Our Glamorous Time Episode 7 Recap
> Our Glamorous Time Recap
Li Zhicheng met Mr. Fujino for authentic Japanese cuisine in Linhai City. They discussed the importance of raw materials. Fujino shared that in his hometown, top-rated tempura was made with shrimp grown for three months in clean sea water, oil from unpolluted soybeans, and flour once offered to Chinese emperors, emphasizing that different materials yield different tastes. Li Zhicheng agreed, stating that Aida also aimed to produce top-rated products and hoped for Fujino's assistance. Fujino affirmed their shared vision.
During their conversation, Chen Zheng called Fujino, reiterating Simeiqi's desire to collaborate. Fujino informed Chen Zheng that he was currently in discussions with Aida. Li Zhicheng then offered Fujino eight million yuan. Chen Zheng immediately countered with nine million, prompting Li Zhicheng to raise his bid. The two companies engaged in a bidding war, with Chen Zheng aggressively increasing his offer, ultimately reaching fifteen million yuan. Aida Group, unable to offer more, withdrew from the bidding.
Meanwhile, Lin Qian was at a hotel meeting with Mr. Warner, the Belgian businessman. They were pleasantly surprised to discover they were alumni of St. York University and shared a teacher, Casili. Lin Qian recalled learning about Warner's company's waterproof fabric in college, which her teacher had highly praised. Warner had also backpacked in Nepal with Casili, and Lin Qian mentioned her experience with hiking clubs in college.
They found many common interests, and Warner even volunteered to lower his offer. During their discussion, Warner excused himself to the restroom. Lin Qian took the opportunity to call Li Zhicheng, reporting that her meeting was progressing very well and the company could prepare the contract. Li Zhicheng was pleased. However, upon Warner's return, he regretfully informed Lin Qian that he had changed his mind because someone had just made him an offer he couldn't refuse—double their original prices.
Lin Qian was stunned. Lin Qian reported back to Li Zhicheng, expressing her apologies and stating she didn't know who offered Warner double the price. Li Zhicheng, with a sharp gaze, identified the competitor as Ning Weikai of Xinbaorui. Lin Qian was surprised and worried about competing with Xinbaorui's resources. Li Zhicheng reassured her not to worry, promising to handle the fabric issue himself. The next day, Ning Weikai instructed his secretary to draft an international contract with Warner.
The secretary questioned the price, noting it was double the market rate and wondered about potential board inquiries. Ning Weikai dismissed his concerns, saying he would explain it himself and ordered him to proceed. At the same time, under Grace's arrangement, an attractive woman intentionally approached Zhu Hanchong at a bar he frequented. She subtly mentioned that Ning Weikai signed a contract at double the market price, implying he sought high kickbacks.
Zhu Hanchong, already envious of Ning Weikai, grew furious, unaware he was being manipulated to sow discord between Ning Weikai and his father. Later, in his office, Ning Weikai was berating a designer for substandard clothing styles when Zhu Hanchong and his father, the Chairman, stormed in. Zhu Hanchong mockingly accused Ning Weikai of signing a contract at double the price with ulterior motives.
Ning Weikai tried to defend his actions by explaining the urgency of securing Tex's fabric for the Mingsheng project, especially with Aida also vying for it. Chairman Zhu, however, interrupted him with a reprimanding tone, instructing Ning Weikai to consult with him for such contracts in the future, or with Zhu Hanchong if he was busy. He also questioned Ning Weikai's motives, suggesting he was trying to get kickbacks, an accusation fueled by Zhu Hanchong's insinuation.
Chairman Zhu mentioned that Aida did not have the capability to sign such a contract and asked Ning Weikai if he was competing with Li Zhicheng for Lin Qian. Ning Weikai, feeling rebuffed, complied with the Chairman's directive, though clearly displeased. Lin Qian then brought Li Zhicheng to meet Warner, who was exercising at a gym. Warner, sensing their purpose, expressed regret, stating he had already decided to sign with Xinbaorui, prioritizing business interest over personal admiration.
Li Zhicheng, with a knowing smile, suggested that Xinbaorui was facing a slight problem. Warner, skeptical, immediately called Ning Weikai. Ning Weikai, on the phone, vaguely explained that the legal department was still reviewing the contract. Warner became suspicious, particularly worried about his company's products already being en route to China, which could lead to significant losses if the deal fell through.
Li Zhicheng calmly offered to help Warner stop the loss, explaining that Ning Weikai, despite his personal desire to work with Warner, lacked the authority for the final decision, as Xinbaorui belonged to the Zhu Group, and the high offer made the Chairman suspicious, especially with Zhu Hanchong's opposition. At Grace's invitation, Li Zhicheng gave an interview to H Group. He initially answered formally, prompting Grace to discreetly advise him to be more natural to promote Aida effectively.
She suggested he speak about his military experience and express a genuine desire to design uniforms that protect first responders, which would resonate deeply with the audience. Li Zhicheng followed her advice, and the interview was successful, establishing his image as a military man-entrepreneur and saving Aida marketing costs. Grace complimented his appearance in the suit and allowed him to keep it.
She also mentioned that Warner had agreed to sell his fabric to Aida, expressing surprise at Lin Qian's achievement, to which Li Zhicheng clarified that Lin Qian was his designer. Meanwhile, Chen Zheng, realizing Li Zhicheng had used a feigned attack regarding Fujino to secure Warner's fabric, was dismayed. He instructed his assistant to investigate Lin Qian's background. Later, Chen Zheng called Lin Qian, having acquired her number and knowing her car.
He invited her to dinner, intending to poach her. He openly offered her a job at Simeiqi, promising to meet any of her demands, recalling her previous interview with Simeiqi. Lin Qian directly rejected his offer, stating she had already signed a contract with Aida. Chen Zheng then disparagingly remarked that Li Zhicheng was an outsider to clothing design.
Lin Qian retorted sharply, acknowledging Li Zhicheng's lack of expertise but highlighting his support for original design, contrasting it with Simeiqi's reputation for copying designs, before leaving. Lin Qian went to Aidi Company to discuss the heat-pressing adhesive for the Special anti-chemical and fire-fighting uniforms, but the manager, Manager Li, informed her they had no capacity for new orders for the next six months.
She expressed Aida's strong desire to collaborate for the Mingsheng Group project, a significant undertaking, and even showed them their designs and willingness to improve the budget to create high-quality, export-worthy rescue uniforms. However, Manager Li stated she couldn't make the decision due to the workload and President Huang's unavailability. Disappointed, Lin Qian returned to Aida and reported the refusal to Li Zhicheng, noting that Aidi Company usually only dealt with old clients.
She also mentioned that President Huang, the head of Aidi, was a retired veteran. Li Zhicheng, undeterred, took Lin Qian and Chen Yayi to Aidi Company. While Chen Yayi distracted the front desk by complimenting her makeup, Li Zhicheng directly went to President Huang's office. He introduced himself as the "Wolf of the Southwest" from the military area, an identity Huang recognized and admired.
Bonding over their shared military background, President Huang immediately agreed to take Aida's order and promised to send adhesive samples and give manufacturing orders. Lin Qian was deeply impressed, praising Li Zhicheng's resourcefulness. Li Zhicheng explained that fellow veterans, regardless of their different military areas, shared a deep camaraderie and missed their time in the service, making their conversation natural and productive. While working in the office, Lin Qian noticed her USB drive was acting strangely, thinking it was broken.
She was unaware that she had accidentally picked up the wrong USB drive during her hasty escape from a drug lord's hideout in Yunnan. Simultaneously, the leader of the Yunnan drug trafficking group received a signal from the tracker embedded in the USB drive, pinpointing Lin Qian's location and smirking chillingly. One morning, Lin Qian arrived at work to find her colleagues exhausted and disheveled. Li Zhicheng had implemented a rigorous, "devil-style" running training program for the employees.
Lin Qian tried to excuse herself, citing her flat feet. However, Li Zhicheng singled her out for a private training session. Despite her protests and claims of a physical disability, he insisted, even removing her shoes to demonstrate that flat feet could be strengthened. He forced her to do burpee jumps and other exercises, stating that all Aida employees must participate for their health and physical conditioning.
Chen Yayi later tried to advise Li Zhicheng on how to be more thoughtful with women, using "chicken soup for the soul" wisdom, which Li Zhicheng playfully deflected back to her unfinished jumps.
