Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 3 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Song Ping brought a bowl of soup to Chu Shaohua, mentioning that Chen Dashun had gone out to meet Xia Chu. Alarmed, Chu Shaohua immediately suspected Xia Chu intended to confront Chen Dashun and rushed to the meeting place. Upon her arrival, she witnessed Xia Chu urging Chen Dashun to release her, claiming Chen Dashun didn't truly know her desires and couldn't keep her confined.
Chu Shaohua intervened, sternly telling Xia Chu that their past agreement was long over and she owed him nothing. She declared she was married and had a new life, which she would lead on her own terms, free from his interference. She asserted that she didn't need anyone to "let her go" or "save her," as her choices were her own. Then, she took Chen Dashun and returned home.
After much deliberation, Chen Dashun felt he was not good enough for Chu Shaohua. He spent the night writing a divorce letter, intending to allow Chu Shaohua to be with Xia Chu. He also packed all his savings and the jewelry he had bought for her, urging her to sell them if she needed money on her journey. He advised her to be less headstrong in the Xia family, emphasizing the importance of softness and compromise in a marriage.
Chu Shaohua was heartbroken, repeatedly asking what he meant and stating she had no intention of going with Xia Chu. Chen Dashun, however, insisted that Xia Chu was waiting for her at Lianglukou and that he would personally take her there the next morning. He confessed that he knew she wouldn't leave on her own due to guilt, so he felt it was his responsibility to set her free.
He believed that she and Xia Chu, both ambitious individuals, were a better match, but warned her about the troubles their strong personalities might attract, urging her to temper Xia Chu when necessary. The next morning, Chu Shaohua arrived at the designated meeting point and returned the whistle Xia Chu had given her.
She reiterated her desire to explore the outside world, but asserted that she would do so through her own efforts, not by relying on him, even if the path was difficult. Xia Chu, understanding her resolve, wished her a safe journey. Meanwhile, back at home, Chen Dashun had locked himself in his room, refusing to eat or drink. His parents, along with Chen Ershun and Song Ping, were frantic, worried about his well-being. To their surprise, Chu Shaohua returned.
She held up the divorce letter, declaring that whether she stayed or left was her decision alone, and then dramatically tore the letter to pieces. Chen Dashun, ecstatic at her return, embraced her and spun her around in joy. Suddenly feeling dizzy, Chu Shaohua checked her pulse and discovered she was pregnant. Chen Dashun was overjoyed, shouting, "I'm having a baby!" and the entire family celebrated the happy news.
Soon after, the entire Chen family, led by Chen Father, relocated to Peking and purchased a courtyard house. Chen Mother immediately laid down strict rules for Song Ping and Chu Shaohua, including not leaving the courtyard without permission, always being accompanied if permitted, not speaking to outsiders, and staying indoors when guests visited. While Chu Shaohua, absorbed in dreams of a beautiful new life, barely paid attention to Chen Mother's lengthy pronouncements, Song Ping was more attentive.
Chu Shaohua began to personally teach Song Ping how to cook, patiently explaining recipes like the "one, two, three, four, five" for sweet and sour dishes, and even offering to draw instructions for the illiterate Song Ping. Song Ping proved a diligent student, quickly mastering the techniques. Her cooking improved significantly, earning praise from Chen Ershun who found her dishes delicious. Chen Ershun was tasked with daily grocery shopping.
Chen Mother, suspecting him of embezzling household funds, demanded he draw a map to the market. While Chen Ershun quickly rattled off directions, Chu Shaohua, feigning ignorance, subtly copied the map when Chen Mother wasn't looking. She also discreetly asked Chen Ershun about the family's apothecary on Fuma Street. The next day, Chen Mother, armed with the map, went to the market herself.
She soon returned, terrified and exhausted, claiming she had gotten completely lost and encountered a "foreigner" who spoke to her, making her fear being "eaten." She furiously accused Chen Ershun of deliberately drawing the map incorrectly to sabotage her and maintain his control over the grocery money, mentioning his past dishonest dealings at the apothecary. With the family's provisions dwindling, Chu Shaohua seized the opportunity and volunteered to take over the grocery shopping.
Despite Chen Mother's initial reluctance and concerns about household duties, she eventually agreed, having no better alternative. As Chu Shaohua walked through the streets, she was captivated by the diverse array of goods. Following the address, she found Chen's Apothecary. Inside, she noticed a newspaper on the table, sparking a desire to learn to read and write with Chen Dashun's help.
She learned from Chen Dashun that the apothecary lacked its own unique medicinal formulas, which had hindered its growth and worried Chen Father. When a customer, Mr. Zhou, came to pick up his honeyed pills, Chu Shaohua not only assisted with the transaction but skillfully recommended several expensive tonics to complement the pills, assuring him they would enhance the treatment and save money in the long run.
Mr. Zhou was impressed by her suggestion and bought the tonics, which had previously been difficult for the apothecary to sell. Chen Dashun was astonished by her business acumen, confessing that he and his father had almost given up on selling those particular tonics and were considering selling them at a loss. Seeing her success, Chu Shaohua proposed working at the apothecary daily.
While Chen Dashun was initially hesitant, concerned about her pregnancy, Chu Shaohua argued that other professions, like banking, employed female staff, and that working together would allow them to commute to and from work every day. Ultimately, Chen Dashun admitted that the decision rested with Chen Father. Chu Shaohua returned home late from grocery shopping, much to Chen Mother's displeasure. However, Chu Shaohua had found cheaper produce and presented the saved money to Chen Mother, who was then satisfied.
That evening, Chen Dashun complained of being overwhelmed at the apothecary due to the absence of the two assistants. Chen Mother suggested Chen Ershun help, but he feigned illness. Then, Chen Mother asked Chu Shaohua to assist, to which Chu Shaohua initially pretended her pregnancy made it inconvenient. This prompted Chen Mother to immediately decide that Chu Shaohua "must" go to the apothecary. Chu Shaohua inwardly celebrated her successful manipulation.
Later, Chen Dashun presented Chu Shaohua with an anti-nausea sachet he had made for her, using an ancient prescription with ingredients like Baizhu, dried ginger, Banxia, Juhong, and Houpo. Chu Shaohua, touched by his thoughtfulness, had an idea: they should make more such sachets to sell at the apothecary, suggesting they would benefit not only pregnant women but also those suffering from travel sickness or heatstroke. From that day forward, Chu Shaohua regularly helped at the apothecary.
One day, a customer named Mr. Zhang came to fill a prescription that specifically required Yunnan Shexiang. Chen Dashun informed her they only stocked Sichuan Shexiang because Yunnan Shexiang was too expensive at twenty silver dollars per qian. However, Chu Shaohua assured Mr. Zhang they could obtain the specific ingredient, offering to deliver it to his residence at Nanluoguxiang, a known affluent area, and sold it to him for eighteen silver dollars per qian, two less than the market price.
Chen Dashun was initially confused by her decision to sell at a loss. Chu Shaohua explained her strategy: never turn away a customer, and to expand business beyond local reach, an apothecary needs unique remedies or exceptional service. Since they lacked unique remedies, their service must be superior.
She argued that the two-silver-dollar loss was a small price to pay to build customer loyalty, establish a reputation for comprehensive service and fair pricing, and potentially open doors to the wealthy clientele of Nanluoguxiang, which would be worth far more than the small loss. Chen Dashun was greatly impressed, marveling at her business acumen, to which Chu Shaohua simply replied, "Because I'm Chu Shaohua."
