The Trick of Life and Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Trick of Life and Love Synopsis
In the negotiations, the workplace “small fox”, Li Qian, encountered the “devil mentor” Ning Chengming, the “old fox”.
They didn’t like each other.
Li Qian expected to have a fierce fight, but unexpectedly a car accident made “old fox” Ning Chengming amnesia.
They accidentally became a nominal couple.
Gradually, they got along with each other and found each other’s merits.
Li Qian was thinking of pranks, but finally, they gradually fell in love with each other.
The Trick of Life and Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Late at night, Ning Chengming and Li Qian were speeding along a highway, one after the other. Ning Chengming tried to shake off his tail by taking several sharp turns, but Li Qian remained close behind. When they reached the outskirts, Ning Chengming suddenly stopped his car, startling Li Qian, who quickly slammed on her brakes. Ning Chengming walked directly toward Li Qian's car. Fearing she had been discovered, Li Qian quickly turned her car around and drove away.
Ning Chengming did not pursue her, returning to his own car. However, just as Ning Chengming buckled his seatbelt, a cargo truck crashed directly into his vehicle, spinning it 360 degrees. During the collision, Ning Chengming's head repeatedly hit the car, causing him to lose consciousness. Li Qian, who had not yet left, witnessed the scene in her rearview mirror and hastily hung up a phone call. Later, Li Qian stood outside the operating room, her hands covered in blood.
This was her second encounter with Ning Chengming, a meeting she had imagined many times, but never in such a dire circumstance. Eleven hours earlier, at a high-end hotel, an urgent announcement was made that SVIP No. 11, Mr. Fox, was about to arrive, causing the entire staff to go on high alert. Mr. Fox, also known as Ning Chengming, was rumored to have a handsome but never-smiling face, coupled with an intelligence as sharp as a fox's.
A hotel employee recounted a previous incident where he had precisely identified a staff member who secretly kept a dog in a guest room, simply by finding a single dog hair on the bedding. That employee was subsequently fired. His impending arrival naturally made everyone nervous. Though a woman, Li Qian was an exceptional fighter. As a child, she attended the same school as her current boss, Gu Zhe, who was often bullied.
Li Qian frequently stepped in to defend him. Years later, during a job interview, Li Qian was surprised to find Gu Zhe was the owner. Gu Zhe offered her a secretary position, but under Li Qian's strict guidance, he often behaved more like her subordinate. On this particular day, a major business deal was at stake. Li Qian caught Gu Zhe playing video games in his office and angrily demanded that he secure the contract.
Gu Zhe, confident in his abilities, agreed on the condition that if he succeeded, Li Qian would allow him to attend a live gaming event. Li Qian agreed. The negotiation initially progressed smoothly, with Li Qian accompanying Gu Zhe. As success seemed imminent, Li Qian stepped out to call Yu Qingqing, asking her to buy a ticket for the gaming event for Gu Zhe, fulfilling her promise.
After securing the ticket, Li Qian went to the service desk to pick it up. She placed her half-empty drink on the counter. Coincidentally, Ning Chengming also placed his cup there. Without looking, Li Qian instinctively picked up Ning Chengming's cup by mistake. To Li Qian's dismay, she discovered that Ning Chengming was the other party in the negotiation, alongside Ma Hao. During her brief absence, the meeting took a dramatic turn.
Upon her return, the opposing side refused to sign the contract due to a single remark from Ning Chengming. Gu Zhe, visibly intimidated by Ning Chengming, dragged a terrified Li Qian into the negotiation room. Ning Chengming had been Li Qian's university professor, and she had often felt his disdain due to her poor exam answers. Naturally, she was scared.
Gu Zhe confessed to Li Qian that he couldn't handle Ning Chengming, stating, "I swear, everything went well before he came in. Allen was even about to call me Bro! God knows he just said one word. . . the atmosphere changed completely." He explained that Ning Chengming had bluntly exposed their company's "performance fell by 12% year-on-year last quarter." Gu Zhe then packed his bags and fled, leaving the difficult situation to his "almighty secretary."
With no other option, Li Qian reluctantly followed Ning Chengming, hoping to gather information. She called Yu Qingqing, expressing her fear and asking for help. Yu Qingqing, identifying herself as Li Qian's "bestie in the world," suggested that Ning Chengming, who co-founded Guanding with his junior fellow Ma Hao, was now a prominent figure in the industry, having left his teaching position at Financial University.
Li Qian dismissed the idea of joining Ning Chengming's company, recalling the "dread of being governed by him" during her university days. Yu Qingqing then proposed an unconventional plan: "I have a male classmate in the university. . . he married his wife from T Country. He is a policeman in T Country now." She explained that this policeman friend knew about an "illegal trade in a night club" in Rayong that night.
If Li Qian could "deceive Ning Chengming into drinking there," he would be "involved and put into jail for one week at least," buying time for their negotiation. After receiving the address, Li Qian expressed her unease, but Yu Qingqing urged her to act quickly. Soon, Li Qian spotted Ning Chengming leaving the hotel and followed him. Li Qian continued to follow Ning Chengming.
While on the phone with Yu Qingqing in the garage, Li Qian reported that Ning Chengming seemed to have noticed her. Panicked, she drove away, only for the cargo truck accident to occur moments later. Back at the hospital, Li Qian anxiously questioned the doctor about Ning Chengming's condition. The doctor explained that Ning Chengming had "a sense of protection," resulting in "arms and ribs are slightly hurt" and his "limbs are not severely injured."
However, his "brain has hit," and "we are hardly to know the sequelae before he wakes up." This meant he "can't be discharged recently." Li Qian then received a call from Yu Qingqing, who reminded her that the original plan was intended only to delay Ning Chengming for two to three days. Yu Qingqing cautioned that if the delay was "too long, Ning Chengming will call Ma Hao" to continue the negotiation, which would be "going too far."
Meanwhile, Gu Zhe, while supposedly relaxing, called his girlfriend Tiantian, who gave vague answers about her whereabouts. Gu Zhe then discovered her with another man, confronting them and getting into a fight that left him with a bloody nose. Li Qian dozed off by Ning Chengming's bedside, drifting into a dream. She revisited her childhood, where her beautiful mother told her her long-absent father was a superhero.
Despite her mother's poor cooking, they shared a close, sister-like bond, with young Li Qian often taking care of her mother. The dream then shifted, showing Ning Chengming, her university professor, holding up her exam papers. He warned her that if she continued to choose 'C' for every question she didn't know, he would never let her graduate, forcing her to "be studying in college all your life." Li Qian woke with a scream.
Her cry stirred Ning Chengming, who slowly opened his eyes. Ning Chengming, disoriented, asked, "Who are you?" and "Where is this?" He couldn't even "see [her] clearly" and didn't remember being nearsighted. When asked his name, he replied, "Who am I?" and "Who are you?"
Recalling Gu Zhe's desperate plea to "handle Ning Chengming" and Yu Qingqing's warning about the potential for Ma Hao to take over the negotiation if Ning Chengming's incapacitation lasted too long, combined with the doctor's prognosis that Ning Chengming's brain "has hit" and he might have amnesia, Li Qian seized the opportunity. She leaned in close and declared, "You are Ning Chengming. . . I am your. . . fiancée."
Episode 2 Recap
Li Qian introduced herself to Ning Chengming, telling him that he was Ning Chengming and she was his fiancée. She explained that his head injury might temporarily affect his memory, but assured him she would help him recover quickly. When Ning Chengming asked how he was injured, Li Qian lied, claiming it was her fault for insisting on a vacation to T Country, which led to his car accident.
To make her story more convincing, she secretly pinched herself, causing tears to well up. Meanwhile, Qi Wei grew increasingly worried when he couldn't reach Ning Chengming. He remembered an envelope Ning Chengming had given him, containing instructions for unforeseen circumstances. Inside, the note advised him not to call the police and to search for Ning Chengming at hospitals within five kilometers of the hotel. Qi Wei realized Ning Chengming was truly in an accident.
Two days earlier, at their company, employees gossiped about Ning Chengming's strictness, calling him an "old fox," a nickname supposedly coined by Ma Hao. They recalled how he once fired a finance employee for a minor error. They believed only Ma Hao, Ning Chengming's former classmate, could endure him. Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden news that Ning Chengming had requisitioned the conference room, sending them into a frantic scramble to hide their Luosifen.
One employee, frustrated by Ning Chengming's demanding nature, considered resigning. A cleaner who had eaten in the conference room was fired with minimal compensation. Ning Chengming then held a board meeting, which Ma Hao joined 27 minutes late, seemingly intoxicated. Ning Chengming asked Ma Hao to explain why Guanding was abandoning its T Country industrial line. Ma Hao denied the claim, stating he had already dropped the idea due to the unfavorable market.
He then proposed that Ning Chengming, being familiar with T Country operations, should fly there to negotiate a long-term contract with GC's Southeast Asia Division. The other directors, annoyed by the perceived wasted time, implied Ning Chengming was acting on rumors. Ning Chengming agreed to go to T Country. After the meeting, Ning Chengming privately confronted Ma Hao, questioning his haste and his dishonesty about a cash shortfall in his accounts.
Ma Hao admitted Ning Chengming was too intelligent to deceive and declared that if the T Country deal succeeded, their professional debts would be settled. When Ma Hao asked if Ning Chengming was disappointed, Ning Chengming coldly replied that "disappointment is for the hope that once had," and that Ma Hao "doesn't deserve it." After Ning Chengming left, Ma Hao made a phone call, simply saying, "Move!"
At the police station in T Country, Li Qian told officers she and Ning Chengming had planned their trip together but arrived separately due to work. She confirmed Ning Chengming was her fiancée. Before leaving the hospital for the police station, Li Qian gave Ning Chengming a pair of glasses she had someone buy for him, promising a better pair later. At the same police station, Gu Zhe, his girlfriend Tiantian, and her lover were present after a brawl.
The police offered them two options: involve the consulate or settle it locally by taking a heart-shaped photo together. Tiantian objected to involving the consulate, fearing humiliation back home. Li Qian intervened, persuading Gu Zhe and the lover to take the photo to avoid an international incident. The police presented their investigation findings, concluding the car accident was an "unexpected accident" caused by a malfunctioning left wheel brake axle, with no evidence of human interference.
The car's damage matched the roadside railing. Li Qian subtly questioned the integrity of the police officer, noting his lavish lifestyle compared to his rank. The officer then suggested Li Qian herself could be the perpetrator if it wasn't an accident, given her argument with Ning Chengming before the crash. Li Qian reiterated that it was an accident and requested a copy of the surveillance footage for her future mother-in-law.
Meanwhile, in a separate room, the driver of the truck involved in Ning Chengming's accident argued with his accomplice about payment. The accomplice stated the employer wouldn't pay without confirmation of Ning Chengming's death. The driver, confident in his work, bragged that Ning Chengming would lose all memory even if he survived, making confirmation unnecessary. The accomplice, after asking if the driver would refuse to go if unpaid, discreetly put flammable items in a microwave.
The room exploded, killing the driver. The accomplice then received a phone call, confirming Ning Chengming's hospital location. Back at the hospital, Li Qian watched Ning Chengming through the door's window, amused as he awkwardly struggled to drink water and adjust his blanket with one injured hand. She mused, "Every dog has his day." This sparked memories of her university days, when Ning Chengming was her economics professor.
She had failed his notoriously difficult class, which required handwritten papers and full attendance, and had the highest failure rate. Her friends joked that it was normal to fail his class, citing a senior who still hadn't graduated because he couldn't pass Ning Chengming's retake. Li Qian, frustrated, vowed never to beg him again. Despite her vow, Li Qian relentlessly sought Ning Chengming to pass her.
She revised her assignments multiple times, even offering to do twice the work for a chance at a passing grade, but he coldly dismissed her, stating her original failure disqualified her from even a make-up exam, and told her to "get out." Desperate, she confided in her mother, who gave her advice.
Li Qian then resorted to public apologies and begging Ning Chengming, and even tried to bribe him with sweet and sour ribs, which he refused, claiming he was vegetarian. Ning Chengming delivered a stern lecture to his class, emphasizing that university was not for slacking and that passing exams was a matter of intelligence, not opportunities. Li Qian muttered that he was a "pervert."
Back in the present, Li Qian tried to flatter Ning Chengming, telling him that unlike his strictness with others, he had always been "very gentle" and "very good" to her because she was "cute." Ning Chengming, still suffering from amnesia, simply remarked that making a cute gesture didn't make one cute, and he couldn't remember her past self. A doctor informed Li Qian that Ning Chengming could not be discharged that night and needed several more days of observation.
Li Qian was asked to pay the hospital bill. Later, on the phone with Gu Zhe, Li Qian lavished him with praise, declaring him more brilliant than Steve Jobs and urging him to secure a contract signing the next day. Ning Chengming, overhearing the call, questioned why his fiancée was praising another man in front of him. Li Qian explained that Gu Zhe was her boss who needed constant flattery.
Ning Chengming suggested she quit, offering to support her, but Li Qian, feeling awkward, quickly excused herself to pay the bill. Meanwhile, the accomplice, who had caused the truck driver's death, was seen making his way towards the hospital.
Episode 3 Recap
Li Qian longed to escape the hospital room, weary of pretending to be Ning Chengming's girlfriend. However, with Gu Zhe's contract still unsigned, she resolved to continue the charade, hoping to leave swiftly after tomorrow's signing. As she turned back towards Ning Chengming's ward, she noticed a suspicious person in the hallway while nurses were in a frantic state, mentioning Ning Chengming’s room number and a patient in distress. Fearing the worst, Li Qian rushed to find him.
She breathed a sigh of relief when Ning Chengming emerged unharmed from the restroom. It turned out the injured patient was his roommate, who had swapped beds with Ning Chengming due to the heat and was subsequently pushed down the stairs, sustaining severe injuries. Meanwhile, Qi Wei, following the instructions Ning Chengming had left in a "brocade pouch," began searching for him and found the hospital's underground parking lot.
He was at a loss, wondering how to locate Ning Chengming amidst the numerous hospitals in the vicinity. There, he bumped into the individual suspected of being involved in Ning Chengming's incident in Shanghai. Misinterpreting the man as a private detective, Qi Wei persistently urged him to help find Ning Chengming, even attempting to show him a picture.
However, due to his own mistake, Qi Wei was showing the man a picture of himself, leading to a beating that landed him in the hospital. Later, recalling Ning Chengming's pre-written instruction, the "brocade pouch" further advised that if he couldn't be found, Qi Wei should pretend to have a quarrel with him in T Country and be scolded back to China. Li Qian, worried about Ning Chengming, hastily completed his discharge procedures.
She then called his hotel to inform them that Ning Chengming and his fiancée were returning and requested his belongings be moved to her room. The hotel staff, alerted to the situation, promptly redecorated Li Qian's room (room 1314, originally hers) into a romantic suite suitable for a couple, thoughtfully preparing everything from matching toothbrushes to couple's clothing. Upon entering the room, Li Qian was satisfied with the hotel's efficiency, confident that Ning Chengming wouldn't doubt their fabricated relationship.
Ning Chengming, although still without his full memory, seemed to be increasingly convinced by Li Qian’s narrative and felt a vague connection to her, even observing her with a subtle smile. While Gu Zhe was busy with negotiations, he felt a certain anxiety without Li Qian's support. He messaged Li Qian for assistance, but she insisted he handle it on his own. Gu Zhe, upon learning Li Qian was back, quickly went to look for her.
Li Qian, fearing Ning Chengming might discover them, used the excuse of buying him porridge and left the room. She met Gu Zhe outside, giving him advice on securing the contract. She did not, however, reveal that she was staying with Ning Chengming. Alone at a restaurant, Li Qian attempted to unlock Ning Chengming’s phone. After several attempts, she successfully accessed it.
She then changed the password to her birthday, deleted any photos that might be detrimental to her fabricated story, and subtly added two photoshopped pictures of herself and Ning Chengming together to his photo gallery. Concurrently, Ma Hao received a confirmation call regarding the success of his plan. The caller, providing details of the accident scene and bloody photos, assured him that Ning Chengming was dead. Overjoyed, Ma Hao eagerly anticipated replacing his "Vice President" nameplate with "President."
Later that evening, Gu Zhe, carrying a bottle of wine, arrived at Li Qian's hotel room to celebrate. He exuberantly announced his breakup with "Green Tea," the successful contract signing, and his newfound freedom from his father's pressure to inherit the family fortune. However, Li Qian rebuffed him, telling him to leave. Gu Zhe, puzzled by her resistance, speculated if she was hiding another man in the room.
As Li Qian firmly pushed him away, Ning Chengming's voice from inside the room called out, "Li Qian, who is this?" Gu Zhe’s face registered shock and disappointment as he realized Li Qian indeed had someone else with her.
Episode 4 Recap
Li Qian, having already prepared, returned Ning Chengming's phone to him. He was not suspicious when he discovered the password was Li Qian's birthday. Although Ning Chengming had vague memories of being a university teacher and some indistinct images of Li Qian, he couldn't recall their relationship. Li Qian, who had anticipated this, smoothly covered up the truth with fabricated stories, even creating a romantic tale of their first encounter based on countless romance dramas she had watched.
She portrayed herself as a devoted lover and Ning Chengming as a heartless man who had forgotten her. This elaborate fabrication filled Ning Chengming with guilt, prompting him to promise to treat Li Qian better. Li Qian, suppressing her inner glee, even managed to shed a few tears, solidifying her image as a steadfast woman and Ning Chengming as the "scumbag" who had discarded her and wanted to break up.
When genuine tears proved elusive, she subtly used eye drops, feigning a distressed expression. Her generous forgiveness of his supposed "scumbag" behavior only deepened Ning Chengming's remorse. Ning Chengming, still piecing together his past, asked Li Qian how they came to be together. Li Qian spun a tale of their initial meeting, claiming he boldly approached her, entered his contact information into her phone without asking, and later turned out to be her economics professor.
She continued, saying he had wanted to break up with her, stating that "love is the most unreliable thing" and that if he chose her for love, he would eventually abandon her for love. Ning Chengming was shocked at his supposed past cruelty. Li Qian then explained their trip to Country T was meant to be a vacation, but he had angrily stormed out and deleted her WeChat after she bought the wrong brand of milk.
She tearfully recounted chasing after him and witnessing him get hit by a car. Overwhelmed with guilt, Ning Chengming apologized, taking all the blame, while Li Qian inwardly celebrated her successful deception. Meanwhile, a distraught Gu Zhe, having drunk excessively, collapsed and was helped back to his room by hotel staff.
The staff, noting that Li Qian had arrived with Gu Zhe but was now with Ning Chengming (whom they call "the Fox"), sympathized with Gu Zhe, believing he had been jilted. From his room, Gu Zhe mistakenly called Yu Qingqing, believing it was Li Qian. He complained about her supposed "faithless" behavior and her "pretty boy." Yu Qingqing, upon hearing about a man in Li Qian's room, became intensely curious, pressing Gu Zhe for details.
Gu Zhe, still drunk, denied having a crush on Li Qian, instead expressing fear of being left to manage alone without her. Yu Qingqing, unimpressed, advised him to "wean himself" off his dependency. Later, Ning Chengming asked Li Qian why she loved him. Briefly struggling for an answer, she vaguely explained that love "comes without reason, and it is deep." He then asked if he had ever told her why he loved "her".
Seizing the opportunity, Li Qian fabricated scenarios from their university days. She claimed that as her professor, he was drawn to her "cleverness and intelligence," recounting how he had given her paper a zero despite a correct conclusion because she hadn't used the required economic model. She also claimed he liked her "unconventional" nature. When Ning Chengming recalled a faint impression of them talking often, Li Qian portrayed it as his deliberate attempts to get close to her.
Ning Chengming then deduced that he must have pursued her first, which Li Qian enthusiastically affirmed, adding that he would discard gifts from other admirers in front of her to prove his affection. Continuing her fabricated history, Li Qian described a time he saved her from a fall, a story which led to them reenacting the moment and tumbling onto the bed together.
As Ning Chengming leaned in as if to kiss her, Li Qian's heart raced, only for the moment to be broken when he simply plucked a loose false eyelash from her face. Flustered and embarrassed, Li Qian retreated to the bathroom. Elsewhere, Cao Mei, Director of Legal at Ning Chengming's company, met with Ma Hao.
Ma Hao praised their strategic counter-plan: making GC believe Guanding had abandoned its production line to acquire another company, while secretly using the line to secure GC's distribution channels for Guanding, thereby boosting Guanding's own valuation. Ma Hao then revealed that this brilliant plan was only conceived because Ning Chengming, two weeks prior, had already suspected Cao Mei's original scheme to sell off Guanding. Cao Mei agreed, emphasizing that once Ning Chengming becomes suspicious, he relentlessly uncovers secrets.
Despite their alliance against him, Cao Mei insisted that Ning Chengming's life be spared. This reluctance, however, only solidified Ma Hao's murderous intent. He superficially agreed but immediately afterward, on a phone call, escalated the assassination order, demanding increased payment and "no survivors." An associate of Ma Hao, communicating with a hired assassin, confirmed that the target, Ning Chengming, had changed rooms and was now staying with a female guest in room 1314.
The associate also addressed a previous incident involving an explosion caused by the assassin and a driver, assuring the assassin that the client's new demand was Ning Chengming's death and that safe entry into the hotel would be arranged for the next day. Later that evening, after receiving flight information for her and Gu Zhe's return, Li Qian was still awake in bed.
As Ning Chengming cuddled close to her, she internally reviewed her complex escape plan: securing the GC production line, handling Ning Chengming's amnesia with a changed phone card, and timing her departure perfectly to avoid being caught by him once he regained his memory. Her immediate priority, she realized, was to get rid of Gu Zhe to ensure her "Great Escape Plan" succeeded.
Episode 5 Recap
A sophisticated hacker successfully breached the hotel's surveillance system, pinpointing Ning Chengming's room. From a remote location, the hacker guided an employer through the hotel, helping them evade detection. The hacker later reported that a new security patch on the hotel's system, which originated from China and was particularly challenging to bypass, made direct entry impossible. Meanwhile, Li Qian and Ning Chengming were having dinner.
Li Qian enthusiastically ordered a lavish spread for herself, while Ning Chengming received only a modest bowl of plain porridge. Ning Chengming, eyeing Li Qian's tempting dishes, questioned why his food hadn't arrived, only to be met with his unappetizing porridge. Li Qian insisted he could only have porridge due to his health, citing a doctor's advice. Suddenly, Li Qian spotted Gu Zhe nearby.
Panicked, she quickly pulled Ning Chengming under the table and urged him to go to the restroom. Despite Ning Chengming's protest that he hadn't even drunk his porridge, Li Qian used "doctor's orders" to compel him, and he eventually complied. Taking advantage of the situation, Li Qian asked Ning Chengming to order a takeaway snack for her. As he left to place the order, she took his phone and made her own phone line busy.
Gu Zhe, attempting to reach Li Qian, found her line was constantly engaged. Li Qian then secretly handed Ning Chengming's phone to the front desk to be returned to him and slipped away to her room. Upon returning to her room, Li Qian immediately called to check out, scheduling it for fifteen minutes later.
She mused about her perfect plan: Ning Chengming would retrieve his phone, bring back the snack, and only encounter Qi Wei, whom she had summoned, while she would have already vanished. After getting his phone from the front desk, Ning Chengming ordered the snack for Li Qian. Qi Wei received a text from "Ning" with the room number 1314 and a ten-minute deadline. He hesitated, fearing another reprimand from Ning Chengming, but was curious why he was in that room.
Shortly after, Gu Zhe unexpectedly appeared at room 1314, convinced Li Qian was hiding a man. He searched the room, questioning Li Qian about her long phone calls. Li Qian, maintaining her composure, expressed surprise at his presence, reminding him of his twelve o'clock flight. Gu Zhe accused her of hiding a "little boyfriend." Li Qian scoffed, claiming the man he saw previously was merely a hotel masseuse and chastised him for his overactive imagination.
She then revealed she had Jin Yi rebook his flight, and Gu Zhe immediately received a notification for a flight departing in just two hours. He complained about the early departure, but Li Qian urged him to leave, citing the company budget and the risk of missing his flight. Exasperated, Gu Zhe relented and left. Soon after, a man disguised as a service worker entered room 1314 using a room card.
Li Qian, hidden behind the curtain, recognized him as the assailant from the hospital. The man, receiving instructions from the hacker that Ning Chengming was not in the room and there were no check-out records, searched the room. Just then, Qi Wei arrived outside, calling for "Mr. Ning." The man opened the door to find Qi Wei, who became terrified upon seeing him, apologizing and pleading for release while mentioning his injured leg.
Li Qian, observing from her hiding spot, realized the man and Qi Wei knew each other. The hacker called, reminding the man that his time was up. The man pushed Qi Wei aside and fled. Qi Wei pursued the assailant but quickly lost him. Realizing the assassin was still after Ning Chengming and fearing Qi Wei's potential complicity, Li Qian deleted Qi Wei's contact information from Ning Chengming's phone.
Determined not to leave him vulnerable, she began packing their belongings, resolving not to tell Yu Qingqing about the events to avoid a lecture. In her office, Yu Qingqing was looking forward to Li Qian's return. She was alarmed to learn from an email that Lirong Capital was conducting due diligence on their company, Hengxing, and suspected Gu Zhe was planning to sell it. She tried calling Li Qian and then Gu Zhe, but both their phones were off.
Yu Qingqing then contacted Xinyi, a colleague at Lirong. Meeting at a restaurant, Yu Qingqing learned from Xinyi that Li Jingfan, Chairman of Lirong Capital, intended to invest. Xinyi remarked that it was a good match and that Yu Qingqing shouldn't worry, as Li Jingfan was Li Qian's father. Yu Qingqing reflected on how Li Qian, despite having such an influential father, had stubbornly worked as Gu Zhe's secretary for years, refusing her father's help even in college.
In a flashback, Li Qian shared a memory of her mother, Auntie Ren, who taught her that life's challenges lead to growth. Li Qian also revealed she had a half-brother named Li Chen, who runs a film company. She explained that she avoided their father, Li Jingfan, because his presence made her feel that her happy memories of her mother were a self-deception.
Determined to reject the investment, Yu Qingqing learned that both Li Jingfan and his son, Li Jun, would be at Lirong's client appreciation banquet that night. Meanwhile, Li Jun, Li Qian's elder half-brother, was reprimanding employees for investing in underperforming film companies when his younger half-brother, Li Chen, arrived. Li Jun questioned him about whether Li Qian knew of Lirong's investment in Hengxing.
Li Chen warned that their father was using Gu Zhe to pressure Li Qian and that if she found out, she would quit and disappear. Despite Li Chen's reluctance, Li Jun insisted he attend the client banquet, threatening to withdraw funding from his film company if he refused. Li Chen reluctantly agreed. On his way back with the takeaway, Ning Chengming ran into the hotel's VIP manager.
The manager's comment about him having "changed rooms" to 1314 made Ning Chengming realize that he and Li Qian had not been staying in that room from the beginning, contradicting her story. His suspicions aroused, he returned to the room and confronted Li Qian. He questioned her claim of being his fiancée and their relationship as traveling partners, stating he believed her story was untrue. Li Qian, realizing the immediate danger and the need for urgent action, admitted, "You are right. I lied to you."
Episode 6 Recap
Li Qian tearfully admitted to Ning Chengming that she had lied to him, but quickly spun a story claiming she did so out of love. She explained that she couldn't bear his sudden decision to break up with her, especially since he refused to provide a reason. Ning Chengming, still suffering from amnesia, began to realize why they hadn't been living together and questioned if he had initiated the breakup.
Filled with guilt, he apologized for not remembering his past actions, while Li Qian, her "tears" a product of eye drops, feigned regret for her deception. She expressed fear that her love might have pressured him, leading him to grow tired of her. Ning Chengming, deeply remorseful, asked for time to process his feelings. Later, at the airport, Li Qian claimed she needed to buy things for a friend to keep Ning Chengming occupied.
After purchasing several items, she had him carry them and took a picture of him. As they approached the boarding area, Li Qian spotted the hitman and frantically tried to block Ning Chengming's view. Ning Chengming, misinterpreting her erratic behavior after witnessing a foreign couple's embrace, spontaneously pulled her into a kiss. Li Qian, surprised, immediately pushed him away, clarifying his misunderstanding. Seeing that the hitman had moved on, she quickly guided Ning Chengming away.
Li Qian then upgraded his seat to first class, citing his arm injury as the reason, while insisting on staying in economy class herself. Meanwhile, Gu Zhe had arrived back in the country, expecting Jin Yi to pick him up. To his surprise, Yu Qingqing appeared, having impersonated Jin Yi to deceive him. She immediately berated Gu Zhe for secretly negotiating to sell his company to Lirong Group and insisted he publicly reject Li Jingfan's offer.
Gu Zhe, intimidated, was reluctantly dragged to an event. He managed to briefly slip away but was intercepted by his sister, Gu Lan, who also attempted to take him with her. Yu Qingqing, however, quickly intervened, forcefully reclaiming Gu Zhe and leading him back to the event. Concurrently, a hacker informed the hitman about creating a fabricated death photo of Ning Chengming using AI technology.
The hacker demanded a share of the final payment, threatening to expose the hitman's identity if he refused. Upon receiving the fabricated image, Ma Hao was overjoyed, believing Ning Chengming was truly dead and would no longer interfere with his plans. However, Cao Mei was furious, accusing Ma Hao of being reckless and stressing the severe legal consequences of murder versus injury.
Ma Hao, angered by her concern for Ning Chengming, lashed out, asserting that Ning Chengming never cared for her. Cao Mei retorted that his perspective would never match Ning Chengming's, further escalating their heated argument, which turned physical. Cao Mei vehemently rejected Ma Hao, stating that even if Ning Chengming were dead, he would never be an option for her. Back in his car, Li Jingfan pondered Yu Qingqing's words about considering Li Qian's feelings.
He had a flashback to years ago when he saw Ren Yue, Li Qian's pregnant mother. He had urged her to leave with him and start a new life, regretting that she had hidden her pregnancy from him. However, Ren Yue, aware of his existing family, gently refused, choosing to raise Li Qian alone.
Over the years, Li Jingfan had repeatedly sent money to Ren Yue, but she consistently returned it, often with a simple "Thank you" written on the remittance slip. Eventually, Li Jingfan instructed his assistant to stop sending money and bothering them. Earlier in their lives, Li Chen and Li Qian had bonded over their experiences with parental loss. Li Chen's mother had died during childbirth, leaving him with a distant father who seemingly resented his existence.
He envied Li Qian's loving mother, even as Li Qian often comically lamented her mother's lack of domestic skills outside of painting, recounting an incident where she almost burned down the kitchen while cooking. Li Chen fondly called Li Qian's mother a "treasure," and from that day forward, he became Li Qian's self-proclaimed "second brother," promising to protect her.
Following Li Qian's detailed instructions via a phone call, Li Chen mobilized his team to transform her apartment into a convincing shared living space for her and Ning Chengming. He jokingly complained about the challenging, last-minute task but meticulously oversaw the setup.
This included placing a joint photo of Li Qian and Ning Chengming to reinforce their fabricated history, arranging books in Ning Chengming's study by color, and even finding a mysterious letter to place under his pillow as a plot device. Upon their arrival, Li Qian tried to elicit any familiar memories from Ning Chengming as they entered the elaborately decorated apartment. While Ning Chengming acknowledged a vague sense of familiarity, he couldn't recall specific details.
Li Qian then showed him a photo taken at Xiashi Botanical Garden and a plush toy made by her mother, encouraging him to call her "auntie" to sound younger. Ning Chengming also noticed a pair of cups. As they explored, Li Qian led him to a room she designated as his study, explaining that he had quit teaching two years prior to focus on economic research and writing.
Ning Chengming, seeing the room filled with economics books, confirmed it matched his memory. He then inquired about his parents, prompting Li Qian to relay a fabricated story: that his parents had passed away when he was five, and he was raised by his aunt, with a computer genius cousin. Ning Chengming accepted this new family history. To distract him, Li Qian offered to perform a "singing belly" act.
In the kitchen, Li Qian checked the refrigerator, only to discover that all the ingredients she planned to use for cooking, from Cantonese to Huaiyang dishes and even steak, were expired. As she checked the fridge, Ning Chengming leaned in close, making Li Qian blush intensely as her heart began to race. Separately, Yu Qingqing cornered Gu Zhe in his office.
She confronted him about signing a contract with Lirong, demanding to know why he was so eager to sell the company. Gu Zhe struggled to explain, admitting he had signed the contract. Yu Qingqing pressed him further, implying that Li Qian would be deeply affected if he sold the company to Li Jingfan, effectively using Li Qian's name to exert pressure.
Episode 7 Recap
Ning Chengming observed Li Qian's ears had turned red, which made her flustered and take a step back. She quickly claimed to be a capable cook, despite their earlier discovery that her fridge was full of expired food. Ning Chengming suggested they eat out, hoping a visit to one of their 'frequently visited' restaurants might help him regain some memories. Li Qian, anxious about being recognized, first proposed ordering takeout.
She then swiftly dismissed popular local spots like `Wenhuige Restaurant` and `Qinyi Dining Room`, fearing encounters with acquaintances, before settling on another restaurant. Meanwhile, early that morning, Li Chen sneaked back home but was caught by his father, Li Jingfan, and his older brother, Li Jun. Li Jingfan questioned his absence from the previous night's family gathering. Li Chen, feigning grievance, claimed he was with clients trying to secure an investment.
Li Jun, noticing Li Chen was wearing his suit, demanded he take it off. During their struggle, a confidential folder Li Chen was holding fell to the ground. Li Chen dramatically warned his brother that opening it would obligate him to a 20 million investment. Unmoved, Li Jingfan simply picked up the folder himself. Inside, he found detailed personal information about Ning Chengming. Li Jingfan demanded an explanation, but Li Chen remained silent.
Later, Li Qian called Gu Zhe to request a day off. Gu Zhe, relieved, readily approved, even suggesting she take two days, as he was struggling with how to explain the cancellation of their company's acquisition to her. However, Yu Qingqing, who overheard the conversation, sternly warned Gu Zhe that his dishonesty would lead to disastrous consequences once Li Qian uncovered the truth.
At the restaurant Li Qian had chosen, the owner greeted her with exaggerated familiarity, a characteristic Li Qian explained he employed with all his customers. Ning Chengming asked to order their 'usual dishes.' With a discreet glance, Li Qian signaled the owner, who then rattled off suggestions: `Stir-fried Lotus Root Slices`, `Crab Roe Tofu Casserole`, and the house specialty, `crispy hairtail`. Li Qian praised his excellent memory.
After the meal, Ning Chengming noted that other tables received `potato and chicken pieces` as their special, prompting Li Qian to explain the owner’s unique approach of customizing dishes for each guest. Ning Chengming confirmed that the taste of the food felt familiar to him. While dining, Ning Chengming noticed a wall covered in couples' photographs, some dating back to the previous year.
He began to stand up to get a closer look, but Li Qian quickly held him back, silently fretting that he might inquire about their 'own' photos from earlier times. She then called the owner over, pointedly asking why their previous pictures were no longer on display. The perceptive owner immediately understood and, with a quick wit, explained that a recent renovation had regrettably led to some photos, including theirs, being accidentally misplaced.
To make amends, he insisted on taking a new photo of them. A slightly awkward Li Qian and Ning Chengming posed for the picture, with Ning Chengming gently putting his arm around Li Qian at the owner's jovial instruction, and their fresh snapshot was promptly added to the wall. Following this, Li Jingfan summoned his son, Li Jun, to discuss Ning Chengming.
Li Jun provided a detailed account of Ning Chengming’s background: a finance and economics graduate from Imperial College London, a respected academic figure in China, who, two years prior, had unexpectedly abandoned his academic career to found the investment firm Guanding, now a rising star in the industry. Li Jingfan, however, dismissed this trajectory as irresponsible and driven by greed, especially considering Ning Chengming's orphaned past.
He found it highly suspicious that Ning Chengming, known for his cold and reserved demeanor, exhibited such unusual closeness with Li Qian, suggesting a carefully planned agenda. Li Jingfan then instructed Li Jun to thoroughly investigate Ning Chengming's true motives for approaching Li Qian and also canceled the planned acquisition of Gu Zhe's company. After leaving the restaurant, Ning Chengming suggested a trip to a nearby supermarket for groceries, citing the expired food in the fridge.
Li Qian enthusiastically agreed, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to minimize the "long-term risk" of encountering acquaintances by cooking at home instead of dining out. En route, she reflected on how their chosen supermarket was sufficiently distant to avoid recognition on a weekday. Ning Chengming inquired about ingredients for his recovery, proposing expensive options like sea cucumber or ginseng, but Li Qian firmly insisted on buying pig's feet.
Meanwhile, at the company, Qi Wei, acting on Ning Chengming's 'great strategy,' had returned alone. When confronted by Jun, he put on a dramatic display, tearfully claiming that Ning Chengming had harshly criticized his ideas and communication style during a contract discussion, ultimately ordering him to "get back" to the office. Qi Wei professed his unwavering loyalty to Ning Chengming, asserting his belief that his leader would never irresponsibly disappear.
Shortly after, Cao Mei, Ning Chengming's ex-fiancée and the company's legal counsel, approached Qi Wei. Under the guise of casual conversation about his trip to T Country and "pretty girls," she subtly tried to extract information about Ning Chengming's whereabouts. Qi Wei, however, skillfully dodged her questions. Cao Mei then attempted to forge an alliance with him by lamenting Ning Chengming's difficult personality and suggesting they team up against his temper.
She pressed for details, emphasizing the serious implications of Ning Chengming's disappearance. Despite her persistent questioning, Qi Wei, on the verge of tears, maintained his ignorance, stating he was merely a secretary with no knowledge of Ning Chengming's location. Unable to glean any useful information, Cao Mei dismissed him. At the supermarket, Li Qian's sense of security was shattered when she unexpectedly spotted Yang Laoshi, her former kindergarten director. She immediately tried to pull Ning Chengming away, hoping to hide.
They eventually sought refuge in a storage room, where Li Qian explained that Yang Laoshi, now retired, had a notorious habit of "revealing people's pasts," particularly her own embarrassing childhood stories. Ning Chengming, however, was intrigued, wishing to speak with Yang Laoshi to learn more about Li Qian's forgotten childhood.
While in hiding, Ning Chengming was struck by a sudden flashback: he was in college, sternly scolding Li Qian for a zero on an exam and telling her not to try and fool him. Shaken, he called out Li Qian's name, and she responded, assuring him she was fine. Believing Yang Laoshi had left, they emerged from the storage room, only to be caught by her. Ning Chengming quickly introduced himself as Li Qian's fiancé.
Delighted, Yang Laoshi immediately dragged them to a "chocolate promotion" where gifts were exclusively for couples. The skeptical promotional staff demanded they perform a public act of affection to prove their relationship. Ning Chengming readily leaned in for a kiss, but Li Qian abruptly stopped him, citing the presence of "too many people." Yang Laoshi, unfazed, publicly embarrassed Li Qian by reminiscing about her childhood, claiming she was never shy when "forcing kindergarten boys to kiss her as Sleeping Beauty."
Enraged, Li Qian fiercely demanded the staff hand over the gift package, her intensity intimidating them into compliance. Afterwards, Ning Chengming expressed his amusement, finding Yang Laoshi "cute," and suggested inviting her home to uncover more of Li Qian's childhood stories, a proposal Li Qian swiftly shut down. As they walked home, Ning Chengming chose to forgo a taxi, preferring to walk and "familiarize himself with the surroundings."
Passing a playground, Li Qian paused, lost in memories of how she and her mother frequently visited, though never with Ning Chengming. A flashback showed a young Li Qian struggling on a swing, asking her mother to push her, but her mother, engrossed in her own swinging, encouraged her to manage by herself, prompting a disappointed young Li Qian to sing, "only mom is good in the world, mom is not good."
Breaking from her reverie, Ning Chengming gently inquired if he had ever met her mother. Li Qian explained their "doomed couple" status: he was an orphan, and her mother had passed away during her sophomore year, thus sparing them the awkwardness of meeting each other's parents. Sensing her melancholy, Ning Chengming began to push her on a swing, bringing a smile and laughter to her face.
As they continued their walk, Ning Chengming questioned why he couldn't kiss her, neither in public nor privately. Li Qian, ever vigilant of the "old fox," fabricated a story: they had experienced a heated argument, during which Ning Chengming himself proposed a "cooling-off period" with a strict "no intimate contact" clause to ensure clear judgment, a period that still had one month remaining. Ning Chengming agreed to honor the agreement. Just as he started to ask about her childhood again, Li Qian sternly forbade him from ever bringing up that topic.
Episode 8 Recap
Ning Chengming questioned Li Qian about their past sleeping arrangements, finding the bedroom bed too small and wondering if they always slept so close. Li Qian quickly redirected, insisting he should sleep in the study upstairs due to his injured arm and her supposedly bad sleeping habits, which she claimed would disrupt him. Ning Chengming didn't press the issue, telling her to get some rest.
Meanwhile, Qi Wei attempted to decipher a cryptic message left by Ning Chengming, a series of seemingly nonsensical words like "Swallow, starve, spit cats, all dead." He felt Ning Chengming was deliberately testing his intelligence with such enigmatic codes. Pondering his interactions with Li Qian, Ning Chengming drew on a blackboard, analyzing their behaviors and placing a large question mark next to their supposed relationship. Later, while tidying, Ning Chengming discovered a love letter.
He began reading it aloud, noting it was addressed to "Mr. Ning" and expressed deep attraction, declaring it the first but not the last. Li Qian, who had just brought him a plant, looked panicked. Ning Chengming asked if she wrote it. Li Qian flashed back to her university days, where a senior had asked her to write a love letter to Ning Chengming in exchange for economics study notes.
Back in the present, Li Qian swore she hadn't written it. Ning Chengming, however, revealed his ability to recognize handwriting and pointed out that the letter's flaws – vagueness, redundancy, and contradictions – were identical to those in her college essays. He then admitted that this realization made him "still happy." Suddenly, Yu Qingqing and Li Chen appeared at Li Qian's door, calling out for her. Panicked, Li Qian pulled Ning Chengming down, telling him to hide.
From their hiding spot, they heard Li Chen and Yu Qingqing outside. Li Chen noted Li Qian wasn't answering her phone and wasn't home. He then expressed his suspicion that something strange happened during Li Qian's trip to T Country, feeling she was intentionally hiding something from him. As they decided to leave, Li Chen offered to drive Yu Qingqing home, which visibly pleased her. Yu Qingqing then reminisced about her first encounter with Li Chen.
It was at a basketball court where Li Qian had introduced him as her "second brother." Yu Qingqing was immediately captivated by his charm. A younger Li Qian had playfully warned Li Chen not to pursue her best friend, and Li Chen, in turn, introduced himself to Yu Qingqing as her "Chen Ge" (Brother Chen), establishing a brother-sister dynamic. Back at Li Qian's place, Ning Chengming asked for the love letter back.
Li Qian retrieved it from a hidden spot and passed it to him before wishing him a good night. Elsewhere, Li Chen informed his father, Li Jingfan, about a rumor circulating within Guanding that Ning Chengming had disappeared in T Country and suggested it might be connected to Li Qian. Concerned, Li Jingfan immediately ordered the cancellation of the cooperative acquisition with Gu Zhe's company, Star & Quark, until the situation was thoroughly investigated.
Li Qian, meanwhile, was determined to retrieve the car accident video. She realized that every past misstep led to more complications. Her goal was to find the video, which a killer had taken from her, to prove to Ning Chengming that she had saved his life, rather than merely following her boss's orders.
She consulted an expert who found no video data on her phone but suggested it might be recoverable if she had been online when she first played it. The expert mentioned a mysterious but highly skilled "master" who could help. Li Qian agreed, stating she would back up her phone and buy a new one before submitting the old phone for recovery. At work, Yu Qingqing learned that Gu Zhe had taken a day off to avoid Li Qian.
She called him, and Gu Zhe claimed to be unwell. Yu Qingqing informed him that the acquisition plan with Lirong had been terminated. Gu Zhe was relieved and pleaded with her not to tell Li Qian, to which Yu Qingqing begrudgingly agreed, saying she was doing it for Li Qian, not for him. After hanging up, she muttered about his "uselessness." Gu Zhe's sister, Gu Lan, unexpectedly showed up at his house, having guessed his door code.
She explained that their parents were on a trip and had taken the housekeeper, leaving her with nowhere to eat. She then revealed she knew about his plan to sell Star & Quark to Li Jingfan. Fearing his parents' reaction, Gu Zhe quickly apologized and agreed to let her stay.
Gu Lan then asked about Yu Qingqing, whom she'd seen with him at a party, and teased him about his long-standing, unconfessed crush on Li Qian, which Gu Zhe quickly denied was anything more than friendship. Gu Lan noticed Gu Zhe's popular gaming account and, ignoring his protests, announced her plan to transform his "gaming big-V" identity into a relationship advice guru. Gu Zhe furiously tried to stop her, but Gu Lan trapped him under a net.
She began responding to an online query from Ning Chengming, who was asking how to determine if someone was in a romantic relationship. Gu Lan, posting as Gu Zhe, advised Ning Chengming to send direct messages like "What are you doing? I miss you," and "Are you thinking of me?" During a meeting, Li Qian received these messages from Ning Chengming but deliberately ignored them. Gu Zhe, still trapped, furiously called Gu Lan a "jerk."
Li Qian and Yu Qingqing attended a meeting with Guanding's legal director, Cao Mei, and personnel director, Jiang Chao, to discuss a design plagiarism issue. Yu Qingqing recognized Jiang Chao as an ex-boyfriend. They had planned for Yu Qingqing to play the "red face" (aggressive negotiator) while Li Qian played the "white face" (calm negotiator), but Cao Mei's immediately direct and dismissive approach annoyed Yu Qingqing.
Cao Mei explained that Guanding's employee, formerly of Star & Quark, had submitted the disputed design, which was likely to win awards, and offered to buy the copyright. Yu Qingqing argued that the design belonged to Star & Quark, but Cao Mei countered that the copyright was registered to the individual, not the company. As the negotiation grew tense, Ning Chengming continued to message Li Qian, who ignored him.
Simultaneously, Qi Wei received a message and left the meeting to make a phone call, stressing the importance of "no mistake." Li Qian, overhearing, suspected he was still searching for Ning Chengming. Yu Qingqing, reaching her breaking point, rejected Guanding's implied offer of 500,000 yuan as an insult and threatened legal action. Li Qian then stepped in, proposing a joint development partnership.
She argued that a public scandal would hurt both companies, especially the rapidly expanding Guanding, which needed a clean record for future growth. She proposed Star & Quark hold 55% ownership and Guanding 45%, leaving Guanding to decide the joint project's public ranking. Swayed by her logic, Cao Mei agreed to the terms. Later, before heading home, Li Qian deleted all of Ning Chengming's messages.
As she stepped into her apartment, Ning Chengming suddenly pulled her in and pinned her against the wall. Flustered, Li Qian inwardly mused, "The doctor only said he lost his memory, not his brain," and concluded that sometimes avoidance was the most effective strategy.
Episode 9 Recap
Li Qian struggled to break free from Ning Chengming's grasp, finally resorting to headbutting him to escape the wall-pinning. She demanded to know what he wanted, but Ning Chengming, oblivious to his own bleeding nose, pulled out a device to measure her temperature and heart rate. He noted that her body temperature was 37.
2 degrees Celsius and her heart rates were 65, 85, and 100 beats per minute, concluding that the "external effect is apparent when you are together with me." He had earlier asked her why she hadn't replied to his messages, to which Li Qian feigned ignorance, claiming she hadn't received any and was too busy at work to check her phone. Meanwhile, Qi Wei anxiously awaited news from Ning Chengming.
Miss Cao approached him late in the office, asking him to organize the meeting minutes, a task usually handled by the legal team. Qi Wei reluctantly agreed, lamenting to himself that he hadn't listened to anything during the meeting. He was also troubled by a cryptic message he had been trying to decipher: "Go for my family. The cunning man is in the fortress."
Despite trying to find Ning Chengming's relatives, he discovered they had moved, and he was no closer to identifying the "cunning man." Back at home, Li Qian was growing increasingly frustrated and wished for the whole charade to end so she could be rid of Ning Chengming. In his own room, Ning Chengming diligently analyzed their interactions, writing notes on a board and pondering "intervention."
He defined "intervention" as whether a person's behavior showed increased involvement in another's life or social circle, specifically whether they were willing to introduce them to their friends. He concluded that this made sense. Gu Zhe woke to find Gu Lan gone, initially relieved, but then found a note. In it, Gu Lan reassured him she hadn't left for good, just temporarily out for errands, and would return soon.
She also subtly threatened him, reminding him "You know" what to do if their parents called. Gu Zhe's relief turned to despair when he checked his phone, discovering he had lost 200,000 "top followers with crown" overnight. His agent called, furious, demanding a meeting and scolding him for the "terrible" impact, blaming Gu Lan for using his account for her emotional analysis. The next morning, Ning Chengming prepared breakfast for Li Qian, who was delighted by the smell.
As they ate, Ning Chengming noticed a crumb on her lip and gently wiped it away, causing Li Qian's heart to race. She quickly made an excuse about going to work and retreated to her room. Ning Chengming, keen to test his "intervention" theory, asked Li Qian if her friends knew about their relationship, reasoning that as fiancés, their friends should be aware. Li Qian, flustered, claimed she had told a good female friend named Yu Qingqing.
When Ning Chengming asked to meet her, Li Qian lied, saying Yu Qingqing had gone to study abroad and wouldn't be back for a while. Ning Chengming expressed regret, hoping Yu Qingqing might help him recover his memory. Just as Li Qian thought she had averted disaster, Yu Qingqing called, announcing she was at Li Qian's doorstep to pick her up. Li Qian rushed out, but it was too late.
Ning Chengming opened the door, greeting Yu Qingqing, who quickly recognized him as the elusive Mr. Ning. Caught in her lie, Li Qian insisted Yu Qingqing drive her to work, despite Yu Qingqing's feigned jet lag. Seeing an opportunity for gossip, Yu Qingqing eagerly accepted Ning Chengming's invitation for dinner that evening, overriding Li Qian's protests that she was busy.
On their way to work, Li Qian confessed everything to Yu Qingqing, explaining that her "fiancée" act was not for love but a means to rescue Ning Chengming after discovering irregularities in his car accident abroad and subsequent threats to his life. She also admitted it was a way to get revenge for how he had mistreated her in college.
Yu Qingqing understood the revenge part and speculated that those who wanted to harm Ning Chengming might be former students he had harshly failed in the past. She also noted that Ning Chengming's demanding nature might have led him to block someone's financial interests, suggesting this could be the motive for the threats. Meanwhile, Qi Wei realized that Miss Cao had planted a button-shaped listening device in his bag.
He quickly improvised, pretending a burst water pipe at home had soaked his bag and damaged his computer, thus destroying the device. He then diligently rewrote the meeting minutes and, feigning innocence, returned the "button" to Miss Cao, who, though aware of his ruse, acknowledged she had underestimated him. Gu Lan visited Li Chen on a film set, disrupting his acting. She teased him about still directing romance dramas, suggesting he always believed in "true love."
Li Chen, a producer-director who had helped set up Li Qian's fake romantic environment, reminded Gu Lan not to visit him on set. They discussed their engagement, which was purely for family interests and disliked by both. Neither wanted to be the one to break it off, fearing their parents would cut off their financial support.
They playfully tried to push the responsibility onto each other, with Li Chen joking that Gu Lan would have to be "abandoned and miserable" for him to break it off. Back at Gu Zhe's office, he was elated to find his social media account had gained almost half a million followers, with his "emotional interpretation" posts trending.
His director, impressed, decided to give him an exclusive "Emotional Interpretation" program every Friday, warning him to take it seriously or return to his CEO duties. Gu Zhe vowed to work hard. In his celebratory mood, Gu Zhe messaged Li Qian and Yu Qingqing, calling for a meeting, which Yu Qingqing sarcastically called a sign of the "sun rising from the west."
During the meeting, Gu Zhe clumsily fell to the floor, a sight that his colleagues seemed to find entirely normal. Ning Chengming, discovering a book in Li Qian's room that mentioned "Qi Wei, the teaching assistant," tried to find Qi Wei's contact information but found no such person in his contacts. Determined to uncover more about his past, he decided to visit Haoran University, where he used to teach.
At the university, he bumped into Li Chen, who barely recognized him. When Ning Chengming asked a student for directions to the School of Economics and Management and for a teaching assistant named Qi Wei, the student said Qi Wei was unknown but enthusiastically described a notorious Professor Ning Chengming as a "campus legend" – handsome but "mean, smart like a ghost, cruel," nicknamed "Old Fox."
The student revealed that Ning Chengming had the highest failure rates, would tell students to "retake the course," and was the subject of a student-written "biography" in the library detailing his many affairs, including having five girlfriends and a fiancée. Ning Chengming was utterly mortified to hear himself described as "a beast in human clothing" and "Shame of the School."
Episode 10 Recap
During a company meeting, Gu Zhe attempted to address recent issues, only to find that Li Qian and Yu Qingqing had already resolved them. When Gu Zhe brought up the GC email questioning a demand for two million yuan from their East China collaborator, Li Qian corrected him, stating the amount discussed was eight million and referred to the South China market, not East China.
Yu Qingqing then explained that GC’s concern was about the company's future payments, as their cash flow relied on a slow-to-collect payment from a Guangzhou Party A. Regarding a design copyright dispute with Guanding, Yu Qingqing clarified that they had a cooperative relationship, and the intellectual property was shared. The complaint came from a disgruntled former employee of Guanding who had been fired and lost an arbitration, making it a personal vendetta.
Li Qian assured Gu Zhe that she would work with the regional general manager on payment collection, and Yu Qingqing would handle the copyright dispute, confident in their evidence and contract. Feeling utterly useless, Gu Zhe abruptly dismissed the meeting. Li Qian approached a dejected Gu Zhe, who complained about his sister, Gu Lan, moving into his house due to being forced into marriage by their family.
He lamented that she had always teased him since childhood, making his life miserable. He also shared his frustration about his attempt to become an anchor; his sister had caused him to lose 200,000 followers by using his account for relationship advice, though he later unexpectedly gained 500,000 new followers, leading the company to offer him a weekly emotional advice column.
Later, Li Qian rushed to the university after hearing that Ning Chengming was being pursued by a group of students. She successfully rescued him, having arranged for Yu Qingqing to wait in the car at the school gate for their swift escape. Once safe, Li Qian suggested Yu Qingqing head home, but Yu Qingqing, eager for gossip, insisted on staying to learn more about Li Qian and Ning Chengming.
Ning Chengming, also curious about Li Qian's past, offered to cook dinner for Yu Qingqing, preparing his "specialty": instant noodles. As Ning Chengming cooked, Li Qian helped him tie his apron, her focused expression captured in a few sneaky photos by Yu Qingqing. Despite being just instant noodles, Ning Chengming's rendition was surprisingly delicious. During dinner, Ning Chengming began a "soul test" of Yu Qingqing, asking tricky questions.
Li Qian, fearing exposure, subtly signaled Yu Qingqing to find an excuse to leave. Ning Chengming then intentionally sent Li Qian away, pressing Yu Qingqing about whether he had been a terrible person in the past. Yu Qingqing, with exaggerated details, recounted Ning Chengming's strictness at school, his zero-grade policies, and how many students had to drop out or retake courses because of him.
She even mentioned an incident where Li Qian fainted from exhaustion after Ning Chengming forced her to rewrite a paper. Hearing this, Ning Chengming felt like a true scumbag, realizing that his past cruelty was the reason he had broken up with Li Qian, despite her continued kindness. Meanwhile, Jiang Chao, Yu Qingqing's suitor and an employee at Ning Chengming's company, Guanding, had been investigating Ning Chengming's disappearance.
He informed Yu Qingqing via WeChat message that there was still no news of Ning Chengming's whereabouts, but a financial controller had resigned and become unreachable shortly before Ning Chengming went missing. Guanding had maintained a subtle attitude, merely stating Ning Chengming was in T Country and forbidding any contact with his family or calling the police. After dinner, Li Qian saw Yu Qingqing off. Yu Qingqing mentioned that Ning Chengming's trip to the school seemed to have shaken him.
She revealed that her schoolmate said several students had encountered Ning Chengming that day and told him about the handwritten biography in the library. Li Qian clarified that she had only written the first page, detailing Ning Chengming's harshness in failing her, while other students had fabricated the rest of the book with ridiculous stories about his love life.
Yu Qingqing concluded that Ning Chengming felt like a scumbag after hearing these stories, and in her opinion, a breakup would be for the best. Elsewhere, Cao Mei, trying to extract information, continued to get close to Qi Wei, much to Ma Hao's jealousy. Ma Hao’s attempts to take Cao Mei to a meeting were rebuffed, but she then proactively invited Qi Wei out for an evening discussion, further fueling Ma Hao's jealousy.
At a bar that night, Cao Mei told Qi Wei their client had canceled last minute, but secretly slipped a button-shaped bug into his bag while he was distracted, then encouraged him to drink excessively. Qi Wei, however, remained sober. Noticing Cao Mei was heavily intoxicated and unable to provide her home address, he called a designated driver and covered her with his jacket in the car.
As he closed the car door, a man in black appeared behind him, asking if he was Qi Wei. Back at home, Li Qian was exceptionally kind to Ning Chengming, sympathetic to his distress after his day at the school. When he complained of arm pain, she blew on it and gave him painkillers, her earnest concern touching him.
She even promised to get Chinese herbal medicine for his "traumatic nerve pain" and playfully used a "sunflower acupoint hand" technique to make him feel better. Ning Chengming, overwhelmed by her kindness, openly expressed how good she was to him.
Episode 11 Recap
Cao Mei awoke to find Qi Wei gone, but the eavesdropping device she had placed on him was back in her possession, leading her to believe she had underestimated him. At the company, Ma Hao received news that some shareholders had discovered a cash flow deficit and urgently called Cao Mei for a meeting. On a public bus, Ning Chengming observed a young couple in a heated argument.
The man, after several attempts, managed to pacify the woman, explaining his forgetfulness of her birthday was part of a psychological experiment for his thesis on maintaining love's freshness. They shared a kiss as they exited the bus, prompting a passenger to comment that a woman's emotional reactions reflected her affection, and if she truly loved someone, she could be easily swayed.
Ning Chengming pondered his own relationship with Li Qian, noting her lack of anger or jealousy despite his known reputation as a "jerk." He worried this indicated a deeper issue, fearing their bond was weakening and a breakup might be imminent. Back home, Ning Chengming attempted to address his concerns by cornering Li Qian.
He told her that as his fiancée, she was free to express her anger or unhappiness to him, as he felt she had been silently enduring everything since his accident. He asked if it was too late to make amends for his past actions. A flustered Li Qian quickly reminded him of their "No Intimate Contact Agreement."
Ning Chengming jokingly suggested her phone had "defected" and wanted the agreement rescinded, but Li Qian, avoiding the conversation, rushed off to work, feigning urgency. Ning Chengming, noticing she wasn't wearing her watch, privately concluded they were in the "third stage of the broken windows theory," where if unchecked, their emotional distance would lead to a breakup.
Ning Chengming then drove Li Qian to work on his motorcycle, carefully securing her helmet and asking her to return early for a homemade meal, assuring her it wouldn't be instant noodles. Li Qian's heart raced, wary of falling for him, and she quickly departed. Meanwhile, a private investigator, who had been tracking Ning Chengming for days, sent photos of him performing daily chores and dropping off Li Qian to Li Jingfan.
The investigator, after a brief interaction, affirmed to Li Jingfan that Ning Chengming genuinely suffered from amnesia. However, upon seeing the photos of Ning Chengming holding Li Qian, Li Jingfan was furious, convinced Ning Chengming was merely feigning amnesia to seduce his daughter. He immediately ordered the investigator to maintain close surveillance.
At his office, Gu Zhe hosted his emotional advice live stream as "Adhesive Paste Man," advising a viewer to break up with a boyfriend who lectured her during games. Yu Qingqing appeared, having overheard his stream, followed by Gu Lan, who expressed strong support for Gu Zhe's new endeavor.
Gu Zhe confided in Yu Qingqing that he feared Li Qian would ignore him if he were no longer her boss, leading Yu Qingqing to question if he harbored genuine feelings for Li Qian. Gu Lan then left, and Yu Qingqing soon followed. Shortly after, Li Qian entered the office, asking why everyone was acting strangely and if they were hiding something, before presenting a cooperation contract with Guanding for Gu Zhe's review.
During a tense shareholder meeting, investors angrily questioned a significant cash flow deficit and demanded to see Ning Chengming, noting the drastic decline in company revenue since his absence. Jiang Chao was compelled to admit that Ning Chengming had been untraceable since going abroad last month and was officially considered missing. Shareholders accused Cao Mei and Ma Hao of concealing this critical information. Cao Mei, however, took control, emphatically declaring that Ning Chengming was not missing.
She explained he had gone abroad for an inspection, received an "invitation from the north," and temporarily altered his itinerary to investigate "cheap and fine production lines" in a remote area with poor communication, hence his lack of contact. She assured them he would return soon and personally clarify the cash flow issues, which temporarily appeased the shareholders. She then sternly reprimanded Jiang Chao for spreading rumors about Ning Chengming's disappearance.
After the meeting, Cao Mei privately pressed Ma Hao on whether Ning Chengming was truly dead. Ma Hao affirmed his death and offered photos as proof, but Cao Mei refused to look. She reminisced about a painful memory when Ning Chengming had dismissed her efforts to cook for him and her emotions, coldly stating that "sentiment is superfluous and meaningless." She recalled asking him then, "Can I like you?"
Still clutching a photo of them together, she was interrupted by her secretary, who reported that Qi Wei had inexplicably gone missing without leave, leaving Cao Mei deeply perplexed. Yu Qingqing later informed Li Qian about the details of the high-level meeting, including Jiang Chao's admonishment for revealing Ning Chengming's untraceable status. Yu Qingqing suspected Ning Chengming's situation abroad was linked to a betrayal by high-ranking officials at Guanding.
Li Qian, despite her previous dislike for Ning Chengming's arrogance, acknowledged he was not a bad person, but an individual capable of pain and sadness. The thought of him being betrayed by his colleagues stirred a strange sense of empathy in her. Yu Qingqing noticed this shift in Li Qian, who, while denying any special feelings, firmly stated they should help Ning Chengming.
Li Qian volunteered to investigate Guanding's capital dynamics and promptly left the office to prepare some tonic medicine for Ning Chengming, asking Yu Qingqing to cover for her. Meanwhile, Li Chen attended a dinner with Li Jingfan and Gu Lan's parents, maintaining a facade of a loving boyfriend. He served Gu Lan food, much to the delight of her parents, who praised their compatibility.
Li Chen, uncomfortable with the charade, had secretly arranged with Gu Lan to find an excuse to leave early. However, Gu Lan departed first, declining Li Chen's offer to accompany her and instead told him to stay and entertain her parents. Frustrated, Li Chen was forced to go through a performative farewell hug, which pleased both sets of parents, while internally blaming Gu Lan for abandoning him.
Gu Lan's mother expressed her approval of Li Chen's optimistic nature, deeming him a perfect match for her independent daughter. Gu Lan's father, who had recently transitioned into the investment circle, also praised Li Chen's venture into the film industry, expressing his own interest in entering the cultural sector. Later, Li Qian presented Ning Chengming with a traditional Chinese herbal tonic for his recovery.
Ning Chengming, claiming he was no longer in pain and was "invincible without weakness," adamantly refused to drink the bitter concoction, engaging Li Qian in a prolonged debate about medicine and chemical reactions. To get him to comply, Li Qian proposed a coin-guessing game: the loser would drink the medicine. Intrigued, Ning Chengming readily agreed to the "two wins in three games" challenge.
Episode 12 Recap
Li Qian and Ning Chengming engaged in a coin-guessing game, with the loser obligated to take medicine. After losing two rounds, Ning Chengming suspected Li Qian of cheating and insisted she had a hidden coin. Li Qian denied it, but his persistence led to a playful struggle that ended with Li Qian accidentally pushed onto the sofa. The close contact left them both flustered.
Li Qian quickly showed her empty hands, prompting Ning Chengming to apologize and drink his medicine before retreating to the kitchen. Once he was gone, Li Qian retrieved the coin from the sofa cushion, realizing she needed a new strategy to get him to take his daily medication. Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Yu Qingqing was startled by Gu Zhe, who was waiting for her. His car battery had died, and he asked for a ride.
Despite her initial reluctance, Yu Qingqing agreed to drive him, partly due to their mutual dislike for Gu Lan, Gu Zhe’s sister. In the car, Gu Zhe noticed a photo of Li Chen, referring to him as his "future brother-in-law," and asked why Yu Qingqing had it. Realizing Gu Zhe’s misunderstanding, Yu Qingqing urged him not to go home immediately, offering to explain the situation between Li Chen and Gu Lan.
Inspired by a childhood memory, Li Qian created a "wish box" to encourage Ning Chengming to take his medicine. She recalled how her mother used a similar box filled with snacks, which Li Qian could open after fulfilling a wish, usually related to taking her medication. Li Qian presented the wish box to Ning Chengming, promising him a mystery gift from a hidden compartment each time he took his medicine, on the condition that he couldn't open it prematurely.
Ning Chengming, intrigued, complied. After he took his medicine, Li Qian rewarded him with a toffee. Ning Chengming noticed Li Qian's dark circles, realizing she had likely stayed up all night preparing the box. Touched, he reached out to gently touch her face, but Li Qian, flustered by his proximity and her accelerating heartbeat, quickly excused herself to go to work, worried about developing feelings for him.
Ning Chengming told her to message him if she wanted anything specific to eat and wished her a safe journey. Concurrently, Qi Wei, who had been abducted, found himself blindfolded and restrained. When pressed for Ning Chengming's location, he honestly stated he had followed Ning Chengming's instructions abroad but had been unable to contact him since returning.
His captor, Ning Chengming's cousin Lu Fanyi, then removed Qi Wei’s blindfold, mocking his incompetence and questioning Ning Chengming's decision to entrust him with important tasks. Lu Fanyi, who disliked meeting strangers, had Qi Wei retrieve a package. Upon opening it, Lu Fanyi informed Qi Wei that he had no direct information on Ning Chengming's whereabouts but would soon. He activated a phone from the package, which displayed numerous photos of Ning Chengming and Li Qian together.
Back at the office, a weary Yu Qingqing asked Li Qian if Li Chen had a fiancée. Li Qian said she hadn't heard anything, which immediately brightened Yu Qingqing's mood, as she dismissed the idea as a baseless rumor. As they walked off, a former employee named Lin Tong, whom Yu Qingqing had previously fired, deliberately splashed coffee on Yu Qingqing. Lin Tong, recently dismissed from Guanding after allegedly misappropriating design plans, accused Yu Qingqing of ruining her career.
Yu Qingqing retorted that Lin Tong was facing consequences for professional misconduct, specifically the crime of duty encroachment, and threatened legal action. Lin Tong angrily claimed that despite her hard work at her previous company, Star, she received poor performance reviews and low bonuses. She felt appreciated at Guanding after taking the designs there, but Yu Qingqing had sabotaged that opportunity. Li Qian intervened, trying to reason with Lin Tong.
She explained that the design team had never deliberately obstructed Lin Tong's progress, and that Director Xu had championed her during her internship. She also pointed out that Yu Qingqing had attempted to mediate the situation to minimize the negative impact on Lin Tong’s career. Li Qian emphasized that workplace realities involve accountability for poor performance and mistakes. She urged Lin Tong to stop blaming others and to appreciate the colleagues who had supported her.
Lin Tong, feeling lectured, accused Li Qian of condescending to her from a position of authority. As Lin Tong shoved Li Qian, she nearly fell, but Ning Chengming, who had arrived to deliver Li Qian’s forgotten folder, caught her. Ning Chengming helped Li Qian to a bench and quickly returned with first-aid supplies for her scraped knee. As he disinfected her wound, Li Qian pondered the difficulty of changing people's perspectives.
Ning Chengming agreed, stating that one cannot force others to change. He recounted meeting someone who, despite being disliked, always expressed his true ideas, inspiring Ning Chengming to become a better person. Li Qian was deeply touched, realizing he was speaking of himself. As Ning Chengming finished bandaging her knee, Li Qian, overwhelmed by her burgeoning feelings and a new understanding of his strictness, spontaneously hugged him. Ning Chengming was visibly moved.
This moment was secretly photographed by a private detective, who sent the images to Li Jingfan. Enraged, Li Jingfan misinterpreted the embrace as Ning Chengming's calculated attempt to manipulate his daughter for business, overriding Li Chen's attempts to intervene and demanding a face-to-face meeting with Ning Chengming. Later, Yu Qingqing confronted Li Qian about the hug, warning her about the possibility of Ning Chengming regaining his memory and the complications that could arise for their "fake" relationship.
Despite Li Qian's verbal denials, a lingering gaze at Ning Chengming, who was waving to them from the doorway, betrayed her true feelings. Shortly after, Li Qian received news that Engineer Ren had recovered a crucial video, and she hurried off to view it. Meanwhile, Cao Mei learned of Ma Hao's attempts to contact Gu's Group and warned him that his tactics would be ineffective against powerful figures like Li Jingfan, advising him to abandon the connection with Gu Lan.
Ma Hao, however, was determined, stating that all preparations for a deal with Chairman Zhu were complete, and he was past the point of no return. He also insisted the company was not solely Ning Chengming's. When Cao Mei questioned his capabilities without Ning Chengming, Ma Hao, provoked, revealed some of his "backstage moves," unaware that Cao Mei was secretly recording their conversation.
He then callously stated that Ning Chengming was "absent and will never come back," and instructed Cao Mei to continue playing the role of Ning Chengming's best friend and former fiancée, as many were unaware their engagement had been called off. Later, holding a photograph of herself, her father, and Ning Chengming, Cao Mei reminisced about her ailing father, Ning Chengming’s teacher, entrusting her care to Ning Chengming before his death. Ning Chengming had always looked after her.
His disappearance deeply pained her, and refusing to believe he was truly dead, she ordered an investigation into his whereabouts. After reviewing the recovered video, Yu Qingqing concluded it only depicted a hit-and-run, lacking evidence of premeditated murder, making it insufficient for a formal case in China. Li Qian, however, remained convinced that Ning Chengming's amnesia was linked to Guanding's top executives. Yu Qingqing mentioned that Jiang Chao had provided personnel information for Guanding’s executives, which she was still examining.
Feeling the urgency, Li Qian proposed leveraging their headhunter and financial sector contacts under the guise of gossip to gather more information. Simultaneously, Ning Chengming, having cooked a delicious meal, texted Li Qian inviting her home for dinner. Li Qian, still determined to maintain distance and pursue her investigation, replied that she had other commitments and wouldn't be coming home, leaving Ning Chengming disheartened.
Fearing their "fake" relationship might be exposed, Yu Qingqing had Li Qian practice a romantic scenario, including a simulated kiss. Gu Zhe accidentally walked in, misinterpreted the scene, and quickly retreated, leaving the two women flustered and struggling to explain. Yu Qingqing tried to reassure Gu Zhe that Li Qian already had a boyfriend.
Separately, Cao Mei called Qi Wei, instructing him to search supermarkets near Guanshanjing Bar for Ning Chengming, believing she might have seen him and acknowledging their shared hope for his survival. Meanwhile, Ning Chengming, perplexed about how to approach Li Qian, sought advice on an online forum, framing his romantic dilemmas in complex economic terms. While he pondered his next move, using a coin toss to decide, Gu Zhe received a message from Ning Chengming.
Before he could respond, Li Qian walked past. Yu Qingqing, observing, reiterated to Gu Zhe that Li Qian already had a boyfriend. Li Chen met with Li Qian, with Yu Qingqing and Gu Zhe covertly listening. Li Qian asked if Lirong intended to invest in Guanding. Li Chen confirmed the possibility but then pressed Li Qian about her relationship with Ning Chengming.
Li Qian insisted it was just an act, reminding Li Chen that he had helped them create the pretense. However, Li Chen, drawing from his own experiences, expressed concern that a prolonged fake relationship could lead to genuine feelings, fearing Li Qian would fall for Ning Chengming and get deeply hurt.
Episode 13 Recap
Despite Cao Mei's feigned concern for Ning Chengming, Qi Wei deeply distrusted her, believing she was the true orchestrator behind the company's troubles. He made his way to Ning Chengming's cousin’s home. Upon arrival, he apologized for intruding, but Ning Chengming's cousin casually pointed out that the door lock’s ID key was simply hanging behind the door. He also noted Qi Wei’s unhealthy habit of eating take-out, suggesting more home-cooked meals.
Qi Wei then reported that Cao Mei had tried to "sound him out," hypocritically asking about a problem with Ning Chengming's rented house. Qi Wei revealed that his landlord had abruptly called, canceling the rental agreement and demanding he move out. He was convinced Cao Mei had coerced the landlord with a high price to break the contract and set a trap for him.
He flatly refused to move into the company dormitory, citing too many of Cao Mei's informants there, and stated he felt safer staying with Ning Chengming's cousin. Meanwhile, Li Chen's conversation with Li Qian about their cohabitation, which their father, the Old Master, now knew about, was overheard by Yu Qingqing and Gu Zhe outside the door.
Li Qian shrugged it off, but Li Chen remained serious, expressing his wish for Li Qian to end her fake relationship with Ning Chengming before it became real. He also revealed that while a marriage with Gu Lan was merely for appearances, he had no romantic feelings for Yu Qingqing, seeing her only as a sister, and asked Li Qian not to bring it up again.
Li Chen warned Li Qian that the Old Master was anxious and considering meeting Ning Chengming. Li Chen, facing a two million shortfall for his new play and desperate to prevent the project from failing, indicated that Li Qian needed to find a way to "send Ning Chengming away" and maintain distance from him. Outside, Yu Qingqing, having overheard Li Chen’s words, was distraught.
When Gu Zhe tried to comfort her, suggesting that Li Chen's current lack of feelings didn't preclude future possibilities, Yu Qingqing angrily rejected his sympathy. She called him a "coward" and declared that no one, including Li Qian, would ever like him. Gu Zhe retorted by criticizing her "sarcastic" and "argumentative" nature, questioning why she struggled to get married despite numerous relationships. Yu Qingqing, deeply emotional, ran off.
Her heel became stuck in a drain, causing her to fall into a pond. Gu Zhe quickly rescued her. With both their phones ruined and no cash, Gu Zhe, a VIP at a nearby hotel, took her there to change clothes, saving her from "trembling in the cold wind." After changing, Yu Qingqing tried to kick him out to avoid misunderstandings, but Gu Zhe proposed a deal.
He confessed his feelings for Li Qian and offered to help Yu Qingqing pursue Li Chen if she helped him. Yu Qingqing eagerly accepted, confidently stating that Li Chen and Gu Lan "absolutely can't get married." Li Qian later sought comfort from her mother, asking if she had loved Li Qian’s father and why they divorced. Her mother affirmed her love, explaining that their separation was about granting each other independent space and mutual respect, not a lack of affection.
She emphasized that while lifelong companionship is important, respecting each other's boundaries is also a form of love. Li Qian confessed her confusion over her burgeoning feelings for Ning Chengming, describing a mix of misery, self-condemnation, grief, and happiness. Her mother wisely advised her that if she believed her affection was a lie, she should consider why she was afraid to "wake up" from it.
That evening, a heavily intoxicated Ning Chengming presented Li Qian with a lengthy, two-thousand-word "Letter of Apology," which also served as his "plan" for their future. He earnestly confessed to his past transgressions—being inconstant, betraying trust, being a playboy, selfish, mean, and ignoring her feelings. He vowed to thoroughly reflect and never repeat those mistakes. Li Qian teased him about the length, comparing it to writing a thesis.
Ning Chengming, persistent, repeatedly begged for her forgiveness and tried to extract a promise from her. Li Qian noticed he had been drinking, despite needing to take Chinese medicine. He insisted she was angry because she hadn't responded to his messages, eaten his cooking, or come home.
He then unveiled a "Ten things to do with Li Qian" list, filled with heartfelt promises: to learn to cook for her, take care of her problems so she wouldn't have to face them alone, embrace her sadness without judgment, and hoped her "strange theories about happiness" would eventually include him. He vowed to love only her, share joy and sorrow, and asked her to forgive, trust, and not abandon him.
The next morning, Li Qian gently chastised him for drinking and urged him to eat breakfast. Referencing his list, she told him, "If there is an opportunity, we can go together." Meanwhile, Qi Wei, after being pressured by Ning Chengming's cousin, spotted the Old Master's car pulling up at Li Qian's home and quickly alerted Li Chen via phone.
Earlier, Li Chen had received a phone call from Gu Lan, who, aware of his prevarication, warned him that to successfully complete his project, he "had to stay with [her] today." Gu Lan hinted that the Old Master, tired of Li Chen's excuses, was now going to "some lane" to find Ning Chengming himself. Realizing his father was heading to Li Qian's, Li Chen quickly called Li Qian to warn her.
Li Jingfan, Li Qian's father, entered her home, finding Ning Chengming there. He immediately confronted Ning Chengming, revealing his knowledge of Ning Chengming's past as a playboy and offering him money to leave Li Qian. Ning Chengming earnestly countered that his feelings for Li Qian were genuine, not motivated by money, and reiterated his amnesia, stating he only knew his past through Li Qian's accounts, which he trusted implicitly.
Li Jingfan dismissed his amnesia as an act, accusing him of exploiting Li Qian due to Guanding's dire financial situation. Just then, Li Qian arrived, interrupting the argument. She coolly addressed Li Jingfan as "Mr. Li" and demanded he stop intruding on her home and harassing her "fiancé." Li Jingfan was visibly taken aback by the fiancé claim and angrily pressed Ning Chengming on his intentions.
Li Qian fiercely retorted, questioning Li Jingfan's own motives, citing his past marriage, two sons, and notorious reputation as a lifelong playboy, contrasting it with her mother's teaching that she should choose and decide her own life. Li Jingfan, looking sheepish, tried to deny the rumors, but Li Qian dismissed his words. As he departed, Li Jingfan issued a stark warning to Ning Chengming: "If you bully my daughter, I'll kill you." Ning Chengming calmly promised he would not.
After her father left, Li Qian was visibly shaken but denied being angry. Ning Chengming attempted to clean up the disarray, but Li Qian gently stopped him, stating she would handle it. Li Qian then had a vivid flashback to her childhood. She saw her father disguised as a "Big White Rabbit," delivering a gift to another woman.
Her mother had instilled in her strong principles of self-protection, warning her against strangers bearing gifts and equipping her with pepper spray and a watch that could call for help. Child Li Qian, with remarkable shrewdness, accepted the gift but then sternly lectured her disguised father, whom she called "Uncle Liar," to "be honest," "never do stupid things," and "listen to the teacher."
Her mother found immense amusement in Li Qian's retelling of the incident, chuckling as she looked at a drawing Li Qian had made of herself with the "Uncle Liar." The flashback ended with Li Jingfan’s re-appearance in the present, no longer in disguise, startling Li Qian. Ning Chengming, seeing Li Qian’s distress, gently asked if she still wanted to go on the trip he had planned.
Li Qian, still emotionally fragile, replied that she didn't want to go anywhere and questioned if the medicine box, meant to encourage her to take her medication, was just another trick. She declared she wouldn't take her medicine anymore. Ning Chengming immediately reassured her, promising they could go wherever she desired, right then and there. With renewed determination, they left together.
Episode 14 Recap
After Li Jingfan's unexpected visit and the resulting commotion, Li Qian felt a sense of relief. Her brother, Li Chen, called, worried that their father had upset her. However, Li Qian assured him she was fine, explaining that her father's sudden appearance had simply caught her off guard. She then excitedly told Li Chen that she and Ning Chengming were moving their pretend relationship to a real one.
Li Chen was surprised by this revelation and, while talking to Li Qian, was momentarily distracted by Gu Lan. He quickly hung up and asked Gu Lan if she had plans for the evening. She initially said she was going home to be a dutiful daughter, but then agreed to let Li Chen accompany her. Meanwhile, Qi Wei, who was temporarily staying at Ning Chengming's cousin Lu Shao's house, complained about being turned away from Li Qian's community.
Lu Shao informed him those were paparazzi sent by Li Qian's father. Dismissing Qi Wei's intelligence, Lu Shao instructed him to take out the trash, threatening to add any fines for improper sorting to his rent. While doing so, Qi Wei discovered an account book in the garbage. Recognizing it as the original one for Guanding, he pressed Lu Shao for its origin.
Lu Shao recalled his cousin Ning Chengming had left it there when he stayed with a guest, whom Qi Wei suspected was former financial controller Dong Wei. Realizing the account book's importance, Qi Wei requested Ning Chengming's exact location from Lu Shao before rushing off. Li Qian and Ning Chengming were enjoying themselves at an arcade. Li Qian found Ning Chengming adorable in a bunny ears filter.
Just as Ning Chengming was on the phone, likely giving his location, Li Qian spotted Qi Wei approaching. She quickly pulled Ning Chengming into a photo booth to hide. Inside, they playfully took photos, some of which Li Qian found unflattering and tried to delete, but Ning Chengming refused. During their struggle, a printout fell out of the booth.
Fearing Qi Wei would see it, Li Qian went to retrieve it, but Ning Chengming startled her, causing a photo to fall right at Qi Wei's feet. Li Qian swiftly pulled Ning Chengming behind the curtain. Qi Wei picked up the photo, realized Ning Chengming was nearby, and began searching the booths. However, he couldn't find them and eventually returned empty-handed at Lu Shao's instruction.
After Qi Wei left, Li Qian and Ning Chengming took another photo, this time squatting for a uniquely angled shot. Later, as Li Qian and Ning Chengming walked together, Li Qian briefly lost sight of Ning Chengming after paying for something. She panicked, calling out his name, but he then appeared behind her, carrying a dessert he had bought. Overwhelmed, Li Qian hugged him, shedding tears of relief.
Ning Chengming comforted her, holding her hand and promising never to get lost again. Unbeknownst to them, Qi Wei was on his way back and spotted them holding hands, but his driver couldn't stop the car in time for him to catch up. Separately, Ma Hao called Cao Mei, chastising her for contacting Director He, accusing her of "tearing down the bridge before crossing the river."
Cao Mei defended herself, explaining she was simply following his earlier instructions to leverage her position to secure their success. She reasoned that since Ma Hao had already secured funding, she couldn't afford to fail, especially with the shareholder meeting approaching. She expressed concern about the missing account book, but Ma Hao dismissed it, claiming he had already destroyed it and paid Dong Wei hush money, rendering him a "living dead man."
He declared that with Ning Chengming also "dead," no one could stop them. Lost in thought during their walk, Li Qian mentally reviewed Ning Chengming's situation. She connected the dots, suspecting Ma Hao was behind Ning Chengming's current predicament. She believed the key to helping Ning Chengming regain control of Guanding lay in finding evidence of Ma Hao's crimes, which she felt must either be in Ning Chengming's possession or something he knew, leading to his downfall.
She resolved to find these crucial clues quickly. Ning Chengming surprised Li Qian with a beautiful string of colorful lights he had made. He explained that someone told him women appreciate a sense of ceremony and surprises, and he promised to make her happy. He even suggested that if he wasn't around, she could look at the sky and think of him to cheer up.
Ning Chengming admitted he had planned to finish the lights earlier but got distracted by Li Jingfan's visit. Li Qian reassured him not to take her father's words to heart. She then shared her childhood story, explaining that she only learned Li Jingfan was her father in her sophomore year. She described her artist mother as an intriguing but elusive woman from a privileged background who never learned household skills.
Her mother had met and fallen in love with Li Jingfan while studying art in France. After Li Qian was born, her mother ran away, possibly to avoid an arranged marriage her maternal grandfather had set up, and due to her artistic aversion to conventional marriage. Her maternal grandfather, furious, disowned her mother, who then raised Li Qian in a house left by her late maternal grandmother.
Li Qian recounted her mother's lack of domestic skills, famously "frying the kitchen" whenever she tried to cook, leading to a childhood largely devoid of her father's presence until her mother, when ill, unexpectedly entrusted Li Qian to him. Ning Chengming listened, then shared the analogy of little sea turtles struggling to reach the ocean, suggesting Li Qian's mother's actions were a desperate attempt to ensure Li Qian would have the freedom to choose her own life, unlike her.
Li Qian acknowledged it took her two years after college to fully grasp her mother's intentions for her independence. Meanwhile, Gu Lan, at home, was confronted by her father about contacting Guanding. She admitted to speaking with Ma Hao. Her father expressed his disapproval, warning her about Guanding's mysterious rise and Ma Hao's deceitful nature, despite having previously supported Gu Lan's business ventures.
Gu Lan retorted, reminding him of her successful track record and how she was compelled to lead the company when her brother, Gu Zhe, showed no interest. She defiantly declared her intention to acquire Guanding, further angering her father. Gu Zhe, who had been trying to mediate, overheard Gu Lan calling Ma Hao and arranging a meeting for the next morning, stating she had decided to "go with it."
Later, Yu Qingqing met Gu Zhe, who tried to appease her by mentioning he had gone home for dinner to gather information about his sister for her. Yu Qingqing remained unimpressed by his "childhood nightmare" of family dinners. Gu Zhe then revealed his findings: his father was putting so much pressure on Gu Lan that she might have to enter a marriage of alliance.
Yu Qingqing confirmed this possibility, adding that Li Chen himself had told her his relationship with Gu Lan was purely a business arrangement and they wouldn't truly marry. Feeling a lack of "insidious tricks," Yu Qingqing expressed frustration about her inexperience in pursuing someone, as she had always been the one pursued. Gu Zhe commiserated, suggesting their combined intellect in romantic strategy formed a "stupid closed circle."
Despite Yu Qingqing's attempts to make him leave her car, Gu Zhe insisted on accompanying her to Li Qian's house, arguing he needed to see Ning Chengming and that he had already shared valuable information. Yu Qingqing reluctantly agreed to drop him off at the alley leading to Li Qian's. At Li Qian's house, she prepared a sweetened coffee for Ning Chengming, encouraging him to add some "sugar" to his often-bitter life.
They shared a playful moment, taking photos with coffee foam on Ning Chengming's face. The doorbell rang, and Li Qian found Yu Qingqing at the door, with Gu Zhe following closely behind. Li Qian welcomed Yu Qingqing in. Yu Qingqing declined an offer of coffee, stating she and Li Qian had company matters to discuss, and Li Qian led them into a room.
Gu Zhe confessed he had heard Ning Chengming was Li Qian's new boyfriend and came to "explore the reality." Feeling a mix of self-doubt, Li Qian wondered aloud if her "useless leadership style" and "ridiculous orders" had harmed Yu Qingqing and led to her own predicament. Yu Qingqing acknowledged that Li Qian's initial "ridiculous orders" were indeed the catalyst, but the situation had evolved beyond that.
Li Qian then questioned Yu Qingqing about being with Gu Zhe on a weekend, to which Yu Qingqing wryly attributed it to "another ridiculous order." Ning Chengming entered with coffee and was visibly surprised to see Gu Zhe, who was equally shocked to see him.
Episode 15 Recap
Ning Chengming and Gu Zhe found themselves in a tense face-off, their rivalry palpable. Ning Chengming viewed Gu Zhe as nothing more than a useless boss who constantly needed Li Qian’s compliments. Gu Zhe, however, intentionally behaved intimately with Li Qian, asserting that they were childhood sweethearts, which immediately sparked Ning Chengming’s jealousy. As the two men stood there, seemingly lost in their own thoughts, they both simultaneously took out their phones.
Unbeknownst to them, the "netizen" each was chatting with was actually the person standing right in front of them. Ning Chengming messaged "Mr. Jianghu," seeking advice on how to handle a strong rival, while "Mr. Jianghu" himself—Gu Zhe—lamented to his confidant—Ning Chengming—about a formidable opponent he felt completely outmatched by.
Ironically, Ning Chengming then offered comfort to "Mr. Jianghu," echoing Gu Zhe's own past advice: the strength of an opponent pales in comparison to whether the person you love truly has you in their heart. Shortly after this exchange, Li Qian approached. Gu Zhe immediately feigned that his coffee was too bitter. Li Qian, long accustomed to his childish antics, instinctively added some sugar to it.
Gu Zhe then, with a smug smile aimed at Ning Chengming, proudly declared, "It's so sweet, the coffee made by my Qian tastes better!" Ning Chengming, seething with frustration, remained silent. Earlier, Yu Qingqing and Li Qian discussed the ongoing crisis. Yu Qingqing explained that Ma Hao had betrayed Ning Chengming, and crucial evidence to prove this was likely with the missing financial director, Dong Wei.
She suggested attending their classmates' reunion to discreetly gather information from Xiaotao, a former classmate. While they were talking, Yu Qingqing probed Li Qian about her relationship with Gu Zhe, directly asking, "What's going on between you and Gu Zhe? Are you really stupid or not? Gu Zhe has a fancy for you, OK?"
Li Qian dismissed it, explaining that she had "taken care of him for so many years" and he had simply "got used to it," emphatically stating that a relationship between them was "totally impossible." Yu Qingqing then turned the conversation to Li Qian's feelings for Ning Chengming, asking what she planned to do with her "second brother." Li Qian initially denied any feelings but eventually conceded, "OK, yes."
Soon, Gu Zhe expressed his desire to join Li Qian and Yu Qingqing at the reunion, hoping to see "the top 1 basketball player." Upon hearing this, Ning Chengming also declared his intention to go, not wanting to be left behind. However, Yu Qingqing quickly cautioned him. "
Mr. Ning, It won't be a classmates gathering if you go," she warned, adding that his presence would turn it into a "post-traumatic stress disorder exchange meeting right away," referring to his infamous teaching style. Recalling his past severe image, Ning Chengming reluctantly agreed to stay home. Feeling triumphant, Gu Zhe then challenged Ning Chengming to a video game competition, knowing Ning Chengming's unfamiliarity with games.
Li Qian, however, intervened, chiding Gu Zhe for his "time-killer" activities and asserting that Ning Chengming would not engage in such "absurd" behavior, which pleased Ning Chengming. As Li Qian prepared to leave, she tenderly told Ning Chengming, "Just wait for me at home, I will be back soon," asking him to call if he felt unwell. Ning Chengming nodded happily, a sight that visibly annoyed Gu Zhe. At the classmates' reunion, Li Qian immediately faced a barrage of complaints.
Her former classmates, still holding grudges, labeled her a "little fox" and Ning Chengming an "old fox." They accused Li Qian of tricking them into working for free, claiming she was even "more harmful to the world" than the "cunning old fox" Ning Chengming. They demanded she perform her famous "old fox imitation show."
Li Qian, though reluctant, conceded and delivered a vivid impression of Ning Chengming's demanding teaching style, complete with his signature phrases like "0 score, Retake the course!" Amidst the commotion, Yu Qingqing subtly inquired about Dong Wei and Guanding with Xiaotao. Xiaotao confirmed that Dong Wei had indeed quit unexpectedly last month and that Ning Chengming himself had recently disappeared. She then dropped a bombshell: Ning Chengming's partner in Guanding wasn't just Ma Hao, but also his fiancée.
Yu Qingqing was stunned, worried about how Li Qian would react to this news. Before she could press Xiaotao for the fiancée's name, Ning Chengming suddenly appeared, holding an umbrella for Li Qian as rain had started outside. His unexpected arrival caused a stir among the classmates, who, noticing his unusual attentiveness to Li Qian, began to openly wonder if the "old fox" and "little fox" were now together.
Alarmed, Li Qian quickly grabbed Ning Chengming's hand and pulled him away, leaving the classmates in a state of confused speculation. They even wondered if the two were living together, with one person recording the scene. Meanwhile, Gu Zhe, who had also tried to leave with Li Qian, watched them go. He expressed his frustration aloud, lamenting that Li Qian had "eloped" with Ning Chengming, leaving him "unprepared," before resolving to "cheer up" and strategize his own romantic pursuit.
As they hurried away, Li Qian holding Ning Chengming’s hand, he felt a wave of relief. He then expressed his concern about how his past reputation might affect Li Qian, but she reassured him, stating she admired his "refreshing" teaching style. Holding her hand tightly, Ning Chengming firmly declared, "Li Qian, from now on, I am the only one who can hold your hand. No one else is allowed."
Li Qian, recalling Gu Zhe holding her hand earlier, teased him, "Mr. Ning, you're not jealous of Gu Zhe, are you?" Ning Chengming stubbornly denied it, even as Li Qian burst into laughter, delighting in his unacknowledged jealousy. Later, on a sightseeing bus, Li Qian expressed her happiness but also her anxiety. She wondered what would happen if Ning Chengming someday realized they were from "two different worlds."
Ning Chengming, however, reassured her, saying, "I will join into your world or bring you to my world." He proposed, "Let's make today the first day of our new relationship," promising to make up for any unpleasant past memories. He then sealed his words with a deep kiss. Suddenly, fragments of a car crash flashed through Ning Chengming's mind, causing him a splitting headache, though he quickly recovered, leaving Li Qian visibly worried.
Their planned visit to Xiashi Botanical Garden was thwarted when they arrived to find it closed for a week. Undeterred, they continued their stroll along the road. When rain began to fall, Ning Chengming improvised, using his trench coat to shield them as they ran to a nearby guard post for shelter. In the intimate space of the guard post, like many couples deeply in love, they shared embraces and passionate kisses amidst the pouring rain.
While still sheltering, Li Qian playfully imitated Peppa Pig and then tried to get Ning Chengming to stomp in puddles or dance. Despite his initial hesitation, Ning Chengming eventually joined her, dancing together in the rain until he suggested they find a better shelter as the rain intensified.
Episode 16 Recap
Li Qian's spontaneous response to Ning Chengming's kiss made her realize she was in love with him. As their passionate kiss deepened, an image of Cao Mei unexpectedly flashed through Ning Chengming's mind, causing him to abruptly pull away. Li Qian was left bewildered. She pondered why the kiss had stopped so suddenly, wondering if her "bad at kissing" skills were to blame, or if it had triggered some memory for him.
Internally, she decided that if she were to confess her true identity to Ning Chengming, it would inevitably cause a storm. She resolved to subtly instill in him the idea that "lies are not always malicious" in hopes of earning his forgiveness and preserving their relationship. Meanwhile, Ning Chengming himself was confused by the sudden surge of memories during their kiss and speculated that kissing Li Qian might be the trigger.
Later, as Li Qian tried to quickly retreat to her room after showering, Ning Chengming stopped her, noticing she hadn't dried her hair. He insisted on blow-drying it for her, telling her she'd get sick otherwise. Li Qian, a self-proclaimed "corporate slave" with a busy schedule, tried to argue her way out of it, but Ning Chengming playfully noted that her hair was dry by the time she finished her "sophistry."
Afterwards, Ning Chengming asked if he could kiss her, catching Li Qian off guard. She refused, stating she wasn't ready. Ning Chengming then explained that kissing her seemed to trigger fragmented memories from his past, including unhappy childhood moments with his parents. However, he found it strange that these memories evoked no strong feelings of pain or sadness. The only feeling he recognized as "like" or happiness came when he thought of Li Qian.
Li Qian, pleased, encouraged him to keep thinking of her to stay happy. She then suggested they go on a date the following day, marking it as their first day of officially "dating." The next morning, Li Qian apologized to Yu Qingqing for abruptly leaving her at the class reunion the previous night. Yu Qingqing, however, was still upset, warning Li Qian that falling for Ning Chengming was "playing with fire" and would lead to more trouble.
Li Qian, accepting the potential consequences, then asked if Yu Qingqing had gathered any information. Yu Qingqing confirmed that the "account book" was indeed the key, and that Guanding's CFO, Dong Wei, was in a nearby city. Conveniently, a company called Aoke, which owed them money, was also in the same city. Li Qian decided to go there under the guise of collecting payments, planning to seek out Dong Wei.
Yu Qingqing then revealed the shocking news that Ning Chengming had a fiancée, Cao Mei. Piecing together the information, Li Qian realized that Guanding was holding a shareholder resolution meeting the very next day. She surmised that Ning Chengming's disappearance was orchestrated by Ma Hao to prevent him from opposing an acquisition; his absence would be counted as an abstention, allowing Ma Hao to successfully acquire the company and resolve its cash flow deficit.
Li Qian immediately requested Dong Wei's personal information from Yu Qingqing. Meanwhile, Cao Mei received a photo of Ning Chengming with an unidentified girl whose face was blurred. She noted that it was indeed Ning Chengming but wondered about the girl. After taking this into consideration, she confidently assured Director He over the phone that Ning Chengming would return very soon. For their date, Li Qian took Ning Chengming to watch a movie and attend a renowned "emotional doctor's" lecture.
At the cinema, they watched a romantic film called "Eraser," which Li Qian claimed was her favorite, despite Ning Chengming recalling her preference for comedies or horror. Li Qian seized the opportunity to interpret the movie's message as forgetting past mistakes and making a fresh start, urging Ning Chengming to unconditionally forgive and trust the person he loved, forgetting all her "faults." She even declared herself a "tenth-level scholar of Eraser."
Ning Chengming was somewhat confused by her interpretation but went along with it. At the lecture, the speaker, Mr. Wang, discussed the nature of "lies" and how "white lies" could strengthen love by being "packaged truth" that protects its fragility. Ning Chengming appeared to grasp this concept, telling Li Qian he wouldn't blame her if she ever told him a well-intentioned lie, as he would know it was for his good.
Li Qian saw this as her chance to confess, but Mr. Wang interrupted with a psychological test, asking couples to write down good and bad things in their lives to reveal their views on love. Li Qian cheerfully listed many good things, joking that she had no bad things.
In stark contrast, Ning Chengming wrote about the tragedies in his life: losing his parents in a car accident as a child, his current amnesia, feeling disliked by his students, and considering himself a "jerk" in love, concluding that his life had lacked good things "until I met you." Deeply moved by his heartfelt confession that she was the "only lucky thing in his unlucky life," and his plea for her to "always stay beside" him, Li Qian was overwhelmed.
She wanted to tell him the truth, but felt she first needed to uncover the full conspiracy to protect him from further danger. Unable to confess at that moment, she asked for more time, promising to tell him everything honestly and apologize without deception after she returned from her upcoming business trip, hoping he would forgive her and that she wouldn't lose him.
The next day, Li Qian embarked on her business trip to the nearby city, exchanging playful texts with Ning Chengming, reminding each other to stay safe. She soon located Dong Wei, Guanding's former CFO, and confronted him. Dong Wei, startled, immediately tried to flee, leading Li Qian on a determined chase through the streets, even commandeering a skateboard to pursue him. Meanwhile, back home, Ning Chengming went to the market to buy snakehead fish for Li Qian.
He quickly noticed he was being followed. Unbeknownst to him, Lu Shao, who had been secretly monitoring Ning Chengming, also saw the suspicious individuals on his surveillance feed. Realizing Ning Chengming was in danger, Lu Shao urgently dispatched Qi Wei to protect him. Ning Chengming attempted to escape his pursuers, who told him they were "getting paid to catch" him. In his haste, he tragically fell down a flight of stairs and lost consciousness.
As he tumbled, a flood of memories returned to him, including pivotal moments related to Cao Mei, Ma Hao, and even Li Qian's earlier claim of being his fiancée. When he finally awoke in the Central Hospital of Haoran City, his memories were fully restored. Li Qian eventually caught up to Dong Wei, who, under her questioning, confessed everything.
He revealed that Ma Hao had blackmailed him, leveraging his son's urgent need for surgery to force him into creating 20 million in fraudulent accounts. The intention was to cover up the truth during an audit and ultimately frame Ning Chengming. Dong Wei confirmed that Ning Chengming had discovered the scheme and confronted him.
Ning Chengming had then taken a handwritten copy of the false accounts but returned the real ledger to avoid tipping off Ma Hao, though Dong Wei believed it was likely destroyed by now. Dong Wei also clarified that he himself had not taken any illicit money from Ma Hao, stating that the funds for his son's surgery were a loan from Ning Chengming, which he was diligently repaying in installments. Li Qian recorded his confession and had him sign it.
Shortly after securing Dong Wei's statement, Li Qian received a frantic call from the Central Hospital of Haoran City, notifying her that Ning Chengming, for whom she was the emergency contact, had been admitted due to an accident. At the hospital, a distraught Qi Wei was by Ning Chengming's bedside, emotionally recounting the "miserable" and "evil" struggles he endured fighting Ma Hao and the other executives during Ning Chengming's absence. Now fully recovered and appearing sharp in his glasses, Ning Chengming calmly asked Qi Wei for an update on Ma Hao's recent activities.
Episode 17 Recap
Ma Hao, brimming with confidence, discussed his plans for Guanding with Cao Mei before a pivotal board meeting. Cao Mei expressed some concern, but Ma Hao assured her, "You, don't make a fuss. It's almost done. Just wait for the good news." He emphasized that their success was the premise. As they headed to the meeting, Ma Hao declared to himself, "From now on, forget Ning Chengming. The future of Guanding belongs to me, Ma Hao."
During the meeting, Ma Hao presented his plan for selling investment rights at a 200% premium to improve cash flow and resolve internal operating issues. Though a director noted this would temporarily lower the company's valuation, Ma Hao confidently stated it was temporary, highlighting the highly anticipated "first core" AI chip project. Another director praised Ma Hao's "painstaking efforts" and expressed full agreement.
Just as a vote was about to commence, with a director asking, "Nothing is wrong with it, let's vote," a text message reached Ma Hao. He announced, "Excuse me, I have to deal with an urgency now. I'll be back soon," and abruptly left the meeting, leaving the directors confused. He fled to the underground parking lot where a car was waiting to spirit him away.
The directors, in an uproar, discovered that a large sum of money had been transferred from the company accounts. " Ma Hao, you bastard," one exclaimed, as they demanded an explanation from Director Zhu. One director even speculated that "it might be allowed by Ning Chengming," calling Ma Hao "Ning Chengming's white glove." Amidst the chaos, they demanded Ning Chengming's immediate presence.
Ning Chengming's assistant, Qi Wei, informed Ning Chengming about the economic investigation and advised him against appearing due to his arm injury. Ignoring the advice, Ning Chengming returned to the meeting. He offered a "sincere apology for what happened today," but the directors dismissed it, demanding to know his solution for their "great loss" and where he had been for the past half-month. Ning Chengming, in a firm tone, announced, "My explanation does no good to recover your loss."
He further stated that in five minutes, he would initiate share redemption for any willing shareholders. When an older director admonished him for his usual arrogance and the "seriously breached fiduciary duty" by Ma Hao, Ning Chengming corrected himself, declaring that he would "make share redemption for all shareholders, including the penalty and compensation for investment default."
He specified that the exact amounts would be calculated based on individual equities and a formal reply would be provided within seven working days. With the announcement, he dismissed the bewildered directors, stating, "Time is up. Everybody, it's over." The directors, still reeling, questioned the redemption price, with one fearing, "Is it a trap?" Economic investigators separately questioned Ning Chengming and Cao Mei regarding Ma Hao's misconduct.
Ning Chengming explained he became aware of Ma Hao's suspicious payments last month through a new finance staff member, noticing inconsistencies in payment and contract companies and that the relevant business handler had resigned. He was "very disappointed" and instructed Ma Hao to return the money. Ning Chengming clarified that he didn't immediately report it because Guanding was in the midst of financing, and exposure would negatively impact its valuation.
Ma Hao had promised to return the funds within two weeks. When pressed about his close relationship with Ma Hao, Ning Chengming confirmed they were former "school brothers" but firmly denied acquiescing to any wrongdoing. He recounted Ma Hao approaching him with a plan to "transfer the stock right at a premium" using Ning Chengming's name, which he rejected, advising Ma Hao to stop.
Regarding his three-week disappearance, Ning Chengming explained that while Ma Hao publicly proposed his business trip abroad, his true intention was to investigate the factory in Rayong, where the asset-transferring company was registered. He then joked about his "lost touch" status, implying no communication. Ning Chengming also detailed how he "unfortunately" had a car accident in Rayong due to a hit-and-run driver, though it was "not clear yet" if Ma Hao orchestrated it.
Separately, Cao Mei denied any knowledge of Ma Hao's involvement in Ning Chengming's accident, stating she "must stop him if I knew the truth." She claimed Ma Hao threatened her, instructing her to act as Ning Chengming's "best friend and his former fiancée" to handle "his things behind," adding, "Because I still love Ning Chengming." Ning Chengming further elaborated on his absence, stating he was in the hospital, "nothing remembered. . . Because I lost my memory.
Temporary amnesia caused by traffic accident." He only recalled waking up in the hospital, where Qi Wei had already found him. After Ning Chengming's accident, Li Qian, worried sick, rushed to the hospital. A nurse informed her that Ning Chengming had been discharged. The nurse detailed his injuries—a slight cerebral concussion, bruises, and a re-fixed old fracture—and mentioned that "somebody picked him up as soon as he woke up," identifying Qi Wei.
Li Qian questioned if Ning Chengming resisted or knew Qi Wei's potential connection to the killer, but the nurse insisted, "nothing abnormal," as Ning Chengming requested and signed for his own discharge. Li Qian tried to call Ning Chengming, urging, "Pick up the call, Ning Chengming!" but his phone went unanswered. When a person nearby confirmed Ning Chengming's return to Guanding, Li Qian realized, "He's fine. His memory get recovered."
Concluding he had regained his memories and returned to work, she sent him a package via same-city express, which the courier confirmed would arrive within two hours. Li Chen, needing funds to complete his film, was surprised when Gu Lan unexpectedly provided sponsorship. Gu Lan was heard on a call, dismissively saying, "No explanation for what I've done," when asked about her secretive investment. Later, she visited Li Chen at his set.
Gu Lan playfully asked Li Chen, "Xiao Chenchen, are you here to pick me up? How active you are," noting that his filming costs were now covered and shooting would wrap in about ten days. He then questioned her sudden investment, remarking on her usual disdain for his "network drama." Gu Lan, denying having looked down on his projects, stated she invested "When I found that it's a potential program to make money."
Li Chen scoffed, "Everyone knows that I would rather obtain good reputation than earn money. Even my father and my brother laughed at me for low profits." Gu Lan interrupted, saying her investment was merely part of her company's "industry for poverty alleviation" initiative, not a personal favor. Li Chen then suggested they get married, joking it would serve as a "warding-off wedding" to appease his father following his own financial mishap with Ma Hao.
He believed his father, nearing retirement, would appreciate such "good news." Ning Chengming's return to Guanding brought a noticeable change; as his assistant Lisa described to Qi Wei, he became "much terrible than before," with his words "every word counts, horrible," contrasting with his previous aloof but less verbally abusive demeanor. Qi Wei merely advised her to "take care of yourself." Later, Ning Chengming received an express package sent by Li Qian.
Angered by the lack of sender information and Qi Wei's failure to inspect it, he accused Qi Wei of wanting to quit. Qi Wei then revealed the package contained signed "evidence for what Ma Hao have done" from former CFO Dong Wei. Ning Chengming, annoyed he wasn't informed earlier, immediately instructed Qi Wei to "Send it to the economic investigation personnel." Soon after, Cao Mei entered Ning Chengming's office.
Ning Chengming, still stern, attempted to dismiss her and prevent Qi Wei from leaving. Despite his cold reception, Cao Mei persisted, asking about his injured hand and his whereabouts during his disappearance. He curtly replied, "I'm in hospital, nothing remembered," and advised her to "Take care." Cao Mei then recounted how Ma Hao had threatened her, and she had shielded Ning Chengming from implication during the economic investigation.
Believing he would return, she had also arranged for Director He to transfer his 12% shares to them. Ning Chengming cut her off, stating, "No need." When Cao Mei expressed concern that Guanding couldn't afford the massive share redemptions and compensation, Ning Chengming retorted, "Who told you I plan to use Guanding's fund to fulfill it?" He then revealed he had secured "a new venture capital to adjust the fund structure," identifying the investor as "Lirong."
Cao Mei was skeptical, pointing out that Lirong "won't make a deal at a loss," especially given Guanding's recent scandal. Ning Chengming confidently declared, "I will persuade Lirong to make it possible," before dismissing her to "have a rest." Cao Mei tried to mention seeing him in the park, but he denied it. Despite Ning Chengming's return and memory recovery, Li Qian found herself wrestling with her emotions.
Looking at photos of them, she thought, "His memory was recovered, I have to continue my life." One picture reminded her of a moment where he told her not to photograph, another, of him in a suit, made her recall his question, "Why am I always in suit wherever I go? It's so hot." She remembered a photo taken at "Xiashi Botanical Garden," and his plea, "Promise me," about "Ten things to do with Li Qian."
While attempting to put away his belongings and move on, she was constantly reminded of him. Touching his things, she even recalled specific details about her own preferences, such as her "sensitive stomach" but love for "Chuanjiang Fish," requiring a 3:1 ratio of pepper to chili to "make it less spicy," blurring the line between his presence and her own habits. Li Jingfan's father, seeing Li Qian on a screen, recognized her as "the president's secretary of Star & Quark."
He questioned Li Jingfan about Ning Chengming's involvement in Ma Hao's scheme, noting Guanding's lack of an "integrity supervision department" unlike Lirong, which made Ning Chengming "to blame." He mused that if Ma Hao were merely Ning Chengming's "white glove," the "scale might be too small." Later, Li Jingfan informed his father that Ning Chengming "really has an amnesia, but now he's back, everything is back to normal," implying his memory had recovered.
He expressed concern for Li Qian, explaining that while she had initiated some actions, he couldn't discern her true intentions. He revealed that Li Qian had visited Guanding's former CFO that day, seemingly "just for Ning Chengming," prompting his father to sigh, "This silly girl." Li Jingfan received a call from his assistant, informing him that Guanding had contacted their business department, relaying Ning Chengming's desire to meet.
Li Jingfan scoffed, "No need," wondering if Ning Chengming genuinely believed he could persuade Lirong "to take over the mess of Guanding," dismissing the idea as "reckless daredevil." When his father asked if they should meet Ning Chengming, Li Jingfan firmly refused, stating, "Of course not." Ning Chengming was seen with Lu Shao and his assistant, Yi.
Lu Shao, noticing Yi’s cooking, playfully complained about his “stupid” assistant, leading Ning Chengming to state that "a down-to-earth fool is far more trustworthy" than someone "smart to the point of being shameless." Later, Lu Shao informed Ning Chengming that Ma Hao had been tipped off before the board meeting and escaped via the underground parking lot, suggesting an "internal traitor" within the company.
He detailed Guanding's dire situation: the immense cost of shareholder buybacks and compensation, coupled with a massive cash flow deficit, making it "very difficult to look for new funds." He concluded that Ma Hao had indeed "left a mess to you," to which Ning Chengming calmly replied it was "better than my worst-case scenario." Ning Chengming instructed Yi, in addition to the economic investigation, to keep a close eye on Ma Hao.
Lu Shao agreed with the assessment that "the more dangerous the place, the safer it is" for Ma Hao to hide. During dinner, Yi offered Ning Chengming more food, prompting Lu Shao to ask how he knew Ning Chengming wanted seconds. Yi responded that Ning Chengming "made it all plain," but Lu Shao jokingly questioned if Ning Chengming "open his mouth." Ning Chengming clarified to Lu Shao, "So, he's my assistant, but you are not."
Yi then awkwardly mentioned that Cao Mei, whom he referred to as Ning Chengming's "ex-fiancée," had informed him of Ning Chengming's past itinerary. He also asked if Ning Chengming and Li Qian were "engaged," citing it as "hearsay." Ning Chengming sternly reprimanded Yi for his incompetence, stating, "It would be better if you don't get involved in the beginning," and instructed him to "quit your job. I'm waiting for your resignation." A distraught Yi pleaded to stay, proclaiming his love for Guanding and his desire to remain Ning Chengming's assistant.
Episode 18 Recap
Li Qian and Yu Qingqing were discussing the future of Star & Quark when an assistant inadvertently revealed that Gu Zhe intended to sell the company to Lirong. Li Qian was furious, feeling that despite Gu Zhe nominally owning the company, she and Yu Qingqing were the ones who had worked tirelessly to build it. Meanwhile, Ning Chengming was insistent on meeting Li Jingfan. He contacted Li Chen and Li Jun to relay his request.
Li Jingfan, annoyed by Ning Chengming's persistence after being told he was unavailable, decided to avoid his office altogether. Instead, he chose to visit his daughter, Li Qian, aiming to teach Ning Chengming a lesson in proper conduct. At the same time, Cao Mei, having been rebuffed by Ning Chengming when she tried to invite him for lunch, began to investigate Li Qian’s background, noticing that Li Qian was the woman often seen with Ning Chengming.
Driven by anger, Li Qian confronted Gu Zhe, demanding to know why he planned to sell the company to Li Jingfan. Gu Zhe was speechless, and Yu Qingqing, despite her earlier attempts to stop him, admitted she was initially kept in the dark and later tried to convince him to tell Li Qian the truth. Furious at Gu Zhe's cowardice, Li Qian stormed out. At a crossroads, she unexpectedly encountered Ning Chengming.
She was momentarily relieved, but Ning Chengming merely cast a cold glance at her and ignored her, leaving Li Qian heartbroken. Determined to explain, she approached him, and he coldly granted her five minutes. Li Qian apologized for her initial deception, explaining it was for his safety and that she intended to tell him everything once the danger had passed, even claiming to be his "half-savior."
Just then, Li Jingfan and Li Jun drove by, and Li Jingfan instructed Li Jun to discreetly listen to their conversation. Ning Chengming, however, revealed that he had been aware of Ma Hao's scheme for a month and had already put contingency plans in place with Qi Wei, preparing even for his own death. He claimed that Li Qian's intervention was the only variable that disrupted his carefully calculated plan and allowed Ma Hao to escape.
Li Qian became agitated, questioning if he had also calculated her and reminding him of the pain his potential death would cause to those who cared for him. Ning Chengming dismissed her emotions, stating that their relationship was unequal and that nothing more would transpire between them, sternly warning her not to pursue him further. His words were cuttingly cold, showing no sign of affection.
Li Qian, hurt, retorted that she was not the only one deeply involved in their shared experiences. Separately, Yu Qingqing, fueled by jealousy over Gu Lan and Li Chen, enlisted Gu Zhe's help to sabotage their relationship. They located Gu Lan's car, and Yu Qingqing deliberately smeared lipstick on it.
Gu Lan arrived and confronted Yu Qingqing, who feigned an accidental slip of the hand and offered to pay for the damage, albeit with an IOU, slyly implying Gu Lan, as a "young lady of a big noble family," wouldn't quibble over such a trivial matter. When Li Chen intervened, defending Yu Qingqing and downplaying the incident, Gu Lan became enraged. To Gu Lan's shock, Li Chen declared himself her future husband, giving that as his reason for mediating.
Gu Lan, mistakenly assuming Yu Qingqing was Gu Zhe's girlfriend, angrily told Gu Zhe to take her away. Realizing their plan had backfired spectacularly, Gu Zhe quickly called Li Qian, promising to return. Meanwhile, Li Jingfan, witnessing Li Qian's distress, summoned Ning Chengming to his office. He reprimanded Ning Chengming for his treatment of Li Qian. Ning Chengming deftly redirected the conversation to business, asserting that as a shrewd investor, Li Jingfan should focus on high-yield projects, not personal affairs.
He reiterated that his past relationship with Li Qian was a product of his amnesia and not his true intentions. Ning Chengming then revealed he had known Li Qian's mother, Ren Yue, having met her at a hospital when he was Li Qian's teacher three years prior. He acknowledged the strained relationship between Li Qian and Li Jingfan, and proposed a partnership that would not only bring substantial financial returns but also mend their fractured father-daughter bond.
Concurrently, Cao Mei's investigation uncovered Ren Yue's history: she was the daughter of Ren Bonian, a former food tycoon. Ren Yue, described as headstrong, left for France at twenty to avoid an arranged marriage, where she met Li Jingfan. At that time, Li Jingfan was a widower with two sons, known for his playboy reputation, but he fell deeply in love with Ren Yue.
Ren Yue had conceived Li Qian with Li Jingfan and returned home pregnant, only to be disowned by her father. She lived in a house inherited from her own mother, which is now Li Qian's residence, and Li Qian herself only learned she had a father at the age of eighteen. Despite popular belief, Li Jingfan was not unfeeling; rather, he deeply loved Ren Yue, even proposing marriage, which she declined, likely due to her secret ALS diagnosis.
Li Jingfan later moved back to Haoran City for Ren Yue, but she consistently refused to reconcile or allow him to see their daughter. After Ren Yue's death when Li Qian was in college, Li Jingfan's protective concern for Li Qian became well-known among Lirong's senior executives. Amidst these personal revelations, Li Qian also received distressing news that GC was threatening to cancel their order and demand compensation due to Star & Quark's factory failing quality inspection. Ning Chengming, aware of Cao Mei's continued inquiries about the Lirong negotiations, instructed his assistant to vaguely state that talks were ongoing without a firm agreement.
Episode 19 Recap
Li Qian was enraged by Gu Zhe's intention to sell Star & Quark, making Gu Zhe hesitant to approach her directly. He sought Yu Qingqing's help to mediate, but Yu Qingqing understood Li Qian's fiery temper and knew better than to push too hard. Nevertheless, she gently reminded Li Qian that Star & Quark was in debt and the current opportunity was ideal for securing new financing.
Li Qian clarified that she wasn't against financing in general, but vehemently opposed working with Lirong. Gu Zhe tried to explain, but Li Qian cut him off, stating she would only discuss business with him and was not in the mood for personal conversations. She dismissed him, suggesting he return home as he couldn't help. Before leaving, Gu Zhe suggested he could ask his family for assistance.
After he departed, Li Qian adamantly told Yu Qingqing that they absolutely could not let him raise money from his family. Yu Qingqing concurred, explaining that if Gu Zhe approached his family, they would likely sell Star & Quark and force him to take over the family business.
Li Qian emphasized the immense effort invested in Star & Quark by not only themselves but also the engineers and employees, declaring they could not lose the company and must continue its operations. She then instructed Yu Qingqing to expedite the search for suitable private equity investments. At his apartment, Ning Chengming and Lu Shao, along with Qi Wei, shared a meal.
Lu Shao complained about having sweet and sour spare ribs for three consecutive days, which Qi Wei explained was due to Ning Chengming's preference. The rice cooker was broken, forcing Qi Wei to prepare instant noodles, which both Ning Chengming and Lu Shao found unappetizing. Ordering takeout would take too long, so they endured the meal.
Lu Shao informed Ning Chengming that Ma Hao's overseas account was merely a decoy, with no activity on his domestic accounts, suggesting meticulous pre-planning to avoid detection. Ning Chengming was confident that the money couldn't vanish without a trace and Ma Hao would eventually expose himself. Regarding the company insider, Qi Wei found it unlikely that Cao Mei would collude with Ma Hao against Ning Chengming, noting her repeated inquiries about Ning Chengming's whereabouts during his disappearance.
However, Lu Shao suggested that even close relationships could turn hostile, implying Cao Mei might have changed her allegiance. Ning Chengming then instructed Lu Shao to investigate Cao Mei for any leads. He also tasked Lu Shao with obtaining background information on Gu Zhe's three family generations, promising two months of free rent if the task was completed within two days.
Qi Wei also requested a rent exemption, but Ning Chengming, dissatisfied with his cooking, told him not to prepare meals anymore. After Ning Chengming left, Lu Shao gossiped with Qi Wei, speculating that Ning Chengming's interest in Star & Quark's data was part of a plan to retaliate against Li Qian. He also observed that Ning Chengming was now openly expressing a full range of emotions, suggesting his emotional cognitive disorder was gone.
Cao Mei later arrived at Ning Chengming's apartment with homemade meatballs, his and his father's favorite. Ning Chengming allowed her inside but then sternly questioned her about her prior conversations with Ma Hao. Cao Mei admitted Ma Hao had expressed his affection for her and wanted to be with her, which she claimed to have rejected. She quickly tried to distance herself from Ma Hao's actions, asserting her ignorance and sorrow over what he had done to Ning Chengming.
Ning Chengming, however, was unmoved, stating he was not upset and that Ma Hao's skewed values and obstinacy inevitably led to his downfall. Changing the subject, Cao Mei reminisced about their happy past, particularly with her father, stating those were her most joyful times. She then expressed her profound fear and loneliness after her father's death and Ning Chengming's sudden disappearance, tearfully pleading that she couldn't lose him.
She apologized for her impatience and hoped they could reconcile once all company matters were resolved. Ning Chengming offered no response. Meanwhile, Ma Hao lived a life of constant anxiety in a rundown hideout, meticulously checking his money. Flashbacks revealed his past as a poor student mocked by classmates for his humble background and inability to surpass Ning Chengming academically despite his diligent efforts.
Only Cao Mei showed him kindness, noticing his distress and offering support, which sparked a different kind of feeling in him. In another memory, Ning Chengming chose Ma Hao as his project partner, even though Cao Mei and her father were surprised by the decision. Ning Chengming explained that he valued "steadfast stupidity" over "shameless cleverness," asserting Ma Hao was a truly responsible person.
Cao Mei tried to reassure Ma Hao, saying Ning Chengming's choice was a testament to his capabilities and would help him earn credits faster. Ma Hao, however, still harbored resentment towards Ning Chengming. Realizing he had no path to return, he resolved to continue his escape. Back at Star & Quark, Li Qian, Yu Qingqing, and Gu Zhe awaited the arrival of a potential acquiring party.
The investment intermediary informed them that the original party had backed out, but a "better one" had been found. This new party was remarkably knowledgeable about Star & Quark and had already lowered the valuation by thirty percent. Enraged, Li Qian cursed the "bastard" who was opportunistically cutting the price.
As she finished speaking, Ning Chengming entered the room, asking if she was referring to him, and pointedly stated that his surname was "Ning," not "Wang," playing on a pun with the curse word she used. He then casually discarded Li Qian's meticulously prepared proposal without even glancing at it, declaring they would "re-negotiate terms" and dismiss any "unrealistic demands."
Separately, Cao Mei met with Uncle Zhang and Uncle Lin, apologizing that Ning Chengming's sudden change in strategy might affect her previous commitments to them. They were impressed that Ning Chengming had managed to secure Lirong's involvement, acknowledging his formidable skills. They discussed a rumor that Li Jingfan's daughter, Li Qian, worked at Star & Quark, speculating that acquiring Star & Quark and gaining Li Qian's favor could lead to significant backing from Lirong.
Cao Mei quickly dismissed such notions, insisting that Ning Chengming was always dedicated and would not consider such ulterior motives. Back in the meeting room, Li Qian observed her brother, Li Jun, accompanying Ning Chengming. She deduced that Ning Chengming had successfully persuaded Lirong to financially support Guanding's acquisition of Star & Quark. During the formal negotiation, Li Qian challenged Ning Chengming on the low valuation and proposed personnel adjustments.
Ning Chengming, knowing her position as "Secretary to the President," sarcastically praised Star & Quark for having such a capable secretary, implying that the president must be "outstanding." Li Qian retorted, sarcastically commending Ning Chengming for "fooling Lirong" to "squeeze and acquire Star & Quark" while Guanding was in a difficult situation, calling him "outstanding."
The discussion then shifted to competition clauses and a five-year lockup period, with Ning Chengming asserting that Guanding would not compromise on retaining "talents like Miss Li." Li Jun intervened, cautioning Ning Chengming about his communication style. Ning Chengming agreed to discuss the specifics later and suggested a brief break. During the break, Li Jun approached Li Qian to check on her and suggested having Gu Zhe speak with Li Jingfan, but she rejected the idea.
Li Qian acknowledged that, despite her personal objections, the deal was financially sound, and Star & Quark could not afford to wait for other partners. Yu Qingqing noted Ning Chengming's obvious targeting of Li Qian, which Li Qian brushed off by recalling his difficult personality during their college days. Li Qian then decided to step out for fresh air, and Li Jun followed her.
Later, Ning Chengming found Li Qian alone and directly addressed her, declaring his intention to settle their "old accounts" and stating that the resolution of their past was entirely up to him, not her.
Episode 20 Recap
After a heated argument in the corridor, Li Qian and Ning Chengming found themselves trapped when the power suddenly went out. Li Qian, tired of the confrontation, initially tried to use her access card, but the system was down. Ning Chengming, however, remained calm and quickly located a manual emergency switch high on the wall of the machine room, where they were confined and signals were blocked.
When neither could reach it alone, Li Qian suggested Ning Chengming lift her, but he refused, proposing instead that she squat down so he could step on her shoulders. Li Qian accused him of retaliation, to which Ning Chengming readily admitted. Despite her protests and struggling to hold him, Li Qian eventually conceded, allowing Ning Chengming to use her as a step to reach the switch and pry open the door with a hairpin.
Meanwhile, Gu Lan expressed her frustration to Li Chen about being deceived by Ma Hao, fearing that Li Jingfan would now see her as nothing more than a brainless eye candy. Li Chen reassured her, stating that Li Jingfan, having personally chosen Gu Lan as his daughter-in-law, would not think ill of her.
Gu Lan then mused that if Li Chen were to dramatize Ning Chengming's disappearance, it would surely involve a cliché trifecta of traffic accidents, amnesia, and a new romance, to which Li Chen admitted she was half right, referring specifically to the amnesia and new romance. Enraged, Gu Lan confronted Li Chen, accusing him of knowing Ning Chengming's whereabouts all along and deliberately allowing Ma Hao to swindle her money for the Guanding Management Buy Out scheme.
Li Chen tried to calm her, explaining his initial confusion when Li Qian brought Ning Chengming home and his duty as her brother to cover for her. Gu Lan, however, lamented her own lack of familial support compared to Li Qian and stressed that if she couldn't resolve her current predicament, she would be forced into an arranged marriage. Li Chen then suggested they marry according to their elders' wishes, enabling them to support each other while maintaining their individuality.
Gu Lan agreed, but only on the condition that Li Chen first severed all ties with his various affairs with other girls, emphasizing that the decision to marry would ultimately be hers. Back in the meeting room, Li Qian and Ning Chengming announced their agreement.
Ning Chengming, in exchange for lifting the non-competition restrictions for the core team (excluding Li Qian) and capping annual layoffs at 20% with N+3 severance, stipulated that Li Qian must remain at Guanding as Assistant President for three years. This position, as Qi Wei later confirmed to a disgruntled Li Qian, was half a level higher than a Vice President, a deliberate move by Ning Chengming who deemed Star & Quark's former president a "trash."
Li Qian's friends, including Yu Qingqing, were curious about the dynamics between her and Ning Chengming, but Li Qian firmly stated that any past romantic feelings were merely her illusion and that their relationship was now strictly professional. Yu Qingqing, expressing concern that Ning Chengming might bully Li Qian, decided to remain at Guanding with her.
Later, while Qi Wei was cooking for Ning Chengming, he light-heartedly mentioned Li Qian's furious expression during their negotiation, causing Ning Chengming to smile, a rare sight that was noticed by Lu Fan, who joined their conversation via video call. Lu Fan criticized Ning Chengming's "complicated" revenge tactics against Li Qian.
Meanwhile, Cao Mei arrived at Ning Chengming's home with food, inquiring about his plans for Guanding and subtly mentioning her efforts to appease board members Uncle Zhang and Uncle Lin. Ning Chengming, however, curtly pointed out their opportunism, having steered clear when Guanding faced difficulties, only to reappear once his acquisition of Star & Quark promised new opportunities and Lirong's investment.
When Cao Mei tentatively asked if his acquisition of Star & Quark was motivated by Li Qian's identity as Li Jingfan's daughter, Ning Chengming merely stated that Li Jingfan's daughter's identity was irrelevant unless it served as leverage. He then surprised Cao Mei by declaring Li Qian would be Guanding's Assistant President, effectively outranking her by half a level.
Cao Mei vehemently opposed this, citing potential shareholder dissent and company instability due to Ma Hao's disappearance, the merger, and the sudden appointment of an unknown executive. Ning Chengming ended the discussion by reminding her of her inability to control the situation with Ma Hao, implying she was to blame, and then dismissed her from his home.
Disturbed, Cao Mei sat in her car, suspecting Ning Chengming was actively trying to diminish her power, perhaps even doubting her loyalty, and ordered her assistant, Lisa, to closely monitor Li Qian's every move. She also tasked Lisa with preparing a personnel structure plan for Star & Quark, hinting at further strategic moves. In the following week, Li Qian's tenure as Assistant President at Guanding proved challenging.
Ning Chengming frequently rejected her meticulously prepared reports, consistently using the phrases "Sampling is improper," "Ideas are confused," and "Hard to implement," demanding endless revisions. He also made her perform menial tasks, such as washing his cup, despite her high-ranking position and the availability of other assistants like Qi Wei, claiming he was simply "unaccustomed" to anyone else. Li Qian, frustrated but resilient, internally challenged him to drink from a cup she might have poisoned.
Yu Qingqing found Li Qian practically living at the company, noting her workload was worse than at Star & Quark, likening it to a "nightmare like school life." Yu Qingqing then speculated that Ning Chengming's placement of Li Qian in a position of power, particularly in legal affairs previously overseen by Cao Mei, was a deliberate attempt to divide Cao Mei's influence and create internal conflict.
This theory was dramatically underscored when Jin Yi, Li Qian's assistant, tearfully announced he had been dismissed by Lisa due to "organizational restructuring." Realizing Cao Mei's immediate retaliatory action, Li Qian called an urgent meeting with Lisa and Cao Mei, and she and Yu Qingqing prepared to confront Cao Mei using a "good cop, bad cop" strategy.
Episode 21 Recap
Following a sudden personnel reshuffle at Star & Quark, employee Jin Yi was dismissed, a decision orchestrated by Cao Mei. This angered Li Qian, who had recruited Jin Yi herself. Li Qian confronted Cao Mei in the office, arguing that instead of dismissal, Jin Yi should be transferred to a suitable position at subsidiary Tengda. Cao Mei, however, stood her ground, asserting that the redundancy was a professional decision by HR, not driven by personal emotions.
Qi Wei secretly recorded their heated exchange. Li Qian confided in Yu Qingqing that she felt compelled to protect Jin Yi, a loyal colleague. Yu Qingqing speculated that Cao Mei's actions were a deliberate attempt to create difficulties for Li Qian, perhaps even motivated by personal feelings related to Ning Chengming, referencing a rumor that Cao Mei was Ning Chengming's fiancée. Li Qian dismissed this, stating she had no prior acquaintance or conflict with Cao Mei.
Meanwhile, Qi Wei, after observing the tense interaction, called Lu Shao, expressing his concern about Ning Chengming's recent strange behavior and suggesting he needed a medical follow-up with Doctor Wang. Qi Wei then speculated that Ning Chengming had intentionally placed Li Qian in a position half a level higher than Cao Mei not to counter Cao Mei, but to create enemies for Li Qian and retaliate for her past deception.
Ning Chengming, who had overheard this conversation, openly admitted that it was indeed his intention. He added that if Li Qian were a mere "little white rabbit" easily bullied in the workplace, she wouldn't be fit to be Assistant President of Guanding. To assert her status, Cao Mei invited Li Qian to lunch. She superficially praised Li Qian as Ning Chengming's capable assistant but subtly reminded her that she was "just a worker."
Cao Mei then revealed that she was Ning Chengming's former fiancée, a fact Li Qian feigned surprise at, though she had known it. Capitalizing on the revelation, Li Qian, adopting a subservient demeanor, pleaded with Cao Mei to intercede with Ning Chengming, claiming he constantly played tricks on her. Cao Mei attempted to downplay Ning Chengming's behavior as his usual harshness towards everyone, but Li Qian playfully retorted that her concern was Ning Chengming keeping her "in the mind."
Li Qian privately warned Yu Qingqing to avoid company politics, especially regarding Gu Lan's frozen shares. To Li Qian's dismay, Yu Qingqing revealed that she had already, under Cao Mei's instruction, sent reconciliation documents to Gu Lan's family. Meanwhile, Gu Lan, discussing the frozen shares with her father, rejected the reconciliation offer, intending to sue Guanding. She cynically proposed going through with her engagement to Li Chen to leverage the Li family's resources before an inevitable divorce.
Li Qian later confronted Ning Chengming, urging him to cease his retaliation. She argued that he had suffered no real loss and hadn't truly loved her, and that their past should simply "blow away." Ning Chengming rebuffed her, stating that her apology was insufficient and that she routinely lied to feel at ease.
In a moment of emotional honesty, Li Qian confessed she didn't want to regret having "lied to you but really fell in love with you," though she quickly tried to backtrack and insisted he treat her as an ordinary employee. Ning Chengming remained unyielding, and their exchange ended with Li Qian warning him she was no "little white rabbit."
Learning of Gu Lan's refusal to settle and her intention to sue, Yu Qingqing approached Gu Zhe, fearing that Guanding would blame Li Qian. She subtly suggested that if Gu Zhe helped Li Qian with this matter, Li Qian might reciprocate with gratitude, softening her anger towards him. Gu Zhe seemed swayed by this prospect. Ning Chengming, sensing a shift in his own emotions, contacted his psychologist, Doctor Wang.
The doctor revealed that his emotional cognitive recovery, allowing him to understand feelings like joy and anger, might be due to the influence of a "guide" since his car accident. Ning Chengming described experiencing intense happiness when tricking "the woman who lied to me" but also profound anger when she claimed to no longer love him. The doctor suggested these fluctuations indicated a significant emotional development. Ning Chengming then assigned Li Qian several tasks previously handled by Cao Mei.
Li Qian, seeing through his attempt to use her, demanded to see his confidential plan. Ning Chengming refused, leading to a physical struggle over the document. Qi Wei walked in on them, mistaking their scuffle for flirting, and quickly retreated, allowing Li Qian to snatch the plan amidst Ning Chengming's feigned helplessness. Once Li Qian left, Ning Chengming smirked, revealing the plan's contents were precisely what he intended for her to pursue.
Later, Li Qian attended a meeting, expecting it to be on the plan she'd "stolen," only to find it was about Gu Lan's lawsuit. Cao Mei was also present, asserting she was in charge. As Li Qian prepared to leave, everyone received a text message announcing Li Qian as the meeting's chair. A fuming Cao Mei stormed out. Li Qian, realizing Ning Chengming's deliberate manipulation to pit her against Cao Mei, marched into his office.
She immediately began hitting him, accusing him of intentionally making her enemies and demanding an end to his continuous retaliation. Qi Wei, interrupting again, warned them about company policy against assaulting a superior, before hastily leaving. Yu Qingqing later suggested that Gu Lan's refusal to settle might also be linked to Yu Qingqing having scratched Gu Lan's car previously, complicating Li Qian's involvement in the matter. Cao Mei, also noticing Ning Chengming's increasing focus on Li Qian, visited her.
She asked about their relationship, to which Li Qian attributed it to their former teacher-student dynamic. Cao Mei then revealed that Ning Chengming suffered from "emotional cognitive impairment" due to his parents' sudden death, which explained his distant demeanor and lack of friends. Finally, Lu Shao advised Ning Chengming to acknowledge his burgeoning feelings for Li Qian. He suggested that Li Qian's dedicated work, despite Ning Chengming's constant vexation, demonstrated more than mere guilt.
He warned Ning Chengming that continuing his punitive actions could lead to regret and a "wife chasing crematory" scenario. Ning Chengming, seemingly realizing the truth of Lu Shao's words, immediately rushed back to the company to find Li Qian. Lu Shao and Qi Wei observed his newfound expressiveness, concluding that "love can change everything."
Episode 22 Recap
Gu Zhe arrived at Yu Qingqing's home, showing her his arm, which was bruised by his sister, Gu Lan. He explained that he had tried his best for their family, even getting injured in the process. Yu Qingqing, while applying medicine, questioned if Gu Lan was truly his sister due to her actions. Gu Zhe expressed understanding for Gu Lan, noting that she had faced many difficulties.
He mentioned that since Gu's Group transformed, Gu Lan had managed without losing any money, yet their father's traditional views never changed, which exhausted both him and his sister. Yu Qingqing inquired about Gu Lan's refusal to reconcile with Guanding, and Gu Zhe speculated that his sister was simply trying to challenge their father. He suggested that if Li Qian involved Li Chen, it might be more effective in persuading Gu Lan.
Ning Chengming returned to the company, approaching Li Qian under the guise of work discussion. Li Qian presented her analysis, explaining the value of the end product line to Guanding, emphasizing its fast cash flow and her efforts to save it by integrating labor costs. Ning Chengming, referencing the Equity loss as a value dispute, noted that Gu Lan, being smart, would likely not refuse reconciliation for business reasons.
He agreed with Li Qian's assessment that Gu Lan's refusal was probably due to personal factors, and that merely discussing terms wouldn't solve the problem. Ning Chengming then approved Li Qian's plan to integrate end-node human resource costs with Star & Quark and merge other product lines into Core I downstream, giving it a one-year cycle for approval.
Li Qian lightheartedly observed his change in demeanor, joking about his "magic" of being annoying during the day and normal at night, to which Ning Chengming responded that he was simply offering a hint due to her diligent work. Ning Chengming suggested going out for a midnight snack, and Li Qian took him to a barbecue stall. Ning Chengming mentioned she had never brought him to such a place before.
Li Qian, remembering his emotional cognitive disorder, immediately tried to make him happy, joking about the joys of finding good food for "corporate slaves" working late. She noticed a button missing from his sleeve, making it prone to oil, and used her hair tie to secure it. The relaxed atmosphere prompted Ning Chengming to ask if she would believe he hadn't deliberately caused the misunderstanding between her and Cao Mei.
Li Qian affirmed her belief, directly stating that she knew he wanted revenge. Ning Chengming admitted this was "kind of" true. When Li Qian asked if his anger had subsided, he playfully suggested it might after this meal, but also warned it could return with a poor report. Later, Ning Chengming chuckled as he pointed out charcoal on her face, then carefully wiped it clean for her.
Li Qian momentarily felt a sense of disorientation but quickly came to her senses, realizing that Ning Chengming wouldn't harbor feelings for her. On their way home, Li Qian thanked Ning Chengming for the meal and his guidance. She spoke about her passion for her work and the company's business, and the satisfaction of working with people she admired, a path she chose and intended to finish well.
She then fondly recalled his past strictness as a "demonic tutor," acknowledging students' initial complaints but crediting his rigor for developing the most resilient professionals. Ning Chengming admitted his past methods might not have been entirely appropriate but confirmed his intention was for students to take their studies seriously. Li Qian then offered a sincere apology for her past actions, which Ning Chengming accepted, stating, "Apology I received."
Separately, Qi Wei and Jin Yi discussed Ning Chengming and Li Qian's relationship. Qi Wei speculated that Ning Chengming's continuous challenging of Li Qian was his way of revenge for her past deception, but also noted that Li Qian, as a resilient individual, would not easily yield.
Jin Yi, however, believed Ning Chengming still harbored unresolved feelings despite Li Qian's apology, pointing out that Ning Chengming had not truly experienced a normal relationship, especially after his prior engagement to Cao Mei fell through. He noted that Ning Chengming still carried an emotional 'knot' from past deceptions, particularly regarding Li Qian's earlier pretense of being his fiancée, which was not the apology Ning Chengming truly sought, making their situation "more interesting."
That night, Ning Chengming dreamt of a playful outing with Li Qian at a botanical garden, where she teasingly took photos of him. Suddenly, Li Qian vanished, and his deceased parents appeared. His mother gravely warned him, "Xiaoming, remember there is no real love in the world. Everything is a lie," causing him to wake up in a fright.
The next morning, Ning Chengming found a sleep-deprived Li Qian at the company, exhausted from working through the night on a new plan inspired by his previous hints. He insisted she go to the downstairs gym to freshen up before returning to her work. After Li Qian had showered, Ning Chengming, ignoring her protests about needing to finish her plan, took the hairdryer and began to blow-dry her hair.
As he did, he became lost in a reverie, picturing a romantic moment with her and inadvertently scorched a small section of her hair. While Li Qian was annoyed, she quickly became embarrassed as she realized their colleagues, including Yu Qingqing, Gu Zhe, Qi Wei, and Jin Yi, were observing them with expressions of disbelief and envy. Understanding Gu Lan's true intentions, Li Qian went to negotiate with her.
Gu Lan, surprised by Li Qian's solo visit, questioned why Li Chen hadn't been sent. Li Qian explained that if work could always be solved by family connections, most women wouldn't need to work so hard, stating that she and Gu Lan were similar in their reliance on self-effort.
When Gu Lan pressed her on why she should agree to a reconciliation without any new offers, Li Qian calmly explained that the equity, though currently frozen, would return to Gu Lan at a value higher than the market price after the investigation, a fact Gu Lan surely knew. Li Qian concluded that the real obstacle wasn't the terms but rather other shareholders in the Gu family, implying Gu Lan was constrained.
Li Qian encouraged Gu Lan to break free from these self-imposed limitations, stating that if she separated herself from Gu's Group, she would become even stronger. Impressed by Li Qian's insight, Gu Lan remarked that having a daughter like Li Qian in the Li family made the prospect of marrying Li Chen "not so boring," hinting at her acceptance of the engagement.
Gu Lan, after her conversation with Li Qian, went directly to Li Chen's home, entering his bedroom without knocking. When Li Chen expressed his surprise and slight annoyance, she declared she was inspecting if his room was suitable for a bridal chamber. Li Chen was incredulous, asking if she was informing him of their engagement. Gu Lan confirmed it, stating the engagement would be "tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," much to Li Chen's delight.
She downplayed it as "just an engagement" and "a procedure," then explained that she saw no disadvantage in marrying him and wanted to leave Gu's Group, reiterating Li Qian's advice to seemingly bow to foolishness while remaining resolute. She stipulated that after the engagement, they would each remain independent and true to themselves, with him simply needing to dress handsomely for the occasion.
She asserted that while she might "bow to the stupid seemingly," she would ensure "they" (implying her family/detractors) could bear the consequences of her actions. Later, an intern reporter from Finance ABC named Guo Dongsheng, attempting to photograph Gu Lan, tried to sneak into the event dressed in an outdated waiter uniform. Li Qian intercepted him, identified him as an imposter, and, after hearing his predicament, kindly directed him to a discreet terrace for taking photos.
Guo Dongsheng, grateful, offered to treat her and asked for her WeChat. At that moment, Ning Chengming appeared, immediately interrupting by stating, "Sorry, she doesn't use WeChat," and pulled Li Qian away. Li Qian, surprised by his sudden anger, wondered if he was experiencing an episode. Ning Chengming, visibly displeased, questioned her enthusiasm in helping a stranger, implying she must know him.
Li Qian explained her good mood from resolving the Gu's Group reconciliation had made her more inclined to help. Ning Chengming then angrily returned the hair tie she had given him the previous night, declaring he didn't want it. When Li Qian tried to retrieve it, he held onto it, accusing her of being a "liar" and wanting her possessions back.
Exasperated by his volatile and "hot and cold" moods, Li Qian declared she had "had enough" and intended to resign, stating she never wanted to see him again. Ning Chengming, however, reminded her of their five-year "unchangeable agreement," which stipulated a two million yuan penalty for breach of contract. Their heated argument was abruptly cut short when a police officer arrived, requesting both of them to accompany him to the station for questioning.
Meanwhile, Gu Zhe, distressed, called Yu Qingqing, admitting he had been cheated again. He showed her a contract with an influencer agency, which she had previously reviewed and found acceptable. However, Gu Zhe confessed he had later signed a supplementary agreement without reading it thoroughly. Now, the agency was demanding a share of his earnings and requiring him to provide resources to them.
Yu Qingqing, exasperated by his carelessness, chastised him for not taking contracts seriously, calling him a "jerk" for his oversight. She immediately took his phone to "keep the evidence" for legal action. Just then, Gu Lan called Gu Zhe, but Yu Qingqing answered. Gu Lan instructed her to inform Gu Zhe that she would be getting engaged in three days. Yu Qingqing, shocked, asked with whom.
Hanging up, Yu Qingqing, clearly furious, declared to Gu Zhe that she would resolve his contract issue that very day, adding that after this, she wasn't sure if they would remain friends, signaling a breakup. She then confronted the agency head, "Mr. Jianghu," as Gu Zhe's lawyer. She denounced their contract as containing "overlord provisions" due to its "significantly unbalanced power and responsibility" and demanded its termination on behalf of her client.
When the agency representative tried to argue, Yu Qingqing systematically pointed out clauses indicating "fraud," "infringement of third-party interests," and "deliberate ambiguity of rights and responsibilities." She threatened to have Gu Zhe expose their unethical practices to his millions of fans in his live broadcast room, ensuring their company would be "stripped bare," and subtly warned them about a potential tax investigation, even handing over her business card, stating "tax defense is also my strong point." With the threat looming, Yu Qingqing exited, leaving a stunned "Mr. Jianghu" and the agency representative, with Gu Zhe meekly following her.
Episode 23 Recap
When asked about her relationship with Ning Chengming, Li Qian, seizing the opportunity for revenge, immediately claimed they were in a deeply loving relationship and had lived together for a period. When the police revealed they knew about their status as an "unmarried couple" who had returned from abroad together and that Ning Chengming had lived at her house, and she saw Ning Chengming denying any emotional ties, Li Qian became angry.
She declared, "Don't blame me for being unkind if you do so," and decided to confess everything. She fabricated a romantic story, claiming Ning Chengming had intensely pursued her with flowers and poems, making her "so happy," but then changed dramatically after she accepted him, becoming "indifferent and evil" and even "scolding her." She claimed to have "fallen in love by mistake" and described his actions in the workplace as "retaliating against her by making up baseless things."
Meanwhile, Ning Chengming told the police that Li Qian was merely an "old acquaintance" and denied any romantic involvement, asserting that her many friends meant their relationship was irrelevant to the case. When the police relayed Li Qian's romantic claims, Ning Chengming questioned if she was lying. The police confirmed this part (her liking him and his initial pursuit) was not a lie. Upon being shown photos of them dating, Ning Chengming feigned memory loss.
He then pointed out an unknown individual in the background of their dating photos and suggested the police investigate someone else relevant to the case. After their separate interrogations, Cao Mei arrived to pick up Ning Chengming, stating she also needed to discuss Gu's Group affairs. She offered Li Qian a cup of Tanzania coffee, which she claimed was Ning Chengming's favorite, and Li Qian implied was "expensive."
Li Qian, however, mocked the coffee as "dish-water mixed with saccharin," and then casually announced that she had already settled the issues with Gu Lan yesterday. This news clearly surprised Cao Mei, and Ning Chengming confirmed it, prompting Cao Mei to leave. Meanwhile, reporter Dongsheng was also brought in for questioning regarding his unauthorized entry into a press conference. Upon seeing Li Qian, he pleaded with her to prove his innocence.
Ning Chengming, frustrated by Dongsheng's constant presence, had a phone call about new investors for Guanding and dispatched Cao Mei to handle it, so he could stay to keep an eye on Li Qian. When Li Qian saw Dongsheng, who had injured his leg while attempting to flee, struggling on the ground, she went to help him. Ning Chengming angrily questioned where Dongsheng was placing his hand on Li Qian's back.
Li Qian retorted that it was none of his business and continued to assist Dongsheng. Fearing Ning Chengming, Dongsheng insisted he could manage alone. Li Qian then vouched for Dongsheng to the police, explaining that he had entered Gu's beauty conference, and she had greeted him there because Gu Lan was her brother Li Chen's fiancée. After this, Li Qian, needing a break, attempted to leave the interrogation room but was stopped by Ning Chengming.
In her haste, she accidentally spilled her coffee on him. Ning Chengming seized the opportunity to pull her into an embrace, asking what she was hiding, until police announced that the criminal investigation colleagues had arrived, allowing Li Qian to pull away. Gu Zhe, noticing Yu Qingqing's low spirits, approached her to offer comfort. Yu Qingqing, feeling like a "contemptible scoundrel" for her recent actions and upset, angrily dismissed their "ally" status.
She recounted their past misfortunes, like nearly drowning and being publicly exposed, asserting that being together only doubled their bad luck. Warning Gu Zhe that she was a "walking firecracker," she told him to stay away. Later, in the restroom, Yu Qingqing resolved to "say goodbye to humble love and restart." Subsequently, she overheard three young people at a cafe disparaging "Jianghu Hero," Gu Zhe's online persona.
Incensed by their rude comments about his wealth and appearance, Yu Qingqing, introducing herself as "lawyer Yu," fiercely defended him, threatening legal action for defamation. When one of the young people threw a glass, Gu Zhe bravely stepped in front of Yu Qingqing, taking a minor cut to his face. He then dramatically yelled, "Blood! Help, they are trying to kill me!" which startled the attackers, causing them to flee.
Yu Qingqing initially called Gu Zhe "fool" but softened upon seeing his injury. Gu Zhe explained that his exaggerated reaction was a trick Li Qian had taught him. Seeing his wound, Yu Qingqing decided to take him to Li Qian's house, noting that they hadn't seen Li Qian for days. After Li Qian finished providing her statements to the police, she and Ning Chengming were informed to remain in Haoran City.
The police then investigated the person Ning Chengming had mentioned. They confirmed that the individual, known as Nava, first appeared in Cambodia and operated in South Asia, involved in illicit international dealings. Nava had been spotted near Ning Chengming's hotel, validating Li Qian's claim that Ning Chengming had faced a life-threatening situation abroad. During their internal discussion, the police expressed confusion over Li Qian and Ning Chengming's complicated relationship, which unexpectedly revealed a romantic aspect.
While initially considering if Ning Chengming and Ma Hao were collaborating, the lead investigator dismissed this, noting their differing personalities. The police decided that Cao Mei, however, needed to be thoroughly investigated. The investigator also noted Ning Chengming's determination to save Guanding despite its dire financial state, which included massive debts and shareholder withdrawals. The investigator believed that if Ning Chengming were involved with Ma Hao, he would have chosen a more discreet exit strategy.
Instead, the police predicted Ning Chengming's next move would be to expand Guanding, and whoever tried to obstruct this expansion would likely be their true target. At that moment, the police received a call confirming that Ma Hao's location had been discovered. Later, while buying food, Ma Hao received a text message on his phone, looked suspiciously at two men behind him, and discreetly took their photo. He then received another text message before quickly leaving.
After leaving the police station, Ning Chengming insisted Li Qian compensate him for the spilled coffee and dry-cleaning his clothes immediately, believing some "deep hatred" and "unexpected calamity" should be settled promptly. Li Qian bought him a vending machine coffee, which he found "unsavory," before they headed to a dry cleaner.
There, Ning Chengming pressed Li Qian about the truth behind her testimony to the economic investigation department, specifically her claims of falling in love with him, their "false thing becoming true," and her misery due to his workplace retaliation.
Li Qian admitted it wasn't "completely true," explaining that while her initial intention was to "play tricks" and "retaliate," she began to regret her actions as she saw a memory-lost Ning Chengming become "purer and more sincere" and earnestly try to fix their relationship. She confessed to wishing her lies were true. Ning Chengming also admitted his confusion, stating he often didn't know why he felt angry or "how to face this feeling."
Taking responsibility, Li Qian apologized for disturbing his life. She then firmly stated that they should "restart their respective lives," emphasizing that from now on, their relationship would strictly be "superior-subordinate" at work, with "no one should overstep a point." Despite Ning Chengming's attempt to object, Li Qian quickly left. Reflecting on her words, Ning Chengming wondered if she was giving up on him entirely. Meanwhile, Li Qian arrived home to find Gu Zhe and Yu Qingqing waiting.
Gu Zhe had a bandage on his face, which Yu Qingqing was tending to. They explained they had come for a drink and that Gu Zhe had something to tell her.
Episode 24 Recap
Lu Shao questioned Ning Chengming about the economic investigation, asking how far they had progressed and if Ma Hao had been found. Ning Chengming, visibly distracted, stated that the investigation had reached Cao Mei, but Ma Hao remained at large. Observing Ning Chengming's sullen mood, Lu Shao deduced that Ning Chengming was likely upset with Li Qian again, despite their recent "peace treaty."
Ning Chengming eventually confided in Lu Shao, admitting that Li Qian had once expressed affection for him but had now given up. He confessed to feeling "uncomfortable" and unsure of what to do next. Lu Shao advised Ning Chengming to clarify his feelings with Li Qian if he didn't like her. He then praised Li Qian’s good personality and charm, remarking that she must be very popular.
Annoyed, Ning Chengming told Lu Shao to stop meddling, stating his focus was on anticipating Cao Mei's next move now that she was under investigation. Lu Shao then shared a concerning discovery: his mother's (Ning Chengming’s aunt's) personal information had been illegally obtained and posted online, with an anonymous buyer acquiring her data.
He speculated that this leak might be connected to an incident last year when she went missing in Japan and they sought help from various groups, suggesting some non-official entities might have leaked her data. Ning Chengming immediately instructed Qi Wei to gather background details on all suppliers. He reasoned that Cao Mei would likely try to use suppliers completely unrelated to herself to distance herself from suspicion and evade the investigation, so Qi Wei needed to investigate carefully.
Meanwhile, at Li Qian's home, she, Yu Qingqing, and Gu Zhe were drinking happily. After downing a can, Li Qian tearfully declared to her friends that she and Ning Chengming had "completely ended" their relationship. Yu Qingqing, seeing Li Qian upset, joined Gu Zhe in comforting her.
Li Qian then pressed Gu Zhe to be honest, and he confessed that he had considered selling Quark Star to Li Rong because he believed Li Qian was far more capable of managing the company. Li Qian rejected this excuse, prompting Gu Zhe to reveal deep-seated insecurities, admitting he felt inferior to Li Qian and his sister, Gu Lan, and saw himself as a "burden" and a "joke" in his family's eyes.
Li Qian challenged him not to blame Gu Lan, explaining that it was precisely because Gu Lan shouldered the responsibilities of Gu's Group that Gu Zhe was free to pursue his own interests. Gu Zhe was deeply moved by their support for his passion. Li Qian and Yu Qingqing revealed they had known about his streaming for a while and were simply waiting for him to tell them himself, emphasizing the importance of courage.
That night, Ning Chengming found himself unable to sleep, his heart racing. Li Qian's words about "restarting their respective lives" replayed in his mind. He was upset that she had made such a significant decision when he believed he was the one who should decide the course of their relationship. Concurrently, Cao Mei met Ma Hao at a pier. Ma Hao, holding three large bags of cash, was about to leave.
He was distrustful of Cao Mei, accusing her of manipulating him. However, Cao Mei reminded him that it was her anonymous messages that had provided him with safe escape routes and helped him evade capture by the economic investigation personnel multiple times. She stated that the economic investigation had begun to suspect Ning Chengming. Cao Mei framed this as their opportunity, stating she knew Ning Chengming's "weakness."
Ma Hao reluctantly agreed to help her "one last time," stipulating that all future contact would be strictly by phone. The next morning, Li Qian woke up to find Gu Zhe, whose face was comically streaked from a night of heavy drinking, leading her to mistake him for a thief and playfully hit him. Moments later, Gu Zhe saw Yu Qingqing, fresh-faced after waking up, and was captivated by her beauty.
Yu Qingqing jokingly threatened to sue him for sexual harassment, to which Gu Zhe charmingly offered to take responsibility. Yu Qingqing playfully rebuffed him, declaring he wasn't her type and that she had plenty of other dates. Elsewhere, Li Jingfan was with Li Jun, looking at wedding photos for Li Chen and Gu Lan. Li Jingfan inquired about Ning Chengming, noting it had been over ten days since he last reported.
Li Jun informed him that Ning Chengming and Li Qian had argued during the economic investigation into Ma Hao. Concerned that Ning Chengming might be bullying Li Qian, Li Jingfan ordered Li Jun to investigate the matter thoroughly, threatening to "make him a new man" if he found out Ning Chengming was taking advantage of his money while mistreating his sister. Back at Li Qian’s, she was still fuming.
Yu Qingqing suggested they go out for some fun, but when Gu Zhe asked to join, both women promptly refused. Soon after, Gu Zhe received a message from a "male fan" seeking advice on how to win back a girl he had deeply upset. Unbeknownst to them, the fan was Ning Chengming, and Ning Chengming was equally unaware that his emotional guru was Gu Zhe.
Li Qian and Yu Qingqing, both nursing their own heartbreaks, seized the opportunity to give "scathing" advice, suggesting the "scumbag" fan should "bleed money" by buying expensive, limited-edition couple items to make him experience "loss of both money and love." Gu Zhe, listening intently, nervously joked that this advice might spell the end of his career as an emotional streamer. Later, Qi Wei presented Ning Chengming with detailed supplier information.
Ning Chengming identified Jiechi as a potential problematic company, suspecting a connection to Cao Mei, even though they appeared unrelated. Their contract was due for renewal next month to ensure supply, giving them leverage as renewal was needed this month. Ning Chengming decided to wait for Jiechi to make the first move.
Following this, Ning Chengming asked Qi Wei for the gifts he had purchased for a woman, causing Qi Wei to comment on the awkwardness of buying women's clothing for the first time and being asked many questions. Li Qian then arrived to deliver a report. She began a formal presentation, meticulously stating the date, time, and her position as Assistant President of Guanding Group, before listing the administrative, HR, and financial tasks completed.
However, Ning Chengming immediately spotted a minor decimal error in her report. Li Qian was mortified, having hoped to present a flawless report to avoid giving him any opportunity to criticize her. Ning Chengming quickly reassured her that it was an internal document and not a big deal, simply advising her to be more careful next time.
After a moment of awkward silence, Li Qian apologized for the previous night (their argument) and assured him it wouldn't happen again, then returned his jacket, attempting to leave. Ning Chengming stopped her, then, after a lengthy pause, presented her with a gift: a pair of sneakers. He claimed they were a company birthday gift, but Li Qian pointed out her birthday was still months away.
Ning Chengming then feigned anger at Qi Wei for the mistake, threatening to fire him, but insisted Li Qian keep the shoes, saying she "wore out shoes" quickly. Li Qian, recognizing the expensive, limited-edition sneakers, was reminded of Gu Zhe's earlier advice and began to suspect Ning Chengming might be his male fan. Ning Chengming then "accidentally" dropped a document.
As Li Qian bent down to pick it up, she noticed he was wearing an identical pair of sneakers, confirming they were indeed a matching "couple" set. Confused by his intentions, she thanked him and tried to leave again. Ning Chengming stopped her once more, offering another gift, a T-shirt, which he attributed to Qi Wei. Li Qian saw he was wearing the same style in black.
Ning Chengming again blamed Qi Wei for the matching items, asking if she liked the clothes. Still flustered and unsure what his actions meant, Li Qian quickly confirmed she liked them and rushed out of his office, leaving Ning Chengming wondering if she understood his true meaning.
Episode 25 Recap
Ning Chengming contacted his psychologist, Dr. Wang, via video, concerned that Li Qian was still unsettling his emotions and questioning if his condition had recurred. Dr. Wang assured him that these feelings were merely "adolescent love psychology," a delayed response due to his past emotional and cognitive disorder, which had impaired his understanding of romantic social interactions.
The doctor advised Ning Chengming to acknowledge his true feelings for Li Qian and confess them to her, providing her with a sense of security in their relationship. Meanwhile, Yu Qingqing noticed Li Qian looking perplexed. She observed that Ning Chengming had been sending Li Qian gifts, which was uncharacteristic of him. Li Qian wondered if there was anything left for Ning Chengming to gain from her.
Yu Qingqing suggested that Li Qian's words might have exacerbated Ning Chengming's condition, causing him to perceive being kind to Li Qian as anger and scolding her as praise. Li Qian found this "reverse game" logic plausible, realizing that when Ning Chengming was good to her, he was actually angry, and when he was angry, he was happy. Just then, Ning Chengming entered Li Qian's office, prompting Yu Qingqing to discreetly leave them alone.
Ning Chengming told Li Qian that he would not agree to their relationship being strictly superior-subordinate. Misinterpreting this as a "reverse" agreement due to his perceived condition, Li Qian assured him she would strictly comply. Ning Chengming, taking this as a positive sign, then confessed that while he was initially displeased with her deception, he now understood this feeling was "like."
Li Qian again misinterpreted his "like" as its antonym and reassured him of her strong stress resistance, promising not to disrupt his work or life, then asked him to leave. Confused by her unhappiness, Ning Chengming left. As he exited, Yu Qingqing, who had been listening at the door, noted his dejected demeanor and warned Li Qian not to be too harsh, fearing Ning Chengming might act erratically.
Li Qian decided to minimize contact with Ning Chengming to avoid triggering his condition further. Separately, Li Chen met with Gu Zhe. Li Chen mentioned his father's high expectations for the engagement party and his own commitment to staying within budget. Gu Zhe, who had been successfully live streaming, agreed to promote Li Chen's upcoming drama.
Gu Zhe then raised his concerns about Li Chen's engagement to his sister, Gu Lan, fearing it was a decision made out of anger towards their father. He expressed his deep desire for Gu Lan's happiness, reflecting on her sacrifices for him. Li Chen admitted that his and Gu Lan's engagement was initially a pretense, but he had genuinely developed feelings for her. He found Gu Lan's unpredictable personality exciting, quoting Kitano Takeshi, though Gu Zhe didn't recognize the name.
Li Chen affirmed his commitment, saying he wouldn't leave Gu Lan unless she left him first. Gu Zhe, reassured, then asked Li Chen for advice on how to pursue a girl. Li Qian received an email from Yu Qingqing, informing her that Cao Mei had rejected the contract renewal with Jiechi due to high pricing. Yu Qingqing argued that the price was standard, but Cao Mei insisted Jiechi wouldn't agree and blamed Yu Qingqing for handling the matter.
Li Qian explained to Yu Qingqing that while Guanding needed to cut costs post-acquisition, quality control was non-negotiable. She decided to personally visit Jiechi to seek a resolution. Unbeknownst to them, Ning Chengming was aware of Cao Mei's plan to replace Jiechi with a new supplier. He had already preemptively instructed Qi Wei to investigate Cao Mei's previous suppliers and contact Tianchen, a former collaborator familiar with Guanding's standards, to mitigate risks if Jiechi fell through.
Ning Chengming allowed Li Qian to pursue the Jiechi renewal, hoping her efforts would expose Cao Mei's true intentions and help Li Qian gain credibility within the company. Meanwhile, Lu Shao inquired about Ning Chengming's relationship with Li Qian. Ning Chengming recounted Li Qian's peculiar responses to his overtures, which he found illogical. Lu Shao interpreted Li Qian's strange behavior as implicit concern, believing she thought Ning Chengming was "insane" due to his past emotional disorder.
He cautioned Ning Chengming against explaining his recovery, as it would cause him to lose her subtle care. He advised Ning Chengming to "cope with shifting events by sticking to a fundamental principle." Feeling he needed more concrete steps, Ning Chengming pressed for a detailed execution plan. Lu Shao and Qi Wei emphasized the most crucial strategy: "to be shameless." Lu Shao then presented Ning Chengming with a book on modern love strategies.
Li Chen visited Li Qian to invite her to his engagement ceremony with Gu Lan, also mentioning that their father hoped she would attend. Li Qian declined, explaining she had a crucial meeting with Jiechi regarding contract renewal. She expressed her good wishes for Li Chen and Gu Lan, and also confided that she didn't strongly dislike their father, but found it awkward to suddenly reintegrate into the family after so many years apart.
Li Chen understood and offered his unwavering support for her choices. The next morning, Ning Chengming and Li Qian coincidentally met in the elevator. Ning Chengming, having seemingly stayed up late reading the love strategy book, appeared tired. He recalled the "elevator chapter" from his book. When the elevator doors opened, Qi Wei and other employees were waiting. Ning Chengming had hoped for a crowd so he could "protect" Li Qian.
However, Qi Wei, noticing their presence, quickly urged the other employees to leave, deliberately leaving Ning Chengming and Li Qian alone. Inside, Ning Chengming indulged in a detailed fantasy of passionately kissing Li Qian. His silent laughter and unusual behavior caught Li Qian's attention. She brought him back to reality, reminding him they were at the company. Later in the office, Li Qian maintained a professional distance while reporting the day's schedule.
Ning Chengming, remembering Lu Shao's advice to "cope with shifting events by sticking to a fundamental principle," made an excuse about the unhealthiness of prolonged sitting to move closer to Li Qian. He insisted on accompanying her to the Jiechi meeting, dismissing her concerns about his packed schedule by stating he had already completed all his tasks, including reviewing five supplier reports and a new project plan. He then asked if she was avoiding him, which she denied.
Ning Chengming inwardly acknowledged the advice from the love strategy book and Lu Shao about being "shameless" to win her over, though he felt a pang of discomfort. Annoyed by his persistence, Li Qian tossed a document at him and left. Later that day, Li Chen and Gu Lan's engagement ceremony was underway. Gu Zhe and Yu Qingqing were also present. Li Chen and Gu Lan engaged in playful banter, showing slight nervousness about the event and their parents' reactions.
Gu Lan playfully told Li Chen he had two hours to back out if he changed his mind. Gu Zhe, concerned about Yu Qingqing witnessing Li Chen and Gu Lan's affectionate moments, tried to dissuade her from going in. However, Yu Qingqing insisted, explaining that giving Li Chen her gift was her only condition for forgiving Gu Zhe. A server then informed Li Chen that Yu Qingqing was waiting outside.
Li Chen hesitated, wary of Gu Lan's reaction, but Gu Lan, feigning indifference, encouraged him to go, reiterating that their engagement was "just acting." Despite her brave face, she looked slightly unhappy after he left. Yu Qingqing presented Li Chen with a small notebook filled with photos of his past works, including his award-winning "Jianghu Wuyu" ("Stories of the Martial World").
She expressed her deep admiration for his kind nature and his inspiring works, acknowledging her good fortune in knowing him through Li Qian. Yu Qingqing then congratulated Li Chen, wishing him the same happiness found in his stories. Li Chen thanked her and reciprocated the well wishes for her future happiness.
Episode 26 Recap
Li Qian drove Ning Chengming to meet Mr. Qian of Jiechi, suggesting she could handle it alone as she had met Mr. Qian at an industry summit before. Ning Chengming insisted, stating that negotiating with an experienced man like Mr. Qian was crucial and his presence was necessary. Li Qian then brought up her past successes, including securing the GC order, which Ning Chengming commented led to their reunion.
To ease the atmosphere, Li Qian turned on the radio, but the programs—first a relationship expert, Wang Xin, discussing "Lies Make Love More. . ." , then the song "Recall" from the movie "A Moment to Remember"—made her feel awkward. She called the programs boring, but Ning Chengming found them interesting and nostalgic. Suddenly, Ning Chengming received a phone call and instructed Li Qian to stop and turn around, explaining that Mr. Qian was not at his office.
Li Qian quickly realized Mr. Qian was deliberately avoiding them but stated they shouldn't show their urgency. She then had an idea to visit someone else first, believing it might be helpful. At a beauty salon, Zhao Donglan, Mr. Qian's wife and the salon owner, was critiquing her staff, Chen, for bringing in "internet celebrities" as potential spokespersons. She emphasized that their establishment provided high-end medical beauty services for successful men, not just fitness models.
Just then, Li Qian, having received Zhao Donglan's details from a colleague, stepped in with Ning Chengming. Zhao Donglan was immediately impressed by Ning Chengming's "temperament" and wanted him to be the spokesperson for their new men's product line. Seizing the opportunity, Li Qian introduced Ning Chengming as her boyfriend, hinting at an imminent marriage, and agreed on his behalf in exchange for a discount on her beauty treatments.
Zhao Donglan offered a free health examination for Ning Chengming, which he accepted, while Li Qian joined Zhao Donglan for a beauty session. During their chat, Li Qian played the part of a struggling career woman in an "office romance" with her superior, Ning Chengming. She lamented the difficulties of being an independent woman in the tech industry, facing pressures and the challenge of finding foundries, implying Ning Chengming's promise of marriage hinged on their company's survival.
Zhao Donglan, sympathetic as a fellow "able woman," revealed that her husband was Mr. Qian of Jiechi and that she had suspected Li Qian's identity from Guanding due to their recent quotation. Seeing her deception uncovered, Li Qian apologized and explained her desperate situation. Impressed by Li Qian's wit, Zhao Donglan agreed to let Guanding resubmit their proposal, advising them to apply for government subsidies and factor in annual increases.
However, when Zhao Donglan casually mentioned the endorsement was for treating "male breast hyperplasia," an alarmed Li Qian rushed to stop Ning Chengming's ongoing medical examination, quickly pulling him out of the salon. Driving back, Li Qian excitedly reported her success to Ning Chengming, detailing her plans to adjust the project details, apply for subsidies, and prepare a contract with annual increases, confident that Jiechi would no longer refuse them.
Ning Chengming, however, calmly stated that Li Qian had "sold him out." Li Qian denied it, but Ning Chengming playfully insisted and demanded to know how she intended to repay this "debt." Flustered, Li Qian reminded him she was driving. Meanwhile, Cao Mei met with Dong Sheng, who presented a report designed to damage Guanding. It used the company's own publicly disclosed data on declining performance but reframed it as a "torpid stage before modification" to avoid libel.
The report also detailed Ning Chengming's emotional cognitive disorder, highlighting its potential to develop into schizophrenia, thereby planting doubt among potential partners without stating outright lies. Cao Mei praised his "realism." When she inquired about his interactions with Li Qian, Dong Sheng described her as "very lovely" and caring. Cao Mei remarked that Li Qian had likely not yet witnessed the "horror" of media manipulation.
When Dong Sheng noted he wrote the piece according to her wishes, she retorted that he was truly motivated by money. Noticing Yu Qingqing's sadness after her breakup, Gu Zhe stayed by her side, suggesting they order food for a "farewell dinner" for their alliance. He then gave her a cosmetic mirror, calling it important to him.
Yu Qingqing immediately saw through his "old-fashioned trick," recounting how several boys had tried the same move on her in middle school, and jokingly asked if he learned it from Li Chen. Gu Zhe claimed he thought of it himself. Despite her teasing, Yu Qingqing admitted he had cheered her up and accepted the mirror for the office. She awarded him ten points, then playfully told him to "get lost" when he asked what the total score was.
Later, Yu Qingqing took a call from Li Qian summoning her to work overtime, complaining that she deserved ten times her salary for working while heartbroken. She then declined Gu Zhe's offer to drive her. At the office, Li Qian, Yu Qingqing, and their team were preparing declaration materials for a 6 PM deadline the next day. Ning Chengming entered and insisted the materials be completed that night.
He specifically expressed concern for Li Qian's health, urging her not to work too late and get sick, playfully adding that he wouldn't be able to "settle the debt" with her if she fell ill, drawing curious glances from colleagues. He approved their work plan and teased her about buying him a midnight snack.
When Li Qian sarcastically asked for "constructive suggestions," he had none, telling her to find him if issues arose and that completing the project would be her way of making amends. Li Qian conceded to providing snacks. As they got to work, Qi Wei, also working overtime, messaged Lu Fanyi that he wouldn't be home to cook. Li Chen messaged his sister Li Qian, complaining that his engagement was more exhausting than working for three straight nights.
He added that Gu Lan admired her and wanted to have dinner together once Li Qian was free. When Li Chen and Gu Lan returned to their hotel room, they found it transformed into a bridal chamber, complete with wedding characters and items signifying a wish for offspring. Their plans to leave for Gu Lan's place were interrupted by Li Chen's brother, Li Juan, who proudly claimed the elaborate design was his concept.
After Li Juan left, Li Chen joked that Gu Lan in traditional wedding attire would look like something from a "horror movie" and wondered if "peanuts and dates" were hidden under the quilt. Later, Gu Lan accused him of "burning the bridge after crossing it," reminding him their arrangement was for mutual support, not just his utilization.
Li Chen questioned her confidence in proposing an "equivalent exchange" with him and asked her to accompany him to his parents' home the next day to deliver a "big present" he'd prepared with Li Qian's help to provoke his father, Mr. Gu. Gu Lan refused to invest in his film but offered to help him provoke his father.
When he persisted, she playfully offered to "give her body," and he jokingly asked what being a "widow" was like, which earned him the sofa for the night. After everyone had worked through the night, Ning Chengming received a package from Zhao Donglan containing two massage chairs and a personal letter for Li Qian. Reading the letter, he discovered Zhao Donglan praising Li Qian's independence and offering to introduce her to "handsome men." Infuriated, he crumpled the letter.
He then found Li Qian asleep at her desk and gently woke her. When she complained of a stiff neck, he told her about Zhao Donglan's gift. Thrilled, Li Qian immediately wanted to try them. As they sat in the chairs, Ning Chengming accused Li Qian of getting "too into the act" with Zhao Donglan and asked if she agreed with her sentiment that women "shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket."
Trying to tease him, Li Qian enthusiastically agreed. This angered Ning Chengming, who used the chair's remote to firmly squeeze her arm. She cried out, profusely apologizing for "selling him out" and offering to let him sell her out next time. Satisfied after she understood the "pain in the chest caused by anger," he released her, warning her that he was vengeful.
He gave her a drink, told her to rest, and allowed her to come in late, concluding with a pointed warning: "You can forget the whole forest. You plant a tree, then you must be responsible for it." The next day, Qi Wei showed Ning Chengming the negative news report online, which claimed Guanding's performance was declining due to mismanagement and hinted that its president, Ning Chengming, suffered from a mental disorder like schizophrenia.
Ning Chengming remained calm, seeing it as proof of Cao Mei's impatience. He stated his emotional cognitive disorder was cured and instructed the PR department to wait for the right moment to "fight back." He also ordered Lu Fanyi to create a backdoor in Guanding's system and to monitor his aunt's information, suspecting this was just the beginning. At that moment, Li Qian entered with the completed application materials and the Jiechi proposal.
She voiced her concern about the rumors affecting partners' confidence and offered to handle the PR, a role she had long managed. Ning Chengming cut her off, stating that as president, he had the authority to reassign her duties and was taking her off public relations. Though she disagreed, Li Qian silently accepted and left. Qi Wei then asked why he'd removed her, and Ning Chengming explained that their opponents already knew about his illness and might have other information. He felt Li Qian was already a target and wanted to protect her from further harm by keeping her out of the public fight.
Episode 27 Recap
Ning Chengming apologized to Yu Qingqing, acknowledging that the rumors surrounding him had unfortunately implicated the public relations and legal teams. He proposed a strategy to mitigate the crisis: by advancing the launch of their car smart chip, they could redirect public attention to the product itself, which he believed would benefit Guanding.
While confident in Li Qian's ability to independently resolve the issues with Jiechi, Ning Chengming stated he did not want her, or Cao Mei, to be involved in the press conference plans. Shortly after, Cao Mei visited Ning Chengming, suggesting he take some time off and offering to handle the rumors. Ning Chengming questioned her about Ma Hao's previous threats, asking why, as the legal director, she hadn't informed him or called the police.
Cao Mei defended herself, claiming she had advised Ma Hao and that there were no established criminal facts at the time of the threats. Ning Chengming, however, revealed that he hadn't pursued the matter earlier due to other pressing company issues, but clarified that this did not mean the matter was closed. He then firmly reminded Cao Mei to maintain a professional superior-subordinate relationship with him and to focus on her duties.
Meanwhile, Gu Lan and Li Chen returned to Gu Lan's family home for dinner. Gu Lan's father expressed his desire for Li Chen to facilitate a collaboration between their families, specifically regarding a stalled capital injection for a plastic processing factory. Li Chen agreed to help, but explained that his father now solely listened to Gu Lan, suggesting they should convince her first.
Gu Lan then announced her intention to leave Gu's Group and take her brother, Gu Tuo, with her. This revelation angered her father, especially when Gu Lan stated her first venture capital investment would be in Gu Tuo's company, a fact Gu Tuo himself was unaware of. Li Chen attempted to mediate, reiterating that the collaboration would be possible if Gu Lan agreed, but her father remained obstinate, holding a prejudice against women in business.
Separately, Li Jingfan, upon seeing Ning Chengming's promotion in a magazine, demanded an explanation from Li Jun. Li Jun revealed that he was already aware of Ning Chengming's emotional cognitive disorder from his due diligence on Guanding. He argued that such a condition could aid Ning Chengming's calm business judgment and urged his father to support Li Qian's choices and feelings if he truly cared for his daughter. Later, Li Chen and Gu Lan discussed the ongoing issues at Guanding.
Gu Lan speculated that the problems were too extensive to be solely Ma Hao's doing, implying the presence of an internal mole. Li Chen confirmed this, explaining that Ning Chengming's upcoming press conference was a strategic move to smoke out the mole without disturbing them prematurely. He further elaborated that their father's investment in Ning Chengming stemmed from his confidence in him, and as long as Lirong maintained its investment, other shareholders wouldn't withdraw.
If Ning Chengming succeeded, Li Jingfan would likely accept him. Unaware of the full extent of Ning Chengming's plans, Li Qian learned about the upcoming press conference from Yu Qingqing through internal administrative emails. Feeling excluded, she decided to attend but cautioned Yu Qingqing not to inform Ning Chengming about the Jiechi situation, as he explicitly didn't want her involved in public relations.
Li Qian committed to finding alternative suppliers, listing Tianchen and Liansheng as potential options before placing a call to Li Jun. Unbeknownst to Li Qian, her father, Li Jingfan, along with Li Jun and Gu Tuo, had devised a scheme to test Ning Chengming's true feelings for her. Li Jun explained that Ning Chengming had three potential collaborators. He had intentionally recommended Liansheng, despite its founder's questionable reputation, as a way to create a crisis.
Their plan was to observe Ning Chengming's reaction during this critical moment to understand his commitment to Li Qian and the company. Gu Lan was also enlisted to assist in this "experiment." The plan was set into motion when Yu Qingqing discovered details about Liang Yabin, Liansheng's founder, from an assistant.
Liang Yabin was a notorious "kept man" who had married two wealthy heiresses, Qin Xiaofei of Qingyuan Chemical Company and Gao Mou of Universe Electron Company, only to divorce them after his ventures failed. Concerned, Yu Qingqing rushed to inform Ning Chengming, who was already on stage at his press conference, that Li Qian was meeting Liang Yabin for what was essentially a blind date arranged by her family.
Ning Chengming, enraged, abruptly cut short his speech and rushed to Li Qian's location. At the meeting, Li Qian, believing it to be a business discussion, tried to engage Liang Yabin on company matters. However, Liang Yabin focused on complimenting her appearance and sharing irrelevant personal anecdotes, demonstrating a clear lack of business knowledge. As Li Qian grew frustrated and tried to leave, Liang Yabin grabbed her, causing her to cut her finger.
At that precise moment, Ning Chengming burst in, saw Li Qian's injury, and immediately punched Liang Yabin. Gu Lan, hidden nearby, secretly filmed the entire altercation for Li Jingfan and Gu Tuo. Li Qian quickly pulled Ning Chengming away, urging him to leave. Overjoyed by Ning Chengming's passionate reaction, Li Jingfan chuckled, his plan seemingly succeeding. Amidst this personal drama, other developments unfolded.
Authorities located an offshore account linked to Ma Hao, but the account's registrant turned out to be Ning Chengming's aunt, Zheng Zihui, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing corporate scandal.
Episode 28 Recap
After Li Qian took Ning Chengming away from the altercation, she tended to his injuries. She remarked that she never knew he resorted to violence to solve problems. Ning Chengming, wincing in pain, asked her why she had gone to meet that person. Li Qian explained that she was seeking new partners for their company's new product. Ning Chengming was concerned because the man, Liang Yabin, was not reputable in the industry.
He found it suspicious that Li Jun would recommend such a person to Li Qian, suggesting Li Jun might be testing him or her. Li Qian clarified that Liang Yabin was introduced by her elder brother, not for a blind date. Just then, Ning Chengming received a phone call from his uncle and promptly left with Li Qian to his uncle's home. There, they found his aunt, Zheng Zihui, in a wheelchair, requiring constant care from her husband.
His uncle, while caring for his wife, inquired about Li Qian’s background. Li Qian clarified that she and Ning Chengming were merely colleagues. The uncle also mentioned the recent online attacks targeting Ning Chengming, acknowledging Ning Chengming's emotional cognitive impairment but reassuring Li Qian that Ning Chengming was a good person. Li Qian agreed, recalling Ning Chengming as a conscientious and responsible economics teacher at Haoran University, who, despite his strictness and emotional detachment, had worked incredibly hard.
Economic investigation officers then spoke with Ning Chengming, who informed them that his aunt, Zheng Zihui, had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for many years and had no self-care ability. The officers then explained that an overseas account had been registered in Zheng Zihui's name, but the information had been altered, suggesting manipulation. They suspected that the information might have been leaked when Ning Chengming’s uncle took Zheng Zihui to Japan for medical treatment the previous year.
The officers advised Ning Chengming to do nothing for now, as they had already found discrepancies in the case of Ma Hao’s overseas accounts. Later, Ning Chengming reassured his uncle that the economic investigation had simply verified some facts and seemed to have made a mistake. His uncle, seeing Ning Chengming visit, urged him to pay respects to his late parents before leaving. At his parents' memorial, Ning Chengming reminisced about a traumatic car accident from his childhood.
He recalled his parents arguing in the car about another woman, with his mother proclaiming, "Mom tells you there is no love, but lies." He was in the backseat when the crash occurred. As he turned to leave, his aunt, Zheng Zihui, began shouting at him, calling him a "vile spawn" for showing no tears at his mother's death and wishing he had died with his father.
His uncle quickly intervened, attempting to calm his wife, while Li Qian urged Ning Chengming to ignore his aunt's words. Meanwhile, Lu Shao was also called in by the economic investigation department regarding his mother's overseas account. He explained to the officers that his mother had no self-care ability and the account information was maliciously altered to frame his cousin, Ning Chengming. The police questioned his homebody lifestyle, and Lu Shao admitted he disliked social interaction.
Back home, Lu Shao informed Qi Wei that the economic investigation personnel had found Cao Mei's overseas account and she had used his mother's information to change the account user details. Qi Wei worried Ning Chengming would be implicated, but Lu Shao assured him that the authorities were simply gathering evidence to apprehend Cao Mei. He also added that Ning Chengming was with Li Qian, as he had received a message earlier.
On the drive home, Li Qian asked Ning Chengming about the investigation, and he revealed that they suspected Cao Mei. Noticing Ning Chengming’s deteriorating state, and recalling what she learned from his uncle about the car accident and Ning Chengming’s emotional trauma, Li Qian gently placed her hand on his shoulder. Overwhelmed, Ning Chengming suddenly asked her to stop the car, then stumbled out, visibly disoriented. He missed a step and tumbled down some stairs.
Li Qian rushed to him, helping him up and finding his hand badly scraped. As she treated his injury, Ning Chengming clung to her, whispering about his mother’s belief that "in this world there was no real love, but lies." After he calmed down, Ning Chengming asked Li Qian about her conversation with his uncle. She affirmed it, disagreeing with his mother's pessimistic view.
She then shared her own past, describing her mother's family as a large, southern clan riddled with "interest disputes" and driven by "profits rather than kinship," where relatives were "friendly in appearance but estranged at heart." Li Qian recounted her mother's pride in defying an arranged marriage to freely love Li Jingfan and have her, but also her subsequent realization of the challenges of raising a child.
Before Li Qian turned eighteen, her mother never revealed the truth about her father, perhaps hoping Li Qian wouldn't repeat her own life. Li Qian then spoke of her mother's illness, ALS, and her eventual death, revealing that her mother had almost accepted Li Jingfan's marriage proposal.
She characterized her mother as an "unpredictable, beautiful and elegant lady with quaint logic," who, despite her own adherence to dignity, taught Li Qian to be flexible and not overly concerned with appearances, possibly to prevent Li Qian from becoming like her. Ning Chengming then recalled meeting Li Qian’s mother, Ren, when Li Qian fainted in her sophomore year and he brought her to the city hospital.
During that visit, he expressed concerns about Li Qian's academic performance and suggested she quit her part-time job to apply for scholarships or seek financial assistance from her father. Ren admitted Li Qian had refused, stating that "it is very inappropriate if you miss the timing" for such matters. She explained that Li Qian didn't hate her father but felt no affection for him, attributing this to her own fault.
Ning Chengming countered that "everyone is like a lonely island" and that "because of your weakness, Li Qian has to become stronger." Ren then told Ning Chengming that Li Qian often spoke of him, describing him as "like a stone, very shrewd." Ren expressed a sense of destiny meeting him and asked him to convey to Li Qian's father, if they ever met, that she approved of Ning Chengming.
Finally, Ren requested Ning Chengming to pretend they had never met and to be lenient with Li Qian. Li Qian then reflected on her mother's perceived selfishness, arguing that "Each of us can't choose our parents, so do the parents. Everything is the family game driven by human nature. Under the principle of selfishness, there are sufficient reasons for selfish behaviors," noting that her mother still had her "bottom line."
Li Qian then tenderly explained to Ning Chengming that his mother, affected by her own experiences, taught him there was no real love, likely hoping to shield him from similar pain. She advised him not to punish himself. Ning Chengming, deeply touched, confessed that his mother’s words – "This was the last sentence she told me. From then on, I refuse all show my emotions, including unreal emotions caused by lies.
I walk alone in the endless darkness to trust those can be explained by science. I have no curiosity about any kind of feelings, human included" – had shaped him, leading him to realize how "lonely" he had been before meeting Li Qian. The two then shared a kiss, which was secretly photographed.
The next day, Yu Qingqing confronted Li Qian and Ning Chengming in the elevator with the kissing photos, revealing that the pictures had "gone viral on the internet." Yang, a colleague, explained that the ongoing "continuous public opinion attack" began with the exposure of Ning Chengming’s medical history and now included the photos, indicating a coordinated plan. Ning Chengming presented an urgent medical certificate confirming his recovery.
He proposed a strategy to make the public believe they "discovered it by chance" rather than an official announcement. When Yu Qingqing directly asked if they were truly in love, their answers conflicted. Despite denying a romantic relationship, Yu Qingqing suggested, "Since that is false, our strategy is to make the false thing come true." Just then, Yu Qingqing found a news article portraying Ren and Li Qian as "the mother and daughter mistresses," and showed it to Li Qian.
Episode 29 Recap
The recent online news about Li Qian agitated her father, Li Jingfan, who threatened to confront Ning Chengming. However, Li Jun urged his father to remain calm, noting that Li Qian was likely upset. Li Jun offered to visit Li Qian at Guanding on behalf of Lirong and also mentioned using this opportunity to clarify matters regarding Ren Yue, which Li Jingfan approved.
Meanwhile, Gu Lan, having just concluded an interview, was shown the trending topics about Li Qian by Li Chen. Outraged, Gu Lan immediately sought Gu Zhe's help, emphasizing his popularity as an internet celebrity. Ning Chengming tried to reassure Li Qian, suggesting that his public relations team would handle the situation. Li Qian, however, appeared unfazed, stating her strong mental resilience and her belief that netizens had no right to judge her family affairs.
She felt that any response would only escalate the situation, and it was best to let the rumors fade naturally. Ning Chengming reflected on how he sometimes felt unimportant to her, but Li Qian quickly affirmed her need for him, saying his presence alone gave her strength. Soon after, Ning Chengming received a discreet message and swiftly left when Li Jun arrived to speak with Li Qian.
Li Jun approached Li Qian, expressing concern and reminding her of their father's upcoming birthday. He admitted to admiring Ning Chengming's business acumen but found their relationship unconventional. Li Qian firmly asserted that her personal life was not subject to investors' scrutiny. Li Jun clarified that he, unlike their father, supported her relationship but was concerned about the online fervor. He expressed regret for her having to learn about family matters from gossip.
He then presented Li Qian with the marriage certificate of Li Jingfan and Ren Yue, explaining that Ren Yue wished for them to marry shortly before her passing. He also revealed that their father had decided against remarriage after his first wife's death, a decision partly influenced by Li Chen's past trauma with previous opportunistic women. Upon learning this truth, Li Qian forgave her father and agreed to attend his birthday.
Concurrently, Gu Lan and Li Chen sought Gu Zhe's assistance. Gu Zhe was initially reluctant to address the online rumors directly, believing the public wouldn't listen to logical arguments. However, after receiving a call from Yu Qingqing, who proposed an emotional appeal, Gu Zhe enthusiastically agreed to proceed with a live broadcast. With Yu Qingqing's guidance, Gu Zhe hosted a live stream featuring Li Chen.
Li Chen introduced himself as the "brother of the girl surnamed Li" and courageously recounted his family's history, revealing how their family's wealth attracted opportunistic women who mistreated him as a child. A voiceover from Li Jun elaborated on how their father's initial hesitation about remarriage, stemming from Li Chen's past trauma, led to Ren Yue leaving.
During the live stream, a voiceover from Li Jun clarified that both he and Li Chen had known since childhood that Li Qian was not an illegitimate child but the youngest daughter of the Li family. Li Chen’s heartfelt testimony, supported by Li Jun's revelations, successfully swayed public opinion, garnering sympathy for Li Qian.
Meanwhile, Cao Mei contacted Ma Hao, informing him that Ning Chengming's overseas accounts had been detected by economic investigation, and he would be apprehended within 48 hours. She warned Ma Hao to act decisively, threatening to withhold his escape "boat ticket" if he failed to deliver Ning Chengming. Separately, Qi Wei visited Lu Shao, who was cooperating with economic investigation. They speculated that Cao Mei, who had been absent from work, was desperate and might be planning an escape.
Lu Shao then received a message from Ning Chengming, stating that Cao Mei had called for a confrontation, and he was going to meet her. Ning Chengming assured Lu Shao that he had set up timed emails to be sent every ten minutes, which he would cancel if he was safe. If Lu Shao received the emails, it would indicate danger, and he was to immediately contact economic investigation. Ning Chengming arrived at a hotel where Cao Mei was packing.
He confronted her, sternly warning her to cease her attacks on Li Qian. He stated that while he had tolerated her previous actions against him and others out of respect for Professor Cao, he would not stand by if Li Qian was harmed. Cao Mei tearfully confessed her deep, almost self-deprecating love for Ning Chengming, which she claimed had driven her actions.
Ning Chengming reiterated that he had never harbored any romantic feelings for her, neither during his cognitive disorder nor after his recovery. Later, Guo Dongsheng met Li Qian and attempted to confess his love. Li Qian promptly rejected him, seeing through his pretense. She accused him of having approached her at Gu Lan's press conference under false pretenses, implying he was working for Cao Mei.
Li Qian warned him that she was well-versed in such schemes and advised him to leave immediately to avoid legal consequences. Frightened, Guo Dongsheng quickly departed. Cao Mei, still at the hotel, offered Ning Chengming what she claimed was grape juice, knowing he abstained from alcohol. After he drank it, she told him she was celebrating "not wanting him anymore" and his freedom from her, though her actions suggested otherwise. The drink left Ning Chengming disoriented.
Li Qian, unable to reach Ning Chengming by phone or message, called Qi Wei, through whom Lu Shao inadvertently revealed Ning Chengming's location at the Dengyun Hot Spring Hotel, Room 520. Li Qian rushed to the hotel. Inside, a drugged Ning Chengming was confronted by Cao Mei, who was trying to get intimate with him. Despite his impaired state, Ning Chengming questioned if she was Li Qian, and upon hearing her affirmative reply, firmly declared, "You're not her!
Because Li Qian will never use the word 'beg' in a relationship. All she will say is 'Ning Chengming, I'll let you know, I like you!' " At the hotel front desk, Li Qian's request for the room number was denied due to privacy policies. Recognizing the hotel as part of Gu's Group, she immediately called Gu Zhe, who instructed the front desk to grant her access.
Li Qian entered the room, forcefully telling Cao Mei to stay away from Ning Chengming. She then took Ning Chengming away, leaving Cao Mei heartbroken and sobbing on the floor. Li Qian brought Ning Chengming home to rest. Though still somewhat affected by the drug, he reassured her that he would be fine. Li Qian playfully tested his sobriety with a finger-counting game, which he hilariously failed.
He then jokingly expressed jealousy over her interaction with Guo Dongsheng, stating he disliked her talking to other men. While Ning Chengming rested, Yu Qingqing called Li Qian to inform her that Gu Zhe and Li Chen's live stream had successfully resolved the online rumors, urging her to watch it. Li Qian opened the live stream, witnessing Li Chen's emotional plea on her behalf, which moved her to tears. Ning Chengming soon woke up, saw her crying, and comforted her.
After comforting her, he reminded her of the importance of mutual reliance, emphasizing that while she could rely on others, she "should" rely on him. He then leaned in and kissed her, before carrying her into the bedroom, where their intimacy deepened.
Episode 30 Recap
Li Qian woke up the next morning and immediately confronted Ning Chengming for having gone to meet Cao Mei alone the previous day, deeming it highly dangerous and asking what would have happened if he had been taken advantage of. Ning Chengming playfully feigned ignorance, and their lighthearted exchange continued until Qi Wei arrived at the door. Upon seeing Li Qian in her pajamas, Qi Wei quickly retreated.
He then urgently informed Ning Chengming that Lu Shao was in distress due to a video call from his family, prompting Ning Chengming and Li Qian to go to Lu Shao's room. Lu Shao's aunt was on the video call, and she insisted that Ning Chengming bring Li Qian to visit, hinting that she was aware of their cohabitation and wished to vet Li Qian herself.
After Ning Chengming ended the call, Lu Shao explained his reluctance to speak with his parents, who consistently treated him like a third-grader and attempted to send him to a nursing home. Ning Chengming clarified that Lu Shao’s mother only remembered him as a child from before her illness, and in her mind, he would always be one. He warned Lu Shao that his house and computer would be confiscated if he continued to refuse visits.
Ning Chengming then instructed Lu Shao to bring Qi Wei along for the next visit, which confused Qi Wei. Later, both Lu Shao and Qi Wei playfully addressed Li Qian as "sister-in-law," much to her embarrassment. They were also surprised to see Ning Chengming cooking for Li Qian, with Lu Shao remarking that anyone who could make Ning Chengming cook was like a code expert to him.
Lu Shao then asked Li Qian to intercede with Ning Chengming to reduce his rent, causing Li Qian to label them a "strange family." Concerned about their safety as Cao Mei became increasingly erratic, Lu Shao provided Ning Chengming and Li Qian with miniature locators to monitor their whereabouts and ensure their personal security. Ning Chengming tenderly helped Li Qian put on her locator, a moment interrupted by Lu Shao and Qi Wei's teasing.
He assured Li Qian that he would protect her from Cao Mei. Meanwhile, Li Jingfan was eagerly preparing for his birthday banquet, excited about Li Qian’s impending return. He personally oversaw every detail, instructing Li Jun to ensure the dishes were perfectly clean due to Li Qian’s mysophobia and meticulously arranging flowers so she could appreciate their scent. He expressed concern that Li Qian might not attend, but Li Jun reassured him.
Li Chen and Gu Lan discussed Li Jingfan’s intense preparations, with Li Chen remarking that after over a decade, his father couldn’t remain calm about his daughter’s return. Li Chen then showed Gu Lan Li Qian’s room, decorated in a vibrant pink that made it look like a princess’s chamber.
Gu Lan was surprised, and their brother, Li Jun, then appeared, explaining that he had designed the room 15 years ago and hoped Li Qian would love it and move in that very night. Li Chen and Gu Lan offered insincere compliments on the room’s décor, with Gu Lan jokingly calling Li Jun "a domineering president with a pink girlish heart."
Ning Chengming messaged his online mentor, "Jianghu," who was actually Gu Zhe, announcing that he had "graduated" (a euphemism for becoming intimate with Li Qian). Gu Zhe, visibly shocked and annoyed, challenged Ning Chengming's experience and suggested Li Qian must be "mediocre in appearance and dull-witted" to fall for him. This triggered an online argument, with Ning Chengming calling Gu Zhe narrow-minded and an incompetent "emotional anchor."
When Li Qian entered, she took Ning Chengming's phone and discovered his online alias, "0205," was registered with her birthday. She realized that she and Ning Chengming had been conversing online without knowing each other’s true identities. Gu Zhe then messaged Ning Chengming, challenging him to a physical confrontation under the ferris wheel of Jinmao Square. Li Qian, fearing Ning Chengming would get injured before Li Jingfan's birthday banquet, forbade him from going, and he reluctantly agreed.
Gu Zhe, confident that Ning Chengming was a "keyboard warrior" who wouldn't show up, waited at the ferris wheel and even rode a carousel, feeling victorious. Yu Qingqing observed Li Qian’s radiant demeanor and correctly inferred that she and Ning Chengming had become intimate, prompting Li Qian to admit they lacked a "sense of ritual" in their relationship. Just then, Qi Wei rushed in, reporting Ning Chengming missing.
Li Qian immediately suspected he had gone to meet Gu Zhe and instructed Yu Qingqing to rush to the Jinmao Square ferris wheel to intercept Gu Zhe, warning that they might otherwise have to bail "two" people out of the police station. Yu Qingqing managed to drag Gu Zhe away just as he received a message confirming Ning Chengming's arrival. Simultaneously, Li Qian used the locator Lu Shao had provided to find Ning Chengming and bring him back.
As they walked away, Gu Zhe and Ning Chengming continued their childish taunts via message, each claiming the other was too afraid to show up, much to the exasperation of Yu Qingqing and Li Qian, who admonished them for their immaturity. Yu Qingqing took Gu Zhe to a coffee shop, where she had painstakingly dressed up for a "business meeting."
She revealed her intention to rekindle a past romance with a "comely school junior" named Wei, who now held a valuable high-tech patent, hoping to integrate him into their company. Gu Zhe attempted to escape by faking a stomachache, but Yu Qingqing prevented him. When Wei arrived, both Yu Qingqing and Gu Zhe were thoroughly disappointed by his changed appearance; he was now unkempt, unfashionable, and noticeably bald.
Yu Qingqing tried to end the meeting quickly, but Wei persisted, expressing that he had harbored feelings for her for years and developed post-traumatic stress from her sudden disappearance during their brief high school romance. He confessed his enduring love and his belief that she, unlike others, would accept his baldness, admitting he wore a wig.
Yu Qingqing, exasperated, pulled his wig off in front of Gu Zhe, complaining that Wei would even knit wigs and force her to touch them, despite his "hereditary baldness." Gu Zhe initially burst out laughing but quickly composed himself under Yu Qingqing’s glare. Humiliated, Wei left. Gu Zhe, still amused, assured Yu Qingqing that he did not have hereditary baldness and would knit a wig for her if she ever needed one.
Li Qian then led Ning Chengming to her late mother Ren Yue's former studio, a place where her mother used to paint. She revealed a portrait of Li Jingfan, proudly stating that it was painted by her mother, a secret hidden for fifteen years.
Li Qian recounted how her mother had playfully told her that her father was various superheroes, and how, as a child, she had discovered the hidden paintings but pretended not to know, playing along with the secret. She then shared her childhood anger and a period of cold war with her mother for withholding the truth, only to deeply regret it when her mother fell ill.
Li Qian showed Ning Chengming several unfinished paintings her mother had created for the man she loved, some even on her deathbed. She tearfully confessed her own selfishness and cowardice, admitting she had avoided Li Jingfan to evade the pain of her mother's death, fearing that accepting him would mean fully acknowledging her mother's absence. Ning Chengming comforted her, explaining that he and she were different.
Her mother, he said, was like a "female warrior" whose decade-long battle with illness had given him time to mentally prepare, whereas Li Qian was only four when she had to face the harsh reality of her parents’ fractured marriage. He affirmed that none of it was her fault. Li Qian thanked Ning Chengming, calling him her "sole good luck in my unhappy life" for helping her rediscover her emotions.
She then gave him "homework": to "be happy even if life is hard, and find joy amid hardship," to which Ning Chengming responded, "OK, Teacher Li." After framing the portrait of Li Jingfan, intending it as a birthday gift, Ning Chengming received a message. He told Li Qian he had a company matter to attend to but urged her to go to Li Jingfan's birthday banquet on time, promising to join her in half an hour.
After he departed, Li Qian heard a noise from the entrance. Believing it was Ning Chengming who had returned for something, she went to investigate, but was suddenly seized by an unknown assailant who choked her and carried her away.
Episode 31 Recap
As Li Jingfan, Gu Lan, and Li Chen discussed retirement and the potential of handing over the company to Li Qian, Li Jun rushed in to inform them that Li Qian had been taken. Li Jingfan, disbelieving, insisted that Li Qian was with Ning Chengming, only for Li Jun to clarify that Ning Chengming was the one who reported it to the police. Convinced that Ning Chengming was behind the kidnapping, Li Jingfan instructed Li Jun to confront him.
When Li Jun found Ning Chengming and accused him, demanding Li Qian's release, Ning Chengming received an urgent call from Lu Fanyi, his subordinate. Lu Fanyi reported that a tracker had been lost after Li Qian's captors passed Chongshan Road, indicating a change in the situation, prompting Ning Chengming to leave immediately. Meanwhile, the kidnappers, having taken Li Qian, first removed her earrings, scoffing when they discovered they were fake. They drove Li Qian to a secluded factory.
While eating their takeaway, Li Qian, blindfolded, identified the smell of Yunnan rice noodles. She cleverly expressed a desire to eat, leading the kidnappers to remove her blindfold and feed her. Recognizing their relaxed guard, Li Qian tried to win them over, suggesting they were kidnapping her for her live-streaming artist. She offered to manage them and ensure they would receive generous tips if they started live-streaming.
During Gu Zhe's live stream, he received a surprising 50,000 yuan tip from Li Qian's account. Yu Qingqing immediately recognized this as a signal from Li Qian and urged Gu Zhe to go to the police. Back with the kidnappers, Li Qian's phone rang with a call from a contact named "White Bone Demon." When questioned, Li Qian claimed it was an annoying insurance salesperson.
Skeptical, the kidnappers bound her mouth and destroyed her phone, fearing their location might be compromised by its GPS. Li Chen, while at the police station, received a call from Yu Qingqing about Li Qian's recent account activity, which the police confirmed was a vital clue, and they coordinated with Lu Fanyi. The kidnappers, worried about exposure, contacted Bro Dama.
Bro Dama, furious at their blunder, called his contact, Mr. Ma, who in turn chastised Bro Dama and then called Ma Hao. Ma Hao reported the situation to Cao Mei, who instructed him to arrange for Li Qian's transfer to the dock, emphasizing that Ma Hao must accompany them to prevent any further mistakes. As the search for Li Qian intensified, Lu Fanyi informed Ning Chengming that Li Qian's account login indicated she was in the New Area.
Still concerned about Cao Mei's potential involvement, Ning Chengming asked Lu Fanyi to check nearby surveillance. Police arrived at the Tianchen factory in the New Area but found that Li Qian had already been moved. However, Li Qian, in a display of cleverness, had etched "2011" on the ground, signaling they were headed into the city (011 being the city's area code). Police realized the kidnappers would use Nanhuan Road, but surveillance there was down due to electrical work.
Ning Chengming then used his private connections to provide surveillance footage from Nanhuan Road's east side, near the Tianchen Group building, which was passed to law enforcement through Lu Fanyi. The two kidnappers delivered Li Qian to Ma Hao. Ma Hao, uneasy about receiving Li Qian directly instead of Bro Dama, called Cao Mei for guidance. Cao Mei instructed Ma Hao to keep Li Qian until dawn before making the transfer and to ensure no more errors occurred.
Meanwhile, Li Chen and Li Jun returned home to update Gu Lan, Yu Qingqing, and Gu Zhe that Li Qian had been moved but was now believed to be in the city, based on her message. Li Jingfan, heartbroken by Li Qian's kidnapping, locked himself in his study.
He spoke to a picture of his late wife, Ren Yue, tearfully apologizing for failing to protect their daughter and promising that if Li Qian returned safely, he would ensure she broke all ties with Ning Chengming. Li Qian, now with Ma Hao, attempted to persuade him to abandon his course of action.
She highlighted that he hadn't committed a grave crime yet and could still turn his life around with a good lawyer, rather than suffering for someone else's misdeeds. Ma Hao, however, deflected, questioning Li Qian's affection for Ning Chengming, whom he described as boring and quiet. At this point, the two kidnappers approached Ma Hao, demanding their full payment. They claimed they were promised 2,000 yuan but only received 1,000.
Ma Hao, enraged, revealed he had paid Bro Dama 100,000 yuan for the job. This revelation sparked an argument among the kidnappers themselves, as one admitted to only receiving 10,000 from Bro Dama and had only passed on 1,000 to his partner. Li Qian, overhearing their internal conflict, realized this disunity could present an opportunity for escape if she could be alone with them.
As one of the kidnappers drove Li Qian and his partner to the rendezvous point, Li Qian, observing Ma Hao was not in their car, requested to listen to music. Claiming the provided phone was unfamiliar and complicated to connect to the car's Bluetooth speaker, she convinced them to untie her hands so she could do it herself. Seizing the moment, Li Qian secretly called Ning Chengming.
While pretending to struggle with the phone, she described their route, mentioning landmarks like Songsong Restaurant, Xiashi Botanical Garden, and the Twenty-four Hours Bookstore. She added that they were turning from Chong'an West Road onto Pinghe East Road, indicating their clear trajectory towards the dock. Ning Chengming, hearing these details, immediately relayed the information to the police. Based on this, the police quickly identified a suspicious black hatchback car heading to the dock.
At the dock, Ma Hao ensured Li Qian's arrival before departing. Soon after, Cao Mei appeared, dismissed the kidnappers, and confronted Li Qian. Li Qian questioned Cao Mei's motives for her elaborate abduction. Cao Mei coldly stated her purpose was simply her own unhappiness and her desire that Li Qian and Ning Chengming not be happy either.
She then revealed a startling secret about Ning Chengming, claiming he developed a "cognitive impairment" at age five and, from that point, learned to "perform" various emotions, including what Li Qian perceived as his love for her. Cao Mei dramatically declared that both she and Li Qian were victims in this situation, challenging Li Qian to "wait and see" how Ning Chengming would truly treat her.
During their intense confrontation, Cao Mei initiated a video call to Ning Chengming, deliberately showing him Li Qian before turning and striking Li Qian multiple times across the face. However, Li Qian, having previously buttered up the kidnappers, had had her ropes subtly loosened, allowing her to quickly break free. She retaliated, grabbing Cao Mei's hand and revealing her own past as a "school bully" who "no one dared to cross" in junior high.
Li Qian then forcefully restrained Cao Mei, pinning her to a chair. She asserted that even if Ning Chengming didn't truly love her, she would live a wonderful and beautiful life and would never be defeated by a "defeated dog" like Cao Mei, who merely hid in dark corners to bark and bite. Li Qian then told Cao Mei to spend the rest of her life reflecting in prison.
As Li Qian turned to walk away, Cao Mei seized an iron bar from the ground and struck Li Qian from behind, knocking her unconscious. Just then, the police and Ning Chengming arrived. They apprehended Cao Mei, and Ning Chengming rushed to embrace the fallen Li Qian.
Episode 32 (Ending) Recap
Li Qian dreamt of her mother painting, and in the dream, Ning Chengming gently embraced her. Upon waking, she saw her father, Li Jingfan, and brothers, Li Chen and Li Jun, looking at her with concern at the hospital door. The doctor advised them to leave so Li Qian could rest. Shortly after, Ning Chengming entered. Li Qian, pretending to be disoriented, asked him who he was.
Ning Chengming seized the opportunity, claiming she had fallen down the stairs last night, leading to her unconsciousness. He playfully told her that if she had memory loss, he was her husband, and she had pursued him relentlessly back in college.
Li Qian, realizing his trickery, quickly recalled her family members: her best friend Yu Qingqing, her close friend Gu Zhe, her father Li Jingfan, her brothers Li Chen and Li Jun, and her sister-in-law Gu Lan, but she pointedly said she had no strong impression of Ning Chengming. Annoyed, Ning Chengming told her she should take her medicine to fully recover her memory. Meanwhile, Cao Mei and Ma Hao were detained.
Yu Qingqing requested to see Cao Mei at the detention center, but Cao Mei refused to see anyone and declared she did not need a lawyer to defend herself. She believed that denying the charges would keep her fantasy intact, but the authorities stated that with conclusive evidence, her false repentance was unnecessary; she just needed to await trial. Back at the hospital, Ning Chengming offered Li Qian dessert with her medicine.
Li Qian refused the bitter taste, so Ning Chengming produced a "Li Qian's exclusive medicine treasure box" with various items. Just as they were playfully interacting, Li Jingfan entered, suggesting Ning Chengming leave so he could speak with his daughter privately. Li Jingfan gently told Li Qian that her room, which he had decorated in a high school style, could be changed if she didn't like it.
He assured her the company was fine and promised to have nourishing food prepared. He then returned her bag, explaining the police had it for evidence. Inside, she revealed, was his birthday gift: a painting. Li Jingfan was deeply moved, especially when he saw the painting depicted him. Li Qian confessed that she had dreamt of her mother, who asked if she resented her for not revealing Li Jingfan's existence sooner.
Li Qian said she didn't, acknowledging that although her father was absent for a long time, she now knew he cared for her, and she would slowly get used to their relationship. Li Jingfan, touched, asked Li Qian to stay at home, which she agreed to. He then cautiously tried to ask about her relationship with Ning Chengming, but Li Qian quickly stated she would handle it herself. Li Jingfan left her to rest, thanking her for the gift.
At a dinner, Ning Chengming's subordinates, Lu Fanyi and Qi Wei, observed his somber mood. Qi Wei hesitantly mentioned hearing about Li Qian's memory loss, noting she remembered everyone but him. Lu Fanyi chimed in that a head injury would naturally cause memory loss, which Ning Chengming dismissed as nonsense. Qi Wei then asked about Ning Chengming's next plan. Ning Chengming declared his intention to "emphasize established facts and fight fire with fire," confident he would win this round.
Later, Li Chen and Gu Lan were discussing Li Qian, with Li Chen revealing Li Qian was faking her memory loss as part of her playful battle with Ning Chengming. While overseeing the redecoration of Li Qian's house for Ning Chengming's grand gesture, Gu Lan found his actions excessive, complaining that he was making Li Chen do all the work.
Li Chen, however, was happy to help for Li Qian's sake and promised Gu Lan an even grander, personally arranged wedding. Gu Zhe sought Yu Qingqing's legal advice on an advertising contract. Yu Qingqing confirmed the contract was valid but stipulated he couldn't be in a real relationship during the contract period. Gu Zhe, upset by the clause, told his father he couldn't sign. His father initially suspected Gu Lan was behind it.
Gu Zhe then complained to his mother about the no-dating clause. His mother scolded his father for not looking out for their son, then urged Gu Zhe to find a girlfriend and marry soon to expand the family. Gu Zhe admitted he was pursuing someone who hadn't yet agreed. Li Qian received a call from Xiaowang at the community committee, saying someone insisted on buying her house on South Sanli East Lane, despite being told it wasn't for sale.
The person insisted on meeting her. Li Qian rushed over to find her house redecorated in a style reminiscent of her time with Ning Chengming, filled with their photos and couple's items. On the swing, she found a letter from Ning Chengming. In the letter, Ning Chengming explained this was his first letter to her since regaining his memory, but not his last.
He recounted their journey from school to meeting abroad, his memory loss, and his inner thoughts, concluding by expressing his profound love for her. He reminisced about how he initially found her annoying in class, like a "clever fox," but later realized his initial perceptions were incomplete. He spoke of the bewildering nature of memory, how it could make one forget so much yet vividly retain every moment they shared, making them feel like yesterday.
He described how he experienced a range of emotions with her, more than ever before, but the joy turned to anger upon realizing his memory loss was exploited by a lie. This challenged his logic and brought him sadness. After making many excuses, he decided to "fight fire with fire" and reject the unrealistic demands, proposing they renegotiate. He found her initial anger, struggle, and resistance amusing but eventually realized it wasn't what he truly wanted.
He then understood his good fortune in meeting her on this "narrow path," and reiterated his love. As Li Qian finished reading, Ning Chengming appeared, taking her hand and asking if she remembered everything. Li Qian, now fully aware of his manipulation, playfully accused him of "cheating." Ning Chengming admitted it, proposing they "cheat each other for a lifetime." As they embraced, Li Jingfan, Li Chen, Li Jun, and Gu Lan watched from a distance with binoculars.
Li Jingfan was torn between joy and apprehension, happy for his daughter but also worried about Ning Chengming potentially hurting her, and feeling his own love for her might become superfluous. A year later, Ning Chengming and Li Qian were on their honeymoon in Thailand. Li Qian complained to Ning Chengming, listing how he had dragged her to visit factories, attend industry forums, and review documents, questioning if it was a honeymoon or a remote work trip.
Ning Chengming promised a surprise to appease her. Meanwhile, a pregnant Gu Lan was chatting with Gu Zhe via WeChat, being pampered by Li Chen. Li Jun angrily recounted how a Mr. Fu from Lingfan had splashed coffee on him for suggesting a 50% stake in his company. Li Chen and Gu Lan found Li Jun's demand a bit excessive, but Li Jun was determined to "keep an eye on" Mr. Fu and challenge anyone who invested in his company.
Li Jingfan, feeling neglected by Li Chen and Gu Lan, messaged Li Qian, urging her to come home soon. Li Qian dressed up beautifully for dinner with Ning Chengming. Ning Chengming, finding her outfit a bit revealing, tried to get her to wear a jacket, which displeased her. She threatened to return to the hotel, but he eventually cajoled her, asking if she wanted him to carry her. Li Qian, teasing him, asked when he had developed such strong arms.
Later, while Ning Chengming queued for food, Li Qian was approached by two men. Ning Chengming, seeing this, angrily confronted them and started a fight. The altercation led them to the police station. The police offered two choices: involve the embassy and follow their country's legal procedures, or follow local rules. Li Qian secretly advised Ning Chengming on the local customs, and he agreed to the second option.
The police then proceeded to take numerous "commemorative" photos of Ning Chengming and Li Qian, who took full advantage of the situation to capture many intimate shots, much to the exasperated officers' dismay, who reluctantly complied until they ended their shift early.