Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 17 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Wen Zhiqiu again approached Chu Shaohua, holding flowers and reiterating his sincere invitation for her to join Wen's Pharmacy. He confessed that initially, his attention was drawn to her beautiful colleague, Ni Xiangying, but after seeing Chu Shaohua, he recognized her as the right person for his company. He offered to pay her twice her current salary, promising a promising future and a leader who would truly value her talent.
Chu Shaohua, while tempted by the offer, declined, stating her preference for Evernew Department and her lack of knowledge and interest in traditional Chinese medicine. However, her deeper reason was that she had been involved in a death (referring to Chen Ershun, as mentioned in the previous recap) and people in her hometown, Qizhou, believed she had jumped off a cliff and died, making her wary of re-entering the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
Wen Zhiqiu respected her decision but affirmed he would not give up on recruiting her. At Evernew Department, Chu Shaohua diligently pursued her work, developing an innovative "Guanpu" stationery promotion. She explained her plan to Ms. Shen, detailing how the traditional Song Dynasty gambling-based trade would involve selling stationery bundles at a fixed price of five mao, but with varying contents, ranging from a ten-dollar fountain pen to much cheaper items.
Chu Shaohua assured Ms. Shen that by controlling the prize ratios, the department wouldn't incur losses, and could even see a 10% increase in sales. She confidently shared that the idea came from the gambling table, citing her father's experience and asserting that people get hooked quickly. Ms. Shen approved, and the promotion quickly became a huge success. Customers enthusiastically bought the Guanpu packs, with many excitedly winning valuable items like Jinbaili fountain pens and Waterman self-filling pens.
Ms. Shen promptly instructed staff to restock and requested additional help from other departments to manage the crowd. Meanwhile, Ni Xiangying called Tian's Apothecary, seeking Mr. Tian Tongxin, but was told he was unavailable. Later, she saw him leaving in a car with Kang Erniu. Enraged, Ni Xiangying stormed into Evernew Department and publicly confronted Chu Shaohua, slapping her face.
She accused Chu Shaohua of sending her "trashy friend" to seduce Mr. Tian Tongxin, threatening to make Chu Shaohua disappear from the department. Chu Shaohua tried to explain she didn't know his boyfriend, but Ni Xiangying continued her tirade, calling Chu Shaohua a "filthy woman" and a "country bumpkin." As Chu Shaohua grabbed Ni Xiangying's wrist to retaliate, she noticed a pregnancy pulse, recalling Ni Xiangying's recent nausea.
Suspecting Ni Xiangying was pregnant with Mr. Tian's child, Chu Shaohua held back. Colleagues quickly intervened to separate them. Ms. Shen, learning of the altercation and Ni Xiangying's false accusations, sternly reprimanded Ni Xiangying. She issued a formal warning and deducted Ni Xiangying's salary and bonus for the month, emphasizing that the punishment was due to fighting in front of customers and that the entire incident was Ni Xiangying's fault.
Ni Xiangying protested, threatening to complain to Mr. Ma, the general manager, but Ms. Shen firmly stated that it was Mr. Ma's decision. Furious, Ni Xiangying stormed out. Afterward, Chu Shaohua thanked Ms. Shen, who merely replied that she was just doing her job. Separately, Kang Erniu's new film was released, and Sun Longyin, a reporter, interviewed her.
When asked about her ideal boyfriend, Kang Erniu replied that as a reporter, she'd say "love me like crazy," but as a friend, she'd say "money. Tons of it." Sun Longyin offered to treat her to a late-night snack, but Kang Erniu declined, needing to finish her article. Later, Chu Shaohua and Kang Erniu discussed Sun Longyin, with Chu Shaohua noting his affection for Kang Erniu.
Kang Erniu acknowledged his good qualities but stated he couldn't offer her the wealthy life she desired, and she didn't want to hold him back. Chu Shaohua then recounted Ni Xiangying's public attack and revealed her suspicion that Ni Xiangying was pregnant. She advised Kang Erniu to end her relationship with Mr. Tian Tongxin, fearing Kang Erniu might suffer the same fate as Ni Xiangying.
Kang Erniu, however, insisted she could walk away anytime and that Mr. Tian Tongxin was clinging to her. Chu Shaohua warned that Kang Erniu might just be another conquest to Mr. Tian Tongxin. Kang Erniu responded that she needed to "get what I want before he walks away from me," clarifying that she desired a life free from hunger, cold, bullying, and being stepped on; she wanted to reach the top.
When Chu Shaohua suggested earning it herself, Kang Erniu dismissed it as too hard and time-consuming, contrasting Chu Shaohua's monthly earnings with the over 100 silver dollars she received from Mr. Tian Tongxin after just one meal. Chu Shaohua stressed the security of hard-earned money and warned that Kang Erniu's chosen path was unsustainable, citing Ni Xiangying as a clear warning. Kang Erniu remained resolute, stating she'd deal with any regrets when they arose.
Remembering Ni Xiangying's unstable pulse, Chu Shaohua asked if she should warn Ni Xiangying about the risk to her baby, but Kang Erniu advised against it given the recent slap. At the end of the month-long competition, Ms. Shen announced that the Guanpu promotion had tripled the Stationery Department's sales. She then revealed the individual results: Chu Shaohua sold 243 units for $356, while Ni Xiangying sold 272 units for $420.
Chu Shaohua conceded defeat, though she privately felt she would have easily won if Ni Xiangying hadn't received a bulk purchase of 200 pens from Mr. Tian Tongxin. As she packed her belongings to leave, Ni Xiangying mocked her, gloating about her own victory and threatening that Kang Erniu would be next to leave. Chu Shaohua, despite their animosity, advised Ni Xiangying to get her stomach checked, but Ni Xiangying retorted that Chu Shaohua was the one with the problem.
Suddenly, Ms. Shen announced Chu Shaohua's unexpected promotion to assistant for the Floor Services Department, explaining that while Chu Shaohua's individual sales were lower, her Guanpu initiative had significantly boosted the department's overall sales. As the previous assistant had resigned, the company decided to make an exception and promote Chu Shaohua. As a result, Ni Xiangying's face fell. Shortly after, a messenger delivered a breakup letter from Mr. Tian Tongxin to Ni Xiangying.
The letter stated: "Time flows, but our bond was never meant to last. What we had can no longer be sustained. I know I've let you down. I only wish you peace. From now on, let's go our separate ways and leave it all behind." Ni Xiangying collapsed, fainting from the shock. Chu Shaohua and other colleagues rushed her to the hospital, but the baby could not be saved.
That night, Mr. Tian Tongxin dropped Kang Erniu off at home, telling her he didn't want to be separated from her and would see her tomorrow. Chu Shaohua, waiting for Kang Erniu, tearfully informed her about Ni Xiangying's miscarriage, linking it to Mr. Tian Tongxin's breakup letter. Chu Shaohua expressed her regret for not being more direct with Ni Xiangying earlier. Kang Erniu consoled her, suggesting that Ni Xiangying's unstable pulse meant the outcome would have been the same regardless.
When Chu Shaohua asked if Kang Erniu would continue her relationship with Mr. Tian Tongxin, Kang Erniu confidently stated she would, believing their situation was different and she still had faith. She added, "Ni Xiangying's today is my yesterday." Chu Shaohua could only wish her luck. Another day, Wen Zhiqiu appeared at Evernew Department with flowers to renew his offer to Chu Shaohua.
Ms. Shen, noticing him, suggested he seemed like a good match for Chu Shaohua, but Chu Shaohua denied it. Wen Zhiqiu praised her Guanpu idea and her recent promotion and offered to double her already increased salary if she joined Wen's Pharmacy. Chu Shaohua insisted it wasn't about the money and reiterated she had her reasons for staying.
Wen Zhiqiu argued that her career ceiling at Evernew Department was Ms. Shen's position, but with him, she could become a wealthy woman and he could put her in a general management position, and together they could "make it big in Shanghai's TCM world." Chu Shaohua remained unresponsive. Mr. Tian Tongxin hosted a dinner for Director Zhou Jieren and his wife, bringing Kang Erniu, known by her stage name Bai Bingxin, as his companion.
Mr. Tian Tongxin intended for Kang Erniu to impress Mr. Zhou, a long-time family friend, to pave the way for their relationship with his family. However, Kang Erniu immediately recognized Director Zhou as an old client from Linfang Pavilion, a brothel in Peking, where he was once a senator. Director Zhou also seemed to recognize her and persistently questioned her about her origins and whether she had ever lived in Peking or had family there.
Kang Erniu vehemently denied knowing Peking, claiming she was "not from around here." Director Zhou's wife intervened, questioning his knowledge of young ladies in Peking and implying they might be "working girls." Mr. Zhou quickly dismissed these suggestions, claiming his acquaintances in Peking were made during proper meals with friends. Though Director Zhou was visibly suspicious, he dropped the subject due to his wife's presence.
Later, during a toast, Director Zhou jokingly told Mr. Tian Tongxin that if he were to associate with such women, Miss Bai might break up with him. Later, Kang Erniu rushed home to Chu Shaohua, distraught. She confirmed that Director Zhou had recognized her from Linfang Pavilion in Peking and, although she denied it, he and Mr. Tian Tongxin were now suspicious.
Kang Erniu feared that if her past as "Lu Ningxiang" was revealed, not only would the Tian family reject her, but she would also be unable to establish herself in Shanghai. She desperately pleaded with Chu Shaohua to devise a plan. Chu Shaohua, recalling that Mr. Tian Tongxin had mentioned Director Zhou’s political position was secured through his wife’s family, noted that Director Zhou was clearly afraid of his wife.
While looking at a newspaper, Chu Shaohua saw an article praising "Zhou Jieren" as "known for his integrity and incorruptibility," and that the public was watching him with anticipation. This gave Chu Shaohua an idea. On the day of Director Zhou's press conference, Kang Erniu confronted him. He was delivering a speech about integrity and honor, vowing to fight corruption.
Kang Erniu, pretending to be his past acquaintance "Lu Ningxiang," accosted him, saying she missed him and that her husband was "not very bright" so she had left. Director Zhou tried to dismiss her, stating they had nothing to do with each other and ordering her to stay away. Kang Erniu mocked him, recalling how he used to "cry and beg me not to treat you with so much respect."
She then blackmailed him for fifty silver dollars, threatening to expose his past "little hookups and twisted secrets" to the newspaper if he refused. Director Zhou, claiming his money was with his wife, begged for a week. Kang Erniu, however, gave him three days to deliver the money, or she would proceed with her threat.
Subsequently, Director Zhou summoned Mr. Tian Tongxin to his office and revealed his suspicion that Kang Erniu was actually a "working girl" he had known in Peking, stating she was "practically identical" to Miss Bai Bingxin. Mr. Tian Tongxin admitted Kang Erniu had been evasive about her background, and if her past was indeed "from that kind of past," he would reconsider their relationship. Director Zhou suggested they arrange another dinner, just the three of them, for a direct confrontation.
Chu Shaohua, learning the dinner details (Huaiyang cuisine, Riesling wine, a table for three), deduced Director Zhou would be present and that Mr. Tian Tongxin needed a helper. Chu Shaohua volunteered to find a helper. At the dinner, Director Zhou interrogated Kang Erniu about her education at Chengmei Academy in Tianjin, including specific details about its location and features. Kang Erniu answered flawlessly, even offering to take them to see her alma mater.
She explained her lack of a Tianjin accent by stating it would be inappropriate in Shanghai. Taking the initiative, Kang Erniu then provocatively questioned Director Zhou about his "lady friend" in Peking, since she was so similar to herself, visibly unsettling him. Just then, a letter was delivered to Director Zhou, who hastily excused himself, citing an urgent matter. Kang Erniu expressed mock disappointment to Mr. Tian Tongxin that she hadn't prepared better for Director Zhou's unexpected presence.
As Director Zhou stepped out, Chu Shaohua, dressed in Kang Erniu's exact outfit and wearing a hat, positioned herself under a streetlight, visible from the hotel. Startled by the sight of "Lu Ningxiang," Director Zhou quickly returned inside, only to find Kang Erniu, still in her original attire, gracefully playing the piano in the lobby. Kang Erniu claimed she was just touching up her makeup and couldn't resist playing.
Relieved and now convinced of Kang Erniu's impeccable character and refined talents, Director Zhou returned to the dinner, telling Mr. Tian Tongxin that the woman he met earlier was "graceful, intelligent, and talented," and "absolutely not the same person" as the "illiterate woman I met in Peking." Mr. Tian Tongxin was delighted.
After dinner, as Kang Erniu walked Mr. Tian Tongxin to his car, he, slightly inebriated, passionately declared his intention to marry her, presenting her with his mother's jade ring as a keepsake. Kang Erniu accepted the ring and, after seeing him off, quickly changed back into her other clothes, ready to confront Director Zhou as promised.
