The Fox's Summer Episode 17 Recap
> The Fox's Summer Recap
Li Yanshu found herself at the center of public gossip after Mrs. Gu slapped her. Han Junyao seized the opportunity to mock Yanshu, who, in turn, retorted, pointing out Han Junyao's long-standing affection for Gu Jinyun since their student days and her continued lack of courage to confess. Han Junyao had always resorted to scheming against Yanshu because of Gu Jinyun's clear preference for her. Li Yanshu's student years were marked by hardship and misunderstanding.
She endured criticism from classmates who whispered that her mother was a "vixen" who "destroyed other families." Feeling ashamed of her mother, Yanshu once forbade her from appearing at school events under the identity of "Li Yanshu's mother," not wanting her classmates to know their relationship.
On another occasion, Mrs. Gu had summoned Yanshu, calling her a "disrespectful girl" and an "uneducated bastard," claiming Yanshu, "a little girl from an ordinary family," dared to "seduce" her grandson, Gu Jinyun, who was destined to inherit Sheng Hong Corporation. Mrs. Gu insisted that Gu Jinyun's partner must have a strong family background, high education, intelligence, and beauty, not an "uneducated bastard" like Yanshu.
Mrs. Gu told Yanshu to "wake up from her Cinderella dream," offered her money to leave Gu Jinyun, and demanded she disappear forever. Yanshu, however, defiantly questioned if Mrs. Gu's grandson was "only worth a little money" and declared that if she were hit, she would fight back, telling Mrs. Gu to return when she had "enough money." These past experiences left deep scars on Li Yanshu's fragile heart, hidden beneath her resilient exterior.
Mrs. Gu forcibly brought Gu Jinyun home from the event, locking him in his room to prevent him from seeing Li Yanshu again. Despite his protests, Mrs. Gu declared she would not tolerate his relationship with Li Yanshu. As night fell, Gu Chengze anxiously waited for Li Yanshu, repeatedly calling her, unable to sit still. Just as he was about to leave to search for her, he encountered Yanshu stepping out of the elevator.
They exchanged a silent glance, and Yanshu walked directly into her room, curling up on her bed like a wounded animal. The next morning, Gu Jinyun, noticing his grandmother's absence, used a clever trick to escape the house. However, he was quickly apprehended and brought back. In retaliation, Jinyun called the police, accusing his grandmother of illegal detention. Meanwhile, Mrs. Gu, having left home, immediately went to the company.
She confronted Li Yanshu, officially informing her as Chairwoman that she was fired. Yanshu said nothing, simply picking up her bag and leaving the company. Mrs. Gu then found Gu Chengze, demanding to know why he had hired Li Yanshu. Gu Chengze admitted he was aware of Yanshu's past with Gu Jinyun, explaining that his intention was to keep Jinyun at the company and prevent him from engaging in a debauched lifestyle.
Mrs. Gu ordered Gu Chengze to announce Li Yanshu's dismissal to the entire company, but he firmly objected, arguing that Yanshu was an excellent employee currently managing important New Face projects, and her termination would disrupt critical progress. Mrs. Gu dismissed his concerns, questioning whether the vast Sheng Hong Corporation would cease to function without a "measly Li Yanshu." She insisted Gu Chengze obey her as Chairwoman unless he also wished to leave.
Moments later, Mrs. Gu was called back home due to Jinyun's police report. Upon her return, the police informed her that Jinyun's accusation was valid and confining an adult was illegal. Mrs. Gu angrily gave Jinyun a final ultimatum: as long as she was alive, she would not allow him to be with Li Yanshu.
Feeling confined, Gu Jinyun expressed his despair on a call, likening his grandmother to an "old witch" in a "castle" with no "prince" to save his "Snow White." Feeling utterly devastated, Li Yanshu met David for drinks and became completely intoxicated. David had no choice but to take the extremely drunk Yanshu back to Gu Chengze's place. David then confronted Gu Chengze, scolding him for not intervening.
He passionately argued that Yanshu had done nothing wrong yet was publicly humiliated and lost her job, questioning how Gu Chengze, as her boss and superior, could have stood by idly. Gu Chengze helped Yanshu get comfortable and settled her into bed. As she drifted into a deep sleep, Yanshu spoke in her dreams, revealing her affection for Gu Chengze and lamenting that she had "lost her heart" to him. Gu Chengze smiled sweetly at her words.
Unexpectedly, the sleeping Yanshu pulled him into an embrace, and they ended up sleeping in the same bed for the night. The next morning, Li Yanshu woke up startled to find Gu Chengze sleeping beside her. As he stirred, she quickly pretended to be asleep. Gu Chengze quietly adjusted her blanket before slipping out of the room. Yanshu, however, remained wide awake, deeply worried and embarrassed by the "babbling nonsense" she might have uttered in her sleep.
