Episode 12 recap: ep12
In Episode 12, it's nighttime, and Lao Na talks to Shen Lin about Li Xiao Yue's decision to decline a promotion and raise..Shen Lin understands her perspective; after all, Xiao Yue is young and capable, which gives her confidence In contrast, Shen Lin, in her forties, feels reliant on Hu Hai Li for her current job
The conversation touches on the pressures women face in the workplace, with age, marital status, and motherhood often acting as barriers for those striving to advance their careers.
Since breaking up with Na Juan, Xiao Yue seems quite lonely, spending time alone shopping and dining out. Meanwhile, Xie Mei Lan lives in a spacious house but stares out at the bustling streets in silence, not wanting to say a word. Shen Lei, on the other hand, drowns his sorrows in alcohol in a small room, surrounded by a wedding photo of him and Xie Mei Lan, evoking a sense of heartache.
The next day, Shen Lei wakes up to bright daylight and rushes to work, only to bump into Lu Jie. Lu Jie bluntly offers Shen Lei money on the condition that he gets Xie Mei Lan to divorce him. Shen Lei is furious and feels insulted, but he knows he can't fight Lu Jie, leaving him frustrated. After all, he lacks money, property, and the strength to stand up to him.
On her first day back at Mei Ye Beauty, Li Xiao Yue receives a warm welcome from her colleagues. However, things are tense among management. Qin Feng complains that the company's expense reports are a mess and insists on creating a new system. Jiang Shan erupts in anger after the meeting, blaming Qin Feng and Qin Ling Ling for targeting them, especially after the recent firing of Old Wang, a longtime employee.
Though Qin Ling Ling doesn't directly instruct Qin Feng to investigate Lao Na and Jiang Shan, she is aware they lack the courage to challenge her. Nevertheless, Qin Feng proceeds to question Lao Na. When Lao Na suggests clarifying matters with Qin Ling Ling, Qin Feng pretends to help him by telling him to accompany her to a drinking event that evening. Ironically, this is an obligation Qin Feng himself arranged, yet he wants Lao Na to take the blame if things go wrong.
Frustrated, Shen Lei calls Xie Mei Lan, accusing her of conspiring with Lu Jie. Xie Mei Lan dismissively hangs up on him. In a fit of rage, Shen Lei yells in the stairwell, prompting his supervisor to accuse him of slacking off, which only fuels his anger. He lashes out further, treating his supervisor like Lu Jie and threatening to quit.
Meanwhile, Hu Hai Li leaves work early for a blind date but instructs Shen Lin to say she’s meeting with a supplier if anyone asks. Just as she is about to leave, General Manager Jia arrives. In a panic, Hu Hai Li makes an excuse to slip away. With nowhere else to vent his frustration, Jia takes it out on Shen Lin, demanding she finish the employee handbook. Xiao Bei offers to help, but Jia refuses.
After Jia leaves, Xiao Bei and Shen Lin disregard his orders. Shen Lin texts Lao Na about working late, and coincidentally, Lao Na has a social engagement as well. Shen Lei wants to call Shen Lin to vent but finds that she is busy with work and doesn’t notice his distress. Xiao Bei informs Hu Hai Li about Jia's treatment of Shen Lin, prompting Hu Hai Li to return and assist her.
However, General Manager Jia shows up again to harass them. In a heated moment, Hu Hai Li slaps him, leading to a scuffle, during which Shen Lin is accidentally bumped in the back. Meanwhile, Li Xiao Yue celebrates her newfound single status with friends, planning to sing after dinner, believing life should have its joys.
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