The Fox's Summer Season 2 Episode 23 (Ending) Recap
> The Fox's Summer Season 2 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.
