Our Times Episode 6 Recap
> Our Times Recap
At a bank, Xie Hang overheard her colleagues discussing the surging value of stock subscription certificates and whether to sell their own, which made her thoughtful. Later, Pei Qinghua seemed distracted after receiving a phone call from his mother, who announced she would be visiting for the Chinese New Year. Xiao Chuang assured him that he would take care of any financial concerns, but Pei Qinghua revealed a deeper issue.
He recounted a painful memory from the winter of 1974: his father, Pei Guoliang, who was struggling financially, was caught illegally reselling coal to provide for their family. Young Pei Qinghua watched as his father was taken away. His father was later sent to a farm for reform, where he contracted tuberculosis and passed away not long after. Overcome with grief, his mother made Pei Qinghua swear to study hard, always live honestly, and never get involved in business.
Xiao Chuang realized this explained Pei Qinghua’s strong resistance to becoming a salesman. Pei Qinghua feared his mother would discover his current profession. While Pei Qinghua suggested his mother stay in Xu Yiwan’s dorm, Xiao Chuang insisted on booking the best hotel and arranging a grand celebration with plenty of food. To finance the arrangements, Xiao Chuang sold the ten stock subscription certificates Xie Hang had given him, securing funds for the hotel.
On New Year's Eve, Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua went to the train station to pick up Pei Qinghua’s mother, with Xiao Chuang being notably enthusiastic and helpful. Pei Qinghua wondered where Xiao Chuang had acquired so much money and was determined to repay him. Realizing Tan Yuan was alone for the holiday, Pei Qinghua wanted to send her some food.
Xiao Chuang, however, suggested bringing her over to celebrate with them, saying they wouldn't miss "one extra pair of chopsticks." Tan Yuan, bottle of liquor in hand, joined them. On the way, Pei Qinghua confided in Tan Yuan about his family's past and urged her not to reveal his computer sales to his mother. Back at the dorm, Pei Qinghua’s mother and Xiao Chuang were setting off fireworks.
Pei Qinghua’s mother warmly welcomed Tan Yuan, and Xiao Chuang playfully remarked that she seemed to have taken a liking to Tan Yuan. Soon after, Pei Qinghua’s mother asked Tan Yuan if she had a boyfriend. A tipsy Tan Yuan nearly blurted out that Pei Qinghua and Xiao Chuang were involved in business, but Xiao Chuang quickly intervened, distracting Pei Qinghua’s mother with questions about the Spanish mackerel stuffing in the dumplings.
Fortunately, Pei Qinghua’s mother, also somewhat inebriated and happy, didn't seem to fully register the slip. After dinner, Xiao Chuang hailed a taxi to take Pei Qinghua’s mother back to her hotel, but she was concerned about the expense. The three friends discussed the need to drink less in the future, admitting their low alcohol tolerance. As fireworks illuminated the sky, they made wishes.
Pei Qinghua wished to return to the research institute, Tan Yuan hoped for her father, Tan Qizhang, to come back, and Xiao Chuang expressed his desire to follow Tan Qizhang to prosperity. As Pei Qinghua and Xiao Chuang walked Tan Yuan home, they were delighted to find Tan Qizhang waiting downstairs. A few days later, Pei Qinghua saw his mother off at the train station. Xiao Chuang had purchased numerous gifts for her to take home.
Pei Qinghua’s mother, touched by her son’s thoughtfulness, advised him to live an honest and steadfast life, warning him against going astray. It was now spring 1992. Qi Rongbin learned that the long-standing animosity between Lin Yimin and Tan Qizhang stemmed from "Huayan No. 1," a project involving the independent research and development of a mainframe computer. Apparently, Tan Qizhang's decision led to an overloaded machine being scrapped, creating a deep rift between them.
With new national policies encouraging economic reform and entrepreneurship, and Tan Qizhang's return, the Director decided to establish a new company from Lab 3. Xiao Chuang urged Pei Qinghua to quickly choose which side to align with. The Director appointed Lin Yimin as the General Manager and Tan Qizhang as the Deputy General Manager, explaining that Tan Qizhang’s recent troubles necessitated a more discreet role for him.
Though unhappy, Tan Qizhang agreed, but stipulated that he would name the new company "Huayan." Lin Yimin arrived, and despite their past, he and Tan Qizhang exchanged cordial greetings. Huayan Technology Co., Ltd. was officially established, with the immediate priority of finalizing the distributorship contract with Conpo. Xiao Chuang and Pei Qinghua were dismayed by Lin Yimin's appointment, feeling that he had stolen their hard-earned victory.
Tan Qizhang informed Pei Qinghua that he had spoken with Director Song of Lab 5, and Pei Qinghua could report back to the institute. However, many projects at the institute were on hold, and Pei Qinghua's embedded system research would likely not begin for another six months. Pei Qinghua, undeterred, affirmed his commitment to waiting, emphasizing his desire to stay at the institute.
Recognizing Pei Qinghua’s strong work ethic and technical skills, Tan Qizhang asked him to stay and help Huayan for six months, an offer Pei Qinghua accepted, grateful for Tan Qizhang's assistance in getting his authorized position back. Following the official establishment of Huayan Technology Co., Ltd., several other departments relocated, leaving more spacious offices. Tan Qizhang then left for a business trip.
Lin Yimin announced that Pei Qinghua would remain in the office on standby, while everyone else would follow Xu Yang's arrangements for upcoming business trips. Pei Qinghua expressed his desire to join the sales team in the field, but Lin Yimin dismissed his request, stating that his strong desire to return to the institute made an office-based role more fitting for him.
Xu Yang then outlined the assignments: Qi Rongbin was assigned to East China, and Xiao Chuang was sent to the Northeast. Lin Yimin stressed that securing the Baosong Steel deal in the Northeast, a state-owned enterprise undergoing information reform, would guarantee this year’s sales championship. Xiao Chuang, remembering his recent self-reflection note written for Lin Yimin, wondered why he was entrusted with such a critical mission. He then insisted that their outstanding travel reimbursements be processed.
Xu Yang assured him the payments would be released that day. Xiao Chuang immediately used his reimbursement to buy a mink coat, preparing for the notoriously cold Northeast. Later, during a basketball game, Pei Qinghua was noticeably distracted. Xiao Chuang questioned why Pei Qinghua was so unwilling to stay in Beijing when he didn't seem to have a strong ambition for sales.
Pei Qinghua explained that he only stayed out of loyalty to Tan Qizhang, who had helped him restore his authorized position, and felt frustrated by being given an idle role. Xiao Chuang suggested that Lin Yimin, as the new general manager, likely saw Pei Qinghua as a threat due to Tan Qizhang's high regard for him and was deliberately trying to suppress his enthusiasm.
Soon after, Xiao Chuang received a phone call from Xie Hang in Shanghai, who asked if he still had the stock subscription certificates she had given him. Xiao Chuang admitted he had sold them due to financial difficulties at the time, not realizing their significant value. He offered to buy them back if she regretted it, assuring her he wasn't solely driven by profit. Xie Hang, however, hung up abruptly.
