Stay With Me Episode 9 Recap
> Stay With Me Recap
The New Trend Fashion Design Competition began with its first challenge, "Save the Advisor." The contestants were tasked with finding one of six advisors. Li Weiwei found Chen Yidu trapped inside a coffin in a church. Their usual bickering ensued, with Chen Yidu initially refusing to be her mentor. He accused her of being a person solely focused on fame and personal interest, who acts without moral limits and uses any means necessary to achieve her goals.
Li Weiwei, however, retorted, claiming she was not that kind of person. Meanwhile, Tiffany successfully found Leo as her advisor. Soon after, the second task was announced: advisors and contestants were to collaborate on designing an outfit with the theme "Father." Chen Yidu then began guiding Li Weiwei on her design for the "Father" themed task.
He critiqued her technique for handling chest darts in menswear, explaining that using methods for women's clothing would result in an uneven front and ruin the garment's overall effect. Tiffany, passing by, witnessed their harmonious discussion and felt a pang of jealousy. Later, Tiffany prevented Leo from reviewing her competition entry, stating she would handle the competition alone and didn't need his input.
She revealed that she knew about his unusual relationship with Li Weiwei and did not want to lose to Li Weiwei in the competition. Back at Ling Long, Kang Xing, the newly appointed Marketing Department Manager, came to the service desk to inquire about a package for his department. He noticed a package from France addressed to Secretary Ou, and his expression became unnatural.
Soon after, Ou Ye received the package, which contained surveillance video footage from outside the Paris showroom related to a fire incident. Huo Xiao, upon learning of its contents, promptly instructed Ou Ye to insert the USB drive into a computer. The footage clearly showed Chen Yidu's presence at the scene. For the "Father" themed design, Li Weiwei created a comfortable, casual outfit made of Tencel fabric, drawing inspiration from her own father's preference for such attire.
Her design was innovative, allowing the garment to transform into a backpack, convenient for activities like walking, practicing Tai Chi, or carrying groceries. Her concept earned unanimous approval from the judges. During the competition, a pre-recorded interview with Li Weiwei was broadcast on the main screen, in which she affectionately spoke about her father, claiming he was traveling abroad and sending her encouraging WeChat messages for the competition.
However, a reporter in the audience abruptly announced that Li Weiwei's father had actually passed away five years prior in a car accident, publicly accusing Li Weiwei of intentionally concealing her father's death. Stunned, Li Weiwei immediately tried to call her father. Crying, she pleaded with him to speak to her, begging him to say he was alive and just enjoying his trip.
Instead, she heard Huo Xiao's soft "I'm sorry" on the other end of the line, confirming the heartbreaking truth that he had been impersonating her father via text messages and calls. Huo Xiao rushed to the competition site, confronting Chen Yidu and demanding to know Li Weiwei's whereabouts. Chen Yidu coldly dismissed Li Weiwei, stating that nothing significant could happen to a woman who would exploit her deceased father for emotional leverage.
Huo Xiao retorted, accusing Chen Yidu of being partly responsible for Li Weiwei's father's death. Chen Yidu shot back, questioning who was accountable for his own mother's fate. Their heated argument quickly escalated into a physical brawl. Later, Leo found a heartbroken and despairing Li Weiwei. He revealed that his parents had also died in the same bus accident as her father. After the tragedy, Li Weiwei had adopted him, making him her younger brother.
He explained that her amnesia prevented her from recalling their past. He told Weiwei their first meeting was half a year after the car accident, when he was being bullied by a group of hooligans outside the orphanage, and Weiwei appeared and saved him. He promised to unconditionally love and support her, just as her father would have. In an attempt to salvage Li Weiwei's reputation, Chairman Huo publicly appeared at Huo Xiao's request.
He announced that he was the "father" Li Weiwei had spoken of and had always considered her his future daughter-in-law. Despite this intervention, Chen Yidu declared that he could no longer serve as Li Weiwei's mentor, stating he was unwilling to collaborate with someone who would exploit even a deceased family member.
Li Weiwei tried to explain that she wasn't manipulating the situation and had compelling, unspoken reasons why she must complete the competition, believing her father would have supported her in doing so if he were there. Leo questioned Li Weiwei about the immense importance she placed on the competition. Li Weiwei clarified that Ling Long Bridal and D. U. were competing for a valuable retail slot in Fontaine Department Store.
Winning the competition and securing the 100-million-yuan order was Ling Long's only chance to catch up to D. U.' s sales. When Leo expressed confusion about her continued loyalty to Huo Xiao after his deception, Li Weiwei simply stated that Huo Xiao was her brother, and his concerns were her own. Determined to help Li Weiwei, Leo approached Chen Yidu to clarify the situation. He explained that Chen Yidu had misjudged Li Weiwei for years.
He revealed that Li Weiwei had been in self-denial and genuinely believed her father was alive due to her inability to cope with his death, rather than intentionally exploiting him for publicity. Chen Yidu asked why he should believe him. Leo emphasized his own relationship to Li Weiwei as her brother and the fact that his parents also died in the same car accident, appealing to Chen Yidu's understanding and trust. Chen Yidu wrestled with his conflicted emotions.
He asked Mo Fan if he believed in second chances and whether it was possible to give another opportunity to someone who had previously caused him pain. Mo Fan advised him that the decision depended on the person's significance in his heart, suggesting that sometimes extending a chance to another person could also be a chance for oneself. Following this reflection, Chen Yidu decided to resume his role as Li Weiwei's mentor.
The final stage of the competition required mentors and their students to reside in Nanxi Village, a picturesque and traditional rural community. There, they would live for several days disconnected from mobile phones and computers, experiencing an authentic, rustic lifestyle. After this immersive experience, the students would be tasked with designing a wedding gown that encapsulated the essence of the rural environment, competing for the championship title.
While settled in their guesthouse in Nanxi Village, Li Weiwei discovered a beautiful silk tree flower embroidery. Chen Yidu suggested that incorporating this unique silk tree flower motif into her design would create an extraordinary Chinese-style gown, noting that traditional Chinese dresses often feature large areas of embroidery.
