Episode Summary
Li Lei meets a cleaner named Zhang Lifen during a rough start in Shenzhen. Over the years, they form a supportive bond as Li Lei climbs the corporate ladder and Zhang Lifen navigates family struggles and workplace challenges. They help each other through career lows and personal crises before parting ways upon her retirement.
Spoiler Alert
A Rough Start in Shenzhen
It’s 2011 in Shenzhen. Li Lei is new to the city. He heads to an office building for a job interview. He stops by the restroom first. He walks out with his head down. He is glued to his phone. He misses the warning sign at the door.
The cleaning lady, Zhang Lifen, put it there. Li Lei slips on the disinfectant. He twists his ankle. He limps into the interview room. The pain is distracting. The interview is a bust. He leaves with nothing.
The Elevator Pitch
Li Lei walks out feeling defeated. He runs into Zhang Lifen again in the elevator. She hears about the failed interview. She wants to help. She hands him a recruitment flyer. It lists every company in the building currently hiring.
Li Lei doesn't give up. He goes door to door. Zhang Lifen cheers him on from the sidelines. It pays off. He finally lands a position. He finds Zhang Lifen to thank her. They get to talking. Her son is also named Li Lei. He is finishing high school soon. She hopes he will come to Shenzhen for work too.
Moving Up the Ladder
Time jumps to the 2012 Spring Festival. Li Lei worked his tail off. He is a manager now. Zhang Lifen invites him to celebrate the New Year. She is working overtime for the holiday pay. After that, she plans to head back to Harbin. She needs to be with her son.
We learn her husband died years ago. Her son has big college entrance exams coming up. Li Lei sees her off. He wishes her son luck.
Years Later
Several years pass. Li Lei chats with a girl from Harbin. She mentions Zhang Lifen is back in Shenzhen. Li Lei gets the address. He goes to find her. It is a chaotic scene. Zhang Lifen is in a physical fight with a man. Li Lei jumps in. He pulls her away.
They catch up. Her son got into a college in Sichuan. She came back to Shenzhen to work. She knew Li Lei was doing well. She didn't reach out. She didn't want to bother him.
Messy Relationships and Job Offers
The man from the fight was bad news. He was married. Zhang Lifen didn't know. She became a mistress by accident. She is furious about the deception. Li Lei calms her down. He buys her a new pair of shoes. He offers her a job at his company. Zhang Lifen refuses. She doesn't want to be a burden.
She eventually goes back to the same building. She works as a cleaner again. She tells Li Lei the news. He offers her a desk job a second time. She turns him down again.
The Cleaning Cart Joyride
Li Lei is burning the midnight oil. His team is working late. Zhang Lifen sees them. She jumps in to help out. Li Lei hits a wall with work. Zhang Lifen gives him a thumbs up for support.
Things get worse. Li Lei and his business partner have a falling out. The partnership dissolves. Zhang Lifen watches it happen. She drags Li Lei to the roof. He screams. He lets out all his frustration.
She takes him down to the garage. They hop on the industrial cleaning cart. They drive around. It clears his head. Li Lei feels better. He throws himself back into his work.
Time to Say Goodbye
Zhang Lifen reaches retirement age. It is time for her to go. Li Lei buys her a big bouquet of flowers. They wish each other well. They part ways.
