Ten Years Late Episode 1 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
In a cold Japanese setting, a man named Yamaki stood on the edge of a building, threatening to jump after being caught for embezzlement. Jin Ran, a powerful and successful young CEO, arrived at the scene. He tried to reason with Yamaki, telling him that his suicide would not solve anything and would leave his family without compensation, especially since his actions were illegal.
Jin Ran warned that the company would not be liable for any compensation if he committed suicide. He urged Yamaki to take responsibility for his crime. When Yamaki remained defiant, Jin Ran pressed, reminding him of the implications for his family. Ultimately, Jin Ran successfully diffused the crisis.
Back in his office, Jin Ran instructed his assistant to prepare a Letter of Understanding for Yamaki's family and personally provided a sum of money to help them, though he made it clear this was an emergency fund, not a relief fund. He also sternly warned that any future actions detrimental to the company would result in severe punishment. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Yuan Lai was at a photoshoot with Zhao Chengzhi, taking "wedding photos" for a company promotion.
Yuan Lai received an urgent call from Ji Aoting, her general manager, asking her to "put out a fire." She left quickly, telling Zhao Chengzhi to select the photos. Yuan Lai rushed to a hotel to help Mr. Ji, who had all his belongings, including his clothes, wallet, and a USB drive containing an important bidding proposal, stolen by a woman he had spent the night with.
Yuan Lai deftly handled the situation, even taking the liberty of discarding Mr. Ji's old clothes, noting his preference for "breaking ties" with the past. Her exceptional performance led to a rapid promotion, making her the youngest manager in the company, handling high-end tourism routes. However, this also fueled office gossip, with colleagues speculating that her success was due to an inappropriate relationship with Mr. Ji. Her assistant, Fei, often defended her against these rumors.
Jin Ran's schedule was packed, but while browsing a website, he came across an article featuring Yuan Lai and Zhao Chengzhi's "wedding photos." This sight stirred old memories and emotions, recalling his sweet college romance with Yuan Lai and her bold confession of love. Unable to believe Yuan Lai would forget him, he called his assistant and canceled all his upcoming appointments, agreeing to meet with Mr. Wen of Feitu Travel the next morning before heading to Shanghai.
Before leaving, Jin Ran visited his mother, who ran a Japanese restaurant. He told her he planned to work in Shanghai for a while. His mother, guessing he was going to find "that girl," fully supported his decision, reminding him that a girl's youth is short and she might not wait. They agreed he would arrange everything and then bring her back to Shanghai. In Shanghai, Yuan Lai met with her close friends, Xizi and Shaonan.
Xizi announced her upcoming wedding and asked Yuan Lai to be a bridesmaid. As they reminisced, Shaonan inadvertently brought up Jin Ran, creating an awkward silence. Yuan Lai brushed it off, joking that he was just an ex. Shaonan, however, continued, mentioning Xu Xinyi's past feelings for Jin Ran. The four women—Yuan Lai, Xu Xinyi, Shaonan, and Xizi—were once best friends, but Yuan Lai and Xu Xinyi's relationship had since become strained.
At the same time, Xu Xinyi, a top sales representative, was at a business dinner, enduring discomfort as she drank heavily to secure a 10 million order for Savino Company. She chugged an entire bottle of alcohol, impressing her client, Mr. Zhao, and winning the contract, ensuring she would be the best salesperson again. Just as her colleagues prepared to celebrate, Xinyi received a call from her landlord, who was canceling her lease.
While waiting for her boyfriend, Zifu, to pick her up, she got into a dispute with someone trying to take a floor lamp she had left on the roadside. Yuan Lai, coincidentally passing by, intervened to help. Despite Yuan Lai's kindness, the proud Xinyi initially refused her offer of help. Eventually, they returned to Yuan Lai's apartment together. Yuan Lai treated Xinyi with her usual warmth. Xinyi was surprised to learn that Yuan Lai and Jin Ran had broken up.
Later, Xinyi received a call from her boyfriend, Zifu, who promised to pick her up, revealing she was staying at Yuan Lai's. Yuan Lai and Zhao Chengzhi were preparing for a business trip to Turkey. Zhao Chengzhi excitedly described his fantasies about the trip, including hot air balloons and kebabs, but Yuan Lai was too busy with work to pack. Zhao Chengzhi went to her house to collect her luggage.
Yuan Lai’s parents were fond of Zhao Chengzhi, and a neighbor jokingly assumed they were a couple, prompting Yuan Lai’s mother to clarify that Zhao Chengzhi was just her daughter's university classmate and colleague and that the "wedding photos" were for work. They were just friends. Upon landing in Shanghai, Jin Ran unexpectedly saw Yuan Lai and Zhao Chengzhi at the airport, laughing together.
Feeling disheartened, he immediately called Mr. Wen, requesting Yuan Lai's assistance with a client issue in Japan. Yuan Lai received a call from Mr. Ji, informing her that she needed to go to Japan to handle a problem with a tour group on a new route, which was a key project for her.
She had to cancel her flight to Turkey and calm a frustrated Zhao Chengzhi, who only agreed to go because of her and insisted he wouldn't go without her. Yuan Lai explained that the company had already booked appointments with the local tourism bureau in Turkey that Zhao Chengzhi needed to attend for legal terms, and another person would join him later. In Japan, Yuan Lai arrived at the hotel to resolve a dispute with an unhappy tour group.
As she tried to calm the tourists, Jin Ran, hiding nearby, discreetly provided her with a better solution by suggesting she switch the dissatisfied group with another of their company's groups staying at a nearby hotel whose night activities were wrapping up. Yuan Lai, shocked, realized the "helpful stranger" was Jin Ran when he revealed himself. This unexpected reunion of former lovers brought back painful memories.
Their past breakup was due to a misunderstanding and stubborn pride, during which Yuan Lai had told Jin Ran she was in love with his good friend, Zhao Chengzhi. Yuan Lai informed Mr. Ji that the problem was resolved and she planned to return to China the next day. However, Mr. Ji told her to remain in Japan, explaining that a VIP client requested her to stay and accompany him to experience the company's new high-end custom tour route.
The next morning, Yuan Lai discovered that Jin Ran was the VIP client she was tasked with accompanying. Jin Ran began to make unreasonable demands, first taking her to Fukuura Bridge and refusing to board a cruise, instead asking her for fresh oysters to eat right there on the bridge. Yuan Lai, determined to provide excellent client service, found a nearby fish market.
Jin Ran gave her money, and as she paid, she found a button mixed in with the change. She recognized it as a gesture from an ex-boyfriend seeking forgiveness, stirring a faint hope within her. Jin Ran continued to challenge her, first wanting raw oysters, then changing his mind to roasted oysters, and finally asking for raw oysters with ketchup, a flavor unique to China. Yuan Lai, suppressing her anger, brought out an array of condiments for him.
Jin Ran then tried to appeal to her emotions, mentioning her old habits and offering her roasted oysters because of her sensitive stomach. Yuan Lai, however, remained professional, stating that as his tour guide, her role was to offer advice and solve problems, not to be a companion for meals. She firmly told him he had "asked the wrong person." Later that night, both Jin Ran and Yuan Lai reflected on their past and present.
Jin Ran pondered why Yuan Lai had treated him so coldly four years ago, having returned to China specifically for her. Yuan Lai, for her part, wondered why Jin Ran had reappeared in her life when it had taken her four full years to forget him.
