Episode 23 recap: Xu Ban Xia failed to win the bid for the Second Steel Plant.
President Gao presided over the bidding ceremony and talked about the changes in the steel industry over the past few decades. She expressed her deep emotions as workers were laid off due to the wave of reforms, and the bidders brought new hope to the Second Steel Plant. She hoped that the Second Steel Plant would thrive. The bidding for the Second Steel Plant was about to begin, and President Gao thanked everyone for their participation, seeing a glimmer of hope in the reform of state-owned enterprises. At this moment, Xu Ban Xia paced anxiously alone on the pier, with a slightly furrowed brow indicating her inner restlessness.
The bidding started with a starting price of 30 million. Wu Jian She was not in a hurry, as it was just the beginning and they didn't need to make a move yet. When the price rose to 40 million, Wu Jian She began bidding, and Zhao Lei frequently added the minimum increment of 500,000, quickly driving the price up to 47 million.
Xu Ban Xia heard everything clearly on the phone and immediately instructed Zhao Lei to raise the bid to 49 million. Wu Jian She was unsure when Zhao Lei directly stated his bottom line, so he made a phone call to discuss with Qiu Bi Zheng.
Feng Yu believed that the price was unreasonably high and advised Wu Jian She to stop, but both Qiu Bi Zheng and Wu Jian She believed that they had reached a point where they could only continue to raise the bid, so they increased it to 50 million. Xu Ban Xia instructed Zhao Lei to keep bidding, but Zhao Lei remained silent on the phone until the auctioneer announced the price three times, and with the final hammer strike, it was declared that Wu Jian She had won the bid for the Second Steel Plant.
Wu Jian She's group was extremely happy, cheering and celebrating together. Xu Ban Xia, feeling distressed, teared up a little. After all, Zhao Lei was the man to whom she had entrusted her heart and complete trust. She never expected him to fail at such a crucial moment, dealing her a fatal blow and causing her and the Second Steel Plant to miss out on the opportunity.
Xu Ban Xia sat dejectedly on the edge of the pier, looking at the sea in front of her, feeling a sense of desolation in her heart. In the evening, Xu Ban Xia, in a bad mood, had a few drinks by the street, constantly reminiscing about her unwavering belief in winning the Second Steel Plant and her efforts to fulfill Chen Yu Zhou's dream, which now seemed like a joke.
Feng Yu found her and wanted to accompany her for a few drinks, but Xu Ban Xia declined, saying she had something to attend to, and she got up and left alone. In the hospital, Chen Yu Zhou quietly got out of bed, dressed himself, and woke up Zhou Qian in the next bed, taking her with him. Chen Yu Zhou had long wanted to go to the Maldives, and now that his health was deteriorating, if he didn't go now, he feared he would never have another chance in this lifetime.
Zhou Qian was worried about Chen Yu Zhou's health, and Chen Yu Zhou himself was also afraid, but he was more afraid of not being able to go to the Maldives. Zhou Qian was worried that Xu Ban Xia and Tong Xiao Qi would chase after Chen Yu Zhou, but Chen Yu Zhou knew that they were all busy. If they could come, they would have a great time together, and if they didn't come, he would enjoy a private time with Zhou Qian.
After Zhao Lei returned home, he opened a bottle of red wine and waited for Xu Ban Xia while drinking. When he saw Xu Ban Xia return, he invited her to join him. Xu Ban Xia directly mocked Zhao Lei, thinking he came to see her failure. Zhao Lei said that the failed bidding was actually a good thing for Xu Ban Xia because it was a business deal that needed to be approached rationally.
Xu Ban Xia knew that Zhao Lei clearly understood the significance of the steel plant to her, but he still refused to raise the bid. Angry, she smashed a glass and told Zhao Lei to leave. After hastily packing his belongings, Zhao Lei walked to the door with his suitcase. He hesitated and turned back to tell Xu Ban Xia that Wu Jian She had indeed approached him before and allowed him to work in a foreign-funded steel company, offering him some equity shares.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ban Xia was so angry that she smashed another glass. Unable to hold back her tears, they streamed down her face. Tong Xiao Qi went to the hospital and found Chen Yu Zhou missing, so she quickly informed Xu Ban Xia. Gao Xin Yi discovered that not only Chen Yu Zhou and Zhou Qian had disappeared together, but their passports were also missing. She concluded that they were going to the Maldives and hurriedly went after them.
As Tong Xiao Qi drove, she recalled her time with Chen Yu Zhou, how they helped each other, and how Chen Yu Zhou took care of her. She couldn't help but feel anxious, and she pressed down on the accelerator, increasing the speed. When Xu Ban Xia arrived at the airport, Tong Xiao Qi had just arrived as well. The two split up to search for Chen Yu Zhou. Just before boarding, Tong Xiao Qi found Chen Yu Zhou.
Knowing Chen Yu Zhou's wish to go to the Maldives, Tong Xiao Qi tried to rush up and pull him back, but Xu Ban Xia held her back. Suddenly, Chen Yu Zhou fell ill, coughing up blood. He was immediately rushed back to the hospital in an ambulance.
Chen Yu Zhou's condition worsened this time, and he was only awake for a few hours each day. Zhou Qian took care of him attentively, but knowing that the man she loved was approaching death day by day, she couldn't help but break down emotionally. She blamed Xu Ban Xia for tormenting her by using money as an incentive.
Zhao Lei was considering the company's interests, wanting to acquire Banxia at the lowest cost, while Xiaochen insisted on showing results. They had different perspectives, and it led to an argument. Sob, sob, sob.
Brother-in-law is so determined. Despite Xu Banxia's desperate plea for a higher price, he stayed firm. I hope Banxia can understand his good intentions.