Ordinary Glory Episode 14 Recap
> Ordinary Glory Recap
Gao Sicong diligently works on binding documents when Hao Shuai approaches him, seeking information about Director Pan, the Risk Control Director. Hao Shuai is trying to find a way to convince her after she rejected one of their projects. Gao Sicong describes Director Pan as famously difficult to communicate with, known for her peculiar temperament, and a woman entirely dedicated to her career.
Despite her eccentricities, her professional capability in risk control is unparalleled in the industry, earning her immense respect even from senior management. Meanwhile, Lan Qianyi directly seeks out Director Pan. Director Pan challenges her to state a valid reason to stay within three seconds, but Lan Qianyi is unable to respond before time expires and is dismissed. Back with her colleagues, Gao Sicong criticizes Lan Qianyi for making such a fundamental error by directly confronting Director Pan.
Sun Yiqiu timidly admits he was the one who encouraged her to try. Hao Shuai speculates that Director Pan might simply dislike Lan Qianyi, hinting at a "rivalry between those of the same gender" and suggesting that perhaps a different person would yield a different outcome.
However, Gao Sicong argues that the Energy Division's true motive is merely to force Lan Qianyi to concede, but he states that if Lan Qianyi were to bow down, she would lose her true self. Hao Shuai, determined to win over Director Pan, offers to take on the task himself. He secretly brings flowers to Director Pan, claiming they are from a young man who admires her.
Director Pan corners him, questioning if Yin Sheng Chao sent him, then instructs him to leave the flowers and depart. Terrified, Hao Shuai quickly drops the flowers and flees, muttering about how "scary" the encounter was. Later, he tells Sun Yiqiu he feels he was "probably sexually harassed" by Director Pan. Sun Yiqiu struggles to suppress his laughter, while Lin Yuming bursts out laughing openly.
Lin Yuming then explains that any project rejected by the Risk Control Centre, especially by Director Pan herself, has "zero chance" of ever being approved due to their stringent assessment system. Separately, Wu Kezhi consults Chief Su for examples of successful agricultural projects to support his current proposal. Chief Su informs him that there are no successful cases, only a long list of failures, including cucumbers dying overnight, stored ginger decaying, and millions lost on washed-away scallops.
Wu Kezhi, however, remains resolute, asserting that agriculture is fundamental to human life and should not be abandoned simply because it is difficult. Chief Su, having failed in agricultural investments himself, offers moral support but no tangible examples. Other colleagues wonder why Wu Kezhi insists on pursuing such a challenging project. Wu Kezhi receives a video call from his son, who has a fever and asks him to bring home his favorite pear syrup candy.
After work, Wu Kezhi hurries to the store, only to find out they have discontinued the handmade candy due to its labor-intensive, costly, and low-profit production. Recognizing Wu Kezhi, the kind owner gives him the last portion she had saved for herself, refusing payment. Lan Qianyi returns to Director Pan, this time sincerely apologizing for her previous approach and expressing a genuine desire to learn, even proposing to train under the Risk Control Centre.
Director Pan accepts and provides Lan Qianyi with all the materials for the gas hydrate project, instructing her to write a rejection statement from the Risk Control Centre's perspective. Meanwhile, Manager Zhao confronts Lan Qianyi, criticizing her for doing the Risk Control Centre's work, calling her an "embarrassment" and accusing her of undermining their own division. Wu Kezhi intervenes, scolding Manager Zhao for his inappropriate behavior, then takes Lan Qianyi to the rooftop.
There, he offers her a piece of the special pear syrup candy, explaining its laborious, traditional production method and why it stands out from others of its kind. Though Lan Qianyi initially finds it similar to a mint candy, Wu Kezhi's point about comparing it to "the same kind" sparks a profound realization for her. Inspired by this conversation, Wu Kezhi develops a new vision for his agricultural project.
He realizes that focusing solely on the agricultural product won't fully reveal its value. Instead, he proposes integrating it with "tourism development," transforming the farm into an "eco resort." This innovative approach would allow consumers to experience the entire production process, maximize resource utilization, boost profits, build a strong brand, and foster a sustainable cycle. Sun Yiqiu thinks it's an excellent idea. Lin Yuming, however, is deeply concerned, seeing Wu Kezhi's serious commitment to this challenging project.
He laments that while their peers who joined the company at the same time as Wu Kezhi are now Vice Presidents, and Manager Wang specifically offered Wu Kezhi an easier project for promotion, Wu Kezhi stubbornly chooses the difficult path. Lin Yuming urges Sun Yiqiu not to support Wu Kezhi and emphasizes that they must do everything possible to make him abandon the agricultural project before the proposal is submitted.
Elsewhere, Gao Sicong provides Lan Qianyi with previously rejected project documents from the Energy Division for her research, suggesting that Director Pan must truly appreciate Lan Qianyi for entrusting her with such a task. After working late, Lan Qianyi and Sun Yiqiu coincidentally meet downstairs. Lan Qianyi shares that she now fully understands the Risk Control Centre's reasons for rejecting the gas hydrate project, though she sees no immediate hope for its approval.
Sun Yiqiu observes her enjoyment of the challenge, comparing her resilience to Wu Kezhi's. He then poses a question, implicitly about Wu Kezhi: given a choice between a project one loves and a project that guarantees promotion, which would she choose? Lan Qianyi, understanding his concern for Wu Kezhi, believes that Wu Kezhi would prefer to be an "outstanding consultant" over merely a "qualified employee," suggesting he would follow his passion.
She concludes that following one's heart is always the best path. Sun Yiqiu invites her for a drink, but Lan Qianyi politely declines, stating she still has more work to do at home. Wu Kezhi returns home with the pear syrup candy. His sons are delighted, but innocently ask what a "promotion" means and why their mother constantly says he "can't get a promotion," causing Wu Kezhi to sigh heavily.
Director Pan is pleased with Lan Qianyi's swift completion of her assignment. Pan clarifies that true risk control standards are derived from experience and cannot be simply measured or quantified. She agrees with Lan Qianyi's rejection statement and acknowledges that the gas hydrate project is indeed "not mature enough." However, she expresses her willingness to wait for Lan Qianyi to submit a "feasible proposal."
Meanwhile, Manager Xu and Manager Zhao, mocking Lan Qianyi and assuming her efforts were fruitless, are interrupted by an awkward Manager Ma. He announces Director Pan's new directive: all documents submitted to the Risk Control Centre must now first be "pre-examined by Lan Qianyi." Lan Qianyi is overjoyed, while Xu and Zhao are exasperated and bewildered by Director Pan's favoritism, speculating whether Pan sees her younger self in Lan Qianyi or if Lan Qianyi is simply being cunning.
Wu Kezhi presents his agricultural-tourism project proposal to Manager Wang. Seeing Wu Kezhi's unwavering determination, Manager Wang accepts his decision. However, Manager Wang immediately summons Zhou Qingyu and assigns him an "E-commerce packaging project." He then informs both Wu Kezhi and Zhou Qingyu that, due to limited quarterly investment funds, only one project can be funded, and it will be the one that first gains approval from the Investment Committee, framing it as "fair competition."
Zhou Qingyu and his colleagues celebrate their perceived easy victory, while Lin Yuming is disheartened. Wu Kezhi, however, appears unfazed. Wu Kezhi later contacts General Manager Yu via phone, requesting a staff member for the due diligence investigation of his agricultural project, acknowledging it's an "unrewarding job" and that he has no other help. Sun Yiqiu eagerly volunteers. Lin Yuming initially protests, exclaiming, "If you don't go, who's going to inspect the pig farm?
Who's going to valuate the pig's pedigree?" Wu Kezhi confirms these specific tasks are indeed on the due diligence checklist, horrifying Lin Yuming, who desperately pleads to be exempted from evaluating "pedigree pigs." Manager Jiang instructs Gao Sicong to prepare for a "work trip" to the countryside for the due diligence investigation, explaining that Wu Kezhi requested his assistance.
Gao Sicong, feeling unfairly treated and sidelined with "meaningless tasks" while his peers are given "proper work," confronts Manager Jiang, asking if she has a personal vendetta against him. Manager Jiang sternly replies that her professional attitude is separate from personal feelings, stating that "meaningful tasks aren't just tasks that put you under the spotlight," and advises him to adapt or find work elsewhere.
Yu Wenli later clarifies to Gao Sicong that she arranged the trip, viewing it as a valuable "learning opportunity" for the four new recruits. Hao Shuai, eager for fieldwork, is dismayed when Manager Yin attempts to excuse him from the trip by calling Manager Yu and claiming Hao Shuai is "not feeling well" and "too shy to say it."
Hao Shuai quickly insists he "kind of want to go," prompting Manager Yin to suggest this could be a "bonus" if Manager Yu believes he's working while unwell. Finally, Hao Shuai arrives at the parking lot to join Lin Yuming, Sun Yiqiu, Lan Qianyi, and Gao Sicong. Before they depart, Manager Yin hands Hao Shuai a bottle of mosquito spray, warning him about the numerous mosquitoes in the countryside. Lin Yuming playfully teases Manager Yin about his protective concern for Hao Shuai before the group gets into the car.
