Episode Summary
Li Wu defeats his business rival and secures funding for his company. He wins over Cen Jin's skeptical mother with a heartfelt letter about his past. Cen Jin mistakenly believes Li Wu plans to propose, but the romantic setup is actually for Shen Yiyang and Chun Chang. The episode ends with Li Wu gifting Cen Jin a library in his hometown and a ring as a symbol of commitment rather than marriage.
Spoiler Alert
The Business End
We start with the final showdown for the big contract. Old Yi walks in with way too much confidence. He assumes Li Wu is broke and sticking to the old price. He even mocks Li Wu and Cheng Rui during the break about selling their car for cash. He offers them a pity ride home. That arrogance evaporates the second the results come in. Tongchen Technology wins the bid. Old Yi looks like he swallowed a lemon. Li Wu walks past him with zero sympathy. He thanks Old Yi for the "kindness" and tells him to wait for the court summons.
With the company saved, Tao Wanwen brings more good news the next day. Xinshang Venture Capital is officially signing with them. She admits she helped connect the dots, but the money followed the value. Tongchen earned this on its own.
Meeting the Parents
Li Wu and Cen Jin visit her parents. This is the real test. Cen's Mom uses the oldest trick in the book. She asks Li Wu to help her buy drinks just to get him alone. She gets straight to the point. She wants her daughter to be happy. She worries about their age gap. Li Wu is much younger. That brings uncertainty. Li Wu is sweating bullets. He promises to treat Cen Jin well no matter what happens.
Cen Jin thinks her dad smoothed things over. Her dad corrects her. He didn't do much. Li Wu wrote a letter to her mom. That letter did the heavy lifting. Cen Jin had no idea about this. She reads it immediately.
Li Wu laid it all out on paper. He wrote about his poverty. He explained that without the Cen family's help years ago, his life would have hit a dead end. He calls Cen Jin his mentor. She guided him in school and work. His feelings go way deeper than just romance. He spent two years abroad confirming this. He cherishes her.
The Ring Mix-Up
Li Wu hangs out at Cen Jin's place. He leaves his coat behind. Cen Jin tidies up and finds a receipt in the pocket. It is for a diamond ring. Later, she sees him getting a bunch of packages. She spots him whispering with Cheng Rui. The signs are all there. She thinks he is planning a surprise proposal.
She panics a little. She talks to Chun Chang about it. She isn't ready. Later, she tries to feel Li Wu out. She talks about her new ad campaign. She mentions that her team thinks marriage and rings are too closely checking linked. She asks his opinion. Li Wu calls marriage a lighthouse. He thinks it's an honor. Cen Jin pushes back. She says marriage is just a stage. The person in front of you matters more. She tells him not to rush. Li Wu agrees easily.
The Real Proposal
The ad campaign launches successfully. Everyone gathers at Chang Bar to celebrate. The terrace is decorated. The vibe screams "proposal." Cen Jin decides to stop this before it starts. She pulls Li Wu aside. She tells him again not to propose blindly. She isn't ready.
Li Wu laughs. He agrees. Then he tells her to move out of the way.
Shen Yiyang steps up with flowers. He walks right up to Chun Chang. He pulls out the ring. He thanks her for crashing into his life like a spirit. He tells her he will wait if she isn't ready. Chun Chang doesn't need to wait. She is thrilled. She yells at him for hiding it so well. She complains she didn't wear a nice dress. But she says yes.
Back to the Roots
The dust settles. Cen Jin asks if Li Wu feels left out. He doesn't. He is happy for his friends. A few days later, they head to Yunfeng Village. The village chief hands over a donation certificate. Li Wu donated a library in Cen Jin's name.
They visit the building. Cen Jin loves it. She realizes Li Wu planned a future with her the moment he returned to the country. They stand in the courtyard. Li Wu pulls out a ring. He bought it when he went shopping with Shen Yiyang.
He clarifies things. A ring doesn't have to mean a marriage proposal. It just shows heart. It can mean whatever they want it to mean. He puts it on her finger. They hug. Cen Jin realizes Li Wu is the best "gift" life ever gave her.
