Episode 4 begins with a flashback to Ja-yeon’s time in school. She and Ha-jun are both in the same grade and end up being penalized together. Ha Jun is extremely supportive of her, assisting in alleviating her punishment. I believe it’s when she begins to develop emotions for him. Next, they witness Hae-yeong arriving at school in punk attire and with red hair. She’s serving as Ja-yeon’s guardian while her mother is ill.
The teacher, who also taught Hae-yeong, advises Ja-yeon to concentrate on her studies rather than writing stories. Although Hae-yeong emphasizes they are not biological siblings, she predicts Ja-yeon might achieve great success as an author.
Currently, Ha-jun and Ja-yeon meet up at a restaurant. He requests to see her writings but Ja-yeon hesitates to show them, for clearly understandable reasons. Ha-jun is interrupted before she can clarify by receiving a text from Gyu-hyun and leaves. Despite her excitement, he leaves his card with her.
At the same time, Hae-yeong and Ji-uk have come to terms with the fact that they will have to spend the night at the hotel. Upon discovering that Ji-uk has never been to a hotel, she assumes and offers to give him advice for his first night in a hotel with someone. Ji-uk wonders if the kiss was insufficient.
During a flashback to the wedding, it is seen that despite Hae-yeong’s request to exclude it, the bride and groom are still required to kiss. Right when they are about to kiss, Hae-yeong’s mother’s dementia flares up and she mentions needing to leave to see her son at home. Hae-yeong takes advantage of the distraction to finish up what she was doing.
Currently, Ji-uk pushes her onto the bed and claims to be well-versed in the matter despite never having stayed in a hotel before. Hae-yeong shows no reaction as she pulls him closer without hesitation, then pushes him away and instructs him to go take a shower. After he leaves, we can truly observe the extent of her agitation as she declares herself Buddha for being able to resist him.
In another place, Gyu-hyun is still deeply affected by Ja-yeon’s book, which is penned by Yeon Bo-ra. To the extent that he’s currently in the hospital receiving fluids through an IV. He also presents the novel to Ha-jun, disclosing that it was his mother who had been reading it. He admits that he, too, was unaware of how he managed to post extremely negative comments on all of the writer’s novels.
In the hotel room, Hae-yeong and Ji-uk are tallying up the money. When Hae-yeong expresses doubt in his ability to count the cash by himself, he appears to take it personally. She claims that it’s due to her lack of knowledge about his personal life. He reveals that his mother is the one residing in Canada. However, she has her own relatives in that location and his grandmother’s final request was for him to avoid going there as it may create problems for his mother.
While at home, Ja-yeon discovers that a person with the username LuckYou is leaving disparaging remarks on her book. Initially, she is unfazed as it is a regular happening for her, but when she comes across these specific comments, she becomes frightened and anxious, leading her to turn off the machine.
The following day, Hae-yeong finds herself at the airport. Ji-uk arrived by himself since Yi-lin observed them boarding the airport bus as a pair. He inquires about the reason for her absence on the planned vacation with her mother. She claims to love her mother, yet she doesn’t care for her as she placed higher importance on other things. Afterward, she offers Ji-uk some money and proposes that he consider going to Canada, recommending that he pursue the life he desires instead of following his grandmother’s wishes. She expresses her desire for his well-being and refers to him as her husband. When he inquires why she continues to refer to him as her husband, she answers that it is because they are a family. She shows off her wedding ring while she makes that statement.
Upon boarding the flight, Hae-yeong discovers a signed envelope from Ji-uk in her purse. Enclosed is a sum of money along with a letter expressing his well wishes for her happiness and success—a gesture akin to a wedding present. During a scene from the past, he is seen composing the letter as Hae-yeong drifted off to sleep.
Three months later, the setting changes! Hae-yeong won the top prize, first place, in the company competition, while Woo-jae came in second even though he took her idea.
Ja-yeon has formally agreed to a contract for an audio adaptation of her online novel, Spice Up Our Love. She is informed by her editor that their lawyer will be delivering legal documents to the individual who made ‘those comments’ about her book on the very same day. While she was departing, she noticed Eun Sung’s boyfriend, Mr. Yun Tae, giving a ride to the audio script writer. At the same time, Gyu-hyun is paid a furious visit by his parents after being brought to the police station because of hateful comments. He is instructed to resolve the issue quietly.
Because of this, Gyu-hyun can’t make it to the company contest awards ceremony, where a hall filled with employees is eagerly anticipating his presence. Naturally, this is disappointing for Hae Yeong since she was excited about receiving the award directly from the CEO. Following the ceremony, the staff members leave for a team dinner. Hae-yeong’s coworker suggests she should bring her husband along, but she avoids the invitation by saying he’s in Canada visiting his parents.
While heading back home, she makes a quick stop at the store to visit Ji-uk; however, she confuses a new staff member for him. (Byeon Woo Seok’s Cameo!) It appears that she has been confusing this new employee with Ji-uk for three months. She is angry because Ji-uk resigned without informing her. At the same time, Ji-uk is seen sitting beside Hae-yeong’s mother at the nursing facility.
The following day, Hae-yeong tidies up baby’s mess in the house. However, she has not laid eyes on the cat in several days. Hae-yeong complains to Hui-seong about Ji-uk ignoring her.
At the station, Gyu-hyun wears shabby clothes, making him appear like a jobless person, and no one acknowledges him as the CEO. Having acknowledged the defamation accusations, he exits the police station. Ja-yeon, who had been observing the whole time, charges towards him but ultimately tumbles down. While attempting to assist her, he notices her phone displaying her pseudonym in a message, causing concern for Ja-yeon. She flees.
Hae-yeong receives an urgent phone call from Ja-yeon and rushes to assist. While waiting at the police station, she spots and identifies Gyu-hyun when Ha Jun comes to collect him. However, he handles it with composure and even organizes a informal awards presentation for her. Hae-yeong discovers Ja-yeon concealed in a telephone booth. She retrieves her phone from the police because Gyu Hun brought it back to her. On their return journey, Hae-yeong advises Ja-yeon that she ought to have informed them about the situation. Ja Yeon expresses her fear of how a seemingly normal and kind person could commit such a terrible act against her. In another location, Ji-uk is strolling past the nursing home late at night when an unknown man emerges from a vehicle and calls out to him.
The following day at work, Hae-yeong and her colleagues are arranging their new office space. In the meantime, Ha-jun decided to take a day off in order to meet Ja-yeon. Gyu-hyun descends the stairs to meet this ‘friend’ and is surprised to see Ja-yeon.
Hae-yeong proceeds to a coffee shop to get coffee for her team. Upon her return, she notices a cluster of fresh recruits in the workplace. One of them is Ji-uk. She becomes immobile with surprise. At the conclusion of Episode 4 of No Gain No Love, he approaches her and confesses that he has been missing her.
Amazing. There is much to discover in this episode. Besides the amazing chemistry, I am intrigued about Ji UK’s history and the secrets he may be keeping. I believe he could be the illegitimate son of Gyu Hun’s father. In any case, we will observe.