Cute Bodyguard Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Cute Bodyguard Synopsis
Cold and aloof corporate heir Gu Rong is the epitome of an arrogant young master, while seemingly sweet and delicate Su Jingjing hides extraordinary martial arts skills. When an unexpected incident brings these two polar opposites together, the spirited young woman becomes his personal bodyguard.
Forced to live under the same roof, the mismatched pair clash endlessly - yet through their hilarious cohabitation mishaps, they gradually break down each other's walls. As their icy defenses melt into mutual understanding and affection, they not only warm each other's hearts but also grow together while pursuing their life goals.
Cute Bodyguard Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Jingjing arrives early, excited to see her senior, Han Ran. She touches up her lipstick, hoping to look gentle and cute, the type she believes he prefers. Suddenly, the car she is using as a mirror starts, startling her and making her drop her lipstick. A man, Gu Rong, emerges and bumps into her. As he walks past, his clothes snag her sweater, unraveling a thread.
Jingjing calls out to him, but he arrogantly instructs his assistant to buy her a new sweater, completely ignoring her request for a simple, sincere apology before leaving. Meanwhile, at Gu Group, the chairman announces his retirement due to ill health and names Gu Rong as his successor. To everyone's shock, Gu Rong publicly refuses the position, stating his ambitions are elsewhere.
He submits a letter of resignation from his current role, and despite his grandfather, the chairman, insisting he accept his duty as the sole heir, Gu Rong remains resolute. Downstairs, a crowd, including Jingjing, awaits Han Ran's book signing. Feeling she isn't ready to face him, Jingjing rushes to buy a copy of his new, hard-to-get book. Clutching it, she daydreams about confessing her long-held secret feelings for him, imagining they share a mutual crush.
Her reverie is shattered when Gu Rong and the men pursuing him burst through the crowd, trampling her new book. Believing she is witnessing a public abduction, Jingjing intervenes. Amidst the chaos, the signing is canceled. Han Ran glances in Jingjing's direction, but she, embarrassed, looks away to continue arguing with Gu Rong. When one of the pursuers rushes towards them, Jingjing instinctively throws a punch, giving him a nosebleed. The sight of blood causes Jingjing to faint.
Gu Rong catches her, surprised to feel no adverse reaction from his haphephobia. He rushes her to the hospital, where she is diagnosed with fainting due to hematophobia. When she wakes up, she finds Gu Rong trying to cover her with a blanket and mistakes him for a pervert. Later, Gu Rong’s assistant suggests hiring a bodyguard for protection from Chief He, who is persistently trying to bring Gu Rong back to the company.
Recalling that he felt no aversion to touching Jingjing, Gu Rong instructs his assistant to investigate her and hire her as his bodyguard, noting both her fighting skills and his unusual reaction to her. At the Su family's martial club, the remaining apprentices, Ding and Liang, announce their departure, dismaying Master Su Zhengkui and his wife, Caixia, who are now left with an empty house they can't rent out.
A few days later, Gu Rong and his assistant arrive at the club with a fruit basket to hire Jingjing, humbly claiming his company is a small, new investment firm. Her parents are wary, and when Jingjing returns, she recognizes Gu Rong as the "pervert" from the hospital and promptly throws them out. Undeterred, Gu Rong returns and inadvertently walks in on Jingjing washing her hair in the bathroom.
Mistaking him for her mother, she asks for help with the foam in her eyes. He surprisingly complies, but they accidentally stumble into an embrace just as her parents walk in. Gu Rong seizes the opportunity to propose hiring Jingjing and renting a room in their house. Mistress Caixia, tempted by the "sideline business," agrees over Jingjing’s protests. However, Gu Rong's card is declined, having been frozen by his family.
As Jingjing tries to kick him out again, Gu Rong offers his expensive watch as collateral. Master Su, captivated by the valuable watch, eagerly agrees to let him stay. Early the next morning, Gu Rong is awakened by Jingjing's loud martial arts practice. Annoyed at first, he ends up joining her exercises. Meanwhile, Chief He's team detains Assistant Xie, trying to learn Gu Rong's whereabouts. Xie cleverly feigns ignorance.
Gu Rong calls his assistant, who discreetly warns him about Chief He's persistent pursuit. Fearing his phone could be tracked, Gu Rong hangs up and powers it off. Later, Gu Rong insists Jingjing accompany him to a distant bank, claiming it's the only way he can access his money. To avoid being recognized, he wears a motorcycle helmet. During the bus ride, Jingjing becomes suspicious of his secretive behavior, convinced he is a fugitive.
At the bank, Gu Rong gives her his card and password, asking her to withdraw 20,000. Jingjing is stunned to see an enormous balance in the account. Now fully convinced he is a criminal on the run, she tries to apprehend him, punching him in the face. His nose starts bleeding, and true to form, Jingjing faints at the sight of blood, falling right into his arms again.
Episode 2 Recap
Following his abrupt departure, Miss Bai located Gu Rong using his phone's GPS, finding him holding Su Jingjing. She gave him a new phone with her and his assistant's numbers pre-saved, cautioning him to be careful. Gu Rong explained that the girl, Su Jingjing, was fine and had merely fainted at the sight of blood. He revealed that his haphephobia seemed to have an exception for her, which was partly why he chose to stay at her family's home.
He added that he wouldn't return home for a while, hoping to give his grandfather time to reconsider forcing him to be the company's successor. Upon learning he intended to stay, Su Jingjing’s family had a dramatic reaction. Su Jingjing insisted he was a danger and had to leave, but her mother found her logic flawed, since he had kindly brought her home after she assaulted him.
Jingjing theorized he was using a "hard to get" tactic to win over their trust, and that the elegant woman who visited him, Miss Bai, was likely an old flame. Her father grabbed a rolling pin to drive Gu Rong out. As the family scuffled at the doorway, they overheard Miss Bai refer to Gu Rong as the sole heir to the Gu Group, which instantly changed their demeanor.
Su Jingjing immediately searched for him online and confirmed his identity with photos of him and his grandfather, the chairman. That evening, Su Jingjing's mother returned Gu Rong's watch, which he had left as collateral. With his rent paid, the contract was official, and he prepared to move into Su Jingjing's room. Her mother provided him with new bedding, while an annoyed Jingjing struggled to move her sofa out, prompting Gu Rong to tease her about her poor spatial reasoning.
He demanded all her personal items, especially a pink sofa, be removed, stating he wouldn't tolerate any color he disliked in his room. Her mother then lent Gu Rong Jingjing's laptop over her protests about privacy. Frustrated, Jingjing deliberately smashed a stone sculpture. Gu Rong offered to pay, but she furiously retorted that the item, which was her own design and which she privately called her "son," was irreplaceable.
Later that night, Gu Rong woke Jingjing, demanding a glass of 50-degree water. When she refused, he threatened to wake her mother, forcing her to comply. He then complained the water was too hot, then too cold, and finally un-drinkable because she had used a thermometer in it. Exasperated, Jingjing questioned why a wealthy heir would choose to suffer in their home.
Gu Rong reiterated his refusal to inherit the group, to which she sarcastically offered to take his "burdensome" place. Disoriented and sleepy later, Jingjing mistakenly entered her old room and climbed into bed with Gu Rong, who had to wake her with a feather duster. She accused him of being a pervert, but he pointed out she was the intruder and threatened to dock her salary if she used such language again.
The next morning, Su Jingjing’s efforts to annoy Gu Rong at breakfast were interrupted by her senior, Han Ran. Her demeanor instantly softened into a shy smile, a "face-changing" ability Gu Rong mocked. After a tense introduction where Jingjing had to explain Gu Rong's haphephobia, Han Ran gave her a signed copy of his new book to make up for her missing his signing event.
After Han Ran left for a flight, Gu Rong noted Jingjing's adoring gaze and asked if she liked him. She proudly declared her unwavering devotion to Han Ran, but Gu Rong, claiming to be a keen observer, bluntly told her the feeling wasn't mutual, noting that while her eyes sparkled for Han Ran, his held only disinterest for her. Su Jingjing later vented to her best friend, Ai Mi, about how annoying Gu Rong was.
She complained that she missed Han Ran's signing because she’d gotten into a fight, ruining her image. Now, Gu Rong constantly made demands via a loudspeaker for everything from medicine to laundry, turning her into a servant. He even caused power outages with his high-tech devices in their old house. Ai Mi mused that their relationship sounded like a fated romance from a drama, but Jingjing was repulsed.
Ai Mi then suggested a more practical, "perverted" plan: since he wanted a bodyguard, she should stick to him 24/7 to see how long he could stand her constant presence. Later, Gu Rong called Su Jingjing to the car for an outing. Remembering Ai Mi's prediction, Jingjing secretly hoped he was taking her shopping, but he announced he needed to buy "down-to-earth" clothes to be less conspicuous.
She took him to a wholesale market, where he grudgingly picked out some "ugly" outfits. Afterwards, he surprised her by taking her to a high-end department store and buying her several expensive outfits, calling them her "work clothes." He insisted she also wear high heels, assuring her she wouldn't need to fight. They then visited an art exhibition. Uncomfortable in her new heels, Jingjing reluctantly took Gu Rong’s arm for balance.
When Gu Rong admired a sculpture, Jingjing, drawing on her animation design background, critiqued it, comparing it unfavorably to her own figurines and criticizing its interpretation of human connection. While gesticulating, she accidentally knocked over and broke the 300,000 yuan sculpture. Faced with paying immediately or facing legal action, a distraught Jingjing pleaded for time, but Gu Rong stepped in and paid for the damage himself. Following the incident, Jingjing's attitude toward Gu Rong completely shifted.
She thanked him profusely and begged him to keep the debt a secret from her parents. Gu Rong agreed on one condition: she would repay him by serving as his personal bodyguard for five years, with her salary and bonuses going toward the debt. When she protested the long term, he threatened to tell her parents. Left with no choice, she agreed.
He then made her record a video pledging to be his obedient and loyal bodyguard for five years as proof. The episode ends with Jingjing's mother encouraging her to bring clients to her new beauty parlor job for a commission, with Jingjing asking which treatment is most expensive.
Episode 3 Recap
At her mother's beauty salon, Jingjing's mother deflects her colleagues' gossip about Jingjing's age and single status by boasting that her daughter has a great job at a large company. Just then, Jingjing arrives with Gu Rong, whom her mother proudly introduces as Jingjing's boyfriend, saving face. Inside, Jingjing's mother instructs her to perform a Thermage treatment on a reluctant Gu Rong. The procedure is painful, and he is baffled by Jingjing's technical explanations.
Afterwards, Jingjing tries to sell him a VIP package. Despite his initial refusal, Jingjing persuades him by claiming only she can handle his sensitive skin, and he reluctantly agrees. Later, Gu Rong discovers he was severely overcharged. Jingjing defends the price by humorously citing her unique "value," adding that the treatment cost has been deducted from his debt, which now stands at 295,000 yuan.
When Gu Rong expresses suspicion, Jingjing declares her price is non-negotiable and cheekily offers "any paid service," a remark that surprises him. Back at home, Jingjing continues to serve as Gu Rong's assistant, giving him a massage and cooking his favorite dishes. Gu Rong remarks that she is more capable than his professional assistant, Xie Te.
When Jingjing asks why he continues to live at her home instead of his villa, Gu Rong reminds her that he will leave once her debt is repaid. As they approach the house, Jingjing spots her senior from the martial arts club, Han Ran, waiting outside. She becomes flustered and tries to fix her appearance, but Gu Rong teases her.
Seizing the opportunity, Gu Rong introduces himself to Han Ran not only as a tenant but also as Jingjing's boss, stopping just short of calling himself her creditor when Jingjing quickly interjects, clarifying their professional relationship. Annoyed by Jingjing's sudden focus on Han Ran, Gu Rong demands a cappuccino, refusing instant coffee or delivery. He uses the 300,000 yuan debt as leverage, threatening to reveal it to Han Ran if she doesn't comply. Jingjing reluctantly goes.
While she is out, Han Ran has a warm reunion with Jingjing's father, his former master. When Jingjing returns with the coffee, Gu Rong, who never intended to drink it, hands it to her and tells her to "sober up." Later, the family and Han Ran gather to make dumplings. Gu Rong, dressed in a suit, initially just observes.
Watching Jingjing and Han Ran skillfully work, he becomes jealous and attempts to join in, only to prove clumsy, much to Jingjing's amusement. During dinner, Jingjing and Han Ran warmly exchange dumplings. Gu Rong pointedly asks Han Ran about his interest in sculpture exhibitions. Jingjing interjects, claiming a novelist like him would be too busy with writing. Gu Rong then reveals Jingjing's own interest in sculpture, surprising Han Ran.
Following this, Han Ran offers Jingjing a position as his literary assistant, which she eagerly accepts. However, Gu Rong immediately shuts it down, stating that as her boss, she has no time for other jobs. Han Ran suggests it could be part-time, but Gu Rong retorts, questioning if Jingjing is genuinely interested in literature or just in "writers," a subtle jab at Han Ran.
After dinner, as Jingjing and Han Ran chat, Gu Rong repeatedly interrupts with demands for snacks and drinks. He exposes Jingjing's attempt to act delicate for Han Ran by effortlessly opening a drink bottle she pretended she couldn't. After Han Ran leaves, Gu Rong confronts Jingjing for pretending to be someone she's not. Jingjing admits she wants to appear more feminine for Han Ran.
Gu Rong argues that true affection means embracing one's authentic self and tells her she "can't wake up someone who's pretending to be asleep," implying Han Ran is aware of her feelings but doesn't reciprocate. Vexed, Gu Rong wonders why a strong woman like Jingjing is infatuated with a "central air conditioner"—someone who is superficially nice to everyone. The next day, Gu Rong crashes Jingjing and Han Ran's date.
He critiques Jingjing's makeup and effectively turns their outing into a group event by insisting on joining them at a sculpture exhibition. When Jingjing's friend Ai Mi arrives to help run interference, Gu Rong thwarts her plan by claiming he has haphephobia and can only ride a tandem bike with Jingjing. During their outing, they unexpectedly encounter Chief He. Jingjing and Gu Rong flee on the bike, leading to a chase.
Cornered, Gu Rong urges Jingjing to use her martial arts skills. As a car suddenly approaches, Gu Rong instinctively pulls Jingjing to safety, and she falls into his arms. With Chief He closing in, Jingjing, declaring she is his bodyguard, finally uses her martial arts to fend him off. While she is occupied, Gu Rong slips away, leaving her to handle the situation alone.
Episode 4 Recap
After escaping their pursuers, Gu Rong and Su Jingjing engage in a playful argument about who was to blame for the delay. Su Jingjing urges a quick return, worried about Ai Mi and Han Ran. Meanwhile, at Su Jingjing’s home, Miss Bai arrives to find Ai Mi and Han Ran waiting anxiously. Concerned by the long absence, Han Ran considers calling the police, but Miss Bai stops him just as Gu Rong and Su Jingjing return.
Miss Bai immediately confronts Su Jingjing for failing to protect Gu Rong, but Han Ran shields her, asserting she is an assistant, not a nanny. Before Miss Bai can reveal that Su Jingjing is a bodyguard, Gu Rong interrupts. He fabricates a story about a fired employee begging for his job back, claiming he asked Su Jingjing to lead him away to avoid the hassle.
Though bewildered, Su Jingjing corroborates his story, and Gu Rong insists she bears no responsibility for the day's events. Later, Anrou tries to discuss company business with Gu Rong, but he reaffirms his decision to step away, encouraging her to take charge with confidence. Anrou questions why Su Jingjing’s role as a bodyguard is being kept from Han Ran.
Gu Rong explains it’s a promise he made to Su Jingjing and a private matter between them, leading Anrou to notice Su Jingjing's special significance to him. Anrou then suggests that Gu Rong travel to evade Chief He, who now knows his general location. Gu Rong agrees to consider it. Han Ran invites Su Jingjing on a short trip for his final book signing, and she happily accepts.
That evening, Su Jingjing tries to win Gu Rong’s approval for her leave by bringing him fruit and even feeding him peeled grapes. Seeing through her act, Gu Rong correctly guesses she wants to go on the trip with Han Ran. He initially denies her request but then reveals he will also be joining them to clear his head. During the car ride, Gu Rong, sitting in the back, watches over a sleeping Su Jingjing in the passenger seat.
When her head slumps, he gently supports it with his hand, a faint smile on his face. Upon arriving at the hotel, they discover no room was booked for Gu Rong and none are available. This leads to a tense standoff with Han Ran over the single bed in his room. That night, after an argument where Gu Rong refuses to sleep on the bed Han Ran has already used, he ends up on the sofa.
While trying to iron Han Ran’s custom-designed suit for the signing event, Su Jingjing accidentally scorches it. Panicked, she knows the designer piece is irreplaceable. Gu Rong comes to her rescue, giving her the address of a tailor who can fix it. Unable to sleep on the sofa, Gu Rong later goes looking for Su Jingjing when she doesn't answer her phone. He finds her asleep at the tailor shop, gently places his jacket over her, and sits beside her.
When Su Jingjing stirs, she sees him asleep and attempts to put his jacket back on him. He awakens at her touch, and their eyes meet. Gu Rong accompanies Su Jingjing to Lake Island, only to discover she plans to set up a surprise confession for Han Ran. Meanwhile, Xie Te calls to report that Dr. Zhang believes a cure for Gu Rong's condition has likely been found and suggests bringing Su Jingjing to meet him.
Gu Rong, disapproving of Su Jingjing's confession plan, actively sabotages her efforts. He insists it's an inauspicious day, deliberately starts a fight over a can of soda that results in her photos getting wet, and generally disrupts her preparations.
Episode 5 Recap
Following up on their earlier encounter, Jingjing was surprised to learn that Gu Rong, whom she assumed was a seasoned romantic, had never been in a relationship. She teased him about his lack of experience, likening his tendency to give advice to the "fridge theory"—knowing about something without ever having experienced it. She then resumed setting up her romantic scene for Han Ran, dismissing an online post about seeing an aurora at the lake as fake.
Meanwhile, Han Ran, responding to Jingjing's message about his interview, saw the same aurora post and mused that the process of waiting for the aurora is more beautiful than seeing it, a sentiment Jingjing found romantic. After finishing her setup, Jingjing's legs went numb from crouching, and she asked Gu Rong for help. As he pulled her up, she stumbled into his arms, leading to a brief, awkward moment. She then noticed some of her heart-shaped candles had toppled over.
Gu Rong criticized her setup as unromantic, deeply offending Jingjing. She passionately defended her efforts, explaining that the 99 candles represented her heartfelt wishes and genuine feelings. Realizing he had misspoken, Gu Rong tried to backtrack, but Jingjing, frustrated by his constant interference, demanded to know what he would gain if her confession to Han Ran failed.
Gu Rong admitted that her failure would benefit him, as it would ensure she could focus on her job as his bodyguard without distractions. Annoyed, Jingjing drew a circle on the ground and ordered him to stay inside it for his own safety. However, she soon struggled to assemble a tent by herself and feigned helplessness, hoping a "kind person" would help.
Although Gu Rong initially cited her instruction not to leave the circle, he eventually relented and assisted her, reminding her that she also ignored his request for her to move out of his house.
When Jingjing expressed surprise that a "young master" knew how to pitch a tent, he described a romantic vision of himself and Han Ran sitting inside, enjoying the view like a scene from a TV show, prompting Jingjing to tell him to build "their" romantic tent himself. At five o'clock, with no word from Han Ran, Jingjing discovered her phone was dead and her power bank was missing.
As she borrowed Gu Rong's phone, a swarm of wasps emerged from a nearby tree. While fleeing, Jingjing slipped, and though Gu Rong caught her, his phone fell into the water. They scrambled into the tent for safety, accidentally sharing a kiss in the chaos. Flushed with embarrassment, Jingjing pushed him away and then noticed his foot was severely swollen; he had twisted his ankle while pulling her into the tent.
Jingjing blamed herself, but Gu Rong insisted he couldn't let her get stung. He then revealed that the last boat departed at 6 PM (18:00), not 8 PM as she had mistakenly believed, meaning they were stranded overnight. Meanwhile, Han Ran, finished with his event, grew worried when he couldn't reach Jingjing. As night fell, Gu Rong lit the heart-shaped candles Jingjing had arranged.
She brought him ice for his ankle, and he offered a genuine "thank you," a first for him. They shared what little food they had and played with sparklers. Gu Rong confessed he'd never played with fireworks because his strict grandfather considered their fleeting beauty frivolous compared to lasting achievements. This revelation gave Jingjing a new perspective on Gu Rong, realizing that wealth didn't equate to freedom.
Back at the hotel, a frantic Han Ran learned Gu Rong was also missing and asked local friends to help search. In the tent, Gu Rong replayed the accidental kiss in his mind, beginning to wonder if he was developing feelings for Jingjing. The next morning, an awkwardness hung between them. They woke up late, realizing it was eleven o'clock and Jingjing had missed Han Ran's book signing.
Han Ran, who had ended the event early out of concern, met them as they arrived. Jingjing took full responsibility, explaining how she misread the boat schedule, provoked the wasps, and lost Gu Rong's phone, emphasizing that Gu Rong had protected her and gotten injured in the process. Relieved but concerned, Han Ran gently chided her for her carelessness and questioned her large suitcase, which she explained was for a planned picnic with him.
Upon returning home, Jingjing’s father gave Gu Rong a bottle of his family's secret liniment for the sprain. Her mother, noticing Jingjing’s sullen mood and refusal to eat, tried to ask Gu Rong what had happened, but he was evasive. Worried, she lamented the challenges of parenting. Later, Gu Rong had Xie Te buy sculpting clay.
Puzzled by the activity, Xie Te watched as Gu Rong explained that clay molding is an ancient art form tied to humanity's primal self-perception and hopes for love, referencing the phrase "you in me, and me in you" to describe its symbolism. After Xie Te left, Gu Rong playfully named his assistant’s crude sculpture "Ugly Xie Te."
Inspired, Xie Te later visited Ai Mi's toy shop and suggested she add a clay-molding activity for couples, echoing Gu Rong's explanation, an idea Ai Mi found innovative. That night, both Jingjing and Gu Rong were restless. Jingjing questioned her feelings for Han Ran, wondering if she sought a partner or just a protector. Gu Rong, unable to stop thinking about the kiss, grappled with the realization he might be falling for her.
Acting on this impulse, he sculpted a delicate clay figure of himself and quietly left it outside her door with a note that read, "A compensation for you. No need to thank me." Jingjing found the exquisite figure and was delighted. Recalling the "you in me, and me in you" concept, she wondered if this personal, handmade gift was Gu Rong's unexpected and sudden confession of his feelings.
Episode 6 Recap
Following his injury, Gu Rong feigns indifference while demanding water from Su Jingjing. She brings it along with a note purportedly from the sculpture he made, which she now calls her "son," thanking him. Gu Rong playfully corrects her, insisting the sculpture is his creation, but Su Jingjing is adamant. They playfully compromise, agreeing the sculpture is their shared "son." When Gu Rong's stomach rumbles, revealing he hasn't eaten, Su Jingjing offers to buy him food.
Despite his foot injury, Gu Rong insists on accompanying her. As they walk, Su Jingjing notices Gu Rong's intense gaze and briefly wonders if he has feelings for her, dismissing it as a "terrifying thought." To change the subject, she asks about his foot. Gu Rong downplays the soft tissue bruise but then feigns pain to elicit her concern. She offers to get her e-bike to give him a ride, but he refuses, preferring to walk with her.
Su Jingjing observes that he has changed, noting he is much less distant than when he first arrived. Seemingly realizing his own increased closeness, Gu Rong quickly pulls his arm back and denies anything is different. Their walk is interrupted when Ai Mi, riding her e-bike, nearly collides with them. Gu Rong swiftly pulls Su Jingjing into an embrace, a moment Ai Mi witnesses.
The three settle at a street food stall, where Ai Mi announces she is about to start a new relationship and will introduce her boyfriend once he confesses. Hearing this, Su Jingjing laments her own desire for a sweet romance. Ai Mi remarks that the romance she seeks is "right in front of her," but quickly clarifies she meant Han Ran, her Senior Brother.
The mention of Han Ran reminds Su Jingjing of her failed confession and missing his book signing. At the same time, Gu Rong suddenly complains of chest discomfort, describing the feeling as "stuffy." Meanwhile, Su Jingjing's father enlists Han Ran's help to plan a surprise for his wife, Caixia: a 30th-anniversary celebration of the day she "walked into his heart." His grand plan is to recreate the disco hall where they first met in their living room.
When Su Jingjing expresses a wish for a similarly romantic partner, Gu Rong cynically calls it "daydreaming," prompting her to retort that at least she has someone she likes, unlike him. The group splits up for preparations: Su Jingjing and Han Ran are assigned to buy groceries, while her father and Gu Rong handle decorations. Gu Rong tries to go with them but is ordered to stay home due to his injury.
Left alone with her father, Gu Rong grows agitated, imagining Su Jingjing confessing to Han Ran. His anxiety intensifies as her father proudly shows him mementos of their shared childhood, like Han Ran's first award certificate given to Su Jingjing and a sword they practiced with, calling them the "legendary twins." Unable to bear it, Gu Rong makes an excuse about needing to buy flowers and rushes out to find them.
In the crowded market, Gu Rong's haphephobia is triggered, and he faints. Su Jingjing and Han Ran find and revive him. Han Ran speculates that Gu Rong might have feelings for Su Jingjing, but she dismisses it, claiming they are from "two different worlds." However, she then privately wonders if Han Ran's pointed observation stems from jealousy. Elsewhere, Gu Rong's call for flowers to his assistant, Xie Te, is intercepted by Chief He, who is still searching for him.
Xie Te flees with the bouquet and takes refuge in Ai Mi's toy store. Mistaking his arrival with flowers as a grand romantic gesture, Ai Mi enthusiastically accepts his "confession" and embraces him. Seeing the intimate scene, Chief He concludes he has the wrong person and leaves, leaving a bewildered Xie Te unexpectedly in a new relationship. Back home, Caixia returns to the surprise disco party. Deeply touched, she dances with her husband, who tearfully recounts their thirty years together.
She reveals that it wasn't his looks or the flashy setting that won her over, but a simple bowl of noodles he once made for her. Later, Gu Rong apologizes for the flowers not arriving, but is reassured that sincerity matters more. The mood shifts when Su Jingjing's father mentions she went to see Han Ran off, having changed into a "brand new dress." Noticing Gu Rong's strained expression, Caixia gently coaxes him to open up.
He admits to feeling a tightness in his chest whenever he sees his female "friend" with another man. With her worldly wisdom, Caixia immediately diagnoses his ailment not as a heart problem, but as "one-sided love."
Episode 7 Recap
Su Jingjing returned home to find her parents teasing Gu Rong about his apparent "heart problem." Her mother diagnosed it not as an illness but as "love birds flying in"—a clear case of unrequited love. As Gu Rong pondered the term, Su Jingjing arrived, making his heart flutter. However, his mood soured when she announced she was going upstairs to help her senior, Han Ran, organize files.
Her parents asked her to help tidy the messy living room, but Su Jingjing insisted she had "serious business" and went upstairs, with her mother noting her unusually happy demeanor. Her parents then comforted Gu Rong, assuring him that unrequited love was still a beautiful experience and that he shouldn't rush things. Her father advised him to seize love when it appears, citing his own courtship as an example.
Upstairs, while organizing files for Han Ran's new book, Su Jingjing recalled a recent conversation where she admired her parents' relationship. Han Ran had reassured her that she would find happiness and that he would always see her as the "little one" from their childhood, even kneeling to tie her shoelace for her. Their work was interrupted by a call for Han Ran about an upcoming dinner party where he, as the guest of honor, needed a female companion.
Su Jingjing immediately volunteered, and Han Ran readily agreed. Meanwhile, outside the door, Gu Rong nervously practiced how to ask if her "confession" had succeeded, trying to frame it as a boss's concern. Upon entering, Gu Rong demanded Su Jingjing buy him a coffee. She told him not to tease her just because she was happy. He pried, asking if her confession was successful.
When she disappointedly replied it wasn't, Gu Rong couldn't hide his pleasure and provocatively stated it was "impossible" for Han Ran to like her. Confused, Jingjing countered that if Han Ran didn't like her, he wouldn't have invited her to be his dinner party companion. Alarmed, Gu Rong forbade her from going, reminding her that her contract stipulated she was on-call 24/7.
Su Jingjing cited labor laws and her right to rest, jokingly threatening to take sick leave for her impending period and declaring that in the face of love, nothing else mattered. Elsewhere, Ai Mi and Xie Te were celebrating what she believed was his successful confession to her. After some hesitation, Xie Te confessed it was all a misunderstanding: the roses were for his boss, and he had only run into her shop to escape people who were tracking him.
Brushing the details aside, Ai Mi asked if he liked her. Xie Te shyly admitted he liked her "more than a little bit." Ai Mi declared their relationship settled, and though Xie Te wanted to plan a more formal confession, she insisted their mutual affection was enough. As they toasted and leaned in for a kiss, Gu Rong called, ordering Xie Te to a café within fifteen minutes.
Ai Mi remarked that a grumpy boss who forces employees to work overtime must be single. At the café, Gu Rong sought dating advice from Xie Te for a "friend." Xie Te quickly deduced Gu Rong had fallen for Su Jingjing, who in turn liked Han Ran. Though defensive, Gu Rong admitted his feelings, boasting of his own merits and wondering why Su Jingjing would prefer Han Ran.
Xie Te advised that Su Jingjing likely didn't know him well enough and that Han Ran's only advantage was their shared history. He suggested Gu Rong use his daily proximity to discover her interests and subtly guide her to recognize his good qualities. Following this advice, Gu Rong's attempts to woo Su Jingjing backfired. He invited her to a comic convention, which she refused, fearing she might break an expensive collectible.
He then took her to a fighting gym, arguing she needed to improve her skills, but she found the foreign styles to be "fancy" and not her forte. During a sparring session, Gu Rong was accidentally hit and angrily blamed Xie Te for the "silly idea," forcing him to do squats as punishment.
Later, when Gu Rong asked about her current wishes, they all revolved around Han Ran: attending the dinner party as his girlfriend and watching the Capricorn meteor shower with him. Scoffing at her "lack of ambition," Gu Rong secretly began arranging to watch the meteor shower, even giving her paid leave and slyly advising her to wish for her "white horse prince," hinting it might not be Han Ran.
Gu Rong then tasked Xie Te with booking a restaurant, gifts, and flowers for after the meteor shower, making Xie Te late for his first date with Ai Mi. Ai Mi brought Su Jingjing along to meet her new boyfriend. When it began to rain heavily, Su Jingjing decided against going to see the meteor shower.
A drenched and furious Gu Rong confronted her, demanding to know why she didn't show up after he had waited two hours in the park. Oblivious, she retorted it was none of his business. Just then, Xie Te and Ai Mi arrived. After introductions, Ai Mi, realizing Gu Rong was Xie Te's boss, suggested they all have dinner together at the restaurant she thought Xie Te had booked. A displeased Gu Rong reluctantly agreed.
At the restaurant, a series of mix-ups ensued. A song dedicated to "the most adorable girl" by the "gentleman who booked the restaurant" played, which Ai Mi delightedly assumed was from Xie Te. During dessert, a strawberry mousse cake meant for Su Jingjing was mistakenly served to Ai Mi, and Gu Rong scrambled to cover up the error. Finally, a beautiful necklace Gu Rong had prepared for Su Jingjing was presented.
Ai Mi again assumed it was from Xie Te and excitedly accepted, interrupting his attempts to explain. Forced into the charade, Gu Rong reluctantly put the necklace on Ai Mi, to her and Su Jingjing's delight. Su Jingjing then questioned why Gu Rong was so happy about a surprise that wasn't for him. He offered a convoluted explanation that since Ai Mi's happiness made him happy, the surprise was, by extension, for him.
Brushing aside his "twisted logic," Su Jingjing announced she needed her beauty sleep for her "big event" with Han Ran the next day, leaving a stunned Gu Rong to watch her go.
Episode 8 Recap
Upon returning home, Jingjing was surprised to find a large telescope in their already small house. Her mother explained that Gu Rong had arranged for it to be moved from the park. This prompted Jingjing to recall her wish to watch a meteor shower with her Senior, Han Ran, imagining how romantic it would be and how a telescope would make the view even clearer.
When Gu Rong appeared, Jingjing thanked him, but he brusquely dismissed her, claiming he had simply changed his own plans to watch meteors and that it had nothing to do with her. Jingjing was left bewildered by his strange behavior, unable to understand his reluctance to admit his kindness, and equally confused by her own growing concern for him. Later that night, Gu Rong woke to find a cup of cold medicine by his bed.
He went to thank Jingjing, only to find her applying an "emergency" face mask in preparation for a dinner party. Gu Rong scoffed that only plastic surgery could improve her face. Vowing not to let him ruin her mood, Jingjing ignored him and mused over which lipstick color Han Ran would like. She declared her intention to appear at the party so everyone would know she was Han Ran's girlfriend, hoping to deter other women.
Gu Rong mocked her confidence, suggesting she was the one who was clueless. After returning to his room, Gu Rong called his assistant, Xie Te, demanding an invitation to the Han Ran Publishing Company's dinner party, brushing aside Xie Te's concern that the chairman might find out. Meanwhile, Bai Anrou also obtained an invitation, remarking to a colleague that Gu Rong, typically interested only in sculpture, was now showing a strange interest in literature.
Han Ran and Jingjing arrived elegantly at the dinner party. Shortly after, Gu Rong entered with Anrou, who explained she came to accompany him after hearing from Xie Te. Anrou presented Gu Rong with travel materials for Iceland, a trip he had previously expressed interest in. However, Gu Rong's attention was solely on Jingjing and Han Ran; he dismissed the Iceland trip, stating his plans had changed.
A guest mistook Jingjing for Han Ran's girlfriend, complimenting them as a perfect pair. While Jingjing was momentarily pleased, Han Ran clarified that she wasn't his girlfriend, explaining she was his junior sister, someone he grew up with, and "more important than a girlfriend: she's family." As Jingjing's face fell, Gu Rong stepped forward and publicly announced, "Of course she can't be Han Ran's girlfriend. Because I'm pursuing Miss Su," a moment captured by a photographer.
Following his declaration, Gu Rong invited Jingjing to dance, telling her she was the only one he was "immune" to and therefore the only one who could dance with him. He led her onto the dance floor, and shortly after, Anrou asked Han Ran to dance. Before they left the party, while Jingjing was in the restroom, Han Ran confronted Gu Rong.
He urged Gu Rong to treat Jingjing well if his intentions were serious and to be clear if he was just joking, as he didn't want to see Jingjing hurt. Gu Rong retorted that Han Ran himself had been hurting Jingjing all along by being ambiguous. Han Ran admitted his fault, but Gu Rong declared it was too late and that he would not allow Jingjing to be harmed.
After the party, Gu Rong, noticing Jingjing hadn't eaten, offered to get them some food, using his own hunger as an excuse. Jingjing thanked him for intervening earlier but expressed a desire to walk alone. Gu Rong insisted on accompanying her and gave her his coat. Meanwhile, Han Ran drove Anrou home. During the ride, Anrou insinuated that Gu Rong's grandfather already had a specific person in mind for his granddaughter-in-law, implying Jingjing didn't meet the criteria.
Han Ran, discerning Anrou was referring to herself, coolly replied that since Gu Rong was the one pursuing Jingjing, the standards were his concern, not Jingjing's. As Gu Rong and Jingjing walked, he noticed they were being followed and swiftly pulled her into a barbecue restaurant to lose their tails. Seeking an emotional release, Jingjing began to drink heavily.
She loudly lamented being seen as "just family" by Han Ran, reflecting on how her efforts to prepare for the party now felt pointless. Crying while claiming to be happy, she dramatically took off her shoes and asked Gu Rong if she was pretty. When Gu Rong took a photo of her disheveled state, he refused to delete it, saying he'd show her "real self" to Han Ran.
He then carried the protesting Jingjing, who insisted on walking due to nausea. After removing her remaining high heel and promising to buy her new ones, he indulged her demand to play on a seesaw. There, she fondly reminisced about her childhood with Han Ran, who was the only one who played with her. Gu Rong sternly interrupted, telling her to "wake up" and reminding her that Han Ran only saw her as a sister.
Jingjing tearfully denied this, and Gu Rong softened, comforting her. Their loud antics disturbed the neighbors as he finally got her home, where Jingjing's mother took over. Later, Gu Rong overheard a still-incoherent Jingjing lamenting that she hadn't gotten any "secret figures" from the blind boxes Han Ran had given her. He immediately called Xie Te and ordered a new batch of blind boxes for the martial arts club, admitting it was partly to cheer Jingjing up.
The next morning, Jingjing awoke in a closet with a throbbing headache and no memory of the previous night. Descending the stairs, she overheard her mother and Gu Rong talking. Her mother mentioned having washed his shirt, and as Gu Rong held it up, Jingjing noticed a lipstick stain on the collar, its color strikingly familiar.
Episode 9 Recap
Jingjing’s mother, having found a lipstick stain on Gu Rong’s shirt while doing laundry, immediately scolds Jingjing for drinking so excessively. She laments how complex society is and expresses immense gratitude to Gu Rong for ensuring Jingjing’s safety. Sensing the awkwardness, Gu Rong quickly changes the subject, takes the shirt, and excuses himself and Jingjing by saying they have something to discuss privately.
Before they go upstairs, Jingjing's mother sternly warns her that this is the first and last time she should ever get so drunk, calling it a matter of principle. Jingjing promises to remember. Once in Gu Rong’s room, he presses her about the previous night. Jingjing only recalls him helping her at the banquet and asks him to forget anything else he said. Gu Rong insists that they had both made their feelings clear, leaving Jingjing confused.
He then points to the lipstick mark on his shirt. Jingjing reluctantly admits the shade matches hers but claims to have no memory of how it got there. Gu Rong pushes further, asking why she slept in his closet. As Jingjing struggles to remember, a flashback reveals her drunkenly calling Gu Rong a "blind box" and "sleeping beauty" before trying to kiss him. Gu Rong confirms, "You kissed me." Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Jingjing flees the room.
Downstairs, the neighbors are already aware of Jingjing’s drunken escapade, teasing her about it and confirming that Gu Rong had carried her home. Just then, Ai Mi calls to announce a delivery of blind boxes. It turns out to be an investment from Gu Rong, who has partnered with Ai Mi's shop to use his residence as a distribution point.
When Jingjing worries about the lack of space, Ai Mi reveals her solution: a vending machine for immediate sales, with the rest stored in her warehouse. After Ai Mi leaves, Gu Rong formally declares his intention to pursue Jingjing, stating that his feelings are genuine. Skeptical, Jingjing dismisses it as a prank or an act of pity, accusing him of pursuing her only because he has no other options. She firmly states she won't date a "difficult rich guy."
Gu Rong denies her cynical theories and points out her hypocrisy in denying their kiss, leaving Jingjing flustered and in need of space to clear her head. Later, Jingjing confides in Ai Mi that her long-standing affection for Senior Han Ran might not be true love and that she needs to clarify things with him. To cheer her up, Ai Mi and Xie Te arrive with her favorite comfort foods: river snail rice noodles, pig's feet, and beer.
Jingjing refuses the beer, mentioning her recent "trouble," and whispers to Ai Mi that she drunkenly kissed Gu Rong and he confessed. A shocked Ai Mi demands answers, and Xie Te confirms Gu Rong is serious about his pursuit. This angers Ai Mi, who scolds Xie Te for prioritizing his boss's secret over their relationship.
Jingjing remains unconvinced of Gu Rong’s sincerity, but Xie Te defends him, detailing his extensive efforts to woo her—from his thoughtfulness toward her parents and planning dates to a fight club and a meteor shower viewing, to the necklace she received, which he confirms was always meant for her. Ai Mi then reveals she bought the necklace from Gu Rong so Jingjing wouldn't have to return it.
The following week, while trying to avoid Gu Rong, Jingjing runs right into him outside. He playfully calls her out for hiding and for rushing out in her pajamas without her phone. They play a game of truth or dare, during which Gu Rong reveals that Jingjing is his first love. As they walk, neighbors comment on how well-matched they look.
Gu Rong then informs Jingjing that Han Ran has called, asking her to bring the remaining files to his studio and inviting Gu Rong along. Jingjing resists, wanting her private space, but Gu Rong insists that her business is now his. As they wait for the elevator, Gu Rong spots his grandfather, yanks Jingjing toward the stairs to hide, but is recognized anyway.
At Han Ran's studio, which is in disarray as he prepares to move, Jingjing finally speaks candidly with him. She confesses she doesn't have romantic feelings for him, explaining she had pretended to be someone she's not out of fear of losing their connection and becoming just another fan. Understanding, Han Ran reassures her that she is an excellent person and that he will always see her as a beloved sister.
Jingjing then admits that Gu Rong wrote all the reports. Han Ran reveals he had suspected as much from the first batch, noting the novel ideas were beyond her usual scope. Gu Rong, who had been trying to eavesdrop, enters pretending to get coffee. When questioned, he casually explains he found the information on "Vascoda," an interdisciplinary website, and proceeds to elaborate on a specific author, impressing Han Ran with his depth of knowledge.
As they leave, Gu Rong spots Chief He and his team searching the floor under "the chairman's" orders and quickly pulls Jingjing into a stairwell. In the cramped space, he teases her, reminiscing about finding her in his closet, describing her blushing face and their proximity. Flustered, Jingjing urges him to focus on their escape. Their plan to call Xie Te for help fails as his phone is off.
They nearly run into Chief He again but are saved when he is distracted by an angry customer complaining about her wedding photos. Gu Rong suggests he create a diversion while Jingjing escapes, but she refuses, insisting they face the situation together.
Episode 10 Recap
To evade pursuit, Gu Rong and Su Jingjing disguise themselves as a couple taking wedding photos. Gu Rong tells the photographer his "fiancée" is shy and asks for something to cover them from the crowd. Once they are safely outside, Su Jingjing wants to change and leave immediately. However, the photographer reminds them that they have already paid, and if no photos are taken, the company will blame the staff.
Gu Rong, eager for a photo, insists they should take at least one picture as a favor to the photographers for helping them escape. Su Jingjing reluctantly agrees, and despite her protesting that she hadn't agreed, they end up having a full photoshoot. Han Ran, waiting for an appointment, unexpectedly runs into Bai Anrou. He expresses surprise at seeing her working so late, and she explains she stayed behind to manage some affairs after the chairman left.
Later, when Han Ran cannot find his car keys, Bai Anrou offers to drive him home. During the ride, Han Ran notices a business proposal concerning the Gu Group on her car seat. When they arrive, he asks to use her phone to pay for the ride. Amused, Bai Anrou asks if her previous actions offended him.
Han Ran clarifies it is a matter of reciprocity and suggests he treat her to a meal next time to cover the cost, a proposal that makes them both smile. While walking back, Su Jingjing complains that her first time wearing a wedding dress was far too hasty and casual, blaming Gu Rong for the "bad idea" of pretending to be a bride. Gu Rong apologetically takes the blame. Suddenly, they are intercepted by Chief He and his men.
Su Jingjing single-handedly defeats them with her martial arts, but the fight is interrupted by the arrival of Gu Rong's grandfather, who orders everyone to stop. Gu Rong's grandfather condescendingly commends Su Jingjing on her skills, calling her a "passable" bodyguard. Gu Rong immediately tells his grandfather not to speak to her in such a manner. The grandfather expresses his disappointment, stating that Gu Rong's actions don't justify his running away from home.
Gu Rong defiantly says he will only return if they beat him and drag him back, warning that a scene would cause a scandal for the Gu Group on social media. The grandfather scolds him for threatening his elders, but Su Jingjing intervenes, reminding him that Gu Rong is an adult with a right to his own freedom. As his bodyguard, she declares she will protect him.
Gu Rong stands firm, telling his grandfather he won't return until he is truly understood. After they leave, Gu Rong praises Su Jingjing, saying she was like a true heroine. Back at the martial arts club, Su Jingjing's mother questions their disheveled appearance. Later, Gu Rong shows Su Jingjing the photos from their shoot. She finds the idea of keeping the photos absurd, but he insists, telling her she looks beautiful.
He then leans in to kiss her, only to be interrupted by her mother calling them to eat fruit. A mortified Su Jingjing flees upstairs, where she fumes about being kissed and not resisting. Meanwhile, Gu Rong smiles at the photos in his room, feeling it was a lucky day, even noticing his stocks have gone up.
The next morning, Su Jingjing's mother sends her husband and Gu Rong out to buy buns so she can privately question Su Jingjing about Gu Rong. Su Jingjing tries to deflect, but her mother reveals she saw their near-kiss in the hallway. Her mom expresses her strong approval of Gu Rong, praising his character and thoughtfulness, but Su Jingjing insists he is annoying. When her mom accuses her of initiating the kiss, Su Jingjing frustratedly corrects her, "He kissed me!"
While buying buns, Gu Rong asks Su Jingjing's father for advice on how to know if a girl likes him. The father advises him to do whatever it takes to make her recognize her own feelings. Later, Gu Rong tells Bai Anrou he will continue staying with the Su family, and she agrees to keep him updated on his grandfather's plans. Elsewhere, the grandfather summons Bai Anrou, revealing he knows about her covering for Gu Rong.
He dismisses Gu Rong's feelings for Su Jingjing as a childish infatuation with "ordinary fare" and, after reviewing her unimpressive background, tasks Bai Anrou with persuading Gu Rong to return. He shows her a photo of Gu Rong with his arm around Su Jingjing, telling her to be vigilant. Lacking dating experience, Gu Rong asks Xie Te for advice. Xie Te reveals that his girlfriend, Ai Mi, gets most possessive when she's jealous of other girls.
Inspired, Gu Rong concludes that Su Jingjing will be forced to confront her feelings if she sees him with another woman. He decides to use Qin Xiaoxiao, an old schoolmate who has been trying to meet him about a business proposal, for his plan. He instructs Xie Te to arrange a meeting at a cultural park and insists Su Jingjing must come along to witness his "charm."
At the cultural park, Qin Xiaoxiao greets Gu Rong and asks if his haphephobia is better. He introduces Su Jingjing as his bodyguard. At a popular graffiti wall where couples leave handprints, Qin Xiaoxiao reveals she saved a spot for them inside a heart shape. Su Jingjing interjects that the heart can't fit three hands. After a brief debate, Qin Xiaoxiao places her handprint outside the heart. Feeling uncomfortable, Su Jingjing suggests they go eat.
Qin Xiaoxiao leads them to a private club where she has personally cooked Gu Rong's favorite steak and seafood fried rice. She apologizes to Su Jingjing for not preparing a meal for her, as she didn't know she was coming. Gu Rong offers to share his portion with Su Jingjing. Qin Xiaoxiao then reveals she learned the special recipe just for Gu Rong. After he praises the food, she pointedly asks Su Jingjing if she wants the recipe to cook for him herself.
Episode 11 Recap
Following his plan to make Su Jingjing jealous, Gu Rong continues his efforts during a meal. He offers Jingjing some seafood fried rice, which she finds incredibly delicious and immediately asks for the recipe. However, she clarifies the recipe is for her father to learn, so he can cook it for her. Gu Rong loses his appetite, but Jingjing cheerfully consumes his portion as well, not wanting to waste food.
On the car ride back, Jingjing thanks Xie Te for the recipe, promising to invite him and Ai Mi over once she masters the dish. Xie Te then prompts Gu Rong to talk about his meeting with Qin Xiaoxiao. Jingjing offers an "objective analysis," stating that Qin Xiaoxiao seems unsuitable for Gu Rong. Seizing the opportunity, Gu Rong praises Qin Xiaoxiao's beauty, personality, and capabilities, suggesting that since Jingjing rejected him, he should pursue a relationship with her.
Jingjing laughs, reminding him that his haphephobia would prevent him from developing a relationship with anyone. Gu Rong concedes his condition only seems to have an "immunity" to her, and while he wants to be with her, she has to agree. After Jingjing exits the car, Gu Rong complains to Xie Te that his jealousy ploy failed.
When Xie Te admits he is out of ideas, a frustrated Gu Rong threatens to interfere with Xie Te's relationship with Ai Mi unless he devises a new plan. Xie Te protests but, upon hearing Gu Rong's firm declaration that Jingjing is the only one for him, suggests a "bitter trick" to make her worry about him. That evening, Gu Rong contemplates the "bitter trick."
Deciding against anything that might leave a scar, he opts for a "bloodless" approach by taking a cold shower. Jingjing walks in and, noticing the lack of steam, immediately realizes what he did. They bicker, with Jingjing mocking his physique and declaring it's impossible for her to like him. Provoked, Gu Rong begins doing sit-ups, determined to get abs. He continues his self-inflicted torment by sleeping without a blanket.
The next day, Xie Te finds Gu Rong in the freezing room but discovers his temperature is still normal. Xie Te suggests that the trick only needs to convince Jingjing, and he goes out to buy props to fake an illness, including a warm patch to place on Gu Rong's forehead. Xie Te explains that making Jingjing worry will help her realize her true feelings. Gu Rong agrees and sends Xie Te downstairs to tell Jingjing he is gravely ill.
Xie Te informs Jingjing that Gu Rong has a high fever. She rushes to Gu Rong's room and scolds him for taking a cold shower. Feigning weakness, Gu Rong refuses to go to the hospital and asks for fever medication. Since they have none, Jingjing offers to buy some from a nearby pharmacy. Gu Rong then claims to be hungry and manipulates her into making him seafood fried rice.
Gu Rong finds her attempt unappetizing but forces himself to eat it all, telling himself her effort is what counts. Later, while Jingjing is out, she discovers a receipt for "warm patches" in the car's glove compartment and realizes Gu Rong faked his fever. She returns, believing he is still pretending, and is shocked when he takes the real medicine she bought. During a brief struggle over the pills, Gu Rong's phone accidentally sends a video to Jingjing's mother.
The video shows him crafting the very sculpture Jingjing had broken. The ensuing call from her parents creates chaos. Misinterpreting the situation, Jingjing's father, Su Zhengkui, becomes enraged, believing his daughter is "selling herself to pay off a debt." He also berates Gu Rong as a player for pursuing Jingjing while supposedly being involved with "Miss Bai." Gu Rong vehemently denies any feelings for Bai Anrou, and Xie Te confirms his sincerity.
Under pressure from the parents, Xie Te is forced to reveal the truth: the broken sculpture was made by Gu Rong, meaning Jingjing's 300,000 yuan debt is to him. After scolding Jingjing for incurring such a huge debt, her parents insist that Gu Rong still be provided with his standard meals, ordering Jingjing to take the food up to him. Late that night, Xie Te and Ai Mi arrive to take a genuinely ill Gu Rong to the hospital.
At the hospital, Jingjing confirms he has a real fever and expresses her regret for not believing him sooner. Ai Mi tells Jingjing how much Gu Rong cares for her, making himself sick just to get her attention, and asks if she isn't moved. Jingjing admits her feelings are a mess and she needs time to think. After the doctor confirms Gu Rong can be discharged the next day with medication, Jingjing reflects on his childish behavior.
She asks Xie Te and Ai Mi to leave so Gu Rong can rest. Before he goes, Xie Te reveals Gu Rong's tragic past: he lost both parents in a plane crash at age five, and his grandfather, the Chairman, was too preoccupied with the family corporation to raise him, leaving him to grow up like an orphan. Jingjing is filled with sympathy, and Xie Te expresses his relief that Gu Rong now has her to care for him.
Episode 12 Recap
At the hospital, Jingjing falls asleep at Gu Rong's bedside. He gently drapes his coat over her and strokes her hair, a contented smile on his face. Meanwhile, Jingjing's parents are deeply troubled. Her mother recounts an encounter with Mr. Li, who witnessed Jingjing fighting several men in suits. Mr. Li explained that the men were with an elderly man whom Gu Rong addressed as "grandpa," and he nearly set his dog on them, fearing for Jingjing's safety.
He urged them to be cautious about Gu Rong's background. The conversation escalates their concerns; while Gu Rong was just a tenant, his pursuit of Jingjing changes everything. They worry about his powerful family, potential enemies, and the risk to Jingjing. Her mother also fears that Gu Rong's grandfather disapproves of Jingjing and that marriage would condemn their daughter to a life of servitude as a housekeeper, pressured to bear numerous children.
They both agree such a future is unacceptable for Jingjing. Miss Bai arrives at the hospital with a variety of health supplements for Gu Rong. She condescendingly explains the uses of anti-glycation and antioxidant products, implying the Su family's diet is unhealthy and their home is ridden with mites. Pulling Jingjing aside, she attempts to drive a wedge between the couple, emphasizing that Gu Rong, as the chairman's grandson, belongs to a different world.
She suggests his interest is a temporary whim to escape his grandfather's control and that a simple girl like Jingjing should stick to a simple life. Influenced by these words and her parents' worries, Jingjing later tells Gu Rong they are incompatible and should remain colleagues. She clarifies that her forgiveness is not an acceptance of him, as they are from two different worlds that cannot be forced together.
That evening, as a light rain falls, Jingjing walks alone, crying as she reflects on her journey with Gu Rong. The disapproval from everyone around her leaves her feeling heartbroken and isolated. The next morning, Jingjing confronts Gu Rong, who, to her astonishment, offers her the account numbers and passwords to all his private funds. He naively believes that balancing their financial status will bridge the gap between their "two worlds."
Exasperated, Jingjing calls him an "idiot," explaining their differences are ideological, not material. She likens his presence in her home to that of a "wandering tourist" who has never truly integrated into her world of "household affairs and trifles." Confused, Gu Rong seeks advice from Ai Mi, who explains that his monetary solution was childish and insulting, further proving their incompatibility. She advises him to genuinely understand Jingjing's life instead of expecting her to revolve around his.
Taking her words to heart, Gu Rong begins to integrate himself into the community. He helps Ms. Chen, a local herbal tea vendor, set up an online takeout service, which soon generates hundreds of daily orders. He also has his company purchase fifty beauty salon cards from Jingjing's mother's salon as employee benefits, putting them all under her name and delighting her. Later, Jingjing and her father notice the neighborhood square dancers are all wearing wireless Bluetooth headphones.
They learn Gu Rong provided them to resolve noise complaints, allowing the dancers to enjoy their music without disturbing others. Gu Rong also creates an H5 promotional page for the Su's Martial Club, successfully marketing their summer class to a new generation of parents and bringing in a surge of students. He then asks Jingjing's father to teach him martial arts, determined to shed his pampered image and earn his trust. Surprised but willing, his father agrees.
Gu Rong dedicates himself to the training and household life. He struggles initially but quickly adapts, waking early for morning exercises and helping with chores like cleaning, washing dishes, and doing laundry. He learns to make tea and cook soup with Jingjing's mother and even helps walk Mr. Li's dog after he injures his foot. Jingjing's mother observes his transformation, remarking that she feels like she has gained a son.
One afternoon, Jingjing finds Gu Rong asleep in a chair and gently covers him with a blanket. When he wakes, he jokes that his insomnia is cured, just like her. He earnestly explains that he is changing to be closer to her and genuinely loves his new, grounded life, feeling a sense of security he's never known. He tells her that her parents have given him a chance and asks for her decision.
Conflicted, Jingjing says she hasn't decided and nervously sips plum juice, avoiding the conversation even as a nearby vendor teases her about how handsome, wealthy, and kind Gu Rong is. Suddenly, Chief He appears and escorts Jingjing to a meeting with Grandpa Gu. The chairman gets straight to the point: he wants Jingjing to convince Gu Rong to return to the Gu Group. He offers her any terms she desires, confident in her influence over his grandson.
When Jingjing tries to refuse, he gestures to his waiting finance and legal teams, ready to negotiate any condition. He then instructs his men to detain her until she agrees, reminding them to be careful as "she knows kung fu."
Episode 13 Recap
Gu Rong's grandfather, the Chairman of Gu Group, instructed Chief He to fulfill any requests made by Jingjing, believing that Jingjing could persuade Gu Rong to return home. He assembled the Gu Group's finance and legal teams to assist, explicitly stating that Jingjing should not be allowed to leave until she agreed. He also reminded Chief He of Jingjing's proficiency in martial arts.
Chief He affirmed his understanding, acknowledging the Chairman's deep concern for his grandson and expressing confidence that Gu Rong would eventually appreciate his grandfather's intentions. Gu Rong and Jingjing's mother returned home from grocery shopping, exchanging pleasantries with neighbors. However, they were met by Jingjing's panicked father, who announced that Jingjing was missing and her phone was off, which was highly unusual for her. He had already contacted Ai Mi, but she had no information about Jingjing's whereabouts.
Both parents were extremely worried about their daughter. A nearby plum syrup vendor, after some thought, recalled seeing a group of men in suits take Jingjing away earlier. Upon hearing this, Gu Rong quickly reassured Jingjing's parents that he knew where she was and would bring her back safely. Gu Rong immediately called Xie Te to inquire if his grandfather was at the company.
Xie Te confirmed that the Chairman had left at noon, prompting Gu Rong to hang up without further explanation, as he had already guessed. Puzzled by the call, Xie Te then noticed An Rou and recounted Gu Rong's unusual question. An Rou, however, seemed to grasp the underlying situation and quickly departed, leaving Xie Te completely baffled. Jingjing was presented with a blank check, with the offer to fill in any amount if she cooperated.
She found this method typical of the Gu family, recalling Gu Rong's similar initial approach. Her sole request was to be left alone. When she attempted to leave, she was physically restrained by the men, who further tried to coerce her by mentioning their financial and legal teams were at her disposal. Refusing to be intimidated, Jingjing quickly fought off her captors. As she tried to escape, more men in suits appeared.
At that moment, Gu Rong arrived, ordering the men to stop and declaring his intention to protect Jingjing. Confronting his grandfather, Gu Rong angrily demanded an explanation for why Jingjing had been brought there, warning that he would not tolerate any harm coming to her. Gu Rong's grandfather asserted that Gu Rong's feelings for Jingjing were merely a fleeting infatuation, given his constant exposure to exceptional women. Jingjing overheard this.
In response, Gu Rong took Jingjing's hand, declaring his clear understanding of his own emotions. He described Jingjing as outwardly ordinary but intrinsically kind, simple, and never demanding. He revealed his lifelong struggle with haphephobia, emphasizing that Jingjing was his unique exception, allowing him to feel completely unburdened and truly himself, free from the roles of Gu Zhenhua’s grandson or the Gu Group's sole heir. He affirmed his desire to be a simple, happy-go-lucky person for her, prioritizing her happiness.
Jingjing then stepped forward to address Gu Rong's grandfather, explaining that he didn't truly understand his grandson. She admitted her initial perception of Gu Rong as a pampered, pretentious young master. However, she had witnessed his genuine transformation through his actions: he regularly jogged and practiced martial arts with her father, even sharing simple street food like one-and-a-half-yuan steamed buns. He actively helped her mother recruit new members and assisted their neighbor, Mr. Li, by walking his dog.
Jingjing highlighted that Gu Rong no longer paraded his wealth or acted arrogantly; instead, he was considerate of others' feelings and cared for everyone around him. She questioned why such a changed Gu Rong shouldn't remain by her side. Gu Rong's grandfather was visibly stunned by these revelations, astonished by the extent of Gu Rong's transformation. Realizing Jingjing’s complete acceptance, Gu Rong then kissed her openly.
That evening, Gu Rong and Jingjing walked hand-in-hand, enjoying their new relationship as they shopped for matching couple items, including towels, toothbrushes, and pajamas. Jingjing playfully questioned the necessity of buying so many items they already possessed, to which Gu Rong teased her, suggesting she could have accepted his grandfather's ten-million-yuan check if she was truly concerned about spending.
Later, An Rou was seen drinking alone at a bar, where she was harassed by a man who identified himself as "Little White in the Waves." Han Ran promptly intervened, confronting the man and offering to keep An Rou company and drink with her until she felt better. Meanwhile, Gu Rong took Jingjing to a blind box store, which he proclaimed had the most extensive collection and the highest probability of yielding rare secret figures.
Jingjing, excited by the prospect of finding "Jelly Princess" or a ninja series figure, learned Gu Rong’s unique technique of identifying secret figures by their subtle differences in weight and height. She was overjoyed when he gifted her a blind box. Afterward, Han Ran escorted a heavily intoxicated An Rou back to her home. As he helped her inside, she unexpectedly kissed him. That evening, Jingjing's parents were at home, relaxing with face masks.
Jingjing's mother voiced her concern about their daughter being out so late, but her father reassured her of Gu Rong's reliability. When Gu Rong and Jingjing eventually returned, her parents playfully attempted to hide their masks. Jingjing's father initially feigned annoyance at their late arrival, but his demeanor quickly changed to delight when Jingjing confessed that they were now officially dating. Her mother, thrilled, embraced Jingjing and eagerly pressed for details about their new relationship.
Her father then laid down some ground rules, emphasizing his open-mindedness but sternly warning against any "transgressive behavior." He then sent them to their respective rooms. Despite the late hour, both Gu Rong and Jingjing were too excited to sleep. After a short while, they independently decided they couldn't wait until morning and quietly left their rooms, only to meet each other. Jingjing's father, who was still awake, observed their late-night attempts at a secret rendezvous but chose to feign ignorance, making a wry comment about their persistence.
Episode 14 Recap
The morning began with Han Ran still present at Bai Anrou's place, much to her surprise, following the events of the previous night. He offered her honey water for a hangover, explaining he'd ordered takeout as her fridge was empty. However, Bai Anrou declined, stating her peanut allergy, and asked him to eat it himself before leaving and shutting the door, as she had urgent matters to attend to.
Han Ran then commented that she was much cuter when she was drunk. Bai Anrou dismissed his words, asserting that nothing happened yesterday and correcting his perspective: a beautiful journey still ends in regret if the outcome isn't what one desires, and she had no intention of regretting anything. Meanwhile, at Su's Martial Club, Jingjing's mom was preparing breakfast when Jingjing inquired about Gu Rong.
Her mother explained that Gu Rong had woken up early asking about river snails rice noodle, and upon learning Jingjing loved it, he immediately went out to buy some. Jingjing guessed he headed to Mr. Zhang's shop on the street corner and decided to go find him. Arriving at the shop, Jingjing found Mr. Zhang had just opened and Gu Rong wasn't there yet.
She ordered two bowls, mentioning her boyfriend would be joining her later, piquing Mr. Zhang's curiosity about the man who won Jingjing over. Mr. Zhang then revealed he opened early because an old friend, who heard about his shop, wanted to try his noodles. Jingjing internally noted the shared passion for the dish. Just then, Gu Rong's grandfather, Gu Zhenhua, arrived, much to Jingjing's surprise.
She found it incredibly down-to-earth that a billionaire loved river snails rice noodle, momentarily feeling a wave of disbelief. Mr. Zhang served Jingjing her order, including snails, and mentioned that Gu Zhenhua also liked snails, adding that it was the last portion available. Jingjing, realizing who he was, offered to share her snails with Gu Zhenhua.
As they ate, Jingjing questioned why Gu Rong, whom his grandfather wanted to take over the Gu Group, didn't even know what river snails rice noodle was, despite his grandfather's fondness for it. Gu Zhenhua admitted he hadn't asked Gu Rong, stating he didn't want to force his preferences and believed inheriting the company was Gu Rong's best choice. Jingjing countered that even good things shouldn't be forced, pointing out Gu Rong had never explicitly refused to inherit.
Just then, Gu Rong texted Jingjing, saying he had returned to the martial club. Jingjing then told Gu Zhenhua that their main issue was a lack of communication, urging them to sit down and talk. She even suggested that if all else failed, a bowl of river snails rice noodle could solve their problems. Gu Zhenhua found Jingjing quite insightful, admitting she understood his grandson better than he did.
Gu Rong later explained to his parents that he had gone to a supermarket, thinking river snails rice noodle was like instant noodles. At the same time, Jingjing's father, Su, received an abrupt call from their landlord, Mr. Zhang, informing them that Su's Martial Club had been sold and they needed to vacate within three days. It was then revealed that Bai Anrou had purchased the property on behalf of Chairman Gu.
Bai Anrou presented Gu Rong with the signed contract, giving them one week to move out. She clarified that Chairman Gu's intention was to force Gu Rong to return home by transforming the martial club into a "Gu family" property, thus compelling those who didn't belong to leave. Gu Rong confronted Bai Anrou, asking if his grandfather had indeed ordered this. Bai Anrou affirmed his grandfather's unwavering resolve and her own consistent efforts to help Gu Rong.
Gu Rong, however, dismissed his grandfather's methods as outdated. The Su family, unable to afford buying the property themselves, refused Gu Rong's offer to cover the difference. Jingjing's mom then devised a plan: they would exaggerate every flaw of the old house—such as an outdated kitchen flue, falling tiles, and leaking bathroom—to deter the buyer.
However, Bai Anrou remained unfazed, stating that she wouldn't be living there herself and that the house's condition would only be an issue if Gu Rong couldn't accept it. Gu Rong apologized to the Su family for their involvement in his family's dispute, but they reassured him, comparing it to common family disagreements.
Immediately after this, Gu Zhenhua contacted his assistant to halt all of Bai Anrou's projects, reassigning them and penalizing the assistant's bonus, while also ordering close surveillance on Bai Anrou. As the Su family began packing, Su Zhengkui discovered their old wedding rings and photos, prompting him and Tian Caixia to playfully re-enact his proposal. Amidst the nostalgia, Tian Caixia also uncovered Su Zhengkui's hidden stash of cash, which she promptly confiscated, lecturing him about hiding money.
She then told Gu Rong that raising children was a demanding endeavor for any parent, including his grandfather, who must have endured many hardships. This resonated with Gu Rong, triggering a flashback to his childhood, where he tearfully asked his grandfather if he would disappear like his parents, and his grandfather lovingly promised to always be by his side.
During this period of packing, Gu Rong reassured his parents, asking for more time to handle the housing situation, and secretly arranged for the martial club's property to be rented back to Jingjing's family at a lower rate through his assistant, ensuring his girlfriend would not suspect his involvement. That evening, Jingjing asked Gu Rong about his experiences at the Gu Group.
He revealed that his grandfather had made him work in every department for a year, but he found the company's overall operations outdated and soon to fall behind market changes. He lamented that Gu Zhenhua rarely listened to his proposals for change, and their discussions often escalated into arguments, compounded by his own haphephobia which he had never disclosed to his grandfather. During this conversation, Gu Rong secretly placed his parents' wedding ring on Jingjing's finger.
Later that evening, Jingjing messaged Gu Zhenhua to meet at the river snails rice noodle shop the next day. At their meeting, Jingjing confronted Gu Zhenhua, reiterating that Gu Rong's difficulties stemmed from a communication breakdown with his grandfather, and asking if he was truly behind Bai Anrou's actions. Gu Zhenhua claimed he had just learned of the signed contract but admitted he had considered such a tactic to bring Gu Rong home.
Feigning a heart condition and emphasizing his advanced age and recent operation, he pleaded with Jingjing for continued assistance, admitting he had initially relied on Bai Anrou but now saw Jingjing as his only hope. He urged her to use Gu Rong's affection for her and his guilt over the eviction to persuade him.
He also explained that he understood Gu Rong's desire for company reform and his preference for professional managers, but he worried about Gu Rong's youth and impulsiveness. Gu Zhenhua, now 75, expressed his trust in Gu Rong's capability to manage the Gu Group, stating he could only rest easy with the company in his grandson's hands, and earnestly asked Jingjing for her help.
Episode 15 Recap
Ai Mi and Xie Te spoke on the phone, with Xie Te remarking on Gu Rong’s affection for Jingjing. He noted that since Jingjing’s recent move was Gu Rong’s fault, it was only right for him to offer her a house. Ai Mi agreed not to divulge this information to Jingjing.
Shortly after, Jingjing arrived with cash, eager to open one hundred blind boxes, but was frustrated when she only managed to draw two, receiving three identical items from the same series, which she found unwanted.
Ai Mi then playfully questioned Jingjing about her plan to team up with Gu Rong’s grandpa to trick him, marveling at the dramatic shift in their story from a clichéd romance where his grandpa tried to buy her off, to what now felt like a spy show.
Jingjing, accepting that "family feuds" are standard for wealthy families, cautioned Ai Mi not to tell Xie Te, admitting she was unsure how Gu Rong would react if he found out, and resigned herself to fate. She also reminded Ai Mi about the fifty yuan she owed. Later, Jingjing and Gu Rong went to view a rental property. Jingjing initially hesitated, believing the area would be too expensive, but the real estate agent insisted it was a "super steal."
The agent explained that the owner was anxious to rent, offering a low price for a property with clear ownership, smart features like remote-controlled curtains, intelligent appliances, constant temperature and humidity, and imported European mattresses. Gu Rong encouraged Jingjing to see it, and despite her initial skepticism about the unbelievably low price, she found the apartment impressive. The agent even offered a discount on the brokerage fee and a free cleaning service if she signed that day.
Jingjing expressed a need to call her parents for a discussion and borrowed Gu Rong's phone. To her surprise, his phone automatically connected to the apartment's Wi-Fi. Realizing the truth, Jingjing confronted Gu Rong, who, with no room for denial, admitted the apartment was his. He apologized for his deception, explaining that he knew she wouldn't accept the offer if he had been upfront, and felt responsible for her family's forced relocation.
Gu Rong continued to apologize to Jingjing, expressing deep regret for hiding the truth and for his part in their move. Jingjing, recalling her grandpa’s earlier advice to leverage Gu Rong’s guilt, decided to speak her mind.
She told Gu Rong that despite her frustration with the move, she believed his grandpa was not truly stubborn and suggested they, as family, should sit down and talk to mend their strained relationship, quoting a TVB show’s saying that "a family should stay together merrily." She also reaffirmed her commitment, telling him that as his bodyguard, she would always stand by him.
Gu Rong, deeply moved, embraced her tightly, asking her to promise to stay by his side wherever he went. That night, Gu Rong found Su's Mister in the old house, who was fixing the lights and making repairs. Su's Mister explained he wanted to leave the house in perfect condition for the next renters, reflecting on the sudden move.
He told Gu Rong that he and Su's Auntie were not worried about the move itself, but rather about the strained relationship between Gu Rong and his grandpa, and how it affected Gu Rong and Jingjing. Su's Mister urged Gu Rong, as a man, to face his problems directly for Jingjing’s sake, noting Jingjing’s wholehearted devotion to him. Gu Rong promised to give them a satisfactory answer.
During their heartfelt conversation, Su's Mister unconsciously placed his hand on Gu Rong's shoulder. Su's Auntie, noticing this, joyfully exclaimed that Gu Rong's Haphephobia was completely cured, as he showed no reaction. Everyone celebrated, embracing Gu Rong, who, grateful for their role in his recovery, offered to help with the repairs. Su's Mister, however, simply attributed the cure to "the power of love." The next morning, Gu Rong awoke to find Jingjing gone.
He went to a street snail rice noodle shop, where the owner confirmed Jingjing had visited with his grandpa. Gu Rong then went to the company, where Miss Bai advised him against acting impulsively. Gu Rong clarified he only had some matters to resolve.
In his meeting with his grandpa, Gu Rong laid down his conditions for returning to Gu Group: the company must undergo transformation and be handed over to him so he could improve it and embrace the younger market. He also demanded that his grandpa no longer interfere with his work or private life, especially concerning the Su family. His grandpa agreed to all terms, even acknowledging Jingjing as a good girl and telling Gu Rong to cherish her.
Back at home, Su's Auntie was furious upon learning that Jingjing had conspired with Gu Rong’s grandpa to deceive Gu Rong. Su's Mister intervened, calming her down and explaining that Jingjing’s actions were for Gu Rong’s benefit, ultimately ensuring their family wouldn’t have to sell Su’s Martial Club. Gu Rong later spoke to Jingjing, assuring her that the martial club no longer needed to be sold and they could live there indefinitely.
He explained that his time living with her family had cured his Haphephobia and helped him realize he needed to confront his grandpa and take responsibility for himself and the company. He stated his return to the company was essential and that he would not move out from their home. As a playful punishment for her recent cunning, he insisted she accompany him to work as his personal bodyguard.
Jingjing, surprised and delighted, eagerly agreed, pledging to go wherever he goes. The following morning, Gu Rong woke to find Jingjing had already left. She had taken Ai Mi racing, demonstrating impressive drifting and turning maneuvers that left Ai Mi feeling queasy. Jingjing explained she was honing her driving skills to prepare for her role as Gu Rong's bodyguard.
On the day of their first appearance at the company, Jingjing arrived fully prepared, sporting sunglasses and carrying pepper spray, determined to project a professional image. She instructed Xie Te to drop her off 500 meters from the office, wishing to keep her dual role as Gu Rong's bodyguard and girlfriend discreet to avoid becoming the subject of office gossip. Inside, the president's office staff enthusiastically welcomed Gu Rong back as CEO, presenting him with flowers.
Gu Rong then introduced Jingjing as his personal bodyguard, and her workstation was strategically placed close to his office. Later, Miss Bai assigned Jingjing a seemingly trivial but physically demanding task: moving a large, heavy plant that supposedly blocked her view. Jingjing, however, creatively reinterpreted the instruction by simply pruning the plant's branches, asserting that she was solely Gu Rong's bodyguard and not Miss Bai's.
Episode 16 Recap
Bai Anrou attempted to assert her authority over Su Jingjing, instructing her to move a plant that was obstructing her view. However, Su Jingjing began pruning the plant's branches instead, defiantly stating that as Gu Rong's personal bodyguard, her responsibilities were solely to him and not to Bai Anrou’s office. Gu Rong then entered, gently taking the pruning shears from Su Jingjing and cautioning her to be careful.
He mentioned that Xie Te had been looking for her, before taking her hand and leading her away, much to Bai Anrou's evident frustration. Gu Rong brought Su Jingjing to the pantry, asking if Bai Anrou had given her any trouble. Su Jingjing dismissed it as trivial, but Gu Rong then proposed making their relationship public. Su Jingjing strongly objected, fearing that publicizing their romance would adversely affect his career.
She argued that once their relationship was known, people would scrutinize them intensely, which would undoubtedly hinder his work. Gu Rong embraced her, explaining he simply wanted everyone to know that "Su Jingjing is my girlfriend" to protect her from any potential bullying. Su Jingjing playfully retorted, "I am Su Jingjing. Who dares to bully me?" , and told him not to worry about it. As they shared a kiss, a colleague unexpectedly walked in.
Gu Rong quickly pretended to spot a cockroach, successfully startling the colleague away to conceal their intimacy. Later, Ai Mi texted Su Jingjing, asking about her first day at work. Su Jingjing lamented that it was "absolutely boring" and that she felt like an "orphan" in the president's office. Ai Mi suggested using afternoon tea as an opportunity to socialize. Su Jingjing subsequently provided afternoon tea for her colleagues.
Gu Rong was particularly pleased, believing a "special flavor" coffee was exclusively for him, and even gave her permission to slack off at work. However, while in the restroom, Su Jingjing overheard colleagues gossiping, speculating that her boyfriend was Xie Te. They cited Xie Te’s attentiveness, such as providing her with new stationery and personally delivering coffee and snacks. Su Jingjing found the rumor quite amusing and chose not to correct it.
She later relayed the gossip to Xie Te, who became visibly anxious about Gu Rong finding out. Su Jingjing, however, remained unfazed. When Gu Rong learned about the rumors, he was furious that his girlfriend was being associated with another man. He confronted Xie Te, accusing him of creating a scandal, and ordered him to take paid leave and disappear immediately.
Gu Rong adamantly declared that if there were to be any rumors about Su Jingjing, her alleged boyfriend could only be him. Su Jingjing grew increasingly frustrated with Gu Rong, even ignoring his phone calls. Gu Rong summoned her to his office, offering a sincere apology and pledging to defer to her wishes going forward.
He presented her with a highly coveted secret figure as a peace offering, but Su Jingjing declined it, stating she needed to leave quickly to avoid colleagues' suspicion. Later, Chief He proposed a departmental dinner gathering after work. Su Jingjing initially declined but changed her mind upon hearing Chief He intended to invite Gu Rong. She then informed Chief He that Gu Rong was busy and would not attend, though he had permitted her to join.
At the dinner, Su Jingjing attempted to clarify her platonic relationship with Xie Te, but her colleagues repeatedly interrupted her, dismissing her explanations. Unexpectedly, Gu Rong appeared, fabricating a reason that Su Jingjing had forgotten her phone. He apologized for the recent confusion and reiterated his willingness to keep their relationship private, respecting her wishes. However, as they shared a tender moment, embracing and kissing, they were once again spotted by their colleagues.
Seizing the moment, Gu Rong immediately declared, "Su Jingjing is my girlfriend. Remember it when you spread rumors next time." Su Jingjing was left speechless. Gu Rong then playfully told her that from now on, her primary role in the company would be to "raise the fish and plant flowers" so he could see her constantly, and "hug and kiss" her whenever he felt tired, claiming he himself was her "work."
Gu Rong's father also made an appearance, witnessing their affection and jovially remarking on their impending wedding. That evening, Xie Te tenderly cared for Ai Mi, whose toe bone was fractured. He promised to look after her and her store for the duration of her two-week recovery, highlighting their loving relationship. Following the public announcement of Gu Rong and Su Jingjing's relationship, the corporate atmosphere subtly shifted as colleagues reacted to their newfound openness.
Only Bai Anrou maintained her open criticism, even advising Gu Rong to know his limits. Undeterred, Gu Rong openly held Su Jingjing’s hand in the elevator. Bai Anrou confronted him, questioning whether his pursuit of profitability included hiring his girlfriend as a personal bodyguard, and advising him not to overstep. Gu Rong dismissed her concerns, asserting that nothing mattered as long as it contributed to profit and posed no conflict.
Feeling awkward, Su Jingjing quickly excused herself to check on machines. During a subsequent company meeting, Gu Rong listened to a report. He then addressed the room, advising the presenter to focus more on data analysis rather than on him.
He acknowledged the whispers regarding his relationship with Su Jingjing and her position, firmly stating that while the company sought profit-makers, he specifically hired Su Jingjing for seemingly "trivial works" because she had cured his haphephobia, enabling him to conduct such meetings. He confidently declared his prowess in generating revenue and guaranteed that under his leadership, the Gu Group's performance would reach satisfactory levels, inviting everyone to supervise him and address any concerns immediately or never.
Later, Han Ran spotted Bai Anrou, but when he attempted to greet her, she pointedly ignored him. Bai Anrou then visited Mr. Gu, the Chairman, at his home, where they played Go. She voiced her concerns about Gu Rong's recent takeover, highlighting the company's instability during this transition and the negative discussions sparked by his public relationship. She feared these developments could lead the Gu Group to spiral out of control.
Mr. Gu, however, remained composed, asserting that as CEO, Gu Rong possessed the authority to steer the company as he saw fit, as long as it caused no harm, and he would not interfere. He subtly advised Bai Anrou to "know her place" and avoid "crossing the line," reminding her that he had previously halted her project related to Su's Martial Club because she had taken unnecessary risks.
He also suggested that "some things just won't happen no matter how hard you try." Mr. Gu then declined a meeting with Mr. Zhao from Wansheng Technology, directing Gu Rong to attend instead. Meanwhile, Gu Rong's grandpa sent a message to Su Jingjing, expressing his anticipation for her future performance at the company, noting her newfound popularity. Feeling unproductive, Su Jingjing actively sought work from Chief He, complaining that she was "bored of doing nothing."
Chief He hesitated, explaining he would face trouble if he assigned her tasks, as per Gu Rong's instructions. Su Jingjing persisted, even offering to be his personal assistant. Finally, Chief He relented and gave her a file to deliver to the Design Department. Upon arriving, Su Jingjing was asked if she was Gu Rong's girlfriend. Bai Anrou also entered the Design Department, immediately demanding the latest project files concerning Wansheng Technology, subtly threatening to involve the director if her request wasn't promptly met.
Episode 17 Recap
Gu Rong arrived at the restaurant and was about to open the car door for Jingjing, suggesting she could explore nearby and he would let her know when he was almost finished. Jingjing insisted on joining him, despite Gu Rong's warning that such occasions were often dull. Inside, Gu Rong greeted Mr. Zhao and was about to introduce Jingjing when Bai Anrou interrupted. During the dinner, Bai Anrou deliberately introduced Jingjing to Mr. Zhao as Gu Rong's highly trusted bodyguard.
Mr. Zhao then playfully remarked on Gu Rong's "good taste" in choosing such a refined girl as a bodyguard, adding that he might also get one for aesthetic pleasure. Bai Anrou then asked Jingjing to pour water for everyone. Gu Rong intervened, telling Mr. Zhao that it was inappropriate to ask his girlfriend to pour water. Realizing Jingjing was Gu Rong's girlfriend, Mr. Zhao apologized. Jingjing, understanding the situation, gracefully excused herself to change the seemingly too-hot tea water.
While in the restroom, Jingjing considered how to best explain to Gu Rong that she didn't want him to lose this business deal because of her, nor did she wish to remain at the dinner. Bai Anrou then approached her, deliberately telling Jingjing that her presence would only lead to discussions about Gu Rong, affecting others' perceptions of him and his judgment, and questioned if that was truly how she loved him. Jingjing did not respond.
Back at the table, Mr. Zhao lectured Gu Rong, emphasizing the importance of a man's broad-mindedness and offering advice as an elder. He stated that a woman a man brings out is either a capable assistant or a mere "vase," and expressed disbelief that Gu Rong seemed to care so much about a "vase," suggesting it could easily be replaced if broken. Unable to tolerate such remarks, Gu Rong stood up and left the dinner.
Outside, he informed Jingjing that their cooperation with Wansheng was terminated and instructed Bai Anrou to handle the termination process. Jingjing worried that she was the reason for the business decision, but Gu Rong reassured her, saying that cooperating with such a person was unnecessary and that he was upset for not protecting her better. They embraced, reaffirming their trust in each other. That evening, Gu Rong's grandfather inquired about the termination of the Wansheng cooperation.
Gu Rong simply explained it was a timely measure to cut losses, adding that he would bring a new business partner to meet him in a week. Later that night, Jingjing asked Gu Rong about Bai Anrou and whether she harbored feelings for him. Gu Rong embraced Jingjing from behind and clarified that Bai Anrou was merely a colleague who had helped him at work.
Seeing Jingjing's relieved smile and jealousy, Gu Rong expressed delight, encouraging her to maintain such feelings, but emphasized that while she could doubt him, she should never doubt her boyfriend. When Gu Rong went to check into his hotel for the business trip, Bai Anrou had already arrived and arranged his room. She had also researched William, the business partner Gu Rong intended to meet, including his preferences like Sichuan Cuisine, collecting, and snooker, and his reputation for being eccentric.
Gu Rong acknowledged that she was a good business partner as long as she didn't interfere with his personal life. However, despite their efforts, they waited for a long time but could not meet William. Meanwhile, Gu Rong had Xie Te deliver some food to Jingjing. Understanding that Gu Rong was on a trip to find a new business partner, Jingjing decided to call Gu Rong's grandfather and invited him out for snail rice noodles.
Jingjing visited her grandpa's home, aiming to learn more about the group's business operations. Grandpa Gu also taught her how to play golf, explaining that some business deals are made on the golf course, making the game a part of business. He sagely advised Jingjing not to force herself to fit in, but to be authentic and develop her talents in areas she genuinely enjoyed, as that would lead to a more meaningful life. Jingjing found his words very insightful.
Ai Mi's recovery was progressing quickly, with Xie Te staying late to accompany her. Gu Rong, on the other hand, was working diligently, knowing that William, despite his eccentricities, valued capability and was keen to enter the domestic market. That evening, Jingjing anxiously awaited a message from Gu Rong. He was busy for a long time before remembering to check his phone and video-called her. Jingjing later received exhibition tickets from Gu Rong and went to see the display.
While there, she intervened to help a foreigner, William, from a thief. William expressed a keen interest in Chinese Kung Fu, even mentioning he had studied it in the US, and Jingjing, in turn, introduced him to her family's martial club. William, delighted, exchanged contact information and expressed his intention to visit. Shortly after, Xie Te informed Gu Rong about Jingjing's injury from the incident. Gu Rong immediately rushed back, waiting on Jingjing's way home to surprise her.
Upon seeing him, Jingjing excitedly hugged him. However, Jingjing still harbored concerns about Bai Anrou. She asked Gu Rong, and he recounted the entire incident, explaining that Bai Anrou had come to his hotel room to retrieve some forgotten items, but he had not let her in. Jingjing expressed that her anger wasn't directed at Bai Anrou, but at the lack of trust; as a couple, they should be open with each other and not keep secrets.
Gu Rong promised that moving forward, no matter what happened, he would never conceal anything from her. The next morning, Jingjing was still annoyed with Xie Te for "snitching" on her. The couple then prepared to leave for work.
Episode 18 Recap
After Jingjing saw Gu Rong off in the morning, William arrived at Su's Martial Club, dressed in traditional Chinese attire. Mr. Su proudly introduced William to his club, boasting about his extensive student base and the club's far-reaching reputation, which he had poured his heart and soul into building according to ancient styles. Despite William's admiration, Mr. Su initially hesitated to teach him, fearing international tensions if William got hurt.
However, at Jingjing's insistence, Mr. Su began demonstrating basic skills like the horse stance and lunge punching. Impressed by William's quick grasp, Mr. Su decided to showcase his "Lightning Palm," an extremely powerful internal energy technique he claimed only two people in China and the Asia-Pacific region knew: his Senior and himself.
Back at Gu Group, Jingjing found her colleagues anxious around Gu Rong's office, worried about his stress regarding the company's first major project since Mr. Zhao pulled his investment. Xie Te shared that SC had sent four representatives, including their president and the marketing, design, and sales directors. Jingjing volunteered to collect the printed samples from the design department for the upcoming meeting.
It was then that Xie Te realized the person Jingjing had previously helped was William, the president of SC. When Jingjing entered the meeting room with the samples, William was surprised and delighted to see her, learning she worked for Gu Group and that Gu Rong was her boss and she was his bodyguard. During the meeting, William candidly expressed his concerns about Gu Group's proposal, finding it lacking novelty and the malls unremarkable compared to others.
He then asked Jingjing for her opinion. Seizing the opportunity, Jingjing passionately presented Gu Group's latest theme design, which adopted a graffiti style. She explained their goal was to combine trendy elements with common mall items, creating a vibrant and youthful atmosphere. She highlighted how their unique designs for nearly a hundred benches and bins in each mall were already becoming online sensations, offering customers a "blind box" surprise.
William was thoroughly impressed by Jingjing's proposal, marveling at her proficiency in design in addition to Chinese martial arts. He declared he would "feel assured to work with" Gu Group as long as she was there. Though a cooperation agreement was successfully reached, Gu Rong couldn't resist interjecting that Jingjing was his girlfriend.
William then invited Jingjing to film a short video promoting Chinese martial arts at Su's Martial Club, and Jingjing readily accepted, stating it was their duty to promote Chinese martial arts. William brought his team to Su's Martial Club to shoot some scenes. The place was bustling with people, and Mr. Su and William were already getting along very well.
Soon, An Rou arrived, claiming to be there to visit her client, SC, while Han Ran was also there, invited by Jingjing to watch the performance. Their encounter, however, remained cold. Observing Jingjing, An Rou recalled Gu Rong mentioning Jingjing’s hemophobia and conceived a malicious idea. After filming a dramatic scene, Jingjing was to perform a martial arts sequence with a real sword. Unbeknownst to her, the sword had blood on it.
As she stood on a table for her final move, she spotted the blood and fainted, fortunately, Gu Rong rushed forward to catch her, though falling debris from the set struck him. At the hospital, Jingjing attended to Gu Rong, who, despite his minor back injury, playfully demanded that Jingjing personally feed him. Han Ran arrived, affectionately calling Gu Rong his "brother-in-law," a title Gu Rong openly enjoyed and found him very acceptable.
Moments later, An Rou also visited, though she received a less enthusiastic welcome from both Jingjing and Gu Rong. An Rou, however, announced she was there to say goodbye, having realized she had dwelled on one thing for too long and needed a break. She decided to go to Iceland, a decision Gu Rong supported, assuring her that Gu Group would welcome her back anytime. As William prepared to leave, the promotional video completed, he bid farewell to Jingjing.
Gu Rong, clearly jealous, tried to intervene, prompting William to observe Gu Rong's deep love for Jingjing and Jingjing's outstanding qualities. William suggested that giving Gu Rong "a sense of crisis" would help him maintain their relationship. Later, Han Ran and An Rou unexpectedly met again. This time, An Rou initiated an invitation for a late-night snack, which Han Ran happily accepted. That evening, Jingjing was drawing and quickly tried to hide her work when Gu Rong entered.
Gu Rong, however, saw it and praised her artwork. Jingjing confessed her desire to apply for a position in the company's design department, having majored in design but neglected it for years. Gu Rong initially offered to simply arrange it for her, but Jingjing insisted on a proper application process, which Gu Rong then fully supported. Gu Rong visited his grandpa, sharing tea and discussing Jingjing's ambition to join the design department.
Grandpa agreed that Jingjing was an exceptional young woman who shouldn't always stand by Gu Rong's side, emphasizing her need to find her own place. Gu Rong smiled, understanding his grandpa's wisdom. For the design department's competitive exam, Jingjing secluded herself, creating intensely without eating or drinking. Her parents' and Gu Rong's attempts to coax her out were fruitless until Gu Rong physically pulled her from the room. This brief interaction unexpectedly sparked Jingjing's final inspiration, allowing her to quickly complete her design.
Episode 19 Recap
Following her dedicated preparation and Gu Rong's support for her application to the Design Department, Su Jingjing's design work was among those selected for the first round of recruitment. However, the Director of the Design Department recognized her name, associating her with Gu Rong and recent company gossip, including rumors of her joining as a bodyguard and even causing Miss Bai to take a long leave.
Believing she was a "connected hire" and wanting no such people in his department, he ordered her application to be discarded. Unaware of this, Su Jingjing anxiously opened the reply from the Design Department with Gu Rong by her side. Despite her nervousness, she found herself rejected. She feigned indifference, claiming she was accustomed to such outcomes, as she always received "Thank You" messages in lotteries since childhood.
She even light-heartedly told Gu Rong that this outcome confirmed he hadn't abused his power. Feeling tired, she went upstairs to rest, leaving Gu Rong to answer a knock at the door. It was Xie Te and Ai Mi, who had brought wine to celebrate what they assumed was Jingjing's success. Gu Rong, noticing their celebratory mood, asked Ai Mi if it was true that Jingjing had never won a lottery in her life, which Ai Mi confirmed.
Concerned, Gu Rong then instructed Xie Te to investigate why Jingjing's preliminary test had been rejected. Su Jingjing remained despondent in her room, prompting Gu Rong to urge her to go out, as she had been cooped up all day. She initially resisted, telling him that if his intention was to console her, it was unnecessary; she preferred to be alone and process her emotions. Gu Rong, however, was resolute, stating he couldn't let her face it alone.
He secretly planned a series of surprises, enlisting Xie Te and Ai Mi for assistance. Feigning hunger, Gu Rong proposed they go out for a meal. When Jingjing suggested crayfish for its warmth, Gu Rong subtly gave a signal, and Xie Te and Ai Mi shifted from their initial plan to execute "Plan B," following the couple. At the restaurant, Gu Rong focused entirely on peeling crayfish for Jingjing, barely eating himself. A waiter approached, announcing a promotional lucky draw.
Jingjing, already feeling unlucky, was hesitant to participate, stating she always had bad luck. Gu Rong encouraged her, suggesting she wouldn't win if she didn't try, eventually convincing her. As Jingjing spun the wheel, Ai Mi and Xie Te covertly manipulated the mechanism, ensuring she landed on the "First Prize." Overjoyed and in disbelief at her win, Jingjing received her prize and excitedly embraced Gu Rong.
Continuing their outing at the mall, the couple encountered mascots inviting them to smash golden eggs. Gu Rong encouraged Jingjing to try, even suggesting a playful bet involving a kiss. To her astonishment, Jingjing won the first prize: a "purchase for free for one day," allowing her to buy anything in the mall without cost. Though delighted, Jingjing found the mascots' voices suspiciously familiar, prompting Gu Rong to swiftly distract her with a shopping spree.
Unbeknownst to them, Ai Mi and Xie Te, disguised as the mascots, were relieved their identities weren't fully revealed as they hurried to change. Jingjing and Gu Rong enjoyed a successful shopping trip. Afterward, Jingjing suggested they put their purchases in the car and simply walk around, expressing a newfound sense of recovery and optimism. She reflected that luck couldn't always be bad, especially for someone like her who was "insulated from winning prizes," having now won two major awards.
This, she concluded, meant that one job application failure was insignificant, and she just needed more practice for future success. Gu Rong enthusiastically agreed with her renewed positive outlook. As they strolled by the river, Jingjing shared her strawberry and cheese flavored drink with Gu Rong, whose "good luck" she then "shared" through a kiss. They then spotted a vending machine. Gu Rong, after winning a "secret figure," encouraged Jingjing to try as well.
Ai Mi and Xie Te, still secretly assisting, ensured Jingjing also received a "secret figure." However, after Ai Mi and Xie Te departed, Jingjing noticed that every item in the vending machine was a "secret figure." She instantly realized that the free shopping day and the vending machine full of secret figures were all elaborate schemes orchestrated by Gu Rong, and that Ai Mi and Xie Te were the mascots.
Gu Rong, caught, immediately apologized, explaining he just wanted to lift her spirits after her application rejection. To his surprise, Jingjing wasn't angry. Instead, she expressed her deep appreciation and affection for everything he had done for her with a kiss. Gu Rong, in turn, thanked her, declaring that having her by his side was his greatest prize. Jingjing then affirmed that despite her job application failure, she felt no regret with Gu Rong by her side.
That evening, Gu Rong went to a bar to confront Du Yuchuan, the Director of the Design Department, who he suspected was responsible for Jingjing’s application being discarded. Du Yuchuan, known for his eccentric and often rude behavior, initially dismissed Gu Rong, stating his department did not hire "connected people" and suggesting Gu Rong could fire him if he wished Jingjing to be hired.
Gu Rong then challenged Du Yuchuan, accusing him of dismissing Jingjing’s capabilities without even reviewing her work, purely based on her perceived "connection" as Gu Rong's girlfriend and bodyguard. Gu Rong proposed a bet: he would provide a collection of design drafts, including Jingjing’s and those of other company employees, and Du Yuchuan had to identify Jingjing's work.
If Du Yuchuan could not identify it, or if he judged it not to be the worst, it would prove Jingjing's qualification for the department. The stakes were Du Yuchuan's entire year's wine bill if he won, and whatever Gu Rong asked if he lost. Du Yuchuan accepted, intrigued. After reviewing the drafts, Du Yuchuan successfully identified Jingjing's work.
However, he clarified that his identification was not due to her work being subpar, but because he was familiar with the styles of the other designers. He admitted that Su Jingjing’s drawing was indeed excellent and that she was fully qualified to join the Design Department.
He promised to have his assistant send her an offer the next day, though he jokingly reminded Gu Rong that he still technically won the bet since he identified the work, thus ensuring Gu Rong paid for his year's worth of wine. Upon receiving the Design Department’s invitation, Su Jingjing was initially upset, believing Gu Rong had used his influence to secure her position.
She vehemently stated her desire to achieve success independently, not through his status, and declared she would refuse the offer. Gu Rong then calmly explained that he had indeed spoken to Du Yuchuan, but claimed Du Yuchuan had simply preferred Jingjing's design out of many he had shown him. Convinced by Gu Rong's explanation, Jingjing realized she had unfairly accused him and accepted the offer, feeling proud that she had gotten in on her own merit.
The next morning, eager for her first day, Jingjing walked to work with Gu Rong, rejecting his offer to have Xie Te drive her or for her to report later. Outside the office, she accidentally collided with Du Yuchuan, who was on a bicycle, resulting in coffee spilling all over her clothes. Instead of apologizing, Du Yuchuan bizarrely remarked on the "extraordinary work" of the coffee stain, calling it "beautiful" and telling her to cherish the now "priceless" garment.
Exasperated by his strange behavior and attitude, Jingjing retaliated by splashing coffee back at him. Gu Rong arrived shortly after, and upon hearing Jingjing’s account of meeting an "insane person," took her to his office to change into one of his spare jackets, admiring how she looked in his oversized clothing. It was only later, at the company, that Jingjing realized the "insane person" was none other than Du Yuchuan, her new director.
Despite their contentious first encounter, Du Yuchuan appeared to find Jingjing quite interesting. During a department meeting, Du Yuchuan assigned major projects, including the upcoming Wansheng projects and Gu Group's key design initiatives, to other experienced members like Lisa and David, explicitly excluding Jingjing due to her limited experience and the projects being mid-to-late stage. Undeterred, Jingjing earnestly pleaded for an opportunity, expressing her excitement to work with such a renowned department and talented colleagues.
She then humbly offered to perform auxiliary tasks, such as collating and organizing materials, since every major role was already filled. Du Yuchuan, seemingly amused by her persistence, reluctantly agreed to her performing auxiliary work. Later, Gu Rong visited Jingjing at her workplace, offering to help her with heavy auxiliary tasks like moving boxes, insisting she wouldn't have to do such menial work as long as he was around.
While Jingjing was handling some goods and discussing their placement with Du Yuchuan, an accident occurred, causing boxes to fall and resulting in a small cut on Du Yuchuan's hand. Seeing the blood, Su Jingjing immediately went pale and fainted, consistent with her known severe hematophobia. A startled Du Yuchuan, despite his injury, quickly proposed taking her to the hospital for disinfection. As he tried to guide her out, they discovered the door was locked. Both realized they were trapped inside, with Du Yuchuan's phone on his desk, and Jingjing too disoriented to help. He urgently called out for someone to let them out.
Episode 20 Recap
Su Jingjing and Director Du Yuchuan found themselves unexpectedly locked inside a warehouse, both realizing they had left their phones elsewhere. Meanwhile, at Su's Martial Club, Gu Rong was meticulously preparing a celebratory meal for his one-month anniversary with Jingjing, insisting on doing it himself despite his unfamiliarity with cooking utensils. Mister watched over him, offering guidance and pointing out Gu Rong's clumsy handling of a knife. Back in the warehouse, Jingjing's shouts for help went unheard.
Du Yuchuan was preoccupied, trying to conceptualize "flow" for a Shengda Group design. Noticing a company wall painting and an array of paints, Jingjing was inspired and playfully offered to show Du Yuchuan "the flow of art." They joyfully began spray painting the wall, creating a vibrant, flowing design. As evening approached, Gu Rong proudly finished his dishes and texted Jingjing to come home urgently.
However, her phone was on her desk, and she remained oblivious, still immersed in their creative endeavor. Gu Rong, along with Mister and Ma'am, waited anxiously for her return, but his repeated calls went unanswered. Jingjing observed Du Yuchuan's unconventional artistic methods, noting his willingness to test colors directly on his clothes, though she conceded the final results were impressive. After completing their mural, Du Yuchuan accidentally fell from the ladder, twisting his ankle.
Jingjing urged him not to move, and he dramatically declared his willingness to endure discomfort for "the price of feeling the flow." Their predicament was resolved when a security guard, drawn by Jingjing's persistent shouts, arrived to unlock the door. As they carefully helped the injured Du Yuchuan, Jingjing admitted her hand had also been twisted in the process.
At the hospital, they unexpectedly encountered Han Ran, who greeted Du Yuchuan as "Senior," revealing they had known each other for years but lost touch when Du Yuchuan was abroad. A nurse informed Du Yuchuan his hand injury was minor, and he could be discharged after his IV. Seeing Du Yuchuan's injured hands, Jingjing offered him water and, finding he couldn't hold it, proceeded to feed him. Just then, Gu Rong walked in, witnessing Jingjing feeding Du Yuchuan.
Visibly upset, he immediately told Jingjing to come home, interrupting Du Yuchuan, and declared Du Yuchuan would have a "long holiday." Outside the hospital, Su Jingjing tried to explain the situation to a clearly upset Gu Rong, emphasizing that she simply helped an injured person and missed his calls because her phone was on her desk. Gu Rong remained unresponsive. Upon arriving home, Jingjing was surprised by the lavish meal and asked about the special occasion.
Gu Rong reminded her it was their one-month anniversary, which she had forgotten due to her eventful day. To mend things, she showered Gu Rong with compliments about his cooking, likening him to a "Cooking Master Boy" and claiming his dishes surpassed her father's. Her praise eventually brought a smile to Gu Rong's face, and she promised to keep her phone with her at all times.
Their tender moment was abruptly interrupted when Mister and Ma'am discovered them kissing, leading to an awkward moment where they were told to return to their separate rooms. Later, Jingjing expressed her frustration to Gu Rong about their "secret relationship" at home. Gu Rong then proposed they move into his apartment, which was conveniently located near the company. Jingjing was hesitant, fearing her father would never agree.
However, Gu Rong revealed he had already devised a plan, intending to leverage the Martial Club's growing student numbers for the upcoming winter classes, which would soon exceed its accommodation capacity. He suggested they use this situation to "test Mister's reaction" to their moving out. The next morning, Su Jingjing and Gu Rong staged a hurried departure, setting off alarms and overtly complaining about the long commute from home to the company.
They subtly hinted to Mister and Ma'am about the inconvenience, hoping to plant the idea of them moving out. Mister offered to pick Jingjing up by taxi if she worked late, but Ma'am interjected, questioning why Gu Rong didn't use his own car. Gu Rong quickly improvised, explaining his grandpa had borrowed it and company cars were unavailable. He reiterated the long commute and lack of personal transport.
Despite their clear attempts, Mister and Ma'am remained oblivious, simply encouraging them to "overcome" the difficulties as young people should. Later, at a meeting for the Fanfun Mall's 10th-anniversary celebration, Director Du Yuchuan specifically sought Jingjing's input on the proposed design. Jingjing articulated her ideas thoughtfully, suggesting a more direct approach to conveying the concept of "fun," particularly for older customers. Impressed, Du Yuchuan assigned Jingjing full responsibility for the significant project.
Although some colleagues expressed reservations about Jingjing's recent hiring and lack of experience, Du Yuchuan dismissed their doubts, asserting his confidence in her and stating he would personally oversee the project. Afterward, Gu Rong reassured Jingjing, affirming his unwavering belief in her capabilities. Gu Rong then extended an invitation to Mister and Ma'am to visit his apartment, presenting it as a potential solution to the Martial Club's accommodation shortage for the upcoming winter classes.
Mister and Ma'am were thoroughly impressed by the spacious, well-decorated apartment, its modern appliances, and its convenient location near the company, noting there were enough rooms for everyone. Gu Rong then revealed the apartment was his and emphasized that providing a comfortable home was the "most basic thing" he could offer if they were willing to entrust Jingjing to him.
However, Mister's initial satisfaction quickly turned to fury when Gu Rong clarified his true intention: for him and Jingjing to move into the apartment, thereby freeing up rooms at the Martial Club for the students. Enraged, Mister threatened Gu Rong with his falchion, declaring he would turn Gu Rong's "birthday into his death day." Ma'am intervened, chastising Mister for his aggressive language, and suggested that while Gu Rong's idea was good, it might have been presented too hastily.
Defeated, Gu Rong later sought advice from Han Ran. Han Ran, witnessing Gu Rong's frustration, advised him that direct confrontation with Mister, a martial artist, was unwise. Instead, he counseled Gu Rong to "conquer the unyielding with the yielding" by demonstrating utmost sincerity. Later that evening, Gu Rong arrived to pick up Jingjing, who was disheartened that her father still hadn't agreed to her moving out and that she was struggling to find work inspiration.
Gu Rong promised he had something that would help her. Back home, he presented her with a new series of blind boxes. Jingjing was thrilled, immediately finding inspiration and playfully kissing Gu Rong, who teased her about living together. Unbeknownst to them, Mister witnessed their intimate moment. The next day, at a conference, Jingjing presented her revised anniversary proposal for Fanfun Mall.
She detailed a unique collaboration with Singaporean artist Lin Yaozhong to create co-branded blind boxes, to be sold through an immersive exhibition and "treasure hunt" experience using blind box machines throughout the mall. When questioned about attracting online customers, Jingjing highlighted an exclusive "secret figure" blind box only obtainable at the physical event, asserting this would transform the mall into a youthful, fashionable destination. Both Director Du Yuchuan and Gu Rong appeared extremely proud of her presentation.
Later that evening, Ma'am attempted to soften Mister's stance, encouraging him to accept Gu Rong. Gu Rong, following Han Ran's advice to "conquer the unyielding with the yielding," took out alcohol to share with Mister and ensured Mister's falchion was put away. Mister initially resisted, but Ma'am urged him to give Gu Rong a chance to prove himself. Gu Rong had prepared a lavish meal for them, but Jingjing could not join due to overtime.
Gu Rong offered to take food to her later, even requesting brown sugar and warm paste for Jingjing from Ma'am, demonstrating his sincere concern. As Gu Rong left with the food, Mister remained resistant, but Ma'am pointed out Gu Rong's genuine care for Jingjing. Gu Rong later told Han Ran that the "conquer unyielding" strategy hadn't fully worked yet.
Mister, overhearing Gu Rong mentioning his high-quality crisper that would keep the food warm, finally deduced that Gu Rong's ultimate goal was to gain his consent for him and Jingjing to move out.
Episode 21 Recap
Following Gu Rong's suggestion to move out and his plan involving the incoming martial arts students, Su Jingjing's mother gently advised her husband that their daughter had grown up and needed to live her own life, a path they couldn't choose for her. She was working on being an open-minded mother and encouraged him to do the same. She vouched for Gu Rong's good character, assuring him that Gu Rong would never let Jingjing be wronged, trusting her own judgment.
She also brought up the practical issue of incoming students, questioning how they would be arranged if Jingjing and Gu Rong didn't move out, emphasizing their responsibility for the students' safety. Jingjing's father agreed with her reasoning, concluding that since their daughter was grown, they should let the young people live as they wished. He then suggested taking a break after a long day.
Jingjing moved her belongings into Gu Rong's house, finding its minimalist style left her unsure where to place her small toys and trinkets. Gu Rong declared that from then on, the house would transform into "Su Jingjing style," promising to see her presence in every corner. He emphasized that she would be the hostess, and he would listen to her.
Delighted, Jingjing envisioned a "super big closet" and excitedly planned to fill every corner of the house with her blind boxes and figures, a suggestion Gu Rong enthusiastically approved. That evening, Jingjing realized she hadn't brought pajamas and asked Gu Rong for a spare set from his closet. She then appeared in his workspace, dressed in one of his shirts, and proposed they work overtime together.
She explained she had no other choice, as his closet only contained suits and shirts. Gu Rong was visibly flustered, grabbing his charging cable with trembling hands. Jingjing found his behavior very odd, but he dismissed it. Noticing his charging cable was too short, she decided to leave his workspace, but Gu Rong called her back to stay.
At work, Xie Te offered Gu Rong a red ginseng drink, something he rarely indulged in, subtly implying it was to help with the supposed new cohabitation with Su Jingjing. He urged Gu Rong to take care of his body. Gu Rong declined the drink, insisting Xie Te share it with Ai Mi. Despite Xie Te’s protests, Gu Rong opened a bottle and made him drink it, offering to buy more if needed.
He then encouraged Xie Te to go find Ai Mi, who was waiting for him. Shortly after, Ai Mi arrived at the Gu Group, bringing homemade ginseng chicken soup for Xie Te. She spotted Jingjing working diligently during lunch break, remarking that she had never seen Jingjing work so hard in their two decades of acquaintance, noting Jingjing was probably the only one working in the entire Gu Group at that hour.
Xie Te and Ai Mi walked together, with Xie Te expressing how wonderful being in a relationship felt, proclaiming himself the happiest man in the Gu Group. Ai Mi subtly hinted at marriage, asking if she'd look even prettier in a wedding dress, to which Xie Te enthusiastically agreed. Ai Mi also playfully suggested she might "take" him if he didn't propose soon, admitting she couldn't directly ask.
Xie Te, however, missed the hint, checked his watch, and abruptly left for a meeting, telling Ai Mi she could go inside and browse dresses herself if she liked. Later, Du Yuchuan announced that Lin Yaozhong had confirmed his cooperation with the Gu Group for the Fanfun Mall's anniversary theme activities. Everyone applauded, and Du Yuchuan personally congratulated Jingjing, confirming her design proposal could now be fully implemented.
To ensure the success of the collaboration, all colleagues involved in the project were required to sign a confidentiality agreement, strictly prohibiting any disclosure of key content before the event began. Meanwhile, some colleagues gossiped about Su Jingjing, noting her ability to be both Mr. Gu’s girlfriend and to get along well with Director Du, attributing her success to being "sociable" and having connections rather than pure capability.
They complained that truly capable people were overlooked while those with connections got ahead. Jingjing was working on the anniversary poster, feeling dissatisfied with its rigid, 2D appearance. Du Yuchuan approached her, questioning why a poster had to be 2D and suggesting she think about breakthroughs in vertical design, advising her that creative bottlenecks were often self-imposed limitations. He encouraged her to consider projection effects for images.
Jingjing grasped his advice, thanking him and promising to revise the design immediately and work through the night to complete it. Du Yuchuan mentioned they could start arranging a small exhibition section the next day and looked forward to her revised poster. The next day, Jingjing was hands-on during the exhibition setup, meticulously arranging chairs and lights and carefully handling the blind boxes. Du Yuchuan observed, reminding her that as a designer, she didn't need to do everything herself.
Jingjing insisted on being involved to ensure everything was perfect and to feel a sense of participation in her own designs. Du Yuchuan gave her final instructions for the entrance area, stressing simplicity and attention to detail. However, when they attempted to display the main poster, it was missing. A colleague explained it was a temporary backup because Jingjing's complex 3D poster had only been completed that afternoon and hadn't been replaced yet.
Du Yuchuan scolded the colleague for such a "stupid mistake." He then told Jingjing, since her design was now complete, to retrieve it from the backup copy on a flash drive on his desk. This act of being sent to retrieve the poster would later make Jingjing the primary suspect in a design leak. Jingjing went to fetch it. Gu Rong accompanied Jingjing during her late-night work, promising to stay by her side no matter what.
Jingjing invited him to work overtime with her. They woke up at 9 AM, surprised by the time. Jingjing playfully accused Gu Rong of turning off her alarm and demanded he take responsibility for her. Gu Rong responded with affection, asking who else would be responsible for her if not him. Their moment was interrupted when Gu Rong's subordinates arrived, having been unable to reach him, and awkwardly tried to pretend they hadn't seen him there.
Jingjing wondered why Gu Rong didn't explain the situation to them, but Gu Rong simply dismissed it, saying there was nothing to explain as they lived together. Suddenly, Xie Te burst in with alarming news. He showed Gu Rong promotional materials for the Dimon Group's mall theme exhibition, which were now widely spread. More critically, their themed dolls and the secret figure of blind boxes designed by Lin Yaozhong for Fanfun Mall's anniversary were almost identical.
Gu Rong immediately instructed Chief He to summon all directors for a meeting and to collect all promotional materials from Dimon. He also told Liu to gather all project staff in the conference room and asked Director Du to prepare a backup proposal for the meeting. Gu Rong reassured Jingjing that everything would be resolved. During the meeting, the directors expressed concern over Dimon’s swift actions, noting that some of their regular blind boxes were already in mall machines.
They discussed the strict measures taken to protect Lin Yaozhong’s design, which had been kept in Director Du’s office since its air shipment from Singapore. They demanded to know who had accessed Director Du's office and requested the surveillance footage. The footage revealed only Jingjing entering Director Du’s office at the critical time. The directors confronted Jingjing, who admitted to being there but only to retrieve a digital copy of the poster.
They accused her of denial despite clear evidence, stating her actions had offended Lin Yaozhong and severely impacted the Gu Group. They demanded a public apology from Jingjing to reassure consumers and prevent a drop in Gu Group’s share price. Jingjing acknowledged their suspicions but insisted the immediate priority was to find the truth, refusing to admit to something she hadn't done.
Gu Rong defended her, promising to find stronger evidence rather than letting them unfairly blame a "little girl" without proof. He also asserted that if someone had to take responsibility, it would be him, as he was the one who sent Jingjing to Director Du's office. He maintained that a single surveillance footage didn't prove anything. A director reminded Gu Rong that as CEO, his priority was the company's best interest.
Gu Rong firmly stated that as CEO, he could not jump to conclusions and affirmed that the Fanfun anniversary would proceed as planned, as Gu Group always had a contingency plan. Soon after, Xie Te reported that Senior Gu, Gu Rong's grandfather, had suddenly fainted. Gu Rong immediately went to his grandfather's side. His grandfather, upon waking, dismissed concerns about going to the hospital, claiming it was just high blood pressure and that he knew his own body best.
He then advised Gu Rong that the incident with Dimon was a "blessing in disguise," indicating someone had malicious intent from the start. He urged Gu Rong to use this opportunity to thoroughly uncover the mole within the company, a sentiment Gu Rong agreed with. His grandfather then inquired if the "old foxes" on the board had targeted Jingjing. Gu Rong reassured him that Jingjing was stronger than they imagined and that he would always stand by her.
His grandfather then reminded Gu Rong that his backup plan was paramount. Jingjing showed Gu Rong the last-minute changes she had made to the anniversary event's alternate proposal, hoping to mitigate some of Gu Group's losses. Gu Rong approved, noting her adjustments to the poster design, content, and immersive section experience, which would not require a massive overhaul, allowing for a simple blind box treasure hunt. She also mentioned having a general idea for a new blind box image.
Gu Rong reassured her about his grandfather's recovery and promised to handle the company's issues, vowing to uncover who leaked the designs to Dimon. Later, Gu Rong asked Xie Te about Dimon. Xie Te reported that Dimon claimed their product had been in production for a month and threatened legal action if Gu Group continued to interfere.
Gu Rong noted Dimon's audacity in "turning the facts upside down," pointing out that their designs were an exact match to Lin Yaozhong's, far too precise to be a coincidence. Xie Te confirmed that Dimon's print shop indeed started printing their packaging a month ago, specifically the day after Gu Group signed their contract with Lin Yaozhong and finalized the design dimensions. This confirmed Gu Rong's suspicion that there was indeed a mole within the company.
Gu Rong held a meeting with Du Yuchuan and Xie Te, outlining two immediate priorities: suppressing the news of the design leak and identifying how the designs reached Dimon. Du Yuchuan offered to take responsibility as the Design Department Director, but Gu Rong dismissed it as not his fault, though he acknowledged Du Yuchuan's management responsibility, stating it wasn't the time to discuss it.
Du Yuchuan explained that all designs were handled personally by the Design Department and Lin Yaozhong, and everyone had signed strict confidentiality agreements, making a leak unlikely unless someone was tempted by "greater benefits." He revealed that Zhang Ting was responsible for the receipt and delivery of the design drafts and liaising with the print shop, making her the prime suspect.
Jingjing, present at the meeting, confirmed Zhang Ting had sent her to Du Yuchuan's office for the USB, but she didn't believe this proved Zhang Ting colluded with Dimon, given her knowledge of Zhang Ting. Du Yuchuan also expressed his disbelief, citing Zhang Ting's excellent two-year track record. Gu Rong requested all of Zhang Ting's hiring information, and Du Yuchuan agreed to provide it.
As they prepared to leave, Jingjing asked Du Yuchuan if the company would punish Zhang Ting without proof. Du Yuchuan reassured her that it wouldn't happen and urged her to trust Gu Rong and focus on the alternative proposal. Meanwhile, other colleagues continued to gossip about Zhang Ting, expressing disbelief that the primary suspect was being protected by both Gu Rong and Du Yuchuan. They lamented that genuinely capable individuals were ignored while those with connections received opportunities.
Later, Du Yuchuan met privately with Zhang Ting, explaining that the Design Department needed to provide an explanation to the board regarding the stolen designs. Zhang Ting immediately deduced he wanted her to take the blame. Du Yuchuan admitted he believed she was innocent but explained that given the situation, and the fact she had sent Su Jingjing to his office for the USB, they felt compelled to sacrifice her.
He warned her that if the charge were finalized, it would be difficult for her to find employment elsewhere. Zhang Ting, understanding his difficult position, agreed to leave but asserted her innocence, stating she had never given the designs to Dimon and that as a person of integrity, she had nothing to hide. She admitted her dislike for Su Jingjing, who she felt had suddenly joined Gu Group and gained many opportunities simply by being Gu Rong’s girlfriend.
However, she emphasized that she would never compromise the company's interests. Du Yuchuan expressed his understanding and offered to recommend her for a new job. Zhang Ting declined, confident in her ability to find suitable employment elsewhere.
Episode 22 Recap
That night, Gu Rong was on a video call with Lin Yaozhong, apologizing for the recent design leak. He explained that a friend showed him Dimon's new product, which was his own design, making him feel like an idiot. Gu Rong promised to provide a satisfactory resolution to the incident but requested assistance from Lin Yaozhong for the time being. Meanwhile, Zhang Ting angrily packed her belongings at the office.
When Jingjing approached her with concern, Zhang Ting accused Jingjing of deliberately pushing her out and even framing her for having to fetch a USB drive, implying Jingjing used her relationship with Gu Rong to cause trouble and sacrifice Gu Group's interests. Jingjing denied it, but Zhang Ting pushed her away and left. Later that evening, as colleagues were leaving, Jingjing offered to take the bus with them, but they said it was inconvenient as they were carpooling.
Just then, Director Du arrived to discuss some issues regarding the hall design with Jingjing. He noticed her troubled expression and comforted her, assuring her that Zhang Ting's departure was her own choice due to a new job opportunity, not related to Jingjing. He then offered to take Jingjing somewhere to help her change her mood. At home, Ai Mi had arranged many red packets and wedding invitations on a table, waiting for Xie Te.
As soon as he returned, she explained they were for several upcoming weddings, including those of college classmates, neighbors, and her cousin, emphasizing the need to prepare red packets in advance. She pointed out that they were all of marriageable age and that many people around them were getting married, even mentioning that her entire month's salary had been spent on wedding gifts.
Xie Te, however, seemed oblivious to her hints, which visibly frustrated Ai Mi, who then turned away from him. Du Yuchuan took Jingjing to a bar, explaining that he always came there for a drink whenever he felt upset after years of studying design. He asked Jingjing why she had joined the Gu Group's Design Department. Jingjing replied that she simply enjoyed design work. Du Yuchuan then questioned if she was the one who gave the design to Dimon.
Jingjing was shocked and immediately denied it, asking if he also doubted her. Du Yuchuan clarified that he asked intentionally, stating that if she hadn't done it, she shouldn't care what others said. He explained that one cannot please everyone in the workplace and that the best way to navigate it is to detach from gossip, as the workplace is not for making friends.
He added that there is nothing that cannot be resolved by drinking and chatting with friends, which would allow her to work more happily and get closer to her dream of becoming a designer. Jingjing's mood significantly improved after their conversation. Back at his apartment, Gu Rong was still working, waiting for Jingjing. He tried calling her, but her phone was unreachable.
He then called Xie Te to ask if Jingjing was with Ai Mi, but Xie Te confirmed that he and Ai Mi were at home and offered to have Ai Mi try contacting Jingjing. Shortly after hanging up, Jingjing returned, apologizing for her phone dying and explaining she had gone out with Director Du for a drink after work, emphasizing she only had soft drinks.
Gu Rong was visibly annoyed that it was Director Du again and asked her to avoid spending time with him outside of work. Jingjing didn't understand why, stating that Director Du was just a colleague and a nice person. Gu Rong clarified that as his girlfriend, he didn't want her spending unnecessary time with other men. Jingjing, realizing he was jealous, found it amusing.
She then confided in him about the recent difficulties at work, including her colleagues excluding her and Zhang Ting's resignation making things look worse for her, worried that it implicated her. While being comforted in his arms, Jingjing noticed a board resolution document on the table and realized the board was once again pressuring Gu Rong, likely believing he was covering for her. Gu Rong, however, dismissed it as a minor issue.
Later, Ai Mi called Jingjing in a panic, claiming Xie Te had cheated on her and asking her to come to Feilin Hotel immediately. Jingjing rushed there, with Gu Rong insisting on accompanying her. Ai Mi explained that Xie Te had been secretly leaving the house late at night, and that day, after she pretended to be asleep, she heard him on the phone with a woman, arranging to meet at Feilin Hotel.
Arriving at the hotel, they were unable to get information about Xie Te's room. However, just outside, they spotted Xie Te helping a woman out of a car. Believing the worst, Jingjing immediately tackled Xie Te to the ground. Xie Te quickly explained that he was merely the woman's designated driver.
He revealed that he had secretly purchased Ai Mi's wedding gown and was taking on extra work as a designated driver to save money for a special wedding surprise, and to ensure Ai Mi would have a happy, worry-free life after their marriage, whether she wanted to expand her business or relax. Ai Mi, deeply touched by his gesture, embraced him tightly.
Gu Rong playfully teased Xie Te about his side job as a CEO's assistant and suggested he might retract his offer to cover the wedding after Xie Te's "slander" of Jingjing. Xie Te offered to take any hits for Gu Rong if Gu Rong were to marry Jingjing.
Gu Rong then advised Xie Te to pick a good date and marry Ai Mi, while Ai Mi asked Jingjing to be her maid of honor, with Gu Rong readily agreeing to be the best man. During a board meeting, a director suggested postponing the Gu Group's anniversary celebration due to the design leak, citing the need for more time to change the theme if Gu Rong couldn't resolve the issue.
Gu Rong firmly stated that the celebration could not be delayed and announced his intention to visit Lin Yaozhong again, hoping to persuade him to create a new design. The director expressed skepticism about Lin Yaozhong's cooperativeness, especially since his previous design had been leaked from the Gu Group and stolen by Dimon.
Gu Rong then proposed an alternative: if Lin Yaozhong refused to cooperate, he would ask for authorization to use Lin Yaozhong's image, allowing the Gu Group's design department to create their own design. The directors questioned the department's capability but ultimately respected Gu Rong's decision, emphasizing that he would bear sole responsibility for any errors.
The next morning, Gu Rong instructed his assistant to convene a meeting with the design department, confirming that his talk with the staunch Lin Yaozhong had failed. He reiterated that the design department would have to create their own design within less than a week, instructing them to rapidly implement ideas and present final designs without seeking his prior approval. Director Du was tasked with overseeing this emergency situation.
He voiced concerns about using Lin Yaozhong's name without his authorization, but Gu Rong stated it was a last resort, arguing that facing Lin Yaozhong in court would be inevitable either way. Director Du reluctantly agreed to do his best. Later that evening, Han Ran and Director Du met after working late. Han Ran had an urgent script, and Director Du suggested they go for a drink at a newly opened bar downstairs. Over drinks, they reflected on life.
Director Du shared how his father passed away when he was young, leading to a tough life for him and his mother, but "everything is over" now. Han Ran, a best-selling author, admitted he was constantly busy and had less time for his parents, who had emigrated abroad. Director Du then asked Han Ran why he and Jingjing, who grew up together, never ended up together.
Han Ran explained that Jingjing was like a sister to him, and he had "lost" because he met Jingjing too late, with Gu Rong having "beaten him to it." Director Du seemed surprised, asking if Han Ran truly liked Jingjing. Han Ran asked if he "couldn't rival Gu Rong," to which Director Du replied that Jingjing valued people's minds over material things, and that sometimes, the "lineup in one's life really matters."
Upon returning home, Gu Rong collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. Jingjing offered him "The ancestral massages," claiming they could not only relax muscles but also "cure all sorts of bad moods," teasing him playfully while massaging him. The following morning, Jingjing answered a call from Chief He, who reported that Grandpa, the Chairman, was not listening to his doctors and was eating unhealthy foods again, urging Gu Rong to persuade him. Jingjing informed Gu Rong, suggesting they visit Grandpa soon.
Gu Rong asked about Grandpa's condition, and Jingjing explained he was being stubborn, eating casually despite his heart condition and having undergone coronary bypass surgeries twice. She then revealed her plan to have "river snails rice noodles" with him, but cautioned Gu Rong not to mention any company matters to Grandpa, as he couldn't handle too much worry. Arriving at Grandpa's house, they found him happy to see them, especially the river snails rice noodles Jingjing brought.
Grandpa expressed how boring it was to be stuck at home. Jingjing gently chided him for eating high-fat, high-sugar foods despite his health. Grandpa, however, reminisced about his youth, being poor and craving walnut crisps he couldn't afford.
Jingjing then presented her special version of the dish, explaining that the river snails rice noodles were made with a mixture of rice noodles and Konjac noodles, which tasted only slightly different but had significantly fewer calories, making it a healthy "low carbon diet" popular even among female celebrities. She then recommended other healthy alternatives for his cravings, such as sugar substitutes for sweets, hot air baking for crispy treats, and bananas for ice cream.
Finally, she cunningly asked Grandpa for his remaining walnut crisps, pretending to be exhausted from work and needing high-calorie snacks for energy. Grandpa, charmed by her thoughtfulness, happily gave them all to her, while Gu Rong watched them with a smile.
Episode 23 Recap
Upon returning home, Su Jingjing and Gu Rong playfully debated whose grandpa was truly theirs, with Su Jingjing pointing out Gu Rong’s beaming smile and their shared "bad temper" as proof of their familial connection. Gu Rong, however, insisted he was not as unreasonable as his grandfather. Su Jingjing then admired the fragrant peach crisp her grandpa had bought, offering some to Gu Rong who initially declined but was caught sniffing it secretly.
Their Senior, Han Ran, then arrived, bringing Master's favorite dishes that he had prepared for Su Jingjing. Su Jingjing eagerly shared the food, lamenting that the only downside of moving out was not being able to enjoy her father's cooking. Han Ran encouraged them to visit the Martial Club often, mentioning that Master and Mistress missed them daily.
Su Jingjing promised to visit once the busy period in the design department was over, suddenly remembering she had forgotten to submit a design draft and rushing off to do so. While Su Jingjing was away, Han Ran pulled Gu Rong aside, revealing that he had been drinking with Du Yuchuan recently and believed Du Yuchuan had genuinely developed feelings for Su Jingjing.
Han Ran even recounted Du Yuchuan's lament about meeting Su Jingjing too late, feeling that Gu Rong had "beaten him to it." Gu Rong vehemently dismissed the idea, stating Du Yuchuan had no chance. Han Ran observed that Su Jingjing herself seemed unaware of Du Yuchuan's affections.
Gu Rong expressed his reluctance to discuss the matter with Su Jingjing, as their last conversation about it had been unpleasant, and he didn't want her to perceive him as an unreasonable or overly jealous person. Han Ran lightheartedly teased Gu Rong, suggesting he had "grown up in a pool of jealousy" before excusing himself to leave the couple alone.
Later, as Su Jingjing worked on her designs, Gu Rong sat before her and earnestly asked if she felt tired being his girlfriend, and if she would leave him should someone else pursue her. Su Jingjing was surprised by his unusual questions, joking about him having a fever, and assured him she would never leave. Gu Rong playfully reminded her of her promise.
Though Su Jingjing found his behavior out of character, Gu Rong soon offered constructive criticism and creative inspiration for her design, suggesting the chubby doll could look adorable in a crop top. Days before the anniversary celebration, Gu Rong reviewed the design drafts submitted by the department, including Su Jingjing's, and sternly warned everyone against any leaks, threatening to dismiss the entire design department if any information got out.
He specifically instructed that Su Jingjing should not be informed about this warning. Du Yuchuan, visibly disturbed by Gu Rong's words, soon received a message from Mr. Huang, asking if he had "got what I need." Du Yuchuan was then seen listening to a recording of Gu Rong's earlier warning. He hesitated but was ultimately swayed by thoughts of how others, like Bai Anrou, had been discarded by Gu Group despite their contributions, leading him to send the recording.
At the anniversary press conference, reporters barraged Gu Rong with pointed questions about alleged commercial disputes and an unauthorized blind box design. Gu Rong dismissed all claims as "purely rumors." Then, Lin Yaozhong arrived for the opening ceremony, announcing his collaboration with Gu Group and that he and Su Jingjing had jointly designed a limited edition secret figure, calling it a groundbreaking creation, which was met with enthusiastic applause. During this, Du Yuchuan hastily departed.
Gu Rong followed and confronted him in the underground parking lot, telling him to stop pretending. Gu Rong revealed he had deliberately made Du Yuchuan believe the collaboration with Lin Yaozhong had fallen through, specifically to see what Du Yuchuan intended to do. Gu Rong explained that he had suspected Du Yuchuan ever since Du Yuchuan tried to lead them to suspect Zhang Ting for the design leak.
Flashbacks showed Gu Rong's prior conversations with Lin Yaozhong, where he detailed his plan to expose the mole by making them believe the deal was off. Su Jingjing, hidden nearby, overheard the entire confrontation. Gu Rong expressed his profound disappointment in Du Yuchuan, who he once admired as a talented senior and cherished as a friend.
Du Yuchuan confessed his deep-seated resentment, explaining that despite his efforts, he felt unappreciated at Gu Group until Mr. Huang of Dimon offered him a chance to realize his dreams by funding his rejected designs and offering to establish a studio. Seeing no other option, Du Yuchuan agreed to testify against Mr. Huang and Dimon as atonement for his actions.
Later, Zhang Ting returned to the company, and she and Su Jingjing reconciled, agreeing to move past the incident and work together to improve the design department. Su Jingjing then received a call informing her that Grandpa was unwell and rushed to his side. Holding his hand, she tearfully listened as Grandpa, appearing weak, praised their combined efforts in overcoming the company crisis and expressed his trust in leaving the group in their hands.
He then stated his only remaining wish was to hold a great-grandchild. Su Jingjing, emotional, immediately promised to marry soon. However, while drinking water, Grandpa's "illness" was exposed as a trick, with starch on his mouth. Despite being caught, Grandpa continued to pressure them for marriage, playfully suggesting it would still take at least a year for him to hold a great-grandchild even if they married quickly. Gu Rong, amused, joined in, reminding Su Jingjing of her promise.
Subsequently, Gu Rong and Su Jingjing visited the Martial Club, where they were warmly welcomed by the neighbors and friends. Su Jingjing's parents had prepared a lavish feast. During dinner, Gu Rong proposed marriage to Su Jingjing's parents. Su Jingjing's parents initially feigned shock and anger, scolding Gu Rong for not discussing such a significant matter with them first, making both Su Jingjing and Gu Rong nervous. However, they quickly revealed their playful act, expressing their full approval and delight for the couple. Everyone celebrated, deciding to have a drink together.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
One evening, Gu Rong sought advice from Jingjing's father on the secret to a harmonious relationship with his wife. Jingjing's father, sharing his past as a "steel straight man" who made many mistakes, revealed his transformation from a "lone wolf into her puppy," finding happiness as long as his wife was happy. He advised Gu Rong to simply spoil Jingjing, assuring him this method was effective. Gu Rong decided to give it a try.
Determined not to fight an unprepared battle, Gu Rong engaged in intense physical training, doing various exercises. After a shower, he donned his pajamas and brought red wine to Jingjing, suggesting they share a "cross cup" to celebrate their successful anniversary. However, Jingjing found the wine made her feel hot and quickly grew sleepy, expressing her wish to go to bed.
As Gu Rong began to unbutton his shirt, she pragmatically reminded him to keep his clothes on to avoid catching a cold, and then bid him goodnight, leaving Gu Rong feeling perplexed. The next day in the car, Gu Rong pondered whether his lack of success with Jingjing was his fault or hers, given his efforts. Xie Te pointed out that Gu Rong only displayed a "posture" without "practical effort," hence the clear lack of results.
Xie Te urged Gu Rong to be more confident and proactive, as girls prefer such men. This advice, however, only frustrated Gu Rong, who then declared that if Jingjing did not agree to marry him, Xie Te and Ai Mi's wedding would also be postponed, insisting his marriage to Jingjing must precede theirs. Xie Te protested, citing their completed wedding preparations, but Gu Rong remained resolute.
Later, Jingjing accompanied Ai Mi to a bridal shop, where Ai Mi tried on a beautiful dress chosen by Xie Te. Ai Mi persuaded Jingjing to try on a new arrival herself, and though initially hesitant, Jingjing eventually agreed. As Jingjing emerged from the dressing room, the lights unexpectedly dimmed. She called out for Ai Mi, but received no reply.
Stepping out, she found the environment transformed into a romantic setting filled with cherished memories she shared with Gu Rong and items she adored. Gu Rong, holding a bouquet, slowly approached her. He knelt on one knee, presenting a ring, and asked for her hand in marriage. Jingjing, deeply moved, was brought to tears. Just then, Xie Te, Ai Mi, and even some colleagues from the design department burst in, cheering them on.
With heartfelt emotion, Jingjing exclaimed, "I do," to everyone's delight. Gu Rong, nervously but joyfully, slipped the ring onto her finger. He then promptly declared they would marry next Monday, emphasizing the need to strike while the iron was hot. The couple embraced sweetly, with Gu Rong promising to cherish Jingjing forever. In the office, Xie Te proudly showed Gu Rong his meticulously designed wedding plan, which featured a romantic, blue starry night theme and a couple’s name: Ai Te.
He also warned Gu Rong not to plagiarize his ideas. However, Gu Rong found the designs to be quite ordinary. Xie Te explained that Ai Mi's preferences might not align with Jingjing's and revealed he had already contacted Ninghai City's best wedding planning team.
He had shared all of Jingjing's preferences with them, ensuring they would arrange every detail, from the auditorium wedding and hotel banquet to fireworks and live band performances, even hiring a celebrity makeup artist to fulfill Jingjing's every wedding dream. Gu Rong praised Xie Te, acknowledging his growing competence, and decided to personally oversee the preparations. Meanwhile, Jingjing's parents were busily decorating Su's Martial Club, adorning it with festive red stickers, strings, and lanterns.
Jingjing's mother affectionately urged her to rest, put on a facial mask, and get a good night's sleep to be the most beautiful bride on her big day. Jingjing started to cry, feeling a bittersweet reluctance at leaving home. Her parents, though teasing her not to cry, were equally emotional, reminiscing about her childhood and expressing their deepest wish for her everlasting happiness, a sentiment they showed more openly after she went upstairs.
Gu Rong's grandfather was even more impatient, already thinking of names for his future great-grandchildren. He confessed he had long awaited Gu Rong's marriage and expressed his immense joy that it was finally happening. Gu Rong thanked his grandpa for his years of nurturing. His grandpa, however, only had one expectation for Gu Rong: to expand the family with many children, even suggesting he had prepared five names already, which made Gu Rong blush.
On the wedding day, the car carrying Gu Rong and Jingjing suffered a flat tire on the way to the auditorium. Gu Rong, after a brief moment of anxiety, quickly devised a plan. He suggested they bypass the formal auditorium and instead hold the wedding at Su's Martial Club, arguing it held far more significance and shared memories for them.
They promptly returned to Su's Martial Club, where, surrounded by neighbors who had watched Jingjing grow up, and within the walls of the martial club that had witnessed their journey and love, the couple finally exchanged their vows. The ceremony included traditional bows to heaven and earth, to their parents, and to each other, followed by a tea ceremony.
Both Jingjing's father and brother playfully warned Gu Rong not to mistreat Jingjing, while Gu Rong's grandfather humorously reminded him of his "mission" to have many great-grandchildren, urging them to proceed to the bridal chamber amidst laughter and cheers from the guests.
