Episode 12 recap: Xu Dao Ming Continues to Compete with Zhao Kai
In Episode 12, despite competitors raising employee salaries, Zhao Kai remains unfazed. The shareholders of three companies watch helplessly as a large amount of cash goes down the drain. The board quickly convenes and decides to stop increasing delivery personnel salaries and to lay off the newly hired high-salaried employees. When the news breaks, Xu Dao Ming faces a complete defeat against Zhao Kai. However, upon learning that employees who had submitted their resignations were being let go, Zhao Kai announces that he will welcome them back.
Xu Dao Ming's actions severely cross Song Qiao’s boundaries. She changes the code to her apartment door and puts Xu Dao Ming’s personal belongings in storage. While sorting through his things, she discovers a diamond ring, suggesting that Xu Dao Ming once had intentions of proposing.
Despite his defeat in the confrontation with Zhao Kai, Xu Dao Ming is not one to give up. He discreetly approaches shareholders of Chengfeng Capital, persuading them to sell their drone assets to quickly recoup their previous investments in the "Sky City" project. The shareholders agree to Xu Dao Ming’s decision to sell their stakes in the drone project, and even though Song Qiao opposes it, the shareholders now believe Xu Dao Ming has a stronger ability to generate profits than she does. Thus, while Song Qiao is the top executive, decisions still require shareholder consensus.
Xu Dao Ming seeks a meeting with Zhao Kai and mentions the sale of Chengfeng Capital shares. Zhao Kai sends Fang Fang to meet with him. Upon hearing that Xu Dao Ming plans to sell Chengfeng Capital’s shares to three competitors of Shidai Logistics, Fang Fang strongly opposes it. Just recently, these three courier companies were trying to undermine Zhao Kai by raising delivery prices, so collaborating with the enemy seems impossible.
Fang Fang suggests indefinitely postponing the "Sky City" IPO, considering that Shidai Logistics is the major shareholder and controls the timing of the listing. If the IPO is indefinitely postponed, the rival companies would be unlikely to risk buying shares in Sky City. Zhao Kai secretly monitors the conversation between Xu Dao Ming and Fang Fang, confirming that Xu Dao Ming was indeed the mastermind behind urging competitors to bring down Shidai Logistics. After their meeting concludes, Zhao Kai specifically calls Xu Dao Ming and asks if he would consider returning to Shidai Logistics. Zhao Kai still appreciates Xu Dao Ming's methods, recognizing that, despite being seen as a "one-man show," Xu Dao Ming dares to point out Zhao Kai’s mistakes, which Zhao Kai admires. However, Xu Dao Ming enjoys his position at Chengfeng Capital, believing that his and Zhao Kai's roles are now equal, allowing him to use his intelligence to engage in a battle of wits with Zhao Kai.
Zhao Kai is aware that his competitors are exploiting the gap in his insufficient assets and are attacking Shidai Logistics like a pack of rabid dogs. To dispel any illusions they might have, Zhao Kai decides to expedite Shidai Logistics' relisting and plans to raise funds, putting together 40 billion yuan to assist with the IPO. Xing Wen Hao is surprised by Zhao Kai's plan; he usually sees Zhao Kai as cautious, so he didn't expect him to seek a bank loan of 40 billion. Zhao Kai decides that the company's share price cannot fall below 70 yuan and that 40 billion is the minimum requirement. He aims to expand the delivery network, filling in all the gaps where competitors lack coverage, positioning the company as the one with the lowest debt in the courier industry. He believes that the stock will be in high demand once the company is listed.
When Song Qiao hears about Xu Dao Ming's plan to raise funds, she fully supports him and analyzes potential financing strategies. She reminds Xu Dao Ming that to expedite bank loans, they must either close some unprofitable direct stores or reduce expenses and cut down on staff.
Zhao Kai is not inclined to choose this option; he advises Song Qiao to remain calm, assuring her that other solutions will emerge. Meanwhile, Xing Wen Hao goes to Jingtu to check on how his eldest son is doing after being released from prison. To his dismay, his son has not changed his ways; he is still chasing women and using drugs at the Jingtu company. Disdainful of this shell of a company, his son is eager to help out at Shidai Logistics and urges his father to find a way to get the company listed. Xing Wen Hao devises a plan to leverage Jingtu's name to facilitate the IPO.
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