Ten Years Late Episode 3 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Yuan Lai arrives at the office where her colleague, Fei, is gossiping about the imminent arrival of a new Chief Operating Officer. Fei mentions that President Wen personally recruited this mysterious individual from abroad, and despite her efforts, she couldn't find any information about him online, leading to speculation that he might be unattractive. Fei also suggests the new COO might be a former "hunk on campus" from East University, but Yuan Lai states she doesn't recognize him.
Soon after, Jin Ran makes his grand entrance, surprising Yuan Lai and everyone else, as he is revealed to be the new COO. His assistant, Wen Ya, greets him, informing him that his office is ready and the necessary files are on his desk. As Jin Ran walks past, someone notes that he seems polite and gentle, not "harsh" as rumored, though another warns that rumors often have some truth.
Upon settling into his office, Jin Ran instructs Wen Ya to replace the tea set with coffee and change all the furnishings in the room. From his panoramic glass office, Jin Ran looks down at Yuan Lai and states to himself, "I'm back." During the all-hands meeting, Jin Ran introduces himself as Martin, the new COO, and immediately sets a demanding tone.
He emphasizes that he prioritizes results over qualifications or degrees, promising to work alongside everyone to achieve a significant leap for the company, but also sternly warns that he will not be lenient if he finds the company is not worth saving. Whispers circulate about his true intentions.
Jin Ran then publicly singles out Lisa, the Deputy Manager of Division Two of the Product Department, detailing her six-year tenure, five of which were in Finance, and her lack of new tourist routes since transferring. He scolds her for focusing on gossip rather than work.
Wang Lida, the Assistant Manager of Division One of the Product Department, attempts to defend Lisa, but Jin Ran quickly cuts him off, instead praising Wang Lida for developing six new routes in just two years and promising to report his excellent performance to Human Resources. Next, Jin Ran turns his attention to Yuan Lai, asking about her high-end tour routes.
Yuan Lai confidently states her routes boast a 92% customer satisfaction rate and no prior complaints, despite a recent minor error. Jin Ran then produces a complaint letter, revealing five missing tickets on a Japan tour that Yuan Lai had personally overseen. He questions why she allowed clients to almost be stranded at the airport. Yuan Lai explains that the Product Department is only responsible for route planning and accommodation, while the Purchase Department handles ticket bookings with suppliers.
Dismissing her explanation as an attempt to shift blame, Jin Ran criticizes her for supervising poorly. He orders her to immediately go to the Purchase Department to identify the cause of the discrepancy, terminate the company's contract with the responsible ticket agency, demand full compensation, and submit a detailed report to him afterward. He then tells her to leave the meeting.
Yuan Lai immediately heads to the Purchase Department to address the ticket issue, but she is unable to reach Bob, the manager, who isn't answering his phone and is reportedly out "developing new suppliers." His subordinate, Li Wen, is uncooperative, deflecting blame and suggesting Yuan Lai's department might have forgotten to book the tickets themselves. Frustrated by their lack of accountability, Yuan Lai decides to visit the ticket agency directly.
After waiting for two hours, she confronts Mr. Li, the agency's representative, threatening legal action for commercial fraud if the matter isn't resolved. Under pressure, Mr. Li confesses that the fake ticket numbers were orchestrated by Bob, who had signed off on the plan and received kickbacks. Separately, Jin Ran proposes a major overhaul of the company's personnel structure and management, which President Wen cautiously but fully supports.
This includes new, transparent bidding rules for suppliers, which directly threatens the vested interests of managers like Bob and Mr. Ji. Mr. Ji later meets with Jin Ran, attempting to subtly warn him to "go with the flow" within the company's existing culture. Yuan Lai, after uncovering the truth from the supplier, manages to privately resolve the compensation and ensures the agency will apologize to the affected customers.
Later that day, as heavy rain begins to fall, Yuan Lai finds herself without an umbrella. Jin Ran, driving past, spots her and is about to offer her a ride when Zhao Chengzhi arrives first, holding an umbrella. Zhao Chengzhi expresses concern for Yuan Lai's well-being, remarking on her exhaustion since returning from Japan and urging her not to overwork. He also offers her warm milk and her favorite bear biscuits, which he has in his car.
Yuan Lai, aware that Zhao Chengzhi has been monitoring her activities with Fei's help, humorously suggests he should hire Fei to simplify things. Zhao Chengzhi admits he's just worried about her. While at a cafe, Jin Ran overhears a headhunter discussing his successful attempt to poach He Fei, the second-in-command of Fei’ang E-Sports, Ding Ang's team.
The headhunter gloats that He Fei, despite publicly claiming close friendship with Ding Ang, is secretly jealous and driven by money, intending to cripple Ding Ang's team for the upcoming Global Open. Jin Ran discreetly records this conversation on his phone. Later, Ding Ang is deeply saddened by He Fei's decision to leave, causing dismay among his teammates. Jin Ran finds Ding Ang drowning his sorrows at a bar. It's been five years since they last met.
Ding Ang laments He Fei's betrayal, questioning their years of close friendship. Jin Ran scolds Ding Ang for not understanding what real brotherhood means and for not confiding in him or Zhao Chengzhi, reminding him of their shared past in college. The next day, Jin Ran brings popular bread for the female employees, earning him praise for his thoughtfulness, which he attributes to fostering corporate culture. However, Yuan Lai dismisses it, accusing her colleagues of being "easily bought over."
Shortly after, news spreads online, accompanied by a video Jin Ran recorded, exposing He Fei's betrayal and his conversations with the headhunter. This effectively ends He Fei's career in e-sports. Realizing Jin Ran's intervention, Ding Ang personally thanks him. Jin Ran then advises Ding Ang to reorganize his e-sports club into a partnership model and even suggests changing its "corny" name. Later, Yuan Lai approaches Jin Ran to give him an invitation to an event at the Garden Hotel.
As he takes it, he overhears her on the phone with Zhao Chengzhi, discussing wedding invitations. Misinterpreting this as her upcoming wedding to Zhao Chengzhi, Jin Ran's mood sours, and he angrily throws the invitation into a trash bin. During a subsequent sales data review, Jin Ran is visibly distracted, his mind consumed by thoughts of weddings and invitations.
Despite his emotional turmoil, he still manages to spot a discrepancy in the sales figures for February, impressing his subordinate with his sharp eye. Jin Ran follows Yuan Lai's car, trying to speak with her, but she maintains her distance. Later, Jin Ran confides in a friend at a cafe, lamenting that he's still stuck in the past while Yuan Lai has "moved on." His friend advises him to let go of the past.
Undeterred, Jin Ran waits outside Yuan Lai's apartment building. When she arrives, he confronts her, asking if she feels any guilt about her relationship with Zhao Chengzhi. Yuan Lai, realizing he's been following her, firmly tells him to respect her privacy and warns him she will report him to the company if he continues to interfere. Jin Ran apologizes but then emotionally accuses her of "torturing" him and playing the "blame game."
Yuan Lai, weary of the conversation, retorts that their relationship ended five years ago. She bluntly tells him she no longer loves him and is now in love with Zhao Chengzhi, insisting there's no need for them to see each other again and to stop bothering them. The invitation was for Xizi's wedding, where Yuan Lai and Xinyi are bridesmaids. Xinyi arrives late, having overslept. Moments before the ceremony, a problem arises: the bridal bouquet is missing, stuck in traffic.
Yuan Lai and Xinyi volunteer to rush to a nearby flower shop to procure a new one. They sprint through the streets, with Yuan Lai, a former long-distance runner, effortlessly keeping pace, while Xinyi struggles to catch her breath. This moment sparks a memory for Xinyi, recalling their first meeting in college when Yuan Lai, with similar speed and determination, chased down a taxi to retrieve Xinyi's forgotten bag, thus beginning their close friendship.
Taking a moment to speak privately, Xinyi apologizes for her past actions, admitting that she did have a crush on Jin Ran in college because he was "outgoing and perfect," but she asserts that she never intended to betray Yuan Lai's friendship or steal him away. She explains that she let go of her feelings once she knew Yuan Lai liked him, only regretting keeping it secret.
Yuan Lai, having long since come to terms with the past, acknowledges her own youthful immaturity, and the two friends reconcile, reaffirming their invaluable bond. Xinyi then expresses her sincere wish for Yuan Lai and Jin Ran to reunite, feeling they are a perfect match. However, Yuan Lai states firmly that her relationship with Jin Ran ended five years ago and that he is "no longer the same," indicating there's no going back for them.
Jin Ran, dressed handsomely, arrives at the wedding venue. Spotting a bride from behind, his heart filled with despair and determination, he rushes forward, grabs her, and cries out "Yuan Lai!" Only then does he realize, to his shock, that the bride is actually Xizi.
