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The Ideal City

This is a work of fiction.

Ep32

She's here.

Morning.

Miss Su, good morning.

Are you guys waiting for me?

Yeah.

What's the matter?

Nothing serious.

Just the money we need to

pay the group from last year's audit.

The president said he'd write it off.

But why is the group asking us to pay now?

I'm no longer in charge of that.

I already handed the main business over to Zhao.

But Zhao said,

not this specific task.

He said you're still in charge of this.

Morning, guys.

Mr. Zhao.

I've handed things over to you,

haven't I?

Didn't we discuss this the other day

in front of Mr. Xu?

That was just

your suggestion.

I didn't agree to it.

Nah, Su Xiao.

You are the one who handled it.

You already did half the job.

Guys,

please go back first.

Mr. Xu and I need to discuss this.

Fine.

We can go back first.

However,

you guys should figure this out soon

and inform us of the result.

Alright.

Let's go.

Please get it done soon.

I'm no longer in charge of

the main business.

This is not in

my job descriptions any more.

But those managers of T- subsidiaries

still went to knock on your door.

You said you're not in charge of it,

then why did they come to you?

Shouldn't you follow up on it?

TK is independent of

those subsidiaries.

I've finished what I was supposed to do.

You...

You're just avoiding it.

If you really want to avoid it,

you can quit like Dong,

and I'll take this job without complaining.

Zhao Peng.

Don't talk to a new colleague like that.

That's a bit rude.

Mr. Xu, what else do you want me to say?

I was gonna organize

a team-building activity

this weekend

just to welcome this new colleague.

But now,

who'd have the mood to participate?

She created such a big mess for our department.

It's not a good start.

At least she can do is

reflecting on herself and fixing it.

Alright.

Since you disagree on the job assignment,

let's table this thing.

Zhao Peng,

you should help Su Xiao a bit more.

She's new to the group after all.

Su Xiao,

you should quickly

familiarize yourself with other businesses.

We're all colleagues.

Let's put cooperation first.

My sweet girl,

why are you here?

I'm here to drop some files off.

I dropped by to see you.

Fine.

I came just to see you.

Thank you for your coffee.

Your coffee makes me forget all my problems.

Let me tell you.

I've got my barista certificate,

and passed the exam on elementary Korean.

That's great.

I think, if I work hard and keep learning,

even a rookie like me

will be appreciated by others one day,

just like how you were appreciated.

Even though I can't get my dream guy,

I can make him notice me!

Looks like you've had an epiphany.

I sure have.

Let's go to my office.

Let's go.

Enjoy.

Suzhou delicacies

are a bit bland.

Young people like you probably don't like it.

But greasy and salty food

is bad for your health,

especially for office workers

who live a sedentary lifestyle.

This place looks nice.

The food looks delicious too.

After Huang Lilin had that stroke,

you've had a hard time in the group.

I've always wanted to

apologize to you.

I should have reminded you

when you first took Dong's job.

But now the dust has settled.

I hope you can stop worrying.

Some say that

I'm upset 'cause the president hired you

without asking my opinion.

I say,

they just think everyone

is as petty as them.

I believe that the president

is a good judge of talent.

Plus, I read all the tenders you drafted

when you were still at TC.

I was the one

who gave the contract to TC.

It just proved that I was right about you.

Right?

Personnel appointment

is within the president's right.

This is the rule.

It's just like in chess, all players are bound by the rules.

If everyone follows the rules,

does what they should do,

and avoids what they shouldn't do,

there won't be so many tricky situations.

Mr. Xu.

I've learned my lesson this time.

I'll try to adapt to

the group's management style soon.

If you have any suggestions or questions,

just come to me.

Compared with young people like you,

the only advantage I have

is my social network.

I can also share my experience.

Mr. Xu, you're being modest.

With your guidance,

I won't be so reckless from now on.

Hello, here's your takeout.

Thanks.

Here.

Xu Zhiping took you out for food?

Why?

He shared his secrets to success with you?

More like secrets to survival.

I got into an argument with Zhao

because of the money

the subsidiaries need to pay the group.

I didn't want trouble,

so I passed the buck to Zhao.

That sounds right.

If he can do that,

so can you.

You used to be too innocent.

Had you acted like this sooner,

you wouldn't have got in trouble.

Don't overthink it.

Let's enjoy the weekend.

Here.

What's wrong?

From now on,

I get to tell everyone that

I learned how to

pass the buck at work.

When the president asked me,

"What will be a good price, if we sign an annual steel supply deal with Baoshan Iron & Steel",

I instantly pictured

many things.

A chart of prices on steel futures.

An M&A negotiation.

And that everyone comes to hug me

after I won a public tender.

I thought I'd be embarking

on a new journey that's tiring but exciting.

I thought it'd be full of passion

and a great sense of achievement,

and I'd feel like a king.

Who'd have thought the first skill I learned

is buck-passing?

Here.

Don't drink that fast, Xiao.

Slow down.

Xiao!

Xiao!

Do I look cool?

You do.

Hello.

I'm at Xiao's.

I know.

OK. OK. Gotta go.

See? This is a man without ambition.

He just thinks about

his woman all the time.

I gotta go home.

Go.

Remember.

No more public display of affection

in front of me in future.

Why is that?

Didn't I tell you?

I broke up with Xia Ming.

Why?

It'll be fine, Xiao.

It must be some misunderstanding.

It's not.

In fact,

I've never understood him this well.

I know his desires,

his confusions and his worries,

all too well.

That's why we broke up.

Xiao.

Hello.

I told you I got it!

Stop calling me!

I know, I know.

Gotta go. Bye.

Xiao.

I... I have to leave now.

Remember to eat the food.

Leave

Leave

Xiao.

It's so late. Why are you still up?

Dad.

Are you asleep?

Nah.

I'm still up too.

Where's Mom?

She went to bed.

Shall I wake her up?

No, no, no.

I just miss you guys.

We miss you too.

Your mom was saying today,

that she shouldn't have

forced you to study back then.

Look at how it turned out.

You were great at study,

but you also left home.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Silly girl, why are you apologizing?

Honestly,

even if we did get a second chance,

we'd force you to study

every single day.

Knowledge and education

allow you to do what you want

and live the life you want.

It's too hard.

What's too hard?

To live the life I want

and do the things I want

is too hard.

Xiao.

Did something go wrong?

No, Dad.

No.

Just something happened at work

and it's quite tiring.

I'm just whining, that's it.

Xiao.

Don't push yourself too hard.

If you're really tired,

just come home

and I'll provide for you.

You got that?

Dad, don't worry.

I'm just whining, I promise.

You've never had us worry since you were a kid.

This is the first time

you've complained to me about work.

I'm very worried now.

Could you tell me

what really happened?

Otherwise, I'd be so worried.

Dad.

If I become really successful,

but I end up becoming someone you'd hate,

is that still a success?

Xiao.

No matter what you become,

I will never hate you.

You'll always be my dearest daughter.

What I really care about

is not your success or lack thereof,

it's your happiness.

Got it?

I got it, Dad.

And I promise

I won't become someone you'd hate.

Dad.

You should go to bed.

Good night.

Night.

♫ The perfect world full of flowers ♫

♫ Where is it ♫

♫ If it does exist ♫

♫ I'll for sure go find it ♫

♫ I wanna be there ♫

I need to keep running

♫ With the highest mountains ♫

♫ I won't care ♫

So that the world doesn't devour me

♫ Even if I fall off the cliff ♫

Those who give in to conventions easily

♫ Live hard and love hard ♫

♫ Even if I end up with a broken heart ♫

♫ I don't wanna please no one ♫

Will die with conventions eventually

♫ I just can't let myself down ♫

♫ My dreams ♫

I can keep on running

♫ I've never once thought about giving up ♫

Because I haven't forgotten

♫ Even during ♫

♫ My darkest days ♫

♫ Maybe I'm no gifted ♫

Why I embarked on this journey

♫ I'm a brave dreamer ♫

♫ I'll prove it to you ♫

♫ With the rest of my life ♫

♫ Maybe I'm clumsy ♫

♫ But I won't stop my adventure ♫

♫ Leave no regrets behind ♫

♫ When my youthful days end ♫

♫ Run forward ♫

♫ In the face of mockery and disdain ♫

♫ How could you find the meaning of life ♫

♫ Without going through hardships♫

♫ Fate♫

♫ It can never knock me down ♫

♫ Even if I'm covered with blood ♫

♫ I'll keep running forward ♫

♫ With my chin high up ♫

♫ The beauty of life ♫

♫ Comes from pain and sufferings ♫

♫ I'll fight until my last breath ♫

♫ I'll shine like a shooting star ♫

♫ One day, I'll make it to spring♫

Singapore

Mark.

I miss you so much.

Me, too.

Long time no see.

Mr. Zhao.

Mr. He sent his regards.

Where did he go hunting this time?

I couldn't reach him on the phone.

Africa.

He said he'll hunt a deer for you.

Long time no see.

Hi, David.

Take a seat.

Guys,

I'll cut to the chase

and keep it short.

Mr. He said that

he can give you

a 200 million dollar investment,

for 42 months,

but on two conditions.

First, he wants a seat on the board.

David Li, Representative of Kairui Capital

Second, he wants your group

to go public within the next two years.

Excuse me, David.

That's a bit different

from what we agreed on.

Well, you know that

Mr. He doesn't really care

about a 10% or 20% investment return.

He wants much more than that.

100%, 200%

or even 500%.

If you can launch an IPO,

I believe Mr. He will be more than willing

to further invest in you.

We've already tried

an IPO ten years ago.

We spent 30 million on it,

but we were denied entry to the market.

So launching an IPO

is something we need to

think about very carefully.

I see.

I've been following the stock market of China.

It was immature ten years ago.

But now,

it's much more regulated.

It's also very vibrant.

Now international capitals all want to invest in it.

I believe,

Mr. He is also

looking forward to it.

Mr. He's passion for money

hasn't changed a bit.

Tell him that

I'll talk to the board members.

When he is free,

we can discuss this in person.

Good.

Mr. He would love it if you could

go sailing and fishing with him in the states.

I will. We'll find time.

Nice.

That's it for today.

I won't walk you out.

Alright. See you.

See you.

Good-bye.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

When can I go back?

No, you can't.

Looks like the boat is sinking

and I don't want to drown with it.

You...

You underestimate Mr. Zhao.

Your father said that

you can only go home

when you have Mr. Zhao figured out.

Good luck.

Bless you.

Bye.

Morning.

Morning, Mr. Xu.

Morning.

Mr. Xu.

About the money

that T-subsidiaries owe us,

I'll deal with it.

Looks like you've come around.

That's good.

Deal with it soon.

It's been delayed for a while now.

Any other instructions?

Instructions?

Well, just the same thing.

Follow the rules.

Your mission

is to get the money back.

As for where they got the money,

it's not our business.

We can't control that.

Got it.

Miss Su.

Mr. Gao went on a business trip.

He hasn't come back yet.

When will he come back?

He didn't tell me.

I'm Zhu Yuan from Finance.

He asked me to tell you that

he's already read your proposal

on converting debts to loans.

He doesn't think it's a good idea.

Why?

He didn't tell me.

I'll go back to work.

Mr. Gao, you said the timing isn't right.

Which aspect do you mean?

Every aspect.

To begin with,

Mr. Xu.

Would he be willing to work

with the Investment Dept?

More importantly,

the group doesn't have money to spare now.

Debt Collection Notice

The money T-subsidiaries

Dear managers

owe the group is a year overdue.

Please prepare the money

and give it to the group's Finance Dept

as soon as you can.

Why did you bring me this?

Fat Huang.

You should

help us with this thing.

How can I help?

I'm handicapped now.

I can't even walk.

How do you expect me to help?

Hadn't we stood up for you,

would the group have written off

your 8 million debt so easily?

Exactly.

You can't burn the bridge you've crossed.

That's an awful thing to say.

Burn what bridge?

I earned that 8 million myself.

If you don't like it,

then go into the ICU,

or get handicapped like me!

Eh...

That's not what we meant.

Calm down, Lilin.

Don't be mad.

You're all here.

What's the matter?

Xia Ming.

What exactly did the president say back then?

He did say that

your debts will be written off too.

As for why it didn't happen,

I really don't know.

Someone in the management team probably disapproved it.

Wang Mingyu!

It must be him.

Possibly.

This guy.

He never liked us.

He hasn't submitted

the resignation letters.

Xia.

Is it possible for you

to put in some words for us?

Alright. I'll give it a try.

Thank you so much.

Then we'll leave now.

Yeah, yeah.

Fat Huang.

Get well soon.

Get enough rest.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Please do your best.

Appreciate it.

Let's go.

Why did you get involved?

It has nothing to do with us.

I've got a plan. Don't worry.

What plan?

I think you just wanna find an excuse

to see that Su Xiao.

You guys have broken up.

A breakup should be

quick and clean.

Don't try to get her back.

Have some water.

Just a sip.

Please.

Come in.

Miss Su.

Is now a good time?

Take a seat.

This afternoon,

the three general managers of T-subsidiaries

went to see my uncle.

Are you here to help them persuade me?

Not exactly.

I just think

you shouldn't push them too hard.

I didn't push them.

This is a task

assigned to me by the group.

I'm just executing it.

I didn't make the call.

If you have something to say,

take it to the president or Mr. Xu.

Are you chasing me out?

I don't know

why you came here to persuade me.

I've made my attitude

about that money clear from the beginning.

You know it very well.

They should abide by the group's rules.

If I agree to let it go,

just because they are making a scene,

who will take the rules seriously again?

In many situations,

rules don't really matter.

You should consider the reality.

In my opinion,

the reality now is that

they're throwing a tantrum to get away with it.

Only because they have no other option.

You've never experienced that.

You probably don't know

how difficult it is for them.

It's difficult for them?

You think it's easy for me?

That's not what I meant.

I know it's not easy for you either.

If you really knew that,

you wouldn't be here to force me to let it go.

How am I forcing you?

You're forcing me.

Can you be reasonable?

I'm being very reasonable.

I know it's not easy for you.

But nobody has it easy!

The subcontractors

are always asking for payments.

The clients always play us like a fool.

We can't get loans from banks,

so we took money from loan sharks.

We finish our drinks

knowing the risk of alcohol poison.

We dare to offend no one.

We have to butter everyone up!

You said I don't understand you.

Have you tried to understand me?

But you chose this path yourself.

Cost engineering involves many personal relations.

You chose it,

so just accept the consequences.

Right.

You're right.

It was my choice.

I asked for it.

But have you thought about it?

Whether it's double-charge for 500 years,

or free use for 1000 years,

the prerequisite is that

you get the door to heaven.

If you don't have the door,

how could you even make the rules?

Every dragon slayer thought

they'd go back to the small village they came from.

But nobody ever went back.

What's all this?

Did you come

just to pick a fight with me?

I came to tell you

that T-subsidiaries are difficult.

Don't mess with them

if you can avoid conflicts.

But it doesn't matter now.

You wouldn't listen,

no matter what I say.

Xia.

I'm going to Macau this weekend.

You should come.

No problem. I'll make arrangements.

Karaoke time! Our usual spot.

Got it.

See you soon.

There's a classic Broadway show this weekend.

Wanna go watch it?

Sorry,

but I'm so busy lately.

I'll tell you once I'm free.

Come in.

Mr. Zheng.

Mr. Zheng.

You're here, Miss Su.

Welcome.

Here, take a seat.

Go get the accountant.

Alright.

Don't welcome me just yet.

I'm here to collect the money.

Miss Su.

It's our duty to pay our debts.

Plus,

we were in the wrong in the first place.

Sorry for troubling you and

making you come all the way here.

Don't worry.

I've prepared the money.

That's great!

Thank you for your cooperation, Zheng.

No problem.

Come in.

Miss Su.

Take a look.

This...

Three million in total.

You can double check it.

Mr. Tong.

The typhoon

delayed the project for three weeks.

We never made much money.

Now we've lost everything.

What's the solution?

Mr. Tong.

How about you settle the payment for us today?

Alright?

Yeah, pay us first.

Say something. Mr. Tong.

Keep quiet.

Don't worry.

Of course I'm worried.

Zhang.

Take my seat.

What? Are you leaving?

Mr. Tong.

Don't walk away.

Mr. Tong!

Wait!

What's going on?

Guys, calm down.

Here, let me tell you.

Take a look.

Mr. Tong.

For the clients that don't pay on time,

you need to avoid them in future.

I know that.

But we take whatever we can get nowadays.

I actually did some research.

Your firm has a lot of projects.

If all the clients pay you on time,

the money you owe the group,

shouldn't be much of a problem.

My financial reports disagree with you.

Our profit margin

is just above eight percent.

After the contribution

we need to pay the group,

we're operating at a loss.

Why is the margin so low?

Is there a problem

with your project management?

Don't get me started on project management.

My company

doesn't have people like Xia Ming,

who thinks ahead and scrambles for big projects.

Or you, who helped TK increase revenue and reduce costs.

In terms of talents,

we only get scraps from the group.

Look.

Wang Yang got you, a brilliant helper at TK,

but the group stole you from him.

I'm just outside.

On my way.

Right.

Let me make it clear.

Even if I have the money,

I won't be able to give it to the group.

I need to pay the construction teams first.