Love Together (Trial Marriage) Episode 14 Recap
> Love Together (Trial Marriage) Recap
Gu Huaiheng successfully concluded his acquisition, making him the largest shareholder of Future Group. Gu Lingse, representing her father, arrived at Future Group to oversee the liquidation process. Employees expressed immediate concerns about potential layoffs, but Jiang Han attempted to calm them, describing it as a routine procedure. Jiang Han then assigned Su Nian to handle the corporate liaison with Dingzhuang, noting her familiarity with the project documents. Shortly after, Jiang Han privately sold his shares in Future Group.
Gu Huaiheng later praised Gu Lingse for the smooth liquidation and questioned if she had softened her stance towards Ye Chengshu. Gu Lingse affirmed her commitment to the company's best interests. Despite its consistent losses, Gu Lingse instructed her assistant to retain the Mulin Town project and keep it under Ye Chengshu's name, overriding suggestions to postpone it. In a calculated move to deceive Gu Huaiheng, Jiang Wenbin had publicly resigned from the board, feigning a rift with Ye Chengshu.
Unaware of this strategy, Jiang Han's resentment towards Ye Chengshu deepened over his father's perceived favoritism. Believing the internal division was real, directors Zhang Chenfeng and Li Polang reported it to Gu Huaiheng, setting the stage for his next move. Ye Chengshu called an emergency board meeting. Before his arrival, Zhang Chenfeng and Li Polang voiced their frustration, criticizing Ye Chengshu's leadership and accusing him of conducting unproductive meetings.
Upon entering, Ye Chengshu apologized for the hasty summons and presented his "poison pill" plan. He explained that Gu Huaiheng's majority shareholding was the primary threat to Future Group and proposed issuing new stock, which he would subscribe to, to regain majority control. The other directors reacted with strong opposition, viewing it as a self-serving move that would harm their interests, especially after Jiang Wenbin's recent resignation.
Ye Chengshu assured them he would restore their original share proportions after the campaign, but one director bluntly questioned his capability to lead. Capitalizing on the board's dissatisfaction, and acting on Gu Huaiheng's instructions, Zhang Chenfeng and Li Polang moved to oust Ye Chengshu. They argued that the company's performance had suffered since Jiang Wenbin's departure and that a more competent leader was needed. Ye Chengshu accepted the proposal for a vote on his dismissal.
Gu Lingse cast the decisive vote, leading to his removal from the president's office. Immediately following Ye Chengshu's departure, a chaotic scene unfolded as various directors loudly vied for the vacant executive director position. Gu Lingse intervened, announcing that until a suitable executive director was chosen, Dingzhuang Group, as the largest shareholder, would temporarily assume control of Future Group. Some directors realized they had inadvertently facilitated the Gu family's takeover.
News of Ye Chengshu's dismissal, coupled with online rumors of a "Ye-Gu marriage crisis"—suggesting their union was merely a business arrangement headed for divorce—caused the stock prices of both Future Group and Dingzhuang Group to plummet. Alarmed by the market instability, Gu Huaiheng immediately ordered a press conference, demanding both Gu Lingse and Ye Chengshu attend. He also instructed his bodyguards to ensure no private contact occurred between them. The fallout was managed on multiple fronts.
Quan Ziming, furious about the derogatory online rumors against Gu Lingse, put his personal feelings about helping his "love rival" aside. He directed his team to manipulate public opinion by circulating exaggerated smear campaigns to create the impression that malicious parties were trying to discredit her. Meanwhile, Gu Huaiheng, demonstrating his cunning, instructed his assistant Dongtang to continue acquiring more shares of Future Group, eager to see what further "tricks these little fleas can play."
Elsewhere, Jiang Wenbin, observing from the sidelines, privately commended Ye Chengshu for his adept handling of the crisis, confirming his resignation was merely a strategic move. At the press conference, with major media outlets present, Gu Lingse and Ye Chengshu appeared together. Gu Lingse firmly stated that their relationship remained "very stable." When questioned if his resignation was linked to Dingzhuang Group's increased shareholding, Ye Chengshu confirmed it.
Gu Lingse then clarified that Ye Chengshu had full confidence in Dingzhuang Group and chose to step down to pursue his dream of toy design. Ye Chengshu reiterated that his personal dreams were less important than his trust in Gu Lingse and his support for her decisions. He assured the public that despite his departure, he remained a shareholder, and his capabilities would ensure Future Group's stock would continue to thrive. Their united front successfully stabilized the market.
Later, Ye Chengshu managed to evade Gu Huaiheng's bodyguards to speak privately with Gu Lingse. He urgently advised her not to become too entangled in what he termed Dingzhuang Group's "dead game" and offered his full support. Touched by his concern, Gu Lingse affectionately kissed him.
