Ten Years Late Episode 5 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Fei urgently calls Zhao Chengzhi, informing him that Yuan Lai is being harassed by Bob at Feitu Travel. Chengzhi rushes to the company, where he, as Feitu's legal representative, confronts Bob with an attorney letter regarding defamation against Yuan Lai. Bob, undeterred, claims he wants to sue a manager for defamation. Chengzhi clarifies that Yuan Lai is his client and warns Bob about spreading rumors, threatening legal action.
Bob insults Chengzhi, but Yuan Lai intervenes, preventing a physical altercation and pulling Chengzhi away. As they leave, Chengzhi expresses frustration that Jin Ran allows someone like Bob to remain at the company, and Yuan Lai sadly notes that Jin Ran has changed. Later, Yuan Lai visits a coffee shop that holds sentimental value as the place where she and Jin Ran first got together. She recalls her past joy and openness about their relationship.
Unexpectedly, Jin Ran is there, covering for Gu Yang. Yuan Lai tries to leave, but Jin Ran stops her, stating he remembers their entire past. He produces a prism, an item he once gave her, reminding her of her promise to forgive him if she saw a rainbow. He asks if she will accept it again, suggesting a fresh start. However, Yuan Lai advises him to direct his affections toward someone else and stop wasting his time on her.
Ding Ang arranges a dinner to reconcile Zhao Chengzhi and Jin Ran, but both are annoyed to see each other. Chengzhi accuses Jin Ran of being vicious and disloyal, while Jin Ran counters by mentioning Chengzhi's past misdeeds. They argue over college memories, including Chengzhi using Jin Ran's meal card and Jin Ran's actions causing a cold war between him and Yuan Lai. Despite their bickering, they eventually get drunk, repeatedly calling each other "good buddies."
Ding Ang calls Xinyi and Yuan Lai for help, assigning Yuan Lai to take Jin Ran home while he and Xinyi take Chengzhi. Struggling to get the drunken Jin Ran into his apartment, Yuan Lai discovers his door code is her birthday. Meanwhile, Gao Zifu brings flowers to reconcile with an upset Xinyi. He apologizes for his neglect, but she feels he is avoiding the main issue.
Zifu argues that he is focusing on his career to build their future, believing she needs a pragmatic partner. Despite his sidestepping, Xinyi forgives him. Jin Ran's associate, Chen Zhi, confirms that the company's purchasing director has solicited kickbacks. Jin Ran instructs Chen Zhi to secure irrefutable evidence. Fei informs Yuan Lai that Li Wen resigned emotionally after a meeting with Jin Ran, speculating that Jin Ran dismissed her to protect Bob.
Yuan Lai confronts Jin Ran, accusing him of forcing Li Wen out and distorting the truth, prioritizing profit over integrity. She states she no longer recognizes him. Jin Ran argues that maximizing company interests is his managerial responsibility and criticizes her immaturity. Yuan Lai retorts that if maturity entails becoming heartless like him, she prefers to remain "immature," asserting she would never reconcile with him, even if he were the last man on earth.
Zhao Chengzhi overhears this heated exchange and promptly calls Yuan Lai, requesting to meet at 4 PM, which she accepts. Jin Ran tries to stop Yuan Lai for further discussion, but a work call interrupts him. Shen Shuangshuang demonstrates her attentiveness by remembering Zhao Chengzhi's elaborate breakfast preferences. While Chengzhi is secretly shopping for a ring online, he keeps his screen hidden from her.
He assigns Shuangshuang to the Feitu case, but her lack of legal knowledge prompts him to patiently teach her basic concepts, solidifying his "god-like" image in her eyes. While walking, a burst water pipe drenches Shuangshuang after Chengzhi uses her as a shield. Despite her annoyance, Chengzhi realizes the flower shop where the incident occurred is an ideal spot for a proposal. He buys a ring and flowers, then tells Jin Ran of his intention to propose to Yuan Lai.
Yuan Lai attempts to leave for her appointment with Chengzhi but Jin Ran forcibly detains her for an "urgent" discussion on a Japan tour optimization. He revokes her leave and demands she compile all relevant data by the end of the day, working with him in the archive room. Meanwhile, Zhao Chengzhi waits for Yuan Lai, recalling their college days when he first admired her as an athletic "goddess." As evening falls, a cleaner locks the archive room.
Yuan Lai's phone is in her office, and Jin Ran's phone is dead, leading her to suspect he engineered the situation. They argue again about Bob; Yuan Lai accuses Jin Ran of protecting Bob despite his harassment and bribe-taking, but Jin Ran demands proof. Yuan Lai tries to retrieve her phone, only to find the door locked. Jin Ran, inwardly pleased, tells her they must simply wait. Yuan Lai grows anxious. Zhao Chengzhi, after waiting fruitlessly, leaves the restaurant.
Eventually, the archive room door is opened. Yuan Lai immediately checks her phone and sees a message from Chengzhi, stating he's waiting at her home. Ding Ang concludes his e-sports training, his thoughts turning to Xinyi with concern. Later, during a date on her birthday, Xinyi's boyfriend, Gao Zifu, tells her he has to work. While Zifu is distracted by colleagues, Xinyi answers his ringing phone. A woman named Tina asks about his upcoming Sunday travel arrangements, raising Xinyi's suspicions.
Zifu quickly retrieves the phone, explaining that Tina is a client for a business trip, and pacifies Xinyi with sweet words. Yuan Lai's parents announce they have bought a new house. Her father, recently appointed as a hospital director, suggests Yuan Lai live alone in their old house to foster independence, which she readily accepts. That evening, as Yuan Lai sees Zhao Chengzhi off, he presents her with a ring, expresses his love, and asks her to be his girlfriend.
Yuan Lai honestly tells him she views him only as a good friend and advises him not to waste his time, as she does not love him. Chengzhi, undeterred, vows not to give up, confident that she will eventually fall in love with him.
