What If Episode 14 Recap
> What If Recap
At a company meeting to discuss a collaboration with 'I Joy', a high-end wedding planning company, ideas for joint products are discussed. While 'Spring Morning' is popular, it's noted that using it might conflict with an existing collaboration and seem dismissive to 'I Joy'. The concept of 'Spring In Europe' chocolates is proposed as a better fit.
Li Qiuman, the marketing director, suggests Xia Guo report this idea to Mr. Xue, implying it's best if the suggestion comes from Xia Guo to avoid the appearance of Li Qiuman having a personal agenda. Xia Guo argues that Mr. Xue is professional and won't mix business and personal matters. Later, after work, Xia Guo and Mr. Xue briefly discuss this, with Xia Guo expressing reservations about using 'Spring Morning' for the collaboration.
Mr. Xue reminds her they are off work. Xia Guo then questions her standing with him, referencing his history of having women around, which slightly annoys him, leading him to ask if she thinks he's narrow-minded. Their evening plans are interrupted when Mr. Xue receives a call from Li Qiuman. Li Qiuman explains her meeting in Beijing was unexpectedly rescheduled, requiring her to fly out immediately, and she can't comfort Migao, who is very upset she is leaving.
She asks Mr. Xue to have someone accompany Migao. Mr. Xue asks Xia Guo if she can go to Migao. Xia Guo initially declines, saying she has work to do, and suggests she'd just be alone at home anyway. Mr. Xue insists she shouldn't work so hard and offers to send her home, but she eventually agrees to go to Migao, telling him not to let Migao wait. Xia Guo goes to Migao's place.
Mr. Xue sends her dinner, assuring her she should eat well. Li Qiuman later arrives at Migao's place. Xia Guo speaks with Li Qiuman, expressing her understanding that Migao needs her father but is upset by the timing, feeling Li Qiuman deliberately orchestrated the situation despite Li Qiuman's claim the meeting cancellation was sudden.
Xia Guo emphasizes that Li Qiuman focused only on her own convenience without considering Migao's feelings, while Xia Guo intends to let Migao naturally accept her presence. Li Qiuman acknowledges Xia Guo's "foresight" in her approach but then pointedly asks if Mr. Xue's future plans include a place for Xia Guo. This question deeply troubles Xia Guo, causing her to reflect that a secure future is a "taboo subject" with Mr. Xue.
She recognizes her deepening feelings and dependency on him make her insecure, feeling her love is becoming "inferior" the more attached she becomes. Another evening, Xia Guo and Mr. Xue have dinner at a dimly lit restaurant. Xia Guo expresses discomfort with the dark setting and hints that she feels their outing lacks consideration, perhaps not booked specifically for her.
Mr. Xue assures her it was for her and promises to choose a brighter place next time, sensing her lingering frustration from the previous night involving Migao. They briefly touch upon work, correcting themselves to keep business separate from their personal time. Their dinner is interrupted when Mr. Xue is greeted by Mr. Shao, a business acquaintance, who is with his girlfriend, Cindy. Mr. Shao introduces Cindy as his girlfriend openly.
Mr. Xue introduces Mr. Shao and himself but does not introduce Xia Guo or acknowledge their relationship. After Mr. Shao and Cindy leave, Xia Guo expresses her hurt and frustration, pointing out that even in the dark, people recognize him, and questions why they cannot date openly like a normal couple.
Mr. Xue apologizes, explaining that their relationship is hard-earned and, as long as it's considered taboo at the office, he must protect it by avoiding public displays, even outside of work. He asks for her understanding. Later, Xia Guo learns from Wang Yan that their colleague Lucy has been dismissed by Human Resources because Mr. Wang discovered her secret relationship with Tim. Xia Guo rushes to see Lucy.
Lucy is tearful and distraught, blaming herself for pressuring Tim to discuss marriage with his father, Mr. Wang, which led to her dismissal. She worries that Tim's father will force them to break up, describing Tim as cowardly and obedient to his father. Xia Guo comforts Lucy, encouraging her not to blame herself and assuring her that Tim's willingness to talk to his father indicates his feelings.
She advises Lucy to cheer up and that if Tim truly loves her, his father's opposition is not something she needs to worry about. Lucy expresses envy for Xia Guo's ability to focus on her career, while she herself only desires to marry well but finds it difficult. She hints that Xia Guo might also be involved in a secret relationship, which Xia Guo initially denies but then suggests might be the case.
Xia Guo receives a call from her mother, also named Wang Yan, who is in Shanghai and wants to have dinner. Mr. Xue drives Xia Guo to the restaurant. Before she goes inside, they share a hug, which her mother witnesses from inside the restaurant, looking surprised. Xia Guo joins her mother for dinner. Her mother comments on how Xia Guo now looks like a Shanghai girl.
Xia Guo asks if her mother has been busy lately, in a somewhat reserved tone. Her mother questions Xia Guo about the man who dropped her off, his profession, age, and marital status. Upon learning he is her boss and is not married, she approves, urging Xia Guo to get married quickly and suggesting weddings in both Shanghai and Leshan. Xia Guo feels it's too early and expresses her desire to focus on her career first.
Her mother insists that a woman's best life involves finding a man who loves and cares for her so she doesn't have to worry about daily struggles and can have a warm home. Xia Guo reminds her mother that she previously encouraged independence and questions why she is now pushing her to rely on someone else. Her mother acknowledges she might have said too much in the past and asks if Xia Guo hates her.
Xia Guo deflects, urging her mother to just eat. Her mother concludes by saying that if a relationship doesn't lead to marriage, it's a waste of time and questions if Xia Guo can afford such a waste. She mentions that her companion, Mr. Zheng, is waiting outside, as she wanted to speak with Xia Guo alone. Upon returning home, Xia Guo finds Migao there, brought by the nanny.
Mr. Xue explains that Li Qiuman had a sudden meeting and Migao insisted on coming to find him because she couldn't sleep alone. Xia Guo expresses her frustration. She clarifies that she doesn't mind Migao's presence or Li Qiuman's actions targeting her at work, even accepting having to meet Mr. Xue in the basement parking (B3) to avoid being seen.
What upsets her is that Mr. Xue did not even meet her mother, who had traveled all the way to Shanghai. Mr. Xue explains that meeting her mother suddenly would have been awkward and that he limits sharing details of his personal life, as the previous encounter with Mr. Shao was purely a business interaction. He assures Xia Guo that she is his only girlfriend, and their relationship is undoubted and unshakeable.
He acknowledges that Li Qiuman is Migao's mother and he must consider Migao's feelings, which is why he avoids direct conflict with Li Qiuman. Referencing Lucy and Tim's outcome, he explains that their secrecy is a sacrifice of public freedom necessary to protect their jobs and quality of life, allowing them to work together happily by day and be a couple by night, suggesting this is a beneficial arrangement.
He apologizes for the situation being unfair to her, stating it's temporary and he will do his best to protect her from further grievance. He then takes her home, asking her to promise to tell him whenever she is unhappy. Mr. Xue returns to the place where Migao is staying and finds Li Qiuman there.
Li Qiuman confronts him angrily, questioning his care for Migao and his whereabouts when their daughter came looking for him, accusing him of being irresponsible for returning so late. Mr. Xue admits fault and says he will apologize to Migao the next day. Li Qiuman stresses that children are sensitive and know when someone is neglecting them, demanding he act like a responsible father if he acknowledges Migao as his child. Mr. Xue states he is tired.
Li Qiuman asks if he is tired. He tells her to sleep with Migao and he will sleep in the guest room. As Xia Guo leaves work one day, Li Qiuman sees her. Li Qiuman quickly calls for a short meeting and instructs a colleague, Xu Li, to call Xia Guo back for it.
When Xu Li is unable to reach Xia Guo by phone, Li Qiuman suggests Xia Guo might be in the basement (B3) and tells Xu Li to go after her. Xu Li goes to B3 and witnesses Mr. Xue picking up Xia Guo in a car. Surprised and hesitant, Xu Li doesn't intervene and returns to report to Li Qiuman, apologizing for not stopping Xia Guo and expressing surprise at discovering their relationship.
Li Qiuman's reaction suggests her intention was successful. Other colleagues immediately begin gossiping, speculating about the duration of the relationship, connecting it to Xia Guo's rapid success in securing projects, and labeling her a "home wrecker," noting that although Mr. Xue and Li Qiuman are not married, her actions are still seen as damaging, comparable to preventing Li Qiuman from getting back together with him. The next morning, Xia Guo wakes up to numerous missed calls and messages.
Lucy contacts her urgently, telling her to check WeChat. Xia Guo discovers a company-wide scandal circulating in the group chat. Colleagues are openly discussing her relationship with Mr. Xue, fueled by the sighting in the basement and speculation about their long-standing affair, linking it to her career advancements. The gossip includes labeling her a "home wrecker" because Mr. Xue has a daughter with Li Qiuman, despite them not being married, deeming her actions equally harmful.
A video showing Xia Guo and Mr. Xue together is mentioned. Xia Guo is summoned to Mr. Lu's office. She enters, acknowledging the situation and stating she accepts any punishment. Mr. Lu expresses regret, noting that she was a valued talent and Mr. Xue a key leader, and their violation of company rules has created a negative impact. Xia Guo presents a resignation letter. Mr. Lu clarifies that he did not call her in to resign.
He then reveals that Mr. Xue had already submitted his resignation an hour earlier, anticipating her decision and taking action to protect her, acknowledging the significant effort Mr. Xue made on her behalf.
