Episode Summary
Ye Xining's attempt to bribe Shan Huaqing backfires. Xiang Beichuan takes care of a drunk Ye Xining, leading to an awkward but sweet morning. The factory is tricked into buying useless old stock, and Ling Jie blames Ye Xining. Ling Jie's husband plants a slanderous story about Director Lu in the paper, causing a massive fight between them. Finally, just as Ye Xining and Xiang Beichuan share their first real romantic moments, Ling Jie walks in on them.
Spoiler Alert
A Messy Night and a Kiss
This episode was all about bad decisions. Some were small. Others were huge. But everyone seems to be making a mess of things.
The Shan Huaqing Problem
Ye Xining is completely thrown. She sees Shan Huaqing being nice to Xiang Beichuan and it doesn't add up. She knows Xiang Beichuan just dropped off a file in Shan Huaqing's office. She assumes it was a bribe. So, Ye Xining decides to try her own hand at it.
A Failed Bribe
Ye Xining ambushes Shan Huaqing after work. She takes her for coffee and starts with a sob story. Shan Huaqing cuts her off immediately. She says they should keep things professional and there's no need for private meetings.
As she's leaving, Shan Huaqing points out Ye Xining's necklace. She says it's beautiful. Ye Xining quickly takes it off, saying it's from France and trying to give it to her. But Shan Huaqing just waves her hand and walks away. It was a test, and Ye Xining failed.
An Awkward Morning After
Later that night, Xiang Beichuan finds a woman passed out drunk in the hallway. He goes closer and realizes it's Ye Xining. The floor is cold, and he can't just leave her there. He checks her bag for a key but finds nothing. He knocks on her door, but Ling Jie isn't home.
With no other choice, Xiang Beichuan drags Ye Xining into his own room and puts her on his bed.
The next morning, he wakes up to find himself on the bed. Ye Xining is awake and smiling, holding breakfast for him. He's confused. She teases him, saying he must have been dreaming. Then she spots her purse. He couldn't carry it while dragging her, so he tied the strap to his belt. It's a little embarrassing.
Factory Troubles
Ye Xining learns from Xiang Beichuan that Yan Jun has been giving Shan Huaqing benefits. She decides to get Yan Jun on her side and asks for his help. He agrees pretty easily.
A Bad Deal
Director Lu's factory hits a major snag. A bigger factory is holding their fabric shipment hostage. Without that specific fabric, they can't finish their orders. Director Lu sends Ye Xining to handle it.
The rival factory's negotiator won't release the fabric. Not unless Ye Xining agrees to buy a batch of their other goods. They claim this stuff is selling like crazy in Europe and America. Ye Xining knows it's a lie. If it were so profitable, they wouldn't be selling it. She tells Director Lu to refuse and find another supplier.
But Director Lu wants to eliminate a competitor. He agrees to their terms and buys the unwanted goods. When the shipment arrives, it's exactly what you'd expect. The boxes are full of decade-old junk nobody wants. Ling Jie immediately blames Ye Xining for the terrible decision.
Slander and Lies
Things get worse. An article appears in the newspaper. It slanders Director Lu's factory and even accuses him of having an affair. Ye Xining goes straight to the newspaper office to find the source. She learns that the person who fed them the false story was Ling Jie's husband.
Ye Xining confronts him directly. She warns him that slander has legal consequences. He's clearly nervous. Just then, Ling Jie gets home. She sees her husband and her child. She doesn't want her husband to go to jail, so she tells Ye Xining it was all a mistake.
After Ye Xining is gone, Ling Jie and her husband have a massive fight. He accuses her of cheating on him with Director Lu. He calls her a gold digger. Ling Jie is devastated. She's been the one working like a man to support their family, and this is the thanks she gets. She walks out.
A Kiss and a Bad Interruption
Through all this chaos, Ye Xining and Xiang Beichuan have gotten closer. She sees him as reliable and steady. They go out to get some fresh air. In a quiet moment, Ye Xining kisses him.
Later, back at the dorm, the feeling is still there. Xiang Beichuan decides to kiss her back. But just as he leans in, the door swings open. Ling Jie is standing there, seeing everything.
