Episode Summary
In this episode, Lu Tianchi and Liu Yan solidify their relationship just as Highland, under her culinary guidance, wins the coveted three-diamond award. He Sheng confesses his love for Liu Yan, but she rejects him and resigns, choosing instead to return to her home country with Lu Tianchi to start a new, peaceful life. Just as their new beginning is within reach, the episode concludes with the shocking and tragic murder of Lu Tianchi.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens on a tender note. Lu Tianchi wakes up and lovingly snaps a photo of Liu Yan, who is still asleep. He then prepares a heartfelt breakfast for her, his cooking skills having clearly improved under her guidance. He sincerely apologizes for his past carefree attitude, admitting it was a facade to hide his deep-seated insecurities. He confesses he was terrified she would do something drastic the night before, realizing he can no longer imagine his life without her. Touched to tears, Liu Yan pulls him into a deep and affectionate kiss.
Meanwhile, the truth about why Philip left Highland becomes known at his new hotel, and he is unceremoniously fired in front of everyone. Later, he shows up at Highland for a meal. An enraged Liu Yan moves to confront him again, but He Sheng steps in to stop her. After his meal, Philip leaves quietly, leaving behind a note. Having tasted Liu Yan's cooking, he admits defeat, acknowledging that she is the superior chef.
Trouble finds its way to Highland when debt collectors, having tracked down Liu Yan's workplace, arrive to demand payment for Jiang Fang's gambling debts. They aggressively surround Liu Yan. Despite her fighting skills, she is outnumbered. He Sheng and the Highland staff jump into the fray, resulting in a chaotic brawl where many are injured. The thugs only disperse when the police arrive.
A week later, the highly anticipated diamond competition takes place. The first winner, for one diamond, is Anderson. As the two-diamond winners are announced without any mention of Highland, He Sheng grows visibly nervous, fearing a mistake was made with their submitted dishes. The tension breaks when the final winner is announced, and Highland is victorious. He Sheng and Liu Yan celebrate with a tight, emotional hug.
On stage, He Sheng gives a moving speech. He reflects on years of self-doubt and feeling he could never live up to his mother's expectations. He credits Liu Yan for being a light that illuminated his path and helped him regain his confidence. The following day, He Sheng waits for Liu Yan at Highland. He offers her the position of head chef and confesses his love, hoping to spend the rest of his life with her. However, Liu Yan turns him down, handing him her resignation letter.
In a parallel storyline, Lu Tianchi is forcibly brought to the Pu Tai Group. They offer him a lucrative position as their legal consultant, a clear bribe to get him to drop his lawsuit against them.
Liu Yan discusses her future with Lu Tianchi. Now that she has fulfilled her promise to He Sheng by winning the three diamonds, she wants to open a small restaurant near her home. Lu Tianchi suggests they return to their home country to start a new life together. Deciding to choose a peaceful life with Liu Yan over revenge, Lu Tianchi hands over all the evidence he has collected against the Pu Tai Group to his senior colleague.
He Sheng organizes a touching farewell picnic at the beach for Liu Yan. He makes one last attempt to convince her to stay, but she explains that her lifelong dream has been to bring people joy through her food in her own way. Understanding her passion, He Sheng gives her his heartfelt blessing. Wang Yang, upon hearing Liu Yan is returning, video calls her. Though clearly unhappy that Lu Tianchi is returning with her, he politely says he will welcome them.
In the episode's devastating final moments, Liu Yan prepares a lavish farewell dinner for her landlord and Tang Shuangshuang. When Lu Tianchi doesn't return, she goes outside to look for him. To her horror, she witnesses him being brutally murdered by two men on motorcycles. The episode ends with a grief-stricken Liu Yan cradling his body, weeping as memories of their time together flash before her eyes.
