Our Times Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
> Our Times Recap
Xu Yiwan returned from Hong Kong, bringing a pair of shoes for Pei Qinghua and another for Xiao Chuang, asking Pei Qinghua to deliver Xiao Chuang's. She shared her belief that Xiao Chuang would definitely come back, stating that while she might have given up hope for others, Xiao Chuang was different.
Pei Qinghua thanked her on his behalf, and Qi Rongbin affirmed that they all trusted Xiao Chuang and were waiting for his safe return, emphasizing that Xiao Chuang's well-being was a concern for all of them. During a welcoming dinner, Xu Yiwan reported a sudden and significant surge in international hard drive prices, nearly doubling due to a decline in foreign manufacturing. She proposed stocking up on inventory, as their current supply was only sufficient for one month.
Pei Qinghua strongly advocated for purchasing hard drives regardless of cost, emphasizing Huayan's long-term vision and believing Tan Qizhang would concur. However, Xu Yiwan and Qi Rongbin hinted that Tan Qizhang’s perspective might have changed during Pei Qinghua’s absence. Pei Qinghua remained firm, asserting that they would convince Tan Qizhang, regardless of his initial stance.
Later, during an interview, journalist Shu Zhihong informed Pei Qinghua that she had enlisted all her journalist contacts in Guangzhou to search for Xiao Chuang, treating him like her own brother, and promised immediate notification of any developments. She commended Pei Qinghua’s loyalty and character, telling him she hadn't misjudged him. Pei Qinghua and Xu Yiwan met with Tan Qizhang to discuss the hard drive shortage.
Pei Qinghua stressed the urgency of securing a three-month inventory to prevent production halts and market loss, arguing that current costs were negligible compared to the long-term impact. Tan Qizhang, however, viewed this as a losing proposition, recalling past lessons from CPU price fluctuations and predicting an imminent price drop. He instructed Xu Yiwan to return to Hong Kong to monitor market conditions but refused to authorize a purchase.
Pei Qinghua attempted to differentiate hard drives from CPUs, explaining their stable technology and comparing them to essential commodities, but Tan Qizhang remained resolute in his "quality and cheap" business strategy. After Pei Qinghua’s persistent appeals about Huayan’s hard-won success, Tan Qizhang reluctantly agreed to consider the matter further. Xie Hang, engrossed in work, momentarily believed she saw Xiao Chuang, only to realize her mistake.
She continued to play a game she once shared with him, prompting her mother to express concern about her emotional state. Her mother acknowledged Xiao Chuang's good character but gently urged Xie Hang to accept his death and move on. Xie Hang, however, firmly maintained that without concrete evidence of his demise, Xiao Chuang was still alive, even if he hadn't yet sought her out.
Later that night, Tan Yuan called Pei Qinghua, excitedly sharing news that Huayan had been featured on CNN, which she believed foreshadowed Huayan’s entry into the US market. When Pei Qinghua expressed his uneasiness about intensifying market competition and his differing opinions with Tan Qizhang, Tan Yuan reassured him, emphasizing their shared goals and the importance of communication. She declared her intention to return to Beijing and join his team after graduation.
Pei Qinghua admitted that ever since Xiao Chuang's disappearance, he felt as if time had stopped, to which Tan Yuan promised to always be by his side. The next morning, Xie Hang announced her intention to go to Guangzhou, sparking a heated argument with her parents. They vehemently opposed her trip, revealing they had uncovered Xiao Chuang's true background as an orphan whose company was burdened with significant debt, urging her to abandon her hopes.
Xie Hang calmly disclosed that she was already aware of his history and had even advised him to keep it secret from them. Tan Qizhang summoned Pei Qinghua and Yue San, proudly announcing a 2,000-unit computer order from Era Bank, with a tight delivery deadline of the end of next month. Despite Yue San’s concerns about insufficient hard drive inventory and the impossibility of extending the deadline, and Pei Qinghua’s suggestion to forgo the order, Tan Qizhang remained unyielding.
He commanded them to acquire the necessary hard drives and ensure timely delivery, viewing their reservations as lingering resentment over his earlier decision not to stockpile. He emphasized that successfully completing the Era Bank order was crucial. Xiang Yi Fei located a supplier, Fu Lin, who had the necessary hard drives.
Fu Lin initially demanded a 20% price increase and an immediate deposit, but after Xiang Yi Fei explained the need to report to his superiors, they agreed to sign a contract the following morning. Meanwhile, Fu Lin's brother, Lin Yimin, upon learning that Huayan was the prospective buyer, revealed his own desire for revenge against Huayan. He instructed Fu Lin to renege on the deal, telling him that earning a mere 600,000 yuan was not enough retribution.
The next day, Fu Lin failed to show up for the contract signing, and Huayan received word that they were no longer willing to sell the hard drives. Pei Qinghua grew anxious, realizing that without production restarting within three days, they would miss their delivery deadline. Back in Guangzhou, Xie Hang returned to her rental apartment.
Hearing sounds from within, she was overjoyed, believing Xiao Chuang had come back, but it was only the landlord cleaning up after a pipe leak. Disheartened, she pondered the essence of waiting, concluding it was a gamble where the greater the stake, the more it justified the outcome. Pledging to wait for him for the rest of her life, she believed that as long as Xiao Chuang returned, the wager was worth it.
Frustrated by the sudden cancellation of the hard drive order, Pei Qinghua acknowledged his share of responsibility for not stocking up earlier, but stressed the critical need to resume production to meet the deadline. Man Huansheng, observing Pei Qinghua’s distress, advised him against arguing with Tan Qizhang, emphasizing their crucial roles within the company and the need for tact. Pei Qinghua admitted his respect for Tan Qizhang but felt disappointed by his changed demeanor.
Man Huansheng countered that everyone changes with leadership positions. Pei Qinghua ultimately decided to apologize to Tan Qizhang and attempt a calm discussion that evening. Pei Qinghua visited Tan Qizhang that evening, offering an apology for their previous disagreements regarding the hard drives. Tan Qizhang accepted, stating that he would only tolerate such actions from Pei Qinghua.
He then revealed that he had secured a hard drive supplier through an old friend, guaranteeing the same brand and parameters, with delivery expected within two days, and had instructed Yue San to manage the logistics. Furthermore, Tan Qizhang informed Pei Qinghua that he had nominated him for the "Top Ten Outstanding Young People" award in Haidian District, urging him to prepare for the upcoming TV interview.
Despite Pei Qinghua's concerns about his recent performance, Tan Qizhang reaffirmed his belief that Pei Qinghua was the most vital asset to Huayan. Tan Qizhang then inquired about Xiao Chuang, to which Pei Qinghua offered no new information. Tan Qizhang concluded by saying that Pei Qinghua had done all he could and should have no regrets. With Tan Qizhang away on a business trip, Pei Qinghua signed the hard drive purchase contract.
Simultaneously, Fu Lin expressed frustration to his brother, Lin Yimin, about losing the Huayan order. Lin Yimin, however, remained composed, explaining that merely profiting from the deal was insufficient retribution. He vowed to inflict a more profound revenge that would make Tan Qizhang experience the same hardship he once did. Pei Qinghua appeared on a television program as one of the "Top Ten Outstanding Young People."
He shared his personal journey from a computer science background to venturing into the business world, admitting his initial struggles with the transition but asserting his commitment to excel in any chosen path. When the host, subtly prompting him to name Tan Qizhang, asked about his greatest influence, Pei Qinghua instead credited his good friend, Xiao Chuang.
He then used the live broadcast as an opportunity to address Xiao Chuang directly, urging him to contact them if he was watching and reassuring him that no matter the problem, they would face it together. Shortly after, at the factory, Yue San and another worker inadvertently discovered that the recently acquired hard drives bore German labels instead of the expected Chinese, indicating they were parallel imports.
Yue San immediately contacted Pei Qinghua, who rushed to the factory to confirm the alarming discovery. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Pei Qinghua decided to directly confront Tan Qizhang. Pei Qinghua waited in the heavy snow outside Tan Qizhang’s building. When he finally met Tan Qizhang, he informed him of the problematic hard drives. Tan Qizhang responded coldly, suggesting they discuss it during office hours the next day.
Realizing that Tan Qizhang had known about the parallel imports all along, Pei Qinghua directly confronted him. Tan Qizhang admitted his awareness, arguing that as long as they kept silent, the source would remain unknown, and the identical technical specifications meant no direct consumer impact. Pei Qinghua vehemently disagreed, emphasizing that consumers bought not just quality but also guarantees, and that selling parallel imports would tarnish Huayan’s reputation and compromise his integrity.
Tan Qizhang dismissed this as the "best compromise" and instructed Pei Qinghua to resolve the issue himself, reiterating that halting production was not an option. In Guangzhou, a television program called "Irresponsible Weekly" featured Pei Qinghua's televised search for Xiao Chuang, simultaneously satirizing Xiao Chuang's dramatic rise and fall in the business world. Xiao Chuang, appearing disheveled and wearing a hat, watched the broadcast from his remote location. Having miraculously survived his fall into the river, he found a profound sense of relief as he listened to Pei Qinghua's earnest plea and promise of unwavering support.
