Episode Summary
In Episode 3, a chance encounter at a bar where Liu Jun is playing the piano leads to a meeting with Lin Chuan, who is impressed by his business insights and invites him to tour her brother's factory. Meanwhile, the Qian family suffers a tragedy as their mother passes away, a loss that deeply affects her children and Liu Jun. At the factory, Liu Jun astutely identifies critical issues with idle, high-tech equipment, sparking a debate on the industry's focus on short-term profits over long-term R&D. This experience solidifies his resolve to start his own technology-focused company, but his plan is met with strong opposition from his father over funding. The episode concludes with Lin Chuan making a surprise visit to Liu Jun's home during his heated argument with his father.
Spoiler Alert
Created in China Episode 3 Recap: Pianos, Principles, and Painful Farewells
This episode masterfully weaves together professional ambition, personal tragedy, and burgeoning relationships, setting the stage for major conflicts. A chance encounter over a piano melody leads to a high-stakes business evaluation, while a family is struck by a sudden loss, forcing everyone to confront their priorities.
Recap: A Tale of Two Families
The episode opens in a bar, where Qian Hongming coaxes a reluctant Liu Jun to play the piano. Liu Jun’s performance is nothing short of breathtaking, immediately capturing the attention of Lin Chuan and her sister-in-law, Xia Haiping. Realizing she had previously misjudged him, Lin Chuan sends over a drink and her business card. An introduction by Qian Hongming reveals her identity: she is the sister of Lin Yue, the director of the Municipal No. 1 Machine Factory. The conversation quickly turns professional, and Lin Chuan is deeply impressed by Liu Jun's sharp analysis of the stainless steel precision manufacturing market. The exchange earns him an immediate invitation to tour her brother's factory.
Meanwhile, a quieter drama unfolds. Liu Jun’s father, Liu Shitang, attempts to give a gift to Qian Hongying, explaining it’s a token to compensate for the toll that years of caring for her sick mother have taken. Though visibly moved, she refuses to accept it. Shortly after, her mother’s health takes a critical turn. Qian Hongming and Liu Jun rush back to help, but it’s too late. At the hospital, Qian Hongming tearfully holds his mother's hand as she passes away. In a moment of quiet empathy, Liu Jun drapes his coat over a grieving Qian Hongying, later returning home to stare silently at a photograph of his own late mother.
The factory tour is more than it seems. Director Lin Yue has arranged for his top technical expert, Chief Engineer Wang, to lead the tour, secretly instructing him to test Liu Jun's character and capabilities—a test to see if he is "worthy" of his sister. Though Lin Chuan dismisses any romantic notions, she is seen primping in her office mirror before the visit. However, Liu Jun, focused solely on the business at hand, bypasses Lin Chuan and connects instantly with Chief Engineer Wang, much to Lin Yue's amusement.
During the tour, Liu Jun’s expertise shines. He immediately points out the expensive, imported CNC machines lying dormant. Wang explains the grim reality: the machinery was installed as part of a Japanese-led project, but the core technology was monopolized. When the Japanese engineers left, the equipment became inoperable, requiring an astronomical fee to reactivate. The factory's management, chasing the quick profits of low-end contract work, has allowed these high-tech assets to become little more than scrap metal. Liu Jun bluntly calls it a colossal waste of resources. Wang agrees, lamenting that the high risks and long-term commitment required for genuine R&D are a tough sell for investors. He highlights the industry's critical weakness: it takes a decade to build true technical expertise, yet young talent is leaving in droves.
Later, Liu Jun declines a dinner invitation from Lin Yue, citing his friend's family tragedy. He tells a bewildered Wang that he was only ever interested in the equipment, not a partnership, leading Lin Yue to label him as someone who doesn't understand how the world works.
In the wake of his mother's death, Qian Hongming decides to sell the old family home to buy a new one, promising his sister he will one day buy her a villa. Liu Jun supports his friend, and the two share a moment under the moon, discussing their ambitions. This solidifies Liu Jun's own plan: he will import German equipment and focus on R&D, leaving the sales and management to his father. While Chief Engineer Wang enthusiastically supports his vision, Liu Jun's father, Liu Shitang, vehemently opposes investing capital in research and development. As their argument reaches a boiling point, the doorbell rings. Lin Chuan is standing at their door.
Spoilers & Key Developments
- A Fateful Encounter: A shared appreciation for music brings Liu Jun and Lin Chuan together, but it's his professional acumen that forges a real connection, setting the stage for a complex relationship.
- A Family Shattered: The death of the Qian family matriarch acts as a catalyst, forcing Qian Hongming and Qian Hongying to make drastic decisions about their living situation and future.
- A Test of Integrity: The factory tour reveals itself as a calculated test by Lin Yue. Liu Jun passes by being his authentic, uncompromising self, but in doing so, he rejects the very opportunity Lin Yue was dangling.
- The Central Conflict: The episode firmly establishes the core ideological clash of the series: Liu Jun’s forward-thinking, R&D-focused ambition versus his father's traditional, profit-first business philosophy. Lin Chuan's unexpected arrival during their heated dispute ensures that business and personal lives are about to become even more entangled.
