Episode Summary
Kang Erniu successfully blackmails Zhou Jieren and, with Chu Shaohua's help, solidifies her public identity. A gang's downfall leads to a confession that clears Chu Shaohua of a past murder, allowing her to reclaim her name. She takes a job with Wen Zhiqiu, securing a 10% stake in his pharmacy. Her first major task is to pitch a partnership to the powerful Tian family, but she is rudely rejected by Tian Tongdao. She then unexpectedly pitches the same deal to a rival pharmacy owner, Xia Yuan, who agrees to a partnership but on his own strict terms, which Wen Zhiqiu accepts, much to Chu Shaohua's surprise.
Spoiler Alert
The Tables Turn
This episode was all about clearing names and starting fresh. But just when you think things are looking up, new problems appear. It’s a classic setup. You get a win, but it comes with a cost.
The Blackmail Plan Pays Off
The whole scheme with Kang Erniu and Zhou Jieren finally comes to a head. First, Erniu goes to Zhou Jieren’s house after sending Tian Tongxin away. She threatens to expose their affair to his wife. He panics and gives her fifty silver dollars just to make her leave. It’s a clean, simple shakedown.
Then, Chu Shaohua pulls off the main event. She dresses up as Kang Erniu and goes to the hotel where Zhou Jieren is. Sun Longyin helps out by pretending to be a hotel greeter. Shaohua sends a message to get Zhou Jieren to come outside. He thinks it’s Erniu again, looking for more money. He rushes back inside, probably annoyed. But then he sees the real Kang Erniu playing the piano. That’s it. Any suspicion he had about her identity is gone.
Chu Shaohua is Finally Free
Kang Erniu is thrilled. Her name is cleared, and she has a keepsake from Tian Tongxin. But Sun Longyin is miserable. He’s in love with Erniu, and she’s about to marry someone else. She even asks him to publicize the engagement in the papers. He agrees, but you can tell it’s tearing him up.
Then comes the big news. The Sanshou Gang has been completely wiped out. During the interrogation, Er Tuzi confessed to everything. He admitted he killed Mrs. Chen, Xuanxuan, and Chen Ershun. He did it for revenge. Just like that, Chu Shaohua is cleared of murder. She can finally go back to being herself. It’s a huge moment.
Erniu thanks Sun Longyin for all his help and says they can be friends for life. That’s a rough one for him. Shaohua also asks him for a favor. She needs him to find out where Song Ping is.
A New Job and a New Challenge
With her name cleared, Chu Shaohua makes her next move. She goes to Wen Zhiqiu and agrees to work at his pharmacy. She accepts his terms but adds one of her own. She wants a ten percent stake in the business. He agrees immediately.
The newspapers are buzzing with the engagement of Tian Tongxin and Kang Erniu. They also print a list of all the women Tian Tongxin has dated before. Shaohua sees this and warns Erniu to be careful. She even brings up what happened to Ni Xiangying. But Erniu doesn't listen. She’s determined to use this marriage to get ahead.
The Rude Awakening at Tian's Company
Chu Shaohua starts her new job at Wen's Pharmacy. Wen Zhiqiu shows her around, and the workshop brings back a lot of memories for her. Wen Zhiqiu can see she's ambitious. He wants to work with her to make his pharmacy the best in Shanghai.
His first big idea is to partner with the Tian family's company. They have a popular "Western Brain-Boosting Pill," and he wants to co-develop a new "Qingshen Pill." He sends Chu Shaohua to persuade Tian Tongdao, who runs the company.
The meeting is a disaster. Tian Tongdao is rude. He takes a phone call and just leaves her sitting there. Shaohua intentionally knocks over a pen holder to get his attention. When she finally pitches the Qingshen Pill, he scoffs at her. He says his pill is selling great and he doesn't need a new one.
Shaohua pushes back. She tells him his pill is all hype and advertising. This just makes him angry. He throws her out of his office. As she leaves, he picks up the sample pill she left and throws it on the floor. Shaohua is furious.
An Unexpected Second Chance
On her way back, Shaohua passes the Jujing Tang pharmacy. She decides to go in and try to sell the Qingshen Pill there. It turns out the owner is Xia Yuan. He’s happy to see her and immediately offers her a job. She turns him down, explaining she has a stake in Wen's pharmacy.
So, she pivots back to business. She points out that his pharmacy is missing a unique, signature product. She suggests he partner with Wen's to develop the Qingshen Pill. The manager, Mei Sandu, asks why she didn't just go to the powerful Tian family. Shaohua admits they already rejected her. Xia Yuan says he'll think about it.
A New Partnership with Strings Attached
Later, Mei Sandu calls Wen Zhiqiu to set up a meeting. Wen Zhiqiu is surprised. He didn't know Shaohua went to see Xia Yuan, let alone that she knew him. He knows Xia Yuan is a mysterious figure and suspects there's more to his connection with Shaohua.
Xia Yuan agrees to the partnership. But he has conditions. They will sell the pill at his store, but it must have the Jujing Tang brand. They also have to use his pharmacy’s raw materials. Wen Zhiqiu agrees to everything without hesitation. Chu Shaohua can only stand there, completely stunned by his quick concessions.
