Xiao Tong returned to the country quietly after experiencing setbacks abroad. From childhood, all the praise she heard was directed at her parents, who held high positions. It was only after going abroad that she realized how ordinary she truly was. Meanwhile, Gao Tian went to Jin’s company to discuss a collaboration but was met with rejection. The other party found an excuse to avoid him. At this time, Zhou Hang reached out to Gao Tian, requesting a meeting. Since Gao Tian needed an investor like Zhou Hang, he immediately agreed.
When Zhou Hang and Gao Tian met, Zhou Hang subtly expressed his support for Xie Linhui. He implied that Gao Tian’s group should not implement an all-or-nothing approach and that blindly pursuing a younger audience was unsuitable for the company’s development. Gao Tian understood Zhou Hang’s message but explained that the board decided on Xie Linhui’s dismissal due to minor mistakes she had made. Zhou Hang then revealed that the cold reception Gao Tian faced at Morning Star Investments was his doing, emphasizing how easy it is to ruin something while achieving success is much harder.
Xiao Tong took the initiative to admit her mistakes to Xie Linhui and wanted to restore her sister’s reputation. However, the situation wasn’t as simple as Xiao Tong imagined. Many people had already begun personally attacking Xie Linhui. Hearing the harsh words, Xiao Tong was indignant and decided to join the effort to defend her sister. Xie Linhui assigned her to a group of interns at a newspaper office as a video editing assistant. Together with the interns, Xiao Tong edited a video to clear Xie Linhui’s name. When the video was released, Zhou Hang saw it and was pleased. He contacted Xie Linhui, who was dining out with her colleagues and Xiao Tong at the time. She kept the conversation brief and ended the call.
For the first time, Xiao Tong saw a different side of her sister. Xie Linhui, who usually appeared fierce and intimidating—so much so that children cried at the sight of her—showed a down-to-earth and relatable side. Xiao Tong later learned that the owner of the restaurant they were eating at had once received help from Xie Linhui. She was surprised by her sister’s kindness. Watching her sister bond with her colleagues, Xiao Tong realized she hadn’t truly understood her sister before.
This led Xiao Tong to have a heartfelt conversation with Xie Linhui, where she revealed her unhappiness. Xiao Tong expressed her dislike for living under their parents’ strict arrangements and her desire to live life on her terms. Xie Linhui, moved by her sister’s honesty, felt pity for her and made a deal: Xiao Tong could enjoy a period of freedom outside the family’s watch, and Xie Linhui would keep it a secret. However, Xiao Tong had to report her whereabouts regularly and allow Xie Linhui to occasionally check with her classmates. Xie Linhui acknowledged that their parents would eventually find out but promised to speak up for Xiao Tong when the time came.
Overjoyed, Xiao Tong returned home cheerfully and even greeted Xie Linhui’s father. He thought Xiao Tong looked familiar but couldn’t recall who she was.
After returning to Pu Hang from Beijing, Gao Tian decided not to make significant personnel changes for the time being. This shattered Lu Jian’s dream of becoming chief editor. Although disappointed, he concealed his emotions and maintained a facade of compliance with the upper management, claiming it was all for the good of the magazine.
Ever since Wu Yueting’s incident, Jiang Yidi found herself in a precarious position within the company. The HR department reminded her not to disclose company information to Wu Yueting privately, emphasizing the importance of basic professional ethics. Jiang Yidi understood their warning, assured them she wouldn’t do so, and advised them to gossip less.
