Episode 4 of "Motel California" kicks off with Kang-hee in a desperate bid to halt Yeon-soo's wedding, only to realize that Yeon-soo has moved past her following Kang-hee's abrupt rejection. A heated altercation with the bride ensues, and Kang-hee awakens from a nightmare, her heart pounding. She seeks Ah-reum's counsel, pondering what might transpire if she were to revisit Hana-eup. Ah-reum, reassuringly noting their respective partnerships, opines that Kang-hee and Yeon-soo would be just fine if she did return. Yet, Kang-hee stands firm in her refusal.
Contradictory to her earlier stance, the subsequent scene finds Kang-hee dashing to the office, declaring her intention to accept the job. Ironically, Jung-goo's unforeseen car accident indirectly propels Kang-hee and Seok-kyung into taking on the assignment regardless. En route, Kang-hee instructs Seok-kyung to refrain from addressing her by her name during their visit. He complies, opting for the formal "Ms. Manager."
Upon arriving at the client's location, a stunning revelation unfolds: it is none other than Motel California. Kang-hee strides into the motel, feigning an initial encounter with her father. Chun-pil plays along, albeit taken aback when Seok-kyung reveals that Kang-hee had informed him of her father's demise when she was ten.
The meeting proceeds, with Seok-kyung elaborating on their strategy to rebrand the motel as an "Otel," blurring the lines between hotels and motels. Chun-pil watches his daughter at work with evident pride. He excuses himself momentarily, his mind drifting back to when he shared his plans with Kang-hee about purchasing the adjacent space to add a pool and a jazz bar—details that Kang-hee had just recounted to him. He then rejoins the designers, endorsing their proposals.
Kang-hee departs, her thoughts turning to her father's whimsical alteration of the Motel California neon signs to read "Otel," fueled by his lifelong aspiration to own a hotel. She and Seok-kyung inspect the site for the new motel before heading to their overnight accommodation at another hotel. It is here that fate throws a curveball, as they unexpectedly cross paths with Yeon-soo and Nan-woo.
As Yeon-soo carefully carries Nan-woo out, Kang-hee catches sight of him and promptly continues on her way. Intrigued, Yeon-soo dashes after her, inquiring about her presence in town. She responds matter-of-factly, intending to quietly conclude her work at the motel and depart. The motel, she assures, will be ready to welcome guests by Christmas Day.
Later, Seok-kyung's realization dawns that Yeon-soo was once Kang-hee's first love. To Yeon-soo, she confides, he was her savior. A nostalgic flashback transports us to Yeon-soo's arrival at school as a new transfer student. Little Kang-hee, spotting potential in him, swiftly enlists him onto her team, turning him into a formidable shield against bullies. Another Recollections of a mature yeon soo confessing his long standing affection for her, a sentiment that blossomed from their very first encounter at school.
In the present, Yeon-soo comes to terms with the fact that the entire town is privy to Kang-hee's involvement in the motel project. Overhearing construction workers gossip about her only confirms this. Han-woo and Seung-eon, too, have heard whispers about Seok-kyung's alleged involvements in gambling or drugs, leaving Yeon-soo visibly concerned.
Spotting Seok-kyung driving off, Yeon-soo jumps into his truck and tails him. Seok-kyung notices a dog chained beside the road and stops to set it free. Yeon-soo lends a helping hand and agrees to take the dog to his clinic. At the eleventh hour, he decides against confronting Seok-kyung about the rumors, opting instead to inquire about Kang-hee's constant sunglasses – could they be hiding bruises? Seok-kyung chuckles, reassuring Yeon-soo that they certainly are not.
Meanwhile, Kang-hee, having witnessed Yeon-soo's departure, makes her way to his clinic. She engages in conversation with Nan-woo and playsfully interacts with Yeon-soo's cat, Kkam-hee. Nan-woo captures this heartwarming moment on video, featuring Kang-hee and the cat. Upon Yeon-soo's return and successful treatment of the dog, Nan-woo shares the video with him, prompting Yeon-soo to bolt out in search of Kang-hee. He even seeks information from Ah-reum, who reveals that townsfolk have been flocking to the construction site daily, eager for a glimpse of her.
Elsewhere, Seok-kyung is engaged in a shopping spree for fresh attire alongside Esther. As Esther deduces that Seok-kyung has chosen to remain in Hana-eup despite having no obligation to do so, she concludes that he harbors feelings for Kang-hee. Meanwhile, Kang-hee finds herself at a restaurant, drowning her sorrows in soju while lamenting over how perfectly Nan-woo suits Yeon-soo.
Yeon-see, engrossed once again in watching the cat video, is abruptly interrupted by a call from his friend, prompting him to rush to the restaurant. There, he discovers Han-woo and Seung-eon enjoying their meal, while Kang-hee lies slumbering across the table. The restaurant owner had previously alerted Han-woo to Kang-hee's condition. When Yeon-soo takes a seat beside her, Kang-hee eventually finds herself nestled asleep in his lap, leaving him utterly flustered and embarrassed.
Unaware of Kang-hee's intended lodging, the trio decides to bring her back to the motel. Yeon-soo gently carries her there and tucks her into bed, but she clung tightly to his hoodie, refusing to let go. He sits beside the bed, and at one point, she awakens, accusing him of breaking his promise and seeing other women.
Meanwhile, Seok-kyung notices Kang-hee's absence from the construction site and becomes concerned. He heads to the police station, where the officer utilizes the town's group chat to learn that Kang-hee had been drinking heavily at a restaurant. He also hears rumors that she was taken away by the local "gangsters" – a nickname for Kang-hee's close-knit group of friends, unbeknownst to Seok-kyung. In a fit of anger and worry, he rushes to the motel and causes a scene until Yeon-soo arrives to clarify the truth about Chun-pil being Kang-hee's father.
The next morning, Kang-hee awakens, horrified by the memories of the previous night. As she exits her room, she finds Seok-kyung asleep outside the door. They proceed to have breakfast together, where the construction workers are also gathered. In the middle of the meal, Yeon-soo has to abruptly leave for a job, prompting the workers to chat about his impressive earnings and his relationship with Nan-woo.
Later, at the workplace, Seok-kyung reveals that he has uncovered the reason behind Kang-hee's abrupt change of heart about visiting them. It was her curiosity about Nan-woo that had driven her. As Seok-kyung needs to check on the dog he had left with Yeon-soo, Kang-hee decides to accompany him to the vet clinic. Upon Yeon-soo's return from work, Kang-hee witnesses Nan-woo doting on him, and they engage in light conversation before departing. Seok-kyung then inquiries if Kang-hee feels reassured now that she knows Nan-woo is a decent person. Kang-hee responds by suggesting that he must be inexperienced in matters of the heart.
Some time later, Kang-hee enjoys an ice cream when Nan-woo and Yeon-soo happen to enter the same shop. She quickly hides behind her table and slips out unnoticed. Sitting alone on a bench, she finds herself sobbing and venting her frustration. Just then, Yeon-soo strolls by and asks her what's wrong. She replies, still tearful, that he has truly changed—a poignant moment from the fourth episode of Motel California.
