Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 24 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Tian Tongdao had fueled public condemnation against Kang Erniu, pushing her to the brink of despair and a suicide attempt. Timely intervention by Chu Shaohua and Wen Zhiqiu saved her life, after which they arranged a press conference for her. Backstage, Mu Ziru offered his steadfast support, reminding Kang Erniu that some would always look down on them, so their happiness should be their priority.
Kang Erniu, moved by his words, told him, "No man has ever made me feel so cherished." Mu Ziru then confessed his deep affection, stating, "No woman has ever made it so hard for me to let go. No matter what the future holds, you're the one I want, now and always. Bingxin, with you beside me, I know I'll only become better. Trust me." He even suggested publicly announcing their relationship to deter aggressive reporters.
However, Chu Shaohua insisted that the platform belonged solely to Bai Bingxin, who deserved understanding and respect, not fear. Encouraged by Chu Shaohua, who called her "the most beautiful and the strongest," Kang Erniu, now publicly known as Bai Bingxin, stepped forward. At the press conference, Bai Bingxin bravely shared her story. She revealed her birth name, Kang Erniu, and how she had fallen in love and followed a man named Wu to Peking.
To settle his gambling debts, Wu sold her to Linfang Pavilion, a pleasure house, where she was known as Lu Ningxiang. A friend, Chu Shaohua, rescued her from despair, helping her escape and find a new life in Shanghai as Bai Bingxin. Lai Zhiming from "Xiaofeng News" aggressively questioned why she didn't commit suicide to prove her innocence after being sold. Thanks to Chu Shaohua's prior intelligence on Lai Zhiming's sharp nature, they had prepared a counter-strategy.
Bai Bingxin skillfully turned the question back on him, recalling a childhood incident where he was wrongly accused and asking why he hadn't taken his own life. She asserted that if his death would have been unjust, hers would be too. Another reporter, from "Haishang News", continued to shame her for her past and for pursuing an acting career.
Bai Bingxin confronted him, exposing his unethical practices of fabricating obscene stories for profit by interviewing Wu and others from her past, questioning his own morality. Her composure and powerful rebuttal earned public sympathy. Sun Longyin from "Xintian News" spoke in her defense, praising her resilience and character.
Jujing Apothecary then announced Bai Bingxin as the spokesperson for their new Bingyu Balm, explaining that her name, beauty, and admirable spirit made her the ideal choice, and that this endorsement was a show of support. Other media outlets pledged their support, vowing to stand with Bai Bingxin against harmful elements like Wu. Visibly moved, Bai Bingxin tearfully thanked everyone. She admitted to living in constant fear and having contemplated suicide recently.
However, with their support, she declared, "I'm no longer the Kang Erniu who was bullied and controlled. I'm no longer Lu Ningxiang, the woman who was humiliated and too afraid to fight back. Today, I stand here. I won't hide. I won't flinch. Throw all the dirt you want. I'm not afraid anymore, and I will never fall." News of Bai Bingxin's successful press conference spread, including reports of a film company offering her three custom-made movies.
This development enraged Tian Tongdao, who promptly ordered all copies of the day's newspapers to be discarded. He then instructed his subordinate, Yi, to dismiss Wu and withhold any further payments. Wu, demanding the promised money, threatened to stay, but Yi warned him that Tian Tongdao might demand the return of past payments if he persisted. Coerced, Wu decided to leave Shanghai.
He hailed a rickshaw to the train station, but the driver, secretly one of Mu Ziru's men, persuaded him to take a faster and cheaper liner to Tianjin. On the way to the dock, Mu Ziru's men intercepted Wu, taking his belongings and ensuring his forced departure from the city. Meanwhile, Wen's Pharmacy experienced soaring sales of its new Bingyu Balm. Xia Yuan, observing Wen Zhiqiu's clear affection for Chu Shaohua, urged him to confess his feelings.
Wen Zhiqiu admitted his concern that Chu Shaohua might still be harboring feelings for someone else. Xia Yuan encouraged him to take the initiative, comparing love to a marketplace where proactive engagement could still yield results. At their residence, Kang Erniu showed Chu Shaohua a newspaper hailing her as a role model, questioning if the praise was excessive. Chu Shaohua insisted it was well-deserved.
Kang Erniu thanked Chu Shaohua and Wen Zhiqiu for saving her, crediting Shaohua for her own inner strength. She urged Chu Shaohua to let go of her past, as she had. Chu Shaohua confessed to having killed someone, a burden she felt she would carry forever, even though Kang Erniu reassured her that it was a villain and the authorities had attributed the crime to bandits. Nevertheless, Chu Shaohua vowed to continue moving forward.
Kang Erniu then shared that Mu Ziru had purchased a new house and invited her to move in. Chu Shaohua expressed concern about Mu Ziru's connections to the Qing Gang, fearing for Kang Erniu's safety. However, Kang Erniu felt Mu Ziru was the most genuine man she had ever met and intended to reciprocate his sincerity, believing she had already endured the worst pain imaginable. She assured Shaohua she wouldn't give her whole self to him.
Chu Shaohua congratulated her, and as Kang Erniu packed to leave, she encouraged Chu Shaohua to also find a partner, even suggesting Wen Zhiqiu. Shaohua deflected, claiming she lacked "womanly charm," but Kang Erniu prophesied that Chu Shaohua's destined partner would soon appear and advised her not to resist. Driven by Xia Yuan's encouragement, Wen Zhiqiu began planning an elaborate proposal for Chu Shaohua.
He sought Kang Erniu's assistance in finding a prop master to create models of houses he had designed. Kang Erniu was surprised by his serious commitment, contrasting it with his usual focus on business. Wen Zhiqiu clarified that Chu Shaohua was more important to him than money. Kang Erniu cautioned him about Chu Shaohua's unaddressed past, but Wen Zhiqiu declared his unwavering acceptance, earning Kang Erniu's full support.
Meanwhile, Xia Chu returned to Shanghai from his studies in France, delighting his father and elder brother, Xia Yuan. Xia Chu announced his new position as a professor at Shanghai University, explaining that he would reside in the university dormitories due to "official duties." Xia Yuan tried to steer him toward the family business, dismissing Xia Chu's political ideals as "illusions" and emphasizing the enduring value of wealth.
Xia Chu countered that Xia Yuan misunderstood Marxism and that certain values, such as "the greater good for the nation and its people" and "the truth that can truly protect them," transcended monetary concerns. Seeing Xia Chu's unwavering conviction, Xia Yuan eventually dropped the argument. Wen Zhiqiu completed his proposal preparations, inviting Chu Shaohua to the Modern Hall of Richard Restaurant at 3 PM, ostensibly to discuss "important company development matters."
He showed Kang Erniu his meticulously crafted models: branches of Wen's Pharmacy nationwide, a "Chichun Apothecary" (Chu Shaohua's dream project), and "Wen and Chu's Residence" (their envisioned future home). He planned to offer Chu Shaohua 50% of Wen's Pharmacy shares and help her establish Chichun Apothecary within five years, wishing to hang the signs with her.
He confided in Kang Erniu that he understood Chu Shaohua's past and lingering emotional burdens, wanting to show her that together, they could rebuild what she had lost. Kang Erniu was deeply touched by his thoughtfulness and urged him to do well. At the appointed time, Chu Shaohua arrived at the Richard Restaurant. To her shock, she encountered Xia Chu, who was equally stunned and emotional, having believed she had perished.
Their poignant reunion was abruptly interrupted by Zhou Jieru, who introduced herself as Xia Chu's girlfriend. Reacting quickly to the unexpected situation, Chu Shaohua introduced Wen Zhiqiu as her fiancé and, citing urgent business, pulled him upstairs. Wen Zhiqiu immediately sensed the profound history between Chu Shaohua and Xia Chu.
He decided to abort his planned proposal, instead showing her only the models of the various Wen's Pharmacy branches, deliberately concealing the more personal "Chichun Apothecary" and "Wen and Chu's Residence" models. Chu Shaohua, puzzled by the brief and formal presentation in such an extravagant setting, questioned why he had made her come there. She then asked him to continue his role as her fiancé whenever she encountered Xia Chu in the future.
