Episode Summary
In this episode, Shen Shaoguang's heartbreak over Lin Yan leads her to meet his arranged fiancée, Shen Jingwen, in an painfully awkward dinner. As she navigates business competition with Liu Feng, he develops feelings for her, leading to a surprise marriage proposal from his family. Just as Lin Yan schemes to get important documents from the Grand Princess, he learns of the proposal and rushes to the restaurant, only to arrive in time to see a resolved Shaoguang accept it to finally sever her feelings for him.
Spoiler Alert
Shaoguang Tries to Run Away From Her Feelings
A Trip to the Temple
So, Shen Shaoguang is completely heartbroken. She can't get Lin Yan out of her head. Her solution is pretty extreme. She runs to the Xingjiao Temple and asks to become a nun. She wants to shave her head and be done with it all. The head nun isn't fooled for a second. She can tell Shaoguang is just lovesick. Instead of letting her join, she invites her to stay for a meal.
A New Rival (and a New Friend?)
At the temple, Shaoguang meets a woman named Jingwen. Jingwen is there delivering food. She mentions she plans to enter the Chef God competition next year. This catches Shaoguang’s attention. Her own father had the same idea. After they eat, Jingwen is kind enough to give Shaoguang a ride back to her family's restaurant in her carriage.
Shaoguang insists on Jingwen staying for a meal to thank her. Her father, Shen Jianshe, has just created a new dish. He calls Lin Yan over to try it, too. This is where it gets messy. Lin Yan walks in and sees Jingwen. He explains that this is Shen Jingwen, the niece of a high-ranking official.
The Shen family immediately puts it all together. They share the same last name. This must be the woman Lin Yan is supposed to marry. The entire family lines up to give a toast to the future couple. You can just see the light go out in Shaoguang's eyes. It’s a brutal moment.
Business, Betrayals, and Bad Timing
The Hot Pot Wars
The Shen family restaurant rolls out its new winter hot pot. It’s a lot like the one at the rival Guixiang Restaurant. But it's cheaper. Naturally, customers start flocking to their place. Even the Grand Princess gets in on it. She orders the hot pot for a meal with Pei Pei.
Pei Pei uses the dinner to lay things out plainly. She tells the Grand Princess that she is focused on her career. She has no interest in romance right now. The Grand Princess pretends to be heartbroken and leaves. Pei Pei feels bad and follows her to the door to explain. The Princess then suggests they just be friends. Pei Pei has no choice but to agree.
A Surprise Proposal
Liu Feng, from the rival restaurant, stops by the Shen's place for a meal. He's curious about the spicy herbs they're using. Shaoguang gives him a surprisingly mature take on business. She says competition is good. It keeps everyone on their toes and makes the whole alley better. You can't just have one restaurant dominate everything.
Liu Feng is really impressed by her attitude. Shaoguang asks him for a favor. She needs help from his chefs to create a new type of pot. In return, she gives him the recipe for their popular shrimp paste. It’s a solid business move.
Later, Lin Yan is looking for Xiao Wulang’s old letters but can't find them. He stops by the Shen restaurant to drop off some containers. Shen Jingwen happens to be there again. Shaoguang's mom, Li Fengxia, insists they stay and eat together.
Just then, Shaoguang and Liu Feng walk in with a new dish they developed. She sees Lin Yan and Jingwen at a table. She has to sit somewhere else. She keeps glancing over at them, getting more and more jealous. She says even her lamb and radish hot pot tastes sour.
Liu Feng sees how sharp Shaoguang is. He suggests they go into business together. He wants to buy another shop and open a new restaurant. She agrees. She will run the place, and he will provide the money and collect the profits. That night, Liu Feng tells his family elder, Liu Weng, about the plan. The old man agrees. He also sees that Liu Feng’s interest in Shaoguang isn't just about business.
The very next day, Liu Weng shows up at the Shen restaurant. He comes bearing wedding cakes. He is there to formally propose marriage to Shaoguang on Liu Feng's behalf. The Shen family is completely stunned. The Liu family is rich and respected, but this is a huge decision. Li Fengxia says they need to discuss it as a family first.
The Final Blow
Lin Yan's Desperate Plan
Lin Yan is meeting with the Grand Princess. She's still moping about Pei Pei. Lin Yan has a suggestion. He thinks if she gets rid of old love tokens from her past with Xiao Wulang, it might make Pei Pei feel better about their friendship.
The Grand Princess says there were never any love tokens. All she has are some old official documents and letters from cases they worked on together. This is exactly what Lin Yan wanted to hear. He offers to take the letters and keep them safe for her.
Just as they finish talking, his servant Liu Chang returns. He says he couldn't buy any food. The Shen restaurant is closed to the public. The Liu family is inside proposing marriage to Shen Shaoguang. Lin Yan hears this and bolts.
Shaoguang Makes a Choice
Back at the restaurant, Liu Weng is waiting for an answer. Shaoguang is hesitating. She doesn't know what to do. Suddenly, Lin Yan runs into the restaurant.
He's standing right there. Looking at him, Shaoguang makes a decision. She knows she has to kill any hope she has for them. She needs to cut off these feelings for good.
She accepts the wedding cakes from the Liu family.
Lin Yan is completely shattered. He leaves the restaurant and just walks aimlessly through the streets. He's in such a daze he doesn't even notice the Grand Princess is following him.
