The Fox's Summer Season 2 Episode 8 Recap
> The Fox's Summer Season 2 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."
