Episode Summary

Li Zhijin, CEO of Jufeng Capital, considers a risky crude oil project brought by Wei Jinghai, unaware he has bugged a doll he gifted her to eavesdrop. Meanwhile, at rival firm Risheng, intern Zhao Jiadi is assigned a demanding data analysis task by Ming Gu under Lin Peng's direction. After dealing with office challenges and a grumpy archivist, Zhao Jiadi receives cryptic messages leading him to Pei Luoshen, whose offer of help he rejects. Inspired by the archivist, Zhao Jiadi boldly requests to join the crude oil project team, impressing Lin Peng enough to grant his request under strict supervision, despite initial refusal.

Spoiler Alert

The High-Stakes World of Finance: Li Zhijin & The Bugged Doll

First up, we've got Li Zhijin. She's not just anyone; she's the granddaughter of Li Minxian from the massive Li Shi Group, but she's striking out on her own as the CEO of Jufeng Capital. Jufeng is in a constant battle with rival finance giant Risheng (where our main guy Zhao Jiadi works, more on him later). Li Zhijin made a promise to her grandpa: hit a 10 billion target with Jufeng, or come back and inherit the family empire. No pressure, right?

Enter Wei Jinghai. He brings Li Zhijin a potentially lucrative crude oil project. Sounds good, but Li Zhijin is sharp. She sees the report and immediately pumps the brakes, wanting a thorough background check. She's worried about the volatile oil market and the tricky business of getting export quotas. Smart lady.

Wei Jinghai suggests teaming up with other finance companies to spread the risk. Seems helpful... but then he gives her a doll he knows she likes. Sweet gesture? Nope! Turns out, the doll is bugged with a listening device. Li Zhijin is totally clueless and happy with the gift, while Wei Jinghai is already listening in. Super shady move.

Later that night, Li Zhijin calls Zhao Jiadi (remember him?) asking him to look over the full project proposal for his assessment. As they chat, Wei Jinghai is eavesdropping on every word, creepily weaving something out of straw while listening. Yikes.

Zhao Jiadi's Grind at Risheng

Meanwhile, over at Risheng, Zhao Jiadi is still dealing with the fallout from previous events. His supervisor, Ming Gu, pulls him aside. Ming Gu clarifies that he personally doesn't have an issue with Zhao Jiadi, despite any office politics about qualifications. He says the higher-ups (specifically Lin Peng) are calling the shots. To test him (or maybe just bury him in work), Ming Gu assigns Zhao Jiadi a mammoth task: compile a detailed analysis report on primary product data from 2001 to 2008, and he only has three weeks to do it. Ouch.

So, Zhao Jiadi knuckles down, starting from the bottom rung as an intern, running errands, but occasionally offering useful insights to his colleagues. He develops a sort of friendly rivalry with another colleague, Song Mingjian – they compete but also seem to respect each other.

His quest for data leads him to the company's archives room, which is a total mess. He accidentally wakes the sleeping administrator, who's known for being incredibly grumpy and short-tempered. Zhao Jiadi has to practically tiptoe around, carefully unlocking cabinets to get the files he needs without setting the guy off again. The relief when he finally gets the data is real!

Mystery Texter & A Bold Move

While burning the midnight oil, Zhao Jiadi gets that call from Li Zhijin about the oil project. He also starts getting persistent texts from someone calling herself "Mai Cha Xiao Mei" (Little Tea-Selling Sister). She keeps texting, eventually uses his actual name, claims she has something he wants, and asks to meet him alone. Intriguing!

Following the address, Zhao Jiadi ends up at a tea house called "Ru Gu" (Like Old Times / As Before). And who's the mystery texter? None other than Pei Luoshen! She cuts right to the chase, offering to help him, framing it like she wants to "adopt him as a little brother." Zhao Jiadi, ever the independent spirit, turns her down flat. Pei Luoshen is pretty ticked off, thinking he's ungrateful.

Back at Risheng, the big boss Lin Peng is about to leave on a business trip. He tells Ming Gu not to get jumpy about the crude oil market. But Ming Gu reveals that another manager, Manager Li, has already raised the alert levels and stop-loss points. Manager Li shows up then, and they discuss the oil strategy. Crucially, Manager Li asks Lin Peng if he's letting Zhao Jiadi participate in the actual trading/operations.

Inspired by a blunt "put up or shut up" pep talk from the grumpy archives administrator (after Zhao Jiadi started cleaning the archives daily and vented his frustrations), Zhao Jiadi decides to shoot his shot. He finds Lin Peng in the cafeteria and boldly asks to join the crude oil project team, wanting a chance at more core responsibilities.

Lin Peng initially shuts him down hard, reminding him he's just an intern and should stick to his assigned tasks. But Zhao Jiadi came prepared and argues his case effectively. Impressed despite himself, Lin Peng eventually agrees, but with a stern warning: Zhao Jiadi must follow orders exactly and make no unauthorized moves, or Lin Peng will personally kick him out of Risheng. Though Lin Peng keeps a serious face while talking to Zhao Jiadi, as he turns to leave, a small smile of admiration flickers across his face. Looks like Zhao Jiadi's grit earned him a chance!

So, to recap Episode 9:

  • Li Zhijin is considering a risky oil project, unaware her associate Wei Jinghai has bugged her.
  • Zhao Jiadi is grinding away at a massive data task at Risheng while navigating office politics and grumpy administrators.
  • A mysterious offer of help from Pei Luoshen is rejected by Zhao Jiadi.
  • Zhao Jiadi boldly asks for and gets a spot on the high-stakes crude oil project team under strict conditions from Lin Peng.

Things are definitely heating up! What will Wei Jinghai do with the intel he's gathering? And can Zhao Jiadi handle the pressure of the oil trading floor? We'll have to wait and see!