The Fox's Summer Episode 21 (Ending) Recap
> The Fox's Summer Recap
Xia Meng confronted Li Yanshu, expressing her anger that Yanshu had chosen Sheng Hong Corporation over the family business, Han Corporation, despite years of her "nurturing." Li Yanshu countered, stating she hadn't spent any of her mother's money while studying abroad. She then bluntly explained her decision, citing Sheng Hong's financial strength, clear-headed management, and market crisis awareness, which made it a better choice for future development compared to Han Corporation, which she had no interest in.
She even suggested her mother convince Uncle Han to sell the company and invest in Sheng Hong stocks if she truly cared about the assets. Xia Meng accused Li Yanshu of being cold-blooded and ungrateful. Li Yanshu retorted by reminding her mother of her past betrayal, abandoning her husband and child for wealth.
Xia Meng claimed the past situation was complex, but Li Yanshu scoffed at the irony of her mother now meticulously planning for Junrui's sake after showing no hesitation in abandoning her own daughter years ago, suggesting she was only adopting a "caring mother" facade due to her age. Finally, Li Yanshu warned her mother not to call her again without an important reason. Later, Li Yanshu returned home with red eyes, visibly distressed.
Gu Jinyun, noticing her state, approached Gu Chengze with concern, suggesting they take Li Yanshu on an outing to relax. Gu Chengze, though appearing aloof, shared Gu Jinyun's concern. Gu Jinyun then arranged a trip to a fruit farm, and Han Junyao insisted on tagging along. At the grape farm, the four picked and ate grapes.
Gu Jinyun and Li Yanshu's playful interactions quickly irritated Han Junyao, who accused Li Yanshu of using new tactics to seduce men and called her annoying. Gu Jinyun intervened to calm the situation. Han Junyao then suggested to Gu Chengze that they rest elsewhere, and he agreed. Gu Chengze asked Han Junyao why she harbored such intense hatred for Li Yanshu, speculating it was due to Li Yanshu "stealing" her father and now Gu Jinyun.
Han Junyao denied this, asserting her dislike stemmed from Li Yanshu being a shameless, dishonest person who feigned a pitiful and strong image. Gu Chengze advised Han Junyao to try and understand Li Yanshu better, telling her that despite her lies, Li Yanshu was not a bad person and carried inner pain no less than her own.
This conversation led Han Junyao to realize Gu Chengze also had feelings for Li Yanshu, intensifying her resolve to make Li Yanshu's life miserable for trying to "marry into the Gu family" by "bewitching both Gu Jinyun and Gu Chengze." Han Junyao left the fruit farm early. When Gu Chengze, Gu Jinyun, and Li Yanshu returned home, they found Mrs. Gu waiting for them, Li Yanshu's luggage strewn across the living room.
Mrs. Gu was furious, confronting Gu Chengze about letting Li Yanshu stay in his house and meet Gu Jinyun behind her back, accusing him of betraying her loyalty. Gu Chengze tried to explain, but Mrs. Gu slapped him and demanded he immediately kick Li Yanshu out. To avoid further trouble for Gu Chengze, Li Yanshu immediately began packing to leave, but Gu Jinyun frantically tried to stop her, asking Mrs. Gu where Yanshu would go.
Mrs. Gu simply stated that the Gu family's doors were not easily entered. Han Junyao then appeared, revealing she had informed Mrs. Gu about Li Yanshu, and taunted Li Yanshu, enjoying her disarray. Li Yanshu desperately hoped Gu Chengze would intervene and ask her to stay, but he remained silent. Homeless once more, Li Yanshu went to the bar where she had first met Gu Chengze. Despite his strong germophobia, Gu Chengze came to find her.
He questioned why she always chose such a messy place. Li Yanshu explained that it was her late father's favorite bar and that she used to look for him there after school. She shared her painful past, revealing her mother had abandoned them early on, leading her father to fall into deep depression, alcoholism, and gambling, eventually losing everything and succumbing to illness.
She recounted being chased by debt collectors for years while her mother thrived after remarrying, noting the bitter irony. Li Yanshu confessed she used to resent her father for his weakness, only to discover later that he had been secretly battling a severe illness. They later moved to a rooftop to continue drinking and talking. When Li Yanshu asked why he seemed angry, Gu Chengze admitted he was angry with himself, afraid he might do something that would "hurt Jinyun."
Li Yanshu then commented on his beautiful eyelashes, to which he replied that only she had ever said that. In that moment, Li Yanshu impulsively kissed Gu Chengze, later reflecting in shock, "I kissed Gu Chengze? Oh my god! I actually kissed Gu Chengze? Am I crazy?" After some time, a drunken Li Yanshu fell asleep. Gu Jinyun then called Gu Chengze, asking if he had found Li Yanshu. Gu Chengze confirmed he had and promised to bring her back.
In the car, Li Yanshu felt nauseous but adamantly refused to go back to Gu Chengze's house, citing her pride and unwillingness to endure further humiliation from Mrs. Gu. Gu Chengze agreed to take her to a hotel. After settling her in, the thoughtful Gu Chengze arranged for the hotel staff to deliver stomach medicine to Li Yanshu.
Subsequently, he visited David, providing him with the hotel address and asking him to look after Li Yanshu for the night, a request that surprised David due to Gu Chengze's unusually direct nature. The next morning, back at the office, Li Yanshu was informed that President Gu wanted to personally review her design proposals. Remembering the previous night's kiss, Li Yanshu felt a surge of nervousness and wondered how she would face Gu Chengze.
Meanwhile, Gu Chengze was observed by his assistant, who noticed his recent unusual behavior and teased him about being in love. Gu Chengze, feigning casualness, then described a "friend" who seemed to have fallen for a girl, subtly hinting at his own feelings. Li Yanshu questioned herself about her actions while drunk, wondering if she was happy with the outcome.
