My True Friend Episode 39 Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Lying in his hospital bed, Chairman Shao told Luo's father that his son, Shao Pengcheng, should decide his own marriage. Chairman Shao's only wish was for Pengcheng to live happily with the person he loved for the rest of his life. Luo's father expressed concern, reminding Chairman Shao that Love & Family was his life's work and might be lost without their investment.
He also questioned how Chairman Shao could easily let go of Mu Yunping, whom he had personally trained. Shao Pengcheng then entered the room, having overheard the conversation. He thanked Luo's father for his trust and for offering his daughter, Luo Zu'er, in marriage. However, Shao Pengcheng stated he could not accept the offer, explaining that he had always considered Zu'er like his own sister. He believed that using marriage as a business deal would make him an unworthy partner.
Shao Pengcheng defined true love as wanting to spend every minute and second with someone, a feeling that remains strong regardless of time or distance. He revealed that he had been fortunate enough to find that person and hoped Zu'er would also find someone to be with purely out of love, without any other conditions.
Luo Zu'er, visibly upset, directly asked Pengcheng if he had truly thought this through, emphasizing that rejecting her was equivalent to rejecting two hundred million yuan. She questioned if he no longer cared about the Great Love City project or protecting Love & Family, and urged Chairman Shao to intervene. Chairman Shao, however, firmly supported his son, stating he had never been more clear-headed.
He reflected on how both he and Luo's father had started from nothing to build their empires, and expressed his belief that Pengcheng could, through his own efforts, create a brand new Love & Family. As they left the hospital, Cheng Zhenzhen playfully questioned Shao Pengcheng if he regretted turning down the two hundred million yuan, adding that she didn't see him as being worth that much and that if it were her, she would accept the offer.
Shao Pengcheng admitted to having some regrets, quipping that he was probably the only person in the world to refuse such a large sum. Cheng Zhenzhen suggested he could still go back and accept the offer, but Shao Pengcheng then looked at her earnestly and said that he believed she was worth far more than just two hundred million yuan. He also joked that she looked ugly without her bangs, prompting a feisty response from Zhenzhen.
Meanwhile, when Jing Ran returned home, he found Mu Yunping waiting for him in the living room. His mother, Aunt Bai, quickly went upstairs to give them privacy. Jing Ran, already aware of Mu Yunping's move to Hong Shi Real Estate and his acquisition of the Great Love City project, gave him a cold reception.
Mu Yunping characterized Love & Family as a "sinking ship in a storm," asserting that its current woes were its own fault, not the departing employees'. He openly invited Jing Ran to join Hong Shi, promising that Director Sun held him in high regard and would meet any conditions Jing Ran might have. Jing Ran, however, stated that while he didn't have deep emotional ties to Love & Family, he possessed principles and a "bottom line."
He declared that he would not associate with people of low character nor engage in cruel or unjust actions. When Mu Yunping tried to bring up Cheng Zhenzhen, Jing Ran sharply told him that his personal life was none of his business. Mu Yunping apologized but reiterated that Jing Ran knew Hong Shi was the best choice and should contact him once he considered it further. With that, Mu Yunping left.
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng went to a restaurant for dinner, where Zhenzhen continued to express her concern about the Great Love City project. She pointed out that without company investment and with Shao Pengcheng having rejected two hundred million yuan, they seemed to be at a dead end. Shao Pengcheng, however, optimistically believed they would find a way, revealing he was already meeting with a financier who had approved their project plan and was awaiting a final decision.
Zhenzhen was surprised and pleased by this news. Afterwards, Zhenzhen mentioned her desire to visit Aunt Bai, worried she might be anxious. Shao Pengcheng fed her some cake, jokingly suggesting it would sweeten her up before Aunt Bai potentially scolded them. At home, Aunt Bai was relieved to hear that Jing Ran would not be joining Hong Shi, agreeing that he shouldn't associate with people like Mu Yunping.
Jing Ran informed her that he had started his own design company with several promising projects. He then broke the news of Chairman Shao's serious illness and recent brain surgery, though reassuring her that he was out of critical danger. Aunt Bai was deeply worried about Chairman Shao, reflecting on the unpredictability of health in old age and the constant worry parents have for their children. Jing Ran comforted her, prioritizing her happiness and health above all else.
He then expressed his intention to help Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng with their challenging project, and Aunt Bai readily agreed, stating she would visit them to understand their difficulties and offer any help she could, as she still saw them as good people. Separately, Shao Pengcheng met with Director Lu, a friend of his father's, seeking assistance.
Director Lu praised Pengcheng's work but highlighted the volatile market and the significant setback that Mu Yunping had already taken the Great Love City concept to Hong Shi and made it public. He emphasized that investors prioritize innovative ideas and reliable expected returns, stating that in business, "whoever takes off first has already won half the race."
Shao Pengcheng countered that a project's success depended more on the execution details and management, which Hong Shi lacked compared to the original creators. Hui Min confronted Mu Yunping, who had been waiting for her, over Hong Shi's press conference announcing a project identical to Great Love City. She expressed her deep disappointment, noting he hadn't offered an explanation for three days.
Mu Yunping defensively recalled asking her if working on similar projects at Hong Shi would be considered betrayal, implying she should have understood. Hui Min accused him of stealing an idea, intentionally misleading her, and betraying Chairman Shao and Shao Pengcheng. Mu Yunping argued that the true value of an idea lies in who can bring it to fruition first, claiming Hong Shi had superior capability to Love & Family.
He likened it to the competitive landscape of various businesses, suggesting that if Hong Shi hadn't pursued the "Youth Apartment project," another company would have. While Hui Min conceded his points had some truth, she vehemently stated she could not accept "his" actions, especially given Chairman Shao's kindness and high regard for him.
Mu Yunping tried to explain his "helplessness," claiming Hong Shi's Director Sun offered him a generous package specifically for the project, making it seem he had no choice but to bring the idea. He even offered to take care of her if she resigned, shielding her from the "backstabbing." However, Hui Min rejected his justifications, stating his future care could not replace her moral compass.
She declared she could not accept his betrayal and walked away, ending their relationship, despite Mu Yunping's plea that it was too late to reverse his public position as Hong Shi's Vice President. While out buying groceries, Aunt Bai suddenly collapsed on the street due to a heart attack. Fortunately, Cheng Zhenzhen happened to be passing by and found her. Unable to reach Jing Ran by phone, Cheng Zhenzhen called Shao Pengcheng, who advised her to call emergency services.
At the hospital, Cheng Zhenzhen informed Shao Pengcheng that Aunt Bai needed immediate heart bypass surgery, but Jing Ran was still unreachable. When the doctor explained that direct family consent was required for such a risky procedure, Shao Pengcheng stepped forward. He urgently persuaded the doctor to proceed with the surgery without delay, taking full responsibility for any potential issues, and the doctor agreed to consult with his superiors. Soon after, Jing Ran rushed to the hospital.
Cheng Zhenzhen quickly updated him on his mother's condition, reassuring him that she had arrived in time and was out of immediate danger. Jing Ran, overwhelmed with guilt, blamed himself for not paying enough attention to his mother. Shao Pengcheng then returned, having completed the registration and payment, and discreetly left to give Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen space.
Cheng Zhenzhen comforted Jing Ran, reminding him not to be too hard on himself as such health issues can be common with age. The doctor later confirmed the surgery was successful, and Aunt Bai would be moved out soon. Jing Ran expressed immense relief, calling his mother his only family. Cheng Zhenzhen attributed Aunt Bai's survival to her being a good person and encouraged Jing Ran to thank Shao Pengcheng, who had signed the crucial surgery consent form.
As Jing Ran and Cheng Zhenzhen left the hospital, Jing Ran shared that he had tendered his resignation to headquarters and started his own design company. He acknowledged the difficulties of the Great Love City project and reiterated his offer of support to Zhenzhen, encouraging her that they would overcome challenges. Zhenzhen thanked him, wishing him success with his own endeavors. Soon after, Shao Pengcheng playfully kicked an empty can when Cheng Zhenzhen approached him, declaring she was hungry.
He teasingly asked if she wanted "wonton soup" again. A secretary arrived at the Garden Store to inform Shao Pengcheng that Chairman Dong, along with several major shareholders, had visited his father in the hospital and forced him to sign an equity transfer agreement. His father was made to transfer twenty percent of management equity and twenty percent of his personal equity, leaving him with only ten percent.
Shao Pengcheng immediately rushed home, where he learned from Sister Zhang that his father had been worried about his health and had even written a will before his illness. Upon seeing his father, Shao Pengcheng found him remarkably calm. Chairman Shao offered his will, which initially allocated fifty percent of his company equity to Pengcheng, but now only ten percent remained. Shao Pengcheng dismissed the will, prioritizing his father's health and vowing to reclaim the lost equity.
Chairman Shao, however, stated he had thought it through, content with enough money for retirement and not wanting to add to his son's burdens. He then shared his perspective that the real estate industry, despite its apparent stability, was fraught with crises, which was why he had supported Pengcheng's Youth Apartment project, regretting that others failed to see its potential.
When Shao Pengcheng asked if he could truly let go of his life's work, Chairman Shao explained that an enterprise, like a person, must know when to release its hold. He believed this adversity could ultimately be a positive turning point, noting his declining health would only hinder the company. He then confidently asserted that if Pengcheng succeeded with the Youth Apartment project, those who had taken advantage would inevitably return, and then it would be "their turn to talk."
Shao Pengcheng remained indignant at the shareholders' perceived ingratitude, but Chairman Shao advised him that true leadership requires tolerance. Feeling lucky to be alive, he expressed indifference to the equity loss. He emphasized that Love & Family needed new life and energy, entrusting its future to his son. Shao Pengcheng promised not to disappoint him, then playfully told his father to tear up the will, joking about the paltry amount of equity remaining. Chairman Shao, in turn, good-naturedly scolded him.
Finally, Shao Pengcheng made his father promise to return to the hospital, which he agreed to. In a hopeful concluding scene, Shao Pengcheng illuminated a portrait of Cheng Zhenzhen and declared the Great Love City project officially launched.
