Ordinary Glory Episode 24 Recap
> Ordinary Glory Recap
Hao Shuai was left waiting for Manager Yin, who had claimed he was going to the toilet. A waiter approached Hao Shuai, asking if he was with the earlier gentleman, and then presented him with an exorbitant bill. Hao Shuai, expecting Manager Yin to return, was informed that Manager Yin had already left and that there had been more than a dozen guests.
Realizing he had been tricked again, Hao Shuai, muttering Manager Yin's name in frustration, paid the substantial bill. Later that evening, Lan Qianyi spotted her ex-boyfriend at a café. Meanwhile, Gao Sicong continued reviewing documents on his way home, even receiving a kind reminder from his driver to rest after work. Hao Shuai, feeling down from the earlier incident, was seen drinking alone in a private room.
The following day, Sun Yiqiu tried to help Ding Libo unpack his belongings, but Ding Libo coldly told him to focus on his own work. Lin Yuming attempted to lighten the mood, suggesting Ding Libo was just teasing, but Ding Libo called Lin Yuming to a private meeting room.
He insisted on discussing only work-related matters from then on, explaining that his transfer to Team Four was a company decision, likely because of his past familiarity with the team, to prevent any further "internal incrimination" like the Lu Si Qiu incident. A frustrated Lin Yuming pressed Ding Libo on his true feelings towards them.
Ding Libo responded that while they may have acted correctly, no one desires to work alongside someone unpredictable, likening it to owning an "untamable dog" that could "bite back" at any moment. Back in Team Four, Wu Kezhi, sensing the strained atmosphere, suggested they all go for a drink that night to welcome Ding Libo, who agreed. Later, in the cafeteria, Hao Shuai confronted Manager Yin, presenting him with the bill from the previous night.
Manager Yin feigned intoxication, claiming he had "blacked out" and usually just signed for his friend's restaurant. Hao Shuai, accusing Manager Yin of deliberately making him pay, publicly demanded repayment. General Manager Su intervened, berating Hao Shuai for causing a scene and embarrassing the company.
When Manager Yin offered the cash he had on him, promising to get more later, General Manager Su then sharply told Hao Shuai to take the money and "get lost," implying that Hao Shuai had shown a lack of respect by questioning his superior over such a matter, even questioning the value of his colleagues' friendship. Hao Shuai was left feeling deeply wronged and angry.
That evening, Wu Kezhi, Lin Yuming, Sun Yiqiu, and Ding Libo gathered for the welcome dinner. Lin Yuming tried to break the ice by reminiscing about a past due diligence trip to Wuhan, where they had to sleep in a bathhouse during peak season. He recounted how Ding Libo, despite being exhausted, claimed he "slept well." Ding Libo, however, remained mostly reserved.
Wu Kezhi then addressed Ding Libo directly, acknowledging the unfairness of his transfer but urging him to accept the reality and assuring him that Team Four was serious about work, not office politics. This prompted Ding Libo to raise his glass, declaring that from that day forward, he was officially part of Team Four, and pledged for them to work hard together, finally easing the tense atmosphere.
Later, Ding Libo offered to help Sun Yiqiu with any questions, while Lin Yuming jokingly remarked that Sun Yiqiu no longer needed their guidance. Sun Yiqiu, however, expressed that he still had much to learn from Wu Kezhi, leading to a playful exchange between Wu Kezhi and Lin Yuming. The next day, Team Four found themselves adrift in purposeless work, effectively cut off from new projects due to the lingering impact of the Lu Si Qiu scandal.
Wu Kezhi noted in a meeting that Team Four felt "like a boat in the Bermuda Triangle," with their signals for cooperation "blocked by all projects." After three exhausting, sleepless nights, Sun Yiqiu had a breakthrough, recalling his Go teacher's past advice: to become a true expert, one must "think out of the box" and "break the conventions." Inspired, he bravely proposed revisiting the private cinema project.
Lin Yuming and Ding Libo reacted with disbelief, questioning if he had "gone crazy," reminding him it was a "scandalous project" that everyone in the industry avoided. Wu Kezhi, however, allowed Sun Yiqiu to elaborate. Sun Yiqiu argued that the problems in this project were just the corrupt investment consultant and the opportunistic company trying to buy it low.
He emphasized the unfairness of letting one person's actions ruin everyone else's hard work, urging them to evaluate the project on its own merits, separate from the previous scandal. Gao Sicong presented his revised risk assessment report to Jiang Nan, who, uncharacteristically, praised his efforts, stating he had "done a good job." At lunch, Hao Shuai was noticeably quiet.
Gao Sicong shared with Lan Qianyi and Hao Shuai that he had overheard Sun Yiqiu suggesting they continue with the private cinema project. Gao Sicong dismissed it as "ignorance," believing it would only "make the matter worse" for the already infamous Team Four. Lan Qianyi, however, found Sun Yiqiu's idea had a valid point and expressed her admiration for his "courage in breaking the conventions."
Hao Shuai, still sulking, then dramatically declared that he too would abandon conventions and "do whatever I want" starting immediately. Wu Kezhi, after much consideration, approached Yu Wenli to suggest her team take over the private cinema project. Yu Wenli, however, gently refused, explaining that as it was initially Team Four's project, no other team had reason to intervene, though she assured him of her support should Team Four decide to proceed with it.
He then visited Zhou Qingyu, who was clearly exasperated. Zhou Qingyu flatly refused to take on such a "tainted project," reminding Wu Kezhi of the embarrassment it had caused King Capital. He urged Wu Kezhi to learn from past mistakes, questioning if he had "nine lives to challenge the impossible again and again" and advising him, as a newly promoted "Director Wu," to adopt a broader "vision" and avoid personal risks. Wu Kezhi, frustrated, simply told him to "get lost."
Wu Kezhi called Sun Yiqiu to his office, asking why he was so determined to continue with the private cinema project, urging him to ignore notions of the founder or profits. Sun Yiqiu explained that he refused to "run away" from the past incident, believing that to truly move on, they must "face it" and "redeem Team Four's pride on our own." Convinced by Sun Yiqiu's unwavering stance, Wu Kezhi declared his decision to proceed with the project.
Lin Yuming and Ding Libo immediately voiced their strong disapproval, with Lin Yuming drawing a controversial analogy about a hero turning villain by not finishing the job. Ding Libo argued that even setting aside public opinion, selling the project at a deflated price would still damage their reputation.
Wu Kezhi agreed, then stunned them by revealing he had no intention of selling it; instead, he planned to "further invest in it," citing recent findings that the private cinema's business model had evolved, expanding into second and third-tier cities, which now valued the project at "at least 300 million." He proposed leveraging this momentum to grow the project towards an IPO.
Both Lin Yuming and Ding Libo were aghast, deeming him "mad" for suggesting King Capital further invest in a "scandalous project," calling it "absurd" and "ridiculous" to expect unconditional support from Director Qu. Wu Kezhi responded that they "won't know unless we try." Lin Yuming, after expressing his frustration with Sun Yiqiu for getting Wu Kezhi "all worked up" and reminding him of Team Four's reputation being at stake, reluctantly agreed to cooperate but warned Sun Yiqiu against "thoughtless" suggestions.
Ding Libo then sternly lectured Sun Yiqiu, criticizing his boldness without solutions, emphasizing that Wu Kezhi was already "impulsive" and should not be encouraged in "reckless decisions." He reminded Sun Yiqiu of the company's rules and the necessity to consider all consequences and uncertainties before taking action. Sun Yiqiu apologized, to which Ding Libo added that he was "too young" to understand the complexities of interpersonal relationships within the company.
Lan Qianyi was looking for "China-Europe logistics" information when Gao Sicong quickly found it for her. He remarked that she was the first among their cohort to be put in charge of a project, and that no matter how high she soared, he would consider it entirely "reasonable." Later, Lan Qianyi excitedly told Gao Sicong she had received her bonus, showing him the amount.
Gao Sicong teasingly commented that her enthusiasm for money made her "finally like a woman," implying she usually didn't act so feminine. Soon after, Chief Xu summoned Lan Qianyi, informing her that she would be joining him in a few days for an official negotiation on the China-Europe logistics project with Youwei Capital.
When Lan Qianyi asked if their counterparty was Chen Zhan, Chief Xu enthusiastically confirmed it, then recalled her past year at Youwei Capital, asking if she knew Chen Zhan. He continued to praise Chen Zhan's impressive rise as Youwei Capital's youngest assistant manager, his successful investments in "three unicorns," and his widespread popularity among ladies. Lan Qianyi’s expression became conflicted as she looked at his name on her computer screen.
Wu Kezhi then assigned Lin Yuming and Ding Libo the critical task of conducting a due diligence investigation in nearby cities, specifically to verify the actual situation of the private cinema's franchisees against the provided reports, stressing the importance of this "first-hand information" for convincing the company to invest further. Meanwhile, Sun Yiqiu, overwhelmed by the potential repercussions, approached Wu Kezhi, asking if he could retract his suggestion.
He confessed his fear of his "thoughtless suggestion" dragging the entire team into trouble and his inability to "bear the responsibility." Wu Kezhi dismissed his worries, reassuring him that as the person in charge, he alone would be held accountable, and that Sun Yiqiu's only task was to get him a cup of coffee.
That night, Ding Libo secretly met with Director Qu to discuss Team Four's plan for the private cinema project, only to find that Director Qu was already aware of the situation and their intention to apply for "further investment for the purpose of expansion." Director Qu implied that Wu Kezhi "hasn't changed at all" and deflected Ding Libo's indirect question about his support for Team Four's plan, reminding him that Wu Kezhi was the team leader.
