Episode Summary
Jiang Chen reconciles with his father after they team up to solve a dispute at a noodle shop. In the office, Yan Fei beats Jiatong in a task by demonstrating better communication skills, teaching Jiatong a hard lesson about corporate culture. Li Ke gains confidence during a livestreamed legal dispute but later drunkenly confronts the group about the class differences between the wealthy interns and those fighting for survival.
Spoiler Alert
All Rise Episode 17 Recap: Daddy Issues and Drunken Truths
We finally get some closure on the Jiang family drama, and it is surprisingly wholesome. But don't get too comfortable. The office politics are getting nasty, and the class divide between the interns just became the elephant in the room.
The Noodle Shop Summit
Guo Xiaoyu is acting like a total fangirl. She meets her idol, Jiang Ruocheng, and practically begs for an autograph. It’s a bit much, but it breaks the ice. Ren Jiatong decides to play family therapist. She drags the father and son out for dinner to smooth things over.
They hit a local noodle shop. Jiatong goes to bat for Jiang Chen. She pulls out her notebook to show the dad exactly how hard his son works. She tells him Jiang Chen is one of the few people who can actually outperform her. Jiang Ruocheng finally drops the tough guy act. He admits he is proud. He actually wants Jiang Chen to come back to Chongqing with him. He even tries to recruit Jiatong, promising good pay and giving his blessing for an office romance.
The dinner gets interrupted by a property dispute. The building management tries to shut the shop down. Jiang Chen and his dad immediately switch into lawyer mode. They tag-team the management. The dad analyzes the contract breach while the son handles the negotiation. It is a nice bonding moment.
Clearing the Air
Jiatong excuses herself to give them space. We finally learn why the dad was so against Jiang Chen being a lawyer. It wasn't about control. It was about trauma. He knows the stress and the chaotic hours. He didn't want his son to suffer the same way he did.
Jiang Chen stands his ground. He tells his dad he actually loves the law. He also brings up his mom. He respects his dad’s choice to leave, but he hurts for his mother who raised him alone. The dad listens. He accepts Jiang Chen’s choice. They part ways on good terms, and Jiang Chen actually tears up a bit.
The Reality Check
The warm feelings vanish pretty fast. The new rankings drop. Jiang Chen and Jiatong are tied for first. Yan Fei is second. Guo Xiaoyu is third. Li Ke is dead last. He is spiraling.
Zhou Nian announces there is one week left before cuts. Bai Xiao throws a new task at Jiatong, Yan Fei, and Li Ke. The winner gets to go on a business trip. Jiatong thinks she has this in the bag. She submits a logical, efficient plan.
She is wrong. Yan Fei crushes her.
Bai Xiao explains why. It isn't just that Yan Fei used her connections to get better info. It is about communication. Jiatong went radio silent for three days to work on her plan. Yan Fei sent updates, asked for feedback, and kept the boss in the loop. Bai Xiao calls Jiatong out for working behind closed doors. She forces Jiatong and Yan Fei to combine their work.
Privilege vs. Survival
Yan Fei confronts Jiatong later. She is honest about it. She grew up watching her father and brother work. She knows how to manage a boss. She asks Jiatong if her silence was confidence or insecurity. Jiatong insists she won't back down.
Meanwhile, Song Yifan is striking out with Bai Xiao. He drives her home and notices she isn't using the pen he gave her. She is keeping a strict professional distance. He looks crushed.
The episode ends on a heavy note. The group goes out for dinner. The noodle shop drama flares up again, and Guo Xiaoyu livestreams it. Wang Lu sees the stream and calls Li Ke to step in. Li Ke uses his legal knowledge to shut down the property management on camera. He gets a moment of internet fame.
But later, the alcohol hits. Li Ke gets messy and honest. He looks around the table and says what everyone is thinking. He says only he, Jiatong, and Guo Xiaoyu actually need this job to survive. The others, like Jiang Chen and Yan Fei, have safety nets. If they get bored, they can just leave. It is a harsh way to end the night.
