Our Times Episode 8 Recap
> Our Times Recap
The next week, Yanjing University was holding a dance, and Tan Yuan wanted to ask Pei Qinghua to be her partner. Feeling shy about how to approach him, Man Lin suggested she could cook a meal and bring it to him, taking the opportunity to ask. Tan Yuan admitted she didn't know how to cook, but Man Lin assured her that following recipes was simple. Back in Beijing, Xiao Chuang immediately began writing a letter to Xie Hang.
Pei Qinghua warned him that Director Tan knew about his unauthorized trip to Shanghai and advised him to prepare an explanation. Xiao Chuang, however, confidently stated that he had over-fulfilled his mission and believed Director Tan wouldn't be angry. He also mentioned wanting to call Qi Rongbin to check on the Baosong deal. Xiao Chuang then asked Pei Qinghua for a stamp, remarking on how effective writing letters was for expressing feelings.
He even wondered if adding two stamps would speed up delivery, to which Pei Qinghua replied there was no logical basis, but sincerity might make it work. Director Tan confronted Xiao Chuang, demanding to know why he had gone to Shanghai without reporting. Xiao Chuang explained it was an emergency, adding that he had still managed to secure several orders. Director Tan, concerned about the crucial mainframe deal with Baosong, criticized Xiao Chuang for leaving his post without permission.
Pei Qinghua interjected, expressing faith in Qi Rongbin's capabilities. Unappeased, Director Tan announced that he would settle accounts with both of them when Qi Rongbin returned and ordered them to reflect on their conduct, specifically telling Xiao Chuang to shed his "loose and carefree attitude."
Director Tan then spoke to Pei Qinghua, praising his work on the Chinese language card and reminding him that "it takes time to train a horse and build a strong army," encouraging him to be patient for opportunities. Xiao Chuang called Qi Rongbin, emphasizing the importance of securing the Baosong deal for their safety. Qi Rongbin, enjoying a Big Mac at the newly opened Wangfujing McDonald's, assured Xiao Chuang that everything was under control.
He mentioned getting the Big Mac for a client's child. Meanwhile, Pei Qinghua was diligently working on Chinese language cards to pass the time. Xiao Chuang commented that it was a "waste of talent" for Pei Qinghua not to be utilized more, but Pei Qinghua simply stated he would follow leadership's assignments. Following Man Lin's advice, Tan Yuan cooked a meal for Pei Qinghua.
While she was out, her father, Director Tan, returned home and sampled the food, immediately spitting it out due to how salty it was. Unaware, Tan Yuan proudly brought the meal to Pei Qinghua at the institute. As he ate, she invited him to be her dance partner. The invitation caught him so off guard that he choked on a fish bone.
After a panicked Tan Yuan helped him dislodge it, a flustered Pei Qinghua agreed to go to the dance with her. Shortly after, Qi Rongbin returned not from Shanghai, but from a trip to the northeast, clad in a heavy fur coat to sell his cover story. He confidently reported that the Baosong deal was a success, but alarmed Xiao Chuang by admitting he had neither a signed contract nor a deposit. It was Xie Hang's birthday.
Her parents called, concerned that she hadn't contacted them and inquired about her relationship with Lei Min. While on the phone, Xie Hang saw Lei Min happily chatting with a female colleague, but she still told her parents everything was fine between them. News then broke that Baosong had officially rejected Conpo's mainframes, opting instead to purchase equipment from Jefferson. This unexpected turn of events completely disrupted the next quarter's plans, forcing the mainframe business to start from scratch.
Both Xiao Chuang and Qi Rongbin were puzzled by the setback, especially given their connections through the president and Qi Rongbin's earlier progress. They then learned that the person in charge of Jefferson's mainframes was Wang Chong. Xiao Chuang insisted it wasn't too late as long as the contract hadn't been finalized and wanted to personally make another trip to Baosong.
Director Tan, worried about Director Lin's imminent return and the consequences, suggested Pei Qinghua accompany Xiao Chuang as his assistant. Xiao Chuang declined, stating Pei Qinghua was occupied with quality inspection for the Chinese language cards and he could handle it alone. He promised to complete the mission despite Director Tan's warnings.
Xiao Chuang then packed his bags, falsely telling Pei Qinghua that Director Tan was sending him on a minor business trip to Tianjin and borrowing Pei Qinghua's mainframe book to read on the way. Later, Xie Hang bought a birthday cake and lit candles, celebrating alone. Her neighbor, frustrated, brought a large stack of letters that had been misdelivered to her mailbox, angrily scolding Xie Hang.
These were all letters from Xiao Chuang, expressing his profound longing and how she had cast a spell on him, making him see her face everywhere. He had also written himself "reply" letters as he hadn't received any from her. The last item was a birthday card, wishing her happiness, thanking her for their meeting, and regretting they couldn't see the peach blossoms in Taoranting Park together.
Xie Hang cried, blew out the candles, and then ventured out in the rain to a payphone. She left a message for Xiao Chuang, thanking him for a grand and unforgettable birthday, saying his appearance during her darkest time had rekindled her hope for the future. Meanwhile, Xiao Chuang, in a field of sunflowers, wrote down his birthday blessings for Xie Hang.
Xie Hang requested a leave of absence to return to Beijing to see the peach blossoms, firmly telling Lei Min that it was her paid vacation and he had no choice but to approve it. Xiao Chuang, having received a message about a call from Shanghai, called back. Xie Hang informed him that her train would arrive in Beijing at 2 PM the next day.
Xiao Chuang was thrilled but also dismayed, as his own business trip train was scheduled for 4 PM. He reassured her that two hours was enough time, suggesting they visit the new Wangfujing McDonald's. Xie Hang, however, insisted that what they did didn't matter, as she simply wanted to see him. Xiao Chuang promised to pick her up at the station.
He then asked what she did for her birthday; she recounted wandering in the garden and writing birthday wishes for him on the ground before the rain sent her back inside. Xiao Chuang remarked that it had also rained in Shanghai. The next day, Xiao Chuang hurried to the train station. Xie Hang's train was significantly delayed by two to three hours due to a signal system malfunction.
As Xiao Chuang's train was about to depart, he was forced to board, disheartened. Just as his train slowly began to move, Xie Hang's train pulled into the station. Xiao Chuang spotted her and shouted her name through the window. Xie Hang approached his compartment, and Xiao Chuang was relieved to see her looking energetic, a change she attributed to his letters.
As his train gradually picked up speed, Xiao Chuang shouted from the window, urging Xie Hang to wait for him to return so they could see the peach blossoms together. Xie Hang didn't have a chance to tell him that simply seeing him on the platform had made her incredibly happy. Once her figure was out of sight, Xiao Chuang returned to his compartment, joyfully repeating to himself that she truly cared for him.
Meanwhile, Xu Yiwan informed Pei Qinghua about the criticism session for Qi Rongbin and Xiao Chuang, detailing how the botched Baosong mainframe deal had resulted in millions in losses. Pei Qinghua was stunned to learn that Xiao Chuang had gone to Baosong, realizing he had been deceived. Xu Yiwan clarified that Xiao Chuang had lied to protect Pei Qinghua from being entangled in Director Lin's inevitable wrath.
Pei Qinghua, undeterred, decided to go to Baosong to assist Xiao Chuang, and Director Tan gave his approval. Before leaving, Xu Yang, who had just returned from Wuhan, informed Pei Qinghua about a colleague named Luo from the president's former Electrical and Mechanical Department who had been reassigned to Baosong's Information and Automation Division, suggesting he might be able to help.
Rushing to catch his train, Pei Qinghua found Tan Yuan's dorm empty and wrote a message on the dorm's message board, apologizing for missing the dance due to an urgent business trip. That evening, Tan Yuan, meticulously dressed for the dance, waited expectantly for Pei Qinghua, but he never appeared. Throughout the night, she clung to the hope that he was merely running late, unaware that he was already on a train.
She waited so long her feet were rubbed raw by her ill-fitting shoes. Man Lin tried to comfort her, suggesting that Pei Qinghua didn't appreciate her efforts. Furious, Tan Yuan declared she would never speak to Pei Qinghua again. To make matters worse, the message he had left on the dorm's message board was later erased, deepening Tan Yuan's misunderstanding and anger.
