Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 4 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Chu Shaohua and Chen Dashun worked diligently at Chen's Apothecary every day. Chu Shaohua's warm demeanor and focus on customer needs quickly improved business, and the time spent together deepened her and Chen Dashun's bond. Chen Dashun, impressed, asked, "How are you so amazing?" to which Chu Shaohua confidently replied, "Because I'm Chu Shaohua." He then asked her to go help in the backyard, but quickly added that he wanted to admire her a bit longer.
Despite his words, Chu Shaohua went to assist in the backyard. Earlier, Chen Dashun had told Chu Shaohua that the apothecary's income had been increasing significantly since she started, with an "unprecedentedly high" day yesterday thanks to a large order for "seasonal tonics" from a Mr. Zhang. He wished for more customers like him. Chu Shaohua challenged him, asking if he was "satisfied with just this much money," asserting, "I think we can do even better."
Chen Dashun, concerned for her pregnancy, advised her to take it easy, but Chu Shaohua declared her desire to be "greedy" in pursuit of success. One evening, when Chu Shaohua and Chen Dashun hadn't returned home late, Chen's mother grew anxious. She questioned Chen Ershun about Chu Shaohua's activities at the apothecary, asking if she had been "slacking off." Chen Ershun reported that he had seen her "chatting with a customer in the front hall."
Hearing this, Chen's mother resolved to bring Chu Shaohua back home to work. When Chen Dashun and Chu Shaohua finally arrived, Chen's mother was waiting for them to eat. Chu Shaohua, sensing her displeasure, feigned exhaustion from the apothecary, claiming to have no appetite and wanting to "go back and lie down." Chen's mother scoffed, asking how much "chatting" she had done to be "tired like this and skip dinner."
Chu Shaohua then strategically declared, "Tomorrow, I don't want to help at the apothecary anymore. I want to stay at home." She complained that she was "slicing Jixueteng by myself and grinding pangolin scales" and couldn't manage it all, adding that Chen Dashun "wouldn't help me either." Chen Dashun interjected that he was "tied up with customers and didn't have time to help," reminding her he had suggested she talk to customers too, but she couldn't handle getting "scolded."
Shaohua concluded, "Anyway, I'm not going tomorrow. I worked myself to the bone and still got yelled at." Chen's mother chastised her, reminding her she wasn't a "spoiled young lady" and "getting scolded a bit isn't the end of the world." Shaohua insisted she "really can't stand it" at the apothecary. Chen's mother, falling for the ploy, firmly stated, "Even if you can't, you have to. Tomorrow, you are going to help, no matter what.
Try not to always think about how to do less." Chu Shaohua secretly rejoiced. Suddenly, a woman arrived, calling for Chen Dashun, saying her son Shuan had a sudden stomachache. Doctors had prescribed medicine, but all other apothecaries were closed. Chen Dashun immediately offered to help, heading to the apothecary to get the medicine while telling his family to eat without him.
As the family dined, Chu Shaohua, inspired by the late-night request, excitedly told Chen Ershun that she had "another trick to boost the business." Soon after, Chen's Apothecary proudly displayed a sign announcing "Open all night" and offering "Decocting medicine for customers, on-site processing of tonic pastes," attracting new customers like Zhang Hailong and Cao Chunsheng. The staff, now including two new assistants, worked diligently preparing ingredients such as Renshen, stir-fried Baizhu, Fuling, Shanyao, and lotus seeds.
Chen's father returned home earlier than expected. Upon arriving at the apothecary, he was displeased to find it bustling with customers and two newly hired assistants. " I was gone for just a few days, and everything's already a mess?" he remarked. Chen Dashun quickly presented the account books, explaining, "Father, the income jumped this much in just half a month!"
He attributed the success to Chu Shaohua, detailing how she had "closed several big orders" and persuaded clients to place orders for "seasonal tonics." He also explained that the new policy of being "open all night," offering "decocting medicine for customers, and on-site processing of tonic pastes" led to a staff shortage, necessitating the new hires and increased wages. Chen's father, realizing these were all Chu Shaohua's ideas, acknowledged, "She does have a knack for it."
Chen Dashun then proposed letting Chu Shaohua officially join the apothecary, arguing that her talent was wasted on household chores. However, Chen's father adamantly refused, stating that even if their family was struggling, they would not let their daughter-in-law "show her face in public," as it would compromise their dignity. He insisted she could "assist you at home just the same." Despite Chen Dashun's attempts to reason, his father declared, "It's decided. I don't want to hear another word."
Chen Dashun then tried to convince Chu Shaohua to stay home to rest during her pregnancy. He emphasized the risks of her early mornings and late nights at the apothecary, saying he would be "devastated" if she got hurt. Chu Shaohua expressed her fear, stating, "I'm not afraid of being tired or going through hardship," but "I'm afraid that courtyard will be my whole world for my whole life."
Chen Dashun promised that "once you've given birth and finished your recovery month," he would "find a way to convince Father to let you work here." Chu Shaohua, after asking, "How much longer will that be?" reluctantly agreed to "bear with it for a few more months." True to Chu Shaohua's fears, Chen's mother strictly confined her to the courtyard, declaring, "From now on, don't step out of this courtyard anymore. Stay put at home."
She subjected Chu Shaohua to constant criticism, from complaining about her "lack of occasion" while helping with a hairpin—which resulted in Shaohua accidentally poking her—to grumbling about a cold towel and accusing her of "throwing a fit" for merely reacting. Pushed to her limit, Chu Shaohua defiantly retorted, "So what if I am?" and threw a water basin to the ground.
Chen's mother, startled, stumbled and cried out about her "pearl earring" and claimed that Shaohua "was trying to hit me." As Chen's mother wailed about her lost "pearl earring," Chu Shaohua picked it up. A new idea sparked in her mind: "Applying pearl powder to the face gives a radiant complexion." Despite Song Ping's anxious warning that they "can't just go out," Chu Shaohua rushed to the apothecary.
There, she excitedly proposed to Chen's father, "we can grind the pearl into powder, then mix it with Danggui, Taoren, Chuanxiong, Baizhi, Baifuzi, and Baiji's powder to make a whitening beauty powder that we can sell." She argued that while an apothecary's income was typically limited by geography and the rarity of illness, selling this beauty powder "can break both those limits and increase our income by 20%."
Chen's father was skeptical, initially dismissing the idea as "impossible," noting the difference between common and medicinal pearls. Chu Shaohua countered that they could "procure medicinal pearls." He then worried it would be "abandoning our proper work" for an apothecary. Chu Shaohua passionately argued, "A healer's heart is compassionate, and medicine exists to cure. For women, when beauty fades, the heart suffers too. So beauty powder is fair business for an apothecary."
Chen Dashun supported her, highlighting the high-profit potential, as it would cost "less than a hundred wen" to make but could sell for "one or two silver dollars." He also suggested that by developing this product, they could establish their "own secret formulas and remedies," which Chen's Apothecary lacked and was "falling short" on. He even remarked that this could be their "own secret remedy," making their success "just around the corner."
Chen's father acknowledged Dashun's newfound eloquence, which Dashun credited to Chu Shaohua, who, in turn, explained she had learned from her grandfather. After much consideration, Chen's father agreed to Chu Shaohua's innovative proposal. Taking advantage of the moment, Chen Dashun again suggested that Chu Shaohua "formally come help out here." Before Chen's father could fully respond, Chen's mother stormed into the apothecary, crying hysterically.
She demanded that Chen's father "back me up and deal with her," referring to Chu Shaohua, and threatened that she "really don't know how to keep running this household" if he didn't. She accused Chu Shaohua of being a "disrespectful brat" who "barely said a word, and she was about to hit me!" When Chen Dashun tried to defend his wife, Chen's mother berated him for taking Shaohua's side, calling him a "good-for-nothing."
Chen's father turned to Song Ping, asking, "What exactly happened?" but Song Ping, unaware of any conflict, simply replied, "I don't know." As Chen's mother continued to accuse Chu Shaohua of lying, Chu Shaohua quickly intervened. She apologized to Chen's mother, explaining that she had just "thought of a secret formula for us," and "in my excitement, I knocked over the basin of water." She admitted she "made too much noise and startled you."
Chen's father, pacifying his wife, acknowledged Chu Shaohua's intelligence but criticized her for "lacking manners" and not being "fit to handle the chores." As a "punishment," he decreed that she would "be working here." Chu Shaohua, barely concealing her delight, exclaimed, "Really?" while Chen's mother remained displeased, feeling the punishment was insufficient. Chen's father then instructed Chen Dashun to escort his mother home. Chu Shaohua successfully developed Yurong Powder.
She tested it on Song Ping, who, after using it, was noticeably "transformed" and "glowing." Seeing the impressive results, Chu Shaohua proposed a bold marketing strategy: "how about giving the first batch away for free?" Chen's mother was appalled, exclaiming, "Give it all away? How can that be?" Chu Shaohua explained that while the powder's efficacy "speak for themselves," its novelty and high price would make customers "hesitate at first."
Therefore, "starting by giving it away" would help "get people on board," and once they tried it, they would "keep coming back." She suggested giving away "at least 50" boxes. Chen's father, however, decided against giving it away entirely, opting to "drop the price from three qian per box to one" instead. Chu Shaohua initially suggested distributing these 50 boxes to their "top clients' families" as a "year-end gesture," believing their "wealthy and influential" status would generate positive word-of-mouth.
Chen Dashun agreed. However, Chu Shaohua quickly changed her mind, proposing instead to "give them all to the girls in Bada Hutong." Chen's father reacted with shock, asking, "Shaohua, how do you know about such a sordid place?" Chen Ershun, curious, asked what the girls there "do," but was quickly silenced by his father. Chu Shaohua defended her idea by saying she had heard "Bada Hutong kicked off all the fashion trends in Peking."
She reasoned that "if the girls in Bada Hutong all start using Yurong Powder, then before long, all the women in Peking will also follow suit. Then we won't have to worry about sales." Chen's mother, disdainful, declared she "wouldn't use it," deeming it from "such lowly places." Chu Shaohua then pointed out the irony, revealing, "Mother, the ruffled edges on your clothes came from Bada Hutong."
Chen Ershun, convinced by Chu Shaohua's logic, added that the women there "receive guests from all over the country. One word from them, and our product will sweep across the land." Inspired by the discussion, Chu Shaohua made a bold pledge to Chen's father, vowing, "I'll recoup all costs in a month, and in three, Yurong Powder will be our biggest earner." Chen's father expressed concern for her pregnancy, but Chu Shaohua assured him, "I know what I'm doing."
However, Chen's mother, hearing of the opportunity, approached Chen's father to advocate for Chen Ershun, arguing that Chu Shaohua was "just an outsider" while Ershun was "our son." She highlighted Ershun's recent good behavior and his need for a purpose, stating that if he continued "lazing around like this every day, he's really going to waste his life." Chen's father, after some deliberation, agreed, relegating Chu Shaohua to "count goods and keep accounts," while Chen Ershun would manage sales.
Chu Shaohua expressed her frustration to Chen Dashun about being sidelined after developing the product and strategy. Chen Dashun tried to soothe her, reminding her it was for her health during pregnancy and that "we're all family. What difference does it make?" Chu Shaohua, however, insisted, "It's different," feeling her contributions were undervalued, but agreed to focus on her pregnancy for now.
Chen Ershun diligently delivered fifty boxes of Yurong Powder to various locations including Baishun Hutong, Yanzhi Hutong, Hanjia Hutong, and Shitou Hutong, as instructed. However, after two days, he reported that "no one's placed an order. Not even a single inquiry." Chu Shaohua, undeterred, told him to "send another 50" boxes, but still, no customers arrived. Later, with a hundred boxes remaining, Chu Shaohua suggested to Chen Ershun, "Give them all away."
Chen's father, entering the room, interjected, "Don't send them all. Fifty will be enough." However, Chu Shaohua later insisted that Chen Ershun deliver the remaining fifty boxes. Chen's father, frustrated, immediately forbade it, stating, "Don't give any more! . . . we've given away 150 boxes already, and no one's buying. Your method doesn't work." Chu Shaohua maintained her belief in the product, suggesting they "haven't given out enough yet" or that customers "haven't seen any results yet."
Chen's father, however, was resolute, declaring, "No more Yurong Powder. We'll keep the last 50 and take our time selling." Chu Shaohua argued that they were like "a pot of water that's almost boiling," needing "just one more piece of firewood" to succeed, and that "you've got to risk a little to gain a lot." Chen's father, exasperated, retorted, "Now I get how your whole family fell apart," blaming her lack of financial prudence.
Chu Shaohua sharply responded, "It was because we couldn't see far ahead." Just as the tension escalated, a woman from Bada Hutong entered, asking, "Is this Chen's Apothecary? You've got Yurong Powder, right?" She announced, "I'll take 100 boxes," and mentioned a friend in Jinan Prefecture who wanted 200 more, inquiring if they offered dropshipping. Soon, a flood of customers arrived, all eager to purchase Yurong Powder.
The apothecary quickly sold out, prompting Chen's father to profusely apologize to Chu Shaohua for his earlier doubts. Amidst the excitement, Chu Shaohua was suddenly overcome by severe abdominal pain. Chen Dashun rushed to find a midwife, and soon after, the midwife announced, "The mother and daughter are doing fine." Chen Dashun was overjoyed, celebrating the birth of their daughter, naming her Xuan.
Chen Dashun delightedly pointed out Xuan's resemblance to Chu Shaohua, while Chu Shaohua playfully noted Xuan's ears were like Dashun's, which he proudly claimed "bring good fortune." However, Chen's mother expressed her disappointment with a dismissive "Tch, a girl," and instructed Song Ping to give Chu Shaohua only a small portion from the celebratory meal of eggs, sending the rest to Chen's father.
Upon hearing of his granddaughter's birth, Chen's father, while accepting the news, openly voiced his hope for "the second one to be a boy." Chen's father then presented Xuan with a "Grandpa's gift for meeting you," but Chen's mother quickly interceded, saying, "Grandma will keep it for you." He then handed Chu Shaohua a red packet containing twenty silver dollars as a reward, acknowledging, "This year, our business jumped by 50 percent. Shaohua, it's all thanks to you."
Chu Shaohua, in turn, passed the money to Chen Dashun, telling him, "You manage all our family's money. You take it," to which he agreed to hold it for her, earning an approving nod from Chen's mother who remarked, "Shaohua is quite sensible." However, Chu Shaohua was far from content, murmuring, "However much he values me, all I got was 20 silver dollars. . . So the boost in business I brought in is only worth 20 silver dollars?
Or is that all I'm worth to this family?" She was clearly not satisfied with this level of reward or achievement. Chen Ershun, however, harbored resentment over Chu Shaohua receiving a red packet while he received nothing. He complained bitterly to Song Ping, "I was the one who delivered Yurong Powder to every house. Why did Father reward her but not me?"
When Song Ping meekly suggested, "Because she's capable," Chen Ershun lashed out at her, demanding, "When will you earn 20 silver dollars back for me?" Chen Dashun later observed Ershun's behavior, and noted Song Ping's struggles to assert herself, musing that he had repeatedly advised her to "shout right back" if he shouted, and "hit him back" if he tried to hit her. Chu Shaohua dryly responded, "Not everyone is like you."
Sometime later, Chu Shaohua informed Chen Dashun that "Ershun's accounts for the past two months don't quite add up," estimating a shortfall of "at least 200" silver dollars. When Chen Dashun asked if she was certain of embezzlement or merely a temporary financial maneuver, Chu Shaohua admitted she "wouldn't know that." Chen Dashun then suggested, "You ask him when no one else is around. Let's get this matter clear."
He offered to speak to his father if it confirmed embezzlement, warning that "if Ershun has really reverted to his old ways, Father won't give him another chance." Following Chen Dashun's suggestion, Chu Shaohua decided to confront Chen Ershun. She found him alone in the apothecary, as Chen Dashun, his father, and all the assistants were out on business.
When Chu Shaohua asked to speak with him, Chen Ershun, trying to flirt, remarked that she had "become even more stunning since giving birth" and attempted to touch her. Chu Shaohua deftly dodged his advances by offering him tea and then a snack, "cat ears," which he had brought for her, citing her hard work.
Chen Ershun continued his advances, lamenting that "it's such a waste not to doll yourself up" and promising, "Gemstone earrings, coming your way," implying her husband didn't treat her well. When he made another move, Chu Shaohua, feigning an accident, struck him on the forehead with a pestle, stating, "My hand slipped too," causing him to bleed. Later that evening, Chen Dashun returned home and suggested that Chen's mother take over caring for Xuan at night, citing Chu Shaohua's exhaustion.
However, Chu Shaohua refused, saying, "I just hate being away from Xuan." Shortly after, Chen's mother came to Chen Ershun, bringing him new insoles she had made. Noticing the injury on his forehead, she anxiously inquired, "What happened to your head?" Chen Ershun, unwilling to reveal the truth, lied, claiming he had "just bumped into a tree. No big deal." His mother, however, remained concerned.
The next morning, loan sharks appeared at Chen's Apothecary, demanding payment from Chen Ershun and declaring, "No money today, and we're not leaving." A clerk tried to deter them, explaining that Chen Ershun had gone to Shanxi to procure goods and "won't be back until tonight." Chu Shaohua arrived and questioned the clerk, Shitou, about the commotion.
Shitou informed her that the men had "came early this morning to collect a debt from Second Young Master," implying it was related to gambling. Learning that Chen's father would only return around noon, Chu Shaohua, determined to handle the situation, sent Shitou back inside and confronted the loan sharks, saying, "Gentlemen. You're here for Chen Ershun, right? I'm his sister-in-law."
