My True Friend Episode 26 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Shao Zong reviewed Shao Pengcheng's youth apartment project plan in his office. When Mu Yunping entered, Shao Zong praised Pengcheng's detailed report, which covered policy research, data analysis, market research, financial forecasts, and implementation proposals. Shao Zong expressed that they had neglected youth apartments in the past and should prioritize them moving forward. Mu Yunping, however, disagreed, explaining that Chinese home buyers are driven by impulse, viewing houses as symbols of security and almost equal to currency.
He believed convincing them to rent instead of buy would be impossible. Shao Zong countered that times have changed, and their ideas might be antiquated. He quoted Pengcheng's plan, which stated that people's spending habits can be nurtured and guided. If a business model truly satisfies consumer needs and improves their lives, it will be accepted. He drew a parallel to the initial skepticism surrounding online platforms like Taobao and Alipay, which are now indispensable.
Mu Yunping agreed that change takes time and pointed out the "dark period" many companies face, emphasizing the need to protect stockholders as a joint-stock company. Shao Zong understood these concerns but was particularly moved by Pengcheng's sentiment that a company should not only make money but also be responsible to society, by "providing houses for people is better than just owning houses and not use them."
Convinced, Shao Zong instructed Mu Yunping to immediately form a youth apartment project team, research the market potential, and submit a thorough report. He remarked that Pengcheng's overseas studies were not in vain and that his decision to assign him to the branch office was correct. The next day, Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen went to pick up Zhenzhen's parents at the Shanghai train station. Zhenzhen admitted to Jing Ran that she was nervous about introducing him.
Upon their arrival, Zhenzhen embraced her parents, who were excited to see her. She then introduced Jing Ran as her boyfriend and former college senior. Zhenzhen's mother was quite impressed by Jing Ran's handsome appearance, comparing him to Alain Delon, much to Zhenzhen's embarrassment. On the way to the hotel, Zhenzhen's mother pressed for details about their relationship. Zhenzhen revealed that Jing Ran had proposed to her, but she hadn't agreed yet.
She confessed that while she genuinely liked him, she wasn't ready to marry so soon. Her father advised her to be conservative in love, believing it would make men value her more, and her mother added that while dating is fine, marriage requires careful consideration. At the Love & Family office, Shao Pengcheng overheard his colleagues discussing Zhenzhen's parents' arrival and the rumor that they were in Shanghai to meet Jing Ran's mother, Aunt Bai, to finalize an engagement.
Hearing this news, Shao Pengcheng sat at his desk looking dejected. Later, at Jing Ran's home, Aunt Bai directly referred to Zhenzhen's parents as "in-laws," which made them noticeably uncomfortable. Aunt Bai expressed her deep affection for Zhenzhen, praising her honesty and dutiful nature, and then asked Zhenzhen's parents if they were happy with Jing Ran. Zhenzhen's father hesitantly commended Jing Ran's career and sophistication, acknowledging Aunt Bai's efforts in raising him.
Aunt Bai, overjoyed, expressed her wish for Jing Ran and Zhenzhen to marry soon and have children, offering to help raise them while she still could. She then suggested they pick a wedding date during their visit. Zhenzhen's parents found this too sudden, stating they weren't prepared. Zhenzhen's mother subtly tried to stall by asking if Jing Ran would continue his career in Italy.
Jing Ran clarified that he would return to Italy next month to conclude his work there, then come back to China to become the interior design director at Love & Family. Aunt Bai confirmed this, excitedly adding that they had already purchased a three-story villa with a yard, envisioning children playing there.
She then proposed that after marriage, Zhenzhen should stop working, citing that it's generally not ideal for spouses to work at the same company and that Zhenzhen's current job didn't seem to have much of a future. She insisted Jing Ran would earn enough, and Zhenzhen wouldn't need to work. Zhenzhen's father firmly countered, asserting that women need financial independence in this new era and that traditional, conservative ideas should evolve.
Zhenzhen tried to smooth things over, apologizing for her father's frankness. After returning to their hotel, Zhenzhen's father expressed his concern to Zhenzhen, warning her that her potential mother-in-law, Aunt Bai, seemed "extra difficult" to deal with. He assured Zhenzhen that if she didn't want to marry, he would support her for life. Zhenzhen's mother agreed that while Jing Ran was a good man, his mother presented a challenge.
Just then, Shao Pengcheng arrived at their hotel room with an assortment of food. Zhenzhen was surprised, asking how he knew they were there. Shao Pengcheng brushed off her question and introduced himself to her parents as Zhenzhen's coworker and partner, reminding them of their previous phone conversation. Zhenzhen’s mother welcomed him warmly, grateful for his care of Zhenzhen.
Shao Pengcheng explained he brought spicy crawfish, knowing they loved spicy food, and porridge for Zhenzhen’s mother, along with beer for her father. Back at Jing Ran's home, Aunt Bai remained visibly upset. Jing Ran gently suggested that Zhenzhen's parents were good people who communicated openly, and he felt Aunt Bai had been a bit "overbearing" towards Zhenzhen during their first meeting, making things difficult for her.
Aunt Bai explained that her attitude had changed because Zhenzhen was no longer just an "outsider" or a "family friend," but a prospective daughter-in-law, and her standards for family were different. She reiterated her belief that Zhenzhen should be a full-time housewife out of consideration for their future. Jing Ran acknowledged her good intentions but urged her to approach such matters more slowly.
Aunt Bai then confessed her fear of getting old, not always being there for Jing Ran, and wanted Zhenzhen to manage the household and children so that Jing Ran wouldn't come home to an empty, cold house after a long day. Jing Ran comforted his mother, assuring her she wasn't old. Meanwhile, at the hotel, Shao Pengcheng, Zhenzhen's father, and Zhenzhen's mother enjoyed the food and lively conversation. Zhenzhen's father inquired about Shao Pengcheng and Zhenzhen's working relationship.
Shao Pengcheng enthusiastically described their partnership as "extremely perfect," having quickly developed excellent teamwork and consistently completing many cases each month. Zhenzhen's father then asked about the future of the real estate industry. Shao Pengcheng passionately shared his vision: the field would become more professional, standardized, and utilize big data for precise services, uncovering the true needs of the market. Zhenzhen's father was impressed, while Zhenzhen playfully commented that Shao Pengcheng was knowledgeable but sometimes "his brain isn't too good."
Shao Pengcheng agreed but emphasized his ideal: that in the future, buying a house would no longer be a burden for families, comparing it to how televisions, once luxuries, became commonplace. He explained this wasn't about lower prices or higher salaries, but new business models that allow people to live comfortably and conveniently without needing to own a house. He expressed his hope that their hard work would popularize this lifestyle.
Zhenzhen's father, invigorated, declared he would join Shao Pengcheng in his endeavors if he were younger, and they all raised their glasses to dreams. As the evening progressed and they continued drinking, both Shao Pengcheng and Zhenzhen's father became quite intoxicated. Zhenzhen's father called Shao Pengcheng "Son," and Shao Pengcheng, in his inebriated state, also called Zhenzhen's father "Dad."
When Zhenzhen questioned who he was calling "Dad," Shao Pengcheng declared that Zhenzhen's parents were his parents, and her entire family was his family. The next morning, Jing Ran picked up Zhenzhen's parents from the hotel to view the house. He apologized for what had transpired during dinner the previous night. At the house, Zhenzhen's mother commented on the pleasant environment and asked about the air quality, assuming the house had been recently remodeled.
Jing Ran clarified that it hadn't been remodeled and the existing furniture belonged to the previous owner, promising to redesign everything later. He assured them about the air quality with a special device. Zhenzhen's mother praised the house's sophisticated style. As they settled on the sofa, Zhenzhen's mother expressed relief that Zhenzhen now had Jing Ran and a house, which eased their worries about her living alone.
She offered their one million yuan in savings to help with the house if needed. Aunt Bai quickly declined, stating that Jing Ran had handled all the finances, emphasizing the tradition of the husband's family buying the house. Jing Ran then announced to Zhenzhen's parents that he intended to put both his and Zhenzhen's names on the owner's certificate. Upon hearing this, Aunt Bai's expression visibly changed.
She immediately interjected, suggesting that since Zhenzhen's parents wanted to contribute, they could use their one million yuan for the house's remodeling. She proposed a division of expenses: "The husband's family buys the house and the wife's family pays for the remodeling. It makes sense this way and both parties help. It's a win-win, right?" Jing Ran looked uncomfortable, and the smiles on Zhenzhen's parents' faces vanished.
