Ten Years Late Episode 19 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Shen Shuangshuang deliberately posted pictures on her WeChat Moments to hint at having a new boyfriend, hoping to catch Zhao Chengzhi's attention, but he did not comment, leaving her disappointed. Her colleagues later teased her about a romantic weekend, as her post showed night views, a balcony, and two wine glasses. Zhao Chengzhi, feigning to get coffee, eavesdropped on their conversation.
Shuangshuang then purposefully spoke loudly, describing her new suitor as a wealthy man who had returned from abroad and whose father owned eight companies. Zhao Chengzhi immediately interjected, warning Shuangshuang to be cautious of such men, suggesting they are often playboys and might only have "eight overdrawn credit cards" to their name. Shuangshuang retorted, calling him old-fashioned, while her colleagues labeled him a "chat killer" for his pessimistic interruption.
Later, as work ended, Zhao Chengzhi tried to make Shuangshuang stay to handle urgent contracts, but she calmly informed him she had already completed and sent them. She then made a conspicuous phone call, telling her "darling" she was on her way down. Zhao Chengzhi watched as a man picked Shuangshuang up, and they even shared a hug. Feeling jealous, he called her, asking about the files for Yage.
She coolly told him the files were on his desk and hung up, calling him a "pest" to her companion. It was Jin Ran's birthday, and everyone gathered at Gu Yang's coffee shop to celebrate. Zhao Chengzhi was surprised to see Shuangshuang there, realizing the man had only helped her pick up a cake. The two immediately began bickering, with Zhao Chengzhi accusing her of being out with a "playboy," and Shuangshuang retorting that he should mind his own business.
The group quieted them, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday." Jin Ran expressed his wish to spend every future birthday with them. After his friends presented their gifts, Yuan Lai gave Jin Ran a sports watch. He adored it, telling her she knew him best and that he loved it simply because it was from her. Amidst their celebration, Gu Sa arrived, having been invited by Yuan Lai. Jin Ran appeared surprised by her presence.
Gu Sa introduced herself as Jin Ran's long-time friend from Japan and brought champagne. Encouraged by the others, Jin Ran and Yuan Lai shared a kiss for a photo, a moment Gu Sa observed with a look of discomfort. When Gu Yang offered to take a group photo, Gu Sa declined to join. Xinyi noticed Gu Sa's distant demeanor and approached her.
Gu Sa shared that she had collaborated with Jin Ran professionally and was in China for some personal matters in addition to business. Sensing something was amiss, Xinyi later warned Yuan Lai to be wary of Gu Sa. However, Yuan Lai confidently dismissed Xinyi's concerns, stating her trust in Jin Ran and herself.
Gu Sa then excused herself, glad to see Jin Ran happy and remarking that her decision to return was the right one, subtly alluding to her past "cooperation" with him. Jin Ran and Yuan Lai later shared another tender moment, with Jin Ran calling it his happiest birthday and expressing his desire for Yuan Lai to be with him every day.
Meanwhile, when a foreign man approached Shuangshuang, Zhao Chengzhi became visibly jealous, though he vehemently denied it when his friends teased him. In other news, Xinyi's consistent top performance in sales made her a strong candidate for a Vice Director position in Shanghai. Her husband, Ding Ang, jokingly celebrated by preparing her favorite chili sauce. The company, Fietu, weathered its crisis by securing new investment and getting the lawyer's letter from SN withdrawn. However, its reputation was tarnished.
To rebuild the company's image, Yuan Lai proposed a "Sapling Plan," a charity initiative that would allocate a portion of customer travel payments towards desert reforestation. This aimed to boost the company's brand image and develop new travel routes. Director Ji Aoting approved of the concept and tasked Yuan Lai's team and Lisa's team to each develop a detailed proposal. During the presentation, Lisa's team emphasized encouraging consumers to act out of environmental consciousness.
Yuan Lai's team, conversely, highlighted the impact of the environment on people. She explained that the "sapling" was merely a hook to promote new travel routes. Her plan proposed showcasing the stark contrast between beautiful, preserved landscapes and nearby devastated, desertified areas to stir consumers' emotions and prompt them to fund the initiative. Despite an objection that this might deter customers, Yuan Lai argued it would pique curiosity.
Jin Ran, Ji Aoting, and Gu Sa unanimously endorsed Yuan Lai's proposal, officially naming it the "Green Path Plan." Ji Aoting then asked Yuan Lai to accompany him to Lin Shan's workshop at the Public Welfare Department of Guoben, a crucial collaborator. As Ji Aoting took a phone call outside, Yuan Lai entered and stumbled upon a photo of Jin Ran, Gu Sa, and a boy named Alex, looking like a happy family. The discovery deeply unsettled her.
Ji Aoting then informed her that Lin Shan was unavailable and pointedly added that he hoped nothing would affect Yuan Lai's work. Walking alone, Yuan Lai felt her heart heavy with disappointment. Jin Ran, sensing her distress, found her, but she was cold and resistant. Confused, he pressed her for an explanation. Yuan Lai confronted him, asking if it was true that he had been married to Gu Sa.
Jin Ran admitted to a "legal marriage" in Japan, clarifying it was solely to help Gu Sa regain custody of Alex and that he believed Gu Sa had already explained everything. Yuan Lai angrily questioned why he had never disclosed this. Jin Ran apologized, stating it wasn't intentional, but she pushed him away, asserting that she could not trust him. Later, Jin Ran waited for Yuan Lai outside her workplace, but she ignored him.
He brought her to his home, where Yuan Lai tearfully told him they had both changed, she could no longer trust him, and they needed to reconsider their relationship. Heartbroken, Jin Ran dragged Ding Ang and Zhao Chengzhi to a boxing gym. There, he confessed that Gu Sa was his ex-wife. A furious Zhao Chengzhi attacked Jin Ran, calling him a "bastard," before Ding Ang intervened. Jin Ran admitted his cowardice in not telling Yuan Lai his past.
The next day, Jin Ran met Gu Sa, informing her that Yuan Lai knew about their marriage. Gu Sa feigned innocence and offered to explain, but Jin Ran refused, insisting he would handle it. Gu Sa then stated that a good business partner was more important than a lover and suggested they meet Lin Shan together for the project, but Jin Ran declined.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chengzhi grew irritated by Shen Shuangshuang's constant WeChat chatting and the flowers from admirers on her desk. He summoned her to his office, ordering her to remove the flowers and refrain from romantic distractions during work hours. Shuangshuang declared she had a "new pursuit target" and would no longer "harass" him. She declined his dinner invitation, stating she had an evening appointment with Lawyer Bai.
Frustrated, Zhao Chengzhi called Lawyer Bai a well-known "playboy" and warned Shuangshuang she would "suffer a great loss." Unfazed, she countered that she could simultaneously discuss business and develop a relationship, seeing it as "killing two birds with one stone." Later, Gu Sa called Jin Ran, claiming her high heel broke and asking him to bring a spare pair to Lin Shan's workshop.
When Yuan Lai and Ji Aoting arrived at the workshop, they found Jin Ran and Gu Sa already there. As they were greeting each other, Gu Sa dramatically stumbled, feigning a sprained ankle and instinctively grabbing Jin Ran's arm, a scene Yuan Lai witnessed with palpable discomfort.
