Episode Summary
Zhao Jiadi meets the powerful Fan Longquan, who initially tests him with a demand to leave the city but is ultimately impressed by Zhao Jiadi's loyalty and intelligence. Fan agrees to help Zhao Jiadi's friend, Fang Jie, and tasks Zhao Jiadi with financing a mining project. Meanwhile, Li Zhijin meets potential investor Huang Hu, who coincidentally met Zhao Jiadi previously and is looking for someone trustworthy. Back home, romantic tensions flare as Pei Luoshen becomes jealous of Zhao Jiadi's interaction with Cai Yanzhi. Zhao Jiadi and Cai Yanzhi strategize on how to use the Nanshan Chamber of Commerce to help Wu Dengke regain his mine from Jinhai, potentially by getting involved in the "Kalpurnia" project.
Spoiler Alert
Zhao Jia Di Season 2, Episode 15 Recap & Spoilers: The Test and The Tangled Web
The episode kicks off with Zhao Jiadi being brought to a swanky hot spring hotel by Liu Zong. The man behind the invite? None other than the formidable Fan Longquan. This guy radiates power, and you can feel the condescending, testing vibe coming off him. He even throws shade by mentioning an old story about trading watermelon peels for a whole load of steel back in the day – basically hinting Zhao Jiadi wasn't even around then and is just a rookie.
But Zhao Jiadi, despite knowing Fan Longquan's reputation, handles it like a pro. He stays cool, calm, and collected. He doesn't just sit there; he dives into business talk, outlining the potential for the property where Fang Jie's noodle shop is located. He smartly points out that businesses need to adapt to a diverse society, not just stick to what they know. He highlights the rise of e-commerce, predicting (accurately, we know!) that the clothing industry would be hit first and that the internet's growth would blow everyone's expectations out of the water.
Showing respect (and maybe a bit of strategy), Zhao Jiadi makes the first move and toasts Fan Longquan. This seems to get Fan's attention. Fan states bluntly he dislikes overly calculating people but, surprisingly, agrees to accept all the terms for Zhao Jiadi's friend's shop without haggling. There's a catch, though: Zhao Jiadi must leave Hangcheng that night.
Zhao Jiadi gets the implications immediately. To protect his friend Shang Bao, he agrees. However, before making any moves, he confirms Shang Bao and the others' safety with Fan, making it crystal clear that his friends are his absolute bottom line. He promises to leave right away but insists that Fan must arrange an escort to ensure Shang Bao and his crew get back safely.
And guess what? This display of loyalty, intelligence, and willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends is exactly what Fan Longquan wanted to see! Suddenly, Liu Zong is all smiles. The whole "leave town" demand? It was just a test!
With the test passed, Fan Longquan is impressed. At the dinner table, he promises Zhao Jiadi he'll make sure Fang Jie gets a spot for her shop in the commercial district. More importantly, he tasks Zhao Jiadi with a major responsibility: handling the financing for his upcoming mining project. Zhao Jiadi accepts, promising to do his best.
Meanwhile... Other Players Make Moves
While Zhao Jiadi is navigating Fan Longquan's world, Li Zhijin is busy searching for new investors. She meets with a well-known overseas Chinese businessman named Huang Hu. Plot twist! This is the same elderly man Zhao Jiadi had a chance encounter with on the train earlier! Huang Hu tells Li Zhijin that at his age, he's not focused on making more money; he's looking for a reliable person or team to manage his foundation. Finding good people is harder than finding good companies, he says. Li Zhijin's first thought? Zhao Jiadi. And wouldn't you know it, Huang Hu also remembers the sharp young man from the train. Seems like their paths are destined to cross again.
Back Home: Romance and Rivalry
Zhao Jiadi gets back from his morning run to find Pei Luoshen waiting right at his doorstep. She's persistent, and he ends up having to go shopping with her. Ever the multitasker, Zhao Jiadi tries to subtly pump her for information about the Li Shi Group, but Pei Luoshen shuts that down fast – she doesn't want to talk about other women.
When they get back upstairs with all the shopping bags, they find Cai Yanzhi and Ji Jie already there, waiting for Zhao Jiadi. Things get awkward fast. Pei Luoshen immediately picks up on a shift in Zhao Jiadi's attitude towards Cai Yanzhi and goes into full-on jealousy mode. She tries a few petty maneuvers, but everyone sees right through her.
When Zhao Jiadi wants to speak privately with Cai Yanzhi, Pei Luoshen dramatically drags Ji Jie out to the balcony for a tearful vent session. She complains that Cai Yanzhi is clearly still hung up on Yang Qingdi but continues to string Zhao Jiadi along. Ji Jie, observing the meltdown, points out that Pei Luoshen obviously has feelings for Zhao Jiadi herself, but Pei Luoshen vehemently denies it (yeah, right!).
Strategy Session
Inside, Zhao Jiadi tells Cai Yanzhi about Fan Longquan asking him to handle the mining project financing. He lays out what he knows, comparing the Nanshan Chamber of Commerce and the entity known as Jinhai. This sparks an idea for Zhao Jiadi: maybe he can use the Nanshan Chamber of Commerce's influence to help Wu Dengke get his mine back from Jinhai.
Cai Yanzhi, always sharp, helps him analyze the situation. She gives him advice on how to infiltrate the Nanshan Chamber of Commerce, get involved in their "Kalpurnia" project (seems to be related to the mining deal), and fulfill his promise to Wu Dengke.
So, what's the takeaway from Episode 15?
Zhao Jiadi passed a crucial test with a powerful figure, landing both a favor for a friend and a huge new responsibility. Connections are being made elsewhere (Li Zhijin, Huang Hu, Zhao Jiadi). The romantic drama is heating up with Pei Luoshen's jealousy front and center. And most importantly, a strategic plan is forming for Zhao Jiadi to potentially take on Jinhai and help Wu Dengke, using the Nanshan Chamber of Commerce as leverage. Looks like things are about to get even more complicated! Can't wait to see how Zhao Jiadi handles all this.
