Episode Summary
A misunderstanding between Xie Jingsi and Yu Leying causes a scandal, exposing Xie Jingsi's unhappy marriage. Yu Leshan's factory success angers a rival manager, who plots to use the press against him. Yu Leshan's attempt to celebrate Nuan Nuan's birthday ends in disaster when she rejects him, allowing Wang Xiao to step in. Sheng Xuezhu admits her feelings for Yu Leshan, while enemies begin to formally move against his business.
Spoiler Alert
The Workplace Drama Heats Up
The Awkward Sleepover
The episode kicks off with Xie Jingsi. He’s sick, but he still helps Yu Leying fix a machine at the factory. She’s grateful and takes him back to his dorm to recover. The rain starts pouring, so she decides to wait it out. She picks up a book and eventually falls asleep in a chair.
Xie Jingsi wakes up later. He sees her sleeping and gently drapes a piece of clothing over her. It’s a quiet, sweet moment. Then the door bursts open.
It’s his wife, Cui Xiujuan. She sees Yu Leying asleep in the room and immediately assumes the worst. She starts screaming at Yu Leying, accusing her of being a homewrecker. Just then, Yu Leying’s brother, Yu Leshan, shows up to find his sister. He sees the chaos, grabs Yu Leying, and drags her out of there.
The Marriage That Won't End
The next morning, Yu Leshan confronts Xie Jingsi. He accuses him of cheating on his wife. Xie Jingsi has to explain his whole situation. He and Cui Xiujuan have an arranged marriage. They have zero feelings for each other. He already asked for a divorce a while ago.
But Cui Xiujuan refuses to sign the papers. Why? Because she found out he’s making good money on the side. He earns over a hundred yuan a month at Yu Leshan’s factory. She wants that money. To smooth things over, Xie Jingsi offers to quit the side job until his divorce is final. Yu Leshan doesn’t have much choice but to agree.
A Rivalry Turns Nasty
Yu Leshan's Success Causes Problems
Yu Leshan’s Qiaotou Hardware Factory is doing really well. So well, in fact, that it’s stealing orders from the big state-run machinery factory. This does not go unnoticed. Manager Shen, the head of the machinery factory, is furious. He calls an emergency meeting with his leadership team.
During all this, the snake Hou Ming finds a moment to whisper poison about Xie Jingsi to Manager Shen. The backstabbing in this place never stops.
Manager Shen Plays Dirty
Manager Shen learns that Xie Jingsi, one of his own employees, has been moonlighting at the rival factory. He calls Xie Jingsi into his office for a dressing-down. He says state employees are forbidden from taking side jobs, especially with a competitor. He threatens to punish him.
Xie Jingsi doesn't back down. He argues that he did nothing wrong. He even points out all the mismanagement and problems at the state factory. This makes Manager Shen even angrier. He orders Xie Jingsi to stop working at the hardware factory. Then, after Xie Jingsi leaves, he picks up the phone. He calls the Liangchuan Daily newspaper to report Qiaotou Hardware for poaching clients. He’s not just competing anymore. He’s trying to destroy them.
The World's Most Awkward Birthday Party
Nuan Nuan Drops a Bomb
It’s Nuan Nuan’s birthday. Her mom, Sheng Xuezhu, is all dressed up to take her to the amusement park. Yu Leshan, who is completely smitten with Sheng Xuezhu, arrives to join them. He’s excited.
Nuan Nuan is not. She flat-out refuses to go with him. Then, right in front of everyone, she says he’s a bad person because he’s been to prison. The air just gets sucked out of the room. Yu Leshan is mortified. Sheng Xuezhu gets angry and scolds Nuan Nuan, which only makes the poor kid burst into tears.
Wang Xiao Makes His Move
Just when things can’t get any more uncomfortable, Wang Xiao shows up. He has a birthday cake and a present for Nuan Nuan. He sees Yu Leshan and pretends he has to leave, but Nuan Nuan grabs onto him and won’t let go.
Yu Leshan gets the message loud and clear. He quietly puts down the chocolates he brought for Nuan Nuan and leaves. Sheng Xuezhu apologizes to her daughter and agrees to let Wang Xiao celebrate with them. It’s a huge win for Wang Xiao and a brutal loss for Yu Leshan.
Love Triangles and Tough Choices
Sheng Xuezhu Draws a Line
Later, after a day out with Nuan Nuan, Sheng Xuezhu confronts Wang Xiao. She knows he’s the one who told Nuan Nuan about Yu Leshan’s past. Wang Xiao sees she’s defending Yu Leshan and gets angry. He can tell she has feelings for him.
Sheng Xuezhu admits it. She says she deeply admires Yu Leshan and that he holds a special place in her heart. But she also says she isn't sure if it’s love yet. Wang Xiao is crushed. He feels like he’s a better man but she just can’t see it. He leaves, defeated.
Yu Leying Takes a Stand
The rumors about Yu Leying and Xie Jingsi are spreading like wildfire at the factory. Cui Xiujuan even went to Manager Shen to formally accuse them of having an affair. Xie Jingsi tries to get a document from the manager to help his divorce, but Shen refuses.
All the gossip makes Xie Jingsi avoid Yu Leying completely. But she isn't having it. She doesn't care what people say. In front of a crowd of workers, she publicly announces that she admires Xie Jingsi. It was a bold and defiant move.
The Walls Are Closing In
Enemies on All Sides
This episode really sets up trouble for Yu Leshan from every direction. First, we learn the newspaper editor has assigned Wang Xiao to write the negative story about his factory. You know Wang Xiao is going to jump at that chance.
Second, the bitter Xiao Shude sees Yu Leshan’s workers getting bonuses and buying new appliances. He gets jealous and goes straight to Qiao Zhengjun. He files a formal complaint, listing all of Yu Leshan’s supposed crimes.
Yu Leshan himself is stuck. His friend Chen Zhiqiang tells him to just confess his feelings to Sheng Xuezhu. But Yu Leshan knows she’s in a tough spot with Nuan Nuan. He decides he has to win over the daughter first. It’s a noble idea, but it might be too late.
