Episode 3 of "No Gain, No Love" kicks off with a grand revelation from Ji-uk at the chic dress shop, leaving everyone, Hae-yeong included, agape at his stunning transformation in suits. Yi-lin lingers on, enthralled, until Ji-uk finally settles on the perfect attire.
As the group inquisitively probes into the origins of Ji-uk and Hae-yeong's acquaintance, Ji-uk reveals a childhood bond that binds them. However, Hae-yeong's envy boils over, chastising Ji-uk for his effortless charm. Their heated discussion is abruptly halted by a surprise cameo from Kim Jung-eun, reprising her role as Geum-ju from "Strong Girl Bong-soon," adding a touch of the unexpected to the scene.
Seeking refuge from the tension, the duo retreats to a cozy café. Over coffee, Ji-uk confides that his grandmother's wisdom had instilled in him the virtue of humility, admonishing him against leveraging his good looks. In turn, Hae-yeong unburdens herself, confessing that Woo-jae's six-month betrayal still lingers. Her curiosity piqued, she inquires about Ji-uk's uncanny recall of her personal life, which he humorously attributes to her animated storytelling at the store.
Meanwhile, Woo-jae finds himself preoccupied with thoughts of Hae-yeong and Ji-uk's growing bond. Yi-lin's casual observation that Hae-yeong fits Woo-jae's romantic ideal is met with a dismissive brush-off, though Woo-jae's denial rings hollow.
Amidst the grandeur of their chaebol mansion, Gyu-hyun valiantly attempts to sway his mother's stance against unmarried women on his team, but her steadfast opposition, rooted in her father's past infidelities, remains unyielding. Arriving at work, Gyu-hyun encounters Hae-yeong dispensing wedding gifts, their exchange tinged with polite camaraderie before he entrusts Ha-jun with the task of attending her wedding on his behalf.
As Hae-yeong steps into a meeting room, she discovers that Yi-lin has ignited a buzz about Ji-uk's dapper appearance, prompting inquiries into the proposal and the elusive ring. Yi-lin deftly navigates the inquiries with vague, yet cunning, responses. However, the realization dawns that a wedding video, capturing their love story and the pivotal moment of the proposal, has become a societal norm, necessitating its creation.
As twilight descended, Hae-yeong ventured to the store, beseeching Ji-uk to be part of an elaborate proposal spectacle. Despite tempting him with the prospect of caring for their beloved feline, 'Kitty,' Ji-uk steadfastly declined, turning down the offer even in the amused presence of two giggling students. Defeated but undaunted, Hae-yeong resorted to filming herself with a selfie stick, only to receive scathing critiques from Hui-seong and Ja-yeon, who deemed her gaze devoid of life.
Back in the confines of his cozy yet cramped apartment, Ji-uk's phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Yu-kyung, who persisted in their calls. Ji-uk tersely replied, expressing his reluctance to embark on a foreign journey, revealing his impending nuptials as a means to deter further entreaties.
Determined, Hae-yeong indulged in a solo shopping spree, purchasing a wedding ring for herself and renting one for Ji-uk. Her errand to fetch a package for Ja-yeon led her into an unexpected predicament—trapped within the store's confines as the lights flickered off. Guided by a trail of twinkling fairy lights, she stumbled upon a heartfelt message crafted from Hae-yeong's favorite jelly cups, the words "Marry Me" illuminated in sweet surprise. Accompanied by a toy train chugging along, offering a miniature ring, the scene transformed into a whimsical proposal.
Emerging from the shadows, Ji-uk confessed that he had stocked up on Hae-yeong's beloved jellies, knowing they were soon to be discontinued. With tenderness and sincerity, he asked for her hand in marriage, and to his delight, she eagerly accepted. As they worked together to restore the store to its former order, Ji-uk confessed that a Canadian acquaintance had been urging him to relocate, but this marriage served as a tactful deterrent. Hae-yeong, understanding yet playful, urged him to devise a grander proposal should their union ever transcend this charade, teasingly warning him to steer clear of women who demanded designer frivolities for such occasions—a sly nod to their own unconventional beginnings.
