The Fox's Summer Season 2 Episode 10 Recap
> The Fox's Summer Season 2 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.
