Episode Summary
Zhang Zhaoyuan leaves his successful sales career in Shenzhen to pioneer yak insurance in Tibet. He faces immediate rejection from the locals and struggles with the harsh environment. After a disastrous first meeting with Grandma Zhuoma involving a calf named Niu Niu, Zhang suffers a humiliating fall into yak dung. However, he eventually connects with the grandmother by comparing the orphaned calf to his own daughter, earning her trust.
Spoiler Alert
From City Slicker to the Plateau
We start with Zhang Zhaoyuan. He is a big deal at his insurance company in Shenzhen. He dominates the sales charts. He won "Star of the Quarter" six times in a row. His boss loves the numbers he puts up. But corporate headquarters has a new directive. They want to push national policies in Tibet and Qinghai. They need to boost their workforce there. The boss picks his best man for the job. He sends Zhang to Tibet. His new mission is selling insurance for yaks.
The 100,000 Yak Challenge
Zhang arrives at the Tibet branch office. He meets his new colleagues, Hazha and Lao Mu. They waste no time sharing the bad news. The job is a nightmare. Snow leopards eat the yaks. The herders watch it happen. Yet, they still refuse to buy insurance. The team has made zero progress. Zhang ignores the warnings. He is confident in his sales skills. He makes a bold promise. He swears he will insure 100,000 yaks in the district within one month.
Bad First Impressions
Zhang drags Hazha along for house calls. It goes poorly. Every herder shuts the door in their faces. Zhang refuses to quit. They head to Grandma Zhuoma’s house. Zhang spots a small yak. He decides to tag its ear right then and there. He gathers his courage and approaches the animal. Grandma Zhuoma stops him immediately. She claims she heard the calf crying for help. The calf's name is Niu Niu. Zhang tries a classic sales pivot. He tells her his daughter is named Niuniu. He tries to act friendly. Grandma Zhuoma does not care. She glares at him with pure anger.
A Messy Situation
Hazha and Lao Mu pull Zhang away. They tell him to give up on this one. Zhang is stubborn. He steps backward and slips on a pile of fresh yak dung. He falls flat on his face. He complains loudly. He rushes to the river to scrub his face and teeth. Hazha tries to comfort him. He says yaks only eat grass. He insists the dung is actually high-quality fertilizer.
Finding Common Ground
Hazha has lived in Tibet his whole life. He is curious about the outside world. He asks Zhang all about life in Shenzhen. In return, he teaches Zhang about the specific situation of each yak in the herd. Zhang slowly gets used to the smell of burning dung. He goes back to find the calf, Niu Niu. He talks to the animal about why the ear tag is important. Grandma Zhuoma interrupts him. She reveals a sad truth. The calf’s mother died giving birth. This hits a nerve. Zhang pulls out a photo of his daughter. He vows to protect the calf just like he protects his own child. This honesty finally works. Grandma Zhuoma is moved. She agrees to think about buying the insurance.
