Our Times Episode 3 Recap
> Our Times Recap
Xiao Chuang's initial newspaper advertisement failed to generate a single phone call, prompting him to ask the front desk to reprint a larger, more prominent ad, generously compensating them for their efforts and future advertising costs. Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, Pei Qinghua struggled with an upset stomach while tirelessly carrying a computer prototype to potential clients. He finally secured a deal for ten computers and was scheduled to sign the contract the following day.
While eating noodles, Pei Qinghua, feeling unwell due to the climate, encountered a man who claimed to be a fellow northerner selling fax machines. The man, seemingly empathetic to Pei Qinghua's struggles, engaged him in conversation. Trusting the man, Pei Qinghua disclosed that he was an engineer from the Yanjing University IT Faculty and had just secured a deal for ten Conpo computers, even revealing the price of 26,000 yuan per unit.
When Pei Qinghua’s stomach issues worsened and he had to rush to the restroom, leaving his computer at the counter, the man kindly carried the heavy machine back to his lodging, further solidifying Pei Qinghua’s impression of him as a helpful person. Back in Shanghai, Xiao Chuang spent his days at a video store, patiently awaiting calls for his upcoming trade fair. He contacted Man Huansheng, who reported that Pei Qinghua had called only once and then gone silent.
Concerned, Xiao Chuang called Pei Qinghua, who assured him he was recovering from his illness and would sign the contract for ten computers the next day. Xiao Chuang, impressed, noted that Pei Qinghua was securing deals faster than he was. Elsewhere, the other sales representatives faced setbacks: Xu Yang returned injured after being assaulted for encroaching on another's business, and Xu Yiwan's prototype was stolen before she even disembarked from the train, leaving her to write a report.
They had all hoped Pei Qinghua would be the first to secure a sale. The next day, when Pei Qinghua went to sign the contract, he was dismayed to learn that it had already been finalized by Batong. The shop owner described the person who signed as having parted hair and a high-pitched voice—a description that perfectly matched the "friendly" man from the noodle shop. Pei Qinghua realized he had been cunningly deceived, his deal stolen by a rival company.
Concurrently, Xiao Chuang had a serendipitous encounter with Xie Hang at the video store. She had just been transferred to Shanghai, explaining her absence from the bank previously. Xiao Chuang, delighted to see her, recalled debugging her Chinese language card and invited her to dinner. They dined at a restaurant serving local Shanghai cuisine, but neither found the sweet dishes, like Mandarin Fish with Vinasse, to their liking.
Xiao Chuang showed her his newspaper advertisement for the trade fair, which had yielded no calls for over ten days. Xie Hang critiqued it as being too generic and lacking creativity. Her assessment prompted Xiao Chuang to later describe his own ad as being as common as "stir-fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs." Meanwhile, Tan Qizhang called Pei Qinghua to congratulate him on his supposed sale, but learned of the stolen deal.
He encouraged Pei Qinghua not to be discouraged and to view the experience as a valuable lesson. Inspired by Xie Hang's feedback, Xiao Chuang devised a new, more creative marketing strategy. He enlisted hotel staff to distribute flyers with the provocative phrase "Five Days Left" emblazoned on them, promising a bonus to the first person to complete the task.
He also instructed them to pose as prospective buyers, inquiring about Conpo computers at various electronics stores to create a false sense of demand. Pei Qinghua continued his door-to-door sales efforts and met Lu Hainiu, a computer store owner who expressed interest after seeing Pei Qinghua's business card from the Yanjing University IT Faculty. Claiming to be a fellow Shandong native, Lu Hainiu, however, first asked Pei Qinghua to repair a broken computer as a test of his credentials.
Pei Qinghua successfully repaired Lu Hainiu's computer, but instead of moving forward with a purchase, Lu Hainiu presented another broken machine and promised to introduce a major retailer the next day. Tired of the delaying tactics, Pei Qinghua confronted Lu Hainiu, revealing that he had seen through the act from the beginning, knowing Lu Hainiu wasn't truly from Shandong and was merely using him for free repairs.
Pei Qinghua explained he had helped out of a genuine reluctance to see good computer parts go to waste, and also due to his own desperation after being scammed previously. He told Lu Hainiu to call him only if a real client materialized, and left. Xiao Chuang, meanwhile, continued his pursuit of Xie Hang, bringing her dried persimmons—a treat she had mentioned missing from Beijing. He tried to invite her to dinner again, but she was busy.
She then suggested they have dinner the following day, adding that she would bring a friend. Back at his lodging, Pei Qinghua received a phone call from Tan Yuan, Tan Qizhang's daughter, who had found his number in her father's phone book. She asked him to buy a cassette tape of "Rivers of Babylon" in Guangzhou, even humming parts of the song to ensure he bought the correct one.
Despite his struggles, Pei Qinghua found a surge of strength listening to her. Xiao Chuang's new marketing campaign proved to be a resounding success. As the "Zero Days Left" advertisement appeared, revealing the fair was for Conpo computers, his phone began ringing incessantly with eager customers, each wanting to reserve multiple units. He deftly handled calls, securing orders for dozens of computers. That evening, Xiao Chuang, dressed meticulously and feeling optimistic, went to meet Xie Hang.
He eagerly began to tell her about his upcoming fair, but his excitement was quickly deflated when she introduced her "friend" as her boyfriend, Lei Min. Xiao Chuang was left feeling awkward and disappointed, his romantic hopes dashed. Later, still feeling down, Xiao Chuang called Pei Qinghua, ostensibly to ask for tips on promoting computers, but also to commiserate. Upon hearing about Pei Qinghua's stolen deal, Xiao Chuang expressed his sympathy and promised to sell Pei Qinghua's share at his own upcoming, and now clearly successful, trade fair.
