Episode 3 of A Virtuous Business brings intense drama and poignant revelations that further develop Jeong-suk’s journey. This episode opens with the neighborhood in shock over a scandalous graffiti attack on Jeong-suk’s wall. Instead of receiving support, Jeong-suk’s landlord reprimands her, seeing her business as disgraceful. Jeong-suk’s mother, Bok-sun, arrives, only to deepen this sentiment by viewing Jeong-suk’s business in the same negative light. However, Jeong-suk stands her ground, arguing that her estranged husband, Seong-su, is the real villain in her life, not her business.
The scandal reaches the police station, prompting Officer Da-hyun to check on Jeong-suk. He finds her purchasing paint to cover the graffiti and takes her statement, suspecting a grudge is involved. He helps her clean the graffiti just in time before Min-ho arrives home
As tensions rise, Bok-sun refuses to babysit Min-ho in the evenings, leaving Jeong-suk struggling with her work-life balance. Meanwhile, Min-ho develops a bond with Dong-u, Ju-ri’s son, at school. Ju-ri offers to help by watching Min-ho, providing Jeong-suk a much-needed lifeline.
Da-hyun follows a lead involving Son Beom-su, a local who purchased paint the previous night, but this turns out to be a dead end. Jeong-suk, along with friends Geum-hui and Young-bok, takes a break from work, only to be approached by Park In-tae, who proposes Jeong-suk host parties at his place. During their conversation, In-tae shares issues about his relationship with Seong Mi-hwa, which catches Jeong-suk off guard.
Back home, Min-ho receives a guilt-inducing letter and a toy robot from his father, Seong-su. Though Jeong-suk tries to stay composed, these reminders sting. Later, Ju-ri’s packed schedule prevents her from watching Min-ho, forcing Jeong-suk to handle her next party at In-tae and Mi-hwa’s house. Here, Jeong-suk is haunted by thoughts of her husband and Mi-hwa’s intimate past. The evening takes a distressing turn when Min-ho goes missing after In-tae leaves to buy snacks.
Da-hyun is notified of the situation, and Jeong-suk, alongside the police, frantically searches for Min-ho as night falls. Bok-sun’s arrival brings a bitter confrontation, with Bok-sun accusing Jeong-suk of shameless behavior. Jeong-suk defends herself but is slapped in return. Da-hyun suggests Min-ho might be at Seong-su’s former workplace, the factory. His hunch is correct—Min-ho is found sleeping outside, hoping to speak with the CEO about his father’s job. Jeong-suk wraps him up, and Da-hyun reassures her that she’s not alone in her fears.
With Min-ho safe, Jeong-suk’s spirits lift as payday arrives. Yet, her happiness is dampened when she locks eyes with her mother, who is also facing a painful past. Bok-sun confronts the trauma of infidelity with her ex-husband, Yong-deok, who publicly flaunts his mistress. Jeong-suk eventually reaches out to her mother with an umbrella in the rain, leading Bok-sun to reveal her pain over Yong-deok’s betrayal and abandonment.
Through her mother’s story, Jeong-suk gains a deeper understanding of Bok-sun’s tough love. Back home, she reflects on these wounds, both her mother’s and her own, realizing the sacrifices they have endured. In a gesture of empathy, Jeong-suk gifts Bok-sun a beautiful shirt, offering her a chance to feel renewed.
In Episode 4 of A Virtuous Business, the plot thickens as Officer Da-hyun discovers the culprit behind the scandalous graffiti on Jeong-suk’s wall. After examining the forensic report left on his desk, he identifies Tae-sik, a local man with a grudge against Jeong-suk’s business, due to his belief that she’s a bad influence on his wife. Jeong-suk stands her ground, insisting on an apology from Tae-sik before leaving, saddened by how her once-close relationships have soured.
Meanwhile, Ju-ri faces pressure from the ambitious Ms. Heo Young-ja, wife of a powerful chairman, who insists on raising Ju-ri’s rent due to the prime location. Though frustrated, Ju-ri stays optimistic thanks to her son Dong-u’s encouragement, leading her to join Jeong-suk in selling the Fantasy Lingerie line.
As Da-hyun resolves the civil case with his superior, tensions build at the station. His boss, Seong-jae, speculates that Jeong-suk is settling out of fear, but Da-hyun defends her resilience, earning him some alienation from his colleagues. Later, as his coworkers go out for dinner without him, Da-hyun remains behind, absorbed in his case work.
The next day, Jeong-suk and her friends strategize their sales approach, deciding to conduct a customer survey. Despite resistance from locals, they persist, with Da-hyun even agreeing to fill out a survey, though he grows shy when Jeong-suk asks about personal preferences. This lighthearted exchange further fuels their connection, while the rest of the team encounters backlash from townsfolk planning a meeting to shut down Jeong-suk’s business.
When gossip spreads that Seong-su left Jeong-suk because she’s “cold” and “stubborn,” Da-hyun watches Jeong-suk take out her frustration on a punching bag, silently admiring her strength. Driven to succeed despite local judgment, Jeong-suk sets up an outdoor stand with her friends, offering free drinks and surveys. Facing her detractors, she firmly explains her need to support herself without hurting anyone. Her authenticity sways some onlookers, even earning a few detective survey takers.
That night, Da-hyun shares a poignant line with Jeong-suk: “People who persevere after pain that could destroy them tend to succeed.” His words hold deeper meaning, touching on Jeong-suk’s challenges. As cherry blossom petals fall, Da-hyun is captivated by her strength and determination.
Episodes 3 and 4 of A Virtuous Business take us deeper into Jeong-suk’s journey, spotlighting her resilience as she faces community backlash and personal hardships while building her unconventional business. In Episode 3, the graffiti incident exposes the neighborhood’s judgmental attitudes, testing Jeong-suk’s patience and leading to growing tensions with her family. As she navigates hurtful rumors and limited support, Da-hyun steps in as her steadfast ally, offering protection and encouragement that hints at a blossoming connection.
Episode 4 raises the stakes, revealing hidden motives behind the sabotage, as well as Ju-ri’s financial struggles and her decision to join Jeong-suk’s business venture. Despite the local hostility, Jeong-suk’s determination shines, especially in her bold confrontation with town gossips. Da-hyun’s role grows too, as he empathizes with Jeong-suk and shares wisdom that brings them closer. The episodes skillfully weave in themes of independence, friendship, and courage, with a cliffhanger that hints at Da-hyun’s unresolved past trauma, adding intrigue to his character and setting up an exciting path forward.