Use for My Talent Episode 18 Recap
> Use for My Talent Recap
Following their night together, Li Dongxian wakes to find Wang Qianqian already dressed and ready to leave. She dismisses his offers to drive her, stating it's inappropriate and that she drank too much the previous night to remember anything. Reminding him that he dislikes her coming to his home, she leaves despite him calling her name. At the office, Li Dongxian advises Gu Renqi against further confrontation with the recently fired Jiang Wenchi, whom he calls a vindictive "mad dog."
Gu Renqi disagrees, asserting that avoiding Jiang Wenchi won't stop him from seeking revenge and targeting Kelin Zhishang. Knowing Shi Shuangjiao's father, Shi Yingxiong, is keeping her at home, Lu Xian lures him away with the pretext of a chess game that requires his expertise. He then takes a reluctant Shi Shuangjiao out, convincing her by mentioning expensive, non-refundable tickets for a place he wants to visit.
Trusting Lu Xian, Shi Yingxiong agrees, and Lu Xian promises to have her home by dinner. On the way, Lu Xian reveals that he knows Gu Renqi's mysophobia training is not progressing well and that Gu Renqi is likely faking his improvement to reassure her. While expressing concern for their future challenges, he praises Shi Shuangjiao's inherent optimism and strength, confident she can overcome anything.
At a scenic spot, he encourages her to walk ahead to an even better view, explaining that he won't accompany her as he needs to find his own path. He hints at a pleasant surprise waiting for her and urges her to stay happy. Shi Shuangjiao then meets up with Gu Renqi. They share a cake, and she teases him about the sour strawberries, which he claims make the cake sweeter.
She confesses how much she has missed him, feeling like a day apart is a year. Regarding her father, Shi Shuangjiao explains she understands his anger, admitting she wouldn't be at ease either in his position. Gu Renqi acknowledges the hurt his grandfather caused and, while he can't apologize on his behalf, vows to convince both their families to accept their relationship. Before parting, they playfully record custom phone alerts for each other.
Gu Renqi records practical "good morning," "good afternoon," and "good night" messages, while she insists on recording "I love you" for him to hear throughout the day. After their date, Lu Xian has a private word with Gu Renqi. He admits that while he would prefer they weren't together, he respects Shi Shuangjiao's choice. He warns Gu Renqi never to make her cry, a promise Gu Renqi firmly makes.
With Shi Shuangjiao still unable to work, a despondent Gu Renqi sees an employee folding paper stars to wish for her long-distance boyfriend's return. Inspired, he enlists Li Dongxian to help him fold a jar of stars, wishing for Shi Shuangjiao to come back soon. Meanwhile, Lu Xian visits Shi Yingxiong, delivering pain patches sent by Gu Renqi and speaking highly of him.
Later, Shi Shuangjiao reassures her father she can take care of herself and that Gu Renqi treats her well. Touched and admitting his own oversight, Shi Yingxiong finally relents, allowing her to return to work. As she leaves, he playfully tells her to stop her act and, handing her a pillow, jokes that she should dream of her father every day and drink more milk to stay healthy.
Lu Xian receives an update on his investigation into the car accident that killed Shi Shuangjiao's mother. The driver, Liu Xiaowei, received two million yuan three days after the crash, which his son, Liu Li, immediately withdrew. For several months after, Liu Li's account received additional, irregular payments from an unknown source. The investigation also reveals that another party has recently started looking into the same case. Shi Shuangjiao’s return to the office delights Gu Renqi.
She congratulates him on passing the "first stage" of her father's approval and notices the jar of stars. She teases that the stars worked, as they are said to bring long-distance lovers together, playfully insisting his absence counts as "long-distance." Li Dongxian tries to win over Wang Qianqian with flowers, but she rejects them, explaining she is rushing home to buy a limited-edition MAC product online.
Misunderstanding, Li Dongxian later presents her with a gigabit router to boost her internet speed. After Hu You scolds him for being a "stupid straight man" and advises him to get her what she actually wants, Li Dongxian finally understands. He queues up and buys the makeup product for her, earning an affectionate "woodhead" label from a pleased Wang Qianqian. Worried about her father's opposition, Gu Renqi's mother meets with Shi Shuangjiao to ask for her help.
She reveals her own painful past: her father had forced her and Gu Renqi's father apart, and she raised Gu Renqi alone against her family's wishes. This led her father to be excessively strict with Gu Renqi, hoping to prevent him from being "reckless" like her. The constant criticism and pressure to be perfect caused Gu Renqi to develop a sick perfectionism. Though they care for each other, they now act like enemies.
Shi Shuangjiao agrees to help mend their relationship, and Gu Renqi's mother encourages her to call him "Renqi," promising to share childhood photos. To secretly get Shi Shuangjiao's ring size, Li Dongxian devises a plan. He first explains to a colleague, Wu Yu, that Gu Renqi wants to commend outstanding employees by having them press a fingerprint.
After Wu Yu praises the "creative" idea, Li Dongxian approaches Shi Shuangjiao, complimenting her work and asking her to be the first to try it. Immediately after she presses her fingerprint, Gu Renqi is overheard on the phone, confirming his "fiancée's" finger size has been measured and ordering a specific ring to be sent to his address.
