Our Dazzling Days Episode 15 Recap
> Our Dazzling Days Recaps
Ding Guoqiang left the office in a fit of rage after learning that the plant would no longer cover the cost of his medication. Zhang Xiaoman followed him, trying to comfort him by saying that setbacks are part of life and even promising to use his future wages to pay for the testosterone Ding needed.
Touched by the gesture but dismissing it as a waste of money, Ding told Xiaoman that since he was now officially a worker, he should stop calling him "Uncle Ding" and instead address him as "Mentor." To seal the bond, Xiaoman offered him a cup of tea, though Ding joked that the tea had been sitting there for several days.
In the workshop, Mentor introduced Xiaoman to his senior apprentice, Shi Dongming, a man known for his heavy smoking and drinking. Mentor laid out three essential safety rules: be extra cautious during the late-night shift when exhaustion leads to accidents; never crowd an accident scene—instead, lick a finger to find the upwind side and run; and most importantly, never work with reckless "idiots" who are sloppy with their tasks, pointing to the idle Shi as a prime example.
Life at the East Chemical Plant had become alarmingly quiet, with workers spending their mornings playing cards and eating sunflower seeds. Xiaoman found the idleness unbearable, constantly talking about his desire to serve the country. Seeing the boy's restless energy, Mentor took him to a wild patch of land behind the factory. Since there was no machinery to fix, he declared they would "repair the earth" by digging a vegetable cellar.
He taught Xiaoman that a proper cellar should be narrow at the top and wide at the bottom to ensure it stayed cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Meanwhile, Xia Limin felt equally restless and decided to follow his wife Tong Guizhen’s suggestion to become a taxi driver. Despite warnings about the 160-yuan daily fee and the risks of being self-employed, he was determined to earn more, and his son Xia Lei fully supported the move.
Before leaving the plant, Xia Limin warned the transportation captain to fix the loose clutch and dim headlights on his old truck, advising against any long night hauls until it was repaired. In Shanghai, Yan Xiaodan received news that her application for an overseas study tour was finally progressing. When Xiaoman called her later, he excitedly shared that his first paycheck, including allowances, was nearly 600 yuan.
Xiaodan also shared her success, explaining that her award-winning design was inspired by the Mahavira Hall model he had welded for her. With his first wages, Xiaoman bought a bedding set for Tong Guizhen and Xia Limin. He also bought a bottle of high-quality baijiu and cigarettes for Mentor. However, Mentor was heartbroken when Shi clumsily twisted the cap open immediately, grumbling that the expensive liquor was worth a small fortune in eggs.
By the summer of 2000, Xiaodan returned to the plant for the holidays, finding comfort in the familiar industrial scent of home. Xia Lei, now a junior, faced pressure from his mother to pursue graduate school or a stable state-owned enterprise job, but he felt the era of "iron rice bowls" was over. Nearby, Dongdong was devastated after Sun Lulu’s parents pressured them to buy a house in the city, leading to a bitter breakup.
Lulu initially threatened to move south, but she eventually returned to vent her frustrations. Moved by the scene, Xiaodan made Xiaoman promise never to say hurtful things to her, no matter how much they argued. To help the couple, Xiaodan offered to design a renovation for Dongdong’s old family house. Xiaoman and Xia Lei joined in, and they spent the summer transforming the dilapidated space into a bright, American-style open-plan home.
During this time, Xiaodan learned her study tour to Venice and France was approved. While Xiaoman was happy for her, Mentor looked on with a heavy heart, worried about the strain of her being abroad. On the day she left, Xiaoman saw her off at the station, promising to travel the world with her one day. After returning to school, Xia Lei decided to expand his website's business by acting as a bridge for industrial orders.
He found a factory needing gas stove brackets and contacted Xiaoman. Mentor agreed that the plant’s skilled workers could easily handle such a simple job. However, the workshop director was dismissive, claiming there was no "sincerity" behind the proposal. Xiaoman eventually persuaded him by promising to work only at night to avoid drawing attention and offering a deposit as a sign of sincerity. The director finally gave a reluctant nod, warning them that this would be a one-time exception.
