My True Friend Episode 48 (Ending) Recap
> My True Friend Recap
Cheng Zhenzhen and Shao Pengcheng successfully persuaded Mr. Zhao Jianguo, who finally confessed the truth. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with leukemia during the Spring Festival earlier in the year, which made him feel his world was collapsing.
Desperate to leave money for his family and secure medical compensation, he accepted an offer of 600,000 RMB from Secretary Zhou of Hong Shi to switch out Great Love City's approved building materials for sub-standard ones and then use his illness to report the project. Mr. Zhao recounted how it took many nights to make the switch.
However, he had a backup plan; fearing that Secretary Zhou might not pay him the full amount, he hid the original, approved materials at his cousin's farm-to-table inn, Yi Xiang Qing, in the backyard warehouse. He confessed that he even considered selling these materials for personal gain. Overcome with remorse, he stated that he deserved punishment and didn't expect forgiveness, wishing only to atone in his next life.
Shao Pengcheng assured him that they would take responsibility for his medical treatment until the end. Deeply moved, Mr. Zhao thanked them, calling Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen good people. He promised to fully cooperate, starting with contacting his cousin to return all the original materials and proactively clarifying the truth. Shao Pengcheng told him to rest and not worry, promising to visit.
Shao Pengcheng instructed Xiao Ning and Xi Shan to remain at the hospital to care for Mr. Zhao, while Jing Ran was tasked with retrieving the original materials from Mr. Zhao's cousin's inn's warehouse in Jinxi Water Town. Despite Cheng Zhenzhen's concerns about him going alone to negotiate with Hong Shi, Shao Pengcheng, confident in his approach, decided to face President Sun by himself.
He teased Cheng Zhenzhen for her worry, then reassured her before she let him go, asking him to be careful. At Hong Shi, President Sun and Secretary Zhou realized their scheme was exposed. President Sun, attempting to save face and avoid trouble, tried to appeal to Shao Pengcheng, citing his long-standing friendship with Shao Pengcheng's father. He suggested that they collaborate, seeing how both Great Love City and Hong Shi's "Big City Tiny Love" targeted the long-term real estate market.
Shao Pengcheng, however, made it clear he was there for a different reason and threatened to involve the police. President Sun quickly backed down, asking for Shao Pengcheng's terms.
Shao Pengcheng demanded three things: Hong Shi must pay all of Great Love City's fines, Mr. Zhao Jianguo would keep the money he received (with Shao Pengcheng returning it on his behalf), and Hong Shi must cease all slander and attacks against Great Love City, maintaining a strict separation between their companies. He warned that there would be no second chances.
President Sun readily agreed to cover the losses and fines, attributing it partly to his previous act of poaching Mu Yunping. He again suggested collaboration, but Shao Pengcheng firmly rejected the idea, stating that his father taught him that "good character is the most important factor in collaboration," and affirmed that the law would punish them as they deserved. Furious, President Sun berated Secretary Zhou, ordering him to take full responsibility and instruct their lawyer to state he acted alone.
Meanwhile, Mu Yunping visited Shao Jian in the hospital, apologizing for his past actions and for disappointing him. He expressed that after leaving, he realized Love & Family was his foundation, and without roots, even flourishing leaves would wilt. Shao Jian, who was happy to see him, encouraged him to work alongside Shao Pengcheng, stating that Great Love City now belonged to both of them.
He also advised Shao Pengcheng to be a boss who empowers talent, unlike himself, who might have been too controlling. Shao Pengcheng, in turn, formally offered Mu Yunping the position of Special Assistant for the Great Love City project, which Mu Yunping gladly accepted. Shao Jian jokingly chided Shao Pengcheng for making such a significant hire without his input, but Shao Pengcheng light-heartedly reminded his father of his own advice to utilize talent.
At the "Great Love City Project Apology Press Conference," Shao Pengcheng, introduced as the project director, along with Lead Designer Jing Ran and Project Representative Cheng Zhenzhen, apologized for the previous misunderstandings regarding the materials. He then introduced Mr. Zhao Jianguo to clarify the situation. Mr. Zhao, expressing gratitude for the attention, revealed that he had been diagnosed with leukemia before working on Great Love City.
He confessed to falsely accusing Love & Family of using contaminated materials and switching the approved materials himself to secure medical compensation. He attributed his change of heart to Shao Pengcheng's compassion, who not only hired the best lawyer for him to face the law but also arranged for his treatment, calling him a "lifesaver." Overcome with emotion, Mr. Zhao knelt, and Shao Pengcheng quickly helped him up.
Mr. Zhao then swore on his life that Great Love City's materials had no quality issues and praised Shao Pengcheng as the best boss for building warm and safe homes for young people in Shanghai with excellent design and service. With the crisis resolved, Great Love City's project resumed normal operations. Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen were transferred to the headquarters to oversee the project.
Cheng Zhenzhen expressed her satisfaction as she watched the apartments transform, feeling that all their efforts were worthwhile. Shao Pengcheng agreed, feeling as though they were remodeling their own home. Meanwhile, at the Garden Store, Meili was promoted to agency manager, with Xiao Ning and Xi Shan remaining as staff. Meili, asserting her new role, encouraged them to work together to improve the branch. Xiao Ning inquired about staffing, noting that Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen's transfer left them short-handed.
Meili informed them that Cheng Zhenzhen had already anticipated this and posted numerous recruiting advertisements online, with many promising applicants already. Later, Luo Zu'er visited the Garden Store with her new partner, Yan Shu, a documentary film director. She explained that they had reconnected at a class reunion and started a production company.
She sought to rent five long-term apartments in Great Love City for his foreign friends working in Shanghai, specifically recommending the project for its design and service tailored for young expatriates. Xiao Ning and Xi Shan were thrilled by the large order. Luo Zu'er, now an entrepreneur, asked to be addressed as "Director Luo."
She then sincerely apologized to Xi Shan for her past recklessness, expressing hope that they could become better friends now that both had found their own happiness. The renovations on Zhong Zhi Heng's house were completed. Shao Pengcheng, Cheng Zhenzhen, and their friends gathered there. Jing Ran had orchestrated a surprise, insisting Mr. Zhong wear formal attire for a special party before the official opening.
Inside, Mr. Zhong was impressed by the new facilities, particularly the common recreational area designed for young people. However, he expressed a touch of sadness, lamenting that while the place remained, the people had changed. Jing Ran then revealed the ultimate surprise: they had restored the swing in the courtyard. There, sitting on the swing, was Ms. Chen Bi Jun, the lost love of Mr. Zhong.
After half a century apart, Mr. Zhong (Ah Mao) and Ms. Chen (Bi Jun) reunited, embracing tearfully before Mr. Zhong gently pushed Ms. Chen on the swing. Later, Shao Pengcheng and Cheng Zhenzhen surveyed the completed Great Love City buildings. Cheng Zhenzhen expressed her hope that many more young people in the city would find their own homes there. Shao Pengcheng shared her optimism, believing that the city would have future phases of Great Love City.
He told Cheng Zhenzhen he was especially thankful she was the first person he met upon returning to China, and she reciprocated, grateful he convinced her to stay at the Hua Yuan branch and become his partner. Recalling their journey together, Shao Pengcheng confessed his love for her, and they embraced, anticipating their shared future. At an opening ceremony for Great Love City's first phase of youth apartments, Shao Pengcheng, as project director, welcomed everyone.
He affirmed that despite the adversities, Great Love City was finally complete, and he promised to provide warm homes for every tenant and be a law-abiding role model in the leasing market. He then introduced Mr. Zhong Zhi Heng and Ms. Chen Bi Jun as the first owners of a building, highlighting their half-century-long journey as an embodiment of love and home.
Shao Pengcheng emphasized that Great Love City was not just constructing cold buildings, but building warm homes and havens for people's hearts. During this time, Shao Pengcheng was also observed speaking on the phone with Zeng Hui Min, who recounted that back at the Garden Store, Meili, now the manager, was humorously echoing some of Zeng Hui Min's past motivational lines. Shao Pengcheng jokingly suggested Zeng Hui Min should charge her for copyright infringement.
