Episode Summary
Zhao Yazhu attempts to charm Yang Guang while simultaneously facing a harsh rejection from Yao Youzhi for a business collaboration. Undeterred, she and her team dig into Yao Youzhi's personal life, uncovering evidence of bribery and an affair. Zhao Yazhu enlists Yang Guang's help, first by having him pose as her fiancé to scout Yao Youzhi's villa, and then as a photographer's assistant to obtain his schedule. As romantic tension develops between them, Taylor and Li Taiheng, under orders from James, bug Yang Guang's room to uncover his true intentions. The episode ends with Zhao Yazhu learning about Yao Youzhi's upcoming golf game and planning her next move with her team.
Spoiler Alert
"The Secret Path" Episode 15: Deals, Deception, and Almost-Dates
So, the episode kicks off with Zhao Yazhu actually making a move – she calls Yang Guang, suggesting he stick around Shoucheng a bit longer so she can show him the sights. Smooth, Yazhu, real smooth. Yang Guang, playing it cool (or maybe he's just genuinely busy?), makes an excuse and hangs up. But don't you worry, this isn't the last we'll see of him.
Meanwhile, the professional drama is hitting a brick wall. Remember Yao Youzhi from Taiyu Group? The one Lide, Zhao Yazhu's company, desperately needs to woo? Well, news comes through that he's agreed to a meeting. Zhao Yazhu, along with her trusty sidekicks Taylor and Li Taiheng, rush over to Taiyu Group, probably hoping for a breakthrough.
Spoiler alert: it's a disaster. Yao Youzhi isn't just uninterested; he's downright hostile. He gives Zhao Yazhu a measly five minutes to plead her case, interrupts her three times (rude!), and then drags up old grievances to basically humiliate the Lide trio. He flat-out refuses to partner with them, even when Zhao Yazhu, in a moment of desperation, offers to slash their project service fees. Ouch. Our team leaves, fuming, and immediately reports back to their boss, James. Their theory? Yao Youzhi probably has his own PR firm lined up, one he can control. James, ever the demanding boss, basically tells Zhao Yazhu to get this deal done, no matter what it takes. "At all costs" – words that always lead to trouble, am I right?
Okay, so Plan A (being professional and persuasive) crashed and burned. Time for Plan B! The team starts digging into Yao Youzhi's personal life, noticing he seems a bit too chummy with his secretary, Lucy. They hire a private investigator (because of course they do), and bingo! The PI unearths a treasure trove of dirt: bribery, corruption, and the classic – an extramarital affair, complete with a cohabitation situation. Juicy stuff, but Zhao Yazhu, ever the strategist, feels this isn't quite the "fatal blow" they need. She decides they need to find something more concrete, possibly from his home.
Just as they're mulling this over back at the hotel, who strolls up to the front desk to check in? None other than Yang Guang! Zhao Yazhu is visibly surprised, but here’s the kicker: Yang Guang had already given a heads-up to a certain Zhang Baiqing. It seems this "chance" encounter is the perfect opportunity for Yang Guang to get closer to Zhao Yazhu. Interesting...
Seizing the moment (or the man), Zhao Yazhu enlists Yang Guang for a little mission. She needs to scout out Yao Youzhi's villa in the fancy Guangya Villa area. Her cover? She asks Yang Guang to play her fiancé (!!!) while they pose as prospective homebuyers. Under this guise, they manage to locate Yao Youzhi's pad, Villa No. 13. Zhao Yazhu even cleverly sends the sales agent away for a bit so she can get a good look around, and she comes clean to Yang Guang about who the villa belongs to.
Later, during a meal, Li Taiheng reports that he's hit a dead end trying to get Yao Youzhi's schedule – the only people who know it are in the secretary's office. A lightbulb goes off for Zhao Yazhu! She ropes Yang Guang in again, this time to play a journalist-photographer duo. Their little act is convincing enough to cleverly wheedle Yao Youzhi's itinerary out of the secretary's office. These two are quite the team, aren't they?
With that mission accomplished, Zhao Yazhu and Yang Guang go shopping. Yang Guang picks out a necklace for her – one that looks suspiciously like the Guoan (State Security) logo – hoping it will keep her safe and on the "correct path." Aww, or is it a subtle warning? The lines are so blurry!
Their day continues with a hike to see the night view. As they're enjoying the scenery, Zhao Yazhu gets a bit deep, asking Yang Guang if he'd still believe in her even if facts and evidence couldn't prove her side of things. Yang Guang, ever the pragmatist, replies that he believes in facts and evidence. But Zhao Yazhu presses, hoping he'd trust her.
While they're having this heart-to-heart on the mountain, Taylor is busy being sneaky. He calls Zhao Yazhu, trying to gauge when she and Yang Guang will be back. Why? Because he's breaking into Yang Guang's hotel room to plant a listening device! Dun dun dun!
Back at the hotel, the romantic tension is palpable. After their outing, Zhao Yazhu gives Yang Guang a hug goodnight. Taylor and Li Taiheng, meanwhile, are practically glued to the door, giggling like schoolkids, before scrambling to put on their headphones to eavesdrop on Yang Guang's room. Their mission from James, it turns out, was to keep an eye on Yang Guang and figure out his real motives for getting close to Zhao Yazhu.
What do they hear? Yang Guang goes to the bathroom, splashes cold water on his face (trying to cool down after that hug, perhaps?), his mind clearly replaying the day's events. Zhao Yazhu is doing the same in her room. But for the eavesdroppers, Yang Guang is a total bore – he just lies on the bed watching TV. Taylor and Li Taiheng are thoroughly unimpressed.
Just then, Zhao Yazhu knocks on their door. Panic! They quickly hide their surveillance gear under a pillow, but the TV sound from Yang Guang's room gives them away for a second before Li Taiheng manages to turn off their equipment. Close call!
Zhao Yazhu has news: Yao Youzhi is scheduled to play golf with the deputy minister of electricity the next morning. She needs eyes on him constantly, so Taylor and Li Taiheng are tasked with tailing him. Taylor readily agrees. Zhao Yazhu says she'll handle planting "the equipment" (more bugs, I presume?). The trio splits up, each with their mission.
