Ten Years Late Episode 9 Recap
> Ten Years Late Recap
Mr. Wen convened a company meeting, praising Jin Ran for his abilities. He announced that the company's main focus would now be on business operations, with the key project being the development of tourism on Peixin Island. Yuan Lai began to report on the Peixin Island project, but finding herself unable to continue under Jin Ran's gaze, Ji Aoting stepped in to complete her presentation.
Ji Aoting detailed their plan for a "comfort and sweet tour," targeting newlyweds and families who prioritize high-quality dining and accommodation. Jin Ran, however, presented a different perspective. He proposed an "immersive experience" that would allow tourists to connect with Peixin Island's stunning natural beauty and truly relax. To decide between the two proposals, Mr. Wen suggested a competition: each would lead a team on a three-day trial, and the route with higher customer satisfaction would be chosen.
Both Jin Ran and Ji Aoting agreed. Jin Ran then requested an assistant, prompting Ji Aoting to reluctantly lend him Yuan Lai, accurately guessing Jin Ran's true intention. Later, Jin Ran and Ding Ang engaged in a boxing match, where Ding Ang proved no match for Jin Ran. As they rested, Ding Ang teased Jin Ran about his "wisdom" in using company matters to keep Yuan Lai close.
Jin Ran retorted by encouraging Ding Ang to be bolder in pursuing Xinyi, warning him against regrets if Xinyi were to marry someone else. Meanwhile, Yuan Lai and Xinyi were out running. Xinyi, quickly exhausted, started talking about Jin Ran. Yuan Lai confided that she had believed a reconciliation with Jin Ran was possible after their trip to Mountain Dai, only to discover he had a wife and a son in Japan, making her realize she was nearly his mistress.
Xinyi was furious, vowing to expose Jin Ran as a "jerk." Later, she called Yuan Lai to share her plan to confront Jin Ran. Jin Ran, who had arrived at Yuan Lai's door to deliver medicine for her injured hand, overheard their conversation. Yuan Lai quickly ended the call and tried to dismiss Jin Ran, rejecting his concern.
Jin Ran pressed her about her emotional distance, mentioning the car accident in Mountain Dai and his realization that he couldn't live without her, believing she felt the same. Yuan Lai, however, remained guarded, remarking on his improved flirting skills but stating they wouldn't work on her. Shen Shuangshuang continued her relentless pursuit of Zhao Chengzhi, appearing by his side in the office, offering him soup and openly admiring him.
Zhao Chengzhi, visibly uncomfortable, asked her to stop staring at him like an "animal in a zoo." He gently tried to dissuade her, telling her not to waste her time on him, as he would never love her. Shuangshuang, however, firmly declared that her feelings were her own and that she was willing to "waste" her time on him, confident that one day he would be hers. Jin Ran met Ji Aoting at a teahouse, despite his preference for coffee.
Jin Ran proposed that while their Peixin Island proposals were competing, they should collaborate on securing airline resources. Ji Aoting agreed, emphasizing that they should work together against external parties to get the best deals before competing internally. Later, Xinyi met Jin Ran for dinner, having ordered a lavish meal to make him pay while intending to confront him.
Jin Ran, arriving late, soon realized Xinyi's anger stemmed from Yuan Lai's misunderstanding about his video call with his "son" in Japan. He found it amusing, yet also appreciated that Yuan Lai cared enough to be upset. When Xinyi mentioned Yuan Lai was meeting President Bai of Xingcheng Airlines at the Crystal Hotel, Jin Ran immediately grew worried. He abruptly left, asking Xinyi to pay the bill.
Ding Ang soon arrived and paid for Xinyi, who clarified that her confrontation with Jin Ran was solely to "avenge" Yuan Lai and not out of any lingering feelings for Jin Ran himself. Meanwhile, Yuan Lai met with President Bai at a cafe, but he, claiming the setting was inconvenient for business, moved them to a private room at the Crystal Hotel.
There, President Bai pressed Yuan Lai to drink a 1992 wine, despite her protests about her low alcohol tolerance, stating she needed to show "sincerity" for cooperation. He gradually invaded her personal space, moving his chair closer, touching her hand, and then attempting to embrace her. Yuan Lai, furious, pushed him away and accused him of deliberate harassment.
He threatened to withdraw the advantageous cooperation terms with Feitu, but Yuan Lai remained defiant, stepping on his foot and pushing him into his chair. Just as the situation escalated, Jin Ran burst into the room, relieved to see Yuan Lai defending herself. He coolly informed President Bai that it was too late to discuss business and they would talk another time. Jin Ran drove a visibly inebriated Yuan Lai home. On the way, Zhao Chengzhi called.
Jin Ran answered and informed Chengzhi of Yuan Lai's state, prompting Chengzhi to rush over. Upon arrival, Chengzhi confronted Jin Ran, demanding to take Yuan Lai in himself, but Jin Ran insisted on carrying her inside. Inside Yuan Lai's apartment, Jin Ran saw a framed photo of their five friends from university. After ensuring Yuan Lai was settled, Jin Ran left, passing a despondent Zhao Chengzhi who was waiting outside.
Back at the office, Shen Shuangshuang waited for Zhao Chengzhi, offering him wontons she had waited two hours in line for, and skin care products. Zhao Chengzhi, still saddened by the evening's events, tried to dismiss her, eventually shouting at her to leave him alone. Shuangshuang, wiping away tears, defiantly told him that her feelings were her own and that her time spent on him was "absolutely not a waste," vowing that he would fall in love with her someday.
The next morning, President Bai of Xingcheng Airlines surprisingly showed up at Feitu, not to complain, but to offer even better terms for the Peixin Island project, including a 10% increase in flights and a 10% discount on prices, praising Yuan Lai's intelligence, courage, beauty, and strength. Yuan Lai was bewildered by his sudden change of heart. Later, she encountered Jin Ran at a cafe and shared the baffling development.
Jin Ran immediately suspected foul play, noting that Xingcheng, once ranked top three for airline meals, now offered terrible service. He speculated that President Bai was intentionally degrading service to cut costs and expand routes, preparing to sell Xingcheng to Fiat Air for a higher price, with the Feitu partnership serving to inflate its value. He also joked that President Bai might be a masochist who found Yuan Lai's fierce personality appealing.
Yuan Lai quickly called her assistant to cancel the partnership with Xingcheng Airlines, citing their failure to meet service quality demands. She instructed her assistant to contact Eagle Air, a smaller, private airline they had previously flown with from Japan, to explore cooperation. Yuan Lai planned to return to Shanghai immediately after landing on Peixin Island to prepare for the upcoming client trials.
Jin Ran, however, confiscated her phone and turned it off, insisting they stay to experience the entire route on Peixin Island. Meanwhile, Xinyi had a work assignment that required her to travel to Peixin Island for location scouting, causing her to forget her planned lunch with Ding Ang. Ding Ang tracked her down at her company and insisted on joining her trip to Peixin Island. Given the time constraints, Xinyi reluctantly agreed.
Upon arriving at Peixin Island, Jin Ran and Yuan Lai began their immersive experience. They visited Lover's Cliff, one of the island's most famous scenic spots. Yuan Lai enthusiastically shared her ideas for the tourism project, and Jin Ran listened, a smile in his eyes as he looked at her.
