Episode Summary
Hu Manli discovers Ding Zhiyuan's affair with Qiu Lisu and confronts them both. A heated confrontation leads to a suicide attempt by Hu Manli, while Ding Zhiyuan chooses Qiu Lisu. Meanwhile, Xue Xiaozhou faces pressure from his girlfriend regarding his family's house sale and has a run-in with Hu Manli at work.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 2 Recap & Spoilers:
The claws are OUT! Episode 2 opens with Hu Manli discovering that her hubby, Ding Zhiyuan, is having a full-blown affair with Qiu Lisu. Not only are there love letters involved, but Qiu Lisu is apparently funding Ding Zhiyuan's little book club on the side. Hu Manli confronts Ding Zhiyuan publicly, causing a major scene. She even tries to go after Qiu Lisu, but Qiu Lisu fires back, bringing up the fact that Hu Manli and Ding Zhiyuan haven't been intimate in years. Ouch!
Humiliated and furious, Hu Manli isn't about to let Qiu Lisu steal her man. With her friend Zhong Ning cheering her on, Hu Manli sends her father to bring their son, Ding Da'er, back to her parents' house. Operation: Save My Marriage is officially a go. Ding Zhiyuan, meanwhile, is feeling guilty and doesn't want to go home. Qiu Lisu urges him to break things off with Hu Manli for good, promising to wait for him. Ding Zhiyuan is torn, especially because of their son.
Ding Zhiyuan reluctantly returns home to a candlelit dinner and a very seductive Hu Manli. She's pulled out all the stops, but Ding Zhiyuan is clearly uncomfortable. Hu Manli throws herself at him, begging him to stay, promising to forgive him if he ends things with Qiu Lisu. Ding Zhiyuan isn't having it and pushes her away, retreating to his study.
That's the last straw for Hu Manli. She storms into the study, throws all the books off the shelves, and demands answers. Ding Zhiyuan finally admits he's in love with Qiu Lisu. Hu Manli explodes, accusing him of being ungrateful. She's worked so hard for their family, and now that he's successful, he's dumping her?
Ding Zhiyuan, feeling ashamed, declares he wants a divorce. Hu Manli refuses and begs him to stay, but Ding Zhiyuan insists his love for Qiu Lisu is real and leaves. Hu Manli is left in a devastated home, heartbroken and reminiscing about happier times.
Meanwhile, we get a glimpse into the life of Xue Xiaozhou, who visits his mother in the hospital and then meets up with his girlfriend, Wu Ya. Wu Ya pressures Xue Xiaozhou to get more money from Qiu Lisu, who is selling his family's house. Xue Xiaozhou is reluctant to sell his home, but Wu Ya complains about his low income. Xue Xiaozhou decides to work more overtime to earn more.
Ding Zhiyuan checks his phone after class and finds messages from Hu Manli. He rushes to their meeting spot, which turns out to be the place where he proposed. Surprise! Hu Manli has also invited Qiu Lisu. Hu Manli tries to convince Ding Zhiyuan that Qiu Lisu is manipulating him, but Ding Zhiyuan just wants to leave with Qiu Lisu.
In a dramatic turn, Hu Manli drags Qiu Lisu to the river and threatens to kill herself to prove her love for Ding Zhiyuan. She jumps into the river and is rescued by a passerby. Hu Manli watches as Ding Zhiyuan and Qiu Lisu walk away hand-in-hand, finally realizing it's over. She walks home barefoot, completely lost. Waking up in her empty house, Hu Manli feels utterly alone. She polishes her old awards and trophies, overwhelmed with sadness and despair, and breaks down in tears.
Hu Manli asks Ding Zhiyuan to keep their separation a secret from her father. She vows to make Ding Zhiyuan regret leaving her and throws herself into her work. Xue Xiaozhou refuses to approve a claim from Hu Manli's client, Ai Zhonghua, due to incomplete documentation. Hu Manli confronts him, but Xue Xiaozhou stands his ground. Hu Manli adds him on WeChat and offers him a coupon, but Xue Xiaozhou remains professional. Furious, Hu Manli scolds Xue Xiaozhou before calling her client to explain the situation.
