To Be A Brave One Episode 1 Recap
> To Be A Brave One Recap
A vivid flashback shows a young Shao Moli being bullied, only to be rescued by a kind young An Yu, who tells him to look up to find his way out of trouble. Twenty years later, a grown Shao Moli still remembers An Yu, seeing himself as her protective "Sirius" star. An Yu is struggling to find employment, consistently attending interviews.
Shao Moli, observing her difficulties, covertly arranges for her to receive an invitation to a written exam at Zhuoyue Financial. On the day of the exam, An Yu encounters Shao Moli in the elevator. She expresses surprise at seeing him there, asking if he is also applying for a job.
He clarifies that he is not there for an interview at that moment, but suggests Zhuoyue Financial is a great option in the finance industry, mentioning that he has submitted his own resume there. Noting An Yu's nervousness, Shao Moli pretends to be just as anxious and asks for a coping mechanism. An Yu shares her unique trick: imagining everyone around her as various vegetables based on their clothing colors.
As she demonstrates, identifying "potato," "cauliflower," and "broccoli," a person dressed in red rushes past and is playfully dubbed "Watermelon." Before the test, Shao Moli feigns concern about a "Nash equilibrium" question, claiming he dreamt it would be on the exam. An Yu confidently defines the concept, unknowingly assisting him. After the written test, Shao Moli insists on treating An Yu to a hotpot meal as a token of gratitude, despite her offers to split the bill.
He credits her for helping him recall the Nash equilibrium definition, which he claims was crucial for the exam, and for alleviating his anxiety. He also thanks her for reminding him to apply to Zhuoyue. An Yu, touched by his repeated thanks, admits it has been a long time since anyone expressed such gratitude. Shao Moli reassures her that someone she helped, even if she doesn't remember, has not forgotten her kindness.
During their meal, An Yu learns Shao Moli cannot handle spicy food, and he reveals he lived overseas for many years but has now returned for good. The next day, An Yu and Jin Lailai have a chance encounter at a convenience store. Lailai helps An Yu scratch off a promotional card, winning them a grand prize of instant noodles.
Their good fortune continues as they both receive interview invitations from Zhuoyue Financial at the same time, marveling at their shared luck since meeting. Lailai excitedly invites An Yu to visit her home, showing her a vacant room and suggesting they become roommates. An Yu, however, initially declines the offer. An Yu's interview proceeds well, with her written exam results ranking third among all non-fresh graduates.
She impresses the interviewer by articulating her vision for Zhuoyue as a company founded on "visionary and transcendent" ideals, a place where she hopes to achieve her dreams. However, when asked to explain a four-year gap in her resume, An Yu hesitates. As she prepares to disclose her past, the interviewer takes an urgent phone call and steps out, where he learns from a colleague that An Yu served four years in prison for a financial crime.
Assuming she has failed, An Yu begins to leave, but Jiang Haoran, the Director of the HR Department, stops her. He congratulates her, informing her that she passed the interview and will begin a probation period. Jiang Haoran also reveals that Shao Moli had given instructions for her to pass, and that he himself once worked at Xingchen Financial, An Yu's father's company.
Later, Lailai joyfully confirms her own acceptance into Zhuoyue and eagerly renews her offer for An Yu to move in. An Yu, still hesitant, is pressed by Lailai about any "weird habits" she might have. An Yu, summoning her courage, confesses her past imprisonment. Lailai, though initially surprised, quickly reassures An Yu that she trusts her own judgment of people and is not prejudiced. Lailai offers to speak with the landlady, Yun, on An Yu's behalf.
Yun, upon confirming An Yu's ability to pay rent on time, readily agrees to the shared tenancy. An Yu is charmed by Lailai's home, which also has a large balcony and courtyard with a beautiful stray cat that is well-cared for by the residents. Lailai is ecstatic, envisioning a future of shared experiences. On her first day at Zhuoyue, An Yu stands outside the building, reflecting on her father's past connection to the company and her own determination to succeed.
Inside, she and Lailai learn about the company's departmental hierarchy, joking about their possible placement on the "18th level of hell." To their delight, they are both assigned to Business Department I on the 18th floor and placed in the same team under team leader Su Dayong. Their positive start is challenged by a demanding colleague, Xu Jingya, who curtly orders them to fetch her coffee.
Su Dayong intervenes, diffusing the tension by bringing coffee for everyone and warmly welcoming the new hires. Later, while An Yu is printing, she drops a stack of papers, and Jiang Haoran quickly helps her. He reminds her again not to be formal with him, mentions she looks thinner but still beautiful, and reiterates their past connection through her father's company, Xingchen Financial, hoping she will remember him next time they meet.
Suddenly, Lailai rushes An Yu to a department meeting. There, the department head introduces Shao Moli, an internationally renowned financial broker, who has partnered with Zhuoyue for a major acquisition project. An Yu is stunned to realize that the influential Mr. Shao is the same man she encountered during her written test. After the meeting, An Yu confronts Shao Moli, formally addressing him as "Mr. Shao."
He reminds her that he had predicted their reunion and questions her newfound formality, stating he is still the same person. An Yu, bewildered, asks why he pretended to be a job applicant. Shao Moli casually replies, "It was fun." An Yu, expressing her need to return to work, tells him to continue "playing life" as she walks away.
