Episode 27 recap: Li Li and A Bao confessed their feelings for each other.
After Ye Shu left, A Bao's life remained unchanged. Li Li advised A Bao to leave himself a backup plan, but A Bao had no more retreat. The New Year's Day of 1993 was destined to be extraordinary. Ye Shu went to great lengths to help A Bao secure a Walmart order, hoping to pave a way for him, but was beaten to it by Wang Mingzhu. Ye Shu tried everything to prevent Wang Mingzhu from completing the Walmart order, unaware that A Bao secretly helped Wang Mingzhu find a garment factory. Ye Shu was furious and stormed out.
When Wang Mingzhu learned that the Tianma Garment Factory was connected by A Bao and the price was very favorable, she hesitated but ultimately gave up. Fan Xinhua pleaded with Wang Mingzhu to reconsider, but she left determinedly, just to save face. A Bao then helped Wang Mingzhu find the Qicai Garment Factory, keeping it a secret from Fan Xinhua.
As the New Year's bell rang, the streets were bustling with lights and fireworks, the whole country celebrating the arrival of 1994. Wang Mingzhu celebrated the new year with her workers. A Bao was perplexed, unable to understand why Wang Mingzhu rejected his help. On that New Year's Day, the government announced the unification of the exchange rate, eliminating the exchange rate gap, and the RMB exchange rate surged overnight, turning Wang Mingzhu's Walmart order from a loss into a profit, making her an industry legend.
A Bao involuntarily came to the hotpot restaurant, where he unexpectedly encountered Li Li, who didn't want to talk business today, just wanting to have a relaxed New Year's Eve dinner with A Bao. A Bao couldn't help but recall the times he and Xue Zhi had hotpot with many others at Hongshunxing, where he could only see half of Xue Zhi's face. Xue Zhi didn't live to see their 10-year promise, as she passed away in Hong Kong in November 1993 after their last meeting, and A Bao rushed to Hong Kong to mourn her.
Li Li, under the influence of alcohol, revealed the reason for her abrupt departure. She had witnessed Mr. Jin's tragic demise, which deeply affected her. That very night, she went to find Strongmujie. Although she had changed her name to Li Li, the indelible memory of her being Chen Zhen could never be erased. Li Li could use the At-Zhen Garden as a bet for A Bao, but Chen Zhen could not. The money Li Li used to purchase the At-Zhen Garden was left behind by Mr. A before his passing. Now that he is gone, Li Li has not returned either. She has no regrets, for A Bao did not retreat like Mr. A.
A Bao vowed never to disappoint Li Li. Li Li reminded him to never trust the kindness of strangers. A Bao proactively reached out his warm hand to Li Li, making it clear that he was not a stranger. Li Li suddenly turned around and looked at A Bao with deep affection. She wanted to lean in and kiss him, but ultimately stopped and hurriedly walked away, leaving A Bao alone in the wind.
Wang Mingzhu worked overtime with her workers to fulfill the order. Fan Xinhua frequently came to visit her. Wang Mingzhu quickly calculated that this large order could bring a profit of 80,000 yuan. She was deeply grateful to Fan Xinhua, who needed to return home to spend the Chinese New Year with his family. Wang Mingzhu and him agreed to meet again in the future.
After Ye Shu left in a huff, A Bao's life continued as usual. He wanted to start anew. Coincidentally, he stumbled upon the account book that Ling Zi had brought, which included a deposit slip for A Bao. A Bao realized that the past had never truly left him.
The old doorkeeper of the Peace Hotel, Old Gu Guangrong, had retired, and his grandson, Little Gu, had taken over the position. He asked Little Gu to learn from A Bao about running a business. Little Gu was diligent, using every spare moment to study foreign languages, hoping to become as popular as his grandfather. A Bao took special care of him.
The bosses of the restaurants on Huang He Road planned to gather at the At-Zhen Garden for a meal, but Lu Meilin firmly refused to go, and the others had to cancel the plan.
Since Mr. Jin's death, the business at the Jin Meiling Restaurant had dwindled. Lu Meilin had to personally go out and solicit customers, but there were still few customers. Desperate, Lu Meilin came to Li Li for help, though she was unwilling to admit it. If Li Li were willing to lend a hand, Lu Meilin would ensure that Li Li's business on Huang He Road would thrive. If Li Li didn't help her through this difficult time, once someone took over the Jin Meiling Restaurant, it would mark the beginning of the decline of the At-Zhen Garden. Li Li refused, citing financial constraints, and Lu Meilin had no choice but to leave dejectedly. That very day, she packed up and left the Jin Meiling Restaurant, her heart filled with mixed emotions as she looked at the establishment she had worked so hard to build over the years.
Little Jiang Xi, without money to cover her medical expenses, had to leave the hospital. She packed her bags, intending to seek a new path. Before leaving, she came to bid farewell to Min Min and Lisa. Penniless, she had to pawn the ring Mr. Jin had given her to borrow money from Min Min. Min Min and Lisa gave Little Jiang Xi all the money they had. The three of them had come to Shanghai to work together, and now they were going their separate ways. Little Jiang Xi bid them tearful goodbyes.
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