Our Times Episode 16 Recap
> Our Times Recap
Pei Qinghua helped Tan Qizhang return home, where he met Tan Yuan. She thanked him for bringing her father back. Before leaving, Pei Qinghua asked if he could speak with her. When she asked what was on his mind, he noticed it was cold and offered his jacket, but Tan Yuan refused, asking why he was always so kind to her. Pei Qinghua apologized, explaining it was for anything he might have done to hurt her.
Tan Yuan dismissed the apology, wanting to know why he had always been so good to her—recalling instances like buying her a tape, defending her to a teacher, and waiting in line for her. Pei Qinghua admitted he hadn't put much thought into it, suggesting it was simply "following his nature." Tan Yuan then shared her conflicted feelings, acknowledging she liked his good nature but wished he would show her special affection, unlike his general kindness to everyone.
She confessed to having just finished her GRE and planned to go abroad that summer, expressing her sole desire for him to say something heartfelt. Pei Qinghua responded by hoping she would achieve a good score, attend her desired college, and have a future of endless possibilities. Tan Yuan felt his words were cold, like they froze as soon as they were spoken, and bid him goodbye.
As she went inside, Pei Qinghua reflected, certain of her bright future, but sad that he would not be a part of it. Xie Hang's work at Interflow was becoming smoother. She had finally figured out Lydia's preferred coffee, a task so difficult her colleague, Su Xi, joked it was harder than winning the lottery. With her probation period nearing its end, Xie Hang felt she had done everything she could and would leave the rest to fate.
Su Xi inquired about Xie Hang's evaluation, worrying that a low score might affect her confidence. Lydia gave Xie Hang a "six out of ten," which Su Xi interpreted as an acceptance, despite Lydia’s modest assessment that it was "just a pass." Su Xi congratulated Lydia on finding a suitable assistant. Meanwhile, Huayan Technology celebrated its grand opening at a new, larger office. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lin Yimin and Tan Qizhang officially opened the new premises.
Man Huansheng, who meticulously organized the move and new layout, showed everyone around. He highlighted the new international long-distance phone line, which sparked some lighthearted banter among the staff. He then guided everyone to their assigned workstations, but he had not given himself a desk, stating he was "just an errand boy" who preferred to be on the move. Later, Tan Qizhang and Lin Yimin brought a large cake from Maxim, a gift from their President for the celebration.
After some polite exchanges, Tan Qizhang cut the cake. Feeling overlooked, Man Huansheng quietly left. Xu Yiwan followed, asking if he was upset because no one had helped him with the move. Man Huansheng insisted he was happy to serve everyone and that it was part of his job, urging her to return and enjoy the cake before it was all gone. Man Huansheng was urgently called back by Tan Qizhang, who reprimanded him for not having his own workstation.
Tan Qizhang then praised Man Huansheng for his tireless efforts during the office relocation, crediting him as the biggest contributor. To acknowledge his hard work, Tan Qizhang announced a 5,000 yuan bonus and officially appointed him as the General Manager Office head, assigning him the previously reserved desk. Man Huansheng, flustered and claiming his speech wasn't good enough for such a position, tried to refuse. However, Tan Qizhang was firm, implying no one was more suitable for the role.
With the promotion settled, Man Huansheng joined his colleagues for a celebratory group photo in front of the new Huayan Technology office. Back in their dorm, Xiao Chuang showed off an expensive new stereo system. While Xiao Chuang had been spending freely, Pei Qinghua was preoccupied with how to send more money home to his mother without making her suspicious. Shortly after, the company's new imported car arrived, impressing the staff.
Tan Qizhang assigned Man Huansheng to learn how to drive it, but Pei Qinghua was already thinking about sales opportunities at driving schools. His colleagues teased him for becoming a workaholic, a change Xiao Chuang quickly defended. During a drive in the new company car, Tan Qizhang discussed business with Lin Yimin, noting Huayan's growth was boosted by recent market reforms and tariff reductions.
Tan Qizhang subtly floated the idea of self-branded computers, an idea he further explored during a visit to a Conpo dealership. He was particularly intrigued by the potential of the home computer market, despite an attendant confirming low home sales. Lin Yimin, however, remained skeptical, believing computers were too expensive for the average family, and urged Tan Qizhang to maintain focus on corporate clients and the promising Phase two of Baosong Group's information transformation.
Concurrently, at Interflow, Lydia harshly criticized her financial director's report. Xie Hang, drawing on her past experience in banking, volunteered to help. Lydia, known for her volatile temperament, immediately assigned her the task of preparing a comprehensive quarterly report and analysis within two days. Overwhelmed by the large volume of data, Xie Hang returned to her desk, where Su Xi advised her not to take Lydia's "lunatic" demands too seriously.
Later, at a Huayan meeting, Xiao Chuang arrived late, which visibly annoyed Tan Qizhang. He pointed out Xiao Chuang's declining sales and warned that new colleagues might surpass him. Xiao Chuang responded by promising to personally secure the upcoming Phase two project with Baosong.
Tan Qizhang then instructed Xiao Chuang, Pei Qinghua, and two new hires, Luo Ying and Li Dong, to go to Baosong the following day to resolve a minor issue with Phase one's mainframe and, crucially, to bring back the Phase two contract. After the meeting, as other colleagues like Qi Rongbin and Mr. Xu discussed their recent purchases, Xiao Chuang quickly left for a date with Xie Hang. Pei Qinghua questioned his dedication after seeing him shopping earlier.
Xiao Chuang defended himself, stating that earning more bonuses to provide Xie Hang with a better life had become his primary work motivation. Xiao Chuang then confronted Pei Qinghua, pointing out that his tireless work ethic was just a way to mask the pain of his breakup with Tan Yuan. He urged Pei Qinghua to confess his feelings directly to Tan Yuan, but Pei Qinghua insisted they were different and asked him not to bring it up again.
As Pei Qinghua remained working, Tan Qizhang asked him to buy fruits for a consultant who was coming to assist Tan Yuan with her overseas college admissions. Pei Qinghua immediately left, bumping into Tan Yuan downstairs and offering his congratulations on her numerous admission offers. Back at the office, Pei Qinghua found Tan Yuan arguing with Tan Qizhang.
Tan Yuan was furious because the consultant her father had arranged for her visa counseling had made inappropriate advances, including asking her on a date. Tan Qizhang, concerned about her visa chances, tried to reason with her, but she stormed out. Pei Qinghua followed, finding her waiting outside. He apologized for not being able to help with her oral English, explaining his own proficiency was poor and he had a business trip to Baosong the next day.
Tan Yuan, still fuming, angrily stated she would handle her own problems and didn't need anyone's help. Meanwhile, Xiao Chuang called Xie Hang for their dinner date, only to find her still working overtime and having completely forgotten. Rushing to the restaurant, she found he had already left. Believing he was angry, she called him back, only for him to reveal he was standing right behind her.
Xiao Chuang admitted he initially wanted to be upset but couldn't after seeing her worried expression. They both confessed to having "completely fallen" for each other. Xie Hang gently asked him to stop buying her so many expensive gifts, as she didn't need them, but Xiao Chuang insisted he simply enjoyed spending money on her. With their restaurant food now cold, Xiao Chuang suggested they take the steak and pasta to a barbecue restaurant for a unique "cultural fusion" meal.
During dinner, Xie Hang tried to return the tuition fee Xiao Chuang had lent her months ago, but he refused, emphasizing their shared relationship and stating that his earnings were to provide her with a better life, allowing her to pursue any dream. Xie Hang, in turn, asked him to wear the gloves she had knitted for him, as the Northeast would be cold.
Back in the dorm, Xiao Chuang proudly showed off Xie Hang's handmade gloves to Pei Qinghua, declaring them a "display of love." Pei Qinghua, still in a somber mood, was sarcastic. The next morning, Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua, along with Luo Ying and Li Dong, began their trip to Northeast China. Despite the freezing weather, Xiao Chuang refused to wear his precious gloves, fearing they might get damaged.
Upon arrival at Baosong, they learned that Chief Luo had been transferred to Beijing, and Director Yu was now in charge of the department. Director Yu, still harboring a grudge from their previous dealings when Luo Lihua had supported them, refused to meet them on the first day, instructing his assistant to tell them to return the following day and go directly to the workshop.
Luo Ying and Li Dong were annoyed by the delay, but Xiao Chuang suspected Director Yu was deliberately trying to intimidate them as payback for their past encounter. Pei Qinghua tried to calm his team, reminding them that Director Yu was a leader and might simply be busy.
