Episode Summary
Shen Haoming and Xu Yan officially become a couple, but his mother, Yu Lan, immediately disapproves of her.After being insulted and tested at a disastrous afternoon tea, Xu Yan finally stands up for herself, shocking Yu Lan.While she sees some benefits to dating someone powerful, the episode ends with Xu Yan feeling deeply insecure, fearing Shen Haoming will reject her if he ever learns her secrets.
Spoiler Alert
So, Shen Haoming and Xu Yan are officially a thing. After he noticed she was cold in a meeting and turned off the AC, she fainted.He rushed her to the hospital, and she woke up to see a surprisingly caring side of him. He was even thoughtful enough to tear the label off her water bottle to make it more comfortable to hold.It’s these little things that get you.
The Honeymoon Phase is Over
A Not-So-Warm Welcome
Shen Haoming is excited to have Xu Yan meet his mother, Yu Lan.This goes about as well as you'd expect. He has to leave them alone together, and the claws come out almost immediately.
Xu Yan tries her best to be polite and charming. It doesn't work. Yu Lan takes one look at Xu Yan's clothes and hair and instantly decides she comes from a bad family.The other rich women at the gathering are just as awful. They basically call Xu Yan a pretty but dumb accessory. Xu Yan overhears a maid talking about how much money wealthy women spend on their hair, and you can see the gears turning in her head.
Xu Yan Fights Back
The Afternoon Tea from Hell
Later, Yu Lan invites Xu Yan for afternoon tea. It's obviously a trap. Xu Yan, trying to fit in, spends a fortune getting her hair done and orders expensive tea. It does nothing to change Yu Lan's mind.
To make things worse, Yu Lan brings another girl to the tea. It's a power move, and it's not subtle. She is clearly showing Xu Yan she has a replacement in mind. Yu Lan then pokes at Xu Yan's past, calling her a "wild child" and someone who just endures things without ever getting angry.That's the last straw. Xu Yan finally breaks. She fires right back at Yu Lan, who is completely shocked to see this quiet girl suddenly have a backbone.
Cracks in the Foundation
The Perks and the Problems
Having a rich boyfriend does have some advantages, though. Xu Yan has been trying to land an interview with a well-known creator. After weeks of getting nowhere, the person suddenly agrees to meet her after hearing Shen Haoming's name.
But the problems with his family don't go away. Yu Lan calls Xu Yan, pretending she wants her help to pick out a marital home. Her real goal is to test Xu Yan's professional knowledge and find another reason to disapprove of her.Just when things get tense, Shen Haoming shows up and pulls Xu Yan away from the awkward situation.
A Dinner Full of Doubt
The episode ends with Shen Haoming cooking for Xu Yan. It looks sweet on the surface. He tells her he likes thorny flowers because they hide a lot of strength. But Xu Yan is starting to panic. Everything he says feels like a judgment or a test. She eats the food he made, but it feels like a lump in her throat. She's terrified of what will happen when he finds out who she really is.
