Episode 19 recap: Ling Zi and A Bao went their separate ways.
When it comes to doing business, there are different approaches: one that emphasizes personal relationships and another that doesn't. Ling Zi closed down her restaurant in Tokyo and opened one on Nanjing Road, openly competing with Li Li. A Bao wanted to meet with Qiang Mu Jie but didn't want to trouble Ye Shu, so he asked Commander Cai to invite You Piao Li and Fat Auntie.
Ling Zi and A Bao went their separate ways and independently managed the Tokyo Night restaurant. Ling Zi, who always appeared carefree, claimed she never kept records, but she surprised everyone by presenting meticulously organized daily accounts. Ye Shu started to see Ling Zi in a new light. Tokyo Night hired a renovation team to refurbish the restaurant, and Tao Tao, Ling Hong, and Teacher Ge took photos as mementos. The place held many beautiful memories for them, and Tao Tao vividly remembered Ling Zi's first arrival at Tokyo Night.
This story begins in 1990 when, as a token of gratitude for Ling Zi's help in Japan, A Bao rented a storefront on Jin Xian Road and opened a small restaurant called Tokyo Night, appointing Ling Zi as the landlady. Upon receiving A Bao's letter, Ling Zi wasted no time and traveled from Japan to Shanghai. She found Tokyo Night following the address. A Bao was there with workers, renovating the place. Though the restaurant was small, it had an excellent location, and A Bao believed Ling Zi could make it successful. Ling Zi couldn't refuse such a sincere invitation and took on the role of the landlady.
Ling Zi had everything in the restaurant thrown away and changed the entire layout. She wanted to completely break away from the past. Teacher Ge was deeply concerned and wanted to intervene, but Tao Tao forcibly pulled him away. Wang Mingzhu and Wei Hongqing teamed up to start a company named "Mingzhu Trading." Wei Hongqing wanted to invite 70 to 80 tables of guests to celebrate the grand opening, but he was short on funds. He planned to rely on reputation to extend credit. He first went to Honglu Restaurant, but the landlady refused, citing limited capacity. Lu Mei Lin saw Wei Hongqing's disappointment and suggested he hold the celebration at Zhi Zhen Garden, deliberately avoiding Li Li and Wang Mingzhu.
Mr. Wei looked for a restaurant on Huanghe Road but couldn't find one willing to take the order. He was greatly disappointed. Unexpectedly, Li Li took the initiative to approach him and offered all 88 tables, wishing their company great success. Wei Hongqing was extremely grateful to Li Li and wasted no time sending out invitations while personally overseeing the redecoration of Zhi Zhen Garden.
Today is the opening day of Wang Mingzhu and Wei Hongqing's company. Tao Tao sent seafood to Zhi Zhen Garden and called A Bao, only to find out that A Bao was on a business trip to Ningbo.
Wei Hongqing had Li Li prepare banners and a cake, and he dressed up carefully. He arrived early at Zhi Zhen Garden, and the guests laughed, calling him the groom. Wei Hongqing happily accepted the title.
Wang Mingzhu was late to arrive. A few days ago, she had sent an invitation to the cigarette stall owner, and Wei Hongqing had already sent one to him as well. He mocked Wang Mingzhu, which instantly dampened her mood. Wang Mingzhu went to Jin Hua to vent her frustrations. Jin Hua kindly advised her and even gave her his most beloved stamp collection, suggesting she sell it for money. Wang Mingzhu firmly refused because it was Jin Hua's most precious possession. Jin Hua just wanted to help her through the difficult times. Wang Mingzhu reluctantly accepted the gift, moved to tears.
Wang Mingzhu arrived late and handed the stamp collection to Li Li as payment for the meal. Li Li believed that Wang Mingzhu could manage the company well. Fan Xinhua, fueled by alcohol, sarcastically attacked and belittled Wei Hongqing, mocking his unrequited love for Wang Mingzhu. Fan Xinhua threatened to leave if Wang Mingzhu didn't show up soon. Wei Hongqing was speechless with anger. Just in the nick of time, Wang Mingzhu arrived to save the situation. She personally cut the cake and distributed it to everyone, then enjoyed a cheerful conversation with the guests.
Fan Xinhua waited until 11 o'clock, but A Bao still hadn't shown up. He and Wang Mingzhu said their goodbyes, ready to leave. Wei Hongqing insisted that Fan Xinhua wait until A Bao arrived before leaving. However, A Bao never appeared. Fan Xinhua couldn't wait any longer and left. At that moment, Little Ning Bo hurriedly arrived at Zhi Zhen Garden in a brand-new Cadillac. A Bao instructed him to give the car to Wang Mingzhu. Wang Mingzhu handed the car keys to Mr. Pan, asking him to return them to A Bao.
The 20-million-yuan Cadillac attracted a lot of people who gathered to see it. They envied Wang Mingzhu, but she believed that A Bao used the car to sever ties with her. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
I think Ling Zi went to Zhi Zhen Garden for two reasons. Firstly, she wanted to see what kind of dishes were popular on Huanghe Road, and secondly, she wanted to tell Li Li that she was ready to step out from behind the scenes of Ye Dongjing.
Previously, Ling Zi's role in collaborating with A Bao in Ye Dongjing was to be A Bao's spiritual support, a place where A Bao could "live," and a form of insurance for A Bao. She always said that A Bao was the shareholder, and she was just the manager.
The purpose of opening Ye Dongjing was primarily for A Bao, as they were a unit.
However, after the earring incident, Ling Zi realized that she and A Bao were ultimately not on the same path. In the future, she would have to rely on herself and return to her life trajectory before meeting A Bao, transitioning from a manager to becoming the owner of her own restaurant.
Li Li came and quickly gained attention on Huanghe Road within a few months. She must have had exceptional skills, and her dishes were prepared by a chef team personally selected by Mr. Bao and Ye Shu.
They had the ability, creativity, and uniqueness.
Ling Zi wanted to open her own restaurant with the goal of differentiating herself from the restaurants on Huanghe Road. She needed to understand her competitors well.
When Ling Zi arrived at Zhi Zhen Garden with 500 RMB, it was the secret code for Li Li to find Mr. Bao at Ye Dongjing.
Li Li used the 500 RMB to buy information about Mr. Bao, and it was Ling Zi's way of doing her a favor.
Now it was Ling Zi's turn to ask Li Li for this favor, and naturally, Li Li would repay it. The value of the dish was not about the dish itself or the 500 RMB, but rather the content that matched the favor Li Li owed.
Li Li was someone who used strategy and valued loyalty. In this sense, she and Mr. Bao were similar. When she received help from others, she would remember it and help those who had helped her when she had the opportunity.
Lastly, Ling Zi was telling Li Li that Ye Dongjing was different now. In the future, she also wanted to step into the spotlight and become a boss with her own position. Her relationship with Mr. Bao would not be the same as before.
As the eldest among the three of them, she had to move forward faster.
Miss Wang, with the support of Boss Bao, has come a long way from being Comrade Xiao Wang to the Miss Wang she is today. Her success in her career owes much to Boss Bao. Even Miss Wang's superior, Chief Jin, feels that Boss Bao has protected her too well.
Before any troubles could reach her, Boss Bao always shields her from harm.
As a result, Miss Wang, who is vibrant and straightforward, remains unaware of the treacherous nature of people's hearts. Due to her outstanding performance, Miss Wang is on the verge of a promotion and is likely to become a department head.
However, her smooth career path arouses envy and sets her up for sabotage by her colleague Mei Ping. A single report leads to an investigation against Miss Wang, and her chances of promotion as a department head become slim.
Although she had thought of resigning early on and wanted to be with Boss Bao, Miss Wang believes that even if she sells tea eggs, she should do it with integrity, rather than being falsely accused as she is now.
This dilemma deeply troubles Miss Wang, who has always upheld her principles and boundaries. Eventually, the situation reaches a point where she has to choose between Boss Bao and her job.
She knows her feelings for Boss Bao, but she doesn't know what Boss Bao thinks.
Meeting Boss Bao is her way of confirming his intentions. However, this time, she didn't receive a response from A Bao... Why did A Bao not show up for the appointment?
I think A Bao also has feelings for Miss Wang. He remembers when they first met, and Miss Wang said she wanted to become a Jin Hua, just like her master, on the 27th.
Comrade Xiao Wang's dream has always been in his heart. Over the years, he has wanted to help her fulfill her dream.
If he had gone to the appointment, it would have undoubtedly strengthened Miss Wang's resolve to resign. It would have meant giving up her dream for him.
A Bao doesn't want her to have regrets. Only their true brother, Tao Tao, realizes that something is amiss with A Bao. The last time A Bao had this expression was when he was heartbroken after his first love.
Boss Bao is also deeply distressed.
Couples, indeed, have the most unsolvable problems.
The incident at Jin Meilin's private room on Huanghe Road dealt a severe blow to Miss Wang's dignity. In the past, whenever Miss Wang was mentioned, who on Huanghe Road wouldn't give her face? It was well-known that Boss Bao doted on Miss Wang.
Miss Wang represented Boss Bao. However, ever since Miss Wang temporarily left No. 27 due to a malicious report by a colleague and returned to Huanghe Road, she went to Jin Meilin to reserve a spot. As a result, she was publicly harassed by Lu Mei Lin.
The two sides even got into a physical altercation. In the end, Boss Bao took a slap on behalf of Miss Wang, concluding the matter.
Boss Bao, the top figure on Huanghe Road, such a proud person, took a slap to protect Miss Wang's honor.
Witnessing all of this, Miss Wang's emotions erupted, and tears flowed uncontrollably. From that moment on, Miss Wang made a decision – she would create her own harbor. She would earn back her own dignity, and she would definitely reclaim the slap from Boss Bao.
With a career-oriented mind, Miss Wang decided to resign from No. 27 and held a business promotion event, inviting many previous business owners with whom she had a good relationship.
However, apart from Mr. Wei and Mr. Fan, no one showed up at the promotion event.
This incident made Miss Wang deeply realize that her previous glory on Huanghe Road was all a facade. People on Huanghe Road used to treat Miss Wang with respect, largely because of Boss Bao's influence. Now that Miss Wang has left No.
27 and gone separate ways with Boss Bao, no one is willing to do business with her.
Ultimately, businessmen prioritize their own interests, and when they cannot see the value in Miss Wang, few would choose to invest. Therefore, once it became clear that Miss Wang's business promotion had nothing to do with Boss Bao, no one would attend the appointment.
However, as Mr. Wei, Miss Wang's loyal supporter, said, gold will always shine! We look forward to Miss Wang, who is determined to succeed in her career, becoming her own harbor in Hongkou.