Episode Summary
Chu Shaohua, now jobless in Shanghai, finds an unlikely ally in a young shoeshine boy, Cheng Hui. After struggling to find work, she cons her way into a salesclerk position at a department store with Cheng Hui's help. She quickly proves her skill by becoming the top seller, earning a promotion. Her success, however, makes her a target for a jealous colleague.
Spoiler Alert
Hitting Rock Bottom in Shanghai
So, Chu Shaohua's big move at the factory backfired. She led the women's strike and actually won them their rights. The factory bosses were not happy about it. They fired her immediately. Now she's in Shanghai with no family and no connections. She has absolutely nowhere to go.
But remember that nine-year-old kid, Cheng Hui? He was a child laborer she helped out. He decides to leave with her. He even finds her a place to stay. It's in a slum, and it’s a total mess. Still, it's a roof over her head in a city that has completely chewed her up.
An Unlikely Friendship
These two are a pair. Cheng Hui became an orphan at four. He survived by begging and stealing until he got a job at the mill. He hated the factory work, though. He decided he'd rather be shining shoes on the street.
Chu Shaohua feels for the kid. She starts treating him like her own son. They really only have each other to rely on.
The Job Hunt from Hell
Chu Shaohua hits the pavement looking for work. She starts in the fanciest part of the city. She spots a "help wanted" sign at Wen's Pharmacy and decides to go in. The owner, Wen Zhiqiu, is surprisingly friendly. He greets her and offers her some snacks. But then she recognizes him. He's the guy who once treated her like a beggar. She just turns around and walks out without a word.
She spends the entire day searching. Every place turns her down because she doesn't have a guarantor. She comes home completely defeated. Cheng Hui, on the other hand, had a great day. He shined twenty pairs of shoes and even bought rice. He hears about her problem and says he can find her a guarantor. For a small fee of four copper coins, of course.
A Glimmer of Hope at the Department Store
Her next stop is Yongxin Department Store. She wants a job as a clerk. The personnel department shuts her down fast. She doesn't have a middle school diploma. She tries to argue that her math and literacy skills are solid. They don't care. They just show her the door.
As she's leaving, she hears the department head, a woman named Shen, singing an English song. It's the same one Xia Chu taught her daughter, Xuanxuan. Chu Shaohua starts humming along. Shen hears her and assumes she knows English. Chu Shaohua has to admit she doesn't. She only knows that one song. She uses the opportunity to pitch herself again. She insists she's a great salesperson. Shen is still not convinced.
A Desperate Plan
Chu Shaohua figures out it's not just the diploma. It's her appearance. She doesn't look the part. Cheng Hui offers to get her a proper outfit and shoes. All he asks in return is that she teach him how to write.
While teaching him, she's hit with a memory of her late daughter. She just starts crying. Cheng Hui promises he'll stay by her side. Later, he goes to the bathhouse where his friend Ah Wang works. He waits for a regular customer, Miss Daisy, to go in for her usual long soak. Then he grabs her clothes and shoes for Chu Shaohua to wear to her interview.
The Pen and the Promotion
Dressed in the borrowed clothes, Chu Shaohua returns to the department store. She sees Wen Zhiqiu there. He's trying to buy a pen, but the clerk, Ni Xiangying, is failing to make the sale.
Chu Shaohua sees her chance. She takes the pen from Ni Xiangying and starts her sales pitch on Wen Zhiqiu. She smells Chinese herbs on him and correctly guesses he's a doctor. She tells him the pen is perfect for him. Wen Zhiqiu is annoyed. He recognizes her from his pharmacy and decides to make things difficult. He tells Ni Xiangying he'll buy the pen only if she can guess Chu Shaohua's real job.
Just then, Department Head Shen walks by. She steps in to save the situation. She declares that Chu Shaohua is a new employee. And just like that, Chu Shaohua is hired. She asks to be placed in the stationery department.
The Aftermath
While all this was happening, Cheng Hui was in deep trouble. He and Ah Wang were trying to stall Miss Daisy at the bathhouse. They kept bringing her the wrong clothes. Daisy got furious and called the police. Cheng Hui's boss gave him a beating.
Chu Shaohua finally gets back and returns the clothes. She finds Cheng Hui bruised and jobless. She carries him home, feeling terrible. She got a job, but he lost his and got hurt in the process.
Making Her Mark
Back at work, Chu Shaohua tries to be friendly with her new colleague, Ni Xiangying. Ni Xiangying is icy and makes sarcastic remarks.
Then, Wen Zhiqiu comes back to return the pen. He claims it isn't smooth enough. Chu Shaohua demonstrates that the pen works fine. She convinces him to try it for another week. She also gives him a coupon, which she uses to upsell him a more expensive Parker pen on the spot.
Chu Shaohua works relentlessly. After her shifts, she studies all the information she can find on pens. Her product knowledge and service quickly make her the top seller in the department, leaving Ni Xiangying in the dust. Department Head Shen is impressed. She promotes Chu Shaohua to a permanent employee ahead of schedule. Her coworkers congratulate her, but Ni Xiangying is clearly bitter.
The episode ends with Chu Shaohua using her new income to send Cheng Hui to school. He is overcome with emotion and promises to study hard. We then see Ni Xiangying secretly messing with the new product orders and price lists.
