Episode Summary
Liu Ruyan's fake pregnancy is exposed by Shen Yanzhou, leading to her failed suicide attempt and a new alliance with the vengeful Han Shijie. Concurrently, Shen Yanzhou and Xiu Ju propose to modernize the family's orange grove business. After gaining the clan elders' approval over Shen Yanqing's objections, their plan is sabotaged by Liu Ruyan, who incites the workers to riot by telling them they will be replaced by machines. The stress causes Xiu Ju to collapse. After the truth of the sabotage is revealed, Shen Yanqing supports Xiu Ju's resolve to move forward with the modernization.
Spoiler Alert
Girls Fighting Fate E15: Deception Unmasked, Alliances Broken
The simmering tensions in the Shen household finally boil over as Liu Ruyan's web of lies is spectacularly torn apart. The episode opens with her accusing Shen Yanzhou and Zhuang Hui of conspiring against her, but Yanzhou is ready. He produces a blood-stained dress, revealing he had long suspected her pregnancy was a sham. His suspicions led him to have her maid, Xiao Yuan, watched, catching her red-handed trying to wash the evidence. To seal her fate, Shen Yanzhou brings in the very doctor Liu Ruyan had bribed, who confesses everything on the spot.
Enraged by the deception, Shen Yanqing declares his intention to divorce Liu Ruyan immediately. A panicked Liu Ruyan flees to the second floor, threatening to end her life. Xiu Ju attempts to talk her down, reminding her to live for herself, but Liu Ruyan scoffs at her. When Shen Yanqing, who despises being threatened, turns his back and walks away, Liu Ruyan makes a desperate leap.
Fortunately, she survives the fall with only a broken bone. While Shen Yanqing is still reeling from the revelation that he has no heir, Zhuang Hui comforts him, suggesting that Xiu Ju will surely bear him children, which seems to lift his spirits.
Meanwhile, a dejected Liu Ruyan finds an unexpected ally in Han Shijie. He approaches her while she's drinking, revealing his own family's vendetta against Shen Yanqing. He masterfully preys on her insecurities, convincing her that she will be cast aside just like Zhuang Hui and that true security lies in seizing power for herself. His words find their mark, and a new, dangerous alliance is formed.
On the business front, the Shen family's Orange Grove faces a new threat from a competitor's canned goods. Seizing the opportunity, Shen Yanzhou approaches Xiu Ju with a bold proposal: modernize their operations. He shows her photographs of food processing factories from Nanyang and suggests they start producing dried tangerine peels. He pledges his full support for her vision, though Xiu Ju knowingly remarks that his efforts are for the Shen family, not just for her.
Together, they present their plan for reform to Shen Yanqing, who staunchly opposes it. Undeterred, Shen Yanzhou pushes the matter to a meeting with the clan elders. Despite Shen Yanqing's fears that mechanization will destroy their artisan traditions, Shen Yanzhou and Xiu Ju argue that machines still require skilled operators. When Shen Yanzhou offers to fund the entire venture with his own money, the elders give their approval.
The victory is short-lived. Zhuang Hui, viewing the reform as a direct challenge to her husband's authority, dismisses the workers. Liu Ruyan immediately swoops in, spreading a vicious lie that Xiu Ju's new machines will cost everyone their jobs. The enraged workers storm the workshop, destroying everything in a frenzy. Just as the Shen brothers arrive to quell the riot, Xiu Ju, overwhelmed by the sight of the ruined oranges and the looming deadline, collapses. A heartbroken Shen Yanqing gently carries her away.
The investigation quickly points to Liu Ruyan as the instigator. Shen Yanqing has her locked up, furiously telling her she is an outsider who has no right to interfere in the Shen family's affairs. Feeling utterly abandoned, Liu Ruyan resolves to find a powerful backer.
When Xiu Ju awakens, she finds Shen Yanzhou already cleaning up the devastated workshop. United in purpose, they agree that this setback is a chance to build something new and better. As they eagerly plan to acquire the new machines, Shen Yanqing arrives with Zhuang Hui. Though Zhuang Hui objects, Shen Yanqing, moved by Xiu Ju's resilience, gives her his full blessing to proceed as she wishes.
