Pretty Man Episode 16 Recap
> Pretty Man Recap
Lu Jinnian was furious after seeing Producer Sun with Qiao Anhao. Shen Mingzhe first informed Qiao Anhao that Lu Jinnian wanted her in his room to rehearse. Qiao Anhao initially said she would go in a while, which angered Lu Jinnian, who felt she dared to make him wait. He then called Qiao Anhao directly, instructing her to come to his room with her script to discuss a scene immediately.
After thanking Producer Sun for rehearsing with her, Qiao Anhao promptly went to Lu Jinnian's room. Upon her arrival, Lu Jinnian questioned her delay, but Qiao Anhao insisted she had come right after his call. He expressed his displeasure with her work attitude as her boss. When Qiao Anhao suggested they rehearse, Lu Jinnian provocatively asked if she was in a rush to return to Producer Sun.
He sternly warned her to focus her time and energy on work, not on men, and criticized her for being "lovey-dovey" with Producer Sun in public. Qiao Anhao denied this, but Lu Jinnian retorted that he had seen Producer Sun's arm on her shoulder and she hadn't resisted. Feeling insulted and misunderstood, Qiao Anhao tried to leave, but Lu Jinnian stopped her.
He continued his scathing accusations, claiming she was seducing Producer Sun for better roles, just as she had, in his eyes, seduced him and slept with him to secure the second female lead role. He further added that she was still not satisfied, now targeting Producer Sun. Heartbroken by his perception of her as a woman who would sell her body for fame, Qiao Anhao remained silent.
Lu Jinnian then warned her that if she sought roles or fame, she was only to come to him, and not to other people. When Qiao Anhao started to cry and demanded he let go, he scoffed, asking what right she had to cry. In desperation, Qiao Anhao bit his arm and ran out of the room, crying. Later, Qiao Anhao's manager, Zhao Meng, found her lying miserably, suffering from a high fever.
Zhao Meng urged her to take a leave of absence, but Qiao Anhao refused, explaining that she didn't want to disrupt the filming schedule for a minor issue and risk others disliking her. She argued that she had scenes all day, and taking leave would affect the schedule, believing she could bear it.
Despite Zhao Meng's insistence that such a high fever could be dangerous, Qiao Anhao eventually convinced her to let her rest for a while and be called when needed. Back on set, Lu Jinnian observed Qiao Anhao, pale and shivering beneath a blanket in the hot weather. Shen Mingzhe confirmed she was ill with a fever but, as a relatively unknown actress, she dared not ask for time off. Seeing her condition, Lu Jinnian left the set.
From his car, he called the director, citing urgent company matters that required him to take a week off and offering to cover all losses, including actors' salaries. Shen Mingzhe, concerned about public perception, warned Lu Jinnian that the headlines would portray him as a diva, even in a supporting role. However, Lu Jinnian dismissed these concerns, prompting Shen Mingzhe to realize that Lu Jinnian's actions were solely for Qiao Anhao's benefit.
As all of Qiao Anhao's scenes for the day were opposite Lu Jinnian, the halt in filming meant she could finally rest. Zhao Meng took Qiao Anhao back to the villa to rest and recover. Shortly after, Lu Jinnian and Shen Mingzhe also returned.
Zhao Meng and Shen Mingzhe engaged in their usual bickering, but Lu Jinnian dismissed Zhao Meng, then instructed Shen Mingzhe to prepare light, nutritious meals, mostly vegetables and congee, with no fish or meat, for the next few days. He specifically asked Shen Mingzhe to make ginger coke for Qiao Anhao when she woke up, mentioning it was her favorite drink. Though Shen Mingzhe showed some reluctance, he complied.
Lu Jinnian then quietly entered Qiao Anhao's room, gently covered her with a blanket, and watched her sleeping face with a warm smile. That evening, Qiao Anhao woke up, and Shen Mingzhe brought her the ginger coke. Qiao Anhao expressed her delight, remarking that it was her favorite drink and asking how he knew. Before Shen Mingzhe could answer, Lu Jinnian entered the room.
Later, Qiao Anhao returned to her room and confided in a "netizen" about her distress, sharing that Lu Jinnian perceived her as an unscrupulous woman who used her body to advance her career. She pondered whether his harshness stemmed from caring, but quickly dismissed the idea, reflecting on past disappointments and the pain of misplaced hopes. She concluded that she no longer dared to dream, finding happiness simply in silently liking him and being by his side.
Her netizen friend playfully responded that he was not as foolish as her "Mr. Perfect." The next morning, Shen Mingzhe arrived at the villa to prepare breakfast for Lu Jinnian, only to find him already cooking. Lu Jinnian surprised Shen Mingzhe by giving him an unlimited credit card and a day off, effective only for that day. Realizing Lu Jinnian's intention to spend time alone with Qiao Anhao, Shen Mingzhe happily took the card and left.
Lu Jinnian then brought the light breakfast he had prepared into Qiao Anhao's room. When she inquired about Shen Mingzhe and whether he had cooked, Lu Jinnian falsely claimed Shen Mingzhe had made it before leaving. While Qiao Anhao was eating, she received a phone call from Producer Sun. He expressed concern about her recent illness and offered to visit on behalf of the film crew.
He then insisted on meeting her in person that day to discuss urgent promotion matters for "Pretty Man." Qiao Anhao, despite her reservations, felt she couldn't refuse after stating she had recovered, and agreed to meet him in an hour and a half. Overhearing the conversation, Lu Jinnian was furious. He accused Qiao Anhao of disregarding his warning and meeting Producer Sun privately, suggesting Producer Sun was "plotting something."
Qiao Anhao defended herself, saying it might genuinely be about work and she had no choice but to agree. Without hesitation, Lu Jinnian immediately called Producer Sun and ordered him to go to Shanghai "right now" to discuss a cooperation project with Shanghai Datang Media. Shortly after, Producer Sun called Qiao Anhao back, apologizing profusely and canceling their meeting due to an urgent trip to Shanghai. Lu Jinnian then asked Qiao Anhao if she was satisfied.
Later, Lu Jinnian attended a meeting with Ms. Zheng and other staff to discuss signing new artists. He quickly became distracted and showed little interest in the portfolios presented, dismissing candidates over 25 as either "naturally ugly or plastic monsters." He told Ms. Zheng that he trusted her judgment and abruptly ended the meeting after only five minutes.
Afterward, Ms. Zheng asked Shen Mingzhe about Lu Jinnian's recent strange behavior, citing his sudden decision to play a second lead, his abrupt leave from filming, and his inattentiveness during the meeting. Shen Mingzhe attributed it to Lu Jinnian's willful nature, but Ms. Zheng, relying on her intuition, sensed it was related to a woman and pressed Shen Mingzhe for information, which he cleverly evaded. Ms. Zheng then approached Lu Jinnian, proposing to sign a talented actress she had discovered.
Lu Jinnian initially showed little interest, but his demeanor changed dramatically when Ms. Zheng revealed the actress was Qiao Anhao, his on-screen partner in "Pretty Man." He praised her acting skills and encouraged Ms. Zheng to talk to Qiao Anhao's manager to bring her over. Surprised by his uncharacteristic enthusiasm and praise, Ms. Zheng candidly asked if he liked Qiao Anhao. Lu Jinnian immediately regained his composure, stating seriously that he liked all talented actors.
The next day, Shen Mingzhe, secretly hoping to bring Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao closer, deliberately sabotaged Qiao Anhao's car. Qiao Anhao discovered a problem with her car's fuel tank when she prepared to go to the set. She then inquired if Shen Mingzhe could drive her, but Lu Jinnian offered his own car instead. Qiao Anhao hesitated, thinking it might not be a good idea, but Lu Jinnian simply told her to get in.
As they approached the set, Qiao Anhao asked to be dropped off a short distance away to avoid misunderstandings. Lu Jinnian agreed. This scene was witnessed by Lin Shiyi, who greeted Qiao Anhao and commented on seeing Lu Jinnian's car. Qiao Anhao explained that she had merely "bumped into him" that morning and exchanged greetings, but Lin Shiyi appeared suspicious. Meanwhile, Song Xiangsi, curious about Xu Jiamu's recovery, visited an e-sports club.
She asked one of the employees about the manager, a "Manager Xu." The employee informed her that Manager Xu was recuperating, possibly abroad, and that his friend, Qiao Anyi, had been managing the company recently. Song Xiangsi, feigning casualness, stated she had just happened to pass by and wanted to say hello, then thanked the employee before leaving, her mind now filled with more questions.
