Plot Love Episode 17 Recap
> Plot Love Recap
The celebratory atmosphere of the Eminence team’s success in their collaboration with Sia came to an abrupt halt when Lu Nan, who was supposed to be at home with Chris, unexpectedly arrived. He immediately pulled a bewildered Su Bei away, and only after their departure did the staff resume their lively party.
Lu Nan gathered his employees for tea, where he offered to fulfill their reasonable requests as a reward for their hard work and asked them to share their upcoming work goals and life plans. One employee expressed a desire to be a winner like Mr. Lu, wishing for a wife and child, while a female employee lamented her single status despite her diligent work, pointing out that many of her peers already had children.
Taken aback by the comments about personal lives, Lu Nan declared that starting next week, the company would adopt a 996 work schedule. Su Bei quickly intervened, assuring everyone that Lu Nan was just joking and that they needed to leave to be with Chris. After Lu Nan and Su Bei departed, the relieved employees vowed not to speak so freely again. Yun Fan, finding the tea gathering boring, rallied everyone to return to the party.
When Ye Ting expressed a desire to go home, Yun Fan provoked her, suggesting she was afraid to drink against him. Annoyed, Ye Ting accepted the challenge, calling him a "sissy boy" and vowing to teach him a lesson. The two engaged in a fierce drinking game involving dice, each refusing to back down. The next morning, Yun Fan woke up naked in a hotel room, Ye Ting nowhere to be found, only to discover 249 yuan on the table.
He was furious. Ye Ting later confessed to Su Bei that nothing had actually happened between her and Yun Fan; she had deliberately pranked him. She explained that she left him the money as a "symbolic tip" because he "served" her all night, and that 249 yuan was all she had. Later, Yun Fan confronted Ye Ting in a conference room, demanding to know why she paid him. He asserted that he was the one who "slept with her."
Ye Ting casually dismissed it as a one-night stand, implying that the roles didn't matter. Yun Fan was particularly insulted by the 249 yuan, believing it implied he wasn't even worth "250 yuan" (a Chinese slang term for "fool"). Ye Ting, realizing his concern was about the amount, nonchalantly handed him another yuan, making it 250, and quipped that "with his skills, 250 yuan is worth it."
Their heated exchange was overheard by other employees through the glass door, quickly spreading the news that Yun Fan had become "Assistant 250." Humiliated, Yun Fan angrily demanded that Lu Nan fulfill his promise of a two-week vacation in Europe so he could escape the embarrassment. Lu Nan agreed, then immediately shifted the conversation to the situation at Gu's Group.
Yun Fan reported that Gu Yan, the second son of the Gu family, had successfully taken control of Gu's Group, completely reorganizing the company. Lu Nan noted that Gu Yan had benefited the most from the internal struggles, confirming his suspicion that Gu Yan was far more cunning than he appeared. He warned Yun Fan to be cautious.
Yun Fan, in turn, urged Lu Nan to focus on his own well-being, reminding him that doctors were pressing him to undergo an eye surgery. Lu Nan, however, expressed that he valued remembering Su Bei more than restoring his eyesight. Meanwhile, at Gu's Group, Gu Yan entered the CEO's office, triumphantly tossing Gu Chengze's belongings into a trash can, proclaiming that he had finally waited for this day.
That night, Gu Yan met with Yu Jia, Auntie Lan's apprentice, revealing their secret romantic relationship. Yu Jia expressed her desire to be with Gu Yan every day and to help him at Gu's Group, having learned much from her master. Gu Yan, however, instructed her to first find a way to get close to Su Bei, a task Yu Jia initially resisted but ultimately agreed to, professing she would do anything for him.
The following day, Yu Jia approached Su Bei, feigning innocence and explaining her master's stable condition and the company's liquidation. She admitted that after years with Auntie Lan, she only knew how to make clothes and humbly asked Su Bei to help her find a job. Unsuspecting, Su Bei offered Yu Jia a position at Eminence, working on the Sia case, confident in her experience.
Yu Jia gratefully accepted, promising not to disappoint Su Bei, who, in turn, jokingly warned her that she was even stricter than Auntie Lan. Lu Nan and Su Bei took Chris to a new underwater world. Chris, still annoyed with Lu Nan for not having recognized him earlier, rejected all the toys his father bought, deeming them noisy, boring, or childish. He only brightened up when Su Bei arrived, showering her with affection and showing off his video game progress.
Su Bei suggested an amusement park, but Chris dismissed it as being "for kids." However, when she proposed visiting the new underwater world, Chris enthusiastically agreed, though he insisted Lu Nan not join them, as it would "upset his mood." At the aquarium, Chris enjoyed a small cake bought by Lu Nan after Su Bei gently encouraged him to forgive his father. From a distance, Lu Fei Er observed the happy family, her face contorted in anger.
That evening, Gu Yan visited the Lu family home, much to Chris's delight, who greeted him warmly as "Uncle Gu" and happily accepted the food and building blocks Gu Yan brought. Su Bei thanked Gu Yan for saving Chris, and Gu Yan replied that they were "family" and he also liked Chris. Chris, in front of Lu Nan, declared his fondness for "Uncle Gu."
Gu Yan congratulated Su Bei on her recent achievements and expressed his desire to collaborate with her again. However, Lu Nan interjected, stating Su Bei was busy. Gu Yan then invited Chris to see a giant model sometime, and Chris eagerly agreed. Lu Nan, becoming increasingly irritated, stood up and coldly told Gu Yan to leave and stop disturbing their family life.
As Gu Yan was leaving, Lu Nan, in a direct and hostile tone, stated that he did not appreciate Gu Yan's presence, would not thank him for saving Chris, and warned him to stay away from his wife and son. Gu Yan claimed he only wished for Su Bei and Chris's happiness as a friend, but Lu Nan firmly retorted that he would ensure their happiness himself and did not need Gu Yan's concern.
Lu Nan further added that he, being an "excellent person," did not befriend boring people. After Gu Yan left, he muttered to himself that Lu Nan might have forgotten everything, but he (Gu Yan) had not. Later, Lu Fei Er met with Gu Yan. She complimented him on becoming president and expressed her interest in the design director position at Gu's Group. Gu Yan initially dismissed her, remarking that people should know their limitations and contribute according to their value.
In response, Lu Fei Er presented him with a copy of the "fragrance brocade," a highly sought-after design, as a token of her sincerity. Impressed, Gu Yan acknowledged her astuteness, observing that she had obtained something so many desired. Lu Fei Er pressed her case, asking how she could prove her abilities if not given a chance. She then confidently asked if she was now qualified to be the design director of Gu's Group.
Gu Yan, still calling her "little Yingzi," noted her insatiable ambition, to which Lu Fei Er retorted that he was no different, and in their pursuit of power, no one remained entirely upright. The two then shook hands, agreeing to a partnership. Meanwhile, on his vacation, Yun Fan tried his hand at flirting by the pool, only to be rebuffed. He then unexpectedly encountered Ye Ting again.
His confident demeanor instantly crumbled, and he became visibly nervous, stuttering as he spoke. Ye Ting grabbed him, stating she had something to say. Yu Jia officially joined Eminence's collaboration team with Sia as a tailor. Su Bei, trusting her completely, entrusted her with the cutting and sewing of a significant design, setting a strict three-day deadline for completion before the product launch. Yu Jia, though initially hesitant about the sewing aspect, promised not to disappoint. The collaboration quickly intensified.
One day, Lu Fei Er visited Yu Jia at the hospital where Auntie Lan resided, asking for a specific item. Yu Jia, growing suspicious, questioned Lu Fei Er's relationship with Gu Yan. Lu Fei Er evasively stated they were merely "cooperating," clarifying that she was simply a messenger and that Yu Jia should address any reluctance directly to President Gu. Yu Jia warned Lu Fei Er not to pretend to be someone she wasn't, or she would face severe consequences. As Lu Fei Er departed, Su Bei arrived, glimpsing her back and feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
