Our Dazzling Days Episode 18 Recap
> Our Dazzling Days Recaps
At Aoxun Technology, Ms. Zhao approaches Xia Lei with an urgent request. Having seen his resume, she knows he studied Communication Engineering and once ran a networking company. She asks him to fix a problem in the server room because the regular technician is overbooked. Meng Ge watches them, later warning Xia Lei that his habit of taking on everyone else's problems is no different from what he did back at school.
Xia Lei’s attempt to help ends in disaster when he accidentally crashes the entire company network. Manager Li is furious. During the confrontation, Ms. Zhao shifts the blame, claiming she was going to hire a professional until Xia Lei insisted he could handle it. Xia Lei tries to defend himself, stating that Zhao asked for his help and the network was already broken when he arrived.
He looks to Meng Ge for support, but she tells Manager Li that while she saw them talking, she didn't hear the specific details of their conversation. As a result, Xia Lei is fired. Manager Li explains that the decision isn't just about the technical failure, but because Xia Lei spends too much time on tasks outside his job description. He notes that while Xia Lei has the potential of a hard-working "workhorse," he lacks a clear professional ideal.
When Xia Lei claims his goal is simply to stay in Shanghai, Li dismisses it as a mere wish rather than a career ambition. Before leaving, Xia Lei confronts Meng Ge about her silence. She explains that she only states facts and reminds him that while the East Chemical Plant is a society built on personal favors, the city workplace is governed by rules. She bluntly tells him that doing more is not always the right thing to do.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Sen finishes organizing the mobile shop caravan, making it more efficient. Ye Chunchun arrives to collect her 10% commission from the recent clothing sales. Zhuang Sen tries to dodge the payment by complaining about high costs and gas money, but Zhang Xiaoman remains honest and pays her for a week’s work, though he holds back three days' pay for later. During their chat, Xiaoman asks why Chunchun chooses to work at the dance hall.
She counters by asking if he would ever take a "shortcut" to make quick money. Xiaoman, thinking of Zhigang’s shady dealings, insists he has a bottom line. Chunchun toasted his honesty and reliability with a soda. In another part of town, Zhigang follows Wei Si to the Blazing Phoenix Dance Hall. Impressed by the upscale venue and the fast-selling "cough syrup," Zhigang tries to recruit Chunchun to sell the bottles to her customers for a 50% commission.
She refuses, citing the strict rules set by Wang Tieda and Nana. Xiaoman witnesses this exchange and intends to tell Tieda, but Zhuang Sen stops him. Zhuang Sen warns that Zhigang is petty and that Xiaoman's "kindness" would only be seen as meddling, potentially leading to dangerous retaliation. One night, a dance hostess is murdered on her way home, leaving a mobile phone behind.
Zhuang Sen happens to find the phone and, in a moment of boredom, uses it to make a prank call to Xiaoman before spending the night at the dance hall. The next morning, Captain Feng of the police station arrives and arrests Zhuang Sen. Xiaoman rushes to Tieda for help and learns that a serial killer from the "Hammer Gang" has been targeting women. Because the victim's phone was in his possession, Zhuang Sen has become the lead suspect.
At the dance hall, a man with glasses continues to dance with Chunchun, acting as a devoted admirer. He tries to convince her to leave the industry for a "respectable" job. Chunchun mocks him, saying that men always either want to drag decent women down or play the hero by rescuing hostesses. Her words strike a nerve, and the man, who is actually the hammer-wielding killer, prepares to attack her. At the same time, Zhuang Sen is released from custody.
He suddenly realizes the man with glasses is the killer and borrows a phone to frantically call Xiaoman. Chunchun reacts quickly, smashing a bottle over the killer's head, and Xiaoman rushes in to subdue him. With the killer caught, Captain Feng praises the group for their bravery and for running an honest business. Shortly after, a regular named Cui complains to Tieda about hostesses secretly selling cough syrup.
Tieda rounds up all the dancers and, after a stern interrogation, fires Jiajia for her involvement. Xiaoman wants to speak up about the others involved, but Chunchun pulls him back. She explains that Tieda knows exactly what is going on and the firing was merely a way to warn the others. Zhigang approaches Wei Si, wanting to borrow men to teach Xiaoman a lesson.
Wei Si advises him that if he wants to be successful, he should focus on replacing Tieda rather than just venting his anger. Zhigang’s resentment only grows when he sees Tieda giving bonuses to Xiaoman and Dongdong for the dance hall’s success. Xiaoman uses his bonus to buy a flip phone and makes his first call to Yan Xiaodan, excited that they can now stay in constant contact.
Xiaodan is happy but burdened by a secret: she has passed her exams to study abroad in France for two years. She asks Meng Ge for advice, and Meng Ge realizes that Xiaodan is really just looking for support. She urges Xiaodan to tell Xiaoman immediately so he has time to process the news. On National Day, Xiaoman, Xia Lei, and Xiaodan gather at Xia Lei's home. Tong Guizhen nags Xia Lei about giving gifts to his boss to secure his future, unaware he has been fired, while Xia Lei remains silent throughout the meal.
