Ten Years Late Episode 22 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Jin Ran sat in a restaurant, anxiously awaiting Yuan Lai, recalling their journey since reconnecting. He worried that despite his best efforts, he might not be able to keep her, fearing that their ten years of love wouldn't overcome the current difficulties and that she might leave him if she knew the full truth. Meanwhile, Yuan Lai was at home researching Hanguang's acquisition of Meiji.
She remembered that Jin Ran's previous actions at Hanguang had enabled them to acquire Meiji, a company with a market capitalization of 54 billion yuan, for only 16 billion yuan, causing Hanguang's shares to soar by 120 percent. Yuan Lai questioned why she should believe others' judgments about Jin Ran and decided to confront him directly, especially after receiving a text message from him.
As the restaurant was about to close, Jin Ran decided to leave, but he encountered Yuan Lai on the street. Yuan Lai immediately asked if he was involved in the Meiji acquisition. Jin Ran apologized and admitted his involvement, stating that it was an accident, he never intended to harm anyone, and his only regret was not being able to prevent Kevin's suicide.
Yuan Lai was devastated by his confession, accusing him of being a cold-blooded person who valued business over human life. Disappointed, she walked away without letting him explain further. Gu Sa visited Lin Shan's studio, bringing gifts and subtly inquiring about the progress of the Guoben Green Path project. Lin Shan proudly shared that Yuan Lai had handed the project over to her, and she was preparing to plant 2 million yuan worth of fruit trees.
However, Gu Sa's casual mention that Feitu's approved budget was 2 million yuan deeply angered Lin Shan, as she had only received an order for 700,000 yuan. Furious, Lin Shan stormed into Feitu's office to confront them, accusing Yuan Lai of embezzling the missing 1. 3 million yuan and threatening to withdraw from the Green Path Plan. Jin Ran tried to explain that the initial budget was 700,000, but he had later secured an additional 1.
3 million from Vincent for mature fruit trees, asking if she had not received the updated order. Lin Shan dismissed his explanation, suspecting a conspiracy and criticizing his judgment since he started dating Yuan Lai. Vincent then called Yuan Lai into his office, questioning why her order with Lin Shan was only for 700,000 when 2 million had been approved.
Yuan Lai was genuinely surprised, insisting she was only aware of the 700,000 budget and knew nothing about the larger sum. Gu Sa suggested suspending the project, but Jin Ran resisted, determined to speak with Lin Shan again. Gu Sa stated her belief that Yuan Lai hadn't stolen the money and there must be a misunderstanding, prompting Yuan Lai to glance at Jin Ran. Vincent emphasized the urgency of resolving the crisis.
On the rooftop, Ji Aoting found a distressed Yuan Lai and offered her comfort. He shared more details about the Meiji acquisition, revealing that Hanguang had hired a skilled individual whom they placed as an executive at Meiji. This executive deliberately made an error in a major company project, leading to a capital chain break and causing Meiji's market value to plummet by two-thirds within a week. The investigation found no conclusive evidence that the executive's mistake was intentional.
He also mentioned that all key decisions had been signed by Meiji's owner, Kevin, who later committed suicide, followed by his wife's death from depression. Ji Aoting implied that Jin Ran might have been this executive and cautiously suggested that Gu Sa's background was similar to "Director Gu of Sains," pointing out that Sains's cooperation with Feitu began suspiciously soon after Gu Sa joined. He advised Yuan Lai that circumstances can drastically change a person over time.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chengzhi overheard Shen Shuangshuang excitedly discussing a successful job interview with Peter on the phone. Mistakenly believing she was leaving his company for KNW, a competitor, he confronted her, insisting she couldn't leave due to her internship contract. Annoyed, Shuangshuang retorted that she didn't owe him an explanation and questioned why he was so upset, reminding him that her professional demeanor was exactly what he had encouraged.
Chengzhi, regretting his past coldness, confessed his love for her, declaring he wanted to be her boyfriend and promising to cherish and hold her tightly forever. Overjoyed, Shuangshuang revealed that it was her roommate who had interviewed and passed at KNW, not her. Chengzhi, relieved, vowed to cling to her eternally, and they embraced. Jin Ran waited for Yuan Lai outside her apartment, hoping to talk.
He tried to explain that Kevin's death was an unforeseen tragedy and that the Green Path budget discrepancy was a communication error, not a deliberate act to harm Feitu or her. He reminded her that he had mentioned the increased budget during a phone call. However, Yuan Lai was unconvinced, angrily accusing him of manipulating situations and people, just as he had allegedly done with Meiji, and questioned if she was merely a pawn in his grand schemes.
She declared she could no longer trust him. As Jin Ran reached for her, an engagement ring box fell from his pocket. He retrieved the ring, professing his unwavering love and explaining he had waited for her all night to propose. Yuan Lai, however, stated the ring didn't suit her and definitively broke up with him. Both were left heartbroken, with Jin Ran seeking solace in alcohol.
The next morning, Lisa tearfully approached Ji Aoting, claiming that Jin Ran had intentionally fabricated data to frame her and get her fired, all to secure the Green Path project for Yuan Lai. She pleaded with Ji Aoting to intervene with Vincent on her behalf, highlighting her long service to the company.
Ji Aoting expressed doubt about his ability to influence the situation, given Jin Ran's current standing with Vincent, but promised to look into the matter and advised Lisa to take a break. Later, Jin Ran found Yuan Lai again. He accepted their breakup but proposed they remain friends to better understand each other. Yuan Lai, however, firmly stated that they could only be colleagues. Jin Ran, disappointed, conveyed his desire for a deeper relationship than mere professional acquaintance.
He then met Lin Shan at a restaurant, bringing her a bottle of Petrus, her favorite wine, to apologize and try to mend their partnership. Lin Shan, still angry about the budget issue, feared reputational damage to the Guoben fund and initially refused to cooperate. Jin Ran sincerely apologized for the communication error, explaining that he would never engage in charity fraud as it would harm both their reputations.
He emphasized that they were a "community of interests" and their shared goal should be the successful completion of the project. Lin Shan eventually agreed to continue the partnership, but on the condition that Jin Ran directly oversee the project. Jin Ran accepted, but firmly stated his boundary: he would not exclude Yuan Lai and insisted they would both communicate with Lin Shan. Lin Shan reluctantly agreed, acknowledging Gu Sa's influence in her decision.
At the office, Fei and Rex discussed the Green Path contract, with Fei staunchly defending Yuan Lai and suggesting Lisa was the more likely culprit. Their conversation was interrupted when Lisa, enraged, confronted them, accusing them of slandering her. She then spitefully threw coffee on Fei, leading to a heated argument that Rex struggled to diffuse. Lisa claimed Jin Ran framed her to protect Yuan Lai and falsely accused Jin Ran and Yuan Lai of conspiring to embezzle public funds.
She also revealed that Ji Aoting had originally assigned the project to her. Meanwhile, Shen Shuangshuang successfully negotiated a compensation contract for the Sains infringement case, earning praise from Zhao Chengzhi. When she playfully requested a "love encouragement," their moment was disrupted by Chen Zhengli's clumsy entry. Chengzhi quickly dismissed Chen Zhengli, reclaiming his private time with Shuangshuang.
During a company meeting, Jin Ran announced that he had secured Lin Shan's renewed commitment to the Green Path Plan, to the surprise of Ji Aoting. Jin Ran then addressed Yuan Lai. He informed her that Lin Shan had agreed to restart the project and assured her that no further issues were expected. He then told Yuan Lai that he never wanted to be merely her friend or colleague.
Yuan Lai coldly responded that she appreciated his efforts in convincing Lin Shan but felt his expectations for her were too high, and she could not meet them, before silently walking away.
