Blossoms Shanghai Episode 4 Recap
> Blossoms Shanghai Recap
Wei Hongqing made extensive efforts to curry favor with Fan Xinhua, hoping to collaborate on a business deal, even calling and scolding Xiao Liuzi over the phone. Fan Xinhua apologized to Wei Hongqing for Wang Mingzhu's unintentional actions, but remained unyielding on their potential partnership. After a lavish meal, Wang Mingzhu proactively offered to drive Fan Xinhua home. Wei Hongqing spoke disrespectfully to her, prompting Wang Mingzhu to warn him against stealing A Bao's business.
Li Li was visibly annoyed by Wang Mingzhu's unannounced visit to Zhi Zhen Yuan, greeting her with sarcasm. She understood that for Zhi Zhen Yuan to establish itself, it needed the support of prominent figures, and she knew Fan Xinhua's business would undoubtedly draw A Bao's attention, compelling him to visit Zhi Zhen Yuan. Wang Mingzhu delivered Fan Xinhua to his residence, arranging a meeting for him with A Bao at 6:30 PM the following evening.
Fan Xinhua insisted on his own quoted price, claiming many were eager to do business with him. Earlier, Fan Xinhua had attempted to raise his product price by one RMB per piece, but A Bao had directly rejected it, effectively teaching Zhi Zhen Yuan a lesson about the rules of Huanghe Road. Feeling resentful about losing a client, Wei Hongqing declared he would stake out Zhi Zhen Yuan daily.
Li Li watched his retreating figure, an almost imperceptible smile gracing her lips. Twelve hours prior, Li Li had instructed Pan Manager to pay 200 RMB to a cleaning worker to deliver a gift to Fan Xinhua. The cleaning worker then offered to tidy Fan Xinhua's room. Fan Xinhua, excusing himself to drink coffee, left the room, specifically reminding the worker not to touch documents on his desk.
Wei Hongqing subsequently bribed the cleaning worker to extract details about Fan Xinhua's background. Li Li had deliberately withheld specific business details from Wei Hongqing, fearing it might affect Zhi Zhen Yuan's customer traffic, relying on him to secure the deal. Meanwhile, Ling Zi scheduled a shareholder meeting with A Bao in Zhujiajiao, where A Bao's favorite stinky tofu could be found. He reported on the operations of Ye Dongjing.
A Bao asked Ling Zi to handle the accounting, which infuriated Ling Zi. While outsiders perceived A Bao as wealthy, only Ling Zi knew his financial struggles, often stepping in to help him out of predicaments. Ling Zi recalled how he had supported A Bao when he was hospitalized, picking up the pieces for him, and how he had taken him in and even taken out an insurance policy for him when he was down and out.
Ling Zi's best friend's apartment rent had expired, and he was preparing to sell products at a discounted price; Ling Zi had already paid his rent. The two chatted, and Ling Zi reflected on his complex feelings for A Bao. The next day, A Bao arrived early for the shareholder meeting. They traveled a long distance in the rain to eat stinky tofu, though Ling Zi strongly opposed A Bao's suggested meeting time and location.
As A Bao and Ling Zi returned to their living quarters, carrying things, a neighbor scolded Ling Zi for not taking better care of A Bao. They found Xiao A Sao in the process of moving. Ge Laoshi took Tao Tao to help, creating a chaotic scene in the alleyway. Ling Zi bought favorite foods for Ge Laoshi and Luo Hong.
Tao Tao, who had come early to "scrounge food," was readily available to assist with the move, his true motivation being to help his father find a wife. A Bao asked Ling Zi to lend him money for an emergency, but Ling Zi firmly refused. Secretly, A Bao left a 500,000 RMB savings passbook for him. Ling Zi soon discovered the passbook and quietly hoped for the success of A Bao and Fan Xinhua's business.
A Bao, knowing Ling Zi well, also predicted that the 500,000 RMB would prompt Ling Zi to withdraw money from his bank account. Ling Zi, who had prepared lunch and dinner for A Bao, was informed by him that he needed to meet Fan Xinhua that evening and withdraw the bank money for the business. A Bao, believing Ling Zi had money, deliberately searched his cabinet and found a hidden box full of treasures.
A Bao called Ling Zi, who questioned if he had given similar passbooks to anyone else. A Bao, dismissive, stated that Ling Zi alone was enough to wear him out, let alone anyone else. In a greatly improved mood, Ling Zi instructed his employees to thoroughly clean the shop in anticipation of A Bao and Fan Xinhua's business discussion, and he rushed to the bank to withdraw money for A Bao.
Li Li learned that A Bao and Fan Xinhua had scheduled to meet at 6:30 PM to view samples and sign a contract. She preemptively called Wei Hongqing and Fan Xinhua to Zhi Zhen Yuan two hours early, hoping Wei Hongqing could use the time to persuade Fan Xinhua to change his mind. Wei Hongqing also brought friends along for support. Fan Xinhua arrived as arranged, asking Li Li to draw the curtains in the private room.
He then unveiled his sample clothing, demonstrating its quality by burning the fabric on the spot with a lighter. The material remained completely undamaged, astounding everyone present. This phenomenon recalled the early days of China's reform and opening up, when French Moncler T-shirts ignited the Chinese people's pursuit of fashion brands.
Despite their exorbitant price of 900 RMB per piece, the demand was immense, with their iconic flower emblem becoming a symbol for trendsetters, and the genuine bright silk was rumored to be fire-proof. In 1990, Huxi Knitwear Factory independently developed the first generation of domestic fire-proof mercerized cotton, controlling costs to one-fifth of imported equivalents. Wei Hongqing also used a lighter to test the fabric, confirming its fire resistance, and praised Fan Xinhua's clothing.
Li Li stood by the window, observing A Bao entering the Honglu Restaurant in the distance. Their eyes met, both holding unspoken intentions. Fan Xinhua also saw A Bao from the window and expressed a desire to go and speak with him at Honglu. Li Li tried earnestly to keep Fan Xinhua, repeatedly reminding him that it was still early. Wei Hongqing, seeing his chance, promised to fully distribute Fan Xinhua's goods and agreed to add 1.
5 RMB to the price of each piece. Fan Xinhua was naturally delighted but worried about offending A Bao. Wei Hongqing advised him to prioritize business, promising direct collaboration without intermediaries and threatening to cancel the deal if Fan Xinhua left. A Bao, meanwhile, deliberately engaged in casual conversation with a mysterious merchant, stalling for time to pressure Fan Xinhua into coming to him. Eventually, Wei Hongqing and Fan Xinhua finalized their deal at 28. 5 RMB per T-shirt.
Overjoyed, Wei Hongqing ordered the dish "Hegemon Bids Farewell to His Concubine" for every table. The news of their successful collaboration quickly spread throughout Shanghai, with Zhi Zhen Yuan proactively engaging the media to publicize and create a buzz around the event. Wang Mingzhu arrived at Zhi Zhen Yuan, witnessing Wei Hongqing and Fan Xinhua celebrating joyfully.
She picked up a plate of "Hegemon Bids Farewell to His Concubine" and brought it to A Bao, who was dining with his mysterious friend. A Bao and his friend, unperturbed by the apparent loss of business, had anticipated this turn of events and instructed the waiter to serve their meal. A Bao, calm and collected, instructed Wang Mingzhu to convey a new offer to Fan Xinhua: the price per piece must be reduced by 1.
5 RMB, and the order must be for 800,000 pieces, no less. A Bao further stated his intention to unite with the manufacturer. Wei Hongqing, having been solely focused on securing the deal, was utterly astonished by the massive quantity. He hesitantly admitted that he could only handle a maximum of 50,000 pieces. Fan Xinhua was left speechless, realizing that production had already commenced, making it impossible to retract the order.
Li Li, upon learning of A Bao's calculated move, understood that he had intentionally allowed them to negotiate a higher-priced deal only to swoop in at the last moment and secure the entire contract at a significantly lower price.
