Ordinary Glory Episode 18 Recap
> Ordinary Glory Recap
Sun Yiqiu and Lin Yuming arrived at the office, their clothes still reeking of alcohol from the previous night. Sun Yiqiu remarked on Lin Yuming's heavy drinking. They found Wu Kezhi in a similar state, wearing the same clothes as yesterday, also smelling of alcohol. Sun Yiqiu expressed concern, noting Wu Kezhi must be exhausted, and offered to get him a hot towel, but Wu Kezhi brushed him off, telling him to focus on his work.
Lin Yuming then lamented their situation, recounting how Wu Kezhi not only failed to secure the contract but was also rudely kicked out of Director Yan's car. He questioned why Wu Kezhi had even gotten into the car if he couldn't handle the situation, then blamed himself for not stopping him. Manager Wang was furious, confronting Wu Kezhi for offending Director Yan instead of entertaining her, declaring that everyone in the company was "done for" because of his actions.
He sarcastically brought up Wu Kezhi's previous demand for a new team member and anticipated bad news for them all. Feeling dejected, Wu Kezhi went to the rooftop. His wife called, asking if he had slept and urging him to come home early, inquiring if he remembered what special occasion it was.
Wu Kezhi, discreetly checking his phone, quickly claimed to remember it was their wedding anniversary and said he had a gift for her, asking what she wanted for dinner. She playfully accused him of checking his phone. Still on the rooftop, Wu Kezhi dozed off. Sun Yiqiu found him and expressed concern about his tiredness and drinking. Wu Kezhi admitted to feeling like he had "fallen into a hole" and that his leg often went numb.
Sun Yiqiu suggested he go home to rest, but Wu Kezhi refused and asked him not to mention it to Lin Yuming, who tends to overreact. Meanwhile, Zhao Manager approached Lan Qianyi, who was studying a project unrelated to her current assignment. He angrily scolded her, questioning her commitment and accusing her of not cherishing the opportunity he had helped her secure under significant pressure. He suggested she complain to Manager Ma if she found assisting him unfair.
Later, Hao Shuai tried to console Lan Qianyi, explaining that Zhao Manager's behavior likely stemmed from insecurity, fearing she would look down on him as an outstanding woman. However, Lan Qianyi disagreed, acknowledging that Zhao Manager was right this time and that the fault was hers. Wu Kezhi, still in low spirits, announced he was going out for a walk. Zhou Qingyu called Lin Yuming, concerned because Wu Kezhi was unreachable and looked unwell.
He warned that men in their late 30s working long hours, staying up, and drinking excessively were at risk, recounting how a friend with similar symptoms of sleepiness and hemiparesis had recently died of a stroke. Lin Yuming and Sun Yiqiu immediately recalled Wu Kezhi's leg numbness and dozing off that morning, recognizing the alarming symptoms. They quickly rushed out to search for him, splitting up.
Sun Yiqiu reflected on how deeply he now cared for Wu Kezhi, comparing the potential loss to the sudden passing of his own father, who had disappeared from his life before he could say goodbye. Manager Wang, also unable to reach Wu Kezhi, instructed Zhou Qingyu to send Team II to assist in the search. Wu Kezhi awoke on a hospital bench, startled by numerous missed calls.
He immediately called Manager Wang, who reprimanded him for missing his scheduled body check-up. Manager Wang assured Wu Kezhi that he would arrange for a new team member for Team IV, but emphasized that no job was worth sacrificing his life, especially since he had a family relying on him. He then handed Wu Kezhi a package of dried sea cucumbers, a specialty from his hometown, explaining they were good for lowering high blood pressure.
Wu Kezhi playfully tried to bargain for a new team member in exchange for taking care of his health, but Manager Wang simply insisted he get a full body check-up the next day. Back at the office, Lin Yuming curiously eyed the sea cucumbers, but Wu Kezhi protectively clutched them, declaring they were all for himself and he wouldn't share.
Manager Wang then excitedly announced to the team that Director Yan had not only signed the renewal contract but had also specifically praised Wu Kezhi for his handling of the situation. Overjoyed, Manager Wang offered to treat everyone to dinner, but Wu Kezhi, having made prior plans, declined. Wu Kezhi explained his strategy to the curious team: after their initial meeting, he thoroughly researched Director Yan and her husband, who were known as successful entrepreneurs and a loving couple.
He discovered that three months prior, her husband had abruptly sought a divorce due to his company facing bankruptcy, fearing he would become a burden to her. In Director Yan's car, Wu Kezhi revealed this information to her, suggesting that her husband's actions stemmed from a desire to protect her, not from ingratitude or betrayal.
He further speculated that her husband might have kept this severe situation from her because he believed he wasn't the most important person in her life. This resonated deeply with Director Yan, who, though angered, eventually signed the contract before telling Wu Kezhi to leave. Wu Kezhi concluded that the couple had likely reconciled. That evening, Wu Kezhi left work early. At home, he presented the sea cucumbers to his wife, jokingly passing them off as an expensive anniversary gift.
She noticed he was still wearing the same shirt from yesterday, which he quickly claimed he had specially bought for the occasion. She smiled, saying she liked it. The next morning, Sun Yiqiu and Lin Yuming insisted on accompanying Wu Kezhi to his medical check-up, emphasizing it was a crucial task personally assigned by Manager Wang.
Wu Kezhi complained about their fussing but expressed hope that their new team member would be experienced and capable, specifically wishing for someone like Lan Qianyi, which amused Lin Yuming. In the elevator, Gao Sicong openly answered a call from a headhunter, discussing an interview for next Thursday with Silver Maple Capital.
Wu Kezhi observed this in front of Jiang Nan and deduced that Gao Sicong was deliberately creating a scene to test Jiang Nan, hoping his boss would ask him to stay. Wu Kezhi remarked that Jiang Nan was a good boss, unlike himself, who would react strongly to such behavior. Soon after, the new colleague for Team IV arrived: Lu Siqiu, an old acquaintance and a former subordinate of Manager Wang.
Lu Siqiu immediately began criticizing the team, mocking Lin Yuming for his age and managerial position and insulting Sun Yiqiu, referring to him as a "high school graduate" with an "empty" resume and suggesting he used charm to get hired. He advised Sun Yiqiu to leverage his looks when dealing with clients. Wu Kezhi intervened, telling Sun Yiqiu to return to his work and ignoring Lu Siqiu's taunts.
Wu Kezhi then went to Manager Wang's office, demanding Lu Siqiu be transferred, citing his notoriously bad reputation. Manager Wang argued that given Team IV's current state, no other capable person would agree to join. He defended Lu Siqiu, highlighting his experience in post-investment supervision for unicorn companies, his connections, and resources, which Manager Wang believed could bring good projects to Team IV. He advised Wu Kezhi to view Lu Siqiu as a tool to be utilized.
Zhou Qingyu, observing the exchange, feigned comfort to Wu Kezhi, expressing relief that Lu Siqiu had not joined his own team, then ironically praised Wu Kezhi as the only one under Manager Wang capable of controlling Lu Siqiu. Wu Kezhi challenged Lu Siqiu to propose some good projects if he found all their current ones "trash." Lu Siqiu evasively stated he needed time to understand the situation, then abruptly left, claiming he was going to meet a client.
Lin Yuming was visibly frustrated by Lu Siqiu's presence. Sun Yiqiu remained silent, prompting Lin Yuming to note that Sun Yiqiu always avoided offending people and allowed himself to be pushed around. Later, Jiang Nan informed Gao Sicong about his upcoming two-day business trip and entrusted him with covering the work. This forced Gao Sicong to call the HR firm and postpone his interview for Silver Maple Capital until the following day.
Meanwhile, Lan Qianyi submitted her report for the gas hydrate project to Zhao Manager, then proceeded to perform menial tasks like washing mugs for her colleagues, including Zhao Manager. Gao Sicong, witnessing this, confronted her, criticizing her for allowing herself to be humiliated and losing her pride. He argued that as investment consultants, they deserved respect and should not stay in a place where they were treated like "errand runners," urging her to join him at Silver Maple Capital.
Lan Qianyi, however, calmly stated that she might have no pride, but she was actively trying her best instead of running away. She explained that she was learning crucial lessons not taught in school, such as "earning people's acceptance" and how to cope with being "hated and ostracized." She believed that refusing to learn this lesson would lead to the same problems regardless of how many times one changed jobs. Gao Sicong remained unconvinced and declared his intention to resign.
