Xiu Ya regains her composure and performs brilliantly on stage to resounding applause. Xiao Lan mixes a new cocktail named “A Dream,” even printing words on the glass. Xiu Ya likes the saying and snaps a photo to share on social media. Zheng Hao, who hasn’t heard from Xiu Ya for a while, sees her new post and thinks about asking how she’s doing, but in the end, he deletes every word he types. Normally so astute, Zheng Hao seems to lose his ability to read Xiu Ya at this moment.
The chairman of Zhonghe Group takes an interest in the small project’s promotion. In reality, he’s planning departmental reforms behind the scenes. He orders the formation of a joint team, with the internal publicity department leading as the “command center,” while the advertising and planning departments provide personnel to assist.
Old Gao tells Manager Hu Jianjun that the chairman intends to establish a new independent branding and publicity division reporting directly to him. If this project goes well, Hu Jianjun would undoubtedly become the head of this new department. Hu Jianjun, who started at Zhonghe as a low-level publicity staffer and worked her way up to her current managerial position, thought she’d hit a career ceiling. She never expected another chance to advance. Though she says she’s not fixated on it, inwardly she’s thrilled. And she’s well aware that the real talent behind the plan is Wu Xiu Ya. Although Ma Chao appears to be the team leader, the truly capable person is Xiu Ya. Not wanting Xiu Ya to outshine her in front of the chairman, Hu Jianjun devises a strategy: keep Xiu Ya in the background to produce plans.
Stills from Episode 8 of “Later, I Laughed ”
Although Xiu Ya is frustrated, she’s too busy with work to dwell on it. The consequence of working overtime to perfect the plan is that she falls ill with a fever and cold. Even so, she forces herself to complete the proposal and presentation scripts, then sends all the materials to Ma Chao. At the joint meeting, Hu Jianjun tries a tactic: no one discusses or asks questions first; Ma Chao just reports. Unexpectedly, the chairman shows up. When Hu Jianjun tries a bit of flattery, it backfires by exposing Ma Chao’s inability to answer the chairman’s inquiries. Naturally, the chairman realizes that Ma Chao is not the true driving force behind the project. Hu Jianjun is furious, suspecting Xiu Ya’s sickness is just an excuse or a scheme. Old Gao, however, disagrees; he doesn’t believe Xiu Ya is that cunning.
Xiu Ya hears about what happened that afternoon and is astonished. She never imagined fairness—something she’s long desired—would arrive in this way. Cao Zhiyong brings Liang Dong and Shi Ye over to care for the sick Xiu Ya. After they’ve all eaten and drunk their fill, Xiu Ya falls asleep. Believing Shi Ye has already gone home, Cao Zhiyong and Liang Dong leave together. Before long, Shi Ye wakes up from the sofa hidden behind the bookshelf and notices Xiu Ya’s condition has worsened. He immediately takes her to the hospital for an IV drip.
During their time alone, Shi Ye answers Xiu Ya’s questions about the difference between a “dead crowd” and a “rocked crowd” in comedy performances. Enlightened by his explanation, Xiu Ya realizes she must be true to herself. Even if her true self isn’t universally liked, she must have the courage not to pander. After the IV, they return home, and Shi Ye cooks something for Xiu Ya before leaving.
Stills from Episode 8 of “Later, I Laughed ”
On Monday at work, Manager Hu softens her attitude toward Xiu Ya, but she still refuses to approve a new promotional plan Xiu Ya suddenly proposes. So Xiu Ya sticks to the original plan in her report to the chairman. When asked if she’s confident in it, Xiu Ya remembers her resolve to be genuine and speaks her true mind. Unexpectedly, the chairman again highly praises her new idea. Wu Xiu Ya proves her ability.
Zhang Yan tells Zheng Hao about the chairman praising Xiu Ya, casually speculating that maybe Xiu Ya would appreciate his congratulations. Zheng Hao recalls that social media post. After work that evening, he buys balloons and plans to confess, hoping to reconcile. But upon seeing Shi Ye by Xiu Ya’s window, Zheng Hao releases the balloons and leaves.
