Stop! Miss Hua Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Stop! Miss Hua Synopsis
Hua Mingyue is a veritable youth version celebrity of “Cheon Song-Yi”, a sweet and delicate girl who is loved by everyone.
But She is considered to be a girl as the saying “All is not gold that glitters”, and has been awarded the title of “Hua A Dou/Stupid Hua”.
Qin Donghai was once a squadron leader of the fire brigade. After retiring from the army, he studied in England and returned with excellent grades to join the Hua Group, with a tall and handsome appearance. But, in fact, he has a “girl’s heart”, is a cute tough guy.
Qin Donghai accidentally became the “royal strategist” of Hua Mingyue, who was suddenly suffering down and out, and as they got along, they fell in love with each other gradually, starting a love-hate love story.
Stop! Miss Hua Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Qin Donghai awoke from a vivid nightmare, reliving a traumatic fire and explosion from his past as a firefighter. The painful memory lingered, a constant source of remorse and guilt. Looking at a photo of his former comrades, his colleague’s voice cut through his thoughts, reminding him it was time to leave for their current mission. Meanwhile, preparations were underway for Hua Mingyue's birthday celebration.
Hua Hongwei, founder of the Flola Group, intended for his beloved granddaughter, despite public perception of her as a "straw bag," to eventually take over the company. He had arranged a lavish party, where Mingyue was to give a speech, with Uncle Fat feeding her lines through an earpiece to ensure a polished performance. Unbeknownst to them, Qin Donghai and his team had infiltrated the event as waiters, tracking Hua Hongwei as part of their investigation.
Their equipment caused frequency interference, cutting off Uncle Fat's audio to Mingyue. Without the prompts, she became flustered, misreading the teleprompter and repeating lines, solidifying her "Family Hua's big straw bag" reputation. Deeply embarrassed, Mingyue abruptly ended her speech, declaring, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday party. You eat well and drink well," before rushing out. Mingyue retreated to the restroom, drinking to soothe her humiliation.
Her brother, Hua Mingchen, offered to go after her, but Hua Hongwei stopped him, insisting Mingchen manage the remaining guests. Hua Hongwei then left the main hall, prompting Qin Donghai's team to initiate "Plan B" to follow him. While trying to evade security, Qin Donghai accidentally burst into Mingyue's room, where she was contemplating running away from home. In the chaotic moment, they stumbled into each other.
Drunken and distraught, Mingyue mistook Qin Donghai for Uncle Fat, clinging to him and lamenting, "Why do you have to destroy me, fat uncle? They all laughed at me." Unable to reason with her, Qin Donghai, with the help of his colleagues, took her to the nearest Marriott Hotel. His team couldn't resist teasing him about taking "Hua Mingyue" to "open a room," implying a romantic entanglement.
The next morning, Mingyue, still groggy from the previous night, confronted the hotel staff about the three men who brought her there, demanding security footage be deleted. Upon returning home, she was met by a stern Hua Hongwei, who chastised her for her behavior at the party and her flippant attitude.
He revealed that he had initially planned a marriage alliance with the Chen family for her, but now, fearing for her future if he were not around, he insisted she take over the Flola Group and begin her studies immediately. Mingyue vehemently protested, arguing she would "ruin" his hard-earned empire. Nevertheless, Hua Hongwei declared his decision was final and that he would find a tutor for her.
Meanwhile, Qin Donghai’s colleagues, seeing an opportunity to get him closer to Hua Hongwei, had submitted his resume for the tutor position. Reluctantly, Qin Donghai agreed for the sake of his investigation. He encountered Mingyue in the company elevator, trying to hide his face with his resume. Mingyue, recognizing his name on the document and realizing he was her prospective tutor, decided to preemptively humiliate him.
She flirted mockingly and called herself "the legendary little overlord of Flora, straw bag in the world of famous ladies," offering to "add a WeChat friend." Qin Donghai sharply rebuked her, urging her to "look at yourself," questioning why she revelled in her "straw bag" reputation, and accusing her of "thinking about low-level dirty things." Enraged, Mingyue declared she never wanted to see him again and stormed off, instructing someone to investigate who he was.
Hua Hongwei, impressed by their fiery exchange which he had overheard, secretly investigated Qin Donghai. He learned Qin Donghai was a former fire squad leader, a righteous man who had faced life and death. When Qin Donghai finally met with Hua Hongwei, he revealed his true purpose: not to be a tutor, but to expose Hua Mingchen's unethical plan to forcibly shut down the First Factory without paying workers severance, by deliberately cutting orders to drive them to resign.
Qin Donghai presented evidence, reminding Hua Hongwei of his deep connection to the First Factory, which had been the foundation of Flola Group. Hua Hongwei, recognizing Qin Donghai's integrity, personally implored him to become Mingyue's tutor, explaining he needed an honest and kind person to guide her, someone who wouldn't be swayed by "secular power, money, and status."
Later, Mingyue climbed onto a high ledge, intending to take a photo to "scare" her grandfather and get him to back off her new responsibilities. However, she quickly reconsidered, thinking, "Grandpa is so kind to me, You must be mad to see this, Let's talk to him again." As she tried to descend, she discovered the ladder had been removed by cleaners, who, along with others, began to panic, mistakenly believing she was attempting suicide.
As an alarm was raised, Qin Donghai rushed to the scene. He tried to talk her down, recounting a gruesome story of a past suicide attempt he witnessed as a firefighter to emphasize the horrific consequences. Mingyue, exasperated, insisted, "When did I say I was going to jump? I just came up to see the scenery." She then slipped, but Qin Donghai swiftly moved, leaping to catch her and ensuring she landed safely.
Shortly after, news arrived that Hua Hongwei had fainted and been rushed to the hospital with a severe intracranial hemorrhage, leaving him in a coma. At the hospital, Mingyue, wracked with guilt, was comforted by Hua Mingchen. Amidst discussions among the directors about who should succeed Hua Hongwei, some hinting that Mingyue was now the favored heir, the family decided to publicly read Hua Hongwei's will.
It revealed that all shares and control of the Flola Group were to be inherited by Hua Mingchen, with personal assets donated to charity. To everyone's surprise, Mingyue reacted with relief, congratulating her brother, "You are the chairman now! I'm afraid you'll throw this pot at me. I'm not good at this. It has nothing to do with me." Director Niu subtly criticized Hua Mingchen, praising Mingyue's "high wind and bright festival" unlike "some people. . .
in a hurry to make will public." Despite the will, Qin Donghai, still acting on Hua Hongwei's wishes, tried to approach Mingyue as her tutor. Mingyue, however, vehemently rejected him, accusing him of "humiliating me, I have no culture and no IQ, and then did that to me." Qin Donghai tried to explain the previous night was "a last resort," but Mingyue called him a "broom star" and demanded he leave.
Hua Mingchen supported his sister, stating Qin Donghai had no official HR record and was previously fired for "discrediting the image of the group." Qin Donghai insisted he would only leave if Hua Hongwei himself told him to. To keep Mingyue preoccupied, Hua Mingchen gave her a credit card, encouraging her to shop for "co-op partners" and implying she could keep any leftover funds.
Mingyue eagerly went shopping, but Qin Donghai appeared again, warning her that "This is not the time for high-profile shopping, Otherwise, you will attract criticism for yourself." Mingyue retorted, claiming her shopping was innocent and asking, "Who but you will stare at me every day?" Just then, Qin Donghai spotted a paparazzo secretly photographing Mingyue. He immediately gave chase on his motorcycle, urging Mingyue to get on.
Realizing her short skirt made it difficult, he quickly removed his jacket and wrapped it around her, before expertly navigating through streets and alleys. The chase led them to the riverside, where Mingyue, with quick reflexes, grabbed the camera strap just as the paparazzo was about to fall into the water.
Episode 2 Recap
Hua Mingyue pulled on the paparazzi's camera strap, causing him to fall into the water, and Qin Donghai quickly jumped in to rescue the struggling man. Once safe, the paparazzi confessed that his editor had instructed him to secretly photograph Hua Mingyue and write an article criticizing her for lavish shopping while her grandfather was gravely ill. However, Hua Mingyue was more upset about how unflattering the photos were, claiming they made her look "fat and ugly."
She dismissed the idea of it being a "sneak shot," insisting it was merely "street shooting." She even accused Qin Donghai and the paparazzi of colluding, suggesting Qin Donghai's rescue was an "anti-routine" to "seduce" her. Qin Donghai, frustrated by her irrationality, pointed out her unusual way of thinking and her self-centered focus on her appearance. He reminded her his duty was to protect her reputation, as promised to her grandfather.
Hua Mingyue, however, rudely told him she didn't want his help and wished him to disappear. Qin Donghai, calling her "incorrigible" and "stubborn and unyielding, beyond saving," left in exasperation. Hua Mingyue, with the help of the same paparazzi, recorded a new video for social media. In the video, she clarified that her shopping trip was not for leisure but to buy a "wish gift" for her hospitalized grandfather.
She claimed that her previous "persona collapse" was due to her strict self-image requirements, but now her true advantages were showcased, and the paparazzi had become her "exclusive photographer." She gloated to Hua Mingchen about her successful image reversal, believing she had frustrated her hidden detractor. Meanwhile, Qin Donghai's team noticed his intense exercise regimen, believing he was deeply hurt by Hua Mingyue's behavior.
His colleagues suggested dating apps, but he was interrupted by Aunt Zhao, who kept trying to set him up. When a colleague showed Qin Donghai the trending video of Hua Mingyue, he noted that she was not as hopeless as he thought, seeing her clever "comeback." Qin Donghai attempted to visit Chairman Hua at the hospital but was blocked by a guard under Hua Mingyue's orders. Hua Mingyue confronted Qin Donghai, chastising him for following her.
Qin Donghai urged her to consider who might be behind the paparazzi incident, implying it was someone close to her. Hua Mingyue immediately suspected her "plastic sisterhood" friend, Huang Shasha, claiming a previous incident with a fake handbag as a motive. While arguing, Hua Mingyue noticed a young girl desperately begging for money for her father's medical treatment. Moved by this, Hua Mingyue devised a plan to help the girl and herself.
She started a street fundraising drive for "low-income families with severe patients," quickly gaining public praise, with many noting her kindness surpassed her brother, Hua Mingchen. When Hua Mingchen arrived, Hua Mingyue pulled him into the spotlight, announcing that he had organized the event and established the Flora Group Charity Fund to help more people. She then, on his behalf, publicly declared a donation of five million yuan.
This grand gesture from "Hua Mingchen" inspired many others to join the donation queue. Hua Mingyue proudly showed Hua Mingchen a banner she received, declaring her an "Angel of Charity" and "Light of Flora." She suggested hanging it in his office to highlight his charitable nature. Hua Mingchen, however, told her to keep it, saying it might be her "only honor" and warning her against "exploiting" his generosity too often.
Hua Mingyue, undeterred, declared her intention to involve her socialite friends in future charity work. Hua Mingchen, anticipating her downfall, thought to himself that the higher she was praised, the harder she would fall, and that no one would help her afterward. Soon, a scandalous video surfaced online showing Hua Mingyue in a hotel room with three men, leading to widespread accusations of promiscuity and even fraudulent donation under the Flora Group's name.
During a press conference, Hua Mingchen coldly stated that Hua Mingyue's personal behavior had no connection to the Flora Group and threatened legal action against baseless accusations of fraud. He then publicly announced his decision to sever ties with his sister. Hua Mingyue was subsequently locked out of her family home by Uncle Fat, who advised her to stay with friends, explaining that Junior Chairman Hua was furious and would not see her.
Hua Mingyue pleaded with her brother, asserting the scandals were fake and promising explanations, but her pleas went unanswered. Hua Mingchen later visited his girlfriend, Ye Xue Er, who expressed concern that his actions toward Hua Mingyue were too ruthless, especially since he had just taken over the company.
Hua Mingchen, with a cold face, revealed his deep-seated resentment, blaming Hua Mingyue and her mother for driving his own mother insane and taking his father away, believing they were the truly heartless ones. Alone and shunned, Hua Mingyue tried to call her friends but found herself blocked by her social circle. She lamented her misfortune, questioning why she couldn't just be a simple rich heiress and why God was so unfair to her.
She encountered homeless individuals under a bridge; after they invited her to join them, she declined, stating she was just experiencing "mercury retrograde" and was unaccustomed to sleeping on the street. However, she was then chased by the homeless people, and in her panic, almost got hit by a car. Soon after, she was accosted by a drunk man, but Qin Donghai arrived just in time, rescuing her. Noting the cold, Qin Donghai took her to his home.
Fearing impropriety, Hua Mingyue resisted entering, but Qin Donghai carried her inside, assuring her they wouldn't be alone. She was surprised to find a dog and Qin Donghai's colleagues (Gao Ren, Qi Fei, and Hao Shuai) there.
Her attempts to leave were thwarted as the men humorously described the dangers of every route out – a massive, smelly garbage dump to the west, a road closed for repairs to the east after a car accident, and a park to the north where a murder had occurred. The only option was a 10-kilometer walk to the south, which discouraged her, leaving her no choice but to stay.
Hua Mingyue, disgruntled, had to settle for a makeshift shower in a converted warehouse, complaining about the primitive conditions and lack of hot water. Qin Donghai informed her that her sleeping arrangements would be with Qin Xiaowang, the dog, as it was the only available room. Hua Mingyue was indignant, accusing him of favoritism for having a large private room while his teammates shared bunk beds.
Qin Donghai explained his need for a quiet environment due to neurasthenia and Qi Fei's health issues. Claiming similar needs, Hua Mingyue insisted on sleeping in Qin Donghai's bed, leading to a comical struggle. During the scuffle, Qin Donghai accidentally touched her cheek, startling both of them. He then unexpectedly fell asleep beside her, which caused Hua Mingyue to scream, attracting Gao Ren and Qi Fei who captured the awkward moment with photos.
Surprisingly, Qin Donghai experienced a full eight hours of dreamless sleep that night, a first in a long time. The next morning, Hua Mingyue woke up next to the dog, groggy amidst the sounds of military training. She watched Qin Donghai and his bare-chested teammates exercising, momentarily amused before realizing she smelled of dog. She went to shower but was soon interrupted as Qin Donghai, Gao Ren, and Hao Shuai also headed for the shared shower.
To avoid an embarrassing encounter, Qin Donghai quickly grabbed Hua Mingyue and carried her on his back, pretending a mouse was inside the shower to deter his colleagues. Hao Shuai, though suspicious, only saw a pair of legs and didn't realize Hua Mingyue was there. Inside, Hua Mingyue complained about the cold water, saying Qin Donghai had used it all last night. He offered to heat more for her.
Back in her makeshift room, Hua Mingyue longed to return home, hoping her brother would forgive her. While checking her phone, she discovered her fiancé, Chen Jingran, was in one of her group chats. Seeing this as an opportunity, she planned to seek his help, convinced it would be more effective than her current situation. She attempted to announce her unique status in the group chat, only to find she had been kicked out. Undeterred, Hua Mingyue dismissed it as jealousy and vowed to prove she was the true protagonist.
Episode 3 Recap
When Hua Mingyue was not found in her room for dinner, one of Qin Donghai’s companions worriedly suggested they look for her before nightfall. However, Qin Donghai believed Hua Mingyue had simply left because she couldn't endure the hardships of their current living situation. He did, however, note that she had left behind a valuable Chanel hairpin.
Concerned about the legal implications of keeping such an item, he announced that Hua Mingyue was likely at the Century City Hotel and set out to return it. He revealed he knew her location because they had recently added each other as friends. Meanwhile, Hua Mingyue was at the Century City Hotel, live-streaming about fashion. She stumbled upon Chen Jingran, who was sketching alone. She asked about his drawing, which he identified as "Spider-Man disguised as Teletubbies."
Chen Jingran explained that Spider-Man, like him, was forced by his boss to attend a boring party and longed to escape. Hua Mingyue found their situations similar, confessing that her own grandfather often made her do things she didn't want, leading her to flee as well. She related their plight to the saying, "People are in rivers and lakes." However, she quickly reminded him she had to find her fiancé before wishing him a successful escape and leaving.
As Hua Mingyue navigated the event, she was confronted by Shasha and other socialites. They mocked her for her recent "three men in one night" experience and questioned her audacity to attend Chen Jingran’s welcome party. Hua Mingyue sharply retorted, bringing up Shasha’s past attempts to pursue her brother, Hua Mingchen, who had repeatedly rejected her. The women then taunted Hua Mingyue about Chen Jingran’s absence, speculating he had abandoned her.
Hua Mingyue claimed he was parking the car, a lie Shasha easily debunked by pointing out the hotel's valet service. Shasha then mentioned Hua Mingchen had "kicked you out," to which Hua Mingyue responded by calling Shasha "shameless." Enraged, Shasha threw her drink at Hua Mingyue, but Qin Donghai, arriving just in time, swiftly pulled Hua Mingyue into his arms, helping her evade the splash. To save face, Hua Mingyue impulsively introduced Qin Donghai as her fiancé, Chen Jingran.
Shasha demanded proof. The real Chen Jingran, who had been observing the scene, stepped forward, addressing Qin Donghai as "Boss" and explaining that Mr. Chen Jingran and Miss Hua Mingyue had been busy and had asked him to explain their absence. To further convince the skeptics, he displayed a QR code on his phone, claiming it was Chen Jingran's invitation. Hua Mingyue then warned Shasha that she knew of her manipulative actions and would retaliate.
As Hua Mingyue, with Qin Donghai, walked away from the scene, the real Chen Jingran then followed, now introducing himself as Chen Longping, Chen Jingran's assistant, praising Hua Mingyue’s spirited defense and suggesting she meet Chen Jingran, whom he assured would appreciate her personality. However, just as they were speaking, Hua Mingyue saw a message on her phone announcing the Chen family's decision to break off the engagement with her. Shocked and enraged, she confronted Chen Longping.
He quickly tried to reassure her it was a misunderstanding and asked for her contact information to clarify with his boss. Later, the real Chen Jingran returned home and confronted his father about the sudden announcement to terminate his engagement with Hua Mingyue. His father explained that the Flora Group was now under Hua Mingchen’s control, and the relationship between the Hua siblings was beyond repair.
The Chen family’s airline business was suffering losses, and his father felt compelled to show solidarity with Hua Mingchen to secure the exclusive cooperation rights for Flora’s logistics. He suggested Chen Jingran, who shared a good relationship with Hua Mingchen, meet him for dinner to gauge his intentions, explicitly instructing him not to mention Hua Mingyue. This task was part of Chen Jingran’s prior commitment to help manage the family business.
Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen's uncle advised him to reconsider his plans to close the First Factory, which was significant to Flora, and to mend his relationship with Mr. Niu and other dissenting shareholders. Hua Mingchen, however, brushed off the advice.
Having been kicked out of her family home, Hua Mingyue found herself back at Qin Donghai's place, where she vented her frustration, lambasting Chen Jingran for abandoning her, criticizing him for "stabbing her in the back" and "kicking her when she's down," and vowing to never forget his betrayal. As she spoke, she heard a recording from her grandfather on her phone.
In the recording, her grandfather accused Hua Mingchen of being deeply scheming, never truly accepting Hua Mingyue as family, and regretting making him Chairman, vowing to disinherit him after his passing. Overwhelmed, Hua Mingyue ignored Qin Donghai's advice to think things through and rushed to confront Hua Mingchen, determined to understand his actions towards her and their grandfather. Qin Donghai, worried about her impulsiveness, followed her on his motorcycle.
Hua Mingyue fiercely questioned Hua Mingchen about the recording, accusing him of causing their grandfather's coma. Hua Mingchen, unrepentant, retorted that their grandfather favored Hua Mingyue, whom he called a "straw bag," and planned to leave everything to her. He confessed his bitter resentment towards Hua Mingyue and her mother for "taking" his father and driving his own mother mad, asserting that Hua Mingyue deserved her fate.
He recalled a past argument with their grandfather, which led to the grandfather's current comatose state. Hua Mingchen then forcibly seized Hua Mingyue's phone, deleted the recording, and banished her from the Hua family home, telling her to "get out." Standing outside, having overheard the entire confrontation, Qin Donghai comforted a distraught Hua Mingyue, urging her not to give up. He reiterated his promise to help her reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to her.
He then outlined a rigorous training program for her, encompassing "physical fitness, psychological quality, Enterprise management, Economic finance, Social etiquette, Business foreign language, Special self-help skills," among other professional areas, to prepare her to enter and inherit Flora. Hua Mingyue, initially hesitant about the demanding curriculum, asked for a quicker way. Qin Donghai firmly explained that "It is easy to fight the country, but difficult to keep the mountains and rivers," emphasizing the need for "real talent" to maintain control.
Convinced, Hua Mingyue pledged her commitment and signed an agreement, humorously offering Qin Donghai a 20% share of Flora, which he dismissed as "Sugar-coated bullets." She also arranged for her living expenses to be deducted from her future shares. The men in Qin Donghai’s household, including Hao Shuai and Gao Ren, noticed a peculiar phenomenon: Qin Donghai, a man prone to nightmares, would sleep soundly whenever Hua Mingyue was present.
They theorized that her "body fragrance," particularly after she bathed, acted as a "hypnotic," stimulating the secretion of pineal gland hormone. They recalled a time when she was drunk, and the alcohol had "obscured" her natural scent, preventing Qin Donghai from sleeping well. Hua Mingyue, now fully immersed in her training, joined Qin Donghai and the others in daily physical exercises, including running.
She found the regimen challenging, as well as mastering tasks like folding blankets into "tofu blocks" and preparing meals. Yet, despite her struggles, she persevered, determined to meet the demands of her training. At a board meeting, Hua Mingchen reiterated his intention to close the First Factory, citing its "consecutive losses for 22 months" and the current favorable real estate prices for "shutting down and selling."
Mr. Niu strongly opposed, reminding Hua Mingchen that the former Chairman had explicitly rejected this proposal, emphasizing the factory's historical importance to Flora. He challenged Hua Mingchen to allow him three months to "turn losses into profits," proposing that if he succeeded, Hua Mingchen should admit a "major decision mistake" and face impeachment. Hua Mingchen accepted the challenge.
Amidst this, some shareholders suggested a "marriage alliance" between Hua Mingchen and Yao Shengnan from YE Group to stabilize his position, but Hua Mingchen rejected the idea. Later, Hua Mingchen’s assistant reported that while the source of the recording remained unknown, it likely came from within the company. Hua Mingchen, suspecting Mr. Niu, ordered an investigation into his recent contacts.
Episode 4 Recap
One morning, Hao Shuai was surprised to find Hua Mingyue was not in her own room. Thinking she had run away, he went to inform Qin Donghai, only to discover Hua Mingyue already in Qin Donghai's room, leading to a moment of confused speculation. Qin Donghai found himself becoming drowsy whenever Hua Mingyue was near due to her unique body fragrance. To counteract this, he started wearing a mask during their training sessions.
Hua Mingyue, annoyed by his aversion, presented a bottle of toilet water, which Qin Donghai dismissively said was far from a suitable substitute for perfume. During a "Learning achievement sharing" session, Hao Shuai announced he had landed a new job as a bodyguard for the female president of YE Group, Sheng Nan, and jokingly mentioned driving her around as a minor task.
Hua Mingyue then proudly shared her own progress, boasting about her consistent wake-up time, diligent bed-making, and rapidly growing social media followers, attributing the latter to her increasing charm. Qin Donghai, however, chastised her, reminding her that the purpose of the "Ideological report" was to reflect on shortcomings, not to flaunt minor achievements. Despite his stern words, the others offered Hua Mingyue encouragement. Meanwhile, Chen Jingran met with Hua Mingchen at a private club.
Chen Jingran praised Hua Mingchen as an "overbearing chairman" and reminisced about their carefree school days, acknowledging the harsh realities of the world outside their "ivory tower." Chen Jingran then revealed the true purpose of his visit: his father's logistics company, Chen Logistics, was in financial trouble due to blind expansion and insufficient orders. He hoped for a partnership, but Hua Mingchen sidestepped the business talk, suggesting that subordinates handle such matters, preferring to focus on welcoming Chen Jingran.
Later, Chen Jingran subtly inquired about the relationship between Hua Mingchen and Hua Mingyue, citing various rumors circulating, but Hua Mingchen offered little information. Qin Donghai assigned Hua Mingyue a challenging task: to write a three-thousand-word thesis analyzing marketing strategies for high-end cosmetics, complete with data and market research. Hua Mingyue was daunted, admitting she had never written anything so extensive.
Before she could make much progress, Qin Donghai, Hao Shuai, and Gao Ren were called away for an emergency rescue operation. Seeing them rush off, Hua Mingyue initially felt relieved to be unsupervised but then watched a live broadcast of the rescue. The sight of the team risking their lives profoundly moved her, making her realize the heroism of their mission and the insignificance of her own assignment.
Inspired, she decided to dedicate herself to the paper, working through the night. Exhausted, she eventually fell asleep on her computer, forgetting to save her completed work, leading to its loss. When Qin Donghai returned, Hua Mingyue eagerly tried to show him her thesis, only to discover it was gone. She desperately tried to explain, but Qin Donghai, seeing no file, accused her of fabricating the story and acting to avoid work. He insisted she rewrite it.
Hua Mingyue was furious, not about rewriting, but about being wrongly accused. She confronted him, asking if he ever cried, to which he coldly responded that he hadn't since childhood. She lashed out, calling him a "robot without feelings." Distraught, Hua Mingyue fled to the hospital to confide in her unconscious grandfather, weeping about being bullied and wronged by Qin Donghai. Back at home, Gao Ren managed to restore Hua Mingyue's file, confirming she had indeed completed the paper.
Filled with remorse, Qin Donghai rushed to the hospital to apologize. Hua Mingyue, still upset, declared herself "difficult to coax" and demanded that he make amends by spending the entire day playing games with her at the video game city. Qin Donghai agreed and was repeatedly defeated by her. Returning home, Hua Mingyue proudly recounted her victories to everyone, much to Qin Donghai's embarrassment.
She then used money she borrowed from Qin Donghai to buy gifts for everyone, including household items. Noticing the poor complexions of the others, Hua Mingyue held an impromptu beauty class, demonstrating proper face-washing techniques to remove dirt and improve skin health. She even washed Qin Donghai's face herself, declaring that this service would serve as interest payment for the money he lent her.
Later that night, Hua Mingyue found Qin Donghai absorbed in his phone, refusing her usual "hypnosis" ritual. His unusual behavior led her to suspect he was in an online relationship. Hao Shuai and Gao Ren also noticed Qin Donghai’s prolonged phone use, and Gao Ren confirmed he was using a "female number" for his chats, reinforcing their belief that he was secretly dating. Driven by curiosity and suspicion, Hua Mingyue, Gao Ren, and Hao Shuai covertly followed Qin Donghai.
They witnessed him meeting Chen Jingran, who was carrying flowers, though they mistakenly believed Chen Jingran to be his assistant, Chen Longping. From a distance, Hua Mingyue used binoculars. They overheard Qin Donghai discussing the resilience of a plateau iris with Chen Jingran. Qin Donghai then said, "Who says Hua Mingyue is a straw bag? She's knowledgeable and interesting."
Chen Jingran, under the impression that the "Hua Mingyue" he had been chatting with online all night (who was actually Qin Donghai impersonating her) was the real Hua Mingyue, seemed confused. Qin Donghai then clarified, "Sorry, it's still me," admitting that he was the one impersonating Hua Mingyue in their online conversations.
Qin Donghai then pushed Chen Jingran into his car, questioning his intentions for approaching Hua Mingyue and demanding to know if Hua Mingyue was aware of their supposed "relationship." Chen Jingran explained that he felt the Chen family had wronged the Hua family and he wished to help, but he also questioned Qin Donghai's motives for keeping Hua Mingyue close. Qin Donghai countered, emphasizing the Chen family's intentions and asking why Chen Jingran himself hadn't appeared.
Their argument escalated into a physical struggle inside the car, which Hua Mingyue and her friends misinterpreted as an intimate "car-dong" or a gay affair. As they watched the men "tossing and turning," the friends joked about Qin Donghai, a "real iron man," becoming a "little matchmaker." Qin Donghai, still believing he was speaking to Chen Longping, continued to press him, stating that if Chen Jingran wasn't sincere, he should stay away from Hua Mingyue.
Chen Jingran insisted his boss wanted to help. Finally, Qin Donghai tested "Chen Longping" with a detailed question about plant chemistry, which Chen Jingran couldn't answer. Qin Donghai then confronted him, asking why he had claimed to be the knowledgeable person who chatted with "Hua Mingyue" (i. e. , Qin Donghai impersonating Hua Mingyue) all night. This exposed Chen Jingran's pretense of deep engagement and knowledge, increasing Qin Donghai's anger and suspicion. Chen Jingran then managed to drive away.
When Qin Donghai confronted Hua Mingyue and her friends about following him, they awkwardly tried to invent a story about "strolling" and "fishing." Qin Donghai, spotting mud on their shoes, called out their lies. Hua Mingyue then admitted they followed him because they were concerned. Qin Donghai scolded her for giving her contact information to Chen Longping, whom he still believed to be a mere assistant, suspecting his intentions.
The group continued to tease Qin Donghai about his "relationship" with Chen Longping. Qin Donghai finally confessed that he was the one who had been impersonating Hua Mingyue in his chats with Chen Longping, clearing up the misunderstanding about his "online dating." Despite the explanation, Hua Mingyue and her friends remained amused, questioning his motives for continuing to communicate with Chen Longping and jokingly suggesting he was "angry from embarrassment" when his "secret" was revealed.
Episode 5 Recap
Yao Nan, President of YE Group, visited Hua Mingchen at Flora Group, hoping to establish a partnership. She proposed that YE's expertise in overseas markets and two new product lines, now aiming for the domestic market, could be complemented by Flora's investment. This, she argued, would allow Flora to mitigate its deficiencies in overseas market share through a resource replacement, forming a powerful alliance that would dominate the market.
However, Hua Mingchen dismissed her proposal, asserting that Flora Group exclusively operates in the high-end market. When Yao Nan questioned his "lofty" stance, Hua Mingchen retorted by asking if her father and brother were aware of her plan, suggesting a communication issue within the Yao family and implying her father's offer was more appealing. He instructed her to inquire with Mr. Yao for details.
Returning home, Yao Nan confronted her father, expressing frustration that he had already spoken with Hua Mingchen without her knowledge, which put her in a passive position for business negotiations. Her father, however, brushed off her concerns about business, halting her R&D projects and instead, commanded her to prepare for a blind date with Hua Mingchen.
He revealed that he had discussed a marriage alliance with Flora Group's shareholders, believing it would be highly advantageous for both companies, especially since Hua Mingchen was now the heir. Despite Yao Nan's unspoken objections, her father's firm authority left her no room to refuse, and he further chided her for her appearance, urging her to present herself more femininely. Meanwhile, Hua Mingyue was overjoyed with her score of 47.
5 on a test administered by Qin Donghai, imagining her grandfather would be proud. Qin Donghai, however, reminded her that 60 was the passing mark out of 100, and at her current rate, she would need a full year to meet Flora Group's entry requirements. Undeterred, Hua Mingyue declared she had a plan to directly access her brother's office and find evidence of his tampering with the will, pinpointing his safe as a target.
Recognizing that she couldn't even enter Flora, she decided to apply for a cleaning staff position, which offered unrestricted movement within the company and a low entry barrier. Qin Donghai had prepared a resume for her under the name "Qin Xiaohua," but Hua Mingyue rejected it, preferring "Hua Xiaoqin." Qin Donghai expressed skepticism about her ability to perform housework, but Hua Mingyue confidently asserted her capability, citing her experience observing over eighty nannies throughout her life.
Qin Donghai subjected Hua Mingyue to rigorous "training" for her new role, which included harsh criticism, like scolding her for lacking common sense when mopping, followed by moments of surprising tenderness, where he would physically guide her. Hua Mingyue found his behavior strange, noting he was alternately gentle and cold, and seemed tense whenever she was near. She complained to Gao Ren about Qin Donghai's peculiar and stiff demeanor.
Separately, Hua Mingchen showed his secretary and girlfriend, Ye Xue Er, a luxurious new house with an open kitchen, multiple bedrooms, a study, a grand dining table, and a scenic night view of a lake. Ye Xue Er found the gift too extravagant to accept, but Hua Mingchen insisted it was their home and that she, as his girlfriend, deserved such treatment.
He explained that he felt he had not treated her well enough over the years and owed her a home. Later, Hua Mingyue paid a visit to Gao Ren's clothing store, where she coincidentally encountered Huang Shasha, her rival. Hua Mingyue seized the opportunity to provoke Shasha, asserting that Shasha was no match for her and that her (Hua Mingyue's) success merely amplified Shasha's "barking."
She sarcastically added that she wouldn't lower herself to "bite them back and get a mouthful of hair." Hua Mingyue then deliberately picked out several expensive outfits, which Shasha, fueled by competitiveness, immediately claimed and purchased. When Shasha topped up her VIP membership with sixty thousand yuan, Hua Mingyue, not to be outdone, promptly added eighty thousand yuan to her own VIP membership.
Hua Mingyue, enjoying Shasha's frustration, declared herself Shasha's "nemesis" and was delighted that her money was well spent to vex Shasha. Gao Ren encouraged Hua Mingyue to bring more "enemies" to the store, promising her a commission. Soon after, Hua Mingyue received an exciting call: "Hua Xiaoqin" had been hired by Flora Group. She rushed to tell Qin Donghai.
He then insisted she undergo a drastic transformation before starting, instructing her to remove all her makeup to avoid recognition by anyone at the company. Despite her initial reluctance, believing her natural beauty couldn't be hidden, she complied. Qin Donghai then placed a wig on her, which transformed her into an unassuming older woman. On their bus ride to Flora, an elderly lady offered Hua Mingyue a seat, and Qin Donghai shielded her from other passengers.
He reiterated his instructions: she must remain low-key, avoid rushing, not be recognized, and immediately call him if she encountered any difficulties. Disguised as the cleaning staff "Hua Xiaoqin," Hua Mingyue entered Hua Mingchen's office, intent on finding the safe containing evidence of the will tampering. Before she could open it, Hua Mingchen entered with Chen Jingran. Hua Mingyue quickly hid under the desk.
Chen Jingran spotted her and, fearing that revealing his true identity would deepen her "misunderstanding" of him, quickly diverted Hua Mingchen's attention. Hua Mingchen, meanwhile, commented on the lax behavior of the cleaning staff and their misplaced cart. He then discussed business with Chen Jingran, who was interning at Flora for plant research. Chen Jingran shared his research and inquired about Flora's First Factory, hoping it had R&D facilities.
Hua Mingchen, however, revealed that the First Factory had been incurring losses for two consecutive years due to poor planning and market irrelevance, and despite multiple attempts at corporate support, he intended to close it down. A supervisor then entered the office, scolding Hua Mingyue for leaving her cleaning cart inside and ordering her to retrieve it. She quickly borrowed a mask, claiming to have a cold, and went back for the cart.
Annoyed by her presence, Hua Mingchen immediately called the personnel department and ordered the transfer of the new cleaner, "Hua Xiaoqin," to the First Factory, stating it was "more suitable for her." Chen Jingran expressed surprise at the decision, again feigning interest in the First Factory and asking if Hua Mingchen knew the cleaner, but Hua Mingchen remained vague and reiterated his intent to close the factory. Upon returning to her group, Hua Mingyue recounted the events.
Qin Donghai concluded that Hua Mingyue's identity had likely been exposed and that Hua Mingchen was deliberately challenging her by sending her to the factory, expecting her to fail. He reframed this as an "opportunity" for her to disrupt Hua Mingchen's plans and "reverse the fate of the factory," which, being Flora Group's "starting point of success" and her grandfather's "painstaking efforts," would bring her closer to regaining her rightful place in the company.
He reminded her that Hua Mingchen had previously clashed with the board over his desire to close the factory. Inspired, Hua Mingyue vowed to protect her grandfather's legacy at the First Factory, just as he had started there. The next day, Hua Mingyue reported to the First Factory workshop. The director, after giving her an "ugly" work uniform, introduced "Hua Xiaoqin" to the other workers, warning them not to appear as "loafers."
The workers, including Sister Xiao Fan, openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the new chairman's policies. They complained about the scarcity of orders and the removal of guaranteed salaries, noting that under the "Old Chairman," they always received a basic wage regardless of orders. They suspected management intended for them to resign to avoid severance pay. Hua Mingyue, overhearing their complaints, grew indignant and nearly exposed herself by loudly declaring her intention to call "the chairman" about the unfair wage deductions.
On her very first day, Hua Mingyue, while working on the production line, accidentally damaged a German-imported machine valued at five million yuan, bringing the entire line to a halt. The furious director accused her of sabotage. Consequently, all workers on that line had their wages docked, and they angrily demanded Hua Mingyue compensate them for their lost earnings and the broken machine. Hua Mingyue, deeply apologetic, attributed her mistake to her "excitement" over Hua Mingchen's unfair wage deductions.
Back home, Hua Mingyue, distraught, calculated that with her meager monthly salary of four thousand yuan, it would take her "one hundred and four years" to repay the five-million-yuan debt. She considered asking her "plastic sisters" for money but quickly dismissed the idea. Just as she was contemplating approaching Chen Jingran, Qin Donghai vehemently forbade it.
At that moment, Chen Longping, Chen Jingran's assistant, arrived, stating that his boss, Chen Jingran, had sent him to pick her up and could help resolve the equipment compensation and any "misunderstandings" she had with Hua Mingchen. Hua Mingyue, however, angrily refused, reminding him that Chen Jingran had broken off their engagement. She reaffirmed her commitment to the First Factory, emphasizing it was her grandfather's "painstaking efforts" and that she would stay to prevent Hua Mingchen from "bringing it down."
She questioned Chen Jingran's status, reiterating that her feud with him would not be easily resolved. Chen Longping tried to explain Chen Jingran's "helplessness" and offered his friendship, but Hua Mingyue remained firm, also dismissing his concern about her living in Qin Donghai's house, stating Qin Donghai was her master.
Episode 6 Recap
Worried about Hua Mingyue having to compensate for the damaged factory equipment, Qin Donghai researched online. The next day at the First Factory, Hua Mingyue saw a man expertly repairing a machine. Workers whispered excitedly that he was the new Deputy Director who "can do anything." To Hua Mingyue's surprise, it was her mentor, Qin Donghai, who quickly got the machine working again.
The workshop director lauded Qin Donghai, noting his expertise from the head office had saved the factory "five million." Qin Donghai then introduced himself to the assembled workers, identifying Hua Mingyue by her factory alias, Hua Xiaoqin, and stating that the factory would not punish her but she would be responsible for the cost of replacement parts.
He promised to change the factory, prevent its closure, restore the basic wages promised by the old chairman, secure new orders, and help everyone earn more, expressing his desire for the factory to return to normal. Though the workers were desperate, they were quickly swayed by his assurances. Later, Qin Donghai's friends confronted him, initially believing he had paid off Hua Mingyue's five-million-yuan debt without telling them, which would jeopardize his future.
Qin Donghai clarified that Mr. Niu had summoned him. Mr. Niu revealed that Hua Mingchen had tampered with the will and deliberately assigned Hua Mingyue to the First Factory, knowing she possessed a recording of her grandfather that Hua Mingchen had since destroyed. Qin Donghai theorized that the actual evidence of the tampered will was held by someone within the Flora Group who also sought Hua Mingchen's downfall.
He proposed that if he could help Hua Mingyue revive the First Factory, she would gain the trust of employees and board members, enabling her to enter the board and prompt the person with the evidence to come forward. Mr. Niu, admiring Qin Donghai's past courage in advocating for the First Factory, agreed to arrange his entry as Deputy Director. His friends, awestruck by his competence, jokingly called him a "Decathlon."
Qin Donghai immediately implemented strict new rules to revitalize the factory, focusing on factory discipline and personnel management, including restoring the punch card system and improving hygiene. He announced that more orders and higher wages would follow improved efficiency. To set an example, he publicly reprimanded Hua Mingyue (Hua Xiaoqin) for unilaterally altering her work uniform, deducting three days' wages and issuing a major demerit as a warning against similar actions.
Hua Mingyue angrily confronted him in his office, accusing him of embarrassing her. Qin Donghai firmly told her to stand properly, reminding her that her purpose was to save the factory and she must lead by example. He criticized her modified uniform as "neither fish nor fowl" and "unconventional." Hua Mingyue passionately defended her choice, arguing that aesthetics and personal comfort improved mood and work efficiency.
Qin Donghai dismissed her arguments as "making a strong argument" and ordered her to change back, threatening further deductions. Frustrated, Hua Mingyue reluctantly agreed but stormed out, vowing to remember his actions. Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen was furious with Mr. Niu for unilaterally appointing a Deputy Director at the First Factory.
Mr. Niu dismissed his objections, stating it was a minor personnel transfer within Flora and reminding Hua Mingchen that he had granted him three months to revive the factory, thus retaining authority over such decisions. Hua Mingchen retorted that he would wait to see the final results. After Mr. Niu dismissed the meeting, Hua Mingchen's supporters warned him that Mr. Niu was becoming increasingly audacious and might use any leverage to impeach him.
They advised him to consider a marriage alliance with YE to expand overseas markets and strengthen his position. Despite the ongoing tension with Qin Donghai, Hua Mingyue progressed rapidly in the workshop, soon operating the production line independently. Qin Donghai even tried to bring her a midnight snack, but she remained angry, hiding from him. One evening, exhausted, Hua Mingyue accidentally broke several bottles of cosmetics.
Qin Donghai, seemingly unyielding, dismissed the other workers and made her clean up the mess alone. While cleaning, she cut her hand, sitting on the floor crying and calling him a "bastard," feeling that her efforts went unnoticed. Unbeknownst to her, Qin Donghai watched from a distance, feeling apologetic but believing he had to be harsh to push her to return to the group quickly and reclaim what was hers. He later offered a bandage for her hand.
Later, Hua Mingyue joined Gao Ren on a trip to stock up on clothes. Despite her reputation for being a big spender, she demonstrated an impressive knowledge of high-end fashion trends and pricing. She quickly identified the latest styles versus older, clearance items, much to the surprise and delight of the shop owner and Gao Ren.
When negotiating the price for Gao Ren's selection, she expertly dissected the costs of production, supply chain, and profit margins, successfully bargaining the initial 120,000 yuan down to 55,000 yuan. The shop owner, impressed by her "clever wizardry," dubbed her the "treasure girl." Gao Ren declared her his "chief consultant," praising her skills and contrasting them with "some people" who only found fault (a subtle jab at Qin Donghai).
Qin Donghai, observing this, acknowledged her unexpected talent, remarking that "Hua family people are indeed profiteers." Chen Jingran arrived with a bouquet of roses to ask Hua Mingyue out for steak and red wine. She happily accepted, ditching her own takeout meal. At home, Qin Donghai grew restless, despite denying any concern when Hao Shuai and Gao Ren noticed his anxiety. They helped him by tracking Hua Mingyue's phone to the restaurant.
There, Hua Mingyue confided in Chen Jingran, lamenting her "tribulation" at the factory, daily struggles with colleagues, and the "cold-blooded and ruthless" Deputy Director (Qin Donghai), whom she suspected was her brother's mole. She complained about his strict rules, insufficient sleep, and lack of care. Chen Jingran suggested she move out, implying Qin Donghai had "ulterior motives" for having her live in his home. Hua Mingyue, however, defended Qin Donghai as merely "a little strict."
As they prepared to toast, Qin Donghai burst in, stopping her from drinking. He declared his obligation to ensure her safety and accused Chen Jingran of being a "person with ulterior motives," demanding Hua Mingyue return home. Chen Jingran protested, saying Hua Mingyue didn't want to leave, but Qin Donghai was unyielding.
Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen's team reported no leads on the instigator behind his grandfather's recording, advising him to prepare for its potential release, especially if Mr. Niu found evidence first. At that moment, Chen Jingran arrived, seeking Hua Mingchen's approval to go to the First Factory. Chen Jingran acknowledged the factory's dilapidated equipment and impending bankruptcy but expressed a desire to utilize its research and development center and laboratory for scientific research.
Hua Mingchen, seeing this as an opportunity to financially cripple the factory within three months, agreed and encouraged Chen Jingran to spend lavishly on "updating equipment" and "changing machines," adopting a "dead horse is a living horse doctor" approach. Chen Jingran requested to use an alias, Chen Longping, to avoid being too conspicuous, which Hua Mingchen granted.
Chen Jingran, now calling himself Chen Longping, arrived at the First Factory as the new factory director, creating a buzz among the workers who found him "super cool" and "handsome," though acknowledging he was a different type from Deputy Director Qin. He soon encountered Qin Donghai. Realizing their new roles, Chen Longping as Director and Qin Donghai as Deputy, the two old acquaintances stepped aside to talk.
Qin Donghai challenged Chen Longping's presence and motives, sarcastically asking if he was merely "experiencing life." Chen Longping asserted his goal was to enhance the factory's "core competitiveness" through "scientific and technological research and development." Qin Donghai dismissed this, stating Chen Longping clearly did not understand the factory's current plight and hundreds of workers.
During a tour of the long-disused laboratory, Chen Longping confirmed his intent to acquire new instruments for "technological innovation," brushing aside concerns about the factory's dire financial situation. Later, Chen Longping instructed the workshop director to send Hua Xiaoqin (Hua Mingyue) to his office to report as his assistant. Hua Mingyue was ecstatic, believing it was a promotion that would free her from workshop duties. Other workers, however, were suspicious of the sudden appointment.
Qin Donghai, rushing to stop her, firmly told her "Don't go." He questioned Chen Longping's true intentions, warning Hua Mingyue against taking "shortcuts" that could negate all her previous hard work. Hua Mingyue countered that it was an opportunity to learn management, which he himself had said she needed. Qin Donghai revealed his suspicion about Chen Longping's true identity and believed he was merely Chen Jingran's assistant, there to sabotage the factory. As Chen Longping called out for Hua Xiaoqin from his office, Qin Donghai reiterated, "Don't go."
Episode 7 Recap
Hua Mingyue was excited about her first promotion to be the assistant to the factory director. Qin Donghai, however, felt that Director Chen's identity was suspicious and urged her not to get too close to him, stating he hadn't figured out Director Chen's true purpose in joining the factory. Hua Mingyue argued that Director Chen had helped them before and that the assistant position was a good opportunity for her to learn management, which Qin Donghai himself had encouraged.
Just then, Director Chen, calling Hua Mingyue by her nickname Hua Xiaoqin, stepped out of his office, inviting her in to start her new role. Qin Donghai tried to stop her, but Director Chen intervened, asserting that Hua Mingyue would learn more about factory management with him in the office than doing mechanical work in the workshop. Hua Mingyue, agreeing that workshop work was too mechanical, eagerly joined Director Chen.
Working alongside Director Chen, Hua Mingyue was happy, often overlooking Qin Donghai. Concerned, Qin Donghai began investigating Director Chen's background. With the help of a former classmate, he discovered a photo of Chen Jingran from Manchester University, who looked identical to Chen Longping, the current factory director. Qin Donghai confronted Chen Longping, asking whether to call him Chen Longping or Chen Jingran. Initially, "Director Chen" insisted on being called Chen Jingran.
Qin Donghai presented the photo, explaining that his MBA classmate, Zhao Shiyang, had been an undergraduate at Manchester University with Chen Jingran, and the person in the photo was identical to the factory director. Hua Mingyue, seeing the photo, innocently suggested they looked like twin brothers. Chen Longping, going along with her words, initially said they were brothers, but then confessed that he and Chen Jingran were indeed not twins but paternal cousins, and had looked alike since childhood.
He showed them pictures on his computer to prove his claim. Feeling deceived, Hua Mingyue then questioned why "Director Chen" had lied to her. Chen Longping further explained that Chen Jingran only held a Master's in logistics management and was still a student, while he, Chen Longping, held doctorates in logistics management, business administration, and botany.
He claimed he only worked for Chen Jingran due to the Chen family's early success, and had concealed his identity because the Chen family had done many things to harm Hua Mingyue. Hua Mingyue, impressed by his qualifications and his explanation, called him "Longping," declaring her belief in him and stating she would always trust him, thanking him for helping her. Qin Donghai, however, still demanded proof, to which Chen Longping sarcastically suggested a DNA test with his father.
Despite Qin Donghai's doubts, Hua Mingyue reiterated her belief in Chen Longping, stating she would always trust him and thanking him for helping her. Qin Donghai later questioned the accountant, discovering that the three million yuan reserved for workers' salaries had been used by Chen Longping to purchase new equipment for the R&D center.
Qin Donghai immediately confronted Chen Longping, arguing that it was not the time for scientific research, as the factory's priority should be maintaining production, ensuring wages, and stabilizing the workforce. Chen Longping, the factory director, insisted that technology was the primary productive force and that his actions were for the factory's future, accusing Qin Donghai of short-sighted management.
Hua Mingyue initially supported Chen Longping, but after overhearing workers discussing how much they relied on their upcoming salaries for family needs and showing gratitude to Qin Donghai for securing the funds, she felt remorse. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the impact of the withheld salaries, Hua Mingyue decided to return to her basic workshop duties.
She informed Chen Longping that she lacked a down-to-earth mindset more than management knowledge and needed to train in the workshop for a while before she could truly take on the assistant role. She waited for Qin Donghai after work, signaling her change of heart and choosing to go home with him instead of Chen Longping.
However, Qin Donghai received an urgent call about a rescue mission and, leaving on his motorcycle, asked Chen Longping to drive Hua Mingyue home, much to her annoyance. Late that night, Qin Donghai returned with his comrades, bruised and injured. Hua Mingyue, who had been waiting anxiously, expressed her concern and tended to his wounds.
She apologized for her previous stubbornness and told him that from tomorrow, she would work hard, unite the employees, and not disappoint him or hold him back. As she spoke, Qin Donghai, affected by her scent, asked if she had put on insect repellent, then was hypnotized again and fell asleep before she finished, making her wonder if he had heard her. The next day, Hua Mingyue returned to the workshop, hoping to reintegrate with her colleagues.
However, she was met with gossip, with some workers accusing her of trying to "straddle two boats" by pursuing both the factory director and deputy director, only to "capsize" and return to the workshop. At lunchtime, she found herself ostracized, with colleagues deliberately refusing to make space for her at the table. This deeply upset her, though both Qin Donghai and Chen Longping understood she needed to resolve this herself.
During her commute, Hua Mingyue addressed her colleagues, acknowledging their misunderstandings and promising to work hard to prove that the rumors were false. To help Hua Mingyue integrate and boost morale, Qin Donghai first announced that the previous month's order payment had been received, ensuring salaries would be paid on the 5th. He then announced a "Fun Labor Competition" for all employees, with a prize of 10,000 yuan for the winning six-person team.
He intended for the competition to foster teamwork, consolidate management achievements, and build cohesion. Chen Longping wanted to intervene and help Hua Mingyue stand out, but Qin Donghai warned him not to interfere. He explained that Hua Mingyue needed to win the competition through her own efforts and teamwork to dispel the rumors of nepotism, emphasizing that neither of them should help her.
Chen Longping was skeptical, fearing that failure would worsen Hua Mingyue's position, but Qin Donghai expressed confidence in her ability to grow independently. Hua Mingyue diligently trained with her team, sharing snacks and slowly building rapport with her colleagues. The competition began with several challenges, including blindfolded box folding, connected hands, and a three-legged race. During the three-legged race, one of Hua Mingyue's teammates, Yanyan, twisted her ankle.
Instead of giving up, Hua Mingyue bravely helped Yanyan hobble to the finish line. Their team from Workshop No. 5 ultimately won first place. During the awards ceremony, Yanyan insisted that Hua Mingyue should give the acceptance speech, acknowledging her as the "hero." Hua Mingyue, however, highlighted the collective effort, thanking each teammate by name for their contribution to their victory. This success and her humility earned her the respect of her colleagues.
Later that night, Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai were in bed. She noted that his sleep had improved but he still needed her presence. Hua Mingyue thanked him for his strictness, which had motivated her to work harder and connect with her colleagues, whom she now saw as good people. Qin Donghai apologized for being too strict.
Hua Mingyue playfully tried to get closer to him to help him sleep, but Qin Donghai, fearing he might impulsively kiss her, pushed her away too hard, causing her to fall off the bed and hurt her back. The next morning, Qin Donghai tried to apologize to Hua Mingyue, but she was still annoyed and ignored him.
At the canteen, some female workers complained about their dry skin and acne, lamenting that they couldn't afford the factory's "Flora" brand skincare products, which cost over 500 yuan a bottle—enough to feed their families for days. This revelation saddened Hua Mingyue. She approached Chen Longping, sharing her concern that the factory workers, who contributed so much to the products, couldn't afford to use them.
She proposed developing a high-quality yet affordable skincare line that could lower prices without compromising effectiveness. Chen Longping embraced her idea, revealing that his goal in revitalizing the lab was precisely to reduce product costs. He invited her to collaborate on creating an affordable skincare series so that ordinary consumers could also enjoy good skincare. As Hua Mingyue excitedly hugged Chen Longping, Qin Donghai observed them from a distance.
Episode 8 Recap
Chen Longping approached Hua Mingyue with an idea to develop an affordable skincare product line, allowing ordinary consumers to enjoy skincare. Hua Mingyue was delighted, praising his cleverness and business acumen, and hugged him in excitement. Qin Donghai, observing them, became visibly displeased. He confronted Chen Longping, urging him to be more discreet and maintain a distance from Hua Mingyue, lest their public display undermine Hua Mingyue’s recently re-established reputation at the factory.
Chen Longping, however, retorted that he had a solution: if rumors were to spread again, he would simply announce that Hua Mingyue was his fiancée, daring anyone to continue gossiping. Qin Donghai called him shameless, to which Chen Longping merely responded with a sarcastic thank you. Later, several co-workers who had previously ostracized Hua Mingyue approached her to apologize, admitting they had misunderstood her.
Hua Mingyue, overjoyed, embraced them tightly, playfully threatening to hold them even closer if they ever bullied her again. As Chen Longping arrived, urging them to break apart, he seemed poised to declare Hua Mingyue his fiancée. But before he could, Qin Donghai quickly stepped forward, grabbing Hua Mingyue’s hand and announcing to everyone that she was his wife. He explained his spontaneous declaration was a "once-and-for-all" solution to protect her from factory gossip.
However, Hua Mingyue angrily rejected his explanation, asserting that she was single and unmarried and refused to be dragged into his lies. She insisted he retract his statement, but Qin Donghai refused, reasoning that if they kept changing their story, no one would believe them. He proposed they "act" as a couple for a while, hoping people would eventually forget, but Hua Mingyue felt humiliated by his deception.
The factory workers buzzed with gossip, admiring Qin Donghai as a perfect man who had seemingly gone to great lengths for Hua Mingyue, including his previous repair work. Despite Hua Mingyue's attempts to deny their relationship, her colleagues insisted he was her husband and eagerly pressed her for details of their love story. Seizing an opportunity for revenge, Hua Mingyue fabricated a dramatic tale.
She claimed Qin Donghai had knelt outside her home for "a day and a night" until he couldn't stand, finally winning her over with his sincerity and securing her acceptance of his proposal. When asked about having children, Hua Mingyue misunderstood the women's implications about marital intimacy, thinking they were referring to his actual sleeping habits. She candidly remarked that Qin Donghai was "not good" at sleeping and she had to be the "active" one.
Her female co-workers, misinterpreting her words, concluded that Qin Donghai had issues with sexual performance. Concerned, older women advised Hua Mingyue to take him to a traditional Chinese medicine doctor while he was still young. Soon after, the workshop director presented Qin Donghai with medicinal liquor, claiming it was a potent remedy. Realizing Hua Mingyue was behind the widespread rumors about his virility, Qin Donghai sought her out.
However, Hua Mingyue turned the tables, pulling him to sit with everyone and encouraging him to share their fabricated love story. Chen Longping, observing the scene, also joined in, probing for details of their courtship. At Hua Mingyue’s urging, Qin Donghai recounted a heroic tale: five years prior, he, then a firefighter, had rescued Hua Mingyue from a high-rise building where she was contemplating suicide after a family argument.
He claimed she saw him as a "god coming down to earth," and they sealed their love with a kiss on the rooftop, becoming each other's first loves. Chen Longping, finding a loophole, questioned if they had engaged in "puppy love" since she would have been so young five years ago. Qin Donghai clarified that they had waited until Hua Mingyue was an adult to date and marry. The co-workers were captivated by the romantic story.
As Qin Donghai tried to pull Chen Longping away, Chen Longping accused him of shamelessly stealing his idea of declaring Hua Mingyue his partner. Qin Donghai dismissed his anger, stating that any idea benefiting Hua Mingyue was acceptable, regardless of its origin.
Chen Longping then stated that he was Chen Jingran’s cousin, arguing that if he publicly claimed Hua Mingyue as his wife, he would be embarrassed to face his cousin, Chen Jingran, later, especially if Hua Mingyue was to become his cousin-in-law. Qin Donghai countered by asking if their goal was not simply to help Hua Mingyue return to Flora.
Chen Longping, undeterred, declared his intention to lead new product research and development, believing that once successful, Hua Mingyue would recognize his true value over Qin Donghai's. Qin Donghai, insisting on supporting the factory's new products as Deputy Director, demanded to join the R&D team alongside Chen Longping and Hua Mingyue. Meanwhile, Yao Sheng Nan met with Hua Mingchen, proposing a strategic marriage between them as a business cooperation to achieve mutual trust and resource exchange.
Hua Mingchen, however, rejected the idea outright, questioning her presumption and stating that she was not a "bargaining chip" for Flora, indicating his company was not to be underestimated. He thanked her for the invitation but declined to stay for dinner, walking out. Outside, Yao Sheng Nan, furious, abruptly told her driver, Hao Shuai, to get out of the car and sped off, leaving him stranded.
Back in the lab, Qin Donghai, despite lacking expertise, joined Hua Mingyue and Chen Longping in developing affordable skincare products. His initial awkward attempts at mixing ingredients, though comical, unexpectedly sparked an idea for Hua Mingyue. She envisioned creating a mini-program that would guide users on applying Flora products in the correct order and suggest complementary items.
She proposed collaborating with Gao Ren’s clothing store to offer a "one-stop beauty service," hoping this venture would help her pay off her debts. Hua Mingyue, having received her first salary, surprised her colleagues with gifts. She bought Gao Ren a keyboard, gave Hao Shuai a tie, and provided Brother Fei with a massager for his poor blood circulation. For everyone, she customized T-shirts; some spelled out "Mingyue is beautiful."
However, Qin Donghai's shirt simply said "Hua," which left him feeling a bit sour. Hua Mingyue explained that the seller had made a mistake and she had already given them a bad review. To appease him, she presented him with a handmade doll crafted in his likeness, emphasizing that a personalized gift held more meaning than a purchased one.
Qin Donghai, touched by the gesture, cherished the doll, finding immense comfort in it as he slept peacefully through the night, as if Hua Mingyue herself were by his side. The First Factory's monthly report showed a significant increase in performance and shipment volume, infuriating Hua Mingchen as he angrily slammed down the documents in his office.
To celebrate their success, Qin Donghai took clients on a tour of the production line and later hosted a barbecue party with his comrades. Chen Longping unexpectedly joined the celebration, claiming Qin Donghai had invited him. During the party, a worker reported that the cold storage pressure gauge was fluctuating erratically. Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue went to investigate.
As Qin Donghai examined a leak, the workshop director, patrolling the area, noticed the cold storage door open and closed it, inadvertently trapping them inside. Realizing they were without their phones and in a rapidly freezing environment, Qin Donghai quickly removed his outer coat and draped it over Hua Mingyue to protect her from the cold. Meanwhile, Qin Donghai's comrades and Chen Longping noticed their absence and began searching.
Inside the cold storage, Hua Mingyue, nearing unconsciousness from the extreme cold, struggled to stay awake. Qin Donghai desperately urged her to hold on, reminding her of her grandfather waiting for her. In a moment of vulnerability, Hua Mingyue began speaking incoherently about her grandfather being angry and her brother lying about her dating three men in one night.
Qin Donghai then confessed that he, Hao Shuai, and Gao Ren had been the ones to take her to the hotel on her birthday. Furious, Hua Mingyue declared she would not let them off the hook once she recovered. She also lamented that she couldn't die without ever having had a "real," emotional first kiss. To keep her warm and conscious, Qin Donghai stripped off his remaining clothes and embraced her, then kissed her deeply, transferring his body heat to save her.
Episode 9 Recap
Upon being located in the cold storage, both Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue were found unconscious from the cold and were immediately rushed to the hospital. The doctor informed them that Hua Mingyue was suffering from temporary hypothermic shock but was otherwise fine and could be discharged after some rest. Qin Donghai was also cleared to leave. Soon after, Hua Mingyue regained consciousness, and Qin Donghai hurried to her side.
Confused, Hua Mingyue recalled a kiss and wondered if she had merely dreamt it. Chen Jingran pressed Qin Donghai to explain himself. Hua Mingyue then directly asked Qin Donghai about what happened in the cold storage. Qin Donghai admitted that he had kissed her to transfer body heat, fearing for her life. Outraged, Hua Mingyue accused him of ruining her over twenty years of innocence.
At this point, Gao Ren and Hao Shuai, mistaking her anger for their past actions, quickly confessed to taking her to a hotel, clarifying that nothing untoward had happened there. Hua Mingyue then realized that the online scandal about "one woman and three men" had stemmed from their actions that night, orchestrated by her brother. She chastised Qin Donghai, Gao Ren, and Hao Shuai, holding them responsible for her current homeless situation. Brother Fei intervened, telling them to write reflections.
Hua Mingyue, however, exempted Gao Ren as he was busy with the mini-program, Hao Shuai after he offered to perform a chore ("wash Qin Xiaowang" for a month), and Brother Fei as he wasn't present at the hotel incident. But she sternly ordered Qin Donghai to write a reflection detailing his "criminal motive" for taking her first kiss, insisting he continue writing until she was satisfied.
Later, Qin Donghai privately questioned his impulsive actions, wondering if he had fallen for Hua Mingyue. Chen Jingran accidentally discovered Qin Donghai’s reflection, learning about the kiss, and became furious. He confronted Qin Donghai, accusing him of being a "love rat" for causing Hua Mingyue’s scandal and then forcibly kissing her. Qin Donghai countered that he was Hua Mingyue's husband and was responsible for her, and questioned Chen Jingran's right as a "former fiancé assistant" to meddle in their affairs.
Their argument was interrupted when the workshop director entered and tearfully knelt before Qin Donghai, confessing to sabotaging the machines to frame Hua Mingyue and acting as a spy for headquarters, reporting on their activities. However, he insisted that locking Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue in the cold storage was an accident, not intentional. Qin Donghai revealed that he had long known the director's true allegiances but had chosen not to expose him, hoping he would repent.
He forgave the director but made him promise not to tell Hua Mingchen about his exposure. Chen Jingran questioned Qin Donghai's leniency, but Qin Donghai explained it was better to forgive and that the director might be useful in the future. Later, Qin Donghai read his reflection to Hua Mingyue. He meticulously detailed the incident, explaining his actions as "humanitarian hospice care" to save her life when they were trapped.
Hua Mingyue was unimpressed, retorting that a first kiss should be filled with emotion, not mere humanitarianism. Qin Donghai then admitted to experiencing "physiological reactions" during the kiss, describing a feeling of his body acting independently of his mind, a "reason defeated by sensibility." He acknowledged his "weak willpower" and failure to control his behavior, promising to respect women and refrain from "actions exceeding boundaries" in the future.
Hua Mingyue, though a bit flustered and calling him a "silly roe deer" and "steel straight man," accepted his apology, considering him barely "passed." In the workshop, Hua Mingyue found herself daydreaming about Qin Donghai's reflection, mesmerized by his diligent work. Chen Jingran, noticing her infatuation, tried to subtly criticize Qin Donghai. Inspired by Hua Mingyue's user feedback, Chen Jingran developed a new moisturizing essence.
Hua Mingyue, championing new sales strategies, named the essence "Hua Xiaoyang" and suggested developing a mini-program, "Hua Yang," to create new sales channels and reduce marketing costs, which Chen Jingran praised. Hua Mingyue then personally participated in promotional photo shoots and interacted with fans in a live broadcast, referring to herself as "Huahua." Their product quickly gained traction, and the factory began to recover, even resolving overdue wages.
Hua Mingchen, though surprised by First Factory's resurgence, dismissed it as a temporary fluke, still viewing Hua Mingyue as an incompetent "straw bag." Separately, Hua Mingchen was on a date with Ye Xue Er at a high-end restaurant, enjoying a limited-edition dessert set prepared by renowned chef William Klee. He disregarded a phone call from Yao Shengnan, who had been waiting for him at another restaurant for three hours for a business meeting.
Hao Shuai eventually found Yao Shengnan, who was angrily drinking alone as the restaurant closed. She expressed her frustration at being stood up and her resentment towards Hua Mingchen, vowing to "investigate thoroughly" and take him down, especially since she was bound by her father's wishes for a marriage alliance with him. The First Factory soon faced an unexpected inspection from the Environmental Protection Bureau, prompted by an anonymous tip about illegal waste discharge.
They requested samples for testing and ordered Chen Jingran to come in for questioning. Qin Donghai initiated an investigation, requesting surveillance footage of waste disposal and surrounding areas, suspecting sabotage. Workers, unsettled by the factory shutdown, gathered anxiously. Qin Donghai addressed them, assuring them that the factory was not engaged in illegal activities and that evidence favorable to them had been submitted, promising a resolution once the test results were back.
Infuriated, Hua Mingyue called Hua Mingchen, accusing him of orchestrating the raid to shut down First Factory and drive her to ruin. Hua Mingchen coldly admitted his intention was to make her experience loss, explaining his lifelong jealousy of her. He resented how their grandfather always favored Hua Mingyue, celebrating her birthdays lavishly while he and his mother were neglected, leaving him with deep, unhealed wounds from his childhood.
Qin Donghai then took the phone from Hua Mingyue, asserting to Hua Mingchen that he would not let First Factory close and would reclaim everything Hua Mingyue had lost. Later, Qin Donghai and his team reviewed the initial test results, which confirmed that the illegally discarded waste and the vehicle used were not theirs, pointing to a deliberate setup. However, the driver responsible for transporting the waste remained at large, delaying their ability to resume operations.
Episode 10 Recap
The First Factory was temporarily shut down by the Environmental Protection Bureau due to a setup. Despite test results confirming the illegally discarded wastes and transporting truck were not theirs, the driver responsible remained at large, causing uncertainty about the factory's reopening. Chen Jingran expressed concern about compensating workers if they couldn't resume work, while Hua Mingyue firmly believed they were being framed.
Soon after, Attorney Qi called with good news, prompting Hua Mingyue and Chen Jingran to meet him at the factory. Workers had already gathered outside, expressing their unwavering support and willingness to face any outcome together, deeply moving everyone. With the official notice, everyone rejoiced as the factory could finally resume operations.
Although Chen Jingran and Qin Donghai had worked together to revive the First Factory and even shook hands for the first time, their rivalry as love interests quickly made them hostile towards each other again. Overjoyed by the factory's revival, Hua Mingyue stood on a rooftop, loudly declaring that Hua Mingchen should admit defeat and that she wouldn't let him harm their grandfather's factory. Chen Jingran, finding her behavior excessive, advised her to calm down.
Later, at a celebration, Hua Mingyue emotionally thanked everyone for their help, particularly Chen Jingran for suggesting they trace the transport vehicles and Qin Donghai for investigating the waste composition and managing the agitated crowd. As the celebration continued, Hua Mingyue became quite intoxicated and began to recount how she first met Qin Donghai. She spoke fondly of him rescuing her on a rooftop and embracing her, declaring herself "his man."
Qin Donghai, realizing her inebriation, tried to silence her, but she continued to express her feelings, complaining about his strictness and wishing he would be kinder to her. She then unexpectedly vomited on him, sending their comrades scrambling, leaving Qin Donghai to clean up the mess. Afterward, Gao Ren suggested a two-day, three-night outing. Still tipsy, Hua Mingyue called an employee, He Yanyan, suggesting an even longer trip to the Arctic before Qin Donghai took her phone.
Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen was furious about the First Factory's success. He reprimanded his subordinates, warning them of severe consequences if the pollution incident was traced back to their company, Flora. Ye Xue Er tried to reason with him, pointing out that the board of directors acknowledged First Factory's achievements and that Hua Mingyue's success was beneficial to the group, even if she personally disliked Hua Mingyue.
Hua Mingchen curtly dismissed her, telling her to focus on her duties and not interfere with major company decisions. Hua Mingchen later met Chen Jingran for dinner, attempting to credit Chen Jingran solely for the First Factory's revival and to persuade him to bring the entire research and development team back to Flora headquarters. Chen Jingran refused, stating his work at First Factory was a good fit and that the product's success was a joint effort with Hua Mingyue.
He questioned the ethics of taking all the credit and accused Hua Mingchen of being too eager to use their family's logistics contract as leverage in his personal vendetta against his sister. Chen Jingran walked out, deeming it a private family matter. Immediately after Chen Jingran left, Miss Yao arrived at the club, confronting Hua Mingchen for standing her up. She emphasized that a marriage alliance between their families was his best option given his current situation.
Hua Mingchen remained defiant, reiterating that the matter was not up for discussion. Miss Yao revealed she knew he was avoiding the alliance because of Ye Xue Er and criticized him for not giving Ye Xue Er a proper status. Hua Mingchen retorted by questioning Miss Yao's own relationship status and insultingly called her "repulsive to the opposite sex." Enraged, Miss Yao stormed out, vowing to teach him what respect meant, and drove off with her driver to drink.
The factory organized a picnic outing for its employees. Chen Jingran, observing Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai together, grew increasingly jealous. When employees affectionately referred to Hua Mingyue as "Xiaoqin" and Qin Donghai as her "husband," Chen Jingran tried to clarify that Qin Donghai was not Hua Mingyue's husband. However, Gao Ren quickly intervened, diverting everyone to play games. During one game, Qin Donghai was prompted to list Hua Mingyue's good qualities.
He started with playful criticisms, describing her as sometimes unwise, clumsy, prone to causing trouble, misusing idioms, demanding, inconsiderate, self-centered, generally inefficient, and overly vain. Yet, he then earnestly praised her: she strives to fulfill her promises, finds joy in simple things, is empathetic, understands others' difficulties, thinks of others, and always shows kindness even when wronged. He concluded by calling her a lovely and genuine girl who is unaware of her many virtues.
Hua Mingyue was deeply touched by his sincere words, while Chen Jingran grew even more determined to expose their fake relationship. That evening, employees playfully encouraged Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue to retire to their shared room as a couple, despite Chen Jingran's futile attempts to stop them. Inside, Hua Mingyue asked Qin Donghai if his earlier heartfelt words were true, to which he confirmed they were. As they leaned in for a kiss, they were interrupted by a knocking.
A worker announced that He Yanyan was missing. Qin Donghai quickly dressed, and everyone began searching for He Yanyan. They eventually found her calling for help in a steep gully. With the professional rescue team still forty minutes away, Qin Donghai decided he and Hao Shuai had to descend immediately. Hua Mingyue argued against the dangerous descent without proper equipment, but Qin Donghai insisted that waiting was not an option, reminding her that they were the rescue team.
He assigned Gao Ren to lighting and Chen Jingran to assist him. Qin Donghai and Hao Shuai successfully rescued He Yanyan, who sustained a left calf injury. However, Hao Shuai also suffered a head injury, and Qin Donghai appeared to have minor injuries. Hua Mingyue angrily confronted Qin Donghai, accusing him of reckless behavior and prioritizing others' safety over his own and Hao Shuai's. Qin Donghai countered that rescue demanded immediate action.
After a heated exchange, he simply stated she was right and walked away, leaving her alone in the woods. Later, Qi Fei found a distraught Hua Mingyue. He revealed Qin Donghai's tragic past: during a warehouse fire, ten of their squad members died due to concealed flammable materials. Qin Donghai, believing they could extinguish the fire, pushed them forward, resulting in the heavy loss.
Qi Fei himself was severely injured, losing the use of his legs, and Qin Donghai also suffered leg injuries in the incident. This tragedy forced them to retire. Qin Donghai carries immense guilt, especially for a fallen comrade, Jianguo, who was about to marry. Qi Fei explained that Qin Donghai’s intense commitment to rescue work and his avoidance of romantic relationships stemmed from this profound trauma.
He also mentioned Qin Donghai's solemn vow to continue saving lives until he reunited with his fallen comrades, promising never to forget them and dedicating his life to rescue in their honor. Hearing this, Hua Mingyue wept, realizing she had completely misunderstood Qin Donghai. The next morning, both Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai apologized to each other. Hua Mingyue expressed remorse for her harsh words, now understanding his past.
Qin Donghai apologized for abandoning her, admitting his immaturity, and assured her that his past traumas were not her burden. He awkwardly brushed off their almost-kiss, suggesting time would heal everything. As they were about to return, Chen Jingran arrived with a suitcase, seeking refuge. He explained that Hua Mingchen, infuriated by the First Factory's revival and Chen Jingran's continued scientific research there, had pressured Chen Jingran's father, who in turn disowned Chen Jingran.
Qin Donghai suggested a hotel, but Chen Jingran pleaded with Hua Mingyue, highlighting their shared struggles and the "iron triangle" partnership of his research, Qin Donghai's sales, and Hua Mingyue's public relations. He appealed to her empathy, reminding her of her own past homelessness. When Qin Donghai remained unconvinced, Chen Jingran threatened to expose their fake marriage to the entire factory. Qin Donghai reluctantly agreed to let him stay.
On Chen Jingran's first morning at Qin Donghai's place, he complained of a sore back and waist, asking Hua Mingyue to apply a pain patch. He sarcastically remarked how "special" his stay was, and how his comrades treated him "like family." When asked where he slept, the comrades replied it was "self-service" and he had to make his own bed. They offered watermelon, but intentionally cut too little, leaving him none.
Chen Jingran then asked for a spare pillow and blanket, only to be told there were none, and no "extra people" either. Gao Ren even offered "Qin Xiaowang's pillow," which Chen Jingran refused due to its stench, indicating his unwelcome and uncomfortable stay. He was told to buy his own supplies the next day.
Episode 11 Recap
Chen Jingran woke up to discomfort, having slept with a twisted neck and waist. He explained to Hua Mingyue that he had been forgotten, with no quilt, pillow, or mattress, leaving him with only his coat. Hua Mingyue was upset by this, telling Qin Donghai that they lacked hospitality. She reassured Chen Jingran that she would ensure he ate and lived well there, then began to gently massage his neck, asking where else it hurt.
Qin Donghai, observing this, felt a pang of jealousy. Later, as Hua Mingyue demonstrated proper face-washing techniques to Chen Jingran, gently circling from top to bottom and inside out, Qin Donghai interrupted, taking over the task himself with rougher motions, much to Chen Jingran's dismay. Qin Donghai then presented Mr. Niu with a video showing the workshop director admitting that Hua Mingchen had ordered him to sabotage factory machinery and frame Hua Mingyue.
Chen Jingran, eager to impress Hua Mingyue, then showed Mr. Niu a data report on new samples from the First Factory and positive customer feedback following Hua Mingyue's promotion, highlighting the factory's impressive performance. He declared he wouldn't let Hua Mingchen look down on him this time. Qin Donghai followed up with a pollution report, revealing a connection between the truck driver and Liu Lawyer, which could be used to impeach Hua Mingchen at a board meeting.
Chen Jingran added more evidence, touting the First Factory's aseptic research room and presenting a quarterly financial report proving the factory had turned a profit. Convinced, Mr. Niu promised to convene a board meeting and get justice for Hua Mingyue. Qin Donghai's comrades advised him to defeat Chen Jingran and win Hua Mingyue. He then provocatively called out to Hua Mingyue, asking her to come to his room to sleep.
Chen Jingran, furious, rushed out to confront Qin Donghai, but Hua Mingyue appeared, having just showered, and told Qin Donghai to wait for her to dry off. This only enraged Chen Jingran further, but Qin Donghai's comrades quickly restrained him and pulled him back into his room. Brother Fei tried to calm Chen Jingran, explaining that Qin Donghai suffered from chronic insomnia but could fall asleep instantly by smelling Hua Mingyue's unique body fragrance, which they had all witnessed.
He suggested that Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue were "made for each other" and advised Chen Jingran to move on, suggesting "there are plenty of fish in the sea." Chen Jingran countered with a scientific explanation, theorizing that Hua Mingyue's body fragrance must contain sleep-aiding ingredients. Gao Ren then presented Qin Donghai's sleep records, confirming a scientific pattern, much to Chen Jingran's surprise.
Chen Jingran then tried to recruit Gao Ren to research botany with him to "promote science and break superstition." The next day, Mr. Niu and Hua Mingyue arrived early for the board meeting. Mr. Niu presented the First Factory's quarterly financial report, highlighting its turnaround and crediting Hua Mingyue, asserting her right to be there. He then accused Hua Mingchen of colluding with the workshop director to damage machinery and using Liu Lawyer to fabricate illegal pollution.
Hua Mingchen, seemingly prepared, had Liu Lawyer take full responsibility, claiming he acted without Hua Mingchen's knowledge. Hua Mingyue exposed this as an act, stating Liu Lawyer would not have dared to act without Hua Mingchen's support. Hua Mingchen admitted his intent to close the First Factory but justified it as part of a "larger commercial layout plan," announcing negotiations for a marriage alliance with YE International Daily Chemical Group to expand into overseas markets.
He then reminded Mr. Niu of his past ambitions for overseas expansion. Swayed by the prospect of gaining control over Flora's "half of its territory" in the overseas market, Mr. Niu abruptly sided with Hua Mingchen, telling Hua Mingyue that these were "family matters" and to wait for her grandfather to awaken if she was so eager for the family assets. Hua Mingyue, feeling betrayed, accused Mr. Niu of being bought off by benefits.
As the argument escalated, Hua Mingchen called security to remove Hua Mingyue, but Qin Donghai rushed in and pulled her away. After the meeting, Hua Mingchen's confidantes urged him to promptly announce the alliance with YE International Daily Chemical Group to pre-empt Mr. Niu, who was already plotting against him. Though initially reluctant, Hua Mingchen agreed, viewing the alliance as an "expedient measure" to secure his position.
Meanwhile, Hua Mingyue was left heartbroken and disappointed by Mr. Niu's betrayal, with Qin Donghai silently comforting her. Ye Xue Er, discovering Hua Mingchen's impending marriage alliance with YE, called him repeatedly, but he didn't answer. She confronted him at the company, accusing him of using her as a "secret lover" while pursuing a marriage of convenience. She stated she didn't want to be an "underground lover" and felt he had sacrificed her.
She declared their breakup, vowing to leave Flora and their shared home. Hua Mingchen pleaded with her, claiming his love and offering her anything, but Ye Xue Er rejected his explanations and offerings, asserting that she no longer desired anything he could give. Chen Jingran found Hua Mingyue and attempted to comfort her while pruning plants.
He shared his love for plants, explaining how they provide clear answers unlike people, and used the metaphor of a small flower struggling under a rock to encourage her to "struggle to survive in the cracks." He emphasized that with water, sunlight, and oxygen, even a suppressed flower could bloom beautifully, implying that her current difficulties were merely external factors that wouldn't defeat her. Hua Mingyue understood, realizing she had to take action.
Yao Shengnan then blackmailed Liu Lawyer, who was deep in gambling debts from misappropriating company funds. She coerced Liu Lawyer into confessing all his dealings with Hua Mingchen, including Hua Mingchen instructing him to forge the will. Armed with this evidence, Yao Shengnan confronted Hua Mingchen, playing a recording where he admitted to forging the will. She stated that with their marriage announcement, they were "grasshoppers on the same rope," implying that his downfall would affect her.
Using his own tactics against him, she demanded equal rights, requiring her approval for all his future decisions, especially public announcements. She also warned him to sever all ties with Ye Xue Er. Hua Mingchen, with no choice, agreed. Hua Mingyue met with Ye Xue Er, suggesting that Hua Mingchen was not worth her devotion.
Ye Xue Er, however, accused Hua Mingyue of "taking everything that belonged to him," forcing him into his current desperate state, and trying to use her. Hua Mingyue, insisting she was not trying to use or slander him, played the recording of Yao Shengnan's blackmail, where Hua Mingchen admitted to forging the will and was told to break up with "Yu'er or Xue'er."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xue Er, overcome with anger, accused Hua Mingyue of mocking her and tried to drive off. Hua Mingyue warned her against driving in her agitated state, but Ye Xue Er persisted. The car swerved, ending up precariously close to the edge of a cliff. Ye Xue Er's phone fell into the abyss. Hua Mingyue, using her AI assistant "Little E", desperately called Qin Donghai for help.
Episode 12 Recap
As their car teetered precariously on the edge of a cliff, Qin Donghai arrived and immediately took charge. He instructed Hua Mingyue and Ye Xue Er, who were trapped inside, to lean their seats back, shift their weight backward, and slowly move towards the trunk. Qin Donghai assured Hua Mingyue, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Once the trunk was open, Ye Xue Er insisted that Hua Mingyue exit first, stating, "If something happens to you, Hua Mingchen will hate me to death. You cannot be in trouble." Despite Hua Mingyue's initial resistance, she urged Ye Xue Er to trust Qin Donghai, saying, "I believe in my teacher, you have to trust him too. Go out first, come on."
Ye Xue Er eventually crawled out, stumbling to the ground, and quickly ran off to find a fire truck. With the car increasingly unstable, Qin Donghai repeatedly urged Hua Mingyue to crawl towards him. In the final moments, as the car began its descent, Qin Donghai grabbed Hua Mingyue's hand and pulled her free, both falling to the ground just as the vehicle plunged into the abyss below.
Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen returned home and informed his mother, who suffers from a mental illness, that he was getting married. His mother was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Really? You're getting married? That's great!" She then retrieved a wedding ring, a family heirloom, telling him, "This one. . . it's the wedding ring your father and I wore when we got married that year. I'll give it to you now. Go and put it on for your bride. Take it, take it.
Remember, be sure to wear it on the woman you love." As Hua Mingchen took the ring, tears welled up in his eyes, feeling a profound sense of loss because the woman he truly loved was Ye Xue Er, not his fiancée Yao Shengnan. Hua Mingyue was rushed to the hospital by Qin Donghai, still unconscious and running a high fever due to severe shock. Doctors administered sedatives and confirmed she would recover after a few days of observation.
Qin Donghai stayed diligently by her side. Chen Jingran, upon learning of Hua Mingyue's condition, angrily confronted Qin Donghai about his presence in the room, saying, "I let you take care of the Mingyue, how did you end up in her bed?" Gao Ren intervened, taking Chen Jingran to pay the medical bills, despite Chen Jingran's protests to stay with Hua Mingyue.
Hua Mingchen visited Ye Xue Er in the hospital, attempting to explain his actions and offering to take her home. She rebuffed him, asserting, "I'm fine. You can go now." When she pressed him about tampering with the chairman's will, he admitted, "Right. I changed it. Because Hua Mingyue's mother stole my dad, I'm going to get my own things back." Ye Xue Er, disheartened by his transformation, expressed her disbelief: "Why did you become what you are now?
I don't believe in someone I've loved for so long. . . will be such a person." She challenged his justification, reminding him of Hua Mingyue's selflessness during the cliff incident, saying, "Just at the most dangerous time, the Mingyue told me, 'Let me go first.' Because she doesn't want to upset you, don't want more hate in your heart." She pleaded with him to stop, arguing, "You sacrifice everything for your benefit. Is it really worth it?
You sacrifice your family. You sacrificed our love. Do you think when I find out that you are such a person, I can still love you?" Hua Mingchen responded that even she didn't understand him. Disappointed, Ye Xue Er left, leaving Hua Mingchen in tears. He then went to Hua Mingyue's room, watching her have nightmares and tearfully reminiscing about a childhood memory where he tried to teach her to ride a bicycle.
The next morning, Hua Mingyue woke up from her feverish nightmare. She was seen eating fried chicken, which worried Qin Donghai. He gently tried to move her back to bed, suggesting porridge instead, but she playfully insisted on the chicken. Suddenly, Chen Jingran burst in, confronting Qin Donghai about his presence in the room, saying, "I let you take care of the Mingyue, how did you end up in her bed?"
A comical struggle ensued between Qin Donghai and Chen Jingran as they both vied to care for Hua Mingyue, even physically tugging at her. Amidst their bickering, Hua Mingyue remarked, "What did the drumstick do wrong?" , referring to her dropped food. Seeing their usual antics, their comrades simply turned away, leaving the two to their squabble. Yao Shengnan, focused on her career and this strategic marriage alliance, prepared for the wedding.
She visited a bridal shop to try on dresses and had Hao Shuai take photos for her, though Hua Mingchen hadn't replied to her messages. At the wedding venue, she meticulously planned the details, including table settings and lighting, and specifically requested the entry to be changed from "bride and father" to "bride and groom." When asked about Hua Mingchen's requirements, she firmly stated, "I'm in charge."
Hua Mingchen, however, remained detached during the wedding preparations, showing reluctance at the photo shoot and uncooperative during the rehearsal. When Yao Shengnan insisted he act the part fully, he retorted, "I can only promise that the groom will come on the wedding day. As for the rehearsal or something, just find someone to act with you," and then abruptly left. He returned to the apartment he once shared with Ye Xue Er, where he found packed boxes.
Overwhelmed by memories, he recalled Ye Xue Er's heartfelt question, "You sacrifice everything for your benefit. Is it really worth it? You sacrificed your affection and our love. Do you think when I find out that you are such a person, I can still love you?" He also remembered her poignant question, "You'll remember me, won't you?" Tears streamed down his face as he reflected on his choices.
Just then, Hua Mingyue entered the apartment and confronted him about his impending marriage, urging him, "Do you really want to marry Yao Shengnan? You clearly love Xue'er. You leave her, you won't be happy." She also reminded him that he still had their grandfather and her, and they were his family. Hua Mingchen, however, saw through her concern, accusing her, "Don't pretend to care about me. You just don't want to see Yao Shengnan and I are married."
Hua Mingyue admitted her motive was to prevent him from sacrificing his happiness. Hua Mingchen then broke down, revealing his deep-seated pain: "Even without Xue'er, I have no family either. What you call family, do you have a seat for my mother? Which one of you cares about me? I want to feel with her."
He tearfully recounted a childhood filled with secret birthdays with his mother and his resentment towards Hua Mingyue's birthdays: "You know when I was a kid, what is the most annoying thing? I hate your birthday. Want to blow out candles with me. Make a wish together. Do you know what my wish is? I want to be with my mother. But it will never come true." He then told her not to call him 'brother'.
After Hua Mingchen's departure, Hua Mingyue went to the hospital to visit her unconscious grandfather, heartbroken, "Grandpa. . . how did it become like this? Do you know my brother always hated me so much? Do you know that he has been in such pain all the whole time?" Upon Hua Mingyue's discharge from the hospital, Qin Donghai grew more attentive. As he helped her clean up, she teased him about his sudden nervousness, suggesting he couldn't live without her.
Qin Donghai then confessed his true feelings, admitting, "Actually, I was wrong before. I think I will leave myself so I dare not give you any promises. But this time I almost lost you, I just suddenly realized that in case something really happens to you, I didn't take that step, I will definitely regret it." As he leaned in to kiss her, Ye Xue Er unexpectedly entered the room, cutting their moment short.
Ye Xue Er announced her departure, prompting Hua Mingyue to ask if she was truly leaving. Hua Mingyue also inquired if Hua Mingchen had tried to reach out or if Ye Xue Er had spoken to him, to which Ye Xue Er replied that no one could stop him. Hua Mingyue, however, vowed to stop him from marrying someone he didn't love, fearing his future unhappiness.
Ye Xue Er then candidly shared, "Mingyue, do you know, actually, I used to hate you. I think you don't want to make progress, pride and extravagance. But you're really different now. If we only met now, should become very good friends?" Hua Mingyue embraced the idea, proposing they "re-introduce" themselves as friends. Ye Xue Er accepted, adding, "I hope the next time we meet again, you can show up with your man," before leaving to pack her luggage.
After Ye Xue Er departed, Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue engaged in playful banter, with Qin Donghai warning her to be careful after discharge and jokingly forbidding her from having spicy hotpot. Outside, as Hua Mingyue prepared to leave, Qin Donghai and Chen Jingran predictably began arguing over who would take her home. Qin Donghai's comrades advised him to cherish Hua Mingyue, who he planned to pursue for a new beginning after helping her reclaim her position at Flora.
After visiting her grandfather, Hua Mingyue went to visit Hua Mingchen's mother in another hospital room. Hua Mingchen's mother, suffering from severe mental illness, immediately mistook Hua Mingyue for Li Meilian, demanding, "Li Meilian, how dare you come to see me? Where is Hua Qingshan? Why didn't he come to see me? Does he have no face to see me?"
Despite Hua Mingyue's attempts to clarify, the mother grew agitated, accusing "You destroy other people's families, bitch," and violently attacked Hua Mingyue, wanting to "die with you." Qin Donghai quickly intervened, pulling Hua Mingyue to safety before hospital staff took Hua Mingchen's mother away. The Dean of the nursing home immediately telephoned Hua Mingchen, informing him of the incident.
Hua Mingchen, furious, reprimanded the Dean for lax security and for allowing anyone to see his mother without his explicit permission, threatening severe consequences if it happened again. Later, Qin Donghai comforted a shaken Hua Mingyue, who questioned, "My mother, is it really the person who destroys other people's families?" Qin Donghai urged her not to jump to conclusions, and Hua Mingyue declared, "I must find out the truth of what happened in those days."
Baozhu, a servant, then presented Hua Mingyue with a diary belonging to her father, Hua Qingshan. Baozhu explained that the diary contained records of her father, her mother, and Hua Mingchen's mother, and had been kept in the chairman's drawer. She further revealed that the chairman had regretted the marriage alliance between Hua Qingshan and Hua Mingchen's mother, blaming himself for the tragedy that unfolded and the subsequent animosity between Hua Mingyue and Hua Mingchen.
Hao Shuai lightened the mood by comparing their family's convoluted history to an 80-episode "dog blood series." Hua Mingyue, with Hao Shuai's support, concluded that the issue was an internal family matter and they should try to resolve it discreetly. She decided they needed to inform Hua Mingchen of the truth before his wedding to prevent further harm.
Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai promptly sought out Hua Mingchen, first at the company, where security prevented their entry, then at his home. Hua Mingyue discovered that Hua Mingchen had changed his phone number to avoid her. She called out to him outside his house, "Hua Mingchen, I know you are at home. . . I really have something important to tell you." However, Hua Mingchen refused to appear, observing her departure with a heavy heart from inside.
Back home, Hua Mingyue despaired, wondering how to reach Hua Mingchen. Chen Jingran proposed crashing the wedding, but Hao Shuai pointed out the heightened security would make it impossible. Reflecting on their limited options—Ye Xue Er had left, and Hua Mingchen's mother was severely ill and held a deep misunderstanding of Hua Mingyue—Hua Mingyue wondered, "How to solve this knot?"
An idea struck her: "Since his mother recognized me as my mother, why don't we just turn an opponent's stratagem against him? You play Qingshan, I play Meilian. We together go to untie Hua Mingchen's mother's knot in her heart." Chen Jingran, misunderstanding the complexities, excitedly volunteered to be the director and screenwriter for this "act," despite Qin Donghai's cautionary remark about the "cold winter of film and television" in their industry.
To prepare for their act, Hua Mingyue needed a costume reminiscent of her mother's past attire. Chen Jingran arrived with a cart full of elaborate clothes, claiming they were "private custom" designs. Hua Mingyue, however, dismissed them as unsuitable for a "90s period drama," explaining, "A girl's wardrobe is always missing a dress. Besides, we are playing an age play. 90s. Costume. Costume, do you understand?"
Hao Shuai remarked she looked like a "big white goose" in one fluffy white dress. Just then, Qin Donghai entered with a bag. He revealed he had studied Hua Qingshan's diary, which detailed a special white dress embroidered with dandelions that Li Meilian wore on the day they got their marriage license. The diary entry read, "Today is the day when Meilian and I get our licenses. She wore the white dress when we first met.
On top embroidered with dandelions. Why do I remember so clearly? Because it's a hand painting I gave her. I didn't expect her to go one stitch at a time to sew my heart to my body." Qin Donghai had then commissioned a replica of this very dress. Hua Mingyue was deeply moved, recognizing the dress and its dandelion pattern, exclaiming, "I remember this dress. I used to see my mother wear it when I was a child. And the dandelion pattern on it." She thanked Qin Donghai for helping her restore it.
Episode 13 Recap
Hua Mingyue, Chen Jingran, and Qin Donghai made their way to the sanatorium to visit Zhang Baozhu, but security guards, acting on Hua Mingchen’s strict orders, denied them entry. Just then, Gao Ren, pushing Brother Fei in a wheelchair, arrived, claiming they had an appointment to tour the facility. The guards, believing them, let them inside. Once in, Gao Ren secretly slipped away to retrieve doctor costumes, allowing Hua Mingyue, Qin Donghai, and Chen Jingran to disguise themselves.
However, a patient mistook Chen Jingran for a doctor and pulled him away to attend to another patient. Meanwhile, Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue managed to enter Zhang Baozhu’s room. At the same time, Hua Mingchen, who was in the middle of a wedding photoshoot with Yao Shengnan, received a call from the sanatorium informing him that Hua Mingyue had attempted to visit his mother again.
He immediately abandoned the photoshoot, much to Yao Shengnan's anger, and rushed to the sanatorium, with Yao Shengnan following closely behind. Upon arriving, Hua Mingchen stormed into Zhang Baozhu's room, demanding Hua Mingyue leave. Hua Mingyue countered that his understanding of their mother was mistaken. She then presented a video of their father, Hua Qingshan’s, wedding to Zhang Baozhu.
The video revealed Hua Qingshan’s evident reluctance, as he swiftly departed the wedding venue after exchanging rings, indicating it was merely a political marriage. Yao Shengnan, fearing Hua Mingyue would usurp Hua Mingchen’s position as Flora’s Chairman, interjected, reminding Hua Mingchen of their binding contract and the penalties if he backed out. Swayed by Yao Shengnan, Hua Mingchen told Hua Mingyue to stop her efforts, reaffirming his determination to secure Flora.
Seeing her brother's unwavering resolve, Hua Mingyue turned to Zhang Baozhu, speaking as Li Meilian and tearfully apologizing for the past. Zhang Baozhu, finally receiving the long-awaited apology, became highly emotional, demanding to see Hua Qingshan to face her. Hua Mingyue gently informed her that Hua Qingshan had passed away and handed her his diary. In the diary, Hua Qingshan expressed his profound remorse for his cowardice and the lifelong pain he had caused Zhang Baozhu and Li Meilian.
He regretted marrying Zhang Baozhu and promised to raise Hua Mingchen with love, ensuring he would never become a selfish, cowardly man like himself. Reading this, Zhang Baozhu wept uncontrollably, and Hua Mingchen was visibly moved. Yao Shengnan again tried to intervene, but Zhang Baozhu, recovering slightly, urged her son not to repeat his father’s mistakes but to find his true happiness.
Deeply affected by his mother’s and sister's pleas, Hua Mingchen declared to Yao Shengnan that he would not marry her. Infuriated, Yao Shengnan slapped him. Hua Mingchen, asking Hua Mingyue to care for their mother, then left to find Ye Xue Er. Yao Shengnan, seething with anger, confronted Hua Mingyue, accusing her of destroying everything and acquiring things effortlessly. Hua Mingyue offered compensation, but Yao Shengnan dismissed it and attempted to strike her. Chen Jingran quickly intervened, stopping Yao Shengnan.
She scornfully called him Hua Mingyue’s "wild man," prompting Chen Jingran to reveal his true identity: Hua Mingyue’s fiance and the heir of Tongda Logistics. This revelation left Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai utterly stunned, realizing that Chen Longping, who had been by their side, was actually Chen Jingran. Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen managed to catch up to Ye Xue Er's car. He pleaded with her, admitting his mistakes and expressing his love.
He presented her with a ring, explaining it was his mother's, meant for the woman he loved, and begged for another chance. Ye Xue Er, however, remained in her car and instructed her driver to leave, stating that his actions of sacrificing family and love for profit had revealed his true character, making it impossible for her to continue loving him. Hua Mingchen watched her leave. Later, Yao Shengnan, distraught, cried by the sea and accidentally twisted her ankle.
Hao Shuai, who had been following her, gently attended to her injury, a gesture that touched her. Back at home, Chen Jingran explained to Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai why he had assumed the alias of Chen Longping. He asserted that he would now shed his alias and live as Chen Jingran. However, Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai seemed uninterested, focusing on each other.
Hua Mingyue assured Chen Jingran that Hua Mingchen's promise to resolve the issues with his family's logistics chain would be honored once she regained control of Flora, further irritating Chen Jingran, who felt ignored. Despite his attempts to get their attention, even jokingly offering to move in, they continued to disregard him, prompting him to leave. Yao Shengnan’s father tried to console her, advising her to let go of her resentment towards Hua Mingchen.
He explained that he had initially pushed for the marriage for the company’s benefit, but now that their company's difficulties had passed, he wished her to find love with someone she truly desired. Yao Shengnan, however, refused to relent, determined to make Hua Mingchen pay for the public humiliation. Hua Mingchen convened a board meeting, where he publicly confessed to tampering with his grandfather Hua Hongwei's will.
He admitted he had stolen Hua Mingyue's rightful inheritance, announcing that his grandfather's true will bequeathed all of Flora Group's companies and his shares to Hua Mingyue, with all personal assets donated to charity. Hua Mingyue was shocked by his confession. Mr. Niu, a director, voiced concerns about Hua Mingyue’s lack of business experience, urging Hua Mingchen not to be reckless.
Hua Mingchen reiterated that this was his grandfather’s true wish and declared his intention to discharge all his duties and return the company's management rights to Hua Mingyue, expressing confidence that with Qin Donghai's and the other directors' support, Flora would flourish under her leadership. Hua Mingyue rushed after him, pleading for him not to leave. Hua Mingchen, however, insisted he could not forgive himself for his past actions, even if she forgave him.
He told her he had more important matters to attend to and entrusted Hua Mingyue to Qin Donghai, acknowledging Qin Donghai’s success in training her to be a qualified heir. Hua Mingchen then held a press conference, openly apologizing for his past mistakes and the pain he had caused those he loved.
He expressed his deepest apologies for unilaterally canceling his wedding and announced his resignation from all his positions at Flora, believing his sister, Hua Mingyue, would lead the company into a new era. Watching the broadcast, Ye Xue Er wept. After these events, Qin Donghai encouraged Hua Mingyue to embrace her role as Flora’s Chairman, promising his continued support. He then expressed his desire to evolve their relationship beyond that of mentor and protégé, hinting at a deeper commitment.
As he was about to confess his feelings and propose, Uncle Fat arrived, interrupting their moment to take Hua Mingyue home, stating that the household felt empty with the "young master" (Hua Mingchen) gone.
Episode 14 Recap
Uncle Fat arrived at Qin Donghai's residence, intending to take Hua Mingyue home. He expressed his dismay at the living conditions, calling the warehouse a "shell home" with "post-modern industrial style" that would be unbearable in extreme weather. He also pointed out Qin Donghai's dog, Xiaowang, a retired military dog, while suggesting Hua Mingyue deserved a prettier, cuddlier pet. Asserting that Hua Mingyue's taste had declined, Uncle Fat insisted they leave immediately, dismissing her concern about packing.
Hua Mingyue's friends, however, argued that she had grown accustomed to living with them and could stay as long as she wished. Uncle Fat countered that Hua Mingyue had lived at home for over twenty years and only a few days with them. He pressed Qin Donghai to agree, who hesitated before stating that while home was important, the departure felt too sudden. Uncle Fat, growing impatient, demanded they leave by tomorrow.
He then accused Qin Donghai of having ulterior motives for wanting Hua Mingyue to stay, before Qin Donghai excused himself to the bathroom. Hua Mingyue then asserted her authority, reminding Uncle Fat that she was the one in charge. Despite his concerns about her living with a group of men, Hua Mingyue insisted on staying for a few more days, and Uncle Fat, though still uneasy, ultimately conceded and left, promising to return to pick her up later.
After Uncle Fat left, Hua Mingyue's friends decided it was time to intervene and help Qin Donghai confess his feelings. Hua Mingyue prepared a farewell dinner of six dishes and one soup for her friends. Though it looked appetizing, her friends were apprehensive, wondering if the food would be edible since she hadn't cooked before. Qin Donghai was the first to taste it, bravely declaring it "delicious," which prompted the others to follow suit, feigning enjoyment despite the terrible taste.
Hua Mingyue, taking a bite herself, quickly realized they were only humoring her. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for their unwavering support and tolerance during her stay, acknowledging her happiness living with them. She thanked Brother Fei for teaching her Chinese and idioms, which made her feel educated. She also thanked her friend, Xiao Ren Ren, for teaching her about numbers and ledgers, even though she didn't master programming, enabling her to understand financial records.
Lastly, she thanked Hao Shuai for practical skills like first aid, wild survival, and women's self-defense, vowing to make anyone who dared to bully her "unforgettable." Hao Shuai, however, humbly dismissed his teachings as "insignificant skills." Hua Mingyue then turned to Qin Donghai, her "teacher," expressing her deepest gratitude. She acknowledged how he showed her what true friendship meant, contrasting it with her past experience where people only valued her money.
She realized that real friends were truly good, and he taught her to understand the factory workers. Overcome with emotion, Hao Shuai seized the moment to bring out his "Hao type deep-water bomb" wine, promising it would make them forget all worries. After consuming the potent concoction, Hua Mingyue quickly became dizzy, followed by Qin Donghai. As they both passed out, her friends jubilantly declared their plan a success and carried them to a bed, locking the door.
The next morning, Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai woke up, realizing they had spent the night sleeping closely. They both felt awkward, denying any impropriety. Qin Donghai, attempting to confess his feelings, started to stammer. He told Hua Mingyue she was beautiful, then clarified he meant she was "real" and "special," though she pointed out he had said those things before. He tried again, expressing how much he and their friends liked her.
Hua Mingyue reciprocated, saying she enjoyed living with them. Qin Donghai then struggled to say what he most wanted to express, mentioning that everyone, including Hao Shuai, Gao Ren, and Brother Fei, would miss her, even adding his dog, Qin Xiaowang. Frustrated by his inability to articulate his feelings, Hua Mingyue excused herself to wash her face. Qin Donghai later confided in his friends, lamenting his failure to confess his love and ask her to stay.
His friends, eager to help, suggested he practice using love quotes from a book or even shouting them out as slogans to overcome his shyness. Despite their efforts, Qin Donghai continued to falter, unable to voice his true feelings. Meanwhile, Yao Shengnan's father informed her that he had approved her removal from the company board.
He presented her with a choice: leave the company and retain her existing shares for a comfortable life, or remain in her position but transfer all her shares to her younger brother. Driven by her ambition, Yao Shengnan decided to stay with the company. Noticing her low spirits, Hao Shuai offered to take her to his "decompression holy place"—a playground complete with slides, a single-plank bridge, and a trampoline.
Initially dismissive of the "messy" and "childish" environment, Yao Shengnan was intrigued when Hao Shuai introduced "new type of fighting" involving "blindfolded fights," promising it would relieve stress. He jokingly warned her not to deduct his salary if she got carried away. During their playful fight, Yao Shengnan expertly utilized moves she called "luring the snake out of the hole" and "a diversion," leaving Hao Shuai battered but feeling refreshed. She admitted it was indeed quite stress-relieving.
At Ye Xue Er's rural home, Hua Mingchen arrived with his luggage, calling out to her and apologizing for his past mistakes, promising to never repeat them. Ye Xue Er, visibly angry, questioned his presence, stating it wasn't his place to be there. Hua Mingchen declared he would follow her wherever she went, proclaiming his sole love for her and carrying a proposal ring. He then greeted her parents, introducing himself as Ye Xue Er's boyfriend.
Her mother, however, was confused, stating that Ye Xue Er had told them her boyfriend was dead. Hua Mingchen quickly explained that they had been together for a long time but broke up due to a misunderstanding, and he was there to seek her forgiveness. He showed them the proposal ring, hoping her father would intercede on his behalf.
Ye Xue Er firmly told him to take off the ring and never return, which her father echoed, asking Hua Mingchen to confess what he had done to upset her. Reluctantly, Hua Mingchen removed the ring. Back at his own home, Chen Jingran's father, now viewing Hua Mingyue as a "real phoenix" after her re-inheritance of Flora, expressed regret for having previously considered breaking off the engagement.
He informed Chen Jingran that Hua Mingyue had agreed to continue their collaboration and insisted it was time to "rearrange" the wedding plans, even offering to personally propose marriage to the Hua family the next day. Chen Jingran strongly objected, reminding his father of his opportunistic shift. He stated that his father wanted to break off the engagement when Hua Mingyue was cast out, but now that she was powerful again, he wanted to resume it.
Chen Jingran declared that he found such behavior distasteful and would not proceed with the marriage alliance. He affirmed his love for Hua Mingyue but vowed to pursue her "fair and square," refusing to bind her with a "so-called engagement." He left the dinner table, telling his father to stay out of his and Hua Mingyue's personal matters. Later, Qin Donghai led Hua Mingyue, blindfolded, to a surprise spot. He asked her not to call him "Teacher" anymore, but "Donghai."
However, when he tried to express his feelings, he repeatedly faltered, asking if she was hungry, thirsty, or cold, much to Hua Mingyue's frustration. At that moment, Chen Jingran arrived, interrupting Qin Donghai's clumsy attempt at confession. Chen Jingran formally introduced himself as the heir of Tongda International Logistics Company, Chen Jingran.
He presented numerous documents, including his academic diplomas, honorary certificates, ID, household register, an appendix surgery certificate, and even old love letters addressed to him, to unequivocally prove his identity. He then pulled Qin Donghai aside, questioning his intention to confess to Hua Mingyue. Chen Jingran revealed that Flora's stock price had plummeted since Hua Mingyue took over, and if this continued, the company faced potential delisting.
Qin Donghai acknowledged this, explaining that he was the private teacher appointed by the former chairman, who had long prepared for Hua Mingyue's return. He vouched for Hua Mingyue's improved capabilities, citing her success in turning the factory profitable, and urged the board to give her time and support to stabilize the company.
Chen Jingran countered, stating that the opportunistic board members who betrayed Hua Mingyue once would do so again, and they were spreading rumors that Qin Donghai had ulterior motives. He warned Qin Donghai that he had become a target for those trying to undermine Hua Mingyue, and his presence could jeopardize her efforts to stabilize Flora.
Chen Jingran pleaded with Qin Donghai to be less selfish, urging him to maintain distance from Hua Mingyue, at least until she had secured her position as chairman. As they were talking, Uncle Fat unexpectedly reappeared, once again intending to take Hua Mingyue home. Seeing the situation, Qin Donghai, his expression now serious, advised Hua Mingyue to return home, take care of herself, and manage the company well, disappointing her, as she had expected a confession.
Chen Jingran offered to drive Hua Mingyue back. As they left, Hua Mingyue looked back at Qin Donghai, expressing her sadness that she was truly leaving and wouldn't return. Qin Donghai, watching her go, told her to rest well and promised to see her tomorrow. Chen Jingran then drove her away. On the way, Hua Mingyue questioned Chen Jingran about his conversation with Qin Donghai, noting Qin Donghai's sudden change in demeanor. Chen Jingran dismissed it as "something between men."
He then confessed his feelings to Hua Mingyue, stating, "I like you. From today on, I want to formally pursue you." Hua Mingyue, surprised, clarified that she had always considered him her best friend and nothing more. Chen Jingran suggested her difficulty adapting might be due to his recent identity revelation, offering her time. However, Hua Mingyue corrected him, stating it wasn't about his identity and candidly revealed that she already had someone she liked.
Episode 15 Recap
Chen Jingran confessed his feelings to Hua Mingyue, telling her he liked her and wanted to formally pursue her. Hua Mingyue, however, gently rebuffed him, explaining that she only saw him as her best friend and had already fallen for someone else. Despite her clear rejection, Chen Jingran refused to give up, asking for a fair chance. He reminded her of their past engagement, admitting he missed his chance because they didn't know each other well then.
He revealed that he had been smitten since their first meeting and had grown to like her even more as he got to know her. Chen Jingran asked her not to answer immediately and to consider his proposal, promising to wait for her decision before leaving. Meanwhile, Qin Donghai's friends tried to comfort him after his failed attempt to confess to Hua Mingyue. They urged him not to give up, warning him that Chen Jingran was his rival.
Qin Donghai, though, felt that Chen Jingran's words had merit. He then announced that he would not return to the First Factory but would remain to help Hua Mingyue secure her position as chairman. Back home, Hua Mingyue lay in bed, annoyed with Qin Donghai for not confessing his feelings sooner and with Chen Jingran for confessing at all. She resolved to transform herself into an "overbearing female president" to show her former mentor.
The next morning, she arrived at the office attempting a fierce demeanor but quickly dropped it, unable to maintain the facade. To her surprise, Qin Donghai was already waiting for her, having witnessed her brief "tough act" collapse, which mortified her. She quickly tried to compose herself and resume her authoritative posture.
Qin Donghai presented her with a plan he had drafted overnight, advising her to build her own team, develop new products from the factory, and upgrade the Huayang mini-program into full-fledged Huayang software to command respect and differentiate herself from Hua Mingchen. He then expressed his personal desire to leave the group and focus on establishing a dedicated rescue team.
Hua Mingyue, misunderstanding, thought he was leaving her and reacted angrily, telling him to go and that she didn't need him anyway. Qin Donghai tried to clarify that he wanted to tell her something else, but at that moment, Chen Jingran sent a flower basket to Hua Mingyue. Qin Donghai snatched the flowers, saw a confession note inside, and questioned Hua Mingyue about her response to Chen Jingran.
Annoyed and wanting to provoke him, Hua Mingyue ignored Qin Donghai and walked into the conference room, leaving him fuming. During the board meeting, Mr. Niu and other directors, outwardly respectful, offered their full support to Hua Mingyue. Hua Mingyue outlined her plans, including restarting cooperation with Tongda Logistics (though she found their previous terms unfavorable for Flora and suggested re-evaluation) and launching a line of affordable products in addition to the existing high-end ones, promoted through the Huayang software.
However, the directors strongly opposed the idea of producing low-priced goods, arguing it would dilute Flora's high-end brand image. They also pointed out a critical issue: they no longer had a factory for low-cost production, as the First Factory had been sold by the former chairman, Hua Mingchen. Upon hearing this, Qin Donghai and Chen Jingran rushed to help Hua Mingyue.
Qin Donghai advised her that the immediate priority was to contact the buyer to verify the situation, noting that the contract was signed after Hua Mingchen had already left, which indicated possible foul play by Mr. Niu. Together, Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai visited Mr. Lin, the factory's buyer, to repurchase it at its original price and offered to compensate him for any losses.
After much persuasion and Hua Mingyue emphasizing the factory's sentimental value to her family, Mr. Lin revealed that it was Mr. Niu who sold him the First Factory. Returning to the company, Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai found Mr. Niu packing his belongings, preparing to flee. Mr. Niu complained that his painstakingly developed overseas market ventures had collapsed due to Hua Mingchen's broken engagement.
Hua Mingyue, however, fired him immediately and declared that they would pursue legal action for his unauthorized sale of the First Factory. Unrepentant, Mr. Niu cursed Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai, predicting Flora's downfall. Qin Donghai then suggested Hua Mingyue seek help from her second uncle, Hua Mancheng, to stabilize the board. Hua Mingyue sought out Hua Mancheng, who appeared like a commoner, far from the wealthy young master she expected.
Hua Mancheng feigned self-pity, claiming his grandfather never favored him because he wasn't his biological son. Hua Mancheng's sorrow was an act; he had secretly recorded Hua Mingchen tampering with the will to oust him, believing Hua Mingyue would be easier to handle, eventually leaving him to inherit the entire family business. He even considered himself a "charming villain."
Later, Hua Mingyue, accompanied by Qin Donghai and Chen Jingran, visited Hua Mingchen, who was in the countryside promoting e-commerce to local youth. She informed him about firing Mr. Niu, and Hua Mingchen praised her courage. At dinner with Ye Xue Er's father, the latter attempted to set up Qin Donghai with his daughter.
Hua Mingyue and Hua Mingchen both reacted with concern, but Qin Donghai clarified that he already had a girl he liked, though he hadn't told her yet, which reassured them. Hua Mancheng met with Yao Sheng Nan and confessed to her about recording Hua Mingchen's will tampering and sending it to Hua Mingyue. More importantly, he learned that Yao Sheng Nan's father had stripped her of her company shares, leaving her asset-less.
Hua Mancheng proposed an alliance to remove Hua Mingyue from her position. If he became chairman, he would ensure continued cooperation with Yao Sheng Nan's company and help her regain her shares. Yao Sheng Nan was intrigued by his offer and agreed to collaborate. Chen Jingran continued to send flowers to Hua Mingyue daily, but she was more preoccupied with her work. The board's consistent opposition to her plan for affordable products was a major headache.
Chen Jingran offered her unwavering support, empowering her to stand firm before the directors. Meanwhile, Qin Donghai was diligently working on developing the Huayang software and new products to support Hua Mingyue's plans, despite the First Factory's losses. Qin Donghai received a call from his landlord informing him that their rented house had been sold, but they could continue living there.
To everyone's dismay, Chen Jingran revealed himself as the new landlord, having purchased the property to establish a research and development base, while still allowing Qin Donghai and his friends to stay. One day, Chen Jingran, fascinated by Hua Mingyue's natural scent which had a sleep-aiding effect on Qin Donghai, wanted to create an affordable perfume with a similar fragrance. As he leaned close to Hua Mingyue's neck, delicately sniffing for inspiration, Qin Donghai walked in.
Witnessing this intimate scene, Qin Donghai was enraged and pulled Hua Mingyue away. He angrily confronted her, admitting that he was intensely jealous. He clarified that in the future, if Chen Jingran needed to "analyze her body fragrance," she should inform him beforehand, as he had more experience in that area and could teach Chen Jingran the "correct posture."
Episode 16 Recap
After Qin Donghai expressed his jealousy over Chen Jingran smelling Hua Mingyue, she clarified that Chen Jingran was merely analyzing her natural scent for new product research. Qin Donghai, admitting his intense jealousy, playfully suggested he had more experience in "analyzing body fragrance" and could teach Chen Jingran the proper method.
The next day, after Qin Donghai asked her out, Hua Mingyue meticulously prepared for what she believed was her first-ever date, selecting an outfit and styling her hair, eager to surprise him. To her dismay, Qin Donghai took her to the First Factory, where he explained they would conduct market research for a new line of affordable products. Hua Mingyue, dressed in unsuited high heels and frustrated about having to wear a helmet, initially felt disappointed.
Qin Donghai, however, assured her she looked beautiful and clarified that for him, facing a challenge together was a more meaningful date. At the factory, former colleagues greeted Hua Mingyue warmly, calling her by her old nickname "Xiaoqin" or "Mingyue," expressing how much they missed her. Hua Mingyue reciprocated their warmth, emphasizing that despite her new role as chairman, she was still "Hua Xiaoqin" to them.
She arranged for He Yanyan, who expressed interest in seeing a large company and admired Chen Jingran, to be transferred to the company's new research and development center, where Chen Jingran would guide her. Meanwhile, Hua Mingchen was live-streaming to sell oranges when he saw Ye Xue Er leaving with her luggage. He immediately ended his stream and followed her.
During the market research at the factory, Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue engaged with employees, collecting feedback for a new, affordable skincare product called "Hua Xiaoyang." Hua Mingyue assured the workers that despite improvements, the product's price would remain accessible. When Hua Mingyue twisted her ankle due to her high heels, Qin Donghai gently carried her, an act that drew envious glances from their colleagues.
They reconciled over past misunderstandings, with Hua Mingyue apologizing for her impulsiveness and Qin Donghai for his awkwardness. She asked him to return and help her, to which he readily agreed, promising to always be by her side. In a board meeting, despite an initial objection to Qin Donghai’s presence by a director, Hua Mingyue asserted his role as a special consultant who prepared the market research.
Qin Donghai presented comprehensive data, including 98,000 surveys and video interviews, demonstrating a vast and untapped market for affordable products. Consumers, including Flora's own factory workers, expressed a strong desire for quality products they could afford. He concluded that the potential for cheap products was immense and their launch was imperative.
Although some directors raised concerns about risks and competition, Hua Mingyue countered that risk was inherent in all ventures and their focus on quality and affordability would secure market share. The board ultimately agreed to proceed but imposed a strict condition: the affordable product line must achieve a net profit of 100 million within one year, or Hua Mingyue would personally bear the financial difference. She accepted without hesitation.
Following this, Hua Mingyue appointed Chen Jingran as the Research and Development Director for affordable products and Qin Donghai as the Chairman's Assistant, entrusting him with all aspects from production to sales. After the meeting, Hua Mingyue discussed with Qin Donghai that while the project plan seemed sound, they needed a new bottle factory to reduce costs.
Qin Donghai volunteered to find a suitable supplier, and later that day, he asked Hua Mingyue for a chance to take her on a perfect date. Elsewhere, Hua Mancheng met with Yao Shengnan, where they discussed Hua Mingyue’s new venture. Hua Mancheng dismissed Hua Mingyue as easily manageable but identified Qin Donghai as a difficult obstacle, noting that Hua Mingyue had changed significantly since meeting him.
He revealed his plan to separate Qin Donghai from Hua Mingyue, believing this would make her easier to defeat. In the meantime, Hua Mingchen continued his pursuit of Ye Xue Er, who had opened a pet shop. Knowing his fear of small animals, she challenged him with harsh employment terms, including low pay, no days off, and no coverage for work-related injuries, demanding tenfold compensation for any damage.
Despite these conditions, Hua Mingchen accepted, claiming he had overcome his fears by caring for ducks and pigs in the countryside, and was hired. Qin Donghai, having made arrangements for a romantic date, texted Hua Mingyue that he was waiting for her. However, just as Hua Mingyue was about to leave, she received an urgent call about a serious quality issue with the new bottle fillers Qin Donghai had sourced. She immediately canceled her plans and convened an emergency meeting.
At the meeting, it was revealed that a significant portion of the vacuum bottle caps were defective, rendering the first batch of products unusable. The board members quickly placed blame on Qin Donghai, suggesting he might have taken kickbacks. Hua Mingyue defended him, reminding them she initiated the change in suppliers and vouched for his integrity. However, the directors, including Hua Mancheng, accused her of favoritism and warned that her personal relationship was compromising company interests.
They demanded she fire Qin Donghai, threatening to block the launch of the affordable product line if she refused. Meanwhile, Chen Jingran called Qin Donghai to inform him of the bottle factory problem, prompting Qin Donghai to leave the restaurant. He tracked down Boss Zhang, the bottle supplier, who confessed he had been blackmailed by an anonymous party with evidence of his tax evasion and forced to supply defective goods.
Qin Donghai ordered Boss Zhang to replace all the faulty bottles immediately and pay his back taxes, promising to handle the broader issue. Upon returning to Flora Group, Qin Donghai was stopped by security and informed that Hua Mingyue had personally issued his dismissal an hour earlier. Back at his residence, Chen Jingran found Qin Donghai seemingly upset. Qin Donghai, however, maintained that Hua Mingyue's decision to fire him was the correct one and that he didn't blame her.
Chen Jingran then revealed his breakthrough: he had recreated Hua Mingyue's unique calming body scent, which was a natural blend of various botanical elements like lavender, aloe, gardenia, jasmine, gerbera, basil, and jojoba, along with γ-amino acids and theanine. He explained that this combination, either from her plant-based skincare routine or genetic predisposition, accelerated melatonin production, effectively curing Qin Donghai's severe insomnia.
Chen Jingran then presented a concentrated perfume he had developed based on this discovery, which he claimed was even more potent. Qin Donghai, skeptical but exhausted, tried the perfume and instantly fell into a deep sleep, sleeping for ten hours. The next morning, Chen Jingran triumphantly declared that Qin Donghai could now sleep without Hua Mingyue.
Later, Qin Donghai's comrades expressed sympathy for his "first heartbreak," but Qin Donghai insisted he was not sad and had more important matters to attend to. He realized that someone was maliciously trying to remove him from Flora Group to sabotage the affordable product launch, with the ultimate goal of undermining Hua Mingyue's position as chairman. He vowed to uncover the mastermind behind this plot.
Feeling guilty after learning from Boss Zhang that Qin Donghai had diligently overseen the production and arranged for replacement bottles, Hua Mingyue sent Qin Donghai a message, asking to meet at the restaurant to clear up their misunderstanding. She waited for hours, receiving a bouquet of flowers and a note from Qin Donghai expressing his desire to make their first date memorable, unaware that his plans had been interrupted.
As the restaurant closed and Qin Donghai still hadn't arrived, she sent another message, stating that if he didn't come to her, she would find him. Unknown to Hua Mingyue, Qin Donghai was being followed. When he spotted her on the street, he yelled for her to get out of the way, speeding past her on his motorcycle to avoid putting her in danger.
His sudden departure left Hua Mingyue confused and enraged, as she later recounted to a friend how he had coldly sped past her after she had fired him, believing he had turned his back on her.
Episode 17 Recap
Hua Mingyue expressed her frustration to her friends about Qin Donghai. She recounted how he rode past her on his motorcycle, seeing her but not slowing down, creating a gust of wind that still made her neck hurt. She felt he was cold and ruthless for ignoring her, especially after she had to fire him.
Hao Shuai, however, explained that Qin Donghai, being a proud and traditional man, had lost his confidence after being publicly fired, making him feel like a "soft rice man without status." Hua Mingyue disagreed, arguing that feelings shouldn't be measured by money, but Hao Shuai maintained that societal perceptions were at play. Determined to restore his self-esteem, Hua Mingyue declared the "Reconstruction of Qin Donghai Plan," starting with creating an environment where "everyone eats soft rice together."
As part of the plan, Hao Shuai and Gao Ren video-called Qin Donghai from Hua Mingyue's luxurious villa, showing off the impressive house. They informed him they were moving in because Chen Jingran had turned their previous shared home into something resembling a "vegetable greenhouse," and invited Qin Donghai to join them. Qin Donghai, surprisingly, wasn't angry; he thought their presence might protect Hua Mingyue, wondering if she too had received threatening letters.
Meanwhile, Chen Jingran felt betrayed and lonely in his now empty house. He Yanyan, running late with various excuses before admitting she overslept, came to keep him company, but struggled to understand his scientific explanations about perfume formulas. Hua Mingyue then orchestrated a fake kidnapping, instructing Hao Shuai and Gao Ren to pretend to be thugs and "abduct" her so Qin Donghai could heroically save her.
They were initially reluctant, citing Qin Donghai's martial arts skills (Taekwondo amateur champion and Karate Black Belt). Hua Mingyue offered them money, increasing her offer from ten thousand to thirty thousand yuan, which finally convinced Gao Ren, who said it was enough to buy a new game kit. However, during their staged struggle, two real masked men appeared, intending to kidnap Hua Mingyue.
Realizing the danger, Hua Mingyue alerted Hao Shuai and Gao Ren, and the three of them, along with Qin Donghai, fought off the actual attackers. After the incident, Qin Donghai demanded to know who the mastermind was, and Hao Shuai immediately pointed to Hua Mingyue. She confessed that she orchestrated the fake kidnapping to keep him by her side, not expecting real thugs to appear.
Qin Donghai, acknowledging Hao Shuai and Gao Ren's "redemption" in fighting the real attackers, sentenced them and another friend to a month of cleaning duties, including sweeping, cooking, washing, and even cleaning the toilet. As for Hua Mingyue, he instructed her to write a detailed reflection, outlining the entire incident, her criminal motive, and her "mental journey," threatening "consequences at one's own risk" if it wasn't done in three days.
The disappointed friends asked if they would still get the thirty thousand yuan, to which Qin Donghai dismissively called them "Pig Eight Rings." Unknown to them, the real thugs reported back to their boss, Hua Mancheng's driver, complaining about Qin Donghai's formidable "force value" and his accomplices.
They confirmed they used YE Group's license plates to mislead investigators, but their boss, who had initially sent them to "deal with Hua Mingyue" on Hua Mancheng's orders, refused to pay their final payment until Qin Donghai was "dealt with" for his interference. Hua Mingyue diligently wrote her reflection, addressing it to "Dear Comrade Qin Donghai." She expressed her deep remorse for her "plan full of loopholes" and for "underestimating Comrade Qin Donghai's IQ."
She admitted to being a very insecure person who feared loneliness and losing those she cared about, which was why she concocted the "bad idea" to keep him close and show him she needed him, as "every day seems to lose its color" without him. She promised to respect him and abide by courtesy, refraining from rash actions. After she finished reading, one of her friends commented that her reflection "looks like love" and was "quite touching."
Qin Donghai then reassured her he was never truly angry and was, in fact, "a little gratified," seeing her decisiveness as a sign of her growth into a "qualified and decisive, overbearing female president" capable of handling internal group problems. Seizing the moment, Hua Mingyue openly asked Qin Donghai to move in with her, stating she still needed him. Qin Donghai hesitated, wondering if her invitation was a confession and if things were "moving too fast."
Hao Shuai and Gao Ren burst in again, urging him not to be "reserved" and to give her an "active response." Later, Qin Donghai shared with his friends that the license plate of the thugs belonged to the YE Group. He speculated that YE Group might be retaliating either due to the failed marriage alliance or because Hua Mingyue's affordable products were directly competing with them.
Gao Ren then revealed a crucial discovery: the IP address used to send threatening letters to Qin Donghai was the same as the one used for Hua Mingyue's recording. This indicated the same person was responsible, likely a high-ranking official within Flora Group, suggesting the presence of an internal mole collaborating with YE, and who was responsible for instructing the dealer to send problematic bottles to the company.
Qin Donghai instructed Hao Shuai to closely monitor Yao Shengnan for any unusual activities, believing she could be a breakthrough point. When Hua Mingyue appeared in her pajamas, Qin Donghai asked his friends to leave so he could speak with her privately. Hua Mingyue, expecting a confession, excitedly told him, "No matter what you say, my answers are all I will."
To her dismay, Qin Donghai only brought up the "inconvenience" of her wearing pajamas around a house full of men. He then presented her with a "multifunctional tactical pen," explaining its features as a self-defense tool with a small knife and a flashlight. He told her she needed to be more careful and not be alone, as he couldn't be with her 24 hours a day.
Hua Mingyue was furious, feeling her "heart is cold," and that he was being "insensitive." She questioned if she didn't "deserve a true confession," seeing his gift as a mere formality. Meanwhile, Yao Shengnan, learning that Qin Donghai had moved in with Hua Mingyue, called Hua Mancheng (her uncle) to discuss their next steps, agreeing to meet in person to strategize.
He Yanyan, after admitting she overslept again, lamented her inability to wake up easily, inspiring Chen Jingran to develop a new perfume called "Awakening" to complement his "Sleeping" fragrance. To create "Awakening," he needed wild Daphne, which he had found on a nearby mountain. He invited Hua Mingyue to join him on a sampling trip. Qin Donghai strongly objected to Hua Mingyue going with Chen Jingran, expressing concern about the mountain's safety.
Still fuming from his earlier insensitivity, Hua Mingyue retorted that he wasn't her boyfriend and had no right to control her private life, especially since he hadn't confessed his feelings. She stormed off, agreeing to go with Chen Jingran. Just then, Gao Ren called Qin Donghai, reporting that Yao Shengnan had received a mysterious phone call and was meeting someone.
Qin Donghai, prioritizing the investigation, left to follow Yao Shengnan, leaving Hua Mingyue to go to the mountains with Chen Jingran. In the mountains, Chen Jingran surprised Hua Mingyue with a heavily packed backpack filled with emergency supplies, including an emergency light, first-aid kit, water, sleeping bag, emergency tent, compressed biscuits, and sunscreen spray, attributing his preparedness to "Qin." Hua Mingyue also noted her improved stamina was thanks to "that Qin" and his daily exercise.
They soon found the wild Daphne, carefully digging it out to avoid damaging its roots. Excited, Chen Jingran suggested taking a photo with the rare plant. As they tried to find a better vantage point for a picture, they both accidentally stepped back and fell into a deep pit. Both were injured: Chen Jingran twisted his ankle, and Hua Mingyue scratched her face.
They discovered there was no phone signal in the pit, but Hua Mingyue took out the self-defense pen he had given her, now realizing it might actually "come in handy." At the same time, Hao Shuai, following Yao Shengnan, reported to Qin Donghai that she seemed to have noticed him and asked him to leave, making him wonder if she would use a back exit.
Episode 18 Recap
Hua Mingyue, along with Chen Jingran, found themselves trapped after falling down a cliff. Using an emergency kit Qin Donghai had given her, Hua Mingyue carefully bandaged Chen Jingran's injured foot. She spoke highly of Qin Donghai, confident he would come to their rescue, despite admitting she was still upset with him.
She explained that his consistent kindness and immediate appearance whenever she was in danger had made her feel incredibly secure, so much so that their worlds had unconsciously merged. Just as darkness began to fall, a rescue helicopter, carrying Qin Donghai and his comrades, located them. Qin Donghai had received a call from Gao Ren, alerting him to Hua Mingyue's peril, which prompted him to abandon his lead on Yao Shengnan and rush to her aid.
Ropes were lowered from the helicopter, and as Qin Donghai descended, a look of profound happiness washed over Hua Mingyue's face. Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai, unable to contain their feelings, confessed their love and shared a kiss in the air. Chen Jingran watched, feeling a sense of longing for something out of his reach, and could only offer a bittersweet smile and tears.
Once safely out of immediate danger, Qin Donghai asked Hua Mingyue if she was still angry with him, to which she replied that she realized how important he was to her when she thought she might lose him. Later, as they watched the moon from a secluded spot that Hua Mingyue called her "secret base" – a place her late mother used to take her – they shared heartfelt confessions.
Hua Mingyue told Qin Donghai that he was the only man in her life and that she would give him the greatest sense of security. Qin Donghai reciprocated, saying she was the only woman in his life and promising to always be by her side. Lying on a bed after the rescue, Hua Mingyue asked Qin Donghai when he would return to work at the company, wanting him by her side.
Qin Donghai, however, declined, explaining he had a more critical matter to resolve, implying his ongoing investigation into the true culprit behind the recent troubles. He promised to return once the issue was settled, but remained vague about the details. Later, a visibly inebriated Chen Jingran sought out Hua Mingchen at a pet store, lamenting his unrequited love for Hua Mingyue.
He confessed that he had never liked someone so much, but since Hua Mingyue didn't like him, he felt he shouldn't pursue her. Hua Mingchen tried to console him, reminding him that there were plenty of other women. Chen Jingran tearfully stated his intention to withdraw from the pursuit, believing it would make Hua Mingyue happier. Meanwhile, Yao Shengnan encountered an elderly woman selling flowers in the cold.
Out of compassion, she bought the entire basket of flowers, despite being allergic to pollen, and then gave them to Hao Shuai. Hao Shuai’s subsequent investigation revealed that the car used by the black-clad assailant was likely a "deck car" with a fake license plate, suggesting a deliberate attempt to frame the YE Group and divert Qin Donghai's attention.
Qin Donghai decided they shouldn't be led by the clues but instead, "lure the snake out of the hole" by making himself the bait. As anticipated, thugs attacked Qin Donghai, who, with his comrades' help, easily subdued them. It was revealed that Qin Donghai had faked his injuries for the scheme. The captured thugs confessed that they were instructed by Hua Mancheng.
Confronted by Qin Donghai, Hua Mancheng initially denied any involvement but eventually admitted to everything, including writing threatening letters, hiring the thugs, and sending the first incriminating recording. He confessed his long-standing ambition to control Flora Group, believing Hua Mingyue to be easily manipulated and wanting to prevent the launch of affordable products.
Qin Donghai, however, informed Hua Mancheng that he would not involve the authorities, instead offering him a chance to resign honorably to protect the company's reputation and spare Hua Mingyue the pain of knowing her uncle's betrayal. Left with no choice, Hua Mancheng accepted the ultimatum, hinting at future revenge. Hua Mingyue felt a pang of sadness over her uncle Hua Mancheng's sudden resignation, though Qin Donghai reassured her that he likely had other important endeavors.
She was ecstatic when Qin Donghai confirmed he had resolved his urgent matter and would return to the company. To avoid workplace gossip and protect Qin Donghai, Hua Mingyue suggested they keep their relationship an "underground office romance," inspired by her brother Hua Mingchen's protective behavior toward Ye Xue'er. When discussing potential celebrity endorsements for their new line of affordable products, Hua Mingyue expressed frustration with the bland choices.
Qin Donghai advised finding someone "down-to-earth" who resonated with the target demographic. This sparked an idea in Hua Mingyue: to use the factory workers, like He Yanyan and Xiao Fan, as product ambassadors. She humorously declared herself the "factory flower" who would lead the campaign, envisioning micro-documentaries about their factory life as part of an innovative marketing strategy. In a separate development, Hua Mingchen was seen playfully bathing a dog with Ye Xue'er, eventually seizing the opportunity to kiss her.
Meanwhile, back at the company, Hua Mingyue requested a massage from Qin Donghai in her office, but their tender moment was abruptly interrupted by an assistant entering without knocking. Later that evening, at home, Hua Mingyue wrapped her arms around Qin Donghai while he was cooking, complaining about the day's lack of intimacy. She expressed her need for "recharging," and they shared kisses and intimate moments, jokingly referring to it as "fast charging."
The news of Hua Mancheng's resignation reached Yao Shengnan, who decided to sever ties with him, deeming him a liability. Hua Mancheng stormed out of her office, enraged, threatening to unleash a "big move" that would make everyone regret underestimating him. His vengeance soon materialized. While Hua Mingyue and the First Factory workers were joyfully taking photos for the new product advertisement, an unknown figure cut the electrical wires, causing a fire to erupt in the workshop.
Hua Mingyue, ever courageous, grabbed a fire extinguisher and rushed inside to save the products. Qin Donghai, who had stepped out to buy drinks for everyone, received a frantic call about the fire and Hua Mingyue's actions. He raced back to the factory, charging into the inferno to rescue her. The blaze, however, was intense, separating them within the burning structure. Hao Shuai and Gao Ren arrived on the scene, trying desperately to restrain Qin Donghai from risking his life further, but he broke free, determined to save Hua Mingyue.
Episode 19 Recap
Qin Donghai bravely moved burning goods aside and rushed into the factory to find Hua Mingyue. He safely escorted Hua Mingyue out of the blazing building, but then collapsed himself. Others quickly came to their aid, calling out for Qin Donghai. At the hospital, doctors informed them that Qin Donghai sustained a minor inhalation injury and would be fine.
Hua Mingyue, however, was overcome with fear and refused to leave his side, even as her brother Hua Mingchen and Chen Jingran urged her to return to handle the chaotic company matters and the reporters besieging their office. She insisted on staying until Qin Donghai awoke, assuring them that Hua Mingchen would manage the company and Chen Jingran the factory. Meanwhile, news of the Flora Group factory fire spread quickly.
Knowing Hua Mancheng was responsible, Yao Shengnan called him out to confront him. Hua Mancheng confessed that he had ordered the factory to be set ablaze. He clarified that his intention was merely to damage machines and prevent new products from launching, not to cause a full-blown fire, and expressed regret.
He pleaded with Yao Shengnan for help, but she initially dismissed him, highlighting that his actions were driven by personal revenge against Qin Donghai and a desire to stop Hua Mingyue and Hua Mingchen from controlling Flora. Feeling cornered, Hua Mancheng threatened to expose Yao Shengnan as the true mastermind if he were caught, claiming she instigated it out of fear of Flora's new "Hua Xiaoyang series" impacting her company, YE, sales.
Under this threat, Yao Shengnan reluctantly agreed to help him evade suspicion, but on the condition that he provide her with internal information about the First Factory and the Flora Group. When Hua Mancheng questioned her motives, mentioning that Flora had no negative "black material" to exploit, Yao Shengnan simply told him to cooperate if he wanted to save himself.
Hua Mingyue remained by Qin Donghai's bedside, holding his cold hand and expressing her deep fear that he might not wake up, just like her grandfather. She even playfully threatened to send his dog, Qin Xiaowang, to the South Pole to pull sleds if he didn't. Qin Donghai eventually regained consciousness, much to Hua Mingyue's relief. She tearfully embraced him, confessing how terrified she had been, fearing she would lose him forever.
Qin Donghai, in turn, comforted her, assuring her he was fine and playfully asking if Qin Xiaowang could now be spared the trip. Later, Yao Shengnan's father discussed the fire, considering it an unexpected event but also common in the market. He speculated that if Flora failed, it would impact their own company, but also believed that even if Flora faced difficulties, the company could recover, as fortunes on the market frequently shift.
Yao Shengnan, however, suggested it might be a result of Hua Mingyue and Hua Mingchen having too many enemies. After her father retired for the night, Yao Shengnan wasted no time. She called Chief Editor Teng, enthusiastically informing him that she had sent him some very interesting internal information about Flora and that she expected it to become a major, city-wide headline. Hua Mingyue continued to care for Qin Donghai, even feeding him.
Chen Jingran suggested they visit the injured factory workers, but Qin Donghai wanted to go too. Chen Jingran advised him to rest, promising to update him on the visit. At the hospital, Hua Mingyue and Chen Jingran met with the injured workers and their families. Many workers had sustained severe burns, and their distraught relatives demanded full compensation, emphasizing their families' reliance on the workers' income.
Hua Mingyue, visibly distressed, sincerely apologized on behalf of Flora Group, taking full responsibility for the accident and assuring everyone the company would provide full medical coverage and appropriate compensation. Shortly after, news reports, now fueled by Yao Shengnan's leaked internal documents, began to aggressively claim that the fire at Flora Group's First Factory was caused by aging facilities and neglected maintenance.
The reports also alleged that Flora Group exploited its employees for profit, leading to poor working conditions and numerous safety hazards, presenting detailed content and "conclusive evidence." Upon seeing these damning news reports, Hua Mancheng realized Yao Shengnan’s true intention was to completely destroy the Hua family, not just target Hua Mingyue, as he hadn't wanted Flora to collapse entirely. He desperately tried to call her, but she ignored his calls and then turned off her phone.
Back at the hospital, Hua Mingyue found it strange that the news was blaming internal company issues when the police investigation into the fire's cause was still inconclusive. Qin Donghai, however, suspected a deeper plot. He believed the fire was intentionally set, possibly by Hua Mancheng, and that Yao Shengnan was the one who leaked the false information to the media.
He reminded Hua Mingyue of Hua Mancheng's past attempts to undermine the company, sending recordings and threat letters, and his desire to inherit Flora. When Qin Donghai questioned Hao Shuai about Yao Shengnan's recent activities, Hao Shuai, who had a crush on Yao Shengnan, became noticeably flustered, stammering that she seemed "normal." Hua Mancheng, unable to reach Yao Shengnan by phone, went to confront her in person, forcing his way into her office.
He accused her of using him to ruin the Hua family, pointing out that she had promised to help him, not destroy everything. Yao Shengnan feigned innocence, claiming she had no idea what he was talking about and even threatened to call the police on him. Enraged by her betrayal and denial, Hua Mancheng grabbed her by the neck, threatening to kill her. Just then, Hao Shuai arrived and intervened, pulling Hua Mancheng away from Yao Shengnan.
As Hua Mancheng was leaving, still shouting threats about her using and discarding him ("killing the donkey after it's done grinding"), Hao Shuai questioned Yao Shengnan about what had just happened, but she curtly dismissed his concerns, saying she didn't know why Hua Mancheng was acting so erratically. Unbeknownst to them, Hao Shuai had secretly recorded the entire confrontation. Hao Shuai later presented the recording to Qin Donghai and Hua Mingyue.
Hua Mingyue was shocked to hear her uncle's aggressive tone and wondered if he had been "playing the pig to eat the tiger" all along, especially since he had previously shown no interest in any significant company position. Qin Donghai suggested that if Hua Mancheng confessed, it could clear the company's name, but it would also implicate Yao Shengnan.
Hao Shuai vehemently disagreed, arguing that the recording showed Hua Mancheng was manipulating Yao Shengnan, who was simply trying to distance herself and save herself. The two men argued, with Hao Shuai defending Yao Shengnan and accusing Qin Donghai of prejudging her. Hua Mingyue intervened, observing that Hao Shuai seemed to have developed feelings for Yao Shengnan. She then declared that finding her uncle was the immediate priority, and she would deal with Yao Shengnan later.
Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai went to Hua Mancheng's villa, only to be informed by the property management that he had fled the country the previous night and intended to sell his villa, suggesting he had no plans to return. Qin Donghai immediately tasked Gao Ren with tracking down Hua Mancheng's whereabouts abroad and promised to bring him back. Later, Chen Director, Chen Jingran's father, approached Hua Mingyue, revealing that he possessed evidence proving Yao Shengnan's malicious campaign against Flora.
However, he offered to expose this truth only if Hua Mingyue agreed to transfer forty percent of Flora's shares to him. He explained that he had already acquired a significant number of shares and could easily orchestrate a takeover of the company.
Hua Mingyue and Hua Mingchen were deeply offended by his opportunistic demand, calling it "taking advantage of misfortune," but Chen Director remained unyielding, asserting his determination to acquire Flora and stating that giving up control would at least preserve their grandfather's brand. Overwhelmed by the mounting pressures, Hua Mingyue confided in Qin Donghai, expressing her weariness with the complexities of the adult world and wishing for a simpler life, even envying Qin Xiaowang.
Qin Donghai comforted her, setting off what he called "fireworks" (which turned out to be firecrackers set off by Gao Ren) and reaffirming his commitment to her. He confessed his frustration that she hadn't confided in him sooner about Chen Director's demands, emphasizing that he wanted to be her partner and share her burdens, as his existence would be meaningless otherwise. Hua Mingyue affectionately teased him for his newfound eloquence in love.
He made her promise to always tell him what was on her mind, and she agreed. At a tense board meeting, the directors pressed Hua Mingyue to accept Chen Director's (Tongda Company's) offer, arguing it was the only viable solution to Flora's current crisis, despite the significant loss of company control. Hua Mingyue firmly rejected their suggestion, asking for ten days to find an alternative solution.
She declared that if she failed to resolve the situation within that timeframe, they could proceed with impeaching her. Qin Donghai, upon learning of the board's ultimatum, rushed to her side. At that moment, Yao Shengnan arrived, further taunting Hua Mingyue about potentially ruining her grandfather's legacy. Hua Mingyue, no longer the timid girl she once was, delivered a sharp slap across Yao Shengnan's face, telling her it was nothing compared to what she had done.
She then ordered security to forcibly remove Yao Shengnan from the premises, stating clearly that Yao Shengnan was the true instigator of all their troubles. Yao Shengnan was left stunned and speechless. Hao Shuai, witnessing the escalating chaos, confronted Yao Shengnan privately, demanding to know why she was sabotaging Flora. Yao Shengnan, without denying it, confessed her actions, admitting her deep jealousy of Hua Mingyue.
She stated her desire to see Hua Mingyue lose everything, hoping that without her success and status, men would stop flocking to her. Hao Shuai then revealed his long-held feelings for Yao Shengnan, asserting that he had always been devoted to her, not Hua Mingyue. Yao Shengnan, however, scoffed at him, reminding him that he was merely her driver and had no right to speak to her in such a way.
Heartbroken, Hao Shuai silently left his work identification badge and walked away, resigning from his position. The relentless pressure took its toll on Hua Mingyue, who collapsed emotionally and physically, requiring an ambulance. Seeing her distress, Hua Mingchen urged Qin Donghai (likely over the phone) to take Hua Mingyue away for a much-needed break and some relaxation. He assured Qin Donghai that he would stay behind to handle the "old foxes" at the company.
Qin Donghai took Hua Mingyue to a beautiful picking garden. Surrounded by the serene natural beauty, Hua Mingyue’s spirits began to lift. She cast aside her worries and anxieties, fully enjoying the peaceful escape and her time with Qin Donghai, wishing they could stay in that peaceful moment forever.
Episode 20 Recap
Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai enjoyed their time at a picking garden, where she learned about making "love locks" from local grass. She crafted two, hanging them on their bags, symbolizing their desire to be forever together, like AB glue. Qin Donghai then surprised her back in their room, illuminating it with a starry sky projector, a gesture that deeply moved her.
He spoke of taking her to a prairie to see real stars someday, and as they embraced, he affirmed their future together, saying, "We have a long way to go." Meanwhile, Chen Jingran confronted his father, angered by his father's opportunistic move to acquire Flora. His father, however, justified his actions by recounting how the Hua family had previously exploited their difficulties, claiming he was simply returning the favor.
He asserted his intention to take over the entire Flora Group, anticipating that Hua Mingyue would eventually be forced to beg Chen Jingran. Chen Jingran, disheartened by his father's ruthless ambition, declared his love for Hua Mingyue and his wish for her happiness, stating he would not stand by and watch his father destroy her company. Elsewhere, Hao Shuai, having resigned from Yao Shengnan's service, began working at Ye Xue Er's pet shop.
Hua Mingchen, busy helping Hua Mingyue with Flora's urgent matters, arranged for Ye Xue Er to assist him at Flora, and in turn, designated Hao Shuai as the full manager of the pet shop. Hao Shuai, observing their closeness, lamented his own love life, feeling like he was "sad in the Pacific Ocean." At the picking garden, Qin Donghai received an update that Hua Mancheng's entry country had been identified, bringing a glimmer of hope.
However, the mood quickly shifted when Hua Mingyue saw a news report detailing the crisis engulfing the cosmetics market, highlighting Flora's declining trend, management issues, and the recent factory fire. The news compounded her distress. Chen Jingran proposed a solution to Qin Donghai: if Hua Mingyue would agree to a "fake marriage" with him, he could convince his father to abandon the Flora acquisition, thereby buying Hua Mingyue and Hua Mingchen crucial time to raise funds.
Qin Donghai firmly rejected the idea, insisting he would find another way to help Hua Mingyue. Chen Jingran, though disappointed, acknowledged that while he loved Hua Mingyue and wished her happiness, only Qin Donghai could truly give her that. That night, Hua Mingyue struggled to sleep, consumed by worry for Flora. Qin Donghai comforted her, though admitting he currently had no immediate solution.
Unaware of the gravity of the situation, Yao Shengnan reveled in her perceived triumph over Hua Mingyue, believing she had finally proven her competence to her father. The following day, more news reports surfaced, criticizing Hua Mingyue's prolonged absence from Flora and the company's escalating crisis. Overwhelmed, Hua Mingyue tearfully called Hua Mingchen, apologizing for her inability to save the company and questioning what she could possibly do.
Hua Mingchen, facing his own challenges at Flora as shareholders demanded answers, reassured her to prioritize her well-being and leave everything to him. Qin Donghai, seeing her despair, took her to a scenic hilltop. Hua Mingyue expressed her realization that she could no longer hide behind the protection of her grandfather and brother; she needed to return and face her responsibilities to her employees and to Flora.
Qin Donghai shared a poignant memory of his firefighter father, whose bravery had always inspired him. He then confessed his profound love for Hua Mingyue, an overdue declaration he felt she deserved, and vowed to face all difficulties alongside her. With a heavy heart, he presented the "fake marriage" with Chen Jingran as the only viable option at the moment to gain time. He explained that this would allow Hua Mingyue to secure board support or find new funding.
He added that Gao Ren had located Hua Mancheng, and he would personally retrieve him before the fake engagement. Chen Jingran, who had also arrived, reinforced the plan, promising that his father would inject funds into Flora in exchange for their marriage, and the actual wedding date could be postponed. Though bewildered, Hua Mingyue agreed, trusting Qin Donghai and urging him to return on time.
Hua Mingyue and Chen Jingran met his father, who, despite his son's passionate declaration of love and commitment to marrying Hua Mingyue, remained skeptical. Chen Jingran's father demanded 40% of Flora's shares and insisted that Chen Jingran be appointed as the executive director as conditions for his help. Hua Mingyue, understanding the urgency, reluctantly accepted. News of Hua Mingyue's impending marriage to Chen Jingran quickly spread.
To make the fake engagement convincing, Hua Mingyue asked Gao Ren and their friends to move out of her house, explaining that their continued presence would invite rumors about her "fooling around with three men" and jeopardize the plan. She promised they would all return once the crisis was resolved, emphasizing the sacrifices Chen Jingran and Qin Donghai were making.
The friends, though hesitant to leave her alone, eventually complied, with one suggesting they leave Xiaowang, a military dog, to protect her. As the friends moved back into their old residence, they discovered He Yanyan was leaving. Heartbroken by the news of Chen Jingran's engagement, He Yanyan left, stating she could no longer help him with household chores or farming, and asked them to convey her farewell and wedding wishes to him.
Chen Jingran, returning home to find his friends back and He Yanyan gone, dismissed the need for an explanation, preferring fewer people to know about the fake marriage. Hao Shuai, however, criticized Chen Jingran, accusing him of "discarding after toying with" He Yanyan, and lamented the "messy circle." Hua Mingyue, now alone in her large house, felt the emptiness keenly.
She video-called Qin Donghai, telling him she missed him and setting rules for their separation: daily video calls, morning and evening greetings, prompt replies to messages, and reporting their whereabouts and news. Qin Donghai promised to return soon to tell her everything in person. He recounted visiting Hua Mancheng's hotel but finding him gone. Qin Donghai eventually tracked Hua Mancheng to an alley, where he found him being assaulted by a group of men.
Intervening, Qin Donghai fought off the attackers, but they blinded him with flour, leaving him beaten and unconscious. Back at Flora, Hua Mingyue, increasingly anxious due to Qin Donghai's unresponsiveness to her messages, abruptly left a meeting, determined to find him.
Episode 21 Recap
Qin Donghai's phone remained unreachable, causing concern for Hua Mingyue and Chen Jingran. Gao Ren then discovered a news report about a Chinese man, identified by a distinctive glue drop pendant Hua Mingyue had made for him, being captured by a gang abroad. Overcome with worry, Hua Mingyue insisted on going to find him herself. Chen Jingran intervened, urging her to stay calm and reminding her that her departure would jeopardize all their efforts to save Flora Group.
He suggested that Gao Ren, with his international rescue certificate, was better equipped to lead the search, and Chen Jingran offered to provide his international connections to assist Gao Ren. Chen Jingran reassured Hua Mingyue that Qin Donghai would want her to prioritize Flora Group, and both he and Gao Ren promised to bring him back safely. Despite the collective reassurances, Hua Mingyue was heartbroken, recalling Qin Donghai's heartfelt declarations of love and promises of unwavering support.
She struggled with the powerful urge to fly to him, but knew he would want her to remain strong and protect their company. The next morning, concerned about her, Hua Mingchen, Chen Jingran, and Gao Ren all arrived with breakfast, subtly avoiding any mention of Qin Donghai. Hua Mingyue, however, appeared composed and even more dedicated, planning to attend a stock meeting for the company.
Meanwhile, Gao Ren called with an update, confirming he had captured the initial perpetrators but was still searching for Qin Donghai, reassuring her they would not give up. Later, Chen Jingran met with his father, Chen Da, regarding the cooperation agreement and capital injection for Flora Group. Chen Da, however, immediately steered the conversation toward Chen Jingran and Hua Mingyue's wedding, pushing for them to marry quickly and have children.
Chen Jingran tried to postpone, citing Hua Mingyue's demanding schedule, but Chen Da was insistent on setting the wedding date immediately. Simultaneously, Hua Mingyue received another call from Gao Ren, who informed her that despite extensive coastal searches, Qin Donghai's whereabouts remained unknown, and they were expanding their operations. Under immense pressure, Hua Mingyue agreed to Chen Da's proposal for an engagement the following Sunday, hoping to secure the necessary funding for Flora Group.
Chen Jingran confronted Hua Mingyue, questioning her hasty agreement to his father's terms, believing they could have bought more time, especially with Qin Donghai still missing. Hua Mingyue, however, clung to her faith in Qin Donghai's return, reminding Chen Jingran that the "fake marriage" was their plan to save Flora.
She asserted her trust in him and Qin Donghai, declaring she had nothing to fear, recalling Qin Donghai's own words expressing his wish for her to enter into a fake marriage to buy time for Flora. On the day of the engagement ceremony, Hua Mingchen expressed concern to Chen Jingran, feeling it was cruel to force Hua Mingyue into this situation while Qin Donghai was still missing. Hua Mingyue, though inwardly conflicted, proceeded with the ceremony.
Chen Da delivered a celebratory speech, highlighting Chen Jingran's long-standing affection for Hua Mingyue and the long-anticipated union between their families, expressing his eagerness for grandchildren. As Hua Mingyue walked onto the stage, she experienced a vivid hallucination of Qin Donghai, reaching out for him before Chen Jingran gently guided her back to reality. He quietly offered her an escape, but Hua Mingyue chose to continue.
During the ring exchange, Chen Jingran whispered "I'm sorry" to Hua Mingyue and then dramatically collapsed. At the hospital, the doctor found no medical issues, attributing the fainting to stress. After Chen Da left, Chen Jingran confessed to Hua Mingyue that he faked the illness, unable to bear her suffering. He tried to comfort her, suggesting Qin Donghai might be delayed but was surely making his way back.
Chen Jingran planned to prolong his "illness" to postpone the wedding indefinitely, even after the contract was signed. However, Chen Da, wise to their deception, burst in, dismissing Chen Jingran's act. He declared they would skip the engagement and proceed directly to marriage, presenting Hua Mingyue with a prenuptial agreement.
The agreement stipulated that they must marry and register their union within three months, or Flora Group would face severe financial penalties and ultimately the transfer of all its shares to Chen Da. Chen Jingran vehemently argued against the unfair terms, but his father was unyielding, giving Hua Mingyue two days to make her decision.
Still without news of Qin Donghai, Hua Mingyue received a call from Ye Xueer, who gently advised her not to sacrifice her personal happiness for the company, urging her to reconsider the marriage if her heart wasn't in it. Later, Hua Mingyue visited the picking garden, a place she cherished with Qin Donghai. She told the hostess he was on a business trip, only to learn that Qin Donghai had secretly booked their room for an entire year.
This revelation brought back poignant memories of Qin Donghai explaining his thoughtful gesture, wanting her to have a sanctuary from stress, and of him creating a starry room for her, promising grander romantic gestures in the future. The hostess highlighted Qin Donghai's deep affection for Hua Mingyue. Back at the signing table, as Hua Mingyue prepared to sign the prenuptial agreement, Hua Mingchen confronted Chen Da, accusing him of a hostile takeover of Flora Group.
Chen Da deflected, claiming the marriage was a long-standing arrangement by Hua Mingyue's grandfather. He pressed Hua Mingyue to sign, promising a unified future for Flora and Tongda under her and Chen Jingran's leadership. Just as Hua Mingyue hesitated, pen hovering over the document, Qin Donghai burst in, apologizing for his delay. Hua Mingyue, overwhelmed with relief, confirmed it was truly him.
She defiantly told Chen Da she would not sign the agreement, stating she would do anything for Flora except sacrifice her own happiness. Qin Donghai took her hand, ready to leave, but Chen Da erupted in anger. At that moment, Hua Mancheng appeared, sternly telling Chen Da that he was back, and no one would take Flora from the Hua family.
Later, Hua Mingyue tearfully expressed her gratitude to Qin Donghai, recounting her hallucination of him at the engagement and acknowledging the dangers he had faced. Qin Donghai reaffirmed his love and promised never to leave her again. At a press conference, Hua Mancheng confessed to deliberately sabotaging Flora's factory electrical system, which accidentally caused the fire.
He absolved Hua Mingyue and Flora Group of any responsibility, apologized to his family, the company, injured workers, and the public, stating his willingness to accept legal punishment. Privately, Hua Mancheng struggled with his jealousy towards Hua Mingyue and the consequences of his misguided actions. Meanwhile, Yao Shengnan, distraught by Hua Mancheng's public confession and the collapse of her plans. She ungraciously bumped into a delivery man, rudely blaming him before limping away.
Back home, Yao Shengnan tended to her leg injury alone. Her father entered, offering comfort. Yao Shengnan tearfully confessed her lifelong drive to prove herself worthy of his affirmation, feeling like a failure and hating the person she had become. Her father apologized for unknowingly pressuring her to conform to his expectations, assuring her he deeply cared and only wished for her to live a carefree life, not to prove anything to him.
Yao Shengnan then revealed her deep-seated desire for his attention and praise, which she felt was always reserved for her brother. They shared a heartfelt embrace, mending their long-standing misunderstandings, as her father encouraged her to let go of her self-blame and embrace happiness on her birthday.
Episode 22 Recap
Hua Mingyue and her brother, Hua Mingchen, visited their grandfather in the hospital. Hua Mingyue informed him that the crisis at Flora had been resolved, the factory was back in production, and new products were launching soon. She mentioned their second uncle had gone to prison, acknowledging he was paying for his actions and hoping they could visit him together once Grandpa woke up.
Hua Mingchen also shared his good news, telling his grandfather that Ye Xue Er was his girlfriend and he hoped for their blessing. Grandpa showed a positive reaction, prompting Hua Mingyue to share even more. She told her grandfather that Qin Donghai, whom he had initially hired as her tutor, had become her boyfriend, seeing it as a match made by him.
Qin Donghai, present at the bedside, added that he had fulfilled the task of helping Mingyue become a capable business heir and would continue to take care of her, asking for Grandpa's blessing. Grandpa reacted more strongly, making everyone very happy. Chen Jingran received an angry voicemail from his father, who accused him of betraying the family and disowning him, telling him to stick to farming.
His friends, Hao Shuai and Gao Ren, tried to persuade him to reconcile with his father, suggesting he go home and talk things over. Chen Jingran refused, reminding them that the house they were staying in was his, and they were the ones "dependent on others." He declared he wouldn't leave, as the lively atmosphere helped his research. His friends pleaded with him to leave because they felt uncomfortable living there.
Chen Jingran sarcastically suggested they move to his other house for a "happy and sweet" life together, which his friends initially misunderstood as a genuine invitation, and promptly left to pack. Soon after, Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai arrived, and Hua Mingyue approached Chen Jingran, offering to establish an independent research institute for him at Flora, where he could pursue any research he desired.
Chen Jingran was overjoyed and thanked both Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai, who also claimed credit for the idea. Hao Shuai and Gao Ren then returned, having already sent their luggage to Chen Jingran's other house, only to realize his earlier invitation was not serious. Perceiving Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai as a couple, they jokingly told the pair to "get along well."
Chen Jingran, feeling left alone, joked about being "the most redundant person in the world," prompting Hao Shuai and Gao Ren to decide to stay and keep him company. Hua Mingyue, with a playful glint in her eye, told Qin Donghai that since they were alone for the night, she had a surprise for him. Qin Donghai seemed hesitant, asking if she was sure.
Hua Mingyue, however, was determined, explaining that she had tried it once by herself after he left, but it was "dull" without him. She then instructed him to lie down and not move, before turning off the lights and activating a star projector, casting a celestial display across the ceiling. As they lay together, Hua Mingyue thanked Qin Donghai for renting the room at the homestay.
She confessed that being alone in that room, thinking of him, had been the darkest day of her life. Qin Donghai apologized, but Hua Mingyue added that she was also thankful to him for showing her that despair could turn into hope, and for returning to pull her out of the darkness. Yao Shengnan visited the pet shop where Hao Shuai was working. She asked about his well-being, mentioning she had seen the news.
Yao Shengnan then apologized to Hao Shuai for past hurtful words, assuring him she hadn't meant them. Hao Shuai, however, playfully suggested she had been secretly following him and came to beg for forgiveness. Yao Shengnan, flustered, retorted that he was conceited and reminded him she was still his "boss." Hao Shuai corrected her, stating that she was no longer his boss, nor was he her employee.
As she tried to leave, Hao Shuai pointed out she was going the wrong way, and pressed her, asking if she had come to see him on purpose. Though she denied it, he challenged her to explain how she knew where he worked, implying her interest in him. Flora’s business flourished with the successful launch of their "Sleeping-Awaken" series perfume, developed by Chen Jingran, which complemented their affordable skincare line.
These products were heavily promoted by influencers on live streaming platforms. Observing Flora's success, Yao Shengnan acknowledged that their products, packaging, and marketing resonated better with consumers than YE Group’s. She proposed a collaboration with Flora to her father, seeing it as an opportunity for mutual growth and to atone for her past mistakes. Her father was skeptical about their leverage and Hua Mingyue's willingness to cooperate, but Yao Shengnan insisted on taking responsibility for her errors.
She went to Flora, but the security guard, following Hua Mingyue's strict instructions, prevented her from entering. Undeterred, Yao Shengnan waited all day. When Hua Mingyue tried to leave in her car, Yao Shengnan bravely stood in its path, forcing Hua Mingyue to lower her window. She proposed sharing YE Group's overseas market networks and resources with Flora, advocating for a win-win partnership since YE had established market access and Flora had superior products.
Hua Mingyue dismissed the offer, confident that Flora could expand internationally on its own within two years. Yao Shengnan countered by offering her existing research and market channels for a new outdoor sports skincare line, free of charge, as a token of her sincerity. Hua Mingyue, however, found her demeanor too confident for someone supposedly apologizing. Yao Shengnan challenged her, asking if Hua Mingyue just wanted to see her cry.
After Yao Shengnan finished, Hua Mingyue, still lacking trust, simply told her to "prove it" and drove away. Hua Mingchen was trying to reassure Ye Xue Er that Yao Shengnan's visit to Flora had nothing to do with him, claiming he had even deleted her contact. Ye Xue Er confirmed she knew Yao Shengnan was there for Hua Mingyue, not him, and playfully admitted she enjoyed seeing him so worried about her.
Engaging in lighthearted banter, Hua Mingchen playfully refused to call her "wife" after she called him "husband," leading Ye Xue Er to demand a proper title, but not without him passing her "tests" before marriage. Her first condition was for him to quit his job at Flora so they could run a pet shop together and live a simple life. Hua Mingchen readily agreed, promising to support her and be by her side in whatever she wished to do.
As a reward for passing the first test, Ye Xue Er asked him to call her "husband." Hua Mingchen struggled to say it, instead calling her an old-fashioned nickname, prompting Ye Xue Er to retaliate by calling him "Ye Ernier," a playful, rustic name for a girl. Hua Mingyue recounted Yao Shengnan's persistent offer of cooperation to Qin Donghai, noting her surprise that someone so unyielding would "bow down" and admit mistakes.
She expressed her lingering distrust, unwilling to forgive Yao Shengnan easily after the damage caused to her family, and intended to extract more concessions. Qin Donghai advised her to remain grounded, even as Hua Mingyue boasted about her success and declared herself "sitting on top of the world, rich and beautiful."
He then informed her of his decision to formally resign from Flora next week to dedicate himself to public welfare rescue, acknowledging that she was now capable of handling the company on her own. Reluctantly, Hua Mingyue agreed. The day Qin Donghai left, Hua Mingyue felt a profound sense of loneliness in the office and decided she, too, wanted a change. She resolved to hand over the company to her brother.
However, when she found Hua Mingchen, he presented his own resignation letter, explaining his intention to quit Flora and open a pet shop with Ye Xue Er. Hua Mingyue was exasperated, accusing him and Qin Donghai of forming a "resignation group" and abandoning her to manage everything alone. Hua Mingchen, however, admired Qin Donghai's selfless departure and insisted Ye Xue Er also needed his care.
To persuade Hua Mingchen to stay, Hua Mingyue reluctantly offered him 30% of Flora's shares, then 40%, and finally 50%, effectively making him the executive CEO. With the company secured under her brother's management, Hua Mingyue donned climbing gear and surprised Qin Donghai at the rescue team's base. Despite Qin Donghai's concerns about the arduous nature of rescue work and her lack of experience, Hua Mingyue was resolute.
She declared her determination to become a volunteer, emphasizing her financial commitment to making her brother manage Flora and her desire to learn from him so they could "do rescue work and fall in love" together. She effortlessly lifted a heavy rescue bag to demonstrate her resolve and introduced herself to the other team members as their newest recruit. Yao Shengnan went to Flora again, where she encountered Hua Mingchen, now the acting CEO.
After a brief, somewhat awkward exchange where they both apologized for past grievances, Hua Mingchen revealed that Hua Mingyue had left the company to join Qin Donghai's rescue team. Yao Shengnan quickly followed, finding Hua Mingyue at the training ground. She reiterated her desire to collaborate, but Hua Mingyue firmly refused. Desperate, Yao Shengnan asked what it would take for Hua Mingyue to forgive her, even suggesting Flora could acquire YE Group.
When Hua Mingyue remained unconvinced, Yao Shengnan declared she would join the rescue team, aiming to become "the same kind of person" as Hua Mingyue. Hua Mingyue scoffed at this, deeming it a naive attempt to gain forgiveness and questioning if Yao Shengnan thought the rescue team was so easy to join. Yao Shengnan countered that her true purpose was to conduct user experience and preliminary research for a new outdoor sports skincare brand, something she had mentioned previously.
She then challenged Hua Mingyue, pointing out that Hua Mingyue herself didn't yet have a rescue certificate but was allowed to stay due to her relationship with Qin Donghai, the team captain. Hua Mingyue conceded that she relied on her boyfriend's connection. Undeterred, Yao Shengnan proposed they both undergo professional rescue training and take the certification exam together, promising to start training the very next day. Hua Mingyue accepted the challenge.
At a flower shop, Chen Jingran was searching for fertilizer when he unexpectedly ran into He Yanyan, who was working there. After he recognized her, He Yanyan revealed she disliked her current job, complaining about the smell of fertilizers and how it affected her. She then eagerly offered to return as his assistant, expressing her preference for working with him on his farming projects.
Despite Chen Jingran's hesitation, He Yanyan took his silence as agreement, dramatically quit her job on the spot, and left with him. Yao Shengnan began her training at the rescue team, engaging in strenuous exercises like carrying heavy loads and doing push-ups alongside Hua Mingyue. Qin Donghai observed their progress, remarking that Yao Shengnan's presence had significantly motivated Hua Mingyue, pushing her to train harder and even consider taking the rescue certification exam.
Hua Mingyue playfully argued that she still intended to make Yao Shengnan "bleed" for past transgressions, but Qin Donghai pointed out that she seemed to have already forgiven her, having achieved a mutually beneficial alliance. Hua Mingyue then confessed that while she initially didn't understand rescue work, witnessing the team's selfless dedication to saving lives had shown her that "living wonderfully" was more meaningful than anything else.
Qin Donghai shared his own initial, more personal motivation for joining rescue efforts: his survivor's guilt from a past fire, which led him to believe he needed to save more lives to justify his own survival. He admitted that he later realized rescue work was a lifelong calling. Hua Mingyue then touchingly stated her own selfish reason for joining: because he loved rescue, and she loved him.
Later, Qin Donghai brought Hua Mingyue to a martyrs' cemetery to pay respects to his fallen comrades. Standing before their tombstones, he formally introduced Hua Mingyue as his girlfriend, announcing with pride that he was no longer single. He apologized to his "brothers" for taking their squad leader off the market, affectionately naming them: Jianguo, Shen Yi, and Kailong.
Hua Mingyue, in turn, reassured them, promising to ensure Qin Donghai's happiness and well-being every day, and declaring that she too would accompany him on future visits as their new comrade.
Episode 23 Recap
Yao Shengnan approached Hua Mingyue to have a serious conversation, explaining that she had reflected deeply on her past actions and realized her mistakes. She admitted to not understanding herself back then, causing trouble for many. Having joined the rescue team, Yao Shengnan finally understood that Hua Mingyue was genuinely liked by everyone because she treated them with sincerity. She expressed her desire to become true friends with Hua Mingyue, to which Hua Mingyue agreed.
Yao Shengnan then inquired if their previous discussion about sharing overseas resources still stood, and Hua Mingyue confirmed it, adding that they would have even deeper cooperation. Yao Shengnan then boldly asked for 30% of the outdoor brand, but Hua Mingyue countered, offering her 60% and the position of boss, with herself working for Yao Shengnan. Yao Shengnan happily accepted the deal. Meanwhile, He Yanyan continued her pursuit of Chen Jingran at the research institute.
She attempted to assist him with his research but was instructed to simply monitor equipment while he went to the experimental field. Determined to help, He Yanyan insisted on accompanying him and was tasked with watering all the plants one by one. Back at the lab, He Yanyan confided in Hua Mingyue and Ye Xue Er about her struggles, lamenting that Chen Jingran, a "science geek" and "plant maniac," seemed to care more about his plants than her.
She sought advice on how to make him like her, believing she had already dressed up to impress him. Hua Mingyue gently told her to be herself and that the right person would love her for who she is, not for imitating others. Ye Xue Er added that in love, trying too hard can detract from its beauty, citing her own experience with Hua Mingchen.
He Yanyan, however, misunderstood their advice, concluding that she shouldn't give up on Chen Jingran no matter what. Later, Hua Mingyue and Yao Shengnan successfully obtained their rescue certificates, celebrating excitedly. Early one morning, Qin Donghai was diligently cleaning and vacuuming, much to Hua Mingyue's annoyance, as it woke her up. She complained about wanting a beauty sleep after her time with the rescue team. Qin Donghai, however, had thoughtfully prepared breakfast for her.
Hua Mingyue initially insisted on eating before brushing her teeth, but Qin Donghai gently persuaded her otherwise, eventually conceding to let her eat first. As Qin Donghai went to wash clothes, Hua Mingyue realized he was handling her intimate apparel and playfully retrieved them, causing a moment of awkwardness before she clarified she would wash those herself. Later at Flora company, Hua Mingyue announced the launch of a new subsidiary, Yuesheng, which would focus on men's and outdoor skincare.
She officially appointed Yao Shengnan as Yuesheng's Executive President, with Yao Shengnan expressing her gratitude and hope for long-term strategic cooperation between YE and Flora. He Yanyan, still determined to win over Chen Jingran, prepared a table of dishes she learned online. She proudly presented them to Chen Jingran, explaining that she meticulously washed the ingredients using his sink dishwasher.
However, Chen Jingran tasted the okra and found it strange, then realized that all the vegetables she cooked – okra, tomatoes, and cucumbers – were actually his genetically modified, organic hybrid research plants he had carefully cultivated from seeds. He was devastated, calling her a murderer for destroying his research. Overcome with emotion, he told He Yanyan that they were not compatible and asked her to stop liking him. He Yanyan, realizing her error, broke down in tears.
Hua Mingchen, wanting to propose to Ye Xue Er, gathered Hua Mingyue and their friends to brainstorm ideas. His sister Hua Mingyue initially teased him about his hesitations, urging him to propose already. Everyone offered various suggestions, from grand "overbearing CEO" romantic gestures to a "hero saving the beauty" scenario (which was quickly dismissed when they remembered Ye Xue Er was a black belt in Taekwondo). Another suggestion was a rustic proposal in Ye Xue Er's hometown.
However, Qin Donghai offered the most sensible advice, suggesting that Ye Xue Er didn't care for extravagant displays but rather a sense of security and public affirmation of their relationship. He advised Hua Mingchen to simply declare her identity to everyone and prove his sincerity. Hua Mingchen agreed, recognizing it as the most reliable plan.
To set up the proposal, Hua Mingyue called Ye Xue Er, pretending to be distraught over Qin Donghai cheating on her with an "uglier woman" and claiming he loved her but couldn't leave the other woman. She dramatically asked Ye Xue Er if Qin Donghai was a "love rat" and begged her to come to Flora to console her. Ye Xue Er, concerned, rushed over.
Hua Mingyue then encouraged a nervous Hua Mingchen, calling him the "universe's most handsome guy" and assuring him of success as he, clutching flowers and a ring, prepared to meet Ye Xue Er. Meanwhile, Yao Shengnan also arrived at Flora to meet Hua Mingyue for work. The secretary directed her to Hua Mingyue's office upstairs, with strict instructions not to let her go downstairs. Unexpectedly, Hao Shuai saw Yao Shengnan and immediately went to escort her.
Inside the elevator, Hao Shuai confessed his feelings to Yao Shengnan, telling her he never thought poorly of her past actions and always saw her as kind and, importantly, a "very sexy woman." As they leaned in for a kiss, the elevator suddenly lost power, trapping them inside. Yao Shengnan worried that with the ongoing proposal outside, no one would notice them.
Hao Shuai, drawing on his fireman experience, instructed her to climb out of the top hatch using his shoulders. After Yao Shengnan successfully exited, Hao Shuai followed suit. Relieved to be out, Hao Shuai impulsively kissed Yao Shengnan, a moment witnessed by Hua Mingyue and the others who had rushed to their rescue. Everyone teased them about their "advanced" relationship speed. Downstairs, Hua Mingchen approached Ye Xue Er in the company lobby.
He confessed his long-standing love for her since their first meeting, recalling how he secretly learned to cook, prepared lunches for her, and watched animal documentaries to understand her interests, despite disliking animals himself. He acknowledged his faults and thanked her for her support and understanding. Pledging to be with her forever, in this life and beyond, Hua Mingchen knelt down amidst everyone, asking Ye Xue Er to be his wife.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ye Xue Er tearfully accepted his proposal. Hua Mingyue was delighted for her brother and sister-in-law, even jokingly warning Ye Xue Er to tell her if Hua Mingchen ever dared to bully her. Suddenly, Hua Mingyue received a phone call from the hospital, announcing that their grandfather had woken up. The group quickly headed to the hospital, but their grandfather reacted poorly upon seeing them.
He angrily accused Hua Mingyue of being promiscuous and "keeping a gigolo," mistaking Qin Donghai for one. Qin Donghai tried to clarify, stating his name, but the grandfather remained furious, accusing Qin Donghai of betraying his trust and "seducing" his apprentice, Hua Mingyue. Hua Mingchen attempted to intervene, offering water, but the grandfather ordered Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai to leave, still enraged.
Hua Mingchen, left alone with his grandfather, explained all the events that transpired during his coma, including how he had given up the company to Hua Mingyue and how Qin Donghai had supported her. Although the grandfather seemed to grasp some of the situation, he insisted on personally vetting Qin Donghai, refusing to believe anyone else.
Later, the grandfather returned home and was even more incensed to find Qin Donghai living there, accusing him of "entering the house like a wolf." Hua Mingyue tried to take the blame, but her grandfather pushed her aside, determined to confront Qin Donghai. Qin Donghai took responsibility, stating it was all his fault and he would leave immediately, begging the grandfather not to blame Hua Mingyue.
As Qin Donghai prepared to depart, Hua Mingyue desperately stopped him, dramatically announcing that she was pregnant and he had to take responsibility. Her grandfather grew even angrier, warning Qin Donghai not to assume he could enter their wealthy family just because of a child, declaring that the child would bear the Hua surname and ordering Qin Donghai to leave. Despite the grandfather's outburst, Hua Mingyue called out to Qin Donghai, saying she would find him.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
After Grandpa drove Qin Donghai out of the house, Hua Mingchen tried to convince Grandpa of Qin Donghai's good character by showing him the impressive achievements Hua Mingyue had made at the company. Hua Mingchen explained that many of these successes were due to Qin Donghai's help. Uncle Fat, the butler, also vouched for Qin Donghai, emphasizing that despite his humble background, Qin Donghai was genuinely good to Hua Mingyue.
Concerned, Hua Mingyue tried to leave to find Qin Donghai, but Grandpa stopped her, reminding her of her supposed pregnancy. He insisted that Uncle Fat accompany her to the hospital for a prenatal check-up, stressing the importance of proper care for what he believed was their family's grandchild. Knowing her pregnancy was a lie, Hua Mingyue quickly claimed she could go alone and rushed out.
Hua Mingyue then met Qin Donghai, urging him to go along with her fake pregnancy, hoping to turn the lie into reality to secure their relationship. Qin Donghai, however, refused, stating it was wrong to lie to elders and that a child born from a lie would be unable to face the truth.
When Hua Mingyue suggested they "gamble" and try to conceive to make the lie true, Qin Donghai became visibly uncomfortable, trying to calm her down and explaining that a child should be born out of love, not deceit. Hua Mingyue's persistence startled him, causing him to push her away and flee. With no other option, Hua Mingyue obtained a fake medical report.
When she presented it to Grandpa, he immediately noticed a discrepancy: the report indicated a pregnancy of over three months, yet Qin Donghai had told him they had only been together for less than two months. Grandpa realized the child, if real, could not be Qin Donghai's. He offered Qin Donghai the option to stay as a "godfather" to the child, subtly mocking him for potentially raising another man's offspring.
Qin Donghai, attempting to cover for Hua Mingyue, took responsibility for the fake report and apologized for her actions. He clarified that he had never "crossed the line" with Hua Mingyue since they started dating and that their love was pure, not driven by any ulterior motives. Hua Mingyue, frustrated, finally admitted she was not pregnant and accused Grandpa of bullying Qin Donghai.
Grandpa, who had seen through their charade from the start, pressed them about who orchestrated the fake report. Qin Donghai again stepped forward, taking full responsibility and offering to accept any punishment, reiterating his deep and unconditional love for Hua Mingyue. To prove Qin Donghai's sincerity, Hua Mingyue revealed to Grandpa that she had previously offered Qin Donghai 20% of the company's shares if he helped her regain control of Flora, which he had refused.
This, she argued, clearly showed he had no interest in their family's wealth. Grandpa was shocked by this revelation. Hua Mingyue then defiantly declared she would only marry Qin Donghai, threatening to remain single and revert to her rebellious past if Grandpa didn't approve. She also informed him that her engagement with the Chen family was already annulled, further enraging Grandpa.
Qin Donghai promised to prove his sincerity through his actions, and Hua Mingyue declared she would leave with him until Grandpa accepted their relationship, believing it would demonstrate Qin Donghai's lack of interest in their family assets. Despite Uncle Fat's concerns, Grandpa allowed them to leave, confident that Hua Mingyue would eventually return, as she always had. Later, Hua Mingyue was seen with Yao Shengnan and Ye Xue Er, discussing wedding invitations.
While Hua Mingyue advocated for traditional paper invitations, Yao Shengnan expressed a cynical view, calling them "nuclear-level red bombs" that end up in the trash. Hua Mingyue called Yao Shengnan unromantic, but Yao Shengnan retorted that Hua Mingyue was "blinded by love" and changed by Qin Donghai. Ye Xue Er intervened, urging them to stop bickering. Hua Mingyue confided in them about her difficult path to happiness and her unwavering decision to marry Qin Donghai, which Yao Shengnan supported.
Meanwhile, Uncle Fat tried to soften Grandpa's stance towards Qin Donghai. He pointed out how much Hua Mingyue had matured during Grandpa's coma, praising her newfound competence and saying she was no longer the "silly white sweet" girl she once was. He emphasized that Qin Donghai had managed to "tame" Hua Mingyue, something even Grandpa couldn't achieve, suggesting that Qin Donghai's presence would bring peace and happiness to Grandpa's later years. Grandpa, still cautious, decided to observe Hua Mingyue firsthand.
He attended a company meeting where Hua Mingyue, now serving as Chairman, confidently led discussions on the upcoming Double Eleven promotions. She presented innovative marketing strategies, including expanding the "Huayang" software by bundling it with "Hua Xiaoyang" products and offering aspiring models a chance to be featured. She also outlined plans to partner with "YE" for international market expansion. Grandpa watched, seemingly impressed by her transformation into a capable businesswoman.
Separately, Hao Shuai took Yao Shengnan to an amusement park, attempting to stage various romantic proposal scenarios, but his plans quickly fell apart, leaving him flustered. Yao Shengnan, noticing his distracted state, grew impatient and threatened to leave. Realizing his opportunity was slipping away, Hao Shuai finally blurted out a confession, expressing his deep affection for her, albeit somewhat awkwardly.
Yao Shengnan, instead of waiting for more words, passionately kissed him, signifying her acceptance and putting an end to his rambling. Inspired by her love for Qin Donghai and tired of waiting for his proposal, Hua Mingyue took matters into her own hands. At a restaurant, she presented Qin Donghai with sunflowers, explaining their meaning of "silent love," a reflection of his constant, quiet support for her.
She acknowledged Grandpa's opposition had made him hesitant to propose, so she was doing it herself. She expressed her profound gratitude for him entering her life and making her a better person. Declaring her "hopeless love" for Qin Donghai to the world, she asked him to marry her, vowing to be with him regardless of external blessings. Before she could finish, Qin Donghai interrupted her with a kiss.
He then knelt, telling her that she had transformed from a "proud and domineering young lady" into a kind, brave, and sunny person who brought vitality to his life and gave him the courage to start anew. He confessed his past fears and reluctance to commit, but having almost lost her, he realized her immense importance to him.
He then used the sunflowers she brought to propose, asking her to be his wife and promising to walk with her always, no matter what challenges they faced. Hua Mingyue, overjoyed, accepted. Back at the family home, Hua Mingchen appealed to Grandpa on behalf of Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai.
He highlighted the numerous hardships the couple had faced, including Qin Donghai sacrificing his rescue career to help Hua Mingyue regain control of the company, enduring gossip, and later, the tragic news of his supposed death while fighting for the Hua family's interests. Mingchen recounted how Qin Donghai's survival and return, bringing back Hua Mingyue's uncle, had saved their company from acquisition.
He urged Grandpa to trust Qin Donghai, reminding him that he had, in fact, entrusted Mingyue to Qin Donghai's care in the past. Convinced by these arguments but still cautious, Grandpa summoned Qin Donghai for a private conversation. He acknowledged his improved impression of Qin Donghai but expressed lingering doubts about his long-term intentions towards the Hua family's wealth. To test his sincerity, Grandpa presented Qin Donghai with a prenuptial agreement, meticulously outlining the division of assets.
To Grandpa's astonishment, Qin Donghai signed the agreement without even reading it. He readily agreed that Hua Mingyue's premarital and post-marital wealth would have no connection to him, and that any future children would bear the Hua surname, effectively "marrying into" the Hua family. Qin Donghai affirmed that these conditions were insignificant compared to being with Hua Mingyue and that he would agree to anything to put Grandpa at ease.
Soon after, a joint wedding ceremony for Hua Mingyue and Qin Donghai, and Hua Mingchen and Ye Xue Er, was held. Despite initial worries about bad weather, the day turned out bright and clear. The event was attended by friends and family, with Hao Shuai and Chen Jingran serving as best men.
As the brides prepared, Uncle Fat tried to give Hua Mingyue a generic speech, but she insisted on speaking from the heart, asserting her growth beyond her former "straw bag" self. Grandpa, visibly touched, walked Hua Mingyue down the aisle, entrusting his granddaughter to Qin Donghai. Similarly, Ye Xue Er's father presented her to Hua Mingchen, and both couples began their ceremony to the delight of their guests. However, the celebration was cut short.
Mid-ceremony, Qin Donghai received an urgent call on his phone: a group of hikers was trapped in the suburban mountains. Without hesitation, Qin Donghai and his fellow rescuers, including Hao Shuai, quickly changed out of their wedding attire. Hua Mingyue, expressing her love and concern, insisted on joining him. On the rescue scene, they worked tirelessly, tending to the injured and coordinating efforts.
A live news report from the site informed the public about the rescue operation, highlighting the extraordinary fact that the team leader, Qin Donghai, and his bride, Hua Mingyue, were performing their duty on their wedding day. Back at the wedding venue, guests watched the live broadcast, anxiously awaiting news of their return. Hua Mingchen, worried, expressed concern about the rescue team's safety.
On the live broadcast, Hua Mingyue then expressed her unwavering belief that Qin Donghai, having overcome dangers abroad, would safely return. After successfully rescuing the last missing hiker, Qin Donghai, still in his rescue gear, returned to Hua Mingyue. Instead of a traditional reception, he gave her a more meaningful wedding gift: they exchanged rings at the rescue site, with their impromptu ceremony broadcast live to the guests at the original venue.
Grandpa, deeply moved by Qin Donghai's selfless act, finally gave his heartfelt blessing. Concurrently, Hua Mingchen and Ye Xue Er completed their ceremony by exchanging rings, sharing a loving kiss, bringing their own wedding to a happy conclusion.
