Ordinary Glory Episode 9 Recap
> Ordinary Glory Recap
During the assessment, Sun Yiqiu was asked if he would invest in Hao Shuai's project. He replied, "No," which surprised everyone. Hao Shuai inquired about his reasoning. Sun Yiqiu explained that he wasn't rejecting the project because it was bad, but because he felt he wasn't good enough. He admitted he knew nothing about luxury brands, fashion design, or women's fashion, especially regarding Hao Shuai's goal of turning Teli Women Fashion into a top international brand.
He believed that if he, in his current state, recklessly invested, he would only destroy the project. Sun Yiqiu then turned the argument back to Hao Shuai, stating that if it was Hao Shuai's dream and born from his judgment and hard work, then Hao Shuai himself should be the investor, promising to support him fully if he were. Wu Kezhi, listening, acknowledged that such a reason was indeed irrefutable, noting that at least Sun Yiqiu understood his own limitations.
Sun Yiqiu then recommended the "Campus Makers Competition." Hao Shuai questioned its relevance, having graduated long ago. Sun Yiqiu reminded Hao Shuai of his three entrepreneurial attempts in college and argued that a platform encouraging college students to become entrepreneurs would offer more youngsters opportunities, just as Hao Shuai had. Hao Shuai countered that his success couldn't be replicated and that college student projects tended to be childish, unlikely to yield good results, and not worth the investment.
Sun Yiqiu challenged him, asking if the investors who had supported Hao Shuai's three failed ventures back then had made a mistake. Hao Shuai conceded that, based on the outcome, they might have. Sun Yiqiu disagreed, asserting that it was precisely because of their support that Hao Shuai possessed his current vision and experience.
He elaborated that while such projects were often dismissed as unrealistic dreams, Hao Shuai, as an investor and judge in this field, would be uniquely positioned to see their value, just like he had persevered back then. Sun Yiqiu concluded by asking Hao Shuai if, as an investment consultant with good vision, he would reject his past self. Yu Wenli commented that this move was too clever, as rejecting the project would mean disapproving of his own past.
Wu Kezhi secretly commended Sun Yiqiu, realizing he had finally understood the situation. The training period officially ended, with the assessment results slated for announcement in one week. During the waiting period, Sun Yiqiu kept busy with various part-time jobs, delivering food, handing out gym flyers, and even helping his mother clean hotel rooms because her shoulders hurt. He assured his mother he had nothing else to do.
Meanwhile, in the office lounge, Wu Kezhi and Zhou Qingyu discussed Zeng Hao's performance. Zhou Qingyu believed Zeng Hao likely wouldn't pass the assessment and was actively helping him find jobs at other companies, empathizing with Zeng Hao's family responsibilities. He suggested that it was better for Zeng Hao to give up sooner if he wasn't cut out for the industry.
Zhou Qingyu then inquired about Sun Yiqiu, to which Wu Kezhi admitted Sun Yiqiu performed well but company requirements were still a concern. Later, Lin Yuming instinctively asked Sun Yiqiu to deliver some documents, only to realize he was no longer there. He felt they had been too cold and should have at least offered Sun Yiqiu a farewell meal.
Wu Kezhi dismissed the idea, instead telling Lin Yuming to find a suitable seat for Lan Qianyi, who was expected to join their team. He even suggested Lin Yuming swap his long-held seat with her. Late that night, Sun Yiqiu, unable to sleep, took out a Go board. His mother was surprised, reminding him he had wanted to forget about Go for years.
Sun Yiqiu confessed that thinking about Go used to make him feel like a failure, having wasted his years of hard work and letting his parents down. However, he had finally realized that regardless of the outcome, he should face it instead of running away, and promised his mother he wouldn't be depressed even if he failed this test. He then asked her to play a game with him.
Around the same time, Lan Qianyi, Hao Shuai, and Gao Sicong all received employment notifications on their phones, confirming they had passed the test. Sun Yiqiu was explaining the concept of a joint venture to a neighbor at a pancake stall when he too received a message. He abruptly dropped his half-eaten pancake and ran off. The next day, Sun Yiqiu's mother gave him a new necktie.
He put on his suit once again and headed to the company, reflecting that the suit felt like the "armor of the white-collar class," instilling a moderate anxiety that kept him grounded and reminded him of his identity and responsibility. Lan Qianyi, Gao Sicong, and Hao Shuai had gathered at the company entrance, believing only the three of them had passed. They were surprised when Sun Yiqiu arrived.
Lan Qianyi and Hao Shuai were happy for him, while Gao Sicong's expression was filled with astonishment. Manager Gao led them inside, informing them that Director Qu wished to see them personally. Director Qu first spoke with Lan Qianyi, praising her impressive work on the Milai project and her collaboration with Manager Yu. He then spoke to Hao Shuai, acknowledging his entrepreneurial experience and his father's support.
When it came to Gao Sicong, Director Qu complimented his pragmatic, logical, and well-articulated presentation, though noting his preference for the Energy Division. Finally, Director Qu addressed Sun Yiqiu, simply telling him, "All the best." After the meeting, they received their department assignments. Hao Shuai was assigned to the Consumer Goods Division, Lan Qianyi to the Energy Division, and Gao Sicong to the Technology Division, which was the opposite of their stated preferences.
Sun Yiqiu reported to Integrated Team IV as a formal employee. Wu Kezhi initially feigned annoyance, asking why Sun Yiqiu was back and complaining that he had wanted Lan Qianyi for his team. However, Sun Yiqiu thanked him, having heard that Wu Kezhi specifically requested the HR department for him. Wu Kezhi vehemently denied it, claiming he would only ask for Lan Qianyi and engaging in a playful argument with Lin Yuming and Sun Yiqiu about who was responsible.
Later, Director Qu visited Team IV, expressing satisfaction. He noted that Wu Kezhi had finally "grown" and believed it marked a new and good beginning for the team. Sun Yiqiu went to the rooftop, reflecting on Lin Yuming's words from his first day: how he lacked qualifications, connections, and basic skills, and was told he came to the wrong place but could learn if he tried his best.
Wu Kezhi joined him, remarking that Sun Yiqiu was "slacking off" on his first day as a full-time manager. He honestly admitted he still didn't have much confidence in Sun Yiqiu, reminding him that this was a new start, not an end, and he had a long way to go. Wu Kezhi emphasized that the investment industry was different from others; one either worked hard or worked harder. He cautioned that few reached the peak, while most remained nobodies.
If Sun Yiqiu only wanted to "get by," he advised him to find a more stable job. Sun Yiqiu assured him he would work hard. Wu Kezhi then jokingly wished he had Lan Qianyi instead, saying she wouldn't utter such "silly" words. He further elaborated that while hard work didn't guarantee success, not working hard guaranteed failure, and that investment consultants either succeeded or failed, always hoping for success and waiting for failure.
Sun Yiqiu then brought up a Go principle: one must never think of losing before the game ends, as that thought hinders focus. This made Wu Kezhi question if Sun Yiqiu had omitted something from his resume, which Sun Yiqiu awkwardly clarified was merely an analogy for maintaining a winning mindset. A week later, Wu Kezhi was furious, scolding Sun Yiqiu for disorganized and inconsistent project documents.
Lin Yuming tried to calm him, revealing that a project had been stolen from them, which was why Wu Kezhi was in a bad mood. Sun Yiqiu sighed, realizing that his own situation was the only one that hadn't changed. Hao Shuai, unaccustomed to strict office routines, was still struggling to adapt; all his intern privileges had vanished, and Manager Yin assigned him numerous business plans to review and report on.
Gao Sicong, in contrast, found himself with absolutely nothing to do in the Technology Division, feeling less significant than a potted plant. Lan Qianyi's situation was perhaps the most challenging. The once proud and enthusiastic intern was having the worst time. She faced hostility from Manager Ma and Manager Xu, with Manager Ma specifically instructing Xu Tai Ping to "educate" her and make her obedient, implying the effort it took to get her transferred to their team.
Lan Qianyi even received a phone call during lunch, where she was told to focus on her job. She felt as though every day dragged on endlessly. During lunch, Lan Qianyi, picking up her specially ordered low-oil, low-salt meal, encountered Sun Yiqiu, who was also going to eat. She suggested they eat together. Sun Yiqiu felt a bit awkward, concerned his food might make her uncomfortable given her diet.
Lan Qianyi simply laughed and advised him not to ask such impolite questions in the future. During the lunch, Sun Yiqiu apologized to Yu Wenli because a project he worked on, Hong'an Biotech, was passed to the Energy Division. Yu Wenli said she was used to it and asked for his opinions on a new project, and also mentioned someone's comment about Lan Qianyi marrying a family man.
Wu Kezhi then saw Lan Qianyi in the cafeteria and warmly invited her to sit with him and Yu Wenli, conspicuously ignoring Sun Yiqiu. He inquired about her experience in the Energy Division, offering support against any bullying, and advising her to develop an "iron heart" like Yu Wenli, whom he praised as the company's youngest, capable, and tactful general manager, contrasting himself, still a chief after so many years.
Later that afternoon, Wu Kezhi told Sun Yiqiu to get ready for a meeting, as he would be joining them since he had prepared all the project materials. Sun Yiqiu was overjoyed, realizing it would be his first official meeting, though Wu Kezhi commented it wasn't necessarily a "good thing."
