Shine On Me- Episodes 13-16

When Avoidance Fails and Feelings Clock In for Overtime

Episode 13 opens quietly, with Xiguang back in the countryside helping her grandmother pick vegetables, but even among the earth and winter air, romance finds its way into the conversation. Her grandmother reminds her to choose a boyfriend carefully, someone responsible, someone worthy. The advice echoes in Xiguang’s mind, instantly bringing her back to Lin Yusen’s words: that she is excellent, and that being pursued shouldn’t feel like a burden.

Her grandmother then lets slip a deeply touching truth, she and Grandpa have been secretly saving money just for Xiguang, insisting on taking it from her father so it won’t ever end up in the wrong hands. Over a cozy, wood-fired meal, Grandma launches into a no-holds-barred critique of Nie Chengyuan’s arrogance, while praising Jiang Yun as kind but too decent. In true grandma fashion, she declares that men aren’t meant to be reasoned with but “managed,” and even offers to teach Xiguang her ways, once she has a boyfriend. Xiguang can only laugh, knowing exactly who comes to mind.

Back at Shuangyuan, her anxiety kicks in the moment she returns. After a heavy snowfall, employees are sent to clear the photovoltaic panels, and Xiguang throws herself into the work with almost alarming intensity, clearly using physical labor to avoid emotional confrontation. Yin Jie notices immediately, joking that Xiguang looks like she’s being chased by a ghost.

At a meeting soon after, Lin Yusen suggests making the company’s annual gala more relaxed, even floating prizes like a full week of paid leave. Naturally, Xiguang and Yin Jie are assigned to scout venues and buy prizes, forcing Xiguang right back into Lin’s orbit. Yin Jie bluntly calls out her strange behavior since returning from Shanghai: the foot-staring in elevators, the overworking, the very obvious avoidance. Xiguang barely has time to respond before Dr. Fang calls and invites her to dinner.

What Xiguang assumes will be a normal meal turns into a full-on exposure session. Dr. Fang gleefully “tattles,” revealing Lin Yusen’s long game, from lingering at the hospital under the excuse of consulting on surgeries, to orchestrating the wedding invitation just to keep her close. He even complains that Lin hung up on him, declaring him “heartless,” and joking that Xiguang must be extremely picky if she can’t accept someone this devoted.

When dinner ends, Lin Yusen arrives as planned. He refuses to let Xiguang pay, calmly stating that since he’s already laid his cards on the table, he won’t let her foot the bill. Walking home together, Xiguang admits she knows about his “schemes” and realizes he’s far more straightforward than she ever gave him credit for. In a moment of unfiltered honesty, she blurts out that maybe things would’ve been easier if she’d met him first, then immediately regrets saying it.

Noticing her exhaustion, Lin apologizes for how abrupt his confession was. They agree to stop avoiding each other, and just like that, Lin invites her to “overtime”, this time at the construction site for Phase Two. There, he asks for her opinion as a shareholder about a vacant plot of land. Xiguang proposes transforming the rigid industrial space into a photovoltaic eco-garden: greenery, adjustable panels for shade, and even a small café for employees. Lin loves the idea and immediately puts her in charge.

Cue Xiguang’s newest struggle. Thrown into meetings with Engineering, she’s grilled about technical choices like BIPV versus BAPV systems. Determined not to fall behind, she spends her nights studying, flipping between the roles of demanding “client” and overworked “contractor,” as Yin Jie keenly observes.

To end the episode on a lighter note, the company announces a cafeteria contractor change. A tasting vote is planned, with two representatives drawn from each department. In Management, Lin Yusen casually joins the draw. Fate, of course, has a sense of humor, leaving only Lin and Xiguang at the end. Xiguang pulls the final slip, officially earning the title of the department’s designated “food lover.”

Avoidance may be over, but destiny? Clearly just getting started.

One Vote, One Flight, and One Very Clear Answer

What starts as a harmless cafeteria lottery quickly turns into yet another quiet victory for Lin Yusen’s unwavering pursuit. When the final slips are drawn and Nie Xiguang opens hers to find it completely blank, Lin doesn’t even bother checking his, he calmly announces that she’s won. The confidence. The audacity. Yin Jie clocks the moment instantly, but Xiguang waves it off as harmless boss-to-employee favoritism… for now.

Cafeteria tasting day brings coded dish names and very real chemistry. Lin shamelessly joins Xiguang’s table, claiming hunger, and his face, as his entry ticket. Their food preferences clash (sweet Wuxi flavors versus classic stir-fry), but when it comes time to vote, Lin hands the pen to Xiguang without hesitation. Even when her favorite doesn’t win, he’s already planning consolation dinners at the other restaurants. Casual. Thoughtful. Very much him.

Their conversation drifts from pork dishes to the PV greenery garden project, and Lin once again blurs the line between boss and suitor, telling Xiguang that since she’s technically the “boss,” she can decide everything herself. As for compensation? He’ll personally cover her overtime meals. Naturally. Yin Jie soon notices that with the cafeteria improving, Xiguang somehow ends up eating out even more.

Work ramps up as annual party prep begins, and Xiguang continues to quietly shine. She volunteers to take meeting minutes, helps streamline supplier evaluations, and impresses everyone with her thorough prep work. When Lin decides to personally inspect a glass factory in Guangzhou and brings Xiguang along, Yin Jie finally demands the truth. This time, Xiguang doesn’t dodge it. Remembering the fearless girl she used to be, she admits it plainly: Lin Yusen is courting her.

That night, she sends Lin a simple message, “Keep it up.” His delighted phone call response says everything: the revolution isn’t complete, but the policy has officially opened.

The business trip, however, comes with turbulence...literally. Xiguang’s fear of flying resurfaces, but once in Guangzhou, the work unfolds smoothly. They reassure Qicai Glass’s embittered owner, address old injustices tied to Shuangyuan’s disgraced purchasing head, and begin rebuilding trust.

After checking into a hotel complete with spa vouchers, Lin immediately gives his away just to spend more time with Xiguang. A quiet walk leads to an impromptu phone purchase, matching models, no less. When transferring data, Xiguang chooses to bring only her contacts forward, leaving the rest of her past behind. And the moment WeChat loads? Lin’s friend request is already there, waiting.

The episode closes on a softer, weightier note. Xiguang brings local dessert to Ms. Chen, who offers hard-earned advice about workplace politics and the dangers of rumor. Xiguang listens, but makes her stance clear. She and Lin will be open, and she will never allow the kind of slander Ms. Chen endured to happen again. It’s a promise spoken not like a junior employee, but like someone with authority and conviction.

Ms. Chen notices it too.
Xiguang isn’t just falling in love.
She’s stepping fully into her power.

Turbulence, Blind Boxes, and Love That Chooses Courage

Morning arrives with honesty on the table. Over breakfast, Nie Xiguang calmly tells Lin Yusen that Manager Chen already knows about them. Instead of panic, Lin feels relief, no more excuses, no more careful detours. Their time together can finally exist in daylight. Though he had planned a train ride back to spare Xiguang from flying, she surprises him with a braver choice.

After seeing Manager Chen and Wang Xin off at the airport, Xiguang admits the truth: she wants to face her fear of flying, partly for an upcoming family trip, but mostly because she wants one extra day, just one, of a proper Guangzhou “deep tour” with Lin Yusen. He agrees instantly, happily promoted to official guide and bag carrier.

Their date begins innocently with phone case shopping, where Lin reveals unexpectedly sharp bargaining skills and proudly secures a stack of discounted cases, including a rare “Guangzhou limited” one. His choice, a round, cheerful Sun Wukong, sparks a sweet exchange about childhood idols. Lin confesses to ranking heroes by strength and intelligence, while Xiguang insists she was mostly well-behaved… aside from rolling in mud and occasionally battling geese with tree branches. Love, it turns out, is built on these confessions.

Instead of sightseeing spots, Xiguang’s next request is pure her: a return visit to the Qicai Glass factory to study their PV garden. Hosted by Engineer Wei, she dives into questions about ground-source heat pumps and energy storage systems, even adding him on WeChat for follow-ups. When employees notice Lin carrying her bag, Xiguang jokingly explains their dynamic as a project responsibility system, she’s the lead, he’s the assistant.

Feeling out of her depth technically, Xiguang quietly resolves to study PV systems in secret. Lin, ever gentle, admits he’s done the same, cramming unfamiliar knowledge just to stay worthy of his position. The confession levels them. They end the night chasing a food map through the city, finishing with a late-night roast goose feast, savoring the luxury of a tomorrow without alarms.

At the airport, Lin unveils his “small surprise”: a bag full of local snacks they never got to try. Each one is meant to be a blind box, deployed during turbulence to distract Xiguang from fear. And when the plane shakes, she instinctively grabs his hand, letting go only after realizing what she’s done. He doesn’t tease. He just stays.

Back in Suzhou, Xiguang makes a quiet stop at Ping’an Temple alone. Feeling that her last wish came true too quickly, she wants to clarify the universe’s intentions. This time, she prays not for love, but for Lin Yusen’s safety, health, and presence. When she returns, Lin jokingly accuses her of looking guilty. She only smiles, calling it a “special prayer” just for him… and maybe, she adds lightly, a good prize at the annual party too.

Elsewhere, the industry reels as Rimang Energy defaults, but thanks to Zhuang Xu’s early warnings, Huaya Bank narrowly avoids disaster. Praise and apologies follow, yet that night, alone in his apartment, Zhuang Xu finds himself holding a poetry book and wondering, quietly, if Xiguang would have checked on him, if things had been different.

Back at Shengyuan, Xiguang presents two PV garden proposals. She favors the elegant but costly BIPV system, hesitating due to the market downturn. Lin encourages her to choose the higher standard, not just for appearances, but for people. For the staff. For the future.

The mood shifts when the CFO reveals a long-overdue payment from shareholder Yuan Cheng. Xiguang’s embarrassment cuts deep, she knows exactly who’s responsible. A call from Jiang Rui helps steady her. He reminds her not to shoulder corporate sins as personal failures, even as plans shift from an overseas trip to the Changbai Mountains.

The episode closes with a final twist of fate: their high school group chat lights up with news that many classmates will be visiting the same resort. A reunion looms; unplanned, unavoidable, and full of unresolved histories.

Love may have found its footing.
But the past is catching up.

Snowball Vacations, Shiny Jackets, and Standing Your Ground

The Changbai Mountains continue their quiet takeover of everyone’s holiday plans. After spotting Jiang Rui’s social media post about skiing there for the New Year, Zhuang Fei is instantly inspired. He pitches the idea to Zhuang Xu: use his year-end bonus to take their mother on a winter trip. Her health has been improving, she’s always loved the cold, and seeing real northern snow feels like the perfect gift. Zhuang Xu doesn’t hesitate, he agrees.

Over at the bank, Chris and the team are also plotting an escape, less for snow and more to dodge relentless marriage pressure from their families. Thailand and Hokkaido are briefly considered (Chris already has a Japanese visa, after all), but once Zhuang Xu mentions Changbai, the decision is made for them. With resorts rumored to rival Switzerland and France, the group enthusiastically books the same hotel as Zhuang Xu, turning the holiday into an accidental group trip.

Back in Suzhou, Nie Xiguang and the Management Department arrive at a hotel to prep for the company’s annual party, only for real-life drama to strike first. While moving equipment, A Ru accidentally collides with a man named Luo Ke, tearing his expensive, overseas-ordered jacket. Luo Ke explodes, loudly accusing her of being careless and demanding compensation.

Xiguang steps in immediately and freezes when she spots a familiar face in his group: Nianyuan, someone she knows from Wuxi. Though Nianyuan offers a token attempt at mediation, the group continues to sneer at the staff, openly mocking their ability to pay for luxury items. Calm but unyielding, Xiguang refuses to let A Ru be bullied and insists on checking hotel surveillance footage to determine responsibility. When a so-called peacemaker, Mr. Zhao, tries to smooth things over with a business card, Xiguang rejects it outright, sensing the performance for what it is.

The aftermath reveals a messier truth. Back home, Nianyuan vents to her mother, Qian Fangping, complaining that Nie Xiguang acted “pretentious.” It’s revealed that Nianyuan is Qian Fangping’s daughter, tying her directly to the long-standing wound in Xiguang’s family. Qian Fangping coolly advises her daughter to be smarter: stay on Nie Chengyuan’s good side, speak well of Xiguang, and don’t overstep. After all, one cold banquet encounter had already cost Nianyuan her place in his social introductions.

That night, Xiguang recounts the entire incident to Lin Yusen over dinner, admitting she might’ve acted impulsively. What if the surveillance showed A Ru at fault? How could she ever afford that jacket? Lin Yusen gently reassures her, standing up to bullies matters, and knowing when to push back is a strength, not a flaw. Their conversation softens into playful teasing, with Xiguang accusing him of using “psychological tactics” to squeeze more work out of her, and Lin hinting that his focus might not be entirely professional.

The next day brings the company’s annual party. Lin Yusen and Mr. Zhang write festive couplets for employees, while everyone anxiously awaits the lucky draw, especially the coveted seven days of paid leave. The Management Department, however, strikes out. Yin Jie and Wan Yuhua win only a 100-yuan consolation prize, prompting Xiguang to joke that they should’ve requested a couplet reading: “No Overtime Ever.”

As the night winds down, Lin offers to drive them home, but Yin Jie and Wan Yuhua tactfully walk ahead, gifting the couple a rare moment alone. Strolling through a glowing water street, Lin opens up about his New Year plans, Beijing, to see his mother, who lives in Switzerland and is visiting China for work. He casually mentions his father passed away years ago. When skiing comes up, he reveals his experience from Switzerland, then quietly admits something deeper: he used to rush through life, but slowing down, really getting to know someone, feels unexpectedly good.

On New Year’s Day, Xiguang returns to the countryside to visit her grandparents. The warmth of home quickly cools when Nie Chengyuan arrives late, having been seen with Qian Fangping and Nianyuan. Her grandfather is furious, recalling old betrayals tied to Nianyuan’s family. When Nie Chengyuan finally sits down, he brushes off the criticism and turns his scrutiny toward Xiguang instead.

He questions her career choices, dismisses the future of the solar industry, and urges her to return to Wuxi to intern at his company. At twenty-three, he says, it’s time to stop “drifting” and start making serious life decisions.

The episode closes with Xiguang caught between snowbound futures, unresolved family tensions, and a life she’s choosing for herself...step by steady step.

DramaZen's Opinion

Episodes 13–16 are that quietly addictive stretch where nothing feels loud, yet everything lands. The romance with Lin Yusen shifts into something warmer and steadier, less fireworks, more intent. From shared late nights and worksite “overtime,” to Guangzhou dates that mix tech talk with hand-holding turbulence snacks, their connection feels lived-in and sincere in the best way.

What really elevates these episodes is Nie Xiguang’s growth. Watching her stand her ground at work, protect her colleagues, face her fears (hello, flying), and still wrestle honestly with family pressure makes her feel achingly real. Lin Yusen doesn’t overshadow her; he supports, waits, and walks beside her, which somehow makes him even swoonier.

Meanwhile, the shadows of past relationships and messy family ties linger just enough to add tension without dragging the story down. By Episode 16, the drama has fully settled into its stride: soft romance, adult choices, and that comforting sense that love here isn’t rushed...it’s chosen.

Personally, I swear that Zhao Jin Mai can compliment any ML they throw at her. She seems to easily connect with her male lead no matter what c-drama she is starring in. I realized this after seeing her in "A Little Thing Called First love" and then again in "Amidst A Snowstorm of Love". I just love her as an actress!