Episode Summary
Ge Kaiyang deals with Fran's departure. Zhang Ran is pressured by her boss to adopt a toxic online persona for fame. Fu Yudong's "fake marriage" scheme causes chaos when posters appear in public, leading to a fight between Zhang Ran's parents. Fu Yudong struggles to fake intimacy with the hired woman, while Cheng Man warns him that his lies are destroying him, not saving his friend.
Spoiler Alert
Ge Kaiyang’s Empty House
Ge Kaiyang walks into a quiet house. It’s that heavy kind of silence. He looks around, but Fran is gone. He heads up to the rooftop and finds her goodbye gift. She left a painting and a letter. The letter isn't angry. It’s full of advice. She’s trying to guide him one last time. It’s a bittersweet moment. He’s alone now, and the reality is sinking in.
The "Violent Divorcee" Persona
Over at the internet company, things are getting weird. They want to rebrand Zhang Ran. The new angle? A violent, aggressive woman. Apparently, the internet loves a trainwreck. Zhang Ran hates it. It feels exaggerated and fake. She’s also worried because the persona is built around her being divorced. She doesn't think Fu Yudong will go for it.
Boss Chang doesn't care about her feelings. He goes full manipulation mode. He tells her she’s a "princess" and belongs to the public now, not just her husband. He plays on her desire for fame. He wants her to prioritize the company over her marriage.
A Dinner Full of Guilt
Zhang Ran goes home to a surprise. Fu Yudong cooked a romantic candlelit dinner. She feels terrible. She’s hiding her new "divorced" work persona. She decides to compromise. She tells him she’s okay with his "fake wife" scheme for his business.
Fu Yudong feels guilty too. He admits he already shot the promotional posters with the other woman. He shows them to her. Zhang Ran’s heart drops. She thought she was giving permission, but he had already done it. Her opinion didn't actually matter. The decision was made before she walked in the door.
Parental Fallout
The posters of Fu Yudong and his "fake wife" are up. They are everywhere. Even in Zhang Ran’s parents' neighborhood. Her mom sees them and loses it. She calls Zhang Ran immediately. Zhang Ran tries to explain it’s just business, but her mom feels humiliated.
Her dad takes a different stance. He defends the kids. This leads to a massive fight. Mom kicks Dad out of the house. Zhang Ran has to bring her dad home with her.
This complicates things. Fu Yudong comes home late. Zhang Ran pretends to be asleep. Because her dad is there, Fu Yudong has to stay in the bedroom to keep up appearances. He doesn't get in bed, though. He sleeps by the window. It’s awkward and sad.
The Awkward Photoshoot
Fu Yudong is deep in the lie now. He’s shooting wedding photos with the fake wife. He flinches when she touches him. It’s painful to watch. Li Daoqi gets annoyed. He tells Fu Yudong to stop standing so far away.
Li Daoqi tries to force some chemistry. He buys perfume and tells Fu Yudong to give it to the woman as a gift. He also makes Fu Yudong drive her home.
In the car, it’s strictly business. Fu Yudong apologizes for the awkwardness. The woman is a pro. She starts quizzing him on food allergies. They have a dinner with a client, Sister Wanwan, coming up. They need to know each other’s likes and dislikes to sell the lie. Fu Yudong is so focused on memorizing her food preferences that he forgets to give her the perfume. He accidentally brings it home. That is definitely going to cause trouble later.
Cheng Man’s Reality Check
The next morning is a split screen of dysfunction. Fu Yudong is off to breakfast with his fake wife and the client. Zhang Ran is at her office, livestreaming. She leans into the aggressive persona. It works. The views skyrocket. She’s selling products like crazy.
That night, the charade continues. Fu Yudong takes the fake wife to dinner. Li Daoqi brings Cheng Man along. Cheng Man sees the fake wife and looks confused.
She pulls Fu Yudong aside. She doesn't hold back. She tells him this isn't helping Li Daoqi. It’s hurting him. Enabling this kind of fraud isn't friendship. She tells him to stop before he loses everything. Fu Yudong is stubborn. He refuses to watch Li Daoqi go bankrupt. He goes back to the table to keep drinking and lying.
