Time To Fall In Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Time To Fall In Love Synopsis
Beauty Makeup anchor Su Yanxi is threatened by her twin sister, He Jinxi, and is forced to become "contractual lovers" instead of her sister with president Gu Xicheng.
To make her sick grandmother happy, Gu Xicheng pretends to be in love, but he is gradually attracted to the optimistic and sunny Su Yanxi.
They are living together, gradually developing an affection for each other. Under the careful company of Su Yanxi, Gu Xicheng gradually removed his grumpy and cold "shell" and revealed his soft heart.
At the same time, Su Yanxi, who has been hiding her identity and cannot tell the truth, is in great pain...
Time To Fall In Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Gu Xicheng, the president of Huayan Group, efficiently managed company affairs but found family matters to be a headache. His Grandma frequently urged him to marry, pushing him to reluctantly participate in a girlfriend interview organized by his assistant, Situ. During a business call with his assistant, Gu Xicheng firmly instructed him to tell Lipman his position on a German collaboration, unwilling to compromise on pricing.
Later, Situ confirmed the "girlfriend" meeting was ready, promising to find the best girlfriend in five minutes so Grandma wouldn't nag Gu Xicheng, and even adding "six minutes, definitely an even number." Gu Xicheng, however, viewed it as a waste of time. He called his Grandma, making an excuse about meeting a client and assuring her that Aunt Mei would accompany her to a routine checkup. Grandma, however, focused on her desire to see him marry and have great-grandchildren.
Meanwhile, beauty blogger Su Yanxi hurriedly ended her live stream, saying goodbye to her "babes," as she was rushing to an interview for the Huayan series's online broadcaster role. A friend called, asking if she was there, noting only ten minutes remained. Su Yanxi, still wearing her Hanfu, explained she was almost there, having run all the way from home due to heavy traffic.
She emphasized that she couldn't miss this opportunity, as her mother's hospital bills for next month depended on getting the Huayan promotion. Crossing the street in her haste, she was nearly hit by Gu Xicheng's car. Although Gu Xicheng had subtly warned her to avoid a speeding vehicle, Su Yanxi, preoccupied with her interview, didn't notice his protective gesture. Instead, she was angered by the near-miss and his lack of apology.
Upon arriving at the company, Su Yanxi found the broadcaster interviews were over. She managed to persuade Miqi, the hiring manager, to take her resume, which listed her online account as "Pretty Xixi," and was told to await notification. As she left, she saw several women heading into another office and mistakenly assumed it was the final round for the broadcaster position, deciding to blend in.
Inside, she was shocked to discover the interviewer was Gu Xicheng, the very man who had nearly hit her with his car. She also noticed the peculiar arrangement of his office, with all items in even numbers. Gu Xicheng directly asked about the "conditions" for being his contract girlfriend, which Su Yanxi misinterpreted as the required "sales quantity" for live streaming. She confidently declared she could handle 50,000, even 20,000 a month, though her usual minimum was 100,000.
Realizing their miscommunication, Gu Xicheng clarified he would pay her 50,000 yuan a month to be by his side 24 hours a day, leading Su Yanxi to angrily accuse him of trying to "sugar daddy" her. Feeling insulted, she refused to work with him or Huayan, storming out. In her agitation, she accidentally knocked a vase adorned with roses; Gu Xicheng quickly caught it but pricked his finger.
Later, he complained to Situ about the "troubles" caused by the "best girlfriend" interview, which Situ defended, suggesting he might meet his true love and reminding him of his "even number obsession" and "obsessive-compulsive disorder." Still in her Hanfu, Su Yanxi mistakenly ended up in the underground garage instead of the first floor. Feeling the heat, she began to remove her outer Hanfu layer.
Gu Xicheng, already in his car, saw her and quickly got out, urging her to stop, explaining that high-resolution infrared cameras were present. Startled, Su Yanxi stumbled backward. Gu Xicheng rushed to steady her, but they lost their balance, falling together in a surprising accidental kiss. Embarrassed, Su Yanxi asked him to pretend they never met. Later, Su Yanxi's friend, An'an, met her at the hospital entrance.
Su Yanxi shared her frustration about the "unlucky" interview and the urgent news from her mother's doctor: her illness couldn't be delayed, surgery was needed, and overdue bills had to be paid immediately, or her mother would be moved from her room. As they talked, an incident unfolded nearby. A person deliberately threw themselves in front of a luxury car, faking an injury.
Su Yanxi quickly discerned the scam and intervened, exposing the "rascal" and threatening to call the police and post the video of the fake accident, causing the scammer to flee. The grateful driver thanked her, and Gu Xicheng's Grandma, Madam Gu, emerged from the car. Madam Gu praised Su Yanxi's kindness and beauty, expressing a wish for her grandson, Xicheng, to find such a wonderful woman.
That evening, Madam Gu, at home with Aunt Mei, reiterated her long-held wish for Xicheng to marry and provide great-grandchildren. When Situ, Gu Xicheng's assistant, sent her a photo of Gu Xicheng and Su Yanxi kissing in the garage, she excitedly believed her wish was coming true, mistaking Su Yanxi for Gu Xicheng's girlfriend. When Gu Xicheng returned home, Madam Gu confronted him with the photo.
He tried to deny knowing Su Yanxi, further angering his Grandma, who accused Situ of being a "traitor" and implied Gu Xicheng was trying to "make me angry." She fainted, exclaiming she was old and worried about him. At her bedside, Gu Xicheng tried to reassure her, but Madam Gu, weakened, reiterated her desire for him to find a "considerate and gentle girl" and settle down, so she could "rest with a peaceful mind."
To ease her distress, Gu Xicheng reluctantly promised to bring his "girlfriend" home and marry soon. Back at the office, Gu Xicheng angrily confronted Situ for sending the photo to his Grandma. Situ apologized, explaining he did it out of concern for Madam Gu, offering to accept any punishment except being fired. Gu Xicheng docked his month's salary.
Situ then revealed he had identified the actual "number six" interviewee: He Jinxi, a renowned local socialite known for her love of luxury goods. Situ had also matched the woman in the photo (Su Yanxi) to He Jinxi's profile picture, mistakenly believing they were the same person, despite Gu Xicheng feeling "something different" about her appearance. Situ urged Gu Xicheng to pursue He Jinxi to appease Grandma. Meanwhile, He Jinxi was experiencing severe financial difficulties.
A doctor informed her that her temple was infected due to "excessive filling" and required expensive restoration surgery abroad, estimated to cost over a million yuan. To her shock, all her credit cards were "exceeded the limit and frozen." She angrily stormed out of the store, unable to make her purchases. Loan sharks continued to call, threatening further action after previously splashing paint on her door. Just as despair set in, He Jinxi received a phone call from Gu Xicheng.
He introduced himself as the President of Huayan Group and proposed a contract, making her his "contract girlfriend" and offering her the Huayan online broadcaster role. Gu Xicheng stipulated there would be "no real relationship" and it wouldn't be public, promising to meet other requests, but also stating he could terminate the contract if violated.
He Jinxi, seeing a solution to her financial woes, requested the exact amount of money be written in the contract, a 50% deposit, and for the cooperation to be "based on Grandma's health condition." Gu Xicheng agreed to her terms, reminding her to "match your signatures" when signing.
Alone, He Jinxi realized Gu Xicheng must have met her twin sister, Su Yanxi, and mistaken her for He Jinxi, noting their striking resemblance which she had used to her advantage by submitting a lightly made-up photo for her original application. He Jinxi then confronted Su Yanxi at the hospital.
Su Yanxi initially refused to engage, but He Jinxi pleaded, revealing her infected face, the need for urgent, costly surgery, and the relentless debt collectors, appealing to their bond as "mom's daughters." She showed Su Yanxi the contract from Gu Xicheng, explaining the opportunity to get a large sum of money. She then confessed that Gu Xicheng had seen Su Yanxi and mistaken her for He Jinxi, proposing Su Yanxi take her place in the contract.
Su Yanxi was reluctant, unwilling to "con someone." However, He Jinxi used their mother's critical condition as leverage, revealing she had already paid off the hospital's overdue bills for their mother and promised to cover the surgery costs if Su Yanxi fulfilled the contract. Faced with the desperate situation and her mother's life at stake, Su Yanxi reluctantly agreed, but insisted she would "borrow" the money and "pay you back later."
He Jinxi then gave Su Yanxi strict instructions: she must embody "the real He Jinxi" and ensure Gu Xicheng never discovered their deception, warning that if he found out, they would lose everything, and their mother would lose all hope. He Jinxi informed Su Yanxi that Gu Xicheng was waiting for "He Jinxi" at a hotel. Su Yanxi, nervously asking "Hotel? What's the meaning of this?" was told by He Jinxi that she was smart and could handle him. Encouraging herself for her mother's sake, Su Yanxi, now disguised as He Jinxi, arrived at the hotel, only to be met by Gu Xicheng's curt words, "You're late."
Episode 2 Recap
Su Yanxi, using the hotel room keycard provided by He Jinxi, hesitantly entered the room. She soon realized that the interview she had participated in was actually an audition to be a "girlfriend." Gu Xicheng instructed her to write down her personal details, including her name, family background, personality, zodiac sign, and date of birth.
He clarified that although they had a contract, they didn't know each other well, and he needed her to be prepared for when he introduced her to his grandma. He warned that if his grandma discovered they were strangers, their cooperation and the deposit in her account would be terminated. Concerned about her mother's transplant funds, Su Yanxi agreed to write everything he wanted to know.
As she wrote, she grew bored and playfully used the paper to peek at Gu Xicheng, who was resting with his eyes closed. Gu Xicheng, not asleep, caught her. After she finished, Gu Xicheng reviewed her "strengths" and "hobbies," which listed things like chocolate cookies, cheese cake, milk skittles, milk tea, Luosifen, crayfish, and enjoying lie-ins, as well as being good at choosing restaurants.
Gu Xicheng found them amusing, prompting Su Yanxi to challenge him to share his own, implying she would mock his in return. Gu Xicheng revealed that he was simply a normal group president and that Su Yanxi needed to memorize all his hobbies and daily routines. He emphasized that the contract was to make his grandma happy, and if Su Yanxi failed to memorize these terms and exposed their pretense, everything she desired would disappear.
While studying his extensive list, Su Yanxi noticed a peculiar requirement: all items used and displayed must be in even numbers. Gu Xicheng, annoyed by Su Yanxi's ponytail while she was studying, pulled off her hair tie, letting her hair fall. When she asked about the 'even numbers' rule, Gu Xicheng confirmed that everything around him, including her, must be an even number. He then proposed they get married.
Su Yanxi was taken aback, pointing out that marriage wasn't in their contract and internally wondered why her most romantic 'firsts' had to be given to 'that person.' Gu Xicheng clarified that he didn't intend a real marriage, only a small ceremony or wedding photos to satisfy his grandma's wish to see him settled. He reiterated his warning about the consequences if she failed to comply.
The next day, Gu Xicheng brought Su Yanxi to meet Madam Gu, who greeted Su Yanxi as "Jinxi" and stated they had met before. Madam Gu, pleased with "Jinxi," immediately pushed for their marriage to be put on the agenda and insisted Su Yanxi move into the Gu family home the very next day.
Su Yanxi and Gu Xicheng tried to slow things down, citing the need for time to pack and prepare, but Madam Gu dramatically feigned an angina attack. Seeing his grandma's distress, Gu Xicheng relented, promising to pick Su Yanxi up the following evening. Outside, Su Yanxi was furious, accusing Gu Xicheng of being crazy for agreeing to such a quick move.
Gu Xicheng reminded her of a clause in their contract stating her unconditional obligation to cooperate with any unexpected conditions due to unavoidable circumstances. Su Yanxi, feeling trapped, lamented that He Jinxi had gotten her into this mess. Gu Xicheng reassured her that he would respect her boundaries and treat her as a work partner, promising she would get what she wanted and leave safely once his grandma recovered.
Su Yanxi confided in her best friend, An'an, about the rapid developments. An'an was alarmed by the idea of Su Yanxi living alone with Gu Xicheng and prepared a "wolf-prevention kit" including a stun gun, pepper spray, a glare flashlight, and a self-defense alarm, insisting these items would buy Su Yanxi time if Gu Xicheng had ill intentions. Su Yanxi, though skeptical that she would need such items, accepted them as An'an rushed off for a designated driving job.
Shortly after, Su Yanxi received a call from He Jinxi, who informed her that she was taking her mother abroad for better medical treatment and urged Su Yanxi to complete her task, promising their reunion in a few months. Su Yanxi protested, but He Jinxi hung up. Worried, Su Yanxi immediately hailed a taxi to the airport, but en route, she was involved in a car accident. The other driver, Fu Boya, took her to the Municipal Hospital.
Su Yanxi recognized him but wanted to keep her identity hidden. Fu Boya, having accessed her ID from her bag to contact her family, called her 'Miss He' and apologized for going through her belongings, assuring her he would take full responsibility for the accident. Just then, An'an rushed into the hospital, having been terrified by an unknown hospital contact from Su Yanxi's phone.
An'an called out "Su Yanxi," but Su Yanxi quickly gave her a look, prompting An'an to switch to calling her "He Jinxi." Su Yanxi then fabricated a story for An'an to maintain her cover with Fu Boya. An'an quickly understood the situation. As they prepared to leave, Gu Xicheng arrived at the hospital. Gu Xicheng and Fu Boya, known rivals, immediately clashed. Fu Boya explained he was taking care of "Miss He" due to the accident.
Gu Xicheng dismissively declared Su Yanxi his girlfriend, ordering his assistant, Situ, to prepare a lawyer's letter for Fu Boya by the next morning. Fu Boya questioned if Su Yanxi was truly Gu Xicheng's girlfriend, attempting to stop her from leaving. Su Yanxi intervened, defusing the tension by agreeing to go with Gu Xicheng and thanking Fu Boya for his help.
An'an tried to follow Su Yanxi, but Situ blocked her, leading to a heated argument where An'an called Situ a "green onion" and "crazy," and Situ retorted by calling An'an "crazy" and implying she had a "big illness." On the drive back to Su Yanxi's apartment to collect her luggage, Su Yanxi complained of a headache from the accident.
Gu Xicheng briefly checked her head, then reminded her of her promise to his grandma to move into his house that night. Su Yanxi pleaded for more time to prepare, but Gu Xicheng insisted she needed nothing but to "come to him." He added that as his girlfriend, she was not permitted to go out alone late or meet people he didn't approve of. Su Yanxi retorted that she was merely a "contractual girlfriend."
Gu Xicheng, dismissing her comment, stated he would accompany her to get her luggage and head back to the Gu family home. A few days later, An'an, working as a designated driver, found her next client to be a heavily intoxicated Situ, who was talking to his 'baby' on the phone. An immediate argument ensued as Situ tried to cancel the order.
During their struggle over his phone, An'an was nearly hit by an oncoming car, but Situ quickly pushed her out of the way, resulting in them falling into an embrace. An'an discovered her wig had fallen off, leading to a comedic argument about baldness. The designated driver app then confirmed the order, overriding Situ's attempt to cancel. In the car, Situ, still in high spirits, gloated about An'an serving him, claiming she was "obedient now."
An'an abruptly slammed the brakes, reacting to his taunts. Situ then tried to leave a negative review for her service. Another struggle for the phone ensued, culminating in an accidental kiss as they wrestled, which left An'an furious. Situ's phone confirmed the "poor" rating. An'an, enraged, threatened to abandon him, but Situ insisted she couldn't leave him drunk and demanded she take responsibility.
An'an refused, calling him shameless, and Situ challenged her to a competition, with the loser calling the winner 'dad' ten times. An'an accepted the challenge. Later, Gu Xicheng helped Su Yanxi carry her luggage into his home. To maintain their facade, they were to share a single bedroom. Su Yanxi was surprised, noting there was only one bed.
Gu Xicheng, claiming the sofa was too small for him, insisted she sleep on it for a few days until he could arrange a mattress. While unpacking, Su Yanxi rediscovered the self-defense items from An'an, bewildered why she even had them. Gu Xicheng, heading for a shower, warned her not to touch anything, especially the cabinet. Left alone, Su Yanxi idly fiddled with a remote control from a box.
Just as Gu Xicheng emerged, shirtless, from the shower, she accidentally turned off the lights. Startled, Su Yanxi reflexively pushed him away, quickly apologizing and claiming she hadn't seen anything, but their unexpected contact created a palpable and awkward tension in the room.
Episode 3 Recap
Late at night, Gu Xicheng awoke to find Su Yanxi sleeping on the sofa, her bare ankles visible. Despite feeling a rush of emotion, he turned away to avoid awkwardness, yet his thoughts remained fixed on her. He rose to get some air and noticed Su Yanxi was about to roll off the sofa, so he quickly stepped forward and gently scooped her up. The next morning, Su Yanxi came downstairs for breakfast.
Madam Gu welcomed her, asking about her sleep. Su Yanxi began to say how comfortable the Gu family’s sofas were, but quickly caught herself and instead commented that the sofa’s unique color scheme was something she really loved. Madam Gu, pleased, told her that as the future hostess of the house, everything belonged to her and Gu Xicheng, and as long as they were happy together, she would be relieved.
Later, Fu Boya contacted Su Yanxi, asking to meet that afternoon. Su Yanxi was apprehensive, worried he might recognize her, but agreed to the meeting. When they met, Fu Boya apologized for past events and acknowledged that he had researched her online persona, "Pretty Xixi." As a gesture of friendship, he presented her with a new makeup product from his brand, The Flower of Osmanthus, which was a European brand he managed in China.
He explained that the product was not yet officially launched and expressed his hope that she would consider signing with him to promote the new line online. Su Yanxi, surprised by such a large brand’s interest given her modest online traffic, was reassured by Fu Boya that "traffic data is created by us; you only need one chance." She agreed to try the product and discuss cooperation further.
When Fu Boya noticed an injury on her foot, he offered a Band-Aid, but Su Yanxi politely declined his help, choosing to apply it herself. Gu Xicheng then called Su Yanxi, reminding her they had a wedding photo shoot scheduled at the studio, which she had forgotten. Su Yanxi proposed they take Hanfu wedding photos.
Gu Xicheng, initially looking through various suits with an impatient demeanor, was stunned when Su Yanxi picked out a Hanfu for him, assuring him it would look incredibly handsome. He put it on, and she confirmed he looked "so handsome." When Su Yanxi emerged in her own Hanfu, Gu Xicheng stared at her in admiration.
The photographer, noticing their stiff expressions, tried to encourage more intimate poses, asking Gu Xicheng to hold her waist and Su Yanxi to embrace his neck. When they still seemed hesitant, the photographer urged them to kiss. Neither wanted to comply, so the photographer called for his "squad of pressing their heads," who then forcibly pushed their heads together, making them kiss.
Later, Su Yanxi expressed her mortification at the enlarged photo of the kiss, while Gu Xicheng simply told her to be quiet. Madam Gu saw the newly taken wedding photos and was very pleased, seemingly convinced of their deep affection. As Gu Xicheng and Su Yanxi feigned togetherness, Madam Gu brought up the topic of grandchildren again, urging them to have a baby soon.
After Madam Gu left, Su Yanxi demanded an explanation from Gu Xicheng regarding his lack of clarity about their situation, but he simply told her to "just be herself." At work, Gu Xicheng found himself smiling as he recalled the wedding photo shoot. His assistant, Situ, noticed his uncharacteristic happiness and teased him, remarking he hadn't seen Gu Xicheng smile so strangely in years, almost making his heart ache.
Gu Xicheng threatened to deduct his salary, to which Situ playfully responded that if his salary was cut, he’d simply move into Gu Xicheng’s house and become his responsibility. Gu Xicheng firmly rejected this, leading Situ to further tease him about “hiding a beauty” in his home. Gu Xicheng, annoyed, told Situ to go clean the meeting room instead of wasting his time. As Situ left, he jokingly offered to clean Gu Xicheng's bedroom at the Gu family residence.
Meanwhile, Madam Gu, having noticed a pillow and blanket on the sofa in Gu Xicheng and Su Yanxi’s bedroom, worried that Gu Xicheng was not being proactive enough. She instructed her staff to prepare a nourishing "ginseng and deer antler tonic wine" and added it to a pot of ginseng and black chicken soup, believing it would make the young couple "passionate" and eager to conceive a great-grandson.
She personally brought the tonic soup to Su Yanxi, asking her to drink it with Gu Xicheng after he returned from work, emphasizing that Gu Xicheng had been working very hard. Unable to refuse Madam Gu's kind intentions, Su Yanxi sent a playful text message to Gu Xicheng, threatening to eat his dinner if he wasn't home in ten minutes. Gu Xicheng, receiving the message, ended his meeting abruptly and rushed home.
Su Yanxi, however, found the soup so delicious and warming that she ended up finishing the entire pot herself while feeling increasingly hot. When Gu Xicheng arrived home, he found Su Yanxi in an unusually flushed and bold state. She declared him "very handsome" and, feeling overheated, began trying to help him undress. Realizing she was under the influence of the tonic soup, Gu Xicheng gently tried to restrain her and helped her to bed.
Just as he managed to get her settled, a knock came at the door – Madam Gu, checking if they had finished dinner and offering to collect the bowls. To avoid an embarrassing situation, Gu Xicheng quickly covered himself and Su Yanxi under the blankets and politely told Madam Gu that they would bring the bowls out later. Hidden beneath the covers, Su Yanxi, still affected by the soup, impulsively kissed him.
The next morning, Su Yanxi woke up feeling like she had been "beaten," declaring that "chicken soup is poisonous." Later, Gu Xicheng arranged an opportunity for Su Yanxi to learn about brand promotion at an offline Huayan event. At the event, Su Yanxi, an online broadcaster for Huayan, noticed the model's makeup and felt it didn't highlight the new product’s oriental aesthetic. She approached Miqi, the person in charge of the promotion, to suggest a change.
Miqi, trusting the professional makeup artist, initially rebuffed her, stating she didn't believe Su Yanxi could do better. Su Yanxi explained that Huayan’s products were designed for oriental beauty and the makeup should reflect that. She offered to demonstrate by redoing the model’s makeup. Just as Miqi was about to refuse again, Gu Xicheng arrived. Despite Miqi's concerns about media presence and potential negative impact, Gu Xicheng allowed Su Yanxi to proceed after confirming her confidence.
Su Yanxi successfully transformed the model's look, explaining that the new "Shangsi" series aimed to convey oriental aesthetics, and her classical yet modern makeup perfectly complemented it. Impressed by the stunning result, Editor Chen from STYLISH magazine declared that Huayan’s new series would be featured as their headline and asked to include Su Yanxi’s online ID in the article, which Gu Xicheng readily approved.
Editor Chen then extended an invitation for Gu Xicheng to do a personal interview, especially since Master Huangshanyue, a renowned figure, would also be participating. Su Yanxi, overhearing this, became incredibly excited, revealing that Master Huangshanyue was her idol. Gu Xicheng’s assistant quickly intervened, reminding the editor that Gu Xicheng typically did not accept exclusive interviews, though Editor Chen expressed hope for future consideration.
Shortly after, Fu Boya appeared at the event, reminding Su Yanxi about his offer for The Flower of Osmanthus. Su Yanxi explained that she had already signed a contract with Huayan and, by company rules, could not promote other brands. Fu Boya acknowledged her decision but then made a tempting counter-offer, proposing she sign with him after her contract with Huayan ended, promising a higher payment than Gu Xicheng. Before Su Yanxi could fully respond, Gu Xicheng's voice was heard calling her name, cutting the conversation short.
Episode 4 Recap
Su Yanxi encountered Fu Boya, who expressed interest in signing her to his company after her contract with Huayan Group expired. Because Su Yanxi was not accustomed to high heels, she stumbled, and Fu Boya immediately helped her. Gu Xicheng witnessed this interaction, becoming visibly jealous. He approached them, stating that his Grandma had asked them to come home for dinner, subtly asserting his claim.
Fu Boya then invited Su Yanxi to serve as a publicity advisor for his brand, The Flower of Osmanthus, ensuring it wouldn't violate any trade secrets. With Gu Xicheng sitting nearby, giving him a fierce look, Su Yanxi quickly excused herself and left with Gu Xicheng, bidding farewell to Mr. Fu. On the way home, Gu Xicheng reminded Su Yanxi of their contract, which prohibited her from having overly close relationships with other men.
Su Yanxi defended herself, stating their meeting with Fu Boya was a mere coincidence, but Gu Xicheng hinted it might not have been. He then questioned her about her resume, noting the absence of her professional makeup skills and past experience as a live streamer. Su Yanxi explained that her family viewed such activities as improper, which is why she omitted them from her official records.
She clarified that despite her family's views, she personally cherished the work for its ability to bring beauty and happiness to others. Gu Xicheng then informed Su Yanxi that he had arranged for Situ Shuo to purchase supplements for Grandma, asking Su Yanxi to present them. Su Yanxi, remembering Grandma's previous attempts to interfere and her potent chicken soup, readily agreed.
Upon their return, Su Yanxi presented the supplements to Grandma, explaining that Gu Xicheng wished her to take good care of her health. Grandma, perceptive as ever, playfully wondered if it was truly about her well-being or a subtle hint not to interfere in their relationship, an observation affirmed by Gu Xicheng's quick assurance that he would be good with Su Yanxi and that Grandma shouldn't worry about them.
Later, Su Yanxi privately questioned whether it was right to deceive Grandma, given her kindness. That night, Su Yanxi felt hungry and asked Gu Xicheng for food. He had initially offered oatmeal, but upon hearing her concerns about Aunt Mei's cooking, he prepared her Sanxian noodles.
Su Yanxi recounted her past as a live streamer, where she often ate only one bowl of instant noodles a day due to her busy schedule and lavish spending on luxury items like bags and high heels. When Gu Xicheng brought out two bowls of noodles but didn't join her, Su Yanxi noticed a pattern in his home and office: everything was arranged in pairs. She deduced he had an "even number obsession" and disliked anything "single."
Gu Xicheng confirmed his aversion to anything solitary. However, when Su Yanxi questioned if this indicated OCD, he sternly reminded her of their contractual relationship and asserted that he did not need her to comment on or analyze his personal life. Later, Situ Shuo and An'an engaged in a drinking game, with the loser obligated to call the winner "daddy." Feeling on the verge of losing, An'an called Su Yanxi for help, sending her location from a noisy bar.
Su Yanxi, cautious of disturbing Gu Xicheng, quietly slipped out. Discovering her absence, Gu Xicheng called her, but the loud bar environment prevented her from hearing the phone. He then called Situ Shuo, and hearing Su Yanxi and An'an's voices in the background, he pinpointed her location. Arriving at the bar, Su Yanxi found both An'an and Situ Shuo heavily intoxicated.
As she attempted to take An'an home, a man approached her, claiming to know He Jinxi and insisting Su Yanxi drink with him. He even pointed out her high heels, saying he had given them to He Jinxi. Su Yanxi, who did not recognize him, tried to escape his grasp, but the situation escalated. At that critical moment, Gu Xicheng arrived, intervening to protect Su Yanxi and resolve the confrontation.
Gu Xicheng arranged a private car to take Situ Shuo and An'an home. In the car, An'an and Situ Shuo, still determined to finish their drinking challenge, decided to go to An'an's apartment at Star Mansion to continue their contest. Meanwhile, Gu Xicheng questioned Su Yanxi about her relationship with the man at the bar, which she vehemently denied, explaining he had simply mistaken her for someone else.
Wishing to avoid disturbing Grandma with the late-night commotion, Gu Xicheng decided to drop the issue and head home. However, Su Yanxi's high heel broke, leaving her unable to walk. Anticipating her embarrassment, Gu Xicheng swiftly picked her up and carried her to their car. Later that night, Gu Xicheng carefully cleaned and dressed the wounds on Su Yanxi’s foot, noting her recurring injuries from ill-fitting shoes.
Su Yanxi, feeling awkward, commented on seeing him smile, to which he responded by telling her to be quiet. He also reminded her to call him "Xicheng" at home, not "Mr. Gu," before instructing her to sleep in the bed while he took the sofa. Separately, Situ Shuo and An'an woke up in bed together, both screaming in shock. Situ Shuo lamented that his "more than 20 years of virginity" had been ruined by An'an.
An'an, equally furious and disoriented, struggled to comprehend how she could have ended up with him. They quickly agreed that nothing had happened between them and declared their drinking bet over. An'an, still seething, vowed to hit Situ Shuo every time she saw him, before angrily dismissing him. Meanwhile, Fu Boya, discussing his strategy to surpass Gu Xicheng's Huayan Group, received a new design of comfortable high heels from a brand.
Thinking of Su Yanxi, he decided to send them to her, hoping they would metaphorically lead her closer to him. Su Yanxi received the package, which contained a note describing the "glass slippers" as non-rubbing and ideal for her. Gu Xicheng saw the delivery and, after Su Yanxi explained that Fu Boya likely sent them because he had noticed her discomfort with high heels, he brought her to a room with a wall adorned with various sneakers.
He reminded her of his promise to buy all her shoes, asserting that she would no longer need to wear uncomfortable high heels or engage in activities she disliked. Su Yanxi, however, returned the shoes to Fu Boya, politely declining his kind gesture. While on her way home, Su Yanxi encountered Fu Boya, who offered her a ride, noting her heavy bags and suggesting she avoid public transport.
As they rode, Fu Boya observed that she had returned his high heels and was now wearing flat shoes, a change Su Yanxi confirmed. He then invited her for a walk to talk. They strolled to a familiar place where Fu Boya used to learn drawing and had met many friends. He reminisced about his childhood there and how he lost contact with his friends after going abroad.
Su Yanxi, lamenting her current "special situation," expressed a wish that they could simply reconnect as old friends. Fu Boya shared details about his work as an agent for "The Flower of Osmanthus," an organic cosmetics brand. Su Yanxi, already aware of his background from her research, acknowledged his deep understanding of their brand. Fu Boya expressed a desire to collaborate with her, regretting that he always seemed to miss opportunities.
Su Yanxi lightly suggested he could approach her for work in the future, but Fu Boya implied his interest extended beyond a professional contract. As they continued their walk, a water sprinkler suddenly activated. Su Yanxi instinctively shielded Fu Boya from the spray, getting wet herself. This action triggered a memory for Fu Boya; he recalled a similar instance from their childhood when Su Yanxi had protected his artwork from water. Realizing the woman before him was indeed the Su Yanxi he knew from the past, Fu Boya confirmed his suspicion and invited her to his birthday party.
Episode 5 Recap
Fu Boya, suspecting that "He Jinxi" was actually Su Yanxi, invited her to his birthday party. Su Yanxi, considering him a friend, readily agreed. Fu Boya hinted that she should bring a gift, hoping to confirm her identity. Meanwhile, a doctor examined Madam Gu, confirming her full recovery. However, Madam Gu, fearing that Gu Xicheng would abandon his marriage to Su Yanxi if he knew she was well, secretly instructed Aunt Mei to conceal the medical report from him.
Upon returning to his room, Gu Xicheng couldn't find Su Yanxi. She soon entered, dressed in a Hanfu for an upcoming live stream product trial. Gu Xicheng was momentarily stunned by her appearance. Feeling bored, he began playing with Su Yanxi's Huangshanyue doll. Su Yanxi rushed over to retrieve it, and in the struggle, they accidentally broke one of its legs. Su Yanxi was distraught, explaining that the doll was a rare, out-of-print prize from her first competition.
Gu Xicheng searched online but found it indeed unavailable. To compensate her, he decided to obtain an out-of-print Huangshanyue manuscript and even bought the photo studio where Su Yanxi takes her pictures, offering it as a dedicated space for her future live streams. Elsewhere, Situ sought help from a psychologist. He described experiencing a racing heart and difficulty breathing whenever he thought of An'an.
The doctor noted that Situ's desire for closeness with An'an indicated that his intimacy disorder was treatable. He advised Situ to spend more time with An'an to overcome his psychological barriers. To acquire the Huangshanyue manuscript, Gu Xicheng agreed to a rare magazine interview. That evening, as he brought the manuscript home for Su Yanxi, he fantasized about her joyful gratitude. However, the reality was less straightforward, and he struggled to find a natural way to present the gift.
He began subtly trying to get her attention, asking her to adjust the air conditioning and then the lights. Su Yanxi eventually noticed the manuscript within reach. Gu Xicheng feigned indifference, claiming it was an old item someone had left at the office, which he found useless and brought home. Su Yanxi pretended to be unbothered, but as soon as Gu Xicheng went into the bathroom, she eagerly rushed to examine the manuscript.
When Gu Xicheng emerged, he directly told her the manuscript was hers, a compensation for the broken doll, and that she could use the new studio for her live streams. He clarified that this was for increasing Huayan product sales, not for her to feel pressured. Su Yanxi, after a moment, thanked him. Later, Su Yanxi received a call from An'an, who had seen the news of Gu Xicheng's magazine interview. An'an expressed surprise, as Gu Xicheng never gave interviews.
She mentioned the journalist's post-interview note, which vaguely credited "Huangshanyue" for securing the interview, causing a stir among Gu Xicheng's fans. Su Yanxi immediately connected the dots, realizing Gu Xicheng had only accepted the interview to get the Huangshanyue manuscript for her. Situ also confronted Gu Xicheng about the interview, jokingly remarking that "the sun is rising from the west."
He correctly deduced that Gu Xicheng's actions were for He Jinxi, asserting that Gu Xicheng was in love, though Gu Xicheng vehemently denied it. Gu Xicheng then deflected, questioning Situ about his relationship with Lu An'an, noting that Situ had been distracted and daydreaming since drinking with her. Situ denied any interest in An'an, calling her "crazy" and vowing never to contact her, but his immediate request to see An'an's live stream when it started contradicted his words.
Soon after, Miqi and other staff members entered Gu Xicheng's office to report on an upcoming meeting with a German partner, Mr. Lipman. Miqi explained that Mr. Lipman preferred a "family-like discussion atmosphere" and informed Gu Xicheng that they had prepared the best translation team. Gu Xicheng, who had been watching An'an's live stream, quickly clarified that he was merely supervising the sales performance of his live streamers.
He then dismissed the translation team, stating he had his own arrangements, despite Situ's questioning. During a live stream with An'an at the new studio, An'an praised the excellent lighting and network, a vast improvement over their previous setup. She teased Su Yanxi, suggesting that Gu Xicheng's generous gesture of buying the studio meant he was interested in her. Su Yanxi inwardly knew An'an was right but outwardly dismissed the idea, claiming it was merely for better live stream results.
An'an persisted, pointing out that Gu Xicheng's lavish spending on her, when Huayan had many other streamers, clearly indicated his feelings. Su Yanxi, however, simply thought, "Impossible." After the live stream, Su Yanxi attended Fu Boya's birthday dinner, bringing him a special record album. During the meal, Gu Xicheng called, clearly annoyed that Su Yanxi was out with "Mr. Fu." He demanded her location, insisting on picking her up.
Unwilling to let the two men clash, Su Yanxi quickly ended the dinner and returned home. Back home, Gu Xicheng confronted Su Yanxi again, using their contract as an excuse to caution her against interacting with other men. Su Yanxi insisted that she and Fu Boya were just "ordinary friends" and that having dinner together was not a big deal. Hearing that their relationship was merely platonic, Gu Xicheng's jealousy quickly dissipated.
Gu Xicheng then assigned Su Yanxi another task: to act as his translator and companion for the dinner meeting with the German client, Mr. Lipman, and his wife, leveraging "He Jinxi's" supposed experience studying in Germany. Su Yanxi, knowing she didn't speak German, tried to refuse, citing a prior live stream commitment with An'an and even offering to hire a professional translator. Gu Xicheng, sensing her reluctance, pressed her for a reason.
With no other option, Su Yanxi reluctantly agreed, planning to use a translation earbud to bluff her way through the meeting. To prepare, Su Yanxi tried to cram some German phrases from a tablet. Later, at the dinner, she used a translation earbud to discreetly translate for Gu Xicheng and the Lipman couple. The conversation flowed, with Mr. Lipman praising Gu Xicheng's German and business acumen.
Then, Mr. Lipman revealed that he had also invited a Chinese consultant, a "friend" who was an expert in brand promotion, to help him understand the Chinese market better. To everyone's surprise, the consultant was none other than Fu Boya. Fu Boya greeted everyone, then turned to Gu Xicheng and "He Jinxi," saying, "We meet again." Gu Xicheng, clearly displeased, warned Fu Boya to keep his motives "simple" and not to concern himself with anything beyond the project.
Fu Boya dismissed his concern, suggesting they focus on work. As Gu Xicheng felt unwell and went to the dressing room, Su Yanxi accidentally dropped one of her earbuds. Fu Boya picked it up, pulled her aside, and confronted her directly. He revealed that Mr. Lipman had told him she studied in Germany, but her dropped earbud proved she didn't speak the language.
Su Yanxi attempted to deny it, but Fu Boya cut her off, stating, "If I were a little late, the fact that you know little about German will be exposed to everyone. Su Yanxi." He had finally seen through her disguise.
Episode 6 Recap
Gu Xicheng witnessed Su Yanxi and Fu Boya in a tense exchange and immediately pulled Su Yanxi to his side. Fu Boya confronted Su Yanxi, revealing he knew her true identity as Su Yanxi and asking why she was masquerading as He Jinxi and what her relationship with Gu Xicheng was. Su Yanxi stated it was a long story.
As the two men stood at an impasse, Gu Xicheng declared his authority, asserting that Su Yanxi was his fiancée, not just his girlfriend, and therefore he was taking his own woman home, which was none of Fu Boya's concern. In the car, Su Yanxi attempted to explain her relationship with Fu Boya, but Gu Xicheng, agitated, accused her of being deceptive.
He was angry that she would use a simultaneous interpreter rather than tell him about her difficulty with German and questioned why she would confide in Fu Boya but not him. Su Yanxi defended herself, explaining that Fu Boya had discovered her German issue on his own and that she and Fu Boya were merely ordinary friends.
Gu Xicheng scoffed at her definition of "ordinary friends," citing past instances of Fu Boya's affectionate gestures, such as sending her shoes, insisting she celebrate his birthday with him, and offering her his suit jacket. Su Yanxi clarified that she had not worn the suit, that Fu Boya had proactively invited her to his birthday, and that she had refused the gift he offered. She then confronted Gu Xicheng, asking why he constantly targeted her and Fu Boya.
She reminded him that their relationship was purely contractual and that he had no right to interfere with her friends or social circle. Frustrated, Su Yanxi declared she no longer wanted to argue with him and would take a taxi home. She exited the car, leaving Gu Xicheng calling her "He Jinxi." Back home, Su Yanxi video called An'an, recounting the argument and Gu Xicheng's annoyance, feeling he was overstepping the bounds of their contract.
An'an suggested that Gu Xicheng's hostility towards Fu Boya seemed to transcend a mere contractual agreement, wondering if he had developed feelings for Su Yanxi. Su Yanxi dismissed the idea vehemently, vowing she would reverse her name if he ever fell for her. An'an then expressed concern that Fu Boya, now aware of Su Yanxi's true identity, might reveal her secret.
Su Yanxi reassured her that their conversation had been interrupted before she could elaborate, and she believed Fu Boya would keep silent. Their call was then interrupted by a knock at the door. Su Yanxi opened it to find a pale Gu Xicheng collapsing before her. She quickly helped him to bed, where he admitted to having a stomachache.
Su Yanxi immediately realized her prank at dinner, where she had deliberately put chili sauce on his steak, was the cause, as he couldn't handle spicy food. Guilt-ridden, she started searching for medicine, gently refusing Gu Xicheng's request not to involve Aunt Mei to avoid disturbing Madam Gu. While searching, she found various medicines, including psychiatric prescription drugs, and noticed an iron box in the drawer, but, preoccupied with Gu Xicheng's care, she had no time to investigate it.
She prioritized finding painkillers for his stomach and lovingly cared for him, giving him medicine and hot milk. Later, as Gu Xicheng drifted in and out of consciousness, he clutched Su Yanxi's hand, pleading with her not to leave him, repeatedly stating that he only wanted her by his side. Su Yanxi, seeing his vulnerable state, reassured him that she would stay and that everything would be alright.
The next morning, Gu Xicheng awoke to find Su Yanxi sleeping beside him. He reflected on his past life feeling solitary, but now, with her presence, he felt his future would no longer be lonely. He gently asked if she would accompany him on this journey, just as she had promised last night, and never leave his side. Gu Xicheng's assistant delivered an invitation to a charity auction.
Gu Xicheng, pondering whether Su Yanxi would be interested, then entrusted her with a beautiful pearl necklace, explaining it was their donation item for the auction and he wished for her to accompany him. Su Yanxi, aware that their relationship could not be public, hesitated, asking what her status would be. Gu Xicheng clarified that while Madam Gu considered her his fiancée, she would be introduced as Huayan's secretary to outsiders.
He instructed her to keep the necklace safe and prepare for the event. Seeing the pearl necklace triggered a flashback for Su Yanxi: her mother giving her an "Angel's Tear" necklace, explaining it was from her grandmother and meant for dire circumstances. Her mother urged her to use it during a difficult time, but Su Yanxi, determined, refused to sell it, promising to find another solution for their financial troubles.
Meanwhile, Situ, determined to pursue An'an, repeatedly tried to add her on WeChat, only to find himself blacklisted, which surprised him. Later, during An'an and Su Yanxi's live makeup stream, a lewd viewer made inappropriate comments. Gu Xicheng, using an anonymous account, and Situ, using an account named "YYDS" (Forever Single), both defended An'an in the chat. Gu Xicheng, as "Coincidence," complimented An'an's unique headwear and praised Huayan's choice to work with her.
After the stream, Su Yanxi noted An'an had gained a "true fan" in "YYDS," but An'an revealed "YYDS" was Situ Shuo, calling him a nuisance and reiterating her strong dislike, vowing she would never be with him even if all other men died.
Unbeknownst to An'an, Situ, in a separate conversation, confidently expressed his determination to approach and date her, "even if the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled," believing his efforts during the live stream had won her over. Concerned about needing a dress for the charity banquet but too embarrassed to ask Gu Xicheng, Su Yanxi and An'an visited Lema Photography Studio, hoping to borrow or rent a designer dress.
Despite Su Yanxi offering to work as a makeup artist for free for an extended period, the studio owner regretfully declined, explaining the dresses were precious designer items not for rent. To their surprise, Fu Boya was at the studio for a promotional photoshoot. He greeted Su Yanxi and invited her to dinner after his shoot.
An'an urged Su Yanxi to use the opportunity to tell Fu Boya the truth, but Su Yanxi, citing their previous awkward encounter with Gu Xicheng, quickly made excuses and left with An'an. Situ, undeterred, staged an elaborate public display outside An'an's building, holding flowers and bringing a band to serenade her with a personalized song about her going on a date.
An'an, enraged, emerged with a basin of water and doused him, yelling at him to stop and warning him not to forget her previous threats before hitting him hard. Later, during a therapy session, Situ's psychologist noted his "intimacy phobia" was gradually fading due to his interactions with An'an and encouraged him to continue pursuing her using common dating methods, emphasizing his "strength" in being thick-skinned and persistent.
Armed with this advice, Situ relentlessly followed An'an, badgering her for a date until, exasperated, she finally conceded, agreeing to one condition: he stop bothering her, which he promised to do. Su Yanxi then texted Fu Boya, arranging to meet him the next day. When they met, Fu Boya offered her a dress, noting An'an's urgency, but Su Yanxi refused it.
She explained that their previous conversation had been interrupted by Gu Xicheng and that she had something serious to tell him. Su Yanxi confessed her secret: she and He Jinxi were twin sisters, separated during childhood due to their parents' circumstances. She apologized for her deception, explaining she had compelling reasons to remain by Gu Xicheng's side, but he was unaware of her true identity.
Fu Boya was surprised to learn they were twins and realized this explained Gu Xicheng's earlier declaration. He warned Su Yanxi that Gu Xicheng would never forgive her if he discovered her lie, and she could face danger. He advised her to distance herself from Gu Xicheng. Su Yanxi then pleaded with Fu Boya to keep her secret until she could safely extract herself from the situation, asking him not to tell Gu Xicheng or anyone else.
Fu Boya agreed, promising to keep her secret and always stand by her side, offering help with any future difficulties. After declining Fu Boya's dress, Su Yanxi discussed her predicament with An'an, explaining that accepting another favor from Fu Boya would be too much and could cause further misunderstandings with Gu Xicheng. An'an playfully teased Su Yanxi about her concern for Gu Xicheng's potential jealousy, which Su Yanxi denied while blushing.
An'an then revealed her foresight, having anticipated Su Yanxi's refusal of Fu Boya's help. She had already ordered a "handmade customized dress" online, an affordable replica of a high-end designer gown, confident it wouldn't be perceived as fake. Su Yanxi expressed her gratitude. Later, a package addressed to He Jinxi arrived. Gu Xicheng intercepted it and, despite Su Yanxi's attempt to retrieve it, opened it, revealing the imitation dress. He realized that He Jinxi (Su Yanxi) lacked a proper gown for the charity banquet and proceeded to order one for her online.
Episode 7 Recap
Su Yanxi received a beautiful dress and, worried An'an had spent a lot, called her. An'an playfully dismissed her concern, assuring her the dress's quality was good and that she would "outshine the others" at the banquet. Su Yanxi, however, simply thanked her and had to go. Just then, Aunt Mei entered, explaining that someone was there to pick up a donation for the charity auction. Su Yanxi directed her to a necklace box in her dresser drawer.
Unbeknownst to Su Yanxi, Aunt Mei mistakenly took a set, which included a pearl necklace that belonged to Su Yanxi's mother. Later, Gu Xicheng noticed Su Yanxi's new dress. He teased her, asking if it was another gift from "someone." Su Yanxi clarified it was a charity banquet dress from An'an, expressing concern about An'an spending too much. Gu Xicheng, knowing the truth but unwilling to explain, simply praised the dress's good quality, noting the careful selection.
Su Yanxi, however, sensed his hidden knowledge, asking if he was the one who bought it. Gu Xicheng simply told her to accept it and stop talking. After a trip to the bathroom, Su Yanxi slumped onto the sofa, looking unwell and in a bad mood. She declared she couldn't attend the charity banquet and told Gu Xicheng to find someone else to accompany him. When he asked why, she snapped that there was no reason; she just couldn't go.
Puzzled by her sudden mood swings and pale complexion, Gu Xicheng searched online for reasons why women suddenly get angry or feel unwell. Unable to find an answer, he called Situ for help, offering triple his salary for overtime. Situ, after some humorous banter, immediately identified the symptoms, informing Gu Xicheng that Su Yanxi was on her period.
Gu Xicheng initially denied it, saying "Su Yanxi doesn't have an aunt," but Situ patiently explained the common signs of a woman's period. Armed with this new information, Gu Xicheng returned to Su Yanxi, offering his help. She was skeptical, but he insisted, reminding her how she cared for him when he had a stomachache. He then brought her a collection of heat pads and various remedies he'd found around the house, saying he wasn't sure what would help most.
Su Yanxi was touched, marveling that the "almighty president of Huayan" understood such things. Gu Xicheng then brought her ginger and brown sugar water he'd prepared. Su Yanxi found it spicy, then too sweet after he added more sugar, but accepted it, moved by his attentive care. Meanwhile, An'an finally agreed to a date with Situ. Situ eagerly arrived at an Italian restaurant in a suit, only to find An'an dressed casually.
She informed him they weren't having western food and led him to a boxing gym. In the boxing ring, An'an playfully punched Situ, drawing blood. She then surprised him by introducing a professional boxer, challenging Situ to last for three minutes against him. If he succeeded, she would add him on WeChat. Despite his thin build, Situ bravely agreed. The professional boxer easily overpowered Situ, leaving him bruised and battered.
An'an, seeing his struggle, urged him to give up, but Situ refused, repeating his condition: three minutes for a WeChat add. He endured the relentless punches, determined to win. As the timer hit zero, Situ was knocked to the ground but, even in his dazed state, he repeatedly asked An'an to add him on WeChat. Back outside, with a heat pack on his face, Situ reflected on his "bravery."
An'an gently adjusted the pack, admitting she didn't hurt her face, while Situ eagerly reminded her of her promise. An'an agreed to add him, saying they could start as online friends, to which Situ happily concurred, believing love needed time to cultivate. At home, Gu Xicheng was having dinner alone when Madam Gu questioned Su Yanxi's absence. Gu Xicheng explained Su Yanxi was unwell and resting, downplaying it as not a serious illness.
Madam Gu suggested calling a doctor, but Gu Xicheng assured her Su Yanxi only needed rest. Concerned about the charity banquet, Madam Gu was relieved when Gu Xicheng decided to attend alone. At the charity banquet, Situ approached Gu Xicheng, playfully mocking him for being alone while everyone else had a female companion. Gu Xicheng, feeling isolated, tried to pull Situ along, but Situ quickly excused himself.
As the dance session was about to begin, Gu Xicheng was about to invite Miqi for the first dance when the host called him to lead. Gu Xicheng then publicly announced that his partner was absent. Immediately after, the lights suddenly flashed. At the mansion, Su Yanxi woke up and video-called An'an. An'an excitedly told her she was on the city traffic police news channel.
The news segment showed footage of Gu Xicheng shielding Su Yanxi from a car, using it to highlight traffic safety. Watching the video, Su Yanxi realized Gu Xicheng had saved her from a serious accident that day, feeling remorse for blaming him for not apologizing. An'an then received a voice message from Situ, complaining about Gu Xicheng being alone at the banquet despite commissioning a five-digit, specially handmade traditional dress for Su Yanxi.
Su Yanxi immediately realized the dress An'an had supposedly sent was actually from Gu Xicheng. Remembering their earlier conversation and his cryptic remarks, she understood his good intentions. Overcoming her discomfort, she rushed to the banquet. Back at the charity banquet, the dance session began, with the announcer inviting Gu Xicheng to lead the first dance. After Gu Xicheng publicly announced that his partner was absent, a radiant Su Yanxi, wearing the specially handmade dress, walked onto the dance floor.
Gu Xicheng was surprised to see her, asking why she had come when she was feeling unwell. Su Yanxi, however, with newfound determination, extended her hand and invited him to have the first dance with her. Later, during the auction, a White Porcelain Vase and a Jade Bracelet were successfully auctioned. Gu Xicheng, noticing Su Yanxi still looking bored despite feeling better, told her she could bid on anything she liked, and he would cover the cost.
The next item presented was the "Angel's Tear" necklace, donated by Huayan Group. Su Yanxi gasped, recognizing it as her mother's necklace, passed down from her grandmother. She realized Aunt Mei must have accidentally given it away. Gu Xicheng, seeing the necklace, had a flash of memory: a childhood game with a little girl wearing that very necklace, and he understood Su Yanxi was that girl. He assured her they would bid it back.
The item was then personally showcased by Nangong Liuli, a talented makeup designer who had just returned from overseas and was the organizer of the charity banquet. She proudly announced that the necklace was a donation from her "former best friend," Gu Xicheng, praising his immense support for her charity. The bidding for the "Angel's Tear" necklace began at 200,000 yuan. Gu Xicheng immediately bid 280,000 yuan. Fu Boya quickly raised it to 400,000 yuan.
Su Yanxi, anxious, pleaded with Fu Boya to let them have it, explaining its importance to her. Fu Boya, however, insisted he also liked the necklace, offering to buy it for Su Yanxi himself. Gu Xicheng, his eyes on Su Yanxi, countered Fu Boya's bid, declaring that while the necklace was important to her, she was equally important to him. The bidding escalated dramatically between Gu Xicheng and Fu Boya, through 600,000, 1 million, 1.
8 million, and 2 million yuan, reaching 2. 8 million yuan, with Gu Xicheng ultimately winning. Nangong Liuli approached Gu Xicheng to thank him for his support. Gu Xicheng, taking the microphone, stated that he bought the necklace for someone very important to him, and called Su Yanxi onto the stage. He took the "Angel's Tear" necklace from Nangong Liuli's neck and gently placed it around Su Yanxi's.
He then publicly expressed his gratitude to Su Yanxi for appearing in his life and helping him through many challenges, hoping to continue being by her side in the future. The audience buzzed with whispers, speculating about Su Yanxi's identity, with some believing her to be Gu Xicheng's personal secretary. Nangong Liuli watched, visibly upset. As Su Yanxi looked at Gu Xicheng, he simply told her not to worry about anything and to just focus on him.
Episode 8 Recap
Nangong Liuli, believing Gu Xicheng was rejecting her out of lingering feelings, confronted him, noting, "You rejected me in front of everyone. Don't tell me you won't even shake hands with me here? I remember you're not that rude." Gu Xicheng retorted that she had been away for a long time and his manners had changed. Nangong Liuli, still presuming to understand him, claimed, "I know you're still angry with me. Others don't understand you. But I do."
Gu Xicheng, annoyed by her self-importance, told her directly, "Don't be so arrogant in front of me. From the day you left without saying goodbye, we don't have any possibility left." He made it clear that he hated people being full of themselves and requested they not meet again if unnecessary. Left alone, Nangong Liuli vowed to return when she was "qualified to stand by your side." As she turned, she mistakenly thought Fu Boya was Gu Xicheng.
Fu Boya, an old classmate, greeted her, to which she expressed a sense of misplaced hope rather than disappointment. Meanwhile, Su Yanxi touched the Angel's Tear necklace around her neck, remembering Gu Xicheng's gentle gaze. Her friend An'an called, shocked to learn Gu Xicheng had spent 2. 8 million yuan to buy the necklace back for her.
An'an enthusiastically declared that Gu Xicheng liked her, citing his numerous thoughtful gestures, from buying her a haute couture dress to dozens of flat shoes when her high heels were uncomfortable. Su Yanxi, however, struggled to grasp the depth of his feelings, dismissing the idea despite An'an's insistence. Later, while looking through old photos, Gu Xicheng found a childhood graduation picture. He recognized the young girl, nicknamed Xixi, who had performed on stage with him years ago.
He recalled how he had initially refused to participate in the play, but relented when Xixi, portraying the princess, offered him her mother's Angel's Tear necklace and told him they would be friends forever. He realized that this Xixi was Su Yanxi, whose full name was He Jinxi, connecting her to the cherished memory. That night, Su Yanxi hoped Gu Xicheng would confess his feelings, but he only stammered out, "It's getting late. It's time to rest."
Tired of sleeping on the sofa, Su Yanxi pleaded to sleep on the bed, complaining of "aching waist and cramped legs" that almost required a Qiantong killer patch. Gu Xicheng agreed to play rock-paper-scissors for the bed. Noticing that Su Yanxi always threw "paper," he deliberately lost the best-of-three game, musing to himself about "this little foolish cutie." Later, as Su Yanxi lay awake, she asked Gu Xicheng about his thoughts. He confessed he was thinking about the past.
She shared her own nostalgia for simpler, happier times doing live streams with An'an, despite the hard work. She then asked about his dreams and if they were related to his "even number obsession," offering to help if he would share. Gu Xicheng promised to tell her "some day later," to which she made him confirm his promise. Growing sleepy, Su Yanxi made a heartfelt vow, "I'll be with you.
I will always be by your side, and I'll face everything with you." Gu Xicheng responded softly, agreeing to "not hide things from each other and trust each other," wishing her sweet dreams filled with happiness. Unbeknownst to them, Madam Gu and Aunt Mei were eavesdropping outside the door. Madam Gu recalled hearing them play rock-paper-scissors and guess-the-size the previous night and deduced that Gu Xicheng had likely lost to Su Yanxi again.
When the door suddenly opened, Aunt Mei quickly fled, but Madam Gu remained, seizing the opportunity to press Gu Xicheng once more about providing her with a great-grandson. The next day, Situ presented Gu Xicheng with a fully packed schedule of appointments. Annoyed, Gu Xicheng demanded changes, stating, "I don't want to work overtime now." Situ playfully hinted at the reason for his change, quoting an old saying about a monarch neglecting morning court for a beauty.
Gu Xicheng warned Situ that he would lose his annual bonus if he continued such remarks. Nangong Liuli officially started working at Huayan, drawing praise from employees who admired her impressive resume and friendly demeanor. Meanwhile, Gu Xicheng noticed his office had been disturbed. Situ suggested checking the CCTV, but Nangong Liuli appeared, admitting it was her.
She explained that she was a high-level executive the HR department had "hired through headhunters with great effort" from abroad, and she was in charge of the R&D team. Gu Xicheng acknowledged her talent, welcomed her to Huayan, but then instructed her to direct all future work-related inquiries to Situ, the vice president. When Nangong Liuli tried to discuss "private affairs" with him, Gu Xicheng sternly reiterated, "Don't touch my stuff without my permission.
Besides, I don't talk about private affairs during office hours." Back home, Su Yanxi accidentally knocked over a bottle of cosmetics, feeling an ominous premonition. While picking it up, she cut her finger. Madam Gu quickly fussed over the injury, bandaging it tightly and emphasizing that Gu Xicheng "will be heartbroken" if he saw her hurt.
Nangong Liuli later visited Gu Xicheng in his office, attempting to give him an award-winning design, a packaging solution for a "Plantain Lily" product, for which she had won the gold prize of the QE design competition. She stated that she designed it as a gift for him and brought the commercial copyright certificate, implying that Huayan could own it if he signed.
Gu Xicheng praised the design but firmly rejected the gift, saying Huayan didn't need it and it held "no meaning" to him personally. Nangong Liuli asked if he was still blaming her for leaving without a word, wanting to explain. Gu Xicheng cut her off, warning her not to let "these things" affect their current relationship or discuss inappropriate matters at work.
He reminded her that he hadn't fired her because of her talent and advised her to "keep your mind on your work. Don't think about other things." He then told her to take the flowers she had brought with her away. Later, Situ observed Gu Xicheng monitoring Su Yanxi's live stream and joked about his boss watching "He Jinxi's livestream."
Gu Xicheng reiterated that he was merely "assessing her," and if her performance didn't meet standards, he could terminate the contract, which would be her "greatest punishment." On the livestream, Su Yanxi, promoting a "Pretty Xixi same color number" product, offered exclusive e-vouchers for cheesecake and a new Huayan makeup remover wipe. The product quickly sold out. An'an excitedly told Su Yanxi they sold "1,000 sets," and their popularity was soaring due to recent media exposure.
An'an suggested Su Yanxi thank her "sponsor," hinting at Gu Xicheng, but Su Yanxi assumed An'an was referring to herself. An'an noticed Su Yanxi's bandaged hand. Su Yanxi dismissed it as a minor injury, hoping that "losing money can help to avoid misfortune." An'an reassuringly said, "You will be fine. Someone by your side will always protect you." Later, Su Yanxi arrived at Gu Xicheng's office with dinner from Aunt Mei, finding it empty.
Gu Xicheng appeared, playfully asking if she'd forgotten his name after only half a day. She claimed she hadn't forgotten, then presented the "ordinary meal," explaining Aunt Mei was worried he was too busy to eat. Gu Xicheng joked about it being a "super tonic soup" with Cordyceps and Colla Corii Asini. When he feigned being on a diet, Su Yanxi started to eat alone, praising Aunt Mei's pigeon soup. Gu Xicheng then agreed to eat with her. Realizing she'd only brought one spoon, Su Yanxi paused. Gu Xicheng offered to share, taking the spoon even after she mentioned she had already used it.
Episode 9 Recap
Su Yanxi, currently pretending to be He Jinxi, followed Madam Gu's instructions and brought dinner to Gu Xicheng's office. Gu Xicheng was not there when she arrived, and she accidentally dropped a folder. As she bent down to pick it up, Gu Xicheng appeared, leading to an intimate close encounter. Su Yanxi explained she was delivering dinner. Gu Xicheng seemed wary, thinking it was a tonic soup from Aunt Mei.
Su Yanxi quickly clarified that it was a normal dinner prepared by Aunt Mei, and even expressed her own desire to taste Aunt Mei's pigeon soup. However, in her haste, she only brought one spoon, so they had no choice but to share. After they shared the spoon, Gu Xicheng teased her, saying he had just used it. Their close moment was interrupted by Nangong Liuli, who asked Gu Xicheng why he was still working so late.
Nangong Liuli stated she had just joined Huayan and was dedicated to learning about the company for future product R&D. She then turned to Su Yanxi, questioning if she was the organizer of the charity banquet and why she was there. Nangong Liuli pointed out that Gu Xicheng hadn't introduced her, emphasizing that she and Gu Xicheng were "very good old friends."
Gu Xicheng began to explain that it was Su Yanxi's first day at Huayan, but Nangong Liuli cut him off, claiming to have a very important R&D question for him and asking if she could return after he finished eating. Feeling uneasy, Su Yanxi quickly excused herself, saying she couldn't eat anymore, and left the office. As she left, Gu Xicheng called out "Xixi!"
Su Yanxi felt ignored by Gu Xicheng for not explaining his relationship with Nangong Liuli and suspected there was something going on between the "old friends," remembering that someone named An'an had told her Gu Xicheng liked her. Later, while eating out, Su Yanxi ran into Fu Boya. He noticed her injured finger and expressed concern about her well-being in the Gu family, hoping she could leave soon.
Su Yanxi explained that she was merely pretending to be her sister (He Jinxi) and planned to end her "cooperation" with Gu Xicheng once Madam Gu recovered, allowing her to regain her identity as Su Yanxi. Fu Boya was glad to hear this, reiterating his care for her and offering his help for any difficulties, even mentioning the auction where he could have helped her retrieve her necklace.
He emphasized that Gu Xicheng wasn't the only one who could assist her. Su Yanxi thanked him. Before leaving, Fu Boya urged her to think things over, to call him if she needed anything, and expressed his hope for her to get better, leave the Gu family, and become herself again. Su Yanxi pondered how difficult it would be to become Su Yanxi again, also worrying about her mother's surgery.
Upon returning home, Su Yanxi found Madam Gu angry after seeing news reports about Nangong Liuli joining Huayan Group. Madam Gu felt provoked, believing Gu Xicheng had secretly recruited an old friend. She showed Su Yanxi the news, which highlighted Nangong Liuli as an "old friend" joining Huayan. Madam Gu criticized Gu Xicheng for hiring a woman without consulting Su Yanxi and letting the media publish gossip.
Despite Su Yanxi's dismissal of the news as mere gossip, Madam Gu insisted that Nangong Liuli had ill intentions and was after Gu Xicheng. She declared that as Gu Xicheng's partner, Su Yanxi couldn't allow them to flirt in the company. Citing the proverb "the closer you are, the more advantages you'll get," Madam Gu announced that Su Yanxi would also start working at Huayan.
Su Yanxi would be placed right next to Gu Xicheng to keep an eye on him and prevent anyone from interfering with their relationship. Su Yanxi secretly agreed, realizing that if something serious happened between Gu Xicheng and Nangong Liuli, she wouldn't be able to fulfill the contract on behalf of her sister, He Jinxi. That would be troublesome. She resolved to monitor Gu Xicheng and "Queen Su" would destroy any bad guys.
The next day, Su Yanxi reported to work. Situ enthusiastically informed her that Madam Gu had personally made arrangements to support Su Yanxi and Gu Xicheng's relationship. He announced Su Yanxi's new position as the president's special assistant, a role specifically designed for her to follow, take care of, and supervise Gu Xicheng 24 hours a day. Su Yanxi understood and started immediately. Meanwhile, Nangong Liuli was discussing a proposal with Gu Xicheng, suggesting he reconsider the packaging material.
She then nostalgically brought up their college days, recalling how Gu Xicheng had stayed up late to help her find materials for a design project when she was struggling. Gu Xicheng cut her off, reminding her not to mention personal matters in the company. Just then, Situ entered, announcing Su Yanxi's arrival as the new president's special assistant.
Nangong Liuli expressed surprise that Miss He would take such a position, subtly comparing her to an internationally famous makeup artist (herself) who chose to work for Huayan. Su Yanxi retorted, asking why she couldn't help Mr. Gu if Nangong Liuli could. Nangong Liuli then mentioned that Gu Xicheng had done her a favor by buying back her favorite necklace.
Su Yanxi quickly interjected, downplaying the necklace and clarifying that Gu Xicheng's support for the charity banquet was for the children, not for Nangong Liuli. Nangong Liuli then left, saying she would finish her work and report back. Situ commented on the "scent of jealousy" in the office, which Gu Xicheng dismissed, telling him to leave.
Once alone with Gu Xicheng, Su Yanxi adopted a sweet and overtly helpful demeanor, promising to accompany him in everything for their 24/7 close working relationship. Gu Xicheng seemed taken aback, asking if she had eaten something wrong. Su Yanxi insisted she was just determined to help him with his work, emphasizing her commitment to him. Secretly, Su Yanxi resolved to win his heart, only to abandon and torture him later, ensuring he would be completely devoted to her.
When Gu Xicheng announced he was going to meet a client, Su Yanxi falsely claimed his car was broken and that ride-sharing services were fully booked due to the commercial area. She suggested they take the bus, assuring him it would be fast and they wouldn't be late. Sensing his hesitation, Su Yanxi goaded him, asking if he'd never taken a bus or was afraid of his suit getting wrinkled. Gu Xicheng, annoyed, agreed to take the bus.
On the bus, Gu Xicheng shielded Su Yanxi, holding her close to protect her from the crowded conditions, which further deepened their connection. After the meeting, while at the bus stop, Su Yanxi helped Gu Xicheng adjust his tie when a passing car splashed water on him, dirtying his suit. They had to find a nearby clothing store to buy a new one.
Su Yanxi, lamenting missing the last bus (having presumably slept on it during the return journey), found Gu Xicheng calmly stating it was fine to walk, finding it comfortable. Su Yanxi mused about Gu Xicheng's contradictory personality—fierce in the office, but kind like when he saved her with his car or bought back her necklace.
Gu Xicheng explained that as a boss, he couldn't treat everyone the same, hinting that a man only shows his gentleness to "that one particular woman." When Su Yanxi asked who that was, Gu Xicheng replied, "Who do you think it is?" A rose vendor then approached, suggesting Gu Xicheng buy a flower for his girlfriend.
Su Yanxi quickly denied they were together, but Gu Xicheng bought all the roses and gave them to her, confirming they were for her when she asked if there was anyone else here. She accepted them with a thank you. Later, Nangong Liuli met Fu Boya for drinks. She questioned him about the nature of Gu Xicheng and He Jinxi's relationship, noting that Gu Xicheng had never had a special assistant before.
Fu Boya revealed that He Jinxi was Gu Xicheng's fiancée, though the news hadn't been made public. Nangong Liuli was saddened, recalling how Madam Gu used to pressure Gu Xicheng to find a girlfriend abroad. However, she quickly regained her resolve, concluding that since they weren't married yet, she still had a chance. Fu Boya observed that she clearly hadn't given up on Gu Xicheng, a fact Nangong Liuli confirmed.
She then questioned Fu Boya's own close relationship with He Jinxi, who simply stated they were friends, leading Nangong Liuli to comment on their quick connection. Back at the office, Su Yanxi tried out a new recipe for Gu Xicheng. Just then, Nangong Liuli arrived and told Gu Xicheng she wanted to discuss something.
She praised Su Yanxi's skills as an online makeup live streamer and her successful collaboration with Huayan, suggesting that being Gu Xicheng's assistant was a waste of her talent. Nangong Liuli then offered Su Yanxi a position in the R&D department, which she described as Huayan's core department. Gu Xicheng immediately tried to refuse, pointing out Su Yanxi's lack of experience in the field and that it wasn't as simple as she thought.
However, Su Yanxi, unaware of Nangong Liuli's true purpose to distance her from Gu Xicheng, agreed to the arrangement, stating she could learn a lot from Director Nangong. Nangong Liuli quickly handled the administrative transfer. When asked if he had any work to hand over to Su Yanxi, Gu Xicheng replied he had none, but would miss the "fun." Nangong Liuli then took Su Yanxi to complete the paperwork. Gu Xicheng seemed frustrated by Su Yanxi's quick departure.
Su Yanxi was then introduced to the R&D department, where some colleagues gossiped about her lack of experience. Nangong Liuli assigned her to summarize market requirements for new products and design an eyeshadow packaging plan, both with extremely tight deadlines. Su Yanxi asked for help with the market requirements, as she had no experience, but Nangong Liuli declined, telling her to ask colleagues or herself for questions, and to submit the summary by 4 PM.
Nangong Liuli also stressed that the design plan was needed by the end of the day for tomorrow's meeting, encouraging her to pull an all-nighter. Su Yanxi remained cautious, recognizing Nangong Liuli's seriousness in work despite her suspicions. Later, Gu Xicheng, worried about Su Yanxi, came to the R&D department. He subtly took a turkey breast sandwich from Situ, claiming he would return two later. He then walked towards Su Yanxi's desk.
Nangong Liuli intercepted him, expressing surprise at his visit to R&D, and immediately claimed the sandwich, saying she was hungry and delighted he remembered her favorite turkey breast sandwich. She then pulled Gu Xicheng away to discuss an urgent matter related to tomorrow's meeting in his office. Su Yanxi overheard colleagues gossiping about Gu Xicheng specially bringing lunch for Director Nangong, and remembering her preferences, likening it to a "sweet drama." Su Yanxi was furious, vowing to make Gu Xicheng regret it once she finished her work. She was so angry that she got up and left her workstation.
Episode 10 Recap
Nangong Liuli purposely kept Su Yanxi working late in the office. Su Yanxi, unaware of Nangong Liuli's intentions, only saw her dedication to work. While they were working overtime, Nangong Liuli received a call from Gu Xicheng. She deliberately called out "Xicheng" affectionately in front of Su Yanxi to make her feel uneasy.
During the call, Nangong Liuli falsely claimed that Su Yanxi had been careless and almost caused a problem, prompting Gu Xicheng to ask Nangong Liuli to help Su Yanxi more. Su Yanxi soon received a text from Gu Xicheng, indicating it was time to leave. Nangong Liuli then told Su Yanxi to go home, stating she would finish the remaining work herself.
Su Yanxi felt a pang of guilt, as it was her own work, yet Nangong Liuli was staying late for it. As Su Yanxi left, Nangong Liuli took over her computer, a strange smile playing on her lips. Later, Gu Xicheng picked Su Yanxi up to take her home. Su Yanxi expressed her wish that Gu Xicheng would not blindly approve the R&D department's work just because of her. She also wondered how he knew she was still working overtime.
Gu Xicheng casually mentioned Nangong Liuli, which made Su Yanxi feel deeply upset. She then declared that since she was in the R&D Department, she would do her part to the best of her ability and urged him not to be lenient just because she created the design. During a company meeting, Nangong Liuli presented the R&D department's designs, receiving widespread approval, especially for the "Cat's Eye and Holy Pearl" design which cleverly incorporated Chinese elements.
Nangong Liuli, however, claimed all the designs as her own and her team's hard work, stating they pulled several all-nighters. Su Yanxi felt deeply wronged. After the meeting, she confronted Nangong Liuli, asking why she hadn't credited her for the "Cat's Eye and Holy Pearl" design.
Nangong Liuli retorted, suggesting Su Yanxi lacked team spirit, implying all designs were a collective effort from the R&D department and that Su Yanxi shouldn't expect special treatment due to her perceived closeness to Gu Xicheng. Su Yanxi denied any closeness with Gu Xicheng. At that very moment, Gu Xicheng overheard their conversation. Feeling hurt, he instructed them not to discuss private matters at the company, cutting Su Yanxi off when she tried to explain.
Nangong Liuli then dismissively told Su Yanxi that the president wouldn't care who created the design. Feeling unfairly treated, Su Yanxi asked Nangong Liuli for a half-day leave, citing "liver pain." Nangong Liuli granted it. Su Yanxi then made a phone call, addressing the person on the other end as He Jinxi.
Su Yanxi inquired about their mother's condition and the situation with the Gu family, urging He Jinxi not to expose herself in front of Gu Xicheng and asking when she would return. He Jinxi then showed Su Yanxi her mother lying in a hospital bed before abruptly ending the call. Seeing Su Yanxi distraught, Fu Boya took her to the Happy Club. There, Su Yanxi channeled her anger, thinking of Gu Xicheng's words and shouting "Gu Xicheng, go to hell!"
, and poured all her frustration into an intense running session. She later expressed how relieved and happy she felt. Meanwhile, Situ informed Gu Xicheng that Su Yanxi was out with Fu Boya. Gu Xicheng was clearly bothered by this. Nangong Liuli, overhearing, deliberately commented on Su Yanxi and Fu Boya's supposed close relationship and suggested Gu Xicheng go check on them. Despite his irritation, Gu Xicheng's pride led him to focus on work instead. Separately, Situ messaged An'an.
An'an initially responded with indifference but immediately agreed to meet Situ after learning that Su Yanxi had been wronged at work. After her strenuous workout, a cheerful Su Yanxi decided to treat Fu Boya to dinner as a thank you. As they went to retrieve their bags and phones from the bar, Fu Boya noticed several missed calls from Gu Xicheng on his phone. He informed Su Yanxi, who then checked her own phone to find sixteen missed calls.
She decided to call Gu Xicheng back. When Su Yanxi called Gu Xicheng, he demanded to know why she hadn't answered and accused her of not caring about the design work. Su Yanxi asserted her right to her personal life, stating that Gu Xicheng had no right to interfere. At that moment, Fu Boya approached Su Yanxi to check on her, and Gu Xicheng overheard his voice, which intensified his jealousy, leading to a heated argument on the phone.
Fu Boya was still contemplating where to eat dinner when Nangong Liuli offered a suggestion for a restaurant. Unbeknownst to Fu Boya, Nangong Liuli had already planned to meet Gu Xicheng at that very restaurant. She even deliberately wrote "Dinner with Xicheng" on her schedule card, ensuring her colleagues would misunderstand her relationship with Gu Xicheng. She then made a call, stating that she would treat Xicheng to dinner and planned to spend all her salary at Huayan to relieve her resentment.
Episode 11 Recap
Fu Boya brought Su Yanxi to a Western restaurant. Su Yanxi, seeking to vent her frustration, deliberately ordered dishes in odd numbers—one salad, three steaks, five iced lemon teas, and seven macarons for dessert, and also used a slice of lime as decoration—to subtly irritate Gu Xicheng, who had an even number obsession. As they chatted, Gu Xicheng and Nangong Liuli arrived, and the four ended up sharing a table.
Observing this, Nangong Liuli cut Gu Xicheng's steak into two pieces to make it an even number. Su Yanxi immediately moved her own steak onto Gu Xicheng's plate, once again making the count an odd number. During the meal, Su Yanxi asked Fu Boya to cut her steak for her. When she saw Gu Xicheng thanking Nangong Liuli, she impulsively ran off. Gu Xicheng quickly followed, urging her not to be so willful.
Su Yanxi retorted, accusing him of finally speaking his true feelings and believing her to be immature and willful. She highlighted his constant presence with Nangong Liuli. Gu Xicheng denied twisting her words, asserting that Nangong Liuli was just an old friend, much like Fu Boya was to Su Yanxi. Unconvinced, Su Yanxi walked away.
Meanwhile, Fu Boya expressed concern about Su Yanxi and Gu Xicheng arguing, but Nangong Liuli dismissed it, saying there was no entertainment in watching them quarrel. Fu Boya then warned Nangong Liuli not to harm Su Yanxi in her pursuit of Gu Xicheng, reminding her that Madam Gu had chosen Su Yanxi.
Nangong Liuli asserted that she had previously lacked the qualifications to stand by Gu Xicheng's side, but after enduring hardship and being reborn, she was determined to reclaim what was rightfully hers, confident that Gu Xicheng still harbored feelings for her. Elsewhere, Situ, worried about An'an's safety while she worked as a designated driver, followed her in his sports car. When An'an encountered a drunken client, Situ stepped in to help the man up.
He then advised An'an not to accept such dangerous jobs. Touched by his actions, An'an invited Situ to watch a movie with her, and they went to the cinema together. Back home, Gu Xicheng found himself locked out of his room due to the day's events. He went to the living room with his pajamas, where Madam Gu saw him and declared he deserved to sleep on the sofa.
Unsure how to resolve his romantic woes, Gu Xicheng called Situ for advice. Situ suggested he identify his mistakes and proactively apologize to Su Yanxi, emphasizing that in any argument between a man and a woman, it is always the man's fault. Gu Xicheng then initiated a chat with Su Yanxi under an anonymous online persona. Su Yanxi confided her frustration about "him" not trusting her and only believing others.
She clarified that Fu Boya was merely a "close but normal friend," which secretly delighted Gu Xicheng. At the company, Nangong Liuli revealed her private relationship with Gu Xicheng to the R&D team employees, leading to office gossip. Nangong Liuli overheard the discussion and sternly reminded the employees that the company hired them to work, not to chat, before ordering them to delete the photo.
During a company meeting, Gu Xicheng pointed out that the core design of the project was Su Yanxi's work, while also commending Nangong Liuli for her excellent leadership in bringing the team to achieve results in a short time. He then announced the establishment of a performance evaluation mechanism for the new product R&D team to protect employee rights. Feeling that Gu Xicheng was openly siding with Su Yanxi, Nangong Liuli became enraged and began to formulate a new scheme.
Later, Nangong Liuli entered Gu Xicheng's office, deliberately placing a pill bottle in her bag before handing him a resignation letter. She expressed her shame at being publicly called out for a significant error, feeling unqualified to lead the team or stand before him. Outside, employees gossiped, believing Su Yanxi was leveraging her relationship with Gu Xicheng to take credit and force Nangong Liuli out.
Su Yanxi, in the restroom, overheard their comments and emerged to interrupt them, clarifying that Nangong Liuli had appropriated her work. In his office, Gu Xicheng, angered by her attempt to coerce him, accepted her resignation. He told Nangong Liuli that he would not discuss personal matters in the office and emphasized that no one was irreplaceable. Nangong Liuli then implied that Su Yanxi had replaced her and expressed remorse for having left him in the past.
As Gu Xicheng prepared to leave the office, Nangong Liuli dramatically fainted. As he rushed to help her, a bottle of psychiatric medication (Sertraline Hydrochloride Tablets) fell from her bag. She then confessed that she had been suffering from moderate depression for years. Situ, having witnessed Gu Xicheng assisting Nangong Liuli, sent Su Yanxi a photo, urging her to come "subdue the demon." Upon arrival, Su Yanxi saw Gu Xicheng supporting Nangong Liuli and, filled with anger, turned to leave.
Situ tried to explain the situation. After a moment to compose herself, Su Yanxi asked Situ for "flaming red" lipstick. With it, she confidently walked straight into Gu Xicheng's office and kissed him.
Episode 12 Recap
He Jinxi passionately kissed Gu Xicheng in front of Nangong Liuli at the company, deeply infuriating Nangong Liuli, who was seen smashing objects in frustration. As He Jinxi ran out, Gu Xicheng followed, seeking an explanation. He Jinxi explained that her actions were a way to "claim ownership," a tactic taught by Madam Gu. Gu Xicheng was secretly pleased by her words but reminded her that her behavior in the company was inappropriate.
He cautioned her against further conflict with Nangong Liuli, urging her to learn from Nangong instead of seeing her as a rival. He Jinxi, however, retorted, highlighting Gu Xicheng's own close interactions with Nangong Liuli, which she and Situ had witnessed. She dismissed his advice, telling him to address Nangong Liuli instead, declaring her hatred for him before storming off. That evening, He Jinxi gave Gu Xicheng the cold shoulder at home.
Madam Gu also sided with He Jinxi, deliberately ignoring Gu Xicheng, leaving him to feel the pressure from his family. Meanwhile, Situ, knowing An'an planned to have dinner with He Jinxi, feigned a severe illness, dramatically asking An'an to take him home. An'an, who had developed feelings for Situ, reluctantly agreed despite her own exhaustion from a day of driving.
During the ride, seeing An'an's fatigue, Situ pulled over, moved her to the passenger seat, and took over driving, insisting she rest. From afar, Gu Xicheng's loving gaze towards He Jinxi did not go unnoticed by Nangong Liuli, making her feel even more heartbroken. She sought solace in a bar, where she coincidentally encountered Fu Boya. He urged her to calmly discuss things with Gu Xicheng and avoid a mutually destructive path.
However, Nangong Liuli remained fixated on Gu Xicheng, convinced that she had to try one last time. She expressed her belief that Gu Xicheng couldn't truly love He Jinxi and vowed to "take him back" by "getting rid of He Jinxi," dismissing Fu Boya's pleas for a more rational approach. During a company meeting, Nangong Liuli presented a new product design concept centered around the upcoming Super Moon in Taurus, a rare astronomical event.
She highlighted its public appeal and proposed four themes: warmth, brightness, purity, and tenderness. Gu Xicheng approved the proposal. Nangong Liuli then subtly mentioned that the inspiration came from a five-year-old promise she had made with a friend to watch the Super Moon, a clear reference to Gu Xicheng. He Jinxi immediately understood Nangong Liuli's implied meaning, recognized Gu Xicheng as the "friend," and internally declared that she had no interest in watching the moon with him.
Nangong Liuli later approached Gu Xicheng, suggesting they discuss the proposal over the weekend, leveraging the project's tight deadline to pressure him into meeting, despite his clear reluctance to fuel He Jinxi's misunderstandings. Back in the car, An'an fell asleep. Situ, also exhausted, waited for her to wake up but eventually dozed off himself. An'an awoke to find a text message on Situ's phone from a doctor, stating, "Miss Lu may be the best remedy for your fear of intimacy.
But don't forget to come to the clinic for a follow-up visit." An'an confronted Situ, demanding an explanation for his "intimacy disorder" and his pursuit of her. Situ, unable to provide a clear answer, could only watch as a heartbroken An'an walked away, telling him not to let her see him again. Later, An'an called He Jinxi, asking for help and sharing her location. He Jinxi promised to come immediately.
As An'an attempted to leave Situ, he desperately grabbed her, insisting she help him reconcile Gu Xicheng and He Jinxi, fearing their continued "love-hate" conflict. Though hurt by his grasp, An'an eventually stayed. When she complained about mosquitoes, Situ dramatically draped his jacket over her, then rolled up his own sleeves and offered his arm to the insects, declaring that they should bite him instead of An'an. His protective gesture deeply moved An'an.
He Jinxi arrived at the location, initially expecting to meet An'an, but instead found a beautiful surprise setup. Gu Xicheng then approached her with roses. He sincerely apologized for neglecting her feelings recently, admitting he had wrongly compared her to Nangong Liuli and forgotten her lack of experience in corporate affairs. He expressed gratitude for her support through challenges and asked for her forgiveness.
He then presented her with balloons, encouraging her to cut their strings and release them, symbolizing the release of her unhappiness, anger, and indignation. He Jinxi playfully feigned continued anger, but as she released more balloons, she became emotional. After their reconciliation, they hugged. He Jinxi expressed surprise that Gu Xicheng was capable of preparing such a romantic surprise, to which Gu Xicheng revealed that Situ had helped him set it up. They wrote wishes on the balloons together.
When one of the balloons suddenly burst, He Jinxi, startled, instinctively hid in his arms. The atmosphere became charged, and Gu Xicheng tenderly cupped her face before kissing her. At the office, Nangong Liuli arrived with her work, expecting to meet Gu Xicheng for their Super Moon discussion. However, Director Wu informed her that Gu Xicheng had asked him to review the design, as the weather forecast predicted a cloudy night, making it impossible to see the Super Moon. Realizing Gu Xicheng would not be coming, Nangong Liuli, though visibly disappointed, chose to refocus on her work.
Episode 13 Recap
When a balloon suddenly burst, Su Yanxi instinctively flinched into Gu Xicheng's arms. The two shared a tender kiss, even as their tent unexpectedly collapsed. Despite the mishap, their romantic moment was undisturbed, and they made a promise to watch the Super Moon together in eighteen years. Observing them from afar, An'an exclaimed that the couple she was rooting for was finally coming true.
Situ, who had set up the tent, was teased by An'an about the collapse, warning him that Gu Xicheng would surely trouble him tomorrow. Situ quickly defended his work, claiming the tent was very sturdy. Seeing An'an, Situ called out to her, but she quickly apologized to Gu Xicheng and ran off, with Situ following. Gu Xicheng checked if Su Yanxi was hurt; she confirmed she wasn't, only regretting missing the Super Moon.
Gu Xicheng then stated they would see it in eighteen years, to which Su Yanxi agreed, solidifying their special pact. The next morning, Su Yanxi woke to find Gu Xicheng preparing for work, feeling a little shy from their close proximity. As they headed downstairs, Madam Gu, fully packed, announced she was going on a trip with Aunt Mei. Su Yanxi quickly offered to cook breakfast for them, specifically asking Gu Xicheng not to intervene.
Madam Gu was delighted to see Su Yanxi and Gu Xicheng reconciled, noting she always knew they would. She then revealed she was traveling to celebrate a distant relative's great-grandson's first month. Before leaving, Madam Gu expressed her deepest wish for them to have a baby soon. Gu Xicheng offered to drive her, but she politely declined, wishing them well before departing.
Back in the kitchen, Su Yanxi, donned in an apron, awkwardly attempted to chop vegetables, making Gu Xicheng a bit uneasy. She sent him back to the bedroom, then secretly ordered takeout from Xiyan Restaurant. While serving the "gathering of vegetables," she accidentally revealed it was Xiyan Restaurant's secret recipe, leading Gu Xicheng to realize she had ordered takeout. He gently chided her, then promised to always feed her well without her needing to cook.
Touched, Su Yanxi suggested they stop quarreling, admitting how exhausted she felt from their recent arguments, the isolation she experienced at work from Nangong Liuli, and feeling unappreciated by him. Gu Xicheng apologized, acknowledging his own mistakes. Su Yanxi then declared her determination to use her abilities and work to overcome Nangong Liuli at the company. Later that day, after dropping Su Yanxi off at work, Gu Xicheng watched her leave with a smile.
Situ approached him, teasing him about prioritizing his wife over his friend and recalling the previous night's events. Gu Xicheng, trying to maintain his dignity, playfully threatened Situ with work. Situ seized the opportunity to ask for two days off to pursue An'an. Gu Xicheng granted him the time, with the condition that he remain reachable for work. That evening, Situ tried to contact An'an, but she wasn't answering.
Meanwhile, An'an was working as a designated driver when her intoxicated client accused her of stealing his phone. Despite An'an's repeated explanations that his phone was on him and she hadn't touched it, the man grew aggressive, demanding to search her. An'an pushed him away, which only enraged him further, causing him to lunge at her. Just as he was about to strike, Situ arrived, protecting An'an.
In the ensuing scuffle, Situ took a beating, suffering cuts and bruises, while the customer eventually found his phone and left. Situ walked An'an home, telling her not to accept rides from drunk or suspicious people for safety. He then confessed his true feelings, explaining that while he was "sick" and needed "medicine," An'an wasn't merely a temporary cure but a constant necessity for him.
He clarified that he genuinely liked her for who she was, Lu An'an, not as a replacement for anyone else, and promised to stay by her side until she believed him. After An'an entered her apartment, Situ received a text from her, offering to treat his injuries. Though secretly overjoyed, Situ feigned toughness, replying that a small injury was nothing for a "real man" and he could handle it himself.
Later, Su Yanxi finished her workday and received a message from Gu Xicheng inviting her to his office for dinner. On her way, she encountered Nangong Liuli, who provocatively asked if she wanted to know about her relationship with Gu Xicheng. Su Yanxi firmly stated she didn't care about their past, as Gu Xicheng had already clarified they were old friends.
Nangong Liuli, however, insisted she was the woman Gu Xicheng once loved, implying she still held a special place in his heart, and that the Super Moon promise originally belonged to them. Concurrently, in a separate meeting at the office, Gu Xicheng was discussing the "Red Moon of the Andromeda" observation. When a colleague suggested someone accompany Nangong Liuli, who was scheduled to be on duty, Gu Xicheng agreed to join her.
Moments later, Fu Boya saw an agitated Nangong Liuli leaving the office. He inquired about her distress, and she angrily attributed it to Su Yanxi, remarking on Su Yanxi's surprisingly tough demeanor despite her gentle appearance. Fu Boya advised Nangong to let go of her obsession, warning that continuing this path would only result in mutual harm, or worse, only hurt Nangong herself.
Unyielding, Nangong declared this her last chance and vowed never to lose, instructing Fu Boya to take her somewhere to reclaim what she believed was hers. Meanwhile, Gu Xicheng impatiently awaited Su Yanxi in his office. When she finally arrived, looking troubled, he immediately noticed her mood. He asked if the R&D team had bothered her or if Nangong Liuli had said something.
Su Yanxi, though clearly affected, reiterated her trust in him but clearly stated that if Nangong Liuli was indeed his ex-girlfriend, he needed to resolve their past relationship cleanly before coming to her.
Episode 14 Recap
Su Yanxi expressed her trust in Gu Xicheng's feelings for her, asking him to properly resolve his relationship with Nangong Liuli. Gu Xicheng, after careful consideration, decided to have a serious talk with Nangong Liuli. He contacted her by phone, and they agreed to meet the following day. Gu Xicheng reassured Su Yanxi, telling her not to overthink things and to focus on her work, promising to handle everything else.
Su Yanxi accepted his words and said she would wait for him. Meanwhile, Fu Boya accompanied Nangong Liuli to retrieve her stored belongings. Nangong Liuli found most of the old items unnecessary, choosing to keep only one sentimental piece: a white dress. She cherished it, believing it was the eighteenth birthday gift Gu Xicheng had given her.
Remembering Gu Xicheng's invitation, she asked Fu Boya to find a quiet, special restaurant, mentioning she had an important guest for a significant conversation. Fu Boya immediately deduced she was referring to Gu Xicheng. At the office, He Jinxi worked diligently overtime on designs, drawing criticism from colleagues. They gossiped, believing that no matter how hard she tried, she would never surpass Director Nangong. Exhausted from her efforts, He Jinxi fell asleep at her desk.
Nangong Liuli then approached her and assigned her to go to a factory in the suburbs that afternoon to crosscheck material data for the White Moonlight design. Although He Jinxi was not proficient in this task, she complied with the directive. Gu Xicheng, aware that Xixi was at the factory, sent her a message to be careful, urging her to keep in touch and promising to pick her up if it got too late.
Xixi was touched by his constant care. Later, while at work, Gu Xicheng anxiously awaited a call from Xixi. When his phone rang, it was not Xixi, but a message from Nangong Liuli confirming their meeting time and location: "Central Hotel's Memory Private Room at 7. I'll wait for you." Gu Xicheng decided to confront Nangong Liuli directly and clarify everything.
Nangong Liuli arrived at the meeting wearing the white dress, believing it to be a treasured gift from Gu Xicheng for her eighteenth birthday. Gu Xicheng, however, clarified that the dress and a watch were not from him alone. He explained that they were gifts from the entire Astronomical Society, as she was the only female member at the time, and everyone contributed to buying her birthday presents.
He further explained that his actions, such as accompanying her on night shifts, were merely out of a sense of responsibility as the only male. He recounted an instance where a game led to him being chosen to accompany her, but that it was simply care from a fellow club member. He apologized if his actions had led her to misunderstand his feelings.
Nangong Liuli refused to believe him, insisting he did like her and asking if he had never truly liked her. Gu Xicheng firmly replied, "No." Nangong Liuli broke down, unable to accept that the belief in his affection, which had sustained her through her years abroad and motivated her return, was shattered. She cried, refusing to believe his words. Outside the room, Fu Boya heard her cries and looked heartbroken. Meanwhile, Situ picked up An'an after work.
An'an noticed two concert tickets in the passenger seat's storage box and secretly hoped Situ would invite her, but he said nothing, leaving her disappointed. Situ, dropping An'an off, found himself unable to articulate his feelings, regretting his lack of courage. After finishing her work day, Su Yanxi took a ride-hailing car home. Midway, she realized she had gotten into the wrong car, as her booked driver was still at the original pickup location.
The driver suggested they both cancel their respective orders, offering her a discount on the fare to take her home, to which she agreed. Su Yanxi then dozed off. She woke up to find the car deviating from the agreed route. Panicked, she leaped out of the moving vehicle and called An'an for help. The driver, who was acting on someone's orders, told her not to make a fuss and that he would send her back soon.
An'an, receiving Xixi's frantic call, immediately contacted Situ. Situ then rushed to Gu Xicheng's hotel, where An'an explained that Xixi had been taken to the suburbs by a stranger, had escaped, and was now in danger. Ignoring Nangong Liuli's plea for him not to go and her confession that she was behind the incident, Gu Xicheng quickly joined An'an and Situ. Using Xixi's location, they sped to the scene. Gu Xicheng found Xixi, who was terrified.
He reassured her that he would come for her, just as he promised. As they reached her, Gu Xicheng shielded Xixi from a falling box, taking the impact on his back. They successfully rescued Xixi, with Situ threatening the driver with jail. Despite Nangong Liuli's confession and Fu Boya's empathy for her, she continued to sit on the ground, weeping, unable to come to terms with the reality of Gu Xicheng's rejection.
Episode 15 Recap
Situ escorted An'an home. An'an playfully tugged at Situ's tie, pulling him close, making him think she was about to kiss him, but it was just a prank. She asked for his thoughts on his "little Shuoshuo's" heroic act of saving people earlier, then called him "my little Shuoshuo," suggesting he could call her "sweetheart." Situ jokingly called her "sweetheart" in return, surprising her with his progress in their playful banter.
Later, Gu Xicheng carried Su Yanxi back to their room. He tried to sleep on the sofa, but Su Yanxi stopped him, insisting he shouldn't given his injury. She asked him to get the medical kit, revealing she had seen his shoulder get hurt when a box fell earlier. Gu Xicheng downplayed the injury, but Su Yanxi noted how swollen and red his shoulder was, certain it must be painful.
Feeling guilty, she blamed herself for his injury, but Gu Xicheng reassured her, saying it was his responsibility to protect her, and he was the one who brought her there and into the company. He asserted that he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her and asked her to always think of him first, no matter what happened. That night, Su Yanxi couldn't sleep, still shaken by the day's events.
Gu Xicheng comforted her by getting into bed and holding her, and she soon felt secure enough to fall asleep. The next morning, they woke up together. Su Yanxi was a little embarrassed, but Gu Xicheng quickly got up to make breakfast, casually dismissing his sore arm—which he had used as her pillow all night—to avoid making her feel guilty. As Su Yanxi wished for their peaceful mornings to last forever, reality interrupted.
She received a phone call from her father, He Zhendong, who mistook her for He Jinxi. He expressed how much he missed her and demanded she bring Gu Xicheng to visit him the next day, threatening to come to Huayan if she didn't comply. Su Yanxi refused. When she and Gu Xicheng arrived at He Zhendong's house, her father and Aunt Yazhen warmly greeted her as "Jinxi," and He Zhendong praised Gu Xicheng's character.
Aunt Yazhen reminded Su Yanxi to take a photo with Gu Xicheng for future financing projects, to which Su Yanxi simply said she knew what to do. He Zhendong suggested a family photo, but Su Yanxi, acting as Jinxi, twice refused, dismissing her father's comment about her "princess temper." Gu Xicheng stepped in, stating Jinxi didn't want a photo, and He Zhendong quickly backed down.
He Zhendong then invited "Jinxi" to move back in, but Gu Xicheng interjected, explaining that Jinxi was perfectly comfortable living with him and had no need to move. He Zhendong then led Su Yanxi to a room, claiming he had a "little gift" for her. He showed her a tidy room, implying his enduring care, but then immediately asked her to repay his "years of upbringing."
Su Yanxi sarcastically thanked him for the "surprising" gift, stating she didn't have the money. He Zhendong told her to ask Gu Xicheng, claiming the amount was insignificant to him. He then explained that he had recently made a bad investment and needed her to help him recoup the losses by getting Gu Xicheng to sign a contract. Su Yanxi defiantly declared the He family had nothing to do with her.
Angered, He Zhendong threatened to reveal a secret if she didn't cooperate. He accused her of forgetting whose daughter she was, then revealed he knew she wasn't Jinxi. He explained that Jinxi had never called him "dad" after the divorce, but Su Yanxi had, which raised his suspicions, and that a father could always tell his daughters apart. He Zhendong then asked if Gu Xicheng knew "you, the younger sister, are dating him on behalf of your older sister."
He made it clear he didn't care about their deception as long as they helped the family. Su Yanxi dared him to expose her, promising he wouldn't get a penny. Just then, Gu Xicheng called out to "Jinxi," and He Zhendong quickly shoved the contract into Su Yanxi's hand before Gu Xicheng entered, expressing concern and leading her away. Gu Xicheng drove Su Yanxi to the riverside to cheer her up, having noticed her unhappiness.
Su Yanxi expressed a wish for such peaceful moments to last forever. They made a pact to always give each other time to talk and explain, and never argue or walk away, no matter what happened. Gu Xicheng mistakenly thought she was referring to Nangong Liuli and quickly clarified that Nangong was not his ex-girlfriend. Su Yanxi assured him it wasn't about Nangong Liuli and that she trusted him, though she had other secrets she couldn't yet reveal.
Meanwhile, Miqi visited the R&D department, looking for Nangong Liuli and "He Jinxi." Staff members informed her that Nangong Liuli was on sick leave and gossiped that "Miss He" (Su Yanxi) was skipping work because no one was supervising her. Miqi checked the attendance record, which clearly showed Su Yanxi was on an outdoor assignment, and sternly told the staff to stop gossiping and focus on their work.
Separately, Situ, who harbored feelings for An'an but felt timid about confessing, sought Su Yanxi's advice. He admitted that after An'an forgave him, he overthought everything, fearing she only tolerated him rather than liked him. Su Yanxi encouraged him to be persistent and bold, assuring him that An'an was soft-hearted and would eventually be moved. Situ, however, expressed a new "mature" and "manly" approach: to silently accompany An'an until she accepted him again.
Su Yanxi found his new attitude "greasy" and pressed him directly if he still liked An'an, to which he affirmed, "Of course I do." To Situ's surprise, An'an suddenly appeared, revealing she had orchestrated the meeting with Su Yanxi's help. She scolded Situ for his timidity and then confessed her feelings directly, telling him she liked him. Taken aback, Situ then bravely embraced An'an, calling her "my girlfriend."
They playfully bickered about him letting go, then decided to rush off to the art zone, as it was the last day. As they left, Situ reminded Su Yanxi that Gu Xicheng's birthday was the day after tomorrow. Su Yanxi thought about Gu Xicheng's upcoming birthday and began planning a cake for him, deciding on a semi-sweet chocolate option.
She then noticed that the typhoon was arriving earlier than expected, sending Gu Xicheng a message to be careful and come home early. Gu Xicheng, in a business meeting, received her message, and his subordinate jokingly noted his "appointment," leading him to dismiss the meeting early. On her way home, Su Yanxi saw a drunken Nangong Liuli with Fu Boya.
Nangong Liuli, clutching a watch, loudly claimed Gu Xicheng had given it to her on her 18th birthday, and she had worn it for seven years, convinced it proved his love. Fu Boya tried to tell her it wasn't from Gu Xicheng, but Nangong Liuli threw the watch away in a fit of despair, saying he didn't love her. She then frantically searched for it, insisting she couldn't lose it.
Fu Boya found it for her, and Nangong Liuli, seeing it again, deluded herself into believing Gu Xicheng still loved her. She then confronted Su Yanxi, who was observing nearby, asserting that Su Yanxi had not won and Gu Xicheng would never be with her. She claimed Su Yanxi knew nothing of Gu Xicheng's past or the secrets in his heart, stating that Su Yanxi could never truly enter his heart.
Back home, Su Yanxi replayed Nangong Liuli's words, trying to dismiss them as nonsense and reminding herself to focus on Gu Xicheng's birthday. She noticed Gu Xicheng's peculiar "even number obsession" with objects around the house, finding it odd. While searching for a lighter, she found a tin box. Just as she was looking at it, Gu Xicheng arrived home, startling her, and she dropped the tin box.
Earlier, Gu Xicheng had received a phone call from Situ, who again jokingly congratulated him on his "18th birthday" and offered to celebrate despite the typhoon, but Gu Xicheng declined. Situ then playfully suggested leaving Gu Xicheng alone with his "landlady."
Episode 16 Recap
Gu Xicheng was deeply troubled when a tin box fell, bringing back painful memories of playing with his elder brother, Gu Nanzheng, who was no longer with him. His distress intensified upon seeing the number 27 on a cake, causing him to abruptly tell Su Yanxi to leave. Su Yanxi immediately understood that his "even number obsession" was linked to the photos in the box, which depicted his brother.
She tried to connect with him, asserting that she wasn't "someone else" and they had promised to take care of each other, urging him to open up. Gu Xicheng fiercely pushed back, stating he had carried the burden for twenty years and preferred to suffer alone, rejecting any offer to "open up" his wounds.
Su Yanxi argued that his obsession had become a "huge physiological burden" and he would "collapse" if he continued to carry it alone, to which he retorted he would rather "collapse and die." Eventually, Gu Xicheng relented and began to confide in Su Yanxi. He revealed that Gu Nanzheng was his elder brother, cherished by the entire Gu family, the smartest, most loved eldest son, and the sole heir to the Huayan Group.
Gu Xicheng tragically admitted that he was responsible for his brother's accidental death in a car crash when Gu Nanzheng was seven years old. He recounted watching his brother lie in the hospital for seven days before passing away. Overwhelmed with guilt, Gu Xicheng confessed he believed he had ruined the Gu family, causing his mother's depression and his father's departure to be with her, and leading to his grandmother's illness from raising him alone.
He repeatedly blamed himself for killing his brother and destroying his family, asking Su Yanxi if she was "satisfied" with his confession. Meanwhile, Situ and An'an were out on a date. Situ playfully attempted to put his arm around An'an but, fearing he might get hit, made an excuse about an itchy back. Later, as An'an dozed in the car, Situ tried to steal a kiss, only to be comically thwarted by his seatbelt, his wish once again unfulfilled.
After Gu Xicheng's painful confession, he retreated into his room, grieving. He vividly recalled childhood memories: playing happily with his brother, who always accompanied him. He remembered playing marbles on the roadside with friends when his brother returned, warning him about the danger. Just then, a car approached, and his brother pushed him out of the way, taking the impact himself, and eventually dying from his injuries.
Su Yanxi, visibly distraught, wandered the streets alone, unsure how to face Gu Xicheng. Meanwhile, An'an received news of the conflict and, accompanied by Situ, arrived at the Gu family residence determined to confront Gu Xicheng, who had locked himself in his room. Madam Gu returned home to find scattered old photos, guessed what had happened, felt at a loss on how to console Gu Xicheng, and also worried about Su Yanxi's safety.
Situ intervened, reminding An'an that Madam Gu was home and Gu Xicheng likely had his reasons. He suggested they search for Su Yanxi, as she didn't drive and wouldn't be far. Both An'an and Situ searched the nearby streets, but found no sign of her. Amidst her sadness, Su Yanxi received a phone call from her mother, who had borrowed a phone from a neighboring patient while He Jinxi was away.
Tearfully, Su Yanxi put on a brave face, telling her mother she was doing well, had a new job with excellent online sales (often ranking in the top ten), joined a new company where she could do what she loved, and had a very caring boyfriend. She reassured her mother not to worry about money and to focus on getting better, saying her efforts were all for her mother's recovery.
Her mother, sensing Su Yanxi's hidden sorrow and tears, worried she had been wronged and blamed herself for being a burden. Su Yanxi reiterated her well-being and loving relationship, but after hanging up, she broke down, confessing to herself that she missed her mother dearly and was not doing well at all. Others continued their search for Su Yanxi.
Fu Boya, realizing the extreme danger, frantically called Gu Xicheng, demanding to know why Su Yanxi was alone outside in such bad weather and warning him of the perils of being by the sea during a typhoon. He threatened serious consequences if anything happened to her. Gu Xicheng, filled with regret, immediately drove out to find her. Su Yanxi, enduring the fierce wind and rain, found refuge in a corner by the supermoon viewing spot.
Gu Xicheng soon arrived, shielding her with an umbrella and draping his suit jacket over her. Su Yanxi apologized for prying into his past and for losing her temper, acknowledging the immense weight he had carried for two decades and how he would be crushed if he didn't let it go.
Gu Xicheng admitted that the medicine at home was evidence of his inability to cope, and he couldn't forgive himself for his brother's death and the perceived ruin of the Gu family. He expressed his profound loneliness, feeling like he was the only one left, symbolized by single items like a pair of chopsticks, a cup, clothes, and shoes in the house. Su Yanxi tenderly reminded him that he still had Madam Gu and her.
Gu Xicheng then asked if she would always be by his side and never leave. Su Yanxi hesitated, mentioning "too many obstacles between them," but Gu Xicheng passionately declared that he didn't care about any obstacles – be it Nangong Liuli, Fu Boya, their past, or his even number obsession – none of them were "their problems." He confessed he liked her "more than she could imagine" and "more than he expected," simply wanting her to stay with him.
When Su Yanxi removed the jacket and stepped into the rain, Gu Xicheng quickly rushed to cover her with the umbrella, prioritizing her comfort over his own. No longer able to resist, Su Yanxi ran forward and passionately kissed him. From a distance, Fu Boya witnessed the kiss, his expression conveying nothing but blessings for the couple. Shortly after, An'an and Situ also arrived, surprised by the passionate embrace.
Situ lightheartedly commented on the "dignified CEO" kissing so intensely in the rain, then provocatively asked An'an what she thought he wanted to do next. An'an, taking the initiative, wrapped her arms around Situ, and they shared a kiss.
Episode 17 Recap
After a lively dart game with Siyu, An'an, and Su Yanxi, Gu Xicheng emerged victorious. He then playfully approached Su Yanxi for a kiss, much to An'an's visible embarrassment and disgust. Later, as Gu Xicheng drove Su Yanxi home, she expressed concern about Grandma Gu's reaction to their earlier impromptu departure. Gu Xicheng, however, reassured her, saying he would shoulder any responsibility.
Upon their arrival, Grandma Gu, still upset, chided them for leaving and returning as they pleased, questioning if they still considered her an elder. Su Yanxi apologized for causing worry, while Gu Xicheng took the blame, asking Grandma Gu to punish him instead of Yanxi. Though still vexed, Grandma Gu ultimately forgave them, but "punished" them by ordering them to stay in their room and not come out until working hours.
Later that evening, Su Yanxi found Gu Xicheng working late and joined him. She playfully chided him for causing his birthday cake to be "spoiled" due to their outing, then promised to buy him a three-layer cake for his next birthday. Gu Xicheng then inquired about her new product design, reminding her that the announcement was only three days away. Realizing she hadn't finished the material samples, Su Yanxi rushed back to her room to continue working.
Alone, she pondered the correctness of her actions, worrying about how Gu Xicheng would react if he discovered her true identity when He Jinxi and her mother returned. Despite her anxieties, she resolved to focus on her work. Meanwhile, Fu Boya confronted Nangong Liuli, urging her to let go of her attachment to Gu Xicheng.
He tried to throw away a watch, which Nangong Liuli had worn for seven years and cherished as a symbol of her love for Gu Xicheng. She pleaded with Fu Boya not to, insisting that Gu Xicheng still loved her, even though she had taken money from Grandma Gu to study abroad in the past.
Fu Boya sternly told her that Gu Xicheng had never loved her, neither in the past, nor in the present, nor would he in the future. During the new product packaging design presentation at Huayan, both Nangong Liuli and Su Yanxi (as He Jinxi) showcased their work. Siyu called for a professional and impartial vote, and Gu Xicheng, to ensure fairness, asked Siyu to host the announcement of the results, leaving the conference room himself.
The voting concluded with He Jinxi's "Beautiful East" design receiving six votes, while Nangong Liuli's "White Moonlight" design received four. Siyu then announced that He Jinxi would be fully responsible for Huayan's new product packaging design. After the meeting, Nangong Liuli confronted Gu Xicheng outside, asking if he left because he couldn't bear to witness her defeat. Gu Xicheng reiterated that the office was no place for personal matters and urged her, as a leader, to control her emotions.
He pointed out that her emotional state led to her losing to her subordinate, and that this behavior was unlike the Nangong Liuli he once knew. Nangong Liuli confessed that she came to Huayan for him, willing to dedicate all her abilities to help him build the company, and asked why he pushed her away.
Gu Xicheng explained that a relationship between them was impossible, reminding her that she had made her choice years ago when she left and accepted money from Grandma Gu. He admitted that his past care for her in the astronomy club was simply due to her being the only female member, and that her actions had severed even their friendship.
Nangong Liuli tried to explain, but Gu Xicheng insisted there was nothing to say, stating that everyone makes choices and must face the consequences. Devastated, Nangong Liuli felt she had lost her last shred of dignity. She packed her belongings and left Huayan. Outside, Fu Boya found a distraught Nangong Liuli and rushed to her aid as she collapsed. When she regained consciousness, Fu Boya was by her side, comforting her as she wept about losing everything.
Though he outwardly soothed her, Fu Boya harbored a deep resentment towards Gu Xicheng. Later, at the office, Su Yanxi prepared to leave, bidding Gu Xicheng farewell. He expressed a desire for her to stay, even if it meant working together. She reminded him of his responsibilities as Huayan's president and promised she'd be home soon. After a quick, discreet kiss, she left.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Su Yanxi worried about her identity being exposed when the real He Jinxi returned, questioning if she could retain her newfound happiness. She called An'an, and they went to a bar. An'an sensed Su Yanxi's unease and urged her to reveal her true identity to Gu Xicheng, warning that He Jinxi was not an easy person to deal with.
Su Yanxi admitted she couldn't control her feelings and had truly fallen in love with Gu Xicheng. From across the bar, Fu Boya observed them. He bribed the bartender to serve Su Yanxi and An'an high-alcohol drinks. After Su Yanxi became heavily intoxicated, the bartender, at Fu Boya's instruction, lured An'an away on a false pretense.
Fu Boya then approached the inebriated Su Yanxi, who was disoriented and resisted his attempts to help her, all while he deliberately posed for a hidden photographer to capture pictures of them embracing. An'an returned, frustrated at being tricked, and found Su Yanxi struggling. Siyu received a call from An'an, informing him of Su Yanxi's state, and he quickly brought Gu Xicheng to the bar. Gu Xicheng, concerned, took the very drunk Su Yanxi home.
On their way, or upon arriving, he gently chided her for drinking so much. As they entered the house, a tipsy Su Yanxi pressed Gu Xicheng to confess his love and began to reveal a secret, but their conversation was cut short by Aunt Mei's sudden appearance. Gu Xicheng quickly ushered Su Yanxi inside, promising to talk later. The next morning, Su Yanxi woke up to Gu Xicheng offering her lemon water.
She was clad in his shirt, having misplaced her pajamas. They playfully bickered about her attire and his overindulgence of her. Still feeling insecure, Su Yanxi asked Gu Xicheng if he would ever regret knowing or spoiling her. Gu Xicheng looked at her deeply and declared his love, promising to cherish her for a lifetime. As they sat and ate, Gu Xicheng teasingly took a piece of lemon from her. In that moment, Su Yanxi fully realized that she had truly, deeply fallen in love with him.
Episode 18 Recap
Su Yanxi woke up to a phone call from An'an, who informed her that scandalous news about Su Yanxi and Fu Boya had been published online, accompanied by photos. Su Yanxi was bewildered, insisting she hadn't seen Fu Boya the previous day. An'an urged her to get ready, explaining that the entire cosmetics industry was abuzz and reporters were likely heading to their house.
An'an also mentioned that Gu Xicheng had gone to Huayan Group with Situ the previous night to handle the situation. At Huayan Group, employees gossiped about Gu Xicheng's fiancée allegedly cheating with someone from a rival company. Situ reprimanded them, but Gu Xicheng remained unconcerned by their chatter. Instead, he made arrangements for Madam Gu to go on an outing with Aunt Mei, hoping everything would be resolved before her return.
He then told Situ that he had already invited some familiar media and reporters for a press conference that evening to clarify the matter. An'an picked up Su Yanxi, explaining that Situ Shuo had warned her about reporters rushing to the Gu residence. She drove Su Yanxi to her own home, believing it would be safer.
Su Yanxi questioned how the photos could have been taken, as she had been with An'an all day, though An'an admitted stepping out for a short while. An'an advised Su Yanxi not to worry, assuring her that the truth would eventually come out and that Gu Xicheng and Situ were working to resolve things. However, their arrival at An'an's home was met by a swarm of reporters, shouting questions about "Miss He" and the man in the photos.
Suddenly, Fu Boya appeared and, protecting Su Yanxi, led her away from the chaotic scene. Su Yanxi, still unaware that Fu Boya was behind the whole ordeal, expressed her trust in him, stating they hadn't met in days and the photos must be fabricated by malicious individuals or sensationalist reporters. She believed someone was trying to damage her relationship with Gu Xicheng and their friendship.
She prepared to call Gu Xicheng to clarify the situation, but Fu Boya stopped her, asking why she always thought of others instead of herself. Feeling a pang of conscience at Su Yanxi's unwavering trust, Fu Boya confessed that he was the mastermind. He admitted to switching their drinks at the bar, sending An'an away, taking intimate photos with a drugged Su Yanxi, and distributing them to over a dozen media outlets, even disclosing their current location.
A stunned Su Yanxi asked why he would do such a thing. Fu Boya revealed his deep love for Nangong Liuli. He recounted how, years ago, he was injured and passed out on Fifth Avenue when Nangong Liuli rescued him. During his most difficult years abroad, Nangong Liuli's appearance brought a ray of light into his dark life. He loved her, and seeing her suffer when she learned Gu Xicheng had a girlfriend made him feel immense pain.
He decided to sabotage Gu Xicheng's relationship for Nangong Liuli's happiness, even if it meant he wouldn't be the one by her side. He confessed that his initial "accidental" crash into Su Yanxi's taxi was a calculated move to get close to Gu Xicheng's girlfriend. He even intentionally joined Huayan Group, leveraging his knowledge of Gu Xicheng's interest in collaborating with Lipman by offering an irresistible price as a third-party consultant.
He admitted he had calculated everything, but never anticipated that Gu Xicheng's girlfriend would turn out to be Su Yanxi, nor that Su Yanxi would genuinely fall in love with Gu Xicheng despite his efforts. Su Yanxi was enraged, accusing Fu Boya of being a different person from the childhood friend she knew. She questioned his definition of love, which involved hurting others and causing chaos at Huayan Group. Fu Boya, however, declared he cared only for Nangong Liuli.
He pleaded with Su Yanxi to leave Gu Xicheng and return him to Nangong Liuli, offering to take full responsibility for the scandal himself. Su Yanxi vehemently refused, severing all ties with him. As she walked away, Fu Boya grabbed her arm, reminding her of a "big secret" she held. At that moment, Gu Xicheng arrived, immediately punching Fu Boya for harassing Su Yanxi.
He warned Fu Boya that he would beat him every time he saw him if he continued to bother Su Yanxi. Su Yanxi, remembering their past, pulled Gu Xicheng away, but Fu Boya defiantly vowed to settle scores with Gu Xicheng later. Gu Xicheng comforted a distressed Su Yanxi, assuring her that he would protect her and that no matter the cost, he would not let anyone harm her.
Su Yanxi, deeply moved, began to tell Gu Xicheng her secret, but their conversation was cut short when Gu Xicheng received a phone call and asked her to wait in the car. On the phone, Situ informed Gu Xicheng that Fu Boya had scheduled another press conference, suggesting he had more tricks up his sleeve.
Situ also revealed that they had evidence showing Fu Boya and Nangong Liuli had studied abroad together and were close friends, with potentially more to their relationship. Gu Xicheng ordered Situ to investigate Nangong Liuli's activities since joining Huayan Group and to gather all possible evidence. He also instructed Situ to send more personnel to the upcoming press conference to keep Su Yanxi safe.
Gu Xicheng then assured Su Yanxi that he would clarify everything at the press conference that evening. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Nangong Liuli woke up to find a letter left by Fu Boya. Reading his words, she understood the truth of his actions. She immediately pulled out her IV drip and rushed out to find him. At the highly anticipated press conference, Gu Xicheng introduced Su Yanxi, his fiancée, and declared that the rumors of her infidelity were false.
He stated that the person in the photos, Fu Boya, was merely a friend, and his relationship with Su Yanxi was stable. Gu Xicheng confidently announced that the fabricated news would not impact Huayan Group's new product launch or its stock. However, Fu Boya dramatically entered the conference, contradicting Gu Xicheng.
He claimed that "Miss He Jinxi" was in love with him, not Gu Xicheng, and further accused her of plagiarizing all her designs and work from Nangong Liuli, asserting that everything Su Yanxi had was fake. A furious Su Yanxi attempted to confront Fu Boya, but Gu Xicheng intervened, taking control of the situation.
He presented irrefutable evidence, including CCTV footage from the bar, clearly showing someone switching Su Yanxi and An'an's drinks, then whisking An'an away, leaving a drugged Su Yanxi vulnerable to staged photos with Fu Boya. Gu Xicheng then displayed evidence from weeks prior, revealing Nangong Liuli meeting a private car driver, confirming she had orchestrated an incident to lure Su Yanxi to the suburbs, almost endangering her life.
Gu Xicheng sternly warned Fu Boya and Nangong Liuli that they had crossed his line. He announced Nangong Liuli's termination from Huayan Group and declared that he would hand over all evidence to his lawyers, ensuring they faced the full consequences of their actions. Cornered, Fu Boya frantically dismissed the evidence as fake and synthesized, urging reporters to believe him, claiming he was telling the truth.
Realizing his efforts were failing, and remembering Nangong Liuli was waiting for his "good news," he made a desperate attempt to reveal Su Yanxi's true identity, shouting, "Your beloved fiancée is not—" Before he could finish, Nangong Liuli rushed into the conference hall, yelling for Fu Boya to stop. She tearfully declared that she was responsible for everything and asked to take all the blame. Fu Boya, however, vehemently denied her involvement, insisting that he alone was responsible.
As someone (implied to be an oncoming vehicle or a security measure from Gu Xicheng's side) moved towards Nangong Liuli, Fu Boya pushed her out of the way, taking the impact himself. Nangong Liuli cradled the bleeding Fu Boya in her arms, crying desperately for him. With his last breaths, Fu Boya confessed his love for her, recalling the day she saved him on Fifth Avenue and how his heart had never changed since.
He apologized and asked her to promise to meet him first in their next life. Nangong Liuli frantically tried to get help, but Fu Boya passed away, his final words a heartfelt apology to Liuli and a wish that in their next life, he would meet her before Gu Xicheng.
Episode 19 Recap
Gu Xicheng brought Su Yanxi home, where she was visibly distraught, recalling how Fu Boya had nearly exposed her true identity and almost shattered her happiness. She embraced Gu Xicheng tightly, expressing her confusion and grief. She questioned why Fu Boya had acted so foolishly, taking everything upon himself and ultimately failing to protect himself. Gu Xicheng comforted her, suggesting that perhaps, for Fu Boya, it was a form of relief.
He then urged her to rest and offered to handle responsibilities, telling her to call him if she needed anything. Meanwhile, Situ, having found a letter from Fu Boya addressed to Nangong Liuli at the recent event, opened it after taking An'an home. Reading its contents, he discovered the truth about Su Yanxi's identity. The next day, An'an, acting on Situ's behalf, met with Su Yanxi and immediately conveyed that Situ knew everything.
She explained that at the recent press conference, Fu Boya and Nangong had intended to reveal Su Yanxi's true identity, and the folder containing information about both Su Yanxi and He Jinxi had fallen into Situ's hands. An'an pressed Su Yanxi for an explanation for her actions. Su Yanxi acknowledged that An'an knew the truth, and then shared her fears, explaining that He Jinxi had taken their mother abroad to use her as leverage.
She tearfully pleaded with Situ not to tell Gu Xicheng, promising that once her mother was safe and she could meet her, she would confess everything to Gu Xicheng herself, regardless of his reaction. She stated that she simply couldn't risk her mother's safety before then.
In another part of the world, He Jinxi, having successfully undergone plastic surgery, was informed by her friend Steven that their joint futures investment had failed, resulting in a loss of all their money and a debt of over 400,000 euros to the bank. He Jinxi was furious, reminding Steven of his promise to double their investment, but he simply stated her assets were already mortgaged and wished her good luck.
Later, seeing a news headline proclaiming Gu Xicheng as a "super fan of his wife," He Jinxi reacted with surprise at Su Yanxi's perceived capabilities. An'an, understanding Su Yanxi's difficult situation, tried to comfort her, suggesting there might still be hope before He Jinxi's return. Su Yanxi, however, urged An'an to prioritize her relationship with Situ, expressing her regret if her problems caused any misunderstandings between them. An'an reassured Su Yanxi that Situ was reliable and wouldn't betray her secret.
Later, An'an approached Situ, thanking him for his difficult promise to keep the secret from Gu Xicheng. Situ admitted to struggling with his conscience, which An'an understood, reminding him that sincerity and trust were essential in a relationship. Situ acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating he needed time to figure out how to act normal around Gu Xicheng and how to face An'an herself.
An'an, recognizing his turmoil, suggested they both take some time to reflect and cool off, proposing they not see each other for a while. Situ reluctantly agreed. At the hospital, He Jinxi's mother was shocked by her daughter's drastically altered appearance, asking why she had changed her entire face instead of just a simple repair. He Jinxi cut her off, confirming the successful surgery and her mother's upcoming discharge.
Her mother expressed worry about He Jinxi, but He Jinxi coldly dismissed it, stating she had always taken care of herself and didn't need her mother's concern. When her mother asked to contact Yanxi, He Jinxi responded with resentment, claiming her mother only cared about Su Yanxi. She then left, stating she would arrange the discharge. Nangong Liuli found Su Yanxi to bid farewell.
She announced that she was leaving to fulfill Fu Boya's last wish, returning to the place where they first met, and that she would likely be there indefinitely. She asked Su Yanxi to convey her goodbyes to Gu Xicheng, as she preferred not to say farewell to him personally. Nangong Liuli reflected on her past, acknowledging her unwise choices and her mistaken belief that academic and career achievements would make her worthy to stand by Gu Xicheng and co-manage Huayan.
She realized that while everything else could be calculated, human emotions and love could not. She expressed her regret for betraying Fu Boya's love and her desire not to spend the rest of her life pursuing an unrequited love, feeling it would be a disservice to Fu Boya's sacrifice.
Su Yanxi, who now knew Nangong Liuli was aware of her true identity, thanked her for not exposing the truth to the media and wished her well, hoping she would find her true self and a happy life, a wish she believed Fu Boya would also share. Nangong Liuli thanked Su Yanxi in return and wished her and Gu Xicheng to overcome all obstacles and cherish each other.
She then apologized for her past impulsive and hurtful actions toward Su Yanxi before departing, wishing her happiness. Back with Gu Xicheng, Su Yanxi was still visibly preoccupied. He noticed her absent-mindedness, even when she mistakenly handed him sugar packets instead of tea bags. Assuming she was still saddened by Fu Boya's death, Gu Xicheng offered comfort, explaining that while some things are uncontrollable, they should cherish their loved ones.
He reiterated that despite their mistakes, Fu Boya and Nangong were not bad people, and he would remember Fu Boya as a friend. Su Yanxi, still burdened by her secret, tentatively asked if he would forgive her if she ever made a mistake. Gu Xicheng immediately responded, "That won't happen."
He then passionately declared that no matter what she did, or what mistakes she made, his love would remain unchanged, promising to always love, spoil, and protect her, emphasizing that love was his heart and everything about her. Overwhelmed by his unwavering affection, Su Yanxi thanked him. Su Yanxi then brought up a work issue for Huayan Group, explaining that despite new R&D and her design contributions, the new product series' sales had unexpectedly dropped by 5. 6%.
Gu Xicheng, confident in his ability to help, accompanied her to an offline cosmetics store for market research. Su Yanxi explained her usual method of observing popular product categories and sales trends to ensure their online promotions stayed current. Gu Xicheng was impressed by her insights. However, when he attempted to quickly take photos of products with his phone, the clicking sound alerted the store staff.
Su Yanxi quickly grabbed Gu Xicheng, and they made a hasty exit as store employees tried to stop them. Later, while Su Yanxi waited for Gu Xicheng at a cafe, a child approached her, calling her "the most beautiful and lovely lady in the world" and delivering a bouquet of flowers along with a note. Su Yanxi realized this was Gu Xicheng's arrangement, and the note invited her to a private candlelight dinner.
She arrived at the Western restaurant dressed in Hanfu, to Gu Xicheng's delight, who remarked on her seriousness. She playfully confirmed she would always attend his invitations with elegance. Gu Xicheng confessed that his even number obsession was not fully cured, but he was working to overcome it for her, attributing his progress to her presence.
They then promised to stay together forever, and Su Yanxi reminded him of his past words about trusting and relying on each other through anything. Gu Xicheng presented her with a custom-made jade hairpin, explaining it symbolized their pure love and his admiration for her in Hanfu. He then professed his love for her. Su Yanxi, facing his fervent emotions, was still overwhelmed and found herself unable to confess her secret.
Meanwhile, Situ visited a psychologist, who noted that he still missed An'an, felt anxious, and even angry at himself, despite believing she did nothing wrong. The psychologist informed Situ that his intimacy disorder was completely healed, as his emotional reactions were now normal for someone experiencing the complexities of love, and he no longer needed therapy.
Finally, Su Yanxi received a phone call from He Jinxi, who remarked on Su Yanxi's seemingly good life and sarcastically questioned if their mother still mattered to her. Su Yanxi insisted they talk face-to-face. He Jinxi taunted her, warning that wherever she appeared, Su Yanxi would lose everything. Moments later, He Jinxi slowly walked towards Su Yanxi. Su Yanxi stared, initially disbelieving, before finally recognizing her sister and exclaiming, "He Jinxi! Your face. . ."
Episode 20 Recap
He Jinxi confronted Su Yanxi, immediately demanding three million yuan. When Su Yanxi expressed that she didn't have such a large sum, He Jinxi scoffed, asking if she had already squandered the money she supposedly got from Gu Xicheng. He Jinxi also revealed she had undergone a restoration surgery due to a failed plastic surgery.
Su Yanxi asked about their mother, to which He Jinxi claimed their mother was recovering well abroad after a successful surgery and that Su Yanxi shouldn't worry. He Jinxi then reiterated her demand for three million yuan, stating that if Su Yanxi could secure the money from Gu Xicheng, she would have a chance to see their mother. She gave Su Yanxi three days to consider.
Feeling trapped and unable to refuse He Jinxi, Su Yanxi reached out to An'an for help. Coincidentally, An'an was already on her way to see Su Yanxi. She met Situ downstairs, who joined them. On the way, An'an shared her new perspective with Situ, stating her belief in Su Yanxi and Gu Xicheng's genuine feelings for each other. She proposed that they should focus on resolving their problems to ensure their happiness, without letting it complicate their own relationship.
After reaching Su Yanxi, Situ offered to lend her the three million yuan to pacify He Jinxi. However, Su Yanxi refused, explaining that giving He Jinxi money would only encourage her to demand more. Su Yanxi then revealed her true purpose for seeking their help: she didn't believe He Jinxi's claim that their mother was abroad. She asked An'an and Situ to help her locate their mother, believing that finding her would free her from He Jinxi's manipulation.
Situ agreed to use his connections to investigate. When asked about her plans for Gu Xicheng, Su Yanxi admitted she hadn't figured it out yet. Later, as Su Yanxi pondered her situation, looking at her wedding photo with Gu Xicheng and fearing the end of her happiness, Gu Xicheng sent her a message inviting her to a new Huangshanyue art exhibition, promising a special surprise. They agreed to meet at the art museum that evening.
Upon arrival, Su Yanxi found the museum closed, but Gu Xicheng had arranged a private exhibition just for her. He presented her with an intimate showing of Huangshanyue's classic and unreleased works. To Su Yanxi’s immense delight, Huangshanyue himself appeared. The artist revealed that Gu Xicheng had personally convinced him to host the private exhibition, praising Gu Xicheng's thoughtfulness and the couple's enviable love.
Huangshanyue then presented Su Yanxi with a special gift: his very first handmade doll, a private collection piece, noting that the broken doll Miss He had once owned was a mass-produced replica of this original. He expressed his admiration for Gu Xicheng’s gesture, which mended Su Yanxi’s past regrets. Su Yanxi, deeply moved by Gu Xicheng’s kindness, confessed her love for him and her desire to be with him forever.
She described the evening as a beautiful dream she would never forget. Meanwhile, He Jinxi attempted to check into a hotel, but her credit card was declined. A phone call to her bank revealed that all her cards had been frozen due to serious personal credit issues, despite her belief that she had already cleared all her debts. Frantically, she called several friends, only to be met with busy signals or outright rejections.
Isolated and desperate, He Jinxi became consumed by bitterness, lamenting that her former friends had abandoned her. She seethed with resentment that Su Yanxi was living comfortably in the Gu family home, convinced that everything Su Yanxi possessed rightfully belonged to her. Gu Xicheng's unwavering kindness only deepened Su Yanxi's guilt. Her growing affection for him felt like the only way to express her true feelings.
As they walked home that evening, Su Yanxi gathered her courage to reveal the truth to Gu Xicheng. However, just as she was about to speak, Aunt Mei arrived unexpectedly, announcing that Madam Gu was also home and had a relative visiting. This interruption prevented Su Yanxi from confessing. Entering the living room, Su Yanxi was shocked to find He Jinxi conversing with Madam Gu.
He Jinxi, having introduced herself to Madam Gu as Su Yanxi's long-lost older cousin, emotionally recounted a fabricated story about mortgaging her house to cover their mother's medical expenses, which led to its repossession, leaving her with no choice but to seek refuge with Su Yanxi. Madam Gu, moved by the tale and believing He Jinxi to be Su Yanxi’s beloved relative, took pity on her and insisted that she stay in the guest room.
Su Yanxi, realizing Madam Gu was acting out of kindness towards her, felt unable to contradict her grandmother's wishes. Gu Xicheng, unaware of the deception, even offered to find He Jinxi a job and rent her an apartment nearby once she settled. Su Yanxi led He Jinxi to her room to speak privately. He Jinxi brazenly asserted that her story to Madam Gu about mortgaging her house for their mother’s treatment was true, justifying her stay.
She then reiterated her condition: she would only leave once Su Yanxi procured the three million yuan. When Su Yanxi, enraged, threatened to expose the truth to Gu Xicheng, He Jinxi immediately retaliated by threatening their mother's well-being. She claimed their mother, having just undergone surgery, was recovering in a foreign hospital and would be evicted if payments ceased.
She cruelly reminded Su Yanxi that she couldn't speak foreign languages, leaving her powerless to find their mother without He Jinxi's help. Su Yanxi was forced into silence. Alone, He Jinxi mused about Su Yanxi, whom she considered foolish. She vowed that if Su Yanxi could capture Gu Xicheng's heart, she could too, and resolved to seize everything Su Yanxi had. The constant presence of He Jinxi left Su Yanxi deeply troubled and unsure how to confess to Gu Xicheng.
Later, as Gu Xicheng tried to comfort an uneasy Su Yanxi, He Jinxi suddenly appeared, feigning concern about ingredients in the fridge to prepare a meal for Madam Gu. She then deliberately mentioned their mother’s supposed recovery, telling Su Yanxi not to worry and promising to arrange a meeting when everything was "arranged." This calculated move left Su Yanxi even more distraught and helpless.
Gu Xicheng offered to help if Su Yanxi was worried about her elder, but He Jinxi politely declined, stating she was already grateful for the hospitality and didn't want to cause further trouble. That night, Su Yanxi lay awake, consumed by her dilemma. Gu Xicheng noticed her restlessness and gently tried to encourage her to confide in him if something was troubling her. Unable to voice her secret, Su Yanxi feigned sleep.
Later, when the house was quiet, He Jinxi stealthily entered Gu Xicheng’s room. She observed the various gifts he had bought for Su Yanxi, including clothes, shoes, Huangshanyue’s manuscripts, and handmade dolls. Believing these luxuries should rightfully be hers, He Jinxi vowed to reclaim everything. Her anger intensified when she discovered their mother's "Angel's Tear" pearl necklace among Su Yanxi's possessions.
Noticing that Gu Xicheng and Su Yanxi slept in separate beds, He Jinxi speculated that their relationship might not be as perfect as it seemed, fueling her resolve to win Gu Xicheng over.
Episode 21 Recap
Su Yanxi felt uneasy about He Jinxi staying in their home. On a phone call, An'an expressed her worry about He Jinxi "brazenly" residing with them, urging Su Yanxi not to let herself be bullied. Su Yanxi admitted her helplessness, as He Jinxi held leverage over her regarding her mother's whereabouts.
An'an reassured Su Yanxi that she and Situ Shuo would do their best to find her mother and warned her not to let He Jinxi manipulate her relationship with Gu Xicheng. An'an predicted that He Jinxi, with her personality, would inevitably cause trouble living in the Gu family home, and Su Yanxi agreed they would have to "play it by ear."
Noticing Su Yanxi's discomfort, Gu Xicheng decided to help "Jinxi's cousin" (referring to He Jinxi, the antagonist, whom he believed to be Su Yanxi’s cousin) rent an apartment, citing inconvenience despite them being relatives. He tasked Situ Shuo with finding a suitable place. Situ, initially surprised, quickly realized that the "cousin" Gu Xicheng referred to was actually He Jinxi herself. Situ informed An'an, and they both agreed to expedite He Jinxi's move-out within three days.
Meanwhile, He Jinxi pressed Su Yanxi at home, demanding three million yuan. Su Yanxi refused, suggesting that next time He Jinxi underwent restoration surgery on her face, she should also "fix her heart." Su Yanxi reminded He Jinxi that her relationship with Gu Xicheng was merely a transaction, implying it wouldn't end well. Gu Xicheng then arrived, and He Jinxi quickly fabricated a story, claiming Su Yanxi was just recounting their "love story."
Gu Xicheng then mentioned he heard their reason for being together was unique, based on a contract, which He Jinxi affirmed. Gu Xicheng, who had no work planned for the afternoon, suggested taking Su Yanxi to a movie. Su Yanxi initially agreed, but upon hearing He Jinxi mention going to see her mother, Su Yanxi immediately changed her mind and insisted on accompanying her.
Gu Xicheng offered to drive them, but Su Yanxi declined, stating she and her cousin would go alone. Once outside, Su Yanxi confronted He Jinxi, knowing she had no intention of visiting their mother and merely wanted to prevent Su Yanxi from spending time with Gu Xicheng. He Jinxi admitted this, then demanded they go shopping and that Su Yanxi pay.
She threatened to expose Su Yanxi's true identity to Gu Xicheng and reveal their mother's location if Su Yanxi refused. Su Yanxi, with no other choice, reluctantly agreed. They returned laden with shopping bags, which puzzled Gu Xicheng, who wondered why their "visit to a patient" resulted in a shopping spree. He Jinxi quickly explained that Su Yanxi, feeling pity for her, bought her many things.
He Jinxi then provocatively mentioned that Su Yanxi was also planning to return the "Angel's Tear" necklace, implying it should be returned to "her" (He Jinxi) as the rightful owner. Su Yanxi (the impersonator) vehemently insisted the necklace belonged to their mother and to her (the true Su Yanxi), but struggled to explain why it shouldn't be given to He Jinxi without revealing her true identity. Gu Xicheng, misunderstanding the complexities of their identities, seemed confused.
Later, noticing Su Yanxi's distress, Gu Xicheng tried to comfort her, expressing concern about her low spirits. He told her he had found an apartment for He Jinxi and would pay the rent, hoping her departure would make Su Yanxi happier. Su Yanxi thanked him. Alone in her room, He Jinxi, surrounded by her new purchases, harbored deep resentment, wondering why Su Yanxi seemed to have everything good in life.
Su Yanxi entered, carrying the "Angel's Tear" necklace, and asked He Jinxi to cherish it if she truly intended to take it. He Jinxi callously threw the necklace onto the bed, declaring her intent to gradually seize everything Su Yanxi possessed. Gu Xicheng discovered Su Yanxi's bank records, which showed she had paid off a significant debt for He Jinxi.
He approached He Jinxi, telling her that if she had any needs in the future, she should come to him directly. He explained that Su Yanxi would silently endure burdens for her, and he would meet any reasonable requests for Su Yanxi's sake. Later, alone, He Jinxi was furious, questioning why everyone, including Gu Xicheng, showed so much care and affection only for Su Yanxi.
That evening, He Jinxi brought a glass of milk to Gu Xicheng's study while he was working. The next morning, she flaunted her late-night interaction with Gu Xicheng to Su Yanxi, implying they had a long conversation about shared topics, and boasting that Gu Xicheng had offered to give her money directly. He Jinxi suggested she might no longer need the three million yuan from Su Yanxi.
Shortly after, Gu Xicheng received a call informing him that his afternoon video conference was canceled. With an unexpected free afternoon, he decided to take Su Yanxi out, suggesting a movie or a walk. Su Yanxi playfully teased him, and they left together. Su Yanxi contacted Situ for an update on her mother.
Situ reported that all nursing homes, including private institutions, within the city had been checked, but her mother's information was not found, suggesting she was not in the city. Situ promised to expand the search to surrounding cities, despite it being like "looking for a needle in a haystack." He advised Su Yanxi to continue stabilizing He Jinxi, believing she wouldn't completely abandon their mother and might reveal clues while under their close watch.
He Jinxi visited their mother in the hospital. The nurse informed her that her mother was recovering well but repeatedly asked to contact her other daughter, Su Yanxi. He Jinxi lied, claiming Su Yanxi had died many years ago and that her mother was speaking nonsense due to her recent surgery and weakened state.
Later, He Jinxi was consumed by anger, frustrated that despite all her efforts and expenses in finding a hospital abroad and paying for her mother's surgery and care, her mother's heart still belonged only to Su Yanxi. Later, He Jinxi attempted to seduce Gu Xicheng in his study, wearing revealing clothes and offering to drink with him.
Gu Xicheng angrily rejected her advances, stating he had tolerated her presence only because she was "Jinxi's cousin" (the person he believed was Su Yanxi's cousin) and because Madam Gu had allowed her to stay. He warned her that his patience was exhausted, and he found "everything she did" unsatisfactory. He Jinxi left in a rage, silently vowing revenge against both Gu Xicheng and Su Yanxi.
Gu Xicheng then informed He Jinxi that he had rented an apartment for her, paid for a year's rent, and all preparations were made for her to move out. He stated bluntly that her presence was affecting his life with Su Yanxi. He Jinxi, feigning distress, appealed to Su Yanxi, asking if she truly wished for her to leave and reminding her of their earlier promise to visit their mother together.
Su Yanxi, caught in the middle, told Gu Xicheng she "couldn't bear to see her leave." Gu Xicheng expressed his disbelief, noting the apparent lack of deep affection between them and the troubles He Jinxi had brought. However, Su Yanxi insisted that He Jinxi could not leave, going so far as to say he would have to kick both of them out. She then apologized to Gu Xicheng, promising to reveal the truth once their mother was found.
Gu Xicheng was deeply upset by Su Yanxi's uncharacteristic unreasonableness and disclosed that He Jinxi had privately approached him at night, attempting to undermine their relationship. Despite this, Su Yanxi remained resolute that He Jinxi must stay. He Jinxi later approached Gu Xicheng, apologizing for causing conflict and acknowledging Su Yanxi's loyalty, expressing hope that he would value Su Yanxi's sincerity.
Episode 22 Recap
He Jinxi approached Gu Xicheng after his disagreement with Su Yanxi, offering comfort while also attempting to sow discord between them. Gu Xicheng, familiar with his cousin's manipulative nature, chose not to engage. Instead, he called Situ to join him for a drink. During their conversation, Gu Xicheng revealed that He Jinxi had secretly approached him behind Su Yanxi's back, a behavior he considered inappropriate for a family member.
He also shared that he had offered to find a new apartment for He Jinxi so she could move out, but Su Yanxi had surprisingly refused, making him feel that something was amiss between the two women. Given this, Gu Xicheng instructed Situ to discreetly investigate He Jinxi's background and past experiences as quickly as possible. Situ agreed, promising to investigate thoroughly but emphasizing that it would take time.
Meanwhile, Su Yanxi confronted He Jinxi, demanding to know why she had secretly sought out Gu Xicheng. He Jinxi retorted, questioning if she needed Su Yanxi's permission to speak with him and accusing Su Yanxi of usurping her rightful place, claiming she was merely reclaiming what belonged to her. Su Yanxi challenged He Jinxi to reveal her true identity to Gu Xicheng if her feelings were genuine and not tied to any contract.
He Jinxi dismissed this, saying that "all men are the same." Su Yanxi, weary of the conflict, pleaded with He Jinxi to stop and return her mother. He Jinxi then laid out her demands: Su Yanxi must obtain three million from Gu Xicheng and arrange a private dinner for He Jinxi and Gu Xicheng to improve his impression of her. Su Yanxi firmly refused the dinner arrangement, calling it a baseless and harmful act.
He Jinxi then issued a three-day ultimatum, threatening that if the money was not received and the private dinner not arranged, she would expose Su Yanxi's true identity to everyone and ensure Su Yanxi never saw her mother again. Feeling cornered and heartbroken, Su Yanxi was left wondering how she could see her mother without causing harm to Gu Xicheng. That evening, Gu Xicheng found Su Yanxi asleep on the sofa.
Realizing she had been drinking, he gently carried her to bed. He reassured her that he was not angry about their earlier argument, which he attributed to his own emotions. He also agreed to let He Jinxi stay, respecting Su Yanxi's wishes. Touched by his kindness and love, Su Yanxi resolved that she could no longer be manipulated by He Jinxi.
She vowed to find her mother as soon as possible so she could finally confess the truth to Gu Xicheng without being blackmailed. The next day, Su Yanxi met with An'an, explaining that she had to wait until Gu Xicheng left for work and then requested leave from her supervisor. Situ, who was also present, confirmed that Gu Xicheng had already grown suspicious of He Jinxi's identity and tasked him with an investigation.
Situ acknowledged Gu Xicheng's sharp business acumen as the president of Huayan, making him not easily fooled. He reluctantly agreed to hide the truth for a while, but warned that it wouldn't last forever. Su Yanxi reiterated her plan: find her mother first to free herself from He Jinxi's threats, then tell Gu Xicheng everything. Situ expressed concern, reminding Su Yanxi that Gu Xicheng took relationships and honesty very seriously.
If he discovered the identity switch and the deception, Su Yanxi risked losing him despite their strong current relationship. An'an cut Situ off, urging him to focus on finding Su Yanxi's mother, believing that once her mother was safe, all other problems would be resolved. Shortly after, He Jinxi called Su Yanxi, pressing her on the three-day deadline for the money and the meeting with Gu Xicheng.
She reiterated her threat to expose Su Yanxi and ensure she never saw her mother again. Su Yanxi countered, warning He Jinxi that if anything happened to her mother, all of He Jinxi's ambitions would be thwarted. Enraged by Su Yanxi's defiance, He Jinxi vowed revenge. Immediately after hanging up, she received a call from the nursing home.
The staff reported that her mother was in distress, refusing to eat or drink, and insisting on calling her "younger sister," seemingly forgetting that Su Yanxi was supposedly deceased. Annoyed, He Jinxi agreed to visit, expressing frustration over Su Yanxi's continued interference. At the nursing home, a staff member informed He Jinxi of her mother's refusal to cooperate.
He Jinxi confronted her mother, admitting she had told people Su Yanxi passed away to stop her mother from causing trouble, and angrily asked why everyone seemed to side with Su Yanxi, despite He Jinxi paying for her care. Her mother clarified that she cared for both her daughters equally. She recounted how, during her divorce from Mr. He, she had wanted to take He Jinxi with her, but the court had granted custody to her father.
He Jinxi scoffed, blaming her mother's "lofty" and "cowardly" decision to leave with nothing. She declared that following her mother would have meant living a "poor life like Su Yanxi" and that her mother's weakness led to another woman taking her place, making He Jinxi feel like an outsider in her own home. This, she claimed, taught her that she had to fight for everything herself. Her mother expressed deep regret, wishing she had taken He Jinxi with her then.
He Jinxi dismissed this, demanding her mother stop bothering her and cooperate with treatment. When her mother simply asked how Su Yanxi was, He Jinxi assured her that Su Yanxi was fine and promised a reunion once Su Yanxi fulfilled her demands. Her mother, realizing He Jinxi had been lying about Su Yanxi being busy, questioned her sister's motives, to which He Jinxi angrily retorted, asking why her mother didn't worry about her as well.
He Jinxi then left, warning her mother not to cause any more trouble. Later, Su Yanxi brought dinner to Gu Xicheng's office, chastising him for drinking black coffee on an empty stomach. Touched by her concern, Gu Xicheng playfully suggested she come to his office every day to supervise his meals, to which Su Yanxi jokingly demanded overtime pay, which he paid her with a stack of bills.
During this tender moment, Su Yanxi suggested arranging a dinner with He Jinxi and Gu Xicheng to resolve their "misunderstanding." Gu Xicheng, wanting Su Yanxi to be happy, readily agreed, leaving Su Yanxi with a pang of guilt. Despite his agreement, Gu Xicheng remained suspicious of He Jinxi. He promptly instructed an employee to conduct a thorough investigation into He Jinxi's activities both before and after she came to the Gu family.
Additionally, he ordered a temporary suspension of all investments in He's Group under the pretense of an audit, with no movement allowed without his personal signature. He Jinxi received a text message from Su Yanxi confirming the dinner with Gu Xicheng at 6 PM. Simultaneously, Situ and An'an set up surveillance near the restaurant.
Situ voiced his concerns about the risks involved, believing Gu Xicheng was too sharp to be easily deceived, but An'an urged him to hurry to the location. At the restaurant, He Jinxi, elegantly dressed, arrived and attempted to charm Gu Xicheng, who maintained a polite but distant demeanor. Su Yanxi then arrived, surprising He Jinxi, and soon after, suggested they both go to the restroom together.
In the restroom, He Jinxi angrily accused Su Yanxi of tricking her, expecting a private dinner with Gu Xicheng. Su Yanxi calmly explained that Gu Xicheng wouldn't have attended without her presence. She argued that her being there would help ease Gu Xicheng's prejudice against He Jinxi, making him more receptive and increasing He Jinxi's chances of securing the three million. Though still suspicious, He Jinxi reluctantly agreed to go along with the plan.
Back at the table, Su Yanxi "accidentally" spilled chicken soup on He Jinxi's dress. As He Jinxi went to clean up, refusing Su Yanxi's help, Su Yanxi followed, telling Gu Xicheng she would assist her cousin. In the restroom, Su Yanxi quickly unlocked He Jinxi's phone, correctly guessing the passcode, and swiftly sent He Jinxi's call records to Situ for investigation.
Later, Su Yanxi apologized to He Jinxi for the ruined dinner and offered to buy her a new dress, which He Jinxi dismissively rejected. He Jinxi then subtly suggested a future private dinner with Gu Xicheng, which Gu Xicheng parried by inviting her to have "overtime packed dinners" at Huayan instead, making it clear he wouldn't be dining with her privately.
During the dinner, Gu Xicheng also subtly noticed Su Yanxi taking He Jinxi's phone, further deepening his suspicions but he chose not to react at that moment. Back home, Gu Xicheng instructed Su Yanxi to rest while he went to his study to finish some work. Shortly after, Su Yanxi received a call from An'an, who excitedly announced that Situ had located her mother.
By analyzing He Jinxi's taxi orders, Situ had traced her frequent visits to a nursing home in the suburbs, where Su Yanxi's mother was confirmed to be residing. An'an urged Su Yanxi to quietly slip out and meet them at the nursing home entrance. Su Yanxi left Gu Xicheng a silent apology and snuck out of the house.
Moments later, Gu Xicheng emerged from his study and observed Su Yanxi's furtive departure, further fueling his suspicion that she was hiding something from him. At the nursing home, Su Yanxi, An'an, and Situ reunited with Su Yanxi's mother in her ward. Her mother was overjoyed to see Su Yanxi, confirming her recovery and expressing gratitude for He Jinxi's care and the successful surgery. Su Yanxi quickly informed her mother that An'an was processing her discharge, and they would leave soon. Before they could depart, He Jinxi arrived at the nursing home, confronting them.
Episode 23 Recap
As Su Yanxi and her companions prepared to take her mother away, He Jinxi suddenly arrived. Su Mama attempted to explain, but He Jinxi interrupted her, heading directly for Su Yanxi. Seeing this, An'an, concerned that Su Yanxi would be bullied, stepped forward to intervene. He Jinxi attempted to lash out, but Situ quickly positioned himself in front of An'an. Undeterred by their numbers, He Jinxi accused Su Yanxi of conspiring with others to find her mother.
Su Yanxi angrily confronted He Jinxi for having taken their mother away for over half a year and refusing to let her see her. He Jinxi retorted that Su Yanxi had merely watched their mother fall ill, lacking the means to pay for treatment. She then claimed that she had deceived Gu Xicheng into providing money for their mother’s treatment, sarcastically suggesting Su Yanxi was now upset because of it, before pushing Su Yanxi to the ground.
Gu Xicheng, having overheard the commotion, entered the room, demanding to know what was happening. He Jinxi immediately feigned distress, crying that she had been bullied, lied to, and even hit by Su Yanxi, who was also trying to take their mother away. Gu Xicheng, confused and angered, demanded to know their true identities. He Jinxi then revealed that she and Su Yanxi were twin sisters whose faces had once been identical.
She explained that she had undergone plastic surgery after an accident six months prior. He Jinxi asserted that she was the one who had originally signed the contract with Gu Xicheng, accusing Su Yanxi of fraudulently using her name to deceive him and covet his wealth, and even attempting to snatch away their mother. Su Yanxi desperately tried to explain, but Gu Xicheng, feeling betrayed, refused to listen and turned to leave.
Su Yanxi followed, pleading for him to hear her out. Gu Xicheng questioned her, asking if it was true that her real name was Su Yanxi, that she was He Jinxi's twin sister, and that the contract signer was not her. He asked why, if she had come to the Gu family for understandable reasons, she hadn't confessed the truth when the real He Jinxi appeared, threatening her and making demands.
He asked if she truly believed he was someone she couldn't rely on, trust, or confide in, or if her feelings for him were also fake. Su Yanxi, overwhelmed with guilt, struggled to find the words to explain. Unable to face his profound disappointment, Gu Xicheng walked away, declaring he never wanted to see her again. Meanwhile, Su Mama, having overheard the distressing conversation, felt heartbroken, believing she was a burden to Su Yanxi.
She was also deeply pained by Su Yanxi's sacrifices and He Jinxi's callous behavior. Seizing the chaos, He Jinxi attempted to take Su Mama away, but Situ and An'an stood firm, preventing her. An'an fiercely warned He Jinxi not to touch Su Mama again, threatening to call the police if she tried. The next day, Su Yanxi appeared in the hospital room with swollen eyes.
An'an expressed her concern, but Su Yanxi simply said that this outcome was her deserved retribution for lying to Gu Xicheng. She no longer felt she could face him and only wished to care for her mother, intending to take her and leave. Situ and An'an tried to convince her not to run away, emphasizing that escaping wouldn't solve her problems.
They assured her that the hospital entrance was guarded to prevent He Jinxi from returning, and then they left to address other matters, promising to return for them when Su Mama recovered. Later, Situ reported to Huayan Group. Gu Xicheng, still consumed by anger from the previous day's events, lashed out at Situ, accusing him of knowing the truth but withholding it. He was also furious that Su Yanxi, despite knowing his feelings, had failed to be honest with him.
Situ, sensing Gu Xicheng's fury, decided not to press the issue of Su Yanxi further, though he did try to make Gu Xicheng see that Su Yanxi's actions were out of desperation, not malice, and that she was afraid of losing him. He challenged Gu Xicheng if he was willing to give up on their relationship. Back at the hospital, Su Yanxi tended to her mother.
Su Mama awoke, her heart heavy with guilt for not having raised He Jinxi better, which she believed led to her hurting Su Yanxi. She told Su Yanxi that she could see Gu Xicheng's genuine feelings for her. Overwhelmed, Su Yanxi embraced her mother and burst into tears. Su Mama apologized for not teaching He Jinxi well, regretting that her failure had led to Su Yanxi's pain and potentially the end of her relationship with Gu Xicheng.
He Jinxi, despite her earlier revelation of Su Yanxi's identity, remained at the Gu family. As she was about to leave, she received a phone call from Gu Xicheng, who summoned her to Huayan Group. Gu Xicheng had already arranged for He Zhendong, He Jinxi's father, to be present. Upon seeing the post-surgery He Jinxi, He Zhendong began to scold her about her face and lack of contact.
Gu Xicheng intervened, sternly reminding them that they were in his office and that he wouldn't tolerate a scene, then asked He Zhendong to step out. Gu Xicheng then informed He Jinxi that her father's company's investment contract was being terminated due to fraudulent documents.
He then directly addressed He Jinxi, explaining that her contract with him was also dissolved due to her using a false identity and having someone else impersonate her to fulfill the terms while she squandered the money. He stated that his lawyer would issue a letter within three days, holding her accountable for serious breach of contract, which would require ten times the compensation.
He Jinxi, claiming she couldn't possibly pay such an amount, reiterated her long-standing belief that Su Yanxi had always hurt and bullied her. She recounted childhood memories where Su Yanxi received all their mother's affection and praise, while she felt neglected and unwanted, eventually being separated from their mother by a court order and forced to live with He Zhendong, a life she blamed for her current predicament.
She bitterly stated that if their mother had taken her instead, everything Su Yanxi had – her friends, job, life, and even Gu Xicheng – would rightfully be hers. Gu Xicheng calmly refuted her, telling her she was mistaken. He explained that one's life, friends, work, and love were earned through sincerity, kindness, and effort, not by simply bearing a name.
He told her that she was He Jinxi, and only she could be the person she was now, urging her to stop wasting her life and to take responsibility for herself. He then offered her a loan of one million yuan in Su Yanxi's name, half to clear her debts and half to help her rebuild her life.
He clarified that while he was not forgiving her, he was letting her go for Su Yanxi's sake, advising her to be grateful to her sister if she could still harbor any goodwill. Shortly after, He Zhendong was officially informed of the immediate cancellation of his company's contract. He confronted He Jinxi again outside, furious about the financial blow, but she ignored him and left.
After her confrontation with Gu Xicheng, He Jinxi had a final, face-to-face conversation with Su Yanxi. During this, He Jinxi expressed her deep envy for Su Yanxi's family, friends, and loved ones, and urged her to cherish them, before declaring they would never see each other again. Su Yanxi then decided to take her mother back to their hometown, believing there was nothing left to stay for.
As their car was on its way, Su Mama received a phone call from He Jinxi, who, having been deeply affected by Gu Xicheng's words, had completely repented and decided to properly rebuild her life. As their car passed by Huayan Group, Su Yanxi felt a lingering pull. She stepped out and made a final phone call to Gu Xicheng.
She confessed that although she had initially come into his life by impersonating her sister, her feelings for him had always been genuine. She admitted her fear of telling him the truth, afraid of hurting him and losing him, and tearfully declared her love for him, saying it had been true from beginning to end, and apologized before saying goodbye.
Simultaneously, Situ, after a thorough investigation, found CCTV footage and Su Yanxi's resume, confirming that it was Su Yanxi, not He Jinxi, who had attended the interview and been with Gu Xicheng all along. He rushed to Gu Xicheng, presenting the evidence and explaining that they had been mistaken, urging him to go after Su Yanxi before it was too late. Su Yanxi's tearful declaration of love and apology echoed in Gu Xicheng's mind as he grasped the full truth of the situation.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
As the car passed by Huayan Group, Su Yanxi found herself unable to let go of her feelings for Gu Xicheng. She got out of the car to contact him, grappling with the guilt of having come into his life under false pretenses, yet her love for him was undeniably real. She reached out to him, but it was too late.
Soon after, An'an drove Su Yanxi and her mother back to their hometown, urging Su Yanxi to take good care of herself. Meanwhile, Gu Xicheng, worried about Su Yanxi, rushed to the train station to find her, but they narrowly missed each other. Later, Gu Xicheng's subordinate, Situ, discovered the CCTV footage and Su Yanxi's resume, realizing he had mistakenly identified Su Yanxi as He Jinxi.
He confronted Gu Xicheng, admitting his error and clarifying that it had always been Su Yanxi from the interview to their meetings in the parking lot. Situ encouraged a reconciliation, seeing Gu Xicheng relentlessly working, but Gu Xicheng outwardly dismissed the idea, though he frequently looked through items Su Yanxi had left behind, silently recalling his promise to always love, spoil, and take care of her, no matter what she did.
In his heart, he knew he was wrong and wished he could apologize. Four months later, Su Yanxi and her mother were living a quiet life in a small town. Her mother often expressed concern, gently suggesting that Su Yanxi find love again and even calling "that boy" she knew. Su Yanxi, however, simply urged her mother not to dwell on the past and to focus on her health, as she was busy with multiple jobs and her designs.
She continued to create and sell her handcrafted cosmetics boxes, which her friend praised. One day, her friend gave her a new set of cosmetics called the "Xiyan series," remarking on how similar its packaging design was to Su Yanxi's artwork. This made Su Yanxi wonder if Gu Xicheng had adopted her designs. Gu Xicheng, too, was quietly pining for Su Yanxi. Looking at his empty room, which still held traces of her presence, he recalled their time together.
Using his online alias "Coincidence," he contacted Su Yanxi, inquiring about her emotional state. Su Yanxi confided in him, describing her past as a "very long but sweet dream" and speaking of a "very special person" who had left her life, someone she "really liked" and with whom she had experienced the happiest days. She admitted her actions had hurt him, but emphasized she never intended to deceive him, manipulate him, or distrust him.
She confessed that she still loved him. Gu Xicheng was secretly pleased to hear her lingering affection. Later, while in town, Su Yanxi briefly saw Gu Xicheng, but he seemed to look right through her, leaving her stunned and questioning if she had imagined it. In the midst of this, Situ and An'an, who had maintained a stable relationship, were frustrated by the lack of progress between Gu Xicheng and Su Yanxi.
An'an playfully scolded Situ for not bringing them back together, reminding him that Gu Xicheng was his boss and would tell him to "get lost" if he pushed too hard. Together, they concocted a plan to reunite their friends. One evening, Su Yanxi returned home to find her mother missing. Fearing her mother had been taken away again, a terrifying thought that brought back memories involving Jinxi and her father, Su Yanxi frantically searched.
She then found a note from her mother, who was in a bad mood and had gone to Silver Beach for a walk. Rushing to the beach, Su Yanxi searched for a long time but couldn't find her mother. Instead, Gu Xicheng walked towards her. He apologized, explaining that he had spent the past four months working tirelessly to successfully launch the Xiyan series, a product he now considered to belong to both of them.
Su Yanxi, still burdened by guilt over her and her sister's deception, hesitated to move forward in their relationship. Gu Xicheng assured her that his feelings for her were not based on He Jinxi, but on their deeper connection. He reminded her of their initial encounters: their first meeting at the crossroads, their online conversations as "Coincidence" (revealing his true identity as her anonymous confidant), and even a childhood encounter.
He recalled being a visiting student for half a year in kindergarten, hiding from a performance, and how she, as "He Yanxi" the little princess with the Angel's Tear necklace, had given him the courage to go on stage. Su Yanxi now understood why he had been so determined to get back the Angel's Tear necklace. Despite her fear that they came from different worlds and that she might hurt him again, Gu Xicheng was steadfast.
He knelt, proposing marriage and making a solemn vow to love, cherish, and protect her through all difficulties, asking her to forgive him and accept him. Overwhelmed with emotion, Su Yanxi burst into tears and happily accepted his proposal. Their reunion was celebrated, and inspired by their success, Situ attempted to propose to An'an with a ring, but she playfully ran away, exclaiming that he shouldn't kneel or propose.
Meanwhile, Gu Xicheng's grandmother, along with Su Yanxi's mother, began to discuss wedding plans, with Gu Xicheng immediately agreeing to his grandmother's suggestion for a wedding the very next day. Later, Su Yanxi was rushing to Huayan Group to secure the promotion rights for the Xiyan series.
She was on the phone, explaining that Gu Xicheng had given her only three minutes, threatening that if she was even a minute late, she would have to go home and become "Huayan's boss's wife." Her friend on the other end jokingly declared, "Friendship over!" Just as Su Yanxi was about to cross the street, facing a red light, Gu Xicheng appeared.
He swept her into his arms, kissed her, and declared she was late, meaning she couldn't get the Xiyan promotion and would now have to go home with him and become Mrs. Gu.
