The Trick of Life and Love Episode 17 Recap
> The Trick of Life and Love 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.
