Our Times Episode 15 Recap
> Our Times Recap
Xie Hang arrived at Interflow, expecting to begin an accounting role, but was instead assigned to the CEO's office. Her manager, Edward, explained that the decision came directly from the CEO, Lydia, the same woman Xie Hang had helped with a coffee. Lydia further revealed that Xie Hang's interview performance had been a C, placing her on the elimination list, and her current position was entirely due to that seemingly small act of kindness.
Lydia then gave Xie Hang an English name, Abby, and instructed her that her immediate priority was to follow orders, not to question her department. At a Huayan meeting, it was announced that the distribution system pilot was successful and would be expanded nationwide. It was also mentioned that well-performing interns might be offered full-time positions. However, the meeting's focus was soon diverted by the enraged voice of Director Tan Qizhang, emanating from his office.
Colleagues overheard him venting to Lin Yimin about his daughter, Tan Yuan, who, after repeatedly expressing a desire to study abroad, now flatly refused to go, displaying what he considered a complete disregard for her future. Lin tried to pacify him, offering to help arrange another consultation. Meanwhile, Tan Yuan anxiously waited for Pei Qinghua at the cinema for their movie date, but he failed to appear.
After paging him multiple times, Pei Qinghua eventually called her back from a telephone booth. He claimed to be feeling unwell and wouldn't be able to make it, then quickly hung up, leaving Tan Yuan heartbroken and furious. Xiao Chuang noticed Pei Qinghua’s distracted and unusual mood during a basketball game, especially when he continued to shoot hoops alone after everyone else had left.
Tan Yuan appeared at the court and directly confronted Pei Qinghua, urging him to speak his mind. After a hesitant pause, Pei Qinghua confessed that he wished she hadn't been the one who submitted the story, and that he had never harbored romantic feelings for her, expressing regret if he had caused any misunderstanding.
Tan Yuan, struggling to maintain her composure, claimed the submission wasn't hers and announced that she would be withdrawing from the internship due to her demanding course load. She then turned and walked away, fighting back tears. Upon returning to her dorm, she collapsed from a fever and was rushed to the hospital by her friend, Man Lin. At a lively skating rink, Qi Rongbin publicly declared his love for Xu Yiwan with a bouquet of flowers.
He called her the most enthusiastic and lovely girl he had ever met, promising to treat her better than anyone else if she would be his girlfriend. Xu Yiwan found him amusing, accepted the flowers, and playfully told him she would only agree if he could catch her. Despite her recent illness, Tan Yuan was determined to study abroad and insisted on registering for the GRE.
However, she found that all slots for the day were filled, forcing her to return the following morning. Man Lin, concerned for Tan Yuan’s well-being, confronted Pei Qinghua, revealing Tan Yuan’s fever and fainting spell, and accusing him of insensitivity. She warned him to go comfort Tan Yuan immediately, or she would make him regret it, also strictly instructing him not to mention her visit.
Seeing the gravity of the situation, Xiao Chuang offered to pick up Pei Qinghua's travel expenses, giving him time to figure out how to reconcile with Tan Yuan. In a crowded elevator, Xie Hang overheard colleagues discussing Lydia's infamous bad temper and how none of her previous assistants had lasted beyond the probation period. Later, while having hotpot with Xiao Chuang, Xie Hang shared her worries but reaffirmed her determination to complete her probation.
Xiao Chuang, using the analogy of mixing sesame paste to achieve a perfect consistency by observing its color, advised her to systematically experiment with coffee ratios and not to doubt herself over such a trivial matter. He then admitted his sadness about their upcoming two-month separation for his business trip, confessing that the thought of being away from her made the difficult work seem even harder. Blushing, Xie Hang shyly admitted that she already missed him.
Pei Qinghua, battling the cold, queued overnight to register Tan Yuan for the GRE. He presented her with the receipt, his hand scraped from the queue. Tan Yuan was initially happy to see him, but upon seeing his injured hand and realizing he had completed her registration, her happiness turned to anger. She felt he was pushing her away.
She pressed him for more words, but he merely reiterated details about his two-month business trip and encouraged her to study hard for the exam. Convinced that Man Lin had intervened on her behalf, Tan Yuan was deeply hurt, believing that Pei Qinghua truly wanted her to leave. She resolved to pass the GRE and ceremoniously locked away all her cherished romantic mementos, vowing to end her self-deception and fully commit to her plans for studying abroad.
Xiao Chuang was dismayed upon learning that Pei Qinghua had registered Tan Yuan for the GRE. He warned Pei Qinghua that none of their friends who had gone abroad had ever returned, suggesting he was "digging his own grave." Pei Qinghua acknowledged the truth in Xiao Chuang's words but stated he couldn't bring himself to act otherwise, preferring to be a gentleman than a scoundrel who would ruin someone's future.
Soon after, Xiao Chuang, Pei Qinghua, Xu Yang, Xu Yiwan, and Qi Rongbin gathered before embarking on their two-month business trip. They made a solemn vow: "Huayan's expedition only allows success, not failure!" As they traveled, the vibrant green leaves of autumn gave way to the harsh cold of winter. By the end of the year, the sales team had returned.
At a meeting with the President, Tan Qizhang and Lin Yimin reported their success, after which Tan proposed developing an independent computer brand for Huayan. Lin Yimin expressed caution, arguing for a more stable and gradual approach, and the President agreed that it was too hasty, deferring the discussion.
At the subsequent year-end celebration dinner, Tan Qizhang proudly announced that Huayan had been ranked fifth among Zhongguan Village's top ten outstanding enterprises and had significantly exceeded their two-month sales target by 1. 5 times, selling 3,724 computers. Lin Yimin then recognized Xiao Chuang, Pei Qinghua, Xu Yiwan, Xu Yang, and Qi Rongbin as "advanced employees," who would receive bonuses. Man Huansheng watched the toasts, feeling somewhat disheartened.
Man Lin met Tan Yuan immediately after her GRE exam, celebrating her friend's achievement, confident in Tan Yuan's success after witnessing her intense two months of English study. Later, after the official dinner, Lin Yimin privately admonished Tan Qizhang for bringing up the independent brand proposal, reminding him of the past failure of Huayan No. 1 and urging him not to repeat such mistakes.
A frustrated Tan Qizhang later continued drinking with Xiao Chuang, Pei Qinghua, Xu Yang, Xu Yiwan, and Qi Rongbin. Xiao Chuang, in a heartfelt speech, spoke of finally achieving his dream of being a "hero," surrounded by good friends, and expressed his desire to dedicate everything he had to Huayan. Pei Qinghua reflected on moving past his previous uncertainty, having discovered his purpose, and vowed to remain steadfast with his colleagues until his ideals were realized.
As Tan Qizhang became heavily intoxicated and excused himself, the remaining five, also fueled by alcohol, shared a moment of camaraderie. Xiao Chuang and Xu Yang resolved their past animosity, collectively declaring themselves the "Five Tigers of Huayan" and "good comrades in a shared trench." Finally, Pei Qinghua, being the most coherent, was tasked with escorting the heavily inebriated Tan Qizhang home.
