Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 26 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
After the May 30th Massacre, Tian Tongdao actively organized shop closures and led donation efforts, significantly winning back public support. Meanwhile, Xia Yuan's donation of 500,000 boxes of anti-epidemic powder and Bunao Pills from Wen's Pharmacy earned him renewed respect from many Guild members, boosting his support rate to 50%. Xia Yuan was confident about the upcoming election, though Chu Shaohua and others felt it was still hard to predict.
He questioned why Tian Tongdao, despite his mean-spirited and calculating nature, maintained nearly 50% support. Xu Hongnian explained that this was due to Tian family's extensive connections with old family friends and relatives, as well as the intimidation caused by Tian's powerful influence, which stemmed from their long-standing ties with prominent political figures like Chen Qimei, Wang Guodong, Lu Yongxiang, and Qi Xieyuan. On election day, Tian Tongdao arrived early, greeting Guild members with confidence.
Meanwhile, Xia Yuan, Xu Hongnian, and Mei Sandu distributed newspapers at the entrance featuring a photo of Xia Yuan with Young Marshal Zhang Xueliang. When Tian Tongdao learned of this, he accused Xia Yuan of blatant vote-buying. Xia Yuan feigned confusion, sarcastically suggesting that if a newspaper costing merely four coppers constituted bribery, then the Guild members' loyalty was easily bought. Tian, suspecting hidden tricks, thoroughly inspected the newspapers but found nothing incriminating.
Later, after the results were announced, Tian's subordinate explained that Xia Yuan, having started his business in northern China and being closely tied to the Guandong Trade Guild, could easily connect with the Northeastern Army. The photo subtly implied his closeness to Shanghai's most powerful figure, mirroring the reason many had initially supported Tian—his political connections.
Tian conceded that Xia Yuan was indeed formidable, realizing the importance of not just intelligence and strength in business but also "riding the wave," as Xia Yuan had done by leveraging the Northeastern Army's entry into Shanghai. The votes were cast, and Xia Yuan won the election for chairman of the Shanghai TCM Guild with 127 votes, significantly more than Tian Tongdao's 63. Enraged by his defeat, Tian Tongdao kicked over a large display sign before storming out.
Xia Yuan thanked his colleagues for their support, vowing to continue relying on them to promote TCM in Shanghai. Having been reunited after a long separation and a near-death experience, Chu Shaohua and Xia Chu's feelings for each other deepened. Despite Xia Chu's busy schedule, which meant they rarely met, Shaohua didn't mind, believing their hearts were connected. One late night, Xia Chu whistled for Shaohua from downstairs. They embraced, both noting how much weight the other had lost.
Xia Chu told her the hours before dawn belonged to them and repeatedly declared his love. He had brought Shaohua to a dock, explaining that six years ago, they were supposed to depart for France together from that very spot. He had booked three tickets, but after hearing she had died, he boarded the ship alone. Shaohua reflected on her deceased daughter, Xuan, wishing she were still alive.
Xia Chu comforted her, saying that those who love us never truly leave but simply find different ways to be with us—like a breeze, a dream, a scent, or a ray of morning light. Xia Chu then knelt and proposed, asking Shaohua to marry him. He emphasized that despite losing six years and enduring many trials, not even death could separate them.
Shaohua, deeply moved, confessed that she needed to tell him what truly happened six years ago and why she broke her promise. She recounted her ordeal, which Xia Chu had been entirely unaware of. He apologized for not being by her side when she needed him most. Shaohua reassured him that he shouldn't blame himself, admitting she couldn't face the past back then. Now, however, by discussing it, she had not only faced it but also let it go.
Xia Chu expressed his admiration and respect for her. Shaohua shared that she was proud of herself and grateful to both Xia Chu and Wen Zhiqiu; Wen Zhiqiu had helped her overcome shame, and Xia Chu had helped her rediscover a part of herself she thought was lost forever. Xia Chu promised she would never lose it again.
Newspaper hawkers interrupted their intimate moment, shouting news that Sun Chuanfang, Commander-in-Chief of the Five-Province Coalition Army, had defeated the Fengtian Clique, seizing Songjiang and Shanghai. At a family dinner, Xia Chu pointed out that the Fengtian Clique was too weak and betting on warlords was a risky endeavor. When Xia Yuan asked who he should then trust, Xia Chu advised him to place his bets on whoever represented the people. Xia Chu then announced his intention to marry Shaohua.
His mother immediately opposed the match, asking about his relationship with Zhou Jieru, whom Xia Chu explained he had broken up with last year as she returned to Europe. He then revealed his fiancée was Shaohua. His mother vehemently opposed, citing Shaohua's "unclear past." Xia Chu, knowing full well her past, stated that it only made him pity, respect, and love her more.
When Xia Yuan's wife mentioned Wen Zhiqiu's interest in Shaohua, Xia Chu dismissed it, stating his love for Shaohua had begun twelve years ago and despite various misfortunes, he was determined to marry her. His mother insisted that if he chose Shaohua, he could forget about her as his mother. Xia Chu calmly asserted that their blood ties were unbreakable, but his resolve to marry Shaohua was also unshakeable.
Infuriated, his mother slapped Xia Chu, but Xia Yuan and his wife intervened, urging her to calm down and accept that Xia Chu was set in his ways. His mother stormed out, adamant that he "cannot marry that woman." Xia Yuan later spoke with Xia Chu, expressing his concern about their mother and asking why it had to be Shaohua when Xia Chu could choose anyone in China.
Xia Chu stated that Shaohua was unique and, if forced to choose between his mother and Shaohua, he would choose Shaohua because love, once lost, could not be recovered, unlike family ties. He then asked Xia Yuan to help convince their mother. Xia Yuan proposed that Xia Chu return to help him manage Jujing Apothecary, but Xia Chu wanted to wait until China was united and at peace, a day he believed would come soon.
Xia Yuan confided in his wife that he saw Shaohua as a capable asset to his business if she married Xia Chu. However, he worried that Wen Zhiqiu might terminate his partnership with Jujing Apothecary if Xia Chu and Shaohua married. He decided to find a way to appease Wen Zhiqiu and asked his wife to calm their mother.
Xia Mother called Shaohua and arranged a meeting at the Richards Hotel, where she directly stated her strong opposition to the marriage. Shaohua, however, remained firm, believing Xia Chu would not give her up and noting that Mother's prior opposition had seemingly been ineffective. Xia Mother claimed Shaohua was not good enough for Xia Chu, contrasting his family's distinguished status and extensive education with Shaohua's family's decline, lack of formal schooling, and past as a widow with a child.
Shaohua countered, asserting her current position as general manager of Wen's Pharmacy commanded respect, even from Xia Yuan. She argued that her life experiences provided her with wisdom equal to any educated socialite.
She then pointed out that Xia Mother herself had been a widow and mother before marrying Old Mr. Xia, and if marriage were solely measured by background and status, then Mother had not been worthy of her husband either, recounting Mother's past as a poor opera troupe member who became a concubine to survive before becoming the legal wife.
Xia Mother was incensed, but Shaohua softened her tone, acknowledging Mother as an extraordinary woman who, despite her mismatched background, had greatly contributed to the Xia family's success, single-handedly keeping the household afloat after her husband's death and laying the foundation for Xia Yuan's achievements. Shaohua then questioned why Mother, having suffered from judgment based on her background, would impose the same standards on her and Xia Chu.
Mother responded that she wished to spare her daughter-in-law from the same lifelong judgment she had endured. Shaohua concluded by affirming her unwavering determination to love Xia Chu freely. Xia Yuan's wife, witnessing this exchange, was moved and expressed her support for Shaohua. Later, Xia Mother angrily confronted Xia Yuan, forbidding him from conducting any further business with Shaohua.
Xia Yuan tried to reason with her, suggesting that accepting the marriage might actually help Xia Chu settle down and be less reckless with his revolutionary pursuits. He also emphasized the significant business collaborations he had with Shaohua and the financial implications of falling out with her. His mother, however, remained resolute and stormed off, reiterating her trip to the hospital in frustration.
Xia Chu, learning from his sister-in-law about his mother's confrontational visit to Shaohua, apologized to Shaohua for his family's actions. Shaohua reassured him that she knew how to stand up for herself and understood his mother's concerns. Xia Chu promised to handle his mother and urged Shaohua to simply focus on their relationship. Shaohua then suggested they meet someone, taking Xia Chu to a cafe to introduce him to Cheng Hui.
Upon learning of their impending marriage, Cheng Hui directly questioned Xia Chu about his family's business, his income as a Shanghai University teacher (noting it was less than Shaohua's), whether he owned property (he didn't), and where he would live after marriage (school housing or Shaohua's place). He also confirmed Xia Chu's good health and lack of prior marriage or children.
After sending Shaohua to buy roasted sweet potatoes, Cheng Hui warned Xia Chu that he was not good enough for Shaohua. However, since Shaohua had chosen him, Cheng Hui demanded that Xia Chu treat her well, threatening him if he ever mistreated her. Xia Chu earnestly promised to cherish Shaohua and her family, vowing to fill her life with happiness and free her from sorrow.
When Shaohua returned, Cheng Hui presented her with his report card, where Xia Chu noticed his excellent grades in most subjects but a lower score in English. Xia Chu immediately offered to tutor him, explaining that English words, like Chinese characters, have structures, demonstrating with the word "progress."
