Episode Summary
Gan Yang struggles with leaving Ding Zhitong, returns home to family drama and a failing company. He clashes with his father over fraudulent IPO plans, while his mother ends up in the hospital after a fight. Meanwhile, Bo Ting invites Song Mingmei to work abroad, and Ding Zhitong supports her friend's ambitions. Gan Yang faces a financial crisis and lies to Ding Zhitong about his return to Shanghai.
Spoiler Alert
"Eat Run Love" Episode 15: Recap & Spoilers
Okay, so Episode 15 starts with some serious bittersweet vibes. Gan Yang wakes up next to Ding Zhitong after they've spent the night together. He's overcome with a sense of impending separation, like he might not see her again. It's heavy stuff! He carefully slips away, makes her breakfast, and tries to leave without her waking. Ding Zhitong wants to see him off, but Gan Yang insists she gets her rest. He tells her he'll see her after the holiday, closes the door gently, and heads out, leaving Ding Zhitong fighting back tears. Talk about a tough goodbye!
Meanwhile, Bo Ting, thanks to Song Mingmei, seals a deal with a client. Before he jets off overseas, he wants to thank Song Mingmei, so he asks her to dinner. She's already got a date with Qin Chang, but she bails on him to have dinner with Bo Ting.
Back in Putian, Gan Yang arrives at his family's company and it's immediately clear something is wrong. His dad's assistant, Long Mei, is shocked to see him, and the office is deserted. He walks into his office to find his parents in a heated argument. His dad, Gan Kunliang, is super excited to see him, but Gan Yang isn't having it. Turns out, Gan Kunliang is out on medical parole because he's partially paralyzed and only has a year left on his sentence. Mom, Liu Yongjuan, tries to smooth things over, saying they were just discussing some traffic tickets.
Later, at dinner, Gan Yang finds out from Long Mei that the company's been planning an IPO for years, but the finances are in terrible shape. Gan Kunliang wants to cook the books to make the IPO happen. Gan Yang is totally against it, pointing out that Mom would take the fall if they get caught. He suspects his dad is setting her up. They argue, and Liu Yongjuan, worried for her son, secretly tells Gan Yang that she's already transferred the house to his name, hoping he can live his own life, free from their drama.
Bo Ting, super hyped about the international market, asks Song Mingmei to come with him and build a career overseas, instead of just earning a fixed salary. Song Mingmei is torn. She's got feelings for someone in Shanghai, but she also craves a bigger stage. Confused, she turns to Ding Zhitong for advice. Ding Zhitong, knowing Song Mingmei well, encourages her to chase her dreams and not have any regrets.
New Year's arrives, and the neighborhood is filled with fireworks and laughter. Ding Zhitong and her mom have a big New Year's Eve dinner. Mom gives Ding Zhitong a red envelope with lucky money, and Ding Zhitong gives her mom her bonus, saying she'll be able to pay off their debts soon now that she has gotten a raise. Meanwhile, Gan Yang is still worried about the company's IPO and is going over the books with his mom. They realize the losses are even worse than they thought. He tells Liu Yongjuan not to listen to Gan Kunliang. Ding Zhitong calls, and Gan Yang steps outside to take the call. Ding Zhitong shows him the snow, and Gan Yang doesn't mention any of the company's problems. Seeing her happy, he misses her terribly. They share a silent moment of longing.
When Gan Yang gets to the office, he learns that Gan Kunliang and his buddies stole the company seal. Luckily, the secretary caught them, and Liu Yongjuan locked Gan Kunliang in a room. Gan Yang wants to call the police, but his mom stops him, afraid that Gan Kunliang will be sent back to prison if he gets into more trouble. Gan Yang tries to grab the seal back, and a fight breaks out. During the scuffle, Gan Kunliang pushes Liu Yongjuan, and she hits her head and falls unconscious.
At the hospital, Gan Yang is beside himself with worry. Long Mei reveals that Liu Yongjuan has been sick for a while but kept it a secret to protect Gan Yang. The doctor says the surgery was successful, but Liu Yongjuan has brain damage and they don't know when she'll wake up.
Gan Yang sits by his mom's bedside, remembering how she took on everything after his dad was arrested. They were broke, but she always made sure he had the best. He remembers her teaching him to run and how he vowed to protect her and make the company strong. Now, he blames himself for not protecting her.
Then, Gan Kunliang shows up at the hospital, not caring about Liu Yongjuan's condition. He demands that Gan Yang hand over the company seal, saying he wouldn't hurt her, but doesn't even look at her. When he finds out that Gan Yang is taking over the company, he threatens him with Ding Zhitong, saying no one can stop his plans. Gan Yang warns him to stay away from her. Gan Kunliang laughs, realizing that Gan Yang has something to be afraid of.
As if things weren't bad enough, Long Mei brings even worse news: Fang Shi Capital is demanding a buyback of 150 million yuan, and they only have two weeks. Gan Yang tells Long Mei to contact the bank for a loan. Other companies are calling for payments. Gan Yang handles everything and calls Wang Yi to put him in charge of R&D, knowing he won't be back in Shanghai anytime soon.
Outside the hospital, Gan Yang doesn't know how to tell Ding Zhitong what's going on. Ding Zhitong calls, asking when he's coming back to Shanghai. Gan Yang almost tells her he's not coming back, but he lies and says his mom is sick and he needs to stay and take care of her. Ding Zhitong asks about Liu Yongjuan, and Gan Yang downplays the situation, telling her not to come. He promises to be back in two months. Ding Zhitong tells him she'll pick him up from the station when he returns. Gan Yang's eyes fill with tears, and he's overwhelmed with longing for her.
So, yeah, episode 15 is a rollercoaster! Family drama, financial crises, and forbidden love – what's not to love? Stay tuned for more!
