My True Friend Episode 31 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen were reviewing details for Youth-Targeted Apartments, a project Shao Pengcheng intended to present to the board. He emphasized the need for a concise speech, while Cheng Zhenzhen recalled how she had once interviewed him about this project, which included a nursery and social security benefits. Xi Shan, overhearing them, became excited, declaring she'd be the first to move in if the project succeeded, believing such apartments rendered house purchases unnecessary.
Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen agreed she was a perfect target customer. Cheng Zhenzhen then helped Shao Pengcheng refine his presentation, focusing on the relationship between income levels and living in youth apartments, specifically targeting white-collar workers aged 20 to 40. Later, Luo Zu'er drove Fu Xiao Ning home. She gave him several bags of clothes, insisting they were for him, not Shao Pengcheng, who she claimed wouldn't appreciate them.
Fu Xiao Ning initially resisted accepting such expensive gifts but eventually relented at Luo Zu'er's insistence, stating he would take them for Shao Pengcheng. Xi Shan witnessed this exchange from a distance. That night, Fu Xiao Ning found Xi Shan standing alone on their balcony, looking troubled. He asked if she was still upset from their argument earlier that evening. Xi Shan wondered if her presence in Shanghai was disrupting his life.
Fu Xiao Ning reassured her that he was happy she was there and that she was the only one in his heart. Xi Shan admitted that while she knew he faced pressure, it hurt her to see him being nice to other women, making her feel like a mistress. Fu Xiao Ning explained he worked hard to provide a better life for them, not wanting her to live in a poor environment.
Xi Shan countered that a better life wasn't about money or a big house, but about them being together, living steadily, and she didn't want him to compromise his principles for money. He apologized and held her close. Cheng Zhenzhen met Jing Ran early on the weekend at her favorite street food stall for wontons. Jing Ran was taken aback by the casual setting and mentioned they could have found a place with a better environment for their date.
Despite Cheng Zhenzhen's assurance that the food was excellent and a childhood favorite, Jing Ran seemed reluctant to eat, stating he wasn't very hungry. Cheng Zhenzhen expressed her insecurity, telling him she was just an ordinary real estate agent from an ordinary family, with an uninteresting life, and this was her everyday reality. She felt she was very different from his ideal partner, referencing an interview where his standards for a partner were discussed.
Jing Ran quickly reassured her, telling her not to doubt herself and that she was perfect in his eyes. Cheng Zhenzhen, however, believed she had many weaknesses and an ordinary life, but found worth in it. Fu Xiao Ning later met Luo Zu'er, returning the 7,000 yuan she had given him earlier. He used the opportunity to ask why Shao Pengcheng, despite knowing Luo Zu'er since childhood, was always focused on Cheng Zhenzhen. Luo Zu'er blamed Shao Pengcheng's "blindness."
Fu Xiao Ning suggested Cheng Zhenzhen's appeal came from her hard work and self-sufficiency. Luo Zu'er interpreted this as him calling her idle, but Fu Xiao Ning clarified that with her intelligence, skills, and family background, she could easily surpass other girls if she put in a little effort. He then proposed a real estate speculation venture in Shanghai's suburbs, suggesting she could invest her money while he handled the legwork and formalities, splitting the profits 70/30.
Luo Zu'er initially hesitated, recalling her father's advice against investing in men's ambitious ideas. Fu Xiao Ning emphasized that he would be earning money for her, not the other way around. Luo Zu'er admitted she wanted to prove Shao Pengcheng wrong about her being idle, and that she admired Fu Xiao Ning's hard work and ambition, but needed time to consider, acknowledging that good opportunities in real estate were fleeting.
Jing Ran then took Cheng Zhenzhen to their university auditorium, a place that hadn't changed since their student days. He reminisced about their first meeting, watching her dance on stage from behind a curtain, likening her to a "white swan." Cheng Zhenzhen dismissed the comparison, still feeling imperfect. Jing Ran reiterated that she was perfect to him and then shared a personal story about his childhood. After his father died when he was in fourth grade, his mother was devastated.
He cooked for them daily until she recovered and devoted herself to maintaining their life quality for him. This experience instilled in him a desire for perfection and a longing for a complete, warm family where he could see the person he loved every day. While acknowledging this ideal might not fit modern concepts, it was deeply held.
Cheng Zhenzhen, however, explained her own journey as an independent and competitive girl who had strived to succeed alone in Shanghai after graduation, facing countless rejections and job changes without ever giving up. She had dreams and aspirations to prove herself through her work and asked Jing Ran to understand her perspective.
Jing Ran said he understood, but reiterated his desire to care for her, emphasizing they were no longer alone, and he didn't want her to endure struggles by herself. Cheng Zhenzhen remained pensive. Meanwhile, Mu Yunping met with a headhunter named Barry, who noted Love & Family's talent often moved to other companies through his firm. Barry then revealed that other platforms were trying to recruit Mu Yunping.
He subtly reminded Mu Yunping that Love & Family ultimately belonged to the Shao family, and then presented a generous offer from Chairman Sun of Hongshi Realty: an executive vice president position with a matched salary, an additional 5% company shares, and an end-of-year bonus. Barry emphasized the significant difference in status between a high-level employee and a shareholder.
Mu Yunping, however, firmly declined, citing his twenty years at Love & Family and deep feelings for the company and Chairman Shao, stating he appreciated what he had. Barry pressed, suggesting Mu Yunping might be waiting for a higher bid, but Mu Yunping insisted he was content at Love & Family, being over forty and no longer seeking challenges. Barry countered, mentioning rumors of Mu Yunping planning a major housing development project, which indicated his ambition.
After Barry left, Mu Yunping approached Agency Manager Zeng at a nearby table, explaining he had just met a friend, Barry, to dispel any misunderstandings. Agency Manager Zeng reassured him it was normal for someone as talented as him to be headhunted. She revealed she had also consulted Barry about career plans before her transfer to Hua Yuan Agency but chose to stay with Love & Family, feeling she had gained a lot.
Later that night, Cheng Zhenzhen lay in bed, reflecting on Aunt Bai's and Jing Ran's words, questioning if Jing Ran truly loved the real her or an idealized version, feeling a significant distance between them. The next morning, Shao Pengcheng called Cheng Zhenzhen on his way to the head office for his presentation, asking for her encouragement. Cheng Zhenzhen confidently wished him success, reminding him of their many practice sessions and expressing her belief in him.
At the Love & Family board meeting, Chairman Shao formally introduced Jing Ran as a new interior designer, noting it took significant effort from Mu Yunping and headhunters to bring him onboard. Jing Ran expressed gratitude, and board members welcomed him. Chairman Shao then announced the second item on the agenda: Shao Pengcheng's presentation on new ideas for the rental market.
Shao Pengcheng began his presentation on the "Great Love City" project, which aimed to address the challenge of home ownership by focusing on long-term, youth-targeted rentals. He explained its feasibility based on China's rental market, government policies, new consumer trends, and Love & Family's strengths. Meanwhile, at the branch office, staff members eagerly awaited news. Mei Li nearly let slip Shao Pengcheng's true identity, calling him "definitely different." Cheng Zhenzhen and Agency Manager Zeng sensed she had more to say.
Cheng Zhenzhen noticed Xi Shan looking distressed, not accompanied by Fu Xiao Ning, and asked if something was wrong, though Xi Shan was reluctant to share. Back in the boardroom, the board members praised Shao Pengcheng's presentation, finding his ideas reasonable, thorough, and enlightening. They agreed that Love & Family needed a breakthrough from traditional rental services, especially with the government's current real estate purchase restrictions, and viewed Shao Pengcheng's leasing model as having promising development prospects.
Chairman Shao then asked Mu Yunping, Shao Pengcheng, and Jing Ran to step out so the directors could deliberate further. Shortly after, Luo Zu'er arrived at the Garden Branch, looking for Fu Xiao Ning. Upon learning he was out, she proudly informed Cheng Zhenzhen that she would be doing business with Fu Xiao Ning, declaring that with her money, networks, and brains, she would not be outdone by Cheng Zhenzhen in earning her own living.
