Ten Years Late Episode 34 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
In the morning, Yuan Lai received a sailboat in a glass bottle, a gift from Ji Aoting. Recalling Ji Aoting's unanswered call from the previous night, Yuan Lai felt a sense of foreboding and immediately contacted Lisa. Lisa confirmed that Taihe was in disarray, with angry business partners crowding the entrance, demanding payment. Ji Aoting was nowhere to be found. Over the phone, Yuan Lai heard the commotion, which deepened her concern for Ji Aoting.
She then called Jin Ran, who advised her to search for Ji Aoting in the places he frequented most. Yuan Lai suddenly remembered the Weston Hotel, where she and Ji Aoting had first met, and decided to go there. Ji Aoting, heartbroken by the failure of Taihe, had indeed gone to the Weston Hotel.
Standing there, he was tormented by memories of his first encounter with Yuan Lai, his past conflicts with Feitu over the Lan Town project, and Yuan Lai questioning his decisions. Overwhelmed by despair and feeling like a loser, Ji Aoting contemplated ending his life. Just as he was about to jump, Yuan Lai arrived. She called him "Teacher" and reminded him of how he, along with Mr. Lu, had saved Feitu two years prior during a difficult time.
Ji Aoting, however, confessed that he was too tired to fight anymore and had no means to repay his debts, seeking only release. He refused to believe in the cooperation proposal Yuan Lai presented, convinced that everyone, including her, would eventually abandon him. As Ji Aoting prepared to leap, Jin Ran intervened, pushing him back to safety. Jin Ran chastised Ji Aoting for his irresponsibility, reminding him of his loyal employees and the potential for recovery.
He reiterated his offer for a powerful alliance between their companies, emphasizing that their joint efforts could ensure a win-win outcome for Taihe. Later, Jin Ran was overcome with emotion, confessing to Yuan Lai his deep regret and self-blame regarding Kevin’s death years ago. He admitted that he had not responded to Kevin's plea for help due to anger at Kevin's weakness, but later deeply regretted it.
He revealed that he had initially intended to give Kevin a small company under his group to help him rebuild his career, but Gu Sa had given that opportunity to someone else instead. Kevin, having seen a glimmer of hope only to have it snatched away, had fallen into despair and died. Jin Ran explained that he hated Ji Aoting's irresponsibility but hated himself more for not having helped Kevin in time.
Yuan Lai comforted a distraught Jin Ran, assuring him that she understood he had tried his best. Meanwhile, Zhao Chengzhi and Ding Ang were at Gu Yang’s coffee shop. Ding Ang was preoccupied with Xinyi, claiming he could sense her even if she stopped her car. Shen Shuangshuang burst in with important news: the person accusing Chengzhi of plagiarism was not a renowned photographer but a wealthy playboy whose works were actually taken by his students.
Shuangshuang had managed to apprehend one of his students, who, under pressure, had revealed some details, though Shuangshuang promised not to expose his identity. Chengzhi was touched by Shuangshuang’s dedication to him, leading to playful banter between them. Witnessing their affectionate exchange, a forlorn Ding Ang quietly clutched Xinyi’s ring. Mr. Zhang from Zhang’s Property unexpectedly met with Jin Ran, announcing his decision to withdraw from the Peixin Island project due to "personal reasons."
Jin Ran argued that pulling out at such a critical stage would have severe repercussions, but Zhang Liang remained firm. Yuan Lai presented a detailed development plan for Lan Town's tourism resources, but Zhang Liang declined to even look at it, merely stating his belief in Feitu’s ability to overcome challenges and offering contractual compensation.
Jin Ran, feeling betrayed by his long-time associate, declared that Zhang Liang was unworthy of being called a brother and instructed him to address him as Mr. Jin from then on. Jin Ran and Yuan Lai later visited an amusement park. Yuan Lai expressed guilt for constantly causing problems for Jin Ran, but he reassured her, saying it proved she was still by his side and cared about him.
He added that if she ever stopped "troubling" him, he would worry she was leaving him. Yuan Lai promised to never be impulsive, hurt him, or leave him again. Jin Ran then presented her with a beautiful necklace, which she loved, and they shared a passionate kiss, vowing to never be apart again.
Back at Taihe, Ji Aoting stood by his window, reflecting on Jin Ran’s words on the rooftop—that Feitu and everyone needed him and that he still had a chance to fight back. Lisa approached him, and Ji Aoting questioned his own sense of responsibility. Lisa praised his efforts over the years and encouraged him, reminding him that he hadn't truly lost. She suggested he leverage Jin Ran's business expertise to turn the situation around.
Ji Aoting then confessed that he was the reason Jin Ran had dismissed Lisa, but she dismissed it as a past matter, urging him to look forward and rebuild. By a fountain, Jin Ran playfully told Yuan Lai that he would be responsible for earning money, while she would be responsible for her beauty. Yuan Lai playfully retorted that she was already beautiful and intended to become her own "queen," not relying on anyone.
She acknowledged that she now understood Jin Ran's business strategies, despite his past deceptions regarding the Lan Town project, and declared her ambition to surpass him. Jin Ran affirmed that the company would indeed need her assistance, especially given Zhang Liang's withdrawal, but expressed confidence that his renewed cooperation with Ji Aoting, combined with Yuan Lai’s presence, would create miracles. Yuan Lai eagerly accepted the challenge, promising to exceed his expectations.
Meanwhile, Shen Shuangshuang had recruited her college alumni to confront Mike, sending Yuan Lai the address. Worried, Yuan Lai headed to the mall. Shuangshuang, dressed in a tough, intimidating style, located Mike. However, upon seeing his meek demeanor, she had a change of heart and called off her alumni. Unexpectedly, Yuan Lai and Shuangshuang then witnessed Chu Yun meeting Mike. This immediately made Yuan Lai realize that Chu Yun was behind Chengzhi's plagiarism accusation.
Yuan Lai confronted Chu Yun, who feigned innocence, claiming Mike was merely a fan hired to take artistic photos. Yuan Lai sternly warned Chu Yun that she would find irrefutable evidence of her malicious plot, promising that Chu Yun would face severe consequences. Later, Zhao Chengzhi found Shuangshuang’s “gangster” outfit both ridiculous and amusing. Shuangshuang recounted her "heroic" college days, where she and her friends often dealt with "rogues" through a mix of intimidation and legal means.
Just then, Zhao Chengzhi’s father arrived, visibly displeased by their antics. He chastised Chengzhi for engaging in "unprofessional" photography instead of focusing on his legal career. Shuangshuang quickly stepped in, taking full responsibility for signing Chengzhi up for the competition without his knowledge. Chengzhi, in turn, defended Shuangshuang, leading to a heated argument between them.
His father threatened to take over Chengzhi’s law firm if he lost the lawsuit and disparaged Shuangshuang, calling her one of the "dubious people" who would lead him astray. Chengzhi retorted, insisting that the firm was his and he could manage it himself, which only angered his father further, who stormed off. After his father left, Shuangshuang informed Chengzhi about Chu Yun's meeting with Mike. News of Feitu's cooperation with Taihe Travel quickly spread online.
Gu Sa questioned Jin Ran’s decision not to fully acquire Taihe, but instead to give Ji Aoting a chance to survive. Jin Ran, in turn, confronted Gu Sa about her role in Kevin’s death, revealing that he had known about it all along. He admitted to initially leveraging Gu Sa, but reminded her that mutual utility was a principle she herself had taught him in the business world.
Gu Sa pleaded with Jin Ran to return with her, expressing her exhaustion from the cutthroat business world, but Jin Ran firmly refused, stating that Yuan Lai was here, and he would not go back. Gu Sa was left fuming. Finally, Yuan Lai presented Ji Aoting with the formal cooperation contract, which he reviewed and found satisfactory, making only minor adjustments. He expressed his joy at the chance to start anew with Feitu.
Yuan Lai enlightened him, revealing that the industry was now speculating that Feitu’s cooperation was due to the immense potential of Taihe and Lan Town, rather than an act of charity. Ji Aoting acknowledged Jin Ran’s clever strategy and generosity, admitting he was deeply impressed. Seeing the necklace Jin Ran had given Yuan Lai, Ji Aoting expressed his wish for her enduring happiness, calling Jin Ran a trustworthy partner for her future.
