Our Times Episode 14 Recap
> Our Times Recap
The company distributed pagers to everyone, including Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua. Xie Hang was on her way to an interview when a woman, visibly shaking and unwell, stopped her and asked for coffee. Though in a hurry, Xie Hang, out of compassion, bought her an instant coffee. Rushing again, Xie Hang twisted her ankle, and the heel of her shoe broke, forcing her to limp to the Interflow interview. Inside, a manager named Mr. Hu seemed indifferent.
Xie Hang presented her qualifications clearly, detailing her banking background, her desire for an accounting position in a foreign company, and offering solutions for financial crises like loan collection, downsizing, cost reduction, inventory reduction, and fund liquidation. When asked to respond in English about her contributions, she momentarily faltered after an interruption but recovered, emphasizing her adaptability and quick learning skills.
Despite her comprehensive answers, Mr. Hu dismissed her without reviewing her resume, telling her to "Go back and wait for news." Xiao Chuang, who had planned a surprise for Xie Hang, quickly noticed her disappointment. She recounted the series of unfortunate events: helping the woman, twisting her ankle, and the disheartening interview. Xiao Chuang tried to cheer her up, suggesting her excellence meant they likely already chose her, even calling himself a "liar" who "sincerely lies" to make her happy.
Their waiter, misinterpreting Xiao Chuang's habitual finger snap, prematurely brought out a cake while singing "Happy Birthday," ruining the surprise and embarrassing Xiao Chuang. Xie Hang, however, remained optimistic, viewing it as a new beginning. She mentioned Interflow, and Xiao Chuang revealed his cellular phone was from that company, noting its prestigious status. Meanwhile, Man Lin excitedly informed Tan Yuan that her article, "My Uncle," had been published.
Tan Yuan, however, was not happy, as her father, Tan Qizhang, had also agreed to send her abroad. Torn between staying and going, Tan Yuan suggested a coin toss: heads for going abroad, tails for staying. Each toss resulted in "heads," frustrating Tan Yuan. Man Lin then advised her to directly tell Pei Qinghua how she felt, suggesting they meet for lamb skewers, where she only needed to say seven specific words: "Pei Qinghua, I like you."
Man Lin also mentioned she was going to the radio station to submit the article for broadcast. Though apprehensive, Tan Yuan agreed to call Pei Qinghua. At the office, Pei Qinghua and Xiao Chuang brought up the issue of the cramped workspace to Tan Qizhang. Tan Qizhang confirmed he was aware and had already dispatched Man Huansheng to scout new locations, ideally a good spot with a display hall.
Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua joined Man Huansheng to view potential sites. While exploring an empty drugstore, Pei Qinghua received a call on Xiao Chuang's cellular phone. It was Tan Yuan. Pei Qinghua, preoccupied with the office search, suggested she speak on the phone, but Tan Yuan insisted on a face-to-face meeting at the barbecue restaurant near Yanjing University to say the seven words. She pressed him, agreeing to wait until his earliest availability at 8 PM.
Xiao Chuang, overhearing, immediately understood the significance of the meeting and urged Pei Qinghua to go, teasing him about Tan Yuan's feelings. At the barbecue restaurant, Tan Yuan, overwhelmed by nerves, drank several bottles of beer. By the time Pei Qinghua arrived, she was already quite drunk. She tried to express her feelings, but only managed to say she felt unwell, unable to voice the words. Pei Qinghua, concerned, carried her home on his back.
As they walked, the campus radio station began broadcasting Tan Yuan's article, "My Uncle," from "Lucky Clover, Part 1." The broadcast detailed her developing feelings for an "uncle" figure, describing specific moments that made her heart skip a beat and ending with a question about whether his feelings would be as brave as hers. Pei Qinghua realized the article was about him. Mortified, Tan Yuan sobered up quickly and insisted Pei Qinghua put her down.
Upon reaching her dormitory, Pei Qinghua walked silently behind Tan Yuan. She hoped he would speak, but he only mentioned the new pager issued by their company, giving her his number and joking that she wouldn't have to call Xiao Chuang's cellular phone anymore. He then asked if she was planning to go abroad, having noticed her studying English.
Tan Yuan admitted to merely following a trend, as her TOEFL scores were low, and she felt studying abroad was too expensive, a sentiment Pei Qinghua shared. As Tan Yuan began to head upstairs, Pei Qinghua, summoning his courage, asked if she was the author of the article. Tan Yuan did not directly confirm, instead asking if he wished it were her.
She then invited him to watch a movie the day after tomorrow at 6 PM at the university entrance, telling him to come only if he wished she was the one who wrote it. Back in her dorm, a blushing Tan Yuan told Man Lin that she already had her answer, even without a direct response from Pei Qinghua. Meanwhile, Xiao Chuang noticed Pei Qinghua's sleeplessness and inquired about his feelings for Tan Yuan.
Pei Qinghua confessed his inexperience with relationships, unsure if what he felt was "liking." Xiao Chuang administered a "questionnaire," asking if he felt an intense longing when she was absent or if his world brightened when she appeared. Pei Qinghua denied it, despite a flashback of Tan Yuan smiling. Xiao Chuang pressed further, asking if she felt special and made him smile, to which Pei Qinghua again denied, recalling a clumsy moment of Tan Yuan's.
Finally, Xiao Chuang asked about any romantic "impulses" like holding hands or hugging. Pei Qinghua adamantly denied everything, leading Xiao Chuang to call him dense. Xie Hang later discovered her acceptance letter from Interflow, which her parents had hidden. They had initially disapproved, preferring her bank job and calling Interflow a "messy company," but their attitude shifted dramatically upon seeing the high salary: 2,000 yuan during probation and 3,500 yuan after. She immediately shared the good news with Xiao Chuang.
While happy for her, Xiao Chuang also felt a "sense of crisis" due to the significant difference in their potential incomes. He told her she was already the "best and most perfect" woman, even more outstanding than he had imagined, and jokingly suggested he could "sponge off" her. Xie Hang noticed his underlying concern.
Xiao Chuang then confessed to feeling troubled, explaining that he had "fallen in love with a treasure" and did not want anyone to say he didn't deserve her. Xie Hang reassured him, stating he was already the best in her eyes, comparing him to a beautiful piece of satin that needed no further embellishment.
With renewed determination, Xie Hang left for her first day at Interflow, acknowledging that Xiao Chuang had given her the courage to embark on this new path. He promised to pick her up from work that night.
