The Fox's Summer Season 2 Episode 3 Recap
> The Fox's Summer Season 2 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.
