Our Glamorous Time Episode 30 Recap
> Our Glamorous Time Recap
Li Zhicheng called Grace after receiving an email, accusing her of aiding Amanda in suppressing Lin Qian and sidelining her from the Y-Fancy project. Grace found his reaction excessive, explaining that Don, having seen Lin Qian's design, likely found Amanda's ideas more fitting for his style. She emphasized that a company cannot depend solely on one designer or prioritize fulfilling an individual's dream, especially considering Lin Qian's wealthy background.
Li Zhicheng defended Lin Qian's independence, but Grace, unable to continue the unproductive conversation, ended the call, advising him to calm down. Later, Li Zhicheng ordered takeout for Lin Qian, knowing she had skipped lunch. He apologized for not being able to openly favor her in her conflict with Amanda. Lin Qian, understanding, gracefully replied that being in a relationship meant facing all challenges together. Just then, Li Zhicheng received an urgent call from his housekeeper.
Rushing home, Li Zhicheng found his father in a furious state, attempting to discard all of his late brother, Li Zhiqian's, possessions. His father, in a moment of confusion, mistook Li Zhicheng for Li Zhiqian, scolding him for past business failures and for promoting Ning Weikai, whom he described as overly ambitious and untrustworthy.
The family doctor, after assessing his father's condition, confirmed it was Alzheimer's disease, stating his condition was stable but recommending further hospital tests for a definitive diagnosis. Li Zhicheng was filled with sorrow, lamenting his father's suffering and the late diagnosis. The housekeeper mentioned his father had been forgetting things and occasionally misidentified people, but never to this extent. Grace met Ning Weikai for a walk, as previously promised. She complained about her busy schedule.
Ning Weikai suggested that walking could help clear her mind and relax. They struggled to find common ground outside of work-related topics. Back at Aida, Amanda severely criticized Chen Yayi for allegedly retrieving the wrong fabric, questioning her basic knowledge and role in the design department, even threatening to dismiss her. Chen Yayi defended herself, clarifying that the fabric was labeled as satin and she was helping a colleague. She accused Amanda of deliberately targeting her.
Lin Qian arrived during the confrontation and asserted her authority as Chen Yayi's direct supervisor, stating that only she could decide Chen Yayi's employment status. Amanda continued to disparage the quality of Aida's design team. Lin Qian, seeing the escalating conflict, proposed a design competition: both would submit their plans to the headquarters, and the company's decision would determine who led the Y-Fancy project. Amanda accepted the challenge, agreeing that the chosen designer would lead.
Chen Yayi apologized to Lin Qian for the mistake. Lin Qian reassured her that Amanda's true target was her, but she reminded Chen Yayi to be more meticulous to avoid giving others an excuse for criticism. Lin Qian explained that she felt compelled to accept the challenge, contemplating resignation if she lost. Chen Yayi, concerned by Lin Qian's composure, wondered if she was truly giving up on her innovative ideas.
Lin Qian then revealed her intention to use Snowy Smoke silk in her new design, aiming to demonstrate its potential and make Amanda acknowledge the value of Chinese elements, which Amanda seemed to undervalue. Li Zhicheng and Li Jinyuan took their father to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed the Alzheimer's diagnosis, predicting he would lose all memory within two years. Li Jinyuan broke down, weeping in her second brother's arms. Li Zhicheng was deeply affected by the news.
Returning to the office, Li Zhicheng confided in Gu Yanzhi about his father's illness. He finally understood his father's reasons for concealing his condition, fearing that a diagnosis would expose Wenda's internal vulnerabilities. Li Zhicheng declared his decision to return to Wenda with his team and projects, aiming to transform it into a self-branded enterprise. Gu Yanzhi expressed surprise and warned of significant power struggles ahead.
Li Zhicheng, however, felt confident with the support of his team, Lin Qian, and Gu Yanzhi. Gu Yanzhi submitted both Lin Qian's and Amanda's design proposals for a blind selection process by Grace and Li Zhicheng, emphasizing fairness. As they awaited the decision in a conference room, Amanda approached Lin Qian. Amanda admitted to having thoroughly researched Lin Qian, initially believing she was incompetent and owed her position to Li Zhicheng.
While acknowledging Lin Qian's designs were better than expected, Amanda cautioned her that creativity alone doesn't guarantee success. She expressed interest in Snowy Smoke silk but highlighted the immense difficulty and cost of integrating such a complex fabric into commercial designs, stressing that fast-fashion brands must prioritize market demand and employer expectations over personal dreams. Lin Qian countered, asserting the importance of innovation and being a pioneer.
Amanda then provocatively suggested that Lin Qian was staying at Aida against her true desires. During the blind selection, Li Zhicheng advocated for Lin Qian's design, emphasizing its strong Chinese elements that would differentiate Y-Fancy. Grace, however, favored Amanda's design for its youthful, trendy, and energetic appeal, which she believed was more aligned with current fashion trends for younger consumers.
She also raised concerns about the significant additional cost (10%) and market risk associated with Lin Qian's Snowy Smoke silk design. Both turned to Gu Yanzhi for the tie-breaking vote. Gu Yanzhi ultimately sided with Amanda, stating that Aida was not yet ready to develop Snowy Smoke silk. With a 2-1 vote, Amanda's design was selected as the final proposal for Y-Fancy. Lin Qian was disheartened by the outcome.
Li Zhicheng tried to console her, explaining that while he supported her design, the company needed a safer, more market-viable option for Y-Fancy's launch due to the high cost and time required for Snowy Smoke silk. Lin Qian reflected, acknowledging that she might have been too ambitious for Aida's current stage and expressed pity for the lost opportunity, though she understood the company's decision. Chen Zheng met with Ning Weikai to discuss their plans.
Ning Weikai revealed a crucial missing element: securing Gu Yanzhi's cooperation. Chen Zheng dismissed this as impossible due to Gu Yanzhi's unwavering loyalty to Li Zhicheng, but Ning Weikai hinted that loyalty might not be as absolute as it seemed. Chen Yayi felt deflated about the competition's outcome, questioning Lin Qian's composure. Lin Qian maintained that she accepted the results.
Chen Yayi sensed Lin Qian's hidden disappointment, suggesting that Li Zhicheng had influenced her decision regarding Snowy Smoke silk, but Lin Qian brushed it off, joking about not wanting to cry. Chen Yayi reaffirmed her steadfast support for Lin Qian. Li Jinyuan arrived at a photoshoot for Wetcode products, surprised to discover Chen Zheng was her male partner.
Chen Zheng flattered her with compliments about her beauty, but Li Jinyuan dismissed his remarks as insincere, urging him to focus on their work. During the shoot, Chen Zheng's playful teasing and Li Jinyuan's mischievous responses made for a lively atmosphere as the director encouraged them to act like partners. Amanda's assistant demanded Lin Qian provide immediate written feedback on Amanda's new proposal, citing "procedure" and the project's high priority. Despite Lin Qian's team being busy, the assistant insisted.
Lin Qian then directly pointed out that several of Amanda's designs bore striking resemblances to existing brands. The assistant then demanded Lin Qian personally compile all her critiques into a formal, bolded, size-12 font document within an hour. Lin Qian retorted by demanding that Amanda's proposals also follow such strict procedural documentation, and suggested the assistant relay that message to Amanda.
Chen Yayi was frustrated by the constant stream of emails with changing procedures and demands from Amanda's team, accusing them of hypocrisy given their emphasis on "procedure." Lin Qian calmly advised her not to stoop to their level and to maintain their professionalism, urging her to double-check their own work. Li Zhicheng called Lin Qian to check on her. He mentioned his demanding schedule as he prepared for his return to Wenda.
He apologized for Amanda's targeting of Lin Qian, explaining the necessity of Y-Fancy for Aida and Wenda's market penetration. Lin Qian assured him she would do her utmost. Later, Li Zhicheng returned home to find his father sitting on the floor, refusing to go to bed and becoming agitated at any mention of sleep. Li Zhicheng gently began to tell his father a story about Thomas Edison.
His father suddenly turned, looked at him, called out "Li Zhicheng," and asked when he would return, expressing how much he missed him. Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Zhicheng embraced his father.
