Episode Summary
Wang Chunsheng tries to assert authority over the restaurant renovation but ends up in a deadlock with Li Lianbao. Ma Weiguo fakes a return to the US to test his friends and manipulate the group dynamics. Li Lianbao falls for a setup involving a "stolen" chef orchestrated by Ma and Dong Qian. The episode ends with the founders on the brink of splitting up because Wang refuses to hire a talented chef with bad morals, while Li only cares about the results.
Spoiler Alert
The Boardroom Disaster
Wang Chunsheng is feeling insecure. He thinks nobody takes him seriously. So, he pulls a power move. He gathers the founders of Penglexuan for a formal meeting about renovations. He tries to act like a big-shot CEO. It backfires immediately.
The other four just laugh at him. He looks ridiculous trying to be so serious. The actual discussion is a mess too. Wang wants a retro, vintage vibe for the restaurant. Li Lianbao hates it. He wants something high-end and modern. They vote. It’s a deadlock, two against two. Nothing gets done. The only thing they actually agree on is hiring an outside roast duck chef. Even then, they argue about how old the chef should be.
Ma Weiguo’s Long Con
Ma Weiguo hears from Jin Tong that the restaurant needs a chef. He tells Dong Qian, and she says she has a guy. But Ma has a bigger plan. He spreads a rumor that he is going back to the United States.
Wang Chunsheng buys it. He grabs Tong Qiu and rushes to see Ma. Wang is a good friend. He hands Ma a stack of cash to help him out. Ma keeps up the act. He takes the money and offers some parting wisdom. He tells them to stop fighting Li Lianbao on business decisions. Li comes from a big corporate background. He is aggressive. They won’t win against him anyway.
Ma also hands Tong Qiu a luxury bag. This fixes a previous mess where Tong bought a fake bag for Zhang Xiaoshi.
Li Lianbao hears the news about Ma leaving. He acts tough. He says he doesn't care. But he cracks. He calls Ma and asks to meet. Ma plays hard to get. He says he’s too busy and blows Li off.
The Bag and the Cash
Tong Qiu tracks down Zhang Xiaoshi at her job. He gives her the real bag from Ma. He explains the whole situation. Zhang feels weird about accepting such an expensive gift. Tong assures her he already paid Ma back for it.
Zhang is practical. She doesn't care about flaunting labels. She looks at the expensive bag and sees a payday. She decides to return it and pocket the cash.
The Honey Trap
Back at Penglexuan, the chef hunt is a nightmare. Li Lianbao wants a guy named Chef Tan. Wang vetoes him immediately. He says Tan has bad character. Li is frustrated.
Then, a miracle happens. A chef named Sun Yanhui calls Li. This guy was the runner-up in a major "Duck King" competition. Li is thrilled. He brings Sun to meet the group. Everyone loves him. They are ready to sign the contract.
Suddenly, Dong Qian storms in. She claims she already hired Sun for her own shop. She accuses Li of stealing her staff. She acts furious and leaves. Li feels terrible. He didn't know. He chases after her. He apologizes profusely. He promises not to hire Sun.
Li tries to leverage the moment. He brings up their romantic night together. Dong Qian shuts him down cold. She rejects him and leaves. She gets in her car, and surprise—Chef Sun is sitting right there. The whole thing was a setup. Ma Weiguo and Dong Qian orchestrated the drama to test Li Lianbao.
The Partnership Crumbles
Wang Chunsheng still feels guilty about "stealing" the chef. He talks to another cook, Little Li. He learns some dirt. It turns out Sun Yanhui actually is a sketchy guy with bad morals.
Wang calls an emergency meeting. He puts his foot down. He refuses to hire Sun. He values character over skill. Li Lianbao explodes. He is competitive. He doesn't care about the guy's personality. He just wants the best roast duck.
They scream at each other. The disagreement gets ugly. It looks like the partnership might actually break up over this.
