Episode 21 recap: Resignation and New Paths
In Episode 21, Shen Lin comes home from work to find her son crying. She comforts him, but her daughter complains about how late they get home, leaving her to go hungry. Shen Lin snaps at her daughter but quickly apologizes. The next day at work, Shen Lin takes the initiative to apologize to Peng Xinyi in the break room, explaining the situation and stating that her only goal now is to earn a living; she no longer has any workplace ambitions. Peng Xinyi smiles and agrees that the matter is settled.
Shen Lei goes to the market, initially looking at succulents, but gets distracted by a game where players toss rings to win a goose. He spends eighty yuan and wins a goose, which he names Ba Dou, meaning "highly talented," intending to keep it as a companion during his time in the mountains.
Despite Peng Xinyi saying the issue is resolved, she instructs Xiao Zheng not to assign any work to Shen Lin. Unwilling to sit idly, Shen Lin helps Xiao Zheng with deliveries. When she overhears Xiao Zheng and the others talking about her doing messenger work, she pretends not to hear and continues with her deliveries, running into Zhu Pei Dong and Peng Xinyi.
Later, Zhu Pei Dong calls Peng Xinyi in for a discussion about work arrangements. She provides logical reasons for her decisions, and Zhu Pei Dong, unable to argue, tells her to proceed as she sees fit. Meanwhile, Peng Xinyi argues with her husband over her mother-in-law's pressure to have children. Seeing Shen Lin, who is still working, makes her unwilling to leave the workforce and risk competing with younger employees upon returning.
Zhu Pei Dong assigns Shen Lin to be his assistant, making her work exclusively for him. She diligently notes down tasks previously outlined by former assistant Xiao Zhao and organizes Zhu Pei Dong's schedule. Shen Lin even memorizes the client information for a meeting Zhu Pei Dong has that evening.
Accompanying Zhu Pei Dong to meet clients is part of her role as an assistant. Although Zhu Pei Dong suggests she go home, Shen Lin insists on joining him. However, during the dinner, a client named Chen shows a blatant lack of respect for women, making inappropriate comments about Shen Lin's presence at the table, insinuating an ambiguous relationship between her and Zhu Pei Dong.
After the dinner, while sending the clients off, one of them makes an unwanted advance on Shen Lin, but Zhu Pei Dong quickly intervenes. Shortly after, Zhu Pei Dong's wife arrives and, upon seeing Shen Lin, learns that she is Zhu Pei Dong's college classmate and is currently his assistant. His wife is displeased and bluntly mentions that Zhu Pei Dong once had a crush on Shen Lin, making Shen Lin feel very awkward, prompting her to leave quickly.
That night, after much thought, Shen Lin decides to submit her resignation the next day. Meanwhile, Jiang Shan meets with Na Wei to introduce a business opportunity. Jiang Shan has a friend looking to open an early childhood education center and wants Na Wei to help with the opening ceremony. Na Wei and Li Xiao Yue begin discussing the details.
Shen Lei continues tutoring Xiao Xue and discovers that Lao Ke is focused on getting her into college, but Xiao Xue feels she is not academically inclined and is content managing the small supermarket. Shen Lin visits Na Wei, excited for their new business venture, yet she worries about finding her own path.
While out for a meal, she unexpectedly meets Sister Zhang, who shares that she is now a full-time doula with a decent salary—at least ten thousand yuan a month, and even up to twenty thousand if she has experience and higher education. Hearing this piques Shen Lin's interest.
Comments(Episode 21)