A girl aims for success.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Notable Actors/Actresses
Liu Tao: Jian Ai
Ocean of Stars
[Ep1] Jian Ai grew up in a perfect family until her father slaughtered her mother (for cheating and wanting a divorce) and killed himself. Jian Ai witnessed the bloody aftermath of it all. Her Aunt becomes her custodian because she’s eyeing her inheritance and house. Aunt moves in with her daughter (Ah Jiao) and son (Ah Ming) in the name of “taking care” of her when in fact Aunt is taking over her house, taking over her room, taking over her bed, and starving her in her own house. Jing Ai eventually hands over her father's bank book on the condition that Aunt uses the money for her university tuition and for Ah Jiao's education because currently, only Ah Ming gets to go to school. Aunt reeks of male-favoritism. Aunt grins at the money and easily agrees to everything.
Jian Ai grows up (into actress Liu Tao) and is in high school. Oh, and congratulations to Ah Ming who has grown up into a fine man and successfully lost all the family's money (= Jian Ai's money) over arcade games. This man's got a future in this drama – incessantly cancerous.
[Ep6] Now that Jian Ai is a successful gen dang yuan, she wants to aim even higher and be a "sales agent". My understanding is that a gen dang yuan does the follow-up work (ensuring the shipments are sent and received) while the sales agent looks for (new) partnership and therefore, earning the bigger buck. However, everyone tells her it's impossible for her (lacking the prestigious degree and the experience). Amy shares good news with her though, she's likely to be promoted in her own department. Once again, Jian Ai doesn't want it. Lol, Amy's always struggling to catch her flow. Jian Ai never wants the easy promotions. She's always challenging herself. During her award speech for being the top employee of the year in her department, she abruptly stops herself. Still on stage with the mic right beside her, she asks Director Wang if she can return her award and prize money in exchange for a position in the sales department. She wants to be like Director Gao and make a difference in the world. Everyone cheers. Amy is the proudest and tears up at Jian Ai's courage. Director Wang promises to approve the transfer if next year she breaks another record. Way to work an employee and make her think it's for her own benefit.
It's New Years' Eve. Jian Ai is still working. Amy thinks she couldn’t find train tickets to buy and offers to help and stay up all night if they have to. Aw! Jian Ai says it’s okay, she's got no family to go home to anyway, and sincerely wishes her a happy new year.
Jian Ai loses the chance to transfer into sales because she couldn't break the record (because of helping Fang Heng Zhi which Jian Ai doesn’t regret). Instead, Wen Xin is hired in the department. Jian Ai also reunites with Li Yi Ming. Li Yi Ming. Wen Xin, and Jian Ai are from the same elementary school. (Wen Xin likes Li Yi Ming, and Li Yi Ming likes Jian Ai, which makes Wen Xin even more jealous of Jian Ai when she was already envious of her back in elementary school. As for Jian Ai, Wen Xin is her nightmare because she reminds her of her past. The one good thing: Wen Xin confirms with Jian Ai that Aunt is fine).
The road is a little bumpy and I highly enjoyed Raymond Lam's various expressions from laughing to retching to fear but even if it's a little bumpy, it's a happy ending for the contract. It's signed. He's pleased with the fabric. Fang Heng Zhi thanks Jian Ai for all her help. She shares that she never treated him like a client. He's her friend. If not for him, she would not be where she is now.
After work at Lin Heng Zhi's home, he orders Jian Ai to strip. She doesn't. He does it for her. Then he sees the pearl necklace. *Insert dark ooo-ing music*
"What is this!!" Right....what is this....
Jian Ai stays silent and rips off the pearl necklace in dramatic fashion. The beads bounce on the floor. Lin Heng Zhi's red eyes have maxed out and are puffier than ever. "Jian Ai, tell me you love me."
Aunt is here in the city for a checkup, which Lin Heng Zhi remembered and followed up with the hospital. Jian Ai thanks him for that, seemingly touched. She doesn't visit Aunt though and so Ah Jiao brings Aunt to her. Jian Ai locks herself in her room. Aunt takes slow steps to the door and cries her apology. She thanks her for saving her life and asks a simple "How are you?" She also tells Jian Ai that her parents' death was never her fault. Jian Ai's door remains closed as she cries too.
[Ep23] At the hospital, Jian Ai reunites with Ah Ying. Jian Ai asks for Ah Xiang. She died. Omg. Ah Xiang married a foreign man who’s old enough to be her father. Then she cheated with a younger man. She died soon after (presumably murdered by her husband). Ah Ying bluffs that Ah Xiang should have been like her and stuck with her man (old or not). Jian Ai looks at the current Ah Ying, bruised all over the face. Tears well up. Jian Ai already knows the truth – she lost her baby. The nurses have told her. Ah Ying fills in the details. The legal wife hired three men to attack her. The first two years were great but afterwards, her man grew tired of her. She couldn’t leave because she couldn’t do anything else. The next day, there’s a commotion at the hospital. A patient committed suicide. It’s Ah Ying. Her man broke up with her.
Recap Grade: A/B
First Impression: 3.5/5
First Impression: 3.5/5
Mini Recaps
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| The mysterious man |
Although Jian Ai's mom “cheated”, I think Mom has a story. Also, who is the man Mom cheated with?
[Ep2] Aunt sells Jian Ai for money. Aunt, for a moment, looked like she regretted it. Jian Ai thought she was helping Aunt sell a pig – nope! – Aunt is selling Jian Ai like she's a pig. Jian Ai is married off against her will in another village. It is an abduction in broad daylight. This family (monsters, I'm sure) consisting of parents, aunts and uncles imprison her in a room. The man she is to marry is a psycho. He wears a creepy smile, acts like a kid, but speaks like a pervert. He assures Jian Ai that after she spends the night with him, she won't ever want to leave him. Gross. Jian Ai is saved from being raped when the man seizures. She runs back "home", confrontational. Aunt doesn't care. Blinded with fury, Jian Ai throws a vase at Aunt. Ah Ming checks on her and confirms she's dead. Holy. Our FL will be a murderer?
Jian Ai thinks she murdered her Aunt and flees to Guangzhou overnight. She’s starving and homeless. Fortunately, her survival skills are strong. Her work ethics, tenacity, and adaptability impress Boss Lady who owns a noodle restaurant. Boss Lady hires her especially when she’s not even asking for a pay but only for a place to stay and meals for the day. But living conditions aren't stellar – there are mice crawling all over her bed and into her shirt. A few nights pass like this until one night she finds Ah Ying drunk on the streets. Jian Ai brings her back home and she lets Jian Ai sleepover. Ah Ying takes a liking to Jian Ai and lets her stay for free.
By the way, Aunt is alive. Jian Ai is not a murderer! Jian Ai doesn't know this yet, which is why she continues to use “Ah Jiao” as her name.
[Ep3] Restaurant Boss (not Lady) sexually harasses Jian Ai. Another gross one. Jian Ai runs away and never returns. At home, she stares at a uniform, hanging on the laundry line. It's Ah Xiang's, the second roommate. Ah Xiang had quit her big corporate job (China's National Textile Industry Cooperation) and joined Ah Ying to be a bargirl to get that $$. According to Ah Ying, as long as they protect themselves and keep their legs closed, it’s a clean job.
Jian Ai does the unthinkable and wears Ah Xiang’s uniform to her company, and is like “Ah Xiang quit. I am replacing her”. The manager (Amy) finds her laughable. I do too. But lo and behold, the company has an urgent meeting and there’s no one who can help. Jian Ai is hired on probation. What is her job, you ask? She is a tea-girl. What does a tea girl do? Serve tea. Legit. She is a maid in the company. Jian Ai spills coffee on an important client (Fang Heng Zhi). She almost lost her job over it if he hadn't put in kind words for her. He's a nice guy. This isn’t the first time these two met. She saw him at a coffee shop. And so Jian Ai is officially hired! I’m glad she didn’t use her fake ID. Amy gives her an English name: Jean.
It’s Jian Ai’s first day at work and now we know why Ah Xiang quit. These employees are insanely picky!!! This dude wants warm water and this girl wants only water bottle water, he wants less sugar, and she wants milk, and this girl wants her drink only in this certain cup. Omg, get your own!! Then this girl is allergic to shrimp but ordered herself seafood for lunch and it's Jian Ai's fault. Then when Jian Ai quickly helps Liang Bing fax a document, she's yelled at for faxing it too fast because clearly, Liang Bing said fax is "later" and not fax it "now". ?!?!? Jian Ai is morose at home. Ah Xiang (who's been through it all) convinces her to be a bargirl too. However, Jian Ai won’t succumb. She wants this job. She begs Ah Xiang to tell her everything she knows about the employees' preferences.
[Ep4] The next day, Jian Ai has everyone's orders memorized. She even warmed up water bottle water for this girl who's on her period. 👏👏 Perseverance.
Liang Bing commits suicide by slitting her wrist because her boyfriend of eight years dumped her over the phone. It was Jian Ai who saved her and motivated her to live. Liang Bing gives her relationship advice from her failure. Jian Ai doesn't need it. She won’t fall in love. It seems our girls are now friends, but (!) whenever Jian Ai asks Liang Bing to teach her about foreign trade, Liang Bing’s answers are always lazily short attached with eye-rolls. Liang Bing is only nice to Jian Ai when she needs something from her..... I don't trust this girl.
This paragraph is me trying to sound like I understand International Trade *rubs hand to warm up*. A Singaporean Company (S) refuses to unload a cargo. Since S is a long time partner, a letter of credit was omitted. Now S takes advantage and demands a higher cost or the cargo will be kept at customs. Liang Bing draws up the new contract (agreeing to the higher cost) but her ex-boyfriend pages her and she's off. She asks Jian Ai to double check if the numbers match on the document and it'll be good to fax. However, Jian Ai receives a complaint first from Fang Heng Zhi who's in M Country. Jian Ai confirms that customs has already cleared his cargo and sends him proof. Fang Heng Zhi apologizes and hangs up. His people messed up and now he's short on supplies. Jian Ai phones him back with a solution. She has the exact same supply at customs right now and if he wants it, he can take it. He asks for the cost and understands if they decide to raise the price for the last minute order. Jian Ai steadily answers that it will be the same. Fang Heng Zhi is grateful. When he hangs up, he regrets not asking for her name. As for S, they're blacklisted. This is my favourite scene so far. Drama made me interested in a career I don't understand anything about. I also really like Jian Ai for being so confident and for giving him the same price.
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| I love her fascination with coffee "Coffee at the shop compared to the company's is different!" |
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| So bitter but so is life. Perhaps once you slow down to taste it, it's more flavourful than you think |
Liang Bing gets the credit for Jian Ai's excellent problem-solving. She treats Jian Ai to a feast but Jian Ai wants to go for coffee instead at this particular cafe (the one she saw Fang Heng Zhi at) and seated at this exact spot (the one Fang Heng Zhi sat in). Rather than viewing this romantically that she is chasing after Fang Heng Zhi, it's more like she's chasing after prosperity. Coffee is a sign of success. It's what the white-collars drink. It's also a Western influence. Liang Bing recommends espresso which is the basis for all coffee. It's served in a tiny cup which surprises Jian Ai, but not as much as the bitterness does. Jian Ai scrunches her face and finishes. Liang Bing laughs and asks if she'd choose a feast next time. Jian Ai smiles that she'd still choose coffee. Our girl likes the bitterness of life.
Ah Ying and Ah Xiang leave the apartment. Ah Ying marries a rich man in his fifties. I assume these girls are in their early 20s (I can't tell by looking, though, lol). Jian Ai tried to convince her to stay (because Jian Ai doesn't believe in love). She doesn't understand why Ah Ying and Ah Xiang won't find a proper job and be independent. As for Ah Xiang, she leaves because her new bar is offering dorms. I hope this dorm is "clean".... Anyway, I had thought Ah Xiang would blame Jian Ai for taking her uniform and taking her job but no, Ah Xiang wants Jian Ai to reach even higher places.
The noodle restaurant is permanently closed.
[Ep5] Amy recommends and supports Jian Ai to apply for Liang Bing's department. In turn, Jian Ai does well on the test and the interview – with her forged degree. She's expecting good news but she fails to be hired. She's also kicked out of her apartment because she can't afford rent (with Ah Xiang and Ah Ying gone). The next morning, Amy finds her sleeping in the tearoom. Amy lets her temporarily live in the storage room that no one uses. At night she also brings her husband to fix up the lock and the light for Jian Ai. Aw! Amy has good news too: she recommended Jian Ai for a promotion in their own department. However, Jian Ai doesn't want the promotion. She wants to work where Liang Bing is. This is when Amy tells Jian Ai, the one reason she didn't pass was because of Liang Bing. See, I said not to trust her!
The next day Jian Ai takes all the folders that have her work in them and drops them in front of Director Gao, revealing all of Liang Bing's recent achievements were hers. The following day, Jian Ai shows up in a new black uniform. She is officially a "gen dan yuan". The entire department gives her a standing ovation. I love how they all love Jian Ai (minus Liang Bing).
Fang Heng Zhi is Chairman Lin's son which isn't recognized by the company and especially not by the legitimate son (Lin Chen Sheng). Fang Heng Zhi rose up to his current position (Purchasing Director) owing no one but himself and his work ethics. Fang Heng Zhi has a new hairstyle without those bangs! Good riddance! More importantly though, his character is finally showing more facets.
[Ep6] Now that Jian Ai is a successful gen dang yuan, she wants to aim even higher and be a "sales agent". My understanding is that a gen dang yuan does the follow-up work (ensuring the shipments are sent and received) while the sales agent looks for (new) partnership and therefore, earning the bigger buck. However, everyone tells her it's impossible for her (lacking the prestigious degree and the experience). Amy shares good news with her though, she's likely to be promoted in her own department. Once again, Jian Ai doesn't want it. Lol, Amy's always struggling to catch her flow. Jian Ai never wants the easy promotions. She's always challenging herself. During her award speech for being the top employee of the year in her department, she abruptly stops herself. Still on stage with the mic right beside her, she asks Director Wang if she can return her award and prize money in exchange for a position in the sales department. She wants to be like Director Gao and make a difference in the world. Everyone cheers. Amy is the proudest and tears up at Jian Ai's courage. Director Wang promises to approve the transfer if next year she breaks another record. Way to work an employee and make her think it's for her own benefit.
It's New Years' Eve. Jian Ai is still working. Amy thinks she couldn’t find train tickets to buy and offers to help and stay up all night if they have to. Aw! Jian Ai says it’s okay, she's got no family to go home to anyway, and sincerely wishes her a happy new year.
[Ep7] Fang Heng Zhi is desperate for the shipment of his supplies that Liang Bing messed up on. It's stuck at the harbours and hasn't even shipped. Jian Ai picks up the call for Liang Bing and hears Fang Heng Zhi's desperation. If this supply doesn't arrive on time, he could be fired. After hearing that, Jian Ai gives up her big projects to clean up Liang Bing's mess. Jian Ai approaches every contact point that's obstructing the shipment, sometimes using threat, sometimes pleading, and sometimes flattery. I love how she sucks up to Mrs. Zhang by relating to her daughter. There's nothing more effective than evoking a mother's sentiment. The deadline is coming up. Fang Heng Zhi sees no hope. And Jian Ai just found out expedited means shipped in a week and not a day. Everyone freaks out for her, especially Director Gao, it's so cute. The call from customs is here: the shipment has docked! When everyone cheered for her, I teared up. Later, Liang Bing apologizes to Jian Ai but there’s so much she’s sorry for, which one is she referring to? "For everything," says Liang Bing. Man, what a cheap and easy apology. Jian Ai, don't trust her!
Jian Ai loses the chance to transfer into sales because she couldn't break the record (because of helping Fang Heng Zhi which Jian Ai doesn’t regret). Instead, Wen Xin is hired in the department. Jian Ai also reunites with Li Yi Ming. Li Yi Ming. Wen Xin, and Jian Ai are from the same elementary school. (Wen Xin likes Li Yi Ming, and Li Yi Ming likes Jian Ai, which makes Wen Xin even more jealous of Jian Ai when she was already envious of her back in elementary school. As for Jian Ai, Wen Xin is her nightmare because she reminds her of her past. The one good thing: Wen Xin confirms with Jian Ai that Aunt is fine).
Fang Heng Zhi is in China for a meeting. He leaves a small gift (pearl necklace) for Jian Ai but when he leaves the company it's as if he ignored her. Jian Ai calls him to thank him. Fang Heng Zhi confirms she's at the company, turns the car around, and cancels the flight to meet her.
[Ep8] At the lobby, Fang Heng Zhi once again breezes right past Jian Ai. He doesn't recognize her because her looks have upgraded ~ Well not really, but the aura is definitely upgraded. He does a double take and peeks at her. Finally recognizing her, he smirks. Omg Raymong Lam isn't what he used to be, but still I get his "chok", lol. He treats her to lunch that's worth seven days of his pay because for him, she treated her manager to dinner worth three days of her pay. And she also lost a promotion, that's all. Jian Ai feels bad that he had to change his flight to treat her. He makes her feel better that he does have business to consult with her. He wants insider opinions on China's market in fabrics. Jian Ai suggests he set up a dye factory in China instead of M country because for the same quality it is at 1/5 of the cost. Fang Heng Zhi wants to see the factory and so Jian Ai arranges a meeting with Li Yi Ming's fabric company. It's so under-prepared that Jian Ai has to teach them overnight on how to properly display their samples. With one touch, Jian Ai can tell which fabric is good. It seems she inherited the ability from her dad. Blame my parents that I don't have fabric DNA.
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| This is a motor powered wagon...? With a roof! |
The car breaks down and Jian Ai flags down this ^ vehicle.
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| "I'm okay!" |
Lu Yi Ming confesses to Jian Ai. Our girl rejects him. She doesn't believe in love.
[Ep9] Jian Ai uses a fake ID to enter the Import and Export Fair. (Li Yi Ming had stolen Wen Xin's ID and forged one.) Jian Ai meets Jacky who has failed to secure a supplier for his order because 2000 T-shirts is too little to be profitable. Jian Ai takes it. She has her sights set farther. Although there's next to nothing to earn from this transaction, she's eyeing the Canadian market that Jacky can introduce. But Jacky doesn't promise any of that and says he has no friends and this is only a one-time transaction. There will be no follow-up. Still Jian An takes the order. Director Gao hears of it and curiously asks Jian An how she smuggled into the fair, looking half-amused. I really like Director Gao! Then Jake shows up unannounced at the company. He's here to see the fabric samples. He flips through them in seconds. Jian An and Director Liu exchange worried glances. After Jacky assesses everything he says he's interested in a few. He's like, I need 12000 yard of this silk, another 12 000 of this, and 30 000 of that. Can we sign the contract now? Jian Ai has hit jackpot. Jacky compliments "Elizabeth" (Wen Xin's English name) for being honest.
However, Jian Ai is punished instead of rewarded. If it's ever found that their company employee forged an ID to enter the fair, they'll be banned the next year. Director Wang demotes her. Jian Ai is back to being a tea girl!!!
Fang Heng Zhi is back in China. He visits Jian An in the tearoom. He's cheerful and orders coffee and will take the instant kind (it's probably the nastiest coffee he's ever had but he's still smiling). She asks how the negotiations went. He says he won and got a discount. She smirks that if it were her, she wouldn't give him a discount. He asks why but she leaves him hanging. She has more important matters right now. "Like what? Like cutting fruits?" He asks. Jian Ai answers him that if she is a tea girl then cutting fruits is her priority. The job in front of her is the most important.
Fang Heng Zhi is lost in the city and pages Jian An to find him. Hmmmm. He then treats her to ice cream and says he likes her simplicity and innocence, unlike the people around him.
The next day at work, Jian Ai is pouring tea for Director Gao in the meeting room. He tells her it's enough. Everyone in the meeting room is trying not to laugh (including Liang Bing). Then Director Liu walks in asking what she's doing (working obviously), "Hasn't anyone told her yet?" Director Gao very casually tells Jian Ai that she's in his department now! She's in sales! Everyone claps. Again, I love how everyone loves her.
[Ep10] Jian Ai was due for a promotion anyway, but she needed a hard lesson to control her boldness. Time passes. Jian Ai and Wen Xin are tied at number one for their monthly performance.
Promotions! Fang Heng Zhi is promoted over Lin Chen Sheng (half-brother). Jian Ai also has a chance to take over Director Gao's place (he's leaving for another branch T_T! I'm going to miss him) but Wen Xin has a better performance than her this month. Amy asks Director Gao to help Jian Ai. Director Gao was on it before she even asked. It seems these two have a past?? But they seem friendly right now. Am very curious. Director Gao's plan was to smudge the results for Jian Ai but she catches it and reports the mistake. Belatedly, Jian Ai finds out it was Director Gao (and Amy) but she doesn't want that kind of help.
Ah Jiao is here. She ran away from home because Aunt keeps forcing her to marry someone in the rural village. Ugh.
Jian Ai helps Li Yi Ming sell his products. The potential buyer: Fang Heng Zhi. He thinks it's a date night until she brings him to a bar. Then girls in tight dresses walk in one after another and he's inquired for his opinion on the products. Fang Heng Zhi is offended and that's when Jian Ai realizes he misunderstood. She screams over the loud music, "I want you to look at the clothes!!!!!" And not the hot girls. Embarrassed, Fang Heng Zhi laughs and properly assesses the clothes. It won't work. They've got no brand and no market. What to do!
[Ep11] Fang Heng Zhi proposes a collaboration where Li Yi Ming's company can manufacture his company's brand clothes.
Wen Xin wants to win Jian Ai and outright demands her for the credit in Li Yi Ming and Fang Heng Zhi's new partnership or else she'll expose all of Jian Ai's forged education. In Wen Xin's words, Jian Ai should be grateful she kept it a secret for her all this time.
Jian Ai knows that if she gives in once, she'll have to give in forever. Time is closing in and Wen Xin is waiting for an answer. Jian Ai promises she'll receive it. During the meeting with everyone and Director Gao, she announces two pieces of news: 1) the collaboration with Fang Heng Zhi and Li Yi Ming, and 2) her education. If Jian Ai falls, she'll fall by her own hands. Now she awaits Director Wang's final judgement. Amy, Director Gao, and Director Liu speak for her in front of Director Wang but, ultimately, she's fired. Jian Ai thanks Wen Xin for relieving her of the guilt that was crushing her heart. Jian Ai feels free now.
The partnership between Fang Heng Zhi and Li Yi Ming fails because the factory substituted cheap fabric (+ manipulation from Lin Chen Sheng). Fang Heng Zhi is removed from his position. Li Yi Ming quits as well. It seems everyone is starting from zero.
[Ep12] Opening new companies! Jian Ai fails to pass any of her interviews because of her lack of education, reputation for forgery, and refusal to turn over her previous clients for the new company. Ah Jiao convinces her to open a noodle restaurant instead (yes, it's at the same place). Ah Jiao's culinary skills come to use. As for Fang Heng Zhi, he's not returning to LS Group, he's opening a new company in China because there is market there. Finally, Li Yi Ming opens his own fabric factory.
Noodle business is booming and the money is flooding in but Jian Ai isn't satisfied. Fang Heng Zhi finds her and offers her a job under his new company. She asks for time to decide. He says it's now or never. Will she join him or not? Jian Ai nods. She's in.
The company is empty. Whoooosh, you can hear the wind and then the echo, It's not empty empty. There's two bodies in there but Jian Ai is working the job of three people, so let's say there's four. Jian Ai hasn't even discussed her salary with him and she's already working like a cow. For the first time, Jian Ai is annoyed with Fang Heng Zhi, but all the things he has yelled at her for, she understands but oh my, he's so picky and his standards are so high when the company is a hollow shell.
Ah Ming is here and I have the trashcan ready. From Ah Ming, we learn Aunt is sick but is too cheap to go to the hospital for a checkup but everyone knows she's scrimping to give all her money to Ah Ming. He's also here to ask Ah Jiao for money
It's a month. Jian Ai calls it quit. They don't have a single client but that's not the reason. She's had enough with his temper. He verbally abuses her intellect over a formatting error. He demands for a proper resignation letter to stall her. Then a call comes in and it's their first client!
[Ep13] Jian Ai doesn't quit (again). She works hard to win this client. However, she wasn't expecting to starve. Fang Heng Zhi gives her errands to run and says skipping one meal won't kill her. In the elevator, Fang Heng Zhi offers her a small piece of chocolate. She rolls her eyes but takes it. He offers another piece just to tease her because it's for himself. She laughs.
Aaaaand Fang Heng Zhi is yelling at Jian Ai again. The empty office is a mess (to nobody). Jian Ai is fed up. She's only got one pair of hands and she's already superhuman at this point. He retorts, "You're in sales, you got to have three heads and six arms!" Oh, he wanted a monster. Actually, it's an idiom to mean you gotta be remarkable. Jian Ai decides to quit once and for all. She's had enough of Fang Heng Zhi. He doesn't permit it. Tonight he's signing the contract with Mr. Huang and asks her to join. She sighs and stays one more night for free.
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| Raymond Lam's expression, lol |
During dinner, Mr. Huang makes Jian Ai drink. She never drank before but, if he signs, then she'll drink the small jug of strong liquor. It's a deal. However, he starts touching her inappropriately. She can still ignore it but when he insults the white cotton lace material, Jian Ai erupts. It's the material of her dress that her parents made. She takes a beer bottle and smacks Mr.Huang squarely on his balding head.
After Jian Ai tells Fang Heng Zhi the significance of the material to her, he buys her a white cotton/lace dress to cheer her up. He also laughs at her. Normal people would slap the guy but this girl uses a beer bottle. Is she always this aggressive? I think she is. Jian Ai apologizes and will compensate. He doesn't need that. He's only asking her to work on Sunday(!). Surprisingly, the next morning, Mr. Huang signs with them. Jian Ai doesn't get it. Fang Heng Zhi jokes that maybe he's an M.
Ah Ming is stealing money from Ah Jiao. This is all I can type on this guy. He's angering me so much.
Mom Fang is here to visit Fang Heng Zhi. She wants him back at LS Group but Fang Heng Zhi likes it here. Plus, Dad Lin never recognized him as his son. Mom angrily shouts, "That's because you're useless!" Whoops, Mom messed up big time and leaves in a fury. Fang Heng Zhi may have parents but he admits to Jian Ai he's not any different from her. His dad isn't like a dad. His mom isn't like a mom. He's an orphan too.
[Ep14] Ah Jiao loses the noodle store and all her money to her gambling ingrate of a brother. He says he'll never do it again and leaves the city. I hate how I know that he's going to come back again and again. Unemployed and poor. Ah Jiao wants to apply to Li Yi Ming's company but Jian Ai dissuades her because Jian Ai doesn't want to owe Li Yi Ming too much. Instead, Jian Ai recommends Ah Jiao to Fang Heng Zhi to be a gendanyuan. Because she can owe Fang Heng Zhi, eh. He straight up promotes her to be the Administrative Manager when there's only 3 people in the office, alright, lol.
M Country. Fang Heng Zhi and Jian Ai have arrived at LS Group for a bidding. Jian Ai had convinced him to participate because he has nothing to lose. At the elevators, one of the employees at LS Group audibly mutters "traitor". Fang Heng Zhi is used to the hostility but Jian Ai is offended and yells back before the elevator closes. She's not afraid and won't sit back to being bullied. Love her! They're now in the waiting room and he's preparing for the presentation. Jian Ai notices he's nervous and teaches him how to calm down. He starts laughing because she's teaching him. She's been teaching him a lot of things actually. He shouldn't be underestimating her! Then she tries to tell him a joke and in the first sentence before it's even funny, he's cackling. It's his turn to present and he hugs her.
However, Fang Heng Zhi loses the bidding despite his powerful presentation, which revealed that he was always wearing the dress shirt that failed him to remind him never again to commit the same mistake. Only his father refused to vote for him. Fang Heng Zhi is devastated. He sits in the water at the beach, completely lost. No matter what Jian Ai tells him, it's not getting through. Jian Ai gives up with the kind words and calls him a failure. She leaves him, but only for a few steps. She walks back to drag his body from the water but he's frozen on the ground.
Jian Ai yells: It's just your father who doesn't want you. It's just the whole world that doesn't want you and looks down on you. So what? So what if you lose everything? So what if you're utterly isolated (betrayed and abandoned) by friends and family? I'm here! Can you not fall!!
Fang Heng Zhi kisses her. He heard that last part. He promises he won't fall.
Li Yi Ming arrives in M Country to celebrate Jian Ai's birthday with a surprise cake in the lobby. Fang Heng Zhi sees them hugging and misunderstands that she accepted Li Yi Ming's confession. He leaves and stumbles on the road. A car almost crashes him. The driver is Juliet, a high school alumni. She casually asks him to be his partner for a party tonight. He goes because he's a little heartbroken but all he does is talk about the girl (Jian Ai) he likes.
[Ep15] Through the tabloids, Jian Ai finds out Fang Heng Zhi went partying with Juliet. She checks out without telling him. He catches her in time and asks her to be his girlfriend because he likes her. Seeing that she's jealous, he knows she likes him too. However, Jian Ai doesn't accept.
China. Fang Heng Zhi takes Jian Ai on a date but she brings him elsewhere: the cafe. It was Samantha (his old secretary) who caught her attention and then it was the watch on his hand. He shares when he fell in love with her: the instant coffee in the tea room. He feels free with her; he can let down his guard and be himself. She fell in love with his success which motivated her to be successful. He fell in love with her cheap instant coffee simplicity.
Time passes. Fang Heng Zhi's company has expanded. It's no longer a three-man office. It's an established organization but they're now facing a crisis. The market is in an economic depression. Clients are cancelling and/or diminishing their orders. Next quarter isn't looking good. No matter what though, Jian Ai stays. She's not afraid of falling because she'll climb back up. Jian Ai knows they can't make earnings for the time being so why not try to save money. She offers to move back to their old office. He's regretful that he's back at square one.
They're still not dating. She's resisting him and keeping it friendly.
LS Group is also on the brink of bankruptcy. Mom Fang wants to hook up his son with Juliet because their family is still rich.
[Ep16] Dad Lin tells Fang Heng Zhi that he kicked him out of the company on purpose. He wanted to see how he can rebound and is like Son, I’m proud of ya! At home, call me dad. Oh, but the inheritance I plan to give you is no more. OH, U WEASEL. Fang Heng Zhi immediately volunteers to come back to LS Group. Then he learns his family only needs him to have an arranged marriage with Juliet and he’s like No!. But then he also learns that Dad LIn was the one who gave him his first client: Mr. Huang. Grr-reat. Turns out Fang Heng Zhi never escaped Dad's arms and he would not have succeeded without Dad. Then at home, Dad is like Oh son, you don’t have to marry if you don’t want to. It’s okay, son. My eyes are stuck from over-rolling. Then the next day, Dad Lin tells Fang Heng Zhi that he had always wanted to introduce him to the board of directors like this: "This is my son Lin Heng Zhi". My eyes are stuck. I can’t roll anymore. Fang Heng Zhi, our daddy-deprived son, accepts Juliet. He won’t marry, though. He’ll just be engaged.
Jian Ai is in Guangzhou and receives an envelope for Fang Heng Zhi. By accident she finds out he wants to marry her (because he applied for international marriage). She’s smiling over it at home, not knowing he’s engaged. She wears the white dress and takes out the pearl necklace (all the things that he bought her) to pick him up at the airport.
[Ep17] Fang Lin Heng Zhi tells Jian Ai the truth about his engagement. For her, the truth is he accepted the engagement and she cannot accept being a “mistress” even if it’s only by name. She can't even stay to work for him anymore. He gives her 5% of the shares but she calls it quit. Not even I-love-yous are effective. Oh gosh, I'm actually happy. We're getting back to the business! He tries to convince her that they're different. She grew up with love while he had to fight for love. Oh now they're "different" eh. W-o-w. Jian Ai's reply: I can understand you, but I cannot cooperate with you."
Jian Ai sets up her own business but Wen Xin steals her first client even if Wen Xin gets zero profit from it. In fact, Wen Xin promises to steal all her clients.
Aunt is hospitalized. It's a brain tumour and they don't have money for surgery. Ah Ming points his ugly finger down at Jian Ai demanding her to pay. Incompetent ingrate.
[Ep18] Ah Ming blames the tumour on Jian Ai when she hit Aunt with that vase years ago. Oh. The vase is cancerous! I see. But how can it be more malignant than living with Ah Ming?? Jian Ai chooses to help Aunt not because of Ah Ming's baseless threats but there was that ONE time Aunt stood up for her in front of the principal. Jian Ai asks Amy to lend her money, who quickly asks for the amount. Although it’s a lot, she promises to give it by tomorrow. Then Liang Bing shows up unannounced to give Jian Ai money too. T_T. One small scene like this and I cried a bit.
Jian Ai also asks Li Yi Ming for help but he's dodging his own debts. Then he hears the amount she needs and claims it’s nothing that he cannot easily gather. It turns out he sold his business and that's all his money. He promises to give it to Aunt. Ah Ming respectfully bows to Li Yi Ming. >_>???? However, Li Yi Ming's family runs into problems too. His father is arrested for corruption and needs that same money to survive. Li Yi Ming wanders on the street until he decides to give the money to Jian Ai. Wow. Love over family and she doesn’t even love him back. Jian Ai refuses after she learns of his situation and lies that she has money.
There is no money. The last person Jian Ai wants to ask is Lin Heng Zhi, in fact she would have never asked if possible. At the hospital, Jian Ai rings Lin Heng Zhi with the pay phone but hangs up before even speaking. His sixth sense is on fire. In a matter of hours, the money has arrived and Ah Jiao pays the surgery fee. Listlessly, Jian Ai returns to the company to work for Lin Heng Zhi. He's got the 15% of shares ready as promised. She doesn't want it. The moment he chose LS Group, he already lost her.
Lin Heng Zhi: No. LS Group is mine, and you.... are mine too. O. Passion! Desperation! Ah, the possessive love! Dun dun dun !
Jian Ai refuses. She will only work as an employee. Only the debt is keeping her here.
Aunt wakes up from a successful surgery. Ah Ming apologizes to Jian Ai. Surprising... Aunt is emotional to see Jian Ai who hesitates to touch her. Aunt apologizes too, which Jian Ai isn’t ready to accept.
[Ep19] Lin Heng Zhi gives Jian Ai a forceful and anguished backhug to ask her to forgive him. Ba-bump. Lin Heng Zhi spins her around. "I won't ever let go of you!" Ba-bump. *Add passionate and burning laser eyes* Feel the heat! Ba-bump. Guys, I am trying to be excited by the romance.
Lin Heng Zhi thinks Jian Ai is refusing him because she loves Li Yi Ming. She gives up and concedes that it is because of Li Yi Ming. Lin Heng Zhi holds her back. "It doesn't matter who you love, I'll never let you go. NEVAH!" Trying.
 |
| Sardonic smirk |
"What is this? You said you didn't remember anything," Lin Heng Zhi asks with red eyes. "You said you didn't love me so what is this?!"
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| Face has deteriorated |
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| Jian Ai can’t bear to see detonated face. |
 |
| O' face... |
"SAY YOU LOVE ME” Roar! Lin Heng Zhi squeezes a big whopping teardrop out his puffy eyes. Clap clap clap!
"I'll say it then. I love you"
Louder. "I love you!"
Louder. "I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!" Dude, she's not deaf.
"Use the gaze you used to look at me to look at me."
Jian Ai glares.
"I DON'T WANT THIS GAZE. I want the old Jian Ai" My poor overworked volume button.
He shakes her. "Jian Ai, I want the old Jian Ai back!!" *me shaking screen* T_T I want the old Raymond Lam back. Veins are popping out from his temple now, "Does it (the grip on the shoulder) hurt? Well I'm hurting more than you ten thousand times!!!!"
"What does your pain have to do with me?" Jian Ai's tone is cold as she stares him down with her chin fiercely pointing forward.
He smashes the glass, yelling at her to leave.
Jian Ai leaves.
The worst episode of anything I've seen this year. One more episode of this atrocity and I'm leaving.
Wen Xin and Li Yi Ming: After he's an alcoholic mess, she picks him to go home. He notices her caring side. She tells him that going to the same school as him and working in the same city as him weren't coincidences. She likes him. She gives him a back hug and a kiss. At least one back hug worked in this episode...not that I care, though He hugs her back. They date. He feels inferior when he doesn't have money to pay for groceries. Wen Xin gives him money to restart his fabric business (and his pride). He doesn't want it. He's offended by it. She's offended too. Just what is wrong with using her money? He was able to start his own business once, he can do it again. Li Yi Ming regains motivation. I still think he loves Jian Ai more than Wen Xin, though.
Jian Ai and Wen Xin: Remember how Wen Xin said she'd steal all of Jian Ai's clients? Well now, Jian Ai (at Hengzhi Foreign Trade) is doing just that, stealing all of Wen Xin's clients. Is there an arc where these girls just open a company by themselves and ditch the men?????? Jian Ai, Wen Xin, Liang Bing, and Amy!!
[Ep20] Lin Heng Zhi tones down his acting and sincerely apologizes to Jian Ai. Not working.
M Country. Juliet falls in love with Lin Heng Zhi after he protects her from her brother (Tony) who slapped her for ruining his reputation when he's vying to be elected as an assemblyman.
China. Lin Heng Zhi gives Jian Ai a pearl necklace. The same one? He loves her and decides to free her contract but that's not what's holding her back. Where is Jian Ai supposed to go now when she doesn't have anything. She says she has no friends, no peers; she has lost her self esteem and her heart. He bought it all with money. To everyone she is an idiot in love with him. "How do I leave? Do I crawl out? When you gave me that money, you killed the old Jian Ai." Lin Heng Zhi had no idea the money he gave her (when she was in need...) was detrimental to her. He wants to make it up to her because I'm sorry for giving you money. "Just let me repay the debt in peace."
I thought their problem was less of the money and more of his attitude after lending the money...
[Ep21] Jian Ai suspects fraudulent activity when a client (Johnson) has a different issuing bank from his paying bank but she decides to believe the client since he has good standing and was recommended. Ultimately, she is scammed, losing the company 160,000 USD. Jian Ai will repay (another debt) and resign. Lin Heng Zhi calls the headquarters and reports the loss while shouldering the blame. He's kind to her. Who was it that yelled at her over a formatting error? Later he orders her soup to nourish her. Who said one meal wouldn't kill her? (Johnson was a trap for Lin Heng Zhi set up by Lin Chen Sheng's wife. The purpose: Lin Fang Zhi's earnings will be halved so that Lin Chen Sheng's don't look so bad in comparison.)
Li Yi Ming refuses to introduce Wen Xin as his girlfriend to his parents when she's sitting right there and all he needs to say is 'Yes, she's my girlfriend' but he doesn't even give her that. Back at home, he asks to break up because he can't treat her well but Wen Xin and begs him to stay. Seeing her cry like that, he promises they'll be together.
The mysterious man from Ep1! Jian Ai learns from Ah Jiao who just learned that every six months someone would send her money ever since her parents died. The amount varied. Aunt cashed it for and gave it to Ah Ming. Later when it required ID to withdraw, Aunt couldn't take it anymore and the money automatically returned to the owner. Ah Jiao says Aunt promises to pay back that money when she can.
[Ep22] There's a function tonight. Drama time. Lin Heng Zhi asks Jian Ai to be his partner but Juliet shows up too. Wen Xin is also in attendance with her boyfriend, Li Yi Ming, who is finally willing to make it official. At the party, Juliet "trips" (she's just standing and trips) and calls Jian Ai to retrieve her flats. Jian Ai is now Juliet’s shoe girl. Every time Lin Heng Zhi tries to help Jian Ai, Juliet interferes. Li Yi Ming watches anxiously too. Wen Xin has failed to hold his heart and his body.
Jian Ai drinks at a bar in the adjacent venue. Lin Heng Zhi ditches Juliet as fast as he can (even leaving her scrambled on the ground at the dance floor). When he sees Li Yi Ming’s hand over Jian Ai’s shoulder, he swings a fist at Li Yi Ming.
Lin Heng Zhi: Jian Ai is mine!Li Yi Ming: Jian Ai's business is my business [...] because I love Jian Ai!Wen Xin hears it.
Li Yi Ming hurls a wine bottle at Lin Heng Zhi. This scriptwriter just loves throwing glass. Although Jian Ai is drunk, she's sober enough to protect Lin Heng Zhi. The bottle hits her.
Everyone is at the hospital (minus Wen Xin and Juliet). The boys each hold a hand of Jian Ai's. Without opening her eyes, she tells them to leave. The boys have a spat and glare at each other. Omgggggggggg. Do I drop this?!?!
Later, Lin Heng Zhi promises Jian Ai that he will cancel the engagement. Jian Ai smiles tearfully. She will wait for him.
Li Yi Ming apologizes to Wen Xin. She doesn't need it. He never said he loved her anyway. She was wrong. She packs her bag and leaves.
[Ep23] At the hospital, Jian Ai reunites with Ah Ying. Jian Ai asks for Ah Xiang. She died. Omg. Ah Xiang married a foreign man who’s old enough to be her father. Then she cheated with a younger man. She died soon after (presumably murdered by her husband). Ah Ying bluffs that Ah Xiang should have been like her and stuck with her man (old or not). Jian Ai looks at the current Ah Ying, bruised all over the face. Tears well up. Jian Ai already knows the truth – she lost her baby. The nurses have told her. Ah Ying fills in the details. The legal wife hired three men to attack her. The first two years were great but afterwards, her man grew tired of her. She couldn’t leave because she couldn’t do anything else. The next day, there’s a commotion at the hospital. A patient committed suicide. It’s Ah Ying. Her man broke up with her.
Mike dies. Who? He was helping Lin Heng Zhi investigate the Johnson sabotage case which traces back to Lin Chen Sheng and his wife. Lin Feng Zhi promises to avenge his friend. For this reason (and to keep his position in the company), Lin Feng Zhi cannot cancel the engagement with Juliet. Furthermore it has to be extended another five years.
Jian Ai finds out about the engagement. She quits. She finally? had enough, especially after Ah Ying’s death. Lin Feng Zhi is berserk again and here we go: “I will latch onto you forever!!!” Jian Ai runs away and jumps into the sea. Lin Feng Zhi jumps in after her. How I wish I was making this up. This is almost too funny.
Wen Xin hasn’t recovered from her breakup yet. She’s messing up at work so bad that Director Liu suspends her from work for three months.
Jian Ai is back to opening her new/old company "Jian Ai's Foreign Trade".
[Ep24] Liang Bing has overtime because of Wen Xin's mistakes but she's kind to Wen Xin. I think Liang Bing can relate with the heartbreak. As Wen Xin leaves the company, she gets a call from "Heng Zhi Foreign Trade". At the interview, she cunningly mentions her connections with Jian Ai. Lin Heng Zhi hires her immediately to take over Jian Ai's spot.
Tony, Juliet's brother, visits Jian Ai as a client but really, he's just checking on her for his jealous sister who begged him to. However, after spending an afternoon with Jian Ai, he's tempted to work with her. Still though, Tony has chosen Lin Heng Zhi and Wen Xin. Roiled to hear that Wen Xin stole her client yet again, Jian Ai counters and steals Tony back.
[Ep25] But then Tony signs with Lin Fang Zhi! What a weasel. Tony got a better deal with Lin Heng Zhi (who's losing profit for this). However, Wen Xin fails to find a suitable jean factory. She asks Liang Bing for help (a seed planted all the way in Ep4) who then quickly informs Jian Ai, which is the intel she needs to steal Tony back (again). She doesn't lower the cost, though. Still, Tony signs with Jian Ai because she can ensure the quality.
Thanks to Liang Bing, Jian Ai gets another opportunity to secure a partnership with BBA, an international luxury brand. Jian Ai sneaks her way inside the seminar (again) and she meets Jack (again)! He's the CEO. He gives Wen Xin and Jian Ai the same task which is to manufacture these suits. The one who can meet the quality will win. Wen Xin reports back to Lin Heng Zhi that this competition may be unfair because Jian Ai has connections with Jacky. Lin Heng Zhi doesn't want to hear excuses. Why blame it on external factors? They just have to secure the quality and win. This has nothing to do with Jian Ai's connections and he doesn't want to hear any more of it.
Jian Ai works with Li Yi Ming's factory. He's dumping all his money into securing Jian Ai's contract. It could be a complete loss but he doesn't hesitate to hire experienced tailors and upgrade all his sewing machines. And this guy says he doesn't love her anymore and he's even got a fake girlfriend to prove it.
Jealous Wen Xin dastardly switches Jian Ai's sample. The girl who cried unfairness to Lin Heng Zhi. Jian Ai loses the contract.
[Ep26] Jian Ai realizes her jacket is switched. She explains to Jacky and even throws out sewing machine models in her explanation. She really knows her stuff but even if Jian Ai is telling the truth, they need a sample. Well, she has one. She's wearing it. Although Wen Xin's suit met Jacky's expectations, Jian Ai's exceeds expectations. Jacky signs with Jian Ai (who finally clarifies her name is Jean and not Elizabeth). Wen Xin throws a temper tantrum. When Lin Heng Zhi learns they lost to Jian Ai, he actually smiles. As for Jian Ai, she misunderstands that the dirty tactics were from Lin Heng Zhi.
[Ep29] Lin Heng Zhi hasn't quite recovered from grieving but everyone has moved on. He's by the beach and remembers how Jian Ai comforted him.
[Ep31] It's Chinese New Year. Jian Ai would rather be alone than be with Aunt and Ah Ming. Everyone (Li Yi Ming and Ah Jiao) thinks she should let go of her hate to free herself. I'm on Jian Ai's side. I don't think they deserve to be forgiven. But of course, Li Yi Ming convinces her to eat with her family. Woohoo. Family time. Whatever. Eventually Jian Ai hires Ah Ming and dude returns the favour by bringing down her factory with a fire. Wen Xin happens to be using the same storage area and saves Jian Ai. Ah Ming says it wasn't him. He's so upset he drives drunk and crashes the truck. Dude, killing yourself is your choice, but can you not kill other people? Then he throws a tantrum at the hospital (refusing treatment because he's still drunk???) and so Jian Ai slaps him. Jian Ai fires him.
[Ep32] Jian Ai and Li Yi Ming team up to develop their own brand instead of just trading/manufacturing international brands. They want to make a breakthrough in the Chinese market with Chinese products. Ah, China. But first they need a designer. Jian Ai wants Wei Feng. Oh and guess who this Wei Feng is. The moment he knows her name is Jian Ai, he works with her despite refusing all of Li Yi Ming’s previous attempts. Mysterious man!
Tony thinks he can swallow LS Group whole and be the CFO but Lin Chen Sheng has returned. The company will never be his. The brothers will take turns in prison to fight him, lol.
Jian Ai is back home. She sees the coffee store for sale. (It looks like she’ll buy it).
Jian Ai is arrested for smuggling. It’s Wen Xin. Ah Jiao thinks it’s herself and asks Wen Xin for a solution. Wen Xin tells her to run away. Back at home, Ah Ming is like there’s no way her sister (Jian Ai) would do something so stupid. Ah Jiao is frantic as she’s fretting on what to do.
Dad Lin is hospitalized. Lin Chen Shen's wife looks deadlier with that black/grey lip shade. The heir will be chosen between Lin Heng Zhi and Lin Chen Sheng depending on their performance. Thus Lin Heng Zhi wants the BBA contract to increase his sales. Jian Ai almost gives in because she knows how much he wants the recognition from his father. Ultimately, she’s reminded of how Ah Ying gave up her livelihood for a man. Jian Ai signs with BBA.
Tony sues Jian Ai for the quality of her supplies. He also pressures Lin Heng Zhi to sue Jian Ai. If JianAi Foreign Trade falls, then Jacky's contract will be theirs. Tony is helping his future "brother-in-law". Will Lin Heng Zhi be tempted?
Lin Heng Zhi sues!
[Ep27] Lin Heng Zhi files a lawsuit against Jian Ai for stealing Tony (a client) from their company when she was working at Hengzhi Foreign Trade (in January). Secretly, Lin Heng Zhi also gives Wen Xin evidence that can help Jian Ai. It's for Wen Xin to use whenever Jian Ai is pushed to a wall so much that Wen Xin as a FRIEND cannot withstand it. He gives her money to keep this confidential between them. Way to go, man.
Jian Ai is faced with two lawsuits (Lin Heng Zhi’s and Tony’s). Tony dubiously volunteers to be a witness for Jian Ai in the case vs. Lin Heng Zhi if she concedes to their case. Jian Ai is a smart cookie and refuses the temptation because she could be sued a third time for bribing a witness.
Li Yi Ming to the rescue for both lawsuits. For Tony’s case, he pretends to be an insurance agent to find proof that it was water damage during and not prior to the shipment. Tony didn’t buy insurance for that and wanted to blame Jian Ai to cover his losses. Then Li Yi Ming finds a T-shirt among Tony’s products with lyrics of a song released in March which fully proves that Jian Ai couldn’t have stolen the client from Lin Heng Zhi in January when the song wasn’t even released.
Jian Ai doesn’t cut her relationship with Tony, though. She gives him another chance to work together but only if he’s sincere. He takes it. He likes her attitude and her capabilities, and she still offers the best service for the best price.
Lin Heng Zhi receives the evidence from Jian Ai. He happily retracts his case and is proud of his girl (who’s no longer his girl), especially when she found evidence all on her own without his help. Lin Heng Zhi is also under the impression Wen Xin sent the evidence but obviously she had kept it and only until she knew Jian Ai had solved her own case, did she send it.
Juliet cancels the engagement because 1) she’s jealous of Jian Ai and 2) Lin Heng Zhi doesn’t care about her. Mom Lin cheers her up and supports her. This is the same Mom who criticized Juliet for sleeping around. After almost screwing up the partnership between their families, Juliet goes and confesses her love to Lin Heng Zhi.
[Ep28] Lin Heng Zhi rejects Juliet but she still loves him and accepts to be his (fake) fiancee again.
We have jumped from 1999 to 2005. (I think)
JianAi's Foreign Trade is fledgling. She tempts Liang Bing (who has just been promoted as director in their old company) with a high salary to join her. Liang Bing laughs. She accepts, not for the money, but for Jian Ai. Also, Jian Ai has completely shed her country bumpkin-ness. She's got an exquisite taste in coffee and won't settle for subpar quality. As for Ah Jiao, she's still a bumpkin. She can't keep up with technology. She's resistant against improving because she doesn't believe she can. Jian Ai urges that if she doesn't progress with time then time will abandon her. (Ah Jiao had also asked Jian Ai to hire Ah Ming...oh god, no please. Jian Ai declined immediately.)
Dad Lin is still alive! Nope. Nevermind. He dies before he announces his heir. It seems he wanted Lin Heng Zhi to take his place but only 20% of Dad's shares go to Lin Heng Zhi while 40% go to Lin Chen Sheng. The double Moms get 5% each. (The remaining 30 is distributed to the directors.) Lin Chen Sheng is also elected by the board to be the CFO. He had bribed one voter and then Tony also betrayed Lin Heng Zhi. Then again it's not really betrayal. Tony has always chosen the side that benefits him financially and he believes the right choice is with the incompetent Lin Chen Sheng.
Lin Heng Zhi is the only one who is mourning for his father's death. Silly boy.
[Ep29] Lin Heng Zhi hasn't quite recovered from grieving but everyone has moved on. He's by the beach and remembers how Jian Ai comforted him.
Li Yi Ming hired Ah Ming... He seems to be working hard, at least. On a separate occasion, Lin Heng Zhi fires Wen Xin for spying on him for Juliet. The two people I hate (Ah Ming and Wen Xin) seem to have congregated in this episode....
Jian Ai discovers their supplier is selling counterfeit products. She wants to sue but it will bring her problems as well since she oversees the quality of the supplies. Still, Jian Ai confesses everything to Tony and she will cover all his losses. They can join hands and sue the supplier but Tony rejects it. His was an imitation to begin with. If it's about breaching contracts, then he did it first and he has no right to sue. They toast to honesty from now on.
[Ep30] Jian Ai believes it was Wen Xin who sent her the evidence and Wen Xin plays it like she cared about Jian Ai. Jian Ai offers her a job but she refuses.
Jian Ai invests in factories so that she can ensure the quality (to prevent any Tony-counterfeits again)
After Lin Heng Zhi cleans up Lin Chen Sheng's mess, the former takes over as the CFO. Tony, the fox, takes credit too. It's all thanks to him sabotaging Lin Chen Sheng that Lin Heng Zhi has the chance to win and I have magical beans for sale. PM me if you're interested. Mom Lin and Juliet believe it. Lin Heng Zhi is wary.
Lin Heng Zhi walks in the office as the CFO but in his mind are images of Jian Ai.
Lin Chen Sheng is in jail for the real/fake license that Tony set him up for. All the evidence is against Lin Chen Sheng. His wife believes Lin Heng Zhi is the mastermind and she will avenge her husband.
[Ep31] It's Chinese New Year. Jian Ai would rather be alone than be with Aunt and Ah Ming. Everyone (Li Yi Ming and Ah Jiao) thinks she should let go of her hate to free herself. I'm on Jian Ai's side. I don't think they deserve to be forgiven. But of course, Li Yi Ming convinces her to eat with her family. Woohoo. Family time. Whatever. Eventually Jian Ai hires Ah Ming and dude returns the favour by bringing down her factory with a fire. Wen Xin happens to be using the same storage area and saves Jian Ai. Ah Ming says it wasn't him. He's so upset he drives drunk and crashes the truck. Dude, killing yourself is your choice, but can you not kill other people? Then he throws a tantrum at the hospital (refusing treatment because he's still drunk???) and so Jian Ai slaps him. Jian Ai fires him.
Wen Xin is failing as an entrepreneur. Jian Ai invites Wen Xin to her team. It’s not just out of gratitude; Wen Xin has skills. Jian Ai ahhhhh, you just got rid of one dud and now you’re hiring someone who will outright sabotage you.
[Ep32] Jian Ai and Li Yi Ming team up to develop their own brand instead of just trading/manufacturing international brands. They want to make a breakthrough in the Chinese market with Chinese products. Ah, China. But first they need a designer. Jian Ai wants Wei Feng. Oh and guess who this Wei Feng is. The moment he knows her name is Jian Ai, he works with her despite refusing all of Li Yi Ming’s previous attempts. Mysterious man!
Jian Ai Clothing Brand is created (why is it her name and not the designer’s name...). A flower basket arrives with no name. Who could it be? Lin Heng Zhi.
While Jian Ai is working on expansion, Wen Xin is undermining the company from within and she’s locked her target on Ah Jiao who’s pissed off Jian Ai promoted Liang Bing instead of her. Ah Jiao seems to be incompetent in understand that she’s incompetent. Jian Ai recruits Amy (yaass!!) to guide Ah Jiao but Wen Xin drives a wedge in Ah Jia and Jian Ai’s relationship by convincing her that Amy is here to replace her.
I got my wish for Jian Ai, Liang Bing, Amy, and Wen Xin to work together but I want them as a band of women who can depend on themselves. Wen Xin...isn't.
[Ep33] Everyone is in K City of M Country for a fashion conference. Li Yi Ming plans to confess again. But Lin Heng Zhi is there and LS Group is their partner. Lin Heng Zhi and Jian Ai both feel queasy from nervousness just at the thought of meeting. They take a breather and that's when they reunite. She congratulates him for fulfilling his dream in becoming the CFO. There’s tears in their eyes as their conversation remains colloquial. It’s interrupted by Juliet (and Li Yi Ming) but our main CP has another chance to talk at the afterparty. Lin Heng Zhi invites Jian Ai to the sea where they started. He wants to properly say goodbye to her because that’s the one thing he regretted never doing.
However, Lin Chen Sheng’s wife hired gangsters to kidnap Lin Heng Zhi and Jian Ai.
[Ep34] Jian Ai and Lin Heng Zhi are held at gunpoint. I’m not even surprised. Orders were to keep them alive but Lin Heng Zhi protests and rolls down the mountain. The kidnappers think Jian Ai is Juliet and so they call Tony (who’s always on a yacht), demanding ransom. After Tony confirms Juliet is fine and Lin Heng Zhi returns safely, they all realize the kidnappers have mistaken Jian Ai as Juliet. And now there are four men who are very worried for Jian Ai (Lin Heng Zhi, Li Yi Ming, Tony, and Wei Feng). Tony hires another armed force (not police) to save Jian Ai. Juliet camouflages among the rescue team. Meanwhile Lin Heng Zhi delivers the cash, but they only have half the ransom and so he exchanges himself for Jian Ai’s safety. However, Jian Ai refuses to leave without Lin Heng Zhi. If he dies, then she dies. *Insert gun fight with grenades* During the blitz, Lin Heng Zhi and Jian Ai escape in the woods. Juliet blocks a shot for Lin Heng Zhi. She’s alright. She asks about his relationship with Jian Ai to which he assures her that they're only friends. Juliet asks for a kiss and he does it on her forehead. Jian Ai sees.
[Ep35] Lin Heng Zhi finds proof that it was Lin Chen Sheng’s wife behind the kidnap and Mike’s death. She admits the former but denies the latter. Mike’s death was an accident. She promises she will turn herself in to the police. Jian Ai pities her and won't sue. After all, she is a mother. Thus, Lin Heng Zhi agrees on a mediation. As for Mike, portions of her shares will go to Mike’s wife.
Jian Ai buys a house for Aunt. Ah Jiao is touched. They also talk about studying which Jian Ai says she does want to go to school again but she’s too busy.
Lin Heng Zhi investigates Lin Chen Sheng’s case again and realizes Tony’s involvement is more than what he claims.
Li Yi Ming's love confession fails again. Jian Ai refuses to show up.
Jian Ai plans to advance her company internationally.
[Ep36] Tony is interested in working with Jian Ai for her international ventures. Li Yi Ming thinks Lin Heng Zi is a good option too. In the end, Lin Heng Zhi wins over Tony. Tony even had Juliet spy on Lin Heng Zhi but she chose to help her fiancé over her brother.
There’s another recession. Jian Ai motivates her company to work on internal management since there isn’t much external business. To lighten up the mood, Jian Ai complains about the canteen food. As for Lin Heng Zhi, he’s not as carefree. Tony is blocking his every path to secure investment. When there’s an opportunity to strike back, Lin Heng Zhi seizes it. He skyrockets the stock for Tony to fall in the trap.
[Ep37] This recession is mainly in the western countries. Jacky is bankrupt and has committed suicide. Wen Xin admits fault. If she hadn't switched to an American bank, their losses wouldn't have been so dire. Jian Ai knows she made the decision to save the company money. Jian Ai also covers the losses of the manufacturing company. Now she has 15 containers of clothes with no international market. Jian Ai decides to sell it nationally and online. Wen Xin is impressed with Jian Ai's productivity and innovation. Wen Xin truly admires Jian Ai now and she even gives Jian Ai 200000 RMB.
Ah Jiao and Ah Ming are messing things up again. Ah Jiao gives Ah Ming clothes to sell at his stand. He wants it with the BBA tag to sell it at a higher price.
Lin Heng Zhi keeps his seat as CFO thanks to Lin Chen Sheng's wife who voted for him.
[Ep38] Jian Ai sells BBA clothes (without the brand name) at a stand. She reunites with the guy who sold her the fake IDs, the one who likes Ah Ying. He even found a wife to look like Ah Ying, which he proudly tells Jian Ai. Uh.
Ah Ming is in jail for selling clothes with a fake BBA tag. As a result, the police freezes Jian Ai's factory, delaying her next supply. She tells Aunt she’ll need to mortgage the house for money to pay the factory. Aunt agrees to anything Jian Ai asks. It’s Ah Jiao who’s looking sour and bitterly asks where her mother will live then. Ah Jiao, just what is wrong with her attitude???????? Jian Ai is mortgaging her OWN house. Who is she to ask where her own mother will live!! Then at a meeting, she’s all smiley. This character makes no sense. Jian Ai’s company overcomes the crisis. Although they didn’t earn a profit, they gained a reputation among the factories and now everyone is offering her the best deals.
Amy wants to quit. Ah Jiao has improved and Amy can let go of her now. Can we let go of Ah Jiao and keep Amy? -_-
Ah Ming is released early from jail because Jian Ai paid but he blames Jian Ai for his imprisonment. Ugh.
Fang Heng Zhi plans to marry Juliet.
Li Yi Ming finally pursues Jian Ai. Wen Xin is jealous! Still! She’s at it again in rupturing the friendship between Ah Jiao and Jian Ai. Ah Jiao is this idiot who I hate more than Wen Xin.
Aunt dies. She’s hit by a drunk driver (a nod to Ah Ming’s drunk driving). He’s now very sorry to Jian Ai. He asks if she can still treat him like a brother. She can. Ugh. Is this it for the redemption?
There’s a problem with the factory in M Country (thanks to Tony). Lin Heng Zhi says he’ll handle it for Jian Ai. But it’s a lot of money and the board of directors at LS Group are against it, including Tony. Then Tony backstabs Lin Heng Zhi by offering a private deal to Jian Ai – he’ll give her the money she needs and he wants 30% of her clothing shares. Ultimately Lin Heng Zhi raises enough money. Jian Ai rejects Tony and he asks how she solved her problems. She says she has friends.
[Ep39] Juliet asks Jian Ai to disappear from Lin Heng Zhi’s side. Jian Ai for some reason assures Juliet with a lie that she’s marrying Li Yi Ming. Juliet is relieved, but not for long. Jian Ai is at the beach, and coincidentally Lin Heng Zhi is there as well. She’s there to say goodbye (to him). He asks her for a last hug as he congratulates her on her marriage and most importantly, he wants her to be happy. She lets him hug her. They clearly love each other. Juliet, who was following Lin Heng Zhi, sees this hug. If I was in Juliet’s shoes, I’d be mad too. He said he’d marry her and here he is, hugging another girl. This is emotionally cheating. He shouldn’t have given her hope.
Li Yi Ming proposes at the airport. Jian Ai accepts. They announce it to the company. Wen Xin manages to force a smile, but under that smile, she continues to undermine the company. When Liang Bing hollers at Ah Jiao who made a mistake and she has the audacity to yell back that it’s just one measly mistake, Wen Xin approaches the gullible Ah Jiao. I get that Liang Bing has a horrible attitude, but Ah Jiao is just pissing me off. Liang Bing has every right to be mad at her imo. Wen Xin teaches Ah Jiao to sabotage Liang Bing by smudging some numbers.
Tony convinces Juliet to sabotage Lin Heng Zhi for the betrayal. She was hesitant but when the password to his computer is Jian Ai’s birthday, she steals the information for Tony. This gives Tony evidence to send Lin Heng Zhi to jail because he misappropriated company funds to save Jian Ai. Lin Heng Zhi knows he’s guilty. He won’t run. He visits his father’s grave to tell him that he will do things his way. He’s arrested but before that, he visits Lin Chen Sheng who’s released from prison. All these years, Lin Heng Zhi has been investigating his case and has finally cleared his name. So why isn’t Tony arrested? Lin Chen Sheng addresses him as “Lin” Heng Zhi for the first time. Although Lin Heng Zhi never got recognition from Dad, at least he’s got a brother now.
Jian Ai asks Wei Feng to walk her down the aisle but he says he’s not worthy of it.
The wedding. Before Jian Ai walks down the aisle she receives a call (from Juliet perhaps). She cries. But still she walks down the aisle to complete the wedding vows with Li Yi Ming.
[Ep40] Ah, so you thought Jian Ai chose Li Yi Ming, well. Jian Ai ditches her honeymoon to visit Lin Heng Zhi who’s sentenced to jail for three years. They confess their love for each other (separated by glass). Thus, Jian Ai’s marriage with Li Yi Ming is off (but he still wants her to be happy). Lin Heng Zhi’s engagement with Juliet is annulled too. Lin Heng Zhi tells Juliet it takes two to love (and clearly Jian Ai and Lin Heng Zhi were never over each other).
Tony thinks he can swallow LS Group whole and be the CFO but Lin Chen Sheng has returned. The company will never be his. The brothers will take turns in prison to fight him, lol.
Jian Ai is back home. She sees the coffee store for sale. (It looks like she’ll buy it).
Jian Ai is arrested for smuggling. It’s Wen Xin. Ah Jiao thinks it’s herself and asks Wen Xin for a solution. Wen Xin tells her to run away. Back at home, Ah Ming is like there’s no way her sister (Jian Ai) would do something so stupid. Ah Jiao is frantic as she’s fretting on what to do.
[Ep41] There’s only four people who have access to the system: Jian Ai, Li Yi Ming, Wei Feng, and Ah Jiao. All evidence is against Jian Ai though (or more like there’s no other evidence). To save Jian Ai, Wei Feng lies that he smudged the numbers. Jian Ai is free.
Ah Ming finds Ah Jiao. He also notices peculiarities in the case. Ah Jiao can’t have known how to smudge the numbers. When they confide in Jian Ai, they realize it’s Wen Xin. Jian Ai asks Wen Xin why she’s doing this. Jian Ai, it’s so obvious. I don’t know why you have to ask. Jian Ai has security camera footage but Wen Xin will turn herself in. Wen Xin asks Li Yi Ming if he had loved her for even a short moment. He says he did. Wen Xin smiles. I actually would want Ah Jiao to be in jail. It’s criminal how stupid she is.
Wei Feng is released. Jian Ai has also deduced who he is. He’s the man who cheated with her mother. Jian Ai wants to end all business with him. To this day she thinks it was her fault that her parents died. Wei Feng says it has nothing to do with her. Her mother was planning to ask for a divorce that night anyway. For all these years, Wei Feng has been donating to orphanages because of guilt. In a sense, he has also relieved Jian Ai of her guilt. Her parents’ death had nothing to do with her. It doesn’t seem she forgave Wei Feng, though. Not sure.
Jian Ai did buy the cafe and now she’s the owner. Amy visits her. They read Director Gao’s (!!) postcard. He’s in Africa and married an African woman. Jian Ai remembers it was Director Gao who influenced her to change the world. Amy asks if Jian Ai has accomplished her goal. Jian Ai laughs. She isn’t sure if she changed the world, but she knows she changed her fate (with everyone’s help including Amy’s). Amy happily shares she’s happy with her own world (cooking for her man). As long as every girl is happy doing what they love, it’s all that matters. By the way, Liang Bing is independent and not looking for a man.
2014. Lin Heng Zhi is at the cafe. He asks Jian Ai if there’s his favourite coffee. Jian Ai offers him the instant kind, served in a paper cup. It’s his absolute favourite. He takes the cup and touches her hand. He’s still wearing the watch and they’re still sitting in that same spot. A lot has changed and a lot hasn’t changed.
The end.
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Hold your horses before you judge! Yes, it is middle-aged folks in a business drama pretending to be in their twenties (and even teens). But no, it is not corny.
Liu Tao as Jian Ai. Liu Tao is acting a character half her age and it works! Jian Ai was forced to grow up after her parents died. She has no youth. She's eroded and weathered, and more mature than anyone her age. Liu Tao with her experience in acting has a look in her eyes that even when she's glassy, I can tell her character is wounded. Her expressions are subdued but the passion within her is burning.
[Ending] Happy. Jian Ai and Lin Heng Zhi are presumed to be together.
[Review & Rating]
Ah Ming finds Ah Jiao. He also notices peculiarities in the case. Ah Jiao can’t have known how to smudge the numbers. When they confide in Jian Ai, they realize it’s Wen Xin. Jian Ai asks Wen Xin why she’s doing this. Jian Ai, it’s so obvious. I don’t know why you have to ask. Jian Ai has security camera footage but Wen Xin will turn herself in. Wen Xin asks Li Yi Ming if he had loved her for even a short moment. He says he did. Wen Xin smiles. I actually would want Ah Jiao to be in jail. It’s criminal how stupid she is.
Wei Feng is released. Jian Ai has also deduced who he is. He’s the man who cheated with her mother. Jian Ai wants to end all business with him. To this day she thinks it was her fault that her parents died. Wei Feng says it has nothing to do with her. Her mother was planning to ask for a divorce that night anyway. For all these years, Wei Feng has been donating to orphanages because of guilt. In a sense, he has also relieved Jian Ai of her guilt. Her parents’ death had nothing to do with her. It doesn’t seem she forgave Wei Feng, though. Not sure.
Jian Ai did buy the cafe and now she’s the owner. Amy visits her. They read Director Gao’s (!!) postcard. He’s in Africa and married an African woman. Jian Ai remembers it was Director Gao who influenced her to change the world. Amy asks if Jian Ai has accomplished her goal. Jian Ai laughs. She isn’t sure if she changed the world, but she knows she changed her fate (with everyone’s help including Amy’s). Amy happily shares she’s happy with her own world (cooking for her man). As long as every girl is happy doing what they love, it’s all that matters. By the way, Liang Bing is independent and not looking for a man.
2014. Lin Heng Zhi is at the cafe. He asks Jian Ai if there’s his favourite coffee. Jian Ai offers him the instant kind, served in a paper cup. It’s his absolute favourite. He takes the cup and touches her hand. He’s still wearing the watch and they’re still sitting in that same spot. A lot has changed and a lot hasn’t changed.
(Jian Ai is reading Jane Eyre which when translated to Chinese, it's her name Jian Ai. I had no idea this drama was "inspired" from this novel)
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Hold your horses before you judge! Yes, it is middle-aged folks in a business drama pretending to be in their twenties (and even teens). But no, it is not corny.
Surprise, surprise, I am low-key addicted to "Ocean of Stars". It has makjang/gouxue elements but soon (like Ep3) it evolves into a captivating(!) business(!) C(!)drama. So far, every episode has pinnacle moments and major developments, it's hard to quit. (For a sneak peak, I recommend reading the first lines of every paragraph for episodes 1-3). I think by Ep4, you'll know if this drama is for you.
I love the FL. Jian Ai has a sob story but I don't recall her crying at all. She's almost apathetic. She's like a machine dialed up so tight she only knows how to move forward. Every setback is a challenge. Every victory is hard fought and deserving. No triumph is weakened by cheap plot. I've lost count how many job changes she's had by now.
I am watching for the business scenes. It's not office politics. It's not flashy or glamorous. I wouldn't say it's gritty either. It's regular people working regular jobs in the international trade and fabric industry. Honestly, this drama can be about any job as long it sustains the same writing quality (i.e. believable conflicts) and I'd be engaged. The "villains" are regular people too. They have facets, some relatable, some understandable why they're so defective.
Finally, the romance. It is there.
Honestly, I thought I was going to be queasy seeing Raymond Lam and Liu Tao as a couple. Neither of them are who I think of when I want anything romantic. Put the two of them together and....you know what, it's not that bad. That being said , there's not a lot of romance at the moment. As of now they are business partners with good feelings for each other. He's the director of this company and she's a small employee at another company and her small actions help him big time. There's none of that stereotypical misunderstanding or even a love rival. They both respect each other. And so far, it's enjoyable watching them connect as two intellectual human beings.
P.S. I love the drama's use of coffee as a symbol of success.
[Actors/Actresses] None of the actors are anyone I would watch a drama for even though they're all well known and well respected in the industry. To me, reputable actors only guarantee great acting and not necessarily a good story. This one is a win-win. The cast are not only experienced but they're also suitable. They fit their characters so well that I forgot about their age.
Liu Tao as Jian Ai. Liu Tao is acting a character half her age and it works! Jian Ai was forced to grow up after her parents died. She has no youth. She's eroded and weathered, and more mature than anyone her age. Liu Tao with her experience in acting has a look in her eyes that even when she's glassy, I can tell her character is wounded. Her expressions are subdued but the passion within her is burning.
Liu Dan as Aunt. A great actress. I hate her character, and yet when her expression is wrought with despair for that rotten son of hers, I pitied her when there should be nothing sympathetic about this mother-son pairing.
Raymond Lam as Fang Heng Zhi. I used to love this guy and I really didn't want him in a romance/business Chinese drama. Let my memories of him be beautiful! But hey, it's not as bad as I had thought and actually he's pretty decent. Since it's more business than romance, I'm actually happier. It reminds me of older HK (TVB) business dramas where romance is there but never does it take over the narrative nor drive the plot. Visually, he's not what he was anymore, but there are still some "chok" moments of him, I think. Or maybe I'm hallucinating. I'm just happy my image of him is not ruined, phew.
[Behind the Scenes]
[Ending] Happy. Jian Ai and Lin Heng Zhi are presumed to be together.
Drama is “inspired” from a novel, Jane Eyre. My wikipedia source tells me her life is in five stages:
- Childhood (abuse from aunt and cousins)
- Education (oppressed at school)
- Career (falls in love with her mysterious employer)
- New Love (her cousin proposes to her)
- Marriage (with her first love)
Our drama follows these stages quite closely (minus the marriage with her first love).
[Review & Rating]
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