Ordinary Glory Episode 40 Recap
> Ordinary Glory Recap
Wu Kezhi met with Dr. Li, who was initially wary, mistaking Wu Kezhi for the boss of the previous investigators. Wu Kezhi presented Rihuan Biotech's meeting minutes related to the product Dr. Li developed. He pointed out the suspicious pattern: over three weeks before Dr. Li's dismissal, Rihuan's higher-ups held seven meetings with his R&D team, but only the last meeting's content, announcing his dismissal, was preserved. Wu Kezhi inferred a major conflict led to Dr. Li's dismissal.
Dr. Li confirmed this, explaining that based on Rihuan's technology and funds, developing the new genetic testing device so quickly was impossible. Rihuan, rushing for their IPO, pressured him to sign off on its market release. He refused, citing the vulnerable user base, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women. He swore that Rihuan had not overcome the product's technical challenges.
However, when Wu Kezhi asked for concrete evidence, Dr. Li admitted he had none, only begging Wu Kezhi to prevent the product's listing to avoid harming people. Meanwhile, Sun Yiqiu and Lin Yuming were investigating hospitals that partnered with Rihuan. They found that none had switched to Rihuan's new testing device, making them question where the company was selling its product, especially since its financial report claimed high sales to overseas medical institutions. They suspected fabricated profits.
Ding Libo informed them that their overseas investigation agency had been contacted, but results would take 2-3 days, possibly longer due to time differences. With the Rihuan IPO meeting fast approaching, time was critical, and Lin Yuming urged Ding Libo to expedite the process. Lin Yuming and Sun Yiqiu later saw Ding Libo coming down from an upper floor, stating he was going to the rooftop for a smoke break.
Lin Yuming mused that if the project proved problematic, Wu Kezhi would surely reject it, causing Team IV to offend higher-ups once more, a situation he had grown accustomed to. Wu Kezhi was visibly conflicted. He later received a phone call and left, informing Ding Libo he had to go. Separately, Hao Shuai expressed his conviction that Manager Yin was involved in something unethical related to the Mofan Fashion project.
Gao Sicong cautioned him about the severe consequences if they were caught, but Hao Shuai insisted it wasn't personal animosity. He felt compelled to act for the Mofan Fashion workers who had lost their life savings and didn't want to be like Manager Yin by feigning ignorance. Gao Sicong, touched by Hao Shuai's words, called him a good friend.
When Lan Qianyi arrived, Gao Sicong told her to remember that he, too, would take risks for his friends, hinting at their clandestine activities. That evening, Director Qu invited Sun Yiqiu to dinner. Director Qu told Sun Yiqiu that while he initially recruited him to repay his mother, Sun Yiqiu's performance in Team IV had genuinely surprised him. Wu Kezhi arrived unexpectedly and, despite Director Qu's invitation, firmly told Sun Yiqiu to return to work, sending him away.
Wu Kezhi then confronted Director Qu, asking why he hadn't disclosed the problems with Rihuan's product and its suspicious financial reports. Director Qu admitted that King Capital was low on funds and needed Rihuan's successful IPO to demonstrate their capabilities to investors. He explicitly told Wu Kezhi that Rihuan's destiny, and thus King Capital's fate, was in Wu Kezhi's hands, and he only cared about the outcome, not the methods.
Wu Kezhi expressed his concern that allowing an unfinished product to list was akin to tricking retail investors into a gamble. Director Qu dismissed his concerns, arguing that Wu Kezhi and he would be safe, but their juniors would bear the brunt if King Capital faced a crisis. Wu Kezhi declared his dread of subordinates paying for his own poor decisions.
Outside the restaurant, Sun Yiqiu tried to understand why Director Qu had invited him, but Wu Kezhi curtly told him it was none of his business and to go home. The next day, Hao Shuai initiated their plan by swapping phones with Manager Yin under the guise of an urgent call about Manager Yin's car being hit. While Manager Yin rushed out to check his car, which was perfectly fine, Gao Sicong attempted to access Manager Yin's computer.
However, Jiang Nan unexpectedly walked into the office. Later, Wu Kezhi advised Sun Yiqiu not to dwell on Director Qu's dinner invitation and to focus on his own projects. Sun Yiqiu was then called by Li Shensi for a game of Go. During their game, Li Shensi, using the analogy of Go pieces, subtly advised Sun Yiqiu.
He noted Sun Yiqiu's excessive focus on protecting a "lone soldier" on the board, which ultimately became a burden, suggesting that sometimes it's necessary to abandon a piece to find a way out, urging him to consider the bigger picture. In the elevator, Manager Yin realized the phone he had wasn't his. He returned to his office to find Gao Sicong and Jiang Nan there.
Jiang Nan returned Manager Yin's phone, claiming she had accidentally picked it up during a meeting. Hao Shuai later asked Gao Sicong if he had retrieved any data. Gao Sicong admitted he hadn't, but he had noticed numerous missed international calls from a specific number on Manager Yin's phone, which Manager Yin had not answered. Jiang Nan demanded to know what they were doing.
Hao Shuai and Gao Sicong confessed their suspicions about Manager Yin's involvement in the Mofan Fashion case. Jiang Nan sternly told them to stop, emphasizing that stealing information was unjustifiable and would lead to all three of them, including Manager Yin, getting into serious trouble if discovered. Gao Sicong then asked Jiang Nan if she also saw the international calls and whether she believed Hao Shuai's theory that Manager Yin might be in contact with the runaway founder.
After a moment, Jiang Nan agreed to look at the number Gao Sicong remembered. Wu Kezhi called Ding Libo and Lin Yuming into his office and told them to cease the Rihuan investigation. He revealed that if Rihuan failed to get listed, the company would not retain Sun Yiqiu. He explained that Sun Yiqiu's recent contract renewal was part of a deal between Team IV and the company.
Lin Yuming was stunned, questioning what would happen if Rihuan truly had major issues. Wu Kezhi, with a heavy heart, stated that if he had to choose between Sun Yiqiu and the project, he had no other option. Sun Yiqiu, recalling Li Shensi's Go analogy, returned to the office to find everyone subdued, sensing something was being kept from him. Wu Kezhi then announced a celebratory dinner for Sun Yiqiu's successful contract renewal, declaring that the Rihuan matter was closed.
A bewildered Sun Yiqiu was then pulled along to the celebration. At the celebration, Gao Sicong discreetly gave Hao Shuai the phone number Jiang Nan had memorized, reassuring him of its accuracy. Hao Shuai was delighted, feeling a strong intuition that this number was a crucial lead. As the group became intoxicated, Ding Libo and Lin Yuming excused themselves to the washroom.
Sun Yiqiu took the opportunity to thank Wu Kezhi, implying he knew his contract renewal was linked to the Rihuan project. Wu Kezhi dismissed his assumption. Sun Yiqiu then confessed that when they first met, he had lied about "effort" being his selling point, admitting he felt hopeless at the time. He shared that Wu Kezhi had given him a "tiny bit of hope," which was now enough for him to carry on, no matter where he went.
