Episode Summary
Facing financial ruin, Hu Manli sells her house but finds support from Xue Xiaozhou, who offers her a place to live and a job on his new team, despite her past professional ban. While Hu Manli adapts to the new role under a trial period granted by Li Qingqing, Xue Xiaozhou tries to network with potential client Li Fendou through tennis. Although he misses Li Fendou, Xue Xiaozhou impresses (and initially annoys) Chamber President Gu Tianming by beating him in a match, unexpectedly leading to an introduction to Li Fendou via a tennis group chat. Hu Manli uses her connections to secure sold-out concert tickets for Li Fendou's daughter, helping Xue Xiaozhou. However, as they prepare to meet Li Fendou's secretary, rival colleague Tang Ling appears, hinting at potential sabotage. Meanwhile, Hu Manli navigates co-parenting dynamics as her son Ding Da'er chooses to stay with his father, Ding Zhiyuan, who shows signs of positive change.
Spoiler Alert
A Better Life: Episode 28 Recap & Spoilers
Alright, so things get real for Hu Manli right off the bat. She's forced to sell her house to cover her debts – ouch. But hey, that's what friends are for, right? Xue Xiaozhou steps up, offering her a place to crash as roommates and, more importantly, a spot on his new family office team. Now, this is a totally new field for Hu Manli, who's still smarting from that two-year ban from the insurance biz and her recent massive work blunder that led to this whole mess. But she's determined, hitting the books hard and soaking up everything she can learn from Xue Xiaozhou.
They head into the office together, and you can see Xue Xiaozhou's got some clout now – everyone's super respectful. Tang Ling, though? She's visibly shocked to see Hu Manli hired as his assistant. Word gets to the boss, Li Qingqing, who pulls Xue Xiaozhou aside for a chat. While they're gone, Hu Manli cheekily tries out Xue Xiaozhou's fancy boss chair – gotta find joy where you can, I guess!
Li Qingqing basically tells Xue Xiaozhou to ditch Hu Manli, reminding him of her past suspension and recent costly mistakes. But Xue Xiaozhou firmly believes she's the best partner he could ask for. Li Qingqing can't change his mind but compromises, giving Hu Manli a two-month trial period. Smart move by Li Qingqing, though – she knows Tang Ling has been eyeing that family office business and probably isn't thrilled about Xue Xiaozhou's fast-track promotion. So, she calls Tang Ling in separately, basically telling her to step up and prove her own worth. Game on, Tang Ling!
On the home front, Hu Manli wants her son, Ding Da'er, to move in with her and Xue Xiaozhou. But Ding Da'er actually wants to stay with his dad, Ding Zhiyuan. He even whispers to Hu Manli that his dad has become "much nicer" lately and he wants to bond more. Ding Zhiyuan backs him up, so Hu Manli agrees. It seems things might be thawing between the co-parents too. Later, Ding Zhiyuan gives Hu Manli a ride home and tries to give her the dividend money from Ding Da'er's education fund policy (which just started paying out) to give back to his parents. He insists he's already smoothed things over with them, telling her to keep the policy. Hu Manli seems genuinely impressed by this more responsible Ding Zhiyuan.
Now, onto the business hustle! Xue Xiaozhou hears that a potential big fish client, Li Fendou, plays tennis every week. He gets a reporter contact, Li Shan, to help make an introduction. Xue Xiaozhou brings Hu Manli along to the tennis courts, where Li Shan is waiting. Plot twist: Li Fendou couldn't make it. But Li Shan introduces them to Gu Tianming (often called Gu Zong), the President of the Chamber of Commerce and captain of the "Wild Wolf" tennis team. Turns out, Xue Xiaozhou was the president of his university tennis club. Li Shan suggests they play a match.
Gu Tianming is good. Xue Xiaozhou starts off losing badly but finds his groove and stages a comeback, eventually winning! The problem? Gu Tianming is used to winning and is clearly not happy about losing to this newcomer. He basically storms off after the match. Hu Manli is freaking out, and Xue Xiaozhou realizes he might have blown it – no Li Fendou and he ticked off the Chamber President. Major regrets.
But wait! Just as they get back to their apartment, Xue Xiaozhou gets a message. It's Gu Tianming, adding him to the Wild Wolf tennis team's group chat and giving him a glowing introduction to the members! Xue Xiaozhou is ecstatic. He immediately adds Li Fendou on WeChat (who's in the group), and Li Fendou accepts after Gu Tianming vouches for him! Li Fendou even tells his secretary, Secretary Yan, to get in touch with Xue Xiaozhou. Hu Manli is thrilled for him – talk about a rollercoaster!
So, Xue Xiaozhou sets up a meeting with Secretary Yan. Meanwhile, Li Fendou is dealing with some dad drama – his daughter, Ke Ke, really wants to go to a specific concert, but the tickets are completely sold out. Li Fendou asks Secretary Yan to somehow get tickets on the down-low, without Ke Ke knowing he arranged it. Secretary Yan strikes out trying to find any.
This is where Hu Manli steps in again. She offers to help, calling in favors from her old high-profile clients. And guess what? She manages to score the impossible-to-get tickets! Xue Xiaozhou gives her a bit of side-eye, muttering about her methods having "no bottom line," but Hu Manli promises it's a one-time thing.
Finally, Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou arrive for their meeting with Secretary Yan... but Yan is running late. And who should show up right then, also looking for Secretary Yan? None other than Tang Ling.
Uh oh. Hu Manli instantly smells trouble, suspecting Tang Ling is trying to sabotage their meeting with Li Fendou's secretary.
