Ordinary Glory Episode 22 Recap
> Ordinary Glory Recap
Lan Qianyi went to Gao Sicong to retrieve some documents related to China-Europe logistic platforms. Gao Sicong, usually indifferent to minor tasks, said he needed to rebind them first, which Lan Qianyi found uncharacteristic. She commented that he had changed, as such trivial matters never used to concern him. Gao Sicong responded that it is not the work itself, but the people involved, that matters.
Later, as Jiang Nan was leaving the office, Gao Sicong greeted him and stated he was staying to continue working late. Wu Kezhi located Lu Siqiu at a restaurant, bringing two bottles of wine, which Lu Siqiu’s friends openly mocked as cheap. Lu Siqiu, with his friends, was condescending, and made Wu Kezhi fetch chili oil.
One of Lu Siqiu's friends asked if Wu Kezhi was the "trash manager" Lu Siqiu had spoken of, to which Lu Siqiu confirmed that without him, Wu Kezhi was "just a mud puddle." Lu Siqiu then dismissively told Wu Kezhi to state his business, pay for the meal, and leave, as his presence ruined his appetite.
Despite this humiliation, Wu Kezhi poured a drink for Lu Siqiu, humbly asking him to reconsider the acquisition project and not to abandon it because of him. Lu Siqiu feigned ignorance, then questioned why Wu Kezhi, who had previously dismissed the project, now wanted it back, asking if he was "his dog." Wu Kezhi apologized for his past judgment errors and pleaded with Lu Siqiu to return to the project.
Lu Siqiu, prolonging the torment, made Wu Kezhi repeat his apology louder and then demanded he bow. Wu Kezhi attempted to, but declared his back was "too straight" to bend. Finally, Wu Kezhi, regaining his composure, challenged Lu Siqiu, asking if he truly wanted the project. He pointed out that Lu Siqiu also seemed unwilling, suggesting they both forget about it.
Wu Kezhi reminded him that it was Lu Siqiu's project, and if he wanted to give up, Wu Kezhi would not stop him, but he should not forget his own words about the project's potential to grow from 3 million to 100 million in three years. Wu Kezhi concluded by saying he had prepared all the materials, leaving the rest to Lu Siqiu, and left, leaving Lu Siqiu seething with anger.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuming and Sun Yiqiu were waiting at the office for Wu Kezhi, aware that while they knew the project was flawed, they were now compelled to proceed. Lin Yuming noted that Wu Kezhi likely still could not approve of the valuation, but they were forced to move forward. Sun Yiqiu was consumed by guilt, believing that the current passive and humiliating situation was entirely his fault.
Distracted, he accidentally fed a document meant for photocopying into the paper shredder. Lin Yuming jokingly criticized him for not using a newer shredder that would have pulverized the document, preventing them from having to piece it back together for such a "scoundrel." Sun Yiqiu began the tedious task of reassembling the shredded papers. Lin Yuming offered to help, but Sun Yiqiu insisted he go home, promising to handle it himself.
Lin Yuming eventually left, advising Sun Yiqiu not to stay up too late. As Sun Yiqiu worked late into the night, piecing together the document, he inadvertently discovered some crucial information. Later that evening, Hao Shuai tried to call Sun Yiqiu, but his call went unanswered. He then called Gao Sicong, who confirmed he was still working. Hao Shuai expressed frustration, lamenting that working late only harmed oneself.
Hao Shuai next called Lan Qianyi, inviting her for a drink, but she, too, was still at the office working and had to decline. Hao Shuai ended up drinking alone. The next morning, Sun Yiqiu, having worked all night, nearly overslept. His mother had kindly completed the task of piecing together the remaining shredded documents for him.
At the office, Manager Wang informed Wu Kezhi that Director Pan had approved the micro-cinema acquisition project and wanted to hold the investment meeting the very next day for signing. He emphasized the project's importance to Team IV and the division, urging them to expedite it without further complications. Manager Wang then called Sun Yiqiu to his office.
There, Sun Yiqiu showed Wu Kezhi and Lin Yuming a recovered document: a notice of damages receivable for property sale mailed to Lu Siqiu, revealing a a 3 million payment. The notice was dated the previous week, indicating Lu Siqiu had received damages even before selling his property to Liu Yun Peng. This anomaly led Wu Kezhi to realize the 3 million was likely a bribe. With only one day until the investment meeting, they decided to act.
Wu Kezhi tasked Lin Yuming with investigating Lu Siqiu's property transaction at the relevant agency to find more evidence, while Sun Yiqiu was to re-examine Chenmei Pictures' information. Wu Kezhi also reported his suspicions to Manager Wang, who, though sighing at the potential scandal's damage to the company and all signatories, admitted that if the suspicion came from Wu Kezhi, it was "mostly right."
Lin Yuming proceeded to a property agency, inquiring about Lu Siqiu's property at No. 19, Shangnan Road. He learned that the house had been listed for sale for over a year without success. More significantly, the agent's records showed three instances of breach of contract, all involving the same buyer, Liu Yun Peng, who repeatedly paid damages. This strengthened their suspicion.
To further investigate Liu Yun Peng's connection to Chenmei Pictures, Lin Yuming suggested they needed a "pretty lady" from outside the company. Sun Yiqiu offered a contact, Li Shi Yan. Sun Yiqiu and Lin Yuming met with Li Shi Yan, who, after some coaching, recorded a voice message for Liu Yun Peng, pretending to be an aspiring actress seeking a role in Chenmei Pictures' new drama. Liu Yun Peng replied, indicating her role would "depend on 'your performance'."
Li Shi Yan cleverly took the initiative to propose an evening meeting. During their conversation, she successfully extracted information that Liu Yun Peng's brother-in-law was Zhang Ke, the deputy director of Chenmei Pictures. This confirmed the direct link. Later, Wu Kezhi, after much contemplation, called Lin Yuming and told him to stop the investigation. Lin Yuming, understanding Wu Kezhi's internal struggle and knowing he would regret giving up easily, refused to stop, stating he would take all responsibility.
Manager Wang, too, insisted on continuing the investigation, acknowledging Wu Kezhi's past sacrifices for the company and deeming it not worth sacrificing his career for a "scumbag" like Lu Siqiu. He emphasized the importance of following proper procedure, especially since the situation was clearly suspicious. Lu Siqiu was summoned by Director Pan. Earlier, Manager Wang had already ordered the cancellation of the investment meeting and the suspension of the micro-cinema project.
Director Pan stated that based on their information, they suspected he had accepted bribes from Chenmei Pictures in the form of damages from multiple unsuccessful property sales. Lu Siqiu vehemently denied the accusations, questioning how damages received from Liu Yun Peng could be related to Chenmei Pictures, and demanded evidence. Just then, Lin Yuming and Sun Yiqiu arrived with the collected evidence.
Sun Yiqiu played the recording of Liu Yun Peng admitting that Zhang Ke, the deputy director of Chenmei Pictures, was his brother-in-law and could easily secure a role. Lu Siqiu lashed out at Wu Kezhi, accusing him of sabotaging the project, ruining three years of work, and sacrificing a 100 million profit without any personal gain.
Wu Kezhi countered that Lu Siqiu himself had ruined the project by selling a 300 million project for 100 million, questioning if he truly acted for the company. Director Pan intervened, telling Lu Siqiu his denial was an insult. Enraged, Lu Siqiu punched Wu Kezhi, again questioning his motives for self-sabotage and threatening to call Director Qu to ensure Wu Kezhi and his entire team were fired.
However, Director Qu did not answer Lu Siqiu's call, confirming he had no intention of saving him. The next morning, Hao Shuai was bewildered to encounter officers from the Economic Crime team in the elevator. Manager Wang later explained to Wu Kezhi and Sun Yiqiu that while he had not accepted bribes or hidden the crime, he would still face company punishment, likely a demotion or an unimportant position.
He noted that most people in such a situation would resign due to the lasting stain on their professional record within the industry. Lu Siqiu, brought before Director Qu, desperately asked if he would be saved. Director Qu, having previously advised Lu Siqiu to moderate himself and not "bite off more than you can chew," had no intention of doing so.
Lu Siqiu, bitter about Director Qu using him to make a fortune and allowing him into Team IV, angrily shouted that he would await Director Qu to "join me in this misery" as he was escorted away by the police. Before leaving, Lu Siqiu shot a furious glare at Sun Yiqiu.
