Pretty Man Episode 15 Recap
> Pretty Man Recap
Waking up, Lu Jinnian gazed at Qiao Anhao sleeping beside him, his heart heavy with conflict. He felt he had wronged his brother Jiamu, but his love for Qiao Anhao was undeniable and uncontrollable. Qiao Anhao awoke to find that she had 'lost her virginity' to Lu Jinnian. Overwhelmed by shyness and a racing heart, she felt at a loss for how to face Lu Jinnian. Lu Jinnian soon plunged into work.
When Shen Mingzhe arrived, offering to prepare breakfast, Lu Jinnian declined, instead instructing him to gather everyone for weekend overtime work at the office, a decision Shen Mingzhe found quite peculiar. At the office, Lu Jinnian met with Director Jin and requested a change in the casting for the upcoming drama "National Husband." He insisted that Qiao Anhao be cast as the second female lead, and surprisingly, he would take on the role of the second male lead himself.
Director Jin was astonished, noting that they had already selected a second female lead and that Qiao Anhao was an unknown actress with only minor roles, making her unsuitable for such a significant project. He also worried about the reactions of the main leads, Song Xiangsi and Cheng Yao, given the substantial investment in the drama. However, Lu Jinnian remained firm in his decision, telling Director Jin to simply focus on directing.
Afterward, Shen Mingzhe expressed his concern to Lu Jinnian, believing he was lowering his status to help Qiao Anhao after seeing her bullied. Lu Jinnian, however, dismissed this, asserting it wasn't for her. Shen Mingzhe sighed, noting that Qiao Anhao seemed oblivious to Lu Jinnian's efforts. Meanwhile, Lin Shiyi, who was originally cast as the second female lead, was informed by Director Jin that the role had been given to someone else. She was offered the third female lead instead.
Despite her anger, she reluctantly accepted, deciding that the large budget and Director Jin's involvement made any role worthwhile. Zhao Meng, Qiao Anhao's agent, was excitedly working to secure roles for her client when she received an unexpected call from Director Jin, offering Qiao Anhao the second female lead in "National Husband." Ecstatic, Zhao Meng immediately accepted. She rushed to tell Qiao Anhao, who was equally surprised, wondering why such a high-profile project would choose her.
Qiao Anhao then realized "National Husband" was Lu Jinnian's project and confessed to Zhao Meng that she had slept with him. Zhao Meng was shocked but quickly joked about Qiao Anhao's "fierce" actions and the potential for becoming famous. Qiao Anhao, however, was mortified, fearing that Lu Jinnian would see her as an unscrupulous woman. She wondered if he gave her the role out of guilt.
Zhao Meng dismissed her worries, telling her to be happy and even quipped, "If you knew you'd get such a great role after sleeping with him once, you should have done it sooner." Unbeknownst to them, Lu Jinnian, who had just arrived at the door, overheard Zhao Meng's insensitive remark and left heartbroken. On the first day of filming "National Husband," Qiao Anhao was astonished to discover that Lu Jinnian was her co-star, playing the second male lead.
Director Jin again tried to persuade Lu Jinnian to reconsider, but Lu Jinnian's agent, Sister Zhen, explained that Lu Jinnian found the role challenging and valued the joy of acting over lead status. Sister Zhen also realized that Qiao Anhao was the same person who had visited Lu Jinnian previously, indicating they knew each other. Qiao Anhao confronted Lu Jinnian privately, asking why he would take such a role. He coldly replied that he didn't need to explain himself.
Lin Shiyi, still bitter about losing the role, whispered to her companion that Qiao Anhao wouldn't be let off easily. For their first scene, Qiao Anhao played Feng Yue Yue, who had loved Qin Yu (Lu Jinnian) for years, while he loved someone else. Qin Yu, after being rejected, gets drunk, and Feng Yue Yue comforts him.
Both Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao delivered powerful performances, particularly in a scene where Feng Yue Yue confronts Qin Yu about his deception and unrequited love. Director Jin was highly impressed with Qiao Anhao's vivid acting, much to the dismay of those who had hoped to see her fail. Zhao Meng praised Qiao Anhao, saying she'd silenced her critics. Qiao Anhao admitted she had been worried about being replaced.
Meanwhile, Qiao Anyi, now managing Xu Jiamu's e-sports club, found some feminine items in Xu Jiamu's office. He mused aloud to the still-comatose Xu Jiamu about who the mysterious girl was that Xu Jiamu had fallen for. Elsewhere, Song Xiangsi arrived at the set and, after hearing about Lu Jinnian's unusual decision to play a supporting role, questioned him directly.
Lu Jinnian gave a vague response about the character being well-written and his desire to act, but Song Xiangsi noted his exceptionally well-played emotional performance, especially in scenes of unrequited love, suspecting his feelings might be real. Later, Lin Shiyi approached Lu Jinnian, ostensibly to discuss a scene, but then openly confessed her long-standing feelings for him and suggested they "talk about the script" in her room that night.
Lu Jinnian sternly rebuked her, demanding she show some self-respect and threatening her position in the drama if she continued such behavior. Lin Shiyi argued that she was better suited for the second female lead role than Qiao Anhao, but Lu Jinnian adamantly stated that the role could only belong to Qiao Anhao before dismissing her.
During a rain scene featuring Lin Shiyi and Qiao Anhao, Lin Shiyi deliberately disrupted the timing, causing Qiao Anhao to get repeatedly drenched as the director called "Cut!" multiple times. Witnessing Qiao Anhao's struggle, Lu Jinnian stepped in and called for a wrap, claiming everyone was tired. He then arranged for fried chicken for the entire crew.
Qiao Anhao's manager complained about Lin Shiyi's intentional actions, but Qiao Anhao decided to let it go this time, warning that she wouldn't be so lenient if it happened again. As Qiao Anhao continued to diligently memorize her lines, Producer Sun approached her, flattering her hard work and beauty. He offered to help her immerse herself in the role, subtly touching her hand while rehearsing a scene.
Lu Jinnian witnessed this interaction and immediately called Shen Mingzhe, instructing him to tell Qiao Anhao to come to his room with her script for rehearsal. When Shen Mingzhe relayed the message, Qiao Anhao said she would come "in a while," which infuriated Lu Jinnian, who exclaimed, "She dares to make me wait?"
