Episode Summary
Zhao Yazhu cleverly discovers she's being monitored by Taylor and Li Taiheng. She then executes a daring plan, bugging Yao Youzhi's villa and recording him with his secretary, Lucy. Using this video as leverage, Zhao Yazhu blackmails Yao Youzhi into signing a crucial business contract. After celebrating their success, during which Zhao Yazhu confesses her methods to Yang Guang, the two enjoy a brief holiday, growing closer and sharing personal moments, including a surprise birthday celebration for Zhao Yazhu. However, their respite is short-lived; back at the hotel, they are attacked by an assassin disguised as room service and abducted.
Spoiler Alert
The Walls Have Ears... Or Do They?
The episode kicks off with Taylor and Li Taiheng getting that sinking feeling that the incredibly sharp Zhao Yazhu might just know they've bugged Yang Guang. And, spoiler alert: she totally does. The next morning, cool as a cucumber, Zhao Yazhu pops over to Yang Guang's. While he's off washing up, she casually whips out a scanner, pinpoints the listening device tucked into a power socket (nice try, guys!), and then, without batting an eyelash, just heads downstairs with him for breakfast. Not a word. Seriously, the nerve on this woman is legendary.
Meanwhile, while Yang Guang is supposedly on "vacation" (which is looking less relaxing by the second), Li Jian and his team are making moves. They've managed to narrow down Lu Camoli's likely whereabouts to a few specific neighborhoods. Progress! Li Jian immediately calls Yang Guang with the update. In a softer side story, Xie Xiaoman is absolutely smitten with her new home and is really vibing with Lu Ka, even calling their connection "fate." It’s sweet, but you just know there's more to that story brewing.
Checkmate, Yao Youzhi!
Now, for the main event: Zhao Yazhu's takedown of Yao Youzhi. Our girl goes full chameleon, disguising herself as a cleaner to get into Yao Youzhi's villa. She then plants tiny cameras in some fake flowers – one in the living room, one in the bedroom. Slick. Later, after inviting Yang Guang over for some wine and a chat (multitasking queen!), Taylor calls. Showtime! Yao Youzhi is back at his villa. Zhao Yazhu slips away to her room, hits record, and captures Yao Youzhi in a very compromising position with his secretary, Lucy. Ouch.
Taylor then puts this incriminating footage onto a USB drive and sends it directly to Yao Youzhi. As you can imagine, he’s beyond furious and demands a meeting. This is where Zhao Yazhu shines. She lays down her terms: their company must be the designated PR firm for the upcoming collaboration. If Yao Youzhi balks? Well, that little USB drive would make its way to his wife and, more critically, his very influential father-in-law (who just happens to be the Chamber of Commerce president). The fallout would be catastrophic: Taiyu Group's stock would tank, his reputation would be shredded, and his business career in Shouchéng would be over. Cornered and outplayed, Yao Youzhi has no choice but to agree. What a power move!
Celebrations and Confessions
With that major win secured, it's time to celebrate! Zhao Yazhu, Yang Guang, Taylor, and Li Taiheng hit up a bar. Perhaps feeling the victory (or the drinks), Zhao Yazhu decides to come clean to Yang Guang. She admits that her initial plea for his help was partly a maneuver to get information and that she used some "minor tactics" to seal the deal. Yang Guang, ever the good sport, is more fascinated by the wild world of PR than upset. He takes it in stride, and the four of them have a great time. The night ends on a lighter note with Zhao Yazhu and Yang Guang hilariously wheeling a very inebriated Taylor and Li Taiheng back to the hotel on a cart, sharing plenty of laughs. You can just feel these two getting closer.
The next day, the contract with Yao Youzhi is officially signed. Zhao Yazhu immediately sends the good news to James, who is thrilled. Hearing that Yang Guang was instrumental, James even encourages Zhao Yazhu to "press her advantage" and win him over romantically. Taylor and Li Taiheng then head back to Yanping, leaving Zhao Yazhu and Yang Guang to enjoy the remainder of their "holiday."
A Fleeting Romance and a Birthday Surprise
And enjoy it they do! They go shopping for clothes and then take a trip to the beach. It’s during these quieter moments that Zhao Yazhu realizes that, despite knowing his work life, she knows very little about Yang Guang personally. He opens up, sharing details about his parents (standard strict dad, loving mom), his zodiac sign, blood type, and he keeps on talking, eventually even revealing what he looks for in a partner. It's a surprisingly vulnerable moment.
Later, while they're eating noodles at a rainy streetside stall, they see a couple walk by with a birthday cake. This prompts Yang Guang to ask about Zhao Yazhu's birthday. She confesses that she usually spends it alone and has stopped celebrating. Yang Guang, being the thoughtful guy he is, immediately dashes off and returns with a small cake. He lights the candles, and they share a genuinely sweet moment as she makes a wish. Zhao Yazhu is clearly touched, and you can see a little bit of her carefully constructed walls start to crumble.
The Calm Before the Storm
Back at the hotel, the atmosphere shifts. Zhao Yazhu invites Yang Guang to her room for a drink. Yang Guang agrees but mentions he needs to pack his bags first, and there's a noticeable seriousness, almost a worried look, on his face as he sits on the sofa. A short while later, he heads to Zhao Yazhu's room. They’ve barely sat down when there's a knock at the door – "room service."
Except, it's not room service. It's an assassin.
Things go from zero to a hundred real quick. Zhao Yazhu and Yang Guang fight back hard, trying to escape, but they're ambushed, knocked unconscious, and then dragged off into two separate black cars. And that’s where Episode 16 leaves us – gasping!
Who sent the hitman? Is Zhao Yazhu the target, or Yang Guang, or both? And how on earth are they going to get out of this one? This show sure knows how to deliver a cliffhanger! Can't wait to see what happens next. What are your theories? Drop them in the comments below!
