My True Friend Episode 38 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
News of Chairman Shao Jian's critical condition and Love & Family Real Estate's deep crisis began to circulate online, including rumors of his collapse during a board meeting and Shao Pengcheng's disappearance. At the Garden Branch, Fu Xiaoning questioned Xi Shan about her decision to resign, to which she replied that she wouldn't be so ungrateful as to abandon Love & Family in its current dire straits, especially since this was her first job in Shanghai.
She made it clear to Fu Xiaoning that her decision was driven by a desire to help Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng, and had nothing to do with him. Xi Shan then called Cheng Zhenzhen, informing her that Mu Yunping had taken the Great Love City project and gone to work for Hong Shi Real Estate. She added that Chairman Shao Jian had fallen ill from anger and Shao Pengcheng's phone was off, causing them great worry.
Cheng Zhenzhen was shocked by the news and immediately set out to search the city for Shao Pengcheng, checking the hospital but he was nowhere to be found. Cheng Zhenzhen searched for Shao Pengcheng all day. Meanwhile, Shao Pengcheng rode the subway, consumed by his father's past words, recalling a time when his father hoped he would gradually grow up, understand life's hardships, and eventually take over the family business.
He rode until the subway closed for the night, then wandered aimlessly. He was touched by a street musician's song in an underpass and gave him money. That night, Cheng Zhenzhen, exhausted from her search, finally saw him in an alley. Upon seeing her, Shao Pengcheng, who had been holding back his emotions, broke down in tears. He confessed his fear and deep regret, feeling he had let his father down.
Cheng Zhenzhen embraced him, reassuring him that his father would be alright and urging him to be strong. Cheng Zhenzhen accompanied Shao Pengcheng to the hospital. Doctor Zhong presented the informed consent form for Shao Jian's surgery, instructing him to review and sign it. With Cheng Zhenzhen's encouragement, Shao Pengcheng solemnly signed the document. The surgery began, and Shao Pengcheng waited anxiously. As the estimated three-hour surgery time passed without news, Shao Pengcheng grew increasingly worried.
Cheng Zhenzhen stayed by his side, confidently asserting that Doctor Zhong's skill ensured success and dismissing his fears about the elapsed time. Soon after, Hao Meili, Xi Shan, and Fu Xiaoning arrived, having learned about the surgery. They offered unwavering support, reminding Shao Pengcheng that he was not alone and they were there for him, like family, to face any challenges together. Shao Pengcheng was visibly moved by their collective concern.
Moments later, Doctor Zhong emerged from the operating room to announce that Shao Jian's surgery was extremely successful. Shao Pengcheng breathed a sigh of relief, and everyone shared his joy. At a Love & Family board meeting, the newly appointed acting chairman, Old Dong, informed the directors that company rules mandated the interim chairman to hold 20% of management rights. He presented an agreement for them to sign, confirming the transfer of Shao Jian's management rights to him.
Old Dong then proposed that the directors assist him in persuading Shao Jian to transfer his personal 20% shares to him as well, arguing this would allow Shao Jian to recover without worries, receiving annual dividends from his remaining 10% shares. He asserted that Love & Family's growth was hindered by dispersed shares and that the company should focus on its core real estate mediation services, rather than speculative ventures like "youth apartments" undertaken to benefit Shao Jian's son.
With the directors' unanimous agreement, Old Dong instructed his secretary to gather their signatures on the resolution and summon Shao Pengcheng to the company. Shao Pengcheng arrived at the company and informed the directors of his father's successful surgery. Old Dong and other directors then announced that Old Dong had taken over as the new chairman, and all projects unrelated to real estate, including Shao Pengcheng's Great Love City youth apartment project, would be terminated.
Old Dong then offered Shao Pengcheng the position of manager of the Garden Branch, seeing it as an unprecedented opportunity for someone his age. Shao Pengcheng responded assertively, even scoffing, asserting that he would not abandon the Great Love City project regardless of circumstances. He proposed to maintain both his supervision of the project and the management of the Garden Branch, taking full responsibility for its human resources and investments, ensuring the company bore no costs.
The directors raised concerns about the project using the Love & Family brand without direct company investment, fearing reputational damage if it failed. Shao Pengcheng clarified that Great Love City would operate with independent accounting and offered to pay 10% of its income as a brand usage fee to Love & Family, committing to regular payments irrespective of the project's success. Old Dong, seeing this as a risk-free proposal with potential revenue, agreed to give him a chance.
Shao Pengcheng reiterated his vision for the "Apartments for Youth" project as a social initiative to provide affordable housing and improve young people's happiness, not merely to generate profit. Back at the hospital, Shao Pengcheng gently covered Cheng Zhenzhen, who had fallen asleep while tending to Shao Jian. When she woke, he sadly told her that the Great Love City project would now truly depend on their own efforts. Cheng Zhenzhen comforted him, reminding him he was not alone.
Hungry after a long day, Cheng Zhenzhen went to buy food. Alone with his unconscious father, Shao Pengcheng poured out his heart, admitting the immense pressure he felt to secure funding for the Great Love City project now that he had lost everything else at the company. He confessed his fear of failure but then found renewed determination, remembering the steadfast support of Cheng Zhenzhen and the encouragement from his colleagues at the branch.
He promised his father he would not lose. Luo Zu'er arrived and overheard his heartfelt confession from outside the room. Meanwhile, Jing Ran arrived at Love & Family headquarters to submit his resignation to Old Dong. Old Dong, now the acting chairman, expressed his admiration for Jing Ran's talent and tried to dissuade him, suggesting his reasons were personal grudges with Shao Pengcheng. Jing Ran insisted his decision was purely personal.
Old Dong then revealed his ongoing efforts to acquire Shao Jian's equity, anticipating total control of Love & Family soon. He promised to terminate all non-real estate investments, including the Great Love City project, and offered Jing Ran a key role in a new service for second-hand housing restoration, emphasizing the company's need for interior designers. Jing Ran, however, remained firm in his decision and departed. Luo Zu'er and her father visited Shao Jian in the hospital.
Old Luo announced two pieces of good news: first, he would invest 200 million RMB in Shao Pengcheng's Great Love City project, which the board had previously rejected; second, this investment was specifically for his future son-in-law. Shao Jian was visibly shocked, protesting that Old Luo was treating his children's marriage as a business deal, not genuine good news but rather selling a person.
Old Luo dismissed Shao Jian's concerns, viewing it as a beneficial alliance between their families that would keep wealth within the family. Outside Shao Jian's room, Luo Zu'er confronted Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen. She aggressively warned Cheng Zhenzhen to stay away from Shao Pengcheng, claiming her father was inside discussing "their" engagement (referring to Luo Zu'er and Shao Pengcheng) with Shao Jian and that she was authorized to eliminate "stray girls" around him.
Shao Pengcheng vehemently denied any engagement, asserting Cheng Zhenzhen as his partner and telling Luo Zu'er to stay away from Cheng Zhenzhen. Undeterred, Luo Zu'er produced a legally drafted marriage agreement. She read its terms aloud: upon signing, her marriage contract with Shao Pengcheng would become effective, and she would invest 200 million RMB in the Great Love City project.
The first installment of 50 million RMB would be paid within three days, with the remaining amount in three installments tied to their marriage anniversaries. Additionally, she would receive the title of honorary assistant to the Chairman of Love & Family. Cheng Zhenzhen, observing the terms, remarked that the conditions seemed quite favorable. Luo Zu'er then challenged Shao Pengcheng, asking if he still refused such an offer.
Shao Pengcheng, resolved to settle the matter, led both women into his father's room. Inside the room, Old Luo earnestly pleaded with Shao Jian to accept the marriage proposal. He praised Shao Pengcheng as a kind, sensible, and capable young man whom Luo Zu'er sincerely admired, asserting that Shao Pengcheng, being a man of integrity, would eventually treat his daughter well, especially after being helped through his current career struggles.
Old Luo framed the marriage as a beneficial alliance that would solve both the Love & Family crisis and the funding for Great Love City. Shao Jian, however, firmly stated that he could not make such a profound decision for his son. As a father, his sole wish was for Shao Pengcheng to marry for love and find lifelong happiness with the person he chose. Old Luo urged him to reconsider for the sake of both families and the company's crisis, but Shao Jian remained firm, stating he would not interfere with his son's marriage.
