical command, Pang for his strength, Ding Ding and Jiang Rou for their "Oscar-level acting," Ying Jun and Xin for their assistance, and Brother Tang for providing the venue. He also promised Assistant Lin a pay raise upon her reinstatement, despite her modest claim of having "spoiled the operation." After several rounds of drinks, everyone except Jiao Yang and Lin Miao fell asleep.
Jiao Yang confessed his gratitude to Lin Miao, especially for her reassuring words by the sea, which helped him regain his position quickly. He thanked her for various acts of kindness, including giving him the bedroom, cleaning his bathroom, making dinner, risking her safety to save the experience officer, staying with him when he was sick, helping with the outdoor wedding, and for his white shoes and chocolate, and for being his assistant.
As they leaned in for a kiss, Secretary Yan suddenly woke up. He revealed he had met Manager Su that morning, who had provided a persuasive document compiling similar cyber defamation cases from the past two years, which convinced the company that Jiao Yang was truly maligned. Jiao Yang, embarrassed, asked Lin Miao to care for the others and left abruptly.
The next day, Lin Miao was consumed by thoughts of the almost-kiss, trying to shake off the "temporary blindness" of hormones. Jiao Yang initially tried to avoid Lin Miao in the elevator but then decided there was no reason for him to be embarrassed if she wasn't. They exchanged a strained "good morning."
Jiang Rou then asked who had gotten drunk first the previous night, prompting both Jiao Yang and Lin Miao to animatedly claim they were the first, surprising Jiang Rou. Jiao Yang's father offered him a new project: developing the company's idle Yue Rong Villa resort as a reward for his recent good performance. Jiao Yang refused, leading to another heated argument with his father, who insisted he accept the opportunity as the future leader of Hong Yu.
His father then called Lin Miao to his office. Jiao Yang intercepted Lin Miao, warning her not to agree to anything his father proposed. Despite his warning, Lin Miao returned shortly with the contract. She enthusiastically told Jiao Yang that his father was giving him a great opportunity, which he dismissed as her not understanding the situation.
Lin Miao persisted, arguing that developing the resort was crucial for the company, and it was better for them to undertake it than to let it fall into "irrelevant people's" hands. Jiao Yang was left pondering why Lin Miao was so deeply invested in the Yue Rong Villa project. Meanwhile, Zhao Yan, upon learning about Jiao Yang's trip to Yue Rong Villa, insisted on joining him.
Secretary Yan explained that Chairman Jiao and Director Zhao would not approve, and her skills were needed to manage the ongoing online public opinion fallout. Zhao Yan became visibly upset when she heard Lin Miao would be accompanying Jiao Yang. Elsewhere, Jiao Yang witnessed Su Cheng Jun being publicly reprimanded by his superior. Jiao Yang realized that Su Cheng Jun was his half-brother, a fact confirmed by seeing him at their mother's tombstone with Jiao Yang's father.
Jiao Yang's father had been wary of Su Cheng Jun due to his birth father's past behavior of showing up drunk, acting crazy, and extorting money, which contributed to Jiao Yang's mother's illness. Jiao Yang, however, persuaded his father to give Su Cheng Jun a chance. Subsequently, Jiao Yang invited Su Cheng Jun to join his team for the Yue Rong Villa project. Su Cheng Jun accepted, still referring to Jiao Yang as "President Jiao" out of habit.
Simultaneously, Lin Weijun showed Su Cheng Jun a brochure for a "small tourist resort," intending to plan a romantic getaway. Su Cheng Jun, however, abruptly informed her he would be away on a two-week business trip, leaving her disappointed. She rationalized that his dedication was for their future.
Episode 8 Recap
Lin Miao was in the midst of packing her suitcase when Jiao Yang, dismissing her packing skills, took it upon himself to stuff numerous face masks, vitamins, and a pair of shoes he had previously given her into it. Annoyed, Lin Miao stood up and nearly collided with Jiao Yang, who immediately accused her of doing it on purpose.
In a fit of anger, Lin Miao removed everything he had packed and declared that they should establish clear boundaries, insisting he stay at least three meters away from her. Jiao Yang, in response, playfully paced out the stated distance. The following day, Lin Miao, Jiao Yang, and Su Chengjun journeyed to Yue Rong Villa.
In a recent conversation, Jiao Yang's father had cautioned Su Chengjun that Jiao Yang was a kind-hearted person whom he did not wish to see hurt, implicitly advising Su Chengjun to act with care. During the car ride, Su Chengjun offered Lin Miao a detailed report on Yue Rong Villa, explaining its contents and suggesting they finalize development plans upon arrival. Jiao Yang, however, snatched the report, dismissing it as childish.
Lin Miao then inadvertently revealed her familiarity with Su Chengjun's unique system of using colored sticky notes to categorize information by priority and numerical order, astonishing everyone in the car. Incensed, Jiao Yang ordered the driver to stop, instructing Lin Miao to wait with him for Secretary Yan to deliver his important personal items, while Su Chengjun departed for the villa ahead of them. Jiao Yang hinted that Lin Miao seemed disappointed not to have gone with Su Chengjun.
Moments later, Secretary Yan arrived with the items. Shortly after, Zhao Yan appeared and, despite Jiao Yang's instructions for her and Secretary Yan to remain at Hong Yu, she insisted that Secretary Yan accompany her to Yue Rong Villa to catch up with Jiao Yang. Upon their arrival at Yue Rong Villa, Jiao Yang proudly commented on the beautiful scenery, claiming credit for their presence.
Lin Miao gently reminded him that he was initially against the project and she had been the one to persuade him. They found the expansive villa eerily deserted. Su Chengjun soon joined them, stating that the villa felt peculiar. Inside one of the buildings, they discovered a table adorned with electronic candles and offerings. Suddenly, the candles flickered out, and a white-clad figure, appearing to be a ghost, fled in terror.
Jiao Yang quickly guided Lin Miao and Su Chengjun into a room, which Jiao Yang revealed was his late mother's former workshop, now covered in white sheets. Accidentally, Su Chengjun knocked over and broke a model made of building blocks. Jiao Yang sadly explained that he and his mother had built it together. Su Chengjun promptly apologized. Although Jiao Yang was visibly upset, he accepted the apology, recognizing it as an accident.
Lin Miao comforted Jiao Yang, reminding him that his father entrusted him with the project because he believed Jiao Yang would protect it and make the best decisions. They soon realized the workshop door had been locked from the outside. After spending the night locked in the workshop, Jiao Yang and Lin Miao exchanged greetings in the morning.
Su Chengjun woke to find the door open and had already located the villa staff, assuring them they wouldn't have to sleep in the workshop again. He discreetly held a phone behind his back, seemingly to avoid their notice. Lin Miao playfully suggested the previous night's "ghost" might have been a female spirit enamored with Jiao Yang, a notion he quickly dismissed. They then met the remaining staff: Manager Zhou, Chef Liu, and Ji Zi.
Ji Zi openly flirted with Jiao Yang, causing him to blush and hastily excuse himself to request food. Su Chengjun clarified that the villa's declining business had led to most employees being let go, leaving only these three. Chef Liu served steak to Lin Miao and Su Chengjun but presented Jiao Yang with fried noodles.
He explained his artistic reasoning, describing Lin Miao and Su Chengjun as intellectual and elegant, while labeling Jiao Yang as "vulgar" and "arrogant," claiming the simple fried noodles perfectly matched his boorish nature. Jiao Yang was furious and demanded a different dish. Su Chengjun advised him to foster good relations with the long-standing staff. Jiao Yang, still fuming, left to rest, while Chef Liu insisted that Lin Miao and Su Chengjun remain to savor their "noble and elegant" lunch.
Later, Su Chengjun discussed the villa's complicated situation with Lin Miao, proposing a complete demolition and rebuilding. Meanwhile, Chef Liu presented Lin Miao with a piece of his calligraphy. Lin Miao, in turn, requested that he prepare a bowl of noodles for Jiao Yang, which Su Chengjun then delivered. Jiao Yang initially refused the noodles, deeming it "charity."
However, upon learning that Lin Miao had specifically requested it for him, he accepted, though he still declared his intention to dismiss every employee at the villa for their "unmotivated and self-important" ways, promising to "take care of them one by one" after he finished eating. Su Chengjun again apologized for breaking the model. Jiao Yang brushed it off, mentioning that Lin Miao had helped him reassemble it.
Su Chengjun shared that he had difficulty sleeping, as the villa stirred many memories. Jiao Yang also acknowledged that Yue Rong Villa was where they first met and collaborated, viewing their current partnership as destiny. He asked Su Chengjun to help him "guard" the place and give it a "new look," to which Su Chengjun readily agreed.
While Su Chengjun was explaining to Jiao Yang that he had previously suggested to Lin Miao that they should tear down the villa and rebuild it from scratch, Zhao Yan and Secretary Yan suddenly arrived. Zhao Yan immediately yelled, "Who dares to tear down Yue Rong Villa? This place belongs to Jiao Yang and me!" Secretary Yan apologized to Jiao Yang for failing to prevent Zhao Yan from coming.
Zhao Yan then began reminiscing about her childhood with Jiao Yang at the villa, describing it as a place with a "romantic attic," and urged him to take her there. Jiao Yang, however, revealed his suspicions that the "ghost" incident was a staged trick. He pointed out the use of electronic candles, pre-prepared food, and recorded sounds, and concluded that the white-clad figure was "someone playing tricks." He vowed to retaliate and find proof.
Zhao Yan then hinted that she had already made her own arrangements for him to "have fun." Jiao Yang then confronted the "female ghost," who turned out to be Shan Shan, Manager Zhou's niece. As Jiao Yang pursued her, she collapsed. Manager Zhou, Ji Zi, and Chef Liu immediately confronted Jiao Yang, accusing him of bullying Shan Shan, who suffered from sleepwalking.
They claimed he had disrupted her sleepwalking and caused her to fall, threatening him with legal action and ruin if she was harmed, while vehemently denying any trickery. Jiao Yang, in turn, ordered Secretary Yan to retrieve evidence from his safe, but Secretary Yan reported that it was empty. Realizing he had been outmaneuvered, Jiao Yang accused them of plotting against him by using Shan Shan as a decoy to steal his evidence.
The staff denied the slander and demanded compensation. Jiao Yang agreed to pay but reiterated his threat to "take care of them one by one." Shan Shan, upon seeing Jiao Yang, declared him handsome and demanded he marry her. Manager Zhou, Chef Liu, and Ji Zi then began pressuring Jiao Yang into marrying Shan Shan. Zhao Yan intervened, loudly asserting her claim on Jiao Yang and forbidding them from forcing him into marriage.
A commotion ensued, and both Su Chengjun and Lin Miao were accidentally knocked down while attempting to mediate. To end the chaotic situation, Jiao Yang embraced Lin Miao and announced that she was his fiancée, making marriage to Shan Shan impossible. When met with disbelief, Jiao Yang sealed his claim by kissing Lin Miao, much to Zhao Yan's visible fury.
Back in his room, Jiao Yang mused over his "first kiss" with Lin Miao, pondering his "technique" and whether it had been awkward. He concluded that any woman in such a situation, especially Lin Miao, should be "delighted," playfully addressing her name. In her own room, Lin Miao was similarly replaying the kiss, mentally telling herself that it wasn't real and she needed to calm down.
Later, Zhao Yan arrived at Lin Miao's room, confronting her and adamantly stating that she would never concede Jiao Yang. She declared that marrying Jiao Yang had been her lifelong dream and that she had followed him to the villa specifically to be with him. She accused Lin Miao of using "tricks" but swore she would not let them be together.
Lin Miao clarified that her actions were merely a cooperative effort to prevent Jiao Yang from being forced into marriage. Relieved, Zhao Yan accepted Lin Miao's explanation. She then revealed that Yue Rong Villa held deep sentimental value for her and Jiao Yang, as it was the place where they had first "made their love promise," and asserted her firm intention to "win him over" while they were there. Lin Miao offered a strained, awkward smile in response.
Episode 9 Recap
Zhao Yan arranged for Secretary Yan to set up a romantic setting at Yue Rong Villa, intending to confess her feelings to Jiao Yang. Seeing this, Lin Miao felt a pang of sadness, wishing she could be as bold and carefree. Zhao Yan reminisced that this was where she and Jiao Yang played house as children, considering it their first home, though Jiao Yang had been uncooperative back then.
When Jiao Yang arrived, he seemed more preoccupied with Lin Miao and Su Cheng Jun chatting nearby than with Zhao Yan's preparations. Zhao Yan tried to confess, but Jiao Yang kept deflecting her, focusing instead on work discussions and muttering about this "stupid woman's" distraction and how she was ignoring him. Jiao Yang stated that the hotel staff's reluctance to cooperate stemmed from an underlying reason, and the solution was to identify this reason and win them over.
Lin Miao suggested they investigate Tianya Club, a community forum, for any grievances employees might have posted. Although understanding the cause was the first step, Lin Miao wondered how they would convince the staff to cooperate. Jiao Yang proposed they tackle each person individually. Jiao Yang then complimented Lin Miao on her recent improvements. He initially wanted to team up with Lin Miao to approach Chef Liu, leaving Su Cheng Jun to talk to Ji Zi at the bar.
Zhao Yan immediately objected. Su Cheng Jun then suggested that he and Lin Miao visit Chef Liu, while Jiao Yang went to see Ji Zi. Lin Miao agreed with Su Cheng Jun, pointing out that Chef Liu was not fond of Jiao Yang, whereas Ji Zi would likely be pleased to see him. She also noted that Chef Liu, being an artist, and Su Cheng Jun, having studied design, would find common ground.
Despite Jiao Yang’s insistence that Lin Miao, as his assistant, should be on his team, Lin Miao argued that Chef Liu would find Jiao Yang "tacky" and wouldn't listen to him. She emphasized that a leader should assign the right people to the right roles for the greater good of the mission, which required building trust and solving problems quickly. Jiao Yang reluctantly agreed to the team assignments.
Meanwhile, Director Li met with Su Cheng Jun, reminding him that Yue Rong Villa was his mother’s legacy and rightfully his company. Director Li offered to help Su Cheng Jun reclaim it from Jiao Yang, viewing Yue Rong Villa as the starting point for Su Cheng Jun’s revenge against those who "bully others with their power." Su Cheng Jun later presented Lin Miao with a bouquet of freshly picked daisies, asking if she liked them.
Lin Miao was momentarily caught off guard, remembering that daisies were a symbol of love between her and Jiao Yang in the past. Su Cheng Jun quickly clarified that the daisies were meant for Chef Liu, for his artistic inspiration. Chef Liu, however, mistook them as a gift for Lin Miao and commented on how well-suited Lin Miao and Su Cheng Jun appeared. Lin Miao gently reminded Chef Liu that Su Cheng Jun had a girlfriend.
Ultimately, Chef Liu gave some of the daisies to Lin Miao. When discussing Chef Liu’s artistic and culinary talents, Lin Miao expressed pity that he was confined to such a struggling resort. Chef Liu lamented his inability to fully pursue either passion, feeling unappreciated. Su Cheng Jun empathized, sharing his own past struggles of being overlooked despite hard work, crediting Jiao Yang with giving him an opportunity at Yue Rong.
He advised Chef Liu not to give up, as talent would eventually be recognized. Chef Liu, however, remained cynical about persistence. Su Cheng Jun later urged Lin Miao to give Chef Liu time, though secretly he wished for Chef Liu to side with him against Jiao Yang. At the bar, Ji Zi was expecting Jiao Yang. She proposed a game where each question would cost one drink.
After Jiao Yang drank and inquired about Manager Zhou's animosity, Ji Zi revealed that previous developers had damaged the local environment or sought to dismantle the villa, earning the residents' hatred. She explained that the remaining staff—Manager Zhou, Chef Liu, Shan Shan, and herself—stayed because they had nowhere else to go and valued the freedom and nature of Yue Rong. Ji Zi then questioned Jiao Yang's insistence on developing the villa, given its issues.
Jiao Yang explained that Yue Rong Villa was his mother's, an architect’s, most cherished work. He had seen it transform from blueprints to reality and held many beautiful memories there with her, now wishing to give it a new meaning. Ji Zi, impressed, playfully teased him about his "fiancée." Jiao Yang denied having one, but Ji Zi challenged him, suggesting his relationship with Lin Miao was an act. Jiao Yang insisted they were "truly in love."
Ji Zi then prepared two drinks, telling Jiao Yang to choose one to test his honesty. He picked a drink called "Destined Lovers." Ji Zi warned that those who chose it often encounter a "demon-like girl" who, like vodka in a cocktail, could unpredictably change their lives, for better or worse. Just as Ji Zi hinted that this "demon" was "right by your side," Lin Miao walked in.
Jiao Yang, convinced she was the demon, shouted at her to "go away" and rushed off. Lin Miao, confused, called Jiao Yang childish. She then sat down and drank the other cocktail, named "Wheel of Fortune." Ji Zi observed Lin Miao's unhappy expression and advised her, "Since you can't change it, why don't you enjoy the present?" Later that night, Jiao Yang, still unsettled by Ji Zi's words, accidentally threw a pillow from his balcony, hitting Lin Miao below.
They bickered until they noticed Shan Shan sleepwalking. To protect her, they quickly moved to shield her. Shan Shan, holding a photo, mumbled an apology to her father for not finding his favorite althaea, expressing her unfulfilled wish. Jiao Yang then proposed transforming Yue Rong Villa into an eco-resort, inspired by Crosswaters Ecolodge & Spa. He highlighted its renowned status and potential for long-term economic benefits and enhanced corporate reputation, all while preserving the local environment and satisfying the board.
The key to this plan was finding althaea, a rare and nationally protected plant with both ornamental and medicinal value. However, Lin Miao vehemently opposed this. When Jiao Yang pressed her for a reason, she recalled a tragic memory: her father died in a landslide while searching for althaea. Instead of revealing this personal pain, she argued that althaea was too rare to find within the company's timeframe, making the plan impractical.
Jiao Yang, angered by her lack of support, especially given his mother's belief that althaea existed on the mountain (a belief reinforced by Shan Shan's photo), accused Lin Miao of looking down on him. He declared he would find althaea himself to prove her wrong and stormed out with his team. Later, Su Cheng Jun found Lin Miao distraught and offered her a drink.
He expressed agreement with her reservations about the slim chances of finding althaea within the given timeframe. Su Cheng Jun then presented his own proposal: to demolish and rebuild Yue Rong Villa into a luxurious entertainment center, arguing that the existing villa was outdated, inaccessible, and lacked tourism potential, and mere renovations would be insufficient. Lin Miao voiced concern, knowing Jiao Yang would never agree to demolish a place so significant to his mother.
She also questioned why Su Cheng Jun hadn't presented this proposal earlier. Su Cheng Jun explained that his junior position made it difficult to get such a high-level plan approved by the board, especially the chairman, without seeming to have an "ulterior motive." He promised to tell her the full story later but urged her to review the plan as time was critical. Lin Miao agreed to look over it.
Soon after, Su Cheng Jun made a phone call, subtly influencing the board by mentioning the current deadline seemed "too lax." The next morning, Secretary Yan urgently woke Jiao Yang, informing him that Director Li had publicly questioned his leadership at the board meeting and proposed selling Yue Rong Villa. The board had given Jiao Yang three days to present a new, viable plan, or the sale would proceed.
Jiao Yang called his father, expressing his frustration, reminding him of the villa's deep significance to him and his late mother. His father, however, urged him to "look forward" and "grow up as soon as possible," warning that if he couldn't protect Yue Rong today, he wouldn't be able to protect Hong Yu Group in the future. Jiao Yang managed to secure three days. Lin Miao found Jiao Yang in his room, where he was still upset.
He made a snarky comment about her being there to remind him of his failures. She calmly suggested a "safer solution" than the near-impossible task of finding althaea. When Jiao Yang asked what it was, she showed him Su Cheng Jun's rebuilding proposal. Jiao Yang was furious, calling it a plan to "destroy" Yue Rong, not protect it. Lin Miao tried to reason, explaining the villa's impracticality and the board's need for profitability.
She also tried to detach his emotional attachment from the physical structure, using a broken model as an analogy, arguing that rebuilding it better would be the best way to honor his mother's legacy. But Jiao Yang lashed out, stating she couldn't understand because she hadn't "experienced what I had been through" and didn't know what althaea meant to him.
He then coldly dismissed her, telling her as project manager and vice president that she was no longer needed for the Yue Rong Villa project and that Xin would drive her back. Heartbroken, Lin Miao reflected on her own painful past of losing both parents, realizing how deeply she understood the pain of losing a cherished home. Later, Lin Miao received a phone call from Jiao Yang's father, who confirmed his approval of the demolition and rebuilding plan.
Lin Miao then joined Chef Liu and Manager Zhou to inform Jiao Yang, adding that Chef Liu, Manager Zhou, and Ji Zi also supported the rebuilding. Jiao Yang was visibly upset. He returned Shan Shan's photo, and she reminisced about a beautiful patch of althaea on a sunny hillside from her childhood. Jiao Yang attempted to persuade Shan Shan to help him find althaea, stressing it was her only remaining connection to her father. Shan Shan hesitated.
Manager Zhou, Chef Liu, and Ji Zi, noting Jiao Yang's team of four was outnumbered by their five (with Lin Miao's support), urged Shan Shan to side with them. Shan Shan, whose father was a botanist, shared that she had never left the resort since her father's death. Jiao Yang asked if she wanted to see the outside world. When she remained undecided, Jiao Yang declared that he would lead his team to find althaea within 48 hours.
He assigned Zhao Yan and Secretary Yan (Xin) to go with him, while instructing Su Cheng Jun to stay at the villa to coordinate with the investigation team and compile information about althaea, so they could apply for eco-resort status as soon as the plant was found. As they prepared to depart, Zhao Yan and Secretary Yan expressed concern about the lack of information on althaea.
Their comments prompted Jiao Yang to recall his research, and he suddenly realized that althaea only grows on red soil at an altitude of 500 meters. He promptly ordered Xin to identify all such hills near Yue Rong.
Episode 10 Recap
Lin Miao successfully convinced Manager Zhou and Chef Liu to accept her proposal by agreeing to help Shan Shan go abroad. Manager Zhou thanked Lin Miao and expressed his trust, stating that she would return the keys the next day. Shan Shan, however, told her uncle she didn't want to leave him, but Uncle Zhou insisted she should see the outside world.
Lin Miao, in turn, assured Chef Liu that Yue Rong Villa would regain its past prosperity and that she would invite him to admire his new paintings there. Meanwhile, Jiao Yang, Zhao Yan, and Secretary Yan had located a mountain at the required 500-meter altitude near the villa. As they prepared to leave, they discovered the door was locked. Jiao Yang suspected Manager Zhou and his team were behind it.
Lin Miao, observing them, internally apologized to Jiao Yang, believing she had to take such measures to protect them. The next morning, Jiao Yang's group awoke to find the map missing and the car tires deflated. Jiao Yang, suspecting Lin Miao, confidently claimed he had memorized the mountain's location. He led his team to distract Lin Miao and Chef Liu by reporting Chef Liu's restaurant had been "smashed."
They then approached Shan Shan, urging her to help them find althaea, emphasizing her father's wishes and the need to protect Yue Rong Villa. Shan Shan was initially hesitant, fearing Uncle Zhou's disapproval, but Zhao Yan’s taunts about her never having seen althaea provoked her. Shan Shan defiantly declared she remembered her father’s path to the althaea and agreed to lead them. Su Chenjun quickly informed Lin Miao that Jiao Yang and Shan Shan had left for the mountain.
Manager Zhou expressed concern about the mountain’s dangers and the impending rain, but Lin Miao, seemingly indifferent, declared it Jiao Yang's choice and responsibility. As the group ventured into the mountain, the path proved arduous, and soon both Shan Shan and Zhao Yan were exhausted, with Shan Shan even suggesting they abandon the search. Jiao Yang, refusing to give up, instructed Secretary Yan to take Zhao Yan and Shan Shan back while he continued the search alone.
Later, Lin Miao confided in Ji Zi, complaining about Jiao Yang’s stubbornness and immaturity. Ji Zi teased Lin Miao, suggesting her complaints stemmed from worry, to which Lin Miao responded with regret. She explained that she acted for Jiao Yang’s own good because searching for althaea was too dangerous; her own father had never returned from such a quest. Ji Zi, however, expressed her belief in Jiao Yang’s pure intentions to protect Yue Rong Villa, distinguishing him from other developers.
Lin Miao was then jolted awake by a nightmare of Jiao Yang calling for help. Rushing to the mountain, she found Zhao Yan, Shan Shan, and Secretary Yan at the base, realizing Jiao Yang had been searching alone all night. Consumed by fear and anxiety, Lin Miao ran up the mountain. After a long search, she found Jiao Yang. She stumbled and fell, but Jiao Yang quickly moved to protect her.
In his hand, he held an althaea plant—they had finally found it. Seeing the althaea, Lin Miao was overcome with sadness, recalling how its pursuit had led to her father's death and her becoming an orphan. She embraced Jiao Yang, apologizing for her lack of support and for letting him embark on the dangerous search alone.
At that moment, Secretary Yan called Jiao Yang, informing him that today was the final deadline, and if no action was taken, Yue Rong Villa would be acquired. Su Chenjun was surprised to hear that Jiao Yang had found althaea. When the inspection team's vehicle broke down, Lin Miao swiftly asked Mr. Sui for help, and he agreed to bring the team to Yue Rong Villa, considering it a favor returned.
During the presentation of Yue Rong Villa, Lin Miao twisted her ankle. Jiao Yang immediately helped her, massaging her foot, and then carried her back to her room on his back. He admonished her for acting impulsively and getting hurt, reminding her she was his assistant and should follow his instructions. Lin Miao apologized for her stubbornness and impulsiveness regarding the althaea, and Jiao Yang accepted her apology. That evening, everyone gathered for a celebration.
Jiao Yang gave a speech, commending everyone but also humorously pointing out their quirks, such as Chef Liu's arrogance, Shan Shan's sleepwalking and role-playing, and Ji Zi's flirtatiousness. He announced the establishment of a study fund for Shan Shan, crediting Lin Miao for the idea, and suggested she could travel the world when ready. Ji Zi then playfully flirted with Jiao Yang again, who quickly stated he already had a "destined lover," sparking curiosity in Zhao Yan.
Manager Zhou, deeply grateful, apologized to Jiao Yang for his previous opposition, and Lin Miao assured him Jiao Yang would treat everyone as family and overlook past issues. As they toasted, Su Chenjun also toasted Lin Miao, thanking her for considering his proposal and inspiring him. A visibly drunk Lin Miao accidentally called Su Chenjun by his given name, "Chengjun," which made him look at her intently.
He expressed his desire to have someone grow with him, looking directly at Lin Miao. Noticing their growing closeness, Jiao Yang quickly intervened, taking the heavily intoxicated Lin Miao away. She drunkenly insisted no one knew where her home was, but Jiao Yang asserted that he did. Jiao Yang brought Lin Miao back to the attic. He noticed that she had reassembled the broken building blocks, and she tried to downplay it.
Jiao Yang, acknowledging her unspoken kindness, then presented her with a Hong Yu Group lifetime employment contract. Seeing the word "lifetime," Lin Miao refused to sign, misinterpreting it as a demand for a lifetime of work. Jiao Yang, frustrated by her lack of understanding, tried to explain it was a reward and his way of offering her a permanent place by his side, revealing it was his first confession.
Lin Miao continued to refuse, then, in her drunken state, clung to Jiao Yang, attempting to strip off his clothes and vomiting on his suit. Jiao Yang questioned her actions after rejecting him, while Lin Miao comically claimed to be eight years older than him and from the future, specifying it was already 2020 where she came from and she was 33. She also mentioned a person named Lin Weijun, who looked exactly like her.
Jiao Yang, disbelieving her fantastical story, jokingly retorted that he must be from 2030 and had "children" with someone resembling her. He continued to press her for a real reason for her rejection, but Lin Miao, having fallen into a deep sleep, offered no further answers, leaving Jiao Yang utterly dejected by his failed first confession. The next morning, Lin Miao awoke to find Jiao Yang sleeping beside her, confused and thinking she was still dreaming.
Jiao Yang, in a resentful tone, immediately accused her of faking amnesia about the previous night and reminded her of her attempts to undress him. Lin Miao, speechless, could only deny it, claiming there was no evidence. Soon after, Jiao Yang, Lin Miao, Zhao Yan, Su Chenjun, and Secretary Yan prepared to depart from Yue Rong Villa.
Ji Zi jokingly asked Jiao Yang if he and Lin Miao had a "great time" the previous night, and Lin Miao, still fuzzy, wondered aloud what she had said. As they left, Zhao Yan deliberately positioned herself between Jiao Yang and Lin Miao in the car. Meanwhile, Su Chenjun looked at a text message from Lin Weijun, inviting him for dinner, with a clear look of disdain.
Upon their return to Hong Yu Group, they were met by a large crowd of protesters outside, and online reports were slandering Jiao Yang. Inside a board meeting, Director Li seized the opportunity to fan the flames, demanding that Jiao's father provide an explanation to the board. Jiao Yang attempted to defend himself, stating that the reports were taken out of context and that he needed time to investigate who was behind the smear campaign.
While one board member suggested giving him a chance, Director Li vehemently argued that Jiao Yang had already acted improperly by unilaterally applying for the environmental protection zone, causing significant damage to Hong Yu's reputation. Jiao Yang admitted his fault in not informing the board but insisted that the entire incident was a setup.
When asked for proof, Jiao Yang stated his team members could vouch for him, to which Director Li dismissively responded that "dead men tell no tales," implying their testimony was worthless. With other directors also demanding accountability, Jiao's father, the Chairman, intervened. He announced that the president's office had one week to thoroughly investigate and resolve the matter; otherwise, Jiao Yang would be suspended from his position. Director Li praised the Chairman for his impartiality. Jiao Yang accepted the ultimatum, promising to quickly address the public opinion and deliver a satisfactory answer to the board and the outside world.
Episode 11 Recap
Online, rumors spread that Jiao Yang resorted to force during the development of Yue Rong Villa. Numerous animal and plant conservation associations accused Hong Yu Group of profiting from rare plants, urging the government to intervene and halt the villa's development. Lin Miao pondered why Jiao Yang consistently encountered problems just as he was making progress. Zhao Yan was certain there was a mole within the company, pinpointing Su Cheng Jun due to his absence at critical moments.
Secretary Yan, however, clarified that Jiao Yang had specifically assigned Su Cheng Jun to those tasks. Lin Miao, passing by, overheard Zhao Yan reveal that Su Cheng Jun was Jiao Yang's half-brother, a revelation that stunned her. Convinced of Su Cheng Jun's culpability, Zhao Yan left to confront Jiao Yang, only for everyone to realize that Su Cheng Jun had been standing behind Lin Miao, privy to their entire conversation.
Jiao Yang faced potential suspension if he failed to resolve the ongoing crisis. Lin Miao proposed a strategic solution: Hong Yu Group should make a charitable donation to the animal and plant conservation association to salvage its reputation. Jiao Yang wholeheartedly approved, immediately instructing his presidential office team to follow Lin Miao's lead. Lin Miao began assigning tasks, directing Su Cheng Jun to manage the donation platform. Zhao Yan, distrustful of Su Cheng Jun, an "outsider," voiced her concerns.
To ease her apprehension, Su Cheng Jun offered to assist Zhao Yan, letting her take primary responsibility for the donation platform. Zhao Yan, satisfied with this compromise, accepted. Later, Jiao Yang found himself grappling with Lin Miao's true feelings. He wondered if she liked him, given her unwavering dedication to his affairs, yet she had explicitly rejected him.
Lin Miao then informed Jiao Yang that the board of directors would not fund the donation, making it difficult to raise such a large sum quickly. Jiao Yang, unconcerned, assured her that money was not an issue and he would handle it. Meanwhile, Jiao Yang's father confronted Su Cheng Jun, revealing his clear understanding of Su Cheng Jun's character.
He recalled how Su Cheng Jun, aware of a venue conflict during the rooftop wedding, deliberately withheld the information from Jiao Yang, instead contacting other hotels to gain an advantage. Jiao Yang's father also exposed that the plan to demolish and rebuild Yue Rong Villa, which was his mother's legacy, was Su Cheng Jun's idea. Disappointed that Su Cheng Jun would overturn his mother's hard work, Jiao Yang's father ordered him to leave Hong Yu Group.
Separately, Director Li learned of Jiao Yang's plans but dismissed them as mere stopgap measures, sarcastically remarking that Jiao Yang was too naive to think simply calming public opinion would satisfy the board. To secure funds for the donation, Jiao Yang sold his beloved car, a 24th birthday gift, and bought a motorcycle.
Lin Miao, seeing him in biker attire, expressed regret over the sale, but Jiao Yang brushed it off, emphasizing it was the first time she had sought his help for a work-related problem. He explained that a public welfare campaign was not enough; they needed to address the board's concerns. Jiao Yang suggested pursuing a project for the artificial cultivation of althaea, having heard of existing research teams.
Lin Miao enthusiastically elaborated on this idea, recalling her father's words from childhood about the flower's beauty. She added that althaea held immense value beyond mere aesthetics, with potential for medical and aesthetic applications, reaching tens of thousands of yuan per shoot in the future if a comprehensive industry chain could be established. Jiao Yang, surprised by her detailed knowledge, questioned how she knew so much.
Lin Miao vaguely attributed it to a book and quickly retired for the night, leaving Jiao Yang to wonder if her drunken confession of being from the future held any truth. Throughout the day, Jiao Yang was preoccupied with thoughts of Lin Miao. He instructed Secretary Yan to investigate someone. Lin Miao attempted to check on Jiao Yang's work progress but was politely turned away by Secretary Yan, who explained he was engaged in another task for Jiao Yang.
Later that evening, Jiao Yang noticed Su Cheng Jun still diligently working, ignoring a phone call from Lin Weijun. As it began to rain, Lin Weijun appeared downstairs, having waited for Su Cheng Jun for hours with an umbrella, despite his preference for her not to visit his office. Su Cheng Jun reluctantly joined her. Jiao Yang, witnessing this, felt a pang of jealousy, musing that girlfriends were more reliable than assistants.
At that moment, Lin Miao appeared with an umbrella. Seizing the opportunity, Jiao Yang playfully closed his own umbrella and huddled under hers, declaring he would hold her umbrella for a lifetime. Startled, Lin Miao reminded him of her role as his assistant and urged him to stop making ambiguous remarks. Jiao Yang, frustrated by her rejection, dramatically discarded his umbrella and walked home in the rain.
The next morning, Lin Weijun prepared breakfast for Su Cheng Jun, but he, preoccupied with urgent company matters, left without eating, ignoring her offer to pack a sandwich. Back at the office, Su Cheng Jun requested Lin Miao's assistance in screening donation platforms, stating that Zhao Yan was still not satisfied with his data. Jiao Yang granted the request, giving them two hours to complete the task.
Meanwhile, Secretary Yan delivered his findings on Lin Weijun to Jiao Yang, revealing she was a 23-year-old orphan who grew up in a welfare center and was close to Grandma Chen, along with two childhood photos. Intrigued by Lin Miao's strange foreknowledge, Jiao Yang then asked Secretary Yan for his thoughts on time travel. Secretary Yan, citing various TV shows, concluded that time travel almost always serves to spark a grand romance, a theory that delighted Jiao Yang.
Lin Weijun, suspecting Su Cheng Jun was cheating, decided to visit his office. Around the same time, Jiao Yang's father was furious after discovering that Su Cheng Jun had secretly signed demolition and reconstruction agreements for Yue Rong Villa. Jiao Yang, however, maintained that Su Cheng Jun was framed and refused to fire him.
Lin Miao overheard colleagues discussing Su Cheng Jun's departure to the rooftop, fearing he might harm himself, and rushed to find him, with Jiao Yang following closely behind. On the rooftop, Su Cheng Jun, seemingly in distress, hugged Lin Miao tightly, thanking her for her presence and kind words, only releasing her once he saw Jiao Yang leave.
Back in his office, Jiao Yang was consumed by anger and his curiosity intensified regarding the relationships between Lin Weijun, Lin Miao, and Su Cheng Jun. He wondered aloud about Lin Weijun's identity and directly confronted Lin Miao about her connection to Su Cheng Jun. Secretary Yan, surprised, interjected that Lin Miao had never mentioned knowing Su Cheng Jun, further fueling Jiao Yang's confusion and demand for answers.
Episode 12 Recap
Jiao Yang went to the rooftop looking for Lin Miao but instead found Lin Weijun, who was searching for Su Cheng Jun. Lin Weijun, recognizing Jiao Yang, asked if he knew her boyfriend, Su Cheng Jun, and where he was, mentioning she had heard he was on the roof but found no one. Jiao Yang directed her to the marketing department on the 14th floor.
Before she left, Jiao Yang asked if she truly liked her boyfriend, to which Lin Weijun brightly affirmed, stating she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Jiao Yang was deeply saddened by this, reflecting on Lin Miao's previous words to him about being merely his assistant and wanting to maintain professional boundaries, realizing that the person Lin Miao came to this world to find was not him. Lin Weijun soon located Su Cheng Jun.
As they spoke, Su Cheng Jun received a phone call from Assistant Lin, causing Lin Weijun to erupt in anger, demanding to go find Lin Miao. Su Cheng Jun, frustrated by her immaturity, sighed and told her it was time they re-evaluated if their relationship was suitable. Meanwhile, Lin Miao realized that with only a little over a month left until her mission deadline, she needed to accelerate her efforts to help Jiao Yang become the company president.
Jiao Yang, distraught, spent the night playing basketball and did not return home. The next morning, Lin Miao brought Jiao Yang a fresh suit. However, Jiao Yang's demeanor was cold, telling her his other assistant, Xin, had already gotten him one. Later, in a meeting, Jiao Yang announced that Lin Miao would no longer be assigned to the upcoming althaea artificial cultivation project, instructing her to resume her regular duties.
Puzzled and hurt by his sudden change, Lin Miao asked Jiao Yang if she had made any mistakes or said anything wrong. Jiao Yang coldly reiterated that maintaining a professional superior-subordinate relationship was better for both of them, and advised her to take taxis to work, assuring her that the finance department would reimburse her. Lin Miao, though upset, internally agreed that drawing a clear boundary was for the best.
During the same period, Su Cheng Jun presented Director Zhao with two evaluated donation platforms for their campaign. When asked to choose, Su Cheng Jun selected one, but Director Zhao, wary of Su Cheng Jun's past private dealings, respected his opinion but chose the other platform. Soon after, Director Li received a message from Su Cheng Jun, reading "The fish bit the bait," followed by Su Cheng Jun himself making a phone call and instructing, "Reel it in."
Su Cheng Jun then handed Jiao Yang his resignation, explaining that his current status was unsuitable for Hong Yu. Jiao Yang, though disappointed, respected his decision. Unbeknownst to Jiao Yang, Su Cheng Jun had already secured a new position as a director at Zhong Qing Group, set to start the following day. Later, Jiao Yang approached Lin Miao during lunch, asking why she wasn't eating.
Still annoyed by his earlier coldness, Lin Miao curtly told him it was none of his concern. Just then, Su Cheng Jun appeared, inviting Lin Miao to dinner as a farewell, since he would be leaving Hong Yu the next day. Lin Miao hesitated, looking at Jiao Yang, who in turn dismissed her, saying he didn't need to be bothered by her personal choices.
Meanwhile, Secretary Yan discovered a comprehensive feasibility plan for the artificial cultivation of althaea in Lin Miao's wastebasket. Realizing it was Lin Miao's work and that she had been working on it since Jiao Yang first conceived the idea, despite being told not to, Secretary Yan showed the plan to Jiao Yang. Recollecting Lin Miao's cryptic comments about valuing time and people, Jiao Yang hurried to find her.
He found Lin Miao having dinner with Su Cheng Jun, who was excitedly sharing news of his new director position. After Lin Miao congratulated him, Su Cheng Jun, feeling a deep, long-standing connection with her, called over a waiter for a bouquet and confessed his desire to pursue her. Lin Miao, clearly uncomfortable, tried to excuse herself, but Jiao Yang arrived at that moment.
He interrupted Su Cheng Jun, declaring that Lin Miao liked him, not Su Cheng Jun, and forcefully took her hand, leading her away. Su Cheng Jun was furious, demanding to know why Jiao Yang always had to compete with him for everything. Lin Miao struggled, reminding Jiao Yang of his earlier demand to maintain professional boundaries.
Jiao Yang then pulled Lin Miao aside and confronted her, revealing that he knew she was from the future, a secret she had divulged when drunk at a previous celebration banquet. Lin Miao immediately denied it, claiming drunken words couldn't be taken seriously. Jiao Yang, however, expressed that he didn't care where she was from or who she truly was; he only wanted to confirm one thing: his love for her.
As proof of his knowledge, he produced a bracelet Lin Weijun had left behind at the company, suggesting Lin Miao would recognize it. Lin Miao abruptly pulled her hand away, firmly stating she did not like him, and reiterated his earlier advice to be rational, insisting that their relationship should remain strictly professional.
Tears in her eyes, Lin Miao ran off, deciding it was better to leave this world and prevent a painful future for Jiao Yang than to start something that wouldn't last. The next morning, Jiao Yang woke to find Lin Miao already gone from their shared home. At the company, Lin Miao rushed to tell him that the donation had gone wrong. The recipient platform denied receiving the funds, and their contact number was now vacant.
Both Lin Miao and Zhao Yan realized that Su Cheng Jun, who had originally drafted the list of donation platforms, was likely behind the fraud. At the Zhong Qing Group, Su Cheng Jun, now a market department director, reveled in his new authority, confidently delegating tasks to his new assistant, Chen, and demanding swift execution. News of the Hong Yu donation fraud, bearing Jiao Yang's name, was already circulating.
During a board meeting at Hong Yu Group, board members, citing Jiao Yang's repeated troubles and the damage to the company's reputation, demanded his resignation. Jiao Yang, unable to dispute the evidence, prepared to resign. However, Chairman Zhao intervened, presenting Leisure Hotel's first-quarter earnings report, which showed significant growth under Jiao Yang's leadership. He acknowledged Jiao Yang's tumultuous tenure but highlighted his tangible achievements, arguing that young leaders deserve chances to learn from mistakes.
Chairman Zhao proposed that instead of outright resignation, Jiao Yang be given an opportunity to redeem himself by leading a team to bid for a commercial land plot from Heng Yuan Properties, albeit as a regular project team leader. The board ultimately agreed to this proposal. Immediately, Hong Yu personnel began sealing off Jiao Yang's vice president office and stripping him of his executive privileges.
Despite the demotion, Lin Miao and other colleagues rallied around Jiao Yang, vowing to support him in the bidding process to help him regain his position. Jiao Yang, accepting his new role, took an empty desk beside Lin Miao, leading to a palpable awkwardness between them. Meanwhile, Lin Weijun sought out Su Cheng Jun, regretting their lack of communication and hoping to reconcile. She expressed confusion about his sudden job change, as he used to confide everything in her.
Su Cheng Jun, however, coldly rejected her, telling her he had a new job and she should find one too, and move on with a new life. Lin Weijun was heartbroken. Back at Hong Yu, Lin Miao handed Secretary Yan a detailed document about the donation fraud, asking him to deliver it to the board to clear Jiao Yang's name. She then went to the welfare center to visit Grandma Chen.
There, Lin Miao confided in Grandma Chen that "the boy" (Jiao Yang) had confessed his feelings, but she had rejected him, convinced that their two worlds would never align. She expressed deep regret for trusting the wrong person, Su Cheng Jun, and inadvertently causing Jiao Yang's demotion. She recalled her and Su Cheng Jun's past conversation on how to mitigate the PR crisis using charitable donations, now tainted by Su Cheng Jun's betrayal.
Lin Miao lamented that even though Jiao Yang had outwardly comforted everyone about the setback, his calm demeanor only made her feel worse, wishing he had just lashed out at her instead. That evening, Jiao Yang waited for Lin Miao to return home. When she arrived, she immediately retreated to her study to work. Jiao Yang gently urged her to get some rest, but Lin Miao, still emotionally distant, curtly replied that she wasn't sleepy and dismissed his concern.
Episode 13 Recap
Lin Miao was working late into the night, feeling responsible for the escalating online donation scandal. She stressed that she had to resolve the matter before the next morning, blaming herself for not handling things properly. Jiao Yang found her and urged her to sleep, suggesting she use earplugs if the noise bothered her. He reassured her that such incidents are unpredictable, and if blame were to be assigned, it should fall on him as her superior.
He told her not to shoulder everything alone. Lin Miao apologized to Jiao Yang, who then expressed his confidence that many issues could be resolved successfully, reminding her that there was nothing Jiao Yang and Lin Miao couldn't solve together, to which Lin Miao agreed. After Jiao Yang fell asleep, Lin Miao quietly returned to her computer to work on the althaea project plan.
The next morning, Jiao Yang held a meeting, assigning critical tasks to his team to manage the donation scandal. Zhao Yan and the public relations team were to draft a public apology. Xin and Ding Ding were tasked with following up on lawsuits against the donation platform with the legal department. Jiang Rou and Ying Jun were to gather transaction evidence from the finance department and bank.
Lin Miao was instructed to compile a detailed report of the entire transaction flow for the board. Jiao Yang emphasized that all problems must be resolved by the end of the day after his verification. Jiao Yang then presented his althaea project plan to his father. His father acknowledged the good work but pointed out that the significant upfront capital for althaea cultivation would make it difficult to get board approval.
He advised Jiao Yang to refine the plan and wait for a more opportune moment, urging him instead to focus on the upcoming Heng Yuan bidding, which he described as a formidable challenge that the board wouldn't have entrusted to Jiao Yang lightly. His father also criticized Jiao Yang for being emotional and acting without board communication when searching for althaea and applying for environmental protection, which had led to the resort's problems.
Jiao Yang accepted the criticism, promising to reflect. Later, Lin Miao brought takeout for the team, which she claimed was a treat from Jiao Yang, though she had ordered it. The team was relieved, noting that public opinion was now shifting towards the donation platform. Jiao Yang called Lin Miao aside, instructing her to continue leading the next project.
Lin Miao, surprised, began to question his earlier decision to remove her from the althaea project, but Jiao Yang explained that since she understood althaea so well, they should work on it together, much to her pleasant surprise. Director Li informed Su Cheng Jun that Jiao Yang had been dismissed by the board and that the Heng Yuan project was Jiao Yang's final opportunity.
Director Li revealed that Zhong Qing would also participate in the bidding, and it was up to Su Cheng Jun to ensure Jiao Yang's permanent removal. Su Cheng Jun expressed concern about his limited influence as a newcomer to Zhong Qing, but Director Li assured him and promised a surprise at the next day's regular meeting. Su Cheng Jun thanked him, and they agreed on continued cooperation.
Meanwhile, Jiao Yang consulted his father about the althaea project, which still needed refinement in its supply chain development. His father gave him reference books, but quickly realized Jiao Yang had another motive for visiting. Jiao Yang then asked his father how he managed to pursue his mother. His father initially boasted that his mother pursued him, but Jiao Yang countered, citing Uncle Zhao's account of his father's three-year pursuit of the famous designer, Liang.
Jiao Yang's father then confessed that his mother had repeatedly rejected him but secretly cared for him, offering design suggestions for his projects and buying drinks for colleagues under his name. Jiao Yang remarked that women often say the opposite of what they mean. His father agreed, likening business ventures to pursuing a woman, both requiring perseverance. He reaffirmed his belief in Jiao Yang's ability to overcome challenges in the resort development, calling him the only suitable candidate.
He also cautioned Jiao Yang about new companies entering the Heng Yuan bidding, emphasizing it was Jiao Yang's only chance to turn things around. Later, Lin Weijun arrived at Su Cheng Jun's apartment, reminding him that it was the anniversary of their first date. She recounted how he gave her a bouquet of daisies, explaining that the flower symbolized hidden love, and promised to change, even bringing him daisies.
Su Cheng Jun, exhausted, refused to reminisce, stating he had moved on to a new job and life, and was tired of the past. He told her he needed a girlfriend who would progress with him in life and career, not someone stuck in the past, and that their futures diverged. Su Cheng Jun broke up with Lin Weijun, who was heartbroken and confused, refusing to accept the breakup and demanding a clear reason.
She suspected he liked someone else, and in her distress, she blurted out "Lin Miao." Su Cheng Jun successfully secured the Heng Yuan bidding rights using information he had obtained beforehand. Lin Miao and Jiao Yang, unaware of this, were discussing the Heng Yuan proposal, acknowledging the tough competition. Soon after, at the company, Lin Weijun spotted Lin Miao, who looked identical to her. Overcome with shock and anger, Lin Weijun accused Lin Miao of seducing Su Cheng Jun.
As she lunged, she tripped and fainted. Jiao Yang and Lin Miao immediately took her to the hospital. Outside the ward, Jiao Yang confronted Su Cheng Jun, who was also at the hospital, and warned him that he would not yield in either business or matters concerning Lin Miao.
Su Cheng Jun countered, stating that he knew Jiao Yang's mother hadn't expected him to become who he was, and that the donation case wasn't forgotten, implying he knew more than he let on. Jiao Yang asserted that he would not give up Lin Miao or Hong Yu to him, and their rivalry would continue in the business world, promising no further concessions. Su Cheng Jun accepted the challenge, saying they would meet again soon.
Inside the hospital room, Lin Weijun aggressively confronted Lin Miao, accusing her of being a mistress and destroying her four-year relationship with Su Cheng Jun. Lin Miao calmly explained they were merely colleagues and that Su Cheng Jun had already left Hong Yu, suggesting Lin Weijun handle her personal matters privately. Lin Weijun retorted that if Su Cheng Jun had broken up with her, Lin Miao was the one to blame.
Lin Miao internally wondered if her past self was truly so irrational. She then advised Lin Weijun that a breakup, though painful, could be a chance for self-improvement rather than dwelling on the past. Lin Weijun angrily dismissed Lin Miao's advice, declaring Su Cheng Jun her entire world and refusing to allow anyone to ruin their relationship.
Lin Miao stressed that Su Cheng Jun was not the most important person; rather, Lin Weijun herself was, and leaving him would be the greatest respect to her own life. At this point, Jiao Yang’s assistant relayed an investigation report, stating Lin Weijun was a 23-year-old orphan raised in a welfare center and close to a grandmother named Chen Rui Fang. Jiao Yang offered Lin Miao a candy. She politely refused, stating she didn't like sweets.
He expressed surprise at Lin Weijun's past self, prompting Lin Miao to admit her disbelief and wonder if fate had brought her back to confront her past foolishness. She mused that her life might have been different if she had seen through her "family member" earlier. Jiao Yang gently observed that Lin Miao was still stubborn and kept her sorrows hidden, suggesting it was why she had rejected him.
He then sympathized with her, saying she must have endured much hardship to become the Lin Miao she was today. He then told her that perhaps fate sent her back to meet him, emphasizing that she didn't need to change herself to live a different life; she and Lin Weijun were distinct individuals with the right to forge their own paths.
He expressed his willingness to help her overcome difficulties, open his heart, and pleaded with her not to push him away. Offering the candy again, Jiao Yang explained that a heart filled with bitterness like hers needed much sweetness to heal. Lin Miao, however, replied that someone with a bitter heart like hers only needed a single piece of candy. Jiao Yang and Lin Miao arrived at Heng Yuan Group to collect the bidding document.
Other company representatives were complaining about the long wait for Manager Lu, who seemed to be deliberately stalling. While waiting, Jiao Yang and Lin Miao had a playful exchange about their roles, with Jiao Yang joking about her sitting while he stood. However, their mood soured when other people began to mock Jiao Yang over the donation scandal, criticizing Hong Yu for still sending him to bid.
Jiao Yang, to Lin Miao's anger, calmly reminded her of Sun Wukong's patience with Tang Seng, implying the mockers were like the chatterbox monk. Lin Miao admitted she was furious, but Jiao Yang explained that the value of a cup wouldn't depreciate under pressure, and an easy life was boring. Lin Miao retorted that Jiao Yang's life was officially entering "hard mode," to which he playfully asked if she was interested in playing the game with him until the end.
She replied, "It depends on the rewards you give." Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun was already meeting with Manager Lu, having seemingly acquired the bidding document ahead of others. Su Cheng Jun flattered Manager Lu and offered to connect him with a friend who was an education expert, after Manager Lu mentioned concerns about his child's schooling. Lin Miao and Jiao Yang, tired of waiting, approached Manager Lu directly. He was dismissive, telling them to wait.
Jiao Yang then subtly took out his phone and pretended to call President Liu, Heng Yuan's higher-up, speaking loudly about waiting for the bidding document at his company. Manager Lu's demeanor immediately changed, and he quickly handed over the document. When Lin Miao later asked how Jiao Yang knew President Liu, he confessed he didn't, admitting it was a bluff. As they prepared to go inspect the building site, Lin Miao's shoelace came undone.
Jiao Yang knelt down and tied it for her. They discussed how Heng Yuan planned to move its headquarters to the bidding area, indicating the project's importance. During their site inspection, Lin Miao observed that the new building, once completed, would likely become the city's new tallest landmark. Jiao Yang, in a moment of reflection, recalled his childhood memories of Hong Yu as the city's proudest edifice.
He shared that he had minored in architecture, alongside business, inspired by his mother, an architect, and his father, a property developer. He saw their love reflected in how his father brought his mother's designs to life. Jiao Yang expressed his fear of failing to protect Hong Yu and disappointing his parents, and also Lin Miao, as the company faced new challenges. Lin Miao comforted him, assuring him that his dedication to protecting Hong Yu for his parents was irreplaceable.
Jiao Yang then confessed his feelings, asking if she would stay with him forever to guard Hong Yu. Lin Miao, however, gently reminded him that she eventually had to return to her own time. Jiao Yang acknowledged her concern but vowed to make her stay willingly, adding that with her support, he believed he could win the Heng Yuan bid. Back at the office, Jiao Yang's business expense application was rejected by the finance manager for incorrect formatting.
The manager explained that while he was Vice President, the President's office would handle such amendments, but now he had to adhere strictly to procedures as a regular team leader. Frustrated, Jiao Yang complained about the inflexibility, but Lin Miao suggested this challenge was a test, encouraging him to adapt.
She then took the initiative to resubmit the application through his OA account, linking it directly to his father, the Chairman, for approval, bypassing the bureaucratic hurdles given their tight deadline for the Heng Yuan project. The application was swiftly approved. Both Su Cheng Jun and Jiao Yang, independently, considered an "urban eco-hotel" concept for the Heng Yuan bid. Su Cheng Jun, in a meeting, criticized his team's proposals as "trash" before revealing his vision.
He elaborated on his idea of integrating nearby abandoned man-made lakes and small gardens with urban cultural elements to create a unique urban eco-hotel, leveraging trends in humanistic and environmental protection. Jiao Yang, in his own meeting, asked his team to describe their ideal hotel. While some employees listed luxury amenities and free services, Lin Miao admitted that as a business traveler, she often didn't even notice room details, finding it hard to define an "ideal" hotel.
Jiao Yang deemed her answer insightful. Zhao Yan then arrived and, inspired by her point on the need for diverse samples in surveys, Jiao Yang tasked her public relations team with distributing questionnaires to all company employees to gather broader perspectives on ideal hotel features, to be collected by the end of the day. Zhao Yan confidently accepted the task.
Episode 14 Recap
Director Li had all of Jiao Yang's office belongings removed while Jiao Yang was away at a meeting, dispatching someone to clear out the space for himself. An employee relayed this to Jiao Yang, stating Director Li was "going too far." Jiao Yang was furious and wanted to confront him, but Lin Miao intervened.
She calmly urged him to prioritize the upcoming bid, emphasizing that "winners get to do what they want" and he shouldn't be a slave to his emotions. Jiao Yang expressed his frustration, asking if they should just accept the humiliation, fearing Director Li would escalate if they didn't fight back. He then resolved to protect his office, promising himself he would ask his father for help to ensure Director Li's schemes failed.
Simultaneously, the president's office distributed questionnaires asking staff to describe their ideal home. As Lin Miao received hers, she was swept into a painful flashback of her childhood, recalling her mother. Later, Lin Miao encountered Su Cheng Jun, who greeted her, noting she looked thinner and expressing sympathy for her recent difficulties with Jiao Yang. Lin Miao, however, remained cold, accusing him of being the instigator of Jiao Yang's troubles and criticizing his pretense of kindness.
Su Cheng Jun admitted that in her eyes, he was just a villain set on harming Jiao Yang. He then rationalized his actions, suggesting that if Lin Miao and Zhao Yan had been more discerning, and if Jiao Yang had been more astute, the donation fraud wouldn't have occurred. He claimed he merely capitalized on an opportunity, asserting they could only blame themselves for falling into his trap.
Lin Miao scoffed at his "genius" logic, calling him a perpetrator blaming the victim for weakness. Su Cheng Jun then shifted the conversation, confessing his feelings for Lin Miao and contrasting himself with Jiao Yang, whom he called "pampered." Lin Miao sharply retorted that despite being brothers, they were completely different and advised him to drop his hypocritical facade, saying she might respect him more if he were an openly wicked person.
Su Cheng Jun ominously agreed to become the frank villain she wished to see. A colleague then asked Lin Miao for her completed questionnaire, but she declined, stating the questions were too difficult to answer. Zhao Yan then confronted Lin Miao, revealing she had witnessed the exchange with Su Cheng Jun in the coffee shop.
She sarcastically remarked on Lin Miao's adeptness at playing both Su Cheng Jun and Jiao Yang, likening her approach to not putting all eggs in one basket. Lin Miao deflected with a dry compliment on Zhao Yan's public relations skills. Zhao Yan then passionately declared her long-standing relationship with Jiao Yang, whom she had always considered her future husband. She accused Lin Miao of changing Jiao Yang, claiming his attention was now solely on her.
Pressing Lin Miao directly, Zhao Yan demanded to know if she liked Jiao Yang, not wanting to be excluded from the "competition." Lin Miao, visibly annoyed, stated that Jiao Yang was not a toy for two girls to fight over, but a person with his own thoughts and choices. Overwhelmed with work, she claimed to have no time for such romantic squabbles, but playfully challenged Zhao Yan to "fair competition" if she truly wanted Jiao Yang.
Zhao Yan immediately interpreted this as Lin Miao admitting her feelings, and after a slight hesitation, Lin Miao conceded. Jiao Yang, who had been passing by, overheard her admission and was ecstatic, repeatedly exclaiming his happiness. After work, Jiao Yang, still beaming, insisted on walking Lin Miao home, despite her suggestion to take a cab due to the hour-long walk. He playfully complained about her lack of romance, mentioning her similar demeanor at Yue Rong Villa.
Lin Miao then revealed the true reason she stopped him from finding althaea at the villa: her father had died while searching for it. She shared poignant childhood memories of living with her mother in a small house with a garden, where they would sing and dance, her mother accompanying her by tapping a water glass. This was her limited but cherished memory of home.
She defined home as a place to shed one's guard, face one's true self, and create memories with the most important people. Moved, Jiao Yang promised to build a home for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. In that moment, Lin Miao realized her life's greatest miracle wasn't the reversal of time, but meeting Jiao Yang. The next day, Jiao Yang and Lin Miao attended the Heng Yuan bid.
Jiao Yang had Secretary Yan choose a beautiful dress for Lin Miao, though Lin Miao questioned its suitability for a business bid. They encountered Su Cheng Jun before the presentations began. During the announcement of shortlisted companies, it was revealed that both Zhong Qing Group and Hong Yu Group had submitted proposals for an "Urban Eco-Hotel," prompting murmurs of surprise from the audience.
Su Cheng Jun presented his concept first, detailing the integration of the hotel with the local artificial lake and gardens to reflect the city's unique landscape. When it was Jiao Yang's turn, Su Cheng Jun provocatively told him to give up, but Lin Miao gave Jiao Yang a reassuring look. Jiao Yang began by acknowledging Su Cheng Jun's presentation and then introduced Hong Yu Group's unique addition: the "concept of home."
He elaborated that while traditional hotels served short-term stays, modern pressures led more guests to seek a comfortable, home-like environment where they could unwind, be authentic, and create memories with loved ones. His speech resonated deeply with Lin Miao, as he used the very words she had shared with him the previous night.
After the presentation, Su Cheng Jun attempted to invite Lin Miao to dinner, but Jiao Yang interjected, declaring that Lin Miao's time after the bid belonged to him. When Su Cheng Jun challenged his overreach, Jiao Yang firmly stated that Lin Miao represented him, then led her away. The host announced that Zhong Qing Group, New Century Group, and Hong Yu Group had all advanced to the next round.
Following the bid, Su Cheng Jun, still focused on his objectives, contacted Manager Lu to arrange a dinner with his friend from the admissions office. As Jiao Yang and Lin Miao were leaving, Lin Miao received an urgent call reporting Lin Weijun missing from the hospital.
They rushed to find her, discovering her on the verge of jumping into a river, distraught from a recent breakup where her boyfriend stated he needed someone who could grow with him, not someone stuck in the past. Jiao Yang swiftly intervened, saving Lin Weijun, who subsequently passed out. At the hospital, Lin Miao noted that the date of Lin Weijun's suicide attempt was earlier than her own attempt ten years ago.
Jiao Yang, sensing Lin Miao's distress, realized her fear stemmed from having gone through a similar ordeal in the past, wondering how she had endured it without him. As Jiao Yang stepped out to buy food, Lin Miao watched his retreating figure and suddenly remembered: it was Jiao Yang who had saved her life ten years ago. When he returned, she joyfully embraced him, exclaiming her realization.
Jiao Yang was unfazed, casually remarking that it sounded like something he would do, then playfully asked her to marry him as repayment. Just then, Lin Weijun woke up, immediately becoming hysterical and threatening to die, blaming Lin Miao for her breakup with Su Cheng Jun.
Exasperated, Lin Miao splashed water on her and unleashed a furious tirade, chastising Lin Weijun for her self-pity and self-debasement, reminding her that Su Cheng Jun no longer wanted her and urging her to improve herself. Overwhelmed by her own past emotions, Lin Miao broke down crying, and Jiao Yang held her close while the doctor warned them not to overstimulate Lin Weijun.
With Lin Weijun cleared for discharge, Jiao Yang decided to move her into his home to monitor her and prevent further self-harm. Lin Weijun initially refused, believing Su Cheng Jun would care for her, but a call to him went unanswered. She reluctantly agreed, on the condition that Lin Miao disappear. Ignoring her demand, Jiao Yang brought Lin Weijun back to his apartment.
There, Lin Weijun noticed Lin Miao's high heels, sparking gossip about her and Jiao Yang living together, which Jiao Yang quickly dismissed as a temporary arrangement for work convenience. Jiao Yang then took Lin Miao to his other apartment upstairs. Lin Miao, still concerned for Lin Weijun, asked Jiao Yang to stay downstairs to keep an eye on her.
Jiao Yang playfully feigned concern about leaving Lin Miao alone with a man as charming as himself, but Lin Miao asserted that Lin Weijun was only interested in Su Cheng Jun. The next morning, Lin Miao astutely guessed that Lin Weijun had eaten an entire bucket of ice cream the previous night, leading to numerous trips to the bathroom and keeping Jiao Yang awake on the sofa.
Jiao Yang, surprised by her accurate prediction, jokingly asked if she had installed surveillance cameras. Lin Miao replied that experience would teach Lin Weijun about the harm of unhealthy eating. An employee then reported that their project's estimated cost was approximately 480 million yuan, with interior decoration being the largest component at 220 million, putting them at a 30 million yuan disadvantage compared to Zhong Qing Group.
Jiao Yang acknowledged the problem, stating that while New Century Group was not a major threat, Zhong Qing was their main competitor. He recognized that their "home concept" would inevitably increase costs, and with Chairman Liu valuing cost-effectiveness, they couldn't risk the upcoming price comparison. After brainstorming with his team yielded no solutions for cost reduction without compromising quality, Jiao Yang decided to take Lin Miao to visit material suppliers, including the city's largest steel market to meet Boss Chang.
Jiao Yang offered Boss Chang a generous deal for a 2% discount and future priority on all Hong Yu projects for five years, emphasizing the large steel demand. However, Boss Chang couldn't agree to the price. As Jiao Yang turned to leave, dismissing Boss Chang's offer of a "shortcut," he reiterated Hong Yu's commitment to quality over cost, reminding Lin Miao of the company's spirit: "We build the house with our heart, so that our residents could live in peace."
Walking away from the fruitless meeting, Jiao Yang asked Lin Miao about the differences between the present and ten years in the future. Lin Miao spoke of car-sharing services and evolving real estate trends, highlighting the future popularity of the housing rental market and long-term serviced apartments, where travelers opted for them over traditional hotels. This sparked an idea in Jiao Yang, and he eagerly asked Lin Miao for more details.
She explained that long-term serviced apartments offered humanized and customized services, including basic but not luxurious decorations, daily free breakfast, ironing, cleaning, and travel reservations. She added that younger residents appreciated the autonomy to decorate their own spaces, making it cheaper and more comfortable, fostering a "home" feeling. With this new insight, Jiao Yang exclaimed that he finally knew how to save the 30 million yuan. Jiao Yang promptly presented his revised proposal and budget plan to his father.
His father, greatly impressed by the adjustment plan, expressed his approval and relief that Jiao Yang was finally able to take charge independently. Jiao Yang then reassured his father that he would secure the project and not disappoint him again. Jiao Yang's father instructed Secretary Hu to deliver the document to the board of directors for signing.
He also confirmed that Director Li was indeed responsible for the leaked video at Yue Rong Villa, with the intention of removing Su Cheng Jun and isolating Jiao Yang. Ironically, this led to Su Cheng Jun becoming Zhong Qing's representative and directly opposing Jiao Yang in the bid. His father tasked Secretary Hu to continue investigating Director Li's future moves and report any new developments.
Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun was also pushing his assistant to find ways to further reduce their project costs. Despite his assistant's protests that they were already at the lowest price and Hong Yu's "home concept" would inherently be more expensive, Su Cheng Jun insisted on achieving an "overwhelming advantage" in total cost to eliminate Hong Yu's chances.
He lectured his assistant about leadership, stating that he faced difficulties head-on while his assistant chose to compromise, which he believed would lead to perennial failure. Alone, Su Cheng Jun reflected on the bid's significance, not only for his standing at Zhong Qing but also for impacting the Jiao family's position at Hong Yu.
He envisioned Lin Miao realizing Jiao Yang's incompetence compared to him, and he longed for his mother to regret her choice of heir, determined to win the bid at all costs.
Episode 15 Recap
Jiao Yang, anxious and glued to his phone, waited for Lin Miao to contact him. Lin Weijun, wearing a face mask she had taken from Lin Miao’s supply (which Jiao Yang had bought for Lin Miao), confronted him. She questioned why he wasn't upstairs with Lin Miao and reminded him that Su Cheng Jun had abandoned their long relationship for Lin Miao, asking if Jiao Yang wasn't worried.
Jiao Yang dismissed this, stating firmly that Lin Miao would never even glance at someone like Su Cheng Jun. He also told Lin Weijun that any issues in her past relationship with Su Cheng Jun were Su Cheng Jun's fault, not Lin Miao's. Annoyed, Lin Weijun challenged Jiao Yang to a bet: if he didn't initiate contact with Lin Miao, she wouldn't contact him before midnight. Jiao Yang accepted, declaring that whoever called first would be "a dog."
Lin Miao, in her own apartment, also contemplated calling Jiao Yang, feeling unaccustomed to their two-day separation. As midnight drew near, Jiao Yang was visibly agitated. Lin Weijun, having just finished her shower, teased him, asking if he had cheated. Jiao Yang confessed that while Lin Weijun was showering, he had gone upstairs to Lin Miao's apartment every five minutes, using excuses like delivering white shoes for the next day's bid or bringing face masks.
Lin Miao had even complained about him disturbing her sleep, prompting a complaint call from the building management. When midnight passed without a call from Lin Miao, Lin Weijun declared her victory, mocking Jiao Yang, who in turn, exasperated, called Lin Miao a "heartless woman." The next day, at the bidding, Jiao Yang and Lin Miao’s proposal, despite a 30-million-yuan reduction, was still 15 million yuan higher than Zhong Qing Group’s.
It became clear that Su Cheng Jun had undermined them. He had secured a document after meeting Director Li and had also approached Boss Chang, a major construction materials distributor, to arrange an unfavorable situation for Jiao Yang, knowing Jiao Yang would refuse to compromise his principles. Director Li, siding with Su Cheng Jun, expressed reservations about Jiao Yang's "Infinite Home" concept, deeming it too uncertain.
In the end, Zhong Qing Group secured two votes, while Hong Yu Group received one, allowing both to advance to the next round. After the results, Su Cheng Jun approached Jiao Yang, taunting him that the 15-million-yuan deficit would be his downfall and that his "Infinite Home" project was a mere fantasy. He further provoked Jiao Yang by mentioning their late mother, implying she'd be disappointed in Jiao Yang and proud of him.
Jiao Yang angrily warned Su Cheng Jun not to speak of her. Su Cheng Jun then dismissed Jiao Yang as a "mediocre coward." Lin Miao intervened, asserting that a person's character is more important than their ability. Su Cheng Jun tried to convince Lin Miao to abandon Jiao Yang, claiming Jiao Yang and Hong Yu had no future, but Lin Miao retorted with a similar implication about Su Cheng Jun.
Jiao Yang felt disheartened, having been confident his "Infinite Home" proposal would win. Lin Miao tried to console him, reminding him that in business, hard work doesn't always guarantee success. Jiao Yang admitted the 15-million-yuan gap was his weakness but also noted that Zhong Qing's cost-cutting plan was inherently risky and could lead to significant problems. Lin Miao suggested this could be their opportunity, but Jiao Yang, determined to win on his own merits, cautioned against hasty actions.
Back home, Lin Weijun, oblivious to Jiao Yang's low spirits, continued to tease him. Jiao Yang ignored her. Lin Weijun called Lin Miao on the phone, urging her to comfort Jiao Yang, expressing concern that his bad mood might cost her a promised lobster dinner. Lin Miao explained that Jiao Yang needed space to process his feelings. Lin Weijun then directly asked if Lin Miao liked Jiao Yang.
After some hesitation, Lin Miao implicitly confirmed her feelings by giving a "no comment." Lin Weijun then told Lin Miao that Jiao Yang deeply trusted and cared for her, advising her not to take him for granted. Lin Miao later met with Chairman Zhao, Jiao Yang's father, to ask if he could guide Jiao Yang. Chairman Zhao, however, insisted that Jiao Yang should resolve the bidding challenge independently.
He reflected on Jiao Yang's recent performance and acknowledged that forcing him to follow a pre-planned life might not be beneficial. He realized the wisdom in his late wife's advice to "let go when it's time," understanding that Jiao Yang could achieve success in his own way. Lin Miao was moved by Chairman Zhao's willingness to change for his son, expressing envy for Jiao Yang's loving upbringing.
Lin Miao then brought up Zhong Qing's unusually low bid, noting Boss Chang's extensive history and "covering both legal and potentially illicit dealings reputation in the construction materials market, suspecting foul play. Chairman Zhao agreed to investigate and asked Lin Miao to stay by Jiao Yang's side during this crucial period, though Lin Miao reminded him that her three-month tenure was almost over.
Concurrently, Su Cheng Jun tasked Chen with contacting all top industry designers and signing trial contracts that barred them from working with other companies. Chen warned that this was an industry taboo and would offend many, but Su Cheng Jun, undeterred, threatened to fire him for questioning his decisions. Chen, begging for another chance, immediately complied. Separately, Lin Miao, seeking ways to comfort Jiao Yang, researched online on how to console a disheartened man.
When Jiao Yang arrived, Lin Miao awkwardly tried to hug him and "caress his hair", repeating heartfelt phrases about listening to him and staying by his side. Jiao Yang was surprised by her unconventional approach but appreciated her intention. He gently caressed her head, demonstrating what "caressing his hair" truly meant, and told her to rest. The next morning, Jiao Yang showed his thoughtful side by making brown sugar ginger water for Lin Miao, anticipating her period.
Lin Miao was touched but playfully warned him not to be too intrusive. The company was then rocked by news that Chairman Zhao had collapsed in his study overnight. Although not in critical condition, he needed extensive rest, and a different Chairman Zhao from the board (肇东) would temporarily assume control.
Jiao Yang arrived, and Secretary Yan informed him that all experienced designers were unavailable, leading Jiao Yang and Lin Miao to immediately suspect Su Cheng Jun's scheme to monopolize talent. Lin Miao revealed that she had foreseen this and had compiled a list of promising new designers who were both innovative and affordable, aligning perfectly with their "Infinite Home" concept's target audience.
During a subsequent meeting, Jiao Yang detailed how integrating "Infinite Home" with Heng Yuan and Hong Yu hotels could demonstrate substantial profits to President Liu. He reiterated his suspicion about Zhong Qing's unusually low bid. When assigning tasks, Lin Miao volunteered to investigate Su Cheng Jun's construction materials market for hidden secrets, but Jiao Yang, determined to prove his capabilities, declined her offer. Feeling restless, Lin Miao made an excuse to leave the office.
Secretary Yan, noticing Jiao Yang's unusual mood, mistakenly thought he and Lin Miao had argued. Jiao Yang clarified he wanted to win on his own to establish himself as a trustworthy and reliable leader. Zhao Yan then joined Jiao Yang and Secretary Yan as they reviewed designer profiles. She recognized one name, Qin Ran, as her college roommate and the only daughter of President Liu of Heng Yuan. Jiao Yang quickly asked Zhao Yan to contact her.
Independently, Su Cheng Jun also discovered Qin Ran's identity and planned to meet her. Later, Lin Miao encountered Lin Weijun, who had just finished a job interview. Lin Miao disclosed her plan to discreetly investigate the construction materials market. Lin Weijun insisted on accompanying her, threatening to tell Jiao Yang if excluded. Lin Miao agreed, tasking Lin Weijun with being her lookout at a nearby cafe.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yan and Secretary Yan attempted to meet Qin Ran but were turned away by the receptionist. Zhao Yan urged Secretary Yan to use his charm, which proved ineffective. Simultaneously, Lin Miao went to meet Boss Chang, hoping to turn the tide. Su Cheng Jun successfully met Qin Ran, who initially refused to collaborate, suspecting he was exploiting her connection to her father.
Su Cheng Jun then challenged her professionalism, asking if she was content being a "newbie designer forever." This tactic worked, and Qin Ran signed the contract. Shortly after, Zhao Yan, disguised as a cleaner, managed to enter the building but found Qin Ran had already signed with Su Cheng Jun, who smugly displayed the signed agreement.
Episode 16 Recap
Jiao Yang, unable to find Lin Miao at the company, went looking for her. Lin Miao was at a building materials company, inspecting goods with Boss Chang. Upon learning that Su Cheng Jun was also on his way, Lin Miao quickly sent a message to Lin Weijun, asking her to delay him. Lin Weijun, dressed in professional attire, was mistaken for Lin Miao by Su Cheng Jun.
She decided to play along, subtly hiding her daisy bracelet as she spoke with him. Meanwhile, Lin Miao messaged to say she had gotten away and was on her way to meet Weijun. Lin Weijun then directly asked Su Cheng Jun if he would have broken up with her if Lin Miao had never appeared. Su Cheng Jun coldly replied that Lin Miao’s presence only accelerated the inevitable process.
He confessed that after meeting Lin Miao, he realized he was not suited for someone as "childish and immature" as Lin Weijun, whom he felt constantly gave him pressure. Heartbroken, Lin Weijun walked away, leaving her daisy bracelet behind. Just then, Lin Miao emerged and was stopped by Su Cheng Jun. Fortunately, Jiao Yang arrived promptly and rescued Lin Miao, but she accidentally dropped her voice recorder, which Su Cheng Jun then picked up.
Back at the office, Jiao Yang reprimanded Lin Miao, warning her that Boss Chang's "pirate ship" was easy to board but difficult to disembark. Lin Miao tried to retrieve her voice recorder to show him the evidence she had gathered, only to realize it was missing. She was distraught, lamenting that if Su Cheng Jun found the crucial evidence, they would be doomed.
Seeing her distress, Jiao Yang tried to cheer her up with a magic trick, and when that failed, he beat-boxed and offered her silly "arrogant" puns. Finally, he shared a heartfelt message: "No one is perfect. Even an excellent person would make mistakes sometimes, but you have to always believe that tomorrow will be better than today." Lin Miao expressed her gratitude. Later, Lin Weijun was searching for ice cream at home, complaining that only chocolate flavor was available.
Jiao Yang gave her the chocolate ice cream Lin Miao had bought for her, saying Lin Miao was sure she would love it. He then called Lin Miao, making Lin Weijun awkwardly thank her. Lin Weijun then advised Lin Miao to appreciate Jiao Yang, commenting on how thoughtful he was, even admitting she found him a little charming. She reaffirmed her decision not to shed another tear for Su Cheng Jun, saying she realized how foolish she had been.
Su Cheng Jun had successfully secured Qin Ran's contract, giving him a significant advantage, which worried Jiao Yang and his team. Zhao Yan arrived with chicken soup, a recipe she learned from Jiao Yang's mother before she passed away. She recalled that Jiao Yang’s mother had a "home" concept design draft, which Jiao Yang and Lin Miao found. However, it was only half-finished.
Lin Miao urged Jiao Yang to complete it, reminding him that he was the only one among them with architectural design experience and the one who best understood his mother's vision. The team voiced their confidence in him. Later, Lin Weijun, shopping at a supermarket, called Lin Miao to ask if she wanted durian-flavored ice cream. Lin Miao asked her to buy some disposable toiletries and deliver them to Hong Yu, as she and Jiao Yang would be working overtime.
Lin Weijun, seeing a couples' electric toothbrush set on sale, suggested buying that instead of disposable ones, emphasizing the importance of creating "bondage and involvement" between Lin Miao and Jiao Yang. Lin Miao agreed, thanking Weijun for the unexpected "reminder" that made her understand many things instantly. A staff member helped deliver the items to Lin Miao at Hong Yu. Lin Miao poured herself a coffee and watched Jiao Yang thoughtfully covering his sleeping colleagues with blankets.
She reflected that while the time countdown initially felt like a terrible misfortune that stripped her of security and everything she had, she was gradually realizing that every event has two sides. Jiao Yang, she mused, was the greatest gift from this time countdown, but she wondered what would happen once the three months were over. The next day, at the final round of the bidding, Su Cheng Jun observed Lin Miao and Jiao Yang, who clutched his hands nervously.
Lin Miao gave Jiao Yang her red bracelet, a symbol of courage and victory, wishing him good luck. Su Cheng Jun presented Qin Ran's design, which was met with praise for its architectural merit. Jiao Yang then presented his team's "Infinite Home" design, a collaboration across time by two designers. He explained how each independent space represented a "circle" or family, with curved windows offering residents sunshine and night views.
The "Infinite Home" aimed to provide young people with the possibility of building their own homes through hard work. He elaborated on the business concept, extending from traditional hotels to long-term apartments, with the potential to expand nationally and globally through the combined platforms of Heng Yuan and Hong Yu. Despite their initial quotation matching Zhong Qing's, Jiao Yang announced further budget reductions in interior decoration and a nearly zero-cost design fee, stating it only cost one yuan.
Ultimately, Hong Yu successfully secured the partnership with Heng Yuan, leaving Su Cheng Jun defeated and furious. Following the bid, the board meeting continued with Director Li attempting to stall Jiao Yang’s promotion, citing his "mistakes." However, Jiao Yang’s father, Jiao Jun Hong, unexpectedly appeared, exposing Director Li's long-standing corruption.
He presented irrefutable evidence, including photos showing Director Li leaking bidding information to Su Cheng Jun and proof that many major clients, painstakingly acquired by Jiao Jun Hong and Jiao Yang’s mother, had been illicitly transferred to Zhong Qing Group after Director Li's father passed away. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Jiao Jun Hong, out of respect for Director Li's late father, offered him a choice: resign and surrender all his shares, or face legal prosecution. Director Li reluctantly agreed.
Jiao Jun Hong then revealed to his team that his earlier "dismissal" and the office sealing were all part of a larger plan to bait Director Li into revealing his treachery. With Director Li exposed, Jiao Yang announced a celebratory dinner for everyone. Jiao Jun Hong also returned Jiao Yang's car keys, having bought back the car Jiao Yang had sold. However, Jiao Jun Hong's health was deteriorating, and his overseas surgery could no longer be postponed.
He worried about Jiao Yang’s ability to manage Hong Yu after his departure, concluding that the only viable solution was to seek help from Chairman Zhao (Zhao Yan’s father). Secretary Yan invited Zhao Yan to the celebratory dinner, but she declined, feeling she hadn't contributed enough to Jiao Yang’s victory. She believed her efforts to find Qin Ran and his mother's design were overshadowed by Lin Miao's contributions.
Secretary Yan tried to reassure her, emphasizing her crucial role in finding the design. Meanwhile, Lin Weijun had left a note and moved out. Lin Miao called her, discovering that Lin Weijun had found a job at a law firm and an apartment nearby. Lin Weijun proudly shared that she had an advanced interpretation certificate and was inspired to become an "office lady" like Lin Miao after seeing her hard at work. Lin Miao was truly pleased with her transformation.
Secretary Yan later found Zhao Yan burying her head in the sand on a beach, trying to "think things through." He had prepared a seaside barbecue for her, hoping to lift her spirits. Zhao Yan confessed that she still didn't want to give up on Jiao Yang. Despite not being able to help him professionally as Lin Miao did, she felt she could support him in his daily life.
Secretary Yan hesitantly mumbled, seemingly wanting to express more personal feelings, but ultimately affirmed he would support any decision that made her happy. Concurrently, Director Li, attempting to flee the country, encountered Cao Hua at the airport, who had just returned. Cao Hua harshly criticized Director Li for his failure to deal with "a brat like Jiao Yang," stating that his actions harmed all of Hong Yu, not just the Jiao family.
She warned him to lay low overseas and not to make any rash moves before she contacted him. Cao Hua then boldly declared that Jiao Jun Hong was old, Zhao Zhen Chuan was a coward, and Jiao Yang was too young and inexperienced. She asserted that the time had come for a woman to lead Hong Yu Group, clearly indicating her own ambitious plans.
Episode 17 Recap
Su Chenjun’s proposal for the Lianjiawang online real estate platform was approved by Zhong Qing. Afterward, Jiao Yang surprised Lin Miao by decorating a rooftop to resemble a cozy home. He explained that he had wanted to do this before, but Lin Weijun’s interference had ruined his initial plans, and subsequent busy periods due to bidding had put it on hold until now.
Jiao Yang reaffirmed his promise to give Lin Miao a home, stating that unit 001 of Infinite Home would never be sold and would belong exclusively to her. Taking her hand, he confessed his love, saying, “My family earned their success by building houses. From what I see, everyone’s life begins with an empty room. I’ve spent 25 years filling my empty room with new furniture and decorating it the way I like.
Now that the work is done, are you willing to be the mistress of the household?” Lin Miao smiled and replied, "I am willing," before they shared a sweet kiss. Unseen, Zhao Yan witnessed the tender moment, her heart breaking, while Secretary Yan stood by, unsure how to comfort her. Suddenly, Jiao Yang received a call informing him that his father was in the hospital. He and Lin Miao rushed there, where Chairman Zhao was already present.
The doctor explained that Chairman Jiao's heart condition had worsened over the past year and strongly urged Jiao Yang to convince his father to undergo surgery at their partner hospital in the US. The doctor warned that if Chairman Jiao suffered another heart failure, they might not be able to save him. Jiao Yang was told his father needed to be observed in the ICU overnight and should be sent overseas for surgery by the end of the week.
Overwhelmed, Jiao Yang recalled his mother lying in the ICU and never waking up, regretting that he hadn't taken good care of his father. Lin Miao comforted him, telling him it was his turn to look out for his father. Later, Secretary Yan found a heartbroken Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan dismissed Secretary Yan's attempt at comfort, insisting she was only worried about Chairman Jiao’s condition, and decided to go home to stew soup for him using his late wife’s recipe.
Before leaving, she instructed Secretary Yan to look after Jiao Yang. Meanwhile, Secretary Yan informed Jiao Yang that the board of directors had requested an emergency meeting for the next day. The next morning, Lin Miao found Jiao Yang already gone from the hospital. At the board meeting, some directors questioned Jiao Yang’s capability to lead, proposing to elect a new chairman due to Chairman Jiao’s health.
Chairman Zhao fiercely supported Jiao Yang, reminding the board that they too started out inexperienced and pledging his full support. The meeting was adjourned without a decision. Jiao Yang thanked Chairman Zhao, who then rushed back to the hospital with him upon receiving a call that his father was awake. Chairman Jiao, concerned about the board's maneuvering, told Jiao Yang he couldn't go to the US for surgery without a stable succession plan.
He proposed that Jiao Yang get engaged to Zhao Yan, reasoning that their combined family influence and shares would deter the other directors. Jiao Yang was shocked and refused, explaining that he saw Zhao Yan as a sister and was already in a relationship with Lin Miao. Chairman Jiao, unaware of Lin Miao, asked who she was. Just then, Lin Miao returned with chicken soup wontons.
Sensing something was wrong, she questioned Jiao Yang, but he evaded her by focusing on the food. At the beach, Zhao Yan confided in Secretary Yan that she and Jiao Yang used to play there as children but had never returned after growing up. She wondered why people had to grow up, to which Secretary Yan replied it was to explore more of the world. Zhao Yan then wished Jiao Yang’s feelings for her would change.
When her high heels got stuck in the sand, Secretary Yan offered her own flat shoes, advising her not to make things harder for herself when she was unhappy. Later, Chairman Zhao found Zhao Yan at home in a low mood. To cheer her up, he revealed that he and Chairman Jiao had arranged for her and Jiao Yang to be engaged before his father left for the US.
Overwhelmed with joy, Zhao Yan cried, confessing that marrying Jiao Yang had been her greatest wish. Lin Miao questioned Jiao Yang again about the board meeting. He downplayed the situation and gave her three days off, but she remained suspicious. Jiao Yang then confided in Secretary Yan that his father’s engagement proposal was the real reason he needed to meet with the board—he had to secure their support on his own terms to avoid sacrificing Zhao Yan.
He instructed Secretary Yan to arrange individual meetings with the "cunning old foxes" on the board, including Chairman Xie and Chairman Cao, and to prevent Lin Miao from finding out. To stall Lin Miao, Secretary Yan engineered a situation where she pretended to have mixed up confidential documents, convincing a concerned Lin Miao to help sort them. Jiao Yang then met with Chairman Cao.
She expressed her admiration for his late mother, a renowned designer, but also her suspicion of him, stressing that she was neutral and only interested in profit. For her alliance, she proposed leveraging the innovative energy recycling technology used for her special flower tea, suggesting they integrate it with Infinite Home as a new lifestyle concept to be promoted nationwide.
After the meeting, Jiao Yang told Secretary Yan to keep trying to schedule a meeting with Chairman Xie, while pondering his strategy with Chairman Cao and again reminding her to keep everything from Lin Miao. Eventually, Lin Miao confronted Jiao Yang in his office. He jokingly claimed he was hiding a "surprise" for her, but before he could explain, he received a call and had to rush back to the hospital.
There, he found Zhao Yan with his father, who was looking at old photos and reminiscing about a childhood promise Jiao Yang made to marry Zhao Yan. He then openly asked Zhao Yan if she would be willing to get engaged to Jiao Yang before his surgery. Jiao Yang quickly intervened, dismissing it as a childhood joke and rushing Zhao Yan home.
In the car, he reiterated that his father was just worried and that she shouldn't take the proposal seriously, vowing to prove himself capable of leading without such sacrifices. Back home, Jiao Yang found Lin Miao asleep on the sofa. He sat beside her, silently apologizing for lying and wishing he could solve all the problems on his own.
Episode 18 Recap
Lin Miao woke to find Jiao Yang had already left for work, leaving breakfast for her. She headed to the company, where she saw Jiao Yang attempting to conceal a document. When she snatched it, she discovered it was a dividend transfer agreement. Lin Miao was furious, arguing that transferring 70% of his future inherited equity dividends for zero consideration was a grave matter that he couldn't handle alone.
Jiao Yang, however, was preoccupied with a negotiation with Director Xie and insisted he had no time to explain, promising to resolve everything without burdening her. Lin Miao questioned if she was a burden, to which he adamantly denied. She urged him to cancel the negotiation and speak with Chairman Jiao together, but Jiao Yang stressed that it was too late and he had to go. Soon after, Lin Miao was called to the hospital by Mr. Jiao.
He apologized for interrupting her work and told her that if he were still healthy, he would fight for his own choices, but he and Jiao Yang no longer had room for trial and error. He explicitly stated he didn't want Lin Miao and Jiao Yang to be together, asking if she hated him for it.
Mr. Jiao explained that Jiao Yang, as Hong Yu’s future successor, was obligated to bear significant responsibilities, not to choose his own life as he wished. Marrying Zhao Yan was a path predetermined for Jiao Yang before he even met Lin Miao. Lin Miao replied that she understood, expressing envy that Jiao Yang had such a father. Outside Mr. Jiao's room, Lin Miao encountered Zhao Yan, who had brought homemade chicken soup.
Zhao Yan reminded Lin Miao of a past conversation where Lin Miao called her a "princess in a castle." Zhao Yan affirmed this, but added that the castle had also become her cage since she fell for Jiao Yang at seven. She declared her willingness to endure life imprisonment if Jiao Yang was there and vowed to continue guarding the castle she had protected for years.
Lin Miao challenged her, stating that castles exist only in fairy tales and Jiao Yang was not a toy to be collected. She questioned if Zhao Yan would truly find happiness by tying herself down for him. Zhao Yan responded that a grand wedding was the rightful ending for any fairy tale, and time would prove the happiness of the prince and princess. Meanwhile, Jiao Yang had been drinking heavily with Director Xie, but the deal remained unsecured.
He ignored Lin Miao's calls. Secretary Yan, concerned, noted that Lin Miao would worry, but Jiao Yang lamented that despite promising to protect Lin Miao, he couldn't even manage Director Xie. He revealed his anxiety, stating he only had a week, his father needed to go abroad, and he couldn't give up on Lin Miao. Lin Miao, seeing a disheveled Jiao Yang being supported by Secretary Yan from her taxi, hesitated, remembering Mr. Jiao's words.
She instructed the driver to turn back without getting out. Back at the office, Jiao Yang met with Cao Hua. Cao Hua expressed disinterest in his current cooperation offer, saying she wasn’t looking for minor profits and had other appointments. As she prepared to leave, Jiao Yang stopped her, offering the "Infinite Home" project.
At that moment, Lin Miao burst in, interrupting the meeting and apologizing to Cao Hua, stating that Jiao Yang no longer needed to consider any deals with her. After Cao Hua left, Jiao Yang explained that giving "Infinite Home" to Cao Hua was the only way to win her over and avoid the forced marriage. Lin Miao, however, argued that such concessions would only fuel Cao Hua’s greed.
She declared she couldn't tolerate him sacrificing his integrity, damaging his relationship with his father, or regretting his choices for her. Jiao Yang insisted his decisions were well-considered and he could bear anything for their future. Lin Miao questioned if he would make such reckless decisions without her, highlighting his repeated mistakes in negotiations and stating that while Cao Hua might be his only path to presidency, there were other ways to reassure his father.
She challenged whether he truly desired to be president, suggesting it was more what others wanted for him. With conviction, Lin Miao concluded there was no more time for their relationship and that they needed space. When Jiao Yang asked what she meant, Lin Miao looked him in the eye and said they should break up, believing it was for the best. He refused, gripping her hand, but she warned that an unwilling grasp only brought pain.
Lin Miao thanked Jiao Yang for his love but stated she couldn't accept his sacrifices, reaffirming that engagement was his only correct choice before turning to leave. Later, Cao Hua met with Su Cheng Jun of Zhong Qing. She remarked on his familiarity, realizing he had once worked at Hong Yu.
At Hong Yu, Secretary Yan delivered Lin Miao's resignation letter to Jiao Yang, explaining Lin Miao had given it to him the previous day after learning of Jiao Yang's plans with Cao Hua. Secretary Yan added that Lin Miao's desk was emptied that afternoon. Jiao Yang reacted with disbelief, repeatedly calling out Lin Miao's name in distress. At home, he was heartbroken, drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
Meanwhile, Lin Miao was seen walking with her luggage when she encountered Jonny distributing flyers for "Soulmate" wedding planning. Jonny initially didn't recognize Lin Miao, who was in disguise. Her car tire had been intentionally damaged, leaving her stranded without a taxi. Lin Miao later presented a project proposal titled "Encountering the Future," based on Kepler's first law, aiming to create a parallel space for customers to experience love. Her proposal was approved.
Jonny congratulated her, subtly acknowledging her "skill" with car tires, which Lin Miao denied. When a colleague questioned Lin Miao's dedication to work over a personal life, Lin Miao clarified she was merely selling her time to the company for pay. Jonny, having met her two months prior, flirted with her, but she dismissed him, joking that she wouldn't fall for someone who couldn't even be a good receptionist.
Jonny, proud to be Soulmate's future branch manager, then offered Lin Miao a job as Chief Planner with free room and board at the shop, an offer she accepted. Lin Miao reflected that returning to Soulmate, back to square one, might be the best outcome. Back at Hong Yu, news of Lin Miao's resignation spread through the president's office, causing shock and concern among the staff. Zhao Yan visited Jiao Yang, finding him still drinking at home.
She scolded him for isolating himself and neglecting his responsibilities, especially with Mr. Jiao still in the hospital and the board targeting company shares. She called his behavior a "middle school student" reaction to a breakup. Jiao Yang acknowledged her concerns but asserted his identity as Hong Yu’s successor, stating he would only allow himself one day to grieve before resuming his duties. He asked her to leave him alone for the day.
Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan appeared at the Hong Yu Group office. Zhao Yan suggested they go for coffee, noting she hadn't had breakfast. Downstairs, Jonny brought Lin Miao, now in a Soulmate uniform, to distribute flyers in front of the building. Lin Miao was hesitant, but Jonny reassured her.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yan publicly proposed to Jiao Yang, asking him to marry her so Mr. Jiao could recover abroad, and expressing her willingness to wait for him to forget Lin Miao. Jonny, oblivious, tried to promote Soulmate's wedding services, then called out Lin Miao by name, causing her to drop her headpiece and flee. Jiao Yang called her name, but Zhao Yan held him back, reminding him he had promised not to disappoint anyone.
Jiao Yang clarified that Lin Miao was "not just anyone," she was Lin Miao. Zhao Yan argued that precisely because it was Lin Miao, Jiao Yang should agree to marry her to secure Hong Yu and ensure Mr. Jiao's recovery, suggesting it was what Lin Miao would want. Jiao Yang eventually agreed, but on one condition. Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan then visited Soulmate for wedding planning.
Jonny enthusiastically introduced Lin Miao as their "chief planner" to the couple, whom he recognized as "old friends." When asked about their engagement and wedding plans, Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan admitted they had not decided on dates, chosen dresses, selected a venue, or bought rings. Jonny confidently assured them Soulmate could handle everything and asked Lin Miao to assist Zhao Yan with wedding dress selection.
Zhao Yan tried to persuade Lin Miao to help, citing their familiarity and Lin Miao's knowledge of Jiao Yang. Lin Miao, however, refused, stating it was not within her job scope. Jiao Yang challenged her, reminding her of past tasks outside her job description (like organizing a rooftop wedding, acting as a hotel housekeeper, and inviting an inspection team) that she had taken on.
He accused her of suddenly adhering to strict principles, implying her true reason for refusal was still being in love with him. Lin Miao denied this, insisting he was overthinking and that since she had resigned from Hong Yu, she should be addressed as "Miss Lin." Jiao Yang retorted that her haste to distance herself only made him suspect she still couldn't forget him, calling her adept at leaving without notice and turning against people.
Infuriated by his narcissistic and arrogant demeanor, Lin Miao angrily declared she would plan their engagement ceremony. Jiao Yang thanked "Miss Lin" for her service. Later, as Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan tried on wedding attire, Zhao Yan asked Jiao Yang how she looked. He replied she looked good in anything, but his gaze remained fixed on Lin Miao. Lin Miao observed that "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder."
Zhao Yan then asked Lin Miao if she and Jiao Yang looked good together, to which Lin Miao responded affirmatively. When Zhao Yan asked Lin Miao to help adjust her dress, Jiao Yang intervened, suggesting they cut short the dress selection due to other company matters. Zhao Yan reminded Jiao Yang that coming to Soulmate was his idea, and she pointed out his constant focus on Lin Miao, accusing him of not forgetting her.
She questioned if he was deliberately torturing himself to prove Lin Miao's resolve to leave him. Due to Jiao Yang's impatience, Zhao Yan suggested they look at venues and rings together, and Jiao Yang agreed. Secretary Yan later informed Jiao Yang that the rooftop venue was confirmed and would be ready for use soon, expressing surprise at their sudden interest in a rooftop venue. Lin Miao arrived at the rooftop to survey the space.
Secretary Yan was astonished, and Jiao Yang explained that Lin Miao was now their engagement ceremony planner, there to scout the venue, further confusing Secretary Yan, who recalled Jiao Yang's previous rejection of engagement.
Episode 19 Recap
Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan arrived at Leisure Hotel with Lin Miao to scout potential engagement venues. A hotel staff member confirmed that the renovated rooftop space, recently upgraded for wedding proposals, was available for use starting the next day. The staff member, unaware of Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan's intentions, asked why they were interested in the rooftop. Jiao Yang explained that Lin Miao was their engagement ceremony planner and was there to survey the location.
Another staff member, surprised by the news of the engagement, asked Lin Miao for clarification. Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun reached out to Chairman Cao about a project, suggesting they meet at Leisure Hotel, boldly stating he wasn't afraid of encountering Jiao Yang. Chairman Cao agreed, saying it would allow her to compare Su Cheng Jun and Jiao Yang.
Earlier, Chairman Cao had been discussing a proposal with Chairman Qin, expressing her reluctance to entrust Hong Yu Group to Jiao Yang due to his inexperience. She revealed she had already secured cooperation with Director Li, whom Chairman Qin mistakenly thought she had poor relations with. Chairman Cao clarified that Director Li’s decision to choose her was purely a correct business move, emphasizing her own reliability over a "rookie" like Jiao Yang.
Later, as they were looking at engagement rings, Zhao Yan rejected several options, finding them either too large, too small, too subtle, or too flashy. She then suggested that Lin Miao help pick one, acknowledging Lin Miao’s good taste. At Jiao Yang’s urging, Lin Miao reluctantly proposed a "Sirius" ring paired with a "Sun" ring, symbolizing Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan as bright, irreplaceable stars. Impressed, Zhao Yan then inquired about another pair.
When Lin Miao seemed unsure of its meaning, Jiao Yang quickly stepped in to describe the "Orion" and "Artemis" rings, which he explained represented eternal love. Zhao Yan chose this pair, jokingly asking Lin Miao if she minded her "seizing the loved." Lin Miao dismissively replied that it didn't matter as long as Zhao Yan liked it. Zhao Yan then praised Lin Miao's professionalism and urged everyone to proceed to the rooftop so as not to waste her efforts.
Upon arriving at the rooftop, Jiao Yang, Zhao Yan, and Lin Miao encountered Su Cheng Jun and Chairman Cao. Su Cheng Jun sent Chairman Cao to a private suite, staying behind to inform Jiao Yang that Chairman Cao had brought new research technology from the United States, and he was representing Zhong Qing to seek a development partnership. Jiao Yang warned Su Cheng Jun to stay away from Hong Yu.
Su Cheng Jun argued that since Chairman Cao invested in the technology personally and Hong Yu wasn’t interested, it would be "inelegant" to prevent others from developing it. Zhao Yan, angered, questioned Su Cheng Jun’s right to speak of decency.
Su Cheng Jun retaliated by mocking Zhao Yan for being overly eager to marry Jiao Yang, then sarcastically commented on Jiao Yang’s "good fortune" with both Assistant Lin and Director Zhao, implying the Jiao family chose Zhao Yan for her shares, not for love. Lin Miao interjected, defending Zhao Yan and Jiao Yang, asserting that their engagement as childhood friends was a natural progression, and that Zhao Yan's character and capabilities were beyond Su Cheng Jun's judgment.
She then coldly declared that her relationship with Jiao Yang, once superior-subordinate, was now "no connection at all," asking Su Cheng Jun not to exploit the matter further. Su Cheng Jun expressed his delight at hearing "no connection at all," calling Lin Miao's words the "most delightful" he'd heard. Lin Miao retorted that his current "villainous look" was "disgusting" and advised him to wear his "hypocritical mask."
Su Cheng Jun, unbothered, promised to change her mind and left, but not before remarking that Jiao Yang was enjoying his "last joy with several partners" and hoping for a private meal with Lin Miao in the future. Visibly upset by the confrontation, Zhao Yan told Jiao Yang she was tired and wanted to postpone checking the rooftop. Jiao Yang decided to let her be alone, as she didn't want to see anyone.
Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun met with Chairman Cao, explaining his actions were to demonstrate who was more worthy of cooperation, and presented her with a document detailing a new energy project, which satisfied her. Later, Secretary Yan found Zhao Yan drinking alone by the pool. He expressed concern and admired her courage in loving someone for many years, even if it was unrequited. He assured her that a silent protector could find joy in the beloved's happiness.
Zhao Yan, unaware of Secretary Yan's feelings for her, recalled her first day back in China when she met Jiao Yang at Leisure Hotel amidst spectacular fireworks. She remembered his eyes being as bright as the stars, unchanged from when they were children. However, she tearfully realized that day Jiao Yang had only eyes for Lin Miao, never noticing her even though she was a bridesmaid.
She confessed that until today, she had deceived herself into believing she was happy, even when her love for Jiao Yang was used, ignored, or ridiculed. She had protected her feelings like a crystal ball, but it had slowly shattered. Still, she couldn't bear to discard it, cherishing the fireworks as her dream wedding with Jiao Yang. Exhausted, Zhao Yan fell asleep on Secretary Yan's shoulder.
Nearby, Lin Miao advised Jiao Yang to treat Zhao Yan well now that he had decided to get engaged, emphasizing that Zhao Yan was a truly good girl and Lin Miao herself would not forgive him otherwise. Jiao Yang's father suffered another heart attack, and the doctor issued a critical illness notice.
Chairman Zhao revealed to Jiao Yang that after his mother's passing, company issues arose, and Yingchuang Capital, backed by Cao Hua, seized the opportunity to become Hong Yu's fourth-largest shareholder, gradually restricting his father's decisions. His father had hidden these burdens to protect Jiao Yang from undue pressure. Overwhelmed, Jiao Yang felt helpless, unable to protect his father or keep Lin Miao. Lin Miao, observing his distress, came closer but then retreated.
She told Jiao Yang they could never be together, admitting that their initial meeting was not accidental but a deliberate move. Her true purpose in coming to his side was to help him become Hong Yu's president, which would allow her to finally go home. Jiao Yang was heartbroken, disbelieving that she had no feelings for him and accusing her of toying with him.
Lin Miao, however, insisted these were facts, reiterating that he was merely a "three-months long assignment" for her. She urged him to swiftly complete his engagement to Zhao Yan and assume the presidency with Chairman Zhao's help, stating that once everything was concluded, she could leave and return home, thanking him for "letting me go home." After Lin Miao departed, Zhao Yan found Jiao Yang and proposed engagement, clarifying that it was "not a confession, it's a fulfillment."
Jiao Yang agreed, privately resolving to "send Lin Miao home." On the day of the engagement, Secretary Yan wished Zhao Yan happiness, promising to always bless her and Jiao Yang as long as she was happy. Lin Miao and Jiao Yang reviewed the engagement ceremony's schedule. Jiao Yang commented on the meticulous planning, noting that Lin Miao's personal involvement made it impossible for anything to go wrong. He then said that this wedding must be very significant to her.
Lin Miao, in turn, thanked Jiao Yang for his "fulfillment," pledging to deliver a grand and "unforgettable" engagement ceremony. Jiao Yang’s father, despite his fragile health, insisted on attending, planning to depart for urgent surgery in the United States immediately after the event. Chairman Zhao reassured Jiao Yang’s father that they would now be truly family, promising to treat Jiao Yang as his own son and to arrange a formal wedding upon his return.
Jiao Yang’s father then entrusted Zhao Yan to Jiao Yang, who solemnly promised to care for her. During the event, Su Cheng Jun, uninvited, forcefully entered the venue, prompting Jiao Yang to confront him. Su Cheng Jun brazenly claimed he couldn't miss his "dear brother's" engagement, even if Jiao Yang "forgot" to invite him, and then mockingly expressed anticipation for Jiao Yang to reciprocate when he (Su Cheng Jun) someday got engaged to Lin Miao.
Jiao Yang, disgusted, warned Su Cheng Jun to stay away from Lin Miao, stating he "didn't deserve her." Su Cheng Jun retorted that Jiao Yang no longer had the right to decide who deserved Lin Miao, asserting that from this day forward, only Zhao Yan would stand by Jiao Yang's side. Meanwhile, Zhao Yan, unhappy with all the prepared wedding shoes, insisted on wearing Lin Miao's shoes for the ceremony. Lin Miao, after a moment of visible reluctance, ultimately agreed.
Before the ceremony began, Jiao Yang approached Lin Miao, asking if she had anything to say before everything between them was officially over. Lin Miao simply shook her head. As the Master of Ceremonies announced the start of the ceremony and invited the groom-to-be, Jiao Yang, to the stage, Lin Miao quietly said, "I have to leave," and turned away. Jiao Yang then ascended the stage, his face beaming with joy and anticipation, as Zhao Yan began her slow walk down the aisle.
Episode 20 Recap
The engagement ceremony for Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan began. As Zhao Yan walked down the aisle, Jiao Yang's mind was filled with images of Lin Miao in a wedding dress. Upon reaching the stage, Zhao Yan declared her preference to be the brightest star in the sky, not the moon goddess. She reassured Jiao Yang that no matter what the future held, he would always be the brightest and most irreplaceable person in her heart.
After Zhao Yan placed the engagement ring on Jiao Yang's finger, fireworks erupted. Lin Miao, observing from afar with mixed emotions, silently wished Jiao Yang happiness, hoping he would live his life to the fullest, just like the fireworks. Shortly after, Su Cheng Jun approached Lin Miao, sarcastically suggesting Jiao Yang and Zhao Yan were like two ignorant, vulnerable flowers grown in a greenhouse. Lin Miao, rolling her eyes, sharply retorted that Su Cheng Jun was acting like a clown.
She asserted that Jiao Yang was not a fragile hothouse plant, but the scorching Sun of August, and meeting him was the happiest event of her life. Ignoring her words, Su Cheng Jun vowed to make Jiao Yang lose everything, both in love and business. Later, Jiao Yang confronted Lin Miao, expressing his hurt that she wouldn't even say a proper goodbye to him. Lin Miao, however, offered a formal farewell, wishing him and Zhao Yan happiness.
Jiao Yang insisted he would forget her and fulfill his promise to Zhao Yan, urging Lin Miao not to feel guilty and to happily return to her own world without attachment. At that moment, Chairman Zhao interrupted, announcing that Zhao Yan was missing. Her phone, along with Secretary Yan's, was unreachable. A server then delivered a document from Zhao Yan.
It contained a video message where Zhao Yan explained that she had always believed marrying Jiao Yang was her life’s ultimate goal. However, she had recently realized they had both grown up and were on different paths, meaning Jiao Yang was no longer her destination. She confirmed she had signed a share transfer agreement and asked Jiao Yang to treat Lin Miao well, wishing them both happiness.
Zhao Yan also left her engagement ring for Lin Miao, saying she was going to seek her own vast sky and hoped they could become true friends upon her return. Lin Miao was deeply touched by Zhao Yan's kindness and selflessness. Meanwhile, Secretary Yan drove Zhao Yan to the airport, offering earnest advice to take care of herself while abroad, from eating on time to staying in safe hotels.
Zhao Yan became emotional, confessing her sadness about giving up on Jiao Yang, whom she had loved for twenty years. She reflected that liking someone is a solitary journey, and love often offers no fairness. She vowed to become a 'heroine who overcomes all obstacles' until she meets someone worthy of entrusting her life to, at which point she could revert to being a 'little princess who can't even open a bottle cap.'
Secretary Yan gave her a can of coke, suggesting it might help her feel better. Zhao Yan hugged Secretary Yan, thanking him for always being there and asking him to wait for her return and to call her 'Xiaoyan' from now on. Secretary Yan, deeply touched, promised he would wait, no matter the duration, and addressed her as 'Xiaoyan' in return.
Jiao Yang's father demanded he immediately go to the airport and bring Zhao Yan back, believing Jiao Yang was at fault. However, Chairman Zhao stated that his promise to Jiao Yang remained valid, and since Zhao Yan had already left, the entrusted shares she had given to Jiao Yang should remain with him to facilitate his work at Hong Yu.
Jiao Yang, feeling distraught and helpless, lamented that everyone was trying to help him, yet he remained stagnant, ultimately disappointing them all. He confided in Lin Miao that despite his efforts to protect everything in his life, she was the one he most wanted to safeguard. The next day, Jiao Yang saw his father off at the airport.
His father entrusted the future of Hong Yu to him, encouraging him to embrace challenges actively and not to complain when facing hardships. Before boarding, Jiao Yang’s father called Lin Miao, prompting her decision to return to Hong Yu. Jiao Yang, however, initially disagreed. Lin Miao insisted she wanted to stay by his side during Hong Yu's difficult period. Overhearing their conversation, Ding Ding was stunned, realizing they were indeed together.
Jiao Yang then asked Lin Miao if she would truly return home if he became president, as she had previously stated. Lin Miao cryptically replied that it depended on his performance. Lin Miao was officially reinstated at Hong Yu. During a meeting, Ding Ding nearly revealed her relationship with Jiao Yang, but was subtly silenced. After work, as Lin Miao prepared to go home, Jiao Yang objected to her staying with Jonny. Consequently, Lin Miao returned to Jiao Yang’s apartment.
While Jiao Yang cooked, Lin Miao found her vision becoming blurry and struggled to see clearly. Jiao Yang’s first attempt at cooking yielded less-than-delicious results, but Lin Miao ate it regardless. When Jiao Yang tried to pour her soup, Lin Miao, unable to see properly, accidentally knocked the bowl over. At a subsequent board meeting, a vote was held to appoint Jiao Yang as the Acting President.
Jiao Yang presented an "Infinite Home" concept upgrade, which proposed integrating solar eco-technology for green, energy-efficient housing. When asked about the reliability of the plan, Jiao Yang asserted that he would take full responsibility for his actions. Chairman Cao, after some reflection, voted in favor, explaining that the challenge of defeating a tough opponent was rewarding. Other directors followed, casting their votes in favor. It was announced that Hong Yu would proceed with preparations for the president's inauguration.
Meanwhile, Chairman Zhao encountered Su Cheng Jun at a law firm, where Su Cheng Jun was signing a legal counsel contract for Zhong Qing, leading to a brief, tense exchange between them. Jiao Yang entrusted Lin Miao with organizing his inauguration ceremony, and then took her to a gallery. There, her vision blurred again, causing her to temporarily lose her sight.
Episode 21 Recap
Jiao Yang brought Lin Miao to a gallery, where Lin Miao experienced a momentary blurring of her vision. Jiao Yang explained that the gallery was part of a design exhibition his mother, Liang Yu Jun, had participated in, and one painting was by her, depicting his father and mother. He held Lin Miao's hand, acknowledging that she must miss her own home, but expressed his reluctance to let her go.
This gallery visit was a carefully planned surprise from Jiao Yang, which deeply moved Lin Miao, leading her to passionately kiss him. Lin Miao, feeling his immense effort, playfully insisted on making a grand gesture in return, but Jiao Yang preferred simplicity. Back at the office, Ding Ding was caught by Jiang Rou and Ying Jun, staring at a picture of Jiao Yang and Lin Miao kissing on his computer.
Ding Ding initially feigned ignorance but quickly bribed Jiang Rou with a week's worth of lunch to keep his secret. As Jiao Yang and Lin Miao walked into the office hand-in-hand, Jiao Yang openly embraced their relationship, saying he wouldn't mind if they went public. Jiang Rou and Ying Jun, meanwhile, pretended not to notice the couple, making witty remarks about their public display of affection.
Later, Ding Ding, Jiang Rou, and Ying Jun were sifting through numerous gifts, and Lin Miao learned that Jiao Yang's birthday was the day after tomorrow, coinciding with the eve of his presidential inauguration. Jiang Rou emphasized the importance of birthdays, prompting Lin Miao to consider a gift.
She called Lin Weijun for advice on important occasion gifts, and Lin Weijun, guessing it was for Jiao Yang's birthday, advised her to think of something he genuinely desired, as he already possessed everything else. Lin Miao then recalled Jiao Yang's heartfelt confession about her "hard-heartedness" and realized what he truly yearned for. Lin Miao began delegating tasks for the upcoming president's inauguration.
She assigned Jiang Rou to handle venue decoration, Ding Ding to contact the media, and Ying Jun to manage security, stating that she herself had more important matters to attend to. Meanwhile, Secretary Yan, having ensured the Leisure Hotel was booked for the inauguration, privately thought about Zhao Yan, missing her presence. Su Cheng Jun met with Chairman Zhao at Zhong Lun Law Firm. Su Cheng Jun, surprised by Chairman Zhao's reaction to seeing him there, pressed for an explanation.
Chairman Zhao revealed that Jiao Yang's mother, Liang Yu Jun, had always cared for Su Cheng Jun and had intended to offer him compensation before her passing, though the specifics remained undisclosed. Su Cheng Jun, recalling a painful memory of his dying mother asking him to call her "mum" and his own defiant refusal, expressed his bitter resentment, interpreting her "compensation" as a lifetime of servitude to Jiao Yang at Hong Yu.
Chairman Zhao clarified that her intentions were not as he perceived, but Su Cheng Jun, feeling their differences were too great, abruptly ended the conversation. Su Cheng Jun then inquired about a former lawyer at Zhong Lun, Cai Jia Rui, whom his mother had previously engaged. Gu Lawyer, Cai Jia Rui's mentee, informed him that Cai Jia Rui had passed away years ago, leaving Su Cheng Jun disappointed.
Later, Su Cheng Jun encountered Lin Weijun, who was interning at Zhong Lun. He informed her that he had arranged for her to work on the Zhong Qing project, suggesting it would benefit her career. Lin Weijun, however, angrily confronted him, reminding him of their breakup and demanding he stay out of her personal and professional life.
She vehemently refused to work on the project, despite Su Cheng Jun's attempts to portray his actions as concern and a test of her ability to separate personal and professional matters. She reiterated that she could distinguish between the two but would still not work with him on that project. He insisted he would return to discuss it. Meanwhile, Jiang Rou, Ding Ding, and Ying Jun discovered Lin Miao secretly decorating the pool with candles and balloons.
Realizing she was planning a birthday surprise for Jiao Yang, they playfully mocked her "unromantic" decorating style and decided to "upgrade" it to make it more spectacular. That night, Lin Miao returned home late, and Jiao Yang, who had been waiting for her, pressed her to sign the lifetime employment contract he had given her. Lin Miao, teasingly refusing to sign immediately, cited employee rights and said she needed more time to think.
As they bantered, Lin Miao's vision blurred once more. A doctor's report later indicated that Lin Miao's bodily functions showed signs of rapid aging. She wondered if this was the dreaded sign that her three-month deadline, given to her when she arrived in 2010 to help Jiao Yang become Hong Yu Group's president, was approaching, threatening her permanent disappearance if she failed. Steeling herself at Leisure Hotel, Lin Miao resolved not to be absent from Jiao Yang's moment of triumph.
The next day, Lin Miao finalized the arrangements for Jiao Yang's inauguration ceremony. Jiang Rou then playfully led her to the pool area where Jiao Yang was waiting, blindfolded, confused about a "celebration party." Lin Miao removed his blindfold, and the pool's lights dramatically illuminated the area. Simultaneously, she received texts from Ding Ding, Jiang Rou, and Ying Jun, revealing their collective effort in enhancing the surprise and encouraging her to fully embrace it.
Accepting their help, Lin Miao confessed to Jiao Yang that it was not a celebration party but his birthday surprise. Jiao Yang made a heartfelt wish, calling it the best gift he had ever received. Lin Miao then revealed the true present: his lifetime employment contract. She announced that he had passed his probation, and she was accepting the contract, pledging to be his exclusive assistant for life, adding, "Nice to meet you.
I entrust the rest of my life to you." They shared a passionate kiss, and Lin Miao vowed to spend her remaining time with Jiao Yang, regardless of what the future held. On the day of the president's inauguration, Jiao Yang chose a simple tie, with Lin Miao suggesting it suited his new presidential status.
As they discussed the upcoming ceremony, Jiao Yang playfully warned Lin Miao not to "ruin everything," while she wished him continued "contingency skills" to handle any surprises. Their colleagues, Ding Ding and Jiang Rou, were bewildered by their cryptic exchange. Jiao Yang, confident in his appearance, then announced a celebratory feast at the Leisure Hotel after the ceremony. Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun visited Liang Yu Jun's grave. Holding her will, he acknowledged her promise of compensation but scornfully rejected it.
He spoke bitterly of her abandonment, his father's gambling debts, and the oppression he faced from Jiao Jun Hong, accusing her of caring only for her designs and Jiao Yang. He vowed to systematically destroy everything she held dear. At the inauguration, reporters noted Jiao Yang's swift ascent to power. Chairman Cao arrived, expressing his support for Jiao Yang and the company. As the ceremony began, Su Cheng Jun dramatically interrupted Jiao Yang's speech.
Chairman Zhao tried to intervene, appealing to their fraternal bond, but Su Cheng Jun, acknowledging Jiao Yang as his brother, declared he was there to deliver a "gift." Jiao Yang attempted to defuse the situation, suggesting they discuss personal matters privately, but Su Cheng Jun accused him of threats. Defying security, Su Cheng Jun brandished his mother Liang Yu Jun's will, claiming it explicitly granted him five percent of Hong Yu Group's shares.
He publicly demanded an immediate halt to the inauguration and an official response from the company, challenging them to verify the signature with an expert, confident they would be disappointed by the results.
Episode 22 Recap
The inauguration ceremony for the new president of Hong Yu Group was abruptly halted, leading to an urgent board meeting to address the company's equity change and Jiao Yang's family affairs. During the meeting, Su Cheng Jun provocatively took the chairman's seat. Jiao Yang confronted him, stating that even as a shareholder, Su Cheng Jun was not entitled to that position. Su Cheng Jun defiantly asked if Jiao Yang or other board members would yield their seats.
A board member intervened, suggesting there was no need to argue over a mere seat. The topic then shifted to the striking similarity between Su Cheng Jun's "Beyond Home" and Jiao Yang's "Infinite Home." Su Cheng Jun confidently asserted that Infinite Home had not yet launched, while Beyond Home was poised to become the city's first long-term serviced apartment, inviting interested directors to his office to discuss its plans further.
Outside the meeting, Jiao Yang's team expressed their anger at Su Cheng Jun's arrogance, but Jiao Yang reassured them that they wouldn't lose as long as they were together. He then instructed Lin Miao to accompany him to sign the commencement of work approval form. As Jiao Yang prepared to sign the approval form, he called out to Lin Miao repeatedly, but she seemed unresponsive. He grew concerned, telling her to prioritize her health over work.
Lin Miao, however, knew her three-month deadline was nearing and her physical condition would only deteriorate. Later, while making shrimp fried rice for Jiao Yang to cheer him up, Lin Miao couldn't taste anything. She added a lot of salt and soy sauce, insisting it was bland, even as Jiao Yang tried to stop her, explaining it was already too salty. Confused and worried, Jiao Yang watched her.
After she woke up from a nap, he offered her honey water, into which he had deliberately added many ingredients to test her senses. Lin Miao, still unable to taste, simply said it was "good." Jiao Yang, deeply perplexed, wondered what was wrong with her recently. Chairman Zhao visited Jiao Yang, advising him that given the unfavorable situation for his family, he needed to solidify his position in the company.
He revealed that Su Cheng Jun had allied with Chairman Cao, urging Jiao Yang to expedite the Infinite Home Project. Jiao Yang assured him that he would prove Infinite Home's industry leadership. However, when Jiao Yang sought approval for the project's budget, the engineering department manager regretfully informed him that the board deemed Infinite Home too costly and had already allocated the funds to Beyond Home, making it impossible to approve.
Later, Chairman Zhao and Su Cheng Jun shared a drink. Chairman Zhao praised Su Cheng Jun for living up to his mother's expectations. Su Cheng Jun retorted that Chairman Zhao was the true mastermind, having hidden his "wild ambition" for years, noting that everyone at Hong Yu believed his alliance was with Chairman Cao, unaware of Chairman Zhao's covert manipulation. Lin Weijun was taken aback to see an indictment naming Su Cheng Jun as the plaintiff against Jiao Yang's father.
She later discovered from online news about Hong Yu Group that Su Cheng Jun and Jiao Yang were half-brothers. Su Cheng Jun then personally retrieved the indictment from her. Soon after, while in the archive room, he asked Lin Weijun to fetch paper and a pen. Despite her reluctance to leave him alone due to strict rules about document security, Su Cheng Jun insisted there was surveillance.
When Lin Weijun returned with the requested items, Su Cheng Jun dismissively told her they were no longer needed. The ruse made her realize that he had likely used a similar pretext to steal Jiao Yang's mother's will from the archive room on a previous occasion. Jiao Yang grew suspicious when Lin Miao was unexpectedly called to a meeting by Manager Xiang of the human resources department. Lin Miao arrived to find only Su Cheng Jun in the conference room.
He attempted to coerce her into joining his team, telling her that Jiao Yang's Infinite Home project was doomed and that she should abandon him. Jiao Yang burst in, pulling Lin Miao away and confronting Su Cheng Jun, warning him to back off. Su Cheng Jun, however, was undeterred, gloating that he would soon take action against Jiao Yang's allies.
True to his word, Manager Xiang then announced the dismissal of four key members of Jiao Yang's team—Secretary Yan, Ding Ding, Ying Jun, and Jiang Rou—on fabricated charges of defying company rules. The team members were devastated, but Jiao Yang promised to handle the situation. Enraged, Jiao Yang confronted Su Cheng Jun again, accusing him of targeting his subordinates.
Su Cheng Jun retorted that it was all due to the Jiao family, expressing his resentment at being a "beggar" while Jiao Yang was a "prince," and vowed to reverse their fortunes. He then dropped another bombshell: he would formally sue Jiao Yang's father, Jiao Jun Hong, for deliberately concealing his will.
Su Cheng Jun then presented Jiao Yang with two cruel choices: either Jiao Jun Hong returns immediately for investigation despite his illness, or Lin Miao must take full responsibility for the integration of Hong Yu and Beyond Home. Jiao Yang refused both options, prompting Su Cheng Jun to declare that they would see each other in court. As Secretary Yan, Ding Ding, Ying Jun, and Jiang Rou packed their belongings, Jiao Yang was consumed by guilt.
Witnessing their distress, Lin Miao sought out Su Cheng Jun, demanding to know what it would take for him to stop. Su Cheng Jun, however, scornfully told her to abandon Jiao Yang, claiming Jiao Yang was now a target for many, not just him, and was beyond salvation. Enraged by his words, Lin Miao suddenly collapsed. Jiao Yang rushed her to the hospital, fuming with anger at Su Cheng Jun.
A doctor informed Jiao Yang that Lin Miao had previously visited the hospital due to recurring issues with her hearing, vision, and taste, but had discharged herself before further examination, a revelation that deeply puzzled Jiao Yang. Later that evening, back home, Jiao Yang bought an array of groceries, claiming Lin Miao fainted due to low blood sugar, and lovingly cooked dinner for her. After their meal, they relaxed on the sofa, watching TV.
Lin Miao eventually drifted off to sleep on Jiao Yang's lap, bringing a sense of warmth and peace to his heart. The following day, Jiao Yang sought out Su Cheng Jun, apologizing for his past recklessness and proposing a deal: if Su Cheng Jun helped him become Hong Yu's president within a week, he would agree to any of Su Cheng Jun's demands.
Su Cheng Jun, dismissively noting his busy schedule managing the Beyond Home handover with Lin Miao, immediately demanded Jiao Yang's house. Jiao Yang relinquished it, explaining that "home" was wherever he was with those he cared about, a concept Su Cheng Jun, obsessed with power and money, would never understand. Su Cheng Jun then departed, warning Jiao Yang that he would reclaim everything his father had "stolen."
Meanwhile, Su Cheng Jun was furious that he couldn't locate the final will and then received urgent news: Beyond Home was facing a crisis. Customers were complaining about poor quality, foul smells, and discrepancies with online renderings, leading to numerous cancellations and calls to Chairman Xue. Chairman Xue sharply reprimanded Su Cheng Jun, warning him that if he failed to manage the situation, Beyond Home would close, and he would lose his standing in Zhong Qing.
Cornered, Su Cheng Jun approached Jiao Yang again, demanding Infinite Home in exchange for the presidency. Jiao Yang, seething, reminded Su Cheng Jun that he had already dismissed his staff and given up his house, and that Infinite Home was his "bottom line." Su Cheng Jun, however, declared that bottom lines were meant to be broken and promised Jiao Yang the presidency if he surrendered Infinite Home.
With Lin Miao's health visibly deteriorating, Jiao Yang made the difficult decision to accept Su Cheng Jun's demand, hoping that becoming president would allow him to secure Lin Miao's well-being. He then called Su Cheng Jun, accepting the offer and urging him to keep his promise. Su Cheng Jun informed Chairman Zhao that the deal was complete. Chairman Zhao then met with Gu Chen, a lawyer, seeking his help regarding Jiao Yang's mother's will.
Chairman Zhao suspected there were issues with the will but lacked evidence, and with his master gone and Chairman Jiao recuperating abroad, he felt powerless as Su Cheng Jun threatened to destroy Hong Yu. Gu Chen, however, politely refused, stating that only Jiao Yang's family had the standing to question the will, and advised Chairman Zhao to maintain his long-standing, benevolent facade. Later, Lin Miao prepared dinner for Jiao Yang, including chicken soup and other dishes.
Despite her complete loss of taste, Jiao Yang, aware of her condition, forced himself to praise her cooking as delicious. While Jiao Yang was buying coffee, Lin Miao encountered the four recently dismissed employees. She overheard them discussing Infinite Home's impending demolition and asked for clarification. The employees quickly backtracked, claiming they were talking about Beyond Home's customer complaints.
However, in their haste, they accidentally revealed that Jiao Yang had asked them to hide the truth from her, admitting that Infinite Home was actually doing well and Jiao Yang would handle Su Cheng Jun's schemes. Lin Miao then discovered that her phone's time had been tampered with, leaving her astonished, and she immediately asked Jiao Yang to accompany her somewhere.
Episode 23 Recap
Su Cheng Jun confronted Chairman Zhao with irrefutable evidence of his illicit dealings with Chairman Li. He revealed how Chairman Zhao had exploited shell companies under Li Dong Qiang to illegally transfer funds from China to the United States and then to the Cayman Islands, ultimately profiting immensely through Zhong Qing. Su Cheng Jun accused Chairman Zhao of being the true mastermind behind these schemes, having earned far more than Chairman Li and Chairman Xue.
He recounted how he had suspected a deeper conspirator within Hong Yu after Jiao Yang won the Heng Yuan bid, initially misidentifying Chairman Cao as the culprit before realizing it was Chairman Zhao, who had always feigned loyalty to Jiao Jun Hong. Facing these accusations, Chairman Zhao resignedly asked Su Cheng Jun what he wanted, to which Su Cheng Jun declared that Chairman Zhao's game was over. Lin Miao brought Jiao Yang to visit Grandma Chen in the hospital.
She expressed to her unconscious grandmother how much she longed for Grandma Chen to be part of the family Jiao Yang promised them, and how deeply she regretted not spending more time with her over the past decade, wondering if things would be different now. Later, Lin Miao initiated a candid conversation with Jiao Yang, stating she had no secrets left and wished for their relationship to be founded on openness and honesty.
She apologized for concealing her physical condition, but Jiao Yang revealed he already knew. He reassured her, promising to become president as soon as possible and send her back. Lin Miao, however, urged him not to use Infinite Home as a bargaining chip for the presidency, emphasizing it was more than just a house, representing the efforts of Jiao Yang and his mother. She declared she would not let him sacrifice it and affirmed they would face any challenges together.
A nurse then informed Jiao Yang that someone was looking for him at the reception. He left, suspecting it was his team. Seizing the opportunity, Su Cheng Jun entered Lin Miao's hospital room. He announced the imminent downfall of Jiao Yang's Infinite Home project and offered Lin Miao a deal: if she left Jiao Yang and allied with him, he would ensure Jiao Yang received a nominal presidential position.
Lin Miao vehemently rejected his proposal, accusing him of manipulating her to destroy Jiao Yang, and called him a pathetic person. Su Cheng Jun conceded her point, articulating his frustration at Jiao Yang's effortless success while he, despite his relentless efforts, remained empty-handed. He stated he merely sought a final chance to fight back. Overwhelmed by the confrontation, Lin Miao fainted. Lin Miao woke up to find herself back home, with Jiao Yang solicitously caring for her.
She playfully teased him about their intimate living situation. Shifting to a serious tone, Lin Miao confessed she had many unfulfilled regrets from 2010 and wished Jiao Yang would help her complete them. She initially suggested buying a house, explaining that real estate was a valuable asset and a guarantee for the future. Jiao Yang was amused by her "rich woman" aspirations, only for Lin Miao to reveal she already had many houses, leading Jiao Yang to drop the topic.
She then listed other wishes, including watching movies, visiting the zoo, and seeing the underwater world, expressing how she realized she had missed out on many experiences due to her monotonous daily routine. Jiao Yang lovingly agreed to help her fulfill these wishes. Later, Yan Xin, Jiang Rou, Ying Jun, and Ding Ding gathered at Jiao Yang and Lin Miao's home for a dinner. Jiang Rou mentioned needing ginger tea, and Ying Jun offered to make it.
The team also brought Jiao Yang's favorite meeting blackboard, encouraging him to "show his ability and start his speech" again. They lightheartedly demanded better treatment, compensation for past losses, a pay raise, early end to probation, and initially a 5% discount on Infinite Home apartments upon their return to Hong Yu. Jiao Yang initially refused the discount but then, after some playful banter about "businessman's attributes," he conceded to a 6% discount, stating it would better reflect their collective efforts.
Jiao Yang then unveiled his new plan. Although meticulously laid out, it lacked one crucial element: funding. Without hesitation, the team members offered their personal savings, with Ying Jun even proposing an interest-free loan. Jiao Yang expressed his gratitude, promising to privately thank Lin Miao, and they all rallied, determined to win this "final fight."
Fearing Su Cheng Jun's ambition would lead to his ousting, Chairman Zhao sought out Cao Hua to propose an alliance, warning her that she would be Su Cheng Jun's next target after him. However, Cao Hua revealed she had already received an email from Su Cheng Jun detailing Chairman Zhao's and Chairman Li's illicit activities, implying that all board members were aware.
She advised Chairman Zhao that he would no longer garner any support and encouraged him to "quit with dignity" rather than face further humiliation. Shortly after, Zhao Yan returned, presenting Chairman Zhao with an old pen. She disclosed that she had been by Jiao's father's side, explaining that important events were reported to her first, and she would then convey key information to him.
Though Jiao's father never explicitly blamed Chairman Zhao for his actions, Zhao Yan expressed her deep shame. She reminded him that the pen was a cherished item, bought with pooled money by the original four founders—Jiao, Li, Yu Jun, and Chairman Zhao—to project an image of dignity when Hong Yu was first established. She recounted how this pen was present for their first major deal and how they collectively built Hong Yu's foundation.
Zhao Yan implored her father to "stop doing the wrong thing," questioning how he could destroy the company they built and if he wished to be branded a "traitor" when he eventually reunited with Chairman Li and Jiao's mother. At a subsequent board meeting, Chairman Zhao announced his decision to retire early.
He reported that Jiao's father, during a recent phone call, had agreed to the retirement and, seeing Cao Hua as a capable woman, appointed her as interim chairman until his return from abroad. Cao Hua accepted the role, promising to safeguard Hong Yu for both Jiao's father and everyone else. Later, at the airport, Yan Xin arrived to see off Zhao Yan.
Zhao Yan confessed she had been ashamed to face him due to her father's actions, but Yan Xin reassured her that neither he nor Jiao Yang blamed her. Zhao Yan playfully invited him to go abroad with her, but Yan Xin declined, citing Jiao Yang's critical situation, to which Zhao Yan admitted she was only teasing. Jiao Yang also came to see off Chairman Zhao.
He acknowledged knowing about Chairman Zhao's misconduct, having been copied on all the relevant emails by Su Cheng Jun. Chairman Zhao admitted he had nothing to say and urged Jiao Yang to discuss everything with his father directly. Before boarding, Jiao Yang wished both Chairman Zhao and Zhao Yan to "Take care."
As Chairman Zhao left, he imparted a final warning to Jiao Yang, suggesting that the will held by Su Cheng Jun might be problematic and required a thorough investigation. Lin Weijun sought out Jiao Yang to apologize, expressing deep regret and self-blame for her professional negligence regarding the will, which allowed Su Cheng Jun to exploit a loophole and cause damage to Jiao Yang and Hong Yu. Jiao Yang reassured her that he didn't hold her responsible.
Lin Weijun then disclosed crucial information: she had been in a relationship with Su Cheng Jun even before Jiao's mother passed away. During that period, a lawyer repeatedly tried to meet with Su Cheng Jun concerning Jiao's mother's affairs, but Su Cheng Jun, unwilling to discuss anything related to her, always sent Lin Weijun to dismiss him.
Eventually, the lawyer mailed a picture frame to Su Cheng Jun, containing the only photo of him with Jiao's mother, but Su Cheng Jun callously threw it away. Recognizing the potential importance of the discarded item, Jiao Yang abruptly left to pursue this lead. Meanwhile, Jiang Rou attempted to uncover information by going on a blind date with Su Cheng Jun's assistant, Chen.
She probed him about his career and his leader, but her efforts were abruptly foiled when Su Cheng Jun himself appeared, exposing her true intentions and warning her against wasting her time trying to extract any valuable clues from his assistant. Later, acting on her memory of the discarded picture frame, Lin Weijun covertly went to Su Cheng Jun's house. There, she located the will and realized that they had all been deceived by Su Cheng Jun.
While Jiao Yang was negotiating with Cao Hua, aiming to secure her full chairmanship by helping her "remove the word 'acting'" from her title, he received an urgent call from Lin Weijun. She breathlessly informed him from Su Cheng Jun's house that she had found the will. Before she could elaborate, Su Cheng Jun returned, immediately accusing her of stealing the will and forcibly retrieving it from her bag.
Realizing Lin Weijun was in danger, Jiao Yang swiftly called Lawyer Gu, arranging to meet at Su Cheng Jun's residence. Su Cheng Jun, in a fit of rage, tore the will to pieces just as Jiao Yang arrived. Lin Weijun frantically informed Jiao Yang that the crucial attachment to the will, which stipulated that Jiao's mother's shares would only become effective for Su Cheng Jun after he turned 40, was now destroyed.
Lin Weijun questioned Su Cheng Jun's drastic change, but he defiantly blamed Jiao's mother and Jiao Jun Hong, claiming they never understood his suffering. He boasted that he had defeated Jiao Yang and would soon control Hong Yu. At that critical moment, Lawyer Gu arrived. He announced that he had discovered a scanned electronic archive of the will on his late master's old computer, rendering Su Cheng Jun's destruction of the physical document utterly useless.
Lawyer Gu asserted that Zhong Lun Law Firm would see the matter through to restore its reputation. Jiao Yang then revealed that the original will had always been hidden behind the very photo of Su Cheng Jun and Jiao's mother—the one Su Cheng Jun had discarded. He stated that Jiao's mother had prepared the will long ago, but Su Cheng Jun had "given it up himself," thus having no right to blame anyone else.
Su Cheng Jun, however, furiously dismissed this as a manipulative lie to force his forgiveness, adamantly declaring he would "never forgive her." Jiao Yang countered that Jiao's mother had done nothing wrong and didn't need his forgiveness, accusing Su Cheng Jun of merely finding an excuse for his own life's failures. Jiao Yang concluded by stating that allowing Su Cheng Jun to lose everything would serve as his most profound lesson.
After successfully dealing with Su Cheng Jun, Jiao Yang again approached Cao Hua, presenting her with an opportunity. He argued that with Su Cheng Jun removed, Zhong Qing was leaderless and Beyond Home was in disarray, making it the ideal moment for her to join Infinite Home and recoup her substantial research investment in the US. In exchange, Jiao Yang sought the presidency of Hong Yu, further offering to secure her position as the full Chairman, not merely acting.
Later, Jiao Yang informed Lin Miao that his father's surgery was successful and he was now confirmed as the youngest prospective president. He shared that his inauguration ceremony was scheduled for October 31st, coinciding with Lin Miao's three-month mark, and reiterated his plan to send her back home immediately after becoming president. However, Lin Miao emphatically stated her desire to stay, asserting that Jiao Yang had never truly asked if she wished to return or remain.
She proclaimed her decision to stay, expressing indifference towards his presidency, the mission, or the three-month deadline, and pleaded for a chance to "bet on it" and remain by his side. Jiao Yang, heartbroken, refused, telling her he couldn't gamble with her life and simply wanted her to live. Despite her pleas to postpone his inauguration ceremony and try to stay together longer, Jiao Yang insisted on sending her back. Later that night, Jiao Yang, watching Lin Miao sleep, softly wondered why she wouldn't listen, reiterating his sole desire for her to live.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Upon hearing the news report about ball lightning appearing on August 1st and expected again on November 1st, Jiao Yang suddenly realized that Lin Miao's three-month deadline was actually November 1st, not October 31st. Lin Miao, who had been busy, then presented Jiao Yang with a week's worth of suit combinations.
She explained that there was a "suit for black Monday" for his bad moods and a "red Friday" suit to celebrate the upcoming weekend, hoping to save him time getting ready. Lin Miao regretted that she didn't have much time left and wondered what else she could do for him. Jiao Yang promised her that the inauguration ceremony would be on November 1st, and before that, they would spend every day happily together.
Jiao Yang then took Lin Miao to Johnny's bridal shop, surprising her. He explained that they would spend the day celebrating their "golden wedding anniversary," and they dressed up as an elderly couple. Jiao Yang confessed his desire to spend his entire life with her in this way, to remember her by his side until his last moments.
He thanked her for giving him the courage and ability to face and solve all problems, promising that no matter where she might be in the future, he would never forget her. Later, Secretary Yan, Zhao Yan, Ying Jun, and Ding Ding prepared a romantic surprise for Jiao Yang and Lin Miao. Jiao Yang led Lin Miao to the hotel rooftop, where fireworks erupted. At that moment, he knelt and proposed with a diamond ring.
He reminded her that she had called their meeting a miracle, and it was equally so for him. He wanted her to wear the ring as a symbol, ensuring that even if they were far apart, seeing it would remind her of him. He emphasized that tonight was just about their love, not about deadlines. Lin Miao, overwhelmed with emotion, happily accepted, saying "I do."
On October 31st, in front of their friends, Jiao Yang passionately delivered his wedding vows, expressing his wish to fulfill a lifetime's contract with her. Lin Miao, tears streaming, reciprocated, swearing to be his wife and love him until the end of time, no matter where she was. The next day, for the president's inauguration, Lin Miao was bustling about, making sure everything was perfect, as it was Jiao Yang's most important day.
As the ceremony began, Lin Miao watched Jiao Yang walk onto the stage, her eyes blurring. Jiao Yang addressed the audience, acknowledging that this was his third inauguration and expressing gratitude to someone who had always supported him. He spoke of understanding the true meaning of responsibility and gaining the courage to face challenges through her companionship. He concluded by inviting "Miss Lin Miao" to join him on stage.
Lin Miao, engrossed in her thoughts and physical discomfort, initially didn't hear him, but Secretary Yan quickly prompted her. As she struggled to walk towards the stage, she suddenly fainted. Jiao Yang rushed to her, carrying her out and driving her to the coffee shop where they first met.
Carrying her on his back, Jiao Yang listened as Lin Miao spoke of her dreams of them walking together, chatting and enjoying the scenery until they grew old, wishing they could continue on that path forever. Jiao Yang wanted to send her back to her own time, asking her not to forget him, even if she came to hate him.
He gave her practical advice: to buy comfortable heels, learn to cook healthy meals, eat on time, and not be rude to her superiors. He promised to take care of Hongyu Group and his father, as well as her grandmother. He thanked her for giving him the courage to take responsibility, for the best three months of his life, and for entering his world. Lin Miao, crying uncontrollably, told him she didn't want to go back.
Jiao Yang gently set Lin Miao down outside the coffee shop. Overcome with sadness, Lin Miao sent a text message to her future self, telling her the beginning of their story, but admitting she lacked the courage to write the ending. She feared that upon returning, she would forget the three months they shared, forget Jiao Yang, and forget that he was once a miracle in her life.
As she reached for the coffee shop door handle to stand up, she vanished. Jiao Yang watched her disappear, promising that even if she didn't remember their time, he would, and pleaded with her not to forget him. He returned home to find traces of Lin Miao everywhere. On a camera, he discovered a video Lin Miao had recorded.
In the video, she expressed her unexpected sadness about leaving, admitting that what she once thought was a cruel joke from God, the countdown, was in fact a precious gift. She wished for Jiao Yang to forget everything that happened in the past three months, wanting him to live his long life without the burden of sorrow for her. She confessed her deep love for him and for the person she became when she was with him, bidding him farewell.
Meanwhile, Lin Weijun tried to call Lin Miao but her phone went straight to voicemail. She left a message, revealing she had resigned from her job. She confessed that she no longer hated Lin Miao, but rather admired her, even hoping to become someone like her. She thanked Lin Miao for all the encouragement and help, promising to work hard and live a more exciting life.
As Lin Weijun was leaving the law firm, it started raining, and Lawyer Gu appeared with an umbrella, offering to take her home, saying he was happy to go wherever she went, hinting at a new romance. Jiao Yang had given everyone a holiday. Secretary Yan and Zhao Yan were on an overseas vacation, while Jiang Rou and Ying Jun were now together.
Jiao Yang, looking at Lin Miao's photo, missed her dearly, feeling a sense of solitude despite everyone else doing well. While on vacation, Secretary Yan built a sandcastle for Zhao Yan, who initially dismissed it, having moved past her "castle life." However, she then declared that she had met someone she could depend on for life, and with him, she would happily be a princess who couldn't even open her own bottle.
Secretary Yan, understanding her hint, promised to open bottle caps for her forever. Ying Jun took Jiang Rou to meet his family, and it was then that Jiang Rou discovered Cao Hua was Ying Jun's older sister. Several months later, Infinite Home Condo officially opened for sale, experiencing unexpectedly high demand. Jiang Rou was now pregnant, and Secretary Yan and Zhao Yan were married and on their honeymoon.
Ding Ding excitedly informed Jiao Yang that a client wanted to purchase unit 001 from the first phase, the unit Jiao Yang had reserved. The client claimed the apartment was "her home." Jiao Yang immediately went to meet her, and as anticipated, it was Lin Miao. Jiao Yang and Lin Miao finally had a home together, proving that no obstacle could prevent two lovers from reuniting, and every moment of their reunion was worth cherishing.
