Cute Bodyguard Episode 22 Recap
> Cute Bodyguard 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.
