The Fox's Summer Season 2 Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Fox's Summer Season 2 Synopsis
Gu Chengze is the president of Gu Department Store Group and the adopted son of Mrs. Gu of the Gu family.
Mrs. Gu wants her grandson, Gu Jinyun, to take charge of the company, but Gu Jinyun is not interested in it.
So Mrs. Gu assigns Gu Chengze the task of guiding Gu Jinyun into the position.
During this time, Gu Chengze meets the fashion designer Li Yanshu and accidentally learns that she and Gu Jinyun had a relationship before, which had a deep impact on Gu Jinyun.
Gu Chengze uses Li Yanshu as a breakthrough and recruits her into the company.
When Gu Jinyun sees that Li Yanshu has joined the company, he is determined to pursue her again, but Li Yanshu has no more affection for him.
When Mrs. Gu learns of this, she strongly opposes it and asks Gu Chengze to separate them, which allows Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu to come together.
In the end, with the company of Li Yanshu, Gu Chengze is able to overcome all kinds of difficulties and find his real mother, while Gu Jinyun grows up after experiencing many things and takes up his job successfully.
The Fox's Summer Season 2 Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Li Yanshu, in her modern office, found herself greatly regretting the drunken kiss she shared with Gu Chengze. " Li Yanshu! Li Yanshu! Who told you to drink? Who told you to be wild when you got drunk? Are you happy now?" she chastised herself. Meanwhile, Gu Chengze sat in his own office, carefully framing a hypothetical situation to his assistant, Gao Yang.
He described a friend who seemed to have fallen for a girl and, after drinking too much, kissed her. The complication was that this girl already had someone she liked. Gao Yang, recognizing the situation, called it an act of "taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable state" and akin to him making the President sign a pay raise document while intoxicated. He pressed Gu Chengze to reveal the girl's identity, but Gu Chengze remained evasive.
Gao Yang scoffed, suggesting Gu Chengze had no real friends and should simply "face his own feelings." Gu Chengze then dismissed Gao Yang, who joked about finally finding his weakness. At the same time, Gu Jinyun, confined at home and desperate to see Li Yanshu, declared, "For Yanshu, I'm risking it all." He then had an accidental fall, hurting his leg, which gave him an idea to fake intense pain.
His grandmother, Gu Taitai, rushed to his side, calling for an ambulance when he cried, "Grandma, I broke my leg!" At the hospital, Gu Jinyun, feigning intense pain and hunger, convinced Gu Taitai to leave him briefly to get food and drinks. As soon as she was gone, he seized the opportunity to escape. Returning with food, Gu Taitai found his bed empty. " This rascal, we've been tricked by him again," she exclaimed.
Gu Taitai, furious, went directly to the company to confront Li Yanshu, convinced she knew Gu Jinyun's whereabouts. Li Yanshu calmly denied any knowledge, stating she hadn't seen him since morning. When Gu Taitai's frustration escalated and she moved to strike Li Yanshu, Gu Chengze intervened. He led Gu Taitai to his office, reminding her that as Chairwoman, her actions must be prudent, and she should not hit an employee, especially one who had done nothing wrong.
Gu Taitai redirected her anger at Gu Chengze, blaming him for bringing Li Yanshu back into the company. She vehemently expressed her disdain for Li Yanshu's "lower class" background, accusing her of being "boorish, disrespectful, and lacking etiquette," and of "scheming to seduce Jinyun" to "marry into a rich family." Gu Chengze, his face cold, retorted, "Chairwoman, since you put so much importance on family background, why did you adopt me?" leaving Gu Taitai speechless.
Gao Yang, interjecting briefly, suggested that if Li Yanshu were to meet someone more outstanding than Gu Jinyun and fall for him, then Gu Jinyun would give up. Gu Taitai, initially dismissing the idea, soon found herself considering it. Later, in her car, Gu Taitai pondered Gao Yang's suggestion. " Who is more outstanding than Jinyun?" she wondered, her thoughts settling on Gu Chengze.
She summoned him and explicitly ordered him to pursue Li Yanshu, make her fall in love with him, and convince her to leave Gu Jinyun. Gu Chengze vehemently refused, arguing the plan was "absurd" and that Li Yanshu loved Gu Jinyun.
Gu Taitai countered that Li Yanshu only cared for money, recalling a past instance where Li Yanshu allegedly accepted a large sum to leave Gu Jinyun, and accused her of now "coveting the position of the wife of the head of Sheng Hong." Gu Chengze insisted he couldn't "steal Jinyun's love," given their deep bond.
Gu Taitai then resorted to emotional blackmail, invoking her "nurturing grace" and demanding he prove his loyalty by carrying out the plan, or she would disown him. Gu Chengze reiterated his belief that if Li Yanshu and Gu Jinyun were truly in love, he couldn't make her change her heart. However, Gu Taitai revealed a crucial detail: "Li Yanshu previously told me that she doesn't really like Gu Jinyun. That's why, you still have a chance."
With this new information and Gu Taitai's ultimatum, Gu Chengze, remembering Li Yanshu's pure smile and their sweet, wine-fueled kiss, made his decision. Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun confronted Han Junyao, accusing her of betraying his trust by informing Gu Taitai about Li Yanshu staying at Gu Chengze's house. Han Junyao, however, coldly revealed her true allegiance. " From the beginning, I am not on your side. I was helping your grandma monitor you!" she declared, dismissing his accusations of betrayal.
Gu Jinyun, furious, vowed never to see her again and to handle his own affairs. Han Junyao's mother, overhearing the commotion, inquired about the visitor and noted that Junyao had always competed with Li Yanshu. Li Yanshu, who had previously been co-habiting with Gu Chengze, was now staying in a hotel after leaving his place. Her friend David, who had heard she ran away from home, paid her a visit.
He expressed surprise she hadn't turned to him, given he had an empty apartment "just one door away." He offered to rent it to her for a "friendship price" of RMB 3,000 a month, as he was often traveling and the house was empty for months, which would also save him cleaning fees. Grateful for her "best friend," Li Yanshu readily accepted his offer, agreeing to pack and move. This meant Li Yanshu became Gu Chengze's neighbor.
Elsewhere, Qiao Na waited impatiently for Gao Yang, frustrated by his lateness, which he blamed on Gu Chengze's workaholic tendencies. To make amends, Gao Yang suggested they go see a movie. However, Qiao Na skillfully deflected, first asking for cake, then claiming a stomachache, and finally admitting she simply wanted to spend alone time with him away from the crowds. Gao Yang, won over, agreed to skip the movie and go home with her.
Li Yanshu received a phone call from Gu Jinyun, who dramatically claimed he had broken his leg by "jumping from the building" while escaping. Worried, Li Yanshu rushed to his location. Finding him with a swollen foot, she urged him to go to the hospital, but he refused, instead suggesting they "elope" to a place where no one knew them. Li Yanshu dismissed his outdated notion and went to buy medicine for him.
After bandaging his wound, she firmly told him their relationship was over and he should return home, as she no longer liked him. Gu Jinyun refused to believe her, pointing out her kindness, but Li Yanshu insisted she'd show the same care to any "stray cat or dog." When he declared he still had a chance as long as she had no boyfriend, Li Yanshu revealed, "There is already someone that I like."
He demanded the name, but she refused, leading him to accuse her of lying. Exasperated, Li Yanshu told him his erratic behavior was affecting her life and urged him to apologize to his grandmother if he truly cared for her. Gu Jinyun, feigning poor phone signal, admitted his cards were frozen and he was homeless and penniless. When Li Yanshu suggested he go to Gu Chengze, he followed her back to David's apartment instead.
At David's, Gu Jinyun, still nursing his injured leg, commented on the decor and then slyly whispered to Li Yanshu, "Could he be the man that you like?" She simply rolled her eyes. Later, David invited Li Yanshu to a musical, "My Fair Lady," but Gu Jinyun insisted on joining, creating an awkward situation as there were only two tickets. Later, Gu Chengze called Li Yanshu for a meeting.
When they met face-to-face, Li Yanshu nervously tried to brush off their kiss from the previous night, claiming she was drunk and he should "just pretend nothing happened." Gu Chengze, however, maintained his composure, stating, "But I wasn't drunk, I was quite awake." Li Yanshu tried again to dismiss it, suggesting he "treat it as being bit by a mosquito or sting by a bee."
Gu Chengze then smiled, but quickly turned serious, asking, "What really are your feelings towards Gu Jinyun? Do you really like him?" Li Yanshu questioned the relevance of her feelings, to which Gu Chengze replied, "If you like Gu Jinyun, I'll persuade the Chairwoman to let you two be together. If you don't like him, I… I'm going to like you then."
Episode 2 Recap
Li Yanshu, still recovering from the kiss, attempted to dismiss it by suggesting Gu Chengze had been drunk. However, Gu Chengze clarified that he was completely sober and asked her to disregard his "hooligan-like action." He then pressed her about her true feelings for Gu Jinyun, stating that if she genuinely liked him, he would persuade the Chairwoman to approve their relationship. If she did not, he boldly declared his intention to pursue her.
Li Yanshu was taken aback by this revelation. At that moment, Gu Jinyun, who had grown bored with David, suddenly appeared, interrupting their conversation. Hearing Gu Chengze say he was going to pursue Li Yanshu, Gu Jinyun immediately confronted Li Yanshu for seemingly protecting Gu Chengze, then turned his anger toward Gu Chengze, accusing him of "taking my love by force."
Gu Jinyun expressed his deep hurt, recalling how much he had respected Gu Chengze as both a friend and family. He demanded Li Yanshu to explicitly state that she did not like Gu Chengze. When Li Yanshu attempted to explain, Gu Jinyun, calling Gu Chengze a hypocrite, lashed out with a punch. The two men engaged in a fierce brawl.
Li Yanshu desperately tried to stop them, but eventually, frustrated, she cried out for them to fight if they wished, and then alerted the building security. The security guards initially intervened but quickly retreated upon recognizing Gu Chengze as the owner of the building. With Gu Jinyun having left in despair, Gu Chengze knelt on the ground for a long time, a single tear rolling down his face.
Feeling distraught, Li Yanshu struggled with the noisy classical music playing in the house before retreating to her room. Gu Chengze, looking dejected and bearing visible injuries, returned. Although he initially declined Li Yanshu's offer to treat his wounds, he eventually asked her to move back in to help him bandage them. Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun wandered the streets, lost in thought.
He reminisced about his complicated history with Li Yanshu—their joyous past, their separation, and her consistent rejections since their reunion. He recalled a past moment where she refused his offer of money, finding it tiring to pretend to love him. In his mind, she told him their relationship was impossible and that she no longer liked him, urging him not to cause further conflict with his family.
He argued that her actions, such as visiting him and bandaging his wounds, contradicted her words. Li Yanshu, however, maintained that she would offer the same care to any stray animal and advised him not to overthink it. Persistent, Gu Jinyun vowed not to give up as long as she remained single.
Li Yanshu finally put an end to his hopes, revealing that she already had someone she liked, a confession that left Gu Jinyun heartbroken and once again accusing her of protecting Gu Chengze. Later that night, Gu Jinyun remained missing. Gu Taitai, while doting on her young grandson, reaffirmed her conviction that all her actions were for Gu Jinyun's ultimate good, emphasizing that romantic relationships were temporary, while a career was for life.
She declared that she would never allow him to be with "some woman like Li Yanshu." She then enlisted Han Junyao's help, reminding her of her past cooperation in reporting Li Yanshu. Gu Taitai revealed that she had cut off Gu Jinyun's financial resources, leaving him penniless, and instructed Han Junyao, as his former classmate, to locate him among his friends. Han Junyao agreed to do her best, and Gu Taitai promised to remember her efforts.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun found himself alone in a private room, unable to pay his bill as all his cards were declined. A waiter informed him that signing for bills was no longer an option and revealed that Chairman Zhou had explicitly instructed them not to allow it. Han Junyao arrived, offering to cover his drinks and urging him to stop drinking, but Gu Jinyun stubbornly demanded more. Upon seeing her, he accused her of coming to mock him.
Han Junyao retorted, "you're really a dog biting everyone and not knowing who's kind to you." Eventually, Han Junyao helped the inebriated Gu Jinyun get back home. After a restless night, Gu Jinyun awoke filled with anger and drove to the company in search of Gu Chengze. Unable to find him there, he interrogated Gu Chengze's secretary, who claimed ignorance of his whereabouts. Realizing where Gu Chengze might be, Gu Jinyun headed directly to his home.
Refusing to enter, he sternly announced two things: he would "never ever forgive" Gu Chengze, and he would "chase Li Yanshu all over again," officially declaring war on him. With his declaration made, he turned and left, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and high spirits. He even called Han Junyao, who was concerned about his injuries, to confidently declare that no one could stop him from pursuing Li Yanshu.
Despite the escalating family tensions, Gu Chengze resolved to have a serious conversation with Gu Jinyun. Gu Chengze, who had been contemplating his own burgeoning feelings for Li Yanshu, having recently praised her cooking and noting a "telepathy" with her, remained calm when Gu Jinyun angrily confronted him. Gu Jinyun called him a liar and a traitor, refusing to engage in conversation and suggesting they fight instead.
Gu Chengze calmly stated that being a "girlfriend" was not a unilateral declaration, and Li Yanshu was, at most, Gu Jinyun's ex-girlfriend. He reiterated that he would not pursue her if she still liked Gu Jinyun, but Gu Jinyun insisted she did. Gu Jinyun demanded to know what Gu Chengze liked about Li Yanshu, dismissing Gu Chengze's feelings as mere "testosterone" given his lack of romantic experience.
Gu Chengze, however, eloquently described his affection as a deeply rooted feeling, impossible to pull away from once realized, much like sensing the arrival of a season only when it's already in full swing. Gu Jinyun then challenged him, asking if his preference for Li Yanshu among so many women was deliberate. Gu Chengze admitted it was, though he couldn't fully explain why.
Gu Jinyun tried to divert Gu Chengze by offering to introduce him to other beautiful women, but Gu Chengze declined, stating, "Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you." Gu Jinyun continued to highlight their incompatibility, listing Gu Chengze's analytical nature, mysophobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and inability to sweet-talk, contrasting them with their differing "three views" (values, life, and world outlook).
Gu Jinyun then boasted about his own advantages, emphasizing his charm, wealth, and, crucially, his history with Li Yanshu as "childhood sweethearts" and "first loves," forming a "very deep love foundation." He confidently asserted his ability to achieve whatever he desired and challenged Gu Chengze to determine who held the advantage.
Unable to resolve their differences, they ultimately agreed to a fair competition, letting Li Yanshu make the final choice, with Gu Jinyun formally declaring his intention to pursue Li Yanshu starting that day. Following their declaration of competition, both Gu Chengze and Gu Jinyun, dressed formally and meticulously, intensified their pursuit of Li Yanshu. Gu Jinyun sent cakes and flowers to Li Yanshu at work, causing a buzz among her colleagues who gossiped about him courting her.
Li Yanshu, however, seemed unimpressed, calling the flowers "rotten" and "not pretty at all." Shortly after, Gu Chengze arrived, carrying something he had purchased himself. He declined a colleague's offer of cake from Gu Jinyun's treats and tersely told them to "mind your own business." The combined intensity of both men's aggressive approaches was so overwhelming that it directly scared Li Yanshu away.
Episode 3 Recap
A heavy rain began to fall as Li Yanshu stood alone outside the company building, watching the downpour. Gu Chengze instructed Gao Yang to get an umbrella, but Gu Jinyun swiftly approached Li Yanshu, taking off his jacket and draping it over her. Observing this, Gao Yang shook his head, acknowledging Gu Jinyun's superior romantic tactics and concluding that his own president was already at a disadvantage.
Gu Chengze, however, remained unfazed, confident that he had never failed to achieve what he set out to do. Gao Yang had initially believed that Gu Chengze was merely following the Chairwoman's orders, but now realized his feelings were genuine. This revelation sent a shiver down Gao Yang's spine as he remembered a previous lunch with Li Yanshu.
During that lunch, Gao Yang had complained about Gu Chengze at length, a sentiment Li Yanshu echoed by calling him "such a pervert." He had also openly gossiped about the president's secret crush, detailing how Gu Chengze had gotten into a fight for her and even kissed her, completely unaware that the subject of his speculation was sitting right beside him, startled by his dramatic pronouncements.
Now, realizing that Li Yanshu herself was the object of Gu Chengze's affection, Gao Yang was filled with regret for having speculated in front of her that the woman might be married. Determined to assist his emotionally awkward president in this romantic rivalry, Gao Yang meticulously prepared a dating plan and a "Dating Guide" for Gu Chengze. Gu Chengze initially showed no interest, asserting that despite his lack of dating experience, he wasn't incapable.
Yet, the memory of Gu Jinyun and Li Yanshu's past relationship lingered, prompting him to pick up Gao Yang's dating advice and study it intently. The next morning, under clear skies and bright sunshine, Gu Chengze, dressed in sportswear and exuding youthful energy, invited Li Yanshu for a bike ride along a tree-lined path.
Li Yanshu, in her formal work attire and high heels, protested the unexpected outdoor activity, thinking it was work-related, having been informed by phone to meet him there. Gu Chengze explained he wanted to surprise her, insisting she could still ride or he could give her a ride. As Li Yanshu pedaled strenuously, with Gu Chengze sitting calmly behind her, he offered unhelpful encouragement like "Come on, Yanshu, last 100 meters!"
Exhausted, Li Yanshu angrily told Gu Chengze to get off, declaring that if she ever accompanied him on another outdoor activity, she would be "a dog." Gu Chengze, amused, retorted that even then, she would be "the most beautiful dog." As Li Yanshu prepared to argue further, Gu Chengze pulled out a stack of cash, which, upon seeing, brought a smile to Li Yanshu's face as she resumed her arduous task.
Following another piece of dating advice, Gu Chengze personally visited a flower shop, seeking a truly unique and thoughtful gift. He described the recipient as "very special," "different from everyone else," sometimes "sly and prickly, but also adamant, and very nice," and "very beautiful." The perplexed store assistant couldn't offer anything suitable, so Gu Chengze ultimately selected a large ball cactus. He had it wrapped in a grand box and placed it on Li Yanshu's desk.
Her colleagues, eager with anticipation at the sight of such a large gift from the president, speculated it might be a birthday cake. However, when Li Yanshu opened the box, she was met with the enormous cactus, exclaiming in confusion, "What on earth? What the hell!" Later, Gu Chengze invited Li Yanshu to watch a movie.
Due to his mysophobia, he bought an entire row of tickets, explaining his discomfort with sitting near strangers, especially in the dark, and worrying about hygiene or dandruff. When two latecomers attempted to sit in the empty seats, Gu Chengze loudly confronted them, insisting the seats were his property since he had purchased them. This caused a scene, annoying other moviegoers. Mortified, Li Yanshu covered her face and walked out, leaving Gu Chengze bewildered and calling her name.
Meanwhile, Gao Yang and Qiao Na, who were also at the cinema, witnessed the scene and marveled at Gu Chengze's low emotional intelligence, further discussing his unconventional gift of a cactus, which Gao Yang admitted was his misguided interpretation of "unique" after he had actually recommended "9,999 red roses to represent long-lasting love." Gu Chengze caught up with Li Yanshu, attempting to justify his actions at the cinema based on his right of ownership.
She sarcastically agreed that it was all everyone else's fault, not his. They then went to a street food stall, but Gu Chengze continued to complain about the lack of hygiene, irritating the owner who eventually told them to leave. Li Yanshu, exasperated by his persistent complaints, criticized him for not being an "aloof" and "snobby" tough president, then simply turned and walked home. Gu Chengze was left alone, still believing he had behaved "pretty well."
When Helena, a celebrity, refused to work, Li Yanshu called Gu Chengze for assistance. However, Gu Chengze bluntly stated that managing temperamental actresses was not his job and he would not go, as his presence would only "add to her temper" and encourage "more requests." He then abruptly ended the call, leaving a stunned Gao Yang, who had been standing nearby and overheard, to lament the missed opportunity for a "hero saves the beauty" moment.
Gu Jinyun, who had also been listening to Li Yanshu's side of the conversation, then approached, offering to resolve the situation in exchange for a lunch date. Li Yanshu, after confirming it was "only dinner and nothing else," agreed. Gu Jinyun effortlessly charmed Helena, which promptly got the filming back on track. When Gu Chengze later arrived at the studio, finding it empty, he was informed that Li Yanshu had left with Gu Jinyun.
He then saw their backs as they departed together. For their lunch, Gu Jinyun had arranged a romantic setting, with old photos of him and Li Yanshu displayed on a screen. Dressed in a light-colored suit, he knelt on one knee, presenting a ring and proposing, "Yanshu, I don't want you to be my girlfriend, will you marry me?" The surrounding diners cheered "Marry him!" just as Han Junyao stormed in, snatching the ring from Gu Jinyun.
She accused him of making a foolish decision, arguing that his grandmother would never approve of Li Yanshu as a girlfriend, let alone a wife. Gu Jinyun declared that his marriage was his own affair, beyond his grandmother's or Han Junyao's control. He chased Han Junyao outside, forcefully retrieving the ring, even pushing her to the ground in the process.
Li Yanshu went to help Han Junyao up, urging her to stop hiding behind Gu Taitai's objections and openly confess her true feelings to Gu Jinyun. Han Junyao, however, dismissed Li Yanshu's concern as insincere, accusing her of "acting pitiful when you are benefited" and merely wanting to see her "making a fool of myself." Li Yanshu countered that Han Junyao deeply misunderstood her, that she was merely "anxious" for her and found her "stupid" for repeatedly irritating Gu Jinyun.
She even admitted relief that Han Junyao had taken the ring, as she hadn't known "how to end that" proposal. Unconvinced, Han Junyao angrily called both Li Yanshu and Gu Jinyun "assholes." As Li Yanshu walked away, Gu Chengze followed her from a distance.
Episode 4 Recap
Gu Chengze finally caught up to Li Yanshu after following her for half a street. He wanted to know if she would have accepted Gu Jinyun’s proposal had Han Junyao not snatched the diamond ring. Li Yanshu, surprised he was even there, countered by asking if he would have intervened to stop Gu Jinyun’s proposal.
Gu Chengze paused, then replied hesitantly that he probably would not have, explaining that as an adult, she had the right to make her own choices, and he did not want to interfere with her decisions. Li Yanshu was exasperated by his overly calm and analytical response, criticizing him for being so detached when the person he liked was being proposed to.
Gu Chengze confessed that he felt guilty and conflicted, not wanting to hurt Gu Jinyun, who seemed serious about Li Yanshu this time, but also unwilling to give her up. Li Yanshu, seizing the moment, advised him to end his "idiot's pursuit" of her immediately. Later that night, as Gu Chengze adjusted his telescope to look at the stars, he saw Li Yanshu's face superimposed on the crescent moon. Disturbed, he called Gao Yang for advice on his current predicament.
Gao Yang, roused from sleep, tried to sound helpful despite his drowsiness, but ultimately fell asleep during the call. Realizing that external help was not going to work, Gu Chengze went directly to Li Yanshu's door. He called out to her, announcing that he had made up his mind and would never give up on her, no matter what.
Li Yanshu, still awake, expressed her annoyance by throwing things, asserting that such actions were also a form of expressing her opinion. Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun returned home to find his grandmother waiting for him in the living room, unusually cordial. He was puzzled and wondered if Han Junyao had kept his proposal a secret from his grandmother, suspecting some hidden agenda on her part.
His grandmother, however, was suspicious of his late return and called Han Junyao to inquire about Gu Jinyun's day. Han Junyao confirmed he was home but, to Gu Jinyun's surprise, did not mention the proposal. The next morning, Li Yanshu had a satisfying dream where she was a queen, and Gu Chengze was her loyal servant, dutifully repeating his vows to protect, love, and spoil her. Her alarm clock interrupted the dream, but it did not diminish her good mood.
At the office, Gao Yang, feeling guilty for falling asleep during Gu Chengze's late-night call, eagerly offered strategies to help his president win Li Yanshu's affection. He suggested sending flowers and chocolates daily, ensuring no two gifts were alike from Monday to Sunday, and choosing thoughtful presents. Recalling Li Yanshu's fondness for crispy durian cake, Gu Chengze told Gao Yang to buy some.
Gao Yang, being overly enthusiastic, not only bought crispy durian cakes but also added two whole durians, thinking Li Yanshu would surely appreciate more of what she liked. Li Yanshu returned to her office to find it filled with the pungent "aroma" of durian. Her colleagues, wearing masks, explained that Secretary Gao had delivered the durians, claiming she loved them.
Infuriated, Li Yanshu called Gu Chengze, sarcastically telling him she "loved" the gift so much she wanted to smash it with his head. Gu Chengze, upon learning of the durians, docked half a month's salary from poor Secretary Gao, who remained utterly bewildered as to his mistake, still believing Li Yanshu simply preferred more durian. Later, Gu Chengze invited Li Yanshu to dinner, but she declined, stating she had a concert date with David.
A surge of jealousy prompted Gu Chengze to kiss Li Yanshu in the office. She quickly pushed him away, concerned about the impropriety of the situation. Gu Chengze deliberately misinterpreted her reaction, accusing her of not wanting to take responsibility for him. Annoyed, Li Yanshu stormed off, leaving Gu Chengze grinning foolishly to himself.
As Li Yanshu prepared to leave for the concert, an announcement informed everyone of an urgent meeting and that she was required to report to the President's office regarding the Helena project. Rolling her eyes, Li Yanshu entered, realizing Gu Chengze was deliberately stalling. He openly admitted his intention to prevent her from attending the concert with David, even threatening to question her work attitude if she did not cancel.
Li Yanshu, feigning compliance, excused herself to the restroom and promptly made her escape. Gu Chengze soon discovered her trick and, accompanied by Gao Yang, rushed to intercept her. They found Li Yanshu and David at the concert hall, having already missed the first movement. Gu Chengze insisted Li Yanshu return to work and even demanded payment for the crystal shrimp dumplings he had ordered for their aborted dinner.
David defended Li Yanshu, prompting Gu Chengze to bluntly state his "principle" was to utilize people for their useful parts. Li Yanshu then declared she would only return to work after eating, as she was hungry. They all ended up at a street barbecue stall. Gu Chengze looked on with disdain at the "dirty" food, while Li Yanshu, David, and a delighted Gao Yang enjoyed the meal.
After observing them for a while, Gu Chengze suddenly pulled Li Yanshu towards him, declaring he wanted to "be a bad guy" and "fulfill himself" by being with her. He earnestly asked for her agreement. Li Yanshu finally smiled at him and shyly nodded. Gao Yang later recounted Gu Chengze's unconventional confession to Qiao Na, who was equally stunned. He even showed her the bruise on his arm from when Li Yanshu pinched him to confirm she wasn't dreaming.
As they playfully bickered, Gao Yang lamented that he would undoubtedly be even busier, and likely face more pay deductions, once the President fully committed to courting Li Yanshu. He stubbornly maintained his belief that Li Yanshu loved durians and that his mistake was simply not buying enough. Elsewhere, Gu Jinyun was at a jewelry store, buying another ring, convinced the previous one had been "defiled."
He then ran into Han Junyao, who was at the mall buying a birthday gift for her younger brother, Junrui. The two immediately clashed, exchanging barbs. Gu Jinyun demanded to know why she hadn't told his grandmother about the proposal. Han Junyao sarcastically threatened to do so now, prompting Gu Jinyun to quickly retract his question. She then stated that their previous altercation (her taking the ring, him pushing her) made them even.
When she mentioned buying a gift for her brother, Gu Jinyun realized it was Li Yanshu’s brother as well and wanted to buy a gift too, even attempting to pay for Han Junyao's purchase, which she refused. Meanwhile, Li Yanshu, avoiding the Han family, had bought a cake and gone to the autism rehabilitation center to celebrate Junrui's birthday early. Gu Chengze, having overheard from Gao Yang that Li Yanshu had a lunch date that wasn't with him, followed her. He observed her putting a birthday crown on Junrui and wishing him a happy birthday, acknowledging that she hadn't been there for his previous birthdays.
Episode 5 Recap
Li Yanshu carefully arranged candles while Junrui sat beside her, watching. She told him she hadn't been there for his past birthdays and hoped he would be happier this year, then helped him put on a birthday crown, calling him handsome. Junrui, who was celebrating his tenth birthday, pointed out that the candles looked like chocolate. Meanwhile, Gu Chengze and Gao Yang observed them from a distance. Gao Yang commented on Li Yanshu's unexpected motherly side.
Gu Chengze, wondering who the child was, asked Gao Yang. Gao Yang speculated it must be a very important person, then immediately jumped to the conclusion that Junrui was Li Yanshu and Gu Jinyun's biological son, claiming that this was why she had received a large sum of money from the Chairwoman years ago. Gu Chengze dismissed his "flawless and reasonable" deductions as nonsense, but Gao Yang insisted it was just like a TV drama.
Junrui's father, Han Zhipeng, arrived to pick him up and thanked Li Yanshu for remembering his son's birthday. He then invited Li Yanshu to Junrui's birthday party that evening, and Li Yanshu accepted after Junrui showed his enthusiasm. Gao Yang, recognizing Han Zhipeng as the Manager of Han Corporation, advised Gu Chengze to seize this opportunity to meet Li Yanshu's family, emphasizing that family approval is crucial for a relationship to succeed. Gu Chengze, despite his initial reluctance, agreed.
After preparing his appearance, Gu Chengze waited at the hospital exit. When Li Yanshu, Han Zhipeng, and Junrui emerged, they saw him. Han Zhipeng, recognizing Gu Chengze as Sheng Hong Corporation's President, thanked him for his attention to Li Yanshu at work and extended an invitation to the party. Li Yanshu tried to politely decline on Gu Chengze's behalf, claiming he was busy, but Gu Chengze quickly accepted.
As they walked away, Li Yanshu voiced her concerns to Gu Chengze, admitting that he wasn't well-suited for social gatherings and also revealing her strained relationship with her mother. She then explained that Junrui was her half-brother, the son of her mother and Han Zhipeng, and that he developed autism at two years old.
Li Yanshu bitterly recounted how her mother, in her opinion, selfishly abandoned her and her father in the past, and later, out of greed to secure her status in the Han family, risked an older-age pregnancy to have Junrui, leading to his condition. After this heartfelt revelation, they decided to put the heavy topic aside. As they walked hand-in-hand, Li Yanshu teased Gu Chengze about his stiff fingers, calling him nervous.
He denied it, claiming he felt insecure and that meeting her made him incredibly happy, almost like a dream. Li Yanshu, amused, asked if he was reciting lines from a dating guide, but he insisted he was being honest. When he asked for a reward, she asked what kind, and he gently kissed her forehead. As they neared the Han family home, Han Junyao, driving with Gu Jinyun, saw Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze together.
Concerned about Gu Jinyun, she quickly sped past, though Gu Jinyun noticed and commented on her driving. Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu separated before Han Junyao pulled over to let Gu Jinyun out. Han Junyao then confronted Li Yanshu, questioning Gu Chengze's presence and revealing she had invited Gu Jinyun to "watch Li Yanshu make a fool of herself." Li Yanshu clarified that Han Zhipeng had invited Gu Chengze.
Inside, Gu Jinyun presented numerous gifts, smoothly complimenting Xia Meng on her appearance. Gu Chengze, by contrast, seemed reserved and out of place. Xia Meng, clearly unhappy with Gu Chengze's behavior, made a pointed remark about his lack of social etiquette. To ease the awkwardness, Li Yanshu gave Gu Chengze a drawing board she had bought for Junrui and encouraged him to present it, accompanying him to Junrui's side.
The living room was adorned with balloons and ribbons, creating a warm, festive atmosphere. Junrui had already eaten earlier due to his fixed routine. During dinner, Xia Meng offered Gu Chengze a serving of steamed bass, but he politely declined. When she humbly suggested her cooking might not be good, Gu Chengze bluntly agreed, criticizing the Longjing prawns for being too oily and salty.
Li Yanshu tried to diffuse the tension by saying it was likely just undercooked, but Han Zhipeng interjected, saying he taught Xia Meng and could tell by simply looking. After dinner, Xia Meng asked Li Yanshu to help with the dishes. In the kitchen, she probed Li Yanshu about her relationship with Gu Chengze, accusing them of flirting and calling Gu Chengze ill-mannered and "brainless."
Li Yanshu defended him, stating he was merely her boss and had been invited by Han Zhipeng. Xia Meng then questioned Li Yanshu about Han Junyao and Gu Jinyun, warning her to be wary of Han Junyao trying to steal Gu Jinyun. Xia Meng, convinced that Gu Jinyun, as the true successor of Sheng Hong Corporation, was a more suitable match than the adopted Gu Chengze (who had no inheritance rights), urged Li Yanshu to pursue him.
Li Yanshu repeatedly insisted that she and Gu Chengze were just colleagues and asked her mother to stop interfering in her personal life. Unbeknownst to them, Gu Chengze stood just outside the door, overhearing their entire conversation. His face became grim, and he silently turned and walked away. Meanwhile, Han Junyao and Gu Jinyun shared laughs looking at old school photos, reminiscing about a classmate nicknamed "Brother Dice."
Han Junyao then showed Gu Jinyun a photo of her youthful mother, whom Gu Jinyun didn't recognize, and revealed that her mother had passed away when she was thirteen. Later, Han Zhipeng invited Gu Jinyun to play Chinese chess, which Gu Jinyun readily accepted, praising Han Zhipeng's wisdom and his philosophical insights about life mirroring a chess game. Li Yanshu soon realized Gu Chengze had left without a word. She tried calling him, but his phone was off.
Frustrated, she returned home and spent the night sleeping in the living room, repeatedly calling his name and his phone, but to no avail. The next morning, Gu Chengze emerged from his room, completely ignoring Li Yanshu's questions about his whereabouts and why he hadn't answered her calls. She was baffled by his sudden coldness.
Later, during a photo shoot, Helena, the product spokesperson, threw a tantrum, making unreasonable demands, such as ordering four custom coffee drinks only to "smell" them, and causing problems for Li Yanshu. Han Junyao, unable to tolerate Helena's behavior, confronted her and even threatened to pour coffee on her head, causing Helena to storm off. While Han Junyao felt satisfied, Li Yanshu knew she would bear the brunt of the consequences.
She went to apologize to Helena and found Gu Chengze there. Helena, playing the victim, accused Li Yanshu's team of unprofessionalism and rudeness, specifically mentioning Han Junyao's threat. Gu Chengze, without asking for details, ordered Li Yanshu to apologize, stating that while details were unimportant, she had failed to control the situation and create an unpleasant scene. Despite her resentment, Li Yanshu apologized to Helena with a forced smile.
After Li Yanshu left, Helena tried to manipulate Gu Chengze, threatening to terminate the cooperation unless he personally took over as the project lead. However, Gu Chengze, a seasoned businessman, calmly dismissed her threats, warning her that ending the partnership would cause her more trouble than Sheng Hong Corporation. Helena, defeated, relented. That evening, Li Yanshu confronted Gu Chengze, noting his distant behavior over the past few days.
She explained Helena's initial unprofessionalism and Han Junyao's intervention, questioning why he made her apologize when he didn't even know the full story. Gu Chengze remained cold, reiterating that her failure to control the situation was the issue, not whose fault it was, and that he only cared about the project's successful completion. When Li Yanshu went upstairs, she found him packing.
He told her she could stay in the apartment until she found a new place, implying he was moving out. Li Yanshu was angered and confused by his sudden change in attitude. When he asked if she was going to stay at David's place, implying she enjoyed burdening him and staying at his home, Li Yanshu retorted it was none of his business. Gu Chengze agreed it wasn't his business.
Li Yanshu then challenged him, asking if his current coldness was how he treated someone he claimed to like. Gu Chengze sarcastically asked if she particularly enjoyed being pursued by two men simultaneously.
Episode 6 Recap
Li Yanshu told Gu Chengze he didn't need to pack; if anyone was leaving, it would be her, as his current behavior was not how someone in love acts. Gu Chengze, putting down his clothes, asked if she enjoyed being pursued by two men at the same time. Li Yanshu, infuriated, called him a "bastard" and stormed downstairs. From upstairs, Gu Chengze watched Li Yanshu pack her bags and leave.
His mind replayed a conversation he'd overheard between Li Yanshu and her mother, where her mother had questioned Li Yanshu's involvement with Gu Chengze, calling him "someone with no brain" and warning her about a "love triangle." Her mother emphasized that while Gu Chengze was Sheng Hong's CEO, he was adopted and had no inheritance rights, unlike Gu Jinyun, the true successor, whom Li Yanshu should focus on.
Li Yanshu had insisted that she and Gu Chengze were merely colleagues and told her mother to mind her own business, stating she knew what she was doing. Her mother, seemingly reassured by Li Yanshu’s denial of interest in Gu Chengze, had then expressed relief. Gu Chengze's expression was unreadable as he let Li Yanshu depart. Helena refused to cooperate with the shooting, claiming she was "not happy" despite feeling well.
Li Yanshu attempted to communicate calmly, but Helena arrogantly declared that she wouldn't resume work unless Gu Chengze personally apologized. Gu Chengze, in a meeting, refused to apologize and instructed the legal department to issue lawyer's letters. Li Yanshu was perplexed, explaining that initiating a lawsuit against a spokesperson during New Face brand's critical promotion period would cause significant negative publicity.
Gu Chengze revealed that Helena had long been pursuing him, and he refused to "betray his actual feelings" for work. He added, somewhat mockingly, that he was "not like" Li Yanshu, who would "betray feelings to achieve goals." Confused and annoyed by his unclear accusation, Li Yanshu demanded clarification. Gu Chengze then recounted the conversation he'd overheard between Li Yanshu and her mother at the Han family’s house.
He quoted Li Yanshu's mother advising her to focus on Gu Jinyun, the true successor of Sheng Hong, as Gu Chengze was merely an adopted son with no inheritance rights. He also recounted Li Yanshu's response, dismissing her relationship with him as purely professional and insisting her mother mind her own business.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Li Yanshu urgently grabbed his hand to explain, saying she had only said those things to deceive her mother and prevent her interference in her love life. However, Gu Chengze pulled his arm away, stating he couldn't easily trust her lies, especially since she had never "given him a clear answer" about their relationship.
He concluded that he might have been "naive" and that it was merely his "wishful thinking," instructing her to clear her mind before approaching him again. Gu Jinyun, learning of Helena's uncooperative behavior, directly took Li Yanshu to confront Helena. Helena, however, was rude and arrogant, dismissing Gu Jinyun's attempts to mediate and telling him not to bring "Tom, Dick or Harry" to talk to her if they didn't have the authority to make decisions regarding Sheng Hong.
Li Yanshu, who had been trying to smooth things over with a forced smile, later asked Gu Jinyun what kind of person she was when they were dating. He fondly recalled her as "cute, interesting, and very direct," saying he was "very happy" being with her. He also noted that she became "very sensitive" and like a porcupine, bristling with "lots of spines" when facing difficulties, but added that to a lover, even disadvantages could be endearing.
Gu Jinyun then earnestly urged her to leave Gu Chengze and choose him, promising to treat her well for life. Li Yanshu responded with a smile, admitting that if it weren't for Gu Chengze, she "might really choose" him. As they chatted and laughed downstairs, Gu Chengze watched them from a distance, his lips tightly pursed, finding the scene painful to witness.
In contrast to the tumultuous events involving Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu, Gao Yang was happily sitting by the river with his girlfriend, Qiao Na, watching the sunset. They were having a sweet moment, discussing having twins and appreciating each other's qualities. Qiao Na confessed she loved his sincerity, while Gao Yang praised his own attributes, humorously admitting he lacked only money.
Their peaceful evening was interrupted when Gu Chengze called Gao Yang, summoning him to meet a client within thirty minutes. Gu Chengze, despite Gao Yang's protests about having been promised half a day off, insisted on his immediate presence, stating the client was "very important" before abruptly hanging up. This unexpected call left Qiao Na quite displeased. Although Li Yanshu had left, her presence lingered throughout the house, with magazines on the table and her drawing book on the sofa.
As Gu Chengze flipped through the drawing book, he found a portrait of his own handsome face. Holding the book, he leaned back on the sofa, deep in thought, chastising himself for forgetting his negotiation skills and for having been so harsh with his words earlier, wondering why he had created such a "dead end" in their conversation and regretting his inability to leave some room for maneuver.
He lamented that he had told her to clear her mind before coming to him, but she had not returned, asking himself, "Are you a pig-brain? What's taking you so long?" He wondered if he was happy with the current situation he had created. Li Yanshu mysteriously pulled Gao Yang aside, her face beaming as she confided that she planned to confess her feelings to Gu Chengze.
She had a complete plan and just needed Gao Yang to bring him to the designated location and invite some friends. Gao Yang, impressed by Li Yanshu's bravery, was surprised when she included Gu Jinyun on the guest list, asking if it wasn't "too cruel," to which Li Yanshu responded it was "a little," but better than him "deceiving himself." As they plotted by an indoor pool, Gu Chengze, prone to jealousy, saw them together.
He immediately called Gao Yang back to his office, interrogated him with a stern expression, and issued a warning not to have any "inappropriate thoughts" about Li Yanshu, claiming she was "his girlfriend." Gao Yang, caught in the middle, had to lie about their conversation, saying they were discussing the advertising video's progress, and then swore he had no such intentions towards Special Assistant Li, making him an innocent victim of Gu Chengze's possessiveness once again.
To execute Li Yanshu's plan, Gao Yang accompanied Gu Chengze, enduring his usual sharp remarks. To persuade Gu Chengze to go out, Gao Yang feigned a breakup with Qiao Na, stating he was "so sad" and wanted to "drink some beer." Gu Chengze, feeling a kinship as they were "in the same situation," agreed to go, but was surprised when Gao Yang led him to an amusement park instead of a bar. The park was deserted and dimly lit.
Suddenly, a person in a fox mascot costume approached Gu Chengze and led him forward. The lights then flickered on, and a group of people emerged, each holding a rose. Li Yanshu removed the fox head, proclaiming loudly, "Gu Chengze, I like you! Will you be my boyfriend?" As she spoke, Gu Chengze's mind raced through all their memories together.
He slowly approached the girl who had so boldly declared her feelings, gazed at her intently, and then leaned in for a passionate kiss. From a distance, Gu Jinyun silently watched the scene unfold. Gu Jinyun silently departed, walking alone into the vast night. His mind was filled with memories of Li Yanshu, replaying old conversations.
He remembered her telling him that it was "impossible" between them, urging him not to ruin his family relationships because of her, and asserting, "I don't like you anymore." He had desperately questioned her, pointing out her kindness in caring for his injuries, but she insisted she would do the same for "a stray cat or a stray dog," telling him not to "over-think" it.
He clung to the belief that as her "childhood sweetheart" and "first love," he knew her "likes and dislikes by heart," and thus still had a chance, only to be met with her unequivocal statement that she no longer liked him, despite his perceived handsomeness. These painful recollections served as a somber farewell to his lost love.
Episode 7 Recap
A heartbroken Gu Jinyun spent the night at a nightclub, drowning his sorrows in Tequila shots. He felt like a "mawkish fool," recalling Li Yanshu's words that she no longer liked him and had deemed him "overconfident" when he spoke of their childhood romance and his good looks. Han Junyao accompanied him, trying to console him, but Gu Jinyun was inconsolable, lamenting how the woman he had loved for so many years now loved another man.
He pushed Han Junyao away, asking to be left alone, but she revealed her own pain, confessing that the man she had loved for years also loved Li Yanshu. Gu Jinyun realized she was referring to Gu Chengze, exclaiming in frustration, "What's good about him? Why does he become a favorite of everyone?"
As Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze walked hand in hand, Gu Chengze, beaming, joked that he could now tell his friends that Li Yanshu pursued him, which would give him "much face." Li Yanshu playfully retorted that he, like her, didn't really have any friends. Gu Chengze conceded the point and then suggested they could tell their future children instead. Li Yanshu teased him, asking, "What is wrong with you today? You're so bloated."
Gu Chengze replied that she had "filled his heart," which was why he was "bloated." When she playfully blamed herself, he hinted at the "mistakes" she could make, causing her to press him for clarification until he apologized. Gao Yang returned home, smelling of fireworks, and boasted to his girlfriend about orchestrating Li Yanshu's grand confession to Gu Chengze. He explained that since President Gu Chengze's EQ was "negative," he had to intervene to ensure the couple's success.
He vividly described Li Yanshu's dramatic declaration and his coordination of spotlights, fireworks, and a carousel, creating a "dreamy fairy tale picture." His girlfriend was impressed but then demanded a similar grand gesture for herself, which Gao Yang tried to deflect by pointing out their burning dinner, leading to playful bickering. The next morning, Gu Jinyun woke up naked in bed with Han Junyao, horrified. He accused her of taking advantage of him while he was drunk and heartbroken.
Han Junyao, equally enraged, grabbed a pillow and hit him, exclaiming, "Why do I like a jerk like this?" Gu Jinyun insisted he couldn't remember anything from the previous night, only that he drank too much. Later, while in his car, Gu Jinyun realized he had taken Han Junyao's phone when it rang, displaying her name. At the same time, Han Junyao discovered the mix-up and cursed, suspecting it was intentional.
When Gu Chengze offered Li Yanshu a ride to work, she insisted on being discreet, suggesting they enter the office separately to avoid gossip. She knew that as the boss, he would be immune, but she would be "drowned" by rumors. She also asked him to warn Gao Yang, who "can't keep a secret." Gu Chengze, concerned about Gu Jinyun's absence from work, instructed his assistant to find him if he didn't show up by 11 AM.
Li Yanshu also called, inquiring about Gu Jinyun's whereabouts. She then recalled a previous conversation with Gao Yang, where she confessed to him about her plan to propose to Gu Chengze, asking him to bring Gu Chengze to the venue and invite friends. Gao Yang expressed concern about inviting Gu Jinyun, calling it "cruel," but Li Yanshu believed it was better than letting him "fool himself."
At lunch, Li Yanshu was worried about Gu Jinyun, noting he hadn't come to work. Gu Chengze, subtly jealous, told her to focus her attention entirely on him, promising to take care of Gu Jinyun's "broken heart and feelings" himself. Li Yanshu teasingly called him "petty," to which he proudly agreed. When Helena caused trouble for Sheng Hong, Gu Chengze deployed his formidable legal team.
Li Yanshu initially suggested he "amuse" Helena to resolve the issue more cheaply, but Gu Chengze, declaring that his "face can only be appreciated by" Li Yanshu, firmly rejected the idea. Sheng Hong's lawyer, He, met with Helena's legal representative, Mr. Liu, and forcefully stated that Sheng Hong had not breached any contract.
He warned them of severe consequences, including a substantial compensation claim and a ban on Helena accepting any endorsements until the case concluded, if they insisted on unilateral termination. He advised Mr. Liu to inform Helena of the low probability of winning against Sheng Hong's esteemed legal team and the potential repercussions. Helena's lawyer eventually relented, agreeing that Helena would fulfill her contract if Sheng Hong guaranteed no recurrence of previous issues.
After seeing a sweet photo of Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze, Gu Taitai decided to find suitable girls for Gu Jinyun. When she brought up his grandfather and suggested a vacation abroad, Gu Jinyun, seeing through her plan to keep him away from Li Yanshu, called it "restraining." Gu Taitai then disparaged Li Yanshu, calling her "fickle-minded and a flirt," and insisted on introducing him to "great girls" who were "100 times better."
Gu Jinyun mockingly agreed to find a "good girl" and stormed out. Outside, Han Junyao was pacing, debating whether to enter the house. She spotted Gu Jinyun leaving and returned his phone, retrieving her own. An awkward silence ensued, prompting Gu Jinyun to apologize for his behavior last night, admitting he was drunk and "can't remember something." Han Junyao accepted his apology, stating she was also irrational.
She then seriously declared that, due to gender equality, she felt responsible for taking advantage of him while he was drunk. Gu Jinyun, taken aback, joked that she made it sound as if he was "pregnant with her child," before quickly making an excuse to leave. Inside, Gu Taitai, still confused, asked Han Junyao about her relationship with Gu Jinyun, mistakenly believing him to be Li Yanshu's boyfriend.
Han Junyao, exasperated by her outdated information, revealed that she was the one who invited Gu Jinyun to a past birthday party, not Li Yanshu, and scoffed at the idea of "stealing Yanshu's boyfriend," urging Gu Taitai to figure out who her daughter's "actual" boyfriend was. Gu Taitai retorted that she only bothered asking due to her concern for Li Yanshu. Despite Gu Chengze's repeated calls to Gu Jinyun, his phone went unanswered.
Just as Gu Chengze prepared to send someone to search for him, he discovered Gu Jinyun leisurely sitting in his office. Gu Jinyun sarcastically asked if the endless calls were a "show of force," to which Gu Chengze stated he was worried. Gu Jinyun taunted him, asking if he was afraid he would "kill himself," then laughed, saying he "can't bear to die."
Gu Chengze suggested he take a vacation to clear his head, but Gu Jinyun angrily recognized this as a tactic, similar to his grandmother's, to keep him away from Li Yanshu. Gu Chengze then provoked him, saying he knew Gu Jinyun was "an arrogant man" who wouldn't "waste his time on a woman," to which Gu Jinyun cryptically replied, "This is hard to say."
He then announced he was going to talk to Li Yanshu, who had called him many times and was "really worried." In Li Yanshu's office, she expressed concern for Gu Jinyun, stating that both she and Gu Chengze were worried due to his unresponsiveness. Gu Jinyun scoffed, accusing them of coordinating their "lines" and lacking creativity. He then demanded to speak to Li Yanshu alone and locked Gu Chengze out of the office.
Gu Chengze furiously demanded he stop "messing around" and "testing his patience." When the commotion outside suddenly ceased, Gu Jinyun, surprised by the silence, was shocked when Gu Chengze violently kicked the door open. Gu Jinyun mocked Gu Chengze for disregarding his image at the company, pointing out that everyone knew Li Yanshu was his ex-girlfriend and he was trying to win her back.
He warned Gu Chengze that people would gossip about the "heir of Sheng Hong Corporation's girlfriend" being "stolen away by the President." Gu Chengze retorted by asserting his power and superior image within Sheng Hong, then provocatively cited an old saying about not letting "water full of nutrient flow into other people's farm," implying Li Yanshu was now his. Back home, Gu Chengze expressed his concerns to Li Yanshu.
He worried that Gu Jinyun, who had finally started showing interest in the company, might regress to his old ways after the emotional upset. As the sole heir of Sheng Hong, Gu Jinyun had responsibilities to uphold alongside his wealthy lifestyle. Li Yanshu reassured him that Gu Jinyun, despite his occasional willfulness, was mature enough to understand priorities and would not cross any irreversible lines. Gu Chengze, though, remained skeptical.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun was at home, reluctantly participating in a matchmaking session arranged by Gu Taitai. When he finally came downstairs, Gu Taitai proudly introduced him to two young women from prominent families. Gu Jinyun, feigning politeness, immediately sabotaged the meeting by casually mentioning he was late because he had "just took a girl home." Gu Taitai tried to smooth things over, portraying him as merely "mischievous." Gu Jinyun then secretly whispered into his phone, urgently requesting "assistance." Moments later, he "accidentally" spilled drinks on one of the potential matches, forcing the guests to retreat to clean up, successfully disrupting the blind date.
Episode 8 Recap
Gu Jinyun messaged Han Junyao, urging her to come quickly for an emergency rescue. He then deliberately caused a commotion by pretending to accidentally spill juice on one of the young women who had come for a blind date. When Gu Taitai, his grandmother, introduced the two women, she mistakenly called one 'Miss Sun' who corrected her, stating her surname was Liu, and then called the other 'Miss Sun' who stated her surname was Zhao.
Gu Jinyun highlighted his grandmother's confusion. Gu Taitai's attempts to arrange a marriage were thwarted as both women quickly left. Gu Jinyun then confronted his grandmother, asserting that he hadn't chased them away, they simply left on their own. He challenged her for setting up dates without his consent, asking if she considered his feelings. Gu Taitai accused him of still harboring feelings for Li Yanshu, but Gu Jinyun insisted his displeasure was with her arbitrary arrangements.
Frustrated, he stormed out, declaring his need to clear his head. Gu Taitai confided in Han Junyao, wondering how to make Gu Jinyun forget Li Yanshu. Han Junyao assured her that he would, as Li Yanshu's affections lay elsewhere. Gu Taitai revealed she was aware Li Yanshu was with Gu Chengze, admitting that she herself had orchestrated their relationship.
She explained that she instructed Gu Chengze to pursue Li Yanshu to divert Li Yanshu's attention away from Gu Jinyun, and was surprised the girl had actually fallen for it, even talking about "true love," which only a fool like Gu Jinyun would believe. Gu Taitai emphasized that Gu Chengze, who had always doted on Gu Jinyun and knew of his love for Li Yanshu, would never have pursued Li Yanshu if not for her direct intervention.
Han Junyao was visibly surprised by this revelation. Meanwhile, Gao Yang awoke in a panic from a dream where Qiao Na left him for a wealthy man, calling out her name repeatedly. He comforted himself that Qiao Na was not a rich girl and would never fall for a rich second-generation suitor. Xia Meng visited the Han Corporation factory where Li Yanshu was filming a promotional video.
Xia Meng expressed her concern over Gu Jinyun and Han Junyao's perceived closeness, recounting how Gu Jinyun had visited Han Junyao's house twice, once making her cry. She interpreted this as a couple's quarrel. Li Yanshu dismissed it as merely business-related, given Sheng Hong and Han Corporation's collaboration, and advised Xia Meng not to meddle in Han Junyao's affairs.
Xia Meng then recounted her own past struggles, stating that after Li Yanshu's father passed away, she brought Li Yanshu to the Han family, where Han Junyao consistently targeted and took things from Li Yanshu. She then advised Li Yanshu to "grab tightly onto Gu Jinyun," stressing the importance of marriage for a woman to change her fate.
Overhearing this, Han Junyao scoffed, sarcastically suggesting that Xia Meng’s pursuit of marriage was solely to alter her own destiny, and urged Li Yanshu to indeed "grab tightly onto Gu Jinyun." Li Yanshu followed Han Junyao, apologizing for her mother's words.
However, Han Junyao, annoyed by Li Yanshu's unsolicited advice on love, dropped a bombshell: Gu Taitai had personally informed her that Gu Chengze's relationship with Li Yanshu was a strategic move, orchestrated by Gu Taitai to make Li Yanshu give up on Gu Jinyun. Li Yanshu stood stunned. Just then, Gu Chengze arrived to pick her up, remarking that he had left work early.
Li Yanshu, her eyes red, directly asked him if he was with her as part of Gu Taitai's plan. Gu Chengze admitted, "Yes," but immediately tried to explain that the situation was not as she thought. However, Li Yanshu, heartbroken, refused to listen, stating that just seeing his face, his eyes, and hearing his voice made her feel annoyed and hateful.
She also recalled Gu Chengze's previous expressions of deep affection for Sheng Hong, realizing he might have used their relationship for the company's sake. She challenged his right to demand an explanation, asking if he spoke as her boss or her boyfriend. She asserted that as her boss, he had no need to explain to a mere employee, and as her boyfriend, he was now "disqualified."
As she tried to leave, Gu Chengze grabbed her arm, insisting she needed to stay and listen to his explanation. Li Yanshu then went straight to confront Gu Taitai. She directly asked if her relationship with Gu Chengze was a plan, and if Gu Taitai had instructed him to pursue her. Gu Taitai initially feigned ignorance, but then, calling Li Yanshu an "ill-bred girl," she proudly admitted to orchestrating the relationship.
Gu Taitai then advised Li Yanshu to leave Sheng Hong with dignity, hoping never to see her again. Li Yanshu responded with a cold, sarcastic laugh, expressing disbelief at Gu Taitai’s feigned concern for her dignity. As Li Yanshu, looking upset, walked out, she encountered Gu Jinyun who had just returned home. He immediately assumed his grandmother had bullied her again.
Gu Jinyun attempted to call Li Yanshu, then called Gu Chengze (referred to as Mike) to inform him of Li Yanshu's distress. Subsequently, Gu Jinyun confronted Gu Taitai about Gu Chengze pursuing Li Yanshu under her instruction. Gu Taitai confirmed her involvement, further disparaging Li Yanshu.
Enraged after learning of the "agreement" between Gu Chengze and Gu Taitai, Gu Jinyun then spoke with Gu Chengze on the phone, expressing deep disappointment in him, accusing him of betraying his own emotions and deceiving himself, asking what kind of bewitching spell his grandmother had cast on him. Gu Chengze acknowledged the situation, stating, "It's not what you think. I'll tell you another time," and urged Gu Jinyun to find Li Yanshu first.
Gu Jinyun then confronted Gu Taitai, questioning why he, a Gu family child, couldn't be with Li Yanshu, while Gu Chengze could. Gu Taitai reiterated her snobbish views, likening Gu Jinyun to a priceless vase that shouldn't hold a "random wild flower" like Li Yanshu.
She disparaged Li Yanshu's character, citing her "ill-reputed mother" and her own "money-hungry" nature, tendency to talk nonsense, and lack of respect for elders, adding that a good woman brings prosperity, while a bad one ruins a family. When Gu Jinyun asked about Gu Chengze, Gu Taitai cruelly stated that without the Gu family's upbringing, he would merely be "an unknown wild kid."
Gu Jinyun was shocked and hurt by this, reminding his grandmother that she had raised Gu Chengze herself, and he had been loyal and contributed immensely to Sheng Hong. Gu Taitai, however, insisted that Gu Chengze was "never a part of the Gu family" and that the Gu family had no such child. Gu Jinyun found her words "too hurtful, excessive, and heartless."
Gu Taitai retorted that her actions were to protect the family, implying that Gu Jinyun's lack of capability and ambition forced her to be so cautious and vigilant, and reiterated that Gu Chengze was fundamentally different and not truly a part of their family, a fact he must firmly remember. Gu Chengze desperately searched for Li Yanshu, calling her mother who said she wasn't home, and then Qiao Na, who was abroad.
He found himself back at the amusement park, the carousel lights still twinkling, but Li Yanshu was nowhere to be found. The next day, Gu Chengze went about his work mechanically, discreetly questioning Gao Yang about Li Yanshu's usual haunts. Upon learning she had arrived at the company, he was immediately informed. Li Yanshu was there to resign.
The HR Director expressed regret, listing common reasons for resignation (insufficient pay or emotional discomfort) and acknowledged Li Yanshu's significant contributions as the chief designer. Since Li Yanshu cited "emotional discomfort," the HR Director felt unable to process her resignation and directed her to submit it directly to the President. Gu Chengze, after carefully adjusting his tie in front of a mirror, smiled as she entered his office and said, "You are here."
Li Yanshu presented her resignation letter, but Gu Chengze promptly tore it up. He declared his refusal to accept it, reminding her of her five-year contract with Sheng Hong and threatening legal action if she breached it. Li Yanshu accused him of coercion and questioned why he wanted to keep her there to "torture" her. Gu Chengze asserted he wanted her to stay so she would listen to his explanation, asking her to consider if he truly deceived her feelings.
Li Yanshu refused, saying the thought made her feel like an "idiot." She vehemently stated she was not like him, able to "calmly analyze pros and cons, and even utilize one's love for other purposes." As she tried to pull away, he held her, insisting she wasn't thinking clearly and needed to stay to hear him out. He admitted he had considered Gu Taitai's opinion, but stressed it wasn't the "main" reason for pursuing her.
Li Yanshu skeptically asked if there were other reasons she didn't know about. She recounted her vow seven years prior, after leaving Gu Jinyun, never to associate with the Gu family again, believing Gu Chengze was different. She called him a "liar." Gu Chengze, in turn, asked what she was then, insisting he had never deceived her emotions and that despite his "unpure motives" initially, his "love for her is true." Li Yanshu retorted that "deceiving one's love is more hateful than lying."
Episode 9 Recap
Upon hearing that a Mr. Gu was looking for her, Han Junyao quickly reapplied her makeup, hoping to present her best self. To her disappointment, it was Gu Jinyun, who immediately asked about Li Yanshu. Han Junyao's expression soured, claiming she had no idea where Li Yanshu was. She sarcastically asked who Li Yanshu was, remarking that "a little stir from her" sent "all of you. . . into a complete mess."
Gu Jinyun chided Han Junyao for her sarcasm, pressing her on whether Li Yanshu had contacted her. Han Junyao retorted, "Am I her nanny or her assistant? Am I someone she can contact whenever she wants to?" Gu Jinyun, in turn, questioned her dramatic reaction, suggesting she could have simply called if she was "just asking," and accused her of possibly hiding Li Yanshu.
Gu Jinyun then revealed he had learned the previous night that "Mike had actually pursued Yanshu under Grandma's orders," which infuriated him. He worried about how Yanshu would feel, recalling their previous breakup also caused by his grandmother. Han Junyao dismissed this, retorting, "Who told her to be so self-important?" Gu Jinyun, explaining that Li Yanshu's phone was off and she had no other female friends, came to Han Junyao.
Han Junyao insisted she was not Li Yanshu's best friend and that Li Yanshu's bad mood was none of her business, adding that she was not in a good mood either. Gu Jinyun pointed out she seemed happy earlier, prompting Han Junyao to angrily declare that Gu Jinyun was the one who provoked her. She warned him never to mention Li Yanshu's name to her again, stating she didn't know and didn't want to know anything about her.
Gu Jinyun tried to reason, saying, "I know you two do not like each other, but you two are still family." Han Junyao vehemently denied this, yelling at him to "Get out!" Gu Jinyun apologized before leaving. Despite her harsh words, Han Junyao, a typically harsh-mouthed but soft-hearted person, drove out to find Li Yanshu, knowing exactly where she would go when upset. She found Li Yanshu on a seesaw.
Li Yanshu was surprised, asking how Han Junyao knew she was there. Han Junyao explained that because she "hated" Li Yanshu so much, she had "researched" her, recalling how Li Yanshu used to spend entire days on the Ferris wheel after arguments with her mother. She teased Li Yanshu for being a "coward" now, choosing a seesaw instead. They bickered playfully about their weight.
Li Yanshu then apologized for Han Junyao's earlier encounter with Gu Jinyun, but Han Junyao insisted, "No, you should tell me. Only in this way, can you make me more clear-headed." Li Yanshu confided that the world had never treated her well, and she had grown accustomed to it, but had "lost myself in the end, and start to fantasize about the future. . . Fantasizing about being happy." She thanked Han Junyao for making her "sober up completely."
Li Yanshu then suggested they go for a drink, and Han Junyao, after a playful remark about Li Yanshu's gratitude being just "words," agreed, noting they had never drunk together. At the Zero Point Bar, Li Yanshu began drinking heavily, one glass after another, despite Han Junyao's attempts to stop her. Unable to control Li Yanshu, Han Junyao called Gu Jinyun, telling him Li Yanshu had drunk too much and they were at the Zero Point Bar.
Gu Jinyun confirmed he was on his way, revealing that he had also notified Gu Chengze, referring to him as Mike, because he was closer and should arrive earlier, giving him a "fair chance to compete." Han Junyao chastised Gu Jinyun for calling Gu Chengze. Soon after, two thugs approached Han Junyao and a heavily intoxicated Li Yanshu. They made lewd comments and tried to force the women to drink with them.
Gu Chengze arrived just in time and intervened, fighting off the thugs. Han Junyao, seeing Gu Chengze handle the situation, told him she was "handing her over to you" and left quickly. Li Yanshu called out for Han Junyao, but she was gone.
Gu Chengze tried to take a distraught Li Yanshu home, but she struggled against him, calling him a "pervert" and telling him to "Go back to your old witch's home," refusing to listen to his explanations and declaring they had "nothing to do with you now." The two thugs then returned with a larger group, and their leader ordered them to attack Gu Chengze for daring to provoke his "bros."
Gu Chengze, realizing the danger, discreetly handed Li Yanshu his car keys, urging her, "You go first. Get the car. I'll get on when I have the chance." Li Yanshu refused, insisting, "I'm not leaving. Let's leave together." As Gu Chengze fought valiantly against the mob, Li Yanshu quickly called the police. By the time the police arrived, the thugs fled, but Gu Chengze had been struck on the head with a stick and lay unconscious.
Li Yanshu rushed to his side, calling his name, clearly terrified. At the hospital, Li Yanshu waited anxiously outside the operating room. A police officer approached her, asking if she was alright and if she could make a statement. Li Yanshu identified the victim as Gu Chengze, spelling out his name. The officer recognized him as the President of Sheng Hong Corporation, expressing surprise that he had been beaten.
Li Yanshu recounted how two thugs had harassed her and her friend, Gu Chengze had driven them away, and then they had returned with a large group and attacked him. She implored the police to catch the culprits and bring them to justice. After signing the police report, Li Yanshu immediately called Gu Jinyun on her phone, informing him, "Jinyun, come to the hospital. Something has happened to Chengze."
When Gu Jinyun arrived, he asked about "Mike" (Gu Chengze) and noticed the blood on Li Yanshu. She assured him it was Gu Chengze's blood and insisted she was fine. Gu Jinyun suggested she clean up, remarking that "Mike likes to keep clean" and would be unhappy to see her in that state. While Li Yanshu went to clean up, she replayed the fight in her mind.
Later, she recounted the night's events to Gu Jinyun, explaining that Gu Chengze wanted to take her home, but she refused, leading to the attack. Gu Jinyun tried to console her, reminding her that since she chose to be with Gu Chengze, they should be happy. Li Yanshu dismissed his words, stating that the sincerity of Gu Chengze's feelings didn't matter now; she only wished for him to be alright. Tearfully, she asked Gu Jinyun if she had been wrong.
Gu Jinyun responded that if their feelings were real, right or wrong was irrelevant, and expressed his fear of something happening to Gu Chengze. He then comforted her as she cried. Gu Chengze eventually woke up to find Li Yanshu by his bedside.
He started to explain himself, stating that while the chairman "did ask me to pursue you, so that make you give up on Jinyun," he had "already liked you" even before she said that, and admitted he was "pretty happy" when she made the request. He assured her he never lied and pleaded with her not to leave him. Li Yanshu, now believing him, simply said, "Okay, okay, I know," and called him an "idiot."
She noticed him moving and asked if he had a headache or felt nauseous. Confused, Gu Chengze asked where he was, to which Li Yanshu told him he was in the hospital because he "was beaten yesterday." He asked her to repeat, and Li Yanshu realized he genuinely didn't remember. She explained, "Yesterday, there were a few gangsters who hit you. Then you were taken to the hospital."
Accepting this, Gu Chengze declared he was fine and intended to leave immediately. Li Yanshu tried to stop him, reminding him the doctor advised rest and another checkup. Gu Chengze insisted he knew his own body, telling Li Yanshu to "go back and have a good rest." He then instructed Gu Jinyun to take him back to the company. Li Yanshu, frustrated, called him "so stubborn."
A doctor confirmed that Gu Chengze had only a minor head injury with no concussion, explaining that the memory loss was a normal neurological response to trauma and would likely resolve as he recovered. The doctor suggested two more days of observation and a full checkup, which Li Yanshu agreed to. Later, Gu Jinyun brought changes of clothes for them, teasing Li Yanshu about her sudden politeness.
Ignoring the doctor's advice, Gu Chengze promptly returned to work, forcibly discharged and tirelessly handling company matters. He was seen conducting phone meetings, demanding design manuscripts by the end of the month without any excuses. Gu Jinyun watched him with a sympathetic gaze, remarking, "Mike, are you tired? For Sheng Hong, you've become a ten-in-one exercising machine. Are you tired or not?" Gu Chengze replied, "Then tell me, how do I not live tiredly?"
Soon after, Gu Taitai arrived at Sheng Hong Corporation and confronted Gu Chengze in his office. She reprimanded him, saying, "Gu Chengze, you're becoming more and more bolder. Fighting with gangsters at night and going to the hospital, leaving company matters behind. And I have to come personally in your place. . . I thought it was April Fools' Day." Gu Chengze apologized, calling it an accident.
Gu Taitai criticized his loss of calmness and reason, expressing disappointment that a President of Sheng Hong Corporation would "encounter this low-level accident." She insinuated he had changed, directly asking, "Is it because of Li Yanshu? It must be. . . Ever since the two of you started knowing Li Yanshu, you've both lost your mind and been confused, even difficult to control."
Gu Chengze immediately defended Li Yanshu, stating the matter had "nothing to do with Li Yanshu" and asking Gu Taitai not to speak of her that way. Angered by his defense, Gu Taitai reminded him that he was only supposed to "pretend to pursue Li Yanshu. Don't go too far into the play."
Gu Chengze attempted to speak, but Gu Taitai cut him off, declaring she would "get annoyed whenever I hear her name," and left, reiterating, "Remember what I've told you." Meanwhile, two female employees gossiped about Gu Taitai's visits always leading to trouble, referencing Li Yanshu's past firing due to alleged "affair with Young Master Gu," and noting Gu Taitai's strong dislike for Li Yanshu, whose prejudice was deeply ingrained.
Shortly after, a reporter, pretending to conduct an interview about "male secretaries of big corporations," approached Gao Yang, flattering him about being the "most capable assistant in Sheng Hong Corporation." Flattered, Gao Yang agreed to the interview. Later, Gu Chengze received a call about a "report" and said he would "go take a look," suggesting the reporter had begun to publish something.
Episode 10 Recap
Gao Yang discovered a newspaper article reporting a scandal between Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu, causing him to exclaim in frustration. He immediately regretted having drunkenly disclosed internal company information to a reporter the previous night, realizing his words led to the published news. Panicked, he quickly called Li Yanshu to warn her.
Li Yanshu, who didn't read newspapers, was unaware of the "rumor" until Gao Yang, who serves as Gu Chengze's secretary, hinted at it and urged her to buy a copy. Simultaneously, Gu Taitai also saw the outrageous report and angrily ordered her driver to take her to the company, vowing to deal with Secretary Gao. Upon arrival, Secretary Gao, looking nervous, cautiously made his way into the company.
He then confessed to Gu Chengze, explaining that he had been tricked by a tabloids reporter who claimed to be doing an "interview with a male secretary." Drunk at the time, Secretary Gao inadvertently revealed details about Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu. To his surprise, Gu Chengze calmly finished reading the newspaper and, instead of getting angry, said he considered it a "good thing."
Gu Chengze even thanked Secretary Gao, stating that since the relationship was now public, Li Yanshu couldn't back out, and provocatively asked Li Yanshu if she still wanted to be his "underground lover." He then told Secretary Gao to return to work, much to the secretary's bewilderment. Gu Taitai then stormed into Gu Chengze's office, demanding an immediate clarification. She lashed out, calling Li Yanshu a "calamity" and a "vixen."
Gu Chengze, however, defended Li Yanshu, declaring her his girlfriend and requesting Gu Taitai stop using derogatory terms. Gu Taitai accused Li Yanshu of using him and Sheng Hong Corporation's reputation for her own gain. Gu Chengze firmly stated that he had changed his mind about marrying for corporate benefit, no longer wanting his personal life intertwined with Sheng Hong's interests. He asserted that Sheng Hong did not need such a method of protection.
Gu Taitai furiously demanded he issue a statement to cut ties with Li Yanshu, regardless of the cost. Gu Chengze unequivocally refused, affirming his love for Li Yanshu and his intention to marry her. Gu Taitai, enraged, accused Li Yanshu of having given them "bewitching medicine" and making them "obsessed with her," but Gu Chengze insisted he had never been clearer.
Gu Taitai then delivered an ultimatum: if he did not comply, he would be removed from his position as President. David, enjoying his breakfast, saw the scandalous news and congratulated Li Yanshu over the phone for her "headline-making romance," joking that her popularity was comparable to a celebrity's. Li Yanshu, feeling annoyed, cut his jokes short.
She then mentioned that Gu Chengze had completely forgotten about the fight the previous night after waking up in the hospital, even though the doctor said it was clinically possible. She expressed concern because Gu Chengze never lied. David speculated that Gu Chengze might have been embarrassed about fighting a "local gang" and might have deliberately forgotten, but ultimately advised Li Yanshu to trust the doctor and stop worrying.
Meanwhile, at Sheng Hong, Li Yanshu overheard colleagues discussing a potential "senior personnel change" at the top, speculating that Gu Jinyun might replace Gu Chengze. This made her reflect on Gu Chengze's profound dedication and years of effort for Sheng Hong. In a subsequent meeting, Gu Taitai openly dismissed Gu Chengze's anniversary celebration plans, demanding new proposals from the Planning Department.
She then announced a "major personnel change" at the company's highest level, to be discussed at the next board meeting. Afterwards, Gu Taitai confronted Gu Chengze privately, declaring her intolerance for Li Yanshu's involvement with Sheng Hong. She gave him three days to choose between Li Yanshu and Sheng Hong. Gu Chengze, without hesitation, responded that he did not need three days, as she already knew his choice.
Later, Li Yanshu privately worried about Gu Chengze having to give up Sheng Hong for her, knowing he had invested his entire youth and all his efforts into the company. She also feared how painful it would be for him. Gu Taitai, in another encounter, again questioned why Li Yanshu had not left Sheng Hong, accusing her of lacking self-esteem.
Li Yanshu retorted that she was willing to temporarily set aside her self-esteem for the person she loved, a feeling Gu Taitai would not understand. Gu Taitai then threatened to remove Gu Chengze from his position at the upcoming board meeting if Li Yanshu did not leave, warning her that she would "get nothing" from him. Li Yanshu calmly countered that her desires regarding Gu Chengze had nothing to do with Sheng Hong or Gu Taitai.
She pointed out the severe negative impact of firing the company's president without a suitable replacement and advised Gu Taitai to "think twice" and not act "recklessly." Gu Taitai urged Li Yanshu to leave Gu Chengze if she truly loved him. Li Yanshu coolly dismissed Gu Taitai, stating she had important work to do or would need a leave slip from the Chairwoman. Back at home, Li Yanshu expressed her ongoing concern about Gu Chengze's feelings regarding leaving Sheng Hong.
Gu Chengze, however, was preoccupied with jealousy. He found Li Yanshu at David's apartment, accusing her of acting inappropriately by drinking at another man's house late at night as a woman with a boyfriend. Li Yanshu, amused, teased him about his jealousy. She explained that she went to David to avoid "bothering" him. Gu Chengze challenged her, asking why she would rather bother an "outsider" than him.
Li Yanshu then asked him directly about his choice between her and Sheng Hong, admitting her desire for him to choose her while acknowledging the great sacrifice it would entail for him. Gu Chengze clarified that he was not giving up Sheng Hong; rather, if he were to leave, it would be Sheng Hong giving him up.
He lovingly reassured her, holding her hand and kissing her, affirming that while Sheng Hong was important, she was "the only, an irreplaceable one." He playfully warned her not to "disturb other guys" just to avoid bothering him, to which Li Yanshu fondly called him a "little petty guy."
The very next day, Gu Taitai convened an interim board meeting and announced the immediate removal of Gu Chengze from all his positions at Sheng Hong, appointing Gu Jinyun to temporarily take his place. Some executives raised objections, citing Gu Jinyun's youth, but Gu Taitai, accustomed to acting unilaterally, insisted the "world now belongs to the young" and her decision was final. Gu Jinyun later confronted Gu Taitai, pleading with her to retract her decision.
He passionately argued that Gu Chengze, whom he called Mike, had contributed immensely to both the Gu family and Sheng Hong over many years, and that he himself lacked the interest and ability to lead the company. He urged her to reinstate Gu Chengze for the good of Sheng Hong. Gu Taitai stubbornly maintained that Sheng Hong's success was not solely due to Gu Chengze.
She scolded Gu Jinyun, calling him a "black sheep" for wanting to hand over the family business to an "outsider," firmly stating that Gu Chengze had "never been part of our Gu family." She insisted that all her actions were for him and the Gu family, demanding he accept his new role. Gu Jinyun, defeated, reluctantly conceded.
Gu Chengze, meanwhile, found himself on the company rooftop with Li Yanshu, a place he recalled visiting with Gu Jinyun as a child, often getting scolded by Gu Taitai for doing so. He noted that despite working there, he rarely visited the rooftop due to being "too busy." He acknowledged the widespread news about his dismissal. He admitted he had "expected this day to come" but never imagined he would feel such a sense of "release" and "relief."
He thanked Li Yanshu and proposed they go traveling together, as he hadn't had much rest. He declared, "As long as I'm with you, it's fine whatever we do." Back in the office, Gu Jinyun struggled with his new responsibilities, ignoring piles of documents and playing games on his phone. Secretary Gao reminded him of pending work and an important meeting.
Gu Jinyun, annoyed by the sheer volume of documents due to the anniversary celebration, complained that he couldn't handle the job and called "Mike" (Gu Chengze) for help. Gu Chengze, already on vacation, instructed Gu Jinyun to consult Secretary Gao for work issues and warned him not to call him about work again. Angered, Gu Jinyun cursed Gu Chengze for leaving him to deal with the workload while he enjoyed his vacation.
Secretary Gao tried to encourage Gu Jinyun to be "open-minded," but Gu Jinyun instead demanded that Secretary Gao read all the documents and tell him which ones to sign. Gu Jinyun then encountered Secretary Gao again and jokingly asked why he couldn't "curse" him like others seemed to do, implying Gu Chengze's strictness. He then tried to take a vacation himself, having secured approval from HR.
Secretary Gao confronted him, asking if he was going on vacation with Mike (Gu Chengze). Gu Jinyun, asserting his new authority, attempted to disapprove Secretary Gao's objection. Gu Jinyun pleaded for help with the company's many affairs. Secretary Gao, however, pointed out Gu Chengze's own 11 years of continuous work without a single leave, suggesting it was now Gu Jinyun's turn.
Secretary Gao encouraged Gu Jinyun with the saying, "There must be a way for people to get to go in front of the mountain." Later, Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze were packing for their trip. Li Yanshu packed a large suitcase, insisting on bringing her own bedsheets because she was uncomfortable with hotel linens, even though she had once slept in a "dirty and messy store." She stated she wanted to "prevent the same mistake from happening again." As they finished packing, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Episode 11 Recap
As Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze prepared for their vacation, discussing Gu Chengze's meticulous packing habits, the doorbell rang. It was Gu Jinyun, who, still unwilling to accept Gu Chengze's refusal to return to Sheng Hong, had come to block him at his home. Gu Jinyun pleaded with Gu Chengze, affectionately calling him "Mike" and insisting that he was "born to work" and vacation didn't suit him. He even offered to take the vacation in Gu Chengze's stead.
Gu Jinyun believed their grandmother, the Chairwoman, was merely confused and would soon cancel his temporary appointment, restoring everything to normal. Gu Chengze, however, made it clear he wasn't "squabbling with Chairwoman" and merely wanted to relax. He advised Gu Jinyun to focus on work. Gu Jinyun dismissed this, asserting that such last-minute efforts were futile and that the company would inevitably return to Gu Chengze's hands, implying he should take this opportunity to properly train.
As Gu Chengze walked away, ignoring his pleas, Gu Jinyun called out, "Li Yanshu! Mike!" seemingly realizing or suspecting Li Yanshu's presence. Meanwhile, a tired Secretary Gao brought company files home to continue working. His girlfriend, Qiao Na, was worried about him, questioning when Gu Chengze would return, and mentioned the Chairwoman's ultimatum: Li Yanshu or Sheng Hong. Qiao Na expressed her strong disapproval of the Chairwoman's "overbearing and imperious" style.
Although Secretary Gao casually revealed he was the source of her information, Qiao Na insisted he get some sleep while she helped with the documents. Despite Secretary Gao's initial doubt, Qiao Na assured him of her international trade background and internship experience. He eventually relented, instructing her to mark any confusing parts for "the great Secretary Gao, who is brimming with talent, erudite and versatile," to explain later. Qiao Na playfully accepted.
Back at Sheng Hong Corporation, Gu Jinyun faced a difficult board meeting. He admitted to signing a contract without noticing crucial additional clauses, resulting in a ¥30 million loss, a 15% increase over the price the Strategic Department had secured after three months of negotiations. Gu Jinyun defended himself, claiming the contract was deceptive and it wasn't his intention. He stressed that as the largest shareholder, his family bore the greatest loss.
Despite his explanations, the board members were displeased, privately expressing concern that Sheng Hong was in danger under his leadership. They unanimously wished for Gu Chengze to return as president. Frustrated by work and feeling increasingly disgusted with his usual party-animal friends, Gu Jinyun abruptly left a gathering where his friends tried to entertain him with girls and alcohol. Alone on the street, he called Han Junyao, clarifying he wasn't looking for Li Yanshu, but genuinely wanted to meet her.
They met an hour later, drinking by his car. Gu Jinyun candidly poured out his frustrations, admitting his inexperience and fear of going to the company each day, where even the sound of his alarm clock made him shiver. He complained about the shareholders' constant disapproval and even the sun shining on his neck in his office. Han Junyao patiently listened, remarking that all company directors were the same and he would adapt.
She also lightly teased him about his "delicate" complaints, suggesting a tan would make him look more handsome. Gu Jinyun, however, found no solace in handsomeness if he couldn't manage the company or understand contracts. He expressed gratitude for her presence, and Han Junyao, in turn, thanked him for thinking of her during his difficult time. Meanwhile, Xia Meng observed Han Junyao and Gu Jinyun, feeling anxious for her daughter, Li Yanshu.
She worried that Li Yanshu's potential wealthy husband was slipping away. She confided in Han Zhipeng, lamenting Han Junyao's persistent pursuit of Gu Jinyun, who had always liked Yanshu. Han Zhipeng urged her to "lessen her involvement in the children's matter," which only angered Xia Meng, who accused him of bias because Han Junyao was his daughter.
Shortly after, Han Junyao called Xia Meng, taunting her by asserting that Xia Meng's concerns about Han Junyao's relationship with Gu Jinyun were "none of your business." Xia Meng retorted that if Gu Jinyun was Yanshu's boyfriend, it "was" her business. Han Junyao then callously admitted she liked "to grab your daughter's things" because Xia Meng "grabbed my mother's husband."
Overwhelmed, Xia Meng tearfully expressed her long-standing efforts to connect with Han Junyao, only to be met with hostility, feeling like a failure even with her own daughter. Han Zhipeng comforted her, affirming his understanding of her true feelings and her sacrifices for the family. To cheer her up, he revealed he had booked tickets and a hotel for a wedding anniversary vacation in Malaysia, hoping it would help her relax.
Xia Meng initially hesitated, citing the hot weather and Han Zhipeng's health, but Han Zhipeng insisted, wanting her to escape her worries. Away from the corporate world, Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze embarked on their vacation, enjoying a yacht ride amidst picturesque scenery. Gu Chengze, curious about Li Yanshu's past with Gu Jinyun, asked her about their activities.
Li Yanshu happily offered to take him to relive those "boring and childish" moments, to which Gu Chengze confidently declared, "There is nothing that I can't do." She then made him wear a school uniform. Gu Chengze, initially protesting its small size and his age, eventually complied, transforming into a "cute, sunny student."
Li Yanshu playfully guided him, affectionately calling him a "silly goose," as they took amusing photos in front of a Ferris wheel and enjoyed other childish amusement park rides. Their next activity was ice skating, which proved challenging for the usually adept Gu Chengze. He stumbled and clung to a pillar, admitting it was "a bit difficult" and suggesting Li Yanshu skate alone. Li Yanshu insisted on guiding him, and as they slowly progressed, they both fell.
Looking up at the bright lights, Gu Chengze momentarily experienced fragmented memories of a woman being hit by a car while saving him, dismissing it as a hallucination due to dizziness. Despite his fall, he found skating enjoyable and wanted to continue. Later, while dining at a roadside food stall, Li Yanshu happily indulged in the local delicacies, but Gu Chengze refused to touch them, citing the "disgusting" environment and his preference for Michelin 3-star dining.
Li Yanshu, amused, tried to persuade him to be more adventurous on vacation. She playfully listed his "shortcomings": being overly delicate, a neat freak, and having obsessive-compulsive disorder. Gu Chengze retorted that he was better than her, who was "full of lies." He then revealed that he "cannot lie," explaining that he experiences a "hypersensitivity reaction" if he lies or even hears a lie.
Li Yanshu found this "too much anime," but he insisted it was true, still refusing to eat the street food she offered, even a peeled lobster. Back at Sheng Hong Corporation, the shareholders' discontent with Gu Jinyun intensified. In a meeting with the Chairwoman, a shareholder criticized Gu Jinyun for repeatedly misinterpreting contracts, jeopardizing the company. The Chairwoman defended Gu Jinyun, dismissing the losses as "tuition fees" necessary for his growth.
However, another shareholder argued that Gu Jinyun was clearly "not yet prepared to inherit the company," highlighting the "huge losses and negative publicity" and the "continuously decreased" stock prices. The shareholders "unanimously" urged the Chairwoman to "immediately reinstate Chengze" to "bring Sheng Hong back to the right track," a sentiment that even Gu Jinyun himself echoed in agreement.
Episode 12 Recap
The board of directors expressed their strong desire for Gu Chengze to be reinstated as president of Sheng Hong Corporation to stabilize the company and protect shareholder interests. However, Gu Taitai, the Chairwoman, dismissed their concerns, asserting that Gu Jinyun had not made any serious mistakes and would become a qualified president with their help. After the meeting, she reprimanded Gu Jinyun for repeatedly making the same mistakes and lacking responsibility, especially for signing documents he hadn't read.
Gu Jinyun confessed he wasn't suited to be president, finding the numbers and legal terms overwhelming, and urged his grandmother to bring Gu Chengze back, citing the board's wishes. Gu Taitai remained firm, telling him the future of Sheng Hong was entirely in his hands. Meanwhile, Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze were enjoying breakfast in a scenic location. Li Yanshu, finding Gu Chengze's meticulous nature amusing, decided to tease him.
When a waiter came to refill water, Li Yanshu falsely claimed that she and Gu Chengze had spent the night together and he hadn't paid her. Immediately, Gu Chengze's heart began to race, he struggled to breathe, and then collapsed. Alarmed, Li Yanshu frantically called for a waiter. Gu Chengze, struggling, managed to say his medication was in their room. She then urged the waiter to quickly fetch it.
The waiter brought the medicine, but Gu Chengze was too weak to take it, so she forcefully administered the medicine. He eventually woke up in the hotel's clinic, disoriented and having no memory of the morning's events. Li Yanshu explained that he had fainted after she made a joke. Gu Chengze confirmed his severe allergy to lies, which began when he was around six or seven years old.
He mentioned that his attending physician, Professor Zhao, a specialist in psychology and neuroscience, believed it was related to his childhood experiences. He noted that while other people's lies caused minor reactions, Li Yanshu's lies triggered a much stronger response. Later that night, Li Yanshu, feeling guilty about all the lies she had told Gu Chengze, found him sitting quietly on the sofa.
Gu Chengze recounted a vivid dream he had at the hospital, describing a small boy playing with balloons, one of which popped. He found it strange because previous dreams were fragmented nightmares, but this one was remarkably clear. He admitted he had no memories before the age of six. He then shared that Gu Taitai had told him his parents abandoned him before she adopted him, a claim he struggled to believe deep down.
The next day, as Gu Chengze was driving, he seemed disoriented and nearly caused an accident, prompting Li Yanshu to take over the wheel. Concerned, she drove him directly to a hospital. There, Gu Chengze experienced a sudden, severe headache, and the car accident scene from his dream replayed in his mind. He briefly lost consciousness before waking up. Li Yanshu then contacted Professor Zhao, his specialist.
Professor Zhao arrived and explained that Gu Chengze's allergic reactions were likely linked to his forgotten childhood memories, suggesting the possibility of selective amnesia. Retrieving these memories, possibly through hypnotism, could help cure his condition. Professor Zhao cautioned that forgotten memories are often unpleasant, and not everyone can cope with facing them. Gu Chengze, however, was determined, stating that "truth makes no distinction between good and bad; truth is just truth."
He added he was "impatient" to uncover the truth and regain control, refusing to be knocked down by lies or vague dreams any longer. He decided to undergo hypnotism and also instructed someone to investigate the car accident that occurred twenty years ago, starting locally and expanding the search if necessary. Li Yanshu expressed concern that such forgotten memories were likely painful and suggested he might not want to revisit them, but Gu Chengze insisted on facing the past directly.
Around the same time, Han Zhipeng, while on a vacation return flight with Xia Meng, suddenly fell ill and became unconscious. At the hospital, the doctor informed his family that his condition was severe, caused by a ruptured interventricular septum leading to a ventricular septal perforation, and advised them to prepare for the worst.
Overwhelmed with grief, Han Junyao blamed Xia Meng for taking her father on vacation and a plane trip despite his known heart condition, accusing her of harboring ill intentions. Xia Meng defended herself, stating her concern for Han Zhipeng was no less than Han Junyao's. Xia Meng later called Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu, who rushed to the hospital. Xia Meng was distraught, as Han Zhipeng was still in critical condition.
Witnessing her mother's genuine distress, Li Yanshu realized that Xia Meng truly cared for Han Zhipeng, not just his money. Gu Jinyun, informed by Secretary Gao about Han Zhipeng's hospitalization, also arrived at the hospital, where he comforted a tearful Han Junyao. Meanwhile, Gu Chengze visited Gu Taitai, questioning her decision to dismiss him, stating that the reason given—Li Yanshu—felt disingenuous. He suspected another motive, asserting that she had always acknowledged his abilities in promoting him to president.
Gu Taitai chillingly revealed her true intentions: she had only adopted him and propelled him to power so he would be "obedient" and serve Sheng Hong. Now that he was defying her, he had "no worth" and was disposable. Gu Chengze then asked if she had any photos of him as a child, hoping to shed light on his past.
Gu Taitai coldly replied that he disliked taking pictures as a child and none were kept, before ordering him to leave and never return. Devastated by this revelation, Gu Chengze now had no reservations. The next day, he went to Professor Zhao for the hypnotism session, with Li Yanshu by his side offering support. Under hypnosis, Gu Chengze relived a tender childhood memory: a younger version of himself asking his mother what she was stitching.
She was making a rabbit for his birthday because he was born in the year of the rabbit. She also pointed out Ginkgo trees to him. The memory was filled with warmth, showing his innocent, cute self with his gentle and beautiful mother.
Episode 13 Recap
Gu Chengze woke up in a sweat, disoriented after a hypnotism session. A vivid memory flashed through his mind: his mother sewing a rabbit as a birthday gift and pointing out ginkgo trees. He remembered his mother telling him that he was the smartest and that the trees were ginkgo trees because his zodiac sign was a rabbit.
These scenes from his memory were clear and real, but the task of identifying the location, marked by distinctive ginkgo trees, after so many years was proving difficult. Li Yanshu was by his side, helping him search through online records of various welfare houses like You Chi and Health Welfare House. However, she grew frustrated as none of the locations matched his memory of ginkgo trees.
Gu Chengze admitted he only remembered the ginkgo trees, and Li Yanshu worried that after so many years, the trees might have been cut down. Despite the challenge, she vowed to continue the search, promising to scour the Yellow Pages and inquire house-to-house if necessary. Reviewing maps and records, they finally found a promising lead: Ji Ci Nursing Home. Li Yanshu, trying to keep spirits high, suggested they treat their next visit to the nursing home as an outing.
Meanwhile, at Han Corporation, Han Junyao was shouldering the immense burden of the company following her father Han Zhipeng's sudden illness. In a tense meeting, she expressed her outrage over the dealers' absurd demands for early product shipment coupled with a three-month payment delay. Her subordinates tried to explain the current difficulties in physical sales and the challenges in collecting payments.
They noted that these long-term partners, who had never made such demands before, were now acting in concert, threatening to withhold the previous quarter's balance payment. Han Junyao refused to back down, fiercely declaring that Han Corporation would not be bullied and that her father, President Han, was only ill, not gone. She criticized her managers for siding with outsiders despite their high salaries and demanded that the full balance be recovered.
After she abruptly ended the meeting, the disgruntled employees complained about her, labeling her an inexperienced "little girl" who disrespected them and threatened to resign. Soon after, her secretary presented her with resignation letters from the sales department and key regional employees, further confirming the internal strife. Overwhelmed, Han Junyao visited her father in the hospital. Tears in her eyes, she confessed that only now did she truly understand the immense difficulties he faced in business.
She wished he were there to handle the situation, and lamented that his former subordinates were now mocking her struggles. Later, at the hospital, Gu Jinyun arrived to visit Han Zhipeng, where he encountered Li Yanshu. Li Yanshu, knowing Gu Jinyun's connection to the Gu family, sought his help. She explained that Gu Chengze had recalled some childhood memories and believed that old adoption documents might hold crucial clues to his past.
She emphasized the need to keep this search confidential from both Gu Chengze, to spare him potential pain, and from the Chairwoman, due to their complicated relationship. Gu Jinyun readily agreed to help. Meanwhile, inside Han Zhipeng's hospital room, Xia Meng, who was diligently caring for Han Zhipeng and expressed concern about company issues she had heard from his secretary, faced Han Junyao's hostility.
Han Junyao accused Xia Meng of spying for company assets and attempting to replace her with Li Yanshu. The argument escalated as Li Yanshu and Gu Jinyun entered. Li Yanshu fiercely defended her mother, reminding Han Junyao of her mother's rightful place as Han Zhipeng's legal wife and admonishing Han Junyao for her lack of respect and for creating a scene in front of her unconscious father. Gu Jinyun also chastised Han Junyao for her thoughtless behavior.
Han Junyao, growing increasingly enraged, accused Li Yanshu of being a liar and lashed out at Gu Jinyun, claiming he cared more for Li Yanshu than for her. Li Yanshu, though frustrated, told Han Junyao to apologize once she had calmed down, and Han Junyao stormed out of the room in a fit of pique. That night, Gu Jinyun secretly entered his grandmother's study.
After a thorough search, he found Gu Chengze's birth certificate and a childhood photo inside a safe. The birth certificate listed Fu Wanyu as Gu Chengze's mother. He immediately called Li Yanshu and sent her photos of the documents. Armed with these new leads, Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu traveled to Ji Ci Nursing Home. Upon arrival, Gu Chengze instantly recognized the ginkgo trees from his fragmented memories, confirming this was indeed the place.
They were met by an elderly cleaner who informed them of the vast number of decades-old files stored there. Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze meticulously sifted through dusty old records, expanding their search to six years prior, but initially found nothing. The cleaner, returning to scold them for the mess, asked what they were looking for.
When they explained they sought a mother and son who lived there, the cleaner, after learning she was likely a resident, guided them to the files from her first two years of employment. There, they finally discovered a file belonging to Fu Wanyu, accompanied by a photograph.
The cleaner recognized her as "Xiaofu" and vividly described her son, "Xiaoze," as a very clean child who insisted his mother meticulously clean the shared bamboo poles before he would use them to dry his clothes. This peculiar detail resonated deeply with Gu Chengze, who immediately recognized it as his own childhood habit, confirming he was "Xiaoze." Li Yanshu marveled at Fu Wanyu's beauty.
Gu Chengze pondered the events of the past, and Li Yanshu comforted him, reminding him of the remarkable person he had become. After their discovery, Gu Chengze confessed to Li Yanshu that he now understood that not all truths were pleasant and that he was afraid. Li Yanshu immediately reassured him, promising to protect him. Gu Chengze, deeply moved, reciprocated, vowing to protect her as well.
In the days that followed, Li Yanshu's unwavering companionship gave Gu Chengze the courage to continue his search for the truth. To show his appreciation and lighten her spirits, Gu Chengze went to a street vendor and personally bought a feast of her favorite street foods, including milk tea, mutton shashlik, fish balls, egg waffles, little lobsters, grilled scallops, and noodles with soybean paste from a famous decades-old store.
Exhausted but delighted, Li Yanshu playfully teased him about the depth of his affection, noting he truly "loved her until she exploded" and reminded him, with a smile, that he had forgotten the shrimp dumplings. Seeing her enjoy the food so much brought immense joy to Gu Chengze. He playfully reminded her to brush her teeth. Meanwhile, growing increasingly exasperated with the company's direction under Gu Jinyun, several Sheng Hong shareholders, led by Director Jin, sought out Gu Chengze.
They openly expressed their strong disapproval of the Chairwoman's decision to appoint Gu Jinyun as president. They outlined Gu Jinyun's deficiencies, noting he was inexperienced, prone to errors, often inattentive in meetings, failed to properly review contracts, and struggled with financial reports. The shareholders informed Gu Chengze that they, along with other senior directors, had jointly submitted a request to the board to revoke the Chairwoman's proposal and reinstate him as CEO.
They urged him to return, emphasizing that this was a board decision based on company welfare, not personal sentiment. Gu Chengze, however, apologized and respectfully declined their offer. He explained that he had crucial private matters that required his full attention, making it inconvenient for him to return to the company at that moment.
When a shareholder probed whether his "private matters" were related to his relationship with Li Yanshu, hinting at impending good news, Gu Chengze clarified that it was an entirely different, unrelated issue. Despite their persistent pleas, Gu Chengze remained firm in his refusal to return for now. The next day, Li Yanshu visited Han Zhipeng in the hospital.
She found Xia Meng looking exhausted from caring for him, and despite Li Yanshu's advice to rest, Xia Meng insisted on staying for upcoming examinations. Han Junyao arrived, bringing a change of clothes for Xia Meng, and sarcastically remarked on their "motherly and filial" display. Li Yanshu then called Gu Jinyun, asking him to come to the hospital.
Han Junyao, observing Li Yanshu's presence, questioned why she wasn't working, accusing her of living off Gu Chengze, who "provided" for her with a lavish array of food last night. Li Yanshu, undeterred, confirmed that Gu Chengze indeed spoiled her with delicious meals. When Gu Jinyun arrived, Han Junyao again confronted him about his frequent visits, to which he simply replied he was there for "Uncle Han."
Li Yanshu pulled Gu Jinyun aside into the hallway, where he presented her with a high-definition, restored photograph of Fu Wanyu. Li Yanshu confirmed her intention to use the photo in "notices for missing person," hoping to find new clues about Gu Chengze's mother. Gu Jinyun offered to help post these notices, lightheartedly suggesting it was more suitable for him than for a girl like her or even Mike (Gu Chengze), given his "special identity."
Li Yanshu admitted she hadn't told Gu Chengze about this plan, prompting Gu Jinyun to playfully assert his importance to her by insisting on helping. Their good-natured banter and close interaction did not go unnoticed by Han Junyao, who watched them from the hospital room with obvious jealousy. Xia Meng also observed, realizing that Gu Jinyun's frequent visits were driven by his affection for Li Yanshu.
As Han Junyao stormed out, leaving her bag behind, Xia Meng asked Gu Jinyun to retrieve it for her. Gu Jinyun caught up with Han Junyao in the hallway, handing her the bag and stating Li Yanshu sent it. Han Junyao, frustrated and angry, immediately confronted Gu Jinyun, demanding to know why he continued to pursue Li Yanshu when it was clear Li Yanshu did not like him and was instead in love with Gu Chengze.
Episode 14 Recap
Han Junyao confronted Gu Jinyun, questioning why he continued to interact with Li Yanshu when it was clear Li Yanshu's affections lay with Gu Chengze. Gu Jinyun, confused by her animosity, asked why she held such a strong dislike for Li Yanshu, pointing out they had grown up together and Li Yanshu had endured much hardship.
Overwhelmed, Han Junyao finally confessed her true feelings, admitting her hatred stemmed from Li Yanshu "pestering" Gu Jinyun for years and then passionately declaring, "I, Han Junyao, like you!" Gu Jinyun stared in disbelief, wondering if she had lost her mind. Meanwhile, Li Yanshu and Gu Jinyun continued their arduous search for Fu Wanyu, braving the elements as they distributed flyers near the Ji Ci Nursing Home.
Li Yanshu candidly expressed her frustration at the difficult and seemingly fruitless search, admitting she was keeping it a secret from Mike (Gu Chengze) to spare him the discomfort. Gu Jinyun, observing her dedication, teased her about her genuine affection for Mike. Their perseverance paid off when Li Yanshu received a call from an elderly man who recognized Fu Wanyu from a flyer.
She excitedly informed Mike and Gu Jinyun that they had found his mother, and they quickly set off. The old man confirmed that Fu Wanyu had worked at the nursing home over twenty years ago, recalling how she had treated his pneumonia. He then sadly recounted that she lost her son and subsequently became mentally unwell, before leading them to her. Though once gentle and beautiful, Fu Wanyu now sat quietly in a pavilion, looking haggard and much older.
At the hospital, Mike accompanied his mother, Fu Wanyu, for medical examinations. Doctors explained that while her brain showed no physical trauma, she suffered from psychogenic amnesia, likely triggered by a severe mental shock that caused her to suppress painful memories. They emphasized the critical role of family companionship and communication in her recovery. Despite Fu Wanyu's inability to recall anything, Mike devotedly pushed her in a wheelchair through a quiet corridor, recounting his life experiences.
Watching his disoriented mother clutch the rabbit doll and hum, Mike felt an unutterable sadness. Later, Mike was given a small, hand-sewn rabbit doll, which was apparently all his mother possessed from the welfare home. A recording revealed Fu Wanyu's voice, lovingly describing making the rabbit for Mike's birthday, as his zodiac sign was the rabbit. Overcome with emotion, Mike wept.
Gu Jinyun briefly visited, offering his support before excusing himself to attend to company matters, as Gu Taitai had been trying to reach him. Gu Taitai later expressed her happiness to Mike about him finding his mother, acknowledging that he was no longer an orphan. At Sheng Hong, shareholders grew increasingly frustrated with Gu Jinyun's lack of engagement and frequent absences, worried about the company's declining performance.
They contemplated asking Mr. Gu (Gu Chengze's adoptive grandfather, Mingchuan) to return and lead the company. However, before they could even make the call, Gu Taitai arrived, fully aware of their intentions. She sternly declared that Gu Chengze, despite his capabilities, was not a member of the Gu family and was merely meant to assist Gu Jinyun. She insisted that for Gu Jinyun to truly lead, Gu Chengze must leave Sheng Hong.
When shareholders voiced concerns about the company's performance and the departure of Karen Li (Li Yanshu), Gu Taitai assured them that Li Yanshu was merely on vacation and would soon return. She promised to personally compensate them for any financial losses and revealed that Mr. Gu was recuperating in Switzerland, having delegated all company authority to her.
Following the meeting, Gu Jinyun confronted Gu Taitai, highlighting his concern for Mike, who had just found his mother but found her unable to remember anything. Gu Taitai acknowledged her own affection for Mike, having raised him, but reiterated that as the Chairwoman of Sheng Hong, she could not let emotions dictate business decisions.
She stressed that Mike's role was to support Gu Jinyun, not obstruct him, urging Gu Jinyun to take responsibility and become independent so he could freely interact with Mike without company ties. She concluded by stating Mike also deserved a vacation and instructed HR to recall Li Yanshu to work immediately. After her vacation, Li Yanshu prepared to return to work, with Mike driving her.
Despite his usual strictness about cleanliness, Li Yanshu, running late and still hungry, tried to drink milk in the car. Mike firmly refused, insisting she eat at the office. In playful retaliation, Li Yanshu kissed him on the cheek, leaving a faint lipstick mark, before quickly running into the company, leaving Mike momentarily flustered.
Upon her return, Li Yanshu was immediately inundated by colleagues expressing relief, recounting how Helena had been "tormenting" them with an overly critical press conference proposal during her absence. Moments later, Secretary Gao arrived, delivering a thoughtful breakfast of a sandwich, sushi, and juice, a gesture arranged by Mike who had called him after learning Li Yanshu skipped breakfast.
Helena, maintaining her usual difficult demeanor, feigned not recognizing Li Yanshu and taunted her about Mike's "firing" and her supposed lack of a "backer." Undeterred, Li Yanshu persistently pursued Helena to finalize the proposal. When Helena attempted to leave without signing, Li Yanshu declared she would follow her home until the task was done.
Annoyed but impressed by Li Yanshu's unwavering determination, Helena eventually reviewed the plan, demanding luxurious, dreamy, and high-quality presentations, meticulous media screening, and pre-approval of press releases. Li Yanshu skillfully negotiated, agreeing to most demands but firmly pushing back on pre-approving press releases for major media outlets to avoid offending them. Satisfied, Helena finally signed, and Li Yanshu's colleagues commended her for successfully managing Helena.
Later, Secretary Gao sought out Li Yanshu, coffee in hand, to reminisce about the "old days" under Mike's strict but effective leadership. He humorously admitted to missing his "scary president" to the point of insomnia, confessing that his current peaceful routine felt unaccustomed. Li Yanshu, amused, questioned the appropriateness of him sharing such sentiments with her, even commenting on him holding her hand.
Secretary Gao, however, insisted she was the only one he could confide in and then inquired about Mike's current activities. Li Yanshu revealed that Mike had found his birth mother, a piece of news that greatly surprised Secretary Gao. Later, Li Yanshu and Secretary Gao arrived to visit Mike and Fu Wanyu at the hospital. Mike initially appeared irritated by Secretary Gao's presence, though a subtle upturn of his lips betrayed his underlying good mood.
Secretary Gao confidently introduced himself to Fu Wanyu as "Mr. Gu's former secretary" and offered her flowers. Fu Wanyu gently accepted the flowers, a slight smile touching her lips. In another part of the city, Han Corporation faced severe financial difficulties. An employee reported to Han Junyao that several distributors were uncooperatively delaying payments, causing a critical liquidity crunch.
While a timely payment from Sheng Hong covered the current month's expenses and employee salaries, the company's future funds remained uncertain if the distributors continued to default. Han Junyao acknowledged the grim situation, dismissing her employee to contemplate the company's precarious state alone.
Episode 15 Recap
The difficult situation at Han Corporation forced Han Junyao to humble herself and personally negotiate with distributors. An employee reported to her that several distributors had collectively delayed payments, and while Sheng Hong Corporation's payment covered this month's expenses and salaries, the company faced severe financial difficulties next month if the distributors did not pay. Han Junyao dismissed the employee, asserting she had the situation under control. She then tracked President Wang to a KTV, where he was avoiding her.
Despite being denied entry by staff, she forced her way in. Inside, President Wang insulted Han Junyao, questioning her presence and implying that Han Corporation was failing due to Han Zhipeng’s critical illness. He even revealed that her sales team members were looking to defect to his company, asking if Han Corporation was abandoning the Central China market. Just then, Gu Jinyun, who was entertaining clients nearby, overheard the commotion and intervened.
He emphatically declared that Han Corporation would not fail and that its capital chain would not break because Sheng Hong Corporation would form a very close partnership with them and would not allow the company to close down. He then advised President Wang to clear his outstanding balance if he wished to continue representing Han Corporation's future projects, which Sheng Hong Group would help develop.
Outside the KTV, Gu Jinyun confronted Han Junyao, asking why she didn't seek his help for the company's financial problems, especially since he was her friend and classmate. She retorted that it was her family's affair. He then brought up her earlier confession of liking him, questioning if she was serious or just joking. She quickly declared she was merely joking to mess with him.
Gu Jinyun noticed her smeared eye makeup, teasing her that it was the first time he'd ever seen her cry. Han Junyao snapped at him, telling him to shut up, which he noted was more characteristic of her. Later, Gu Jinyun, feeling stifled by his grandmother's control, drove recklessly and was pulled over by a traffic police officer for severe speeding. Since he didn't have his driver's license or car registration, he was taken to the police station.
Han Junyao, annoyed that it was her first time bailing someone out, arrived to help him. After securing his release, he thanked her, but she then angrily demanded an explanation for his dangerous driving. When she pressed him about why he helped her earlier if he didn't care, he flippantly called it a "good deed." She called him annoying, and he retorted the same, but then quickly apologized for his attitude, asking her to be understanding.
He continued to playfully coax her, even calling her "Princess Han," and insisted on driving her home. When she mentioned going to the hospital overnight, he readily offered to accompany her, saying it was "exactly what he wanted." At the hospital, Han Junyao and Gu Jinyun were informed by the doctor that Han Zhipeng's chances of waking up were almost zero, and they needed to decide whether to remove the cannula.
Xia Meng adamantly refused, vowing that Han Zhipeng would not die and would not abandon them. She insisted on not removing the tubes, declaring she would care for him forever, even if he remained in a vegetative state. Meanwhile, at Sheng Hong Corporation, Li Yanshu was busy preparing for Helena's new product launch, discussing floor plans and interview schedules with Gu Jinyun. Gu Jinyun jokingly remarked that being president was easier with Li Yanshu than with Gu Chengze.
He also inquired about "Mike's mom," to which Li Yanshu replied that Gu Chengze's mother was making great progress, and Gu Chengze was diligently staying by her side. Li Yanshu also handled the practicalities of the launch, critiquing design elements and instructing staff to find the latest lace materials. Gu Chengze called Li Yanshu, informing her that he couldn't pick her up due to a scheduled test for his mother at the rehabilitation center.
Li Yanshu told him she would visit Uncle Han after work since she was getting off early. Separately, Gu Taitai overheard gossips about a potential marriage alliance between Gu Jinyun and Han Junyao, which enraged her, as she herself had been looking for a suitable partner for her grandson. She furiously dismissed the rumors, praising Gu Jinyun’s character and firmly stating that daughters from other families were not worthy of marrying into the Gu family.
She later confronted Gu Jinyun directly about the "marriage alliance" rumors, expressing her disapproval of Han Junyao as a Gu family daughter-in-law, primarily because of Xia Meng being her stepmother. Gu Jinyun argued that it was his marriage and that he, not her, should decide who was "kicked out," begging her to stop meddling in his affairs. He then left, claiming he was going to check the venue layout.
At the hospital, Han Zhipeng's condition worsened, with doctors stating that if he didn't wake within 24 hours, his situation would become critical. Xia Meng broke down, embracing Li Yanshu and weeping. She confessed that despite seeing herself as a strong person, her resolve crumbled upon seeing Han Zhipeng lying motionless. Li Yanshu comforted her, reassuring her that Uncle Han, being such a good person, would surely recover.
Han Junyao gave Li Yanshu and Xia Meng space in the ward, stepping out to the corridor where she encountered Gu Chengze. She explained that Li Yanshu and her mother were having an emotional moment and suggested he wait. Gu Chengze playfully teased her for her sudden consideration. Han Junyao confided in him about her father's critical condition, admitting she was afraid and regretting her past willfulness and unkindness towards him since her mother's passing.
She shared a profound quote about the beauty of both seen and unseen things, reflecting her internal struggles. She then thanked Gu Chengze, acknowledging that Li Yanshu had shown good taste in choosing him. Later, in the hospital ward, Xia Meng excitedly informed Li Yanshu that Gu Chengze had found his mother. She explained that his mother, a former nursing assistant, had lost her child and her memory of that period due to a traumatic event.
Li Yanshu clarified that while she was undergoing active treatment, her recovery was uncertain. Xia Meng, seeing a future marriage between Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze, felt it was appropriate to visit his mother. Li Yanshu, however, advised her to focus on caring for Uncle Han first. Han Junyao then entered, jokingly telling them not to misunderstand her earlier actions of asking Gu Chengze to wait, affirming her disinterest in other men.
Xia Meng playfully teased her about her known interest in Gu Jinyun, and they had a brief, lighthearted exchange. Xia Meng then genuinely expressed her well wishes to Gu Chengze, acknowledging his mother's struggles and advising him to take good care of her, reiterating her intention to visit soon. During a quiet moment, Li Yanshu discussed Han Zhipeng’s condition with Gu Chengze, expressing her uncertainty about Xia Meng’s decision not to remove the cannula.
Gu Chengze understood Xia Meng’s choice, stating that for some people, one always hopes they continue living, even if only breathing. Li Yanshu then asked about his mother’s recent check-up. Gu Chengze replied there was no significant progress; his mother reacted to some of his childhood items but still didn't recognize him. Li Yanshu then asked about Helena's cooperation at work.
Li Yanshu reported that Helena was professional but constantly mocked her, saying Gu Chengze was fired, making Li Yanshu a materialistic woman who lost a wealthy partner and was now reduced to Helena's "slave." Li Yanshu jokingly agreed with Helena's assessment. Gu Chengze, now unemployed, laughed that he needed her to support him. Li Yanshu playfully reassured him, saying she wouldn't let him starve or be cold, and boasted that many envied her for having such a handsome man.
Gu Chengze, teasing her, mentioned he was going to give her his bank card password but implied she no longer needed it. Li Yanshu immediately declared she "did" need it, comically reversing her earlier stance about not being materialistic and promising to be his "slave" if he told her the password. The Sheng Hong Corporation product launch was a great success.
Gu Chengze proudly showed his mother a video of the event, highlighting Li Yanshu, his outstanding and beautiful girlfriend, speaking confidently during an interview. While tidying his mother's hospital room, Gu Chengze found a bracelet. Just then, Li Yanshu called, and he casually put the bracelet into his pocket. Li Yanshu had skipped the celebratory banquet, opting for a private dinner with Gu Chengze.
She firmly declined Helena's suggestion to bring Gu Chengze to the banquet, declaring it would be "their two-person world." Simultaneously, Gu Chengze's mother returned to her room and frantically searched for her missing bracelet, calling out for it repeatedly.
Episode 16 Recap
Fu Wanyu was frantically searching for her bracelet, repeating its name, before she left the hospital on her own. A nurse, Xiaoyu, was in a panic, telling the head nurse that Ms. Fu from room 7021 had suddenly disappeared and that her illness might have acted up. She immediately called Gu Chengze to inform him that his mother was missing and asked him to come to the hospital.
Gu Chengze, speaking to Li Yanshu on the phone, told her he had something to do and would not pick her up for dinner. On his way, Gu Chengze saw his mother nearly get hit by a car. Disoriented, she knelt on the street, desperately begging the driver to save her child. The driver, thinking she was a swindler, became agitated, telling her to move. Gu Chengze intervened and brought his mother back to the hospital.
There, a nurse explained that Fu Wanyu had been searching for something everywhere, from her room to the garden. The incident, particularly his mother's plea to save her child, triggered a clearer memory for Gu Chengze. He vividly recalled a rainy day, a car accident where he was hit and bleeding, and his mother on her knees, begging a woman in red high heels to save him.
His mother had pulled a bracelet from that woman’s hand, a crucial piece of the puzzle. Meanwhile, Li Yanshu was asked by Xia Meng to pick up Han Junrui from home and bring him to the hospital. The maid was on leave, and Han Junyao was at a celebration party. At the hospital, Xia Meng urged Han Zhipeng to wake up for Junyao’s marriage and Junrui's future. Junrui, despite his autism, held his father’s hand tightly.
Li Yanshu later called Gu Chengze to inform him that she would be staying at the rehabilitation center longer to care for his mother. Since the maid was absent and Xia Meng was at the hospital, Li Yanshu agreed to take care of Junrui for the night. She first took him to David's house, where they were surprised to discover his fondness for the piano. As Junrui earnestly played, Li Yanshu became visibly emotional.
While Li Yanshu shared with David the recent "hard to explain" events, he jokingly remarked that Gu Chengze, now reunited with his mother, might neglect her. Li Yanshu playfully retorted that she was busier than Gu Chengze. Later, Li Yanshu brought Junrui to her and Gu Chengze's home for the night. The press conference was a resounding success. At the event, Gu Jinyun publicly thanked Helena for her innovative concepts and Han Corporation for their product control.
Han Junyao, in turn, expressed gratitude to Sheng Hong and New Face for the opportunity they extended to Han Corporation. Despite the success, Han Junyao remained concerned about her company's situation. She assured Gu Jinyun about their strict quality control with two 24-hour assembly lines and a special team for the new product. She confided in him that a group of skilled personnel had left due to her father's illness, but also acknowledged it helped identify loyal employees.
Her biggest concern was a critical project to invent a jacquard fabric maker which her father had greatly valued. A partner, who had committed 40% of the 150 million investment, was now withdrawing due to Han Zhipeng’s illness and a contract loophole, even demanding back their initial funds. Han Junyao worried the project would fail under her watch, feeling she would let her father down.
Gu Jinyun tried to reassure her, telling her not to worry, that everything would be alright. He also playfully teased her about talking so seriously about work, to which she responded that he was the vulgar one for bringing it up. That evening, after Li Yanshu returned home, Gu Chengze shared that he had remembered many things from the accident, the big rain, being injured, and his mother begging the person who hit them to save him.
He expressed his regret that the accident had separated them and caused his mother so much suffering. Li Yanshu comforted him with a philosophy that life balances joy and sorrow, and their past hardships meant that immense happiness awaited them. She then massaged his head to help him relax. Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun, concerned about Han Corporation, asked Secretary Gao about their R&D project.
Secretary Gao explained that the project involved a new kind of jacquard fabric and Han Zhipeng's ambitious plan to invent an independent fabric-making machine, which would eliminate the need to copy foreign designs. Secretary Gao also confirmed the partner's withdrawal of a 40% investment, which severely impacted Han Corporation, as initial funds were used for R&D, and they still had to pay engineers. Gu Jinyun then suggested that Sheng Hong or other companies could invest.
Secretary Gao was skeptical, stating that the board would likely not agree, and other companies wouldn't be "stupid" enough to invest in a project whose leader was incapacitated. Secretary Gao then questioned Gu Jinyun's sudden interest in Han Corporation, asking if he was pursuing Han Junyao. Gu Jinyun denied it, insisting they were just friends, but showed his annoyance by slamming the table. Miraculously, Han Zhipeng’s condition took a turn for the better.
The doctor announced that he had partially awakened after being unconscious for so long, calling it a miracle. His vital signs were stable, and he just needed more time for a full recovery and normal interaction. Xia Meng and Li Yanshu were overjoyed, and Xia Meng brought Junrui to his father’s bedside. After recuperating for several days, Han Zhipeng was finally discharged from the hospital. He expressed his relief to be home, suggesting a hot pot dinner for the family.
He reflected on his illness being "worth it" because it led to the improved relationship between Xia Meng and Junyao. Xia Meng playfully chided him for his words, saying he scared her half to death, causing new wrinkles. Han Zhipeng, having faced a near-death experience, realized that family, including Xia Meng and their two children, was far more important than his business or the company's expansion. Xia Meng then raised the topic of Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze's marriage.
Han Zhipeng wholeheartedly agreed, hoping a joyous event might help Fu Wanyu regain her memories. Although Xia Meng felt uncomfortable about being proactive as the female's side, Han Zhipeng dismissed her concerns, stating that as long as they loved each other, it didn't matter who initiated. He promised to prepare a very generous dowry for Li Yanshu.
In their own home, Gu Chengze and Li Yanshu toasted, celebrating the discovery of the bracelet as the crucial clue to unlock all the mysteries and bring about his mother’s full recovery and their true reunion. Gu Chengze, now "unemployed," stated he wasn’t rushing back to work. He wanted to spend time with his mother after so many years apart and asked Li Yanshu to "support" him for a while.
Li Yanshu jokingly said she knew where all his money was, but Gu Chengze playfully revealed he had changed the location. Later, Li Yanshu visited the Han family for dinner. Han Zhipeng was already back to looking at reports, complaining that his eyes weren't as good. He told Li Yanshu that after being critically ill, he realized that being able to work and think was a blessing.
Li Yanshu humorously called his perspective a "boss's view," stating that employees like her only wanted to "lie down and eat." Han Zhipeng then teased that her boyfriend must get a headache seeing her like that, but Li Yanshu confidently replied that Gu Chengze was always happy to see her. At dinner, Xia Meng encouraged Li Yanshu to eat more and bring Gu Chengze next time. Xia Meng then directly asked Li Yanshu about her marriage plans with Gu Chengze. Li Yanshu, however, said it was "not the right time."
Episode 17 Recap
The Han family enjoys a meal together, where Xia Meng and Han Zhipeng gently prod Li Yanshu about her and Gu Chengze's marriage plans, urging them to get married soon. Li Yanshu secretly smiles at their eagerness but initially hesitates, citing Gu Chengze’s temporary unemployment. However, Xia Meng assures her that she values their sincerity over financial status, even offering to invest if Gu Chengze decides to start his own company.
Li Yanshu then excitedly shares the good news of Gu Chengze's mother's rapid recovery and reveals Han Junrui's surprising talent for playing the piano. Xia Meng is visibly moved by a video of Junrui, reflecting on how when one door closes, another often opens, and sheds tears. They discuss the possibility of Junrui applying to the Juilliard preschool.
Later, Xia Meng secretly contacts Gu Chengze, explaining that due to Yanshu's distant attitude, she prefers to directly ask him about his intentions, specifically his plans for marriage. Having experienced Han Zhipeng's illness, Xia Meng has become more open-minded, now wishing only for her children's happiness. Gu Chengze confirms his deep desire to marry Li Yanshu and expresses his long-standing wish to formally visit the Han family.
Xia Meng shares her past regrets, emphasizing that her only concern now is her children's happiness. She suggests arranging a formal meeting between their parents. Gu Chengze then confides in Xia Meng that he is planning to propose to Yanshu soon and asks her to keep it a secret, to which she readily agrees.
Gu Chengze then enlists Gu Jinyun and Gao Yang to help him brainstorm proposal ideas for Li Yanshu, emphasizing his wish for a truly unique and unforgettable event. Gu Jinyun, while surprised by the news, realizes he harbors no resentment, confirming he has genuinely moved on from Li Yanshu. He suggests a lavish, high-end proposal: booking an entire restaurant, a live band, copious amounts of roses, and a custom diamond ring.
Gu Chengze, however, finds this idea too extravagant and not in line with his style. Gao Yang then proposes a public proposal at a fountain square, but Gu Chengze dismisses it, concerned about potential public embarrassment if Li Yanshu were to refuse. Gu Jinyun receives an urgent and terse phone call from his grandmother, Gu Taitai, and has to leave immediately. Gao Yang then recounts a creative proposal he heard about, involving people from various countries repeating a specific phrase.
Gu Chengze appreciates the originality but decides against copying it. They ultimately decide to postpone further planning and focus on selecting a diamond ring. At the jewelry store, as they meticulously choose, the sales associate mistakenly assumes Gu Chengze and Gao Yang are a couple, complimenting Gao Yang on how well the ring suits him and remarking on his "boyfriend's" apparent devotion. Mortified, Gao Yang angrily pulls Gu Chengze out of the store.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun faces a tense company meeting where shareholders confront him about his unauthorized investment in the Han Corporation. Despite his attempts to justify his actions and dismiss rumors of a marriage alliance with the Han family, the shareholders are furious. Gu Taitai tries to defend Gu Jinyun, suggesting that Sheng Hong's enterprising spirit means allowing younger generations to make mistakes.
However, the shareholders remain unconvinced and vote to remove Gu Jinyun from his presidential post and reinstate Gu Chengze as CEO. Gu Jinyun defiantly accepts their decision. Later, a frustrated Gu Taitai instructs her assistant to find or fabricate any flaw in Gu Chengze to prevent his return, determined to secure Gu Jinyun's position.
One day, while visiting Gu Chengze's mother, Fu Wanyu, at the hospital, Gu Chengze steps away to speak with a nurse, leaving Li Yanshu in the car. He inadvertently leaves his detailed proposal plan in the car, which Li Yanshu discovers and reads with a growing smile. Upon his return, a radiant Li Yanshu announces she has something important to tell him and directs him to a place that holds special meaning for them: the spot of their first kiss.
Reminiscing about the moment, she kneels before him and asks, "Gu Chengze, are you willing to marry me?" Though his own elaborate proposal plans were unexpectedly preempted by this unconventional girl, Gu Chengze, with a joyous smile, replies, "Li Yanshu, I do." He then playfully chides her for not declaring her love in return, to which she playfully declines. With the successful proposal, wedding preparations are underway.
Gu Chengze formally visits the Han family, presenting gifts to Han Zhipeng and Xia Meng. Xia Meng notices the engagement ring on Li Yanshu's finger, prompting Gu Chengze to officially announce their engagement and reiterate his promise to cherish and love her. Han Zhipeng and Xia Meng wholeheartedly approve, insisting that the wedding take place before the end of the year. Xia Meng then offers to visit Gu Chengze's mother soon to finalize the wedding date.
Adhering to Chinese tradition, Xia Meng tells Li Yanshu that she must move out of Gu Chengze's home and back to the Han family residence. Despite her initial reluctance, Li Yanshu sighs and agrees to pack her belongings and move back the following day.
Episode 18 Recap
Li Yanshu was packing her belongings, and Gu Chengze watched her, feeling reluctant to let her go. He then noticed a bracelet in her jewelry box that looked remarkably similar to one Auntie Fu had snatched from the perpetrator of the accident. Feigning casualness, he asked about it. Li Yanshu, engrossed in packing, did not notice his expression deepen. She explained that it was her late father's relic and a token of love between her parents.
She said they each had a bracelet with their English initials carved on it. Her father's bracelet had "XM" for Xia Meng (her mother's initials), and her mother's bracelet had her father's initials, "LSY". Later, in his room, Gu Chengze struggled to believe the implications of the bracelet, telling himself it couldn't be such a coincidence and that they likely just had the same style. Unable to convince himself, he drove to the hospital to confirm his suspicions.
Seeing the clear "LSY" engraving on the bracelet, the images of the car accident flooded his mind. He felt utterly drained of life, collapsing into a chair. The next morning, Li Yanshu woke up to find Gu Chengze gone. She called out his name, wondering if he was upset about her moving out, then searched the house. Realizing he wasn't there and wasn't answering her calls, she found it very strange and wondered where he could have gone so early.
As she was about to go look for Gu Jinyun, she unexpectedly saw Gu Chengze at the company, where he had been summoned by the shareholders. At the company, Gu Chengze was asked by shareholders to attend a voting rights meeting aimed at removing Gu Jinyun and reinstating him as CEO. The shareholders expressed dissatisfaction with Gu Jinyun’s performance, citing his impulsive decisions, such as signing a huge investment deal without proper risk assessment.
Gu Chengze, however, refused to accept the CEO position, stating that he was grateful for their trust but would never return to that role. He believed their concerns about Gu Jinyun were temporary and asked them to give Gu Jinyun more time, emphasizing that a CEO consultant role would undermine Gu Jinyun’s dignity and confidence. During the meeting, Gu Taitai arrived unexpectedly.
She presented Gu Chengze’s medical record and photos of him with his psychiatrist, Dr. Zhao Qiming, a famous local psychiatrist, claiming he had a mental problem. The shareholders reacted with shock and disbelief, questioning how a "psychotic" could lead Sheng Hong. Gu Taitai seized the opportunity to argue that the truth was undeniable and that Gu Chengze had been secretly undergoing treatment for years.
She then demanded that the board permanently remove Gu Chengze from his CEO position and never rehire him. Overwhelmed, Gu Chengze stood silently before slowly leaving the meeting room. Li Yanshu soon heard company employees gossiping about Gu Chengze being fired due to a mental illness. She angrily confronted them, defending Gu Chengze, but couldn't reach him by phone, which worried her greatly. Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun also heard the rumors. Enraged, he fired the employees spreading such nonsense.
When he discovered his grandmother was behind it, he stormed off to confront her. He accused her of lying and maliciously guiding everyone to believe Michael had a mental illness when he only suffered from selective amnesia due to a brain impact. Gu Jinyun emphasized that Michael's health was his privacy and criticized Gu Taitai for publicly humiliating him, causing him immense pain. Gu Taitai, however, insisted she acted for Gu Jinyun's sake, claiming she didn't care about Michael's feelings.
Gu Jinyun retorted that he was disgusted by her actions, begging her to stop doing things for him. He even stated he would not object if the directors reinstated Michael, acknowledging Michael's significant contributions to Sheng Hong. Gu Taitai called him a scoundrel, warning that Michael would kick him out if he became CEO, but Gu Jinyun maintained that Michael was not an unreasonable and insane person like her.
Gu Chengze, overwhelmed by the setbacks, channeled his frustration into a vigorous boxing session, drenched in sweat. Later, when Li Yanshu found him, she told him she knew he was upset about the company matters and offered her support, telling him to call her if he needed to talk. He, however, coldly asked her to leave him alone and let him quietly deal with his emotions. Li Yanshu, understanding his need for space, eventually left.
Back home, she sat idly on the sofa, waiting for his call and reminiscing about their time together, until she drifted off to sleep. When Gu Chengze finally returned home, Li Yanshu greeted him with a warm smile, only to be met with his cold and distant demeanor. Gao Yang was stunned when he suddenly saw a magazine article revealing Qiao Na as the sole daughter of the Qiao Corporation chairman and its future inheritor.
He confronted her, throwing the magazine down, questioning her motives for loving him, given her prominent family background. Qiao Na admitted she had hidden her identity because she feared he would leave her. Gao Yang pressed her, asking why she, having met so many rich young guys, would choose him. Qiao Na insisted he was better than anyone else, but Gao Yang sarcastically suggested he was just "more stupid."
He then theorized that she approached him not out of love, but because he was the closest person to Gu Chengze, noting her keen interest in Gu Chengze's matters. Qiao Na countered that she found Gu Chengze's matters interesting and rarely cared about her own family corporation. Realizing Gao Yang was not rational, Qiao Na acknowledged her mistake in hiding her identity and his understandable suspicions, but insisted there was no benefit in arguing further while he was upset.
She suggested he calm down, then return to talk, hoping he truly knew her feelings for him were real. The next morning, Gu Chengze remained distant towards Li Yanshu, only showing concern when she accidentally scalded her hand. During breakfast, Li Yanshu suggested she stay, but Gu Chengze insisted she return to her family home.
He explained that he was feeling upset and wanted some peace and quiet, not wishing to transfer his negative energy onto her or affect their relationship. He believed it would be better for both of them if she went home and eased her mother's worries. Although reluctant, Li Yanshu agreed, making him promise to answer her calls. Li Yanshu went to David to vent her frustrations about Gu Taitai’s unscrupulous actions.
She explained that Gu Taitai had gone too far by publicly fabricating Gu Chengze’s mental illness, especially after he had shown her such respect for over twenty years. Li Yanshu clarified that Gu Chengze actually suffered from hypersensitivity reactions due to amnesia and childhood trauma, for which they had been consulting a doctor. She worried about how hurt Gu Chengze must be and expressed her helplessness in comforting him.
David advised her to give Gu Chengze some space, trusting that someone with his strong management skills would soon resolve his issues. When Gao Yang returned home, he found Qiao Na huddled miserably at his doorstep, her hands cold, having waited for an unknown duration. He quickly invited her inside, expressing concern for her being out in the cold.
He admitted he hadn't contacted her because he lacked confidence, unable to comprehend why someone as exceptional as her would like him. He confessed that his mind had been plagued by fantasies about her approaching him for reasons other than genuine affection, but he hadn't found any. Instead, he had mostly thought about the wonderful, joyful, and blessed times they shared, feelings that were undeniably real and trustworthy. Qiao Na, in turn, expressed how much she had missed him. Gao Yang felt their sudden closeness was a little awkward. Qiao Na suggested they "start all over," to which Gao Yang echoed the thought.
Episode 19 Recap
Gao Yang playfully asked Qiao Na if restarting their relationship meant she would pursue him. Qiao Na, blushing, reflected on their happy moments together, admitting she was joyful and blessed in his company and felt his happiness too, sentiments she believed were real. When Gao Yang expressed how much he missed her, Qiao Na found their sudden closeness a little awkward. Gao Yang then teasingly asked if they should start from their first meeting or when she "courted" him.
He reminded her of his own past efforts, like stalking her and bringing gifts to her house. He declared that two kisses made the awkwardness disappear and, with a suggestion of three, then seven more, sealed their reconciliation after many days apart. Meanwhile, Li Yanshu moved back home. Her mother, Xia Meng, greeted her, asking why Gu Chengze wasn't with her.
Xia Meng wondered if he was avoiding her and pressed Li Yanshu about Gu Chengze's past girlfriends and live-in relationships, which Li Yanshu answered. Xia Meng then proposed they visit Gu Chengze's mother together since the wedding was approaching and they hadn't formally met. Li Yanshu agreed after putting away her luggage. Concurrently, Gu Chengze meticulously cleaned his house, a clear sign of his distress. Gu Jinyun arrived, observing his cousin's obsessive cleaning and immediately knew he was upset.
Gu Jinyun apologized on behalf of his grandmother for her recent actions, but Gu Chengze dismissed it, stating he was accustomed to Gu Taitai's attitude. Gu Jinyun became worried when Gu Chengze revealed he had discovered the truth about his mother's car accident and was agonizing over whether to investigate further. Gu Jinyun vehemently urged him to pursue the truth, but Gu Chengze, overwhelmed, asked to be left alone.
Back at the company, Gu Jinyun learned that the rumors about Gu Chengze’s mental health originated from the Chairwoman’s secretary's office. Disregarding the potential conflict, Gu Jinyun, as Sheng Hong’s CEO, ordered the immediate dismissal of the employee responsible and announced to all staff that anyone spreading malicious rumors about company leaders, regardless of their position or ability, would be fired.
Despite his stern warning, some employees continued to gossip about Gu Chengze’s "crazy things," though others defended him, refusing to believe he had a mental illness. Li Yanshu later encountered Gu Jinyun, who informed her about Gu Chengze's current state and the discovery of a clue regarding Fu Wanyu's car accident. Gu Jinyun strongly felt the investigation should proceed. Li Yanshu then visited Gu Chengze, expressed how much she missed him, and commented on his exceptionally clean room.
She confronted him about not telling her about the accident clue. Gu Chengze explained he didn't want to burden her with an uncertain lead. Li Yanshu passionately argued that such a morally corrupt hit-and-run driver, who had caused years of separation and suffering, deserved justice or at least an apology, and insisted on helping him investigate. However, Gu Chengze firmly stated he would handle it himself and repeatedly rejected her offers of assistance.
At the hospital garden, Xia Meng accompanied Li Yanshu to visit Fu Wanyu. While Li Yanshu went to get water, Xia Meng saw Fu Wanyu and felt a strange familiarity. When she recognized a distinct custom-made bracelet on Fu Wanyu's wrist, it triggered a horrifying flashback of a past car accident during a stormy night. The car crashed, and she vividly recalled a woman, resembling Fu Wanyu, injured and desperately begging for help for her child.
Overwhelmed and physically ill from the memory, Xia Meng feigned discomfort and insisted on leaving the hospital immediately. She asked Li Yanshu to stay and greet Fu Wanyu on her behalf. Li Yanshu, apologizing for her mother’s abrupt departure, presented gifts to Fu Wanyu. Returning home, Li Yanshu told Xia Meng about Fu Wanyu’s condition and the details of the car accident from 22 years ago—a rainy night, a hit-and-run driver who severely injured Gu Chengze's mother.
Xia Meng became deeply distressed, reliving her past trauma through fragmented flashbacks where her daughter was severely ill with a high fever, she had asked her boss to drive them to the hospital, the crash, and the desperate cries for help. Later, still visibly shaken, Xia Meng accidentally cut her hand while cutting fruit. Han Zhipeng, noticing her prolonged anxiety, asked what was wrong.
Xia Meng then confessed her fear that the woman she hit in the accident could be Gu Chengze's mother. She cited the matching time and location of the accident, and, more significantly, the unique custom-made bracelet on Fu Wanyu's wrist that perfectly matched one she had lost at the scene, which bore her and Li Yanshu's father's initials. Han Zhipeng urged her to confirm the inscription on the bracelet, hoping it might just be a similar design.
However, Xia Meng was terrified of confirming her fears and expressed despair about how she would face her two children if the truth came out. Gu Jinyun confronted Gu Taitai for firing her confidant who spread rumors about Gu Chengze. Gu Taitai accused Gu Jinyun of undermining her, but he argued that the employee violated company policy against slandering superiors, and as CEO, he had the authority to fire her.
Gu Taitai then shockingly admitted to being the source of the rumors herself, daring Gu Jinyun to fire her too. Gu Jinyun acknowledged her role in making him CEO but defiantly rejected her attempts to control his decisions, even offering to resign. Later, Gu Jinyun vented to Han Junyao about his grandmother's stubborn and unreasonable behavior.
Han Junyao offered a different perspective, explaining that Gu Taitai's aggressive approach was necessary to manage a large corporation and protect their interests from opportunistic shareholders. She also shared a personal story about her father, recalling her past resentment but admitting that when faced with his potential death, she realized family bonds were paramount and she would do anything for him to recover. Han Junyao concluded that, despite her methods, Gu Taitai’s actions were ultimately for Gu Jinyun's well-being.
Gu Jinyun understood her reasoning but reiterated that he could not tolerate his grandmother hurting Gu Chengze for his sake. In his mother’s hospital room, Gu Chengze sat by her bedside, speaking to her while she slept. He reflected that, since childhood, this was the first time he had truly experienced happiness and security, emotions he found only with Li Yanshu.
Despite her occasional lies and stubbornness, her voice and smile made him feel like the happiest person alive, and he cherished the person he had become in her presence. He envisioned a life of seclusion with Li Yanshu, believing it would be the happiest path.
Finally, addressing his mother as "Mom" for the first time in a long while, he admitted his desire to protect both her and Li Yanshu, and asked her to forgive his selfishness in choosing not to pursue the truth of the past accident.
Episode 20 Recap
Gu Chengze spent the night sleeping by his mother's bedside. When he awoke, he noticed a figure lingering outside the door. Xia Meng was startled to see him and even more so when she realized he was holding the bracelet she had identified earlier. Over the years, the guilt of the past car accident had weighed heavily on her mind, making her restless. She wept, apologizing for her actions. " Sorry, I made a mistake," she cried. "
I shouldn't have left you. But I really didn't mean it. I didn't mean to harm you. I was too scared that time. I didn't know what to do. This thing is like a rock that keeps pressing on my chest. I woke up so many times from nightmares, dreaming about your mother drenched in blood." Gu Chengze cut her off, stating he had no interest in her "mental experience for these past years."
He revealed his love for her daughter, Yanshu, and asked her to keep the truth a secret. He explained that he did not want this to burden Yanshu, saying, "She seems carefree, but she is kinder than anyone deep inside. She has her own standards on how to be a good person. I don't want this to affect our relationship and your relationship. I believe you don't want her to know, right?"
Xia Meng, hopeful, asked if this meant he forgave her. Gu Chengze clarified, "You overthought it. You are you. Yanshu is Yanshu. I love her, but it doesn't mean I can forgive you." He reiterated his request for her to keep the secret, emphasizing, "There is no need to let anyone else know this, especially Yanshu. Can you help me?" Xia Meng agreed, and Gu Chengze thanked her.
He then informed her that he would visit the Han family later to discuss his marriage with Yanshu, asking her to "act more naturally then. Don't let Yanshu see anything weird." Gu Chengze, realizing he had neglected Li Yanshu due to his recent emotional turmoil, went to her company to apologize. He found her and called her name, "Yanshu! Yanshu!" When she responded, "What? I thought you don't need me anymore," he admitted, "I made a mistake.
Can you forgive me? I was in a bad mood these past days and I made you to suffer. Don't be mad anymore, okay?" Li Yanshu, not truly angry, played along. When Gu Chengze pressed her to say something, she replied, "Didn't you say that if I am silent, it means that I've forgiven you? Then I won't say a word." He then carried her, much to her playful protest, "What are you doing? This is the company."
They quickly reconciled. Later, Gu Chengze took gifts to the Han family to discuss the wedding date with Li Yanshu's parents. Li Yanshu, noticing Gu Chengze's slight nervousness, asked, "Nervous?" He replied, "Not as nervous as the first time," then, "Let's go." Xia Meng welcomed him warmly, "You're here. Hurry and come in!" Mr. Han jokingly admonished him for bringing gifts, saying, "What does this mean? Didn't I tell you the last time not to bring any gifts?"
Gu Chengze insisted, "I must bring these today." Mr. Han then asked for the reason, to which Gu Chengze replied, "Today, I want to ask Uncle and Auntie to set a date for my wedding with Yanshu." Mr. Han expressed his approval, "Sure. The sooner, the better," but added, "But for the date, we must listen to Yanshu's mother. Let's see if she can bear to marry off her daughter."
After some teasing from Mr. Han about Xia Meng's reluctance, Xia Meng announced, "Zhipeng and I have chose two good dates. If you are in a hurry, you can set it on October 22nd. That's the nearest auspicious date." Mr. Han liked the date and asked Yanshu for her opinion. Li Yanshu readily agreed, "I agree." Xia Meng and Mr. Han both confirmed, "Great," and "Okay!"
Gu Jinyun woke up startled, shouting in surprise, to find himself naked in bed with Han Junyao again. Han Junyao, tossing a pillow at him, retorted, "Why are you shouting? Are you planning to murder me in the morning? Why are you being crazy again? It's not the first time. Why are you pretending to be innocent?" Gu Jinyun acknowledged, "That's right," but questioned, "But how did we end up here?" Han Junyao teased him, "You got drunk last night.
I drugged you, and dragged you into this hotel. Is that okay?" Gu Jinyun dismissed it as a joke, recalling only getting drunk and Han Junyao "giving me advice." He asked, "But how did we. . . ?" Han Junyao pressed, "Are you sure that you don't remember it at all?" Gu Jinyun, remembering his heartfelt confession from the previous night, said to her, "Han Junyao, I realize that you are quite considerate.
How come I didn't notice before that you have so many good traits? Your eyes are sparkling. Really pretty." Han Junyao replied, "Because in the past, you only have Li Yanshu in your mind. No one else can be there." Gu Jinyun then declared, "Han Junyao, starting from today, you are all I see. No more Li Yanshu."
Later, as Han Junyao was dressing, she thanked him for his "praises," noting it wasn't the first time he'd seen her like that. Gu Jinyun questioned if his comments were a compliment, to which she confidently replied, "Isn't it? Because I am very confident with my figure." Li Yanshu called Han Junyao, asking, "Han Junyao, where are you? Why didn't you answer your phone?" Han Junyao retorted, "Why must I answer your call?"
Li Yanshu, sensing something, pressed her, "You didn't go home all night and you are so angry? Do you know that Uncle Han was so worried about you?" Han Junyao, surprised, asked how she knew and what she had told her father. Li Yanshu, amused, said, "You want to know? Then next time, you'd better answer my call immediately. Understand?" Li Yanshu then revealed, "Okay, I told Uncle Han that you went to prepare my wedding."
Overhearing this, Gu Jinyun exclaimed, "They are getting married? When?" Li Yanshu, now realizing Gu Jinyun was with Han Junyao, teased, "Oh. So you're with Gu Jinyun last night?" Han Junyao whispered to Gu Jinyun to lower his voice, complaining that "Li Yanshu has something to use against me." Gu Jinyun asked Han Junyao why she was blaming him, and she retorted, "Because you talk too much."
Li Yanshu then continued to tease Han Junyao, asking if she was "excited" because she and Gu Chengze were getting married, to which Han Junyao enthusiastically replied, "Of course I am! They are getting married, of course, I am very happy." Li Yanshu then asked if Han Junyao and Gu Jinyun were "together," adding, "I have never expected that. Let's send them [referring to Han Junyao and Gu Jinyun] messages at the same time?"
Later, Li Yanshu and Han Junyao tried on wedding attire, with Li Yanshu asking Han Junyao if she would be her maid of honor, since Gu Jinyun had already agreed to be Gu Chengze's best man. Li Yanshu teased Han Junyao about her poor social skills, to which Han Junyao defensively asked if she wasn't her best friend. As they tried on dresses, they playfully bickered about each other's figures and fashion sense.
Li Yanshu teased Han Junyao that she was "too fat," fearing she might break the dress. Han Junyao, confident in her figure, told the staff to bring the largest size. Han Junyao warned Li Yanshu that Gu Taitai would eventually come after her due to Gu Jinyun, and Li Yanshu claimed Gu Taitai treated her well.
Li Yanshu then asked Han Junyao about her relationship with Gu Jinyun, to which Han Junyao slyly responded, "You must tell me first you and Gu Jinyun, how is it going?" Li Yanshu feigned shyness, much to Han Junyao's amusement. While Li Yanshu was admiring herself in a wedding dress, asking Gu Chengze if it was beautiful, he replied, "Yes, beautiful."
Li Yanshu wanted to try more styles, but Han Junyao interjected, saying that Gu Chengze looked "weird" and might have "premarital phobia," warning Li Yanshu, "Be careful of your groom running away. Do not jinx it." Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun and Gu Chengze were together. Gu Jinyun commented to Gu Chengze, "Your relationship with Han Junyao is good lately." Gu Chengze then teased Gu Jinyun, asking, "How far has it gone?"
When Gu Jinyun feigned ignorance, Gu Chengze pressed, "What is your relationship now?" Gu Jinyun then teased Gu Chengze in return, "You know how to be shy?" Gu Chengze replied, "When was I shy?" Gu Jinyun just muttered, "I don't even know what you're saying." Gu Chengze then joked, "You cursed again! This time, we must take a photo to commemorate it."
Suddenly, Gu Jinyun received a call from his assistant reminding him about a very important meeting for the company's anniversary, where the Chairwoman would also be present. Realizing he had forgotten, Gu Jinyun exclaimed, "What the hell! I forget about a very important meeting. I have to go first, I will talk to you later," and rushed off. Later, his assistant rushed him into the meeting, scolding him for forgetting a meeting she had texted him about.
Gu Jinyun explained, "I drank too much last night, I don't have my phone with me." The assistant pointed out that he would "get in trouble with your clothes," referring to his casual attire, but Gu Jinyun replied, "Never mind." Gu Jinyun arrived late at the crucial company meeting, attended by Gu Taitai. The presenter was mid-report, but Gu Jinyun interrupted, apologizing for his tardiness. Gu Taitai sternly instructed the presenter to continue.
When asked by Gu Taitai for his opinion on the proposal, Gu Jinyun fumbled, mispronouncing "supplier storage" as "supplier story." A staff member corrected him, to which Gu Jinyun comically complained about his "bad mandarin." He then made another blunder, referring to the "failure contingency plan" as "fail continue plan," again needing a staff member to clarify. Despite his awkward performance, Gu Jinyun concluded the meeting.
After the meeting, Gu Taitai immediately confronted Gu Jinyun, asking where his "temper" from their argument yesterday was. Gu Jinyun apologized for his "bad attitude." When asked about his attire, Gu Jinyun explained it was the "best man's suit" he tried on with "Mike" (Gu Chengze) who was "getting married." Gu Taitai expressed her strong disapproval of Li Yanshu, stating, "I guess Gu Chengze decides to marry that Li girl.
With her family status, she isn't good enough for anyone in our Gu family." Gu Jinyun tried to persuade her, saying that even though her "words are tough, you still treat him just like our own family, right?" and reminded her that Gu Chengze was like a son to her, so she should attend. However, Gu Taitai remained firm, declaring, "He is marrying that kind of woman! I will not attend his wedding."
She then dismissed him, criticizing his performance at the meeting, "If you spend more time on work, you would not have made such a fool of yourself at the meeting earlier. Enough. Get out!" Gu Jinyun promised to "pay attention next time" and left. Li Yanshu and Han Junyao went shopping, bickering and playfully insulting each other's taste. Li Yanshu asked Han Junyao, "Which one looks good?" Han Junyao, dismissing her choice, retorted, "You studied design?
Both are very ugly," to which Li Yanshu quipped, "You must be major in excavator." Despite their playful jabs, they ended up buying several items, often proclaiming "I will take it" over items the other disliked, or remarking on how the other looked like a "carrot" or "going to a funeral." While shopping, Li Yanshu received a call from David, who had good news: "Yanshu, I have a piece of good news. I have sent Junrui's resume to Juilliard.
They really appreciate Junrui. They would like him to have an interview. I don't know if you agree to send him overseas." Li Yanshu excitedly agreed, "Of course, I agree." However, she explained, "But you understand Junrui's condition. I can't be the one in charge, I have to go back and talk to them." David urged her to reply as soon as possible.
After hanging up, Li Yanshu explained to Han Junyao that Junrui had a talent for piano, discovered by a friend, and was now invited for an interview at the Juilliard School in the United States. While excited about this "good thing," Li Yanshu expressed concern about who would accompany young Junrui abroad, given that "Uncle Han has just been discharged from hospital, and should be taken care of. You are busy with work. And I am busy with the wedding.
So who can go with him?" Han Junyao agreed that they "cannot lose this opportunity" and suggested they "go home and discuss with them." Later, the Han family discussed Junrui's opportunity. Han Zhipeng, admitting he was "old," proposed to "gradually let Junyao take over the business," so he and Xia Meng could "go abroad with your mom. We can accompany Junrui and take a rest at the same time." However, Xia Meng strongly disagreed, "No, I don't agree.
When we are over there, we have no friends and we don't know the language. And your health… What if something happens. I don't agree." Li Yanshu and Han Junyao both emphasized that it was a "very good opportunity" and a "good development" for Junrui that they "shouldn't waste." Han Zhipeng decided to table the discussion, saying, "Enough. Let's not talk about this. There are so many things happening lately. Let me take some time to think about it."
He concluded, with Xia Meng's agreement, that they would "focus on preparing Yanshu's wedding for now. Once her wedding is done, we will talk about it." With her wedding approaching, Li Yanshu was in high spirits. She returned to the company to apply for her marriage leave, receiving congratulations from her colleagues. When one colleague jokingly called her "President's wife," Li Yanshu corrected her, clarifying that Gu Chengze was no longer President and Gu Jinyun was.
She also playfully admonished the colleague for being unprofessional, leading to a lighthearted exchange where the colleague reminisced about witnessing Li Yanshu and the "President" fall in love. Another colleague wished her a happy marriage and advised her to "take good care of our President," as he "has a lot of problems," concluding by saying she would not attend the wedding but wished them happiness.
Back home, waiting for her wedding day, Li Yanshu happily scrolled through photos of herself and Gu Chengze on her phone. As she drifted to sleep, she dreamt of their beautiful and romantic wedding. In her dream, the officiant led them through their vows, asking Gu Chengze if he would take Li Yanshu as his lawful wife, promising to support, care for, and help her, wishing her happiness and safety every day. Gu Chengze replied, "I do."
The officiant then turned to Li Yanshu, noting the happiness in her eyes, and asked if she would be with Gu Chengze in sickness and health, loving him forever. Li Yanshu responded, "I do!" As the officiant called for them to exchange rings, Gu Chengze suddenly started to walk away. " Chengze, where are you going? Chengze?" Li Yanshu cried. He turned, looking apologetic, and said, "Sorry, I can't marry you."
Li Yanshu desperately called out, "Chengze, where are you going? Don't leave me! Gu Chengze! Don't go!" She woke up startled from the nightmare, recalling Han Junyao's earlier joking suspicion that Gu Chengze might be suffering from premarital phobia. Gu Chengze personally delivered a wedding invitation to Gu Taitai. He respectfully addressed her as "Chairwoman" and apologized for the late disturbance. Gu Taitai, still hostile, asked, "Why are you here?"
Gu Chengze politely inquired about her health, to which she curtly replied, "I won't be dying anytime soon." Gu Chengze then extended his invitation, "I came today to invite you to my wedding with Yanshu." Gu Taitai immediately refused, stating, "The bride is Li Yanshu, I will not attend it." Gu Chengze earnestly reiterated his hope, "I really hope you can attend our wedding. I earnestly ask you to consider it."
Despite the rejection, he left, wishing her to "rest early." With cheerful music playing, Han Junyao meticulously inspected every detail of the wedding venue, striving for perfection. She instructed staff to use "straight" ribbons instead of curved ones, replace dimming candles, place the screen in the middle, and remove flowers blocking the projector. She insisted on "pink roses," dismissing any "defects" as attempts to "deal with me," and sternly warned about the uneven carpet possibly tripping the bride.
Impatiently, she demanded to know the whereabouts of the master of ceremony, questioning if the wedding would even happen. Meanwhile, the Han family members, including Gu Chengze, were preparing to head to the venue. Han Zhipeng asked, "Where is Yanshu?" Xia Meng added, "That's right. Why is Yanshu still not coming down?" Han Junyao called out, "Yanshu! Are you ready? We're just waiting for you."
Li Yanshu soon appeared, to which Han Junyao exclaimed, "Why didn't you put up some makeup? It is an important day for you. Once you get to the hotel, you have to change into the dress. If you put on the makeup now, you have to take it off first. Too much trouble." Li Yanshu worried that guests might see her, but Han Junyao reassured her, "That is why we will leave early. Which guests will be so early anyway." Li Yanshu conceded, "Alright, do whatever you want." Together, they headed to the wedding venue.
Episode 21 Recap
Gu Jinyun was tasked with picking up Gu Chengze's mother, Fu Wanyu, from the rehab center for the wedding. He called Li Yanshu to inform her he was stuck in traffic and asked if she could pick up "Auntie" instead, mentioning that the hotel was close to the center. Li Yanshu, already at the wedding venue, agreed despite concerns from a woman about her hair and makeup.
Li Yanshu insisted she would be quick, as "Auntie" was still timid around strangers. Gu Taitai also approved her going. Upon arriving at the rehab center, Li Yanshu found Fu Wanyu frantically searching for her missing bracelet, insisting it was crucial evidence of a car accident and she wouldn't leave without it. Li Yanshu then learned the bracelet was the evidence for the accident. After a nurse helped her find the bracelet, Li Yanshu's smile froze as she recognized it.
She remembered an image she had been shown before and a recent conversation where Xia Meng mentioned a clue about Fu Wanyu's car accident, and Gu Chengze had insisted on handling it himself. The weight of this discovery overwhelmed Li Yanshu, causing her to suddenly feel unwell. She claimed a headache and chest tightness, stating she couldn't meet Gu Chengze's mother in such a state.
She then asked the nurse to look after Fu Wanyu, while the driver took her back. The wedding commenced with Gu Chengze and their guests waiting anxiously. Gu Chengze, specifically, was concerned about Li Yanshu's delay, having previously learned from Gu Jinyun that she wasn't picking up her phone. When Li Yanshu finally entered, she was not wearing her wedding dress, causing murmurs among the guests.
Gu Chengze, relieved yet puzzled, asked about his mother and why Li Yanshu came alone. Li Yanshu solemnly announced to everyone that the wedding was canceled, apologizing for their wasted trip. As she turned to leave, Gu Chengze pursued her, demanding an explanation. Li Yanshu coldly stated she never liked him, claiming she only dated him to spite Gu Taitai and to get revenge.
Unwilling to believe her, Gu Chengze insisted she look into his eyes and repeat her words, reminding her that his eyes were like a lie detector and his body would have an allergic reaction if she lied. Li Yanshu, unwavering, declared, "I, Li Yanshu, have never loved you. I have never thought of marrying you." Gu Chengze's body showed no reaction, leading him to a painful realization that she truly did not love him.
Li Yanshu then confirmed, "Yes, I don't love you. I never did." Li Yanshu fled to her father, Li Shengying's, grave, finally allowing herself to weep loudly. Xia Meng followed, demanding to know why she canceled the wedding. Enraged, Li Yanshu threw the bracelet at Xia Meng, accusing her, "You know very well what misdeeds you have done."
Xia Meng, picking up the bracelet, knelt before her ex-husband's tomb, questioning if this was her punishment for the car accident that caused her to leave him and their child, an accident she was involved in while rushing to see her sick daughter twenty-two years ago. Meanwhile, Gu Chengze returned home and vented his despair by smashing red wine bottles, leaving his apartment in disarray.
He remembered Li Yanshu's amusement park confession where she only said she "liked" him, and how she hadn't explicitly said "I love you" even during his proposal. With red eyes and a pained expression, he collapsed to the floor, replaying their happy moments. Dazed, he bought more liquor, drank as he walked, and sat alone in his quiet neighborhood, cursing himself for loving Li Yanshu and vowing to stop loving her.
Security guards, initially mistaking him for a tramp, eventually recognized him and left him to his solitude. In her hospital room, Fu Wanyu anxiously clutched a stuffed rabbit, muttering, "Help my child," and searching for her bracelet. Xia Meng entered, holding the missing bracelet, and humbly knelt to apologize for her actions 22 years ago. She tearfully recounted the car accident on Ji Ci Road, admitting her fear and her rush to see her sick daughter led to the tragedy.
Fu Wanyu, hearing about the accident and the pain caused to her son, became highly agitated. Nurses tried to intervene, urging Xia Meng to leave due to Fu Wanyu's unstable mental state. Just then, Gu Chengze arrived and confronted Xia Meng, who revealed that Li Yanshu had discovered the truth about the car accident and that was why she canceled the wedding.
Xia Meng pleaded with Gu Chengze to give Li Yanshu time, assuring him that Li Yanshu still loved him but couldn't face him after learning the truth. Gu Chengze, however, sternly told Xia Meng not to visit his mother again, citing her fragile mental state and her unwillingness to see her. He then instructed the nurses to maintain stricter security, ensuring no "unrelated people" could enter his mother's room. Later, Li Yanshu arrived at the hospital to visit Fu Wanyu.
However, a nurse informed her that visitation was restricted to family members only. The nurse explained that a woman who came to apologize the previous afternoon had agitated Fu Wanyu, causing her condition to worsen, leading to the strict new policy.
Episode 22 Recap
Li Yanshu learned from a nurse that the person who agitated Fu Wanyu was a lady who had visited to apologize. The nurse explained that only family members were now allowed to visit Fu Wanyu in Room 7201 due to the previous incident. Realizing the visitor was Xia Meng, Li Yanshu immediately went to the Han residence to confront her mother. She angrily questioned how Xia Meng could remain calm and eat after everything that had happened.
Xia Meng attempted to explain that she had visited Gu Chengze’s mother to apologize, hoping it would help Li Yanshu and Gu Chengze be together. Li Yanshu rebuked her, calling Xia Meng selfish and stating that her actions only made their situation worse. She accused Xia Meng of being the person responsible for Gu Chengze and his mother's twenty-year separation, deeming it shameless to believe a simple apology could rectify the immense physical and psychological pain they had endured.
Overwhelmed, Li Yanshu expressed despair, wondering how she could ever face Gu Chengze, knowing he would see her as the daughter of his enemy. Meanwhile, Gu Taitai found Li Yanshu and demanded to know why she canceled the wedding, especially since Li Yanshu had seemed so eager to marry Gu Chengze. Gu Taitai scolded Yanshu, calling her foolish for daring to cancel a wedding with a member of the Gu family, implying it was a great honor.
Li Yanshu, however, observed that Gu Taitai seemed quite concerned about Gu Chengze. Gu Taitai vehemently denied this, claiming she only intervened because she couldn't tolerate Yanshu's arrogant attitude. She advised Yanshu to reflect and make the right decision, then dismissed her. After Yanshu got out of the car, she smiled genuinely for the first time since the cancellation, realizing that Gu Taitai did, in fact, care deeply for Gu Chengze.
Gu Jinyun learned the true reason behind Li Yanshu's wedding cancellation from Han Junyao. He hurried to tell Gu Chengze, who he found at a nightclub after a boxing session, a place Gu Chengze typically avoided. Gu Jinyun explained that Li Yanshu discovered Xia Meng was involved in the car accident and canceled the wedding out of guilt.
Gu Chengze revealed he already knew this, but his true concern was that Li Yanshu didn't genuinely love him and was merely using him to upset Gu Taitai. Gu Jinyun dismissed this, certain Li Yanshu was lying. Gu Chengze, however, insisted he would know if she were lying because his body acted as a lie detector, reacting whenever someone looked him in the eyes and spoke falsehoods. Amused, Gu Jinyun tested this theory by telling several obvious lies.
To Gu Chengze's ecstatic surprise, he experienced no physical reaction, realizing his hypersensitivity to lies had been cured. Overjoyed, he immediately called his doctor to report the change, postponing a full examination as he rushed off to find Li Yanshu. Gu Chengze searched frantically for Li Yanshu, but her phone was off. He eventually found her at the location where they had first kissed and where she had proposed to him.
Li Yanshu, with tears in her eyes, declared that their relationship had to end. Gu Chengze vehemently refused, reminding her that she was the one who proposed to him and that he would not allow their relationship to conclude. He acknowledged her feelings but argued that a simple breakup could not erase the profound pain caused by her mother's actions, which had led to his mother and him being separated for over two decades.
He then declared his "punishment" for her: she must be with him forever and is not allowed to leave. Li Yanshu, overwhelmed by guilt, stated that for every ten parts of love she had for him, there were a hundred parts of guilt. She confessed she couldn't forgive herself, especially after learning about his past suffering. She even told him that seeing his face would always remind her of a painful past, and she wouldn't be happy.
Gu Chengze, however, reassured her, urging her to have confidence in him and their relationship. He told her he understood her need to process everything and would give her all the time she needed, as long as they didn't break up. He promised to wait for her. Han Zhipeng, observing the deep misunderstanding between Li Yanshu and Xia Meng, approached Yanshu to talk.
He told her she had misunderstood her mother for years, revealing that he had known about the accident but not that Gu Chengze's mother was the victim. He explained that Xia Meng had been tormented by the incident and even tried to end her life. Han Zhipeng then clarified the details of the car accident: Xia Meng was not the driver; she was being driven home by her company boss because Li Yanshu had a high fever.
Although Li Yanshu still argued that Xia Meng's inaction was as reprehensible as being the driver, and asked if that made her the culprit, Han Zhipeng emphasized that Xia Meng was distraught over Yanshu's illness. Li Yanshu tearfully recounted how she had pleaded with her mother not to leave and remembered watching her mother get into someone else's car, unable to comprehend why she would abandon her.
Han Zhipeng explained that after the boss was arrested and sentenced, Xia Meng was implicated, lost her job, and, feeling unable to face her husband and daughter, was forced to leave them. Li Yanshu, though in tears, initially dismissed this as an unbelievable story. Han Zhipeng patiently told her that such "crazy things" do happen and that her generation could not fully comprehend the struggles of women in Xia Meng's time.
He asserted that Xia Meng loved Li Yanshu deeply, so much so that she preferred Yanshu's hatred and unforgiveness as a way to alleviate her own immense pain and guilt. Han Zhipeng, treating Yanshu like his own child, advised her to reconsider everything he had said, urging her not to make a decision she would regret, as life presents many important turning points.
Reflecting on Han Zhipeng's revelations, Li Yanshu was filled with deep regret and self-blame, realizing how much she had misunderstood her mother and how harshly she had treated her over the years. Overwhelmed by remorse, she went to a bar and drank heavily. Meanwhile, Gu Chengze diligently cared for his mother, pushing her in a wheelchair for walks. After a period of treatment, Fu Wanyu's mental state had significantly improved.
She asked Gu Chengze about the canceled wedding and told him that Li Yanshu was a good girl and he must treat her well, indicating her full acceptance of Li Yanshu as her daughter-in-law. Overwhelmed by the recent events, Li Yanshu decided to accompany Junrui to the United States for his piano studies, using the time to calm down and reflect.
At the airport, she told David, a friend, that she was not getting married for now, feeling exhausted, and promised to tell him the details later. When David asked if he should confront Gu Chengze, Li Yanshu sadly suggested the punch should be for her instead, indicating her deep self-blame.
When Gu Chengze arrived to see her off, he embraced her, reiterating that he would give her time to process everything but warned her not to make him wait too long. He reminded her to always remind herself of the fact that she loves him and to take good care of herself. Li Yanshu tearfully hugged him back before running through the security gate.
Episode 23 (Ending) Recap
After Li Yanshu's departure, Gu Chengze found himself immersed in a profound sense of solitude. On the first day, he went to Sheng Hong Corporation, his mind consumed by thoughts of her as he looked at her empty office seat. On the second day, eating breakfast alone, he remembered Li Yanshu's characteristic hurried and forgetful mannerisms, like frantically searching for her lost phone, and he found it difficult to adapt to doing everything by himself.
By the tenth day, the nights without her felt especially long and dull, even though no one was fighting with him over the TV remote anymore, a small argument they used to have about whose turn it was to watch television. To release his pent-up emotions, Gu Chengze boxed until he was drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted. In his mind's eye, he saw Yanshu, and he took out the ring he had been carrying, asking her to marry him.
In this dream, she promised never to leave him again. He awoke to find it was all a fantasy. The dream only intensified his longing for her, as he often woke up startled in the middle of the night, his yearning for Li Yanshu growing stronger each day. He remembered this dream on the twentieth day after she left, holding onto the hope of her promise.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinyun, concerned about Gu Chengze, contacted Han Junyao to inquire about Li Yanshu. Han Junyao initially mentioned her heavy workload from "Mike" (Gu Chengze) and observed that he had lost a lot of weight since Li Yanshu left. She admitted she hadn't been in frequent contact with Li Yanshu, only seeing her during family video calls with Junrui.
Han Junyao reported that Li Yanshu's relationship with her mother had improved, and she was busy with jogging, yoga, and Junrui's piano lessons. Gu Jinyun then insisted that Han Junyao join him for dinner with Gu Chengze.
At the dinner table, the two playfully exaggerated Li Yanshu's current life, claiming she had gained over ten pounds from eating well and suggesting she would return soon, first "in a couple of days," then "a few weeks or half a month," and finally, "one or two months." Their intention was clearly to lift Gu Chengze's spirits, but he remained quiet, simply telling them to clean up after themselves before leaving the table.
Han Junyao later chided Gu Jinyun for pressing her about Li Yanshu's return, to which Gu Jinyun defended that it was to pique "Mike's" interest. After the dinner, Gu Chengze quietly packed Li Yanshu's belongings into two boxes. He seemed to revert to his old self, meticulously inspecting stores and harshly criticizing his subordinates' work.
During a meeting about the Sheng Hong anniversary celebration, he sternly rejected a proposal for being unoriginal, accusing his team of testing his memory or insulting his intelligence. He reminded them that the Chairwoman cared deeply about the event and dismissed the meeting, wondering to himself if he was always so intimidating. Later, he visited the Chairwoman, Gu Taitai, who was practicing calligraphy.
She expressed her full confidence in him, stating that since he was back as CEO, she would fully entrust him with company matters and no longer wanted to be bothered, preferring to enjoy her old age. They shared some imported fruit tea, and Gu Chengze updated her on Gu Jinyun's improved behavior and his mother's continued treatment at the rehab center, which Gu Taitai agreed was the best place for her. Gu Jinyun and Han Junyao had also begun dating.
They went on a rollercoaster ride, with Gu Jinyun excitedly enjoying it while Han Junyao felt terribly dizzy. Gu Jinyun teased her, questioning her "tough girl" persona. Han Junyao, annoyed, grabbed his ear and demanded an apology, which he quickly gave, promising to always obey her. She then asked for a lollipop, calling it her "childhood memory," suggesting that if he bought it, their current squabble would be settled. Gu Jinyun complied, bringing her the lollipop.
Looking at the lollipop, Han Junyao grew emotional, remembering her mother who always bought her one, a sweet symbol of her love. She confided in Gu Jinyun, explaining that after her mother's death, no one bought her lollipops until Li Yanshu and her mother (Xia Meng) moved in. She had felt insecure and envied Li Yanshu's maternal care, fearing they would steal her father, her only remaining family. Gu Jinyun noted this explained her past harshness towards Yanshu.
Han Junyao admitted her feelings towards Li Yanshu and Xia Meng changed when she witnessed their genuine care for her ailing father. She then revealed another reason for disliking Li Yanshu: her long-standing affection for Gu Jinyun, who had always been focused on Li Yanshu. Han Junyao pointed out that Li Yanshu only had Gu Chengze in her heart, meaning Gu Jinyun had no chance with her. Gu Jinyun admitted he already knew this but struggled to accept it.
He thanked Han Junyao for her constant tolerance and care, acknowledging that she had always been by his side. Reflecting on his childhood, raised by his grandmother and Mike after his parents' early death, he realized he had always felt adrift despite his privileged life. He now understood that a man must live not only for himself but also for those he loves and who love him.
Looking at an elderly couple holding hands, he expressed his desire for such a lasting love. He then asked Han Junyao if she would be with him for the rest of their lives, and she happily agreed. The Sheng Hong Corporation's 30th-anniversary celebration was a great success. Before his speech, Gu Jinyun and Gu Chengze exchanged banter about gifts, foreshadowing a surprise. On stage, Gu Chengze thanked everyone for their support and the employees for their hard work.
Then, to everyone's surprise, he announced his resignation as CEO, appointing Gu Jinyun to take over. Gu Chengze stated that while he had prepared a big speech, he now had "two important things to complete" in his life. Gu Jinyun, playfully chiding him for being "ungrateful," then took the stage, acknowledging his previous experience as CEO helped him recognize his shortcomings and promised to lead Sheng Hong forward.
He then asked everyone to send their sincere blessings to "Mike" (Gu Chengze), who was about to embark on the most important thing in his life. As Li Yanshu, whom Gu Chengze had thought of day and night, walked towards him, his eyes were fixed solely on her. They danced together amidst the elegant music.
Li Yanshu asked him about the "important things" he had resigned for, to which Gu Chengze replied, "Get married and have kids," adding that he needed her cooperation, not just her blessing. Finally, Gu Chengze sealed their reunion with a passionate kiss, met with a round of applause. On a beautiful day, the four friends gathered for an outing. Li Yanshu had returned. She woke up to find Gu Chengze already back, as he had arrived while she was asleep.
She teasingly accused him of manipulating her into video calls with Junrui in the living room, knowing her mother would appear, which he playfully deflected by saying the signal was best there. Gu Chengze shared that he had given Gao Yang an exceptionally long vacation, to which Gu Jinyun remarked on Gao Yang's luck in finding a wealthy fiancée like Qiao Na and traveling the world.
Gu Chengze clarified that Qiao Na pursued Gao Yang and joked that Gao Yang, now "dark" from his Mauritius sunbathing, might not be recognized by immigration upon his return. Li Yanshu and Han Junyao continued their usual playful banter, arguing over grilling chicken wings, with Han Junyao teasing Li Yanshu's cooking skills. Gu Chengze proudly stated that no one could stop his wife's temper, while Gu Jinyun retorted that teasing Li Yanshu had been his "interest for ten years."
Despite his usual fastidiousness and aversion to outdoor barbecues, Gu Chengze couldn't resist trying a piece of grilled food after seeing the others enjoy it, only to be caught and playfully mocked by Li Yanshu, who accused him of secretly eating and lying. The group spent the day in cheerful squabbles and laughter, signifying that after all the hardships, happiness had finally arrived for them all.
