01x17 - Episode 17

[bunniefuu]

SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

I don't buy it.

Nothing's wrong?

Then why did you end up in the hospital
and take a whole day of sick leave?

I warned you before not to travel so much.

See what happened?

When did you ever warn me?
You definitely didn't.

Because you knew I had a fire in my belly.

I just couldn't accept it.

You beat me to project manager
so much earlier.

Even if you took it over halfway through.

Show some respect
in front of your superior.

Okay, okay, boss.

Don't worry. I definitely
won't push myself that hard anymore.

If I end up in the hospital again,

I'll drink ten bottles
of your nourishing soup.

Let's talk business.

Once you're done with your project,

do you want to help me keep an eye
on the actuarial side?

I'll pass.

I want to take it easy next week.

Once things wrap up
with the IT Department,

I'll cut back on overtime
and spend more time with him.

You're not working overtime?

I feel like I really need to rethink
the meaning of my life.

The meaning of life?

Don't tell me you're gonna--

Getting sick actually
changed you a bit, huh?

If you wanna say I got prettier,
just say it.

Let me tell you, 12 hours of sleep
works better than any cosmetic procedure.

Look at those dark circles of yours…

Those are natural.

What's wrong? You two got into it again?

What is wrong with Shen Jin?

I just saw him
posting lovey-dovey stuff with Lin

on Moments a couple of days ago.

I'll have Lin tear him a new one.

What good would that do?

Actually, Zhao Heng was right.

I think I've been avoiding it.

I don't think

I've ever really treated him
like a real boyfriend.

You know what the problem is, so fix it.

It's not that easy.

You watched him scheme
step by step to win me over.

Yeah.

He treats me really well.

But when he suddenly goes cold on me,
I get scared he's gaslighting me.

If I give in this time, what if one day

he gets stronger

and decides he won't put up
with my bad temper anymore?

What do I do then?

And my dad…

My dad won't give me anything.

He's leaving it all to my brother.
What am I supposed to do?

I get it.

At the end of the day, you're just scared
you'll lose in this relationship.

You're actually nowhere near
as confident as you pretend to be.

-That's not it.
-Not it?

-No.
-Okay then.

Then just keep giving him
the cold shoulder like before.

But what if he doesn't come to me anymore?

Let him go, of course.
There are plenty of men out there.

-No.
-Why not?

I like him. I can't be without--

Missy, stop pretending you're tough.

Since you like him,
just be firm and brave.

Love isn't strategic consulting.

You don't need to plan every move.

Yeah, no one knows what the future holds.

But at least enjoy the present.

Forget it. Just do whatever.

Anyway, there are tons
of rich, pretty girls out there.

After he finishes the Celestial project,

he can take that track record
to the next company and find someone new.

I think that works too.

It's me. Come to the front desk right now.

I need to talk to you.

-Come with me.
-Where to?

To meet clients.

International Equestrian Culture Week?

What are clients doing here?

-Isn't that one my horse?
-Yes, you are right.

-Dad!
-Look, that one's picking up.

Hello, Mr. Liu, Mr. Wang.

Nana's getting prettier and prettier.

Such a striking presence.

What are you doing here?

Siwei sponsored so many great events.

Of course, I had to come check it out.

Oh, let me introduce you
to my boyfriend, Zhao Heng.

He's also my colleague at Maxmise.

Nana's got good taste.

Really good. Not bad at all.

Say hi.

-Hi, Mr. Bu.
-Hello.

Hello, Mr. Liu, Mr. Wang.

I'll go say hi to the other elders.

Nana…

Look at Nana's boyfriend.

He's actually pretty great.

Nice. Nice.

Weren't you forcing me to choose?

Now I've chosen.

I just told my dad and all his friends
that you're my boyfriend.

-There's no backing out now.
-Wait, Tianna--

Save it. Let me tell you.

Right now, my dad cares
too much about his precious image

to come running out and yell at me.

But after this,
I'm definitely in for a storm.

Weren't you determined
to be the ultimate schemer?

Then you must have all kinds of plans
for dealing with my dad.

Put them together
and send them over to me.

I'm heading back to Celestial.

What are you doing?

Happy wife, happy life.

I'm really happy right now.

Because you must love me so much
to say all that in front of your dad.

From what I know,
you're not usually that bold.

Stop talking nonsense. What do you know?

I just know.

Yuanzhou Gallery is suspected

of colluding with overseas platforms
in a rat-trading scheme.

{\an8}Market value has plunged nearly 60%.

{\an8}-Back up!
-Regulators

{\an8}-have moved in to investigate on site.
-Step back!

{\an8}Back up!

{\an8}Step back.

{\an8}Don't push!

Give us an answer!

Xinzhi!

Come quick!

What's wrong?

You guys move fast.

-I looked away for a few days,
-Step back!

and it's already come to this?

-Step back!
-Pay up!

While you were wrapping up
the Celestial project,

-Du and I were busy with this.
-Please comment on the situation!

Once the first domino falls,

the rest will follow.

He had it coming.

Karma never misses.

He's been reaching out
to everyone he can lately.

I only went on that business trip
because I didn't want to see him.

You sly fox.

Move aside! Step back!

Don't push. Step back.

Say it again.

I like hearing it.

You bit me.

I like hearing that too.

Mom.

Mrs. Bu. Hello.

I brought you your favorite

-Zhang's Crispy Pastries.
-Right.

Come to the table.
The food's getting cold.

Tianna, where's the toy you brought me?

-Right here.
-Say thank you to Zhao Heng.

Wrong. It's Brother-in-Law Zhao.

Let me ask you, where's Dad?

Was he mad? Did he lose his temper?

He just fought with Mom and smashed a cup.

It's fine. We'll play it by ear.

Dad… Dad.

Jie, stop playing. Come eat.

Okay.

What's going on? The silent treatment?

It's fine.

Eat.

Eat up.

-Dad. Mom.
-No talking at meals.

Don't forget the rules
your mom taught you.

After all,
that's the Bu family upbringing.

Especially with an outsider here.

Mom.

I want to go to the bathroom.

Take him, ma'am.

No. Mom, I want you to take me.

Go on. Take him.

Okay.

I'll take him.

You brat.

Let's go.

I'm done eating.

Dad!

I brought a whole living,
breathing person home.

You can't just act like you don't see him.

I see him.

What else do you expect from me?

He's my boyfriend!

Enough.

Tianna, how you define your relationship
is your own business.

You're all grown up.

Your mom and I
respect you unconditionally.

Do whatever you want.

I'm pregnant!

Are you gonna stay indifferent
after hearing that too?

You're not lying to me, are you?

I'm not. It's been three months!

Have you no shame?

Are you okay?

What are you doing, Dad?

I'm fine. It's alright.

Mr. Bu, she's just saying that
out of spite.

We haven't reached that point yet.

Don't worry.

It's okay.

I know you definitely don't like me,

but considering that slap I just took,

could you please spare me three minutes

to hear me out?

Speak.

It's fine.

I know why you allowed me
at the table earlier.

And I know…

why you gave me the silent treatment.

Because you know perfectly well

that forcing us apart…

would only trigger Tianna's rebellion.

Who knows, we might
end up even more inseparable.

But the cold shoulder
is a whole different game.

You know I'll be stewing with frustration.

And once the honeymoon phase fades,

you figure a punk like me,

with his pride bruised,

would end up in a huge fight with Tianna.

Is that slick tongue of yours
how you won Tianna over?

Plus this face and my brain.

You might not know this,

but Tianna and I
have actually talked a lot.

I know what you want.

A legacy that lasts forever, right?

The fact that I can work alongside Tianna
already proves what I'm capable of.

If you're really not sure Tianna
can handle the company on her own,

then would bringing me
into the picture boost the odds?

And I know what you're worried about.

I can sign a notarized agreement with you.

I promise

that I'll never, directly or indirectly,
hold any equity in Siwei Group.

And…

if Tianna and I ever break up…

I'll lose all management
authority immediately.

After all, passion is fleeting,

but interests are forever.

As long as I'm working toward
my own future,

I'll always love her.

What do you think?

Dad.

Tianna, come play with me.

Stop it.

I'll join you guys in a bit. Okay?

Even better!

Jie, quit messing around.

Come with me.

A quick word with you.

Does it hurt?

It's okay.

So, how would you rate
my performance today?

What's wrong? Not happy?

I know. It's definitely
because of what I said to your dad.

He's a businessman.

The only way he'd actually listen to me

was if I talked to him
in terms of pros and cons.

How much do you love me for me,

and how much for what I can give you?

You, 70%. The benefits, 30%.

Not bad.

At least it's not 50-50 or 60-40.

Come on.

I won't repeat
all those sweet things to you.

I want us to work together
to turn whatever benefits you bring

into our shared benefits.

Don't let me down.

Got it.

My work is pretty much done here.

I won't go to Celestial today.

I'll give you and Zhao Heng
some alone time.

Miss Xu. You have to help me.

The bank pulled my loan approval.

Mr. Deng says the earn-out clause
has been triggered.

He wants me to sell

-all my shares per the agreement.
-Bye.

Richard's gone off the grid.

You're the only one who can help me now.

You brokered the funding

for Yuanzhou and Morse.

So, you have to ask Mr. Deng

-to give me more time.
-Sorry.

I only know how to broker deals.

Don't know anything
about what comes after.

You should just talk to Mr. Deng.

Sorry, I have to go.

Walk out that door,
and I swear I'll ruin your face.

I'm not that stupid.

At this point, I know

you and Ye Xinzhi teamed up
to set a trap for me.

He knows me. Tell him to come see me.

Otherwise, if I'm pushed to the edge,
no one gets off easy.

Trying to add intentional as*ault

to your financial crimes, are you?

Then you won't be the only one going down.

Your kid goes down with you.

Are you trying to push me over the edge?

YE XINZHI

Du said Wen Ruosen came to C&C
looking for me.

If he comes to you too, bring him to me.

Xinzhi.

My kid's only eight.

I really don't want
to jump off a building.

But if you don't save me,
I really will jump.

Are you really going to watch me do it?

Xinzhi. I'm begging you.

Save me.

No need for that. Chi.

Can you grab some food?

He definitely hasn't been
eating properly lately.

He can't even stand straight.

HANDMADE EGG ROLL COOKIES

If we're talking taste, I'd recommend…

This one's got the best flavor.

Thanks.

Let me introduce myself.

I'm Wang Yuan, Woody.

An associate partner at C&C.

Hi. I'm Xu Chi.

I don't work here. I'm Richard's guest.

I know who you are.
You're one of Maxmise's top people.

Mr. Zheng from Celestial
is an old classmate of mine.

He brings you up all the time.

Always singing your praises.

So this is the best we can do?

It's the best possible way out

I could offer you.

Thank you.

Very well.

Ye Xinzhi.

You're ruthless.

Just because I made you
take the fall back then,

you spent ten whole years
scheming to get back at me.

What are you talking about?

Doesn't matter.

You'll end up like me sooner or later.

Publicly vilified.

Scandal everywhere.

You won't escape any of it.

Is that so?

I trained you back then.

Now you're training her.

You are my payback.

And she is your payback down the road.

Because she is colder than you
and way more ruthless.

One day, she'll kick you to the curb

and take your place completely.

Done talking?

I gave him a plan.

Things have come to this.

He has to hand over all his shares
per the earn-out agreement.

Eighty percent of the sale proceeds

go to compensating the victims
from Jingshang Department Store

for what they went through.

The remaining 20% covers fines

and offsets the losses
of employees and investors.

I also introduced him
to my good friend, lawyer Bai Xiao.

If he really has no criminal liability,

I'll go talk to Deng

and see if I can get
his industry ban waived.

This isn't what you originally planned?

Can't just drive him into the ground.

I can't exactly

push him to jump, can I?

So what's he got left in the end?

With his drive,
if he looks for the right opening,

he could still make a comeback, I think.

Just like I did back then.

But he's getting old.

He doesn't have the edge
you had back then.

Your plan was a complete success.

I thought you'd be thrilled.

I thought so too.

Maybe when I saw

Yuanzhou's employees
being hauled in for questioning,

all of them scared out of their minds…

I started to regret it a little.

I get it.

I don't think I can just
casually comfort you and say,

if they really broke the law,
then getting taken in is only fair.

And if they're innocent,
the law will clear their names.

Because I've also been through
a suspension and an investigation.

Back then, I knew I was innocent,

but inside, I was still filled
with dread and fear.

And even if they're really fine,

based on how Morse usually handles assets,

most of them will still get laid off.

We chose this high-risk industry
and took the high pay,

so we should be
mentally prepared for instability.

But we're all human.

We have feelings.

We hurt. We get scared.

Yeah.

Revenge…

isn't exactly a happy thing.

I never thought

that hitting a ten-year goal

out of nowhere

would feel like this.

I think I'm suddenly…

a little lost.

I think I am too, a bit.

The Celestial project is almost over.

What?

Come on, I'll join you for a drink.

To the Celestial Insurance project
wrapping up smoothly. Cheers.

-Cheers.
-Cheers!

Great work this time.

-Thanks for looking out for me.
-Hope we work together again.

This one just ended.
The next one's about to start.

Yes. It's about to start.

-Come on, let's drink.
-Come on.

Come on.

What's wrong?

I just realized this is the first project
we finished at Maxmise.

I'm a little sad to see it end.

Getting sentimental?

It's only the first year.
There are decades ahead.

There'll definitely be dozens

or hundreds of even better projects
waiting for us.

Come on.

Our future is gonna be out of this world.

-Out of this world.
-Here.

Come on, cheers.

Xu Chi.

You're on the beach right now. Here.

Take a look. Which of these projects
are you interested in?

Okay.

PROJECT PROPOSAL OF ANTAI UNITED INSURANCE

PROJECT PROPOSAL OF HUARUI INSURANCE

Why are they all insurance companies?

You just finished the Celestial project.

You know this industry inside out.

Sha Sha's giving you a shot.
You know your stuff.

Once you join the team,
you'll be the go-to person.

After this project,
you'll be set to move up to consultant.

But I don't want to get stuck
bouncing around one industry this early.

Actually, I'm more interested

in the broader space of digital finance.

A lot of the time,

your personal interests
and your career path just don't line up.

So you have to think it through
and know what to give up.

Isn't there a way to have both?

I hope the company can give me
more say in my own career development.

Everyone wants that.

If you ever find a company like that,
call me right away.

We'll leave together.

Lin.

I've got another career question.

Can you help me figure it out?

Sure.

Ms. Sha.

Come in.

Have you thought it over? Which project?

C&C CONSULTING

Mr. Ye.

The files you asked for.

-Thanks. Nice work.
-No worries.

You're the one pulling the long hours.

You were in Hong Kong, China,
for a whole week,

didn't even go home,
and came straight to the office?

I need to wrap up
what's on my plate first,

then I might take a long break.

What kind of leave?

Don't tell me it's marriage leave?

New hire again?

Yes.

Wang Yuan poached a really sharp girl
to come on as a consultant.

Starting today, you're part
of the C&C consulting team.

Welcome to the C&C family.

Great! Welcome!

Alright! Now,

let's keep pushing!

-Let's go!
-Let's go!

Looking forward to working with you.

-Welcome.
-Thank you.

So what's going on?

I wanted to surprise you.

Surprise?

Hi. I'm Xu Chi.

First time here?

-Yes.
-What do you think of the place?

It's nice.

Just seems a little different
from Maxmise's vibe.

I noticed nobody's working late.

We're a local consulting firm.

And these past couple of years,
we've been promoting

a more relaxed way of working.

We encourage working from home.

Plus, with the consultant pool system,

everyone's efficiency has gone way up.

No more trading your health
for your career.

-Want some coffee?
-No thanks.

What's this consultant pool system
you mentioned?

It's a management system derived
from the lawyer pool model.

How do I put this?

Traditional consulting firms
are all team-based, right?

Junior consultants
can only follow a fixed partner team.

So the work they're exposed to
is pretty narrow.

But with a consultant pool,
it's different.

Even young consultants
can work on individual projects

and communicate both ways
with different teams.

That way, young consultants

can quickly find
their own lane and domain.

And there's less friction between teams.

So? Interested in giving it a shot?

Are you poaching me?

Actually, people move
between consulting firms all the time.

Besides, my team
is always hungry for talent.

Thanks so much.

But I'm doing pretty well at Maxmise.

Plus,

I'm actually Richard's girlfriend.

So even if I were going to jump ship, I…

But Richard is on another project,

and his team is already full.

Let me share a personal experience.

Most of the time, people don't jump ship
because they can't hack it where they are.

It's because a wise person
knows which ship to board.

You're still an SBA at Maxmise, right?

Here's the thing. Come work with me.

I'll give you a consultant title.

Once the next project wraps up,

I'll recommend you for project manager.

That's really tempting.

But still, thank you.

No problem.

Think it over.

Here's my card.

-Thanks.
-Great running into you here.

That day you said here

that suddenly hitting your goal
felt like losing your direction.

Honestly, me too.

I've been at Maxmise for over a year
and finished two projects.

I've learned so much.

By all logic, I should feel satisfied.

But I keep remembering
what you told me that day.

You said work shouldn't be our whole life,

and we should spend more time
together going forward.

But if I stay at Maxmise,

it's really hard to do that
and still keep up my pace of promotions.

You know how it is.

My track record at Maxmise right now

is mostly the result of me
grinding myself to the bone.

So when Wang Yuan
promised you a consultant title,

you were tempted?

The higher you go,
the harder it is to move up.

It took Lin a full five years
to become a consultant.

I don't want to waste that much time,

and I don't want to be stuck
in the same pigeonhole forever.

But C&C's consultant pool

gives me way more flexibility
to pick projects that actually fit me.

Lin and Tianna both told me
to grab this opportunity.

Xinzhi,

I really do want to have
more time with you.

Now that you're coming to work with me,
of course, I'm happy.

But it would've been better
if you'd given me a heads-up.

After all, I know C&C better than you do.

-I…
-Let me go pour you some tea.

I wanted to tell you,

but you were traveling nonstop
for a while there.

And my second and third interviews
didn't go that great.

So I was even more scared to tell you.

What if I got cut?
That'd be so embarrassing.

Good thing I ended up getting the offer.

Just to be clear upfront.

I don't want people gossiping
that I only got in because of you.

So don't put me on your team yet.

Let me work a project or two
with other teams

in the consultant pool
and become a veteran.

Have you gotten addicted
to going undercover?

Our relationship is not exactly a secret.

I was gonna talk to you about it.

Once I get through this busy stretch,
let's go on a trip.

I'm in no mood for a trip right now.

Here's what I'm thinking.

Well, career-wise,
I want people to see us as,

not exactly equals,

but at least not too far apart in rank.

Once I finish two projects,
I'll definitely make project manager.

And even if some people
in the industry know about us,

hardly anyone at the company does.

So I don't want to broadcast it.

At least not until everyone here
actually recognizes what I can do.

Just wait for me. Please?

Okay.

Miss Xu, on behalf of C&C, welcome.

Now we can commute,

travel for work, and go home together.

So don't be mad at me anymore.

I'm not mad.

You really aren't?

Really?

-Then I'm heading out to work.
-Go on.

"Honey, we can commute,

travel for work, and go home together."

"Alright?"

-Are you out of your mind?
-You're such a menace.

You… Wait.

So you mean
you have to keep it low-key at work,

sneak around with an office romance,

and hide it all from your colleagues?

Nice.

Now the tables have turned.

So you're in charge now.

That's called adding some spice.

Spice.

Didn't you and Zhao Heng
used to be like this?

I don't really get
this "spice" thing of yours.

Me and Zhao Heng…

He completely dances to my tune. Okay?

Can't say the same for you
and Ye Xinzhi, though.

Who says? Ye Xinzhi treats me great.

Way better than Zhao Heng treats you.

Zhao Heng treats me pretty well.

But honestly, after you left Maxmise,
I've been thinking about quitting too.

Go back to your dad's company?

Though my family
has accepted Zhao Heng now,

I'm still not sure deep down.

I figure it might be better
if I go work at my dad's company.

Once I'm settled,
Zhao Heng can come help me

or stay in consulting.

Either way, I've got options.

So you're not gonna be a partner?

Ever since I met you,
becoming a partner was your big dream.

Girl, running Siwei Group
and being a partner at Maxmise

aren't even in the same league. Okay?

That's not what you used to say.

I get it now. It's the magic of love.

Does Zhao Heng know
you're doing all this for him?

Well, I… I…

I'm going back to Siwei Group
to take back my spot as the heiress.

He's just playing a supporting role.
He doesn't need to know all this.

I get it. He's Bu Shoes-On.

I'm Shoes-Off.

Hey, I gotta say, you're such a menace,

-I swear.
-Who are you calling a menace?

B.t let me warn you,

If you go back and your dad sticks you
in some department with a fancy name,

like PR or venture capital, don't take it.

Go for the departments that actually
control the company's core business.

Don't worry. I know what I'm doing.

-That's good then.
-There's a vacancy

for a manager at the Finance Center.

I'll go fill that spot first.

With my experience
from the Celestial Insurance project,

I should be able to handle it.
Should be fine.

Good.