Blossoms Shanghai Episode 16 Recap
> Blossoms Shanghai Recap
Before Yamamoto was discharged from the hospital, he gave A Bao a business card, extending an invitation for A Bao to visit Japan for business. A Bao later found himself facing numerous setbacks in Japan, with his seven-day visa nearing its expiration. He sought Yamamoto's help, but Yamamoto, busy in a meeting and pleased to see an old acquaintance, directed A Bao to wait for him at a Ginza club named Rie that evening.
A Bao struggled to enter the Ginza club due to language barriers and not being a member. Fortunately, he heard Ling Zi, a male from Shanghai who worked as a server at Rie, speaking Shanghainese and asked for assistance. Ling Zi, also from Shanghai, took A Bao through the back door into the luxurious club. A Bao handed his business card to the proprietress, who asked him to wait for Yamamoto.
However, Yamamoto was attending the opening ceremony of a top hostess's new establishment. As time passed, A Bao, worried about the cost and the delay, chose to wait outside or downstairs. Ling Zi, having informed him there was no charge, chased after him, urging him to wait inside. A Bao, needing to return to China the next day, was impatient and wanted to find Yamamoto at the new store.
Ling Zi, fearing reproach from the proprietress, could not reveal the address. Hearing A Bao hadn't eaten all day, Ling Zi took him to a food stall for ramen, while Ling Zi waited for Yamamoto at the intersection. Ling Hong, a waitress at the stall and Ling Zi's bestie, specifically served A Bao, secretly adding extra meat and side dishes as he was a compatriot. After eating, A Bao joined Ling Zi at the intersection.
His nose suddenly bled due to internal heat, and Ling Zi quickly offered him tissues. A Bao asked Ling Zi about his experiences in Japan, and Ling Zi bitterly recounted his struggles, vowing to return to China to open his own restaurant and become a boss. Ling Zi then gave A Bao a "luck card" or "lucky charm," assuring him he would definitely meet Yamamoto.
Ling Hong later believed that if Ling Zi had not given his luck to A Bao, Ling Zi would have already become wealthy and would not have ended up associating with Tao Tao and Ge Laoshi, both of whom thought highly of themselves. Yamamoto finally returned very late, drunk. He pulled A Bao to drink more, and after several rounds, promised to help A Bao with the embroidery machine matter.
A Bao, feeling relieved and drunk, was cared for by Ling Zi, who also translated. A Bao thanked Ling Zi for the luck and attempted to return the card, but Ling Zi declined, asking A Bao to treat him to dinner in Shanghai instead. Six months later, A Bao sent a letter to Ling Zi via Yamamoto. Ling Zi eagerly opened it, screaming with joy and repeatedly scrutinizing its contents in disbelief.
A Bao had opened a restaurant in Shanghai, inviting Ling Zi to be its manager and opening it in Ling Zi's name. Ling Zi's dream came true, and he was thrilled, rushing back to Shanghai to take the position. The San Yang brand became a celebrated Shanghai brand, and the Foreign Trade Corporation organized an awarding ceremony and celebration banquet. Jin Hua noticed A Bao's name was absent from the guest list and called Ye Shu for confirmation.
Ye Shu clarified that A Bao's foreign trade dealings were primarily out of consideration for Wang Mingzhu, and since it no longer concerned her, he would not attend the celebration. Li Li understood A Bao's reason for not attending, surmising he had "bigger fish" – Hong Kong. In July 1993, A Bao traveled to Hong Kong as a consultant for a clothing company's IPO to discuss business, specifically related to clothing.
At his hotel, the Peninsula Hotel, he unexpectedly encountered his ex-girlfriend, Xue Zhi. She was working as a hotel server, not the millionaire or female boss she had claimed to be. After Xue Zhi divorced in 1988 and returned to China, she had fabricated a beautiful story to avoid being mocked by relatives and did not want to return home to face ridicule. Xue Zhi had been following A Bao's business and reputation, expressing happiness at his success.
A Bao advised her to return to Shanghai for business, offering to help her, but Xue Zhi was unwilling. A Bao then suggested she become the company's representative in Hong Kong, but Xue Zhi politely declined again. Before parting, Xue Zhi inquired if A Bao was currently involved with anyone. A Bao truthfully stated he was alone. Xue Zhi claimed to have found her other half, revealing the cruel truth that she already had a family.
Their ten-year agreement still had four years left, and they agreed to meet again in 1997. Meanwhile, Wang Mingzhu was seen on a rooftop, eating ice cream, crying with a mix of determination and sadness. Two months later, A Bao returned to Shanghai. He asked Ye Shu to help process several large orders he had brought back from Hong Kong. Mei Ping visited Ye Shu at the Peace Hotel with gifts.
Ye Shu praised Mei Ping's success at "27 Hao" and deliberately revealed that A Bao had brought back 200,000 in orders, which A Bao then gave to Jin Hua. Mei Ping began to eye this order herself. Ye Shu shared this information to protect A Bao's reputation.
Boss Ma's T-shirts did not replicate San Yang's success, but he remained undeterred, vowing to return to Nanjing Road eventually, though San Yang's imitations had not sold well, A Bao had fulfilled his promise to sell them in clothing stores. The brands A Bao introduced were fully launched in the apparel company, with sales soaring.
The boss was eager for the company to go public but lacked a strong brokerage firm, as major firms were focused on the upcoming IPO of Luwan Department Store. A particular entity, perhaps "Hulian" or "Internet," had failed to reach cooperation but intended to act as a brokerage firm. A Bao promised to give his full support.
He wanted to find a Hong Kong brokerage firm, but Ye Shu advised him against being too aggressive, advocating for a steady approach, finding A Bao's idea unrealistic. A Bao aimed to build his own brand on Nanjing Road and fully capture the Shanghai market. That night, A Bao hosted a dinner at Hong Lu Restaurant, where he was seen by Li Li.
He greeted her through the window, and two hours later, Li Li proactively approached him, claiming she had been "raising fish" recently and inviting A Bao to eat fish. She also mentioned his frequent visits to Nanjing Road. A Bao refused the offer, stating he didn't eat fish, and commented that the market was like big fish eating small fish. A shop owner gossiped that A Bao's focus was no longer on Huanghe Road; he wanted to develop new friends.
A Bao sought out Tao Tao for drinks to relieve his mood and told him about meeting Xue Zhi in Hong Kong. Tao Tao was surprised to learn about his ten-year agreement with Xue Zhi, mistakenly thinking she was a boss and that they had dined together in a grand hotel, questioning if the ten-year agreement would continue. However, Xue Zhi had a family and did not keep the promise.
A Bao learned from Tao Tao that Ling Hong and Ge Laoshi had caused chaos at Night Tokyo, with business disorganized and in need of a leader. Everyone hoped Ling Zi would return soon. A Bao asserted that Night Tokyo would not disband as long as his friends stayed together. Two days later, on Ling Zi's birthday, he did not appear at Night Tokyo.
Just before midnight, A Bao decided to close Night Tokyo the next day, and they ate cake while putting up an advertisement for the shop's transfer. At that moment, Ling Zi suddenly appeared at Night Tokyo.
