Blossoms Shanghai Episode 12 Recap
> Blossoms Shanghai Recap
The San Yang T-shirt sales broke ten million, leading to A Bao appearing on television and Wang Mingzhu receiving an award banner. Mei Ping, having been rebuffed by Wei Hongqing, received client introductions and encouragement from Fan Xinhua. During this time, Mei Ping unexpectedly observed A Bao and Li Li together, laughing and walking away, which prompted her to depart abruptly, pondering Wang Mingzhu's potential reaction. A Bao returned a catfish to Li Li, persistently asking for its significance.
To avoid drawing gossip from the Huanghe Road restaurant owners, Li Li suggested they dine at another restaurant (Xin Lan Ju). There, Li Li explicitly proposed that A Bao assist her in entering the stock market, clarifying that her ambition extended beyond merely running a restaurant and that she had deliberately involved A Bao. She inquired if A Bao feared she would become another Jin Fenghuang, which A Bao denied.
A Bao advised her against the stock market, sharing the cautionary tale of Sheng Si Gongzi, who lost his entire Huanghe Road properties over a single mahjong game, and warned her of the highly competitive and "gambling" nature of Huanghe Road.
Li Li realized A Bao's pretense of not knowing Jin Fenghuang mirrored her own pretense of not knowing A-Mr., understanding that he was upset about her lack of knowledge concerning A-Mr. After dinner, A Bao walked Li Li back to Zhi Zhen Yuan. They walked silently, one behind the other. Upon their arrival, Li Li confidently stated that A Bao would eventually seek her out.
Subsequently, A Bao returned to Li Li's residence to give back an umbrella before walking home in the rain. Mei Ping then exaggerated the details of A Bao and Li Li's interaction to Wang Mingzhu, advising her not to let A Bao slip away. Though Wang Mingzhu verbally dismissed being angry, her actions betrayed her true feelings, as she spoke to herself in the elevator, unable to directly confront A Bao.
Wang Mingzhu proceeded to the Heping Hotel to confront A Bao, but he was not there. Ye Shu encountered Wang Mingzhu and informed her that Fan Xinhua was undertaking direct sales independently, bypassing A Bao. Angered, Wang Mingzhu directly confronted Fan Xinhua at Zhi Zhen Yuan, accusing him of ingratitude and "burning bridges." Fan Xinhua desperately offered excuses, claiming he had not acted immorally and intended to preserve A Bao's reputation.
Wang Mingzhu reminded Fan Xinhua that she had secured export quotas for him specifically out of respect for A Bao. Terrified, Fan Xinhua repeatedly apologized. As she departed, Wang Mingzhu instructed Manager Pan and Minmin to warn Li Li to focus solely on her restaurant and not to use A Bao's name for personal branding or "bother" him. Feeling agitated, Wang Mingzhu sat at a cigarette stall. Wei Hongqing paid the stall owner for gossip concerning Huanghe Road.
Lu Meilin eagerly detailed the love triangle involving A Bao, Li Li, and Wang Mingzhu. Wei Hongqing publicly declared his willingness to be Wang Mingzhu's supporter. Ye Shu advised A Bao to treat Wang Mingzhu kindly and not to hurt her feelings, reminding him that her assistance was crucial to his current success. Ye Shu noted that this was Wang Mingzhu's first time expressing concern over a "woman's matter," indicating profound feelings.
A Bao sought to apologize by pre-ordering Wang Mingzhu's favorite pork chop rice cakes. When they met, Wang Mingzhu immediately pressed A Bao about his relationship with Li Li. They argued, with A Bao offering numerous explanations, but Wang Mingzhu demanded he sever ties with Li Li, declaring she would rather follow him and sell tea eggs. Wang Mingzhu then slammed the door and left.
A Bao reflected on their many years of acquaintance, realizing he considered her a true confidante, and felt a profound mix of emotions. Wang Mingzhu returned to her company, reminiscing about her first meeting with A Bao and her ambition to achieve Jin Hua's position. A Bao sought help from Tao Tao concerning Wang Mingzhu.
However, Tao Tao, who was frequently beaten by A Fang whenever she was upset, was too preoccupied with his own troubles and asked A Bao to accompany him to see Xiao A Sao, a request A Bao refused. The next morning, Ye Shu woke a sleeping A Bao, informing him that Wang Mingzhu had cried all night and intended to resign to Jin Hua. A Bao was stunned and immediately called Wang Mingzhu. Mei Ping answered the phone.
Upon learning Wang Mingzhu was heading to Jin Hua, A Bao rushed to the Foreign Trade General Company. Before Wang Mingzhu could officially submit her resignation to Jin Hua, the Organization Department summoned her for questioning. Jin Hua had searched for Wang Mingzhu unsuccessfully earlier, then gave documents to Mei Ping to pass to a colleague and instruct Wang Mingzhu to report to the Organization Department.
Mei Ping casually inquired if it was for a promotion to section chief, which Jin Hua confirmed. Mei Ping was immediately consumed by resentment and promptly informed Jin Hua, warning her to be careful, that Wang Mingzhu had received expensive "golden pearl earrings" from A Bao. A Bao arrived at the Foreign Trade General Company, asking Jin Hua to reject Wang Mingzhu's resignation.
Jin Hua informed A Bao that Wang Mingzhu faced a much larger issue than just resignation and advised him to maintain distance from her. At the Organization Department, Wang Mingzhu, mistakenly believing she was being promoted, proudly recounted her achievements. During the questioning, she discovered she had been reported for receiving a car from A Bao and a valuable pair of earrings. Wang Mingzhu clarified that she had purchased the car herself and paid for the earrings.
However, the Organization Department had already sent representatives to Ling Hong's shop to inquire about the price. Earlier, Ye Shu had instructed A Bao to call Ling Zi and tell her not to speak nonsense. Ling Zi rushed to Ling Hong, but officials from the Foreign Trade Company had already reached Ling Hong first. Ling Hong falsely claimed the earrings were worth 26,000 yuan. Ling Zi was shocked, realizing she had inadvertently harmed Wang Mingzhu.
Despite Wang Mingzhu's explanations, the Organization Department disbelieved her, dismissing her and transferring her out of the Textile Department, causing her to lose her promotion opportunity. Increasingly angry, Wang Mingzhu returned to her office to pack her belongings. Mei Ping approached her, feigning concern. When Wang Mingzhu did not respond, Mei Ping deliberately implied her actions were for Wang Mingzhu's own good, suggesting Wang Mingzhu harbored a one-sided romantic fantasy. Colleagues began to gossip.
Wang Mingzhu attempted to physically confront Mei Ping but was stopped by Jin Hua, who also expressed disbelief in Wang Mingzhu's claims. A Bao wanted to explain the earring situation to Jin Hua, but Ye Shu advised him not to exacerbate the situation. A Bao called the Foreign Trade Company, learned Wang Mingzhu was absent, and correctly guessed she had gone to eat pork chop rice cakes.
Ye Shu again advised A Bao not to meet Wang Mingzhu for now, as it would only harm her further, emphasizing that A Bao needed to obtain the invoice to prove the earrings were not as expensive as reported. A Bao called the rice cake shop to comfort Wang Mingzhu, urging her not to rush things. Wang Mingzhu, worried about implicating A Bao, refused to meet him, though A Bao promised to clarify the situation with Jin Hua.
A Bao then tracked down Ling Hong, demanding the original purchase invoice for the pearl earrings. Ling Hong claimed she had thrown it away, but A Bao insisted she find it by tomorrow.
