Our Times Episode 18 Recap
> Our Times Recap
Ms. Shu, after probing, confirmed her suspicion that Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua were concealing something. Wang Chong provided her with Lu Hainiu's contact, identifying him as the supplier of second-hand parts to Huayan, and suggested he could be a source of information. Ms. Shu called Lu Hainiu, impersonating a technician from an insurance company interested in purchasing second-hand computers.
Lu Hainiu, believing she was a friend of Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua, happily confirmed he stocked various brands and boasted about recently supplying a critical part for Baosong Group's Phase 1 project. He mentioned he would be in Beijing the day after tomorrow for a business trip, offering to meet her. Meanwhile, Pei Qinghua conducted a mock visa interview for Tan Yuan.
He set two rules: she must treat him as the visa officer and speak only English, and if she didn't understand, she must ask him to repeat. When Tan Yuan stated her father, a deputy general manager at a "science and trade company," would sponsor her, Pei Qinghua corrected her to "technology and trade company." He teased her about claiming her English was merely average, given her excellent pronunciation, to which she responded that she was strict with herself.
Concurrently, Mr. Spencer and Daisy arrived at Huayan, greeted by Lin Yimin and Tan Qizhang. Ms. Shu, having already drafted an article titled "Illegal Operation of Enterprises Leads to Damage of State-owned Assets," proudly showed it to Wang Chong. She explained that she wrote the piece overnight in a rage after the two Huayan salesmen destroyed her tape during her initial investigation.
At the Enterprise Informatization Construction seminar, Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua were greeted by Ms. Luo, who was now a Division Chief. Ms. Luo, recognizing them and impressed by their work, encouraged them to listen to the production enterprises' demands and keep up with localization efforts, looking forward to their presentation.
Xiao Chuang began his report on behalf of Huayan, discussing the advancements in information technology and the growing application of mainframes, citing Baosong Steel's Phase 2 project as an example of how efficient production management systems could improve stability, increase value-added products, and reduce costs. During his presentation, Wang Chong and his group dramatically interrupted, brandishing copies of Ms. Shu's article.
Wang Chong publicly accused Huayan employees of violating regulations by using "foreign junks" instead of brand-new Conpo parts for the Baosong Phase 1 project, implying they profited from it. The hall descended into chaos, and despite Xiao Chuang's attempts to explain they had signed contracts, Ms. Luo had to call a tea break. Later, Ms. Shu confronted Wang Chong, realizing his grand disruption was premeditated, and she found his behavior repugnant, likening him to a "toad."
She warned him that her investigative scope extended beyond Huayan, and she would show no mercy if she found any impropriety involving Jefferson. After the disruption, Pei Qinghua was reprimanded by Ms. Luo. Xiao Chuang tried to explain the situation to Tan Qizhang, asserting they had not profited and had resorted to second-hand parts to secure Baosong's Phase 2 collaboration. Tan Qizhang believed them and asked Xu Yang to reassure Mr. Spencer.
However, Mr. Spencer remained adamant, stating that even without profit, Huayan's sales staff selling non-Conpo products was a fundamental breach of principle for Conpo, and he demanded the earliest flight back to the United States, promising a thorough investigation. Pei Qinghua, having called Lu Hainiu, discovered that Ms. Shu had tricked him by posing as their friend.
Pei Qinghua proposed that Lu Hainiu provide his import contracts with Daoan Company and sales contracts with Baosong to prove their innocence, but Xiao Chuang worried this would reveal Lu Hainiu's base prices and ruin his business. With no other options, they split up: Pei Qinghua went to the newspaper office to confront Ms. Shu, while Xiao Chuang sought out Lu Hainiu.
At the newspaper office, Ms. Shu initially refused to see Pei Qinghua, but seeing him wait persistently in the pouring rain, she relented. Pei Qinghua passionately argued that their actions, while violating internal company rules, involved legitimate second-hand parts that helped Baosong and contributed to a state-owned enterprise, without any personal profit or harm to others. Ms. Shu remained skeptical, challenging his claims. Pei Qinghua then asked if she would write a retraction if he provided conclusive evidence.
Before Ms. Shu could fully respond, Xiao Chuang called Pei Qinghua, informing him that Lu Hainiu had agreed to cooperate. Pei Qinghua was elated and decided to ask Ms. Luo to arrange a public clarification on the last day of the conference. On the final day of the conference, Ms. Luo allocated a special segment for clarification.
Xiao Chuang introduced Lu Hainiu, who presented his original purchase contracts with Daoan Company, the domestic sales contracts with Baosong Group, and bank remittance slips, confirming that no price difference existed and no profiteering occurred. Ms. Shu, after meticulously verifying the documents, declared her belief in their explanation. Pei Qinghua requested a clarifying report to restore Huayan's reputation, and Ms. Shu agreed, apologizing for her previous inaccurate reporting and promising to publish a retraction promptly.
Despite this, the matter was not fully resolved for Huayan. Lin Yimin informed Tan Qizhang that Conpo was unyielding, demanding severe punishment for those responsible and insisting that only one of Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua could remain employed. Tan Qizhang vehemently resisted, valuing both as top sales performers, but Lin Yimin cautioned that ignoring Conpo's demands could invite further trouble from envious competitors.
Lin Yimin also revealed that the President had sent a calligraphy piece implying a difficult decision had to be made. Pei Qinghua remarked to Xiao Chuang that the "old Xiao Chuang" seemed to be back, full of drive and confidence after navigating the crisis. However, Xiao Chuang appeared distant and preoccupied. The next morning, Pei Qinghua was surprised to find Xiao Chuang tidying his dorm, something he rarely did.
Xiao Chuang offered Pei Qinghua a tie, emphasizing the importance of image in sales, and even showed him how to tie it, hinting at his potential absence by asking, "What if I'm no longer here one day?" Pei Qinghua, oblivious, playfully dismissed the idea. Xiao Chuang then sought out Tan Qizhang and Lin Yimin, anticipating their discussion. He correctly guessed that Conpo would not back down and would demand accountability.
When asked whose idea it was to use second-hand parts for Baosong, Xiao Chuang took full responsibility, claiming it was entirely his plan and that Pei Qinghua was unaware and disagreed. He offered to be fired, stating he had already decided to leave before coming to the meeting and only requested that his departure be kept quiet to preserve his dignity.
Lin Yimin offered a compensatory resignation with a condition: Xiao Chuang could not work in computer sales for three years. Xiao Chuang refused the money but accepted the condition, declaring that he would only sell computers for Huayan. Man Huansheng, having overheard the conversation, was shocked. Xiao Chuang instructed him not to tell anyone, especially Pei Qinghua, saying he would "take one step at a time."
Later, Xiao Chuang treated Pei Qinghua to a new Western restaurant for pizza, continuing to act strangely. He began sharing his accumulated sales experience, advising Pei Qinghua to be flexible, build trust, and keenly observe clients' needs. Pei Qinghua, still not grasping the true meaning, thought Xiao Chuang was merely sampling the restaurant for Xie Hang. Xiao Chuang then casually mentioned he wouldn't be coming to the company for a while, a statement Pei Qinghua also didn't take seriously.
On the basketball court, Xiao Chuang again exhibited unusual behavior, focusing on assisting others and encouraging them to score, rather than taking shots himself. He emphasized the importance of every player being a "core" and preparing for his absence, stating that Huayan "couldn't afford to go cold." Man Huansheng, sensing the gravity of the situation, confronted Xiao Chuang, asking if he could truly leave everyone. Xiao Chuang, with a heavy heart, replied he had no choice.
He gave Man Huansheng a "Popeye the Sailor" comic as a memento, urging him to fix his stutter, as Tan Qizhang was clearly trying to nurture him. Man Huansheng tearfully pleaded with Xiao Chuang not to leave, but Xiao Chuang, feigning cheerfulness, comforted him and walked away, leaving his heartbroken friend behind.
