My True Friend Episode 37 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Hao Meili's cousin and cousin-in-law continued their protest at the entrance of the Flower Garden branch, demanding a solution to their housing problem. Her cousin-in-law declared they would stay there, creating more pressure for the agency, while her cousin asserted their right to know the progress as victims. Hao Meili pleaded with them to leave, explaining they were affecting her ability to work and that the agency was trying to solve the issue.
During this time, Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng were showing the apartment to Mr. Li. He was impressed by its location and design, considering it a bargain despite the previous owner having passed away there. Mr. Li, however, requested a discount on the agency fee due to budget constraints. Cheng Zhenzhen hesitated, but Shao Pengcheng immediately offered a 50% discount on the agency fee, confident the company would understand the special circumstances.
Mr. Li, a mortuary cosmetologist, accepted without hesitation, stating he viewed death as a natural part of life and had a clear conscience, so the apartment's history didn't bother him. He agreed to sign the contract immediately. Shortly after, Shao Pengcheng returned to the Flower Garden branch, announcing the house was sold. Hao Meili's relatives were overjoyed. Shao Pengcheng explained that Cheng Zhenzhen had found the buyer, an atheist unfazed by the house's history.
A colleague pointed out that Cheng Zhenzhen's idea and effort had solved a huge problem for Hao Meili, who felt immense gratitude and deep shame. Later, Mr. Li and Hao Meili's relatives signed the purchase contract at the Flower Garden branch, an event Shao Pengcheng recorded. Hao Meili's relatives expressed their sincere thanks to Love & Family, and especially to Cheng Zhenzhen, for their genuine care.
Meanwhile, Mu Yunping met with a headhunting company representative and a secretary from Hong Shi Real Estate. After the headhunter left them, Mu Yunping confirmed his decision to accept Director Sun's invitation to join Hong Shi. He requested that his move remain confidential until he completed his duties at Love & Family.
The secretary agreed but then revealed Director Sun's request for Mu Yunping to lead a long-term apartment leasing program at Hong Shi, a project similar to one Shao Pengcheng was developing at Love & Family. Mu Yunping was puzzled, as this seemed outside Hong Shi's typical real estate development and his own expertise.
The secretary clarified that changing national real estate policies meant Hong Shi needed to shift strategy and wanted Mu Yunping to help them secure a favorable market share in the long-term leasing business. She advised him to see it as an opportunity to build his own team without interference from established company elders. Hao Meili invited Cheng Zhenzhen for afternoon tea to express her heartfelt thanks.
She confessed that she was thankful she hadn't handled her cousin's apartment sale "under the table," as the company's involvement through Cheng Zhenzhen's quick sale ultimately saved her from grave trouble with her family. Cheng Zhenzhen downplayed her role, calling it a coincidence, and refused Hao Meili's gift, asserting that helping colleagues was simply what they did.
Hao Meili, consumed by guilt and unable to confess her past misdeeds, continued to heap praise and thanks on Cheng Zhenzhen, even speaking highly of Shao Pengcheng. Cheng Zhenzhen, still unaware of the full truth, innocently remarked that the person who slandered her must be regretting their actions now. That evening, while working at the store, Hao Meili anonymously posted an online confession. She admitted to fabricating the previous slander against Cheng Zhenzhen out of jealousy.
She sincerely apologized, describing Cheng Zhenzhen as an honest, kind, and selfless person whose integrity highlighted her own selfishness and darkness. Though she lacked the courage to reveal her identity, she felt compelled to tell the truth. Later, Mu Yunping confided in Zeng Huimin about Hong Shi's offer. He admitted he was intrigued but worried about the perception of disloyalty, especially with Chairman Shao Jian currently ill.
Zeng Huimin pointed out that Hong Shi offered better resources and aligned with his career interests in real estate development. She assured him that his long service at Love & Family meant he wouldn't be seen as a betrayer if he left without taking company resources, and that Chairman Shao would understand. Mu Yunping then shared his deeper concern: Director Sun wanted him to lead a project similar to Love & Family's "Big Love City" program.
He wondered if undertaking such a similar project constituted betrayal. Zeng Huimin dismissed his worries, stating it was natural for another real estate company to seek his expertise for a related project, and reiterated her unwavering support for any decision he made. During a Love & Family board meeting, a video compiled by Shao Pengcheng was played. It featured testimonials from grateful clients and cleared Cheng Zhenzhen's name, including a story about her initiative to help lost children.
This, along with Hao Meili's online clarification, finally convinced the board members of Cheng Zhenzhen's innocence and suitability as a company representative. However, a board member noticed Mu Yunping's absence, and Shao Jian's assistant revealed that Mu Yunping had submitted his resignation, citing "personal reasons." The assistant further disclosed that Director Sun from Hong Shi had offered Mu Yunping a Vice President position, and he had taken the "Big Love City" project idea and several agency managers with him.
Upon hearing this, Chairman Shao Jian was visibly distressed and collapsed, prompting the other board members to rush to his aid. Back at the Flower Garden branch, Zeng Huimin announced her resignation from Love & Family due to personal difficulties, expressing gratitude for the team's hard work in transforming the branch and promising a farewell dinner. Xi Shan was surprised, remarking that she had also planned to resign and return home but Zeng Huimin had preempted her.
When Fu Xiaoning asked Xi Shan her reasons, she unhappily refused to elaborate. Hao Meili then tearfully announced she had also drafted her resignation letter, feeling she was unworthy, but hadn't yet submitted it. Shao Pengcheng grew exasperated, asking what everyone was doing, fearing the branch would be forced to close if everyone resigned. Zeng Huimin encouraged her colleagues to value their bond and continue working diligently for the branch, assuring them a new manager would be appointed.
She then departed. Moments later, Shao Pengcheng received a phone call that instantly changed his expression. Concurrently, Hong Shi Real Estate held a press conference where Director Sun announced their new "Big City Tiny Love" long-term apartment leasing program, declaring it a primary goal for the next two years to provide homes for young entrepreneurs in Shanghai. Mu Yunping was seen attending the conference.
At an emergency Love & Family board meeting, the members were furious upon learning about Hong Shi's project, recognizing it as a direct plagiarism of their "Big Love City" concept. They condemned Mu Yunping's disloyalty, noting he not only poached their agency managers but also stole Shao Pengcheng's program. Some members expressed frustration over Shao Pengcheng's absence, doubting his capability to handle the crisis without his father's backing.
Shao Pengcheng rushed to the hospital and confronted Director Zhong, his father's attending physician, distressed that he had always been assured Shao Jian was fine. Director Zhong then revealed the truth: Shao Jian had been diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms months ago and had suffered a vascular bleeding, which they had managed to stabilize. This time, however, the aneurysm had ruptured again in the same spot. Shao Pengcheng was incredulous, demanding to know why he hadn't been informed sooner.
Director Zhong explained that Chairman Shao Jian had explicitly forbidden him from telling Shao Pengcheng, wanting his son to quickly understand the business and mature to take responsibility, thereby "paving the way" for him. Director Zhong elaborated that intracranial aneurysms were like a "ticking bomb" inside the brain, liable to burst at any moment, and the best solution was an intracranial endovascular embolization surgery to stop the bleeding and prevent recurrence.
He warned, however, that the surgery was high-risk and could fail. Shao Pengcheng desperately inquired about alternative, conservative treatments, but Director Zhong affirmed that surgery was the optimal course of action at this stage. Director Zhong left to discuss the treatment plan with a neurosurgery director, urging Shao Pengcheng to make a swift decision, and encouraged him to be strong.
Back at the Love & Family board meeting, members discussed the chaos caused by Mu Yunping's departure and Shao Jian's hospitalization, emphasizing the urgent need to elect an interim chairman to stabilize the company. Old Dong, after initially feigning reluctance and a desire for rest, was urged by other board members to accept the role.
They argued that Shao Pengcheng was too young and had recently been involved in a scandal, making him unsuitable to lead the company, especially with his father's uncertain condition. They feared their investments would be jeopardized if a "brat" like Shao Pengcheng took charge. Bowing to their insistence, Old Dong accepted the appointment, instructing his secretary to draft the board decision report and the management transfer agreement for Chairman Shao Jian's signature. Meanwhile, Hao Meili, upon learning the news of Hong Shi taking over the project, tore up her resignation letter, choosing to remain at the Flower Garden branch.
