Ten Years Late Episode 20 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Lin Shan, a longtime friend of Gu Sa, warmly greeted Gu Sa and Jin Ran at her studio, jokingly remarking on their "husband and wife" synergy, unaware they were divorced. Yuan Lai observed Jin Ran and Gu Sa's familiar interactions with discomfort. When Lin Shan returned Jin Ran's repaired watch, Yuan Lai noticed it was a mechanical timepiece.
Jin Ran, however, stated his preference for the sports watch already on his wrist, explaining it was a gift from Yuan Lai, making it more than just a watch to him. Later, Jin Ran approached an upset Yuan Lai, admitting he was not good at handling her anger, unlike his usual composure. He confessed to having many weaknesses, especially when faced with her indignation. Yuan Lai, still hurt, questioned if his perceived shortcomings were always her fault.
She revealed that since their last conversation, she had been reflecting on the five years they missed and how he seemed to have become a stranger to her. She admitted needing time to process these feelings. Jin Ran earnestly offered to reveal every aspect of himself if given enough time, promising to accept all of her.
Yuan Lai agreed, but made him promise to always inform her of any developments immediately, even if it made her angry, and never to hide anything. With a newfound understanding, they embraced. From an upstairs vantage point, Ji Aoting and Gu Sa observed their reconciliation. Ji Aoting commented on young people's tendency to make and correct mistakes, suggesting that they, as seniors, should help "correct" the couple's relationship.
Gu Sa dismissed it as office gossip, but Ji Aoting hinted at her unusually close relationship with Jin Ran, asserting that while others might gossip, he was focused on professional cooperation and that a "smart woman" like Gu Sa would understand his subtle warning. Feitu's "Green Path Plan" was initiated with a boost in publicity, earning praise from the "Entrepreneurs Daily." While working diligently, Yuan Lai sustained a minor hand injury while protecting her colleague, Fei.
Gu Sa quickly offered a bandage and a word of caution. She then reassured Yuan Lai that her past marriage to Jin Ran was for the custody of Alex, his son, and that she had always considered Jin Ran like a younger brother. Gu Sa stressed that despite many women pursuing him over the years, Jin Ran had never shown interest in anyone other than Yuan Lai, urging her to cherish their relationship.
Meanwhile, Bob shared his findings about Jin Ran and Gu Sa with Ji Aoting. He revealed that Gu Sa had brought Jin Ran to the United States, meticulously training and promoting him. Their company specialized in hostile takeovers of small and medium-sized enterprises, notorious for acquiring dozens of struggling New York companies in a matter of days. Jin Ran abruptly left Gu Sa's company and had been frequently traveling to Japan in recent years.
Ji Aoting grew suspicious, fearing Jin Ran and Gu Sa might intend to short Feitu, especially given its unusually rapid stock price increase. Bob, however, believed it would be difficult to short a large company like Feitu. Later that day, Jin Ran called Yuan Lai, inviting her for dinner. Xinyi, who was with Yuan Lai, jokingly grabbed the phone, teasing Jin Ran about a "Left-behind Men Club" and telling him to cherish his "pre-marriage night."
That evening, Yuan Lai, Xinyi, and Shen Shuangshuang celebrated Xinyi's recent promotion at Yuan Lai's home. The women discussed Yuan Lai's relationship, agreeing it was unproductive to dwell on past issues and that she should gradually get to know Jin Ran. They collectively criticized Zhao Chengzhi, calling him "cheap" for his stubbornness, though Shuangshuang still defended him, attempting to maintain her "aloof" stance.
Concurrently, Jin Ran, Ding Ang, and Zhao Chengzhi had their own gathering, where Jin Ran shared his concerns about his ex-wife, his current girlfriend, and her suitor all working on the same project. Jin Ran and Ding Ang mocked Chengzhi for being "cheap" and urged him to confess his feelings to Shuangshuang before someone else took her. Chengzhi, still in denial, boasted about the "tranquility" he enjoyed without Shuangshuang pestering him. As the night ended, Ding Ang took Xinyi home.
Zhao Chengzhi, despite Shuangshuang's drunken protests and name-calling, carried her out. Before leaving, Jin Ran reminded Yuan Lai to rest well for the upcoming launch ceremony and kissed her goodnight. Zhao Chengzhi carried a deeply intoxicated Shuangshuang to a park bench. He complained about her weight and told her she needed to lose some, to which she retorted that many men wished to carry her.
Shuangshuang declared her resolution to stop demeaning herself, stating she had been "blind" to him, and realized there were many better men in the world. She vowed not to chase him like an "idiot" anymore. Overhearing her drunken ramblings, Chengzhi finally confessed his true feelings, "Actually, I like you." He apologized for deceiving himself and wondered if his confession came "too late."
The next day, Yuan Lai diligently prepared for the "Green Path Plan" launch ceremony, meticulously checking every detail from guest lists to technical equipment. Lisa, clearly envious, "accidentally" spilled juice on Yuan Lai, but Yuan Lai was prepared with a backup outfit. Feeling her shoes didn't quite match her new attire, Gu Sa offered Yuan Lai her own pair, which were a size larger but a better fit.
Meanwhile, Lisa had bribed a staff member to lure Yuan Lai away by falsely claiming Lin Shan wanted to see her, then lock her in a storage room. Lisa then confidently stepped in as the hostess, proudly announcing herself as the project director for the "Guoben Green Path Plan." Jin Ran, noticing Yuan Lai's absence, left the ceremony to find her. He eventually located her in the storage room and informed her that Lisa was already hosting.
Yuan Lai, prioritizing the project's success, chose not to pursue the matter, despite Jin Ran's offer to "solve it." She insisted on being professional, wanting the initiative to proceed smoothly. Lisa later presented the sapling donation data to Ji Aoting and Lin Shan, taking credit for the project. Ji Aoting advised Lisa to cooperate with Yuan Lai.
Jin Ran, however, intervened, retrieving the report from Lisa and demanding all related documents for his personal review, questioning her audacity to claim credit for a plan created by another team. He then revealed that the bribed staff member had confessed to locking Yuan Lai in the storage room, emphasizing his commitment to finding the truth for any matter concerning Yuan Lai.
Back at the office, Fei and Rex expressed their indignation over Lisa's actions, but Yuan Lai remained calm, focused only on the project's success. Lisa, proudly showing off her newly assigned upstairs office, gloated to Yuan Lai that she had been given full control of the project. Yuan Lai responded with pity, advising Lisa to "watch out for her behaviors."
Just then, Jin Ran appeared, publicly criticizing Lisa for a significant 3% error in her statistical report, which would have led to a substantial company loss if he hadn't intervened. He also brought up her previous sabotage during the SN filming and locking Yuan Lai in the storage room. Lin Shan and Gu Sa, who had just walked in, witnessed the scene.
Ignoring Lisa's attempts to speak, Lin Shan commended the project's success, specifically thanking Yuan Lai for her efforts and reassigning all "Guoben Green Path" responsibilities to her. Jin Ran then explicitly instructed Lisa to transfer all project materials to Yuan Lai and proceed to HR for termination. Lisa protested vehemently, denying any wrongdoing and accusing Yuan Lai of manipulation.
Jin Ran calmly listed all her transgressions, concluding that she had sufficient grounds for dismissal and could pursue labor arbitration if she wished. Lisa, in a final outburst, warned Yuan Lai that her success wouldn't last and that she would "taste her feelings" one day. Yuan Lai calmly retorted that their goals and ambitions were fundamentally different; while Lisa resorted to unscrupulous methods, she only disgraced herself in the process.
Later, Jin Ran offered Gu Sa a ride home, expressing a desire to discuss some confidential matters outside the office. Meanwhile, Ji Aoting presented Yuan Lai with a public relations report on similar charity programs for her reference. While acknowledging Yuan Lai's capability, he discreetly advised her to "be careful with someone and on something," hinting at potential threats. Yuan Lai assured him that she would meticulously oversee all project data and details.
