Episode Summary
In a tragic turn of events, Qian Hongming confesses his crimes to the police via phone but refuses to surrender, ultimately taking his own life.As the scandal brings down corrupt officials, a new financial crisis emerges, forcing Liu Jun to make drastic changes to his company's strategy to ensure its survival while grappling with the profound loss of his friend.
Spoiler Alert
"Created in China" Episode 33: A Tragic Farewell and a Looming Crisis
The episode opens with Qian Hongying speaking to Liu Jun outside the police station. She confesses that she never understood why her brother, Qian Hongming, was so determined to push forward without a safety net. Now, she realizes that Liu Jun was always his safety net and his greatest hope. Her words spark a realization for Liu Jun: Qian Hongming must have planned for this and is surely still somewhere in Donghai.
Acting on this hunch, Liu Jun leads the police to a villa to investigate. His phone suddenly rings—it's Qian Hongming. He asks Liu Jun to hand the phone to the police and proceeds to confess to all his crimes. However, he makes it clear he has no intention of surrendering and is contemplating suicide. Unwilling to spend the next twenty years in prison and face the ruin of his life's work, he has lost all hope. Despite Liu Jun's desperate pleas, Qian Hongming remains resolute. After a tearful goodbye, he places a cherished photo of Shen Jiali in his pocket, having already written a heartfelt suicide note.
Soon after, the police recover Qian Hongming's body from a nearby lake.Overcome with grief, Liu Jun retreats to Qian Hongming's first home, where he is flooded with memories of their shared past, collapsing in tears as he looks at his friend's photograph.
The news of her brother's death devastates Qian Hongying. Shen Jiali, however, suffers a complete mental breakdown upon hearing the news and is rushed to the hospital.When Liu Jun and Cui Bingbing visit, they find that Shen Jiali has fallen into a coma after being blamed by a distraught Qian Hongying. With Shen Jiali's elderly parents planning to take her and their granddaughter, Little Taozi, back to their small hometown, Liu Jun worries about the child's future. In a moment of panic, he offers to raise Little Taozi himself, completely disregarding Cui Bingbing's feelings. Though initially furious, Cui Bingbing's heart softens after Liu Jun explains his deep bond with Qian Hongming, and she agrees to welcome the child into their home.
After the funeral, Qian Hongying returns to police custody to face her impending trial. The scandal surrounding Qian Hongming's death and a widely circulated post creates a public uproar, leading to the downfall of several corrupt high-ranking officials involved in the case.
However, the resolution of one crisis gives way to another as a new financial tsunami hits, threatening businesses of all sizes, including Lu Huadong's company. Homeowners who bought property at a high price during the first phase of his development are now protesting plummeting prices for the second phase. A stressed Lu Huadong meets with Liu Jun, drowning his sorrows in alcohol and advising Liu Jun to start considering layoffs at his company, Tengfei. Liu Jun strongly disagrees, unwilling to betray the loyal, elite team members who have stood by him since the beginning.
Later that night, as Cui Bingbing drives a drunk Liu Jun home, he is once again consumed by sadness over his friend's death, a casualty of this economic crisis. Witnessing the international economy crumble, Liu Jun makes a pivotal decision for Tengfei. To survive, he will implement a strategic shift, moving from a technology-focused approach to a price-focused one, prioritizing sales and frugality above all else.
To raise capital, Liu Jun mortgages his car but receives only half its value due to the dire economic climate. At the dealership, he discovers Qian Hongming's car and learns that his friend had anticipated his own demise, having already signed a "death file" to settle his affairs. That evening, seeing her husband overwhelmed, Cui Bingbing sits by his side, offering him quiet comfort.
