Cute Bodyguard Episode 19 Recap
> Cute Bodyguard 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.
