The Scandal Unfolds
While at a bar, Xie Linhui spots Wu Yueting, the husband of her former university classmate Yang Weixi. To her surprise, Wu is arm-in-arm with Bai Lu, clearly more than just casual acquaintances. Suspicious of Wu’s integrity, Xie Linhui decides to investigate him. Wu Yueting’s past reveals shady dealings—his previous investment in a company resulted in financial fraud, but he emerged unscathed and significantly wealthier. Xie Linhui hopes that exposing Wu Yueting and his firm, Yuxiang Investments, will serve as a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs, urging them to approach investments with vigilance and respect.
A Fiery Encounter
Bai Lu manages to secure an interview with Xie Linhui after pressuring Li, the company president. During the interview, Bai Lu’s questions feel pointed, implying that Xie Linhui’s privileged background—a stepfather in provincial leadership and a husband who is an executive at a listed company—has shielded her from crises. Bai Lu criticizes the declining performance of the newspaper, citing poor sales and advertising revenue.
Xie Linhui sees through Bai Lu’s ploy, suspecting she’s hidden a camera to provoke Xie into saying something damaging, which could later be misrepresented through editing. Refusing to fall into the trap, Xie Linhui calmly but firmly counters that she thrives on challenges. She even dares Bai Lu to prove her capabilities by surpassing Xie professionally rather than resorting to underhanded tactics. With a warning not to sabotage herself, Xie Linhui walks away, leaving Bai Lu’s plan in tatters.
Corporate Intrigue and Public Drama
At a financial summit, Xie Linhui reunites with her mentor, Hongda, who trained her when she joined Zhongshang Wave. Now a founder of a soon-to-be-listed startup, Hongda shares his success, and Xie Linhui congratulates him. Knowing he collaborates with Wu Yueting, she discreetly warns him to be cautious.
Just before she takes the stage to receive an award, the company’s president, Gao, calls her aside to inform her of the decision to “optimize” her position, essentially confirming her replacement. Xie Linhui expected this and doesn’t react outwardly. After delivering her speech, however, she storms out of the event, frustrated.
In a coincidental twist, Xie Linhui and her assistant witness an argument in the parking lot between Wu Yueting and Yang Weixi. Yang, having discovered Bai Lu’s affair with her husband and realizing she’s been tricked into signing a stock transfer agreement, confronts Wu in anger. Recognizing an opportunity, Xie Linhui instructs her assistant to capture the scene. Leveraging her relationship with Yang, she persuades her former classmate to cooperate in exposing Wu.
At Wu Yueting’s public address, Yang dramatically interrupts by slapping Bai Lu in front of the audience, shocking everyone. Cameras capture the chaos, and Xie Linhui ensures the news is drafted on-site and prepared for viral distribution. As she walks away from the scene, the president, Gao, watches her retreat with a mix of admiration and unease, then turns to leave as well, leaving a humiliated Bai Lu behind.
Family Connections
Back at home, Xie Linhui receives a delivery from her father via the building management—a box of traditional eight-treasure rice. Touched by the gesture, she calls her father to thank him, feeling guilty that he couldn’t visit her home in person.
On his way back, her father notices a magazine with Xie Linhui on the cover at a street stall. Without enough cash for change, he generously overpays, taking all the issues featuring his daughter. Proudly showcasing the magazine to his neighbors, he beams with pride for Xie’s accomplishments.
Later, Xie Linhui contacts her assistant, Jingjing, informing her of the decision to take a vacation starting the next day, marking a much-needed pause in her whirlwind life.
Episode Highlights
This episode captures Xie Linhui’s unwavering resolve to expose corruption while navigating personal and professional challenges. Her quick wit thwarts Bai Lu’s schemes, and her strategic thinking ensures Wu Yueting’s downfall. Meanwhile, her moments of vulnerability and connection with her father add depth to her character, reminding viewers of the human side behind her tough exterior. The drama masterfully balances intense confrontations with heartfelt family moments, setting the stage for even greater intrigue.
