Love Together (Trial Marriage) Episode 3 Recap
> Love Together (Trial Marriage) Recap
During a family dinner at the Gu residence, Gu Lingse's stepmother introduced herself to Ye Chengshu. Gu Peiya, Lingse’s stepsister, soon appeared and provocatively referred to Ye Chengshu as Gu Lingse's "back-up," attempting to flirt with him and offer him food. Gu Lingse subtly warned her off, reminding her that the food wasn't hers. The stepmother smoothed things over, stating that the sisters had a habit of bickering since childhood.
When Gu Huaiheng, Gu Lingse's father, returned home, Gu Peiya immediately complained about Gu Lingse's arrogance. Gu Huaiheng sent Gu Lingse to her room, ensuring she received whatever food she desired there. Gu Huaiheng then shifted his attention to Ye Chengshu, bringing up the Mulin Town project. He explained his interest stemmed from Ye Chengshu's late father, Ye Nanchuan, who had gone to Mulin Town before his death, regretting that Ye Nanchuan had passed away before he could reach him.
He noted that the project initiated by Jiang Wenbin had since stalled. Ye Chengshu expressed his determination to proceed with the project. While Gu Huaiheng offered his general support, he hesitated to invest directly, stating it wasn't possible for him. He then turned to Gu Lingse, asking for her opinion. Gu Lingse promptly declared she would help Ye Chengshu find an investor. Gu Huaiheng acknowledged his poor relationship with Jiang Wenbin would complicate any direct involvement.
Later, Gu Huaiheng privately discussed Ye Chengshu with his assistant, finding him "complicated." He inquired about Gu Lingse's mother, who was "lunatic as always," which he seemed to find reassuring. He instructed his assistant to arrange a visit for Gu Lingse to her mother next Friday, expressing his unease that "she knows too much after all."
The assistant also mentioned the drawings for an "Eco-floating Island," and Gu Huaiheng connected this to Ye Nanchuan's vision for Mulin Town as a "new generation residence for human beings." He then ordered his assistant to get Gu Lingse and begin searching for these drawings while also working on the takeover of Weilai Group. Unbeknownst to them, Gu Lingse overheard this entire conversation. Suddenly, Gu Peiya appeared and loudly called Gu Lingse's name, exposing her presence.
Enraged, Gu Huaiheng confronted Gu Lingse for being in a restricted area without permission and raised his hand to strike her. Ye Chengshu intervened, grabbing Gu Huaiheng's arm and deflecting his anger by admiring his watch. Gu Huaiheng then dismissed Ye Chengshu, stating he had "family business" with his daughter, and ordered Gu Lingse into his study. After Gu Lingse left, Gu Peiya tried to proposition Ye Chengshu, suggesting she could work at his company.
Ye Chengshu politely declined, implying her involvement would lead to the company's downfall. Gu Peiya pressed further, questioning his preference for Gu Lingse, highlighting her age and work-centric nature. Ye Chengshu, subtly implying Gu Peiya led a carefree life, suggested she help him if she wanted to compete with Gu Lingse, then made his excuses and left to avoid further gossip. Alone with Ye Chengshu, Gu Lingse thanked him for his timely intervention.
Ye Chengshu asked if her father often treated her that way, expressing his concern, though Gu Lingse tried to brush it off, claiming she was used to it. He teasingly reminded her of their previous kiss, asking if she wanted to try again, to which she replied "maybe next time," referencing her still-cut lip. Shortly after, Gu Lingse called Quan Zimo, who was preparing a fireworks display for her.
She informed him that her father had learned of Jiang Wenbin's decision to abandon the Mulin Town project and that the Gu family intended to take it over, instructing Quan Zimo to go to Mulin Town the next day. Ye Chengshu then told Gu Lingse that he also had business in Mulin Town. Gu Lingse, honoring her word, offered to accompany him, explaining she needed to inspect the town before approaching investors.
When Ye Chengshu asked why she was helping him, she replied it was "the return for the slap you stopped for me." Ye Chengshu, however, suggested a more formal "valuation adjustment mechanism" agreement: if she could secure an investor for his Mulin Town project, he would help her regain her freedom.
Meanwhile, Quan Zimo was about to launch the fireworks he prepared for Gu Lingse when his subordinates warned him that if he didn't act fast, Gu Lingse might become "somebody else's." He gave the signal, but his grand gesture was unintentionally co-opted. As the fireworks lit up the sky, Ye Chengshu seized the perfect moment, taking Gu Lingse's hand before a crowd, introducing himself, and publicly declaring her as his girlfriend, a statement Gu Lingse affirmed.
Hearing this, a heartbroken Quan Zimo lamented the "noise of my heart-breaking." That night, Gu Lingse asked Bei Chen to take Ye Chengshu home, with Ye Chengshu promising to pick her up the next day. The next morning, Gu Lingse and Bei Chen arrived at Weilai Group to meet Ye Chengshu. There, they encountered Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li, whose "Back-yard Garden of Life" project—a proposal for shared burial plots—had just been rejected by Jiang Wenbin as too unconventional.
Seeing an opportunity to get rid of her father’s spy, Bei Chen, Gu Lingse advised the two men to approach her father, whom she described as "open-minded." To facilitate their meeting and divert Bei Chen, she offered him triple his usual pay to escort Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li to her house. With Bei Chen gone, Gu Lingse received a call from Ye Chengshu, and they confirmed their plan to go to Mulin Town.
As they were leaving, Secretary Jin insisted on driving them, citing the dangerous roads and her concern for their safety. Simultaneously, Gu Huaiheng played mahjong with Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li. During the game, Gu Huaiheng emphasized that like mahjong, projects depend on "who's the dealer," implying his control.
He expressed interest in their "Back-yard Garden of Life" project and agreed to invest on one condition: they were to act as his informants within Weilai Group, keeping their eyes and ears open and relaying all pertinent news to him. Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li readily accepted. Later, on their journey, Gu Lingse admitted she was tired and decided to take a nap.
Upon their arrival in Mulin Town, Ye Chengshu and Gu Lingse observed a young girl selling delicate wood carvings. Gu Lingse, after learning that the girl was a "kid of everyone"—a term for left-behind children cared for by the elderly after their grandparents pass away—bought all her carvings. Soon after, Su Nian, the sister of Ye Chengshu’s childhood friend Su Zhe, recognized Ye Chengshu and greeted him warmly, reminding him he used to hug her. She then directly asked if Gu Lingse was his girlfriend, the one mentioned "on the news." Ye Chengshu confirmed this was true.
