Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 35 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Kang Erniu, having been mentored by Xia Yuan in business, aggressively promoted her new Yushu Pill. She lowered prices, offered substantial discounts, and signed exclusive agreements with over eighty apothecaries, preventing them from selling Chu Shaohua's Miracle Pills. Chu Shaohua recognized Xia Yuan's attempt to sow discord between them and confronted Kang Erniu. Kang Erniu, feeling empowered by her newfound success in Shanghai, declared her intention to compete with Chu Shaohua.
Chu Shaohua returned to discuss a counter-strategy with her shareholders, including Cheng Hui. She proposed paying newspaper carriers one wen to include Miracle Pill fliers with each newspaper. Additionally, loyal customers could get discounts by returning empty bottles, and referrers would also receive discounts. She believed this approach, combined with Miracle Pill's superior efficacy, would be more effective than simply offering rebates to apothecaries.
Cheng Hui agreed, confident in their product's improved formula, and they planned to visit the remaining three hundred apothecaries. Despite Chu Shaohua's efforts, with Miracle Pills now in over one hundred apothecaries, Kang Erniu's Yushu Pill had expanded to over two hundred apothecaries. Xia Yuan, dissatisfied with Kang Erniu's progress, pushed her to defeat Chu Shaohua within a month, stating that his future plans depended on it.
Realizing that Chichun Apothecary couldn't win this battle alone, Chu Shaohua decided to seek an alliance with Tian Tongdao. Coincidentally, Kang Erniu also arrived at Tian Tongdao's office for the same reason. Tian Tongdao, expressing his disdain for both women, told them to "butter him up," and he would decide with whom to cooperate. Kang Erniu immediately offered generous prices, payment terms, and rebates.
Chu Shaohua, however, presented her proposal with a calm demeanor, stating that Miracle Pills offered no discounts, price cuts, or special payment terms, only a win-win partnership. Tian Tongdao seemed more interested in watching them compete. To prove her point and the efficacy of Miracle Pills, Chu Shaohua deliberately cut her arm and applied the medicine on the spot.
She emphasized that with the Japanese invaders threatening their nation, internal conflict was unacceptable, and she refused to engage in a price war with Kang Erniu, even if it meant sacrificing the deal. Moved by her conviction, Tian Tongdao immediately agreed to partner with Chu Shaohua and even invested in her pharmaceutical factory, becoming a shareholder. Upon hearing of Kang Erniu's failure, Xia Yuan acknowledged his inability to defeat Chu Shaohua through conventional means.
Kang Erniu admitted her mistake was lowering her stance and that Yushu Pill's efficacy was inferior. Xia Yuan, however, countered that her true failing was a lack of ruthlessness, pointing to Chu Shaohua's self-inflicted wound as an example of extreme commitment. Thanks to Chu Shaohua and her team's relentless efforts, Miracle Pills were in high demand. Ms. Shen, Assistant Manager of Evernew Department, personally visited Chichun Apothecary.
Witnessing the long queues of customers, she approached Chu Shaohua with a partnership offer to sell Miracle Pills at Evernew Department, even creating a dedicated Chinese medicine counter to accommodate its popularity. Chu Shaohua readily accepted. At Evernew Department, Chu Shaohua encountered Ni Xiangying, now a Floor Services Director. Ni Xiangying shared that she was married with two daughters and continued her career, asserting that once she tasted independence, she couldn't tolerate the life of a "caged bird."
Chu Shaohua congratulated her, acknowledging her achievements in balancing family and career. Kang Erniu, observing Chu Shaohua's booming business, felt a pang of envy. Xia Yuan seized the opportunity, subtly encouraging her to acquire the Miracle Pill formula, promising that with it, she could surpass Chu Shaohua's success. Amei, who Chu Shaohua believed to be dead, unexpectedly reappeared, now working for Runhua Trading House.
She revealed that she was rescued after the 1927 massacre and had since followed Xia Chu's revolutionary path. She sought a large supply of Miracle Pills for front-line soldiers, needing them within three days. Chu Shaohua immediately agreed to supply the medicine free of charge, but Amei insisted on paying the full price and requested delivery to Wen Zhiqiu's trade house in Hong Kong.
Connecting the dots, Chu Shaohua realized that Wen Zhiqiu, like Xia Chu, was involved in revolutionary activities and had been concealing his true identity from her for years. Furious, she immediately called Wen's Trade House and, learning he was home for a meeting, went to confront him.
Wen Zhiqiu tried to deny her access and distance himself, but Chu Shaohua, enraged, verbally assaulted him, calling him a "disgrace" and accusing him of swindling her money, promising to make his life miserable. When Chu Shaohua and Cheng Hui delivered the Miracle Pills to Wen Zhiqiu's trade house, customs officials, acting on a tip, arrived to inspect the shipment for contraband. Wen Zhiqiu discreetly hid the actual medicine.
As the officials began their search, Chu Shaohua, realizing the danger, created a dramatic diversion by loudly accusing Wen Zhiqiu of being a "filthy coward" and a two-timing scammer, leading the officials to believe it was a personal dispute and dismiss it as "nonsense." Cheng Hui quickly pulled her away from the scene. Later, Chu Shaohua found Wen Zhiqiu eating at a street stall, but he ignored her and left.
Amei later contacted Chu Shaohua again, requesting Western anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicines, with a request for discreet packaging to disguise them as traditional Chinese remedies. Chu Shaohua readily agreed. Xia Yuan threw a lavish birthday party for Kang Erniu (referred to as Miss Bai Bingxin). Kang Erniu announced she would auction off her first dance, donating the proceeds to charity.
After Mr. Tan bid five hundred silver dollars, and Xia Yuan bid one thousand, Chu Shaohua dramatically arrived and bid three thousand silver dollars, declaring the sum should go to the Municipal Infectious Disease Hospital to rebuild the infectious disease ward that was bombed by the Japanese. The guests applauded her. Chu Shaohua then pulled Kang Erniu aside. Kang Erniu confessed that it wasn't her real birthday but that she longed to hear someone genuinely wish her a happy birthday.
She reflected on their childhood dreams of success, noting her current luxurious attire, but hinted that she desired something more. Xia Yuan interrupted, reminding Kang Erniu of her guests, and she reluctantly returned to the party, leaving Chu Shaohua to depart disappointed. Komura Morikazu approached Chu Shaohua, proposing a partnership to sell Miracle Pills and other Chinese traditional medicines globally, emphasizing "Sino-Japanese friendship." Chu Shaohua vehemently refused, citing Japan's ongoing invasion of China.
Komura Morikazu tried to persuade her by warning that cooperation was necessary for survival, confidently predicting China's defeat within three months. Chu Shaohua firmly declared her prediction: China would ultimately prevail, and pointed out his crooked tie before leaving. The Japanese continued their brutal occupation in Shanghai, with many Chinese citizens, including prominent merchants, being killed or severely harmed for defying them.
