Episode Summary
Su Shilun's wife plots to marry his illegitimate daughter, Qin Yuebai, to the playboy Wang Han. Lu Li attempts to thwart the wedding by blackmailing Wang Han, but the plan backfires when Wang Han becomes genuinely infatuated with Qin Yuebai after she confronts him. As Wang Han's aggressive courtship continues, a conflicted Lu Li realizes he has also fallen for Qin Yuebai. His emotional turmoil culminates in a dramatic, alcohol-fueled confrontation in her office, which is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of an unknown person.
Spoiler Alert
Double Fugue Episode 8: An Unraveling Affair
A calculated marriage plot takes an unexpected turn when a manufactured romance accidentally sparks genuine, and conflicting, feelings.
Su Baoyan's stepmother, long coveting the Su family's wealth, discovers a seemingly perfect opportunity. She learns of a family looking for a suitable bride for their son and offers to help, seeing it as a way to secure her own interests. However, she knows the son, Wang Han, is a notorious playboy, and that her husband, Su Shilun, would never agree to marry his precious Su Baoyan to such a man. Her solution is simple: she suggests Su Shilun's other, illegitimate daughter, Qin Yuebai, for the match. Pressured by his wife and tempted by the prospect of a wealthy marriage for his illegitimate daughter, Su Shilun agrees to the arrangement.
However, Lu Li, who has his own agenda against the Su family, is not one to be outmaneuvered. He quickly discovers the plan to marry Qin Yuebai to Wang Han. Lu Li holds a powerful piece of leverage: years ago, Wang Han squandered the start-up funds his father gave him on a gambling addiction. Armed with this secret, Lu Li is confident he can bend Wang Han to his will.
Lu Li tracks Wang Han down at a nightclub. Just as Wang Han tries to slip out the back to avoid a visit from his father, he runs directly into Lu Li. When Lu Li lays out the threat of exposing his past, Wang Han immediately caves, terrified of the consequences. He promises to ensure the wedding never happens.
Meanwhile, Qin Yuebai has no intention of marrying a wastrel. She marches into the club where Wang Han is a regular, asks for him by name, and promptly slaps him across the face before turning and leaving. Her goal was to leave a terrible first impression, but the slap has the opposite effect. Wang Han, far from being deterred, is captivated by her spirit. He completely reverses his promise to Lu Li and decides he must have her.
What follows is an relentless and public courtship. Wang Han organizes grand declarations of love outside Qin Yuebai's office, insists on driving her to and from work, and bombards her with flowers. Qin Yuebai is deeply annoyed but finds him impossible to shake. Lu Li confronts Wang Han again, only to be told that Wang Han is now genuinely fascinated by Qin Yuebai—her family, her beauty, and especially her fiery personality.
The situation forces Lu Li to confront his own complicated feelings. He initially sought to use Qin Yuebai as a pawn to bring down the Su family, but through their daily interactions, he has developed a deep attachment, even love, for her. He is tormented by the memory of her pragmatic words—that she doesn't need love, only a valuable exchange that serves her interests. This thought drives him to drink. Fueled by alcohol and desperation, Lu Li storms into Qin Yuebai's office. He warns her not to marry the playboy, pulls her into his arms, and leans in for a kiss. Just as their lips are about to meet, a dark figure appears in the doorway, and a suddenly alert Lu Li looks up.
