Created in China Episode 2 Recap
> Created in China Recap
After Liu Shitang was discharged from the hospital, although his health was not as robust as before, he recovered reasonably well. Seeing his son Liu Jun bring the factory back from the brink of bankruptcy, he felt quite relieved and planned to have his son inherit the family business. However, Liu Jun was determined to leave; he only agreed to stay in the country for one year, after which he would return to Germany to work.
At the same time, Qian Hongming secretly guarded against his elder sister Qian Hongying resuming contact with Liu Shitang, repeatedly advising his sister to keep her distance. Late at night, Liu Shitang suddenly had palpitations and accidentally knocked over a water cup. Hearing the sound, Liu Jun rushed over and silently stayed by his father's side, listening to him ramble about the past, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
To keep his son, Liu Shitang first appealed to his emotions, and then purchased a property to give him. When Qian Hongming came to visit for a housewarming, he brought the good news that his wife Shen Jiali was pregnant and persuaded Liu Jun to stay in Donghai to start a business.
Liu Jun did not change his original intention, stating that if he said he would only be back for one year, it would be one year, and half-jokingly suggested selling the property to Qian Hongming. Facing the luxuriously decorated mansion, Qian Hongming secretly sighed about the unreachable property prices. Shen Jiali had severe pregnancy reactions, and Qian Hongming, feeling for his wife, suggested she resign and rest.
Although Shen Jiali understood her husband's good intentions, she was not yet ready to be a full-time housewife and only gave a vague response. At the subsequent class reunion, Qian Hongming revealed to Liu Jun that Lin Yue, the boss of Haoyuan, was a major shareholder of the City No. 1 Machine Factory. This person acquired the state-owned enterprise not because he valued manufacturing, but because he coveted the appreciation potential of the factory site.
Qian Hongming analyzed the capital operations of the City No. 1 Machine Factory with Liu Jun: it was first taken over by a wealthy businessman, then resold to a female overseas Chinese, achieving astonishing profits in a short period through transnational financial operations. He further revealed Lin Yue's deeper intention in operating Haoyuan - aiming to cling to shareholder Lei Dongbao and thus connect with Song Yunhui's network at Donghai Group.
Liu Jun marveled at how well-informed Qian Hongming was, and the latter emphasized that this was a necessary survival skill for doing business in China. As they were talking, old classmates arrived one after another, and drinks and pleasantries were exchanged during the meal. The next morning, Liu Jun unexpectedly met Lin Chuan in the community elevator. After she caught a glimpse of him wearing work clothes, she hastily left before reaching her destination floor.
After arriving at the factory, the process reforms promoted by Liu Jun met strong resistance from the veteran masters led by Master Huang. Liu Shitang quickly mediated, suggesting they first try producing samples. However, during the actual operation, Master Huang, who was technically skilled but arrogant, openly challenged him. Liu Jun did not back down and replicated a workpiece of the same precision on the spot.
Liu Shitang reprimanded his son for not understanding seniority, while Master Xu took the opportunity to mediate and accompanied Liu Jun to continue improving the tools. Afterwards, Liu Shitang warned his son that Master Huang held considerable prestige in the factory, and Master Xu, while appearing fair, was in fact openly and secretly vying with Master Huang. Only by balancing each other could they maintain factory stability.
Liu Shitang declared that Master Xu absolutely could not be left alone in the factory, otherwise one faction would dominate. Liu Jun, however, believed that technological innovation should not be constrained by people, and the father and son argued incessantly. On the other side, because the City No. 1 Machine Factory was about to be demolished and transformed into real estate, Qian Hongying planned to switch jobs with her friend and specifically came to ask for Qian Hongming's opinion.
Qian Hongming told Qian Hongying that the City No. 1 Machine Factory had two major shareholders, Lin Yue and Lu Guangfa, both of whom were prominent figures in Donghai. However, neither of them had any experience in real estate development, so he did not recommend Qian Hongying going with them. Qian Hongying wanted to have dinner with the boss to discuss taking over for Manager Hao, but she was refused by Qian Hongming.
She instantly realized her brother was again suspecting her of using her looks to gain favor, and the siblings parted ways unhappily. As night fell, Liu Jun sought out Qian Hongming to drink away his sorrows, confiding in him about his management difficulties and admitting that dealing with people was his weakness.
Qian Hongming advised him to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses: as an engineer who studied abroad, he should establish industry barriers through technological innovation; as long as there was a technical threshold, there would be policy support and market access. Personnel disputes should be handled by Liu Shitang, and with each person having their division of labor, efficiency would be greatly increased. Liu Jun was greatly inspired, and while drinking and chatting with Qian Hongming, they outlined a completely different business blueprint.
