Our Times Episode 30 Recap
> Our Times Recap
Huayan Computer was in a dire financial situation, unable to pay employee wages due to severe fund shortages and accumulating inventory. This led to widespread panic among the factory workers, with the very real threat of production halting and the factory collapsing. Pei Qinghua called Tan Yuan, who confirmed that BNE, a Detroit-based company, was indeed launching a low-cost microprocessor, a development expected to significantly impact the entire computer industry.
Tan Yuan expressed worry for both Pei Qinghua and her father, Tan Qizhang, urging Pei Qinghua to take care of his health. Pei Qinghua assured her he was mentally prepared for the challenges of independent research and development. Simultaneously, Xiao Chuang and Xie Hang discussed the same news. Xie Hang feared that the impending price drop for CPUs would hinder her ability to meet sales targets in Guangzhou.
Recognizing that internal reporting channels at Jefferson were too slow, she decided to preemptively organize her Guangzhou sales team to push for immediate sales. Xiao Chuang pledged his full support, even offering to stay with her at the office if she became too busy, but cautioned her against overexertion. Pei Qinghua had planned to report the CPU price issue to Lin Yimin the next day.
However, he received an urgent call from Yue San, informing him that Lin Yimin had ordered a halt in production. The factory erupted in chaos as workers began gathering their belongings, threatening to leave. Pei Qinghua rushed to the factory and, to avert a complete collapse, used his own money to pay both last month's and this month's wages in advance, promising no worker would suffer a loss.
Yue San, seeing Pei Qinghua's sacrifice, rallied the workers, reminding them of Pei Qinghua’s past kindnesses and pledging to stay first. Convinced, the workers agreed to return to their posts. Earlier, Xu Yang had attempted to warn Lin Yimin about the CPU price drop, fearing inventory depreciation. Lin Yimin dismissed the information, especially after learning it came from Pei Qinghua, whom he viewed as disloyal. He instructed Xu Yang to focus solely on selling computers and to ignore rumors.
Later, Man Huansheng reported the factory unrest and Pei Qinghua's intervention. Instead of acknowledging Pei Qinghua's efforts, Lin Yimin again reprimanded Xu Yang for his perceived incompetence, leaving Xu Yang deeply discouraged. Xiao Chuang stumbled upon Lu Hainiu flirting with Qian, the receptionist. He then turned to discuss business, proposing they expand Linghang by building their own factory.
Lu Hainiu, however, was skeptical of the VCD's long-term viability and suggested using his "relative's" connections in Chen Village, where many small factories specialized in electrical appliance assembly. Xiao Chuang understood he meant Qian's relatives. He expressed serious concerns about quality control with such unknown factories, fearing it could tarnish Linghang’s reputation and leave them vulnerable.
Lu Hainiu became defensive, insisting on his right as a shareholder to make decisions and declaring he would oversee production in Chen Village personally to ensure quality. In the autumn of 1994, Lydia, a superior at Jefferson, was in a rage over the significant financial losses caused by the unexpected CPU price drop.
However, she received a surprisingly positive report from Guangzhou: Xie Hang, anticipating the market shift over a month prior, had successfully directed her sales team to clear all their inventory. Lydia was impressed, admitting she had underestimated Xie Hang’s foresight and capability. By the spring of 1995, Huayan Computer faced a severe crisis with unsalable products and a broken capital chain. Ms. Luo, frustrated by the situation, convened Lin Yimin and the director to find solutions.
Noticing Tan Qizhang's absence, she called him directly, challenging him to either stand by or save Huayan from its crisis. Tan Qizhang, desiring to intervene but feeling constrained, was then assured by Ms. Luo that she would resolve any difficulties he faced and that Huayan's future direction would follow his leadership. The director urged Lin Yimin to cooperate with Tan Qizhang.
Bolstered by this new authority, Tan Qizhang immediately completed his hospital discharge procedures and was personally picked up by the director, with Lin Yimin also present. Tan Qizhang officially returned to work at Huayan, assuming leadership of computer sales. After a general meeting, he held a private discussion with Pei Qinghua, Xu Yiwan, and Xu Yang.
He thanked them for their support and revealed the gravity of Huayan's financial state: despite efforts to clear inventory, their remaining funds would only last two months. Their only path forward was a bank loan, which hinged on successfully renewing their contract with Conpo before its March expiration, using it as collateral. Tan Qizhang stressed that this critical information was a company secret and must not be disclosed to anyone, especially not Lin Yimin.
Xu Yang's expression reflected his internal conflict. Meanwhile, Zhao Sihu invited Xiao Chuang to his new karaoke bar. With his business booming, Zhao Sihu wanted to order another hundred Linghang VCDs urgently, offering an additional 200 yuan per unit for immediate delivery. Xiao Chuang explained that Linghang's current orders were fully booked and new ones would take until next month. He proposed asking existing clients if they would transfer their orders, with Zhao Sihu's extra payment compensating them.
Zhao Sihu agreed, and as a gesture of goodwill, gifted Xiao Chuang a film projector. Xiao Chuang excitedly brought the projector home to Xie Hang, mimicking movie scenes and promising to visit every location from their favorite films, starting with Hong Kong, once his workload eased. Xie Hang reciprocated his enthusiasm. With Tan Qizhang's return, Huayan's situation had improved significantly, allowing everyone to enjoy a good New Year.
On Valentine's Day, Qi Rongbin presented Xu Yiwan with an extravagant bouquet of roses. Seeing this, Pei Qinghua promptly checked the delivery status of a package he had sent to the United States. Later, Tan Qizhang invited Pei Qinghua to celebrate a festival at his home. It took Pei Qinghua a moment to realize Tan Qizhang was referring to the Lantern Festival, not Valentine's Day. Simultaneously, Xiao Chuang and Xie Hang spent a full day shopping.
Xie Hang admired a wedding dress in a shop window, but when Xiao Chuang encouraged her to try it on, she declined. That evening, Lin Yimin visited Xu Yang at his dormitory, bringing food and wine to celebrate the Lantern Festival. After some cordial conversation, he subtly probed for details about the private meeting Tan Qizhang had held. Xu Yang, remembering Tan Qizhang's strict confidentiality instructions, hesitated.
Lin Yimin then enacted a "personal injury ruse," expressing his sorrow at feeling like an outsider and claiming his health was suffering from worry while being unable to help the company. Softened, Xu Yang divulged that Tan Qizhang was negotiating financing with several institutions, with the key to securing the funds being the successful renewal of the Conpo contract by March 9th, which would revive Huayan.
Later, Pei Qinghua, observing Lin Yimin's continued absence from the company, mentioned it to Tan Qizhang, who sagely noted that such quiet often precedes a storm. Pei Qinghua continued to drink several glasses of wine with Tan Qizhang, his face flushed, yet he remembered to rush back to the office to call Tan Yuan. It was Valentine's Day, their special day.
Tan Yuan had received Pei Qinghua's gift and, following his instructions, used the provided Morse code form to decipher the message hidden in the string lights: "I love you." Holding the phone, Tan Yuan softly replied, "I love you too," before hanging up and rolling playfully on her bed, leaving Pei Qinghua enchanted.
