Our Times Episode 23 Recap
> Our Times Recap
Director Tan Qizhang called Pei Qinghua into his office to offer some advice for his new role as marketing manager. Director Tan emphasized that Pei Qinghua, now officially in charge of the marketing department, should not always be agreeable but rather be proactive in identifying and resolving issues without fear of offending others.
He then informed Pei Qinghua that he would soon be leaving for a business trip to inspect various distributors and entrusted Pei Qinghua with overseeing company matters during his absence. Pei Qinghua took the opportunity to ask about Tan Yuan, and Director Tan confirmed that she had safely arrived in America and was settling in well with an Ethnic Chinese family who were looking after her. Pei Qinghua was pleased to hear this.
Meanwhile, at Jefferson China, Lydia was sternly reprimanding a sales manager for the company's declining market share. The manager tried to explain that securing large enterprise orders was time-consuming, but Lydia dismissed his excuses. She then highlighted a report by Xie Hang, inviting her to share her insights. Xie Hang presented her argument for developing the personal computer market, emphasizing that while individual profits were smaller, recent sales indicated a growing trend that other brands were already capitalizing on.
She warned that failing to adapt would lead to them falling behind. The sales manager attempted to counter Xie Hang's points, but Lydia, clearly impressed by Xie Hang's foresight, chastised him again, threatening his job if the next quarter's report didn't show significant improvement. Later, Xie Hang thanked Lydia for her support. Lydia clarified that Xie Hang's report was excellent and her earlier remarks were a way to motivate the complacent sales manager.
She encouraged Xie Hang to refine her report further, which Xie Hang readily agreed to do before Lydia requested a coffee. Pei Qinghua officially moved into his new manager's office, which Man Huansheng had already prepared, including a comfortable leather chair gifted by Director Tan. Xiang Yi Fei reported to Pei Qinghua, expressing gratitude for the opportunity, and was assigned to Pei Qinghua's previous workstation to learn the department's workflow.
Man Huansheng offered some wisdom to Xiang Yi Fei, advising him to be diligent, speak less, and ask questions when needed. Pei Qinghua also inquired about making international calls from the office phone, and Man Huansheng, realizing the importance of HQ communication for a manager, promptly arranged for the service to be activated. Later, Man Huansheng and Qi Rongbin visited Pei Qinghua, presenting a receipt for a meal totaling over 400 yuan from a Japanese restaurant for reimbursement.
Pei Qinghua, seemingly in a cheerful mood, approved their reimbursement. Xiao Chuang was growing increasingly anxious as his clients pressed him for their orders, which were significantly delayed. Qian Dong Lai, the supplier, attributed the hold-up to a typhoon affecting sea transport, assuring Xiao Chuang that such delays were common.
To alleviate Xiao Chuang's worries, Qian Dong Lai presented a delivery order, filled with official stamps, and suggested they go to the port together to pick up the goods once they arrived, noting that many other customers were also waiting. Reassured by the document, Xiao Chuang felt more confident in managing his demanding clients. During a company meeting, Lin Yimin announced Man Huansheng's appointment as office manager.
Man Huansheng initially expressed reservations due to his stutter, but Lin Yimin and his colleagues praised his meticulousness and hard work, asserting that he was perfectly suited for the position. Man Huansheng accepted, vowing not to disappoint anyone. Following this, Pei Qinghua presented his observations on the marketing department's inefficient reimbursement process, where long cycles frequently delayed projects.
To address this, he proposed establishing a petty cash fund for business trips, enabling employees to receive a set amount of money upfront and reconcile expenses upon their return. The team enthusiastically supported this new policy, relieved they wouldn't have to cover expenses out of pocket anymore. Lin Yimin expressed his anticipation for Pei Qinghua's leadership.
Although Xu Yang, who had previously managed such plans, appeared somber, he privately conceded that Pei Qinghua's new plan made sense and that he was indeed more suitable for the marketing manager position. Lin Yimin invited Pei Qinghua to a lunch meeting with several distributors. Pei Qinghua, mindful that Xu Yang had previously managed these relationships, suggested that Xu Yang should also be included.
Lin Yimin agreed, deciding to bring Xu Yang and a few other colleagues to demonstrate the company's appreciation for the distributors. That evening, Pei Qinghua received a phone call from Tan Yuan. She playfully accused him of waiting for her call, which he unconvincingly denied. They spoke about the weather, and Tan Yuan revealed she still kept an empty water bottle he had given her, a token of her affection.
She then informed him that she had no classes on Wednesdays, establishing their regular call time as 10 AM every Wednesday, accounting for their twelve-hour time difference. When Pei Qinghua asked if she had told her father about their relationship, Tan Yuan said she needed more time to think about it. Hearing the song "Rivers of Babylon" on a tape from her landlord, Tan Yuan asked Pei Qinghua to sing it for her.
Despite his initial reluctance and claim of singing off-key, he eventually relented when she playfully challenged his sincerity. After ensuring the office was empty, Pei Qinghua shyly sang the song into the phone for her. Xiao Chuang's unease grew when Qian Dong Lai suddenly became unreachable on his radiophone. He told his companion, Lu Hainiu, that he had a bad feeling and rushed to the port.
However, Qian Dong Lai never appeared, and the delivery order he had provided was discovered to be a fake; the ship and cargo numbers didn't exist, and the official seal was incorrect. Xiao Chuang and Lu Hainiu then went to Qian Dong Lai's shop, only to find it deserted with nothing but empty cardboard boxes. The landlord of the shop confirmed Qian Dong Lai had vanished, solidifying Xiao Chuang's realization that he had been conned.
During the dinner with the distributors, Lin Yimin prominently introduced Pei Qinghua as Huayan's new marketing manager, even referring to him as "half a leader" of the company, much to Xu Yang's visible dismay. Pei Qinghua addressed the distributors, expressing his honor and seeking their continued support. As the dinner concluded, Lin Yimin offered Pei Qinghua a ride home, leaving a dejected Xu Yang to make his own arrangements.
In the car, Lin Yimin showered Pei Qinghua with compliments, acknowledging his previous doubts but now recognizing Pei Qinghua's exceptional talent. Seizing the moment, Pei Qinghua pleaded with Lin Yimin to give Xiao Chuang another chance at Huayan, crediting Xiao Chuang's significant contributions to his own sales achievements. Unexpectedly, Lin Yimin agreed, remarking that Pei Qinghua's success with the Yuanzhou deal was enough to compensate for any past missteps, and promised to contact Conpo headquarters on Xiao Chuang's behalf.
Lin Yimin then subtly tried to gain Pei Qinghua's allegiance, stating his desire for "talents to be used by me" and emphasizing the need for their cooperation. Pei Qinghua, sensing the underlying message, skillfully responded that they were all dedicated to Huayan and would do everything in their power for the company's success. Xiao Chuang and Lu Hainiu reported the fraud to the police. They were informed that "Qian Dong Lai" was an alias often used by scammers.
After reviewing a list of fraud suspects, Xiao Chuang positively identified the culprit as Huang You Wei, a notorious repeat offender who had used numerous aliases to commit scams across Guangzhou and had been a long-standing target for the police. The officers reassured them of a thorough investigation, and Xiao Chuang requested a photo of Huang You Wei for his own use. That evening, a distraught Xu Yang, braving heavy rain, bought a birthday cake for his son.
As he arrived home, he witnessed his wife being dropped off by her boss in a Crown car, exchanging an intimate kiss. She casually mentioned her boss's support for a "role," further confirming Xu Yang's suspicions of an affair. Putting on a brave face, Xu Yang entered his home and celebrated his son's birthday, complete with songs and candles. Once their son was out of sight, Xu Yang confronted his wife about what he had seen.
She revealed that her performance troupe had been sold, and her new boss was pursuing her, an offer she intended to accept. Enraged, Xu Yang smashed a table and declared his intention to divorce her. Later that night, Pei Qinghua, working late at the office, found a heavily intoxicated Xu Yang drowning his sorrows. Xu Yang wistfully asked Pei Qinghua if he missed their simpler days at the institute when everyone was on equal footing.
He confessed his envy of both Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua, feeling like a non-swimmer in a powerful current, adrift and fearful of the rapidly changing times. Xiao Chuang's phone continued to ring incessantly with calls from furious clients demanding their goods. Lu Hainiu suggested he explain that he too was a victim of the scam, but warned him that the clients would still hold him accountable since the money was lost under his watch.
Acknowledging he could no longer evade the situation, Xiao Chuang answered a call and arranged a face-to-face meeting with a client to personally explain the predicament. Lydia asked Xie Hang to summarize her report, where Xie Hang proposed establishing a dedicated personal computer business unit, distinct from the existing large client sales model. This new unit would integrate all aspects from product development and design to production, marketing, branding, and sales channels for personal computers.
Lydia initially found the idea ambitious and "idealistic," citing that product development and design were not based in China. However, Xie Hang confidently argued that the Chinese market held immense potential, emphasizing that the core of business was always driven by profit, regardless of manufacturing location. Lydia stated she would consider the proposal and dismissed Xie Hang.
After Xie Hang's departure, Lydia shared her admiration for Xie Hang's insightful report with a colleague, commenting that it justified her decision to bring Xie Hang on board and humorously suggesting she might owe Xie Hang an apology. Upon his return from the business trip, Director Tan Qizhang visited Pei Qinghua in his office. He informed Pei Qinghua that he and Lin Yimin had contacted Conpo headquarters to report Pei Qinghua's recent accomplishments and inquire about Xiao Chuang's potential return.
Director Tan delivered the good news that Xiao Chuang's return "should be all right," thrilling Pei Qinghua, who was eager to share the news immediately. However, Director Tan advised patience until all arrangements were finalized. Pei Qinghua updated Director Tan on Xiao Chuang's current venture selling laserdisc players in Guangzhou, noting his busy schedule but reassuring Director Tan of Xiao Chuang's commitment to return if the opportunity arose. Director Tan acknowledged Xiao Chuang's resourcefulness.
Simultaneously, Xiao Chuang faced a hostile encounter with several irate clients demanding their money back. He offered his last 10,000 yuan, but they scoffed at the insufficient amount, reminding him of their much larger investments, such as one client's 40,000 yuan for 40 players. These small business owners expressed their dire financial straits, explaining that the money was critical for their employees' wages or essential family needs like building a home. They vehemently accused Xiao Chuang of deliberately withholding funds.
Pushed to his breaking point and feeling utterly helpless, Xiao Chuang grabbed a liquor bottle, challenged his accusers to strike him if it would ease their anger, and when no one dared, he violently smashed the bottle against his own head, causing himself to bleed. Shocked by his desperate act, the clients momentarily ceased their aggressive demands, urging him to quickly locate the scammer.
