Episode Summary
In episode 12 of "Girls Fighting Fate," Xiu Ju deftly handles being framed by her rival, Liu Ruyan, during a confrontation. She then boldly challenges family tradition by taking over the orange grove, vowing to double its sales. Her innovative marketing strategy using a play leads to massive success, but this is quickly derailed by a sabotage plot orchestrated by a vengeful Han Shijie. Working with Shen Yanqing, Xiu Ju uncovers the conspiracy and clears her name. The episode concludes with Xiu Ju proposing a clever solution to a new crisis involving prematurely ripened oranges, leading to a heartfelt confession of love from Shen Yanqing.
Spoiler Alert
Girls Fighting Fate: Episode 12 Recap & Spoilers
In an episode packed with corporate sabotage, family drama, and simmering romance, Xiu Ju proves her mettle as a businesswoman and further captures the heart of Shen Yanqing. While new threats emerge, Xiu Ju navigates every challenge with sharp intellect and unwavering resolve.
A Rival's Accusation Backfires
The episode opens with a tense confrontation between Xiu Ju and a jealous Liu Ruyan. After smashing a wine bottle, Liu Ruyan lunges at Xiu Ju, accusing her of stealing Shen Yanqing's affection. Xiu Ju sidesteps the attack, causing Liu Ruyan to stumble and fall into a nearby pool. When Shen Yanqing arrives, Liu Ruyan immediately plays the victim, claiming Xiu Ju pushed her for mentioning Shen Yanqing's late "Sixth Brother."
Sensing Shen Yanqing's doubt, Xiu Ju masterfully diffuses the situation. She calmly explains that she was merely trying to prevent Liu Ruyan, who was drunk, from upsetting Shen Yanqing by bringing up a painful memory. To cap it off, she drapes her own coat over the soaking Liu Ruyan, urging her to change to avoid embarrassment in front of the guests. Her tactful response successfully protects Shen Yanqing's reputation, and he lets the matter drop.
The Fight to Manage the Grove
Impressed by her business acumen, Shen Yanqing decides to hand over the management of the family's prized orange grove to Xiu Ju. However, this move is met with fierce opposition, as the Shen family has a strict tradition against women running businesses. The matriarch, Zhuang Hui, rallies the family elders, viciously comparing Xiu Ju to infamous consorts from history who brought ruin to their dynasties.
Rather than letting Shen Yanqing fight her battle and create a rift in the family, Xiu Ju steps forward with a bold proposition: she will take on the grove, and if she cannot double the orange sales by the end of the year, she will step down. The elders, confident she will fail, agree to her terms.
Sabotage Strikes a Sweet Success
Xiu Ju's first move is an innovative marketing campaign. She collaborates with Shen Zhile to feature the family's oranges in a theatrical play. The moving performance creates a city-wide sensation, causing a massive surge in sales and making the Shen family's oranges the talk of the town.
Just as they are celebrating their success, disaster strikes. A man and woman create a scene outside the family's store, claiming their orange jam is poisoned and caused the husband's death. Reporters, tipped off in advance, swarm the scene, capturing photos and accusing Xiu Ju of assault amidst the chaos. Shen Yanqing arrives just in time to shield her from the angry mob, promising a full investigation. Seizing the opportunity, Vice Chairman Han Shijie, a rival, arrives with officials to shut down the business pending an inquiry. His actions are fueled by a deep-seated grudge; years ago, Shen Yanqing's business dealings led to the ruin of the Han family and the death of his father, and Han Shijie has sworn revenge.
Unmasking the Conspiracy
Undeterred, Xiu Ju investigates the incident and quickly discovers that the "poisoned" husband is alive and well, having faked his death. She and Shen Yanqing track down the couple, who confess they were hired to stage the event. They also implicate the reporter and Han Shijie as the masterminds.
When they go to the newspaper to clear their name, they find Liu Ruyan has already been there. In an attempt to win favor with Shen Yanqing, she had convinced the editor to print a full retraction and run a free advertisement for the jam. Shen Yanqing, however, ignores her gesture, pointedly taking Xiu Ju's hand and leaving.
A Sweet Confession
Back at the estate, another crisis awaits: the entire stock of oranges has ripened prematurely after someone mixed apples into the crates to speed up the process. Without missing a beat, Xiu Ju suggests they turn the fruit into preserves to avoid a total loss, a plan Shen Yanqing readily approves.
Later, as Xiu Ju directs the staff in making the preserved fruit, Shen Yanqing watches her, completely captivated. He leads her to a quiet part of the grove to show her an orange sapling he planted years ago, which has finally borne fruit. He uses it as a metaphor for his own feelings, confessing his deep affection for her and his hope that his devotion will be reciprocated. Overwhelmed but touched, Xiu Ju is left speechless. Shen Yanqing then presents her with a beautiful hairpin, one of many treasures he has collected over the years, asking her to give them a chance to build a future together.
