Ten Years Late Episode 23 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Despite heavy traffic and pouring rain, President Jiang, a strict and punctual businesswoman, chose to take the subway to avoid being late for her ten o'clock client meeting. At the subway station, she encountered Xinyi, who was busily managing work calls. President Jiang was impressed by Xinyi's spirited demeanor and efficiency. As they waited for the elevator, a man rudely pushed past Xinyi, causing her documents to scatter. President Jiang, observing that Xinyi was pregnant, intervened.
She helped Xinyi gather her papers and sternly admonished the man, insisting he allow Xinyi to take the elevator first. Xinyi, relieved and grateful, thanked President Jiang for her kindness. Later, while walking with Ding Ang, Xinyi recounted the morning's elevator incident. Ding Ang, however, was engrossed in his game and barely listened, prompting Xinyi to pull off his headphones in frustration.
When she chided him for being absent-minded, Ding Ang apologized and shared exciting news: his mother had returned from abroad and wanted to meet her future daughter-in-law. Xinyi expressed her nervousness, but Ding Ang reassured her, promising no one, not even his own mother, would harm her or their baby. He declared that his loyalty would always be with Xinyi, no matter what. Meanwhile, Lisa, feeling unfairly targeted and framed, plotted her revenge against Jin Ran and Yuan Lai.
She had previously complained to Ji Aoting about being set up, expressing her determination to expose their true colors. She contacted a friend who worked at Zhang Wei's studio, suggesting they spread negative news about the Green Path Plan. Jin Ran met with journalist Zhang Wei for an interview about the Green Path Plan. After discussing the project, Zhang Wei lightheartedly teased Jin Ran, suggesting his ultimate goal was finding Yuan Lai.
Jin Ran admitted with a smile that Yuan Lai was currently upset with him, causing him considerable stress. Zhang Wei then playfully called him a "lovesick fool." Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Lai and Rex spotted them together. Rex jokingly asked Yuan Lai if she was jealous, while Yuan Lai, confused, wondered why Jin Ran was with Zhang Wei.
At her office, Lin Shan was overseeing the arrangements for the Green Path tree saplings, emphasizing the importance of their first collaboration with Feitu. Suddenly, an employee burst in, revealing that news had broken online, accusing Feitu and Guoben of jointly deceiving the public through their charity project. Enraged, Lin Shan stormed into Jin Ran's office, accusing him of orchestrating the smear campaign.
Jin Ran's assistant reported that Zhang Wei was unreachable, with her phone off and her studio lines constantly busy. Jin Ran, trying to reach Zhang Wei himself, explained to Lin Shan that he was also a victim, asserting that the news was fake and detrimental to both companies. Lin Shan retorted that Jin Ran had a history of such actions, referencing his past short-selling of Meiji.
Believing he was trying to sabotage Guoben, she demanded to withdraw from the Green Path Plan. Jin Ran, equally frustrated by her accusations, agreed to her demand, and Lin Shan left in a huff. Later, Gu Sa visited Lin Shan, bringing her favorite Earl Grey tea to comfort her. Lin Shan asked Gu Sa about her relationship with Jin Ran. Gu Sa, appearing calm and collected, advised Lin Shan to be more magnanimous.
She explained that men are like kites; as long as the string (her son Alex, whose father is Jin Ran) remains in her hands, she needn't worry about them wandering too far. Although Gu Sa maintained a casual facade, she was deeply invested in the situation. Ji Aoting met with Vincent, subtly mentioning the negative news surrounding the Green Path Plan and his efforts to manage the public relations crisis.
He then questioned whether Jin Ran would continue to lead the project. Vincent, expressing unwavering trust in Jin Ran, dismissed the idea of abandoning the project due to mere rumors and instead encouraged Ji Aoting, a company veteran, to support and collaborate with Jin Ran. He believed their combined strengths would benefit the company. Despite Vincent's reassurance, Ji Aoting felt undervalued and frustrated.
Dissatisfied, he called Bob, agreeing to a previous proposition Bob had made, deciding to take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Feitu employees gossiped about the situation, speculating that Jin Ran might be planning to short Feitu, just as he had done with Meiji. Yuan Lai, overhearing their conversations, urged them to focus on their work and refrain from idle gossip. Jin Ran approached Yuan Lai, who was working late, and asked if she believed the accusations against him.
Yuan Lai responded that the detailed online reports, complete with text and images, made it difficult for anyone to believe otherwise. She questioned if Zhang Wei had an internal informant. Disappointed, Jin Ran insisted that he would never betray Feitu and could prove his innocence, pleading for even a small amount of her trust. Yuan Lai pondered silently, wondering if she had truly misjudged him.
The next day, Ding Ang, having carefully chosen a new, larger car suitable for future family trips, picked up Xinyi to meet his mother. He presented Xinyi with a small, specially sourced box of Belgian chocolates, explaining his mother's peculiar preferences for gifts. Xinyi, still nervous, expressed concern about his mother's potential disapproval.
Ding Ang tried to calm her by describing his mother as a workaholic with whom he had a strained relationship, assuring Xinyi that he would always stand by her. Upon arriving, Xinyi mistakenly greeted the family's housekeeper, Chen Auntie, as Ding Ang's mother, offering her a coffee gift.
As Ding Ang's real mother descended the stairs, Xinyi was mortified, only to realize with joyful surprise that his mother was the very "sister" who had helped her at the subway that morning. The two women immediately bonded over their shared passion for work, discussing Xinyi's successful Guoben Manor project, leaving Ding Ang feeling comically sidelined. Feitu's management held a meeting to address the severe impact of the ongoing news scandal.
Jin Ran informed Vincent and Ji Aoting that Zhang Wei was in the United States and unreachable, leaving them with no immediate way to clarify the situation through her. Ji Aoting suggested a new financial group as a potential partner for the Green Path Plan, but Vincent insisted that Jin Ran, as the project lead, should handle the matter directly, further solidifying his trust in him.
Vincent gave Jin Ran time to resolve the issue, asking him to provide convincing results to prove his trustworthiness. Lost in thought about Jin Ran, Yuan Lai visited Gu Yang's coffee shop. Gu Yang served her a cup of civet coffee, drawing her attention to its unusual appearance yet rich aroma. He explained that sometimes what one sees, hears, or assumes based on common sense can be misleading, especially when one is deeply involved in a situation.
He encouraged her to "step into it" to truly understand. Meanwhile, Zhao Chengzhi, in an exaggerated disguise, arrived at his office, startling Chen Zhengli. Chengzhi complained that colleagues had seen him and Shuangshuang at the supermarket the previous day, making it difficult to maintain a low profile. Chen Zhengli playfully teased him, suggesting that Shuangshuang, being a lively "post-90s" girl, might eventually move on, much to Chengzhi's indignant denial.
Chengzhi boasted about Shuangshuang's devotion and eagerness to obey his every command, from household chores to personal pampering, a claim Chen Zhengli humorously dismissed as a "pipe dream." Concern grew around Jin Ran's whereabouts as his office remained empty and his phone unreachable. Yuan Lai, arriving for work, tried knocking on his office door to no avail. His phone was still off, leaving everyone to wonder where he had gone.
